Below are the important Bathroom accessories you need to have in your bathroom;
1. Towel Brush and Holder: As the name implies, you need this accessory for your toilet. One unique thing about the Toilet brush and holder is that they are easy to use and last longer. It makes your toilet clean. They are available in both floor standing and wall-hung versions. When attached to the wall (if you are using the wall-hung version), it makes your bathroom look luxurious. You should have this in your bathroom space for that classy look.
2. Tower Paper Holder: This important bathroom accessory saves you the stress of using wet toilet paper. It comes in different sizes and designs. The tower paper Holder is fastened to the wall right beside your toilet for easy access. With this accessory in your bathroom, your bathroom is saved from toilet paper litter.
3. Tumbler Holder: This is a must! If you use toothpaste and toothbrush (which you do). This will create a permanent space for your toothpaste and brush. It is advisable you attach it to the wall for that classy bathroom look. This Tumbler holder is perfect for your bathroom space at any time, and its simplicity makes it very easy
4.Towel Ring and Rail: Another important accessory in your bathroom is the towel ring. How many times have you hung your towel on the door? With this towel ring, you will stop the habit of doing that. Add a towel ring to your bathroom space. Towel Ring also provides you with somewhere to hang a hand towel for your guests to use. The towel rail is needed for your large towels. The primary purpose is to keep your towels dry as we all know that a dry towel is far more hygienic. A towel rail in your bathroom makes your bathroom look more luxurious.
Enter the air fryer. And, really, when we’re talking about these countertop convection ovens, the terms “fry” and “fryer” often end up in quotes. That’s because they aren’t conventional fryers, and though the food becomes crispy, it’s not actually fried.
Air fryers first hit the U.S. market in about 2013 and have moved beyond late-night television programming to become buzz-worthy kitchen gadgets. They’re able to give your favourite foods a crispy outer shell without dousing them in oil.
Here’s everything you need to know about air fryers, including how they work their calorie-reducing magic.
1. Air Fryers Use Hot Air To “Fry” Food
Deep fryers rely on oil to give food that signature crunchy exterior while still maintaining that soft inside. The air fryer, though, uses very hot air to achieve the same outcome, almost operating like a mini oven. A heating element at the top of the air fryer forces hot air down and around the food as it’s suspended in a basket. The air leaves the food with that crispy taste.
2. Air-Fried Food Is Healthier
Simply put, air-fried foods are healthier because it doesn’t use all that oil. Caitlin Bart, told Mic that air-fried French fries had 75 percent less fat compared to homemade French fries. Kathleen Zelman, meanwhile, a registered dietitian of Food & Nutrition said that, “When you use small amounts of healthy unsaturated oils and the technology of an air fryer, fried foods can be back on the menu.”
Lots of people get the air fryer for no-oil cooking. But a little oil can make a big difference. “Consider using just a quick spritz or two of oil mist (canola and olive are excellent) on hand-cut potatoes or tortillas for a chimichanga,” she says. “You’ll get the colour and crunch you crave.”
Pro tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket. “It’s tempting to put a lot of food in the basket but the reality is more space allows that rapid air flow to work it’s ‘frying’ magic,”.
4. You Can Cook More Than Just French Fries
Air fryers are great at roasting veggies. But they can also whip up desserts like cakes, cookies and pies. “If you can bake it in the oven, you can make it in the air fryer. But you’ll do so at 30 degrees lower temperature and in half the time.”
]]>The COVID-19 pandemic brings unprecedented challenges. Demand for many goods and services has fallen dramatically, whilst some manufacturers either have shortages or are overwhelmed. In Nigeria and around the world, borders are being closed and societies are having to change the way they live. As entire countries come under quarantine orders and consumers around the world try to reduce human contact, manufacturers need to recognise that their response to the novel COVID-19 Pandemic will have a significant impact on their business. Those that respond by rising up to the occasion would seek innovative ways of dealing with the situation while those who react may struggle with adapting to the changes, they need to make to remain profitable and resilient in these times.
Nigeria’s high dependence on Chinese imports aggravates its vulnerability. In 2019, raw materials constituted 70% of the total imports from China into Nigeria and according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Asia and Europe contributed 86% of Nigeria’s imports in Q4 2019. The restrictions currently imposed on cross border trade has significantly distorted supply chains for manufacturers and we are beginning to see the effect on the Nigerian economy. Manufacturers need to be more agile, local and responsive to consumer needs, whether it be by increasing supplies or relying more on e-commerce. Agile organisations which can meet the needs of their consumers by localising their supply chains, offering a high degree of convenience and communicating clearly with their target market, will better ride through the crisis.
For most retailers and fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs), business continuity will depend on the quality and viability of both their suppliers and their customers. Hence the need to seek partnerships with local suppliers and distributors on innovative supply and distribution models and channels that will ensure the availability of products and services to customers and consistent customer engagement throughout this period. For example, in view of the lockout in most cities across the world and in Nigeria, many restaurants are offering online orders and home deliveries and, in some instances, refreshing their menus entirely to appeal to customers who have for the most part been homebound.
In Nigeria, states like Lagos and Ogun, which are major production hubs have been shut down by the government to effectively curb the spread of the virus. We have articulated the key monetary and fiscal measures of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), aimed at cushioning the economic impact of the virus. Organisations need to work in tandem with the government to ensure that any stimulus or actions are aligned. This can help lessen any short-term pain and potentially give way to long-term opportunities.
During these uncertain times, businesses must act with Integrity and Empathy to navigate the current challenges and retain their customers when the crisis ends. By treating customers in the right way now, organisations are able to continue to nurture and likely to retain them in the long-term.
]]>Once you decide that it’s high time for you to start a kitchen remodelling project, you should definitely consider your kitchenware and accessories as well in order to end up with the wanted results but also avoid making any costly mistakes. You should start by determining the exact amount of money you are willing to pay on your kitchenware and accessories – for instance, you should choose kitchenware and accessories that can enhance your cooking experience and stay away from useless items that can only clutter your kitchen space.
Once you come up with the right plan for providing your kitchen space with the best kitchenware and accessories, you should start shopping around in order to take a closer look at all the items that are available on the current market – for instance, you should consider any special feature from Homely kitchenware you are planning to invest in so that you can choose items that can easily enhance the use of your kitchen space. Another great thing about having the perfect kitchenware and accessories in your kitchen space is that you can make sure that your family will get to sit down together and enjoy some healthy meals – in fact, by owning the right tools, you will also optimize the time you spend in your kitchen and get the best results too.
Long-lasting and durable kitchenware and accessories are everything you need in order to make your kitchen space as efficient as possible meaning that you must invest in basic items and forget about wasting your money on kitchenware you do not actually need.
For instance, you should start by providing your kitchen with a set of top quality and durable knives because such kitchenware is going to be a real blessing in your home, especially if it is a very busy home – for instance, your knives from the site at Homely should function well and be sharp enough in order to make things much easier for you when cooking.
Also, owning a very good set of pots and pans can also make the difference when it comes to improving your cooking experience and avoid any kind of frustration – for instance, you should go for stainless steel cookware as this kind of cookware can make heat conduction simpler when it comes to cooking. More about this is available at Homely
Mixing bowls and smaller kitchen accessories should not be forgotten when making plans for your new kitchen space – in fact, you should invest in such accessories as soon as possible as they can really make the difference when it comes to mixing ingredients, preparing your meals and serve them right away to your loved ones but regardless of your final choices, you should always be looking for useful and top quality items and avoid wasting money on things you do not actually need in your kitchen.
]]>It doesn't matter how slick your kitchen is, even the simplest of tasks become significantly more challenging without the right basic kitchen accessories. So sooner on later you will need deck out the kitchen with a few essentials so you can get on with some cooking. I cannot remember how I acquired my first kitchenware – the supermarket, hand-me-downs and stealing them from housemates all comes to mind. I can remember one thing clearly – they were all terrible!
It wasn’t until I upgraded to several decent knives that I appreciated how much of a difference to the cooking experience it makes not having to battle with your kitchen cutlery – blunt kitchen knives in particular (and how much time you can save). So, if you are finding yourself out on your own and in need to stocking an empty kitchen - below is a list of 8 essentials that will get you started and help to make meal prep as easy as possible: -
1. Chef Knife
If you could only have one knife in the kitchen then a Chef knife is the place to start. It will cover pretty much of all the heavy lifting when it comes to prep work with ease.
2. Paring Knife
Sometimes you just don’t need the heft of a Chef knife and the size can get in the way. A smaller knife such as a Paring knife compliments a chef knife perfectly – the small, thin and narrow blade is designed to cover all your small intricate prep work such as coring, peeling and slicing up smaller fruit and vegetables.
Even the sharpest knife does a terrible job of cutting bread, so having a good long serrated knife in the kitchen is essential. They also tend to come in handy for thicker-skinned fruit or veg, letting you gently saw through the outer layer of the skin without squishing the juicy fruit inside. Get caught out with food still partially frozen? – it’s not ideal but a serrated knife can help you out.
Got a bag of carrots to peel? You’ll be thankful for having a good peeler in the kitchen. For peeling the occasional piece of fruit, you could get away with a paring knife, but nothing beats a good peeler for efficiency when doing a pile of carrots, potatoes or apples.
There is no such thing as a knife that stays sharp forever so having an easy to use sharpener on hand will ensure that all your knives stay sharp. Most people these days are not interested in learning how to use a sharpening stone and an electric sharpener is a serious financial investment, making a simple pull-through sharpener the easiest to use and the cheapest to purchase.
While a cheap plastic board will do the job fine you won’t regret splashing out a bit and purchasing a good quality wooden chopping board. A hardwood version that is regularly oiled is both hygienic, gentler on your knives and will last for many years. They also look great and feel great to cut on.
There’s no point in even trying to use a stove unless you have at least one decent cooking spoon to cook and serve with. A well-made one suitable for non-stick pots will end up getting used non-stop. From casseroles to mixing ingredients for cake recipes and then serving at the table - a good cooking spoon will do the lot.
8. Spatula
A good spatula will see just as much use in the kitchen as a cooking spoon. From flipping omelettes and pancakes through to serving lasagna at the table. Once again having it suitable for non-stick pots and pans will minimise scratching the surfaces of cookware.
Summary
There are plenty more that can be added to this list - such as scales, colander, mixing bowls and a can opener but focusing on the above will see you off to a flying start in a new kitchen and ensure those first cooking experiences are good ones. All the kitchen essential items can be gotten from www.homelyng.com, kindly make your orders.
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It’s a new year and our kitchen should have been busy over the holidays, but it’s a fresh start so Keep your kitchen appliances sparkling with these quick tips.
Blender, Mixer, and Food Processor
Coffeemaker
Dishwasher
Microwave
Toasters and Toaster Oven
Candles are no longer what they used to be. It has been a really long time since candles were just a block of roughly-shaped wax enfolding a band of wick used for burning and lighting. The candles of today are scented candles and the purposes they are used to have quite a while ago exceeded the old-time conceptions of using the candles just as a source of light.
Scented candles are the perfect decoration for your home, they are beautifully designed and their fragrance fills up the air with warmth, cosiness and tranquillity. They are ideal for turning an ordinary night at home into a lovely sweet-scented experience adding a touch of romantic ambience.
When buying these candles customers should look for high-quality pieces. Sometimes they should spend a bit more and get scented candles rather than no scents at all, or candles that blown out once can never be relit again. Most of all read the ingredients and make sure you are aware of what you and your loved ones are breathing.
These candles are enriched with fragrance oils specially made for candles. Unlike the oils used in lotions, soaps, shower products, cleaning products and air-fresheners candle odours are specially designed for a maximum time-release.
They are made of blended wax that can hold only a limited quantity of fragrance oil. If candle manufacturers try to use a larger quantity of cheap, low-quality scented oil (in order to achieve rich-in-pure-odour candles) they cannot do it because the extra oil will start flowing out of the wax-like water.
The candle market is full of a huge variety of scented candles. They come in different colours - bright-coloured, one-colour or comprising a mixture of colours. They also differ in shape - round or square, cone-like or sphere-like. They are also differentiated according to their source materials. Scented candles can also have diverse fragrance strength. Some candles emit a mild scent that lasts for a long period of time; others have a strong, persistent odour that eats up the wax quite quickly.
The widest variety of scented candles, however, is as per their aroma. We at HOMELY also have 5 Amazing Scented candle fragrances such as Vanilla, Lavender, Mediterranean fig, Apple blossom and flower bouquet that all have a calming and stress-reducing effect
No matter if they are used as a decoration or for cleaning and freshening up the air, scented candles have turned into a must for today's home, office and even garden.
Want to check out some of our scented candles? Click Here
]]>The right equipment can make or break almost any meal, and there’s so much to know if you want to be a serious kitchen personality.
Here are the ins and outs of pots and pans;
There are a wide array of pots and pans available on the market, and each one is meant to serve a different purpose but there’s one common thread – each choice can tackle a number of different dishes. For instance, the skillet is perfect for any kind of fried dish, while a large dutch oven pot can handle anything from pot roasts to most stews and soups. Other multipurpose pots and pans include a wok, a saucier and a stockpot. Having a few key pots and pans not only saves money but is a great way to save space. If you’ve made the right choice, the best pots and pans can last several years with regular care and maintenance.
When you go shopping for pots and pans, you may find yourself inundated with a variety of different options and promises. However, Fine Cooking suggested that the best pots and pans share two common traits: “good conductor” and “heavy gauge.” The former refers to the pot or pan’s ability to conduct heat, while the latter is the material it’s made of. Copper and aluminium are perfect choices. Not only do they heat up and cool down more quickly, but the material will distribute the heat more evenly, which goes a long way to prevent food scorching. It’s important to do your research before purchasing any pots and pans; the Internet is a great resource for reviews and insight from a number of culinary gurus.
While copper and aluminium are just two great options, the Reluctant Gourmet pointed out that there’s only one option to actively avoid: cast iron pots and pans. That’s because cast iron is generally terrible at conducting heat. While it might be rather quick to heat up, the material usually doesn’t stay so for very long. Many chefs/kitchen experts like cast iron because it’s much more cost-effective. However, cast iron is actually prone to rusting and pitting, plus food sticks more frequently. While cast iron can be seasoned – treated with oil to help polymerize it – this effect has to be repeated frequently. Ultimately, cast iron isn’t worth a purchase given all the added work it’ll require from already time-starved chefs.
If you’ve gone ahead and bought copper or aluminium pots, then you want to get the most of your money. That’s why it’s important to know how to clean these materials properly, which means going beyond using simple soap and water. Baking soda makes a great dishwashing liquid and is especially powerful when dealing with grease. If you’re trying to prevent food sticking, pour in club soda while the pot is still warm. Hate scrubbing? Use fabric softener, which will break down stuck-on food particulates. Just don’t forget to remove the residue afterwards. Even lemons make for an effective cleaning agent.
]]>We’ve all been there before: You walk into your home and immediately smell something funky. Your mind starts to race as you wonder what could be causing such a stink. You might even walk around your house, nose in the air, thinking you can sniff it out.
They’re usually found in areas that don’t get a regular cleaning: in the crevasses of cupboards and cabinets, inside the kitchen or bathroom trash can, even near the lost leftovers abandoned at the back of the refrigerator.
To help you on your hunt, and possibly save you from embarrassment when a roommate walks in on you sniffing your trash can, learn from Debra Johnson, a home cleaning expert at Merry Maids, to learn about finding and eliminating household odours:
Find the Source of the Odour
If your home is producing an odd smell, it’s probably a sign that you need to clean. Whether it’s the dishes, the laundry or the refrigerator is up for you to discover.
“Household odours can come from all sorts of places around the home”. “Some of the most common are mildew from damp laundry, garbage disposals or trash cans that haven’t been cleaned or deodorized, or lingering smells from cooking. Unbathed pets and their bedding and litter may also be another source.”
This is by no means a comprehensive list of possibly putrid places in your home, but it’s a start. So now that we know where to look, how do we eliminate the odour? Continue reading.
Get Rid of The Odour
You could light a candle, open a window or even spray down the affected areas, but at the end of the day, you’re covering the odour, not getting rid of it. Treat the cause, not the symptoms.
One common mistake many people make is masking the odour. A candle or room spray may smell nice but won’t prevent the smell from returning.
Instead of suggesting temporary fixes, here are ten common odours you may be experiencing in your home, along with ways to eliminate them: -
When you’re cooking a particularly pungent meal, like fish, it is advisable you combat the odour before it even has a chance to settle by using two different kinds of vinegar.
Before cooking, place a few bowls of regular vinegar around the kitchen. The vinegar will help prevent stenches from lingering after cooking. You can also simmer distilled white vinegar on your stovetop after your meal for the same effect.
Baking soda also has your back when it comes to odours. If your trash can is giving you grief, give it a good wash and wipe down, replace the bag with a fresh new bag and sprinkle baking soda inside of it. The baking soda will act as a neutralizer and prevent stinks in your kitchen. Try this in your bathroom trash can as well.
Your dirty dishes might not be the only cause of odours in your kitchen. Kitchen cleaning supplies, like your sponges, towels and scrubbing tools, might have collected bits of food and are now starting to rot and give off a smell. Wash and replace these cleaning supplies as needed. You can also soak dishcloths in bleach water once a week to kill off any bacteria or odours.
You can also place a jar of baking soda in your fridge to combat any odours from rotting produce, old meat or spoiled dairy. We recommend you first clean out your refrigerator by throwing away unrefrigerated produce or other foods before they spoil, and then filling a mason jar with baking soda, poking a hole in the lid and setting it in the fridge to absorb odours.
The best way to avoid mildew odours in your laundry room is by staying on top of dirty laundry (especially damp towels). However, if you’re finding that your clothes aren’t the problem, you might want to give your washing machine a good scrub with hot water and baking soda.
Clean the rubber seal around the machine drum with baking soda, removing any mildew or debris, then pour one cup of baking soda into the washing machine, running it on hot water (without clothes). Fill the fabric softener dispenser with white vinegar and run through a regular cycle.
Other than the obvious odours that might be coming from your bathroom toilet, shower and tub, make sure that every time you take a hot shower you leave your bathroom door open to allow proper ventilation into the room. Lack of ventilation can cause condensation build-up, leaving water on your walls and floors that could cause a mildew odour.
When it comes to smelly furniture, carpet and other fabric-based materials in your home, sprinkle baking soda where it smells before vacuuming the area. If you have pets, keep them out of the room until you’ve finished vacuuming.
Regularly dust and vacuum the floors in your home, your furniture and your curtains at least every week so you can remove any dirt or soil that has built up.
If you have one or more pets in your home, they could be causing the smell. We advise you to regularly wash your pets and keep their bedding and litter boxes clean can help you stay on top of the stench.
Other areas to check around your home are the high-traffic spots where your family spends the most time. Make sure no one in the family is leaving food, dirty dishes or piles of dirty laundry in their room.
Additionally, stay on top of their shoes and sneakers, leaving any outdoor shoes outside or in the garage.
Prevent Future Odours from Occurring
More important than getting rid of the odour is eliminating the chance of the odour coming back. While you can never fully prevent stinks and smells from entering your home, we suggest creating a regular cleaning routine and sticking with it.
Preventing household odours can be much easier than getting rid of them – and a little effort here and there can go a long way.
No matter how much or how often you clean your home, the odour will still find its way in. Just remember to tackle household odours before they get out of hand.
]]>Stainless steel and non-stick pans each have their own pros and cons in the kitchen. While stainless is good for boiling, browning and braising, non-stick pans are beneficial when working with foods that might stick, such as eggs.
Types of Pans
There are many types of pans on the market today, including stainless steel and non-stick. Stainless steel pans have been the choice of professional chefs for years; they are generally made up of a few different metals. Non-stick pans, which have a surface coating that keeps food from sticking, also have a place in the kitchen. Saucepans, sauté pans and other commonly used pans are available in both non-stick and stainless steel.
Benefits of Stainless-Steel Pans
Stainless steel pans offer good heat distribution, which results in more even cooking. They are a good choice to use when browning meats or boiling water, and for making pan sauces and gravies. In addition, they are lighter than non-stick or cast-iron pans, making them easier for some cooks to handle.
Many stainless-steel pans have steel handles and are oven safe, meaning that a dish can go from cooktop to stove without having to transfer the food to a different piece of cookware.
Benefits of Non-stick Pans
Non-stick pans offer many benefits. They work well when cooking foods that generally stick easily, such as eggs. In addition, they can contribute to healthier cooking, because non-stick pans do not require the amount of oil that stainless steel needs to keep foods from sticking.
Another benefit of non-stick pans is their resistance to acids; they will not react to acids such as tomatoes or wine as stainless steel might.
Finally, non-stick pans are usually easy to clean. Foods cooked in them don't stick to the surface, so they can be easily washed.
Considerations When Choosing Cookware
When choosing cookware, don't be limited by the sets sold in stores. Almost every piece of cookware can be purchased separately--sometimes at the same cost or even less than the sets. Consider what the pans will be used for, the method of cooking and the amount of clean-up necessary. In addition, think about the storage space available for the pans before purchasing them and bringing them home to the kitchen.
Warnings
Non-stick pans have come under fire recently because of health warnings. Teflon-coated pans have been linked to health problems in some studies. In addition, these coated pans can become dangerous to use if the coating is scratched, chipped or begins to peel off.
Also, consider the cooking utensils you use. Never use metal forks, spoons or any other sharp utensils in non-stick cookware, because they may scratch the surface of the pans and damage the coating.
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Bonus: We at Homely have We have meticulously put together, a collection of hampers that are filled to the brim with useful household items, which we are convinced will surprise and exceed the expectations of the lucky recipient.
We are aware of the generic hampers that more often than not, include perishable goods like Chocolates, Biscuits, Wine, Beverages etc. that may not appeal to that person. To solve this problem, we offer something unique, durable and that will not go to waste.
]]>Even if you’ve been washing your clothes for years and think you know how to do laundry, these common slip-ups can cause unnecessary damage to fabrics, fit, and more. The following are some of the laundry mistakes, you didn’t know you are making.
1. Don’t just sort lights and darks
According to Martha Stewart Living, the more you sort the laundry, the fresher your clothes. Separate very dirty or muddy clothes apart from lightly soiled pieces, and heavy or abrasive fabrics like denim from more delicate ones. (For denim, turn inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and dry at a low temperature to prevent fading.) To prevent sheets from twisting, wash each set separately.
2. Don’t put detergent directly on your clothes
Believe it or not, there’s a right and wrong way to load the washing machine. The best way is to add water first, then clothes, and then soap or detergent.
3. Don’t abuse your dryer
If you have time to air dry, do it. Not only do you save energy by not running the dryer, but it’s also gentler on delicate items and helps stretchy clothing, like yoga pants, to keep their shape. Whenever you do tumble-dry, don’t overload the dryer, or over-dry fabrics. Then fold or hang them immediately to prevent wrinkles.
4. Don’t mix socks with clothes
Tired of losing one sock every time you do a load? Try placing socks in the washer first, then adding everything else. This makes them less likely to attach to other garments, which often causes them to go missing.
5. Don’t leave zips open
Loosed zip can snag delicate clothing, as well as scratch the doors of front-loading washers. Make sure they’re all the way up before you toss in the machine. Also, unclipped bras can pull fabrics or damage the drum if they fly around loose. Invest in lingerie bags or an old pillowcase as a solution.
6. Don’t leave dress shirts buttoned
Yes, zippers should be fastened, but buttons should not. Washing a button-down shirt with the buttons fastened can damage the buttons and rip the buttonholes. And don’t forget about the cuff and collar buttons either!
7. Don’t forget a quick “bleeding” test
If you’re worried about that new redshirt the first time you wash it, do this easy test to find out before a mess happens. “Dampen a discreet spot, then blot it with a white cloth to see if the dye bleeds. If so, wash the item on its own until the colour stops running”.
8. Don’t skip the filter and hose when clearing the lint trap
Empty the lint filter after every cycle, because lint build-up can clog the duct and become a fire hazard. It’s also important to clean the filter about once a year. Scrub with a toothbrush dipped in detergent, then rinse and air-dry. Also, detach the hose from the back of the dryer about once a year (you’ll know it’s time when it takes more than an hour to dry a load), then snake a long brush through and push out lingering lint.
9. Don’t scrub stains
You may think the best way to treat a stain is to give it elbow grease, vigorously scrubbing the stain with detergent. But that’s not the best course of action, and it could even result in the stain spreading. Instead, gently dab the stain, working from the outside in and wash gently. And, of course, the earlier you treat it, the more likely it is to go away.
10. Don’t wash items that should be dry cleaned
If clothing has a “dry clean” label, proceed with caution. Some items don’t need to be dry cleaned; if you’re dealing with natural fibres, like linens and silks, it’s probably safe to hand-wash them and let them air-dry. But for items like leather, suede, and “structured pieces” (like blazers and suits), you’ll probably want to obey that label.
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The word ‘Black Friday’ was first used in the year 1869 when two Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk allegedly conspired to buy up some amount of gold from circulation in other to cause price hike while they get to sell at ridiculously high prices. On Friday 24th September 1869, the conspiracy behind this event got exposed causing the United States stock market to crash and everyone involved on Wall Street lost their money including farmers. Since the incident happened on Friday, media outlets in the USA tagged that very day ‘Black Friday’ for the entire country.
4TH THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER
Black Friday was an unofficial name for the Friday before Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America which usually takes place every 4th or last Thursday of November. The day after Thanksgiving is believed to kick start the beginning of Christmas shopping season in the early 1950s, not until recently that the term “Black Friday” has become widely used and accepted by shoppers all around the world for the end of year’s rush.
FROM “CRISIS” TO SHOPPING MANIA
Due to the congestion and chaotic atmosphere caused by the huge number of shoppers trooping out to shop causing enormous traffic-related accidents and sometimes violence. As a result of these related problems many pedestrians and travellers in shopping centre areas usually experience difficulty in moving and navigating through the overcrowded marketplace. The phrase “Black Friday” was used to reflect the chaotic shopping period of the year.
BLACK FRIDAY OF PROFITABILITY
Many retailers in the 50s rejected the way many media outlets back then perceived the Black Days to be a period of chaos and disorder. These retailers believed the period is the day for successful sales and profitability. They also believed that for them to make more profits, they needed to encourage potential shoppers to shop more by offering them mouthwatering deals and discounts only on this special day.
ADVENT OF E-COMMERCE
Black Fridays are no longer as chaotic as they used to be some decades ago, thanks to the emergence of different e-commerce sites and online malls where millions of active Black Friday shoppers can easily shop a wide range of items online without leaving the comfort of their homes or offices and have them delivered right at their doorsteps.
HOMELY BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY
Since it was founded in 2010, Homely has always been part of the Black Friday celebration and during this period we give out discount up to 20% on ALL items. (That’s a big deal right? Yeah we know.)
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Food waste is damaging not only your wallet but the environment. Energy, water and fuel are used in food production and is therefore wasted when the food isn’t consumed. Food that gets thrown away tends to end up in landfill, where it breaks down and produces methane, a greenhouse gas which is believed to affect the Earth’s climate. As a nation, we throw away astonishing amounts of food.
You’ll be glad to know that reducing your food waste can be incredibly easy. Here are five simple steps to waste less food and make your household more economical. Making these minor changes will not only help the environment but will also save you money
1. Plan your meals
Planning your meals and knowing the exact amount of food you need each week will prevent you from buying too much from the supermarket. Also, consider finding a shop that sells loose fruit and veg to avoid buying unnecessarily big packs. It’s also worth educating yourself on portion sizes, do you or a family member tend to leave some food on their plate? If so, consider reducing the number of ingredients to prevent this or make slightly more and use the leftovers as a meal for the following day.
2. Store your food correctly
The way in which you store your food will impact how long it lasts. Storing food incorrectly could make it go off much sooner than necessary, causing preventable waste. Airtight storage boxes should be used to store products such as meat and leftovers. This is the most hygienic option and will stop food spoiling sooner than it should. Always try to fill the box as much as possible – the less air, the longer the food with keep, so its a good idea to have several sizes to hand.
Our food boxes are airtight with an easy-open lid. They are also freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe, and with them being clear you can easily see the contents. Bear in mind square and rectangular boxes will make better use of the space in your fridge. They are of many size options that are stackable, so you’d be able to find the perfect sizes for your fridge.
3. Make use of your freezer
Use your weekends, or whenever you have some free time, to prep a batch of meals for the week. These can then be frozen and defrosted when needed. Our food boxes can be used in the freezer as well as the fridge; the seal will help prevent freezer burn. However, let the food cool before putting it in the freezer to avoid temperature changes.
This process may seem daunting or undesirable at first, but as soon as you experience the smugness that comes with being super organised, it will soon become part of your routine. The satisfaction of knowing that your meals are prepped before the week even begins will save you both time and stress during the week.
4. Get creative with your leftovers
Get creative and try to make a meal out of any food left in your fridge. If you have some leftovers or food close to its use-by date and are unsure how to use it before it goes off, consider making something simple yet tasty such as omelettes, frittatas, soup or sandwiches. If you’re struggling, the internet is full of inspiration!
5. Adopt a labelling or storage system
If you want to take organisation one step further you could label your boxes with their use-by date, or colour coordinate using coloured lids as a system to know what will go off first or what type of food is inside (for example red lids for raw meat), the storage boxes range has different coloured lids such as red, cream, green, etc. Or simply store your food in order – put food that will go off first to the front and new supplies or food with a longer life at the back, so that nothing gets forgotten about.
]]>When you think of canisters, you see well-organised pantries and kitchen. But we want to let you know that there are other practical ways you can use them to help you organise your home, work and life.
The great thing about our canisters is that the sizes and shapes are well thought out. They were designed with tight spaces in mind. In this case, cupboards or kitchen cabinets are usually the areas that are small and needs more organisation than anything in order to fit everything in, neatly.
Some of our containers are tall and narrow while others are short and can be stacked on top of each other. The top lid stays on securely, with a squeeze mechanism that releases the airtight seal and opens them. You’ll also appreciate how nice carved they are and how well they fit into cupboards.
Let us tell you some of the handy things around your home that canisters can store, protect, conceal and organise.
Like any common household, we can all agree that somewhere in our house there are unravelled ribbons from last Christmas, yarns of wool or strings that were once used to wrap a birthday present you receive from family members. Homely container or canister is great to store those items. It can save you from chaos and helps you organise these knick-knacks in one place so you can find them easily again when you need them.
If you have jewellery or accessories, you probably want to keep your earrings, hair scrunchies, rings, or bracelets in a designated area where it can prevent them from wearing out or catch dust. With our storage canisters, you’ll be able to preserve their durability as well as being able to easily reach out for them when you’re getting ready. Say goodbye to searching through hundreds of tiny scattered pieces of jewellery.
At times some of us tend to leave our makeup and beauty tools stored in the open or in a dark corner to conceal them from dirt or dust. Instead of doing that, store makeup tools like your brushes in airtight canisters. This way the bristles are protected from hovering bacteria.
They fit perfectly for your brush heights. You can add coffee beans, rice or pebbles at the bottom so the brush can stand upright without your brushes touching each other.
Whether it is pencil getting in the way of your keyboard, paperclips lying around on your work desk, spare staples or rechargeable mouse batteries waiting to be reused, you can store these little knick-knacks in matching canister sets. They have a decent polished look on the table and has a basic small size that can easily fit within drawer spaces (if any).
Do you have any crafty ways of storing and keeping your home, work and life items organised? Share with us in the comment below.
]]>When we talk about setting the table, a dinner set is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Your selection of plates, bowls and accessories is the blank canvas for the meal and sets the tone of the occasion, whether it’s casual or formal; traditional or contemporary.
Selecting the right dinner set is all about matching your tableware with the way you like to eat and entertain. A good choice will have the right balance of style and practicality for your household and be well suited not only to your table but also to your kitchen and the way you cook.
We’ve put together an easy guide to help select the right dinner set for you, with a few essential care tips to make sure you can enjoy your tableware for years to come.
Choosing The Right Dinner Set For You
1. TONE
The first thing to consider is the tone of your dinner set. Traditionally, dinner sets fall into ‘casual’ or ‘formal’ categories. Do you want something sturdy you can rely on every day? Or do you want something stylish and impressive for special occasions? Often the answer is a bit of both.
The contemporary approach to tone is flexible, as it’s not always practical to have an entirely separate dinner set just for entertaining. Homely collection of dinner sets features a selection of everyday, classic designs can easily be expanded into more formal dining set with the addition of a few more decorative pieces.
2. CONFIGURATION
The next consideration is what size you want your dinner set to be. Our dinner sets are available in a few configurations.
12-piece dinner set
Perfect for smaller households, with just the basics for easy dining.
4 x dinner plates
4 x side plates
4 x bowls
36-piece dinner set
Ideal for first-time buyers and students. Great for dinner parties, with all the essentials and room to accessorise. The most versatile option for any meal of the day – ideal for families.
4 x dinner plates
4 x side plates
4 x bowls
All these dinner sets come beautifully gift-boxed. This custom packaging makes a Homely dinner set a fantastic gift idea for a wedding, housewarming present or any occasion.
3. STYLE
All these dinner sets come beautifully gift-boxed. This custom packaging makes a Homely dinner set a fantastic gift idea for a wedding, housewarming present or any occasion. The style of your dinner set will ideally reflect your personal taste – it should bring you pleasure every time you set the table.
From simple to decadent to fun and quirky, we have an unparalleled range of designs to choose from. Experiment with styles and textures and consider your home décor and any accessories or napery when making your decision.
Coupe or rimmed
Many collections will feature different varieties of bowls, mug and plate shapes, either coupe (rimless) or with a rim. Plates and bowls with a rim have a slightly more formal feel and are designed for meals with liquids/juices which may ‘splash’ during cutting or eating. Coupe plates and bowls are more informal, designed for dishes which can be eaten without further cutting, like salads or stir-fries.
Caring for your dinnerware
A few simple guidelines can help to keep your dinner set in magnificent condition for years to come.
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain is the most versatile ceramic for dinnerware, made from clay, white granite stone and quartz. It is always glazed and dependent on any surface decorations, are microwave and dishwasher safe. Your porcelain dinnerware should not be used in the oven except for warming.
Cleaning
It’s always best to wash dishes straight away to remove any acidic food residues.
When hand-washing your dinnerware, wash each dish individually. It can help to place a plastic tub inside the sink to cushion the dish from the stainless steel of the basin. Use mild liquid detergent and a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive cloth to wash each dish, and dry thoroughly before putting away.
If using a dishwasher, take care not to overload the rack and keep cutlery and any metal pots or pans away from your dinnerware. Items may move during the wash cycle, and even light contact can scratch or chip your dishes.
Storage
When stacking your dishes, place something soft like a napkin between them to avoid scratching.
HAPPY BUYING!!!
]]>We spend time in the backyard — barbecuing, hanging out in the pool or just enjoying the lazy days with friends and a cold beverage. Nothing can ruin a quiet evening, weekend fun or family moments more than mosquitoes! Remembering to put on layers of repellent is annoying and treating those itchy bites is equally so. Keep mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor time with these tips and tricks:-
Get rid of standing, stagnant water
This is by far the best thing you can do to keep mosquitoes out of your backyard. Mosquitoes are drawn to stagnant water because they lay their eggs there. Removing breeding spaces will reduce the mosquitoes drawn to your yard and interrupt the life cycle. Check for low-lying spots under bushes and in flowerbeds. Be sure not to leave buckets or other containers of water standing overnight. If you have a swimming pool, make sure that your filtration system is running properly and the water is circulating.
Clear debris
Mosquitos will also breed in damp soil and mulch. If you have yard debris lying around — grass clippings, fallen branches, piles of soil — they will be appealing breeding grounds. Take some time to clean up the yard and gutters — dead leaves are mosquito heaven! It will not only keep the mosquitoes at bay but will make it even more pleasant to spend time in the yard.
Plant natural repellents
Many plants are natural mosquito repellents. Incorporate them into your landscaping or grow them in pots that can be placed around the yard. Good choices include citronella, catnip, lemon balm, marigolds, peppermint and lavender. These plants only release the repellent compounds when they’re injured, so place them where people will brush them as they walk past, or simply periodically crush some leaves.
Let the light in
Mosquitoes prefer dimly lit places. Creating more light in the yard will help deter mosquitoes. If you have lots of shade trees, trimming them to allow more light is one way to keep mosquitoes out of the yard. Luminaries and other yard lighting can help chase off the mosquitoes as well. Lighting lanterns and candles that contain citronella and other mosquito-repelling oils are also a great option; you get the one-two punch of the light and the oils themselves.
Consider hiring a pro
If your area has a major mosquito problem or you find that all your DIY efforts don’t reduce the amount of buzzing and biting, consider hiring a professional to treat your yard. They’ll be able to evaluate areas that might be drawing mosquitoes and they have heavy-duty repellents that the average person can’t pick up at the local big-box store. If you’re concerned about the chemicals, seek out a service that uses all-natural repellents (though beware these are just as powerful — natural doesn’t mean 100% safe!). If you’re planning a party or other big event in your yard, have it treated for mosquitos at least 24 hours in advance.
]]>The World Wide Web has made shopping more convenient and cost-effective. It is big business these days, with more and more consumers across Nigeria turning to the internet to purchase goods. Needless to say, this has caught the attention of cybercriminals who are keen to exploit individuals benefitting from the convenience, affordability and choice that makes the internet a safe place to make purchases. This automatically means that buying online has its risks.
Here are top e-Payment tips every online shopper should know;
Buy from a trusted brand
Buying from a trusted eCommerce platform is one of the best ways to stay safe when shopping online. Most trusted brands have in place robust security measures that enable quick and secure.
Look for the https URL and the padlock symbol
HTTPS is an online safety protocol that encrypts information so that data can be kept private and protected. In most cases, the text in the URL is preceded by a padlock symbol (if this is missing, the website should be treated with caution). The ‘S’ in HTTPS, incidentally, stands for secure. Websites that use HTTPS cause data sent between the site and your web browser to be encrypted through the use of TLS (Transport Layer Security). That means that any information, such as your credit card details, can’t be intercepted in plaintext form by an external attacker.
Be wary of ridiculous offers
We have all come across offers and discounts that are too good to be true. Most times, we are tempted to jump on it despite warning signs that it is actually false. You have to be careful because there are plenty of scams looking to connect you with tempting offers. In some cases, the perpetrators are looking to infect your device and steal information. It is advisable to be doubly vigilant and like earlier said, shop with trusted brands.
Avoid public Wi-Fi to shop
Anytime you enter personal information using a public network, you’re exposing yourself to identity theft. Most Wi-Fi hotspots don’t encrypt your data, so any hacker can basically steal your identity. This applies to mobile phones, too, since you’re often using nearby Wi-Fi. Be aware when you’re using a hotspot that any information you send through the Internet could be picked up by strangers; if it’s information that could make you vulnerable, wait until you get home to your protected network. It may be less convenient, but it’s much safer.
Change your passwords regularly
If you really want to keep your information and bank account safe while you’re shopping via the Internet, it’s essential to mix up your account passwords every 3 to 6 months. You should also make sure that you don’t have the same password across all your accounts since that makes them all vulnerable if one is hacked.
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Garbage and trash can cleaning is not normally high on the priority list, until it becomes necessary, such as when the can starts to smell or when something yucky spills in there. We’ll be giving cleaning tips for the trash can and garbage around the household.
1. Always Use A Trash Bag In The Kitchen And Bathroom Trash Cans
You should consider a trash bag for every trash can in your house, but it really is a matter of convenience for trash cans in your home office, for example, where you only throw away paper (typically).
In any garbage can in your home in which you throw away food or other materials that can be wet, sticky, or stinky you need to use a garbage bag in the can. All trash, both dry and wet, needs to be placed in trash bags when placing it in your outside garbage cans before collection by the garbage collectors.
2. Do Not Overfill The Trash Cans Inside Or Outside Your Home
It is easy, when you are in a hurry, to smash the trash down and shove more in there. However, in the end, this will cost you both time and convenience.
Convenience is sacrificed because it is a big pain to keep shoving down the trash in the trash can to put more in, and also you will absolutely not be able to fit something nasty and messy in, say while cooking dinner, at the most inconvenient time.
In addition, you sacrifice time because when you overfill the trash can it takes longer to empty, because you struggle with the bag, and maybe overflow garbage that must be placed in a new bag. It also wastes time because you will have to clean your trash can more often, because of the overflow.
Make it a part of your daily cleaning schedule to take the trash out of the kitchen, and other high traffic areas.
Trash Can Cleaning: How To Clean And Disinfect Your Trash Cans
No matter how much you try to keep your trash cans from getting too gross with the tips above, nonetheless they will periodically need to be cleaned. You should clean your garbage cans every few months, perhaps once a quarter, and also as necessary if there is a big spill or a smell develops.
The best time for trash can cleaning is after you have taken out the trash and before new trash needs to be placed into the can. Therefore, it is easiest to do garbage can cleaning on trash day, after trash pickup.
Here are the instructions for cleaning and disinfecting trash cans inside and outside your home;
Step 1: Empty your trash can.
Step 2: Rinse out your trash can with water, either in the bathtub, sink or outside with a garden hose. (I suggest rinsing them outside if the weather is warm enough because otherwise, you'll also want to clean and disinfect your bathtub or sink after cleaning the can)
Step 3: Use homemade disinfecting cleaners to wash out and disinfect the trash cans. Make sure that you allow the disinfecting cleaner to sit long enough to do its job, approximately five minutes. You may need to use a stiff brush to scrub any gunk out of the trash cans and to get into the corners of the can to make sure it all gets clean.
Step 4: Rinse the can thoroughly, and turn upside down to drip dry.
Make sure that you let the trash can dry completely before adding new garbage, or putting in a garbage bag or placing on the lid. If you don't then you will have created a new breeding ground for germs and smells, because of the moistness.
]]>You have a sense that you should keep your house clean. Maybe your parents instilled it in you or maybe societal pressure has you feeling like you need to pull out the mop. But does it really matter if you let your home slip into a mess? Yes of course. There are some scientifically-backed health benefits of a clean home. Conversely, letting your home get dirty and/or disorganized can negatively affect your mental and physical well-being. So, what are you waiting for?
Sometimes, you need a little push to help yourself start building good habits. And we’ve got you covered with a handful of compelling reasons to keep things neat and tidy. Here are six of the top health benefits of a clean home.
1. You’ll feel less stressed
Visual clutter leads to mental clutter. You might think you’ve learned to live with your various piles, but they’re most likely affecting you more deeply than you realize. A 2010 study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin revealed that women with messier homes have higher levels of cortisol than those with tidy houses. What does that mean? Your stress levels are linked to your space. Tackling those outstanding to-dos and getting your house in order can help you manage stress. And couldn’t we all benefit from meaningful ways to reduce stress in our busy lives?
2. You’ll be more active
It’s simple but it’s true: cleaning gets you moving. Sure, tidying up the house isn’t going to torch as many calories as a full-blown HIIT workout, but it’s a lot more physically involved than sitting on the couch. Keeping your house clean means that you’ll get some sort of movement for your body throughout the week. In fact, Health Magazine rounded up 10 different chores you can do that burn 100 calories each.
3. You’ll be more productive
When you have a task you don’t want to start, do you ever find yourself scanning the room for a distraction? Disorganization makes it easy to spot something you can use to procrastinate. When everything is in order, on the other hand, your mind finds it easier to get stuff done. Don’t believe that your space directly impacts your productivity? Check out this 2011 study on the way visual stimuli compete for your attention.
4. You might eat healthier
Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling stressed, you crave for junk food? That’s your body’s natural response to stressors and – as we’ve already mentioned – clutter and messiness are stressful. There’s good news, though. Cleaning up doesn’t just make you less likely to want food that’s bad for you, it can actually help drive healthy choices. A 2013 study published in Psychology Science presented people with food choices. People who had been working in an organized space were two times more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar than those who had been working in a messy area.
5. You’ll sleep better
Isn’t it easier to drift off to sleep when you don’t have any leftover to-dos nagging at your brain? When your home is clean, you can look around before you go to bed without spotting any should-dos that could keep your gears turning even when you put your head on your pillow. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a survey that revealed that just making your bed in the morning boosts your chances of getting a good night’s rest by almost 20 per cent.
6. You’ll get sick less frequently
A clean home leaves fewer places for germs and bacteria to hide. Plus, dust and allergens build up in carpeting, bedding and upholstery over time, contributing to worsened allergies and asthma. In short, the health benefits of a clean home are obvious. If you want to keep yourself and your family healthy, cleaning on a regular basis is a must. Don’t just vacuum and dust, either. Think about decluttering your surfaces. The more items you have, the harder it is to dust and sanitize. A streamlined aesthetic makes it easier to keep everything truly clean, helping your health. If you are ready to get started, here are the nine germiest areas in your home to tackle ASAP.
Happy cleaning!
]]>Home cleaning products, both homemade or commercial, should be handled with care in your home. After all, they all contain chemical and ingredients which could react with one another in bad ways, not to mention many of them are not good for family members or pets to ingest or inhale too many fumes.
Therefore, below are four (4) safety tips for your home cleaning products, to keep your home both safe and clean, at the same time.
1. Read the Label (Including The Fine Print)
Another way to say this rule is to "use as directed." The cleaning product's label will tell you how to use it safely and effectively. Follow those directions.
It is important to pay attention to the following portions of the directions, in particular:
2. Do Not Mix Cleaning Products Together
Mixing cleaning products can create dangerous and poisonous fumes. This is true for homemade cleaning products as well. For instance, do not mix chlorine bleach with either vinegar or ammonia. If you do it will create a poisonous gas.
3. Store Your Cleaning Products Safely
Keep your cleaning products away from children and pets because many of them are dangerous if ingested or if they come into prolonged contact with skin or any contact with eyes.
Here are some safety tips to follow regarding safe storage of your cleaning supplies:
4. Dispose of Your Home Cleaning Products Properly
When you finish with a cleaning product you need to make sure you dispose of it properly. Many times, the label itself will explain any specific rules for disposal. Follow them (see Rule 1 above).
Other considerations when disposing of cleaning products properly are as follows:
What's Your Favourite Cleaning Supplies, Products or Equipment, tell us what it is and why you can't live without it.
Let us know in the comment section.
]]>You’ve invested in a storage unit as a way to keep your belongings safe and secure. But rodents and bugs can do major damage to your items, especially the longer they are stored. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your items from rodents, insects and keep these critters out of your storage unit. Read on for 5 tips for keeping rodents and bugs from your storage unit;
Choose your containers wisely - Cardboard boxes may seem like the cheapest, easiest storage solution, but they are an open invitation for bugs and mice. If you must use cardboard boxes, carefully seal up the seams with heavy-duty packing tape. However, plastic containers with airtight lids are a better choice. They are chew-proof and don’t have crevices that will allow creepy-crawlies into your stuff. Plus, they are perfect for stacking!
Prepare your unit - Before you move in, take some time to check our your empty unit. Check for any cracks and crevices that might allow bugs and rodents in. Remove spider webs. You can spray the unit down with bug spray to create a barrier
Never ever store food in your storage unit - It’s like hanging a Welcome sign up for hungry critters. Make sure all kitchen items are thoroughly washed. Storing them wrapped in plastic or in plastic bags can help provide even more protection. Also, think beyond human food — don’t store pet food, birdseed or similar items in your storage unit. They’re an all you can eat buffet to pests.
Get items up off the floor - Storing items up off the floor also deters pests. If your unit has shelves or racks to hang things from, make use of them. You can also use small pallets to elevate items slightly off the floor.
Visit your storage unit often - Check-in on your unit often or have someone do so for you if you are unable to. Check the mousetraps and dispose of anything they’ve caught. Look for signs of rodents or bugs — droppings, webs, and the like.
]]>A new school year is almost here, and along with it comes the new school supply list. It seems like those lists get longer (and more expensive) each year. And if you’re like most people, you discover that you already had many of the things on your child’s list — after you’ve already bought new items. Keeping your school supplies organized will help you and your child not only know what you have and be able to find what’s needed quickly and easily but will also save you money since you won’t have to purchase duplicate items. Read on for some ways to organize your school supplies for the new school year.
Figure out what you have - The first thing is to gather all the school supplies in the house into one location. Don’t worry about the fact that this might temporarily create a bigger mess — it will be worth it! Gather up all the loose pens and pencils, glue sticks, highlighters, markers, crayons, notebooks, binders and whatever else from around the house. Check last year’s backpacks, forgotten desk drawers and any other likely place where supplies may be stashed. Once you’ve got it all together, you can assess what you actually have on hand.
Purge what you can’t use - As you gather the supplies, sort through and get rid of dried up markers, pens that are out of ink, dried out glues and other supplies that are past their prime. Recycle what you can, but don’t get hung up on doing this perfectly. Your goal is getting control of what you have so that the next school year can go more smoothly.
Sort! Sort!! Sort!!! - Keeping supplies together in groups will make it so much easier to find what you need. Rather than tossing all the writing implements into one container, instead take the time to separate pens, pencils, markers etc. If you have children who use both narrow and wide-ruled paper, sort notebooks and looseleaf. You’ll know best how specific you need to be in your groupings, depending on what you’ve got on hand and what your child will need.
Choose a central place for all your supplies - Pick a central place in your home where all the school supplies will live. Having everything in one place means you or your child will know exactly where to look when it’s time to find school supplies. You can choose a shelf, a closet, or a convenient corner — choose something that works for your house. Be sure that it is easily accessible. Consider putting most used items on lower shelves so that the shorter members of the family can reach!
Containers - Choose clear containers whenever possible. This will allow you to tell at a glance what each container has in it, and thus make it easier to find what you need. Choose appropriately sized containers for the job. Clear plastic shoe boxes with locking lids are great for writing implements, scissors and glue, and other smaller items. Larger clear plastic boxes — sometimes sold as “sweater boxes” — are great for notebooks and packs of paper. You can also use a magazine file for notebooks.
Use creative solutions - Boxes are great, but you can get creative if you have limited space. An-over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets can hold pens, pencils, markers, and glue sticks or bottles. Magazine files or bookends can contain binders, notebooks, and packs of loose-leaf paper. A mail organizer can also make the sorting coloured paper easy. Look around your house for items that can do double duty.
Label - Even if you choose clear containers, labels will make your school supply storage even more efficient. Take the time to create labels, either by hand or with a label maker and affix them to your containers. If you have children who are just learning to read, affixing pictures of the items in each container can help them find what they need on their own.
]]>As far as costs go, you could be looking at thousands of naira if it’s time to get more sustainable appliances. Or simple measures like labelling food by date so it doesn’t go bad can be basically free. Planning and implementing more sustainable measures in your kitchen can also take as little as a weekend. So, whether you’re ready for a complete appliance overhaul or looking for easier ways to be less wasteful, below are some tips for a sustainable kitchen.
Invest in New Appliances
If you’re looking to cut the energy you use in the kitchen, you might want to replace any old appliances. The easiest way to do that is to look for ENERGY STAR appliances. Doing so could help you see a major reduction in your energy bill. So if you have older appliances, now may be the time to upgrade to something more efficient for a sustainable kitchen.
Get a Sustainable Kitchen by Rethinking Your Trash
Another part of the kitchen that affects the sustainability of the whole household is how much trash you’re throwing away. There are a few easy ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce in the kitchen:
Get a System in Place So Food Won’t Go Bad
We all do it. We all have that leftover pasta we meant to eat, and then it started growing mould before we knew it. But developing a few habits can reduce the chance of food going to waste and make a more sustainable kitchen:
Watch Your Water Use
You should also watch how much water you are using, as we use a large amount of water in the kitchen. For instance, we use about 8 to 27 gallons of water washing dishes by hand alone, depending on your faucet and how much you let the water run. So if you’re washing dishes by hand, try washing dishes in a basin rather than running the faucet continually.
And remember, if you make conservation a habit, running a sustainable kitchen will eventually feel like no effort at all.
]]>Hello Homely people, we bet your year has been off to a great start! We know you love your online shopping and we love it too! Bringing your favourite home products to your doorstep, making shopping seamless and super convenient.
Just in case you (and anyone you know) prefer the traditional brick and mortar shopping style, we also got you covered!
Here are our offline stores in a mall near you. Which of them would you be visiting soon?
Shop 17 Apapa Shopping Mall, 84 Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos.
+234(0)9098977911
Live in Apapa and environs? Then this Homely store is your go-to place. Our wonderful in-store staff will be waiting to delight you!
Shop B8 Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos
+234(0)9091987922
For our Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere folks, come locate us at Surulere Mall! Pop in some time!
The Shoppes, Oniru Market Road, Oniru, Lagos
+234(0)8188966955
Island customers are very well covered. If you live in Ikoyi, V.I., Lekki and anywhere after 3MB, here’s the place for all your distinct homeware!
Are you a procurement officer or would love bulk purchases of gift items or have a special order? Give us a call on any of our hotlines or shoot us an email for enquiries sales@homelyng.com.
Have a delightful shopping experience!
]]>Sugar cravings can arise from different means, stress, low blood sugar or even when we're sad. Sugar has been known to act as a mood lifter. We sure love our sugar yet as we grow older, we realize we have to inevitably cut our consumption of it. Next time you have those crazy craves, try these instead.
Fruits
The sugar in fruits is a monosaccharide called fructose, a type of carbohydrate. Processed table sugar, on the other hand, is a disaccharide known as sucrose. The former is basically better for you. When you take fruits, it's a win-win, your crave is cured and your health is not compromised.
Honey as a Substitute
How about replacing added sugar with honey in teas or coffee. Honey is also packed with antioxidants that are very beneficial to health.
Here's a quick way to quench sugar cravings. Throw your favourite fruits in a blender and voooooom, your smoothie is ready. Homemade fruit juices are also super extra when you have a juicer handy. You can even keep extra batches of already cut and cleaned fruits in the refrigerator, all you have to do is pick and blend.
Yoghurt/Parfaits
The rich creamy and sour taste of yoghurt can jolt your taste buds back from any sugar craving. Adding fruits to make a partial even brings the extra sweetness needed.
Water
Water cleanses your palate while giving you a temporary fill, could be enough until the next meal. Carry a water bottle around, this will also increase your hydration rate.
Sugar cravings could show up anytime, you don't have to succumb, try a healthier alternative instead!
]]>Happy New Year! Hope your year is off to a great start! Here's wishing you the best 2018 has to offer. Here at Homely, we have our all time favourites yet some products always rock the year. We bring you some of the products that will be bestsellers all through this year.
1. Juicers
With all that's going on in the country, ones health must be guarded jealously. Every opportunity you have to give your body a touch of health. Juicing is one of such opportunities, it's like a breath of fresh air to your cells.
These Kettles are so lovely, their aesthetic designs and colour ranges are eye candies. They also make for good gift items, so grab one and some extra for friends and family.
If you ask old timers for some kitchen tips, they tell you to invest in a good blender. Once you get it right, you can forget about buying another for decades, yes they are that durable. They are also a gifting favourite
Yes, you probably have one but if your pressing iron has ever bailed out on you, you'd consider having one extra. Don't forget you can also get for someone.
5. Toasters and Sandwich Makers
What would our breakfast be without some good old toasts. Be sure to add one to your kitchen, maybe another one for the office.
There are tons of other products you'd love, kitchenware, bathroom essentials and more all at the best prices anywhere in the country! Also watch out for new designs across various product categories.
Enjoy your shopping and have a great year ahead!
]]>If you’re like most of us "Oh new pots", how awesome they look, shiny, sparkling sets of kitchen treasure. Don’t you just wish that they’d remain like that forever! Yet they do not. We have to maintain them to keep them in optimum condition.
There are so many options available for making your pots great again (no pun intended). In this post we’ll outline some natural options that are available. They are also cheap and eco-friendly!
Sandpaper Leaves
Biologically known as Ficus exasperata, This plant has leaves that are coarse in nature, just like sandpaper, hence the name. They are a widely-occurring shrubs growing all year long. You may have seen it around!
How to Use: Pluck off some leaves, add a few drops of your liquid dish soap and scrub pots until clean. Wash off with your dish sponge, rinse and voila! 3-5 leaves would be enough to clean a medium-sized pot thoroughly.
Powdered Egg Shell
Throwback to high school when this was a Home Economics project. Its easy and very effective. Gather and sun-dry egg shells. Using any preferred tool, ground them to powder, then use as a scouring powder!
Ash
You’d have seen grandma using this one. It’s very simple to use. Just take some ash, either from firewood or coal, place on dish sponge and scrub away!
Mildly Coarse Sand
Sand as a pot scouring agent is used the same way as ash and powdered egg shell. Be sure to pick out any large stone particles.
Others include baking soda, lime, salt and vinegar. Go ahead and try any of these simple, cheap and eco-friendly cleaning agents!
]]>Have you ever tried to imagine how your entire house would be like without any appliance? Take a moment to picture it. Almost impossible, right?
Technology makes our lives so easy. Every time a task is made easier by a device however simple, my mind flashes to the fact that someone somewhere sometime in history made that happen and one cannot help but be filled with a sense of gratitude. Thank God for technology! So we can focus on other thing and I trust that there are thing to focus on. These appliances and many more on homelyng.com have been thoughtfully crafted so you can perform tasks with ease.
Hand blenders are very efficient for mashing up vegetables and other groceries that you may not want as smooth pastes. A chopper on the other hand saves you the stress of slicing/chopping veggies.
Steaming is a proven way to cook food without compromising the nutrients in them. Electric steamers are perfect for moin-moin, vegetables and a wide array of steamed meals.
If you love your bread brownish and crispy without being overly pressed together, then this toaster is yours for keeps. Breakfast will never be the same again!
All of us place a healthy lifestyle on top of our goals every New Year. Juicing is one easy way to achieve these goals. These juicers are affordable and super easy to do.
Imagine a kettle that boils water and keeps it warm for you. These kettles were designed aesthetically and will sit pretty in your kitchen or coffee table.
]]>It’s wedding season! As the holidays draw closer so does wedding dates with all their pomp and pageantry. They also come with a ton of work, because to pull off a great event, great work must also be done. This is where a wedding gift register comes in handy. It is a proven way to ease off some of the stress that comes with planning your big day.
A wedding register is a system that allows you to choose which gifts friends, family and guests can present to you. It puts you in charge of your event as it concerns presents. It’s revolutionary if you ask me.
You may not be able to control your entire gifting process but you can reduce to the barest minimum the amount of gifts that are impractical and eventually become redundant. You also spare your loved ones and well-wishers the daunting task of guessing what you would like or need. It’s using one stone to grab multiple birds. Everybody wins!
How does our Wedding Registry work? Simple, no cumbersome process we promise. Log into your Homelyng.com account, visit the registry page, create your registry and choose the products you would like as gifts. Once this is done, copy the unique link of your registry and share with friends and family! We will then deliver all the gifts purchased via your link to any location you choose! Say goodbye to tons of plastic utensils and a store full of food flasks and pot sets.
What are you waiting for? Create your wedding registry or share this with a friend and save a life (from plenty stress :D).
All the best!
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