Yearly Archives: 2018

Tyre care – Why should you go to a local garage?*

21st June 2018
I’m on a roll with the motoring themed posts lately- with the prospect of driving, and subsequently being a car owner now looking to be on the cards in the (hopefully) not too distant future this kind of content has taken on a huge relevance as I’m doing my research and sharing the wealth.

It may come as no surprise that one of the most important aspects of your car is the tyres. They are what carry you safely from A to B and having shoddy or damaged tyres will not only harm your car but will potentially put both you, and other road users at risk.

Good tyre health involves regular checks of tyre pressure, checking for any damage such as bulges or worn tread and making sure your tires are inflated correctly (too much is just as dangerous as too little). To be sure of your tyre’s health and easy booking of brand new tyres online you can consider a garage which is near to you so it is not time consuming. If you live in Dorset or anywhere else, websites like Point S can help you in buying right tyres online, hassle-free.

Your tyres are the only part of your car that touch the ground so it’s crucial to keep them well maintained and operative. They impact everything about how you drive; from supporting the weight of your vehicle to how much fuel you use.
You also need to consider different tyre types for different driving conditions, this will vary depending on what kind of journeys you make and what type of car you have.
During the warmer months, Summer tyres will help to ensure you grip on warmer roads in both wet and dry conditions. As the weather turns colder it is advised you switch to Winter tyres which will provide better traction in snowy or icy conditions, shorter breaking distances and better control of your steering.

Figuring out what’s right for your car can be a bit of a minefield as it varies so much, and many people don’t know what warning signs to look for. When it comes to replacing tires too, it pays to get a professional input- the temptation is always to order blindly online but the incorrect tyres on your car will decrease fuel economy, potentially go bald much faster and again put you and other road users at risk. Popping in to your local tyre specialists means peace of mind, long-term money saving and overall improved road safety all round.

Has anyone here ever been caught out with any tyre related mishaps? Or do you have any advice for a first time car owner and new driver? Leave any thoughts you may have in the comments.

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What to do in Bristol this Summer*

18th June 2018
One of the numerous things I love about living in Bristol is that there is always something going on. Banish the thought of ever being bored- a quick search will reveal something going on pretty much 24/7, with a vast array of events for all ages, tastes and budgets. Here you’ll find just a small selection of what’s going on over the Summer months with my top picks – I’ll be trying to get to as many of these as I can, let me know if I might bump in to you, too.

Photo by Nathan Riley on Unsplash

26th June- Grease: A 40th Anniversary Special

Fans of Grease won’t want to miss this one! The Redgrave Theatre at Clifton College are putting on a special screening to make the musical’s 40th Anniversary which promises to be an all singing, all dancing affair. Tickets cost £16.00 and are on sale now.

1st July-28th July- Bristol Shakespeare Festival

Throughout the month of July Shakespeare fans can attend performances and events at unusual locations throughout Bristol. I’ve been to a couple of these in the past and they are great! For a full schedule check out the website.

2nd July- 2nd September: Gromit Unleashed 2

The Gromit Unleashed trail is back for a second round, this time featuring two new characters in the form of Wallace and Feathers McGraw. Whether you do the entire trail, or snap a few selfies as you happen across the characters this is one of my favourite Bristol events and supports The Grand Appeal raising funds for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

20th July- 22nd July- Bristol Harbour Festival

This is an event I’ve been to many a time and always enjoy. It’s a annual, free harbour side celebration of music and arts where you can watch local talent, eat local food and get drunk on local booze. For full listings head to the website, sadly I can’t go this year but if you do, it won’t disappoint.

28th July- 30th July- Upfest

Bristol is famous for it’s plethora of graffiti and Upfest, now in it’s 10th year takes over the streets of Bedminster to showcase the best of the world’s artists. You can get a taste of previous artists and offerings here, but really this is one you have to experience for yourself.

9th August- 12th August- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Arguably the most famous Summer event in Bristol, the International Balloon Fiesta is a free event that takes place at Ashton Court (just outside of the city). With Balloons from all over the world taking part in spectacular displays- from the early morning ascents to the amazing night glows (all weather permitting) this is a four day event that never gets old.

Let me know if you’re planning to head to any of these, or if I’m missing any other top events in this round up- I’m always up for a new discovery or six.

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Reasons Why Your Car Probably Hates You*

13th June 2018
I’ve finally taken steps towards getting my driving license – as many readers will know this has been a long old journey. I had my first driving lessons at the age of 17, have taken 7 tests (yep, really), passed my theory test three times and taken many an extended break after losing my nerve. Finally, with a new found determination and a little bit more confidence I am hoping to have my own set of wheels by the end of the year, which means I’ve taken a little bit more interest in how to keep a car running as by the time I’ve paid for lessons and a car- not to mention the ever more expensive petrol, killing my car with something that could be avoided isn’t high on my list of things I want to do.

Probably the biggest mistake you can make is to ignore your car’s servicing date. It might be tempting if everything appears to be running fine- why pay out money when you don’t particularly see the need? It’s a false economy though- ignoring your service when it’s due can lead to a build up of rubbish in your engine leading to increased risk of breaking down, and expensive repairs to fund that could have been avoided. Somewhere like KAP Motors offer car servicing of various car makes & models including Peugeot, Nissan, Fiat etc to ensure you stay on the road.

Another potentially costly mistake can be running your car on near empty. Rising petrol prices and being on the wrong side of payday makes it tempting to see how long you can run on fumes for, but this introduces a wealth of debris in to the system which will damage the fuel pump and filters.

Being clutch heavy is a bad habit many of us have (and one I’m determined not to develop). This can cause excess wear on the clutch which is very costly to repair.

Driving in too high a gear is another bad habit that is worth putting a bit of attention in to breaking. Driving in too high a gear at a low speed puts a lot of strain on the engine which will eventually lead to big problems. Similarly driving in too low a gear will also cause avoidable wear and tear. It’s a fine balance but listen to your car and how it feels whilst you’re driving.

Finally, learn what all of the warning lights on your dashboard mean- up to 98% of drivers don’t know and if one pings on and you dismiss it as something minor because you don’t recognise a major problem could see you stranded on your way home, and ultimately without a car to drive.

Are you guilty of any of these bad habits?

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Green Queen

11th June 2018
It seems to really take something special to get me to do an outfit post these days, gone are the days where I felt comfortable posing in whatever I happen to have chucked on- as ever it’s body image crises and lack of free time that have led to this drought, but a recent shopping trip and arrival of something rather beautiful from Browns Family Jewllers ensured I cleared some time in my schedule, took a deep breath and asked Bob to grab the camera.

Dress: Monki | Shoes: Lotus | Bracelet c/o Browns Family Jewellers

At first, when I saw these photos all I could focus on was my perceived flaws and I came very close to not using them at all. Thankfully I got over myself, and whilst I can’t say I love them, I can appreciate how different I look from last year- in a positive and healthy way, how the colour of this dress suits me and how much happier I look these days.
I loved this dress the second I saw it in Monki, and at £25 it was an absolute steal. It’s not the most flattering of lengths, but the fit of the rest of it redeems it; I loved pairing it with these blue suede shoes but it also looks great for work with black tights and ankle boots, as well as with trainers and bare legs for a relaxed feel.

It also made the perfect backdrop for the main focus of this post- my new Daisy Jewellery Brow Chakra Bracelet*. Beautifully delicate, this rose gold chain hosts a beautiful little amethyst alongside it’s brow chakra main charm. The Brow Chakra is emotionally connected with insight, self-realization and releasing negative thoughts and strives towards self-reflection. It seemed the perfect piece to add to my jewellery collection, an every day reminder of what I need to focus on. I own several pieces of Daisy Jewellery, most of which I have purchased from Browns- they have great prices and fast, reliable delivery and their Chakra range is by far my favourite (aside, perhaps from the namesake Daisy collections). I’m not an especially spiritual person but I hope that by wearing this I can keep myself grounded and power on to the end of this recovery weight restoration journey where the real work, of learning self acceptance and perhaps even some self love can begin.

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Posted in brands I love, fashion, jewellery, life stuff, outfits, personal style

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Rent-A-Home: 4 Unmissable Hacks

10th June 2018

unsplash-logoPaul Hanaoka

Renting might be dead money, but it still serves a purpose. House prices are skyrocketing and show no signs of stopping so buying may not be in your budget and gives you a chance to scope out an area before committing. Plus, it offers a different kind of lifestyle, one that might suit your needs. Owning a home is fulfilling and yet getting the landlord round to fix the leaky roof is so much easier than negotiating the fix yourself!

To ensure everything goes to plan there are a few things to take care of first. It’s all about freedom – you want to make sure there is plenty of it during your stay. That’s why you’ve come to A Daisy Chain Dream– for the tips below.

Discuss The Dos & Don’ts

You’re basically living in someone else’s house, therefore there is a line you really shouldn’t cross. However, you do want to make the property feel like a home. Forget living in a cold, bare space for twelve months; the key is to discuss the dos and don’ts in advance and try and get them in writing. The last thing anyone wants to do is order a wheelbarrow full of gear off of the James Oliver home page only to find out the landlord is vetoing the idea. That’s a nasty, expensive surprise. Usually minor alternations like painting are allowed but you should always double-check first.

With A Special Focus On Pets

Having an animal is where the process gets tricky. Are they a fervent dog-hater? Can they not stand cats? Does the idea of a hamster make them squeamish? If it’s a yes to all three of these then there’s a high probability that your pet won’t be welcome. Okay, no worries because you’ll move to a different flat or house and bring him/her along for the ride. The problem is that people take the risk and sign on the dotted line. Some even think they can twist their arm after the fact. Always ask about pets beforehand or else face being evicted and/or landing yourself a massive fine. I’ve been lucky with pet-friendly landlords so it definitely pays to ask up front- and offer to pay an additional deposit against potential damages.

Look Into The Small Print

Everything has been hashed out and the contract is perfect, or so you think. Landlords can be sneaky and will include “traditional” clauses that aren’t broached in the negotiations. One such example is a release clause; in a perfect world you’d give notice and tell the landlord when you’re going to leave. However some stipulations provide this power to the landlord and it’s perfectly legal. Or, your clause may say that you have to pay a fee to terminate the agreement and find another tenant. Wow, that’s a lot of responsibility for one person.

Do An Inventory

It’s not fair to say that all landlords are untrustworthy as (some) mechanics or politicians. They aren’t that bad – they merely need proof. If they don’t get it they will leave the bill at your door. With this in mind, please don’t forget to do an inventory before moving in and after moving out. Write down what works and doesn’t work and take pictures as evidence. Also make a copy and give it to the landlord or letting agent so there is written proof.

You don’t want to be the person that loses out in the exchange, do you?

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