Considering replacement windows? Here’s everything you need to know

As time passes, your home’s windows can increasingly show signs of wear and tear. Perhaps you can spot patches where a frame appears to be warping or the glass has become inadvertently scratched.

In fact, there are cases where a problem can evidence itself long before you scrutinise how the windows actually look. You might regularly feel a draught or notice your energy bills rising – and either can be signs that your windows are letting too much cold in and excessive heat out.

Why uPVC windows can be plastic fantastic

If your home is traditional in design, you might be seriously considering having wooden frames fitted for the windows. However, while those frames could initially appear to have a subtly complementary look, effort would be regularly required on your part to keep those frames looking good.

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That would be on top of the relatively high expense which wood windows can incur right from the start, but you could be pleasantly surprised by how effective uPVC windows can prove as alternatives. They are low maintenance and available in styles suited to a wide range of properties.

With uPVC windows these days also incorporating the most sophisticated window technology, you can expect the benefits to keep stacking up over the lifetime of the windows.

Pedal to the metal with aluminium windows

Sadly, on the subject of the lifespan of plastic, it’s almost half that of well-maintained metal, says Ideal Home. So, should you switch your preference to metal instead? This could be an especially good idea if your home has a contemporary design.

Aluminium windows can look cool and industrial while remaining resilient. This physical strength means that manufacturers of aluminium windows can afford to significantly slim down the frames to make more room for glazing. That’s no small boon given how this glazing could boost the insulation.

Better Homes & Gardens details how. Also keep in mind that, whether you favour uPVC or aluminium windows, you can also order uPVC or aluminium bifold doors to go with them. These doors, which allow the light transfer of windows and the flexibility of doors, can be ordered online.

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How to help keep heat leakage at bay

As the temperatures outside fall, you should expect your home to keep you warm; however, it might not do so to optimum ability if the windows are lacking in thermal efficiency. This situation could require you to up your spending on heating, but new windows could take away this need.

Basically, the more thermally efficient windows are, the less heat they will leak. It’s reassuring, then, that all of the uPVC and aluminium windows and doors available from Bifold Shop, which is based in Gloucestershire but can supply to any home nationwide, are noted for their thermal performance.

To learn more about any of these products, you can dial the company on 01453 820892 and then select the first option presented. The company’s website details further plus points of what could serve as exciting additions to your abode.

What Makes A Memorable Wedding?

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For hundreds of years, couples the world over have shared in the same toil. On a day like your wedding, most people will want to capture more than just the hearts of their guests, with the event of their lifetime living on in the memory of all who attended. To achieve a goal like this, there are loads of different tools available in the modern world. From small tokens to large-scale operations, any married couple to-be can create an unforgettable wedding, and this post is going to be going through some of the best ways to do it.

 

The Location: A lot of people consider the venue which they choose to be the most important part of their wedding. From traditional options like grand cathedrals to the quirkier places at your disposal, like farms and offices, people will get married anywhere, nowadays. Of course, though, it should always be somewhere important to you. One of the best ways to choose this part of your wedding is by considering places which have significance to both of you. You have a chance to be really creative with your venue, giving you the chance to snag something really nice, even if you’re on a budget.

 

The Ceremony: The ceremony you go through on your wedding day will often be based on the traditions of your homeland’s most prominent religion. Nowadays, a lot of people are taking a different approach to this part of their wedding day, going for a ceremony which they like rather than one which has be done throughout history. You don’t have to change this element of your wedding completely to make it special, though. Instead, if you’d prefer to stick with the normal ritual, like the symbolic exchange of wedding rings, you could look for someone important to you to deliver it.

 

The Vows: Writing vows is never an easy process, and a lot of people choose to go for something which boilerplate, sharing an experience with loads of other couples. With a little bit of preparation, though, it shouldn’t be too hard to put your own feelings onto paper. Your vows don’t need to be beautifully written, and they don’t need to sound like a poem or a song. Instead, as long as you draw them from your heart, they will be a lot more memorable than the normal experience people have. There are loads of sites around the web which can help you with this part of your big day.

 

The Breakfast: Once the ceremony is complete, events like this will typically change to a new location for a big meal for everyone to share. Food is one of the hardest things to get right when you’re hosting a lot of different people, while also being one of the easiest parts to remember, making it critical that you appeal to everyone. The easiest way to do this is through a simple buffet with options from a wide range of backgrounds. A lot of people make the mistake of going over the top with their food, and this can leave some of your guests feeling uncomfortable for this part of the event.

 

The Speeches: Along with food, people will also like to give speeches during the breakfast, and this is something which a lot of people struggle to get right. Some of your guests will be better at public speaking than others. It’s worth taking this into consideration when you’re picking those who will talk, even if tradition dictates that someone nervous should do it. Having someone bomb when talking will overshadow a large part of the event in some people’s memories, while also creating unpleasant ones for anyone who gets embarrassed.

 

The After Party: Of course, no wedding is complete without an after party, and this is the part of the day a lot of your guests will be looking forward to. It takes a lot to plan a successful do like this, though. Below, you can find some of the key elements you’ll have to put together if you want to create an evening which people will remember.

 

  • The Music: Live music is commonplace at wedding events, with a lot of people choosing this option over a DJ. Websites like AliveNetwork.com can help you to find local musicians who are dedicated to attending weddings. Of course, this is something only you and your partner can decide on, though, as you should always go for the sound which appeals to you the most.

 

  • The Fun/Games: Most wedding parties are more than just a bit of time spent on the dance floor. Along with this, other little entertainment areas can be found, including activities like photo booths, basic crafts, or something a little more creative. The best examples of this can be found at weddings which go out of the box. The only thing you have to aim for here is fun! Consider things like photo booth rental Las Vegas to create lasting memories.

 

  • The Drinks: It’s hard to avoid a little bit of booze at an event like this, and most new couples will want to spend some time reveling in their new status. Of course, though, too much of the stuff can make an evening quickly devolve into chaos. Companies like thegreatmobilebarcompany.com can help you to organise a bar which limits you guests to a sensible amount of drinks. This is one of the best ways to keep things under control without making it boring.

 

The People: Finally, as the last area to consider, a lot of people make the mistake of inviting far too many guests to their wedding day. It’s impossible to enjoy yourself when you’re torn between talking to people for the whole event. To avoid this, having a smaller affair will often make it a lot easier for everyone to take in the celebrations as they unfurl. Of course, though, like this other elements in this post, this is something you have to decide.

 

Hopefully, this post will give you all of the help you need to start working on your big day. It can be easy to go down the same route as everyone else when you’re planning a wedding, choosing the options which seem most popular. You only get one of these events, though, and it’s worth making it your own.

A bit of me.

Like a lot of people, I use my phone throughout the day every single day, so when it comes to personal items I want to customise, my phone is way up there.
I customise so many things from the font on my phone, ring tone and screensaver all the way to speech bubble colours for each individual text conversation. I love changing up my phone because it keeps something new that you may have for up to two years.
When I was younger I used to have multiple cases for my phones in a multitude of colours and designs to suit outfit or mood but as I’ve grown up I’ve only ever had one at a time and I use it strictly for function (although it is always something cute).
The opportunity arose to get a personalised phone case for my current phone, Samsung Galaxy S7, so I thought it could be really fun to make something I love that I can’t just pick up on the high street. I know a lot of people would use this opportunity to get a photo or something personal to them printed onto a case but that’s just not me at all. When I think of a personalised item I think of something I’ve always wanted but haven’t been able to find rather than “ohhh I can put my face on this” lol.

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I love roses and at the moment the screen saver on my phone is of some beautiful roses that I spent a long time searching for because I wanted specific colours and I even put a filter over them to give them a vintage look, I’ve only had this screen saver for a couple of weeks and I absolutely love it so when I was offered a personalised phone case I knew that I would want that rose design (with the vintage filter) on it. It’s an image that I love and its a phone case I would 100% buy if I saw it. Just to make it more personalised I had my name printed on it too. On nights out in bars and clubs I always leave my phone on the table with my friends when I go to the bar or the bathroom so I thought having my name on the back would be fun and handy.

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When the case came I was very surprised by the quality, its very well made and sturdy, I’ve had a lot of cases in the past that are cute but you know immediately that it’s not going to last long at all but this one is really well made and I feel very safe with my phone in it. The printing job is really nice and it definitely captured the vintage look I was going for and I love it.

Check them out if you want to make your own phone case like I did.

My mother, my heart.

I saw a post about a company that engraves photos and words onto jewellery and I immediately thought of my mum. I lost my mum on Christmas day 2014 and since then I have gotten a couple of tattoos with her in mind which I love but I don’t really go into when people ask about them because I find tattoos to be very personal. So when the opportunity came about to get a piece of jewellery with her picture on I definitely wanted to do that.
I sent Gemzbyemz the clearest picture I could find of my mum and the words I wanted on the back of the necklace and I received my piece really fast.

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I wasn’t really sure what to expect as far as how clear the image would be and how well you would be able to make out her face and features on a piece of jewellery so small but I was so surprised and pleased, the image is clear as day.
It’s mine and my mum’s birthday month next month and I feel like I got this just in time.

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It’s a beautiful piece and a really nice idea and it’s definitely something I will cherish. I would like to get one for my sister too as I think she will love it.
The heart necklace is gorgeous and there are other things on the site that you can have engraved if you want something else, like cufflinks or a trinket box as gifts. You can even have cushions made with photos of your choice. There are so many items available that make great gifts and wedding favours.

Emma was an absolute pleasure to deal with too, she made it all very clear what she needed and and was very helpful when I my image file wouldn’t go through. Overall the customer service was excellent and the whole process was really quick.

Unfortunately the necklace was too short for me because I have a fat neck lol, but I bought a longer silver replacement necklace that fits me and now it’s perfect.

I don’t talk about my mum much on social media or on my blog, but she was my world, the best person I have ever known and I will continue to pay tribute to her in every way that I can, forever.

Plus Size Vintage Clothing

Full figured women can also enjoy vintage styles and designs. Plus size vintage clothes are a great pickb, as they often have figure-flattering features that highlight your curves while also celebrating your individual style.

The following designs are the best picks for plus size ladies looking to enhance their fashion and wear clothing from a more stylish era.

1920s – Shift Dresses

For a vintage inspired style that is faltering for fuller figures, look no further than the classic shift dress. Popular among flappers and statement-makers in the 1920s, these dresses are as elegant as they are easy-to-wear. They often have no inherent structure and fall easily over the body, allowing you to move with ease while still incorporating vintage design elements.

When it comes to finding the perfect plus size shift dress, be aware of your proportions. Finding the perfect hemline and sleeve length is always key. Because these dresses essentially cover up your curves, you will want to show a little skin in other places to ensure you don’t look too matronly while wearing pieces from this era.

1930s – Structured Style

The 1930s was famous for its more structured styles. When it comes to plus sized figures, structure can be incredibly flattering. Find a fitted suit dress from this era that nips at the waistline and creates a stylish, chic, and sophisticated silhouette that will make you feel pretty and powerful all at the same time.

The key to finding the perfect look from this era is perfect tailoring. Don’t hesitate to take your vintage pieces to a tailor for a unique fit that makes you look your best at all times. Sometimes even a half an inch can make a huge difference when it comes to your overall look.

1940s & 1950s – A-line Dresses

For plus size women with a vintage sensibility, you can’t go wrong with a retro a-line dress. These styles are a dream for women with fuller figures, as they hit you in all of the right places. These dresses typically feature a waistband or seam point that hits right at your natural waist and highlights the smallest part of your body. A full circle skirt and fitted bodice perfectly balance your proportions, creating or enhancing your hourglass figure.

These dresses come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns, allowing you to express your style in the best way possible. Often, they feature vintage prints like polkadots or gingham that further enhance their retro beauty. These dresses are as fun to wear as they are figure flattering, making them the perfect pick for anyone looking to wear plus size vintage styles.

Dressing for Success: Some Of The Ways You Can Do It

When it comes to your appearance it what you think about yourself that matters over anybody else’s opinions, but sometimes your confidence can be knocked. If you have a job that requires you to put yourself out there a lot of the time, if you find that you are trying to stay on your feet with a new business venture or going solo and doing freelance work, if you just want to rock the household chores sometimes dressing for the success you want can make all the difference. But how can you do that? I thought I would share with you some of the ways you can dress for success.

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It starts with what is underneath

 Sometimes when it comes to the clothes that you wear, you have to start with the basics and that can mean the lingerie and underwear you are wearing. It isn’t necessarily about wearing something pretty, although that can help you to feel great, but it is more to do with wearing something that fits you well and enhances your body shape. This is when looking online for cheap lingerie by Lingerie Outlet Store could help you to find the right pieces. Once you have underwear that fits perfectly, you will find that the clothing you wear fits you better and looks incredible.

 

Dress for the occasion

 Dressing for success isn’t always about the power suit for that meeting at work, you may work for yourself, stay at home or simply have a different type of job that requires different clothing. Instead, dressing for success means you are dressed for the occasion, then eat way you can be and whatever that situation may be.

 

Wear clothes that suit your body shape

 It is important to understand what your body shape is and to dress for it rather than against it. You will always feel more confident in the clothes you are in if they fit your figure well and look the part. You can identify your body shape easily enough online and the difference it could make to how you look is amazing.

 

Think of your skin tone

 Your skin tone can play a big part in how you dress as certain colours will enhance your look whereas others will drown you out and not do anything for your appearance. So it is crucial to know whether warmer or cooler tones suit your skin tone better. You can do this through trying out different clothes and seeking advice online to help you identify the best colours for you.

 

Put your look together

 Dressing for success and feeling good about it is only part of the story, you also need to think about putting the whole look together. Having the right clothes is great, but making more effort with your hair, a slick of lipstick or a bit of make and doing things that help boost your confidence can also work wonders for your overall appearance.

 I hope these tips help you to dress for success.

 

 

Gadgets and Accessories for Vaping You Can’t Live Without

It seems the days of the traditional cigarette could be left behind as vaping grows more and more popular. It has been reported that, although not risk free, vaping is less harmful than smoking. If you’re a regular smoker and debating making the switch, or a vaper looking to try out some new gadgets, read on below to find out how you can make the most from your vaping experience.

 

Cartomizers

This is a great tool to use when you’re just starting out with vaping. You pair it with the battery and you’re all set. VIP offers a superb selection of flavours, with everything from apple to vanilla. You can also choose the strength of nicotine in each pack, which is a definite perk over your standard pack of cigarettes. With cartomizers you can pick what’s exactly right for you.

 

Protective Case

 The chances are you’ll be taking your vape equipment with you wherever you go. Just like you put your phone in a case to protect it, so you should with your vape – there’s a lot of delicate equipment going on in there. One hefty drop to the floor and you could potentially damage your e-cigarette beyond repair. A case can protect it and prevent you from having to pay for a whole kit.

 

Charger

 Speaking of being on the go with your vape equipment, you’re best off including a charger. The last thing you want is the battery to run out, meaning you can’t smoke for the rest of the day. You could always invest in a high-power battery, this can keep your equipment lasting longer, and you don’t have to worry so much about always being near a charging point.

 

Bottles

If you fancy the idea of mixing your own blends from your e-liquids, having a few empty bottles is a top idea. You can buy empty containers from vape stores, then get creative with your concoctions. You might even find your new favourite flavour, and it’s entirely your creation.

 

Cleaning Equipment

 It’s not the most glamorous part of any vape tool kit, but it is an important one. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy either, some cotton swabs and paper towels will do the trick. As long as you’ve got something to clean up after yourself when you’re pouring new liquid into the e-cigarette. It’s going in your mouth after all, you want to keep it as hygienic as you can.

 

3 Steps for a More Positive Approach to Life

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Life can be great, especially if we’ve got our ducks in a row and we’re doing the kinds of things we want to do, with the kinds of people we like, and are finding new and fulfilling reasons to get out of bed every morning and throw ourselves into the adventure of the day.

 Then again, life can be pretty miserable at other times; such as when our health is faltering, and our plans aren’t bearing fruit.

 While there are always steps we can take to improve things; such as refining our habits, and redecorating our homes with goods from montgomery.co.uk, it’s not uncommon to find that we often end up feeling melancholy and negative even if things are generally going pretty well.

 If that sounds at all like you, here are some tips for acquiring a more positive and feel-good approach to life.

 

Getting in the habit of arguing with your negative thinking

 At the root of much, if not all, of our pessimism and negativity, is habitual, ongoing negative thinking. This kind of negative thinking can occur at any moment, and tends to affect just about every aspect of our lives.

 We may start off by having breakfast, but then notice that one piece of toast is a bit more burnt than we would have liked. “Breakfast’s ruined, I just keep messing everything up” might be the negative thought process that goes along with the event.

 The psychologist Martin Seligman, famous for his work on positivity and his book “Learned Optimism” pointed out the importance of arguing against your negative thinking on a regular basis.

 If you notice yourself spiralling into negative thinking, first identify the event that triggered the negative thought. Then identify the negative belief. Then identify the negative effects of that belief (depression, for example), then dispute that belief. Is there a different way of looking at things? Could you be wrong?

 

Remember that how you think about the world affects how you see and experience it

 Studies have found evidence that the way you think about the world, and the things you pay attention to, change the way you see the world, literally.

 But you don’t even need scientific studies to realise that this is true. Consider the following example:

 If someone asks you to look around the room intensively for 10 seconds, and count as many blue objects as you can see, and then, once the buzzer has gone off, they ask you how many red objects you saw, what will be your answer?

 Clearly, you either wouldn’t have noticed or wouldn’t have paid attention to the red objects. It’s the same with our emotions. If you look only for the negative, you won’t see the positive.

 Keep reminding yourself that you don’t see the world “accurately” so you may as well see it optimistically.

 

Practice mindfulness meditation to get some space away from your thoughts

 Mindfulness meditation is an ancient practice which has the ability to open up a bit of space between us and our thoughts, by training us to observe them in a non-judgemental way, while directing our attention towards a specific point of focus.

 Many services, apps, and books exist to teach the basics of meditation.

 According to research, regular meditation really can change the brain in some fundamental ways that make us feel less controlled by our thoughts.

 

The Holiday Home Lifestyle Could Be The One For You!

The property ladder is a scary thing to climb. You can get on the first rung relatively easily, and start looking into the types of properties and out there that someone on a strict budget could afford. But anything above that step is hard to ascend to: there’s mortgage rates, bad tenants, solicitor fees, and a market that fluxes up and down whenever it seems to want to. All in all, that’s just far too risky for someone ‘normal’ to try and get on with!

 

But if you have your own house or rented space to live in, and you’re doing well with managing the fees for that, this could be your time for broadening your horizons, and making sure you’ve got an asset to your name that you’re going to get plenty of use out of, and plenty of money out of at the same time. What is that investment? Why, a holiday home of course!

 

Seeing as more and more of us are deciding to sate our wanderlust and go far and wide on a regular basis, this could be a very good avenue of choice for you to walk down. Travelling far and wide is something we all want to do at some point in our lives, so why not make your dreams easier on yourself? And if you’re still not convinced at this point, here’s a few more reasons to help you out.

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No more perching on hostel bunks and scanning through travel guides to make sure you’re in a safe part of town… (Credit)

 

No More Hotels!

Hotels can be very expensive, and we all know if you want to stay more than one night with an entire family by your side, you’re probably going to have to fork out anywhere from £500 and up. And that’s just not effective for a travelling lifestyle, and can set you back years on your next holiday away.

 

So if you see yourself travelling more than once or twice in the next ten years or so, this could be a good time to look into the holiday properties there are on the market. No longer are you going to have to pay a hundred or so per night just to have a good night’s rest, and you won’t have to wrangle with room service any longer either. And there’s never enough towels to go around when you’re staying in a hotel room, and it all adds up to a lot of unnecessary hassle when you’re meant to be relaxing!

 

You Can Stay as Long as You Want

Another bad thing about hired accommodation: you have to leave at some point, and you’re going to be turfed out at an agreed time if you don’t manage to keep to it. And when you’re on holiday, that marks the end of the fun! Afterwards you’re going to have to trudge your way to the airport or back onto the cruise ship, or even back into your cramped and most likely dirty car (if you’ve got the kids in the back…) and go home with stress in your shoulders.

 

But not when you have a holiday home at your disposal! Of course you’re going to have to return to life and all its responsibilities at some point, but you don’t have to think about that for a while when you’re in a house of your own and there’s no one to tell you to leave by 11am!

 

Speaking of staying for as long as you want, when you have a holiday home to stay in when you go abroad, you can stay out or up for as long as you want as well! Hotels usually have curfews for when they lock the doors by, and when you’re an adult trying to have fun with friends and older members of the family, it can be hard to keep to this time. Especially if you didn’t even know about it in the first place! You can also make as much noise as you want, make as much mess as you want (once again, that’s useful if you have the kids around with you), and you’re only going to have you to tell yourself off in the morning. No lost deposits here!

 

You Can Hire Your Holiday Home Out

If you’re finding the accommodations during your travels subpar, there’s a very strong chance others are coming to the same conclusion! People love to save money whenever they can, we need as much of it as we can save after all, and that means people are already willing to couch surf in stranger’s house and on hostels with less than stellar ratings. Now’s your chance to make their experience better!

 

When you’re not using your home away from home, you can easily use it to make money off of travellers who have the same idea as you but are without the means to go all in. And if you own a property in a prime travelling location, such as the South of France or Italy, and you can afford a mortgage, you’re going to make at least double the investment you spent on in the first place!

 

Ready to Invest in a Holiday Home?

This could be the perfect time for you to do so, especially considering the relative ups the housing market is having recently. You can buy a bit of a fixer upper in the middle of nowhere and soon discover it’s the perfect place for young couples with kids or older couples looking to get out and about across the world to stay. Or you can invest in a place that’s in the city centre and make a lot of money off of people who like to backpack their way across continents, and those who enjoy a party lifestyle looking for a place close to all the action and entertainment.

 

Whatever you choose, when you have a holiday home to stay in when you go away, you’re going to have a successful holiday!

 

More plus size underwear for you…

In two recent posts, here and here, I spoke about how I have been looking for and discussing plus size underwear options, specifically sports/soft cup bras. I have been wearing underwire bras less and less and I love the freedom it gives me as well as how much more comfortable it is.

When I am at home I only wear bralettes and crop tops and I will only wear an underwire bra when I feel it is completely necessary. Being the size that I am I have been finding it very difficult to find companies that cater to my large back size. Last week I was made aware of an online shop called Elle Courbee who actually carry up to a 48 back in their bras and they have soft cups for people who want underwire and comfort.

I wear shape wear but not to create a new or adjust my current shape because in all honesty I think that would take steel but I wear soft control shape wear on my bottom half when I wear form fitting dresses to control the amount of jiggle when I am walking or dancing and it makes me feel a lot more comfortable even if it doesn’t  make miles of difference. Elle Courbee have a huge range of shape wear from knickers to full body garments to suit your individual needs. Not only do they have great options, they styles are absolutely gorgeous.

Screenshot_20180606-081726They have some stunning plus size corsets that look like they should be outerwear and not be hidden beneath clothes because the fabric and detailing is so pretty. If like me you’re always on the lookout for functional and attractive under garments then is another brand worth looking at. Finding great looking plus size under garments is a struggle so whenever I see any I feel like it needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

If you know of any less well known plus size underwear brands, please let me know 🙂

A Lifestyle blog and much more