Author Archives: kirsty

5 Things To Look For In A Beautiful Christening Dress

Choosing a christening dress for your baby is truly an important aspect of your baby’s baptismal ceremony. After all, your child’s christening is a once-in-a-lifetime event, as well as his or her first appearance in the public. More importantly, your child’s christening dress is a special jewel that signifies the importance of this special event for your little one.

Choosing the best christening dress for a baby can be a tall order for any parent or godparent. With so many options available, it will definitely take a while for a parent to choose an eye-catching dress that suits perfectly to his or her new bundle of joy. But, there are a few important points that can make the buying process a bit simpler and more convenient.

Having problems in choosing a beautiful baptism dress for your baby? Well, take note of these suggestions from Little Doves, and you will surely a find a gorgeous baptism gown that suits perfectly to your delicate loved one.

Style

Style is indeed one of the most important things to look for in a beautiful christening dress. Obviously, you don’t want your child to wear a lifeless plain gown during this event. Keep in mind that christening is a very important event of your baby’s life that only happens once in his or her life. As a parent, you surely want your baby to wear a stylish and dazzling christening dress that will make your little one stand out during his or her special day.

The style for your child’s baptism dress would all come down to personal taste and tradition. Do you want your little buttercup to wear the dress that you wore when you were baptized? Or, do you prefer the latest trends, such as a tuxedo-style gown or stylish couture gown? No matter what your personal preference is, choose a dress that will make child look stunning.

Fabric

When buying a christening dress, pay extra attention to the dress’s fabric. In this case, opt for a gown with an all-nature fiber, as it breathes well, and feels pretty comfortable to the baby. Also, fabrics, such as raw silk, linen and 100-percent cotton, are ideal for baptism garments. For generations, these classics have been used in fabricating infant outfits and christening dresses.

Fit

Proper fitting is very essential when buying a baptismal dress. Before you buy a dress, have your baby test it, and make sure that he or she feels comfortable with it.

Color

White is, without a doubt, the most prevalent and popular color in baptismal ceremonies. In christening traditions, white is a symbol for purity, youth as well as the beginning of new a life. While adorning your baby with a white-colored dress is an absolute must, you should not limit the dress’s color scheme to white only. Besides, a parent isn’t restricted from adding colors to the baptismal dress’s color scheme. If you want to add more life and flair to your baby’s gown, you may look for a dress with light and pastel colors.

Detailing

Practical details may not be the first thing that comes into mind, as you choose christening dress for your child. Still, the dress’s detail is something that you must not be overlooked. As you pay attention to the dress’s details, you get to know if the dress’s buttons are sewn properly. Likewise, it helps you determine whether the detail matches well with the gown.

The delights of playing online bingo

Being a mother is glorious, but perhaps the hardest job ever. Having a kid flips everything around us. Though we love our kids to the moon, we have to accept our priorities change a great deal after after having kids. From cooking to bathing to staying awake long nights, social life at some point gets disrupted. In moments like these, one can seek comfort in online bingo games. This may sound awry to someone who’s not into online bingo, but bingo aficionados will exactly know what I’m talking about. When it comes to “Me” time after an exhausting day, online bingo is the much needed break every woman needs.

There are multiple reasons why I suggest bingo to mothers. Women love talking. It helps us unwind. In online bingo, the bustling chat rooms are crowded with people. A hearty natter and a good laugh can really make up for the stressful day. It also helps to get rid of boredom. And no, you need not rush to the nearest bingo hall. You can play bingo even in your pajamas at the comfort of your home. All you need is a computer or a mobile device and an internet connection. If you are a gregarious types, trust me, there’s nothing like online bingo.

Online bingo is not just about making money. Clearly it’s a recreational, fun activity. It’s a game of chance with no skill required. What drives women to this game are the social aspects. The best thing about playing bingo online are the benefits that come along the way. There are sites like New Look Bingo that has £15 no deposit bonus and lets you play bingo for free.

Besides the lucrative promotions, there is another thing that attracts a huge crowd- Jackpots! People have won millions of pounds by spending not more than just few pennies.

The colourful graphics with sound effects gives a player the feeling of being at a bingo hall. Online bingo is available 24*7. So whenever you are bored to death or lonely, all it takes is just few clicks to let the fun rolling. Don’t just take my word for it, give it a go and find out for yourself!

So the next time you are stressed-out, clear your head by visiting a bingo site and go back to be the supermom you’ve always been! You’ll have a whale of a time.

Click here to visit my favorite bingo site…!

5 Fun Places to Eat Out near Victoria Station

Victoria Station is the main terminus station for the city of London. It is a very important place in Central London. Staying at a hotel near this place is a great idea. It enables you to explore some major London attraction quickly. Moreover, there are many fun places to dine out near the station.

You will find several accommodation options near Victoria Station. Top hotels near Victoria Station, like St. George’s Inn Victoria offer s all modern facilities at bargain rates.

Top 5 Places for a Pleasant Dinner near Victoria Station

Café Rouge: This restaurant serves Brasserie and French cuisine. The cost for two people to eat out would cost around 40 pounds. The restaurant is located at the, the Victoria Place Shopping Centre near Buckingham Palace and is close to Central London hotels near Victoria Coach Station. It has an array of fabulous mouth-watering dishes such as steaks and Croquettesand Pot au Chocolat for desert. Drinks start from 4 pounds and wireless internet is available here.

Tozi: If you are staying at a hotel near Victoria station this restaurant located is a fine place to dine-in after a tiring but fun outing visiting places like The London Eye, Belgrave or Westminster Abbey. A dinner here would cost a couple approximately35 pounds. It has some wonderful Italian dishes such as Frittis, pastas, Porchetta and some wonderful Italian salads. Drinks are also available and is wonderful for a romantic dinner.

Frankie & Benny’s: If you are travelling via the Gatwick Express from the Gatwick airport and coming down to stay at a hotel near Victoria Station, you ought to try this fun and pleasant restaurant in Victoria Place Shopping Centre. The restaurant serves American and Italian food. The budget for two people here is approximately 30 pounds. Some of the dishes worth trying include The Big Frankie’s Platter, Lasagne AlForno and Oven Baked Pesto Salmon.

The Vincent Rooms: this restaurant is located in Westminster Abbey and is close to some fine places such as the London aquarium and the Royal Albert Hall. This restaurant serve wines and have a fine selection of European and contemporary dishes. The quant but pleasant restaurant serves a host full of palatable dishes such as Vegetable and main plates with exotic tastes. You have got to try a mug of soup and sarnie if you are up for a feel good food.

Wetherspoons: If you are travelling and reach the Victoria Station, you cannot miss this restaurant in the Unit 5 Victoria Station concourse. The restaurant serves British cuisine and is perfect for a dinner with friends. It would cost you around 40 pounds for a meal for two and a pint of beer costs around 4 pounds, which makes it reasonably affordable. The menu has some fine dishes that you ought to try, which include toasties, Panini and wraps. They also serve some fine curries if you are thinking exotic and spicy. The restaurant specializes in Fish and Chips.

The abovementioned places offer value for money dining options in and around Victoria. If you are planning to visit London anytime soon, be sure to visit these places with your friends and family.

St. George’s Inn Victoria, 25 Belgrave Road, Victoria, London SW1V 1RB, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7828 2061 | Fax: +44 (0) 20 7828 3605 Google+

Relocating from the Quaint Towns Like Horsham

Relocating could be stressful. Apart from the usual hassles associated with packing and shifting, you also need to cope up with a new environment. When you plan your relocation, you may think that you would get everything done in just a couple of weeks. However, it might not be that easy in reality.

You need to decide on many things, such as, what you are going to do about your house, and whether you are going to leave your parents at one of the acclaimed care homes in West Sussex like Ashton Leigh Residential Care Home. Be smart and plan ahead of time, because it is not as simple as it sounds.

10 Things to Do Before You Relocate

There are plenty of things to do before making a move. You simply need to start from the basics and work up to the more important things.

Get rid of what you do not want

Moving is the best opportunity you would get to leave behind the things you have been hoarding for years. Donate your clothes and other utilities to a community centre or a nearby church

Attention to valuables

While packing, start with the things that you might need the most. Start with your valuables like documents, certificates, cash and jewellery

Clear bank accounts

Consider either to transfer your bank accounts, or close them down. Go to your bank and ask the service advisor what can be done to your accounts. Try to know about all other options that you have.

Think about your relationship

If you are in a relationship, think about your partner and value your relationship. Talk to your partner about joining you in the place you are relocating to or if they cannot move, talk about the options that you have.

Arrangements for your parents

Your parents might not want to relocate with you. So, you need to make sure that they continue to stay in good care. One good idea would be to get them admitted to one of the care homes in West Sussex or residential homes in Horsham.

Real estate holdings and furniture

Talk to an agent if you want to sell or let out your house, get it listed on the Horsham or Crawley house listings. Sell your furniture, as the cost of getting new ones will be cheaper than transporting them.

Happiness of your spouse

If you are married and have a family, think about your spouse. Make sure that he or she has the right opportunities available in the place you are moving to.

Children and school

When relocating your children, plan their education and get admission in advance, to ensure that they do not face any academic gap.

Arrange you new home

Make arrangements for a new home well in advance. Make sure that all the amenities have been checked before you reach.

Try finding friends

Get to know your new neighbourhood and a few families that live around that area. This will make the transition rather smooth and comfortable. This way, you will not feel so isolated

No matter what other individual priorities you might have in mind, get them all sorted well in advance, so save you from the last m

Fast ways to refresh your bedroom

When you first think about redoing your bedroom – or your child’s – the idea might be a little daunting. Thinking about new furniture, fresh paint, and new everything else can be a bit much. Also, there is no way that you can accomplish all of that quickly, with a limited budget. But you’re also really tired of stepping into an outdated room that you don’t like any more. So, what can you do?

Change out the bed frame

One overlooked way to change the look of a bedroom in no time is to switch out the bed frames for a different style. If your existing frame is ornate and elaborate, go instead with a lower metal frame that is partially obscured by the mattress. This type of frame lets the bed linens become the star of the show so that you can buy everything from Disney Princesses for the kids to larger floral patterns or luxurious fabrics. If the frame hasn’t been a focal point, find one that adds some character to change up the room such as a large wooden frame with slats or a sleigh bed.

Purchase new bedding

Sometimes you get so used to your bed linens that they fade into the background. For a really quick way to change up the look of the entire room, get a new set of bedding. Go with a completely different bold color family, or choose a pattern rather than a solid block of color. Don’t forget that your window treatments may need a little updating as well – some bedding kits come with curtains or blinds plus pillow shams and bed skirts that match the new set. Regardless, the vibrancy of the new bed linens makes the entire room feel rejuvenated with hardly any changes made at all.

Paint the walls

Paint is one of the first things people tend to think of when they start planning a bedroom overhaul, but it’s often an overwhelming idea. To bring the workload down a few notches, consider just painting one accent wall or adding a painted feature in one part of the room. Murals often make a nice touch in children’s bedrooms whether they like football, superheroes or wildlife. If the entire room could use a good paint job, however, bite the bullet and get the job done. Once you’re finished, the bedroom will feel fresh and new, even if you don’t change another thing. Consider color palettes you wouldn’t normally put together, or try stripes or even spots. Buying new paintings or adding photographs to the walls can additionally make a massive difference – there are plenty of multi-photo frames on the market allowing you to show off your family snaps.

Take the pressure off and switch just one element of your bedroom to make a big difference to your space. Larger changes can always happen later if you still feel that they’re still necessary. As with cooking, keep in mind that simple ingredients can easily create a different flavor.

Party along with Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty has become a true phenomenon over the last few years, and is a favourite amongst girls of all ages, from 5 and 6 year olds through to pre-teens and teenagers. And lots of adults love her retro cool look too! The cute Japanese bobtailed cat with the bow in her hair (sometimes a red bow, sometimes pink, and occasionally green!) has become a familiar sight around the world; hospitals have sprung up in her name in places such as Taiwan, and you can even your hands on a Hello Kitty Bank of America Bank account, should you wish to. She has been immortalised in a pop song sung by Avril Lavigne, and the 40 year old cat, first designed and created by Yuko Shimizu for the Sanrio Corporation in 1974 appearing on a coin purse, has become a true modern cartoon classic. Her name comes from Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s book ‘Through the Looking Glass’ in which Alice calls a cat ‘Kitty’.

Hello Kitty’s phenomenal popularity is thought in part to be because she has a certain ‘retro’ cool – she is part of ‘kawaii’ culture in Japan, which means cute or pretty, and is associated with Manga comics and anime, both amazingly popular amongst Japanese kids and teenagers (and lots of adult too!). And as all things retro and vintage are so popular right now, Hello Kitty is certainly bang on trend!

There’s been much debate about Hello Kitty’s lack of a mouth, some quite outlandish ideas have been put forward, but the most likely explanation is that her designer wanted the Hello Kitty character to be empathetic, and so you are able to express your emotions through her. You feel happy, she feels happy, you feel a bit blue, so does she and you’re not alone.

Hello Kitty lives happily with her mum, dad and sister Mimmie – who is only distinguishable from Kitty by the yellow bow on her right ear, rather than the red bow on Kitty’s left ear. They live in London, and Kitty’s favourite food is her mum’s home baked apple pie. She rarely sees her boyfriend Daniel as he is often on safari in Africa.

So, your daughter decides she would like you to throw a puurrfect Hello Kitty party for her birthday. With all the Hello Kitty merchandise around, nothing could be easier. And if you are feeling creative, or would like to do things on a budget, Hello Kitty’s simple shapes and colours mean doing it yourself is well within reach, and you and your daughter can have great fun planning and putting party things together, unless you and she would like it to be a surprise.

Invitations – simply print a Hello Kitty template from http://hagiographic.com/hello-kitty-printable-coloring-pages/hello-kitty-face-coloring-pages-template-57646-2/ , transfer the shape to white card, and decorate with a red bow. Maybe tie a red ribbon bow around the envelope if you are handing out the invites to your guests.
Decorate your venue in red, pink and white using streamers, balloons, and Hello Kitty bunting, banners and scene setters available from www.partybagsandsupplies.co.uk. Ask your guests to come in fancy dress, or at the very least with a bow in their hair!
Games and crafts. Set up a Hello Kitty craft table with some plain white paper plates, felt tip pens, glitter and sequins for your guests to create the perfect Hello Kitty face mask. Cut out a large Hello Kitty face shape from white paper or card, a large red bow, attach to a door or wall and blindfold your guests for ‘Pin the Bow on Kitty’. It’s not too tricky with themes like Hello Kitty to adapt traditional party games to make them a perfect match.
Food – if you’re feeling creative, create cupcake toppers from white royal icing, mix some pink or red food colouring in, and create a cute bow for each cake. Apple pie may not be traditional children’s party food, but it is Hello Kitty’s favourite…. And a Hello Kitty birthday cake can be created from a round sponge cake, white and red and black royal icing and some liquorice laces.
Party bags – to save you time and money you can find pre-filled Hello Kitty party bags at http://www.partybagsandsupplies.co.uk/themes, along with lots more Hello Kitty party goodies – tableware, banners, balloons and fillers if you wish to select and fill your own bags.

And, enjoy!

Career First, Family Next!

Gumtree infographic baby versus career is an infographic that was produced by Gumtree

There are so many things that are mentioned in the media on a weekly basis when referring to teen pregnancy. The problem is that what we see on TV is usually an exaggeration of a reality that is totally different. We can say that those cases are actually a lot less common than we might believe.

I saw this infographic on women juggling children and career and it had some interesting facts. There were things I read that I didn’t know, or expect, before I read it. That is why it is important for everyone to take a look at the infographic. It is a guarantee that you will learn some new things that you had absolutely no idea about.

For instance, it would seem that 49% of women are in their 30s when their babies arrive and that the average age is 29.7. I would have assumed that women had children at a younger age, although I shouldn’t have been surprised, as women are starting to put careers first, which is commendable. The question of whether or not to postpone a family because of a career path that was taken is one that has been daunting on women for a long time. It makes sense to get a steady career first and then settle down to think about starting a family and having children.

Whatever the age of the mother, at the bottom of the infographic you will see some great tips on how to balance a life/work with being a capable and good mother. For example: Delegate, which I like to do as much as possible in life anyway!

Choosing a career over a family can have negative effects on the evolution of the woman and her desire to have a baby as the body will find it more difficult to carry a pregnancy as time passes. The best thing that any woman can do is to simply think about priorities and see what the best situation is. In UK it is not legal to fire a woman if she is on pregnancy leave or if she is pregnant. However, as you can easily notice from the infographic, everything is connected to the career in the sense that you would need to hire a nanny in most cases and that costs a lot of money.

It is a very good idea to take a look at all the information included in this infographic. You can even see the best careers for women that currently juggle both a career and a family. There are always solutions but you have to be dedicated and you need to know what to expect. The truth is that maternity leave does not really have an effect on your finances. With this in mind, you may want to reconsider the career first, family later approach. You cannot wait too long until you get pregnant as this would lead to more problems in the future. Choose wisely or consider the career that is best suited for you if you really want a family.

3 Home Improvements Every Smart First Time Buyer Should Save For

Exchanging contracts on your first property is the first step on the journey to buying your “forever home”.

When moving day has come and gone, you can immediately start adding value to your home – ready for when the time comes to move further along the path, towards your dream house.

That’s how most homeowners wish they would’ve started out. And it’s how the smart first time buyer approaches their journey today.

Here are three home improvements you should be saving for, that will add instant value and enjoyment to your new house.

1. Made to measure blinds

Well designed, made-to-measure blinds will instantly improve the appearance of your home – from both the inside and out.

It’s simple – but it works.

See, blinds are an elegant alternative to curtains and offer a number of practical benefits too:

Improved privacy – your private business remains just that.
Sound-proofing – less sound escapes from well fitted venetian blinds so you are less likely to disturb the neighbours.
Temperature control – blinds allow you to easily control the amount of light and heat that comes through your windows.
Improved energy efficiency – made to measure blinds prevent heat escaping, or cold drafts coming through your windows.

Because new blinds help to prevent heat loss in the winter, they also help reduce your energy bills. The money saved will help towards the next home improvement – solar panels.

2. Solar panels

Solar panels are quite expensive to buy outright, but the government offers attractive rebates to people using them in the form of Feed-in tariffs (FITs). FITs pay you for the electricity you generate, helping to offset the cost of the panels.

The electricity that your solar panels generate is yours to use as you need. Any electricity that is unused can be sold back into the National Grid, resulting in a lower utility bill.

The units cost around £7000 to buy and install, but experts believe that using solar panels to generate your own electricity will help cut household bills by around £750 a year.

Some households even claim that solar panels generate up to three-quarters of their annual electricity needs.

These savings created can then be put towards the next home improvement – a conservatory.

3. A conservatory or extension

A conservatory is a useful, all-purpose room that will give you more space to enjoy your new home.

There are plenty of designs available, ensuring you will be able to find a conservatory that fits in with the architectural style of your house. You could also consider fitting wooden venetian blinds from Thomas Sanderson to complete the look, or a downstairs extension as your family grows.

It may take a lot longer to save up to buy a conservatory, but the investment will be well worth it in the long run.

The additional living space provided by a conservatory or extension also adds value to your property. By increasing the value of your house, you will have more equity to put towards your next move up the property ladder.

There are two reasons to save up for home improvements – to turn your house into a home, and to add value to the property.

These three suggestions should, over time, help you to create a house that you love, that you can sell for a profit when you are ready.

Got any questions or any more suggestions to add to the list? Drop your thoughts in a comment below.

Four Tips for Getting Your Confidence Back after Your Pregnancy

There is no question that your body has gone through some very big changes over the past few months. You and you alone have sustained a life, which is an extremely big accomplishment. However, it is not so forgiving to your figure. Every woman’s body changes significantly after they have had a baby, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot feel sexy like you did before the pregnancy.

Most women don’t even think about brushing their hair when they have a new baby, but after a few months, most often after a mother has stopped breast feeding, you will begin to make time for yourself again. You deserve to have time to get dressed up and feel good about yourself, no matter how busy and crazy things get. If you are a new mom who is ready to feel sexy again, here are four tips to help you get your confidence back.

Find a new, great fitting bra

You breasts have changed dramatically through all the swelling and breastfeeding, so they are in definite need or some TLC. Finding a new bra that fits well will make every outfit you put on look better, which is one of the best confidence boosts you can get every day. Consider ThirdLove designer bras that find your perfect fit with half-sizes and a bra-sizing app to help you find the best fit possible. You can find styles that have soft materials for your sensitive skin in beautiful designs that will make you feel sexy and comfortable in your own skin.

Incorporate some exercise in every day

No matter whether you were a fitness fanatic or a couch potato before your pregnancy, you should find a way to incorporate fitness into your daily routine. Not only does exercise help you lose weight and get in shape, but it also boosts your mood by producing endorphins that keep you happy and smiling all day long. Try doing things that incorporate your new baby, like a mommy and me yoga class or going for a walk outside.

Wear fashion that flatters your new figure

Every woman has her trouble areas that she likes to cover up. Post-baby, you may feel like you have more trouble areas to cover up than before. It may take a while for your body to return to its post baby form, so you should find some pieces in your closet that make you feel confident at the size you are now. Flowing tops that drape away from the midsection and skinny jeans is a great staple for any new mom to have.

Surround yourself with supportive people

Sometimes it’s not about what you do, but what everyone else around you is doing. There are many new moms going through the same things you are, so illicit their help. If you are surrounded by people who make you feel self-conscious or insecure, you may be around the wrong people. Try to surround yourself with people who make you feel beautiful, no matter how your body changes. Find people who support your goals and help push you to be better each day. If you are surrounded with people who love you that much, you will feel confident no matter what.

Image: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/parenting/post-pregnancy+body+advice-247324.html

How To Make Shipping More Sustainable

One of the hardest parts about reducing your home’s carbon footprint is figuring out how to get the things you need from the places that sell them to your house. Even if you’ve got a great eco-friendly, locally supplied grocer within walking distance from your house, there’s the issue of how those goods got from where they were made to the grocer’s. How do you ensure that the supplier of those goods did everything they could to improve their fuel economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the trip?

This problem compounds when it is you who runs that grocery shop or co-op. All business owners, really, have reported problems getting the supplies and inventory they need in eco-friendly ways. The fact is that a lot of how “green” things travel is up to the human actually transporting them. Sure, a lot of companies are only using eco-friendly shippers and delivery vehicles but what if the driver doesn’t know how to economize properly on his fuel consumption?

A lot of company owners are choosing to “green up” their supply chain by using recyclable and reusable containers. These containers often hold more goods per container so the number of shipments needed to stay stocked is reduced. If you do run a grocery or other food based business, reusable containers have proven to be better for the keeping and storing of perishable merchandise (food stays fresher and is less prone to pests when stored and moved in airtight containers). Moreover, because the containers are made of plastic, metal or wood, they can be reused over and over again reducing the need for container manufacturing. Even better, as you can see in the infographic below, using recyclable containers reduces a company’s greenhouse emissions by almost thirty percent.

Created by ContainerExchanger.com.

Revolution Mother