Pregnancy & You: Commonly Overlooked Steps To Maintaining Optimum Health

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Going the extra mile for your health is pivotal during pregnancy

Taking care of your health should be a priority at all stages in a woman’s life. Nonetheless, the need to pay attention to this factor is even greater throughout the nine months of pregnancy. After all, your actions could have a huge impact on giving your son or daughter the best possible start. Essentially, a healthier mom is a better mom, and you mustn’t forget it. 

Even when you have the best intentions, it’s very easy to overlook crucial elements. Here are seven of the most commonly overlooked issues that could make a world of difference for both mother and baby. Before you start reading, though, congratulations on conceiving! 

Review and Giveaway | Tupperware Brands Philippines x Justice League Collection

Ever wondered how your favorite superheroes smell like? 

It never crossed my mind until Tupperware Brands released their Justice League Collection last October just in time for the release of the most awaited Justice League movie. The Justice League Collection includes Beauty, Fragrances, and Personal Gift Sets that are limited edition ones which are perfect gifts for DC aficionados who like collecting DC items.

Tupperware Brands Philippines, being one of She’s The Moms’ favorite brands, we surely don’t want to miss out on this exciting new products. So, I together with the husband and the kids got to try the Justice League Fragrances and Personal Care Gift Sets. Yes, you read it right. The collection is for all ages which will surely help you boost your confidence and unveil your own DC Superhero!

So let’s get to know each of the products and find out what we think.

Kids Plus+ Justice League Chibi Collection

Meet the kiddie crew that provides ultra protection for your little ones:

• Justice League Chibi Head to Toe Wash with Pro-Vitamin B5 - 200 ml for a Special price of P149
• Justice League Chibi Powder with Allantoin - 200 g for a special price of P 139
• Justice League Chibi Cologne with Hydraplus formula and 3Hr fragrance - 200 ml for a special price of P159

Athena loving her new cologne!

For ages 3 -11 years old. Each product contains unique plus+ ingredients that deliver specific kids care benefits. It is pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested and has a refreshingly fun and active scent!

Jaear also used the Justice League Chibi Powder and loves its cooling menthol effect!

Justice League Hand Sanitizers 

It is available in 45 ml for P199 each

The germ-fighting team is available in Superman and Wonderwoman variants. Not only does it keep our hands clean, it also conditions it as it contains Vitamin E and Aloe vera extracts. It also has moisture beads leaving our hands soft. 

Justice League Body Mists

Let's meet the confidence-boosting power scents that will surely keep you smelling good and feel like your favorite DC superheroes!

Batman and Batgirl Body Mists

Batgirl Body Mist 100 ml (Special Price P189)

 Batman Body Mist 120 ml (Special Price P189)

Jaear and I have our personal favorites, the Batman and Batgirl Body Mists! The Batman body mist has a Fougere Woody scent while the Batgirl has a Fruity Floral scent that's just light and refreshing. However, I gave it to my mom when we met last time so I have to get another bottle for myself. Haha!

Superman and Wonder Woman Body Mist

Superman Body Mist 120 ml (Special Pice P189

Wonder Woman Body Mist 100 ml (Special Price 189)

These two scents have a powerful and somewhat dominating finish. The Batman body mist has a Fougere Citrus scent and the Wonder Woman body mist gives a Floral Fruity scent.

The Flash and Aquaman Body Mist

The Flash and Aquaman Body Mist 120 ml (Special price 189)

These two gives a citrusy masculine vibe. The Aquaman body mist has Aquaeous Citrus scent while The Flash body mist has a Woody Citrus scent which is Jaear's another favorite.

Justice League Gift Sets

Tupperware Brands has also come up with gift sets that are a combination of fragrances and personal care products that are beautifully boxed.

Justice League Superman Gift Set (P 309)

• Superman Body Mist 120 ml
• Superman Body Wash 100 ml

Justice League Wonder Woman Gift Set (P 309)

• Wonder Woman Body Mist 100 ml
• Wonder Woman Body Wash 100 ml

Justice League Wonder Woman Body Scrub and Hand and Body Lotion Gift Set (P 499)

 This set is the ultimate bath and body duo! It is formulated with Olive Oil, known for its moisturizing properties, and Tsubaki Oil, an antioxidant-rich oil that delivers serious hydration for softer, younger-looking skin.

Watch our unboxing video!

Would you like to smell like Wonder Woman, Batgirl or Superman? Then you're in luck. One lucky reader will get to win his/her own Justice League Gift sets from Tupperware Brands and She's The Mom!

Prizes at stake:

Superman Gift Set

Wonder Woman Gift Set

Wonder Woman Body Scrub and Hand and Body Lotion

Batgirl Body Mist (not included in the giveaway photo)

Please enter the Rafflecopter Widget below to start earning your entries! Giveaway will start December 10, 2017, until December 16, 2017. Winner will be announced on December 18, 2017.

Note: The prize is for branch pick up and prizes might change depending on availability of the products at the branch where he/she will claim.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone!

For more updates and promos, please visit and follow Tupperware Brands PH online:

Facebook - http://bit.ly/2nyuNVt

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Website - https://goo.gl/jP8BWE

Being A Mom Isn't Easy, But It Can Be Easier

Being a Mom isn’t easy, safe to say that just about everyone can agree regardless of their gender or parenting status. With just about everything needing to be taken care of, sometimes it might just get a bit too overwhelming to deal with everything on a daily basis. Of course, no one said it would be easy, but everyone deserves to be able to take it easy now and then. Let’s quickly look at a few ways in which you could make your daily life as a mom at least a little bit easier. 

Image source: Pexels

Remember that you are not alone

It might be hard to leave your kid with someone else other than yourself or your significant other, but just keep in mind that there are humans other than you on the planet that are just as capable as you are. Trust is a whole different matter altogether, but if you have some close family who wouldn't mind helping out sometimes. Even some friendly neighbors can be an absolute lifesaver. Everyone needs a break from the house sometimes, and if you can get someone to cover for you, that well-deserved rest can be yours for the evening. 

Dealing with your kids getting sick

Running over to the hospital in a wild panic can get old really quickly, and very often it is plain unnecessary. Of course, this is purely because you care and you do not want anything to happen to them. But a time comes when you need to stop overreacting and learn to stand on your own two feet rather than depend on the emergency room for the smallest things. Ask your parents for some home remedies and whatnot, if asking your parents is not an option you could always look some up online. If you don’t have much faith in home remedies, just keep in mind that they probably got you through your childhood. Of course, sometimes you have to go and just get some medicine, but once again, running to the pharmacy every time can be quite the ordeal. Fortunately, we are nearly in 2018 and everything can be found online, including ePharmacies. If you cannot leave the house, or the pharmacy isn't within arms reach, this is the perfect solution.

Image source: Pexels

Try to strengthen their independence

More independent kids, are happier kids. Try to get your kids used to the idea of sleeping as early as possible. If you manage to get them to sleep willingly when they’re a few weeks old, it will make life much easier for everyone involved. When you’ve fed them, changed their diapers and left them in their crib for a moment, snuggle them up then try to leave the room. There is nothing worse than making them overly dependent on you for every little thing, because if you go down that route they might not even be able to sleep without being in your arms. It might sound somewhat selfish, but it’s just being realistic and actually doing what’s best for your child. It might not be an issue just yet, but a year or so down the line your back will be thankful for not having to carry around your kid at all times. 

Freshen Up Your Home In 5 Simple Steps

There’s nothing like filling your lungs with fresh air! Thankfully, you don’t always have to head outside to do so as it’s entirely possible to keep the air inside your home nice and fresh all year round. 

It’s very easy for the air in our rooms to get stale and musty, but this is easy to change once you know how to correctly air out your home. These five steps can make your rooms much fresher in no time at all!

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Open The Windows

This is probably very obvious, but it still bears mentioning - open your windows! This will allow all the fresh air from outside to rush into your rooms. It’s a good idea to do this even in the middle of winter when it is very cold outside. To ensure your home doesn’t get too cold, only leave the windows ajar and don’t leave them open for too long.

Add Some Fragrances

If you take a look at sites like www.aromatechsystems.com, you will see that you can now buy scent machines that will fill your room with pleasant fragrances. These are ideal for both office and home. You can choose from a wide range of scents, which will quickly diffuse around your room, no matter how big it is.

Update Your Air Conditioning Unit

When was the last time you had your air conditioning checked out? If it hasn’t been for a while, then this is something you need to think about doing. If the unit is very old, then it could actually be adding impurities to the air which can be bad for your family’s health and will also make the air much staler. Even if your unit isn’t that old, it’s still important to get it checked every year to make sure it’s in good working condition.

Add Some Houseplants

Did you know that houseplants can greatly improve the air quality in your home? It’s true! Not only will plants and flowers add some pleasing fragrances to your home, but they are also great at purifying the air. Plus, they can help you add touches of bright color around your home. Not all plants are great for purifying the air, though, but the best ones include spider plants and Boston ferns. You can see a complete list of purifying houseplants at www.greatist.com.

Get An Air Purifier

If you know that the air in your home is particularly stale, you should invest in an air purifier. You just need to place the purifying unit into a room and turn it on so that it can work its magic. It will effectively remove all the toxins and impurities from the air, leaving lots of fresh air behind!

As you can see, you don’t have to live in a home that is filled with dirty and musty air. All you need to do is follow the five steps above and you will have a much fresher house or apartment in no time. And then you can breathe easy!

Make Healthy Home Hacks Even Healthier

If you want to make your home healthier, there are hundreds of healthy home hacks that can help you. Making a few changes to your home can help to make it a healthier environment and make it easier for you to make healthy lifestyle choices too. But some healthy home hacks might not go far enough. You can make some of them even healthier if you know the right tricks. With a little extra thought, you can go to the next level and get a home that's in the best condition for your health. Try out some of these ideas to make your healthy home hacks even healthier and greener.

Switch to Microfiber Towels/Cloths

If you've been on a mission to have a green home, you might have stopped using paper towels or disposable wipes. This can make you worry that you're not cleaning your home as well as you could be, but it doesn't have to. You can use reusable towels and clothes and still make sure you have a clean and healthy home. Microfiber is one of the best materials to use because they're so absorbent and good at picking up dirt and debris. They're excellent for cleaning with water and cleaning products, as well as for dusting.

Source: Flickr

Use More Natural Scents and Air Fresheners

Making your home smell better is good for your health in a few ways. It can force you to seek out the source of unpleasant smells, as well as make your home more relaxing with pleasant scents. However, if you start using air fresheners or other fragrances, you might want to take a look at the ingredients. Perhaps you would prefer to use more natural essential oils, which you can diffuse in your home without letting too much moisture into the air. You can learn more about the gadgets that help you do this from Aroma Tech. Looks for oils that are organic and non-allergenic, among other things.

Balance the Moisture in Your Home

For a healthier home, a lot of people start finding solutions to reduce the moisture in the air. This can involve using a dehumidifier or changing lifestyle habits. However, it's also important to remember not to remove too much moisture from your home. You don't want it to be too dry, or it could be bad for your skin and other aspects of your health, as well as your home. If you have a dehumidifier or a humidifier (if the air is usually dry), you can often set it to a specific humidity level so you can get the balance just right.

Make Sure Reusable Food Containers Are Safe

Reusable food containers are an excellent way to reduce waste. They can also help you to eat healthier by making it easy to prepare meals in advance. But you should check to see if the containers you're using are as safe as they can be. Ideally, any plastic should be BPA-free. Of course, your containers should also be safe to freeze, chill or expose to heat if you plan to store them in the fridge or freezer or heat up food in them.

Even if you've started to make your home healthy, you could go further and make it even healthier. Make careful decisions to ensure you're getting the most out of your home hacks.

Look Beautiful. Feel Beautiful

Looking beautiful and feeling beautiful are two very different things. Often people don’t ever feel either of them. There’s too much pressure going on with social media etc. that it is hard to find a reason to love yourself. But the thing that everyone misses is this, everyone needs to learn to love themselves. People fascinate on the fact that other people in the world are perfect, but they’re not. Everyone has something wrong with them somewhere along the line. So, to look beautiful, you truly have to feel beautiful, and here are some ways of achieving that feeling.

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Pamper

Pampering yourself is so important, yet it is something that a lot of us seem to forget to do. We focus on rushing around to work life, social life, family life etc. that we forget to have a little bit of me time. Everyone is guilty of it. But the benefits of giving yourself a good pamper are amazing. You’ll instantly look and feel more beautiful. Here’s a quick pamper session that you need to try. First, you need to start with a nice hot bath or shower. Get yourself some candles and lovely smelling bath bubbles if you’re choosing the bath. Soak all your troubles away, and use a good exfoliator to start getting the dead skin off, you’ll feel so much more youthful after it. Try and purchase a hair mask from your local store and apply it whilst you’re relaxing in the bath. Most of them only recommend 10 minutes. Rinse it out and leave the bath feeling fresh. Then you need a decent moisturizer to keep your skin subtle and fresh. If you’re struggling with ideas on which one to get, check out the Moisturizers Blog. Try and moisturize your whole body if you can, it’ll leave you feeling fresher than you realize. Then finish off my filing and painting your nails. Take your time and apply two or three layers, leaving around 30 minutes in between layers to make sure each one dries fully. It’ll give you full coverage and help to prevent any chipping.

Look After Your Health

What you eat plays a big part in how you look and feel. If you eat junk food all the time you’re bound to start feeling sluggish and horrible. It does nothing but bad for your skin and appearance as well. Excessive eating of saturated fats and sugars increase the risk of weight gain, as well as the risk of breakouts. A girl's worst nightmare. Then you need to focus on the good foods that you can be eating. Filling your diet with omega 3 will help improve the quality of your skin. So fish is going to be great to add if you don't already eat it. Then you want to try to include as many vitamins and minerals as possible. These help to regulate the body’s normal function, which includes raising mood levels. A poor diet can lead to a drop in mood levels, which can then lead to a bad self-body image. What feeds you will make you happier. Plus it’ll help to boost your natural beauty.

Treat Yourself

A lot of us don’t get the chance to treat ourselves that much. There’s so much going on and so many other people to consider, that buying ourselves something is a bit of a rarity. But it can be the one thing that makes you feel better about yourself. We all know that feeling of buying a new item of clothing and feeling brand new every time we wear it for the first few times. So, if you bought just one new item of clothing every month, you’re guaranteed to feel better about yourself. Know the items that are going to suit your figure as well. Hourglass bodies really suit the bodycon look. Whilst curvy figures suit the skater dress and skirt look more. You’ll know what you feel comfortable in though, so always try and aim for that. The same applies to makeup. A new lipstick or a new foundation can really change the look of your whole face. When it comes to lipstick, pick bolder colors that you usually would. Bright reds are so fashionable at the minute, and they’re such a statement. There are also some really good foundation brands around at the minute. Estee Lauder is a firm favorite for a lot of people, but if that’s a little out of your price range you could test different drugstore products and see which ones work best for you. Make sure the coverage is good and they’re not too cakey.

Going All Out For The Christmas Party

A Christmas party is a nice end of year function to celebrate the work and struggles you’ve overcome in the previous 12 months apart from celebrating Jesus' birth.

So you want your party to look the best Christmas party ever has? Here’s some ideas to make it easier to plan, and to make sure it looks and feels great. 

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How to Decorate

That can be easy once you’ve got a clear idea in mind. Use both the inside and outside to your advantage here, as your home can be cosy and warm for people to mingle in, or you can add an extra element of flair to it with a bit of clever lighting and some music. 

Hang up fairy lights over your porch, and put some Santa shaped ornaments either side of your door. Of course they can be any shape you want, as long as it adds a little more magic to the scene. Hang up a Christmas wreath, and let the hum of Christmas music float to the outside through the wood. 

What to Make

Christmas parties take a special kind of catering. Once you’ve bought the decorations, it’s time to move onto the biscuits and sweet treats your guests will love to nibble on. Some old time family favorites include cheese straws, gingerbread, mince pies, and of course there’s the mulled wine. However, we can mix it by throwing in some extra ingredients!

For example, take the idea of the mince pie and throw a bit of Baked Alaska on top of it, which is super yummy and looks great on a tablecloth. You can also make the cheese straws spicy or crunchy, for a little hidden flavor we always miss! 

How to Dress Up

Just because it’s a Christmas party doesn’t mean everyone has to come as a version of Santa and his elves! Instead, use this time to really show off your style and be the best dressed person in the room by taking the look of Christmas tinsel, baubles, and festive cheer and putting it into an outfit. 

A suit and blazer will always go down a storm, as it’s easy to maneuver in for the dancing and you can dress in multiple layers. Similarly, a playsuit or jumpsuit has a sense of festivity about it as they’re usually covered in a blotched or spotted pattern, perfect for that candy cane feeling whilst not looking overly dressed, and you can wear fluffy cardigans around your shoulders. 

Similarly, make sure your kids are outfitted just as nicely! For the younger ones this isn’t really a problem, they’ll look cute in everything. But if you have older children, you might find they have some issues with choosing the perfect outfit. So, if you’re having a trouble finding an outfit your teen will love, look into mermaid prom dresses, as they’re sparkly and flow out lovely around the ankles; sure to make your adolescent feel like a million bucks!

A Christmas has never had so much homemade cheer to it!

It's Time To Put Your Financial Fears To Bed!

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There are a lot of things that are worth worrying about in modern life. Of course, even if they aren't, most of us are going to end up worrying about them anyway. From family to friends to work, the list of things to worry about just goes on and on. Of course, there's one thing that causes people to worry more than just about anything else. That thing is, of course, money. People can often spend huge amounts of time worrying about their finances. So much so that it often gets in the way of them living the rest of their lives. However, that's not the way it has to be. Here are a few simple ways that you can put your financial worries to bed.

Don't ignore your bank balance

One of the most common things that a lot of people do when they start to worry about money is that they refuse to look at their bank balance at all. Sure, this might help you forget about it for a little while, but eventually, it's going to creep into the back of your mind again, and you're not going to be able to ignore it. Not only that but over time it could end up making things worse because you're likely to end up making financial decisions that you're not really sure about. Make sure that you always know what your bank balance is. Even if it's less than you'd like, at least you'll know about it.

Give yourself a safety net

Saving can be hard for a lot of people, but it really is worth putting in the effort so that you have at least a bit of a financial safety net. Having money set aside means that, even if you fall into something of a financial slump, you've got a pile that you can dip into in order to make sure that it doesn't have any kind of long-term negative effects on your circumstances. Even if you're just putting away a little bit each month, it can be a huge help.

Get informed

One of the most common reasons that so many people end up panicking about their finances is that they simply aren't aware of what their money is doing. For example, it's incredibly common for a first time home buyer to have no idea about the process or what kinds of costs are involved, which leads them to panic about whether or not they can afford it at all. Similarly, a lot of people panic about debt because they simply don't understand the impact that it's actually going to have on their current financial situation. By making sure that you're as informed as possible, you're going to be in a much better position to take control of your money.

Of course, no matter what you do, money is always going to be something that you think about. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The truth is that it's important to be aware of your finances. Otherwise, you're just going to end up falling into the trap of ignoring them to the point where something bad ends up happening.

5 Signs Of Aging You Can Do Something About

Did you know those very first signs of aging can appear before you reach thirty? There are lots of reasons why they might show up early for some and a little later for others. Diet, exercise, and genetics will always play a part. Of course, if you’re skilled with your cosmetics, you can do well to hide them for ages. And if you have invested in a great skincare routine, you might be able to put them off for even longer. Here are just 5 of those early signs, how they’ll develop, and what you can do to slow them down:

Fine Lines

These are likely to be the very first things you notice. As soon as you do, you might think that your face is changing shape a little too. This is a sign that the plumpness of the skin is reducing. Collagen keeps young skin soft, supple, and plump. Muscles can help here so try some facial exercises to refine your shape. Your fine lines will eventually deepen into wrinkles. Some say botox injections help slow that down, but a good skincare routine including moisturizer will work just fine.

Staying beautiful as you age. (Picture source)

Saggy Jowls

The skin can appear to sag under and around the jawline over time. It becomes more noticeable after 40. Some experts think that hormone changes at this time of life can contribute to this problem. Reduce the risk of weight gain by maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. If you have a look at the websites of companies like Carolina Facial Plastics, you can see images of how this area can be affected as we age.

The beauty of maturity. (Picture source)

Wrinkly Decolletage

The decolletage is the area of the neck down into the cleavage. This area tends to look aged more than others because it is exposed to and not protected from the sun. Use a good moisturizer here every day, and remember your sunblock. You don’t have to cover up when you’re out, but it might help slow down this sign of aging. Again, hormones will probably play a part past the age of 50. Hormone Replacement Therapy can help to reduce the speed at which the loss of hormones will affect your body.

Will it all start with a fine line? (Picture source)

Thinning Lips

The lips thin mostly for the same reason the rest of the skin loses its youthful plumpness. You can keep the circulation going by rolling your lips together a few times per day. This increases the blood supply to the lips and gives them that natural rouge color. Some celebrities swear by fillers and lip plumping. There are also a few cosmetics that claim to be able to re-plump the lips. Clever application of lipstick can help give the illusion of fuller lips.

Thinning Hair

Thin hair is something you can’t avoid as you age. Hormone replacement therapy can help slow it down, but over time, your hair won’t be as plentiful. Look after it now by wearing it down, and cutting down on harsh coloring, styling, heating, and treatments. Will you fight the signs of aging when they happen to you?

How To Ensure Your Child Gets More Fresh Air

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Today, most of us live in a world which is far from being connected with nature and the great outdoors, meaning our children today are often sat in a car, an air-conditioned classroom, and stay indoors on their gaming devices - rather than be exposed to nature and get the abundance of fresh air they need to develop.

Getting fresh air has measurable benefits for children in terms of their physical health, especially in terms of receiving their daily dose of Vitamin D, which is provided from exposure to sunlight and assists in them growing strong bones and also lowers their risk of cancer. Some studies have even shown children who play outdoors are less likely to have visual issues, later in life, such as nearsightedness.

Exposure to fresh air helps your child to get a good night’s sleep and is instrumental in regulating sleeping patterns. Of course, the term “fresh air” doesn’t relate purely to the air that your child is breathing into his or her lungs, it captures an essence of physical activity, play, and social interaction - though there are certainly health benefits associated with your child breathing in an abundance of replenishing oxygenated air.

Time outdoors has proven to lower the risk of hyperactivity and depression. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children spending more time watching TV and playing video games than playing outdoors, tend to have shorter attention spans - which is, perhaps, because children that play outside in places like PDPlay areas are more likely to engage in ‘creative play’ and use their imagination… they are in the active position of creating entertainment rather than the passive position of receiving entertainment (e.g. watching TV or playing video games).

There are three basic principles to follow in terms of encouraging your children to be more active and spend more time outdoors.

GO WITH THE FLOW

There’s no need for things to be too rules-based, as an example, if your child is playing an organized sport one minute but then starts chasing after a butterfly - go with their curiosity and allow them to discover what they want to discover.

CHALLENGE THEM

The age-old game of “tag” is a great way to keep your children active. It is a mental and physically stimulating game that creates an element of competitiveness which allows you to bond… without it being too rigid and formal. Often, children love to embrace challenges, but they don’t want to feel the pressure of competitive sport - make it fun, keep it loose, and you’ll encourage them to participate much more.

TURN OFF THE TV

Kids aren’t born lazy. They are conditioned to be lazy, because as human beings, we all look for the path of least resistance, and for many of us, the easiest way to be entertained and quasi-stimulated is through sitting staring at the TV. Whilst the TV can certainly be a good tool to use from time to time, particularly when you are too busy to engage, it shouldn’t become habitual to the point that children get home and see it as the ‘only option’ or ‘preferred option’. There’s a whole world to explore but children need to be encouraged to get up and explore the world, rather than watch it, from the comfort of their arm chair.

A House With History, Or A Decorating Nightmare?

We all look for different things in properties. For some, a contemporary space is essential. Such individuals look for crisp, clean homes. It makes sense. A new house is a blank canvas on which to paint your style. Plus, you can ensure there won’t be any unpleasant surprises with the condition of properties like this.

For some of us, though, the bonuses aren’t enough to sway us away from period properties. If you’re after an old house, you’ll look out for character and features. A wood beam here, an authentic window there. Rather than look out for pristine properties, you’ll want something with history.

While old properties can work wonderfully, they can often have a few problems, too. Old houses just weren’t designed to the standards we’re accustomed to. Instead of being crisp and sharp, most old houses are a little wobbly. ceilings are often curved, and floors are sometimes uneven. While part of the character, these touches aren’t always practical. Which is why we’re going to look at a few ways to smooth the slopes in your old home.

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The floors

For the most part, carpet covers a multitude of floor sins. But, if you’re attempting to lay tiles, you may stumble across issues. Trying to lay any hard flooring on an uneven surface can be incredibly tricky. In this instance, it’s worth turning to concrete. A layer of concrete on top of your original flooring is all it takes to even things out. Head to companies like rollingercompanies.com now to find out how this could work for you. Bear in mind that, once a concrete layer is in place, it won’t be easy to remove it. Make sure this is what you want before taking action!

The walls

Uneven surfaces and wonky ceilings aren’t too tricky to maneuver when painting. But, if you want to lay wallpaper, things get much more complicated. The main issue is that wallpaper will show those slopes and uneven angles much more clearly. Plus, you’ll find it difficult to pattern match on a wonky wall. The good news is, sites like thebestwallpaperplace.com have some fantastic solutions. In extreme cases, you may need to plaster the surface. Again, this will give you a smooth foundation to work with. Or, you could use textured wallpapers which hide a multitude of sins. Have a think about which would work best, and then get to work. 

The windows

The windows of old properties are often the most charming feature. But, they aren’t without their issues. Old window panes and glass fittings aren’t designed with modern standards in mind. The panes certainly aren’t double glazed. In a drafty old house, the heat which escapes through your windows will make a huge difference. But, you don’t have to get rid of those beautiful classic frames. You could head to sites like www.diynetwork.com, and find some simple solutions. Many companies will also replace single panes with double glazing, and leave the frame intact if it’s in a good condition.

Avoiding Home Makeover Horrors - Lessons To Swear By

Ever watched a home makeover TV show where the couple were devastated by the finished result? It happens in real life too. A disastrous home makeover can be difficult to bear, as well as expensive to put right. Want to make sure you avoid a home makeover horror? Take a look at some of these top tips for getting it right.

Photo: Pixabay

Don’t rush into things

There are some great reasons to give your home a makeover. Want to increase the value? Make the most of your available space? Give a room a lighter and airier feel? These are all good reasons to give your home a makeover. Want to know some bad reasons? Making changes because you’re bored or because you’ve seen something great online or on TV could put you in way over your head, and might even lead you to do something that could decrease the value of your home. Plan any changes to your home carefully and take your time to make sure that you get what you really want out of it.

Opt for classic styles rather than jumping on trends

Jumping on the latest trends is great for your fashion, but not so much for your home. If you rush out to try every trend that’s out there, you’ll be forever making changes to your home. Rather than giving your home a makeover to keep up with the latest trend, choose a classic interior style that will stand the test of time. Save your money and buy home accessories instead that suit the latest home trends - these are much cheaper to replace and can help you keep your home up to date easily.

Seek professional help

A home makeover is a great idea until someone gets hurt. Sure, home makeovers look easy on the TV, but in reality, they take a lot of work. Get the professionals like the team at Million Dollar Makeovers to carry out the work for you. This way you’ll get your dream results and can avoid injuries or poorly executed work to ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for.

Find ways to save on your costs

Home renovations can be expensive, with the cost soon adding up to stretch your finances way over your budget. Some home makeover ideas are cheaper than others, and you need to be sensible with your spending to stop it from becoming a nightmare. Work out how much you can afford and work backward from there - this will allow you to separate the tasks into ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’ so that you can prioritize the things that you want and save costs on the others.

Home makeovers are a great idea when done correctly. Plan it all out carefully so that you know exactly what you’re getting into, how much it will cost and how long it will take. The last thing you want is to have to abandon your project halfway through because you’ve run out of money or steam, so avoid these common home makeover mistakes and do what you can to achieve your ideal home.

Spare Room, Less Ordinary: Alternative Ways to Use the Space

When you have a house, you want all the different rooms to be used in the best way possible. If you have a spare room and you don’t just want to keep it as your standard bedroom as you rarely have guests to stay, there are plenty of better ways that you can use the space. Struggling for inspiration? You have come to the right place! 

Game Room

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There is nothing like playing some games to take your mind off your stresses and worries so you could create a space where you have access to all your favorite activities. Perhaps you are a poker fan and you want to put in your own table. You may be more of a video game fanatic and choose to set up a TV, comfortable chair, and your favorite console. Otherwise, some classic arcade games may be more of your thing or perhaps a pool table. The range of options is endless! 

Home Office

With more and more people working from home or starting their own businesses, a home office is always going to be a great use of space. When you are undertaking a big conversion project, you may want to call in the professionals like The Renovation Company. The basics include a desk, chair, filing cabinet, and bookcase, but you will also want to lay the room out in a way that encourages work.

Home Theatre

A home theatre is something that the whole family can enjoy, giving you the opportunity to relax with your favorite TV shows and movies. All you will need is a few comfortable chairs and a big-screen television and you are pretty much good to go. Some pillows and blankets are also useful now that the nights are drawing in and the temperatures are dropping. The beauty of a home theatre is that is can be created in a room in which you don’t have a huge amount of space to work with.

Gymnasium 

For the health-conscious, creating a home gym is a very practical use of a spare room. To start off with, you may only need a few basic pieces of equipment like gym mats, dumbbells, and an exercise ball. Over time, you may decide to start accumulating bigger pieces of equipment. To create a real gym feeling, you could add a television in the corner of the room and a speaker system so you can enjoy your favorite tunes while working out.

Hobby Room

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If you are a keen practicer of a hobby such as arts and craft or music, having your own room to practice and create is perfect for many people. A wooden floor is a good base as this is where paint and other materials are most likely to spill. You will also need plenty of storage space to keep your range of different equipment.

These are just a few of the most popular uses for a spare room, so why not try out one to make a real improvement to your home?

What Do Homebuyers Want?

When you are preparing to put your house on the market, there are probably a few changes you need to make to your home. These will ensure that it is an attractive property to all the house hunters who are looking to buy somewhere new. And then someone will snap it up quickly at your asking price. There’ll be no need to reduce your price or sit on a property that doesn’t sell for months or even years.

Some things that you should do to your home are quite obvious - for instance, you should ensure that the house is clean and tidy whenever anyone comes around to view the property. But there are some things that aren’t quite as obvious. Want to know what homebuyers want from a new home? Read on to find out!

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Struggling To Get A Good Night's Sleep? Follow These Tips

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A lot happens to our body while we’re sleeping, so it should be no surprise that a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for our overall health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that could affect how well you sleep; Stress, a new baby, a snoring partner, and too much light can all make getting quality sleep near impossible, and leave you tired and cranky the next day. If this sounds familiar, then follow some of the tips below to try to help you to sleep better.

Sort Your Sleeping Pattern

Your body runs on cycles, including a sleep/wake cycle; If your sleeping pattern is irregular, and you’re going to bed at different times every single night, then it’s no wonder that you can’t get to sleep. Set aside six to eight hours every night where you intend to sleep, and try to get to sleep at the same time every night, even weekends. If you’re struggling to sleep, then leave the room for a while, and try to sleep again when you’re tired. 

Avoid Naps

If you’re setting aside time to sleep at night, then you should try to limit the amount you sleep during the day. Everyone needs to have a nap now and then, but you should avoid making this a regular thing. If you do feel the need to nap, then be sure that it’s no longer than around 25 to 30 minutes. Any longer than this will affect your sleep at night. 

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Stay Active During The Day

One of the biggest reasons why people can’t get to sleep at night is because they are still filled with energy and just aren’t tired. To avoid this, you should try to stay as active as possible during the daytime. You don’t necessarily need to be hitting up the gym and doing large amounts of exercise, even walking the dog around the block will burn off some energy and help you to sleep easier. 

Cut Out Light & Noise

If your partner snores or your neighbor's dog likes to howl at night, you are likely to struggle to get to sleep. If this is the case for you, then you might want to check out the earplug reviews here to find the best product to block out the noisiness. Light can also affect your sleep, as your brain assumes that, when there’s light, it’s daytime, and you should be awake. Investing in some blackout curtains or blinds will help with this. 

Lavender Your Life

Lavender is an incredibly relaxing and calming scent, which is why it’s often used to help you sleep. Try using a lavender scented spray on your pillow or a lavender scented body lotion to get you into a calm and relaxed state at bedtime. It really can work wonders.

It’s normal for you to have a sleepless night every now and then, but if you’re struggling to get to sleep every night, this is a problem. If this is the case for you, then you should consult your doctor to see if they can help.

Picking A Trusty Steed For Your Next Family Adventure

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Once upon a time, the perfect getaway was leaping on the first plane out of your hometown and enjoying the vibrancy of some city you had never before considered; lazy mornings spent in bed and late nights spent at a plethora of restaurants and bars. But the moment you birth kids that all changes, and fit changes for the better because the moment you become a parent the family road trip becomes a rite of passage you simply cannot get enough of. 

Life is not about the destination, it’s about the journey, remember. That’s what you get from a road trip; you get the chance to bond and laugh and smile and sing and create memories that will stand the test of time. However, that all depends on one thing: your noble steed, or as we call it today, your car. 

Too cramped, uncomfortable or bored and your hopes of an adventure through the wilds of wherever becomes a nightmare you wished you had quashed at its inception because the whole thing will be a misery. 

Of course, no one goes out to purchase a new car simply because they enjoy a few road trips a year. That would be insane (albeit slightly cool). That said, if you are in the market for a new motor and you do get a thrill from hitting the tarmac with your significant lover, your kids and a boot full of tidbits, then you should absolutely consider the road trip worthiness of your choices. Luckily for you, we’ve done the legwork. 

A City Break In Among Gothic Towers Of Central Europe

Europe is the continent that brews the modern day Western culture that we see today. Such a rich history that is admired from all four corners of the world. This is due to the fact that many cultures, peoples, and senses of being are packed in tight, squashed together so that identities are strengthened. No more so than the city of Gothic architecture, fantastic beers, and large open green landscapes just outside the city walls. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is an incredibly iconic city. You see it in movies as a strange, spooky yet ultimately romantic place. River boats cruise down the arteries, while people drink, eat, laugh and debate in the cafes, restaurants, and parks. This city is not to be confused with Eastern Europe counterparts, as due to its location it's entirely unique. With such countries like Germany and France on its western flank, and Romania and Hungary on it's east, it's a mesh of influences. 

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Getting there

Many people intent on traveling and exploring Europe, will often find that landing in either Berlin or London is the best options for all public transport and continental trains run through them. However, with the age of short burst flights and a wave of companies ready to make them, you should be focusing on cheap flights to Prague directly. It's by far the fifth most visited city in Europe, and thus the four million people that are drawn in are more than likely to be made way for. The prices can easily range in the two figure mark, but also shoot up to around 400 euros for those looking to pay for convenience and a little better than economy class.

Why it's iconic

Much like the countries that surround the Czech Republic, the nation has a vast history of Christianity. There are many different sects, but the most abundant is Catholicism. This is Prague is called the city of spires, as the gothic towers of churches and cathedrals loom high in the sky and can be seen for miles. The architecture isn’t the only mind-blowing experience, but the way the city has navigated its lifestyles around the Vltava River is akin to parts of Venice. The riverboats cruise gently downstream, and at night, the buildings, shops, homes and street lights leave the city truly a wondrous sight to behold.

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Food culture 

The Field is one of the best restaurants in the entire city, and it's little wonder it has three Michelin stars. It's simple and humble, with decor purely there for function rather than to please the eyes. Its cuisine is a wondrous mix of gamey animals, with hearty, rich recipes that are not only designed to taste splendid but to fill you up. The bistro culture is widespread around the city, as cured sausages with spices, herbs and salts can be accessed almost anywhere. The soups and broths will warm you from the inside, with a rustic slice of bread to be your other companion. Indeed the city is cold for most of the year, so the food has taken inspiration from the surrounding landscape mostly inhabited by farms.

A city break in this gothic outpost in the center of Europe is one of the most cultured experiences on the continent. The architecture is famous the world over, the culture is unique, and the food will put a smile of joy on your face. 

14 Things That Could Decrease The Value Of Your Home

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As difficult and complicated as buying a home may be, selling your home can only ever be more difficult and complicated. Even if you’re ready for the challenge, your home may not be. Unfortunately, there is a lot that can affect the value of your home, some of which you can’t even control. Regardless, it’s always better to be prepared in these situations, rather than get your hopes up, only to be disappointed with the offers on your house. With that in mind, here is a list of fourteen things that could be bringing down the value of your home:

1. Messy House

While clutter won’t directly the value of your home, it does give potential buyers an excuse to offer smaller amounts in the selling process. This is because a cluttered home suggests that you don’t take care of your property, meaning that there could be damage that hasn’t yet been noticed. To avoid this, make sure that your home is clean and tidy for inspections and viewings.

2. Pebble-dash

Pebble-dash is a style liked by very few people, which explains why pebble-dashed properties sell for a lot less than similar ones without it. It’s also common knowledge that pebbledash was used to cover poor quality bricks, which might also put people off buying. Luckily there are solutions for pebbledash, so have a look and see which one is for you.

3. Bold Exteriors

Any type of bold exterior, including pebbledash, could easily put off people from buying your home, or, at the very least, decrease the amount of money that people are willing to offer for it. You might absolutely love having a lime green door or bright red walls, but other people might not, and this will cause problems. Therefore, if you want to sell your home, I’d start taking action to make everything a little more neutral.

4. Bold Interiors

The same goes for the inside of your home as it does for the outside. Haven’t you ever noticed that the walls of homes that just been sold are usually white or cream? That’s because it’s neutral, and no one can complain about a neutral home. Because of this, you should consider getting rid of any bold colors or wacky wallpaper. 

5. Dated Fixtures

If your door or cabinet handles or your taps are old or dated, then potential buyers could use this as an excuse to give a lower offer. Luckily, these are things that can easily be changed. It won’t even be too expensive, so you have no excuse not to.

6. Old Appliances

If you’re selling your home with all of its appliances, then you might want to take a look at them before you have any viewings. If your oven is rusty or your freezer doesn’t stay cold, then you’re not going to be able to charge extra for them when selling your home. In fact, you may as well charge even less, so that the new tenants have the cash spare to get rid of them.

7. Your Yards

Your front and back yards give potential buyers some indication as to how you have looked after your home while you’ve been living there. If the grass is freshly trimmed, you have a clean patio, and a thriving flower bed, then they will know that you’ve looked after it well. On the other hand, if your grass is overgrown, and you’ve got weeds everywhere, then they won’t be too pleased.

8. Pests

Never try to sell a home if you’ve got pests; As soon as any viewers notice, they will be out of there for a shot. Instead, use this exterminator, and get the problem sorted before you do anything else.

9. Structural Damage

Structural damage is a huge problem and is one that you are going to want to get fixed if you want the best price for your home. Usually, the cost of repairs is likely to be less than the value deducted in the selling process, so it makes sense to get it sorted as soon as possible.

10. Your Neighbours

If you’ve got unpleasant neighbors, then you are probably happy to be getting away from them. Unfortunately, if those viewing your home notice that your neighbors are less than friendly, then they may not want to buy your home at all, and will likely offer much less if they still do.

11. Noise Pollution

If you live near a busy pub or club, an airport, or a train station, then prepare to sell your home for a lot less than similar properties in different areas. Unfortunately, the noise pollution caused by these is going to knock a large amount of money off your property’s value. 

12. Bad Schools

A lot of people looking to buy a home either have children or will want children in the future, so will be looking for a property near a good school. Unfortunately, if the school’s closest to your home have a bad reputation and bad reports, then you might find that people will make smaller offers to compensate. 

13. Electricity Pylons

Electricity pylons are incredibly unsightly, but they are also a hazard, especially to small children and pets. If you’ve had an electricity pylon built near your home since you moved in, then it will have likely affected the value of your home. The same goes for cell phone towers and even wind farms.

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14. Potholes

Potholes can cause a lot of damage to your car, which is why most people avoid them when driving. Unfortunately, if there is a large pothole in your street, then it’s a little harder to avoid. This could mean that people offer less money for your property. To avoid this, contact your local council and explain the situation; They may get it repaired for you if you’re lucky.

It’s always good to be prepared, especially with something as important as selling your home. Hopefully, this list means that, for better or worse, you know what you’re getting yourself into when you sell your home.