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Mamma Fairy

Features

Sprinkle Some Romance In Your Daily Life Using These Tips

The definition of romance is different for everyone. Some people like to express their love out loud with grand public proposals, planning surprises, or showering their lover with gifts now and then. While others like to keep their romance to themselves with eye contact, holding hands, or acts of service. In fact, as long as both partners make equal efforts to understand each other, every act they do for each other is “Romance.”

But if you are looking for some specific lovey-dovey gestures or things to make your relationship passionate, you have come to the right place. Read on to know tips to infuse romance in your daily life. 

  • Remember It’s About Minimalism 

Many people confuse romance with big gestures and grandness. However, it is more about the little things you do daily for your partner that’ll help grow your bond. It may include cooking together, saying good morning or good night every day, or remembering small details about their life such as important office meetings or family members’ birthdays. In addition to this, being with them during their celebrations as well as on bad days is another simple way to show your affection. 

  • Hug And Kiss Them Often

Unexpected hugs and sweet kisses are common ways of showing affection and appreciation. It is especially important if your partner’s love language is physical touch. It will make them feel loved and supported without needing to speak. And the best part is you can do this anywhere. For instance, kissing your partner when going to the office, giving a back hug when working in the kitchen, or simply cuddling while watching your favorite show. 

  • Try New Things Together 

As stated above, every couple has their own way of loving. If you and your partner like public display of affection (PDA), trying out new things would be a great idea. Some things you can try are- Playing footsie under the table, wearing a butt plug in public, or making out in ricks and cabs. If you like some subtle PDA ideas, you can feed each other, lock your arms, or whisper sweet things to each other. Likewise, you can spice up your cozy moments with foreplay, blindfolding, and toys. 

  • Call Them By Their Pet Name

Giving your partner a pet name and more is surely an affordable idea. It helps create a different bond, offer reassurance, and build understanding simultaneously. And, if you believe it cringes, you should try it yourself. It might turn out to be one of your things. Some of the cute names you can try are babe, honey bunny, nugget, boo, bubs and sugar. Or, you can come up with a unique pet name of your own. 

  • Share Details Of Your Day Every Night 

Finally, communicate with each other as much as you can. Share the details of your day during dinner, be it good or bad. It will help you both learn more about each other and how you react to different scenarios. Plus, it will lower the chances of feeling bored of each other. 

Wrapping It All Up

If you think about it, adding romance to your daily life is actually quite simple. It’s about small gestures, understanding each other, and showing affection to them. So, try out the tips mentioned above to ignite love in your everyday life. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE BUYER’S GUIDE FOR DUBAI

Buying property in Dubai is everybody’s dream, whether it be an investor who wants good returns on his/her investments or a purchaser who wants a high life in Dubai. At the outset it is really important to do your own research, as noted by experts in this field “Financing a property overseas can be complex, especially when it comes to obtaining the international mortgage you need to make your dreams a reality”  source: Simon Conn.

Like any other part of the world, to buy a property in Dubai, you need to address certain issues and fulfill some requirement. Following is the step by step guidance on those requirements:   

Eligibility Criteria

Any person can purchase a property in Dubai’s freehold areas. These include residents of Dubai and overseas nationality holders.

Documentation

Individual:

  • Passports 
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer.

 A company incorporated in UAE:

  • Incorporation certificate (COA)
  • Articles of Association (AOA)
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA)
  • Resolution of Board of Directors
  • Power of Attorney
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer 

A company incorporated Overseas:

  • Documentation is same as in case of a company incorporated in UAE, but the company incorporate overseas is required to get all these documents attested by the Embassy of UAE  
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer  

Residency:

If the property purchased exceed 1M AED by any buyer, residency visa is issued to such person by the Dubai government. All such residents are bound by immigration rules and regulations are needed to renew their visa every 6 months.

Mortgages:

The mortgage market is booming in Dubai, as many Financial Institutions offer mortgage plans to non-resident owners. There are many types of mortgages that are available with these financial institutions, and each type has their own limits.

Taxation and Fees:

No taxes either income or otherwise are levied by the Dubai government. Only 1.5% in terms of registration fees is to be paid by the buyer. Transfer fees are required to be paid to the Developer (property Under Construction) and to Dubai Land Department (Fully Completed projects). If you are buying the property with Mortgage money, an additional 0.25% is levied on the value of loan or mortgage. If the property is fully complete, maintenance fee for services is to be paid to the seller

Need for a bank account:

To make things simple, no requirement to open a bank account by the overseas buyer has been laid by the Government. You can hire a lawyer that can make all the arrangements for money to be transferred to an account dedicated for this purpose and sail you through, smoothly. Even your presence is not required at the time the property is transferred in your name if you empower your lawyer through a power of attorney. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

DIY techniques to modernise your home

green chair

Pic Credit: Pixabay

As the season begins to change and we begin to plan our summer parties, we often think of how we can upgrade each room a little bit, without having to completely splash out and spend a ton on painting and decorating. Are you looking for some affordable and accessible ways to spruce up your space and get it looking a bit fresher? Why not take a look at this list of DIY techniques to modernise your home. The mistake people often make is that to do any DIY work you need a lot of tools, that really isn’t the case some critical tools like bandsaw blades and basic drills should be enough to commence the work. 

Clear your clutter and improve your storage

Modern minimalist designs are popular in modern homes, particularly among those who are working with restricted space. To achieve a home that is a little more simple and easier to maintain, why not start by decluttering things you don’t need? Recycling and donating old clothes, toys and furniture, rather than just throwing them in that dreaded cupboard we all have, can be a therapeutic process. A clean home has been proven to be good for concentration and relaxation after a long day.

In their luxury city-centre studio apartments, property investment company RW Invest entice young professionals and entrepreneurs with their state-of-the-art minimalist designs and smart-fitted technology. For inspiration, looking at designs like these might help you to visualise a home that can compete with desired modern trends, and inspire you as to how you might integrate what you have to make it feel more compatible with modern sensibilities.

Upgrade to a smart home 

laptop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The idea of the ‘connected home’ is becoming more widely accepted by consumers every day, and is beginning to permeate the mainstream. With a vast number of different electronic devices in varying shapes and sizes available, smart devices such as speakers, lights and security can really help around the house, as they become more intuitive and easier to understand by the day.

Did-you-know? As of 2019, Amazon has sold over 100 million units fitted with their smart assistant ‘Alexa’, and they are quickly capturing the zeitgeist among consumers young and old with their ease-of-use and accessible functions. You might think it’s a little expensive to get involved in this ‘voice-activated’ trend, but with a variety of different models available, it’s easy to find the most cost-efficient piece for what you’re looking for

Scrub up on the outside

Moving out of the home, maintaining the garden can be a fun and rewarding way to get outdoors in the coming summer months. If you’re someone who wants to put as little effort into making sure your greenery doesn’t die, or just don’t have the time very often, there are plenty of low maintenance flowers and bushes you can plant that will be resilient when winter is coming.

Doing some simple tasks on your front path such as weeding or cleaning the windows can make your home look that little bit better to the average onlooker, giving you a home to feel proud about. If your path or patio needs a bit of a clean, why not invest in a pressure washer or something similar to give them a good hose down? It’s a lot cheaper than repaving your entire house and can be the perfect facelift your outdoor furniture needs pre-summer barbeque or party.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Fairy Travels

Santa Claus Village -a view from the inside

santa claus village cabins

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Ever since our visit to Lapland in November/ December 2018 we have quite literally been obsessed about returning. We have been fortunate to have travelled to many countries all over the world but none capturing our hearts in the way Lapland did. If you asked me exactly what it is about Lapland, honestly id struggle to put it into words. There is a magic about it, being in the home town of Santa Claus. Perhaps its seeing the magic of Christmas through my kids eyes.  Last year we stayed at Santa Claus Village and despite my intention of it being a “once in a lifetime” trip we have booked to go back this year later in December.

Since our return, I have shared my trip report and some tips and advice on dressing for lapland  and I have got tonnes of emails and DM’s with questions. I am always happy to chat about my favourite place and happy to answer any questions or queries people planning to visit this wonderful destination have.  The concluding comment of one email I received via my trip report really resonated with me. The query itself was about Santa Claus Village and the email concluded with “can you just imagine working there? How amazing would that be?”.

Santa Claus Holiday Village is run by Marko and Inga and they very kindly took the time to answer some of the questions that I (and many other!) have about running and working in what is probably one of the best known, most magical places in the world.

Our Q & A

Tell us about a typical day at Santa Claus Village

santa claus village at at night

Pic Credit: Marko @ Santa Claus Holiday Village

Well, typical day at Santa Claus Village. I guess we must concentrate on the winter season because that`s our high season. Weather might be little bit chilly, very unusually too cold but plenty of snow. Everything is covered pure white snow, trees are like frosted piece of art statues.  Guests wake up in cosy n warm cottages and go hurried for breakfast, to Christmas House restaurant or Three Elves restaurant, depends on accommodation type which they have booked.  After they have enjoyed typical Scandinavian buffet breakfast, many of them will be waiting booked safaris in the lobby. Some goes for Reindeer Sleigh ride safari and some for Husky Sleigh ride safari or Snowmobiling or some other from our famous excursions.   During the day time we used to have quite a lot day visitors in the Village from other accommodations of Rovaniemi and from around Lapland. They come to meet Mr. Santa Claus and send Christmas greeting cards from Santa Claus Main Post Office and for sure making shopping of very special gifts and souvenirs which we have great selections in the shops of village.

In the afternoon, our guests start to return from safaris and excursions. Many of them go to enjoy in the private sauna in the own cottage and that`s really pleasure after spend chilly day in the winter activities.   In the evening we have delicious dinners available in our restaurants. For coming winter season we will have third restaurant. Restaurant Santa Claus Village, it has 140 seats and shape of teepee.

If the weather looks to be clear for coming night, lot of our guests will be going for different kind of Northern Lights search programs, like Aurora Reindeer safari, Northern Light search in private wilderness or Northern Light search and dinner.

Can you tell us a little about the history of Santa Claus Village

We can think about that story begins from 1950 when city of Rovaniemi built a cottage for Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt when she came to visit in the Arctic Circle.

All the way until 80th  century, tourism was here more or less only summer tourism. Guests from Europe come to visit in the Arctic Circle and was going to North cape, northern most point of Europe. At 80th century Mr. Santa Claus decided that he need a place to greet guests from all over the world and he chose Arctic Circle.

Does Santa ever get a holiday or does he meet guests all year round?

He meet guests here every day for the whole year. In the Christmas Eve he starts he`s journey around world to delivery gifts but he have his magic things in his office, he can stop time for a night and that`s how he have time to make a trip around whole world and Christmas Day morning he will be back in the village greeting his guests.

Where do most of your visitors come from? Europe? or further afield?

Our guests are definitely really from all over the world, I would say that there is not any continental in the earth that we wouldn’t have had guests. It happened some years ago the that we had in the same time in house, without knowing each other, 3 families from New Caledonia. Further than that you can`t come if someone does’t live in the moon. But a lot comes from Europe because it`s not so far away.

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Fairy Travels

Stena Line – Ferry travel with kids

Dublin port

Departing Dublin Port Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

Long before kids arrived into the Mamma Fairy house we used to travel quite a bit to Holyhead from Dublin. My sister attended University in Bangor in North Wales so we loved popping over for the weekend.  We hadn’t taken the kids on a ferry so there was mega excitement when I told them Stena Line were very kindly taking us and our car to Wales. One of the things that stresses me most about holidays is the airport, the volume of people, the queues, getting myself and the kids through security! The stress levels until we are sitting at the gate are usually pretty high!! Having taken our car on the ferry many times I knew what to expect! Much less stress – literally drive on drive off!

Our Ferry journey with kids

driving onto a ferry

Boarding time!! Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

We were on the 8.10 Stena Adventurer heading over from Dublin to Holyhead on a lovely bright Friday morning in June. Being a Dublin resident I knew how bad Dublin traffic could be so we allowed ourselves extra time just to be sure and I am very glad we did. An incident at Port Tunnel saw the tunnel temporarily closed so thankfully we had time to go the alternative route. Check in closed 30 mins before departure but my advice is to get there early especially if you are travelling in peak work day traffic.

Check in was smooth, we had our boarding passes printed off, we were told which number queue to join and there we were in line to board the Stena Line Adventurer. The absolute squeals out of the kids as we drove onto the boat!!! Once we boarded we were guided into position,  we parked up and took the hyper gang up to the passenger decks. Another tip is to make sure you take everything you need with you as you can’t return to your vehicle when the ferry departs until the ferry docks again.

On board

Good bye Dublin Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

I think one of the first thing you will notice is just how big the ferry is! We had taken the Superfast ferry in the past and the Adventurer is noticeably bigger.  On board the Adventurer there are:

  • En-suite cabins available from €30, might be handy if you have very young kids, for us with older (hyper with excitement) kids it really wasn’t necessary for the short 3 hour crossing. I believe the cabins go up to 4 berth which could be very handy for families.
  • A Hygge Lounge which is a relaxing, peaceful environment if you want a total chill in a large comfy reclining chair as you gaze over the Irish Sea. The cost is €9 per person but you must be over 16 years. If we didn’t have the kids id be in there in a heartbeat. Right up my street!!!
  • There was a restaurant, bar and coffee dock on each passenger deck serving hot and cold snacks and the usual beers and spirits. It was really busy initially on both legs of our trip but the staff were very efficient and the waiting time was short and a lot less busy once the initial rush was finished.
  • There is also the Stena Plus Lounge where for €20 you can avail of complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers & magazines as well as free wifi, waiter service and comfy seating. We didn’t do it this trip but in the pre kids days we always frequented the lounge, it is really good value and nice and relaxing, a good option for the 3 hours ferry. The was a ‘Family Meal Deal’ on board 2 adults and 2 kids for £23 really good value and you can pay in either € or £.
  • For kids there really is plenty to do; located on each passenger deck is a small play space, for older kids there is “Teen Town” with some arcade games. Much to the kids excitement there is a cinema with free entry. This is a really good option to pass an hour or so especially with younger kids.

Our crossing

Our ship departed on time, boarding was smooth, the sail itself was smooth and the disembarkation was efficient.  What more could you ask for?! To keep the kids entertained I took sketch pads and their trusty twistables! While there is plenty on board to keep them entertained the play centres can get busy so worth having a few of their favourites to keep them occupied.  We took some of their own snacks with us while we ordered coffees, toast and scrambled egg to go with them. Thumbs up for Stena’s scrambled egg.

Our plans

As our trip was so short I had done lots of research before hand to maximise the time we had in North Wales. Full blog post on our activities but for now a very sneak peak…..

Day 1 -We drove to the picturesque town of Llanberis were we stayed on night after our journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. We reached the top of Snowdown Mountain literally surrounded by clouds which they kids thought was “epic” the last bit  is a little steep but oh so worth it. Be warned even in summer it can get cold up there so our trusty Reima winter gear came in useful again.

Day 2 – We drove further into Snowdonia to Llechwedd near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Llechwedd is an old slate mine where you can go 50o metres below ground into a deep mine.  I’ll keep you in suspense a little longer for my full review but suffice to say this place left a lasting impression on both us and the kids. Rich our guide a 7th generation miner himself was what made this tour for us. His unique insights, his respect for the heritage of the area and the contribution to mining brought a tear to my eye more than once.

Day 3 – Before heading back to Holyhead we spent a day and night in Llandudno, an old school sea side holiday resort.  While here we also took a quick visit to the Copper mines for a unique self guided tour of 4000 year old mines!!!  We loved our chilled out day here, kids will forever remember playing football at the beach at 10pm then running back to the b&b soaked, tired but happy.

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Fairy Travels

Itinerary ideas for Iceland

Since our trip last September to Iceland lots of people have asked for tips and advice on what to do to Iceland, sample itineraries, “must see” attractions.   I knew a few of my fellow blog buddies had been to Iceland I thought i’d reach out and get a variety of ideas on their top picks.

waterfall

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

For many people and particularly given just how expensive Iceland is, their preference would be to book via website who can help you book the entire trip in one place.  With WowAir now defunct, there are less flight options for getting to this wonderful destination therefore I can really see how using the services of a site to assist you to book the entire package would be very appealing.  One option im aware of is the Voyage Prive website where they describe themselves as  “a members only luxury travel club, offering unforgettable getaways, at unbelievable prices“.  I love a deal and I know a lot of people like the security of having a packages as opposed to DIY, so well worth checking out and not just for Iceland, there cover worldwide holidays from ski trip to luxury resorts to city breaks.

Iceland “things to do”

The over riding thing I will say about Iceland is that it totally lives up to its reputation as being magical – the scenery is breathtaking, the people friendly and the thermal spas well……you just have to try them. And before you ask……yes it is expensive but to me, and my husband will agree it is totally worth it. It was a bucket list trip for us – a once in a lifetime – but I left a bit of my heart there and I have to go back. We loved it so much

Geysirs in Iceland

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Our visit was short and we had young kids (6 and 3 at the time of travel) so we carefully planned out itinerary, for a sneak peak of what we did see our Golden Circle trip here my  kids are still asking to go back to that wonderful Ice cream place before Gullfoss. I really do love looking back at our pics, really does make me want to go and book it again.

We also did Fontana as we booked last minute, the Blue Lagoon was booked out. A top tip if the Blue Lagoon is top of your list is to book early. Please also respect the cultural (and hygienic) advice to shower before entering the thermal pools. It was definitely one of the highlights as it was quiet when we were there, we had loads of time and space and the kids were made very welcome. And try the bread – drooling as I type. Quite  honestly the nicest I have ever tasted. It is known as  Geothermal bakery and the break is cooked in the ground for 24 hours!!

My kids are a bit older know and are really dying to go back, my oldest is obsessed with all things marine and whale watching is the top of his wish list not if but when we go back. Key requirement for him it must be eco friendly and sustainable and thankfully that option does exist.

If we were to go back to Iceland, I’d like to try renting a camper. I’ve heard about other bloggers’ camping adventures in Iceland, the kids would probably love it. I visited Cozy Campers website, which has a range of budget and premium campervans, and yes, I already have ideas for “things to do” on our next trip.

 

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Features

Household…….Deals, Deals, Deals

laptop and phone

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Anybody who knows me in the “real world” or has been following the blog knows im the “Queen of the Deal” when it comes to finding cheap flights, hotels or anything holiday related in fact. Travel is one of our big passions so squeezing in as many trips as we can requires hard work and research however…….one of the things which I hadn’t been good on was what I term “household admin”. That is comparing providers, seeking out value on utilities and considering other providers. Observing the status quo was the default position.  Not this year! Ever on my quest to squeeze a little more out for the holiday fund I have turned my attention to saving money on household bills.

“The Month” 

July is “the month”. Every house I think has one – you know that month where all the utility contracts expire, the one off bills fall due, motor tax, insurance etc. We moved into our house in the month of June so consequently every July falls “the month”!!! In preparation I have been doing my homework and I was really excited too find that there already exists a  a very user friendly site that compares deals on TV, broadband, mobile contracts and sim only deals.

Delighted to see that all the main providers available there including; Sky, BT, SSE, Vodafone and many more. There really is so much choice out there and it can be so difficult to choose when you have to be flicking back and forth on different pages having them in coherent, easy to read and follow list is incredibly handy.  Having a really quick look and taking account of our usage and preferences Virgin are offering one of the best deals out there for us at the moment. A combined TV and broadband package coming in at £29 a month. Really great value. Also what is really great about the site is that it links you straight through to the deal no messing around trying to recreate it, takes you straight there.

Survey

The numbers nerd in mine was drawn to an interesting survey which compared the average price of 1GB of data in 230 countries. Could be very handy to know for those who travel for either work or pleasure. So where do you think has the cheapest data???

  • Cheapest appears to be around the Eastern European countries
  • More expensive being North America, Africa and Western Europe.

Hovering over an individual country in the link will bring up its associated data. This includes country name, its ranking out of the 230 countries measured, its cheapest available 1GB of data, its most expensive 1GB of data, how many plans were measured to create the average, and on what day the snapshot was taken. Really interesting stuff but then again I am unashamedly a numbers geek!

Comparison website such as Cable can really help save some extra on the household bills, as the saying goes every little really does help and it makes no sense why you would pay extra for essentially the same service, particularly if like me you are the average user and don’t require all the bells and whistles some plans come with.

Using the tool it looks like I will save almost £200 by changing my provider. Its  a no brainer really. Now the next important plan ….where too next as £200 will go a long way for our next family trip.

Mamma Musings

The Busy Mum’s Guide to Decorating Your Home

So, you’ve finally moved into your dream, family home, and all that’s left to do is decorate it exactly the way you want. Your choice of colour, furniture, lighting. Easy, right? Well, not quite. Decorating is easier said than done when you’re a busy mom with active kids to keep entertained, and a million other jobs to keep on top of. It can be tricky to find the time to do all this as well as decorating your home, but here are some top tips to help busy mums who want to enhance their home, or garden.

Make a Plan

screw driver

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Before diving straight in, take a few moments to come up with a plan. Sit down and think about exactly what it is you are wanting, how much you are willing to spend, and be realistic with how long it may take. Consider colour schemes, themes, space and furniture. If you’re going to be decorating your entire home, start with one room at a time. This will avoid chaos in the house! Take a look at home magazines and Pinterest inspiration if you’re not sure what to go for. Decide on a budget that you can stick to in order to avoid breaking the bank. Decorating your home will take time, and rushing it will leave you unhappy with the finished result, so bear this in mind before starting on your project. 

Use Organizers

Clutter can take away from the beauty of your home decor. That’s why organizing is part of the decorating process. To enhance the beauty of your home and maximize your space, think about which organizers to use for your cabinets, countertops, desks, shelves, and other storage areas. Using organizers frees up your working areas and contributes to the efficient use of space. When your things have places to call their own, it’s easier for you to clean, declutter, and find items when you need them. Finally, a clutter-free space lets you create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation or concentration in your home.

Look Out for Deals

Once you know what you want, it’s time to go out and get everything you need to get started! Home stores often have everything you need in one place, but they can be slightly higher in price than online offers. Shop around or browse online if you want to be savvy and get the cheapest deals. Consider going to charity shops or garage sales; you may be surprised at what you can pick up for a fraction of the price! The great thing about garage sales is that you can take the kids with you and they can help you choose things for the house! Garden centers are full of amazing plants that can really transform your indoor space as well as outside, so why not have a look what you can find! 

If you’re going to be completely redoing a room, then think about the pieces that are going to be right for the new design. For example, if you plan to look into complete bathroom suites to upgrade your bathroom but you don’t know for sure what the design is going to be yet, either don’t buy any decorations for that space, or buy neutral ones that go with everything. Of course, you don’t want to pass up a deal, but you also don’t want to waste money in the process

Hire a Handy Man

So, what if you’re not sure about tackling the house alone… have you thought about getting help from a professional? Hiring a handy man for things like painting or landscaping can be a real help for busy parents, and they don’t always cost an arm and a leg. Check out this handyman service which offers an affordable range of services to help you around the house, including painting, decorating, landscaping and repairs for an hourly rate. Edward’s Enterprises can help you get the exact look that you’re going for. Hiring a professional means that you can save time if you find that you’re too busy to do it all yourself.  Plus, you can be sure it will look great at the end. 

Get the Kids Involved!

kid drawing on wall

Pic Credit: Pixabay

One of the best tips for busy mums is to get the kids involved in the decorating! We all know how stressful it can be to keep the kids happy while working in the house, so why not kill two birds with one stone and get the kids to help! They can easily get involved with choosing color schemes or painting – just make sure the furniture is covered because this will get messy! This is especially good for when it comes to decorating their bedroom, as they will love helping and choosing how their space looks. Fill the kids’ rooms with beanbags and toy boxes to keep toys organized and floors tidy.

Top Tip! If you have small kids, avoid white furniture and paint, as handprints and stains show up very easily and can be difficult to get rid of. Or, you could consider buying paint that you can wipe clean, such as this ‘easy clean’ paint from Dulux. 

Upcycle

A great way to save money is by upcycling things you already have at home. This is especially great if you love DIY projects, and it’s easy to get older kids involved in this one. You can upcycle just about anything in your home. What I really love about upcycling things is that you are using stuff you already have, rather than throwing them away and buying new stuff – therefore it’s better for the environment. You can make them exactly how you want and put a personal touch on each item, making them unique. Check out these upcycling ideas to transform your home! 

So, there we have it – stick to these tips when you decide to give your home a makeover to make it as stress-free as possible. Just because you’re a busy mom, who says you can’t have a beautiful home? Happy decorating!

 

Note this is a collaborative post
Fairy Travels

Top things to do in the Canary Islands

Many moons ago in our pre kid days we spent some wonderful long weekends in Lanzarote with a couple who we are great friends with. With 6 kids between us and an ongoing vow to return en masse we just haven’t had the change. Skimming my inbox last week a press release from Travel Media really caught my eye “Top ten things to do in the Canaries“.  With kind permission I have included their fantastic guide below. Given holiday season is almost upon it, I thought the timing perfect to share this as no doubt a good percentage of you will be heading this direction over the coming weeks. If there is anything you think missed of the list do send on or comment below.

Get to the top of the Teide Volcano in Gran Canaria

Just after Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Mount Teide is the third highest volcano in the world. Located in Gran Canaria, it’s tone of the most visited natural parks in Europe and the 8th most visited in the world!  If you opt to take the cable car which travels within 500 meters of the summit – prepare yourself for some simply breathtaking views.

Climbing Mount Teide is also an option as well as a dream for many; ascending the crater and smelling the sulphur emitted from volcanic fumaroles is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  There’s a bar and restaurant area, and even a hotel and a refuge at 3.270 meters.

As the highest peak in Spain, it has been a World Heritage Site since 2007, and the park encourages visitors not stray from the marked paths, enjoy the native flora and fauna of this geological treasure, and not to take stones as a souvenir of the National Park.

Sunbathe at Maspalomas Beach in Gran Canaria

With wind-sculpted dunes with golden sand and clear, crisp ocean – Maspalomas truly is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Canary Islands.   Stretching just over 3km, the beach makes for the perfect place to sunbathe, to take a relaxing stroll or to simply soak up the sunset in the evenings. One of the best spots to see the sunset is the first set of dunes by the Charco de Maspalomas lagoon.

The beach stretches from the beautiful lighthouse to La Punta, the most southern point of the Island. But, it doesn’t end there! It then transforms into the Playa del Inglés, another 4 km of the finest sand in the east.

 Visit the fascinating architectural legacy of César Manrique in Lanzarote  

César Manrique was an artist, architect and environmental activist from Lanzarote. He did not create in nature but rather with it, and his relationship with the landscape was not simply aesthetic but also a commitment to defending the environment.

Jameos del Agua is a volcanic tube opened on the surface where you can admire a natural lagoon of transparent emerald waters which is home to a native species of the island – a minuscule, albino, blind and gleaming little crab of unknown origin.

Mirador del Rio is a building located at 500 meters in altitude at the top of the Risco cliff, hidden beneath the rock and barely visible from the outside, with large windows and exterior balconies that provide a stunning view of Lanzarote.

Visitors can see traditional ceramics and a range of sculptures. The domed main room and cupolas are not to be missed.

Taste volcanic wine in Lanzarote 

The Canary Islands have become an exceptional wine-producing region due to the volcanic nature of their soils and almost desert-like climate. The ash coating retains moisture, protects buried soils from erosion, inhibits evaporation, and traps solar input.

Partially ringed by almond shaped stone walls on tar dark soils, the vine arrays appear hauntingly gorgeous, and many of them are included within Timanfaya National Park in the southwest.

White wines are predominant in the Canaries and are often opulent and full, sometimes with a citric precision.
Whereas red wines often have a Burgundian heft of pepper and complex darkness-leather, mocha, black fruit, caramel and even diesel.
Several wineries across Lanzarote offer both wine tastings and visits.

Try an aloe vera wellness treatment in a Canarian spa in Tenerife 

The spa centres in the Canary Islands are well-known and make full use of all the natural resources provided by the Canary environment. Plenty of unique treatments are offered such as thalassotherapy, geotherapy, wine therapy or aloe therapy.

The spa of the Iberostar Grand Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set over 4500 square meters, and facilities include everything from a dynamic heated pool with bubble beds, whirlpool sections, and aqua-massage swan necks, to saunas, a foot spa, and a steam room. Sounds like my ideal kind of holiday!

Watch the stars from a world class observatory in La Palma

The sky of La Palma is one of the best places to observe the stars, and the Roque de los Muchachos observatory at 2.396 m. above sea level is home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world.

It boasts a breath-taking view of a giant volcanic crater 1,500 metres deep, covered in trees and with volcanic rocks in amazing formations.

The observatory organises visits to its facilities, and there are stargazing tours by La Palma Astronomy Tours which even include a ‘Tapas and Stars’ experience. The experience combines tapas and a glass of red and/or white local wine with an introduction to the astronomy and the orientation of the sky through constellations as well as insider information from guides.

Eat at a Michelin star restaurant in Tenerife

The stars in the Canary Islands are not just in the sky: Tenerife has six Michelin stars spread across five restaurants. One starred NUB occupies a beautifully restored colonial building and the tasting menu fuses Italian, Chilean and traditional Canarian flavours.

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5 Things to Do With an Old Smartphone

Your old smartphone still works, but you’ve just upgraded to a new and faster model.  Now, you’re wondering what you can do with your old phone.

Instead of throwing it away, why not try these 5 things?

Help Mother Earth By Recycling

mobile phone in hand

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Whatever you do with your old cellphone, don’t throw it in the dumpster. You won’t be contributing to a greener environment and a safer one for the future generation.  It doesn’t take much to properly recycle your old gadget. For instance, you can hand it over to the nearest recycling center so they can take it apart, reuse it or harvest for individual components. Or, you can take it to a recycling programme that gives you in-store credit, gift cards or cash by turning old branded tech.  It’s certainly better than having your old gadget end up in the landfill and pollute the earth by leaching toxins into the ground.

Help Organisations by Donating

A functioning phone that can make calls, send SMS or browse the web may still be useful to other people. Think about who or how you’d want to donate your gadget for a good cause.  It could be your local church, a goodwill centre, an animal shelter, library or hospital. The staff welcomes any serviceable tech they can use to do their jobs. The same goes for old laptops, tablets, computers, fax and printers.  You can also give it to your co-worker, neighbour or favourite relative the next time you meet. Make sure to gather the cable, charger and any accessory so they can fully enjoy the gift.

Re-Use Your Phone As A Backup

Find your old phone’s charging cable and power it up. Activate the cellular network so you can start making calls or sending messages with it. When it’s full, put it in a sturdy case and somewhere easily accessible, e.g., in your locker, car or bag. You’ll be safer knowing that you’ll have a backup phone in case something happens to your main unit.

Turn Old Into New

Did you know that you can create an mp3 player, an eBook reader or maybe a portable TV with your old phone? Here are some fun projects you can try:

  • Portable TV. Install YouTube, a streaming app such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or Twitch and you have a dedicated video app for entertainment. If you have kids, load it up with their favorite cartoons and a video app so you’ll have something to distract them with.  We travel a lot and often rely on devices to keep the kids entertained on long flights or long airport waits so worth doing some research into a vpn that works with netflix.
  • Remote Control. Never lose a remote (and precious time) again when you turn your old tech into a remote. Search through the App Store or Play Store and download the corresponding remote for your Smart TV, Apple TV or Roku device.
  • Music Player. Get Google Music or iTunes and some of your favorite songs into a workout playlist. Attach a Bluetooth speaker or some wireless headphones and you’ll have a dedicated music player when you’re exercising at home or outside. You can also turn it into a static sound system by placing it on a charging dock and plugging in wired speakers.
  • eBook Reader. Do you love to read books? How about your partner or kids? You can turn your old tech into a storybook, a virtual magazine shelf or a library, depending on what you prefer. All you need is to download the Kindle app (or similar programs), magazines or eBooks and voila! A personal eBook reader. On the same note, if you prefer audiobooks, get the corresponding app and listen to podcasts or software that can read classic books aloud, for example.

Sell Your Gadget For Cash

Last but certainly not the least, you can turn your old mobile into quick cash by listing it up online. Popular sites such as Amazon, eBay and Facebook do have sections where users can advertise their secondhand items and sell them for money.  Simply upload a nice photo, details about the phone and its condition, then set a price. Wait for offers to come in, and when the price is right set up a meeting and you’ll have money to spend.

For easy and direct transactions, you can turn to online tech recyclers to sell your tech for money. Fill up an online form, send the item in and wait for them to receive it. You get fast cash and a straight appraisal right away.

 

Note: This is collaborative post