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Recently I've been thinking about branching out into freelance photography which has made me start to think about the essential items I'd need for a small business. As a freelance writer and blogger, I thankfully already have many of the key essentials but I thought I'd write a post outlining some of the basics, if you are also in a position of changing, like I am. If you have any tips, leave them in the comments below!

Spreadsheets, Stationery + Storage 

Let's start with the basics for everyone from a small business owner and freelancer to bloggers and students - spreadsheets, stationery and storage. All three of which were essentials during my three years at university and they were also important to me as a blogger and freelance writer. I use spreadsheets to plan out my blog schedule and my income which makes filling out my tax forms each year much easier, quicker and slightly less stressful (filling out tax forms is the worst part of being a freelancer). Office hardware such as printers, a wifi signal booster and an external hard drive will also be useful.

Website, Blog + Social Media

For any business, word of mouth is a fantastic way of receiving reviews, feedback and repeat custom. However, any business in 2019 needs to have at least a couple of social media accounts to connect with new customers, to show new or upcoming products, to host giveaways or to promote your products as well as offers. I think a blog or website is also an essential to provide a professional online appearance for your business, whatever the size.

Branding

Branding and logos are easy ways for customers to identify your blog, website, social media accounts or business at a glance. It's easy to create a logo yourself or to pay an illustrator/graphic designer to create one for you. A simple, easy to understand logo is an essential for any business but remember to keep it minimal, unique and appropriate for your brand.

Tools + Equipment 

Lastly, tools and equipment which will vary based on your business from basics to more specialised equipment such as a commercial ice machine or commercial fridge freezer. Depending on your budget, business size and needs, you might be able to rent or buy used tools or equipment for your business. If you are an online business specialising in printables then you might not need many tools but business starting as a food pop-up may require larger, more expensive items - be sure to catalog items and tools.


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When the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder, it’s more important than ever to make sure that the interior of your home is as warm and comfy as ever. Doing so needn’t require much effort or expense – depending on how much you like the way your home is now. I thought I’d take a look at some ways to ‘cosify’ an interior and make it look and feel fantastic, even when the sleet is pouring down outside.

Smells 

To create the perfect space to unwind in, you need the right aromatics. This might mean incense sticks and air-fresheners, but for most of us there’s no substitute for the right candle. Find something spicy and warming, and stick with it throughout winter. You don’t want anything that’s too overpowering, so just go for one candle at a time. Another great way to bring in some freshness is with the help of flowers. The winter kind will make your home look great, and provide a reminder that warm weather will come back soon!

Tidying Up 

Spring cleaning isn’t just something that happens once a year. If you do it twice, then you’ll find that the job isn’t quite so long and tedious as it might be if you left the mess to build up. You can take any clutter you identify as being surplus to requirements and take it to your local charity shop.

Decorating 

If you find that you’re getting tired of your existing living space, then this might indicate that it’s time for a refresh. Break out a pot of paint and give a wall a refresher. You might find that a summery, light colour – even if it’s just on one wall – is just the thing to perk things up. If you don’t feel like decorating a wall, then upcycling an existing item of furniture with a fresh coat of paint can have a dramatic effect on the space as a whole.

Lighting 

Without the right lighting, your home isn’t going to look cosy, no matter how much decorating you do. For the best cosy effect, it’s best to opt for warm-tinted lighting, as the sterile, pure-white kind will tend to make things look a little bit stark and surgical. Go for modern LED lighting and you’ll save yourself a packet in the long-run.

Mirrors 

Distributing that natural light will help the space to look spacious, and it’ll fend off Seasonal Affective Disorder, too. Go for some strategically-placed mirrors, and put your artificial floor-lamps nearby for maximum dispersal.


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I think we all have areas of our appearance that we don't feel as confident about, which is completely normal, and one of mine is my teeth. I think it's probably because of my childhood fear of the dentist which still hasn't left me twenty years later, unfortunately. However, there are aspects of my teeth that I'd like to change including the shade of my teeth as well as a couple of fillings. Today's post is going to be exploring some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures, a couple of which I'd like to look into for myself in the future.

Teeth Whitening 

The most common cosmetic procedure is probably teeth whitening and it is something I've tried at home, with mixed results. I've tried numerous teeth whitening toothpaste variations and whitening strips but I would love to try a professional treatment at some point in the near future. Professional teeth whitening is typically more of an intensive and effective option when compared to at home teeth whitening products - the latter might not be as safe or effective in comparison. It is worth noting that teeth whitening in most forms, cannot whiten crowns or other dental implants, only the natural tooth enamel; so unfortunately it might be be an option for some.

I have wanted to try professional teeth whitening treatments for a while and I almost did a few years ago at a clinic near me but it's now something I will probably undergo next year. As far as I am aware, only qualified dental practitioners can carry out teeth whitening so as with any cosmetic procedure, you should always do your research beforehand to avoid potential complications and to find the best clinic for you.

Dental Implants 

Another common cosmetic dentistry procedure includes dental implants which are used to bridge a gap or take the place of a missing tooth. Cosmetic dentistry doesn't just mean a brighter, whiter smile, it can also include fixing problems, reducing insecurities and helping stabilise the teeth to create a more normal smile. Additionally, dental implants might be necessary if eating is becoming difficult due to missing teeth. Implants such as crowns can involve a rather uncomfortable process, perhaps involving numerous visits to the dentist, but at The James Clinic, they offer CEREC dental treatments which involve a camera to capture your individual dentition instead of using very uncomfortable putty making the process much easier and stressful overall.

Invisible Braces 

Lastly, braces, in particular invisible braces which have become much more popular within the past few years. My sister has personally gone through the process of invisible braces over the past three or so years and it has made such a dramatic difference to her teeth in terms of the alignment and how straight her teeth are. The process is not quick, it requires patience and it can be very uncomfortable at times but the results are amazing and it's something to look into if it's an aspect of your appearance that can cause insecurities.

The James Clinic offers various options for braces including 'Damon Braces' as well as Lingual Orthodontic Braces, the latter is a completely 'invisible' brace as it is situated behind the teeth so no one would know that you're wearing braces. They are completely customisable to your dentition and they are suitable for both adults and children.

Another option offered at the clinic is their 'wedding smiles' service which is something I haven't heard of but it can be combined with a couple of the treatments I've already mentioned including braces and teeth whitening. The service includes a consultation and whichever treatments you choose in time for your big day.

The James Clinic is based in three locations around the Republic of Ireland so if you are based around one of their clinics, it might be an option for you to consider if you're looking for cosmetic density. You can contact the clinic to make an appointment via the contact number on their site or check out their comprehensive website for more information about the numerous services that are available, customer reviews, fee guides and more.


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The end of 2019 is quickly approaching and the end of the year always leaves me thinking about what I have achieved within the year and my goals for the year ahead. I've already achieved a few of my goals this year including my reading goals, I've become much more confident, I feel more comfortable with my body and I've ticked off a few things from my bucket list including having laser eye surgery and visiting Edinburgh. I still have a few goals and places I've like to visit before the end of the year but I'm also starting to think of my goals and plans for next year as well as a few items I'd like to invest in.

Apprenticeship or Part Time Job

I've been either within education or self-employment for all of my adult life and while I adore freelance writing and blogging, I do want to try something new especially as freelancing is quite an unstable occupation. I have been very slowly and sparsely looking for apprenticeships and part time jobs over the past couple of months and haven't found anything I'd want to apply for yet but hopefully 2020 will be the year that I'm able to start learning again and have more of a consistent income.

Motorbike Licence 

Another goal would be to get a motorbike licence! I passed my driving test almost three years ago but I've always wanted to have a motorbike or a retro looking vespa (although I don't know how that would look in Manchester...it might be more suited to the riviera). My dad, grandad and great-grandad all had so many motorbikes and I'd love to carry on that tradition.

Direct Bikes have an amazing range of scooters and bikes, all of which are very reasonably priced! Road tax, fuel, emissions, scooter insurance and the initial cost are all lower for scooters and motorbikes, compared to a car. I think my favourite options on the Direct Bikes website have to include the 125cc Milan scooter, 50cc retro scooter, 125cc storm motorbike and the 125cc Daytona motorbike.

Visit More Of The UK 

Following on from my previous goal, I'd love to visit more of the UK and I think a motorbike would be a great option especially as some of the scooters and bikes on the Direct Bikes site come with a free top box for storage (as well as the lockable under seat storage). I've been lucky enough to visit London and Edinburgh this year - I'm also visiting Glasgow next month. However, next year I'd like to visit Bath, Oxford and Cambridge. The highlands of Scotland and it's islands are also on my list!


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Whether you’re working from home or working on the move, getting important stuff done away from the office is more common than ever before. Lots of us have to do, but it can make communication and staying in touch with important people that little bit more challenging. They’re no longer just on the other side of the room and able to answer a question when you need help. Here’s how to stay connected when you’re working on the go.

Get Over Your Dislike of Video Calls

If you’re going to stay connected and in touch with your workplace when you’re working on the go, you’re occasionally going to have to do things that you don’t like that much. A lot of people hate video calls, but sometimes they’re necessary when you’re working on the go. Being able to call up the office and speak to your boss or a colleague face to face is much easier and more immediate than sending emails.

Make Use of Dropbox

Dropbox and similar services like it make it easy for people to share documents and files when they’re not close to each other, or even when they are. You should definitely think about using it if you want to make sure that it’s always easy for you to stay up to date and in connect with colleagues via any shared work that needs to be completed.

Use Screen Sharing Software

Screen sharing software allows you to share what’s on your screen with people who are back in the office. It makes it much easier to fix issues and share problems when you do this. It means that you don’t have to simply describe what’s on your screen but you can instead share that information directly. Find the best screen sharing software for Mac if you want to be able to do this.

Use a USB Internet Dongle

If you’re going to be working and traveling around at the same time, you might find that your access to the internet is patchy at best. That’s why you should always have a USB internet dongle with you. That way, you can simply plug it into your laptop and gain access to the internet whenever you need it. It makes a real difference for many mobile workers. 

Stay in Contact with Colleagues with Slack

Slack is a great messaging app that’s built around the needs of professionals and teams. If you want to stay in direct contact with your colleagues when you’re working on the go, this is the messaging app you should be using. Stay in contact with them and ensure you’re all on the same page when you need to be.

Working on the go is increasingly common as we all have very busy lives and things that we need to get done before that next meeting or deadline. It’s more than possible to do this successfully and to stay connected with your work, your workplace and your colleagues if you make use of the ideas above.


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You will always want to make your home as welcoming as possible to visitors so that your friends and family can relax and feel at home from the moment they step through the door. This is not always the case, however, and you need to take a few steps to make your house feel more welcoming to any visitor. Here are a few ideas:

Hang Up their Coats 

You do not want your guests entering the home wearing their coats as this will make them feel like a visitor and they may not feel like you want them to stay. This is why you should take their coats from them as soon as they enter and have somewhere near the front door to hang them.

Shoe Storage 

Similarly, you can show people that you want them to stay and feel relaxed by having somewhere for them to store their shoes when they enter. A shoe storage bench from somewhere like Cotswold Co is a smart idea because it will help you to keep the hallway free from clutter.

Offer a Drink 

Offering a drink once the guest(s) has entered the home and sat down is important because it is courteous but it also shows that you want them to relax and feel at home. This can also help to create a relaxed atmosphere and gives you both something to do.

Clean the House 

It is hard to feel welcome when a property is untidy and this can also be embarrassing as a host. This is why it is always a smart idea to clean the house top to bottom well in advance of your guest(s)’ arrival so that they do not feel like they are intruding or not welcome.

Be Ready 

One of the most important tips is simply to be ready to welcome people into your home. As a guest, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable when you arrive at somebody’s house and they are rushing around and clearly not ready for you. Be prepared in advance and it will help guests to feel much more welcome.

You should always think about how you can make your guests feel more welcome because you will want them to relax and feel settled as soon as they enter. It can be awkward when somebody comes to the home and you are not ready for them but the above steps should help you to create a welcoming space and environment for friends, family members and any other visitors that you might have.


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