Glitter Origami Elephant Ornament Tutorial

I hate wasting wrapping paper.  You know when you cut the paper to fit a present and have a little bit left that is too small to wrap another present?  This is the perfect use for it: origami elephant ornaments.

Make these cute origami elephants this holiday.  I made a few to put on my stocking hangers and I also make some for our Christmas tree.  Origami ornaments are the best because they are cheap, they pack up small and they can be cute too.  

To make this ornament I used gold glitter wrapping paper scraps.  See my video tutorial here.

These little elephants are so cute I may keep them up year round.

Steps to Cutting Your Carbon Footprint

With the threats of climate change forever present in the world we live in, it’s important that we each make a difference by reducing our personal greenhouse gas emissions. Saving on energy, water, and electricity can not only slash your bills, but it means you’re doing your bit for the environment. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few steps on how to cut your carbon footprint.

Go Organic

We’ve all been told from a young age how important it is to follow a balanced diet packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, however, many of us are still consuming tons of processed food which requires trucks, ships, planes, and trains that use fossil fuels to transport goods from A to B. To reduce your carbon footprint, going organic and purchasing locally sourced food can make a huge difference.

Reduce Energy Use

Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by taking notice of how much energy you’re currently using each month and finding ways to lower your consumption. Adding insulation to your home, performing an energy audit, as well as sealing your cooling and healing ducts can help do your bit for the environment. 

Switch Off Appliances

If you live in a busy household, it’s likely that you will have all sorts of appliances that are running simultaneously. Whether it be laptops, PCs, the washing machine, or cooker, it’s important that you switch off appliances when they’re not in use. Before you head to bed, make sure that appliances and electrical items are either switched off or unplugged. Once you begin to take action, you will notice a decrease in your energy bill.

Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle

There are lots of things that you can do to cut your carbon footprint in your day to day life. Decluttering your home and donating any unneeded belongings to charity, as well as buying, borrowing, or renting used clothing can help when it comes to leading an eco-friendlier way of life. There are also lots of electronics, furniture, and house decorations that you can purchase second hand which are as good as new. Not only will you be saving money, but you will be more environmentally aware too.

Drive an Electric Car

If you face a long commute to work each day, the amount of gas your car uses can be pricey. Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by choosing an electric car. To get more of an insight into the models available, sites like Carmax haveplenty of reviews on vehicles such as the 2019 Nissan LEAF, which is regarded as providing terrific EV power in a compact package. 

With climate change showing no signs of slowing down, it’s important that we’re all as carbon neutral as possible. Making minor lifestyle changes may not seem like much in the short-term, however, the more of us who take action, the more chance we have of saving the planet. What changes will you make?

How To Keep You And Your Kids Safe This Summer

Summer is upon us, and when the school semester ends, the fun can really begin for kids and parents alike. Spending quality time with your children is one of the greatest joys in life, and there's no better time for this than when the sun is shining and the hazy day stretches out before you. To make the most of summer, it's important that you all keep safe, happy, and healthy when the heat is on, so here are three simple tips to help you achieve exactly that.

Use Plenty Of Sunscreen

Sunny summer days are exciting, which is why we all, whatever our ages, love to charge outdoors when the hot weather arrives, but there's one thing you should always do first: apply the sunscreen. Sunburn is a very painful condition, but it can also contribute to serious long-term conditions, including skin cancer, so it's essential that you guard yourself and your children against it at all times. Children's skin can be especially susceptible to UV damage from the sun, so apply high factor sunscreen to your children before they head outside in summer, and they should also wear a sun hat. It's important to re-apply the cream or oil at regular intervals too, especially if they've been in the water, which could have washed it off.

Keep Hydrated

It's easy to forget when we're having fun in the sun just how important it is to keep hydrated. Focusing on hydration is especially important on hot days, simply because we naturally expend a lot of our natural water stores as a result of sweating, and that means that dehydration can occur rapidly. Expert tips on staying hydrated, whatever the weather, can be found at https://www.bevi.co/blog/tips-for-staying-hydrated/ so follow their advice and carry a reusable water bottle with you and hydrate regularly, even if you feel you don't need it. Early signs of dehydration can include dizziness, confusion and then nausea and distress, so never ignore these signs in yourself or your loved ones.

Stay Safe Around Water

We've seen how drinking water can be vitally important in summer, and indeed throughout the year, but another kind of water can bring danger to your kids. Children love to splash in the water, so whether you're by a poolside or the seaside keep your eye on them at all times when they're around water. Pay particular attention to safety warning notices and never allow your kids to enter the water if signs say that it's unsafe to do so. On beaches across America,  look out for warning flags: yellow flags warn of a medium hazard such as strong or hidden currents, but red flags warn of high danger – keep out of the water.

To keep safe in the sun, simply remember these three important strategies: apply sunscreen before going outside, and keep it topped up, also remember to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, and stay safe around water by looking out for and heeding warning signs and flags. With these three steps followed, you and your kids could have a super summer.