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Expressing your love and commitment to one person in front of all the people you care most about in the world is an extremely personal experience. This is something you plan to do just once in your life, so why not do it in the way that you choose? A wedding celebration should always be as meaningful as possible for the two people who are getting married. This is the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to express your personalities and to celebrate in a way that’s truly unique to you. Hosting a wedding that’s full of personal touches and nods to your interests and favorite things is an excellent way to create a wedding that’s a little different. This gives you the opportunity to express your love and commitment and create memories with special meaning you will look back on and treasure forever.
Here's how to plan a wedding that's totally unique to you and your partner and a true expression of your personalities:
Pick a Theme
Many people choose a theme for their weddings. This doesn’t mean that your guests need to turn up in fancy dress, or anything like that. Instead, you can choose a theme that’s as subtle as you like, or as ‘out there’ as you choose.
Remember, that this is your wedding, so the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy with the way you choose to celebrate.
Choose Your Perfect Venue
Having a traditional wedding ceremony at a church, followed by a sit-down, formal wedding breakfast is the preferred choice for many people. However, not everyone likes the idea of such a structured celebration. Maybe you and your partner are nature lovers who can’t get enough of being outdoors. In this case, you may choose to celebrate your wedding in the same way. A woodland or lakeside wedding, or a wedding on the beach could be the perfect option for you if you to be being outside.
There is such a huge range of venue options now available for both your wedding ceremony and reception, so it’s well worth thinking carefully about what would mean the most to you.
Make the Finishing Touches Special
Often, the things that make a wedding truly special are the finishing touches. These provide you with the perfect opportunity to add some extra personal touches to your day. Choosing to order custom wedding invitations that match your theme and are unlike anything you could buy in a shop is an excellent way to set the tone for your big day before it has even begun.
Alternatively, you could break from tradition with a cake that’s like nothing your guests will have seen before. This can become the centerpiece of your reception and add wow factor to your big day.
There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate your commitments to each other, so why not think outside of the box to plan yourselves a wedding day that you and your guests remember forever?
*contributed post*
As a parent, one of your chief concerns is always going to be the health and happiness of your kid. However, as that parent, you might have a lot more influence over the kind of life they live, especially through the habits that you help them form. Here, we’re going to look at some of the steps you can take to integrate health habits into your life. Once they’re set in place, it’s much easier to carry them throughout the rest of their life, rather than trying to pick them up later.
Making Better Dietary Choices for Them
Establishing healthy dietary habits in children is fundamental to their growth and overall well-being. To ensure children make better dietary choices, parents should start by setting an example. If parents eat a variety of nutritious foods, children are more likely to follow suit. Incorporating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy into family meals can create a balanced diet that meets children's nutritional needs.
Limiting the availability of sugary snacks and processed foods at home can steer children toward healthier options. Instead, keep a supply of healthy snacks like cut-up fruits, yogurt, nuts, and whole-grain crackers. Encouraging regular meal times and eating together as a family can also foster healthy eating habits. These practices create a structured eating environment and reduce the likelihood of mindless snacking.
Getting Active Together
Physical activity is essential for a child's physical and mental development. Making exercise a family affair can motivate children to stay active. Plan family outings that involve physical activities, such as hiking, biking, or even simple walks in the park. These activities not only promote fitness but also strengthen family bonds.
Incorporate physical activity into daily routines. Walking or biking to school, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or having a dance party at home are fun ways to increase activity levels. Set aside specific times each day for physical activity, and encourage your child to participate in choosing the activities.
Create an environment at home that encourages movement. Designate a safe, open space where children can play and be active. Provide equipment like balls, jump ropes, and bicycles to facilitate various forms of exercise. Limiting sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing video games, can also help children stay active.
Encouraging Them to Explore Sports
Sports offer numerous benefits for children, including physical fitness, social skills, and discipline. Introducing children to a variety of sports can help them find an activity they enjoy. Team sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball teach cooperation, communication, and teamwork. Individual sports like gymnastics classes, swimming, or martial arts foster self-discipline, focus, and self-confidence.
Support your child's interests by exposing them to different sports and allowing them to choose the ones they enjoy most. Attend local sports events, watch games on TV, or sign them up for introductory classes. Encouragement and positive reinforcement are key. Praise their efforts and progress, rather than just focusing on wins or losses.
Ensure that the sports environment is positive and supportive. Choose programs that emphasize skill development, fun, and personal growth over competition. Communicate with coaches to understand their philosophy and ensure it aligns with your values. Be mindful of your child's stress levels and avoid pushing them too hard, as this can lead to burnout and a negative association with sports.
Shaping Their Oral Health Routine
Good oral hygiene is critical for a child's overall health. Establishing a consistent oral health routine early on can prevent dental problems and instill lifelong habits. Start by teaching children the importance of brushing and flossing. Demonstrate the correct techniques and supervise their brushing until they are capable of doing it effectively on their own.
Make oral care fun by choosing toothbrushes and toothpaste with their favorite characters or flavors. Use a timer or play their favorite song to ensure they brush for the recommended two minutes. Create a reward system to encourage consistency, such as a sticker chart where they earn a small reward after a week of good oral hygiene.
Getting into Creative Hobbies
Creative hobbies stimulate children's minds, enhance problem-solving skills, and provide a healthy outlet for self-expression. Encourage your child to explore various hobbies such as drawing, painting, music, writing, or crafting. Provide them with the necessary materials and space to create freely.
Expose your child to different forms of art and creativity by visiting museums, attending performances, or enrolling them in classes. Support their interests by actively participating in their creative activities. Display their artwork at home, attend their performances, and read their stories. This validation boosts their confidence and motivates them to continue exploring their talents.
Be Mindful of Their Screen Time
In today's digital age, managing screen time is crucial for children's health and development. Establish clear rules and limits for screen use. Encourage activities that do not involve screens, such as outdoor play, reading, or creative hobbies.
Set specific times for screen use, such as after homework or chores are completed, and ensure these times are adhered to. Use parental controls to monitor and restrict inappropriate content. Model responsible screen use by limiting your own screen time and engaging in non-digital activities with your child.
Educate your child about the potential negative effects of excessive screen time, such as eye strain, poor posture, and reduced physical activity. Encourage them to take regular breaks from screens and to engage in activities that promote physical and mental health.
Reading Daily
Read to your child regularly, starting from a young age. This not only helps develop their listening and comprehension skills but also fosters a love for stories and learning. As they grow older, encourage them to read independently and explore different genres.
Visit libraries and bookstores together to discover new books and authors. Participate in reading programs or book clubs to make reading a social activity. Discuss the books they read, ask questions about the stories, and share your thoughts to enhance their understanding and enjoyment.
Not every child is going to pick up healthy habits on their first try. It’s important to for you to be there, as the parent, to ensure that they’re getting the reinforcement and support they need from you.
*contributed post*
Living in a place where summers get warm means that you will need to pursue home adjustments in order to stay comfortable. Lacking AC and blocking in the heat will make you uncomfortable and not entirely happy when spending time at home.
When you know how to properly maintain your home during the summer, it will help everyone stay cool and comfortable.
Photo by Julia Kuzenkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-brown-house-1974596/
An efficient AC unit
Every home that exists in a warm climate requires an efficient AC unit. Air conditioning is an excellent and easy way to keep your home cool and content.
Should your AC unit be dealing with issues, be sure to seek an AC Repair so that you can guarantee your unit is working efficiently enough to cool your home when it gets hot. Don’t leave this task until the last minute, as you might not be able to grab a slot in time for the heat wave. Pursuing AC repairs before summer begins is ideal and will guarantee your home is prepped for summer.
Lighter window coverings
Thick and heavy window coverings can trap the warm air in your home. Instead, swap them for lighter window coverings that allow a breeze to pass through whether or not the windows are open.
When the days are hot, it is best to keep the windows closed and window coverings closed. This will block the warm air from entering the home. The best time to open them is when the sun goes down. You will feel a comfortable, cool breeze entering your home.
With an AC unit installed, you can use it throughout the day to keep cool. Then, enjoy the gentle evening breeze after the sun sets.
Tiled or wooden flooring
Carpets are another home feature that traps warm air. Tiling and wooden floors are best for year-round temperature regulation.
You can add a rug in the winter to keep the flooring comfortable on your feet. Then, take it up and have a bare floor to keep your home and feet cool when the weather is hot. This simple home maintenance tip for summer will help you remain cool and comfortable even when it is extremely hot outside.
An outside cooking space with equipment
If you have a garden, use it during the summer. You should have a covered seating area for comfortable outdoor pleasure and cooking equipment.
Grilling outside and hosting barbecues are summertime staples. Whether you want to cook outside with gas, charcoal, or electricity, be sure you have a high-quality grill. To make cooking easier, stock up on grilling essentials like tongs, spatulas, and meat thermometers. For added convenience, consider including a movable cart or an outdoor kitchen setup. Having a cooler or outside fridge during cookouts can help keep your food and drinks cold.
To take full advantage of the season, you must make sure your house is ready for summer. Throughout the summer, make sure to invest in the necessities for every home, from staying cool to making the most of outdoor spaces.
*contributed post*
Today I thought it would be fun to round up my top 10 pinned travel posts on Pinterest from over the last 11 years of travel blogging! Sometimes in the day -to-day aspects of blogging I forget that it has been almost ELEVEN years of writing here on the blog! I am so grateful to each of you who continue to read all about our travel adventures. So here are the top 10 most popular pinned travel posts from Pinterest! I hope that they inspire you on your own adventures!
Pinterest Pin #10- 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise
When I went on my first cruise to the Bahamas in 2014 I was a complete newbie. I knew nothing about cruising and searched to find the best packing lists so that I wouldn't forget anything. Despite this though I still found that there were things that I left at home that I wish I had brought with me. This list- 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise is a helpful list of these items not to forget!
Pinterest Pin #9- 10 Helpful Tips for Traveling Alone (10 Helpful Tips for Solo Female Travelers)
Typically when you think of traveling you think of traveling the world with another person, and yet sometimes this doesn't happen or you want to set off an amazing adventure by yourself. As a single gal I have had lots of experiences of traveling alone. Sometimes it has been fun, other times awkward, sometimes full of joy, and other times there have been some tears. But above all else I definitely have learned a lot about myself and grown as a person as I discovered the world in new ways. This post explores 10 Helpful and Practical Safety Tips for Traveling Alone.
Pinterest Pin #8 - 5 Things to Know Before Going on a Rhine River Cruise with Viking Cruise
If you know me personally or have been around the blog at all then you know that our Viking River Cruise remains one of my top trip experiences of all time. My mom constantly reminisce over this and the beauty that we experienced on this once in a life time trip. SO many pins from that trip are so popular on Pinterest and I hope it inspires people to truly take a cruise with Viking because it was so amazing! I am so thankful that this post has been so helpful to people over the years! You can find it HERE!
Pinterest Pin #7- Things to Do In the Port of Sydney (Nova Scotia, Canada)
I loved every single thing about our Holland America Cruise that we took in 2019. It will always hold a very special piece of my heart. One of the ports of that trip, the Port of Sydney is a common stop on that type of cruise in Canada and New England. This post has remained very highly trafficked and I hope that it is helpful!
Pinterest Pin #6 - 10 Tips for Cruising With a Chronic Illness
Over the years I have shared so many different travel experiences here on the blog, including one of my favorite ways to travel- cruising. Traveling to me is such an amazing adventure that truly helped keep me stay focused and excited through different treatment rounds and yet, at the same time though, I have traveled enough while I fought for my health to know that you don't "leave" your sick body and automatically get a "new one". Because of this it is so important to understand and prepare ahead of time for any trip when you are chronically ill. This post examines and acknowledges the ways that someone with a chronic illness is truly stepping out for an adventure - even if you don't feel well and yet are looking for tips on how to cruise well with a chronic illness.
Pinterest Pin #5- My Best and Worst Travel Stories
This post was such a fun post to write back in 2017 and to look back on the good and the bad. It definitely brought a few laughs and also made me so incredibly grateful for all of the adventures that I have been privileged to have over the years! I definitely need to do an updated post of this!
Pinterest Pin #4- Top 10 Must Pack Items for a New England and Canadian Cruise
Cruises to New England and Canada are not like cruises to the Caribbean and this post explored the top 10 must pack items for this type of cruise.
Pinterest Pin #3- 10 Tips for Enjoying Disney World with a Chronic Illness
I love Disney. If y'all have been around the blog for even a little bit then you know this. But I learned the hard way that I needed some tips for truly being able to enjoy Disney World with a Chronic Illness. This post has been so helpful to those in this position and I am so thankful it has been!
Pinterest Pin #2- Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise
This post, the Top 10 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise has remained my highest pin of all times. I am surprised and thankful that it has helped so many people who are going on Caribbean cruises!
Pinterest Pin #1 (tied)- 16 Unexpected Things to Bring On Every Cruise
This post was a fun post to write and holds so many practical things to bring on every cruise that you go on! It is also one of my most read posts here on the blog which you can find HERE!
Pinterest Pin #1 (tied) -Anne of Green Gables Museum
This post, the Anne of Green Gables Museum has remained tied as my highest pin of all times. I am so thankful that it has helped and inspired so many people who are dreaming of going to Prince Edward Island, who love all things Anne, or who are just dreaming of the sweet stories from LM Montgomery. It was one of my favorite trips back in 2017 and I have been honored that the photos from that trip have been in magazines, travel books, online travel communities, the Prince Edward Island tourism board and so much more. Truly a trip of a lifetime!
So there are my top 10 pinned travel posts from Pinterest! It is so humbling and amazing to look back on so many wonderful adventures over the last 11 years of working as a travel blogger. Thank you so much friends for reading this blog and all of your support!
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all one of the favorite products in the shop! This travel budget sheet at the caravan sonnet shoppe at teachers pay teachers is a best selling product and resource! This is a resource for personal finance teachers at the high school or college level or those running study abroad programs!
If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
This zip file Contains 2 PDF pages (Travel Budget Worksheet for student copy/1 page for teacher suggestions on how to creatively use this worksheet in a variety of ways) to help students learn how to create a travel budget. This will work perfectly with the Semester Finance Bundle or any of the Personal Finance Resource sections!
.jpg "travel budget vacation worksheet// personal finance //caravan sonnet shoppe")
This activity/assignment is specifically helpful if you are wanting dive deeper into this financial aspect of travel budgets (often a state requirement for many states in the US), need a substitute filler around this subject or a way to sensitively introduce the concept of travel on a variety of different income levels. However you are using this- this will be a way to help students (and their families!) think about this subject in new ways and help this come alive for your students. This resource will help bring creative engagement to your lectures!
The cost of this resource is only $1.00 (!!) and can be used every year for your classroom needs!
If you would like to purchase these posters you can click HERE!
Thank you so much for all of your support of the shoppe! If you would like to check out the shoppe you can find it HERE! Happy Monday friends! I hope you have a great start to your week!
Looking after your holiday home is very similar to looking after your home where you live close to the time. To make sure that you do regulate maintenance and that it looks presentable. If you also go out to a holiday home, you need to make sure that it seems attractive to people you want to pay to stay. You need it to look as good as possible for any pictures you put online and for it to look nice and feel nice when people and yourselves use your property.
Photo by Grant Durr on Unsplash
Let's have a look at some of the ways that you can look after your holiday home below:
Keep It Clean
This might seem something basic. However one of the best ways that you can look after your holiday home is to make sure that it is clean and tidy. This means that you need to keep it as clutter-free as possible and also make sure that it is cleaned when you arrive and when you leave. Do this you can make sure that it stays clean and tidy for when you stay on the property or if any other people stay on the property. How old is going to be in the country then it might be a good idea to seek the help of the Professional Cleaning Service.
Look After The Outside
He would with any property that you have at home. Need to make sure that you're looking after the outside of the property . This includes making sure that you are maintaining in the building and maintaining any wooden area such as Gates or fences and it also includes making sure that you are clearing the ground of any debris or weeds. Good idea to have a Worx leaf blower in the garden cupboard so that you can use this to clear any debris quickly and easily. You don't want to be spending this hour in your holiday home garden you are there to relax.
Take Care Of Bedding
If you rent out your holiday home then it's likely that you will want to make sure that the bedding is made up before your guests arrive. This means that it can be challenging to keep the bedding clean. If you haven't used the property for a while or have been away for a few weeks then you may find that dust has settled on the bedding and this is not ideal. Might be a good idea to have a storage box where you can put a bed in or to ask your cleaning service to put on fresh bedding before yourself or any guests arrive.
Just three of the ways that you can look after your holiday home. Things that you can do to make sure there is well looked after and maintained and it is ready for you to use when you arrive. If you are planning to rent out your holiday home to other people then you need to bear in mind that you may need to have it claimed or looked after more often.
*contributed post*
Are you thinking about buying a holiday home? This is a smart choice for a wide variety of reasons. However, it’s important to explore an option like this the right way. Here are some of the key factors that you need to explore and steps that you should take.
Benefits
First, you need to think about the benefits that a holiday home will provide. There are lots of different possibilities to consider. For instance, you could eventually retire to this property for an easy life in the sun through your twilight years. You can also use it as a second income while you are still working. If you set up your home the right way, then you’ll always be able to keep the money rolling in, even as you continue to take lots of different trips in the future. This also means that you won’t have to worry about paying the full cost of a separate holiday each year to get some much needed time away.
The Cost
Next, you should consider the cost. Arguably, the biggest roadblock for most people interested in purchasing a holiday home is going to be the overall expense and that’s understandable.You’re probably looking at 250,000 at least, depending on the size of the property and the desirability of the location. This is true even if you decide to purchase a property in a foreign country. Be aware that it’s not just the initial cost that you need to think about either. There are maintenance costs to consider as well.
The Maintenance
Another point to think about here is the maintenance. Arguably the second biggest cost and the one that will need to fit into your monthly budget. This could include everything from repairs to areas like the windows as well as cleaning once someone leaves your property. Do be aware that certain things can add to the maintenance costs. For instance, you will need to consider whether you are going to allow pets at your property. While this is a more desirable choice for some guests, it will mean you need to invest in a pet hair remover or hire a professional cleaning service that specializes in pet damage.
The Location
You might also want to think carefully about the location. The location can have a huge impact on everything including the price and the long term value of the property. It will also change how many people are interested in staying at the home once you decide to purchase it. On a more local level, you could also think about choosing a location that is close to certain amenities. For instance, you might want to buy a property that is close to the beach. Be aware that you will need specific types of insurance for a property like this to avoid disaster and significant financial loss in the future.
The Type Of Property
There are lots of different types of properties that you can explore purchasing if you are interested in buying a holiday home. For instance, you could purchase an apartment, a villa, a duplex, a log cabin or anything in between some of these possibilities. Once you decide on the right choice for your needs, the next step will be to find a holiday home broker. They’ll search the market for you to find the right choice of property for your needs as well as for your requirements. This will cut out a lot of the legwork for you as a property investor and mean that you can focus on other aspects of this particular venture.
Security
Next, you should make sure that you are thinking about security options when it comes to setting up your property. For instance, you could think about using CCTV systems. The right solution will mean that you can monitor your property remotely without any issues. There are other security features that are worth exploring here as well. For instance, you could set up motion lighting around the property. Do remember, features like this are particularly important if your property is not part of an existing resort or complex.
Marketing
Next, you need to think about marketing options for your holiday home. The right choices when it comes to marketing will guarantee that your home is standing out far more from others that exist which holiday owners could potentially choose over your property instead. When marketing your home, you could think about setting up your own website. While this will provide you with more freedom, it will also mean it’s more difficult to gain the right level of attention. As such, it’s worth using an existing marketing solution instead.
Pitfalls
It’s important to understand that there are pitfalls which you can fall into when you are purchasing a property like this. For instance, you might struggle with issues related to scams. If you are purchasing a property in a foreign country, then it’s quite common to end up in a situation where the house isn’t worth what you’re buying it for. You might even find that the people marketing the property don’t have the rights to sell it. That’s why you should always make sure that you are completing your due diligence.
Alternatives
Finally, it’s probably worth noting that there are alternatives to purchasing a holiday home that provide similar benefits. For instance, you might want to think about purchasing a caravan or even an RV depending on your budget. Both options will provide you with a way of taking more trips over shorter distances The big benefit of a caravan is that it will mean you have more freedom than a typical holiday home and they can be less costly. Although it does depend on the size of the caravan or RV that you’re thinking about.
We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to consider before you are ready to buy your holiday home. When you purchase a property like this, it provides plenty of benefits but there are certainly dangers to be aware of here too.
*contributed post*
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