*This is a guest post*

Female cyclists are getting serious about the sport. Since Melbourne has some of the best cycling trails, the sport is becoming more popular. It is a great way to view the beautiful scenery and also to get some exercise. Many women ride together for camaraderie.

For the most comfortable ride, the top three road bikes for female cyclists will be evaluated. Based upon the evaluations, women can choose the best bike based upon how it will be used. Consider these three bikes before embarking on a cycling journey in Australia.

1. Road Bike to Ride Around Town

If the bike is used to simply run errands or visit friends, the Trek Allant WSD is an affordable option to consider. This bike is recommended for flat streets and good weather. This particular bike has an aluminum frame and is a 7-speed Shimano trigger gearing. The 700c wheels make the bike fast, comfortable and lightweight. The bike retails at $569.99.

2. A Commuter Road Bike to Ride Around Town

If the bike will be used to commute to work, the Specialized Sirrus Women’s road bike is a good choice. This bike is made of aluminum and is reliable, fast and durable. Even with these attributes, it is lighter than most bikes in its class. The bike is flexible enough to maneuver through congested traffic even in inclement weather. This option is a hybrid between a road bike and mountain bike and can be used for commuting or cross country. This hybrid gives the bike more flexibility and stability. The seating is more forward, and it features a flat bar and an 8-speed drive-train.

3. Road Bike for The Aspiring Athlete

Serious athletes want a bike with ultimate performance. This is why Terry bikes are recommended for women athletes. Experts recommend the durable aluminum alloy road bike for an everyday road bike around town. There are numerous options, but the Terry Symmetry is one of the best valued road bikes available. Terry Symmetry is a mid-range performance level road bike with an aluminum frame and a carbon frame. The bike also features a 9-speed drive-train and can be purchased with a flat bar or a drop-bar configuration. This bike’s price starts at $1,069 MSRP.

Top Three Bikes Made for Female Cyclists

These three bikes are some of the best bikes made for female cyclists in an affordable price range. Women should evaluate all of their options to identify the best bikes available. These three bikes are comfortable, flexible, and fast. Choose the bikes that best match the needs of the cyclist. Most women will be pleased with any one of these three bikes.

Written by Kelly Holmes

Kelly prides herself as an active mum of three boys. Kelly has recently purchased mountain bikes from Merida in Adelaide for her boys who love cycling.

*This is a guest post*

Recreation and studies are, arguably, the two most important parts of a child’s life. While studies allow the child to learn and grow, preparing them for the future, recreation allows them to exercise their imagination, have fun and enjoy their childhood. While recreation is certainly important for kids, having an area where they can concentrate on schoolwork and give it their full attention is important. For some academically minded kids, anywhere they happen to sit down with a book will be a suitable place for them to do their work and do it well- however, for others, distractions are a real problem which much be dealt with. For children who are easily distracted, a separate room for studies is a productive idea.

What Are The Benefits Of A Dedicated Study Room?

When a child is easily distracted and unable to focus on their studies, external stimulus can be one of the biggest issues to conquer. The mere sight of toys, video games and other activities that are more fun and interesting to the child than doing their homework can be enough of a distraction to completely derail them from the task at hand. In these situations, having a separate room where the child can study quietly and focus on their work can help them to better absorb the information they are learning, contributing to better classroom performance. Helping children to learn to focus by providing a quiet environment can also give them the coping skills necessary to focus more thoroughly in a classroom environment.

How Should A Dedicated Study Room Be Set Up?

Setting up a dedicated study room for a child does not need to be boring or tedious. In fact, letting the child pick out some decorations and accessories for their study room can make the process more engaging. If the child feels that doing their work in the study room is a punishment, they will not enjoy it- however, if they have input regarding the room, they are more likely to embrace the idea. A desk with pens, pencils, erasers and loose leaf paper is an important feature, as is a desk lamp. A bookshelf for school books, research information and other important literature will prevent books being lost or forgotten. An organizer for papers and other items that the child needs to keep track of will help to encourage organisation. A calendar that has important school related dates on it will help to remind the child of upcoming assignments.
If you are running out of storage space, consider buying a bunk bed with desk. This way your kid can use the bunk bed as a day bed for a retreat during the day, and the desk for storing school books and toys.

One fun addition that can be motivating is the use of a chart to reward the child for completed homework, good grades and good school behavior. If the child focuses on homework, behaves in school and gets good grades, they can earn stickers. When a certain number of stickers are earned, the child can be rewarded with a special treat, such as a trip to the zoo, a sleepover or another activity they enjoy. By using a system like this, a study room becomes a motivational tool rather than a chore.

Do you think kids should have separate study rooms and bedrooms? 

Written by Kylie Ward
Kylie is a proud mum of four boys and loves DIY home improvement. Living in a small inner city apartment, she prides herself for coming up with smart space saving solutions for her home.

*This is a guest post*

It’s that exciting time of the year where your child has his or her very first birthday. The excitement is kicking in and of course you want to throw a 1st birthday party that will be memorable for everyone. You want to organise an unforgettable party that you can one day look back on and show your child photos when they are 15 years old to have a laugh and reminisce their early years. This would no doubt be embarrassing to them at that age, however it will create a laugh and some hype around the family as you relive the memory. Here are some ideas to help assist your preparation.

Develop a Theme

The 1st birthday should be memorable and themes always leave priceless memories. Depending on their gender, choose a suitable theme that will create a buzz. For example for a girl, it would be ideal to have fairy costumes and boys are more into clowns. Be sure to decorate the area with balloons, streamers and other party accessories to allow your baby to acknowledge the excitement.

Invite Close Friends and Family

You don’t want to overwhelm your child with too many guests at their own birthday party. Trim the list to a dozen or so of their immediate family or friends. Start by making a personal birthday invitation hand crafted with a photo of your child and send out to invitees. On the day, each guest can have their chance to play and shower the baby with love and gifts. This will eventually tire the baby out with the abundance of emotion in the atmosphere, hence the reason to keep the guest list reasonably small.

Plenty of Food and Birthday Cake

Nothing makes a party more than the amount of delicious food available at your fingertips. Depending on what your baby can actually eat, tailor the party around their favourite snacks. Be sure to also provide suitable food for the other guests that are invited to the party. The best part is the birthday cake. They’ll love the fact that they will have their favourite TV character or toy as a birthday cake. This will be one of the most exciting aspects of the party, so make sure to have an appropriate cake made that will put a smile on their face.

Sing Happy Birthday

This can make or break the birthday party. As the day is all about them, be sure to sing happy birthday and really amp up the atmosphere and create excitement. The smile on your baby’s face and the laughter this will bring will be the highlight of the day and make all the preparation worthwhile.

Play Time

Set aside some time towards the end for them to play with their new toys. They’ll have plenty to choose from as they just received gifts from all the guests. This will give all the remaining guests time to catch up and have a little downtime.

Nap Time

It has been an eventful and tiring few hours and by this time your baby is exhausted and fast asleep. This is your chance to clean up from the celebration and go through all the photos from the day.

Written by Mick Cutcliffe
Mick has been a stay home dad for three years while also managing his home business. Mick enjoys a backyard barbeque with his three sons and his golden retriever.

*This is a guest post*

Nothing is better for the body and mind than to spend some time in the great outdoors! People can book flights on http://www.studentflights.com.au to amazing places around the globe where nature is the star and where outdoor sports are popular. Students and others find fantastic discounts to anywhere in the world. They can explore, challenge themselves and come back to the regular routines of life feeling rejuvenated. Here are 10 of the best attractions of nature and some top places on the planet to find them:

Coasts – Milford Sound in New Zealand

Within the Fiordland National Park of South Island, New Zealand, Milford Sound is on the southwestern end of the island. Kayaking, boating and coach tours are a few ways to explore Milford Sound.

Forests – Jungles of Southern Asia

Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is the perfect place to begin ventures into the forest jungles of Southern Asia. Visitors can take nature walks long and short, go wildlife watching and ride elephants or horses.

Deserts – Grand Canyon of North America

The largest and most expansive chasm on the globe is the Grand Canyon in the deserts of Arizona of the United States. Hiking, mule riding and camping are some of the activities at this desert wonder.

Islands – Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain. Discovering the islands in their natural state is thrilling. Majorca and the other Balearic Islands are perfect for water sports.

Mountains – The Alps of Europe

For all types of mountain and outdoor sports all year, the Alps of Europe are excellent choices. The fresh air, trails and scenery are spectacular. Skiing, biking, backpacking and more are favorite activities.

Ocean – Great Barrier Reef of Australia

To experience the wonders of the ocean, no place on earth is better than the Great Barrier Reef. Flying over the region, kayaking, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving are some ways to enjoy the reef.

Plains – Pampas of South America

Most of Uruguay as well as some of Brazil and Argentina are located within the Pampas or plains region of South America. In this true grassland biodome, visitors can ride horseback and go hiking and cycling

Rivers – Victoria Falls in Africa

One of the river wonders of the world is Victoria Falls. The falls is on the Zambezi River bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia. Visitors to the falls can bungee jump, hike and take boat tours.

Seas – Dead Sea in the Middle East

Of the many grand seas on earth, the Dead Sea is one of the most fascinating. The region is history rich. Visitors enjoy wildlife watching and hiking as well as floating in the salt sea.

Volcanoes – Greenland near the North Pole

A land of adventure waits in Greenland. Around the volcanoes, visitors ride helicopters, take boat tours and hike amid the rough and rugged landscape. Seeing active volcanoes, visitors appreciate the power of nature at work.

*This is a guest post*

As the holiday season creeps in, most people crave for a vacation. However, financial constraints mean that such individuals
cannot realize their dreams. If you are one such person, it is quite understandable to feel gutted at being unable to go for a
vacation. Luckily, you may still be able to undertake a vacation albeit on a budget. There are numerous destinations that have
always proven to pocket-friendly. This is in addition to guaranteeing a thrilling experience for you and your loved ones. Some of
these destinations include:

1.  Argentina

When you visit the South American state of Argentina, sights of art galleries, fine restaurants and picturesque landscape
will greet you. It is hard to believe that you would not have to strain yourself financially to enjoy the sights and sounds of the
country. Undertaking a vacation in Argentina has stood out for its affordability than Europe or the U.S. Most of the hotels or
guesthouses are moderately priced as is the case with food.

While in Argentina, you must take your loved ones for a visit to the Iguazu Falls. This is just but one of the numerous attractions
that dot the argentine landscape. You could move around the country in rental cars, which are also affordable thanks to the
numerous rental car companies in the country.

2.  Indonesia

Indonesia earns a spot on this list thanks to its cheap hotels and affordable cruise ships. You would also incur little expenses
shuttling between the various tourist attractions in the country. On a budget, you could do well to your loved ones by taking
them to various islands that inhabit the country. Such islands include Java, Bali and Sumatra among others. Here, you could
spend a day at the sandy beaches or partake in fun activities like snorkeling or swimming.

3.  Ko Pha Ngan

If you want an affordable vacation in Asia, then a trip to Ko Pha Ngan in Thailand suits your needs. Thailand holidays are often
synonymous with sandy beaches, friendly locals, rice paddies and Thai massages. A holiday trip to Ko Pha Ngan would be no
different. While on vacation, you must sample the warm refreshing water that lies beyond the beaches.

4.  Eastern Europe

Most people have always thought of Europe as a holiday destination that requires a lot of money. This perception has grown
thanks to Western Europe, which is home to prominent destinations like Paris, Barcelona and London. However, Eastern
Europe posits as an alternative if Europe is a must-visit place for you. It offers the same thrills as the western side but at an
affordable cost. This is exhibited through cheap transport, moderately priced accommodation and dining. Examples of Eastern
European destinations include Ukraine, Estonia and Bulgaria.

5.  Honduras

In Central America, there exists a pocket-friendly vacation spot in the name of Honduras. Its attractions far outweigh the
financial implications of touring the country. Such attractions include the sandy beaches, national parks and the Mayan sites.
While holidaying in Honduras, you could enjoy fun activities like scuba diving and snorkeling.

6.  Luangprabang

Located in Laos, this town provides a serene environment away from the hullaballoo associated with the festive season. This
is in addition to saving you from many expenses. The sight of Buddhist temples should definitely be exciting. Also, a trip to this
place brings you in contact with the Buddhist culture through the monks.

7. Peru

Peru is a country worth visiting not only for its attractions but also for its affordability. It boasts of cheap accommodation,
transport and food. By operating on a tight budget, you can still sample attractions like the Sacred Valley, Arequipa and Nazca
lines.