Author: LUX Life

As 2021’s Award winners for ‘Excellence in Innovation’ in Sweden, Skogen’s naturally cultivated, and environmentally friendly skincare products are granting it significant notoriety. As its name might imply, its business model is intrinsically tied to caring for the world around it, something it hopes to foster more of in its industry as the market segment begins to pivot.

At Skogen Cosmetics, there is a prevailing drive towards betterment that has prevailed since its inception. As a company, it is based in both New York and Stockholm, and manufactures industry leading beauty products that intend to lead by example, showing its industry how the future could look – and innovating a path towards a more environmentally friendly tomorrow. Additionally, with over a decade of experience, it boasts ingenuity and past knowledge of its industry that will allow it to make the best choices for its future, having kept its finger on the pulse of new developments and discoveries.

Initially, its journey started with the manufacture of luxury-grade cosmetics. This allowed it to serve a multitude of high-end brands and private labels all across the world, utilising its excellence in development and creation to pioneer new lines that impress and inspire end users across a multitude of products. After multiple years of doing this work, it realised that it could ply this trade for itself. Thus, it began to move away from creating its client’s products, and towards developing its own lines.

This decision, fundamentally, was driven by Skogen’s commitment to luxury grade cosmetics that cultivate elegance, sophistication, and beauty, all underpinned by a dedication to sustainability and to caring for the earth. In sharing this with its industry and market segment it hopes to be a trail blazer as it joins the trend of a turning tide in the beauty industry, one of more conscientious customers looking for more environmentally friendly cosmetics that are ethical as well as effective in creating the look they want. Furthermore, Skogen’s strong belief in healthy living drove them to funnel significant effort into creating products that push the admiration for nature’s ability to provide for humanity.

Due to this, it chose the name Skogen. The word itself in Swedish means ‘forest’, and it is here that it found its inspiration for all of its product lines, with a philosophy of encouraging better health for both its end users and the world in the macro scale. It is from this that its pride in its products comes from. Skogen, above all else, wishes to make its clients feel like their best self with brilliant and extraordinary products, sourcing the finest ingredients which are heavily vetted before it uses them – similarly, all of its products undergo rigorous quality control before being allowed to leave the facility.

Moreover, the Skogen way is one of results. Its skincare systems deliver visible results for its customers by way of biomimetism, using elixirs from nature in their most true form with effective and optimised formulas that allow the ingredients to shine in the way they do best, promoting healthy, luxurious, high-quality skincare that a client will love. Its dedication to consistent innovation also promises clients that it will never stagnate, too, always pushing towards the next greatest product and the next step towards environmental harmony; this has led to incorporation of natural multi-vitamins into its products, as well as hyaluronic acids and peptide enrichment. Skogen also promises its clients that each product is cruelty free, with high levels of dermatological testing, an active FDA registration that its facility operates under, and no artificial ingredients, GMO, or parabens. All of the aforementioned elements have come together to make Skogen a darling of its industry and a household name with increasing momentum, something it is excited to continue growing into over the course of the next few years.

For more information, please contact David Johansson or visit www.skogen.shop

Inspired by the ingredients used in homemade mulled wines, this gin can be enjoyed hot or cold, and has a wonderful blend of mandarin and cinnamon flavours. The flavour profile can be broken down by the nose, palate, and finish.

Nose

Intense mandarin flavour with a warm and complex background and notes of cinnamon.

Palate

The first taste is cinnamon: sweet on the tip of the tongue. After that the spicy and sweet notes from cardamom start to appear.

Finish

The long aftertaste clearly delivers the mandarin: refreshing citrus balanced with the complexity of spices.

Here are some recipes to help you on your mixology journey:

Recipe 1 – Mulled Cranberry (served hot)

Ingredients:

• Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin: 50ml
• Red wine: 125ml
• Simple syrup or honey
• Juice of One lemon or orange per serving
• Licor 43: 50ml
• Garnish to taste: cinnamon stick & orange wedge

Preparation:

For a punch format pour ingredients multiplied by the number of servings, into a saucepan. Don’t boil. Bring to simmer and reduce to desired taste and concentration.

Recipe 2 – G&T (served over ice)

Ingredients:

• Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin: 50ml
• Spiced tonic: 200ml
• Optional garnish to taste: cinnamon stick or orange wheel

Preparation:

Gently pour your gin measure into a highball glass over ice. Top up with your tonic and add the suggested garnish to taste. Sip and enjoy!

Recipe 3 – Gin Flip (shaken over ice)

Ingredients:

• Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin: 50ml
• Ginger syrup: 20ml
• Double cream: 12.5ml
• On egg
• Garnish to taste: Grated nutmeg & cinnamon

Preparation:

Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake well until condensation appears on the outside. Strain into a coupe glass and add garnish to taste.

We hope these three recipes inspired you to get mixing and try something new. With the festive season approaching, now is a great time to enjoy Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin, especially before Dry January starts! Chin-chin!

Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin is available to buy from Waitrose for £27.99.

United Kingdom, 2021 – LUXlife magazine announces the winners of the 2021 Food & Drink Awards.

During another year of uncertainty and doubt, many industries have struggled to adapt their businesses while others have found new opportunities. The Food & Drink Awards aim to commend those who strive to offer the best products, services, and experiences ion their respective industry. With this in mind, small, large, or any size in between business is eligible for nomination.

Now in its sixth year, the Food & Drink Awards is happy to showcase the best of the best, highlighting their success in these difficult times. While there are still significant challenges to be faced in this current climate, bringing fresh ideas and innovative products to the table is cause for celebration!

Commenting on the winners of this year’s awards programme, Coordinator Katherine Benton stated: “It’s been a difficult year in the food and drinks industry, but there’s been a light at the end of the tunnel with bars and restaurants reopening. We offer our sincere congratulations to all the winners, and good luck in the year ahead.”

To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit https://www.lux-review.com/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About LUXlife

Published quarterly, LUXlife informs readers on all aspects of high end lifestyle, including the finest food and drink, hotels and resorts, health and beauty, automotive, jewellery, art and technology from around the world.

LUXlife is bought to you by AI Global Media, a digital publishing group founded in 2010. The group currently has 13 brands within its portfolio that include luxury lifestyle, construction, healthcare, and small business focused publications. AI Global Media is dedicated to delivering content you can trust.

About AI Global Media

Since 2010 AI Global Media has been committed to creating engaging B2B content that informs our readers and allows them to market their business to a global audience. We create content for and about firms across a range of industries.

Today, we have 12 unique brands, each of which serves a specific industry or region. Each brand covers the latest news in its sector and publishes a digital magazine and newsletter which is read by a global audience. Our flagship brand, Acquisition International, distributes a monthly digital magazine to a global circulation of 108,000, who are treated to a range of features and news pieces on the latest developments in the global corporate market.

Sometimes, it appears that it is not possible to find comfy clothes and look chic. All comfortable clothing and shoes are usually made of materials and fabrics that are either too tight or contain traces of non-natural fabrics. It is quite demanding to choose your outfit if you want to maintain a perfect image, be comfortable and make those long hours at least bearable. Sometimes it is enough to have just some pieces of clothing that will add some spice to your outfit and make it much comfier. Here is a suggestion of four pieces of clothing that will bring your outfit to a whole new level when it comes to comfort.

Tights

Tights are the number one comfiest pants. They are stretchy, made of stretchy materials, and are available for sporty, cozy, casual, elegant, urban outfits. The best thing with tights, aside from being easy to combine, is that they offer you a whole range of different patterns and fabrics used and you can easily choose and look for the ones that suit you the most. Apart from being a fantastic workout combination and the best piece of clothing for functioning, they can facilitate fat burn and help you get better results since there are some designs that keep the heat of your body and increase caloric burn.

Some models are made especially for winter conditions and offer some extra heat due to their design and usage of the term fabrics. The best thing about these is that they are very durable and can give you a hand for a couple of seasons. It is a smart option to have two or three pairs of this comfortable clothing you can wear at home, at the job, while taking a casual walk with your friends, in some cute outfit at the coffee date, etc. 

Stockings

It may appear as a weird option, but stockings bring next-level comfort. You must wonder how. Stockings, either cotton, wool, or compressive ones will fulfill the entire image. For instance, if you are doing sports or have some problems with veins then buying compression stockings will make your life easier. Stockings are keeping you warm and nowadays they became a perfect fashion detail. They came in various colors and patterns which are both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts 

Either you wear them in some new, urban classic outfit combinations with a coat and unicolor beanie, or in a sporty outfit for some quick workout rounds and walks, hoodies, and sweatshirts have the ability to give you the extra comfort you have been looking for. The flexibility of the current fashion trends gave them so much credit for some of the best outfit combinations you have a chance to rock and slay. They can be combined and worn with literally everything. Oversized hoodies with some long stockings can give you an urban rebel look. You can go with a classic and hit the gym with your hood and spicing the things up with a pinch of mystery. Sweatshirts on the other hand can be used as a piece of formal clothing when combined with a shirt with a nice fashionista touch. The latest trends give you enough space to wear these pieces in all sizes that are good for you and are the most comfortable for you as well. There is no need to put yourself in a tight piece just because the trends say so. You can go for the size plus and look equally good. 

Shorts 

There is nothing as comfortable as shorts. The best thing about them is the scope of different models and the ways you can combine them. Firstly, sporty shorts are great for workouts because they are stretchy and are made of very good materials. These models are great for comfy stay-ins and even sleeping during the summer season. Denim shorts are great for everyday outfits and are a great solution for hot summer days. Shorts do not always need to be too short and uncomfortable for wearing. There is a whole range of different lengths. Therefore, biker shorts are usually right above your knees and are extra comfortable and trendy. Shorts can be combined with literally everything, from a tank top to a hoodie. This piece of clothing is great because it offers some additional mobility, especially if you are doing sports or something that requires unbothered moving. 

The list of the comfiest pieces of clothing is long and individual. Different pieces work for different people and situations. The essential thing is to always wear the things that will not restrain you from doing your daily actions and to always feel happy in what and with what you are wearing.

December is upon us which means that Christmas is right around the corner and people have started shopping for their Christmas presents. We know how stressful this time of year can be and how daunting buying the right present for the right person can be. So, we have decided to lift some of the pressure off your shoulders and have rounded up some of the best luxury gifts ideas so all you have to do is read on and choose your favourites!

So, whether your search is for some new electronics, a variety of fancy beverages or some luxurious skincare & beauty items for your loved ones, our gift guide has you covered. Our LUXlife Christmas gift guide will be covering everything you need to make your gift buying process a lot smoother!

Beauty

Starting right off with the most popular and most-selling department during Christmas, beauty & skincare! The products we have curated this year have sustainability and luxury at their core which means your loved ones are in for a treat.

RÉDUIT | UNI Device available in four colours £87.35

You wear sunglasses every day, but do you ever really think about why? Sunglasses are an essential accessory to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. They also help reduce glare and boost contrast for a clearer view of the world around you. Most importantly, they can prevent damage to your eyes that could lead to vision problems later in life. But with so many options on the market these days, how do you know which ones are right for you? In this guide, we’ll cover all of the features and considerations when buying sunglasses – from material types to frame shapes – so that finding your perfect pair is as easy as 1-2-3!  

Frame Material

If you’re considering what sunglasses to purchase, the material of the frame is an important feature to keep in mind. It often impacts the price and durability of the sunglasses you’re looking at, and it can also affect how they fit on your face. Even among wholesale sunglasses, it is important to pay attention to the product description and materials mentioned. The two most common materials are plastic and metal. 

Plastic Sunglasses

Plastic frames are often made from nylon blends or polycarbonate resins like TR-90, which makes them durable yet lightweight. They scratch less easily than metal but are more prone to damage if dropped. 

Metal Sunglasses

Metal framed sunglasses are often made from stainless steel or titanium. They are usually lightweight, durable, and less likely to scratch than plastic lenses. However, they are more susceptible to dents if dropped.

Frame Shape

When choosing sunglasses it is important to consider the frame shape. There are several different frame shapes including Wayfarer, Aviator, Clubmaster, and Rectangle.

Aviator/Wayfarer

The Aviator is an iconic shape of sunglasses that quickly made its debut in pop culture after being used by the military in the 20th century. They come in two styles – the Aviator and Wayfarer. The key difference is the curvature of the lenses. The Aviator style has a more dramatic curve to its lens, resulting in more coverage, while the Wayfarer style is flatter, with tapered edges that leave more exposure around your eyes. 

Rectangle/Clubmaster

The Rectangle frame shape is perfect for men with a square jawline. It gives a sharp, masculine look and is often worn by politicians and business people alike. 

The Clubmaster is similar to the Rectangle shape but has rounded edges that add a more casual feel. They come in many different metal finishes including silver, gold, gunmetal, & black nickel.

Style

Aside from the material and shape you choose, it is important to consider what styles are available in your size. Sunglasses come in three main sizes-small, medium, and large. Small sunglasses are best suited for smaller face shapes while large sunglasses offer more coverage around the eyes when worn by people with larger features. 

Price

You may also want to consider the price of your sunglasses. There is a wide range of prices depending on the brand and what you plan to use them for. More expensive brands tend to be more durable and polarized, allowing better protection from UV rays and glare, while less expensive glasses tend to scratch more easily and may not block as much harmful light.

Lenses

Sunglasses typically come with either polarized or non-polarized lenses that will impact the amount of light that enters your eyes. Non-polarized lenses allow more light than polarized lenses but are not as effective at blocking glare and harmful UV rays. If you plan on driving while wearing your sunglasses, polarized lenses are recommended to reduce glare which can cause eye strain and fatigue.

Color

Finally, you’ll want to look into the color of your sunglasses. This is a personal choice that depends on your personal style and what you plan to use them for. If they’re only used during bright daylight hours, nearly any color will work. However, if you plan to also use them at night or in low-light conditions it’s best to choose a darker color. You should also consider other accessories you might wear such as hats and shirts so that your sunglasses coordinate with other items in your outfit.

Sunglasses are an important fashion accessory that can be used to complete your look. They protect the eyes from harmful UV rays while also adding character to your appearance. To create a flattering look, it’s best to consider several factors when choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses for your style, fit, and price. When you’re choosing sunglasses, it’s more than just “looks.” You need to find a pair that fits your lifestyle and taste. 

Once you’ve considered the type of lenses, frame material, style, and fit, you should have a better idea about what sunglasses to purchase. Now all that’s left is to get out there and try on some shades!

When it comes to toddlers, there are a lot of things you should know before buying them a gift. Not only do they enjoy different toys and gifts than adults, but they also need certain items to grow and develop properly. It is important to think about their stage in life when choosing the perfect present for a child because it goes through many stages!

Think: useful and fun

Choosing the perfect gift can be challenging because there are so many stages to get through. It’s important to look at the age of a child when shopping for them and buy something they will be able to play with. A good gift guide for babies can help you with finding a gift that will be useful for them as they grow. If you have a friend or loved one who is expecting, why not pick out an item that can grow with the baby? Look for gifts such as clothes, bags, and items that will be useful once the child is born and grows. 

Here we will discuss what you need to look for while shopping for toddlers during each stage of life, from their first months all the way to preschoolers. 

First-Year of a child’s life (Birth-14 Months)

During the first year of a baby’s life, they are growing into what will be their personalities as they grow up. During this time, babies need basic necessities such as clothes, diapers, bottles, formula, etc. but also love playing with toys! At this age, it is really hard to choose between toys and essentials because they have both in different ways. So why not buy something that can help them develop? Buying gifts for babies at this age can be more challenging than buying things like clothes or accessories because it is important to buy something that can help them learn. Look for gifts such as books, puzzles, and toys that have different textures! Babies tend to enjoy playing with different sensory things so why not give them a gift they can touch?

Two-year-olds love to walk  (15-24 Months)

During the next stage of a toddler’s life, they are learning how to walk. This age group enjoys playing games outside or going on walks. They also love playing with other kids by going on dates or using their imagination by creating songs together. Around this time it is important to think about buying gifts that encourage socializing and learning. For example, you could buy your child a board game because it encourages them to spend time with other kids and learn how to take turns! Or you could buy them a set of blocks because it promotes creative play between children. Another idea would be to buy them a book like “Pat the Bunny” or another touch-and-feel book because they will enjoy learning about different textures as they read together with their parents.

The third year of a child’s life (25-36 Months)

As toddlers become older, you can see them becoming more independent. They may still need help with brushing their teeth and getting dressed, but they love doing things themselves! 

This age group loves playing with other children and using their imagination. They also love doing crafts and other activities that require concentration, problem-solving skills, and patience. This age group is ready for more complex toy-like puzzles! Puzzles are a great gift because it helps them to think logically as they put pieces together. Other great gifts include anything that encourages sharing or helping others such as stuffed animals that say things like “I love you” or dolls that can be played with together (i.e., baby dolls). 

4 is a preschooler (37-48 Months)

At this stage of life, toddlers begin to understand right from wrong and what is expected of them by adults around them. They will love learning how to do new tasks by themselves, including brushing their teeth or making their bed. This age range loves exploring new things around them and will love gifts that encourage creativity, building, exploration, etc. For example, you could buy your child a set of binoculars to help teach them about the world by allowing them to explore what’s around the house! Or you could get them a pair of roller skates because wearing shoes can cause blisters-and they are expensive to replace.

Almost six – 49-60 Months

This stage is all about learning how to handle new challenges as children begin pre-school. They are learning how to interact with other people without close supervision from adults. This age group will enjoy gaining independence while trying new things on their own. They will also enjoy learning how to do new things so why not get them a gift that will encourage this? For example, you can buy your child an art set because, or if they are becoming more active, you could buy them rollerblades or a scooter because they teach coordination and balance!

Young person – 61-72 Months

This is the age group when children begin school. They enjoy playing with friends but may need encouragement to stay interested in something without any distractions. How about buying your child a gift that encourages reading and following directions? For example, you could buy them a kit to make their own slime, which is a fun activity for both children and adults!

This article has provided some great ideas on what types of presents can be given at different stages in life and how they may benefit children as they grow up. We hope this helps you think outside the box when looking for something new and exciting for someone special this holiday season!

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s expected that you want it to be as perfect as possible. You want things to go as planned, and every detail has to look great on the day. However, you won’t achieve such a successful event if you don’t plan your wedding carefully. As a soon-to-be bride, tradition dictates that the majority of the preparation will fall squarely on your shoulders.

There are a million things to do once you decide on getting yourselves hitched. Aside from the location choice and logistics, you still have to consider the wedding invites, photoshoots, souvenirs and related concerns. It can be overwhelming, but you’ll have to soldier on because it’s your big day!
Aside from the wedding dress, the invitations are among the most important considerations you have to work on. Whether you’re planning an intimate occasion or a huge celebration with your family and friends in attendance, you still need to entice them with beautiful invitations. This can set the tone of what they should expect on your special day. Of course, you don’t want to let them know over the phone or just through social media. So, read on and let’s explore how you can create your ideal wedding invitation.

Choose a style that suits you

One of the things you have to look for is the style of your wedding invitation. It has to reflect your personality, and it also has to hint at the formality or the fun you intend to have during the celebration. Consider luxury wedding stationery which you can find at Text of the linkhttps://www.pemberlyfox.com/collections/luxury-wedding-invitations to go with your style to make it even more unique. You’ll have to decide on your colours, so you can choose which stationery will go best with your designs and layout.

1. Don’t forget the details
Among the things you need to include would be the event particulars. Never forget them as they’re the first things your recipient will look for when they see the invitation. Therefore, you need to place them where your friends can see them clearly.

2. Make it legible
We know you’d want it to look as special and unique as possible, but you must not compromise on the legibility of the message. Don’t make it hard to read the contents of your invitation.

3. Focus on the layout
Decide whether you want the invitation in landscape or portrait orientation. What are the dimensions and accessories you want to include in the invitation? Will you incorporate pictures in the design, or will you go full-blown traditional? Remember to think about these things when you’re planning for your invitation.

4. Decide on the wording
Be creative. You can mix and match the way you would phrase the invitation to suit your needs. It will make your invitation pretty unique. Just make sure you don’t forget any details.

5. Hire a bespoke wedding invitation designer
Once you’ve decided on the details, save yourself the stress and speak with a bespoke invitation designer. Hand over your ideas and let them work their magic. You’ll have the best wedding invitation that you could ever wish for.

Final words
Creating the ideal wedding invitation means you’ll have to consider a lot of factors. It is an essential part of the occasion, after all, so you must not fret about the details. Consider working with professionals to help you get the best one done for your big day.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-writting-invitation-typography-2110452/

A lot of people dream of travelling to Europe to visit the many beautiful countries and experience the region’s rich culture and history. But visiting Europe is not like visiting any other place in the world. It is a totally unique experience and one that you will surely remember for the rest of your life!

If you want to get around Europe in style, there are so many ways to do this. Some are more adventurous, while others are more relaxing. Regardless of which option you will go for, you are guaranteed to have a fun and memorable experience. So, here are some ways to travel Europe in style.

1. Drive through Germany

Germany in itself is a great country to discover. But if you want a more exciting way to get around the country, road tripping can be a great idea. The German freeway, also known as the Autobahn, is sprawled across the country, giving you quick and easy access to all the major German cities. And with incredible sceneries along the way, driving around Germany is the best way to enjoy your European holiday.

One of the most scenic routes you can take for your German road trip is the Mosel Valley route, which kicks off in Koblenz and ends in Trier, close to the Luxembourg border. Along the way, you’ll come across soaring medieval castles with a beautiful river snaking through the road as you pass through the Mosel Valley, one of the most picturesque places in the country. The breath-taking valley is famous for the many quaint villages dotting its riverbank.

To make the most of your journey, take some time to explore the many gorgeous places you’ll pass along the way. This route covers a distance of 172 km. Consider staying overnight in the towns of Cochem, Traben Trarbach, and Trier.

2. Scooter around Italy

Italy’s varied landscape lends itself a perfect place to explore by scooter. You can best appreciate its gorgeous cities, scenic coastal roads, and lush mountains on two wheels, giving you the freedom to stop along the highway to soak up the views and take as many pictures as you can. 

Home to the most beautiful Italian cities, Tuscany often tops the list of the most scenic regions in the country, making it an excellent destination for your scooter holiday. With lots of small roads snaking through the Tuscan countryside, getting around by scooter is the perfect way to navigate this beautiful Italian region. Drive through the hilltop towns of Montepulciano to sample the most exquisite wines and make a stop at Pitigliano, an ancient village whose houses are built on top of a rocky outcrop.

If you are adventurous enough, drive through the stretch of road along the Amalfi Coast. This road offers an exhilarating combination of dizzying views, dramatic seascapes, and challenging turns, not to mention having to share the road with local buses careening along at terrifying speeds! After your exhilarating journey, stay in a luxury Italian holiday rental overlooking the gorgeous coast. Spend a night or two before heading off to your next journey.

3. Yacht around Spain

Spain is a wonderful destination for yachting in Europe. The yachting season here is never-ending, and the conditions are ideal for both beginners and experienced sailors. With a coastline of almost 6,000 km shared between the country’s Balearic Islands, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Canary Islands, Spain offers the perfect opportunity for sailors to discover Europe in style.

As the largest island of the Balearic, Majorca is an unmissable stop during your yachting tour of the Mediterranean. Palma is the sailing hub of the Balearic. Here, you can rent catamarans and boats all year round. Check out the smaller ports of Pollenca, Portocolom, and Can Pastilla, before heading inland to explore the tiny stone pathways of Alcudia. 

Located at the heart of Costa Brava, Gulf of Roses, a calm natural bay, is a favourite stopover for sailors yachting around the Spanish Coast. It’s only a stone’s throw from the French border. From here, you can explore the Aiguamolls Natural Park, scuba dive at Cap de Creus, or swim at the Blue Flag beaches.

4. Motorhome Across Croatia

There’s no denying how the motorhome movement has become very popular over the recent years, there are plenty of campsites in Europe for motorhomes. So, if you’re looking to explore Croatia in style, doing it in a motorhome would be fun! This incredibly beautiful country has a little bit of everything – sandy beaches, fantastic coastlines, beautiful islands, and lots of sunshine!

With so many beautiful places to see in Croatia, deciding which route to take can be confusing, especially if you only have a limited time. A couple of weeks should be ideal for exploring a good part of the country but expect to be doing lots of driving unless you stick only to the Northern region. Plan your route in such a way that you can visit the highlights of Croatia, such as the Plitvice Lakes, Zadar and the sea organ, Krka Lakes, hidden shipwreck cove, and of course, the charming old town of Dubrovnik.

5. Train across Switzerland

Switzerland has one of the longest rail networks in the world and offers the most punctual service. But the reason why many visitors to Switzerland would travel by train is mainly because of the spectacular scenery that they will see along the way, from shimmering lakes to snow-capped mountains!

The Glacier Express is probably the most popular train route in Switzerland, and it’s easy to see why. This train will take you on a panoramic journey through the unspoilt natural landscapes of ancient forests, glaciers, mountain streams, and valleys. The journey will take around eight hours between St. Moritz & Zermatt.

The Luzern-Interlaken Express is another extraordinary train journey in Switzerland that will take you on a panoramic journey of breath-taking mountain sceneries. This journey departs from the historic town of Lucerne before travelling through Switzerland’s scenic countryside and passing along the fabulous Brünig Pass, before finally reaching Interlaken.

When travelling on a train throughout Switzerland, take advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass to enjoy unlimited travel on almost all forms of transportation and pay only a flat rate.

Most people think of a couple’s getaway as going to luxury beachside retreats or taking a romantic trip to cities like New York and Paris. But nowadays, more and more couples are opting for alternative vacations for their luxury getaway. 

Instead of going on a relaxing beach holiday as most couples do, some would visit adventurous destinations like Tanzania and Borneo. And, why not? After all, this is the perfect time to unwind and spend some quality time with each other. So, why don’t you take this opportunity to visit exciting destinations and partake in some fun, adventurous activities instead? Below, we’ve rounded up the top five alternative destinations where couples can go on a luxury vacation.

1. Borneo

Borneo would be a great alternative destination for couples who are drawn to nature and wildlife and are ready to tackle outdoor adventures. This giant, rugged island in Southeast Asia is home to interesting wildlife species, including orangutans and clouded leopards. Here, adventurous couples can climb Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest peak, explore the lush tropical jungles, and visit the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, home to the endangered orangutans.

Borneo’s thick rainforest is the only place where you can have a close encounter with the orangutans in the wild. But spotting them can be tricky since they are usually at a distance. But at Sepilok, you can get close to an orangutan at almost an arm’s length. This sanctuary is a rehabilitation centre for the orangutans that have been rescued after being injured or orphaned. They are fed and cared for before being taken back to the wild.

Spend the rest of your days relaxing on Gaya Island at the Gayana Eco Resort. With its vast stretches of fine white sand beaches, the island is a great choice for snorkelling, diving, and swimming.

2. Alaska

Alaska offers plenty of activities for loved up couples looking to relax and spend some quality time away from the hustle and bustle. This massive state is famous for its incredible nature and landscapes, world-class accommodations, and delicious cuisines.  

Alaska has two main travel seasons, summer, and winter. Summer is usually the peak season where visitors can take advantage of the many hours of daylight and easy access to national parks for a scenic hike. It’s also a great time to cruise near the glaciers, discover wildlife, and cosy up in a private chalet in the wild. In winter, couples can snuggle up in a glass-roofed igloo and marvel at the dancing northern lights! If you are the adventurous type, then skiing is a must!

For couples who seek luxury, stay at the Sheldon Chalet, perched on top of North America’s highest mountain, Mount Denali. This chalet is a true marvel for couples looking for an unparalleled holiday experience. Just south of Denali National Park is the charming Chelatna Lake Lodge, an epitome of rustic luxury. It’s the perfect setting for an ultimate Alaskan wildlife experience where you can marvel at the radiant colours of the Northern Lights on winter nights!

3. Abu Dhabi 

Take your partner on a romantic adventure in UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi. The city offers plenty of activities for couples to relax while enjoying some quality time. Experience the island way of life at the Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island and cosy up at the adults-only pool and swim-up bar. When evening comes, treat yourself to a private couple’s spa treatment, and end the day strolling around the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

For couples who love fast cars, schedule your visit during the Abu Dhabi F1. This prestigious Formula One motor racing event takes place at the impressive Yas Marina Circuit. And if you want to explore outside of Abu Dhabi and visit other beautiful places in the UAE, you should go for a fun driving holiday. There are lots of beautiful places within Abu Dhabi’s three-hour radius, so if you feel the urge to discover the other side of the country, rent a car, turn on your GPS, and drive to anywhere you want!

The UAE has some of the best quality roads in the world, so driving here should be comfortable and safe. The highways all around the country, including in Abu Dhabi, is smooth and well-developed.

4. Tanzania

When it comes to romantic getaways, most couples would prefer to go on a beach holiday, either in the Maldives or the Caribbean islands. But if you are tired of the usual, Tanzania would be a great alternative. Although the country is famous for its national parks and wildlife, it also has gorgeous beaches home to five-star luxury resorts and hotels.

The Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge is an excellent option for couples who want to relax in seclusion. Here, you can enjoy a private beach experience with personalised butler service. The lagoon has a dozen spacious beach bungalows with a balcony that opens to the gorgeous views of the seas. For a beach honeymoon coupled with world-class luxury, check out The Residence in Zanzibar. Sitting on a 32-hectare tropical land surrounded by the Muyuni Forest, this fancy resort has 60 luxury villas, each with its own swimming pool and terrace.

5. The Galapagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are the perfect destination for adventurous and wildlife loving couples. Few places on Earth have as much to offer when it comes to rare wildlife species and natural beauty as the Galapagos. Here, you and your loved one can go on an island-hopping adventure onboard a luxurious catamaran. And as you explore the Galapagos National Park, be enchanted by the unique wildlife, and learn about the ground-breaking conservation projects happening within the park.

End the day enjoying romantic sunset dinners before retreating to your luxury cabin. Despite the natural atmosphere of the Galapagos, the archipelago is home to a variety of five-star resorts offering high-quality service, world-class accommodation, and top-notch comfort. If you want to sleep in comfort and luxury while surrounded by nature, check out the Pikaia Lodge. This eco-resort is designed for environmentally conscious couples. During the day, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of their own private Tortoise Reserve.

Some people might cringe at the idea of going on a “babymoon,” a trip that couples take when expecting a baby. But as any parent would understand, welcoming a new baby does not come easy. While being a new parent is a truly wonderful experience, it can also be stressful. So, before the big day comes, why don’t you go on a luxury vacation to unwind? 

There are various destinations around the world that offer luxurious amenities for a relaxing babymoon experience. From the overwater villas of Moorea to the luxury resorts of the Maldives or a charming villa in Tuscany, check out these top five destinations for luxury babymoons.

1. Moorea 

Moorea is a gorgeous island in French Polynesia known for its powder-like sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees. If you’re looking for a luxury babymoon holiday, Moorea is a great place to consider. The accommodation here is diverse, ranging from stylish bungalows to decadent Moorea overwater villas.

Located about ten nautical miles from Tahiti, Moorea can be accessed by plane or ferry from Papeete. This proximity, along with the island’s welcoming and friendly nature, makes Moorea a favourite destination for couples and families. Despite its popularity, the island was able to maintain its laidback vibe, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing babymoon holiday.

Moorea also offers plenty of interesting sights to explore in between relaxation. The island is home to eight voluminous mountain peaks rising from its crystal-clear lagoon, which creates a distinctive and rugged silhouette. Moorea is also home to two symmetrical bays, Opunohu Bay and Cooks Bay.

2. Roatan

Home to the longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, Roatan is a haven for underwater adventures. But even if you don’t plan to participate in any activities, you will still have a great time on your babymoon to Roatan. Here, you can relax in tropical surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle.

Located 65 km north of mainland Honduras, Roatan is home to resorts offering luxury accommodation options. For instance, the Mayan Princess Beach and Dive Resort feature luxurious Spanish-style villas elegantly furnished with a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen. On the south shore of Roatan, you will find the Barefoot Cay Resort, built around a privately owned cay. To get to the resort, you will be travelling on a boat. You can choose from a one or two-bedroom villa fitted with sophisticated furnishings and open to the glistening Caribbean waters.

When you aren’t relaxing in your villa or exploring the underwater world, you can indulge in relaxing spa treatments or feast at the gourmet-style restaurants on the island.

3. Maldives 

The Maldives is a luxury destination on everyone’s bucket lists and a perfect island getaway for expectant parents. In fact, the Maldives is also home to some child-friendly resorts, so even if you are taking some kids with you, you can guarantee a fun and relaxing luxury Maldives family holiday in this archipelagic country.

If you are travelling to the Maldives with your kids, you definitely want to stay at one of the child-friendly resorts with its own kid’s club and children’s pool. Contrary to what many people thought, the Maldives does not solely appeal to honeymooners. As a popular beach holiday destination, the Maldives also offer an abundance of family-friendly activities, from snorkelling to cruising, parasailing, and fishing.

The Maldives is famous for its overwater villas. Resorts such as the Kanuhura have overwater villas spacious enough for families. These villas are fitted with everything you need, from giant flat-screen TVs to private plunge pools. For families who prefer something more adventurous on their babymoon, check out Soneva Jani, whose overwater bungalows have the option of a slide straight into the lagoon.

4. Iceland

Home to majestic volcanoes, deep fjords, and vast glaciers, Iceland has long been a beloved destination for the more intrepid travellers. Nowadays, this Nordic country is home to a new wave of luxury hotels and posh restaurants, elevating the experience to a whole new level. So, when it comes to your luxury babymoon in Iceland, you should believe the hype!

Iceland may be a country made for adventures, but it also offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing activities. Melt away your worries in the warm pools of the Blue Lagoon, a manmade lagoon where the powers of geothermal seawater create a transformational spa experience. Check out the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík, a modern building architecturally inspired by the Icelandic nature of volcanoes and Arctic lights.

To make the most of your Icelandic babymoon, check into a five-star property without ever slipping off your plush white robe. Stay in a suite at a luxury hotel in Reykjavík, where you will have your own private sauna to relax after a day filled with adventures. End your day indulging in a sumptuous feast from the country’s best fine dining restaurants.

5. Italy

If you are longing for a luxury babymoon in Italy, head to Tuscany, where five-star hotels and luxury villas rest amid picturesque vineyards and quiet coastlines. Aside from relaxing in your suite, your babymoon in Tuscany will be spent exploring charming villages and frolicking at the warm summer seas.

Tuscany is also home to castle hotels, a testament to the region’s historical past. These accommodations offer a fascinating option for couples seeking luxury accommodation options while getting a glimpse of Tuscan’s colourful history. The most popular option would be to stay at luxury villas where you can spend a relaxing babymoon in total privacy while being surrounded by the stunning views of the Tuscan countryside.

If you’re looking for accommodation with a bit of character, there are also luxury boutique hotels in the region. These are small and medium-sized hotels located in the secluded part of the region and fitted with unique features, far better than the classic hotel standards. Often run by locals, these hotels are known for their warm hospitality, incredible attention to detail, and tailor-made luxury experience.

Engagement rings come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. From traditional diamonds to sparkling sapphires, in a variety of settings and styles, the options are limitless! Of course, the charm and elegance of traditional engagement ring styles is undeniable. However, there are some truly unusual options out there, and some historical examples that stand out from the crowd.

According to Neil Dutta of engagement ring retailer, Angelic Diamonds, unique engagement rings are a wonderful option. He says, “Our customers often come to us on the hunt for something a little different; something that is unique yet still full of romantic symbolism.”

With unusual styles on the rise, we’re diving into the dazzling world of unique engagement rings. Today, we’re taking a trip back through history to fawn over some iconic and unusual engagement rings worn by the rich and famous.

Princess Diana’s sapphire cluster ring

There are few engagement rings more iconic than the sapphire and diamond cluster ring first worn by Princess Diana. Later, it would be given to Kate Middleton. The ring consists of a cluster style setting, featuring a blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by fourteen diamonds. The large ring is certainly eye-catching, and if you’re looking for an engagement ring with a pop of colour, a sapphire and diamond cluster is a great option. This particular piece was chosen by Diana herself and then passed down to her son, Prince William.

Queen Victoria’s serpent wrap

Queen Victoria is a true trendsetter when it comes to wedding traditions. Her husband, Prince Albert, gifted her with an 18-carat gold serpent wrap engagement ring adorned in rubies, diamonds, and a spectacular emerald. In ancient Rome, the serpent symbolised everlasting love, and, indeed, Albert and Victoria’s unity is an example of the perfect marriage. During the wedding ceremony, Queen Victoria wore a white dress, a wreath, and a five-meter-long veil, which contrasted with the royal tradition. If you’re looking for an alternative ring, go for one embedded with a sacred symbol and dazzling diamonds, such as the serpent.

Katy Perry’s flower power

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom got engaged on the most special celebration of all – Valentine’s Day. That’s probably why her iconic engagement ring has love and sentiment written all over it. The ring features a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds to recreate the shape of a blooming flower in pinkish-orange hues. The ring perfectly matches the star’s extravagant style, and there has been speculation that it’s a replica of Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring featuring a rare sapphire. For a blossoming marriage, look for a flower-shaped ring accented with bright-coloured diamonds.

Jennifer Lopez’s dazzling diamonds

Jennifer Lopez has received an array of dazzling engagement rings worthy of fashion history. Two particular rings stand out. First is the stunning 6.10-carat radiant-cut pink diamond engagement ring presented to her by Ben Affleck in 2002. Second is the showstopping 15-carat emerald-cut diamond ring from Alex Rodriguez in 2019. The latter is believed to have cost between $1 million to $3 million. Get one of these fabulous looks by exploring geometric emerald-cut diamonds or venturing into the realms of coloured diamonds for a bold twist.  

Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ iconic twist ring

Combining diamonds and gemstones is a sure way to make sure your engagement ring has an impact. In the case of the ring given to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier from former president John F. Kennedy, diamonds and emeralds were a winning combination. This ring featured a 2.84-carat emerald paired with a 2.87-carat diamond, complemented by leaf decoration and a yellow gold band.  

Jackie was first gifted the ring in 1953 but there aren’t many photos showing her wearing it. In 1961 she decided to redesign it just in time for the renovation of the White House. The new design featured fancier marquise shape diamonds in place of the sleek baguettes. The new gems resemble a laurel wreath surrounding the two main stones. The other half of the band is covered in round diamonds. To replicate this stunning look, take a look at twist-style rings, and don’t be afraid to go for brightly coloured gems as well as diamonds!

Each one of these incredible engagement rings is as iconic as the last. Let this range of statement engagement rings encourage you to explore something more unusual.

You know what they say about the kitchen: it’s where we prepare food, and also where we spend much of our day. It’s a place to gather with friends and family, to eat and drink together as one. It’s a space that should be both beautiful and functional—a place that is as beautiful as it is useful. Below are six expert tips for designing your dream kitchen!

1) Realize You Don’t Need Everything

First and foremost, you need to realize that your kitchen does not need everything. You can’t have all of the gadgets and gizmos that you see on TV or in catalogs. You need to evaluate your kitchen’s needs, and then purchase the necessary items for those needs. Make sure that you only purchase a few items that need to fit on your countertop, to keep the space as open as possible. You’ll be more organized this way!

According to celebrity designers, hiring an expert will help you realize what really matters in your kitchen design.  A designer will be able to see your kitchen for what it is, and they can advise you on the most efficient use of counter space. Rather than trying to stick with your set of kitchen appliances and cookware, take a step back and give yourself time to discover what you really need in place of all these items. Get bigger appliances that do multiple things that can be packed away in a box in a cupboard with ease.

2) Lighting

In the past few years, there have been huge advances in lighting technology when it comes to kitchen design. Light is a fundamental part of any space, and light plays a significant role in the functionality of your kitchen. Just as you wouldn’t want to walk into a dark room to do homework, you shouldn’t have to feel like cooking or baking is an obstacle course. Equipping your kitchen with lighting from the bottom up (adding under-cabinet lighting alongside your counters, for example) will make doing your daily cooking tasks much easier.

3) Measure the Space You Want to Fill

Before you start filling the space with furniture or other items, first measure how much storage you need to accommodate. For example, do you need a small 6-foot island or two 3-foot islands? Make sure your platform is large enough to support your needs so you don’t run into any problems when it comes time to reassemble your kitchen.

4) Group Things Together

You don’t need to have everything out, on display. A design tip from celebrity interior designers says that rather than shoving all of your cookware into a cabinet and then digging around for that one pot you need at the moment, make your life easier by grouping together items with similar functions. This is especially important if you have a smaller kitchen because it allows for more efficient use of space. Have a drawer for utensils, a cupboard for pots and pans, and a cupboard for baking goods. It’s no good to have a tidy-looking kitchen with messy cupboards.

5) Use Every Inch of Space You Have Wisely

In most homes, the space above your cabinets is going to be wasted. However, according to stylists, this dead space is perfect for installing pullout shelves or cabinets. If you can get into that area, it’s like another storage unit and can add another few inches of storage space. This tip will greatly help make your kitchen more functional and will create more space for everything to go. When your countertops are free of clutter, it makes it a lot easier to move around and work on whatever meal you are putting together.

6) Avoid a Sprawling Design

One of the most important things in any kitchen is planning. You need to make sure your appliances and cabinets are spaced properly so you can actually move around without hitting anything! Along with this, don’t try to put everything in one place. Break up your cooking and preparation areas into smaller zones. Your kitchen doesn’t need to be an aesthetically unappealing sea of islands.

The kitchen is a space that should be both beautiful and functional. It’s the place where we prepare food, eat together with friends and family, or just take a break from a busy day to wind down in front of the TV after finishing up some chores. Below are six expert tips for designing your dream kitchen! Whether you want to make more efficient use of storage space, add under-cabinet lighting above counters, measure how much workspace you need before purchasing furniture or appliances—these design ideas will help ensure your new kitchen meets all your needs while also looking stunningly gorgeous.

Christmas is a magical festivity that all kids look forward to. Why not make the build up to the coveted 25^th December just as exciting?

With plenty of creative activities to choose from, we have picked our favourite Christmas crafts for you and your children to truly enjoy. Full of handy tips and step-to-step guides, this article will help you travel with your imagination as you wait for Santa Claus to slide down the chimney!

Classic Christmas bow

A simple yet effective way to get into the Christmas spirit is to decorate your house with festive, red, ribbon bows. With very few materials required and with easy steps for you and your little ones to follow, here is how to make bows for Christmas!

What you need:

• Ribbon
• Floral wire (optional)

Instructions – Cut strips of ribbon according to your preferred length for the tail of your bow. To make it more visually appealing, cut the ends of the bow in a V shape. Then, create three loops – two facing upwards and the middle one facing downwards. Cross the right loop over the left one, allowing the side with the tail to hang down. Finally, fold the right loop down through the centre loop. There you have it – a wonderful Christmas bow!

Lovely paper Christmas tree

Christmas trees are arguably the emblem of the festive season. Your children may still be too little and short to be able to help with decorating a ‘real’ fir tree. Instead, why not let them create their own colourful paper-cone Christmas tree?

What you need:

• Green paper
• Plastic and glitter stickers (i.e. stars, jewels, etc.)
• A pair of scissors
• Double-sided tape or glue

Instructions – Trace a large circle on your coloured paper and cut it out. Fold it in half to make two semi-circles and fold them round again into a cone. Once complete, secure it with tape or glue. It will then be time for your kids to decorate their very own tree with their multicoloured stickers!

Small decorations for your Christmas tree

It may well be difficult for your kids to personally garnish the Christmas tree, but they can certainly get involved by creating their own decorations. Fetch twigs and get to work – you and your little ones will love making them!

What you need:

• Twigs (large and small)
• String or twine
• Glue
• Paint and glitter

Instructions – Head outdoors and find as many long and short twigs as you can. The longer sticks will act as your base, and you will glue the shorter ones to this as you keep moving up. In the meantime, tie your string or twine into a loop that is big enough for your Christmas tree’s branches. Attach it to your twig-made tree and complete your piece of art with glitter or paint!

Snowflake decorations

Wrapped up in warm coats or kids’ waterproofs, children love to chase and catch snowflakes on winter days. With their beautifully unique patterns, wouldn’t it be great to create your own? Here is a short guide on how to make snowflake decorations.

What you need:

• White paper
• A pair of scissors
• Glue (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions – Start with larger sheets of paper as bigger snowflakes are easier to cut out. Once your children have become pros, you can move on to smaller flakes. Fold your piece of paper in half to make a triangle. Fold it in half again and then into thirds. Get creative with your scissors as you cut around the edges. Finally, open up your folded snowflake and admire your creation! If you want to make it look extra special, dab glue on the tips and sprinkle some glitter.

Sock snowmen

No snow so far? Buy both white and colourful socks and build your own snowmen indoors. Wondering how to make a sock snowman? We have you covered!  

What you need:

• White socks
• Colourful, fuzzy socks
• Buttons
• Black sharpie
• Black and orange pipe cleaners
• Twine

Instructions – Cut the white sock just above where the heel goes and fill it with rice, then tie a knot at the top. Tie a piece of twine around the sock to create the upper and lower portions of your snowman. Cut the fuzzy sock so that it fits over the snowman’s head and tie twine around it to fashion a colourful hat. You can use what you have cut off as its scarf. Finally, cut the pipe cleaners into tiny pieces and glue them onto the white sock to make its eyes, mouth and nose. Why not attach buttons on the snowman’s torso too?

Festive Christmas wreath

Want a stunning wreath for your front door? Let your kids help you produce your own special one!

What you need:

• Wreath base
• A pair of scissors
• Twine or ribbon
• Evergreen branches (i.e. fir, holly, ivy)
• Florists wire
• Various decorations

Instructions – Start by securing the evergreen boughs to your wreath base. Wrap the wire around the stems a few times and overlap the greenery to fill all the gaps. Once you’re happy, tie off the wire and cut it. Then, use the twine to bind everything to your base. Now the fun bit: decorate your wreath with cinnamon sticks, sparkly stars, or whatever you fancy!

Tree topper

Missing a star on top of your Christmas tree? You and your little ones can make one yourselves – and it will look brighter and more special than ever! Here is how to make a tree topper to be proud of.

What you need:

• White paper
• Paint
• A pair of scissors
• Glue
• Glitter

Instructions – Make a paper cone as illustrated above (i.e. paper cone Christmas tree). Draw a star on another sheet of paper and cut it out. Attach it to the cone, paint them both and then leave them to dry. When ready, cover your topper with glue and sprinkle glitter all over it. There you have it – A new star to shine proudly on top of your Christmas tree!

Christmassy table centrepiece

Family reunions and Christmas lunch with kids, parents, and grandparents are one of the highlights of the winter season. For such a special occasion, your dining table may need to liven up too. Not sure how to make a Christmas table centrepiece? Read ahead!

What you need:

• Pinecones
• White paint
• Hot glue
• Various decorations

Instructions – Pick up pinecones from your backyard or your local park to create the perfect DIY centrepiece. All you need to do is to let your kids decorate the pinecones with white paint and then affix the decorations (i.e. berries, stars, etc.) using hot glue. You can also add a touch of glitter or silver spray to make them even more visually attractive!

Handprint cards

Homemade Christmas cards are the perfect way to keep your kids busy and entertained as they excitedly count down the days till Christmas. These handprint Christmas cards are lovely, personal, and truly easy to create!

What you need:

• Paper sheet as a greeting card
• Colourful paper (green, brown, and more)
• Plastic jewels
• A pair of scissors
• Pencil
• Glue

Instructions – Place your kid’s hand on a green sheet of paper and draw around it, then cut out the hand shape. Use a brown piece of paper to make a tree trunk and another coloured sheet for its pot. Glue them all on the greeting card and create a hand-shaped Christmas tree. Finally, Add plastic jewels and a star on top, and your card is ready! Get your child to sign it and send it to your loved ones.

Fragrant potpourri

Want to bring the scent and fragrance of Christmas inside your house to get into the festive spirit? Try this Christmas potpourri and experiment with smells as you go along!

What you need:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Pinecones
• Star anise
• Ribbon
• Cellophane bag
• Oranges

Instructions – Slice up your oranges and put them in the oven on the lowest setting for about four hours. Take them out when they are completely dried out and mix them with pinecones, a couple of cinnamon sticks and a bunch of star anises. If your little ones want to gift it to someone, fill a cellophane bag and tie it with a festive ribbon for decoration. The lucky receiver will love their unique and handmade present!

Christmas is a joyous time for every kid. To satiate their excitement, encourage them to get creative with some Christmas-themed activities. We hope that this list of crafts will help you come up with some fun ideas and keep your little ones busy and festive!

A boot room is a quintessential feature of British country living. Ultra functional, a boot room possesses a lot of storage space to keep heavy-duty shoes, hunting equipment or sports gear ready for action when you venture outside. The chances are that you will spend a lot more time in your boot room than you expected. After all, it is the last room you will use before leaving your home and the first one you see when you come back in. Good boot room design considers its role as a valve between the outside elements and the clean, warm interior of the house. Boot room design must of course allow for mud and water, as well as take into consideration your hobbies and favourite pastimes to make your life easier. Artichoke, experts in period architectural joinery and seasoned bespoke boot room designers, give their recommendations on boot room utility features. From a handy sink, to warmed seating, and clever storage solutions, keep on reading to discover some clever boot room design features.

The top boot room design features

Boot room utility idea #1: A sink

Smart boot room design should take your hobbies into consideration. For those with a  green finger, a boot room is often the main point of access to and from a vegetable patch or the flower garden. A counter space with a sink will enable you to immediately clean your homegrown produce or trim piles of fresh cut flowers without making a mess elsewhere in the house.

If you don’t enjoy gardening, a sink will still maximise your boot room utility. It will make it easy to grab a drink of water before or after a day filled with exercise and quickly clean minor stains. It can also serve as a place to wash muddy boots – or even your dog’s muddy paws. Plus, an antique faucet or sleek stone sink adds a very elegant touch to your boot room design. Make sure you choose a sink that is hard wearing and sufficiently large enough to manage all the tasks it will be used for. And, don’t forget to choose your tap carefully – for example, one with a spray function can make cleaning muddy boots effortless.

Boot room utility idea #2: Warmed seating

It is no secret that English weather is often rainy, windy or cold. Having a heated bench awaiting you is a handy way to quickly warm yourself up after a trip outside and it is an inviting boot room utility feature your guests will love and appreciate. It also allows your damp coats, hats, gloves and any other item of clothing to dry quicker, and they’ll be toasty by the time you’ll need them again.

In a recent boot room project, Artichoke chose to position a marble bench over a radiator – a perfect way to incorporate functional but luxurious seating to their boot room design. Marble is a beautiful material with natural properties that withstands heat and transfers warmth quickly from one place to another, meaning you’ll be warmed up in no time after a day out in the cold and rain.

Boot room utility idea #3: A drain

A drainage hole in the floor is an invaluable boot room design feature. You will inevitably drag in mud, tiny pieces of gravel and grass back into the house – a drain will make it so much easier to clean up the mess. Just a bit of soapy water will go a long way to clean paw prints and mud-stained surfaces. Your floors will be sparkling clean and dry in no time thanks to this boot room utility idea.

Boot room utility idea #4: A washing machine

Finally, our last tip for top boot room utility is integrating a washing machine into your boot room. Whether you are coming back from a rainy stroll or a muddy activity, you will be able to throw a dirty jumper or grass stained trousers immediately into the wash rather than risk bringing the mess into your home’s main living quarters.

No need to worry about a washing machine not fitting in with your boot room’s design. It is easily concealed by bespoke wood panelling or hidden in clever custom cupboards. Explore Artichoke’s boot room design ideas to see how you can combine elegance with practicality.

Boot room utility idea #5: Plenty of storage

To keep your boot room utility tidy, consider plenty of clever storage options, such as custom built-in cupboards, open shelving, and plenty of hooks for neatly hanging up coats and hats. Boots, coats, hats, bags and walking accessories, including umbrellas and walking sticks, can all take up room and require different storage solutions. Custom built cupboards can easily accommodate these different sized items, ensuring effortless storage solutions for a neat and tidy boot room where everything has its place.

Boot room utility idea #6: Practical flooring

A boot room, by its very nature, will see its fair share of mud and dirt, so make sure you plump for a practical floor that is easy to keep clean when considering your boot room design. Stone or tile is often the first choice for a boot room floor as it is hardwearing and easy to clean, plus it can also offer timeless appeal. Cheaper alternatives could include vinyl, which comes in a range of fun colours and designs for those seeking to inject some personality into their boot room.

Which of these handy boot room design features is your favourite?

Welcome to the 2021 Winter Issue of LUXlife Magazine

The leaves have fallen and are now returning to the earth. We are really seeing a difference in the weather as magic energy sweeps across the globe. Christmas time is almost upon us, and we are looking forward to all that the end of the year brings us.

In this issue, we want to let you in on a few mysteries as we reveal some of the best healthcare, homecare, and enjoyable encounters. From eco-friendly, sustainable, and futureproof businesses to innovative concepts and artistic twists in the industry, this issue of LUXlife is loaded with incredible opportunities to learn. Here we discover some show-stopping staples across a number of industries that all make for more enjoyable experiences, no matter your requirements.

For all of your skincare needs throughout the winter months, Transderma has something that will keep you hydrated, bright, and feeling your best. Not only are we offering the chance to look at some glorious skincare, but we are presenting an assortment of businesses that all promote that inner to outer glow.

Here we would like to continue holding space for readers as we approach such a beautiful time of year. Perhaps this issue could inspire some fabulous Christmas gifts, too.

As we wrap up, it is important to add that we wish you a very happy end to the year as we invite you to peruse this issue of LUXlife Magazine at your leisure.

The first completely nature friendly male grooming brand, Sweyn Forkbeard purveys a best-selling line of products that now number at more than 175, having come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2015. All of the aforementioned products are 100% organic and handmade by its talented staff in London. Additionally, its name unveils a little more of what this company is about. Sweyn Forkbeard himself was the first Viking King of England, crowned in 1,013, and famous for his immaculate facial hair – even when in the thick of battle. Therefore, the ingredients used by the Viking and English people of the time provided the inspiration behind Sweyn Forkbeard as a brand, and researched heavily into them whilst creating its recipes, resulting in popular beard care, wet shaving kits, skincare, hair styling, and razors for its market segment that can keep up with the busiest of lifestyles.

Additionally, it also sells beard oils and balms, moustache wax, combs, and even t-shirts, as well as gifts made that extra bit more special by being packaged in a wooden box to be sent to the recipient. Sweyn Forkbeard even created the world’s first refill service for male grooming products in March of 2020, kicking it off out of its shop in the Eco- Friendly Buck Street Market as well as its Camden Market location; this allows customers to bring their empty bottles and containers in to get a refill of the product in order to save on packaging. Sweyn Forkbeard, fundamentally, is for men who want eco-friendly grooming solutions with a difference.

The award that it has secured itself has been a pivotal springboard for Sweyn Forkbeard, and it is pleased to have had its work recognised, committed to further pushing the importance of organic and natural grooming products. In a market saturated by highly chemical based products, it has made itself a cut above the rest – as well as a brand with significantly more in its range of products than any other – thus able to serve a wider range of its market segment, and remaining staunchly independent throughout its growth. Crucially, being independent, it is used to having to work doubly hard to make a mark in its industry.

Due to this, its customers can consistently expect an exemplary height of quality in its product, as it takes quality testing and performance reviews incredibly seriously, forever striving to better and improve itself and its products in order to provide for its customers in the best possible way. Additionally, it will always be honest and transparent when it comes to what its products are made of, and the Sweyn Forkbeard Army – its internal team – are each a core part of what has secured it such incredible success. Of course, even with such a brilliant staff behind it, Covid-19 presented challenge in the closure of its in-person locations, but it was able to funnel all of this attention into its online storefront. This has ensured that it could continue to serve its customers throughout the crisis, and cope with the influx of new clientele as its reputation grew; in the middle of 2020, it even opened an old-school style barber inside the iconic Camden Market, combining its products with the work of master barbers to bring stunning haircare to its customers. In 2021, it launched yet more organic lines such as its conditioner, and plans to continue thriving in the crucible of London’s commerce and e-commerce market long into the future.

For business enquiries contact George Garcia from Sweyn Forkbeard via https://www.sweynforkbeard.co.uk/.

As the Doha-based creative office of Designer Studio adds the title of Qatar’s Most Outstanding Interior Design Studio, 2021 at LUXlife’s Leaders in Luxury Awards to its already plentiful roster of accolades, we take a closer look at the keys to its success. From its skilful harmonisation of innovation and timelessness to its respectful yet flirtatious homages to local traditions, this is an interior design studio that is proudly unlike any other.

An award-winning creative office of Doha, Designer Studio is a leading specialist in the design and creation of luxury hospitality and residential interiors that incorporate timeless elegance and sophisticated extravagance. Designer Studio offers a comprehensive range of services, working with clients to deliver spaces that perfectly encapsulate the upscale nature of its inhabitants through a fine eye for details and a commitment to sourcing only the very best materials.

While the final products of Designer Studio’s work are always timeless in design, they are always far from traditional. “It is our intent to divert from the norm in regional expectations in design and set a new benchmark that mirrors that of international standards.” By freeing itself from the restraints of what classical interior design ‘should’ look like and instead embracing a homogenous mix of international values and styles, Designer Studio is redefining the norm to create perfect spaces for its clients.

Indeed, the client is at the very centre of the Designer Studio process. The ‘Confident Client’, as the team at Designer Studio calls them, offers their ideas as the foundation of any project. The idea may be very abstract in its infancy but, with the support of the multi-award-winning studio, soon evolves into a ‘beautiful array of material palettes, fabrics, and colours’.

To that end, it is of paramount importance to the design team that they build trusting and communicative relationships with each of their clients. This enables the designer and the client to collaborate on each stage of the project – from the concept to the design all the way to the finishing stylistic elements of artwork, soft furnishings, and accessories – to create a space that does not just meet the expectations of the client, but far surpasses all their creative visions. The wants of the client are combined with their personal histories, the histories of the space and inspiration born from music, architecture, and art to create truly outstanding interior design.

The spectacular appeal of a Designer Studio project must also be paired with functionality in spaces that are highly luxurious but also highly liveable. For residential spaces, aesthetics, functionality and personality must exist in equilibrium to create a dream home that suits the lifestyle of its owners. Meanwhile, within the hospitality sector, Designer Studio strives to deliver design destinations for service-oriented projects such as hotels, spas, restaurants, and lounges, all with signature quality design that meets internationally recognised standards. Working side by side with its clients on commercial projects, the studio focuses on achieving the best design to accentuate the brand image of the client, complete with the most operationally viable solutions.

Bespoke Solutions are, after all, just one of the fundamental values that drive Designer Studio. From crafting bespoke joinery items to fit in with unique architectural structures to sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture that speak to the client, Designer Studio goes above and beyond to ensure each design is unlike any other, relying on some of the best of the world’s suppliers to make even the most unimaginable design concepts come to fruition. Moreover, the studio proudly states that, “we love to juxtapose various materials and often rely on natural products such as marble and wood to create an opulent design solution that will last.” The result is a modern and innovative yet timeless space that never goes out of style.

Achieving such high standards of excellence is made possible through the second of Designer Studio’s core values: Quality in Detail. It is only through an appreciation of the architectural details of a space and the careful selection of the finishing touches that a design is truly enhanced, which is why the team at Designer Studio often work with clients from the beginning to the end of a project, including during the construction phase. This ensures that the client has someone to verify that optimum quality is being maintained in every step, laying the groundwork for the flourishes in fabrics, marbles, wood, fixtures, styling and artwork that truly take a space from functional to sensational.

The third and final of Designer Studio’s values is Dynamic Collaboration, applicable not only to the partnerships that the design team forms with clients – both commercial and homeowners – but also to the collaboration it seeks to create between the architectural vernacular and geographical locations. Although unrestrained by the traditions of the locality of each project, Designer Studio does strive to complement its surroundings in a way that ensures the project, like the environment it exists in, evolves over time.

As such, Designer Studio keeps an eye on shifting trends in the world of interior design but uses them as inspiration for designs that are truly timeless. For example, while the interior industry of Qatar is constantly moving and developing, Designer Studio has identified the majlis as a consistent feature of design, adored for its centuries-old beauty and its symbol of the union of families and friends under a single roof. Traditionally a very basic structure conceived in the pre-oil discovery era, the modern majlis of today offer the perfect blend of functionality, comfort and luxury, still boasting the authentic materials and intricate details that make it almost worthy of the title of a masterpiece, but with features like modular sofas, marble tables and other exclusive furniture brands that make the majlis a very liveable structure too.

The majlis has made its appearance in Designer Studio’s rich portfolio of projects in the past, which also features a myriad of other spectacular design elements. From the 500-year-old Terrazzo flooring of a beachside holiday villa to a magnificent, floral-inspired chandelier that is the focal point of an exquisite dining room, Designer Studio’s creative flair knows no bounds.

It is for that reason that Designer Studio has become a highly esteemed name in the sphere of interior design, not just in Qatar, but across the globe, and has been celebrated by a roster of accolades and awards. Winner at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2020 and named among Architectural Digest’s 50 Top Design Talents of the Middle East, Designer Studio is this year able to celebrate its recognition as Qatar’s Most Outstanding Interior Design Studio, 2021 at LUXlife’s Leaders in Luxury Awards. The momentum of these successes combined with the studio’s ever-present desire for innovation and creativity of design ensures that the best is still yet to come for this leading light in the design industry of Qatar.

For more information, please contact Jennie Liezl Gonzales or visit www.designer-studio.com

Have you always dreamed of travelling the world, yet you are stuck in a 9 to 5 job and with no savings to afford your next year’s holiday? How about switching your career and taking up jobs that will allow you to travel the world in style? If you are wondering which jobs will pay you to travel the world, check out these luxury jobs that will allow you to travel the world in style.

Senior Travel Designer

If you are very passionate about travelling and love planning trips for others, then a senior travel designer might be perfect for you. But what exactly does a senior travel designer do?

Just like travel advisors and travel consultants, travel designers organise trips for clients. But the main difference is that travel designers often have to establish deep personal relationships with their clients. To take up this role, you must be willing to get involved in all the aspects involved in planning the trip, down to the tiniest details. It’s just like working as an interior designer where you need to have a keen eye on colours, textures, etc. Travel designers should know how to look for destinations and hotels that perfectly fit the personality of their clients.

In most cases, travel designers work with high-end travellers or those who often travel in luxury. They deal with affluent holidaymakers who are looking for comprehensive travel planning and guidance. As a senior travel designer, you must know how to develop travel itineraries according to your client’s needs and preferences. Vacancies can be found on [https://lightningtravelrecruitment.com/*]high-end luxury travel recruitment agency [*endlink*] listings.

For example, your client needs help in planning a luxury adventure to Mount . In the days leading up to this trip, you have to search for luxury accommodations that fit your client’s needs. But aside from that, you also need to help your client prepare for the climb both physically and mentally. You might even be in-charge in arranging a coach to train your client for the climb!

To be familiar with the process involved in designing a trip, travel companies would often send travel designers on all-expense-paid trips. Usually, these trips are sponsored by hotels, resorts, and other tour operators who want to partner with luxury travel companies.

Celebrity Glam Squad

Have you often wondered why your favourite celebrities always look great regardless of where they are in the world? That’s because they have a team of hairstylists and makeup artists who travel with them around the world and get them glammed up for any event. They are the celebrity glam squad who are not only paid well but get to travel the world in luxury as well.

Famous celebrities like Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian have their own glam squad team that helps to make them look fabulous each time they have a show or attend an event or occasion. They would spend thousands of dollars hiring only the best glam squad team because they knew it’s very important for their careers. For instance, a member of Lady Gaga’s glam squad believes that the singer’s show-stopping looks are one of the reasons why she achieved fame, which ultimately helped them land million-dollar deals. All those enviable cat-eye looks and stunning hairdos that you see on the red carpet were made possible thanks to the talented hairstylists, beauty professionals, and makeup artists who are working behind the scenes.

So, what does it take to work as a celebrity glam squad? As mentioned, a celebrity glam squad consists of hairstylists, makeup artists, and beauty professionals who can help make a celebrity stand out during glamorous events. But it’s not enough that you know how to apply makeup or style a hair. You need to be really good at what you do so that the celebrities will recognize your work and decide to hire you. Therefore, you should work hard to improve your skills. For instance, if you want to be a makeup artist for a celebrity, consider enrolling on makeup courses offered by the world’s top makeup schools. Undergo training to broaden your skillset and start by working at some of the best salons in the world.

Private Chef

Are you a passionate cook and love the idea of cooking for famous people and going to incredible places? Then, consider working as a personal chef. As a private chef, you are responsible for preparing multi-course meals in your client’s kitchen. You also need to facilitate a “restaurant-style” setup at your client’s home or hotel and serve meals along with wine pairings.

Some private chefs work for various clients throughout the year, while others work exclusively for one family. Since many of those who hire private chefs are famous personalities and celebrities, you may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, forbidding you from sharing to the public the type of food that you cook and some other details about the person you work for.

But becoming a private chef for wealthy families or celebrities does not come easy. It’s not enough that you are a good cook. You must be exceptionally talented and have the proper training and certification. Some of the world’s best private chefs have undergone the Rosette Standard training, where they are taught about maintaining a . The Rosette Academy is known for their state-of-the-art training facilities, which helps hone the skills of aspiring chefs.

So, if you are passionate about cooking and want to make your way into the private chef business, consider enrolling at the Rosette Academy. It might come with a hefty price but think of this as a career investment. Once you receive your certification from Rosette, it will be easier for you to land a job as a private chef for some of the wealthiest individuals and travel the world in luxury and style. That’s because these individuals believe in Rosette’s ability to offer the best chef training, so they will most likely prefer to hire someone with Rosette Standard training certification.

When it comes to event planning, it’s often too easy to get caught up in the swing of things and get overwhelmed by all the responsibilities. After all, most event planners want to make sure that it’s a party to remember, and the best way to get the job done would be by injecting the event with some much-needed luxury.
There’s no doubt that a luxury event will get people talking, and it will solidify your reputation as an individual (or company) that delivers the goods when it comes to event planning. If you want to plan and host an event that will stay fresh in the minds of your guests for months to come, it’s all about learning from the best. Here are some of the finest hallmarks of a luxury event.

1. An extravagant event demands lavish and relevant catering

When it comes to the overall expenses for a lavish event, you’ll likely be spending the most when it comes to catering. There are few ways to show how luxurious a party is than with fine cuisine, which is why elegant parties often break the bank to impress their guests.
However, just because you want to impress your guests during dinner doesn’t mean you have to push for the most expensive things on the menu, especially if you aren’t sure what to get. Fortunately, there are plenty of different themes you can follow to ensure that you are efficient in catering. For example, when planning the perfect cocktail party, the catering will undoubtedly reflect the theme.

2. An eye for lighting and decor can make all the difference

While much of what makes a party great can be based on the catering, it doesn’t change the fact that lighting and decor will be what wows the guests when they first enter the venue. Fortunately, for those who don’t have to worry about a tight budget, there are plenty of luxurious venues to choose from. On the other hand, those who have to deal with the decor on their own can use professional venues as an example of where to take the lighting and decor.
One thing that certainly helps would be the overall theme of the event. While understanding the theme doesn’t solve every problem, it certainly goes a long way to helping event organisers figure out the general direction to take. If you don’t have an eye for posh details, it would be wise to hire someone who can help put things into perspective.

3. The attention to detail when it comes to music matters

Music is tied to human emotion, and it’s easy to set the pace you want for the event with good accompanying music. Those who want to create a luxurious atmosphere would be wise to hire a jazz band to help set the mood. It’s even better for those with access to quality instruments and sound equipment, as hiring the right professionals is more than enough.

4. The dress code delivers a sense of extravagance to the event

Last but certainly not least, ensure that you have a strict dress code to follow, as it can help take people away from the rigours of life’s responsibilities for a while and help them enjoy your party all the more. While some might see it as a waste of effort, adhering to a strict dress code allows you to control the theme of your event, allowing you to elevate the experience further.
While hosting a luxury event can be a challenge, it is undoubtedly a task worth undertaking. The more effort you put into event organising, the easier it will be to control the flow of the party. Given enough time, your party will be the talk of the town.

Keeping a diary is one of those tips that seems too simple to really work. But often it is simple things that have the greatest impact on our lives. So, let’s try to find out why keeping a diary is important and how can it help you in everyday life?

How Exactly Keeping A Diary Helps? 

If you still hesitate whether you need to keep a diary, here are some points on how a diary might actually be useful for you.

1. Keeping a diary helps to strengthen psychological resilience. By writing down your thoughts on paper, you will be able to get rid of them and act more carefully. By reviewing the records for the year, you will begin to better understand yourself, learn to focus and worry less.

So, if you feel like you are all over because of an upcoming test or an essay at the college, writing your thoughts in the diary about s situation you have might actually bring you peace of mind. It is more likely that in the process of writing you would be able to find a solution to your problem. Like if you struggle with creating a high-quality essay for an important subject paper writing service MasterPapers could solve your struggle.

2. Concentration and purification of consciousness. Every morning we wake up with a swarm of thoughts and ideas in our heads. We think about what needs to be done today and what we did yesterday. In order not to go crazy, you need to redirect energy in another direction and throw all this flow of thoughts out. The diary is perfect for that.

3. Distancing from your feelings. Anxiety, anger, fear, insecurity, and all other feelings can be transferred to paper and looked at them from the side. Then you will understand that all these are illusions on which it is not necessary to spend mental forces.

4. Fighting self-criticism. Keeping a diary will calm down your inner saboteur – an inner voice that constantly judges you.

5. Determination of triggers. Sometimes we feel anxiety or other negative emotions, not knowing why. It may even seem to us that something is wrong with us. But if you start keeping diaries, you can identify the main causes of stress and anxiety, and not let them influence you.

Lots of students are being constantly under pressure, but just try to always keep in mind that there is no such exam or test that is worthy of your mental stress. By the way, you can use services like Masterpapers to lessen your workload and at the same time keep up with all the important assignments.

How To Start Writing

You might be afraid of starting to write things down, you might feel awkward and ridiculous, but this is normal. You have to overcome these first feelings and start writing your thoughts. We are also eager to share some of the steps which might ease the process of keeping a diary for you.

Write On Actual Paper

Keeping records on your computer or phone is a more passive and emotionless way. Of course, this way it will be faster. Only speed and the quantity of the written are not the goals you should strive for when starting a diary. The main thing here is self-analysis and clarity of thoughts.

Find Out What Works For You

The most important thing when you are just starting to keep a diary is to find the approach that works best for you. There are many different techniques, they all promise to change your world. If one approach doesn’t help you, do not despair and don’t throw a diary away. Try something else, otherwise, you will never see positive results. 

And don’t judge yourself too harshly. Don’t try to write seven days a week. Start small – with one sentence if this is what you can today, more sentences will come to you later. You may even develop a writing talent hidden deep inside, which could change your life direction completely. By the way, talking about writing skills, the article Choosing the Best Writing Companies | Top Options may be interesting for you.

Here are some more tips to help you start writing in your diary:

• Think of only one day
• Prepare a pen and notebook in advance
• Get up 10 minutes earlier than usual (if you write in the morning)
• Write one sentence. Do not worry about the content, write everything that comes to mind
• Try to repeat the same tomorrow

What To Write About

Three things you are grateful for

Gratitude is a superpower that is available to us all. It helps us feel happier, less worried, and more successful at work or studies. Write down what you were grateful for today.

One phrase for self-affirmation

Self-affirming phrases will also help strengthen psychological resilience. Choose your words carefully to get rid of something in your life or, conversely, to create something new.

One fear you will overcome today

To get rid of anxiety, you need to try to face some of your fears every day. This, of course, doesn’t mean that you need to jump out of the plane every day or get fired. We all have hundreds of o fears that we try not to think about. Start small and repeat day after day. After a while, you will learn to control your fear and direct it in a positive direction.

Bio:

Patrick Green is a die-hard workaholic. Last semester, he has done more than fifty essays, a dozen term papers, and two Master’s level dissertations. Unfortunately, Patrick doesn’t know how to write bad essays. So it’s either a good essay, great, or excellent. With Mr. Green working on your order, it’s safe to say that there’s nothing to worry about because work will be done well in time!

For many people, the thought of organizing a party is enough to make them break into a cold sweat. It’s an unnerving prospect that can become even worse when you think about all the things that need to be taken care of before guests arrive. Even if family and friends are coming over for an informal dinner party, the quality of food and drinks is crucial. One way to ensure that all your guests enjoy the event is by hiring a catering company. 

You might think that getting someone to cater will be easy but there are many things you need to take into consideration before making an appointment with an agency. Finding a catering company can be quite overwhelming especially for first-timers. There are lots of options to choose from and you need to become knowledgeable about what matters. The choice of a catering company should be based on the factors mentioned below.

1. Experience

Think about the type of event you are planning for. It’s important to go through past work done by a catering company so that you can determine whether they have the required experience or not. If your event is being held at a specific venue, it would be great if you ask them if they have worked there before. If they have, it will be easier for you to trust them with the responsibility of getting the needed supplies.

It’s also a good idea to ask for references and testimonials from past clients. Catering companies also have a list of venues they usually cater for, so you might want to contact the venue and check out if the catering company has been there before or not. These things will give you an idea of how professional the company is and whether they’ll be able to deliver on your requests.

2. Offers and Services

Make sure you know what the catering company can provide for your event. Different companies offer different things. Some might only provide set menus while others can also do custom orders for their clients. If you want to host a party where guests will be free to choose whatever they like, the catering company must have a wide range of options for you.

Catering companies offer different types of services as well such as arranging tables and renting utensils. Some companies charge extra for these while others include these in the cost of catering. It’s important that you know what you’re getting into and that all your requirements are met accordingly.

3. Pricing and Payment

There is no such thing as a standard price when it comes to catering companies because costs differ from one company to another. The most important thing to consider is that you have a budget in mind so that you can compare prices with different companies. It’s good to set aside a certain amount of money for catering because this will ensure that all your guests are served properly.

If you don’t want the hassle of having to pay upfront, it’s also possible for you to pay in installments or even after the event is done. Just make sure that you get everything set up with the catering company beforehand so that there are no misunderstandings later on.

4. Availability

Of course, there’s no point choosing a catering company only to find out that they’re not available on your chosen day for hosting the party. You should schedule a meeting with them first to check out whether they’re available or not. Also, find out what days and times they are usually free for consultations. Remember that catering companies also have their schedules to adhere to. If there is no one available during the time you have chosen for your consultation, it might be better to reschedule for an earlier date.

5. Location and Contact Details

Of course, catering companies are not restricted to a specific location, but there are some which are available in certain areas only. You might want to get recommendations from people living in your area or you can look up the internet for reviews on different catering companies. According to the caterers at East Bay Deli, make sure that the catering services company is conveniently located so you won’t have to waste too much time during consultations. Also, find out if they can deliver within a specific radius since not all catering companies do this.

The ideal person for making arrangements with a catering company is the one who will be hosting the party. You might want to speak to them personally and ask for their contact details. This way, you won’t have to deal with middlemen, and it will be easier for everyone to get in touch as well as to plan things out for your event.

6. Food Safety and Hygiene

Since you’re going to be hosting a party at home or at some other venue where food is going to be served, it’s important to hire a catering company that is fully aware of food safety and adheres to hygienic practices. Of course, everyone wants their guests to be healthy so they won’t get sick after eating contaminated food or food cooked in unhygienic conditions.

7. Reputation and Experience

When you speak with the owner of the catering company, make sure that you ask them if they’ve handled similar events before. It’s also best to know how long they have been in the business because this will give you an idea about their experience. Never forget to check out online reviews as well so you can be more certain of your choice.

8. Business License and Insurance

When it comes to catering companies, licenses and insurance are very important. If you hire an unlicensed company, they won’t be liable for any accidents or injuries even if they turn out to be fatal. You might also want to ask about their insurance coverage since this will cover you in case the worst happens and someone gets injured during your event.

Before you sign any agreements with the catering company, make sure that everything included is written out in the contract. The catering company should be responsible for handing out menus and information on allergens. Also, see if they are willing to give you their full insurance coverage so there will be no issues later on if anything goes wrong while your event is in progress.

9. Package and Menu

What are you planning to serve at your party? If it’s only finger food, then most catering companies will be able to handle it. However, if you want full meals or buffet servings, choose a company that has the right facilities and staff for this. Aside from food choices, find out about their overall menu package. This way, you can compare prices and decide whether it’s within your budget. You might also want to check out what other clients say about the company’s menu package since this will give you a better idea about their services.

10. Service and Equipment

If you’re going to hire a catering company for a large party, make sure that they understand the number of guests you’re expecting so they can prepare for this. Also, you’ll want to know what equipment and service they will use for your event. For instance, if you don’t have enough cutleries or cups, then there’s no point in hiring a catering company.

Make sure that the catering company has everything they need to cater to your guests. This will include staff, equipment, vehicles, and other resources required for your event. You can ask them to provide you with a list of what they’ll be using for your party so there won’t be any discrepancies when the time comes. It’s a good idea to check out the catering company’s website and see what kind of services are on offer. Once you speak with their representative about your needs, they can also tell you more about specific packages which might interest you.

11. Presentation

When everything is set for your event, think about the presentation as well. The catering company you hire should be able to handle the serving of food and drinks. This also includes making sure that it’s ready on time, looking fresh, and tasting delicious. Asking for a few samples will also help you assess whether or not their dishes look appetizing. Lastly, check out the presentation of their staff and find out what kind of uniforms they wear. This way, you can be sure that your guests will enjoy themselves without worrying about anything else.

12. Follow Up

As with any event or party, you’ll want to know that everything is set for your big day. To do this, have the catering company follow up with you after finalizing your deal. If they don’t, then this might be an early indication that they’re not very professional. Make sure that all materials and equipment are in place well before the event starts. Also, check whether the catering company sent over a representative to greet you. This way, everything will be running smoothly even before the party starts.

It’s also a good idea to follow up with your catering company in the days or weeks leading up to your event. You can confirm that everything is ready so as to eliminate any issues later on during the event itself. Overall, they should be professional enough to handle whatever questions you might have about your party.

With all of these tips, you’ll be able to tell if the catering company is suited for your needs or not. If they’re not, then you should look for other options until you find the right one. Before you hire a catering company to handle your next event, make sure that they have everything you need for your party.

It is not a legend that drinking tea is good for you. Tea is a part of tradition for almost all Asian cultures. Chinese and Japanese have been consuming it for centuries solely for health improvement. In Western culture, tea is promoted as a way to treat cold and flu symptoms. However, tea is more than that. Drinking tea protects your brain and brain cells and keeps them healthy, protects your heart’s health, and prevents the risk of getting cancer. Here are just some of the benefits that drinking tea brings to your life. 

1. True Teas Are the Healthiest Teas 

True teas are made by using the plant known as Camellia Sinensis. These teas are green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, and Pu-Erh tea. Even though all of these teas are made out of the same plant, the difference between them is mainly in color and the production process. White and green tea are true tea family members that undergo the least processing. These teas are not oxidized. The leaves are harvested and naturally dried in order to avoid the chemical reactions that turn leaves into different colors (dark brown or black). Instead, they are keeping their natural green color and are considered to be one of the healthiest teas. Meanwhile, black tea is fully oxidized and oolong just partly. Pu-erh tea is aged and is considered to be a part of the post-oxidized teas. The benefits of these teas are numerous, primarily, they improve your immune system and metabolism. The post-effect of these teas is the toxins drop, and increased water intake. 

2. Benefits of the Herbal Teas 

Herbal teas are made of various compounds such as infusing fruits, leaves, roots, herbs, and stems. Another term for herbal teas is herbal tisanes. Dried fruits, such as berries, can affect your health in ways you cannot imagine. For instance, the amazing health benefits of black currant tea include anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties. Also, it has no caffeine nor any sugar added. These teas are incredibly beneficial since they consist of various compounds, which, when combined, have multiple influences on your body. Some of the most popular herbal teas are chamomile and peppermint tea, ginger, and hibiscus teas. 

3. Heart Health 

Drinking tea, regularly, may significantly lower the risk of some serious heart diseases. Teas have anti-inflammatory effects and therefore soothe tissues in arteries. This helps reduce blood clotting and restrict blood circulation. Some tea compounds may reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol. 

4. Energy Booster 

Tea acts as an amazing energy booster. For instance, green tea contains a small amount of caffeine that increases energy. Lower caffeine amounts of green tea make it a much healthier alternative to coffee. The reason why green tea is such a good energy booster is the amino acid known as L-theanine. This amino acid slows down the absorption of caffeine and has a longer-lasting effect and is more steady than caffeine taken from a cup of coffee. Your focus will be increased and the effect of caffeine will not wear off after a short period of time. 

5. Weight Loss 

Higher water intake will have an amazing effect on both your general health and weight loss. For example, green tea can make your weight loss a rapid thing. Due to its composition and the amino acids it contains, green tea can signal the body to burn the stored fat. Green tea boosts energy, which later on can be channeled into some effective and efficient workouts. By drinking green tea, you will have the same effect as if you are taking weight loss supplements. One of the ways it works is by making your body crave water. Green tea is a sugar and calorie-free drink, so you can drink as many cups as you want without feeling guilty. Since it contains no calories, and if you drop sodas and gym drinks, you will reach your goals sooner. 

6. Mental Health 

Intake of certain teas may reduce the risk of some neurological diseases and decrease stress levels. Teas, like green tea, prevent brain damage diseases such as Parkin’s and Alzheimer’s disease.  Most of the teas have calming compounds that will ease down your nerves and help you go through the day. Teas contain antioxidants that throw out toxins causing mental health problems. 

There are numerous benefits of having just a cup of tea during the day. It prevents heart diseases, regulates blood sugar, mental health problems, and helps you drop some extra kilograms. There is an endless list of benefits that tea brings with itself, but general health is at the very top.

Planning a party is excellent, but nothing beats the thrill that comes with setting up a themed party, especially a Great Gatsby party. The fun is picking out the costumes, the shiny bright lights, and colors, the fancy food and studded jewelry, the make-believe  Roaring twenties setting, or the Age of Jazz as it is popularly known all come together to create a great ambiance.

This Great Gatsby party is inspired mainly by the book of F. Scot Fitzgerald, who effortlessly captures the exhilaration of the Jazz age as described in the essay on The Great Gatsby you should read. The ideas for throwing such a party should stem from a place of genuine interest, and it is important to have guests that will be just as excited to attend. It could be a birthday party, dinner, fundraising gala, wedding party, bridal shower, or even a corporate gathering. To throw successful Gatsby-inspired parties, here are a few hints that can guide you to “Old Sport,” as Gatsby would say, as you plan.

Finding the right venue

Finding a venue or location is significant when organizing. The forum will determine whether or not you’ll be able to capture the essence of these parties. It would be best if you are looking for a venue with a 20’s feel or one that can quickly adapt to the time you need.

It could easily be a hotel, ballroom or a lovely house with a fancy hall with high ceilings and decorative chandeliers. This is so you can quickly achieve an exotic look and feel as well as elegance. You will also require decor with geometric prints, gold colors, metallic and mirrored pieces.

Although things such as a gold backdrop mirror and a focal piece sound like you would have to break the bank to achieve a 20s era venue, there are thrift stores where you can find available selections for your use or even a rental store for an affordable rate.

Setting the mood

There’s nothing minimalist about a great 1920s party because of the bright lights and iridescent colors. You can select colors like black, gold, and silver colors with lots of glitter and sheen to set the mood. Leather materials, feathers, and gold balloons should be visible; these feed into the era’s aesthetics, thus setting the tone. You can have a welcome sign written in gold and props such as a yellow car from the 1920s.

Everything about the atmosphere for a Gatsby party decor should scream 1920. This could be you glamming up the chairs with pearls, having wine bottles with feather centerpieces, with lace ribbons and faux pearls, having enough crystals and glass; as well as white roses on the dessert table to add elegance to the setting, decanters to serve drinks and wine and lastly serve Champagne. Having a Champagne tower on a sturdy board made with champagne glasses won’t be a bad idea if you want to go all out.

Dress code

Dressing up for a party theme is where the excitement is heightened because this is where you fully take on the personality and style of one who lives in the historical period called the Jazz Age. The dresses for women or dames and broads as they were called are usually elegant, with sequined designs, sleeveless, mostly knee to ankle length, and are generally loose on the body. They’d typically be adorned with beads, and fringes, while accessorized with boas, pearl necklaces, diamond-studded headbands, tiaras, and gold bangles.

For the fellas or cats(men), they are expected to wear a tailored black suit with a tailcoat, or it could be pinstripes, plaid, or pastels. A bowtie helps put everything in place perfectly but to sum it all, a fedora, top hats, and newsboy caps complete the look. If a man is to go hatless, his hair should be laid in a sleek manner like was done in the times.

Music and sound

The age of Jazz was when Jazz was mainstream music. So, when making a music selection, put this into consideration. You want your party ideas to feel authentic. Have a long jazz playlist or live band to play or make jazzy music your guests can dance or groove to. Some of the artists you can play include Duke Ellington, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong from back in the day.

Another source of inspiration for music is playing soundtracks from the film. This features singers such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Andre 3000.

Invitation cards

Invitation cards for a Gatsby theme party as such are a big deal and should be creative and made with gold touches. With social media, you may want to create a rave for your party with your card on the eve. This is the effect of social media on identity, as many will want to share even without attending. It doesn’t matter if the cards will be sent virtually or delivered to guests in person; what matters is the essence and details of your event coming through in the cards being sent out.

You can choose many card styles for the card, such as the classy cocktail, the Art deco milestone, Jewel of the East, etc. Some are online and extra easy to customize to fit your preference. You get to determine the font, material, and feel of the card and the messaging. The message should be clear on the theme, date. Venue and if they should RSVP, and if there’s a deadline to RSVP.

Conclusion

Putting all of these in place while hosting will allow you to capture the sophistication and luxury of a 1920s party. It keeps guests happy with Champagne, cigars, cocktails, and appetizers. If you can’t plan it all by yourself, there are party planners you can find who are skilled in throwing your perfect dream Gatsparty. All you need is to tell them what you want and how you want it and leave the rest to them.

With environmental issues such as global warming, overpopulation, and ozone layer depletion at an all-time high, people across all industries, including fashion, are looking for more sustainable ways to help preserve the remains of the already depleting earth.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries. It is the second-largest consumer of water supply on the planet and is responsible for more than 10% of the world’s carbon footprint because it emits more than 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases, as seen in the essay examples on pollution, each year. This calls for better ways of working because the ecosystem needs to be taken care of.

To begin with, slow fashion is a social philosophy and movement that encourages environmental responsibility. This allows brands to make and use clothes, shoes, and other fashion wears sustainably. This is to preserve the environment like films about problems of environment try to do.

This type of fashion is also referred to as ethical fashion. Here are the top 7 eco-friendly fashion designers trying to improve the state of the environment through planet-friendly ways such as using fabrics with minimal effect on the planet.

Stella McCartney

Stella is one of the best-known. She is a London-born designer who has been changing the fashion scene since the launch of her fashion house in the year 2001. She is also one of the pioneers of environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free (no fur, ethically sourced wool, recycles textiles) pieces.

McCartney is constantly setting the bar high by exploring new ways customers can prolong the life of their garments by using reusable products and better ways of doing things. She uses; recycled polyester, sustainable viscose, and Koba, which are all planet-friendly. She also gives back to society by making donations to organizations such as Bioplanet, Million Trees Miami as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Eileen Fisher

To create this list without Fisher would be an incomplete list. She is particular about upcycling textiles and making them into sustainable materials or clothes. She is known for her passion for disrupting the linear production model by using a circular model. Part of her sustainability goals allows her to use organic and recycled garments, dyes, and secondhand shops.

Some of her secondhand shops are also initiatives such as the Renew and Waste No More, making her a certified B Corporation.

Mara Hoffman

In 2015, the luxury fashion designer Hoff began her journey to sustainability after examining her ways. She discarded them because of their impact on the environment, further urging the consumers to evaluate their relationship with their clothing. She uses sustainable fabrics in her luxurious collections and latest work, such as organic cotton and other plant-based materials that are environmentally friendly alternatives.

The New York-based designer makes women’s wear such as swimwear from pre and post-consumer waste. To cap it all, Hoffman works with practices for shipping, packaging, and branding accepted internationally by environmental and human rights standards.

Gabriela Hearst

After Hearst founded her line in 2015, she has not stopped looking for innovative ways to support the industry through sustainability better. She has set the bar for others to follow in her approach and collections. In 2017 during her Fall show, 25% of her collection was made from deadstock material or unsold surplus fabric. It was the first show to be certified carbon-neutral. For spring 2021, she produced the first carbon-neutral show by offsetting her carbon footprint to donate to EcoAct’s Madre de Dios Amazon Forest Conservation Project.

Rag and Bone

Marcus Wainwright and Nathan Bogle founded the Rag and Bone designer brand almost twenty years ago in New York. It is a sustainable luxury brand creating new meaning for urban style. It is all about local production and sustainability. They initially started as a denim brand with roots in casual wear and accessories.

To foster planet-friendly initiatives, in 2017, Rag & Bone partnered with Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green to start a denim recycling program or trend that nudges people to bring in their old jeans for recycling in exchange for a 20% discount on the purchase of full-price from them.

Sandra Sandor

She is the owner or brain behind the Hungarian brand Nanushka. She doesn’t use exotic animal skin. Her focus is on recycled leather and animal hair. It launched over a decade, but with the gentle shift and growing demand for sustainable fashions, the brand had found its way to the spotlight. Her use of upcycled materials allows her to design bags and apparel for both sexes. She hints at a nature lover and is gradually becoming a label to reckon with both in the digital space and offline.

Coclico

 It is a footwear brand that uses sustainable practices like minimizing textile waste and engaging alternative suppliers to control their carbon footprint. They use reformed material responsibly sourced skin, which includes quality Italian leather, upcycled cork, and natural wood. Its beautiful designs are original and timeless, with second hand shops available. They are ethically hand-made in Spain.

Conclusion

Sustainable fashion design is based and made on a lot of principles, and it takes a lot more than simply using organic fabrics, dyes, and textiles, and cruelty-free products. It is a movement that can change the nature of luxury design from a polluting one to one that is environmentally focused, thereby improving the earth’s condition by reducing carbon footprints and waste.

Do you have a passion for woodworking? If so, you might be looking to take up the hobby as a way to spend your free time. Maybe you want to make furniture or toys for your kids. No matter what reason has motivated you, it’s important that before beginning the process of setting up your workshop, that you do some research and plan ahead. 

In this post, we’ll cover some tips for getting started on the right foot with woodworking as a hobby.

Ensure You Have Enough Space

One of the most important things to do when setting up your workshop is to make sure that you have enough space. Before beginning, take a look around and measure everything you might want to use for projects in your shop. Make sure there’s plenty of room for all of it!

With the right space, you’ll be able to do more and improve your creativity. If you’re short on space, that might become frustrating rather quickly. A good space size should accommodate all your tools and also enable you to move around. You don’t want to have a lot of excess space, which can be wasteful and unnecessary for your small hobby shop.

Have the Right Tools at Your Disposal

Having the right tools is also essential when setting up your workshop as a woodworking enthusiast. Whether you’re looking to make toys or furniture, there are certain power tools that will make the process easier.

However, you shouldn’t get worried if you can not afford some tools. There are several hacks that you can use in order to get the same results. For instance, you can start practicing squaring up boards without a jointer plane or other several tips. This will save you money as you learn the tricks. You will only need to get the basic tools while improvising on other areas. 

Make Sure Your Workshop is Safe and Comfortable

When setting up your workshop as a woodworking enthusiast, make sure that it’s safe and comfortable. You don’t want to have any safety hazards in the space where you work with tools on projects every day. Take a look around at everything, from your workbench to your lighting. If you have any potential safety hazards, take care of them right away so that they don’t cause an accident later on.

Make sure the area is comfortable as well, whether it’s too hot or cold, noisy or bright. You should be able to focus and concentrate in comfort while working with wood down there. If you don’t like something or feel that it’s not right, change is immediate.

Mind About Storage of Tools and Supplies

Be sure to mind the storage of your tools and supplies. You don’t want them cluttering up the space or rolling around everywhere you go. Some people prefer using cabinets for their woodworking supplies, but it can depend on what type of projects you’re interested in doing. It’s also good to have some shelving or open space for keeping smaller items.

Proper storage will ensure that you have everything that you need at your disposal. You won’t lose anything, and it will be much easier to find the supplies when you need them for a project. Also, properly stored tools will last longer and work better.

Have a Good Workflow

Going back to having the right tools for your desired projects, you should know what type of project will require certain types of supplies and tool use. For example, if you’re interested in doing more intricate woodworking with small pieces that need sanding often, then it’s essential to have a dust collection system in place.

Use what you’ve learned from your research and planning to determine where everything should go, such as the best places for power outlets or storage cabinets. You want it all laid out ahead of time so that when you get started, there won’t be any confusion about where things should go and how they’ll work together.

Philosophy

While you will be doing woodworking as a hobby, you should still think about the philosophy behind it. Having a good philosophy will give you more motivation to do better and continue learning new things as well. Always be open to trying new things and experimenting with techniques that others have used before, whether or not they’re professionals in the field or amateurs like yourself.

Philosophy is important because, without it, you won’t be able to move forward and make your woodworking as a hobby into something more. You should always think about how what you’re doing can improve yourself or the world around you in some way.

In conclusion, having the right tools, storage and workflow are essential for woodworking as a hobby. You should also mind about safety in your workspace and make sure that you have an area where comfort qualities are met. When you use these tips wisely, you should have a flourishing workshop that will be able to help you grow as an individual.

TikTok fans who are short on time to clean and tidy their homes are in luck. TikTokers have been sharing cleaning tips and hacks on the platform, from getting stains out of carpets to dusting ceiling fans with pillowcases.

Home cleaning and maintenance services company Fantastic Services analysed TikTok data and discovered the platform’s ten most popular cleaning hacks.

By following the viral #CleanTok tag users will find a flurry of videos sharing tips and tricks for keeping a clean house. #CleanTok is the most used cleaning TikTok hashtag in 2021, with more than 20 billion views.

One CleanTok video alone gained a massive 33.1 million engagements alone, so let’s check out which cleaning tips people loved the most.

The most popular TikTok cleaning hacks

At the top of the list of most popular TikTok cleaning videos was one that showed users how to get tough, sticky stains out of the carpet. The video was posted by user @carpetcleanlng.com, a self-described ‘professional carpet cleaning gal’. In the video, we saw them smear caramel onto a clean carpet, then clean the mess up using only water, paper towels and soap.

This cleaning trick has gained a whopping 28.8 million views on TikTok, and an impressive 4.3 million likes. If you have a luxurious carpet in your living room, then it’s good to know there’s a simple hack out there in case sticky sweets end up on the floor.

As well as keeping floors, bathrooms and kitchens clean, TikTok creators revealed their tips on keeping our tech sparkling and hygienic. The second most popular cleaning video on TikTok (with 15.6 million views) showed viewers three hacks: one was how to keep Airpods clean using Q-tips, Blu-tack, Antiseptic, a toothpick, and paper towel. Earbuds and headphones are notorious for getting grimy and, given how hyper-aware people are about germs, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not surprising that this video got so much attention.

The video, posted by @cleanthatup also showed viewers that they don’t have to go out and buy new dusters to keep their house clean, they can dust ceiling fans with an old pillowcase. Not only that, they can spruce up their hairbrushes using items everyone has in their bathroom, like shampoo and toothpicks. With 19.3 million engagements, viewers were clearly impressed by these three easy hacks.

The third most popular CleanTok video was New York City-based user @lovetoclean_myhouse’s video on cleaning sink drains. As drains can get quite grimy, TikTokers were eager to see how to clean them using detergent pods. The video hit 13.6 million views and over 19.8 million engagements, including views, likes, and comments.

User @homewithchloex’s tip on toilet cleaning using ‘pink foamy products’ featured an aesthetic type of cleaning common in TikTok videos. By filling up their toilet bowl with the foamy products and scrubbing it, the TikTok user left their toiler sparkling clean. The satisfying video attracted 13.4 million views, almost as many as @lovetoclean_myhouse’s video on cleaning sink drains.

The next two most popular videos on the list shift focus away from cleaning the house to deodourising your car and getting your Airforce 1’s looking brand new.

@brightly.eco’s video on how to get rid of car odours showed viewers that white wine vinegar gives prompt results. According to the video, leaving a cup of white wine vinegar in your car for a while will make foul odours fade. With over 13.1 million engagements, this is the fifth most popular video on cleaning TikTok. It attracted 646,2000 likes, about double as many likes as the toilet cleaning video (which received 374,300 likes but more total engagements).

The sixth most popular CleanTok video showed viewers how to clean Air Force 1’s. It revealed that using ‘The Pink Stuff’ cleaning product can restore shoes to brand-new condition. As this hack applies to any shoes prone to getting dirty, user @frenchcleaner.asmr’s cleaning hack racked up many likes (1.7 million) from TikTokers happy to find a solution.

Moving back into the category of house cleaning hacks, the seventh most popular video in this list showed how to deep clean mattresses. User @cleanwithsash’s video received 10.3 million engagements for showing a simple hack using carpet stain remover, baking soda, a hoover, and fabric freshener. They left the mattress looking brand new by rubbing out any stains with these products and freshening it with fabric freshener. Although the video received 1.1 million likes in total, it was only viewed 9.5 million times.

Next up, who would’ve thought burnt pots could be cleaned with baking soda? @judithcollinz adapted the famous baking soda and vinegar drain cleaning hack in her TokTok video which received over 10.2 million engagements. It turns out that the simple trick of adding soap to baking soda and vinegar and letting the mixture boil in a burnt pot leaves your pans looking shiny and new.

Second to last, @mrslaurenelms’s video on laundry stripping has over 8 million engagements. The end results left many TikTokers surprised as she uses seemingly clean towels that turn the water she uses brown. Her laundry stripping technique uses products most people already have at home, Borax, Arm & Hammer, and Tide. She puts everything in a tub filled with water and leaves them in for five hours, stirring occasionally.

In the end, the towels go through a normal wash cycle in the washing machine while the tub is full of dirty water. The laundry stripping technique got a total of 855,600 likes and over 8 million engagements from those looking to learn new cleaning techniques on CleanTok.

Finally, the tenth most popular video on cleaning TikTok shows viewers how to make air fresheners themselves. This video had 6.9 million views, four times fewer than the top-ranking video on carpet stain cleaning.

A spokesperson for Fantastic Services commented on the study:

“It’s interesting to see the trend of cleaning on TikTok gaining so much popularity over the year and how the platform offer’s many different and creative suggestions of cleaning which can be useful towards daily household tasks.”

The data they collected to develop the top ten TikTok cleaning hacks is closely related to the top ten cleaning hashtags in 2021. Using these hashtags, Fantastic Services have found that there were 60,620,400,000 views on cleaning videos that featured cleaning hashtags on this side of TikTok.

Top Ten TikTok cleaning hacks

What are the top three most popular hashtags on cleaning TikTok?

Cleaning TikTok’s top hashtags are #CleanTok, #Clean, and #CleaningTikTok.

Videos tagged #CleanTok received 20.7 billion views on TikTok in 2021, 200 million more than the second hashtag in the top, #Clean.

Users who tagged their videos with #CleaningTikTok received about half as many views as the top two hashtags, 10.3 billion views this year.

TikTok content creators can use multiple hashtags to boost their views and chances of featuring on the ‘For You’ page and go viral. They also increase their chances when using a trending hashtag such as #CleanTok, which is why the most popular hashtags tend to have far more views than others.

Top 10 Cleaning TikTok Hashtags 2021

Summary

Home cleaning can be quite the task when other responsibilities have a higher priority and household chores pile up. From saving an expensive carpet from stubborn stains to keeping the home smelling lovely, CleanTok has an array of trending cleaning hacks that accumulate up to 33 million engagements per video.

CleanTok’s popularity on the social media platform suggests that people want quick and easy ways to keep their homes and valuables tidy. TikTokers solved this problem as a community. By sharing quick and efficient cleaning hacks that don’t rob people of their precious time, they helped CleanTok videos trend on TikTok.

Travel experts Find a Cheap Flight have taken us on a journey through New York’s most famous landmarks with their latest research. Their study shows which New York tourist attractions are looked up the most online per month in the US.

It is no wonder that Americans want to know more about the places they’ve seen in their favourite shows time and time again. The 10 most popular New York landmarks have all made it to the big screens. Every single one of the most popular tourist attractions has featured in a film or TV series at least once.

Four of the 10 least popular landmarks in New York are memorial sites, ending with the FDNY Memorial Wall. The search trends suggest Americans’ preference for pop culture over history when visiting New York.

Surprisingly, New York’s Statue of Liberty is not its most popular landmark. Instead, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the most popular New York landmark as it receives 673,000 monthly searches. The runner-up, the Statue of Liberty, is quite a long way behind in popularity. New York’s symbol of freedom receives almost half as many searches online, 368,0000 per month.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as ‘The Met’, is the USA’s largest museum. Many might be tempted to go to the Met for reasons other than its art. The Met has also been a set for When Harry Met Sally and The Thomas Crown Affair remake in the 1990s.

The Statue of Liberty is no stranger to being a tourist attraction for its iconic scenes in popular films. A symbol of welcome to immigrants, the statue has been featured in films, such as Titanic, Splash, X-Men, and the original Planet of the Apes.

That’s not all for the Statue of Liberty, though. Ellis Island, home to the colossal statue, has also made it seventh in the list of most popular New York landmarks. The location where Chandler and Monica take their kids’ birth mother sightseeing in Friends is Ellis Island. Ellis Island is not as famous as the actual statue, but it receives 90,500 monthly searches nevertheless.

The Empire State Building is almost twice as popular as Ellis Island but surprisingly three times less popular than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It receives 201,000 searches per month in the USA as one of the country’s staple buildings. You’ve probably seen or heard of at least one film or show that featured the massive building since there are over 250 of them today. Some of the most popular are the 1933 original King Kong, Oblivion, Elf, and Sleepless in Seattle.

The Central Park of New York is yet another famous filming location that made it to the list of the most popular landmarks in New York. With 165,000 searches per month, the 843-acre park is the fourth most popular NY landmark. It is the most visited urban park in the United States and features in countless shows and films like How I Met Your Mother, Home Alone, and Love Story.

Times Square is the fifth most popular landmark in New York, receiving 135,000 searches per month in the USA. It features in many famous action films, like The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Captain America: The First Avenger. One of the most iconic scenes is from Vanilla Sky when the camera spins around with Cruise to reveal the neon advertising and billboards that make Times Square the bright, busy place it is.

Brooklyn Bridge is as popular as Ellis Island according to the study. The bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn is looked up 90,500 times per month.

Madison Square Garden, the Trump Tower, and St Patricks Cathedral are at the end of the top 10 most popular New York landmarks.

Madison Square Garden is looked up by Americans 74,000 times per month, nine times less than The Met. It comes up in one of the most famous American TV shows, Friends, which has scenes in a few of the popular landmarks.

Trump Tower, named after and developed by the former US President Donald Trump, is most famous for showing up on The Apprentice. Although not as prominent as the others, it is a popular landmark that Americans look up 60,500 times per month.

St Patrick’s Cathedral surprisingly makes the list with only 49,500 searches per month. Most famous for scenes from The Godfather III, this landmark does come up on TV but is not as remarkable as other New York tourist attractions.

Most popular New York landmarks

Which TV show features the most New York landmarks?

The TV show that features the most New York landmarks that are popular amongst Americans is Friends. The sitcom that premiered in 1994 and aired its last season in 2004 has the most references to New York life since it is set in the big city. Throughout the ten seasons of Friends, you can spot at least 10 New York landmarks.

Out of all the Friends sets in New York, three have made it to the list of most popular landmarks in New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, and Madison Square Garden. Be it Ross coaching Joey for his date with Charlie through the museum or Phoebe dressing up to meet her husband Duncan at the garden, Friends has some notable scenes throughout the Big Apple.

Other famous landmarks that haven’t made it to the top 10 include:

• The American Museum of Natural History
• Solow Building
• Pulitzer Fountain
• Bloomingdale’s
• Lucille Lortel Theatre
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• The Friends Apartment

Which New York landmarks fall off the radar?

Some landmarks in New York are not as popular as the others. It’s easy to lose track of the smaller tourist destinations when the city spoils tourists for choice with locations that were once film sets.

The New York landmarks that fall off the radar are mostly those that haven’t been in films or shows, with a few exceptions. The Friends Building, also known as the Friends Apartment, is one of the least popular New York landmarks. It only gets looked up 1,600 times per month, which is the fewest monthly searches for any Friends set.

Some other less popular New York landmarks include memorials, such as the Irish Hunger Memorial and the John Lennon memorial, which both get looked up 880 times per month. With even fewer searches, the African Burial Ground National Monument follows suit at 590 searches per month. The FDNY Memorial Wall finishes off the list of all New York landmarks, with only 30 monthly searches.

Least popular New York landmarks

A full stomach makes a happy heart; But you’ll be more content when you concentrate on maintaining long-term habits.

Your heart-healthy diet starts with your eating habits, in accordance with the American Heart Association’s latest scientific declaration, “2021 Dietary Guidance to Enhance Cardiovascular health.”

This doesn’t mean you have to give up the convenience of take-out or that quick food kit purchased from the supermarket completely. The diet guidelines encourage people to integrate these habits into their lives.

The report identifies 10 aspects of heart-healthy diets -and includes advice on how to combine the right diet with exercise and get the most nutrients from supplements or food and eat whole grains, cut down on sodium as well as alcohol, and added sugar consumption; make use of non-tropical plant oils, and eat foods that are minimally processed in comparison to ultra-processed food items.

“What’s crucial now is that people implement changes that are sustainable in the long-term,” said Alice Lichtenstein, director of Tufts’s Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory and chair of the writing group that wrote the new AHA statement.

The group’s research evaluated the literature and came up with 10 characteristics of heart-healthy eating patterns. The group also expanded the guidelines, acknowledging the importance of sustainability as well as the social issues that can create obstacles to attaining healthy nutrition.

Lichtenstein noted that eating habits have changed since AHA last issued the statement that included dietary guidelines fifteen years back. The primary choices were eating out or dine-in and eat in, however eating habits have not been as regular, given the state of the world’s recovery from a pandemic. There is a growing trend, exacerbated by the pandemic, of increasing convenience food options like delivery, meal kits, and prepared meals.

Make modifications that stand the test of time

The main focus of the AHA’s new guideline, Lichtenstein said, is to follow the path that works best for you, regardless of the restrictions on your diet or cultural adaptations you’d like to implement. Lichtenstein cautions against making radical changes based on trendy diets. Instead, continuous efforts to incorporate these healthy habits could prove more advantageous in the long term.

Lauri Wright who is the chair for the faculty of dietetics and nutrition in the University of North Florida and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports this long-term approach. Wright was not part of the AHA’s statement, highlighting the importance of establishing habits of living regardless of age and backgrounds.

“When we’re discussing patterns or lifestyles it’s not just about the diet, but something that is temporary,” Wright said. “This is a way of life that will accommodate your personal preferences.”

A diet that is heart-healthy could also have other advantages as well, the statement stated encouraging more sustainable practices that benefit the environment. This is the first time that the AHA guidelines have included sustainability. Lichtenstein acknowledged that there is space for further research on alternative sources of nutrition, like vegan animal products. These aren’t always the best alternatives. In general, eating greater amounts of whole food and less animal products will benefit your health as well as the environment.

The statement also acknowledges societal problems in the very first instance like food insecurity, diet myths and structural racism that affect people’s eating habits and accessibility to foods. A 2020 Northwestern University study found Black and Hispanic households are more at risk of experiencing food insecurity.

Take care of one adjustment at one time

A more comprehensive education on food from the age of 5 can help instill children with healthy eating habits for the rest of their lives. The focus should be on education and prevention Lichtenstein stated, and not immediate solutions.

Healthful foods are now easier to access, she explained. Fruits and vegetables frozen are often cheaper than fresh and are equally healthy. Dairy products have low-fat as well as nonfat alternatives. Seltzers with flavors are also accessible as an alternative to soda.

Making these changes all in one go could be overwhelming, however Lichtenstein stated that the shift might begin by implementing just one item at a time. Check the label on a snack that you buy each week, like crackers, and choose whole-wheat alternatives. Choose the low-fat and sugar-free options if readily available. Maintaining these habits involves making small adjustments and gradual shifts.

“Think about your entire dietary patterns, not just specific food and nutrients,” Lichtenstein said. “We simply need to make the most of what we didn’t even know was available.”

There are many reasons why you should encourage your kids to pick up gardening. It makes for fantastic entertainment, it will become a hobby your children will nurture for the rest of their lives, and it refines their palate. In fact, there will be no crocodile tears next time they are presented with carrots or broccoli at the dinner table!

Outdoor trips are great fun, but we also strongly believe that you can have a brilliant time in your own back garden. Here is a brief guide that explains why gardening is the perfect pastime for your little ones.

They will love it

Let’s face it – gardening can be mucky and very messy. As we know, children are more than happy to get covered in soil and mud. You may have to put the washing machine on straight afterwards, but it will be worth it.

From mixing their own compost and searching for bugs to planting vegetables and making mud pies, gardening keeps your kids busy and amused. They do not need specific tools either – with a big spoon in their hand, they can dig all day long.

A life-long hobby

Studies show that children who take up gardening tend to perform better at school. In fact, it is an activity that stimulates all five senses. They can see, smell, touch, and feel a wide variety of plants, and it enhances their motor skills too!

Moreover, it is a hobby that gets all the family involved. Whatever the weather or the season, you can join them in the garden as they put their kids’ wellies on. During the colder months, you may also want to encourage your children to build a DIY greenhouse or a den in which to keep their own-grown plants. This will also allow them to garden regardless of the weather.

A different lesson every day

There is nothing better than an activity that is both fun and educational. Gardening is an inexpensive hobby that will get your kids’ grey cells working, teaching them everything they need to know about nature and the environment.

By digging and playing with soil, while watching their plants and vegetables sprout, gardening will spark your children’s curiosity and creativity. Not only will seeding develop their patience and sense of responsibility, but it will also enhance their organisational competencies.

They will grow strong and healthy

Both a mind-body workout and playful activity, gardening is a brilliant way for your children to unwind and burn energy. By planting their own vegetables and watching them grow, your kids will also develop an interest in healthy eating. In fact, they will no longer hesitate in front of a plate of carrots or celery if it is their own ‘creation’.

They will appreciate natural food    

Not only will your children eat their veggies without having a tantrum, but they will also appreciate the importance of consuming natural food.

Do not worry if you do not have a garden. The good thing about growing greens is that you can do so from the comfort of your own kitchen, as herbs like basil, oregano, mint, and rosemary survive warmer indoor temperatures too. By putting the pots on your windowsill, your budding little gardeners will be able to check on them whenever they like.

Why not start with fast-sprouting seeds such as cress? This way, your kids will not have to wait too long before seeing the results of their hard efforts.

As you can see, gardening is a perfect activity for curious and energetic children. Both fun and healthy, it is a brilliant hobby for them to grow up with!      

Established in 1999, Aurum by Guðbjörg is Iceland’s leading jewellery brand which takes pride in creating unique jewellery designs inspired by Icelandic nature. A family run business, it works with customers on a personal level and strives to run the business itself in the most sustainable way possible. Aurum caters for a varied clientele of all ages and it recently added a jewellery collection for men. In light of LUXlife crowning Aurum as Iceland’s Leading Ethical Jewellery Brand 2021, we take a closer look at the company.

‘Aurum’ stands for ‘Ambition’, ‘Understanding’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Unity’, and ‘Mindfulness’. It puts great emphasis on ‘Ambition’ through its design, product development, quality, and customer care. It is helpful and flexible, showing ‘Understanding’, respect and empathy to the needs of its customers. It shows ‘Responsibility’ by developing a positive and respectable working environment that encourages collaboration and cooperation between employees. Also, it sources materials from certified fair-trade companies and provides environmentally friendly packaging. The company displays ‘Unity’ with its community by supporting charities with short- and long-term projects, creating designs which support their fundraising. Lastly, as an equal opportunities company, it encourages ‘Mindfulness’ and a prejudice-free environment where everyone has a voice.

Being inspired very much by Icelandic nature, all of Guðbjörg Kr. Ingvarsdóttir’s unique designs are very personal. She says, “Everything has a story, and it is all about how you tell that story. I take great care with every detail because I want to convey a feeling or atmosphere. I follow my own path in jewellery making; I spends a lot of time working with concepts and ideas and allowing myself that time is important to be able to bring a fully formed collection to the market.

“I had a very clear vision of how I wanted to build up the company from the start and I am happy with how it has developed through the years. I would not have done it differently.”

Aurum operates through core values which are reflected in its designs and quality of work. Its very talented team of expert silversmiths expertly handcraft each piece from sterling silver in the company’s integrated workshop in Reykjavík, Iceland. At Aurum, heritage meets modern day by combining traditional craftsmanship with modern, timeless design.

The company incorporates sustainability principles throughout its operations, such as only sourcing recycled and re-refined precious metals for the past 15 years. It sources only lab-grown diamonds from suppliers who are members of the Responsible Jewellery Council, which certifies fine jewellery product manufacturers and suppliers for responsible ethical, social and environmental practices throughout their operations.

Its packaging is entirely made out of “saa oaoer” or mulberry paper which is the best fibre of the mulberry tree. Harvesting the fibre does not interfere with the ecosystem as not a single tree has to be cut down as only the leaves are used while the tree continues growing. And the company.

Aurum continues to reduce its carbon footprint in all aspects of its production, and in terms of its future plans, it intends to keep growing and aiming for particular markets. So far, it is pleased with how organically it is growing year on year and with the great support it receives from customers and resellers. The company is excited about the future as it has a lot of positive interest now, and it is carefully stepping into some new directions.

For further information, please contact Guðbjörg Kr. Ingvarsdóttir at www.aurum.is

Rental property can be perceived as some sort of passive income. The more properties you have the more money you’ll earn. Still, does it mean that you do not have to take care of it? Definitely not! 

On the contrary. Just because it isn’t as demanding as some other types of business, it doesn’t mean that you should neglect it. In fact, before you even consider purchasing one, bear in mind that there are a lot of tasks involved if you want to be and stay successful in this field.

Certainly, the most important one is to manage it and it typically involves dealing with financial aspects of it, tenants, and of course the property itself. If you’re relatively new to this, yet you want to learn more about it, check out the tips below that will help you streamline this whole process.

Useful Ways to Manage Rental Property

Managing your tenants is for sure one of the most essential things when it comes to your rental property. You have to be the type of person who is communicative, always willing to listen, and very resourceful and proactive.

Without these traits, you cannot expect to have a good relationship with your tenants. Keep in mind that it is highly likely that you’ll be dealing with some complaints, maintenance-related, or even pest invasion.

Now, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your tenants are always right, but still, you have to be patient and respectful if you want to keep them. Even if you disagree with them, make sure to do your best to successfully handle every situation.

It would be recommendable to perform property inspections from time to time because it is an amazing way to get yourself familiar with the current condition of the property, as well as to avoid potential complaints precisely from the tenants.

Consider Hiring Property Management Company

Now, this is a great solution for those who do not have a lot of free time on their hands. As it was previously mentioned, managing a rental property can sometimes be quite challenging and overwhelming.

If you’re lucky enough to live in Texas, precisely in San Antonio, then you do not have to worry about finding a reputable property management company, since this city is loaded with good ones. Therefore, if you need a helping hand, you should turn to a company that deals with property management in San Antonio so you do not have to stress over it. What are the benefits of these firms?

There isn’t just one. For instance, with their help, you’ll be able to deal with tenant screening much more efficiently. Namely, most of them are quite experienced when it comes to this, so they’ll be able to quickly notice any potential red flags.

Besides that, they are great at marketing rentals, which means that they’ll be able to create eye-catching rental ads, take high-quality pictures, and also host open houses. With the help of an experienced property manager, you will decrease the time your property sits vacant.

Focus On Prices and Expectations

This is an important step in case you haven’t found new tenants. It is time to prioritize setting up rental prices. How does this process go? Namely, you should first conduct research to see the average rental price in your neighborhood. There are some questions that need to be asked before proceeding and they involve:

• What is the average income in your neighborhood? 
• What is the average rental price?
• How big are the families in your area? (referring to the number of people living in a particular household)
• Does your property come with some special benefits, such as off-street parking, great access to various bus lines, convenient highway access, etc?

Dealing With Rental Agreements 

Once you find an ideal tenant, it is the perfect time to focus on a rental contract. In case you haven’t done it before, you can always check out great examples of it online, or you can contact a local real estate lawyer who is going to create an agreement. It has to cover these aspects:

1. Deposits
2. The law
3. Late payment penalties
4. Rental payment deadline
5. House rules
6. All important details regarding maintenance 
7. Eviction process

Before anyone signs anything, it would be recommendable to go through the contract and review every single detail. Encourage renter to do that as well and to ask questions in case something isn’t crystal clear.

All these things that were mentioned in the article will help you become a carefree landlord. After all, renting a property should be something that is only going to benefit you and not stress you out. That’s why you should follow these tips if you want to accomplish that. 

Many people are unaware of the importance of proper skincare. For example, did you know that your skin is sensitive to both internal and external factors? This means that if you have a poor diet or are stressed out, these things will show up on your skin – in addition to other environmental factors like pollution. But even if you take care of what’s going into your body, it can still affect your skin because there are substances found in cosmetics and toiletries that can cause irritation or allergies. To help you protect yourself from all these problems, these four reasons below will teach you why proper skincare is important.

Four Seasons For Proper Skincare

In our society, it is easy for people to get caught up in their busy lives and forget about taking care of themselves properly. Skincare routines are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can help you look more youthful.

1. Skin Is the Largest Organ In the Human Body and It Protects Us From Outside Elements

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it protects you from outside elements. It also serves as a barrier for things like bacteria to enter your body. When you don’t take care of this vital part of yourself, your immune system can be compromised – meaning that any foreign particles will have access to breaking down tissues or cells in order to create more energy.

If you are not taking proper care of yourself by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, then chances are all these toxins are being stored in your skin because there’s nowhere else for them to go! This means that everything inside gets trapped within the layers until they release themselves at night when we sleep – resulting in breakouts or other problems including premature aging.

2. Healthy Skin Can Improve Your Confidence, Appearance, and Mood

When you are feeling stressed, your skin can show it. This is because stress affects the body in different ways – causing acne breakouts or worsening eczema conditions

Your diet also has an impact on how well your skin works and looks. Eating healthy foods like leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables will help produce healthier cells, which means better-looking skin! You don’t have to completely give up junk food if that’s what makes you happy, but just be mindful of how much sugar or fried items you’re consuming daily. Even if they seem harmless at first glance, these types of “junk” foods do not provide any nutritional value for the human body, so when taken in excess, they become problematic.

Taking care of yourself by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can improve your confidence, appearance, and mood – which is why you should always consider skincare.

You don’t have to be embarrassed if you suffer from having acne or breakouts! There are many treatments available that will help make it disappear quickly.

Lastly, proper hydration is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle because water helps with muscle recovery after exercise, as well as flushing out toxins during the day.

3. Skincare Products are Not Just For Women – Men Need to Take Care of Their Skin Too!

Many people are unaware that skincare products for men exist! Just like women, they need to take care of their skin too.

When you sweat during workouts or the weather is hot and humid outside, it’s important to clean your face with soap and water so that bacteria doesn’t build up on your pores, which can lead to breakouts.

Not only do acne treatments work well for both sexes, but there are different types of hair removal methods available, including shaving cream, waxing kits, etc. Many people think these processes might be painful – but this isn’t true because many brands now offer painless formulas in order to make sure customers feel comfortable while paying attention to proper skincare routines. 

Removing excess hair can help give you better access to your skin. There are also retinoids, Retin-A in the form of tretinoin, AHA, and BHA, that can all be used to treat the skin. Tretinoin is one of the best out there and there are many ways you can learn how to get tretinoin online as a prescription drug. One of the best methods is online, as it’s quicker and more private, allowing you to get on with your schedule without having to wait in the doctor’s office.  

4. Skincare Products Help You Look Younger Than Your Age Because They Keep Wrinkles At Bay

As you get older, your skin begins to age and there are natural processes that take place, like the loss of collagen, in addition to fine lines. This can be reversed by using anti-aging products or serums.

Many people start taking care of their face when they’re already suffering from wrinkles – but this is an issue because it’s better to prevent them than wait until damage has been done! By investing early on into proper skincare routines, you will see improvements over time.

If you are looking for ways to care for your skin, there’s no better time than the present. Skincare products help us look younger by keeping wrinkles at bay and can make a world of difference in how we feel about ourselves. By following these tips on skincare (which also apply if you’re male), it will be easier to take care of our bodies while improving our appearance over time!

There is an age-old adage that says, “Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” However, most people wait until they get settled in their life to see the world. But we are here to say that your college years are one of the best times for you to cure your wanderlust.

So apart from some Instagram-worthy posts, how can traveling do you good while you are a student? Read on to find out.

1. Grow Your Personality

Learning is not confined to the pages of a book or the education you receive from schools and colleges. Rather, there is plenty that you can pick from the outside world and the people you engage with. In order to do that, you need to get past your comfort zone and challenge yourself. And what better way than traveling to do that?

That being said, as students, you might be wondering how you can find the time to travel. One way is to plan ahead and find some help with your assignments. A reliable coursework writing service like EssayPro can connect you with professional writers who can take care of research, drafting, and editing papers. This means that you can find some spare time to travel or even focus on other hobbies that you are interested in.

2. Study or Volunteer Abroad

When you think of traveling, you are likely to be considering that in terms of taking a vacation. But as a student, you also have the opportunity to use your time traveling to study. An increasing number of colleges are offering study abroad programs. They are partnering with reputable foreign universities to get the cultural exchange going.

You will also be able to use your summer breaks to volunteer with communities in developing countries across the world. This means that you will get more chances to immerse yourself in the culture while setting aside enough time for education at the same time. Moreover, doing a semester abroad will make you look even better on your resume when you graduate.

3. Obtain Different Perspectives

Traveling also gives you a chance to meet new people and experience new cultures. In other words, separation from familiar surroundings can be a great environment for thoughts. You will find yourself questioning many of your beliefs and challenging yourself in new areas. This will help you broaden your perspective of lifestyle and values.

In a way, you will appreciate many things you took for granted back at home.  You will lose your assumptions about people from other parts of the world. Traveling abroad will shift your perspective on other countries by immersing in their cultures.

4. Build Confidence

In all likeliness, you might find yourself dealing with a few obstacles without any help. This can be learning a language, using public transport, struggling to do simple shopping, or just being in a different environment. However, you can help build confidence by practicing.

These situations will equip you to tackle other challenges that you will face in your life after college. You won’t find them as obstructive and find yourself more courageous to deal with the difficulties.  They can go from just finding a new job to moving across the world to pursue a passion.

5. Network

One of the many advantages of traveling as a student is that you will have a broad network of contacts from all around the world. Be it professional or personal, these connections can turn out to be useful in the future.

In fact, when traveling, you will find that people abroad can be generally very friendly, in spite of what one might assume. Moreover, they can be eager to share their culture and customs. The friendships you make on your way can bring emotional and future career support. They can turn out to be international references, which can be a valuable addition to your resume.

6. Get Amazing Resume

In the current digital landscape, recruiters are looking for those who can add more value to the organization. And in that regard, students who have studied abroad or have traveling experience will be ahead of the competition.

In addition, language skills you can get from practicing abroad can be an attractive trait to prospective employers. In other words, by traveling as a student, you are making yourself a better candidate in the future. Campus recruiters or headhunters from big companies will be more likely to pay attention to such a fresh graduate.

7. Develop Cultural Sensitivity

In the current globalized world, cultural sensitivity is unquestionably important. You might find yourself working with people from different walks of life. Traveling will help you recognize the underlying values behind a particular behavior pattern. It will also help you understand why some matters are important to other people.

For instance, it is not uncommon for people in Spain to take up to two-hour-long breaks for lunch. However, the same would be considered a sign of laziness in the US. But those who have traveled to Spain would understand that this norm is a result of how Spaniards value spending time with family.

Cultural sensitivity can help you understand possible international issues and conflicts. It might also show you how to connect with your colleagues on both personal and business levels.

8. Adapt to Globalization

There is no need to tell you how rapidly the world is globalizing. With the internet and social media, the chances are you will end up traveling for your job or even move to another country.

Traveling abroad can give you a competitive edge in quickly adapting to a demanding schedule. Knowledge of different cultures will let you be proactive about accepting positions abroad. You will also find yourself being more collaborative and easy to work in teams with people from different cultures.

9. Have Fun

Ultimately, traveling makes you rich in the experiences you collect. When you are in college, you might think of many reasons why you shouldn’t go. Studying abroad might delay your graduation, or you might miss your family and friends. And most importantly, you might be scared to take a leap to venture out alone.

However, once you do, you will not only be able to not only learn but also come back with an entirely different outlook that will change how you perceive life.

Gap years are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are a fantastic way to travel the world, learn new skills, and even save money. If you want to take a break before going to university or starting a new career, consider the endless opportunities of a gap year.  

Although gap years are full of excitement and exploration, you can also take part in professional placements. These come in a range of sectors, from marine conservation to healthcare, and can look great on your CV. Who said work can’t be fun?

If you’re considering taking a gap year, here’s all the inspiration you’ll need to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Travel across Europe

Despite being the second-smallest continent on the planet, Europe consists of 44 countries and is around the same size as the United States of America. In a continent this big, the opportunities are endless. Make the most out of life and surround yourself with the rich history, art, and culture of Europe.

Whether you want to enjoy the green hills of Ireland, marvel at the colosseums in Rome, or island-hop around Greece, Europe is the place for you. Explore by yourself or with a group of your closest friends and make memories that will last a lifetime.  

One of the best things about a gap year in Europe is how easy it is to travel between countries. Pack a bag, buy a ticket, and go to your next destination – it’s as easy as that.

Teach English in Thailand

If Europe is a bit too close to home, consider travelling to Thailand for your gap year. The country sits at the heart of Southeast Asia and is home to breathtaking coastlines and spectacular architecture. If you can’t choose between the calming ocean, marvellous mountains, and the hustle-and-bustle of cities, Thailand is the place for you.

Saying that, it’s quite a bit further than Europe, and airline tickets can be expensive. If you want to travel and earn money, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) could be a great way for you to fund your escapades. This is great experience for people who want to pursue a career in education.

Also, you don’t need a degree to teach around the world!

Although you could take part in TEFL anywhere on the planet, we think Thailand is an excellent place to explore. Spend your free time riding elephants and scuba diving with tropical fish. What could be better?

Snowboard in Canada

If you want to work during your gap year but don’t want to spend time in the classroom, travelling to Canada could be the next great adventure for you. Without a doubt, Canada is the ideal place for thrill-seekers. As the second-largest country in the whole world, you’ll be surrounded by vast forests, serene lakes, and ginormous mountains.

Snowboarding is one of the best things to do in Canada. The snowy mountains are breathtakingly beautiful and full of people looking for the next big thrill. And the country has over 265 skiing areas, so you’ll never be stuck for choice.

If you don’t know how to snowboard – don’t worry! There are plenty of opportunities to learn on the job. You could take a snowboard instructor course and become a pro within 11 weeks.

Similarly, you could be a surfing instructor on the golden coasts of Australia. The world is your oyster!

Professional placements

Gap years always look good on your CV. They show your prospective employer you are outgoing and willing to take risks. But to really stand out, consider taking a placement-based gap year. These are a great way to gain professional experience in an industry you enjoy.

Whether you’re interested in STEM (computer science, IT, architecture and engineering), business (accounting, finance, hospitality, and marketing), or health sciences (dentistry, medicine, food sciences, and nursing), there’s a placement out there for you.

Even better, you can choose from remote or hands-on working.

There you go – four ways to spend your gap year. You can do one of these things, or you can do all of them, depending on how you want to spend your year. It isn’t necessary to have your whole life planned out, but it’s a good idea to plan the whole gap year as much as you can. This ensures you’ll have the best time and gain the most from your time away from home.

Finally, before you set out on your adventure, double-check the ways that COVID-19 could impact your trip. The world is opening up again, but it’s best to be safe. You can check this on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.  Some countries may require a quarantine period, so keep this in mind when planning your gap year.

Dig out your grandparents’ old photos because this autumn and winter, we’re seeing a fashion comeback of some the most iconic garments in the likes of acid-wash jeans, pleated skirts, and grandad vests with a modern twist.

The autumn/winter fashion shows that took place in June–September paraded exquisite looks that blend style with comfort in an extravaganza of statement pieces. In the aftermath of the pandemic, this year’s fashion shows were digital and demonstrated creative presentation approaches, such as short films and augmented reality concepts. Not only that, but they also featured collections that focused more on adaptability than anything else as an echo of the new normal.

We rounded up the biggest fashion trends as seen in the fashion weeks to help you get your autumn/winter wardrobe up to date.

Ski chic

Gear up because we’re going back to ski school!

Oversized puffer jackets, coats, and parkas are the highlight of this season. If you’ve had the slightest concern you might be cold this winter, fashion designers are here to help. This thermal statement piece transcends the cosy mountain vibe into an urban scenario.

Miu Miu’s ready-to-wear collection embraced the ski cool in superb alpine backdrops. Daringly filmed amongst the snowy peaks of the Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites Alps, the fashion show accentuates the contrast between the warm indoors and the cold outdoors in a mixture of layered silk slip dresses, bold knits, and faux fur mittens, topped with outstanding ski jackets in nudes, lilacs, and blues.

Louis Vuitton, Brunello Cucinelli, and Chanel, amongst many others, also didn’t shy away from refashioning the staple puffer jacket. There is no doubt that you’ll be sliding down the urban runaway in style and comfort this winter.

Avant-garde knitwear

Summer 2021 was brightened up by knitwear in groovy colours and versatile shapes, from skirts and dress sets to vests and totes. The autumn/winter season will continue celebrating knitted garments in comfy yet flattering silhouettes.

Ulla Johnson and Bevza’s ankle-long sweater dresses make sweater weather fun and sexy, and Fendi’s maxi knitted skirt and crop top in dark grey opens us up to the magic of accessorising. Pair your oversized knitted dress with chunky women’s boots and a faux fur bag for a more relaxed look, or add a touch of luxe to your tie-dye cable knits sweater with off-white flared trousers and nylon knee-high women’s boots.

Vests are back

Perhaps it’s time to dig into your grandad’s wardrobe because knitted vests are making a fashion comeback! But this time around, designers are having a spin on the preppy vintage look to offer a ready-to-wear, versatile look that is a definite Instagram hit.

Some of the designers who pioneered in presenting avant-garde knitwear in New York Fashion Week (NYFW) such as Bevza and PH5, are also rocking the sweater vest. From eye-catching patterns to unique shapes, the fashion gurus are cueing us in on the best styling trends. ‘70s flares, ’90s band T-shirts, and chunky boots are the perfect match for your staple vest. Layering is also on-trend with this statement piece, from a classic white shirt underneath to a ski chic puffer jacket on top.

Pleated skirt

Your inner schoolgirl is ready to make an entrance this autumn in elegantly tailored, pleated skirts. But this staple businesswoman garment is beyond uniform. A revival of Princess Diana’s timeless taste, the pleated skirt has character, grace, and a touch of sultriness.

During this fashion season, designers showed us how versatile the pleated skirt can be. 3.1 Phillip Lim’s maxi skirt paired with an elegant tie-front shirt exuded royalty, while Dior’s dreamy pleated skirt in night forest hues matched with a blue cut-out sweater was a true enchantment. These design inspirations should be on everyone’s autumn/winter fashion agenda.

Patchwork & craftwork

Sustainability meets craftsmanship in this bold, chic, and extravagant fall/winter trend. As eco-awareness has been a hot topic within the fashion industry and beyond for quite a while now, designers are coming up with ways to bring sustainability design practices to the forefront.

This season, patchwork that utilises unused fabric scraps or past collections are a hit. Of course, the trend was embraced by some of the most extravagant designers in the likes of Jeremy Scott of Moschino, Stuart Vevers of Coach, and Gabriela Hearst of Chloe. Their upcycled, vibrant collaged garments showed us that prints, geometric patterns, and plenty of colour are not to be feared.

From floral dresses to quilted coats, patchwork garments cater for a unique bohemian look that will make you stand out in the crowd. Since it’s such a statement piece, you can tone it down by wearing a pair of classic black Chelsea boots or knee-high boots paired with a mini skirt.

Denim on denim

In case you haven’t got the memo yet, denim is back! Designers are taking a nostalgic look at the ‘90s baggy grunge jeans, the ‘80s acid-wash look, and the ‘70s flares, while the oh-so-done skinny jeans are put on pause.

But it’s not just jeans that are embracing the denim revival. The exciting Japanese label Sacai by Chitose Abe paraded a stellar head-to-toe denim look, and Alberta Ferretti followed in its footsteps. Rentrayage and Erin Beatty reimagined denim in intricate shapes during NYFW. Jeans, vests, and asymmetrical skirts played with the patchwork trend to facilitate an exquisite bohemian look, which you can easily replicate at home as long as you harness your creative flair. Dream jeans!

With these outstanding fashion trends, you are sure to be rocking the street runway in style, comfort, and a smooth groove!

This article was written on behalf of Dune London.

It is already October, which means that Halloween is just around the corner, and so is the half-term! Although this is exciting news for children, some parents might strive to find the right challenges that will keep their kids engaged and entertained this holiday break. Whether you are a working parent or have overly active kids, some alternative suggestions to the regular half-term activities – with the added spooky twist – will fit in just right. Richard Evans, the education expert at The Profs, shares 7 Halloween-themed activity suggestions to inspire you in getting your children busy while also having fun in the Halloween spirit all week long! 

1. Make pumpkin guts slime

Save the pumpkin seeds and put them to a good use! You need a container, 5 oz bottle of clear glue, ½ cup water, ½ tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp contact lens solution, pumpkin seeds, and orange food colouring. Pour the glue into a bowl, add the water, baking soda, and stir. Mix a few drops of orange food colouring and add the pumpkin seeds. Next, add 1 tbsp contact solution and keep kneading the slime until it is no longer sticky, and store in an airtight container, and there you have it! A Halloween-themed slime to keep your children entertained for hours.  Always supervise your children during playtime to ensure the slime is not ingested.

2. Improvise a pumpkin golf field

Pumpkin carving is one of the most popular activities to engage your kids on Halloween, but don’t let the pumpkins go to waste afterwards! Invite your children’s classmates to a competitive Halloween-themed activity from setup to gameplay. First, carve a few jack-o-lanterns with large enough mouths for golf balls. If your child is old enough to carve the pumpkins with you, ensure that you go over the importance of safety precautions when handling knives beforehand. After the pumpkins are carved, bring the mini-golf toy set and spread a red felt runway to create a mini-golf field in the park or your garden. Take extra care in setting up the mini-golf course so it’s not cluttered with extra Halloween decorations that might stand in the way of the little players, and get ready for lots of whiff shots and laughter.

3. Make a Halloween-themed candy wreath

Wreaths are not just for Christmas! A Halloween-themed candy wreath is a fun way to offer Halloween sweets to the children coming for trick or treat. Gather the materials you will need for your wreath, including any decorations or ribbon that you want to use, and get your kids to help create it. Let them pick which sweets to use and help them arrange the candy on the wreath to make it look appealing and get ready to hear the doorbell ring all evening. 

4. Organise a Halloween scavenger hunt

Prepare a mysterious scavenger hunt in your area by enticing your kids to get active in the pursuit of little Halloween-themed treasures. To organise a Halloween scavenger hunt, the first thing to do is to plant the clues. Design the game based on your knowledge of Halloween haunt tales and ghoulish legends that will raise their curiosity to participate. Next, set up the tasks that need to be completed for them to get awarded and prepare the prizes. Make sure that the winner awards are on-theme – think Halloween sweets and spooky toys that your kids would love.

5. Read Halloween books together

All kids love a good ghost story because they get the chance to engage their imagination. It’s also a great opportunity for adults and older siblings to read stories together out loud, and you will find that children are not only entertained but also learn a lesson. “Harry Potter”, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” or “Hansel and Gretel” are perfect for this occasion. Regardless of what books you might choose, you can add a bit of fun by giving each of your children a role and letting them act out the narrative.

6. Discover the origins of Halloween

Halloween started as a pagan holiday and evolved into what we celebrate today. Although the traditions vary from one country to another, they are so diverse and captivating that will not only manage to keep your kids entertained but also expand their knowledge. Do some research together about the festival of Samhain in ancient Britain and learn more about the origins of what we now know Halloween represents. 

7. DIY your own witch hat ring toss game

No pumpkins? No problem. Why not DIY witch hats, decorate them, and play the ring toss game? Crafting your own witch hat this Halloween can also be a fun activity to get your kids involved with, by drawing together and setting up the game. All you need are some sticks, party hats or cones for witches to wear on their heads, and the tossing rings. Who wins gets to eat sweets, who loses gets to wear the hat. Let the Halloween fun begin! 

This piece was brought to you by the experts at https://www.theprofs.co.uk/ 

For more information, please contact [email protected] 

If you are in the market for new appliances for your home, then it’s important to take a few things into consideration. From dishwashers and refrigerators to ovens and microwaves, this article is an overview of what you should know and consider before buying any appliance. 

Features

Appliances come with many features these days that can make cooking easier for you or provide convenience. Microwaves have a timer so you can set them to heat food as soon as you walk in the door, refrigerators have ice makers built into the freezer making it easy for everyone to help themselves during party season, and ovens have advanced temperature controls so being precise is no longer necessary. 

If you plan on using certain appliances frequently then look for those models with several convenient features that make the task less strenuous. Also, check out reviews of the products you are considering buying because they can guide you toward smarter buying decisions and help you avoid purchasing appliances with critical flaws. In the end, nobody wants to purchase an appliance only to discover it is faulty, but by taking the time to do some research beforehand you can be sure that this won’t happen.

Size

All kitchens come in different sizes which means that not all appliances will fit comfortably. There are three basic measurements to consider: height, width, depth. For example, if you have a small kitchen with no overhead cabinets or room above the countertop then tall ovens may be out of the question since there’s nowhere for them to go when they’re opened up. It’s also worth considering how much space each appliance takes up simply by being in the kitchen. For example, a refrigerator takes up a ton of counter space when it’s not plugged in and if you’re tight on room then it may be best to choose an under-counter style that mounts flush inside your cabinets.

Repairs

Appliances should be built to last years of heavy use but sometimes things happen that cause them to require professional repairs. This can be terribly frustrating if you’re not prepared for unexpected expenses so it’s worth finding out what type of warranty each appliance comes with before making any purchase decisions. Many appliances have one-year parts and labor warranties that help protect you from malfunctions for a certain period of time. It is also essential that the service provider offers onsite repairs as it saves you both time and money if they can fix your appliance without having to remove it and bring it back later.

Energy

Every year manufacturers make new appliances with more energy-efficient designs and modes of operation, but sometimes these models are more expensive than those manufactured years ago. While newer models may come with additional perks like specialized quiet motors or specialized water dispensers, if your old appliances work just fine then there’s no reason to buy new unless you’re feeling particularly generous. 

Style

Appliances come in many different styles and colors these days which can add a touch of personality to your kitchen. For example, there’s the classic stainless steel look that is sleek and modern or bright red appliances for those who want their kitchen to pop. There are also small appliances that don’t take up much counter space at all, perfect for anyone with limited room. This is a big decision and it’s worth thinking about what would make you happy when selecting appliances to outfit your home.

Cost

Appliances vary widely in price from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars so if you have a budget in mind then shop around before buying. If money is no object to you, however, then opt for the best of the best regardless of the cost to ensure that each appliance will last a lifetime and operate at its optimum capacity. Furthermore, appliances that are energy efficient tend to cost more but can end up saving you money in the long run.

Durability

The last thing anyone wants is an appliance that breaks down after just a few months of use. To avoid this buy brands and styles known for lasting longer than others, otherwise, you’ll simply be replacing something soon anyway. Finally, look into the warranty to ensure that you’re covered should anything happen to your appliance.

To help you figure out what type of appliance is right for your home, we have compiled a list of everything to consider before buying. From the size and style of your kitchen to how much you want to spend on each individual piece, these are all important factors that will affect which appliances suit you best. Keep this in mind as you browse through different models online or at retail stores so that when it comes time to make a purchase decision, the perfect one awaits!

When you go to listen to live bands, you see how well the music there is played; all you can do is expect to play as well as they are. That’s one of the reasons most people take up learning musical instruments. The popular ones you see are the ones you’d like to learn first. 

Learning any instrument isn’t an easy prospect as you need to put a lot into it. You will have to invest time and money at times to learn any popular instrument. But what are these popular instruments you may want to learn and are they easy to learn? 

Those are some of the questions you may want to ask yourself before you engage in any learning. You may also want to find out if the popular instrument you want can be learned at any age. Below are some of the popular instruments that you may want to learn and play. 

Classic Guitar

Probably one of the most popular instruments you can find today has got to be the classical guitar. You can find this guitar almost anywhere, and it looks quite easy to learn. Most people who want to learn instruments, unless previously decided, go for this guitar. 

You can get around sixteen instruments with a guitar, but you only have six strings with this regular classical guitar. This makes it a lot easier for you to learn, and you can quickly master the different sounds each produces. It won’t take you loads of time to learn this instrument as it would others. 

Another good thing about learning the classical guitar is that it is a confidence booster. You can also develop social skills due to playing the guitar, and socialism can be with all age groups. You don’t even have to enroll yourself in any class to learn to play the guitar; this is something you can learn on your own. 

Keyboard

If there’s an instrument that is usually mistaken, it has got to be the keyboard. Most people refer to it as a piano – and as much as it is an electric piano, there are some distinctions. First thing, you can create almost any instrument sound with the keyboard. 

That means you don’t only get the piano sound when you play the keyboard; you have many other options. If you want to learn an instrument with less complex sound synthesis, this should be your go-to. You can also use it for changing performance.

Another difference between the keyboard and the piano is that the keyboard is quite portable – a piano isn’t. The sound you get from the keyboard is usually produced electronically; the piano’s sound isn’t. 

With the keyboard, it is perfect for any beginner, and also, if you are a non-professional, it is a great choice. This is one of the instruments you can quickly learn – and can also be taught to kids of all ages. For kids, it is the perfect instrument to learn. 

Some of the benefits you can get when you learn the keyboard include developing concentration, enhancing fine motor skills, and improving your memory. Like most instruments, you will also be more relatable and social when you learn the keyboard. 

Drum set

One of the oldest instruments that you can find today has got to be the drums. These are quite the percussion instruments that you can seek to learn also. Drums come in different shapes and sizes, each one being a little bit distinct from the other. 

When you play the drum, you need to hit it with various items known as beaters. At times, there are some drums that you can beat with your hands. Some drums are tunable, and others aren’t; they are played just the way they are. 

The sound produced by the drums comes from the vibration of the drums’ membrane–this is known as the head. Both ends of the hollow body cover the head – that hollow body is known as the shell. You will need to master these parts if you are to know anything about the drum. 

When you play the drum, you will master one of the complex tasks in instruments as there are several moving parts. Some of the benefits you get when playing the drum include challenging you to break complex tasks into manageable tasks. You do a lot with the drum if it’s to get the right voice out.

Drumming is also interactive and can help you relieve disappointments and stress. The drum is all about coordination and timing. You will need to be alert at all times and present if you are to master the drum well enough. 

Piano

When you are searching for a sophisticated instrument, the piano beats the lot. With the piano, you will be learning an instrument that offers you escape, is fun, gives a creative expression, and is something you can enjoy; this is it. You need to master some of the parts of the piano before you get down to playing. 

For example, the modern-day piano has 52 white keys and 36 black ones – you will need to master a total of 88 keys. The history of the piano is a peculiar one; most historians would have it that the piano was invented in the 1700s. There’s no particular date to it, though – so it has been around for a while. 

You learn gradually; you can’t wake up one day and learn the piano. You may also need to get into a piano learning for beginners class to get started on the piano. The good thing is that you can find some of those courses online. 

You will need to practice a lot to get the rhythm right and for weeks or months. You will almost like performing physical exercises when learning the piano, so you need to be prepared for it. Other advantages include enhancing motor skills and improving emotional expressions. 

You may be required to get a piano of your own if you are to learn the piano. This is an instrument of constant practice, and you will need to have one if you are to practice the piano daily. This could be a huge undertaking; you can also enroll in a studio to pay a daily or monthly fee. 

Flute

Another popular instrument you may want to learn is the flute. This is one of the instruments that will have you fooled at first sight. As small as it is, you will generally assume that you can easily hop on and play it. 

The sound the flute produces comes from the opening on the body of the flute. When you want to change the sound and the pitch, all you need to do is close one of the holes or various ones. You can’t learn this as quickly as you’d assume; it will take you some time to master the flute. 

Professional flutes are usually made from wood or plastic – and this is because pros can easily handle them. Beginner flutes are made of silver-plated brass; others are made from nickel. And the beginner flutes produce a brighter sound than the wooden ones. 

When you are a beginner, you will need that clear sound to figure out places you are going wrong. The wooden flutes produce a dark sound. That’s why they are pretty popular with the more seasoned flute players. 

Cello

It pretty much looks like a guitar, and if there were instrument families, the cello would fall into the guitar family. But there are some major differences between the guitar and the cello. One of them has got to be there’s a bow involved in the playing of the cello. 

When you want to learn the cello, you need to put in the time; this isn’t something you can quickly learn. The good thing about the cello is that it produces all the strings in an orchestra. You can quickly fail to recognize the instrument at certain parts due to the sound being easily transformed. 

It isn’t hard to learn the cello once you have the passion and the time to put it in. The instrument requires focus and practice, sometimes even daily practice to master. You will also need to get a good teacher if you are to learn the cello. 

This isn’t something that you can learn on your own, in your free time. It would help if you got lessons from someone who will guide you well enough. If you know and have experience reading musical notes, it will be much easier to master the cello. 

Conclusion

Today, learning an instrument can be one of the best ideas to enhance your social skills. And you need to find one that you are fully interested in if you are to grasp it easily. Above are some of the top and popular instruments that you may want to learn and play to give you gratification and ease your stress or tension. They are pretty easy to understand, and some you can even teach yourself. 

If you have moved into a new home and are looking for ways to decorate it, or you’re simply trying to find a new and fun way to invest your money, then looking to purchase a piece of art is an excellent choice. For some people, however, the idea of buying art can be a bit daunting. This isn’t a surprise given that no one wants to burn money on a piece of art that doesn’t end up being as valuable as they think, or being in line with their personal tastes and the best fit for their homes. The following are a few key tips to help you figure out where and how to purchase your next beautiful piece of art.

1. Determine the Type of Art

The first thing you should probably determine is the kind of art you’d like to buy. If you’re buying art that you’ve fallen in love with at first sight, then the equation is perhaps much simpler for you. However, if you’re purchasing something you kind of like but mostly hope to be a smart investment, then that should be treated as a separate scenario. The former is easy, but the latter is a bit more difficult since you need to go somewhere you know will be selling art that will increase in value over the long term. If there is an art gallery housing art by a particular up-and-coming artist, then be sure to visit them first. 

2. The Personal Touch

If you are ready to eschew the art scene and are determined to purchase something that appeals to you on a personal level, then focus your attention on smaller, niche galleries or family-owned businesses. The specialists at David Hart Galleries recommend looking into purchasing directly from artists or their families, as opposed to entities that sell art for an exorbitant price, sans the intimate know-how exhibited by artists. This could be a great way to inject some originality into your pursuit and have a one-of-a-kind piece in your home.

3. Budgetary Concerns

One thing you need to do from the get-go is set aside a budget for your endeavor. This will automatically influence where you need to purchase your art. Different art galleries or purveyors will have different price points for you to consider, and it would be a good idea to undertake some of the research ahead of time. This brings us to…

4. Research

The artworld is complicated and rather insular. It is recommended that you speak to like-minded collectors, various art appraisers, and art gallerists beforehand to learn more about the kind of art you would like to buy. This is a helpful step to keep in mind because art gallerists will sometimes give discounts to collectors to try to rope them into being loyal customers. 

Buying art is a terrific endeavor, and it’s a great way to support the livelihood of artists and the art community. However, you need to do the necessary legwork ahead of time to ensure that you protect your investment, and hopefully, you will select something you genuinely love at the same time.

Roses are red, violets are blue… Let’s rewind that last statement a little bit. Roses come in all shades, and blue is one of them. The best part is that there is a rose for pretty much every occasion! Whether you’re gifting roses to your significant other as a celebration of your love, to a friend to show them your appreciation, or to express compassion, roses have a special meaning in the hearts of many.

But how do you know which colour rose to get? Luckily for you, each colour has a specific meaning, and depending on the occasion, one will be better suited than the other.

During the Victorian era, flower language, also known as floriography, gained prominence. Flowers, especially roses, were used to convey a secret message without having to speak. This tradition has carried through today, and roses are much appreciated as a stand-alone gift, as well as a sentimental compliment to a main present.

The gemstone jeweller Angelic Diamonds has ranked the most popular colour roses in the UK based on Google search volumes and reveals the hidden messages behind each to help you find the perfect one.

White roses: a symbol of purity and innocence – 110,000 searches

No wedding will ever be the same without a white rose implemented in the décor or the bride’s bouquet. In fact, white roses hold as much significance as something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

Featuring white roses in a wedding is a spell for a long-lived marriage. They are associated with the beginning of new creations; such is the divine unity between two lovers. It also symbolises peace, innocence, and pure love.

In ancient Greece, white roses were often used as a healing potion and were found in herb gardens throughout the land.

Gift a single white rose for trust and peace, and a bouquet of more than five roses to signify everlasting love. Be wary that if the bride’s bouquet consists of less than five white roses, it can bring about a difficult marriage. They are also the emblem of Yorkshire, so you can make someone from the region happy by giving them a white rose.

Red roses: a classic love token – 49,500 searches

Legend has it that when Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, found her lover, Adonis, wounded by a wild boar, her tears and his blood mixed together and created an astonishing red rose bush when they fell on the ground.

Later on, during the Victorian era, Shakespeare monumentalised the red rose-gifting as a supreme expression of love and passion. Since then, the many of shades of red in roses has symbolised the multitude of layers of love. For example, deep, velvety red nuances represent meaningful romance, while bright red roses are a symbol of courage and bravery in love.

The number of gifted roses is also of high importance. Give a single rose to your long-term partner to tell them that they’re still the one. Why not pair it with an eternity ring on your wedding anniversary to assert your ever-lasting bond?

Two roses signify mutual love and affection, while twelve roses scream “be mine”. And, of course, the classic 100 roses are a gesture of ultimate devotion and a great hiding place for an engagement ring, if you’re to propose.

Black roses: a symbol of death and rebirth – 18,100 searches

As dramatic and expressive red roses can be, black roses take on a different deep meaning. A symbol of death and tragic love, the black rose has been incorporated into literature and pop culture.

Originally, it symbolised power and strength amongst ancient cultures, and it became really popular in the Victorian era as part of gothic and macabre literature. But the floriography of the black rose has quite a dark meaning. For example, the Sicilian mafia would send a black rose to someone to notify them that death was coming. In popular culture, this particular flower has been associated with anarchist ideology since 1982.

Black roses are given at funerals to express mourning. They also signify rebirth and new beginnings. In literature, characters are often gifted a black rose when they start a new chapter of their life to signify a change of character. if you give one to a person, it can signify that you hope it all works out in the best-case scenario for them.

Blue roses: imbued with mystery and wishful thinking – 12,100 searches

Violets may well be blue, but roses are too! Well, not naturally, but the advancements in genetic engineering have made our desire for royal blue roses come to fruition.

Of course, there is a little legend that accompanies the origin of the blue rose. In Chinese folklore, an Emperor’s daughter was to choose her husband, and her only requirement was that the chosen one will be the one who brings her a blue rose. She turned down all candidates who attempted to fabricate a blue rose. Some brought her a rose painted in blue, one carved out of sapphire, or a magical one, yet none of them were suitable for the princess. Until the gardener’s son, whom she had her heart set on, brought her a white rose one day and she said yes to him. Everyone was puzzled by her decision, but they lived happily ever after.

Since they’re a true product of our imagination, blue roses are a symbol of mystery and unattainableness. It is an epitome of something that is meant to simply remain a dream, a wishful thinking that resides within the realms of our vast imagination.

However, blue roses signify new beginnings, and they’re a great gift for someone starting a new career, going on a journey, graduation ceremonies, and birthday celebrations. But don’t gift a blue rose to someone you wish to start a relationship with – though it sometimes symbolises love at first sight, a blue rose can also represent unrequited love.

Pink roses – 12,100 searches

The most ancient of all roses which dates back 40 million years and also the most iconic one is the pink rose. Imbued with rich symbolism of love, beauty, and gratitude, it’s a staple gift for women that alludes to their grace and femininity.

Pink roses appear in ancient literature, music, and paintings, and are part of many cultures around the world. For example, they’re an emblem of Bulgaria, where flocks of people go to savour the rose valleys and indulge in the gamut of rose products, from rose perfumes and lotions to rose liqueurs and chocolates.

Other Mediterranean countries, alongside places like Persia and China, are also prominent for their abundance of pink roses. According to some Hebrew texts, the only flowers that were allowed in the Holy City of Jerusalem were pink roses.

In terms of gift-giving, you can never go wrong with a pink rose. Gift your mother a dark pink rose for her birthday or Mother’s Day to show her your gratitude and appreciation. Teachers, mentors, and other female relatives would also appreciate a dark pink rose. Pale pink roses are ideal to express admiration and love for someone with whom your emotions are still budding. Up until about 50 years ago, it was a Bulgarian tradition for boys to wait for the maiden they have their heart set on at the central water fountain in the village and gift them a pink rose as an invitation to a date.

Floriography allows us to communicate our emotions through the use of arrangements of beautiful flowers. The gesture of rose-gifting is imbued with deep meaning, and it’s a subtle way to express gratitude, appreciation, love, or compassion. Roses allow you to say the right thing through enchanting aroma and saturated colours, so speak your heart!

The human mind is something incredible, it can either hold you back or push you forward. It all depends on your perception of yourself and society’s perception too. People who allow themselves to compare themselves with celebrities and athletes start feeling insecure about their looks. The path to becoming better-looking and more confident can be a hard one, but here are 8 solutions that you can apply in your life.

Get Cosmetic Surgery Done

If you are unhappy with your looks, then cosmetic surgery can be one way to improve your life. Some of the most common procedures are breast implants, liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, and facelifts. These are examples of cosmetic surgery that can assist you in becoming more confident about your looks. This may put a dent in your pocket but it’s worth it if this is what you really want. 

Make sure to do extensive research before making any decisions since there are risks involved. To minimize risk, find the best surgeons by factoring in things like the location; going to an upscale London cosmetic clinic is more advisable than going to a dingy place in an obscure location. Another factor to consider is experience or expertise. 

Get a Personal Trainer 

Do you find yourself spending hours in front of the mirror trying to improve your body? If this is the case, then it is time you got a professional opinion. Getting a personal trainer will serve as an unbiased eye and they can guide you on what workout routines to follow and how to stay away from bad habits like smoking and drinking too much alcohol. You might be surprised at how having a fit body can change your life in not only looks but also in confidence. 

Here is how to do some common exercises you’ll be asked to try are:

• Squat – Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart from each other. Bend at the knees, lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor then stand up again.
• Bench Press – Lie on your back on a bench with your feet flat on the floor. Bring a barbell across your chest with both hands and push it until your arms are extended over you. This is where you should exhale as you bring it down to about three inches short of touching your chest. Inhale as you push it back to its original position. 
• Deadlifts – Stand upright holding a barbell in front of you with an overhand grip that’s shoulder-width apart from each other. Keep your legs slightly and keep pulling the barbell up as you keep your back straight. Bring it down to about a few inches from the floor then pull it up again until you have reached its initial position.

Eat Right

Eating right is just as important as working out. It is essential to nourish your body with healthy foods that are rich in nutrients. This will help you have the energy you need for exercise and other activities. Avoid junk food or fast food since these can lead to weight gain and becoming overweight can be a huge blow to your confidence. 

Foods to eat are: 

• Whole grains
• Fruits and vegetables 
• Lean proteins
• Non-fat dairy products 

Dress to Impress

Wearing clothes that accentuate you is a great way to improve your looks without spending many hours in the gym. With the right outfit, you can go from being an ordinary Joe to a person who is confident with their appearance. Investing in fashion will be money well spent if you are serious about improving your looks. It doesn’t matter what size you are, just remember that the right clothes will fit your body type. 

A great rule of thumb is to dress for your age and always aim to look professional when attending business meetings or social functions. Whether you’re tall or short, don’t be afraid to show it off with funky styles. Strive to be different by wearing clothes that fit your personality and style since this will boost your confidence tremendously especially if people start showing interest in what you wear. 

Improve Your Skin Tone

One thing people notice about you first-hand is your skin tone, so it’s best that you take care of this part of yourself properly! To improve your skin tone, exfoliate regularly by using gentle scrubs to remove dead cells on the surface of your skin. Afterward, drink at least 8 glasses of water daily since hydration is another key factor in keeping your skin healthy. Moisturizers are also helpful since they seal in moisture to your skin. Don’t forget to wear sun protection especially under direct sunlight.

Make An Effort to Smell Good

Your choice of cologne or perfume can affect how you are perceived by others. If you find yourself lacking confidence in your looks, make sure to wear a suitable scent for the day since this will give people only good impressions about you. It is also important not to overpower other people with too strong of a fragrance. The best scents are:

• Floral scents: these are not too strong and they leave a subtle impression of you
• Musky scents: this is perfect for autumn and winter since it can warm up your skin
• Woody scents: best worn in the spring, the scent of wood will give off an impression of youthfulness
• Citrusy smells: this is also not too potent and will leave a fresh impression 

Improve Your Posture

Improving one’s posture is a great way of looking attractive without even trying hard at all. To improve your posture, start by keeping your back straight and shoulders directly aligned with each other. This will make you look fit and confident too.  Next, make sure to keep your chin up and not let it drop down since this will give you an air of superiority. Try keeping your arms close to the body so they won’t look bulky in clothes.

Be Confident Around Others

In order to have an attractive personality, it’s best to be confident around others so you will come off as a person who is easy to approach and talk to. Don’t hesitate when talking about yourself since this will make people notice the good qualities that you have. It also helps if you smile more often since smiling releases endorphins in the body which reduces stress and makes one happy! Laughing at your own jokes or witty remarks can show people that you don’t take yourself too seriously and that you are a fun person to be around with.

Being attractive doesn’t mean you have to be someone else, just help yourself by improving your looks and start feeling more confident in all aspects of life. Whether it’s with surgery or through healthier habits, it’s possible to be a person who is confident with their appearance.

Choosing non-stick cookware, especially pans, can be a harrowing experience for most. Non-stick pans are an essential part of kitchenware and choosing one from the wealth of gimmicks, and different quality pans can give you a tough time. There are various varieties and options available in the market at different prices, brands, materials, durability, etc, so how do you know which pan to buy over another? 

No worries! We are sharing some expert tips on how to choose the right non-stick pan for you and how to maintain it over time:

1. Know the Coatings

Non-stick pans come with two kinds of coatings:

• Teflon
• Ceramic 

Teflon is a synthetic coating and it is water repellant. Ceramic coatings are actually silica-based gel and can also be a good option for non-stick pans.

Both types of coatings are good for non-stick purposes however, Teflon is known to last longer as compared to ceramic coatings. Different brands offer different deals and coatings, make sure to check the non-stick pan reviews for that brand before you invest in it. Just make sure to follow the right maintenance routine and both types of coatings will last you a long time. 

2. Choose Your Material

There are two options for non-stick pans: Stainless steel or aluminum-based. Aluminum heats up quickly and can’t be used on induction burners which makes them not a right fit for most users. On the other hand, stainless steel is widely used and a perfect fit for non-stick cookware. It provides even heating and works perfectly on induction cooktops. Although they tend to be a little heavier and expensive, stainless steel non-stick pans are totally worth the investment! 

Another thing to keep in mind is that the pan should be at least a 5-ply metal coating. These coatings give a more effective performance and help you steer clear of low-quality pans. 

3. Safety

When choosing from a variety of non-stick pans, make sure to look for the following safety measures:

• It should be PFQA free. It is a harmful chemical that can damage food quality. 
• It should distribute heat evenly
• It should be induction cooktop friendly
• It should be oven friendly 
• It should be made of durable material
• It should come with a warranty

These safety measures will help you find the right pan for you from a variety of different pans.

Now that we know the three main things to consider when buying a non-stick pan, how long a pan will last also depends on how you maintain it. Here are a few tips for maintaining a non-stick pan for long term usage:

How to Maintain a Non-Stick Pan:

Caring for the non-stick pan and keeping it damage-free will make it last for years. 

1. Wash and Season

Before using your non-stick pan, wash it to remove any residues on it so they don’t stick to it when cooking. Use hot, soapy water and thoroughly rinse it and dry it before using it. It is also important to season the pan before using it because putting food directly on top might damage the coating over time. Seasoning the pan will also help fill out the pores in coatings and keep the food from going in. 

Do not wash the pan in the dishwasher as it can cause scratches. 

2. Use Right Utensils

Sometimes in a hurry, you might decide to slice or cut meat/or food in the pan after cooking it before serving it. But that can cause scratches and damage the pan. Use the right utensils for everything and make sure to never use a knife inside a non-stick pan if you want it to last. 

Also, make sure to not use metal utensils to cook in the pan, rather use wooden spoons or silicone-based spatulas to cook that don’t have any sharp edges. Metal spoons can cause scratches and damage the coating!

3. Avoid Overheating

Keep the heat to low or medium when cooking with non-stick pans else the coating can get damaged. Avoid temperatures over 600F because coatings might release dangerous fumes if overheated beyond this temperature. 

Also, make sure to season your pan if you’re preheating to avoid damage to it. 

4. Avoid Non-Stick Spray

Non-stick spray is often used while cooking but some people aren’t aware that it is doing more damage than help. These sprays leave a residue that ruins the non-stick surface. Moreover, the material of the spray burns at a lower temperature as compared to the pan coating, which can damage the coating further. 

If you want your non-stick pans to last longer, make sure to take good care of them. Don’t shy away from investing in a good quality pan when it comes to your and your family’s health! And use these tips to maintain your non-stick pan for long usage and return on investment. 

If there’s one place we’re finding trending topics and style advice these days, it’s TikTok.

The video platform has exploded in popularity and now has over 500 million monthly active users. It recently surpassed YouTube for daily average watch time, so it really is the place to be. Who hasn’t spent hours mindlessly scrolling through the fun, digestible content?

We can get all sorts of advice and tips on TikTok, from makeup hacks to style advice. One of the most popular trending topics at the moment centres around creating a capsule wardrobe.

Here, we’ll explore the growing popularity of capsule wardrobes on TikTok and how you can put one together.

The rise in popularity

The hashtag #capsulewardrobe on TikTok has (at the time of writing) over 50.5 million views on the platform, with similar hashtags including #capsulewardrobestyle and #capsulewardrobetips garnering over 6 million views.

The videos show users showing off the essential items in their wardrobe that can be worn time and time again. In some, the influencers splice videos of themselves in varying outfits, each one featuring an item from their capsule collection.

One of the top-liked videos shows @_iheikens styling over 20 outfits using only a capsule wardrobe of nine items, tagged as the perfect university or college capsule wardrobe. The style influencer’s feed focuses heavily on styling key items in different ways, with multiple capsule wardrobe videos.

Why a capsule wardrobe?

It’s well-established that TikTok’s main audience is Gen Z, with 58% using the app. 39% of millennials are also frequent users of the app. Naturally, the trends on the platform will reflect its user base. And what’s one of the most important issues to this audience? Climate change.

These demographics are more aware of their impact on the planet than any other before them, and they’re passionate about minimising their carbon footprint. As a result, trends like the capsule wardrobe are emerging as a way of contributing to the fight against climate change.

Buying quality over quantity is a key tenet of a capsule wardrobe, and it forms part of the backlash to fast fashion. But it doesn’t come without its challenges. As well as the capsule wardrobe trend, TikTok is filled with fashion hauls, where users show off their latest buys. This can encourage overconsumption.

In the fight against climate change, the way we consume fashion plays a huge role – the UK buys more clothes per person than any other country in Europe, and much of fast fashion is designed to be disposable. Is focusing on a capsule wardrobe the way to shed our addiction to fast fashion?

How to create a capsule wardrobe

TikTok is filled with tips on creating a capsule wardrobe, so you’ll never be short of inspiration for building out your essential items. Here are our top TikTok-approved tips on creating your capsule wardrobe.

Focus on quality over quantity

When we’re bombarded with new styles and fashion hauls, it’s easy to be tempted into buying the latest trends. But that’s all they are – trends. With that comes an acknowledgement that it won’t be “in” in a few months. Plus, to keep up with the latest styles, most of us are forced into buying cheaper garments to make it affordable.

Buying quality items that you know are built to last is essential to putting together a capsule wardrobe. Instead of heading to a fast fashion outlet, seek out brands that are committed to creating pieces that will last a lifetime.

Build on timeless pieces

Spend five minutes watching capsule wardrobe videos on TikTok and you’ll start to see a theme. The majority of items in users’ capsule wardrobes are neutral block colours in simple and classic silhouettes. Tailored trousers and blazers feature heavily because they’re two outfit staples that will never go out of fashion.

Similarly, straight-leg and bootcut jeans feature heavily in these videos. Bootcut and flared jeans have seen something of a revival in the past year, but these items never really went out of style. A high-quality pair of jeans will last a lifetime and will go with everything in your capsule wardrobe.

These neutral, classic items will form the building blocks of your wardrobe. You don’t need to be limited by them, as you can then add a small number of on-trend items in current patterns or silhouettes, but you’ll go back to your capsule wardrobe season after season.

Pay attention to the materials and manufacturing processes

A lot of fast fashion items are designed to be disposable and, for that reason, are poorly made with cheaper fabrics. These items won’t stand the test of time, and it’s all down to the materials used and the manufacturing processes.

Plastics feature heavily in cheaper garments because they’re more affordable to the manufacturers. And what are plastics made of? Fossil fuels. So not only is fast fashion bad for the environment because we’re throwing it away more but it’s also filled with polluting materials.

For an eco-friendly, long-lasting garment, look out for materials such as organic cotton or linen, hemp, heavy denim, silk, and cashmere.

We all love a mindless scroll through TikTok, but it’s a goldmine for tips and tricks on anything from skincare to beauty and fashion. As well as being a source of style inspiration, we’re also seeing the platform lead the way in sustainability, driven by its young audience. If you’re passionate about climate change, why not consider investing in a capsule wardrobe and saying no to fast fashion? With TikTok, you’ll never be short of inspiration for creating your perfect long-lasting wardrobe.

As the world becomes more digital, people are looking for ways to bring back the nostalgia of their childhood. One way is through cars. The retro models have become all the rage in recent years and many people are looking to purchase one for themselves. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just want something different than your average vehicle, this article will help guide you on how to buy a vintage car that suits your needs!

Know What to Look For

There are many pitfalls that buyers can fall into if they aren’t careful, but experienced vintage car shoppers know exactly what to keep an eye out for. These include rust on the exterior of the vehicle and excessive wear on tires or upholstery, which might indicate it has been in a serious accident before. Knowing where to look for these issues will help you determine the true quality of any vintage car before making a purchase. These are just some of the most important things to keep in mind if you want to buy vintage automobiles, but it’s also good to know what isn’t worth your time and money. For example, model years from 1967-1972 often have a lot of electrical gremlins that can be a pain to troubleshoot. Don’t waste your time with these older models if you’re not prepared for the extra work!

Make Sure You’re Actually Getting a Good Deal

It’s important to do some research into the prices of different cars before purchasing one. You don’t want to buy something that will depreciate in value after only looking at current prices for similar models. Instead, use resources like Kelly Blue Book or NADAGuides to compare car values and determine how much you should actually be paying for the model that interests you.

Decide Whether to Buy New or Used

There are many benefits to buying a vintage car, but one of the biggest is that you don’t have to worry about depreciation. The price of these cars will stay relatively stable over time and it’s easy enough to fix them up if they do break down. On the other hand, older models often require a lot of work and empty spaces on your wallet if anything goes wrong.

Deciding between buying new or used is all about how much you’re willing to spend. If you want a vintage car but don’t have the money, it’s best to buy one that has already been driven so it doesn’t depreciate too quickly in value.

Use This Checklist to Get the Best One

There are many reasons why you might want a vintage car over your average model, but keep in mind that they require more work. If you’re planning on passing down the vehicle from generation to generation or using it as a daily driver then make sure you do your research before committing. This is especially important if you’re buying a used model as you don’t want to end up with something that was poorly maintained by the previous owner.

The following checklist will help guide you through an inspection of any vintage car so you can find out its true condition before making a final decision: – Check for rust and pitting on exterior metal surfaces  – Test all of the locks and windows to make sure they work  – Look at all of the tires for wear and tear  – Check under the hood for oil leaks or damage

If you can complete this checklist without finding any issues, chances are it’s a great vintage car that will serve your needs well.

Take Your Time

This is important for any type of big purchase, but don’t rush into buying a vintage car just because they are popular right now. Instead, look at all of the models that interest you and then pick out one that suits your needs best without being tricked by false advertising or overly inflated prices. You’ll be happier in the long run if you take the time to find a vintage car that will serve your needs for many years.

Unfortunately, there are many scammers out there who will try to trick you into purchasing a vintage car that they claim is in good condition. Make sure you’re not being fooled by asking the seller for any service records and inspecting all of their claims about what makes this model so special. If you have any doubts or feel like something is off, it’s usually best to walk away.

Last but not least, make sure you do your research about the model before buying one. You can find tons of information online and even at local libraries if necessary. Familiarize yourself with what to look out for in terms of common issues that could arise and try to find a model that is of good quality.

United Kingdom, 2021– LUXlife magazine has announced the winners of the 2021 Hospitality Awards.

Now running in it’s sixth consecutive year, the LUXlife Hospitality Awards is back to recognise and award businesses that have been consistent with adapting to keep up their customers satisfied and safe. After a turbulent year, LUXlife is awarding those for their resilience and values them for their achievements.

As always, LUXlife will be focusing on businesses which provide a diverse range of services from event and hospitality management, restaurants and bars, travel agents, public relations as well as marketing services, to tour operators. LUXlife aims to represent the best talent from this dynamic industry.

Our Awards Coordinator Steve Simpson has commented on the success of the program: “I am delighted to be hosting yet another year of the LUXlife Hospitality Awards. I would like to congratulate all the incredible winners of 2021 and I hope that they continue excel in their field of expertise.”

To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit www.lux-review.com/lux_awards/global-hospitality-awards/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.

ENDS

Notes to editors.

About LUXlife

Welcome to LUXlife, the quarterly luxury lifestyle magazine that offers a glimpse into the world of the glamorous.

Spanning the highest net worth individuals from around the world, LUXlife readers are a distinct breed. They know what they like and are willing to pay for it. As such, we showcase the products, services, attractions and events that will appeal to them. Some of the world’s most internationally renowned brands, individuals and products are highlighted in our magazine so that our esteemed readers will find everything they need to truly live the life they deserve.

Our website, digital publication and diverse array of awards programmes cover all aspects of high-end lifestyle, including the finest, food and drink, hotels and resorts, health and beauty, automotive, jewellery, art and technology. Within our pages you’ll find everything from product news and reviews, to in-depth news, trends, features and comment, all designed to inform, entertain and inspire in equal measure.

Ultimately, at LUXlife we only showcase the best of the best, so you can rest assured that you are at the very cutting edge of the latest luxury trends and high-end developments.

LUXlife is part of the AI Global Media publishing group, a UK based company which was established in 2010.  AI Global Media has 11 brands in its portfolio currently and is dedicated in ensuring quality in everything it produces, in turn offering maximum value for every reader, subscriber, advertiser, contributor and client alike.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck the whole world by surprise, and through the course of it made an impact on many different professions. In a time where you’re required to follow certain protocols to even go to a store, one can only imagine how flustered everyone was when they had to try and regulate international tourism. Most countries started closing their borders to some extent and greatly limiting circumstances under which one can enter or leave the country. Now, just so you can imagine what a catastrophe it was for tourism and economy, tourism accounts for about 10% of the world’s GDP and employs around 320 million people. 

So, when the whole world started shutting down and limiting movement, the whole sector of tourism and traveling also came to a halt. The negative effects of the pandemic were even more pronounced in tourism-dependent countries, and they’ll probably need to wait much longer than others to break even with the economic dent which will remain. That’s why it’s almost unimaginable that luxury tourism in Mexico is flourishing, but it’s true. 

So, what’s bringing people to choose Mexico among all destinations, and in the midst of all this chaos?  

Alluring Destinations

Now, first, you have to understand that luxury tourism was on the rise even before the pandemic started, tourists with specific tastes and needs pushed the definition of upper-class tourism to a new level. Everything is evolving, from the waiting lounge at the airport, the comfort and pampering one receives with a first-class ticket, to the gorgeous impeccably created hotels and resorts that are the destination. 

Now, the reality that we’ve unfortunately had to get used to with the pandemic created even more demand for luxurious traveling. Why? Because people are looking for a break from the pandemic, and they find it in these amazing hotels set in remote destinations, with warm weather and loose or close to no regulations. 

Luxury hotels have started offering mini buyouts and extended stays. People still crave some greater level of privacy than before the pandemic, which is understandable after a year of social distancing, so many of these resorts offer packages with extra space for you and your friends/family or whoever you’re traveling with. For example, in Mexico City, you can opt to buy out a whole floor for your stay that will include private dinners, mixology classes, and spa treatments.

 If you’re looking for even more privacy, you should maybe consider private villa accommodations. There’s a vast number of huge gorgeous villas scattered everywhere you can choose from with many luxurious features like private infinity pools, tropical gardens, or rooftop sundecks. 

Tulum – a Thriving Tourism Destination

Tulum in Mexico was once a sleepy fishing village, they say. Well, it’s not anymore. Nowadays huge numbers of tourists visit Tulum every year, lured by its Mayan ruins, amazing turquoise waters, and the chance to party from dusk till dawn somewhere in the midst of lush jungles and golden sandy beaches. Now, during the Covid epidemic, you’d expect the demand to drop, wouldn’t you? Well, you’d be wrong, the demand is higher than ever for this beautiful piece of heaven in the Caribbean Sea. 

Mexico is one of the few major tourist destinations that chose not to close their borders or demand a negative PCR test upon arrival, and that has successfully ensured that their tourism hasn’t suffered as much as in other countries. Mexico was actually the third most visited country last year (2020), and Tulum is one of the most visited destinations there, especially for visitors looking for a more luxurious stay. Even during the worst part of the pandemic, it was no secret that many businesses in Tulum were fully operating, welcoming party-hungry tourists, boasting private parties and deliciously crowded beach bars and clubs, while the rest of the world was closing up and socially distancing. Tulum’s many stunning boutique hotels attract celebrities and Instagrammers from around the world, who flock to this tropical paradise in droves to snap share-worthy photos at some of the most beautiful beach resorts on the planet. So, it’s not difficult to imagine why this luscious piece of heaven became and still is such a popular tourist mark these days.

Extraordinary Culinary Experiences and a Focus on Health

The hoteliers in Mexico are always thinking of new ways to attract and also impress their upscale travelers, and the way they do it with their cuisine is simply irresistible. There are countless luxurious places offering farm-fresh and delicious foods, Michelin-starred restaurants luring you to come and have your senses delighted, and they are really focused on well-being and making healthier food since the epidemic started. After many months of living in a pandemic-era style, it’s only logical that more and more people put the focus on their well-being and health. There are now countless places in Mexico offering organized meditation sessions, yoga training with expert instructors, and a myriad of amazing wellness suites to cater to your every need, having you leave so refreshed it’ll feel like you just hit the reset button.

The popularity of Private Airplanes  

Another collateral effect of the pandemic is the positive upturn in private aviation. The ever-growing need for privacy equaled the rise in demand for this upscale form of transportation, which is not surprising when you think of all the advantages of using a private plane. Hoteliers in Mexico have picked up on this trend and have begun offering various packages for vacations that include a private flight. In the end, no one likes to experience the hassle of going to the airport, and especially now in the midst of this coronavirus crisis. 

Is It Irresponsible?

It is natural that not all travelers will like the idea of Mexico being this safe haven for everyone who wants a break from all the corona-induced rules, because everyone who goes there to party is bound to come back, and that just seems blatantly irresponsible. Some travel advisors are protesting selling these luxury Mexico trips to tourists, too, because they feel morally obligated to at least not promote it if they can’t stop it. Other advisors are not as stiff about welcoming tourists but will offer them information on the current Covid situation and advice to stay safe. 

It may be that it is a tiny bit irresponsible, but in the end, it all comes to individual responsibility, and it’s difficult to blame people for wanting to experience closeness, friendliness and just dance like there’s no tomorrow after all we’ve been through in the last year and a half. Yes, it’s hazardous, and we probably need to wait a bit more until we can act that wild, but what we’re trying to say is – we can understand the need for this phenomenon. Everyone in the world acted in this way or another and this is just how Mexico chose to be during the pandemic. 

Official Health and Safety Protocols

In essence, Mexico is open to travelers. They won’t require you to provide a negative test or undergo a quarantine period upon arrival, the most they’ll do in some cases is ask you to fill out a health questionnaire. Only American travelers need to perform a test 72 hours before traveling back to the US. Because they have such loose regulations on the borders, Mexico is considered a ‘high risk’ in the travel advisory rating system. 

There have been over 3.700.000 registered cases of coronavirus in Mexico, and over 280.000 deaths since the pandemic began, so the situation is far from ideal, but it’s also noteworthy that they have administered over 101 million doses of vaccines up to date. 

In Mexico, there is a system recognizing four tiers of restriction, a traffic-light four-tier system with red meaning the maximum level of restrictions, orange limiting most businesses and activity to 30%, yellow allowing businesses to resume and also some public gatherings, and green meaning there are no restrictions currently in place. 

Most states are now in the yellow category and only a few of them are green or orange, while there are no red states. There may be some strictly local restrictions depending on where you travel, so you should go ahead and research the exact regulations in place in the destination of your choice.  

So, now you have a better grasp on why luxurious trips to Mexico are such a big hype, and especially these days during the pandemic. Whether you agree with their philosophy or not is entirely up to you and you have every right to dislike the contents of this text if it feels celebratory of potentially harmful traveling, although it was not its intention. 

We tried to put it out there exactly how it is and provide our explanations and even our understanding of why so many people are drawn to many of the beautiful destinations in Mexico. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be free of any thought of restrictions and fear from infection, but until then, Mexico does offer a great variety of choices for both the responsible and slightly irresponsible traveler, so explore your options and think about it.

The royal, who now lives in Los Angeles, with Prince Harry and their son Archie Harrison and their newborn daughter Lilibet Diana is clearly following a healthy lifestyle that includes fresh food and regular exercise.

Meghan, a mother-of-two, has long advocated the importance of eating a healthy diet. However, she doesn’t mind a little indulgence. Meghan starts her day with a healthy breakfast, and royal biography Finding Freedom reveals exactly what Meghan eats.

Markle said, “I always hope I’m having lunch together with people, so that we can share fries. It’s my favorite food group.”

According to the 38-year-old, she is usually hungrier at lunch, so she typically eats a heavier meal, followed by a lighter meal. Salads and sashimi are some of her favorite lunch options.

Meghan enjoys a few chips but is mindful of her health and tries to avoid eating gluten and dairy products during the week. She noticed a change in her skin and energy levels after cutting out certain food groups.

She said to Best Health that she tries “to eat vegan during the work week, and then has a bit more freedom on weekends,” she explained. “It’s about balance. Because I exercise the way that I do, I don’t want to ever feel deprived. The moment you do that, you will start to eat more. This is lifestyle eating, not a diet.”

Meghan is known to avoid caffeine during the afternoons and instead drink green juice for an energy boost.

She explained to Today: “It is easy to rush for coffee at 4 p.m. when it’s not the best time to do so. Blending some apple, spinach, lemon, ginger, and garlic in my early morning, and bringing it to work in the afternoon, gives me a better boost than a cup of espresso.

Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie say that “for snacks in between meals she chose apple slices and peanut butter.” We are so excited to try this next time we feel peckish.

Sunday dinner is Meghan’s favorite meal, and she enjoys cooking large meals for her closest and dearest.

“Sunday suppers are a favorite of mine,” she shared with Today Magazine.

“I love slow-cooking Filipino-style chicken adobo on Sundays. It’s easy: combine garlic, soy (or bragg Liquid Aminos), vinegar and lemon, then let the chicken cook in the sauce until it falls from the bone in a Crock-Pot.” Meghan isn’t a huge wine drinker, but she will admit to enjoying the occasional glass of wine. Tignanello, an Italian wine, was actually the inspiration for the name of her lifestyle blog The Tig. It was closed in 2017.

Meghan told Best Health previously: “Of course I’m going to drink that glass of wine. It’s delicious and it’s my favorite thing. Keep your choices within reason. You’ll feel fine if you know your body and what works best for you. “

The Duchess and Prince Harry delighted their hosts by surprising them at a farm on their royal tour to Australia. She presented them with homemade banana bread. Meghan made ginger and chocolate banana bread at Admiralty House to show her baking skills. It was described as “delicious”.

Meghan loves roast chicken, even though she is vegan most of the week. Because Prince Harry proposed to Meghan at Nottingham Cottage, they made the meal together.

Meghan told EyeSwoon that she occasionally craves mac and cheese.

“I buy the Annie’s organic version if I feel like it. But I also throw in some frozen peas and it makes a delicious, easy-to-make childlike meal. It was a favorite of mine to make it for my children, and it was a great way to bond with them. “

Prince Harry loved mac and cheese when he was younger. Darren McGrady, a former royal chef, previously said that he used to make the wholesome comfort foods time and again for Prince William at Kensington Palace. However, he wouldn’t like Meghan’s packet sauce!

Children’s needs evolve and arranging your little one’s room can feel like a never ending task. Is there a way to do it so it doesn’t change too much? Well, let us advise you on how to lay out and furnish a room according to your child’s age group, and with minimal effort.

A child’s room is like the interior of an entire apartment or house for an adult. It should function for sleeping and playing and, for older children, also for studying and working. First and foremost, however, always keep in mind that the room should have enough storage space. All of this needs to be considered and laid out in a mostly relatively small space, while respecting the basic principles of safety and usability.

Furnishing a child’s room according to age

When furnishing a child’s room, it’s a good idea to make a firm decision about:

• how many years in advance you are designing the room
• how many children the room will be used by
• whether you plan to move the children to another room

Even though you may want to design the room for 10 years ahead, you will have to change some elements according to the child’s current needs. The most costly furnishings, such as storage space or bunk structures, can form the unchanging foundation of the room, and the rest will come and go over time according to the kid’s interests and needs. Storage space is key – invest in some inbuilt wardrobes, or cabinets, that will stand the test of time and hold everything you need.

From birth to two years of age, the needs of the child are pretty basic, in terms of furniture. So there is no need to think of anything extra and a changing table and storage space for clothes and toys in the room will suffice. And, of course, a cot with barriers. Paint the room a nice neutral colour scheme, add some little personal touches like fairy lights or a mobile, and that should be enough for now.

2 – 4 years

At this age, parents usually start to figure out a more complex layout of the room. Especially if the child still has a little sibling with whom they will soon share the room with.

The most important space in a young child’s room is the play area. Children mostly play on the floor, so if the room doesn’t have an all-over carpet, it’s a good idea to get at least a piece of carpet with a non-slip backing.

In addition to space for play, you also need a place to store clothes and toys. Chests, pull-out drawers or plastic boxes are best for toys, as they speed up tidying and are height-accessible even for young children.

5 – 6 years

At this age, it’s time to get your child a desk. The best choice is a desk that you can adjust. A rising desk allows the top to be positioned in height and on most, the top can also be tilted.

The desk should be placed as close to a window as possible. Daylight should flow from left to right for a right-handed person and the opposite for a left-handed person. Good quality artificial lighting is important when there is a lack of daylight and in the evening. And not only the central one, but also a good quality table lamp and a crib lamp, which you will appreciate when reading stories.

7 – 9 years

A child at this age needs a bigger bed. The length should correspond to the standard dimensions of an adult bed (i.e. 200 cm) and the width should be at least 80 cm (but 90 cm or more is optimal if the room is large enough). Your child’s bed will last until they are much older, so invest in a good quality mattress.

The child’s interests are more evident, and should definitely be reflected in the look of the room. Whether it’s a young musician who will appreciate a music stand or band posters, a dancer who will welcome a large mirror, or an artist who needs an easel,  each room will look different.

TIP: Child safety nets for the bed serve as an alternative to the classic wooden barriers. You can create your children’s own enclosed space. The net can also be made into a football goal.

10 years and more

Children now spend more and more time in their own room and also need more privacy. If you have more children and are considering when to separate their rooms, around the age of 10 is a good time to do this.

An older child will prefer a room with a larger desk and facilities around it. The toy storage area will become a storage area for clothes. You can also make use of wall cabinets at heights where the child couldn’t reach before. If you get your child a bunk bed, there will be space underneath for a smaller couch for reading or the occasional sleepover for friends.

Be careful with colours

You’re designing a child’s room several years in advance. The cabinetry and large surfaces should therefore be in neutral, natural or easy-to-mix colours. You can complement a neutral cabinet with colourful shelves and doors that will brighten up the cabinet without being ostentatious. You can spice up the interior with a bold painting or wallpaper, but be sparing – bold motifs and colours can quickly become distracting, and usually don’t age well.

TIP: Want your kids to be able to decorate their room with their own pictures? Try black and white wallpaper with frames – it works like a colouring book. Alternatively, you can stick ready-made pictures into the frames. If you stick them on with an adhesive eraser, you can change them as often as you like.

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Gold, the most popular and most traded of the four precious metals, is currently in a state of change and uncertainty, at least from the viewpoint of investors. Along with its other precious counterparts, silver, platinum, and palladium, the yellow metal is showing unusual weakness at a time of the year when it’s usually outperforming stocks and most other traditional investment vehicles.

Why 2021 is Special

If you’re looking to enter the market during these last few months of 2021, it’s imperative to add a few key points to your knowledge base. First, take time to study the recent performance of the popular precious metal and get a feel for what’s going on, pricewise. Next, consider sharpening your investment tools, namely the hardware and software for placing and exiting orders, studying market trends, analyzing up to the minute news stories, and keeping track of winning vs losing trades. Active investors who download MetaTrader 4, for example, can stay abreast of all the relevant news and stats in the gold (chemical symbol AU) market, with precious metals in general, or the economy as a whole.

What to Watch

What else can precious metal enthusiasts do? Consider keeping a close eye on the luxury industry, which often serves as a key indicator of how gold’s demand level is moving at any given moment. And keep in mind that a sideways market in any commodity, particularly in precious metals, can be a very positive state of affairs for speculators and short-term traders. Finally, using instruments that are especially suited for short-term gold buying and selling, like CFDs (contracts for difference) can help newer and experienced participants avoid the many pitfalls that come with direct ownership of metals and metal-based stocks. Combining the simplicity and leverage of CFDs with the extra information of broad economic indicators can ramp up just about anyone’s effectiveness in the precious metal marketplace.

Gold’s Performance Hard to Assess

Recently, gold’s price broke through several important support lines, meaning that prices dipped lower than most people expected. It’s fair to say that as the final quarter of 2021 begins, there’s no clear indication as to which direction the price of AU might take. Far from being a problem, this sort of situation presents unique opportunities for short-term AU speculators. In general, under normal circumstances, gold tends to rise and fall in direct contrast to the strength of the U.S. dollar. While not always the case on a day-to-day basis, all you need to do is look at a long-term gold/dollar chart to verify the interplay of the relationship.

But, what’s the most effective way of measuring the dollar’s strength? Many look to USD performance against three other benchmark currencies, namely the Japanese yen (JPY), the Euro (EUR), and the Swiss franc (CHF). If the dollar drops in value against all three, then there’s often a short-term rise in the gold price in the works. The reverse is usually the case when USD shows significant resilience against the other three currencies.

What About the Safe Haven Effect?

You’ll often hear talking heads in the financial news media speak of the yellow metal as a safe haven for stock market traders who fear a major securities price decline. While there’s probably some truth to the theory, it’s rather difficult to quantify. The shakeout for AU traders is that watching the yen, Swiss franc, and euro are typically more reliable measures of gold’s immediate fate than a generalized opinion about whether equity holders are scared or not.

The Simplicity of Precious Metal Investing

Users of high-quality platforms like MetaTrader 4 know the advantages of operating via a sophisticated group of applications that take the drudgery out of routine buying and selling. For instance, MT4 allows for all sorts of setups, the creation of watch lists, the setting of upper limits and stops on every trade, and offers people of all experience levels the confidence and convenience of placing orders quickly and accurately.

Watching the Luxury Industry

Prices rise fast in the luxury industry when gold’s price goes up. It’s helpful to monitor the seasonal effects in the luxury market to understand the close connection between AU’s price and the cost of luxury goods, particularly jewelry. One good example of this phenomenon is the Indian wedding season. Traditional weddings in the country feature gifts of gold jewelry for the bride. So much buying takes place from October to December that the Indian wedding effect alone might account for the annual rise in gold prices during the final quarter of the year. And, at least since 1975, that’s been the case.

Using Other Indicators

Many investors in the precious metal markets look at broad economic indicators that have the potential to foreshadow gold’s price movements. For example, the fate is sometimes tied to not only the power of the dollar but also to the international demand for crude oil, the current rate of inflation, and the rate of interest on long-term government bonds.

The Luxurious Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show. The Mazda Miata had three redesigns within 30 years of its existence. Mazda has sold more than a million Miata’s, while 400,000 of them are sold between 1989 and 1998. That makes the NA the most popular of all four generations of MX-5.

Between Japan and the American design option, Mazda picks the American. This becomes the production of MX-5 Miata. Mazda Miata is a typical British classic sports car layout with rear-wheel drive, and an engine in front.

In the beginning, Mazda Miata was designed in only three colors: white, blue, and red. And later, it expanded the colors to a striking sunburst yellow, starlight mica (blue) paint, and Montego blue mica. Blazing yellow mica and titanium gray metallic colors was the special edition for 2002.

Miata MX-5 engine upgraded from a 116-hp 1.6-liter in 1990 to 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in 2019!

In this article, you’ll read a brief history of Mazda Miata!

Mazda Miata Debuts in 1989

The first NA generation Miata is released as a 1990 model and it reminds of the Lotus Elan from the ‘60s, only remodeled for the ‘90s.

The MX-5 Miata has a five-speed manual transmission. It’s a lightweight sports car, the center console is narrow, the footwells are spacious, and the armrests are thin and stuck to the flat door panels.

Mazda Miata’s MX-5 Special Editions

In 1991, MX-5 Miata released the first special edition–a British Racing Green edition. Just 4000 of these so-called BRG Miatas are made for the U.S.

Mazda’s MX-5 Miata special limited edition for 1993 had red leather, a neat set of BBS aluminum wheels, and the Mazda Sensory Sound System (a hi-fi audio system).

And in 1994 Mazda upgrades the Miata by bringing more safety items within the car, such as passenger-side airbags to the roadster and anti-intrusion beams in the doors. Also, Miata gets a new 1.8-liter four-banger making 128 horsepower.

Between 1994 and 1995, MX-5 Miata brings to the market its M Edition that has Montego Blue Mica paint. The second M Edition comes with the Merlot Mica paint and a fancier audio system.

Mazda ups the MX-5 Miata’s horsepower for 1996, this time to 133 ponies. The 1.8-liter four also switches from OBD-I to OBD-II controls, the computer standard still used industrywide.

The Second-Generation MX-5 Miata Arrives in 1999

MX-5 Miata second-generation, code-named NB, arrives with new bodywork and a fresh interior design. The MX-5 body is curvier and more significant in appearance. Headlights are fixed and wide-eyed. The engine updates to the 1.8-liter and 140-hp.

The special edition comes only in sapphire blue mica with eye-catching polished wheels and an aggressive body kit. The interior is also flashy, with a two-tone blue-black color scheme. The 10th Anniversary Miata model is with a six-speed manual transmission, stainless-steel door sill plates, a Bose audio system and a Nardi three-spoke steering wheel.

Three special-edition MX-5 Miata’s are made for 2003: the Club Sport edition (the racing cars; only 50 cars made), the Special Edition (the blue model), and the Shinsen Version (the gray model). None of these three Miata editions has air-conditioning, a radio, or power steering.

3rd Generation of NC Miata from 2005 to 2015

The third-generation NC Miata gives MX-5 a more bulky and aggressive style. The 2.0-liter engine develops 170-hp controlled by a choice of five or six-speed manuals. The weight was up to approximately 2,500 pounds.

The Fourth-Generation ND MX-5 Miata in 2016

With the fourth generation, ND-coded Miata is made smaller and lighter. While previous Miata’s ranged between functional and cute, ND Miata looks aggressive and expensive.

In 2019 the Miata is colored with a zesty racing orange, both exterior and interior accents, with 17-inch wheels. Only 500 Miata’s were produced for the U.S. market and immediately sold out.

Mazda Miata Coilovers Upgrading

The coilovers are the perfect solution for improving the suspension on Mazda Miata. You’ll spend a bit more money but it’s worth getting the best suspension solution for your Miata.

Coilovers are especially crucial for drivers who consider going down the high-powered forced induction route with Miata.

The coilovers allows for an improved suspension system by offering a single piece, made of a spring wrapped around a shock absorber that helps with so-called “damping” or shock absorption impact on the road.

Some of the best Mazda Miata coilovers are:

1. Yonaka SPEC 2 Coilovers (for performance amongst value; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
2. BC Racing’s BR kit (best coilovers for NA Miata generation);
3. Tein Flex Z Coilovers (best for street driving; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
4. Ohlin’s Road & Track Coilover  kit (when money’s no limit coilovers; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations);
5. Miata BC Racing BR Series Kit (one of the top options in the intermediate range of MX5 coilover options; compatible with NA and NB MX5 generations).

Choosing the right coilovers will help you achieve a range of adjustability while riding your Mazda Miata.

Mazda Miata Evolution

Mazda Miata MX-5 evolved from being a lightweight sports car to a more aggressive and expensively looking modern-day car.

Miata is with no doubt one of the best two-seater roadsters ever made. In its fourth generation, the Miata remains one of the finest driver’s cars money can buy.

Dental implants are a fantastic way to replace missing teeth. They can be done in one day and provide a permanent solution for tooth loss. If you’re considering getting dental implants, it’s important that you know what to expect before going through the procedure. In this blog post, we’ll tell you six things that every patient should know before they get dental implants.

They Are a Long-Term Investment

Implants are usually priced higher than other procedures because they last so long. While dentures can sometimes be difficult to keep clean and may need replacement every few years, dental implants will probably outlast even your natural teeth. Since the titanium post is attached directly to your jawbone, it won’t wear down and need to be replaced like your gums will.

Implants are a long-term investment because they last so much longer than other procedures you can choose from. Think about how many years of good, quality use you’ll get out of implants compared to dentures or bridges. It’s worth spending more on this type of solution that will last for years and won’t need to be replaced. Dental implants can last a lifetime if they’re taken care of properly. If you take good care of them, they will probably outlast all your other teeth too.

They Look Almost Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants have a very natural appearance, and most people can’t even tell if you’ve had dental work done. As stated by this Las Vegas Cosmetic Dentist, implants look almost identical to the other teeth when properly fixed. This means you can smile and talk without anyone noticing you had an implant. They’re designed in such a way that they will blend in seamlessly with your existing teeth, making you regain your natural smile. 

If your only concern is making sure that the solution for tooth loss doesn’t look any different than your other teeth, implants might be a great choice for you. It’s worth finding out more about them to see if they’re the right choice for you.

They Have a Higher Success Rate Than Other Procedures

Dental implants are more than 99% successful. This is because the titanium post acts as an anchor for your new tooth, which attaches to your jawbone and stays there forever. Since it’s attached directly to the bone rather than just held in place by gums like dentures, it’s held in place much more securely.

Dental implants are a great option because they’re so reliable and high-performing. If you want to replace missing teeth without sacrificing an immediate, permanent solution for tooth loss, dental implants might be the right choice for you.

They Are Comfortable and Secure

Dental implants are usually very comfortable to wear because they don’t move around in your mouth as other tooth replacement procedures can sometimes do. Implants will stay securely anchored to the bone, which won’t cause problems with food getting stuck or discomfort when chewing or speaking. You’ll also be able to eat whatever you want without worrying about breaking or damaging your new tooth.

Dental implants are high-performing and secure, so they won’t break or damage as easily as other teeth might. If you’re looking for a long-term solution that will allow you to go back to doing all the things you love, dental implants are a great choice that you should look into. If you’re hesitant, talk to your dentist about any concerns or questions before making a final decision.

Implants Are Discreet and Independent

Dental implants are independent and easy to take care of, which is why they’re such a great option. You can floss and brush your teeth just like you normally do without worrying about adjusting your dental implant solution or brushing the tooth replacement procedure too hard.

Implants are discreet because there’s no need to attach anything extra to them to keep them clean. Since they’re independent, there’s no need for you to change how you take care of your teeth or mouth to accommodate a solution like implants. It’s easy to go on with your daily life and take care of your teeth. They do not depend on other teeth for support, which means that you can floss and brush them just like any other tooth.

They Provide Cosmetic Improvement

When you lose your tooth or teeth, your smile can look incomplete and unappealing. Dental implants are a great way to restore your appearance by providing you with an aesthetically pleasing tooth replacement solution that matches the shape and color of your other teeth. They provide complete coverage to give you back your beautiful smile without any tell-tale signs that anything is missing.

You can have a beautiful smile again, so it’s worth finding out more about dental implants to see if they are the right choice for you. Implants are a great choice, and they can easily blend in with your existing teeth. They are designed to look completely natural, so nobody will know that you’ve had dental work done unless you tell them. Ensure that the procedure is carried out by an experienced professional with a high level of skill and knowledge.

Implants Do Not Decay

Since implants are made of the same material as your natural teeth, they do not break down in your mouth or suffer from tooth decay. This is one reason why dental implant solutions are such a popular choice for people who have lost their teeth.

Dental implants cause you to no longer worry about unnecessary issues like tooth loss and pain caused by broken or decaying teeth; implants have a long life and will not require any extra care to maintain their appearance, which is great because it means that you can focus on other areas of your health instead of worrying about how well your smile looks every day. If this sounds like the type of solution that would work for you, talk to your dentist about the available options and what will work best for your situation.

Implants Are Easy to Clean

Dental implants are easy to maintain thanks to their high level of durability. You can floss them just like any other tooth, which is great because it means that you don’t have to make any special considerations for taking care of them. Dental implants are easy to take care of, and they require no different treatment or cleaning than other regular teeth. You can floss and brush your dental implant solution just like you would with a real tooth without worrying about compromising the appearance or health of the tooth replacement.

When you choose a dental implant solution, you don’t have to give up on your regular hygiene routine or alter it to fit properly with the procedure. It’s also possible for the dentist who places the implant to also restore your tooth or teeth. If you’re looking for an implant solution, it’s important to find a professional who can provide the full package and ensure that you’re taken care of from start to finish.

No Alterations Needed to Fix Them

Unlike other dental solutions, it’s unnecessary to take any special steps when you lose a tooth because of the implant. You can use your regular solution for fixing missing teeth without worrying about making modifications or alterations to accommodate an implanted tooth. Since implants are designed with their framework, there is no need for specific treatment or changes to your usual routine.

Suppose you want to restore the look and health of your smile without having to adjust your regular dental care. In that case, implants are a great choice because they do not require any alterations or customized changes for them to fit properly with your existing teeth. You can continue using the same solution that you’ve been taking care of all along without worrying about whether or not the implant will fit properly.

They Can Replace Multiple Teeth

While most dental solutions only replace one tooth, implants can be used to replace multiple teeth. Since they are designed with a strong and durable framework enough to support the neighboring teeth if need be, you don’t have to worry about your implant falling out or becoming loose over time. The stability of an implant ensures that it will last for as long as you need it to.

If you’re looking for an implant solution, there are many different options available that will fit most budgets and needs. If you want a quick way to restore your smile without having to make significant changes in your regular hygiene routine or pay costly fees, implants may be the ideal option for restoring your teeth and giving you back your smile.

They Prevent Bone Loss

Dental implants naturally prevent bone loss in your jaw and the surrounding area. Dental implant solutions provide a strong foundation for your overall dental health, which means that they can improve the appearance of your smile while simultaneously preventing you from losing teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.

If you want an effective way to restore both the look and function of your smile, implants are a great long-term solution that can give you back both the appearance and health of your teeth so that you don’t have to worry about tooth loss or damage.

In conclusion, dental implants are very comfortable to wear because they don’t move around in your mouth as other tooth replacement procedures can sometimes do. Implants will stay securely anchored to the bone, which won’t cause problems with food getting stuck or discomfort when chewing or speaking. If you have lost teeth, it’s time to discover everything about dental implants and how they can improve your daily life with a simple treatment solution.

SkyPrime Villas is a boutique property company in Cyprus, dedicated to meeting the high holiday standards of high-net-worth individuals from around the world. All properties are professionally managed and extraordinarily maintained at all times, allowing guests to enjoy the villas’ prime locations, meticulously designed interiors, pristine private pools, and numerous luxury amenities. Read on as we find out how the winner of LUXlife’s Best Serviced Luxury Villa Rental Company – Cyprus award manages to consistently deliver an unforgettable high-end holiday experience.

The answer lies in the very essence of the SkyPrime Villas brand: providing both short and long-term holidaymakers in the Ayia Napa and Protaras areas of Cyprus with luxury that they can see and feel by combining serene yet central locations with opulent accommodation, and a hospitable service that truly makes guests feel special.

The villas are an attractive alternative to the typical hotel stay, perfect for guests who desire the convenience and comfort of fully serviced accommodation but desire novelty. Discerning travellers can expect a choice of premium rental properties enhanced by the personal attention of a dedicated hospitality team that provides a comprehensive range of VIP concierge services. The properties on offer at SkyPrime Villas range from resort centre suites and apartments, to stunning seafront super-villas, resulting in the largest collection of high-end properties in Ayia Napa and Protaras.

The latest addition to SkyPrime Villas’ collection, the Palace of Mediterranean, exemplifies the company’s high-standards: it is the prime property among seven exclusive villas at the Sea Pearl Beachfront Villas project, an ultra-luxurious cluster of holiday villas in Ayia Napa, located only 50m from the sea. The five-bedroom contemporary villa promises maximum comfort, privacy, and an uninterrupted panoramic view of the Mediterranean.

Along with its luxurious interiors, the Palace of Mediterranean was designed to help guests make the most of Cyprus’ excellent weather through the availability of an outdoor infinity pool, jacuzzi, sunbathing deck, and BBQ area for al fresco meals. When the sun sets, guests can still enjoy the outdoors through the furnished rooftop terrace which allows for a joyous evening under the stars.

Designed to serve a clientele of high-net-worth individuals who are accustomed to a more high-end lifestyle and appreciate privacy, SkyPrime Villas is dedicated to offering a five-star luxury experience at every villa.

Of course, the company’s staff play an integral role in its success, as they personify the brand – professional and accommodating. SkyPrime Villas’ dedicated staff are the company’s competitive advantage as they honour the highly valued, treasured company policy of hospitality.

This is reflected from the very start of a client’s SkyPrime Villas experience through the company’s Reservations Department. Regardless of whether the client is simply enquiring online or booking a stay via telephone, a pleasant and accommodating member of staff is always ready to assist and match the guest to the property that best suits their holiday plans. Once the client has chosen their preferred villa, the Guest Relations team is at their disposal, ready to manage any special request, provide pre-arrival information, and any other necessary assistance.

Through this dedicated team of staff, the company creates an environment in which guests can truly holiday in the lap of luxury with their every need catered to. Holidaymakers can contact the concierge for a wide range of services that can be carried out by SkyPrime Villas’ thoroughly vetted and trustworthy associates, who provide a wide range of exclusive VIP services, such as everyday assistance with housework, transport arrangements (including limousine and chauffeur services), therapeutic spa sessions in the comfort of the guest’s villa, catering and event planning, personal shopping, the organisation of leisure activities, as well as a Private Chef dining experience with several menus to choose from. In addition, the company is associated with high-profile associates who provide numerous exclusive VIP services, from chartered yachts and sightseeing tours by air, to wedding planning and full catering services.

SkyPrime Villas realises how important holidays are to couples, families, professionals who need a break from their fast paced urban life, and those who crave a sun-drenched getaway, which is why the company strives to create the ultimate luxury, holiday in Cyprus.

Unfortunately, as with many industries and businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest challenge SkyPrime Villas has faced so far. Nevertheless, the pandemic has come with a silver lining for the company: its primary demographic, high-net-worth individuals have amplified their search for safe holiday destinations. Acting as an opulent safe haven from the pandemic raging on outside, with its fully serviced, ideally located premium villas complete with all luxury amenities and services one could want, SkyPrime Villas has managed to thrive during a very troubling time.

SkyPrime Villas is now looking towards continuing its growth and expansion as a company by incorporating additional higher-spec villas into its property catalogue. Its latest villa, the aforementioned Palace of Mediterranean, part of its Sea Pearl Residences, is a prime example of the larger scale luxury it envisions in the future, and its aspirations as a brand moving forward.

For further information, please contact www.skyprimevillas.com

We were unable to go on holiday in 2020 and partly in 2021 due to all the corona measures. Holidays were canceled and airports were empty. But the corona measures have been relaxed in most countries now and tourists are more than welcome in most countries! But we can also travel in our own country again!

Risk of injury on holiday

Holidays are of course especially fun, relax for a while and get away from the daily problems and stress. But there are also dangers on vacation. Of course, the coronavirus remains a danger that will continue to exist for the foreseeable future. Despite the fact that more and more people are vaccinated. But there are more dangers! You can also be injured by an accident while on holiday. In this contribution you will read what these dangers entail and how you can protect yourself against them so that you do not suffer damage as a result of an accident.

Injury caused by an accident while on vacation

Thousands of accidents happen every year on holiday. This could be a traffic accident, for example on the way or because you were hit by a cyclist while on holiday. But it is also possible that you fall on vacation or are attacked by a dog and are injured by a dog bite.

An accident is of course a major downfall on your holiday. Especially if you end up in hospital or even have to cut short the trip. But even more annoying is that you could be injured as a result of the accident. This can be a temporary injury, but also serious physical injury with permanent injuries. The question then is: who is liable for this damage and who pays all costs and damage?

Importance of a travel insurance

The most important tip that can be given when you go on holiday is that you take out a travel insurance! It covers more than you think! Many people think that travel insurance is mainly for material damage, such as stolen sunglasses. But travel insurance is especially important if you have an accident abroad!

If you end up in hospital abroad as a result of a traffic accident or a dog bite, you are not automatically insured under your health insurance. There are even countries where health insurance does not pay out at all if you have an accident with injury abroad.

As a rule, travel insurance covers hospital costs incurred on holiday abroad. It is very important that you check this carefully before going on holiday. You may be faced with high hospital costs.

Hospital bills abroad can easily add up to thousands of Euros or Dollars. We therefore advise you to always take out travel insurance, even for a short holiday!

An accident abroad, how do I recover my personal injury?

Travel insurance usually does not cover personal injury that you incur as a result of an accident. You will often receive nothing or a minor compensation, depending on the percentage of permanent disability. You will therefore have to be compensated for the personal injury in a different way.

If someone else is to blame for the accident, for example in a collision, then this person is liable for your personal injury. This person will then have to pay for your personal injury. Motor vehicles are often compulsorily insured. Dog owners are also often insured for damage that the dog causes to others. In that case, it is the personal injury insurer that has to pay for your personal injury.

In some countries you are entitled to a free personal injury lawyer who will recover your personal injury from the liable party. This is the case, for example, in the Netherlands. So if you have an accident in Amsterdam, you can call in a personal injury lawyer in Amsterdam for free, even if you have an accident abroad or if you are an American or Englishman in Amsterdam!

Have you had an accident while traveling? Then the tip is to always hold the perpetrator liable and to investigate whether you are entitled to free legal assistance from a personal injury lawyer.

Back in the day, when men just wanted to get some time alone, they would just go to the local pub. There, they would meet other like-minded men and drink alcohol until they felt secure enough to head back home. Not long after that, men started to form their own man caves. Mostly in attics and basements. But during and after the big pandemic, a lot of people (not just men) want to have a spot for themselves. A place where they can relax after a long day of work. Do you want to know how to create your own man cave? Here are 3 steps to follow.

1. Be inspired by others

If you don’t have a plan in mind before starting to create your man cave. Then it’s easier to take inspiration from others who’ve been there as well. So you should go to Pinterest and create a mood board. If you’re a man, you’re probably not that acquainted with Pinterest. Well, it’s time you should. It’s easy. First, you have to make an account which you can easily link to Facebook or Gmail. Then you type ‘man cave’ in the search bar and inspiration will come your way. From there you can pick your favourite ideas and try to implement them into your own actual man cave.

2. Think about the purpose of your man cave

Before you go on and try to decorate the man cave. It’s of importance to realise what the purpose of the man cave is. Is it going to be a hobby room where all your comic books are stored? Or are you going to make a pub or cinema room, or maybe both? Then, you really need to consider isolating really well. Because if you want to transform your shed or garage into a man cave, it can get really cold in winters and extremely hot in summer. So, unless you want to pay a lot of money for your electricity bill, you should isolate. Isolating also helps so the other people in your house don’t complain about the noise you make in your man cave. 

3. Interior design

It’s time to let your inner interior designer shine. Luckily, there is not much that could go wrong with interior designing a man cave. Because this is a place where you can let your own creativity out. Don’t care about what others think, it’s all up to you. But what are some things that you can implement in your man cave? The most common things are: a pool-, ping pong-or air hockey table. But when you have a shed man cave, a jacuzzi, sauna or hot tub is a nice feature. For example, you can have a small jacuzzi for 4 people or a big jacuzzi for 6 people. You also need to think about the music output. Do you want to go for an old school jukebox or vinyl player? Or do you want a surround speaker set? It’s all your choice. 

Are you ready to create your own man cave? Whether it’s in the garage, attic, basement or shed, we’re sure you’re going to make it work. Have fun creating!

Kayaking has become a very popular sport in recent years. There are many places where you can join organized kayak tours, but if you want to go on your own, you will need the proper gear. In this article, we’ll tell you about some tips and suggestions that can help make your next purchase of kayaking equipment easy and fun.

Choosing the Right Kayak

The first and most important piece of gear is your kayak. If you are new to the sport, it is recommended to go for a tandem kayak that can carry two people. Most kayaks are designed to fit two or more individuals, sitting one in front of the other. This provides better stability while also allowing you to share the fun with someone else. The front paddler steers the kayak while the other person in the back works on propelling it forward.

If you are a professional kayaker, you can choose a solo kayak. These are small in size and have just enough space for the person inside. This makes them much lighter, which is important if you want to be able to move around quickly when paddling. However, if you are kayaking with your family,  you should choose a tandem kayak as these are safer and more stable. Some boats can accommodate entire families, but they are a bit more expensive and just a tad heavier.

How to Choose the Right Paddles

The next thing to consider is your choice of the paddle. You have three options here: traditional, bow, and feathered styles. A traditional paddle with two blades is very popular because most people find it easy to use simply pull water toward you as you push away from it. The only downside is that they are less efficient than their counterparts are. Other options include a kayak paddle with a single, large blade and a feathered paddle that has one smaller blade on the right side and a longer handle on the other. The advantage of these two styles is that, as you pull back with them, your kayaks will move forward smoothly like an airplane’s wing.

Which one you will choose depends on your experience. If you are a beginner, go for either one of the two pairs of paddles mentioned above, and don’t worry about it too much, as most kayaks come with basic paddles that will do just fine.

Get the Right Life Jacket and PFD

Life vests protect you in case of an accident or mishap while kayaking. They also help provide buoyancy in case you get stuck underwater or in currents that it hard for you to keep afloat. The best life jacket for kayaking is one that is U.S Coast Guard approved, has an adjustable strap, and fits snugly around your belly. If you are planning on white water kayaking or paddling during rough weather conditions, make sure to invest in a personal flotation device (PFD) as well. This particular piece of gear provides better protection than most other types of vests because it has inflatable compartments.

The best inflatable kayak vests are equipped with CO2 containers, which automatically deploy the gear in case of submersion. Upon submersion, the gas will fill up the vest so you can easily float to safety. Automatically inflatable PFD’s and life vests come with a built-in strobe light for added visual visibility.

Choose a Dry Bag or Kayak Pack

If you want to keep your belongings easily accessible and dry, you should get a kayak pack. Dry bags are another option that can be used for storing items such as park maps, sandwiches, and small coolers full of drinks. Make sure that the bag you buy is large enough to hold all your essential gear. Some also come with an extra external pocket that can help you organize smaller items like sunglasses and car keys. It would also be wise to purchase a bag that has an airtight seal. This will prevent any of your gear from getting wet or damaged during transportation and storage, especially if you are on the move by car or boat.

What About Whitewater Helmet?

Whitewater helmets are a great choice for kayakers who spend a lot of time in rough waters. Made from hard plastic and lightweight materials, head protection is important so you can prevent injuries to your scalp in case you fall off your boat. When it comes to selecting the right design for use in whitewater kayaking, it’s best to choose one that fits firmly around your head but won’t cover up your ears. Some whitewater helmet designs are better than others when it comes to fit and the ability to keep the user’s head protected during active kayaking. Take your time in choosing a reliable design that can perform well for years of use.

Kayaking should be a fun and rewarding experience for you and your family, however, always remember that safety comes first. If you want to have a safe and comfortable time on the water, it is essential to invest in quality gear as soon as possible. With these tips on choosing the right gear in mind kayaking will be both safe and exciting.

Your home’s exterior can say a lot about you. It advertises your taste and interests, your financial status, your tastes in art or garden tools — the list goes on. And if anyone’s to look at it, it should be appealing for reasons beyond just what it is. This guide will show you how to make your home exterior greater.

1. Fix your roof

This is the most important, and potentially dangerous, exterior home improvement project. You should always ask for help if you aren’t sure what to do or if your roof seems complicated in any way. There is a good deal of stuff you can do to improve your house exterior, but fixing a roof can increase both the value of your home and its curb appeal, so it’s worth doing right away if yours needs work. You can learn more with Equity Roofing and see what will work for you.     Having professional service is always better than doing things yourself.

2. Repaint and add a fence

If your exterior paint has chipped or faded or just looks old, then it might be time to repaint the outside of your house. This will bring out its original color scheme and style, giving it new life while making it look better than ever before. It’s also cheaper than hiring someone to completely redo the siding on the outside of your home. If your yard lacks privacy, such as if you share it with neighbors or if it’s bordered by a busy street, then consider replacing your current picket fence with a wooden fence. A wooden fence will not only give you the privacy you desire but also make your yard look more like an actual property and less like part of the sidewalk.

3. Change the windows and doors

Doors and window frames are typically made of wood, which is subject to decay over time even if they’re treated well. If they’re decayed beyond repair, replace them completely — otherwise, simply repaint them until they look new again. Replacing old or worn-out window panes can be done at home without any special tools or knowledge — just be sure to keep a window open, so the paint doesn’t stick to it.

4. Add a deck and plant trees or flowers

If your home lacks a proper way for people who visit you to come inside, then you should consider building a porch or deck that can replace your current front yard. Decks are an inexpensive way to introduce some extra room into your house without doing any major construction work, and porches can do the same as well as give you a place to sit outside. A lush garden can make everything look more attractive, but it will only succeed if you pick appropriate plants and plant them in the right places around your house. It’s also worth considering what type of fruit trees would grow in your climate; don’t plant them in the wrong place, or they could die.

5. Add a water feature

Adding a pond, fountain, waterfall, or other sorts of water feature to your front yard might seem like an odd choice at first, but it can actually attract wildlife that will make you feel more in touch with nature while also making your house’s exterior look better. It will likely take up some room and require maintenance, though, so keep that in mind before committing to this idea.

6. Improve drainage around the house

If rainwater is regularly flooding your front lawn, then you should consider improving the drainage around your home. This often involves installing underground drains or leveling out your land, so that water flows away from the building instead of toward it. You don’t want water to damage the foundation of your house and potentially lead to roof leaks, so this is an important step.

Why is keeping your house exterior in good shape important?

If you want your house to look nice and function well, then it’s necessary that you keep the exterior looking good. Your home reflects your personality and interests, which is why you should pay attention to them before inviting people into your property. Additionally, if your exterior looks uninviting or worn down, then fewer people will want to visit the inside of the building.

There are several ways you can improve the exterior appearance of your home. If you want to encourage wildlife to visit your house or feel more in touch with nature, then consider adding a water feature or planting trees and flowers. Finally, improving the exterior of your home means your guests will feel comfortable visiting you, and you will feel better knowing your house is so beautiful.

Operating for more than 30 years, experienced travel agent Symphony World Travel has helped thousands of clients to enjoy a tailormade holiday through its unique offering. In the wake of the firm being awarded Best Independent Exclusive Travel Agency – Surrey, we speak to Simonetta Nutt about how Covid-19 has affected the industry.

Symphony World Travel opened its first travel shop in Kingswood, Surrey, back in 1984. Now, with a second branch in nearby Fetcham, the family-run firm has been delighting customers with its tailor-made travel options for more than 37 years.

From ‘hot’ destinations of the 1980s, such as Turkey, India and Australia, not forgetting the humble cruise liner, to the modern-day luxury retreats based in far-flung tropical islands, and tours that are very much off-the-beaten track, Symphony World Travel quite literally has the entire world at its fingertips!

Positioned as an independent retailer at the luxury end of the travel and tourism market, Symphony World Travel comes highly recommended from existing customers, with much of its new business coming from word-of-mouth referrals, and it guarantees 100% satisfaction to all of its clients.

Boasting a team of mature and well-travelled staff, Symphony World Travel has an expansive knowledge of the industry and most of the destinations it promotes, offering unique insights into hotels, resorts and towns that only true experience can provide.

It’s no secret that the recent Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the travel, tourism and hospitality sector, practically grinding it to a halt as borders closed and travel was banned as Coronavirus raged on. However, Simonetta Nutt, Co-Founder of Symphony World Travel, has noticed a definite shift in attitude over the last few months.

“There is definitely a strong desire to travel,” she explains. “But on the other hand, we also have elderly clients who are not wanting to commit to advance bookings until things became clearer with the Covid situation.”

The company is still actively promoting its holiday destinations and putting out a regular e-shot emails, packed with fantastic offers and savings, in order to keep the momentum going, as well as arranging and participating in Zoom webinars.

“It has made us re-think the need to be available outside of what was a normal business week,” Simonetta continues, talking about how the firm has adapted to a ‘new normal’. “Emails are now very much at the forefront of any communications, followed up by telephone conversations.”

Once the Government has fully released the UK and the rest of the world from lockdown, Symphony World Travel plans to host more in-house events, working with hoteliers, tourist boards, and travel guides.

“Given the long and restrictive lockdowns, we feel clients will enjoy coming out on an appointment-style visit to see us in person!”

Simonetta is also keen to remind us that, despite the many ‘special offers’ and fantastically low rates available for travel abroad, the general public needs to be constantly reminded of the need to book with fully bonded travel professionals and not dynamically packaged deals they find on the internet. And this is just one of the many things that Symphony World Travel has in its arsenal to differentiate itself from competitors.

“Any specialist travel agent will be on hand 24/7 to look after its clients’ travel arrangements from beginning to end,” she enthuses. “For example, we are always available to travellers from anywhere in the world, at any time!”

As the world slowly opens up again, Simonetta and the dedicated team at Symphony World Travel look forward to new innovations in travel and await what the future holds with a sense of excitement.

“The travel world of tomorrow beckons and even outer space is on the cards…”

For further information, please contact Simonetta Nutt or visit www.symphonyworldtravel.com

If you are looking for a way to finally get your garage organized, then this post is for you. We will teach you the best ways to reorganize and design your space so that it can be functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It doesn’t matter what type of car or bikes you have stored there; we’ve got ideas for all types of garages. Check out the storage ideas below.

Keep It Organized and Tidy

One way of solving your storage issues is by keeping everything organized and tidy. This means that you will be using pegboards or hooks to hang up all of the tools, hoses, etc. Doing this can stop things from being cluttered on the floor, which makes space much more accessible. It also helps keep track of what’s there because everything has a designated space.

Other than decluttering and hanging off items, ensure that your garage is spotlessly clean. You should also know that having a clean garage indicates how serious you are about being organized. Throwing out any garbage, clutter, or junk in the space will help with its aesthetic appeal.

Add Shelves and Cabinets to the Garage For Extra Storage Space

Adding extra shelves and cabinets in your garage is another great way to increase the storage space. These garage cabinets not only provide a designated space for your items but can also be used as decoration. For instance, you could use the cabinets to display trophies and other decorative elements on show in your house.

The best part about these storage spaces is that they give you more room than before because they will free up some of the floor space previously occupied by items. When adding additional cabinets, you must leave enough room for the car to be parked in there comfortably. If this means sacrificing some of the floor space, then so be it because at least your garage will look more organized and clean than ever before!

Hang a Pegboard On the Wall for Hooks or Nails to Hang Up Tools

A pegboard is an essential part of any garage. It will provide you with a spot to hang up all types of tools, hoses, sports equipment, etc. That way, it doesn’t clutter the floor space or take up room in your storage cabinets. You can either use nails or hooks for these boards because they are quite versatile when it comes to this.

Hanging them up on the wall will be a great place for additional tools or other items because it gives you the freedom to reach whatever you want without having to search for them on the floor as before. This is why most garages are known as “man caves” because they provide an area where men can relax and enjoy themselves after working hard all day.

Install a Pull-Down Ladder From the Ceiling For Easy Access to High Spaces

Once you have installed a pull-down ladder from the ceiling, you can easily access high spaces like your roof or attic. This is where most people store their expensive and valuable items because they don’t want them to get damaged in any way. This type of setup allows for safe storage space that will not clutter the floor area or cabinets previously used for these items.

If you decide that this is the best option available, you should look into them because they can provide a lot of benefits to your garage and how it functions overall. Make sure when deciding where to install one, there needs to be ample room in which you will not hit yourself on anything when pulling down the ladder.

Build an Overhead Shelf That Spans Two Walls

An overhead shelf that spans two walls is a great way of storing items in the garage without having them on show. This means it can be left out for all to see and appreciate while still keeping track of your supplies. These shelves are usually made from wood or metal due to their durability and strength, which you need if you want to keep your items on there for the long term.

As a space saver, this is one of the best ways to keep supplies organized while not having too much going on everywhere because it provides a designated area. Ensure you have all the proper measurements before starting to fit perfectly and do your job without any problems.

There are many different ways in which you can make your garage look great. Whether it is through adding storage cabinets or other types of shelving, there are numerous options available to all homeowners who want a better-looking space for their cars and other items. You can use the above suggestions to get started, but you must find the one that works best for your garage.

You wake up, excited about your big plans for the day. Maybe you’re meeting friends for lunch, you’re going for a summery walk, or you’ve got a big day ahead at work. You’ve got your hair and makeup done, and you head to your wardrobe. Suddenly, nothing seems to look good. You throw on an outfit combination in a hurry, but throughout the day, it just doesn’t feel right.

Has this ever happened to you?

You might be experiencing fashion anxiety. We’re under a lot of pressure to look amazing every day and to keep on top of trends, all while feeling comfortable in our own skin. We want to help you combat your fashion anxiety to feel your best every day. So here are our top tips!

Prioritise clothes that are genuinely comfortable

We’ve all been there. We’ve seen a gorgeous dress on a stranger or a celebrity and we’ve dashed out to buy it, only to find that the fit isn’t comfortable. If we’re in poorly fitting clothes, even if it’s the most stunning item in the world when it’s on the coat hanger, we’ll never look or feel our best. It creates an uncomfortable feeling.

If there’s a style of clothing that you know doesn’t feel right on you, like low-waisted jeans or bodycon dresses, there’s no point wasting your time and effort trying to make them work. On the flip side, many people hide themselves away in baggy clothes because the styles they love don’t look the same on them as they do on other people. But shapeless clothing can also knock your confidence!

By finding a style that you know suits you – like a tie-waist dress that accentuates your curves or high-waisted jeans that hug you in the right place – you’re guaranteed to feel confident and stylish when you wear it.

Create a capsule wardrobe

If you’re driven by current trends, you’ll find yourself with a wardrobe full of separates that don’t necessarily work together. If you ever read a piece on the most stylish women in the world, you’ll soon see that they don’t follow trends but instead set them and stick to what they know and love.

Make a note of how you feel when you wear existing items of clothing. If you have a tie-waist dress that you always feel happy in, why not try and add a few more options to your wardrobe? Or, if you feel powerful wearing red, make this the focal point of your wardrobe.

Your capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be bursting at the seams. It just needs to have seasonal items and clothes that you feel amazing in. Having a few separates that you know work well together, like a classic t-shirt, oversized jumper, and stonewash jeans, gives you something to fall back on at any time.

Scared of going bold? Add little details

For many of us, fashion anxiety comes with a fear of stepping out of our comfort zone. If you’re not used to wearing bold, bright colours, the idea of stepping out in a vivid yellow dress can feel daunting.

If bold choices are what your heart desires and you feel good when you put them on (but you’re anxious when you step out of the front door), work your way up to them slowly. Why not dip your toe in with a crossbody bag for women in your favourite in-your-face colour or print? Not only will this not feel overwhelming but it can also brighten up a plain outfit in an instant.

If you adore leopard print and feel sassy in the mirror but intimidated outside of your home, sunglasses with a leopard print frame will ease you into showing off your wild side. Shoes are a great way to accessorise too. Adding a pop of colour with red heels will help them stand out against a white dress.

Once you’ve started to slowly add your favourite bold style to your outfits, you’ll realise how good they make you feel. As you get more confident, start incorporating this more into your outfits. Love animals and quirky prints? A stunning dress with a dog print will be so you.

Fashion anxiety is common. We want to look and feel our best at all times, and that means we can put too much pressure on ourselves. Some of us may also feel nervous about stepping out in bold items, but that should never be a concern. As long as you feel good in what you’re wearing, we know you’ll look good.

Bags are a style staple. Whether you opt for a crossbody bag or an oversized tote, we rarely leave the house without one.

The most popular bags change with the times but also with our needs. If we compare our bag trends today to those of the early 2000s, we can see a huge shift. Gone are tiny pochette bags, and in their place are bigger, bolder items.

Here, we’ll explore how bag trends have evolved over the past decade, using Google Trends data to examine interest levels.

Crossbody bags see the biggest increase in interest

Crossbody bags are one of the most functional and versatile items around. Available in a range of styles, from small crossbody clutches to larger tote styles, structured to slouchy, there’s a crossbody bag for everyone.

It’s clear that we’ve recognised the versatility of this style, with interest soaring over the past decade. It scored only 2 out of 100 on the interest scale in 2011, rising consistently over the decade to reach a peak interest of 79/100 in 2021. This makes it the bag style with the highest search interest this year.

We’ve seen this style rise as plastic bag charges were implemented in 2015 and then doubled in 2021. Many large crossbody tote or messenger bags are also roomy enough to fit a laptop in, so this could explain the recent explosion in popularity as businesses have adopted hybrid working. But these bags aren’t just limited to our workwear; suitable for everything from a night out on the town to an autumnal walk through the woods, crossbody bags are essential for every wardrobe.

Handbags and duffel bags are our classic mainstays

Although we see styles rise in and out of popularity, there are some that truly stand the test of time. The handbag and the duffel bags are arguably two such styles. Like crossbody bags, handbags can range from small to large and can be styled to suit any occasion or outfit.

The duffel bag took the crown as the style with the highest search interest from 2014 to 2018, but interest has begun to drop since then, replaced by searches for crossbody and bucket bags. The humble duffel has long been used as a kit bag and a holiday holdall, but are we seeing this slowly be phased out as our everyday bags get bigger and roomier?

When it comes to our trusty handbags, we’ve always turned to them as our bag of choice over the past 10 years – let’s be honest, with so many styles to choose from, they’ll never go out of fashion. This year, we’re seeing handbags get bigger and better, with bold prints and chunky metal detailing.

Tote, shoulder, and bucket bags rise as clutches fall

It’s clear that we’ve shifted to blend practicality with style in recent years, with interest in tote bags increasing from an interest level of 17/100 in 2011 to 64/100, its highest peak yet. Totes represent our interest in roomy bags that can hold everything from our makeup bag to our work laptop and even a change of shoes. Cotton totes are also the perfect sustainable replacement for plastic shopping bags.

Bucket bags, the tote’s slouchy cousin, have also seen a similar increase in interest, peaking at 77/100 in 2019 and holding steady at an interest level of 75 in 2021. Bucket bags are the perfect laidback style – big enough to hold our essentials for a day out and relaxed enough to be comfortable on our arms all day long.

We’ve seen interest in these bags increase as searches for traditionally smaller bags goes down. Interest in clutch bags more than halved in 2020 to 29/100, which is understandable as we were unable to go to places and events that called for a glam clutch. But even in 2021, as restrictions have eased, its interest is still lower than in previous years. Perhaps the pandemic has led to us favouring multipurpose bags that we can use for parties and everyday activities?

The types of bags we use can change over the years. Not only do they evolve in line with fashion trends, but also with our requirements. One thing is for sure – no matter which style we choose, bags will never go out of fashion.

 If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a gamer yourself or someone who knows one; if not, then maybe it’s time to consider becoming more involved in the world of gaming! As with any hobby or pastime, there are numerous ways – both within and outside the game itself – to make the experience as good as possible. Here, we’ve put together some top tips on how to enhance your gameplay:

Invest In Good Equipment

The right equipment is essential if you’re going to enjoy gameplay; without it, it’s like trying to watch TV with the brightness turned down and the contrast turned up. One thing to watch out for is the TV itself: make sure that it’s big enough to give you a satisfactory display, but not so large that any content becomes pixelated on screen. If your screen isn’t HD TV compatible, then don’t just settle for sub-par viewing – upgrade! You’ll love what HD has to offer once you’ve tried it. Investing in a projector and good speakers can also boost your gaming experience significantly.

Similarly, there’s nothing worse than trying to play with an unresponsive controller or one that randomly disconnects during use. Avoid this by investing in either wired or wireless controllers; the former is great for reliability and responsiveness, while the latter can be more convenient when playing wirelessly (wireless controllers charge themselves whenever they’re plugged into your console, so you don’t have to worry about the charge running out).

Consider Your Gaming Area

The area that you play in can have a significant impact on your overall gaming experience. While it might be tempting to grab the first surface available for your Xbox, setting up a dedicated gaming space will certainly enhance your enjoyment of games. Another important factor to consider is your gaming chair and desk. One site popularly known for reviewing gaming chairs has stated that choosing the right type of seat can help improve your love for gaming. Consider investing in a comfortable gaming chair, which features an ergonomic design and a high back to rest your head against when taking a break from gaming. Gaming chairs are also built to support your back and prevent slouching, which can lead to back pain.

A dedicated gaming area makes a good focal point for any room, too. There’s nothing worse than coming home from a hard day of work or school and having no idea where you should relax! A games console isn’t the only thing you might want, either: you could always invest in some wireless speakers so that you can listen to music while playing, or pick up some nerf guns so that your friends and family can join the action when they’re around.

Choose the Right Lighting

Different game genres might require different lighting conditions; for example, it’s generally best determined by how well you perform under certain settings. For instance, FPS games (First Person Shooter) can benefit from a darker environment – if you’re going to be turning up the brightness anyway, then play with it on a lower setting to get that atmospheric gloom that makes for better gameplay.

Lighting can also influence how your console’s display looks: FPS games might benefit from a slight red tint, while certain racing games require more blue tones. If possible, consider investing in different lighting options for different consoles or playing styles; some PC monitors even come with built-in ambient lighting strips, which offer added flexibility!

Colourful

When playing on your TV, the lighting conditions of your room will have an effect on how bright and colorful images look – avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, as this could potentially damage the screen being played upon. Watching TV in complete darkness might also damage your eyesight, so it’s best to avoid this as well.

Whether you watch TV at night or during the day, there’s an ideal brightness level that’ll ensure images are vivid and easy on the eye. If possible, invest in a TV designed for watching from multiple angles – this will make a huge difference to how good everything looks when viewing from different points within the room!

Home Theaters and Gaming Consoles

Home theaters can take gaming to a whole new level of experience; they don’t just immerse you in music and sound effects but can enhance gameplay by making images larger and more vibrant. They’re also great for multiplayer gaming sessions, as everyone around the screen is able to see what’s going on.

Home theaters might require a bit of an investment but are still considerably cheaper than buying individual devices to achieve the same level of performance. They don’t just improve your gaming experience, either – they can also make watching films and TV shows a whole lot more exciting! Whether you’re playing on a console or via an online connection: seeing gameplay interrupted by technical errors and unexpected delays spoils the fun of any game. This is why it’s important to invest in wireless range extenders which help eliminate lags and glitches as well as provide faster speeds for your Internet connection.

The Walls are Important

Just because your TV is packed away doesn’t mean that keeping it on the wall will damage your gaming experience. Instead, you can use a projector screen to show games at their intended resolution – up to 4K! They’re also much easier to use than having to set up your TV every time you want to play, and they allow for more flexibility regarding where you place them in relation to the seating area.

Something else which can improve your overall gaming experience is proper ventilation. You don’t want dust building up around any of the sensitive parts of your computer or console over time, so ensure there’s plenty of airflow throughout this space by keeping windows open during the day. This helps improve air quality, so you don’t have to keep opening up all the windows when you return home after a long day at work!

While the above tips may not help directly within the game, they can all make a difference in terms of how much pleasure you get out of playing. Not only will a suitable chair lead to fewer aches and pains as you sit down to play, but it could also mean an improvement in the quality of your experience. If you’re serious about gaming then it might be worth looking into buying specialist equipment such as gaming chairs and adjustable desks! Good luck out there.

Meditation is the art of being conscious. It’s a form of performing self-analysis, finding peace within yourself, and understanding more about your life. It may seem difficult to attain these things through meditation, but if you have some patience and are diligent in practicing, it will pay off. A lot of people don’t take up on this practice because they think it’s too spiritual or that they can’t do it. Meditation doesn’t have to be difficult, you just need the right mindset when approaching the process of meditation. If you are struggling with finding your own space for it, you can always create a meditation room in your home.

1. Soothing Scents

Introducing comforting fragrances into your meditation room is a great way to calm your mind. Jasmine or lavender are two good choices since these smells promote relaxation.

While candles are traditionally used, they aren’t always a perfect solution because the open flame can make some people nervous and that can have the opposite effect of meditation. The creators of wax melts from Balneaves have noticed that mass-produced candles and wax melts don’t always live up to expectations, since they are made with lower-quality ingredients. Fragrance concentration plays a role in the scent of a wax melt, as well as the burners you use.

Tea-light burners create a stronger fragrance since it heats the wax up more quickly and reaches a higher temperature. Some people find that intense scents are too much for a meditation room, however, and that’s why they opt for electric burners that provide a steadier, milder fragrance.

2. Potted Plants

Having a plant in your meditation room doesn’t just look good, it also increases the humidity of the air, which helps your skin stay hydrated and not dry out. People say that having plants around stimulates their creativity as well.

Since meditation is often used for personal growth, there’s something symbolic about having a plant in your meditation room that represents life. When choosing plants for this purpose, it’s important that you take good care of them. Knowing which plants prefer lots of light and which won’t help you determine which plants to use, and how to treat them.

Some plants that can withstand pretty much anything are succulents, cacti flowers, and palms. These plants are definitely good choices for your meditation room.

3. Soft Lighting

Most meditation rooms are dimly lit, but some people prefer it brighter with overhead lighting or lamps. It’s best to avoid light fixtures that create too much direct illumination since they’ll prevent you from relaxing your eyes and focusing on the things in front of you. As far as lamps go, you’re probably better off using ones that are more diffuse if too much light is bothersome.

Harsh overhead lighting can be annoying for people who practice meditation in the morning or evening since they need to adjust their circadian rhythm. Keep in mind that bright lights reset your internal clock, so it’s best to have lamps with a warmer hue instead. Having some lamps with shades made out of natural fibers is also a good idea.

Installing a dimmer switch can be a good idea if you want to alter the lighting in your meditation room. These switches allow you to brighten or dim the light depending on how much illumination is suitable for whatever task you have at hand.

4. Comfortable Seating

Meditation isn’t just about closing your eyes, it’s about being aware of your surroundings while practicing doing nothing at the same time. 

You can use a futon, fluffy pillows, yoga mat, or anything else you have lying around. Your meditation room should have comfortable seating that doesn’t force you into a specific position. An easy way to enhance your seating are pillows stuffed with buckwheat hulls since they conform to the shape of your head and neck, which keeps you from straining them too much. You can also use a meditation bench if you’re uncomfortable sitting on the floor. An advantage of using this is that it adds height, so you can keep your neck straight while meditating.

Whichever way you choose, make sure you leave enough room for your legs, so they stay comfortable. Being able to shift slightly is also important, so your body stays loose.

5. A Decorative Touch

A meditation room shouldn’t be sterile or bare, since that makes it easier for your mind to wander off. By adding some decor, you’ll give your mind something to focus on other than what’s worrying you. It’s best if this decoration is either natural or brings the outdoors in since that’s where meditation comes from.

Ideally, you want to have something that represents your purpose for meditating, which could be an inspiring quote you found on Pinterest, photos of people who inspire you, a small altar with crystals and candles, paintings, vision boards, etc. There are so many things you can use, so get creative and choose something that’s meaningful to you.

However, you don’t want your decor to be distracting to you, since meditation is about focusing on yourself and nothing else. Make sure you don’t put anything too vibrant or flashy in there, since it can be a major distraction for your mind.

6. Tune Out Outside Sounds

The things that occur outside of your meditation room will inevitably affect you in one way or another, but it’s best if these distractions are minimized. This is why you want to make sure your room is on the outskirts of your home since that makes it harder for people and pets to disturb you while practicing.

Keeping doors and windows shut can help block out sounds, but sometimes this isn’t enough. A good idea would be to invest in a white noise generator like a sound machine (some even come with nature sounds).

If you want to block out some noises but are worried about missing something important, then adding some background music can be a good idea. You’ll still be able to hear some things while enjoying some tunes that help create the right atmosphere for your meditation room.

Although meditation is something that anyone can practice, you need to have the right environment for it. The room itself doesn’t need to be expensive or especially beautiful, since it’s all about what you make of it. You can breathe new life into your space with a little creativity and an open mind. Of course, if you feel like your home isn’t big enough to dedicate an entire room to just meditation, you can always try to integrate everything you need for meditation in your bedroom or living room. No matter what you do, it’s important to make sure your room is relaxing and stress-free since that will help you get into the right mindset for meditation.

While awareness for mental health is on the rise in the public sphere, there is much still to be done when it comes to removing the very real stigma associated with mental ill-health. Through his new project, Mental Collodion, Simon Riddell is endeavouring to inspire positivity in the subject through his art. We spoke with Simon to find out more about Mental Collodion and the medium he utilises.

For as long as art as existed it has offered a magnifying lens to study and explore all assets of human experience and the human psyche. Where words can often fail, art captures in a raw form. It can depict complex perspectives, and ideas with ease like a universal language that operates beyond borders and beyond culture. More importantly here, the final piece offers an incredible insight into the mindset of the artist that composed it.

Simon Riddell, owner of SR Film Photography, fundamentally understands this core concept and uses his work to raise awareness into wellbeing and mental health. After all, it would be a gross understatement to say that the events of the last twelve months have proven to be an anchor on the mental health of thousands of individuals across the UK. Faced with uncertainty and the staggering impact of social distancing, depression and anxiety have spread almost like an invisible unstated second pandemic among the populace. It’s something that Simon unfortunately understands all too well. But opportunity arose – as it so often does in these situations – and a new project was given form and life. That project is Mental Collodion.

But to get the whole picture, we need to step back and look at what distinguishes Simon’s portfolio from the countless others in the field: the use of wet plate collodion. Far removed from the convenience of more contemporary mediums, the wet-collodion process is a highly technical one, requiring patience and care. Today, there are only about a thousand individuals that still use this process for their work, making Simon’s work innately special and unique from the outset.

The long exposure time allows for movement to be captured and preserved, rather than a single frame wrenched from greater context. Creatives like Simon can utilise this aspect to great effect, with experimentation often yielding incredible results.

Crucially, for Simon, wet plate collodion offers a mindful escape as he explained in more detail. “The process is incredibly slow and technical. I have to be completely immersed in what I’m doing and be methodical with it. There’s no margin of error. The chemicals that are used are dangerous and very flammable. I have to be focussed. On the other side, the sitter is in a more relaxed position because the process is so slow compared to traditional photography.” There’s a peace which comes with the work, a space to express himself in an impactful form.

For the sitter, the process is often a cathartic one, allowing a visual representation of the emotions that often get pushed into the background.

From an aesthetic perspective, the final image feels wholly vintage and classical despite the anachronistic individuals framed within. There’s also the historical context, rendering a solemn edge to Simon’s work. One can almost imagine the images of patients at various hospitals rendered immortal in wet collodion throughout the 19^th century. It’s a sobering point of comparison.

Yet, Simon marries the techniques of old within the frame of a modern subject matter and perspective. The result is entirely captivating and evocative, bringing new life into a medium which many had considered long past its prime.  

Simon has also adapted to the unique lockdown restrictions in what would normally be a face-to-face situation. “I’ve developed a way of shooting a wet plate portraiture session online, with the exposure process taking the better part of a minute.”

Ultimately, Simon’s work speaks for itself. The emotions made bare and raw and unfiltered. The presentation is often haunting, though the end image is a powerful one indeed.

Find out more here: https://srfilmphotography.co.uk/mentalcollodion/

Having secured a win of the ‘Most Trusted Crisis Management Firm, 2021’ award for France, GFK Conseils-Juridis is a juridically minded business serving high-end clients with dedication and efficacy, founded by the famous law-man Romain Gerardin-Fresse.

GFK Conseils-Juridis is a legal services company that specialises in a variety of top-of-the-line solutions, including auditing that spans legal, financial, managerial, and fiscal realms. It isolates the issues at hand by way of a thorough and expansive process that considers all elements of a client’s business plan and operational model, creating an action plan that suits each individual situation. By the end of its work, GFK seeks to have created problem solving that enhances profitability. Its clients being influential in its industry, they appreciate this focus, and thus this has earned GFK significant notoriety. GFK also works by taking a technical approach that allows it to use in-depth and rigorous processes, ensuring that every client receives the same standard of excellence. Furthermore, it can tailor each of its strategies to ensure relevance.

Founded in 2017 by legal expert Romain Gerardin-Fresses, one of the top 10 jurists in Europe and top 25 amongst the world’s strategists, he has won several accolades and accreditations for his work. Being an influential figure in the media as well as professionally in his field, he and his company have gained significant renown, enough to win ‘man of the year 2020’ from the Global Investor Magazine, ‘strategist of the year 2020’ by European Business Magazine, and ‘finance and banking lawyer of the year’ from BWM. All these credits have of course propelled GFK to greater success as its clients can see proof of the international professional community’s trust in its founder. He is also the council of many public figures both governmental and corporate. This work specifically has had him be lauded as the ‘rescuer and governments and businesses’, and thus this has brought GFK into wider regard. It prides itself on being able to work together with its clients; this collaborative effort combines GFK’s exemplary model with the client’s own methodologies.

In this way, GFK will seek to not just serve the client with excellent solutions, but to develop alongside them. During the client’s interactions with the company it will seek to refine its own operations as well as that of the client’s. This allows it to, once the scope of an intervention has been defined, resolve the encountered problems appropriately. GFK is present across the world in the Middle East, Europe, the US, and Asia. Due to the scope of its worldwide operations, it has garnered an expansive backlog of technically complex cases that display its vast array of competencies.  It has dealt with everything from mergers and acquisitions to full company restructure. GFK’s consultancy and advice has also been used to contribute to legislative and constitutional changes that impact legal rulings worldwide.

It describes its core focus as the client, first and foremost. Taking a person-centric approach that has the interests of the person and their business at heart – this facilitates an environment where GFK can get a cross-sectional and intimate knowledge of a client’s challenges and requirements. In this way, it ensures it doesn’t neglect anything, and becomes a guarantor of its clients’ security interests. Furthermore, by combining legal, financial, and strategic elements, it can intervene at any level that is necessary to provide a full-service support system. This gives clients peace of mind that they are in good hands when working with GFK, and in this way it makes itself a bulwark against possible external aggression as well as internal logistical issues. By ‘upstream and downstream intervention’, it can also make itself a fundamental part of rethinking strategies that prevent further issues both internally and in terms of managing external attack.

This allows it to bring a fresh voice to its client’s crisis management. It prizes its ability to respond with near surgical precision, conducting its tasks with professionalism and efficiency to stop any disorder in its tracks. GFK’s methodology also allows it to absorb a problem and isolate it so that it causes a client no more difficulty whilst GFK works on the best possible solution. Being a rock upon which a client can depend has become another factor of its business that it is widely known for. Amongst its core target market – large influential bodies and multinationals or high-income individuals with a branded reputation – it has earned its ‘high-end’ label. Its international dimension also allows it to be a growth lever for is clients, with outsourced support in human resource management and commercial dispute management allowing them to grow their connections. In terms of its governmental work, its specific support for this arena manifests in new governance strategies that are developed by its constitutional lawyer and tactical support. GFK also writes content directed at helping in the setup of entrepreneurial or ecologically focused protection schemes; in this way, it has set itself apart from its competition, as this is something unique only to it. For example, it developed a tax system for the eyes of the National Assembly of the country in question, and this was then voted in. The system it developed facilitated the digging out of stronger foundations to allow public projects within the nation, and it was decreed a massive success thanks to the unscrupulous dedication of GFK and its commitment to working in tandem with a client.

With such a proven and storied reputation for excellence and client satisfaction, it has found that it doesn’t need to advertise itself anymore. Working within such an exclusive client base, word travels fast of its exploits, and therefore its stellar word of mouth reviews keep it ahead of the pack in its industry. Its clients recommend it to others in their circles, and clients are selected on a case-by-case basis that allows GFK to keep its integrity and prestige. Of course, at the foundation of all the above, is GFK’s impressive legal knowhow. It is this that allows it to display such a solid competence when handling each job, taking its clients under the wing of steadfast and intelligent legal defences. In this way, it reassures its clients that it doesn’t just work to the application of legislation and texts, but that it studies each of them as a Doctrine, taking in every aspect of the interoperability found in each.

Conscious of the changing paradigm in which it exists, GFK has spent the past year as the world reeled from the pandemic strategizing. Taking a proactive approach to its adaptability, it generated and implemented a multitude of new processes that would allow it to pivot with sophistication and elegance. Its clients were reassured by its hard work in addressing the changing environment of crisis management during this time. Therefore, it looks forward with optimism towards a bright future, and with a new secondary firm opening in Singapore, it intends to continually strengthen its presence in Africa in Asia. The demand for its services there has only increased of late, and it is committed to rising to meet this. With the lofty goal of becoming an ‘omniscient firm’ in mind and an attitude of excellence, GFK is shooting for the moon and will not settle for a miss.

For further information, please contact Romain Gerardin-Fresse or visit https://www.gfkconseils-juridis.fr/prestations

Now in its tenth year, Strickland Interior Design has gone from strength-to-strength since its inception, having recently being awarded the prestigious accolade of Excellence in Innovation – Japan.

“Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?” pondered Paul Gauguin, the French post-impressionist artist of the mid-19^th century. And this is the mantra that has been adopted by Strickland Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Yohei Akao since he first established his award-winning studio.

Born in Hiroshima in 1973, Yohei graduated from Musashino Art University in 1997 having studied in the Department of Spatial Planning Design, and he joined the eminent Super Potato Co in 2001, before finally branching out on his own and setting up Strickland in 2011.

Strickland offers interior design concepts mainly for the hospitality industry, revamping and creating iconic and unique entertaining areas, and Yohei is well experienced in working with international hotels, bars, restaurants, and commercial facilities.

Strickland’s major works are Chinese restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Macau, Restaurants and Bars at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, entire hotel of Hyatt Centric Ginza in Tokyo, Chinese restaurant at Conrad Shenyang, Japanese and Western restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko in Japan, 2 Restaurants and Spa at The Waldorf-Astoria Xiamen, and Waku Ghin restaurant in Singapore.

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a luxury collection hotel and spa in the center of the ancient capital of Japan, is the latest project done in Japan. As the only luxury hotel in the city with its own natural hot spring drawn from thermal waters deep below the ground, Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is located close to one of the world’s most desirable destinations – this being the 17^th Century UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle.

Thermal Spring Spa is located basement. The design was made in a space covered with natural stones due to the nature of Kyoto, where has groundwater veins covered with bedrock. In a rustic and powerful stone space, modern edge lights on the surface of the water create contrast in the section. The foggy rain that falls from the ceiling every few minutes makes you feel a relaxing time in the natural stone. And for the creation of this space, the experience at the hot spring facility “Therme Vals” in Vals, Switzerland, which was the work of architect Peter Zumthor, became the driving force of the design creation. Also Sacredness of religious spaces such as churches and temples are felt. This Thermal Spring Spa experience will be combined with the spiritual experience gained at the temples and shrines in Kyoto to make it a memorable and special stay in Kyoto, Yohei hoping.

In this hotel, the garden is arranged in a space surrounded by restaurants, lobbies, and guest rooms. When designing a All Day Dining restaurant, “how to incorporate the garden with the design?” was the beginning of an important thought. First, Yohei repeatedly adjusted the three-dimensional angle of view to bring the depth and height of the space relative to the garden closer to the sense of space (sense of scale) that Japanese residential architecture has had since ancient times. In order to achieve this creation as a direct sense, design along the columns and beams are dared, which are the structures of the building, and created the framework of horizontal and vertical spaces. This space was created by superimposing the experience at this facility and the geology of Kyoto, which has groundwater veins covered with rock.

Hyatt Centric Ginza is one of the challenging properties as Strickland designed the entire hotel for the first time.

Hyatt’s new brand, which would be the first in Asia at that time, has opened in Ginza, the center of Tokyo, in January 2018. The hotel’s land used to be the headquarters and factory of the newspaper company of Owner. This is the strongest concept part for this hotel, therefore, the story of this hotel was created based on the concept of ‘Media’.

Another major feature of this hotel is its ‘transformation’. This means that there is a spatial transformation, there is a transformation in the production, and it can be used in various functional elements. These can be found throughout the entire hotel.

From the concept stated above, this hotel is full of a story related with the local history and memories of this land, and its expression can be found from anywhere in the space such as art pieces, display, signage and details.

As the world opens up once again, and countries begin to permit travel, Yohei looks to a bright and purposeful future in the luxury interior design industry, creating the restaurants, hotels, and commercial spaces that will amaze and inspire locals and global travellers alike for many generations to come.

For further information, please visit Yoehi Akao or visit www.strickland.jp

Deciding to plan a dream elopement is one of the most crucial decisions you will ever make since many people would oppose the idea. However, life is all about experiencing new things and exploring unique avenues, especially if you have the right soulmate who loves you more than anything else in the world. Marriage is a very special aspect of life for both persons getting married and vowing to support and love each other for the rest of their lives. They want to plan every little detail from wedding shopping to venue decisions in a way that ensures everything will turn out perfectly on the day when their sacred knot is tied.

Isn’t it better to save the money that would have been spent on your luxury wedding at home and use it to plan a remarkably intimate wedding in a highly romantic setting with the classic taste of wine, fantastic restaurants, and beautiful natural view, creating a perfect dream wedding look? Traditionally, people would prefer that their wedding would include their family, friends, and extended family members. However, after the outbreak of COVID-19, wedding celebrations have been greatly transformed. More people now prefer elopements or small crowd celebrations, which require the same expense but are more fun and heartwarming. This is because loving couples get the opportunity to enjoy intimate and personal moments in privacy or with a few trusted people in the natural and charming setting of the Wine Country Destinations. This not only allows people to get a perfect destination wedding but also helps the newly married lovers to enjoy and create eternal memories.

1. Write Down Ideas for Dream Elopement

In planning your Wine Country dream elopement, you should note down all the mutual things that make you and your fiance happy. For instance, you can decide the color themes, the decorative favorite flowers to be used, the places you would like to visit in Wine Country, the shopping plans for your big day, a suitable photographer and choreographer for the main event, and a dream honeymoon hotel in the place.

2. List the Ideas For Destinations

Once you have decided on the ideas for the dream elopement in the Wine Country, you need to choose the specific destination within the Wine Country to get reservations for your lodgings, hotel, and wineries. On the other hand, you also have to make arrangements for vacation spots that you will visit during your honeymoon period. So, here is a list of Wine Country destinations from which you can choose.

Wine Country Travel Destinations

• Paso Robles, California.
• Porto, Portugal.
• Campania, Italy.
• Valle de Guadalupe, México.
• Uco Valley, Argentina.
• Tenerife, Spain.
• Cape Winelands, South Africa.
• Piedmont, Virginia.

Wine Country Venues for a Perfect Outdoor Venue

• SIMI Winery, Healdsburg, California
• Mountain House Estate, Cloverdale, CA
• Beaulieu Garden, Rutherford, California
• Harvest Inn, St. Helena, CA
• Landmark Vineyards, Kenwood, CA
• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, Saint Helena, CA
• Hamel Family Winery, Sonoma, CA
• Viansa Sonoma, Sonoma, CA
• B.R. Cohn Winery, Glen Ellen, CA
• Double R Ranch, Calistoga, CA
• Trentadue Winery, Geyserville, CA

3. Get Help From Professional Planners

When it’s time for your wedding, you want everything to work out perfectly to make this special occasion particularly memorable and forever alive. In order to do so, what is better than asking professional planners to take charge of the arrangements. For this, many wedding planners are offering Run Away With Me Wedding Packages and discounts for the perfect wedding plans. However, before going for any service, you need to make sure they offer a package that covers all the necessary arrangements for a luxurious wedding and honeymoon, at the right price and provides the specific Wine Country destination with which you and your partner are comfortable.

4. Decide Who Will Be a Part of Your Celebration

The primary reason you prefer a dream elopement is that you don’t want a higher number of people to be a part of your wedding ceremony. Since marriage is a special occasion, most people would wish for the most trusted and genuine family and friends to be by your side. So, while making a guest list, you need to make sure you only invite the people with whom you are comfortable and have a special bond.

5. Narrow Down

Once you have noted down some ideas for your elopement and honeymoon: decoration, settings, themes, destinations, photographers, event planners, shopping lists, etc., you should start narrowing down your list. Since the first draft of every plan is very scattered and has several options to choose from, you may need to get assistance from online reviews about the services, destinations, etc., and select the perfect one for every category. However, this idea should be according to the couple’s mutual choices and should not exceed the budget. This is because getting into debt should never be an option. Instead, you should always prefer stability if you want to manage your marriage life in the future.

6. Decide on a Date

After selecting suitable event planning services and making other necessary arrangements, including hotel booking, shopping, photographers, etc., you need to choose a wedding date in collaboration with your partners. However, make sure the wedding date is in the season that suits you the most. For instance, many people prefer autumn and spring for their special ceremonies to ensure they don’t suffer from extreme weather conditions. Then this date should be approved by your office management so that you can get a marriage leave. Once your date is finalized, you need to make reservations for all the wedding arrangements.

A Wine Country dream elopement and honeymoon is a way to cherish life’s most beautiful moments with an intimate gathering in a beautiful setting. Consequently, this type of wedding is preferred by most people since it involves simpler steps and is less of a burden financially and socially. A couple can enjoy a small gathering and a natural setting and get the best photo shoot with a scenic background. There is much more enjoyment to be had when only close and genuine friends and family are in attendance at the wedding. Since many working people want their marriage vacation to be free of responsibilities and stress and their social battery doesn’t allow them to socialize with extended family and friends, they prefer private elopement plans. That’s why professional elopement planners are fancied by most couples, who can give their wedding a perfect setting in a suitable Wine Country destination, and create for themselves a most memorable occasion.

When it comes to looking after our skin, we know the basics. We know proper cleansing can keep spots and blackheads at bay, and moisturising can keep our skin plump and youthful.

In the era of TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, skincare tips are more accessible, but this also means misinformation is easier to spread.

Here, we bust some of the most common myths around skincare.

Myth #1 – oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser

This is a myth that has stood the test of time. For the oily-skinned gals amongst us, it might seem logical to not add layers of hydration on top. Surely drying out our skin will keep the oil at bay, right?

Wrong.

While some people will have naturally oilier skin than others, our pores will produce more oil when it thinks our skin is drying out. Keeping your skin moisturised means your pores won’t go into overdrive to add hydration to your skin. Stick to a light gel moisturiser to add that essential hit of hydration without overwhelming your skin.

Myth #2 – we only need SPF on sunny days

How often do you wear SPF on your face and body? We’d hazard a guess that it’s primarily in the summer or on really bright days. But did you know that the sun’s rays can penetrate through the clouds and damage your skin on cloudy days? Even on cloudy winter days!

It’s recommended that we wear an SPF of at least 30 every single day, even in winter. Not only can the sun cause burning and skin cancer, but it’s also scientifically proven to be the biggest cause of skin ageing.

If the idea of going out without a golden tan fills you with dread, but you’re worried about facial self-tan flaring your skin up, worry not. A new breed of tanning drops come in a clear water form, which eliminates pore-clogging pigments to keep your skin as clear as it is tanned.

Myth #3 – blemish-prone skin needs daily exfoliation

In the age of skincare TikTok, we’ve never had more access to expert knowledge and advice on skincare. As a result, we’re more aware of the ingredients list in our skincare than ever. We know that ingredients many of us considered holy grails in our teen years, like witch hazel, can actually be bad for our skin.

We also know the transformative powers of ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid for clearing out our clogged pores, but it’s easy to get carried away and use these newly discovered ingredients too much. Plus, many of us grew up with the idea that we had to be aggressive to our skin to get rid of blemishes when the opposite is true.

Whether you’ve got blackheads, whiteheads, or hormonal acne, it’s recommended to only use ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid a couple of times a week. Using these strong ingredients too much can cause our skin to become red and irritated and, counter-intuitively, to produce more of the things we’re trying to fight!

Myth #4 – our skin can tolerate extreme temperatures

Have you ever used a steamer or a hot cloth to ‘open’ your pores, then splashed cold water on your face to ‘close’ them? We hate to break it to you, but this isn’t doing your skin any good. It’s a myth that pores open and close – instead, warmer temperatures can soften the walls of our pores, which many people confuse with them opening.

However, using hot water or steam to ‘open’ your pores is a bad idea – this can irritate our skin and dry it out because it strips the skin’s protective barrier. It’s recommended that you wash with warm water, which can still loosen sebum in your pores that your cleanser can then tackle.

We’ve seen a rise in people using ice on their faces to ‘close’ their pores and reduce puffiness, but this is also not good for your skin. While cold temperatures can temporarily bring down puffiness, it has no long-term benefits and can cause redness, irritation, and broken capillaries.

Myth #5 – acne is a sign of bad hygiene

If you were a teenager with acne (or you’re an adult who still experiences it), you’ve heard it all. “Just wash your face more.” “Just drink more water.” “Acne means you’re unhygienic.” And none of this is true.

Acne has many causes, and you are not the issue. Hormones and genetics can play a part, and acne can be difficult to address if you don’t know how. We grew up trying to scrub away our spots with harsh walnut scrubs, but this can actually aggravate acne and make it worse. It’s like we were set up to fail.

Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can help fight acne. Benzoyl peroxide targets the bacteria that causes it in the first place, while salicylic acid helps to clean out your pores. Incorporating this into your skincare routine with a face wash or a leave-on product can help you address the root cause of your acne.

Rest assured in the knowledge that while acne is a tricky condition, it has nothing to do with your hygiene!

Skincare is a hot topic right now, and we’ve never been better informed about it. But with access to so much information online, we can also come across a lot of misinformation. Be sure to do your own research before you try out any supposed skincare hacks or eliminate vital items like moisturiser from your routine.

It’s now spooky season, which means one thing: we have Halloween parties to look forward to!

If you’re looking to host your own Halloween party, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure it’s memorable and suitably scary.

Here, we’ve put together a guide to hosting the ultimate Halloween party in your home.

Create a theme for your decorations

One of the most fun parts of a Halloween party is decorating your home with skulls, spider webs, bats, pumpkin bunting, skeletons, ghosts…the list is endless. And while we love a mish-mash of Halloween embellishments, sticking to a theme will give your party a polished and professional look that wouldn’t go amiss on the big screen.

For a classic Halloween party, go heavy on pumpkin jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs, ghosts and bats. You can also pepper in some black cat cut-outs or ornaments, A few witch statues or hanging skeletons will give off an old-school Halloween party vibe. You could also go for an afterlife vibe, with skeletons, ghosts, and zombie motifs throughout your home. We’ve even seen people throw Halloween parties based on their favourite films – whether it’s a magical Harry Potter party or a scary It-themed ‘do.

Extend the party outdoors

Is it really spooky season if you don’t venture outdoors and feel the chill as you look up at the moon? Extending your decorations and party into your garden is essential. What’s more, you can give your guests some good old-fashioned jump scares with motion-activated decorations that will cackle or shout “boo!” at them as they come in and outside.

We know British weather can be unpredictable, so to encourage your guests to go outside and enjoy the haunting atmosphere, make sure you’ve prepared for all eventualities. If you don’t have a canopy, hang up some windproof umbrellas to create a covered outdoor area. Bonus points if they’re in Halloween-y colours like orange, black, or purple.

Create themed food and drinks

Whether you’re having a crazy dance party or a sit-down affair, Halloween-themed food and drinks are essential for any spooky party. If you don’t have the time to cook a Halloween menu, there are plenty of pre-made items you could get, including eyeball-wrapped chocolate, fairy buns with Halloween-themed rings, or pre-baked biscuits shaped like bats and cats.

If you want to bake some treats yourself, the options are endless. You could make little ghosts out of marshmallows or meringues, a chocolate slime tart, severed toes made from sausages and pastry, cake pops shaped like classic Halloween creatures, monster pizza bites and so much more. Don’t forget about the punch too – make a huge batch and serve in a cauldron!

Organise some scares

They may not be for the faint-hearted, but a few scares here and there are quintessential to a successfully spooky Halloween. You could do this in a number of ways, from changing outfits and giving your guests a fright, to enlisting your fellow party guests, or even professional scarers!

Peppering in some scary sounds into your Halloween-themed playlist is also a great way to get in a few more scares, as well as those motion-sensor witches and ghosts that you’ll pop around your home and in your garden.

Play some Halloween games – with a twist

Games are a great way to add an extra element of fun to your party. Many Halloween parties will get a Ouija board involved, and that’s a classic All Hallow’s Eve activity. If that’s not really your thing, why not try a grown-up trick or treat? You could hide treats (think chocolate, boiled sweets, and maybe even some mini bottles of spirit) and a few tricks (like jelly, hard-boiled eggs, or spaghetti) around your home and get your guests to hunt for them. The person who finds the most treats wins!

You could also use your “trick” items in other ways – get your guests to sit down with their eyes closed and pass around your strange-feeling delights. Tell them they’re handling brains, eyes, and guts – it’s gruesome in the most fun way!

Halloween is one of our favourite times of the year. Not only do we get to indulge in our favourite films and guilty-pleasure playlists, but it’s one of the best party events of the year. By incorporating all of this into your upcoming Halloween party, your guests will have the fright…we mean night of their lives.

Skin is the largest organ in our body. It’s also one of the most complicated ones. Knowing how to take care of your skin properly can help protect you from the harmful UV rays, prevent acne, reduce wrinkles, and more! Let’s explore how to take care of your skin in a few simple steps-cleaning, moisturizing and exfoliating.

CC Creams

CC Creams are all the rage right now, but did you know that they are not meant to replace your daily sunscreen? Try out a CC Cream with SPF 50+, at least. They’re great for an easy no-makeup look or if you don’t have time to layer on your sunscreen and makeup in the morning. Some of the best Korean CC creams on the market offer powerful anti-aging benefits. They also brighten skin and even out your complexion.

CC Creams are better than BB Creams because they offer more coverage and do not leave a grayish tint on your face. They’re also great if you have larger pores because they tend to blur out imperfections. Don’t expect them to cover up major acne or scars though-you will need concealer for that!

Skin Cleansing Routine

Did you know that hydrated skin can prevent acne? After washing your face, don’t dry it with a towel right away. Let your skin remain moist for about 10 minutes before patting it dry. Follow up by applying an antioxidant serum to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

After you cleanse your skin, apply a moisturizer that contains SPF to protect your skin against the sun’s harsh rays. If you already use an antioxidant serum, go ahead and follow up with an SPF moisturizer. It’s important to note here that no matter what product you choose-serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen-it needs to go on last, but it should be reapplied at least once or twice throughout the day.

Exfoliating Routine

Did you know that exfoliation will help improve the overall texture and tone of your skin? I’m sure many of you have heard about microdermabrasion, which is a form of chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation can remove the top layer of skin and reveal a healthier complexion under all that dirt and grime. The most common chemical in microdermabrasion is salicylic acid.

This ingredient helps combat acne by removing dead skin cells, which prevents future breakouts from occurring. Be careful when applying products containing this ingredient, especially if you have sensitive skin or suffer from rosacea or eczema (which often goes hand-in-hand). If you suspect your skin might be too dry after using these types of treatments, use a hydrating mask to restore balance and moisture to the face.

Retinol Treatments

Did you know that retinol is one of the safest and most effective anti-aging skincare ingredients on the market? It’s a derivative of Vitamin A, which has been found to dramatically reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re new to this ingredient, go easy by applying it every other night before bedtime. Wait about 10 minutes for your skin to absorb it completely before continuing with your nighttime routine.

Some dermatologists recommend using a Vitamin C serum at the same time as a retinol treatment. Together, this nutrient-rich product can reverse sun damage and wrinkles caused by age or overexposure to UV rays from the sun. Follow up each application with an antioxidant serum and sunscreen during morning hours. Your skin will thank you for this routine!

Eye Cream

Did you know that the skin around your eyes is super-sensitive? It needs extra attention when it comes to taking care of its appearance. One best practice tip when using an eye cream is to use it at night, especially if you wear makeup during the day. Eye makeup can block pores and prevent these products from absorbing into the skin. In addition, avoid rubbing your eyes, as this will cause more wrinkles and fine lines to appear!

Waxing

Did you know that it’s best to avoid waxing during the summer months? The heat opens up your pores, which makes the hair follicles much more accessible for hair removal. Use this time to take care of any unwanted hairs with threading instead. This technique has been around since ancient times and is still considered one of the most effective ways of removing facial hair without causing too much damage to the skin. The benefits of waxing include the ability to shape your eyebrows, remove unwanted facial hair, and exfoliate dead skin cells.

Knowing how to take proper care of your skin is a lot easier than you think! By following a simple skincare routine, you’ll be on your way to healthier and younger-looking skin in no time.

The Winter holidays are a beautiful time of the year. Few cities are as glorious during winter as Nashville.

The temperatures are harsh but don’t get as bad as in other parts of the country, which means there is still plenty to do in the city during winter.

However, though it might be warm during the day, the temperature can take a sharp turn at night, which you should know and prepare for.

The snow, the ambiance of the winter holidays, and the people in Nashville make it an interesting place to be during the winter holidays. You will especially enjoy Nashville with your family in the winter.

The following are some family-friendly things to do in Nashville this coming winter holiday:

Go to A Concert

With Covid restrictions becoming less stringent, people can now meet in large groups, which means concerts can happen. With Nashville being the country music capital of the country, one of the best things you can do this winter is to attend a concert with your family.

There are plenty of gigs lined up for the holiday season, so you will have your pick of concerts from which to choose. You will find shows happening in the city every day of the week, but not all will be family-friendly.

Check the local websites for concerts and other platforms for the best family-friendly shows.

Sporting Events

Sports are back, and fans can now attend sporting events, making them one of the fun activities in Nashville. You can take your family for a game this coming winter holiday and have some fun. Check the papers and other online directories to see which sporting events are on this coming winter holiday.

Nashville is quite a competitive city, and people there love their sports. The Nashville Predators will be playing several home games during the winter holiday, making it perfect for you to attend one of their games.

On the other hand, the Tennessee Titans only have a few home games this winter holiday, so you may have to search diligently for tickets or pay a lot for them.

Take in a Comedy Show

Nashville is world-famous for its music scene, but it also has a very vibrant comedy scene. Therefore, if you can find an age-appropriate show, you can take your family out for a comedy show and laugh together. You will not miss a comedy show in Nashville if you know where to look.

You should particularly try and see the Trailer Park Boys at the Ryman Auditorium. This year is the twentieth anniversary of the Trailer Park Boys, and they will be celebrating Christmas with a comedy special with a performance at one of the largest venues in the city on Dec 12th. Book your tickets in advance to see the famous Canadian comedians on full display.

Local Barbeque

Nashville is home to some of the best restaurants in the country. You and your family should visit this coming winter holiday, particularly populated with excellent BBQ joints.

Though the air will be cold, the meat will be hot and offer a great dining experience for you and your family.

Visit some of Nashville’s most famous restaurants such as Jack’s Bar-B-Que and Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant and sample their signature recipes. Hot chicken is a prevalent choice around these parts, but you have plenty of options from which to choose.

You can also test other types of local cuisine at the local eateries, which you and your family will enjoy.

There is plenty to do in Nashville this coming winter holiday so ensure you and your family have a good time. The above is a small fraction of the activities available in Nashville. Consult the local directories and find the best events for your family to attend.

Everyone likes to travel. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and being able to take a vacation are some of the things that make us human. But there is more than one kind of traveling – sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name, and other times you may want to explore an unknown destination – both have their perks! Let’s explore how you can make the most of your vacation and make it memorable!

Upgrade Your Stay

No, we don’t mean upgrade your friend’s couch or house-share! We mean changing the location you are traveling to, whether it be by plane or train. When you book your travel arrangements to a new destination, there is typically an option of what kind of room (or area) you would like to stay in. One great way to have a luxurious vacation is to rent a mansion with whoever you’re traveling with. Depending on your budget, you can rent a more luxurious mansion for the same price as the one you paid initially for regular accommodation! 

Also, try going on booking websites rather than going with a travel agency and booking accommodation through them. You can get the best price if you contact the hotel or mansion owner directly rather than paying agency fees. 

Rent a Luxury Vehicle

Tired of wasting time on a bus or an airplane? Renting a luxury vehicle is the best way to get around! Whether you want to rent a yacht, helicopter, or even an amphibious vehicle (just kidding), there is usually more than one option of luxury vehicles and/or boats that you can rent in your travel destination. While this might sound like an expensive option, it can be cheaper than taking a taxi or bus to your destination (if you’re going over a certain distance). Not only that, but you get the bonus of not having to deal with annoying strangers.

Get a Limo Driver

Speaking of not wanting to deal with strangers, getting a limo driver is always a great way to make your vacation more luxurious. A little pricey, but worth it! A lot of times you can find package deals for this too if you’re planning on renting one during an event or at night – there are pros and cons to both options, so think about what you’ll be doing before booking this option.

Get a Massage or Spa Treatment

There is nothing quite like ending a long day of exploring by getting a massage! Whether it’s an aromatherapy massage, facial treatment, foot reflexology, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage (my personal favorite), or hot stone therapy – there is plenty to choose from when it comes to massages and spa treatments. Simply search for the closest “spa” or “massage parlor” to your hotel and schedule an appointment today! 

This is especially a luxurious option for women if you’re traveling with your girlfriends.  You can make massages and spa treatments a part of your bachelorette party in the destination of your choice!

Add Another Night to Your Stay

If you’re in paradise, why not stay in paradise for just a little bit longer? Sometimes there are deals where you can add another night to your stay for free or with discounted rates. Some places will even give you an upgraded room if their hotel is fully booked due to high demand – it never hurts to ask! Don’t forget when planning your trip, whether it’s luxury or not, to always travel prepared. This means making copies of all important documents (like ID), packing things like extra underwear and socks as well as sticking to your budget so you don’t break the bank. 

Choose the Right Location

When traveling, everyone has different priorities – some like spending time with family, others like exploring the city they’re in. So when it comes to your vacation, you may want to prioritize what is most important to you and choose a location accordingly! If you need peace and relaxation, stay away from big cities where there will be lots of people and maybe even noise coming from outside-unless this is exactly what you want out of your trip! Think about what makes you happy and choose your destination according to that! 

To make your travel experience luxurious, visit places that have that “vibe”. For example, if you want to go to Italy, visit Venice or Portofino rather than Pisa or Milan. You can also choose to stay in a big city yet visit the outskirts of the town to enjoy some peace away from all the people, traffic, and daily noise!

Pack Accordingly

One luxury you can bring is extra items of clothing or other travel accessories. A great way to make your vacation more luxurious is by bringing the clothes and amenities more expensive brands to offer. It will help you feel like a million bucks! 

Pack accordingly for where you are going – if it’s a beach destination, bring your bikini and sunscreen, along with some flip-flats in case there is no shade on the beach. Bring workout gear with you as well so that when you’re done exploring the city or relaxing at the beach, you can work out and refresh yourself. 

Be Careful With What You Eat

While we all want to indulge ourselves during our travel experience, be careful about what kind of food you eat. Most restaurants in a travel destination will be all-you-can-eat or buffet so try to avoid these kinds of places if you want to stay healthy! Instead, eat fruits and vegetables at your hotel restaurant. If you must go out for food, choose a healthier option that isn’t fried. For example, opt for grilled chicken or fish rather than chicken tenders or fish and chips fried in oil. 

Now, you might not want to do all of these things on one trip (especially if they’re not in your budget – like renting a luxury mansion). But maybe try booking a spa treatment at the end of each day on vacation to make it feel like a real vacation. Renting a luxury vehicle will allow you to explore more in your spare time, getting a massage or spa treatment will help you unwind after all that exploring, and if nothing else is working for you then just add another night at your hotel! 

So you have just bought that brand new fish tank, or are just about to pick one up. Congrats! Your fish will love it and you will be able to enjoy watching them swim around for hours on end. But if you want your fish to stay alive, you need to make sure they are healthy first, which means taking proper care of the tank environment around them. This article is going to help give some tips on how to properly maintain a saltwater aquarium so you can better understand what is entailed in caring for your precious finned friends. 

Get everything you need in advance

When you get the new fish tank home, make sure you have everything before you start setting it up. This means either getting a kit that already has all the equipment in it or going out and buying them yourself. It is a pain to run around looking for a tube or net that may be needed later on during setup. So do some research and know what you’ll need beforehand so there are no unpleasant surprises afterward. Many stores offer quality aquarium supplies online, so you can research and compare different offers and find what best suits your needs. Also,  read the instructions thoroughly so you don’t end up using the wrong equipment or the right equipment the wrong way.

A properly stocked tank is a happy tank!

Just like with any living thing, the more you put in it, the more you get out of it. This is especially important with fish tanks because too many fish can cause problems for the tank environment due to over-population. The general rule of thumb is 1 inch of adult fish per gallon of water. Make sure your pet store knows how big your particular type and brand of fish will eventually get so they don’t sell you any that are too big to go in your sized tank! Another important point to make is that fish should be of a similar size and temperament. Smaller fish should not be kept with larger ones, as the larger ones may see them as food or competition for resources such as food and space. The same goes for aggressive versus calm temperaments.

Learn how to clean it properly

Believe it or not, clean water is even more important for fish than its dirty counterpart. This means that the tank needs to be cleaned at least once a month with water changing, which entails replacing about 10% of the total amount of water with fresh, dechlorinated freshwater. There are several different methods to doing this, but most aquarium owners will use a gravel vacuum in addition to the usual cleaning gear (bucket and sponge filter). Using these two items helps clean the tank by sucking up all the gunk at the bottom while also giving your fish some special attention through gentle scrubbing. Just make sure you are careful not to suck up any little fish in the process! 

Monitoring pH levels

PH is an abbreviation for “power of hydrogen”, which makes it a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the water in your tank. The proper pH levels for the fish tanks are between 7.2 and 8.4 but can vary depending on what type of fish you have in your tank. For example, discus fish prefer their water to be around 6.5-7.5, while clownfish prefer levels above 8.0. Keeping pH levels consistent is key to keeping healthy fish with bright colors! Have in mind that the pH levels of your tank will change depending on what time of day it is, so make sure you check them more frequently in the morning.

Water temperature

Fish are cold-blooded, which means they depend on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Fish that are kept at room temperature will become sluggish and sickly, resulting in an overall poor experience for both you and your pet fish! As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your aquarium water between 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit by using an aquarium heater with thermostat controls. Just remember this number can vary based on what type of tropical fish or invertebrates you have in your tank!

Ammonia and nitrates are

These are two chemicals that are extremely toxic to your fish. Ammonia is excreted as urine by fish and will accumulate quickly if not removed through water changes, while nitrates (NO3) are less harmful but can accumulate faster than ammonia over time. Nitrates will also contribute to algae growth in your tank, which still doesn’t pose any serious threats to your aquarium environment but it’s always an unwanted addition! It’s best to test for these chemicals regularly with a liquid testing kit that can be found at most pet stores or online retailers of aquarium supplies.

Taking proper care of your fish is not that hard. It just takes a little bit of time and some patients. Having these tips in mind will help ensure that your fish live a long and happy life and let you enjoy your time watching them swim around your tank!

The amount of stuff an average person collects throughout their lifetime is daunting. Even if you’re a pretty lowkey individual who hates clutter and routinely donates old clothes to make space, etc., you’re bound to end up with way more things than you’ve bargained for – which makes the ever-elusive search for more space a challenge. This is especially true for anyone who lives in a small space with limited storage. Eventually, it feels like the walls are closing in on you, and everything is a mess. Luckily, there are numerous smart solutions these days to help you maximize space in your home, and also store your belongings in a safe and organized manner. The following tips should help make life a lot easier.

Declutter First

Even if you’re not the type of person to go around simply accumulating a ton of things, it is still possible for you to get rid of clutter and hold onto items that you need, or as Marie Kondo would say, “spark joy.” The decluttering process will also help you figure out other problem areas in your home, and how best to maximize space, since you’d be focusing your energy on things you definitely want to keep. Anything you’re not using either needs to go, be resold online, or donated. If you have a few items that you think should be upcycled then create another category for them, too. In general, ensure you get rid of anything you don’t use. If you’re not reaching for it enough then it’s probably garbage. Or, better give it to someone who could actually make use of it.

Consider Off-Site Storage

This may seem like jumping the gun a bit since finding smart solutions for your storage issues was mentioned earlier. This is definitely still the case, however, you should consider the get-go of offsite storage as well, and make use of that option. The thought of finding off-site storage can be discouraging for you but if you want to reserve a storage unit, the process is far more streamlined these days, and you’re bound to find different and affordable options in your area. This can also be really helpful when considering that you may be in between moves or are waiting to downsize and need to sell off a few precious pieces of furniture. Even if you’re not in the market for long-term storage, looking into another place to stow away larger items might be a smart move.

Maximize Your Space

As anyone who’s ever had to live in a tiny space with two other roommates will tell you, living in bigger cities where real estate comes at such a premium can be rough. It means that you need to make excellent use of every square inch, and ensure that your apartment is used as efficiently as possible. Look into functional containers and portable closets to organize your clothes and personal belongings. Clear storage containers are key, since the old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” definitely applies. If you’re never able to clearly see what you own, you will be inclined to ignore it altogether, then forget that you own it in the first place. This increases the likelihood that you’d go out and buy something similar, which simply adds to your clutter. Not to mention, it’s not very economical. Furthermore, clear storage containers save you time since you’re bound to quickly find what you’re looking for – especially when they’re labeled properly.

Other things you can look into can be decorative baskets to hold different knick knacks of varying sizes, which makes the most of your space while also adding a nice functional decor. Be sure to be on the lookout as well for storage bins that come in different sizes and maximize the use of space efficiently within the container itself. For example, some bins are made exclusively for the storage of DVDs and BluRay discs, making them easier to organize while taking up as little space as possible. In addition, this may seem obvious at first, but buy containers according to the materials you need to set aside and ensure that the size is appropriate for your storage space. Not measuring things properly will just be a waste of space and will cause you more headaches.

No matter where you live, or what your budget looks like, you’re probably annoyed at some level with the kind of space you have, or the lack thereof. Everyone is prone to disorganization, and storage will always be an issue. However, implementing a few simple tricks should solve the problem and make life a lot easier. 

United Kingdom, 2021– LUXlife magazine announces the winners of the 2021 Parent & Baby Awards.

When it comes to parenting, every parent wishes to give their child nothing less than the best. Parents are not only looking for high quality products and services for their child, but also for themselves. The Parent and Baby industry has seen a surge in extra care and concern from parents due to the ongoing pandemic. This has resulted in parents choosing and showing a high demand for premium quality hygiene and healthcare products for their child.

The much-needed boost in the demand and supply of the industry has led to many companies striving for improvement and innovation to ensure they are able to cater to the needs of anxious parents.

The aim of this awards programme is to recognise the businesses and professionals who have adapted with time and are determined to keep improving their products and services to provide better care for those it seeks to serve.

On the success of the winners, Awards Coordinator Gabrielle Ellis has commented: “It has been a pleasure hosting the Parent & Baby Awards this year and I am so proud of all winners who have shown so much dedication during this turbulent year. A big congratulations to all the winners and I wish you all the best for the future.”

To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit https://www.lux-review.com/lux_awards/parent-baby-awards/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.

ENDS

Notes to editors.

About LUXlife

Welcome to LUXlife, the quarterly luxury lifestyle magazine that offers a glimpse into the world of the glamorous.

Spanning the highest net worth individuals from around the world, LUXlife readers are a distinct breed. They know what they like and are willing to pay for it. As such, we showcase the products, services, attractions and events that will appeal to them. Some of the world’s most internationally renowned brands, individuals and products are highlighted in our magazine so that our esteemed readers will find everything they need to truly live the life they deserve.

Our website, digital publication and diverse array of awards programmes cover all aspects of high-end lifestyle, including the finest, food and drink, hotels and resorts, health and beauty, automotive, jewellery, art and technology. Within our pages you’ll find everything from product news and reviews, to in-depth news, trends, features and comment, all designed to inform, entertain and inspire in equal measure.

Ultimately, at LUXlife we only showcase the best of the best, so you can rest assured that you are at the very cutting edge of the latest luxury trends and high-end developments.

LUXlife is part of the AI Global Media publishing group, a UK based company which was established in 2010.  AI Global Media has 11 brands in its portfolio currently and is dedicated in ensuring quality in everything it produces, in turn offering maximum value for every reader, subscriber, advertiser, contributor and client alike.

It isn’t surprising to see that London came top – the capital is the biggest city in the UK and has more than enough fun activities, romantic hotspots, and fantastic and intimate places to enjoy food and drink. London’s score was much higher than other cities, with 281 romantic hotels, 1,870 romantic restaurants, 7,925 attractions, and 713 spas, which brought the total to 10,789.

Although London hasn’t been given the same romantic reputation as Paris or Venice, it certainly has its own charms. Get dressed up for a high-end night in the city with your favourite heeled boots or dress down for green spaces and relaxation.

The Scottish capital Edinburgh ranked second with 104 romantic hotels, 1,870 romantic restaurants, 7,925 attractions, and 88 spas, making a total of 10,789.

With a medieval atmosphere and feelings of chivalry, Edinburgh is a romantic hotspot for many couples to elope to, full of castles and stunning architecture.

Liverpool ranked third with 13 romantic hotels, 167 romantic restaurants, 1,269 attractions, and 37 spas, totalling a score of 1,513.

Liverpool offers a unique range of things to do with cruises, walks, and incredible sightseeing including late Georgian architecture.

Glasgow ranked fourth with 14 romantic hotels, 212 romantic restaurants, 1,059 attractions, and 54 spas, bringing the total score to 1,339.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and is adorned with beautiful Georgian architecture. With a rich history for those looking to explore and a vibrant nightlife for the partygoers, there is something for everyone.

Birmingham ranked fifth in the Minimoon Destination Index, with nine romantic hotels, 176 romantic restaurants, 846 attractions, and 26 spas, resulting in a total score of 1,057.

Birmingham is home to Cadbury World in the leafy suburb of Bournville, as well as a Peaky Blinders tour, and a Tolkien Trail (home to The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien).

Make your minimoon a time to remember and plan some romantic yet fun ways to spend your time together – romantic walks, intimate meals, and fantastic drinks in a new city.

It’s been a tough 18 months, and like many sectors, the wedding industry received a huge blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the marriage rate fell by 69% in the UK, with approximately 73,600 weddings and same-sex civil partnership ceremonies postponed to 2021/2022. Those who were lucky enough to wed had to limit the number of guests, host virtual ceremonies, socially distance, and scrap the reception buffet. But as the economy slowly tries to rebuild, we reveal a number of pandemic wedding trends that will emerge after the pandemic.

Tech-savvy ceremonies

The industry implemented a digital model during lockdown, and the demand from couples continues to grow. With the likes of businesses adjusting to the ‘new normal’ offering virtual bridal appointments and online venue tours, planning a wedding has been made easier for future brides and grooms.

Livestreaming a wedding was once reserved for celebrities and royalty, but thanks to clever technology platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Skype, loved ones are able to attend virtually on the big day.

Eco-friendly and sustainable

The growing trend towards supporting local businesses and minimising environmental impact will continue to influence couples’ planning decisions. Reports suggest that just one wedding alone can produce as much as 20kg of plastic waste – from cups, gift bags and fake confetti.

Shifting to more sustainable décor such as invitations made from recycled paper, vegan menus, and composting any leftovers will help to reduce landfill waste and better impact the environment. These accessories can be bought from small and independent businesses found on sites like Etsy, Not On The High Street, and local markets.

New research from North London Waste Authority (NLWA) also shows that two in five people planning weddings in the next five years say making their wedding as green as possible is a key priority.

Small, intimate weddings

As a result of lockdown restrictions and budget restraints, the desire for more intimate events gained popularity. The option enabled couples to hold a celebration sooner than expected and on a money-friendly basis. So if you’re searching for a wedding venue in Newcastle, check out smaller, more intimate venues like boutique hotels or even one of its famous castles!

Research conducted by wedding planning website Hitched reveals that getting hitched midweek is considerably cheaper than weekend weddings because there’s less of a demand for them. Many couples are also choosing to buck the trend completely, shunning extravagance in favour of a micro-wedding.

Opting for a smaller ceremony gives you more freedom, lessens the nerves, and allows for quality time with your guests.

Sober-curious ceremonies

From a glass of bubbly to an open bar, alcohol has always been seen as essential for the big day, but more and more couples are putting alcohol-free alternatives on their wedding menus. Those choosing to avoid or reduce their alcohol intake for personal or wellness reasons will have a huge impact on the weddings of the future.

According to research, 89% of couples said they would have guests who aren’t drinking alcohol at their wedding. So, if you’re hosting your wedding in a County Durham hotel, ensure they are catered for by asking the bar to offer quality soft drinks and mocktails.

Creative catering

A wedding cake doesn’t need to be four feet tall and traditionally flavoured – more and more couples are personalising their culinary delights as smaller guestlists have led to innovation. We’re seeing unique cupcakes and spectacular grazing boards flood our Pinterest and Instagram feeds.

Hygiene is also at the forefront of everyone’s minds, so serving individual portions rids the worry of a cramped buffet and shared cutlery. According to research, couples needlessly chuck out a tenth of all their wedding food – running up a food waste bill of £488.

Businesses, brands, and suppliers must continue adapting to these consumer demands – from the venue to the vows – to ensure they offer the best possible experience for future newlyweds.

Looking for luxury destinations and want to get away from the usual? Here is a list of luxury travel destinations that offer breathtaking views that will surely provide an experience you’ll never forget.

1. Kauai, Hawaii

It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with an incredible landscape that’s perfect for hiking. There are also many spas for relaxation and rejuvenation. The town of Hanalei is not only scenic — it’s also filled with top-notch restaurants serving mouthwatering seafood. As stated by koloalandingresort.com it is a secluded island away from the city, with a cool breeze that will surely make you want to come back for more. It will surely blow your mind.

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

A town in the Campania region in Southern Italy is one of the most popular luxury travel destinations in Europe. It offers spectacular views and plenty of photo opportunities. The beach has a fine pebble shoreline dotted by natural grottoes during low tide which is perfect for swimming. There are also plenty of great seafood restaurants to choose from! It’s definitely picture-perfect — so don’t forget your camera!

3. Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia

Bora Bora island is located within a flight from Tahiti, which makes it a perfect destination for those who want to get away from the city. It is surrounded by clear blue waters and has an incredible coral reef which you can explore. The island itself offers luxury resorts and hotels that will make your vacation even more memorable.

4. Queenstown, New Zealand

Want to experience both urban and country feel all in one destination? Then head off to Queenstown. You’ll find amazing views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls just about everywhere you look! There’s plenty of activities for adventure seekers, as well as gourmet restaurants serving local cuisine — best enjoyed with a glass of fine wine or champagne! It may be a tiny town, but it sure does offer much excitement!

5. Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos is a group of tropical islands in the West Indies with numerous luxury resorts to choose from. You can also enjoy white powdery sand beaches surrounded by beautifully clear waters perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. There’s even a Marine National Park you can explore, where you’ll discover over fifty different species of coral! Not only that, “The Baths” is another popular destination on the island which is home to spectacular rock formations along its coastline, making it one of the best places for snorkeling in the world!

6. The Maldives

The Maldives are a collection of tropical islands in the Indian Ocean with stunning white-sand beaches and amazing scuba diving sites. It’s one of the best luxury travel destinations, perfect for honeymooners or just anyone who wants to enjoy idyllic island life! The waters are incredibly clear, so you’ll have nothing but beautiful scenery around you at all times! There are also plenty of water sports to choose from, as well as fine gourmet restaurants serving exotic cuisine — which is perfect for foodies!

7. Santorini, Greece

Santorini or “The Island of the Sun” offers stunning views of red-roofed houses on the cliffs, which is perfect for fine artsy photography. There are also plenty of wineries offering delightful samples of local wine. Don’t forget to make a stop at the Caldera with its spectacular black sand beaches, which are great for swimming! It may be an archipelago, but it certainly makes up for it with its top-rated luxury hotels, resorts, and spas that offer ultimate relaxation!

8. Bali, Indonesia

Bali offers plenty of white-sand beaches ideal for both swimming and surfing. The island is well known for its lively festivals, artsy culture, and adventure! There’s also a wide range of spa resorts that offer traditional Balinese healing rituals to relieve yourself from stress. It also has plenty of dining options you can choose from, whether for fine dining or traditional cuisine served in an exotic style — best enjoyed with a glass of wine or champagne to top it off!

9. Switzerland

If you’re looking for a luxury destination where nature meets culture, then Switzerland is your best bet! You’ll find beautiful mountain views, lush green forests, and tranquil lakes perfect for photography. The little town of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy winter sports, while the small villages in the province of Ticino offer delightful scenic views during springtime! If you love biking, hiking, or just enjoying an outdoor walk, this place is definitely worth visiting! You may even spot some wildlife during your stay! It’s one of Europe’s most expensive countries, but it certainly has its ways to impress visitors with its top-notch hotels, resorts, and spas that are all worth it!

There is nothing worse than spending hours cramped into an airplane, bus, train, or car with people you aren’t even friendly with. This article will give you tips on how to still stay as comfortable as possible during those times that you don’t have much choice but to endure some degree of discomfort while traveling.

Is comfort the key to happiness?

People who travel a lot know that the key to happiness is comfort. Sometimes comfort also means taking days off of work just so you can relax and enjoy yourself without having to worry about deadlines and whatnot. The point is — we all want to be comfortable when we are traveling, but sometimes it isn’t possible and due to certain circumstances we must undergo some level of discomfort in order to stay safe and reach our destination quickly and efficiently.

What should you bring?

There are a few essentials that you should always have on hand whenever you travel. You never know when these things will come in handy — but they definitely do — so just keep them around. An extra pair of socks, comfortable shoes, an eye mask, ear plugs, hand sanitizer, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm, water bottle (empty), snack bars, back up snacks bars, gum/mints, a travel smoothie blender, heater… The important thing is a pillow and blanket. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer and the temperature outside is over 100 degrees — always bring a pillow and a light cover because those little airline cabins get cold.

Tips

Here are 8 tips of staying comfortable while travelling:

1. Dress in layers

Dress in a way that you can easily take off one layer of clothing if it gets too hot, or add another layer if it gets too cold. By wearing multiple thin layers instead of one thicker layer, your skin will breathe better, and you won’t get overheated when the sun is heating up the inside of the vehicle. Also, when traveling at night, use an eye mask, so you can sleep comfortably knowing that light won’t sneak in through your eyelids.

2. Bring entertainment

Just like when you are stuck indoors for any reason — find ways to keep yourself entertained! Download some music onto your phone/iPod/mp3 player before leaving home, or bring along a book. If there is an emergency and communication with the outside world is impossible, you will have something to do that can help pass time.

3. Don’t eat junk food or drink too much coffee.

These are just some of the things that will put added pressure on your bladder — meaning more stops! Not fun. Eat healthy snacks instead of comfort foods, so your body is operating at its highest level possible. You don’t want to go through all this trouble only to be worn out before reaching your destination. Of course if you are traveling for a few days it’s okay to indulge yourself occasionally — but make sure to eat well most of the time. Also, limit coffee intake because caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it makes you have to go to the bathroom more often.

4. Always bring a toothbrush and toothpaste.

If you don’t — you will be miserable by the end of your trip… I think we all know this from personal experience. Also, it never hurts to have some breath mints with you as well. This way, if there is an emergency and no one drives by for a while, forcing you to wait in the hot sun or cold rain — at least your mouth won’t smell bad!

5. Wear comfortable clothing

Now don’t get me wrong — if a certain outfit looks amazing on a model, then go for it — but if that doesn’t look good on YOU, then don’t be discouraged from wearing it just because someone on TV said it looks good. Comfort is key! Make sure to wear shoes that fit your feet and clothes that don’t restrict your movement in any way.

6. Rest

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, think about where you are going, and let all the tension out of your shoulders. It’s okay if you can’t sleep on the trip — try to rest as much as you can because when you arrive at your destination you will be happy that your body was given time to heal instead of dealing with fatigue from driving or not getting enough sleep the night before.    Also, the extra rest will give you more energy for all the fun things to come!

7. Protect your skin

Don’t forget sunscreen if it’s bright outside, and wear a scarf or something to cover your neck/face when it’s hot, so the sun doesn’t burn you. Also, if there is no one else around after dark, turn on some lights inside your car, so bugs don’t fly toward you because their only source of natural light is coming from your headlights. And finally — remember that even though there are other people in the vehicle with you — consider yourself alone. Doing this will help calm anxious thoughts about being stuck out in nature by yourself at nighttime.

8. Stay hydrated

Always bring a bottle of water along and drink it often to stay hydrated. If you feel like you need more than just water, then there is always soda or juice that you can reach for as well. Just remember to only drink the amount your body needs because drinking too much plain water will make your stomach hurt and possibly give you a headache.

Why should you be comfortable when travelling?

Well, of course you don’t want to be miserable on your trip. However, there is a larger reason why you should be comfortable when traveling. It’s because the more relaxed you are on your trip, the better memories you will make. We all know how great it feels to return home from a vacation feeling completely exhausted but extremely excited about the adventures that took place — now reverse this idea and think of how horrible it feels to return from a vacation feeling completely exhausted and frustrated because you were uncomfortable the entire time. Not fun at all!

Traveling is something that everyone should find time to do in their lifetime. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just down the street to visit family, use these tips to make your next trip stress-free and more comfortable than ever!

Planning the perfect vacation is not an easy task. But it’s worth it, especially if you are looking for a vacation that will make you feel like royalty. There are many things to do in order to plan the perfect vacation, but here are some of the most important aspects.

Research the best time to visit a certain place

You have to figure out the right time to visit a certain vacation spot in order for it to be the perfect vacation. If you choose the wrong month, your vacation may not be what you expected because of many factors like different weather conditions. 

Every place has to be researched before booking a trip, but tropical islands require way more attention. Always watch the news and ask around about when is the best time to visit Hawaii because you don’t want to get stuck inside your hotel because of bad weather. This way, you’ll ensure that you have a vacation filled with outside activities that you love the most.  

When researching about these locations, take into consideration when they are most popular and how crowded they will get on those dates. It’s also important to consider climate differences between seasons within each destination due to its proximity with water bodies which could affect temperatures significantly.

Make a list of what you want to do

A list of activities is the best way to plan the perfect vacation. If you are not sure what you would like to do, try brainstorming ideas with your family or friends.

• Museums and galleries 
• Zoos and aquariums 
• Local events taking place in the city center 
• Restaurants and cafes (with local cuisine)
• City tours
• Theme parks and attractions 
• Shopping centers or markets 

This is just a list of ideas of what to do, but once you find out about all the opportunities at the place you’re going to, it is time to make your own list. It’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss out on any fun activity while you are there. 

Research accommodation

A luxurious vacation requires the perfect accommodation, and vacation planning is not complete without researching the different options. The traveler should be able to rely on their accommodations for comfort, cleanliness, safety, and convenience during the vacation time away from home. 

There are many hotel websites that offer additional information about each room type they offer. This can include amenities offered with a particular room as well as links where vacationers can find more details about these rooms via external sources such as social media sites or blogs written by past guests of those specific properties. 

The next step in lodging research would be to seek out reviews written by other people who have stayed at that property previously so travelers will know what others think of it before booking anything else online. Accommodations may also come highly recommended by friends or family members who have vacationed in the same location. 

Figure out a budget

Once you know where and when to go, as well as where you’ll stay, it is time to plan your vacation budget. Establishing a firm budget before you begin is extremely important, as it will allow you to be mindful of how much money goes where during the vacation planning process. A vacation budget will be instrumental in helping to determine which attractions and activities are included on the vacation itinerary based upon affordability.

Be honest with yourself about what kind of vacation experience you want for this trip. If possible, try putting together an estimated daily spending amount over several days or weeks leading up to your departure date, then compare that number against any expenses that might come up while traveling and vacationing. 

Look into travel packages that include everything you want

Finding the perfect travel package for your vacation can be overwhelming. You have to figure that out what vacation package because it is likely they will not have everything included if you choose one without knowing what it is you want.

Vacation packages are great because they typically include the hotel, flights, and maybe even activities at a discounted rate for those who don’t like to plan ahead or wait until the last minute. Travel package deals can be found online at various sites where you can find amazing deals that fit your budget perfectly! 

Do some research about different types of transportation

Researching transportation in order to plan the perfect vacation is crucial. Once you know what options are available in the area, it will be easier to determine where your hotel will be located and which activities can easily get access to on foot or by car.

If you’re staying at a resort that only has private cars available for guests, then exploring outside of the resort will be difficult. You can bring a bike or walk to nearby areas, but the weather may not always cooperate with vacation plans.

This is why it’s essential to do this before departure!

Traveling and having a perfect vacation is everyone’s dream which is why you first must determine when you’ll go. After that comes the activity list, accommodation. travel package and transportation options. Once you know where to go and what to do, you have to make a budget so you don’t come home broke! Have a fun trip! 

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional chef or a backyard barbecue, when it comes to preparing cuts of meat evenly and tenderly perfection is key. There are certain techniques and methods that can be followed to ensure the best possible results from every piece of meat you cook. Take a look at some of the top tips from expert chefs around the world on how to make tender and tasty BBQ: 

Know Your Meat

Choose the right cut of meat If you are cooking something tough like ribs, there are some tricks that can make them tender. For instance, if you are using spare ribs, then braising may be a good option for you. The longer the meat is cooked, the more tender it will become. This makes it easier to break down collagen and connective tissues. Roasting on the other hand is another great way to go about preparing larger cuts of meat since it not only tenderizes but its flavor infuses into each bite as well.

Marinades & Brines

An easy way to add some flavor to your meat is through marinating or brining. Either one of these processes consists of soaking your protein in some sort of seasoned liquid. These liquids are usually acidic in nature, but can really be anything you want to flavor your food with. If you are marinating, then the best way to go about it is to do so overnight or for several hours before cooking. 

Temperature Is Everything

When it comes to BBQ, the general rule is a low and slow method of cooking. However, keeping a certain temperature range for each type of cut will result in tender meats as well. When you cook your food at too high a temperature, the proteins inside toughen up thus rendering it less appetizing. Before putting the meat on the grill make sure that the meat has been preheated. Avoid using very high temperatures when grilling because this will make the meat dry and tough. You should learn how to BBQ and use your grill for the best results anytime you are cooking. You should also make sure to take into account what particular cut you have as well as its thickness before deciding on what temperature should be applied.

Rest & Cut Against the Grain

This basic guideline applies to most types of meat. After your food is cooked, you should always let it rest for a few minutes before serving in order to let juices redistribute and reabsorb into the food. This not only results in tender meats but also makes it easier for you to cut portions when ready. Cutting across the grain will result in strings that can be unappetizing and tough to chew through accordingly. This is especially important for briskets and flank steaks were following this method will make even more of a difference than usual.

There are several tips and tricks for making BBQ perfectly tender, knowing which ones to utilize depends on what makes all the difference. Some people believe you should always use low heat so that connective tissues have enough time to break down while others think high heat should do the trick. The key is becoming familiar with each type of cut and knowing which method of cooking is best for each one. Don’t hesitate to experiment not only with flavor but method as well to achieve the best possible results when making your barbecue. Bon Appetit!

Your smile should be something you are proud to show off, but it can be hard to be confident in it if you have poor dental structure/formula. It would be best to find the right ideas to get a confident smile through the right dental solutions. These can range from the standard solutions at home to some at the dental clinic. 

When you are searching for the right solutions, you need to consult with your dentist. If they offer the product or service, get it from there. When you don’t know where to start, here’s a guide that gives you a few ideas of solutions you can explore. 

Some of the practical solutions you don’t even need to get from the dentist’s office. You can order them online, and they’ll still be effective. Here are some of the solutions that will ensure you have that confident smile again. 

Daily Flossing

The first thing you need to explore is flossing daily. You don’t need to go to the dentist to get floss. You need to do this at home and make it a habit for each of your family members, especially the kids. 

This should be something that people grow up with and have much confidence in their smiles as a result. Flossing will remove the plaque that sticks around between the teeth. It also gets rid of the plaque under the gum lines too- places the toothbrush won’t reach. 

When you do this, it will also prevent tartar and plaque from building up under the surfaces on the gums. When they aren’t cleaned, it can cause periodontal disease, leading to bone destruction. It can also be a cause for tooth loss which won’t do your smile any good. 

Visit a Hygienist Twice Annually

Another solution for a better smile is to see a dental hygienist at least twice per year. This should be done once every six months to promote oral hygiene. With improved oral health, you will have a much better smile, and confidence will soar. 

With regular cleaning of the teeth, you help avoid periodontal diseases. Seeing a dental hygienist can help prevent bleeding gums, unsightly swollen gums, and receding. All these can be a result of periodontal diseases. 

The disease can also cause stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart attack, and premature birth. Overall, the dental hygienist can assure you better general and oral health. The hygienist won’t only clean your teeth; there are several things they will do. 

They will screen for health conditions such as oral cancer and high blood pressure. The dental hygienist needs to do this as most health conditions start from the mouth. Once you have been screened, you will be aware of the problem and follow up with a doctor. 

Limit Coffee, Red Wine, and Tea Intake

Your favorite beverage may be the cause for the unconfident smile you have. When you look at tea, red wine, and coffee, they are well-known for staining teeth. Not just on the outer part of the teeth, they can cause staining on the tooth enamel. 

When these drinks superficially stain your teeth, this is something that a hygienist can clean off. If it’s in the enamel, this can cause some bit of complication. You can opt to have these drinks through a straw – though unnatural. 

When you drink through a straw, you can reduce the stains on your teeth and prevent tooth decay. It would be best if you also rinsed your teeth every time you have had a drink of any of the above. This will prevent the dark liquid from sitting on your teeth for long periods. 

Drink Plenty of Water 

Out of everything you drink, water is the healthiest of them all – for the teeth and your overall health. When you drink plenty of water, you can flush your teeth clean, and this will keep off decay. Ideally, tap water is the best as it has the recommended fluoride levels. 

Most of the bottled water that seems flashy doesn’t have monitored fluoride levels. Some don’t even have fluoride at all – the cost of it and all that. The proper levels of fluoride will help your tooth have better health and prevent decay. 

You need to take at least two liters of water a day to improve your oral and general health. Also, after every sugary drink, or any acidic drink, you need to use water to wash it off. If you are an athlete, you are at higher risk of teeth issues due to the effects of sports drinks. 

Get a Quality Toothbrush

Many people, you too, may have a manual brush, but is that the right quality brush you need for better dental health? You probably should look at getting a quality electric toothbrush. These have been proven to remove plaque and improve gum health. 

These brushes have different modes for whitening and also for whitening teeth. The bodies are also made to last for years – you can always change the head when needed. You can change the head based on age and as the head ages too.

You can also have the same body for the sharing among family members, but crucial to have different heads for each of you. 

When you don’t have the money to get an electric brush, you shouldn’t lose hope. You can get a soft manual brush. You may get various medium and hard-bristled brushes, but you need to avoid them—dental professional advice against using anything other than soft-bristled brushes. 

Get Dental Care Quick

You may be presumptuous about dental conditions and think they correct themselves eventually; they don’t. When you have any form of dental disease, you need to visit the dentist fast. This isn’t something you can wish away like a bad vibe; you need care. 

For example, tooth decay left unattended can cause a small cavity to a vast tooth abscess. This would have been something that a tooth filling could have quickly helped. When it becomes a large tooth abscess, you may now need a crown or a root canal. 

When you treat your dental conditions early, you may not need to get into invasive dental restorations. You may not need that dental implant in some cases when you get the conditions checked up early. You will have all your teeth in place. 

Seeking dental attention early means that you will easily be able to keep the structure of your teeth – their stability too. This will ensure that you will spend less on teeth treatment as the issues won’t have escalated. When left unattended, teeth conditions spread fast, and this can cause severe infections through the body. 

Cosmetic Surgery

You also have the idea of cosmetic dentistry as a solution to help you have that confident smile you have been looking at. And there are several types of cosmetic dentistry that you can look to use, for example, 

• Dental Implants 

You can lose one of your teeth due to various reasons, failure to deal with a condition early being one. When it happens, you can opt to get an implant to replace the tooth. 

When you get an implant, what happens is, there’s a screw that is placed in the bone socket, ideally, of the missing tooth. After the tissue heals, this will occur around the implant, and a tooth is attached as the area is stable. 

Another way you can use cosmetic dentistry to have the smile you crave is by use of veneers. Here, a small layer of porcelain is placed over the natural tooth to improve its appearance. They can also use resin instead of porcelain. 

When you have chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, this is an excellent option. 

Though preferred dental implants may not be an option in some scenarios, dentures are used to replace missing teeth when this is the case. This is a prosthetic device that sits on your gum and is removable. And, you need to remove them every night – also, use the time you have them off to care for them. 

The downside to this option is that they aren’t a permanent solution. You will need to ensure they are replaced every five to ten years. Your dentist will advise on how often the ones you need to be replaced after screening. 

• Teeth Whitening

For that ultimate smile, you need to have white and aligned teeth. Teeth whitening is the best option when you want to show off that white smile you have. There are no invasive ideas here, as you may have seen above – there’s no drilling involved. 

You can find plenty of teeth whitening products out there that can help you with this. Be cautious about whitening products, though. You need only to ensure you use them under the advice of your dentist. 

Your teeth are specific, and they need their whitening program – not all programs will help you. Some of them may even end up hurting your oral health rather than helping. 

Brush Twice a Day

Another idea that you can use to have a confident smile effectively is regular brushing of your teeth. It may be one of those things you ignore, but you need to ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. This can be effective in avoiding oral diseases. 

Here, you only need to find the right toothpaste for your teeth needs. For example, some have sensitive teeth, and others do not. When you have sensitive teeth, you need to get toothpaste that deals with the condition. 

You need to use either an electric toothbrush or a soft-bristled manual brush, as you have seen above. Ideally, it would help if you looked to brush your teeth after every meal – that can be a challenge, though. It would be best if you brushed at least once in the morning and before you go to bed, after dinner. 

How you brush your teeth also matters, you need to focus on only two teeth with every stroke of the brush. And you need to apply just enough pressure, not too hard to bruise your gums. Keep your gums healthy as much as you try to get rid of most of the plaque. 

Improve Other Health Conditions

You can also ensure that you have a better smile by managing other health conditions well. Some health conditions can affect your oral health and mess up your smile. The likes of high blood pressure, obesity, bruxism, and diabetes can affect your teeth. 

Your body can’t deal with all that if you don’t manage these conditions well. Your body will be straining, making it hard to heal other health conditions – teeth conditions may escalate.

Don’t try to cover up for these conditions; you need to be careful to manage these conditions and use preventive measures. One idea that you can use today is eating right, getting enough rest, and exercising your body. These moves will help your body, and that will improve your teeth and gums too. 

You also need to ensure that you visit the doctor as often as possible to handle these conditions. 

Give Up Smoking

That smoking habit you have may affect your overall oral health and affect your smile’s confidence. Most of the stains caused by smoking can soak deep into the enamel of your teeth. It isn’t superficial that can only be polished off at the hygienist visit.

Smoking will also damage your gums in the long run. You will find that your gums will start to recede and have massive pockets in between the teeth. When these spaces appear, your teeth begin to look longer than they are. 

Smoking will also create dark spaces between the teeth. After all these, it will be hard to reverse gum diseases when one occurs due to smoking. For the sake of your oral health and to get that confident smile, smoking is a habit you need to kick out. 

A confident smile can help improve your self-esteem, and you need to try as much to get it. You can only get it when you improve your dental health. Here are some of the top dental solutions that will help you feel confident with your smile.  

It can be difficult to tell if someone you care about is developing an addiction.  If your loved one seems anxious, irritable, or moody; has lost interest in things they once enjoyed, or shows signs of physical deterioration like weight loss or tooth decay, it might be time to intervene. Here are 8 warning signs that should prompt a conversation with them about their substance use and the potential for getting help.  These are just some of the most common warning signs observed by people who have dealt firsthand with addiction – there are many more specific to certain substances so don’t hesitate to ask for professional help if you think your loved one needs it!

1. They drink/do drugs every day

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. While people do need to let go and unwind, daily substance abuse can indicate a bigger problem – whether to self-medicate for an undiagnosed mental health issue or to try to “fit in” with a certain social group.

2. They’ve become secretive about where they are/who they’re with

When your loved one starts to lie about their whereabouts, or closes off communication channels like phone calls and emails, it could be a sign that something is wrong. It is hard to help people who don’t want to help themselves or refuse to admit they need help in the first place. Anything that is forced onto addicts, even if it’s the world’s most luxurious treatment center, won’t do any good if they don’t recognize they have a problem first. If these actions are accompanied by secrecy around the substance itself or lying about how much they use, it may be time for an intervention.

3. Their substance use has become more frequent, or they’re using it alone

Obviously, the more your loved one uses, or if they seem to be using alone or in secret, the bigger red flag it is that something is up. If you’ve ever wondered why alcoholics drink alone though, it’s because they’re afraid that if anyone sees them drinking, they’ll be judged. This is why you can’t let your loved one drink alone; it enables an addictive cycle!

4. They’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms

If your friend or family member seems to develop strange symptoms like nausea, vomiting, shakiness, and anxiety when they’re not using, it could be a sign that their body is becoming dependent on the substance and they need help getting clean. This is one of the earliest signs that can occur before addiction takes root, making it critical to intervene as soon as possible.

5. They’ve lost interest in activities they used to enjoy

If your loved one stops caring about the things that they used to enjoy in favor of substance abuse, it’s another sign that something is wrong. This can be a sign they’re using substances as a sort of coping mechanism for stress and anxiety related to these activities (whether it’s work or school or family life). It takes a lot of time and even more patience to help your loved ones, so make sure you have those before you even start trying to help.

6. They exhibit personality changes when intoxicated

This can be a sign that the substance has begun to affect their brain chemistry. People who abuse alcohol, for example, may become angry and belligerent when drunk, people who use hallucinogens might display rapid mood swings or disorganized thoughts, people who use opioids like heroin, painkillers, or fentanyl often struggle with feelings of depression and anxiety after using, among other symptoms.

7. Their personal hygiene has declined

A big sign that a loved one is struggling with addiction is if they’re not taking care of themselves anymore. This can be a sign that the thought of going to work or going to school brings them anxiety because their drug use has affected their health or ability to perform well.

8. They have a history of mental illness, or they exhibit signs of depression

Addictive substances affect brain chemistry so if your loved one has a history of mental illness, it’s more likely that they’ll struggle with addiction. If you notice they’re acting more quiet and reclusive than usual, this could be a sign they’re depressed and trying to self-medicate.

Additional tips on how to help your loved ones battling addiction

• Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help. When you’re not sure if your loved one needs help, don’t hesitate. They may not know that they need help or they might be aware but aren’t ready – either way, the sooner you get them the care they need, the better it will be for everyone.

• Ask about what’s going on in their life, this includes both good and bad things. This will allow you to assess what is causing them stress or anxiety and how you can help out. Sometimes people start drinking because of a difficult event like the death of a loved one; other times, people start drinking because they are hungover from work each day.

• Reach out when you’re concerned. If you notice any signs of substance use, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask them what’s going on and if they need help. It may be difficult for your loved one to hear that you’re concerned, but it’s important that they know someone is observant enough to catch the warning signs of addiction so they can get help.

• Take them seriously if they come to you for help. If your loved one does ask for help, don’t be afraid to take them seriously and do everything in your power to make sure they get the treatment they need. Provide unconditional support because it can be difficult for someone who is abusing substances to reach out on their own without feeling judged or embarrassed.

• Don’t attempt to take control of their problem for them, even if they ask you to do so. If your loved one asks to be “taken care of,” don’t step in and try and manage the situation yourself – it will likely backfire and cause more problems than you could have ever imagined.

• You should never cut them off. This action will discourage them from getting help because they’ll do anything to get their drugs or alcohol even if you won’t support them. Instead, set boundaries about what you’re willing to do and talk about the consequences that will happen if those boundaries are crossed. You can also offer your loved one a variety of different resources that could help as well as modeling healthy coping skills for them to learn from you!

If you see any of these signs, it’s important to intervene as soon as possible before addiction takes root. Because addiction is an issue that affects the entire family, it’s critical for loved ones, friends, and even acquaintances to be aware of what red flags they should look out for when concerned about a friend or family member’s drug use.

Planning a party for your child can be both an exciting and daunting task. There are so many things to take into account, from the budget to the guest list, but you should never forget the most important element-fun! These seven tips will help you plan a birthday party that will be memorable for all of the right reasons.

1. Set Up Fun Carnival-like Snacks

Decorate the table with sweets, treats, and colorful candy. Not only will your guests love it, but this is a great way of saving money on party bags! Fun options for kids include ice cream, candy cane, cotton candy, slushies, and more. And what’s best, you don’t have to do it yourself. You can arrange machines for everything as you can find a Slushie machine hire in Sydney along with cotton candy machines and similar. The kids and adults will love it and it will save you time too!

2. Get to Know the Guest List

Who is coming to the party? Who are your child’s closest friends? Who doesn’t he or she get along with well? These questions are important to ask yourself when creating a guest list, as they can largely determine how much fun your child has on their special day. Your child’s friends should all be there and feel welcome. If the children are really young, you should also invite the parents and have a separate area for parents to hang out, get to know each other, and talk about the kids, as well as keep an eye on them.

3. Make Your Own Party Bags

It’s not necessary to buy party bags in-store, making your own is much more fun! Not only will you save money, but you can customize it however you like with treats for your child’s age group. For example, if you’re hosting a birthday party for younger children, put candy or toy cars in the bag. Older children might appreciate a book, accessories for their DS console, or whatever it is they’re into at that time!

4. Get Creative with Decorations

Make a feature of your child’s favorite things and include them in the decorations. If you know what his or her current obsession is (mine is unicorns!) use it in everything, from the invitations to the cake. Not only will the kids love it, but this is a great way of adding your own touch to the party while saving money! For example, you don’t have to buy balloons or decorations – just print out pictures of their favorite characters and stick ’em on.

5. Organise An Activity

If you’re hosting a party for young children, an activity is a must! If they have something to look forward to as soon as they arrive at the birthday party, it will keep them occupied and entertained until it’s time to open presents. Plus, activities are a great way of breaking the ice before everyone mingles and gets to know each other! Popular ideas include a craft station, a treasure hunt, a dress-up station with a photo booth, a magician or clown, or even an inflatable obstacle course. Whatever you do though, make sure it’s age-appropriate.

6. Keep Them Entertained

This is where the activities come in, but you should also have a playlist of party tunes on hand to keep everyone entertained. This is another great way of saving money – you don’t have to play DJ for hours! Just set up a speaker and let them dance until they’re tired, then it’s time for cake!

Kids get entertained by a lot of things and it’s important to talk to your kid to get the idea of what kids their age like, listen to, what they do for fun, and many more details. Remember,  it’s your kid’s birthday and everyone there is their guest, you should make the party what they like.

7. Let Your Child Take the Lead

Kids love to feel like grown-ups and you must let them take control of their own party! If they have an opinion on anything from the menu to who comes to the party, always give them a choice whenever possible. This is also a great way of avoiding any potential fallout – why not let them pick their own gift if they’re heading that way? Your child will be the center and life of the party and making their special day extra special is your mission. 

It doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive to host your child’s birthday party-just sit back and enjoy it! If you make the experience fun for everyone involved, it will be a day they won’t forget. 

Lively, colourful and one of the most Instagramable locations of London, Notting Hill is the ideal location for your next relaxing staycation. With Covid-19 still dictating our lives, travelling abroad has only started to become an option with a large number of restrictions and safety procedures. So, most people are deciding to travel within the UK and explore places they probably never have before. This article will list all the places you need to visit in Notting Hill to gain the full experience.

Places to eat

The world-famous location boasts some of London’s most popular café’s serving the most delicious food in the area. If you are health conscious and prefer to keep your meals light and healthy but still full of flavour, then Farm Girl is your ideal spot. The Australian style café offers delicious brunch all day and is located on the most bustling street in Notting Hill, Portobello Road.

If eating healthy is not your priority when on holiday, then Mazi is your place to go! The Greek restaurant serves traditional recipes with a modern twist and is all about promoting the Greek culture through their delicious cuisine. You’ll find the stylish venue tucked behind the Notting Hill Gate station, which also makes it an easy place to get to if you plan on spending the day in a different area of London.   

The bars in Notting Hill are also an experience in themselves. The Ginstitute for example, is a cocktail bar where you not only create your own gin but are also given the unique opportunity of speaking to one of their qualified Gin Instructors. They will take you through the history of gin as well as the opportunity to taste different botanical ingredients in order to create your own concoction of delicious gin. The distillery does however require booking prior to visiting due to their popularity.  

Places to visit

Notting Hill’s most prominent characteristics are its eclectic and quirky antique markets which have stalls that sell everything from vintage jewellery and traditional souvenirs to mouth-watering confectionery and Chinese food. There are many markets on Portobello Road but can be over-crowded with tourists during the day, so the next best thing is Acklam Village. Just down the hill from Portobello Road, you’ll find this bustling village bursting with food stalls that have food from all over the world.

One of Notting Hill’s most prominent attractions is the famous blue door that we all love from the cult Rom-Com Notting Hill, as well as the colourful houses on ST Lukes Mews, which were featured in the festive classic, Love Actually. So, don’t forget to book your ‘Notting Hill Rom-Com Walking Tour’. (Yes, it’s an actual thing!)

Another attraction you’ll find on Portobello Road, is the Electric cinema, which is one of the oldest cinema theatres in the UK. The cinema first became open to audiences in 1909 and has since been restored in order to keep it running. The original architecture has however been preserved. The luxurious film-viewing experience allows you to sit comfortably on large sofas with a bar serving cocktails, champagne and beer. The theatre screens films ranging from art house classics to mainstream films, so there’s something for everyone.

You might be over the moon once she decided to say yes to your proposal. You worked hard to afford a simple but elegant engagement ring, and she finally said yes. You also looked into every detail of the engagement and made sure it was a memorable event. You made the right choice, and you made her believe in your promises. While you’re ecstatic about what happened, it’s not yet over. There are a lot more to look forward to after accepting your proposal. Here are some of them.

Wedding plans

You will start planning for the wedding after she accepted your proposal. It might seem easy, but several factors go into it. First, decide what you want for the wedding and work with your partner to make your dream wedding happen. You can also ask people to help you. Going through every aspect of the wedding can be challenging, and it’s a good idea to hire an expert to help out.

Starting a new family

You want to grow your family as soon as you get married. It’s something to look forward to. Having children will change your life forever. If being a husband is a commitment, it’s an even bigger commitment to be a father. You should get ready to accept the responsibilities that come with fatherhood. While you worry about what’s going to happen, it will also excite you.

Getting to know your partner better

You need to know more about each other even if you’ve been together for a while. Besides, being married is a different matter. It also requires a different dynamic. It won’t be easy, but you will learn a lot from it. You will grow with your partner but also be a more mature individual.

Going on a holiday

After your engagement and wedding day, you have a chance to go on a honeymoon with your partner. It’s not only an exciting moment to share with your spouse, but a long break you’ve been waiting for. After years of working hard, you can finally get a long break and forget about your responsibilities. You will enjoy visiting different places with the person you love.

Having more mature fights

Before the engagement, you already had fights with your partner. The only difference is that you’re arguing about more mature things these days. For example, you talk about fiscal responsibility or how to raise your children. It’s no longer about shallow disagreements. So while it can still be frustrating, you will learn more in the process.

It’s natural to feel worried about your engagement. You’re finally going to commit to the person you love and decide to spend the rest of your life together. There might be lots of uncertainties, but you will feel glad to make the right choice.

Conversely, if she decides to decline your proposal, it’s not yet over. You still have a chance to start over again and be with someone you deserve. Instead, it’s a stumbling block that will bring you closer to the one you love.

Some home improvement ideas are simple, quick to do, and inexpensive. Unfortunately, when looking for something luxurious or decadent, most simple improvements come up lacking.

Personal opinions about what’s luxurious vary depending on what you’re already used to. To manage that, below are four ideas for a touch of luxury that may be appealing. 

A Hot Tub for a Soothing Soak

A shower is usually a quick activity that gets the job done in a perfunctory manner. Even with the latest glass-enclosed, square-head shower systems, it’s difficult to classify it as relaxing. However, with a hot tub, that all changes. The therapeutic jets of warm water hitting your body encourage the muscles to relax. If they’re a bit burned out from an enthusiastic workout, it’ll be just the thing.

Here is a range of hot tubs from Oasis Leisure that provides a good starting point when shopping for your first one.

Home Theatre to Watch a Movie in Style

The family room may get too busy with the kids, or it feels too accessible in a shared house. Creating a home theatre can resolve these issues. It’s a self-contained room designed to provide the ultimate viewing and listening experience. Fitting soundproof tiles and sound deadening flooring can contain the sound emanating from even the most enthusiastic speaker system. This way, the other occupants won’t complain, especially if they get to use the home theatre room too.

While a large TV is one way to go, a projector is a popular approach now. You are not restricted to the screen size and in a darkened room, it looks amazing. Just ensure you don’t bring in distractions like notifications popping off on your phone.

Wine Cellar to Add to Your Collection

When your wine collection is pushing the limitations of a wine cooler, it may be time to create a dedicated wine cellar.

Keeping wine cellars at the correct, constant temperature is important to avoid wine spoiling. Therefore, effort must be made to create a cellar that’s capable of consistently managing the temperature levels. This includes during power cuts where a generator may be required to ensure the cooling systems remains operational.

Being able to show your friends into a new wine cellar to select the right merlot for their upcoming meal is a bit showy. However, for a wine enthusiast, there are more benefits to having one than impressing guests.

Crown Moulding for Elegant Style

Modern rooms with excellent interior design can look the part but lack some sophistication. If this is what you’ve discovered after the fact, then you may wish to consider crowd mouldings.

These are fixtures that are installed where the top of the wall meets the ceiling. They are usually white but can be adjusted to accent the existing décor. Fortunately, they’re also fairly simple to install, even after major renovations have been completed.

Many luxurious touches are pleasing both personally and when guests are present. When regularly entertaining business guests or personal friends, they can convey success and engender confidence for potential dealmaking too. So, they can sometimes be an investment that pays dividends.

Welcome to the 2021 Autumn Issue of LUXlife Magazine.

And just like that, summer has once again wound down and its back to work. For many of us, September comes with a sense of resetting and renewal, a chance to turn over a new leaf following the summer and look at our plans and goals as we enter the final part of the year. Whether they be in matters of health and wellness, careers, relationships or wider life ambitions, September presents the perfect moment to reflect on those aims and consider the next step towards achieving them.

In this season’s issue of LUXlife Magazine, we present a whole host of companies that are on hand and committed to helping both present and future clients attain those goals, while considering how they as a business can better themselves as well. A featured company in this month’s issue, for example, is Spec Chem Group, a leading innovator of cosmetics that is not only working to raise the quality of beauty products and wellness solutions across the globe, but also driving towards greater sustainability and responsibility in its own operations and those of the industry as a whole.

Once again, we invite you to join us as we explore the offerings of some of the best in the worldwide luxury industry in this month’s issue of LUXlife Magazine, and wish you well for the month ahead.

There is an old saying that the best things in life are free. That may be true, but there’s no denying that nothing can compare to a gift of jewelry – something special and uniquely personal. The woman who receives it will wear it every day as a reminder of your love for her. And you’ll know she’ll never take it off because she loves you too! If a special day for you two is coming, and you don’t know what to give her, our list of elegant pieces of jewelry is just what you’re looking for. Go on and check it out!

1) Gemstones

Gemstones are great gifts for women. They go with any kind of outfit, and they can be worn along with other items or alone. The list of gemstones is endless. For instance, amethyst makes it easy to accessorize an outfit without trying too hard – it goes well with silver jewelry. You could get her some amethyst earrings or a pendant made of sterling silver. If your girlfriend likes green, get her some peridot earrings or rings made from Moldavite, an extraterrestrial gemstone that brings good fortune. There are thousands of different styles with various combinations of metal and gemstones. Choose a piece of jewelry that includes her favorite gemstone, or go with one which has the color she adores the most. The price range varies considerably, so regardless of your budget, there will always be something to fit it.

2) Sapphires

Sapphires are maybe the most famous gemstones thanks to their connection to blue color. And they can go with any outfit thanks to their versatility and classic look. You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to buying sapphires for your significant other – sapphire earrings, pendants, rings, necklaces… you name it! They are also available in different shades of blue, so you can get her the one she likes best. Sapphires come with silver, gold, or platinum mountings, so choose according to her taste and budget. You may also find them in various sizes. 

3) Diamonds

Diamonds are women’s best friends, and they are forever! And it’s the stone every woman would love to have in her jewelry box. While there are thousands of options when it comes to diamond jewelry,  you could go with a classic piece like diamond hoop earrings or a pendant. But, nothing is more iconic than a diamond ring, and they have been given as gifts for centuries. They are said to symbolize love, strength, and purity. A diamond has the power to make her feel unique and special, and you’ll see how delighted she will be when it’s time to open your gift!

4) Pearls

Every woman loves pearls, they’re elegant and classy. They don’t go out of style and still look as stylish as they did 50 years ago. They are the perfect accessory for evening wear, so try to find a piece that works with her dress code. Long pearl earrings will add elegance to any ensemble she chooses to put on, whereas pearl rings make great options for more casual events. If your girlfriend likes to look stylish without spending too much time on her outfit, try getting her some beaded pearl bracelets or necklaces. They are available in sterling silver and gold-plated options, which will allow you to choose between price points depending on your budget.

5) Silver

Silver has been a staple in the world of jewelry for thousands of years. It’s beautiful and classy, plus it can fit in with a wide range of outfits. If you want to buy a gift with a simple yet elegant touch, choose some silver earrings. But if your girlfriend prefers something bigger and statement-making, go with a silver necklace. They are versatile, look great, and won’t break the bank either. Silver is not as expensive as gold, but sterling silver pieces are still available to fit any budget.

6) Gold

Gold jewelry has always been associated with royalty – only the rich could afford it. But nowadays, you can find classy pieces of gold jewelry at affordable prices. If your girlfriend loves wearing elaborate outfits, go with some gold pieces like earrings or bracelets. They will pop out beautifully against her skin tone and complexion. Nothing is more elegant than diamond-studded gold earrings, they’ll make any outfit look sophisticated even if she’s wearing something casual.

All of these pieces are classy and elegant, and they’re sure to impress your girlfriend no matter what you choose! They range in price depending on the materials and style, but each one is worth the investment and is sure to make her feel like a queen.

You’ve just discovered a wedding invitation in your mailbox, and you can’t wait to RSVP, but there’s one problem — you have no idea what to get as a wedding gift. There are so many options that narrowing them down is a bit overwhelming. This guide explains the six wedding gift etiquette rules guests should always follow so you can confidently purchase a present that any couple will love.

1. Check the Registry List

It’s always wise to check a couple’s registry list before heading to the store. People spend tons of time carefully picking what they need or want for their post-wedding life. They might need household supplies if they’re moving in together or prefer fun stuff they can bring on their honeymoon. Use the list as a jumping-off point for determining what you’ll bring as a gift.

2. Browse Their Social Media

People love to post their greatest passions on their social media accounts. Browse the couple’s individual profiles to see what they enjoy. If they love to travel, you could find a unique experience and give them tickets to incredible things like sky diving or cooking classes. Their posts will reveal interests you could easily use to celebrate their upcoming wedding.

3. Celebrate with Flower Bouquets

Flowers are a classic way to show your love, so they’re an excellent gift for any newly married couple. However, one of the top wedding gift etiquette rules for guests is never to bring flowers to the ceremony. The couple will already have enough flowers on display as their centerpieces and decor.

Get a little more creative and send flowers to their hotel room. The couple will discover the lovely surprise before or after their ceremony if the hotel management team receives all the necessary information regarding who should get the bouquets and when they’ll arrive. Communicate with the florist and the hotel staff so your gift fills the couple’s room with a sweet aroma and surprises them on their big day.

4. Donate to Cash Funds

Some people prefer to skip a traditional gift registry because they want to set up a cash fund. They might use the cash to pay for their honeymoon or purchase a house. It’s always appropriate to donate to the cash funds established on their wedding website if you can’t think of a physical gift or if traditional gifts aren’t wanted.

5. Pull a Group Gift Together

People consider it rude to spend less than $50 on a wedding gift, but what if you don’t have room in your budget for more than that? You can always pull a group gift together if you know other guests. Find something on the couple’s registry and split the costs so everyone can help get the couple what they want without breaking the bank.

6. Mail the Gift Early

Unless a couple requests that everyone bring their gifts to the ceremony, you should mail your gift at least two months before the wedding. It prevents the couple from dealing with the hassle of finding gifts on their doorstep when they’re traveling to get to their venue or host last-minute parties. It’s also a great way to ensure your gift arrives on time if you can’t make it to the wedding.

Follow Wedding Gift Etiquette Rules

These are a few wedding gift etiquette rules guests should always follow, so consider them as you look for the perfect present. When you consider the couple’s registry and your budget, you’ll find something that makes their big day extra special.

When you become a parent, there are so many ways that your life changes. You will start to see the world through a different lens and notice things about your baby that you never noticed before. One big change is how much they need from us as parents to keep them happy and healthy! This blog post will give you some great tips on how to be more active with your baby around the house so that they get enough energy to grow up strong!

Take your baby with you on walks

One of the primary ways that your baby gets energy is through movement. If you want to be active with them, especially as a parent who maybe isn’t used to being too physically active on their own yet, then the best thing for both of you is walks! In this case, you can use a baby bike trailer because this will make riding with your child more effortless. It’s simple because all they have to do is sit in the stroller and enjoy themselves while taking in the sights.

Take advantage of their nap schedules

Naptime is the parent’s best friend because it means they can get some free time while your baby rests. However, this also works in reverse! Sometimes you might need a break and when that happens than having them sleep makes it easier to have quality parent-level time without any distractions or disturbances. Use this time to take them on walks, go for a bike ride and even book some parent coaching sessions if you need an extra boost.

Use their energy in the right way

Your baby’s nap times are great because they allow you to get things done while still being able to be near your child but that doesn’t mean these hours should all be dedicated to your interests. Instead, when they have energy then take them out and about with you so that they can see new things and experience different situations. This will help build their confidence while also helping you exercise!

Start a parent-child workout routine

If it’s been a while since you were active yourself or if this is the first time that you’ve ever been a parent then it might be hard to know how much exercise your baby needs. The best thing for both of you is if you develop a parent-child workout routine where they get some energy out and can enjoy themselves while also getting the benefits from movement! For example, try taking them on walks with their stroller or letting them bounce around in the parent’s arms while you do your squats. This will give you a workout and allow them to build their strength too!

These are just some of the things that parents can try when they want both themselves and their baby to get more active daily. If this sounds like something that would be helpful to you then feel free to give it a try and see how much more enjoyable parent life can be when both parents are active!

Play in the backyard with them

There is also the option for you to play in the backyard with your kid. You can use a ball or anything that will make noise to get their attention. It is best if you play music and dance together while having fun outside.

You can also bring them to parks for some fresh air. Parents are always busy these days, but it would be beneficial for everyone, especially yourself if you take them out to the park. When they have fun and play with other kids, it is good for their social skills as well.

Let them join in during household chores

You can make simple tasks like folding laundry or cooking dinner more fun by including your baby in the activity. Give them some puffs or snacks to hold while you cook, so they feel like they are helping too! If it’s laundry day and you want an extra set of hands, let your little one help you fold towels or put clothes away. Babies love holding onto something, and this is a great way to keep them content while you get some chores done.

You’re a parent and you don’t get enough sleep. It’s hard to find time for yourself without feeling guilty, but you must do so to take care of your baby the way they need. Take them on walks, play in their backyard, set up an obstacle course for them to explore and challenge themselves, sing songs, read books or play games while cooking dinner together. Hold their hands as they walk around the house exploring new things – whatever you can think of! Good luck parents-to-be!

Let’s get straight to the point here… men can 100 percent pull-off diamonds and standout from the crowd, looking dapper and oozing confidence. Diamonds are certainly not just for women and recent trends are beginning to reflect this more.

Historically, men have worn more jewellery and often pieces with a bigger price tag than women. Royalty and nobility used jewellery to display social status and wealth, rather than for sartorial reasons. In modern times, a lot of men have steered clear of styling themselves with diamond jewellery pieces with them often being considered more feminine.

Here, diamond ring specialist, Neil Dutta of Angelic Diamonds, helps us take a look at seven stylish men blurring the lines of fashion and making their mark when it comes to diamond jewellery.

1. Lewis Hamilton: The Bling King

Look no further than the seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton if you want a how-to on wearing diamond jewellery confidently. Often cited the ‘bling king’ of the racing world, Lewis rarely even gets behind the wheel without his signature diamond nose stud.

Off-track, his career isn’t the only thing glittering. Lewis is constantly sporting diamond additions to enhance his personal style – just a glance through a gallery of photos and it’s easy to spot his affinity for embellishment.

2. Jack Grealish: The Diamond Geezer

Next up comes limelight newcomer, Jack Grealish. Jack’s on-the-pitch style has long been discussed amongst football fans, with his distinctive low-sock look raising eyebrows. But his off-the-pitch style really started to get noticed following a successful Euro tournament with England.

Not shy of an eye-catching – and sometimes garish – pattern, Jack’s style definitely requires a level of confidence to pull off, and whether you love it or hate it, he’s certainly paving the way for the bold. Already labelled a diamond geezer, could Jack’s record-breaking transfer to Manchester City bring more bling?

3. ASAP Rocky: Adding an Edwardian Twist

When it comes to diamonds, ASAP Rocky doesn’t do things by halves – but he certainly doesn’t fall into the cliched look that comes with many rappers. Right now, acts like Migos have set the gold standard, so to speak, on what to expect from hip-hop jewellery – but ASAP Rocky’s Edwardian twist to his bling makes him a trailblazer in men’s fashion. Taking something you would expect to find in your grandmother’s jewellery box and making it intriguing to the modern man is simply a breath of fresh air.

4. Jaden Smith: Ahead of the Game

Jaden Smith’s style has always been ahead of the game – challenging gender norms around what is considered stylish for men, long before it became popular to do so. From the age of 17, Jaden was beading his dreads with diamond Cartier love rings. Can you get any more iconic?

5. Michael B Jordan: Mr Chic & Sauve

For a simpler and more refined look, it has to be People Magazine’s 2020 Sexiest Man Alive – Michael B. Jordan. While many throw on a tux and call it a day, Michael knows exactly how to complement his outfits with clean, suave additions for that ultimate note of male chicness.

Whether it’s a subtle diamond pinkie ring, a sophisticated brooch, or topping off his ensemble with his classic diamond stud earrings, he knows a little bit of ice can make a big difference.

6. Lil Nas X: A Sparkling Style Icon

No intention of being subtle? Maybe Lil Nas X should be your style icon of choice. As well as donning bold jewellery, Lil Nas X goes one step further and has even sported a diamond manicure and matching grill – proving that men can sparkle just as much as women!

7. Harry Styles: Classic, Clashing & Super Feminine

Finally, we can’t forget to mention Harry Styles. Last but certainly not least, his style has always defied traditional gender boundaries – he’s never been afraid to embrace the super-feminine. The fact Harry isn’t afraid to sparkle has inspired confidence in many other men.

As well as his gender-defying outfit silhouettes, Harry loves layering statement rings when performing. He often combines classic signet rings with gold and silver items for a clashing look that stands out from the crowd.

Embracing jewellery is a journey and for those still on the fence, maybe start with an embellished watch before working your way up to men’s diamond rings. Whatever your opinion, men adopting diamonds is a trend that’s here to stay.

If you’re looking for an easy way to make money from home, you’ve probably considered exploring the lucrative world of lifestyle blogging. Launching a lifestyle blog can be a profitable venture, but carving out a niche in a crowded market can be difficult. Although the subject matter of a typical lifestyle blog can vary, it tends to feature content curated from the individual experiences of the blog owner themselves. Because these blogs are fairly personal in nature, they can be rather tricky to monetise. That being said, you can improve your odds of profiting from blogging by following a few tried and tested techniques.

Find Your Niche

As the name would suggest, a lifestyle blog usually covers the day-to-day life experiences of the blogger themselves. If your daily schedule is rather uneventful, consider whether or not you’ll have the raw material to transform into engaging content. Although the contents of a lifestyle blog can be varied, the most successful lifestyle blogs out there tend to have a clear focus on a handful of key areas.

An engaging lifestyle blog will almost certainly include some content relating to food, drink, travel and fashion. There’s also scope for content relating to health and fitness, beauty, family and parenting. When developing content for your blog, pick topics that you’re passionate about. This will naturally translate to more engaging material that is likely to attract and retain an audience. Once you’ve established your blog with a decent amount of content, take the time to delve back into what you’ve published. Consider what’s been most successful and build on this going forward.

Curate Content for International Readers

If you’re keen to significantly expand your readership, consider producing content in a foreign language for international readers. Although machine translation is making content more accessible to non-English speaking readers, nothing beats being able to read an engaging blog post in your native tongue. If your existing language skills are lacking, consider pursuing online learning with a foreign language tutor. Mastering a foreign language will not only allow you to curate content for international audiences, it will also multiply your monetisation options.

Avoid Free Blogging Platforms

Although it’s tempting to opt for a free blogging platform, these should be avoided if your ultimate goal is to monetise blog content. It’s always best to opt for a premium blogging platform. Not only do you have the option of monetising your content down the line, you’ll also maintain full ownership of your blog. The best blogging platforms also provide you with advanced features, allowing you to fully customise the appearance of your blog.

Make Money with Affiliate Marketing

This is one of the easiest methods of monetising a blog. Provided you’ve got a sizable audience, you can use your blog to promote products relevant to your niche. There’s no complex steps involved with this monetisation technique. Simply find relevant products that are tied to an affiliate program and you’re good to go. Should someone click on a product and make a purchase after reading your blog post, you’ll earn a small commission.

Monetising Established Blogs

If you’ve been blogging for a while and amassed a considerable audience, you can explore the lucrative world of sponsored posts. For a company to consider paying you to post on their behalf, your blog will need to have a fairly high domain authority. Having a healthy social media following across platforms will also make you more attractive to potential sponsors.

Your hair is the crown you wear proudly over your head. Many people are blessed with luscious thick hair that they like to care for and grow. However, many others suffer from bad hair loss that leaves them feeling insecure and unsatisfied about the way they look.

Men are known to be more likely to lose their hair, especially if they have a history of this issue in their family. Thanks to advancements in science and technology, there are now solutions to combat this issue and give men the beautiful thick head of hair they really want. Here are some of the most useful tips for men to effectively reduce their hair loss and become confident in their looks once more.

Consume More Proteins

Just like any other part of your body, your hair needs good nutrition in order to grow healthily. One of the most essential nutrients for your hair is proteins. The follicles in your scalp need sufficient amounts of proteins in order to grow healthy strands and make your hair look shinier and luscious. You can get protein from meat or eggs as well as some vegan foods like lentils and beans. If you think that you are not getting the nutrients you need in sufficient amounts from the food that you consume, then it can be a good idea to try taking supplements so that you can get the results you want.

Use Natural Products

Many people use different products on their hair to make it grow quicker and healthier. Women are more used to conditioning and treating their locks with various styling products. However, when it comes to encouraging hair growth for men, you should always go for natural products. When men start losing hair, especially if this happens to them at a young age, it can be a genetic issue that is causing the scalp and its follicles to become weaker.

To boost your follicles’ health and trigger quicker growth, you should look for natural products that can stimulate the nerve endings in your scalp. This way, you will start seeing better results without risking your health in any way by using chemical creams or cleansers. 

Reduce Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of hair loss in men and women alike. However, men are more likely to lose strands of hair if they are constantly under too much stress and pressure. This is why if you start noticing a problem, you will need to take a step back and try as much as possible to reduce the stress that you are facing. Make some time for yourself and take breaks when you need them so that your health does not get affected in this way. Try to focus on the positive things in your life and if you feel like your mental health is taking a hit, then you should consider talking to a professional so that they can help you out.

Stay Hydrated

Your hair needs enough hydration so that it does not end up falling over time in great amounts. You should try to drink sufficient amounts of water on a daily basis, especially if you are an active person who is always out and about. It is also important that you wash your hair regularly and ensure the water is getting into every strand and follicle. A lot of men think that washing their hair on a regular basis can cause hair loss. However, this is far from true. Your scalp needs the water to stay clean and nourished so make sure you wash and air dry your hair on a regular basis. 

Consult a Physician

To be able to reduce your hair loss condition effectively, you will need to fully understand what is the root of the problem. If you have tried to self-diagnose and treat yourself with home remedies and natural products without seeing any noticeable results, then it can be a good idea to consult a physician. An experienced doctor should be able to tell you what is causing your hair loss and how you can stop it once and for all.

Hair loss in men can be quite frustrating, especially if it happens at a young age. If you are starting to notice this issue, then you should not feel bad as there are always solutions. Make sure you speak to a professional so that they can diagnose the root of the problem and help you find a proper treatment. You should also try to reduce stress as much as possible and make sure you use natural products and supplements where you can for healthier and quicker hair growth.

No matter what gift you’re looking for, it’s important to know the recipient. If they collect something, then gift them that! There are many different types of things that people like to collect and we will go over 6 of the most unique ones.

Vintage Items

Vintage items are older versions of the products that we see now. Many people enjoy collecting vintage gift ideas because it’s interesting to them to think about how different things used to be.

Many times, they have a unique design or tell a story about where they came from and what time period they were created in. If you know someone who likes old-school movies, records, collectable hockey cards for sale, cameras, or games – these make an excellent gift! For example, a gift idea for someone who enjoys photography is a Polaroid camera. It takes both digital and film pictures (which makes it really fun and gives your photos extra character). 

Then there’s always the option of giving them prints so they can frame their favorite ones Another great gift idea for someone who likes music is gift cards for vinyl records.

If you know someone who loves the 1960s, gift ideas like Beatles memorabilia (like an album or a poster), old toys like G.I Joe figures, and vintage Coca-Cola items are perfect! On top of all this – Amazon also sells many different gift ideas that are very unique.

Signed Memorabilia

Signed memorabilia gift ideas are things that famous people have signed. That means you can get almost anything personalized – not just items from celebrities! For example, if someone has an interest in music or movies, they would enjoy having their favorite band’s album cover autographed by the artist themselves.

This could be framed to look nice and hung up on a wall so it’s always there to remind them of good times! If your friend likes something like sports or cars – consider getting them car parts with signatures on them (like tires). Or maybe even some clothing that was worn at one time by well-known athletes. Whoever you gift this type of item to will definitely love it because it is unique!

Another great gift idea for this category is gift cards to stores that sell autographed items.

Antiques – Old items or objects with a long history

These gift ideas are not for everyone, but they can be a fun surprise! If you have a friend who likes learning about history and things from the past – these gift ideas would definitely help them out in their collection. For example, if someone collects antiques that were made before 1900 then this is perfect because it’s old! One great gift idea could be an antique watch or old hand-held games like Atari ones (which actually still work).

If your friend has ever been interested in something from yesteryear – there’s always plenty of options for what type of item to get. Maybe a vintage typewriter – which was one of the first ways people used to write letters on paper instead of using a computer (and it makes a great gift too). There are also gift ideas like old cameras and other things that were used to take pictures.

Curiosities – Oddities from around the world

Curiosities gift ideas are things that people collect from around the world because they look so different and unique. The great thing about this category is that you can find almost anything! For example, if someone likes to go on trips then a gift idea for them could be items from other countries like pieces of pottery or souvenirs.

Art – Paintings, Photographs, Prints, Sculptures

A gift idea for someone who enjoys art could be an original painting. You can even purchase prints of famous paintings too if you are looking to spend a little less money because those are almost just as good! 

The great thing about giving artwork is that it always comes with a story behind the artist and their work – so whoever receives this gift will appreciate how much thought went into picking out something they would really enjoy having on display in their home or office.

Stamps – Signed, Cancelled, Mint

Stamps gift ideas are for someone who enjoys learning about the world and everything that is out there. Almost every country has its own stamps, so these gift ideas would be perfect if you have a friend from another part of the planet! It’s also great because it can take them on a trip without having to leave home (or even get off the couch).

If you gift the person a gift that they collect then it will be something special to them. They’ll remember how thoughtful and unique their gift was! Don’t forget about gift wrapping as well- adding a bow or ribbon can make all the difference in making a gift more impressive. Happy gifting!

After a long winter cooped inside, temperatures are finally rising. Which means you can finally throw your dining party in the backyard. Doesn’t everyone love a garden party? We know we do! So without further ado, let’s get started on how to organize the perfect backyard dining party in 7 steps. 

1. Pick a theme

If you’re planning on throwing a garden party for at least 10 people, we suggest choosing a theme. Think about composing a moodboard on Pinterest or real-life, because this will visualize your party scheme. Wish you were in Mexico during your garden party? Throw a Mexican party with a piñata and bright colours. You can also go for soft colours such as white, beige and sand. But you can also pick a theme that’s very crazy. What about ‘Christmas in the summer’? Wear a Christmas dress (Dutch: kerstjurk) and put down a Christmas tree. Do you know about the Dutch carnival season? Well, everyone dresses up as a character of their choice with carnival costumes (Dutch: carnavalskleding). Whatever you pick, it’s up to you.

2. Send your invites

Even if it’s just an informal garden party, sending invites is always a nice idea. These can be sent through actual cards, email or just a simple text message. You can use Canva to create a beautiful invitation to send to your guests. In that invitation you should be specific about the date, location, time of arrival. Also request an RSVP (répondez, s’il vous plaît) so you know exactly who’s coming.

3. Beautify your area

Did you pick a place in the garden where the party can be held? Then you can think about what kinds of decorations you can use. Bring out the balloons, pom poms and paper lanterns to amplify your theme. Our tip is: don’t hold back on ambience lighting. Because when the sun goes down, there is a whole other vibe to your party. Your backyard will look like a twinkly paradise once you have installed lanterns, loads of candles and string lights. 

4. Make sure your guests are comfortable

Your guests being comfortable should be your top priority. Whether there is a heatwave going on or it’s pouring down with rain. You should provide your party with the right shelter. Of course you want to have sunscreen laying around in case of hot weather. Also think about shaded areas of umbrellas, party tents or big trees with fans for daytime and heating lamps for night time. And if it’s really hot, make sure you have some citronella candles and bug spray on the tables for all the insects. Also think about having plenty of different seating arrangements. A bench over here, a table with chairs over there. You can even create some chill spots on the grass for people to lie on.

5. Serve a seasonal meal

Serving a seasonal menu will be a big hit for your party. Whether a chef is coming to make it for you, a catering company delivers it or you make it yourself. There are different types of ways you can implement seasonal food. For example, you can start with a cocktail with seasonal fruit ingredients. But you have to know that food doesn’t have to be that expensive. It’s all about the things you want. Do you want to serve a five course menu or just want small bites during the night? Ever considered throwing a barbecue, buffet or even a tea party? These are all points you need to take into consideration and which one will suit your garden party style the best.

6. Think of fun Garden Games

A garden party isn’t complete without a lot of fun garden games. Think about some lawn games such as criquet or jeu de boule. And when the night starts to evolve and everyone gets a little bit tipsy, get a limbo stick and show how low you can go. You can also consider renting games in the xxl version such as giant jenga or twister. 

7. Play some music

Disclaimer: If you have close neighbours, don’t turn on the music too loud. You don’t want to have a feud because of noise disturbance. And if you don’t have close neighbours, turn it up and have fun.

Playing music is a great way to get the atmosphere in the right direction. Maybe you can hire a DJ or make a spotify playlist in which every single attendee can add songs to it. That way, everyone can dance and sing along to their own picked songs. 

Are you ready for your summer party? Follow these steps and we’re sure you will have an amazing time.

The arrival of your baby is a thrilling, life-changing event. To ensure your little one’s comfort and happiness, you need to buy a ton of things that top any baby’s list. However, you should figure out what you need as a mom and what is essential for your newborn. For a new mom, there are things you cannot do without. Nonetheless, other things are considered as extras or nice-to-haves. In this article, you will find the ultimate baby list that includes seven mandatory categories, so keep reading.

1. Wardrobe

There is nothing cuter than shopping for tiny baby clothes. You want to choose cotton clothing to make your newborn comfortable. According to which season you’re giving birth, choose suitable clothing. That said, these are the baby’s clothing basics:

• 4-6 onesies (preferably choose the ones with zippers as they’re easier to manage)
• 4-6 pajamas
• 4-6 pants
• 8 shirts (full and half-sleeved)
• 6 pairs of socks
• 2 sweaters
• 2 knit caps
• 2 sun hats
• 4 pairs of scratch mittens
• 4 outfits for going out
• 2 fleece suits

2. Gear

Whether you are traveling or relaxing at home, you need to prepare some baby gear supplies. Carrying your baby around while you’re shopping isn’t ideal. To provide comfort and ease in movement, most moms swear by babywearing as it gives their arms a break while keeping their buttercups secure. Additionally, you cannot go on the road without securing your little one in the car. So, here’s the gear essentials you may need:

• Newborn car seat
• A stroller
• Baby carrier or wrap
• A bouncer or swing
• A playmat

3. Nursery

The nursery needs cute decor, but you also need baby furniture and bedding, which will make infant care safer and easier. If you will put your baby in a separate room, check the following baby nursery essentials:

• Cradle, crib, or bassinet for the baby to sleep
• A flat, firm mattress
• 4 fitted sheets
• A closet or dresser to store the baby’s clothes and other stuff
• A rocking chair to facilitate feeding to your little one

Other items may not be mandatory, but they make things easier for you, such as:

• A changing table
• Baby monitor
• A white noise device
• Diaper pail

You can also invest in a few swaddles and pacifiers to help put your baby to sleep comfortably. Swaddles help newborns to feel cozy and warm while sucking on a pacifier calms them down and puts them to instant sleep.

4. Diapering

You can choose from options like reusable cloth diapers, disposable, or a combination of both. Cloth diapers can save a lot of money, but require extra cleaning and washing, which may not be worth your savings. In addition, keep in mind that there are plenty of options for baby wipes too. You can choose between pre-dampen or dry and one-use or reusable cloths. Ideally, a balanced combination of both options is best. To stay on the safe side, check out these essentials:

• Try different brands of diapers before committing to one to test whether your baby will have a rash. Once you find a suitable brand, buy 2-3 large boxes.
• 6 dozens of cloth diapers
• 2 boxes of unscented water wipes
• 2 tubes of diaper rash cream
• Diaper bag

5. Feeding

Whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, there are some mandatory items you need to have. If you’re going with bottle-feeding, you can do without nipple creams, breast pumps, and milk storage bottles. However, if you’re going to do both, these are the items you’re going to need:

• A nursing pillow
• 8 burp cloths
• 4 bottles with newborn nipples
• Formula
• Nipple cream
• Breast pump
• Milk storage bottles or bags
• 6-8 bibs
• Bottlebrush and insulated bottle holder

6. Bathtime

Newborns tend to be slippery, so you should buy all the bath essentials to make bathtime fun and safe. The following list has everything you will need:

• A plastic bathtub
• Infant shampoo and body wash
• 6-8 washcloths
• 4 towels

7. Health and Wellbeing

Just like us, babies need grooming tools. They may also get sick, so make sure you have the necessary items on hand, should that happen. Here is the list of what you may need:

• Nail clippers
• A soft brush
• Thermometer
• First aid kit
• Nasal aspirator

There are plenty of items on a newborn’s checklist. Don’t be overwhelmed; this new-to-the-world tiny human deserves to have everything ready and prepared for them as soon as they arrive. You may find plenty of unnecessary things, but we have gathered all the essentials you may need to care for your little one. Save this list and enjoy shopping for your newborn.

One of the most difficult home cleaning tasks is figuring out what products to use for different home surfaces. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for home surface solutions, check out this article about the top solutions available today.

Laminates

Laminate home surfaces are a fantastic solution for home surfaces and can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms to name just a few. They are great because they’re easy to clean which makes them ideal for use around food prep areas such as the kitchen. Laminate home surfaces also offer protection from water damage so if your home surface is near or adjacent to an area where it could become wet then laminate would be a perfect choice. Think kitchen worktops, bathroom flooring, etc.

Laminated home surfaces look like wood but without all of the hassles of maintaining real wood. There’s no sanding down after every cleaning session! They come with ultra-modern looks that make any room look chic and stylish.

Vinyl

Another great, stylish solution for home surfaces is vinyl. It has become extremely popular over the past few years, and with good reason! Here are the reasons: 

• stylish
• versatile
• affordable
• easy to maintain
• more water-resistant than some other home surface materials.

Vinyl home floors are available in many different styles, including wood grain patterns that look like real hardwood but at a fraction of the cost! Most homeowners choose to install their vinyl home flooring into an underlayment system which enhances the appearance while also providing insulation against extreme temperatures both hot and cold. Just check out these luxury vinyl floors and see why many people choose them. You’ll have a cheap, yet great-looking floor that will give your rooms a great atmosphere.

The resilient sheet is another option; this type of product means your vinyl home floor can withstand heavy foot traffic without any visible effects of wear on the home flooring. For a more luxurious look, choose vinyl home floors with a tile pattern stamped into the surface to make it look like real ceramic tile!

Ceramic tiles

A ceramic tile home surface is durable, easy to clean and maintain. The home surfaces are available in many colors, patterns, and shapes so they can be customized for the home decor style.

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice because they resist stains from water or oil, and they also work well with any home design plan. You can choose this flooring in a form that suits your lifestyle needs. Cleaning them is simply because you can use many home cleaners or just water. The home surfaces are slip-resistant, preventing accidents from slips and falls in the home.

Ceramic tiles are also easy to install with a few tools that most homeowners have around their homes already. You don’t need an expert installer for installation either so it’s another plus of using these home surfaces.

Marble or granite countertops

Countertop surfaces are also important, so home surfaces are not just home appliances. There are several home surface options that can be used to improve the look of your house, which in turn will make you feel more relaxed and at home when there’s company over for dinner or an intimate evening with a significant other.

One popular choice with homeowners today is marble countertops tile or granite countertops. These materials offer durability as well as aesthetic beauty, creating the perfect balance between form and function whether it’s in your kitchen or bathroom. You’ll find many different colors available so you’re sure to find one that suits both your needs and tastes perfectly!

Laminate wood flooring

Laminate wood flooring is a home surface solution that can be used for nearly any room. It is designed to look like natural, real wood but with the ease of installation and low price point of laminated flooring.

Laminate hardwood floors are versatile enough to work in almost every home setting including kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, and living areas. This type of home surface provides durability when installed over concrete or vinyl subfloors while also offering warmth when placed on top of ceramic tile or marble surfaces. Additionally, laminate home surfaces provide a quick solution for homeowners who want to update the look of their home interior.

Laminate wood flooring is available in large or small planks and comes with either a smooth surface or an embossed pattern which provides visual appeal by adding texture to your home interiors.

Stainless steel appliances and fixtures

Stainless steel appliances and fixtures are a great solution for home surfaces because of their sleek, modern look. The steel can be cleaned with simple soap and water to maintain its cleanliness. There is no need to use harsh chemicals on steel appliances that you will touch or eat from.

Steel appliances blend into the home design without being too flashy or bright like other home surface solutions. They can be found in home appliance stores for people who would like to switch out their home surfaces without spending too much money.

There, now you know what are the most popular solutions for home surfaces. Vinyl is easy to maintain and cheap, and so is laminate. Steel appliances, marble, and granite work for non-floor surfaces, while ceramic tiles are best for kitchens and bathrooms. Always make sure the surface material matches your lifestyle. 

While dogs have been our best friends for thousands of years, advice on being a responsible dog owner today can be overwhelming. Let’s get started with the basics – five simple ways to improve your dog’s happiness and well-being. 

Whether you’re a new dog owner or looking to improve your long-term companion’s day-to-day life, take a moment to read through the following tips to make your dog happier – your dog will thank you!

1. Provide High-Quality Food

Whether you feed your dog a home-prepared diet, cooked or raw, or have chosen a commercial dog diet, make sure that you put some careful consideration into your choice. 

Just like humans, diet is key to a healthy and long life for your dog. What works well for one dog may not necessarily be the best choice for another, so do your research and get some advice from your veterinarian or a local dog expert if you are struggling.

As this Evaluation of Eight Commercial Dog Diets laments, it can be almost impossible for dog owners to fully evaluate the quality of commercial diets. However, while you don’t have to break the bank to provide your dog with a good diet, it is recommended that you avoid budget-priced commercial dog foods that are stuffed with fillers and additives. Therefore, seek out brands with good reputations and ask around to find out what other local dog owners are feeding.

2. Plenty of Exercise and Stimulation

Make sure that your dog has enough exercise to ensure happiness and a long, healthy life. 

An under-exercised dog with too much pent-up energy is going to be unhappy, unhealthy, and may develop behavioural problems. The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on breed and age, as well as personality, so research your dog’s specifics and make sure you keep your pet sufficiently active. 

Mental exercise is also important. As the American Kennel Club states, “a mentally stimulated dog is a happy dog”. So, aside from getting those four paws working, you should make sure that your dog has adequate mental stimulation.

This can be as simple as discovering new walks with new smells, trying out new games, or teaching them some new tricks. Playing with toys can also provide plenty of mental stimulation, particularly if they get your pet’s brain working. And if your dog often destroys regular toys, there are plenty of ultra-durable alternatives – as long as you’re willing to spend a bit more.

Older dogs will still benefit from getting out and about, even if they are not as active as they used to be. If they have limited or no mobility, you can get a dog stroller or a trailer for your bike so that they can enjoy the outdoors with you. 

3. Regular Grooming and Claw Trimming

While it’s true that some breeds need a lot more grooming than others, all dogs can benefit from regular grooming. 

Aside from the essential shed-coat and matted fur removal, it is also a good way to help your pet to relax. Furthermore, while grooming your pooch, you can inspect their body for any lumps, parasites, skin irritation or injuries that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

Claw trimming is also essential for good canine health. Trimmed claws prevent discomfort and the development of bad posture, which can lead to other health problems including joint and toe issues. 

If your dog doesn’t allow you to cut his claws, medication for anxiety or some mild sedation may be beneficial. I also recommend asking your vet to demonstrate the correct way to trim your dog’s claws before doing it yourself. 

4. Awareness of Common Ailments 

Obviously, you’ll need to take your dog to regular veterinary check-ups as recommended for their condition and age. However, as a responsible dog owner, you’ll need to be aware of common dog ailments and signs of possible developing health issues. 

Your dog will need regular protection against worms, ticks, fleas, and other parasites, which can make him uncomfortable and potentially cause serious health problems. So, make sure you have the renewal dates set up in your calendar. 

As your dog cannot speak and tell you when something is wrong, you’ll have to be familiar with your dog’s normal behavior and investigate further when something doesn’t seem quite right.

While major problems are easily spotted and quickly treated with a trip to the vets, you’ll also need to pay close attention to minor issues that don’t go away. They could be underlying signals of a bigger problem and are best investigated – the sooner the better.

5. Spend Quality Time Together

We live in a busy, connected world. Between emails, social media, and hectic work lives, it can be difficult to find the time for ourselves. 

Regardless of your day and its stresses, spending quality time with your dog is a great way for you both to benefit from a happiness boost and to deepen the special bond between you.

As this study demonstrates, your long-term stress levels will likely be mirrored by your dog. While stress is necessary from an evolutionary point of view, it can be highly damaging both physically and mentally for you and your four-legged friend. 

Make sure that you find the time to spend some quality moments together – banish your phone for an hour and go play together. It will make the world a happier place for you both, while also giving you much-needed time to relax and breathe. 

Summary

Our dogs bring so much happiness and love into our lives. So, it’s only natural we want to make sure that they are as happy and healthy as possible. As your dog cannot talk, it is essential that you’re able to correctly interpret how your dog is feeling and instigate any necessary changes to his environment.

Follow the simple tips above to improve your dog’s quality of life, and you’ll be surprised what a difference such seemingly small details can make. Focusing on the basics – food, exercise, basic care, and time spent together, is the best way to ensure that your dog is happy, healthy and content.