7 Tips To Follow When Buying Flooring Online

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Most of us have been there. You order something, you’re excited, it comes, then it’s completely different from what you expected and then you have to go through the returns process which can be stressful and time-consuming. Buying new flooring is an expensive and disruptive project, so you’ve got to be sure you’ve got it right before going full-in! Here are a few tips to make sure you’re completely satisfied and don’t encounter any disappointments along the way.

1. Order lots of samples
You may be eager to order your flooring and enjoy it in your home as soon as you can - however, it’s important to be sensible about it, especially when buying online. No matter how good the pictures are and how much you might trust the company, you can never get a proper idea of what it’s like until you’ve seen it in the flesh. This is why it’s so important to order samples of all the flooring you’re considering- if you can, order multiple samples of the same product as this will give you an idea of the natural variation you can expect to see across your new floor! Also, you might be really keen on one online then when it comes it’s nothing like you expected, as well you might see one online that isn’t so perfect but when it comes it’s much better than expected! You can directly compare it against your interior and see how it’ll go. Most companies post samples free of charge too.

2. Make sure you know exactly what it is you’re looking for

With there being countless flooring options available online, whittling them down to the perfect one can come as a bit of a challenge. Is it a cheap fix you’re looking at or are you wanting something with full luxury? Once you’ve decided on your priorities, then it becomes a much less daunting task! It’s not just flooring types you need to be clear on, there’s plenty of colours and surfaces to choose from too which is a whole other story.

3. Consider budget
Like anything, flooring differs in price and quality. If you’re buying a house, you wouldn’t dream of looking at properties that were out of your budget, well it’s the same with flooring! The best way to approach it is don’t torture yourself looking at flooring that’s too pricy, instead filter down the pricing on the company’s website, this will stop you from being tempted by something that’s not within budget!

4. Check the features of each flooring type
Flooring isn’t just about aesthetics. Your flooring is going to endure a lot of abuse in its lifetime, so of course, check the durability and practicality ratings of each type. One of the most important features to consider is whether you want underfloor heating. Natural materials such as solid wood cannot cooperate with it due to its warping and shrinking under heat, whereas flooring such as engineered wood and vinyl can. This can make or break your decision, you don’t want to find you’ve ordered flooring that can’t withstand differing temperatures when this is something that you have in your home!

5. Don’t book your fitter before your flooring comes
This is something a lot of us do and on the face of it, it makes sense! You want to reduce the amount of disruption time, so having your fitter ready the day your flooring arrives seems sensible. However, this can cause a lot of problems. Sometimes there can be issues with the delivery and it doesn’t come on time, but you’ve still got to pay your fitter. As well, if you’ve purchased solid or engineered wood then it needs to acclimatise for several days before it can be laid. Our advice is to not book your fitter until the goods are on-site and you’re satisfied with them. Take a look at handyman services near me in Concord or elsewhere for fittings and more.

6. Check returns policy
This slips a lot of us up, no matter what you’re buying! There’s nothing worse than when you go to read the returns policy after you’ve bought it to then get a nasty shock that you’re not eligible for a return! For something that is such a large investment like flooring, the returns policy becomes more important than ever. Each company has different rules, don’t assume they’re all the same.

7. Make sure you’ve got the right underlay and accessories
Although something most of us finds boring, spend some time reading up on the correct underlay and accessories – we promise you it’s more boring if you get it wrong and it isn’t compatible with the flooring you’ve purchased! A lot of companies don’t accept returns on under-lay or glue that’s been opened and used either.

Less Stress During Home Renovations

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Home renovations are always going to be a bit stressful, if only because it’s impossible not to make some mess no matter how small the job. Taking a logical, step-by-step approach will help the task go smoother with a minimum of stress and fuss for everyone.

Initial Planning

Taking a step back and pausing for thought before plunging into a renovations project lets you see the bigger picture and can give plenty of clues for how to get started.

● What materials do you need? Estimate quantities and costs, make lists and tick items off as you collect them.

● Do you have a clear result in mind? Be sure about colour and texture choices. Samples and tester paint pots really help.

● Have you fixed your budget, and can you stay within it? Overestimating how much money you’ll need to complete the project will give you a bit of wiggle room for any unexpected problems or expenses.

● What storage or packing arrangements do you need to make so you can carry on as normal a life as possible during work? Everyday tasks can turn into ma-jor undertakings during kitchen or bathroom renovations, for instance.

● When is the most convenient time to start? School holidays might not be the best, for example, if children at home will slow down work or put them in any danger.

Preparing Your Work Area

Start by clearing your space. If you need to move heavy furnishings, decide ahead of time where they’ll go, and collect some boxes to store items as you empty cabinets or sideboards before you try to lift them. With a clean work area, do the prep for the type of job you’re doing. If you’re sand-ing, lay down dustsheets; if you’re painting, make sure woodwork or walls are dust-free, clean and dry before you start. While you’re stripping wallpaper, have rubbish bags handy so you can bundle up the scrap paper as soon as it comes off the wall. Put pets somewhere safe while you're working - wet paint and dogs don’t mix well.

Tips for Storing and Safeguarding Possessions

Do you have a place to put all your belongings? When you are renovating, things are bound to be displaced. They can crowd your bedroom, hallways, or whatever room is free. In boroughs that have small housing options like Ealing, this can make your renovation unnecessarily difficult. You may want to look into companies that can give you the space you need. Henfield's self-storage facility in Ealing comes to mind. They can be a temporary or long-term solution for your clutter problems. With their help, you can keep the walkways clear and protect your items from the dust and damage of back-to-back construction work. Henfield self-storage facility in Ealing comes to mind. They can be a temporary or long-term solution for your clutter problems. With their help, you can keep the walkways clear and protect your items from the dust and damage of back-to-back construction work.

Clearing your space, as mentioned in the previous section, is easy to say but harder to do. Bigger renovation jobs mean you’re likely to need a lot of alternative space in which to store the things you’ve cleared. Put all the smaller, loose items into boxes rather than piling them on the floor or dot-ting them around other rooms. You’ll save on breakages, protect items from paint spatters, and make replacing them easier when you’re done. Plus, it gives you the chance to have a bit of a declutter, which is never a bad thing. Consider self-storage for larger items of furniture, or if you have a lot of boxes that would otherwise get in the way. Some renovation projects can take several days or weeks, and life can quickly get stressful and muddled if you’re tripping over boxes piled up around the house, especially if you also have small children. If you don’t need a whole self-storage room, some self-storage facilities also provide lockers. You might also want to consider these if you’re hiring contractors and want to keep valuables secure. Make sure the items you pack up to keep at home are well protected. Use old newspapers to cushion breakables in boxes. Towels and tea towels are also handy for wrapping up delicate items. Creating a work plan, clearing space and organising materials before you start helps the project go faster. You’ll be able to just crack on and create your perfect new space with a lot less stress.

Do you have any tips you would like to share?

Baby Annabell Milly Feels Better Doll, Medical Scanner & Clothing Assortment - Review & Giveaway

AD - We were sent this product for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.

Babies and role-playing are two of Ava's favourite things - she spends most of her time role-playing. Sometimes she's a dentist, doctor, or vet, and other times she's a teacher, singer, or wrestler (that's my girl) usually with a doll or two under her arm! With this in mind, I knew the Baby Annabell Medical Scanner would be a great toy for her and I was delighted to review it for her.

Please note that the Baby Annabell Milly Feels Better Doll that's mentioned in this post was not sent to review, however, with it being the perfect doll for the scanner (with her poorly red cheeks and reacting to the medicine spoon) I thought it was worth mentioning so you can see them both in action. You can read more about the doll on the Zapf website. Other dolls can obviously be used too.

The Baby Annabell Scanner is designed to help Baby Annabell feel better, in particular, the Milly Feels Better Doll - who reacts to some of the accessories. Included is the medical scanner and 10 medical accessories, including a stethoscope, medicine spoon, thermometer, pager, and many more. There's even a handy little drawer on the side of the scanner for you to store a couple of them.

Simply roll or hold the scanner over the spot that is poorly or hurts and the display on the scanner will tell you what is wrong - it also shows you what cure is needed/ which accessory to then use next. The SOS ambulance button is a nice touch. The scanner has various light and sound functions so batteries are required - x3 AA batteries which and not included.

There are so many ways to play with the scanner and Ava has had hours of fun with it already. She likes to use the stethoscope first to examine her patient, taking the temperature with the thermometer, giving injections and medicine. The Baby Annabell Scanner is suitable for children from 3 years of age, retails at £29.99 and is available to buy online and in-store at most leading retailers. 

I was also sent two sets of clothing/accessories for Baby Annabell, one of which I have set aside for this competition. Ava had to have first dibs on the Baby Annabell Sweet Dreams Pyjamas - she squealed when she saw them. The top is so soft and fluffy, just like the ones Ava likes to wear to bed. The colours and design are so sweet, and realistic - I could actually see something like this on a real baby. I found them easy to put on the doll which will be great for when Ava starts wanting to dress the dolls herself. The set retails at £15.99 and comes with a reusable coat hanger, and teething ring.

How would you like to win two pairs of Baby Annabell tights? To enter simply use the Gleam form below and don't forget to enter my other blog and social media competitions!

2 Pairs of Baby Annabell Tights

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winners who will win the prize mentioned above.
2. Winners details will be shared with the PR to arrange delivery of the prize. 
3. Competition ends 29/02/20.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only. 18 years old to enter.

Living Arrows - January 2020

It's been a minute since I last took the time to post something like this, in fact, it was last summer that I last linked up with Living Arrows - weirdly enough Ava is wearing the exact same hoodie in both posts! She hardly ever wears it too!

I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed in myself as somewhere in the midst of 2019 I lost direction with my blog. I was mainly focusing on brand work and forgetting what the essence of this space is; my family. I'm going to make it my mission this year to get the balance a little bit better - watch this space!

So, one of my first posts of the year (and many more to come) has got to be of Noah and Ava at their Great Grandparents house one Sunday afternoon, building train tracks. We visit them every Sunday, they are in their 80's, absolutely dote on the kids and the feeling is totally mutual. Family is so very important to us.

The Benefits of Drama Classes for Children

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Drama is a fun and a welcome break for children who spend the rest of the day in a normal classroom setting. But do drama classes actually provide children with any real benefit, in terms of their overall education? Well, while drama may not seem as important of subjects like English, Science, and Maths, it’s actually great for teaching students a range of soft skills that they can transfer to other lessons and beyond. It’s also an opportunity for them to develop greater self-awareness. I have teamed up with a private school in Hampstead to explore the benefits of drama classes for children in greater detail below.

One of the main advantages of drama being part of the school curriculum is that it helps students develop confidence. Children are encouraged to perform coherently in front of their peers and potentially even a bigger audience, instantly encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and take a risk. When that risk pays off and they receive praise for their performance, they will receive a well-deserved self-esteem boost. Even constructive criticism can help with their confidence because it allows them to understand that they are forever growing and improving.

When a child feels confident in their abilities, they may feel more comfortable raising their hand in other lessons and contributing to class discussions. This is great for their overall academic performance because it will help them to feel more engaged.

As mentioned above, drama lessons can help a child learn about themselves. When embodying a character, they may find that they can relate to certain feelings and experiences. Alternatively, they might not be able to relate to the character at all, which might help them feel grateful or inspire them to make certain changes.

In addition, drama is a great for a child’s communication and social skills. When reading scripts, they may develop a more advanced vocabulary. They will also learn about how body language and facial expressions can portray a certain emotion, helping them understand how to express themselves. In drama classes, students are also encouraged to work as a team and support one another so that the performance can run smoothly. They must take turns and value one another’s thoughts and opinions. These are all vital social skills that can help students in all other areas of their lives.

The Benefits of School Trips for Children

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School trips can offer enriching educational experiences that build on classroom taught subjects in a way that inspires intrigue and develops understanding. From day trips to a local museum to residentials overseas, these opportunities offer your child a chance to expand their knowledge and build valuable life skills. A prep school in Oxfordshire has shared its thoughts on the benefits of school trips for children. Keep reading to find out more.

Reinforced Knowledge
Visiting a museum or cultural heritage site fortifies existing knowledge with hands-on experience. School trips bring topics to life and allow children to experience subjects outside of the pages of their textbooks. Interactive learning often leads to a deeper understanding as children link the memories they are making to the information they are learning, proving effective for exam season as children tend to recall this information more readily.

Confidence and Life Skills
School trips, particularly residential allow your child to experience life outside their comfort zone. If your child has the option to go on a residential trip you should encourage them to get involved. Residential visits usually feature a range of activities designed to build confidence and develop life skills, a golden opportunity they won’t want to miss out on. These trips also help children who are struggling with social skills. Taking pupils away from a classroom setting and getting them to work together in ways they've not experienced before encourages different social dynamics, leading to new friendships being forged.

Cultural Understanding
Travel gives us the opportunity to learn about other cultures and people in a way that can't be replicated in a classroom setting. Whether it be a trip to another part of the UK or somewhere overseas, exposing your child to places outside of what's familiar will allow them to experience life through the lens of other people, encouraging them to celebrate diversity and embrace other cultures.