Tips

Top Tips for Fancy Dress As A Student

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

Doing fancy dress is not something which we do a lot as adults but when we do we want to make sure that everything is perfect.  As a student, I have managed to have a fair few great times which have included fancy dress as socials most Wednesdays have a theme if you are part of a sports club. This is not forgetting freshers along with when friends have fancy dress parties. At the moment is hen and stag do season because everyone is getting married.  Today I am going to share with you some of my top tips for making sure your fancy dress is in top form as an adult.

Make sure you know your theme

There is nothing worse than getting the theme wrong and standing out like a sore thumb. Make sure you read the theme completely to avoid this for example if your theme is 1950’s research that era making sure your outfit is suitable rather than going something you think is from that era. Only to find out that your fancy dress is actually 1920’s or something this could be very embarrassing.

 Work on make-up/face paint

Using makeup or face paint can help you transform into the character who you want to be without having to splash the cash on fancy dress. This also does mean that you may avoid having an uncomfortable costume an example of this is if you want to go as the Hulk face paint could make a huge difference to how good your fancy dress looks.

Reuse/ Repurpose

A great idea if you are a student is to get things which you are going to be able to reuse for a number of different fancy dress outfits. For example, this old lady fancy dress wig could be used for any fancy dress which includes a grandma so I know we had a night where we went out as Grandma’s it could also double up for Halloween and I am sure plenty more occasions. There multiple other ones which work like this, for example, green spray painted torso  Hulk can be repurposed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Shell; reuse that Where’s Wally top for a Pirate or Sailor theme, and those red shorts you had for 118 118 can be repurposed as part of a lifeguard outfit. The possibilities to recycle your outfits really are endless.

Charity Shops

These are a great place to visit as you can get things for dirt cheap. Grandad socials are hard because you don’t usually have things which older people would dress in however, charity shops can be loaded with them.  The same can be said for Hawaiian shirts you can still save money and look amazing.

Share

Just because you live with someone does not mean that they will be attending the same socials as you. Neither does it mean that those on your course will be in the same social which means that you will have different themes to them. Something which we did when I was at uni was to share fancy dress and accessories which meant that we were saving money all the time. If we could borrow us would I think I saved loads on swords, handcuffs and other accessories doing this.

What are your memories of fancy dress at uni or as an adult?

 

Charlotte xxx

 

 

 

Preparing for University

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Now you have got the grades which has meant that you are able to go to university you think that the works starts. There are so many small jobs which you can do before freshers week which will make your life a lot easier and when you are miles away from home this can be a massive bonus. Today I am going to share with you some tips which I would recommend doing to make you so easy.

Start learning to wash your own clothes

I actually brought 6 weeks of washing home when I was in my first year however, since then I have actually had to do my own. I would recommend learning how to wash your own clothes because then it means that you can wear what you actually want. Instead of wearing what is clean and there is always your parents to help you out if you get stuck before you got to university.

Learn how to save money

Everyone states that as a student you are going to be super poor but if you learn how to save money this is going to help. You will be able to get a NUS card which helps you save money on the high street and at restaurants if you want to be spendy. While at university, there is a lot of apps which you can use which have discounts codes on. I am going to do a post on this very soon.You can even put money on gift cards for supermarkets which means that you do not spend your food money on a crazy night when you do not have the funds at university.

Learn to cook

This is one which is going to help you massively because of course you do not want to have to spend a lot of money on takeaways and ready meals. I think that been able to cook for your family before you go helps massively because it gets you used to cooking and allows you to ask for help before you leave and live on your own. It also may allow you to be able to get recipe’s from your family which will help the more meals you can cook the less likely you are to get bored of eating the same food. It will also let you get used to batch cooking which helps because we all want not to have to cook when you have a late lecture.

Update your CV

Money is going to be something which you need to have, now if you can update your CV to make sure that it has everything that it needs to have on it.  Things such as your new address, those a levels which you have just completed. I got a job at McDonald’s when I was at university and it was so handy having some more money. I would recommend starting to look for part time jobs now because they are advertising soon and most people do not think of looking until fresher’s week.

Join Facebook groups

You can meet people who you might be able to make friends with on Facebook who you can meet up with when you get to university. For example I know there was a page for the halls which I lived in my first year and I met some of the people who I was going to be living with in this group. There is also usually a group for your university course and this is going to be with people you are going to see so much. It does matter if your friends are on your course or not because there is a lot of time to socialise.

Get a railcard

As a student you are more likely to be between the ages of 16-25 which means that you can get a young persons railcard. You never know when you are going to feel homesick and actually want to come home to see people or explore new places. If you get one of the railcards it does mean that you do actually get 1/3 off travel which we all need because train fairs can be so expensive, they actualy only cost you £30 a year. With Santander you can get a 4 year one with a student bank account.

Sort your stuff out

You do not realise till you are about to move out how much stuff you have actually got in. There will be some things which you may not longer want but that someone else will be willing to pay good money for. I recommend actually sorting things out early and trying to sell what you can on eBay or similar ways. This will give you money to buy things which you might actually want in order to move or it gives you more money for when you are at university.

If you have been to university what would you recommend people do before starting their fresher’s year.

 

Charlotte xx


			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Perfect Garden for the Non-Gardener
		
				

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As you know we have to purchase our first home this summer and a decent size garden is a must for family picnics, playtime and afternoons in the sun. However, as a busy mum finding time to maintain a garden is another story. With this in mind, I’ve been looking into the perfect garden for non-gardeners and here’s what I’ve come up with:


  1.   Artificial Grass


I love the thought of having a perfect lawn all year round, minus the grueling cutting regime. Artificial grass would be the perfect solution for a stress-free, child-friendly garden. With little to no maintenance required, a brush down every now and then is enough to keep it looking fabulous – I’m sure I could squeeze that in the diary. The quick drying and synthetic materials means you no longer have our little ones grass-stained clothing or muddy footprints to contend with either – Perfect!


Save money on fitting costs by giving it a go yourself. 


There are loads of DIY fitting guides available across the internet, meaning you save £££s by cutting out the middleman. The only costs to consider is the actual grass which is perfect for those on a tighter budget. If you are considering artificial grass for a family garden like me, you may want to go for a more dense range to cushion those inevitable trips and falls. Don’t worry this can be done on a budget too, just compare the pile weights.


2.   Artificial Plants 


Artificial plants look amazing for next to no effort. Hang them up, pop them in place or wrap them around the trellis and your good to go. Growing in popularity there becoming more easily accessible too. Local supermarkets are now stocking a decent range. Check out this artificial hanging basket from Sainsbury’s. Just pop it up and forget about it – My kind of gardening! You do not even have to water it which is always a bonus.




 


 


3.   Decking / Paving


Sectioning off the garden creates more manageable chunks to contend with. If you have a bigger garden then decking or paving is perfect for cutting down the amount of natural grass or planters to trowel through. With next to no maintenance required, all that’s left for you to do is grab the garden furniture and enjoy an afternoon in the sun.


There we have it my top 3 recommendations for non-gardeners. If you’re not a fan of gardening either, then do let us know if you have any additional suggestions to cut down those garden chores!


Charlotte


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2 Year Old Summer Essentials
		
				

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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 6 weeks at least you will know the UK is experiencing a heatwave. This is fun because it does mean that we can go on days out without having to worry about whether it is going to rain or not. However when you have a toddler it means that you have to take extra steps to make sure that they do not become too unhappy or unwell in the heat. Today I am going to share with you the things which we have been using this summer to make sure that Jess has the best time possible.




Canvas Shoes


The first thing which we have been using so much is the Jojo Maman Bebe canvas shoes. These remind me of the Clark’s doodles however, they are a fraction of the price coming in at the £15 mark which is about £5-10 cheaper than doodles. We have been using them for nursery because they are so comfortable for her to wear. They are lightweight which means that her feet are not sweating as much which is a bonus in the heatwave. These canvas shoes do actually dry really quickly if she gets them wet which is good because playing with the water is something which Jess really enjoys same with playing with sand this can easily be banged out of the shoes. They are so easy because Jess can even put them on herself which is a bonus because she wants to be such a big girl now.




 


Sun Cream


Sun cream is something which is essential because we never want our little humans to burn or damage their precious skin. In the summer applying sun cream is one of the tasks which I dread I think this is because of the fact sun cream is sticky. Applying it to a toddler can be like having to wrestle a crocodile to get it on however, with the Nivea sun cream which comes in a roll on is so simple. Jess loves to stand there and let me draw pictures on her with the sun cream which allows you protect her skin all summer long. Then we rub in the pictures so that it does not end up all over her clothes. I would recommend trying this we usually have one which lasts us all summer long. You can pick this up from the supermarkets for around £4.  Another bonus is the fact it is factor 50 which means your child is protected from the harmful sun rays.




Summer Hats


These are something which we could not do without I think Jess owns like 5 summer hats. 3 of the are actually paw patrol which is because she sees them wants them sometimes we allow them. This does mean that she is not very far from a hat which is always a bonus because you never know when the sun is going to come out. Jess is a good girl when it comes to putting hats on this may be due to the fact nursery tell her she needs one on when the sun is out.


We have picked up the majority of the hats from the supermarket and they rarely cost us more than a few pounds. I would recommend having more than one in case you do actually lose the hat or something happens to it. Keep your eyes peeled as soon stores will be reducing them ready for the autumn ranges this is when I tend to pick up new ones and store them till next summer. I only do this if I think Jess will need some new ones next summer.


 


Sun Glasses


These are something which Jess could not be without she frequently put them on when she is in the car. I think Jess loves wearing the sunglasses in the summer because it is what me and her daddy do and she wants to be a grown up like us. I know that she is not going to hurt her eyes when she looks at the sun which is a bonus because nobody wants to hurt themselves. We actually picked them up from Morrisons which is place which we like to look in for Jess. These were about the £3 mark which is a bargain I have seen them for like £9 in other stores they might be reduced soon again as the weather changes.




Back Pack


In the summer months there is more trips out and days spent in the park which means you need to carry more stuff. This means that you need a good bag which is going to be able to take all of the weight meaning you have your hands free. This is a skiphop bag is actually the one which Jess has used for nursery for a couple of years now. We find that having a bag allows us to have hands free and still be able to take drinks, nappies and a spare change of clothes in case of any accidents. This bag is great because we can change the length of the straps so that I can carry it as well as Jess. I would recommend getting a good bag because it will last you for a number of summers as well as been able to use it for the rest of the year.


What are you essentials for a two year old in the summer?


Charlotte xxx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips For First Trip to Cinema
		
				

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Going to the cinema is something which Joe and I love to do. We regularly go when there is a new marvel film out but trips to the cinema are less frequent since having Jess of course. This weekend saw Jess attend the cinema for the first time she actually went to see the new Thomas the Tank film, so today I thought I would share with you some tips to make sure that a cinema trip with a toddler goes as smoothly as possible.


1. Be Prepared


Cinema snacks can be expensive and your toddler will want everything. A tip which I would recommend no matter the age of your child is to take snacks and a drink. This is something which you allowed to do an can save you a small fortune. We did purchase Jess some popcorn and an ice blast because it was her first trip but we took some other drinks and sweets so she did not become hungry.


2. Start with a kids club showing


Many cinemas do kids club showings which occur at the weekend around 10am. This means that it is not nap time for toddlers like Jess meaning that they are not too tired and are going to fall asleep in the screening. Another bonus is that kids club usually are a little bit cheaper with some only been £1 for children which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a normal child’s ticket to the cinema.


3. Sit somewhere accessible


You will want to sit somewhere accessible this means should your child need the toilet during the film you can just pop out. It also means if your child wants to sit on the stairs they can this is something Jess did because I think she got a little bit restless during the film because she had been sat there for 2 hours, even though it was only a hour and half film.


4. Check if the cinema have booster seats


There is nothing worse than paying for your child to go the cinema and then them not been able to see. This could be due to the fact there is a tall person in front of them by your child having a booster seat this will allow them to see over the person or chair in front. If the cinema does not have the booster seats like the one we attended why not take a cushion or a pillow for them to sit on so they are raised up.


5. Don’t be afraid to leave


We all know that small children do not have an amazing span do not be afraid to leave. If your child is making too much noise and you feel like it is impacting other peoples cinema experience. If your child is really not enjoying the film what is the point of staying and forcing them to watch something which they are not enjoying it may make them think negatively of the cinema and they may not want to return. You never know that if your child is ready to go the cinema so do not be afraid if you do have to leave.


6. Pick the right film


Just because it is a children’s film does not mean that it is right for your childs. Of course, you know them best but some films can be too old for certain children for example I would not want to take Jess to a film which is over an hour and half. The reason behind this is I do not think that she has the attention span. I would not want to take her to a film which I think could be too sad for her for example something like the Lion King or Paddington.I know cinemas from time to time show films like Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and Thomas these are good to give your a toddler good first experience. If you have taken them before and they did not enjoy it this could be a viewing to take them to next.


What are you tips for taking a toddler to the cinema?


Charlotte xx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips For Dealing With Cradle Cap
		
				

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Younger Jess


 


Cradle cap is something which we all think of when having newborns and those who are usually under a year old. However, this is something which Jess still even at two and a half still can struggle with. For those of you who are reading this post who may not be parents and do not know what cradle cap is it is. Cradle cap is a very common condition, which affects the scalp of recently born babies, causing a patchy, greasy, scaly and crusty skin rash. Do not worry about it is rare that it is causing the baby any discomfort at all.


Seen as this is something which we have been battling this long I thought I would share with you my tips for dealing with cradle cap. I will admit it was harder when Jess was just born due to the fact she had this an not much hair which made the cradle cap visible to me at least however, you cannot see it as much now unless you are looking for it. This is due to her hair growing however, now must babies are actually born with hair. Anyway that is enough rambling on to the actual tips.


Wash their hair in mild baby shampoo


Cradle cap is not caused because of poor hygiene according to the doctors but one thing which we have found to be super helpful is making sure that we do not over wash Jess’s hair. As when you wash your hair you strip it of the oils. We found that if we wash it 3-4 days apart the oils were not striped as much. Also we did found that more larger chunks was coming out when we rubbed in the shampoo or brushed her slightly damp hair.


Don’t pick at it


I know there is a a high level of temptation to do so however, this can make it very sore for your child.  As well as increase the risk of an infection which is something that of course you want to avoid. If your child has it when they are a little bit older you do need to make sure that they do not pick at as well. This is is not something which we have luckily struggled with Jess.


Coconut Oil


Another tip which we have found is to melt a little amount of coconut oil and then massage this on to the affected area.. We applied this for 15 minutes which allowed it to help break down it meaning that it is going to be able to easier to remove. What we did to remove this in the bath/shower. In the case of Jess this allowed chunks to come out and coconut oil is not expensive and something most parents have to hand anyway.


Avoid spraying close to the child


If you do like to put perfume on your chest and your child likes to lay on this area you might want to avoid doing this. This can be the same for air fresheners which you might want to spray to make the room smell better. This may actually get into the child and be harmful which could cause the cradle cap worse which is something of course we all want to avoid.


Massage their head when it is damp


If you give your baby a massage while there hair is still damp gently using your fingers this can cause chunks of the cradle cap to come away from their hair. Only do this when it is damp as then you are not forcing it to come away instead you are just assisting the cradle cap to come away faster that it normally would. This is something which Jess manages to allow me to do for a couple of moments this is the only time I ever really get to give her a head massage.


Have you struggled with cradle cap if so what are your tips for dealing with it?


Charlotte xx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Keeping The Cost Of Days Out Down
		
				

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Going on days out are something which we love to do as a family, however, they can come with a huge cost.  We try to make sure that we have as many days out as we can because this is where we feel like the memories are created for Jess.  Since the turn of the year, we have had visits to the circus, zoo trips, farms visits and of course trips to soft play. There have been other days out which I may have not fully remembered.


I have a few tips which we do in order to reduce the cost of the days out. Today I am going to share with you some of them in order to save the pennies for your family this summer. Instead of watching the pounds you can actually enjoy and watch the memories being created.


Check if they do student/military discount


I know that this is not going to be something which applies to everyone. However, with me being a student and a Joe in the forces, it can see us been able to get to get some money off. I know for example when we got to the cinema we can get money off and places like Twycross Zoo did do student discount which was handy as having money off it always a bonus. If you have teenagers who are at college don’t forget the majority of them get student prices which can always help.


Check the attractions facebook page


We have managed to save some money by me checking the attractions Facebook page before we actually visited.  I found that some of the attractions do money off or mum goes free on Mother’s day and I think that some of them are actually doing it for Father’s day.  I know for sure Pink Pig Farm did it.  Places such as the local soft play place which we enjoy taking Jess to have an offer on which I saw on their site which is 10 sessions over the summer holidays for £40. Some places are cheaper as well to visit during the term time which if like us you are not dictated by school holidays is a great way to be able to save some pennies.


Use sites like Groupon


Going out for meals after a long day out because you can get amazing deals on a number of restaurants. Alongside this, you can also find amazing deals on attractions and things to do for example trampoline parks, nerf gun session and paintballing all things which you could do with your children or friends this summer. Just browsing groupon made me realise how much  fun things there is in my area and also areas which we are looking at visiting in the future.


For example we have a trip in August to Manchester and I have been looking at things to do without breaking the bank in either Manchester or Liverpool. There are things like bus tours which you may want to do if you are visiting a different city in order to be able to see everything which you may not have been able to if you was walking.  For example the bus tour in Liverpool has a massive 55% off which is a huge saving of around £15 per person.


Take your own food if possible


Food at places can be very expensive for what you get due to the fact that they have the monopoly on you when at the attraction. For example we found that at the zoo two coffee’s was around the £6 mark however, we decided to save money on this trip. We decided to do this due to the weather been nice which meant that we could eat outside if we wanted to and have a wider selection of food than the fast food usually on offer at attractions. Make sure that you check if you can take your own food and drink because some places I know you can not consume products which you have not purchased on the premises.


Do your research


There are many days out which can be free or cost very littl, for example,e I know the majority of the museums in Hull are free, along with the National Railway Museum in York. It is worth checking the area which you live or are looking to do a day out in and see what you can do for free. Sometimes some of the best days out we have had have been in parks or places which have not cost the earth to actually visit. Another element to check is to see if your ticket means that you can have access back to the attraction for the next year for free at the moment we have annual passes for Eureka which was included in the price of our original ticket. I know this is something which The Deep also do and I am sure a number of other attractions.


 


Do you have any tips to save money on days out?


 


Charlotte xx


This post is in collaboration with Groupon


 

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips of choosing a reliable car dealer
		
				

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Purchasing a new car is always an exciting experience. Whether it’s a brand new car which has done less than a 100 miles on the clock or a car which has done a lot more and is second hand. It doesn’t matter both are exciting, however, how many people think a lot about the dealer they are visiting. Most people think about the type of car and if that would suit them.


Today I am going to be sharing with you my tips for choosing a reliable car dealer and getting the car which you want. Changing our car is not something that we are currently looking to do as many of you know we are in the process of buying our first house. We do have some experience in purchasing cars, however.


Check how much the car is to run.


Yes, you may be able to afford the car of your dreams or one which you like however can you afford it. On top of having to pay for the car, there is also the running costs. If you are looking at a larger car it may emit a lot of co2 I know our car is about £300 road tax due to having high emissions. But a car like the VW golf can be as low as £30 a year. Petrol cars are also cheaper to run which is always worth remembering if you are on a budget. Just make sure that you can afford to run the car before you get it as there is no point having a car but been unable to run it. If you are a young driver like us it is worth checking how much your insurance is going to be as well because this is a large expense when you first start driving.


Don’t use the first dealership you visit.


Check more than one dealership for the car you want and ask the best price that they can do for you. You can always go back and ask them to beat it some will do this if they need the sales to hit targets. I know a number of my friends have done this and have actually saved a lot of money it just goes to show even though you are purchasing the same car the price can differ. After all, we do know that all the pennies matter even if it is not a lot of money it is better in your own pocket.


Don’t purchase the first time you visit


You always get those pushy salesmen who want you to purchase a car there and then due to the fact that they get commission and have goals to hit.  Just say oh I will have a think about it and come back or ring you soon it has been proven that psychologically if they have to chase you, rather than you being super keen, is more likely to lead to a better deal. Also, it does give you breathing time to make sure that the deal which they are offering you is the best that you can get along with been the correct one for you


Ask about the previous history


A credible car dealer will share full car history with you that will entail any accidents or repairs done on the car. If it is only something small like scratches on the car it will not affect how your car is going to drive and you might be able to get some money off because of a few small scratches it is worth asking. You do not want to purchase a car which has been in an accident because this could mean that it has had damage and could end up costing you a lot of money in the long term. If you are looking for a car dealer in Brighton? Visit KAP’s Brighton Branch and find a car that fits your requirements.


Check the actual car you want.


Check the mileage on the car on average a car does around 10,000 miles does the age of the car match up to this. If it hasn’t done enough it might mean that the clock has been reset at some stage which is giving you a false reading.  You can also check the last service for the mileage to see if this is in line with the figure. Don’t feel like these are not things which you can do.  Check if there have been any repairs which have been done poorly for such gaps between the body panels after crash damage. Look inside the car make sure that it does not look like it is ready to go on the scrap heap if your gut it telling you something is wrong with it trust your gut.


What tips would you give someone looking to purchase an car?


 


Charlotte xx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Ideas For Decorating a  toddler’s bedroom
		
				

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As many of you know we are planning to move house this summer which is going to see Jess get her own room for the very first time.  I have not been able to actually design a nursery when she was born so I am so excited to do a toddler room for her. I have been thinking about the types of things which I want in her room of course some of them she might actually get a some of them may be able to occur not long after we move in the property which we get.


Reading Corner


Jess does actually love reading books and story time is something which I want to implement in her bedtime routine. I do actually think that reading is something which is very important when your child is young because of the fact that it allows them to be able to increase their language. I think this is something which may actually help her sleep better due to the fact that she is not going to be having a lot of screen time before bed as we all know too much blue light can make you not sleep. I would love to be able to get her a really nice bookcase which means that she is going to be able to reach her books so she could read them when she wants. Hopefully, we can have either some cute cushions to sit on or some bean bags so it is a very cozy and pleasurable area to be in.


Feature Wall


Feature walls can make a child’s room feel very personal. While browsing on the internet I found Wallsauce who are a company who sell made-to-measure children’s wallpaper.  There is some amazing wallpaper I think the one which is the lego pattern would love amazing in the man cave which Joe wants to create and would fit in with the gaming/office room he is hoping to create when we get the house. I know for sure that there is some of the wallpaper which Jess would love for example the animal ones due to the fact she is obsessed with them. I think I would be really fun to have something which is a bit different to the standard wallpaper which is on the market. These come in panels which I think it may make it easier than actually wallpapering normally.


Storage


Making sure that Jess has enough room for the oodles of toys which she has managed to accumulate in the short time which she has been here is important. I want to be able to make sure that she can get the toys which she wants to be able to play with easily without having to pull everything out.  This may mean that we end up having storage boxes which can be pulled out for example like the ones from Ikea which every blogger seems to have somewhere in their house, to be honest. Making sure she knows were things belong may actually lead to her been able to keep her room more tidy well I can always dream right?


Playden/ Tepi


This is something which I can see Jess really wanting due her always now wanting to build dens or as she calls them tents. This is an area which for her could be soft in case she does fall over because we all know she is a very clumsy child. Causing damage to herself is not something which I really want to occur I also think that this could be another area which she would be able to read in along with the fact she could play cars there no doubt quite happily. I have seen a few which are not too girly which I am sure is something she will like because she is not all about the pink.


Quotes and pictures


These are a great thing to put in your toddlers/ child’s room because of the fact that they are going to grow up. This means that things are going to want to be changed over this time as they will calim that something is for babies instead of the age that they are. A benefit of having quotes and picturres in frames it means that they can be updated over time which means can fit whatever the child is in to at the moment and recent pictures. For example, at the moment we have a few nice pictures of Jess which I would love to display along with some motivation/educational pieces. When I feel like they are no longer relevant it would be easy to get new ones along with the fact it would not break the bank.


 


How did you decorate your toddler’s room?


 


Charlotte


This is a collaborative post


 


 


 

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Decluttering Your Digital Space
		
				

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Since I have been spending a lot of time on my laptop when I was completing my university degree I realised how much stuff I have on it. This is not helping the speed of my laptop at all if anything it is actually making it run a lot slower than it needs to be.  It was actually weighing me down when thinking about it was not my laptop my phone is another space which could be running a lot faster if I did not have so much stuff which I really did not need on it.


This made me want to do something about it because I am always complaining how slow both devices are actually running.  I decided that I was going to declutter my digital space. Getting rid of thing which I do not need in order to make sure that both devices are running as fast as they actually can.


Delete unwanted apps


I barely have any space on my phone it is always warning/moaning to me about the lack of space.There is a lot of pictures which are of Jess in her couple of years which she has been on the planet stored on my phone .  I found that there were apps on my phone which I had downloaded when I had a lot of spare time and needed games which were going to help me kill time. 3 apps I found which all which had space on my phone for no reason I managed to delete.


This is something  which I am going to do regularly to make sure that I am actually using all of the apps which I have on my phone because they are weighing me down if I am not using them.  There are a couple that I could actually get rid of if I was been a little bit more ruthless however, I have told myself if I do not use them soon then they will actually be gone.


Delete Downloads


The number of times you open an email which comes with an attachment and then this ends up been downloaded. For me, there is a lot of documents which I get sent this way.  When I did this I got rid of at least 500 documents this includes some of the powerpoints which I needed for uni.  I could not believe how much this had actually speeded up my laptop for sure I did not know how rubbish was clogging it up. For sure this is going to be something which I am going to have to this regularly to make sure that it is not going to run as slowly as it has been in the past.  I have also deleted documents which I no longer need any longer and those which I have been keeping just in case.


Use folders


I also made sure that the documents are in the correct folders so that I do not just have random documents all over my laptop. This means that should I need to visit the document I can find it very easy and I know what it is rather than having to search the whole of my laptop which is always something I want to avoid. It has also helped me notice that I had documents which were way to old which I deleted.


Unsubscribing from emails


If you are anything like me you will get hundreds of emails a day which is very annoying because I do not need a fraction of them. I think there is only a couple of them which I actually use. One thing which does annoy Joe is the fact that I have over 13,000 emails. I know that I do not actually need all of them I know I am going to be able to delete so many of them.


With the GDPR I know I am going to be able to get rid of so many of these emails because I am going to unsubscribe. I have managed to delete 1,000 emails however, I got bored of doing this but I am going to be trying to make sure that I delete the majority of the emails which I get over the course of the day in order to make sure that they do not stack up again. I know that currently, they are actually like way out of control.


Delete Bookmarks


Bookmarks are the things which we all use in order to make sure that we do not lose the page. However, if you are anything like me you end up not actually having deleted them. I think I still had bookmarks for pages which I thought would be useful for an assignment which I completed a whole year ago. I for sure don’t need the bookmark and the page was not something I think I needed. If I want to revisit the pages I know I can always find them again by just doing a simple Google search.


Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all of the things on your laptop/ phone?


 


Charlotte x