Killing two birds in One Stone

So what does that mean "Killing to birds in one stone?". It mean doing some tasks together. Like I went to the toilet upstairs "Sorry if a bit TMI" but as it was upstairs took up some clothes with me that were clean and washed upstairs so I can quickly put on bed to be stored away. I dusted my bedroom windowsill too and saved me time, whilst I was upstairs. 

One of my set ups and behind of one of the spaces I use that saves me time

Whilst I'll upstairs running a bath, I will to go down stairs to put any clothes worn that needs washing into the washing machine.

When I dry up items used for lunch I will then give the kitchen sink and draining board a clean. 

Giving my son a wash I ran a bath or a shower for myself and in the mornings when getting dress will brush my teeth, or this morning when I used the loo, afterwards brushed my teeth. It really helps save time and I am always up for time saving strategies. It gives me more time chill and relax.

Sometimes when waiting for the kettle to boil or cooking dinner I will do some leg raises exercise and listen to some music. I will clean up the items used for lunch whilst cooking dinner or boiling the kettle. 

When getting dressed I will have a tidy up of my clothes and what I plan to wear. The one area I try to save time too is meal time. We now have a air fryer which has been a game changer and would recommend. Our oven is okay but you normally have to add time when making wedges for example, but the Air fryer takes no time at all. 

I also clean up as I go when cooking to save myself time. It also good to spend time planning meals and what needs to be used up. I whilst I was upstairs I will clean or dust something. I try to do a bit of cleaning a day. Today after I get my hair done I will pick up bits I need and meet my mum for a coffee. 

This will mean I can stop in on Wednesday or still go out but won't need to buy anything as I like No Spend days. Check out my Youtube channel which is all about how I manage my money that can you manage yours: Financial Living - YouTube

So Kill Two birds in one stone and then you be surprised how much time it saves and have time to do something else, like reading or like me write a blog, film and work on a book I am writing. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Having a Back Up Plan for those unplanned events

If something is not working or something has cropped up that needs your attention, then do it. I plan, plan and plan. It is good to have a back up plans if something has not worked out and is good to be flexible. 

When you planned to do a some shopping but you get a call from your child's school that they are sick then we have to assess and of course we have to put our children first, but always have back up plan, like back up idea for meals for the week. It is always, if you like them is have a tin of beans in the cupboard and you can freeze bread. We have pasta and a sauce which is good and easy. If suddenly the oven breaks you have tins of food, like I like Tin Curry's, soups and a block of cheese in the fridge. Milk, Eggs and crackers. Princes is always our choice when it comes to tinned produced and Heinz and no this post in not sponsored but these companies. if they did then I'd oblige. 

It is good to have games on hand, like a pack of cards, board games or DVD games. There are games you can download and use, if it you had planned to go out but the weather has changed. It is good to have days where you can all watch a film together and have a cold foods to hand, like club sandwiches, with pieces of fruit and I love carrot sticks, sliced pepper and tried gluten free tortilla style chips (crisps) and sliced pitta breads. You can get brown or white pittas or wraps. 

This can be a back up if you planned a BBQ but is raining. Living in the UK you never know at times and food that you can freeze if your fridge goes example, goes faulty. 

It is good to have blankets and thick duvets if the heating stops working and mobile fans for when it is very hot, but you have no air conditioning. If you have a cool box if your fridge breaks down to keep food cooled and buy bags of ice rather making ice cubes depending on where you live and how clean you tap water is. 

If you lose your Oyster card then make sure you have a cash your bank card stored on you, separately from it and can still travel. If there are issues with the train then check to see if you can get the bus instead or if your car has an issue if you can use public transport where your heading. See how much it can cost in a taxi. Use Black cabs as they are licensed.  

It is good to have some sort of back up to reduce worry, it may be more cost affective and that life is full of unpredictable events and you have a your phone on you fully charged if you are stuck somewhere, money to pay for a call or when my mobile stopped working whilst in the Science Museum the Customer Service desk let me use their phone to contact my mum who I was meeting. 

I hope these are good ideas and that you have a good half term. It i the last week of term and then it another set of school holidays.

If you'd like to be notified when I post a blog on this site then please subscribe.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Doing to ten minute tasks or tidy 10 things

There are some tasks that can be done within 10 minutes like drying up and putting away kitchenware used at Breakfast time, then in the afternoon, items I used for my lunch and then dinner. On some days I will do laundry and go around making beds, tiding bedrooms and that my son has all he needs for school and set a challenge where he had to get dressed and tidied within 10 minutes and it worked a treat. 

There have been mornings where he has refused to get dressed and put his bed clothes away. 

I like to do a bit of tidying up in the morning to set the tone for the rest of the day. It is amazing at what you can get done in ten minutes and when using the treadmill I will often say to myself, do ten minutes then you've still done something and find myself walking for longer but helps remove the pressure of doing it. Not forcing myself but what I want to focus on, when doing tasks.

The Treadmill helps strengthen my legs as I do a long walk in the week when my son has after school club and Saturday, when I do the Parkrun. One of my life changes I have started is to make more of an effort with my appearance so I have created a routine that takes ten minutes or less and getting dressed too.

My husband bought an Airfryer and Grill in the year just gone (2024) that can bake, grill, roast and fry food for meals less than 10 minutes and saved us money at the same time.

It is good to set up challenges for myself and my son. It makes it fun and not a chore. 

It inspired me to write this blog and a parenting blog on my site The Parenting Adventures Tips and Tricks and going to complete blog for next week. 

On Friday before my son got back from school challenged myself to sort out 10 things. So I got my bags in my husbands car for when we go over to Wimbledon, put table tennis bats on the toy cupboard. No point putting these inside the cupboard as he will only get them out again. I tidied the kitchen of cups and items used for Lunch. packed my rucksack, charged up my sons tablet and actually in the end sorted more than ten things. 

So block ten minutes or do ten things and honestly it is a game changer.

I will doing some Self Development training which will be about What is Self Development and not neglecting yourself and making choices to help with your development. I will be uploaded videos to my Educational Youtube channel and blog site Everyone can build a castle.

I do have Vlog Channel and if you want to be kept up to date with my content then please subscribe.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Ten things to Organize on a regular basis if not each day or week

So soon we will be entering into a new year and means that we have to take down our Chrisstmas decor and get ready to get our homes back to normal and organized. 

I went through my presents that Santa got for me to give to family and my Christmas Ornaments were smashed, and so will need to make sure that I can replace these in a different place before the next Christmas. 

My desk in Wimbled when it has been cleaned and tidied on a regular basis

So, here are 10 things to organize on regular basis if not each day or week:

1. Clothes. I travel a lot because I live in Wimbledon but spend a lot of time in Epsom too, and because of the trains and buses issues, been staying in both places and so living out of a bag. So I go through clothes not worn, and so before I buy anything else make sure I wear what I have already got. Check my Youtube channels My way of living, where I have talked about using up what you already got: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602

2. Toiletries. I have plenty of shower gels, toothpaste and skincare, that I don't need anymore and organize them so what I have, gets used, and don't get forgotten about and store them to see what I have got and bought a new toiletry bag to store make up and toiletries to carry around with me when I travel, and keep them altogether so I don't forget them.

3. Stationary. I love a notebook and did a video about how I can live in Notebook a few years ago: https://youtu.be/f6YVEziXlA4 and so for my Autumn Reset sorted out my notebooks and kept what I wanted out of them, and put them into a folder, and so make sure I use once again what I have, and still buy plain notebooks, to help write notes as I do have a Filofax but it can be quite heavy to carry around. So I will make sure I have plenty of pens, a ruler and scissors and file cards and post its. 

4. Presents. Yes, after Christmas where should your presents go? I find they can add to clutter but have them in a room that you can display them, and an area they can take them off, like low shelf, and if it is money or a gift card, put it on a board where you will see it and remember to use it. If it is bedding then it is time to strip the beds and wash their existing sets and if it for children have them help you, depending on age. and word: If they are still toilet training, I would wait, and explain that they can go on the bed, but they have got to keep the bed dry.

5. Books. I love books and would live in a house of books, along with notepads, because I love to read and so I have some on a book shelf and then in a storage container, and not bought anymore until they have been read. and I have used Library but find it hard to renew them, and so visit Charity shops and books shops, but make sure I go through them and are stored in a place that they won't get super dusty.

 6. Money. I make sure each week to go through my finances and check my account everyday and use my filofaxt to help stay on track and a spreadsheet on Excel and budget, along with doing spending plans and budget on different areas where my money goes on a regular basis. 

7. Bags. I decluttered my bags and wanted to have minimal amount. I use a handbag, but will go through my bags, to clean them and keep tabs of what is in them and that they are easy to carry, but trying not to overload them, but can carry multiple items. 

8. Food. I make sure I check the fridge and cupboards to see what needs to be replemished, and I don't have to buy so much food, just bits to add or if we need bread or milk. I like to go through what needs to be cooked food and make sure it all gets used, and trying to eliminate wasting food. 

9. Equipment. Take things not used off the work tops and have a cupboard just for them, that you can easily lift out and put back in. Clean out your toasters, as they can build up crumbs inside. I put my laptop away on the table I use as a desk, ready for when we have dinner and then can bring back to the place on the table, to continue using laptop. I no longer have my phone near my bed and that has made a real difference in getting a good nights sleep. 

10. Draws. Yes they can get clogged up, and the main ones for me is, cutlery draws, trays, fridge draws and odds and sods. So junk draw. I have a hack, and that is to put tin foil in the draw, if you don't have any draw inserts as this can really reduce the time to clean them. If you have craft paper, you can use this too. 

Please put in the comments of the things to organize on a regular basis. 

We can have a lot of clutter so having a sort out can make a huge difference, with our minds and that everything has a home. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Organizing my life 2022

So this week I have really been sorting my stuff out, and have a reset. So basically going through my computer and online, this morning before I had my first cup of tea sorted out my clothes, and yesterday when I got back from spending some time with my son, is tidy and clean my desk. 

It is good to get Organized even though I do put it off. I find any excuse, so hence why this morning I tidied my clothes, and setting myself a challenge, I am sorting out one area a day, and works everytime I challenge myself to do this. 

There is structure in this too, and that is I will take note of what I want to sort out and just little bits can make such a difference, that it becomes like walking, you end up doing a sort out everyday. 

Avoiding is not the answer, but doing a huge amounts, it can demotivate, and I wish I had a hiding place sometimes or be able to click my fingers, but not possible. It has to be done for mindset. Sorting my stuff out does help to clear my mind. 

Looking at my tidy desk gives me a burst of good energy, that doing it is the hardest thing, but seeing the results is encouraging and helps me to keep it going, and get my life back on track. 

At the moment I am listening to a youtube video, by Kate Kaden on 30 Easy Frugal Habits, and these type of videos are really helpful, and gives me a boost of energy to sort out my life. I have started to organize my finances better with sorting one area of my life that I feel needs changing, and I check my bank balance all the time now, and jot down what money has gone where and how I can save. I am all about #frugalliving 

So if there are areas in your life that needs changing, then do it by challenging yourself too.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Organizing post Easter Holidays

I feel I need to write this because I think with everything going on in Ukraine the world, I want normality and to continue on, but it is hard. I feel guilty that I am able to have normality when there are people fleeing for their life because of war. 

I do watch the news now, I would avoid it but it has a funny way that keeps you captured and that is why I acknowledge it. I want a happier world and have peace like most of us want, and everyone is able to get on with their lives. 

In this blog I am talking about organizing post Easter Holidays, as you may have kids with a lot of Easter Eggs, and the one I bought for my son, I am going to give it to him tomorrow or Saturday, as if you have eggs for family, but you weren't able to see them, arrange a day nearby that you can still have Easter shared with them. 

Have a Easter Egg shelf that can be clearly seen and not forgotten and allow them time in the day to have some of them, but not eating all of them at once. It doesn't have to be all about the eggs, receiving a scented candle to light to celebrate Easter the son of god if you believe in it. My mum put in sets of pretend kids glasses and have funny hats included and masks, with Easter theme, like a bunny, or a hen. 

Recycle the packaging the Easter eggs came in and use a large box to store them in and if you have kids set chores for them to do, to earn their eggs and eat them. 

Put names on each of the boxes and eggs, so you know who is who's and saves any arguments trying to workout who's who. 

Use uneaten chocolate eggs into to a dessert or a cake, like rice cakes. I love these and if I see these in a coffee shop always invest with a coffee and is something I have loved since I was a kid. Make a chocolate pie and or cupcakes with mini eggs on top, and then nothing goes to waste. 

Make it an occasion, like a movie night and they had have piece of their Easter Eggs as a treat rather than popcorn and after dinner time, I have a rule that I am not allowed any chocolate until after lunch and in the morning unless I have treated myself with a pastry. 

Dedicate a scrapbook for the special holidays within the year and good to look back on previous Easter Holidays or a collage that you can put up on a the wall to store those family fun memories. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

   

 

Use what you no longer need to those that do/storage ideas

 Christmas is a time to give gifts and a good way to declutter your home whilst you decorate for the festive season. 

Hand creams is a good item for the winter as my hands always get sore and chapped if I don't use hand cream and so is an essential item, but try natural products and not items that have too many added unwanted ingredients in them. 

These make good presents but it all depends on that person's skin but are a nice item that has not been used and still brand new. 

If you have books that you have read why not pass them on or if you to re-read it create a shelf to do that and have a books in section "To be read again", but if you haven't touched them over a year and forget "One day" pick on up or pass it on. 

Give items back like books back to charity shops as it helps them earn money again for the charity and a good way of passing the book on for someone else to get pleasure out of it. 

Have a lucky dip for your kids instead of an advent calendar, or to help prep for Christmas and can be decorations for the tree for them to hang, have personalised barbles and use Christmas as a way to use up your bakery ingredients stored and then make way for other food for Christmas, and reduces waste, making sure they are okay to use up. Check the label of the item or if stored in a jar put a label on it from when it was originally put in the jar with the expiring date or best before dates.

Use up chocolate bars to make into a cake for Christmas, like Oreo cup cakes or digestives bashed made into crumbs to make a base for a cheesecake, including chocolate digestives or bourbans is nice and makes the cheese super rich but great as a change, and so worth it. 

If you have a someone with a birthday close by Christmas then it can be difficult knowing what to buy them separates their birthday and Christmas by having kids in fancy dress of their favourite books and use clothes you already have or handmedowns, always welcomed and make custumes out of paper. My mum did this once when we would holiday in Clacton and the holiday camp there would have fancy dress competitions and not about Christmas or have a birthday party in the morning and Christmas in the evening. 

Have a birthday breakfast party and then have Christmas feast and do picky bits of different foods, depending on your budget and have sibling or any one who volunteers their help. 

It is all about loving the festive season and doing what makes bring smiles and creating everlasting memories. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

How to organize without spending any money "use what you already have"

Can we organuze without spending money?

Here are some tips to answer this question:

Yes! "Use what you already have":

1. Any boxes that can be used from deliveries, use them and then when you know what needs to put togeher then look for, and it can help decide what storage ways will be good for long term storage. This can be a bin or even a bucket, I have used my sons bucket to store kitchen cleaning items, and stored up high so my son to get hold of it.

2. With recycled I think its being misconstrude as coffee cups you get made out of cardboard are not recyclable and if you check the bins outside you have two options, general rubbish, and recycle, NO DISPOSABLE COFFEE SHOP CUPS. Yet it is good to use reusable and when I tried to reuse a cup from a shop the coffee I made in it did not taste nice. You can empty them out and be used as a desk organizer for pens and stationary such as paper clips and if you want to get office supplies on sale, this is the time to shop, as they will be a load of sales as in the UK all schools all re-open. The other time is around the new year and then July when academic planners go on sale. The school year in the UK is from September to July.

3. If you have are on the moving and order items online keep the boxes and they started many retailer, using reusable bags which are handy for packing clothes, books, make up as I am using that to store in a storage bin and have a cleaning caddie for my toiletries and are great for packing if you already have any and separate your makeup from your toiletries and use clothing labels as labels for your boxes and storage containers.

4. In the kitchen, have items stored of what you use the most at the front, and others that you don't at the back. You don't need a Lazy susan, use plates that you don't often use and I used a microwave tray when I lived in my old home in Epsom and plates. 

5. Knives, forks and spoons are great stored on the counter top in a cutlery holder, rather than a draw, but if you got kids store these out of reach and you can use again bowls to store mugs too. 

I hope you find these tips helpful and there will be more blogs to follow as we move from Summertime to Autumn and get nearer...wait for it...birthdays and Christmas. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

 

Shopping ideas/buying for kids/how to save on kid clothes

When it comes to kids they grow all the time and with Henry I was at one time clearing out his wardrobe and chest of draws everyday no lie as they grow at such a rate that it is difficult to catch up. 

Second hand clothes saved me so much money on clothes for him and if you know someone who has had kids and want to hand you down some kids clothes always take them up on it, and honestly it saves time and money, and what one child doesn't wear and you have other kids then it suits them instead, have them and go through and separate them into different ages, example 0 to 4 months, 4 to 6 months, 5 - 7 years. 

Have a system where you rotate the clothes worn and what is not to keep tabs on their clothes. Invest in some good hangers and if you can have beds that come with storage as these are always a great investment in storing kids clothes and toys then they are a game changer.

If they share rooms dedicate a draw to them and segrigatte the wardrobe by putting names with the clothes stored and who they are for. 

When it comes to cuddly toys check Charity shops and Car Boot sales, as they always have good items for kids, and great if you keep change and have a low budget. 

Keep a budget on the money spent for them and have them have their own bank accounts that you can help manage and I used to love it when I kept pennies and would pay them in, it is something I have always done and have an emergency tin of money for those last minute purchases that needs to grabbed, like need new shirts for school, nappies and if the store you got to have a points card and you use them regularly and school themes like if they need a certain coloured top or fancy dress.

Teach thema about money and how to count it and save. Teach them about budgeting and shop wisely and have them create wish lists.

I wrote more blogs on parenting on my site: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com  

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Packing and unpacking for a holiday/always have a checked list

So summer is coming up and means School Summer Holidays and not sure if I will be going on holiday this year, but would love to take a trip to the seaside, and means packing items and in the best way, that I don't end up taking my entire wardrobe with me, but items I can mix 'n' match. 

I like to pack in a way that I have the items I need first out of my suitcase last to pack. It is a system I have done since a kid and because that was advice that my mum gave me, and because it works, and I do this when I pack now, but need to work on sorting out my handbag, that I use Monday to Friday and then I change to my bumbag for the weekend, to carry less.

Bumbags are great to carry away with you as you put around your waste and I always invest in them. 

I tend to order mine from Amazon, rather in store as you get more options. 

I do a list, not everyday, but when packing for a holiday. It is important to have personal documents in a bag that the items packed can be easily taken out and check before travelling aboard mainly, of what documents you need before going on holiday. This includes food, as many countries have custom regulations. The same with toiletries and so I pack these in a case rather than hand luggage, and this isn't to hide anything, but just to helps lower the load that I need to carry in my hand luggage. 

I do get anxious when it comes to holidays especially abroad as I have this fear of missing a flight, and so make sure I leave home in plenty of time. 

Also check what shops the airports have, so if you do forget anything you can pick it up at the airport and the same when travelling to a resort for example of what they have, like shops in case you need nappies, for example and if you go self catering, what facilities you will have, before you travel. This helps you in knowing not to carry so much. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie 

Ways in which you can recycle/sorting my life out

I love to recycle and today tried to make a Kanban board with a piece of card, but it wouldn't stay on the wall and just looked I could have added it to my white board planner, so I will try again, and it was back cover of a notebook I am using that I take out with me. 

I have used shoe boxes to organize items and had one beside my bed, now I use storage bins but have a shoe box where I keep my stickers for my planners. I keep my plastic bags and use these to reuse when I visit the shops. I need to get more bin liners as I am guiltily using plastic bags from when I go shopping so I going to do this. However there is a box I can put items like can drinks into to make sure I help save the environment. 

If I can use a tote bag, and reusable bag, then I do. Not saying I am perfect, and still need to be more careful it comes to things like gum. I used to chew this a lot, but now I don't. When I do, I don't like to drop on to pavements and gutters, but if I can use a tissue when I have gum now and then, and put it into a general waste bin. 

This week as I update this blog, have been having a sort out of my items I have and includes what is on my laptop, and making sure I have clothes tidy and would like to have more hanging and clear out my plastic draw units to store other items and have been going through my planners, journals and is part of a challenge I like to set for myself and this month (June 2022), to clear and sort one item a day. 

It seems to be helping to clear the head and reset. 

I am a girl who likes to let go of the passed to focus on the now and the days to come. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Parenting without a Fuss/Things you can do to have fun with your kids in the Pandemic

So it is Friday and almost the weekend and even though my son spends a lot of time with his dad I do still get to see him on some days and I like to spend time with my boy without too much fuss. I don't mind if he wants a bit of chocolate as I do think of him when I do my weekly shop and it is in moderation, I don't mind him watching his favourite show, tipping point and I don't mind him watching his tablet for a bit.

What is important to me is that my son is content and this blog is about parenting without a fuss:

If you know you are going to see your son or daughter in advance plan the day ahead

I like to take Henry up London, swimming (in the school holiday's) and so I do plan, and I also like playing football, going on walks along our local river and just getting out. My son has become a homebody, but staying indoors all the time is not good, so I plan ahead and make sure there are toilets near boy or he goes before we leave, and take changes of clothes, wipes and a few snacks depending how far and where we are going and items should the weather be sceptical. 

Do a chart and go over with them of the different things you have planned and let them have a choice of what they would like to do

Kids love it when they can decide what to play, so have some set activities and then have a choice hour of different items you have pre-listed that they would like to do. 

Also if you have autistic children they often like a routine and know what is going to happen so go through it with them. 

Do a list of activities on a list or a chart and have them tick and choose which one they would like to do and you can do these when asking children to help with home tasks

So if you have a load of kids around your ankles because they are bored with what to do, create a list for each child whether by hand or by computer and have them tick which task or activity they would like to do, or another way is have them pick out of a hat and a hack you could do this with some paper and an empty tissue box. 

Have your kids draw a schedule out for themselves for the week and again have them tick of items they want to do and make homeschooling fun by using games like toy bricks or wall charts to help with learning letters and numbers for example.

Teaching kids time management is brilliant for their independence and doesn't have to be strict learning, but if they have drawn a schedule for themselves there is a more of a chance they will follow it through.

Parenting can often feel like a hard task but it doesn't have to be, and I believe allowing kids to be free is a better way to support them and encourage pretend play like shops. This is a good game that teaches them about money and one of my nieces would use a mat and pretend it was a boat. 

Kids love games where they can use their imagination and so why not,

Have them put on a show for you and relatives and film it to send to all their Aunties and Uncles. A great way for them to see that you are okay in the Pandemic and thinking of them at the same time. 

Me and my Friend who I grew up with did this when she stayed with me at my Aunties house as kids and was going to do this for my Nan and Grandad, to say thank you for looking after us, and it is great for them to wear different costumes and be comical, sing and even do a dance routine, and even read a poem. 

Let kids be kids and be as creative as they like. 

I loved dressing up as a kid and would be entered into many Fancy Dress competitions, when we would go to a holiday camp or there was a school fete. 

Have a kids Fancy Dress party and have a competition and you can make party food and play games like pass the parcel it doesn't necessarily have to be a birthday just having fun and making the most of the time you have together. 

Kids want interaction and this pandemic can effect them in the fact they aren't seeing their friends but you could do a Zoom Kids Fancy dress party and they then still get to have that interaction. 

Put out all the stops as they say, and have as much fun as possible. 

See you in the next post.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

P.S: If you would like to read more of my parenting blogs and I have video content to, please go to:

https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/carriesblognetwork/the-parenting-adventures/

https://twitter.com/carrie82434764?lang=en-gb

https://www.facebook.com/carriesblognetwork

Toiletries, Hacks and good cleaning products

Hello and welcome to another Organization blog. In this weeks post I am talking about toiletries, some hacks and good cleaning products I'd recommend. 

So talking toiletries, I have changed my storage for my toiletries I am currently using, and I have rucksack full of items in my wardrobe as I do like to stock up on some items, like body sprays, scrubs, roll ons, sanitary items and shower gels.

The current products I am using is stored in a cool bag I bought from TK Maxx as I was trying out a hack that I thought of, because at the moment in the UK we have a massive heatwave, so I thought I would put all my toiletries into my cool bag with a freezing block to see if that would help keep them nice and chilled, but it didn't work. 

So I am going to do some research and see what else I can do. I could put them in a fridge but the two fridges we have where I live is full of food, as I share them with the rest of my family, as I am now living with my mum and step dad. 

Continuing on about hacks as I am real lover of them, I watched this video by Emily Norris who was trying out some hacks she saw on TikTok to see if they worked.  

Please check out the link below to watch this video:

https://youtu.be/duiRLPqQvDo

To keep a room clean I would say to invest in a good polish, Micro cloths, a eraser sponge (they are magic), antibacterial spray and I know some say they are bad for the environment but I love them because its just helps with a quick clean, and that is antibacterial wipes. 

I don't think the Cordless vacuums are that great because the one I used to use when I lived in Epsom would cut out after 5 minutes and steam cleaners I have found don't last long either. 

The mop which you can attach a bottle of Flash floor cleaning spray is good, but I find that they can pick up some of the dirt on a floor but not all. I think the old fashioned way a sponge mop and bucket is still a winner my opinion. 

You can also use natural items to clean your home, example cut a lemon in half and dab it into some salt and rub it all over your sink and sink top and really helps to get rid of limescale, and you just rinse it off and wipe over and can make sink areas nice and shiny clean. 

Also you can use a toothbrush to clean your tiles. When I worked as a Housekeeper for a hotel, we would use a toothbrush to clean the soap dispensers in the rooms, and another hack use a pillow case to wipe mirrors and glass. 

So it is almost the weekend and this weekend we have new beds arriving bunk beds for me and my son Henry to sleep in. This will mean some changes but I am not going to worry too much now and think about having another free weekend to do what I like. 

If you have any hacks and cleaning items you'd like to recommend to me then please do so. All comments can be left below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X