NEVER - EVER - GIVE UP!

[Karan]:  Bloody hell, what a day!  Not only is it Friday, but the kids break up for half-term today, other families are rushing off for their Whit' Week away, it's hot and I have been thwarted at every thwartation all day!  I will be glad when this bugger is over.

Just about everything that could go wrong today, has gone wrong.  I have been less than 50% productive in all the time I've been awake - which in itself feels like forever - and having little to show for my efforts, is enough to drive me crazy.

The whole week has been manic and we have achieved a lot, but still have a lot to achieve.  It would be so easy to walk away and do something that didn't always require so much effort, but nothing worth having is achieved easily; that much is obvious. 

When the going gets tough though you must dig in and never - ever - give up!  Do you like the cartoon?  Well, we all have to adopt the frog's aattitude when things look grim - at least the frog has a chance of survival, it may be a slim chance, but it's a chance.  If the frog gave in to its situation pictured here, it would almost certainly be game over for the frog, and Cuisses de grenouille on the menu for the heron (is that a heron?).

Motivation and an indefatigable will to succeed against whatever is thrown at you is the key, but how do you keep it all inflated to useful and helpful levels?  One device Ian and I use, to keep our spirits up when the hurdles seem insurmountable, is music.  We have various lists on our iPods, or CDs we listen to in the car and van, that help restore our faith in ourselves and life in general.  Some of the tracks are ancient, and will possibly make some of our peers smile knowingly from their first time out on vinyl, but they're still great, however old they may be.  Here is our recommended playlist, some of which are official IKD Anthems - see what you think, see how many you remember, and see how many will lift your spirits when you're trekking uphill through treacle, particularly the self-employed entrepreneurs.  I hope you enjoy them if nothing else, here goes:

> Rome Wasn't Built In A Day - Morcheeba - Parts Of The Process

> Working On It - Chris Rea - New Light Through Old Windows

> I Want It All - Queen - The Miracle

> All Fired Up - Pat Benatar - Wide Awake In Dreamland

> Hold On - KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic

> Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits

> Hold On Tight - ELO - Greatest Hits

> Ready To Go - Republica - Republica

> Proud - Heather Small - Proud

> Rule The World - Take That - Beautiful World

And one last thing, in the words of the great Napoleon Hill: ...opportunity has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.  Perhaps that is why so many fail to recognise opportunity.

HOTPOINT INTEGRATED DISHWASHER - £305!

We are delighted to offer you a Hotpoint 60cm fully integrated electronic dishwasher for £305 including VAT.  Yes, you read that correctly - £305 including VAT, which saves you more than £70!

But hurry because this is a "whilst stocks last" promotion, and at this price they're not going to last very long at all!

This is the cheapest branded integrated dishwasher available today, so order yours now for £305 to avoid disappointment.  We know it sounds too good to be true, but it is true, so call us now on Kettering (01536) 415280 and we'll get one reserved for you.

Here are 12 reasons to snap up our latest bargain:

> This dishwasher comes with a 5 year parts and 1 year labour warranty

> 12 place settings & 4 programmes

> 3 wash temperatures

> Residual drying

> A concealed heating element for extra safety

> 16 litres of normal water consumptions

> An adjustable upper basket

> AAA energy rating

> 1.05kW energy consumption

> 51dB noise level

> Dimensions: 82 x 59.5 x 57 cm

> You can buy online if you wish by visiting the Special Offers page on our website, or by clicking this link: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

The price does not include delivery or installation, although delivery and installation services are available;  please see website for details: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

Terms and Conditions apply, please see website for details: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

Please contact Karan on (01536) 415280 should you have any questions in respect of this amazing Hotpoint LFT04 Integrated Dishwasher offer.

WHY I FELL OUT WITH SUMMER

[Karan]:  Yesterday was so warm during the 8.30am school run, that we all set off in T-shirt sleeves; no coats, jackets or school cardigans required.  The in-car temperature reading reported faithfully that the temperature outside was 23 degrees, and my heart sank with the inevitability that we were all going to get a lot hotter as the day went on.

For those of you lucky enough to have escaped a moment in my presence to know what I look like, I'm of Northern Irish descent which dictates my dark hair, blue eyes and very, very pale skin.  Who I think I'm kidding with the dark hair description is anyones guess, as it's clear to a blind man on a charging horse that Dulux would consider me more Distressed Grey than Winsome Brunette; but I digress.

Having such pale skin is a curse, because I fry in the heat.  I'd love to be more exotic and interesting to look at, all olive skin and gorgeousness, but I'm stuck with anemic Albino skin tones.  My DNA suck and I blame my parents!  When I was much younger, I once fell asleep sunbathing on the beach and emerged from the sand like a Rock Lobster - but only on the one side, as no one had thought to turn me over half way through!  It was stupid of me and I was in agony, not able to sleep, shower - or take part in any other activities that begin with "s", for a very long time.  From that moment forth I swore to myself that I'd never be careless in the sun again and dedicated my life to being pale and interesting.  This decision has left me open to much ridicule...

In a previous life I worked for a motorsport engineering company, and toured the UK with the team who competed in the British Touring Car Championship: happy days.  Part of my job was the procurement of the team kit, which included shorts to wear during high summer.  I arrived at sunny, glorious Thruxton one weekend, in my shorts, and my boss asked me to go and stand near the first corner so that my lily white legs would distract our opponents.  He was convinced they'd take their hands off the steering wheels to protect their eyes from the glare and crash, allowing our poorly qualifying drivers to take up position and lead the race.  How rude!  It was, of course, all said tongue in cheek, and I took it in the spirit in which it was meant - none of us should ever take ourselves too seriously.  Besides, I had the last laugh, as I still have a full head of (greying) hair; I can fake tan my legs, but he will always be follically challenged.

Upon our arrival in the playground yesterday, the other mums gawped and gasped in disbelief at my reluctant and public acknowledgement that it was, indeed, very warm - "...just how hot is it?!" exclaimed one playground friend.  The consensus of opinion seemed to be that if I had foregone one layer of clothing, perhaps they should all be attired in swimwear.  Oh, how we laughed.

Another friend has recently become entranced in the Twilight novels (about vampires), and now believes this has helped her to know me better, whilst another says she has an overwhelming urge to purchase milk upon departing my company.  I have so few ribs left to ping.

I am writing this blog from home this morning, enjoying the peace and solitude whilst the children are off leading Nanny a merry dance, and whilst Ian continues his work on the showroom.  An idle day for me is unlikely I fear, as I have all the windswept and interesting chores to complete before, my weekly sojourn to Tesco for supplies and refreshment (mmmm, Costa Coffee).  Upon my A4 double-sided and laminated To Do List, rests "Laundry", which requires regular excursions OUTSIDE, in 27 degree heat, to hang out washing.  As it is so hot, and I'm alone in the house without children to terrify, I am wearing shorts and a vest top, but my skin is screaming like souls damned to hell under the tropical Kettering sun.  So I must put up with the urine being extracted for all eternity, and not subject myself to all things solar; I just don't like it.

In the wise words of Adam and the Ants: "...ridicule is nothing to be scared of", so do your worst playground mummies!

MAGIC CORNERS

[Karan]:  Who hasn't been on their hands and knees head first into a blind corner base unit? Haven't we all? Isn't it a rite of passage?  Well now there's an app for that!

This sexy little beast is called a Blind Corner Optimiser in the trade, but we call it a Magic Corner here at IKD.  To be clear, there is no magic involved, but it is very clever and impressively easy to operate.

This is obviously an image of the Magic Corner fully optimised and extended, but there is an interim option too; let me explain.  Once you open the door, you pull the handle on the right side of the central divider (you can just about see it here above the two blue boxes in the top right basket); this will initially pull out the right side baskets only.  To fully extended the Optimiser, you need only pull the handle to your right and the other two baskets emerge from the blind corner effortlessly, guided on rails.

To put it all away again, you simply push the handle to your left (and the left hand baskets are pushed back into the carcase), and then you push the handle away from you (and the left hand baskets are guided into the blind corner, whilst the right hand baskets take up their position directly in front of you) - easy!  No weight training is required, however many goodies you may have stored in your baskets.  The Magic Corner has been designed and engineered specifically to be easy and effortless to use; it's beautifully smooth.

The Magic Corners can be installed into any 1000 blind corner base unit and currently retail for £325 including VAT.  If however you are a (UK based) Friend of IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms on Facebook, then you may deduct 10% from the cost of the Magic Corner: installation & delivery not included.  If you'd like to purchase a Blind Corner Optimiser/Magic Corner, please contact me on (01536) 415280 and we'll make one appear, just like that!  Please note however that this exclusive Friends of IKD offer expires at midnight on 30 June 2010.

PS: If you'd like to become a member of the Friends of IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms group, then please click this link: http://bit.ly/FriendsofIKD - you are very welcome!

HOW TO FIND REPUTABLE TRADESMEN

We've all seen the BBC's Rogue Trader and ITV's House of Hell programmes, and they can be truly horrifying, especially if you're on the cusp of having some work completed in your home - be it correcting a dripping tap, an electrical fault or even planning a kitchen installation.  It absolutely infuriates us how many Bodgit 'n' Scarper merchants there are out there, and how they get away with ripping people off for so long. 

Sadly scams and fraud are on the increase, so how can you find a reputable tradesperson, with high integrity and ability, to work respectfully in your home?  Well, we have come up with 6 key steps you can follow, which will help you find such a tradesperson - because they do exist - you just have to know how to look for them!

Word-of-Mouth: This is usually a very reliable means of finding a tradesman; if a friend or relative has had a good experience and are raving about the excellent sales and service they have received, then your search is, quite possibly, over.

Never underestimate how much time, hassle and money a word-of-mouth recommendation can save you.  There's even a website who champions the finest companies, venues and products in your area, why not give them a try?  Our local website can be found at www.thebestof.co.uk/kettering - give it a whirl - you'll be pleased you did!

Address & Contact Details: Does the business have a trading address, landline phone number and a website? Companies who trade only via a mobile phone number and/or without a stated trading address, might best be avoided, as it could prove difficult to track them down and contact them should things go awry. This may also signal that they don’t pay tax, VAT and/or public or employer liability insurances, which could have repercussions for you in the worst case scenario. Always double check and ask for their VAT registration number and have sight of their public liability insurance certificate if you’re in any doubt whatsoever. You may also consider visiting the stated trading premises to verify it’s actually there, and to also see what you think – does it represent the company well? Are you more or less favourable towards that company now?

Trade Associations: Does the business belong to any trade associations, such as The Federation of Small Businesses or The Guild of Master Craftsmen? Membership to these associations does not in itself guarantee that a company is reputable, but if you can verify the business does belong to a trade association, then you will have a means of redress should something go off course, as they will mediate and seek a satisfactory resolution to any complaints on your behalf; they may also expel the errant business from their association. You can contact the Federation of Small Businesses via 01253 336 000 or http://www.fsb.org.uk/. To verify a Guild of Master Craftsmen member, contact them via 01273 478449 or http://www.guildmc.com/. Membership to these associations requires consistently high levels of sales and service, so to belong to them is a very good indication of the company’s resolve and intent.

Testimonials: Does the company have any current customer testimonials available for you to read? Do they have very many? Any website the company may have is an ideal place to display customer testimonials – check it out. It might also be wise to ask to see the original copies too, just to be sure. An honest and legitimate business owner will have no problem supplying you with this information, if they’re truly confident of their past and their customer’s satisfaction.

Google: If you’re online, Google them and see what comes up, or ask a friend or relative to do it for you – you’d be surprised what may show itself during a search.

Instinct: Never underestimate yourself! If your instincts are telling you something isn’t right or doesn’t add up then trust and listen to those instincts. Your instincts are there to protect you, so don’t disregard them.

We have loads more money and hassle saving advice in our 20 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE REFURBISHING YOUR KITCHEN guide, and what's more, it's entirely FREE to download! 

Follow this link for your free copy: http://bit.ly/FreeExpertAdvice and save yourself time, money and hassle.

MORE THAN BUBBLES!

[Karan]:  I have recently had the pleasure of being introduced to Sara, who owns a small business in the Forest of Dean making the most divine soaps, bath salts, moisturisers, shampoos, shaving lotions and candles.  Sara's business is called Mitcheldean Soap Ltd, and you heard it here first, as I'm certain Sara is going to be in all the big stores soon.

Mitcheldean Soap make the sublime hand-made luxury soaps and goodies, using traditional processes, and they can all be personalised too!  Here are a couple of examples of what I'm talking about...

Now I would never recommend anyone's products or services without having tried them out myself, and I am delighted to report that Sara's products and customer service are first class, and you know that I've never knowingly said that lightly.

I purchased some soap from Sara last week and the speed in which my order was delivered was professional as it was impressive.  Each bar of soap had been individually hand wrapped, which makes Mitcheldean Soap the perfect place to buy presents - and we do have Father's Day coming up...  I'm sure if you were to ask Sara for an "I love you Daddy, love from ______", or something similar, it would be no problem at all.  My personalised soaps were perfect.

Why not check out Mitcheldean Soap's website, which can be found at http://www.morethanbubbles.co.uk/ and see for yourself all the other gorgeous goodies Sara has available for you.  It is so refreshing and rewarding to find another small business as dedicated to exceptional customer services as IKD, and I would like to wish Sara every success for the future.  I for one will be in touch again very soon.