I got robbed and what I did about it.

 It was end of August when I looked at my fence and noticed this piece of wood that was broken. Weird, I thought. I looked at my security camera and seen that hours before, at 4 am a lad jumped into our garden and efortlessly took my egg chair in his back and off he went with it. I immediately started shaking and burst into tears.

That chair had sentimental value for me. I've dreamt of having one for over 3 years and when I finally got it, it was my safe space. Every single sunny day after breakfast I would go outsite and lay in there, soaking in the sun. Sometimes I would read a book while I was relaxing in the chair, hearing the birds. It really got to me. That day I went from neighbour to neighbour to ask if they had cctv cameras, to ask if they heard something. 

I checked ad after ad, marketplace, gumtree, any platform that they could have sold it on. Day after day, night after night I went patroling the streets with Nick hoping that we will find it, but we didn't. It was a distressing experience that left me angry and feeling hopeless for weeks, until I decided that I need to take action. We've talked for years about expanding our family with a dog and this was the perfect opportunity, so our final choice was a german shepherd- loyal, reliable, smart and extremly protective. This is how Alma came into our lives.


After that we decided that it was too easy for others to jump the fence, so we installed some sharp spikes.We bought them online and after placing them we put some signs of warning on the fence near them. Don't say we didn't warn you!

While I was looking at the footage with the guy taking my chair I realised that at some point the light near our home turned on as it had sensors- he didn't even care, he actually tried to have a good look at what was inside our living room, but the curtains were on. That's why we got an alarm system inside that's with movement sensors. 

Also, to make sure that we'll try to make our home as safe as we can for ourselves, we decided that Patlock was the best solution as we've seen ads about it on police & neighbourhood watch websites and groups . It provides us with extra security and it's easy to use, it literally takes seconds for us to put on, take off. Patlock is easy to fit and works by holding the internal door handles secure, meaning the external handles cannot be operated. This ensures that the door mechanism remains in the locked position, even if the locks are snapped or removed. So we use it whenever we are out or at night. Better safe than sorry!






This is my experience from the end of summer 2020. Did anything similar happened to you?

If yes, what did you do about it?


*Patlock was a gifted product








How to Look Chic on Your Vacation

 


Image Credit

 Have you ever walked into your wardrobe to pick your travel outfit but couldn't find something to take with you? The problem isn't that your closet is empty, but you can't match anything to your travel destination. This happens to most people when they travel, but it doesn't have to be the norm.

 When visiting a new destination, you strive to look your best. However, you don't want to bring the entire wardrobe along, especially if going for a few days only. These simple tips on planning your trip can help you pick the right items.

Pack Your Old Favorites

Everyone has those clothing pieces in their wardrobe that are their favorite items. You love them because they not only make you look great but are easy to match with a variety of accessories. Ensure you pack them first before stuffing your suitcase with other items.

 Regardless of how many times you’ve worn them before, you'll feel different about them while at your destination. Remember that the weather conditions might be different in the place you intend to visit and plan appropriately. You might want to bring some warm clothes for cold destinations and light ones for hot areas.

Bring Your Fashionable Basics

Another challenge with packing for a vacation is picking functional yet fashionable basics. Here, the idea is to look chic and comfortable without spending a fortune on new fashion items.

 If you're a lover of jewelry back at home, don't be afraid to bring those pieces along on your travel. You might own a bunch of colorful button-ups, but they may not serve the purpose on your trip. Instead, pick pieces that will make you look good whether you're going for a dinner, business meeting, or casual lunch by the beach. They should be items that won't make your suitcase too bulky.

 As a tip, pick enough sweaters, tops, blouses, long-sleeve shirts, pants, underwear, and dresses. It would help if you also packed enough pairs of shoes to last you the entire trip.  Don’t forget to bring a pair of eyeglasses designed for travel, fashion, and style. You can get a wide variety to choose from at Eyeglasses.com. 

Have a Chic Sling Bag

A sling bag is essential for easy organization of small essential items that you can with you everywhere. These include your lip gloss, eyeglasses, cash, credit cards, handkerchief, sunscreen, and mascara.

 Let the color of the sling bag be such that it easily compliments all your outfits. Alternatively, you can bring more than one sling bag with you. The length of the strap should also be comfortable while keeping your bag safely near your hands for easy reach. 

Don’t Forget Your Skin and Hair Care Products

Your skin and hair need care home and away. Although you may not spend much time on your hair while on vacation, it doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Bring a bottle of dry shampoo which you apply on the go before styling your hair.

 Moisturizers for your skin, a bit of powder, and your regular makeup items are essential. Make sure to use some good-quality sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's rays. 

Take Away

Packing for a vacation can be a challenge. However, you can establish a routine, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. Ensure you have outfits for every occasion and the accessories are carefully picked. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring your confidence; it’s the ultimate mark of looking chic on your vacation.


Things to consider when decorating your new flat

 

Yesterday I've spoken to my best friend about how things are going for her, how did her working environment change since the pandemic and how is she spending her weekends now that the restaurants and pubs are on the verge of closing- and her answer really surprised me. She told me that she doesn't have that much of a spare time because she is decorating her new apartment. She also complained how expensive things were and that the quality isn't actually reflected in the price.       

With that in mind, I feel that most of my friends have recently bought a new flat or house - even close relatives of mine.When I bought my house everything was almost brand new, so I didn't have to go from shop to shop to design my perfect home. 



Two months ago, when visiting Transylvania, I was asked to give my opinion with choosing pretty much everything that you need to completely redecorate a house. From door handles to toilets, we've spent in one shop roughly 2-3 hours.And there were plenty of shops to visit!

One of the hardest things to do was picking the right tiles and wood flooring . We've spend around one hour just staring at them and comparing the quality, price, shapes and sizes. I am very peculiar when choosing the wooden floor. It can completely change the look of a room in good or it can completely ruin it- depends on how your inner artist can mix and match it with furniture, colours and different objects.

If I want my room to look brighter, then I will always choose a light colour, such as white or light grey. If I want it to look more masculine or bold, then I will always go either for a very dark color such as chestnut or a very rustic look, I'll go for oak. 

I will always go for a solid wood flooring, as there's where you can actually see the quality- it just lasts longer in time. And knowing that it's not cheap replacing your flooring, when you do it, you better do it right.


When redecorating your house, what was your hardest decision to make?

Charlotte Tilbury Mystery Box UK December 2019

Hi there!

For reasons unknown by myself and to myself, I didn't post this Mystery Box from Charlotte Tilbury. Ridiculous, isn't it?
I received this box in December 2019 and it was my first ever mystery box from this brand. The discount was amazing, so I told myself that I MUST have it.
So, this is what I have received:

mystery-box-face-cream-skincare-lipstick-latex-love-magic-cream-youth-primer-mascara-lipgloss-cleanser-palette-icon-blush-chalotte-tilbury-uk-2019-winter-december-makeup-luiza-calini-beauty-lifestyle-blogger-uk-leeds-bradford-westyorkshire


The Mystery Box from Charlotte Tilbury contains the following products:
*Charlotte’s Magic Cream - £49
*Goddess Cleansing Ritual - £32.50
*Brightening Youth Glow Primer - £39 Value 
*Colagen Lip Bath - £ 25
*Cheek to Chic Blush - £30
*Matte Revolution - £25
*The Icon Palette - £55
*Legendary Lashes vol 2- £25
*Latex Love - £24
*Dry Sheet Mask- £18



mystery-box-face-cream-skincare-lipstick-latex-love-magic-cream-youth-primer-mascara-lipgloss-cleanser-palette-icon-blush-chalotte-tilbury-uk-2019-winter-december-makeup-luiza-calini-beauty-lifestyle-blogger-uk-leeds-bradford-westyorkshire

mystery-box-face-cream-skincare-lipstick-latex-love-magic-cream-youth-primer-mascara-lipgloss-cleanser-palette-icon-blush-chalotte-tilbury-uk-2019-winter-december-makeup-luiza-calini-beauty-lifestyle-blogger-uk-leeds-bradford-westyorkshire




Price paid for the products: 150£
Value of the products: 322.5

So more than 50% discount. Is it a good value? I think it is, but I wasn't too fussed about the red lipsticks, the red glossy one and the dark red one. 
This year I can't wait to order the new box, it normally goes down on sale near Black Friday.
Have you ever bought a mystery box? If so, were you pleased with what you received?


mystery-box-face-cream-skincare-lipstick-latex-love-magic-cream-youth-primer-mascara-lipgloss-cleanser-palette-icon-blush-chalotte-tilbury-uk-2019-winter-december-makeup-luiza-calini-beauty-lifestyle-blogger-uk-leeds-bradford-westyorkshire


Setting Up A New Business: How To Increase Your Chances Of Success

 


If you’re looking to set up a new business, you may have come across some rather sobering statistics. It’s no secret that most new companies fail, but there are plenty that beat the odds and survive. If you’re preparing to launch a new venture, here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success. 


Picture credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-draw-a-light-bulb-in-white-board-3758105/


Research the market

A lack of demand for products and services is one of the most common reasons for new business failures. Before you invest time, money and effort into a new business, carry out extensive research. Analyse the market, find out who your competitors will be and define your ideal buyer. Look at sales figures and keep an eye out for emerging consumer trends and signs of growth. If the market is saturated or demand is falling, it’s best to think twice about trying to buck trends. Ideally, you want to tap into trends that are set to spiral and look for gaps you can fill. 


Focus on customer service

When customers choose brands, they’re not just looking at the quality and price of services and products. They are also searching for the best value for money and they want to enjoy a positive experience. Prioritise customer service from day one. Treat every client like a VIP, add personal touches to make customers feel special and provide support. If you have consumers or business clients wanting to place an order with you, but they have questions, and they can’t get hold of an adviser or find answers on your website, you could lose out. Look into adding features to your site like live chat, and make sure you reply to emails, web enquiries and social media messages and comments promptly. Live chat is brilliant because it enables you to interact with customers and clients and provide instant responses. To learn more about business chat software, click here. If you run a business that depends on face to face contact, for example, you have a retail store, a restaurant or a hotel, it’s wise to consider offering staff training to maintain high standards of customer service and create the right first impression. 


Spread the word

If you’ve got a fabulous new product or you’ve recently set up a brand new local business, you want to start accepting orders and booking jobs as soon as possible. Draw up a marketing strategy to spread the word and let customers know that you are open for business. Design and implement campaigns that target your ideal buyer and choose marketing techniques that will reach them and appeal to them. If you’re selling trendy clothes aimed at 16-35-year-olds, for example, social media marketing and SEO can help you drive web traffic and create a buzz around your products. If you’re offering dog walking, roofing or mobile hairdressing services, it’s a good idea to combine traditional and digital marketing methods. Flyering and local press adverts are a great way to generate leads, and you can also attract attention online using social media and local SEO. Over 85% of smartphone users will either visit or contact a business within 24 hours of completing an online search. 


Image from https://www.pexels.com/photo/cheerful-young-woman-screaming-into-megaphone-3761509/




Launching a successful business is a challenge, but it can be done. Follow these steps to shorten the odds and put your brand name on the map.