What Every Shopper Needs to Know about Shoes

This is a collaborative post.

Having the right pair is everything. It brings a certain level of ease and comfort you’re your life that no one seems to notice. Imagine wearing a pair of shoes that make your feet hurt and have you counting the minutes until you can take them off; it can be a horrible experience.

Our shoes do more than cover our feet and they are more than decorative items on our shelves. That’s why investing in a good pair of shoes with the right quality and perfect for the occasion is important to feet health.

Here’s how you can decide if a pair of shoes is the best option for you.

Aim for Protection and Support

Shoes are meant to protect and support your feet throughout the day. To do that, they are made with different materials and technology. Before you invest in a pair, check the materials used to make the shoe. They should be durable, breathable, and support your leg to prevent ankle strain or pain. The soles should be thick enough to absorb shock, especially when doing rigorous activities. It should also protect your feet from cuts and the penetration of sharp objects like nails. Having enough wiggle room for your feet is another factor to consider when buying shoes.

What purpose do the shoes serve?

When making a shoe, the producer usually has a purpose in mind for which it is intended. They could be for dancing, walking and casually running errands, walking, hiking, working in a danger-prone environment, and more. So, if you buy a pair of shoes and use it for reasons other than what it was intended for, you wouldn’t get much use out of it. Those shoes will be more prone to wear and tear and can cause you a level of discomfort. If you find yourself in pain whenever you take off your shoes or find that you still get injured, it might be because you got the wrong pair.

Functionality before Beauty

The first trick to investing in the right pair is to stick with the purpose for which it was made. If you go to a Nike store in Australia for example, buy a set of walking shoes and go running with it or hiking, it would reduce your enjoyment of the product. Once you have gotten shoes that fit your needs, the next is to ensure that it is a perfect fit. The best way to get the right fit is to shop at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen as it helps you pick the ones with the greatest level of comfort. You can then consider the beauty of the shoes and what resonates with your sense of style.

Closing notes

Where there is an opportunity to try on the shoes before purchasing, don’t miss out on it. We are all victims of impulsive buying but that should not always be the case. Walk in the shoes for a bit and get an overall feel of it. Do your research by checking reviews on shoes you like and if you are confused, ask a consultant attending to you in the AU Nike stores for help.

Living Arrows - September 2020

September, that came around quickly didn't it? What a strange year it's been, global pandemic and all. This month saw Noah going back to school full-time, in year 2 and Ava finally started nursery, 5 months later than she was supposed to due to COVID. They both seem to be enjoying being back in some sort of routine although most days Noah would rather stay home. Ava on the other hand is thriving at nursery, she absolutely loves it and her teacher said she's so sweet, always looking after the younger children. I'm so proud of how well they are both adjusting. I hope you've had a great month.

4 Tips For Your First Time Crazy Golfing In London

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You know about the capital city of London that it can offer you thousands of entertainment and leisure options, but you probably did not know that it is a city where the activity of crazy golf is quite widespread. Crazy golf is actually mini-golf that can be played both outdoors and indoors. And while most people may think that this activity is relatively easy and accessible to everyone, they are unaware that it is a game that requires quite a lot of understanding and skill. So for those who are going to experience this highly entertaining experience for the first time, they should definitely know some fundamental things about how the game is run and how it works. So let's discover together the 4 essential tips that can help you to really enjoy your first game of crazy golf.

Learn some basic golfing skills

If you want to really enjoy a crazy golf game, of course, you need to know its rules. Of course, this game has many similarities with that of traditional golf, but we also encounter some crucial differences. However, developing a playing technique that will help you in your own game, such as the correct grip of your cane, the right posture and the right shot of the ball, can also have a significant impact on a crazy golf game that can contain dozens of obstacles that hinder your ultimate goal. Improving the accuracy of your hits will not only make you better at this game, but you will enjoy it even more.

Pick the right putter

Think of the stick you use during crazy golf as your primary tool. So as you understand, choosing the right putter is very important to achieve your goal (literally). There are several sizes to choose from, but you should always choose one that is up to your waistline. If you follow this tip, you will probably have taken the first significant step towards your overall improvement in this game.

Watch your hits on the ball

So once you have chosen the right putter, the rest of the game has to do with your hit. It usually has nothing to do with the force you use for your shots but more with the strategy you use to steer the ball into the hole of the track. Clearly, the distances on a crazy golf course are shorter compared to conventional golf courses, so we are talking about the importance of the one-hit technique and not the force exerted. Do not forget that the primary goal of crazy golf is to place the ball in the hole with the least possible number of hits.

Try to have fun while playing with your friends and family

The last and perhaps most important tip before your first crazy golf game is, of course, to really try to have a great time with this fun game. Because as you well know, everything is more fun when you share it with others. So crazy golf is a team activity, which can give incredible moments of carefreeness and laughter to the whole family. Are you still thinking about it? You can experience the crazy golf experience by visiting one of the dozens of Plonk Crazy Golf venues located throughout the city of London, living a truly unique experience.

Vet Squad Vet & Pet Assortment Playsets and Toys - Review & Giveaway

AD - We were sent these products for the purpose of this review.

Ava is a real mother hen, super caring, with an affinity towards animals so the new range of Vet Squad toys from Vivid Toys are just perfect for her. Vet Squad is actually a TV show over on YouTube that follows 4 girls; Emily, Yara, Robin, and Ava who are great role models, working hard to save and look after a wide range of different animals. It's great that there's now a range of toys to coincide with the show, and better yet - they are collaborating with Sea Life Trust to donate funds from the sales of these toys.

There are multiple playsets, figures, and accessory packs to collect - each with varying price points which makes them great gifts for any occasion or even as a weekend treat. The Vet Squad Air Adventure set - RRP: £16.99 was the first set to catch Ava's eye. Included with this pack is a helicopter, Robin figure, vet bet bag, horse, and a couple of smaller accessories. Every item is quite substantial and well made, especially the Robin figure. It is worth noting that it's quite tricky getting the figure into the seat with the little straps and big head. It's not impossible of course, but Ava did need help.

Ava loves pretending to fly around the sky in Robin's helicopter, looking for animals to save. It has a fully working winch - perfect for lifting injured or trapped creatures out of tricky spots. The pony figure which is included has a colour change injury that is healed with the sponge. Ava kept saying "oh no, horsey has a boo-boo!"

Next, we have two Vet Squad Vet & Vehicle sets which retail at £12.99 each. Included with each pack is; one vehicle, one vet figure, one animal, a vet kit, and other small accessories such as stethoscopes or sunglasses. The Reef Rescue set comes with the vet named Emily, dressed accordingly in a wet suit and an injured turtle. The Forest Rescue set comes with the vet named Ava, equipped with forest wear and sunnies, and a baby elephant! Both animals have the magic colour change injures and comes with specific accessories to make them better. I think these sets are fantastic and add so many elements to the kids various role-play scenarios and I like how each figure is dressed suitably for each vehicle.

The fun doesn't stop there as there are multiple Vet Squad Vet and Pet Assortments to collect - 4 to be exact and we were lucky to receive them all; Emily & Brooke the dog, Yara & Luna the rabbit, Robin & Snowy the owl, and Ava & Leo the cat. Each cost just £7.99 each which I think is quite reasonable considering how solid and robust these figures are - there's nothing flimsy about them. Each vet within these packs comes with a clip-on backpack and two accessories. Ava recognised many of the animals from the YouTube show and likes how each vet has their own companion to take care of.

You can collect and cure even more animals with the Vet Squad Animal Assortments - the 2 pack retails at £3.99 each and 5 pack costs £9.99. There are ten exclusive animals to collect in these packs and they all include various colour change injuries and little bandages. I think Ava will want to collect them all.

The kids tend to enjoy most toys that they are sent to review but these Vet Squad toys have been next level - they've kept Ava entertained for hours and have opened up various discussions on wildlife, animals, and how to take care of them. They are truly wonderful and I know I'll be adding a couple of the toys to her Christmas list - we'll have to collect them all. Vet Squad toys are suitable for children from 3 years of age and you can buy them online and in-store now at Smyths or Argos. How would you like to win a Vet Squad Vet and Pet Assortment? To enter simply use the Gleam form below. Good luck and don't forget to enter my other competitions.

Vet Squad Vet and Pet Assortment

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will win the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize provided by me. 
3. Competition ends 04/10/20.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only. 18 years old to enter.

Exploring Internet Safety with Your Child

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Many of us use the internet daily. The internet allows us to access information, shop online, and stay connected with friends and family. However, many parents worry about their children’s safety whilst using the internet.

It is also important to discuss online safety with your child and make them aware of the different online dangers. It is best not to let your child use the internet unsupervised, however, if this isn’t always possible, be sure to have the correct parental controls in place. Here are some tips from an independent school in Letchworth Garden City, on exploring internet safety with your child.

Know the risks

It is a good idea for parents to research internet safety and learn about the dangers your children are susceptible to online. There are many helpful online resources that cover topics from cyberbullying to privacy settings. If you require further advice on internet safety, your child’s school may also be able to help. Talk to your child about how they are spending their time online and regularly check-in to make sure that the content they are viewing is suitable.

Keeping safe

How much you disclose to your child about the dangers of the internet depends on their age and maturity. Explain that talking to strangers online isn't safe and sometimes people aren't who they say they are. Advise your child to never accept friend requests from people they don’t know. It is also crucial to stress to children that they should never meet any strangers they have spoken to online.

Parental controls

Keep an eye on what games, social networks, or websites your children are using and ensure that you have the right parental controls in place. Some online games have the option to switch off the ‘chat’ function so that your children can not make contact with others whilst playing. You can also restrict certain websites and add permissions setting to your children’s devices. This means that you will need to authorise all apps before they are download.

Discuss rules

Discuss safety rules for your child to follow when they are online. For instance, let your child know which websites and apps are off-limits and which ones they are allowed to use. They should also be aware of how long they’re allowed to use their phones or tablets before turning them off. Other rules should include things like never responding to messages from strangers and never sharing personal information online.