All posts by Lucia Morris

The Best Maternity Dress Styles

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your body is going to change in the most amazing ways, which also means your clothes will change, too. When it comes to maternity clothes, maternity dresses are at the top of the cute and comfortable list.

There are many different styles of maternity dresses, so what you choose will depend on your body shape and comfort level. Here are the most popular maternity dress styles and how they impact your changing form.

 

Body Dresses

Body dresses are form fitting. They show off all of your curves. As your body changes, these dresses give you a way to feel sexy in your new skin. They are stretchy and forgiving, so they will continue to fit well as you grow. Dress them up with a blazer for work and dress them down for weekend errands with a cute jean jacket.

 

Ruched Dresses

Ruched dresses have elastic on either side of your waist, creating a wrinkled look over your growing belly. This style makes you look thinner than you are, so as you get bigger, you may feel more comfortable in something that creates this illusion.

They are stretchy and forgiving, just like body dresses, and they can be dressed up or down in the same way. You’ll be comfortable during your pregnancy, and you can even carry these dresses into your recovery and regular wardrobe because they are in style.

 

Wrap Dresses

Wrap dresses will grow with you because you can wrap them more loosely the bigger you get. They are fun and flirty, giving you comfort and versatility. Wear them to work, church, or soccer games for a breezy, effortless look.

 

Nursing Dresses

To maximize the money you spend on maternity clothes, grab a couple of nursing dresses. These are often stretchy to allow for changes in your body as you recover, so they work well for your pregnant body. Plus, you’ll be able to continue wearing them beyond pregnancy instead of buying new clothes which helps when you are budgeting for a new baby.

If you are looking for comfortable maternity dresses, look no further than these popular and comfortable styles for beauty and ease.

 

Taking the time to care for your car.

Like I’ve mentioned in a previous post or two, this is my first year having to worry about and make decisions about a car, I’m still learning so I’m hoping I can be helpful to some of you too.
Getting a second hand car, one of the first things we wanted to make sure was that the car had been serviced and that it had its full MOT, even after ensuring these things were taken care of the car engine light came on within a month of having it. Luckily it was something small and easily fixed, but it still didn’t stop the worry when that light came on. Out of the blue car repair costs can make a huge dent in your pocket so getting regular checks for your car can avoid any huge problems developing over time.
Ideally you should get your car serviced every year or every 12,000 miles but there are different recommendations for different vehicles so do some research and get on a schedule that works for you and your car.

With the weather turning colder and the threat of snow here in the Midlands, it’s so important to make sure your tyres are in excellent condition. You have to make sure the tread depth is well above the legal minimum and if you live in a place that have especially bad winters you can even get tyres specifically designed for winter driving. We are due snow in a few places including here in Birmingham and in Northampton, For Tyres visit Calmac Autocentre. It’s definitely worth popping in to get a winter service or at least getting your tyres checked to be on the safe side.

Servicing and MOT are very important but I think having good cover is equally as important, as if you should find yourself stuck on the side of the road you’re going to want road side assistance without a substantial bill.

I can’t stress enough the importance of having your car serviced, it really does make driving more enjoyable having peace of mind that your vehicle is as safe as possible.

Last minute Christmas gift guide

Right guys we are down to the wire.

If you’re anything like me and you’re still picking up your last minute Christmas gifts then this gift guide is for you.

These items are would all come under the “for her” category but they can be for anyone who would enjoy them.

To indulge.
This Bayliss and Harding Christmas eve gift set is proper indulgence and has all the makings for a blissful night in surrounded by sweet mandarin and grapefruit scents. It has the usual bath time body stuff but includes a bath fizz, comfy socks and a scented candle for that little extra bit of luxury. Victoria Plum have so many gorgeous gift sets to choose from.

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To groom.
After cutting off all my hair and starting a brand new hair journey this is something I’ve been wanting to try out. The Tangle Angel pro not only glides through natural curls like another well known detangling brush but what makes this a winner in my book is the stunning design and that it had a handle making it so much easier to use than others I’ve tried. Also… It’s ROSE GOLD

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To treat.
The gift of chocolate… What more do I need to say? This white chocolate prosecco gift set from Yumbles sounds absolutely delicious. I prefer white chocolate to regular milk chocolate so this particular gift jumped out at me. The prosecco bottle is made from white Belgian chocolate but don’t worry there is no alcohol in this product so you can break a piece off for the kids. The presentation is beautiful and I would 100% be elated to receive this. There are also many more Christmas hampers for sale at Yumbles

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To be practical.
Modern, protective and leak proof, these Modibodi knickers will see you through that time of the month. They are designed to be super absorbant using high quality tech savvy fabrics. You can choose the absorbency and the style of underwear you want from bikini briefs to boy shorts.
These are the perfect gift for anyone who wants to work towards saving environment as it takes 500-800 years for sanitary pads to to fully decompose. Bonus is they are super cute as well as practical.

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To preserve.

This higher nature collagen duo provides you with everything you need to keep your skin plump and fresh. It provides structure to the skin replacing the collagen we start to lose at age 30.
This Aeterna gold collagen duo is the key to firmer, more youthful and hydrated skin and would make the perfect gift.

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I hope these gift ideas have been helpful and I hope you all have a lovely Christmas! Xx

 

Cool and Interesting Things to Do in Dublin

Dublin in the Republic of Ireland is increasingly popular for weekends away and longer stays to soak up the Irish charm of the place. There is plenty to keep yourself busy while on a visit to Dublin.

Here we explore some cool and interesting things that you can do when taking a holiday there.

Getting to Dublin

The easiest way to get to Dublin is to fly there. It cuts out a lot of the hassle of travelling any other way. A convenient airport to use is Luton Airport because it avoids much of the congestion when dealing with London-based airports and saves time if you live outside of London anyway.

When using Luton airport, take advantage of the Luton airport parking to save time trying to find a parking spot outside the airport. That way you won’t miss your flight trying to find a spot to park your car before you fly over to Dublin. There are longer duration stays when using parking at Luton airport, which avoids a meter running out, so it’s safer to use than other parking when out of England for a spell. Certainly, you can find options at lutonparking.com to book the right space for the dates you’ll need to reserve it for.

Guinness Storehouse Factory

A trip to Dublin really isn’t going to be complete without drinking a few pints of Guinness and visiting the Guinness Storehouse Factory. After all, when you get home, that’s what people will be asking about, and you don’t want to have to admit you forgot to include it. They’ll never let you in an Irish pub again!

The Storehouse is found in the St. James’ Gate Brewery. The interior design is interesting, as it resembles a traditional pint of Guinness beer. Billed as the #1 attraction in all of Dublin – and who can dispute that – adult prices start at just €18.50. Bargain!

The tour takes you through multiple floors that cover a potted history of beer brewing in Ireland. It also covers the history of Guinness beer making with the Guinness family, along with how the beer is created step by step. The tour concludes at the Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy a pint of cold Guinness while looking out over the modern Dublin skyline. Perfect.

Kilmainham Gaol

The Kilmainham Gaol harks back to the history of prison life and how challenging it was for the inmates. It was one of the largest prisons in Europe and it ran for hundreds of years.

It now operates as a tour, as well as a movie location from time to time too. It also houses St. Audeon’s,  which is the singular parish church to be found in Dublin.

Dublin Food and Drink at Its Finest

Dublin is steadily making a name for itself as the culinary centre for Ireland. While some Irish people would dispute the claim, a tour of some of the better eateries might just have them eating their words.

If you visit the Bison Bar, you get top nosh like brisket and ribs. Meat lovers positively rejoice at the place. It’s not such a fun place for stern vegetarians though – don’t say we didn’t warn you. There’s some local drink to wash the grub down with too.

The Workman’s is an interesting club to try out. It’s a great after-hours place to while away a few hours when the clock strikes midnight and you’re not ready to go home yet. They’ll kick you out at 4 am but it’ll be well worth it.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Two cathedrals were designed and constructed in Dublin, but St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest. Construction began in 1191 and attracts many tourists who come to see the impressive structure. The cathedral has more than 800 years of documented history now, so it surely has some interesting stories to tell if the walls could only talk.

Dublin Castle

The Dublin Castle casts an imposing figure even after its 800 years of existence. That’s pretty impressive in its own right. The walls are still holding up while its history traces back through centuries of changes to Ireland over time.

The property covers around 11 acres, so it’ll take you time to walk it all if you’re feeling energetic after a good feed. It is poised on the highest ridge overlooking its domain below. The castle itself has numerous rooms to explore. There are also several museums set up there, including the Revenue Museum, the Chester Beatty Library, and the Chapel Royal.

You have the choice of taking a self-guided tour or paying for a guided one with commentary providing historical insights. The guided tour is well worth it if you’re interested in learning titbits that aren’t in the Irish history books.

Relax on Stephen’s Green

Where is the best place to go on a perfect sunny day in spring or summer? We’d suggest heading over to Stephen’s Green, that’s where. It’s a lovely spot to laze around on the grass, walk the green or try your hand at feeding the ducks.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then try Murphy’s nearby to get a cone filled with delicious ice cream. That is going to hit the spot just right.

Get in the Escape Boats

Now for something quite different. The Escape Rooms is a creative mystery to join in with others and see if you can solve it. It’s situated at the Waterways Ireland at the Grand Canal Dock. The players will try to figure out the mysteries, crack the puzzles in time, and decipher secret codes with clues to what to do next.

The fun takes place on the Zorg Ella boat sitting at the Waterways. Each game is played with several players (from 2-6 people), which begins at the engine room and progresses from there. There’s only an hour to work through the game to complete it before your time is up.

Do you think you can handle the suspense, the drama, and the mental brain teaser to finish the game?

Eat Lunch at Phoenix Park

Spanning around 1,700 acres, the Phoenix Park is expansive. It is conveniently located just a couple of miles out of the centre of Dublin, so it’s an easy trip to get out there. There are plenty of lawns to walk and paths to follow to get some exercise while there.

Dublin Zoo is also in the park too, so a visit can combine lunch in the park followed by some time spent at the zoo. The animals are spread out over several acres and visitors are provided with a map to locate them more easily. The habitats are more spacious than you find in most zoos; the management clearly cares about the animals there. If you’re visiting the zoo in the morning and you didn’t get a chance to have breakfast, then the Meerkat Café offers a view of the meerkats while grabbing a snack and a coffee to get some quick energy.

Dublin is a vibrant city that has plenty to offer any visitor. There’s such a wealth of different attractions and things to do, it’s difficult to narrow the list down. But narrow it down you must because there’s just not enough time to see everything.

 

Can anything keep brits on home turf?

The world is our playground and thanks to the Internet , air miles, last minute flights and cheaper and cheaper long haul travel we have more access than ever, but it isn’t always the dream holiday we planned.

It seems that every year we are hearing about more and more incidents effecting holiday makers abroad. Family holiday destinations being ravaged by national disasters and even acts of terrorism. Places that were once considered totally safe and could be booked without worry are now requiring more research and consideration before booking that fantastically priced all inclusive package.

Disaster striking while you’re on holiday shouldn’t be your greatest concern as the risk is relatively low but it should still definitely be a consideration, especially when it comes to insuring yourself.

Recent reports have shown that some of the top holiday destinations have been experiencing disasters that have claimed lives, including Mexico who had two earthquakes in the space of weeks that killed over 360 people. More recently we have seen the extreme impact weather conditions can have on a place, trying to find a destination that does not experience flooding, wildfires and deadly storms with be a hard task. Even Europe have recently been experiencing some extreme weather conditions recently which is a far cry from how safe and predictable people have always considered it to be. From the death of 70 people killed in wildfires in Greece to a British couple losing their lives in a false flood in Sant Lorenc, Majorca, Europe is becoming less of a safe bet holiday destination.

The amount of British people Holidaying abroad is on the rise despite all of this and is set to keep increasing. The ABTA’s Holiday Trends Report 2108 showed that this yeah the amount of people planning on taking a foreign holiday this year was 60% which is the highest it has been since 2011 and that destinations like Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia are significantly up on bookings this summer despite bouts of terrorism in recent years. A survey carried out by Silver Travel Advisor reported that 63% of respondents said they would not take a holiday where there had been terrorist attacks. Those claims seemed to be very short lived though.

Indonesia is one of many countries that are impoverished and rely on tourism for money. Indonesia had a tsunami in September in which a lot of the devastation could have been minimised has their detection devices been functional at the time. Their disaster agency admitted that their 22 deep water buoys had not been functional since 2012 and people are putting it down to underfunding and lack of coordination by the government. Despite all of this the number of Brits travelling to Indonesia has doubled since 2010 and 360,000 British nationals have visited Indonesian islands in the last 12 months.

Business sectors within, and tied to, the travel industry like insurers are switching up their products to offer a wider range of coverage to support the drive to travel all over the world, making sure people are covered and protected against terrorism and national disaster.

For example, Insure4Retirement, a specialist Over 50s Home and Travel insurance provider, in partnership with Just Travel Cover, offer a Crisis Response Service with their Ready2Go Gold travel policy.

A unique selling point of this cover is that, should disaster strike while you’re away there is a dedicated team at hand with set skills to help you on a phone number which gives travellers access to immediate assistance. The service is provided by S-RM who has a team of crisis response consultants made up of former military, law enforcement and intelligence agency personnel, strategically positioned around the world to provide assistance during a crisis.

Tourism is an industry that will forever bounce back, especially as there are some nations that rely solely on this industry to boost their economy. Efforts will always be made to restore the effected areas as quickly as possible to welcome the tourists back. It’s only natural for tourist numbers to decrease after a disaster but everything shows that the lack of visitors won’t last very long. People love to travel, and the rewards greatly outweigh the risks. One way to ensure you have the best holiday possible is to minimise the risk by proper planning and having cover in place to quell your worries and be able to just enjoy yourself.

BE PREPARED FOR DSQUARED

I am not someone who buys a lot of designer label clothes and there are a couple of reasons for that but the main one being that they just don’t stock my size. I do however check out higher end brands when I’m shopping for family or a partner. I think as men tend to have fewer clothing items than a lot of women they can benefit from having higher quality staple pieces in their wardrobe. Websites like DSquared clothing are great for having access to a number of different brands in one place.

With Christmas just around the corner, we are all looking at places to buy the best gifts, so these sites that are one stop shops are a great place to pick up lots of gifts in one place with one delivery charge. whether its gift shopping or getting a little something for yourself you can’t go wrong with fashion.

As you all know I’m a fashion girl and love a little look on clothing sites to see whats new and what I might have missed and I’ve even blogged outfits wearing boyfriend fit clothes . I like to look at plus size men’s clothing sites to see what I can get as at my size its impossible to find anything oversized fitting on plus size women’s sites because I wear the largest size.

There are a number of UK based brand that stock menswear and if you are anything like me and you don’t adhere to what clothing labels tell you will fit, there is an abundance of straight size menswear stores that will have items that you can make work if you are shopping for yourself.

Whether you are looking for simple everyday pieces like shorts or a jumper all the way to looking for classic suit items to get a real androgynous look, menswear stores are a great place to shop as a women. Obviously these stores are great if you are looking to shop for someone else too. I find shopping for men can be quite difficult, especially if you don’t know the person very well. I also find that its much harder to guess when choosing clothes for a man. In my experience with friends, family and ex partners they seem to like what they like and be less willing to try styles outside of their comfort zones. This is when accessories come in handy, it may be  alot easier to pick out gifts to suit someones style when its a nice belt or a Men’s Dsquared cap so you have more chance of it fitting and being a good gift item.

Signs You’re Totally Ready To Get Married

Are you wondering whether now is the right time to get married? There are some signs you can look out for to figure out whether this is truly the right time for you to either propose, or agree to a proposal! Read on to find out whether this is something you really want to do…

 

You Feel Like You’ve Found ‘The One’

Many people don’t believe in the concept of ‘the one’ – and it’s true that there are probably multiple people out there you could have a very happy relationship with. However, with this person, you’re not looking for something better, and you don’t feel like somebody better for you is out there. That’s when you know you’ve found a person you want to marry. Your ‘one’.

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You’re Secure In Your Relationship

You should feel secure in your relationship. You don’t get jealous, because you trust them completely. If you do feel little pangs of jealousy, you know they are down to your own insecurities and not to do with your partner. If you definitely feel secure now and aren’t looking at marriage to help you feel that way, it could be time to look at engagement rings from 77diamonds.com.

 

You Have Fun Together

Although it’s important to have a ‘grown up’ relationship with your partner, you should still play and have fun together! Novelty is important, as is doing things you both enjoy. There’s no reason you should both get into a boring routine.

 

You Want The Forever, Not Just The Wedding

Some people just want a wedding. They want to get dressed up, have a party, and have a day that’s all about them – they don’t truly want the forever that comes along with it. Consider whether you’re prepared to spend forever with your partner, because that’s what a wedding should really be about.

 

You Still Feel Like An Individual

You should still feel like an individual in your relationship. You should have your own hobbies and things you enjoy. Your partner doesn’t have to like everything that you like, but they should definitely support your hobbies and encourage you to be an individual, as well as being one themselves.

 

You Live Together And You Don’t Want To Kill Each Other (Much)

It’s normal to have disagreements when you live together, but you shouldn’t want to kill each other all the time. If you can live together in harmony for the most part, this is a good sign.

 

You Communicate with One Another Openly

Communication is key in any relationship. Open communication ensures that nobody is pointing the finger, and that you’re both seeing things from one another’s viewpoint as well as getting your own point across. You should feel comfortable discussing difficult things with your partner. You should be able to avoid arguments, and come to a compromise or agreement that suits you both.

 

You’ve Had The Money Talk  

Talking about money can be tough for certain couples, but talking about it in a relationship is a must. Money is something that can cause big problems in relationships, so you need to make sure you’re both on the same page.

 

Tattoos, not always permanent

Ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated with tattoos, I used to draw things on my arms in ink and wear them all day in school until the end of the day when I would wash them off before going home because I knew my parents would hate it.
I always loved seeing women with tattoos and by the time I was in my teens I knew I would get some when I was an adult.
Now at 34 years old I have 30 tattoos and I absolutely love them. I have plans for more and plans to add to ones I already have. I love the way they look on me and I have never had any regrets about getting tattoos. I do know, however, that this is not the case for everyone.

I always say its really strange to meet people in 2018 who don’t have any tattoos at all, maybe it’s the people I socialise with but I definitely know more people with tattoos than people without.

So in a time where so many people are getting tattooed it stands to reason that more people will be getting tattoos removed.

With my tattoos I have only had one that I didn’t want anymore and lucky for me it was only small so I was able to have a beautiful cover up done. You can’t even see what was there before so getting cover ups where possible is also a really good option.

When people think of tattoo removal services they usually think about session after session trying to return the skin to its original state before tattoos but of the tattoo removal process is used to lighten tattoos just enough so that’s its viable for a cover up to work. Whatever reason you want to go down the tattoo removal route, there are services to suit you.

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Body modification should be undertaken with having something permanent in mind but things change, tastes change and circumstances change. Having an option like this available to everyone is amazing and technological advances are making strides so the results are just getting better and better. Companies like the Pulse Light Clinic

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I am very very happy with my tattoos at the moment but like I said anything could change and seeing the results that these people have had makes me feel even more confident in my decision all those years ago to start modifying and decorating my body.

Screenshot_20181210-005751_GalleryI have plans to continue adding to the art on my body because I love it so much but I do realise there is a need for removal services and this will definitely be an option for me in the future should I need it for any piece I have or will have.

 

The Guide To Planning Your Luxury Trip To Santorini

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek Cyclades islands that many tourists like to visit each year. Santorini is known for its amazing views, beautiful architecture and incredible sunsets. If you are planning on visiting Santorini this year or next, you should make sure to keep reading because we have put together a guide on how you can plan your luxury trip.

Choose The Location

If you are planning on going to Santorini, then you have probably already seen some photographs of the beautiful views that it has to offer. There are many different locations that you can stay when you are there but if you want to have a luxurious holiday then you should make sure to choose the right one. We recommend that you stay in either Oia or Firostefani if you want to feel relaxed and enjoy a luxurious trip. Of course, can stay in Fira, the capital, if you want a bit more of a buzz to your luxury trip.

Upgrade Your Flight

If you want to get your luxury holiday off to a great start, then you should think about upgrading your flight. You should make sure that you are travelling in style as well as living in luxury while you are on your trip to Santorini. Take a look at how much it might be to upgrade your flight to first class and you won’t regret it. You’ll feel like a VIP as you walk into the airport and sit in the VIP lounge. You’ll also get amazing service on the plane and you’ll be ready to start your luxury holiday from the moment you leave your home.

Go Shopping

When you set off on a luxurious holiday, you need to make sure that you look the part. Think about heading off to the shops before your holiday and getting yourself a whole new wardrobe. You’ll find that tourists in Santorini like to wear some of the best clothes so if you don’t have the wardrobe to match then you might not feel very luxurious. Get yourself some nice dresses for when you head to the local luxury restaurant if you want to get that perfect Instagram picture.

Stay In A Luxury Villa

A luxury holiday wouldn’t be the same without a luxury villa. Santorini has some amazing properties that you can rent out and enjoy some luxurious privacy. You’ll get some breath-taking views; your own private luxury pool and you can even have a chef come to cook all of your meals if you like. Hotels can be luxurious but there is no comparison when it comes to the villas on offer in Santorini. If you are looking for a luxury villa in Santorini, then you can browse more than 100 villas in Santorini to find out more.

Go Island Hopping

Santorini is a beautiful island but if you want to have a luxury holiday then you’ll need to visit some of the other Greek Islands. The great thing about this group of islands is that they are actually relatively close, so you can easily hop between each of them and see what they are like. The location of Santorini is great because it can actually be sued as a base to visit the other islands. Think about checking out Paros, Ios and the Anafi Islands for a little more luxury on top of Santorini.

Try The Wine

A luxury holiday wouldn’t be the same without some expensive wine that tastes amazing. The good news is that Santorini has an incredible winery that you can visit when you go. Plan your trip to the SantoWines winery if you want to be able to taste some of the most amazing wine that you have ever tasted. Not only will you enjoy the wine, but you can also experience the amazing sunset which is extremely romantic and luxurious at the same time. Don’t miss out on the SantoWines Winery because this wine is second to none.

Final Verdict

If you are planning on visiting Santorini soon then you should try to take on board some of the tips that we have discussed here. Santorini is a beautiful place with a lot to do so you are sure to be able to have a luxurious trip there. Make sure that you opt for a luxury villa rather than a hotel room when you go, this will give you the space that you need to relax, and you’ll be able to bask in the sunlight by your own private pool. Luxury holidays can be incredibly relaxing and will make all of your friends jealous. Why not book your luxurious trip to Santorini today and start holiday shopping to make your wardrobe stand out while you are there!

BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING

There are a number of things I’ve never really had to concern myself with, one of them being what needs to be considered when driving in the winter. This is the first winter I’ve had to think about more than what cute winter coat to buy and whether I need to double up on socks.
I’ve been looking into the ways you need to prepare for driving in the winter and I wanted to share with you some of the top tips I’ve discovered.

1. Check your battery

There are extra demands on your battery during the winter months, like heating and extra light so it’s important to take good care of it and make preparations like turning off electrical loads before trying to start the engine.

2. Get your car serviced

Get a winter am car check. These services are specifically designed to ensure your car is ready for the winter months and is in the best condition to keep you and other road users safe. You can get these checks everywhere, I know a place for getting your car serviced in London.

3. Antifreeze

You need a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your car for best success. This will protect your car down to – 34 degrees Celsius. Not only does it prevent the water from freezing it also raises the boiling point of engine coolant to prevent overheating so its a good idea to get a long life antifreeze that will benefit you all year round.

4. Check your types

In the run up to bad weather conditions it’s important to make sure your tyres are in good condition. You have to ensure the tread depth is well above the legal minimum. If you live somewhere that have very bad winters you can even get types specifically for winter.

5. Make sure you have cover

If you break down or your car gets stuck you’re going to need roadside assistance, make sure you have cover so you can get out of these situations quickly and inexpensively.

Finally and most importantly drive safely, driving in poor weather conditions can be very difficult and very very dangerous. When there is snow and ice on the ground, only drive when absolutely necessary. Make sure you leave plenty of time so you’re not rushing and to allow for inevitable delays. Plan your journey in advance so you can try your best to stick to major roads that will more likely be cleared of snow. Do a little research and familiarise yourself with some tips and tricks to help you keep safe.