Latest news with #summerVibes
The Guardian
19-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
From a solar shower to nasal sprays: festival veterans on the things they can't live without
A summer of festivals lies ahead of us, and while hitting a muddy field with a tent, a pair of wellies and a sense of optimism is all about living in the moment, it's a brave soul who doesn't attempt at least a modicum of pre-planning. As anyone who's ever attended a weekend festival will know, there's a knack to deciding what to take (and what to leave behind), dressing to impress while travelling light, and keeping your spirits intact in all weathers. To make sure you're covered this festival season, we asked three veterans who've been to almost 100 festivals between them to share their top hacks, including what to wear, essentials to pack, and why fairy lights prove surprisingly useful when you've got kids in tow … 'I've learned the hard way that with my hay fever, a nasal spray is a must for me,' says Debbie Lord, 53, from Penzance, Cornwall 'Since my first event at 19, I've been to over 20 festivals: I love live music and discovering new bands, and it's a chance to shut yourself off from the outside world, meet new people and feel a little freer. There are a few things I've learned never to go to festivals without, including a collapsible bucket, solar shower and a bar of soap for washing. Starting each day clean without having to queue for the showers is a gamechanger. I always carry in a large, self-inflating roll mattress to ensure I get a good night's sleep – my friends think it's ridiculous, but it's almost as comfortable as a bed! Another essential is a pair of earplugs. Festivals can be lively until the early hours, so being able to drown out some of the noise to sleep is a must. And as a hay fever sufferer, I now go prepared. In the past, I've had to head to the on-site chemist for help when the dust was making me feel dreadful! The uncontrollable sneezing and streaming eyes were totally exhausting. I've found it best to use Beconase Hayfever nasal spray* for a few days before a festival and then every morning and night to help me enjoy everything uninterrupted. Finally, don't forget to take something shiny or glittery to wear. A bit of colourful sparkle adds to the feeling of joy and celebration.' 'To avoid crashes, pack plenty of snacks,' says artist Katherine Griffin, 44, from Brighton, East Sussex 'I've probably been to around 65 festivals in total: as well as going for fun, I often work at and make art for them. Over the years, my partner Solomon and I have picked up plenty of tips for taking children. Our daughter Ezrah, seven, has been to seven festivals, and Hazel, 18 months, has been to one – two if you count in utero! My top tip is to make sure you take a wagon, bike trailer or pushchair – crucially, one that has big, all-terrain wheels with tyres. Decorate it with fairy lights to help people see you coming at night, and don't forget your spare inner tubes and puncture repair kit. Festivals can be incredibly stimulating, so you can forget regulated meal times. The alternative is to make sure you're armed with plenty of snacks. To avoid crashes, we take plenty of slow-burning energy supplies, such as fruit, oatcakes and energy balls made with dates. We always take ear defenders for the kids, too – as a rule of thumb, if you struggle to hear yourself having a conversation then it's too loud for little ears, so that's the time to put them on. At the festival we took Hazel to last year, we'd put them on her as soon as she napped or fell asleep, so she was undisturbed. Finally, if you're hitting one of the bigger festivals, there will always be something going on, and something you'll miss out on, so choose one or two things you really want to see, then just give in to the magic. As long as you provide plenty of snacks and picnic breaks, your kids will love it as much as you do.' 'Boho chic will always have its place at festivals,' says stylist Harriet Nicolson, 31, from London 'Over the years, I've been to over 10 festivals, so I'm well-versed in packing and dressing! I'd kick off your kit with a really decent pair of boots. I usually choose a statement cowboy boot that's been well broken-in beforehand – metallic adds a festive pop. Bring a waterproof that folds up and fits in your bum bag – it will also work as a lightweight layer over your outfit for the chillier moments in the shade – and, probably most importantly, a decent cross-body bag. I attach a small carabiner to the strap on mine, so I can secure my water bottle for hands-free dancing. As for your look, while boho chic will always have its place at festivals (this season, expect to see fringing everywhere), we're seeing a real shift towards Y2K style and sports-luxe vibes: think Adidas tracksuit bottoms paired with bikini tops, or sports shorts paired with cowboy boots. While it might sound cumbersome, bringing a faux-fur coat for the freezing-cold evenings is also a winner. Choose a statement colour or pattern and you'll be the envy of the festival. Finally, go bold with accessories. I always take a couple of colourful, statement pairs of sunglasses and one all-rounder, as they're a great way to elevate an outfit.' Buy Beconase now on Amazon Beconase Hayfever Relief for Adults 0.05% Nasal Spray contains beclometasone dipropionate. For the treatment of hayfever in adults aged 18 and over. Always read the leaflet. *Beconase Hayfever contains beclometasone dipropionate. For the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis, including hayfever, in adults aged 18 and over. Always read the leaflet. Disclaimer: Harriet Nicolson does not endorse Beconase products.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Steven Sabados- Decorating Outdoor Spaces
Regina Watch Be it a Patio or apartment balcony, Steven Sabados has you covered on budget-friendly ways to decorate your outdoor spaces this summer. #SponsoredContent
Gizmodo
06-06-2025
- Gizmodo
Amazon Is Going Nuts Before Prime Day, With This Mini Sony Portable Speaker Now Almost Free
For the summer, a good speaker that can be taken anywhere is a must if you're headed to the beach, by the pool or hosting a backyard party with your friends. The problem is, most portable speakers that are actually durable and sound well cost between $200 and $300, well out of most of our price ranges. That's why the Sony SRS-XB100 is such a great value today: This speaker is currently available on Amazon for as little as $38, a discount from its standard price of $59, which already is considerably lower than most other options will run. At a 37% off and all-time low, it's an opportunity to score a top quality portable speaker for about ten times cheaper than usual. See at Amazon Good Sound, Low Price Affordable yet without sacrificing features or quality of sound, the Sony SRS-XB100 is designed to deliver strong and full sound with great bass from a more advanced driver that boosts low tones. From listening to a podcast stream to your favorite summer tunes, sound is crisp and lively, filling a room with low sound. The Sound Diffusion Processor even enhances this experience by diffusing sound evenly, such that anyone within the vicinity can hear the music irrespective of their seating. The speaker is absurdly compact and lightweight, meaning you can carry it around in a bag or grasp it in your hand. It comes with a specially made strap, so you can attach it to your backpack, bike, or pin it up at your campsite. Don't let its minimal dimensions fool you: This speaker is rugged enough for the rigors of outdoor adventures and everyday use. IP67 rated, the speaker is both dust and waterproof and thus can be taken to the poolside, beach, or even for a shower without worrying about being damaged. The new UV coating offers an extra layer of protection, ensuring that the speaker does not get faded off or wear away despite hours of exposure to sunlight. That makes it a reliable companion for summer vacations, travel, and spontaneous gatherings. Apart from up to 16 hours of uninterrupted playback from a single charge, the battery level indicator keeps you informed at all times so you won't be caught off guard. Apart from this, it's easy and fast to recharge using the USB Type-C connection, so you will always be prepared. It's simple to pair your devices with Bluetooth capabilities, and allows you to stream music straight from your phone, tablet, or laptop. You can even pair a second SRS-XB100 for stereo sound for an even more immersive listening experience. The built-in microphone with echo-canceling technology also allows hands-free calling to be clear and convenient, whether answering by the pool or during a group video call. Good sound, durable construction, great battery life, and easy connectivity: Make sure to grab yours before it runs out of stock. See at Amazon
Phone Arena
02-06-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Best Bluetooth speaker deals right now: Save big with these hot offers
With summer just around the corner, you're probably planning new adventures and can't wait to spend more time with your friends outside. And since the best way to enhance a gathering is with an engaging playlist of dance music, getting a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker is likely on your bucket there's no better time than the present. There are plenty of unmissable Bluetooth speaker deals to splurge on right now, with the best offers on portable Bluetooth speakers curated in this exact article. So, don't waste time! Check out the top deals on Bluetooth speakers below and save today! Also Read: The best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025 The Beats Pill is on sale for 33% off on Amazon, bringing its price to under the $100 mark. The speaker delivers premium sound and up to 24 hours of battery life. It also packs an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, and you can enjoy lossless audio when you plug it into a computer or phone. Don't hesitate and save while the offer lasts! Buy at Amazon Grab the popular JBL Flip 6 for less than $100 on Amazon and save 23% in the process. The speaker packs a loud sound and has great durability, boasting a high IP67 dust and water resistance rating. Act fast and save while you can! Buy at Amazon Amazon is offering a sweet 38% discount on the compact JBL Clip 5, allowing you to get one for just under $50. The speaker offers great sound for its size and price. Plus, it can easily be attached to a backpack, making it a great pick for hikers. Don't miss out! Buy at Amazon The Sonos Move 2 is back at its best price on Amazon, but not for long. The speaker stands out with its premium design, smart features, and long battery life. Get yours through this limited-time Amazon sale and save $113. Buy at Amazon The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is now available with a fantastic $100 discount on Amazon, dropping the price to just under $150. Built for adventure, this tough speaker boasts an IP67 rating for durability and delivers immersive 360-degree audio. Don't wait—grab one for less now! Buy at Amazon Bose fans can save 24% on the SoundLink Micro. The speaker is extremely compact, has a durable IP67 dust and water resistance design, and offers great value at its current sub-$90 price. Don't miss out! Buy at Amazon If you're looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker that you can put in your backpack and bring anywhere with you, you're in luck, as we're currently seeing quite a few awesome deals on small Bluetooth speakers .For instance, the Beats Pill is now 33% off, selling for below $100. If you prefer something ultra-portable that you can easily clip onto your backpack, the JBL Clip 5 is now 38% off, making it an excellent choice for hikers. Speaking of hiking-friendly speakers, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is also heavily discounted right now and selling for $100 off, while the waterproof Bose SoundLink Micro can be yours for 24% less. The fan-favorite JBL Flip 6, famous for its loud sound and high durability, is also on sale and available for 23% off, all while the Sonos Move 2 remains a great pick at 25% off, saving you $113. Amazon has its best deal yet on the JBL Xtreme 4. Right now, you can snag this portable Bluetooth speaker at its lowest price ever! That's a $130 discount—but don't wait around, this deal likely won't stick around for long. Buy at Amazon The JBL Boombox 3 is a very tempting choice for users seeking thumping bass, loud audio, and long battery life. The unit is currently $120 off on Amazon, letting you grab one for just south of $380, instead of $500. Save while the offer lasts! Buy at Amazon Save $100 and get the JBL PartyBox Club 120 for just under $300. This party speaker delivers powerful JBL Pro Sound, features a futuristic light show, and offers up to 12 hours of playtime. With a foldable handle, splash-proof design, and dual mic and guitar inputs, it's built for large gatherings. Save while you can! Buy at Amazon Get the JBL Party-On-The-Go Bluetooth on Amazon and save $100 in the process. Thanks to this discount, you can snag a unit for under $250. The speaker is a top choice for big gatherings and even boasts ports for a microphone and guitar. Act fast and save on this awesome speaker today! Buy at Amazon Right now, Amazon is offering massive discounts on JBL's best party speakers, bringing deep bass, vibrant light shows, and powerful sound to your gatherings at unbeatable JBL Xtreme 4 is now 34% off, selling at a hefty $130 discount. Meanwhile, the JBL Boombox 3, famous for its thumping bass and long battery life, is also on sale for $120 off. If you want a full party experience, the JBL PartyBox Club 120, packed with JBL Pro Sound, a futuristic light show, and high durability, is $100 off, while the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go is available at the same $100 discount, featuring microphone and guitar ports to take your party to the next level.
The Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Amazon is selling an £9 privacy screen that's perfect for keeping your garden away from prying eyes this summer
AMAZON is selling a cheap privacy screen that will elevate your garden and keep the prying eyes away. With the temperatures rising and summer on our doorstep, more people will be spending time in their gardens. 2 But your sunbathing sessions and relaxation could be disturbed by neighbours peeking through the fence. Putting up a large fence around your garden may seem like the obvious solution but this can be expensive - and can sometimes lead to disagreements with neighbours. For a hassle-free answer to your problem, you could install a privacy screen that is both affordable and pleasant to the eye. Amazon is selling a £9 privacy screens with artificial flowers that will elevate your garden's look. The 200 x 40cm expanding flower panels make a perfect backdrop for pictures or celebrations if you're planning to throw BBQ parties this year. They also protect your privacy from any prying eyes, blocking 90 per cent of UV rays, and blend perfectly with the greenery of the garden. The product is said to be suitable for outdoors as it can withstand wind, rain and heat thanks to the rust-free plastic and wood blend . The privacy screen can be easily attached to an existing fence, patio or wall without any tools. You could also choose between realistic purple orchids or yellow sunflowers to complement your garden's look. B&Q's Lifelike Grape Leaf Foldable Artificial Green Wall is another penny-pincher friendly bu y perfect for keeping your garden secluded. Aldi is selling a cheap $2.19 item in the 'finds aisle' that will transform your garden into a colorful summer paradise The stylish screen comes in a realistic leaf design, perfect for blending in to your greenery. However, the privacy screen is only available online, so you will have to order it via the B&Q website instead of heading to your local store if you are keen to snap up the bargain. Meanwhile, Shein's Artifical Ivy Privacy Fence can keep snoopers out for just £10. And the purse-friendly buy isn't the only privacy screen you can buy on Shein at the moment. The e-commerce site's High Strength Privacy Fence is priced at just £7.75, and comes in a wide range of colours, including brown and green. What are your rights over a fence row? IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway. The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing. Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are. Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines. There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours '. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft. You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant.
