Coping With Secondary Infertility

June 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

Raising children is wonderful, isn’t it? When you have your own children, you spend every day in a state of bliss mixed with wonder mixed with frustration at the small creatures that you have to train into adulthood. You go from wanting to hide in a closet with a glass of wine to avoid the knocking, mashed-potato covered minion that you created yourself, to standing and staring while they sleep in total awe that you have created this little piece of immortality. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride and for most people, having one or two children is the goal in their life. They get to have a family, their first born gets a sibling and everyone is happy.

Except, there are a minority of people that suffer with secondary infertility. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. When you try for and conceive your first child, there’s a part of you that feels a flood of relief. It’s like ticking a box to say that your body can function the way that it was built to by nature. You can create and carry life within your womb; it’s a blessing. So, when it comes to trying for another baby and nothing happens, you’re not immediately concerned. After all, you’ve got a toddler tearaway running around chattering to imaginary friends and tormenting the cat. You’ve already confirmed that you can carry children, so it’s bound to happen again eventually, right?

Image Source

Well, no, not quite. Secondary infertility is the struggle to conceive children again after a successful conception and pregnancy of a first child. It’s not something that’s talked about, mainly because there are a bunch of clichés that people hit you with when you try to explain that you’re struggling to conceive despite months of trying. Some of these are:

 

“Oh, well at least you CAN carry a baby.”

“Even if it doesn’t happen for you again, at least you have the one child already.”

“How can you be struggling, you’ve been pregnant before!”

Each of these clichés is a needle in the heart of a woman yearning for another baby to carry, nurture and birth. The thing is, secondary infertility has no rhyme or reason to it. It has no pattern, no predictability and you can find yourself desperately clawing for information as to why you managed to conceive once, but despite regular ovulation and sex, it’s just not happening again. Some couples try for years before turning desperately to affordable IVF. They go through heartache trying to figure out what’s ‘wrong’, but if the medical professionals run their tests and scans and can find nothing, this is often far worse. At least if there’s a reason to blame, you have a focus, a thing to think, ‘yes, this is why I can’t get pregnant, and now I can fix it.’ Once you know the problem, you can find a solution. Secondary infertility unfortunately has solutions that are more than just the sperm meets egg plan.

When you have a child already, there is an added layer of heartache for secondary infertility: you already know what you are missing. Your body has already experienced the joy of pregnancy, labour and birth. You’ve already got the war wounds of scars and stretchmarks on your belly to represent fecundity and fertility. And now your fertility has abandoned you and the guilt of not being able to provide your child with a sibling and your partner with another child can be crippling. Secondary infertility is no less devastating than infertility when you are childless in the first place; they are both hard situations to be a part of. The key here, is learning to cope with the diagnosis. Understanding any changes in your life since your first child was born is the first place to look. Sometimes, secondary infertility can be due to age – especially if you were much younger with your first child compared to now. Fertility diminishes over time, and your choices in when you choose to try for a baby can affect your egg quality and the regularity of an egg being released.

Image Source

You should be as proactive as possible about medical help. It’s not just about finding the best fertility doctor, either. You should read up on acupuncture and homeopathy so that you can learn the ways that you can help your body to regulate properly, to ovulate with good quality eggs. While you’re researching the best doctors and help out there, you should do as much research as you can about the tests that you can expect. Testing for secondary infertility can be invasive, which you should be okay with before you get started. Make a plan for you and your partner to face it all together and embrace how you feel. The pain you are going through isn’t going to go away immediately and the anger, sadness and anxious feelings are all normal responses to being told that you are not able to have children without help. It’s a hard blow to the heart and can make you feel rather empty on the inside.

The important thing to remember if you get a diagnosis of secondary infertility is that you haven’t done anything wrong. You need to accept that this is the situation, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your dream of expanding your family. You do have a child to concentrate on at home, which can provide an excellent distraction while you’re attending appointments and having tests done. It’s important that you accept how you feel and keep moving forward, finding a way to have more children that you desire. Worrying about what’s doing to come next can really rob you of the joy that you feel today. There will be tough questions ahead for you; some you’ll ask and others you’ll receive. The way to handle it is to keep as positive as you can and be truthful. Secondary infertility is not something to be ashamed of.

 

 

Filed Under: Baby, Family, Fertility, Uncategorized

What you need to know about Palm Oil

May 14, 2018 Leave a Comment

Palm oil is in over half of our packaged foods we buy. It has been known that people do not know a whole lot about palm oil, however, I am here to fill you in on everything you need to know.

 

What exactly is palm oil? It is an oil used for cooking and household food preparations. Palm oil has lots of positive benefits. Palm oil has a string resistant to oxidation, which improves the shelf life longer, causing it to not spoil as fast. Along with its resistances, it also brings out the flavor in foods it is cooked with, the make the tastes very enjoyable. Some of the things you can cook with palm oil are Better for you chicken nuggets, truffle & herb-spiked cheese potatoes, and baked sweet potato fries. They all taste so delicious when using the palm oil to pre the food and to cook it in.

Malaysia is a trusted supplier of certified sustainable palm oils. Palm oil has been the most primary contributors towards economic development in Malaysia. Since planting palm oil Malaysia has thrived economically and with employment. Palm oil has been used to help raise rural income, and the standard of living.

Here is a recipe that requires Palm Oil that is one of my favorites.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Dill Yoghurt

  • 8 types x 4 heirloom tomatoes

For Dill Yoghurt

  • 250 ML fresh yogurt
  • 1 tsbp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 bunch clean fresh dill

To make dill yogurt, whisk all ingredients together. Store chilled in the fridge until needed.
Meanwhile, cut each tomato into different shapes. Place them in whatever design you fancy on your plate, then serve with dill yogurt.
I become aware of this recipe in the book called “Back to Basics Culinary Delights with Palm Oil” by MPOC. In this book, it has many recipes you can try out!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Declutter and Decorate For a Spectacular Spring Ready Home!

April 30, 2018 2 Comments

Spring is well and truly here and your home needs to get ready for the joys of sporadic sunshine in the next few months. There is something a little therapeutic about having a spring clean so let’s make it happen for your home. In order to give your abode the full overhaul you need to get rid of the stuff you don’t need that is cluttering up your homely environment. Treat yourself to a bedroom revamp and a kitchen uplift with just a few easy steps. Start with throwing out the junk and then enjoy bringing in the new!

Smart Selling

Cleaning up your home for spring doesn’t need to be a troublesome task; you can actually make some extra money if you do everything right. Your rooms could look a whole lot more spacious if you just got rid of some of your bigger items by selling them online. People love to buy second hand furniture for a discounted price and it couldn’t be easier to send them items if you use Shiply. Your unwanted furniture could be cleared out of your home within a couple of days and safely transported to their new home without a fuss. You will have some extra money to spend on your new furniture too.

Light and Bright

Warm and cosy color schemes are perfect for autumn and winter weather, but you really want to brighten up your home when it gets lighter and warmer outside. Think about adding brighter décor and paint to your rooms such as pastels, neutrals and whites. Not only will your rooms feel a lot bigger but you will also have an elegant springtime feel throughout your home.

Fabulous Furniture

Now that you have got rid of your old furniture by selling it online, you can bring in some new items to match your lighter and brighter home. Try and find delicate and dainty furniture pieces which aren’t going to hog the space in your living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining room. The more compact your furniture is, the more space you will have to rearrange your rooms whenever you like.

Image

Decorative Details

Adding the finishing touches to your spectacular spring home it the most exciting part of the makeover. The small details are what really make an impact on the overall vibe throughout the house. Choose a statement accessory to dress up each room in your dreamy dwelling. It could be anything from an ornate vase in the living room to a dainty set of scented candles in the bedroom. Go for the accessories which compliment your personal style and preferences, so that your home feels unique and special to you.

So spruce up your home and give it a springtime vibe; no more gloomy lighting, bulky furniture and drab décor. Your home will feel revitalised in an instant and you will be loving your new spectacular spring châteaux. It’s time to embrace the springtime vibes, so bring on the barbecues and social events in your new glam pad!

Filed Under: decorate home, DIY Interior, Home, Uncategorized

Looking Good? How To Get Your House Ready For A Viewing

April 12, 2018 1 Comment

Image

 

If you’re looking to move on in life, inevitably, the topic of selling your home comes up. If you are keen on moving on the pretty quickly, and you want to get your house sold, this can be done. It does require a lot of work, but, from the moment you put it onto the market to the moment that it is out of your hands, it could take just a few months. One of the main things to bear in mind when selling your home, is to make sure that it’s viewer ready. So, when someone comes by to view your home, what are the best things for you to implement?

 

Creating a blank canvas

Every potential viewer wants to picture themselves in the home. This is very difficult if you have your personality emblazoned on every wall in sight. Sure, a space is like the kitchen will have some superficial work done to it to make it appear more modern, but there are things you need to do to make sure that your personality doesn’t impose on the viewer’s decision of whether they want to buy or not. This is why a blank canvas helps so much. And you can do this by painting the walls a neutral color, minimizing clutter, and making sure that there is enough light entering the house.

 

Making everything up to code

If the house has certain problems, either from a structural standpoint, or in relation to the electrics or plumbing, these need to be fixed first. It might not be something that crosses your mind at the outset, but by using plumbing services that wow clients and viewers alike inspires confidence in the home as a whole. Look at it from your perspective, you would not dare purchase a property where there is a chance that something could break that will cost you an arm and a leg. Whether it’s superficial issues in the exterior walls, or the plumbing is old, it’s best to have someone inspect the property and give you an honest opinion if the house is up to code.

 

Maximizing curb appeal

Curb appeal is one of those all-important terms now that is bandied around by estate agents. It’s one of those things that you need to consider, especially if you are looking to sell it quickly. Curb appeal is, as expected, what aspects of the home appeal to someone passing by. If you haven’t considered the exterior of your property, and are focused on the interiors only, you need to think about the first impressions your home makes on a potential buyer. This means that, as well as making sure the walls are looking okay and the driveway is paved properly, that there isn’t anything to detract from the quality of your home in comparison to the others in the street. This is something lots of people don’t think about but you need to make sure that your home is in keeping with all the others. If your home looks too palatial in comparison to the rest of the other houses, this could signal alarm bells in a buyers mind as to the quality of the area.

 

These are the three fundamentals of getting your home up to speed before reviewing. Get these right, and it will make for a much quicker process.

Filed Under: Cleaning / Home Care, Home, Selling House, Uncategorized

Stop Trying To Lose Weight Alone

April 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

Image Source

 

Weight loss may be a personal goal, but that doesn’t mean you should do it alone. Like any challenge, having motivation from other people can help to spur you on. Here are just a few ways to lose weight with the help of other people.

 

Find a weight loss partner

 

Got a friend or family member that also wants to shed the pounds? Trying to lose weight together could be beneficial to you both. You can both motivate one another – when one person doesn’t want to go to the gym or thinks about giving in to an unhealthy food, the other person can help to steer them the right way. Having a weight loss partner may even offer some healthy competition – if they lose more pounds than you in a month, it could spur you to try and do better the next month to try and beat their weight loss.

 

Join weight loss groups

 

There are a large number of weight loss groups that can also provide encouragement. This could be a dieting group such as Weight Watchers in which everyone provides encouragement for each other. Alternatively, it could be an exercise group such as a spin class or a regimental fitness class – not everyone may be there to lose weight, but you’ll still have people encouraging you to work hard and attend the next class.

 

Get guidance from a professional

 

Another option could to hire the help of a professional. This could be a culinary nutrition expert who can help you to come up with a personalised diet or a personal trainer who can create a personalised exercise regime. Not only can these professionals advise you on the best ways to lose weight for your individual needs, they can also provide expert motivation. The incentive of paying for their advice also could encourage you to keep up the hard work.

 

Use weight loss apps

 

Apps may not be human beings, but they can still provide the outside encouragement needed to help you lose weight. There are apps that can count your steps, tell you how many calories are in certain foods, give you meal plan ideas or simply help you record your progress. There are lots of these weight loss apps out there – it could be worth testing multiple ones out until you find one that motivates you.

 

Encourage your friends and family to motivate you

 

Your friends and family can provide a vital influence on how well you follow your weight loss plan. You want to make sure that they’re supporting you – they shouldn’t be talking you out of exercise or eating unhealthy snacks in front of you, but instead helping to make healthy meals for you and driving you to the gym. Have a word with your friends and family if you think they’re being a negative influence. Your friends and family shouldn’t have to change their lifestyle to suit yours, however they should have the respect to let you follow your goals.

Filed Under: fit, Fitness, Health Reviews, Healthy, Uncategorized, Wellness

4 Surprising Ways That Lack Of Sleep Is Harming Your Health

March 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

Everybody knows you should get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night but most of us don’t manage it. When you’re working late and getting up early, it’s difficult to fit it in. The problem is, a lot of people don’t realize how dangerous it is. They think that the only negative effect of not getting a good night’s sleep is that you’ll be tired the next day, but it’s a lot worse than that.

Image Source

 

There are a lot of reasons that you aren’t sleeping properly and the first thing you should be doing is addressing them. One of the biggest problems these days is computer and phone screens; if you’re looking at a screen before you go to bed, the light tricks your brain into thinking that it’s still daytime and it won’t shut down. Other things like not having a regular routine for sleep or even having a messy bedroom can stop you from getting good sleep as well. In a lot of cases, people can’t get a good night’s sleep because their mattresses are old and they don’t offer enough support. Even if they can sleep, they won’t get good, restful sleep. Those are the reasons why you might not be getting enough sleep, these are some of the ways that it’s damaging your health.

 

Weight Gain

 

If you’re trying to watch what you’re eating and you’re exercising regularly but you still can’t shake that excess weight, it might be because you aren’t getting enough shut eye. When you’re sleep deprived, the chemicals in your brain that tell you when you’re full up are a bit off balance and so you think you’re hungry when you aren’t. That means you’re far more likely to eat more than you need to and put on weight. It’s also harder to find the motivation to cook healthy meals or exercise if you’re tired all of the time.

 

Memory Problems

 

When you go to sleep, your body is still working. It takes this time to form connections in the brain that help you to retain memories from the day. If you aren’t sleeping the recommended amount, your brain won’t do this effectively. That means you’ll experience problems with both your long and short term memory. If you keep forgetting things all the time, you need to get to bed a little bit earlier.

 

Weak Immune System

 

A strong immune system is the key to avoiding most illnesses and if you don’t have one, you’re going to get sick all the time. Lack of sleep weakens your immune system a lot so your body won’t be as efficient at fighting off bacteria and germs that you’re exposed to in everyday life. That means you’re far more likely to catch a cold or get the flu.

 

Diabetes

 

Not getting enough sleep affects your body’s release of insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar. This increases your risk of developing diabetes so if you’re also eating quite a lot of sugary foods you’re putting yourself in real danger.

 

Lack of sleep is far more dangerous than people realize so make sure you’re getting enough every night.

Filed Under: Better Sleep, Health, Uncategorized, Wellness

Posture Correction Back Brace

February 19, 2018 Leave a Comment

 

Posture Correction Back Brace

This is a sponsored post, however, all of the thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I am getting older I realized I was starting to ache all over. I was aching especially in my back, and the reason I was aching so bad in my back had to do with how bad my posture was throughout the years. I knew that I had to find a solution to this, so I started doing research and came across the Posture Corrector Upper Brace Back. It helps with pulling your shoulders back making me stand straighter giving me a boost when I walk.

Within just one day I realized how well this brace was helping me, my pain eased, I could feel my muscles getting more leans, and my flexibility was improving! Even when I’m not wearing the brace I can see a huge difference in my posture. You will be able to put this product on by yourself without help, it is like you are putting go on a backpack.

What I Love About the Posture Corrector Upper Back Brace

You can purchase this brace for $23.84 plus taxes and it will be one of the best 23.84 dollars you have ever spent. It has made me feel more confident about my appearance and posture. It can be worn under loose clothing, or on top whichever you prefer. Its very lightweight so sometimes I even forget its on me! I’m sure you will experience the same thing once you put it on.

This back brace can be worn while working out, at the office, while cooking dinner, typing on the computer, or during any everyday activity.

This back brace also helps with injuries. Back injuries are the WORSE and that is why the best is here to help. Not only does this help with back injuries but it also helps with preventing back injuries in the future. I give this product a 10 out of 10 stars!

Filed Under: Health Reviews, Uncategorized

Reading Kingdom

February 19, 2018 Leave a Comment

Reading Kingdom

With all the toddler learning materials out there it’s hard to tell which ones effective and which ones are not worth your time. I do find it imperative to teach my 3-year-old some beginning of the reading, writing, and such that way he’s ahead of the curve instead of behind it when he gets to pre-k. But as most parents find out, the attention span of a 3-year-old is barely anything but lasting. The only thing that does seem to keep my son’s attention is a game or a tv program. That’s what brought me to the Reading Kingdom.

I’ve had difficulty teaching my son basic reading, writing, and phonics. Sitting a 3-year-old down to learn something that even as I grew older I didn’t want to learn is rather difficult. The Reading Kingdom combines some of the best teaching effects with the new age technology that our kids today grow up around. It incorporates 6 key skills: Phonics, Sequencing, Writing, Meaning, Grammar, and Comprehension. It has a multitude of levels that allow the user to start at whatever level they are at and advance them at the pace that is most suitable for them. It’s recommended the child take lessons 4-5 times a week but if your child is like mine, once they get into it, that is rarely the problem. Sometimes it’s hard to parent a kid to the table to eat when they’re enjoying themselves so much while learning.

In the 30-day free trial, my son has gone from not knowing what a letter was, to being able to nearly spell his name. The best part of it all is that he’s excited to learn because he thinks its just a game. I’d recommend the Reading Kingdom to anyone who is looking for fun interactive ways to have your kids learn their basics and even up to advanced reading level.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Affording A Family Car

February 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

When your family expands you might find that the two seater convertible you bought when you were 20 just isn’t practical anymore. It can be stressful trying to find a car which is large enough for your family as well as economic on the road.

The price of a large family car can be pretty steep, and because of this you can end up with a massive loan to pay back alongside all of your other bills and family costs. It can mount up so much that you question whether you can afford a car at all.

But not to worry, we have some ways you can afford a car for your family without having to worry about anything…

Scrappage

Some car manufacturers will give you the chance to put your old car up for scrappage in return for money towards your new vehicle. This is a type of funding that has been around for years and it will make buying a new car much easier for you and your family. Simply give your car in and they will offer you up to a couple of grand for the scrappage, which you can put towards a family car of your choice.

Government Grant

One of the bonuses with the rise of the electric car is that the government are encouraging people to buy them. The reason for this of course is that many countries are now trying to do all they can to reduce CO2 emissions and make the world more sustainable. It means that if you find an electric family car, you could be given a government grant in order to buy it. It can cover up to 35%of the cost of the car!

Part Exchanging

A very popular way that people use to save money on a car is to part exchange their old vehicle. This involves essentially selling your car to the dealer in order to get a discount off the full price of a new car.

Use Finance

These days many people decide to use a finance deal in order to pay off their car. This means that the value of the car will be split up into a term of approximately 3-4 years, and you will pay a chunk of this each month and finish the loan with a balloon payment if you want to keep the vehicle at the end. If you don’t, you can use the value of the car to put towards a new one.

Bad Credit Car Finance

The idea or getting a guaranteed personal loan might be a little bit of a pipe dream if you have bad credit, however there are some schemes which you can use to buy a car even if your credit score isn’t too great. This is a great option if you have fallen a little on hard times and have a bad credit rating. It means you still have a chance to purchase and own a car for you and your family.

Filed Under: Budget, electric car, Uncategorized

Soft and Care Seat Cushion

February 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

 

Soft and Care Cushion Seat

We all have that favorite chair. It’s usually the one that’s the newest and the cushions haven’t been sat on for so much that it remembers you more than you’d like it to. Especially at work. You finally get that new chair and it sits great for like 3-4 months. Then you start noticing your back and bum hurting again because its no longer has the cushion to support them. I’ve been there. Working in the office 8-5 spending most of my day in a single chair, you at least want to be comfortable and not get up without hurting.

Thankfully I got my soft and care cushion set to office chair back in place I enjoy sitting at.

 

When I started using the soft and care I immediately noticed the back support. The lower back pain that came from sitting effectively on plastic was no longer there. And when I got up my rear end no longer hurt. The memory foam really makes it comfortable to sit for hours on end and not feel like that when I get up. Unlike my previous seat paddings which were usually some form of leather, the breathable material in the case keeps it so I don’t sweat the pressure that comes from sitting for long periods. The iPhone or mp3 slip on the back piece makes it easy for me to listen to my music without having the cords stretch across my hands and keyboard, interrupting my typing. And with the straps, I can clip it all together and take it with me on trips. Adding the soft and care cushions immediately upgrades any seat into that perfect feeling chair. If you’re having back and bum pains from sitting hours on end in an uncomfortable chair, I highly recommend you get soft and care cushion. Sitting down will no longer be a dreaded experience.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Car Trunk Organizer

January 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post but these thoughts are opinions are my own.

One of the most important things to be successful and successes in life is to be organized. I enjoy knowing where everything it at, knowing everything looks nice and I feel as if I sleep better at night knowing I am prepared for what is thrown at me. This is one of the reasons why I LOVE the Premium Car Truck Organizer. It fits perfectly in the back of my car, and it’s a perfect size. I can fit folders and binders for my work, have enough room for my first aid kit, and anything extra I will need for the day.

 

This truck organizer costs only $19.95 and it has a lifetime warranty. It is made from some of the best material for storage. It can hold up to 100 lbs causing it not to tear, rip, or break easily. I love how I do not have to worry about what I put in here! With work being hectic sometimes I need to travel with a lot of binders and folders but having this organizer I’m confident that it will not spill, or tip over causing a big mess.
Now I am not the best driver, sometimes taking the curves a little sharper than I should (but who doesn’t?) and I have never seen this car-truck organizer slide or fall over. It has these amazing anti-slip grips that help with sliding making sure everything you have in the organizer stays put.
Being very flexible its easy to fit into smaller trucks. You can fold up one side if it is too long for your car, making it shorter. If you need to move stuff into your trunk it is easy to maneuver around making space for whatever else you needed. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great product to stay organized!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Cricut Maker Great for crafts and so much more…

January 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

I use mine a lot, especially for the grand babies birthdays!!! You can do so much with it!

Your next creative leap starts with the Cricut Maker. Whether you’re brand new to crafting or an experienced pro, Circut smart cutting machines and apps take any project big or small to the next level.

Using the Cricut Maker is as easy as 1-2-3. Design from scratch or select from thousands of ready-to-make projects, load into the machine to cut, and then sit back and admire your masterpiece.

Make more than you can imagine. Discover the possibilities today.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Conflicts after a devastation….

January 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Some days you go through life and have nothing exciting happen. It seems like these are short lived but you still enjoy them. Then there are times when something so traumatic happens you aren’t sure if you will ever get back to the way it used to be.

August 2017 was that time for us!! We survived a category 4 hurricane and are still dealing with the aftermath. I can go to the local grocery store and just look around to see most people are talking to others about it and what their experience was.

Strangers helping strangers and people actually talking to their neighbors. Then there is the ugly side…

I own a condo in Rockport, Texas that was damaged due to the Hurricane. I, along with all of the other owners barely knew what steps we needed to take after the Hurricane. We depended on our Board of Directors to guide us throughout this process.

This was definitely not a good decision since they too had never experienced what the process was. Instead of hiring outside help, our leaders decided to hire a certified “plumber” as our project manager and that is when the conflict began.

Most owners may not have been aware of what all was needed but decided they wanted to be aware of the process that the BOD was taking so we could to get the maximum amount of insurance legally allowed for our damages. After learning everything we could, we started to pressure the board and became more of a voice to our leaders.

August 25th Harvey hit our community, by November we had 2 of our Board of Directors resign and we became a more communicative community. We now have released our “plumber” and are using a structural engineer to guide us on the right path.

After saying all of this, I think it is important to not depend on others after a devastation but learn everything you can to help protect yourself. DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM AGAIN!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Dream Elements Calming Pillow Spray

January 3, 2018 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post, however, these thoughts and opinions are my own.

Between a three-year-old, working full time, and school stress can hit my life badly. When stress knocks at my door for some reason that is when I get some of the worst sleep of my life until I discovered Dream Elements Calming Pillow Spray! I have found out this works like a charm and sometimes cannot go to sleep without it. It all started when I was busy at work and had a couple major exams due in a few of my classes. I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and was not able to sleep properly at night. Funny how that works when being stressed you lose more sleep. I would be worried about making my deadlines, making sure my son was comfortable and my mind would just race all night. With my mind racing all night I knew something had to be done and that’s when I discovered Dream Elements calming pillow spray. I was not sure because I have sensitive skin about spraying it on my pillow but did anyway and I am so glad I did. The Dream Elements Calming Pillow Spray is a combination of different essential oils in a spray bottle. It smells delightful, with just one sniff I can feel calm and relaxed. It has become a part of our bedtime routine, my son loves to spray it on my pillow at night. He always tells me right before bed “Mommy I need to spray your night night spray”. It is very easy to use just spray a couple of squirts on your pillow at night right before you got to bed. If you have the super sensitive skin I would recommend you spray it on your blanket or your sheets, so it is not skin contact and will not irritate you. You can purchase a bottle for $24.95. Please let me know what you think of this product! I love it and will not go to bed without it.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Twinning Is Winning! Planning A Nursery For Twins

January 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

Congratulations, the stick has turned blue and shock – it’s TWINS! Let’s not panic. Twins are a big surprise when you plan for one baby and you got another one for free. Nearly every set of parents are thrilled when they find out that they have a set of twins on the way; after all, it’s twice the love and you could possibly choose to complete your family in one go. There’s a good chance though, that you are feeling utterly overwhelmed. You only planned for one baby. Your finances only planned for one baby. Your maternity leave and plans only factored in the one baby. The idea of trying to juggle the needs of your instant family, plus other children you may have and the housework – it’s okay, stop hyperventilating. You can feel overwhelmed and underprepared, but you would feel the exact same way with just one baby. One baby is demanding and takes your time away from you. One baby still takes your money and you still have to financially plan for one child. Getting creative to sort out twins is the only way forward.

Image Source

Getting in contact with other parents of multiples via social media, parenting forums and blogging platforms is a great way to get live feedback from people in your exact situation. It can help the overwhelming feeling that you are alone and handling this. We can promise you, you aren’t. There are plenty of parents around with twins and even triplets, handling it like a boss. They can tell you reviews on the best prams, what to expect when it comes to feeding and sleep schedules, and you could even arrange to meet up with them and form a whole new social circle. One thing that they will all tell you about, is the nursery that you need to start planning far enough in advance so that your wallet can handle all the new purchases you’re about to make. It’s nice to plan a nursery for a baby, but it’s twice as nice to plan a nursery for twins on the way. If you get that lucky, you’ll soon learn that planning a baby nursery for twins isn’t twice the work – just twice the fun!

Making room for a baby is a completely different ball game when you are expecting twins. The idea of putting two newborns into one room can be daunting, especially if your house has a nursery perfect for one baby but not big enough for two at the same time. Of course, the guidelines for safe sleep – which you can read in more detail on this website – state that a baby should be in the same room as its parents for the first six months. This is because babies regulate their breathing with their parents breathing, and being in the same room is also far easier during the night feeds. Don’t worry though, you can create an absolutely beautiful and functional space for two babies without much more effort than what you would have put in for one baby. So, let’s all take a nice deep breath and look at how you can start planning the perfect twin nursery.

Image Source

Beginning early is the absolute key when it comes to putting together a nursery for twins. A normal singleton pregnancy takes anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks for a fully developed baby. Twins are a success if they reach 36 weeks, and that means you have less time to get things together. It’s likely you only found out at your first ultrasound that you have twins on board, and if that ultrasound was at the standard 12-week mark, then you really only have 25 weeks to get your nursery ready. This is the reason that an early start is a good idea. If you find out the gender of the twins, you can then decide whether you want to plan a neutral nursery, like the ideas you can find here, or make it more personalised. If you choose to personalise a nursery, then you can use merchandise from Makaboo.com/ and make it a monogrammed haven for your babies. Don’t be drawn in by convention; a boy’s nursery doesn’t have to be powder blue, and a girl’s nursery doesn’t have to look like it has been hosed down with Pepto Bismol. You can choose any colour you want for your nursery and you can hang any accessories that you want. Finishing the new nursery will be the last thing on your mind when the babies arrive, so you need to start early so you have time to budget and shop. The last thing you want to do when you are heavily pregnant with two babies is decorate a nursery. You could choose to hire in a design and painting company to paint and decorate your nursery for you, but half the fun of setting up a nursery comes from doing it yourself.

Image Source

One of the most tempting things about having twins on the way, is the chance of doubling up on everything you need. This is probably the last thing that you should do, because you only have one pair of hands. Are you really going to use two sets of wardrobes and clothes chests when you are changing the babies? How about two baby baths and two changing tables? It’s not only an expensive concept, it’s one that just doesn’t play out. Instead, have one set of everything – except the crib. Use drawer separators like these ones to separate clothes, and use one changing table. You can’t physically change both babies at once, so there’s really no need for two changing tables. We mentioned that the crib is the one thing you should buy two of, and the reason there is an obvious one. You have two babies, and you can’t put them both down in the same crib unsupervised! It’s fine for newborns to share a crib, as they cannot roll into each other and disturb each other. Choosing small, simple cribs is the best option, especially with sharing your room at the beginning. You can still put both cribs together, but you don’t have to worry about babies disturbing each other.

Image Source

When it comes to decorating your nursery, keep it simple. Neutral colours with bolder accessories is the best idea than trying to theme your nursery. You can get easily tired of a nursery theme, but a neutral colour is far better because if you get a little bored or want to change the theme, it’s just the accessories that you have to change out. Keep it simple with your colours, and avoid busy patterns. The nursery is a space for sleep, and so keeping it light, calm and pretty is exactly what your babies will need. Don’t go nuts on the accessories, even though every cell of your body will be screaming at you to buy the bunting for the wall. You don’t need it and you don’t want the nursery to be too busy. Check out some of these lovely ideas for a simple nursery and make a point of comparing prices of wallpaper and paint online. You can have a lot of fun with the décor for a nursery. Mixed gender twins is even more fun, as you can choose a neutral colour throughout the room and for furniture, but have different accents for each gender. Check out these ideas for mixed gender bedrooms.

More babies equal a lot more stuff. Toys, clothes, blankets and even diapers and changing accessories will be a bigger amount. You need some sound storage in the nursery and this IKEA Kallax unit is a cheap and cheerful way to keep things organised. You can choose different colour boxes to go into the unit, meaning you can coordinate with the nursery accessories that you’ve bought. You could even choose to install hooks into the closet for things like coats and towels, and you can buy canvas storage bags to hang from them for easy-grab wipes, diapers and cream. You’ll also need to think about lullaby machines – buying two instead of just one is going to be a good idea as small babies cannot see very far away from themselves at first.

When you raise multiples, you can feel completely outnumbered, as if you’re in the middle of a circus. Don’t panic though, because you are a parent and you are built to adjust. Things will seem harder when you think about them, but once those babies arrive and are in your arms things will just fall into place. Having a good support system around you will make life an awful lot easier for you, so spend your pregnancy rallying the support of family and friends. Make sure that they know that you would appreciate a freezer stocked with easy meals that you can cook, and make sure that they are on your speed dial. A good support system can make a huge difference. Twinning is winning so enjoy your new babies and your new nursery adventure!

Filed Under: Baby, Children, DIY Interior, Family, Kids, Uncategorized

Research Verified Reviews

January 1, 2018 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post, however, these thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always assumed that I was going to be one of the lucky ones, never losing my hair, it slowly getting peppery with age, like my brother and grandfather. I mean you’re supposed to get your mom’s dad’s hair gene, right? Not so much in my case. I started losing my hair my freshman year of college. My roommate and I would do ab workouts on the floor in our dorm room. One Saturday when we were cleaning my roommate, who was sweeping, noticed a lot of hair on the ground. Dark, brown hair. My hair. And so, began my life of losing hair. It comes in spurts and the older I’ve gotten the shorter the periods between the hair loss have also gotten. I’ve tried changing my diet, using shampoos designed to help stop hair loss and improve hair growth, as well as taking vitamins. Nothing has made a real difference. So when my girlfriend bought me the Hair Growth, I used it because I basically was out of options. After about a month, my girlfriend noticed that my hair was coming in thicker. And after two, I could see noticeable results. It’s been a lifesaver because unlike me my brother aged all peppery and a full head of hair. Now I get to make fun of his pepper hair because I’ve got a full head of hair. The product is super easy to use and beats the alternative of having expensive surgery. It’s simple to use and the results come surprisingly fast. If you’re having trouble with hair loss, I’d try this product. 2-3 months and you can have your hair back! This product has research verified reviews that give you honest amazing true opinions and results!

Filed Under: Health, Health Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Glasstic Water Bottle

December 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post however these are my own personal opinions and thoughts.

Check out my Glasstic Water Bottle in the image above.

Being into fitness and doing things such as yoga and going to the gym, I always have a water bottle on me. I love putting bits of fruit or lemon and limes in the water to add a little flavor and the best results come in my glass bottles which stay colder longer and don’t give that nasty metallic taste back. But unfortunately, I couldn’t take my favorite water bottles to the yoga studios or the gym because they have a no glass rule. And although I don’t mind drinking from a normal plastic bottle, it’s just not the same. Then I found the Glasstic water bottle and the game changed. It’s actually approved by most yoga studios because of its shatterproof technology. Its shatterproof technology which keeps any glass from breaking out makes it the perfect bottle for places that have a “no glass” policy. Even more important is it’s easy to close and lock top for the kids to use. With not having to worry about it breaking I can let them keep the bottle with them on the couch, in bed, or in the backyard without having to worry and you can’t put a price on peace of mind. Clean up for the Glasstic water bottle is also super easy. Busy moms know its super hard to find the time to clean a sippy cup and make sure it’s thoroughly clean and most are not dishwashable. The Glasstic water bottle though is and super simple to just separate the pieces and put in the dishwater saving precious time. The neatest part though is the ability to customize your own Glasstic water bottle. You can take your favorite prints from the ones provided or design your own and make it all your own. The kids have to have each their own and when one wants what the other has, changing them out is easy enough. Not having to worry about my kids breaking glass around the house or outside, and being able to enjoy my favorite refreshing beverages after a workout has really changed the game around my house. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is on the move with kids or anyone who likes to make their own drinks and hates the metallic or plastic taste that comes with the traditional bottles.

Filed Under: fit, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Essenential Oils Labs

December 17, 2017 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post but this is my personal opinions and thoughts.

Three benefits of using Essential Oils from Essential Oils Lab

First lets discuss some background on essential oils. Essential oils have been used for over thousands of years, and through many cultures and beliefs for medical, health, and well-being purposes. Now lets get to the juicy part about the benefits.

The first benefit is the cleaning effects of these oils. These oils can be used to clean counter tops, burnt food from dirty pans, helps to make bathtub scrubs. Not only can they make you house clean, but the scents that come along with using them are amazing.

The second benefit of this product is the ability to detox the air. When one of these oils are used with a humidifier it can “freshen” the air making it a little cleaner in an all-natural way. My family and I love to use Tea-Tree essential oils during the holidays because with the colder weather more people are susceptible to getting sick, therefore we like to have the extra purifying in the air. We also like to use lavender at night time because it calms the air getting use ready for night time.

The Third benefit of essential oils is the relaxing ability these oils have. During stressful times, like the holidays, a stressful day at work, stressful day at school or anything these oils have always made me find a way to relax. I like to start a warm bath and apply these oils to the bath, not only do they help relax but also help moisturize the skin. The oils have helped me relax and I know they can help you!

You can find these essential oils in 1 oz, 4 oz, or 16 oz bottles starting at $14.99. My favorite oils are the lavender, and the coconut oils.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Cocoa Comfort Massage Lotion

November 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

Cocoa Comfort Massage Lotion

Ever been stuck looking for a lotion that hydrates your skin and that can be used as a soothing massage lotion? I tried this Cocoa-Comfort Massage Lotion and I have not tried anything after. This is made with real cocoa butter, real avocado oil,  real soy oil and Aloe Vera to help hydrate to maintain smooth and balance skin. This lotion is also used to enhance the texture and tone of the skin. I love how it last all day that I do not need to keep reapplying throughout the day. This lotion is great for any skin types either it is super dry, oily, very oily, this lotion works with your skin to maintain the healthiest outcome. The aftermath of the lotion is not too greasy, so it gives it a perfect finish. This cocoa-butter massage oil is paraben and cruelty-free. Another factor that made me fall in love with this product is how kid friendly it was. Having three little boys running around, who are all different skin types, this lotion has made it easy for me to not spend so much money buying three different types of lotion to accommodate their skin types. This Cocoa-comfort massage lotion comes in two sizes. It was recently marked down from $29.95 to only $18.50 for the 8 oz. The 1 gallon is priced at $67.50. These are great deals for the product you are receiving! This is a sponsored blog however everything is my own opinion.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Separate Beds: Victorian Values Or A Lifeline To The Exhausted?

November 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

Separate Beds: Victorian or Victorious? Picture here

Even the mere mention of a couple sleeping in separate bed tends to raise eyebrows. People immediately think that things aren’t going well, or they’ve had a major falling out. However, rather than it being because of a problem, or as an ode to Victorian values of days gone by, sleeping in separate beds can be advantageous. Read on to find out more about this phenomenon.

Undisturbed sleep

Obviously, the major benefit of sleeping in separate beds is that you get a much better nights sleep. That means not having to listen to your other half snore and grunt their way through the night. No having to put up with the light from their phone that they insist on using till 1 in the morning, and no bruised ribs or impromptu wake ups from when they thrash around while sleeping.

For many people, this sounds like bliss, and it’s worth bearing in mind that sleep is so important that we spend a third of our life doing it. In fact, the quality of our sleep has recently been linked to crucial health issues such as weight loss, mental health, and physical fitness. All critical elements that affect our overall wellbeing. Something that means if sleeping in separate beds gives you a better night’s sleep, it may also have a long-term positive effect on your life.

Lack of intimacy

Sleeping in separate beds isn’t without its detractors though. In particular, the main argument is that it can negatively affect a couple’s intimacy. Perhaps with one partner feeling a little neglected or left out. This is, of course, an important issue as your sleeping arrangements need to work for both parties and improve your life and wellbeing, not drive a wedge between you.

That is why many couples opt for a super comfortable double, king, or even super king size bed like the ones available from Hypnos Beds as an alternative to sleeping separately. That way they still get maximum comfort and support but also get to cuddle up with their other half before they go to sleep.

Rock your own style

Still undecided on whether separate bed could be for you? Then consider this last advantage. If you have separate beds, you can easily have separate rooms. Something that allows you to decorate them as you wish and to your own personal style.

That means if you love Cath Kidston style floral designs, but your other half is much more into 70’s retro you can both have your dream bedroom. All without infringing on each others sense of style and identity.

Other people’s opinions

A very wise man once said that other’s opinions of us are none of our business, and I’m inclined to agree, especially when it comes to sleeping arrangements. However, I can see that it might be difficult for couples to admit they have separate beds in separate rooms.

Luckily, this issue is easily solved as all you need do is have double (or bigger) beds in each room. Then no one will know whether you are spending the entire night in separate beds or not. Something that means you can avoid outside judgment while providing a real lifeline to the permanently exhausted.

Filed Under: Better Sleep, Health, Uncategorized

To the Top