lifestyle blog posts focusing on home, lifestyle, parenting, pregnancy, family life and home and style. Home decor and working at home, working at home as a self employed freelancer and blogger. Family lifestyle blog posts including family reviews, family products and saving money as a family. Being a more eco friendly family.
I think everyone has ideals and expectations to what their first family home will look like, whether that is as a couple or a small family hoping to grow. My sister is currently looking to buy her first home with her partner and is scanning all the options possible to make it not only a happy first home, but an affordable one too. As first time buyers there are a lot of things to consider when buying your first home from who to use as a mortgage provider to the many different incentives and schemes available to first time buyers. One thing I know for certain is that when you’re paying full rent its quite difficult to save for a big deposit on a full mortgage and I think that is where shared ownership schemes bring in a happy balance.
What is Shared Ownership?
It’s pretty simple to define really as it’s exactly what it implies – you, the buyer, owns a specific share of the property and a local housing association owns the rest. This allows for lower income families or younger couples to save up a considerably smaller deposit as they are purchasing a smaller share of the property. This usually starts from a 25% ownership share however, there are bigger shares available depending on the property. You do have to pay both mortgage and rent to the housing association but this doesn’t necessarily mean you will pay more than someone that buys their home with full ownership.
What are the eligibility requirements for Shared Ownership?
Those buying the house and applying for the mortgage must be 18 years old and over and have a household income under £80,000 per year. This scheme is designed to get lower income families and couples on the property ladder by owning some equity in their house. You will need to be able to provide proof of income, residency and identification when applying for a shared ownership scheme.
How do you find the best shared ownership mortgage?
The best way to do this is with a mortgage advisor who can go through everything with you and you can lay all your cards on the table once you’ve found a suitable property to consider buying. I have seen a portion of new build properties offer this scheme in the past and I have also seen these types of properties advertised with estate agents online. It is worth noting that not all providers will cover shared ownership so you might want to look at a suitable mortgage broker such as Mortgage Light to find the most suitable shared ownership mortgage for you. Mortgage brokers do all the searching for you and present you with the best offers, rates and give you as much information about the provider as possible. It’s a reputable way to find a good mortgage at a rate that you can afford without doing all the searching manually yourself which can seem a bit overwhelming.
Finding the perfect home and staircasing to own it outright
I think this is the most exciting but also the most daunting part because we all have expectations about our perfect home and requirements that we think will make it a place we want to settle down into. Of course once you’re in a shared ownership property the memories you make together and the life you live in it, the decor and finishing homely touches, might make you want to consider owning it outright. Some shared ownership properties allow what is known as ‘staircasing’ where you purchase a larger share of the property. This of course requires you to have a bigger mortgage and further savings for deposits but it also means you own more of the home you’ve come to love and pay less rent to the housing association. It also gives you more time to save and be able to afford a bigger mortgage and eventually the entire share of the house.
Ad – contains Gifted products and affiliate links.
If you are celebrating any upcoming winter festivities have you started buying gifts? I have not and I really need to get on top of it! I wanted to put together a few suggestions for gifts you might be considering this festive period whatever holiday you might be celebrating.
Chocolate Gifts
Green and Blacks chocolate case has a selection of dark chocolate bars that would make an excellent stocking filler for chocoholics. This is something I would also consider adding into a hamper of delicious treats for the festive period. We like to have a range
The Cadbury/Oreo build a chocolate train looks super fun and will be a great festive activity for our kids. I’m thinking this could be an excellent addition to traditional christmas eve boxes to do something fun together before Father Christmas comes to visit.
Gift Cards, Vouchers and Experience Days
Voucher Express Vex Vouchers allow you to buy a one card fits all voucher. You redeem on site for a store of your choosing. eCards and in store cards are available. Shops include Asda, John Lewis and M&S to name a few. This gives you the option to give a gift that will be useful and the recipicant to ensure they pick a store they love and get something they’ve wanted or needed recently. I think it can really help new couples, or people moving into a new home as well as students that may be a bit strapped for cash. Plenty of people appreciate a gift voucher.
You might also want to consider Experience Days for family and friends as a chance to get out and do something in the local area of further afield. A great chance to explore or do something they haven’t had a chance to do before.
Candles
Reading Room Candle Co has a fantastic selection of Woodwick Candles including a limited edition winter range. I have a discount code WITCH10 to use on the website. There are also a fabulous range of skincare, bath salts and soaps for self care packages and gift packs available.
Ember Stag Candles have beautifully bookish cotton wick jar candles, wax melt snap bars and tealight holders available. I did a recent unboxing video here to show you some of their products in action.
For Book Lovers
Illumicrate have a great range of gorgeous bookish products including a lifestyle clothing range, the afterlight romance book box subscription and special edition books for book lovers.
I also absolutely love Little Inklings Reading Journal which is a beautifully presented journal and reading tracker in one. It’s high quality, allows for creativity and writing reviews. Reading is a small obsession for mine alongside collecting books so a journal like this helps me keep track of my reading challenge.
For Younger Readers – particularly fans of the Rebel Girls/Boys books there is a brand new edition celebrating the lifes and accomplishments of black women. This shares many creative and strong stories of women’s accomplishments and one I think is vital for those of all skin colours to read. I am an advocate for feminisim including anti racism and these are the kind of stories I want my children to read. It is also vital for young black women to be able to see themselves in and have access to these role models.
Watches and Ties
Trendhim have a wonderful selection of gifts and accessories that would be perfect for those that want something a stylish and with a hint of fun. Felix helped me pick out this skinny navy blue tie with a dinosaur print which I think is just adorable and the perfect gift from him for his dad. There are a great many selection of trendy products traditionally tailored to the men in your life. On the website you can find a lovely selection of accessories including laptop bags, suit accessories, wallets and watches. You can also read our review on the Lucleon Major Watch which we got in the colour ‘Raven’.
Ad – This is a review of a gifted Raven Major Watch with thanks to Trendhim. All opinions remain my own.
Trendhim are an online retailer specialising in accessories and gifts for men. There are a huge range of items including watches, suit accessories, laptop bags and jewellery. The website has a good price range of affordable items as well as giving people the chance to splash on something lovely. Adam recently graduated from University which was such a huge accomplishment I was happy to gift him with a new watch to mark the occassion. Selecting the Lucleon Raven Major watch I choose the colour ‘Raven’ as it was an all black design and felt it was something that would suit Adam best. Checking out was nice and simple and I found the website really user friendly. The watch came a few days later in the post and was packaged well. The outer sleeve of the box is cardboard and features the Lucleon brand name. The inner box has a simple lid lift design and the watch is nicely presented in the middle.
The watch comes nicely presented in a gift box which makes it easy to wrap or gift straight away. I love the all black design as I think it looks really stylish. We both prefer darker coloured jewellery and accessories so this was a great option. At first glance Adam was a bit concerned about the fit as the strap is quite thin and he has bigger than average wrists but he was able to adjust the length of the strap after some fiddling and get the watch on nicely. I think it fits him really well. The clock face is numberless and has chrome lines in place of the numbers to mark the hours. It was easy to adjust to the correct time. The inner clasp is silver with a black covering and when done up it just looks really nice. Picking it up there is hardly any weight to the Lucleon Raven Major watch so it feels light to hold.
Adam was pleased with the watch and is saving it for more special occassions just because he feels the watch is quite slim and doesn’t want to risk breaking it when at work. He said wearing it it doesn’t feel delicate but it is thinner than the watch he would wear on a daily basis. He really liked the black colour and thought the chrome clock markers work really well against a black background. When wearing it he said it felt light and comfortable despite initially thinking it would be a little tight. The gift box has doubled up as a storage box for the watch so that he can keep it safe and out of harms way. I personally think it would make a lovely gift for the upcoming holiday season or for a celebration such as a graduation or anniversary. Do visit Trendhim if you’re looking for gifts for the men in your life as they have a really lovely range and sure to find something to suit the person you’re buying for.
Ad – This post is in collaboration with WUKA (stands for Wake Up Kick Ass) who have a size inclusive range up to 6XL of period protection pants. I received gifted items in exchange for this post, however all opinions remain my own. You can shop online at www.wuka.co.uk
As a plus size person that wants to make eco concious changes to their life I have looked into as many options as I can for sustainable period protection and wanted to create this ‘start here’ guide to help other plus sized menstruators find comfortable period protection. I was absoutely thrilled when WUKA reached out to me to offer me a chance to review some of their period protection wear because I’ve been wanting to try period pants for a while now. I am also passionate about women in business and companies that get a kick out of breaking down stigma surrounding traditionally taboo issues such as periods.
WUKA have a great range of period protection pants available including a brand new lingerie range which is absolutely wonderful. We already feel a little rubbish when on our periods and sometimes a little bit of lingerie can make us feel better, particularly if they’re comfortable, stylish and have a bit of a pretty edge to them. The new lingerie range is also available in sizes XS – 6XL and includes a high waist, hipster brief and thong option in various flows depending on your personal preferences.
Start Here for the Plus Size Persons Guide to Sustainable Period Protection
Getting sustainable period protection or making the change to reusable period wear is honestly a fantastic solution. There is a real issue with period poverty and alongside sustainability we need to talk about the options around affordable sustainable period protection as well as considering that not everyone can afford or has the facilities to wash and clean resusable period products. As someone that frequently talks about how sustainability needs to include all class systems and consider both financial and time poverty I couldn’t continue this post without mentioning that. However, I do want to encourage any person if they have the means to swap, do to so because they are really simple swaps that will save you money (and underwear if you’ve had a particularly heavy flow!) and I would also encourage if you can donate period protection to any charities hat you opt for plastic free products.
What are my options for a Plastic Free Period?
There are currently a choice of three swaps you can make for a plastic free period depending on your flow and personal preference. However I want to bust the myth that plus size period are restricted in what they can use. More companies are making their period products size inclusive and increasing their plus size ranges as well as catering to different styles and shapes. This is all really encouraging. I am going to talk about Menstrual Cups, Cloth Pads and Period Pants sharing what I think are the cons and benefits of each.
Are Period Pants Suitable for Plus Size People?
Period Pants have come a really long way in increasing their size range and I’m happy to say that WUKA cater to a 6XL which their size guide recommends up to a size 26. They are exactly what you think, pants made for your period without the need for extra period protection such as pads and tampons. Some folks like to combine period pants with a cup or tampon for very heavy days if they aren’t feeling comfortable or they feel they need to adjust depending on their flow type or if they’re just new to period pants. Most of them are black, and have high waist or a midi brief option. The WUKA pants are black with a super soft layers of absorbable material to wick away the blood and absorb it. They are made to be breathable to limit odours and keep you feeling fresh, dry and comfortable.
Caring for Period Pants
Period Pants do not really require much extra work to keep clean and dry. After use it is recommended to give them a quick cold water rinse. WUKA suggests you can do this in the sink, shower or, if like us, you use other reusable products, a rinsing bucket. They can then be washed on a dark coloured garment wash at 30 and air dryed. It is not recommended to use fabric conditioner with reusable products as this can affect the absorbancy of them. They should then be air dried inside out ready to use for your next cycle.
Pros of Period Pants
There are a great range of options available depending on size, flow and comfort style. I personally find them comfortable to wear however I haven’t worn them with my cycle yet so I will update how I found them during my period before the end of the month. I like how they feel, they feel soft, comfortable and doesn’t feel like i’m wearing any extra protection. The WUKA pants fit me nicely and I like that there is a lingerie range on offer too. Some companies also offer a Swimwear bikini brief which allow those that don’t feel comfortable using a cup or tampon to continue finding joyous movement during their period. WUKA period pants are completely carbon neutral plus, and they have recently released their full carbon footprint analysis report which you can find here.
Cons of Period Pants
More sizes are needed to make this truly inclusive for all body shapes and sizes, particularly when considering a swimwear range which is very new at the moment. I did try searching for period protection swimwear and couldn’t find anything above a size 18. Hopefully, sizes will increase making this a fantastic option for plus sized people who want to try period pants. There are menstruators above a size 26 so I hope to see an increase in size inclusivity in the future.
Cloth Sanitary Protection or CSP – Reusable Cloth Pads
The second option is CSP or cloth pads which are probably the most size inclusive as they work exactly the same way as disposable pads do. I have personally been using cloth pads since the birth of my son, now three years and I am really glad I made the swap. I have a collection of around twenty cloth pads now ranging in size, flow type and shape. I have got mine from small businesses on Etsy and have a preference for fleece lining as they are the most comfortable for me. Like period pants cloth pads work by wicking the blood away from the skin into absorbable layers. They are cared for in the same way as period pants when rinsing, washing and drying. Some individual garment businesses use excess fabric to make CSP which is great for reducing waste.
Pros of CSP
No need for a particular size, you shop based on your flow and if you want nighttime (longer/bigger) day time and panty liners. Can fit in most underwear and does up with a popper. Very easy to clean and feels softer than a disposable pad. I haven’t needed to replace mine in three years and find the absorbancy still very good. I love that you can get funky patterns for your period protection and can support a small business.
Cons of CSP
Some menstruators don’t like the feel of a pad so it’s down to personal preference. Depending on colour and how well you rinse them they can stain. Need a good stash depending on your flow which can be a high expense at first.
Using A Menstrual Cup/Disc as a Plus Size Person
I will be completely upfront and honest here but I don’t think cups are for me. I personally never really liked tampons anyway but that is not to say that a Plus Size Person can not use a menstrual cup and I would still like to give it ago in the future particularly as I love to swim and feel my current options restrict me from this during my period. The feedback from friends has been that a cup has been ‘lifechanging’ for them and if it means we can embrace plastic free periods and give more options to my fellow period people then I’m happy! The first step is finding a cup that suits you and I recommend the website Put a Cup In It who have a fantastic quiz to help you find, potentially, your ideal cup for your flow and size. Using a menstural cup is similar to using a tampon but does require some flexibility and dexterity. There are lots of options and videos to help guide you exactly how to use your menstrual cup or disc. It should not be painful or umcomfortable to wear. A cup or disc usually lasts around 8-12 hours depending on flow, requires you to remove, rinse and replace during your cycle and should be boiled to sterilise between cycles.
Pros of a menstrual cup/disc
Great for those that like a tampon but it holds more blood so reduces the need for continous changes. Loads of different options for people of all sizes and flow types. Can be inserted with a water based lube to prevent irritation and well, it just makes it easier. Doesn’t require a lot of maintenance to keep it clean. Once you have the one that works for you, you don’t need anymore.
Cons of a cup/disc
Personally, I just can’t reach. I have a belly, short arms and limited flexibility. Being able to self insert at the moment just doesn’t work for me and I don’t think its affordable to continue buying multiple cups just to try and find the right size. However, this does not affect all plus size people it just depends on your own personal limits, arm and finger length.
Is there a ‘best’ option for sustainable period protection
Personally, no I don’t think there is a best option because it is all about what is comfortable for you, your size and flow. Find what works best for you, what appeals to you most and what you can afford. Now I have a mix of period pants and cloth pads I feel like I’m sorted. I’m glad that I don’t have to make a quick stop for emergency disposables if I feel I’m caught short – although I do track my period monthy so I usually know when I’m about to start bleeding which helps. I am all about comfort during what is usually a painful time of the month and I’ve not had a problem with leaking using plastic free period protection which has limited my stress. I am an advocate for plastic free period protection for all plus size people and I hope this guide has helped to encourage you to try resuables in time for your next cycle.
Whenever you plan for remodelling old kitchens, you need to be sure that the floor is suitable for the day to day activities that it will face.
There are pro’s and con’s to every flooring option so asking the right questions is highly recommended before jumping into a decision simply on style. Luxury vinyl flooring, being a top contender for every area of the home, can answer most.
The reason that the lowest price Amtico flooring is among the preferred products for flooring throughout the UK is down to its manufactured benefits that place it in front of all alternatives. LVT is no longer considered flimsy and poor, instead opting for a more PVC-free, environmentally-friendly design that perfectly replicates real wood and stone flooring.
The upfront benefit is that homeowners can reduce costs on professional fitting by undertaking the task themselves. Clicking together planks and or gluing down tiles is a simple enough process. A glue-down method may require additional help from a pro if you are unsure about adhesive use.
Reinforcement
Developers of vinyl flooring have focused on safeguards to protect against the most common problems flooring typically face, making it a trusted product for heavy foot traffic that a kitchen takes. Its wear layer protects against scratches and falling items which would leave an imprint on other floorings.
With all kitchens, water, and moisture from washing up dishes to spilt drinks will always be a constant – some requiring more than a quick wipe up. Amtico’s moisture resistance provides added assurance that those spillages will not leak through planks or tiles to the subfloor, meaning you get a much longer lifespan from your floor.
Modern living room with parquet flooring and stylish furniture
Comfort
Many people now have become accustomed to underfloor heating in the home and look for flooring that can handle not just rises in temperature but also be a great insulator. Luxury vinyl flooring is manufactured to be warm and comfortable underfoot as well as be a perfect partner to underfloor heating.
To focus on the positives that allow the vinyl options to march much further than other flooring brands you have to also focus on the warnings. One of which is to not soak the floor when cleaning it, but to rather use a mop that is fully wrung out. Although vinyl is fully waterproof, it can still be affected by large amounts of water left unattended on the surface and weaken the adhesive.
But if given care after installing and following a few simple guidelines, your kitchen will be the maximum amount of safety with a vinyl flooring option. When it comes to maximum protection and satisfaction in the kitchen, vinyl flooring is a leader for satisfaction.
