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  • #TheModernMarriage – What does Marriage Really Mean Today?

    #TheModernMarriage – What does Marriage Really Mean Today?

    This is a collaborative post.

    When I was around 7, my parents divorced. It was pretty uncommon when I was still that young but it happened. Most of my friends parents were still together, most of my family were still together. I was shocked and it kind of stopped my belief that marriage is forever. In fact now, I’m here at 28 years old with a child, never married and not with her father but in a happy, committed and loving long term relationship. I have a lot of friends who have been single parents, second time marriages or are going through divorces. #TheModernMarriage really does look into all the different styles of families we have in today’s society.

    I’ve never really seen marriage as a romantic notion. Perhaps that’s because of my parents divorce. I do like the idea of marriage and I want to be a married women…one day…but not because I hold traditional values but honestly because I feel I just want that partnership. I also see marriage as a way of gaining tax relief and an easier way of getting a mortgage. I see marriage as a contract between two people to agree that they will create a life together, live in compromise and reduce a bit of the general stress on life with each other.

    I know Adam and I will be a great partnership, because we already are. Traditions these days are so different to how they used to be. We’ve been living together for four years, raising a family together and sharing in the household finances. Isn’t that really what a marriage is all about? When we do decide to get married it won’t be a big affair, I’ll be looking to do something quick, easy and simple. I’ll be looking to create a lovely day full of happy memories for us but I won’t be going all out. We are both opposed to religious ceremonies and spending a lot of money because to us, it just isn’t practical. I also think that as we’ve lived and been together for quite a while, there won’t be any suprises after we’re married. We’ve already got to know each other’s bad habits, we’ve had the arguments and we’ve made hard decisions together. We are already a partnership and marriage won’t change that but I do think it will make us feel like a stronger family unit.

    The Modern Marriage Infographic

     

    Here comes the stats…

    Slater & Gordon recently carried out a survey to find out what the modern face of marriage really is and the results are in…

    • 69% of people believe the biggest benefit to marriage is the commitment to a relationship…

    • …whilst 42% see increased financial security as the main benefit.

    • 53% of those surveyed believe they would (or did) choose a civil ceremony as opposed to a religious one.

    • Out of all those surveyed, 54% of people have experienced a close family member getting divorced.

    • 23% of people have been divorced themselves.

    • 69% of people believe there is less pressure to get married compared to 10 years ago.

     

  • How To Build An Amazing Treehouse For Your Kids

    This is a collaborative post.

    It wouldn’t be an outrageous claim to say most of you reading this grew up wishing they had a treehouse. I know I did, I’d dream of having this cool little den to play in up a tree, it was an amazing thought. Of course, treehouses aren’t always right for everyone. I mean, if you don’t have any trees in your garden then you can’t build one.

    But, for people with trees, it makes the perfect DIY project. You can build a treehouse for your kids and watch as they go wild with joy. Naturally, you’re wondering how you do this. So, I have a few tips and hints you should follow to get a good job done.

    (Photo credit: http://bit.ly/2s9UdyQ)  

    Pick A Suitable Tree

    Before you even start building anything, you need to ensure you have a suitable tree. Suffice it to say, you’re going to need something pretty big and sturdy, with a very good amount of thickness. Oak trees are absolutely perfect for treehouses, they’re almost made specifically for them. They’re big, strong, and can easily withstand some wooden beams being screwed into the trunk. Beech, maple, cedar, and ash are also very suitable for treehouses.

    When it comes to trees that aren’t suitable, you’re looking at pretty much any thin tree out there. Thin trees just don’t have the strength to support a treehouse and can easily be prone to breaking or suffering damage during harsh weather.

    Also, make sure the tree is healthy, and there aren’t any signs of rot or damage. You wouldn’t build a house on damaged land so why build a treehouse on a damaged tree. Pick the right one, and you’re ready for action.

    Start With A Strong Support

    It makes sense to begin construction from the bottom up. After all, your treehouse needs strong foundations to sit on. This comes in the form of some wooden fixtures that are stuck in the tree. They should start near the bottom and be angled slightly outwards. Then, you can begin placing the flooring on the top of the fixtures, and you have yourself a solid base.

    A quick note on these support fixtures; make sure you use really durable and solid wood. You want them to be reasonably thick and heavy, but not too heavy so that you can’t lift them and get them drilled into place. The wood should also be clean and fresh, don’t just use some junk wood that’s cheap, rotting, and got a bit of water damage.

    I also highly suggest that you keep the support fixtures low down on the tree. You don’t really need to build a treehouse high up, there’s no point! Your kids won’t mind, they’ll be happy enough with a super cool treehouse. It’s a lot safer to keep it low to the ground, so ensure you don’t set them up too high.

    (Picture link: http://bit.ly/2sa3c3a)

     

    Make Every Joint As Secure As Can Be

    The biggest fear when building a treehouse is that the joints aren’t going to hold when there’s a lot of weight on them. After all, you’re only using a few screws here and there. Thankfully, there are two things you can do to ensure every joint and every screw is as firm and secure as can be.

    The first is to use a power screwdriver to do everything. They’ll provide you with more power to really screw everything in as tight as can be. Without one, you may struggle to have the strength to properly get a screw in tight, and it may start getting loose over time.

    The second tip is to use some glue or adhesive to help keep things stuck together even more firmly than usual. You will find loads of companies like Kenyon Adhesives that provide the glue that’s specifically meant for constructing wooden objects, and that’s resistant to bad weather. Complement your regular screwing joints with glue, and they’ll stay firmer for longer.

    Keep It Lightweight

    If you speak to anyone that makes a lot of treehouses, they’ll say you should make the main part of the house as lightweight as possible. What they mean is you should use wooden planks that aren’t heavy.

    Why? Because it’s incredibly hard to build a house in a tree when you have really heavy planks of wood. Of course, the support structure can be heavy, but the actual main structure of the treehouse should be made out of planks that are lightweight yet still very sturdy and strong.

    To end this guide, I will say it makes sense to get your wood from a credible source with the planks already cut and ready for you. This just makes your life easier and ensures everything will fit perfectly. Now, you’re ready to make a wonderful treehouse for your kids!

     

  • Let’s Build An Outdoor Playhouse For Grown-Ups

    This is a collaborative post.

    Do you remember these rainy days in your childhood when you built a secret fort with a blanket and a few pillows? With time, your ideas of comfort naturally evolve – it’s likely that the pillow and blanket fort might not sound as appealing as it used to be in the past – but there’s no denying it: everyone longs for the cute, downsized house to relax in. This is especially true when you are thinking about organising a summer garden party with friends and relatives. Why so? Because no party night can be complete without planting the appropriate décor for it. Start by being an available guest – no hiding in the kitchen tonight – and relocate your dining space into the garden. What is the best way to make the garden effortlessly attractive to your guests? With an outdoor playhouse for grown-ups, of course! Here are three of the best ideas to revamp your garden with a downsized party house. You could be looking to add more space with a Guardian Extension as it’s completely tailor made with your requirements and specifications in mind. https://www.projects4roofing.co.uk/ have some great advice if you’re looking to learn more.

    #1. The Romantic Pergola

    If you love gardening magazines, you might have already come across the wooden, open-roofed pergola. A pergola is used to encourage trailing plants to spread up. It provides natural shade for lunch or dinner during a hot day. Pergola can come in kit form, but you can also build yours from scratch using treated timbers. As a rule of the thumb, you will need three upright posts per side and a rafter on top – save yourself troubles and order online, George Hill Timber is a good address as they organise the delivery directly to your home address. Then you can connect the side on top by resting crossbeams across the rafters. Remember to add trellis panels to the side of your pergola if you want to provide support for climbing plants.

    #2. The All-Year Glass Room And Conservatory

    A glass room is similar to a conservatory, with the difference that its structural elements are lighter. However, more conservatories follow similar building techniques. The glass room is typically placed on the terrace outside the house and protects the garden furniture. When the weather is nice, you can slide glass panels in summer to open the room to the outdoors and let fresh air in. If the weather isn’t what you hoped for, you can still eat outside, but you remain protected from the rain or the cold by the glass panels. This is ideal for the addition of a full-size dining party room.

    Glass room

    #3. The Vintage Gazebo Feeling

    A gazebo is a free-standing summer house that is open on all sides and fully roofed. They are often confused with pergolas, but they are not used to help climbing plants. Gazebos are often seen in public parks, but you can also build your own in the garden. You will require treated poles too, but you use real roof tiles on top. Additionally, gazebos are ideal for large summer parties as they provide protection for your guests, chairs, and tables. Often called a wooden marquise, the gazebo has a timeless vintage look that makes it a beautiful garden feature.

  • Modern Day Proposals and Engagements

    This is a collaborative post.

    I think there is a lot of pressure these days on couples to have lots of fuss when it comes to engagements and weddings. Sometimes it feels really daunting and there’s just so much to consider. Where do you even begin?! I also think these days, a proposal is a little different, or at least it’s not quite what you expect from the movies. I mean, I’m sure it is for some people of course. There will always be a little bit of surprise but I kind of feel with modern couples it’s something you talk about first.

    In a way I think that’s taken some of the pressure off because hopefully we already know what the other person is going to say. It’s something you know together will happen in your future because you are probably already living as married and just want to make it official and enjoy your lives together. I’m not making this sound very romantic am I? Am I the only one that feels like this? It kind of curbs around the will they, won’t they and just becomes a matter of when.

    When it comes to engagement rings are you supposed to choose together or are you supposed to just wait and see? I think these days, again, you’re likely living with this person already so they’re going to know your tastes in jewellery and engagement rings. F Hinds have some gorgeous single diamond engagement rings which I think are really classic and suit most budgets. Choosing together you can find something you both really like, and again it takes the pressure off a little bit doesn’t it.

    So when the day comes around, the proposal happens with a ring that fits and you love to wear it looks like the done thing is an engagement party. I’d love a nice meal with close friends and family to celebrate but to be honest a party just isn’t for me. Then it seems people either go for a long engagement or begin frantic wedding plans to create the perfect day. I’ve seen some beautiful weddings that have taken years to organise and some equally beautiful that have been done in a few months. No matter what, it’s your day to spend exactly how you want. That being said I’ll probably have the smallest and most basic wedding I can get away with! Again, it takes the pressure off such a big, daunting but ultimately lovely and exciting day.

  • The Ultimate Tips For A Budget Bedroom

    The Ultimate Tips For A Budget Bedroom

    This is a collaborative post.

    Link

     

    A bedroom is a lot more important than you think. Yes, it’s a place where you rest your head and catch up on sleep. But, it’s also a room where you communicate with your partner, relax, and enjoy the night’s entertainment. Simply put, it has more than one purpose if done properly. Unfortunately, creating a flexible, multipurpose boudoir isn’t easy if you don’t have a big budget. After all, home improvements are never cheap at the best of times. But, what if there was a way to create an unbelievable bedroom on a shoestring? Would it be of interest? Good, because below are several thrifty ways to renovate on a budget. Good luck!

     

    Raid The Shed

     

    Why the shed? It’s because this is the place which is home to the spare cans of paint. You know? The ones you buy and never use again?! Well, it’s about time they got some action because you can’t afford to buy new tins every couple of weeks. Instead, you should use what you already have. There is no need to worry if they aren’t a particular colour because that can change with one easy fix. All you have to do is mix the colours together and create a homemade hue. It’s pretty simple to do even if you have zero experience because most of them are self-explanatory. However, if you need help, there is plenty of colour guides available online. Just put down some newspaper, follow the instructions, and apply to the walls.

     

    Reclaim Furniture

     

    People with money wouldn’t think twice about buying a new piece of furniture. They would think twice about purchasing a second-hand one, but you can’t be so picky. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with used furniture as long as you follow the golden reclamation rules. Firstly, don’t buy it because it’s cheap. The cost is a bonus, but what you want is a piece that fits the room seamlessly and looks stunning. Next, don’t take the furniture at face value. Because it’s a reclamation item, there is a chance that it has problems that need solving. Before you commit, try and find out about its level of quality. Finally, try it before you buy it as this is the only way to test for quality.

    Link

     

    Shop In Sale Season

     

    There are pieces that even the thriftiest of people won’t consider buying second-hand due to hygiene. A mattress springs to mind straight away as you don’t want another person’s leftovers. But, beds are expensive, so what should you do? The trick is to find stores like John Ryan by Design which have competitive prices. That way, the initial cost should drop from the outset. Also, keep an eye out for sales and discounts that will lower the cost. Even if it is only ten or fifteen percent off, the promotion will make a considerable difference to your bank balance. A tip: online shops tend to have the best discounts. And, you can create price alerts that make you aware of new sales and promotions.

    Link

     

    Think Outside The Storage Box

     

    Utilising space more effectively is one tip the experts all agree on by and large. As it turns out, just clearing out the clutter is enough to transform a bedroom into something special. Sadly, most homeowners don’t have enough storage solutions due to a lack of space. So, the clothes and toiletries stay where they are, and nothing changes. The good news is that a drawer or bureau isn’t the only solution to your storage woes. In fact, they may only add to the problem because they are bulky and take up lots of room. Crates and boxes, however, are a lot sleeker and more flexible regarding structure. Instead of plonking them in the corner, they can fit into the wardrobe or under the bed. Plus, they are a lot cheaper than a chest of drawers.

     

    Do It Yourself

     

    Some projects need a professional to finish the job. In truth, all of the above are pretty basic tasks for even the most amateurish novice. So, there is no need to hire a painter or decorator to take the project off of your hands. They only add to the budget, and yours is very low, to begin with. It may cost you time, but it won’t cost you an arm or a leg. Anyway, a bit of DIY never hurt anyone… much! Just take it seriously and there is nothing to worry about other than a few scratches and scrapes.

     

    Your ‘pitiful’ budget isn’t embarrassing anymore. In fact, it’s more penniful than anything else!