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Mamma Fairy

Home & Interiors

Tips for choosing wooden flooring

As you will have seen on the blog we have undertaken two quite mega renovation projects.  Over the last number of months and really years at this stage I have been sharing some insights and tips that I have gleaned along the way.  There was many and I mean very many stressful moments during the projects but I have to say I have learned so much and im more than happy to share this knowledge.

One decision which I spent quite a lot of time contemplating was the flooring.  It’s something that is not only aesthetic and part of the design but a key functional part too and if it’s like my house will get quite a lot of traffic! In the end we mostly went with real wood flooring  however below I set out some of the key considerations you need to keep in mind when choosing your wooden flooring. I am not expert in this area just somebody who has been through this process a few times recently.

  • Choose your type of wooden floor. I will admit I began this process pretty clueless not quite understanding the variety of options available.  First main decision really is are you going to go for solid or engineered flooring.  Personally I looked the look and feel of the solid wood flooring and we have large ceiling heights and were installing new doors and surrounds so any marginal increase in the floor height which can arise with solid flooring wasn’t so much a consideration.

    siting room

    Pic Credit: Pixabay

  • Choose your colour and finish. This can be a very tough decision and I think it can be harder to decide in a bright airy showroom. In my view you need to if possible purchase some samples and see how it works in your space and lighting. I originally thought I wanted walnut but seeing the sample in our own house it just didn’t have the same appeal. I also looked the more natural finish but I did think the lacquered finished looked really well too.
  • Choosing the plank width. This was really not something I had even factored into my decision making before beginning my research. In the main the size would appear to be standard there are options for narrower and wider planks and in the end due to the large size of the sitting room we went for the larger width. I felt it give a kind of luxurious feel to the room. I can really see the appeal of the narrowing planks for example if you were doing a small space.  
Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Features

Is online learning the future of education?

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The world of education—like so many aspects of life—has completely transformed over the last 20 years. With the emergence of mobile devices, improved connection speeds, and increasingly smart artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the world in 2020 is almost unrecognizable from that back in 2000.

The virtual worlds allowed by computers and technology are increasingly merging with the real world, and are providing a vastly enhanced user experience and considerable advantages to most areas of life. Here are a few reasons why online learning might replace traditional practices.

Technology and education 

Education, too, has seen considerable changes over the last two decades. Where once computers were a rarity in classrooms and lecture halls, these days, laptops and tablets are an everyday part of learning. 

However, it’s the developing world of online learning that holds the most intriguing promise. Purely online courses, such as those provided by https://online.bankstreet.edu/, offer the perfect mix of convenience and affordability that is simply not possible in traditional learning experiences. 

Online learning has proven so successful over recent years that there is convincing evidence to suggest the future of education may move fully online sooner than we think.   

Online education is cheaper than its real-world counterpart

In almost all cases, learning online is cheaper than attending real-world classes—and is always considerably less expensive than one-to-one learning. By structuring lessons online, course designers can think about featuring reusable content that can be used repeatedly to achieve the same goals (for example, pre-recorded tutorials or interactive assignments). These considerable cost savings can then be passed on to the student.

Also, real-world learning comes with an inherent cost overhead—the price of the lecturer’s time, rent and rates for space, utility bills for lighting and heating, etc. In addition, students will also likely incur travel costs to get to college or university. With online learning, everything becomes considerably cheaper.  

There is a vast range of courses available

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Partly because of the reduced overhead—partly because of the diverse nature of the internet itself—there is a far wider range of course subjects available online. As well as online versions of existing courses, there are also programs designed specifically for web-based students—everything from music creation to astrology or quantum physics. If you search hard enough, you’ll likely find the course you’re looking for already exists. You could also utilise an online learning platform which brings together lots of different courses, you only have to look up “Masterclass reviews” to see how popular these learning platforms have become in recent years. 

Online education is flexible

Traditional, fixed lesson times simply can’t compete with the flexibility offered by online learning. For many people, taking further education is a juggling act trying to fit study around existing family, social life, and work responsibilities. With online learning, both students and teachers can schedule lessons at a time that suits both. Furthermore, many classes and assignments are pre-recorded, meaning learners can view them anytime, anywhere. Students are far more likely to engage positively (and learn more) when they can work at a pace and time that suits them. 

Learning online is more immersive and collaborative

Learning online means having access to the internet’s vast library of media and resources including photos, maps, videos, 3D models, Google Earth, etc. Moreover, improved connection speeds and technology can mean students can take part in virtual debates with fellow class members—or work on projects together using collaborative work platforms.   Online learning has completely turned the education world on its head but in my mind this is a very positive step in an increasingly global world.  You can now pretty much learn from anywhere in your own time.  Take for example, with online learning provided from tutors at www.tutorcity.sg both students and teachers can schedule lessons at a time that suits both. It really is a fantastic step forward and one we need to all embrace. 

Online course content is customizable

As most courses are built in digestible modules or sections, students can mix and match the particular skills they want to learn. Moreover, entirely new classes can be constructed that are aimed at specific levels of ability or the individual skills needed for particular vocations. Real-world learning simply can’t compete on the same level in terms of customization. 

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Features

5 Ways To Save Money While Driving That You Can Start Today

As families, we are always looking to save money on daily costs –  mainly so we can put it towards things that are more fun, such as days out and taking family trips together. Driving is usually a significant cost, both when it comes to buying a new car, maintaining it and paying for fuel and wear and tear. The good news is, there are lots of ways to save here and there on the cost of motoring. Some are large savings, others small, but taken together they can add up to a decent amount.

Use A Cashback Card To Buy Fuel

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Pic Credit: Pexels

If fuel is a regular outlay of a set amount for you, then it could be well worth hunting down a cashback credit card. Use the card to purchase fuel but avoid debt by setting a direct debit to pay it off promptly each month. Even though it’s only a small amount, this method can get you something back each time you drive, and over time it really adds up. Some supermarkets also offer loyalty card points when you refuel with them, so you can double up and get even more for your spend.

Assess Your Driving Style

You can learn to drive more economically in order to save fuel. Things like accelerating rapidly then having to come rapidly to a complete stop obviously consume more fuel than more measured driving. Some insurance policies will provide you with a ‘black box’ or sometimes a mobile phone app that monitors your driving style and can give tips on driving more safely and economically.

Shop Around For Car Insurance

One of the biggest money mistakes you can make is staying with the same car insurance provider – it’s one scenario where loyalty definitely doesn’t pay! Always shop around yourself or use price comparison sites to find the best deals, especially if you have more than one vehicle to insure. You will still be able to keep your no claims discount and benefit from introductory savings as well.

Make Sure Your Tyres Are Properly Inflated

It’s a simple fix, and yet it’s something that not many of us remember to do regularly – but keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure can really help reduce fuel consumption. You can get a tyre inflator to use at home or go to a garage or petrol station. Even the minimal difference of tyres under-inflated by just 15psi can use six per cent more fuel! That means on a 60 litre tank, you’d get 26 more miles of fuel. So it’s easy to see how that can quickly add up over time.

Find Cheaper Parking

Parking is an often overlooked cost that can also add up. If you’re going on a trip or driving to the airport, try pre-booking parking as that can often be significantly cheaper. Using apps like Parkopedia can also help you to identify much cheaper places to leave your car securely than the most obvious car parks you see driving into a city. 

 

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Home & Interiors

WHERE DO I FIND FABRICS TO MAKE CURTAINS

We all know that curtains play a big role in keeping our homes feel more comfortable while letting us have the privacy that we want. It gives us a new look for our homes and even extends its use for different seasons. As cliché’ as it seems, our homes are not complete without the presence of even a single curtain.

The different varieties and type of curtain fabric where designed and resourced for us to be more comfortable with our drapes. The variations in curtain fabric set out different kinds of mood for people of contrasting preferences. Curtain fabrics are now one of the things homeowners get to choose in order to feel more comfort in their homes.

Now, if you’ve finally decided to shop for curtains in order to level up your homes, worry less. Yorkshire Fabric Shop has got you! The store has the widest variety of curtain fabrics to choose from. You can visit their physical store or if you want to shop in the convenience of your own homes, you can even shop online at https://www.yorkshirefabricshop.com/ .

Thinking of just a hundred? Well, they got thousands!

Their curtain fabrics are not just fabrics, Yorkshire Fabric shops lets you choose your desired color, and fabric style and material. If you’re moving into a new home and prioritising your budget, they also let you search based on the price that you can afford; they even let you customise so it takes less time for you. 

If you’re into colours to make your rooms more vibrant, Yorkshire Fabric Shop’s curtain fabrics are rich in colour schemes. If you’re into patterns, they have patches, animal print laser cuts, and geometric types and all sorts of kinds. Now if you’re looking for a curtain fabric that’s best for the different seasons each year, care to visit their collections now.

Yorkshire Fabric Shop’s curtain fabrics prioritises not just in aesthetic but also with its purpose. You can choose cotton and linen for hot summer days; it lets the fresh breeze of air go into your room for a more breathable home. Nonetheless, you can also choose their velvet, chenille, and blackout curtains on winter, which helps in maintaining the warm temperature inside your homes. Furthermore, if you want a textured curtain fabric ranging from the crispiest to the silkiest one, their array of collection is just one click away. Yorkshire Fabric Shop’s fabric finder will help you find the most ideal fabric for your curtains. Let the practical and creative side of your run through. 

At Yorkshire Fabric Shop, they value your needs, preferences, as well as your budget. Consequently, with buying your curtain fabric, always choose a fabric that’s best for you and your home’s needs. More than the aesthetics, Yorkshire Fabric Shop makes sure that your curtain fabrics are with high quality grade and is durable enough to last long. They see to it that our curtain fabrics are more than what you’re paying for. 

Shop now at Yorkshire Fabric Shop and let your rooms be filled with life!

 

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Mamma Musings

Top Tips for Helping Your Child with their Social Skills

Being able to interact with other people successfully is an important aspect of a child’s personal and academic development. Unfortunately, not every single child is naturally sociable; it’s often a skill that parents need to help them to improve, using various methods. Here are some top tips from a senior school in Surrey.

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There are lots of things you can do to help your child with their social skills, as soon as they enter the world. Try and familiarise them with social situations as much as possible by introducing them to lots of different people, both adults and children. You could consider joining a Mother and Toddler group in your local area where your child will be able to meet other little girls and boys and play with them in a structured environment, with you close-by.

As they get older, talk to your child about manners and elements of a healthy conversation. Teach them that listening is often just as important as talking and that it’s rude to interrupt. Lots of people struggle to initiate conversations with new people, so this is something you could work on at home too. Teach your child that questions and compliments often work well when starting a conversation, like “Did you have a nice evening? What did you get up to?” or “I like your dress, where did you get it?”. 

You could encourage your child to join an extra-curricular club, which will allow them to build relationships, as well as countless new skills. This will help their confidence and allow them to feel more comfortable in social situations. Having a hobby will also give them something to talk about with friends and relatives.

Your child will learn a lot of their behaviour from watching you, so always try and be a good role model. When talking to someone within earshot of your child, demonstrate respect and good manners, as well as the correct balance of talking and listening. Your child will be able to replicate your behaviour when faced with social situations of their own.

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Mamma Musings

How to Be More Involved in Your Child’s Education

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Children who have a supportive home environment are more likely to succeed in school. They might try harder to impress you if they know you have a keen interest in their education and knowing that they have you to fall back on if things don’t go their way will encourage them to take risks they might otherwise be afraid of. With this is mind, I have teamed up with a senior school in Hampshire to offer parents the following advice on how they can be more involved in their child’s education and support their academic journey.

Chat to your child each day about school but try and mix up the questions so they don’t become mundane conversations. You should also aim to ask open-ended questions so that your child can’t just give you a blunt yes or no answer. For instance, you could ask which of their lessons they enjoyed the most that day and why, who they spent their lunch break with and whether or not there are any events or extra-curricular activities they’d like to be involved in. It might be worth giving them some space straight after school and having these conversations a little later in the evening, so they can relax a little bit before going back into “school mode”. 

Be sure to attend parents’ evening and try and communicate with teachers throughout the school year so that you can monitor your child’s progress and find ways to help them with any problem areas. The teachers will be able to recommend age-appropriate learning resources to look into, if necessary. You should also attend other events at the school, like school plays and sports day, to show your child that you care.

You might not be able to sit with your child each evening and help them with their homework, as other commitments can get in the way. However, you can still support your child’s home learning by providing with a suitable study space to do their work. This space should be well-lit, free from distractions and stocked with all of the appropriate equipment, like stationery and books.

 

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Mamma Musings

Exploring Internet Safety with Your Child

The internet is great for helping young people stay connected with their friends and access learning resources online, especially during the pandemic, but it can also be quite a dark and dangerous place if not used responsibly. With that said, it’s important for parents to sit down with their children and talk about internet safety on a regular basis. Here’s some advice from an independent school in West Sussex.

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It’s important to have some strict rules in place when it comes to using the internet within your family, both to limit screen time and to keep your child safe from harm. For instance, they should never share personal information online, they should never meet up with someone they’ve only ever met on the internet and they should think carefully before posting anything, as it can never truly be deleted. Some parents don’t allow their children to use the internet unsupervised/with the door closed, but that’s entirely up to you and dependent on your child’s age and how much you trust them.

You might not want to go into full detail about paedophiles, scammers and other horrors of the world with your young child, but it’s important that they know that there are people on the internet who sometimes pretend to be someone they’re not to inflict harm on others. With that said, your child should be weary of who they’re speaking to online.

Additionally, the other side of online safety is not just about your children covertly sharing their personal information that they should keep to themselves. It is also about only letting your child use sites that you can trust and about keeping your personal data like passwords and credit card information off and not on autofill for shared devices. The last thing you want is for your tech to get hacked and have your and all of your family’s information on the dark web. While we as a society have adapted and learned how to protect ourselves if breaches do occur through updated laws and options like eCourt services to deal with cyber crime, the best thing is to be vigilant and practice online safety. 

Do some research into the different websites and apps that your child uses and find out if they are age appropriate and if there are any parental controls that you can set-up. For instance, some online games have the option to switch off the chat function so that your child cannot talk to strangers. They also have payment blocks so that your children can’t make purchases without your confirmation. Be sure to stay involved in your kids’ lives, not just present. Check in with your child regularly to ensure everything is ok and make sure they know to report any bullying incidents they have spotted online and block the websites that you think they should be avoiding.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Running A Virtual Business: A Guide To The Essentials For Success

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If you’ve decided to launch a virtual business you might be wondering what it takes to actually see success from your venture. Whether you’re selling a product or offering a service, if you are going to ensure that your business is a success, you need to make sure that you’re clued up about the essentials. Yes, you can run your business how you like, but if you want to increase your chances of success, you need to be willing to take advice on board and implement it in your business strategy. Your strategy means everything when running a business, which is why using a data strategy framework, amongst other tools, will provide you with the information you need to help you establish goals and move your business forward.

Wondering what some of the business essentials are for making a success of your virtual business? Below is a guide to all of the ins and outs of what it takes to make a success of a virtual business!

Get your communication tools right 

When it comes to seeing success from your venture, it’s essential that you get your communication tools right. The last thing that you want is for your customers to feel like it’s hard for them to communicate with you; that’s why it’s so vital that you think carefully about the communication methods that you offer. When it comes to customer communication, the more options available, the better. For instance, a lot of businesses are now opting to take advantage of chat services – to learn more about live chat answering services, click here – to offer customers instance support as and when they need it. What it’s important to consider is the kind of support that your customers need you to provide for them. 

Good communication is the live blood of any business therefore it is important to consider the best option for your business in this regard. When it comes to a virtual business, location really doesn’t matter for example, you could use an answering service based in Texas to service your UK business.

Set up a virtual team

If you are going to make a success of your virtual business, you need to think about how you are going to manage all aspects of your business yourself. The chances are that you’re not going to be able to manage everything on your own, which is why it might be a good idea to consider setting up a team of  executive virtual assistants to help you.  This will pay dividends in terms of freeing your own  When managing a virtual team, make sure to implement the right team support software, such as Trello, Asana, and Slack, to make managing your team members as easy as possible. 

Hone your marketing 

When it comes to making a success out of your business, you need to make sure that people actually know about it – that’s where marketing comes into it. If you are going to give your venture a chance of achieving success, you need to ensure that you take your marketing needs seriously from the start. If you fail to market your business and no one knows about it, it has an extremely low chance of success. So, make sure to get your marketing efforts right. 

The truth is that launching a virtual business can be a great way to actually start something of your own as the overheads are minimal. However, it’s important not to underestimate the amount of hard work it takes to get a small business off of the ground. Hopefully, the tips and advice above will help you to ensure that you get your virtual business off the ground successfully. 

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Features

Three Ways To Fund Your Wanderlust

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Travel is one of life’s luxuries, a way of experiencing new ways of life almost endlessly, and the opportunity to take a holiday somewhere new is always an attractive possibility. While there are some lucky people who have managed to visit every country on the face of the Earth, most of us have barely scratched the surface, and have plenty of destinations left on our bucket list.

The thing about that bucket list is that there are probably some reasons we haven’t already crossed off every place on there. Primary among those reasons is that it costs money to travel, and although you might fancy spending a while experiencing the wonders of Iceland, actually funding that trip is another matter. So if you really want to travel more, there is going to be the question of how you pay for it. The options below are a few potential answers.

Work your way around the world

If you’re relatively footloose and fancy-free, then you can see some of the world by working within the travel industry. While training as a pilot might be a little drastic, you can look for openings as airline cabin crew, which offers the opportunity for layovers in new places – but might limit what you’re able to see and do. Alternatively, you can move from place to place at a more leisurely pace if you know how to find a job quickly wherever you land; bar work, tutoring and construction crews are possible options if you have the right documentation, and allow you to spend longer in each place.

Save towards a target

It’s not always easy to save money, but if you are determined to find your way to a new part of the world there is a lot to be said for having a devoted “travel savings” account. You’ll need to be incredibly disciplined, put aside every penny you can and potentially even sell a few personal possessions to reach your target. It depends how much you want to see a certain place, of course, but if you have a travel itch you are desperate to scratch, you’ll do what you can to move that savings total towards its destination.

Look for every alternative source you can

We humans are so busy that we often don’t realize the range of options that are out there: chances for new experiences, acquaintances and opportunities. Keep turning over stones and you’ll be surprised by what you find; if you ask questions such as “Should I take a TEFL course?” or “What is Debt to Success System?”, you’ll find new income streams (and ways of saving) which can pay for trips abroad. Be active in your pursuit of passive income, because once you have found a way to diversify your income, you’re likely to find some others too.

Seeing more of the world is going to take some financial outlay, but if you make travel a priority you can enjoy the kind of experiences that only true wanderers can. It’s well worth the effort.

 

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Features

Investments You May Want To Consider Now for a Better Tomorrow

Investing can be a daunting task for many people. Some assets are indeed riskier than others, but it is important to note that the benefits of investing are more significant when you invest in the right things at the right time. Keep reading for an overview of what you should consider supporting now for a better tomorrow.

Start a Family Business

If you are thinking of having a better tomorrow, it is time to start a family business. The best way of doing this is by creating your insurance agency, which will bring you significant profits in the years to come. Insurance agencies have been around for quite some time now, and they continue to be profitable because people need them today more than ever.

Invest in a Modular Building

If you’re looking for a quick and easy investment to make, then  buy a modular building  since it is a great choice. Modular buildings are built in factories with the help of robots before being assembled on-site quickly by your team members. This means very little waste is involved, which leads to less work for your employees during the assembly process and a lower cost for the buyer.

You won’t have to worry about waiting months or even years before you can use your building, either.

Build Your Home

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Building your home is a big decision and one you should not take lightly. You want to make sure that your investment will pay off over time and that you will be happy with the decisions and compromises made. An excellent place to start is considering your needs in a home, both now and in the future.

After carefully assessing all of these factors, you should consider how best to finance this new adventure, whether it’s through conventional loans or alternative lending such as hard money lenders.

Invest in Online Trading

There are various ways to invest in the market, but one way that’s becoming increasingly popular is through online trading and buying of old nuggets. Unfortunately, this method can be complicated for beginners to navigate and often requires a great deal of patience and discipline. But, if you have enough interest in investing money into your future earning potential, it may be worth it to consider.

Investing money into your future is a big decision and should be done wisely. You can join many different online trading sites, but it’s essential to do some research before joining any of them. In addition, some trading companies provide training tutorials for beginners that can help you learn the basics of online trading before making any big moves with your investment money.

Buy a Car

Buying a car is an investment you may want to consider for a better tomorrow. It can cost thousands of dollars, but it will be helpful for transportation and valuable assets. It may seem like an expense you want to avoid right now, but buying a car is an investment that might pay off in the future. For example, you’ll need one if you hope to get around town or go on vacation.

Conclusion

The above list is not comprehensive, and there are many more options. However, when making decisions about your investments, it is vital to remember that they should be part of a long-term plan and strategy for building wealth over time.

Note: Note this is a collaborative post