What To Think About Buying A Car In 2023

 Are you thinking about purchasing a car in 2023? This is a big decision that is going to impact your finances and change your lifestyle based on the choice that you make. So which car is right for you? Well, you might want to consider a few of these details before settling on a specific choice.

Electric 

First, you should make sure that you consider whether now is the right time to buy an electric car. EVs are becoming more common on the market and almost every major car brand has a couple of EVs for you to choose from. However, it is important to be aware that an EV is always going to be more expensive, even with the incentives that are often attached to the purchase. For this reason you might be better off holding out for the price to drop if you are on a tight budget. That said, you should absolutely consider getting a hybrid. Mild hybrids are affordable and will end up saving you a small fortune in fuel. 

MPG 

Speaking of fuel, it’s worth considering the MPG. This is particularly important if you are getting a standard petrol car. If we have learned one thing lately, it’s that fuel prices simply are not stable. While they are falling back in line, there’s a good chance that they will rise again in the future. As such, it’s never going to be in your best interest to purchase a car that will leave you stopping at a gas station every five minutes. 

Maintenance

Next do consider the servicing and maintenance issues that are attached to your vehicle. It is possible to buy a car that won’t cost you a fortune in maintenance. You just need to make sure that you are researching the market carefully and exploring all the possible options. Don’t fall into the trap of purchasing a vehicle that is going to be a cheap initial cost but you will end up spending a fortune on further down the line. Of course, this is also a case of finding the right mechanic for a trusted car service once you purchase the vehicle. 

Safety 

Finally, people tend to assume that all cars these days have the same safety ratings. This isn’t the case at all. In reality, there are some cars that fall short in terms of safety for a variety of reasons. Ideally, you should make sure that you are aiming to purchase a vehicle with a five star safety rating. This should give you the peace of mind that you deserve. Particularly, if you are a parent and you are going to have the kid in the backseat. You need to make sure that they are protected. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key points that you should keep in mind if you are thinking about purchasing a car this year. In doing so, you can guarantee that you don’t jump to a decision that is going to cause problems for you further down the line.

Arosmic Perfumes review

Before we jump right into the review part of this post you need to know a few things about me. I love fragrances and I have a very good sense of smell. No, I know what you are thinking don't we all. But my sense of smell is better than anyone else I know. I am the first to smell anything no matter how strong or weak and this goes for every aspect of my life. From wonderful scents in nature to awful ones. I am always the first and last to smell something. It's a blessing and curse. 

So I am a very good person to review fragrances. I have been looking for new scents for a while. But my word the prices of designer fragrances have skyrocketed and I am trying to be more conscientious with spending. I think we all are, to be honest. I just can't justify spending hundreds of pounds on my favourite perfumes at the moment. 

Arosmic

Enter Arosmic. I was surfing the web and Arosmic popped up and I was intrigued. They sell designer-inspired perfumes at a fraction of the cost. This piqued my interest instantly. You know me I had to do my research into the brand and how on earth they can sell these perfumes so inexpensively. 

Arosmic believes in letting the perfumes do the talking and cutting out all the unnecessary costs. So every fragrance comes in standard but sleek packaging and bottles. Their motto is fine fragrances at fair prices. They make all their fragrances from high-performing natural ingredients. This means the scent last a long time and maintains its smell.

Not only that but they are all environmentally friendly, 100% vegan, cruelty-free, ethical and carbon neutral. Yes to all of this. They are also made in Britain too so no importing either. 

Arosmic also does not use celebrities to promote their fragrances which helps to keep costs down and I love this idea. How many times have people been tempted to buy perfume because of a celebrity? I have never thought I need that perfume because Jennifer Aniston wears it.  I just buy what I like. So this is a clever move. 

So what do Arosmic offer? 

Arosmic make and produce designer-inspired perfumes. I am obsessed with skincare and make-up dupes so perfumes dupes are a no-brainer for me really. 

I know what you are thinking this sounds too good to be true and I am here to say It really isn't. It is super easy to find the designer-inspired version of the fragrance you are looking for on Arosmic. 

This one, for example, is Adore which is inspired by Dior's J'adore, I have three perfumes I have to review Adore, of course, Cherry inspired by Tom Ford's Lost Cherry and Dark Opium inspired by YSL's Dark Opium. 

The price 

Now I know you are wondering what the cost is. 100ml is £26.99 50ml is £15.99 and a small sample size of 5ml is £4.99.  Arosmic offers free delivery on orders over £40.  Standard delivery is £2.99 or £4.99 for next-day delivery.  This is based on one 100ml perfume. 

My thoughts 

I don't know where to start here. I am honestly blown away by these perfumes. I have always had a few designer special fragrances in my collection for very special occasions. You know the ones you wear and love but only sparingly because they are just too expensive. You would like to wear these all the time but who can afford that right? So I always opt for a cheaper option for everyday wear but wish I could wear the nicer ones. 

Arosmic has changed the game here. These perfumes are divine and incredible. I can put two sprays of one of my three on and I can smell it on my skin until I shower. I kid you not. I spray one on my neck and one spray in my wrist and rub them together. Of course, you can use more but I find that is enough for me. These fragrances pack a punch you really don't need much. Which is again money-saving as you are not having to pile on the scent. 

I am a professional mountain biker so I am sweating hard some days out on the mountain and I can still smell my wonderful Arosmic scents after a hard day. These perfumes go the distance and more. I would even say they are better than some of my designer ones in longevity. They just last and smell as good as they did after you spray them. It's incredible. I really put them through their paces when testing for you. 

If I had to recommend one to you it would be Cherry, my god this is heavenly. It smells sweet but expensive. 

Cherry's notes 

• Top Notes - Bitter Almond, Liquor, Black Cherry
• Middle Notes - Sour Cherry, Plum, Turkish Rose, Jasmine Sambac
• Base Notes - Roasted Tonka Beans, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ceda

I am obsessed with this scent and have worn it almost daily since its arrival. I had to test the others or I think it would have gotten even more wear. I can not believe how a little spray can last all day and more. These are worth their weight in gold and I for sure will be buying more to try out. Goodbye designer hello purse-friendly but amazing options. 

Scents are so special they can evoke memories. I had completely forgotten about the scent of Opium until I ordered this and it flooded me with memories of an old flatmate I had at college. So many wonderful memories came flooding back of the lovely Lexi and the time we spent together.

 It is funny how a scent can have this power over us. We need to treat scents and perfumes with more respect and I think this is what Arosmic are doing. They are changing the game and making us all be able to smell expensive and special at a fraction of the price. 

I 100% recommend Arosmic perfumes to you and I will be buying myself more in the future. No more cheap perfumes that don't last longer than an hour for me. I will be opting for these affordable but delicious alternatives and you should too. 

This summer's biggest fashion trends

The sun is shining and it's time to think about summer fashion. Summer fashion is some of the most fun of the year and this year's trends are all fun and funky. We are going to discuss 2023's summer must-haves from the more classic option to the louder choices. I will be focusing on women's fashion this time around.

Tailoring/ Old money

For the more classic trend this season we are going to see a lot of skirt suits. This goes hand in hand with the old money trend that we are seeing all over every influencer and celeb. This style is easy to do with so many amazing high street options available you can pull this look off no matter what your budget is. 

The old money trend is leaning towards an 80's/90 styling like the classic Princess Diana look from this period. With crisp white shirts and jumpers wrap around your neck with a pair of tailored linen trousers. 

Baggy trousers 

This trend is here to stay this season. Goodbye tight trousers hello oversized and floaty. This is not just a trouser trend this goes for jeans too. Pack away those skinny jeans their time is over and they need to make way for extra wide-legged jeans. Pair these with a nice heel and you are going from dinner to the club. 

The unfinished look 

Dresses and skirts in particular that look unfinished were all over the catwalk this season. Normally we would all steer clear of a garment that looks not finished well not any more. Skirts with undone splits. Dresses with strange hems are all in this season and they are cool and edgy. 

Neon

With the return of clubbing holidays, we have a big neon trend this season. From neon bikinis to neon dresses the brighter the better. These tend to be figure-hugging and with cutouts. This neon trend is giving 00s vibes with cut-out details on the waist bit with a new flare. This is all about showing off your beautiful body and feeling confident in your own skin and I am here for it.

Maxi dress

A figure-hugging maxi dress is a staple of the season think Kardashian- Jenner and you will know what I mean. These are simple but make a big impact. You can find these style dresses on the high street and I would recommend saving your money here. As the more expensive ones look so similar to the designer and are almost undetectable. 

Ice Ice Baby 

Whilst we are on the figure-hugging dress trends. You need to be pairing your figure-hugging dress with some ICE. If you are going for the real Kardashian look you need to add some iced out chains. Kim wouldn't be seen dead without her bling bling and this is a big on-trend jewellery item this season. 

Basically, if you think of Hip hop jewelry you are on the right path. Lots of bling ice and sparkle is on the trend in 2023 and you can go as over the top as your favourite Rapper would. I mean think what would Cardi B wear and you are on to this trend. You can be as fun and as imaginative as you like. 

Shoes

This summer shoe trends are ballet pumps, block wedges and thigh-high boots. With Ballet pumps making a comeback comfort seems to be high on this season's priority. I love block wedge heels these pair wonderfully with summer dresses and can take you from day to night with ease. Thigh boots don't seem to be going anywhere soon so this is a good time to invest in a nice pair that will see you through the season into winter. 

Hair 

The biggest hitting hair trends this season seem to go hand in hand with fashion. With blunt bobs, major curls, and the sleekest ballerina buns all in the mix. I am loving the range of hairstyles that are making waves this summer. These will suit so many hair types and also who doesn't love a ballerina bun so quick sleek and classic. Perfect for rescuing hair that has seen too much sun. 


This summer's biggest fashion trends are here and I hope you have found some you can experiment with and find what works for you this summer season. 

Should You Buy In Person Or Online?

Looking to buy some new furniture? When choosing whether to buy from a physical store or an online store, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons. Below are some reasons to buy in person and some of the reasons to buy online compared.

Why buy in person?

Buying from a physical store is the best way to judge the comfort of a sofa or a bed. Something that may look soft and springy on a screen could end up being rougher or firmer than you imagined. This is why many people like to visit a furniture store with a showroom.

When buying used furniture, it’s also important to inspect this furniture in person to get a good idea of the condition. Online photos of second hand tables and chairs may be taken from angles that hide certain damage. Buying furniture in person allows you to check any damage for yourself. Of course, it’s still worth looking on sites like Facebook and Gumtree to find adverts for used furniture - just make sure that you see the furniture in person before paying. 

Why buy online?

There are many advantages to buying brand new furniture online. Many people choose to buy sofas online because there is the option to visualise them in different colours. Brand new furniture can also be bought at cheaper prices when bought from online stores compared to many physical stores. This is because physical stores typically have higher overhead to cover and so cannot offer the same discounts. 

Shopping online also allows you to explore a greater range of furniture than you may be able to find at a showroom. In fact, you can easily browse multiple stores at once without having to travel anywhere. This makes it very convenient. If you need to buy furniture in a hurry and don’t have time to visit multiple stores, it could be better to shop online. 

Buy in person or online?

Buying furniture in person is generally a better idea when buying second hand furniture, because you can inspect the condition for yourself rather than having to trust a photo. If you want to test the comfort of a sofa or bed, it is also better to buy it in person, as you can actually sit/lie on it.

If you want to save money on brand new furniture, then it is typically better to buy furniture online because you’ll get much better discounts. Shopping online is also more convenient if you haven’t got the time to visit stores in person or if you want to browse multiple stores quickly.

Of course, you can combine both methods to get the best outcome. Many people like to browse for sofas online and then visit a physical showroom to test out a sofa or a bed when they’ve found one that they like. Similarly, when shopping for used furniture, you can explore more options when shopping online. You can then go and see the item in person to check the condition before you buy it.

7 Things That Can Make Your Garden Look Messy

 

Want to keep your garden looking clean and tidy? Below are a few issues that you shouldn’t neglect.

Poor lawn care

Not looking after your lawn is certain to make your garden look untidy. Make sure to keep on top of mowing so that your lawn doesn’t get overgrown. During summer heatwaves, it could also be important to keep the grass watered to prevent it getting dry and patchy. Sprinkling fertilisers onto the grass once or twice per year may meanwhile help to boost the health of your lawn. Don’t have the time or effort to look after your lawn? Consider whether it’s worth laying down artificial grass instead. Alternatively, opt for a stone garden.

Unruly trees  

Some trees can quickly become unruly if not regularly maintained. Low hanging branches may end up extending across the garden or roots could end up coming up in your lawn. Willows, maples and apple trees are some of the trees that need to be pruned most regularly. When it comes to large trees, you’re often better off hiring a local tree surgeon than attempting to trim back the tree yourself. Dead or heavily leaning trees may need to be removed entirely.

Overgrown hedges

If you have hedges in your garden, it’s important that you also trim these back every year. An overgrown hedge can quickly take over a garden. The best times for trimming hedges are spring and autumn. Hedges shouldn’t be pruned in hot dry weather or during frost. 

Weeds galore

A weed is any type of plant that is growing in the wrong place. Such plants can disrupt the growth of other plants and can make your garden look less orderly. Every few months, try to dedicate an hour or two to digging up weeds. Pull out any unwanted plants sprouting out of your lawn and look out for plants growing in flower beds that shouldn’t be there. 

Grubby decking

A neglected wooden deck can quickly become grubby. Such decking can often be revived by cleaning it with a wire brush or pressure washer. You may then want to sand it and refinish it to give it an even texture and prevent rot. Painted decking will often need to be repainted every year to stop it peeling and becoming discoloured. 

Dirty garden furniture

Don’t forget to also clean your garden furniture. Grubby plastic chairs or dirty wooden tables can quickly let down the appearance of your garden. Some garden furniture materials are easier to keep clean than others. This includes various plastics and metals that can be easily wiped down. 

Too much clutter

Is there too much going on in your garden? Excess furniture or ornaments could make your garden look messy - especially if it is quite small. Consider whether you need to declutter your garden to keep it looking tidy. Make sure that obvious trash such as broken furniture or appliances aren’t just left to rot in your garden and that they are taken to a local dump.

How To Make Your Home Clutter-Free

 A clutter-free home is essential for peace of mind and relaxation. It also makes the space easier to clean and generally, a more pleasant place to be - you’ll be able to invite your friends and family over without worrying about the mess. 

Yet we all have so much ‘stuff’ that it can be hard to keep our homes free of clutter and mess. There are so many opportunities to buy things and bring more items into the home that it seems as though every time we go out, we come back with one more thing to add to the collection. The problem is, it’s often something we don’t need and, eventually, don’t even want. With that in mind, here are some great ways to help you keep your home clutter-free. 

Practice Mindful Purchasing

As we’ve said, one of the most problematic reasons why our homes are so cluttered is that we like to buy things. However, if this is causing you issues, including giving you a full home to live in, then it’s a habit you need to stop. 

Often this is easier said than done, but it is possible, and the answer is mindful purchasing. The key to this idea is to slow down and focus on what you’re doing. Before you take an item to the checkout, think carefully about what you’re buying, how much it is, where it will go, what function it will serve, and, finally, what would happen if you didn’t buy it. Once you have the answers to these questions, and particularly the final one, you’ll know whether it’s something you really do need to buy or whether it’s actually something that can stay in the store and not add to the clutter in your home. 

Think About Storage

We don’t always want to get rid of the things that are making our home feel cluttered - they might be of important sentimental value or perhaps things that just make us happy. They might even be things we use but have nowhere to put them in the meantime - and yet we know we need to have a tidier home if we want to be able to truly relax and de-stress. What is the answer? 

Although it might not help with everything, looking for ways to increase the storage in your home can be a good idea. In this way, you can still keep the clutter (although throwing some out will be necessary and perfectly possible), but it can be out of sight and stored away. Consider each room in turn. You could look at vanity units for the bathroom, for example, or furniture that doubles as storage. If you have a lot of things to store, you might even choose to hire a storage unit - it will depend on your specific needs. 

Declutter 

We’ve mentioned decluttering a few times through this post, and although you might want to avoid it, sometimes it is the best thing you can do. Take one room at a time and remove anything you no longer want or need. 

The first time you do this, it will take a while, but if you then start to do it regularly, it will be easier to keep on top of.

5 Best Practices for Creating a Positive Employee Experience

 

Creating a positive work environment greatly influences employees’ attitudes towards their job and coworkers, performance levels and productivity. Providing a positive work environment goes far beyond the actual space to include corporate culture and leadership too. Here are four tips to help you start out!

Promote a Positive Workplace Culture:

Employers should strive to create an environment where all employees are valued regardless of differences in culture, religion or background. When these aspects are present in the workplace environment, employees will feel more comfortable and secure communicating their ideas openly and engaging with their coworkers.

Create an Engaging Working Environment:

A comfortable and engaging working environment is essential for creating a positive employee experience. This includes providing staff with comfortable chairs, adjustable desks, ergonomic keyboards, adequate lighting and ventilation, as well as natural elements such as plants or artwork. The workspace should also be organised so it is conducive to efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, allowing employees flexible working times can help them manage their workloads more effectively without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out at work.

Foster Collaboration Amongst Team Members:

Encouraging team collaboration amongst employees can increase morale and create an overall more positive work environment. It is important to provide ample opportunities for staff members to get together both inside and outside of work in order to foster team bonding activities that enhance communication skills like problem-solving abilities or creative thinking processes. Additionally, cultivating open lines of communication between supervisor and subordinates will ensure that everyone has their voices heard in an effective manner towards achieving common goals created by the organisation as a whole.

Show Appreciation Through Rewards & Gifts:

Show your staff appreciation by rewarding them for good performance or accomplishments in the form of gifts or bonuses! A simple gesture like giving out small tokens of appreciation such as technology gadgets or office supplies can make all the difference in building mutual trust between employers and employees alike which will then contribute to creating a bigger overall sense of belonging within the organisation’s corporate culture! Branded Notebooks, mugs and pens are your best bet!

Be understanding

Being understanding as an employer is essential for creating a positive employee experience. Being understanding means being willing to listen and act upon concerns when employees feel overwhelmed or stressed out due to their workloads. This could include providing additional resources, offering flex time, or providing staff with additional leave days if needed. It is also important that supervisors take the time to get to know their team members on a more personal level, so they can better understand what it takes for them to succeed in their role. Doing so will help create a sense of community and trust, which helps to foster loyalty and commitment among employers and employees alike.

By following these four best practices, employers can ensure that their employees are engaged and motivated in their jobs. Implementing policies that promote collaboration, foster respect and appreciation among team members, provide comfortable working conditions and show recognition through rewards will all contribute to creating an overall more positive employee experience which leads to greater job satisfaction, productivity levels and organisational performance as a whole!