Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Spring

Whilst it's supposed to be bad luck to take your Christmas decorations down before 12th Night (January 6th), I suspect many of us have already removed them.

Once the tree and baubles have been put away, the house looks bare, a bit unloved and, if you've got kids, in need of a thorough Spring clean!

Grab yourself a coffee and draw up a plan of action - and I've a great giveaway of some fabulous cleaning products from Kilrock to help you at the bottom of this post.

So where to start?

These are my 'grubby hotspots' which usually need tackling first.

The Bathroom

Attack the bathroom with a product such as Blast Away Mould – in spray or gel format, which is ideal for ridding door and window seals, shower units, bathrooms, sinks and WCs of mould and mildew. You can use it on plastic furniture too.

If the bath or sink are running sluggishly and have become clogged with yucky hair, try Kil-Block Drain Unblocker which is a powerful, fast-acting, multi-purpose drain and plughole unblocker.

Now is also a good time to chuck threadbare towels and flannels and replace them with some fresh new linen in bright spring colours.  Giving each member of the family their own colour flannel is a good idea too - and stops arguments!

Whilst you're at it, why not replace frayed toothbrushes and chuck any toothbrush mugs in the dishwasher.  Electric toothbrush heads can also be replaced.

I like to splash out on some fancy French soap - anything from Roger & Gallet is heaven.

If you want to go a bit "Marie Kondo" (from the cult decluttering book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying"), you should throw out anything that does not "spark joy".

That should include all those half used bottles of shampoo, face creams which just don't do the job, all those hotel toiletries you convinced yourself you'd use and those bath gels you hate the smell of.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is really the heart of the home yet it can often appear quite unloved (and grimy!).

Attack those surfaces and worktops with an effective, multi-purpose product like Bar Keepers Friend - a specialist, multi-surface cleaner that cuts through grease, grime, rust, and stains to give gleaming results every time. You can use it on steel, ceramics, copper, brass, chrome, glass and more.

Descale your kettle, coffee machine and iron with a product such as Kilrock-K Multi Purpose descaler which will totally clears heavily scaled appliances in minutes. You can also use it on your shower head.

Clear out any out of date food and leftovers which are unlikely to be used from the fridge and give it a thorough wipe down.

Put a date in your diary to defrost the freezer and make a note to start using up the food you have in there.

For example, chicken can be frozen for up to 9 months but bacon only lasts a month.

Emptying all the bins and adding a fresh bunch or two of Daffodils also works wonders!

The Bedrooms

Start by stripping the beds and vacuuming the mattresses to get rid of dust mites.  This is particularly important when you or your little ones have allergies.

Next, check that your mattress protectors are up to the job and actually cover the mattress.  If your mattress is over 8 years old, the advice is that is should be replaced.

Check that your pillows are not damp or mildewed and that they have their own protectors.  The Sleep Council advises that pillows should be replaced at least every two years.

Tidy up your bedding by storing a double sheet and pillowcases inside a double duvet cover so that everything is altogether.  I've wasted hours trying to find the right bedding.

If bedrooms are damp, you could try Damp Clear Moisture Trap which is an effective, hassle-free solution for the removal of excessive moisture. It protects against mould, mildew and damp, combats musty odours, lasts three months and is refillable.

If you would like to win a selection of Kilrock products worth £50 to help you get your home sparkling for spring, just enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below.

Kilrock manufactures problem solving household products many of which are firm favourites among British households and motorhome owners. Available, variously, at Robert Dyas, Lakeland, John Lewis, B & Q, Homebase, independent homeware stores or www.kilrock.co.uk.

The prize is a selection of Kilrock Products - Contents May Differ From This Picture

The prize consists of:-

Damp Clear Moisture Trap x 2
Blast Away Mould x 4
Bar Keepers Friend x 3
Kilrock K x 2
KilBlock Drain Unblocker x 2

Please note that Kilrock K works best in hard water areas where limescale is a problem.

Terms and conditions apply and can be viewed on my competitions page.

UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 27th January 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Easy Life Hacks For Becoming More Self-Sufficient

We’re in the midst of December. Once all the Christmas festivities have died down, you might start thinking of your New Year’s resolutions.

It’s common to set goals such as saving more money, losing weight, and being more eco-friendly. But one overarching goal which can help achieve all of this is becoming more self-sufficient.

In basic terms, being self-sufficient means developing the needs to look after yourself. You can save much more money and time by learning to do things without any help.

It can make a significant change in your life, and it starts with a few easy steps. Here are some things to try.

Grow Your Own Food

Image credit

You might not have a whole farm to create your own produce, but your garden is all you need to be more self-sufficient.

You can grow fruit, vegetable, herbs, and other edible products yourself. It’ll give you a range of healthy and free eating options!

You could start with a patch of soil or a planter in your back garden. But to grow more, you might want to find greenhouses for sale.

They’re fantastic for growing all kinds of plants year-round and make an interesting addition to any garden.

There are guides online for growing food in your garden. Learn how to do it and enjoy your delicious organic cooking ingredients!

Be More Energy-Efficient

Energy-efficiency helps both you and the environment. Some adjustments around the home can help you save a lot of money on your electric bill.

You can also find ways to generate your own power. A lot of energy providers will help you install solar panels to fill some of your energy needs.

One small installation cost can save you a lot throughout the year- especially during the Summer!

Another goal you might want to take on is to rely less on technology. Modern electronics can be a big distraction, so using them less can help you get more in touch with nature.

What’s more, you’ll be able to look after yourself if you’re faced with a power cut or go out camping!

Learn skills like cooking without electricity and cut out the TV for some reading or a walk with nature.

Cut Down On Car Rides

Source:

Another small change that can save you big money is relying less on your car. After all, who wants to deal with traffic jams and annoying drivers?

Instead of driving to work in the morning, consider cycling. You’ll save a truckload of money on petrol costs- plus you don’t have to worry about damaging your vehicle. You’ll also get more exercise and be much more relaxed when you reach work.

Taking walks more is also beneficial. It can clear your mind and get you more in touch with nature.

Learn D.I.Y. Skills

Are you sick of having to call for help whenever you need something changed or fixed in your house? To be more self-sufficient, pick up some D.I.Y. skills.

There are plenty of online tutorials and YouTube videos which can teach you how to deal with home maintenance.

Not only can you keep your home in good shape, but you can also learn to redecorate on a budget.

Overall, having D.I.Y. skills will make it cheap and easy to look after your living space.

What tips do you have for becoming more self sufficient?

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Are We Konmari-ing Ourselves OUT of Joy?

I'm sure you will be familiar with the tidying tome that is creating ripples of almost religious fervour across the UK - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Japanese author and organizing consultant, Marie Kondo.

So popular is it that it has even spawned a new verb - to 'konmari'.

To save you reading it, the basic premise is that by decluttering you can create not only a gleaming, if somewhat sterile, home but you will achieve levels of mental peace and clarity - not to mention lots of space and less dusting.

To do this, you should consider whether your possessions "spark joy" and, if not, remove, purge, delete from your life.

In fact, it's not dissimilar from what my mother would frequently yell at me.  "You'd feel a god sight happier if you tidied the mess in your bedroom up".  Strangely, I may also have shared this nugget of wisdom with Caitlin and Ieuan.

But I must confess to feeling a little uncomfortable.  For example, in the Facebook groups dedicated to Ms Kondo's spartan lifestyle,  there seems to be a certain amount of, shall we say, pressure being put on those who like the idea of a tidy living room but who are unsure of what to do with items which hold memories for them.

I have seen posters being advised to get rid of baby clothes, first Christmas ornaments made by the offspring and gifts from their recently dead mothers.

"Does it spark joy" - these hapless declutters are questioned?

Hmmm.

See the thing about us humans is that we are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions.  I don't know about you but my joy is not sparked very often and, if it were sparked every day I think I'd get a bit bored of it.

Isn't that one of the reasons we love Christmas so much?  All that heightened fervour, bonhomie and goodwill to men, women and pets.

But imagine feeling like that every day.  Exhausting.

I just worry that there are many frantic declutterers out there searching for joy by chucking their most precious possessions out because these things do not evoke jubilation.

What about comfort?  What about sweet sadness?  What about nostalgia?

What about the things that remind us of times where we have grown - even though the time itself was not particularly happy.

What about the things that are a bit of an eyesore but meant so much to someone we loved very much?

What about when our kids ask us in years to come where the heck their baby photos are and we did we never keep anything they made?

Can we take a moment to remember that Ms Kondo has a business to run and books to sell?

Listen.

I would love to be able to declutter to the extent Ms Kondo advises.  And perhaps it is wrong that some of us define ourselves by the things we choose to surround ourselves with.

That is a far different thing to the avaricious accumulation of the latest gadgets and trinkets.  I'm talking about those things that are so precious to us that they become symbols of our life and who we have become.

You may get a frisson of excitement chucking it in a bin bag now but will you still feel like that in years to come?

Will a kitchen worktop so clean you could eat your dinner off it really outweigh your memories?

There will always be those who hoard and those who can't stand being surrounded by stuff.

I'm somewhere in between.  Most of us let stuff pile up and then have an occasional purge.

But if things upset us now (for example, something precious from a deceased relative), why not put it in a memory box and put it away safe in the knowledge that it may one day offer great comfort?

Sometimes we need to visit the bad stuff because there are often good memories attached.  Why is so much importance put on headstones in graveyards?  A bit macabre possibly but you get my point.

I suspect konmari-ing is a trend but for some it's going to cost them a fortune.  Because I'll guarantee in less than a year, they will regret some of the things they've discarded and will be replacing them.

There is some great advice in Marie Kondo's book but I think we need to keep things in perspective.

Now I'm off for a coffee to see if my kettle sparks a bit of joy.

Actually, you know what,  it does!  Think I'll keep it.

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How To Make Your Space Your Own On A Budget

How can you make your space your own when you're living in a rented flat, bedsit or student accommodation?

Everyone needs a cosy pad to escape to so that you can recharge your batteries and regather your energy. But how do you do that when money is tight and you've bills to pay?

At this time of year in particular, making your space lovely and festive only adds to the enjoyment of the season.

So what to do?  And what do you do when you share your space with others?

Here are some tips you might like to try.

Create a mood board

You can find inspiration from the interior magazines like Elle Decoration and the Sunday supplements.

Repaint - but if you are renting you might want to follow these tips to avoid upsetting your landlord!

Try some DIY projects

Here's a way to make your own fabulous cozy headboard.




Display family photos

Create a photo wall or mix and match frames.  Visit your local printer to blow up your favourite prints to A3 or larger and frame them.

Update the curtains 

You could add a statement theme to jazz a room up or just replace with calming neutrals to dial the volume down.  If light is a problem, it's worth investing in black-out linings which will give you an extra hour of snooze time on light summer mornings and keep you warm in the winter.

Use seating in the bedroom

Create a cozy corner to read in by adding an armchair to your bedroom.

Add texture with throws and cushions

You don't have to spend a fortune.  You can make such a difference with soft furnishings such as throws and cushions. Buy the cushion pads and the covers separately or make your own covers if you can sew.

You can also add character to your bedroom with bedding in different textures, colours and fabrics.

Hang String lights

These are pretty at any time of year.  Stuff strings of battery operated lights into glass vases to add a cozy glow to corners and mantle pieces or drape over the kitchen or your bed to add some atmosphere.

Create a nook

If you've no room in the bedroom to add a chair, create a cozy corner in your main room - perhaps with a mini table or bookshelf and a lamp to read by.

Add light and reflection with mirrors

A decorating basic - make your space big by using the power of reflection.  You could make a large mirror a feature of the room.

Add plants / flowers

Nothing spruces a room up like a beautiful floral display and you can find some reasonable bunches in stores like Aldi.  Add an extra note of interest by displaying them in quirky ways, for example unusual china cups.

Light Candles

Very Hygge and there are so many types and fragrances to choose from at every price point. Candles are a really quick way to add coziness.

Make your own artwork

If you are the arty type, why not create a wall dedicated to your own artwork.  I have seen some pretty convincing paintings simply done with acrylic paint.  Or if you are into photography, why not display your work - I love black and white photography.

Replace the toilet seat or taps

No explanation needed on this one and is there anything more irritating than a dripping tap?

Display your make up / perfume bottles

If you don't have many ornaments, improvise.  Antique perfume bottles and some of the more unusual modern fragrance bottles make a lovely display.

Hat boxes in stacks also make a great display.

Use modular furniture that can be moved around

If you're investing in furnishings, it makes sense to buy things you can move from room to room - and take with you when you move on.

No matter where you live, it's easy to add your own personality to your space and create a home that is welcoming and great to come back to after a hard day's work or studying.

What would be your top tip?

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Get Your Home Ship Shape And Ready For Guests

In just a few weeks winter will be back with us again, bringing Christmas and all of it’s fun festivities. Christmas is a magical time of year, but as a busy mum you’ll know there are a million and one things to think about! Seeing friends and family is one of the best things about the season, but if you’re house proud it means there’s probably a fair bit of work to be done. Plus with the change of weather, our homes are in need of some serious winter- proofing. Making sure all of this is done early will mean everything runs as smoothly as possible right through to the spring.

Clear The Garden

Most of us are done out in the garden for the year now the weather has taken a turn for the worst. If you’re lucky you might still have some flowers blooming and prettying up your garden, but before long most things will die back. Unless you’re a hardcore gardener, now is the time to tidy your tools away. Move your mower to the back of the shed, and bring your leaf blower, rake and snow shovel to the front. Clear the gutters on your house and any outbuildings which can become blocked with leaf litter and cause leaks. Turn the water supply off to your outdoor tap/ pipes, or at the very least cover them with insulation. This will prevent them from becoming damaged or bursting when the temperatures drop to freezing over winter. Having a clear and tidy garden makes a good first impression when guests arrive, as it’s the first thing they will see when coming to your home.

Picture source: Pixabay

Get Your Boiler Serviced

The last thing you want over the Christmas period is to be troubled by heating issues! If your boiler plays up, you can end up with no hot water or heating. If this happens to fall on one of the festive bank holidays, you’ll pay well over the odds to have someone come out and sort it. A boiler service should be done once a year and will cost you around £70. But it’s money well spent, and could potentially save you an awful lot more if it prevents anything major going wrong. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off by rogue traders, a site like TrustATrader will help you find reputable workmen.

Tackle Any Repairs

November is a great time to tackle any repairs and finish up any projects before the worst of the year’s weather hits. It could be a bit of painting, filling in cracks or holes in walls, finishing up some tiling or anything else that you’ve been putting off. Having the house in tip top condition means you’re ready for your Christmas guests and are free to hang your decorations and make your home look beautiful come December.

Clean and Declutter

When children are getting things like new toys, clothes and books for Christmas you could clear out the ones they’re no longer using. Put anything sentimental up in the attic, and donate the rest to charity. This could make a less fortunate child’s Christmas, so it’s a win-win. Finally, getting everywhere clean and tidy in anticipation of guests is a good idea. You could do the kinds of jobs that don’t usually get done on a regular cleaning day. Hire a Rug Doctor and clean all of your carpets. Wash curtains, clean windows and pull out large furniture items and vacuum behind them. That way, if you get a text or phone call from a visitor saying they’re popping over in ten minutes, you only need to do a spot of tidying before they arrive.

Picture source: Free Stock Photos

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Is Your Kitchen Ready For Entertaining

Is your kitchen ready for entertaining? Now that the festive season is almost upon us, you are probably thinking about hosting some of your friends and family for dinner parties. You may also be thinking of gathering everyone at yours for Christmas dinner!

Image credit: www.pexels.com

But before you send the invitations out, you need to make sure that your kitchen is all ready for entertaining and hosting guests. Do you think yours could do with a bit of improvement? Here are some useful tips that can help you get your kitchen up to scratch.

Image credt: www.pexels.com

Update Your Kitchenware

Cooking appliances and crockery can quickly become dated. Unless you are going for a vintage style in your kitchen, you should update any old-fashioned items in your kitchen. Not only will this do wonders for the look of your kitchen, but you will also find that they are a lot easier to use. And new cooking appliances will help you cut down the time you spend in your kitchen. Meaning you will have a lot more time to mingle with all your guests!

Get Rid Of Clutter

I’m sure most of us have a lot of clutter on our kitchen tops and dining table. It’s because it easily gathers on these surfaces! Especially the likes of letters, bills and important paperwork. So before you start cooking for your dinner party, make sure you quickly tidy up all of this clutter and remove it from your kitchen. It is also important to tidy your kitchen work surfaces once you have taken all the clutter away. Keep them neat, and you will have plenty of space to prepare your food. They will also look very tidy to your guests!

Image credit: www.pexels.com

Clean Your Fridge

Your fridge will be used a lot during the dinner party. Even by guests who could be going in there quite a lot to top up their glass of white wine. So it is very important that the inside of your refrigerator is looking clean and tidy. If you are placing a lot of dishes in the fridge ready for the meal, make sure that the door shuts tightly. It is also a good idea to check that none of the food is blocking any of the air vents. Otherwise, the refrigerator could quickly heat up.

Image credit: www.pexels.com

Take The Bin Out

You don’t want a nasty smell to put your diners off their meal, so remember to take the bin out before anyone arrives. It might also be worth cleaning out the bin itself with some strong disinfectant. After all, no matter how careful you are, there is always the chance that some food has escaped out the bin bag and made its way into the actual bin! Make sure you have plenty of extra bin bags as well. The rubbish will quickly pile up during a dinner party, and you might have to even take the bin out half-way through the meal!

Once you follow these tips, your kitchen will be all ready for you to entertain. And your guests will certainly be impressed!

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Home Maintenance Tips for Everyone

When it comes to home maintenance, a lot of things are taken for granted. We live our day-to-day lives not thinking much about how to better take care of things that value the most. And that is especially true for our homes, since we spend almost two thirds of our lives in them.

Think of it as cutting your costs and making your life more productive, and also more enjoyable. So here are the most important things to do from time to time, so that your home is always in tip-top shape.

First of all, start from the interiors. If you feel a slight breeze inside even though your windows are closed, try fixing the frames, sealing them, and changing the screens if they are broken. This might affect the heating system as well, and help your house be warmer and more pleasant.

Also, air filters in your air-conditioning need to be clean at all times, so wash them at least once a year, preferably at the end of spring, and make sure they are serviced from time to time. This may prevent allergies with your family members, as can keeping the house clean and free of insects. Make sure your extinguishers are working, and change them if you need to.

Inspect your plumbing in the house. If the water runs slowly, that is extremely easy to fix. Keep your sink clean, and use vinegar or chemicals when you need to clean kitchen sink disposal. Your range hood filters also need to be free from grease.

If there is a space in your house that you do not use regularly, make sure to run water there every month or two. This also includes flushing the toilet in the room. For water to be soft and not harmful to your body, use salt and add it at least once a month.

At least twice a year give your home a full treatment – a whole weekend of dusting, mopping and vacuum cleaning. Pay special attention to refrigerator coils, as when they are clean, your fridge runs more smoothly and spends least energy.

At this point you could also remember to pay attention to the exterior. If everything seems to be in order, check exterior drainage and clean the gutters. Clean the garage, it is usually full of things we do not need in the house, so we easily lose track of what is inside it. As soon as it is done, focus on the plants.

Any trees you might have around your house should not interfere with electrical cables, and also, trim your garden fence and you will get rid of unnecessary dead plants. This will not only help house exterior look better, but it will also prevent weed from growing between the bricks or in small cracks around the house.

Roof is another important thing on your check-list, as it needs to be free of damage, cracks, holes and leaks at all times. Chimney is also important to keep clean, as it keeps your house safe from all the harmful effects of gases. Check it at least once a year.

Then comes the patio, which usually does not require more than a solid wash every now and then The pool requires more attention, so check your Onga or Davey pool pumps (check this page if you want to buy some good ones) for damage once in a while. Finish with driveway for cracks, and then your to-do list of things to keep your house in good order is done.

With these tips, you will be ready to tackle most troublesome home issues without even calling a handyman!

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Top Tips To Get Your Kids To Do Their Homework & A Homework Station Makeover

Now that Caitlin is in Year 4 and Ieuan in Year 3, the volume of homework is beginning to increase.  And so are the 'homework battles'.

Even the concept of homework is under fire at the moment. There are those who say that it is an unnecessary burden on our kids who are already tested far more than previous generations of school children.

On the other hand, research says that 30% of a child's learning comes from their teachers with a whopping 70% coming from us, their parents and carers.

To me, that indicates clearly that home learning is pretty important, whether in the form of formal homework or not.

So what can you do to help your child with their homework?

Revamp their homework workstation

Action Storage, makers of school cloakroom lockers for over 30 years, suggest a workstation makeover may help considerably. It's important to create a space for your child to work in relative peace so that they can concentrate.

All accessories from Flying Tiger.

Having all their books and stationery to hand will make it easier to get the work done.  It's also a great opportunity to work with your child to design their space together - which will hopefully add more encouragement to open their school bags and actually get the books out!

We're revamping Caitlin's bedroom at the moment and are fitting new wardrobes but we have created a desk area where she can work in peace and escape her noisy younger brother. Once our DIY is finished we plan to add more shelving for books and some task lighting.

It doesn't have to cost a lot.  We found all our accessories for under £20 at Flying Tiger. (see my current giveaway to win Halloween decorations here).

Create a homework timetable

When your kids are younger, this really has to be a 'team effort'. I'm sure you have experienced that sinking Sunday night feeling when you find a piece of urgent homework that has to be handed in on Monday which has been languishing at the bottom of your child's backpack.

I've learned now to empty out all the scraps of paper on Friday to check we know what is needed over the weekend.

That way, we can create a simple homework timetable and split library books up into a set number of chapters per night, for example.  

No TV, Gaming, or iPad until they've done their homework

There are times when your child comes home exhausted and it's obvious that they need a break before starting any homework.  

But when the work has to be done, we found it's best to hide the remotes and tablets until it's done.  If you wanted to be extra tough, you could change the WiFi password until it is!  

Sit down and do it with them

Not all the time and I'm not suggesting you do the work for them but taking an active interest in what they're doing and letting them show you their workings out or designs will show them that you're there to help and may even encourage a bit of inspired collaboration.

Take the homework away from home

Sometimes it makes a refreshing change to do their homework somewhere else.  You could sit with them in your local library or take their spelling books when you're sat waiting in a car for ballet / Taekwondo/swimming to end.

Ieuan is particularly fond of spelling practice in a restaurant down the road from Caitlins ballet class where we bribe him with a large blackcurrant squash and a packet of crisps.

Take learning into the real world

If, for example, they're studying money then take them to the supermarket and show them how much things cost.  Get them to work out the value of what you're putting in your basket.  Let them hand over the money and check the change.

If they're studying weights and measurements, do some baking and let them weigh out the ingredients or help with some DIY and take the measurements.

Teaching children how to actually apply what they're learning will help the subject matter to stick much easier.

There are many ways to help your child with their homework but the most important thing is to encourage them and help them to understand that learning is a continuous process that needs daily application.

Recognise when your child is struggling

If you think your child is not coping with their homework, then you could consider hiring a private tutor.  You should also talk to your child's teacher to see if there are extra resources to help them in school.  

You might also want to check that there is nothing else interfering with your child's learning such as health or friendship issues.

It's perfectly normal to hate doing your homework but as I tell my two, it's a competitive world and a good standard of academic achievement can only stand them in good stead for supporting the Husband and I in our old age!

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Review: The VAX Air Stretch Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner

VAX is a name I've been familiar with for a long time but I have to be honest and say that I thought the company only produced rather cumbersome machines which cleaned your carpet by dampening it.

Times have changed greatly.  VAX offered us the chance to test one of their new, lightweight, bagless models and we chose the VAX Air Stretch Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

Our existing vacuum is a pull-along one from a well known 'bagless' brand and, although I could never fault it's vacuuming power, it is difficult to move.  It doesn't corner so that if you pull it, it generally smacks into the furniture if you're not paying attention.

It is also quite heavy and because we've managed to lose most of the tools, nooks and crannies are often overlooked.  Its weight also doesn't help my back so lugging it up and down stairs is a problem and it simply doesn't have the reach to vacuum the ceiling.

The VAX Air Stretch cleaner has none of these problems.  It is a powerful (820w) and lightweight upright vacuum cleaner with a long reach hose and cord.




It is also ideal for homes with pets as it comes with a TurboTool  to help remove stubborn dirt and pet hair from surfaces around your home.

The product is also supplied with a 3-in-1 tool

Whilst we don't have a pet (yet!), both the Husband and I suffer from a dust allergy so a powerful vacuum is important for us. We have stripped out lots of the carpet so we also need a machine that copes well with hard floors without scratching the surface.

The VAX is multi-cyclonic (which means you don't lose suction), has a HEPA filter and, best of all it comes with a long cord and hose which reaches up to 17 metres.

You can use the VAX on carpet or hard floor by simply altering a gauge on the base of the machine and the tools attach to the body of the upright (although we haven't found where the TurboTool goes).

It weighs only 4.9kg making it easy to lift and, whilst it is a battle with my existing cleaner to lift it step by step to do the stairs, the VAX has the reach to allow you to just use the cord and the TurboTool  which makes it much easier on my back.

The machine is also easy to empty - you just detach the dust container, unclip at the bottom and empty straight into the bin.

The only slight negatives I can find are firstly that the machine is quite noisy for those of us with Tinnitus but the same could be said of most of today's updated household appliances.

Secondly, an upright vacuum cleaner does take a little more storage space but it's given us an extra incentive to clean out the cupboard under the stairs where we tend to 'store' too many coats and cans of tinned tomatoes from our forays to Costco.

The product comes with free delivery and a 6 year guarantee.  It retails at £249.99.

We found it was easy to use, light to lift and did the job well.

You can find more information about this and the full range of VAX products at www.vax.co.uk.

*We were sent a VAX Air Stretch Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner for the purpose of this review.  

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Inspirational Design Ideas That Parents Will Love

If you’re busy juggling the school run with work or other commitments, you may not have time for DIY and interior design. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to devote a lot of time to shopping or hammering with these inspirational design ideas. If you’re a parent looking to give your home a mini makeover, why not give these suggestions a try?

Image Credit

Displaying children’s artwork

Have you got folders of paintings lying around in boxes in the spare room? Have you run out of room on the fridge? Or are you struggling to find enough wall space to hang your children’s masterpieces? If these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to find some innovative new ways to display your kids’ artwork.

One idea is to create a wall-mounted gallery. Buy a series of frames, and select your favourite works. Put up some tacks in the wall and hang your frames. This idea works really well on staircases or landing walls. You can choose frames that are all the same size and colour, or mix things up with different sizes and styles. You don’t need to spend a fortune on your creation. Take a look online and compare prices. Sites like Best4Frames offer a range of cheap picture frames.

Another idea is to create a washing-line style gallery. Put up a piece of string or tape and then use mini pegs to hang your pictures. Once the line is in place, you could add personalised wall stickers to finish off the look. Go for your child’s name or a quote from a famous artist.

Wallpaper with a difference

Are your kids always drawing on the walls or adding their own touches to your wallpaper? If so, why not create a chalkboard wall? Your new wall will look stylish, and your children can be as creative as they like. You can use chalkboard paint or buy a ready-made sticker. This is an excellent idea for family kitchens, playrooms, and children’s bedrooms.

Sensational storage

Storage issues are commonplace in family homes. Are you constantly tripping over building blocks or trying to cram as many books as possible into your shelving units? The good news is that there are some fantastic child-friendly storage ideas out there. You can buy units, which look like toys and invest in clever solutions. Think giant Lego brick storage boxes. Or wardrobes and beds fitted with pull-out drawers. If you have older kids, bunk beds with desks underneath are an excellent space-saving option.

Family photos

Every parent loves to display photographs of their kids around the house. There are various ways you can do this. You can stand frames on units and chests. You can hang canvases on the wall or buy giant multi-aperture frames. You could create a photo wall in the same style as your artwork gallery. Or you could put up a series of shelves and fill them with your favourite images.

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If you’re a parent looking for simple but effective design ideas, hopefully, you’re feeling inspired. Try these quick and easy tips, and your home will look beautifully unique in no time!

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Win A Spooky Bundle of Halloween Decorations From Flying Tiger [closed]

Halloween is fast approaching and if you're already thinking about making your fright night as scary as possible (not too scary if you've little ones of course), then I have a spooky prize of a bundle of Halloween decorations to win from quirky Danish design store, Flying Tiger worth £20.

Caitlin models the lovely pumpkin wig

Flying Tiger (previously just Tiger) has an ever-changing selection of own-designed and branded products at affordable prices.  Just click on the link to find your local store.

You can find all kinds of things such as everyday items like kitchen utensils, office supplies, toys, hobby and crafts, party products, food, stationery, electronics, sports, gadgets and fashion accessories.

The designs are colorful, practical, original and often surprising. They have a Scandinavian flavor and a humorous touch.

Just right for decorating your party on a budget (and great for the cost conscious and students too!).

The exact contents of the prize box will be a surprise but they will include some of the following:-

Skull & Crossbones paper garland, £1

Fright in a can, £2

LED lights, £2

Pumpkin light chain, £2

Ghosts light chain, £4

Lanterns, £2

Hanging skeleton, £3

Pumpkin Wig £4

The Giveaway

The prize is a selection of Halloween decorations (which may not contain all of the above) to the value of £20. 

Entry is via the Rafflecopter and terms and conditions can be viewed on my competitions page.  UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 21st October.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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10 Quick Tips For Saving Money On Your Energy Bills This Autumn

After the mortgage, our utility bills are one of the biggest chunks of our monthly expenditure.

Many of us, of course, know that we should be shopping around for a better deal but, if you're anything like me, you suspect that any rises or falls in utility costs will eventually spread to all the other utility providers and even out over the long term and you find the thought of switching provider is just too much of a hassle.

But since Which suggest you could save up to £369 by switching your energy provider, it may be well worth while making the change.

In the meantime, there are lots of ways we can reduce our existing utility bills by making a few practical adjustments.

Here are some quick tips:-

*  Turn down your thermostat.  The Energy Saving Trust say you can save around £90 just by turning your thermostat down 1 degree.  Sweaters and hot water bottles can be your new best friends.

* Try a smart thermostat.  That way you can control your heating via the internet and could switch it on in time for your return from work, rather than keeping it on all day.  Have a look at Nest or Hive.

*Make sure the dishwasher is full before you switch it on or, if you hand-wash, use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £30 a year in energy bills.

* Fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £7 a year.

* Reduce your washing machine use by just load per week and save £5 a year on energy, and a further £8 a year on metered water bills.

*Check your windows for draughts. You can buy draught-proofing strips to stick around the window frames which are cheap, and easy to install, although they may not be a long term solution.You can get metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached which are long-lasting, but cost a little more. For windows that don't open, use a silicone sealant.

*You can also prevent heat loss by using thermal / black-out linings on your curtains (great at helping the kids to sleep too) or by fitting blinds from the company VELUX which have a special heat blocking aluminium coating on the back to retain heat in the room in winter and reflect solar heat in summer.

*Similarly, check your doors for draughts too.  Keep doors closed to stop cold air from moving into the rest of the house and if there is a gap at the bottom of the door, use a draught excluder.  You can make your own with some spare material or even a stuffed pair of tights.

*Draught-proof your front door by

 -getting a keyhole cover (a metal disc that drops over the keyhole)
- fitting your letterbox with a flap or brush
- blocking any gap at the bottom with a brush or hinged flap draught excluder.

*Don't leave all your gadgets on standby.  Switch them off to save £££s.

For more great ideas on how to save money on your utilities, go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

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Win A Good Clean Summer Pack From Astonish Cleaners

Summer is, ideally, a time when we all spend more time out of doors. Even the rain doesn't stop some of us - which is just as well if you're planning a holiday in the UK.

Not what I meant by helping me with the housework

I find that the washing pile tends to grow drastically at this time of year, as do those stains it's hardest to shift like grass, chocolate and blackcurrant.

Caitlin and Ieuan are currently playing 'spies' which means much rolling around undercover cop style and much mud.

To help make the laundry a little easier, as well as add some summer sparkle to the rest of the house, Astonish has put together a "Good Clean Summer" pack for one lucky winner.

There's Astonish’s Oxy Plus Stain Remover for a start. You can tackle your soiled laundry confident that stains and grime will be banished. Then there's Astonish Oven & Cookware Cleaner which not only tackles the darkest recesses of your oven but can also be used to bring your garden furniture back to pristine white. The Pro Grease Lifter Tablets can be used to spruce up the barbecue.  

Astonish's Good Clean Summer Pack also contains the Stain Remover Target Spray, Fabric Refresher and Clean and Protect Hand wash.

To help you with your everyday housecleaning, there's the Daily Shower Cleaner, 4 in 1 Disinfectant Spray, Window and Glass Cleaner, All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets, Fresh Sea Mist Floor Cleaner and the Dustbuster.

That's quite some prize!

I'm already a fan of Astonish's "The Oven and Cookwear Cleaner" and I found that the Fabric Refresher has a light refreshing scent whilst the Daily Shower Cleaner is a great help because you can just spray it and leave it until the next shower.  The Window & Glass Cleaner is fabulous for removing the handwriting practice left across the bathroom mirror and secret messages left in lipstick.

I don't really let them play with household cleaning products - in case you're wondering ........

For more details about Astonish and its range of British manufactured cleaning products please visit www.astonishcleaners.co.uk or visit them on Facebook.

The Astonish Good Clean Summer Pack contains the following:-

• Oxy Plus Stain Remover 

• Stain Remover Target Spray
• Fabric Refresher
• Clean and Protect Hand wash
• Grease Lifter Tablets • Daily Shower Cleaner
• 4 in 1 Disinfectant Spray
• Window and Glass Cleaner
• Fresh Sea Mist Floor Cleaner
• All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets
• DustBuster

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply (available on my competitions page).  UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 31 August.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Keeping Your Home Clean When You Have Pets

I really miss having a cat.  My last cat, Samson, was a beautiful black and white tom cat I got from a rescue home.  He had been badly treated and would only use a litter tray.  The outside was of no interest to him whatsoever.

Now, of course, we have kids and they would both love to have a pet.  There is, of course, a common notion that having pets makes it harder to keep your home clean and tidy, which is why a lot of parents aren’t willing to have them. (Other issues are cost, medical bills and what to do with your pet when you go on holiday).

The question is can you have pets and a clean, germ-free home? Or, does having a dog, cat, or gerbil or even a more exotic pet like a snake, mean that your home will be more difficult to keep clean?

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Pets do make mess and spread germs 

The truth is, pets do make a mess and spread germs, especially outdoor pets. An indoor cat is much less likely to spread germs than an outdoor cat because he or she isn’t exposed to outdoor germs, such as those found in the dirt. However, just because pets can spread germs, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

A lot of parents keep their homes in sterile like conditions, which means that children have little to no immunity. To be healthy, kids need to come into contact with germs. This is what helps them build a stronger defense against certain illnesses and conditions. Having a pet is the perfect way to do this.

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Proper pet care can create cleaner pets 

The number one reason pets smell is because they aren’t being looked after properly. The truth is a pet that’s well cared for should never smell or be dirty.

Say, for instance, you have a gerbil, the only time it would smell would be if it’s cage wasn’t being cleaned regularly enough. Or, let’s say you have a dog that’s getting older, he or she may start having accidents in the house, causing your home to smell. However, with proper care and the use of Propalin Syrup for dogs, these types of accidents can be prevented.

A lot of parents worry about pets carrying fleas or ticks. However, if you flea and worm your pets regularly - once a month, this won’t be an issue.

All healthy cats are self-cleaning, so should never smell. If a cat starts to smell, this is because they’re unwell and unable to clean themselves, in which case a visit to the vets is needed.

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Regular cleaning can prevent problems

While pets do carry germs and dirt, as long as you clean your home regularly there shouldn’t be a problem. Simply by vacuuming your home once every couple of days and cleaning the floors with a steam cleaner, you can remove all dirt from it.

As long as you keep on top of the cleaning in your home, there shouldn’t be any problem with a pet making it dirty or messy.

Well, unless you have a dog that likes to destroy things, that is. In this case, while you’re unable to supervise your pup, it’s best to put him or her in a room where there’s nothing he or she can destroy.

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The answer is yes, it is possible to have a clean home when you have pets. Don’t let the fact that pets carry germs put you off of having one. As, if you care for your pets properly, and clean your home regularly, there should be no problem.

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Whizzing Up Something Nutritious For The House of Fraser Smoothie Challenge

The House of Fraser is on a mission to get us all fitter for summer and enjoying the benefits of a healthy smoothie - one you make yourself, not a shop-bought one packed with sugar and other unhealthy things.

They threw down the gauntlet to the Hobbis Household and sent us a Kenwood Smoothie To Go Blender to create a House of Fraser themed smoothie.

Now as you know I am a complete whizz in the kitchen and resisting the urge to do something creative with strawberries and banana, my eye fell on my latest cookery tome "Eat Well For Less" from the BBC TV series of the same name.

How is this relevant you cry?  Well, if you want to get maximum value for your budget in all departments, House of Fraser is a very good place to look.  Their focus has always been on accessible quality for families.

Our Kenwood Smoothie To Go Blender is a real workhorse of a gadget.  It is sturdily built and everything assembles easily with just one click. It can grind spices and quickly create smoothies, soups and sauces with its 350W motor which has 2 blending speeds and a pulse function.

It comes with a 1 litre plastic goblet, a separate mill for spices, herbs, nuts and coffee beans and a smoothie to go goblet ideal for fresh smoothies on the go. The plastic parts are dishwasher safe and the blender comes with a 1 year guarantee.  It currently retails at £39.99.

We chose to make Gregg and Chris's Breakfast Smoothie.

Ingredients

500 ml semi-skimmed milk
2 tbsp mixed frozen fruit (just choose your favourite)
2 tbsp blanched almonds
2 tbsp rolled oats
1 tsp runny honey

Combine ingredients in the blending goblet and whizz until smooth.

Makes enough for 2 smoothies.

The Smoothie To Go Goblet comfortably took the full amount of smoothie and fits nicely in the fridge so you could just prepare the night before and grab it on your way out of the door in the morning.

House of Fraser have a wide range of blenders and kitchen gadgets to choose from but I'm sticking with my Kenwood.  Simple to use, easy to clean and even I can work out how to put it together!

Now to create my stawberry and banana special....

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Party planning - Unusual Entertainment Ideas That Will Get Your Guests Talking

From the venue, to the catering, to the decorations, there’s no escaping the fact that it takes a lot of forward thinking to plan the perfect party.

One of the main elements of any successful soiree is the entertainment. Unless you get it just right, your attendees could be left feeling less than impressed, so it pays to think outside the box.

To ensure that your next party goes down a storm, here are three unusual entertainment ideas that are bound to get your guests talking.

A murder mystery dinner

For entertainment with a difference, a murder mystery dinner could be perfect for your next party. When they’re done properly, murder mystery dinners can keep your guests amused and entertained for hours, acting as the focal point of the whole evening.

Over a meal, your guests will be immersed into a dramatic storyline, with the main aim of trying to work out who’s to blame for the ‘murder’.

Instead of attempting to arrange this type of entertainment yourself, it pays to enlist the help of professionals. For instance, experts the Murder Mystery Collective use West End actors to bring their plots to life

A flashmob dance troupe

To really surprise your guests, why not arrange for a flashmob dance troupe to perform? A flashmob are a group of talented dancers who will seemingly spontaneously carry out a choreographed routine, usually to loud, upbeat music, and then leave just as quickly as they appeared. The whole sequence is unexpected and exhilarating, and it’s sure to create a real buzz among your guests.

For example, if you’re hosting a large dinner or ceremony in a function room, you could arrange to have the dancers disguise themselves as waiting staff to get into position, for them to then suddenly burst into dance.

As long as your venue has a sufficient amount of space, a flashmob troupe could be ideal for your next event.

Source:  Wikipedia.org

Aerial silk performers

If you’re keen to thrill your guests, you could book some aerial silk performers.

These highly skilled performers use the support of nothing but long pieces of fabrics and their own strength to carry out breathtaking stunts and routines while being suspended in the air.

Whether you arrange to have one acrobat or a group perform, aerial silk artists will undoubtedly leave your guests awestruck and impressed.

All that is required from you is that your venue has reasonably high ceilings. You can then leave it up to the act to put on a show stopping performance.

Looking beyond the party ‘norm’ is key if you want to organize an event that’s going to get your guests talking.

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