Are you the proud parent of a dog, cat, bird, or any other kind of pet? People often adopt or find animals to be their pets, without ever realizing how much that animal will become more than just a pet—they’ll become family. If you’re already in that stage of treating your animal as a child—don’t worry, we’ve been there—then you may be wondering how to ensure the best life possible for your kid (I mean, pet). Here are a few ways to ensure comfort, safety, and joyful living for your pet:

Keep up with vet appointments

A healthy pet is a happy pet, so don’t ignore your yearly vet visits. From their vaccinations to checkups, it’s important to keep up with your vet visits, so you can be sure your pet is staying happy and healthy. You can also treat anything they may have going on, whether that’s cat eye medication for an injured eye or allergy shots for your itchy pet.

Hire a dog walker

If you have a busy schedule at work, you may face guilt at having to be far from your animal for an extended period of time. Fortunately, with apps like Rover, you can easily find a dog or pet walker to help your furry friend take breaks from being indoors and do their business while you’re busy at work making a life for you and your little one. Of course, take time to read reviews and feel confident about the person that you’re hiring to walk your dog.

Invest in the best

If you want to have a healthy pet, save up your money to make sure you’re providing the best you can for your animal. Whether that’s with their food to their toys and bed, create a comfortable environment for your pet, so that they have the very best life possible. Maybe you rescued your animal from a shelter from a tough life. Maybe you’re just the kind of nurturing soul who cares about offering the best for your pet.

Keep up with an active lifestyle

Depending on your pet’s energy level, it may be important to keep up with an active lifestyle. For example, some dog breeds may need more exercise and movement than others. While it may mean adapting your schedule, it’s worth it if you’re both making sure your pet has a joyful life and also ensuring they’re nice and calm when it’s inside time.

A pet that doesn’t get enough activity could end up wreaking havoc in your home, so make sure you’re doing what you can to provide them with the kind of exercise that they need. Again, you may need to consider a dog walker if your career life doesn’t allow for time during your work week. Fortunately, some people love animals and their careers are to take care of them and spend time with them.

Train them

The thing about dogs is that if they’re not trained well, they may have some issues when it comes to behaviour around other dogs. If you want your pet to live a happy life with other animals, take time to get them trained so that they can function well when in public.

From behavioural issues to simple things like staying when it’s time to stay, investing in training can pay off in a happier animal that can be safer in more environments outside of your home. It could also potentially save their life.

In Conclusion

If you’ve recently become a pet parent or you have been one for a while but want to do more for your animal, consider these tips above. From regular vet visits to the best food possible, do whatever you can to ensure their comfort and joy. A happy pet is what all of us pet parents really want.

Do you want to live a healthy life and boost your immune system? While it’s not always easy to make happen, having a healthy diet is one of the most important components of a healthy life. Here are a few ways that you can strengthen your body’s immune system:

Think about supplements to boost

If you have a relatively healthy diet but simply find it hard to get enough nutrition on a regular basis, you could think about using supplements to help you out. Some people like to have turmeric supplements in their vitamin cabinet, while others take multivitamins to get all the extra support they could want.

Just make sure you do your research to be sure you’re taking the best supplements for your specific needs and body’s wellbeing. Ask questions like “What is nicotinamide riboside?” to understand what kinds of things could be good for your body. Also, make sure to reach out to your medical provider to learn which supplements could benefit you and which ones you may want to avoid.

Look into the best antioxidant foods

If you are hoping to enhance your immune system, it’s important to incorporate foods that have antioxidants that can help cleanse your body of toxins. From spinach to blueberries and artichokes, there are a number of top foods that can enhance your wellbeing by boosting your immune system.


In fact, a lot of the healthiest foods for your immune system are pretty delicious and can be easily added into your meals and diet as is, so do your research to see how you can best incorporate antioxidants into your dishes and everyday diet.

Cook with healthy additions

From bone broth to garlic and ginger, there are different items that you can buy at your supermarket that can make your meals that much more delicious and that much healthier. Garlic and ginger can add a great deal of flavor that enhances your dishes. So too does bone broth enhance your food’s flavors.

If you don’t know how to prepare a lot of meals with spice, look for the best cookbooks out there, designed for unique flavors that may be new to your palate but that can help you live a healthier lifestyle. If you live on your phone, download recipe apps that make shopping for ingredients and putting together stellar meals much easier than before.

Order a food subscription

You may be someone with a busy schedule, and finding time to create the best meal plan just isn’t easy for you. Yet here you are, trying to be as healthy as possible. With a little bit of help from a food subscription, you can set up your meals to be perfect for your immune system with hardly any preparation on your part.


Healthy eating has been made much easier for those of us who want to eat well but find time to be sparse. While it may be more of an investment than your typical meals, it’s more than worth it when you find yourself feeling healthier than ever before.

Don’t forget to hydrate

While your nutrition is key, so too is staying hydrated and making sure you’re getting enough electrolytes—especially in the summer. Look into the best ways for you to get optimal hydration so that your body functions at its best. From a great diet to plenty of water and hydration, a healthy life is made up of a healthy body in every way.

Afternoon tea time seems a bit fishy today...

I was very inspired by these little taiyaki bites that I bought from T&T Supermarket (they were on sale!) and thought I could have some fun with Justice’s afternoon snack since #foodartwithting has been inactive for quite some time (we’ve been too busy enjoying our summer).

For those unfamiliar with taiyaki, they are Japanese fish shaped waffle cakes usually stuffed with red bean paste. I totally love these as a quick, simple snack that’s fun to eat.

Taiyaki Fish Bowl

To make this fishy snack without the fish taste:

• Preheat air fryer at 180 degrees
• Add the taiyaki’s in an air fryer for 6-7 minutes
• Add blueberries to where the fishes would blow their bubbles
• Cut some seedless green grapes into quarter slices and assemble them like seaweeds
• Add some blackberries and diced apples so they look like the bottom of the ocean or you can use whatever fruits on hand to make the sand, rocks, corals etc.

Justice loved this so much (no surprise there) and luckily I was able to snatch a piece of taiyaki before he finished the whole plate.

If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!

If you’re someone who is just starting out on your fitness journey, you may be confused about where to start. The good news is that when you are just getting going with fitness, there’s a lot of great benefits that you’ll reap. You’ll be able to learn the right ways to work out and because your body is fresh to the world of working out, you may see results quite quickly. Here are some things to know about kickstarting your journey to fitness:

Avoid weight loss pills and fad diets

That is, avoid just any random weight loss pill that you find on the internet. Instead, speak to your doctor about the best kind of prescription medication that can aid you in your efforts to lose weight and get fit. While you’re avoiding things on your start to losing weight, also avoid fad diets.

People think that cutting out all of the fatty foods and sugar from their diet on day one is the way to go, but if you’re not careful, while you may initially lose weight, you could gain a lot of it back the moment that you slip into old habits of eating.

Know your goals

Fitness isn’t a one-time decision. It’s something that can change your life in a very good way if you let it. While you could lose weight in a jiffy for a specific event, if you care about your health and maintaining fitness results, consider setting weight loss goals for long-term success.

When you understand what your fitness goals are and why you have them, then even those days that are difficult won’t get in the way of your progress. Tracking your progress with fitness apps can be beneficial as it helps to keep you on track towards the results that you want.

Dial in your eating habits

While you don’t want to go on a fad diet when you’re trying to lose weight and get fit, you also do want to take a look at the way you eat. If you eat a junk food heavy diet, you may not get the results you want from the gym.

If you eat foods that cause inflammation, you may not look as great as you want, even though you’re putting in the effort with your workouts. While exercise has its place when it comes to a fitness journey, healthy eating makes the world of difference you’re looking for. You can get a healthy food subscription or consider working with a nutritionist to dial in your eating habits.

Get an accountability partner

If you have a hard time keeping up with your fitness, it can be difficult to reach your goals. An accountability partner isn’t a bad idea. They can help you to get to the gym on the days even when you really don’t feel like it. This could be a friend, or it could be a personal trainer who can help you stay on top of your fitness goals. If you don’t have someone in your life who can help you, consider using an app that helps you keep track of your exercise and diet.

It’s okay to spend money on your goals

When it comes to reaching fitness goals, don’t be afraid to spend money on reaching them. This may mean buying new fitness gear or signing up to a gym that seems like a great option for your fitness vision. Whatever the case, investing in your fitness is one of the best ways to stay true to your routines and can help you get where you want to be with your weight loss goals.

Regardless of someone’s overall personality, you can bring a smile to their face by giving thoughtful gifts. The more personalized the present is, the more profound the effect becomes.

But finding presents that elicit a positive reaction can often seem like a frustrating quest. With a plethora of choices, determining which gift can achieve your desired effect is nothing short of a guessing game.

To help you steer out of these confusing waters, here is a guide to buying thoughtful and personalized gifts for all occasions.

An Assortment of Cupcakes

If you like to bring some of the best baking ideas to fruition, you can bake a dozen cupcakes to make one thoughtful gift. You can also decorate these cupcakes to fit the occasion and personalize them with heartfelt messages before you present them to your loved one along with additional decorations and candles. You can also choose from a variety of cupcake flavors to bake something that appeals to them the most.

A Bunch of Cookies

If baking is not your forte but gift-giving is, you may score the grand prize with individually wrapped cookies. These baked cookies also come in different flavors but boast delightful, pre-wrapped packaging that does not require you to lift a finger. Simultaneously, these cookies taste like heaven to anyone who has a sweet tooth. This makes them a highly sought-after gift for those who love desserts or those who simply want to treat themselves.

 

A Flower Arrangement

Despite being a common present, flower arrangements are considered one of the most thoughtful gifts. After studying a book of flower meanings, you can become confident in picking out a bouquet that conveys your feelings for your loved one. This makes the recipient feel special due to the level of effort that you put behind your gift and turns it into a highly thoughtful present that they would remember for a long time to come.

A Selection of Candies

If you are big on learning the benefits of crafting with kids, you may have tried your hand at making candies at your home. The process is a bit tricky, but it is quite fulfilling if you master it. If you know the favorite candies of your loved one, it can also help you make a thoughtful gift for them. For added effect, you can present these candies in a gift basket.

An Event Experience

If you are a fan of maximalism, you might want to go all out on your thoughtful present. This is where you can turn to give an event experience to your loved one. There are many options to choose from in this category, with bungee jumping, paragliding, and a virtual murder mystery party being popular choices. This present can be great for those who want to enjoy adventurous or interactive experiences in their free time.

 

A Set of Candles

If your loved one follows tips for home styling, you can take your pick from a variety of gift options that belong to home decor. This leads you to a plethora of categories that include but are not limited to lighting, sculptures, and vases. But one of the easiest and most widely-loved presents in this category happens to be fragrant candles. In case you are confident about which scents appeal to your loved one, you can be confident in choosing this present.

A Cooking Class

Cooking classes have emerged as an often cherished gift in the last few years. With an authentic online cooking class, you can take this experience to a whole new level with recipes and cooking methods that are respectful to their land of origin. If you want to turn this thoughtful gift into an even more special present, you can participate in the class with your loved one. This becomes another way to show how much you care about them.

These presents are not only a way for your loved one to have some fun but also remain a fantastic method to show them your appreciation. This sets these gifts apart from run-of-the-mill options and turns them into a special experience.

Canada Goose jackets are renowned for their exceptional quality, warmth, and style. Unfortunately, their popularity has given rise to a market flooded with counterfeit products.Being able to identify a real Canada Goose jacket is crucial to ensure you are investing in an authentic, durable, and ethically made product.

In this blog post, we will explore some key features and tips to help you spot the difference between real vs. fake Canada Goose jacket options that you may find in stores.

Logo and Authenticity Tags

The logo is one of the most recognizable features of a Canada Goose jacket. Examine it closely to spot any inconsistencies. When it comes to how to spot a fake Canada Goose jacket, a genuine Canada Goose logo will be well-stitched, clear, and precise, with fine details and no loose threads.

Pay attention to the authenticity tags as well. Authentic jackets have a holographic logo on the tag, which changes color when tilted. Counterfeit jackets often have poorly replicated logos or missing authenticity tags.

Quality and Materials

Canada Goose jackets are crafted with high-quality materials to withstand extreme weather conditions. Inspect the stitching on the jacket carefully. Authentic jackets have impeccable stitching, with no loose threads or uneven lines.


The fabric should feel durable and substantial, and the zippers should be smooth and well-made. Counterfeit jackets often exhibit subpar stitching, flimsy materials, and cheap zippers, indicating lower-quality craftsmanship.

Fur Trim

The fur trim on a Canada Goose jacket is made from coyote fur, known for its warmth and wind resistance. Genuine fur trim will appear thick, luxurious, and evenly colored. It will be securely attached to the hood and will not shed excessively.

In contrast, fake fur trim may look thin, uneven, or unnaturally colored. Additionally, counterfeit jackets may have fur trim that easily detaches or sheds, a clear sign of an imitation product.

Price

Authentic Canada Goose jackets come with a higher price tag due to their quality and craftsmanship. If you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit jackets are often sold at significantly lower prices, enticing unsuspecting buyers. Remember, if the price seems unusually low or the seller lacks credibility, it is most likely a fake.

Authorized Retailers

To ensure the authenticity of your Canada Goose jacket, purchase it from an authorized retailer. Canada Goose provides a list of authorized sellers on their official website. Buying from reputable retailers reduces the risk of purchasing a counterfeit product.

Beware of online marketplaces and street vendors, as they are common sources of fake jackets. When investing in a Canada Goose jacket, it is essential to be able to distinguish between the real and the fake. By paying attention to details such as the logo, quality, fur trim, price, and authorized retailers, you can protect yourself from falling victim to counterfeit products.

Remember, a genuine Canada Goose jacket guarantees superior warmth, durability, and ethical craftsmanship, ensuring you are ready to tackle any winter weather with confidence.

If you are new to home DIY, you may have been told that tiling is a difficult project to take on without plenty of experience. Although this can be the case, if you are willing to take your time and learn the correct process, you can achieve professional-looking results at a fraction of the cost. These 11 tips will help you to successfully tile your own home with ease.

1. Measure Your Space Accurately

Since any errors in your tiling will be obvious once the project is complete, it is vital that you measure precisely and double-check your dimensions for the space being tiled. Use a measuring tape with increments small enough to provide extreme levels of accuracy. Whether you are tiling a floor, a wall, or anything else, you will need to keep a note of the exact dimensions in order to purchase the right quantity of tiles for the job

2. Prep the Area

You will need to prepare the surface of whichever part of your home you plan to tile. It must be clean and dry before you even attempt to begin tiling. Use a scraping tool to get rid of any bumps or unwanted texture on the surface before applying a primer. If you are tiling an uneven surface, you can use a leveling mixture that will provide a smoother surface to work on. Again, it must be completely dry before you try to place the first tiles.

3. Find Your Tiles

Choosing the right tiles for your project will depend on your own personal taste and the purpose of the space. Floor tiles and wall tiles can be the same; however, each has different properties. For example, you will see that the tiles at www.mystonefloor.com are designed to be durable for walking on. Tiles for walls are usually thinner and lighter to make it more difficult for them to come away from the wall, whereas gravity keeps even loose floor tiles in place. Make sure you select tiles that will fit well with your space, both practically and stylistically.

4. Protect Yourself

As with many types of DIY project, there is a level of risk involved that can be limited by using proper safety equipment. Goggles, gloves, and a face mask will protect you from the substances used in tiling, such as the grout and any tile shards. Knee pads may also be a good idea if you will be kneeling for extended periods of time during the project. Keep windows open to encourage good ventilation in the space you're working in, even if you wear a face mask. Fumes and particulate matter from tiling materials can cause infections or serious illness if inhaled.

5. Begin in the Middle

For the most professional results, it is best to start placing tiles in the middle of the surface. This will help to create a more balanced overall appearance as well as make it easier for you to work your way from the inside out. Especially for tiles with a strictly regular shape and pattern, starting in the middle acts as a guide for keeping the entire project straight and level.

6. Ensure Regular Space Between Tiles

You can find tile spacers at hardware stores or online. These are simple tools used to keep your tiles equal distances apart when creating the layout. Without spacers, you will have to measure extremely accurately and use your eye to judge how well-spaced each tile is from those around it. Irregular spacing might not seem obvious at first, but when you step back, it will quickly become apparent.

7. Prepare the Grout

Grout is the substance you use to fill the gaps between tiles that keeps them in place. Depending on the type of grout you buy and what the manufacturer's instructions say, you will need to prepare the grout before applying it. You want to avoid air bubbles in your grout as this will disturb the neatness of the project. Aim for a smooth consistency when mixing your grout, and leave it to settle briefly before use.

8. Cut Your Tiles Carefully

It is likely that you will have to cut your tiles to fit within the space, unless the surface happens to be perfectly sized for the precise dimensions of the tile you've chosen. With a high-quality tile cutter, mark out where you need to cut on the tile and practice on a spare if you can. The brittle and delicate nature of many tile materials makes cutting a real challenge for any amateur DIYer.

9. Apply and Seal the Grout

Once the grout has been allowed to sit for a minute or two, apply it evenly across the tiles and press it between each tile to fill the joins. To avoid grout drying on the tile surface, wipe any excess with a wet cloth. This is one of the more delicate processes in tiling, so take your time and pay attention.

10. Wait Until Dry

Tiles are often used on walls and flooring in high-traffic areas of a home, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Before you start using the space again, make sure that you have given the tiles ample time to dry. If the grout is still wet when you take a shower or walk on the floor, you will disturb the alignment and have to start again. Check guidance from the grout manufacturer for details about how long it takes to dry.

11. Clean Your Tiles

Once the grout is no longer wet, it is time to clean the tiles. This will remove any remnants of grout or other dust that will distract from the visual effect. Be gentle, especially with painted ceramic tiles, as rough cleaning can lift the surface coating and cause unnecessary wear.

There are plenty of benefits to tiling your home by yourself. Apart from adding this useful skill to your list of abilities, you will also save money on hiring out a professional tiler, which can often cost more than you might expect. Remember these eleven practical tips for when you start to tackle your own tiling project, and good luck.

Accessorizing your home can be as simple or complex as you want. Some underlying factors may influence you to decorate one way or another, including your personal preferences, where you live, and who you live with. Whatever motivates your style, ensure you’re still implementing a style that reflects your personality. This article discusses tips to add style and personality to your home through accessories.

Decorate With Wall Art

Incorporate your unique collection of wall art to bring liveliness into your space. You can choose between (or mix and match) fine art and pictures of your loved ones.


Adding photos that reflect who you are in the people you care for makes all the difference to your place's vibe and truly makes your house a home.


Create a gallery of your favorite photos and display them neatly on a wall or leading up your staircase. You can even have photos printed into a picture blanket for an especially unique home accessory.

Add More Color

Consider the colors that reflect your personality and implement them in your home décor through accessories. You might consider adding a few pops of color to your couch pillows and throw blankets.

Other ideas include textured window treatments such as patterned curtains or modern geometric rugs (perfect for pet owners). Make sure that the color scheme you work with is unique but still invites balance into your space so that the general aesthetic of your place is easily spotted and understood.


Choose a primary color, and add a few other tones to spruce up your home. You don’t need to incorporate a rainbow of colors to make your home look unique, and pick a few that work together and still stand out as tasteful choices.

Candles And Vases

You can add even more variety to your space by adding unique candles and vases that reflect your personality. Candles are versatile because you can select them based on smell or how they look. Choose the candles that reflect what you stand for or enjoy in your space, whether that's the aroma or the visual appeal of a particular candle.

For vases, decide whether you will use them to place flowers into or if they will stand alone as décor items. If you choose the latter, ensure you coordinate your vases with an appropriate balance to add value to your space. If one vase is taller than another, put the taller vase behind the shorter one to add contrast in a visually appealing way. Otherwise, you may only end up creating clutter.

Use Trays And Baskets

Not only do décor trays and baskets add aesthetic value to your space, but they also provide a way to organize your belongings. If you don’t have a spice rack, organize your spices and seasonings into a tray and place them neatly on a kitchen shelf. A mix of materials also helps here, i.e., wire bowls and wicker baskets work well when paired together despite being very different materials.

Do the same with other belongings that need a home, and your place will look neat and organized in a way that is unique to your style. When you shop for baskets and trays, remember to focus on color and texture to create variety and balance within your space.

Make Your Home A Reflection Of You

Add your personality and unique style to your home by implementing accessories that reflect your style and values. From family photos to textured décor elements, your home can truly reflect you and everything you like by following the suggestions above.

Anyone with a child can tell you that the aftermath of Labor and Delivery, no matter how you bring your baby to earth, is life-changing and nothing to joke about! Whether you need stitches, you're swollen; you constantly need to change adult diapers, and more, what your body goes through after birth is intense. On top of all you're going through, you have a newborn child to care for, which, while joy-filled, is challenging, to say the least. While it's true that money can't buy happiness, it sure can buy products that can make your postpartum recovery and journey easier. Whether you're expecting yourself or have a loved one you want to bless with recovery gifts, keep reading for the most game-changing postpartum products every new mother deserves.

Numbing Sprays

There's no shortage of YouTube or Tick Tock videos to show you how to make maxi pads with ice or how to properly use a perinatal bottle, both of which have their place in your recovery and can be helpful - but the number one thing to comfort you "down there" are numbing sprays. You may be part of the minority of women that don't experience tearing, though most do; either way, you will be next-level sore. Numbing sprays like Dermoplast or Lansinoh can be sprayed safely and directly on areas that hurt to help you through that first week of discomfort.

Period Panties

Some women opt for adult diapers, others for super maxi pads, but both feel like you're wearing a phone book between your legs. Thankfully there are period panties that are so absorbent they can even handle the postpartum flow. Realistically, your flow postpartum will be that of a heavier period, and if you have to change out your period panties or pads more than once an hour, it's best to ring your gynecologist or GP. One of the most reputable brands you've likely heard of is Thinx period panties, and you may have wondered, "Do Thinx really work?" Yes, yes, they do. Invest in several sets because let's be realistic - you won't be doing much laundry those first couple of weeks.

Potty Products

Something that's naturally on the mind of expectant mothers is how those first BMs after the baby is born will work - but it's nothing to be worried about if you have the right products to make the job easier. A squatty potty to put your body into the natural position for a movement is essential. Another key item is a way to keep things clean down there afterward, which you can achieve through the use of a peri bottle or, even better, installing a bidet. Once you go bidet for baby, you'll never go back.

Postpartum Exercise Classes

There's a good chance that you took part in prenatal exercise classes like yoga, gentle strength training, and your regular cardio, but it's important to remember that your body just went through significant trauma, and you should know about postpartum exercise and your limits. Gentle training is recommended for the first month to six weeks after delivery. Be realistic about how quickly your body will bounce back, and don't compare yourself to celebrities or influencers. Most women report they don't feel like they did pre-baby for close to a year after delivery - and some women never do. Postpartum exercise classes boost your energy for caring for the baby, release feel-good hormones for your mental health, and increase your overall wellness.

Therapy

You may not think of a therapist as something you need on your shopping list for pregnancy or postpartum, but postpartum depression is a real and serious threat to women's mental health and is not discussed enough. In fact, 1 in 7 women experiences PPD, so while having a village to help you is essential, so is a therapist. Even if you're not experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, discussing your feelings about a new parent with an objective third party is game-changing and sanity-saving.


Having a new baby is something to be treasured but it comes with challenges. Having the above things lined up before your delivery will make you more confident and comfortable during your recovery during the fourth trimester. Good luck, and remember, you got this, Mama!