Tag Archives: pro tips

Oct9

The Everyday Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Skin

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The Everyday Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Skin

Everyone wants radiant, healthy skin. But sometimes there are barriers in the way of achieving the glow you want or are working towards, and no matter what you do, your efforts aren’t rewarded with the results you want. Chances are, you’re making mistakes that are hampering your progress, stopping you from achieving that fresh-faced look. Let’s look at a few of the most common mistakes so you can step up your skin care game even more:

Over Cleansing:

Nothing beats that fresh, clean skin feel, but cleansing too often or using too harsh a cleanser for your skin can strip it of its oils and can upset the protective barrier. The result? Redness, irritation, and more breakouts and dry patches than you started with. The trick is to cleanse gently using an appropriate cleanser for your skin type once or twice per day.

Forgetting Sunscreen:

Or not using it at all. And those UV rays that damage your skin? They’re present even on cloudy days, too, and in the winter. The damage can be done all year round, not just in the height of summer. Skipping sunscreen speeds up visible aging and increases your risk of skin cancer, too. Try adding a lightweight SPF 30 to your skincare routine for maximum protection benefits.

Relying on Quick Fixes Over Routines:

There is no quick fix for good skin. Good skin is the culmination of religious skincare routines that are consistent every single day. While those hydrating and glowing face masks can give you the moisture boost and healthy look you need before a night out, the effects will only be temporary. The same principles apply to co-harmonizing and harmonizing products. You need to find the right products for your skin and use them consistently to get the benefits and glowing skin you want.

The importance of using ingredients that will directly benefit your skin type cannot be understated. For example, a teenager using retinol products will experience dryness and irritation. A thirty something will benefit from enhanced elasticity. When you shop for skin care products on www.skindeepprofessional.com (or your favorite skin care brand), pay close attention to the ingredients listed and take note of the changes you see as you use it. If your skin has never looked better, you’re on the right path. If you notice irritation, discontinue use immediately.

Not Getting Professional Skincare Advice:

Sidestepping visiting a dermatologist for skin concerns can end up making matters worse than they were. A dermatologist can enlighten you as to the health of your skin and what you need to do and products or ingredients you need to use to achieve the skin of your dreams. From here, you can implement the perfect skincare routine, choose appropriate products, and even discover skincare treatments that can boost your skin health, such as laser skin resurfacing or acne laser treatment.

Ignoring the Role Lifestyle Plays:

Yes, what you put on your skin matters, but also how you live your life matters too. Dehydration, a poor diet, increased stress levels, and a lack of sleep all impact your skin. And before you know it, you’re showing the signs of your lifestyle habits in your skin. Drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious, balanced diet, prioritize sleep, and work on reducing stress levels to help you work on your skin from the inside out. If you’re not addressing the fundamentals of good health, even the best skincare products and routine in the world won’t have any impact.

Healthy skin isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about avoiding the habits that damage your skin and hold you back. By focusing on the points above and removing everyday skincare mistakes in your life, you can start to reap the benefits of great skin!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep25

3 Mental Health Tips To Help Yourself Feel Better

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3 Mental Health Tips To Help Yourself Feel Better

Mental health is becoming more and more of a priority around the world, and for good reason. By looking after your mental health, you can make sure you have a long and happy life. As obvious as that is, it’s a lot harder to put into practice. Managing your mental health can often be tricky to put into practice, especially when you’ve been diagnosed with a specific condition. But, it’s not impossible. More than a few mental health tips can help with this. Not only should they make everything more manageable, but they could even improve your mental health more than you might’ve thought. Three of these are more than worth trying out because of the impact they can have:

Understand Your Triggers:

Most mental health conditions have triggers, especially when it comes to anxiety and panic disorders. These can vary from person to person, so take the time to understand your triggers. It puts you in a position to actively manage them. Once you have a proper understanding of your triggers, you can plan a way around them. If anxiety attacks are triggered by a specific location, for example, you can plan to avoid them. Less tangible triggers could need some work with a professional to mitigate going forward.

Proactively Manage Stress:

Speaking of triggers, stress can be one of the more notable of these. A stressful event could trigger an anxiety attack or something similar, so be as proactive as possible with your stress. You can use more than a few strategies for this, like yoga, deep breathing, or exercise. Then there’s the likes of medical cannabis and other options. You’ll usually need a prescription for these, but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t help. They’ve even been shown to help with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, too.

Should you not be able to get a prescription for medical cannabis, it’s okay! Dispensaries and online shopping options are available to make your purchase. You could consider buying Bulk Weed Canada (or your local area) to keep yourself well stocked. Dispensaries also carry edibles and vape cartridges if you prefer those methods better.

Be Kind:

Sometimes, helping with your mental health doesn’t have to focus on you. By being kind and helping to make the world a better place, you could end up having a great positive impact on your mental health. It’ll help more and more as time goes on. Even a simple act of helping a stranger pick up the groceries they dropped could help. If you want to see a significant impact, then regularly volunteering to help a charity could be an excellent way to do this. Find what you’re passionate about and see what volunteering options are available in your community to get started.

Looking after your mental health doesn’t always need to be as complicated as you think. With the right management skills, there’s no reason you shouldn’t improve your mental health and feel better in time. You’ll end up with a happier, better life before you know it!

Featured Image By: Marcus Paolo Prado from Unsplash

Sep24

Night Out Fashion Tips For Every Location

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Night Out Fashion Tips For Every Location

Weekends are for letting loose and having fun after a long week at work. It’s a time to get together with friends and potentially meet new people. Of course, you’re more likely to feel great when you look your best, whether it’s at a trendy nightclub, rooftop lounge, or laid-back coffee shop. Here’s a style guide for what to wear to different weekend hot spots so you’re both confident and comfortable:

Nightclub:

Think sleek and stylish as you consider what to grab from your closet to wear to the best nightclub San Diego downtown has seen. Figure hugging dresses, tailored jumpsuits, or fitted jeans with a top that’s a statement piece are all perfect choices for an evening at this popular weekend destination. Keep your footwear stylish while practical (although we all know that can be hard to find), as you’ll be heading to the dance floor. Keep it trendy but club-appropriate with wedged trainers or sturdy platforms, avoiding overly casual items like flip-flops.

Rooftop Bar:

Think chic yet comfortable for the outfit to wear here. Tailored shorts paired with a t-shirt, an oversized blazer, and a funky gold necklace make for a super cute OOTD. If the weather dips low during the night while you’re still there, you’ll be thankful for the warmth of the blazer. If it stays warm, depending on the time of year, simply take off it off! For shoes, stylish flats or loafers make sense for comfort as you curl up on cozy seating and chat the night away.

Coffee Shop:

Coffee shops call for casual and cozy for the OOTD. Then add a bracelet or earrings to take it easily from daytime to night-appropriate for wherever the day takes you after your caffeine boost. The relaxed look can vary from a tank top with baggy jeans to leggings and an oversized sweater. Sneakers mix style and playfulness as you walk up to the counter to order a coffee. A crossbody bag is where you can keep your journal if you plan to write while at the coffee hangout, or a book for reading at your favorite spot.

Food Markets:

Food markets are a wonderful place to explore new foods and meet new people. Casual dresses or shorts suit the atmosphere, as do sneakers or sandals, as they’re comfortable for walking from vendor to vendor. Take your sunglasses if it’s still light out, so you won’t have to squint to see which fresh options are at the stall in front of you. Wear layers, if possible, so you can stay warm if the air gets cooler as the hours go by.

When you dress appropriately for the venue, you’ll feel fabulous about the way you look, and that makes you more likely to have a blast. Cheers to a memorable weekend ahead!

Featured Image By: Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

Sep24

Having FUN With Your Content

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Having FUN With Your Content

Hello! I have been a content creator for over a decade and I have yet to grow tired of the joy of writing, taking pictures, and recently videos for my TikTok. I have striven to create daily content for the past six years and change and continue to make good on that goal every single day. I mainly continue this streak out of spite… I kid! I have maintained this because I simply have way too much FUN creating content! Although it is a gift to make money from my craft, I would continue to publish without monetary gain because I have enjoyed every minute since starting lifewithlilred. How have I kept the spark alive? Let’s discuss:

What are your goals?

My goal when I created lifewithlilred was not to make money at all. It was to have a space that is special to me to get out my thoughts, interact with new people, and make friends. In fact, I met my best friend in the whole world shortly after my page was live! If your goal in the content game is to strike it rich, it automatically takes the fun out of it. Then, you fall into the pattern of creating what you think other people want to see or read instead of what you want to do. When you start a blog or social media profile, go into it with the mindset that you are making something that no one else can. Anything that comes next like new friends or some extra scratch is just an added bonus!

What’s Trending?

Let me fill you in on a little secret… I have never paid attention to trending topics. I much prefer to do my own thing! When I shop, I am always looking for pieces that not everyone and their brother owns and that is exciting to me. I view my content in the same light. I don’t want to post about what everyone is already posting about and hope what I am doing gets seen in the void. I want to create my own trends and content that is completely unique to me. The content you post is like your own journal. Do you want your pages to feel like you or a compilation of a bunch of other people’s ideas? When you stay true to yourself is when you can create that corner of the internet that is yours and yours alone.

Just Go For It!

There is no scientific formula for creating content so don’t let overthinking get in your way. If you have an idea, an awesome outfit, or a thought you want to extrapolate on then go for it! You can go back and fine tune later but if you get that spontaneous surge of creativity then harness it rather than shy away. You will be amazed at the content you can make by just going off of a random thought and seeing what happens. Look for beauty in every day situations, write about something you can’t shake from your mind, and soon enough you will be finding ideas for posts every time you turn your head. This is very much the case for me and it keeps content creating fresh and new rather than a chore.

Keep Your Head Up:

The fact of the matter is, your goal of a million followers in a week or a hefty paycheck in a day might not be possible and that’s okay! Set achievable goals instead and revel in that feeling when you meet them. I started my TikTok very late in the game and it was just one of those things I did on a “why not” whim. I will admit, it was a bit disappointing when my first videos weren’t getting a ton of views. Then I remembered that my blog didn’t get a ton of views either when I first started it. Now, I view every new follower or like on TikTok as a GREAT SUCCESS! Content creating is a marathon, not a sprint. There are going to be highs and lows and if you let yourself be discouraged and give up, you will never know what you can achieve next. ❤

Creating content should always be FUN and if you aren’t having a blast, then I highly recommend reevaluating because something is going haywire. Strive to find the joy in what you are making every time you write a post or film a video because what you are doing is important. I know you can do it!

What do you struggle with when it comes to content creating? What is your favorite piece of content you have ever made? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep23

Eliminating Common Challenges In Your Pest Control Business

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Eliminating Common Challenges In Your Pest Control Business

Running a pest control business is not an easy thing to do, with even minor issues quickly snowballing into major setbacks if they are left unaddressed. From customer satisfaction to staying on top of regulations, pest control companies face various hurdles at every turn. Early identification and resolution of these problems is important for smooth operations and long-term success in this industry. In this post, we will look at ways to address some of these pain points:

Disorganized Scheduling and Route Optimization:

One of the biggest hurdles pest control businesses encounter is disorganized scheduling and poorly planned service routes. A poorly organized schedule or ineffective routing could waste fuel, time, and customer patience. Investing in modern scheduling software and route optimization tools is a great solution to this problem, streamlining appointment bookings while decreasing travel time as well as providing real-time traffic updates for better productivity and increasing customer satisfaction with prompt services.

From routing plans to paperwork, a disorganized approach can really put you in a jam. The most important thing is prioritizing efficiency. Perhaps the software you’re using could benefit from an upgrade and that could make a huge difference. When standard solutions fall short of your specific requirements, custom bespoke software solutions can be tailored precisely to your business needs, offering the flexibility and functionality that off-the-shelf options often lack. A change like this will promise immediate results.

Ineffective Staff Utilization:

Human resources are at the basis of any pest control business, yet many companies struggle with underutilized or overburdened staff members. Proper staff management and training is important in solving this problem. Clear roles should be assigned based on expertise while offering continuous education on new techniques to empower employees to work efficiently. Businesses should use team communication apps or workforce management software to enhance coordination and transparency among staff members.

Lack of Marketing Strategy:

A pest control business that’s failing to draw customers often comes down to ineffective marketing. Relying solely on word of mouth alone no longer suffices in the digital world. Outsource your pest control SEO to a marketing agency to increase your online presence and attract potential customers. Use social media such as Facebook or Instagram as platforms to showcase services, customer reviews and promotions. Investing in paid advertising such as Google AdWords or local directories such as Yelp can be additional ways of reaching out.

Regulatory Compliance Issues:

The pest control industry is heavily regulated, making staying compliant with local, state, and federal laws an ongoing challenge. Failure to do so can incur heavy fines while damaging your company reputation if noncompliance continues. Businesses should use compliance tracking software in order to keep on top of changing regulations as well as consult legal specialists or consultants who specialize in pest control to make sure their practices, products, and documentation meet all necessary standards.

Outdated Technology:

Using outdated tools and techniques not only slows down operations but can fail to meet modern pest control standards. When you invest in advanced equipment and eco-friendly pest management options, your business demonstrates their dedication to quality and sustainability. Staying on top of technological advancements will make your business become an innovator that draws in customers who prioritize effective and eco-conscious solutions for pest management needs.

Attention to detail and dedication to excellence will position a pest control business as a trusted partner in solving customer pest issues while guaranteeing long-term business success!

Featured Image By: Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

Aug27

How To Feel More Confident In Your Skin

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How To Feel More Confident In Your Skin

More often than not, most of us will feel insecure. It may not be intense insecurity, and it may not severely impact our daily lives, but we can feel it all the same. It might be not feeling that confident in our jobs or worrying about how we look when we’re out with friends. As much as it can be frustrating, it’s quite common. But that doesn’t mean that you have to accept it as normal and live that way forever. In fact, you can look to do something about it as soon as possible!

It’s easy to think that some people are confident and others aren’t, but that’s not strictly true. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something that’s built. If you’d love to be able to feel more confident in your skin and say goodbye to your insecurities, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the best ways for you to feel more confident in who you are:

Practice Positive Self-Talk:

First of all, you may want to change the way you talk to yourself. If you’re used to being tough on yourself and beating yourself up in the way you think and speak about yourself, it’s going to really lower your confidence. When you’re more positive, it can help you to feel a lot more confident and happier in yourself.

Prioritize Self-Care:

It can also help to look after yourself a little better. It’s easy to think that self-care is just pampering and caring too much about your appearance, but it’s far from that. It can be relaxing, helping your mental health, and boosting your mood as well as your confidence. You may find that starting a self-care routine drastically changes how you feel.

Focus on Feeling Good:

You should also be proactive about feeling good in yourself. Buying new bras, taking yourself for a walk, or even having a little solo date night could help you to feel recharged and boost your mood. Treat yourself to something nice, grab a coffee from your favorite cafe, or simply take a pause when you feel like you could use a pick me up. When you find what works to boost your mood, you can keep turning back to it as often as you need.

Dress for Confidence:

You can also look to what you wear for a lot more confidence. You may find that if you’re wearing things that don’t make you feel good, getting excited about what you wear can change everything. Take yourself out shopping or order some options online. Once you find some pieces you love, you may feel a lot more confident in your skin. When you dress with clothes that fit well and enhance your best features, you are going to love what you see when you look in the mirror.

Embrace yourself, your quirks, and what makes you you. Doing so will always make you feel so much happier and confident in who you are!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Aug25

Burn A Pancake, Not Your Focus

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Burn A Pancake, Not Your Focus

Morning in your kitchen is a whole soundtrack: The kettle sighs, a timer nags, a voice asks where the left shoe went, and someone is definitely humming Baby Shark again. You’re flipping pancakes while triaging notifications and trying to remember who needed money for lunch today. It’s a lot. And when the soundscape gets crowded, focus is the first thing to burn:

The Breakfast Rush Is a Sensory Storm:

You’re not “bad at mornings.” You’re managing a sensory pile-up. Competing sounds make it harder for your brain to sort what matters, like a quiet “Mom?” over a loud extractor fan. When your ears work too hard to catch the words, your brain borrows energy from focus. That’s how a simple recipe turns into guesswork, and why multitasking feels like walking through fog. Reduce the fog and you reclaim attention, without needing an extra hour or superhuman patience.

Focus Starts with Clear Hearing:

Here’s the sneaky truth: Aven a small drop in hearing clarity can feel like a big drop in attention. Your brain does overtime to fill gaps, predicting words, stitching context, reading lips, and that effort shows up as fatigue and distractability. You know that end-of-day “I can’t listen to one more thing” feeling? That’s cognitive load talking. When you make hearing easier, everything else gets lighter: You follow directions the first time, the joke lands, and the pan on medium actually stays on medium.

Small Sound Habits, Big Calm:

You don’t need to redesign your kitchen. Start with micro-wins:

  • Lower the loudest thing first (usually the extractor fan or TV) to lift voices out of the noise.
  • Use a visual timer for cooking so your brain isn’t babysitting beeps.
  • Create a “call corner” away from clatter; two steps to the hallway can turn chaos into clarity.
  • Ask for one-at-a-time talk during hot-pan moments. It’s not fussy; it’s safety.
  • Keep the same soundtrack for breakfast (a short playlist) so your brain isn’t decoding new noise every day.

The Tech That Frees Your Hands:

Modern hearing solutions aren’t just about volume; they’re about control. Directional microphones help you lock onto the voice right in front of you. Rechargeable cases mean you stop hunting for tiny batteries during the school run. And many models now include bluetooth connectivity so you can take a quick call from school, hear a timer or podcast clearly, or switch to a “kitchen” program, without juggling your phone while you’re juggling hot pans.

Choosing the Right Setup (Without Becoming a Tech Reviewer):

You want features that match your actual life, not a spec sheet fantasy:

  • Comfort first. If it doesn’t feel good by school pickup, you won’t wear it. Ask for soft domes or custom earmolds if you’re sensitive.
  • Programs that fit your day. A “quiet conversation,” “noisy restaurant,” and “outdoors” set will cover 90% of parenting life. Bonus points for a “speech in noise” mode that you can tap on quickly.
  • Moisture resistance. Kitchen steam. Look for devices rated to handle humidity and sweat.
  • Easy controls. A physical button or simple app beats labyrinth menus when a pancake is mid-flip.
  • Trial the real world. Bring your phone to the fitting, test calls, stream a timer, and stand near a whirring kettle. If it works there, it’ll work anywhere.

Make the Kitchen a Safe-Sound Zone:

Safety and calm are twins here. Keep alarms audible but not shrill. Put break-in points in your routine: “Flip, breathe, check” before the next step. If someone needs you mid-cook, ask them to touch your shoulder first, visual + tactile beats shouting from the hallway. And remember, kids copy what you model. When you show them how to create a quiet pocket for talking, they learn to do the same.

What to Do Next:

If your mornings feel louder than they should, get curious about hearing, not guilty. Book a hearing check, bring your daily chaos with you (figuratively), and describe the exact moments that feel hard: “I miss words over the kettle,” “I can’t hear the timer if the TV is on,” “I need to catch calls hands-free while cooking.” The right setup meets those moments on purpose.

Focus isn’t a personality trait; it’s an environment you can design. When you reduce noise, support your hearing, and choose tech that matches your life, you stop burning attention on the basics. Breakfast gets simpler. Voices get clearer. And your pancakes? Golden, not charred!

Featured Image By: Pexels

 

Aug25

Top Signs Your Health Needs Your Attention

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Top Signs Your Health Needs Your Attention

When you are constantly on with the challenges of every day life, it’s very easy to overlook the signs that our health might be slipping. Your body does, however, have a way of telling you when something is off. It’s just a matter of listening carefully. From the physical symptoms to mental fatigue, these are the early signals that are often your first line of defense from preventing more serious issues down the road. One example that is often ignored is the persistent ringing in the ears, which could be a sign of damage and may require professional tinnitus treatment. Here are the top signs that your health may need your attention:

You’re dealing with persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away: Feeling tired after a long day or a poor night’s sleep is normal, but if you’re constantly exhausted even after resting, it could signal something deeper. Chronic fatigue might be linked to poor sleep quality, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or even undiagnosed conditions like thyroid disorders or anemia. If rest doesn’t recharge you like it used to, then you need to dig a little deeper and speak to a healthcare provider.

    There are changes in your hearing: If you’re struggling to follow conversations, constantly turning up the volume, or hearing a continuous ringing or buzzing sound, your ears are trying to tell you something. That ringing, known as tinnitus, is often a symptom of underlying hearing loss or nerve damage. There are different tinnitus treatment options available, but you do need to speak to an audiologist to figure out what’s best for you. Ignoring it can lead to further deterioration and even affect your mental health over time.

    Shortness of breath or chest discomfort: If you feel breathless from minor exertion or notice tightness in your chest, it could be a sign of cardiovascular issues, respiratory conditions, or anxiety. While it may be tempting to dismiss these symptoms, they should always be taken seriously. Sudden or unexplained difficulty breathing warrants immediate medical attention, even if it doesn’t seem severe.

    Frequent digestive issues: Occasional indigestion or bloating is normal, but if you regularly experience stomach discomfort, constipation, or diarrhea then it may be worth speaking to a specialist. Poor digestion can indicate food intolerances, inflammation, or even more serious gastrointestinal conditions.

    Mental fog and mood changes: Feeling off, irritable, anxious, or struggling to focus could be your brain’s way of asking for support. Mental health is deeply connected to physical health, and issues like chronic stress, poor sleep, or nutrient deficiencies can all affect mood and cognitive functions. Don’t ignore your mental health therapy. Lifestyle changes on medication can make a difference.

      Your body will give you clues when it needs your attention and you must not ignore the signs. Investing the time in your health right now will make a big difference in preventing more serious issues tomorrow.

      Featured Image By: Pexels

      Aug18

      Fashion Staples Everyone Should Own

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      Fashion Staples Everyone Should Own

      Fashion staples are those timeless pieces that people have found useful to have in their wardrobe over and over again. These are the kind of clothes that let us dress for the occasion, the weather, and for our own sense of comfort and confidence. Here are the fashion staples every person should have in their collection. You never know where you might be invited or what your professional role might require you to wear, and these garments will see you through:

      Simple, Casual Tees:

      How many simple, casual, and plain tees do you own? One or two? Maybe ten or twenty? If it’s the latter, you can certainly skip this step! But if you’re the kind of person who finds these types of t-shirts boring and useless, you’ll still want to have some in your wardrobe. There will be occasions where you need them, and other tops won’t fit the bill. No matter what your personal preference is, it’s best to have two to three simple and casual tees in your wardrobe. They can be worn to compliment a bold patterned piece or you can elevate them to fit your personal style with accessories.

      Additionally, to ensure your t-shirt has the right fit, you can check out these t shirts for some inspiration if you’re taller, as they’re specifically designed for tall men with extra length in the torso and sleeves to ensure a proper fit without riding up or feeling too short. Note the neutral shades that are featured as these will go with anything you pair them with. 

      Bottoms That Aren’t Jeans:

      Jeans are wonderfully versatile clothing. You can wear them to most things, including work. However, they’re not always going to be appropriate. Sometimes you will need other sets of bottoms, whether it’s a pair of slacks, some cargo trousers, or capris. Even if you don’t wear trousers of any kind very often, these staples will still need to be on your shelves or hangers. Aside from jeans, make sure you’ve got at least two other types of bottom options in your wardrobe. You can have as many jeans as you like, in as many shades of denim as you fancy! Just leave some room for a few spare pieces you can fall back to when jeans won’t cut it.

      Shirt/Blouse and a Blazer:

      A classic blouse or button down shirt and a good blazer are the perfect kind of corporate wear that’s good for turning up to work in. They don’t have to be plain either, if you don’t want them to be. We would recommend having a plain white shirt or blouse hanging up though, just in case you do need a basic like this when you’re first starting a job. As for the blazer, make sure you can comfortably button it and wear it round. Be sure to double check in the mirror how it creases around you as you move. We’ve all been in a scenario where we’ve had a blazer on and needed to lift our arms above our head, only for the lapels to stay there when we bring them back down!

      A Cocktail Dress or Suit:

      When you own a cocktail dress and/or a suit or two, you’ve always got something quite fancy but not too over the top to wear. Now the next time you’re invited out to a dinner with some co-workers, you won’t have to turn them down simply because you’re not sure what to put on. Cocktail dresses and suits are usually considered to be ‘semi formal’ wear and they’re still sleek and stylish enough for most upmarket events. Indeed, you could even attend award shows and red carpets in these garments! But unless you’ve got the next Oscars firmly booked in your calendar, we recommend reserving them for more professional events and serious occasions.

      2 Pairs of Smart Shoes, 2 Pairs of Trainers:

      When you have two sets of each, you’ll have a pair of shoes that will be appropriate no matter where you need to go. And trust us when we say that you cannot operate with just either alone. You need both parts of the shoe world on your side. It’s why you’ll want the smart shoes to be different styles from each other. A set of heels that can go with any outfit, for example, alongside a pair of flatter shoes that wouldn’t look out of place on the office floor. And then we come to the trainers. Unlike the smart shoes, you’ll want these to be the most comfortable, well-shaped trainers you can find. Once you’ve found your soul-pair, buy them in double! You’ll be wearing these more than the smart shoes, so you’re going to need a backup pair just in case.

      A Long Coat:

      Finally, no one should have a wardrobe that doesn’t have at least one long coat tucked away to the side. This is your traditional bit of outerwear that’s perfect for dreary and wet days, usually in the autumn, early winter, and sometimes in the spring. A coat like this will usually take the form of a trench coat, but you can go a bit fluffier and fancier here if you like. Whatever your style, there’s going to be a long form coat out there for you! As long as it’s down to your knees at the least, you’ll have a reliable overcoat to pop on for the days when you need a bit of weatherproofing all over but don’t want something too heavy.

      With these classic staples in your wardrobe, you will be able to dress to impress for any occasion!

      Featured Image By: Pexels

      Aug18

      Disability-Friendly DIY: Making Playtime Accessible (And Fun!)

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      Disability-Friendly DIY: Making Playtime Accessible (And Fun!)

      Play is the way children develop skills, discover their world, and relate to other children. For families with children of varying abilities, it does take a bit of effort to come up with activities where all of them will be able to play together, but it is also very rewarding. Better still, you don’t have to spend very much money or have an extensive workshop setting in order to achieve it. Let’s look at a few different ways to explore how:

      Start with What They Love:

      Every child has something that will get them excited, a favorite activity type, texture, or color. Start with that. If your little one loves music, think of ways to integrate movement and sound into games. Drumming on turned-over pots, shaking handmade chimes, or beating along with one hand on something will entertain children of all abilities.

      Keep It Flexible:

      Inclusive play also means adapting play so that all children can participate at their own pace. Envision a game of catch with an enlarged ball that is easy on the grip and rolls more gradually. Or create a sensory bin with things of different textures, such as smooth rocks, soft cloths, and crinkled paper, so children can choose and select whatever entertains them. The more adaptable the arrangement, the more likely it is that each child will create his or her own manner of participating.

      Take Into Consideration Space and Accessibility:

      At other moments, it is not the activity that creates the barrier but the configuration of the room itself. Bypassing floor obstacles, the use of low tables, and gaps between the path and other zones all help greatly. If it is an outside game being organized, ensure that the ground is firm and easily negotiable for all users. Simple adaptations of this sort will allow full participation in the game to children with mobility devices or those requiring more space within which to move.

      Involve the Whole Household:

      When everyone joins in, play feels more inclusive. Siblings, cousins, or friends can be given simple roles like keeping score, helping to pass materials, or partnering up for team activities. This not only supports the child with additional needs but also builds empathy and understanding among all the kids involved.

      Bring in Useful Inspiration:

      Innovation is not always required. Sometimes the best of practical tips come from those already on the other side of the journey. Consultation with therapists, teachers, or other parents in support groups within the community will give you new activity ideas that work. At an even broader scale, information offered through a life care planning company might give you ideas on how you might incorporate environments and routines that specifically complement all of the family members’ abilities and needs.

      Make It About Joy, Not Perfection:

      The objective isn’t that all children finish the activity identically. It’s laughter, curiosity, and bonding in common moments. If the tower of blocks topples over, that’s all in good fun. If a child paints the grass rather than the paper, a new medium of art has been made!

      Once you’ve discovered some things that all of you love to do, incorporate them into your regular lineup. You’ll notice over time which subtle changes make them more fun. Soon you’ll have a collection of games, crafts, and sensory activities that unite the entire family and you’ll see that with a little imagination, play really is for all!

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