check in Archives - Page 10 of 152 - Have Sippy Will Travel

4 Tips to Improve the Style and Comfort of Your Wardrobe

May 11, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

No matter who you are or what your preferred style is, you can always look your best. Improving your wardrobe doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank to follow a whole new fashion trend, or wear something that you don’t feel comfortable in just because it’s considered stylish.

Maybe it’s for a summer makeover, or maybe it’s just so that you can feel better about your clothes. But in any case, here are some tips that will help you to improve your wardrobe so that you can look and feel like your most stylish self.

Wardrobe Essentials

Everything needs a solid foundation, and your wardrobe is no exception. A solid foundation has a twofold meaning. First, your wardrobe should consist of a few pieces that go well with everything. A white t-shirt is a great option.

These pieces can make up an outfit in their own right, or they can add contrast or a base to your unique style. You can wear them throughout the year with different items of clothing and you’ll feel comfortable and you’ll effortlessly achieve a stylish look. Even better, you don’t have to splash out on loads of different garments, because your foundation wardrobe essentials can be used again and again.

Flattering Underwear

Another aspect of having a good foundation for your outfit is more literal. Your underwear plays a surprisingly important role in creating your silhouette and helping you to feel more comfortable.

For example, a pair of cute white panties are a great staple. Unlike darker underwear, they can’t be seen through light-colored skirts or pants. They can also be comfortable and, if you get the right pair, you won’t get much of a panty line. Some types of underwear can even be slimming.

As well as panties, you should wear a bra that fits properly and comfortably. This both looks and feels far better than an ill-fitting bra.

Accessorize

Your accessories turn an okay outfit into something truly unique and that stands out. By adding a cardigan, a scarf, some killer shoes, a bag, and a few signature pieces of jewelry, you can completely change your look.

This is another way to get more out of your favorite clothes. A summer dress that you’d wear during the day can transform into a more glamorous outfit that’s perfect for a date night. All it takes is the right accessories and a little imagination.

Find accessories that speak to your personality and your taste, so that your look is something identifiable.

Clothes that Fit

While it seems obvious, clothes that fit properly are clothes that look and feel so much better. There’s a difference between deliberately baggy or tight clothes and clothes that are simply too large or too small.

This is something that many people find when they gain or lose weight. They either continue to wear or even buy clothes that are the wrong size, which is less flattering and more uncomfortable. Wear clothes that suit your current shape.

Top Tips to Enjoy Your Garden All Year Round

May 11, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

A garden is a luxury that not all homes have. If you have a garden space, you can take advantage of it as an extension of your living space. With the right planning and adjustments, not only can you enjoy it during the warm summer months, but all year round. Summer doesn’t have to be the end of your time in the garden, and instead, you can use the space whenever you wish. Here are some top tips to help you extend the good times in your garden throughout the year.

#1 Add colors

Brightening your garden is a great incentive to use it more. You can do this by planting flowers around your garden that thrive in different seasons. There are also plants that are low maintenance and last all year round, such as Cercis canadensis, Amelanchier lamarckii, viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum, Hydrangea quercifolia and much more. You can also add more points of interest in your garden with ornaments, water features, or hanging bunting and fairy lights. These small touches will make a huge difference to the way your garden feels, and instantly make it more appealing and inviting to spend time in.

#2 Create an area to spend time in

In the summer months, it doesn’t matter where you spend time in your garden, as it is usually sunny and dry. The weather can be unpredictable, and the winter months can bring a lot of cold and wet weather. Unfortunately, this does not make the garden a very welcoming place to spend time. As a solution, you should set up a dedicated area in your garden that can be used, regardless of the weather. You can hire a deck builder to create a nice flooring, put up a gazebo to protect you from the sun and rain and upcycle some furniture to create a nice seating area. Just make sure you weatherproof your furniture or invest in covers, so they can stay intact. You can then add any finishing touches that you wish to make it your own, cozy place to hang out, for example, pillows, blankets, throws, candles, etc. When you set up an area to spend time in, you are much more likely to use it.

#3 Add some heat

One of the big deterrents from spending time in the garden during the winter is the cold. You can change this by adding a heat source to your outdoor seating area to keep you nice and warm and create an inviting space with a sense of coziness that you can enjoy. Some of the most popular heat sources are infrared heaters, firepits or outdoor fireplaces. These come in a variety of options to suit different budgets and sizes of gardens. Make sure you keep the area safe and do not store anything flammable nearby.

Your garden is a great space that can be utilized all year round with the right knowledge and equipment. You should consider using the garden all year round in your plans when you are designing your garden.

Filed Under: home Tagged With: check in, garden

8 Ways That Will Help You Have A Healthy And Happy Heart

May 6, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Your heart is a crucial organ in your body. It pumps blood to all other areas of your body and keeps you alive and healthy. Sadly, it’s one of the most abused parts of anyone’s body because many people tend not to make their health a priority.

Busy lifestyles and hectic work schedules are just some of the reasons why many people’s health can suffer – and sadly have a negative impact on their hearts.

How Is Your Heart?

You’re probably reading this today because you worry that your heart isn’t in perfect health as it should be. One of the great things about the human body is that it usually gives you warning signs when things are wrong, especially with your heart’s health.

For example, regular chest pains can be a sign that something isn’t right, such as pericarditis (an inflamed pericardium – a fluid-filled sac that protects the heart). In such cases, seeing a pericarditis doctor can help you confirm such a diagnosis and get treatment for the condition.

If you feel that something isn’t quite right with your heart, it’s worth seeing your doctor urgently.

8 Ways To Improve Your Heart’s Health

Having taken on board the above information, what steps can you take to ensure that your heart is as healthy as possible? Here are 10 examples to inspire you:

1. Improve Your Diet

The first thing you need to do is look at the types of food you consume each day and determine whether they are good for you or not. The chances are high that you consume food that might be high in calories, cholestoral, and fat.

You might think that you have to give up all the things that are bad for you. However, you could instead enjoy the delicious dishes you regularly eat – but just opt for low-calorie or “lighter” alternatives to specific ingredients.

Image Credit

2. Exercise Regularly

Once you’ve sorted out a healthy eating plan, you should pay some attention to your exercise regime. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, or you don’t exercise as much as you should, look at ways of keeping active that you’re happy to follow each day.

The last thing you want to do is organize a daily exercise plan and then fail to stick with it. Do exercises that fit in well with your lifestyle and daily routines.

3. Get Regular Health Checkups

It makes sense to have regular health checkups, such as bi-annually or annually, with your doctor for several reasons. Firstly, it’s an excellent way to learn about any potential health problems that you’re at risk of developing.

Secondly, it’s the perfect way to monitor things like your vitamin and nutrient levels, and it allows you to act on any deficiencies. Lastly, regular checkups give you an opportunity to discuss any health concerns you may have.

4. Give Up Smoking

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a casual smoker or something that smokes 30+ cigarettes a day. Smoking is bad for your health in numerous ways and your habit can even impact those closest to you, such as your immediate family members.

Smoking significantly increases your risk of developing heart other and circulatory diseases, so it makes sense to quit the habit in a bid to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Not only will your heart feel healthier once you quit smoking, but so too will your other vital organs, such as your lungs.

5. Avoid Drinking Alcohol

Did you know that regular alcohol consumption can also be detrimental to your heart’s health? There’s lots of conflicting advice about whether alcohol can be good or bad for your heart, but the reality is that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to heart failure.

There is one form of heart failure directly attributed to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol: alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). It affects people who drink several cans of beer or glasses of wine or other spirits each day without fail.

6. Reduce Your Stress

Stress is something that everyone experiences in their lives, and often each day. As you probably know, stress can cause all kinds of health problems in people that experience significant amounts of it.

If you’re always anxious about things and get stressed out about lots of stuff every day, it can increase inflammation in your body and impact your heart’s health.

Look at ways of reducing stress in your life, such as meditating or practicing yoga, changing your career, or even moving out of a busy city and into a quieter, rural location.

7. Increase Your Sleep

Sleep is something that everyone needs each day, but the sad truth is that many people aren’t getting enough of it. You might think that sleep deprivation (insomnia) will only make you feel tired and probably grumpy when you wake, but the effects are far-reaching.

For example, having less than seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each night will mean your body can’t lower your heart rate and blood pressure, ultimately leading to developing cardiovascular diseases.

8. Find Ways To Be Happy In Life

It should come as no surprise that being happy means you are leading a healthy and positive life. When you’re happy, your body will release dopamine and serotonin, two types of brain neurotransmitters.

Moreover, being happy also means your metabolism stabilizes and results in the efficient operation of organs like your heart.

Something else that happens when you’re happy is that your stress and anxiety levels drop, reducing the risk of eventually developing heart-related diseases.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that your heart is undeniably one of the most essential organs in your body. It does a lot of work, and when it’s in peak physical condition, it will operate efficiently and without fail.

Sadly, people often abuse their bodies through eating the wrong things, consuming too much alcohol, or leading a sedentary lifestyle, and those things will negatively impact the heart. By following the tips on this blog post, you will have a healthier, happier heart.

Filed Under: health Tagged With: ASAP, check in, health, heart

Getting through Difficult Times: A Guide to Survival

May 5, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Life is full of ups and downs. No one knows this better than those who have gone through difficult times. Difficult times can be incredibly challenging and sometimes seem impossible to get through, but you can survive anything life throws your way with the right attitude and approach! In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for getting through difficult times in your life. We hope that you will feel inspired to keep going no matter what challenges come your way by reading this post.

heart and hands

Focus On The Things Your Can Control:

When you’re going through tough times, it’s easy to feel like everything is out of your control. You may feel like you’re a victim of circumstance and that there’s nothing you can do to change your situation. However, it’s important to remember that you control how you react to your circumstances. While you may not be able to control what happens to you, you can control how you deal with it.

One of the best ways to get through tough times is to focus on the things you can control. For example, if you’re going through a difficult break-up, you may not be able to control the fact that your relationship ended, but you can control how you deal with the situation. You can choose to focus on the positive aspects of your life, such as your friends and family, or you can choose to dwell on the negative and allow yourself to be consumed by sadness and anger.

What Is In The Past, Is In The Past:

Another essential tip for getting through tough times is remembering that what is in the past is in the past. It’s easy to dwell on the bad things that have happened to us, but it’s important to let go of the hurt and pain from our past to move on with our lives. Holding onto negative emotions will only make it harder for you to get through tough times. Instead, try to focus on the present and the future.

Take Things One Day At A Time:

When you’re going through a tough time, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never make it through. The situation may seem impossible and insurmountable. However, it’s important to remember that you can only take things one day at a time. You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you focus on getting through today, eventually, you will make it to the other side.

Find A Support System:

One of the best ways to get through tough times is to find a support system. When you’re going through a difficult situation, it’s essential to have people you can rely on for support. Whether it’s your friends, family, or a professional counsellor, having someone to talk to can make all the difference. Having a support system will help you feel less alone and more capable of dealing with your situation. Embrace Grace is an example of a group supporting young women and men in unplanned pregnancies.

Final Thoughts:

Getting through tough times in your life can be incredibly challenging, but it is possible. Remember to focus on the things you can control, take things one day at a time, and find a support system. You will make it through anything life throws your way with the right attitude and approach.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ASAP, check in

How To Improve Your Sleep Quality With Bedroom Lighting

April 29, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

The main goal of sleep is to wake up feeling refreshed and energized to keep up with the demands of daily life. But that is not always the case? A study has shown that a good night’s sleep is vital for mental and physical health by improving memory, judgment, mood, and learning abilities. Several factors influence your sleep, lighting being one of them. Poor lighting can disrupt sleep and affect how your body and mind function. Therefore, it makes sense to find ways to improve the illumination in that room, and here are some ideas.

Natural light

You might have heard of the biological clock and the circadian rhythm, which influences aspects of behavior, including sleep. This clock is influenced by light and darkness, where light signals the body to be awake, and darkness triggers rest mode. Allowing natural light into the room during the day keeps your circadian rhythm healthy by improving your daytime energy. Studies have shown that exposure to daylight reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, especially for people with insomnia. In this regard, the type of covers you use for your windows count. For example, blinds and shutters are excellent for adjusting the amount of natural light entering your bedroom. Additionally, thick fabrics for your bedroom drapery are also good choices. Darker colors can keep out as much light and allow you to sleep easier. You will need durable curtain rod hardware to add style and functionality to your bedroom windows.

Pick the right luminaries

Artificial lights are useful for getting around, and you will have to assess the type of fixture you use for the bedroom. The color and intensity of the light bulb can affect your sleep quality. Choosing too bright light can keep the brain working at a higher pace and disrupt sleep. Although experts recommend bedroom lumens between 2,200 and 3,000, you can adjust it depending on the mood you want to create. The color usually comes down to personal preference, and the most calming light color isn’t the same for everyone.

Go completely dark

Although controlling the amount of natural light entering your space is key for improving your sleep quality, consider going completely dark. This means avoiding screen time at least an hour before sleep by turning off your TV, computers, and tablets and putting away your phone. The light wavelength from the devices is detrimental to sleep quality. Everyone has their in-built biological clock, but it is mostly advised to turn off all the lights when you feel sleepy. This can signal your body that it is time to catch some sleep.

Consider dimming options

Even after deciding your bulbs’ maximum lumen output, it can be useful to consider dimming options. Turning down the lights is great for every space and not just the bedroom, and having that option gives you control over your bedroom’s brightness and atmosphere. If you enjoy reading before bedtime, you can dim the lights to allow your mind to relax properly before sleep time.

Many factors, including your bedtime reading habits, can interrupt your sleep. However, bedroom lighting plays a crucial role in sleep, and the tips mentioned here can help you get started.

Filed Under: health, home Tagged With: ASAP, check in, sleep

The Best Gifts To Give Children and Grandchildren

April 29, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

There’s nothing better than seeing our kids (or grandchildren) fully happy and living their best lives. And, of course, as parents, we have a big say in making that happen. Sometimes, we help our children just by being there for them. At others, we help them by giving them a little advantage that’ll help them to become the best versions of themselves. In this blog, we’re going to run through some of the best gifts that you can give your next of kin, all of which will benefit their lives in one way or another.

A Savings Account

Money opens up so many doors for people. Indeed, it’s a lack of money that is making it difficult for many young people to get started in life. It’s hard to move to a new city, buy a house, take an internship, and so forth if you don’t have money in the bank. You can help your child by setting up a savings account for them at an early age. By the time they are adults, you’ll have a lump sum of money that you can give them, at which point they will be able to make their dreams come true. You don’t even need to put much money in the savings account. Even a little bit of money each month will go a long way when it’s multiplied by many years!

Investment Pieces

If the idea of just giving them some cash seems a bit cold, then you can look at getting them something that is valuable yet also beautiful and functional. For this, it’s hard to look past a watch. This is something that they’ll be able to wear each day, but which will also be something of an investment. If nothing else, you’ll know that they’ll have it for many decades to come. If you’re looking to get them the best of the best, then take a look at a preowned FP Journe watch. They’ll love wearing it!

A New Car

You can get around town in a beaten up, second- or third hand car, sure, but it’s not as fun (or safe) as driving a new vehicle. If your child is graduating soon and you know that they could really do with a reliable car, then consider making the investment. Plus, if you do this, then you can be sure that you’ll be able to get a free ride whenever you feel like it!

Property

Of course, buying an apartment or a house for your child is beyond the means of most people. But this is a list of the best gifts that you can give to your children, so it has to make it. There’s no avoiding the fact that it’s more difficult than ever for young people to get on the property ladder. If you’ve got a windfall of cash in your bank account, then why not consider investing in property in your child’s name? It’s still in the family, of course, so you’ll be able to reap the benefits too.

Your Connections

Life is some of what you know and some of who you know. If you’ve got friends in lucrative places, then why not gift your child access to them? In many cases, this can be the difference between a successful career and having difficulty making it in the professional world. You can’t expect your friends to just give them a job or anything, but if you know that your child is talented and hardworking, then it could be something that they can really make the most of.

Adventures

There’s oh so much value in traveling the world. It’s one of those things that changes you as a person. It can be very humbling and inspiring to learn about other cultures and to realize that we’re all part of the same human family. You can always tell when someone has seen the world; they just seem to have a bigger mindset than those that haven’t. Your child might go and see the world on their own some day, but you can help them along the way by going on adventures whenever possible. You don’t necessarily need to go far — any adventure can be fun and valuable! But you’ll get more bang for your buck if you head overseas.

Strong Values

Finally, perhaps the best gift that you can give to people that look up to you is strong values. That’ll be the springboard that allows them to go very far in life and ensure that the next generation is just as good as this one.

Filed Under: gifts Tagged With: ASAP, check in

How to Make Your Bedroom Extra Comfortable

April 21, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Your home is a place where you should feel at your most comfortable. Treating your home as your sanctuary away from the rest of the world is essential to help you unwind and feel relaxed. One room where it is vital to feel calm and relaxed is your bedroom. Creating a bedroom where you can drift off to sleep with ease and relax in total comfort is crucial and is especially important if you often find it difficult to fall asleep and get a full night’s rest. If you are hoping to improve your bedroom to transform it into a more relaxing space, you should find these tips help you create the bedroom of your dreams.

Change Your Lighting

As your bedroom should be a relaxing space, it is essential to choose the right lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Harsh lighting can make it harder for you to relax and fall asleep, so opting for a more gentle light will make the transition from daylight to darkness less abrupt. Adding lamps to your room rather than relying on a bright ceiling light will help you create a better sleep environment and is the ideal choice for reading before bed.

Improve Your Bed

An uncomfortable bed can make it almost impossible to get a good night’s rest. So, ensuring your bed is as comfortable as possible is essential to sleep peacefully. Many people assume they need to buy a new mattress or even a new bed to get a better night’s rest, but the good news is this is not necessary. Simply adding a mattress topper to your bed can make a vast difference and really improve your sleep quality. But, finding the right mattress topper is vital if you want to gain the maximum benefits. Reading reviews of mattress toppers such as this one https://mattresstopperjudge.com/puffy-mattress-topper-review/ is a great way to find the perfect option to suit your needs and get a better night’s rest.

Choose the Perfect Bedding

Choosing the perfect sheets and pillows for your bedroom is a guaranteed way to feel more comfortable and enjoy a great night’s sleep. The right bedding can help you stay at a comfortable temperature during the night and ensure you do not become too hot or too cold. Being at the right temperature during the night is essential when trying to get a full night’s sleep. When your room is at the optimal temperature, it becomes easier to enjoy an undisturbed night’s rest, and choosing the right bedding plays a crucial role in this. So, switching your bedding according to the seasons is a great way to get better quality sleep and avoid constant waking. Choosing lighter bedding in a more breathable fabric is an excellent choice during the warmer summer months, and opting for something cozier will ensure you don’t sleep cold during the fall and winter. Switching your bedding may seem like a minor change, but it can significantly affect your comfort levels in the bedroom.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ASAP, check in

Benefits of Decluttering Your Home

April 21, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Regardless of how organized you think you are, it is normal to accumulate a large quantity of stuff over time. In some cases, you may not even realize just how much stuff you have. Decluttering does not have to be complicated or done all in one go, it is simply the process of removing unwanted, or unnecessary items from your home. It is usually prompted by a space getting too overcrowded with items, or when a person is looking to travel or move house.

You don’t have to throw everything away. Some items you may want to keep, but just don’t need to be in your home, and can be stored in cheap storage units until you need them again.

Even if you don’t have a significant reason to declutter your home, it can still benefit you in a variety of ways, from reducing stress to boosting your productivity.

Here are some of the top benefits of decluttering your home that will encourage you to get started today.

#1 Reduce stress and anxiety

A cluttered home that is filled with items all over the place and mess, can be overwhelming and frustrating. This can have a knock-on effect on your mental health, as your stress levels increase, irritability increases and a sense of shame starts to creep in. A cluttered home will always equate to a cluttered mind, which is why it can be an effective method of promoting positive mental health. It can make you feel more in control, and much happier and calmer.

#2 Boost productivity

When you have a clearer mind, you are instantly going to feel more motivated, creative and productive with the tasks that you need to complete. It can be frustrating, and distracting, when you are surrounded by lots of mess, or trying to navigate around a disorganized home, or desk. The tasks you are trying to complete will impact your focus and compete for your attention. A home and desk space that is clean and organized, will stop you from hunting for the items that you need and promote attention and focus.

#3 Make your home cleaner

It can be difficult to clean around your home properly when you have a large number of items taking up space. This often means that lots of places are not cleaned regularly, or at all. This can gather lots of dust and allergens, which is not very good for your health and wellbeing. Even if you have cluttered rooms that you don’t use often, like your attic, the allergens can still make their way around your home through the airflow. This can be particularly dangerous for anyone in your home that suffers from hayfever, allergies, eczema and hay fever. A home that is free from clutter will be much easier to clean and take a lot less time to do so.

Decluttering your home can benefit your entire life, from stress and anxiety to the cleanliness of your home. There’s no better time to start than now.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ASAP, check in