May5

How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

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How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

We all know the importance of taking pride in our homes. We work hard to keep our dwellings spick and span and looking its best. We constantly strive to make sure they are cozy, comfortable, and a happy place for our families. But, sometimes we need to really up our game and whip our houses into shape with some serious elbow grease. However, that can be easier said than done as it can be tough to know where to start.

So whether you’re looking to add value to your house because you’re wanting to sell or whether you’re just looking for the best ways to really make the most out of your home, here are our simple tips on how to do just that:

Start From the Top: Looking at our attics as a potential area for extending our living space is one of the top ways to add significant value to our homes. If you think your property would benefit from an extra bedroom or if you think that your home needs an amazing game room, your attic could be just the ticket. Get a builder to take a look at your attic and see what possibilities are open to you. Although attic conversions take money and time, the return on the investment is usually really high. A £15,000 attic conversion, can add an extra £30,000 to the value of your house, so it’s well worth considering. Or if you’re staying put and just looking for extra room for your family, this really is the best part of your house to consider opening up.

Extend Into Your Garden: Extending your property into your garden is another great way that you can expand your living space and subsequently add value to your home. Be cautious when taking on conservatory projects, however, as sometimes they can look like an afterthought. An extra unit just bolted onto the side of your home doesn’t look so attractive. Work closely with an experienced builder to see how your conservatory can create a natural flow from your internal home and out into your outdoor world.

Make sure that the style fits well with the existing decor of your house and consider putting the same flooring down from the connecting room so that you give off that natural flow. A full build conservatory can cost as little as £4,000 and can add as much as 9% to the value of your home so, again, this option is well worth looking into.

A Lick of Paint Works Wonders: There’s nothing that drags down the overall appearance of a home more than dull, tired, and old paint work. Look at the paint both internally and externally on your house and get to work. This is a job that you can take on yourself, but to make it as easy as possible for you, you should consider investing in a paint spray machine. It will quarter the amount of time that you spend painting and provides really even coverage. Try shopping around for the best paint spray machines at Tool Nerds.

Before rolling those sleeves up and going in, all paint guns blazing, take some time to consider the most attractive colors for your home. Think of how to cleverly mix neutral with statement colors and plan each individual room and living space accordingly.

When considering the outside of your home, you will need to look at the bigger picture. Look at the houses on either side of you and along your street. Look at the general color palette on the street and think about a color for your house that would not only make it look fantastic, but will also compliment the colors of your neighbors’ home. This will not only give your home an instant facelift, but it will also help make your street look more desirable in general.

Windows are the Soul to Your Home: Windows can be so easily overlooked when sprucing up and renovating homes. Whatever plans you may have for your windows, make sure that they are cohesive with the age and style of your house. Replacing old, tatty, and even moldy or rotting windows will instantly lift the look of your home and provide some much needed sunlight and fresh air into your quarters. This transformation is sure to boost your curb appeal if done right so take the time to explore several different styles before making your decision. You could go eclectic with some stained glass fixtures, classic with custom timber windows, or rustic by adding quaint wooden shutters. The possibilities are endless!

First Impression: The smaller details are just as important as the big when it comes to adding value to our homes. Dingy, faded, and old front doors are certainly not the first impression that you want to give off to any potential buyers or guests coming to your home for the first time. Make sure that you get your new paint spray machine out on your front door, too. Once you’ve painted your front door and it’s looking shiny and new, think about elements such as doorknobs and the sign to your house (if you have one) or your house number.

Look into solid, decadent looking doorknobs and stainless steel house numbers to really have your front door looking in tip top condition. These little extras are incredibly affordable and can make all of the difference to visitors getting excited about stepping inside of your much-loved home.

The Hall: The hall is your second opportunity to make a lasting first impression. Keeping the kids’ shoes stored away and all coats and scarves neatly hidden out of site is the first thing that must be done. Then, take a look around the space. How can you improve the overall feel and style of your hallway so that people instantly feel warm, welcome, and inspired by your home? It all starts with mirrors and lighting.

Hanging mirrors on the wall will open up small hallways and give the impression that they are larger than they are. Natural light will also give off a feeling of spaciousness. For evening lighting think of low, mood lighting that will create a soothing and calming ambience to the entrance of your home. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and invest in interesting lamps or low-lit floor lights for a warm and inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors into the heart of your home.

Ready, get set, and get to work on making your home look brand new and beautiful!

Featured Image By: Flickr

May4

Constant Blocked Nose? Here’s What Could Be Causing It

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Constant Blocked Nose? Here’s What Could Be Causing It

All of us know how annoying it is to have a blocked nose. Typically, we experience them when we’re sick and have a cold or the flu. They cause our whole heads to feel blocked up and it’s hard to breathe, which makes sleeping a real task. But, for a lot of people, blocked noses don’t stop at colds. There are loads of people that go to sleep with a stuffy nose every night and wake up with the same problem each morning. The question is, why? What’s causing your blocked nose if it’s not a cold or flu virus? Let’s take a look:

Airborne Allergens:

Perhaps the biggest cause of a chronically blocked noses is having an allergic reaction to something in the air. There are loads of different airborne allergens around that can cause this and most are extremely common. As it says in this blog post, there are lots of things lurking in your home that could be making you ill. Airborne allergens are just one example. If you have a pet, then they could give off allergens that you breathe in and have a  reaction to, causing your nose to block. Another extremely common allergen is dust. Where there’s dust, there are dust mites, which create airborne allergens that seriously block up your nose. In fact, if you don’t have any pets and you keep waking up throughout the year with a blocked nose, it’s probably due to a dust allergy.

Nasal Polyps:

Did you know that there’s a thing that can grow inside of your nose and cause congestion? It’s true, and they’re called nasal polyps. There’s no need to be too alarmed, these growths are benign, and you probably won’t even notice that they’re there. Essentially, they’re just lumps of tissue that swell up and grow inside of your nose, causing a constant blockage. You might be able to notice them if you shine a light up your nose and look in the mirror (if you’re ever feeling extremely bored). They’re typically caused by other problems in the nose. If you’ve had a really severe cold, sinus infection, or even allergic rhinitis, then this could cause a polyp to grow that keeps your nose blocked even when the previous problems are solved.

Deviated Septum:

You know that little hard thing that separates each nostril in your nose? It’s called your septum, and it can be the cause of your blocked nose. Most of us are lucky enough to be born with a normal and straight septum. Others are born with a deviated one that causes your nostrils to be different sizes. As a result, one nostril can be so small that it’s always blocked. Deviated septums can also occur after physical injuries to the nose. #ouch

If you have a blocked nose all year round, then it’s most likely down to one of these three problems. Try and remove any airborne allergens from your room or take antihistamines to see if that helps your blocked nose. If it does, the problem was probably allergy related. If not, it’s probably one of the other two things and you might want to get it checked out so that you can breathe easy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May4

Want to Help People? Here’s What to Study

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Some people just have a huge heart. If you’re thinking of going to college, you might not know exactly what you want to do yet, but you do know that you want to help people. If helping others is what you want to do with your life, you have many options to play a part in improving the lives of other people. Some careers that will help others take place behind the scenes, perhaps as part of scientific research or even administration. Others involve much more interaction with people who need help and care and are much more hands-on. If you want to go into a caring profession or help others in any way that you can, here are some fields of study which you might want to consider:

Types of Study: Depending on what you think you might want to do with your life, you don’t necessarily need a degree. Some professions require you to have a college education, whereas others might ask that you have specific training or experience. You can study your chosen area of interest in different ways, too. Even if you want to get a bachelor’s degree, you can study it online instead of having to go on campus. Many people improve their education in their evenings and spare time while they work. You might decide to spend around four years doing a bachelor’s degree at college and, perhaps, even go on to postgraduate study. Or you could do a shorter associate’s degree for some subjects. There are lots of ways to study and to reach your desired career path, although some have paths that are more set in stone than others.

Getting a Nursing Degree: For many people, the first caring career that they think of is nursing. Nurses can do a huge range of jobs, from supporting doctors in hospitals and clinics to working in nursing homes or out in the community. This is a degree that can take you to many different places. To become a nurse, you have to get a degree in nursing, which could open you up to a wide range of specialisms. You need to be registered to practice, which proves that you have the qualifications that you need. During a nursing degree program, students will get to experience a range of patient care scenarios to prepare them for the work force. If you’re looking for a quicker route into the healthcare field, you might consider training to become a certified nursing assistant, which allows you to gain hands-on experience with patient care.

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Such a flight attendant pose!

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Doctor? If you’re considering working in a medical profession, you might also have considered becoming a doctor. Some people start thinking about it long before graduating high school, whereas others might not think about it until after they’ve completed their undergraduate education. Qualifying as a doctor takes grit, especially if you want to work in a high-pressure field like emergency medicine or surgery. Not everyone makes it, so it’s important to be sure about what you want to do before you start your medical degree. There’s no doubt that you’ll help lots of people as a doctor, but it also needs to be the right career choice for you.

Human Services: Not every caring profession involves working in a hospital or medical environment, or even working with sick or injured people. Many caring professions involve various supporting roles, which help to deliver services to the people who need them. This could be in areas such as social services, family support, veteran affairs, or elderly care. If you want to work in community outreach and help to connect people to services that they can benefit from, a degree in Health and Human Services could be right for you. This degree teaches you how to help people with a number of challenges in their life, from disabilities and illnesses to difficult home situations. It could lead to a career working with people of all ages, from children to the elderly.

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Wikimedia Image

Admin, Management, and Support: There are also lots of other roles in health care, caring, and social work that are more behind-the-scenes. There are careers in management, administration, and support that might appeal to people who don’t want to be as hands-on as a nurse or carer might be. It could still involve working with people who need help and doing a lot to improve people’s lives, though. Some specific fields of study to consider include Healthcare Management, Medical Billing and Coding, and Health Information Technology. Facilities like the Portobello Institute (or a similar learning institute in your local area) offer facilities management courses to get you started on your career path. These careers can still often require plenty of compassion, as you might be making decisions that affect people’s lives.

Studying Pure Science: What about being a scientist? It wouldn’t necessarily mean that you work directly with people who need help. However, it could mean that you do a lot to help the people who need it. Working in scientific research can give you opportunities to help people by furthering understanding of medical conditions and diseases and developing and testing medications and treatments. If you want to work in scientific research, you might consider a Biology degree. A science degree could also lead to working in laboratories, hospitals and medical clinics.

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SCIENCE!

Social Work: Outside of healthcare, one of the professions that many people who want to help others consider is social work. It can be a tough career, but there can be plenty of rewarding moments. People often think of working with children and families when they think of social work, but it can involve working with anyone who needs help. A social worker might help people with disabilities or perhaps people who have experienced an abusive relationship. They can work with elderly people or people experiencing health issues. A bachelor’s degree in Social Work is a necessary foundation, while some roles in schools or clinical work require a master’s degree. Like many caring roles, social workers also need to be licensed by their state.

As you can see, there are a lot of education requirements for social work but it is well worth it if this is your passion. Every lesson and lecture, every study session with Social Work Exam Strategies, and every essay written will get you one step closer to achieving your goal. Social work is a field that requires your complete dedication and if you can’t dedicate yourself to your studies, it might not be the best choice for you.

Education: Another way to help others is to assist them with their education. This could mean working with children, but there are lots of ways to begin a career in adult education. If you want to teach children or teenagers, there could be several different education paths which you can consider. High school teachers are often required to have a bachelor’s degree in the subject that they want to teach, perhaps with a minor in education or a qualification in a program that prepares them to teach. If you want to teach kindergarten or elementary, a bachelor’s degree and teacher education program would probably be necessary, as well. Some specialist education areas might include teaching English as a second language or teaching music, which you could do for both adults and children.

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Knowledge is power!

Counseling: When people need help, they don’t always need assistance with physical illnesses. Sometimes, they require help through talking therapies, whether it’s to help with a mental illness or just personal problems. Being a counselor or therapist is one option that you have if you want to help people work through their problems. Counselors can help people with their relationships, give school guidance, help with addictions, and much more. Although you can start off with a bachelor’s degree, many counselors also have a master’s degree and even a PhD.

Ministry: Some people want to help others in a more spiritual way. If you’re religious, you might consider some form of ministry. If this is something that interests you, entering the career might involve attending a specialist institution or school, such as a seminary. However, some people might begin by studying theology or even philosophy. If you want to offer religious leadership and guidance, it’s best to look into the structure and rules set out by the religious organization that you’re a member of. Different groups and churches may have their own ideas on what qualifies you to help others.

Law: If you want to help people, another area to consider is the law. There are many areas of law in which you could practice and several of them involve helping people to get justice. You might consider criminal law, in which you can also help people on matters such as accident claims and other civil matters. Of course, to be a lawyer, you need to go to law school. There are also other careers and roles that you might consider, though. For example, you could look into being a paralegal or a legal secretary. These still involve some legal knowledge, but you don’t have to study for as long.

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#justiceisserved

Emergency Services: If you think that you can handle a high-pressure and fast-paced job, you might consider a role in the emergency services. For several of these roles, you’re unlikely to need a college degree. You will have to complete the necessary training and education, though. You could consider roles such as an EMT, firefighter, or emergency call responder. Some people take on these jobs as full-time careers, while others do them while studying to help them pay for their education. It can also give valuable experience for future careers and opportunities.

People who like to help others can use their career to change people’s lives in many different ways. You can choose to study a variety of subjects at college or find other ways to get the skills that you need to positively impact someone.

May4

Doggy Despair: Behavioral Issues Your Pooch Can Experience

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Doggy Despair: Behavioral Issues Your Pooch Can Experience

Dogs really are man’s best friend. They’re loyal and silly, they make us laugh, comfort us when we cry, and are an integral part of the family. But just like humans, dogs can experience issues which can leave them out of sorts. It could be a lack of socialization as a pup, something frightening which has made them anxious, or something you have encouraged without even realizing. Here are just a few of the behavioral issues you might face as a dog owner and what to do about them:

Aggression: Aggression in dogs can be targeted towards humans, other dogs and animals, or even objects such as bicycles and cars when you’re out on a walk. Fear often manifests itself as aggression, and a puppy that hasn’t been exposed to lots of different stimuli can grow up as a fearful and aggressive dog. Aggression can also come about due to resource guarding, where your dog feels it has to protect food, treats, toys, and even space. Aggression can be a tricky issue to deal with when it comes to dogs. For everyone’s safety, consulting a dog trainer or expert is in your best interests to make sure that you’re not aggravating the situation. The last thing you want is to make matters worse. Punishing your dog for aggression for example is likely to intensify the situation and make them more prone to biting.

Digging: Digging is a natural doggy behavior, but some dogs will do this more than others. In some cases it can become a huge issue, dogs can tear up gardens and even floors in the home. Digging is good exercise and is fun for dogs, so how about setting up a designated ‘digging area’ in your garden? Redirect them to this when they begin to dig, and use plenty of praise. This behavior might also indicate that your dog is full of energy. Taking them on longer walks could help to keep down their desire to dig.

Barking: Barking is one of the ways that your dog communicates with its humans and other animals. Different barks can mean different things, from ‘there’s someone at the door’ to ‘give me attention’ or ‘get away from me before I bite!’. Understanding your dog’s different barks will help you to give them what they need, although in some cases dogs can bark excessively. This can become a nuisance and can even land you in trouble with your neighbors or landlord. People have even been fined due to noisy dogs!

Correct barking behavior by getting your dog’s attention and diverting it elsewhere. Don’t ever use violence with dogs, but a nudge could help to ‘snap them out’ of the zone that they’re in. Teaching your dog commands like ‘bark’ and ‘stop barking’ using treats, praise, and rewards can help, too. That way when they begin to bark you can use the command to stop and praise them with a treat. If nothing seems to be helping, seeking professional training might be the way to go.

Begging: Dogs are very food motivated. This is great as it makes them easy to teach, most dogs will do anything you ask to get their paws on a tasty snack! However, it also means that whatever you have to eat, your dog will have eyes for. If you give your dog table scraps and food from your plate, you’re encouraging a lifetime of begging behavior – and dogs aren’t subtle about it! They will happily sit with their head on your knee or right next to your face while you eat given the chance! You can stop begging behavior by simply never feeding your dog table scraps. If you have leftovers that are suitable for dogs such as meat, vegetables, rice and other good stuff- scrape it into a container for later. That way they don’t associate you eating (or finishing your meal) with them getting fed.

You could also make them sit in their bed or in another room while you eat, or even use a soft crate. Unlike a wire crate, this is easy to collapse and is portable, so it’s useful for when you travel and not quite as imposing as other models. If you’re wondering what the best soft dog crates are on the market, there are plenty of reviews online. Dogs might also beg because they’re hungry. Making sure that you’re giving enough food for the size of your dog will help to prevent this. There are usually feeding instructions based on weight on most dog food products or you could ask your vet if you’re unsure.

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Yawwwn

Chewing: Dogs like to chew. Having a toy or bone for them to chew on can clean their teeth, vent their frustrations, and keep their mind busy which tires them out. However, some dogs won’t just chew their own possessions but anything in their path. This can be dangerous since they might choke on small parts, gnaw on something toxic, or even through wires giving them an electric shock. Teaching puppies what they can and can’t have is essential. Destruction is often a result of frustration or separation anxiety, so making sure that your dog is well exercised and not leaving them alone for long periods should help with this. You may find that confining them to a crate or one room is necessary to keep them from chewing up things that they shouldn’t. If you know your dog is a chewer, be extra cautious not to leave anything lying around that they can get a hold of. Wires should be tacked to walls using wire clips, shoes should be put in a cupboard, and anything else that might become a target should be moved – especially when your dog is unsupervised.

Keeping your dog healthy, making sure that they get enough exercise, and socializing them well when they’re young will help you to avoid all kinds of issues. However, sometimes they can still crop up either due to an experience that they’ve had or just out of the blue. A dog trainer or your local vet can provide further advice if you’re stuck. LONG LIVE DOGS!!! ❤

Featured Image By: Pexels

May3

New Tattoo Excitement!!

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New Tattoo Excitement!!

Heyyy everyone and happy Hump Day! So I am wicked excited for Saturday the 20th at 1 o’clock in the afternoon because I have a tattoo appointment!! I was planning to get a new tattoo for my birthday in June, but I saw that the artist who I am going to is running a percentage off special in May so I figured that I might as well get it now and save some money on it. It has been literal years since my last tattoo. Jeez Louise, I think it might have been back in 2014. Yikes!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I don’t want more tattoos because I want a bunch. But, when I started college in 2014, I didn’t exactly have money to just throw around on extra things like body mods, clothes, and accessories because they were just extra and text books are no joke. But, now that I’ve been graduated since the end of 2016 and am actually making money instead of constantly spending it on college related fees, I feel pretty okay about getting a TREAT YOSELF/early birthday tattoo!

So what am I gonna get, you might ask? Take a looksee:

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If you aren’t familiar with the book The Little Prince, then you are missing out because that’s where these drawings are from! I plan on getting the first image of him flying with the birds on my side but I want him dressed in the clothing from the second image. The birds are going to go up onto my back and probably end close to my bra line. Then at some point, I’ll work in a quote en francais as well as the horizon line at the end of the book. AHHHH!!

For those of you who don’t already know, The Little Prince is one of my all time favorite books. It just is. I could read it every day until I die and never tire of it. I think that it is so beautiful and every time I read it (which is quite frequently), I fall even more in love with the words and imagery scattered like petals throughout the pages. I am super excited to get my undying adoration for this book commemorated in tattoo form and it has been a long time coming because I’ve wanted this done for five-ever.

May 20th can’t come soon enough and I have a feeling that I will be in the tattoo chair quite a lot this year! How’s that for some New Tattoo Excitement?! Who plans on getting a new piercing or tattoo soon? What is your favorite tattoo or piercing that you have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Getting Ahead In Your Medical Career

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Getting Ahead In Your Medical Career

If you already have a job in the field of medicine, then you are probably well aware of just what a challenge it can be. More than many other kinds of work, working in medicine can really take it out of you (coming from the daughter of a doctor and nurse!). To succeed in such an area, you need to have a wide variety of decent skills and the courage and patience to put them into practice every day without fail. What’s more, if you are keen to progress in some real manner, then you will also need to be able to forge ahead with a number of other qualities as well. Fortunately, knowing what those are is often enough to give you a good head start and that’s why we’re going to take a look at some of those essentials now:

Being A Team Player: It might sound like something of a cliche, but that’s only because it is actually based on something quite true: if you want to get ahead in pretty much any kind of career, you need to know how to be a team player. This is as true in medicine as it is in anywhere else, so you might want to bear that in mind if you want to improve your standings at your current job. It is not just about focusing on the actual medical skills, after all, but also ensuring that you work well as part of your team. Get this right, and the people around you will really appreciate it – and that will make all of the difference.

Gaining Further Education: Getting to any kind of role within medicine can take many years of training and education, so it is no wonder that so many are no longer interested in continuing their studies once they have landed a secure job. However, this can actually be one of the most powerful ways to continue to advance in your medical career. If you are happy to take on further education, you will probably find that it does wonders for your ongoing career and growth. What exact route to take here will depend on your current role and on what you want to achieve. If you are a registered nurse, for example, and you want to receive training that will help you in management and leadership roles, then something like the OLOL Online RNBSN course might help you. Again, it all depends on your situation and what accomplishments you want to make.

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Knowledge is power!!

Proving Yourself: In many ways, the way to improve your medical career is to remember that there are aspects in which it is just like any other job. This means continuing to be professional no matter what stressers may arise. If you are able to keep your cool and to continuously persevere and improve, then your superiors will likely notice that in no time at all – and that will probably serve you very well, indeed. Simple things like ensuring that you are always punctual and remembering to be polite will help you to get ahead much faster. It will also make yours and your coworker’s working lives much more enjoyable.

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Team work makes the dream work

Keeping Up With The Latest Developments (not the Kardashians!): The world of medicine is one that is prone to constant change because of new discoveries and technology. If you are able to keep up with those changes, then you will be much better off because of it. This can be much easier said than done, but as long as you know where to look and which resources to trust, then you should soon find that it is easier than you think. The fact is, developments in medicine are constant, and it is unlikely that you will be able to keep on top of every single change within the field. But showing your employer and your colleagues a willingness to understand all of the latest developments, and the bravery to try and put them into practice without harming any patients, is one of the foremost abilities and qualities that are likely to be highly admired by everyone you work with. Get in the know, and constantly seek new horizons within your work – this is how medicine succeeds and how you might succeed, too.

Consider Different Paths: Finally, it is worth bearing in mind that there are always other paths within medicine that you might be able to consider. Knowing and remembering this when things get tough will help you to remember that you can always change paths slightly while still remaining in the world of medicine. Sometimes this is far preferable to staying in your role and merely hoping to succeed.

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Maybe not mountain climbing…

Featured Image By: Pexels

May2

Work Out Jams

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Work Out Jams

Hellooo everyone! So as you guys know, I’m making an attempt to get my walk/run/rawk on throughout the week and it’s going pretty good so far. If you’ve read my recent Monday Update, then you will have seen that I’ve recently started to bring my iPod with me during my excursions even though I have to carry it because no arm band. I’ve been getting my emo on more often than I care to admit during these jaunts but I feel like I enjoy myself so much more with my music playing. For that reason, I compiled some of my favorite tunes together for your listening pleasure the next time that you get your work out on. Take a looksee (and, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!):

Lol, so as you guys can see, I definitely go for either old school emo or fairly recent rap when I’m running and I think that this list is the most funny, random compilation ever. But hey, it really does get the job done when I’m hitting the pavement because the emo-ness gets me angsty and the rap gets me hyped and the result is a much needed extra energy boost!

Normally when I’m working out, I will just have one album playing the whole way through. For example, last night I was listening to Yelawolf’s “Trunk Muzik 0-60”. But, when I’m feeling saucy or bored as I’m running, I’ll switch up my music every so often to my inner emo kid jams or anything Kendrick Lamar because he’s my best friend in my head.

Despite my sweaty palms from having to hold my iPod while I run, it’s so worth it because my Work Out Jams definitely make for a much more enjoyable experience! What music do you listen to when you work out? What is a song that you play to get you hyped? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Securing Your Home On A Tight Budget

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Securing Your Home On A Tight Budget

Home safety is always going to be an issue among homeowners. Sadly, it’s even more pressing when you consider living conditions, local community and, of course, our budget. Securing your home is easy if you have money to pour into fancy surveillance systems and smart devices, but what can you do if you’re on a tight budget? It’s hard trying to balance the costs we need to spend on our home, but with a couple of these home safety tips, you’ll be able to secure your home for less and still have peace of mind when you’re out and about:

Know Your Community: One of the best ways to secure your home is to actually get to know your neighbors. Whether you live in an apartment complex or a small community of houses, neighbors will naturally look out for burglars and criminals. You might even be able to join a neighborhood watch if there’s one available. This is great if you plan to be away for an extended period of time. You could simply leave your keys with a trusted friend or family member that lives close by and they can watch over your house and notify you if there’s anything suspicious or troubling happening.

Getting to know your community also means getting to know your enemy. If your area is notorious for burglaries and vandalism, then it might be worth considering a move in the future so that you can live in a safer environment. However, if that’s not an option for you, then you need to learn what the most common method of crime is in your area. Perhaps it’s people that smash into your home and break the windows and doors just to steal your belongings. Or maybe it’s someone more devious that sneaks in and picks the locks of your door. Whoever you’re up against, ensure that you have proper countermeasures to combat against it.

Changing Your Locks: The only way burglars are going to get into your house is either by smashing their way in or picking your doors. The smarter and more sophisticated your locks are, the more likely you’ll deter them. If you’re up against burglars that destroy everything in their path and loot your home, then a new lock isn’t going to make a huge difference and you should probably invest in something like a heavy-duty door and window shutters.

However, if you’re more concerned about lock-pickers, then a sturdy modern lock will be your answer. If you look at https://www.bradleyssafeandlockworks.com/, you’ll find plenty of information regarding expert locksmiths, the types of locks that will really protect you from burglars, and even some information on safes to protect your most prized possessions.

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Sock it, lock it, put it in your pocket.

Remove Hiding Spots: Even if your locks are secure and your neighbors are looking out for you, you need to ensure that the burglars have nowhere to hide. Motion lights are one of the most common things to install to protect your home from burglars. If a motion light detects them, they will be illuminated for cameras, neighbors, and even you to see.

Try to park cars inside of your garage instead of outside of your home because it gives the thief less space to hide. Trim hedges and cut down trees or plants so that they have fewer places to hide and maneuver in the dark. If you do have cameras, make sure that there are no walls or fences near them because thieves will sometimes block off cameras so that you can’t record any evidence. Also, make sure that those cameras have a clear view and that their vision isn’t obstructed.

Deterring Them Is The Best Defense: If burglars really want to steal your belongings, then they will do so without hesitation. For instance, they’ll smash your doors, break your windows, and grab as much as they can before making a run for it. They’ll create so much noise that it’s hardly subtle and they will just run off, leaving very little time for the authorities to react. This is why deterrence is the best form of defense. Most burglars are going to be sneaky and pick your locks, disable your alarms, and steal your belongings without you even knowing. The less that they have to worry about, the more likely it is that they will steal from your home.

Let’s say you install a fake alarm. The burglars might see it and instantly be turned off from the idea of stealing from you because they don’t want to risk being caught. However, if an experienced burglar sees it, then they have two options. Either they try to steal from you anyways, knowing that the alarm is fake. Or they avoid you in case the alarm isn’t actually fake. This plays with the thieves psychologically. They see that your house isn’t very well defended, but at the same time, they don’t want to risk being caught.

Another good way to deter thieves is to simply leave your lights on. If you’re worried about savings, then you can install smart lights that automatically turn on at set intervals, and they can even be controlled with smartphone apps across the internet if you get high-end models. They’re quite expensive, but turning on the lights normally can also work. This alerts the thieves because they might assume that someone is at home, meaning there’s a higher chance that they will be caught.

To summarize, visual deterrents are a fantastic way to keep burglars away from your premises. It could be something as simple as stickers to let thieves know that you have an alarm or just making your alarm visible by keeping it at an easy to see location. This article at https://www.safety.com/ will give you even more ideas to help you deter burglars if you’re still looking for inspiration.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May2

Cooking The Perfect Coq Au Vin

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Cooking The Perfect Coq Au Vin

We should all cook to suit our individual tastes, but there are certain dishes where the cook simply needs to stay true to the dish; its reputation, its history and, for lack of a better word, its soul. If there’s one meal that falls into this category, it’s coq au vin. The chicken, the garlic, and the bottle of wine all need to be prepared in a certain way, even if it is just a chicken stew with a fancy name! Here are some pointers on how to prepare the perfect coq au vin:

The Chicken: The older the chicken, the richer the sauce will turn out. Talk to your butcher ahead of time to ensure that you get the perfect bird for the job. Tell them that you want a chicken that will be good for some long, slow cooking, and they may be able to order an extra-mature bird for you. The best places to look for these are generally farmer’s markets, traditional butchers, and online stores. You should always go free-range, as well. With regular access to fresh air, free-range birds develop stronger, thicker bones than any chickens kept indoors, and will therefore make for a better sauce.

The Wine: Many people think that the wine used in coq au vin is a negligible detail. Don’t believe them! Using a good quality wine in your cooking can make all of the difference to the taste, so go for a full-flavored, fruity wine rather than anything thin and lackluster. You don’t need to really push the boat out, even though some chefs will insist that you can only use a wine from Burgundy in this particular dish. If you can’t make heads or tails of wine in general, then do your homework before you run to the liquor store and buy a bottle! Here’s how you can open wine without a corkscrew in case you’ve forgotten this crucial detail! Yikes!

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YUM!

The Aromatics: The aromatics that go into your coq au vin are another very important detail that will hold a considerable sway over the overall taste. A lot of recipes that you’ll come across online will only call for onions and carrots, but we recommend adding celeriac and celery for their potent, earthy notes. Large French onions are an essential foundation for the actual stew. You can add little, tight-skinned onions near the end, but this ups the risk of you putting in too much or too little. A few bay leaves and some fresh thyme are the only herbs you’ll really need, but don’t be afraid to experiment.

The Bacon: Your coq au vin simply wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t have some strips of thick, juicy bacon to complement the chicken. The thin, common rashers you use in a fry-up will be way too thin. If you don’t manage to burn them when you’re preparing your stew, the meat will disintegrate in too much heat. Ideally, you should source a tough, solid lump that you can easily cut up into thicker strips. Most brands of pancetta will do nicely.

Bon appetit!

Featured Image By: Wikimedia

May1

Dream On! Advice To Send You To Sleep

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Dream On! Advice To Send You To Sleep

It is amazing the difference that a good night’s sleep can make to your physical and mental well-being. Unfortunately, in today’s fast paced world, this is something that is becoming more and more elusive for many of us. In between jobs, hobbies, time with friends, and family commitments, getting your eight hours a night is something that can easily seem like it is just out of reach. Getting yourself into good nightly habits can really make all of the difference when it comes to drifting off. Here are a few techniques that you can try out to help you get the sleep that your body and mind is craving:

Stay on a Sleep Schedule: Getting your body to adapt to a sleep schedule can make a huge difference when it comes to nodding off quickly. Try to keep to your schedule as much as possible on weekends, holidays, and days off as well. This consistency plays a big part in reinforcing a strong sleep-wake cycle. You should establish a nightly routine that helps your body become naturally ready for sleep. Whether this involves yoga, meditation, or reading a chapter of a book, find an activity that works well for you and stick to it.

Watch What You Eat and Drink: Going to bed when you are either hungry or full can make it much more difficult to fall asleep. Try to eat a good meal at least a couple of hours before you go to bed so that you are comfortable. Also, try and limit how much you drink so that you don’t disrupt your sleep by having to get up and use the restroom. You should also try to avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, which can all disrupt the quality of your sleep.

Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment: For most people, a room that is cool, dark, and quiet is the best kind of sleeping environment. Light blankets and a couple of fans is the best way to keep cool during the summer months. If you find that too much light it seeping into your room at night, you could try a blackout blind. As for quiet, try sleeping with earplugs in to block out any background noise (like your partner’s obnoxious TV shows!). If you are looking for comfortable bedding, Plumeria Bay specializes in a range of items. Keeping your sheets fresh and clean can help you drift off into a perfectly comfortable la la land.

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La la la la la la la la SHEETS OF EGYPTIAN COTTON!!

Manage Your Stress Levels: If you find that you have too much on your mind, this can make it much more difficult to fall asleep at night. Try to set some time aside every day to reduce your stress levels. Focusing your mind on a hobby, physical activity, or breathing exercises can help to take your mind off of what is causing you anxiety. Another activity that has been found to have results is writing down what is on your mind before you go to bed. You will be able to deal with these things the next day rather than worrying about them at night when you can’t do anything about evil coworkers or the following day’s to do list.

Follow these tips, catch some Z’s, and dream on!

Featured Image By: Pexels