Everyone with children knows what a nightmare it can be clearing up after them and making sure they’re safe when they’re playing in the house. Life seems to be a constant cycle of snatching sharp objects out of their hands, covering up plug sockets and scrubbing poster paint out of the carpet. It is for reasons such as these that lots of parents are now creating spaces in their homes dedicated to playing – but what exactly should you include when designing a playroom?

Firstly, the focus should be on the practical aspects of the room. It’s no use spending a fortune on a heavy pile carpet with lots of lovely, fluffy rugs and cushions if your children are going to be using the room for their arts and crafts. Instead, a heavy duty, easy-clean carpet or wooden floor might be a better idea. A non-slip playmat can be a useful addition as it can prevent staining to the floor below.

Storage is absolutely essential in a playroom. You need a chest or trunk in which all of your child’s toys can be stored so that they don’t have to live on the floor where they can become a tripping hazard. Shelves or a bookcase are also a good idea, as you can keep all of your child’s favourite books here ready for storytime or when they want you to help them learn to read. The rest of the shelving can be used for other objects so that you use the space as efficiently as possible.

When buying furniture for the room, remember it needs to be child sized. Buy either a table at child-height or a coffee table that your child can reach comfortably, and buy some small chairs or stools for your child and their friends to sit around the table and hold a tea party, draw pictures or do a jigsaw puzzle. One adult-sized chair would be a nice touch if you like to supervise your child at play.

In a playroom, you might want to think about leaving out TVs and video games. This is because a playroom should be a place to encourage creative, inventive play, and if the child is glued to a screen they won’t necessarily be interested in their other toys. Instead, provide lots of interesting, stimulating games and toys for them to play with, including craft materials, educational games you can play together and dressing up clothes.

Don’t forget to keep the colour scheme bright and fun. Children are drawn to bright, primary colours, so make sure it appeals to their tastes and isn’t just another grown-up room.

Patti Miller is a proud mother to two rowdy boys who love their new playroom

Book Description

Book Description

Anthro

Emi-Jay

While perusing Anthro’s site (which I spend entirely too much time doing btw), I saw these elastic hair ties, which reminded me of the Emi-Jay ones that are so popular. Well they are super easy and you can make a ton in every color to match your wardrobe for way cheaper! So I got some supplies and put them together while laying sick in bed and watching TV. I love these spring colors and I went ahead and bought more, including neons so I can have colors to match every outfit. They are also for sale in my Etsy shop if you just wanna buy some!

Fold Over Elastic

Materials:

Fold Over Elastic

 Scissors

Lighter (optional)

Fray Check (optional)

Measure approximately 9 inches of elastic and cut it.

Fold elastic in half.Tie a secure knot leaving about a half inch on the ends (or whatever your desired length is). Cut the ends at an angle. You can use Fray Check or a lighter to prevent the ends from fraying. 

Sorry about my short nub of a ponytail, lol. I just wanted to show how they look on. I am in the process of growing out my hair. They also look cute and stylish on the wrist, don’t ya think?

Look at these fun colors!! <3 color candy:

 PS – I party here!

Photo Credit: http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/

Making your plan for hosting your tea party should not be a tough task altogether. Guests will come prepared to have the best of their time, the worst you can do is disappoint them. What if you are running on a shoe string budget, do you call it quits? Definitely, you should go ahead and plan it.

A party like this comes with tea favors for your guests in a serene environment. This does not mean that you have to hire a big hotel or park out there to accomplish your mission. There are many places starting with your compound and neighbors place that you can use as your venue. The tea favors can be issued in an orderly way once you familiarize yourself with the venue.

Have the list of guests that you need to invite to your place as early as possible. You can do this cost effectively through contacting those that you have their mobile numbers as this will reduce paperwork for you. You can also email others and only send cards if necessary for some guests and also hint on the tea favors set up to raise their anxiety. This is a good welcome note for them.

The decorations for such a party don’t need to be excessive. Maintain a calm and relaxed theme for the same. If it is an evening event make sure it rhymes with the lighting in the house. You should avoid too much décor as this mostly involves adults. It is rare to have kids at such a party.

The cooking and preparation of the tea should be done in-house. There is no need to go for caterers from a five star hotel to prepare everything for you. Perhaps this is the best chance to put your best foot forward together with your family to offer your guests a party they cannot forget. This will save you extra money that can be directed to the gift packages for the guests.

To entertain the guests you don’t need to go for the best deejay in town. Just have some music that can traverse all genres playing in the background. This will ensure nobody is feels out of place. Avoid loud music that is irritating to the ears and allow people to receive their gifts in between if they so wish.

The assortment of cookies and all pleasantries should be packed before the guests arrive. It is not necessary to have them present as the event begins but they can later be placed on a table placed strategically on the way out to allow the guests pick them as they leave. This will make it easy instead of calling out names to hand them the gifts.

If you are on a shoe string budget then it is only good that you stick to food stuff as favors. The only thing you need to make sure is that you supplement them with a few accessories depicting the momentous occasion. Armed with this few tips you can ensure your tea party rocks!

By Plamen Ivanov

You are probably already aware that fashion plays a big role in everyone’s lives. We might not confess it, but our clothing greatly affects our self-esteem. The article ahead is for anyone that is trying to improve their fashion in their every day life.

Carry a small sewing kit around to help with little repairs. Having access to a few basic tools can be a good thing because you will be able to repair simple clothing tears or rips. You’ll always be ready for anything if you carry the necessary items.

When buying clothes, be mindful of the fabric from which the clothes are made. It is crucial you check out the tag on the clothing to know what kind of material is used to make the product. Something that fits in the store may not fit after a couple wash cycles if it is a low quality fabric. Avoid wasting your money on clothes that will probably fray, lose shape, or shrink.

Spend time with a fashion consultant and find out the colors that flatter you. Different colors create different visuals and depend on features like eye color, hair color and skin tone. Discovering the color palette that suits you best will give you confidence when choosing clothing.

If your hair tends to frizz, avoid vigorously rubbing it with a towel after a shower. This will damage your hair and make it more prone to frizz. You are just going to want to cover it with a towel and push down to get moisture off. Once your hair has dried some, you can gently detangle with a wide-toothed comb.

Choose clothing that emphasizes your body’s strong points and hides weaknesses. Smaller people can wear items which are made from softer textiles and are tighter fitting. If you are larger on top, try to find other pieces that will take the attention off of your bust line. Women with pear-shaped figures should wear light clothing on top and darker clothing on bottom.

When you wear a skirt with a complicated or bold pattern, show it off more by wearing a plain t-shirt with it. Keep the t-shirt simple and subtle to avoid any clashing issues with the skirt.

If you wish your lips were fuller, you don’t need collagen injections. Use a light shade of lipstick and add lip gloss. The reflection of the light shade will increase the fullness of your lips. Dark lipstick can make lips appear thinner.

Do not wear really long socks if you are going to be wearing shorts in the afternoon around friends or coworkers. Kindergarteners can get away with this, but not an adult. Lose the socks if you want to look like the grownup that you are.

If you are taller than most women, avoid form-fitting clothes. Also, do not put anything on that is too small for you; it will make you look a little unusual. Keep your looks simple and elegant with clean lines. Many stores offer tall sizes, so invest in some quality pieces that fit your longer frame.

Make sure that you use all of your beauty products. For tube products, use the squeezing devices designed for toothpaste. Angle the bottles 90 degrees, then 180 degrees to get every little bit of product out. Also, you can take the top off to get the last bit of product out. You will save money by using these methods and not have to worry about constantly running out of your favorite beauty supplies.

Now after reading the above information about fashion, you should have a general sense of style for any occasion. Fashion is more of a feeling and train of thought than the material your wear. Stay in fashion by wearing what helps you feel the most comfortable. 

Thanks for reading. The author is an editor for Chic For Less fashion community 

Wing Chair
Photo Credit:http://www.homelifedirect.co.uk/

Chesterfield

Typically made of leather, coming as both chairs and sofas; Chesterfield style chairs have deep tufting and heavy rolled arms that are usually the same height as the back of the seat. While it was typical in England around the 1900’s it’s seen a rise in popularity over recent years. New Chesterfields are being manufactured even today, but if you’d prefer one with a little character, many companies refurbish them as new, at second hand prices. These chairs and sofas give the vintage feel without excess wear and tear.

Chippendale

Known for their intricate pattern work at the back of the chair, these chairs are named after the famous English furniture maker; Thomas Chippendale. The classic designs of this style have made it a common choice for many homes. The slightly curving back legs reach up to form the back of the chair which is carved to symmetrical scrolls, usually detailing leaves around the centre.

Tub Chair

The design of this chair is focused around relieving stress. The structure of the tub chair relaxes the back muscles and provides rest to the spine; so much so that the tub chair has become the first choice of medical practitioners for patients suffering from back injuries. You can purchase this chair in a huge amount of fabrics, sizes and styles. You’re sure to find one to fit your room of choice, providing a modern and uncluttered feeling to the room.

Parsons

The sleek lines of this chair make it an ideal choice for a dining room or other setting; it’s considered the modern classic. They’re available in a wide array of fabrics, though underneath they’re almost always crafted of hardwood with a slight curving, squared backrest and legs. The fabric of choice can then be complimented by a slipcover that entirely covers the legs and makes the chair fit into the rest of the room.

Wing Chair

Perfect as a fireside chair due to its design being focused around preventing drafts and trapping heat; the wings mounted on the back of the chair stretch up to enclose the head or torso area for comfort. While they’re typically seen in leather, they can be purchased in a wide variety of fabrics and styles, offering something funky and modern or a more classic look.

Club Chair

Usually indentified by its low back and leather upholstery, the club chair is a comfortable classic. The term comes from 19^th century English gentlemen’s clubs that used these types of chairs for relaxing. While they were traditionally covered in leather, modern variants can be found in other fabrics too.

Chaise Lounge

These are essentially just long chairs in which you can stretch your legs out without having to use a footrest. The back is often at a reclined angle for relaxing and can be found often in outdoor furniture similar to a sun lounger.

Ed Sloane is the MD of Home Life Direct – Online furniture retailer based in the UK, specialising in conservatory furniture and garden furniture, visit www.homelifedirect.co.uk for further information about their products.

Photo Credit: http://www.bluecroftdesignerfurniture.co.uk/Jacobsen-Swan-Chair-p/jacobsen-5.htm

If you are looking for the place to acquire the beautiful and high class quality furniture for the house then you can get through plenty of companies who are readily available in the market. You can find the modern furniture that perfectly fits your taste and budget. The modern designer furniture is found that be highly presentable and the manufacturers take the initiative of offering different varieties of eye-catching and first class design that will definitely mesmerize the buyer. You can also maintain the furniture with ease and expect to get the utmost comfort from it.

There are many businesses presently available who are offering the furniture online in order to help you save some cost and you can also enjoy the convenience of shopping while sitting at your home. The displayed products will also offer you a bit description about the product which will give you some idea of the price and the material of the item. They also take care of providing the top and the finest products so that the customers can heave the true value of their money. Good service is also the primary focus which helps the suppliers to reach to the heart of the customers.

If you are looking forward to buy some furniture for your home then you can easily find them in the online store. You can certainly think of decorating your home and make your home a cozy place so that you can have a simple living. You just need to choose from the selected items and click on the item that you think will be able to deliver you the convenience. In the online store you can also enjoy heavy discounts of every item that will enable you to save the cost. The manufacturer feels honored when they offer you the recognized modern furniture that can provide you the outstanding quality and unique style.

If you are having the taste for something unique and extraordinary, then you should definitely try out the internet and visit the website of different manufacturers in order to ensure the best product for your home. The modern designer furniture can help you come across with thousands of great selling items that can be very reasonable at costs. The manufacturers will enable you to find the top and premium collection of modern furniture that includes metal beds, sofas, headboards, bar stools and lot more. With the first class quality equipment you can certainly change the complete interior.

There are also modern contemporary furniture that is available in varieties of shape and style which comes from the European designers, Italian designers etc. they are the exclusive furniture that is available for every room and the furniture may include tables, sofas, chairs, cabinets etc., With the proper furniture you can definitely ensure the comfort of the people and so get the complete value of your investment. The furniture is sleek, glamorous and comfortable. It is highly trendy which reflects the modernity and the craftsmanship of the designer. You will find the elegance in the furniture that can make your body relax and can make a beautiful piece of home décor.

For more information on designer furniture feel free to visit: http://www.bluecroftdesignerfurniture.co.uk/

Summer is the season of fun, and with this year set to be a scorcher, it only means one thing – garden party! Whether it’s a graduation, wedding, birthday or a general surprise party, gardens are a perfect place to hold family and friends, especially when the weather is great. If you love your garden, and put a lot of time and effort into making it look special, then what better way to show off your accomplishments than to show it off. Let’s take a look at some of the best tips on how to throw the perfect garden party this summer.

Invitations

When you’re thinking of hosting a garden party, the first thing you must think about how many guests you want to invite. The numbers all depend on the size of your garden, and even if you’ve got a big garden, you’ll want your guests to enjoy the space – no one enjoys an over-crowed garden party. If you’re planning a family-orientated party, then you’re going to need to consider the children that will be coming too.

If your garden will be hosting a birthday party, then invitations should be sent around 3-4 weeks before the event. If it’s a small gathering or informal lunch, then sending out invitations out around 2 weeks before is fine. If you’re planning a graduation party, or any other important event that is celebrating an achievement (engagements, wedding receptions), then you should send invitations out at least 6 weeks prior to the event as a rule of thumb.

If you want to invite children to your garden party, its best to specify on the invitations that you send out. There’s nothing worse than having to entertain a child in a party full of adults. Furthermore, you should also tell people whether or not to bring a plus one to your event. Although plus ones should be more than welcome, you need to think about the limited space in your garden.

Food

Food is every important when inviting people to your garden party, and you must change what you offer depending on the type of event you’re throwing. If it’s a children’s party, then you’ll want small food to nibble on, like sausage rolls, finger sausages, crisps, salad and sandwiches. For wedding parties and other important events, you should go for nicer, higher end foods. If you’re ever in doubt, you can even hire caterers to supply the food to your event, and always make sure to buy ice crushers so your guests can keep their drinks cold.

Garden Party Theme

Once you have your invitations all sent out, it’s time to think about what theme you want garden party to conform to. When it comes to theme, colour is essential, and especially in the summer months, pastel colours are essential. From pink to yellow, sage green to lavender, you must always contrast neutral and light colours. Incorporate these colours throughout your garden as well as your home, from table decorations to centrepieces, and you’ll be able to sit back at watch your guests marvel at your beautiful home.

David enjoys writing about hosting parties and enjoys cooking all different types of food and creating recipes.

Vegetarian Pressure Cooker Recipe Book: 50 High Pressure Recipes for Busy People

Book Description