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Contributed post.  Are you tired of hating your own home? We don’t blame you in the slightest for this. Your home is supposed to be the place that you feel the safest, that you feel the happiest, and this isn’t going to happen if you’re constantly hating every second you spend there because it’s not quite right. The good news is that you can make some pretty simple changes to fix this, and then you can make bigger changes over time to continue to improve it. Eventually, you will end up with a place that is perfect for you, but it takes time and effort. If you’re ready to get started with this, then we’re here to help. Backyard Changes The first thing that we’re going to recommend is making changes to your backyard. It might be looking a little dull, boring and generally as though it’s not being taken care of at the moment, and that means that you’re not putting enough effort in. So, you should then be working on maintaining it better, getting out there regularly to cut the grass, pull out the weeds and keep it looking tidy. Once you’ve done this, you can then start turning it into a lovely space. You might want to add a hot tub if you have space, you might want to add a child’s play area if you have kids, or add something completely different. Think about what you want, think about what would make you happy, and then make it happen. You deserve to spend time in your garden feeling happy, not to avoid going out there because it’s like a nightmare. Make Any And All Repairs You should then take your time to make any and all repairs that are necessary in the home. If there is something wrong with the roof, get a roofer out to fix it. If there’s an issue with the electrics of your home, get an electrician. Or, if there is a simpler problem like holes in the wall that you can sort yourself, you should be. Get them sorted, and you should feel better. Sort Out The Curb Appeal Lastly, if you don’t like the look of the outside of your home then you can change this up to suit your style. It might be that the people who lived there previously painted it a pretty awful color. You can switch this back to a color you like, just make sure that you are using the correct paint. You ideally need one that doesn’t fade and doesn’t wear off easily when attacked by harsh weather conditions. You might also want to improve how the front gardens look from an outside perspective, mow the lawn and add some gorgeous plants perhaps. If you don’t have a nice looking driveway then consider adding one or improving the existing one. Concrete driveways are much better than other types and you can get beautiful designs as well as simple ones. We hope you found this helpful and it gave you some ideas on how you can create a home that you can be proud of.
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Contributed post.  Feeling like a superstar is something that can help you get the life you want. So, it’s important to set up your home environment for just that. After all, you spend a lot of your time there, so you want to get it right. That’s where this post can help. We look at some of the methods you can use to feel great in your property. Here’s everything you need to know: Create A Glam Corner You could start by creating a glam corner, somewhere you can feel absolutely fabulous. All you need is great lighting, a mirror, and some beauty products and you’re well on your way. What’s more, you probably have everything you need for a glam corner ready to go. It’s just a matter of bringing it all together and setting it up in one of your rooms, usually a bedroom or bathroom. Dress The Part Another pro tip is to dress the part when you’re in your home. If you can make yourself feel great, then that will have a knock-on effect on how you view your property. Don’t be afraid to wear designer clothes in the house, since these can change your mood pretty quickly. You could put on a sleek robe or wear stylish loungewear to feel the part.  Perform A Deep Clean Another pro tip is to perform a deep clean on your property. If you know that you’ve removed all the dirt and grime, it’s going to make the experience that much more luxurious. I like to get in touch with pest control near me to check things like the floorboards and the attic. This approach makes sure that creatures haven’t moved in and that they aren’t taking over or leaving their droppings everywhere. Indulge In VIP Rituals You could also adopt the approach of indulging in VIP rituals. Things like sipping your morning coffee from a nice mug or putting on your favorite pair of slippers can make a tremendous difference and leave you feeling like a million dollars. Celebrate Your Wins You can also modify your home into a space where you freely celebrate your wins. When something good happens, you pop the cork on a bottle of champagne or sparkling water. When you celebrate these occasions in your home, you immediately create a positive atmosphere. You create a space where you want to be so that you’re not sulking or wishing that life was better in some way. Instead, you feel content with where you are. Set The Scene Finally, you might want to set the scene to feel like a million dollars in your home. The best approach is to opt for warm lights that make you feel relaxed, especially in the evenings if you are entertaining guests. You could also add things like string lights and chic lamps, as these provide your lighting with multiple layers. Dimming the lights even more sets the tone and makes everyone look stunning. So, that’s our advice. Which ideas will you pinch? Contributed post. If you are planning on hosting a family party, then there are a few things you need to know. If you want to keep your party stress-free, then here are a few things that you should probably keep in mind.  Invite People Over Your house might not be perfect. You might not have enough chairs for everyone either. You may even have an ugly bathroom, or you may feel as though there is a door handle that doesn’t quite work properly. Either way, you have to remember that people are coming because they like your company and because they want to spend time with you. Although you want to make your house as inviting as possible, you do want to make sure that you are not focusing too much on things like this, and that you are focusing on the things that make a difference, like choosing the right food, having enough drinks for everyone, and building a playlist. Things like this will have a direct influence on your guests and the experience that they are looking for you, so keep that in mind. Don’t Overcomplicate It If you can, you need to make sure that you don’t overcomplicate things. Use software to handle your party invites if you can, and don’t bother finding ways to create them all yourself. If you can use software, then you can easily find a template and download that. When you do, all you have to do then is fill out the information and go from there. Things like this can make a big difference, and they can also give you the chance to plan your party properly without the stress. Food Everyone loves food. It doesn’t matter what kind of party you are hosting, because having food is always a good thing. Even if you just end up putting a bag of chips in a bowl, or even in a bag, this is a very good thing to have. You should also cut yourself a bit of slack here. Although you may think that it’s a good idea to have everything under the sun on your buffet table, if you cut back and play it simple, you will find it easier than ever to put on a good spread. If you are theming your party, then it could be a good idea for you to theme the food as well. If you are having a Halloween party, for example, then you can probably find ways to base a lot of the food around this. This is a great way for you to not only get the result you want, but also make sure that you are giving your guests something different to have. Of course, if you intend to theme your party, then you might also want to look into things like fancy dress. If you are hosting a Halloween party, you can find a lot of scary Halloween costumes for women online. When you explore things like this, you will find it easier to not only make your event more fun but also make sure that everything ties in together. Of course, you might want to have some decorations too for your table, so be sure to keep that in mind if you can. Smaller Details Count When hosting a party, you should also consider the fact that smaller details often make the biggest difference. Some cute straws or even a bouquet can easily go a long way, and they are also very inexpensive. If you invest in things like this, then you can add a lot of life to your party, and you can also show your guests that you have gone the extra mile. If you're not sure what smaller details to focus on, then it’s a good idea to think back to all the parties you might have attended over the years, and give thought to the things that you might have enjoyed about them. When you do, you will soon notice that it is easier for you to not only have the best time, but also make sure that you are not overlooking the smaller things that might make a big difference. Let People Help When you host a party, you may think that you need to do everything yourself, and that you simply can’t let other people help because if you do then you are being a bad host. This is not true at all. In fact, if you let other people help, then you may find that you end up making your life a lot easier. Try and get people to bring a side dish or two, because when you do, you will find it easier than ever to lessen the load on the big day. If you can, you should really look into the things that you can do to make your own life easier as well. If buying some paper plates means you don’t have to do as much washing up, then this is great, and it’s something you should certainly look into. If you know that someone needs to bring something, then you could ask them to take care of that, because when you do, you not only let other people help, but you also lessen the hit to your bank account, which is great. Increase the AC When you have people over, you will notice that the house gets very warm, very quickly. If you want to work around this, then make sure that you turn up the AC in advance. When you do, you will notice that you can stay cooler when the time comes for you to get some cooking done, which is great. Of course, things like this can make a big difference, even if you plan on hosting your party in winter. Although you do want to keep your guests warm, a lot of the time they will be too warm, so accounting for things like this, especially if you are having a lot of people over, is a big deal. 
If you're wanting painless and potentially permanent at home hair removal, you've come to the right place. There are a TON of IPL (intense pulsed light) devices for at home use on the market these days, but which one is best? Which is the lightest? The cheapest? The most powerful? How do they compare!? Well - I got you!! In this post I'm going to be doing a head to head comparison of SIX single bulb IPL hair removal devices! Yes, SIX DEVICES: Salloot Nova P5, Nood Flasher 2.0, Natrsym 7XY, Louniya, Ulike Air 3, and Innza!!! Watch my video below to see them all in action, then read on for the details! Disclaimer, this post was sponsored by Salloot, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. All links in this post are Amazon affiliate links - you don't pay more but I earn a commission from qualified purchases made after clicking my links. For those who have no experience with IPL hair removal, a quick overview of how it works first! IPL 101: How IPL works is that the device provides a flash of intense light that shoots down the hair shaft to destroy the follicle. Sounds simple enough! But to support it working as intended, it's quite a process...
SINGLE BULB IPL COMPARISON:
FEATURES THEY ALL SHARE:
All 6 of these devices include a single bulb (as opposed to dual bulbs that some higher end IPL devices offer), work in both manual and auto-glide modes, and suggest that you will see hair reduction results within 12 weeks (some within 4 weeks). Do note, I've been reviewing IPL devices for about 2 years, so I unfortunately cannot evaluate how well a specific device worked on me personally, but can say I'm obsessed with these things in general and how well they work!!
ICE COOLING TECHNOLOGY:
This is a very important feature that not all IPL devices have. Basically, ice cooling tech keeps the treatment window ice cold, often condensing over! The light flashing is quite hot, which can potentially be uncomfortable, so the ice cool window counters that for a really comfortable experience! Out of the 6 IPL I reviewed here, these 4 feature ice cooling technology:
DOUBLE PULSE:
Of the six, only the Salloot Nova P5 has double pulse technology, which essentially gives you twice the treatment as a single pulse. So, this is kind of a BIG DEAL!! When you get into the higher end devices, some offer triple and even quadruple pulses (check out my comparison of Salloot Trinity i15 Pro and Ulike Air 10 for more on that), but even the double pulse is amazing! 
MAXIMUM POWER: The device's maximum power *should* correlate to effectiveness, but I cannot confirm nor deny... That said, here are the Joules reported for each of the devices (with Salloot Nova P5 being the winner, by a long shot!!):
FREE APP:
As I mentioned, the schedule for using IPL effectively is quite rigorous and can be really hard to stay on schedule without help. Many users manually input the schedule on their phone calendar or physical calendar on the fridge! But Salloot is the only brand of IPL I have reviewed that helps you here, by having a FREE APP that does ALL. THE. THINGS! They have tutorials, skin and hair analysis that help make sure you're using the right power setting, they keep track of your treatments, send you treatment reminders, and provide effect analysis!! Just so helpful!!! Take a look at a few screen shots I took from Salloot's CTone App: 
SMALLEST, LIGHTEST, CHEAPEST, PRETTIEST:
To be fair, no IPL device is super heavy or clunky. They're all decently lightweight, and come in a ton of shapes and sizes, some cute, some "ergonomic", some simply GORGEOUS! So, let's compare these six along those lines:
WHATS INCLUDED:
All devices came with the device and power adapter / plug. All except the Nood came with a razor and protective eyewear (though I don't have a way to test the effectiveness of each). However, to make up for it, the Nood did come with exfoliating cleansor and soothing aloe. And the Salloot Nova P5 came with a cleaning cloth and a gorgeous velour carry case! 
MY TOP PICK:
The best bang for your buck, and winner over all the other single bulb IPL devices I tested in nearly every way, is the Salloot Nova P5. It packs the most power, both in Joules and in the double pulse. It has the coolest cooling window i.e. provides the most comfortable experience. It has the FREE app, which you don't have to use but it really does make it much easier to keep track of your treatment schedule (and much more). It comes with a razor and the most compact protective eyewear - which fold!! It's also the smallest, lightest, and has a very affordable price point!! 
Contributed post. Traveling with kids brings its own kind of chaos. You have bags to pack for everyone, snacks to get ready, car seats to wrestle with, and a schedule that is never going to stay on track. This doesn’t beat the benefits you get from traveling with your family though. Getting away from the house and exploring new places together is something that can’t be beaten.  That said, the lead-up and return from family trips can leave your house feeling just as chaotic as the travel itself. With a few simple systems in place, you can make leaving and coming home easier. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about setting yourself up to enjoy the trip and recover from it with less stress. Prep Your Home Before You Leave A little planning goes a long way when it comes to family travel. Before you head out, take time to set your home up for a smoother return. You will feel far better returning to a tidy and organized home. Start by running the dishwasher, clearing out leftovers, and doing at least one load of laundry. It’s much easier to unpack into a clean space than one that’s already behind. If you’re traveling for more than a few days, set your thermostat to save energy and make sure trash is out. Leave fresh sheets on the beds. Coming home to a clean room makes a real difference when everyone’s tired and cranky. Keep a simple checklist saved on your phone: laundry, fridge check, dishes, mail hold, pet plans. You can reuse it every time you travel. You should also make sure you do proper checks in your home. If you have leaking taps for example, getting them sorted with Bluefrog Plumbing before you leave will stop any issues while you are away. Pack Light, Then Pack Lighter It’s tempting to bring everything “just in case.” But when you’re managing multiple bags and kids, less really is more. Make sure you stick to the basics. Choose clothes that you can mix and match so you can reduce the clothes you need ot pack. Use packing cubes to keep outfits separate. Give kids a small backpack with their own essentials. Not only does it reduce your load, but it also gives them some responsibility and keeps favorite items close. Leave space in your suitcase for what you’ll pick up along the way, souvenirs, snacks, extra clothes. You’ll never regret having less to carry on the way out. Reset Quickly When You Return The key to a calm return is unpacking quickly. Don’t leave bags in the hallway for days. Start by throwing laundry straight into the machine. Refill the fridge with a grocery delivery or a simple restock run. Open windows if the house feels stuffy. If you travel often, create a small “go bag” with chargers, wipes, sunscreen, and other repeat items. Restock it after each trip so it’s ready when you need it again. Ease your way back into routine. Don’t over-plan the first day home. Leave room for rest, small comforts, and early bedtimes. Travel Can Strengthen Home Life Trips don’t need to be elaborate to be meaningful. A weekend road trip or a day away can reset your family in ways that daily routine can’t. It gives everyone a break from screens, stress, and schedules. When your home is travel-ready and your systems are simple, getting out the door becomes less of a headache. And coming back? It feels a little more like coming home. Contributed post. Travelling to a country that’s nothing like home is one of the best ways to shake things up. Whether it’s palm trees, spicy street food, or a culture that’s completely new to you, there’s nothing quite like stepping into the unknown. But if you want to actually enjoy your trip instead of stressing the whole time, there are a few things you really should do before and during your stay. Here’s how to make the most of it without losing your mind in the process.  Sort your insurance before you pack a thing If you’re heading somewhere far away, the last thing you want is to get stuck with a big hospital bill or have your trip ruined by lost luggage. Travel insurance might not sound exciting, but it matters. A provider like Generali makes sure you’re covered if things don’t go to plan. From flight cancellations to emergency care, they’ve got your back. Once that’s sorted, you can stop stressing and actually look forward to the trip. It’s a no-brainer and takes five minutes to set up. Try something you’ve never done before You didn’t fly halfway across the world just to sit by the hotel pool. Exotic destinations are full of things you’ve probably never seen, tasted, or even heard of. So don’t overthink it. Book that snorkelling trip. Say yes to that unfamiliar dish. Take the local cooking class. You don’t have to go full daredevil, but stepping out of your comfort zone even a little is what turns a holiday into a proper adventure. If it’s slightly terrifying, you’re probably doing it right. Don’t act like a clueless tourist Every country has its own rules, and the quickest way to ruin your experience is to ignore them. Do a bit of research before you go. Learn how people dress, what’s considered rude, and how to show respect in everyday situations. If you're visiting a temple, cover your shoulders. If bargaining is expected, don’t be weird about it. Locals will notice when you make the effort, and they’ll usually go out of their way to help you out in return. It’s just basic respect. Slow down and take it all in You don’t need to rush from one tourist attraction to the next. In fact, the best moments often happen when you’ve got nothing on the schedule. Sit in a quiet cafe. Walk down a random street. Watch how people live their daily lives. When you stop trying to see everything, you start to notice the little things that make a place special. And that’s where the real magic is. Let yourself be surprised by what you didn’t plan. Stay open, but trust your gut A new country can be full of amazing surprises, but you’ve still got to keep your wits about you. Be curious. Ask questions. Talk to people. Most of the time, you’ll find that people are kind and welcoming. But if something feels off, pay attention to that feeling too. Trusting your instincts doesn’t mean being closed off. It just means being smart while staying open to the world around you. That balance is what makes travel feel both safe and exciting. Contributed post. Moving home can be an exciting time that signals growth and development, but it’s not without its challenges. Part of the issue with moving properties is that, since people do it so infrequently, they’re often caught off guard by the sheer amount of time and energy that it involves. And that can lead to plenty of stress and frustration. While there’s no way to eliminate the pain points completely, a little bit of forewarning and planning can go a long way towards ensuring that your move goes to plan. In this post, we’ll run through a few of the things that people underestimate about moving home, as well as provide some actionable advice on what you can do to keep the issues at bay.  The Amount of Time It’ll Take Even the most straightforward of moves can take significant amounts of time and energy, and most moves are not straightforward. From submitting all the paperwork to packing up your belongings and more, many movers are caught off guard by just how much moving property comes to dominate their life — and all the while, they’re having to stay on top of their other responsibilities, too, such as their jobs or families. One way to get around this issue is to, if possible, choose a quiet period to move property. You’ll find it’s easier to manage all your moving-related tasks if you can take some time off work and family responsibilities are at a minimum. The Stress Factor Moving is stressful — and that’s not just us saying it, but 64% of recent movers. In fact, they didn’t just say it was stressful, but that it was the most stressful thing they’ve been through. You can’t eliminate stress completely, but you can take measures to ensure moving-related stress is kept as low as possible. Working with a company that offers loading and unloading services, for instance, will remove the stress of having to move all of your belongings yourself. Batch-cooking meals, asking friends and family to look after the kids, and asking your boss for some flexibility with working hours will also help. You’ll also find it easier if you simply accept that moving won’t be a stroll in the park from beginning to end; it’ll be difficult at times, but it’ll be worth it in the end. The Impact of Saying Goodbye Most people move because they choose to, yet while you’ll be looking forward to your new life in your new home, you might also find that saying goodbye to your existing home is more difficult than you might think. Even if you know that moving is the right thing to do, it’s likely that you’ve had plenty of happy moments in your current abode. We’d recommend honoring your time in the home you’ll be departing by hosting a special celebratory dinner, which will serve as a nice way to say a proper goodbye to the property. Just because you’re moving on, that doesn’t mean that your old home won’t always have a special place in your heart! |
 
About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins + 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, helping busy parents find the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! 
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