Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Smart Tips To Turn A New Rental Into A Home

March 8, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you are moving into a new rental property, you want to make sure you can relax in your new home. However, your options are limited in a rental. More often than not, landlords do not authorize additional decorative statements, such as painting walls.

However, it is important to consider all your options to find the best possible solution to create a place that meets your needs. To do so, you need to understand precisely what home means.

What is a home?

Many describe home as the place where they feel safe and can let their guard down.

For others, home is the place where they can relax away from the madness and fast pace of the world.

Finally, home is also where the heart is. In other words, it is the space where you can be with your loved ones.

So as a tenant, here are some ideas on how to create your home sweet home.

Ensure the property is safe to move in

When you first visit a rental property, it is likely to be occupied by the current tenant. Therefore, you may not have been able to check on potential hazards. So, when the former tenant removes their furniture and belongings, you can seize the opportunity to arrange a safety tour. You can spot areas that require repair works or electrical upgrades, for instance. Additionally, you may want to document issues before moving in, so you can reach out to your landlord to figure out the next step.

Some repair works may fall under the responsibility of your landlord, so the sooner they know, the earlier they can get things fixed.

Create a relaxing and soothing space

Don’t let external stress affect your home. It can be tricky to leave the stress at the door. But you can create a relaxing decor that will help alleviate your stress levels. Home is the place where you can recharge your energy! Aromatherapy, for instance, can be highly effective in creating a relaxing space. You can use Illume Candles, for instance, to introduce calming scents into your interior. Lavender, for instance, is a favorite for relaxation.

Additionally, it can be a good idea to consider using colorful items to transform the ambiance. For instance, blue hues and purple can help alleviate pressure and reduce stress levels and heartbeat.

Build a family nest

You may not be allowed to plant nails, but there are many other tips to hang frames on your walls without drilling a hole. You will be able to bring your favorite photos and memories into your space. It’s a great opportunity to create an elegant and attractive gallery wall to display your most precious memories. Surrounding yourself with the photos of your loved ones can help make the place more homely.

Bringing carefully curated furniture items, such as items you have chosen or that have a unique meaning to you, can also add a new dimension to your interior.

Contrary to common belief, turning a house or an apartment into a home doesn’t require a lot of DIY. You can stage the space with the support of your landlord and through meaningful additions.

Filed Under: home Tagged With: check in

These Top Plane Snack Hacks Will Soon Have You Flying

March 8, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

As anyone who’s ever traveled with kids knows, plane entertainment is often less about brightly colored sticker books, and more about having the right food to hand whenever your young ones demand it. Perhaps it’s the feeling of being trapped, or simply the boredom that does it, but kids on a plane always seem to resort to eating to get them through.

In a way, this is good news. After all, snacks are a whole lot cheaper than expensive activity books, and they’re more peaceful, too. Plus, you can enjoy those snacks as much as your kids do! However, to enjoy the full benefits that plane snacking has to offer, you must think about the most practical solutions for your needs.

This isn’t to say that you should stock up on crisps, chocolate, and all of the other tasty treats that we associate with airport ease. Rather, it’s worth considering the following suggestions for far healthier plane snacks that could send your entire family off in the right ways.

Choose hassle-free options

You’ve already got enough on your hands pre-vacation without having to spend crucial packing time in the kitchen. Instead, you want hassle-free options that don’t leave you all at risk of diabetes by the time you touch down. This may seem easier said than done, but there are plenty of options here, including smoothies that you can prepare the morning you’re due to fly, or even chocolate-rich solutions like this chocolate no bake cookies recipe. In each instance, the fast, ready-to-go nature of these snacks is guaranteed to serve you well when you’re rushing. Not to mention that you’ll enjoy these rich and surprisingly nutritious treats a whole lot more than you would a bag of crisps that will inevitably be unsatisfying considering the length of your flight and the energy reserves you all need to get through it.

via GIPHY

Always think about durability

Whether you’re flying to the next state or halfway around the world, your hand luggage is likely going to get a little battered. From being shoved into the boot of your car to having to make do in overhead storage, this means that you can’t expect easily spoiled food to last. And that’s before we even consider things like extreme temperature changes! Making sure that your snacks are actually edible when you come to them therefore means selecting durable options every time. For instance, it’s always worth packing dried fruit over fresh. Equally, replacing meat with veggie snacks that are unlikely to go off under the gaze of airplane heating is always a good solution. Not to mention that the unspoilable nature of these foods significantly increases your chances of getting through customs without questions.

Opt for easily storable solutions

Soup of leftover casserole might seem like a nutritious airplane snack, but you’ll soon be rueing the day that you thought this was a good idea when you struggle to find a container big enough, and then still have to deal with gravy all over the bottom of your bag. Do yourself a favor by always opting for easily storable solutions like dried fruits, nuts, and trail mixes that you can slip into ziplock bags for ease both at airport security and once you’re on the plane. As well as never leaving you at risk of leakages, these solutions are especially great because they’re a lightweight way to keep everyone satisfied without taking up the vast majority of your hand luggage allowance on plane snacks alone.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: check in, travel

Tips To Get More Out Of Exercise

February 28, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you hear people talking about exercise, how do you feel? Some of us love to be active, but for others, even the thought of going for a jog can fill us with dread. Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. If you can muster up the enthusiasm to exercise regularly you’ll notice incredible changes in your physical and mental health. Here are some tips to help you get more out of exercise.

Have fun

Many people avoid exercise because they assume that it’s boring, monotonous and repetitive. We tend to automatically think about running on a treadmill or doing endless squats or lunges when the word exercise is mentioned. In truth, working out doesn’t have to involve going to the gym or running for miles. There are so many ways to get fit, and exercise can be really fun. You can get fit in the great outdoors, join teams or exercise classes and meet new people, or vary your workouts to include activities as diverse as dance, tennis, trampolining, yoga, swimming, military fitness, cycling, kayaking and climbing. When you work out, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do, you can exercise to music and get friends and family involved and you can try a range of different sports and activities. If you’re having fun, you won’t even notice that you’re working up a sweat.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/man-woman-push-ups-wellness-2264825/

Set targets

Setting targets is an excellent way to get more out of training sessions and workouts. When you identify goals, try to be ambitious, but make sure your targets are realistic. If you have an end goal in mind, break down this target and try to reach milestones along the way. Take the example of a marathon. It would be virtually impossible to complete a marathon with no experience in running or previous training. Instead of aiming for this goal right from the start, set yourself a goal of completing a 5km run, then a 10km run followed by a half marathon. Celebrate every achievement along the way and keep working towards the final goal.

Boost your confidence with new activewear

When you work out, it’s beneficial to feel confident and comfortable. Investing in new activewear is a fabulous way to increase motivation and make sure you look and feel the part. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to think about wearing a headband. You’ll also need to consider what kinds of clothing you need for the activity in which you’re participating. Comfortable, light clothing, which enables you to move freely and stretch is ideal for activities, such as yoga and Pilates, while clothing that provides more support is great for high-intensity activities such as sprinting and jumping. You may need layers for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking. Opt for gym wear and clothing that catches your eye and try on different items to make sure that the fit and quality meet your expectations.

Understand the benefits of exercise

We all know that exercise is good for us, but do you know why having an active lifestyle is so beneficial? Increasing activity levels helps to improve circulation, flexibility, strength and fitness, but crucially, it can also reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening illnesses and boost mental health. Exercise is proven to aid sleep and lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, and it also makes you feel good. You may find that you feel exhausted after a workout, but regular exercise increases energy levels and produces a natural high. This happens because when you move, your body releases endorphins and the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain increase.

Push yourself

Pushing yourself during an exercise class or a training session will make you feel amazing. As long as you know your limits, and you’re not putting yourself at risk of an injury, you should find that you feel incredible when you finish and you know you’ve tried your best. Always ensure that you take the time to warm up and cool down, make sure your technique is good and give yourself time to rest and recover between workouts. If you feel tired, or your muscles hurt, take a break. Seek medical advice if you have pain.

Exercise is hugely beneficial for mental and physical health. If you’re thinking about starting a new fitness regime, or you’re keen to increase your activity levels, take these tips on board to get more out of every session. Whether you’re going for a gentle jog, you’re doing classes with friends or you’re training in preparation to take on a challenge, there are ways to maximize enjoyment, boost your health and get results.

Filed Under: fitness, health Tagged With: check in, WorkOut

The 3 Components of the Right Home Environment for Our Children

February 28, 2022 by Samantha 1 Comment

spending time with kids

Home is where the heart is, and it’s so vital for us to provide the right environment for our children. But as parents, we can find ourselves bound by financial constrictions, so if we want to give our children a home that supports them in the right ways we’ve got to think laterally. But it doesn’t have to be expensive- let’s show you some of the basics in how you can give your children the essentials in the right home environment.

The Physical Space

Many people think that if they want to create a nurturing home for their children, they are better off saving up for a massive home or trying to build one. And you may have thought about the latter and asked yourself how long does it take to build a home, but you need to remember that the right physical environment is not necessarily one with lots of space. A nurturing physical environment is one where you are accessible to your children. It sounds simple, but if you have a home that is full of nooks and crannies where you can hide away, are your children going to feel that you are not there for them? At the same time, you need to give them their own territory so they can feel comfortable and learn resilience.

The Right Mental Environment

The right home environment is about exposing them to things that they can question and challenge. It’s always important to remember that if you have a home environment that is centered around the television, you may want to give them strict limits on how much TV and screen time they have. Children can experience more nightmares if there’s a greater combination of light and sound, and this is why you may want to rethink excessive screen time.

The Emotional Space

As far as mental development is concerned, if you can give them more opportunities to be stimulated through their emotional environment you can help them express themselves better. Allowing them freedom of expression in a constructive manner is essential. We can use the home environment as an incredibly supportive tool to help them express themselves. At home, we can give them the emotional nurturing they need by being respectful to them and teaching them that any form of physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated. And we have to remember that when we teach our children the importance of this, we’ve got to make sure they can stand up for themselves as well. This means that we’ve got to get the balance right in creating a positive and safe environment that focuses on respect, strength, honor, and tolerance.

All these things sound like a tumultuous task, but what you need to remember before you move to a new home with your children is if you are providing them with the fundamentals of respect and attention, they will feel supported. The right home environment for our children is not necessarily about the physical environment, but about making sure they feel they have our support.

Filed Under: kids Tagged With: check in, family time, kids

Traveling to Canada During the Pandemic – What you Need to Know

February 25, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Travelling to Canada, let alone any country, has become more complex than ever before. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused governments to put rules and regulations in order to safeguard their citizens and permanent residents, as well as those travelling to the country.

To make things a little easier when making your travel plans, we’ve highlighted some of the things you need to know about Canada’s Covid-19 travel restrictions and Canada’s visitor visa requirements.

You Must Be Fully Vaccinated

As of January 15, 2022, Canada has made it compulsory for all foreigners entering Canada to be fully vaccinated with one or a combination of approved vaccines. Below is a list of Canada’s approved vaccines:

AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)

Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)

Janssen/Johnson & Johnson – 1 dose

Moderna (mRNA-1273)

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)

Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)

Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

All travellers five years and older need to provide a negative COVID test result or proof of vaccination via the Arrive CAN app at least 72 hours before travelling to Canada. You’ll need to provide the following information via the app:

Contact information

Travel details; and

Vaccination information

You May Be Exempt Under Certain Circumstances

Certain travellers may be considered exempt and be allowed to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated. Below are some situations that may make you exempt:

You are a temporary foreign worker in the agriculture and food-processing sectors;

You are a refugee or asylum claimant;

You are travelling to Canada for compassionate reasons, e.g. to attend a funeral, provide care for or support to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or temporary resident who is critically ill;

You are travelling for medical support or treatment;

You provide essential services, trade or transportation; or

You are a minor younger than 18 years old or a dependant adult (must be an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen).

You will need to follow Canada’s visitor visa requirements for exempt travellers:

Wear a mask in all public areas;

Keep a record of people that you’ve been in contact with for the first 14 days;

Keep track of any COVID symptoms.

You May Need to Take a COVID Test on Arrival in Canada

Even though you may be fully vaccinated, you will receive a health screening and may be asked to be tested for COVID when you get to Canada. This can be done:

On-site at the airport

Offsite; or

At home with a self-swab test kit (you may be given one at the border)

You may not be able to enter Canada if you exhibit any symptoms or signs of COVID, regardless of where you are travelling from or if you are vaccinated.

If you are travelling to Canada from anywhere other than the U.S., you’ll need to take a COVID test and self-quarantine until you get your test results. If you are travelling from the U.S. and aren’t fully vaccinated, you’ll need to self-quarantine for 14 days.

14-day Quarantine Plan

If you are travelling to Canada and are unvaccinated, you’ll need a detailed quarantine plan. Your plan should outline:

Your accommodation

Your transportation details to your accommodation, and

How you intend on getting essentials like food or medicine.

Canada’s Visitor Visa Requirements

Before applying for your visitor’s visa, keep in mind that even if you have a visa, you may not be allowed to enter Canada if you don’t meet these COVID requirements:

You must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada unless listed on the exemption list;

You must be asymptomatic or not show any symptoms or signs of COVID;

Follow pre-entry testing and entry requirements:

Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN

Submit all ArriveCAN requirements and get a receipt with a letter – I, V, or A next to your name

Complete an arrival test and quarantine (if need be)

Monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID for the first 14 days after arriving in Canada

Seek medical assistance or advice if you have COVID symptoms.

A visitor’s visa will allow you to stay in Canada for about six months. To apply for a Canadian visitor’s visa, you’ll need:

A valid travel document, e.g. a passport;

To be in good health;

To have a clear criminal record;

To show that you plan to return home by showing that you have ties, e.g. a job, home, financial assets or family, and a return ticket.

To show that you have enough money for your stay in Canada.

Ready to start your travels to Canada in 2022? Apply today for a Canadian visitor visa using a licensed professional, like the ones at CanadianVisa.org, and you could be on your way to a stress-free adventure abroad.

Filed Under: health, traveling Tagged With: canada, check in, covid 19, travel

How New Windows Can Add A Whole New Lease Of Life To Your Home

February 25, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

If you want to substantially improve your home but do not have a lot of money or time to devote to the project, replacing your windows could be the answer.

People may not spend much time thinking about windows on a daily basis, but their impact can be enormous.

If you have been living with single glazing or low-quality double glazing, you may have tolerated poor comfort and high energy expenses without realizing how a relatively small investment may enhance your life so dramatically.

Here are the top reasons why replacing your windows can add a whole new lease of life to your home.

Enhanced comfort

It is that time of year when even the most hesitant people go for the thermostat.

But did you realize that up to 40% of that heat could be lost through your windows and doors?

If you notice condensation on the inside of your windows, it could be an indication that you need to replace them.

Reduced heat loss means fewer draughts and cold spots with energy-efficient glass. You will immediately notice that your home is cozier.

Savings on energy bills

With all of that heat still inside your house, you could see a significant reduction in your energy expenditures.

It may not appear to be much, but with the average life lifetime of modern quality windows projected to be 20 years or more, it is a long-term investment.

For peace of mind, quality vendors will provide insurance-backed warranties, so you can rest assured that you have made a sound investment.

They look great

It is astonishing how much of an aesthetic difference new replacement windows can make — giving the entire house a facelift.

With a large choice of window forms, styles, and colors, as well as glazing options, there is guaranteed to be something to fit any home.

Upgrading your windows to contemporary UPVC makes them nearly maintenance-free. So you will not have to spend time painting or repairing old wooden frames that are coming apart on you.

This will improve your home while you live in it, but it will also make it more appealing to potential purchasers if you decide to sell in the future.

Peace and quiet

If you live near a major highway or road, you have most likely become accustomed to the incessant noise. You might not even notice how it is interfering with your sleep and putting you on edge until it is gone.

Even if you do not notice it on a daily basis, excessive road noise will be noted by potential purchasers and can be off-putting.

Quality replacement windows not only insulate your home against heat loss, but they also keep out far more outside noise.

Increased security

The majority of burglaries occur through the downstairs doors or windows.

Modern windows and doors are far more secure; they are less likely to give under pressure, and the glass is far more difficult to smash through.

Filed Under: home Tagged With: check in, for the home, windows

Resort Wear for Women: A Guide to Getaway Style

February 24, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you hear the phrase ‘resort wear’, what springs to mind? Is it bathers, sunglasses, and a big straw hat? Is it a linen kimono and a hair towel wrap? Whilst neither of these interpretations are wrong per se, ‘resort wear’ does refer to the specific style of clothes you would wear day-to-day around a resort. And, as fun as bikinis can be—and as comfortable as kimonos are—you’re not going to wear these for the entirety of your trip, now, are you?

Though there are four tiers of resort wear formality, all garments will circle back to a common theme: a theme of lightness (manifested in their lightweight material—done so for ease of packing) that pairs well with a mellow seaside setting. The getaway style is the best compromise between outdoorsy and aesthetic that you’re gonna get.

So, on which garments should you spend that precious suitcase space? Well, there is a knack to packing, and it involves a little strategy. Plan your outfits in advance and choose clothes fit for multiple dress codes, and you’ll have an economically curated suitcase. This will free you of excess baggage, such as the ‘just in case’ clothes, and arm you with the power of the multi-purpose garment. But, to return to the point at hand, here is a list of suitcase staples you should bring to a resort.

Dresses

Dresses of any kind would go great at a resort, but we’re giving a special shout-out to dresses of the maxi variety. Maxis are our favorites because they a) form an elongated silhouette that looks flattering on any woman, and b) provide optimal sun coverage. Yep, maxi skirts will keep the legs covered, meaning you could skimp on your usual sunscreen routine. So, not only will their long, flowing aesthetic match the mood of a seaside breeze, but they will double as sunscreen-saving, SunSmart solutions.

Midi in the middle: whether you choose something sunny-coloured, floral, or neutral, you can’t go wrong with a maxi or a midi dress. Dress them up or down to fit any dress code. Images: Alamour The Label

The other great thing about dresses? They can fit across most (if not all) of the resort dress codes—provided they’re neutral enough. For example, you can’t go wrong with a long, white dress. If you’re headed to the beach, wear it with a straw hat and a pair of thongs. If you have an event in the evening, swap the hat and thongs for a clutch, some simple gold earrings, and some wedges or heels. Just like that, you’ve changed up the look, and it barely cost you any suitcase space!

Sandals

If you’re headed to a resort, it’s hard to go wrong with open-toed shoes. Ditch the sneakers and embrace summer footwear! There are so many different kinds of sandals you can bring along, from casual styles to sandals more elevated. Whether you want to plateau with a flat pair of slides or bring block heels for evening events—or for any occasion, really—sandals are a resort must. A good compromise between laid-back and formal: wedges, especially ones made from rope or rattan. These play into the beach theme and give a laid-back, boho touch to your outfit.

Beach cover-ups

If you’re needing to cut down on suitcase space, beach cover-ups will cover any ‘clothing gaps’. Not only are cover-ups lightweight and convenient, but they also look great. Think of them as stylish ‘dressing gowns’ for the beach that can cover up a wardrobe malfunction—or a pair of bathers. If you’re wanting to avoid beach change rooms—and, look, we wouldn’t blame you for that—beach cover-ups are a great way to go straight from sand to sea. Simply pull off your cover-up, lather on the sunscreen (if you haven’t already), and hit the waves!

Jumpsuits and/or rompers

Jumpsuits and rompers are like closed dresses. They’re yet another space-saving suitcase staple that travels light. For resort wear, we would recommend rompers or jumpsuits in tropical or botanical prints. For 2022 in particular, a wide-legged, billowy-sleeved jumpsuit would win all the style points—or all the Instagram likes, if you’re posing for a #sunsetselfie. Jumpsuits and rompers are ideal for resorts and fit the resort-casual and resort evening wear dress codes.

https://www.alamourthelabel.com

That’s about it

Of course, there are other articles of clothing you can bring. Accessories, for example, are a must if you’ve been invited to an elegant-casual event, or an event requiring formal resort attire. In cases like these, you may want to bring along some heels. On the other end of the spectrum, you may just want to kick back in shorts and a tee, and that is A-okay by us. From thongs to heels—T-shirts to maxi skirts—wear what makes you comfy. Just remember to choose your garments with care, be mindful of your trip itinerary, and take note of staples to lighten the suitcase load. We hope you’ve found these styling tips and packing hacks to be helpful!

Filed Under: clothes and shoes Tagged With: check in, resort wear

Skincare for Men

February 23, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When it comes to beauty and wellbeing, it’s not just for the girls. Men, get in on the self-care act with skincare products from vegan and cruelty free brands Isa Lazo and Masktini.

facemask

This Isa Lazo Skin Toner is the perfect way to elevate your skincare routine because it is a gentle composition of rose water, witch hazel, and a complex blend of botanical extracts. Filled with antioxidants, rose water helps preserve a radiant glow. Simply use after cleansing your skin to refresh and prepare for moisturizer.

Take your glow on the go with Masktini’s Woke Bae. This whenever moisture spritz is perfect for throwing in your gym bag… or spritzing whenever. This invigorating formula contains an advanced complex containing hyaluronic acid and collagen-boosting marine algae polymers to instantly plump away fine lines. Simply spritz on after the gym and glow all day.

My husband and I regularly do facemasks- you may think I’m just saying that, but if you follow me on IG, FB, or Twitter, than you know it’s true, lol. My youngest son, now 14, used to participate regularly, but now he’s a TEEEEEENAGER, so. Once in a while. It’s good to have gender neutral masks or aimed at men, as some can be very sensitive about that sort of thing. But even for men like my guys who are pretty secure in themselves, it’s nice that it’s not all flowers and etc. Check it out for Father’s Day or whenever you need to buy a gift.