Mamma Fairy

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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.

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

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

Vaginal health is exceedingly important for women’s health. So, what constitutes a healthy vagina? While most people don’t think much about it, a healthy vagina should contain low levels of acidic pH, small amounts of discharge, and rich bacterias that help fight off infections.

Though many women might not care about it, others “can notice anywhere up to a teaspoon or tablespoon of discharge a day,” says Leah Millheiser, MD, director of the female sexual medicine program at Stanford University Medical Center in California, as per an article published on Everyday Health. “Discharge is a normal physiologic reaction — it’s essentially shedding of cervical and vaginal cells.”

However, “if women experience changes in vaginal odor, a change in color of their discharge that may be associated with discomfort — whether it’s pelvic discomfort or vulvar discomfort, itching, or burning — any change needs to be evaluated,” further says Dr. Millheiser. 

What’s the Difference Between Vagina and Vulva? 

Many people mistake vulva for vagina. There’s a major difference between the two. Vulva is the outer part of your genital area that includes your labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, and the opening to the urethra. A vagina is a canal-like structure inside the labia, which isn’t visible and includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix. Your vulva and vagina should have low pH levels which makes it less prone to infections.

Tips to Keep Your Vagina and Vulva Healthy 

Below are the simple yet important tips you should follow to keep your vaginal health in check. 

• Regular Cleaning Is Important: It is advised to clean your vagina with unscented soap and water. Skip douching as it can misbalance the healthy bacterias in the vagina. While washing, do not put soap directly into your vagina and avoid scrubbing it too hard as it can disturb the vaginal environment. Please note that irregular cleaning can lead to several vaginal issues, such as fibroids and PCOS. You may also have to go through enlarged uterus treatment as it is a common symptom of fibroids. Therefore, regular cleaning and washing is the key to keeping your vagina healthy. 

• Be Careful While Trying New Products: Whenever you try any new product, be it any toy or condoms, make sure to read their label as some ingredients might irritate the vaginal area, causing infection and other severe issues. So, make sure you are being careful in such cases.

• Take Healthy Diet: This point goes without saying. What you eat has a huge impact on your vaginal health. Foods rich in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables) and probiotics can help balance vaginal pH, reduce the chances of infections and ease the symptoms of PMS. You can find probiotics in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and tempeh.

• Move Your Body: Another way to maintain your vaginal health is to exercise regularly. There are various exercises that keep your pelvic floor healthy and flexible. The pelvic floor includes muscles, tissue and ligaments that connect to the organs in your pelvis, including your cervix, bladder, uterus and vagina.

Not looking after your vaginal health can result in severe complications. Therefore, make sure you keep the above tips in mind and follow them to enjoy a healthier life. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

The market is buzzing with scores of realtors, each striving to reach out to prospective investors. You must have recently received many emails regarding the same. Hence, it is imperative to reach the prospective buyers before others can. 

Sending out your neighborhood realtor postcards is a great way to meet clients and grow your business like never before. There are several channels to get in touch with the customers, but surprisingly postcards as a means to reach the masses are trending again. 

If you want to design a postal-card, you can take the help of online expert services and get one created for you any day. But before you reach out, you must understand how to select a realtor postcard maker.

How To Select A Realtor Postcard Maker?

In the real estate business, you need to change your game plan to have the upper hand. A postcard is an effective way to reach potential buyers. But you need to be careful while selecting one.

Here are some tips.

• Understands your requirements

It is always wonderful to work with like-minded people and those who understand your needs. Accordingly, work with designers who know what you want and your needs and are ready to customize. 

• Offers multiple template options

No two clients have the exact requirements, and there is no one-size-fits-all format for cards. But to cut down on efforts, some designers would like to impose the already created layouts on you. 

So it is imperative to understand that what worked for one business might not be as good for your business. Select a designer who has multiple ready-made templates and offers sufficient customization options as well. 

• Is it price efficient?

If you are on a budget, you can choose affordable services. But ensure that you get value for money. Some designers might lure you with great designs before closing the deal but fail to deliver the same agreed price later. 

• Generates high-quality output

There are many ways to accomplish a task, but some designers might take a cheaper route to finishing their job to save time and effort. However, the final result must match your expectations. Hence look for a designer who is proficient in their work.

• Can they customize?

A designer must not impose his designs on you but convert your ideas into reality. The agency must not hesitate to explore the options and is ready to customize your neighborhood realtor postcards on any level.

• Offers tracking system

Some designers use high-end technology and help you track the delivery of the postal-cards. This facility enables you to ensure that your efforts are not in vain and reach the right buyers at the right time. 

• Provides buyer list facility

Some designers go a step ahead to please their clients and offer a list of prospective buyers to the clients. This helps the clients improve the business and reach out to more buyers than ever expected. If your designer offers you a list of buyers, it will boost your business.

• Has no minimum order quantity criteria

You must have often met designers who don’t work below the minimum ordering quantity. They don’t work on low scales and expect to receive high order quantities to make profits. But this can be a significant loss for you as you might pay a substantial amount for cards you throw away after the end of the season. 

Hence it will be great to work with a designer who has no restrictions on minimum order quantities.

Conclusion

Competing with others in the market is a big deal, but with some planning and heed, you can make every effort count. Sending well-designed postal-cards to prospective buyers can help you close a big deal. So select a postcard maker who is reliable and proficient in the task. You can find a number of options when you do a simple google search. Be sure to go through customer reviews, their product catalog, etc., before making your decision. 

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Some say you can reshape your nose by applying toothpaste, while others say you can achieve a straight-edged nose by massaging your nose with lavender oil.

There are numerous nose reshaping myths out there. And as a woman who is keen on finding an effective way to reshape your nose to enhance its appearance or treat a defect, it’s important you differentiate myth from the actual truth. You have probably heard that surgery is potentially the only thing that can help. Whether you speak with a rhinoplasty Miami surgeon, or decide to consult with one closer to you, there is still a lot you should think about.

To separate myth from fact, you need to be aware of the myths. Below, we have highlighted some of the most common nose reshaping myths every woman should note.

 Myth 1: Exercise and Yoga

Exercise is effective in reshaping a few parts of our body. However, does this apply to your nose as well? Can a few exercises straighten a crooked nose or make it more pointed?

Some people believe it can. However, that is another myth that should be ignored. If indeed exercises can reshape your nose, we would have tons of scientific evidence to back the claim. However, at the time of writing, there is no scientific evidence proving that nose exercises or even “nose yoga” can work magic on your nose.

Also, you should note that nose exercises work the small muscles surrounding your nose that you use to make facial expressions. These particular muscles don’t play an important role in your nose shape.

 Myth 2: Toothpaste and Nose Reshaping

Many women turn to the internet when searching for a “quick” way to reduce the size of their noses naturally. While some websites offer practical and truthful tips on achieving a small nose, others recommend false tips like using toothpaste to reshape the nose.

As mentioned earlier, the shape of your nose is mainly determined by the shape of your bone and cartilages. Applying toothpaste to your nose wouldn’t somehow modify the size of your bone or cartilage.

Furthermore, there is zero proof that other home remedies that consist of ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, ginger, or garlic can reshape your nose. Be wise and stick to only what works.

 What Procedure Actually works?

If you want to reduce the shape of your nose, improve your breathing, or correct nasal bump, here are some cosmetic procedures to try out.

Surgical Rhinoplasty

Pic Credit: Pixabay

As the name implies, surgical rhinoplasty is an invasive procedure that helps reshape the nose. It remains one of the most delicate and nuanced plastic surgical procedures.

Surgical rhinoplasty involves reducing the nose by removing some cartilages or bone or reshaping the nose by rearranging or adding to the cartilage or bone.  The method depends on what you want to achieve.

Of course, due to the nature of the surgery, we recommend undergoing a surgical rhinoplasty in a reliable clinic supervised by an experienced plastic surgeon. For instance, rhinoplasty surgery by Dr. Frankel is recommended by clients as one of the best cosmetic surgeries for individuals who want to improve the appearance of their noses. When your cosmetic surgery is done by a professional you become more confident and at ease.

Non-surgical or Liquid rhinoplasty

Unlike its counterpart, non-surgical or liquid rhinoplasty isn’t an invasive procedure. It involves injecting fillers into a patient’s nose to enhance the contours and reshape it. This is often carried out with hyaluronic acid (HA), the filler used in cheek and lip fillers.

 Conclusion

There are lots of rumors regarding nose reshaping. Some of these rumors are so enticing that they appear as the truth. 

Spotting these myths or differentiating the truth from fables will save you lots of time and probably money that would have been spent chasing procedures that can deliver good results. If there is a procedure you aren’t certain of, contact a specialist for insights. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

As you advance in age, your skin tends to produce less collagen, which promotes skin elasticity. As a result, you might notice your skin starts sagging or forms wrinkles around your mouth. However, your lifestyle habits, poor nutrition, and genetics could also contribute to the formation of wrinkles. There are three types of mouth wrinkles: marionette lines, lipstick lines, and smile lines. You might be insecure about your appearance and want to make your mouth wrinkles less visible. This article will discuss some of the best treatments for deep wrinkles around the mouth.

Use plant oils

Plant-derived oils such as castor, olive, and coconut oil are typically used for cooking. However, you could use these oils to moisturize your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Experts also reveal that these plant oils contain a high concentration of essential fatty acids that improve skin elasticity. Apply a few drops of the oil on the spots with wrinkles at least twice a day.

Consider chemical peels

The human body loses about 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. Accumulation of these dead cells accentuates the appearance of wrinkles on your face and around the mouth. A chemical peel is a high-strength skin exfoliant that gets rid of the top layer of the epidermis to reveal smooth skin. We suggest doing chemical peels at least once a month to keep your skin looking radiant and to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles around the mouth. 

Get Botox injections

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Botox is a neurotoxin injected in super small doses under the skin to soften wrinkles and improve facial volume. Though Botox is typically injected around the eyes, it has proven effective when dealing with fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
A word of caution, though. It would be best to consult with a licensed and reputable Botox provider in your area to help you get the best results. For instance, if you are in Pittsburg, you can go for botox injectables Dr. Heil to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Ensure you follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent the Botox from migrating to unintended muscles or bruising.

Try microneedling

In the microneedling procedure, the professional uses tiny needles on a microneedling pen or a derma roller to prick the skin. Once your skin heals from the minor wounds, it becomes smoother, and the wrinkles look less defined. We recommend you undergo several sessions over a few months to achieve a smooth, wrinkle-free face.

Apply essential oils

Essential oils such as sandalwood, lemon, lavender, and frankincense can help promote cell turnover and increase the skin’s firmness around your mouth. However, it would help to perform a test patch on the back of your neck or the inside of your elbow to ascertain you will not have an allergic reaction. You can then apply a small amount of essential oil to the skin around your mouth at least twice a day to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Wrapping up

If you have developed wrinkles around your mouth or would like to slow down the aging process that results in wrinkles, you could establish a regular skincare routine. It would also be wise to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol and avoid smoking to prevent the development of wrinkles around your mouth. You can also seek help from a cosmetic surgeon to help beat the signs of aging.

Breast implants are standard procedures these days. There are different reasons for women to choose breast augmentation, such as medical reasons or to feel comfortable in their bodies. May women also associate cosmetic surgeries with self-love. Whether you are considering breast implants for medical reasons or fashion purposes, if you are of child-bearing age, you may be wondering if it will impact your pregnancy. 

After a thorough discussion with many plastic surgeons and gynecologists, we have collected information on the pros and cons of breast implants before and after kids. Here’s the good news: implants do not hinder breastfeeding in most cases. This article mentions information to help you pick the right time for breast surgery.

What is the right time to get breast implants? 

Significantly, there is no right time to undergo surgery for your bust because it is more of a personal decision. However, before you decide and give a green signal for surgery, you should consider certain things about your life. According to the patients, who got their breast augmentation by Dr. Fenner, the doctor helped them analyze the situation and understand the effects on their bodies. It was then that they could finally make a decision. One of the critical discussions included child planning. So, let’s learn about breast implants before and after having kids. 

Breast implants before having kids 

Women of the child-bearing age have to think through if they want to reshape their breasts before having their children or not. It is critical because pregnancy gets a body through significant changes, including weight gain and weight loss. The hormonal changes in the body also affect the size and shape of their breasts. 

According to expert plastic surgeons, getting implants before bearing a child will give you aesthetically strong results. You can enjoy enhanced, fuller-looking, and tighter breasts. It will amp up your confidence and mark a point of self-love. Additionally, you can breastfeed your child with silicone implants if the insertion is from your armpit or under the bust. The only thing that hinders milk production is when the surgeons dissect the areola during the procedure. 

Breast implants after having children 

Pregnancy leaves your body with significant changes. Therefore, surgeons worldwide suggest that one should consider implants only when they are sure that no more significant bodily changes will happen to their bodies.

When you get implants before getting pregnant, you may need to get a revision surgery to correct the form and size of your breasts. Therefore, you should wait until you bear all your children for long-lasting and pro aesthetical results.

This corrective procedure helps restore the original look of the breasts or adjust them to fit your new post-pregnancy body. Many women seek out specialized care, such as Breast Revision Beverly Hills, to address issues like sagging, shifting, or changes in volume. A surgeon can replace old implants, adjust their position, or combine the process with a breast lift. This step ensures that your physical changes do not permanently affect your confidence or comfort. It is a common way to refresh your appearance after your family is complete.

Healthcare experts recommend waiting for around 6 to 12 months before getting a breast implant surgery after your pregnancy. It will help your breasts regain their natural size and shape. The regaining time for breasts aids the implant procedure, as you can get a clear idea of how your bust will look.

Final Words 

It is a woman’s personal choice if she wants to get breast implants or not. Most women with small or asymmetrical breasts undergo surgery to enhance their appearance and confidence. We suggest you discuss the risk factors of each implant type and consider your body’s condition before getting under the knife. Your plastic surgeon will have solutions for all your queries, so do not hesitate to communicate.