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The Great Festive Giveaway 2021

Well, isn't this a little bit exciting we have another giveaway but this time it's for Christmas? How on earth is we nearly at Christmas already. Are you starting to feel festive? I actually had my first Christmas dinner last weekend. We always have a meal with our best friend and last weekend was the only time we could do it. Which has now in the festive spirit. 

Today I have teamed up with some dome of the UK's best bloggers to bring you the chance to win the ultimate Christmas bundle of prizes. The prized are worth over £750. I think this. is going to make someone Christmas even better. What would you do if you won? keep the prizes or give them as gifts? There are so many that you will have something for every member of your family and friends. 

I hope you love a competition as much as I do and good luck 


The Great Festive Giveaway 2021

We are back for another Festive Giveaway! Some of the top UK bloggers have united to bring you the most amazing Christmas bundle of prizes. Last year's giveaway proved to be very popular and this year is just as exciting with so many prizes for one lucky winner to make your family Christmas dreams come true. In fact, we have over £750 worth of festive goodies and gifts!

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN TO ENTER AND FOR THE FULL LIST OF AMAZING PRIZES - We've saved some of the best to last! This is not only a giveaway but also a great gift guide with ideas for the whole family this festive season.

The Prizes

MINI MICRO DELUXE MAGIC SCOOTER

We are so excited to be offering our winner a Mini Micro Deluxe Magic Scooter. It will make an amazing gift this Christmas for your little one! Suitable for ages 2-5 years the Mini Micro Scooter includes: 

  • Unique handlebars that light up the minute kids touch them – alternating through five bold colours as they ride
  • LED wheels use induction energy to turn the power kids create as they scoot into bright white light.
  • Ultimate visibility for scooting in dark conditions.
  • The lean-to-steer design means children are building their coordination and balance as they scoot!

RRP: £94.95 our lucky winner can select the colour of their choice (subject to availability) from pink, purple, navy, or aqua.

MATCHING CHRISTMAS JUMPERS FROM HARLEY & SAL

We have the absolutely gorgeous Christmas Tree Jumper in festive red with super sparkly pearl rainbow glitter detail to the front to give away AND we also have the matching Kids Sparkly Heart Christmas Tree Jumper, so you can be matchy matchy this Christmas! These jumpers are not only stylish but perfect to wear for the Christmas season, which will see you sprinkling some festive sparkles wherever you go! With a WRAP Certified Production, these Christmas jumpers are also PETA Approved vegan too.

CHRISTMAS GOODIES FROM EATSLEEPDOODLE

eatsleepdoodle make fun, educational and sustainable textile gifts to colour-in and personalise with wash-out pens. From pillowcases, pencil cases, bags and backpacks to placemats and tablecloths, kids (and adults!) can discover everything from the world map, dinosaurs, outer space, animals & wildlife, fairytales and legends, butterflies of the world, cars, trucks & diggers and lots more! AND they have a fun and festive new Christmas textile and stationery range, too!

As part of this special giveaway, eatsleepdoodle are offering three fun and creative prizes:

a Colour-in Christmas Stocking with wash-out pens; Featuring all your favourite festive motifs including gingerbread men, candy canes, baubles, reindeer, Christmas trees, stockings and lots more to colour-in and personalise AND with space for kids to write their wishlist for Father Christmas! Because the ink completely disappears on a machine wash, you can begin a new family tradition to enjoy year after year!


Placemat 'to go' with wash-out pens; A fun double-sided cotton placemat in your choice of design - whether fairytales and legends, butterflies of the world, cars, trucks & diggers, or dinosaurs - and in its own mini tote bag, perfect for taking on trips out. Kids will have so much fun colouring in their own placemat with the included wash-out pens, learning as they go! Then simply wash in the machine, the ink disappears and it's all ready for next time - a super fun & sustainable gift!

Christmas Craft Activity Pack; With three sheets of Christmas wrapping paper, 6 Christmas cards and 6 gift tags with festive ties - all ready to be coloured in and personalised! This fun craft kit gets everyone feeling festive and makes gift-giving even more special and personal!



Good luck!

And you can shop all of eatsleepdoodle's fun gift range at http://www.eatsleepdoodle.com

WINDOW STENCILS AND SNOW SPRAY FROM SNOW WINDOWS

Snow Windows brings the magic of Christmas to your home. The chances of a white Christmas this year? Unlikely for most of the UK! But with Snow Windows it is! We have the following for our lucky winner:

Snow Windows Christmas Stencil Pack; Reusable window stencils with 4 in a pack to create a magical scene winter scene, complete with Santa and his sleigh flying over the snowy village. Simple and easy to use and also easy to clean.


Snow Windows NEW Garden Stencil; This window stencil is a beautiful way to decorate your windows this Christmas. Plus it's eco-friendly, being reusable and also 100% recyclable too, making it a great addition to your window scene.


Snow Spray; to use with your stencils to create a festive scene.



HOLLY STUDS AND SNOWFLAKE STUDS FROM KELZO

KelZo sell queer, quirky and kitsch handmade jewellery. They're based in Cardiff and as well as designing and making seasonal products, they have a core pride range from which 10% is donated to charity. We have the gorgeous Holly Studs and Snowflake Studs for our lucky winner.



WINTER ROBIN FAIRY LIGHTS FROM IDYLL HOME

How beautiful are these winter Robin Fairy Lights? Our lucky winner will be able to hang these up in their home to add some winter warmth and cheer. The festive winter robin light chain comes with 12 warm LED lights. Battery powered with a built in timer set for 6 hours on, 18 hours off, the total length is 2.5m and the illuminated length is 2m. Takes 4 x AA batteries (not included).


'FEEL AMAZING' APP 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP FROM AILSA FRANK

Pamper Mum this Christmas! In this stressful world, we all find ourselves living in, the ‘Feel Amazing’ app is the perfect pick-me-up with short recordings to fit into your busy life easily. Feel Amazing is a place to relax and fire yourself up to achieve your goals. Begin today to make deep and lasting changes using a combination of self-hypnosis and mindfulness in these beautifully worded recordings.

4 free titles for everyone. Membership starts from £35 but we have full access membership available to our winner worth £120.  

Ailsa Frank's hypnosis tracks could change your life. Ailsa Frank is the hypnotherapist featured in the BBC One series 'Hayley goes... Sober'. As you lay back and relax, let the messages free you from limiting thoughts, bad habits and create happiness and success on a deeper level. Choose from 45 titles in the Feel Amazing app including recordings for the whole family; Good Night's Sleep, Confidence Boost, Relaxation for Teen and Children, Heartbreak and Loss, Take Control of Alcohol, Stop Smoking, Weight Loss, Fit and Well, Stop Worrying, Money Increase your Wealth, Debt free living and Comfortable sex for Women, Amazing Menopause, Enjoyable Birth, Comfortable Periods and more...

For more information visit www.ailsafrank.com or follow @AilsaFrank on social media.

'MERRY CHRISTMAS' GREENS & GREETINGS FROM SHROOT

Win the ‘Merry Christmas’ Greens & Greetings as part of our prize bundle. It's an ideal way to let your friends and family know you're thinking of them this festive season.  It’s the perfect sustainable gift for Christmas! Plus it’s letterbox friendly too. 

All your recipient needs to do is cut off the top of the pouch, add water to the enclosed coir soil block, sprinkle the seeds on top and pop their Greens & Greetings on a window ledge. It really is that simple! They’ll love watching their greens grow!  Less than 2 weeks later they’ll be tucking in to delicious homegrown microgreen frilly pea shoots which are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Microgreens are a super tasty superfood. Their tiny leaves are packed with nutrients and can be sprinkled on to just about any dish to add a bit of flavour, colour and texture. Try them in smoothies, soups, salads or sandwiches.  

Shroot holds a certificate for their commitment to sustainability. Each of their products is designed to minimise its ecological footprint and where possible to have a positive environmental impact. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @helloshroot.

BABY GIFT BOX FROM SULU

Make baby's Christmas with this gorgeous and sustainable gift box. The beautifully wrapped baby gift box from small family business SuLu comes with tasteful vegan, naturally organic and eco-friendly presents. Items in your box will include:

  • One Elephant Baby Sleepsuit made from 100% organic cotton
  • One pair of Baby Mitts made from 100% organic cotton
  • One knotted Baby Hat made from 100% organic cotton
  • One red striped Buddy comforter made from soft 100% Egyptian cotton including 100% organic cotton stuffing
  • One Monstera Leaf Teether, hand made with 100% organic natural rubber from the sap of Spanish Hevea tree
  • One Welcome and Information Scroll


BEST FRIEND PET BOWLS £29.99 FROM toysandbears.com

Pamper your furry friends with these personalised food and water bowls. Design and paint the bowls, then bake them in the oven to set. Real porcelain food and water bowls, including 12 paint pots and paintbrush. Show your loyal companions some love with these adorable customised bowls, personally designed just for them! Water bowl: 22cm diameter, 6cm high. Food bowl: 19cm diameter, 5cm high Suitable for Ages 8+.

STEIFF'S MANNI MAMMOTH £43.99 FROM steiffteddybears.co.uk.

Standing at 18cm tall, this cuddly prehistoric creature is a brilliant toy for cuddles and make-believe dinosaur play. It's made of cuddly soft plush with the famous Steiff Button in the Ear, and is machine washable at 30 degrees.

FACT-FILLED POLAR BEAR AND FACT-FILLED LION NOTEBOOKS FROM IT'S OUR OLANET TOO

These are the perfect gifts from Santa for any animal loving or curious child who wants to learn about the planet and how we can help the planet. As part of the prize bundle we have a fact-filled polar bear notebook and a fact-filled lion notebook for our winner.

It’s Our Planet Too launched in 2019, before becoming a social enterprise in October 2021. As a social venture, they’re committed to giving back. They do this by educating littles ones (and their families) to make positive change(s) towards a greener future, whilst supporting charities, – by pledging to give a minimum of 50% of their profits to good causes.

Each notebook will teach your child everything that they wanted to know about the animal, featuring 50 facts. This is the perfect way to learn about animals and have a whole load of creative fun!

EMILY BROOKS ARCTIC CUB KIDS WINTER HAT FROM LITTLE HOTDOG WATSON

We have an Arctic Cub kids winter hat in size 6-8yrs from cool kids hat brand LITTLE HOTDOG WATSON in an exclusive collaboration with award winning British illustrator and designer Emily Brooks. Emily uses colour to uplift and tell stories. This hat is a world exclusive, bringing her latest characters 'The Wolf Pack' to life that she created especially for Little Hotdog Watson.

Little Hotdog Watson takes hat making seriously. Their mission is to make the best kids hats in the whole world. They create high-quality, responsibly-made kidswear designed to give parents peace of mind, and made to be worn with a bit of attitude. All their hats are water resistant, reflective and cosy thanks to a thinsulate layer. If you win our giveaway, you’ll never need another hat for your little adventurers!

WICKED MEGA SPIN SATURN

Remember back in the day when everybody was out in the playground trying to perfect their yo-yo tricks? Now they’re back, and things have moved on since ‘Walk the Dog’ and ‘Rock the Baby’! Yo-yoing is set to make a comeback and the brand new Wicked Mega Spin Saturn will take your skills to another planet!

Gone are the days of fixed axles; the Saturn features a super smooth ball-bearing axle providing ultra-long spin times – you’ll yo-yo like a pro in no time! Want more? How about super bright colour changing LED lights to really make your tricks light up the room! Their compact size make them perfect stocking fillers and come Christmas morning, there’s no nasty plastic packaging to throw away – the cardboard presentation box can be fully recycled. We have a Saturn to gift to our lucky winner!

GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS: 100 REAL-LIFE TALES OF BLACK GIRL MAGIC

We are so delighted to be able to offer our lucky winner the newest volume of Rebel Girls which acknowledges, applauds and amplifies stories of black women and girls from around the world. The new book in the New York bestselling series, Rebel Girls, is available for purchase at www.RebelGirls.com or at your favourite bookstore.

Edited by award-winning journalist Lilly Workneh of Rebel Girls and #BlackGirlMagic originator CaShawn
Thompson, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic celebrates the
stories of Black women and girls across the globe. The women featured in the book represent over 30
countries and range from athlete Naomi Osaka and poet Amanda Gorman to singer Rosetta Tharpe and journalist Ida B. Wells.

VEGAN COLLAGEN FROM RAW BEAUTY LAB

This one is for anyone who wants to feel beautiful on Christmas day. It's the Letterbox Gift That Just Keeps Giving! Vegan Collagen is the UK's much loved 100% natural beauty supplement by Independent, Ethical, British Beauty Brand, Raw Beauty Lab that firms and smooths skin as well as boosting overall wellness and energy. Formulated from pure plant-based ingredients to protect people and the planet. No nasties, just pure plant power! This supplement is British made, cruelty-free and vegan friendly. For every order they plant a tree on your behalf which will absorb over 2 tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime and it's a plant alternative to marine collagen. They are currently rolling out their move to plastic free packaging which will be complete by the end of 2021. We have a 30 day supply for our lucky winner.


DEAD SEA FACE MASK FROM THE DEAD SEA CO

Next, we have the perfect prize to help you relax and rejuvenate in the run-up to Christmas. Alternatively, it will make a lovely gift. The unique 3-in-1 Dead Sea Mineral Mask and angled face mask brush duo will get you glowing in no time. The multitasking mask purifies, hydrates and brightens your skin in ten minutes so if you’re hoping to achieve a fresh dewy glow, this face mask is a perfect addition to your skincare routine. Infused with a blend of nourishing oils and powerful antioxidants, the mask works to smooth uneven texture, reduce the appearance of redness and clear clogged pores whilst helping to hydrate your skin. The mask brush hugs the contours of your face for even product application making your masking session feel zen. The Dead Sea Co.’s Mineral Mask is fragrance free, made from 96% naturally derived ingredients, and delivered straight to your door in eco-friendly packaging.

Founded by three siblings, The Dead Sea Co. draws on the founders’ Jordanian heritage using Dead Sea mud and salt as starring ingredients in the brand’s gender-neutral skincare products. Packed with natural minerals such as Magnesium and Sulphur that boost your skin’s vitality, these hero ingredients have been used for thousands of years for their detoxifying, hydrating, anti-aging, therapeutic and beautifying powers. The conscious brand sources ingredients locally where possible, for example it uses pomegranate seed oil made from seeds harvested by women in small villages in the north of Jordan. It’s also committed to Dead Sea conservation and donates £1 from every Mineral Mask sold to EcoPeace Middle East to tackle water scarcity issues in the Jordan Valley, where the Dead Sea is located.


WELLNESS CANDLE: BREATHE DEEP FROM COCKLES AND HEART

We have this beautiful Wellness Candle from Cockles and Heart, the Breathe Deep with bergamot, lime and thyme for our winner. It smells divine and will help you reset in the busy run up to Christmas. The hand poured wellness candle has grounding notes of bergamot, balanced with mood enhancing lime and thyme. Each one is hand finished with thyme grown on Cockle and Heart's Devon smallholding. It makes the perfect gift this Christmas or a treat for you!

Cockles and Heart always do their best for our planet and that includes using a super sustainable coconut and rapeseed wax blend that comes from the EU, UK and from fair trade growers in Africa. Their wicks are metal free and they use tin rather than glass for their wellness candles because this is the most recycled material in the UK and its lightness is a carbon footprint plus.

ECHOR’S END OF DAY MINDFULNESS JOURNAL

Echor’s End of Day Mindfulness Journal is a semi-guided notebook explaining the benefits of some of the world’s most powerful psychological mindfulness exercises including gratitude, affirmations and reflections with prompts to consider each throughout. 

With a premium linen cover, 96 sheets of sustainably sourced paper and presented in a premium gift box, it is the perfect mood-enhancing gift for that special someone!

We have an Echor End of Day Wellness Journal for our lucky winner and it's the perfect way to start the New Year.

RTA FREESTANDING WOOD WINE RACK, 9 BOTTLE IN DARK PINE

A space-saving contemporary design made in the UK, this wine rack has a sturdy galvanised steel frame with wooden shelves that hold up to nine bottles, sized 75cl or one litre. Perfect to keep all your Festive wines! The wood is in gorgeous dark pine but can be stained to suit your decor.



DELUXE LEVER CORKSCREW FROM CELLARDINE

Our winner will have no need to worry about opening bottles of wine this Christmas thanks to the fact we are offering our winner the Deluxe Lever Corkscrew from Cellardine. The simple lever action effortlessly removes traditional, plastic and synthetic corks from bottles. The Deluxe Corkscrew comes in a beautifully presented gift box, making it an ideal gift this festive season.

CADDYO BOTTLE CHILLER FROM CELLARDINE

There's no need for our winner to panic this Christmas with a warm bottle of champagne. If you've forgotten to put your Christmas wine in the fridge, the CaddyO Bottle Chiller from Cellardine actively chills warm bottles in half an hour, keeping them cold for up to nine hours. It is the ultimate bottle chiller, superb for wines, champagne and water. It is the perfect gift or travel companion and comes pre-packed with a Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew too!

CHAMPAGNE SEALER FROM CELLARDINE

This is the perfect way to keep your champagne bubbles fizzy! The Champagne Sealer has been designed to specifically clip on sparkling wine and champagne bottles with a built-in lip to secure on the most difficult champagne bottles. It is perfect for keeping the fizz within champagne or sparkling wine for up to 48 hours and is a perfect year round gift and stocking filler.

The CellarDine Champagne Sealer is safe and easy to use, simply press down on the product once inserted into the bottle and clip the arms in place.

SKIPPY® PEANUT BUTTER BAKING SET

Smooth, creamy and delicious American-style SKIPPY® Peanut Butter makes the perfect creamy and dreamy ingredient for baking Christmas goodies like cupcakes and cookies and even a gingerbread peanut butter house. Or just spread on hot toast straight from the jar for a deliciously creamy snack over the festive holidays. A peanut butter unlike any other – you haven’t tried peanut butter until you’ve tried SKIPPY® Peanut Butter! And a Smoothly Satisfying Baking Experience.

We’re giving you the chance to win as part of the giveaway a smoothly satisfying SKIPPY® Brand baking set featuring a specially designed apron, spatula and jar of Extra Smooth and Extra Crunchy SKIPPY® Peanut Butter. Everything you need to get creative in the kitchen and make some delicious peanut butter treats to share and enjoy with friends and family this Christmas.

Recipe inspiration at www.peanutbutter.uk.com

ECLECTIC JEWELLERY BOX FROM BTFY

This absolutely beautiful Eclectic Jewellery Box makes the perfect gift this Christmas. It's also super affordable too. At just £14.99 it's excellent value for money. The vintage inspired tropical print box offers both style and practicality. It has a two-tiered velvet lined interior to ensure scratch-free storage, with the upper section featuring a 7-ring holder and two sections for bracelets, earrings and more.

Eye-catching with its bold tropical print, the jewellery box can refresh a room and accent any décor and we have one for our lucky winner!

Meet the bloggers

A big thank you to all the bloggers who have made this fabulous giveaway possible. They are:

Life of a Fisherman’s Wife | A Guide to Gifts | Be Happy Be You | My Balancing Act | Five from the Switch | Gift Guides | Mummy and Me | Boxnip | My Three and Me | Welsh Mum of One | Simply Cash Hacks | Spilling Life Tea | All that Grows | Too Tired To | Live the Easy Life | Our Transitional Life | Accidental Hipster Mum | Mummy Saver Money Maker | Two Plus Dogs | Best things to do in Cambridge | Love Panda | Life with Jupiter and Dann | Paternal Damnation | Money Money Money | Easy Peasy Gardens | Scandi Mummy || Blossom Education | Otis and Us | Love Dogs | 360 Mum | Side Street Style | Crazy Little Thing Called Love | The Geordie Grandma | Your Job Escape Plan | Mind Over Money | Adventures of a Yorkshire Mum | Cyprus Property Blog | Joleisa | 4 Freckled Faces | Savvy Dad | A Rose Tinted World | So nostalgic | Enjoy England For Less | We Made This Life | Big Family Organise Chaos | You Have To Laugh | Wotawoman Diary | The Money Making Mum | Savvy in Love | Jenny Am | Real Girls Wobble | Make Money Without A Job | Unique Young Mum | Home in the Pastures | The Grumpy Olive | Land of Size | The Family Cookbook | Our House Our Home | Hannah and the Twiglets | Happy Family Hub | Uplifting and Inspiring Content | At Home with Alice | Things that Starts With | Fruit Picking Farms | Midnight Review | The Free From Mummy | Insequiral | Life in a Breakdown | Stapos Thrifty Life Hacks | Suburban Mum | Lindy Loves | The Thrifty Princess | Cats Kids Chaos | One Frazzled Mum | Craving Christmas | Ecoralive | Best Brunch or Breakfast | Best Lodges With Hot Tubs | Luxury Hotels and Spa Life | Cintasplanet | The Spaghetti Sisterhood

How to enter

You can enter the Festive Giveaway by completing as many widget entry options below as you like. All entries will be collected and one winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*For Terms and Conditions please see Rafflecopter entry form.

Products To Help You Get A Better Nights Sleep

 The importance of getting a good nights sleep shouldn’t be underestimated. Not having enough sleep can affect your mental health, your physical health and of course your mood and productivity. That said, getting that all-important eight hour is often easier said than done. While no one can wave a magic wand and make sleep happen there are some products, beyond the perfect mattress that can contribute to improving your night's sleep, and here are some of them. 


Photocredit; Pixabay from Pexels

Earbuds

Is noise keeping you awake? Are your significant others snoring or noisy neighbourhoods preventing your from getting a quiet night’s sleep? So much so that your average pair of earplugs just aren’t doing the job? If earplugs have tried and failed then earbuds may just do the job. Quieton earbuds are said to be the smallest earbuds on the market that fit neatly into the ear so are not uncomfortable when sleeping. They are also noise-cancelling and will help you to get that quiet atmosphere you so desire. 

Sleep Lights 

There are a number of sleep lighting products available that are said to create the perfect atmosphere to help you drift off into a blissful slumber. The latest sleep light on the market projects a low-level blue light onto the ceiling and is combined with a guided breathing technique that helps users to steady up their thought process and to fall to sleep in as little as eight minutes. 

Cribs

If it's not noisy neighbours or intrusive thoughts keeping you awake at night but your much loved new addition to the family re-consider your sleeping arrangements. While newborns are not expected to sleep and are notorious for confusing day and night to feed there are steps you can take to make the nights that bit easier and maybe even promote a bit extra sleep. A bedside crib provides a great alternative to the Moses basket that gives your baby the comfort of being next to you without the added worry of co-sleeping, this alone can help improve your night's sleep. It also means you don’t have to get out of bed to tend to your waking infant. 

Diffusers 

Electric diffusers come in many shapes and sizes and with many benefits and what is more, there are some which are primarily designed with facilitating the perfect sleep conditions in mind. These diffusers come complete with mood lighting, oils designed to promote a good nights sleep and a built-in humidifier to purify the air. 

What not to use

Worthy of an honourable mention are those products that do not enable a good nights sleep. One of the best ways to improve your sleep quality and how quickly you can get to sleep in the first place is to put down your smartphone or device at least 60 minutes before going to bed. The blue light emitted from your phone can help stimulate the brain and keep you awake at night and scrolling social media or the news just before bed can increase your awakeness. Whatever you have just seen, watched or read can play on your mind and will be counterproductive for ensuring perfect sleep conditions. So be sure to put that device down.


Add A Hint Of Luxury To Your Home With These Tips


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Designing the perfect home involves plenty of different considerations, from interior design to cleaning and maintenance. When you’re improving your home it’s also important to think about home security. To ensure that your home is both safe and secure, take on board these five steps.


1 . A home security system


A home security system offers various electronic components to protect property. One of the most important elements of a home security system is a security camera. Smart security cameras are linked to wifi, these cameras livestream footage, and send notifications if they sense movement. Some security cameras include night vision and advanced audio features. High-end cameras can be integrated with tools like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.


Home security systems also incorporate alarms, various types of alarms can help you to secure your property. Putting the right security measures in place will help to feel more comfortable and safe.



2. Upgrade your windows 


If you’re keen to make your home more safe and secure it’s a good idea to upgrade your windows. Triple glazed windows are more secure than single pane, or double glazed windows. Not only will these windows make your home more secure, but they’ll also boost your curb appeal. When you upgrade your windows you’ll also create a more eco-friendly property, and reduce your energy bills. You might also like to consider ‘shatterproof’ windows, these windows are not unbreakable, however, they do offer extra security protection.


3. Improve your locks


Upgrading your locks is one of the easiest ways to improve your home security. Smart locks are all the rage right now, the great thing about smart locks is that you don’t need a physical key. To open your door you simply use your smartphone, a key fob, or a numeric code.


If you want to improve the entry of your door, add a deadbolt to your existing lock. There are two different types of deadbolts, single cylinder, and double cylinder. The double cylinder provides an additional layer of security. To learn more about upgrading your door locks, contact your local locksmith service. Your locksmith will be able to help you with a number of services including repairs, installations, upgrades and emergency support.


4. Protect your wi-fi network


To keep your home secure, you’ll also need to protect your wi-fi network. There are various ways that you can do this including:


  • Ensure that wireless encryption is turned on.

  • Consider using a VPN.

  • Keep your router software up to date.

  • Install firewalls for added security.


5. Check your alarms 


Lastly, you must check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. You should test these at least once a month. Performing these tests will give you peace of mind, and make sure that your home is safe and secure. 


With the help of these five steps, you’ll soon improve the safety and security of your home. To feel comfortable and at ease, it’s important to create a secure space.


Coffee Shop Industry Trends to Watch in 2021

In recent years, people have spent far less time in coffee shops than they would probably like to. It’s been almost impossible as we have gone in and out of lockdowns, and stores have been regularly closed throughout the pandemic. 


But we love our coffee, and it’s going to take more than that to kill the high street coffee shop. In 2021, expect the industry to continue to adapt and enhance customer experience, plus make people feel safer in their shops.

Continued focus on social distancing and cleanliness

Starting with the obvious aspect that has become a priority for virtually every business. People aren’t going to risk their health to get their daily caffeine dose, and if they feel like a coffee shop is not doing their bit to keep everyone socially distanced and to keep things clean, they’re likely to just go to the next coffee shop.


A recent report on the impact of coronavirus on the coffee industry had some interesting findings, as loads of people made the decision to stay away. All that coffee shops can do is make sure their store is clean and encourage everyone to follow restrictions.

Drive-through

Another way people can feel safer when they are going to get their coffee is if they never have to leave their car. A lot of the big coffee chains have already embraced drive-throughs so people can pick up a drink while they are on the road. We expect a lot of other coffee shops to do a sort of “drive-through” service.


Coffee shops may also experiment with how they serve, as people feel more confident out in the open air, so serving hatches could be a popular way to give people their fix of coffee while minimizing mixing.

A focus on health

People are becoming more and more aware of their health. In a post-covid world, people realise that being in bad shape can have a negative impact and increase the risk of a lot of diseases. Many coffee companies have come in for criticism for making certain types of drinks, including frappes, that have huge calorie counts.


But coffee can be healthy, and even boost weight loss, so expect to see a number of coffee shops focusing on healthy, zero-calories solutions. What’s wrong with a black Americano after all? 

New and exciting flavours

It can feel like there’s a coffee shop on every corner, and they all need to find a way to outdo each other. What’s so special about one coffee shop when compared to another? Well, one way in which people can differentiate their offering is to stock new and exciting flavours, and some coffee shops are experimenting with new types of coffee, and even varieties from all over the world. Coffee alternatives like matcha has been growing in popularity too and are a welcome alternative to coffee. 


People love the idea that they can really get excited about coffee. Gone are the days where everyone was pretty happy with a cup of boring instant coffee. While instant may still have its place, you’re not going to be the talk of the coffee community unless you can offer consistently delicious and interesting drinks.

Supporting local

Another knock-on effect of these uncertain times is the fact that a lot of people have started to realise what they are risking if they don’t support the locals. Chain coffee shops serve a purpose, but we all have that little independent spot that we love to go and drink a beautiful coffee and chat, or enjoy a book.


People know that small businesses have struggled, and those that have survived on the high street will need support. The huge chains will survive, but if we don’t make a point of visiting our local independent then there is every chance they won’t be there. And it’s the little independent stores where you often find some of the best communities and most interesting coffees.

Subscriptions and loyalty schemes

We live in an age where you can get virtually anything on a subscription. We’re used to paying a monthly fee to go to the gym, the cinema, or even for gourmet meals. So what about coffee?


Pret a Manger seems to have set the precedent here, offering a subscription service where you can get up to five coffees a day for a flat monthly membership fee. It remains to be seen whether this is a smart business move, but it makes sense that people will keep coming back and may even buy their lunch there as a result. Don’t be surprised if you see other coffee businesses starting to offer a similar membership. If not, there’s every chance that more coffee shops will offer a loyalty scheme. It’s a competitive business, and even offering someone every fifth coffee for free might ensure they come to you time and time again.


Summary

Every industry is facing its own set of challenges in 2021, but the coffee shop industry seems one of the best-equipped to roll with the punches, plus we all love our coffee, right?


Furniture Styles That Add Fab To Your Pad

 

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If it’s time to redesign your pad, why not go the extra mile and add some fab to it while you’re at it? Interior design styles are always changing, which is good news as well as bad. It’s good news because there’s always something new for you to work with; the bad news is that you have to work a bit harder to keep up with the Jones’s. Here are some of the latest design trends. 


Eclectic Designs 

Some people swear by matching interior design styles; everything must equally complement and contrast. But there’s another school of thought emerging that’s based around mismatched styles - this is known as eclecticism, and it’s the latest trend to look out for in interior design.


While the thought of mismatching furniture makes some people cringe, it’s uplifting to others. Mismatched furniture emphasizes the creative spirit and creates a beautiful, lively, and interesting living space that can be easily updated and redesigned. It’s the essence of fab! 


Nature Integration 

The mindfulness and yoga movements that have matured in our culture over the past decade have also influenced our interior design choices. So not only are people going for more space and minimalism, but they are also going for nature integration, bringing nature into the home. 


Nature integration is exactly what it sounds like; more plants and animals in the home add interest and oxygenate the air. In terms of furniture, you will notice homes with chairs and tables made from natural materials that blend effortlessly with nature around the home.   


Unusual Materials 

Similar to mismatched furniture items, unusual materials and two-tone furniture is growing in popularity. Expect to see design styles that combine metal with fabric and glass with wood. At first, this might seem a bit discordant, but in a way, that’s the point; it’s time to stand out. 


Furniture made from unusual materials is a new aesthetic; for that reason, there will always be those who stand against it and don’t see its qualities. Then there are those who only see its qualities or those willing to take a risk. Will the risk pay off? Only time will tell.   


Fabric Furniture 

Sofas are normally made from leather, faux leather, or synthetic. So you have to rewind the clock slightly if you want to find a fabric sofa, perhaps back to the 1980s or 1990s. But as with all good things, fabric sofas are making a comeback; this time, they are more stylish. 


Not only are sofas becoming fabric again they are also changing forms to accommodate different living styles and comfort styles. For example, a sofa chair is a type of sofa that works as a comfy chair for two people, perfect for cosy nights watching the best Netflix TV shows.   


Antiquated Styles

Kickback styles are all the rage these days, but so too are antiquated styles. Antiquated styles are a throwback to the Victorian and Edwardian ages, with a bit of an update, of course. Expect to find ornate wardrobes, dressing tables, large mirrors, and stylish sitting chairs in the corner.