Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Energy-saving ideas for your home

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 8th Jun 2022

   With the cost of living crisis on everyones mind, saving money on energy bills is a hot topic of conversation right now. But aside from doing some of the obvious things like switching lights off or changing the light bulbs. I wanted to share with you some energy-saving ideas for your home. 

   Download the SaveMoneyCutCarbon app

   I have worked with SaveMoneyCutCarbon for some time and was therefore really excited to hear that they have launched their own FREE app! The new SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home app is the place to learn, shop and save. In one app there is help for you be more sustainable by reducing energy, water, plastic & carbon all while saving money.

   It is really interesting that the app helps you to get to know the impact of your household consumption of water, energy, carbon and plastic and has a handy swap shop to understand the ecofriendly swaps you can easily make. 

   

   Make the most of the night rates

   It sounds crazy, but many energy companies and tariffs will offer cheaper rates for using energy at night. You might think, what’s the point if you are asleep? But actually, there are things that you can do. For example, you can set your laundry to come on in the early hours of the morning. A full load will be ready for you when you wake up, and it cost you less than it would during the day. You could also do this with the dishwasher as well. Two appliances you still want to use, but an energy-saving way of using them. (This is only applicable if you have Economy 7 or similar). 

   It is also important for you to understand your bill and the tariff that you are on. Understanding your bill and costs will help you to make informed decisions about the changes in the cost of living.

   Forget standby, switch things off 

   Some people think that putting something in standby mode is the best thing to do, but it actually doesn’t help when it comes to energy-saving and uses up energy, even just a little bit. So make sure you switch things off fully and even at the wall to ensure there is no residual energy being used. 

   Don’t fill the kettle up

   Every time we switch that kettle on to make a cup of tea or coffee, most people fill the kettle up. But this means you are using more energy to heat the full kettle of water when you likely only use one or two cups full. So a great idea is to only fill the kettle with the water that you need. You will use much less energy and make a big saving over the course of a year. 

   Turn the temperature down

   When you do your washing, switch the temperature down. You can still get great results when it comes to cleaning your clothes when switching the temperature to as low as twenty degrees. 

   Keep the curtains closed

   No matter what time of the year it is, keeping the curtain closed retains residual heat during the winter and keeps your home cool in the summer. This means you are less likely to use more energy on heating or trying to cool down your home during the summer months. 

   Hopefully, these tips will help you to save some energy in your home.

   (feel free to pin this for later)

   

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2. 4 Accent Wall Ideas for a Fresh Look

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 31st Mar 2022

   If like me, you work from home, you want to make it a great working environment and one of the hottest interior design trends this year is adding an accent wall to a room. This is surprising since this isn’t a new trend – accent walls have been around for years. And yet, they are still popular.

   This is probably because accent walls are a great way to add a splash of color or a bold statement to a room without overdoing it. It’s the perfect way to dip your toes into the water, and it’s great for both offices and your home. If you need some ideas for what to do with an accent wall, keep reading.

   

   Plaster

   Yes, you can create an accent wall with plaster. Of course, this is a bit tricker than the other methods on the list, but the results can be amazing. However, we do recommend using professionals to do this for you. The type of plaster that you use also matters. Blue Venetian plaster is a great way to make a statement with your accent wall, especially because it has such a unique look. This is also a very durable material, making it great for accent walls because your wall won’t lose its signature look after a few months.

   Paint

   Of course, we can’t have a post about accent walls without mentioning paint. While this may be a more traditional way of creating an accent wall, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.

   Painting an accent wall is also one of the easiest and most affordable methods out there, so it’s certainly a worthwhile option. You can paint the entire wall a solid color, or you can get creative and try painting some patterns. If you’re updating a room, you should certainly consider using paint to add an accent wall to that room.

   Tiles

   We often tend to think that paint and wallpaper are for walls and that tiles are solely for the floor, but there’s no reason why you can’t tile a wall. In fact, this is a great method for adding an accent wall because it doesn’t just add color and patterns to a room, but it also adds texture. While this style won’t be for everyone, finding the right tile and using it on a wall can transform a room.

   That being said, you need to ensure that the process is done correctly, otherwise, it won’t look good. To learn how to tile a wall, click here.

   Add a corkboard

   While this may sound a bit far-fetched, adding cork to an entire wall can make the room pop. You can get a giant corkboard, or you can use tiles made of cork.

   On its own, it creates a wonderful accent wall, but the great thing is that you can also add things to it with thumb tacks. You can add pieces of art for a sophisticated look. If you invest in an instant camera, you can cover the entire wall in photos.

   Another benefit is that it’s not permanent, so you can add different things to it as your mood and style change.

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3. Easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption in your home

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 29th Mar 2022

   There is so much focus on plastic consumption at the moment that many people are looking at ways to reduce their plastic consumption in their homes. Recycling is a hot topic of conversation right now but not everyone recycles responsibly or does it all. Reducing your plastic consumption is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the ways you can reduce your plastic consumption in your home. 

   

   Make the switch to shampoo and soap bars

   Plastic bottles filled with shampoo and soaps can be one of the biggest uses of plastic in a home. However, making a switch to shampoo or soap bars that often come in cardboard packaging is a great way to cut this plastic usage in your home. It can also be very economical as well. 

   Rethink your deodorant 

   Deodorant bottles and containers are also common household items that we use that aren't recycled as well as they should be. However, you can buy a reusable deodorant container and just invest in the refills as and when you need to. 

   Try bamboo products as a plastic alternative 

   There are some great bamboo alternatives to plastic items and one of the common ones you could try is a bamboo toothbrush. You can also use bamboo cutlery instead of plastic cutlery in picnics or takeout foods. 

   Change up your toothpaste

   Toothpaste containers are not recyclable. This is because it is impossible to ensure they are completely emptied and clean on the inside. So changing your toothpaste to toothpaste tablets or powder can be a great way to be more economical with your usage and also reduce your plastic consumption. Although if you find one that tastes great, please let me know.

   Make changes to your laundry routine

   No matter what your laundry routine is, you likely use some form of plastic within it. First of all, it might be the bottles in which your detergent or liquids come in. Even if you use the liquid tablets they still arrive in plastic packaging. So it could be time to make some changes to the products that you use. First of all, you could look at powder detergent instead of liquid. This usually comes in a cardboard container. You can also buy eco-friendly products such as the ecoegg. They are a reusable washing tool that you fill with detergent tablets that you can buy refills for. 

   

   Avoid wet wipes 

   Wet wipes are another common household item that is not recyclable. Not only do they come in plastic packaging that isn’t recyclable but they also contain elements of plastic within them. Instead, try using reusable cloths. 

   Invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup

   Many people drink water from plastic bottles that they then throw away or head out for take-out coffee only to discard the cup in a general rubbish bin once used. So if you are conscious of your plastic usage then why not invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. This way you can use and refill as many times as you need. 

   

   Seek out plastic-free items when shopping 

   Finally, when shopping try and buy the loose items in the fruit and vegetable aisles rather than the pre-packaged items. Seek out plastic-free items so that you can avoid bringing the extra plastic into your home. 

   We are all looking for ways to reduce our plastic consumption (not to mention our energy use and carbon footprint) and small steps all add up to a big impact.

   You just have to start somewhere.

   Disclaimer : This post includes some links, however all products included I have purchased myself and am not being paid to advertise.

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4. Struggling with mum guilt? How you can feel more positive

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 8th Jan 2022

   We have all been there I am sure. Mum guilt is something that can hit us all very hard at any stage of parenthood. It doesn’t matter if it is feeling guilty because you gave your child chicken nuggets or fish fingers for dinner again, or that you haven’t had a chance to spend time with them and you have relied heavily on the tablet. These are just a few examples but mum guilt can strike at any time for any reason and it can make us all feel pretty rubbish. However, you are not alone, and there are some positive solutions that you can try if you find yourself struggling with mum guilt at the moment.

   

   With that in mind, here are some of the things to consider. 

   Take some time out to breathe

   One thing you must do if you are starting to feel overwhelmed and feeling all of the mum guilt is to take some time out to breathe. It might sound simple, but it can be very effective. Just vake yourself away from the situation, or find some time to be on your own for a few minutes, and just try some regualr breathign exercises. Take deep breaths and try and clear your mind in the process. This will help you to calm a busy mind and start to see a little more clearer. It might not necessarily banish the feelings entirely, but you will start to feel more logical and be more realistic when you have stepped away for a few minutes. 

   Head out for a walk 

   Another thing that can be super effective is to head out for a walk. There is something about the general activity, the fresh air and being closer to nature that can help you to think clearer. When you start to feel mum guilt you can feel like your mind is working over time as you start to try and justify the feelings. It can feel too much. But just heading out for a walk and being closer to nature can help you to feel more at ease. You mind becomes clearer and you can start to rationalise the situation, rather than feeling so negatiave about it. 

   Text a friend or make a phone call 

   If you want to feel better then one great way to do is to text a friend or call someone. Communication is so key when you are a mum and talking about your feelings honestly can help you feel better. A friend who understands your situation and how they feel can help you to see clearer and feel better about yourself. A friend who is also a parent will know exactly what to say to help you feel more positive. 

   Address what is making you feel this way

   Finally, if something specific has made you feel guilty address it. For example, if you ended up shouting at your children out of frustration in the morning then write them a little note apologising for when they get home from school. If you haven’t been happy with routines or behaviour then look at ways to make some changes. Sometimes addressing what is bothering us can help us to feel more in control and positive. 

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