The Festive Season: 10 Ways to Prepare for the Holidays

By Ms Pretty L Things - 15:22

It is never too soon to start your holiday celebrations, and especially not when it comes to giving a little thought to things you can do to prepare for the holiday season. Let us face it; you do not need to get acid reflux, just prepare beforehand by getting the right medication here.

The preparation doesn’t have to be stressful and tedious unless you are completely clueless on where and how to get started. Let this be the year you take control of everything to do with your holiday preparations so you can get the most out of this special season of the year. Here are some tips to get you started.

Figure out Priority Areas

What is more important to you and your family this holiday? How would you rather spend your time? Alone, with friends or family? You have to identify what is important to you before the holidays begin. You can create a to-do list with your loved ones and schedule for everything on your list.

If the list is long, you can narrow it down to “must-dos.” These should be things you and your family cannot go without during the holidays. In other words, what do you think will make your holiday incomplete if you were to skip them?

Figuring out your priority will help you get the best out of your holidays by preparing to get them done at the right time.

Buy Some Essentials

If you plan on having guests over the holiday period, ensure that you have your stocks of essentials ready. You should always have items that include hand towels, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet rolls, and hand soaps. And if you don’t expect guests, ensure your family has the things they need over this festive period.

When shopping for supplies, avoid impulse buying of items, decide which stores you are going and how long you are willing to spend on every item. With the wide range of online shopping choices, you can do some pre-shopping even earlier before the festive season.

Plan Ahead

Spare some time to sit down with a notebook or your PC and calendar to do a mind dump of everything you need or have to do during the festive period. You can start planning ahead as early as one month before the holidays and list all family traditions, community events you have to attend, or church service you want to attend. After you have captured everything, revalue them to see:

How realistic they are
What you can remove from the list without sacrificing your fun
What you can change or replace

Start Cleaning

A cluttered space adds more anxiety, taking away your concentration. On the other hand, a clean house makes you more relaxed, giving you peace of mind to focus on more important things.

Additionally, getting rid of things you do not need around will free up some space to make your house look larger and attractive. This can also help you to spare some space for festive goodies. To begin with, you can:

Clean out the refrigerator and pantry before stocking up with holiday foodstuff.
Clean up your kids’ rooms, removing things you can donate or sell. You should consider donating some used toys to get your kids involved in sharing this festive season.
Refresh your bathrooms and other rooms that your guests might use.
Declutter your bedroom and other personal spaces. Move to the closets and spaces for gifts.

Budget for the Holiday Season

Many people fail to budget for their holiday spending and end up falling prey to rush buys without intending to. Instead of following the same path, you can spare some time to work out how to spend your money and the limits to which you are willing to extend your expenditure.

You can decide how much you want to spend on the kids, entertainment, food, and parties during the holidays. Remember not to overstep your budget, trying to keep up with your neighbors or please the kids.

Go the Extra Mile if You Can Afford It

The festive period is, by far, one of the most hectic periods when it comes to shopping. This makes it even more relieving if you can get some extra hands to help with the preparations. If you have some room in your budget, you can hire some people to help you with the chores and ease your burden, giving you time to focus on keeping yourself and your family happy.

Give it a Festive Touch

You should never wait until the last minute to start your decorations. You will likely get very too busy to juggle other things. So why not start early to make your work more manageable. You can put up your décor and add some seasonal touches around your living space as early as possible. If you are preparing for Christmas, start your decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. Waiting for the last-minute rush can turn your holidays into an epic fail.

Create Some Time for Yourself

All the headaches you have to go through during festive seasons should motivate you to focus on yourself for some time. As much as it is important to concentrate on the family, it is vital to give yourself some me-time. Spare some time to relax, have a bubble bath, and go out for a walk, or stroll down street window shopping and enjoying the lease of fresh outdoor air. Whatever you decide to do, find some time that is entirely dedicated to you. Do not worry about everything else you have to do, and just soak in the joys of the festive period.

Everything else can wait because the most important moments in life are those that focus on yourself.

Do not Forget the Family

As much as you want to give yourself a break and enjoy some me-time, do not forget that your family depends on you for happiness during the festive season. Sometimes it becomes easier to forget about your loved ones because you are busy shopping, decluttering, attending community events, or just focusing on yourself. Make sure you spare some time for the family and make memories with them.

Attend events together, go sledding, or shopping hand in hand. Family traditions and memories are what make holidays worth remembering. And they are the best gift you can give your kids.

Make Reservations for Travels

If you plan to travel for your holidays, try to make your travel reservations as early as possible. Why so? Early tickets are often more affordable, plus you do not have to rush-check available flights. Additionally, making early reservations helps you focus on other aspects knowing your travel and accommodations are sorted out. Seats on buses and airlines fill up during festive periods, and so do hotels. If you are not fast enough, you may end up spending time in places you did not intend to and risk throwing away the fun and happiness you wanted.

Final Thoughts

The festive period can be overwhelming and hectic if you are not careful enough to plan ahead of time. This is especially true if you are not good at juggling tasks. Even for those that can multitask, the workload is often too heavy to bear, and you may end up stressing out instead of enjoying some quality time with family and friends.

Get ready for the holiday period by preparing smartly, dress for autumn, shop early enough, prepare your home, Craft with the kids, and ensure you have all essentials ready. What is more important is the preparation you put in place as this is often equivalent to how much you enjoy the holidays.

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Beauty

4 Beauty Tips and Tricks That Actually Work

By Ms Pretty L Things - 17:07

The concept of beauty has changed dramatically throughout human history. Professional makeup artists, hair stylists, and dermatologists are all key people who are revolutionising the beauty industry in their own ways. But what if you knew the top beauty hacks out there to help you improve your skills without any hassle? For sure, that will be amazing. So, whether you are a make-up pro or a novice, the following beauty tips and tricks can work for you

1. Layer your skincare products from the thinnest to the thickest texture

The creams you apply to your face and body usually end up being soaked by your skin. If your routine consists of skincare products with both thin and thick textures and you want to layer, here is a tip for you. Start with the lighter and watery skincare products before you finish things up with the heaviest oils or creams. Oil helps seal all your products that were applied earlier on. That means if you begin with oils before adding light hyaluronic acid, you may not benefit much.

2. DIY lipstick mattifier

Lipsticks are among the most common make-up items ladies cannot do without. They come in various colours, shapes, and sizes. But what would you do to get your regular creamy lipstick to look matte? Well, with the aid of some loose powder and tissue, you should be able to do that. All you have to do is apply the lipstick of your preferred colour. After that, place a tissue paper on your lips and brush over it with powder. The powder will soak up the shine and give your adorable lipstick a new finish of smooth matte.

3. Store your eye cream and nail polish in your fridge

You may have observed that many eye creams come with tubes with metal tips. The metal's function is to cool your skin and constrict the blood vessels to deflate the puffy areas. Another simple strategy to experience a similar effect is to stash your old eye creams in your refrigerator. This trick could work like magic, especially during the summer. Also, when you use your fridge to keep your nail polish, it will prevent the polish from thickening over time.

4. Get rid of flaky lips, acne, and wrinkles

Exfoliated lips are essential for a beautiful lipstick application. However, there is another way to solve the problem of flaky lips when you are doing your beauty routines. You can do it using a do-it-yourself (DIY) scrub made from coconut oil and brown sugar. How about if you want to keep your wrinkles away? The solution is also pretty simple — just sleep on your back, and you will not have to wake up the next day with puffy eyes and wrinkles. If you are also suffering from acne, you can find professional acne treatment from Zo Skin Health.

By now you should have realised that staying beautiful does not always have to be too challenging. You can upgrade your makeup skills using these simple hacks.

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featured

7 Tips To Help Improve Your Home On A Budget

By Ms Pretty L Things - 18:40

A beautifully decorated home doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. It’s quite easy to give your home a new lease of life without having to break the bank, especially when you use a few hints and tips to guide you. Believe it or not, it is possible to make an impact without having to do a complete renovation or spend a tonne of money.

Whether you have saved to do some decorating or you want to limit the amount you spend because are looking for loans for bad credit, you can rest assured that it is possible to create the house of your dreams and give it a new look without worrying about finding a lot of funds.

Have a look at the hints and tips below to help get you started:

Add Some Colour Too Your Walls

It’s certainly a time for don’t move, improve, and there is no easier way than with a lick of paint. It can give your home an instant lift as well as being inexpensive. Whether you paint the entire room or create a feature wall using frog tape to create a range of patterns, you will be guaranteed to find a new striking look that will impress.

Relook At What You Already Have

It costs you absolutely nothing to relook at what your room already provides you. Try moving a few pieces around, sometimes having a fresh look on a room can be all you need to motivate you to declutter and make it feel like new. Do you need everything you have? Or can you give you room a new open walkway by reducing your furniture collection? Less is definitely more in a home.

Be Careful With Your Lighting

The right lighting has the ability to completely transform any room. It can alter the mood at minimal cost, making it a great way to improve a home without spending a fortune. Replace mismatch lamps with a matching set, add a new lampshade to change the look of the central piece in your room, and change your light bulbs to natural bulbs to make your home feel like it’s letting in the outside. Remember to shop around when it comes to lighting, you will often come across bargains in this department it’s just about doing your research.

Change Up Your Throws And Cushions

Take a good look at your current cushions and throws, now you will probably be able to admit that they have seen better days. These items become drab and dreary without us realizing and can make a home look messy, cluttered, and unkept. Plus a lot of people start to blame their sofa and go out to spend a small fortune on a new one if you replace your cushions and throws you may find that it makes you sofa have anew lease of life and that you didn’t need to spend all that money in the first place. Want the ultimate bargain? Think about making your own cushions, there are plenty of tutorials on platforms such as Pinterest.

Create Your Own Headboard

You can easily give your bedroom an instant lift by making your own headboard. Cut some MDF to size and upholster it in a fabric of your choice, add button, gems, you name it to make it unique to you. You could even make some curtains and cushions to match. No one will have the same as you, and no one will be able to tell that you have done it yourself.

Add Some Mirrors

Mirrors are extremely cost-effective and a great alternative to artwork. You can use them to add shimmer and light to your walls. They work really well to maximize the light in your home if you put them on the wall opposite a window. Try not to use too many, but it’s not uncommon to see a mirror in every room, this is because it makes such a difference to the lighting in your home.

Transform Your Windows

Windows often get left unattended, however, they make a brilliant focal point without the need to overspend. Adding something like Roman blinds work as a fantastic low-effort but high-impact option. Making sure you have statement curtains that are properly hung and have ties back is another good way to make your windows look well dressed and standout. If you don’t want to lose out on any light, why not add a privacy film to your windows? It provides you with the privacy you need, the light that you need, and can easily be removed.

These seven tips are just the start of the many things you can do to your home on a budget. Have you started any low-cost projects to improve your home? Please share some ideas in the comments below.

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Fashion

Ideas & Inspiration For Dressing To Impress This Autumn

By Ms Pretty L Things - 07:08

Once again a new season is upon us, which means that it’s also the start of a new fashion season - aka AW2020. Of all the seasons, autumn can be one of the hardest to dress for, particularly as the weather is so indecisive - one minute it’s boiling hot and sunny, then next it’s freezing cold and raining - so it’s no wonder it’s a little more complex getting your look right. However, just because it’s a little hard to hone your autumn look, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get it right - it’s just a case of finding the right inspiration, that’s all.

What it’s important to remember when it comes to new season style is the fact that you don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe each season. A lot of the clothing from previous seasons can easily be updated to look smart, stylish, and on-trend, it’s just a case of knowing what steps you need to take in order to update your clothing. Believe it or not, it’s far easier than you might think.

Keen to dress to impress this autumn? Below are a few tips, ideas and pieces of inspiration to ensure that whatever you’re wearing - whether it’s last season’s items or new couture - you are on-trend. Read on for everything that you need to know about AW2020 fashion!

Have a wardrobe clear-out

One of the first steps that you need to take when it comes to ensuring that you are able to dress in a way that is on-trend, is to have a wardrobe clear-out. Take the time to sort through your wardrobe, picking out any items that you no longer like, don’t wear, or that don’t fit you anymore - there’s no point hoarding clothing, so take the time to have a good old clear out. You will feel better for it - a clearer wardrobe will allow you to see what items you’ve got, and determine how best to utilise them.

Any items that are summer-only items and you know that you won’t wear during the winter months, consider packing away and storing. That way you will leave your wardrobe clear for your autumn-winter wardrobe. When it comes to your wardrobe, the more space you have, the better, as that way it’s easier to see what items of clothing you have.

Look at what you've already got

The next step is to think about the items of clothing you have already got, and which ones you could incorporate into your autumn-winter 2020 looks. For instance, if you have items like pinafore dresses, plain skirts, jeans, and dungarees, these are fairly versatile items and don’t tend to change that much from season to season.

For example, a pinafore dress is a pinafore dress, and the design rarely changes. What might change, however, is how and what you wear a pinafore dress with, such as the colours, for instance. The good news is that by simply buying a new top in an on-trend colour, you can update an out-of-season pinafore dress, making it look like an on-trend item. It’s not just top colour that you can change either, you can also incorporate a quirky - and on-trend - pair of tights or boosts, for instance.

The fact is that you can easily utilise the garments you already have to create a number of on-trend, seasonal looks. It’s just a case of getting creative with what you’ve got, that’s all.

Create a capsule wardrobe

If you don’t already have a capsule wardrobe, now is the ideal time to create one. What is a capsule wardrobe and what is the benefit? A capsule wardrobe is simply a wardrobe of clothing where everything can be worn together - it’s a wardrobe that is versatile and accommodating, not to mention a wardrobe that keeps clothing costs low.

Creating a capsule wardrobe means putting together a collection of versatile clothing that will allow you to create a number of different looks that are stylish and on-trend. What’s great about a capsule wardrobe is that it can last for years, as you simply need to switch out certain basic garments as seasons and trends change.

So, what are some capsule wardrobe staples and what basics are needed to pair with them? In terms of staples, ideally, you would want to have: black jeans, blue jeans, simple skirts - ideally in monochrome tones - and a couple of different pinafore dress colours and styles. These items make up your staples, and then teamed with a collection of seasonal basics, such as on-trend tees, tights, jumpers, and cardigans. You can utilise a few basic items in the colour and style of the season’s trends to ensure that your capsule wardrobe always remains up to date - it’s a simple yet effective method of staying on-trend without breaking the bank.

Incorporate some new garments to team with your clothing

As touched on slightly above, a simple way to update an old look is by incorporating some new garments to team with older clothing. You would be amazed at how easy it is to update and upgrade an old look with a couple of new items. For autumn-winter 2020, jewel tones, metallics, lilac, and toffee-shades are on-trend, so buying garments and accessories in these colours can help you to update an old look more easily.

For instance, say you’ve got a gorgeous pair of black skinnies, these are truly versatile and will last for years, as jeans never go out of style even if new cuts come in each season. If you want to update the way in which you wear your jeans to meet the new season’s style trends, you might want to invest in a few new items to team with them. For a casual look, a simple tee tucked into your jeans, and topped with a shacket - aka a shirt jacket - could look fantastic, especially if you opt for a shacket in one of the on-trend tones - army green is a popular colour this season.

Utilise accessories to add style

Another simple way to add style to your look, and ensure that you are dressed in a way that meets this season’s trends, is to think about using accessories to update your look. You would be amazed at just how easily a few carefully throughout accessories can really lift an older look and make it look brand new again.

Wondering what items you can utilise to upgrade your look? There’s no limit to what works, from scarves, bags and tights to boots, cardigans, and hairbands, not to mention eyeglasses of course. If you’re someone who wears glasses, you can use your glasses to update your look and ensure that you are on-trend for the season at hand. When it comes to sourcing smart, stylish, fashionable glasses, resources like www.eyeglasses.com are invaluable. When it comes to adding style to a look, often it’s the little things that make all of the difference.

Jewellery is another option for adding a sense of on-trend style to your look - if you want to update an old look using accessories, a few carefully selected pieces of jewellery can help you to do that - even costume jewellery will do the trick.

Shoes are of course another way that you can update an older look - it’s just a case of choosing the right shoes to match the season. By upgrading your go-to shoe collection for the start of a new season, you can help to keep your look smart, stylish, and on-trend. Of course, if you have shoes such as ankle boots, for instance, these tend to stand the test of time and don’t really need updating, as they will last for years and still look on-trend. However, if you want to add a pair or two of new season-style shoes to your wardrobe, this can help you to more seamlessly update your look further.

The fact is that when it comes to the new season fashion trends, it’s easy to feel like you have to buy an entirely new wardrobe. However, the fact is that not everyone is able to afford to completely update their wardrobe each season - and to be totally honest, doing so is a huge waste. Just because an item of clothing is from last season or the season before, that doesn’t mean that it can’t look good - it’s just a case of knowing how to update your overall look by making a few small, simple changes.

Hopefully, the guide above will help you to learn how to seasonally update your look without having to replace your entire wardrobe in the process. Believe it or not, it’s actually easier than you might think to update your wardrobe by implementing a few new garments in the season’s on-trend colours and styles. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can find plenty of ideas and inspiration online - it’s just a case of taking the time to find the inspiration that you need to look and feel good whatever the season and year.

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featured

Hit The Floor!

By Ms Pretty L Things - 08:30

6 Comments

Beauty

Give Yourself A Brand New Look This Year

By Ms Pretty L Things - 09:00

If you have ever had a morning when you have woken up, looked in the mirror and thought, I really want to make some changes to my look, then you may want to keep reading. While there are many posts out there that may suggest some huge things to revamp your look, this is not the direction this post is headed in.

Today, we are going to be looking at some of the simple things you should be considering when it comes to changing your look. While they may be simple, more often than not, it’s the basic things that will always make the biggest difference.

Why You Don’t Need to Overdo Things

One of the most important things you should remember when it comes to giving yourself a new look is not to go OTT. While you may not like everything you see when you look in the mirror, the truth is, not many people do.

When it comes to making yourself feel brand new and looking completely different, you may be surprised at the difference; the smallest things can make. While we may only suggest some very simple things that can alter your look, maybe it’s worth trying them before you move onto something that could be more expensive and more drastic.

Make A Few Subtle Changes

If you want to make a difference to your appearance with something small but effective, why not start off with something really subtle.

One of the best things you can try is maybe mixing up your makeup a little bit. If you are not confident doing this, then there is an amazing and free thing you can do. If you head to your local beauty store, you will often find makeup counters that will be willing to sit you down and try out a few things with you. All you need to do is tell them what your vision is and let them loose on your face.

All you need to do is tell them what your vision is and let them loose on your face.If you want to try something that may make a little more of an impact, then maybe you could consider a new piercing. The great thing about piercings is, if you don’t like them, you can just take them out and best of all, they can offer so much to your look.

Whether you choose a nose or helix piercing, you will find that they offer a lot to your look and you may even feel great about your appearance once again with simple little addition.

Finally, we are going to look at the simplest addition of all; if you want to feel brand new, then it’s time to give your wardrobe an overhaul. By introducing some new outfits into your life, you will also be bringing in a lot more confidence, and you will find a side to you that you may have thought had disappeared some time ago.

The truth is, as soon as you target the most basic of things, you will start to feel amazing once again, and let’s face it, you deserve to feel that way.

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Beauty

Fun Ways to Make Yourself Feel Pretty Day to Day

By Ms Pretty L Things - 18:00

Life is busy and chaotic, sometimes our appearance is at the bottom of the priority list. But there’s nothing worse than catching sight of yourself in a mirror or a shop window halfway through the day and being shocked at how bad you look- from under eye circles to scruffy hair, unflattering clothes - it can make you feel rubbish. If you’re fed up with looking a mess and want to take steps to feel prettier and more confident, here are some fun ways you can go about it.

Try a new makeup look

Makeup is a fantastic tool. It can completely transform your face, or it can subtly hide scars, marks and even out your complexion - it can be whatever you want it to be. If you have more time one day you could play around with smokey eyes, contouring and different lip colours - you can keep it more subtle if it’s earlier in the day or go full on glam if you’re going on a night out. If you don’t have much time in the morning, how about coming up with a five minute makeup routine? A bit of concealer, some pressed powder, mascara and a swipe of lip colour can make you feel much better about yourself for the rest of the day.

Have your hair done

If you’re currently trying to keep a super high maintenance style, chances are between hair appointments and on days that you don’t have much time, your style looks really bad. Instead of working against your natural hair, work with it. Instead of dying it a colour which requires constant root uptake, work with your natural shade. Not only will this suit you well, but it will be far easier to keep on top of. If your hair is curly, scrunch through some mousse and embrace your curls instead of battling the straighteners every morning. If it’s naturally straight, enjoy the sleek look instead of fussing around with hair curlers and extensions. You’ll feel much more put together each day, instead of your hair looking scruffy and only looking its best on days that you have more time.

Buy some new clothes

Comfortable, practical clothes are what most of us need day to day. However, clothes can still look good while fulfilling these purposes. Instead of throwing on loungewear like tracksuit bottoms and oversized hoodies, look into comfy jersey dresses, wear them with tights and put a comfy cardigan over the top. Another option would be a pair of jeggings with some flat boots and a flowy top. You’ll be just as comfortable, but the clothes will flatter your body shape and you won’t find yourself hiding away. You can easily pop on a statement necklace, grab a brightly coloured back or throw on a patterned scarf to add more interest with very little hassle or effort.

It’s good to dress up and look nice if you’re going out and have more time, but you can feel pretty every day too if you follow this simple advice. It’s a great way to give your self esteem a boost.

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The Festive Season: 10 Ways to Prepare for the Holidays

Figure out Priority Areas

Buy Some Essentials

Plan Ahead

Start Cleaning

Budget for the Holiday Season

Go the Extra Mile if You Can Afford It

Give it a Festive Touch

Create Some Time for Yourself

Do not Forget the Family

Make Reservations for Travels

Final Thoughts

4 Beauty Tips and Tricks That Actually Work

7 Tips To Help Improve Your Home On A Budget

Add Some Colour Too Your Walls

Relook At What You Already Have

Be Careful With Your Lighting

Change Up Your Throws And Cushions

Create Your Own Headboard

Add Some Mirrors

Transform Your Windows

Ideas & Inspiration For Dressing To Impress This Autumn

Hit The Floor!

Give Yourself A Brand New Look This Year

Fun Ways to Make Yourself Feel Pretty Day to Day

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