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Mamma Fairy

Features

10 Tips on How to Cope With News of Terminal Illness

When a health condition advances, doctors might declare it a terminal illness. It is not easy to predict how much time anyone has before death occurs. It could be a few months or weeks, and the upsetting news can negatively affect you and your loved ones. How do you cope with this sad reality?

It is Okay to React

You cannot predict how you would react if the doctor says the disease is too hard to cure. Everyone reacts differently. The shocking news is almost unbearable, and that’s why some people go silent. You will most likely not believe what you’ve heard. It is okay to cry. Whether you feel scared, agitated, or numb, know that the feelings are normal. Take time to admit the reality even if you want to be alone.If your loved ones suggest Hospice Care, know that they are doing it out of love. As tough as it may be, don’t try to suppress the emotions. You can still express and manage them no matter how hard it seems.

Decide How You Want to Die

You have all the rights to choose where you wish to die. Your priorities, treatment method, and extent of the illness will determine your decision on planning a good death. It can take time to plan how you will die at home. Depending on your health condition, you might need a dedicated caregiver apart from the family members.Many who die in hospitals are subject to infections due to over-medication or unwanted contacts. End-of-life care tends to differ according to socioeconomic status. The good news is that there are nursing homes for all levels of income earners.A report compiled by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) indicates that Medicare beneficiaries dying annually (2 million) represent 80% of total deaths in the USA. Only half of them die at hospice facilities, meaning that the other half spends their end of life days at home. Do not overlook the quality of treatment from a good nursing home, hospital, or hospice. Once you set your priorities right, communicate with the family and doctors to see if you have chosen a viable option.

hospice

Pic Credit: Pixabay


Be Kind to Yourself

As mentioned, it is normal to experience a range of emotions. How you react to those feelings is what matters as you approach death. Since not everything has or will go well, it is high time to forgive yourself. Some days, you will not handle matters as you would wish. Love and accept yourself.

Make Every Day Count

The most exciting moments are not found in big events or exotic vacations. You can make wonderful memories by seizing the day. Take time to reward yourself for living a worthy life. Spending time with a partner or child can be therapeutic. Whether you are listening to music or birds chirping, the idea is to find moments of joy. Get the most out of the little time that is left.

Process That Paperwork

The family needs to know where your vital papers are. Update them if need be. Have a health care directive planned and state your desires in writing. It is this document that spells out who will make your medical decisions if you are unable to. Remember to write down your living will and indicate the kind of treatments you prefer towards the end of life. You might also want to draft a Do Not Resuscitate order. Your doctor should also sign the paperwork. If possible, you can choose to donate organs to help others. Put detailed instructions in the health care directive.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Spring Fashion – What’s Going to Be Big This Season?

lady on boat

Pic Credit: Pixabay

As the snow and ice grips the country, what better time to look ahead to the warmer, lighter months of spring? It may feel like a long way off, but spring fashion is just around the corner. If you’re hoping to get on trend and rock the latest spring 2019 fashion trends, below you’ll discover what’s set to be big this season.

Celebrate the season with neon colours

There’s a lot of colour trends kicking off the spring 2019 fashion, but neon is one of the major players. This bold trend has been kickstarted by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian in 2018 and it’s set to carry on throughout this year too. Just some of the catwalks neon has been showcased recently include Henry Holland, Naeem Khan and Christian Siriano. Basically, anything which comes in a bright, bold neon colour is what you’ll want to aim for.

This trend is also set to continue throughout the summer too so start stocking up on your neon clothing now to get ahead of the trend.

Leopard prints

Worried you might end up looking like a highlighter pen following the neon trend? Another colour scheme taking over this season is animal prints, or more specifically, leopard prints.

crochet jumper

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Animal print clothing appears to be a hit year after year and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, since 2018, it’s actually increased in popularity by a staggering 50%. All of the leading brands are joining in such as Burberry, Calvin Klein and Gucci. So, you shouldn’t have a problem stocking up your spring leopard print wardrobe.

Crotchet clothing

Now we’ve covered a couple of the colour schemes to focus on, what about the type of clothing you should be investing in? Well, crotchet style clothing is one of the biggest Spring 2019 trends to pay attention to. Creating a soft, chic beach look, crotchet style tops are especially all the rage this season. You could team crotchet clothing with a pair of spring sandals from a company such as DAMART.

Skirts

There is something about skirts that have led them to withstand the test of time.  You can dress them up or down depending on your preference.  A trend that’s really making waves this year is the Lolita Skirt  a real eye catching statement piece.

Shirts

I suspect as a result of Megan Markles love of the shirt and jeans combo this look will remain a top trend.  For me for many years my all time favourite shirt either for work or more casual wear is Ralph Lauren, there is just something about a crisp white shirt, navy jeans and heels, timeless.

So, there you have it – some of the key spring 2019 fashion trends you’ll want to keep an eye on. Whatever your usual style, you’ll easily find something to match it in the season’s latest fashions. Or, why not try something totally different and go with one of the more unique fashion trends, such as neon?

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Upgrading sash windows to keep the kids safe

Single glazed sash windows look beautiful, they are extremely elegant, and fit perfectly into a period property but they do come with a few drawbacks. These include being noisy, could, draughty, but most importantly if you have young children, extremely unsafe. In this article we will take a look at why single glazed sash windows are unsafe for children and what can be done to improve them to give you peace of mind.

Single glazed sash windows are unsafe and what to do about it

  • Thin glass is dangerous – One of the main reasons single glazed sash windows are unsafe is because of the slender glazing.
    red sash window

    Old Style Sash windows Pic Credit: Pixabay

    Originally sash windows were made with just 2.5-3mm single one glass. This was partially down to cost but just as much technology. Glass this thin breaks far too easily, if you have an original sash window with this thickness of glass it can literally be broken with a sturdy tap from any heavy object. This doesn’t have to be a hammer, something as soft as a tennis ball would be enough to break the pane easily. This normally occurs on Georgian sash windows more that are broken into several panes. The smaller panes gave rise to thinner glass which was viable. A large sheet of 2.5mm thick glass would break far too easily. For larger panes the thickness normally starts at 3mm which is still very vulnerable because of the surface area in total. If a child leant into a pane of 3mm glass firmly it would be a serious problem. So much so, it’s a legal requirement to have a minimum of 4mm glass installed into your sash.

 

  • What to do about thin glass in your sash windows – Luckily you have glazing have two obvious solutions. The first is safety laminate glass. This breaks in the same way as the windscreen on your car. So if an object strikes with enough force it will not break into many pieces, instead the sticky film in-between both panes of glass will hold everything together. Not only is this much safer because it eliminates the risk of your child cutting and seriously injuring themselves on the glazing, it also means that if they were playing a bit rough they wouldn’t be able to fall through the glass as it’s much safer.The other option is toughened glass. This process is exactly the same as the side and rear windows on your car. If struck hard enough, it will shatter into thousands of small pieces. This is a very good solution for your home, to date I haven’t seen an example of toughened glass break in a home and there are many sash windows companies installing this type of glazing that come with an excellent reputation.  To protect kids and adults alike any glazing below 800mm in height, be it sash windows or door need to be toughened or safety glass. This is a legal requirement.

 

  • Single glazed sash windows can open fully – when a catch is undone a sash window can open fully. Normally the lower sash in most standard properties is at a height that would allow children or toddlers to climb out. This is a serious risk and it makes most parents screw sash windows shut or lock them and never open them. Since the meeting rail where the sash meet and the catch holds things closed is up high enough, that seems to be the average solution but doesn’t solve being able to safely use your window.

 

  • What you can do to remedy a sash window opening fully – There are sash windows companies that sell security restrictors that are installed just four inches above the lower sash. This means that you can lift your sash four inches but never need to worry about the gap increasing. This makes security restrictors the ideal solution for sash windows and this upgrade isn’t all that costly either, normally in the range of £12-£18 per set. You’ll need an 8mm drill bit and a hexagonal key to install them.

 

In summary traditional sash windows are dangerous but with modern technology there’s no reason you can’t keep your windows as they do look very lovely in a period property.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Reviews

Jayhawk Advisors help understand financial goals

When you’re wanting to buy your dream house, finance that dream holiday or simply improve  your credit rating, this isn’t always easy and probably not as easy as it sounds for most of us. However you can actually get some excellent benefits by using the services of a financial advisor. In this guide, we’re going to help you do this with some tips from Jayhawk Advisors who can help prioritise what clients need by offering a single monthly payment with low interest rates.

Why use a Financial Advisor 

Less Paperwork for You

boxes moving house

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Take for example buying your own home, or funding kids college or what about that dream holiday.  You need to review your financial position and consider if one payment would be more beneficial from a planning point of view than managing multiple outgoings a month, for example credit card, home loan, car loan, overdraft.  If you go a financial advisor with a pretty decent record, then you’ll be able to find who can recommend and assist you obtain  a one payment loan that fits your needs, and it will save you the time and the paperwork of having to find all of the lenders yourself, let alone, shopping around, dealing with queries etc.  Paper work can often be very stressful with multiple pages of information to be filled out and back up to be obtained.

Lower interest rate

Often it can be more beneficial when your financial position becomes clear is to consider the high interest loans such as credit cards, overdrafts and consolidate that into one payment for example via a personal loan where in variably the rate will be cheaper.  According to Wikipedia the interest rate is the interest due per period, as a proportion of the amount lent, deposited or borrowed.  Getting your head around the jargon can be challenging itself. Try not to get bogged down  in the jargon as your advisor will be able to help you get to grips with these terms.

Less Stress

One of the things a financial advisor can do is assist in arranging a one time monthly payment which will make it easier to forecast, plan and meet your obligations.  Another major plus is that meeting the one payment may mean that you are less likely to fall behind thus adversely affecting your credit rating. Something none of us want to happen. 

One thing to bear in mind that because the term may be longer you will need to factor that into your own planning, particularly if you are near retirement age.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best possible advisor – do your homework. Ask around, get recommendations and most importantly meet them in person.  Just make sure that you always do your homework, and if there is anything that looks extremely bad, you’ll want to make sure you get some sort of verification involved, check their credentials. Also worth shopping around at potential fees they might charge. Don’t ever give your pertinent information to just anyone. Ask around and make sure they’re a legit financial advisor.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Fairy Travels

DIY Lapland from Ireland – a how to guide

DIY Lapland from Ireland

santa claus village

Accommodation at Santa Claus Village Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Last year we ticked one item off our bucket list when we visited Iceland. Little did I think a mere two months later we would have managed to tick another one off the list – an ultimate dream come true….DIY Lapland from Ireland. It cost us a fraction of the price that tour operators were quoting for our two night stay therefore I though id set out just how we did it including costs.

 

Feel free to comment below or DM/ email and im more than happy to answer any questions or queries:

Flights

We weren’t overly keen on the over night train, I know some people love it but my thinking was tired kids = nightmare! Therefore we knew without booking with a tour operator we were limited to connecting nights flights so off we went researching.

  • We flew Dublin to London Gatwick, Cost €9.99 per person each way with Ryanair
  • London Gatwick to Rovaniemi £35.99 each way with Easy Jet

They above were the cheapest I could find anywhere and I did buckets of research in terms of timing I booked in August for December 2018. You also need to factor in the cost of an overnight stay in the airport as the Easy Jet flight is 6.20!! A very early flight!! We booked the Hilton Hampton airport hotel via booking.com for £90 b&b for the four of us. Nothing overly exciting but did the job and its literally next to the Easy Jet check in desks.

santa claus village resturant

Lunch time at Santa Claus Village Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy blog

DIY Lapland from Ireland

Santa Claus Village at 4pm Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

There is also the option of flying with Norwegian or Finnair from a few of the UK airports. The alternative is to go via Helsinki from Dublin, think its around an hours turnaround in Helsinki so tight but doable im informed. Of course the overnight train is an option if you fly from Dublin. Sign up to their newsletter for and discounts.

Accommodation (3 Nights)

There are a wealth of option to suit lots of budgets and requirements in Rovaniemi. We stayed at Santa Claus Village which yes is pricey but it was so handy to be so close to the airport and all activities were on site from Snowmobiling, huskies and of course the big man himself. We crossed over and under the arctic circle and Santa Claus Village is a 30 min or so walk to Santa Park. (Full reviews on both to follow).

The town of Rovaniemi is really nice and hosts the worlds most northerly McDonalds im told (and 2 Irish bars)!! I know a lot of people like to stay closer to the town for a variety of eating options and to be close to supermarkets etc. As above booking.com and Airbnb are good places to start. Food is pricey so do bear that in mind that you might like the option of self catering to be able to save money and cook at home.

Activities

Santa Park

Santa Park Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

The best piece of advice I can give here is to do your research. My kids are young so seeing Santa was top of the list but that list could be endless, there is just so much to do.  What we did was we decided early what activities we would like and booked and paid for some of those in advance.  Also highly recommended is the Rovaniemi Culture Pass which covers the top 3 attractions in Rovaniemi at €20 for adults and kids under 7 free this works out at really good value.

One thing I must do is commend the staff at Visit Rovaniemi, they are incredibly helpful at assisting with all queries in relation to upcoming visits. I literally spoke to them most weeks in the lead up to our trip and I can say hand on heart it would not have been  half as good without their expert advice and guidance. It can be a bit of a minefield with so much on offer and the sense of wanting to see all that’s on offer in this magical place so do contact them for assistance.

I do have a full review to follow of each of this but I will say some highlights were:

  • We saw Santa at Santa’s Office in Santa Claus Village, just amazing, we went early no queue as the tour buses hadn’t started to arrive yet
  • We did the husky ride at Husky Park located in Santa Park, you get to spend some time at the husky farm before going on the ride which my kids just loved.  The puppies…..so so cute. You can tell the staff genuinely love what they do and have a special bond with the animals
  • Santa Park is about 2km from Santa Village, its a really lovely walk via a forest trail. Id probably say this was the kids highlight. They loved the entire experience start to finish. The entrance alone is pure magic. You walk down this walk way which is all lit up with beautiful coloured lights. Almost like stepping into a fantasy. At Sana Park you can underpass the arctic circle which we all thought was super cool. I can’t recommend Santa Park enough, well laid out and just wonderful.  We only did Santa in one place to stave off the questions so the activities here were really thoroughly enjoyed:
    • elf show – one word mesmerising I could not take my eyes off the lead female, just incredible ,
    • angry birds play space, the grown ups enjoyed a coffee while the kids played over head at the place centre,
    • gingerbread decorating, this was really lovely and relaxing and kids had plenty time to decorate and use all the various toppings on offer,
    • ice-bar
    • train ride

All in all we estimate the total cost for the 4 of us for 4 nights flights bed and breakfast was around €1,000 activities extra bus that’s very much a matter of personal preference. The food is pricey but do factor that into your budget but I would urge you to try some of the local cuisine. Our favourite was probably the dinner at the Nova Skyland yes pricey but yes so worth it.  My kids are snacky eaters so I had lots of their favourites with me when the (hangry) hunger took over!

Mamma Fairy Insider Tips

  • Take snacks!!
  • Bepathan, my kids are fair skinned so I knew the cold would bother them, we used this on their faces and lips and no issues at all, definitely recommend
  • Good ski gear/ cold gear – kids wore good quality thermals and outerwear from Reima boots from Sports Direct and adults Regatta and Sports Direct boots, nobody got wet and nobody moaned about the cold….. winner! (For our full post of dressing for Lapland click here)
    entrance to santa park

    Santa Park Entrance Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

    Chat to Visit Rovaniemi they are excellent, I did it via email and definitely made our trip what it was.

  • Whatever clothing you need only take half, we took way too much.
  • Plan and plan some more, know what you want to do before you go and either pay in instalments or in advance makes planning easier.
  • You only have very short day time hours so plan accordingly
  • This year there was much stress about the snow levels so my advice  – book into December. Nothing is guaranteed but it does increase your chances
  • Sign up for all airlines newsletters so you know when flights are released. I understand both Easy Jet and Norwegian will be releasing theirs in April this year.
  • The Airbnb and Booking.com links above will give you a small discount so you are welcome to use them as every little really does help.
  • Savour every minute, honestly its magical

Hopefully this is helpful for anybody planning their trip of a life time -DIY Lapland from Ireland. Although in saying that im eagerly awaiting flight releases for this year so we can go back and enjoy all that the Official home of Santa Claus has to offer.

***2019 update*** if you want to see what we got up to in 2019 here is the link  – from the jacuzzi under the stars in minus 20’s at  Arctic Snow Hotel to Elf’s Farmyard lots more options of activities to choose from, the hard part is deciding what to to!! On to planning next years trip!

Note – since our return we got to interview the GM from Santa Claus Holiday Village who shares a view from the inside with us here

Note: The above post contains afflinks
Features

The Challenge of Finding Plus-Sized Clothing

mens clothes shop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Men are starting to spend money on their clothing, and a lot of those men are plus-sized. So why is it so hard to find men’s plus size clothing? Shouldn’t brands have figured out a way to create something these men will proudly wear?

It’s tough to find nice men’s plus size clothing. Mainstream stores never seem to have the right sizes. If you’re anything above a 38-inch waist, forget about finding clothes at places like Eddie Bauer or Gap. It’s just not going to happen.

Looking Good

There’s no reason that big and tall men can’t look good. While it is a challenge to locate men’s plus size clothing, once you do, find clothes that make the man. A nice white button-down shirt and a good looking pair of slacks is a great start for any man’s wardrobe.   Make sure you don’t get pants that are too tight around the waist. The last thing you want is bunching and creasing. This only serves to draw attention. At the same time, you also don’t want bulky draping fabric hanging off your frame. Looking for something that hugs you without making you look like you’re wearing a muumuu.

Take Your Time

The unfortunate reality is that finding men’s plus size clothing isn’t easy. It’s time-consuming and can be frustrating. Remember that you might not find something that works for you at the first store you walk into. Plus size clothing just isn’t that popular. Yet. Take your time, but don’t give up. 

As a matter of fact, you might be better off going online to find what you need. Head to a tailor to get accurate measurements, then browse online until you find something that will make you look good. Since online clothing isn’t limited by physical space, you’re more likely to locate what you want.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

2019 – the year we all could swim!

Naturally as 2018 come to a close we began to chat not only about our holiday plans but our 2019 goals for us and the kids. We uniformly agreed the the four of us knowing how to swim confidently was top of the agenda. I can swim, im by no means good at it but I can manage. The boys love the water, but can’t swim properly, now they are only 6 and 3! The Dada Fairy again loves the water but isn’t a swimmer.

child swimming

Pic Credit: Pixabay

I have been on a waiting list for some time to get the boys into lessons and finally last week the email came through and Sundays at 1pm will be “swim time”.  We have various bits of swimwear from our holidays over the years but we do need a full suite of swimwear for all of us.

We are all going to improve our swimming ability this year every one of us!  Encouraging each other will spur us on and help us achieve this. We have Alvor, Portugal  booked for October and the goal will be…..all being competent in the water. We don’t need to be at Olympic standard just able to hold our own.

Legs in pool

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The thought of buying swimwear for myself fills me with such dread. I’m very body conscious in swimwear, I suppose lots of us are. I stumbled on these absolute beauties by Tyr. The brand is of California origin so expect lots of cool prints. My absolute fave is the Tyr Thresher Baja open back knee suit. This is right up my street, covers plenty!! There seems to be a great sale on the these at the moment with 30% off lots of the swimsuits too. There are some stunning swimsuits for only £17.99 too. Bargain!!

My pair are typical little men, the swimwear will have to be loud and adorned with the favourite characters, currently anything Star Wars related. I saw some swim shorts which would be ideal but they were more excited about the Star Wars logo swim hats! I actually find it so funny my aim in the pool is to be as less noticeable as possible however at 6 the louder the better!! I have no problem investing in decent swimwear for the kids. This is the year we will do this. It was mooted in 2018 but with a lot less enthusiasm. We travelled quite a bit in 2018 and the kids saw the benefits of swimming and using all the amenities at their disposal when they travel.

I have vowed to up date this post in January 2020 with our progress so ill re share then.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post however all aspirations and goals are my own!!!
Mamma Musings

Top Reasons to Buy Designer Clothes for Your Children

kids fashion pose

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is more often than not very true in the world of fashion. But as our kids grow at the speed of light, investing in designer clothes for children is something many of us mums don’t always have on our radars. Instead — in my case anyway — I prefer to go down the frugal road and buy cheaper options. I know the boys will outgrow their clothes before they even have chance to wear them, so what could be the point?

That being said, I can’t help but admire children’s designer clothes from time to time and think to myself that a thing or two would definitely be worth the splurge. Here’s why.

They Are Lasting Souvenirs

Let me ask you a question. How many of you have some leftover clothing from your grandmother or mother, either as a keepsake or as something that you are actually still wearing? An old dress perhaps? I bet a few of you do — I certainly do! Now fast forward a few generations. How many of our children’s clothes do you think are likely to be left as a legacy in the same way, for their kids and grandkids to use? None? That’s likely the answer. The reason for this is the shift towards “throw-away” fashion in recent years. These days, everything is made to be extremely cheap but also extremely disposable. Don’t you think it’s a bit sad?

Investing in a couple of designer items for your child means that you have pieces you can keep, use and reuse, and cherish for a long time, or pass along to a relative if you’re not one to hoard. Designer clothes are high quality, robust and will see you through the years.

They Are Often Ethically Made

True cost film cover

Pic Credit: Netflix

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you watch the documentary The True Cost on Netflix. Of course, as mothers, we tend to budget tightly and prefer cheaper clothing options for our kids. But have you ever thought of the social and environmental impact of cheap clothes found in well-known international stores such as Zara and H&M? The True Cost highlights the relationship between low-cost aptly named “fast-fashion” brands and sweatshop workers’ conditions. The documentary follows a young Bangladeshi mother who has to part with her daughter to earn a living in one of those factories. It’s quite a slap in the face, but it’s also a great incentive to consider paying a little more for designer children’s clothes.

In comparison, many designer brands are known to be made locally with more adequate working conditions for their employees. And because these clothes are not made on the cheap on an assembly line, they are often much better quality and represent greater value for money — they will also last much longer than anything purchased from a fast-fashion brand. Definitely something to consider!

Better Design, Better Fit

If you’re a fan of good fit and originality for your kids’ wardrobe, there’s really nothing like a well-made, high-end designer piece for an occasional treat. It’s true that fast-fashion items are copies of what is seen on the runway, and there’s nothing wrong with that! However, the one thing you won’t find in these cheaper replicas is a fantastic fit, quality fabric and perfect aesthetic.

Fashion designers spend a lot of time making sure their designs perfectly fit the human body — something that cannot be said of cheaper alternatives. Designers research materials and cuts to deliver exquisite products that resemble pieces of art. Fabrics are often natural, more robust and vibrant, and contain far fewer chemicals.

So if you’re fond of art and beautiful design, and looking to be a bit more eco-conscious, go ahead and consider a designer item for your children. It’s a splurge that will turn into a lasting memory.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Fairy Travels

First up on our 2019 wish list – Alvor Portugal

Generally we like to try new places, countries, cities etc when we travel however that said the only place where we have routinely returned year on year is Alvor Portugal.  We didn’t make it for 2018 for family reasons and as we closed out 2018 and rang in 2019 one thing we did agree on was that we missed our annual family trip to Alvor. You see its not just the immediate family, we go as a party of our extended family. For our first trip we were a party ranging in ages from 6 months to plus 60 years and hand on heart every single person enjoyed.

beach

The beach at Prainha Credit: Clickstay

For us and the age range of our party Alvor has it all, beautiful beaches, friendly locals, seriously good food and wine and a lovely chilled out vibe. Given our party size we always opt for a villa preferably with a pool and bonus points if its a covered/ sectioned off one as my crazy crew have little fear around water. Don’t get me wrong that’s not a bad thing id just rather that they were aware of the dangers of water and that I didn’t need 300 pairs of eyes for the daredevils! Thankfully holiday rental companies such as Clickstay offer a number of accommodation options from 2 beds upwards.

With young kids having the ability to cook for them and just have some extra space for chilling is pretty invaluable, again with a large crowd rooms for a breather are very useful too!

I would have said im not a creature of habit but maybe am I after all! Our resort of choice from our first trip is Prainha Village for a couple of reasons:

  • Location – location just outside of the main town area means it quiet and peaceful and a stunning secluded beach is just minutes from the properties
  • Size of property – we choose the 4 bed option and its perfect for our needs. See for example see this Clickstay villa in Alvor
  • Pools – there is an incredible salt water pool in this complex. The setting over looking the sea is breath taking

    view of rocks on beach

    View from Canico Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy

  • Canico bar – this deserves a special mention, quite honestly the highlight of our trip whether having coffee while the kids place on the beach or sipping champagne as the sun goes down on the ocean. There is a magic here that’s impossible to convey.
  • Miss Pasta – my kids just love this place. The staff are just brilliant and go out of their way to make all ages fell welcome and valued. This is something I find very important in any resort.
pool view

Atlantic Salt Water Pool Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy

While there are many fantastic properties on offer with sites like Clickstay in many different destinations throughout the world, every year I leave a piece of my heart at Prainha Village. The great thing is given the size of our party its very budget friendly that’s both the accommodation and the eating and drinking!

Honestly you will not regret a visit to a place like Prainha, we have been very fortunate to have travelled to many countries around the world, however Alvor is currently the only place we have gone more than once and that is a true testament to the calibre of the place you are going to.

So Prainha we will see you later in 2019 and young and old members of The Mamma Fairy house cannot wait.

Note: This is a collaborative post however I retain full editorial control, pic’s and memories are my own too!

 

 

 

 

Home & Interiors

Telltale Signs that your AC is Not as Efficient as it Ought to Be

Every day, millions of homes are kept at a comfortable temperature by an air conditioning unit. Because these units are usually out of sight, many homeowners do not pay close attention to them and this is why many of them do not realize when their units start becoming inefficient. As they run inefficiently, their performance is compromised, and the result is usually higher electricity bills. So, what signs should you be looking for to tell if your AC unit is performing as efficiently as possible? Read on to find out!

Dirty Filters

hvac

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Replacing the filters on your AC units is one of the best ways to keep them working as they ought to. A dirty filter can lead to the unit overworking, which could lead to damage or health risks for your family. Different types of pathogens can thrive on dirty air filters and make their way into your home. Cleaning the filters, therefore, is not only a good way to make sure the AC unit is working as expected, but also to protect yourself from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases.

Unusually High Electricity Bills

The one thing you will notice almost immediately if your AC unit is not running as expected is higher than normal electricity bills. The reason for the increased power consumption is that, because the unit is not performing as efficiently, it requires more time to heat or cool the home thereby consuming a lot more power in the process. One of the best ways to ensure your AC is performing as efficiently as possible is by scheduling regular maintenance and AC repair Orlando. When you get in touch with Bob Heinmiller, an air conditioning and electrical contractor in Orlando, you will be able to schedule an air conditioner check. Once that is done, they will do the AC repair at an affordable cost. If your AC is too old, damaged, or inefficient, Bob Heinmiller can also recommend the best AC unit for your home, and any unique requirements you have, and get it installed quickly and professionally.

Ice on the Compressor

If you see ice on the compressor, that is a sign that the coolant is leaking and that you should call a professional from Milestone Electric, A/C, & Plumbing, or a company akin to this as soon as you can. This is quite common in older AC units and can be caused by damage to the coils carrying the coolant.

If the ice clogs the filter, it can impact the flow of air and its circulation, and your AC unit will just be consuming power without providing any benefits to you.

Leaking Ductwork

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If your AC unit has ducts, they should be sealed off, meaning that there should be no leaks. If the ducts are leaking due to damage, there will be a lot of energy wasted and the unit will end up consuming a lot more power to keep the house cool.

Conclusion

Your home’s AC unit should perform as efficiently as possible. This is so that it keeps the house at your preferred temperature and filters the air as efficiently as possible. The good news is that there are some signs you can look for that will tell you if it is time to have the unit repaired or replaced.