It may seem as if shops have permanent sales these days,

but January is still the best time for big bargains. Here are

a few advices on how to make your money go further on the high street:

• Stick to styles that work for you: Don’t try something totally different to wear just because it’s on sale at a knock-down price.
• Hung out discounts: Search online usisng price comparison sites such as or www.offeroftheday.co.uk or www.livingsocial.co.uk or www.groupon.co.uk…..there are so many these days, to find out where the good bargains really are.
• Set yourself a budget: January is a tough time financially and that must-have buy might not be such a bargain once you add in interest from your credit card. Use a 0% card or clear your balance in full each month.
• Pay attention to the price: Ignore how much you’re saving; it’s what you’re being asked to pay that’s important. Would you buy it at that price without the discount?!

Good luck and keep shopping locally to support our local community as well! 

“On average, you will save 71% if you make your own”

Cocktails like Buck’s Fizz, G&T and Mojito are appearing ready mixed in supermarkets – and what could be more convenient?! But be WARNED, say the GHI (Good Housekeeping Institute): you could be paying more than twice as much for something that doesn’t taste half as good as those you mix yourself….  

MOJITO                     BUCK’S FIZZ                     G&T

40ml rum, 20ml lime juice,                 50ml sparkling brut                              150ml tonic water,

10ml syrup, 70ml fizzy water             150ml orange juice                               50ml gin, wedge of

2 mint sprigs (1 serving)                       (1 serving)                                      lemon (1 serving)

Silver items and jewellery will quickly tarnished from normal wear resulting in loss of glow. In this blog post we will focus on cleaning silver jewellery using household items. The aim is to bring back that lovely glow to the silver without causing damage to the item and scrubbing a layer of silver in the case of coated silver jewellery.

Cleaning Silver Jewellery That Does Not Contain Precious Stones:

Before the cleaning process can start, you should remove the item if you are still wearing it and choose a sturdy surface that can act as your work surface. You will need clean tap water, table salt, backing soda and a small deep plate to hold the mixture together. Having prepared the necessary bits and pieces, start by padding the inside of the plate with kitchen foil until the entire inside of the plate resembles an aluminium plate. Add tablespoon of table salt, a tablespoon of backing soda and warm water into the plate. Mix the ingredients together until the baking soda had dissolved in the water. It is very common for the mixture to bubble a lot while the backing soda dissolves. Dunk the silver jewellery in the mix, checking every few minutes if the solution had worked. In most cases, the result of this simple process will bring the silver’s glow back.

Cleaning Silver Jewellery That Does Contain Precious Stones:

If the item contains stones, the method above will prove ineffective, even harmful to the stones. In fact, many chemicals can have an adverse effect on precious stones so always check the label before using cleaning chemicals on your silver jewellery. The most basic (and often the safest) method is using water, toothpaste and a toothbrush. Simply brush the item from side to side using an old clean toothbrush covered in toothpaste and rinse in a bowl of water. If you decide to rinse the item in the sink, be sure to plug the sink before…. so your jewellery does not go down the drain.

There you have it, two simple to use silver cleaning methods using ingredients found in most kitchens.

Blog post by My Sphere Of Life A UK based brand of silver items.

By hanging your clothes to dry and keeping them out of a tumble dryer extends their life, reduces energy use and of course cuts your energy bill. Whether inside or outside, drying line can be done all year round. Just do not put dark colors in bright sunlight or they will fade.

Wash (unstained) jeans every third wear. “Most people wash their jeans too often,” says Melissa Ladines, a fit expert for Levi Strauss. Launder them (always) inside out and in cold water. Obsessed with preserving the deep dark rinse? Skip the clothes dryer and let them air-dry, or take them to a dry cleaner.

Smiley-faced Henrys are very popular with cleaners – and builders, too – and with good reason. They’re simple in design and very sturdily built, with a tough polypropylene plastic cylinder, long flex (10m) and large capacity dust bag. It’s also easy to find spare parts for Henrys. There are several versions of Henry for commercial and domestic cleaning tasks.

Good Housekeeping tested the domestic Henry HVR200A which scored 77/100 for picking up dust and pet hair from laminate, floorboard and carpet.

Although the Henry is no heavier than many other vacuum cleaners, it can be a little awkward to manoeuvre upstairs due to its bulky build.

TIPS ON HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR HANDBAG!

New Bags

• As soon as you buy  your new leather bag Scotchgard it. Also continue to feed the leather with a specialised conditioner (Mulberry’s leather nourisher works for me), on a regular basis. Allow 24 hours for the cream to sink in and then buff.

Rainy Days

• Preserve your leather and use a canvas bag on a rainy day. Line it with a discreet plastic liner and valuables should stay dry.

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TIPS HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR SHOES!

If you are looking for ways to save money and get the most out of your shoes, look after them so your shoes last longer – read on for some great tips!

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Hardwood flooring is popular in homes and offices because it is both beautiful and practical. Although there are many wood species which could be used for flooring, the most common are Walnut and Oak which share many similarities, especially in the way in which they need to be cared for. If you apply the right care, Oak and Walnut floors can last up to 100 years. The work of maintaining wood floors includes cleaning, damage prevention and safety tips.

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Make Your Home Healthy and Protect Your Children’s Health

Mould & Moisture – Cause for Concern?

Most of us have seen mould or moisture around the home. But did you know that mould is alive?

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