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Top 5 Luxury Things to do in Paris

March 10, 2016 by admin

At least once a year I love to indulge in a bit of luxury, travel with concerning myself with money and enjoy some of the finer things in a particular city or country. This year I went with a friend to Paris and we did exactly that, it was really refreshing as we’d visited a few years before and there were so many things that I waned to do that we had to say no to due to the money it cost. If you plan on heading to Paris this year and what to indulge in any kind of luxury, large or small, then here were my favourite 5 things that added a touch of class to proceedings.

Go Boutique

It can be tempting to think that the big chain hotels offer you the best in luxury but this is not always the case in and Paris you will find some of the luxurious and stylishly designed boutique hotels that you’ve ever visited. These hotels are themed and independently ran and as a result of this the eye for detail and the dedication to giving you a pleasant stay is far higher.

Champagne on The Seine

Many people take a tour down the River Seine to meander through the city with an in-ear tour guide telling them about the delights of the city, sadly these are often on plastic seats on open-air boats where you could be a victim to the weather. A far more preferable option is to take one of the glass-topped comfort boats that serve champagne and oysters for you as you sit in comfort watching and learning about the Parisienne skyline.

Transfer in style

It’s worth starting your trip off in the right way and what better way than to get a chauffeur driven car for your airport transfer. We used a company called Blacklane who were excellent, we received a text as we got off the plane to let us know that our driver was there and we were greeted by his cheery face as we walked through arrivals. We were driven in a sleek black Mercedes and taken to our hotel, no waiting, no hassle, just good service. The company also offers a business van airport transfer so if you are going with your company then they look after that as well.

Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge is the World-famous cabaret and burlesque show that attracts thousands of people each year who come to be wowed and entertained. The best way to visit the Moulin Rouge is by opting for the VIP package which comes with a 3 course meal, skip-the-queue access, coat checking and your very own personal balcony to watch the show from. If something is worth doing then it’s worth doing right… right?

Shop, Shop, Shop

Shopping in Paris is the real deal, for em it’s like going on a night out, full of excitement and I love to to get dressed up to the nines before I go. Each arrondissement in Paris offers something different, from the large fashion houses around the Champs-Elysées to the chic Golden Triangle in the 8th arrondissement. Even if you just intend to window shop around these stunning department stores and boutique shops I would still recommend going, it’s such a thrill to around this level of high fashion.

No Fear: Getting Your Child Ready for Their First Dental Visit

March 10, 2016 by admin

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Your child is probably like most children. They don’t have an irrational fear of the dentist. But, they do learn to be afraid of one over time because they pick up their fears from you. Here’s how to settle their apprehension and ease them into their first dental visit.

Prep Them With Good Dental Habits

Before you take your child to the dentist, try to instil good brushing and flossing habits. It’s important that these habits be ingrained at a young age. Now, if your child is really young, it may not be possible. But, you can work to keep your child’s teeth clean, floss them, and take care to not feed your child overly sugary foods or acidic foods which will damage the young child’s teeth.

Choosing The Right Dentist

You need to be able to choose the right dentist. The dentist makes all the difference. Ask friends for recommendations. Alternatively, do some research on kid-friendly dentists in your community. These dentists are very sensitive to the fact that some people, adults and kids alike, simple don’t like the dentist. And, they will bend over backwards to make sure your child is comfortable.

It’s also a good idea to establish a relationship with a particular dentist so that, as your child gets older, he or she trusts that dentist. A good Invisalign Teen in NYC dentist is can help your child when it comes time to get braces or tooth alignment. But, the child will be more apt to trust the dentist only if he’s been going to the same one for many years.

Talk To Your Kids

It might not be the easiest thing in the world to do, but talk to your kids. Get some books about visiting the dentist and use them to kick-start a conversation about cleaning and oral hygiene. Some of the best ones out there are Doctor DeSoto, by William Steig, and Just Going To The Dentist by Mercer Mayer.

Another way to talk to your kids is to play “dentist” by using various props like toothbrushes and flashlights, cups for rinsing, etc. and invite all their stuffed animals in for a checkup. Your child can be the dentist, or the assistant, and you can do a cleaning on all of the stuffed animals.

Then, you can have your child be the patient, and you can pretend to be the dentist and clean your child’s teeth.

Set An Example

When you’re afraid of the dentist, it’s more likely that your child will be too. Your child looks up to you. And, because of that, they will believe whatever fears you have. If it’s something that can make mommy or daddy afraid, then it must be scary.

Be strong, and set a good example. Go to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned. Show that it doesn’t hurt, and that it’s a good experience. Make sure your kids see you flossing and brushing as a normal part of the daily routine.

Yasmin Hancock works at a dentists clinic just round the corner from her home. She enjoys talking to the patients, catching up with them and trying to calm any fears they might have. In her free time she enjoys travel and writing, and often blogs for health blogs on the topic

Items to Include in the Baby Hamper for Baby’s 1st Birthday

March 4, 2016 by admin

A baby’s 1st birthday is usually the most anticipated birthdays since it marks his 1st year of existence in this world! Surprise the parents with a special hamper and make sure to include these items in your gift.

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Image by code_martial via Flickr

Baby hampers have been growing in popularity recently due to the fact that new parents love them.Mum and baby get to use every item, and you get the “oohs” and “aahs” of aunts and uncles who thought they couldn’t have gotten a better gift than the one that you got.

Baby hampers are a creative spin on a timeless gift giving tradition.

There’s an unlimited range of choices out there; hampers in different sizes, colours, themes, designs, and combination of items. No two hampers are alike and you are guaranteed to find one that is just as unique for the baby; but if you want to make it extra special, customisation is the way to go. This means you will be building your own baby gift hamper with the items that you selected and wrapped yourself.

Don’t have an idea what to include in the baby hamper? Why not make a call or a visit and fish for some ideas from the new parents? Having a quick chat with them could give you an idea of what they would like to get or better yet, why not just ask them straight ahead? This ensures that the money you spent to purchase the gift is put to good use.

If there’s no way you can get in touch with the parents or you’d rather surprise them, here’s a list of some ideas to help build your very own baby gift hamper:

Body care items

Lotion
Oil
Wipes
Shampoo
Powder
Bath
Sunscreen lotion
Rash ointment

Grooming items

baby hairbrush
nail clippers
cotton swabs

Practical items

thermometer
baby bottle
bath thermometer
bibs
pacifiers
bath towel
wash clothes
bathing sponge

Clothing

onesies
socks
booties
rompers
hat

Toys

spoons
rattles
books

Anything which you feel is useful on baby can be placed inside the hamper. It doesn’t even have to be baby items. It can be something that mom and dad could really use after having just had a baby. Below are some of the things you can add:

Wine
Gift certificate to a spa
A voucher at a local restaurant
Bottle of perfume
Earplugs
Photo album
Scented candles
Chocolates
Magazine subscription

It’s good to reserve at least 1-2 items for the parents in the hamper. It shows that you also thought of them while making the baby gift. After you have gathered the items, place them all in one big container. It can be any of the following:

Basket
Cloth lined basket
Plastic bowl or a bucket
Baby bath tub
Canvas storage box

Arrange the items in the baby gift hamper and if you want to make it look stuffier, place cotton balls, cloths, diapers or boxed wipes at the bottom. This creates the illusion of the hamper having more items than there really is. Be as creative as you want when wrapping the baby gift hamper. If not, you can employ the help of a friend who’s good at gift wrapping or get ideas from websites that sell quality gift hampers in Australia or in your local area. There’s a rich source of baby hamper photos to take inspiration from.

In Conclusion

You don’t have to include all these items in the baby hamper nor does all of it have to be in the same category. You can pick one for each to include in the baby hamper. Only get the items which you feel will suit mom and baby best. The parents who receive it will appreciate the thought that went behind the gift and will be able to use all the items in the gift hamper. Did we miss any item? If there’s anything you’d like to add, let us know in the comments

Wearing Your Story on Your Wrist: The History and Evolution of the Charm Bracelet

February 26, 2016 by admin

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Nobody thinks about wearing a story on their wrist when they wear a charm bracelet. But, this little piece of jewelry has a rich history. The next time you eye one in the store, or you’re thinking about what to wear for a night out on the town, consider this:

From 4500 to 2300 BC

Charm bracelets date back to Neolithic times, when men selected an unusual piece of bone shell, stone, or wood, and transformed it into something they could wear. Usually, this meant placing it on a leather thong.

From 2300 to 700 BC

During this time, charm bracelets were known as amulets or talismans. They were associated with magic, mystique, and spirituality. Early charms during this period were made from lapis lazuli, rock crystal, and semi-precious stones or gems. The Babylonians are believed to be the first people to wear charms on their wrists from around 700BC.

In Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is inherently mysterious. We often associate the Egyptians with intelligence and ingenuity. During this time, Pharaohs and the wealthy adorned charms. The first recognizable jewelry appeared in 3000 BC, and were worn on the head and neck. Classic symbols and charms like the Ankh represented the force of life. The Eye of Horus was said to protect its wearer in life and death, especially the afterlife.

From 750 BC to 475 AD

During the Roman Empire, an amulet or charm bracelet was used to signify one’s own life. For example, early Christians wore the “ichthys” (a symbol of the fish) to signify that they were followers of Jesus Christ.

The fish symbolized the feeding of the five thousand by Jesus on the Jordan River.

From 1066 to 1485

During this time, English Kings, Queens and knights often wore amulets and charms as protection. The period is known for its belief in witchcraft and wizardry. A lot of people during this time were concerned about magic and mayhem that could befall them by their enemies. People of this time hoped that charms, prayer, and incantation would save them and protect them.

From 1300 to 1600

During the Renaissance, lucky charms and amulets weren’t as popular. This was the dawn of the age of reason and the Enlightenment. Books, science, and math were replacing mysticism and superstition.

Charms were remnants of an uncivilized past. But, gemstones and charms still retained importance among the wealthy, since it signified their family name and lineage. To the masses, however, they did remain somewhat popular as there was very little in the way of education and superstition was still a part of many people’s lives.

Industrial Revolution – 1750 to 1900

During the industrial revolution, only wealthy individuals could afford custom jewelry and charms that were made during this time. However, it wasn’t long before technology advanced to the point where precious metals could be mined efficiently, allowing the middle class to own and wear charms which, only a decade ago, would have been unaffordable.

The shift actually began in Britain, spread to most European countries, and eventually to America.

1945 to 1950

By the end of World War II, soldiers were ready to come home. But, they didn’t want to come home empty-handed. So, they purchased handmade jewelry as souvenirs for their loved ones and family. Local craftsmen would carve wooden or metal souvenirs as gifts. Often, these gifts were replicas of common items in the local area.

Soldiers would also have “dog tags” made for them and, over time, this gave way to small celluloid or acrylic charms packaged in cereal packets, gumball machines, and packets of sweets.

Today

Today, we enjoy all sorts of charms and bracelets. You can buy sterling silver charms and charm jewelry from commercial operations like Bedbathandbeyond.com and your local jeweler.

From vintage pieces to modern and contemporary, charms and bracelets have been a part of not just American history but of world history. Today, you can wear a story on your wrist – something that, at one time, wasn’t possible.

What’s your story?

Molly Powell is a stay-at-home Mom who discovered blogging several years ago. She writes on a range of topics usually revolving around family life and the home in some way.

2016’s best family-friendly attractions in Australia

February 23, 2016 by admin

Although we’ve recently covered some global destinations as far-flung as New York and Paris, sometimes it’s good to cover things a little closer to home.

So if you’re looking to get out and about with your family in Australia this year, here are some great kid-friendly options that can provide surfing inspiration, illuminating ideas on our cities, and even give some tips for the Wimbledon betting over in the UK later in 2016.

City attractions

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Although the great Australian summer is coming to an end, there are many great city events that provide a good deal of family fun. The Adelaide Festival in particular looks tempting as it features Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo that is a hands-in interactive theatre featuring lots of fun dinosaur puppets alongside the festival’s music and arts treats that run from 26 February to 14 March.

And all Australians should definitely visit Sydney’s Vivid Festival that illuminates those dark winter nights with an amazing show of light, colour and music from 27 May to 18 June. The festival will also be tying in with Taronga Zoo’s centenary celebrations and all kids should definitely enjoy seeing some illuminated chameleons

Sporting fun

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Australia’s definitely not short of sporting attractions. And the Formula One season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 20 March and provides a great chance to get out there and join in the glamorous celebrations.

Many kids will have been inspired to pick up a tennis racket after the Australian Open, and the Hot Shots youth tennis course can help them on their way to sporting glory. And as many will be asking can Andy Murray bounce back from the Australian Open, adults can keep up with his progress and the likes of Australian stars such as Nick Kyrgios thanks to Coral’s website that features all of the top news and tips from Wimbledon and other great sporting events.

At the beach

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But for those families who are seeking to take advantage of the last warm days of summer, they should definitely get down to Surfest which is already underway in Newcastle and will encourage the little ones to learn to enjoy live on the ocean waves.

Or for something a little more extreme, then the Cooly Classic in Queensland offers the chance to appreciate ocean swimming with a special 1000m Junior Giant option for the kids on 3 April.

So whether your planning ahead to the Wimbledon betting options with some sporting inspiration, or merely watching the city of Sydney become illuminated in weird and wonderful colours, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Australia over the upcoming months!