Standing On Your Own Two Feet

When you’re becoming more and more of an independent adult, one of the main things you want to do is get your own place. However, that comes with a lot of considerations! Making sure you’ve taken everything into account may need a bit of double checking and then checking again, so here’s a list to help you out with the things you’ll need to keep in mind. Your would be party lifestyle depends on it!

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Making Sure You Pack Everything

Even if you don’t have all the furniture for your new place yet, that doesn’t mean you have nothing! If you can pack everything you know you own in a few boxes well before you move, you’ve got a good heads start on the seating, sleeping, and dining situation. The rest will follow suit when you get the money to have a shopping spree! 

Try and get the details out of the way first, as the small but essential items need to be taken over to your new place straight away. Your toothbrush and clothing for example, as you’re going to need them as soon as you get going, and you don’t want to be digging in the bottom of your cardboard boxes right before bed when you’re out of energy already!

Know Your Amenities

When you’re out of milk and it’s 2 in the morning, you’re going to need to know where the nearest 24 hour shop is. Waiting until the morning and then going for a look around is the last thing we want to do, so explore the area surrounding your new place before you settle in. 

Is there a supermarket nearby? Can you easily park your car near your house so you can run errands easily back and forth between the two locations? If not, get an action plan together! Only you know your own limits, so don’t trick yourself into thinking the 20 minute walk each way is always going to be fine. 

If the Money Matters Get too Much

There’s a lot you have to pay for when you’re looking to move, and that often puts up a huge barrier and stops us. However, when you can immediately get a ballpark figure over what you’re going to need to afford each month, you can immediately start budgeting. It’d also be a good idea to sock some savings away in larger amounts; the furniture won’t buy itself after all!

If there’s no other option for you when concerning finance, it’s not a bad idea to take out a loan. You can make the money back enough to pay small installments, or your can turn to  https://debtconsolidation.co/debt-relief/. This way everything is pooled together and made a lot more manageable as a result; it’s a great solution if you have nowhere else to go. 

Use this advice. There’s a lot to think about before moving yes, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it when you know you have the means to do so! 

Why Is Your Credit Score Important?

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What is your credit score?

A credit score is a value which is calculated by lenders to judge your credit at a certain point in time. It is used to assess how likely you are to repay any loan you are given, and therefore whether they should take the risk and give you the money. 

There are three different credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and these each calculate the credit score slightly differently, but based on the same financial factors. There are five main factors which come into play when calculating your credit score and how likely you are to be accepted for a loan:

• Payment history: a record of all payments relating to credit which you have paid
• Outstanding debt: any debt you have which hasn’t been paid
• Length of credit: how long you’ve had credit, the longer the better because it shows stability
• New credit: any credit you are pursuing
• Types of credit: the type of credit you have

Can I improve my credit score?

There is always a risk in life that something will happen that makes paying back your credit near impossible, and due to this there may be a few bad records on your credit report. But don't fret: it could be a mistake on your report, which you can get a best credit repair service to help you with, or it could be something that you can change and manage. 

There are a few ways you can save yourself some money and improve your credit score:

• Cut back on your spending
• Pay off any existing debt which may be affecting your credits score
• Closing multiple credit cards
• Start saving and budgeting

Credit counseling

If you are really struggling with paying back your debts and managing your credit score you can always ask for help from a credit counsellor. These are non-profit companies and will provide you with different services depending on your needs. They will work with you and your lenders in order to find the best solution for your issue and the best way forward. Most lenders are willing to do this because they will receive some of their owed money back, so it is a win win for them to be involved and help you solve your issues. 

Monitor Your Credit

Think of your personal record and how that follows you all the way through your life, your credit history is exactly the same. Whether you have a high credit score or a low one, it is crucial that you take the time to monitor your credit situation so that you can either improve on your score or maintain it at a high level. You have the right to request your copy of you credit report for free, so take advantage of this and take a look through it to make sure that it is all in order.

Do you need perfect credit?

No. It is not a common occurrence for people to have a completely perfect credit history and score. Lenders are simply looking for evidence that you have paid off your credit most of the time and that you are likely to back what they lend you within a timely fashion. 

Coping With Your Age Worries

Every year we get older, and considering we’re in the new year now, it’s probably on the forefront of our minds how much time is moving on. You’ve got your resolutions in tow, However, there’s nothing wrong with feeling your way through your worries, although there are ways to work around them! Don’t sweat out already!

It’s been found that a lot of people don’t worry about the situation they may find themselves in later in life until they’re at least 50, but considering the amount of time we have in our lives now, that’s still fairly young! So if you really are worried, no matter what your age is, here’s some some tips for you to think on when it comes to working with the new year. 

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Opportunities Exist Everywhere

Hopefully you’ve been putting savings in an account every time you’ve been handed a paycheck and now you’ve got yourself quite a sizeable fund to fall back on in the case of an emergency. Or maybe you’re using it to save up for a holiday, or maybe you’re looking for investment opportunities to try and make twice the return on your efforts. In all ways, the fact that you’re already in these good habits means you’ve got a lot of skill up your sleeve!

You can still go on holidays with this money in some of your later years, whether that’s backpacking across the Alps or kayaking down the Amazon. Your hobbies will still be there for you to indulge, and we all change with our tastes the more of the world we’re exposed to. So the long and short of it is: you can keep up with everything you want to do as long as you prepare for it now!

There’s Plenty of Care Out There

The idea that our health will fail is a big worry for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be any more than that at the end of the day. Getting in shape and staying in shape isn’t hard when you’ve got a routine down well and you know how far you can push your body. Keep at it and you’ll be doing similar things for years to come!

Even for the much bigger worries over memory, there’s a lot you can look into to make any health concerns go a little smoother. They’re always going to be a rough ride of course, but when the most common fret is over whether or not alzheimers care services will take you in, you can do a lot for yourself to simply know your options in the case of anything life changing occurring. 

It all sounds like a serious matter but it honestly isn’t. Aging is a part of life and we all do it well; let yourself enjoy the new perspective and success you might find as you get older! You’ll become a better person, and staying positive in that way is key to making sure your health ages just as well with you!

Your Car Accident Might Have Done More Damage Than You Think

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It’s pretty easy to feel you escaped your car accident with just a few scrapes, but how do you know for sure if everything inside is okay. It can be hard to identify any internal injuries straight away due to the shock of everything, but it’s always recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may not know about any concussions or brain damages caused by an impact, and the sooner you identify them; the more there is that can be done.

It’s quite common in severe crashes that the victims seek more than just medical attention to help them get past it. If you’ve been inflicted with serious injuries while going about your daily life on the road, you’re not going to be so eager to get back behind the wheel of your car. Even thinking about it is enough to make some people anxious. Seeing a psychologist might be a good idea for you if you feel you’re suffering from similar symptoms. Counselling doesn’t promise a cure, but it can help you to ease the intensity of your feelings. Not everyone will experience these mental effects, but when you do, it’s not always obvious. Without consideration, these kinds of fears can stop us in our everyday lives; many might neglect the option to go out if they feel unsafe; which is a slippery slope to becoming reclusive!

Taking action

While it won’t help with your injuries, taking legal action against those who caused your state can help to cover any costs and inconveniences that they caused. There are specialists out there for anyone, as long as the accident wasn’t your fault, you should be eligible for a claim. Investing in the services of a personal injury attorney is the best option for you if you’re unaware of how to deal with the legal actions yourself. Not only that, but you’re opening up a variety of choices for you that could make the ordeal a lot simpler. Your lawyer may help you come to better and more suitable deals for both parties, meaning that everyone is satisfied with the outcome; therefore offering a solution. 

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While health should be the primary concern, there’s the matter of costs, too. The amount you might have to pay for repair fees, or medical expenses might drag you under in your finances; and if you’re seriously injured, you’re not in a position to work. Car accidents can ruin lives, so it doesn’t hurt to try and make the best of an unfortunate situation, even if it does mean claiming against the other party. Some accidents can be lethal, and may even leave the victim disabled for the rest of their life, that’s something you just can’t give back; no matter how much money is paid. There’s nothing you can do to compensate taking such an important part of their life away, but a claim is at least something that can be used for recovering!

What's the Difference between a Clinical and a Counselling Psychologist?

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If you are considering a career in psychology, it is important to know the difference between the different forms of psychology. Two of the most popular types include clinical and counselling psychology. In this post, you will discover the key differences between each type, so that you can make up your mind regarding the best career path for you.

An introduction to psychology

Before we can delve into the different types of psychology, it is first important to explain what psychology is and who psychologists are. Psychology is the scientific study of people, behaviour and the mind. It explores how people react with each other and the environment, as well as how they act and think. Psychologists, therefore, help people by influencing all aspects of public life, including social justice, education, and, of course, health.

The different types of psychologists

If you feel that psychology could be the right career path for you, it’s important to know about the different types of psychologists. As you will already know, there are counselling and clinical psychologists, which we are going to focus on next. Aside from this, other types of psychology include teaching and research, occupational, health, forensic and educational.

Counselling and clinical psychology

Now that you have a basic understanding regarding the different forms of psychology, it is important to look at the difference between clinical and counselling psychology. Both types of psychologists aim to enhance and promote psychological well-being while reducing psychological distress. There is a significant overlap between both forms of this scientific study. However, the main differences lie regarding training and their perspective. Clinical psychology focuses on individuals that have serious mental health issues, for example, psychosis. Counselling psychology focuses on less pathological, healthier populations. The distinction is increasing small, as they work in similar settings, but you will need to achieve a greater level of training to break into the clinical field.

Training

As mentioned, the main difference between the two fields of psychology regards the training side of things. Both will require you to get an accredited degree or conversion course in psychology. Once you have done this, you will then need to train in your chosen specialism. The good news is that you can find Masters in Counseling Psychology and Masters in Clinical Counseling online. This means you can be more flexible with your education and work in the process. Of course, you may prefer to do your Masters Degree at a university, the choice is yours, but both options are fully available to you.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how clinical and counselling psychology differ from one and other. As you can see, they are very similar in many ways. Nonetheless, it is important to know about the differences so that you can make up your mind regarding the route you want to go down.

The Surprising Ways To Better Your Writing Career

If you are a work from home writer, you are probably aware that it helps to think of yourself as a business. After all, you are a business, and the more that you act in that way, the more likely it is that you will be able to see the kind of success that you are probably dreaming of. There are countless ways in which you can ensure you are treating yourself as a business, and it definitely pays to think about some of them as soon as you can. The earlier you get to know what you need to do in order to better your writing career, the more success you will have with that career. Let’s look at some of the more surprising ways you can improve your writing business now.

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Get Better At The Admin Stuff

Like all businesses, you are always going to have the administrative side of things to deal with. The better that you are at this stuff, the more likely it is that your writing business on the whole will keep going in the right way. Of course, there are countless ways to improve your administrative skills, and one of the best is simply to take an online accredited mba program. With this kind of qualification under your belt, you will be able to manage your business - and yourself - much more effectively. What’s more, you can take such a qualification without actually leaving the home, making it ideal for the stay-at-home writer that you are.

Read What You Hate

Chances are, you have your own particular idea of what kind of literature you would much rather avoid. For some people, for example, this might be romantic novellae, and for others it could be that sci-fi is their big dislike. Whatever your own literary bugaboo is, you might actually be able to learn a thing or two from reading more of it. You might be thinking: why would I subject myself to reading the stuff I hate? But the more closely you understand why you actually hate it, the more you will be able to steer clear of those very mistakes in your own writing. It is actually just as valuable to know what you dislike about something than to know what you like about something. Don’t be afraid to read something you hate today.

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Get Out More

Writing is a solitary pursuit, there’s no doubt about it. But the writer’s life is not necessarily made better by the fact that you will tend to spend a lot of time indoors. They say that you should write about what you know, but if all you know is your study then there is not much material to work with. This is why it is always valuable to get out more, as in living your life more fully you will have much more to write about. If you feel that you are struggling for things to write about, it might be a sign that you have started taking the work-from-home idea a little too literally.

5 Reasons Why Debt Can Sometimes Be a Good Thing

Yes, debt sucks. No one wants to be in debt because it usually means we owe someone money, and that means paying it back out of our own pocket. No one likes the idea of a bad credit rating either. If you fail to pay your bills on time then you might end up ruining your credit score or potentially landing yourself in even more trouble. It goes without saying that having a debt to pay off is a situation no one wants to be in, but there are some positives to debt that you may not realise.

To make it clear, this article isn’t made for the purpose of saying that debt is a good thing. It’s not going to tell you to take a maximum personal loan from Personalloan.co just to pay for a home renovation and it’s not going to tell you to splash cash you don’t own. Instead, these are reasons that will help you cope with debt and give you a light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to.

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1. Debt helps you repair your credit rating

Having debt doesn’t actually lower your credit rating unless you fail to pay it back. For instance, taking out a mortgage means that you’re technically in debt because you need to pay it back. However, you need a good credit rating to take out a mortgage in the first place. Don’t let people fool you by saying debt means you have a poor credit rating. Many people put themselves into debt for the sake of repairing their credit rating for the future.

2. Debt was probably an investment

Whether it’s buying a home or a car, having debt often means you borrowed money for a reason. This article from huffingtonpost.com actually goes through a couple of reasons why you’d want to take out a loan in the first place, and they’re all valid reasons because you're investing in something.

3. Debt can help you realize your situation

Being in debt and being unable to pay it off is a good way to remind yourself of your financial situation. Living a lifestyle that you can’t afford is a quick way to plummet into debt and end up with a poor financial record. Let debt be the wake-up call you need to break out of your bad spending habits and change the way you treat your money.

4. Debt means you can afford a home

If you’re in debt because of a mortgage then you’re actually in a much better situation than you think. The fact that you could pay a deposit for a home and even be approved for a mortgage means you’re in a good financial spot. This is one of the many ways that debt can show you that you’re in a good spot. Of course, a mortgage isn’t the only way to own a home, and it could be that you need mobile home financing. In that case, it’s best to speak to experts like Top Notch Mobile Homes Financing so you can work out what you need to do and what financial situation you have to be in. 

5. Debt can help you cover emergencies

And lastly, debt can help us cover emergency expenses. Whether it’s paying for a repair or fixing our car, if our savings can’t cover the expenses then we’ll be forced to take out a loan and plunge into debt. While it’s not pretty to be in debt, at least we solved our emergency.

Long Hair, Don't Care

I attended Catholic girls' schools,. which basically boils down to no boy classmates for the entire 12 years from Kindergarten up to High School. Being around nuns and priests for most of my young life, our role models were modest, clean looking, well mannered lay people or teachers. 

In high school, we had an monthly activity dubbed as an "afternoon soiree." A group of students from Catholic boys' schools would be invited to come over to our campus for academic competitions and to participate in social interaction afterwards. I know, most of you would be groaning and feeling sorry for my boring teen age years. 

This has given us the stereotype of what boys should be - studious, timid, behaved, and well groomed. For me, that meant they looked like dorks - pale, frail, shaved, and sported the required hair cut. Living my young years in an almost convent-like environment stirred a little rebellion. Me and my classmates would swoon over the photos of real boys, and we'd spend our allowance buying Tiger Beat and Teen Beat Magazines. I could not imagine myself falling for those sweet, well behaved boys. I was more attracted to men sporting the man-bob, the tousled look, or simply put, men with a two day old stubble and long hair.

Here are my forever crushes. The long haired men I admired from high school, to college, to middle age.

1. Shaun Paul Cassidy

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Yes, Shaun Cassidy, or Joe Hardy of the Hardy Boys TV series. I remember they showed it every Friday at 7:30 pm. I had to make sure my homework was finished, my chores are done, and I have showered and changed in to my pajamas. I loved his layered, shoulder length blonde locks! And of course, he can play the guitar and sing too. Bonus points for that!

2.  Scott Vincent James Baio

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Scott Baio did not have really long hair but he wore the man-bob really well. I loved the movie Zapped! countless times, where he played the lead role as Barney Springboro. I followed him through his other TV series, Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi and Charles in Charge.

3. Robert John Downey, Jr.

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Robert Downey Jr. looks good with long hair or short cropped hair. I first noticed him in the 1994 romantic comedy movie "Only You" with Marisa Tomei. I have watched and followed his movies since then. His Iron Man movies are so good I could watch them over and over (and over) again.

4. William Bradley Pitt

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I first noticed Brad Pitt and his long blonde hair in the movie Legends of the Fall where he played the role of Tristan Ludlow. I loved the movie, not only because Brad Pitt looked absolutely sexy with his long hair and perfect physique, but because of the story itself.  A poignant film about three brothers falling in love with one woman, and the tragedy that befell the Ludlow family. I loved his other movies where he sported long hair, namely, World War Z, Troy, and The Devil's Own. I also loved his other movies even without his long hair!

5. Yan Cheng Xu (Jerry Yan)

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Yan Cheng Xu, (English name: Jerry Yan) is a Taiwanese actor and member of the boy band JVKV (formerly called F4). He started out as a model for fashion magazines, and his career skyrocketed when he got the lead role of Dau Ming Xi in the television soap, "Meteor Garden." The story line was the usual "rich boy falls in love with poor girl," nevertheless it gained a huge following and was broadcast in almost every Asian nation. Still single at 41, Jerry is dubbed as the most eligible bachelor in Taiwanese show business. Jerry, as shown in the photo above, in his recent role as a surgeon in the TV series, "The Hospital." If my doctor was this cute, I wouldn't mind being in the hospital for a long time.

These five guys with gorgeous locks are now in their 50s (except Jerry who's 41) and are still head-turners - with our without long hair!

Who do you think looks cute even after all these years?

Dealing With the Woes of Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem might be a term that you’ve heard of, but do you know what it really means or what it implies? Self-esteem usually refers to how you evaluate yourself and your worth. It’s the type of thing you say to yourself in your mind and generally, low self-esteem means that you don’t value your own life or happiness very much.

Coping with low self-esteem can be difficult. You’ll be demotivated to do anything and it will feel like you aren’t able to cope with changes in life. It can be incredibly frustrating and even lead to depression if you aren’t able to manage it correctly. To help you out, we’ve put together an article with will help you deal with the problems associated with low self-esteem, and how to ultimately get rid of the problem entirely.

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Signs of Low Self-Esteem

Having low self-esteem means a number of different things, so let’s identify the main symptoms first for a better understanding.

• Do you hate yourself? One of the most common problems with having low self-esteem is that you’ll start to hate yourself. You’ll find plenty of ways to talk yourself down and you’ll constantly pick out negative qualities, even if they’re not true.
• Do you always feel worthless? A feeling of worthlessness is common with low-self esteem. If you feel like you’re unable to perform well or have no redeeming qualities, then you’ll start to feel worthless as a person.
• Do you think no one likes you? Do you feel like the eyes of other people are constantly looking down on you? Do you feel like no one enjoys your company and that they’d be better off without you around? This is another common sign of low self-esteem that can quickly lead to depression. If not dealt with correctly.
• Do you always take the blame? If you find yourself constantly apologizing to other people and taking the blame, even if something isn’t your fault, then it’s a sign of having low-self esteem that cannot stay around.
• Do you hate treating yourself? Ever felt bad that you just bought yourself dinner, or that you treated yourself to a new pair of shoes? Don’t feel bad, everyone should treat themselves now and then.
• Do you feel like you have no positives? Can you find no positive qualities about yourself? You have more redeeming qualities than you think and it’s just your low self-esteem affecting you.
• Do you have low confidence? Low self-confidence is a problematic issue on its own, but when combined with low self-esteem it can be incredibly damaging to your mental health.
• Do you feel like you don’t deserve to be happy? Everyone deserves to be happy, so stop putting yourself down. Low self-esteem can make you feel like you’re not deserving of anything in the world, but that’s just wrong and this article will teach you how to deal with low self-esteem so you can be positive and enjoy life again.

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Dealing with the Woes of Self-Esteem

Talking about the symptoms of low self-esteem is often the most difficult part of accepting it. It reminds you of the struggle you have to go through, but it’s important to identify these issues before they get out of hand. Once you’ve come to grips with your low self-esteem, you can begin to recover with the help of these tips below.

• Learn what is affecting your self-esteem. It’s important to identify what exactly it is that’s affecting your self-esteem. Perhaps it’s because you’re suffering abuse from someone, or maybe it’s because of bullying in the workplace. It might even be because of mental health issues that you’ve been ignoring. Whatever it is, locate the source of your low self-esteem and find ways to treat it.
• Find ways to boost your confidence. Boosting your confidence can be done a number of different ways. For some, it can be improved by changing or improving your appearance. Whether it’s from a trusted cosmetic surgeon such as Dr. Grawe or trying a different makeup routine, improving your appearance is one way of giving yourself a boost of confidence.
• Surround yourself with positive people that care. Positive vibes are what you need to get through these tough times struggling with low self-esteem. Surround yourself with loving friends and family members and you’ll quickly realize that you have all the support you could ever ask for.
• Stop talking yourself down all the time. Stop immediately with all the negative talk. Don’t discourage yourself by constantly mentioning negative things in your mind and focus on positives instead. If it helps, keep distracting yourself with positive and uplifting music, or head out more to speak with friends and surround yourself with positive people that care about you.
• Challenge yourself to experience new things. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself to experience new things in life. Moments that you can cherish will always stick with you no matter what happens and they can be a source of motivation and inspiration that will help you through life.
• Learn to love yourself. And finally, give your body and mind the respect it deserves. Learn to everything about yourself. Think about the positive aspects of your life and your personality and you’ll learn how to love yourself once again. Take care of yourself by improving your health, taking care of your body and getting enough rest between stressful situations in your life.

To conclude, having low-self esteem isn’t unheard of or uncommon. Many people experience it due to social factors or personal issues that are caused by underlying issues, but it’s important to identify why you have low self-esteem in order to deal with it correctly. With enough support from your peers and positive vibes to boost your confidence, you’ll be able to recover from having low self-esteem.

Yes, I Was

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The sun has set on the first day of the new year. 

I look back on the year that passed. I pause and reminisce about the nice things, and the not so nice things. I have been blessed to have a fairly good 2017. I stayed relatively healthy, except for a bad cold around Christmas-time. I had great opportunities to earn and keep my finances afloat. 

I went back re-read my article, "My Word For the Year." I wanted to know if I did fulfill it and if I gave meaning to my chosen word, which was "BE."

After looking back on the events that happened this past year, I can confidently say that yes, I WAS. 

I WAS steadfast in my beliefs and bravely spoke my mind.

I WAS patient and I persevered until I achieved my goals.

I WAS depressed at times, but survived in the Grace of God. 

I WAS tired but grateful for the fruits of my labor.

I WAS loving and thankful for the love I received in return.

I WAS worried and fearful but I kept my faith.

I WAS blessed with friends who offered help even if I never expected them to.

I WAS always happy to have my family with me.

A year ago, I promised myself that I will BE.

Today, I am thankful that I WAS. 

Can You Make Your Already Incredible Home Even Better With These Little Beauties?

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When you’ve worked really hard in life to create a home that you love, you may feel as if it's perfect. But, in interiors as much as in life, perfect is never really real. It’s something that you often aim for, but fail to reach. Because your tastes and preferences are going to be quick to change. So, if you do start to think that your home just isn’t quite there, you should be able to change things around really quickly with the right kind of touches. While you may think that you have everything covered at first, you may not have. So we’re now going to take a look at the little beauties that will help you to improve your pretty much perfect home.

Add In An Entertaining Space

We’re going to kick off with something big. Because the things that you’re missing won’t always be a textile here or a photo frame there. Sometimes, it’s the elephant in the room - or even an actual room itself. If your home doesn’t have an entertaining space, then you’re definitely going to want to consider adding one on. Whether it’s an addition to the kitchen, or the transformation of a dining space, you should find that if you can add a room that is perfect to entertain in, your home will feel like a completely different place.

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Focus On Atmosphere

Next, you’re definitely going to want to add in some atmosphere where you can. Because if your home just isn’t feeling right, then it may be the case that you just haven’t been able to work in the right atmospheric touches so far. So, why not click here to uncover diffusers that you can work in to add scent. But don’t stop there, you may also want to work on more atmospheric lighting or even some soothing or moving sounds too.

Smarten Up Your Storage

When you were creating the look for your home, did you tend to focus on just that - the look - above all else? Because if you neglected the practical aspects a bit, you may find that things just aren’t looking for feeling right. So, this is where you’re going to want to rework some smart storage solutions into the space. You should then find that everything feels so much more organized and put together.

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Work In A Statement Piece

Maybe it’s a certain room that just doesn’t feel complete, or a few? When that’s the case, you should definitely look to add in a statement piece. Whether it’s an antique or something custom, you could find that showcasing something extra special in your favorite room just really adds a little something else.

Wow With Your Garden

Finally, you may also want to turn your attentions to the outside. Because when your inside is looking great, you need the garden to shine too. Perhaps a water feature or a very striking seating area is all you need to ensure that your garden looks gorgeous.

What Truly Defines 'Cool?'

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‘Cool’ is a word that has stood the test of time. People have been saying it for decades, arguably since the beginning of the 20th century. It is the one word that has persisted to mean ‘relevant, capable, impressive and competent.’ Those four words previously listed are still only attempts at listing the word ‘cool.’ This word takes up its entire category. There have been many trends which have come to refer to cool, such as ‘sick, fresh, funky,’ but all of these often live and die in the presence of ‘cool.’ 

The word ‘cool’ is universal. Even those who are lacking in English capabilities are able to identify what it means, because it’s such a pinnacle of our speech. This article is dedicated to analyzing ‘cool,’ what it means, and how to emulate it.

Cool Is Present

Cool always stays with the times. It never dies, and is spanned the world over. Surfers in Australia use the word cool, as do miners in Scotland. It’s an ever-present, ever utilized word, and it often refers to something being wholesome and present. ‘Present’ is perhaps one of the best ways to describe the word, because it’s always relevant. Someone who dresses shabbily in and and it dated clothing would be considered less cool than someone who shops for Billabong clothing online. Cool isn’t simply dictated by the quality of the threads you wear, although that can certainly help. Cool is more of a present, ever updating attitude, which is why it never goes out of fashion. It’s always here, and it’s always important.

Cool Doesn’t Care About Being Cool

Caring about being cool is the least cool thing you can do. This sounds quite funny, but it makes sense. We all know when someone is trying to be the focal point of the party, or we know when someone is playing disingenuous social moves in order to impress us. This idea of cool is faulty. Cool is really being down to earth, honest and filled with integrity. If cool was a person, they’d feel fully embarrassed by being labelled as ‘cool.’ This is how it preserves itself, and how the word continually stays relevant in common parlance.

To further back up this point, consider the actual real definition of the word. To be cool is to be chilled, as in temperature wise. This could be likened to emotion such as neglected to get ‘heated’ about something, but instead seeing things from a level, relaxed, patient perspective. Cool is not averse to passion, but only in the right instances.

This is why dressing in an understated way is so important. Highlighting the main focal points of your outfit such as a great watch or a nice piece of jewellery is tasteful and cool, because it’s not TRYING to show you how impressive it is. Someone wearing too much Jewellery or wacky colors can be seen as a little too complex. It looks as if you’re trying to hard. We’re not making any judgements on how people dress here, but simply how the word cool operates. That being said:

Cool Is Highly Personal

What is cool to you might not be cool to another person. The intricacies of a complex classical fugue might be considered the height of excellence to one person, while another might simply feel that the swift lyricism and strong beats of some modern hip-hop to be the coolest expression on the planet. ‘Cool’ switches in importance from culture to culture, and from person to person. This is what keeps ‘cool’ varied, and justified in its coolness. 

That’s why it’s important to pay cool no mind. Simply work on yourself, your appearance, your health, your career and you’ll find that cool comes to you. Think of it like a butterfly. If you try to catch it, it will get further away from you than ever. However, if you focus on other things and pursue them, cool will float and rest on your shoulder.

In Conclusion

The word ‘cool’ is many things to many people. It’s likely that after reading this article, the word ‘cool’ seems strange to read, hear and say. We’d like to take the opportunity to say that if you treat your family well, you earn your living and you’re happy meeting the challenges of life (even if it’s very hard,) then you are cool even if you don’t feel it. Now go out into this world with this knowledge, and achieve everything you’ve hoped to!

Sometimes, Too Much of One Thing Is a Good Thing When It Comes to Home Styles

A lot of the time we are led to believe that too much one particular thing when it comes to home styles and interior design is off-putting. Too often we are told to find balance in our homes by using different materials, colour schemes and styles in order to create a room that is cohesive and not too impactful. Now, there’s nothing wrong with doing this, but there’s also nothing wrong with doing the alternative, either: opting heavily for one particular style.

To see some of the styles that will come to life in your home if you rely on them heavily, make sure to read on.

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Leather

Whether you believe this or not, leather looks great when there is an abundance of it. Especially in the living room, when there is a lot of leather in there, from sofas to foot stools, you will instantly create an air of Regency within the room. So, the next time you're looking for a new sofa to slump on in your living room, make sure to head here and find yourself a black leather Maxime Sofa or a chestnut brown leather Salvatore Sofa, and when you next need a footstool don't be afraid to purchase one that has that classic Chesterfield look about it. Seriously, your living room will benefit!

Wood

Wood in abundance might not sound like a good idea, but it is. It is because it’s something different and different is always good, right?

When it comes to choosing what kind of wood you will be adorning your home in, and what particular areas of your home you will be adorning, make sure to consider timber cladding in your hallway. You should do so because when you clad your walls in timber you will make the space instantly look and feel bigger, and this is a great illusion to create for people who walk into your home and hallway for the first time. And them, once you’ve timbered your walls, don’t be afraid to add to the Regency/high-end style you've created in your living room by having crown moulding fitted around and about it.

Minimalism

By embracing a lot of minimalist styles in your home you will instantly boost its style tenfold, that’s just a fact. Specifically, if your bedroom is adorned in an abundance of definitely minimalist styles the room will instantly look more spacious and more trendy. And, this kind of style can come in all sorts of formats at all sorts of costs, so there will always be a style for you no matter how much money and effort you want to spend on the venture. You could go all out and suspend tables from your ceiling, or you could simply get rid of everything you do not need in the room to free up a load of space within the room.

If your home is broken, then maybe it’s time you fixed it? And, if you were to take heed of the advice above and then put it into practice, you would be well on your way to doing so.

Warm Winter Living Room Design Ideas

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Would you like to renovate your living room this winter and ensure it’s as cozy as possible for your family? Do you need some inspiration and ideas when it comes to creating your plan? Then you’ve come to the right place today. There are some excellent tips and suggestions on this page that any homeowner can use to ensure they’re snug and comfortable this winter. While you don’t have to use any of the recommendations below, they should serve to point you in the right direction. Most people have a couple of weeks off work during the holiday season, and so now is the best time to start work!

Thick and luxurious curtains 

Nothing says “class” like some thick luxury curtains made from some of the best materials on the market. All the final decisions are down to you, but you can always search online for specialist suppliers if you want the best outcomes. Ideally, you want curtains made from fabrics like silk, velvet, and satin. Those who know how to use sewing machines might think about creating something original. There are lots of websites that supply patterns that you can follow if you don’t have much experience in making those products. The goal is to get something thick enough to ensure your home retains heat, but stylish enough that your friends and holiday guests feel jealous. 

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Handmade rugs and carpets

You’re going to need something to keep your feet warm this winter, and that is especially important if you have wooden floors in your home. Adding some carpets or handmade rugs is a wise move because it will insulate your space and ensure you don’t lose too much heat. Also, you will never have to place your feet on the cold floor again. Some of the best handmade rugs you can purchase come from countries like Iran. For the best savings, it makes sense to check listings on online auction websites like eBay. However, there are lots of dedicated suppliers out there if you don’t mind paying the going rate. Just bear in mind that handmade rugs are expensive. 

A real wood fireplace

When it comes to creating a cozy atmosphere in your living room this winter, adding a real wood fireplace is a fantastic step. You might have to pay professionals to increase the size of your current fire so you can fit a wood-burning product into the living room. However, that shouldn’t break the bank if you shop around. There are also lots of options when it comes to the type of fireplace you select. Just head over to relevant sites and take a look at some of the designs those companies keep in stock. In most instances, you won’t have to spend more than around $600 to get something that works well and meets your criteria.

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Modern chandeliers 

You need to think about your approach to lighting if you want the best results from your home design job. Depending on the size of your living room; you might think about adding a stylish modern chandelier. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and get something made from the world’s rarest crystal according to Lamps Plus. Instead, you should look for something new and affordable that will help to create a luxurious aesthetic. Modern chandeliers come in a range of different shapes and sizes, and they use various materials. So, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that tickles your taste buds. Just be careful when it comes to hanging the chandelier in your living room. Some items are somewhat bulky, and you don’t want to cause any damage to your home. 

Smart dimmer switches 

While these products don’t add anything to the design of your living room, they do help you to ensure the area remains as comfortable and cozy as possible. Experts from Sudden Link say people who use smart dimmers in their home will require a decent internet connection as most of the devices are controllable via your smartphone. However, there are some items out there that use remote controls, and so you just need to make the selection based on your requirements. Once you have those dimmers in your living room, you can determine how much light you want in the space. When you want to cuddle up on the sofa and watch a movie, just open your smartphone and turn the lights down without having to move from your position.

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Upmarket furniture 

Changing the furniture in your living room is an excellent idea if you want to create an upmarket theme that will blow your winter guests away. There are many specialist furniture makers and shops out there where you can get unique items that people can’t find elsewhere. So, you should think about visiting those places and taking a look at the products they hold in stock. You might also use online auction websites to buy furniture from old manor houses or something similar. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination. Some people even like the idea of getting some used items and upcycling them to extend their life. That is a brilliant move if you want to do your bit to protect the planet and you have a reasonable level of creativity. You might want to get:

• Armchairs
• Sofas
• Coffee tables
• Side tables
• A mantlepiece 
• A drinks cabinet 

Now you know about some of the best ways to create a warm winter living room this holiday season; nothing should stand in the way of your success. It’s just a case of conducting some research, coming up with some ideas, and then setting your plans in motion. As mentioned at the beginning of this post; now is the best time to get started because you can get everything done while you take some time off work for the holidays. If you need extra inspiration; search Google for “luxurious living rooms.” Then, take a look at some of the image results. You are sure to find something that makes you feel excited. When that happens, you just need to replicate the elements of the concept you admire. 

Giving Your Princess A Ball Of Her Own

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When it comes to her 10th, 16th, 18th, or 21st birthday, most parents will want to give their daughter something extra special. In a lot of cases, this will come in the form of grand gifts, signifying their passage onto the next stage of life. Of course, though, this time in their life isn’t just about presents. Along with this, they are also building some very important memories, and you have a great chance to shape the way they play out. So, to help you out with this, this post will be exploring the elements you need to get your girl’s ball off the ground.

The Venue: The location for your event will be one of the most important aspects of this project. Most little princesses will be too good to spend their birthday at home, and this will mean finding somewhere more suitable for their high standards. A castle, hall, or other grand building can be perfect. To do this correctly, though, you'll need to figure out the theme that your party will be following, too.

The Event Theme: The theme for your party will be very dependent on the person you’re throwing it for. For example, if you have a daughter with a love for reading, a book-themed birthday could be perfect for them. Most kids will make it very easy to tell what they do and don’t enjoy. Using this knowledge, you should be able to come up with a theme which not only inspires joy but also captures what your princess loves the most.

The Food & Drinks: With an event in mind and the location booked, you’ll be ready to start tackling the food and drinks for the party. Like the theme, this should be based on what your daughter likes the most, but you also have to consider the other kids at the event. In most cases, it will be best to arrange a range of options, enabling everyone to choose what they’d like before they RSVP.

The People & Invites: Making sure that people are at your kid’s birthday will take a little bit more planning. You will need to compile a list of the friends you child has, taking special efforts to include children who have invited your kid to their own special days. Normal paper won’t be enough for a day like this, and some embossed cards or fancy digital invites can be used to make it more exciting. When you’re doing this, you have to be very careful not to overbook the event your organizing.

As the last area to consider, a lot of people will struggle to have fun at their kid’s birthday event. Of course, though, this doesn’t matter, as this day for is for your daughter, and not for you. Keeping this in mind will make it a lot easier to create the perfect event for your little one. Along with this, you should make sure that they are able to get as much input into this part of their life as possible.

Treasure Those Special Moments

There’s those moments in your life that you’ll wish could last forever. There’s memories to come as well that you’ll hope will last a lifetime, especially if you have children. There’s just so much going on around the world and in people’s lives that it would be a shame not to capture it all. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be a holiday, your child's first steps, your wedding day. They’re all special. Luckily for you, there’s ways to make sure these special moments do last a lifetime, and this article is here to make sure you’re capturing them all in the best way possible.

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Relive Them

Sometimes memories are that powerful and good that you just have to relive them. For this article in particular we’re talking about holidays. We’ve all been on that one holiday that was so perfect. The hotel was amazing, the food was great, the weather was lovely. Just everything seemed to go so right about that one holiday, leaving you with the major blues when you get back. But what’s stopping you from booking another holiday just like your dream one? There’s plenty of years left in your life to go and explore other parts of the world, so just for one year you might as well go for somewhere you know you’re going to have a good time. Often, the best holiday’s were before you had children, so if you want to make it extra special you can bring them along and relive your favourite time with your favourite people.

Make A DVD

This is one of the best ways of making sure you have your fondest memories with your forever. Plus, you can make enough copies to send round to family members. Everyone loves to see a good baby video, especially your parents, so giving them a disk full of them is going to be their dream come true, as well as yours. People tend to do this for weddings as well. That is one of the most magical days of your life, and for some people who couldn’t make it, the DVD makes up for the action they missed. Companies such as Nationwide Disc offer deals that allow you to replicate your fondest memories as many times as you want. For occasions such as wedding’s, this is one of the best ways of making sure everyone, as well as you, can enjoy the special day forever. It isn’t that expensive either!

Scrapbook

One of the cutest ways of remembering those memories forever. If you’re one of those people who saves everything and puts it in a draw, then filling up a scrapbook is the perfect idea for you. You can print pictures and stick on the memorabilia you have collected over time. If you’re doing one that involves things you do with your children, it is the perfect gift to pass on to them when they become old enough!