beds Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

Decoding Dreams

November 11, 2016 by Bel

Dreams have been a huge topic in our house recently, especially as both my girls tend to have them every night. For me, I don’t ever remember having dreams as a child (though I’m sure I did) and for the majority of my adult life I barely had any either. Many times my friends would talk about their dreams and all I could say was “I don’t really have any”. However I’ve noticed over the last few years I do seem to have more and as I’ve always known, its my brains way of processing everything that happens. I don’t know if I have a more stressful life nowadays, or maybe more things happen that need processing – but whatever the reason, I definitely have dreams more often than not these days.

Last night, I had one of those dreams that you’re not really sure if it’s good or bad. The dream itself was good I suppose. I don’t remember it clearly now (and honestly I’m trying not to as well) but my dad was in it and it was happy and I was happy and there was love. However when I woke with a start this morning, I realised it was just a dream. Then there was that bittersweet moment as reality set in that my dad wasn’t around and that I couldn’t talk to him or see him, or hug him as I had in my dream – as he died twelve years ago. All morning I’ve felt a bit shaky, a bit like I want to cry and the truth is I know why I dreamt it, as there is family drama going on – especially that which involves my mum and I can only imagine how much she might be missing him right now.

Luckily though, Lily came down this morning and was all chatter about a weird and wonderful dream that she had. The girls always make me smile with their dreams as they’re nearly always happy, but if not then at least strange and funny. They used to have nightmares a lot when they were younger and I put most of that down to the fact they had good imaginations so they worked overtime when they sleep. Now I’m glad they are better at enjoying their dreams and can make the most wonderful stories based on them. Sometime we try to pick apart what their dreams might mean and I’ve sometimes even googled the odd thing when it’s been a really specific dream.

In association with Adjustamatic adjustable beds, I wanted to share this video about explaining kids dreams. I love that as a child, your mind sort of protects you from the bad aspects of your thoughts and puts them into more relatable stories in your dreams. That said, as far as my bad dream went last night, seeing my dad and being able to hug him again was actually a really special part of my dream – so maybe our mind is always looking out for us, in its own way.

Duvet Fillings: Which Material is Best for You?

May 11, 2016 by Bel

When it comes to choosing the right duvet for your luxurious and cosy bed, you have many different options, not only in terms of design, but also in terms of filling. With several fillings to choose from on a 100 cotton duvet cover, it can become confusing and difficult to know which one is right for you, so continue reading for a short guide that will help you make the best choice.

A Word About the TOG Rating

The TOG rating on any duvet is basically how cool or warm it will make you feel throughout the night. It is actually a unit that refers to the amount of body heat that the duvet will end up retaining, so the more body heat it can retain, the warmer you will be. Bear in mind that the TOG rating does not represent the thickness or heaviness of the duvet, as lightweight options can really do a great job of insulating your body and keeping you warm in the colder seasons of the year.

A TOG of 13.5 means the duvet will be really warm and ideal for the winter. 10.5 or 9.0 means it will be warm, but ideal for autumn and spring. And 4.5 or 3 means the duvet is great for summer because it will keep you cooler.

Feather and Down Fillings

Duvet fillings that are considered natural include down and feathers. Down is the lightest option, while feathers contain quills and are firmer. These materials are breathable, and they can insulate you quite well when it is cold. However, it should be noted that these materials could contribute to allergies because of the dirt and dust that can collect in these duvets.

Silk Filling

A silk duvet is constructed from fibres that have been layered on top of one another. Therefore, silk filled duvets tend to have a flatter appearance, particularly when compared to duvets that are filled with down or feathers. However, allergy sufferers can benefit from silk filled duvets because the material is naturally hypoallergenic, as well as resistant to dust mites that can lead to allergies. Look for silk duvets that contain A Grade Mulberry silk or wild silk.

Synthetic Filling

Many duvets are considered cruelty free because they do not consist of any materials that are derived from animals. These duvets use synthetic fibres instead, making them less expensive but just as effective as duvets using natural fillings. Also, these materials are best for people who suffer with allergies. And another perk to synthetic filling is the fact that it is easier to care for and maintain than natural fibres, and you can wash these duvets more often. Again, opt for the right TOG rating to determine how warm you want the duvet to keep your body at night.

Now that you have a better idea of the different types of duvet fillings that are available, and the drawbacks and benefits of each, you can choose the one that is right for your particular needs.

How to Makeover Your Daughter’s Bedroom

September 16, 2015 by Bel

This post is contributed by Alex.

Doing a makeover of your daughter’s bedroom can be a big task to undertake. Here are some key tips to help you make a success of it, get more ideas at https://www.tvbedstore.co.uk/.

Choose An Interesting Bed

The most important part of any bedroom is, of course, the bed. Without a great bed, it’s impossible to create a great design for your daughter’s bedroom. It’s as simple as that! But there are lots of different options for you to consider. You could create your own if you like DIY. If not, there are loads of creative options out there.

Loads of great websites provide cabin beds for girls and boys. Some of the best ones aren’t gender specific, so don’t constrain yourself to the stereotypical, pink options. For example, you can buy beds that are designed so that they look like teepees. Or you could get a bed with loads of incorporated storage if the room is small.

Create a Homework Space

As your daughter grows up, it’s important to have a space where they can work as well as have fun. If you ask me, creating a special place in the room where they can do homework or just read for the fun of it is essential. This encourages them to take their work seriously and gives them the opportunity to do so.

You can create the space by moving away distractions in one corner of the room. It’s a good idea to install plantation shutters Newcastle on the window. This allows for the room to retain warmth better, making it more comfortable during winter. You will need to buy a good desk with some pull-out drawers, a chair, and a lamp so that they can see what they’re doing clearly.

And a Play Space

Your daughter’s bedroom can’t be all about work. There has to be the opportunity to have fun as well. So, why not create a space that’s dedicated to something they love and have fun doing in a different part of the room? You should make this separate from their homework and study space though.

The fun space could incorporate whatever your daughter enjoys doing. You should talk to them about what they want to have included in it. They’ll be sure to give you some ideas and tell you want they want most. Bedrooms become increasingly important as your daughter grows up, so it needs to be somewhere that reflects her personality.

Make it Bright and Fun

One of the things that a child’s bedroom has to be is fun. Your children should be able to enjoy their childhood while they’re still young. So, don’t make them grow up too quickly by forcing adult bedroom designs on them. It’s not about creating the kind of bedroom you like, but the kind of bedroom your daughter likes.

You also need to make sure that it’s bright and refreshing. You should open up the space and paint the walls in a bright colour so that the room doesn’t feel too dark or oppressive. And make sure you have enough light. Mirrors can help reflect the light too, so use one opposite the source of natural light in the room.

Guest Post: Top Tips on Buying a Cheap Bed Frame Online

June 16, 2015 by Bel

The following tips have been provided to me by the mattress bloggers at www.cutpricemattresses.co.uk for helping you buy beds online. They will help you to get it right the first time!

If you are in the market for a new bed frame, don’t make some of the silly mistakes that I made. Not only did I choose the wrong bed size, it was not a good fit for the room and I wound up having to pay to ship it back and reorder the right one. When you are ordering a bed frame online, you want to be certain you get it right the first time so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle and cost of returning it.

What Room is Your Bed Frame Going?

Consider the room that the bed frame will be placed. If your bedroom, you want a piece that will become the focal point of the room. If for a guest room, you can opt for a less fancy style. For my master bedroom I chose a bed frame that created a calming environment. Keep in mind the room the bed frame will be so you can price accordingly.

Do You Have Enough Space?

Maybe you are like me, and you just bought a new mattress and need to get the bed frame to match. Problem for me was I purchased a frame for a queen mattress when we had just upgraded to a king. Slipped my mind, but this was a costly mistake. Be sure that you know exactly the size mattress you have that you need the frame for before pressing that order button.

Have a Budget in Mind?

The bed frames can range from cheap and inexpensive to extremely costly. The fancier design you fall in love with, the more expensive this purchase is going to be. Be sure to have a solid budget in mind, then shop within that budget to avoid going overboard and spending more than you had anticipated.

Is the Bed Frame Movable?

One thing that I completely overlooked when I bought my bed frame was how movable is the piece. Many of the larger bed frames will not disassemble into small pieces, so you had better be sure to measure doors and hallways to ensure it can make it to the room without incident. If your home is on the small size, consider a bed frame that has the ability to be taken apart. Consider a bed frame that has casters, this will make it much more easier to roll it around the room if you ever have to make decorative changes.

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As you know we have recently decorated our bedroom. Though we haven’t bought a new bed, we have needed to purchase a variety of other items. Living in Gainsborough and needing the items quicker than buying them online, we were fairly limited. However we sourced curtains from Argos, shelves from B&Q and new bedding from B&M Home. I can’t wait to share my new look bedroom with you soon!

The girls room and Megan’s new Dormeo Memory Mattress*

September 27, 2014 by Bel

Those of you who read my blog regularly will remember the day we decided to move from my lovely little village of Saxilby, to where we live now in Gainsborough. You’ll also know that top of my priority for that move, was making the transition for the girls as smooth as possible. Though we did up several of the rooms before moving in, it was important to me to make sure the girls were very happy in their new room – and this resulted in us painting it pink! Along with the pink, we also adorned the walls with various stickers, posters and canvases – mainly Disney, but with some Mario featuring in there too.

Over time I have added to the room – there were Frozen stickers when the movie came out last year and since then there has even been Frozen duvets. During April their room also suffered from some quite severe rain damage to the ceiling, but we were lucky enough to get it all done (and covered by the insurance) over the summer holidays and now their room looks even better than ever. Not only that, but they gained a new border which they love.

With so many alterations to the room, I’d begun to notice just how old and tatty their bunkbed was beginning to look. Every time we stripped covers, the mattresses looked so dirty and horrible – I was disappointed there wasn’t something I could do about it. However just recently, we received a single Dormeo Memory Mattress. It retails at £299.99* but right now it’s on offer for £149.99. I decided that since Megan was the oldest, she should be the one to get it. She was thrilled at the idea of getting a new mattress – let alone a memory foam one and we had no end of amusement, getting it out of the box and onto her bed (even more when the old mattress nearly hit us on the head!) You can visit many Retail store locations if you need a bed like such or of better quality, too! You can check out Comfy Bamboo Sheets if you need new mattresses.

Reportedly the mattress from is incredibly comfy and Megan is very pleased with it, to find one similar visit the Bamboo Detective website. I have to admit I’ve had a lay on it – one night when Megan got herself upset over something, I ended up climbing the ladder for a cuddle (and a joke of how she’d have a mummy shape in her bed to remember me by) and I thought it was a really good mattress too. Chris is incredibly jealous as he really wanted a memory foam mattress but I said tough – the girls come first ;) Now I just have one mattress to replace instead of two and I’ll be pretty much done with the girls room – until of course they decide they want it painting blue or something!!