When it comes to home DIY and renovations, I try not to get myself entangled in that sort of mess. And yep, the use of the word “mess” is very intentional because, Honey, best believe my home would be a mess if I tried my hand at DIY renovations! But, since it’s almost the start of a new year, I’ve decided to practice and hone my DIY skills. I found a bunch of easy home reno projects on the interwebs, that will suit a beginner like me. Would you like to try your hand at adding personal touches to your home?  DIY home renovations? Yes, you can! Here are four easy ways:

Hang a shelf

Hanging a shelf is a project that can be super easy but can also go horribly wrong. Not to fret, dear friend, your local hardware store will assist with cutting your board down to size and ensuring that you have the right “nuts and bolts” needed to hang it. It would make sense that you pick out and choose the space where you would want to hang the shelf, before going to purchase the materials. Don’t forget to measure the height you want and the distance between the brackets.

Paint a door

Paint your front door. That’s it. Sounds easy, right? Well, it’s not just a matter of throwing paint onto a door and calling it a day! You would first need to sand and wash the door, dry the surface, remove any door knobs and other hardware, cover any parts that you do not want to paint (i.e. glass, peep hole), apply primer and THEN paint the door. Ideally, the door would be removed from it’s hinges before painting. Don’t forget to allow the paint to dry between applications. Two coats should do the trick.

Apply wallpaper

If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to a room, you may want to consider prepasted wallpaper. Wallpaper is a great way to add colour, depth, and texture to a room, without all the hard work that comes with painting. You can determine the number of rolls of wallpaper you need by multiplying the height and width of the wall, to determine the square footage of the wall. (Uhm yes I would totally buy an extra roll juuuust in case…)

Paint a wall

If painting the walls of an entire room freaks you out (the way it freaks me out) why not consider “zhoozing” up a wall with some chalkboard paint. A chalkboard wall holds countless possibilities. Use it for your reminders, as a cute guest book, or as a place for your kids to get creative. Chalkboard paint is fairly easy to apply and if you aren’t comfortable with using a paintbrush you could simply spray it on! Don’t forget to sand and prime the area first, for better adhesion.

If all else fails, visit Kandua.com, to find an expert who knows how to turn your mess into a masterpiece! Kandua.com is South Africa’s #1 online marketplace for home services. It’s the hassle-free way to find a pro you can really trust. With more than 30 000 vetted pros who are skilled at over 100 services, you can use Kandua to get anything done from emergency fixes to large-scale renovations.

Kandua.com was started with the mission to shorten the distance between having a skill and making a living from it, helping small businesses and independent professionals to get connected to people who need their expertise. Every Kandua.com pro has verified reviews from previous customers and photos of their work on their profile. To get connected to a pro near you, simply answer a few questions about the work you need to be done on Kandua.com and up to 5 pros will contact you with a quote within minutes.”

Disclaimer: This post was paid for by Kandua.com

Hello, my name is Luchae and I have a secret obsession with online shopping. I don’t know what thrills me more – finding a great online shopping deal, or opening my purchase when it arrives at my door. Hehe.

What I don’t enjoy, however, is that feeling of dread when buyer’s remorse hits and you realise that you’ve spent way too much money on an oversized rug that is the shape of a banana. These things happen.

But I come with tips, my friends! Here are 5 ways to avoid the burden of buyer’s remorse:

1. When in doubt, add to cart 

Okay, I know what you’re thinking – this blog post is off to a questionable start. But I have good tips, I promise! My strategy involves adding the items that I love to my online shopping cart and then just leaving it there. I sometimes leave it in my cart for a week or a few weeks. Often, when I revisit the cart, that feeling of “aaack I must have this RIGHT NOW!” is gone, and I can make a decision on whether to purchase, with a clear head.

2. Step away from the card 

One practical tip that really helps is to not save my credit card details on my shopping apps. Convenience is one of the main reasons why I end up on an impulsive online shopping spree. By manually entering my card information, I give myself time to think twice before entering that CCV code.

3. Trust the budget 

I love a good plan, which is why a budget really helps to curb my shopping enthusiasm. If I find myself on a late night shopping spree, I often remind myself that I only have X amount of disposable income available. This helps me to think through before making that purchase. I ask questions such as: Do I really need this item? And if this is the only budget available for this type of purchase, is there something else that I want/need more? What am I prepared to spend on the type of item that I am looking for?

4. Create a wish list

Okay, besides the fact that lists are my actual love language, I also use them to limit my impulsive spending. I do this by adding items to a wish list (and not to the cart). It kinda fulfills that immediate satisfaction of knowing the item is kept aside for me, but it also limits my commitment to actually purchasing the item.

5. Check your return policies

Know the return policies of your favourite online stores! When all else fails and you find yourself making that big impulsive purchase, it helps to know that your fave online store will allow you to get a full refund and/or an exchange, with no red tape involved! I appreciate online stores (such as Superbalist) who have a solid return policy. Superbalist will collect your returns for free and will refund you to your online wallet, or issue an exchange, at no extra cost!

Share some of your best online shopping tips below.

This post was paid for by Superbalist.

I’m sure you’ll agree that we moms take our sleep – and our bedrooms – very personally. Don’t mess with our sanctuary! But, even though it is our safe space, I find that moms often tend to decorate their boudoir’s with practicality in mind (you know – do my bedside tables have drawers to store my secret stash of chocolate in… that sort of thing) But there are ways to upstyle your bedroom without breaking the bank. And yes, bedside tables can definitely help with that. (Or else my blog post title would be totally off).

The good ol’ nightstand can provide extra storage but a beautifully designed bedside table can also complement your room, making it look more put together.

Anyways, enough small talk. I want to show you a couple of gorgeous bedside tables that I spotted online and share some tips on how you can upstyle your bedroom using them.

Colour is important

When choosing bedside tables for your bedroom, make sure you are choosing pieces that complement the vibe and style of your bedroom. Knowing your bedroom’s colour palette will help a lot when shopping for a nightstand. Choosing hues that help to create a cohesive look will make the room look well put together. Or, if you want to be more daring, add an extra pop of colour to brighten up the room. See more here.

Size does matter

When deciding on furniture for your bedroom, you obviously would need to take the size of your space into consideration. A bulkier piece may make your room appear to be smaller. Scaling your night stand to the size of the room does not have to be difficult. Simply plan around the dimensions of the space and (very important) your bed and headboard. Don’t underestimate the impact of a shorter or smaller bedside table! Playing around with size (by adding varying heights, such as a tall vase or lamp) can also help to add some more dimension to your room. See more here.

Be risky

When choosing bedroom furniture, playing around with materials, such as wood and steel, can really help to create a look that is fresh and contemporary. Experiment with new styles and different materials if you want to drop the mundane and achieve the spectacular! Adding the right bedside lamp (because what is a bedside table without a lamp #amiright?) is important too. Whether you choose one that is rustic and chic, industrial and modern or luxurious and classy – your bedside lamp should highlight the beauty of your bedside table – and vice versa. See more here.

Space it out

I’ve already touched on the fact that size does matter when choosing furniture pieces for your bedroom. But I must add that paying special attention to the foot of your nightstand is important too (and it deserves its own point on this list). Table legs are important when it comes to design because they can create a bulkier look (needed in a spacious room) or a trimmer feel (for smaller areas). Curved legs, on a bedside table, add an interesting dimension. A wall-mounted floating nightstand is a clever use of space and can add that extra depth to a room.  See more here.

This article was paid for by Superbalist.

Finding the right Summer outfit is a tad bit harder when you are rocking a mom bod, am I right? I mean, we love our mom bods because they remind us that we are powerhouses, but, for the most part, the mom belly makes it a lot more challenging to find clothing that will complement your body post-kids. Superbalist has a few really cute dresses and jumpsuits that I definitely want to buy now! But, first, I need to learn how to dress for my shape. And so I scourged the internet to try to find a couple of tips for loving your mom bod this Summer.

5 tips for loving your mom bod this Summer

Flare vs Drape 

The fit and flare style is the perfect choice if you’re trying to cover that mom belly. A stiffer fabric, like pure cotton, will be a much more flattering option since it doesn’t just drape over your stomach.

Tie at the waist 

I usually wouldn’t even consider accentuating my mummy pooch, but, by wearing a shirt that can tie at the waist you are able to hide those bumps while making a statement.

Its in the detail 

Instead of shying away and opting for plain, loose fitting fabrics, play with color and prints! Darker colors, fine or dainty patterns and colour blocking are the type of details to look out for. Ruching, around the mid section, really help to accentuate curves and draw attention away from the pooch. Buttons down the front and a waist belt is a great way to break up a flat silhouette.

Yes to the Kimono 

Stock up on gorgeous kimono’s to up your Summer looks. Not only are kimono’s flattering for any figure, but they also pair well with just about any type of clothing. Pair a vibrant and colourful kimono with a flattering pair of shorts or an elegant kimono with a summer dress, to show off your personal style.

High waists 

I usually wouldn’t reach for a jumpsuit or a high waisted jeans or pants, because I tend to shy away from anything that puts emphasis on my tummy area. But the truth is that low-rise and mid-rise jeans creates the dreaded mushroom-top bubble effect, because it cuts right in the belly area.

I hope that these tips will help to give you the confidence boost you need this Summer!