Melificent

Moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do. On the surface of it, you may be wondering why that is. I get you. To be honest, the stressful element should be the buying and selling element, am I right? But while those things can be stressful there is nothing that will break you quite as much as moving home. Boxes, packing, unpacking, moving them, manoeuvring furniture, and figuring out where everything is going to go. Once you are in the process of it and can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, there are ways to beat the stress of moving. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you do it.   

Image source – pixabay – cco license

Pack for the new place

One of the first suggestions would be to pack for the new place. This essentially means that you consider where things will go in the new rooms in your home rather than packing up the old ones specifically. For example, if you have some ornaments in your bedroom that you now want in your living room, then pack up a box with them in the living room. This makes for easier unloading and unpacking when you get there. 

Get as much help as you can 

Moving is hard work. The heavy lifting of big items of furniture. Maneuvering them through small gaps in doors and generally a lot of hard work. So it is always a good idea to get as much help as possible when it comes to moving home. One first thing to consider would be to hire one of the local moving companies to do all the hard work for you. The moving services can include things like packing up your home as well. If you can’t get a removal company to help you, then try and involve family and friends to help you. The more people you have, the quicker the job will get done. 

Make sure you have what you need for the first night

That first night in your new home is always going to be exciting, but don’t dampen the mood by having to go through several boxes just so you have a change of clothes or you can make a drink. Pack up one box specifically for the first night. Include anything you think you might need like a kettle, toiletries, and a change of clothes. You will be thankful for feeling organised and it will allow you to relax on that first night. 

Try and organise change over of bills and subscriptions ahead of time 

Finally, changing the bills is the last thing to consider, and it is one of the things that unless you are organised can take the most time. The things like internet access or getting your TV to work may feel a little trivial, but once you are in your home it is these things that will help keep children occupied or allow you to relax in the evening. Organise a date ahead of time and then you can work around that. 

I hope that this helps you beat the stress of moving home. 

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Everyone has a different definition when creating their dream home and finally feeling they have done everything they need. While some go for stylish and modern decor, others prefer something a little breezier. If you love all things beachy and want to feel like you’re on the coast no matter where you live, here are some tips to achieve beach house chic in your home. 

Open Plan 

Open plan designs are a great way to make the most of your space and help the room to not feel so cramped or crowded, which is perfect for feeling like you’re on vacation and relaxing. Understanding the benefits of an open floor plan should give you some ideas and encourage you to arrange your furniture and other features, such as side tables, to ensure you can glide around the area seamlessly. This is also a great approach for anyone who loves to entertain as your guests won’t feel so confined and gives everyone a chance to occupy space without needing to hang out in different rooms. 

Rustic And Natural Textures 

Beach chic is all about rustic and natural textures, so including as much of this as possible is an excellent way to create a beachy vibe. Rather than relying on cold chrome or similar metal fixtures, opt for wooden handles, tables, chairs, and anything else you need to create the perfect environment in your home or just one room. 

Many stores sell these types of accessories and decor, but you could take it further and source or make them yourself if you have the tools and the time. 

Bright and Beachy Colors 

The beach is supposed to be your happy place, so there’s no point in painting the room dark colors. Instead, go for soft blues that match a summer sky or even white furniture (which will also be easier to clean). 

Furthermore, you can check out the best Serena & Lily dupes for 2023 to identify quality and affordable items to decorate your room. You can find everything from simple pillows and throws to more essential pieces like chairs, stools, and tables that provide functionality as well as style. 

Keep Things Cool

While many decor styles focus on statement pieces, you don’t want this if you’re trying to create a home boasting beach chic. Instead, everything should complement everything else, with ornaments and decor that create a consistent vibe and style. 

This means that you need to go for a maximalist effect rather than something more subtle. While you shouldn’t fill your home with any old junk, you should embrace the benefits of plenty. With this, your home will look like a continuous collection where it is easy to swap out items without upsetting the rest of the decor.

Beachy Keen

There’s something calming about being near the ocean. You feel healthier. You are more relaxed. You love being so close to the possibilities that lie beyond the shore. While you might not be on the beach, you can still create a home that makes you feel like you’re there. These tips should give you some ideas to transform your home and create a relaxing and welcoming space.

Photo by Brett Sayles

There is a lot of hustle and bustle going on in the world right now and it can make life challenging. It can also make it difficult for you to find quality time to spend with your child. However, finding this time to spend with your child is a necessity especially if you want to develop a strong bond with them. 

There are many ways in which you can try to squeeze in this quality time but you really have to make a strong effort to do so. If you have been trying to find activities that you can use to help foster a great relationship with your child. Here are some of the best activities you can use to enhance that sense of bonding.

Read Together

Sometimes you don’t have to go digging up brand-new strategies that come with fancy terminology and equipment. Often what works are those old-fashioned activities that have been done for centuries. 

One of them is reading together with your child. Taking the time to read with your child is a great way to bond with them. Take turns reading and talking to each other about all the escapades that the characters are having. 

If you feel up to it when you are done reading you can role-play different scenes, if you have a flair for the dramatic or if you and your child have an acting bug, this is a perfect way to display it if you can’t get to Hollywood.

Cook Together

All kids like food, fortunately so do adults so if you want to use this as a bonding experience it is ripe for the taking. All you have to do is a Google search and look up recipes that you can make with your kids. 

Get them to go grocery shopping with you to help gather the ingredients for whatever fancy meal you are going to whip up. Once you have all your ingredients gathered up together the next step in the process is to actually do the cooking. 

Don’t be afraid to let your kids get their hands in the bowl and let them taste and lick their thumbs along the way. It’s all in good fun and it will help you bond with your child.

Go On Adventures Together

There’s nothing that can help you bond with your child like going on an adventure together. Once again you’re going to find out that Google is your best friend when it comes to finding the best adventures. 

Of course, you’re going to have to lay out the foundation by doing your research. There’s no doubt about that. 

You can’t build a house without having a strong foundation. The way you’re going to build the foundation is by looking at your child’s interests and yours as well. 

This way whatever adventures you decide to go on you will both enjoy it. Make a list of your interests and theirs and see where they overlap. This will help you to find out what kid-friendly adventures you can go off on together. Always remember to choose activities that are safe, there’s no need to get too wild and out of control. Safety first!

Find a Hobby

While going off on adventures is a lot of fun. You should think about doing something a lot more permanent with your child. Find a hobby that you can both enjoy together and then do that consistently to encourage bonding. 

For example, you and your child could both take up the habit of coloring. There are many adult coloring books available now as people have found that it is a very easy way for adults to relax, and when it comes to coloring children are always up for that! You can get a preschool coloring book pdf free download online.

Of course, this is just one activity that you can do as a hobby with your child. There are many others out there. Once you’ve gotten all your interests written down and done some research you might find some very interesting and unusual things that will not only help you bond but spark your creativity and sense of adventure as well.

As you can see there are many ways in which you can bond with your child. It’s up to you to choose which ones are right for you. The most important thing is to make sure that you and your child have fun throughout this bonding experience. 

It should not feel like a chore that you’re dragging yourself around to do. You want everything to go smoothly and to flow.

Fashion is an extension of our personalities and everyone’s approach is their own in how they dress and what type of fashion they choose to embrace. A fashion style can change too over the years as you enter different chapters of your life.

Minimalism is a fashion choice that some might choose to do to keep things simple or to help contribute to a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Whatever the reasoning for it, here are a few tips on how to embrace minimalism when it comes to fashion. 

Image Source

Consider a capsule closet

If you’re looking to truly embrace a minimalist approach when it comes to your fashion, then one thing to consider is a capsule closet. A capsule closet is the definition of minimalism because the approach is only having X amount of clothing items within the closet, to begin with.

These limited pieces should allow you to creatively style a dozen or so outfit looks, meaning you’re spending a lot less and storing a lot more, yet still creating plenty of looks.

Stick to a limited number of colours

Colours are something to be mindful of when it comes to minimalism. When it comes to minimalism in home decor, it often involves a colour palette that’s fairly neutral and limited in colour.

The same goes for your fashion choices. Consider sticking with neutrals or as many of the same colours or similar tones as possible. By doing so, you’re likely to find that more of the pieces you purchase, will go with other items in your closet as a result.

Choose independent brands 

Independent brands are a great way to approach minimalism when it comes to your fashion. There are loads of great brands out there such as about:blank who are worth buying from when you need something simple yet stylish.

It might not be the most bold or vibrant of clothing pieces but these sorts of brands are great for creating a fuss-free closet to go through when dressing in the morning.

Make sure new purchases fit in with the rest of your closet

New purchases are something to be careful about when it comes to a minimalist closet. When making a purchase, always reflect on the rest of your closet. Will it go with any of your items in the closet currently? If not, then it might not be the best match for your closet. 

Think about whether these purchases are right for your closet or not.

Ask questions before making a purchase

When it comes to embracing minimalism, consider asking yourself questions before making the purchase. Is this the right look for me? Do I already have something like this in my closet? Asking these questions is going to help you vet the item before you go spending your money. The last thing you want is to have it end up in your closet and not wear it.

Embracing minimalism might be the way forward for you when it comes to enjoying fashion and your style in 2023.

So, diving straight in, let’s chat about life, shall we? With a jam-packed schedule – from trying out the latest DIY home trend (hello, Pinterest inspo!) to ensuring you’re strutting in the latest fashion – there’s that one role that takes the cake: being a super parent. And, oh my, does it come with its fair share of thoughts! Among them? Ensuring you’re on top of your little munchkin’s developmental milestones. Because honestly, you can’t just gauge their growth by the number of cute shoes they’re outgrowing every month, can you? 

Via Pixabay

Time to Get Organized! 

First off, you should totally snag a chic planner or journal. What are the options out there nowadays? Divine. Ever considered one with a splash of gold foil or an inspirational quote that speaks to your soul? This isn’t just a style statement. It’s your trusty sidekick for noting down those adorable ‘firsts’ and special dates. And hey, it’s always a good time to indulge in some stylish stationery, right?

Capture Those Moments 

Ever had that “I can’t believe I missed!” moment? Like when your cutie pie took their first step, and you were too awe-struck to grab a snap? Yep, we’ve all been there. So, always have a camera within arm’s reach. These days, even that smartphone in your hand does wonders. And here’s a tip: with so many fab photo book services available online, why not curate an annual milestone album? 

Dive into a Parent Group (or maybe a few) 

These groups aren’t just a lifeline for those “Am I doing this right?” moments, but they also provide a gauge of what’s “normal” for your kiddo’s age bracket. But remember, each child dances to their own beat, so if your little Sam isn’t yet mumbling words while your friend’s tot is singing rhymes, it’s A-OK!

Stay Informed, Without the Overwhelm 

It’s super tempting to dive into every article out there. But combing through the abyss of the internet? Exhausting and, let’s be real, anxiety-inducing. Instead, pick a handful of trusted resources for your milestone queries. Most pediatricians hand out these super handy charts – totally worth tucking into your chic planner.

Trust That Parent Intuition, of Yours 

Here’s some real talk: there’s this powerful intuition that comes with parenthood. If you ever get that nagging feeling that something’s just a tad off with your little one’s progress, don’t second-guess yourself. Speak with your pediatrician. And, darling, since it’s so crucial, Get tested for Autism if something feels amiss. Being proactive and seeking early intervention? It’s a game-changer. Whatever the outcome, your baby is pure perfection in their own unique way.

Revel in the Little Wins 

Finally, don’t forget to throw a mini party for those seemingly insignificant achievements. Whether it’s the first time they utter “Mama” or the day they attempt to eat without turning your dining space into a food festival. Each of these moments is monumental. Because, between us, it’s these fleeting moments that make the parenting rollercoaster so worth it!

In the whirlwind journey of parenthood, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and overlook the little moments that truly matter. But with the right tools, a supportive community, and a splash of style, you’re not just tracking milestones—you’re creating lasting memories. So, as you navigate this beautifully chaotic chapter, remember to pause, cherish, and celebrate.