LIKES & LOVES| AUGUST 2022

*Some of the items in this post were gifted to us. All thoughts are my own.

The summer holidays have pretty much dragged for us. It hasn't helped that we were without Internet for a good while too. However we've got out and about and Blake has spent time with friends too. I luckily downloaded quite a few things to watch on Netflix and I've featured only my favourites from the month below.

Netflix 

Boo Bitch

Two senior BFFs make a last-ditch attempt to be seen. But when one of them becomes a ghost, she'll need to really live her best life — while she can.

The Lincoln Lawyer 

Idealistic lawyer Mickey Haller runs his practise out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, taking on cases big and small across Los Angeles.

Alba

Alba awakens on a beach, bearing evidence of a rape but with no memory of the night before. Then she learns her rapists are her boyfriend's buddies.

The sea beast

When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters - and make history to boot.

Hugo

Hugo is a young orphan who loves pottering around with the station clocks and whose most treasured possession is his late father's automaton. His mission is to find a key that will get it working.

Disney +

Lightyear 

Lightyear follows the legendary space ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits, Izzy, Mo and Darby, and his robot companion Sox. As this motley crew embark on their toughest mission yet, they must learn to work as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army who are never far behind.

*The Hair Boss Detox foam 

The Hair Boss Detox Foam helps to remove build-up that leaves your hair  looking dull and can feel heavy. Instead leaving hair fresh, voluminous and clean. Lisa’s Top Tip “If you apply The Detox Foam to your hair before getting in the pool and give it a quick blitz with a hairdryer, this will help protect your hair from chlorine. It's a great product that is suitable for all hair types and ideal for the summer.

2022 READING CHALLENGE | WHAT I'VE READ IN AUGUST

I'm surprised that I've managed to read as much as I have this month especially with it being the summer holidays. I've read 6 books 1 which is a non fiction and 3 are a series.

Freckles by Cecila Ahern

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Review - Some of the items in this post were gifted to us for the purpose of this post they are marked with a *

The summer holidays are close to an end and the new school year will soon be here. I've compiled this post with a mix of items we have purchased ourselves and items that we have been kindly gifted.  

Uniform can be really expensive, especially if you have to have certain items with the school logo on. My top tip for this - if your child's uniform still fits don't feel the need to buy new just because it's a new school year. For non logo related clothing we opt for supermarket brands as they are reasonably priced and great quality. Places like Marks and Spencers and Asda do adaptive school uniform items, which are ideal for children with additional needs.

You don't need an expensive coat. Usually we get a supermarket branded one, however in the past Blake has had a Regatta coat which was brilliant quality and would definitely buy from them again.

There is no denying that school shoes are expensive. We personally use Clark's shoes as they last Blake the longest compared to other brands we have tried. We prefer ones that have a toe bumper as well for this reason.

GIVEAWAY | JUMBO OCTOPUS KITE

 Ad/Gifted – The Jumbo Octopus  Kite featured in this post was gifted to me from Wicked Uncle in exchange for this post. All thoughts are my own.

This wonderful octopus kite is truly impressive and flies beautifully, its long rainbow tentacles fluttering across the sky. Measuring a colossal 4 meters from end to end, this great kite comes in its own handy storage bag and includes an extra-long line and sturdy handle. Excellent fun for amateurs and experts alike and perfect for windy beach days.

How To Deal With The Challenges Of Raising A Special Needs Child

 *This is a collaborative post 

Raising a special needs child is daunting as it entails daily challenges and long-term stresses. The task lists are endless, from tending to the physical needs of the child to taking them for therapy appointments and soothing them during difficult moments. Things get even more complicated if you have other kids to look after. Financial challenges and stress about the future make life harder. But you can deal with the challenges of raising a special child's needs with the right approach. Here are some tips to stay sane and get through.

AUTISM AND ORAL HYGIENE – DENTISTS & TOOTH BRUSHING

- Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This does not cost you any extra but I may get compensated if you purchase using them.

Visiting the dentist is no fun, more so for somone who is autistic. It's not just a trip to the dentist that can be tricky brushing teeth and loosing teeth are other things that can be a struggle. Within this post I'll be sharing some strategies for making tooth brushing less stressful, loosing teeth less traumatic and dental trips a bit more easier for children on the spectrum.

REVIEW | PHOTO GIFTS WITH PRINTSTER

Ad – Review. I was gifted the photo products below for review purposes, all thoughts are my own.

Photo gifts tend to be a popular choice for any occasion and Printster have you covered. They have been producing perfect personalised products for UK consumers for nearly 15 years, from personalised mugs to socks, wrapping paper and even face masks. Printster gave me the chance to choose some products of their's to share with you. I opted for a mug, fridge magnets and photo panel.

The website is easy to navigate and it's very simple to personalise and purchase your chosen products. All you have to do is upload your chosen image and add to cart, check out is super easy too. Postage is on top of the cost of your chosen items dependant on what you order. Some select items include free delivery. You can find more information on shipping costs here.

4 ways to relax before bedtime

 *This is a collaborative post 

Stress is a natural part of life, but it can be overwhelming at times. When we are experiencing stress, our body produces hormones that can make us feel tired and irritable. In this article, we will explore how to relieve stress and what to do when you cannot sleep.

It's good that we experience some stress from time to time because it helps us grow stronger in the long run and adapt to certain situations. However, when the amount of stress starts affecting our lives negatively, it is important for us to find ways to relieve it before the situation gets worse.

The most effective way for us to relieve stress is through sleep - when we get enough sleep, our bodies are able to deal with it in a better manner. Sleeplessness is no joke, it can turn into a chronic sleeping disorder at any point. It is important to find certain ways to relax before going to bed, especially when you have to take care of your children as well. Here are some of the best ways for you to relax.

REVIEW | HOST YOUR OWN FAMILY QUIZ NIGHT

Ad – review. I was sent the Host Your Own Family Quiz Night game for review purposes and all thoughts are my own.

Thanks to Cheatwell games, it's time to get the family together and get away from screens with the Host Your Own Family Quiz Night board game. The game is suitable for ages 8 years and over and a minimum of 2 players. You can play either individually or in teams. It's an all-inclusive quiz game that allows everyone to join in the fun!

The game comes with a playing board, 8 decks of question cards, 6 playing counters, a die and instructions. The objective of the game is to be the first player or team to reach the Finish square to win the game.

9 Measure to Reduce the Risk of Future Pest Infestations in Your Home

*This is a collaborative post 

Pest can be an impossible menace. They are quite the eyesore, but that is the least of their nuisances. Pests also cause diseases and house damage that could cost you a pretty penny salvage. Well, everything has a place in the grand scheme of things. However, with the vastness of the planet and universe, there is absolutely no reason to share your space with annoying creepy crawlies, rodents or any other pest. Here are some measures to help reduce the risk of pest infestation in your home:

Is My Child Old Enough to Be Left at Home Alone?

 *This is a collaborative post 

While leaving your child alone should be down to their age and maturity, it’s also something that your child should learn to get used to as they are developing their independence. It’s something that can be slowly tested with each child, but it also should be done at the right time in their growth and development.

To find out for yourself when it is best to leave your child at home alone, here are some key pointers to consider.

The Benefits of Coding Lessons for Children

*This is a collaborative post 

Coding is a great skill for children to develop, especially when it’s becoming more of an integral skill in younger generations. IB Schools in the UK provide many opportunities for coding lessons, for instance, which will give your child the leverage in future studies.

In this guide we’ll be exploring the many benefits that coding brings to children and why you should consider coding lessons.

Skincare 101; New ingredients to add to your skincare routine

*This is a collaborative post

The future of beauty is here, and it's not just a new trend. It's our way of life. We are witnessing a shift in the way we perceive and interact with beauty. In this section, we will explore the future of beauty by looking at trends and ingredients that will shape the industry in 2022 and beyond. Did you know that more than 15% of the ingredients used in the skincare industry have come up in the last five years? More and more people are now becoming aware of the importance of cruelty-free skincare, and even vegan products, but what are the main ingredients that we need to look forward to this year?

Skincare ingredients have been instrumental in shaping the future of beauty for years now, but as we enter 2022, there are several trends that will make their mark on this industry.

Why People are Swapping Out Chemical-Based Products For Natural Ones?

The availability of natural skincare products has been increasing in recent years. This is due to the growing awareness about the effects of chemicals on our health and environment.

Some people are opting for natural skincare products because they want to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. Others want to go organic beauty because they believe that it is more sustainable than chemical-based products. . There is no one way to quantify the concept of sustainable beauty. It is a personal decision based on a variety of factors.

5 Unique Hobbies for Children

 *This is a collaborative post 

While every school will have a range of extracurricular support for their students, there are other activities you can try out with your child at home. Here are 5 unique hobbies you could pursue with your child at home right now.

Top Tips for Teaching Your Child to Respect Other Cultures

*This is a collaborative post

Learning about the art of being respectful is a big part of a child’s growth, but you should also explore the many different cultures out there in the world. It gives your child the chance to learn about these many elements of the world, and helps your child learn to potentially learn about where their friends hail from.

Here are some top tips for helping you teach your child to be respectful to the many cultures out there in the world.

GIVEAWAY : BUNGEE HOPPER

Ad/Gifted – The Bungee Hopper featured in this post was gifted to me from Wicked Uncle in exchange for this post. All thoughts are my own.

Fantastically fun and easy to use, this awesome bungee hopper is a fun twist on the classic pogo! Simply grab the soft padded handles, plant your feet and get to hopping. The padded red base makes a funny squeaking noise with each bounce and is made of super soft foam, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The stretchy bungee cord means the Bungee Hopper is suitable for all sizes.

I am able to give one lucky reader a chance to win a bungee hopper.

All you need to do is complete the rafflecopter below to enter.

Terms and conditions 

-To enter you must be 16 and over 

- This competition will close on 15th August at 12.00am GMT 

- The winner will be chosen at random and notified via email, twitter or facebook

- If the winner doesn't reply within 30 days another winner will be drawn

- Please have a look at my privacy policy on how how I collect, store and use data and please do contact me if you have any questions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 Weight Loss Tips for Men Over 40

*This is a collaborative post

Shedding off a few pounds is easier said than done. As you age, you will notice that you are not as active as you used to be when you were younger. Hormonal changes such as a drop in testosterone and estradiol could increase your percentage of body fat and contribute to loss of muscle mass. Your body also stores more fat the older you become, causing you to gain weight. All these factors combined could cause your weight to spiral out of control unless you take action as soon as possible. Here are a few practical weight loss tips for men over 40.

REVIEW | GEOMAG GLOW

Ad – review. I was sent the Geomag Glow set for review purposes and all thoughts are my own.

Geomags are popular with Blake and his friends and the Geomag Confetti set is a hit with them all. We've now been sent one of the  new Glow sets which are just as fun and educational.

Geomags help children learn a full range of seemingly unexplainable forces through their exciting and fun-packed construction toys. Invisible forces allow the magnetic rods and metal spheres to join together to create a plethora of different constructions. 

5 Ways to Make Any Building More Energy Efficient

*This is a collaborative post

Older buildings are far less energy efficient than their modern counterparts. Many still rely on large amounts of non-renewable resources to keep residents or occupants comfortable, which will only become more of a problem as the world's fossil fuel reserve continues to be depleted.

In more recent years, there has been a shift in thinking among building designers, and the need for energy-efficient structures is now a priority. However, there are still a lot of buildings that were constructed prior to this modern shift. Read on to find out how to make them more energy efficient.