The Best Locations For City Breaks In The UK

The Best Locations For City Breaks In The UK

If you’re looking to get away for the weekend but don’t want to have to get on a plane and go abroad then look into a city break within the UK instead. We’re going to have a look at some of the best places to go to see something different for people with completely different kinds of interests. All are suitable for families who have young children with them and won’t take longer than 2 or 3 hours to reach no matter where you are in the country.

London

The capital will obviously always be high up on most peoples list who want a city break. There are so many things to do that you could visit 5 or 6 times and still have not seen all the sights. Everybody wants something different from a getaway but no matter what it is you like, you’ll find something to suit you. If you enjoy going to see tourist attractions then you have the tower of London, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral and many more places to visit. If you’d rather get out of the immediate city then visit Richmond and take in a regatta on the banks of the Thames in a more suburban area with a part that has wild dear roaming around. If you like to go to bars and restaurants then you will almost be overwhelmed with the shear volume of options that you have, from Michelin star restaurants to street food stands. In the evening you can take in a show in the West End or go and see some cabaret, the options really are endless within London.

Manchester

Regarded as a ‘mini-London’ Manchester certainly has plenty of things to offer. The 2 things in particular that Manchester is well known for are Football and Music. Go on stadium tours at the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford or see live music at the Manchester Arena, Apollo or Albert Hall. There is a growing number of high end boutiques in the city centre now, all located in one easy to walk strip and there are plenty of bars and restaurants offering different types of food including the Mana, the Michelin star restaurant. If you have kids with you then visit the Museum of Science and Industry, the Train and Plane museum or visit Paradise Island Mini Golf.

Leeds

One of the up-and-coming cities in the UK, a lot of investment has gone in to Leeds and there is a growing tech sector in the city. Leeds has fantastic transport connections whether you’re flying, going by train or driving and you’ll find plenty of parking in Leeds so you won’t have any issues basing yourself centrally. If you’re in to a bit of retail therapy then visitor Victoria Leeds, a shopping centre in Leeds with a huge variety of places to visit. If food is more your thing, then you could visit the world renowned Michelin star restaurant, ‘Man Behind The Curtain’ by Michael O’Hare.… Read More..

How To Prepare Your Garden For The Summer Months Ahead

How To Prepare Your Garden For The Summer Months Ahead

Winter is almost over and we’re heading into Spring, which means lighter evenings and drier gardens, so it is the perfect time to start on some annual maintenance to get ready for the summer months ahead. In all likelihood, your garden will have some issues with moss, green paving/decking, overgrown trees and plants as well as fencing that will be in need of some TLC. We’ll have a look at some of the best things to do to get your garden in order.

How to deal with overgrown hedges, trees and bushes

The most noticeable thing in your garden is likely to be that many of your plants, trees and hedges are either a bit overgrown or in need of some trimming. For plants it is a fairly simple task and you are likely to only need secateurs to complete the job but trees can be a different story. First of all, ensure that there are no protection orders on trees that you are looking to cut back or you may have to get the council round to take a look before you complete any work. If you are able to start work then you will need some equipment depending on the size of the tree including electric chainsaws, ladders or potentially even a harness. To ensure the tree isn’t trimmed too much in one area, ensure you take a step back every few minutes to make sure the it is retaining a healthy shape.

Pressure Washing

One of the single best tools to own when tidying your garden is a pressure washer, it can clean almost anything with great effect. Obviously the number one area to clean is paving stones (or decking) and the difference it will make is huge. It can be a very messy job with dirt flying everywhere so in all likelihood you will need to clean down brickwork, windows and doors with your pressure washer after you are done with the paving. Always remember to clean windows and PVC on a lower pressure setting as it can ruin seals and cause glazing to leak. Once you have completed your paving stones it is a good idea to sweep some fine sand in between them as you will have removed some of the previous dirty sand whilst cleaning. The sand is there to both keep the stones in place and stop mud from coming up between them when it rains. You can also apply a layer of sealant across the top of the stones and sand to protect it further if you don’t want to be re-cleaning them every year.

Get Mowing & Strimming

Your lawn is likely to be in need of some serious attention, it will have grown slowly since you last cut it in Autumn so will probably be fairly long. When using your lawnmower for the first cut, always leave the grass a little longer than normal otherwise it can leave the grass looking very pale and anaemic. You want to … Read More..

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas For Someone Leaving Work!

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas For Someone Leaving Work!

If someone is leaving work, you need to get a gift and you don’t want to spend a fortune, then you’re in the right place! We’re here with budget friendly gift ideas for someone leaving work, whether you’re looking for rude gifts that are a bit tongue in cheek or you want something a bit more meaningful. These gifts are simple but really effective, to give the person leaving the send off they truly deserve!

A Framed Photo

First up, if you have a photo of you together as a team and everyone gets on well, then getting a framed photo is a great idea. It will be a memory for them to keep and it shows you’ve put some thought into the gift. Of course, if there are people the person you’re buying for doesn’t get on with very well, they might not fully appreciate a framed photo of them, so this is definitely one where you need to read the room! However, if the person is leaving on great terms and loves the team, then this is a great option.

A Personalised Candle

Everyone loves a candle, and making it personalised just adds that extra special touch to their gift. There are so many options when it comes to personalised candles, whether you want to keep it simple with a goodbye message, put an inside joke on there or go for something rude or funny, you have plenty of different options to go with. This is something you know they’ll get used to, it doesn’t cost a fortune and overall it’s a good go-to no matter how close you are to the person who is leaving.

Organise A Meal

If you really get on as a team, rather than everyone getting a present, why not organise a meal as a bit of a goodbye for the person? It doesn’t need to be anywhere expensive, but it’s more about everyone coming together and spending some time with one another before the person leaves. Most people would appreciate this more than a few different random gifts if they get on really well with everyone, so consider this. It may take a bit of planning and preparation, however it’ll be worth it!


A Hamper

If you know quite a few different bits and pieces that the person likes, then a hamper is a good way to go! Get a little basket and fill it with some of their favourite things, whether it’s their favourite chocolate, a little bottle of wine, some fluffy socks and a facemask for a night in or anything else, showing you’ve put thought into the gift with lots of bits and pieces they love will be really special. Again, you can spend as much or as little as you want on this, but it just shows you’ve gone to the effort to think about what the person likes and enjoys to create a meaningful present for when they leave.… Read More..

How To Design Your Home To Improve Your Wellbeing

How To Design Your Home To Improve Your Wellbeing

Wellness is at the heart of everything. Whether you are trying to eat better or perfect your sleep routine, the effects that your home has on your wellness should always be considered. Is your home always cluttered? Do the lights in your home keep you awake? Designing a home that is optimised for wellness is not always easy, but there are steps to follow to achieve this design.

In this blog post, we will share just a few of our top tips on designing your home to optimise wellness. Some suggestions may require a quick tweak, but if your home needs more than a few new cushion sets, consider a full strip out to create a home you love and one that makes you feel your best. Take a look at the following suggestions:

Make space for creativity

First things first, how much space is available? Does your home feel suffocating with the minimal space? Perhaps you may have overcompensated on furniture and accessories in the past which has consumed the space you have free. An open home reflects an open and clear headspace. Declutter your space where possible, get rid of items that add no value and minimise furniture sizes if possible. For example, if you have a bookshelf that consumes the wall space next to your TV setup, why not compromise and swap this for an integrated bookshelf/TV stand? This will allow you to have the necessary storage, whilst making space in the room. Also, if you have accent furniture taking up space in the room, give it to a new home. Once you have made the space for a minimalist set-up, drape the floors with soft rugs for the feeling of comfort a wellness-optimised home needs.

Skip the bedroom television

Watching a movie in bed might be comforting, but are you aware of how much blue light may be affecting your health? The blue light that is emitted from phones and televisions is thought to damage retina cells with excessive use, whilst also disrupting your circadian rhythm. Having a TV in the bedroom will leave you vulnerable to disrupted sleep which should be avoided. For your bedroom design, invest your money into complete comfort and sleep optimisation. Soft furnishings, decorative cushion covers and a soft headboard are all things that will facilitate a good night’s sleep. If you must watch something in the bedroom, keep an eye pad handy, but skip the television to make the room sleep-focused.

Use ambient lighting in the bedroom

Speaking of sleep optimization, you need to make sure the lighting in the bedroom is not only beautiful but also dim enough to help you relax and unwind. Adjust your lighting fixtures and consider implementing a dimming setting for your main lights. Or, have a couple of decorative lamps by the bedside that have dimming features to reduce their brightness. Limiting your exposure to light before bed will help you sleep much better and leave you feeling refreshed for the day to … Read More..

How To Dress Smart In Cold Conditions This Winter

How To Dress Smart In Cold Conditions This Winter

Dressing smart this winter doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice warmth! There are plenty of men’s streetwear options to keep yourself warm and looking dapper at the same time.

Learn To Layer Your Clothing

Layering your clothing is a fantastic way to control your body temperature during cold weather. You can achieve this by wearing multiple layers of clothes, that can be taken off or put on when necessary. It can take some time to learn how to combine the different layers of clothing that you may be wearing; but through experimentation, you can learn how to wear a combination of clothing that helps keep you looking dapper this winter. During cold weather, you can also wear a thermal vest underneath your regular clothes helping to keep you warm. Thermal vests can increase the range of clothing you can wear during wintertime, as you may be able to wear clothing that without the thermal vest you would feel cold.

Invest In Good Quality Knitwear

Purchasing good quality knitwear is another way to keep warm and stylish at the same time. Choosing knitwear made out of wool, cashmere and cotton are all good ways to retain body heat. Knitwear comes in a range of colours and patterns helping you to match your knitwear with the other layers of clothing that you are wearing.

Choosing The Right Coat

Choosing a coat that fits you right and is made out of warm materials is a must to stay warm this winter and wool is a good choice for coats. When you are choosing a coat try to imagine yourself wearing it with the clothing that you already have, ensuring it is a good fit for your wardrobe can help you look your best when wearing the coat. Another way to maximise the outfits is to wear with your coat whilst looking dapper, is to choose a coat that is a natural colour such as grey, camel or charcoal.

Accessorise

Wearing winter-warming accessories such as hats, gloves and scarves can be a great way to keep warm when out and about. Each of these comes in a range of different colours and patterns allowing you to choose accessories that match well with your existing outfit. Accessories can make a big impact on your overall outfit and can be the first person people notice, accessories can also be memorable if matched well with the outfit you are wearing. If you are about the house and are dressing down you can wear a pair of men’s full tracksuits for maximum comfort and a good level of heat retention.

Don’t Skimp Out On The Shoes

There’s a saying that states that the first thing that most people notice about someone’s outfit is their footwear, which is why it is important to ensure that your footwear not only goes well with your outfit but also keeps you warm in the winter. Choosing a good pair of winter boots can be a great asset this winter to keep your … Read More..