7 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Decking for Your Home

Decks are more than just outdoor features — they’re extensions of your living space, a place for family, friends, and quiet moments in nature. But not all decks are created equal. The right materials, design, and maintenance approach make a huge difference in longevity, appearance, and enjoyment. Here’s a guide to help you make smart decisions when planning your next Decking project.

1. Know Your Material Options

Timber (Natural Wood)

Wood remains a classic choice. It’s warm, natural, and can be stained or painted to suit your style. Popular timber options include treated pine, hardwoods like spotted gum or merbau, and species like blackbutt or silvertop ash. These materials suit many climates but require regular maintenance to prevent warping, rot, and splintering.

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7 Strong Reasons to Choose a Party Hire Service for a More Relaxed Big Event

Planning a large event—whether a wedding, corporate gala, birthday bash, or community festival—is exciting but can also be stressful. One smart way to ease that pressure is by partnering with a reliable party hire company. 

Instead of sourcing and managing every detail yourself, a party hire service provides what you need, when you need it. Here are seven great reasons why opting for a party hire provider can make your event smoother, more stylish, and far more relaxed.

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The Family Guide to Online Stranger Safety

It wasn’t that long ago that “stranger danger” meant a whispered warning about a white van or someone offering candy at a playground. That felt… manageable. You could teach your kid a short song or a clear, simple phrase. We all knew the script.

But today? Our kids aren’t just playing outside; they are navigating a vast, borderless, and often unmoderated digital landscape. The “stranger” isn’t a person you can point to on the street. It’s an avatar in a game, a DM on Instagram, or a face on a random chat. Honestly, it’s enough to make any parent feel like they’re fighting a shadow war with a terrible instruction manual. It’s confusing, and if we, the adults, are confused, imagine how it feels to a ten-year-old.

The real key to online safety isn’t about setting up a thousand parental control locks—though we’ll definitely cover those—it’s about having a real, ongoing conversation. You know what? It’s about building a better, stronger safety reflex in your kids. They need to know what a dangerous interaction looks like, what it feels like, and how to just walk away.

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Tips for Planning a Fantastic Halloween Party

Every year, we plan a Halloween party where all of our children get to invite friends. This does mean we have a wide age range (from the youngest being 9 this year, to the oldest being 15), so planning and preparing is most of the battle. We’ve been doing Halloween parties for years now, so we’ve gotten the activities down and have really mastered the snacks that go with feeding so many kids! Each year, we also hope to use outside, depending on the weather, but often find ourselves all inside. The eldest, Kai, and his friends often do not participate in activities due to their age, so we tend to set up a TV and video games, along with decorations, in Kai’s room. For Amelia and her friends, who like activities, and Robin and her friends, who are younger, we set up lots of things to do!

Halloween Party Snacks

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Seeing Chocolate Bars Made at Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore

Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore it tucked away in a side alley, towards the centre of Amsterdam, with a little sign pointing you into the doorway. It’s underground, and can easily be missed, but is a very interesting store to actually visit! When going in, you are presented with a video that talks about the superstore and mission behind Tony’s Chocolate, which is ethically sourced. The company itself works hard at being at ending the exploitation that happens within the chocolate industry, while putting human rights at the centre of their business. It’s been a brand that I have been aware of for quite some time!

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