Nothing is more special than receiving a gift that has been personalised and Happiness is a Gift offers an array of charming gifts to suit everyone from kids to adults.  All of these can be personalised to your specifications with a name, date, message etc. which adds that special touch.

I was delighted to be gifted this Two Tiered Slate Cake Stand which is perfect for displaying a variety of things such as cakes, sweets or savoury items.

I was able to choose a two line personalisation to go around the top and bottom of the top tier. I decided to opt for ‘Fiona’s snacks & Treats’ for the top and ‘Eat, be happy, enjoy…’ for the bottom.  I think this encompasses using any type of food on the stand and gives a bit of a feel good factor.

The stand is quick and simple to set up and stores away very compactly which is great.  I think it’s a lovely piece which I will definitely be using multiple times over the festive period and beyond.

Happiness is a Gift has a good choice of personalised items and I’m delighted to offer one of my readers the chance to win any gift of their choice from the website up to £30

Whether you fancy getting the man in you life some personalised socks or cufflinks, your mum a gorgeous personalised bracelet or travel bag or just treat your home to a new clock or chopping board there really is something for everyone.  Not forgetting children where they have everything from drinks bottles and lunchboxes to gardening kits and flipflops!

What would you choose?  Just fill in the Gleam form below and let me know in the comments what item you like over at Happiness is a Gift.

One gift up to the value of £30

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions. We are not paid for reviews. Although we do receive the product to try out and enable us to write the review.

Choosing a Mommy Makeover Doctor  

 Having a baby is a joyous occasion. Before, during and after your pregnancy, you go through many emotional and physical changes. Unfortunately, most of these physical changes aren’t welcome by new moms, which is why most women desire a mommy makeover. 

 What is a Mommy Makeover? 

A mommy makeover is not one cosmetic procedure, but several different personalized treatments designed to help you regain your pre-pregnancy shape. Customized to address any physical changes you may have experienced during pregnancy, a mommy makeover can include one or all of the following cosmetic procedures: 

•  Breast lift 
• Breast augmentation 
• Tummy tuck
• Labioplasty
• Liposuction 

 Choosing the Right Surgeon 

The surgeon you choose to perform your mommy makeover is a choice you will live with for years, if not the rest of your life. When performed correctly, a mommy makeover restores your pre-baby body and makes you feel more like yourself. On the other hand, when performed by an inexperienced surgeon, your chances of having poor aesthetic results increase, which usually leads to additional cost, lower self-esteem and possible medical complications.  

 If you’re considering a mommy makeover, it’s vital that you choose the right plastic surgeon. Since mommy makeovers consist of several different procedures performed at the time, the best way to ensure a positive outcome is by choosing a reputable board-certified surgeon.  

Many patients think the surgeon they choose only needs appropriate certification to be deemed qualified. While it’s vital that the surgeon you choose is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, they also need to be trained to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures.  

As you can imagine, each area of cosmetic surgery requires a specific set of skills, such as tummy tucks, breast augmentation and breast lifts. Given this, the surgeon you choose should be experienced in the procedures you are considering. During your initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the prospective surgeon’s level of experience.  

Questions to Ask 

Similar to knowing your medical history, you need to know how much experience the surgeon you’re considering has, how long they have been practicing and which cosmetic procedures they specialize in. To gauge their level of expertise, ask the following questions: 

• Do you specialize in the procedures I am considering? 

• How many years have you have been performing this type of procedure? 

• How many times have you performed the procedure? 

But even with the highest level of knowledge and expertise, your surgeon’s aesthetic sense should be appealing. Everyone knows that what one person finds beautiful, another person may find unappealing. For this reason, never choose a surgeon based on a friend’s recommendation. Their experience is as unique as they are, so you need to carefully look at the results for each plastic surgeon you interview.  

To determine a surgeon’s sense of appeal, ask to see before and after photos. Compare the results of each procedure you are considering. Are the results appealing? Pay very close attention to patients who have qualities similar to yours. In fact, you may want to take a selfie and use that for comparison.  

Finally, look for consistency in the results. Are the patient’s results similar to what you want to achieve? Do you find the results visually appealing? Do you think you would be happy with the same results? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and inquire about the pros and cons of each procedure. 

Meet Our Surgeons 

At Waldman Schantz Plastic Surgery Center, a team of highly skilled plastic surgeons and experts in body contouring procedures can help get your pre-baby body back by providing you with personalized results that meet and exceed your expectations. Its surgeons are skilled in the most advanced mommy makeover procedures available today. 

Dr. S. Randolph Waldman 

He is a distinguished Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with over 30 years experience. With his knowledge and skills, he brings unparalleled expertise in facial plastic surgery. 

Dr. Stephen A. Schantz 

Dr. Schantz is skilled and well trained in all facets of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. He received specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery during his fellowship including facelift, browlift, liposuction, power assisted liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, laser-assisted breast reduction and lifts, abdominoplasty, and laser resurfacing. 

Dr. J Brad Turner 

Known for his keen eye, Dr. Turner specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and body. He aims to guide his patients through the transformational journey of cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. 

Am I Good Candidate? 

After you’ve chosen the right surgeon, you still need to make sure you are a suitable candidate for a mommy makeover. During the consultation, your surgeon will examine your areas of concern and make the appropriate recommendations to restore your pre-baby figure. 

If you have any of the following aesthetic concerns, you may be an ideal candidate for a mommy makeover: 

• You have loose skin on your abdomen that won’t respond to a low-fat diet and exercise 

• You still look like you are pregnant even though you are several months postpartum 

• You have fat on your legs, hips and waist that doesn’t respond to exercise 

• Your breasts now have a deflated appearance after giving birth 

Is it possible to have a baby and your dream body? Visit www.waldmanplasticsurgery.com or call (859) 254-5665 today to find out how a mommy makeover can bring your sexy back! 

Traditional vs SlimLipo

Traditional liposuction can be incredibly effective, but this procedure isn’t for everyone. In addition to having a lengthy recovery period, traditional liposuction often results in highly visible scars as well. Those are just a few of the reasons why many patients have now turned to SlimLipo. This advanced procedure has a much shorter recovery time, and patients are usually back on their feet after just a few days. Here is a closer look at how these two procedures are carried out and a few signs that it may be time to consider fat removal surgery.

A Look at Stubborn Body Fat

Many people are surprised to hear that they can’t target specific pockets of fat with various exercises. Your body fat will eventually melt away if you consistently burn more calories than you consume, but it could take years to get rid of fat in areas such as the stomach, legs, and arms. You might even begin to burn muscle before your body targets the fatty tissue. Stubborn body fat is kept as an emergency source of energy, and your body will do everything that it can to retain it. The primary goal of liposuction is to quickly extract stubborn body fat that isn’t responding to dietary changes and exercise.

The Pros and Cons of Traditional Liposuction

Hundreds of thousands of liposuction procedures are carried out every single year, and that makes it one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world. During one of these operations, one or more incisions are made near the pocket of fat that is going to be extracted. The surgeon will then use a tool known as a cannula to extract the fat with suction. In some cases, the surgeon will also reposition the underlying soft tissue to create a balanced appearance. Once the soft tissue is in the correct position, the incisions are sutured shut and a compression garment is placed over the treatment site.

Even though traditional liposuction is very effective in most cases, many patients aren’t ready to spend weeks recovering from a cosmetic procedure. Following liposuction, most patients must remain in bed for at least one or two weeks. Due to the size of the cannula, the incisions tend to be quite large as well. A skilled surgeon can minimize the appearance of those surgery scars, but they are usually visible for the rest of the patient’s life.

Understanding SlimLipo

Even though SlimLipo and traditional liposuction produce similar results, the recovery period is much different. Patients who undergo SlimLipo can typically head back to work within 48 hours, and most can begin exercising after two weeks. During the recovery period, there is usually much less discomfort as well. Unlike traditional liposuction, general anesthesia isn’t used during SlimLipo. Most patients are perfectly fine with a local anesthetic, but some opt to use an oral sedative to calm their nerves. SlimLipo can be carried out in a few different settings including an outpatient center, a plastic surgery office, or a hospital.

Laser Technology and Liposuction

The SlimLipo procedure is relatively straightforward, and patients can typically head home within one or two hours. When the patient first arrives at the office, the treatment site is cleaned and a local anesthetic is administered. Once the area is completely numb, the surgeon can make one or more small incisions near the stubborn body fat. Instead of immediately extracting the fat with a cannula, the surgeon will first use a medical-grade laser to break apart the fatty tissue. The fat cells are much easier remove once they have been emulsified, and that means a smaller cannula can be used.

As an added bonus, the laser also tightens the nearby skin. When skin cells are exposed to pulses of laser energy, the body floods the area with fresh collagen and elastin. Over the course of a few weeks, those proteins will tighten and tone the skin The laser also cauterizes the nearby vessels, and that reduces bleeding and bruising.

Choosing the Right Procedure

Every patient has their own unique cosmetic goals, and there isn’t a single procedure that works for everyone. That is why all patients need to schedule an initial consultation with the surgeon to learn more about the pros and cons of these treatments. Traditional liposuction might be a better option if quite a bit of fat needs to be removed. SlimLipo is typically preferred for smaller pockets of fat in sensitive areas. It is also a good option for patients who can’t take weeks off work or spend days recovering in bed. Patients can generally resume most everyday activities within 72 hours as long as they carefully follow all of their aftercare instructions.

About Dr. Schoenfeld

Dr. Philip S. Schoenfeld, M.D., F.A.C.S is a double board certified plastic surgeon who has been practicing reconstructive surgery in Maryland for over 20 years. His practice, Renu Med Spa, was awarded the 2017 Spectrum Award for Excellence in Customer Service by City Beat News. To learn more about Dr. Shoenfeld, please visit www.renudc.com. 

Cartilage Implants For Improved Nasal Tip Shape 

If you find that you’re dissatisfied with the shape of the tip of your nose, whether it’s hooked or too pointy, there are a variety of ways that this issue can be corrected. The primary treatment used to fix the shape of the nasal tip is the rhinoplasty procedure. With the rhinoplasty procedure, cartilage implants can be used to alter the shape and overall appearance of your nose to something you’re more fond of. While the tip of your nose is just one small portion of it, it’s also the most noticeable part of the nose, which is why you should consider the rhinoplasty procedure if you want a change.  

How Cartilage Implants Can Improve Your Nasal Tip Shape  

Many people find that they don’t love the shape of the tip of their nose, which can be due to it being too bulbous or too pointy. Whatever the reason, there’s a very easy fix that can correct the issue while still allowing your nose to have a natural shape and appearance. The usage of cartilage implants allows you to alter the tip of your nose in any way you see fit. This cartilage can be taken from a variety of areas around your body and can be placed inside the tip of the nose. The procedure is a simple and straightforward one that takes hardly any time to complete.  

Cartilage implants can be created from the septum of your nose or from the small area around around the middle of your nose between the two nostrils. In some situations, you may not have enough cartilage in these areas that can be taken and placed within the tip of your nose. If this is the case with you, cartilage implants can also be made from cartilage found in a small section of a rib or your ear. No matter where the cartilage is taken from, the implants made from the cartilage will be able to increase the size of your nasal tip to create better balance along your face.  

 Why You Should Consider Rhinoplasty Surgery  

When you are considering improving your nasal tip shape, there are several things that you should consider. To be a good candidate for this procedure, it’s important that you’re completely aware of how these cartilage implants will change the appearance of your nose and are ready for these changes. This is a big change to the appearance of both your nose and your face, which is why you need to be confident that the procedure is right for you. Your plastic surgeon will be able to answer any questions that you may have and will be able to help you determine if cartilage implants are the correct way to go in regards to improving your nasal tip shape.  

Other signs that indicate you are a good candidate for the rhinoplasty procedure is if the growth within your facial features is complete, if you are generally healthy, and if you don’t smoke. The most important thing to remember before you’ve scheduled this procedure is that you need to set realistic goals. While cartilage implants through rhinoplasty surgery can help to improve your nasal tip shape, the results may not allow for your ideal nose shape. Make sure that you talk about all of this with your surgeon.  

Benefits of the Rhinoplasty Procedure  

The primary benefit with using cartilage implants to improve your nasal tip shape is that it can improve your appearance and help you obtain a symmetrical and straight nose that you can be happy with. A rhinoplasty surgery is also a very common type of plastic surgery that is considered to be minimally invasive. If the tip of your nose was so narrow that it was causing health problems, the opening up of your nasal tip can help with breathing issues and sinus problems that you may have experienced in the past.  

Although a rhinoplasty surgery does bring with it a set of risks and potential complications, the majority of these are rare, particularly if you choose a rhinoplasty surgeon who is reputable and has earned your trust. The usage of cartilage implants is also among the safest techniques used in plastic surgery. If the cartilage can be removed from another area of your nose, this means that the operation site is kept small and localized, possibly minimizing the amount of stitches or sutures that you will need once the procedure has been completed.  

How Does a Rhinoplasty Procedure Work For Cartilage Implants?   

Like nearly all types of plastic surgery, a rhinoplasty will begin with the surgeon providing you with anesthesia, either to numb the pain or to put you to sleep while the procedure occurs. Since you are having cartilage implants placed within your nose, the only incisions that need to be made are ones within the tip of your nose and others in the area where the cartilage is being removed from. If the cartilage is being taken from the area between your nostrils, the incisions will be small and the skin will be raised while the cartilage is removed. After the cartilage has been placed within your nasal tip, the skin will be draped back over and the incisions will be closed with sutures.  

Although the procedure is a simple one, you will still need to recover. The recovery for a rhinoplasty will usually involve the application of a splint inside your nose in order to keep the nose in its correct position as it heals. The swelling that you experience should fully subside after several weeks. As the new cartilage implants settle inside your nose, the tip can slightly change shape for up to a year.  

Dr. Daniel Becker is a nose job specialist in New Jersey. He has received double board certifications and has been a top-rated surgeon by the South Jersey Magazine and Philadelphia Magazine. You can learn more about him and the procedures he provides here: www.therhinoplastycenter.com