Tag: Winter

Fashion and Style

Finding a Winter Coat

JayneLeave a comment

I’m in a bit of a pickle at the moment. I’ve got three winter coats, but none of them is quite doing the job for me at the moment. The first is a black wool coat that I bought when I worked in an office. It’s decent quality and warm but is a bit too formal to go with my usual mum uniform of jumper, jeans and Converse! The second is a proper Berghaus hiking jacket which is super warm and weatherproof, but a bit too out-doorsy for every day. The last is a gilet, which I absolutely love, and it would be perfect…if only it had arms! I decided to take a look at women’s jackets from Superdry to see if I could find something which covers all of the bases and this is what I found:

Classic Rookie Fishtail Parka Coat

You can’t go wrong with a classic parka and this one looks lovely and cosy, with the fur trim around the hood. . The parka features a hood with detachable faux fur trim, zip and popper fastening, popper cuffs and four external pockets. Inside the coat is fleece lined and has a drawstring adjustable waist

Luxe Super Fuji Mix Jacket

I definitely like the thought of a longer coat – some of the shorter winter coats are what my lovely mother in law would call “bum freezers” and I have to agree. This jacket offers great protection from the elements while looking really neat and stylish.

Kiki Leather Biker Jacket

I’ve been coveting a leather jacket for absolutely ages and this one is a great shape and style. Leather is great for keeping the wind out, and when you spend a lot of time standing in windy playgrounds, that’s a definite bonus. There’s something a bit egdey about a leather biker jacket and I love the fact that you can dress is up or down, depending on your outfit.

SD Girlfriend Sherpa Jacket

I’ve always had a thing for Sherpa jackets and this Superdry one is so cute, with the patches and little details. Obviously, I won’t be copying the model and going bare-midriff underneath it, but I think it could make a really nice, fashionable alternative to a stuffy winter coat.

Which coat do you think you’d choose from Superdry? Leave me a comment below.

Health

4 Ways to Look After Yourself This Winter

Jayne2 Comments

winter self-careWith winter comes late, but beautiful sunrises and glorious sunsets, not forgetting gorgeous walks through the frozen countryside and the twinkling lights of the festive season. But when you’re a parent, winter also means snotty noses, chapped lips, coughs, colds, the flu and of course, those dreaded sickness bugs that spread like wildfire.

Getting sick of the winter season is often inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps to look after yourself, even if you are a busy parent. So, don’t just battle through it – here are some help tips and advice you can take to help you look after yourself this winter.

Looking good makes you feel good

Yep. When it comes to winter, with harsh winds, driving rain and bitter snow, many of us don’t bother with makeup or even moisturiser. But if you don’t take the time to look after yourself, then you’re going to run yourself down and be more susceptible to illness. So, take the time to moisturise your skin, and don’t cancel that microblading appointment – what is microblading, you ask? Click the link to find out more – make sure you take those extra vitamins and put your feet up once in a while. Your body and mind will thank you.

Kill the germs at the source

If you’re really worried about flu and sickness bugs this winter then it’s important to try and kill them off at the source, and that means regular handwashing. Make sure everyone in the house is following a strict handwashing routine, which means washing after the using the bathroom and before eating, and especially if they sneeze or use a tissue. It’s also a good idea to get the kids to wash their hands when they come home from school. Remember to regularly wipe down door handles, light switches and even the TV remote to keep the germs at bay!

Go outside

It might seem like you’re exposing yourself to more germs but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting outside will certainly give your immune system a boost and it’s certainly better than sitting inside the stuffy house. Even if you just bundle up for a short walk around the block, your vitamin D levels will certainly enjoy a boost from the sunlight and your mood will certainly rise. Giving your mental health a much needed boost too.

Keep hydrated

We tend to drink more in the summer time because, quite simply – we’re thirstier! In the cold weather, a cold glass of water might not have the same appeal as it does on a scorching day but staying hydrated will certainly keep those nasties at bay. If you don’t fancy water then try some simple fruit juice or fruit infused water. An hydration supplement can also be hugely helpful as they maximise the amount of hydration you receive from the water you’re drinking. Treat yourself to a new water bottle so you’re reminded to drink the recommended amount of water per day. Drinking plenty will keep UTI’s at bay, as well as helping your joints to stay flexible and supple – it helps with brain function too!

Home

Staying Toasty Over the Winter

JayneLeave a comment
Photo by Sergei Solo on Unsplash

Yes, it’s on the way, alright! The mornings have a definite chill to them and the leaves are turning a lovely shade of russet. Aesthetics aside, the thermometer will start to head downwards and you’ll be eyeing up thick jumpers in shop windows. So, when the cold season comes around for real, should you pick up that thick jumper or turn the thermostat up?

That full tank, courtesy of Supersaveroil.ie, came pretty cheap over the summer, but you shouldn’t be so smug about it – you have to make it last until March! Here’s some good ideas to help you to do just that.

Add some new insulation

You could lose up to 60% of your hard-earned heat via the roof and walls of your home, so they both need to be insulated. You’ll need to use at least 10” of insulation material in the loft and you should examine your windows to look for – and fill in – any cracks.

Lower the heating by at least a degree

Just a degree lower can reduce your fuel oil usage by 10% and you shouldn’t even notice this, especially if you’ve used some insulation and less heat is escaping.

You can also start turning off your radiators 15 minutes or so before you go to bed. They’ll still be warm for a while and by the time they’ve cooled off you’ll be fast asleep with your hot water bottle!

Bleed all the radiators

You should do this at least once a year. Radiators develop air pockets and this prevents them from working properly – you’ll have to turn up the heating to get the benefit. Try to bleed them two or three times a year and especially before winter sets in.

Go retro

A great way to get the most out of your heat is to place old-fashioned insulation panels behind all your radiators. These panels look like stiff metallic bubblewrap and what they do is reflect heat back into your rooms, as otherwise it’d seep into the walls and simply get lost.

Try to service your boiler twice a year

Boilers are very complicated machines – they can develop airlocks, let in water, accumulate soot and sometimes, manage a combination of all three! Any one of these problems can reduce your boiler’s efficiency by up to 8%, so effectively, you’re wasting 8% of your fuel.

You should have a service at the end of spring and at the beginning of winter, ideally. However, if you can only manage one service, the autumn one is the one to book so you can identify and sort out problems before you’re left with no heating on the coldest day of the year.

Keep your supply safe

Fuel poverty is a problem in Ireland, with around 400,000 households spending more than 10% of their annual incomes on heating their homes. This has the knock-on effect of making fuel theft more common, so you’ll need locks on your tank at the very least. You should also keep your tank as hidden from view as possible and use motion-sensitive lights and alarms. You can also install tank sensors that alert you on your phone if oil levels suddenly drop.

Driving

Is Your Car Ready for Winter? #TestYourTreads

Jayne2 Comments

I don’t know if it’s just me, but after a pretty mild Autumn, it feels as though winter has sneaked up on me out of nowhere! Christmas is less than a month away but we’ve only just started wearing proper winter coats and boots and I think this year has been the latest we’ve ever put our heating on too. Living in the countryside means that we have to do certain things to prep for winter; we’re off the grid for gas, so we have to make sure we’ve had a delivery of LPG to last us, and we also use a log burner for heat which means making sure our wood is well seasoned and checking whether we might need to have more delivered.

Obviously, living remotely means that our car is really important to us, too, as we’d be stranded without it, so there are a few things we check there like anti-freeze, low-temperature screen wash and also our tyres. TyrePlus is urging everyone to #TestYourTreads to remind them that tyres which are worn below the legal limit can be even more dangerous in the winter.

Their experts say “Tyres aren’t just those great big rubber things that carry you from A to B. They’re a lot more sensitive than they look which is why we want you to help us spread the message about the importance of giving your tyres the TLC they need. They might look tough (and indeed they are) but deep down, they need a fair bit of looking after. Unfortunately, there are still far too many people who think The 20p Test is something you might find at a fairground amusement arcade.”

“This handy little test actually requires you to pop a 20p coin in the grooves of the tyre and if the outer band of the coin is visible at any point, the treads are below the legal limit. Carrying out simple checks like this one on a regular basis will keep car safety in check, reduce damage to vehicles and help eliminate unnecessary road accidents.”

A lot of people take it for granted that if their MOT is up to date then their tyres MUST be legal but this isn’t always the case, so performing the test above could really help to keep you safe. Also, take a look at any advisories on your last MOT because if your tyres were worn close to the legal limit and noted on your test, there’s a good chance they need replacing.

Obviously, the risks of having unsafe tyres are potentially fatal, so I’m sure I don’t need to reiterate how important it is to check them. What are you waiting for? Check them NOW!

Beauty

6 Winter Makeup Tips

Jayne4 Comments

Winter is upon us, and that means different things for many of us depending on where we live. However, overall it typically equates to cooler outdoor temperatures and indoor heat so it’s best to be ready for the changes this will bring. And while we need to moisturize and hydrate more to combat the evils of dry skin, our makeup will need to change as well.

Don’t worry if you’re watching your pennies, as these aren’t huge changes by any means … but changes nonetheless. Need some cold weather inspiration? Read on for six winter makeup tips that will keep you glowing during these colder months without opting for permanent make-up.

46805218 – happy candid girl with white teeth and perfect smile warmly clothed in winter
  1. Go Lighter with Your Foundation

Even if you were diligent with your sunscreen over the summer, you likely had at least a hint of a tan. In fact, you probably had to go darker with your foundation because of it. Unless you plan on vacationing to tropical areas all winter long (lucky you!), it’s time to go back to a shade that’s a better match to your natural skin tone.

  1. Fixing Fun with Correctors

No one’s skin is flawless (even you, Kate Beckinsale) but our flaws tend to become more apparent during the winter. This is probably because we don’t have the benefit of hiding behind the aforementioned tan. Don’t fret, though, as a good corrector can do the trick. Hiding dark spots, blemishes, and other imperfections, a palette with various shades of correctors is a makeup artist’s favorite tool. Not only will this corrector conceal your flaws but it will also brighten the skin during the winter months.

  1. Bring on the Bronzer and/or Self-Tanner

If you’ve got Nicole Kidman-esque porcelain skin, go ahead and rock that all winter long. The rest of us often need a bit of help to look as though we haven’t actually died without anyone knowing. Most everyone looks good with color, so work with a makeup artist at your favorite cosmetics store to find a bronzer or self-tanner that will give you a sun-kissed look without getting orange in the process.

  1. Get Festive with Blush and Highlighter

Many women assume they can’t pull off highlighter, but everyone can and should! Again, if you’re not confident in your ability to apply this fun kind of cosmetic to your face, ask a makeup artist for help. Combined with just the right amount of blush, this can be a magical look. While a powder highlighter would be fine, a liquid one would be even better for winter. And if you’re going to a holiday or New Year’s Eve party, you might even consider choosing one with a bit of shimmer. Have some fun!

  1. Beware of Pores

We want to avoid doing our makeup in such a way that our pores becoming visibly obvious. What will help with that is a good primer, as this helps makeup to avoid going into the cracks and pores. This will also help to avoid highlighting wrinkles, so it’s a win/win. You also want to stay away from anything too powdery during the winter and stick to dewy products due to dry skin.

As celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose says via Allure magazine, “Powder can make fair skin look duller.” Instead, he says to go with a moisturizing cream that’s one shade warmer than your own skin tone.

  1. Keep Those Lips Luscious

We all have friends who are lipstick addicts but the harsh truth is that, if your lips are prone to cracking during the winter, lipstick is only going to highlight this. You can opt for a moisturizing lipstick or stick with a tinted lip balm. The latter is handy for that time under the mistletoe during the holiday season.

58600123 – female putting applying lip balm moisturizing balsam. girl taking care of lips. skincare.

The winter months can be harsh on our skin so we need to give it a good base by getting plenty of rest, keeping up with our cleansing routine, and perhaps even giving a bit more TLC with hydrating masks. But beyond that—if you follow these makeup tips during these colder months—you will have that glowing, dewy skin many assume you can only get during the summer months.