4 Ways to get your Garden ready this Summer

In the UK, the weather changes frequently, one day it was clear sunshine, in the next moment it rains but some are soothing and refreshing. You can’t really judge the weather and what it will be after you woke up. If it's summer, you can enjoy that fine day with your friends and families on your lawn. It's quite common and refreshing to spend quality with your near and dear ones while you are in your garden. You get ample time to share your thoughts and enjoy the evening. But to have a well-maintained garden you have to be quite active, especially in bad weather. It can be difficult to manage your garden when the weather is so unpredictable but don't let it stop you. Rain or shine, keeping on top of the lawn mowing is very important to maintaining a healthy, and beautiful-looking lawn.

But now summers are approaching and what can be done to make your garden look more attractive? Do you have to resign yourselves to the fact that you might be stuck inside, wasting all that warm weather? Or you can come up with creative ideas to make a fake lawn that will last in every season. For some, it may look like a wastage of money, but this way you can actually save money and time. There is no further need to mow or add feed to the grass, all you have to sit and enjoy your day.

Create a common space for garden furnishing

The Hammock store offers a wide range of products from hammocks, loungers, and hanging chairs - perfect for arrange a garden for this summer. With this, you can create a good place to socialise with your friends and relax in the sunshine. The best part about this particular approach is that you have no need to spend a huge amount of money. Sometimes, the simplest furniture can also have the best impact. Make sure that there must be plenty of space to sit and it matches the comfort level you need.

Make it a wildlife haven

There is no better feeling than sitting out in the sun and watching nature playing its part. The best way to make sure that you have loads of wildlife to observe this summer is to make your garden somewhat of a wildlife haven. There are various ways that you can do this. You can start with a great way of birdbaths. You can draw in the smallest creatures, by constructing a nesting place for them to get nearer and live at. It totally depends on the space and type of creatures you have that you are happy to attract.

Give your barrier a bit of a colour improve

As time passes, some parts of your garden are going to look dull and look weary. This is exactly true for your fence, and if you have a dull and tired-looking hedge, then this can carry the rest of the space down. Why not paint your fence to make your warmer weather perfect? It is not the easiest task to do and it also takes your time. But, with a simple lick of paint, you can make your fence looks simple and perfect.

Make it fun

If you are living in the family then, this confirms that your garden has become a shared space where you all make an effort to enjoy together. There is no better way to make the entire summer-friendly, than by making sure that space is a whole lot of fun. There surely is no better feeling than to relax in the sunshine, surrounded by your beautiful garden.


Do you have any garden tips you'd like to share with me?

- This is a sponsored guest post.

Noah's Going To School

When Noah was a newborn I'd sit and imagine what he'd look like when he's older, what personality traits he'd have and what his interests would be. I'd even look ahead and plan for our future. One thing that felt like a lifetime away was school but let me tell you, it wasn't a lifetime! I blinked and he grew into everything I'd imagined and more. The past four years have been a whirlwind and we've made some incredible memories together as a family.

There's a reason for this sentimental post, it was school admissions day on Monday and Noah was given a place at the school that we wanted. It was such a relief and we are so happy. It's now beginning to dawn on me that he's starting school in September and it's so surreal. It's such a huge milestone.

The next chapter in Noah's childhood will be full of big changes with starting school. It will be just as scary as it is exciting but I'm trying not to think so far ahead. We have Summer and his remaining months at nursery left to enjoy. Starting school is so bittersweet but it comes hand in hand with growing up. I'm so proud of Noah and the little boy that he's become.

Trunki Ride On Suitcase - Review & Competition

I've been a fan of Trunki ever since Noah was a toddler. I was lucky enough to win one for him, just in time for his very first holiday, a week away at Bluestone National Park. Over the years we've used it so many times, just around the house, for days out and of course on holiday too.

With already being such a big fan of the brand I was delighted when I was recently offered the chance to review one here on the blog. With Noah already having one I decided to choose a suitcase for Ava. When looking at the range I really impressed with how much choice there is. From cats and dinosaurs, taxi's and buses, through to beloved characters like The Gruffalo and Paddington Bear. I decided to go for one of their classics instead, a lovely pink, blue and purple case named Rosie.

Trunki cases are lightweight yet very durable, made from the same high quality plastic which makes regular suitcases for us grown ups. They have an 18 litre capacity which means there's plenty of space for clothes, toys, games, whatever you want to pack for your little one.

Inside there's a handy internal pocket, perfect for keeping things separate and safe. There's even a teddy bear seat belt, which is a lovely feature if your kids have a favourite teddy or comforter like Noah and Ava do. Keeping their possessions safe are two secure lockable catches which are located on the outside of the case.

The unique selling points of the Trunki is that it's of course ride-able. Featured on the design is a comfy saddle like seat, perfect for the kids to sit on when they are complaining that their feet hurt. The eye catching horns on the front of the Trunki aren't there for show but for children to hold on to for stability and to help them steer. There's also a tow strap which allows you to pull them a long on it whilst they sit comfortably and when they don't want to sit on it at all there's a handle which you can use to carry it. Trunki really have thought through their design and leaves little else to be desired.

We've used Noah's Trunki so many times, for UK holidays, days out and for storing toys but this year we will be taking both of them abroad with us for the first time. They are just the right size to take on board as carry on luggage, they fit over head on the plane or underneath the seat in front of you. I'm sure if we fill them with lots of toys, books and snacks that it'll keep them occupied whilst in the airport and on our flight.

Trunki prices start at £34.99 and the full range can be seen over on their website. How would you like to win a Trunki in your choice of design? To enter simply use the Gleam form below. Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!

Trunki Ride On Suitcase

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by the PR. 
3. Competition ends 20/05/18.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only.

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Shoes for Pregnancy

Pregnancy can put a lot of strain on your body, particularly your feet, which will need to adapt to carrying all that extra weight around for nine months. Whilst pregnant, it’s important to wear shoes which are designed to support your feet and keep them safe and secure throughout your pregnancy. A good pair of sturdy, supportive shoes can make your pregnancy so much easier and even help with common issues such as ankle swelling. So, what kind of shoes do you need? Read on to find out more.

#1. Find a Supportive Shoe That’s Easy to Wear:

You’ve probably already noticed that your baby bump can make the simplest of tasks more difficult than usual. Putting on shoes is one of these tasks – having to reach down over your growing belly can lead to extreme discomfort. To make sure that you don’t have any unnecessary hassle to deal with, select a pair of shoes that are easy to put on – slip on styles are perfect, since they don’t usually require you to bend down to put them on.

#2. Opt for Good Arch Support:

Now you’ve found a shoe that’s easy to put on and wear, it’s time to make sure that it offers the right amount of support your feet need whilst supporting both you and your baby. The right amount of arch and ankle support from your shoes will make a massive difference; helping you avoid aches and joint pains whilst walking. If necessary, you might want to consider getting additional arch support insoles to use in a comfortable pair of shoes.

#3. Look for Roomy Shoes:

If you’re currently in the early stages of pregnancy, then it’s a good idea to select a pair of shoes that have some extra room. Although they might feel a little big for you right now, you’ll certainly be glad that you went up a size later on in pregnancy, where it’s more common to see issues such as foot and ankle swelling. Roomier shoes will accommodate for any changes in your feet due to pregnancy, and help you avoid discomfort. A good idea is to go for a shoe which is a half-size bigger than your normal size. Check out Shoescast.com for more help on buying comfortable shoes.

#4. Shop at the Right Time:

Lastly, it’s a good idea to be aware of how your feet change throughout the day whilst pregnant. The best time to head out to the shops for shoes is during the afternoon or evening, since your feet will likely be larger than they are in the morning. This will help you ensure that you get the right fit; buying in the morning could mean that your shoes no longer fit later in the day. Ideally, you should buy two pairs of shoes during your pregnancy – one during the first six months, and another during the last three, where most women notice distinctive changes to their feet. Pregnancy can take its toll on your feet, so make sure that they’re protected and supported with the right pair of shoes.

- This is a collaborative post.

Moving To A New Country With Your Children

This is a PR collaboration.

Moving to a different country is a dream that many people share. The idea of being able to choose the location you call home is a beautiful one, but this process can be a big challenge, especially when you have a family to look after. Many people find themselves struggling with this process, unsure of what they need to do at each stage along the way. To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the key steps that you will have to take when you’re moving your family to a new country. Let’s dive right in.

Visas & Permission

You will need to make sure that you have permission to move to a country before you make any other steps in this process. This will usually be done in the form of a visa, and you can get your hands on this document using a number of different methods. For example, if you have a partner that lives in the country you want to move to, you could look at a spouse visa. But how much does a spouse visa cost? The price of this visa will depend on the country you are looking to move to.

Finding A New Home

Once you have a visa, it will be time to start looking for a new home. It will be best to try and have this organized before the move takes place, ensuring that you don’t have to spend time in costly hotels once you arrive in your new country. This process can be a challenge, though you will find it much easier if you have access to the internet and are willing to spend plenty of time looking around. Most countries have a lot of rental and purchase options for homes.

Finding A New Job

Alongside getting yourself into a new home, you will also need to find a job in your new home. If you have chosen a work visa, you will be able to do just about any job. Of course, though, it will be worth doing some research to make sure that you are allowed to work in your new country before you start looking for jobs. Once you are sure you are allowed to work, you can use online job directories to find the roles you want.

Moving Your Possessions

Finally, as the last stage in this process, it’s time to think about how you will be moving your possessions once you start your move. This can be hard, but there are a lot of international moving companies out there which can help you to start the process. In many cases, this will be faster than simply shipping your possessions, while also giving you the chance to keep them nice and safe.

As you can see, moving your family to a new country can be very hard. This process will take quite some time if you aren’t prepared, but you can get yourself ready for it by doing plenty of research before you take the plunge.

My Sunday Photo - 15/52