The Daily Jiggle: How Women Cultivate Joy in the Everyday

Every day, in myriad small ways, women around the globe are cultivating joy through creating their own “jiggle”. Whether that means sparkly jewellery, infectious laughter or subtle self-expression. In this blog we celebrate its dance of transformation of everyday moments into extraordinary ones and its potential power to transform ordinary into extraordinary.

The Sparkle of Jewelry 

Jewellery doesn’t just add shine; they also serve as physical symbols of personality and style, adding a physical jiggle with every step, nod, and wave of the hand. A favourite necklace can transform a plain T-shirt into an eye-catching statement piece; earrings can transform a casual bun into an elegant updo; stacks of women’s bangles make their presence known when moved. Not only does jewellery add depth to our looks – it adds extra pep to our step and sparkles in our eyes – not to mention creating silent reminders of who we are! So when putting jewellery on in the morning, she’s creating her very own personal jiggle.

The Symphony of Laughter 

A key part of daily joy lies within laughter. More than just an audible expression, laughter creates a musical score in our souls that adds an irrepressibly joyful note. When women laugh, it’s a beautiful display of her spirit – an infectious giggle that spreads across a room like wildfire or an audible sound that transforms a dull moment into something memorable and enjoyable. Laughter is not simply an emotional response; it is a universal language of connection, dissolution, and positivity that builds bridges across spaces and bonds people together. A woman laughing freely with uninhibited joy is spreading this jiggle; not simply sharing an amusing joke but spreading positive energy throughout an environment.

The Dance of Daily Rituals

Daily tasks, as routine as they may appear, provide another source of excitement and jiggle. The rhythmic stir of morning coffee, graceful arcing of pens across notepads and even rhythmic tapping on keyboards are all repetitive actions choreographed by routine, but all these actions become an expression of a self-expression dance routine. As women settle into their daily rituals, they’re creating more than a list of tasks: they are creating a rhythmic soundtrack of life with every task or repeated motion adding another beat to this unique melody of their daily rituals. With every woman conducting her melody to transform mundane into extraordinary life experiences – ultimately finding her jiggle and her melody!

The Symphony of Relationships

The intricate interactions that make up relationships create another form of jiggle. A woman juggling multiple roles – such as mother, daughter, friend, partner and mentor – creates its own distinct rhythmic jingle that adds vibrancy to life’s dance. Nurturing coos for children or laughter shared among friends combine to form this orchestra of relationships a woman brings into being. With each relationship she embraces or nurtures she adds another vibrant note to her dance jiggle that makes life all that more captivating.

Conclusion: The Art of Crafting Your Own Jiggle

Life is a canvas, and every woman is an artist painting her own masterpiece by adding her own special touches of joy onto it. Jewellery, laughter and rituals are just some of the ways women transform the ordinary into extraordinary experiences. So remember when starting your day – instead of just getting ready – create your own special jiggle that sets the rhythm for an extraordinary day filled with personal expression. Take pleasure in crafting it for yourself because nothing beats its joy!

 

Top 4 Tips for Adding Privacy to Your Garden

There’s nothing quite like kicking back in the garden with a few cold drinks, the BBQ blazing and the company of your friends and family. It can be difficult to enjoy spending time in your garden if it’s overlooked because these precious moments can be seen by the neighbourhood or any passers by. Thankfully there are a handful of things you can do to add privacy to your home, allowing you to enjoy spending time with those you love in your garden, all year round.

Buy a pergola

Having a pergola on your patio or decking area and allowing plants and vines to grow on and around it is a great way of adding privacy to your garden. You can arrange furniture underneath and enjoy privacy and some shade from the sun.

Not only that, a pergola will add style and class to your garden by creating a focal point and giving it structure. The best part is that they are really inexpensive to buy! If you’re feeling creative or have an unusual shaped patio, why not buy some timber and build one yourself? There’s plenty of guides online and it’ll give you a great sense of self-satisfaction.

Build a summer house

Another option to gain privacy in your garden would be to build a summer house. These are essentially a diy shed that holds your garden furniture and can be wired to have electrical outlets. This means you’re able to plug in a stereo or TV and enjoy music without prying eyes watching your every move. Many people use their summer houses to house a hot tub, so if you’re looking for a unique addition for your garden, consider building a summer house.

Add fencing

One of the easiest ways of adding some privacy into your garden is to put up fencing surrounding your garden. You can add high fencing around your garden so nobody can peer in from the pavement.

Or, if you’re into the idea of a more natural looking garden, adding fencing and letting plants grow between the slats is a great way of adding privacy yet keeping a more natural looking feel to your garden.

Not only does a fence add privacy to your garden but it also adds security. If you have young children or pets you can rest assured they can play safely in the garden.

Put up a gazebo

If you’re looking for an easy pop-up solution that you can take down and put up when needed, then you should consider buying a gazebo for your garden. They are waterproof shelters that can add privacy and shelter to your garden, much like a pergola. The difference is you can take them down when you’re not using them and easily store them for future use.

The great part about gazebos is that they are very cheap to buy and can be found in most hardware stores. They take little time to erect and can help provide shelter for you and your garden furniture should the weather take a turn for the worst.

How to Make Your RV Feel Like Home

For many individuals, going on a vacation in an RV can seem like an exciting adventure. However, living in a small space full-time can also be a challenge.

With a lack of amenities and a confined environment, it’s easy to get overwhelmed on your travels. To get the most out of your trip, you’ll need to make a few changes.

Interested in learning more? Below we are going to discuss how can make your RV feel more like home.

Let’s begin!

Create a cozy environment.

In order to create a safe and welcoming environment, you need to ensure that your RV is cozy. Just remember not to overdo it. Too many items will make the area appear smaller than it already is.

You’ll also want to look into how you are going to access power so that you can use your favorite necessities. An RV inverter is a wise investment and can be used to run things like your television, air conditioner, coffee maker, and other appliances while on the road.

Organize and declutter.

The key to making any small space feel comfortable is to make sure it is tidy and organized. Even when you are out on the road, take time to declutter and only keep items that you use regularly.

If you’re having trouble with this, invest in some space-saving compartments that maximize the overall storage capacity. Alongside making it easier to clean you’ll also know exactly where everything is during a long road trip.

Enhance the lighting.

RVs often feel dark and cramped, especially during the night. To add warmth and create an inviting atmosphere, enhance your existing lighting.

There are a lot of light fixtures to choose from, but be sure to do your research so that they are suitable for your RV type. String lights can also be a nice way to create a cozy ambiance.

Personalize the entire space.

You might not think it’s possible, but you can personalize an RV just like your home. Add family photos, artwork, and personalized diy décor so that the area doesn’t feel like an unfamiliar space.

Decorative cushions, rugs, and blankets can also be great ways to add character. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.

Create a routine.

Lastly, one step that you should follow is creating a routine while you’re living in the RV. Stick to a sleep schedule, eat meals at the same time every day, and be sure to continue hobbies and activities that you enjoy.

This will provide a sense of stability, familiarity and will help keep your physical and mental health in check. It really will make your house on wheels truly feel like home.

Final Words

As you may be aware, making your RV feel like home is challenging. However, by following the tips above you can create a space that allows you to explore whilst feeling comfortable and safe.

What do you think? Are there any other ideas that you would add to this list?

 

10 Essentials You Should Pack for Your Next Business Trip

Preparing for a business trip can be a very overwhelming experience. Alongside focusing on your work and meetings, you have to pack everything you need for your travels.

 

Thankfully while it may seem stressful, there are plenty of things you can do to make the process manageable. You just need to know where to begin!

 

Below we are going to talk about ten essential items you should pack for your next business trip to hopefully help things run more smoothly.

 

Sound interesting? Then keep on reading!

 

Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories

 

The first thing that you’ll need to pack when traveling for business is your clothing. Depending on the nature and length of your trip, you might need to pack a mixture of casual attire and formalwear.

 

To make things easier, view the weather forecast and dress code beforehand. It’s also a good idea to pack items that mix and match, as you won’t want to lug around a large suitcase.

 

When it comes to footwear, try to stick with one or two pairs to save space. These height increasing shoes are a great option as they go well with any outfit and can boost your confidence. There are also more formal options available for meetings and events too.

 

Carry-On Luggage

 

Most business trips are only for a few days, so try and pack a carry-on if possible. It’s best to invest in a lightweight durable design that is easy for you to travel with.

 

Consider an option that can be used on wheels to save your back from fatigue. You should also check that it meets the requirements given by your airline as it will need to be a certain size and weight.

 

Having trouble fitting everything in? Check out these space-saving tips for some great advice.

 

Documents and Important Paperwork

 

One of the first things you should pack for your trip is all of your necessary paperwork and documents. From your passport, visa, tickets, and travel insurance to your itinerary, contact details, and meeting notes – you want to have everything you need in an accessible location.

 

Alongside storing digitally, bring a photocopy in a separate bag. You can never be too careful as luggage can get lost even on short flights.

 

Electronic Devices

 

As you are probably already aware, your electronics are crucial for work purposes – in fact, we use them for almost everything. Alongside your mobile phone, you may need to take your tablet, laptop, adapters, and chargers.

 

Additional gear such as noise-cancelling headphones will also ensure that you can work and rest without distractions. Just check that you have downloaded everything in advance, as you might not have access to the internet in certain locations.

 

Portable Charger

 

Speaking of your electronics, one great tip is to pack a portable charger. With such a busy schedule, it can be challenging to find time to charge your devices and this can lead to some serious complications.

 

Look for an option that is small but still holds enough charge for your devices. The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.

 

Toiletries and Medication

 

Personal hygiene and health are critical, especially when you’re traveling. Therefore, be sure that you pack your toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, and any of your regular skin care products (these aren’t available in every hotel).

 

If you have any specific medications, take them with you and carry an extra prescription as you could misplace something. Painkillers, antihistamines, and other basic first-aid items can also be of use in case of any minor accidents.

 

Games and Activities

 

Yes, business trips are primarily for work, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be busy the entire time. Whether it’s during the layover, a weekend, or an evening – remember to pack some items that will help you relax and unwind.

 

On top of your digital devices, bring along a book, magazine, or puzzle. It’s essential to take care of your mind when under stress, and sometimes a break from screens is just what you need to reset yourself.

 

Snacks and Water Bottle

 

When you’re on the go it’s easy to forget to eat. While you should prioritize stopping for meals, having a water bottle and snacks on hand can prove beneficial.

 

Alongside filling you up, you’ll have an extra boost of energy to get you through the busy day. Buying them in advance will also save you both time and money.

 

Always choose options that are healthy and non-perishable. You don’t want things that are going to melt or need to be kept refrigerated as this can lead to a rather messy situation!

 

You can find some great ideas here.

 

Breath Mints or Gum

 

Business travel can be spontaneous, and you don’t always have time to freshen up after stepping off the plane. Breath mints or gum can be a lifesaver, so always have some in your pocket.

 

It’s a quick fix to make sure that you’re ready for your meeting and can come in handy for any last-minute events. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference.

 

Notepad and Pen

 

Finally, while most things are done digitally nowadays, it’s always a wise idea to carry around a notepad and pen. You never know when you’ll need to jot down some notes in the middle of a meeting or while you’re traveling to your destination.

 

Opt for a small design that fits easily in your handbag or pocket. Trust us when we say, it really can be a lifesaver.

 

Final Words

 

There’s no denying that packing for a business trip can be a challenge, but with planning and organization, you can make the process more manageable. The key is to prepare ahead and follow the list above.

 

As long as you have the essentials, you can always buy or borrow once you have arrived at your destination. Good luck, and remember to have some fun!

 

How to Become a More Charitable Person

People often mistake being charitable for being a financially generous individual. However, becoming a more charitable individual begins within. It involves enriching the lives of others and remaining compassionate while doing so. You can be charitable in terms of your time, resources, and skills. In this blog, we will explore seven meaningful ways that you can become more charitable in life. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Start Small

You don’t have to start your journey of becoming a more charitable person with a hundred-dollar donation. If you don’t have any spare change to give, why not be resourceful? Gather whatever ingredients you have at home and bake up a storm. Sell your delicious creations to friends or family and let them know it’s going to charity!

Find Your Passion

When you’re contributing to a cause you truly care about, it’s much easier to get things done. Find a charity that ignites a passion and see how far this takes you. There are so many different types of charities that we’re sure you’ll find one that’s just right.

Volunteer Your Time

Once again, being charitable is not about money. There are plenty of other things you can give, such as your time. Look for local non-profits in your area that need volunteers. You could even organise an event yourself, like a beach clean-up.

Donate Wisely

If you can make a financial contribution, we recommend you do so wisely. Ask charities how they will make use of the money and evaluate their transparency. If you really want your money to go a long way, we recommend you consider making endowments instead of donations.

Be Charitable in the Workplace

Many organisations support their employees when it comes to furthering their charitable initiatives. Ask your employer if they would be open to starting a donation matching program or whether you could organise a team charity event.

Inspire Others

Inspire others to join your cause by sharing your progress on social media. You can post updates about your virtual fundraising goals or simply create content around the charity you are supporting.

Get Family and Friends on Board

Charity is more fun when you can share the joy with friends and family. Don’t hesitate to explain why you’re passionate about the cause and encourage them to get on board.

Remain Consistent

Last but not least, it’s important to remain consistent with your efforts. You may not have the finances to donate a large sum every month, but make sure you keep up the contribution in another kind of way.

The world is tough enough as it is. If you can find a few ways to make life easier for others, put your heart into it. We guarantee that a charitable lifestyle will enrich the life of others as well as your own. Embrace the power of giving and help create a more compassionate world. Don’t hesitate to get loved ones and strangers involved as every little counts.

Why Your Travel Blog Needs a Revamp

Travel blogs can be fascinating places to spend hours of your time, scrolling through beautiful images of far flung places and being swept away by beautiful writing about incredible experiences. We’re going to run through some of the easy ways to make your travel blog live up to those aspirations, so let’s take a look at how to revamp your travel blog!

 

Strong Branding

 

At the end of the day, your blog is a brand. It needs to be attractive, memorable, and recognizable to ensure any kind of repeat visit from your readers. Come up with a great name for your blog, whether it’s funny, silly, or clever, simply make it a memorable one, and then pair that with a simple tagline explaining the content you produce.

 

Now, you need a colour scheme and an aesthetic. Using a free online banner template is a great place to start, as once you’ve built a banner that you’re happy with, you can use that to inspire the rest of your design! Your readers need to be able to spot your blog from a mile off. That way, you can begin to bring in some real traction.

 

Maximizing your Visuals

 

Travel blogs should whisk the reader away to an amazing place they’ve never seen before. The images you use are an important part of that experience. If your travel blog is filled with poor quality images and badly framed landscapes, then the effect will be immediately lost on your readers!

 

Why not try out some top photography tips or even an online course? If you manage to build up some photography skills, you’ll immediately notice your blog looking far nicer and performing far better than before! Go out into the world and put your new skills into action, then bring the results back to show your readers!

 

Expand Across the Internet

 

A blog is a great focal point for your content, but a blog on its own can be very hard to push to a wide audience. Most people find their content, such as shows, podcasts, and blogs, through social media. So don’t fall behind! Set up your blog’s very own social media profile now!

 

Get yourself on Instagram and TikTok, because now that you’ve acquired new photography skills you’ll have plenty of content ready to hit your feed! Simply use one of your beautiful images to advertise and link through to your blog post.

 

Let Your Personality Shine

 

Blogs gain repeat readers because people come to love the personality behind the writing! If you make your blog too serious then people will likely lose interest. At the end of the day, they’ve come to your blog to hear about your experiences!

 

Keep your personality in your writing and let your readers get to know you, adopt some running jokes and nicknames, and refer back to some of your earlier entries (with links, to boost your numbers), and then you’ll find that you’ll naturally build a community around your writing!

 

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Running a blog is time-consuming and hard work. You will have to use every trick you can find and keep at it until you succeed, because the most important factor in any of this is tenacity.

Key Steps To Take If You Have Been Fired Unfairly

Do you feel your employer has wrongfully dismissed you?

Unfortunately, in the United States (US), most states do not have any existing wrongful termination laws. Most employees are contracted as “At-Will Employees” by default – meaning that the employer holds the right to fire an employee at any time with or without substantial cause.

However, all workers have employee rights and are entitled to certain benefits stipulated by the Employment Law. Employees can receive severance packages, continued health benefits, and unemployment insurance upon termination.

As soon as they know about their dismissal, employees can claim workers’ compensation benefits from their employer. There are specific steps that employees must follow to ensure that they get what is due to them. You can request the legal counsel of a wrongful termination attorney to guide you during this process.

Here are the five critical actions to take if you think your employer has fired you without a cause.

Find Out The Reason For Your Termination

You must find out the primary reason or cause of your dismissal. If you have previously received any verbal or written warnings or been subject to a disciplinary hearing, then your employer must have raised some of these reasons.

This step is crucial as it ensures that the reason for your termination was not on the basis of discriminatory actions or harassment towards you. Should that be the case, you should take the matter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Commission is responsible for regulating the treatment of employees and recruits – primarily focussed on discrimination.

Contact Human Resources (HR)

Once your attorney has reported your case to the EEOC, the next step is for you to contact your HR department concerning any payments that may be due to you. Compensation in the form of severance packages, unpaid commissions, and outstanding paychecks must all reflect before the end of your employment.

Ask For A Recommendation Letter

Employers often regard employee dismissal as a negative trait, seeing it as failure to conduct your tasks as an employee. Therefore, it is crucial to ask for a recommendation letter to indicate confidence in your abilities, encouraging potential employers to hire you.

Apply For Unemployment Benefits

According to state employment law, all dismissed employees will get several unemployment benefits to offset financial distress due to loss of income. These benefits may include continued medical insurance, a lump-sum severance package, or a percentage of current earnings over 52 weeks.

Leave On Good Terms

It may be challenging to still be the same friendly person you are when you no longer have job security, but it is vital to keep your composure and leave your previous work with subtlety and grace.

Leaving on these grounds ensures no grudges or hard feelings between you and your previous employer. Therefore when a new or potential employer calls your reference list, they hear nothing but good traits about you and give you a good recommendation.

It may first come as a shock to hear that you no longer have a job, whether with good reason or wrongfully. However, you must see your dismissal not as a loss but as an opportunity to find greener pastures and grow in your career. In the meantime, while you are job hunting, there are tons of practical side hustles to generate an income.

 

 

How To Care For Your Elderly Parents For Covid-19

A lot of older people get lonely, and the pandemic has only increased these issues. If you have elderly parents, then your first priority was probably making sure they had enough food in and prescription medicines or worrying about the impact of Covid in care homes. Even as restrictions are eased, many older people are still being advised to stay indoors, so will still need some help. How can you best help them? 

Keep Routines As Familiar As Possible

If your elderly relatives suffer from dementia or other memory problems, then their routines are very important to their wellbeing. 

Inevitably, Covid-19 will have to cause some changes to routine. Try to keep as much from their normal routine as you are able to, and make some adaptions where you can’t. For example, if you always used to visit them on a Saturday morning, but can’t due to restrictions in your area, arrange a phone call at your usual visit time instead. 

Encourage them to get up at the same time every day, and keep to a routine with their hobbies and regular chores. Take inspiration from aged care support services and make time for hobbies and activities that they enjoy. Encourage them to have a usual mealtime and a plan for what they will have to eat. 

Take A Sensible Approach To The News

For a lot of elderly people, the News is part of their daily routine. However, it’s a good idea to practice some caution when it comes to the News at the moment. There’s a lot of worrying information about the pandemic out there, especially in terms of the impact it may have on the elderly and those living in care homes. All this information might only increase their fears and cause their sense of isolation and hopelessness to grow. 

Try to encourage them to get their News from a more balanced source, if you’re concerned about where they get their news from, with reports on things other than the Coronavirus included. There are other things still going on in the world, and balancing information about the pandemic with other news might help. 

Recruit Family And Friends

With visits to some care homes still not allowed in some areas, or more difficult in others, you might benefit from having a few different people to check in with your elderly relatives. Get family and friends together and plan a schedule of phone calls. Make sure these calls fit in with the routine of your parent but keep the calls regular. This way, your loved one will always have someone to talk to, something to look forward to, and a way to feel connected to their loved ones.

Family and friends can stay connected in other ways. You could write regular emails or letters with news from the family. If you have young children in the family, maybe they could draw pictures to send. If your parents are computer savvy, arrange video calls with the family so they can see every one, even while visits are more restricted. 

 

Moving Tips for Anyone Who’s Relocating Overseas

Moving to a new home can be a stressful process at the best of times, but if you’re relocating to a destination overseas, it can be even more challenging. Fortunately, these top moving tips will help you to streamline the process and make your international relocation easier than ever:

Research Your Destination

If you’ve handpicked your destination, there’s a good chance you’ll have already done a lot of research. However, if you’re relocating for work reasons or to be closer to family, you might not have spent a lot of time researching the actual location. If so, now is the time to do so. Pay close attention to road and transport networks, as you’ll be reliant on these when it comes to moving your belongings from one location to another. 

Plan Ahead

Moving is always easier if you give yourself lots of time to prepare, but, when you’re relocating overseas, it’s particularly important to plan ahead. After all, it can take far longer to move your belongings into your new home, so you’ll want to ensure that you won’t have to wait too long for everything to arrive. In fact, by planning ahead, you could even arrange to have your belongings shipped in advance so that they’re waiting for you upon your arrival. 

Look at Shipping Options

If you’re planning an international location, you’ll need to consider whether air or sea freight is most suited to your needs. As air freight can be so expensive, transporting your belongings via sea and road can be an efficient and cost-effective way to move them. With full truckload shipping, for example, you can get exclusive use of a shipping truck, which means you’re likely to fit all of your belongings in just one vehicle. Combining with the use of shipping containers, this can be a stress-free way to manage your overseas relocation. 

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Use Robust Packing Materials

If your packing materials fail, it increases the likelihood of breakages. When you’re transporting your belongings from one country to another, it’s essential to use robust packing materials, such as moving boxes, crates, or plastic containers. These can be secured while in transit and are unlikely to succumb to damage en route. 

Consider Renting Storage

If you aren’t sure what to take with you when you move or you’re only relocating temporarily, hiring a storage unit can be a savvy way to keep hold of your possessions. Often available at a low cost, you can ensure that your belongings are kept in a secure location until you return or decide to have them shipped to your new home. 

Planning a Relocation

Although planning an overseas relocation can be tricky, there’s no doubt it’s an exciting process too. By getting specialist advice, working with experienced international freight companies, and planning ahead, you can successfully streamline the relocation process. When you aren’t worried about packing at the last minute or paying extra for shipping costs, you can focus on your new adventure and look forward to arriving at your new home. 

 

6 Tried and Tested Ways to Freshen Up Your Look

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It’s always important to keep things fresh. If you don’t, then things can begin to feel a little stale. This is true for all areas of our lives; our interests, our day to day routine, and, yes, how we look too. Aside from all the other benefits that mixing up your style can bring, it also helps to keep life interesting and can make looking back at photographs all the more fun (who wants to look the same their whole life?). In this blog, we’ll take a look at a way tried and tested methods for mixing up your look and keeping things fresh. 

New Threads

The easiest way to freshen up your look is to get out the credit card and hit the stores. Indeed, within just a few hours, you can have a whole new wardrobe! But of course, that’ll be expensive. Rather than focusing on quantity, think about what type of clothes you really want, and make the investment. It’s not just about from where you buy the clothes (though that is important), but also about how you wear the items you buy. You can make an “off the rack” piece of clothing look great just by wearing it in your own style.

Out With the Old

As well as buying new clothes, you’ll want to take a look at the clothes that are currently in your wardrobe, and see whether they should really be worn out in public. We all get attached to those pieces and outfits that did, for sure, once look pretty hot. But that some time ago; over time, the colors will begin to fade and other imperfections will set in. At that point, it’s best to put the clothes out to pasture. Sometimes, the best way to freshen up your style is to commit to wearing other items outside. 

DIY Pieces

Not that all items that are slightly past their best have to be thrown out. You may be able to modify them into new wearable garments. Clothing DIY is easier than you might think, and can be an effective way to really make your look stand out a little more. And aside from being effective: it’s fun! If you or one of your friends is the artistic type, then take a look at getting out pens and going to town on the t-shirts that would otherwise be retired. You might just find that you’re able to create an enviable item with just a bit of effort.

Accessories and Essentials

Not enough people make the most of accessories. They can turn a standard outfit into something special, with next to no effort. The types of accessories you wear will depend on the time of the year. During the summer, it’ll be all about hats and summer jewelry; in the winter, your scarves, gloves, and earmuffs can provide an additional source of style. Don’t forget about the essentials, either. Glasses aren’t just functional; they can be stylish too. Check out the collection at www.eyeglasses.com, and get a pair that gives your style a boost. The glasses (and sunglasses) that you wear can really change the overall look and feel of your style. 

Hair and Makeup

Just as with our favorite clothing, we usually fall into a cycle of styling our hair and doing our makeup in the same way as always. If this sounds like you, then why not change things up? For your hair, it’s recommended that you visit the best salon in the area and ask them to create something stylish and trendy; you’ll pay more for it, but it’ll be worthwhile, plus it’s not an expense you have to make regularly. For your makeup, you could take a look at some YouTube tutorials and play around for a while until you’ve found the one that you like.

High on Confidence

Finally, let’s think about confidence. All of the tips we’ve mentioned above will push you towards looking your best, but the impact won’t be quite as powerful if you’re low in confidence. If you’re looking to turn heads, then confidence is the way to do it — everyone notices that person that seems secure within themselves. The tip we’ve outlined will naturally give you more confidence (who doesn’t feel great when they’re looking their best?), but there are other things you can do too, such as setting yourself challenges, learning a new skill, and getting rid of those things that may cause you to lose confidence in the first place. 

Simple Tips Of Working From Home To Be More Productive

What you can't claim as working from home tax deductions

Working from home can bring with it many benefits, from productivity growth to flexibility improvements if you know how to do it.

Here are some simple tips to help you to be more productive while working remotely.

Act like you are going to the office.

When working from home, do all the things you’d do to prepare for an office role: Get up early, make (or go get) coffee, and wear nice clothes. This will get you in the your usual working mindset.

Just because you’re not working at an office doesn’t mean you can’t, well, have an office. Rather than cooping yourself up in your room or on the couch – spaces that are associated with leisure time – dedicate a specific room or surface in your hIf you’re struggling to come up with a reasonable work schedule for yourself, start with the solitary tasks in the morning. Save phone calls, meetings, and other collaborative work for when you’ve officially “woken up.”ome to work.

When working from home, you’re your own personal manager. Without things like an in-person meeting schedule to break up your day, you can be quick to lose focus or burn out. To stay on schedule, segment what you’ll do and when over the course of the day.

Of course, you might be working from home but still have “company”. Make sure any roommates, siblings, parents, spouses, and dogs (well, maybe not dogs) respect your space during work hours. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re home.

Social media is designed to make it easy for you to open and browse quickly. To counteract your social networks’ ease of use during work hours, remove them from your browser shortcuts and log out of every account.

Social media is designed to make it easy for you to open and browse quickly. To counteract your social networks’ ease of use during work hours, remove them from your browser shortcuts and log out of every account.

It can be so easy to get distracted that you avoid breaks altogether. Don’t let the guilt of working in the building you sleep in prevent you from taking five to relax. Rather than just opening YouTube, however, use your breaks to get away from your desk.

You might be under the impression that working from home establishes more work-life balance, but be careful with that assumption. Working from home can also feel like being at a casino – you can get so caught up in your activity, in a relaxing environment, that you lose complete track of time.

Avoid over working

The boundaries between our work and personal life are blurring. Prevent yourself from working longer hours.

SHORTCUT TO CALCULATE WORK FROM HOME EXPENSES.

From 1 March – 30 June (and pending reassessment beyond) the ATO is allowing an across-the-board 80 cents per hour claim for your running expenses. When working from home, do all the things you’d do to prepare for an office role: Set your alarm, make (or go get) coffee, and wear nice clothes. This will get you in the your usual working mindset. 

 

How to Help Minimize Your Blog’s Environmental Impact

How to Help Minimize Your Blog’s Environmental Impact

It’s something we don’t always think about, but using power has an effect on the environment, as does nearly everything we do. From the paper we use to the equipment we buy, what we consume and what the companies we shop from do with the things we trade in or recycle matters.

So when it comes to blogging, we have to think about the impact it has on the environment. Starting a website that is “green’ has to do with a lot more than just choosing and purchasing a domain name. It has to do with how your site is hosted, where servers get their energy from, and even how and where you blog.

Here are some effective methods to help minimize your blog’s environmental impact.

Check Out Your Host

Not all hosts are created equal. First of all, there are two different types of hosting, and each comes with its own environmental cost. The first is shared hosting, which is the most common and environmentally friendly type, at least on the surface. This is when your website shares server space with other websites. As long as you don’t have a huge amount of traffic, it will serve your needs, while reducing the amount of power you generate, saving environmental pollution from the production of non-renewable energy.

The other kind of hosting is dedicated hosting, which means your site has its own server. This, of course, takes more energy than sharing a server with others, but if you have a lot of traffic to your site and want to minimize downtime, it is essential.

The important thing is to know where your host gets their server space. Some have their own servers, others use Microsoft, Google, Oracle or Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers. Many of these large server farms consume large amounts of energy, but many of them are also powered by solar, wind, or other forms of clean energy.

There’s nothing wrong with getting a large amount of server space for your blog; in fact, I sincerely hope that your blog becomes so successful that you have to upgrade to a dedicated host, but by being conscious of who you choose to work with, and thoroughly researching their production methods, you stand a much better chance of staying in the green, as far as the environment’s concerned.

Look into Self-Service

Of course, you can host your own blog if you have access to your own server. Many larger companies have this option, but if you have a way to power your own server with renewable energy, you can self-host and ensure that your blog has as little impact on the environment as possible.

Though this is often the best method for ensuring you’re being environmentally friendly, there are two distinct disadvantages. First, there is a much higher initial cost unless you have another use for the server besides your website. You can of course offer server space to other websites if you have room, but if you want to live by your principles of responsible conservation, it will take additional time on your part to ensure that the people whose sites you host are eco-friendly as well.

The second issue is that, if you do not have another use for your server, you could be wasting a lot of natural resources by hosting your own site, resources and power that could better be used elsewhere, even if they are “green.” The operations and maintenance of a server makes this cost prohibitive for many users. It’s definitely an option to consider, but objectively, if you’re spending more to setup and maintain your blog than you are making, you’re going to lose your capacity to live, and that will affect your future conservation efforts as well.

Use Clean Energy Yourself

This was mentioned above, but I can’t repeat it enough. If you can use clean energy yourself, in your home, your business, and all other facets of your life, you will have a smaller impact on the environment and so will your blog. An electric car that is charged by solar power when you are at home saves a huge amount of the emissions that gas powered vehicles generate.

The same can be said for powering your laptop, tablet, and phone. Solar charging helps prevent pollution in a big way, and might even be a viable everyday solution for all of your home power needs, depending on where you live. Even if you can’t use solar energy 100% of the time, using it when and where you can will go a long way in cutting back your contribution to environmental degradation.

Consider clean energy options whenever possible to reduce not only your blog’s environmental impact, but your personal one as well.

Update Your Equipment

Sounds a little backwards, right? Wrong. Newer equipment uses less energy, has longer battery life, and even emits fewer emissions over its lifetime. This is true even for eco-friendly products that were produced even just five years ago.

Since your blog will need some great photography to distinguish itself, prioritize buying newer cameras, made from recycled materials, as much as is feasible. Going even further, if you want to avoid producing more waste through the production of a new camera, consider using stock photos of nature to illustrate the beauty of the earth, and why you’re committed to protecting it, rather than shooting your own photos.

Don’t stop just with upgrading your gear; be aware of what happens to your old equipment. The US throws away hundreds of tons of electronics a year, much of which can be recycled. Check with the company you purchased from about recycling programs (Apple has some good ones) and be sure your old device either goes to a new home, or that the parts get melted down and reused as much as possible.

Newer equipment will make you and your blog more efficient, and reduce your impact on the environment.

Work from Home

This is something most bloggers do anyway, but if you work for a marketing agency or a writing company, work from home as much as your employer will allow. Most of these companies have remote workers regardless, and encourage remote work simply because it saves the company money as well.

There are other ways you can help though. Conduct interviews from home using video chat. Avoid travel when you can Skype or Facetime with someone, and use other methods of research. When you do need to travel, use green transportation when available, and limit your forays to only what is essential.

Your blog has an impact on the environment, but with a few simple tactics, you can minimize the effect you have and be kind to the Earth while you spread the word about green energy and protecting the world we all live in.

How to Help Minimize Your Blog’s Environmental Impact

5 Charity Challenges to Set Yourself

Setting yourself a personal challenge of some kind is a great way to focus your mind and channel your efforts towards achieving a particular goal. If you can do this while raising money for a charity that is special to you, this is even better! The question remains: what fundraising challenge should you set yourself? Well, there are all kinds of options out there so it is worth thinking hard before you settle on one that is right for you. Here are just a few ideas to spark off your imagination!

Run a Marathon

Probably the most common fundraising challenge that people set themselves, running a marathon is undoubtedly an incredible feat of endurance. You will need to be committed to months of training, in which you set aside hours of time so that you can keep building up your distances. If you are not a regular runner or gym goer, you will probably want to go for a shorter distance, but giving yourself a target to aim for gives you a great challenge and an incredible feeling of accomplishment at the end.

Take on a Physical Challenge

If running is really not your thing, there are plenty of other physical challenges that you could set yourself. Just a few different options include climbing, cycling, hiking or canoeing. Choose a particular challenge that you would like to tackle; it may be that there is a hiking trail that you would like to complete or a river that you would like to cross. Taking on some sort of physical challenge is a great way to capture the imagination of potential fundraisers.

Go on a Journey

go on a journey

Photo Credit

Choose a particular journey that has some sort of personal significance to you and take this on using a mode of transport of your choice; whether this on foot, by bike or by car. You can take an epic charity road trip. Ultimately, you can choose the distance you would like to cover, and you could even set yourself a time limit to ramp up the challenge.

Overcome a Fear

If, for example, you have a huge fear of heights and build yourself up to taking part in a skydive or bungee jump, not only is this an incredible accomplishment for yourself, you also have a great story to tell which will certainly inspire people to donate to charity. Obviously, you won’t be able to leap headfirst out of a plane straight away, but you can gradually build up to this over time until you are able to overcome your fear.

Climb a Mountain

Another classic challenge that people set themselves is to reach the top of a famous peak. It all depends on how high the mountain is before you know how much training and effort you will need to put in to reach the top. There is nothing like the feeling of satisfaction and personal accomplishment when you can stand at the top with your arms aloft!
  

How To Look and Feel Your Best During Retirement

Finding ways to look and feel younger after retiring is a common desire for many seniors. Fortunately, you can still maintain a youthful complexion, exude essence and style, and have a healthier body as a senior. Explore these ways that you can look better in retirement and enjoy yourself during your golden years.

Get a Beauty Makeover

If you want to look and feel younger, you can get a makeover. Opting for a shorter hairstyle and softening your hair color can do wonders for increasing vibrancy. If you have been wearing your makeup the same way for the past decade or more, then it is time to switch it up for a fresh start.

Choosing makeup and lipstick colors that are harmonious with your complexion is important to appear more youthful. Consider visiting a cosmetic counter for beautiful makeover ideas to make your complexion look brighter and more rejuvenated. Using firming eye cream can improve the appearance of fine lines and bags under the eyes, while using an herbal-infused mask once a week can tighten facial skin and make you feel more confident in your appearance.

Spruce Up Your Wardrobe

Changing the way that you dress can shave pounds and years off of your appearance. AARP suggests that wearing matching, tailor fitted clothes, or donning a pink scarf can take a decade off of your age. Bring out the natural rosiness of your skin by avoiding dark and drab colors, and remember to choose brighter shades to illuminate yourself and look your best in retirement.

Go Stress-Free Today

Smiling and feeling happy makes you look more beautiful, pleasant, and enjoyable to be around. One way that you can look better in retirement is to reduce the level of worry and stress present in your life. Practicing daily meditation, prayer, and yoga are some ways that you can release the frustrations of daily life and feel more stress-free. Maybe you need to get out instead of staying in so find a hobby. Getting a bike and go for a ride can give you a one person escape from the world anytime you want to just relax and go for a ride. The more that you practice letting go of things that you cannot change and changing the things that you can, you will feel much better about yourself and your existence.

Engage in Regular Exercise

Without a doubt, regular exercise is a must for looking your best, staying energized, and remaining healthy in retirement. Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the skin, resulting in an increased supply of oxygen and vital nutrients that improve your complexion and make you heal faster. Some exercise ideas for seniors include swimming, walking, and light aerobic activity in short intervals. Consider working out with a friend or joining a local gym with a senior population that is interested in looking and feeling good, just like you.

Consume a Balanced Diet

What you choose to eat every day has a direct effect on your appearance, so it is important to consume a balanced diet. Everyday Health states that nutritious foods reduce your chances of developing chronic diseases as you age, and it elevates your energy, which can make you naturally more vivacious. Although nutritional needs do vary among seniors, eating more vegetables, fruits, small portions of lean meats, fish, beans and whole grains are especially helpful. When you eat healthier, it is easier to keep the pounds off and avoid developing life-threatening health conditions that negatively impact your appearance.

The older that you get, the more important that it becomes to develop life-saving and beauty-magnifying habits with a sound diet, regular exercise, and a worry-free mind. Maintaining your beauty regimen and using products that nourish your skin is important for reducing anti-aging and appearing years younger. Every day that you make the choice to do something positive to make yourself look and feel good, your natural beauty and inner glow will shine through.

Disposing Of Your Old Computer The Green Way

When your computer comes to the end of its life, whether it has broken or you simply fancy an upgrade, it is important to dispose of it in a manner that does not cause significant damage to the environment. Unfortunately, electronic waste is a problem that is getting worse, and, therefore, by simply disposing of your old computer using a green approach, you can go a long way to combating this issue. So, continue reading to discover more about some of the green ways you can dispose of your old computer.

  •       Contact the manufacturer – It is worth finding out whether the manufacturer has a scheme in place where you can return electronic products once they have reached the end-of-life cycle. Nevertheless, you do need to be sure that the manufacturer is going to dispose of the computer in an ethical manner.
  •       Use a specialist company – This is the easiest way to ensure your computer is disposed of without causing harm to the environment. The company in question will have specialist methods in place for disposing electronic products in a manner that is safe and does not cause any damage to the planet. They will also be able to destroy the hard drive for you to ensure that all of your personal information is removed. This is of paramount importance because identity theft is rife at present, and if you do not destroy the hard drive you are simply asking for a criminal to come along and steal your data. A lot of people do not realise that when they ‘delete’ their documents, all they really do is delete the entry on the index file, not the file itself.
  •       Sell your computer – If your computer works, you may be able to get some money back by selling it on the likes of eBay and other auction websites. There are plenty of selling apps to help with this. However, please bear in mind that you will need to get rid of all the data stored on the hard drive, as just mentioned.
  •       Donate your computer to someone else – You may be tired of your slow, old computer, but for someone else, this could be the sort of thing they have always dreamed of. There are many families who can only dream of affording a computer, and you can make this a reality by donating your old machine to them.
  •       Use the spare parts – From the NIC card and hard drive to the CRT monitor and extra memory, there are many parts that may come into use later down the line. If you are someone with a little bit of technical knowledge, you can make use of these parts if anything happens to your computer.
  •       Trade your computer in – Last but not least, it is worth seeing whether you can trade your computer in. Of course, it is highly unlikely that you will get a straight swap. Nevertheless, you may be able to secure some discount off your order. Moreover, there are some stores that give store vouchers and such like for those that return electronic items.