The Shaker of Salt

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We’ve all been there – thought a spot of DIY would be easy. By the time we’ve committed to the job, it turns out that it was anything but easy and we end up making a huge mess of what should have been a very small project. The whole job ends up becoming a nightmare, and in the end we give up and call in the experts to fix our silly mistakes.

But does DIY always have to end like that? Of course, if you have some great DIY skills and experience behind you, then you will very rarely cry over your DIY anymore. But if you are still new to this game, then it can be ever so easy to make some mistakes. Some of these mistakes will be easy to cover up while others might require you to start right back from scratch again.

Worried that your upcoming DIY project might end up being more like DIcry? No problem, here are some very easy solutions to common problems.

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Plan Well

First of all, you need to create a plan for your project. Even if the DIY job that you have planned is a small one that shouldn’t take too long, you still need a good plan to hand. This plan should set out what you need to do and detail how you will do it. Ideally, you should set your plan out into steps. That way, you won’t get halfway through and forget how you are to continue. Plus, your plan needs to include a list of all the tools and materials that you will need to complete the job. Make this list and check that you have everything on it before you start. If not, visit your local DIY store before you begin your project. If you don’t have everything before you begin, you will have to pause your work to go to the shop,and this will only delay things.

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Invest In A Spirit Level

Don’t have a spirit level? If not, you really need to get one as soon as possible! These are absolutely critical in any DIY job and they can prevent you from fitting or hanging something that is wonky. You might think that you will be able to put something up level by simply checking it by looking it from quite far back. However, this is rarely a good way to do things, and any shelves fitted using this manner are often slightly off-center. So, if you don’t fancy taking your shelves down to try again, it’s important that you buy a spirit level so that you put them up level first time around.

Get Custom-Made Materials

If you need to carry out any really intricate jobs, it’s worth investing in some custom-made materials. There are a few companies, such as https://laserlight.com/, who can use their laser micromachine services to cut materials down to very small sizes and intricate shapes. This is a great option if you need to use any very specific shapes with it comes to materials like wood. It’s a much better idea getting these custom-made materials made by a professional rather than trying to do it yourself. If you try and cut your wood or another material down to such a specific size or shape, there is a lot that could go wrong. So, cut out all the hassle and go straight to the pros!

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Use Paint Primers

Do you need to cover some watermarks on a wall? First of all, don’t try to simply cover them up with a layer of paint alone. The watermark will only seep through. In actual fact, no amount of paint will cover up these marks, so don’t try to paint on layer after layer. The best thing you can do is to paint over the watermark with a primer. Ideally, you need an oil-based primer. This will seal in any of the moisture that is still in the mark. Once the primer has dried, you will be able to then paint over it without any of the watermark showing through the layer of paint. You can get your primer and any paints you might also need from https://dulux.com.

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Don’t Be Cheap

When you need to buy new DIY tools, equipment, or materials, you might be tempted to try and save some cash by getting the cheapest items you can find. Unfortunately, though, this won’t do your DIY projects any good. Cheap materials won’t last long and they can also be very difficult to work with. For example, you will find that the cheapest jigsaw on the market won’t be as easy and as smooth to use as one that is of a better quality and slightly more expensive. Not only that, though, but the cheaper one won’t leave you with the best-possible results. Because of this, you might find that your DIY projects end up looking quite shoddy and amateur.

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Prepare Surfaces

Before you start working on any kind of surface, you need to make sure that it is prepared and all ready to be worked on. For example, if you are drilling onto a wooden surface, you should wipe down the wood and make sure it is clean and dry. Any residue or particles on it could make the job a lot more difficult than what it should be. There will be some surfaces that you need to protect as well. One example is when you are painting a room, you will need to protect your carpets and rugs. Even the smallest drip of paint could end up staining the fibers in the carpet or rug, and if the stain is very visible, you might need to re-carpet your floor. That will work out very expensive! So, cover any surfaces that are close to where you are working, and they should get through your DIY job undamaged!

If you stick to these great tips, you will find that you make fewer DIY mistakes from now on!

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Being a parent is wonderful. That’s something just about anyone with a child can tell you, but one thing that people often forget to mention before you have kids of your own is that it can also be utterly terrifying. Most people don’t realise this until the day their first child is born but being a parent can be summed up with constant switches between overwhelming joy and sheer, unadulterated terror. The reality is that kids really don’t come with a manual and if you feel as though you have no idea what you’re doing, don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone! The truth is that it’s okay not to know what you’re doing and if you start to feel that way, here are a few simple things to do.

Do your research

Kids might not come with a manual, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t information out there if you really need it. In the internet age, pretty much anything you could possibly need to know is right at the touch of a button with sites like Parenting Pod offering plenty of great advice on dealing with everything from raising kids to the impact that parenthood can have on you emotionally. If you’re ever stuck and don’t know how to deal with a situation, it’s going to step back and do a little research before diving in head first.   

Stop pressuring yourself

Being a parent is a huge responsibility, obviously. In fact, it may well be the biggest responsibility there is. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to be in a constant state of panic over whether or not every little decision that you make is the right one. Every parent in the world has made hundreds, probably even thousands, of mistakes throughout their child’s life and if you put too much pressure on yourself, then you’re going to go insane. Just remember, as long as you’re providing them with a safe, happy home and you’re giving them the guidance that they need, your kids are going to be just fine.

Give yourself a break

Of course, sometimes it’s okay to take a break from being a parent and just be a person for a while. Don’t assume that just because you’re a parent, you don’t get a day off every so often. You’ve almost certainly got friends or relatives who would be willing to look after your kids for a little bit while you go and enjoy yourself for the night. Perhaps you could catch up with some friends, or you and your partner could have a romantic dinner together. No matter what, it’s okay to give yourself a break now and then.

Far too often, people feel ashamed that they don’t know what they’re doing and imagine that all of the other parents around them are judging them. However, the truth is that if you actually asked them, most of the parents around you would probably say the exact same thing. Just remember that we’re all in this together and there’s absolutely no shame in needing some help.

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 No two people in life will ever walk the same path and that makes universal truths rather hard to come by. However, ask any parent what the worst thing in their little world is and they will tell you – in no uncertain terms – it’s an overtired child.

 For the first ten minutes, tired children are the most hysterical and hilarious comedians to have ever lived. That’s a fact. After ten minutes, though, they become the worst. The slightest little can set off a mushroom cloud type meltdown. It’s incredible. That is why every parent with internet access has, at some point in their fraught existence, Googled how to get your child to sleep.

 Of course, getting your “little angel” to enjoy a solid night of slumber isn’t all about protecting your own patience. It is also about them. Yup. Sleep is good. And with that in mind, we have pulled together a list of simple steps you can take to ensure your little one gets a much better night sleep way more often.

 It’s Time To Pull The Plug

You don’t need to go over the top and start reading dissertations by pediatric psychologists to know that screens are not good for sleep. We all know this. Something about holding a bright blue light six inches away from your eyeballs doesn’t help people drift off. We know, right; it’s weird. Anyway, this kind of screen-induced sleep disruption is even worse amongst teenagers and younger because their eyes, brains and minds are still developing, which means their melatonin levels drop dramatically. What does all this mean? Simple. Screens are bad. Screens are bad for getting to sleep, screens leave sleep quality left wanting and screens mean fewer hours of sleep. So, what you need to do is ban them from your kid’s bedroom. How you do it is up to you, but we find bribery usually works wonders.  

 Get Them A Marshmallow Mattress

Kids mattresses are notorious for not being as high quality. It’s as if manufacturers think a good mattress will be wasted on the youth. What a load of nonsense. Kids need good mattresses just as much – if not more – than us so-called adults do. Like we said in the preamble, if they don’t sleep well then you don’t live well. Seriously, waste no time on this front, by which we mean go online and grab a decent “kiddie” mattress right now, in which you can learn more at Mattresslife.com. It could be that a pocket spring mattress works wonders, or something that has a memory foam topper, or something a little longer and wider does the trick. Whatever it is, it will be worth the investment because you simply cannot put a price on your sanity – or your little one’s health.

 Bedtime Snacks Can Work Wonders

Ahhh, the dreaded food coma. You know the one where you sit down for a big Sunday roast at around two in the afternoon only to be left fighting sleep afterwards, your eyes feeling just as heavy as your greedy belly. Well, this sleepiness can be replicated by other foods (without the need for excessive eating). Yogurt, peanut butter, cheese, bananas, chicken, eggs, oatmeal; all these foods bring about that feeling of tiredness. So, maybe it is time you start serving a little bit of pudding with each dinner. If nothing else, it may stop your kids from turning into Tasmanian Devils every time you say, “right, it’s bedtime”.

 It’s Not A Game

We’ve mentioned how screens can drastically disrupt a child’s sleep. But if we had to pick just one form of screen that was worse than all the rest we would have to choose video games. It’s not even close. It’s not just the blue screen, it’s how jacked up they make your mind, which is easy to understand because video games these days need you – the player – to be more on alert than a hungry spider. Now, we’re not saying you need to go all rockstar and throw your child’s console out of the window , but you should definitely have a cut off time, say ninety minutes before bed. That way their bodies and brains can settle down in time for slumber.

 Nothing Less Than Total Darkness

This is one of those things that so many adults can empathise with. Sure, some unicorns out there can fall asleep with the curtains wide open and the lights on. But, for most people, even that little green light on the Macbook charger is enough to keep them awake. Don’t inflict this same disruption on your kids. That means getting rid of all forms of light pollution, whether it be blackout blinds to stop street light from creeping into their room or swapping their alarm clock for something that doesn’t have a blinking red light to signal the seconds. Of course, not all kids will be cool with this because some are scared of the dark. If this is the case with your child, what you should do is leave the hall light on and then switch it off when you go to bed, or put it on a timer so that it does it all by itself.

 Relax With A Routine

Routine is a kid’s best friend. It really is. They thrive off it, survive off it, and need it more than they can ever tell you. That is why you need to create all the routine you can. Have a set bedtime, get them into the pajamas before brushing their teeth, read a story or two surrounded by all their cuddly toys and then, when they are all tucked up in bed with the light off, have a little chit-chat about their day and make sure they feel as loved as possible. That’s the secret here. The more loved someone feels the more they relax. So do all you can to calm and soothe and send them off to slumberland.

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The new year is often a time where people decide to make healthier choices regarding their exercise and diet, especially if they’ve overindulged over the festive period. However, if you don’t enjoy what’s on your plate every day; you’re unlikely to stick to a balanced and healthy diet for very long. Therefore, it’s crucial that you make delicious choices regarding your meals and stick to choosing healthy options and alternatives to what you’re used to. There are a plethora of fresh and tasty food options out there that will enhance your health and wellbeing and ensure that you’re full of the nutrients you’ll need for a fulfilling and active lifestyle. With a little effort a research; you can start creating recipes that will fill you up, nourish your body, and that will make a refreshing change to what you’re used to.

A tasty and healthy diet will boost your mood, your energy levels, and help to ensure that you have an active and successful year ahead. Putting in a little groundwork now will pay off in the long run, so get out your notebook and pen, and start writing your new grocery list for the weeks ahead. The following are some food ideas, inspiration, and information for those wanting to eat more healthily without missing out on feeling full or enjoying flavor so that they can have their best year yet.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-mixing-cereal-milk-and-strawberry-jam-on-white-ceramic-bowl-704971/

Plenty Of Protein

There are plenty of ways to get your essential protein into your diet without heading to your nearest burger joint. It’s worth considering some alternatives to the meat you’re currently eating, and choosing a leaner option that still provides plenty of flavor, texture, and a great source of protein to your plate. Look into rabbit meat for sale so that you can have a hormone and antibiotic-free source of delicious meat in your next pasta dish or salad. Fish is another great way to enjoy the benefits of omega 3 and essential fatty acids, without the risk of clogging up your arteries as you head through the new year. A dollop of yogurt on your cereal or muesli in the morning will set you up nicely for the day, and think about replacing your pasta and rice with legumes like chickpeas and lentils for a filling and carb-free alternative.

A Colorful Plate

Once you’ve sorted out your source of protein; the fun can begin in regards to what else you’ll be packing your plate full of. When it comes to your vegetables; the more color, the better. Finding fresh and seasonal produce to add to warm salads, stews, and soups will ensure that you’re able to satiate a large appetite and will know that your nourishing your body with plenty of vitamins and fiber. Change your snack time from candy to Veggies with hummus (another great source of protein); you’ll keep the sugary cravings away for the rest of your day, and will know that you’re filling up on food that’s good for you. Swap the cinnamon bun for a fruit smoothie in the morning so that you can still get that sweet fix, with fewer carbs, and an added vitamin and fiber boost . Doing a bit of research now will ensure that you can kick your bad food habits and fill up on tasty alternatives for the rest of 2018.  

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So you’ve just moved into your new home, and while you are totally in love with the place, it just doesn’t feel like home yet. Don’t worry, this a completely normal response to moving into somewhere new. The fact is that when it comes to making your new home feel homey, it is not always an easy task, and can be one that takes a while to master.

 To help speed up the process of making your new home feel like home, below are a few simple ideas that you can try. These are all little things that should help to make your new property feel like a much warmer and more welcoming space.

 Photo from Pixabay

 Set up your furniture

 If you are living in a home that is surrounded by moving boxes, then it is completely normal that it does not feel at all homey to you. The fact is that once you have started to organize your moving boxes and have got everything set up in your home, you will start to adjust to your new surroundings. Living out of boxes will never make your feel at home, so taking the time to unpack is vital. Once you have unpacked everything and set up all of your belongings in your new home, it should start to feel like a more homey and welcoming space.

 Incorporate carefully selected scents

How does your new home smell? Every house has its own smell which is usually created by the people who live there and the scented products that they use. So when moving into a new home, it can help to invest in scent producing items, like a scent machine which you can click here to learn more about. Other options include scented candles, reed diffusers, and potpourri. Pick a relaxing and soothing scent that will not only calm you but will also help to make you feel more at home.

 Focus on personalizing

 One of the very best things that you can do to put your own stamp on your new home is to focus on personalizing it. You may not be able to paint the walls, lay new floors, or knock down any walls just yet, but what you can do is use accessories like wall art and family photos to add a personal touch to the place. When it comes to how homey your new home feels, the more personalized the space is, the better. With this in mind, spend some time setting up yours’ and your family’s personal items around the house, to help make it feel like more of a warm and welcoming space. It’s amazing how much of an impact such a simple thing can have on your morale and how you feel about your new home, but amazingly it works.

Moving to somewhere new might be exciting, but it is never easy to make your new property feel like home. It can take time to make your new home actually feel homey, but by taking note of the tips above and implementing them, you can help to speed up the process.

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 Out with the old and in with the new; there’s a new year on the horizon, and you’re going to start it off right. You’re finally going to tackle that room renovation you’ve been meaning to find the time for for months. You’ve got the time, the enthusiasm, and you’re ready to make a change.

 However.

 There’s always a ‘however’ to consider, and this is even more true when you’re going to be making grand changes to a room in your home. Before you dive in and start buying new furniture and scraping paint from door frames, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself…

 “Do I know exactly what I am trying to achieve?”

 It’s true that home design inspiration is relatively simple to find, but have you truly thought about the entire finished look you are trying to put together? Inspiration is great, but you need to have a concrete plan to turn those ideas into a living reality.

 You also need to think about the overall reason for wanting to renovate. Is it just to freshen up? Or do you need to re-purpose the room? Do you have to redecorate and add new furniture, or will a redecoration alone suffice? Write the answers to all of these down and refer to the list frequently, so you can be sure you’re not deviating from your true purpose.

 “Have I got all the tools I need to accomplish this job?”

 Nothing will slow a renovation down like having to pause to obtain extra tools, more paint, or buy a piece of furniture that the entire room depends on. If you want your renovation to go smoothly, then ensure you have at least placed orders for all the equipment, decor, and decorative pieces that you’re going to require to complete the job.

 “Am I taking safety precautions?”

 One of the major mistakes people can make during a home renovation is to forget the safety aspects. Home renovations might seem easy and manageable by yourself, but to be done correctly, you have to ensure you have the right safety gear. That means safety goggles or glasses, gloves, and face masks if you’re going to be working with dust or fumes.

 It may seem tempting to skip this step, but your body will thank you if you go the extra mile and ensure you have the correct safety gear in place.

 “How long is this going to take?”

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 As a general rule, your expected timescale for a renovation is the time you think it will take, plus half again. So if you think you can have the job fully complete in a month, it’s realistically going to take six weeks.

 Allow yourself a little leeway when it comes to the timescale. You’re not a professional, which is fine, but this does mean that you may complete the work slower than you are expecting to. If you give yourself more time than you think you’ll need, you have a contingency built in, which you’ll appreciate if you find that you need it.

If you can confidently answer the questions above, it’s all systems go for your home renovation!

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Christmas has never been easier to manage than it is today. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can ensure everyone is always entertained, and all of your cooking goes exactly to plan. Let’s explore the tech that can help you through Christmas Day, and how to get the best out of it.

Your smartphone

You’ll want to use your smartphone as a timer, so you can ensure every part of your Christmas dinner is cooking at the right time. Set yourself reminders throughout the cooking process so that you never forget to take a dish out of the oven. If you utilize the multiple timers you can set on a phone, you’ll be serving a perfectly-cooked meal as a result.

Your smart home lighting

Christmas is a joyful time for us all, but it’s also a time when you need to ensure your home security is as good as it can be. Use your smart home lighting to turn lights on and off when you’re out visiting friends; this gives the illusion you’re home, which in turn helps to deter burglars.

Your smart TV

As a parent, you’ll likely be well aware of how excitable your kids will get around this time of year. When you’re cooking or catching up with friends and family on the phone, you will need your smart TV to help keep your kids happy. You could play YouTube videos designed to make them laugh, or even consider Christmas movies. The below is an idea for a great Christmas movie; anything like this will be the perfect choice to keep your kids entertained while you’re busy!

Movie Poster Design By Sunny Christmas Film Recipe

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If your living space can only be described as ‘bijou’, then you will understand the frustrations of wanting to maximize the space without ending up looking like you are trying to cram too much into far too little an area. The trick is to fool your eye, and that of others, into making the room appear far more spacious, turning a cramped crib into a cozy cave. You can achieve this by choosing decor that emphasizes any light, making sure your color choices add space instead of weighing your room down.

Don’t be afraid to be experimental when it comes to new ideas. For example, replace traditional blinds with draping fabric as they draw the focus to the vertical, elongating the room.

Mirror Mirror

One of the most common ways of expanding the space in your living room is by the use of mirrors. Hanging a large mirror in the center of the wall creates not only a beautiful focal point but also adds depth and reflects light, giving the appearance of a more airy space. Add ambiance by placing a candle or lamp directly in front. Where possible, position your mirror on the opposing wall to any windows in the too, as the optical illusion on first appearance may entice the mid to believe there is another window in the room. Image

Eyes Down…actually…eyes up!

Fill vertical space with a collection of small prints or pieces of art.  This will, once again, give the appearance of a larger room. The same can be said for using more miniature ornaments or display pieces.

Fun-Size Furniture

How you choose to furnish a more confined space is essential. The pieces you want must enhance but not dominate, embellish but not overwhelm a smaller room. A sprawling couch and armchairs may look comfortable but can easily swamp an area with limited square footage at your disposal. If you opt for a more traditional, tightly upholstered sofa with thinner armrests, then it will lend itself better to a small environment. If you lack the space for a suite, opt instead for four chairs around a coffee table. Consider armless chairs as they will take up less space than their long-limbed cousins. Alternatively ditch the coffee table altogether and buy end tables, which allow you to have that all prominent place to put your coffee, yet doesn’t take up the entire floor. This also gives the illusion of a larger floor area.  

Color Me Happy

Image   By using a palette of neutral colors when decorating, a selection of off-whites, creams and beige will give the appearance of a more extensive room. This is because softer tones and shades reflect light far more efficiently and will illuminate a cramped space. This trick also works well in the more compact washrooms or bathrooms.  

Lighten Up

When you shop for furniture, consider visual weight.A darker piece will give the impression of density and heaviness and can drag the air of the room down. Articles with a more lightweight appearance, of lighter color, will open up a place instead of filling it, which the darker pieces tend to do. Choosing furniture with legs is a wiser option than the more boxy, full types. Reflective items such as glass-topped coffee or end tables take up less visual space as they draw the eye through the piece rather than stunting it.

A small space can be an inviting one, so think light and breezy to make your intimate space free and easy.

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There are just a couple of weeks left of 2017 now. Are you all ready to get started with 2018? One of the best things about starting a fresh new year is that you get the chance to start from scratch again. Not too happy with your life? No problem; New Year’s Day is the perfect time to put some positive thoughts and actions into place to ensure that next year is much better than 2017. And there is no better way to get started than by setting yourself some New Year’s resolutions.

Not sure which resolutions you should set yourself for 2018? Here are 18 that you might want to take your pick from. They should be challenging but not in a way that overstretched or frustrates you and results in you giving up.

My New Year’s resolution is to fix this within myself!!

My New Year’s resolution is to fix this within myself!!

WHAT’S YOUR 🎉NEW YEARS🎊 RESOLUTION⁉️ pic.twitter.com/45NQQQEbTU

— Angela Leyva (@outofideas71) December 14, 2017

• Get Fit

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions that people set is to get fit. There’s no wonder that many people are spurred on to get fitter in January – after all, they will have just been through the festive period of gluttony and they might be a few extra pounds heavier come the new year!

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Learn A Language

Have you got a few holidays booked for 2018 already? If so, you might want to spend some time trying to learn the lingo of your destinations. That way, getting around will be a lot easier. There are now lots of great elearning websites like https://www.ej4.com/ where you can find all kinds of courses. Most of these websites also offer language courses as well. If you’d rather go to a class in person, it’s worth checking at your local nightschool to see when their language classes start.

Read More Books

Lots of people love to read but they find that they can’t find the time to settle down with a good book. Working, household chores, and looking after the kids take up too much time and there is just no way they can escape with a book. But next year, there are some ways you can ease up some more reading time. For instance, why not take a book to bed with you and read for a  bit before you turn off the lights? You can get some reading inspiration from https://www.goodreads.com/.

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Learn A Musical Instrument

Have you always wanted to play the guitar? Maybe you’ve been dreaming of learning another instrument? Well, now’s your chance! You just need to see if there are any musical teachers in your area that offer lessons in your instrument of choice.

Be A Better Employee

Do you just go to work for the paycheck? If so, then you probably aren’t giving your job your all and, as a result, you won’t be getting all that much out of your work either. It just won’t be very satisfying to go to work every day! Next year, you should try and put a bit more effort in to become a better employee. You might be surprised at how more satisfying and rewarding your job then becomes!

Be More Organized

Do you often forget important meetings and appointments? If so, then maybe you should work on your organizational skills in the new year. The first step is to get yourself a diary or create an account for an online calendar service. Hopefully, then you won’t forget where you are meant to be!

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Drink Less Alcohol

Lots of people find that the Christmas and New Year’s Eve can be very boozy. Obviously, this isn’t great for various health reasons. For this reason, many people have started taking part in Dry January, during which time they give up alcohol. But after Dry January, it’s a good idea to cut down on your alcohol consumption so you can carry on enjoying all of the health benefits.

Learn How To Meditate

Do you feel constantly stressed because of various work and personal pressures in your life? If so, it might be time to learn how to chill out. You can do that by practicing meditation. There are now lots of apps you can download onto your phone or tablet advice. You then tune into them and tune out of the world for a short while!

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Improve Your Diet

If you know that your diet isn’t all that great, you might want to try and improve things in the new year. It’s easy to do so; you just need to start eating a lot more fresh veggies and fruit. It is also worth having at least one meat-free day per week so that you aren’t overloading your body with all the toxins that are in meats, especially red meats.

Meet New People

Why not get out there and make some more friends? If you are quite shy you will find that joining clubs and organizations is a good way to make some new connections. Not only that, though, but getting out there and meeting people will greatly improve your confidence as well. You never know, you might end up meeting a significant other and starting a new relationship in 2018!

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Be More Polite

Do you think you should try harder to open doors for others and be a bit more courteous in your interactions with strangers? This is something that we all have to work on at some point, and being polite is something that we often forget about or neglect while we are so busy. So, once January is here, try and be mindful of how polite you are when you are out and about and around others.

Start To Sleep Better

Think your sleep routine could do with some improving? You’re in the same boat as many people out there, trust me! Because we are all so busy and have a lot of stress to deal with, it can be difficult getting enough sleep each night. However, if you use an online guide, such as this one, it should become a lot easier!

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Watch Less TV

If you spend a few hours each day in front of your TV or watching Netflix, it could be time to think about cutting down. There is so much more rewarding and useful stuff you could be doing instead! I’ve already mentioned that most people try to read more. If this is you, why not swap an hour of TV for an hour of reading? Or go for a walk instead?

Stop Smoking

Still smoking? Hopefully, 2018 is the year that you ditch this dangerous habit! If you really struggle to cut down, you should see your doctor for some advice and tips.

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Get Out Of Debt

If your finances need some work, you should put in some extra efforts from January onwards. First of all, you should consider improving your credit score. It’s still possible to do this while you are in debt, and doing so can make the journey back into the black much easier. Then, you just need to start saving as much as possible, even if you can only spare a little amount – every little counts!

Let Go Of Your Grudges

Keeping grudges for life can start to wear you down, especially if you get to the point where you forget why you hold the grudge in the first place! This can be a very toxic way to live and can end up spoiling your relationships. It’s much better to try and forgive and forget. Sure, people can be horrible and mean sometimes, but there really is no point moping about it and dwelling on the past. Get on with your life and keep on smiling – this can actually be the best revenge!

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Travel More

Lots of people wish that they could travel more. More often than not, they don’t because they don’t have the time. Do you think that you have enough vacation days from work to take so that you can jet around the planet a bit more? If so, then this is something you should definitely do! You don’t have to spend too much money on traveling. In fact, why not start going on more staycations? They can be as cheap as you want and give you a great excuse to get out there and explore more of your home country.

Spend More Time Outside

Need some fresh air? Well, get off the sofa and head outdoors! There’s just so much waiting for you out there. First of all, you could go for a hike or a bike ride to get some exercise. All that exercise and fresh air will do you good. Even if you just go for a quick stroll around the block in the middle of your work day, you will find that you return to your desk a lot more energized and rejuvenated.

So, does one of more of these 18 New Year’s resolutions sound perfect for you for 2018? Good luck – hopefully, you don’t break yours!

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If you want to design your own kitchen and do the whole thing yourself then you certainly have a lot to think about. After all, you have to consider how you are going to get the project done under your budget and you also have to think about how you are going to get the right materials as well. For this reason, you need to plan out everything from the start before you rip out your old kitchen so do keep that in mind.

Organize your Storage

Think about where you want to use items and how you want to use them. For example, breakfast foods will want to be stored next to the breakfast bar, if you are going to have one of those. It’s also a good idea to have any plastic wrap and even any plastic containers in a spot next to a work surface so you can prepare your meals faster. Dishware and flatware could be stored next to the dishwasher so you can load and unload everything easier.

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Walkways

Wide walkways are always a bonus when you have a big kitchen. A lot of people believe that the walkway in a kitchen should be around 36 inches wide. If you have a cooking zone then you will want to have this around 42 inches wide, as this gives you more room to move around with hot pans and anything else that you might have to deal with. The space for your walkway could depend on where you have your peninsulas so this is certainly worth planning out in advance. If you have narrower walkways then this might not be a problem if you only have a small oven or very few cooking appliances. If you have a double oven or a lot of appliances then it is worth trying to widen the walking space, even if it means that you are going to miss out on cupboard space.

House Traffic

If you have kids then try and keep the cooking area away from any high traffic areas. This is so your kids don’t catch the handle of the pan and cause spillages as they run through the house. It also helps to have the fridge accessible to those who are passing through and also to those who are using the kitchen. The last thing you need is to be disrupted in the kitchen every single time someone wants to make a sandwich.

Corners need to be Clear

It’s very important that you stay clear of any corners. If you want to make your cabinets functional then make sure that you have the doors so that they swing in accordance with the design of your kitchen. If you have appliances then keep these away from the corners that you have in your kitchen and always do everything you can to make sure that the doors don’t bang into one another. It also helps to have doors on an angle so that you can have them curve with the room as opposed to having them end abruptly.

Microwave Height

The next thing that you will want to do is find the right height for the microwave. The height and even the location of the microwave will depend on you as a chef and it will also depend on who else you have in your household as well. If you are an adult then you will want to have it around 15 inches high above the countertop. If you have kids then you may be better off having the setup below the counter as this will be much easier for them to use.

Your Islands

Islands are ideal if you have a bigger kitchen but you should always determine the function of the island that you have if you want to be able to get the best result out of it. Of course, if you want to both cook and eat on the islands then you will want to have enough space so that the cooking surface is separate from the dining area. Your kitchen should have at least 15 inches of countertop either side of an appliance if possible, and this includes your fridge, microwave and anything else of the sort. Chefs who love to cook will require more counter space when compared and this is especially the case between the oven and the sink. If you are one of those people who is always preparing single meals then you will want to accommodate for this and you will also want to take into account your kids as well. If you have kids who love to bake then consider this and try and have two different countertop heights.

Second Refrigerators

If you think that you will need a second refrigerator then consider having a mini fridge underneath your countertop. You can have this on the edge of your kitchen and this helps to keep any hungry kids out of the way. You can even have a snack bar section in your kitchen as this will help your kids find somewhere they can go to after school.

Shelves

The next thing that you should be thinking about is the range. It’s a good idea for you to have a shelf next to the range or even behind the range so that you can keep all of your cooking oils in one place. It also helps to have all of your utensils and even your spices handy as well as this will really help you to make the most out of your equipment and even the positioning of it as well. It’s a good idea to have 5 hooks at the side of your oven and hob because when you do this you’ll be able to hang all of your products carefully and without having to worry about a thing.

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Sinks and Taps

Are you tired of having to carry pots filled with water from the sink to the hob? Why not consider a swing-out tap that can be used as a pot-filler. You also need to think about the colour of your sink as well, because black sinks are becoming more and more popular and there are plenty of options for you to choose from. On top of this, you’ll also find that a new sink design can really spice up the look of your kitchen.

Knife Storage

It’s vitally important that you be careful when you are storing knives. It helps to hang them on a magnetic strip that is attached to the backsplash because when you do this, it makes it much easier for you to grab the right knife and it also helps to keep them out of the reach of your kids as well.

Outlets

Outlets are your friend when it comes to your kitchen and it helps to do everything you can to try and have them scattered throughout your kitchen. Of course, if you are worried that you are not going to have enough outlet space then one way for you to get around this would be for you to have a bigger outlet with four plugs or more. This is the best way for you to keep your kitchen well-equipped. It does help to plan out where your appliances are going to go however, as this will ultimately help you with the positioning of your outlet.

So it’s very easy for you to design your own kitchen and you would be surprised at how easy it is for you to really get the best result out of your kitchen just by planning a little bit in advance.