Blog about all things lifestyle, home, fashion and being a woman.

Create Biodiversity In Your Garden

Biodiversity in the garden refers to the diversity of living organisms, flora as well as fauna. Encouraging it means making your garden a living environment in which ecological balances are naturally established. There are three good reasons to promote biodiversity in your garden

  • Biodiversity is one of the conditions that allow you to practice eco-gardening. For example, aiming to produce organic fruits and vegetables.
  • By promoting biodiversity, you will help to recreate a natural balance. You will participate in the ecological network of the territory.
  • Finally, you will attract to your home a rich fauna, which you will enjoy observing.

This consists of adopting respectful gardening techniques, welcoming a wide variety of plants, including wild plants. Also preserving or creating places of reception for wildlife. You may also want to use the best equipment for the job. You need to also troubleshoot issues you have using them so that you can get the best out of them. You can read about common honda 4 stroke trimmer problems.



Photo: Unsplash

Ban chemicals

The use of chemicals (pesticides, insecticides) is harmful for all the flora and fauna . It also contributes to polluting the environment. The gradual installation of biodiversity in your garden is in itself an excellent way to fight against various pests:

  • planting a wide variety of plants helps them to be less sick;
  • attracting certain insects and small animals helps to regulate pest populations without chemical insecticides.
  • You can also help yourself with several techniques that prevent you from resorting to chemicals:
  • Use natural fertilizers such as compost and manure, green manures (phacelia, lupine, alfalfa), nettle manure or organic fertilizers. These are based on algae powders, crushed horn, dried blood.
  • Control weeds naturally by mulching your crops and plantings. So look at planting ground covers, using manual or thermal weeding.
  • Biologically fight against parasites and diseases by judiciously combining plants and using natural products. As well as decoctions and plant manure, natural lime, etc.
  • In general, seek prevention rather than cure.

Welcome a variety of plants

Plants as varied as possible will both shelter and feed the auxiliary fauna and prevent the spread of parasites and diseases.

  • Preserve existing hedges or plant country hedges: the more varied the hedge, the less sensitive it is to disease attacks. The more beneficial it is to auxiliary fauna. Favor the hazelnut tree, the hornbeam, and especially the shrubs providing berries or small fruits. Elderberry, hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan, holly, currant.
  • Adopt the flowery meadow rather than the lawn and do not mow before the end of spring, to protect the insects and birds that nest on the ground.

Growing a flowered lawn

Leave wild areas in which you will limit your interventions as much as possible. Mow as little as possible, only from the end of June, and do not cut dead trees, which are home to abundant biodiversity. Grow nectar-producing honey plants that bees and other foraging insects drink. They are in particular the following plants: phacelia with tansy leaf, borage, white sweet clover, clover, sainfoin, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, viper and shrubs. Caring for your lawn is a top priority and I recommend MOOWY for all your lawn needs they stock all the best products to help you achieve the lawn of your dreams. 


4 Must-have Features For Your New Home

 4 Must-have Features For Your New Home

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One significant advantage of building a new home is the ability to personalise it to your lifestyle, preferences and needs. There are many home features to consider when planning your dream home. Whatever you include in your home build will stay with you for years, from the layout to design finishes and everything else. For this reason, you might want to add some unique features you won’t find in preowned homes. If you want to maximise your investment and create a truly personal space, here are some must-have features to consider for your new home.


Kitchen finishes

If you have spent some years in the homebuilding industry, you know how crucial kitchens are for living spaces. Considered by many homeowners and industry experts as the heart of the home, it is essential to make it feel you genuinely. You can add a few features to your kitchen based on how you wish to use the area. This includes under-cabinet lighting, a walk-in pantry, integrated garages for your appliances and an oversize island. Choosing suitable finishes can transform your kitchen appeal since some can pair naturally with particular styles and colours to create a unique look and feel.


Smart home technology

With most modern-day homeowners living busy, active lifestyles, it makes sense to simplify your home routines and add convenience to your space. Technological advancement has led to many home automation and security innovations. If you are thinking of some must-haves for your new home, consider some smart-home technologies, including smart door locks and surveillance cameras, smart appliances and lighting options, power outlets with USB charging features, and so on.


A house sign

House numbering has been a successful feature for identifying particular buildings for many decades. Since its first introduction in the 15th century, the system has spread worldwide and proven helpful for mail services. However, the system varies in each country, with the UK installing fanlights on front doors in the 1720s. Presently, house signs aren’t a significant feature in most homes, mainly due to technology making it easier to identify properties.

Yet there are reasons to consider a house sign; as a legal requirement, helpful for emergencies, postal and mail deliveries. Fortunately, house plaques and signs serve their function and add style to your home outdoors.


A mudroom

Building a new home is your opportunity to get everything you wanted in your previous home. However, if you know the pain of walking through the front or garage door without a place to remove your muddy shoes or hang your coat, then you’ll appreciate the need to have a mudroom. Yet mudrooms don’t need to be large or extravagant. A space like the size of your closet with a cubbies wall and bench will prove helpful, especially during snowy or rainy days. A carefully planned mudroom can help prevent home clutter since your sports equipment, muddy shoes, school projects and backpacks won’t be scattered through the entire home.


Additional features can improve your home and increase its value, making it vital to consider. Hopefully, you’ll include these additions for a more sophisticated living space.


Nintendo switch lite giveaway

 

Wow I mean wow I would love to win this prize. When I was a child I loved to game I had a lot of games and consoles and in the winter when the weather was bad. I would spend hours and hours playing games. The new games consoles look amazing and I have yet to pull the trigger and order myself one as I know I would love it and spend a lot of time gaming. I have toyed with getting one and filming my gaming journey. This might have to happen this winter. I will keep you all posted on that one. 

But today you have the chance to win this amazing Nintendo switch lite. I have teamed up with some of the UK best bloggers to offer you the chance to get your hands on one of these fun and educational games consoles. I hope luck is on your side and you get the chance to own this fun little gadget. 

So it seems like this is the perfect gift to offer as a prize on the blog, down the bottom of this post, you will find the rafflecopter to enter. Good luck to you all. 

Nintendo Switch Lite

A Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller and more compact version of the Nintendo Switch. So although you cannot use the Lite for playing games on the Tv, it is much better for travelling. As it is smaller, it is also better for smaller hands to be able to hold and play it.

The Nintendo Switch Lite retails at £199.99 and the games are bought separately. You can buy them from the Nintendo shop online if you want a digital download. Or most supermarkets or toy shops sell them as a physical game.

The screen is 5.5 inches in size, if you compare it to an iPhone 12 for size, you can see that it is slightly smaller than the phone. But it also has a 720p touch display which are awesome specs for playing games. it also comes in grey, coral, yellow and blue. So there are a wide variety of colours if you need to buy a few for the different members of the family. You get to choose the colour when you order the console*.

The battery lasts between 3 - 7 hours and you can add a memory card for extra storage of games. You can usually get a cheap memory card from Amazon.

How Can You Win A Nintendo Switch Lite?

This competition is bought to you by a group of awesome bloggers. Pop over to take a look at their websites and if you enter all of the entries on the rafflecopter, you can keep up to date with their blog news every week.

Miss Tilly And Me/ Being Tillys Mummy/ Jenny In Neverland /Suburban Mum/  /Parent Blogging Secrets /Ask Me Up/ Kitchen Recipe Book /A Year Of Food/ Tillys Travelling Telegram/ Be Happy Be You/ Gift Guides UK/ My Tunbridge Wells /Home In The Pastures/ Socially Rach /Miss L J Beauty/ Techie Kids/ Guide To Gifts/ Adventure Of A Yorkshire Mum/ Me, Him, The Dog And A Baby/ My Three And Me/ Life Of A Fishermans Wife/ Life In A Breakdown /Blog Bay-Bee/ Rhian Westbury/ Stressed Mum/ Uk Lifestyle Hub/ Spilling Life Tea /The Free From Mummy/ Zero Waste Kids/ Frugal living UK/ Binancially Inclined/ WeMade This Life/ My Life Your Way/ We Made This Vegan /Stapo's Thrifty life Hacks/ Simply Saving/ Gemma Etc/ Tantrums To Smiles/ Lukeosaurus And Me Coffee And Life Mummy Vs Work
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To be in with a chance of winning the Nintendo Switch Lite, you need to enter through the Rafflecopter. You only need to leave a blog comment to be entered, but if you fill the other requirements, it can give you 42 more chances to win. That's 42 more tickets in the draw.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms And Conditions

UK Entries only.
Blog comments must be over 8 words long otherwise it usually goes to the spam file.
This is a collaborated competition and is not associated with Nintendo or any other company.
You must be over 18 to Enter this competition.
You don't need to enter all of the other requirements but if you do say you have completed them, please ensure that you have. Otherwise, your entry is void.



*The colour that you win, will depend on availability at the time.

Win £120 to spend in M&S - Giveaway

Welcome back to my little site. Today I have an awesome competition for you all. You could be in with the chance to win £120 of M&S voucher. Yes, you can win over £100 to spend in M&S. Wouldnt that be awesome. What would you spend it on? Would you buy a new summer dress and some food? Treat yourself to some lovely cakes and wine? Or what about spending it on the back to school range so you don't have to foot the bill yourself. 

The choice would be yours if you are the lucky winner of the voucher. I know I would love to win this to go on a shopping spree in M&S. I love that store. There is just so much good food in there. I love there 3 for 2 makes your money go a little further. 

So why don't you read on for your chance of winning this incredible prize. 


Meet the Bloggers

The following UK bloggers have all come together to contribute towards this giveaway, offering you a chance to win an M&S e-Gift Card worth £120. Kindly support us by visiting some of the websites below or following us on social media pages. CatsKidsChaos | Spillinglifetea | Real Girls Wobble | Missljbeauty | Monethalia | Koody | Felifamily | Hannah and the Twiglets | A Life Of Lovely | At Home With Alice | Make Money Without A Job | Earn Money Do Good | So Nostalgic | Craft Multimedia | The Grumpy Olive | Cantwells Cabin | StressedMum | Alice in Sheffield | Dull to Desirable | It's Me Chrissy J | Best Things to do in Cambridge | Two Plus Dogs | Thrifty Chap | Jupiter & Dann | Miss Tilly And Me | Being Tilly’s Mummy | Internet Wages | Life With Ktkinnes | Christmas With Katie | Life in a Break Down | Simply Saving | A Suffolk Mum | Fresh Design Blog | Wotawoman Diary | StaceyLBlogs | Socially Rach | Best Things to do in York | Brunch or Breakfast? | Lodges with Hot Tubs | Fruit Picking Farms | Citrus Spice and Travels | A Life With Frills | Life Changing Side Hustle | Honest Mummy Reviews | Wander & Luxe | My Tunbridge Wells | Travel Bugs | Mind over Money Matters | Discover Kent

The Giveaway Prize

One lucky winner will win a £120 M&S e-Gift Card! An M&S eGift Card can be can be used online at marksandspencer.com or in over 700 M&S stores across the UK.

Terms and Conditions

1. There is only one prize of a £120 M&S e-Gift Card. 
2. There are no runner up prizes.
 3. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding all bloggers involved with running the giveaway. 
4. The closing date for entries is midnight on 08.08.21. 
5. The same Rafflecopter widget appears on all the websites involved, but you only need to enter on one website.
 6. Entrants must log in to the Rafflecopter widget below and complete one or more of the tasks - each completed task earns one entry in the prize draw.
 7. Tweeting about the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget will earn five bonus entries into the prize draw, increasing your chances of winning. 
8. One winner will be chosen at random. 
9. The winner will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date and will need to respond within 28 days with their email address, or a replacement winner will be chosen. 
10. The winners' names will be published in the Rafflecopter widget (unless the winner objects to this). 
11. The prizes will be dispatched within 14 days of the winner confirming their address. 
13. By participating in this prize draw, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. 

 To enter the giveaway, simply complete any or all of the Rafflecopter entries below: a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

7 Common Mistakes When Applying for Your Visa

Person Putting a Passport on Bag

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Many people who are going to live, visit, or work in the U.S. for an extended period must apply for a visa. If you don't know what you need to do, it may be hard to get your visa approved by the consulate or embassy to process your application. Before applying for a visa, make sure that you have read these common mistakes when applying for your visa so that you can avoid them!

Not Having Enough Time for Application and Processing

Employers will often work with their employees to ensure that they get the required documents in time to be processed by a consulate or embassy. However, if you are applying for your visa and going through an expedited process, there might not be enough time to receive everything from the employer before submitting your application.

Vague or Incorrect Data

There are many ways to fill out the visa application, and if you don't have all of the pre-printed forms, it is hard to know where exactly everything goes. For your data to be processed correctly, make sure that your responses are concise and easy to read.

Not Providing the Necessary Documents

These documents will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and if your country requires a specific document, but provide everything necessary. You can't submit an incomplete application!

Make sure you understand what is required and in which form. A slight mistake can make the process harder. If you are in doubt, you can consult any immigration lawyers to give you various options, including an indefinite leave to remain po polsku, work or spousal visa. 

Dishonesty

If you are withholding information on your visa application and the consulate or embassy suspects that there is something more going on than what you have revealed in your documentation, they might reject your application. Be honest!

Keeping Copies of Previous Passports

If you have traveled internationally, whether it is for fun or work, many times without any problems, then this may seem like a good idea so that you always have proof of previous visas on hand. However, each country's immigration office has different regulations about how many years must pass before accepting old passport information as valid identification when renewing a new one. 

It can also be confusing because some countries require two blank pages for the passport, and you may not be able to add all of your old visas on those pages.

Applying Too Early

If you are going through a visa process requiring collecting documents from a U.S. employer, there is no need to apply before they have given their consent or haven't filled out an I-129 form (or similar) yet. It will create unnecessary work for them and slow down the application process considerably.

Not Knowing Your Visa Type

When applying for a J-visa, different requirements are depending on if you will be working with children or not. When it comes to H-visas, you need the permission of law enforcement to work legally in specific jobs. If you don't know what kind of visa is necessary, then make sure that you research before wasting time completing an incorrect application.

In conclusion, you can make many mistakes while applying for a visa, so make sure you read up before applying!


Beauty Tips for Brides-To-Be

 Every bride wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day. There are months and even years that build-up to the wedding itself that can consume all of the bride-to-be’s time. When you are planning and organizing for the day, you need to remember to include yourself and caring for yourself in the equation. 


If you are planning your wedding, then there are so many must-know tips for future brides. You all want to get perfect skin for your wedding day and make sure that you look and feel your best so that you can enjoy the time and have nothing to worry about. So with that in mind, here are some tips for brides-to-be to make sure that their beauty regime is on point for the wedding.


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Exfoliation

When you exfoliate, it is one of the best ways to make sure that your skin looks and feels it's best, and is free from dead cells and blackheads. This is important for your whole body, especially if your wedding dress is going to be backless, for example. When washing your face, use a mild face wash. If you use a harsh one, then it can lead to irritated skin and even give you a rash. Consider something like a scrub made from rice flour and sugar, to exfoliate at home.


Help keep beautiful hands and feet

In order to help yourself to have some beautiful hands and feet, then you can start by massaging olive oil on your hands and feet before you go to bed at night, then it can absorb into your skin overnight and help to get your hands and feet looking and feeling good. When you have a bath, it is also a good idea to use a pumice stone to remove dead skin from those areas. Make sure that you have your manicure and pedicure booked in for the week of your wedding. 


Diet

If you want to look after your skin and your hair, then one thing that you can do is to make sure that you drink enough water. This helps to keep your skin toxin-free, as well as keeping you feeling energised and hydrated. At least two liters of water a day is important, but if you are feeling bloated, especially in the run up to the wedding, then you could choose water with lime or coconut water to help beat the bloat. Having a balanced and varied diet containing a lot of protein, green veggies, and fruits will make a big difference. 


In the run up to the wedding, avoid junk foods and foods that are too fatty or salty, as these can lead to skin problems, as well as bloating. Foods with plenty of antioxidants and minerals are important too, to make sure that you have healthy and glowing skin.


These simple tips can help you to feel your best and help you to look your best inside and out. You want to feel good when it comes to your wedding day, so take some simple steps to make a difference in how things go. You can of course book a pre wedding spa day and this will help you relax and get ready for the big event ahead.




3 Tips To Keep Your Home Perpetually Clean


Photo by Jean van der Meulen from Pexels

Keeping a house clean can be a tall order, what with trying to balance your career, family duties and still find time to relax and unwind! Unfortunately, this is often why house cleaning usually falls to the bottom of many people’s to-do lists.

But despite the impossible schedules that most people have to contend with, some always seem to have a house fit for a magazine page. So, what habits do these people have that enable them to keep their homes perfectly clean all of the time? Read on to find out.

Clean As You Go

If you want to keep your home clean, you must never allow a mess to form. As you know, mess attracts chaos. For example, if you leave a pile of clean laundry on the bed, it will eventually find its way to the chair, where you might have some dirty clothes, and before you know it, you are operating in a messy bedroom.

Therefore, you must make a habit of cleaning messes promptly. For one, always clean utensils while you are prepping food. If you have to wait five minutes for the water to boil, use it to wipe counters or clean any items you might have used in cooking.

Secondly, always leave your dishwasher running at night, and empty it in the morning. This gives you an empty dishwasher to pile dirty dishes into throughout the day, thus ensuring that you don’t have any dirty dishes in your sink.

Additionally, always hang up clothing items as soon as you stop using them. For example, don’t leave your coat on your sofa when you get home; hang it back in the closet or keep it in the hamper so you can clean it. This not only makes your home neat, but it also ensures that you don’t mix clean laundry with dirty ones.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

The products you use to clean your home can make your chores easy or difficult. This is why you should choose your products wisely. 

Using this outdoor window cleaner, for instance, turns an otherwise draining job of keeping windows clean into a two-minute chore.

Additionally, ensure that your products are suitable for the surfaces you want to clean. For instance, you should avoid cleaning natural stone surfaces with vinegar or other harsh cleaning ingredients. 

What’s more, always take time to read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a new product. For example, if they say to let a product sit for five minutes before you start scrubbing, do so. You will save yourself a tremendous amount of work by doing this.

Have a Cleaning Schedule

Another tool that will come in real handy in helping you maintain a clean home is a cleaning schedule. This can be a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly program.

The best thing about working with a schedule is that it allows you to dedicate time to clean specific areas of your home thoroughly. This ensures that you don’t neglect any part of your home when it comes to cleaning.

If you want to keep your home perfectly clean, you must incorporate the habits discussed above in your cleaning routine. This includes dealing with messes promptly, using the right cleaning products and having a cleaning schedule. If you do this, you will create a living space you are proud to call your own.