Give A Personalised Locket For Christmas With Lovelox London And Win One Too Ends 5/12

Before we know it Christmas will be upon us. Now, I don't know about you but I often struggle to buy the perfect Christmas gift for family members. As you get older they especially seem to have everything. My mum is particularly difficult to buy for but this year I know what I am buying. A personalised locket from Lovelox London. This is a collaboration with Lovelox London but all words and opinions are my own. 

Why buy a locket?


A locket is one of those gifts that can mean so much. Traditionally given to symbolise love or as a keepsake, a locket is perfect for keeping a little memento inside like a photo of loved ones or a locket of hair, and it is worn close to the heart. 

Styles of lockets

In years gone by lockets were worn to show support to family members, religious organisations or the royal family and were worn by men and women. They were also not just worn around the neck but also worn in a ring or a brooch and even a watch fob. 

Today lockets are traditionally heart-shaped or oval-shaped and worn around the neck on a chain. They are particularly popular for special birthdays like 18th, 21st or 40th birthdays as well as christenings. They can be passed down through generations and this makes them extra special. 

Lovelox London


Lovelox London is a jewellery brand from the company Engravers Guild that produces beautiful personalised lockets, made by hand from precious metals such as silver, yellow and rose gold on silver. The company Engravers Guild has been evolving for over 100 years and is based in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

The range of lockets that Lovelox London sells includes simple heart and oval shape lockets to scrolled and ornate designs, all of which can be personalised and can include photos. Their mission is "to create treasured keepsakes to celebrate meaningful moments in your life". In an image-saturated online world, their idea is to capture the most special memories and to hold them close.

Ordering





Ordering is easy to do online. You tap on the ‘Create My Locket’ button on loveloxlockets.com and it enables the customer to upload two photos within the locket itself. You choose the length of chain from an adjustable 16 to 18 inches to an adjustable 20 to 24 inches. When you order and pay the LOVELOX team ensures the photo fit snug into the lockets casing and any engraving is carried out to the highest standards. It is then packed with love and sent on its way to you, to delight someone you love.



So below are some of my favourite necklaces from Lovelox London. Let me know which design is your favourite and be sure to enter the competition where you can win your very own rose gold plated heart locket.

Wishlist

full scroll heart locket
Full Scroll Heart Engraved Locket – Gold plated £85

My first choice is this heart scroll locket. I love its beautiful detailed pattern which is hand engraved. This necklace is sterling silver and yellow gold plated to keep the price affordable and would make a stunning necklace for fans of yellow gold jewellery. Inside it can be personalised with space for two photos and the chain is adjustable. 

silver heart diamond locket

Diamond Set Personalised Heart Locket – Silver £75

My next choice is this beautiful silver diamond studded locket. I think the detail in the centre is so exquisite.  Inside it can be personalised with space for two photos and the chain is adjustable. The reverse can be engraved for a personalised message too. It's a best seller and rightly so.

rose gold heart locket

My last choice is my favourite. This rose gold plated heart necklace is simple and classic and perfect to wear every day.  I love the clean lines of this locket so much. Inside it can be personalised with space for two photos and the chain is adjustable. The reverse can be engraved for a personalised message too. 

All lockets come in a luxury gift box and are packed with care. They are also available in silver, yellow gold plated and rose gold plated on silver.

Competition

Today on my blog you can win this rose gold plated locket, as featured above. So check out the Lovelox London website find your favourite locket and enter below. 

Entry is easy via the Gleam app below with a click of a button. If you like competitions be sure to check if I have any more running here. Good luck!


Win a rose plated heart locket
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How To Choose The Furniture For Your Dream Living Room

There’s hardly a room in your house that’s quite as important as your living room. You probably spend hours in it every day, lounging after work, reading a good book, or watching TV. It’s also where you take your friends when they come and visit, and the first room you show to your guests.

So naturally, when a room plays such an important function, choosing the right kind of furniture becomes crucial. You want your living room to reflect who you are as a person and also be stylish, comfortable, and characterful, but you’re not an interior designer, so how exactly should you do that? Well, allow me to give you a few tips and help you furnish the living room of your dreams.

Look Up Different Furniture Styles

lounge

If you have absolutely no idea where to start, looking up different furniture styles online might serve as an inspiration. There are dozens of styles out there — from Art Nouveau and mid-century modern to minimalism and contemporary. They all have their individual characteristics and suit different tastes, so pick the style you like and start decorating.

Of course, you don’t have to stick strictly to one style. Say, for instance, that you like the geometrical patterns and natural motifs of art deco furniture. That doesn’t mean you have to buy pieces and decorations that exclusively fit this style. In fact, adding a few art deco elements into an otherwise contemporary living room could end up having a stronger effect.

If you do decide to mix furniture styles, though, make sure to figure out what works and what doesn’t. If your living room is quite futuristic, adding antique details and decorations is a risky move. That’s not to say that some people can’t make it work, but it’s undoubtedly more difficult than sticking to the safe choices.

Choose a Center Furniture Piece

Usually, every living room has a focal point, a furniture piece everything else is centred around. In most living rooms, a large sofa plays this role — it’s the thing everyone notices as soon as they enter the room.

So, before you do anything else, choose the kind of sofa you’d like to buy and where you’d like to place it. Once that’s done, picking out the rest of the furniture shouldn’t be too much of a problem. For instance, you can get armchairs and coffee tables in similar or complementary colours and styles. Their positions also shouldn’t be difficult to figure out, especially since you’ll arrange them around the sofa.

When you finish with the essential furniture, add some decorations or art pieces that fit well into the overall design. If you want to play with various styles, these details are a perfect opportunity. An otherwise minimalistic room could benefit greatly from a colourful painting, and a plant or two is a good choice, no matter the style.

Careful With the Colours

Most designers with years of experience under their belt give simple advice. When decorating your living room, choose two or three colours and stick to them. Your furniture, rugs, and walls should be in those colours, and there’s rarely a good reason to add a new one. The decorations might break this rule at times, but even they should fit in with the rest of the room.

Right now, the most popular living room colour palettes contain mainly calming, earthy tones, pastels, and whites. That’s not a surprise either — a living room is a place of relaxation, and these colours certainly promote it. Golden accents are also in vogue, so consider that next time you want to spice up your room!

Mix Up the Sizes

We already mentioned that each living room has a focal point, a sort of a centrepiece. If that’s your sofa, then it’s bound to be the largest piece of furniture in the room. But what about other furniture? How big should it be, and does it really matter?

Well, if your sofa is already big, there’s hardly a reason for everything else to be as well. In fact, filling your living room with large pieces will only lead to overcrowding it, which certainly isn’t a good look.

So, instead, try to mix it up a bit. Use smaller or medium-sized pieces to complement the large ones. That’s not to say that you can’t put a large TV or a huge painting, but don’t overdo it. More than two or three big pieces are definitely unnecessary.

Put Some Thought Into Lighting

Finally, nothing sets the mood quite so well as good lighting. You want it to make the room cosy and pleasant but also be bright enough that you can read in the evening. Wall lights and small or standing lamps are an excellent choice — play around with the arrangements to see what works best. You may also invest in unique ceiling lights or chandeliers if they fit your aesthetic. Ultimately, what matters is that your room is well-lit and comfortable.

In Conclusion

Furnishing the perfect living room is by no means an easy task, and you’ll probably need quite a bit of planning and searching for the right pieces. We’ve given you a few useful tips, though, so now you at least know where to start. And while you should keep these rules in mind, don’t be afraid to experiment with details. After all, it’s your living room, so you should make it work for you.

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4 Things To Prepare In Advance For Your Next Trip Away

The destination is selected, the flights and accommodation booked, now, the countdown for your trip away begins.

Going on a trip away is an exciting time, with many starting the countdown the second their holiday is booked. With the stresses and challenges many of us have faced over the past couple of years, it is unsurprising many of us are excited about jetting off somewhere new.

Whilst you might have to wait a while before your trip away, there are things that you can prepare in advance to help reduce any stresses while you enjoy your time off.


1. Get Your Insurance Sorted First


airport

After booking your flights and accommodation, the next thing to sort is your travel insurance. If something were to occur that was out of your control, you want to have insurance in place.

Getting insurance as soon as you have booked your trip away can protect you should something occur before you go away.

In addition to this, if you were to seek medical treatment, treatment costs can be expensive. With insurance in place, it can cover the costs of possible treatment that you might need.

2. Know The Regulations And Guidelines

The UK government has recently updated their travel guidelines. However, it is crucial to check the regulations for the country you are visiting. Some countries may ask you to do a PCR test before you enter. Others may have rules in place, such as the mandatory wearing of masks.

Before you take jet off on your next trip, take some time to find out if there are any guidelines in place that could impact your time away somehow. For instance, some countries have an 11 pm curfew in place to help to minimise the spread of the virus.

3. See What There Is To Do


art gallery

If you are going on a trip where you spend the day lounging around the pool or sea, this one might not be as applicable to you as those wanting to explore during their trip away. However, if you were to explore the area, look to see what there is to do both indoors and outdoors. That way, if there is a day where the weather is a little dreary, you can explore the local museum or gallery that you found. Additionally, if there is somewhere that you want to visit, consider booking in advance. If the museum is notorious for being busy, you might struggle with booking on the day.

4. Find Holiday Taxis For Transfers


After landing at your holiday destination, the last thing you want to do is find which train or bus you need to get to where your accommodation is. Ideally, you would have a cheap airport transfer that will be waiting at the airport upon your arrival, sign in their hand with your name on it and the holiday taxi outside waiting to take you straight to your accommodation.

Fortunately, cheap holiday transfers are possible in most holiday destinations in Europe thanks to companies like Cheap Taxis. Consider booking cheap airport transfers before you leave to ensure that you have transport to take you from the hotel to your accommodation. It provides you with one less worry whilst you are away.

Planning a trip away does take a bit of work, especially in recent times. Plan in advance if you can so you have a basic understanding of what to expect and you can reduce the worries or stresses when you are away.
 
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Top 5 Pro Tips for Keeping Your Oven Clean For The Upcoming Holidays

If you're like me, then the thought of cleaning your oven can be a little intimidating. I don't know where to start and what products to use (or how much time it will take).

cooker


Luckily for you, I've done all the work for you! Check out my article on keeping your oven clean with these five tips and always work on cleaning a cold oven.

1. Start by wiping the oven with a cloth and dish soap

It is important to get the racks and the oven itself wet. Wipe off any dirt, spills or food that may be on the oven with dish soap  (or washing up liquid if you live in the UK) and hot water.  Finish up by wiping down all of your surfaces with clean water and doing the same thing to the stovetop.

2. Use baking soda to get rid of any stains or burnt on food

One way of removing the stains or burnt from your oven is by using baking soda. You will need to prepare the mixture before you start cleaning. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Remove the oven racks and set aside. Then wipe the mixture all over the oven avoiding any heating elements. Leave for as long as you can but at least 12 hours. Then wipe the paste off with a wet cloth and keep in rinsing the cloth and wiping until no mixture remains.

Put the racks in a bucket with water and add a cup of vinegar, this will loosen up the dirt and grease making it easier to wipe off with a sponge. Take a green scouring pad and scrub away at the stains or burnt until they're gone.

3. For tough spills, mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle

For tougher spills, one idea is to mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the oven and then place paper towels over the top. Leave the towel on for a few minutes and then scrub off any food that have been loosened from the stain. This works because the combination of vinegar and water makes a weak, acidic solution that removes grease easily. This mixture is gentle enough to use on glass, yet does the job just as well! Be careful to avoid any seals.

4. Clean out your oven with a natural cleaner

One of the best ways to make your oven smell fresh, clean and new is by using a natural cleaner. One way to do this is by using a pot of water with lemon slices at the bottom. Boil the mixture for about 20 minutes and turn off the heat to allow it to cool down before pouring it out onto a sponge or dishcloth to clean your surfaces While you might want to.

5. Finally, for really stubborn spots that won't come off no matter what you do-hire a professional oven cleaning company!

If you don't want to worry about having a dirty oven during the holidays, contact a professional oven cleaning company like OziClean. The experts know which type of products to use and how long to let it soak on the area that needs to be cleaned. Professional cleaners will also have the right tools for any job.

Conclusion

After reading this blog post, you should feel confident in your skills to keep your oven clean and fresh for the upcoming holidays. The five tips I shared will help you get started on how to clean up stains or burnt food before you start cooking. Getting rid of these stubborn spots usually involve hiring a professional cleaner who knows what type of products to use and how long they need to soak before wiping away any dirt from the surface.

*Collaborative post
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How to Choose Curtains

So you need to buy curtains for your home but what do you need to consider? It's not as straightforward as you think! There are several considerations so let's have a look at how to choose curtains for your home so you get exactly what you need.

Material

curtains
When you choose the material for your curtains you have to take the room into consideration. Does the room get a lot of outside light? Are you close to a street light? If the room is quite dark then a lightweight material may be appropriate like linen or cotton but if you want the curtains to completely blackout the light then a heavier material like velvet may be more suitable. You can also find the perfect blackout curtains for the room darkening in a variety of other materials to provide you with the ultimate privacy and darkness you are looking for.  Silk or faux silk material can add a glamorous look but can crease easily.  As the material is thin they are usually lined. You may also want curtains to be lined to keep heat in and make the curtains impervious to light. 

Design

The design of the curtains is another factor in choosing the right ones for your home. Many people go for a classic colour without a pattern but if you have children you may want a fun design for their bedrooms. For a harmonious look, you may want to go with curtains in a complementary colour or tone to the rest of the room rather than clashing with the decor. If you have a theme for the room you may want your curtains to match this theme, or if your room is simply designed you may want the curtains to stand out. If you have a historic property perhaps Georgian or Edwardian or are decorating in a traditional style you may want swags and tails on your curtains and you need to budget for this.

Size

The important thing to do when buying curtains is to measure the curtain space. To do this you also need to think about where your curtain rod will be, or if you are happy with where the curtain rod is at present measure from there down. Do you want the curtains to be down to the floor or just below the bottom of the window? Ready-made curtains are usually available in standard lengths. If you have a very big window you may have to buy made-to-measure curtains or make them yourself. A common rule is that the curtains should be at least twice the width of the window.

Budget

curtains
So when you consider the material, design and size you will realise that this all affects the budget. Curtains can be expensive but this depends on your choices.  Cotton fabrics in a simple design for a small window will be cheaper than velvet designer curtains for a large window. It's mostly common sense but your budget can constrain your choices so think carefully about how much money you have first. Curtain rods and all the finishing touches like tiebacks also add to the cost too.

Hanging

Before you hang your curtains, it's a good idea to have a look online at how to do it. YouYube is a great source of information so find a hanging guide for curtains on there. Curtain rods should be hung 4 to 6 inches above the window. Get all your materials together to hang your curtains including your curtain rod and hardware, stepladder, tape measure, pencil, drill and anything else you need.  Install the brackets, then the rod and finally the curtains. The rod, finals and tiebacks add the finishing touches so choose ones that complement the curtain design. In the majority of curtains, the length should just touch the floor. 

Now all you have to do is sit back and admire your work! Job done.

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Offline Marketing Tips That Won't Break the Bank

In the digital age, digital marketing is taking over. It’s cheap, effective, and easily accessible. It makes sense to use it as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon the older ways of marketing. They are also extremely effective and aren’t as expensive as you’d think.

Plus, you might not be reaching the people you need to. Maybe your business is aimed at a demographic who isn’t on the internet as much, maybe your local community needs reminding you’re there. Whatever the case, your business can only strengthen with a few additional moves that can make sure your business is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Vinyl stickers

van

Vinyl sticks are a safe means of displaying your logo in various places. If you have a storefront, a big bold logo can be placed on your window to catch the eyes of shoppers going past. It won’t be a mess to remove but will stay firmly in its place without giving up and falling off one day.

This is also true if you’re thinking of dressing up your office with some vinyl graphics. Make sure visitors never forget when they visit a reception area that has your logo above their heads. Vinyl stickers can also be a more affordable option against bright lights and solid metal logos.

If you work from your vehicle, like a tradesman or a taxi driver, you can get a vinyl wrap. This will allow you to advertise your business wherever you go, or in the case of some taxis, earn money by advertising another company wherever you go. This can be an invaluable marketing strategy since people on their commute will see and remember your name and logo.

Uniform

You don’t have to be running a golf course to allow for your business logo to be worn by your staff. You can instead create some products using the Screen Textiles website, which offer printed or embroidered logos on pieces of clothing ranging from t-shirts and polo shirts to bags and hats. Know the difference between printing vs embroidery.

If you work with food, order aprons embroidered with your logo, or if you work outside amongst nature, you can get parkas and jackets that display your logo. It’s a little touch that will stay in the minds of everyone your staff sees in person. It will also promote loyalty in your business and teamwork amongst your staff members.

Merchandise

Merchandise has taken off thanks to YouTubers and Instagram influencers offering merch to their loyal fans, but that isn’t an exclusive offer. Businesses with customers who enjoy their brand can always pick up something with your logo on it to show their peers just how much they love your products and services.

Clubs like golf clubs and spas can offer bathrobes with your name on them, making customers feel like royalty when they wear it. And of course, the biggest seller of merchandise are bands, but the bars hosting bands can also get in on the merchandise game. Customers can go home with a t-shirt or glass that displays their favourite hangout spot.

Go to events and sell your merchandise or even offer it for free. Job fairs, conventions, and street markets, can all be places for you to distribute your merchandise to the public.
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