How to Baby-Proof Your Garden

When you’ve got a little one on the way, there are so many preparations to be made you might start to wonder if you’ll get it all done in time! For many of us, the focus is on the inside of the house where your little one will be spending most of their time. You might buy a fireplace cover, install a couple of baby gates and start re-arranging your furniture for a bit of extra crawl-space, but have you thought about your garden?

Parents often overlook outdoor spaces, but this is where a lot of hazards tend to live. Pebbles, thorny plants and water features can all be potentially dangerous for your little one. But don’t worry, I’m going to talk you through a few different ways you can address these problems and thoroughly baby-proof your garden.

Garden surfaces

While you want your garden to look great, you don’t want to choose an outdoor flooring option that’s dangerous for your child. Small stones and gravel can be a choking hazard, so if your garden is covered in them – it might be time to consider a garden renovation.

Grass is an obvious choice, it provides a soft, luscious space for your little one to play, learn and develop. Of course, the only downside with having your garden turfed is the amount of upkeep that real grass requires. You don’t want to be spending the summer holidays trudging up and down with a lawn mower when your little one wants to have a teddy bears picnic and enjoy the sunshine!

A great alternative to grass is composite decking, it offers a forgiving surface that (although not as soft as grass) won’t cause your little one a significant injury if they do happen to fall over. High-quality composite decking is designed not to split or chip, so unlike traditional wood decking, you won’t need to worry about your little one getting a nasty splinter. Better yet, composite decking will last a lifetime with minimal maintenance, giving you more time to spend with your family!

Plants

Having plants in the garden is a great sensory and educational experience for your child. When they get a bit older, they might even help you plant new seeds and begin to take an interest in the natural world (something that’s so often neglected nowadays).

Make sure you remove toxic plants and mushrooms, prickly plants and plants that bear fruit and berries, these plants might look nice in your garden, but they can cause real problems if children get their hands on them.

Instead, you should think about planting vegetables, larger fruits and herbs, the leaves of which are generally non-toxic and safe for curious children to explore. Better yet, if you get a good harvest of carrots and apples, you can add some home-grown vitamins into your baby’s diet.

Some beautiful non-toxic flowers are also a great choice. Pot Marigolds, Amaranthus (shown above), Lemon Balm and Daylilies are sweet smelling, taste rather delicious and will add a touch of colour to your outdoor space.

General Safety Tips

Here are a few other baby-proofing tips to help you keep your garden accident-free!

·         Keep the garden hose out of the sun – If you’ve ever picked up or stepped on a hose pipe that’s been left out in the sun, you’ll know that they can get incredibly hot! Make sure you store them in a shaded, cool place whenever possible.

·         Use plants to protect sharp corners – There are plenty of permeant features in our gardens that might pose a risk to little ones. Use greenery to create a buffer between your child and any sharp edges. 

·         Update your garden furniture – Ditch the glass tables and wooden chairs and treat yourself to a brand-new garden set with padded cushions, rounded edges and removable, washable covers (thank me later).

Hopefully these baby-proofing tips will help you relax and enjoy your garden as your little one explores, grows and changes!

*Guest post

Avoid These 7 Rookie Mistakes When Choosing a House Inspector

Buying a home is a huge investment, and for most people, it’s one of the most important decisions they will make in their lifetimes. 

A qualified house inspector performs thorough checks and lets you know about maintenance work and impending repair works. As a homebuyer, this helps you sniff out bad deals and gather irrefutable data points to negotiate a better deal. Moving into a house that has not been inspected can also be a safety concern. Everything from lead paint to a weak foundation can put you and your loved ones at risk.  

Home inspection services are also recommended if you are someone who is trying to sell your house. Inspection reports put potential buyers at ease about the condition of the home and help you close the deal faster. Home inspection reports also let you resolve disputes that relates to the condition of the house by ensuring maximum transparency. 

While there is no denying the importance of getting a home inspected before finalizing the deal, it’s equally important to choose the right inspector. The following are 7 mistakes most new homebuyers make when selecting a home inspection service. 

Selecting a Service Without Checking Sample Reports

All reputed home inspection services allow customers to look at their sample reports. Just like their name suggests, these are dummy reports that show you how their final report is going to look like. Most reports by reputed firms include multiple photos of problem areas as well as a detailed description of the problem. Some reports also include repair advisory that lets you know the possible cost of repairing the issue. 

House inspector services usually have a dedicated page for sample reports on their websites.

Not Understanding the Time and Cost Implications 

A lot of people don’t realize that home inspection can take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. This means they need to make arrangements to ensure the house remains available for inspection. People trying to buy a house may need to schedule a meeting with the real estate agent or the current homeowner to ensure a smooth inspection. 

Home inspection services are also not cheap. This means it’s only advisable to get a house inspected after all other details have been checked and agreed upon by both parties. Standard home inspections cost around $400 to $700. The price is dependant on the location of the house and total square footage. Bigger the house, the more cost it takes to inspect it. 

Not Enquiring About the Exclusions 

A standard home inspection service typically does not include pool inspection, radon inspection, sewer scope checks, and garage inspection. What’s included in the standard package depends solely on the home inspection company. 

This is why it’s important to ask about the exclusions and the list of addon services that may be bought to cover them. 

Picking a House Inspector Who Has No Insurance

Home inspectors need to have liability insurance as well as insurance to protect its employees from workplace injuries. Liability insurance helps cover the cost of any damage that happens during the inspection process. Something like occupational accident insurance protects inspectors by covering their medical costs if they happen to get injured when performing checks. 

These are vital because not having insurance may force you to pay compensation if the house gets damaged or if the workplace injury leads to a lawsuit.

Selecting a Home Inspection Firm That Also Does Repairs

You need a home inspection firm that does not offer home repairing services. This ensures that the inspection company has no vested interest and they have nothing to gain if the house needs repairs. 

Oftentimes, home inspectors have sister firms that does repair works and they get commissions for every referred customer. Do your research by checking online reviews and looking up the parent company of the home inspection service. 

Not Knowing What the Inspection Includes 

You want a service that offers a comprehensive inspection for a lower cost. To make sure you get a good deal, you need to know what the inspection service includes. All standard packages should include thorough inspections of the plumbing, electrical systems, roof, foundation, and basement. Inspectors should also look for moisture damage, wood rots, and issues such as asbestos, mold, and lead paint. 

Picking an Inspector Unwilling to Discuss the Findings in the Report

You typically don’t want an inspector who just sends you the digital report and calls it a day. A good inspection firm will take the time to explain the report. They will explain what repairs need to be done urgently and which ones are minor. They should also inform about potential safety hazards and provide recommendations about mitigating them. 

* Guest post

Email Marketing Advice, 8 newsletter subject lines that aren't just "October newsletter" :Guest Post

One aspect of blogging is sending out a newsletter to your followers, which admittedly I haven't done as yet, perhaps something to think about. However, I receive plenty of newsletters in my inbox each day both from blogs and companies, some do entice me to open and read about the latest happenings. But what makes me open them and which ones do I ignore? Certainly ones where I feel I am going to learn something or gain some benefit to my knowledge will encourage me to open and read, or if I feel the article will be an interesting read over a coffee as an escape. The email marketing platform provider Emma have a wealth of information to help with your campaigns, providing software with the tools to provided effective results no matter the size of the business or organisation. Here they provide some information which I found useful around my thoughts on newsletter campaigns and what encourages people to click and open.....

Email newsletters are having their day in the sun.

In fact, the Neilson Norman Group did some compelling research that showed that people preferred getting company-oriented information in email newsletter form versus hearing from them on Facebook. Sorry, Facebook.

And companies are riding the email newsletter wave, as further research shows that 83% marketers for B2B companies use them.

But newsletters are just one type of email marketing—how can you increase your newsletter’s open rate by differentiating it from other types of marketing email?

The answer: subject lines.

Crafting compelling email newsletter subject lines

While email newsletters can be used to sell a product or service, they are more focused on the following:

• Informing readers of industry or company news
• Reinforcing your company’s reputation
• Building a relationship with your audience
• Highlighting the usefulness of products and services

An intriguing subject line is even more critical for these emails, which is why you should never use the word “newsletter” in the subject line.

You want your audience to know there’s a treasure trove of good information, just a click away. You don’t want them to think, “Oh, another newsletter.”

Let’s examine what makes an outstanding subject line.

The hallmark of a great subject line

Great subject lines have certain attributes that help pique a recipient’s interest enough to get them to open the email — and that’s the goal.

Let’s look at some of the characteristics of phenomenal subject lines.

1. They’re personal.

Personalization in emails is key. In fact, personalization is shown to increase conversions by 10% and click-through rates by a whopping 14%.

Using personalization in the subject line is one of the easiest ways to get your recipient to take notice, and it’s simple as doing this:

• Jersey Mike’s Subs: Lisa, earn double points today only.
• Pizza Hut: Bob, try our new treat.
• Guess: Lindsey, check out these hand-picked looks.

Simply write a good subject line and insert the recipient’s name where it makes sense.

2. They’re urgent.

Urgency is powerful, but you have to exercise restraint so your subject lines don’t come across like a ShamWOW infomercial (“Act now, before they’re gone!).

That being said, urgency can encourage those opening clicks, as long as you’ve taken the time to tone down your language and phrase things creatively—like these do:

• Jaybird: Last chance to save big this holiday.
• Pizza Hut: Tonight only. Save $5 on your order.
• Sephora: Last day: Pick your 5 faves.
• Converse: Ending in 24 hours: 25% off sitewide.
• HP: Time is running out…Save up to $300.
• Rapha: Your savings code expires today.

All of these subject lines manage to convey the “Act now!” message in a way that’s palatable. Also, don’t overuse these or you’ll risk toning down the excitement.

3. They’re mysterious.

Subject lines that are mysterious can pique curiosity, and that’s a good thing — as long as what you’re delivering is in line with your brand.

Check out this one from Digital Marketer:

“Good news for people who love bad news . . .”

Who wouldn’t be intrigued by that one? Don’t overdo these, though. Using these kinds of subject lines in every email will wear down subscribers.

Also, beware of using obscure topics that don’t really dovetail with your industry or image, which could be seen as spam.

4. They’re relevant.

Normally, if you’ve subscribed to a list, you’re interested in timely, relevant news pertaining to that company or industry. Here are a few sample subject lines for some niche markets:

For a hiking enthusiast: 8 Travel Tips for Hiking Pike’s Peak

For a digital marketer: How Slack Generates 100,000,000 Website Visitors Per Month

Using topics that are trending or headline news from a niche industry in your subject lines cannot only encourage recipients to click and read on—they’ll also establish you or your brand as a content authority.

5. They contain an offer.

Who doesn’t love an offer? You can craft email subject lines that include this tempting morsel but be careful to deliver what you promise.

Also, don’t use the words, “free” or “rich” in your subject lines—those may land you in the spam folder.

How about these?

• Sephora: You’re invited: 10% off for Beauty Insiders.
• IKEA: Save with this week’s flyer.
• TopShop: Shop now. Save big.
• Rapha: Complimentary gift wrap on all purchases.

Notice how Rapha conveys their gift wrap is free without using the “F” word? This proves that you can get your point across without resorting to typical marketing-speak.

6. They’re short.

Return Path researched over 2 million emails to uncover the perfect subject line length. The results?
Most subject lines came in at around 41 to 50 characters and 61- to 70-character lines had the best read rates.

The rate dropped significantly for those over 100 characters, though, so pay attention to every word you use.

7. They use “power words.”

“Power words” are words that can be used to persuade or trigger the response or emotion you desire. These words can touch upon a reader’s emotional, intellectual, spiritual, or analytical sides.

Here are some examples of powerful words to use in your next subject lines.

Curiosity:

• Astonishing
• Banned
• Priceless
• Confidential
• Unexplained

Trust:

• Certified
• Dependable
• Lifetime
• Worldwide
• According to
• No risk

Simplicity:

• Easy
• Cheat-sheet
• Downloadable
• Formula
• On-demand
• No problem

There are, of course, words to elicit the right emotion in your audience, whether it’s appealing to their curiosity, their hopes, or needs.

If you’ve properly segmented your audience, finding the right power word should be a breeze.

8. They allude to scarcity.

Nothing makes people get moving like good old Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).
What would you think if you read:

“Only 10 spots left before the Millionaire Moneymaker course closes.”

If you were interested in making lots of money, you might just have to click.

Crafting a subject line, which alludes that not acting quickly might just cause your recipient to miss out on something really amazing, is a great way to improve your open rate.

Wrap up

Subject lines are critical for getting your email newsletter seen, opened, and read. While there are many ways to craft effective subject lines, using the word “newsletter” within the subject is never advised.

You’re offering not just a newsletter, but a well-defined goldmine of relevant content your subscriber needs to access.

Calling it a “newsletter” up front takes away from the effectiveness of whichever of the techniques we’ve listed you’ve decided to employ.

So, gather up your power words and choose the technique that makes the most sense for your audience, then watch the open rates skyrocket!

Content from Emma

Open Up Your Space With Internal Room Dividers

It’s great to live in open plan modern homes, or large old character ones with large rooms and plenty of space; however, this does have a few drawbacks. Very often we need to divide up the room. For instance, when we are entertaining the larger area may be perfect but when we are back to family time, smaller individual rooms may be the order of the day.

Image courtesy of Vufold

Summertime Interior Designs

I know that spring is the time of year when I like to get sprucing up at home with a makeover or two. However, it is in the summer that I tend to sit back and think about the ways in which I'd really like to redesign on a grander scale. Okay, so not every idea that I have designs on sees it to fruition, but there is something about the summer which gets those creative juices flowing. If you are anything like me, then it is the feeling of everything being easier and more relaxed outside in the summertime which you want to bring indoors and incorporate as part of the home's décor.

6 Classic Must See Children’s Films this Christmas

After spending Christmas morning watching the excitable faces of children as they scramble through their mountain of presents, before sitting down to eat the always incredibly tasty Christmas dinner, families up and down the country will retire to the sofas for an afternoon of eating (more) chocolate and watching some of the very best that the big screen has to offer at the most festive time of the year.

This post, written by TV mounting experts, Dekomount, gives you the definitive list of children’s films you must watch this Christmas. Whether it’s your child’s first Christmas or their 21st, the whole family will undoubtedly enjoy these brilliantly festive films.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Starting with an absolute classic, this film from 2000 is on at Christmas every single year without fail! Based on a Dr Seuss book, the film is based in a magical town called Whoville. Naturally, the town is situated inside a snowflake and everyone who lives there absolutely adores Christmas, but just outside Whoville lives a mean creature called the Grinch, who plots to steal Christmas. A film you may well have seen before but one that never gets old.



Elf
Released in 2003, this family film is crammed full of Yuletide cheer, greatly improved by Will Ferrell’s charmingly funny act as the largest of Santa’s little helpers. Guaranteed to be a winner with the whole family, this is another film that always graces our TV screen on more than one occasion during the Christmas period so make sure you catch it at least once!

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Home Alone
The very first Home Alone, featuring a very young Macaulay Culkin was released almost 25 years ago, and is still one of the very best Christmas films. If you’ve somehow never seen it, it’s about a little boy whose parents accidentally leave him behind and he’s left to defeat a pair of idiotic burglars resulting in a series of makeshift booby traps and lots of slapstick humour! A timeless film that never falls out of fashion - and don’t forget there’s Home Alone 2, 3 and 4 as well!

The Muppet Christmas Carol
Although there may be hundreds of films depicting the famous Christmas Carol, the Muppet’s version is by far the best. With Michael Caine as Scrooge and Kermit and Miss Piggy playing Bob
and Emily Cratchit, this depiction of A Christmas Carol is funny, heart-warming and a great way to introduce this classic to young children.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
This film shows Tim Burton at his best, in typical Burton-esque style, The Nightmare Before Christmas, is quintessentially weird. This beautifully wonderful film is about the pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington who’s bored of doing the same thing every year. He stumbles across Christmas Town and is very taken with the idea of Christmas! Although this is an utterly fantastic film, there is a lot of ghosts and goblins so it might be one to avoid amongst the little ones.


Die Hard
Once the younger children have gone to bed, there is no better film to watch on Christmas Day than Die Hard, perhaps seen as the alternative Christmas film; it still makes it onto our TV screens every single Christmas, and has done for the last two decades! Bruce Willis plays New York cop John McClane who’s visiting his estranged wife Holly in LA for Christmas when a Christmas party in Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper is interrupted by terrorists. As the only policeman inside the building, McClane takes on the villains. An action packed 131 minutes with just the right amount of Christmas charm, making it the perfect way to end your Christmas Day!

The was a Guest Post by Dekomount

Garden Care FAQs; Keep Your Lawn Looking Fresh This Winter

Ensuring that your garden is fully equipped to handle the cold weather can appear to be quite a daunting task. During the summer, you may be more willing to get your hands dirty and spend some time pottering around the garden thanks to the warmer weather and abundance of sunshine. But as soon as the winter months draw closer, you become more of a home bird and refuse to set foot outside in icy temperatures. This latest post answers a few questions about using your garden this winter…

How Often Should I Mow My Lawn In Winter?
This is a subject that has been debated many times and a quick search on your laptop throws up far too many answers! It’s true that some people believe that cutting your lawn too short is a way to create unsightly brown patches, but if it is a mild winter, keeping on top of the lawn and cutting the top growth off will keep it tidy for springtime.

Should I Still Use My Garden This Winter?
The simple answer is yes! Whilst you might not want to replace sitting by a roaring fire with shivering in minus numbers, your garden is still available to you. Our favourite option is to invest in comfy seating and an outdoor fireplace or chimenea for your garden. Combine this with a mug of hot chocolate and you have created the perfect winter get-together. Be careful of any icy grounds and take care not to run amok on your lawn, but sitting down wrapped up in a winter coat is definitely not a problem!

Should I Worry About Cleaning My Lawn?
Okay, we know that cleanliness is important all year around but we are so reluctant to keep up with this maintenance during winter. Unfortunately, it has definitely got to be done! During the colder months, it is essential that your lawn receives as much sunlight as possible. If there are leftover autumn leaves strewn across your garden, a high-quality rake is essential to keep your lawn clear. If you have a pet regularly scampering across your garden, I’m afraid you still have to go out and clean up after them!

Is Artificial Grass The Better Option In Winter?
Choosing to install artificial grass is not essential (it’s not always for everyone) and if you are more than happy to keep up with the maintenance then definitely go ahead! However, if you want to remove absolutely all ties to preserving your lawn, then why not take a look at introducing replica grass? Easy installation, no maintenance and it will remain looking fantastic all year around. If you are considering making this change or you would like to find some more information, check out reputable turf suppliers, Turf Express for honest advice. It may be the perfect choice for your garden, front lawn or any other place you can think of!


The post was written by Brittany Reid on behalf of UK-based turf specialists Turf Express.

Brave The Elements: An Outdoor Retreat for All Seasons

There’s no denying that we have had a fantastic summer; with endless days of sunshine and long warm evenings, we have undoubtedly spent hours in our garden - but now the nights are drawing in are we really ready to retire to the shelter of our homes?

Break the mould and create a garden haven you can enjoy all year round – yep, even when the nights are creeping in and the leaves are falling from the trees! Here are some great ideas to help you transform your garden into a cosy retreat:

Picture credit Red lantern - Shutterstock

Light up the Night:
When the sun goes down you’ll need to get creative with your outdoor lighting and make your garden glow! Fairy lights are always a winner, drape them along your fences and wrap them around trees to set a magical mood. You’ll also need to think about free standing lights that can be placed around your garden so the whole space is lit up.

Floor lighting is another effective way of illuminating your garden; sink some lights into your paths and along your lawn to light your way. As they are going to be outside all year round you need to invest in some quality outdoor-rated lights from a specialist company like KES Lighting, that way you can be sure they’re not going to fizzle out at the first sign of rain!

Creative Canopies:
Choose a corner of your garden, preferably a decked or patio area - this will be your place to sit and wake up as you drink your morning coffee, or relax in the evenings with a good book and a glass of wine. Then you need to think about building a canopy or gazebo to add a bit of protection from the cooler breeze. You can get all sorts of cool looking shelters from simple fabric topped gazebos to more sophisticated wooden ones. If you’re pretty handy when it comes to DIY you can always fashion your own pergola for a really personal touch. Check out this Pinterest board for a bit of inspiration!

Savvy Seating:
Obviously you will need somewhere to sit in your little garden retreat. Wicker chairs are ideal for the garden as they wear really well in wet weather; sling some cushions on them and they’re really comfortable too.

Another fantastic idea for seating is giant beanbags, they come in lots of different sizes and most of them are wipe clean and 100% waterproof – so ideal for the garden. Big enough to lay on, you could unwind in the garden, looking up at the stars. They come in loads of big and bold colours too so you can really brighten up your little garden escape.

Hot Heating Ideas:
The last ingredient to your perfect outdoor retreat is warmth! There are loads of different ways to keep warm in your garden, it’s just a case of working out which option is best for you. Fire pits and chimeneas are a cheap way of keeping warm if you have easy access to plenty of wood; many of them double up as barbeques too.

If you’re looking for something low maintenance, patio heaters are excellent, and much safer if you have little ones running around. The Independent has got a handy little guide of the 10 best patio heaters to help you narrow down your choices.

Now you’ve built the foundations of your snug garden hideaway you can start adding all those wonderful personal touches, little trinkets and accessories, blankets, candles and whatever else you can think of to really make it your own.

**This was a Guest Post for KES Lighting**

Keeping Your Home Fresh For Guests

Whether it is your elderly grandparents or your collection of close friends, inviting guests over to your home can often be a stressful occasion. From purchasing the cleaning essentials to identifying any clutter solutions, it is important that you can feel confident in welcoming guests with open arms. Check out our top tips for a guest-friendly home…

Prepare The Kitchen –Any close family members or friends will probably barge into your kitchen and raid the cupboards for their own treats – so it is best to be prepared for the inspection! If you know your guests well, then it is easy to fill your kitchen with tasty treats to suit them. However, if they are new to your home then it always best to offer the bare essentials such as a tea, coffee and a tin of biscuits. For a slightly more sophisticated affair, why not trying putting together your own cheese board? Although probably not best if you ever want your guests to leave! Lastly, we recommend keeping a bottle of wine or beer chilled in the fridge in order to toast yourself for being such a fantastic hostess!

Prepare The Bedroom – Whether you have a bedroom dedicated to your future guests or your idea of a makeshift bedroom is throwing down a mattress on your spare room floor, it is essential to make sure that your guest is comfortable. One of the simplest ways to ensure that your guest is happy to sleep at your home is to provide them with freshly washed linen. There is no need to smother them with material accessories, but it is worth offering a couple of fluffy pillows and a cosy blanket, especially during those winter nights.

Prepare the Bathroom – When guests arrive at your home, you can probably assume that they will have forgotten a variety of things, so it is always best that you are prepared to share! Whether you need supply toothpaste or shampoo, it might be worthwhile investing in some storage solutions for your bathroom to keep the clutter to a minimum. If you haven’t already done so, why not check out these bathroom cabinets from Bathroom Deal; ideal for storing essential products or keeping your personal items hidden behind stylish mirrored doors. Finish your bathroom with a couple of your finest guest towels and you are ready to go!

Clean and tidy house? Snacks at the ready? You are ready to invite your guests in with confidence that they will enjoy every moment in your home!

This was a guest post for Bathroom Deal

5 Bathroom Cleaning Cheats to Make Your Life Easier

Cleaning by Shutterstock

Homeowners are always on the lookout for inspirational ideas that can help improve the appearance of their homes. Something as simple as doing a deep clean can make a huge difference and this especially applies to bathrooms. But let's face it, the prospect of spending a morning cleaning the bathroom is far from appealing, which is why our latest guest post runs through some useful cleaning tips that give brilliant results with minimal effort.

A 100% Natural Limescale Remover
Over time, limescale deposits makes surfaces look dull and worn out, and the problem only gets worse if you live in a hard water area. Removing limescale is one of those jobs that we always postpone. However, there is an eco-friendly, inexpensive, and incredibly effective way of tackling limescale deposits. All you need to do is cut a lemon in half, scrub the affected areas with it, and cover them with a cloth soaked in vinegar (ACV or plain white vinegar). After a few hours, the natural acidity of lemon juice and vinegar will break down the limescale deposits, making them look your taps as shiny as new.

That Pesky Soap Scum
Soap scum will inevitably stain shower doors and tiles, covering them in unsightly white marks. If the scum has been building up for a while, you will need a heavy duty solution to remove it, and by heavy duty we mean baking soda and white vinegar. Mix a cup of baking soda with two cups of vinegar. Once the fizzing has stopped, apply the mix to your shower doors and let it sit for half an hour. After that, wipe the mix off using a window scrubber and warm water, and voila: squeaky clean shower doors!

Ventilation Units
Bathroom fans or extractors do a great job keeping condensation away, but unfortunately they tend to be left behind when it comes to cleaning, perhaps because they are in difficult-to-access locations. If ventilation units are not regularly cleaned, they can become blocked with dust and other nasties, which will be blown all over the bathroom every time the fan is turned on. Doesn't sound too appealing, does it? If you can remove the fan cover, do so and place it in a container with warm water and soap. If the cover can't be removed, use a small vacuum brush or a paintbrush soaked in a soapy solution.

Shiny Mirrors
So you think that you've done a great job cleaning the bathroom mirror. What about those streaks? They always drive us insane and make the job incredibly frustrating – nothing seems to work! A fantastic way around this is to draw on the magic effect of rubbing alcohol. Just pour a few drops on a clean micro-fibre cloth, wipe down, and you're done!

Cleaning Grout
Tile grout is a porous material, which means that it will keep absorbing dirt no matter how many times you clean it. We’ve all dipped an old toothbrush in bleach and scrubbed along the tile joints to remove those ugly black deposits. It’s not uncommon to end up re-grouted the bathroom tiles twice a year – but a far more convenient option could be to swap to bathroom cladding over tiles. There are plenty of specialist retails, such as UK-based DBS Bathrooms, stocking hygienic wall and ceiling cladding to eliminate the nightmare of grouting maintenance.

Cladding doesn't need grouting and is really easy just to wipe clean. It can also help reduce condensation while being 100% waterproof, and more importantly, is one of the most hygienic solutions that we've ever come across. Well worth the investment!

Armed with this advice, you’ve got a wealth of new approaches to tackle your bathroom with – with much more effective results. Do you have any secret cleaning tips you use over harsh store-bought cleaners? Drop a comment below!

**Guest post by DBS Bathrooms**

5 Home Summer Activities To Bring The Family Together

The summer months should be a time when we can go outside and enjoy the sun – but with countless electrical distractions and indoor attractions taking you away from the sunshine, it can be difficult to spend some good quality time together as a family. But, there's a lot more families can do than just sunbathe. Many summer activities can help to strengthen a family bond for - and get us away from relying on the TV as our main source of entertainment! This latest guest post runs through five unique and inventive ways to spend time together as a family, without a tablet or smartphone in sight!

Keeping Chickens 
Looking after chickens can be an enjoyable experience for all members of the family. They not only make great pets, but they pay for their keep through producing eggs! The best time of the year for chickens is the summer, when they love getting outside to sunbathe or have dust baths. All chickens have unique characteristics, and individual members of the family can take turns in feeding them, and cleaning out their coop or house.
Before adding chickens to your family the first major consideration is ensuring that your chickens will have a home that is conducive to their good health, and which properly protects them from potential predators. A company such as Eggshell Online  are specialists when it comes to chicken coops, houses, and runs.  

egg-laying hens in the yard from Shutterstock

Blackberry Picking 

Blackberry bushes are fairly easy to grow in the garden, and once they start flowering they can grow very quickly. Blackberry picking can be a fun thing to do in the countryside, but having a blackberry bush at home is much more convenient, and can give the family a regular food source throughout the second half of the summer. A happy consequence of blackberry picking is obviously eating them, and, to that end, making blackberry tarts together can also involve the whole family! 

Create A Wildlife-Friendly Habitat 

With many of Britain's birds, butterflies and bees sadly suffering a serious decline in numbers in recent decades, building a habitat in your garden is one way of restoring the balance. Creating an attractive habitat can be a combined family effort, and be a way of helping children in particular to appreciate nature. Buddleia bushes will attract a variety of butterflies and bees, while berry bearing plants will attract different species of birds.  

Little Boy painting from Shutterstock

Photography And Art  

A pleasant summer's day can be an inspiration to creativity, whether it's capturing beautiful plants, birds and insects with a camera, pencil, or brush. Drawing supplies are relatively inexpensive if you’re not after professional-grade kit, and the same can be said for most cameras – although most phones come well enough equipped for some family photography. As well as being a rewarding activity, it is also a good way for each member of the family to record aspects of the garden for posterity.  

Puzzles And Quizzes 
Though often thought of indoor activities the summer months offer a good excuse to take puzzles and quizzes outside. A jigsaw puzzle, for instance, could be something that stimulates co-operative behaviour, with each member of the family taking it turns to add a piece. While quizzes should be seen as just a bit of fun rather than being too competitive, and should help underline just how enjoyable spending time together can be for a family.

Armed with these five great activities, it’s time to embrace the sunshine and spend some family time together this summer – you’ll be glad you did!

Disclosure: This was a collaborative post for Eggshell online

Why wooden floors are perfect for homes with kids

If you've got children, you will know that from time to time, they can be a handful. It’s in their nature to explore, to pick, to squeeze, to rub, to colour, to spill, to bash – you get where I'm going with this.

As the exploration continues it can often be at the expense of your furnishings and assets. When you've spent hundreds and thousands of pounds on the décor and interior of your home, the last thing you want is for it all to be ruined with one little accident.

You have to be brave to choose white, cream and light coloured themes when fitting your home improvements, especially when working with fabrics and carpets. But there is a much simpler, appealing and unique way to enhance the look of your interiors.

Many floors often go unnoticed as users tread and trample its surface and over time, carpets can become worn and dingy. Wooden flooring brings sophistication, elegance and a brilliant finish to almost every interior design making one of the most popular choices in both traditional and contemporary houses up and down the country.

Always one’s for expert advice, we have teamed up with the guys over at Posh Flooring, the UK’s leading wood flooring suppliers, to list why wooden floors are perfect for homes with kids.

Source: Pinterest

#1 – Elegant Finish

With a huge variety of wood types, colours, grains and finishes to choose from, you can create a wooden floor that will fit any design. Its quality manufacture and protective finish will keep floors looking glossy and vibrant all year round – even if the little ones decide to wash your floor with squash.

#2 – Low Maintenance

Wooden flooring is easy to maintain and will not stain should your kids knock or drop something onto your pristine floor. With a simple cleaning agent and kitchen towel, you can wipe up the mess in no time at all. No need for screaming and kicking, you can carry on with the rest of your day.

#3 – Hard Wearing

All kids are the same; excitable, enthusiastic and eager to move onto their next adventure. So when your child comes running in indoors bringing half of your garden with you, you will no longer need to pull your hair out and search for a new floor. Wooden flooring is one of the toughest materials around capable of withstanding heavy wear, bumps and scraps as well as the unexpected.

#4 – Health & Safety

Carpet is renowned for retaining dust, hairs, odours and a variety of molecular structures. This can cause a number of health and medical issues for children suffering with allergies, asthma and an increased risk of children choking on small objects. A wooden floor eliminates every one of this and with a regular clean once a week; you can have peace of mind when it comes to leaving your children alone.

Wood flooring holds many advantages over carpets and other flooring types, but its compatibility with children and young children really are some of its most noticeable. The last thing you want to be doing is worrying about your children’s wellbeing which is why it’s important to have a floor that offers peace of mind, low maintain and a truly beautiful finish.

Phil Warrington, a home improvement blogger, looks at the benefits of wood flooring for homes with children in association with Posh Flooring.

3 ideas to seamlessly integrate your TV into your living room

The age-old dilemma when it comes to many aspects of home design is how to balance style and functionality. But what about entertainment? When planning a living room design many people spend hours choosing the right curtains, flooring, soft furnishings and lighting – and then ruin it all by placing a bulky television, chaotic cables and scattered consoles and media players right in the middle of their elegantly stylish space. Without considering the integration of your entertainment equipment right at the beginning of your living room design, you can end up with an awkward, disjointed looking room.
Your living room is an important part of the home - it’s often where you greet and entertain your guests and it is where you entertain yourself too. Wouldn't it be great if you could balance your priorities, creating a warm, welcoming space which accommodates your television with ease? Have a look at these three ideas to help you combine the technology of modern living with classic interior design.

1. Wall Mounting
Wall mounting may seem like a lot of hassle, but it’s actually a relatively simple fix and can provide a sleek, minimalist look if your TV is a flat screen. It has the additional benefit of saving floor space, keeping your TV well out of the way and allowing you to enjoy a neat, uncluttered floor area. Choose your wall space carefully, taking into consideration lighting and distance from the TV -because the TV emits a lot of light anyway, it’s best not to have any other lighting nearby.
For the sleekest look, invest in a wall bracket which will be practically all hidden once in place, leaving the impression that you TV is suspended in mid-air. You can also purchase floating shelves from a retailer such as Dekomount, which are relatively simple to fix to the wall and can have up to three levels, allowing you to easily store your DVD player, console and Freeview box or any other devices you wish to. Finally, purchase wall mounting cable covers to complete the clean look.

Picture credit - Pinterest

2. Sliding Cupboard
If your aim is to create an old-style country feel in your living room, you may not want this to be marred by the sight a modern-looking television. A sliding cupboard to house your television is also the ideal solution if you want something else to act as the focal point, such as a fireplace. Try incorporating an entire wall panel unit into your living room design, with some shelves exposed and others covered by doors.
Cover the exposed shelves in whatever you want to show off – ornaments, books or photographs – and keep your electrical units hidden away in closed panels. With a sliding door panel it’s easy to view the TV whenever you want to watch it, but it can remain hidden from view the rest of the time.

3. TV Stand
Your final choice is to embrace your TV, giving it pride of place on a good, old-fashioned stand. The market for TV stands is huge, so you’re sure to find one which suits your décor. Match the material
to the rest of your interior; rustic wood for a country-style or sleek chrome for a modern room. You can choose from a multitude of colours and there are even some quirky, abstract designs available for those who want something a little bit different.
The majority of TV stands will come with a number of shelves, drawers or cupboards allowing you to encase everything you need in one place, and they should allow you to easily loop your wires and cables through the back. Ensure that you place your unit near a power source so that you don’t have to lead exposed cables around the room.

Disclosure: This was a Guest Post for Dekomount

3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Kids Active

The battle with technology is never ending when it comes to children as these days it is a constant struggle to keep them off the PlayStation or Wii and get them outside in the fresh air. So it is vital that you take steps to keep them active throughout the year to make sure they do not become unfit and overweight; recent studies have shown that, as of 2013, almost a third of 10-11 year olds in the UK are classed as overweight.

This is a scenario no one wants for their child as the health problems could be extremely serious. Try some of these ideas and make the changes for a healthy and active life for your little ones.


No Matter Rain or Shine
One huge aspect that keeps us indoors is the weather. It can be a nightmare when you have a great day out planned and then you wake up in the morning to find that the heavens have opened and wellies are the only form of footwear that you could even consider wearing. However, just because it is cold or raining it does not mean that you have to stay cooped up in doors watching the television.

There are a number of indoor play centres which are ideal for a day when you cannot go to the nearby park. The admission can be as little as £1.50 a child and they will happily run around for hours which will also mean some very tired children at the end, meaning even more time for you to relax. As you have to pay, you may only want to do this on occasion as a special treat but there are many activities that you can do that are free.

Find Local Activities
Keep an eye out in your local newspaper for events and clubs that are happening which can help to keep children active including dance classes, play groups for the younger ones and sports days held in the local community. As recession has hit over the last five years, more and more people are opting for affordable activities in the community over expensive days out to things like theme parks, so the level of choice of offer is usually pretty good. This is also a way for you and the rest of your family to meet people and is great if you are new to an area.

There are also bound to be a number of outdoor play areas which you can visit. Try to mix this up and go to a different one as often as possible so that there is variety for the children. Taking a picnic and making a day of it could also allow for quality time spent as a family.An outdoor play centre will also provide them with hours of fun even up to their teens as swings, climbing frames and slides will keep them entertained and active.


Home Sweet Home
Especially if you have young children, it is a good idea to have a garden which allows them to play outdoors but within the safety of their own home. Create a grass area which is ideal for them to kick balls around and expand their imagination with make believe worlds. Don’t forget to have an area for the adults of the home, so perhaps have a decked section that can be used to dine al fresco. This could also be used to home a sandpit if you do not want a large amount of sand landing on your lawn. Decking is relatively straightforward, and you can guarantee good quality by using specialist retailers such as Millboard; you can lay it yourself in no time at all.

No matter how old or young your children are, the key is to make sure they have variety and are always engaged with an activity. Half of the time they will not even consider that they are taking part in exercise because they are having so much fun!

This post was written by Amy Bennett on half of Millboard, the decking specialist that delivers to your door.