Choosing the right time for a baby shower can be a nightmare. There are lots of activities to think about, but for starters you need to organize a time when everyone can attend. It’s not easy, but there are ways to determine when to have a baby shower and still enjoy this important celebration. At the end of the day, it is all about having fun, rather than feeling stressed.

There are of course other factors to take in consideration when trying to determine the right time to celebrate and each of them can play a significant role in the planning process. This article will help give you a nudge in the right direction and help you make a decision

When to have a baby shower

Most people choose to organize a baby shower anywhere between 24 and 32 weeks of the pregnancy. Of course there is no set rule and there are people having a shower earlier, later and occasionally even after the baby is born. The date is up to you but there are certainly some factors to consider.

Holiday seasons

According to Shutterfly, holiday seasons can affect the best time to do baby shower. People are often out of town or have plans already around the holidays. A good solution is to have your guests pick multiple days when they are available and then from that pick a day everyone can attend.

Outdoor seasons

The springtime is a great option if you want to organize the baby shower outdoors, but the summertime can be just as handy. Keep in mind that the weather can get pretty hot, not to mention an unexpected storm or rain. Check the weather and make sure you have a backup plan, you don’t want the shower to have an actual shower leaving the expectant mother feeling a little miserable.

Birthdays and celebrations

Ideally, the date and time for your baby shower should not be close to the mother’s birthday or another similar celebration that involves getting gifts. Otherwise, gifts will overlap. She might get a baby blanket for her birthday, which might be good for the baby but Mom’s need fun gifts for them too!

Twins or multiples

According to The Spruce, if you are expecting twins or multiples, you may want to plan the shower for the end of the second trimester or at the very beginning of the third trimester, simply because twins tend to come earlier. It wouldn’t be fun to have to cancel at the last minute due to giving birth. Doing it at the right time also gives you a bit of time to organize the nursery with the gifts.

Culture and religion

The experts at Health Line agree that religion and culture might affect your decision on when to have a baby shower too. Certain cultures or religions do not agree with celebrating a baby before it is born. There are, of course, a few benefits of having the baby shower after the birth – the most obvious one being seeing the baby!

Location

Based on What To Expect, the geographic location is just as important. If your family is split all around the world, it will be a bit challenging to determine the right time to celebrate. There are health guidelines surrounding when a pregnant woman can fly during her pregnancy to ensure her and her unborn baby stay healthy and safe. You may consider coinciding it with an annual family reunion to make things easier.

The right day of the week

The day of the week normally depends on your guests. In over 90% of all cases, baby showers are held on weekends due to most people working during the week. Of course if your friends and family work on the weekends, a weekday baby shower is fine!

The right time of the day

Now, how about the best time of the day for your baby shower? The professionals at Parents agree that more and more people choose lunchtime for a baby shower. Some women choose something small with their best friends and family only, so they opt for brunch. There are also people who would rather sip some cocktails before sunset. So really it depends on you and what types of things you and your loved ones enjoy doing.

Before or after?

While lots of people agree that the best time to do baby shower is before the actual birth, more and more people turn to the alternative these days – after the birth. Which option is better? The truth is it depends on finding the perfect date and time for your baby shower, but it is also a matter of personal preferences. Both choices have their own advantages to take into consideration.

Before the birth

This is the most common option out there. It is also quite practical; you will receive lots of gifts which you can unpack and set up, this leaves you to plan what remaining items you still need for the baby and the nursery. This gives you plenty of time to organize everything by the book.

On top of unpacking and setting things up you may need to prepare many of the baby’s things. Some items will need to be cleaned and washed – maybe disinfected or boiled as well. You will have all the time in the world to ensure your baby has everything ready before the delivery.

Not only this but an early baby shower allows you to set the gift registry first – no room for guesswork, random gifts or things that you already have.

Another advantage to having the shower prior to giving birth is that you will have more energy, giving birth will drain you. It may be weeks or even months before you feel energized again. Practically, you will not be able to host the baby shower straight away. If you do so you may feel so exhausted and tired that you can barely enjoy the shower itself..

After the birth

Baby showers after birth are often referred to as sip and see events. In other words, guests come over to socialize, celebrate, bring gifts and see the baby. This is probably the most important reason to have the baby shower after giving birth. You are back on track and your baby is there – the most important guest at the party. Sure, there might be a few interruptions if your little one cries out of nowhere or needs to be fed, but at least everyone can see the baby.

Additionally, delaying the virtual baby shower until after the birth can also increase the excitement. People are naturally excited about your pregnancy; they want to know whether it is a boy or a girl, they want to know what name you gave him or her and most importantly they want to see the baby. The more you delay the baby shower, the more excited they will be.

While most parents will choose to reveal the gender early, some couples want to be surprised. They do not want to know anything until the baby decides to join the world. They will, indeed, think of names for both girls and boys, but they still want the excitement associated with a surprise. Some parents might have particular ideas of what to name their baby, whether a boy or a girl, and may look at pages like this one that gives a list of 17 Names That Mean Light Bringer to draw inspiration from. Whatever the case, it depends on every couple whether to reveal the gender during the baby shower or not.

In this case, having the baby shower after the actual birth will come with a major benefit – everyone will know the gender. People will know what kind of gifts to bring in. Without knowing the gender the gifts will be more general and some guests might get worried about what to get for the baby.

Tips and tricks when considering when to have a baby shower

There are a few tips and tricks to help you out if not sure when to have a baby shower.

Choosing the perfect baby shower invitation cards can be stressful for a soon-to-be mom. But do not fret; there are numerous options online from respectable designers. This is an excellent option if you do not have the time to customize the invitation cards but want some room to unleash your creativity. You can even keep your card’s design gender-neutral if you wish. Whatever you end up choosing, you still have complete control over the names on the cards, and you can write those yourself with a flourish!

While everyone is free to choose when to have a baby shower (some do it as soon as they find out about the pregnancy), most such events are organized after 20 weeks into the pregnancy. If you are ready for celebration and you are already getting the nursery setup, you can start designing invitations and planning for this great event.

There are a few controversies about it, but you can easily have a baby shower after 32 weeks as well. Make sure you are ready for a mild party and there are no complications.

On the other other hand, it pays off waiting until you give birth if you are 38 weeks into the pregnancy. It might be a bit too late for parties, regardless of how simple and mild they are.

Final words

Overall, different couples have varying ideas of when the best time is to have a baby shower. If undecided on when to have a baby shower, the above factors should help you decide what will work best for you.

This decision might seem challenging and stressful at times as you narrow your dates and consider the different elements, but know that a little bit of organization and attention to the details goes a long way. The key thing to remember is that the day is about you and your baby and you are there to enjoy it!

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Every family should think about saving money. The more money you save, the better it will be for everyone. You’ll have some spare cash to go towards essential family purchases or some extra cash to save for your kids.

Therefore, you should start a small savings plan and aim to reduce your spending every month. For me, one great way of doing this is by looking at where lots of money gets wasted. Naturally, my mind wanders to the energy and water bills. They can be astronomical in a busy household, and it’s something you can address. Obviously, there are lots of ways you can save energy around the home. We all know the common tips: turn off the lights, put your heating on a lower setting, etc. Still, I think there are smarter ways to save money by looking at high-energy consuming things and how you can reduce energy consumption. That’s a fancy way of saying: what uses the most energy and how can you stop this.

This brought me to the idea of washing your clothes. A washing machine can use up lots of energy as it is on for a good few hours each time. Plus, you use up hot water as well, so the water bill goes up. In a busy household, you might wash clothes every couple of days – not to mention towels, bedding, and more. So, if you can save energy when washing clothes, you will save a lot of money every month. If you still find that your water bills are high, or even rising, you may have a leak in your water line, therefore, a water line replacement may be needed. Warning signs of this include rust-colored water coming out of your faucets, low water pressure, and wet spots in your garden.

Now that the introduction is out of the way, let’s look at what you can do:

Wash some things by hand

Your immediate response to saving energy is that you don’t need a washing machine at all. If you wash everything by hand, you will save so much money. True, but it takes a lot longer. Imagine trying to wash your clothes, your partner’s, and your children’s – it would take all week! You have things to do, which is why washing machines are so handy.

Instead, think about washing some things by hand instead of putting them in the washing machine. This can include smaller items – like underwear and socks – or possibly clothes that need to be worn. You could check this guide on how to hand wash clothes before trying it out, if you’re not used to the process. Hand wash some clothes for a few days and you will likely get better at it. Doing small loads by hand can reduce the total number of loads your washing machine deals with every week. That could save a few hours of ‘on time’ for this device, which adds up to energy and money savings!

To help you out, here’s a short video explaining how to wash clothes by hand properly:

Get an Energy Star appliance

Energy Star washing machines are appliances that are designed to be more energy-efficient. I believe they use 25% less energy than standard washing machines – along with 33% less water. Right away, this will save a fortune on washes over your lifetime. If you have an old washing machine, you could use so much unnecessary energy! You don’t need to use that much as machines exist that are 25% more efficient. So, it makes sense to make an investment in a good washing appliance.

I’m by no means a washing machine expert, but I do suggest choosing a trustworthy brand that still makes plenty of appliances. A brand like Fisher and Paykel suits this description as they have lots of washing machines to choose from. In turn, this means it’s easy to get your hands on Fisher and Paykel spare parts if your machine has any issues. Other brands include Bosch, Samsung, and Logik – all of these have lots of options and you can find the spare parts easily.

Use the Eco settings

You can go one step further with your energy-efficient washing machine: use the eco settings. All modern washing machines will have a setting that basically washes your clothes, like your delicate thong panties in the most economical settings possible. This means the water is cold, and the entire cycle lasts as short as it can. The end result is a selection of clean clothes that required very little energy to wash.

Personally, I wouldn’t do this with heavily soiled clothes as it won’t always get the stains out. But, for ones that just need a quick wash, it will save so much energy and money. Oh, and if your washing machine doesn’t have this setting, you should be able to create it yourself. Turn the temperature down, reduce the spin cycle, and set it to the shortest time allowed.

Fill up your washing machine

Did you know you might be filling your washing machine completely incorrectly? If you are filling your washing machine all the way to the top, then that’s wrong. Likewise, if it’s half full, that’s also wrong. The correct way to load a washing machine is three-quarters full.

What’s this got to do with saving energy? Well, load it less than this and you’ll need to wash more frequently. A washing machine uses the same amount of energy regardless of what’s inside it. So, three-quarters full can get through fewer washes and save more money.

Ah, so why don’t you fill it all the way? Well, it means all the clothes are clumped together and there’s no space. This often leads to them smelling horrible and damp as the water has nowhere to go and doesn’t drain properly. As a result, you may need to re-wash them, which would waste energy and money.

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Avoid a dryer as much as you can

I’ll keep this last point short and sweet: avoid a dryer. Dryers consume lots of energy and are rarely needed. Hang your clothes on a washing line or get an airer that you can use inside. The only reason you should ever use a dryer is if you have too many clothes to hang up, or you need something to dry as quickly as possible.

Consider your energy supplier

Remember that you have the Power to Choose when it comes to energy suppliers. If your current supplier isn’t offering a great rate, chances are someone else will. Never be afraid to switch in order to save!

It’s quite amazing how many changes you can make to your washing habits. Likewise, it’s even more amazing how much energy these changes will save. This all adds up to some substantial savings every month. Oh, and you can cut down on water usage as well, which adds to your savings.

After persistent begging and pleading from your kids, you may find yourself considering getting a family pet. You might think that getting a pet is the perfect way to complete your family unit, but taking on the responsibility of an animal is not a decision you should take lightly. Instead, you should give it the time and thought it deserves. The first thing you need to think about is whether your home is suitable in the first place. If your home is small, noisy or always messy, a pet might not be the best idea. Keeping a cat in a small space, for example, is cruel because in the wild they’re used to a large territory. Keeping a ferret in a loud home can also be cruel as they prefer peace and quiet – excessive noise can lead to these ferret depression symptoms and worse. Similarly, keeping a dog in a messy house can be dangerous as they often love to chew on items like slippers and cushions, so you can’t leave anything you love lying around, especially if it could be a choking hazard.

We have put together this guide of 4 other things that you should think about before going ahead and adding a pet to your family. This will help you to ensure that you are making the right decision for you, your family, and for your potential pet!

Choose Your Pet Wisely

First of all, you need to think about what sort of pet would suit you and your family’s lifestyle and routine. Kids are often keen to get a cat or dog, and they are also the most popular choice. You can take a look at offers like goldendoodle puppy for sale or one at an animal shelter near your location to explore the options available. However, pets may require special care and supervision and therefore, you should do some research into the different pet options available to you before choosing one. There are other non-conventional options as well, like a bird, rabbit, guinea pig, ferret, fish, hamster, etc.

Guinea pigs can make for good first pets because they are social animals and only have short lifespans, meaning that you do not have to sign up to long-term commitment. But don’t forget that you will be the primary care giver, so try not to let the kids talk you into getting a snake if you are not willing to even touch it once it arrives.

Getting Pet Insurance

No matter what kind of pet you want to welcome into your family life and home, you should look into getting pet insurance. Animals can be expensive and having an insurance policy in place can help you when you need it most. However, when looking for a policy that is right for you, you should compare pet insurance using the online comparison site Quotezone.co.uk. You can search the providers at quotezone.co.uk which makes finding the right policy for the right price so much easier.

Consider the Extra Responsibility

Having a family is difficult enough at times, so you should consider whether you have the time to take on the extra responsibility of a pet. Although there’s no doubt that there’s lots of help available, both online on websites such as Central Park Paws or offline at your trusted vet’s or support from a friend, when it comes down to it, the pet is still largely your responsibility. Many pet owners rush into the decision, and then when it comes down to it, they are unable to give the time and care that a pet requires and deserves, there are more such responsibilities to keep up with. So, you should think about whether you are prepared to walk a dog twice a day or will be able to make the necessary care arrangements for your hamster next time you want to go away on a two-week holiday.

Think About the Extra Cost

A family does not come cheap, from having rent and mortgage payments to cover, to the ever-growing food bill at the supermarket. So, you should take the time to consider the extra cost that having a pet brings and factor it into your budgeting. The cost of food, care, vet’s bills, and accessories can soon start to add up!

By considering these important concerns before getting a pet, you can be sure that you and your family are ready and prepared for the responsibility.

Getting a baby to sleep during the night is difficult enough, however, it can be especially difficult during the summer months. When it’s cold its easy to bundle your little one up to keep her warm, but in the summer, you need air conditioning to keep her cool and comfortable. So, how should you dress your baby to sleep in the summer, here are some answers for you.

What Should Babies Wear To Bed?

Honestly, there’s no right or wrong answer for this question, however, there are a few things you’ll want to remember.

First, think lightweight layers with fabric that is breathable. These super cute knotted baby gowns from Orchid Baby Wear is a perfect example of a lightweight pajama to have as a base layer and then covering them up with a sleep sack or heavier sleeper.

Experts recommend that you dress your baby in one additional layer than you think you should wear as an adult. For example, if you are wearing a sweatshirt in the evening, you’ll want to make sure your baby has on pajamas and a swaddle or sleep sack.

How Should The Nursery Be Setup?

Experts recommend that a baby’s nursery should be between 68 and 72 degrees fahrenheit. Most nurseries don’t have thermostats in their room, so you can get an inexpensive one like this one from Amazon to make sure their room stays in this range. Whenever you check on baby, you’ll want to make sure that the temperature is just right.

During the day, you’ll want to keep your baby’s blinds or curtains closed so there isn’t too much sun coming into the room. This can not only warm up the room very fast, but it’s a quick way to mess up your baby’s sleep cycle. If you’re finding that her nursery just isn’t cooling down, you might consider installing a fan and leaving their door o[en to let air more freely flow through the room. Another thing to try is installing reflective/blackout blinds which can reduce heat and make the room completely dark as needed. You can pretty much tackle this yourself with one quick trip to a place like Lowe’s, so it’s definitely worth considering.

.How Will I Know If My Baby Is Too Hot?

As mentioned above, you’ll want to check in your baby throughout the day and evening to make sure she is at a comfortable temperature. Here are some things that you should be watch for to give you an idea if she is too hot:

• Is she warm to the touch?
• Is her heartbeat rapid?
• Is she unresponsive or lethargic?
• Is her skin red?

Any of these could be a sign that your baby is overheating.

What Should I Do If My Baby Is Overheated While Sleeping?

First, you’ll want to try to get their temperature down quickly. Put her in a cool bath or wipe her face and body down with a wet rag.

Second, you’ll want to make sure she’s hydrated. Nurse of mix up some formula to help get her core temperature down.

If you feel like either of these are not working, you’ll want to consider calling your doctor.

I hope that these ideas help your little one get some much needed sleep during the summer months.

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Do you struggle to get to sleep at night? Perhaps you wake up in the morning and you feel groggy? The importance of a good night’s sleep cannot be ignored. It is pivotal for overall well-being. So as well as utilizing all your other relaxing techniques, whether this is a healthy homecooked meal, playing online games like those on pg slot, or watching your favorite movie, here are a couple of things that you can do to help get a good night’s sleep.

Invest in a quality bed

Buying a bed is not something which should be taken light-heartedly. This is one of the most important tips to improve your sleep. After all, a bed is a place that most people spend the majority of their time in. Therefore it is crucial that it is something that looks good and is comfortable.

Obviously, most people do not have unlimited funds and thus it is vital to source out cheap beds that are also of high quality. The first thing that should be thought about in order to ensure that this is the case is the material of the bed frame. Metal tends to be the cheapest type of bed frame and it is a good choice because it is durable, sturdy, long-lasting, and available in various designs. Nevertheless, wooden bed frames are also a good option because they add a traditional authentic feel to any room. In addition to this, they also give off warmth which is highly beneficial to the room someone is going to be sleeping in.

The next thing that needs to be thought about is the size of the bed. A lot of people get tempted to go for the biggest bed with the most elaborate design possible. It is not hard to see why this would be the case; after all, people do tend to get drawn into the spectacular. Nevertheless, it is vital that the person picking a bed thinks about their bedroom and how the bed would look in it. If the individual has a small bedroom then there is absolutely no point in them buying a massive king-sized bed as this will make the room look even smaller. The right bed for the right room is what looks most impressive. Additionally, you could opt for a set of long pillow for lumbar support (essential for a comfortable sleep), which might prove useful in your quest for a good night’s sleep1

Treat yourself to relaxing in a hot tub

Research has shown that you can have a deeper and more peaceful sleep if you spend time in a hot tub before you go to bed. There are plenty of people all over the world that suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders, which can cause mood swings, depression, anxious feelings, and grogginess. More often than not, this is caused because of a stressful and busy lifestyle. Thus, if you take the time to relax in a hot tub, you are giving yourself the opportunity to relax, and this can help transition you into a peaceful sleep come bedtime. In order to install a new hot tub in your home, you may want to find sellers with a simple web search of “Hot Tubs Dallas” (or wherever you are based). Once a new hot tub is installed at your home, you can discover the several benefits of hydrotherapy for your body. Also, if you have a soak for about 15 minutes before you go to bed, say about an hour and a half before bedtime, your body temperature will drop to the point where you can enjoy a better night’s sleep. Along with that, you can also try out nighttime supplements such as cbd for sleep. The cannabidiol when combined with the sleep hormone, melatonin, can act as a stress-buster, relieving pain and anxiety, leading to a night of deep rest.

You will wake up in the morning feeling fresh and without grogginess. You can also incorporate gentle aromatherapy fragrances that will have a calming impact on the body and mind. In fact, wooden spas tend to give off natural scents that are associated with relaxation.

It may be difficult for many men to find unique gifts for girlfriends. The best gifts for girls should be personal, or allow them to look more pretty, or surprise them. Your gift should reflect the personality of your girlfriend and not be something that goes against her character. For example, if she is someone who likes to play board games as a recreation, you could gift her Personalized Jigsaw Puzzles, or in case she is someone who likes to read, you could gift her a set of books, or better still, an e-reader and a set of e-books!

If your girlfriend does not like roses, you can pick flowers that shew loves and adores. Think for example, will lilies make her happy? Or are orchids something she will like? Even if you are in some other city, you can use great online gift platforms like BloomingBox to surprise your girlfriend from time to time. You don’t have to wait for an event like your anniversary or her birthday to make her feel special. All you need to do is go online, buy what you like and get it delivered to her house or office!

Also, if you are gifting something for a special occasion, say you are planning to propose and want to make it memorable, you can also gift your girlfriend an item that signifies your bond (other than the RING!!). Something like personalised candles can make a great engagement gift with both of your names engraved on the container. You can look for other ideas as well for significant events like a wedding, anniversaries, dates, etc.

However, many men feel confused about how to choose gifts for girlfriends. And given that there are plenty of options out there for men looking for a gift for their girlfriends, from roses to dresses to a Silicone ring, this is totally understandable. So, we have compiled 5 unique gift ideas for you. If you really want to send a special and thoughtful gift to your girlfriend, this gift guide will be helpful.

Personalized name ring

Girls love gifts that are specific to them instead of something every girl can get. Personalized gifts such as personalized name rings would be the best gift for girls who desire unique gifts. Consider a pair of rings with your and your girlfriend’s name inscribed together on them. She will definitely feel that it’s thoughtful of you to send this gift. You could also get a mood ring and joke with her saying that you’ll behave according to the colour of this mood ring. Who knows, you may have hit a jackpot because of this gift!

Makeup Mirror

Most of girls spend a lot of time making up before going out, so a makeup mirror is a must-have for them. The best gifts that girls love do not necessarily have to be expensive, but should reflect boyfriend’s recognition of their interest and show the care about her. Especially for girls who do makeup almost every day, a makeup mirror would be the most appropriate gift. Among vintage or modern style, it’s better to pick the one depending on your girlfriend’s preference.

Hair Extension

Every girl desires to be more pretty, so any gift allowing your girlfriend to become more beautiful will definitely delight her. Hair extensions will make a great gift for your girlfriend because instant volume and length can be added within minutes. She can have long silky hair immediately, without having to wait for natural hair growth.

Wig

Compared with extensions, wigs allow for a complete transformation of look. Girls can change hair length, color and style quickly with a wig. For example, you can choose a white curly wig for your girlfriend if she has golden blonde straight hair. The tip is choose the color based on your girlfriend’s preference.

Flowers

Flowers are always among the list of most romantic gifts for girlfriends. All girls love flowers! To make it unique, men can send your girlfriend a bunch of flowers with personalized message along with your name on a card. Theme of the personalized message can be the happy days you spent together or romantic words you want to say to her. Imagine the moment your girlfriend is moved by the flowers and your words. Go ahead, and pick a bunch of flowers and prepare the personalized message to give your girlfriend a surprise!

Believe it or not, about 20% of men suffer from noticeable hair loss in their 20s. The statistics indicate that all men should have a sense of crisis to prevent going bald too early. If you cling to the idea that hair loss will happen to you only at the age of 60, that’s wrong. All men should identify the reasons why men go bald and figure out how to deal with hair loss, whether you are suffering from hair loss in 20s or have not.

Three common causes of hair loss in men:

1. Smoking

As we all know, smoking increases the risk of health problems such as cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease. If you are not aware, it is recommended you read this throughly. As a matter fact, another negative effect of smoking is leading to hair loss due to the harmful substance in cigarettes- nicotine. Firstly, it could cause damage to hair follicles so that people who smoke a lot are unable to have thick hair. Secondly, the same harmful substance could cause restriction to blood circulation by narrowing blood vessels, thereby leading to insufficient oxygen and nutrients for the hair follicles.

2. Stress

Stress has been another major cause of hair loss in young men as young people have to deal with a lot of stress. Hair loss in men can appear in different forms including telogen effluvium, trichotillomania and alopecia areata. As to telogen effluvium, it means hair follicles enter into a resting stage due to stress. As to trichotillomania, stress causes men to pull hair and they cannot help doing this. As to alopecia areata, hair follicles are attacked by the immune system. All these manifestations are associated with mental stress.

3. Male Pattern Baldness

Apart from the two factors above, baldness gene is also a major cause. Unfortunately, if you inherit baldness gene, it is likely that you will suffer from permanent hair loss.

Solutions for dealing with hair loss:

1. Forming good habits

To prevent or combat hair loss, the easiest way is to form good habits, which everyone can do. Smoke less, take more exercise, and sleep early. Although it’s the easiest solution, it may be hard for men to form such good habits.

2. Wearing hairpieces or opting for surgeries

For men suffering from male pattern baldness, hairpieces for men may the best solution. They can opt for wigs such as lace front wigs, monofilament wigs, wefted wigs, or hand-tied wigs. However, wigs are not the only solutions that men suffering from baldness can opt for. They can also choose less invasive surgical procedures similar to neograft hair transplantation that can offer natural-looking results.

3. Relieving stress

Men should explore the ways of relieving stress such as exercise and meditation. Since the link between stress and hair loss may be temporary, men should try some stress management methods.

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Cake is a treat we all love now and again, whether you love a good cupcake, kill for a fondant pudding, or swoon over Madeira cake… there is a cake recipe perfect for everyone. 

You can check out some amazing cake recipes available here, but today we want to focus on one type of cake in particular: cheesecake. 

Cheesecake is the ultimate cheat treat and it can be valued up in a whole host of fun ways. Today we want to share a simple cheesecake recipe along with 2 different ways you can spruce it up for success. These recipes are both amazing, easy, and ideal for a party. 

Very Berry Cheesecake 

1 pack gingernut biscuits 

5 tbsp melted butter 

50g dark chocolate shavings

250ml double cream 

450g cream cheese 

50g sour cream 

130g icing sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt 

1 tbsp brown sugar 

350g mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries) 

1 tbsp orange juice 

1. Create a crust by crushing gingernut biscuits, and mix with chocolate shavings and butter. Press into the bottom of a cake tin and chill. 
2. Add berries, brown sugar and orange juice to a pan and simmer until a soft berry compote is made. Allow to cool. 
3. In a bowl, mix double cream, cream cheese, sour cream, icing sugar, salt and vanilla. Once mixed well pour in half of the compote, gently swirling to create a marble effect. Pour into the cake tin and chill for 3-4 hours. 
4. For decoration, pour the rest of the berry compote over your cake and add a few dollops of cream if you like. 

Indulgent white chocolate cheesecake 

From fruity to creamy, white chocolate cheesecake has to be one of the most indulgent, subtle, but beautiful versions of this classic dessert. 

1 pack digestive biscuits 

5 tbsp melted butter 

3 tbsp chopped hazelnuts 

250ml double cream 

450g cream cheese 

50g sour cream 

130g icing sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt 

150g melted while chocolate 

100g chocolate shavings (milk and white) 

1. To create the crust, crush digestive biscuits and mix together with chopped hazelnuts and butter. Press into the bottom of a cake tin and chill. 
2. In a bowl, mix together double cream, cream cheese, sour cream, icing sugar, vanilla, salt, and white chocolate. If you want a stronger chocolate flavour, add more. Play around with this until you are happy. 
3. Pour into the cake tin and chill for 4 hours. 
4. Once chilled, sprinkle chocolate shavings on top to serve. 

Cheesecake is a great dessert that can be either baked or made without baking, and to make things easier we decided to create one that doesn’t require the oven. The base of this recipe is super simple and it allows you to add anything you want to it to flavour the cake. Here is the base: 

1 pack biscuits 

5 tbsp melted butter 

250ml double cream 

450g cream cheese 

50g sour cream 

130g icing sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt 

Both of these easy cheesecake recipes are very different but offer a beautiful dessert for any day of the week. Try these ones or even take the simple mixture and create your own variation! 

Image by Anja🠤-#helpinghands #solidarity#stays healthy🙠from Pixabay

As the Coronavirus pandemic has given many of us lots of time at home and the weather has been kind to us of late, it’s the perfect time to get on with some jobs around the house. While you’re spending so much time there anyway, you want your house to be in it’s the best possible shape, somewhere you want to be, and somewhere you are happy to spend lockdown. So, what summer DIY and cleaning jobs should be on the agenda right now that are not only important for your house but will also keep you busy? Always keep in mind though that any big projects may need a certified contractor, for instance, you may want to look for a ‘deck builder near me‘ if you are planning on re-doing the outside, as long as you follow the guidelines of social distancing and cleanliness, you should be okay to have someone help with any construction outside.

De-clutter and deep-clean

While it’s important to do your regular cleaning and you’ll probably need to be doing it more often now that everyone is at home all the time, but why not have a huge clean of the whole house and start with throwing out all those things that are cluttering up your home. Do it room-by-room so that you don’t get overwhelmed, you can even do a room a day. Whether you’re sorting out your wardrobe or the kids’ old toys, generally clearing things and getting organized will not only give you more space in your home but your mind too.

Once your house is free of clutter, it’s time for a deep clean, from curtains to carpets, get rid of all the dust that’s been building up. It’ll make your house smell great, reduce allergies and coughs and colds by making the air cleaner, and you’ll be set up for the summer. Cleaning can also help to clear your mind and organize your thoughts – it’s very therapeutic.

Clean your drains and gutters

Getters and drains can easily get blocked over the winter due to debris, so now is the time for some serious drain cleaning and gutter unblocking. There’s not a lot you can do to prevent this, but keeping on top of blockages will stop any problems from getting worse.
Apart from the drains, you might also need to inspect your home’s overall plumbing system to fix any problems, like a blocked or burst pipe, that may have manifested over the winter. Consider getting in touch with professional service providers like Flow Pros Plumbing that offer comprehensive services. This means that their handymen can take care of the drain cleaning and also fix other plumbing issues in the house.

Give your home a fresh lick of paint

When the weather is dry and sunny, it is perfect for doing any exterior paint jobs as there is less chance of rain ruining it, and there will also be a much quicker dry time. It’s a good time to do interior paint jobs too. Even if you’re not looking to re-decorate or change colors in your home, a fresh coat of paint in every room can make your home feel cleaner and fresher. Cleaning your roof at least once a year may also be a smart idea. There are numerous Roof Cleaning services available that may assist you in this regard.

Clean your windows

While most of us love the sunshine, one negative thing about it is that it highlights all the dirty marks on your windows. However, the warmer weather is again the perfect time to get out there and clean your windows. This will not only cool you down, but it can also be pretty fun too.

Get into the garden

Start paying attention to your garden as you’re going to want to spend more time in it. Start by watering your plants and clearing up, and then it’s time to get creative. Could you put some decking down during lockdown? Build a BBQ area or simply plant some new plants? There are loads of things you can do with the garden and now is the perfect time to do it. Now could also be the time to tackle those bigger outside maintenance jobs that you’ve kept putting off. Things like hiring a jet washer to get decking, patios and driveways sparkling clean, repainting window frames and doors, unclogging the guttering to prevent any leaks and looking into asphalt shingle roof installations to upgrade garages or outbuildings. Or perhaps you’ve been thinking about adding a garden studio to your property. This can be a great way to add more space into your home, perhaps as a home office, a studio for crafts or yoga or a place to hang out and entertain guests. It can really make the most of your outdoor space and even give you the room you need without you having to think about moving house. Now that’s a clever home upgrade!

When it comes to newborn must-haves, having the best stroller type for your needs is an absolute must. Ensuring that you’re equipped with the best kind of stroller can make a world of difference- do your research and know the different stroller types to know how to choose the best one to meet your needs and keep your newborn safe and comfortable on the go!

Consider Your Budget

Strollers have a wide range of styles, sizes, and prices. Before jumping into all of your options, take some time to consider what your budget is. A stroller can potentially be a major purchase for you and for little one, ranging in price from roughly $30 up to over $700, and is totally deserving of the time it will take to decide how much you are willing and able to spend.

Consider It’s Use

Answering a few simple questions will give you a great sense of direction in your search for the perfect stroller. Will you be frequently traveling with your stroller? Do you plan to exercise with it? How many children do you need to transport using the stroller? Who will primarily be using the stroller? Do you want something that is specifically for the newborn stage, or do you want something that transitions with your child?

Know Your Stroller Types

Once you’ve determined your price and how the stroller will be used, take some time to research different stroller types and what would fit best with both your needs and your newborn. Lightweight strollers are wonderful for travel, but are not preferred for a newborn baby- it would be better to go with a car seat carrier or a standard stroller. Jogging strollers are preferred for exercise, and there are plenty of options for double and triple strollers. Consider what stroller type would work best for you. These strollers from Ergobaby are a fantastic option!

I get it- prepping for a new baby can feel overwhelming at times. Make the process of choosing a new stroller fun by doing your research and finding the type and style of stroller that will work best for you and meet all of your needs, as well as baby’s needs. Happy shopping and congratulations on your bundle of joy!