Looking for Alaska: Visiting the Last Frontier

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Each and every American state has its own culture, quirks, pros, and cons. But for the main tourist or traveler hotspots, we know exactly what to expect. For New York, we envisage hustle and bustle, Central Park, museums, art galleries, hot dogs, huge pizza slices, and Times Square. If we consider visiting Miami, we expect white sand beaches and a Cuban influence. When it comes to Nashville, we know we’re going to bump into people playing instruments and an onslaught of cowboy boots. But how about visiting somewhere a little less predictable? Somewhere that really can give you some adventure and escape. If this speaks out to you, it’s time to start planning a trip to Alaska, the Last Frontier. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to the full.

Weather

If you were to ask an Alaskan what seasons the state experiences, they’d probably reply “winter, June, July, and August”, tongue in cheek. It rings true that for most of the year, Alaska is biting cold. But you do need to pack to be prepared for anything. Weather and daylight hours vary greatly by region and season. It’s ideal to dress in layers during your stay, so you can easily shed to cool off, or add to warm up.

Where to Stay

Many of us try to skimp out when it comes to accommodation. We consider that we’re merely resting our head for the night in the chosen place and will spend the rest of our time out of doors. While this may work for a lot of places, you’re likely to return to your accommodation tired, weary, and in need of comfort and good rest after a full day out in the Alaskan climes. So choose somewhere with cozy rooms and high-quality facilities, such as Anchorage Marriott. 

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Things to Do

Now, the best experiences in Alaska tend to be outdoors and active. The state offers such beautiful landscape and scenery that it would be a crying shame to miss out on it. Here are some of the most stunning and immersive experiences to be had!

The Northern Lights

Believe it or not, you can indeed see the Northern Lights from Alaska! Many people travel hundreds of thousands of miles to places such as Iceland to see them when they’re available much closer to home. Take a Chena Hot Springs tour at the same time to pair the Aurora Borealis with spa treatments.

Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Trek

For the more active amongst us, why not take a six and a half hour combination adventure starting from Juneau? Jumping into a canoe, you can look forward to paddling around stunning blue icebergs, cliffs, and astounding waterfalls. Once you reach Mendenhall Glacier, you can grab your trekking poles and hike through some of the state’s best scenery.

Alaska may be one of the lowest populated states, but for a long weekend or extended getaway, it can prove the most accommodating and enjoyable place you could imagine!

5 Tips To Make Caring for Your Car Easier

Using the best car cover material to put over your vehicle is an easy way to ensure debris does not accumulate in your car. The right material also prevents you from causing damage yourself. Preventing damage will make the actual maintenance of your vehicle so much simpler, and you can follow these additional tips to keep your car in great shape longer. 

1. Wash Your Car Often

Dust and other contaminants can eat through a vehicle’s clear coat. Over time, these materials will cause the surface to rust, but washing often keeps debris at bay. For the greatest advantage, wash your car by hand. Drive-through car washes tend to use abrasive materials. 

2. Take Car to a Mechanic

Similarly to how you go to a dentist every six months even if nothing feels wrong, you should take your car to a professional mechanic often to check for signs of wear and tear. Find a mechanic in your area who specializes in your specific make and model of car. 

3. Park in the Shade

Exposure to constant sunlight can cause your car’s paint to fade, the dashboard to crack and plastic to melt. Park under a tree if you can. If all else fails, then use a custom fit windshield shade to keep UV rays out of your vehicle. 

4. Store Car Safely

If you will not be driving your vehicle for a while, then make sure you cover it up. Hiding it in a bag or durable bubble will keep contaminants and critters away. You may also want to think about getting a battery tender, which prevents discharge. 

5. Prepare for Oncoming Seasons

Before winter and summer come around, you want to inspect your car’s antifreeze and engine coolant levels. You also want to inspect tire depth and pressure. 

California Car Cover has a number of covers, bags, and shades to keep your vehicle looking great. By being proactive, you will save yourself a lot of stress worrying about maintenance. 

Adding Sparkle To Shine Without The Credit Line

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When it comes to ways to show off your financial pedigree and class, jewelry is one of the oldest options people have. For a very long time, wearing wealth on your body has been a popular concept, not only enabling you to keep the stuff safe but also making you look great in the process. Of course, nowadays, the options people wear are most subdued than those in the past, while also being very pricey. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the best ways to get your hands on fine jewelry without having to pay an extravagant amount for the privilege. 

Go Secondhand: As the first option, a lot of people don’t know what the jewelry they own is worth. Often being unwanted family heirlooms, the marker for second-hand necklaces and rings is huge, and it’s easy to find a very good deal. To achieve this goal, hunting around thrift and charity stores will often result in loads of great options which won’t be found anywhere else. To help you with this, it could be worth finding someone with some knowledge of old jewelry to make sure that you’re buying items which are actually worth something. While a lot of items in the market are gems, even more of them are fake, cheap, or made from materials which won’t last long at all.

The Right Rocks: Along with looking for the right secondhand option, a lot of people will find a lot of success when choosing the right stone for their jewelry. Options like Roma Designer Italian jewelry don’t use expensive rocks like diamonds. Instead, to keep things affordable, alternatives with similar qualities are used to make sure that the items look great. To help you to find examples like this, there are loads of websites out there which let you compare different gems and stones to make sure that you can get the best option for your money. It can be very surprising to find just how many different kinds of rock there can be.

Auctions: Finally, as the last option on this list, it’s time to add a little bit of competition into the mix. Jewellery auctions are very intense places. While there are people looking to complete their favorite outfits, there are also those fighting to get the best possible deals on items which they plan to sell. The very best of the bunch will be hotly contested, and a lot of people will be trying to buy them. Knowing when to stop is very important. Otherwise, you could find yourself spending far too much on items which you don’t really want.

Hopefully, with all of this in mind, it will be a lot easier to start spending time on the jewelry you adorn yourself with. Nowadays, people are becoming a lot more tasteful with the metals and stones they decide to wear, and this makes it a simple matter of finding something you like to kick off a collection to go with all outfits.

Motorcycle Helmets for Bikers

Helmets are an important consideration for motorcyclists. Motorcycle helmets are one of the most important accessories out of all safety gears. It is essential to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Motorcycle helmets are basically aimed to stop the collision to the brain in case of an accident. The next important thing to consider is the comfort level that comes with wearing the helmet. The full face helmets are the best buy.

Helmets are a safety tool for the head. Like the skull protects the brain from impacts, the helmet protects the head. One should not only wear a helmet to avoid being fined but also to protect his or her head from fatal impacts during road accidents. Riding a motorcycle gives riders a sense of freedom on the open road. However, there are serious dangers involved in riding without a helmet. 

A motorcycle does not provide the structural protection that a car does to keep drivers safe in the event of an accident. This is why, everyone suggests a motorcycle rider to always wear a helmet while riding a bike; no matter it is a short trip or long road trip, and you must not leave on your bikes with putting a good quality helmet on your head. Even, the passenger sitting behind the driver should wear a helmet too, in order to stay safe. 

How to select a good helmet?

1. One should buy the available motorcycle helmets for sale only from authorized dealers. Never buy them from roadside vendors.

2. It is preferable to go for a helmet that covers the full face. They offer better protection from skull to your jaws. Always buy a good quality helmet, it’s better to spend a little than buying cheap stuff and risking your life. 

One should always know that it is more important to save one’s life than to avoid getting charged for not wearing a helmet. Wearing helmet helps you to oblige your duty as a real citizen. So being a person you must have a sense of responsibility. Wearing a helmet and other protective accessories is the best example of the famous proverb - “Prevention is better than cure”. Thus, our country will be in safety with the increase in the use of helmets. Nowadays, it has become mandatory to wear a helmet while riding. And even better it is if you wear all the protective gear as well.

BikeBandit.com is a very famous online motorcycle tire shop and it offers a range of helmets and other gadgets for sale such as motorcycle gear, parts, accessories and a lot more. You can with the premium helmets for better safety; these are made with fiberglass reinforced with carbon fiber. 

For more information regarding the bike gears and accessories, you can visit BikeBandit.com. Here you can easily find the widest range of protective gears and accessories for motorcycle riders at highly competitive prices. Thus, you can easily choose the right product for yourself and order it online from the comforts of your home. 

Fifty Really Is The New Fabulous

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It doesn’t matter how bubble, content and self-confident you are, hitting fifty has the ability to derail a big chunk of self-esteem. Don’t ask us why, it just does. You could be Karen that works in IT Support or Gabrielle Solis that lives on Wisteria Lane, that half-century mark is a big moment in every person’s life, and a big part of that is because you suddenly, for the first time in your life - look noticeably older than you feel. It’s daunting. 

Of course, as we all know, the worst thing an older woman can do to look younger is dress younger. That approach does nothing more than cast a light on your age and then adds some. Luckily, the modern woman has learned to grow old gracefully, a move that has seen the forties and fifties become ageless decades. 

There is one glaringly obvious problem, however: embracing your age is no easy feat. You suddenly have to reassess everything about your beauty regime. At best: it’s daunting. At worst: it is absolutely terrifying. So, to help you, we’ve pulled together a few beauty tips to embrace when you are in your fabulous fifties.

1. Embrace Your Skin

If there is any one thing you should do in your fifties, it is embrace your skin type and understand specifically what it is you want to address about it. This could be the common enemy that is wrinkles (or as we prefer to call them: life-lines),  or it could be other annoyances like blotchiness, the return of acne or oily skin. Our advice: target any concerns you have specifically. That’s the best way to get the best results. If you have oily skin, then the best thing for you is probably going to be an emulsion skin care routine. If you have blotchy patches, hydroquinone is a great way to address irregularities in pigmentation. For wrinkles, products rich in peptides are known to stimulate collagen and give your skin that vibrancy you want back. And finally, if you loathe your acne, then salicylic acid is still numero uno. Yes, just like when you were a teen. 

2. Stick With What Works

You’re in your fifties and that means you’ve had plenty of time to play around with different makeup brands, colours, shades and everything else. You know what works best for you, so now you just need to stick with it. Forget about experimenting with new products or trying out the latest passing trends and just stick with what works. If you are still trying to work this out, stay away from things like opaque brights, shimmer and heavy foundation because these will do nothing but highlight your creases. Instead, opt for things like rosy and coral blushes and neutral eyebrow brushes to fill in any gaps from lighter hairs. As for smoothing out your wrinkles, there are smoothing primers that work wonders, after which just pop on a little bit of foundation. That’s all there is to it. 

3. Natural Hair, Don’t Care

This is the most common area for women over fifty to start freaking out. But don’t. Like we said in that preamble bit, looking fifty has never-ever been so cherished, so embrace it and stick with your natural hair colour, even if that means slightly grey. As for hairstyles, soft waves and gentle curls are going to be way better suited to you than anything that’s too stiff. And, if you want a little pointer, especially when it comes to your dryer hair, start using your shampoo less and your conditioner more. You’ll be amazed at the results. Soft and voluminous is the aim of the game on the fifties front. If you absolutely aren’t ready to embrace the whole going grey thing, though, then you need to stick to the middle ground and avoid any colours that are either too dark or too light. Basically, black or dark brown is out (because no woman of fifty can get away with the un-faded look). As for going lighter, try highlighting in a shade that will work well with your natural colour. Then, the older you get and the lighter your hair becomes, just start using lighter highlights and you’ll find you grow old with style and grace. 

4. The Big Whisker Worry

Growing whiskers is not what any woman wants to see happening, but it is a natural part of growing older and that’s because your estrogen levels start to fall. If you want a permanent (albeit pricey) solution, then your best bet is to book in for an electrolysis session. That’ll do the job. Just be aware there is some scabbing in the short-term. If, however, this option fails to tick the right boxes, you could try threading or even get yourself a facial epilator. Like we said, sprouting hairs is a totally normal part of growing older, but there are numerous ways to shut this down. 

5. White Is More Than Alright

No, for once we’re not alluding to your greying hair and we’re not going to point you in the direction of Dame Helen Mirren for inspiration on how to embrace the white lock look. Instead, we’re broaching the teeth-whitening side of things and that’s because having white teeth will knock years - and we mean years - off your appearance. What’s more, by just going three or four shades lighter, you will get a totally natural look too. Of course, the only way to guarantee a great job is done is to pop along to a professional service and ask them for a natural finish. Sure, you may be thinking to yourself, “that’s gonna cost a bunch isn’t it?” and you would be right, it will cost you more than say a charcoal toothpaste or one of those home whitening kits. But it won’t cost as much as you might imagine. You see, the cost of made-to-measure teeth whitening services has fallen faster than Donald Trump’s popularity and that means you won’t have to buy one of those self-whitening kits that promise to punish your gums with a burning sensation. 

Women get to fifty and think they want to look younger. But that’s not the case. You want to get to fifty and look great for your age. Distinction. 

Spring Cleaning Your Home for a Carefree Summer

If you cannot wait until the weather turns warmer, and you can hold those house parties again, you are not alone. We all get the winter blues, and the best way of getting rid of them is by getting busy and preparing our home for the summer. From cleaning your gutters to painting your fascia boards, and decluttering the basement and loft, there are so many tasks to complete before you can host your summer party. Below you will find a simple guide to spring clean your house to get ready for a stress-free summer. 

Attic Space Clearout

We all tend to store things in the attic, just to forget about them and find them years later. Whether you put your daughter’s doll collection in a box years ago, and they are now at university or still have your old blankets out there that you no longer need, it might be time to fill the trunk of the car and visit the local charity thrift store. You can donate clothes and blankets to your closest homeless shelter, and some organizations even offer a pickup service. If something broke during the winter that you have since replaced, it might be time to recycle them and free up space in the attic. More space means better air and a better chance of spotting signs of broken tiles or pest infestation in the summer. 

Basement Cleaning 

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Your basement needs more attention after a long winter as well. If you have your furnace there, you might be lucky enough not to have damp and mold. However, if you don’t have any heating, it might be time to get a portable heater or dehumidifier installed, and leave the doors or windows open during the first dry days of the Spring. Get your vacuum and pressure washer in, and deep clean your basement. You can treat the wood to prevent rotting and improve its appearance and performance. 

Checking for Gaps and Cracks

When you start moving furniture around for spring cleaning, you might want to check for small gaps and cracks on the wall and in the corners. If you find them, chances are the weather did its best, and you need to get the contractors in as soon as possible. Check your ceiling, the walls by the window, and get an assessment done if you find gaps, signs of dampness, or cracks. 

Pest Repellents

When the weather gets warmer, creepy crawlers will also become active. If you use pest repellents in the problem areas of your home in the spring, you can prevent the unwanted guests from turning up. If you see signs of bugs anywhere, including in the basement or the porch, you need to get in touch with Reynolds Pest Management the best termite company to take care of the issue before you get invaded by bugs and have no choice but watch your property being damaged. 

Steaming Is Your Best Friend

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The best way of spring cleaning your toilet, kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom is by using a portable steam cleaner. You can disinfect the tile floor and walls, and get rid of the nastiest stains you thought you had no chance of eliminating. Steaming your oven and microwave will get rid of burnt-on grease, and leave your kitchen sparkling for the summer. 

Garden Furniture Maintenance

When Spring arrives, you might also want to check out the condition of your garden furniture to get ready for the summer parties. Give the chairs and tables a good clean, and use a pressure washer to clean the patio and pavement. This will help you bring back the original color of your decking and tiles. Whatever is broken, get them replaced, and get rid of the dead plants in the garden, as well as damaged or broken planters. 

A Lick of Paint Makes a Huge Difference

Once it starts getting drier and warmer outside, you can check your roof tiles, gutter, drain pipes, and unblock whatever is full of fallen leaves or dirt. Next, you have to pay attention to your fascia boards, handrails, stairs, and porch. Getting rid of the cracked paint by sanding down the surface, and using a paint sprayer will help you complete this essential regular maintenance job in a few days. 

Washing the Ceiling and Walls

Once you have managed to move your furniture around and cleaned everywhere you usually don’t get to, it might be time to give your ceiling and walls a wipe. Use a damp cloth or white vinegar if you have white walls or a soda crystal solution for washable wallpaper and coverings. You will be surprised how much dust and grease can build up on the top of your kitchen cabinets and on your ceiling. Wiping your walls and ceiling will get rid of all the smells that built up in your house during the long months, and give your house a fresh feel. 

Descaling for Long Life Appliances

Lastly, as a part of your spring cleaning routine, you should start descaling your household appliances and your taps. The best way to go about taps is getting a plastic bag or balloon, filling it with a solution, and attaching it to your faucet, using a rubber band. You can get professional limescale remover tablets for washing machines, dryers, and water boilers. Get in touch with your local plumber to find out whether or not your water pipes have limescale buildup that needs to be cleared. 

The first bright days of Spring are exciting and might get you thinking about barbeques and summer parties. While you might be ready for the summer, chances are that your house is not. Get your spring cleaning gloves on, dig out the steam cleaner and pressure washer, and transform your dull and tired looking house into something bright and sparkly. Declutter and look out for problem areas, get your heating and cracks fixed, and pest-proof your home, so you can make the most out of next summer. 

More than Shelter: Your House Can Provide You With Energy

We invest a lot of time and money into our homes, so it’s right that we ask from it as much as possible. Our homes can be cosy, peaceful, and a place to create memories with our loved ones. But did you know that they can also be spaces that give us the energy and enthusiasm we need to tackle our daily lives? It’s true. By making a few small adjustments, we can create a house that speaks to our physical well-being, as well as mental and spiritual. 

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Natural Light

Spend an hour in a dark room, and an hour in a light room, and you’ll quickly notice just how much light can affect our energy. It comes down to simple biology. When it’s dark, our bodies think that it’s night time, and wants to go to sleep! And of course, the opposite is true when it’s light outside. Moving forward, look at letting in as much natural light as possible. Most people have more natural light at their disposal than they realise; it’s all about pulling those blinds all the way up and making sure there’s no heavy furniture blocking the way. 

Resting Well

Our sleep is one of the most important things to us, not that you’d know that by seeing what time people go to bed! Still, whatever hour it is you’re hitting the hay, it’s important that you have a space that allows you to unwind. If you get help finding the right mattress, you’ll have a bed that allows you to sink into slumberland fully. And if you’ve had the perfect night’s sleep, you’ll be raring to go once the morning comes. Nothing will be able to stop you! 

In the Kitchen

It pays to put extra effort into ensuring that your kitchen is a place you want to spend time in. Simply put, if you’re eating well, then you’re going to have bags of energy at your disposal. Alas, many people’s kitchens are dark and dirty - not places where you want to spend an hour preparing a meal. Make sure your cooking area is the best it can be, and then begin your cooking journey. There are plenty of easy to make, healthy, and energy giving meals that just about anyone can make - even those who think they suck at cooking! 

Working Out

Who says you need to go to the gym to work up a sweat? You can do it right in your home! Buy a resistance band, and you’ll have all (well, a lot) of the equipment that you’d find in the gym at your disposal. If you have an extra room, also think about getting a few items of workout equipment. 

Away from the Chaos

Finally, remember that energy is all about rest! Create a relaxing space that allows you to unwind at the end of the day, and you won’t have to go far to get that restorative rest under your belt. Never underestimate just what a difference a quiet room can make! 

Growing Old In Style. It's The Modern Way.

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If the eighties, nineties and noughties were all about trying to defy your age, then the latest trend definitely breaks the rules because the modern thing is all about embracing your age. Instead of trying to lie to the world by failing to convince them you are still in your thirties, the modern thing is to have people know you are forty or fifty or sixty, but still look absolutely incredible. 

Of course, knowing this is what you want to do is one thing, but actually knowing how to embrace your transition through the ages is something else entirely. It is knowing how to age in style, and that is exactly what we hope to help with.

Read on for our top tips on ageing in style:

1. Classics Are Essential

If there is one rule you need to embrace it’s this: dressing young will not make you look young. Not at all. Now, this may sound simple, but you may find there are a few hurdles known as trends that obscure what’s appropriate and what’s not. To play it safe and stylish, our advice would be to dress classically. That’s has always been - and will always be - a timeless look. How do you do this? Invest in a few expensive but classic pieces. Trust us, have these in your closet and you’ll be a contender for best dressed in the room more often than not. 

2. Know Where To Shop

It is much easier to embrace a certain style when you can rely on a certain shop or store to always deliver sizes and styles that work for you. If you’re looking at a blank canvas on this front, then a great place to start is with fashion magazines aimed at the older woman, publications like Real Simple, Oprah and, yes, Sensationally Sexy & Over 60. All of these will point you to things like the Comptoir Des Cotonniers, Reiss and Ruby Rd clothing collections. Knowing where to shop is just as important as knowing how to shop, remember that. 

3. Shape Is Everything

There are certain things that embrace shape that will never-ever go out of style. Things like a shift dress that can be worn in so many different ways and a trouser suit that can be dressed up or down and kept modern with the simplest of adjustments on the accessory front. These are classic shapes and classics shapes are what you want in your closet. 

4. Set Your Heart On Shoes

Let’s get one thing cleared up nice and fast: you are never too old for a breath-taking pair of shoes. Never. 

5. The Definition Of Appropriate...

Is not showing too much skin. Anywhere. That means legs, arms and cleavage. That’s what appropriate means in this context - it’s as simple as that. Now, we’re not saying you need to hide yourself because you can still be sexy and not show skin. It’s just knowing that skirts should sit at the knee down, cleavage needs to be carefully considered and, whether you like it or not, our arms are not bottles of Burgundy wine -they don’t get better with age.

Is Your Garden A Tranquil Haven? It Could Be!

Everybody needs a place to relax in, and where better than in your very own garden. Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to chill out if your outdoor space is full of weeds, unkempt shrubbery, and old bits of rubbish that are too big to fit in the trash and you haven't got around to getting rid of yet. Instead, you need an outdoor space that is a tranquil haven. Luckily, all you need to do is read on to find out how to get one.

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Balance

The thing about achieving a tranquil garden is that they need to be some sort of balance involved. That is the different elements need to work in harmony together, with neither the planting, shrubbery, seating area, or other space dominating. You even need to achieve a balance between the natural elements and the man-made structures such as furniture and ornaments. 

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To help you achieve this, it can be useful to plan out the garden first, ensuring that you assign enough space to each element. It can also be beneficial to use mirrored garden ornaments. This is because these are attractive and provide light, but also reflect the green around them so work very harmoniously in a garden space.

Planting 

When considering planting for your tranquil garden, you must prioritize things that give you a personal sense of calm. That means it can be quite a subjective process. However, do bear in mind that different shades and texture of green used side by side can work very well. In particular, things like grass, with shrubs like brachyglottis and then taller trees like conifer are a good choice.

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However, if you are looking to introduce some color to your tranquil garden space go for plants and trees in more subtle pastel shades. Orchid trees like the Hong Kong orchid and purple orchid can work well in this type of space, especially if they are complemented by lush green vegetation in the rest of the garden.

A space for relaxation 

Next, you will want to create a space in which you can enjoy all this harmony and balance from. To do this consider installing a sun lounger, or even a hammock in which you can recline and truly appreciate the tranquility of your yard.

You can buy these ready-made. Although you may wish to have a go at making one yourself by following the guidance you’ll find here.

Treat yourself to some relaxation in your tranquil garden
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Low maintenance 

Lastly, it can be very hard to relax in your garden if you go outside and all you can see are jobs that need doing. In fact, this can lead to you avoiding going outside at all, let alone spending extended and enjoyable amount of time there.

Consequently, it's important that the garden you create is one that is low maintenance. That is it only takes a little time each month to keep it in a neat and attractive condition. With this in mind, it can be helpful to pick plants that need little tending to, but still fit into your overall scheme such as sedum and hardy cyclamen.

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It is also a smart idea to invest in some garden tools that can help make the work a little easier to complete. Then you know you will be able to enjoy your tranquil garden haven with the minimum of effort possible. 

Finding Time To Take Care Of Yourself Whilst Balancing Work And Motherhood

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Adapting to your new bundle of joy and becoming a family doesn’t come without its challenges. Especially if you work from home, are self-employed, or have to return to work before the usual period of maternity leave, you’re not so much up the creek without a paddle, but up the creek without a paddle or a boat. Going back to work can leave you feeling so guilt-ridden that you spend as much time as possible with the baby - which is extremely common and something every mother does when having to leave their child at such a young age. However, it is important to also find some snippets of time just to check in with yourself, and make sure you’re taking care of you too, as well as the baby. Many new mums struggle to find time to eat, shower and keep up with daily care routines. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself whilst balancing your newborn and work.  

While Baby Naps

When you and your little one have finally settled into a routine, it is imperative that you use the time they are asleep to take care of yourself. Whether this is catching up on your own sleep (number one choice for many new mums), or having a quick shower, or eating lunch - make sure you are using the time wisely. Yes, it can be hard to tear yourself away from watching your precious one sleep - every mum has been there - but this will be the only time you have to ensure you are taking care of yourself. 

Mornings Are Baby Time, Evenings Are Mummy Time 

Even if you are not working, you will still be woken up at a bright and early time by your little one, no matter how many feeds you were woken by in the night. However, your little one will still drop off in the early evening, giving you a few hours before you have to go to bed to do a quick spot of housework, laundry, and all the things that fall to the wayside when your newborn arrives. This is slightly different to a nap, as baby will usually sleep for a few hours, so make sure your reserve any of the more time-consuming jobs to the evening, rather than when baby is down for a nap. 

Invest In A Baby Wrap

If you have very little time out of work, or have a lot on your plate and want to spend time with your baby, you could try a baby wrap. They allow you to carry the baby around with you whilst having both hands free. This is great for food shops, housework, and generally moving around the house doing jobs. Even if you are working from home and on your feet all day, this is a great tool that helps you to multi-task and not have to choose between work and spending time with your little one. Make sure you have The Right Hairstyles for when you swaddle if you have long hair - as you don’t want your hair to be constantly over baby’s face or in their eyes. 

There you have it, a few ways you can ensure you are still taking care of you whilst trying to balance time with your new bundle of joy. If you have just welcomed a new addition to the family, then congratulations, and hopefully these tips have helped you out a little bit. 

High Ho, Silver Lining

Sometimes, bad things happen. We could coat ourselves in cotton wool and lock ourselves away. Still, we would fall foul sometimes. That’s just the the cookie crumbles. In truth, it has to be that way. You would never be happy, after all, if you didn’t know how it felt to be sad. So, instead of hiding away, we should embrace the bad and the good by putting ourselves out there whenever we get the chance. 

Yet, it’s all too easy to forget that sentiment when we fall on hard times. In fact, it can be difficult to see a way through at all. In all honesty, though, there’s a silver lining for the majority of bad experiences. Sometimes it’s harder to see than others, but it’s always there in some form. And by considering these pointers, you’ll be able to find a path through most negative situations. 

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What have you learnt?

Whether an injury has turned your life upside down, or you’ve experienced a heartache, most negative situations have a lot to teach. In fact, when we look back at formative moments, they often begin with hardship. So, next time you fall on a rough patch, consider what you’re learning from the experience. Do you know something about yourself that you didn’t before? Are you learning to control your emotions? Are you realizing new belief patterns because of what’s happened to you? These and more are common in the aftermath of trauma. And, though it may not seem like it at the time, it’s things like these which make us who we are. So, yes, you’re going through a tough time. But, by accepting the situation and becoming more aware, you also stand to learn the most important lessons of your life.

Could you take positive action?

It’s also worth asking yourself whether you can take positive action. If you’ve been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, could you get legal help with personal damage claims? That way, you can at least make changes to your life with the compensation money. Or, perhaps you’ve stumbled on hard financial times. Could you use that as inspiration to finally start the business you’ve been dreaming of for years? Even if you’ve lost a loved one, you could make donations in their name, or even start charities to save other lives. These efforts won’t undo what’s happened, but they can at least ensure something positive comes from it.

How will this change your future?

It’s also worth considering how bad situations can change your future. It helps to think about both of the above points here, as these work together to alter this. But, the event in itself can also have an impact. It may be that you avoid making a mistake again, to ensure the same doesn’t happen. Or, it may be that the incident makes you look at your life and see where you’re unhappy. And, that can result in positive changes which have the power to alter everything.

Bring Some Hotel Luxuries Into Your Home Bathroom

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Ever dreamt of having your own luxury bathroom straight out of a five-star hotel? Why not splash out on some of these luxury features? They’ll make bath time feel like spa treatment and could help to increase the value of your home.

Invest in underfloor heating

Most bathrooms have cold tile floor surfaces that aren’t nice for walking on in winter. Underfloor heating can keep your feet cosy for when you get out of the shower. It can also help to keep the room dry – puddle of water can sometimes lead to mould growth in homes and underfloor heating can prevent this.

Install a heated towel rack

For keeping your towels dry, a heated towel rack is a great feature. This can double up as a radiator providing heat for the room. There are lots of contemporary and traditional designs available to suit all bathroom types.

Build a walk-in shower

If you hate having to clamber into a slippery bath to take a shower, it could be worth installing a separate walk-in shower. These can be incorporated stylishly into your home. You might be able to make use of a recess to put this in if you have an oddly shaped bathroom. When it comes to shower itself, consider having a combination of two showerheads – an overhead fixed one and a flexible handset showerhead.

Opt for a freestanding bathtub

A modern standalone tub can help to improve your bathing experience. You don’t have to worry about bumping your elbows against walls and can opt to have the taps located in the centre allowing you to rest your head back. Freestanding tubs do require you to have a fair amount of space in your bathroom. There are lots of different designs out there – one of the most popular is the slipper shape which curves up at the end.

Upgrade your taps

There are lots of funky tap designs out there that could also help to make your bathroom feel that extra little bit more sophisticated. Waterfall taps are a fantastic statement piece and can look great on a bathroom sink. Another option could be wall-mounted taps to help give a contemporary style.

Use some chromatherapy

Chromatherapy is a means of using mood lighting to help relax. In some very swanky hotel bathrooms you may find this type of low-level colourful lighting. You can buy tubs with in-built chromatherapy lights or you could fit them on the walls. It’s certain to give your bathroom the edge and impress guests and potential buyers if you plan to sell.

Introduce sweet fragrances

You can also bring some aromatherapy to your bathroom. This could include lighting some scented candles or growing some freshly scented flowers in the corner of the room. Of course, you can also experiment with bath bombs and soaps to make you feel that extra bit fresher. 

How Much Is My Car Worth?

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You find yourself ready for a new vehicle. You've found the car of your dreams. You've done your research thoroughly and your finances are in check. The only thing you have to do next is to find a good price value for your old car.

Before you put up your used car for sale, make sure you take some steps to bring your car up to shape. Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Check if there is a need minor repairs like windshield wiper replacements, brake fluid or engine oil change.   

Once your vehicle is picture perfect and mechanically sound, you now have to decide on a selling price. Then that question hits you - "How much is my car worth?"

Did you know that cars.com is the leader in online automotive classifieds where consumers like you are given access to resources and other information needed to make the best buying or selling decision? 

At cars.com, you can take advantage of a used car valuation tool that provides a fair resale value range for your vehicle. Simply fill in the details and click the "get estimate" button. You can now decide if you'd want to sell your vehicle privately, or to a dealer, or trade it in. 

So whether you're selling your car for cash or using it as a downpayment for a new vehicle, make sure you check out cars.com. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out what your car is really worth.

The Benefits of Being Financially Aware

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There are many reasons why you might want to write a financial plan. You might want to get a better grip on your own personal finances, or you might be thinking of starting a new business.Being on top of your finances will reduce stress, make you feel more confident and make you far less likely to unwittingly fall into debt.  With that in mind, here are the benefits of being financially aware.

Understanding Your Finances

The first thing that you are going to want to do is fully understand your finances. How much money is going in and how much is going out. What are you buying and what are you being paid for. A good thing to do is to start by making a list of how much you make and what you spend money on side by side. You don’t need to worry about how much each of these are at this stage, but doing so can save you time in the future. The idea here is to understand both sides of your finances and make sure that nothing is forgotten about. If you are running a business, then you should probably look up what net working capital is defined as, as this will helpful in the future. Understanding what you are spending money on will help you to see which purchases are unnecessary and which aren’t. You will see what is important and what isn’t. Make sure to do this step before jumping ahead.

Forecasting

Forecasting is planning out what you expect to make and what you expect to spend money on. It is often best done on an Excel spreadsheet, but it doesn’t have to be. What you want to do is put all of the spending and income that we mentioned above and work out the difference between them. You will want to do this for each month of the year. There are templates that you can find online that will help you to structure your forecast. Doing this will show you exactly how much money you have left after buying all the things you would normally buy in a month. It is always worth putting money into savings and having a space for this in your forecasting. Doing this will give you peace of mind that you are financially stable and let you plan for larger purchases such as saving money for a holiday or saving for a house. This will let you plan and let you know how much money you will have throughout the year. 

Budget Monitoring

Budget monitoring is like an extension of your forecasting. Instead of planning what you are going to make and spend, you are putting your actual income and purchases down on paper when they happen. If you make a food shop, then you mark that in the cost collum. If you do some extra work and get paid some more this month, then log that income. This way, you will be able to spot in advance if you are likely to go over budget for a month before it actually happens. If you follow all of these tips, then you can avoid debt and live a happier life.

Getting Rid Of Bad Smells In Your Home Is Easier Than You Think!

Do you often walk around your house or enter a particular room and get a face full of a bad smell? It happens to me from time to time, I smell things that just aren’t pleasant at all, and it ruins the overall way your home feels. 

No one wants to have a smelly home, but it’s hard to avoid certain scents from time to time. Places like the kitchen and bathroom are prone to smells that can stink up your house. Luckily, while you may be unable to prevent the smells, you can certainly cover them up effectively. 

Here are my top tips for getting rid of these smells and making your house smell a lot better: 

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Light Candles

Candles are one of my favorite ways to get rid of bad smells. This is because they’re very effective at covering up scents and filling a room with the smell of the candle. The fact they burn for a long time is a bonus too, so you can have hours of fragrance when the candle is lit. Plus, you kind of get the smell of the flame when it’s first lit too. There’s a slight smokiness that helps negate any other smells in the room and makes way for the lovely candle. 

Use An Aroma Diffuser

Some people like to use air freshener sprays to try and cover up different smells in their home. This may work a little bit, but these sprays are bad for the environment, and you have to manually use them. But, with home fragrance diffusers, you have a good alternative. These things can sit on a shelf or bookcase and automatically diffuse a nice scent into the air. There’s no aerosol cans involved or any harmful things; the fragrance comes from different oils. It’s a safe way to make your home smell nice, and it will provide constant fragrance at all times.  

Put An Odor Blocker In Your Fridge

This tip is specifically for the fridge in your kitchen. This is often the culprit when it comes to bad smells. People leave food in the fridge for days, and it begins to smell bad. Strong cheese smells are commonly found in the fridge, as are things like seasoned meats and curries. Regardless of what’s causing the smell, you can get rid of it with an odor blocker. These are little things you stick in your fridge, and they absorb the smells from all the different food. So, your fridge won’t stink, and your house won’t get any of the bad odors either!

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Leave Your Bathroom Door Open After Washing

One last tip for you; keep the door to your bathroom open after you’ve had a bath or shower. All this does is allow the lovely smell of your shower gel and shampoo to drift throughout your house. It’s a really clever way to fill your home with nice smells before guests come around. 

Say goodbye to all those gross smells that trouble your nostrils from time to time. With these tips, your home will constantly smell nice, and be more appealing as a result. I often find that improving the way your home smells is one of the cheapest, yet most effective, home improvements you can think of. 

How To Survive Being On Your Feet All Day

It’s a tough world out there, and sometimes you have to be tough to survive in it. If you’re a parent, then it’s doubly tough because of how much responsibility you have, and it can feel like you never get a break. If your job requires you to be on your feet all day it can feel like an absolute blessing when you get to come in from a hard day’s work and kick those shoes off. However, as a parent, your day doesn’t finish when you get in from work. You may still have errands to run, kids to pick up, jobs to do round the house. Your weekends are probably even busier than your working week. All this rushing around you do can start to take its toll on your body: Sore feet, aches and pains, lethargy, blisters, all will put a dampener on your day and leave you struggling to make it through the next one. Below are three fool-proof ways to make sure that having a busy lifestyle and being on your feet all day doesn’t leave you drained and dreading the morning anymore.

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Shoes

If you are on your feet all day, you are going to need to invest in quality footwear that is up to the task. You are also going to have to sacrifice some form in favour of function. Those stiletto heels may look great, but after an hour or two you’ll regret picking them out, and by the end of the day, you’ll be wishing you didn’t have feet. Pick something that is smart and stylish, but above all, comfortable. This may mean buying from somewhere that is more expensive than your usual shops, but when you can take your shoes off at the end of the day and feel fine, it’ll be worth the extra money. Invest in a good insole too. Companies like biopods.com offer sturdy insoles that will work with your shoes to provide comfort and support all day long.

Move around

If your job dictates that you are on your feet, but you are usually standing in one spot, like being a cashier or something similar, you need to move around once in a while to get the blood moving. Standing still for long periods of time not only makes your joints feel seized and sore, but it can cause the blood in your body to struggle to get around effectively and could lead to you fainting. Get your legs moving and your heart pumping every now and then to ensure that you don’t become fatigued by standing in one place all day.

Take breaks

Taking a break can be easier said than done sometimes, especially when you have so much to do. However, you can’t expect yourself to get through a whole day or work and activities without a break. Take some time every hour or two to sit down for five minutes just to relax and take the weight off your feet. Just a small break like this can help you to recuperate a little and help make the day all the more manageable.

Hopefully, these tips have helped to arm you in the struggle against tired feet and busy lives. Remember to take it easy on yourself and remember that you’re only human.

Bringing Natural Lushness To Your Home

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Decorating your home is a wonderful thing to do. It helps you express your personality completely in an area that is completely, totally and unequivocally yours. For many people, this is an exciting feeling that allows for some true freedom and utility in how they experience their home. Still, we should never think that we have all of the answers. Some of the best and most gorgeous home decorations that work for you might come through decors you haven’t tried applying just yet.

We’d argue that the most universal of these are the natural implements you house in your home. These furnishings offer a story, are authentic, and trump anything you can buy at a simple home comforts store.

But what implements should you bring into your home? Let us explain:

Amish Quilts

We all know that the Amish are against modern forms of manufacture to a degree. This affords them the integrity of making most of their clothing and fabrics by hand. For this reason, the amish quilts they make are some of the most incredible, soft and durable items you can use as a throw, or a blanket for your bed. These are heavy, mostly made of wool, and are thick yet breathable. Not only that, but they often come with a beautiful array of patterns. This can allow for a gorgeous and expressive piece in your home that you just know has had love poured into its crafting.

Himalayan Salt Lamps

If you’re looking for lighting with a twist, Himalayan salt lamps can provide this to you. These crystallized structures look gorgeous, are completely unique, and offer a warm and inviting spill of light. There is also talk that these can reduce the electrical static in a room, allowing for a much more relaxing presence within. Reading reviews of these products show that some find this immensely useful, while others believe it to be placebo. At any rate, the lamps are gorgeous, one of the most interesting and alternate features you can have in a room. If you’re looking for an excellent focal point, this could just be it.

Reclaimed Wood

Of course, no wood is artificial, but some ways of producing and varnishing furniture can certainly make it seem uniform and boring. If you’re looking for wood with a certain historical significance, then finding reclaimed wood can help you craft furniture of outstanding unique value. For example, using a thick and raw piece of wood to make a coffee table with will allow you to see the rings of age in the central component. Pointing to your companion and expressing that this ring in the coffee table is older than your house, and maybe older than your grandmother can certainly stimulate some interesting discussion.

These forms of furniture offer a rustic appeal, so there’s no argument as to why they are so popular. If you feel your home needs a new piece of furniture, why not make this one of the main staples? You might just craft something no one else has.

With these tips, your home is sure to be a wonderful place of natural furnishing implements.

Has An Injury Turned Your Life Upside Down?

Has an injury turned your life upside down?

The Mess

When it comes to injuries, they can be downright life-changing. It can vary a lot based on the severity of it, but in most cases changes would need to be made in order to get you back on track. It can be hard to see clearly in these times because if the accident was someone else’s fault, you might be left with emotional effects too! There’s a lot that goes into your recovery, and a lot of it relies on you; as you may even be put out of a job. It’s not an easy journey to get back on your feet, but there are plenty of methods you can use to make that path a lot smoother.

Your income

If you’ve been put out of work due to your injury, you might want to look into different methods of making money. Sadly those bills are going to keep coming, and you may receive money from the government, but that doesn’t always cut it. There are many routes you can take when you want to make money outside of your job, and each of them has their own kinds of benefits. Some of them might even be more effort than others, but it all depends on your skill set and capabilities. 

Firstly, you can actually get by on creating media content. There are many content creators out there who produce to an audience and find different forms of payment from them. An example; https://mediashower.com/blog/how-content-creators-can-make-real-money/ digital artists often sell commissions and high prices to fans who like their style and want something of their own to be drawn. It can be quite a good income if you’re getting enough exposure as there are many people out there who can’t do that kind of work themselves; however, not everyone is suited for that kind of work! It can be a difficult talent to pick up, especially if you want to do it professionally, but it can be worth it if it’s something you enjoy doing.

Secondly, there are many jobs you can get online. Like before, this depends on your skillset too, and most of them will involve working with a computer and certain software. An example would be data input, where you essentially spend your time working with numbers and spreadsheets. These kinds of jobs mainly require a lot of writing and experience with their prefered software, so if you’re already a tech savant this might be the ideal role for you! There’s no specific line of work for working online; some will be easier than others; the main struggle would be the availability of jobs out there.

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Online courses

If you’re no longer able to do the job that you used to be working at, then it might turn to plan for something new. There are many online courses out there you can take if you want to start your life in another direction. While it might feel like everything is a mess right now, this could actually be a good opportunity to experiment and try new things. Many people seek these kinds of changes in life, and it’s not always because they’re forced to. Not just that, but online courses are usually quite flexible with times; which makes them a lot less stressful.

Compensation

Not all cases need legal action, but if you've had an accident that wasn’t your fault, it might be time to do something about it for yourself. Many people out there seek compensation for their injuries, and it can be quite a significant amount of money, which might actually be essential to help you put your life back together. You should see https://www.hupy.com/offices/madison-wi-personal-injury-lawyers.cfm if you feel you need professional help. There are many benefits when getting help from a lawyer, and it can save you a lot of time and effort. You get access to many different tools available, and their complete experience with similar cases; which makes you much more likely to build a compelling case.

There’s no good time or reason that you should suffer the consequences of someone else’s mistakes, and you shouldn’t let it go away unsolved. It can be hard enough to recover from your state without the extra money from compensation, and there’s no reason for you to go without it. You may even find yourself in debt from medical bills, which means working from home might not even be enough to keep your finances balanced. You don’t have to let your injury beat you, take the steps you can to get on top of the situation and don’t let your life fall away in the background.