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How To Protect Your Horse From Insects This (& Every) Summer

Editorial Team
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How To Protect Your Horse From Insects This (& Every) Summer

It seems a David and Goliath-esque struggle that shouldn’t merit an entire article being written about it, let alone the stress horse owners feel about the threat. But, perhaps surprisingly to the uninitiated, insects can pose a serious risk to these most majestic of beasts.

This is particularly true in the summer season, with flies, mosquitos, lice and mites able to cause both irritation and disease to horses, even via the smallest of pecks. 

As we mentioned, the type of pest most prevalent to horses largely falls into two categories; those who cause a nuisance and stress, and those who present a risk to your horse’s health through transmitting disease, either by feeding on their blood, saliva or tear ducts.

If you’re keen to ensure your horse is healthy and happy, then you’ll want to protect them from both broad categories of insect this and every summer. Here’s how to do just that…

Fly Masks

Face and house flies are perhaps the single most irritating insect to horses during the summer months. Looking similar to the common house fly, face flies are nothing if not persistent, drawn to a horse’s tear ducts, nostrils and to any possible exposed wounds. 

This can cause stress and agitation in your horse, leading to them stomping and lashing out in a bid to swat the flies away. But with these flies so proliferant in summer, this is usually a fairly futile gesture, and can lead to your horse only getting more wound up.

Many owners, then, choose to deploy a Kentucky fly mask during the summer months, which offers protection against flies and other insects. This is a highly breathable mesh mask that covers the horse’s face, nose and eyes, which are the areas face flies are most drawn to.

It should be noted that both these pesky fly species breed in fresh animal manure, which brings us to our next tip…

Manure Management 

You might want to old your nose for this one…

While eliminating insects is impossible, modifying stable management practices helps reduce your horse’s interactions with flies. Because prevention is better than cure, and all that.

The first step involves collecting and disposing of any and all manure appropriately. Manure attracts flies, meaning horse owners should strive to maintain cleanliness in their stalls. Doing so eliminates areas where insects are especially drawn to and will naturally gather. 

Eliminating manure from horse pastures is an excellent method of preventing the spread of internal and external flies. Where the total removal of manure is impossible, breaking up chunks of manure should be your contingency plan, as this exposes more of the manure’s surface area to sunlight, drying it out. Flies tend to prefer the wet, fresh stuff. Mmmmm…  

Joking aside, when searching for a horse stable for sale, do ensure that it includes proper facilities for effective manure management to maintain a clean and pest-free environment.

Use Specially Designed Protective Gear For The Horse

Providing protective gear to horses that are sensitive to insects can be a wise move, too. Fly sheets, for example, which are worn over the horses’ body, come in handy not only to protect the horse from ultraviolet rays from the sun, which damage sensitive hair coats, but also to keep flies at bay.

Remove the fly masks and sheets fairly regularly to check for scrapes or cuts and ensure nothing is trapped between the mask and the horse’s skin. Because if a fly gets under that sheet, it can be even more irritating for your poor horse!

Use Fly Repellents

Fly repellents can also help keep insects at bay. Before saddling the animal, consider applying fly repellent on the horse’s coat and skin. 

Repellent ointments are generally more effective and longer lasting than fly spray. If you participate in horse riding shows and equine displays during summer, you should pay particular attention to protecting the areas where you have cut their hair short, like the ears. The hair found on the inner ear protects the animal from insects. Once you remove it, be sure to apply repellent around the area. 

Regular Grooming

Regular grooming sessions are essential for your horse’s health. Doing so has several benefits, including increased blood flow to the skin’s surface and a lower risk of health conditions like scratches and thrush. 

Often, your horse may exercise outdoors in rough terrain, mud and dust. When dirt gets lodged into their fur, it can start to irritate the skin and attract insects. Without regular grooming, this irritation could lead to a severe skin condition. This is certainly something you want to avoid. 

If you need some grooming tips, don’t hesitate to talk to people down at your local stables and also use the internet to your advantage. There are plenty of helpful resources to inform you about the products you need. 

The Bottom Line

Keeping your horse healthy and fit is your duty as a horse owner. By eliminating both the presence of and the cause of flies and other insects, you’ll help your horse live a more content life during the summer months and beyond.

Is Epiphone Les Paul A Good Guitar Brand For Beginners?

Editorial Team
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Is Epiphone Les Paul A Good Guitar Brand For Beginners?

For many guitarists, the Epiphone Les Paul is the perfect entry-level instrument. It’s affordable, well-constructed, and sounds great, and the connotations with the iconic Gibson Les Paul are clear.

But is the Epiphone a good guitar brand for beginners?

Epiphone makes a wide variety of guitars, from budget models to closer to high-end instruments. The Les Paul is one of the most iconic models in the Epiphone lineup, designed to be a more affordable version of its famous sibling, the Gibson, with only slight tonal differences noticeable between the two. 

Considering the latter is often at least four times more expensive than the latter, the Epiphone certainly represents a tantalising prospect for novice and experienced axe players alike.

Sounds too good to be true? It certainly sounds good, we’ll give you that! But today, we’re exploring whether the Epiphone Les Paul is a good guitar brand for beginners.

History Of The Brand

There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not a guitar brand delivers the goods for beginners. Heritage should certainly play a part, and Epiphone has a long history in the guitar world, dating back to 1873. The company has been owned by Gibson since 1957, and all Epiphone guitars are made at Gibson’s factory in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gibsons are one of the most popular guitar brands in the world, and their instruments are played by some of the most famous musicians of all time, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page and Slash. For beginners hoping to get inspired by their guitar heroes, this history and visibility can only be viewed as a plus point.

Quality

The quality of Epiphone electric guitars has improved greatly over the years. The entry-level models are well-made and offer great value for the price whilst the higher-end models are built to the same standards as Gibson’s flagship instruments, with durability all but assured.

Epiphone uses a variety of different woods in their guitars, including mahogany, maple, and rosewood. They also offer a wide range of finishes, such as Sunburst, Natural, and Tobacco Burst. We’d say that this level choice is a wonderful thing when looking to make a big, meaningful investment on a guitar!

Sound

The sound of an Epiphone Les Paul is classic rock ‘n’ roll. The guitars have a warm, full tone that is perfect for playing blues, rock, and country music.

The Epiphone Les Paul Studio is a great choice for beginners who want a well-made guitar with a classic sound, but who don’t want to pay a premium for a Gibson. The Custom model, on the other hand, is perfect for intermediate and advanced players who want a top-quality instrument with custom features.

Read: Reasons to learn a musical instrument as an adult

Build

The construction of Epiphone guitars has always been considered top-notch. The company uses high-quality materials and their instruments are built to last.

The Les Paul models feature a mahogany body with a maple top. The necks are made from mahogany, and the fretboards are rosewood or ebony. The hardware is also of excellent quality, and all Epiphone guitars come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Price

Epiphone offers a wide range of prices for their guitars. The entry-level Studio model starts near £200, while the top-of-the-line Custom clocks in closer to the £1000 mark. This is because Epiphone offers an extensive variety of features and options on their instruments, so the range in price is understandable. 

The bottom line is that Epiphone makes a great guitar for any budget, sure, but particularly for beginners seeking the heft and tone of a Gibson, but aren’t so keen on the price. 

Read: What effects does every guitarist need?

The Bottom Line

This brand makes high-quality guitars that are perfect for beginners and intermediate players. The Les Paul is one of the most iconic models in the Epiphone lineup, and it’s available in a variety of different styles. If you’re looking for an affordable, well-made guitar with a great sound, the Epiphone Les Paul is a great option.

And if you’re considering picking up a guitar for the first time, do check out these ways to improve your wellbeing with music education, which can, in the right hands, be an incredibly therapeutic thing to do.

Scottish Mythology: 6 Mythical Places to Explore in Scotland 

Editorial Team
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Scottish Mythology: 6 Mythical Places to Explore in Scotland 

Scotland and mythology go hand in hand, with the stories and legends of this fascinating country inspiring countless writers, poets and artists. From lothario seals to haunted horses rising from the Scottish streams and rivers, mythology here ranges from the scary to the downright strange.

Not usually seen on your average Scotland tours, incorporating Scottish mythology into your trip can inspire and intrigue in equal measure, helping you learn about the culture and history of this fascinating country firsthand. With that in mind, here are 6 mythical places to explore in Scotland.

The Orkney Isles

Scotland boasts around 700 islands, divided into four main groups; Orkney, Shetland, the Outer and the Inner Hebrides. The former, Orkney, was recently voted Scotland’s best island in a Which? survey, and it’s easy to see why; it’s a gorgeous, mystical place to spend time.

While this archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland is well-known, it’s also a place that is shrouded in mystery, especially regarding selkies. Selkies, you say? Allow us to explain…

Selkies – yep, we saw ‘selfies’, too – are Celtic mythical creatures that are capable of therianthropy (the ability of human beings to metamorphose into other animals by means of shapeshifting). Selkies can, specifically, change from human to seals. 

Orkney has many tales concerning these shape-shifting race creatures, who are, incidentally, said to be extremely beautiful. The most famous tale tells of a female selkie being coerced into a relationship with a human male. 

According to legend, a young farmer once saw one of these mythical creatures in Orkney Isles, stole her magical skin, and kept her prisoner. Only years later did she manage to escape back to the sea, and is said to be still living in Scottish waters around the Orkney Isles to this day. 

Folklore suggests that once in human form, the selkie-folk would dance on secluded stretches of moonlit shore, or bask in the sun on an isolated rock. If you do come across one, be sure to express your regret for the evil man who previously locked her up!

Read: 7 Scottish island holidays IDEAL for wildlife and whisky

Photo by Giulia Hetherington on Unsplash

The Kelpies

From selkies to kelpies…

Located between Falkirk and Grangemouth in the Lowlands of Scotland, The Kelpies are 30-meter horse-heads. The largest equine sculptures in the world, they depict yet another Scottish mythological creature. 

However, unlike the kind and gentle selkies, kelpies are seen as evil creatures that haunt Scotland’s rivers and streams. So when you hear thunder, it might just be the kelpies entering the water! 

Or so they say… 

Nearly every body of water in Scotland has a tale that features a kelpie, including the most famous of all; Loch Ness…

Legend has that a particularly powerful kelpie haunted the forests near Loch Ness. This wicked kelpie had a saddle and bridle which had powers that kept the demon alive. However, without them, it would die. 

After years of killing and drowning people, a Highlander who went by the name of James Macgrigor decided to rid the world of this evil monster. Cutting a long story short, the Highlander took the kelpie’s saddle and bridle, thus killing him. Further legend has it that these once demonic items gained holy properties of healing.

These are some of the most famous Scottish mythological creatures and ones which have been replicated in art and sculpture across the county. One to look out for on your trip to Scotland, we think.

Speaking of Loch Ness…

Photo by Ben Carless on Unsplash

Loch Ness

The most famous of mystical stories in Scotland, the legend of the Loch Ness monster chimes loudly across the world and is now one of the most-told folktales, still boasting the capacity to intrigue, impress and terrify. The tale speaks of a prehistoric monster, allegedly living in Loch Ness, but you already knew that, right? 

There have been a shocking number of people who claim to have seen the Loch Ness monster, which resembles Brontosaurus, that dinosaur with a famously long neck. 

To understand the sightings in full, we’re quite excited about a new three-part documentary which is set to cover the full story of Scotland’s most famous mythical creature. ‘Monster: The Mystery of Loch Ness‘, will be narrated by Scottish movie star Dougray Scott and features accounts of those who claim to have seen and even hunted the beast. Wow! 

Seeking to separate fiction and fakery from fact, the release date should be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, if you want to try and spot Nessie yourself, then a train to Edinburgh before taking a bus ride to Loch Ness is the easiest route. 

Fingal’s Cave

Impossibly dramatic, Fingal’s Cave is a stunning geological wonder of volcanic basalt columns clearly standing out from Scottish waters, and is a place brimming with mystery and folklore. 

Formed entirely of hexagonally jointed basalt columns, similar to the ones forming the Giant’s Causeway, legend has it that the lava burst that formed Fingal’s Cave was the same one that caused the Giant’s Causeway. 

It’s said that these two places are opposite ends of a bridge built by the benevolent Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill. While building the bridge, the Scottish giant Fionn was told that the Irish giant was coming to fight him. 

To cut a long story short, there was some cake with some iron in it which resulted in one of the giants running away and smashing the bridge behind him so the other couldn’t follow – to find out which, a trip and tour of Fingal’s Cave is a must. 

Photo by Desiré Kranenburg on Unsplash

Culzean Castle

Hearing the sound of pipes is a common occurrence in Scotland; after all the bagpipe is the country’s national instrument. However, hearing the distinctive sound when no one is around is a little alarming. 

There are many legends of the ghost pipers of Scotland, and in the Highlands, chilling tales of ghostly apparitions and haunted castles and places are often told. 

One of the most enduring legends is that of Culzean Castle – an incredible fortress haunted by ghost pipers. It is believed that a piper, together with his dog, was sent into the castle below the cave. He was to walk the distance from the entrance to the castle to the exit on the hill to prove that the caves weren’t haunted. However, he never came out of the caves. Today, the sound of pipes can occasionally be heard from the caves – could it be the lone piper himself?

There are other tales of ghosts and it is thought there are at least seven ghosts haunting the castle. The ‘Most Haunted‘ team even visited the castle to film an episode with the aim of seeing if they could find out more about the ghosts and the castle’s legendary ghost piper. The results were interesting, to say the least…

Should you be keen to do the same, then consider specialist ghost hunting equipment, like the stuff sold by SpiritShack. You never know what you might discover!

Photo by carina. m on Unsplash

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is thought to be one of Scotland’s most haunted, and once you hear its history, it’s easy to see why.

During the Napoleonic War, the castle was used to cold captured French prisoners, so you can only imagine the torture, blood spilled, gore and death that have taken place here. In fact, we’d rather not imagine!

Nowadays, and somewhat unsurprisingly, many believe that the castle is haunted, though just who is doing the haunting is up for debate! Some believe the ghosts are those who have been imprisoned and tortured here, while others insist that the ghosts are knights who used to work the area and still carry hold a burning desire for revenge against their masters.

Whatever you believe, it’s hard to deny that the odd noises captured by ghost hunting equipment, the cold corners, and an overall sense of discomfort prevail here… Hmmm, sounds appealing!

The Bottom Line

Well, we can safely say that your Scotland trip is complete! Add these mythical places to your list of wealthy cities, gorgeous mansions, and tourist sites, and you will leave Scotland as an expert. So, pack your bags and off to explore the mystical side of one of the most stunning countries in the world! 

5 Tips On Dressing For An Autumn Wedding In 2022

Editorial Team
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5 Tips On Dressing For An Autumn Wedding In 2022

It’s one of the many knock-on effects of coronavirus; with so many weddings delayed at the height of the pandemic, all those best laid plans, carefully curated waistlines and dates saved have needed a reshuffle.

As the New York Times reported earlier this year, a whopping 2.5 million weddings were predicted in 2022 in the US alone, and the story is similar this side of the pond, with weddings up by 205% between July 2021 and June 2022.

Some spill over into Autumn 2022, then, is inevitable, and with a whole host of weddings happening in these traditionally cooler climes, so a whole new wardrobe is required to suit the weather, mood and vibe of a fresh season.

Yep, many will be reviewing their options, changing dates and rewriting the rulebook regarding seasonal food, seasonal weather, and perhaps most pertinently, seasonal attire. With that in mind, and with a leafy hat on our head, here are 5 tips on dressing for an autumn wedding in 2022.

Suits For Men & Women

A change of season means a change in the weather, and we’re sure you don’t need reminding of that as August’s heatwave comes to an end and the UK’s naturally woeful weather kicks back into gear.

Raincoats at the ready, then; this means a rewriting of the rulebook on traditional wedding attire. 

When choosing what you’ll wear to a planned autumn wedding, you should, of course, ensure it’s weather appropriate. Everyone dreads rain on the big day, but don’t be in denial; you should be ready for it when planning your outfit for an autumn wedding; open clouds are simply way more likely than in summer. 

A matching suit with your ‘plus one’ is very much on trend right now, with some fabulous ladies trouser suits for weddings currently out there on the market. Of course, this current trend grants the excuse not to wear a dress, protecting your legs from the chillier breeze of the season and nailing that sesonal look just perfectly. Perfect timing, indeed.

Also appropriate for autumn – for the ladies and the fellas – and just the right level of ‘different’ is a tweed jacket paired with trousers in a contrasting aumuntal shade. Which brings us to…

Say It With Sleeves

This autumn, we expect wedding outerwear and layers for wedding guests to be trending. Just as women’s wedding trouser suits are ideal next season for covering cold legs, so sleeves are appropriate during autumn to keep arms warm. Stylistically, it just works, too. Consider wearing fur, silk, or velvet jackets or shawls to keep up with the hip and fashionable.

If you’re not keen on layering up but want to keep the chill off in a dress, a slinky long sleeve slip dress will have you looking the part. Alternatively, balloon sleeved frocks have been everywhere this year; just make sure you don’t fly away if the autumn wind picks up.

Embrace Autumn Colours Unapologetically

Sure, it might be cliche, but there’s a real comfort in such predictability during uncertain times, we think. During autumn, the change in colour scheme is unavoidable, so it’s sensible to channel it with enthusiasm. Indeed, you could almost praise the season on its clear-as-glass branding, if you were that kind of person. 

Anyway, when rewriting the theme of your wedding outfit, you should let this shift in hues and tone dictate the day’s colour palette. Auburn, maroon, dark green…earthy, rich shades take over and we’re well and truly here for it. Harness these colours in your outfit for a synergetic take on the season.

Jump Aboard

It’s not your big day. Remember that. But you can cry if you want to. You can also wear a jumpsuit if you want to, and rest assured, the famously fickle fashionistas would approve.

We already mentioned lady’s wedding trousers were very much in. Well, jumpsuit wedding outfits feel equally well suited to the unpredictable, changeable weather of autumn, we think, and are on a seemingly never ending upward trend trajectory.

For autumn weddings you’ll look both bang on trend and thoughtfully function… Could there be a better mix? Jump aboard, indeed!

Make It Metallic

For something a little different, consider a metallic dress. That swagger and sparkle simply speaks of a proper wedding party, with sequins perhaps the most direct, clear route to capturing that shimmer and shine. Against a little moodier backdrop weather wise, the sparkle of sequins or a metallic dress is bound to raise the temperature!

In fact, we’d go as far to say that sense of frivolous fashion may well see you through all the way through to the festive season. Shall we meet you under the mistletoe?


Starting A New Business? Here Are The Most Important First Steps

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Starting A New Business? Here Are The Most Important First Steps

Every entrepreneur knows that starting a new business is no easy feat. From coming up with a great business idea to building a strong team and developing a winning marketing strategy, many different factors go into launching a successful startup.

But while many different elements go into a successful business, there are also some key first steps that all entrepreneurs should take when starting. Taking care of these important items early on will set your new business up for success from the beginning.

So what are these essential first steps? Let’s take a look…

Create a Business Plan

Creating a business plan is one of the most important things you can do when starting a new business. A well-crafted business plan will help you outline your goals and objectives and strategize how to achieve them. It will also help you determine the feasibility of your business idea and assess the risks involved.

If you’re unsure how to create a business plan, plenty of resources are available online and in libraries. Many consultants can help you put together a solid plan. However, you choose to do it, make sure that your business plan is thorough and complete.

The best time to create a business plan is before you launch your startup. This will give you enough time to make changes and tweaks based on your research. But even if your business is already up and running, it’s never too late to create or update a business plan and consider incorporating sales training to improve the performance of your business.

Choose A Legal Structure

When starting a business, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is which legal structure to choose. This decision will determine how much liability you are exposed to, how much paperwork you’ll need to file, and your tax obligations. There are four basic legal structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC).

Each structure has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to research each option before deciding. For example, a sole proprietorship is easy to set up and maintain, but the owner is personally liable for any debts or lawsuits filed against the business.

A corporation offers limited personal liability for owners but is more complicated and expensive to establish. Concerning the ins and outs of limited liability companies, click here for a more detailed explanation.

The legal structure you choose will also determine what taxes you’ll need to pay and how you file them.

Consult with an accountant or tax advisor to comply with all tax laws, and ensure you sort your VAT registration with HMRC to avoid any legal hiccups with the tax office.

Get The Proper Licenses & Permits

Depending on your business type and location, you may need to obtain certain licenses and permits before you can legally operate. For example, businesses selling food or alcohol must apply for the appropriate state or local government licenses. And businesses that operate in certain industries, such as healthcare or transportation, may be subject to additional regulations.

If you’re unsure what licenses and permits you need, contact your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Administration (SBA) office. They can provide you with information about the requirements in your area.

Find The Right Location

The location of your business can have a big impact on its success. So it’s important to choose a location that is convenient for your customers and employees and meets your business’s specific needs.

For example, starting a retail business, you’ll want to choose a location with high foot traffic and good visibility. If you’re starting a manufacturing business, on the other hand, you’ll need to find a location with enough space to accommodate your equipment and inventory.

Build A Strong Team

No business can succeed without a great team in place. So if you’re starting a new business, take the time to build a team of talented and dedicated employees.

Start by hiring people who share your vision for the business. These individuals will be most passionate about making your startup a success. Then, focus on building a well-rounded team with various skills and experience. This will give you the best chance of achieving your business goals.

Finally, don’t forget to invest in employee training and development. Using the best learning management systems will help your team members learn new skills and become more effective at their jobs, as this software can deliver training courses and help assess employee programs all in one place.

Create A Marketing Plan

Once your team is in place, it’s time to start marketing your business. The first step is to create a marketing plan. This document should outline your marketing goals, strategies, and budgets.

Your marketing plan should include a mix of online marketing and more ‘traditional’ offline marketing tactics. For example, you might use social media to generate awareness of your business and direct mail to drive sales.

The Bottom Line

Starting a new business can be a daunting task. But by doing your research and putting together a great team, you’ll increase your chances of success. And don’t forget to create a marketing plan to help you generate awareness and drive sales for your new business.

5 IDEAL WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FESTIVE SHOPPING

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FESTIVE SHOPPING

With the Christmas 100 sleeps away, it’s easy to go break into a cold sweat and feel a knot of dread in your stomach when you think of all the cash you’ll spend on gifts. It shouldn’t have to be this way; a fortune needn’t be spent to show generosity and imagination under the tree for each and every loved one. Here’s how; our 5 IDEAL ways to save money on your festive shopping.

MAKE USE OF DISCOUNT & LOYALTY CARDS

Before paying cash on something you’ve deemed essential, check if you can get a discounted gift card on the item and get instant savings. Several gift card shops, such as High Street Vouchers or Card Yard, sell discounted gift cards and e-gift cards that save you a whopping 5-16% on high-end stores. So, while it may seem long-winded, it’s super thrifty to invest in a gift card for a store you’ll likely be doing your Christmas shopping in, at this discount price, and then buy your gifts using it. 

Go further. As the guys at Latest Deals recommend sagely, using a voucher code will help you save money and get all your Christmas shopping done. On websites such as theirs, you can break down a seemingly endless list of voucher codes by category, whether that’s fashion, travel or electronics, and then drill down into exact gifts and their related discounts from there.

BREAK DOWN & BUDGET

Before embarking on the big, never ending Christmas shopping expedition, it’s prudent to set aside the exact amount you want to spend on gifts, taking into account the state of your account, of course. Once you have a clear budget set and summarised, make a list of all the gifts you want to buy for your loved ones, prioritising them based on cost. 

Examine where savings could be made. Would a paperback be cheaper than hardback? Do you really need to get an extra gift for your niece? Will your second cousin removed even notice if you don’t send that annual pair of socks this year? Every little helps here. You could even make a suggestion which at first may seem miserly, but will actually be welcomed by most; that this year, the whole family will only get gifts for the kids. Novel, we know, but it makes sense, right?

VISIT CASHBACK SHOPPING SITES

Cashback shopping sites have affiliate relationships with all the stores listed on their websites. This allows you to get a discount on everything you buy online regardless of whether the store is holding a sale or not. These sites make money by getting a commission every time they refer a customer who ends up purchasing a product; but if you look at it simply, it’s a case of everybody winning, right? Money Saving Expert has a useful list of the best cashback sites here; check it out!

POST-CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Sure, we’ve all had fantasies of what to buy or where to shop if you won the lottery. But if you want to get discount, cut-price designer goods in reality rather than your dreams, then doing your Christmas gift shopping after the big day can make you some huge savings on the high street.

Many people assume that the best time to shop is when a shop puts those ‘Holiday Sales’ signs up in the window. On the contrary, the best deals on most items come after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and after the seasonal sales period. Following this shopping bonanza, many retailers want to reduce unsold inventory and will sell them at discounted prices. Take advantage of this time to purchase gifts that are illustrated at Christmas and are suitable after the holidays, such as electronics. 

SEEK FREE SHIPPING

During holiday season the hidden cost of deliveries (particularly last-minute, next day orders for those relatives you’ve forgotten about) can really mount up. Whenever making such a purchase, look for free delivery options or alternatively, sign up for the premium membership and then immediately cancel it (Amazon Prime, for instance, allow you to do this, granting free delivery temporarily without any financial commitment to a long term membership). 

Christmas shopping done, should you also be stressing about the Christmas dinner, then check out these; our 5 tips for cooking the IDEAL turkey on Christmas day.

Why People Are Drawn To Tuscany: 10 Reasons To Love Tuscany

Travel Team
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Why People Are Drawn To Tuscany: 10 Reasons To Love Tuscany

If you’re mulling over an Italy trip and wondering where to focus your attention, then the region affectionately known as ‘The Italian Dream’ should certainly be in contention.

There are, admittedly, dozens of amazing reasons to head to Tuscany, and narrowing it down to ten is pretty much impossible. We could mention the stunning landscapes – from the sunny western coast to the vineyards and olive groves you’ll find further inland – but seeing as pretty much everywhere in Tuscany is a feast for the eyes, it seems a bit of a moot point.

Instead, we’re honing in on the vignettes, bites, sips and sights that make the region one of Italy’s most enduringly popular.

With its own firm sense of tradition and the dialetto toscano, the local dialect from which the Italian language was born, Tuscany is unique throughout Italy as a stalwart of art and high culture.

So, instead of looking at the broader strokes that make Tuscany special, why not check out the little things that really bring out the flavours and feelings of what Tuscany is all about? Here are our top ten reasons why people are drawn to Tuscany.

The Thermal Baths

It is common knowledge even to those who never even visited Italy – the country has a proudly distinctive way of life. The Dolce Vita, as they call it – a life without care, just pure enjoyment, relaxation, and lavishness. This pursuit of pleasure is exemplified by Tuscany’s thermal baths, which don’t only feel incredible, but they’re also aesthetically pleasing to boot.

If you thought the only way to relax in Tuscany is by relaxing next to the pool with a nice chilled Vernaccia di San Gimignano, you couldn’t be more wrong. Hot springs are found throughout the region and most towns will have a modern spa where the relaxing and reinvigorating water will be brought straight to you. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you could even try finding an outdoor one that can be used for free such as the hot springs of San Filippo, the Petriolo thermal springs and the Roman baths of San Casciano dei Bagni.

The Best Steak You’ve Ever Tasted

The Chianina breed of cattle are a stalwart of Italian history – references to their characteristic white colour and amazing meat date back some 2,000 years. For the carnivores amongst us, no trip to Tuscany would be complete without sampling Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a T-bone steak. Cooked incredibly simply but with a flavour unlike any you’ll have tried before, a serving of this meaty feat is normally for two, so bring a friend – or a pretty hearty appetite.

Read: How to eat like a local in Tuscany

Truffle Hunting

Tasty steaks aren’t the only culinary gem in Tuscany, and if you’re maybe feeling the need to walk off the calories from all that steak, you could certainly do worse than a little truffle hunting!

Take off into the incomparable landscape with a local truffle hunter and their specially trained dogs and experience first-hand a time-honoured tradition that has been passed down countless generations of Tuscans.

Many expeditions offer wine and food tasting afterwards – but with the prices they fetch, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to keep any truffles you find. Some of the best places to go truffle hunting include the hills of Mugello to the north of Florence, Maremma, a coastal area in the south west of the region, and the Casentino Valley, also famed for its wine.

Pasta, The Tuscan Way

It’s unlikely that anyone who’s been to Italy will have left without sampling a plate of pasta, but if you’re only after a spag bol or a spot of carbonara, you may be out of luck here.

Well, perhaps ‘out of luck’ is the wrong phrase, because Tuscany’s pasta dishes are simply incredible.

Pici, the wonderfully dense pasta found all over the region, is Tuscany’s arguably proudest contribution to the world of pasta. Coming from the town of Siena, and often called pici Senesi, we’d move to for this amazing product alone.

It’s often served with a simple tomato and garlic sauce, pici all’aglione, an even simpler sauce of black pepper and pecorino cheese (cacio e pepe). Sometimes, it’s dressed with a more indulgent duck ragu. Order one, or do as the locals do, and enjoy several courses of pasta in a single sitting!

Speaking of ragu, the wild boar version, served over thick cut papperdelle, is another staple of the region and a dish you’ll never pass up if you see it on a menu!

Truly World-Class Heritage

As the birthplace of the Renaissance (more on that later), you can be sure there’s some real history to delve into throughout Tuscany.

Indeed, seven of its principalities have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but we reckon the two to head to first are Siena, with its incomparable Romanesque Cathedral and twice-yearly Palio horse race, and Pienza, where you’ll find the seriously impressive Palazzo Piccolomini and the curious Romitorio – little caves carved by monks.

Of course, you’ll want to dive into the culture of Florence, too. The Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti museums, in particular, are revered across the world for their collections. The entire historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the ”the work of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo” found here. Who could argue with that?

And if you’re keen to leave Tuscany for a day trip and even more cultural clout, then the Florence to Venice train takes just two hours.

BY HELEN BELL VIA CANVA

A Mecca For Movie Buffs

There’s something about the light in Tuscany that has drawn generations of film makers to set up their tripods here – Ridley Scott headed to the Val D’Orcia valley for Gladiator and the plazas of Florence for Hannibal in 2001. You’ll also be able to spot some classically Tuscan landscapes in The English Patient, Tea With Mussolini and (perhaps rather obviously) Under the Tuscan Sun.

All Things Olive

Some of the best olives in the world are grown in Tuscany, and whether you’re enjoying them sliced in a salad or pressed into extra virgin olive oil, you’re sure to taste the difference the Tuscan sun brings. If you’re heading over in October or November, which is olive oil season here, make sure you take in one of the local where you can join in the olive picking and watch the fruits being pressed.

The Romantic Aesthetics Of Florence

Look up love in the dictionary and a picture of Florence appears. The city is a synonym for romance and it’s easy to see why. Renaissance art and architecture stands proud but not boastful; it truly is elegance in visual form. The humanist art which so permeates all aesthetics of this part of Italy celebrates the female form (see Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus) in reverent fashion. Beautiful.

Read: 5 reasons why Tuscany could be the IDEAL destination to propose

BY HELEN BELL VIA CANVA

Rediscover The Renaissance

Speaking of Boticelli, the world-changing explosion of culture, politics and art that we call the Renaissance began in Tuscany (especially in and around Florence) and the region still remains justly proud of its heritage in this regard.

Visit the aforementioned Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace to experience some truly mind-blowing Renaissance art, and don’t forget to take along your sketchpad or notebook should you be inspired by the region that produced Dante, Donatello and perhaps the greatest artist of them al, Leonardo da Vinci.

And Last But Not Least… The Wine!

And though it might seem like a bit of a cliché, it’d be churlish not to mention the wines. Though the soil here isn’t ideal, the sun-drenched hills of the Tuscan countryside still produce some amazing vintages – the aforementioned Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white that’s well worth a try, and a visit really wouldn’t be complete without a glass or two of the rightly-famous Tuscan Chianti. Cin cin!

 

Responsible Employers: How To Help New Hires Settle In & Set Them Up For Success

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Responsible Employers: How To Help New Hires Settle In & Set Them Up For Success

No matter how qualified you are, starting a new job can be nerve-wracking. It often takes new hires a few weeks to get into the flow of their new workplace and find their groove. This being said, there are a lot of things that an employer can do to help smooth out this process, which ultimately benefits both team and employee. 

The sooner a new employee is comfortable in their position and happily working away, the better for colleagues within the company and the customers or clients outside of it.

The following will take a look at some of the things you can do as a responsible employer to help new hires settle in and set them up for success. 

Address The Paperwork

Whenever you’re hiring someone new, there is a whole raft of forms that need to be signed and a ton of information collected. Before the onboarding process even begins, you should have a plan regarding how to streamline your workflow in order to make it easier on everyone involved (and keep precious information from disappearing and needing to be resubmitted). 

Often, this takes the form of using onboarding software, or a more old school approach with new hires allocated their own file, but whatever method you choose for getting organised, be sure that all details are in place before the onboarding process begins.

When it comes to the actual contract itself, using contract lifecycle management (CLM) software is one of the quickest ways for an organisation to improve the efficiency and management of this important document, giving you more time to help your new employee settle in.

Have Them Start On A Friday

This might seem like an odd suggestion to make, but when you consider it a little further, it starts to make sense. In almost all cases, an employee’s first day isn’t going to involve much actual work. There are tours to take, badges that won’t swipe, people to meet and forms to sign. 

Within most businesses that operate Monday to Friday, Friday is often the most relaxed day in the office. Everyone is feeling the approach of the weekend, and often, the atmosphere in the office is at its most positive and welcoming. This is a much better first impression than the relative pessimism of Monday. 

On Mondays, the weight of the weekend weighs a little heavier. They’re also in work mode, hoping to get a jump start on the week. This is a less ideal time to help a new hire settle in efficiently. On a Friday however, the age-old suggestion of ‘’pint?’’ could lead to your new hire immediately ingratiating themselves with the team.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Facilitate Introductions

Over and over again, people cite work relationships as a key part of employee satisfaction. In fact, it turns out that making just one close friend at work can result in a 50% increase in job satisfaction. And you know what they say about happy workers, right? It’s the quickest route to happy customers. 

In fact, according to Oxford University, happy workers are 13% more productive. So, take the time to introduce your new staff member to as many people as you can and facilitate a warm welcome to encourage friendships to be formed early on. 

Though you can now simply click for sales recruiting, it can sometimes pay to do things face-to-face. This will not only increase the chances of them knowing who to reach out to if there’s a hiccup on a project, but it will also increase the chances that they meet someone with whom they click. Some responsible employers go so far as to schedule a mini coffee chat virtually or in person with their new employee and one staff member every day for their first few weeks on the job, though this can perhaps feel a little forced.

This will not only increase the chances of them knowing who to reach out to if there’s a hiccup on a project, but it will also increase the chances that they meet someone with whom they click. Some responsible employers go so far as to schedule a mini coffee chat virtually or in person with their new employee and one staff member every day for their first few weeks on the job, though this can perhaps feel a little forced.

Read: What’s the best way to manage employees?

Have An Onboarding Buddy

Assigning one experienced staff member to a new hire (who is not the new hire’s boss) can greatly improve a new hire’s experience. Having someone who is sticking with them to help them not get lost, figure out how to work the moody copier, and answer questions that someone might not want to ask their boss can really smooth out the transition.

It’s also an excellent way to welcome someone to your company’s culture. As with any business, there will be both formal and informal structures at play, and having a guide can help people navigate these new situations more easily.

The above tips should get you started on developing an excellent onboarding process to ease your new employees into the workplace. It is also essential that you include any and all safety information required for a healthy and secure work situation during the onboarding process for someone new to your company’s unique way of doing things.

Even though safety videos and appropriateness videos are not necessarily the most fun thing to watch, it is crucial that someone is prepared for any potential workplace harm before they’re facing them. They will need training on any kind of special equipment that a company uses, such as mobile platforms in the warehouses, or heavy machinery in field service jobs.

The Bottom Line

To become an employer that people want to work for, it’s important that you welcome new staff into their roles with warmth and compassion. In doing so, you’ll ensure a happy, productive team which ultimately equates to higher profits.

7 Things We’ve Learnt About Workcations In 2022

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7 Things We’ve Learnt About Workcations In 2022

No longer confined to five days a week, since the start of the pandemic there’s been a significant rise in the ‘workcation’, where travellers extend their vacation experience in new locales by staying an extra week or two to work remotely. Some even choose, conversely, to factor in a holiday around a stint of remote working. 

It seems like the idea of a workcation is only set to become more popular globally. As the BBC reports “last year, a whopping 85% of 3,000 Indian workers said in a poll that they took a workcation in 2021”.

They go onto reveal that “over a quarter of Canadian workers say they want to take one this year; in a global study of eight countries, 65% of 5,500 respondents say they plan to extend a work trip into a leisure one, or vice versa, in 2022”.

Indeed, laptops have become even more of a mainstay in luggage than ever before, and an attractive spot on which to run them a must-have when choosing where to stay. However, planning a successful workcation isn’t as easy as it seems; to help you make the most of yours, here are 7 things we’ve learnt about workcations in 2022.

Time Zone Matters 

It helps if you’re in the same time zone as your colleagues or clients, so you’re not getting work calls at ungodly hours of the day. That said, if you’re five hours behind or eight hours ahead, it means that you can get on top of all your deadlines and deliver work, reports, and such, early. Every cloud, hey?

Read: 5 of the most liveable cities in South East Asia for expats

Get A Virtual Assistant 

Firstly, a virtual assistant is not a robot who completes your admin in an automated, impersonal manner. Nope, a virtual assistant is actually not much different from a traditional office assistant, except for the fact that they do most of their job remotely, from a distance. They are still 100% human.

There are a few routes to go down to find the ideal virtual assistant for you. You can, of course, find an independent VA – ask your networks for referrals or use online platforms where freelancers advertise their services, such as Fiverrr, Upwork and Freelancer.com.

Alternatively, consider using gig economy workers to help you with certain tasks. Oleo, who offer virtual interview technology, tell us that “after the great resignation, employers are starting to turn to gig economy workers. And why not? They can access global talent quickly, and there are many freelancers to choose from”. 

Due to the exploitation associated with many forms of the gig economy, it’s essential that you’re paying your virtual assistants a fair wage within decent, agreed-upon hours.

A Good Working Setup Is Essential

Be warned; the ‘laptop lifestyle’ may not be as easy as you think. The use of laptops and makeshift office furniture, whether coffee tables or the hotel bed, forces some unusual working positions. Hunched backs, numb legs and stiff necks are symptoms that those on workstations often complain about.  

Moreover, if your accommodation doesn’t have desk space or fully functioning WiFi, then working ‘on the move’ is going to become tricky. You’ll probably end up spending most of your time travelling from cafe to cafe, forever in hunt of working WiFi and spending far too much money on pastry and coffee in the process (more on that later).

As such, it’s important to book accommodation with a proper desk setup. We think an apartment, as opposed to hotel room, is the way to go; companies offering mid to long term stays include NomadX, Flatio, SpotAHome, and, of course, AirBnb, are your go to here.

You should aim to make your workcation workspace as ergonomically comfortable as possible. A portable, adjusting standing desk, and Bluetooth mouse and keybaords will be your new best friends. 

Read: 5 IDEAL tech survival tips for digital nomads

Costs Can Add Up 

Workations can get costly, especially if you haven’t been able to rent out your space back home.

Try to find accommodation with a kitchen, so you don’t have to eat out every night. Whilst this may initially sound like the dream, if you’re away for an extended period of time and have been working all day, often a night in where you can prepare your own dinner feels like a luxury. 

It’s also a much healthier way to do things, both physically and mentally, helping you stay in control of your diet and your routine, the latter of which is essential when working on the move…

Get In A Routine

Here at IDEAL, we often extol the virtues of a routine. Humans are creatures of habit, and never has the sense of comfort found in schedule and predictability been more important than now.

When you’re on workcation, it’s important to try and settle in fast and find a new rhythm. If not, your productivity, but more importantly, your sense of inner calm, will suffer.

Be Conscious Of That Work/Life Balance 

One of the problems with workations is that you’re rarely fully relaxing or enjoying that coveted healthy work-life balance. Your mind is often on work and distractions are ever-present with emails and notifications pinging away on your phone. 

It’s also hard to be disciplined on a workation as you want to go out and have fun. On the other hand, it’s easy to get tangled up in work and end up feeling annoyed and resentful at all those missed opportunities for fun and exploration. It’s important, then, to find a balance that benefits both the intentions of getting away and your work.

Read: 7 ways to travel and work at the same time in 2022

Make Your Life Easier With Software 

Communication when working from afar and maintaining consistency is important.

Although you won’t be able to hold face-to-face meetings, you will still need to hold meetings virtually in order to stay on top of your to-do list and ensure everyone is still working towards their targets. Therefore, it may be wise to invest in a virtual conferencing platform to hold your meetings; ZOOM, Google Hangouts or Business Skype are the leaders, here.

You can also your life easier with software like Leapsome to create goal trees and frameworks to keep your employees progressing and on-task, Slack to co-ordinate all kinds of tasks and targets, and Serene for cutting out unnecessary distractions. We’d wager the latter will be particularly useful!

If you’re keen to finesse yours even further, than check out these 5 IDEAL tips for a successful working vacation. You won’t regret it!

5 Tips For Making The IDEAL Coffee At Home Using A Cafetiere

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5 Tips For Making The IDEAL Coffee At Home Using A Cafetiere

Wake up and smell the good news; International Coffee Day is just 7 weeks away! And with a staggering 98 million cups of coffee being consumed in the UK every day, that’s a whole lot of the population who are going to be celebrating.

Still, that’s nearly 5 billion cups of coffee to go before the big day arrives…

Today, just a single coffee in, we’re thinking about making the good stuff at home because, well, increasingly the reasons to do so are unavoidable. Firstly, the financial burden of all those takeaway coffees can’t be ignored, particularly during a cost of living crisis (Costa living crisis, anyone?). But perhaps even more importantly, those takeaway cups and their impact on the environment needs to cease, and soon. 

If the coffee you brew at home never quite hits the mark, and never tastes as good as a cup from your local coffee house, then it’s worth increasing your knowledge of how the process works.

But how to do so without investing in a potentially expensive, countertop space-sapping espresso machine? Why, with a cafetiere of course. Here are 5 tips for making the IDEAL coffee at home using a cafetiere.

The Daily Grind

To appreciate the intended flavours of a coffee bean, your product needs to be fresh. If you really want the perfect cup of coffee, it’s worth going for whole beans that are suited for manual brew styles, investing in a coffee grinder and buying fresh, whole beans.

Indeed, a coffee grinder changes the game when it comes to taste and balance. Pre-ground loses flavour from the oils which are trapped in the bean; as soon as those oils come into contact with air, they oxidise and lose their aroma and moisture.

Another thing that can affect the taste of your coffee is the level of roast: for a sleek and smooth taste, choose light roast coffee, if you prefer a stronger taste, go for a dark roast. By mixing different types of beans, coffee blends can provide a more well-rounded, nuanced flavour than coffee made from a single type of bean or roast.

Coffee blends can be tailored to work in harmony with the benefits of different brewing methods, such as a more full-bodied espresso or a sweeter, less acidic drip coffee. Follow this link if you want to explore more about coffee blends.

The grind itself impacts the flavour of the coffee, too. If it’s too fine, things will get bitter, fast. Should it be too coarse, you’ll get a watery blend. Most cafetiere-made coffees call for a medium to medium-fine grind, though this is bean dependant, so always check before grinding. 

If you don’t have time to grind your own beans, once you’ve opened a pre-ground pack make sure you use it up within two weeks max, otherwise it will go stale; an awesome excuse to drink more of the good stuff. Which brings us to our next point…

Storage

There’s a grinding debate out there on how to store your coffee. Let’s break it down – oxygen kills coffee, light kills coffee, heat kills coffee and humidity kills coffee. That’s why, as we’ve mentioned, freshly ground coffee done so just a few minutes before brewing is best.

However, if you don’t have the time to grind your own coffee every day, the best way to store it is in small batches, in an airtight container (a standard mason jar will suffice), in a cool dry place. This will preserve the freshness to some degree and is the best route to deliciousness in the domestic setting. 

Whatever you do, don’t put it in the fridge or freezer – a rookie error – as the beans will get damaged and lose their flavour. And don’t forget that coffee goes stale; so don’t be expecting fireworks on the palate if you’re brewing up a six month old batch. 

Water 

You should always use fresh water for brewing fresh coffee at home, not the stuff that’s been in the kettle, sitting stagnant for ages. For best results, use filtered, as the impurities from the tap can hugely affect the taste of your cup of Joe. It’s important to note that if you live in an area with hard water then your cup probably won’t taste as good as it could. Hard water, which tastes minerally mainly because of its high calcium content, can destroy the flavour of coffee. 

If we’re going to get technical, the National Coffee Association recommend that the coffee should be between 90-96°C to maximise its aromatic compounds; some modern kettles can be set to boil only to this temperature, so if you have one with these capabilities, exploit them. Pour on water that’s too hot, and you risk burning the stuff. Most home brewing aficionados wet the coffee first with a little cold water before adding the hot stuff as a precaution. 

Coffee To Water Ratio

When considering coffee to water ratios, the right balance is everything. There’s nothing worse than a watery cup of coffee; just like drinking brown water and an absolute waste. Some coffee connoisseurs weigh their proportions of coffee to water; for four cups of coffee, you should be using 45 grams of coffee to 700 ml of water, or anywhere between a 1:17 and 1:15 ratio. 

Read: 7 ways to brew the IDEAL cups of coffee from around the world

Method & Time

Making coffee in a cafetiere requires patience and process. As we said earlier, always steep (or ‘bloom) the ground coffee in a little cold water to avoid it burning, then allow it to absorb before filling the jug to your chosen ratio. Then, you should wait; 4 minutes is the recommended time. After plunging you should again wait for a minute or so to again let the ground coffee settle and flavours once more infuse. Then, you pour and can enjoy the perfect cup of coffee at home. 

Seeing as it’s a hot one out there today, check out our favourite summer coffees, perfect for when the weather’s hot.

A Simple Step-By-Step Guide To Making Your Own Cheese At Home

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A Simple Step-By-Step Guide To Making Your Own Cheese At Home

Self-sufficiency, particularly regarding food, is an idea that’s been growing in popularity and publicity in recent years, as people become more aware of the impacts of climate change on our lives.

From growing your own herbs on a windowsill to raising chickens for their eggs, there are a whole host of ways people can learn to ‘live off the land’. It’s somewhat surprising, then, that so few have considered the possibilities available to them in the world of cheesemaking.

The UK has a long and illustrious transition of cheesemaking, with the first evidence of dairy processing on these shores dating back to 3800 BC. Nowadays, British cheese is considered some of the finest in the world, with our cheddars, stiltons, wensleydales and the rest earning accolades.

If you’re keen to try your hand at making your own cheese, then here’s a good place to start; our step-by-step guide to making your own cheese at home.

Start With High Quality Milk

Making cheese starts with the best quality, freshest milk you can find. As Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall recommends in the Guardian, ‘’If you can – that is, if you’re not pregnant or someone with a compromised immune system – try to seek out raw, unpasteurised milk at your local farmers’ market. The cheese will have a fuller, richer flavour.’’

He also says you don’t need to only use cow’s milk, which is, of course, easiest to find. Try goat’s or buffalo’s milk once you’ve mastered the basics. You’ll be amazed at the results!

You’ll then want to warm your milk gently on the stove to a similar temperature to that when it leaves the udder (or, 31-32°C). Or, ideally, use milk straight from the udder!

Read: 7 ways to enjoy burrata

Acidify The Milk

For a basic method of making fresh cheese, you’ll next want to acidify your warmed milk using a curdling agent. For beginners, this is done using vinegar, citric acid or lemon juice.

Add A Coagulant To The Milk

Next up, you’ll want to add a coagulant to the milk. This usually comes in the form of rennet. 

What is rennet, we hear you ask? Well, rennet is a natural enzyme that is found in the stomachs of calves and other young mammals. It can coagulate milk, which is what makes cheese so rich and creamy. 

Cheese-pressing with rennet is how some of the world’s most popular cheeses, such as Parmesan, Gorgonzola and Roquefort are made.

It is important to add the rennet to the milk very slowly so that it has time to evenly distribute. Once that’s happened, cover the pot and set aside for five minutes.

From Liquid To Gel

After five minutes or so, the coagulant should have worked its magic and your milk will have set, turning from a liquid into a gel. At this stage, you’ll want to divide this large mass into smaller pieces, before placing them back on the heat and heating them to 41ºC, stirring gently but continuously. During this time, the curds will begin to separate from the whey; you want this to happen.

Drain The Curds

Line a colander with a cheesecloth; it’s time to drain the curds of that whey. Gently scoop the curds into the cheesecloth, allowing the whey to drain away (preferably into a bowl, as whey can be used for other purposes). You’ll want to press lightly here, extracting the whey and leaving you with just the curds. 

Whilst professionals may use a cheese press for this part of the process, the amateur cheesemaker at home will achieve the necessary results using their hands alone. Do be mindful about the pressure you exert when draining; too much pressure will result in dry, crumbly cheese, while not enough will leave your cheese with a softer texture. 

As you experiment with pressing your cheese, you’ll find the perfect amount of pressure to apply to get the results you desire.

Moulding Your Cheese

These curds are your cheese. You can now salt the curds (again, an experiment in your preferred taste) and press them into cheese wheels or moulds, leaving them to age and assume their final form. Should you have followed the correct acidifying, coagulating and warming process, you could allow your cheese to age for a while, in which time it will develop a more complex flavour profile.

Alternatively, you can eat your cheese now, fresh and delicious as it is. We can’t wait to try your next batch!

Perhaps you want to show off the fruits of your labours to guests? Check out these tips on the perfect after dinner cheeseboard to ensure you’re doing justice to all your hard work.

Preparing To Ride The Waves For The First Time? Here’s Some Advice

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Preparing To Ride The Waves For The First Time? Here’s Some Advice

Are you thinking about learning to surf? If so, you’re in for a treat! Surfing is a great way to get out and enjoy the ocean, and it’s also a really fun workout. However, before you head out into the waves for the first time, there are some things you need to know. If you’re planning on taking up surfing, here’s some advice…

Make Sure You Have The Appropriate Gear

One of the most important things you need to do before you start surfing is to make sure you have the appropriate gear. Yep, we’re sorry to dash those dreams of simply pulling on some boardies and catching the first wave that comes your way, but learning to surf does require a fair bit of kit.

The most important element of all is, of course, your surfboard. Whilst more ‘advanced’ surfers tend to use surfboards made from poly, for beginners it’s much more important to prioritise the better buoyancy provided by either epoxy or foam surfboards. 

Generally speaking, the best beginner’s surfboards are on the larger, longer, fuller side, as this provides greater stability. You should also prioritise a thicker board to allow for easier floating, and one that is super easy to paddle, ideally. Do check out this impressively in depth piece on beginner’s surfboards from Lush Palm when you get the chance. 

You’ll also want to invest in specialist wetsuits for surfing, of course. The water in the world’s greatest surfing locations tends to be quite cold, even in the summer, and a wet suit will help you stay warm. It will also prevent the classic surfer’s rash that befalls many beginners. You may also want to invest in a leash for your surfboard, as well as some wax to help you grip the board.

Read: 5 IDEAL places to surf in Portugal

Make sure you research the gear as there is a lot of it and you want to make sure you get what is best for a beginner. You don’t need the most expensive gear but getting something that is good quality will help you maintain interest in the long run.

You’ll Need Excellent Balance & Core Strength

If you’re thinking about hitting the waves for the first time, there are a few things you should know about the actual tekkers involved.

First and foremost, surfing requires a fine tuned sense of balance and excellent core strength. If you don’t have either of those things, it’s going to be very difficult to stay on your board. This is important because if you can’t stay on your board, you’re not going to be able to catch any waves, and you might as well just be swimming.

Another thing to keep in mind is that surfing is a very physical activity, requiring plenty of upper body strength to paddle out into the waves and then pop up onto your feet once you’re out there. If you’re not used to using your arms and shoulders for exercise, you might find yourself getting very sore after a day of surfing. Best start working on those arm muscles, then?

Finally, don’t forget about the mental aspect of surfing. The ocean can be an intimidating place, even on a calm day. And remember; surfers are actively seeking somewhat volatile conditions, both in terms of wave size and the pull of the tide. It’s important, then, to stay calm and focused while you’re out there, or else you’ll start to panic. And that’s when things can really go wrong.

You Need To Get Really Good At Reading The Weather

If you’re planning on hitting the waves for the first time, one of the most important things you need to learn is how to read the weather. The forecast can be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to surfing; if you don’t know what to look for, you could find yourself in some serious trouble. Or, on the flip side, floating about aimlessly without a single wave in sight…

The first thing you need to check is the wind. If the wind is blowing offshore, that means the waves will be breaking away from the shore, which is perfect for surfing. Onshore winds, on the other hand, will cause the waves to break towards the shore, which can be dangerous for beginners.

Next, you need to check the swell size and direction. This will give you an idea of how big the waves will be and where they’re coming from. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where the waves are too big for you to handle. Likewise, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not paddling out into a flat area.

Finally, you need to check the tide. This is especially important if you’re planning on surfing near rocks or reefs. If the tide is coming in, that means the waves will be larger and more powerful; if it’s going out, the waves will be smaller and easier to handle.

All of this is collated into what’s known as a ‘surf report’; essentially, ‘’a visual representation of the ocean and atmospheric conditions for a particular surf break in a given moment…presented to you in a chart or table with the size and intensity of waves and winds’’, according to Surfer Today.

Look For Certified Instructors When Taking Lessons

Though we’d all like to take to the board like a, erm, surfer to water the very first time, the truth is that you’re probably going to need an instructor to take you through the basics.

One of the best pieces of advice for anyone looking to take surfing lessons for the first time is to seek out certified instructors. This is critical for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, certified instructors have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you stay safe while you’re learning how to surf. 

They also know how to spot potential hazards in the water and will be able to provide you with helpful tips and techniques for riding the waves. In addition, certified instructors can help you choose the right equipment for your level of experience and skill. So if you’re serious about learning how to surf, be sure to look for certified instructors when taking lessons. You’ll be glad you did!

Fortunately, in most of the world’s most beloved surfing destinations, there are plenty of surf schools with trained, professional instructors who simply love what they do. Stick with it, and you’ll learn to love this beautiful pastime, too.

The Bottom Line

So there you have it, a few pieces of advice for anyone looking to take up surfing for the first time. Just remember to stay safe, have fun, and keep a positive attitude and you’ll be sure to enjoy your time out on the waves. Happy surfing!

7 Of The Best Things To Do On A Day Out In Covent Garden

Editorial Team
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7 Of The Best Things To Do On A Day Out In Covent Garden

Covent Garden seems to be one of those Central London places that is perennially popular with visitors but, for actual Londoners, remains something of a mystery. 

Because out there in Zones 2, 3, and 4, there’s not much burning desire to drop into this famously heaving piazza for a pint and a potter. But let’s be honest here; those who dismiss Covent Garden as nothing more than a tourist trap are missing some seriously good eating, shopping and entertainment options right on their doorstep.

So, whether you’re a card-carrying Londoner or an oyster-carrying visitor, here are 7 of the best things to do on a day out in Covent Garden.

Start With Brunch At The Barbary Next Door

A day of shopping and sauntering needs sufficient fuel to ensure proper exploration, so it’s a hearty brunch we’re kicking off with today. 

The food options in and around Covent Garden can feel limitless, to the point that the paradox of choice bites you rather than you biting it. Should I have a breakfast naan at Dishoom? Or a bottomless barbecue at Temper? 

A third option beckons; we’re heading to the gorgeous Neal’s Yard, one of London’s prettiest and most colourful streets, to grab some brunch at The Barbary Next Door. This cosy, candlelit space (yep, even in the daytime) has just ten seats, but if you’re lucky enough to bag one, you’re in for a treat; the North African breakfast – served from 9am – is just fantastic. 

The four cheese bourekas, brown egg, tomato and zhug is a thing of nourishing, piquant beauty, but if you’re after something lighter, the restaurant’s berries with tahini, greek yoghurt and date molasses is as velvety and satisfying as it comes. 

Its elder sibling, erm, next door, is a wonderful spot for dinner, by the way.

Covent Garden

Shop Sustainably In Neal’s Yard

Full of good food and in a good mood, we’re staying in this tiny corner of Covent Garden to enjoy a spot of shopping. 

When you visit Covent Garden, you’ll find a whole host of sustainable retailers, and every trader in Neal’s Yard, in particular, is committed to ethically driven commercial practices.

You’ll definitely want to make a beeline for Neal’s Yard Remedies, which sells some truly gorgeous skincare products, all made from organic ingredients. 

Next up, it has to be Neal’s Yard Dairy (yep, you can see they’re proud of their location), where the cheese all comes from small British farms, and samples are available to try before you buy!

Away from the Yard (after you’ve taken several selfies, of course), there are plenty more opportunities to shop sustainably in Covent Garden. Check out Ganni, L’Occitane, and Floral Street Fragrance, in particular, all of whom champion sustainable practices in their stores.

Neals Yard

A Slice Of Fun For Lunch

Still in Neal’s Yard (you’ll have to drag us out of here kicking and screaming at some point) and hungry again, we’re sharing pizza for lunch at the delicious Homeslice.

Not one for the pizza purists, this, but definitely a place for a sharin’, tearin’ good time, the pizzas here are huge 20-inch numbers, perfect for some group fun. Indeed, the name Homeslice in bro parlance means friend, and the buddying up concept lends itself to conviviality and good cheer.

Some of the topping combos are inventive, some downright weird; cauliflower cheese and harissa anyone? But, when they get things right, it’s brilliant.

Read: The Ideal 22 best pizzas in London

Check Out The London Transport Museum

Did you know that the London underground is the oldest underground rail network in the world? Or that the famous London black cabs had to, by law, be tall enough to accommodate a gentleman wearing a bowler hat?

The history of transport in London is as fascinating as it comes, and you can enjoy a deep dive (or should that be ride) into it at this fun and interactive museum, right in the heart of Covent Garden.

The London Transport Museum has many of the most iconic vehicles from the city’s transport history – from a classic red London bus to the world’s first tube train – many of which can be ridden, or even driven (though it won’t actually be moving, of course).

There are special exhibits and activities for the kids, too, and entry is free for anyone under 18 years of age. For the adults, it’s just £21 for an annual pass, granting you unlimited access for 12 months.

Marvel At Covent Garden’s Street Performers

Dating back to the 1600s, Covent Garden’s ubiquitous street performers are as much a part of the heart and soul of the place as the instantly recognisable market building.

Here, the cobbled streets surrounding Covent Garden Market are the stage, with the West Piazza hosting the most popular performances each and every day. Expect to see variety and circus acts aplenty – whether that’s fire breathers, sword swallowers, acrobats or rope walkers – with audience participation and a fair few daring stunts to boot!

If you’re keen for something a little more laid back, Covent Garden’s Courtyard hosts daily classical music performances. Simpy pitch up – pint in hand, if you wish – and enjoy the show!

Street performer in Covent Garden

Enjoy A Pre-Theatre Portuguese Dinner At Volta Do Mar

You’ve managed to work up an appetite, again? Impressive stuff!

Well, perhaps our favourite place to eat in all of Covent Garden is Volta Do Mar on Tavistock Street. And the good news? This inventive Portuguese restaurant offers a cracking pre-theatre set menu, with four courses available for just £30 (up until 6:45pm).

Showcasing the regional cuisine of Portugal and drawing influence from the country’s trading past with Brazil, Japan, Macau and more, the food at Volta Do Mar manages to be both exciting and familiar. Don’t leave without trying the Macanese pork bafassa is all we’re saying!

Catch A Show At The Royal Opera House

We’re finishing up our day out in Covent Garden in style, by catching a show at the Royal Opera House, one of London’s most famous structures. Whether you’re new to opera and ballet or you’re a regular operagoer, you’ll find something to keep you captivated here.

Coming up this month and next is an eclectic mix of performers and performances, with Professor Brian Cox, comedian and acclaimed dancer Bill Bailey, and Mozart’s great opera Don Giovanni all gracing the stage. Tickets start from just £10. 

Alternatively, if you simply want to see the famous building up close and personal and learn about its colourful history, then tours are available. Lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, tickets are £16.

7 Ways To Upgrade Your Life & Feel More Content

Editorial Team
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7 Ways To Upgrade Your Life & Feel More Content

Upgrade your life. It’s not a collocation we often hear, sounding a little too much like you can plug yourself in to a power socket and install some updates designed to make you run more smoothly and efficiently. But, it’s a notion we think which should be given some credence, a holistic way of looking at the biggest picture of all, life, and figuring out where, when and how to enact some changes.

And hey; we don’t blame you for wanting to make some wholesale changes right now. After two years of global turmoil, a pandemic, and now, a cost of living crisis, it’s only natural to want to enact something seismic in your life. With this in mind, here are 7 ways to upgrade your life and feel more content.

Secure A New Job

Apart from bed (if you’re lucky), work is the place where you spend the majority of your short existence on the planet. It’s essential then, to make those hours count. If you’re not happy in your current role, or feel it’s draining your vitality out of you, then now is the perfect time to spruce up your resume and secure a new job that will put a smile on your face and challenge you.

A change like this will instantly upgrade your life and make you excited to get out of bed each day. Don’t settle for the mediocre; instead, focus on the long game and secure satisfaction for life.

Read: 21 in demand careers to consider in 2022

Travel More

Travelling is an excellent way to broaden your horizons, experience new things and earn a cultural capital unavailable to those who never venture out of their postcode. For those wishing to ‘grow’ as a person, getting out there is the failsafe option. Moreover, exposing yourself to different cultures and attitudes to life will not only broaden your perspective of life, it will make you appreciates things at home so much more.

And after more than two years of travel restrictions and staying grounded, now feels like the perfect time (once those pesky airport queues die down) to get out there and see the world.

Time spent in Norway and you’ll never complain about the British snow again, while a couple of months spent in the US will have you appreciating the subtleties of your traditional hometown pub that little bit more. Having a rational, relative perception of the world is grounding and gratifying for your mentality and mindset. So stop making excuses, and get travelling.

Should you find yourself warming to a place, and in the spirit of wholesale change, then many cities around the world allow visitors to sign a rolling tenancy agreement for a month or two, to dip your toes in the water and see if you could imagine yourself moving there permanently.

Practise Gratitude Daily

Practising gratitude is simple and straightforward but it may not be at the top of your to-do list currently. However, it’s an effective way to feel happy and excited about life and will help you focus on the positives. Wake up with a grateful heart and go to bed thinking about all your blessings to help you maintain an optimistic mindset.

You can clear your mind of negative thoughts and instead concentrate your energy and thinking on all that’s going right and well for you and that you do have in your life. It may also help to jot down your feelings and keep a gratitude journal so that you can review it often and get in the habit of reflecting.

Find A Hobby That Benefits Your Wellbeing

Stop sitting around being bored or watching television and find a hobby that you can enjoy doing in your free time. There are plenty of activities and ideas out there for you to choose from including learning how to cook, teaching yourself how to build furniture and playing a sport. Your life will be that much more exciting and interesting when you’re out and about meeting new people and getting outside of your comfort zone.

Pick a few different options, so you have choices for when you’re in the mood to be alone versus conversing and working with others.

Strive For A Healthier Lifestyle

Your health is extremely important when it comes to how you feel overall and your energy levels. Instantly upgrade your life by putting self-care at the top of your to-do list and taking care of yourself around the clock. Getting healthy can take myriad forms, but the most effective ways include endeavouring to exercise daily, cooking healthy meals for yourself and getting plenty of rest each night. You’ll find that when you attend to your wellbeing, you’ll be in a much better mood and your ability to function to the best of your ability at work and in your home life will be realised.

Connect With Others On A Meaningful Level

You’d be surprised at how great you feel when you spend time with people who lift you up and encourage you to be better. Take time to connect with others and laugh and share stories with one another on a regular basis, and equally as important, remove the negative energy in your life. 

Read: 10 ways to be more sociable today

Become A Morning Person

The early bird catches the worm, as they say, but did you know that early birds also have greater levels of happiness and are at a lower risk of depression compared to those who are “night owls”, according to research conducted by Exeter University as reported in the Guardian.

If you’re wondering just how to become an early bird, then check out these 8 expert-approved ways to become a morning person.

6 Simple Tips For Decorating Your Bathroom On A Budget

Editorial Team
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6 Simple Tips For Decorating Your Bathroom On A Budget

Whether you’re planning to sell your home or not, it’s still worth considering the fact that the two most important rooms to consider decorating are kitchens and bathrooms. Decorating and renovating these rooms will have a higher chance of boosting the value of your home than any other room.

And whilst we wouldn’t want to make assumptions about the most private space in your home without visiting (or have we?), there are many reasons why your bathroom may need modernising.

Doing so can make the space more accessible and comfortable, whilst also significantly increasing the value of your property if you’re intending to sell up in the future. Even if you’re not planning to make a sale at all, redecorating these rooms can be a fantastic investment of your time and money.

As such, 2022 is the perfect time to give your bathroom a much-needed makeover.

But how, we hear you ask? Well, here’s a start…

Bathrooms On A Budget

Before we dive into the changes you should consider, firstly, a word (actually, quite a few words) on doing things affordably but professionally. 

Because just because you’re trying to save money at the moment, doesn’t mean you have to abandon the idea of redecorating, in fact, there are plenty of ways you can redecorate on a budget. 

Here are some 5 top tips for doing just that:

  1. Know your limits. Don’t spend more than you can afford, no matter how tempting it may be. Put a plan in place, so you know exactly what you need and don’t need to buy. This can also help you figure out how much time you will need to decorate.
  2. Use a budgeting app that can help keep track of your spending and warn you if it looks like you’ll go over budget. 
  3. If you are looking for additional furnishings, such as cupboards and mirrors, consider buying the items second hand. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, and if you buy from a charity shop, you are contributing to a good cause! Keep an eye out on local online groups, such as Facebook Marketplace as you might find a hidden gem in your local areas.
  4. Remember that the most expensive item is not necessarily the best. However, some items, such as your bath and shower, are definitely worth the investment. You will be using them every single day, so it is worth sourcing quality items.
  5. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Figure out what you can do yourself and then…do it yourself! This can cut out some of the fees associated with hiring a decorator. You can also ask friends and family to help when necessary, especially if they have any experience in decorating. 

So, with your thrifty hard hat firmly on your head, here are those 6 simple tips for decorating your bathroom on a budget.

Change The Colour Scheme

Whether you opt for tiles, paint or wallpaper, the colours you chose will affect the mood of the room you create. And therefore, changing the colour scheme in your bathroom is one of the most affordable ways to make a real difference to the way in which a room looks and feels. 

Cooler tones, such as cream and pale blue, will help you create a relaxed and calming atmosphere, whilst autumnal shades such as brown and orange will make your bathroom a warm and inviting space. 

Alternatively, don’t be afraid to add some bright splashes of colour, such as yellow or blue, to bring a smile to your face on a gloomy morning. Think carefully about the kind of atmosphere you want to create, and select your new colour scheme accordingly. 

Deciding on which colours you’ll implement into your bathroom is very important as this will influence your choice of which fittings you choose too. 

Of course, you can decide on your fittings first and then base your overall colour scheme on those, which is why we’ve not put this at the top of this article. Before settling on a colour scheme, however, have a look at the sorts of accessories you’ll be adding to your bathroom. 

As the respected towels and bathmats suppliers Absolute Home Textiles UK tell us, you’ll want to match these more fluid elements to your walls, floors, and other furnishings, too, where possible. Spend some time on this as you want to ensure you get the right colour scheme for you.

You can also add some colour to your bathroom with some plants. Without greenery, you might find that your bathroom feels a little bit on the sterile side. Potted succulents make a safe option – but if the space allows for it you might go for something a little grander.

Consider New Storage Options

Sometimes, after a bathroom has been finished, it can seem like something is missing. Oftentimes, this is because storage has been forgotten about. This can leave some large open spaces in your bathroom that could be used.

It goes without saying that you need to keep your bathroom as clean as possible. Doing your business is hard enough with clutter all around you, let alone trying to relax in the tub or putting your face on when you don’t even have room to swing a cat.

Put simply, clutter does nothing but take up space and gather dust. It can even affect your mood, especially if you keep putting off cleaning, which, ironically, clutter hinders you from doing. 

You can help declutter your bathroom by ensuring you have enough storage space for your belongings – be they beauty products or fresh towels. Remember, there should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place; the most surefire way to keep tidy, and Marie Kondo agrees. 

Shelves are the perfect choice for bathroom storage, as they take up minimal space but also look great. You can store everything from towels and beauty products using these storage options, but they can also be used to display accessories such as plants and ornaments too.

If you are going for a rustic, traditional style in your bathroom, be sure to check out reclaimed wood shelves, which are perfect for a bedroom for storage and hanging space or in a pantry or bathroom for extra wall storage.

Read: 6 ideas for designing a bespoke bathroom

Install A Heated Towel Rack

For a sense of luxury on a budget, there’s nothing better than stepping out of the bath or shower and immediately wrapping yourself in a warm towel. Just as the embrace of cosy cotton can make you feel brand new, so can a heated towel rack make your bathroom feel like it’s been refreshed and updated. 

Such a luxurious addition needn’t even cost you a fortune; the average cost in the UK for both the supply of the heated towel rack and its installation is around the £400 mark. What’s more, the whole process should take less than a day to complete.

Read: 6 reasons why you should get bathroom redesign or replacement

Underfloor Heating 

Speaking of surprisingly affordable bathroom additions with cosy giving properties; underfloor heating will make cold winter mornings much easier to deal with, and the feeling under barefoot is one of reassurance and comfort, every single time.

Thankfully, it won’t break the bank either (the average cost of the parts and installation comes in at £800ish) and there are plenty of styles to chose from – including wooden floors, fashionable dark concrete, marble and tiling. Generally speaking, the installation will only take a couple of days, but you should expect your bathroom to be out of bounds during this period. Best set up an alternative arrangement or wear a nappy, hey!

Read: 5 simple tips to make your bathroom renovation a breeze

Give It Some Elbow Grease

We said changes on a budget, didn’t we? And this one only requires the purchase of some cleaning products to get the bathroom sparkling and feeling brand new…

While we certainly wouldn’t want to accuse anyone of having a dirty bathroom, we think there’s always room for giving the cleaning that extra little bit of elbow grease if you want sparkling results without having to invest in brand new features. Where your hard work will be most noticed is in your bathroom’s taps and handles; for a gentle scrub, use a microfibre cloth and plain water. If you want to go all out, add some vinegar to the mix. 

It’s likely limescale will have built up on your shower screen too, giving the whole bathroom a murky feel which is easily prevented. Scrubbing too vigorously will cause scratches. Instead, use a vinegar solution followed by a gentle buff with baking soda. As these are all items you’ll likely have around the house already, the impact on your budget will be small, but the improvement to the look of your bathroom enormous.

Make Use Of Mirrors And Light

Unfortunately, not all bathrooms will have access to natural light. Some do not possess any form of windows and will instead have to rely solely on ventilation to extract moisture from the room. However, this isn’t the end of the world. 

You can redirect natural light into a bathroom using mirrors throughout your home. Mirrors inside a bathroom can also help make the place look brighter and larger. Alongside using mirrors, you should also be conscious of your choice in lighting too. 

A bathroom will generally require bright lights as people will need to be able to see what they’re doing, whether they’re applying makeup in the mirror or washing their hair in the shower. 

A gloomy bathroom can be unpleasant to be in, but at the same time, a bathroom that is too bright isn’t a relaxing experience either. LED lights are a great idea for a bathroom, especially smart lights, as their brightness and colour can be adjusted to create a much more pleasant atmosphere. Perfect for a relaxing bath after a hard day’s work. Bear in mind that extremely bright light as you’re brushing your teeth can make it more difficult to settle to sleep.

And with that, you have a brand new bathroom on a budget!

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