Lifestyle | Staying Safe While Gardening

Gardening is one of the best activities you can undertake to keep you healthy and positive. It’s well known that gardening is perfect for keeping the mind clear, whilst also helping your body stay strong and healthy. There are a lot of gardening tasks that could potentially be dangerous, a family friend recently dropped a pair of gardening shears which then went through his shoe and foot, resulting in a trip to A&E. So it’s really important to take certain safety precautions to ensure you’re safe whilst carrying out your projects.

Protective Clothing 

Before you start your gardening projects, you need to make sure your protected from any risks or dangers. There are so many great protective clothing pieces that will help keep you safe, dependant on the certain tasks you’re carrying out, and you’ll really benefit from investing in them. The different levels of protection are only necessary for certain tasks, such as safety goggles and sturdy shoes will be ideal for trimming bushes, digging and so on. You then have ear protectors to help shield your ears when using loud equipment like your lawn mower, hedge trimmer and digger. Gloves are essential for almost every gardening task, from pulling up weeds, to planting your favourite seeds and cutting back the hedges. You then have the gardening clothing itself, including long length trousers and long-sleeved tops, to keep your skin shielded and protected from both the garden and the sun.

Sun Shielding 

For many people, the warmer days are the best for gardening, as not only do you get to crack on with some essential gardening tasks, but you can also enjoy the beautiful weather. This does, however, come with a slight risk, as too much exposure to sunlight can have a damaging affect. Be sure to apply plenty of sun cream before heading out into the garden, especially on your face, as you may not realise but your skin will be exposed to direct sunlight for a few hours and this can cause burning or skin damage. It may also be a good idea to wear a hat to keep your head cool and protected, whilst also drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and prevent getting sunstroke.

Equipment Safety 

Investing in some good quality gardening equipment is going to really help you with your gardening projects, but they’re also designed to keep you safe and secure when in use. You’ll find that many tools come with safety locks and covers, to keep you safe and prevent any unexpected problems. It’s so important to make sure you know your tools properly before using them. Make sure you read the instructions or manual thoroughly before you start to use them. With items such as ladder platforms, you’re provided with a secure space to lean, stand or balance, however, if you don’t put this up properly you may find yourself having a fall or breaking the product. Similarly, hedge trimmers and lawn mowers require certain operation, so it’s important to know exactly how to use them so you aren’t faced with any issues you can’t fix.

Physical Health Care 

Everybody is different, some people are able to spend hours in the garden with no break, whereas some find it difficult to work without a break. It’s really important to know your limits and prepare yourself for your gardening tasks. If you know something is going to take a long time, split it up into sections and give yourself dedicated break times. Similarly, if you struggle with heavy lifting or your back is slightly weaker, you should avoid difficult tasks that are going to push you far, or ask for some help with certain elements of the task to keep yourself safe and fit. Gardening is a fun, rewarding pastime, and you don’t want to dampen that by causing yourself any damage.

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Lifestyle | 6 Curtain Trends That Are So Now

Changing the look of your décor does not have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes, simply changing one or two focal points in the room can transform the whole look and feel of the space. Here are some ideas on how curtains can change your living room or bedroom: quickly, simply and effectively.

1. Beautiful Botanical 

 Introduce a floral theme by changing out your curtains for botanical prints. These can be simple green plants on a white background for a fresh, innocent look, or wildly swirling petals and leaves for a more intense immersion in nature. No matter which you prefer, you are sure to find botanical patterned curtains to suit your taste and budget.

2. Chip on the Old Block 

Curtains – including swags and pelmet covers are a great way to introduce a bold splash of colour into any room. Pick out a colour that harmonises with the room to create a peaceful, tranquil ambiance, or perhaps go for a vibrant contrast to liven things up! Colours that go well include, for example, bright red in a monochrome room, a splash of vibrant turquoise against pastel walls, or understated gold to enliven a dark red, or black wall scheme.

3. Geometric Look with Curtains 

Bold colours and strong lines are features of geometric fabric patterns and these barbaric but cheerful designs are a great way to add instant pizzazz to an otherwise bland or boring space. Because curtains can be fitted to the room, even a fairly chaotic or gaudy fabric will not look overwhelming or dominate the space – instead, it will fill the eye and add interest by contrasting well with the plainer room features. For ready made curtains online (with geometric and many other gorgeous styles) you can check Yorkshire Linen Co. 

4. Shutter the World In 

Shutters sounds like they are meant to keep the world outside, and to a large extent, this is how they are usually employed, teamed with curtains and used as an extra barrier between our homes and the rest of the world. However, take the curtains away, leaving just the exposed shutters and you have a whole new style: all the privacy you could desire, but the ability to see out and free access for a cooling breeze and plenty of sunshine and daylight. Check out Ikea’s range for some great designs.

5. Keep it Natural 

Emphasise any natural features in the room: a striking piece of driftwood, any wood grain furniture, and a neutral earthy colour scheme, by opting for natural fabrics in your curtains. The slightly rougher texture of plain, untreated cotton or linen adds a wonderful yet subtle depth to the décor – great for an understated but interesting theme.

6. Jewel Tones for a Richer Colour 

If you might feel that brighter, deeper colours are too strong to use lavishly in décor, it might be time to step outside your comfort zone! Jewel colours: ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, are all great ways to add instant warmth and cheer to any room. Depending on your other décor choices, this can be as subtle or as outré as you like!

What are your favourite curtain trends?

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Lifestyle | How to prepare for an Adventurous Campervan Holiday

Planning your campervan adventure is one thing, but preparing for it is another. They may seem like the same thing, but the planning stages include key steps such as planning your route and figuring out the best ways to go, whilst preparing is all about ensuring you have the essential items to ensure your trip is as good as it can be.
My friends and I attended a few festivals in a campervan, with each of us being picked up along the route, creating a massive adventure. We would drive and collect people during the day and park up and have adventures by night. The campervan could sleep 8 and we would fill it to the brim with people and supplies.

There are a number of key things to consider when preparing for your adventure, and it’s important to check them before setting out on your trip.

Documentation Requirements 

It may seem like a boring, pointless task, but it’s really important to ensure you have all of the documentation needed to go out on your campervan trip. There are a number of documents that must be onboard with you throughout your trip, which many people overlook or forget to pack. These documents include: VSC, travel insurance, breakdown cover, passports, driving licence, EHIC card and campervan instructions. If you do forget to pack any of these into the glovebox before you head off, you may find yourself in a bit of an awkward situation further down the line, so it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Campervan Checks 

You want to ensure that your campervan is fit and ready for the adventure ahead, as there’s nothing worse than breaking down or finding something that doesn’t work when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Take your campervan to your local garage to have a quick service, double checking that everything is in working order. This will also help to save you some money further down the line. You can then carry out your own checks throughout the campervan, such as making sure all cupboards are empty and the vehicle is ready to be stocked up with the essential items for your next trip.

Legal Requirements 

Just as other vehicles do, campervans have certain legal requirements that must be included. The legal requirements to differ slightly from country to country, so it’s always worth checking before you set off. For the UK, it is a legal requirement for campervans to have an emergency warning triangle, high visibility jacket, GB sticker, breathalyser, spare bulb kit and headlight converters. If your vehicle does not have these, you may find yourself facing a fine, so it’s always worth checking and stocking up on these key items.

Travel Essentials 

There are so many different features now available for travelling via T5 campervan, so it can be difficult to narrow down exactly what you need. Some key items for the actual travel aspect of your journey include paper maps (as you can never solely rely on technology), a satnav, area guides, compass and points of interest books. These items will help to make your travelling go much smoother, as well as help you to plan ahead for your journey.

General Items 

Packing essential items to get by throughout your campervan adventure is a very important step, as you want to ensure you have everything you need to have the best time. Start with the basics, such as clothing, shoes, waterproofs and cosy clothing. Then you can figure out which additional items you’ll need, such as BBQ tools, a picnic kit, camping chairs and table, torches, plastic bowls and plates, cups and so on. Try to think of the essential items you need every day, then you can find an alternative travel style to add to your campervan and help you on your trip.

Have you ever gone on a Campervan holiday?

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