Summer Party Days

As we edge into summer and even get to experience a little sunshine and heat, people's minds turn to having fun in the sun. One of the main ways of doing this, in this fair isle is to throw an unforgettable summer bash. But before you invited all the neighbours over, you need to make sure you sure home and garden are summer party ready. Read on to find out how.

Get that garden looking nice

Now, most summer parties will at least hope to take place outside. British weather permitting! That means there is no hiding the state of your garden!

You don't have to give it an all-out makeover though, a little facelift will suffice. Pay attention to thing like the grass mowing, and repair any patches. As well as tidying up the flower beds and any overhanging trees. So your garden will look its best when company comes calling.

Tidy up the house

As much as you need to make sure that your garden looks nice you can't ignore your house either. You may hope to keep everyone outside, but the chances are that they will defend their way indoor at some point. Either to escape from the rain or to use the faculties.

That means your home needs to be clean and tidy too, so don't forget to dust, Hoover, and pack away any clutter to give the best impression to our guests possible.

Seating

It is also important that while you are tidying the garden and the house that you check on the seating situation. Make sure that you have enough seats for everyone that you have invited, and that you don't mind them being taken outside if it's an outdoor do.

Or, if you rather not have your antique Chippendale on the lawn, invest in some plastic garden chairs for the occasion.

Cutlery and Crockery

One thing that it can be easy to forget when you are hosting a summer bash is that you need enough cutlery and crockery for all of the guests you are inviting.

Now, if you are hosting a larger soiree, it is best to use disposable cups and plates. As this make things easier, and you aren't left with a load of washing up afterward.

However, if you are planning a more intimate dinner party like affair, it's best to go for quality glassware and crockery, like the items available at homewares nz. As no one wants to have to eat their Foie Gras from a paper plate!

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Food

Of course, one of the most popular items to eat at a British summer party is a BBQ. British BBQers are a hardy bunch as they often don't let a silly little thing like weather get in their way.

Now it does helps if you are going to BBQ cone rain or shine to have a grill with a cover. Then you can be sure that your food will still cook properly even if the weather is against you.

Then there's the option of a more refined and delicate afternoon tea. With cucumber finger sandwiches, scones jam, and cream.

The advantages to catering your party like this is that it can be all prepared beforehand, and then just set out nearer the time. Meaning it's a lot easier for you on the day of the event.

*Collaborative post

5 Tips for Organising Your Home

When it comes to our homes, there’s nothing worse than trying to relax, looking around and seeing nothing but a mess. There are some experts who think that having a disorganized home leads to a disorganized mind. What damage might you be doing, just because you haven’t taken steps to get everything in order? Luckily, it’s never too late to take control. Follow our five steps below, and you’ll be on course to having a home you love to spend time in.

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Keep on Top of the Tidying

Yes, you’ll have to do one big tidy first. Make sure you get your home to a good standard, a standard that you’ll work to maintain. Once the big tidy is done, it’s all about staying on top of it. If you see some untidiness starting to creep in, make sure you take care of it straight away. Living our lives with the tidiness of our home at the forefront of our mind is the best way to have an organized home. Like everything else in life, it’s all about being proactive!

Storage Space

Most people don’t mean to disorganized. It’s just that they don’t have enough storage to prevent from being otherwise. If we have enough space for all our items, then it can’t get too disorganized, can it? Add more storage, even in areas that are usually quite simple. Adding bathroom furniture will give you space to keep your toiletries and other bathroom essentials out of site. You can also some creative storage solutions around your home, like under the stairs under tables and the like. You don’t have to get rid of all your belongings to stay organized: you just need to keep them out of sight!

Keep the Everyday Together

All too often, it’s the awkward stuff that disrupts the organization of a place. Things like shoes, coats, keys, and the like, the things we use every day, are the ones that are pretty to keep organized. Instead of just putting them wherever you happen to land, keep them all in one place. Shoes can be kept in a shoe rack by the front door; coats on a hanger there also. This will also stop from having to locate these everyday items every time you leave the house.

Don’t Be A Consumer

One of the simplest ways to be more organized is to have less stuff. Before you go and buy things, ask yourself if you actually have the space to keep it. If you do, great, but if you don’t, then maybe leave it on the shelf for the time being. And talking of stuff….

Decluttering

People keep much more things in their home than they actually need. It clutters up the home and our mind. Go through the home and see what can stay and what should go; you might clear a lot of space just by getting rid of a whole bunch of items you would have never used again. You’ll have space, and a charity shop will get something to sell. Everybody wins!

For the Love of Mum and Dad

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Isn’t it amazing how much we once took our amazing parents for granted? All that effort and care and love they gave us, all the little things they did, would all fly under the radar, unnoticed by us and our carefree existence. It was part of being a kid. What’s more, is was part of the joy of parenting.

Early mornings, breakfasts, packed lunches, homework help, playing fare-free taxi driver, standing on the side of the sports field in the pouring rain and getting the arts and crafts on so you could be in the Nativity play. They didn’t do it for appreciation, they did it out of love.

Luckily it is never too late to say thank you or drop a little anchor of appreciation.

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Your Turn To Cook

Remember all those times your parents cooked a delicious homemade meal for you. Most of the time they did it simply because it was dinner time, but sometimes it was the best to show they love and care about you, to cheer you up and make you smile. Well, why not turn the tables and make them their favorite dinner, or start rehearsing something special and wow them completely. Nothing says love like a delicious meal.

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Buy Them Something For No Reason

There are days through the year which are dedicated to moms and dads, but surprising them with an unexpected present ‘just because’ will mean so much more. Catch your dad off guard by getting him one of the ultimate gifts for men, such as a track day, or a golfing experience or even booking him onto a sailing holiday. As for your mum, something like a surprise spa weekend, or getting her two tickets to her favorite theatre production will say I love you louder than the words ever could.

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Indulge In Their Interests

Knowing someone has a genuine interest in your passion is one of the best, warmest and fuzziest feelings ever. Someone loves what we love, or maybe not loves but cares about. So why not give your parents this feeling by getting involved in their passions. If they love art exhibitions, go along with them and soak up all their frenzied words. Go out for cocktails and giggles with them if that is what they love doing. Or, if they love camping, then go away with them for a weekend. Just indulge their interests by being genuinely interested. It is such an easy way to create a special bond.

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Go To Them For Advice

When you are young, you rely on your parents for everything. They dedicate themselves to you completely; they go above and beyond for you. They make sure you have all the skills and characteristics to make it in the world on your own. Then, suddenly, that reliance stops. You don’t need them like that anymore. But you do. We all do. And a great way to show this is by going to them for help and advice and getting their wide words. This lets them know you still value their opinion, above all others, and that is true trust; that is a loving trust.



*A Collaborative Piece