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One of the most important items in the bathroom that needs proper attention is the suite. This is because the dimensions and design of such, that will take up the majority of the overall bathroom will greatly depend on your budget. While you may think that it is difficult to go through the filtering process, it’s actually far from it.

A bathroom suite can consist of many variations of its mainstay items. Most commonly a bath, toilet, sink and pedestal would be the norm and maybe a shower screen, but modern innovations mean shower cabins, vanity units and cabinets are now common in a complete suite

With the fierce competition in the market, you have tons of suites to choose from that won’t break your budget. This article is geared towards helping readers find the ideal suite for them given each person’s diverse preferences. In this way, you’ll end up with a suite that’ll keep you satisfied for several years.

First consideration: Style

The first thing that the suite will need to match is the style you have in mind. In line with this, it helps to do an initial research on the various styles and designs that are available. One can accomplish this by doing a simple web search or by browsing the catalogues of known manufacturers. It can be a bit overwhelming at the start but by accomplishing this, you are already preparing yourself for the multitude of designs you’ll see at a physical shop. It also pays to consider the existing motif of your bathroom. If your bathroom already has a modern feel to it, you’d do well with a classic suite. In the same way, a bathroom with a contemporary design would be complemented well by a modern suite.

The type of suite should also be considered early on. 4-piece suites are great for smaller bathrooms and the basin-toilet pair also helps introduce a visual effect that is pleasing to the eyes. 5-piece suites, on the other hand, are perfect for medium to large sized bathrooms. These give you an extra fixture to design thanks to the additional bathtub.

There’s also the option of adding stylish taps and mixers if you want to adorn certain portions of the bathroom. These also come in both traditional and modern styles so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Last advice on style is to consider the current fad. While you may have dreamt of reliving the style of the 80s, it would simply look out of place these days. Likewise, designs that are too elaborate also run the risk of being outdated as time passes. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, it would be best to stick with a refined, intelligent look that looks like it will age well.

Abigail Lynn
Second consideration: Practicality

Now that you’ve considered the stylishness of your suite, you also need to make sure that it performs just as well as it looks. In order to accomplish this, your fixtures need to be very user-friendly.

Making sure everything fits is an early consideration to keep note of. Be sure to have the dimensions of your bathroom ready prior to making any purchase. Small bathrooms should opt for slimline fixtures as they perform just as well as the regular ones except they are much more compact in terms of size. Another great way to save on space is to use wall hung basins and toilets whenever applicable.

Lastly, you also need to think about your bathroom usage. For example, if you find that you are only in the bathroom for short periods of time, it would be better to get a shower instead of a bathtub as it occupies lesser space.

Adding Value

The last item isn’t specifically a consideration but rather one of the advantages of having a bathroom suite. Most people who undergo bathroom renovations usually couple it with improvements and that’s exactly where suites come in. By adding one, the value of your home increases by as much as 3%. That alone is already great motivation to go ahead with it. In the event that you don’t foresee yourself selling your home, it would still be a great investment as the stylish suite will bring about a newer level of comfort never before seen.

In Travel

My 2019 Travel Bucket List

Rebecca Smith10 Comments

With Jack having started back at school and Steve having started work at the same school, holidaying this year doesn’t seem very likely – no matter how much we want it to be. Having Jack in the school meant only using school holidays – or taking the fine!! – but with Steve there now as well, school holidays are the only option.

We are lucky enough to know that we are going to have a little bit of spare money soon to be able to go on holiday and I can’t wait for the time to go away to arrive, even if it is going to be in 2019. But we do have a few places we are hoping to visit during 2019 – one or two for actual holidays and a few for mini breaks. So what’s on my 2019 travel bucket list?

Butlin’s

Jack has seen the adverts constantly on TV and knows that a few of his friends have gone recently so really wants to go and see what Butlins has to offer. My friend works for their parent company and says that he will absolutely adore it so we really want to get him there at some point next year.

Fuerteventura

I must admit that Fuerteventura wasn’t a place I’d always considered until I saw some friends and family go there this year. It seems like the perfect place for families with so many activities to do, plenty of gorgeous beaches and lots of sunshine! We really hope to travel abroad so this may just be the location we choose.

Tenerife

Of course, this is the other option that always features on our lists. Steve’s sister lives there and his brother may be moving back out there so this will always be on our travel bucket list – one day we will get there, hopefully 2019 will be that year.

Lake District

I’d love a mini break in the Lake District – I was meant to be heading there this summer but plans seemed to fall through which was a shame. Luckily they did though as Steve had to start his new job when we would have actually been away. I may not have managed to visit the Lake District in 2018 but hopefully 2019 will be the year I get my mini break.

Iceland

This is the dream holiday – hopefully we will get there one year. It is the one place Steve and I have both always wanted to go to – to see the Northern Lights, to see the geysers. It just seems like a beautiful country and if we can manage it next year, I’d love to go.

Canada

Finally – and probably the most unlikely – we’d love to visit Canada. Steve’s grandfather was Canadian and his ‘auntie’ lives out there so we’d love to go and explore the country ourselves and see where his family came from plus visit the people we know whilst we are out there. It would cost a pretty sum but if we could manage it, it would definitely be way up on the list.

Here’s my 2019 travel bucket list; I am aware I probably won’t manage all but even if I manage a couple, I’ll be a happy girl. Where do you want to head to in 2019?

Collaboration

In Parenting

Now You Are Going Into Year Two…

Rebecca SmithLeave a comment

Jack,

It doesn’t seem possible you’re now in year two. That you are in the final year of infants school. It seems like just yesterday you were starting nursery at this school yet here you are four years later.

I’ve tried explaining to you that year 2 is going to be a little more structured than previous years – less learning through play – but I don’t think you quite believe me yet. You’ve relished your first piece of home learning – just as you have done every year as you already knew what it would be – decorate your home learning book!

You’ve been enjoying school lunches – as always, and especially on a Friday – and are still getting used to having your Daddy now working at the school. It must be very strange.

You’ve taken to year 2 since you started a few days ago like a duck to water and can’t wait to learn, it seems. You’ve moved up to level 18 in your reading and when asked what you thought your subject strengths were, said History – I can’t wait to see how you get on with your learning this year. It will be interesting to see what your favourite subject is by the end of it.

I hope year 2 is everything you want it to be – this time next year, you’ll be starting at the junior school!

Love Mummy xx

In Giveaways

Win A Milton Hygiene Kit

Rebecca Smith41 Comments

Milton are a brand I’ve used lots since I’ve had children. When they got in contact and asked if I would like to run a competition for their hygiene kit, I had to say yes as it is such a handy and useful prize!

The Milton Hygiene Kit includes Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes, Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel and Milton Antibacterial Surface Spray.

The brand is the UK’s leading sterilising and hygiene expert and has been keeping families safe from germs for over 70 years, both at home and while out and about. Their hygiene products kill 99.9% of germs – in seconds – including bacteria and fungi.

The hand gel is ideal for use when on the go, reducing the risk of spreading infection. Its non-sticky consistency leaves hands feeling fresh and clean, with an added moisturising agent to protect the skin.

The surface wipes and spray can be used on highchairs, toys, changing mats and more. Milton Antibacterial wipes are especially handy when travelling or using public transport and toilets. The ‘no rinse’ & food safe formula means you can use Milton wipes to wipe clean drinking cups, bowls and cutlery without worrying about the need to rinse afterwards. The formula is bleach free, preservative free and fragrance free.

You can buy Milton products from Asda, Sainsbury Superdrug, Tesco and Precious Little One. You can find out more about the brand here.

If you’d like the chance to win the hygiene kit, just fill in the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is UK only and ends at 23.59pm on the 25th of August 2018. All terms and conditions can be found on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Reviews

A Summer Exploring On Our Micro Trike

Rebecca Smith8 Comments

We were sent the Micro Trike for purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

This summer we have been getting out and about as much as possible. A little while ago, we were sent a Micro Trike for Olivia – the brand new product from the Micro Scooters range. We’ve been testing it out for a good few weeks now – in different conditions and in different situations. It has joined us on the school run and days out – let’s find out a little more about it.

Olivia is now 20 months old and is fiercely independent. She wants to do everything herself, always – and it can be a nightmare getting her in her pushchair to go out or in the car seat if we are heading out in the car. However, this Micro Trike arriving has been the perfect compromise. She still feels a little independent whilst riding on it and I don’t have to worry about a daring little girl making a break for it.

We were sent the Micro Trike in pink and it is the most gorgeously vivid pink ever. I really love the colour and we’ve had plenty of compliments on it. The trikes are designed for ages 18 months plus although Olivia started using hers a couple of weeks before and was fine.

The trike itself is incredibly lightweight, weighing less than half a bag of sugar. Steve, Jack and I can pick it up and transport it with ease – and even Olivia has tried and managed to pick it up on the odd occasion. It is incredibly portable – unlike other trikes, this one is foldable – and very easy to fold at that. It is so easy to carry to another destination should your child want to get off and is also easy to store at home or fit in car boots due to how easily it folds down. It takes up so little space – just what I need in my car boot when we have multiple other things to take with us. Our pushchairs are bulky and heavy and not at all easy to fold down – sometimes the trike has just simply made more sense on a day out.

The trike also has one handed steering – this has so been so handy when doing the school run as I can steer Olivia on the trike with one whilst also still holding Jack’s hand to cross those busy roads. It is also incredibly easy to manoeuvre – so easy in fact, that even Jack can push her around – and often does!

Having had Micro Scooters products in the past, I was hoping for a high quality item and was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed. I need not have worried, this trike certainly is good quality. It is Swiss designed and engineered – incredibly durable and a quality product.

We’ve had plenty of attention whilst out and about with our Micro Trike. So many people have asked where it is from, how much it is and also asked about its features. A few people have said that they could really do with one for the school run and will be checking them out – I’ve been so happy to let them know where they can get one from!

This summer has been so much fun, getting out and about without a big and bulky pushchair. We love our Micro Trike and can see us using it for many more months, perhaps even years to come. It really has changed the way we get around.

Looking to get one? You can purchase one here in blue, black, pink or white for £79.95.