Tag Archives: 2019

Feb6

Must Read Tips For Musicians In 2019

Posted on by
Standard
Must Read Tips For Musicians In 2019

For every musician, a main goal at the beginning of every year is to get better at your music and make a greater impression in the industry. No matter what level you’re at, we hope these tips will help you:

Online mastering:

To ignore the process of audio mastering is to make a massive mistake. A lot of people confuse mixing and mastering with one another. However, they are two completely different processes. Mastering is the final stage in the music production process. It tightens, defines, and polishes the piece of music without altering the sound excessively. It can bring a clarity and a punch which no amount of mixing can achieve. To release a piece of music without it would essentially mean you were bringing out an incomplete track.

Nonetheless, the reason why people still overlook mastering is because they see it as a hassle and an expense. Not everybody has the capability of getting down to the studio in question nor do they have the money available to pay the extortionate hourly rates charged by many mastering professionals today. However, you need not worry about any of this anymore. There are online mastering services available, which are cheaper and much easier too.

SEO:

Both SEO and website design affect the success of any musician today. Since your campaigns will be tailored to bringing more people to your website and converting them from visitors into actual fans, you need to pay great attention to the overall feel and look of your site. A poorly designed website can be an instant turn off and is something you will need to outsource if you don’t have the skills to do it yourself. To begin finding a professional that is a good fit for you, simply enter a search for “web design in Huntsville” (or your local area) and you will be able to see online portfolios, reviews, and more. Similarly, you must work to ensure your website is visible, hence the need for professional SEO.

For online marketing success, you should, therefore, work with an expert SEO consultant. Their service should provide you with quality content to post on your website, including, for example, information about you, your gigs, and so on. You should also ensure that you are adding videos and images (where required) on top of your text. After that, you can, with the help of the consultant, focus on marketing your website to the target market. Search engine optimization is important to your overall online marketing plan. Stay away from easy options and ‘quick tricks’ because search engines are now smarter than ever before. They know all the tricks you will try to pull, including poor-quality content that is stuffed with keywords. So, focus on quality content using tested SEO strategies, or by working with full SEO and marketing services to attain the best results.

It is also worth looking for marketing packages that have been specifically tailored to the music industry. Targeting potential fans and record companies is a lot different than trying to drum up customers for a retail business, for example. You can find Soundcloud promotion packages, which are great for any musician. These packages are designed to ensure your music gets heard by the right people. While packages differ from supplier to supplier, you will generally find that these companies will post your music across different platforms, from blogs to social media pages.

We understand that this is a lot of information and it can feel overwhelming. Rest assured that all of these marketing aspects do not need to be completed at once. Set your own pace with A beginners guide to music publishing and do what you know you can accomplish. Then, you can outsource for the areas that you know you need help with.

Invest in quality equipment:

Investing in professional studio equipment should be something to think about early on in your music career. That way you can plan ahead and expand the equipment as your career moves forward. It is also cheaper to do it in bits, rather than suddenly have to find the cash for a complete top-of-the-range kit. As well as your instrument, you will want a decent pair of headphones, a computer, and look at Aeros Loop Studio vs Boss RC-505 for your looper. Depending on how far you intend to go, things like good soundproofing and a dedicated music studio might also be on the list.

Alexander Technique:

Another tip for musicians in 2019 is to try the Alexander Technique. You may have heard about this before. It is a method that was developed in the 1980s by Matthias Alexander. It is designed to promote overall well-being through increasing your awareness of posture so that your body experiences minimal effort and strain.

Instead of maintaining ease and using the fluid techniques required, musicians restrain themselves with muscular tension during a soft passage, for instance. This is just one example of a common overreaction. Over time, such action can result into regular misuse, which can cause injuries. This is where the Alexander Technique comes in. It will help you to find the right balance so that you can play an instrument with greater ease, while protecting your body and improving your music in the process.

There are lots of different ways that you can improve your efforts in 2019. If you are a musician, whether you have much experience or not, use the tips that have been provided in this guide so that you can achieve more throughout the year!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb6

Additional January 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
Additional January 2019 Finishes

Howdy! Last month brought me lots of empties, because I was finally able to get back to all of my beauty routines post surgery. It was so nice to feel pampered again and I enjoyed using up the products that were sitting there unused for the entire month of December. All of my posts are prewritten and I managed to finish an additonal handful of empties during the last haul of January, which we will be discussing today. Take a look:

jan1

Would I Use Again?

  • Suave Cocoa Butter & Shea body wash: MAYBE
  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • Bath & Body Works lotions: YES
  • Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: NO!!
  • Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask: NO!!

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: Like the other Suave body wash that we chatted about in my January Finishes post, this one is still a maybe for me. I will say that I liked the Cocoa Butter & Shea scent much better than the Almond one. I’m a sucker for anything cocoa butter! But, this body wash didn’t lather very well and I felt like it was drying my skin out. Maybe it would be better to use during the warmer months but, during the middle of winter, it was just not enough to keep my skin hydrated. It took me exactly one month to finish one bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: We all know I’d use this product again. Thank you, next!

B&BW Lotions: I used up Pretty As A Peach and Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky travel sized lotions from Bath & Body Works after a long soak in the tub and it was nice! I am partial to Pretty As A Peach but, the Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky smelled really good. Its scent was exactly like breathing in crisp autumn air and it was refreshing after the sweeter peach aroma. I got about one and a half full body uses out of one travel sized bottle.

Fresh Cleanser: I received this soy cleanser by Fresh during a huge freebie haul from Sephora and it was disappointing at best. The only positive, was that it smelled like cucumbers and I really liked that! However, the cleanser made my skin feel very tight and it did nothing to remove my makeup. In fact, I don’t think it did anything. It did not lather at all and I would definitely not recommend it.

Glow Recipe Mask: The Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask by Glow Recipe was a freebie during my last Sephora haul. You can read the full review in the Face Mask Festivities post but, just know that this product is not worth the forty five dollar price tag for a full jar in no way shape or form. I have used daily moisturizers that were more nourishing than this sleep mask and I had to use a lot of product to feel like it was doing anything. Not impressed and I would not recommend it.

Although this batch of empties was not the best, I’m still happy to have used them up! There is nothing better than finishing a product and moving on to the next thing that you have been dying to try. 😀

Have you used any of the products above? What did you think about them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb3

February 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
February 2019 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! After the month of January dragging ass like it does every year, we are finally into February, which is sure to fly by. And, I’m glad for it, because it was starting to feel like January 47th! Now that the pace has been picked up with our short little month of love among us, some hard hitting jams are definitely called for. Take a listen:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

As some of you know, I enjoy going to a vinyl record club at one of the local libraries in my area. At one of our last meetings, the album Let It Be by The Replacements was brought in and I was a huge fan. There is nothing better than gathering with your friends to play some early punk rock, and it’s always a hoot to pick out the bands that you can tell drew inspiration from The Replacements. For example, did anyone notice that Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day sounds exactly like the lead singer?!

I have also been hooked on Marilyn Manson’s Golden Age Of Grotesque, which features many of his more popular crowd pleasers, which I like playing to get me hyped on my way to work. And, finally, you may have noticed that a little rap was thrown into the mix, as well. But, I just couldn’t help myself. My sister was playing Nicki Minaj’s new album, Queen, while we ran errands and anyone who says that Majesty isn’t a banger is a liar. That song gets stuck in my head so badly and the only cure is playing it on repeat, of course!

Which album would you bring into a record club? Which album do you think that I should bring in on my next turn? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan30

January 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
January 2019 Finishes

Hiiii everyone and welcome to our first finishes post of 2019! We are one month into the new year and, since basically anything beats the month that I had in December, I’d say that I’m feeling pretty good! Because I wasn’t well enough to comply with my beloved beauty routines last month, it felt good to fall back into the swing of all of my self care and this brought me lots of empties to chat with you about today. Take a look and let’s discuss:

jann

Would I Use Again?

  • Suave Almond Verbena body wash: Maybe
  • Bath & Body Works Mango Mandarin body spray: Yes
  • Lubriderm Daily Moisture lotion: Yes
  • Unknown brand Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam: YES!
  • Garnier Micellar Water: Yes
  • AlpineSilk moisturizer: Yes
  • Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer: YES!

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: This Almond Verbena body wash by Suave was just okay. It smelled fine, it lathered fine but could be better, and I finished the bottle in one month. I wouldn’t go out of my way to use it again but, if it was cheap and available, I would probably get it.

B&BW Body Spray: I loooove the Mango Mandarin body spray from B&BW and I stock up on it every year during their summer sale. It’s the perfect fragrance for a warm day, but it is also nice to use during the colder months to add some sunshiney pep to your step. Any citrus scent always goes down well with me, especially when it takes me over five months to finish one bottle!

Lubriderm Lotion: I am constantly getting new tattoos and Lubriderm has become a staple in my bath and body care hoard. It feels oh so good on fresh ink and it helps move along the healing process. My tattoo artist recommends applying it to new tattoos once in the morning, afternoon, and night and it takes me about four months to finish one bottle.

Crystal Cleansing Foam: I, sadly, have no idea what brand made the Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam and I really wish I did, because I LOVED IT. Foam cleansers are my favorite to use, simply because it feels really good and my skin always feels so fresh after using it. This face wash removed my makeup and left my skin feeling so soft and looking really bright. I started using this product in mid October and I finished it at the end of January, so it was an amazing value, to boot!

Garnier Micellar Water: Another product that has become a staple in my beauty routine is the Garnier Micellar Water. I like to use it as a toner and a makeup remover and it always does its job well. And, as per ushe, it took me one month to finish one bottle.

AlpineSilk Moisturizer: I purchased this moisturizer from TJMaxx a while back ago and finished it up in mid January. I liked this product because a little went a long way and you didn’t need to cake it on for your skin to feel hydrated. It took me about a month and a half to finish this moisturizer up and I would definitely use it again if I found it the next time I was at TJ’s.

Clinique Moisturizer: This is my second sample of the Moisture Surge moisturizer by Clinique and I love it just as much the second time around. I can’t even describe the texture of it – it’s a lot lighter than a gel moisturizer, though, so it spreads so easily across your skin and, my god, does it hydrate. After one use, my skin felt so good and supple and it just glowed. I would LOVE to get a full sized jar of this product and am hoping to find it at TJMaxx some day. Fingers crossed!

January was a great month for empties and I loved being able to pamper myself the way I like with all of my favorite products. I missed using all of my bath and body and skin care goodies in December, so it felt so good to indulge in all of the items that have become must haves in my beauty routine. 🙂

Have you used any of the products discussed above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan21

Saying Goodbye To The Things That Bring You Down

Posted on by
Standard
Saying Goodbye To The Things That Bring You Down

Nobody’s perfect. For some people, this isn’t a big concern. They do what they want, and their flaws are just part of who they are. For most people, however, these flaws have a detrimental effect on their well-being. Sometimes it’s physically, at other times it’s mentally. Whatever form it takes, it robs us of our contentment and enjoyment. The good news, is that with a little bit of self-analysis, we can identify these obstacles and then remove them altogether. Below, we look at some common damaging areas of a person’s life, which you can then work on saying goodbye to:

The Negative Side of Your Mind:

Of all the things that can make a person miserable, none is quite as damaging as their own mind. Everyone – absolutely everyone – has that inner critic inside of them. It’s the voice that says you’re not good enough, that you’ll never reach your goals, and that any success you have had hasn’t really been earned – you were just lucky. There are ways to silence this voice, but it’s just as effective to identify that voice, and remind yourself that it’s not real. Try talking to yourself as you would talk to a friend and see the changes that come with it.

The Non-Stop Life:

There are a lot of benefits to living in the 21st century, but these benefits have come at a cost. There are more stressed, depressed, and all-around dissatisfied people than ever before. While there are many reasons for this, one of the main causes is that we’re always connected, always moving somewhere, always doing something. We don’t take enough time just to sit back and relax. If it feels like you’ve got no time for yourself, look at making some changes. For instance, you might be spending an hour or more on your laptop each evening. Cut that time out, and you’ll have wrestled back some time, during which you can relax.

Too Much Partying:

Everyone likes to cut loose and have fun, from time to time. But if you’re “cutting loose” every other night, then it’s possible that you might have a problem. Many people go through a phase of drinking too much on consecutive weekends, but if you’re struggling to leave that lifestyle behind, you might have to take more drastic action. Whatever substance you’re taking, be it alcohol or drugs, you’ll need to educate yourself before you try to make changes; it’s much easier to succeed if you have as much information as possible. Speak with friends, take a look at this guide to withdrawal symptoms by Amethyst Recovery Center, and try to replace your vices with more positive changes. If you’re still struggling, get in touch with the experts and get professional help. You’ll feel physically and mentally better once you’ve changed your ways.

Troubling Relationships:

Everyone needs to have people in their life. If everything’s working as it should, these friends and family members should lift you up and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. However, it won’t always work that way. There are some people who enjoy bringing others down. It’s worthwhile, from time to time, to take a look at your relationships and make sure that they’re as loving and caring as they should be. If someone’s making you feel bad, then it might be time to cut them out of your life.

Life Regrets:

Nobody gets everything right in life. No matter what path you take, there will always be that sense of “what if I had done something different?” It’s inevitable. Some people take this feeling for what it is, and move on pretty quickly. Other people dwell on the topic too long, and end up miserable. Don’t overthink your life choices; they’ve already been made, and there’s nothing you can do to change them now. Enjoy what you have. There’s every chance that you’d be having the same thoughts if you had actually made the choices that you’re now thinking better. Remember, the grass is rarely greener on the other side.

2019 is officially here and cutting out all of the negativity is the best way to live your best life this time around!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan17

January 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
January 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hello everyone and welcome to the first Funky Time Jams post of 2019. One of the music related things that I’ve enjoyed the most for the past year is going to a vinyl record club at one of my local libraries. We play a record chosen by one of our members each meeting, talk music, and soak up each other’s company. Then, we often hit up a nearby bar after for the festivities to continue. It’s so much fun and I adore all of the new friends that I’ve made through the program. Seen below are some of the bands that I’ve had on repeat for the month and, who knows, maybe one of their albums will be featured at an upcoming record club!

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

This past month at record club, we had two very opposite artists featured during our biweekly meetings. I brought in AFI’s decemberunderground, as it was the band’s most commercially popular album and another member brought in a best of compilation of Aretha Franklin. And, that is the beauty of our little merry band of wanderers, because we get to hear such vastly different talent every time we have a get together. It’s fun to bring in an album that you enjoy so much and want to share with everyone and I was happy that decemberunderground was well received by my friends. I can’t wait to figure out an album for my next turn providing the entertainment for the evening!

What album would you bring in to a vinyl record club? Which songs have you had on repeat this month? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan10

Boosting Your Health & Well-Being In 2019

Posted on by
Standard
Boosting Your Health & Well-Being In 2019

It’s a new year, so it’s time for a new you, and this means looking at how you can improve your health and look after yourself better. There are a lot of things that you can do to achieve this, and it is important to get this right as much as you can. Think about how your health and fitness plays a role in your every day life, and what you can do to make improvements. Here are some ideas that will help you to boost your health this year:

Exercise is Key:

It is vital that you get out and about and be sure that you are focused on exercise as much as possible. You have a lot to keep in mind when it comes to improving your well-being, and this is something that plays a big part in the process. Make sure you think carefully about the different things that you can do to keep fit. Getting out and staying active as best as you can is going to be really important in helping to keep you in shape and improve the way you do things.

Self-Care Matters:

There are a lot of elements of your health and well-being that are important, and one of the biggest is self-care. There are so many things that play a massive part in the process, and this is something that you can always get right. The balance of mind and body through self-care is one of the best things that you can do in your day to day life. Make sure you are looking after yourself and watch as your mood improves for the better drastically.

Improve Your Mental Health:

Your mental health can positively or negatively affect your life and it is up to you to determine how it does. Seeing experts like Cynthia Telles Kaiser can be helpful if you are having problems that you need to talk through and so can improving your self care routines as previously discussed.

Get More Rest:

Resting is a great way to rejuvenate your body and mind, and help you to operate at the best level that you can. We all need our rest, and you must never underestimate how much of an impact this sort of thing can have on your health. Catch some Z’s and get yourself feeling well rested and ready to take on the day.

Being in the best shape you can possibly be in, both physically and mentally makes the hassles of your daily life seem a lot easier. Take control of how you feel in 2019 and be amazed at how your new world opens up to you.

Jan7

Three Simple Steps To A Happier 2019

Posted on by
Standard
Three Simple Steps To A Happier 2019

Want to be happier, more positive and upbeat this year? Of course you do! Even if you don’t see yourself as a naturally chipper individual there’s plenty that you can do to improve your mood and start enjoying life more. Here are three steps you can take towards a happier 2019:

Exercise:

When you think about happiness, for most of us, exercise isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. It’s hard work and it can be a bit of a chore, however, it’s incredibly good for your mental as well as physical health. Exercise regulates hormones, can help you to sleep better and, despite it being tiring, it actually gives you more energy. If you’re in a bit of a slump and feel like you have no ‘get up and go’, sign up for the gym and give it a try. If you’re not one for the gym, long hikes with your dog, swimming, cycling, or whatever else gets you moving can be just as good!

Learn:

When we leave formal education and get a job, most of us stop making an effort to learn new things. But it shouldn’t be the case, regardless of what you’re interested in. There’s so much information out there that you don’t yet know! You could research a topic yourself using articles, online libraries, podcasts, and more. You could attend a course, the subject doesn’t necessarily have to be academic – it could be art, baking, or another kind of craft.

Another option would be to take on some official education, whether it’s an online degree or paralegal studies to further your existing law qualifications, this kind of study can help you to progress in your career. Learning new things gives us satisfaction, something to work on, and it feels good when we reach our goals. Feel like you’re stagnating? Choose a topic and hit the books, whether it’s just for yourself or for your career.

Give:

You might feel as though you don’t have much to give. For example, you might feel like unless you have lots of money to give that there’s not much you can do to help a charity. But it’s simply not the case. You could hold a fundraiser and get people to sponsor you or your workplace. You could volunteer your time, spending an hour a week at a soup kitchen, a women’s hostel, or an animal shelter. Even a couple of dollars a month helps these kinds of organizations.

Giving back in some way to a cause that does good benefits both you and them. It helps them to continue on in their work and it makes you feel good, too. It’s nice knowing that you’ve been able to help and that your time and efforts have been appreciated. See if there are any charities or schemes locally that are in need of help, most are usually desperate for volunteers and donations as they don’t receive any kind of government funding.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan1

Need A New Year’s Resolution For 2019? Try Always Being Prepared

Posted on by
Standard
Need A New Year’s Resolution For 2019? Try Always Being Prepared

The new year is here. So, if you’ve been struggling to think of a New Year’s resolution, it’s imperative that you think of one ASAP. Our suggestion: make sure that you’re prepared for everything life can throw towards your direction. Life has a tendency to throw curve balls your way just when you least expect them. A little planning and preparation will make those unforeseen situations feel far less daunting. And, it can allow you to deal with the fallout in a more effective manner. Here are three key points of focus that crave your attention right away:

Be Prepared For Financial Headaches:

Nothing makes us feel quite as stressed as facing financial worries. Sadly, studies show that most families couldn’t even handle an unexpected $500 bill. Given that your finances could take a hit at any stage, it’s important that you take control of the situation.

Starting a savings fund for a rainy day is certainly a good idea. However, you should take things one step further. You can do this by protecting yourself through suitable insurance coverage from the most reputable firms. This can protect your assets, earnings, and financial health in one fell swoop. Take control of this aspect, and 2019 will be far happier. This platform can be used for many years to come. too.

Be Prepared For Health Issues:

Nothing in this life is more important than your health. First and foremost, you should try to adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes healthier eating and regular exercise. While you certainly don’t need to live a perfect life, this winning platform is essential.

Your health is a fragile thing and could take a downturn at any stage. Even if it’s only a short-term problem, you must get treated in the right way. Searching for an urgent care clinic near me will put you in a stronger position. Spending an hour looking for healthcare services following an accident is the last thing you need. In truth, it could be a matter of life and death.

2019xx

Find the right doctor for you!

Be Prepared For New Additions:

If your family is going to get bigger in 2019, you need to take greater responsibility. Otherwise, the change could change everything. Okay, so you’ll have nine months to prepare for a child. However, you may want to consider the potential addition of a pet, too.

In this case, preparing the home is crucial. Failure to do this could bring some very negative reactions. Every member of the household needs to be ready for the change, or else the addition could be unfair. Whether it’s a pet or a person, you need to take careful consideration before bringing someone new into the family home. If nothing else, it should encourage a smoother transition.

The Final Word:

The sense of control gained through being prepared for anything life can throw at you will change everything for the better. If you want 2019 to be the best year ever, the trio of features above cannot be ignored. Happy New Year!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan1

Happy New Year!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy New Year!

Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year to one and all! We are officially in 2019! Can you believe it?! It’s a brand new year for all of us and another year of fabulousness on lifewithlilred. As usual, I didn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions. And, sadly, my mouth is still wreaking havoc on me from my surgery, so celebrating isn’t in the cards for me, either. But, to continue on in the holiday season is exciting, all the same, and I hope that all of you enjoy yourselves no matter how you spend your day! Happy 2019!

How are you celebrating New Years? What are some of your New Year’s Resolutions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah