June 2021 - Page 2 of 2 - Mamas Like Me

10 Easy Craft Ideas Using Recycled Materials Around the House

Waste paper and plastic from old books, jars, magazines, and cardboards are undoubtedly the most common waste lying around in a typical household. This explains why approximately 8 million tons of plastic weight find their way into the oceans, posing a great danger to marine wildlife. While these are common trash that your home trash provider collects occasionally, you can upcycle these items into valuable items with little imagination. Below are some of the easiest craft ideas you can make from recycled materials.

Plastic Water Bottles

If you have several plastic water bottles, you can recycle them in many ways. For starters, you can reduce the number of plastic water bottles in your home by using a water filter and carrying reusable bottles while on the go. Nonetheless, you can recycle these bottles by using them as planters, creating a water bottle fish craft, plastic bottle cups for keeping home or office supplies, storage containers, and watering cans, among other ideas. The main idea is to ensure that your plastic bottles end up in the recycle bin instead of contributing to the global single-use plastic waste problem.

Plastic Bags

Just like plastic water bottles, you should minimize the use of plastic bags when possible. However, if you can’t avoid this, you can recycle plastic bags using various craft ideas, including using them to wrap fragile items, painting projects, and lining your wastebaskets. You can as well leverage these plastic bag craft ideas to minimize wastage.

Aluminum Foil

There are several craft ideas that you can create with aluminum foils. For example, you can create a reflector, utensil sharpener, jewelry cleaner, or dryer ball. Fortunately, creating these items isn’t easy and only requires basic tools. Always make sure that the foil is free from food debris before recycling.

CDs and DVDs

Digital migration rendered CDs and DVDs useless. However, this doesn’t mean that you discard them. Instead, try the following creative ways of ensuring that these items don’t crowd the landfill.

Create a scarecrow with CDs – they reflect light scaring birds away during the day.
Take them to your local crafts center, where they can be used to make the bases of gift bags and drop spindles.
Design a collage using reflective CDs for your ceiling or walls
Use VHS tape to bind gardening posts instead of using plastic ropes

Wine Corks

Wine lovers may find themselves with a large collection of wine corks. If you are in this fold, don’t dispose of them. Instead, try the following creative ideas;

Create amazing wall art
Use them to construct board trivets
Create fridge decorations using cork magnets
Use them as corks for homemade oil or sauce bottles.

Egg Cartons

You can create endless items from egg cartons. However, an easier one is the diorama-Esque ocean craft idea, which can be made using various craft materials, including gems, foam, paper, markers, and paint. You can create a fish, coral, and any other sea creature. You can make this seemingly real by sticking rocks, shells, pebbles, and sea glass from the beach using hot glue.

Candle Jars

You can also repurpose your candle jar into various items, including storage containers in your desk or a pantry closet. Ensure that you clean the jar thoroughly before repurposing it. Easy craft ideas with this jar include housing nuts, snacks, rubber bands, and other home/office supplies.

Wind Chimes

Interestingly, wind chime tops the list of adult DIY recycling projects search results. While there are several ways of making a wind chime, an easier option is using old keys, paint, and a medium-sized tree branch that can handle the weight of the chime. With your kid’s help, paint the tree branch and the keys using different colors, then tie a string to each key and hang it on the branch. Since the keys hang from the branch, you will need a long twine to attach the branch into your patio or any other place you would like to position the wind chime.

Plant Pots

You can convert your large food or beverage containers into brightly colored plant pots using glue and simple paper scraps. These pots are perfect for indoor plants or gift ideas.

Toilet Roll Bird Feeder

A bird feeder is an exciting idea, especially for kids. While there are many ways of doing this, you can recycle your toilet paper to make a bird feeder. This simple idea involves covering the already used toilet paper in peanut butter and hanging them somewhere outside for the birds to see. You’ll be delighted to see birds flocking to have a taste.

Final Thoughts

Working on these craft ideas with your kids is the best way to teach them the importance of recycling. Unfortunately, you cannot recycle everything around your home. Therefore, contact expert home trash service providers to clear items that cannot be recycled. And if you are based in the UK and need help with finding more items for recycling around your own house, make sure to check cleaning company London.

Choosing a Neighborhood That Fits Your Family Best

If you’re thinking of moving your family anywhere outside of your comfort zone, it can be an exciting adventure. The problem lies in picking a safe place where you can settle down because unless you live somewhere, you don’t really know what it’s like. For this reason, most people stay within their known areas or the places that someone they know and trust is familiar with. But even if you know the surrounding area, that doesn’t necessarily mean you know individual neighborhoods. What this all means is: If you’re looking to move, you have some research to do.

Of course, you could always rent a house in a neighborhood you’re considering, but renting usually commits you to a year at a time, and that’s a long time to stay in a place that doesn’t fit your family.

Do Some Preliminary Research Before You Decide

The first thing you want to do before thinking about moving to a new area is research the place online and talk to people who actually live there. Gathering viewpoints and opinions about what the neighborhood is like day to day will go a long way in helping you make the right decision for your family. Be sure to ask about the schools in the area, even if you don’t have school-aged children, because if the schools have favorable marks, chances are the place is family-friendly.

Check to see how strong the internet connection is in the area, where the water comes from, and the demographics of your possible neighborhoods. It’s also a good idea to see if the locale uses Nextdoor because there’s a Nextdoor racial profiling prevention program in the app that will ensure your safety and comfort with your potential new neighbors.

Talk to a Real Estate Agent or Two

Besides the people who live in and around the neighborhood you’re considering, the next best person to tell you about an area is a local real estate agent. Keep in mind, they have a vested interest in putting a positive spin on any areas they have active listings, but they also have their finger on the pulse of neighborhoods. They can give you information to help you choose which setting would fit you and your family best, giving you a good jumping point to start your research.

Be sure to use the information you learn from them as a start and back up that intel with other opinions and independent research you complete online and in person.

Chat With Others Who Know

The best way to get the real scoop on a place to live is to talk to the people who live there now or who have recently lived there. You might know someone who lived in the neighborhood 20 years ago, but a lot can happen in that time, and the landscape is likely completely different than it used to be. So, make sure the information you gather is recent and relevant to what you want in a home and the surrounding neighbors.

Visit the Area During Different Times

Once you narrow down your choices, it’s a good idea to visit the neighborhoods at different times of the day. Try first thing in the morning, mid-day, dinner time, and the evening to get a feel for the area. In addition, visit the neighborhoods on a weekday and a weekend day to observe the activity and vibe you get from the different places.

Gathering all your intel ahead of time will give you a better sense of where the best fit is for you and your family.

10 Travel Mistakes To Avoid During/Post Coronavirus Outbreak

The Coronavirus outbreak not only shut down businesses and industries but also changed how we relate and behave around each other. Many countries banned traveling, while others declared total lockdowns. As economies try to reopen and ease lockdowns, most countries only allow domestic flights and road trips while a few counties are open for international visits.

The reopening of the travel industry comes with various changes to monitor the spread of the virus. As a traveler, you need to protect yourself against infection while on your trip. You also need to take various precautions to ensure that your trip goes smoothly for you, other travelers, and the locals.

These are ten mistakes you must avoid when traveling during and after this coronavirus outbreak.

1. Packing Too Much

How much stuff do you need for the trip? It is tempting to carry as many items as you can for your vacation. You do not want to leave behind your digital camera to catch up with the most critical moments. Will you need your laptop? For gaming or work-related communication?

The items you will need on vacation might not be as many as you anticipate to pack. Only carry the things that you will earnestly need during the adventure. More items in your travel suitcase can only increase the weight you are traveling with. You may incur extra fees at the airport. Bulky bags also make it hard to maneuver around in the crowds.

2. Anticipating Too much

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Do you know how best you can ruin your adventure? Anticipating what you cannot achieve. Creating an itinerary will help you budget appropriately for the trip and set apart enough time. Also, The stress of travelling can be helped by some great products from madvapes. However, you should learn to be flexible, as being rigid can be a disappointment.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, many attractions remain closed while some open with strict rules. The rule of keeping a social distance between other people in a park means only a few people can be allowed to participate in an event simultaneously. Having alternative activities will help you to find something to keep you engaged when one activity fails.

3. Ignoring Your Call Tariff

Traveling abroad means that you would want to make international calls back home. Calling or texting with your SIM card abroad will attract extra charges. The same applies to data rates. Some mobile carriers even charge you to receive calls when roaming abroad with your SIM card.

Considering the high rates that come with roaming, you may want to opt for an international tariff before you leave your country. If your mobile operator does not provide a global tariff, ask if you can use a bundled subscription when traveling. That can reduce the rates of calling, texting, and using the internet abroad. However, you can as well buy a local SIM card after arriving at your destination and use WiFi only to access the internet.

4. Forgetting to Carry Local Currency Bills

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After arriving at the airport, you will need a cab to take you to your hotel. You will also buy a few things along the way or after lodging. While you can pay with your credit card at your hotel, many road-side vendors and cab operators only take cash in many countries. You will, therefore, need to carry some cash with you.

Cash, in this context, does not mean your Dollar or Euro bills. That will be the local currency because only a few countries recognize international banknotes and use them. Immediately you arrive at the airport; you should convert your bills to the local currency that you will spend in a few emergency cases when you cannot pay by credit card.

5. Ignoring Personal Supplies and PPE

During the spread of COVID-19, you need to protect yourself and your family. When traveling by road, you should consider using your car or hire one. Protective gear will help you while on the trip everywhere you go. Local roof rack stores should help you get the right gear to increase your car’s carriage while traveling with your family.

6. Forgetting to Inform Your Credit Card Provider

Many card providers expect you to be transacting locally or using the card to pay online. Online payments must also be made from a computer within your state or country. When planning a trip, you will want to use your card to purchase and pay for services abroad.

Before leaving, inform your bank or card provider so that they can allow transactions on your card when you are traveling. If you forget to inform your bank, you will be unable to transact, and you will get stranded in a foreign land.

7. Ignoring Your Passport Expiry Date

You need a valid passport to travel abroad. The expiry date on your passport is essential. While you can safely travel in many countries and come back a few days before your passport expires, it will not work everywhere. In some countries, like China, Thailand, and Ecuador, you need a passport with a validity of more than six months before you can visit.

It is essential to check your passport early to avoid inconveniences and expensive renewal rates when you need it urgently. If you cannot renew your passport on time, you may need to change your destination to a country with less restriction on travel needs.

8. Spending Too Much on Grocery

While many destinations have eateries for travelers to taste local foods, you might want to cook your meal at your hostel. The main reason why people opt to cook when traveling is to save on food costs. During the Coronavirus outbreak, you would also want to cook at your place to minimize the chances of infection. However, that may turn out to be more expensive. Consider buying from a local farmer market instead of the city grocery vendors to spend less on your grocery shopping.

9. Forgetting About Visa Requirements

Travel requirements vary from one country to another. In many countries, you need an appropriate visa to visit. For example, a student visa and work visa are different. None of them is acceptable for vacations in various places. As a tourist, you will need another class of visa to visit. Verify from the country you intend to visit to avoid inconveniences at the entry point.

10. Ignoring A Travel Insurance

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A traveler’s insurance might seem unnecessary for many people. After all, very few people get involved in fatal airplane accidents – one accident per 5.58 million flights. However, that is not the only case when you need an insurance cover. If you fall sick abroad, you will need emergency medication, and insurance can save you. Travel insurance can also help you when your flight fails or you encounter a liability while on vacation.

To Sum Up

The lockdown will not last forever. Soon, people will start to travel around the globe – both for business and leisure. Whatever the reason that will get you out there, ensure that you do not involve yourself in the mistakes that can wreck your trip.

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5 Useful Apps for Busy Parents

Despite their best efforts, most parents can’t do it all by themselves. They need some help now and then.

If this describes your situation, the help you seek may be as close as inside your pocket. By using the following five apps, parents can alleviate some of the headaches and hassles of raising a family without compromising on the quality or merit of their parenting:

Google Calendar App

Streamline and simplify your complex schedule with the Google Calendar app. Day, week, and monthly views allow you to get a handle on upcoming events quickly. Add events to your calendar easily with Google Calendar’s many synchronization features. You can even track tasks to be sure essential action items don’t fall off the radar. Synchronize your schedule with various mobile-friendly calendar apps or add events to your calendar directly from Gmail, Chat, or Meetup. Of particular help to families is the ability to share calendars. With this app, there’s no need to wonder when everyone is free for the family camping trip or if a parent will be available to give Timmy a ride to soccer practice.

Whisk: Recipe Saver, Meal Planner & Grocery List

Winner of Google Play’s Best of 2020 ‘Everyday Essentials’ Award, this app boasts a 4.8-star review and over 500,000 downloads for a good reason. This app simplifies your weekly meal planning and grocery shopping, taking the stress out of these essential tasks. Browse the app’s recipe library or import recipes directly from any website to add to your Whisk cookbook – complete with your own recipe sections like ‘vegetarian,’ ‘keto,’ or ‘quick meals.’ Once they’re there, edit those recipes to add that extra touch of seasoning or ingredient swap that you always use. The app automatically adds nutrition information and a ‘Whisk Health Score’ to imported recipes as well so families can feel confident in making healthy meal choices. All done with planning the week’s dishes? With the click of a button, this app adds the ingredients to a shopping list shared with others. Even better, take advantage of Whisk’s partnerships with popular grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh to have the ingredients delivered directly to your door.

Nextdoor

In today’s era of hectic schedules, it can be challenging to take the time for the little things, like getting to know your neighbors. The Nextdoor app helps busy families stay connected to their community with various useful and fun features. Discover local businesses, learn about upcoming neighborhood events, buy, sell, and swap items locally, or discover which neighbors share your interests with the Groups feature. Be sure to read the Nextdoor racism-prevention community guidelines to recognize and report any racial profiling posts you see. Doing so helps keep the app a safe and supportive place for families everywhere.

Life360

Keeping busy families in touch throughout their day, this app uses GPS to show family members’ current location on the group map, complete with an address. Give addresses context with customizable location labels that are as serious of fun as you make them. This app is beneficial for parents of busy adolescents and teens. Parents always know precisely where to go to help if a child becomes unexpectedly stranded or lost. The app also lets you know when a family member’s phone battery is low, so they can be reminded to recharge. Automatic crash detection and the ability to send a silent SOS to alert family to danger or let the app’s 24/7 dispatch team call for help are also included. This app helps families quickly respond and coordinate when something unexpected arises and gives them peace of mind when it doesn’t.

Weldon – Parenting Support

Are you struggling with ways to keep your kids entertained and engaged or wondering about how to support them through learning a new skill? This app helps you learn about developmental stages, receive expert advice on common family challenges, set goals and track progress, and even chat with other parents who have struggled with the same issues. Weldon’s chat feature doesn’t stop there, though. They also have staff members and child development experts participating in the chats to offer their professional perspectives. Plus, the app has over 500 activities you can engage in with your children in categories ranging from active outdoor activities to quiet mindfulness and everything in between.

Parents need all the help they can get these days. Don’t make parenting harder on yourself than necessary. Take advantage of useful apps for parents, starting today.

Add Style To Your Garden Space With Luxury Outdoor Garden Furniture

There are a lot of people who are now trying to utilize their garden space to spend quality evening time with family and friends. So, the demand for garden furniture has risen over the last few years and that too it is the luxurious garden furniture that is in great demand these days.

New Meaning To Garden Space

If you have garden space in your backyard, then you will be definitely considered to be one among the lucky homeowners. You can utilize this garden space to spruce up your home and also this could be a place where you and your family members and relatives or even friends could unwind and gather together for weekend parties or a drink or two. There is no better way to spend cool evenings enjoying nature around you and to add to that you also have the company of a few of your friends or your family members. But, if you need to add a touch of class and elegance to your garden, then you need to find the garden furniture that will liven up your garden space.

Why Choose Teak Garden Furniture?

If you are looking for garden furniture that you will be using to host parties and small get together, then the best ones to go for would be the luxurious teak garden furniture.

It is the right tropical hardwood that would suit most of the garden space and will also add the luxury and elegance factor to the not so good looking garden space as well.
Teak garden furniture has natural oils that will help in preventing the termites and the pests from damaging the wood.
Teak furniture instantly adds luxury to your garden space and is also highly durable and weather resistant.
Teak garden furniture offers the luxury and elegant look that you are looking for your garden space and can turn an ordinary garden into an attractive one.

Factors To Consider

Before stepping out to the market to buy garden furniture, it is ideal for you to determine the size of your garden space and to have a pre plan of the right sine of the furniture that you need for your garden. Also, it is important for you to determine the type of furniture that you would like to fill in your garden space like dining set or benches and sofas or garden chairs or tables and so on. Some of the common types of garden furniture that most home owners look to buy are: chairs, dining sets, garden benches, coffee table or a conversation set package that includes tables, sofas and chairs.

Conclusion

The online shopping options should not be ignored even if you are looking to shop for garden furniture for your home. There are many of websites that are available on the internet that offers the best luxurious type of garden furniture for your home at affordable prices.