Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hello everyone and happy happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! I’ll keep this post short and sweet because I am sure all of you have some driving, cooking, and HELLA eating to do! I just wanted to wish everyone the happiest of Thanksgivings today and a most wonderful holiday season. All of my readers and blogging friends already know how thankful I am for each and every one of you but I will say it again: I’M THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Thank you for always offering me your support, kind words, and friendship!

Have an amazing day and don’t get too down on yourself if you have to unbutton your pants button or add a few more notches to your belt! As always, I plan on going hard this Thanksgiving and hope everyone does the same! What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? What is your favorite holiday tradition? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Looking After Your Wedding Dress After Your Big Day

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Looking After Your Wedding Dress After Your Big Day

Your wedding gown is a big purchase, and while you might only ever wear it for one day, you’ll still want to keep it in good condition. St George wedding dresses at VA Bridal are a stunning reminder of the day itself and who knows- in the future your own daughter might want to wear it for her wedding! After the celebrations are over, you’ve been on your honeymoon and are back home settling into married life, here’s what you need to do to look after your wedding dress.

Have It Cleaned: Having your wedding dress cleaned doesn’t have to be expensive, you can find cheap dry cleaning services just about anywhere. Inquire about wedding gowns, ensuring they have experience in cleaning and preserving them. It will be carefully inspected and cleaned using special chemicals that won’t damage the delicate fabric. It’s important to have this done, as sometimes stains can be invisible at first, but contain sugar which will brown over time. If there are any particularly bad stains such as red wine or mud, have these professionally cleaned as soon as possible. This is because the longer they sit, the harder they will be to remove. If there have been any spills like this on your gown, you could ask a friend or family member to take it to the dry cleaners for you. Especially if you’re jetting off on your honeymoon right after the wedding and won’t get the chance to do it until you’re back.

Package Carefully: It’s so important to use the right materials when you’re storing your wedding dress. Any kind of plastic wrapping or bags will eventually break down and cause yellowing of the dress so these should always be avoided. An acid-free paper or muslin will protect it, while still allowing it to ‘breathe.’ And finally putting it into a box will protect it from yellowing in sunlight. If you’re putting your gown up into the attic or a cupboard, a sealed box can be a good idea to prevent pests from being able to enter and destroy the fabric.

Handle Gently: The whole point of keeping Bridal Gowns beautiful is so you can look back on them in years to come. So if you want to get it out to have a look, go for it! Just be sure to handle it with care. Wash your hands before touching it and open the box in a clean area- keep any open drinks or food away. Alternatively, you could have your dress packaged in a box with a clear lid so you can see it without taking it out. Just be sure that the clear lid is acetate rather than plastic, which as mentioned earlier can cause yellowing. *Side Note: A girl on my Facebook newsfeed did this and it looks SO gorgeous!*

Looked after properly your wedding dress will keep in good condition for years to come and is a beautiful reminder of one of the most special days of your life. If you’re married, how did you have your wedding dress stored? If you’re getting married soon, have you put much thought into how you will preserve your dress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pexels

Keep Yourself Fit & Healthy On Vacation By Following These Top Tips

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If you are someone who loves to travel, you’ll know that it’s all in the preparation. Many of us spend days or even weeks planning even the most finite details of our trips – everything from landmarks we’re going to visit to places we plan to eat at. This can really benefit our trip, as if we go away with a plan of sorts, we are more likely to get the absolute most out of our holiday.

But there is one aspect of traveling that is arguably the most important but one that most of us tend to bypass in the planning stages. This is our personal health and the prospect of injury or illness overseas. Of course, plenty of us still get health insurance that covers us abroad. But more often than not, we are on a limited plan – and some of us don’t even bother at all. If you are leaving your home country to travel overseas, here are some ways in which you can ensure that your health is still a top priority.

Learn Important Phrases: If the country you are going to speaks a language that is different than your own, you’ve probably already learned the basics: hello, please and thank you, among other things. However, it can also be really worth your while to learn other phrases that have to do with healthcare. Being able to ask where the nearest emergency room is is something that’s invaluable should you get into any kind of trouble.

Or, if you have a pre-existing condition that could potentially flare up, it is best to know how to explain this to locals. If you don’t feel confident enough to speak the language out loud, why not get a medical identification card made up? This card should be written in the local language, so speak to a professional translator. It should detail your blood type, plus any illnesses you have and any medication you are taking.

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Have a Doctor on Speed Dial: If you become concerned that you are getting unwell on vacation but don’t think it is serious enough to go to the local hospital yet, it can be worth contacting a doctor native to you. You can now download an Online Doctor App where you will be able to chat with a medical professional from wherever you are in the world. Often, it will only be a minor issue that you needn’t worry about. But it can always be helpful to get a second opinion, even if it’s just to put your mind at rest.

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Be Careful When Drinking the Local Water: There are some countries where it is advised that tourists do not drink the local tap water. More often than not, it doesn’t mean that the water is dirty. It just means that it is so different from what the tourists may drink at home that it could cause their bodies to react adversely. The local people’s bodies, on the other hand, have got used to it and are therefore able to cope. If you are in any doubt over whether the water at your destination is safe to drink, always buy bottled water instead.

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Drink up!

What are some of your tips for traveling abroad? What do you recommend for people who have health concerns? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Advanced Guide To Christmas – Let’s Get It Right This Year!

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For most people, Christmas is a magical and wonderful time, full of celebration, presents, and good will. Unless you are the one that has to organize and pay for it all! Then, it can be a bit of a nightmare. But with a little careful planning, you too can have a perfect Christmas with a minimum amount of stress. Just read on to find out how:

Parties: One of the great joys of Christmas is sharing a drink and holiday treats with your friends and neighbors – unless it is your house that they are coming to this time. In which case, it is very easy to reach panic stations pretty quickly. Avoid the hassle and stress of entertaining at Christmas, not by hiding behind the curtains with the lights out but by being as prepared as possible.

A week or two before the party, make a list of everything that needs doing. The last thing on your list should be the decorations that you need to finish putting up on the day. If possible, get in food that is ready prepared so you just have to warm it up. Or, if you are cooking for the party yourself, make things that can be baked well ahead of time and frozen or stored until they are needed.

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YUM!!!

Presents: One of the most essential parts of Christmas is the gift giving. But Christmas shopping is so time-consuming and expensive. To lighten the load why not buy a joint gift for the families or households that you know? Consider something like a Christmas hamper delivery as a gift for an entire family. Then you can add in items that you know that everyone will like. Or you could choose to do secret Santa? Then you only have to buy one gift so it can save you both time and money.

Food: What Christmas day is complete without the traditional Christmas lunch? If you are dreading waking up at 5.30 am to get the turkey stuffed and in the oven, then read on. It doesn’t have to be as difficult as all that! If you can get away with it, choose a turkey crown or a smaller bird like a duck or goose. These won’t take as long to cook, so you won’t have to get up at some ungodly hour to ensure that it is ready by 1 pm. You can also make your life a great deal easier by choosing ready prepared vegetables and trimmings. They taste delicious and who is to know that you didn’t wrap that pig in its blanket personally?

Entertainment: One of the most dire thing that can happen is that you put a lot of time and effort into making Christmas wonderful and then boredom kicks in. After the presents are open and the turkey has been eaten, everyone just sits around doing nothing and feeling blah as can be. Pop out for a walk, or dust off a board game or two to keep people interested and feeling festive well past lunch time.

How do you prepare for the holiday season? Who is done with their shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Health Benefits Of Hydration That Are Too Good To Ignore

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The Health Benefits Of Hydration That Are Too Good To Ignore

We all know that hydration is important but few of us realize how much proper hydration can do for us. Many of the aches and pains that we feel could be caused by a lack of proper hydration. The recommended amount of water per person per day is 3 liters. In other words, 13 cups. If you’re not convinced that this applies to you, take a look at how your life could change with proper hydration.

Increases Energy: Good hydration increases your energy levels by allowing you to get proper rest. Water is magical! It’s not the water itself that will give you energy but the hydration. Hydration increases your body’s productivity. It allows you to convert food into energy more efficiently. Keeping hydrated is also a way to avoid weight gain. If you’re burning the calories you ingest, they won’t stay on your hips!

Speaking of energy, it is so important to keep well hydrated if you live an active lifestyle and work out frequently. There is nothing more refreshing than water after strenuous exercise! You might even want to buy hydration supplements to nourish your body more after a work out.

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 Jumping Jack Flash

Keeps Kidneys and Bladder Healthy: Being hydrated will also be a huge help to your bladder and kidneys. A lot of bad bacteria gathers here. Drinking plenty will ensure that they are flushed through at all times. Not drinking enough means the bacteria will stay and fester, which can cause a lot of problems. Checking the color of the water you pass is a good way to tell whether everything is functioning. If the color is dark yellow, you can be sure you aren’t drinking enough. It’s also worth mentioning here that the purer your water, the better it is. Hard water comes with its own health risks, so it’s well worth looking around for the best water softener you can find.

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 Bottoms up!

Reduces Acne and Aging: Proper hydration will work wonders for your skin. By drinking plenty, you can reduce acne and dry skin. You can also slow down the aging process! Skin wrinkles when it’s dry and dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water will ensure that your skin stays firmer for longer. Dehydration is a huge cause of acne, too. The skin is unable to clear any toxins when not given proper hydration. Drinking more will leave your skin looking bright and glowing. It will also ensure that you stay wrinkle free!

Reduces High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: We’ll end this list of magical benefits with the fact that hydration reduces blood pressure and cholesterol. That’s right; hydration is a medical miracle! Your blood predominantly consists of water. Proper hydration allows it to stay thin and so will lower your high blood pressure. High cholesterol can happen when cells aren’t hydrated enough to function. The body releases more cholesterol to allow them to continue working. This creates a cholesterol overload. Hydration allows the cells to function without this added cholesterol.

If this list hasn’t convinced you of the benefits of hydration, why not try it out yourself? Try keeping yourself hydrated for a week and see if you spot any differences. Once you’ve felt what hydration can do, it’s unlikely you’ll go back!

Featured Image By: Flickr

The Quick Guide To Getting Your Home In Great Shape, Whatever The Weather

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Whatever the weather chooses to do, we often find ourselves rushing back into the house to get away from it. We seek shade when it’s hot and we seek warmth when it’s cold. Somewhere dry when it’s raining and somewhere out of that wind! Our homes protect us from all that the weather throws at us. But without regular maintenance, and some seasonal adjustments, it can’t keep doing that forever.

Rain: Wet weather can make us so miserable. Nobody likes to be damp or find the rainwater dripping off their nose. There are several different parts of the house that prevent the rain from getting in. The first, and most important, is the roof. Roof tops like tiles have a limited lifespan. While they may stay in good shape for one hundred years, you really should check them regularly every so often. Damage can occur easily during a storm. And even just a tiny drip can leave awful water stains and mold in your home.

Check your guttering too. If it is blocked, the rainwater will over-spill. This can then penetrate your brickwork or wooden facade. Soon you’ll find the evidence of it inside the house in the form of smelly mildew! Finally, check the seals around your exterior doors and windows. If the wind is strong, it can blow the rainwater toward one side of the house. Keep the water out with good quality rubber seals. If your home or property is particularly tall, these maintenance tasks can be hard to complete without professional help. You might want to consider entering a search for “company with rope access Sydney” (or your local area) to find a team that can get all of those impossible to reach places in top shape.

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Wind: If you live in an area susceptible to violent wind storms, then you know how important it is to protect your glass panes, fences, and paneling. Hurricane window protection is a handy way to boost your property’s tolerance to these awful storms. If you have stormy seasons, it’s worth preparing your yard area in advance. Put loose items like trash cans, patio furniture, and garden tools way. Tying them down can help prevent them from getting moved about, too.

Checking your yard walls and fencing is something you should be doing annually. After all, if something falls on a visitor like the Postie, you could be sued. If you feel there may be a weakness, replace the faulty panel before the weather hits. Check that fascias and gutters are fully secure. And cut back excess branches of nearby trees to avoid them breaking or striking your house.

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WERK!

Hot and Cold: Whether it is sweltering or freezing, you can reduce your energy costs with careful maintenance of your home. Air conditioning can be very expensive to run if you don’t have any free solar energy to draw on. But you can reduce how much you need by preventing excess heat from getting into the house. Shutters, blinds, and anti-glare film can reduce the amount of direct sun through the windows. In the winter, thermal lined drapes and draft excluders can prevent your heat from getting out.

Loft insulation can help prevent heat loss in cooler weather, too. And through-drafts created from open doors at either end of the house can be very welcome in the heat. You can use secure screen doors to give you peace of mind while you are in the home. Stay safe from the weather, whatever the weather!

6 Ways To Soothe Your Anxious Mind

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6 Ways To Soothe Your Anxious Mind

It is estimated that almost one-fifth of adults in the USA suffer from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is the most common mental illness. Fortunately, it is highly treatable, and there are practical steps you can take to ease the symptoms.

What Is Anxiety? Anxiety is an umbrella phrase that we use to describe feelings of unease, fear, and worry. It is part of our flight or flight response and is a perfectly natural reaction. Without it, our life could be in danger as we would not be able to perceive danger. However, it can become a problem if it begins to limit your life in some way. Common symptoms include:

  • Feelings of intense fear and panic
  • A general sense of unease
  • A feeling of foreboding
  • Problems sleeping
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dry mouth
  • Feeling on edge or not being able to sit still
  • Nausea
  • Headaches and other aches and pains
  • Tense muscles
  • Feeling light-headed or dizzy
  • Sweating
  • Panic attacks

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How To Tackle Anxiety:

  1. Seek Help: If you feel that you’re suffering from anxiety, the first step is to seek professional help. Your doctor can refer you to a psychologist or therapist. Alternatively, you can approach a therapist directly. Psychologists help to identify the underlying problems and take steps to fix them. Always seek professional help if you’re unsure or if you feel like you can’t deal with an issue yourself. If you have feelings of suicide or self-harm then emergency help should be sought immediately. Anxiety by its nature can feel insurmountable. However, it is highly treatable, and you will feel better again. If you are ready to see a professional, simply enter a search for “anxiety therapy near me” and keep in mind that you might need to try a few different therapists until you find the right fit for you.
  1. Identify The Triggers: If you’re feeling anxious a lot of the time, try to identify the triggers. When the feelings arise, notice what is happening in your life. Are you at work? Are you with a particular person? Is it the situation that is stressful? Try to identify the feeling and work out what your fear is. It might not be practical to remove yourself completely from that situation. But you can change the way that you react and think about it. This is something that a therapist can help with.
  1. Take A Break: It’s impossible to think clearly when you’re overwhelmed by anxiety. Your mind becomes cluttered with thoughts and feelings. Try to take a break from the situation. Step outside for fifteen minutes and try to clear your head. Take some deep breaths and than try to better assess the situation.
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Wind in the hairrrr!

  1. Imagine The Worst: It sounds counterproductive but sometimes imagining the worst-case scenario helps. If you can imagine the worst and figure out how to deal with it, it can take away some of the fear of all of the “what ifs?” in your life.
  1. Don’t Mask It: When we’re feeling constant fear and worry, it’s natural to turn to a quick fix. This may be smoking, drinking, taking drugs, etc. Though you may feel a short release from the problem, you’re only masking it. Your anxiety won’t go away. It will only come back again later and you’ll have additional problems to deal with. Masking is a common coping skill when it comes to any type of issue but it won’t be beneficial. When you enter a center for depression and anxiety treatment, you will be able to learn new coping skills to ease triggers and remove the ones like masking that were hindering you.
  1. Take Care Of Yourself: Find ways to take care of yourself. This could be doing something you really love or getting a massage. It could be as simple as taking time out to read a magazine. Whatever works for you, practice it often. Though it won’t necessarily resolve the problem, it will help you feel more at ease. Research has shown that meditation and yoga can also help anxiety.

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Pixabay Image

Identifying that you suffer from anxiety is the first step. Noticing and being aware of this is part of the process of feeling better. Though we can’t remove our fight or flight response, we can develop strategies to deal with the unwanted effects.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Taking Steps To Improve Your Self Confidence

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Taking Steps To Improve Your Self Confidence

Self-confidence is such an important thing to have in life. It has a significant impact on your happiness and also determines how much you are able achieve. Having the mindset of ‘I can’t’ due to confidence issues means that you’ve failed before you’ve even tried. It can be a tricky thing to build but if you know that yours isn’t the best, it’s something that’s always worth addressing. Here are some of the steps you can take to build up your self-confidence.

Address Your Physical Issues: Learning to love and accept ourselves as we are is fantastic in theory but not as easily done in practice. So if there’s something you can do about whatever is bothering you, it could be worth taking steps to change it. For example, if your weight is something that makes you feel self-conscious, you could aim to lose a few pounds (if you’re overweight) and tone up. If your teeth have always bothered you, you could see a cosmetic dentist. It could be a whitening treatment to correct the color, Invisalign treatment to correct any crookedness, or veneers to make everything look nice and even. There’s nothing wrong with saying ‘actually, I’m not happy about this part of myself and I’d like to change it’. Providing you’re not striving for perfection (since this doesn’t exist) or are going about things in an unhealthy way. If these changes can boost your self-confidence and make you feel great, why wouldn’t you?

Take Up a Hobby: Have you got a talent or skill? Even if you’ve not had any hobbies for many years, think back to what you were good at when you were younger. Were you always top of the class in art lessons? Or did you have a knack for sports? Whatever it is, trying your hand at it again is a great way to go. When you’re good at something, it really helps to build your confidence. Plus having hobbies is great for your mental health and could lead to meeting new friends. Even if it’s just people who share the same interests on Twitter and Facebook, the social aspect is very positive too. Having a hobby means you’re investing time in yourself. You’re showing yourself that you do matter, and it’s enjoyable, too.

Push Yourself Out Of Your Comfort Zone: As they say, a comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there. It’s only when you push yourself beyond the limits of what you know and is ‘safe’ to you that you grow and develop as a person. Nervous about meeting new people? Sign up for an evening class! Scared of failing? Set yourself a new challenge! Even if you don’t succeed, you’ll have learned a valuable lesson – that there’s no shame in failure and you can always pick yourself up and try again.

Speak To Your Doctor: If your self-confidence is so low that it affects your daily life, it’s worth talking to your GP. It could be a sign that something else isn’t quite right and point to things like anxiety or depression. Getting to the root of this will allow you to access the right treatment and will put you on a path to feeling better.

What do you do to boost your self confidence? What is something that makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pexels

Discrimination at Work? Here’s What to Do About It

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Discrimination at Work? Here’s What to Do About It

Discrimination at work is something that can happen to anyone. It’s not just those from a minority or oppressed group who might experience it. Anyone could be discriminated against based on gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or age. If you feel you are being discriminated at work, there are some things you can do about it. In some cases, you might not be able to find a satisfactory solution. But in others, you could solve the issue and ensure that you are treated fairly. If you believe you are experiencing discrimination at work, here are some of the things that you should do:

Read Up on the Law: Before you take any action, it’s a good idea to read about your local laws. They can differ widely depending on where you are. In some places, you might not be afforded protection for certain characteristics. For example, you might not be protected based on your gender identity. Some things are unlikely to be protected at work, such as your political affiliations. As well as checking the law, make sure you read up on your company’s policies. They may have internal rules about discrimination, even if they aren’t protected by law.

Legal jargon can be very hard to understand and if you are having difficulty, that is exactly what skilled employment attorneys are for. Wordiness, unfamiliar terms, and specifications can often dance around the true meaning of the law. This can mean that you are bypassing something that might truly help your case when you are going at it alone. If you have any doubts or concerns, speaking to an attorney is the best course of action.

Document Any Incidents: If you think that you are experiencing discrimination, you should consider documenting any incidents. This doesn’t mean that you need to carry a video camera to film anything that happens. All you need to do is write down the date and time and any notes on the incident in question. You might have some other evidence to keep, such as emails. Never underestimate the importance of documentation. As an example, if you are dealing with a disagreeable coworker and if personal insults happen all of the time, it can be a form of harassment and you will want every interaction on paper. Think about what might be useful if you want to make a complaint or if you have to attend a tribunal or court case later on.

Complain Using Appropriate Channels at Work: Most places of work will have procedures that you can follow if you’re experiencing trouble. If you’re not sure what to do, check your employee handbook. If you’re still not sure, you can ask someone. There might be a complaints procedure for you to follow, which can make things easier. However, if you can’t find any guidance, it can be a good idea to work your way up the chain of command. Sometimes, your employer may be a small company. There might not be anyone else to speak to. When this happens, sometimes getting a lawyer involved or just changing jobs could be your best option.

Speak to an Employment Lawyer: You might be unsure about whether the law is on your side. If you need help, speaking to a lawyer could be your next step. Employment lawyers like David Yeremian can offer you advice about whether you might have a case. If you do, it could be worth pursuing it. However, it’s important to think about what it will mean if you win or lose. It’s a good idea to prepare yourself and look for a new job, even if you do successfully prove discrimination.

If you think that you are experiencing discrimination at work, don’t give up straight away. However, make sure you proceed with caution when deciding whether or not to take action.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Fun And Unique Gift Ideas To Make Anyone Smile

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Whether you’re buying a gift for a birthday, Christmas, or just because, a fun and unique gift is always going to be a winner. Some gifts are so cliche these days that many people don’t put any thought into it or appreciate it when they receive a gift. These fun and unique gift ideas should give you some great inspiration!

Bacon Toothpaste: For the bacon lovers out there, how about some bacon flavored toothpaste? Not quite sure if this would mean bacon breath all day long but it would definitely be a tasty way to brush your teeth in the morning.

Samurai Kitchen Knives: For the wannabe ninja and chef, what could be a better kitchen accessory than some samurai style kitchen knives? They will add personality to any kitchen, as well as a useful utensil.

Custom Bobblehead: This is a fun gift that the receiver can place in their car, on their desk, or anywhere else they’d like. A custom bobblehead can be handmade to look just like them. The unique craftsmanship is something else!

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Zombie Survival Manual: There are many people out there who believe that the Zombie apocalypse will soon be upon us. Although unlikely, it never hurts to be prepared. For the paranoid person who wants to survive the Zombies, a manual is a great gift.

Bubble Wrap Costume: Do you know somebody who constantly gets into scuffs and scrapes? A bubble wrap costume could be just the gift! They might not use it to protect themselves the next time they go out but at least they’ll have fun popping it.

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 I LOVE bubble wrap!

Mug Cake Recipe Book: Mug cakes are quick and easy ways of making a yummy dessert in minutes. If you know a cake lover or somebody with a sweet tooth, this could be the perfect little book for them.

Instagram Photo Printouts: Instagram printouts are thoughtful gifts for friends or family members. You could frame them or leave them loose, as some come in a sort of Polaroid style. Or you could create a scrapbook or photo album dedicated to the giftee in the situation.

Grow Your Own Bonsai Tree: Growing a bonsai tree can be lots of fun, plus, it’s beautiful to look at. One of these trees could be the perfect gift for an avid gardener or somebody who wants to spice up a work desk. Bonsai trees are said to make the owner more peaceful, as caring for one can be a great stress reliever.

Polaroid Camera: Polaroid cameras are perfect for those who want to take fun, vintage style photographs. It could be a good gift for the amateur photographer or for the young person who likes to document their social life.

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Cheese!

Donald Trump Toilet Paper: Well…this could be a fun novelty gift at the very least. Just be careful you don’t offend anybody with this gift! 😉

What is the best unique gift that you have ever received? How about your favorite creative gift that you have given? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah