Category: Featured

With many of us working longer hours than ever, having some time away from the office and swapping it for a week away with the kids can give you some much needed time for some peace and relaxation. When it comes to booking a trip away, there are lots of factors to take into account. We all want to get good value for money, so here are five essential tips on how to plan and book your next family holiday.

Sort Out Passports

Your first port of call when planning and booking a family holiday is to ensure all your passports are in date. The last thing you want is to turn up at the airport and find you’re not allowed to travel, so keeping a close eye on your passport’s expiration date is important. Even if you have some time left on your passport, many airlines won’t allow you to board the plane, so make sure that you renew your passports before planning your adventure.

Research Destinations

Unlike in the past where you could have free reign on where you want to go on holiday, your kids should always come first, meaning you should pick a destination that’s family-friendly and suitable for all ages. With so many destinations to pick from, it can be hard to know where to start, so it’s best to have a sit down with your family and discuss the types of activities and excursions you want to do to make sure you pick the right place.

Flights and Accommodation

It goes without saying, the earlier you book your holiday, the more chance you have of securing the best deals when it comes to finding flights and accommodation, whether you are looking to stay somewhere like one of these mykonos luxury villas, or a budget-friendly option in a bustling city. For many families, every penny counts so doing your research into flight times and the best places to stay can potentially save you a ton of money. There are various websites that you can check out that enable you to compare flights and accommodation, such as Expedia.

What to Pack

We all know how much of a nightmare packing can be. Even if you’re only going away for a few nights, making sure you’ve got all the essentials is crucial. You don’t want to arrive at your destination to find you’ve forgotten something important, so getting your suitcase packed well in advance can help you be more organised. It’s advisable to create a checklist you can tick off to make sure you have everything you need for your family holiday.

Funding Your Holiday

With many families saving up throughout the year to afford a holiday away, budgets can be tight, therefore, to bring you peace of mind and to make sure you have enough funds whilst you’re on your trip, you may want to consider taking out a short term loan. Loan Pig is a MyJar loan alternative that can provide you with short-term funds should you find yourself in a financial emergency before your holiday.

Whether you’re off on a city break or a week away by the beach, going on holiday with your family should be something to look forward to, rather than fear. Being organised from the get-go can help you find the best deals, know what to pack for your adventure, as well as staying on top of your finances to ensure you have enough money for your family holiday.

In a rather fortunate turn of events, as far as social conventions go, the gift-giving practice has had some sanity restored to it, along with the requisite practicality. It’s becoming less and less about outdoing each other with the person with whom gifts are exchanged, a practice which saw people spending exorbitant amounts of money. Given the number of different gifts available to buy, especially from bespoke gift sellers like All Love Here, then now more than ever it is indeed about the thought. Giving a gift to somebody we love no only shows our appreciation for them, but the idea of giving a gift has even been shown to reduce anxiety because giving somebody a gift they will cherish forever is known to make us happy.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make any effort at all though. Oftentimes, choosing a trendy gift for the men in your life, or buying one for the women who make you feel safe and loved, can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a beautiful gesture of love and a symbol of gratitude. Keep in mind, there are numerous ways to add a sentimental touch to a gift.

One such idea could be to get someone a baby clothes quilt stitched together with clothes from their infancy. Useful, and sentimental. Instead of picking up one of those last-minute gifts that you find at the airport, here are four more ideas for Christmas gifts that carry the kind of sentimental value sure to be appreciated for all it’s worth.

Family recipe cookbook

Be professional about the publishing of a family recipe cookbook, which will make for a sentimental Christmas gifts everybody you give it to will truly appreciate. So it won’t have to be a gift for just one person.

Proceed to collect all the family recipes you can gather, roping in the input of any family member or relative who can share any useful information, such as the entire recipe or perhaps something like digging into the archives of their minds to try and help come up with a long-lost recipe which might have gone to the grave with a departed elder.

Multimedia film & photograph set

We take it for granted how we can whip out our phones and capture the memories we make during special occasions such as spending Christmastime with family, but how often do we actually go back to re-live those memories? Take a leaf out of the book of the trending Memories in Colour campaign, which challenges you to bring back some of the oldest memories to life through the colourisation of old, black-and-white photographs. This can be done as part of putting together a multimedia film and photograph set, so you can package it to include some videos in any one of the many formats available, along with physical photo albums.

This a sentimental Christmas gift idea sure to be particularly appreciated by someone who has some black-and-white photos of themselves.

Memorial gift

Memorial gifts are thoughtful and meaningful gifts to honor a loved one who has passed away. They are often given to the family of the deceased as a token of appreciation for the time they shared with their loved one. So, if you have a close relative or a friend who has recently lost a loved one and it is their first Christmas without that member, then a memorial gift could be the best gift that you can give. Memorial gifts can range from simple items such as flowers or candles to more personalized items such as cremation diamonds or photo frames. Remember that these are some gifts that will always be cherished by the receiver.

Old times’ sake experience

If you shared a special experience with someone close to you, especially when you both belonged to a different age bracket (when you were kids or teenagers) when you first experienced it, there are few Christmas gifts that will beat the revisiting of the same encounter. Do it “for old times’ sake,” and make new memories. Off the top of my head, I want to visit a miniature land a couple of cousins of mine and I were taken to when we were knee-high!

It’s always with you and has the utility of a superhero’s belt – if you know how to use it right. Your Android phone is only as powerful as the apps it contains. Here is a list of apps to help you day and night.

Stay On Top of Business

Entrepreneurs and business owners are on the go in the digital age. However, leaving the physical business and workers behind creates anxiety. Stay on top of clients, workers, and projects with Slack. Customize the app to fit your business needs.

Don’t Forget the Kids Need a Ride to Soccer

Remember how writers of the past always carried around a notepad so they would not lose sight of thoughts? They were onto something. Today, you can keep track of all the day’s tasks, needs, wants and more via Wunderlist. Create one-time or recurring tasks and never forget milk, birthdays, or the name of your brother’s latest girlfriend.

Banking Made Easy

In today’s fast-paced world, where our smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, it’s no surprise that mobile apps are revolutionizing the way we manage our finances. With the rise of mobile banking apps, gone are the days of long lines at the bank and cumbersome paperwork. These apps offer a convenient and secure way to handle your financial transactions, all from the palm of your hand. Whether you are an entrepreneur or any other professional, you can readily check out the necessary steps to apply for working capital business loans, personal loans or credit cards. You will receive quick responses, making it easier to access anything whenever needed.

Know if That Sign Says Welcome or You’re Not Welcome

Those who travel the world may not have time to learn its hundreds of languages and thousands of sub-dialects. Even more, it may be difficult to translate something unspoken, such as a sign. But you can easily take a picture of it. Google Translate makes it easier to be a foreigner. The tool has evolved over the years and remains one of Google’s best.

Plan It Another Day

It would be a shame if you planned a mini vacation during a rainy day. It would have been better to know the weather ahead of time. That way, the kids would not be so disappointed. You don’t have to let it happen again with weather by Apalon apps.

Leave a Good Tip

What’s 20% of the bill? You were an Arts major and cannot calculate such things without the aid of a calculator. Don’t fret. Download Financial Calculators and do simple calculations to derive at a tip or complex ones to find out how long it will take for you to pay back a bank loan.

Send It to the Accountant

CamScanner is one of those apps that comes in incredibly handy. For example, it’s tax season and your accountant needs a doc but you don’t have time to send it snail. You don’t have a scanner. No problem. Take a picture and transform it into a PDF. Some advanced features necessitate ongoing payment.

Read It Later

Pocket works great for those who find it commonplace for ten or more tabs to be open at once. You can place all of that content in Pocket to read later. A huge problem for workers is finding focus. You don’t have to forget about that article about the celebrity marriage forever – just until later. Now, you can get back on task.

Switch It Up

The Android can do so many things, yet your home screen and tones remain the same. That’s not true after downloading Zedge. It’s a mobile content discovery platform. People upload content so others can customize their mobile devices.

Every parent worries that their teenager will get caught up in the culture of drugs and alcohol, especially if their relationship is stressed. Teens go through a range of physical and emotional changes in a very short time, and learning to adjust can be overwhelming.

Too often, teenagers find that their experimental behavior has morphed into something more, and their parents are not the first people they feel like talking to about the struggle. If you are concerned that your teenager might be using drugs or abusing alcohol, there are a few warning signs of which you should be aware.

Behavioral changes may point to addiction

Most parents understand that their children will change dramatically as they enter and grow throughout their teen years, but addiction shows a different facet of behavioral changes.

One important thing to remember is this… If your teen exhibits these behavioral changes, it may not be that they have a drug or alcohol issue. There may be something else bothering your kid. Either way, teens wear their emotions on their sleeves. Pay attention.

Behavior signs of addiction:

• Poor grades in school.
• Unexplained school absences.
• Fighting or increased conflicts in school.
• Decreased interest in hobbies.
• Increased secrecy and isolation from others.
• Avoidance of eye contact.
• Obscene defiance.

Psychological changes straying from normal development

Teenagers love to experiment with psychedelic and psychotropic drugs, which are especially bad for brain development at this stage in life. The frontal lobe of a teenager’s brain is not yet fully developed, and drug use can dramatically affect personality development and maturity.

Here are a few tell-tale psychological signs of drug abuse.

• Unusual mood swings.
• Extreme highs and lows.
• Manipulative or deceitful behavior.
• Low energy and decreased motivation.
• Memory loss and confusion.
• Slurred or rapid speech patterns.
• Unusually loud or obnoxious behavior.
• Unexplained fear or paranoia.
• Drowsiness followed by high energy behavior.
• Social withdrawal.

If you notice any of these early signs of addiction, you should see a doctor right away before it’s too late. Even if it has been a while since you have been noticing such symptoms, it’s not too late; you can always contact a therapist who may or may not recommend your child visit a rehab center (based on his condition). The goal is not to force them to leave something immediately, but rather to provide them with a better understanding of how their lives can improve significantly if they are not constantly high. If you’re looking for a drug rehabilitation center near you, you should be thorough in your search for the substance abuse treatment program that’s right for your child. Because not all treatment facilities are created equal, you must know what you’re looking for. Arista Recovery, for example, might be an option to consider for anyone looking for a rehab center in Kansas City (the United States>). You may search for similar rehab centers in your proximity if you dwell somewhere other than Kansas.

Physical health signs that there may be a problem

No matter how sneaky your teenager is with their drug or alcohol abuse, there are always physical signs that develop. Just remember, the presence of these physical signs does not always mean that your teen has an addiction problem.

Here are a few key physical health signs your teen may be abusing drugs or alcohol.

• Changes in appetite.
• Extreme changes in sleep patterns.
• Dry eyes and dry mouth (cotton mouth).
• Nausea, vomiting, and excessive perspiration.
• Persistent headaches.
• Frequent unexplained ailments.
• Sudden or extreme weight gain or loss.
• Loss of coordination skills.
• Nosebleeds or runny, sniffly nose.
• Shakes, tremors, or seizures.

Other signs that your teen may be addicted

There are a few other ways to tell if your teenager has been dabbling in things they should not. If you have had personal experience with drugs and alcohol, then you know what to look for around the house. If you have led a drug free life, then you may be a bit naive.

Check around your home for a few of these things.

• Drug paraphernalia including pipes, papers, needles, bottles, spoons, eye drops, cut up straws, random mirrors, empty baggies, pieces of tin foil lying around, balloons, vials, and capsules.
• Drug residue may also be present. Stems or seeds from marijuana buds and powder residue from snorting pills or cocaine are most common.
• Constant burning of incense or spraying of strong perfumes and colognes.
• Missing money, medications, or cigarettes.

Being a mum is not an easy job by any means. After a long day of looking after the kids, mums simply just want to relax. For many mums, evening is the perfect time for them to engage in their own hobbies. Here are some fun hobbies that mums can enjoy online once the children are in bed.

Shopping

For busy moms, shopping with kids in tow can often be a challenging and less-than-enjoyable experience. Fortunately, the internet has revolutionized the way moms shop. Online shopping has become a lifeline for mothers, allowing them to browse and make purchases from the comfort of their homes, especially during those precious evening hours when the kids are asleep or occupied.

One of the biggest advantages of online shopping for moms is the wide selection available. Whether it’s clothes, groceries, or home decor items, the internet can offer a huge range of options. This not only saves time but also means moms can find exactly what they need without the stress of dealing with crowded stores and restless children.

Moreover, online shopping often comes with the added benefit of better deals and discounts. Many e-commerce platforms provide coupon codes and promotional offers, allowing moms to maximize their savings. These discounts can significantly impact a family’s budget, making online shopping a financially savvy choice for busy moms. In essence, online shopping has transformed the retail experience for mothers, making it more convenient, efficient, and cost-effective.

This can be better understood with the help of few illustrations. Picture a mother who desires to replace the worn-out cabinets in her kitchen with custom-made ones. However, her hectic schedule leaves little to no time for traditional in-store shopping. In such a situation, online shopping platforms like Alps Craftsman emerge as invaluable resources. They not only facilitate the seamless purchase of the desired product at affordable rates but also serve as a wellspring of inspiration for mothers seeking the latest cabinet trends through their informative new post.

Similarly, take for instance where a mother wants to spruce up her home for Christmas by adding some festive decorations and artisanal showpieces. But, with all the holiday preparations and taking care of the children, finding time to visit a physical store may seem impossible. So what’s the solution? Turning to online platforms that offer a wide range of home decor items makes perfect sense, isn’t it? Platforms like Casa By Josephine Jenno can be a lifesaver in such scenarios, providing busy moms with a convenient shopping experience right from the comfort of their own home.

Take a Class

Discovering and cultivating new skills has evolved into an enjoyable hobby for many, including busy mothers. The internet presents an expansive realm of opportunities for mothers to explore and adopt fresh hobbies, enhancing their personal growth and well-being. These hobbies encompass a wide spectrum, spanning from creative crafts to culinary endeavors, and even venturing into the realm of foreign languages.

One of the most remarkable attributes of the Internet is its role as a boundless learning resource. It provides individuals with opportunities in the form of Corexcel Online Learning platform and similar aids to contribute to their information repository. Mothers can seamlessly access tutorials, courses, and guides, enabling them to delve into their chosen subjects at their own pace and convenience. The flexibility of online learning allows them to fit sessions into their hectic schedules, whether it’s during a quiet evening or brief moments of reprieve.

Exercise

Staying fit is important to people today. However, mums can find it rather challenging to fit this into their hectic schedule. Therefore, some mums find that in the evening they can squeeze in a workout which isn’t only good for their physical health but their mental well-being as well. There are numerous sites that offer workouts that can be followed at home.

Needless to say, online fitness platforms provide a wide array of workout options, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, pilates, strength training, or cardio workouts, you can find specialized routines that align with your fitness objectives.

Overall, the availability of home-based workout options on the internet has democratized fitness, making it accessible and convenient for mothers and individuals of all backgrounds to prioritize their health and well-being. Whether you’re a busy mom, a fitness enthusiast, or just starting your fitness journey, these online resources empower you to stay active and healthy on your own terms.

TV Binge Watching

Many mums find it difficult if not impossible to watch what they want on television as their children often monopolize it. The evening can also be a perfect time for mum to catch up on her favourite shows. One of the best ways to do this is to use streaming services such as Netflix to binge watch a popular show.

Put simply, motherhood often comes with its fair share of stress and responsibilities. Binge-watching offers a much-needed escape from the daily challenges, providing a mental break and reducing stress levels. Engaging in a captivating series allows moms to momentarily shift their focus away from chores and obligations.

Streaming platforms offer an extensive library of TV series spanning various genres, from drama and comedy to sci-fi and fantasy. This diversity ensures that there’s always something appealing to watch, catering to different tastes and moods.

Gambling Online

The internet has helped to make gambling even more accessible to people everywhere. It also has allowed gambling fans to bring the casino to them. Mums can enjoy spending an evening playing their favourite casino games from home by accessing cherryrush.com and try out various casino apps. No need for a sitter or dressing up. They can enjoy a game such as roulette in their pyjamas while sipping their favourite wine.

Conclusion

The internet not only broadens the horizons of potential hobbies but also fosters a sense of community and support. Online forums, discussion boards, and social media groups enable mothers to connect with like-minded enthusiasts, share experiences, seek advice, and draw inspiration. This interconnectedness enhances the overall enjoyment and satisfaction derived from pursuing new skills and hobbies, contributing positively to their personal development and life enrichment.

The internet provides so many ways to enjoy hobbies. Whether it’s one of the five mentioned here or something else, mums can pursue their interests thanks to the internet.

Mums all across the world will hardly be surprised to hear that mums only get 17 minutes of me-time each day. In a recent study, what we have all suspected has been confirmed. Furthermore, mums are likely to use the 17 minutes to do some house chores. Who cares, you may say after all isn’t it just a privilege to be a mum? Is me-time even important or have we all turned into a bunch of self-absorbed moaners?

Bingo is not just for the old folk! It is becoming more and more popular with a younger audience. Did you realise that it does not need to be just about numbers either you could use it to your advantage and play a little bingo game with your family and friends.

We have created this bingo card with phrases you are likely to hear if you are the parent of a teenager. Try and play with your teens. If you manage to get a complete line then BINGO! You win. How about you ask your teen to play along and in return get a few household chores done.

Since the trend of online shops boomed in UK, an astounding 152% increase was noted in five years to 2011. From then on, people seem to love the idea of buying some things they haven’t touched, seen, or even tried on yet. With that buyers’ perception and the ability of the seller to strikingly showcase their products online, online shops continues to grow and evolve throughout.

So, if you are a Top Mum planning to start a business endeavor through having your own stunning online shop, here are top 10 tips that might help you to rock on with the growing trend of online shopping.

1. Choose a proper online platform sensibly

Selecting an online platform is one of the most important decisions to make since it will determine who and how many people will be able to see your advertisements. A hosted platform like Shopify is a great choice when looking for where you can sell clothes online. It has many benefits as it is designed to help you build your own online store that can be expanded as you grow. There are many different built-in features and apps that make it easy for you to get started as it lets you sell your items across many different online marketplaces. Of course, it isn’t the only option for a hosted platform and there is a big debate on Shopify vs Woocommerce. You can also look to create your own website, or let a company create and host your website if you would rather build your site from scratch.

2. Optimize your site

Your customers first few moments when visiting your site will either make or break your chances of getting sales from them, and having a slow page load times will mean loss of customers. If you opt for a hosted solution, this might be a problem. But if you decide to set up your own website, optimizing your load speed is absolutely essential. Ensuring a fast and seamless user experience can significantly boost site engagement and site traffic, as visitors are more likely to stay on your site and explore your offerings. Additionally, implementing anti-exit methods like Abandonment prevention popup can further improve conversion rates by capturing the attention of visitors who may be considering leaving your site. These popups can offer tailored incentives or product recommendations, encouraging users to complete their purchases or sign up for your services.

3. Look for a reliable and quality supplier

Your supplier will serve as the heart of your business. Having a dependable supplier is very important since you will rely on their supplies to have sales. Having a legit and understandable supplier is very important since an approachable supplier will lessen your stress and make you focus more on what’s important. Also, it is vital to have a supplier with complete inventory.

4. Stay Unique

If you are making your own products, this isn’t an issue. But if you are just a reseller, there is a big chance that you are receiving same pictures as your competitors are from your supplier. So if that’s the case, you should at least rewrite the product description, and might as well take your own more creative photos.

5. Check out your competitors

Obviously, you want people to choose you over your competitors, so check out who they are, what they sell, and what they charge. Also, they say that we can learn from mistakes. While it is very true, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be our own mistakes. Checking out your competitors will allow you to see their mistakes and what to do differently so you can have a better online shop.

6. Advertise your page content through customer’s input

If you really have a competitive product, letting your customers share their photos and experiences can really help you bump your sales up. Word of mouth and customers’ testimonies will really help you get more attention from potential buyers. You can also create surveys that can help to improve business through customer experience feedback, resulting in more relevant products and better sales.

7. Plan how to ship your products

Having an online shop means you probably do not have a physical store where your customers can pick their orders up. So having a consistent courier is important. Find a company who ships well and within schedule because it really has an effect to your customer experience.

8. Make returning items a doddle

Defective items will always be there and it is impossible to avoid. Even those top brands and companies still have those. So how are you going to manage if you mistakenly sent a flawed product to a customer or if you sent an incorrect order? Providing an approachable and hassle-free to the customers’ part is essential and will help you receive more positive testimonial.

9. Be attentive and observant to up and coming trends.

Since you are into clothing business, updates on current trends are very important. You should be prepared to innovate because if you’re products are outdated, no one will patronize you but if you continuously sell new styles, people will be excited to check your page for new products.

10. Use social media

Most people today already have their own social media like Facebook and Instagram. To reach more people, having an account for your boutique will surely help. It will let you interact publicly with your customers and will help gain more customer endorsements. You can also read up on other digital marketing advice that you can find on many websites, so that you gain more knowledge in this area and thus will be able to improve the online presence of your store.

So after reading what we have to share about starting an online boutique, we’d love to hear from you other tips and tricks that may help other people who are planning to start – hit the comments section below if you have any more to share.

And if you are initiating an online clothing store, keep in mind that it may take time before the sales flood in. Remember to not compare yourself to other people’s success as your beginning is not other’s middle. You may have to work harder to make a name for your business in the web and build a customer base.

This guest post is written by Erin Feldman. She is an e-commerce business owner somewhere in California, specializing in activewear and yoga online clothing boutique. You can find Erin doing a BaddhaKonasana somewhere in La Jolla Cove when she’s not busy with her business.