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Oct14

Let The Halloween Heaven Guest Bloggers Series COMMENCE!

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Let The Halloween Heaven Guest Bloggers Series COMMENCE!

Hello everyone and happy weekend!! Tomorrow begins lifewithlilred’s Halloween Heaven guest bloggers series and I, for one, am really freaking excited. I have a bunch of incredibly cool posts to share with you brought to you by some of the best makeup artists, photographers, chefs, and writers that I know.

This guest bloggers series is going to be a fun change of pace from the fashion based series (Which I’ve loved!) that have graced lifewithlilred in the past. The Halloween Heaven posts that will launch tomorrow are all made by brand new (and one returning) guest bloggers on my page and I am so thrilled to share their talent with all of you.

I hope that you all are ready for some Halloween themed fun on lifewithlilred! I SURE AM. What was your favorite Halloween costume that you’ve worn? What is something that you enjoy doing during this spooky time of the year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct12

Hi-Tech Your House Out

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Hi-Tech Your House Out

 

Technology is every where and is used for almost every thing. A trip to the shops? You take the car or other transport. In the stores themselves you can see aisles full of the latest gizmos and gadgets. So why let your home fall behind in the times? There’s so much cool technology out there that it would be silly to not deck your home out with it. There’s not just the tech for showing off, but there’s also the ones that will actually aid you and save you a lot of money in the long run. Let’s have a look at what you can put in each room to help you get the most bang for your buck in your home:

Kitchen:

Let’s start with something that’s going to aid you in the long run. A dehumidifier. You may not realise it, but whenever you cook and the room gets a little steamy, opening the windows doesn’t stop it from sticking to the walls to begin with. If you’re one of those people that chooses not to open the windows, then chances are that over time you’re going to get a build up of mold somewhere. A dehumidifier is perfect for preventing this. They don’t cost that much, and it could save you a lot of money from preventing an unneeded mold issue.

Living Room:

This is the center of the house, so why not have the best tech in it? Whether you’re having a cozy night in or family and friends round, use it as the room to wow them with the biggest most beautiful television that you can find. The way that TV tech has advanced in the last two years is incredible. Look into getting yourself a large, preferably 50-60 inch curved 3D TV. As big of a mouthful as it may be, the picture quality it’ll give you is insane. Try and get a 4K one and you’ll be blown away. Your kids will absolutely love the 3D element, and it’ll definitely amaze any guests that you have over. Yes, it may be pricey, but a TV lasts a long while, so it is definitely a worth while investment. Couple it with a surround sound system and it will really give that cinema quality to any film you’re watching.

Another essential piece of tech, for both the summer and the winter months, is a dual heating and cooling system, also known as an HVAC. During the colder months that are approaching, you can use it to keep your home nice and toasty. Come the summer months, reverse it and it’ll be an excellent cooling system. They are more efficient and easier to control than normal heating, and the fact that it can heat and cool is so handy. Look for HVAC contractors that can install it for you. You’ll be loving your lounge before you know it!

Bedroom:

The bedroom is the place where you retreat to escape the madness of the day. So put some tech in there that’s going to make life that little bit easier. Take the Amazon Echo for example. Yes, it can be used anywhere in the house, but it has some neat features to help you out. Simply say “Alexa, set an alarm for eight AM”. Pretty lazy right? But we live in a lazy generation, so finding a few shortcuts along the way can only help! You can also ask it about traffic on your route to work whilst you’re getting ready, this gadget finds out everything for you. So utilise it!

The Dyson Eye can be used anywhere in the house, but it is wonderful for your bedroom quarters. It’s basically a little robotic hoover that’ll go around on its own vacuuming areas. This is perfect for the bedroom, as it’s usually the room with the smallest amount of walking space. This little robot buddy will prevent constant bashes into the wall with your clunky old vacuum!

Technology is changing daily and can only make your home even more amazing. Do your research and find out which gizmos will work best for you!!

Featured Image By: Flickr 

Oct10

Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

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Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

More and more businesses are relying on technology to make their operations more, well, awesome, efficient, productive, secure, and profitable. The big problem is keeping up with the Lewis Hamilton paced world of advancing tech, which is complicated further by the fact that business leaders, like you, already have their hands full with the other tasks that keep their company in the here and now.

Luckily for you, we have taken the time to cast a rather glorious spotlight on exactly which areas of your business can be greatly improved by the introduction of the right technology. What’s more, we’re not going to waste any more of your time getting to the point:

Mobile Is The Number One Must-Have: For all of the different technology that there is out there, none has crashed into our lives like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display more than the mobile. Last year alone, more than six billion people tuned into a mobile device. Of course, this is quite a big entity in its own right, so to narrow it down a bit more, the areas you need to concentrate on are having a responsive website, a well-tested app, interactive social media, and mobile payment capabilities to keep your company in check with the tech savvy. Don’t forget that your business needs to be easy to communicate with and countless calls can be daunting. To ensure that every customer is tended to, you might want to enlist the help of a voice broadcasting service for the most efficient way to communicate. This service can include ringless voicemail and sms that will be fully automated so you can focus on your to do list.

Never down play the importance of a great website and social media. Every second of the day, millions of people are scrolling through their newsfeeds and preferred sites. Why shouldn’t it be yours?! When utilizing the most effective industrial content marketing strategies, you will surely find an increase in traffic and sales which means you are on the right track to even more success.

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 Off the subject, but I like that bag!

It’s Time To Automate Your Marketing: In a world where time is the most valuable commodity and marketing is the number one way to grow your business, being able to combine the two is becoming increasingly important. Not only this, but they will also dent your need to hire another costly marketing agency-slash-executive. The major benefits on the efficiency front come in the form of lead generation, segmented messages, tailored responses based on actions, and their seamless integration with CRM platforms. AI Helpdesk Software is also especially beneficial as it can keep track of customer conversations, improve your ticketing system, and ensure that every customer can solve their issues in real time. With these tasks fully automated, it can allow you to focus completely on all of the other items on your to do list for the day.

Nothing Is More Important Than Security: Making sure that your business is safe and secure falls into the category of “Pretty Darn Important” for a plethora of reasons. There is the trust you give to your customers, the peace of mind you give to your clients, the reputation you need to protect and, of course, your profit margin. In terms of technology, we recommend you look for a home surveillance camera for sale, something that will let you monitor your physical space and employees from your mobile and not just online threats. That said, the advancements in tech have also made it easier to protect your email accounts, bolster your firewall, and secure both your wireless network and your browsers.

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 Hands up for security!!

Call In The Collaboration Tools: There are a thousand reasons why you need to adapt to the remote world in which we live; reasons that range from attracting top talent and acquiring B2B manufacturing leads to keeping business overheads down. However, in order to make remote working a viable option, you need to invest in the best collaboration tools. Sure, this may not be much of an issue now, but it is projected that over 60% of workers will work remotely by 2022. The platform we are loving at the moment is Google Team. It offers real-time collaboration on a virtual chat-based work space that is designed to make collaboration more accessible and efficient. Music to your ears, huh?

The world of technology is fast paced and constantly changing, and it is up to you as a business leader to keep on top of the ball so that you can keep your company at the top of the ranks.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct4

Chin Up: What To Expect From An Ultherapy Session

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Chin Up: What To Expect From An Ultherapy Session

We smile, yawn, gasp, and make a lot of different facial expressions during our lives. It’s a good thing, though, and a part of being human – but life leads to wrinkles and saggy skin over time. An increasing number of people are finding new ways to make sure that their skin stays tight and young-looking for as long as possible, and it doesn’t have to put you under the knife, either.

If you’re new to the methods of ultherapy, it’s smart to prepare yourself a bit before the first session. The good news, is that after it’s done, you won’t have to prepare yourself at all for other people’s reactions as the results are gradual and allow you to age with grace, rather than looking like you’ve been frozen in time.

What would I use it for?

If you feel like areas of your face are starting to slope, you may want to do something drastic about it. Some people head off for a numbing session of botox; others go for more permanent solutions, such as plastic surgery. While you need to choose the alternative that would work best for you, it’s always smart to look into every option out there – also the non-invasive ones like ultherapy.

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasounds in order to stimulate more collagen growth deep beneath your skin. A lot of people use it to lift their eyebrows or eyelids when they reach a certain age as the saggy skin may bother them, in general, and keep them from seeing as well as they would have been able to if the skin was lifted.

The same goes for aesthetic purposes and nothing should keep you from straightening out those wrinkles around your cleavage or make the skin in your neck or jawline a bit firmer if it could boost your confidence.

How long is the downtime?

Unlike many other alternatives in terms of giving your face a quick lift, ultherapy requires no downtime. You can literally step right out of the clinic and meet up with your friends or co-workers without any of them ever knowing.

The disadvantage to this, is that you may not see the results that you’re longing for as soon as you’d like, and it can take up to six months before the full effect hits you. It makes it a bit easier to get up in the morning and have a look in the mirror during these months, though, as you’ll be keeping a rigid eye on your skin from now on!

You will only need one session to get the kind of results that last for up to 18 months, and each of them will take between half an hour to two and a half hours, depending on how much work you want done. Luckily, our society is advanced enough to let everyone go about with their beauty business as they please. Want to wear no makeup one day and a full face the following day? Or how about a small nip and tuck to boost your self esteem? No problem, it’s all up to you.

Of course, it’s important to choose the procedure that you feel is best for you, so think it over and enjoy the beauty of confidence.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep30

Last Call For Mini Halloween Series Guest Bloggers

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Last Call For Mini Halloween Series Guest Bloggers

Hellooo everyone and happy weekend! I am still looking for a few more guest bloggers for my mini Halloween series while I am away for a couple of days in October. If you are interested in sharing some spook-tastic fun with my readers in a Halloween themed post of your choice, then please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !! THANKS! ❤

Also, be sure to tune in tomorrow so that we can talk shop about the Marilyn Manson concert yesterday! Woooooooooooooooooo! Much love. -Sarah

Sep28

Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

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Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

Congrats! You’re going to college. All of those years of studying hard and living at home have finally paid off. Within a couple of months, the bags and boxes will be full and you’ll be ready to meet your roommate. What a time to be alive (lol). Well, it is as long as you make it that far. If there is one thing that we know about higher education, it’s the price. According to The Economist, the average student loan debt is $37,172. It doesn’t matter how many weekend jobs you have because you ain’t going to save that money.

So, this is where the government comes in handy and finally pulls its weight and lends you the money. And, you gladly hand it over to the college of your choice without a second thought. Wait a minute, though. What if that was a mistake? These are the signs that you can trust a college with your student loan, because things can go south very quickly:

Retail Price:

Career coaches won’t tell you to do this, but what’s the point of being a teenager if you aren’t going to rebel (YOLO.)? Think of a college like property. Before you make an offer, the savvy thing to do is check the prices throughout the neighborhood. That way, no one gets conned over the price. Universities are the same because they will try and charge extra for a course which is no different to its competitors. They might have an “excuse”, but it has to be a good one. As a rule, the majority of the courses throughout the major colleges are the same, barring a feature or two. An establishment that is trying to milk you for as much as possible isn’t a trustworthy one.

The Paper Trail:

The foundations of a con doesn’t change from the bottom to the very top. Whether you’re dealing with a petty criminal or a rogue college, they all require trust. Not to be cynical, but keep your cards close to your chest. Again, not something a counselor would advocate, yet an important piece of advice, nonetheless. Fake unis and colleges attempting to improve their bottom line act like butter wouldn’t melt. So, the idea of education fraud doesn’t even appear on a potential student’s radar, not unless it’s on Call of Duty. However, it’s a problem which is impacting the school systems around the world. The good news, is that a receipt of payment is a simple fix. I know you wanted something a bit more James Bondish, but there are no fancy gadgets here. Nope, it’s just a piece of paper with the time, date, and a total amount.

Their Reputation:

Universities aren’t exempt from the rumor mill. Whether it’s Oxford and Harvard or a community college, campus gossip is something that you shouldn’t always take with a grain of salt. There will always be rumors and experiences from previous students. If you hear anything that sounds sketchy in the murky underworld that is higher education, don’t be afraid to investigate. A little piece of gossip can be the difference between tens of thousands of good debt, and a fraud case.

Keep in mind that all colleges aren’t the beacon of morality of which they claim. Some are dishonest and unreliable, plain and simple. Do your research, because your student loans are going to impact you until you finally pay them off.

Featured Image By: Flickr via CafeCredit

Sep27

Why It Is Never Too Late For School

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Why It Is Never Too Late For School

The initial decision to forgo post-secondary education does not have to spell doom for your aspirations in the long term. Of course, having a day job, family, and other obligations makes it hard for people to fit college into the picture. However, where there is a will, there is certainly a way. Do not let anything weigh you down and inhibit your dreams. You are not alone, either, as an increasing number of people are giving academic life another chance. No matter what stage of life you are in do not rule out school just yet: Education has no expiration date.

Getting back on track:

Fear and uncertainty are perhaps two of the most common factors that hold people back. Yes, studying is a huge commitment, but it does not matter that you didn’t start right away. It is much better to make your way to the finish line late than never. Moreover, being an independent adult can have its advantages. In all likelihood, you are in a better position to bear the financial burden of education and fund the studies. It might be possible to even entice your employer to cover the costs.

The list of reasons to go to the party late goes on. Nowadays, with advances in modern technology, you have more options than ever before. A vast ocean of information and education resources lies right at your fingertips. You have a chance to take advantage of online lessons, tutorials, and courses. Even prime, world-renowned universities offer such opportunities to people across the globe. If classes online or in person make you nervous, you can also always hire a private tutor to play it safe and sound.

Do not miss a thing:

Furthermore, many successful professionals have that sense of reaching a point where just focusing on the career does not cut it. After all, college graduates tend to have a higher income and access to better career opportunities compared to those without a degree. Most employers seek individuals who are well-qualified and possess expertise in a certain field. What is more, the pay gap is only getting bigger and bigger.

Getting into college is also a great way to expand your skill list. Critical thinking, analytical capability, problem-solving, community service – all of which look amazing on your resume. These skills enable you to set yourself apart from the crowd in the job market, land a promotion, and get a foot in the door. It also helps that you network with colleagues and professors. Thus, with a degree, older workers find it much easier to compete with the ambitions of a digital generation.

But, greater financial stability is not the only reason to consider school. Namely, years of intensive learning and research are no cakewalk, but studying can be a pleasurable and fulfilling experience. You are also able to gain a sense of self-validation and actualization as you meet loads of new people and soak in new ideas and knowledge. Your brain enters full-swing mode and you feel the inner curiosity being awakened. It is (Almost!) always preferable to give school the old college try than to deal with constantly feeling like you’re missing out.

Give it a go:

Furthering your education could be the driving force behind a positive change. So, if you feel higher education is right for you, show initiative and perseverance and do not shy away from taking the plunge. Pave your own path to success and do not just let the chips fall where they may. Improve your employability and advance up the career ladder quicker. As you embark on the journey of self-empowerment and personal growth, you will witness the benefits spilling over to all areas of life.

As someone who went to college later, I can testify to all of the above. But, of course, college is not always right for everyone – and that’s okay!! The option is there, and it is up to you to see how it fits (or doesn’t) in your lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Sep26

Disaster Dyes & Calamitous Cuts: Hair Horror Recovery

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Disaster Dyes & Calamitous Cuts: Hair Horror Recovery

When you’ve had a hair disaster inflicted on you — or have perhaps even inflicted it on yourself — then it can feel like the world is ending. This is your life now. You’ll be wincing when you look in the mirror and wearing a large variety of hats/headbands/pony tails until the problem either grows out or returns to normal.

Or at least, that’s how it feels — but coping with a hair disaster doesn’t have to mean resigning yourself to months beneath a hat, scowling at your reflection. For every hair don’t, there’s something you can do to rectify it. Let’s explore the most common hair disasters and the fixes that can get your locks to normal ASAP:

DISASTER! Your Hair Dye Looks Uneven: If you choose to dye your hair, then a bad dye job is probably a fear of yours. Dyed hair can look terrible if it’s been dyed poorly, resulting in uneven patches or even wild colors that you never wanted on your head. If you experienced this as a result of a hairdresser’s work, it’s always worth making a complaint so that the next customer won’t suffer the same fate. If you did it with at-home dyes, then the good news is that it should be easier to remove.

With that said, removing hair dye isn’t easy. The process involves a number of harsh chemicals, and can leave your hair feeling dry and matted. Think long and hard about how much you dislike the color, and the possible downsides of removing it. If you choose not to go down the removal route, then most dark brown dyes will cover other pigment — maybe this mistake is a sign you should be a brunette?

HORROR: Your Hair Is Far Shorter Than You Intended: Hairdressers have a reputation for cutting hair shorter than the person has requested. You go in, request a trim, and leave with three inches of hair missing — it’s happened to us all. Perhaps you’ve even taken the scissors into your own hands and have decided to cut it yourself and gone a little too far. Whether the cutting was at the hands of a professional or your own work, the end result is the same: your hair is way, way shorter than you wanted.

Thankfully, tape in hair extensions exist, so that you can give yourself some length back with a minimum amount of hassle. Then, when your natural hair has grown out to a length that you find acceptable, you can remove them and promise never to go near the scissors again.

SHOCK! Your Hair Has Been Damaged: Dyeing, bleaching, or just overusing heat styling products all take their toll on your hair. If your ‘do is looking to be more of a don’t, then a moisturizing and conditioning regime is needed. Switch to less abrasive shampoos; you’ll find that there are plenty of natural shampoo brands which offer a far gentle way of cleaning your hair. Finish off with a thick application of quality conditioner. In time, with a natural shampoo and a good conditioner, your hair should once again be your crowning glory.

Whatever has happened to your tresses, just remember that there is a way back to hair redemption. And, it shouldn’t need saying, but never go to that same hairdresser or trust yourself with a pair of scissors again. It’s for the best – we promise.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Aug31

Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

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Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

I’m sure everyone has seen the devastating scenes from Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. It’s a truly tragic event that’s left so many homes destroyed and people on the streets. While this particular hurricane was a ‘100-year storm’ it does make us open our eyes and wonder if we’re prepared for any other hurricanes that might hit our homes. Trying to limit the damage to your home is crucial, and there are a few key steps that you can take to keep your property in the best shape possible when natural disasters hit your area:

Secure Your Roof:

Your roof is one of the parts of your house that suffers worse than most. When the heavy rains pelt down and the winds come roaring, it’s normally your roof that takes the brunt of the force. Not only that, but your roof can easily be damaged due to the way that it’s made. Roof tiles can be blown off or shattered, which will lead to severe leaks and a whole lot of property damage.

What you need to do is secure your roof properly. The first way to do this is by checking all of the tiles and ensuring that your roof is in good condition. If not, you should have dodgy tiles replaced or maybe a whole new roof fitted. As you can see with this roofing contractor, there are loads of different materials that you can build a roof out of. Pick one that you know is extremely durable and weather resistant. While you’re at it, get some hurricane straps, too, so you can keep your roof even more secure.

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Is your roof as secure as possible?

Block Any Gaps:

It’s very common for windows and doors to have tiny gaps in their sealant that can let in drafts of cold air or bits of rainwater. Normally, you don’t notice this, but you will when a storm hits. So, you must block any gaps and secure your windows and doors. Put a fresh layer of sealant around all of your windows to ensure that the wind doesn’t sneak in or rain doesn’t cause leaks. The same goes for your doors, too. You might also want to look into hurricane proof windows for further security and peace of mind if a hurricane hits. Any extra protection is priceless.

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Keep everything sealed tight!

Keep Your Front & Back Yards Bare:

Finally, it’s a good idea to limit what you have outside of your house. By this we mean; outdoor tables/chairs, a kid’s playhouse, garden tools, etc. This is because hurricane winds can blow them into your house and cause damage. When hurricane season hits, it’s best to move everything into indoor storage. Also, think about trimming down the trees that are in closest proximity to your home for extra security.

If you know that hurricanes are common in your area, follow these steps right away to get yourself prepared. And, as always, our thoughts are with everyone whose life has been turned upside down by Hurricane Harvey.

Featured Image By: Bit.ly

Aug31

Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

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Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

It’s easy for us to get used to our jobs and maybe even feel content with them, to the detriment of our future advancement. Just because a job is easy and it’s pleasant doesn’t mean that is is the right place for you to be. While there’s nothing wrong with staying at a job because it’s easy and we know what we’re doing, it can lead to complacency, and you might still be there ten years down the line when all of your colleagues have moved on to bigger and better things.

To avoid being trapped by complacency, here are some sure signs that it’s time to move on from your current job:

Your Life Is The Status Quo: If you’ve been doing the same job with the same routine every day for so long that you can’t even remember when it started, it might be time to look elsewhere to start really building a career. If promotions in your current place are hard to come by and you haven’t been considered despite being more than qualified, chances are you could definitely do better. And who doesn’t want to spice up their life a little>

You’re Never Given Feedback: Feedback, both positive and negative, is important for your development. If you don’t know what you’re doing right and which things could be improved upon, you’ll never be able to grow into the best professional that you can be.

Your Bosses Are Being Difficult: If after all of the hard work and dedication you’ve put into building their business, your bosses are so difficult that you have to see a workers compensation lawyer or they put you on probation because you had to take a few days out to look after a sick family member, take it as a clear nudge to get out. It’s rarely worth sticking with a company that doesn’t value you, especially when you’re only doing it because the work is easy or it’s a little more convenient for you.

There’s A Mass Exodus: If your long-term coworkers all start to abandon ship around the same time, it’s probably worth finding out why. If they’re experiencing problems in the workplace, it’s only a matter of time before you start experiencing the same issues, too. Or, if they’re leaving because they’ve found better opportunities elsewhere, you could, too!

You’ve Been Contacted By Headhunters: If you’ve been contacted by headhunters who’ve gone out of their way to try and poach you, you’d be foolish not to at least consider it. If a company really wants you, it’s usually because they’re impressed by your work and are willing to pay for the experience that you bring to the table. You may be able to negotiate a better salary and more workplace benefits with them than you could in your current position. And, once again, who doesn’t want that?

You’ve Already Been Considering It: If you’ve been thinking about leaving, even if they’ve only been idle thoughts, it could be a sign that you’ve grown weary of your job, even if you don’t fully realize it yourself. Don’t dismiss these thoughts and look into your options, because everyone has them.

Leaving a steady job can be scary, but sometimes it’s the only way to move forward to bigger and better things in your life.

Featured Image By: Pixabay