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Feeling Confident in Your Skin at The Peak of Summer: 4 Tips

Image: Freepik

Summer can be one of the most fun and exciting times of the year, with plenty of events taking place and endless social or relaxation activities to take part in. However, the hot weather, especially during heat waves, can make it difficult to feel confident and comfortable in our own skin. After all, there’s nothing worse than feeling hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable as you participate in much-anticipated events! 

Fortunately, with the right tips, you can improve your comfort throughout summer, making the most of what this magical season has to bring. Let’s look at them below! 

Sleep Hacks For Better Nighttime Comfort

Sweaty nights can truly affect your sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue—the last thing you’ll want during summer! Fortunately, with the right hacks, you can improve your sleep quality even during a heat wave. Some tips include: 

  • Choose light, breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo for your sleepwear.
  • Switch to lightweight sheets and bedding.
  • Look for plus size nighties that are made to fit your curves well.
  • Keep your bedroom cool with a fan or open window.
  • Take a cool shower before bed to lower your body temperature.
  • Avoid heavy meals or caffeine close to bedtime.
  • Use blackout curtains to block early morning sunlight.
  • Change your bedding regularly to keep things fresh.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking water before you sleep.

 

Opt For Loose, Breathable Clothes 

Did you know that some fabrics allow the heat to disperse better compared to others? So, if your goal is to feel cool, dry, and comfortable, opt for fabrics that are natural and breathable. Excellent options include cotton, bamboo, and linen. 

When shopping for summer clothes, consider investing in high-quality pieces that will guarantee comfort throughout the day, such as quality shirts, dresses, and loose linen trousers. These can look stylish without compromising on comfort! 

And, of course, don’t overlook the importance of accessories. Options such as hats, sunglasses, and even breathable scarves can help you protect your skin from UV rays, helping you feel cooler during a hot day!

Choose A Light, Refreshing Beauty Routine

The right beauty routine can be truly refreshing and beneficial for your skin. During summer, prioritise quality products that nourish and moisturize the skin. Avoid heavy makeup that can prevent your skin from breathing—instead, opt for lightweight tinted moisturizers, breathable mineral foundations, and gel-based blushes. Choose oil-free sunscreens and hydrating mists to keep your skin feeling fresh, protected, and glowing all summer long.

And, of course, don’t forget about the importance of the right haircare routine! Your hair can suffer the effects of saltwater, pool water, and frequent washes—so, be sure to give your hair extra care!

Beat the Heat with Hydrating Snacks and Drinks

Last but not least, keep in mind that your nutritional choices can have a huge impact on how cool, hydrated, and energised you feel. Be sure to prioritise refreshing summer vegetables and fruit, and enjoy light meals and snacks that can help you feel full but also comfortable throughout the day. And, of course, don’t overlook the importance of drinking enough water—especially during hot days!

 

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A Wine Win for Busy Mums: My Honest Review of Naked Wines

As a mum of two wild young boys, I don’t get much me time. Between the school runs, dirty hands, and a laundry pile that defies logic, my idea of luxury these days is sipping a glass of wine before 9pm (while it’s still cold). So when I stumbled across Naked Wines new offer—£75 off your first case worth £139.99—I was intrigued, skeptical, and honestly, a little hopeful.

Why I Gave It a Go

Let me be clear: I’m not a wine expert. I’m just a woman who likes a good glass of wine with her lasagna and something crisp when I collapse on the sofa after a long day. I love discovering new things, but I don’t have the time (or energy) to stand in the supermarket aisles Googling wine reviews.

Naked Winesicon promises something different: wines from independent winemakers, handpicked to your taste, delivered straight to your door. That alone had me clicking. Add in the hefty £75 discount, and suddenly I was saying “yes please” before the kettle had boiled.

The Ordering Process: Mum-Proof and Painless

It’s easy. You just pop on their site, answer a few fun questions about your taste (Do I like bold reds or fruity whites? Kinda thing), and boom—Naked Wines suggests a tailored case for you. No faff, no fuss, no jargon. I picked a mixed case, and with the discount, it would be just £64.99 for wines that would usually cost over double that. Score!

Delivery & First Impressions

The box arrived quickly—within a couple of days—and everything was securely packed (no broken bottles or wine-drenched cardboard). Inside? A beautiful mix of whites and a cheeky rosé.  It felt personal and special—like I was part of a secret club for wine-loving mums.

The Wine: Worth It?

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: every bottle I’ve tried so far has been delicious, and there’s something about knowing it’s made by real people—not huge corporations—that makes it even better. I even shared a bottle with my neighbour during an impromptu garden chat (in between kid tantrums), and she couldn’t believe I’d paid less than £7 a bottle.

Final Verdict: A Treat Worth Trying

So here’s the deal: if you’re a busy mum like me who wants to treat herself without spending hours researching or splashing out, Naked Wines is a win. The £75 off makes it a no-brainer, the wines are genuinely good, and the whole process feels like self-care wrapped in convenience.

You deserve a glass of something lovely. This might just be your new go-to.

Quick Tips

🛒 Use the offer here:

£75 off a case worth 139.99 with code WINES75

🎁 You’ll get £75 off a case worth £139.99—so you pay just £64.99 for 12 bottles
🚚 Free delivery, great support, and zero wine snobbery

Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear your favourites!

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The Latest Trends in Plus Size Clothing That Boutique Owners Need to Know in 2025

When it comes to wholesale plus-size clothing trends, no year is the same as the last as with everything in the fast-moving world of fashion. Keeping up with trends not only helps the bottom line, it preserves your boutique’s relevance in an often competitive and crowded marketplace. We have isolated five major trends permeating the wholesale plus-size market for 2025. Harnessing the momentum of these trends should help you stay somewhat ahead of the game.

Maximalism

Maximalism refers to bold patterns, colours, textures, or any combination. Maximalist designs often place a premium on bold, even brash, styling that catches the eye and holds the attention. Whereas minimalism implies a restrained approach to design, maximalism deploys an everything but the kitchen sink style. If your boutique caters to fashion-forward, sophisticated clients, then the maximalist trend is sure to become more prominent this year.

Waist

The differences in waist construction in wholesale plus size clothing not only demonstrate the segment’s versatility but also its unique approach to the silhouette and contours. This also factors into clothing purpose and intent. More formal styles prefer cinched waists while casual styles tend to avoid this kind of restriction. It largely centers around how you will wear the garment and for what purpose. This applies to customers as well. If your customers tend to shop for more formal, business-type apparel, then a more constructed, cinched waist is likely to sell as opposed to something a little looser.

Inclusive and Body Positive

Inclusivity and body positivity in wholesale plus-size clothing largely refer to the concept of adaptation and reconfiguration of traditional styles for more full-figured customers. This can also mean a kind of re-imagining of what it means to be plus size and how that impacts clothing choices. The goal here is to offer the trends in the mainstream market in your own. Look for successful adaptations of widely popular styles.

Flowing Garments

Combining comfort, elegance, and timelessness, flowing garments are the wardrobe staple that every full-figured person should own. In this category, you will want to combine colours with textures or even patterns with various styles of waist and shoulder. The idea here is to give form and direction to the wearer’s body while also imbuing it with an elegant aura.

Comfort and Elegance

One thing that is an ongoing trend and debate in plus-sized clothing is how much you need to balance elegance and comfort in a single garment. This also ties into functionality. What we recommend here is a customer analysis. If your customers tend to buy business casual or formal wear, then you will want to trend towards that or if they prefer workout clothing and lounging in the home, the materials, cut, style, and even brands will be very different from the former. Again, as with many things in business, this all boils down to knowing your customer, what they like, and how you can accommodate that given your supply chain and inventory considerations.

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How To Feel Confident On Your Summer Vacation

There’s a lot to enjoy on vacation.

 

You don’t have to get up early for work, prepare your own food, or, in some cases, make your own bed. However, for many, it’s also a time when their self-confidence is put to the test. After all, whether you’re wearing a bikini or something a little more modest, there’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way. This can make it hard to feel confident in your own skin.

Photo by Chen Mizrach on Unsplash

 

As you deserve to feel your best on holiday, we’ve put together a list of ways to make sure that you feel like the most confident version of yourself when you reach for that sunscreen. Read on to find out more!

 

Remember that all bodies are bikini bodies. The idea that we have to be the smallest version of ourselves to look back on a bikini is not only outdated, but incredibly untrue. As such, being mindful of the fact that every body is a bikini body will help you feel a little more confident, even if you have to repeat this mantra over and over again until it sticks. 

 

Dress for your body type. Learning how to dress for your body type will ensure that you

always look your best, as it will allow you to create interesting silhouettes with your outfits or clothes that flatter your figure and draw attention to your best assets, no matter what they may be. This, in turn, will help you to carry yourself with a little more confidence, as you’re much more likely to like what you see in the mirror. In addition to this, you should always make sure that you’re picking out clothes in colors that complement your complexion, hair or eyes.

 

Change up your hair. Nothing gives a girl confidence more than a makeover. As such, scheduling a visit to a hairdresser or stylist before your trip can also be a game-changer, especially if you instigate a relatively big change. For example, if you’ve always had shorter hair, now may be the perfect time to try out human hair extensions to experiment with a little bit of length and volume. This will also allow you to play around with a few different looks when getting ready each day or evening, which can leave you feeling a lot more confident in how you look.

 

Develop an effective skincare routine. Working to develop an effective skincare routine, such as by knowing which ingredients to avoid to prevent breakouts, will leave you feeling more confident than ever in your skin. This means that you will not have to apply a fresh face of make-up when on vacation (unless you really want to). 

 

Final thoughts. In short, there are many steps that you can take to elevate your confidence ahead of your next big adventure – from trying out a new hairstyle to getting a little stricter with your skincare regimen. This way, you can focus on making memories that will last a lifetime as opposed to worrying about how you look or feel.

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The Journey to Body Positivity

Body positivity isn’t about meeting somebody else’s standards; it’s all about learning to appreciate and care for your body as it is, without comparison or criticism. 

We need to lose the stigma. 

This journey isn’t always an easy one, as social media, unrealistic beauty ideals, and the daily stress can all make self-acceptance feel a little bit out of reach. 

However, small steps can help you build a healthy relationship with your body and boost your overall happiness. 

Photo by RF._.studio _: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-wearing-white-tank-top-3618732/

Let’s have a look at how you can start your journey towards more body positivity below.

Practice Daily Self-Compassion

The way that you talk to yourself is really important. Pay attention to your inner dialogue. If you ever catch yourself being critical about your appearance, pause and try to change those thoughts. 

Rather than focusing on flaws, remind yourself of what your body does for you on a daily basis. It carries you, it gives you experiences in life, and it supports you through challenges. 

You could also write down things that you appreciate about your body every day; it could be your strength, your smile, or the way that you feel after you’ve had a good night’s rest. 

These small acts of kindness towards yourself can help move your mindset to a more positive one over time.

Limit Negative Influences

The content that you look at can have a huge impact on how you see yourself. 

If you find that certain social media accounts, conversations, or magazines leave you feeling insecure, then it is time for you to move away from them, or at least take a break from them. 

Follow people and communities that celebrate real, diverse bodies, and surround yourself with positive, supportive voices that encourage you to have self-acceptance.

Take Care of Your Body Without Punishment

Exercise and healthy eating shouldn’t feel like something that you are doing to punish yourself. Instead, you should be moving your body in ways that make you feel great, whether it is yoga, dancing, strength training, or walking. 

Make sure you nourish yourself with food that also looks after your well-being, without attaching it to guilt about what foods you are eating. 

Another way for you to look after your body is to create a space where you are able to fully relax and get some rest. 

When you treat your body with care, you are naturally going to start seeing your body in a more positive light.

Use Relaxation Tools to Support Wellness

Relaxation is important for self-care; however, it is something that is often forgotten. 

Stress and tension can take a huge toll on your mental health, which is going to impact how you feel about yourself. 

One tool that can help look after your wellness is using a zero gravity massage chair. These chairs are designed to reduce pressure on your spine, relieve muscle tension, and improve circulation. 

When you apply a zero-gravity position, your body feels weightless, allowing you to fully relax and reset.

Finally 

Body positivity is a journey; it is not something that is ever going to be complete. 

Some days are going to feel much easier than others, and you will be much more positive on some occasions than you will on others. 

However, it is important for you to show up for yourself, care for your body, and learn to appreciate it for what it does, not how it looks.

One of the small acts of self-care you can do today is to look after your body and your well-being. Where are you going to start?

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Review: Aqua Sana Forest Spa, Sherwood Forest: A Blissful Retreat in Nature

Looking for a sign to indulge in a day of pure relaxation and luxury? This is it. Visiting Aqua Sana Forest Spa in Sherwood Forest is the ultimate escape, where nature meets rejuvenation. From start to finish, the experience is nothing short of magical. We had a Forest Spa day, which totally met our expectations.

Unparalleled Relaxation in Nature

Picture this: lounging in a treetop sauna, gazing over the pretty Sherwood Forest. The serene surroundings are just the beginning. Aqua Sana takes relaxation to the next level with invigorating outdoor treetop showers, dreamy, heated pools, and cosy hot tubs where you can unwind surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Want to freshen up? The complimentary Comfort Zone cleansing station is the perfect pick-me-up in between spa experiences. Then, it’s time to drift away in one of the many relaxation zones. There’s even a room with a built-in sunset ceiling—a tranquil space designed to lull you into a peaceful daydream. And don’t miss the complimentary meditation sessions; they’re so calming, you might just drift off into a nap. We did! I find it really hard to relax, but the fact I actually fell asleep, says it all!

More Than a Spa Day

Aqua Sana offers an impressive 25 spa experiences, each designed to soothe, refresh, and inspire. From ice rooms and salt rooms to steam rooms and saunas, the variety is unmatched. The stunning views throughout the spa enhance every moment, making each space feel like a personal haven.

To elevate your experience, Aqua Sana offers complimentary facial tutorials, helping you make the most of your skincare routine. The spa also provides robes (yes, they’re plus-size friendly!), towels, and a curated selection of wellbeing sessions to keep you feeling zen all day long.

Dining Delights

No spa day is complete without a delicious meal, and Aqua Sana delivers. The Vitalé Café Bar is a lovely spot for lunch, offering a menu that’s as nourishing as it is flavourful. There’s lots to choose from and it’s far from a boring menu.  The standout? The ricotta cannelloni—it’s pure perfection and a must-try!

Pampering Perfection

For the ultimate indulgence, treat yourself to a spa treatment. My pick was the Comfort Zone  Himalayan Salt back, face, and scalp massage. The combination of expert techniques and soothing products left me feeling like I was floating on air. I could feel the stress melt away. It was the perfect way to end a day of bliss.

A Mini Getaway

What sets Aqua Sana apart is how transformative the experience is. Though it was just a day, it felt like an entire weekend getaway. We left feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to take on the world again. (Although we could definitely do a overnight stay next time!) 100% recommend.

 

*This was a press trip, all views are my own

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