Uganda celebrates national day at Expo 2020 Dubai
Uganda has celebrated its national day at Expo 2020 Dubai with a flag-raising ceremony at the stage of nations in Al Wasl Plaza. There were also speeches and cultural performances.
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“Somewhere between living and dreaming, there’s Puerto Vallarta” – Javier Vela. Ever wondered what the secret is to having the most enjoyable trip possible? Welcome to my “Be Invisible” series – your ultimate guide for how to avoid looking like a tourist on your next adventure and guaranteed to boost your entire travel experience. Bursting with…
The post 10 Puerto Vallarta Travel Tips to Not Look Like a Tourist appeared first on The Invisible Tourist.
Searching for the best reed diffuser for your home? Whether for scenting your bedroom or keeping your living room smelling fresh, we can help. We’ve been tasked with the oh-so-hard job of testing reed diffusers, inside our own homes, and the ones we love are featured in this roundup. Because a reed diffuser is an easy way to ensure your home smells fragrant year-round. They can also help disguise everyday odours from cooking, pets and more.
We’ve found a reed diffuser for each and every room of your home, and for all seasons. You might want to go for something woody, spicy or warm for autumn and winter. We’ve got you covered below. Before you buy a reed diffuser, though, it might be worth considering where you’ll be using it. Why? Some scents are best for certain areas of the home, while others are super strong. Selected reed diffusers can be nice and subtle so best suited for smaller rooms. We’ve listed everything you need to know in our guide below.
Related: the best home fragrance buys from reed diffusers to candles and room sprays
A good quality reed diffuser will last for up to six months of use, depending on how many reeds you are using. Though you might have to replace your reeds before this, as these sometimes get clogged with dust. If you are finding that your reed diffuser isn’t working as well as it has in the past, and you can barely smell anything from the reeds, it’s a sign to replace. With some reed diffusers, you can buy refills. This means you can top them up after use, instead of buying the entire thing again. Clever!
We’ve rounded up our favourite fragrances of the season below…
Image credit: Rituals
This wow-worthy reed diffuser comes in a gorgeous white vessel that’s ribbed and compact by nature. With help from wooden sticks, it works to fragrance an entire room, from corner to corner. Though small in size it’s surprisingly powerful and definitely a unique scent. A blend of rice milk and cherry blossom, this oriental reed diffuser is slightly floral and perfect for year-round use. You needn’t flip the reeds regularly, too. Just a note: due to its slim bottle design, it can be easy to tip over. Place it far away from wandering hands or paws. Oh, and you can buy a refill bottle to top it up when necessary.
Capacity: 70ml/250ml
Refill available? Yes
Image credit: The White Company
The only reed diffuser you should be buying this autumn, The White Company’s Fireside fragrance replicates the scent of a burning fire – without the fumes or the hassle. You’ll find yourself tempted to flip the reeds every few days as this scent is addictive, whilst it’s super warm to add a cosy vibe to your space. We say to place it in a living room, bedroom or even a hallway, but it really is versatile so you can use it anywhere. We can almost guarantee that your guests will comment on its woody fragrance, whilst it should last for three months on your side. It comes housed inside a classic The White Company vessel and is complete with rattan sticks. It’s perfect for Scandi-style homes. We just wish you could buy refills.
Capacity: 150ml
Refill available? No
Image credit: Orphic Living
This reed diffuser from small business Orphic Living is fantastically fragranced – and it comes housed in a lux looking amber glass bottle. It emits a deep scent of leather, tobacco, amber and musk, yet rest assured it’s never too overpowering. It’s great for using at home during the colder months, whilst it works its magic best in smaller, warmer rooms. There’s a matching candle available, plus a room spray, in the same fragrance. It makes a lovely gift idea…
Capacity: 150ml
Refill available? No
Image credit: Cocod’or
If it’s a good looking reed diffuser that you are after, perhaps to both scent your home and make a statement, then we recommend this luxury option from Cocod’or. It looks and plays the part – and it would look lovely in the centre of your coffee table or on display in your bedroom. It uses a mix of reeds and dried flowers to do the job of making your home smell nice. With fresh yet floral notes of white freesia and English pear, it’s subtle enough for guests to notice – and to comment. This reed diffuser should last 60 days, depending on how many reeds and dried flowers you use. We think it makes a lovely gift, too.
Capacity: 200ml
Refill available? No
Buy now: [Cocod’or/English Pearfree] Lavender Reed Diffuser, £15.99, Amazon
Image credit: Skandinavisk
This is one of our most favourite candles and our top-rated Skandinavisk candle, so why wouldn’t we want to buy it in reed diffuser form? It’s pretty in looks and in scent, with a decorative white glass casing, plus, refills are available to buy, too. We say pop it right in the middle of your living room – pride of place! Boasting aromas of peonies and roses, strawberries and mosses, this sweet-smelling floral fragrance is definitely one for spring and summer. Housed in white glass that’s made of 30% recyclable materials, this eco-friendly fragrance comes with 8 sticks included, while you can top up your existing vessel with fragrance as they sell refills. They say 200ml should last you more than three months.
Capacity: 200ml
Refill available? Yes
Image credit: Botanica by Airwick
If you are looking for something fresh to make a conservatory nice, then we can recommend this Air Wick reed diffuser – it smells lovely, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s very affordable. Perfect for getting rid of damp smells, and making a not-so lived in room smell lovely. Especially great for use in conservatories during colder months. Scented of juicy pineapple and herby rosemary, this unique blend is nice and powerful. It’s infused with natural essential oils, and it’s free from phthalates and dyes. This reed diffuser uses naturally derived rattan stems to make it environmentally friendly. The fragrance should last for around 45 days in your home. You can purchase refills so you needn’t repurchase the glass vessel, and these refills come in lots of scents so you can switch things up if need be.
Capacity: 80ml
Refill available? No
Image credit: Stoneglow
Looking for a reed diffuser to pop in your living room? This one from Stoneglow should be at the very top of your list. Not only does it look the part – in an oval glass bottle, with visible dried lily of the valley flowers and pink peppercorns – but it smells lovely, too. And by lovely we mean unique – it’ll be sure to banish smells and wow your guests.Just flip the reeds every now and then to release the fragrance. Made from a blend of lily of the valley (muget), rose and geranium, along with base notes of ginger and elemi – to add a luxury feel – this unique blend is ideal for those who love floral smells. This reed diffuser is said to last for up to 16 weeks when using all reeds, and as with all Stoneglow diffusers, it’s made with essential oils and natural waxes, all of which are sustainably sourced. They are also hand-poured right here in the UK.
Capacity: 180ml
Refill available? Yes
Image credit: Floral Street
This lovely Floral Street reed diffuser is a fab buy for a toilet or bathroom – or if you love a fresh scent. It would equally make a lovely addition to an orangery or conservatory, as its fresh leafy fragrance will help bring the outside in. Lady Emma smells of a mix of fresh leaves, green apple and Bulgarian rose oil, so it’s safe to say it’s one for spring and summer months. This reed diffuser is completely vegan and also cruelty-free, while it arrives in gorgeous recyclable packaging that ought to wow you (and your giftee). It’s housed in a pink glossy glass vessel, to add a pop of colour somewhere that needs it.
Capacity: 100ml
Refill available? No
Buy now: Floral Street Lady Emma Diffuser, £34, Floral Street
Image credit: Aldi
We’ve heard only good things about Aldi reed diffusers, and one that always comes up is their Lime, Basil & Mandarin scent. A dupe of Jo Malone’s one, but at very small fraction of the price, it’s a great buy if you are on a budget – or if you’re buying a reed diffuser to live in a room you don’t often chill inside – such as a spare bedroom or extra bathroom. This Aldi reed diffuser smells of lime, basil and mandarin, while it comes housed in a glass vessel with a silver lid, to look the part in your home, too. They say it should scent your home for up to 8 weeks, which, considering the price is fab. It even comes with 8 rattan sticks included, and it comes in a fancy box to make it feel and look a lot more high quality than its price tag portrays. There’s a reason Aldi shoppers go mad for this diffuser.
Capacity: 100ml
Refill available? No
Buy now: Hotel Collection No.1 Lime, Basil & Mandarin, £3.49, Aldi
Image credit: Yankee Candle
Perfect for a utility room, the Yankee Candle Fluffy Towel scent is perfectly subtle. As the name suggests, it emulates the sweet scent of freshly washed towels. Place it near your washing machine or tumble dryer for a double whammy. The aroma of clean, warm towels straight from the dryer is combined with notes of lemon, apple, lavender and lily. Deliciously invigorating for any room in the house – not just your utility room. Pop the Scandi-looking bottle on a shelf to fill the room with long-lasting fragrance – even if you’ve not done a towels wash in a few days. Yankee Candle reed diffusers offer the same long-lasting, true-to-life fragrance their candles do.
Capacity: 120ml
Refill available? No
We rate The White Company’s Fireside Diffuser as the best reed diffuser you can buy right now – for autumn 2021. It’s comforting and woody, and perfect for placing in any room in your home. This reed diffuser is housed inside a decorative vessel that will fit in seamlessly with your decor, too. We’ve also tried, tested and loved Rituals’ The Ritual of Sakura Fragrance Sticks and this small yet powerful diffuser packs a punch, too.
Reed diffusers are much safer to use as opposed to candles, though we obviously still love striking a match to our fave candle. They also require basically zero effort from you – all you need to do is flip the reeds every now and then. They are great for pet owners and parents since they needn’t be watched around inquisitive hands (or paws). Just place them well out of the way to do their job. Perhaps on a bookshelf, atop a chest of drawers, or on a high console table.
The best part? You can control how much scent is released when using a reed diffuser – add more reeds to the mix for a stronger scent, remove to make it subtle.
You could pop a reed diffuser in your bathroom, to keep it smelling lovely all of the time and to banish odours. Alternatively, they work well in hallways – to greet your guests on arrival and to flood all of your other rooms with a subtle scent. Use a reed diffuser in a living area as this busy space is in need of a fragrance. This way, you’ll benefit from a constant breath of (lovely smelling) fresh air. Just be careful when placing reed diffusers in rooms where children often spend time, just in case they become too overpowering. We would suggest using a reed diffuser in a well-ventilated room. You can adjust the intensity of yours by removing reeds or adding them.
Don’t miss our best candles guide if you’re after a different type of home fragrance
The post Best reed diffusers – 10 fragranced finds for all budgets and seasons appeared first on Ideal Home.
Well-organised kitchen cabinets are at the heart of any smooth-running kitchen. A kitchen might look fabulous on the outside, but if the contents of kitchen cabinets and drawers are in a jumble, then chaos will reign. Meaning ideas for how to organise kitchen cabinets become essential to restore order.
When it comes to kitchen storage ideas a combination of cupboards, drawers and standard-sized shelves will cover the basics, but fine-tuning the interiors to solve specific storage needs or problem areas can make a big difference to how your kitchen functions.
‘My rule of thumb is to only bring in extra storage if really necessary,’ says professional organiser, Vicky Silverthorn, Youneedavicky.com. ‘You’ll be surprised after a good de-clutter at just how well your kitchen stores things without much help.’
‘Go through drawers and cupboards to see what you have, what you actually use and how many repeats you have. Then think about where everything belongs before putting it away again.’
Whether you’re looking for ways to re-organise crowded kitchen cabinets, tips to tackle untidy drawers or clever kitchen shelving ideas, our rundown will have you covered.
Image credit: Heritage Sage kitchen, Wickes
Corner cabinets can be notoriously difficult to access, with blind corners making it tricky to see or reach what’s inside. A three-quarter carousel unit is a great way of tackling the problem in a tight corner spot. Perfect for a full-height larder unit. Half-width doors fold out, with swivel interior shelves that make it easy to grab what’s inside.
Image credit: Kesseböhmer Tandem Solo in Silver, Second Nature Kitchens
While a traditional full-sized larder or pantry is the dream, if your kitchen is on the small side, it might not be possible, but there are alternative kitchen pantry ideas that might work instead. Compromise with a slimline version that can be squeezed into a 40cm cm deep cupboard.
‘Try an innovative larder system that moves the contents of the cupboard out to you,’ says Graeme Smith at Second Nature Kitchens. ‘It’ll make the contents easier to see and access so packets and cartons don’t get left at the back of cupboards.’
Image credit: IKEA
Larger appliances that are used every day are fine living out on work surfaces, but for those used less frequently or for bulky items that eat up space, try storing them out of the way in lower-down cupboards so they can be pulled out when needed.
A rotating half-sized carousel will give easy access to hard-to-reach corners in base cabinets which are ideal for storing saucepans and bakeware.
Buy now: Utrusta carousel, £110, IKEA
Image credit: Alderley kitchen in bone, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers
‘Group kitchen kit and supplies together in a place that makes sense, so that your kitchen flows better’ says Vicky Silverthorn. ‘Tea and coffee should live next to mugs, cups and kettle. Likewise, keep oils, spices and utensils close to the hob for easy access.’
Consider devoting one cabinet to a drinks station with tea and coffee-making essentials stored close to the kettle or coffee maker so everything can be accessed easily. Include mugs, cups, tea spoons and extras like flavoured syrups and milk frother.
Image credit: A Place for Everything
Flat items like baking trays, lids and chopping boards often get shoved in a drawer or cupboard, but un-stacking them every time you want to use something is a pain. Organiser racks – similar to a toast rack – let you slot items in individually for easier access.
Buy now: Small lid and plate storage rack, £7, A Place for Everything
Buy now: Serving dish storage rack, £18, A Place for Everything
Try this neat trick and inexpensive idea for organising an under-sink cabinet. Use a length of curtain tension rod – the spring-action kind – fixed in place just below the sink. Then simply hook cleaning spray bottles up out of the way and tidy the rest of the cupboard’s contents into neat plastic baskets at the bottom.
Image credit: IKEA
Kitchen wall cabinets with fixed shelves often have large gaps in-between that get wasted, particularly above shorter items. Double-up on shelf space with these clever raised inserts that give another layer of storage on top for jars and packets.
Great for food storage, these raised inserts also come in handy for storing crockery and glassware, rather than having too-tall stacks of bowls and plates that might topple.
Buy now: Variera shelf inserts, £4, IKEA
Image credit: JosephJoseph
These slide-out containers are another option for utilising wasted space in-between shelves. Mounted on rails underneath a shelf (or under a cupboard) the air-tight containers have easy-open lids and are ideal for storing dry ingredients like rice, pulses or pasta.
Buy now: CupboardStore under shelf storage container set, £35, JosephJoseph
Image credit: A Place for Everything
‘Stackable baskets are a great solution for any type of kitchen,’ says Simon Glanville at A Place for Everything. ‘They’re lightweight space savers that create another level within the cupboard without having to pay for costly kitchen improvements. Adding these to the kitchen gives extra storage, without taking up precious counter space and means that all your tins and dry good are easily accessible.’
Buy now: Stackable pantry basket with label holder, £16, A Place for Everything
Image credit: Passe Par Tout system, from £12,000 for a complete kitchen, Rational
Utilise wasted space inside kitchen cabinets with clever door-mounted pockets. Strategically positioned so that they don’t bash into shelves, the fabric pockets are perfectly sized for small items or loose odds and ends that often get lost at the back of cupboards.
Image credit: IKEA
Store fruit and veg in easy-access baskets so you can dip in and grab what you need without having to take everything out. This under-shelf basket slots in place and is a great way of utilising wasted space above short jars and tins.
Opt for mesh, wire or woven baskets when storing fruit and veg so that air can circulate and supplies won’t perish.
Buy now: Observator basket, £3, IKEA
Image credit: Lakeland
Tall kitchen cabinets and deep shelves mean that smaller items often get left unseen at the back. A shelf stepper lets you see what’s inside cupboards more easily, with smaller items at the back elevated, so they don’t get lost.
This one expands to fill shelf space and has a non-slip surface to stop jars from rolling around.
Buy now: Expandable shelf organiser, £19.99, Lakeland
Image credit: A Place for Everything
Grouping supplies and ingredients together makes sense so you can grab everything you need in one hit when you’re prepping or baking. Wooden crates and lift-out storage caddies are great for small items like spice jars, packets and cartons, or even cake-decorating kit. Buy in an assortment of sizes to make full use of cupboard space.
Buy now: Wooden pantry storage pantry bin with handle, £11, A Place for Everything
Image credit: Kitchen with drawer storage, John Lewis of Hungerford
Tall stacks of crockery can be tricky to grab if they’re stored in a too-high kitchen cabinet. Utilise space lower down by storing bowls and dishes in deep storage drawers. Wooden peg dividers keep stacks separated, with buffers at the edges to keep dishes from sliding and chipping when drawers are opened and closed.
Image credit: A Place for Everything
Table linens, cloths and oven gloves often end up in an untidy heap or get shoved to the back of a cupboard. Storing textiles in a drawer will keep them flat and make them easier to find. Organise drawers with adjustable wooden dividers that simply slide apart to section-off the contents and can be used on any size drawer.
Buy now: Set of two expandable wooden drawer dividers, £20, A Place for Everything
Image credit: John Lewis & Partners
Lids can easily get separated from pans and end up rattling around at the back of a drawer or cupboard. These wall-mounted pan lid holders utilise otherwise-wasted space on the backs of cupboard doors, with lids slotting in so you can find them first time.
Buy now: JosephJoseph CupboardStore pan lid holder, £9.50 for four, John Lewis & Partners
Image credit: IKEA
Shift spice jars, condiments and oils off the worktop but within easy grabbing distance of the hob. This open wall unit keeps everything at eye level and has a swivel shelf so that essentials are accessible.
Buy now: Enhet swivel shelf, £7.50; IKEA
Image caption: Virginia kitchen with open display and baskets, Mereway Kitchens
Squeeze in a shelf or two at the end of a run of units or on the reverse of a kitchen island unit. Small shelves are perfect for cookery books or for showing off decorative kitchenware. While a row of baskets makes handy extra storage for loose fruit and vegetables.
Image credit: Harptree kitchen, Caple
Find use for wasted inches between kitchen base units by adding a slot-in holder for wooden chopping boards and kitchen trays. Or add a pull-out rail and use the space to hang tea towels and oven mitts.
Image caption: Alderley kitchen in bone, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers
Utilise wasted space at the end of a run of kitchen units by slotting in an extra-narrow set of drawers. Positioned close to the hob, they make the perfect space to slot in spice jars, oils and condiments so that everything’s to hand when cooking.
‘Strategic storage will make your kitchen stand out and ensure you’ll enjoy using it every day,’ says Ben Burbidge at Kitchen Makers.
‘Know where everything lives,’ says Vicky Silverthorn. ‘Look at gadgets and utensils and assess whether you actually use them or need them. Is a peeler, squeezer, corer, slicer really necessary when one knife might do? Do you have space for all of them?’
‘Don’t fill cupboards with things that aren’t needed anymore. Having multiples or ‘just in cases’ is a waste of space,’ Vicky adds.
‘Organise food cupboards like a supermarket,’ says Vicky, ‘with everything lined up and labels facing forwards so you can see what you have and what you need to buy. Get into the habit of putting new shopping (with longer use-by dates) at the back and shifting everything forward as you go.’
Before you start, take everything out and pile it on a kitchen worktop or table so you can assess exactly what you have, what you have too many of and what you no longer need.
Get rid of any chipped crockery, cracked glassware and broken appliances first. And if there are gadgets and gizmos that are rarely used, consider re-gifting them so you can free up some extra cupboard space.
Organise the rest of the contents into categories, such as tableware and glasses, serving dishes and platters, cookware, small appliances, etc. Assess what you have and how you use items, so that those you often use together (such as cake decorating kit or coffee and tea-making essentials) are all stored in the same place.
Think about where everything belongs before putting away. Don’t store things high up or at the back of cupboards if you use them daily – likewise don’t clutter work surfaces with things that aren’t used daily or weekly. Having too much out hinders easy prep and reduces overall space. Free-up worktop space by tucking larger items (like toasters and blenders) away in a cupboard near to the surface you’ll be using them on.
Reserve one section of storage, such as a larder cupboard or wall cabinet just for food, organising it into perishables and store-cupboard ingredients and making sure that most-used items are easiest-accessed.
The post How to organise kitchen cabinets – from strategic storage to clever space-saving solutions appeared first on Ideal Home.