5 Things To Make Life In Old Age Easier

There are many elderly people out there who are still as spritely as ever and still doing all the things they used to but the fact remains that there are many people who find ageing a struggle. Life in old age can be difficult for a number of different reasons - mobility, finances, social isolation and a whole plethora of other things.

Whether you are heading into old age yourself or are caring for a family member or friend, here are five things you can do to make life in old age that little bit easier. This is an ad.


Don’t Change Your Life Completely


You should never have to give up things you enjoy. If you enjoy travelling, continue. You could maybe consider taking your family with you, if you do point them in the direction of how to travel with elderly relatives if you want to talk to them about travelling together but find it difficult. If you enjoy a drink in the pub at the weekend, carry on. Just because you are getting older, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love of course.

Consider New Mobility Options



Whilst some elderly people may still be steady on their feet, many can suffer from mobility issues. Before it gets too far and too much of a struggle, consider getting some mobility aids installed in the house to help such as the Age Co Mobility stairlifts on offer. Stairlifts are a great way to make your home more accessible and they also cut down your chance of having an accident while using the stairs, such as a trip or a fall.

If you are concerned about trips or falls in the home you may also want to consider investing in a personal alarm system that can get help if you do fall in the home.  These alarms are especially useful if you live alone.

Take Up A Hobby


Many of the elderly are retired and can find their new routine boring so some return to work. However, if returning to work isn’t for you, perhaps consider taking up a new hobby. An allotment is a great idea as it keeps you very busy and also is rewarding with the promise of your own produce. A social club is also a fantastic option. 
 You can also check out https://mstrsktch.com/drawing-for-beginners-guide/ if you would like to try our drawing or sketching, or why not take up yoga, join a choir or make an effort to go swimming on a regular basis?

Keep Active And Eat Well


Obviously, this won’t be as easy for those with mobility issues however keeping active is super important especially as you age. You can still maintain a healthy routine and keep yourself fit and healthy even in old age.

It is also important to eat well, perhaps even more so than the rest of your life. Enjoy plenty of fruit and fresh leafy vegetables and avoid too many saturated fats or unrefined carbohydrates.

Stay Connected


Finally, stay connected with those around you. Some find ageing incredibly difficult and it would be easy for them to shy away from the world and stay indoors, not doing anything. It is vital that you stay connected with your family, your friends and your neighbours whether this is face to face or through phone calls or video calls. A little chat with a loved one can offer such a pick me up when times get tough. Why not buy an Ipad for an elderly relative, they can watch films and play games as well as connect to others via social media?

These are just a few things those heading into old age can do to make their lives that little bit easier. Do you have any top tips for making the inevitable progression a much easier road to go down?

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5 Fitness Must Haves You Need Today

There are so many gadgets you can buy on your fitness journey that you may be overwhelmed. But which items are really worth getting especially if you are new to fitness? Is it a smart fitness tracker, pull up bands or something else? Let's have a look at 5 must-haves in fitness that you need today.

Large capacity water bottle



Water is so important to human health, helping your brain function, regulating your body temperature and more. Water can also help you feel full and sometimes we eat when really we are thirsty. When we exercise we perspire and lose water through sweat, so it's essential to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. This is when a large capacity water bottle is of use. Buy one today, fill it up and take it with you when you exercise so you won't become dehydrated and you'll have more energy.

A smart fitness tracker

If you are starting your fitness journey, a smart fitness tracker can help you keep tabs on how you are doing. Most will monitor your steps and calories burned as well as monitoring your sleep and some will tell you when you have messages on social media or SMS messages as well. They don't have to be expensive either. The one above costs only £32 and is in a cool pink but other colours are available too. Another way of tracking your fitness is with a fitness app.

A versatile skipping rope
You don't have to have expensive gym equipment to get fit. Go old school and buy a skipping rope to help you keep fit. Skipping improves cardiovascular fitness, stamina, coordination, agility and leg strength as well as helping you burn a vast amount of calories when you skip fast. A skipping rope is cheap to buy and a great little investment in your fitness journey
 as well as exercise resistance bands set for resistance training. 

A sports arm bag 


If you are into running, walking, cycling or like to visit the gym, a sports arm bag may be a good idea. You pop your iPod or phone into the bag, attach it to your arm and you can listen to music as you exercise. Some will have a space for your debit card and some change too and most are waterproof.  A very useful addition to your fitness must-haves and reasonably priced too.

A balance board

You may not have thought about a balance board as a fitness must-have but they are a great addition to your fitness equipment. A balance board is suitable for everyone from kids to people who want to improve their coordination and balance like patients after surgery. Check out this 360-degree balance board that lets your whole body move as you balance.

Check out more ideas for beauty and fitness must-haves and let me know what you think about my ideas. Do you have a fitness must-have that you own?

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How To Find The Value Of Your Antique Furniture

You are one lucky duck! You have found an antique treasure that you cannot wait to either keep in your home as part of your home decor or sell to make a mint. Before you go rushing to clean your antique furniture, however, you want to analyze it to determine its value. Some antiques can be worth a lot of money, but it can be really hard to tell when you have limited knowledge. Keep in mind that really expensive antiques are rare, but you could spot a treasure. Just take a look at websites like Antiques Boutique, for example, they have a wide range of antiques and they let people know about the latest antique fairs, so, you never know, you may find a rare piece at some point! 

Even if your new antique is not good enough to sell in an auction or antique show, you now have a new vintage piece to put in your home. Here are some tips on how to find value in your antiques.

Inspect The Furniture


You need to know what kind of furniture it is. If you do not know the exact style and maker, no worries. You can jot down the fundamental characteristics of the furniture, such as the type of wood it is made of, any damages, labels or maker’s marks, signs of repairs, and any known provenance of the piece of furniture. You should take a picture of these things as well as write them down. Make sure that you get the piece from all different angles. Gathering this information is useful when you start to research your antique. 

Hands Off



Do not touch your new piece of antique furniture until you know exactly how much it is worth. It may be counterintuitive to clean antique furniture effectively, but you do not want to mistakenly ruin the piece before you bring it to your appraiser. Any repairs that need to be made could be really difficult and expensive to repair or clean. This is why going to a valuer or appraiser is so important because you can never be too sure about whether or not repairs or restorations would increase or decrease the cost of the piece of furniture. A lack of knowledge can lead to you diminishing the value of your furniture.


Have An Understanding Of Antique Furniture Values


There are different types of antique furniture values. There is the retail value, wholesale value and auction value. Retail value is a fair market value of what a customer would be willing to pay. T
his is the highest value of all of the three, therefore, making it the hardest price to achieve when looking to resell. Wholesale value is the cost consumers would be willing to pay for an item, which could be anywhere between 30 per cent to 50 per cent less than the retail value. Auction value is what your piece of furniture is thought to bring at an auction. It is typically a range and is less than the retail value but more than the wholesale value.

Research Alike Antique Furniture Values In Print

You can look for books or magazines to look for your antique furniture. They often give more information about your furniture, but it is not very comprehensive. It's also worth checking out TV programmes like the Antiques Roadshow as you never know if you could spot your item. 

Other Items That May Be Valuable

If you are based in Wales, Jason Sallaman Antiques is an antique silver & coins specialist that is worth a look. Based in Temby he sells a range of antiques as well as antique coins.

Let me know if you have any antiques.

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The Defamation of Celebrities: 5 Celebs Whose Social Media Failed Them

The defamation of celebrities is not a new thing, but it certainly makes for great gossip, right? To find out more about defamation, and to hear some stories along the way, read on…

The world of social media has completely altered the media landscape. Now, people are able to comment on worldly topics, celebrity gossip, and political movements at the drop of a hat.

In many ways, this is a good thing, leading to a world of true freedom of speech. That said, in many other ways, this not only leads to hurt, upset, debate, and arguments, it can also lead to more serious consequences, like defamation.

Defamation is no joke, and can lead to serious complications, and even prison, for some! So, to discover more about this interesting subject, and how a number of well-known celebs have fallen foul to it, you came to the right place…

What is Defamation?



Defamation usually involves the publication of a statement about another person which is not true, and damages that person’s reputation. There are two ways a defamatory statement can be made:


  • Online, in a printed publication or on video – this is referred to as libel.
  • In spoken words – this is referred to as slander.

There are many examples of high-profile defamation cases; often celebrities suing the press. The most recent example of this is Johnny Depp’s libel case against The Sun newspaper, who referred to the movie star as a “wife-beater” in an April 2018 article.

Actress, Rebel Wilson, also brought a defamation case against Australian publisher, Bauer Media, in 2017 and won. This came following a series of articles published in a variety of their publications, which claimed that she had lied about her real name, age and her background.

There has been a significant rise in defamation cases in recent years, due to the explosion of social media. Unlike traditional media, where stories are checked for factual inaccuracies and inflammatory comments before being published, social media allows individuals to easily post comments at any time, unchecked. These comments are then quickly shared across the internet.

Sometimes, comments can blow up straight away, or they can come back to haunt you months or even years later. Celebrities have learnt this the hard way.


5 Occasions Where a Celeb’s Social Media Comments Have Landed Them in Hot Water




Not a year goes by without a big scandal, and a celebrity having to make a public apology about their comments on social media. In some situations, they may have even found themselves in the middle of a bitter libel case. Here are five celebrities who have experienced just that.

Elon Musk

In 2019, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, found himself at the centre of media attention, but not for his latest tech innovations. In 2018, a group of boys from a Thai football team got trapped deep inside a cave in Northern Thailand, and a massive rescue operation was launched. UK diving expert, Vernon Unsworth, was in charge of recruiting divers to help with the rescue mission.

Elon Musk sent a small submarine, accompanied by a team of Tesla engineers, to aid the rescue effort, but they were never used. After Mr Unsworth labelled the offer of help a “PR stunt”, Musk took to Twitter to write a series of tweets, one of which referred to Mr Unsworth as “pedo guy”. The messages were later deleted.

Unsworth launched a defamation case against Elon Musk, seeking £145m in damages. Elon went on to win the case, but not without months of bad publicity.

Kevin Hart

US comedian, Kevin Hart, stepped down from the job of hosting the 2019 Academy Awards after a series of tweets, from several years previously, resurfaced online. The tweets which spanned several years, contained derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community. The tweets did not go unnoticed at the time, but after it was announced that he was the latest host of the Academy Awards, the tweets were widely shared on social media again.

It was then revealed that the Academy had given Hart an ultimatum; either publicly apologise or step down from the gig. Surprisingly, Hart refused to apologise and made a statement in an Instagram video. However, only a day later, he officially stepped down from the event, and apologised for “my insensitive words from my past”.

Katie Hopkins

Controversial commentator, Katie Hopkins, has landed in hot water about her public comments on several occasions. In 2017, she was sued by food blogger and campaigner Jack Monroe over two tweets that Monroe states caused “serious harm” to her reputation.

In 2015, several Twitter users highlighted a profanity that had been graffitied onto a World War II memorial during an anti-austerity demonstration. Hopkins tweeted to Monroe: “Scrawled on any memorials recently? Vandalised the memory of those who fought for your freedom. Grandma got any more medals?”

A judge ruled that the tweet suggested that “Ms Monroe condoned and approved of scrawling on war memorials, vandalising monuments commemorating those who fought for her freedom.” Monroe was awarded £24,000 in damages, plus legal costs. More recently, Katie Hopkins was permanently banned from Twitter for her “hateful conduct”, the site confirmed.

Courtney Love

Courtney Love, lead singer of the band Hole, and former wife of Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain, has been at the centre of not one, but three social media defamation cases. In 2011, she was sued by fashion designer, Dawn Simorangkir, after Love called her a “drug pusher” and “prostitute” on Twitter. Love had to pay $430k to Simorangkir and, not long after, was sued again by Simorangkir for comments Love made about her on Pinterest.

Roseanne Barr

In 2018, American actress, Roseanne Barr, had just revived her hit 90s sitcom ‘Roseanne’ when she sent a racist tweet directed at Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to Barack Obama. Although she later apologised and deleted the tweet, her name began trending on Twitter, with over two million tweets in the space of 24 hours.

The TV network, ABC, who had revived the sitcom, decided to cancel the show after the controversy. Barr later tried to defend her actions, saying she had been on Ambien (a sleeping pill) at the time and had not realised what she was saying. This tweet also received backlash and was swiftly deleted.


What Can You Legally do About Defamation?

Defamation is a complex area of law and one that doesn’t just affect celebrities. Anyone can be affected by defamation in different ways.

One of the most important factors in a defamation case is to understand the precise meaning behind the words used in the alleged defamatory statement. For example, insults are generally not defamatory, however, if the words used make a mockery of that person, then it may be considered defamatory.

Also, a statement is considered defamatory if it accuses a person of any illegality or immorality. If you believe that someone has made a defamatory statement about you, on social media, or anywhere else, you need to be able to show that:


  • The statement was shared with a third party e.g. social media, a news outlet etc.
  • The statement caused significant harm to your reputation e.g. it altered people’s attitude and perception of you.

What to Do if You Have Been Accused Of Defamation


According to the Defamation Act 2013, there are various ways you can defend against a defamation claim:

  • Truth: if you can prove that the alleged defamatory statement is true.
  • Honest opinion: if you can show that your statement was an opinion based on certain facts.
  • Public interest: if you believe that publishing the statement was in the public interest.
  • Privilege: if your statement is subject to privilege, e.g. certain individuals have the right to make certain statements in set circumstances.

Resolving a Defamation Case


Defamation claims vary from one case to the next, so it is important to find a resolution that is unique to your situation. Taking your case to court can be expensive, so claimants are often advised to seek alternative action, such as dispute resolution, to find the best outcome. This could be in the form of an apology and/or financial compensation.

If you do take your case to court, it must be brought within one year of the alleged defamatory statement being published. Both parties will usually want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to limit the damage and distress. Therefore, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

So, whether you’re a celebrity, or even a member of the general public, whose reputation has been scathed, perhaps you can claim for defamation! Have you had any experiences in the world of defamation law? Feel free to leave your stories in the comments down below; I’d love to hear!

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What You Can Do If Coronavirus Has Affected Your Marriage

The recent circumstances in the world with the current pandemic has been incredibly stressful for many of us. In the UK we've been encouraged not to travel unless it's essential and due to health reasons some of us may have been shielding. 

You may have been furloughed and been spending increasing amounts of time at home, or have had to work from home or even unfortunately been made unemployed. For some of us, this has affected our relationships and even our marriage.  Let's have a look at this further and what you can do to save your marriage.

Divorce statistics



The latest divorce statistics in the UK show that over 90,000 couples got divorced in 2018, which is a drop from the year previously. However, I wonder what the statistics will be like for 2020 when they are released in a couple of years?  It's certainly been a stressful year so far.

Can you save your marriage? 

Sometimes a divorce can seem like the only option but if you don't want to find a UK lawyer to help you get divorced then there are some things you can do.

What you can do to help your marriage

1. Talk



Marriage needs to be built on communication. So the first thing is to sit down and talk. Talk about your marriage, talk about why you want to get divorced and talk about if you can save the relationship. You may need a mediator or a marriage counsellor to help you work through this process. It's worth considering help, especially if there are children involved. If you cannot talk about the issues then it may not be worth saving.

2. Write down why you got married in the first place

It's worth revisiting why you got married in the first place, so write it down. Write down what attracted you to them, why you wanted to commit, what happened since and where you want to go with the relationship. Question do you really want to get divorced? Getting divorced is a big upheaval, both emotionally and potentially financially.

3. Accept the past 

It can be hard to forgive but you do need to accept what has happened and move on to make a new start with a marriage. Whether that is infidelity, a secret you found out or something else. This can be very hard to do and may take a long time but you have to learn to accept the past for you will need move on.

4. Put the time in on your marriage

You need to work on a marriage and put it first especially in times of trouble. Set aside some time to do things together where you have fun. Try a date night every week if you can. Get dressed up and take your partner out, or even make the effort to have a date night in with special occasion food and dress up if you can't go out. Spend time when you are on your own without the kids on a regular basis and talk. It doesn't have to be talking about serious things but talk like you first got together. 

5. Look after yourself

You also need to put the time in to look after yourself too. Don't count on your partner to fulfil your every need. Spend time on what makes you happy such as hobbies and interests.  It's good to find your own group of friends.  Try to do something every day to make you laugh. When you are happy with yourself you can be happy in a relationship.  

6. Sometimes things cannot be resolved

Sometimes things cannot be resolved and that's ok. Instead, you need to agree to disagree rather than arguing all the time. I know it's hard but it may need to be done to save your marriage. It saves stress and it saves emotions. Why not think of a silly word to say to stop you getting into an argument? It can stop the negative thought process and may even make you laugh. 

A broken marriage cannot be easily solved but it can be done, I hope this article has given you something to think about.

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Summer Bedroom Design Inspiration For You

Most of us spend many hours in our home. In fact, we have probably spent more hours there recently due to the situation in the world where many countries were in lockdown. If you have, then you may realise, staring at those four walls, that your home needs some design inspiration.  This is an ad.

I mean have you looked at your bedroom recently, I mean really looked at it? We spend many hours in there sleeping, relaxing and watching TV.  Is it looking a bit scruffy? Does your bedroom need a lick of paint or a new duvet? Maybe you need some new bedroom furniture. Well, I'm here to help. Let's have a look at some bedroom inspiration this summer for your home.

Nature-inspired decor


Nature-inspired decor which is focused on earthy tones, imperfect walls and floral designs dotted with plants is hot for this summer. You can be over the top in the flamboyance with this, or go subtle with clean chic lines, it's up to you. To enhance this aesthetic without breaking the bank, consider incorporating cheap bedroom sets that complement the natural theme. Whatever you decide, focus on the calming aspect of this look, you don't want it to be too fussy as you have to sleep in this room, don't you?

Eco-friendly designs

Eco-friendly designs are great for the environment and can fit into almost any bedroom decor but especially the nature-inspired look. Use upcycled furniture and rugs, reclaimed or sustainable wood, organic mattress and bedding and energy-efficient light bulbs. Plants again are a great idea to bring oxygen to a room and change the energy. There are so many eco-friendly furniture and furnishings available today, that you may be surprised!

Hotel designed boudoirs


With most of us not travelling at the moment then why not think about recreating that hotel bedroom experience at home? Do away with the old bedding and instead buy some new crisp sheets with a high thread count. Ensure everything is coordinated seamlessly. Bring that seaside look to your home with blues and greens. It's the finishing touches that matter in a hotel room so be sure to have those cushions, the clock radio and feature wall. You could even make a welcome tray with a kettle, china and your favourite tea, coffee and biscuits. It's those little touches that make it a hotel experience.

Streamlining Bedroom Storage

To maintain your luxury bedroom feel you should also consider, getting rid of any unwanted clutter and mess. Now, you can go wild and purge before having a spending splurge and investing in new stylish made to measure wardrobes, or storage and soft furnishings.

A little hint of chic with some imaginative designs and storage can really, help you create a bedroom they transport you to far off destinations, without all of the hassles of travelling - if only you could.

You could even weave your bedroom’s theme into your bedroom storage, try not to have too many items of furniture in your bedroom. Taking a minimalist approach and going for less is more, rather than having lots of unnecessary things that serve no purpose.

If you are a little unsure, buy a few magazines, or do a little research on the internet, there is no harm in looking after all. While you’re at home due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, you could have a little time to spend designing your dream bedroom and creating your plan on paper or your computer.

Taking this approach may save you time and money when it comes to creating your rooms look, it can also help get you creative, energised and ready to make a hotel-style bedroom to dream about future holidays.

Lovely luxe furnishings


We all want some luxury in our lives and following on from the lack of hotel stays on our lives at the moment, one of the trends this summer as mentioned previously is for a boudoir where we can relax in luxury. Large scale headboards or divans in a soft suede fabric like a soft suede grey divan bed will add drama and luxury to the room. A proper dressing table with a padded stool can add some French shabby chic. Buy the best bedding you can afford, get touchable soft furnishing and be sure to iron the sheets for that pristine luxury look.

So I hope I have given you some summer bedroom design inspiration. Let me know what you think of these looks. Does your bedroom need a makeover? Let me know.

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