Mandy, Author at Serendipity Mommy

The To-do List You Must Check For Your Kid’s Birthday

February 11, 2019 by Mandy

The day our kid is born is the happiest day of our lives and celebrating that day with love and vigour is every parent’s priority. However, it is not an easy task to accomplish as a lot of preparation goes into making a birthday party a success. If you miss any little detail, it may play spoilsport on the fun of the festivities. Hence planning the event is always a great idea. You can start with making a to-do list of everything you have to do and then arrange the tasks in a logical and optimum order as per priority, whether it is getting birthday cakes for kids or finalising the decoration.

To save you some time and energy, here is a ready-made to-do list to get you started with the birthday preparations. You can add or skips things from this to-do list as per your own ideas you have for the party.

Location

You can begin by selecting a venue for the birthday party. So, you will have to decide whether you want to party at a restaurant or diner or you prefer a private celebration at your home.

Decoration

Once you have finalised the venue, you can opt for an appropriate decoration. If you are celebrating at a restaurant, you can contact the people there to book tables in advance, brief them about the kind of decoration you need. If you are organising the party at home, you can base the decoration and the entire event on a theme that will excite the kids. Doing so will not only keep the kids interested but will also add a youthful and fun vibe to the proceedings.

Getting the birthday cake ready

The birthday cake takes the centre stage in an event like a birthday party, hence getting it perfect is very important. As its the kid’s birthday you are planning for, so a custom cake based on themes popular amongst the kids such as cartoons, superheroes, games, dolls etc. will be an apt choice. You can either bake the cake at home or order it online and get it delivered wherever you want. The latter will surely save you from the hassle.

Finalising the gift

You kid is every bit special and means the world to you hence the gift you choose should be equally special and meaningful. Gifts which encourage them to be more observant, creative and improve their analytical and cognitive skills should be preferred. A binocular, a walkie talkie, a zigsaw puzzle, monopoly, books, etc. are some of the gifts you can consider. You can also consider gifting him a family trip to his or her favourite destination as it will help you bond with your little bundle of joy.

Preparing the guest list

Preparing the guest list is very important as it gives you an idea about the number of attendees and their age group. As it is your kid’s birthday, so other kids will also be a part of the guest list apart from their parents and your own friends and family. You will have to make arrangements keeping the guest list in mind.

Food menu

Last but not least, you have to finalise the food menu for the guests. It should include things which the kids love as they are going to be a significant portion of the guest list. If you are not too confident of your own culinary skills, you can contact a good caterer and get it sorted. Make sure you do that well in advance to avoid any last minute hiccups.

With all these items checked off your to-do list, you can surely breath easy and be confident of having a rocking birthday party for your adorable kid.

A Guide to Zanzibar’s Most Beautiful Spots

February 8, 2019 by Mandy

The popular island of Zanzibar has been in the news recently, thanks largely to its eye-catching accommodation options and architecture that boasts a unique meld of atmospheric décor and strong cultural heritage.

This is just one of the many reasons why you should visit Zanzibar, particularly if you’re considering an adventurous trip; it’s home to some of the most fascinating and beautiful spots in the world.

We’ll take a look at some of these below, while asking why they offer such an enriching experience for travellers from across all corners of the globe.

1. The Livingstone Beach in Stone Town

While Zanzibar is a sun-kissed island with numerous beaches, one in particularly stands out for its immense energy and stunning ocean setting- and it’s perfect for families too.

This is the iconic Livingstone Beach in Stone Town, which may not be quite as idyllic as those located outside of the city but boasts an immeasurable charm that reflects the nature of the locals.

The surrounding ocean is particularly beguiling here, while the beach comes to life as the sun sets and locals gather in their hundreds. At this time, you can also see people perform acrobatics and capoeira in front of the popular Livingstone Beach Restaurant, and the sheer energy and vibrancy of the location is incredibly engaging.

If you do visit this beach, you’re guaranteed to have fun whilst sampling the true heritage and natural beauty of Zanzibar. Just don’t be afraid to talk to the locals and engage them, as they’re extremely welcoming to those from overseas!

2. The Darajani Market

Who doesn’t love shopping? While this may be fun in cosmopolitan cities like London, it provides an even more immersive experience in the type of markets that are incredibly popular in Zanzibar.

The Darajani Market is particularly impressive, as this quaint and charming setting provides a genuinely sensorial shopping experience and one that serves as the very heartbeat of the iconic Stone Town.

Not only is this market genuinely beguiling, but it also hosts local vendors selling a wide range of items from clothing and mobile handsets to oil and fresh food produce. If you go early in the morning, you may even catch the so-called ‘big fish’ auction whilst basking in the glorious rays of the sun.

The market also boasts a rich street-food culture, with local samosas and chapatis as delicious as the marketplace is enthralling.

3. Forodhani Gardens

If you’re searching around looking for Zanzibar holiday options from trusted experts, you’ll note that a trip to the Forodhani Gardens represents one of the most popular excursions on offer.

The Forodhani Gardens adorn the seafront of Stone Town, where a host of street vendors and food outlets set out their stalls against the backdrop of the island’s stunning shores and beautiful skyline.

Here you can head out for a romantic walk with your loved, while basking in the sea views and sampling foods such as fruit, grilled maize and Zanzibar’s famed (and locally sourced) pizzas!

This area is another that’s particularly beguiling at sunset, while licensing laws means that you can also grab a delicious and exotic cocktail during an evening visit!

New Home New Bed: Finding The Perfect Mattress

February 8, 2019 by Mandy

Sleep is one of the most important parts of our daily life. Along with exercise and diet, getting quality sleep is paramount in staying healthy both physically and mentally. In order to get adequate rest, it all starts with selecting the right mattress for our bodies.

New Home New Bed

So you’ve recently moved into a new home. You’ve unpacked and now you are getting ready to set up your new master bedroom. As you are arranging the bed and deciding the perfect spot for it, a thought comes to your mind. “This is my new home and bedroom now. I want my bedroom to be my getaway. I want it to be a palace of relaxation after a typical busy day. The bed is obviously the centerpiece of my bedroom so I don’t want to cut cost or sacrifice comfort. I’ll need a new mattress for the bed!” Later, you go online and search for a mattress store. You find this store, in particular, that offers a wide variety of mattresses. You think to yourself, “Great! I’ll be able to choose from many types of mattresses. I like having options.”

Selecting The Best Mattress

At times, choosing the best mattress for our bodies can be overwhelming. There are so many options and variations to choose from, like pillow-top, memory foam, and the traditional spring mattress. To get started, the first question to ask yourself is, “What do I want in a mattress?” When we are getting ready for bed and head on to the bedroom, we all know we’ll be spending a lot of time on that bed. A few things may come to mind when selecting a mattress, like the size of the mattress, its firmness, and the material used.

One other thing to also think about when considering a new mattress is sleep position. Obviously, we would want a mattress that is comfortable in any position, but the truth is we all have that one sleep position that our bodies are accustomed to. We want the mattress to specifically support our favorite sleep position so that we can get a good night’s rest. For instance, for some of us of whom are stomach sleepers, the right mattress should provide ample support for the neck and spine. It should be firm enough to support this sleep position and perhaps also consider how warm your body gets when sleeping. For some, mattresses that are made of breathable material will have cooling properties to ensure you don’t feel hot while you sleep.

Allergies and Asthma

Some of us experience allergies throughout every season. For some, allergies can get really bad during the summer or winter months. Choosing the right mattress to alleviate these allergic reactions will guarantee a good sleep. Mattresses that are hypoallergenic are recommended for those who experience allergies or asthma. In an article, we take a look at a section concerning mattresses, allergies, and asthma. It recommends to “…slip on a washable mattress encasing.” You’re wondering, “What’s a mattress encasing?” As the name indicates, a mattress encasing is a cover that “encases” the mattress. This is helpful in preventing dust mites. Consider purchasing accessories, such as mattress encasings or covers to not only protect the mattress but to also protect you. In this case, protection and prevention of dust mites.

At The Store

When you arrive at the mattress store, be sure to take your time when browsing for mattresses. Don’t feel as if you have to rush and choose a mattress immediately. Take your time and “test-drive” the mattress. After all, you are investing in yourself to get good quality sleep. Don’t feel embarrassed to lay down on the mattress at the store. In fact, it is recommended to lay on it for at least 20 minutes. This will help you get the feel of the firmness of the mattress. It is also recommended to lay in the position you most likely will sleep in when you go to bed. This will help you feel if the mattress gives you ample support for your favorite sleep position. You may also want to ask the sales clerk about the warranties and guarantees they have for the mattresses you have selected. Some manufacturers offer a replacement mattress to show consumers that they are producing a quality mattress.

After you have chosen your selected mattress, you lay there in your new sanctuary. You wake up the next day and feel rejuvenated and energized. You realize that you have chosen the right mattress for your body and made a good investment. You think to yourself, “this certainly is the perfect mattress for my bed. I have no regrets whatsoever!”

5 Reasons Why Gucci is Worth Your Money

January 30, 2019 by Mandy

Designer brands with luxury labels always draw a mixed reaction from people, but there is little doubt about the fact that they inevitably act as a status symbol. Now the question is, whether the price that luxury brands often ask for their products is worth it or not. Well, the answer depends on a number of factors and one of those factors is in the question – which brand we are talking about. Gucci is one of the most popular and well reputed designer brands in existence right now, and if you were to ask whether Gucci was worth its price, the answer to that would have to be a yes in most situations and the following reasons should be enough to convince you of the same too.

The Rich Heritage

If you have decided to consider wearing Gucci, it is more than likely that you know a bit about fashion and care about the heritage of a brand. From that perspective, Gucci indeed has a very rich heritage that rivals or even surpasses other brands in the same category. Founded by Guccio Gucci back in the early 1920s, the brand is nearly a century old, which is nothing to scoff at, given the volatile nature of the fashion industry. The company started by bringing the best of British fashion to life with Italian craftsmanship and even today, some of its lines have stayed true to that basic methodology, although the expansion of the brand has been in all directions since those initial days and especially after Alessandro took over. Very few designer brands have more experience and historical significance than Gucci, which is precisely what makes every product sold under the brand’s name a special product for the fashion enthusiasts internationally.

Their Bags are the Best

Fans of Louis Vuitton and Chanel might disagree that Gucci bags are unbeatable in terms of style and quality, but that is a debate for another time. However, there is little doubt about the fact that Gucci is the more popular brand in not just Europe and America, but pretty much the entire world. Specifically, when we are talking about bags, it’s just hard to beat Gucci. SSENSE have these Gucci products which also includes some gorgeous bags like the pink quilted marmont or the classic black quilted leather mini, which perfectly backs up the point we are trying to make here; Gucci is just unbeatable when it comes to making luxurious, designer bags that turn heads like no one else can.

The Resale Value is Great

After being out of favor for a few years, Gucci is once again at the top of their game, which is excellent news for both people who are planning to buy Gucci products, as well as those who are trying to sell a few old ones off. The thing is that, while designer brands charge a lot of money for their products, they have good resale value as well. Thanks to Gucci’s international fame, the Italian brand happens to offer one of the best resale values even among other popular brands. However, it is worth noting that since a Gucci product is an item of fashion, not everything will have the same resale value, irrespective of its original price. A lot depends on the trend of the season and if the item in question is in line with those latest in-demand trends. Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely that anyone will lose all of the money he/she paid for a Gucci, even if it isn’t one of the company’s best products.

Versatility

Being a brand that truly understands fashion, Gucci actually manufactures many of their bags and other accessories in various sizes and colors. What this means is that if you see a Gucci bag that’s just too big or small for you, it is very likely that they also have the same bag available in a smaller form factor. The same goes for colors as well, adding even more to the versatility of the brand. Whether you have casuals or formals in your mind, Gucci probably has you covered with a bag or a shoe to fit your styling needs perfectly. This sets Gucci apart from some of the other luxury brands, who would just release one version of each product for the sake of exclusivity, while disregarding the varying needs of their customer base.

Acceptance of the Unlimited Nature of Fashion

There was a time when Gucci was sinking lower with each passing year, in spite of its fame and heritage. It was Alessandro Michele who took the company out of the trenches and put it back on the landscape again. While he took many steps to ensure the brand’s success, a lot of it has to be chalked up to the freedom of fashion that the new Gucci preached. Under Alessandro, there is no limit to fashion and his open-minded approach to the concept of fashion is what makes Gucci so relatable and the reason why Gucci now has something for everybody who can afford it!

9 Ways Stopping Alcohol Makes You A Better Parent

January 29, 2019 by Mandy

Your life is not the only one that will improve if you quit drinking. If you are a parent, then your children will also benefit if you stop drinking. There are several ways that you can become a better parent if you quit drinking.

You Will be More Focused on Your Children

Alcohol causes you to neglect what is important. If you are an alcoholic, then the main thing that you may be focused on is when you are going to get your next drink. You can focus on your children more if you quit drinking. Spending time with you is one of the things that is most important to your children.

Your Children Will Have a More Stable Home Environment

An unstable home environment can have a negative effect on children in many ways. Children who come from an unstable environment are more likely to have behavioral issues. They are also less likely to do well in children. Domestic violence and arguments are often linked to alcohol use. If you give up the alcohol, then you will be providing a more stable environment for your children.

Your Patience Will Increase

It takes a lot of patience to be a good parent. Alcohol can make you a less patient person. You may be quicker to snap on your children if you drink. This can cause your children a great deal of emotional pain. Your patience will increase if you quit drinking.

Your Communication Will Improve

Good communication is one of the keys to having a healthy relationship. You have to communicate with your children regularly. Many parents do not know that their children are having serious issues because they never talk to them. You will be able to communicate with your children more effectively if you quit drinking.

The drinking will no longer be a priority, so you will have more time to talk to your children. You will also be in a better mood, so your children will be more likely to open to you.

You Will Set a Good Example

One of the most important things that you can do if you are a parent is to set a good example. No alcoholic parent wants their children to follow in their footsteps. However, if your children see you drinking, then they will likely want to do it too. In fact, studies have shown that children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics themselves. That is why you will be setting a good example if you give up the alcohol.

Your Mental and Physical Health Will Improve

Being a parent can be demanding. That is why in order to parent effectively, you have to be in good health. Your mental and physical health will improve after you quit drinking.

Your Child’s Self-Esteem Will Improve

Many children blame themselves for their parents alcohol use. They do not understand why their parents are alcoholics. This can cause them to suffer from low self-esteem. Your children’s self-esteem will improve after you stop drinking.

Your Children Will Have More Fun

Your children want to look back on their childhood and think about how much fun they had.
However, growing up in an alcoholic home can make childhood incredibly stressful for your child. If you quit drinking, then you will be able to have more fun with your children. You all can spend time making memories.

Your Children Will be Safer

It is impossible to protect your children from everything. However, many children end up getting hurt because their parents are not attentive. You will be able to pay more attention to your children and keep them safe if you quit drinking.

For more information on alcohol addiction, please visit: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/