Tag Archives: advice

Nov27

Beginner Modeling Tips That Make You Stand Out

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Beginner Modeling Tips That Make You Stand Out

Making it in the modeling world can be tough, and it takes more than just being photogenic. Whether you dream of doing clothing photo shoots or walking a runway in beautiful gowns, there are things you can do to give yourself a stronger chance of getting signed and finding regular work. Like the following:

Find your hairstyle:

One of the first things to figure out is the kind of hairstyle that suits you best. Speaking to a professional stylist can help you test different ideas and learn which cuts or looks work with your face shape. If you are not sure what you want yet, you can experiment with wigs to see how you feel about different lengths and colors without committing to a haircut. Once you settle on a look, take care of it properly. Regular trims, gentle products, and visits to your stylist will keep your hair camera ready. Try to avoid anything too extreme because modeling often requires you to change your look to match different jobs.

Keep yourself healthy:

Models need to keep their bodies in good condition, not just in terms of weight, but for their skin, stamina and overall health. Eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly will help you feel more confident and make you look your best on camera. Glowing skin is especially important because it reduces the need for heavy makeup and shows professional agencies that you are taking care of yourself.

Have a portfolio:

A strong digital portfolio is one of the most important tools for any model. You will need professional photographs that clearly show your face, body type, and personality. It is worth investing in a trusted photographer rather than trying to take everything yourself. Phones can take great pictures, but a photographer knows how to light, pose, and edit images in a way that agencies take seriously. Once you have your images, display them clearly on your website and social media pages.

Know your style:

Having a sense of personal style helps agencies understand what you are best suited for. Make sure your clothes fit properly, right down to your underwear. A well fitted bra or a supportive set can change how you look in an outfit. If you want to see what is on trend or explore more options, you can shop lingerie in the U.S. online to find styles that match your body shape and personality. Once you understand what works for you, it becomes easier to show agencies your potential.

Smile:

Not every modeling job requires you to smile, but having a great one makes a huge difference. Keep up with dental check ups, brush properly, and take care of your teeth. If you feel insecure about your smile, whitening toothpaste or speaking to your dentist about options like veneers can help you feel more confident.

If you stay consistent with your look, maintain your portfolio and keep posting high quality images online, you will give yourself more opportunities. Do not wait for agencies to find you. Reach out, apply for casting calls, and stay active. The more your name and face are seen, the more likely you are to land the jobs you want!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov27

How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

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How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

Shopping for your first hearing aids can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking for or what the market of hearing aids looks like nowadays. There’s been a lot of significant advancements in hearing aids, so your idea of what they might look like may be a lot different from reality. It’s good to know what to expect when shopping for hearing aids and what steps are required to get them that are tailored for you and your hearing needs:

Get a comprehensive hearing test:

The first step to getting hearing aids is to book in with your local hearing specialist for a hearing test. A comprehensive hearing test will look at anything and everything when it comes to your hearing to understand what exactly is missing and what needs improvement. Have a thorough hearing test to not only check your hearing but to rule out anything that might be underlying as a medical condition that you weren’t even aware of. There are often reasons why your hearing loss is the way it is, and for some, that might be an infection or wax buildup.

Discuss options and choose a professional:

Based on the test results you’re given, the audiologist will recommend some suitable hearing aid options. These may be prescription or over-the-counter options. Those who have mild to moderate hearing loss can purchase OTC hearing aids, but those with significant loss will be required to work with a professional to get a prescription device instead. This is due to the need for custom fitting and ongoing support for the user. Shop around for your options, as hearing care providers will often set their own prices and costs, which are bundled into the service.

Select the right hearing aid for style and features:

This may be the point at which you realize that the options for hearing aids are vast and a lot more versatile than you first thought. To find hearing aids, the right style and features are a personal choice. Take a look at everything that’s offered to see which ones match your style and needs. Common devices include Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), and In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in-Canal (CIC) models. Features of the device are important to consider too, like noise reduction, rechargeable batteries, and Bluetooth connectivity, for example.

Trial periods and aftercare:

Before you commit to the hearing devices, review any associated policies and be aware of any warranty attached to them. Be aware of what trial period you have available so that if needed, you can return them for a refund if they don’t work well for you. You also will want all of the details when it comes to the aftercare of your devices to ensure its longevity.

Get fitted and follow up:

Finally, it’s time to get the hearing aids fitted properly and to adapt to these devices as you navigate day-to-day life. Keeping up with follow-up appointments will help to address any concerns you have so that adjustments can be made accordingly.

Life will change for the better once you find the hearing aid that is just right for you. Use the tips above to get started!

Nov26

What To Do When You’re Worried About Your Child’s Health Problems

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What To Do When You’re Worried About Your Child’s Health Problems

It’s completely normal to be worried about your child’s health problems. After all, you love them and want the best for them. But what should you do if you find yourself in this position? What action should you take? This issue comes up more than you might think. Many parents go into meltdown when something goes wrong with their child’s health, no matter how minor it might seem on the surface. Fortunately, we’ve written this guide to help. It runs through some of the tactics you can use to be your best to help your kiddo:

Trust Your Gut:

One of the best things you can do as a parent in this position is trust your gut. Accepting what’s happening and then trying to get to a solution is essential. Usually, you’ll know if something is seriously wrong or not. What’s more, as a parent, you know your child. You understand what’s normal behavior for them, and what isn’t, so your senses are attuned to theirs.

Track Their Symptoms:

It’s a good idea to track their symptoms. You want to know how they’re evolving over time. If you can figure out when it started and then measure the severity, you’re often in a good position to know how long it will take them to recover and what’s wrong. Tracking symptoms is also going to be so helpful when you take your child to the doctor so they will have a full history of the problem.

Check For Red Flags:

Red flag situations are when it is essential to take action. For example, things like a high fever or persistent vomiting: these are signs that something might be seriously wrong. You might also notice things like not responding to sound. Perhaps they need to go to the audiologist for grommets or hearing aids. Seizures and extreme lethargy or not waking properly are all red flag signs too. Get help immediately.

Call the Pediatrician:

If you encounter something you haven’t seen before or symptoms seem worse than usual, getting on the phone with the pediatrician is a good idea. They can provide advice on what to do next, including whether or not to go to hospital.

Provide Comfort:

Sometimes, just providing your child with some comfort can have a profound effect on their well-being. Their bodies are highly tuned to their surroundings. Even skin-on-skin contact, which seems quite simple, can have a huge effect. You can also do things like bring them their comfort items or put them in a room that feels safe to them. These small changes may improve their health.

Ask “Dumb” Questions:

Lastly, if you do go to the doctor with them, don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions. The more of these you pose, the more likely you are to understand what’s happening in the future if something similar happens again. Every question you have is worth asking and your child’s appointment is the time to do so.

Any health concern for your child can be scary. Keep a level head, find a solution with the doctor, and do your best to accommodate!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov26

How Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Your Hearing

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How Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Your Hearing

Hearing loss can feel like a gradual change at first, but it affects far more than just the sounds you hear. It can change the way you move through your day, how you communicate and even how confident you feel. Because it often develops slowly, you might not notice the full impact right away, but those little struggles can add up over time. Understanding how hearing loss reaches into different parts of your life can help you spot changes earlier and get the support you need. A simple hearing evaluation can give you clarity, but paying attention to the emotional and social effects is just as important:

How hearing loss affects your confidence:

When sounds become harder to follow, it’s natural to lose a bit of confidence in certain situations. You might avoid busy restaurants, step back during group conversations or worry that you’ll miss something important. These small moments can slowly change how comfortable you feel in everyday life. Over time, this can make you second-guess yourself, even in settings where you used to feel relaxed. Getting support early helps you feel more secure, because clearer sound reduces the effort you need to keep up and brings some of that lost confidence back.

How hearing loss can affect your friendships:

Clear communication is a big part of staying close to the people you care about. When hearing becomes difficult, you might miss jokes, misunderstand comments or feel a step behind in conversations. These small gaps can make socializing feel more tiring than enjoyable. If this keeps happening, it can quietly hinder your friendships, because you may start turning down plans or avoiding noisy places where conversation is harder. With the right support, you can stay fully involved and enjoy those moments again without feeling stressed or left out.

How hearing loss affects focus and mental energy:

Hearing loss doesn’t just change what you hear. It makes your brain work harder to fill in missing sounds, which can lead to mental fatigue. You might notice you feel drained after conversations or struggle to stay focused in meetings, even if you’re trying your best. This extra effort can affect your productivity and your ability to concentrate throughout the day.

How hearing loss changes your daily routines:

Small adjustments in your routines often appear before you realize they’re linked to hearing loss. You might turn the TV volume up a little higher, avoid phone calls or worry more about being in loud environments. These changes can creep in slowly and completely change how you plan your day. Being aware of these shifts helps you understand what your hearing needs. With early support, your routines can stay simple and enjoyable instead of built around avoiding uncomfortable listening situations.

Hearing loss affects many parts of life, not just the sounds you hear. By paying attention early and reaching out for support, you can protect your confidence, your relationships and your daily comfort!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov26

Ways To Prevent Hearing Loss

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Ways To Prevent Hearing Loss

There are various techniques that you can use to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and the worsening effects of that which is directly related to age. Let’s start with the workplace. If you work in a particularly noisy environment, you can invest in some specifically designed earmuffs that are designed to bring loud sounds down to a more acceptable level. You could also look into getting some custom-designed earplugs made of plastic or rubber to protect your ears from damaging noise.

We have already talked about having a hearing test, but it is worth reiterating here. If you get a professional to check your ears often, you will be in a better position to prevent further hearing loss later in life. You should also make an effort to avoid the recreational risks out there. Limit the activities which involve exposure to loud noises such as motorbiking, snowmobiling or going to live concerts. Wearing hearing protectors can also make a big difference, though you should also aim to take breaks from the noise as much as possible. When you are listening to music through earbuds, turn down the volume and limit your exposure to no more than an hour a day.

Helping Others with Hearing Loss:

There are plenty of ways that you can help someone who has hearing loss, and you can also apply this advice to yourself if you are the one who is suffering. When you are communicating with someone with hearing loss, use their name to get their attention. Try to limit any background noise which is causing them difficulties such as the TV or stereo system. Speak slowly and clearly, but don’t increase the volume at which you are speaking as this is only likely to make your words more distorted and difficult to follow. Try to make the topic of the conversation as consistent as possible too.

If your kids are the ones who are suffering from hearing loss, make sure that you take the time to explain to other parents what is going on, so they can then pass on good communication tips and advice. Consult with specialists on a regular basis, and take the time to look out for any products which may provide a helping hand. Sometimes, showing a bit of empathy and listening to the way that they are feeling is all that is required.

Whether you or someone close to you is going through hearing loss, there is no doubt that it can be an extremely challenging time. A strong support system between family, friends, and medical professionals can be so helpful!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov26

Get Into The Holiday Spirit

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Get Into The Holiday Spirit

Hi! We are full fledged into the holiday season and I think everyone could use a heaping dose of holiday cheer. This has been a crazy few years, to say the least! Spreading holiday cheer can be with grand gestures, but oftentimes it’s the little things that mean the most. Small acts of kindness that can turn someone’s entire day around. The ideas we’re about to discuss will put you on the Nice List, for sure, but that’s beside the point. It just feels good to do good! Let’s discuss:

Help a Neighbor:

Spreading holiday cheer can start right across the street! Should you have a neighbor that might need some extra help, be the person to offer. This could include shoveling snow, stopping by with a delicious meal, gifting a wreath for their door, or lighting up the outside of their home for a festive touch. I know firsthand the power of these gestures. Our downstairs neighbor is one of our best friends and whenever I am cooking, there is always a plate ready for him too. It makes both of our days and that is exactly what friends are for. ❤

Donating:

Toy drives and food pantries are amazing ways to share your good fortune. Lots of local businesses in my neck of the woods are hosting drives for toys and food so ask around for a place that you can drop off to. This is also the time of year for grocery stores to run promotions like “spend X amount and get a free turkey or X Y and Z”. A local shelter could really benefit from that for their holiday meals. A gesture like this can truly do a world of good so give what you can so everyone in your community can have a special holiday too.

Blessing Boxes:

In the same breath, I have seen countless posts on talk of the town pages about people creating Blessing Boxes. It is essentially a Little Free Library but for pantry items. Food insecurity is such a major issue and creating a Blessing Box for your neighborhood would be fantastic. When an entire neighborhood gets together, there is nothing you can’t do to help so give what you can. Even if what you can give is not a lot, don’t downplay it. It still makes a huge difference!

Care Packages:

A resounding need at homeless shelters as the weather turns is cold weather clothing items like thick socks, gloves, hats, scarves, and jackets. Other items that are always needed include personal hygiene supplies, underwear, and diapers. If you look on their websites, you might also find wish lists for families that are living there. Creating care packages to drop off can help keep the neighbors in your community warm and comfortable. You can also make cash donations on websites too and find ways to volunteer your time. This is always a need and you might find yourself returning at least once a week.

Nursing Homes:

There are so many people who have no one to spend the holidays with, especially those in nursing homes. You could host a holiday card or gift drive to drop off or simply be there and spend time. I often see posts from local nursing homes requesting something like this on talk of the town pages. If you can’t find any posts, call around. This can create such a bright memory for all parties involved!

Everyone deserves a safe and happy holiday season. Do what you can to make it happen and remember, anything you do is something! ❤

Do you volunteer anywhere? How do you spread holiday cheer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov25

Unlock Increased Beauty This Winter With These Tips

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Unlock Increased Beauty This Winter With These Tips

The colder months can bring several beauty challenges like dry, chapped skin and building a defined strategy is vital. The great news is that you don’t need to implement huge changes to see big results. Focus on the five ideas below to look and feel your best in winter and beyond:

Book a spa treatment:

Professional treatments are the ideal solution to relax and pamper. Selecting top luxury spa experiences can address some of the problems you’ve been facing and restore your natural beauty. Both the physical and emotional rewards are huge. Repeat experiences will elevate the benefits to another level. Make this a commitment to yourself and you will not regret it.

Adjust your home beauty routine:

Professional beauty treatments build a strong foundation. For the best results, though, you must look to maintain your success through improved daily habits. Learning to use retinol for skin repair purposes and better overall health will serve you well. Organic makeup materials are far kinder to your face too, which is why they should be added to your cause. However, it is equally crucial to remove makeup before bed and give your skin a chance to breathe overnight. Otherwise, the benefits of strong daily routines will be compromised.

Focus on sleep and hydration:

You already know that your appearance is partly a reflection of your health. So, an investment into wellness is sure to have a positive impact. Overhauling your entire life isn’t realistic, but you can increase your daily hydration with ease. When you do, your skin will gain a far better glow and be less prone to acne. Sleep is the other key focal point. Most people need 7-9 hours per night, but going to bed at around the same time each night is vital. A better circadian rhythm aids looks as well as health.

Embrace color coordination:

When thinking about beauty, fashion is a natural extension. Throughout the winter months, color coordination can elevate your outfits. Lipsticks and eye shadows that complement a cozy jacket or stylish dress takes your look to new heights. Similarly, a new hair color can be supported by nail art. Color coordination makes a look feel more considered, thus creating a far more powerful impact. It is one of the simplest ways to truly stand out.

Shield your skin:

Finally, you need to protect your skin from the damage caused by harsh weather. This could mean protecting it from extreme cold and high winds. It’s equally important to wear SPF sun protection in the winter sun. As well as protecting your cheeks, you must pay attention to the lips and eyes. After all, they are central to all human interactions.

Avoid the blemishes and signs of poor skin protection to maintain your best look all winter long!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov25

Health Issues That Could Be Hindering Your Friendships

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Health Issues That Could Be Hindering Your Friendships

Friends are people who should always be there for you. They’re who you tell about your worries, and, if you ever get ill, you assume they’ll be by your side. But, did you know that there may also be elements of your health that could prove problematic to your friendships in a few key ways, or at least put you on the back foot of your friendship group if you aren’t careful? After all, certain health struggles can stop you from joining in and engaging with your friends as much as you might like. Worse, you might not even notice it happening! This can have an ongoing negative impact on your friendships over time. But what exactly are these health conditions, and what can you do about them? Keep on reading to find out:

Hard Hearing:

Hearing setbacks are easily missed at first, but they can have a major impact on how you interact with the world, including your friends. If you’re having trouble hearing for reasons including infection, earwax buildup, or hearing loss, then you may struggle to follow conversations or find yourself constantly asking people to repeat themselves.

This can be as frustrating to the people around you as it is to you, and you may even find yourself declining friend invites. That can significantly impact your relationships, and it’s something you can avoid by simply getting your ears checked. Professionals may recommend treatments including hearing aids, earwax removal, or even just antibiotics, all of which will see you socializing normally again!

Rocky Mental Health:

Mental health challenges impact around 1 in 5 adults in the US. Yet, when you’re experiencing problems like anxiety or depression, you may feel increasingly isolated and may, in turn, isolate yourself from your friends. These problems can also be embarrassing or difficult to talk about, meaning that you might hide the reality, and instead make excuses. In truth, though, friendship is key to improving your mental health, which is why you should always be honest. Friends are far more likely to understand that way, and may even play an important role in getting you the help you need.

Physical Challenges:

Physical problems like a bad back or painful knees can also prove problematic to your friendships, as you may start to avoid long outings or hold back when you are with friends. Equally, you may push yourself too much when trying to keep up with everyone else and experience an even longer-term issue. Again, just telling your friends will help here. That way, you can work together to make plans that leave room for plenty of breaks, or even have a more accessible option for you to use a wheelchair or other supports. That way, you can keep up without requiring your friends to change their existing plans!

Friends are with you through thick and thin, but if hidden health issues like these are creeping between you, it’s time to take action. Simply be honest, get help, and protect your friendships at all costs!

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Nov24

How To Succeed With Your Dental Practice

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How To Succeed With Your Dental Practice

If you are keen to try and make sure that your dental practice is as strong as possible, there are lots of things that you might want to bear in mind. The truth is that you can always improve your dental practice, and it’s the kind of business that is open to being quite flexible. What are some of the areas that you might want to focus on to help you with this? Here are some ways to help succeed with your dental practice as much as possible in today’s world:

Build A Personal Patient Experience:

This is one of those things that will make a huge difference and can be relatively simple to achieve. If you want people to come back – which can be tricky when it comes to the dentist – then you should aim to build a personal patient experience that each individual patient will appreciate. That means that scheduling is made smooth and flexible, you have trained your team to greet patients by name, and you follow up after significant procedures. Patients notice these small touches!

Use The Best Equipment:

There is a lot to be said for making sure that you are using the best possible equipment you can. As long as you are doing this, you are going to find that you are much more likely to succeed, and that the experience your patients have is so much better too. For instance, you might want to think about making use of dental-grade soft reline material where possible, as this is going to be much more resilient and effective than any other grade.

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Keep Your Team Aligned:

If you want to run a successful practice, you need to make sure that everyone is on board at all times. Your staff is your brand in motion, so make sure that you have strong practices and that you are investing time in clear workflows, regular team meetings, defined roles and recognition for good performance.

Streamline Operations:

If you can streamline operations through the tracking of key metrics and using the right systems for everything from billing to inventory, you are going to find that it makes for a much more efficient dental practice overall. You will notice, your staff will notice, and your patients will definitely notice, so it’s something you’ll want to invest in.

Happy patients will continue to come back and these tips can certainly help!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov22

Substitute Pet Gifts

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Substitute Pet Gifts

Hello! The holiday season is right around the corner and for some reason, pets are a popular gifting option. Post holidays? Local shelters are packed to capacity with unwanted animals that were gifted. Like the trend of pet bunnies for Easter, animals are not something that should just be given with the potential of giving them away. They are part of the family and should be treated as such through extensive research and evaluating of if you have the time or resources to care for a pet, or if your children are capable and responsible enough to care for it. With that in mind, let’s explore some pseudo pet gifts that are an excellent compromise until you are all ready for the real deal:

Pocket Pets:

Handheld devices, apps, and video games can make an amazing substitute pet gifting option. You could consider a retro Tamagotchi, a subscription for an app like Finch, or a game like Animal Crossing. These gifting ideas are interactive, fun, and offers a level of care to build up responsibility skills to have a pet. I personally would LOVE a Mr. Rengoku Tamagotchi from Demon Slayer! I also adore my daily use of Finch and occasional use of Animal Crossing. Speaking of Animal Crossing, there is going to be a HUGE update coming in January which makes this game all the better. The beauty of it? Once you’re done playing, you’re done for the day – no more care is required!

Plushies:

Honestly, what kiddo (or adult) doesn’t want a new plushie?! Of course, nothing is better than snuggling up with a pet but snuggling up with a plushie is fabulous too. I do so every night! 😀 Squishmallows are a forever popular option or how about a trip to Build A Bear to create your new best friend? Little Live Pets sets are also a really fun option as these plushies have three babies to dress up, groom, and feed. There is a set for dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs too which is perfect if your kiddo is craving a small animal. I got the rabbit set last year for my niece as she wanted pet bunnies just like me. ❤

Volunteer Date:

Prior to getting a pet, it is so important to understand their level of care, wants, and needs. To develop those skills, you could present your kiddo with a volunteer date. You could grab some lunch and spend time at a local shelter. Shelters offer training sessions for volunteers to learn about care taking. Once these classes are complete, you will be able to walk, socialize, feed, and clean up after the pets that need to be adopted. What’s more, your family might be able to develop a bond with a specific pet after putting in the work first and foremost. Whether you end up with a pet or not after this process, it’s still a win/win as the shelter will have some extra help.

Robot Pets:

Robot pets are super cool and can move and groove along with your kiddo. They can bark, wag, walk, eat, and some can even go to the bathroom! These toy pets can let you know when they are ready for a snack or need to be groomed. Bird pets can perch on your shoulder, monkey ones can grasp your finger, but no matter what you choose can be cuddled, played with, and treasured. This is a great stepping stone in the responsibility department!

Pets are not a gift but the options above totally are!! 🙂

Did you have a toy pet growing up? What are other pet substitute ideas? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah