Category Archives: lifestyle

All things Vape*

17th October 2017
Vaping and e-cigarettes have become big business over recent years, I’ve had several experiences with them myself as I have tried, and admittedly failed to kick my cigarette habit. Recently Aquavape, an online supplier of vaping products ran a survey to find out people’s thoughts on everything and anything to do with vaping- from finding out people’s preferred flavours through to how many people feel like it’s a healthier alternative to cigarettes. The findings have been put in to a (rather snazzy) infographic, and in my humble opinion make for an interesting read.
As well as sharing the infographic I thought I’d pitch in with my thoughts on the questions asked and whether I agree with the majority.

When it comes to flavour I’m with the 16% who prefer the sweet flavours. I don’t think it’s uncommon as a smoker to dislike the taste of cigarettes, and for me half of the appeal of using an e-cigarette or vape was the ability to pick and choose a flavour to suit your palette.

As for using an e-cigarette as a means to quit smoking, for me personally it wasn’t a viable option. It didn’t matter what strength liquid I used, I still went back to the traditional form. It’s very much at the forefront of my mind that I want to quit smoking for good- and I will. It’s next on my “get my health sorted” list after I finish the weight restoration part of eating disorder recovery- I was advised to pick one battle at a time, but as my smoking strongly correlates with how well, or how badly I’m doing with my food struggles I think that once I’m in a healthier place both physically and mentally I stand a good chance of kicking this habit too. I certainly want to, I’m actually ashamed that I am still a smoker (it’s certainly taboo these days) and really don’t enjoy it anymore- and let us not get started on the expense!

If anyone has anything to add to this, or just wants to kick me up the arse or send inspiration and positive stories on quitting smoking then please do leave those thoughts in the comments below. I’m hoping that next time I write this kind of blog post I can be doing so as a proud (but never preachy) ex-smoker.

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Posted in infographic, lifestyle

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Debunking the myths about car warranties*

14th October 2017

Car warranties provide motorists with a lot of reassurance, after all they are insurance products for a vehicle which can (and inevitably will) go wrong. They protect you from footing the bill of a surprise and often expensive repair costs as well as occasions when your car simply needs some TLC due to general wear and tear.

However there are some grey areas to be aware of regarding car warranties. Here, stockists of car radiators Advanced Radiators debunk the most common myths to ensure you don’t trip up when looking into these policies:

Photo by Pravin Narsing on Unsplash

1. You must have a car warranty: Whilst common, is not compulsory to have a car warranty. Usually new cars come with a standard warranty which lasts for three years and up to 60,000 miles. After this it is your decision whether you would like to purchase an additional car warranty, or if you are prepared to accept the risk of an unexpected repair bill.

2. You need car warranty to obtain finance for a vehicle:
This is untrue- you can obtain finance for a vehicle if you do not have car warranty, although some salesmen will try to convince you otherwise and sell you a warranty alongside your car as they often receive commision for doing so. Don’t get drawn in by sales pitches like this as having a car warranty is not mandatory.

3. There’s no need to do research because all car warranties are the same:
There are many car warranties out there and they all offer different things. Some warranties are more comprehensive than others so read the small print to find out what you’re actually covered for. When deciding what to go for consider things like the make and value of your car as well as how much driving you’re likely to be doing.

4. Car warranties can only be bought from the dealership where you bought your car:
There are many companies out there that offer car warranties at different prices and with different incentives. It is possible that the dealership from which you purchased your car may offer you a good deal, however you should still shop around and do your research to find a car warranty that will benefit you and your vehicle.

5. A full-service history is required to obtain warranty:
This isn’t true, you do not need to provide a full-service history to purchase a warranty, however you should ensure that your car is in good condition and has been looked after in accordance with the manufacturers schedule.

6. You don’t need to maintain your car if you have car warranty:
You are still responsible for the maintenance of your car even if it is covered by a car warranty. To keep on top of routine maintenance you should follow advice outlined in your driver’s manual.

7. Every problem with a car is covered by the warranty:
With a manufacturer warranty, or some comprehensive aftermarket warranties this is almost true, but there are always exceptions and exclusions – you should check the terms and conditions to know where you stand and make sure you read the small print before signing up.

8. Car warranty for wear and tear breakdowns and warranty for mechanical breakdowns fall under the same category:
Wear and tear refers to the normal degeneration of a car whereas mechanical breakdown is an issue that occurs due to a manufacturing error. Bear in mind that breakdown cover is not the same as a car warranty- breakdown cover will simply take your car to the garage – it will not pay for the bill you’ll be handed when the work is done.

9. It’s OK to take out warranty and then get a car fixed which had a fault beforehand:
You cannot claim for repairs on faults which occurred before you took the warranty out- your car should be in the best condition possible before taking out a warranty. You will find that many providers will not pay out on claims made within 90 days to avoid drivers taking out a warranty on a car that had existing problems.

10.There’s an age limit on cars to receive warranty:
It is true that if your car is over 10 years-old and has more than 100,000 miles on the clock you may struggle to find a warranty to cover it. There are a few companies out there that will offer car warranties to vehicles up to 12-years old but you will be faced with a higher cost and if your car is older than this then you may well find it impossible.

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Lightbox review and giveaway with Gingersnap

09th October 2017
The fashion for light boxes is one that’s been around for a while now, and in typical Laura style I’m very late to the game. I’ve wanted one for ages but for one reason or another never quite got round to making the purchase. Now, thanks to the generosity of the team at Gingersnap I’m the proud owner of two.
I was sent the original cinematic lightbox as well as an extra lightbox and emoji faces and symbol pack. The lightbox is A4 sized and costs £15 which is really good value compared to many I’ve seen on the high street, it comes complete with 85 black letters, numbers and symbols and is powered either by 6 AA batteries or a 9v adaptor.

Bob and I had great fun creating lightboxes for each other’s bedside tables and we’re both really impressed with the effect they give. The emoji pack is a worthwhile addition for an extra £10- it’s a bit sad to say but we’re both emoji mad in our whatsapp messages to each other so it was great fun to be able to continue that theme in to our home environment (whoever said adults had to be grown up?)

The Gingersnap website is a great new discovery- alongside their range of lightboxes in varying size and colour options you can also pick up super quirky “mintage” lighting and neon lights- all perfect for jazzing up your home or giving as gifts. I’m also quite taken with the mini ginger range which is just adorable and so not limited to the little people in your lives.

As well as being generous enough to provide the products for this blog post, Gingersnap are also offering up a lightbox to one lucky reader of this blog. Just follow the simple entry steps below and keep those fingers crossed!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to UK residents only. It starts on Monday 9th October and ends on Monday 16th October 2017. Winner will be picked and contacted within 24 hours and your prize will sent directly to you from Gingersnap. By entering this giveaway you consent to me sharing your contact details with Gingersnap if you are selected as the winner.

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Posted in brands I love, gifts, giveaway, lifestyle

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Deck The Halls: The Art Of Christmas Decorations*

05th October 2017

Ok, it’s October and WAY too early for me to be thinking about decorations really, but for any earlybirds out there- or at least those who like to plan way in advance, this one is for you!

Christmas decorations are an essential part of getting in to the festive spirit. If you’re looking to decorate this year with a sense of style, here are a few tips and tricks that are sure to impress guests and bring a sense of magic to your home.

Don’t be afraid of artificial trees

Many people love to have a real tree, but they can be costly and messy. An artificial tree will get more use – you can pull it out year on year. You can also style it more easily to your home- for example, you don’t have to go green – there are white artificial trees that can be great for making brightly coloured tinsel and baubles really stand out and there aren’t any messy pine needles to clear up or stop the cat from eating!

Create festive focal points

Create Christmas zones that draw attention, the tree is an obvious focal point but why not try having other focal points in other rooms? The dining room table can be a great focal point and even coffee tables can be dressed up for the occasion as these tips on decorating your coffee table for Christmas show. Other focal points could be a specially designated Christmas shelf in which all items are swapped out for Christmas items or a decorated door.

Keep practical zones free of Christmas clutter

Don’t let your Christmas decorations serve as obstacles. For example, it’s best to keep Christmas decorations to a minimum in the kitchen- you don’t want to be finding bits of tinsel in your turkey!

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Make your own DIY decorations

A great trick for those on a budget is DIY decorations. Consider paper chains and origami snowflake cut-outs- building these can be a great activity to do with little folk in the run up to the big day! Look up guides online on how to make your own Christmas decorations – you’ll be surprised what you can build with materials you may already have.

Don’t just hang baubles on the tree

If you’ve got an excess of baubles don’t try and weigh down the tree with them. Consider hanging them on light fittings and in the corner of rooms as an extra embellishment around the home.

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Use greenery

There are lots of plants that are commonly associated with Christmas such as mistletoe, ivy and holly. These can help to bring a natural feel to your home that may offset the heavy use of plastic ornaments and baubles. The likes of ivy can be hung over picture frames and door frames just like tinsel. You could also have wreaths all around the home – they needn’t just be reserved for your front door.

Incorporate Christmas scents and tastes

Fill the home with Christmas scents such as cinnamon to help get you in the mood. Scented cinnamon candles can make a nice touch. You can also make use of edible decorations such as hanging chocolates or baskets of mince pies. Just make sure that these edibles don’t all get eaten straight away (you may even want to introduce an after-Christmas rule, if you dare!)

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Posted in christmas, inspiration, lifestyle

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Transitional Style: Your AW17 Wardrobe Essentials*

05th October 2017
October has arrived. While some of us are mourning the loss of the summer, many are celebrating the shopping opportunities that the new season brings!
Autumn winter 2017 calls for a wardrobe refresh, but what new season essentials should we invest in? Here I have an overview of the key pieces that will see you through the cold season whatever, the weather throws at you!

(Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash)

Umbrella
We all know how unpredictable the British weather can be, so don’t leave home without an umbrella. It’s always worth spending a little more on an umbrella you can depend on — you don’t want to be caught out mid-downpour with a broken brolly!
Fulton’s golf umbrellas are ideal when the wind is against you too, the Cyclone umbrella, for example has been wind tunnel tested to 78mph. For the fashion forward, the new collection includes all of the latest trends- from dark florals to rich checks. Who said an umbrella can’t be a fashion accessory?
Scarf
During autumn temperatures remain quite mild, so you don’t want to be reaching for your thick woolly scarf just yet. Instead, choose a lightweight check scarf in an autumnal shade — think red, navy and green. Perfect for men and women- you can wear the scarf loosely around your neck with an open coat or jacket for effortless early season style.
Coat
For men and women there’s only one coat that will help them transition from summer to autumn: the classic trench coat. They’re thin enough to keep you cool in milder weather but still offer enough protection from those pesky showers.
The trench coat is super versatile; perfect when worn over your suit or smart dress for work, or with a relaxed check shirt and jeans for those off-duty days.
When winter finally arrives it’s time to swap the trench coat for a super-cosy down jacket. These padded jackets are well-insulated providing exceptional warmth in even the coldest conditions.
Knitwear
We ditched it in the summer, but knitwear comes back with a vengeance in autumn winter. Choose finer knits for early autumn before digging out those chunky winter cable-knits in time for the colder weather.
Don’t shy away from patterns, especially near to Christmas time. Fair Isle jumpers are cute and cosy, helping you to get into the festive spirit without the need for novelty slogans and flashing lights (unless that’s your cup of tea!)

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Posted in fashion, lifestyle, trends

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