Tag Archives: pro tips

Jul25

Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

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Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

There are infinite reasons in life as to why you might need a fresh start. A new job that you want to be a brand new person for, a big move coming up, or anything that dramatically changes your life. When that time comes, making some alterations in your life might be necessary to get the full fresh start effect. If you’re ready to commit to feeling like a whole new person, follow these steps:

Have A Declutter Session:

Having too many possessions is never a good way to go when trying to get a fresh start. That means that it’s time to go through your wardrobe, the most cluttered place in most people’s houses. Get rid of the pieces that you haven’t worn in months (and probably never will again) and try to keep as few items as you will need. The idea is only to have pieces that go together, which will save you a lot of time when picking outfits! Having fewer clothes also helps you to have a tidier mind, perfect for a brand new you. As a bonus, you get to donate your unwanted items to charity.

We will talk more about a thorough cleaning in the next section, but decluttering is the first step in that process. This is especially important if you have done your research for residential cleaning services in San Antonio (or your local area) and are scheduling a cleaning. You do not want someone cleaning around your clutter for two main reasons. 1) You will not achieve a true deep clean. And 2) You will not get as much bang for your buck.

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 #declutter

Clean The House:

Another thing that you can do for a fresh start is to have a massive clean out of your house. Now is the time when you would want to get in a house cleaning service so that you can get a thorough job done. When you are surrounded by a clean and organized house, it will feel like a brand new space. It makes room for you to add new decorations, pictures, and anything else that you think would be good for your new beginning. Just try to keep it very clean for as long as you possibly can!

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Cleanliness is godliness!

Out With The Negative:

If you have some people in your life who you feel anxious or unhappy around, you might need to change that. To have a fresh start, you need to let go of any people who aren’t enriching your life. You only want to be surrounded by individuals who add to the enjoyment of your life, without taking any away. Any relationship shouldn’t be a lot of hard work with little reward. This doesn’t mean that you need to cut all of your friends out straight away. Just try to see the people who make you happy more; it doesn’t have to happen in a horrible manner.

Focus On Yourself:

The most important thing that you can do is look after yourself during your new beginning. Spend a good few days being kind to yourself. Eat healthily and exercise a lot. Make a meal plan for yourself and try not to cheat! Get some movement in, even if that is just walking home from work or taking the long walk to the shops. If you do this, you’ll feel the best that you possibly can in yourself, allowing you to have the most amazing fresh start ever. You deserve it!

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Pexels Image

No matter how you choose to create your fresh start, be good to yourself and the rest will follow suit!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul24

Identifying When Your Friend Might Need Your Support

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Identifying When Your Friend Might Need Your Support

Despite the immense potential and beauty that life can offer, and does offer all of the time, sometimes we all must enter periods of sadness, sorrow, and doubt. This can trigger from a range of different problems, and we all experience it now and then. Not everyone can be functioning at 100% all of the time, and periods of depression or isolation can actually serve for the greater good in the long-term. If you’re going through a period of depression, that previous statement must be apologized for in terms of its bluntness, but not it terms of its message.

Trivializing depression is always wrong, but robbing it of all complete perceptive value would be wrong, too. Overcoming a depressive episode can make you a stronger, more down-to-earth person. Remember, a tree’s branches can only reach as high as its roots go. A person who has successfully made it through a depressive episode is likely to come through the other side better off in some ways. It can be a purifying fire, that forces you to prioritize what is important to you, who is important to you, and how you can best live your life with wisdom and foresight.

However, this doesn’t mean that being depressed isn’t real. If you’ve been through feelings of despair yourself, you’ll know about the support that you hope for but usually can’t articulate your desire to retrieve. As a friend, it’s important that you keep an eye on your other friends or roommates to make sure they are okay and doing well. Here’s what to look for if you notice a change for the negative in your loved ones:

Change In Physical Appearance: Depression can rob you of many things, not the least your physical vitality. If you’ve noticed that your friend lacks their usual vitality, they could be deeply depressed, or even worse, they might be turning to substances to overcome their issues. This never works in the short or long term, but is a tempting process for someone who feels that they have no escape.

Communicating your concerns can be difficult to approach in these circumstances without seeming hostile. Living with a prescription addict can be even worse, because they can often get a sanctified, legal way to obtain their habitual maladies. To overcome these issues, try and help them get help through any means necessary. Inform their GP and family. Be there for them. If you have to, organize some form of stay-in recovery. Depression culminates in many ways, and people take it differently depending on their personality. Another sign to look out for is:

Withdrawing From Social Life: Withdrawing from standard social discourse is a good sign that tells you that someone isn’t functioning at 100%. Another sign is keeping an odd schedule, such as replying to your messages on social media at the early hours of the morning. A symptom of depression is late sleeping and late rising, so be sure to look out for this. Even introverted people need social contact, so complete withdrawal, especially if said person used to be social, can be taken in a number of ways.

Communicate clearly to the person that you harbor no ill-will for them limiting themselves or withdrawing, but let them know that you are worried about them. Never stop inviting them to places. Consider doing activities inside with just the two of you. Or maybe if they are open to help, you could suggest attending an appointment for acupuncture for depression together. Even if they say no, the thought shows that you care. And if they agree, they might find a new tool to help their symptoms improve.

Try and open up conversation as much as possible without being annoying. See what you can do to be present. Even if they don’t show it, they’ll likely need you far more than you think.

Sometimes, the best remedy as a friend is your simple presence. However, sometimes it requires more than that. Be sure to identify which one will be more helpful and take further action when needed. What matters is your observation and your willingness to help your friend through thick and thin.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jul21

5 Tips For Walking A Reactive Dog

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5 Tips For Walking A Reactive Dog

Walking your dog should be enjoyable. You should be able to spend quality time with your dog, enjoying the outdoors, getting fresh air, and exercise. However, not all walks are as smooth as you would like. If you have a reactive dog, there are some walks that can be a downright nightmare. Whether your dog has always been reactive or has become reactive because of a bad experience, there are times when you need a few tricks up your sleeve to keep your walk peaceful, like these:

Don’t React:

So, you’re walking your dog and suddenly another dog appears from around the corner and the loving companion you once knew turns into a snarling, growling beast. There’s no way to know for sure how the dogs are communicating, but you can bet they aren’t blowing kisses. Most dog owners first reaction is to panic, especially if there have been incidents in the past. Your dog will calm down a lot quicker if you remain a cool as a cucumber example.

Plan Ahead:

If you can see a dog approaching you from a distance, cross to the other side of the road, so the two dogs don’t have to come into contact. Your dog is still likely to react, but continue to walk confidently and calmly away, praising your dog if he remains quiet. If you happen to walk into a situation that you weren’t prepared for and your dog is likely to react, do a quick U-turn. For dogs, it’s often a case of out of sight, out of mind. If you’re having difficulty getting your dog to walk away with you, encourage your dog to run a little and praise him as soon as his attention is facing forward and he’s keeping up the pace.

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 Credit To: Llee Wu

Focus:

There will be times when the only way that you can avoid your dog reacting is by getting his focus. If you see another dog and owner approaching, take your dog to one side and practice the lessons you’ve already learned. Ask your dog to sit and stay, while focusing his attention towards a treat. If your dog is still likely to react, you may need to block your dog’s line of vision while the other dog passes. Once the dog has passed and you’re safe to continue your walk, reward your dog with the treat.

Have the Right Equipment:

There’s no point in walking a reactive dog if it’s likely to slip it’s lead or harness. Reactive dogs aren’t always the ones that lunge at other dogs, they’re sometimes the ones that try to flee in fear. When you walk your dog, you need to be sure that they’re safe. The two hounds design dog harness will ensure that your dog doesn’t pull and can’t easily escape. It’s a way of making sure that you have control over your dog, should the worst happen.

Know Why:

You know your dog better than anyone else, so it’s likely that you’re able to understand his body language. Does your dog react out of fear of bigger dogs? Is your dog protective of you? Knowing why your dog reacts will help you to address the problem better.

Walking your dogs should be a walk in the park. These tips and tricks will hopefully make you that much closer to leisurely stroll status!

Featured Image By: Driton Avdyli

Jul18

Beat Clogged Pores For Good

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Beat Clogged Pores For Good

Your skin has a lot to contend with. Every day it is battling the likes of pollution, sweat, and pore-clogging makeup. So, it is of little surprise that our pores end up clogged and blackheads start to form. If you want this to stop happening, you are going to need to put some work in. But, of course, it is totally worth it! With that in mind, read on to discover some top tips on beating clogged pores once and for all:

WHY DO PORES GET CLOGGED?

Before we take a look at a number of amazing and effective ways to unclog your pores, it is important to understand what’s going on with your skin. Why are your pores clogged?

Those with oily skin tend to suffer from clogged pores. The natural oil you produce is known as sebum. People with acne-prone or oily skin types produce more sebum, which can lead to clogged pores, and results in pimples and blackheads. Sometimes it can even cause cysts because of inflammation.

But, clogged pores do not only impact those that have oily skin. They can also occur when dead skin sheds off naturally and then gets clogged inside of the pore. A lot of people with acne tend to shed dead skin cells at a higher rate, which leads to a bigger problem with clogged pores.

Have you noticed pores that are raised, creating a bump on the skin? A lot of people experience this. It occurs because acne bacteria feeds off sebum. Bacteria then excretes waste once it has fed on your skin’s natural oil. This waste causes pore inflammation, and makes it bigger. If a pore becomes very large, it can break through the pore wall. This is how an acne cyst forms, as it causes an inflammatory reaction.

Of course, pores also get clogged due to makeup use, as well as pollution and bad habits. It is not difficult to see how dirt gets lodged into the skin when it is up against so much.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT:

Choose your skincare products wisely: There are so many skincare products on the market today that actually make the problem worse. You should always select natural skin creams and oils, as other products are filled with chemicals, which are not good for your skin. They strip the skin of the essential nutrients and moisture that it needs. You should also choose products that are naturally lightweight like Babassu oil. Unlike coconut oil, Babassu oil will not clog your pores because it is so lightweight. This is great for those with oily skin or who are prone to acne. Babassu oil will absorb into your skin quickly, making it soft and radiant, without leading to unwanted breakouts or an oily appearance. A lot of people don’t consider the consistency of a product when they are purchasing it, but if you choose thick creams and oils, they are only going to clog your pores further.

While you can typically find a nice selection of skin care at drugstores, they might not be potent enough if your issue is severe. For example, accutane for skin conditions like severe acne can be used but would need to be prescribed by your dermatologist. It is wise to schedule an appointment if your condition is not clearing up with your beauty regimen so you can explore other options.

Exfoliate: To lift dry skin cells and impurities, it is important to exfoliate the face with a small brush. Combine this with moisturizing masks and cleansing, and you will improve the overall condition of your skin while dealing with your clogged pores.

Use a charcoal mask: No doubt you have seen the many Instagram posts of celebrities advertising charcoal masks. This is one social media craze that is worth getting hyped about. Activated charcoal is heaven sent for complexions that are congested. It attracts toxins, and it will absorb up to 200 times its weight in impurities. So, this is a great way to draw out all of the pollutants, excess oil, and other waste material that is trapped inside of your pores.

Use a toner after washing: To remove residual oils and dead skin cells on the skin, you should use a toner after washing. If you have oily skin, achieving smooth and balanced skin is easier if you opt for a toner that contains witch hazel. This will remove all of the dirt lodged in your skin without drying it out too much.

Steam your skin: This is a great way to open up the pores on your face. You should fill a bowl with boiling water, and then angle your face so that the steam rises up and over your skin. Don’t get so close that you burn yourself – you don’t need to be a millimeter from the surface of the water in order to feel the effects of the steam! After you have done this, you should pat your face dry and relax for a few seconds. Use a toner and finish off with a moisturizer to complete the process.

Pore strips: Pore strips have been around for quite some time now, and they really can get the job done. They are made with selective bonding agents, which act like a magnet. They will attract all of the dirt that is deep down in your pores, lifting it away, so you have fresh and soft skin.

Know your skin type: Earlier, we mentioned the importance of choosing skincare products wisely, and knowing your skin type plays an important role in this. If you have oily skin and you are using makeup and beauty products that are designed for dry skin, you are only going to make the matter worse.

Try a DIY solution: There are many DIY solutions that you can use in order to unclog your pores for radiant, luscious skin. One of the easiest options is to raid your fruit bowl once or twice a week. Lemons are great for unclogging pores, as the citric acid acts as an exfoliator. If you cut a lemon in half, and rub it over your skin, it will clear out any oil or dirt that is residing. Let the lemon juice stand for around five minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

You could also create a baking soda scrub to get rid of the pesky pollution stuck in your skin. Standard household baking soda is the perfect product for creating a really straightforward pore cleanser with gentle exfoliation qualities. All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of water with two teaspoons of baking soda. This should result in a paste-like consistency. Massage the paste into your skin, using circular motions. Again, leave this mixture on your face for around five minutes, after which you can wash it off. It is advisable to do this once a week, as it will leave the skin feeling balanced and get rid of all of the dead skin cells.

Remove your makeup: We are all guilty of getting home late and falling asleep straight away with a face full of makeup! However, if you want to unclog your pores, this needs to stop. Just think of all of the dirt and makeup that is getting into your skin while you sleep with a face full of products. Get into the habit of removing your makeup as soon as you walk through the door, and also make sure that you use a deep cleanser every day.

Use products that contain grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil offers many benefits, from preventing acne to anti-aging. It is also great for unclogging pores. This is because it contains linoleic acid and vitamin E, which allows the oil to act naturally as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Use powder foundation instead of liquid: Because oily skin is the root cause of a lot of clogged pores, it is a good idea to ease off of the liquid foundation and opt for a powdered version instead. You could also try CC and BB creams, or even a tinted moisturizer. All of these options are better because they have a lighter formula, which is much better than letting a heavy product sit on your face.

Consider non-ablative laser treatment: Laser treatment is well known to blast scars and treat acne, but it can also help to shrink the appearance of pores, too. Each light pulse will refine and smooth while encouraging collagen. Collagen will create a more flawless look by plumping the skin. The laser can rejuvenate areas on the chin, nose, and eyebrows, which are prone for larger pores, making them appear smaller. This will help you to battle clogged pores in the future, as your skin should not be as susceptible to the issue.

When nothing else will work, consider extraction: If you have tried all of the tips mentioned above, and you are still having no luck with your pores, consider seeing a professional. For many years, we have been warned against picking our skin, yet professional extraction is the only exception. A dermatologist will be able to carry out this procedure. They will know what pores can be treated, and what pores need to be left alone. This is important because it ensures that your skin does not get worse or become irritated.

Clogged pores do not need to be a problem that you simply accept. There are many different ways that you can treat the issue, leaving your skin smooth and radiant, and your confidence sky high.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul18

Rent VS Own: Comparing The Costs

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Rent VS Own: Comparing The Costs

Some people can spend a long time wondering whether it’s better to rent or own your home. While many people have a strong opinion one way or the other, others think that different things are right for different people. It’s ultimately a personal decision whether you think renting or owning is best. Many people change their minds at different points in their lives. Renting can be more flexible, but owning can be more secure. Some people see renting as throwing money away, but if you get a mortgage, the property doesn’t exactly belong to you, either. Working out costs can help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Rent VS Mortgage: The major living expense for most people is the cost of their rent or their mortgage payments. The cost of renting can vary widely, depending on where you live. Some people can spend a third or even half of their income on rent, but others will pay much less. Working out how much you might spend on your own home is easy to do. If you use a house loan calculator, you can work out how much your payments might be. Some people might discover that mortgage payments could end up being less than what they pay in rent in the long run. If you are finding that owning a home might be the way to go, it is important to work with a credible and experienced team for your mortgage. Explore different services like those offered by Jubilee Finance (or a similar business in your local area) and shop around until you find the right fit for you.

Bills & Insurance: Whether you are looking for an apartment to rent nearby or even on the hunt for new homes in Lakeland FL, one thing is for certain: You still have to pay bills. However, if you rent a room or property, your bills could be included in your rent. If you buy a home, you will always be responsible for your bills. This does mean that you have more control over them, though. It’s easier for you to change energy suppliers, for example. Another cost to consider is insurance. As a homeowner, you need to insure the property and its contents. But as a renter, it’s still a good idea to have renter’s insurance. Although the expenses are similar, the amount you pay could be very different.

Having renter’s insurance is more often than not a requirement when renting a property. Services like PandaGuarantee (or a similar one in your local area) offers renter’s insurance as well as security deposit and rent guarantor insurance too. Having a company and policy in mind as you hunt for a rental can take one less thing off of your plate so it’s a good idea to research while you house search!

Property Maintenance: As a tenant, maintenance of the property is usually the responsibility of your landlord. There might be some things that you’re required to do to keep it looking good, but major work isn’t normally up to you. But, as a homeowner, you need to pay for anything that needs to be fixed. And if you belong to an HOA, that could mean a lot of maintenance. Property maintenance is one of the things that can potentially make owning your home more expensive than renting.

Regardless of if you’re in an apartment or home, property maintenance can be a source of stress. This is especially true if you are in an apartment and the maintenance staff can’t get to you immediately. If you are considering renting an apartment, you might want to use a website like StreetSmart to run an apartment background check. From there, you can uncover common complaints and building issues to verify that the apartment you are looking at is where you truly want to be.

The Cost of Moving: Another thing to consider is the costs of moving home. If you own your home, you’re likely to move less often. It’s up to you when you move, unless you can no longer afford to keep your home. But if you do decide to sell and move, it could be very expensive. Of course, moving as a renter costs money, too. You might have to pay a security deposit, first month’s rent, agency fees, and moving fees, plus you could move a lot more often.

Owning a home is often more expensive than renting, but many people prefer it. If you’re trying to decide which is right for you, look at the pros and cons of each and make the choice most suited to your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul17

3 Gift Ideas For That Sort Of Friend

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3 Gift Ideas For That Sort Of Friend

We’ve all been there. A friend-of-a-friend/kinda sorta friend has a get together and we’ve been invited. This might be a birthday party or something more intrinsically important, like acting as your friend’s plus one during their wedding proceedings.

This can leave you truly stuck with ideas for what to gift for them. How do you provide a gift that isn’t so generic that they feel like you’ve put no thought into it, but also a gift that doesn’t come across as too forward or could be taken the wrong way?

It’s likely that you’re overthinking this if you’re stuck. because most people aren’t of the opinion that they’ll read too much into what your gifts mean – they’re just happy to receive them in the first place. In order to find the perfect gift, consider trying out these following suggestions and reflecting on if they’ll fit well with the personality or event that you’re gifting them for. Take a look:

Alcohol:

Alcohol is one of the safest ways to provide a classy, thoughtful gift for someone without coming across as too forward or impersonal. Finding a convenient online liquor store for substantially good products and bringing them to the party won’t only seem thoughtful, but it could actually serve to the benefit of the party you’re attending by supplying the host with something to drink during it.

Make sure that you best appropriate the style of alcohol you’d think the guest would like. For example, wine or champagne might be received more fondly for a middle aged housewife rather than a full bottle of vodka, but this can be tailored depending on what you know about the individual. (And let’s be real, sometimes a full bottle of vodka might be just what someone needs!) With Christmas right around the corner, forget trudging out into the winter snow for your booze related gifts. Opt to Buy Liquor Online instead for hassle free shopping.

Gift Baskets:

Gift baskets are beautiful works of presentation and can stock a range of amazing products that are sure to go down well with whomever you purchase them for. Whether you’re looking for a food themed one containing charcuterie meats and cheeses or a basket filled with beauty and skincare products, this is a great way to fulfill a range of gifting items for the giftee.

A plethora of goodies in a beautiful container looks thoughtful and well-presented. This is my favorite method of gifting. What’s more, you can tailor and design the contents and presentation of your basket with the correct online service, so be sure to find one that delivers to your area and get creating!

Gift baskets are always excellent, of course, but can certainly be hard to fill if you are shopping for someone you don’t know well. Fear not! There are amazing tools like GiftFinderAI that can help tailor presents to the T for your giftee. With simple prompts, you will get ideas for gifts and baskets that will make it seem like you’ve known the recipient for years.

Gift Cards:

Gift cards are rather impersonal but will allow you to provide funds for a store that you think the intended recipient would like based on their personality. It also gives the giftee the opportunity to choose what products they’d like to prioritize for themselves. For example, if you’re celebrating a baby shower, a gift card for a parental supplies store can help you seem considerate of the recipient’s situation, while not offering yet another set of onesies!

These tips are sure to impress and cover a nice range of items while keeping the balance of lack of intimacy/intent for growth of intimacy. Try them for yourself, and see how well they work!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jul14

Selfie Secrets

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Selfie Secrets
Hi everyone and TGIF! The day that selfies became a thing was the day that the internet changed forever. I bet you any money that you can’t scroll down the newsfeed of any of your preferred social media mediums without seeing at least one selfie in the process. And taking selfies? It’s a process. The selfie: AKA taking twenty minimum one hundred max pictures that, for all intensive purposes, look exactly the same yet so SO remarkably different.
Everyone has had those days when they’re really feeling themselves (ayyy!) but can’t take a good selfie to save their lives (booo!). It’s cruel and unusual and I’m just not going to stand for it. That’s why I’ve come up with a list of pro tips to keep your selfie game on point. No more bad selfie days for all!

Selfie Secrets

1) Find The Light: Okay, yeah I know I sound like Tyra Banks circa ANTM cycles 1-1 million but it’s so true. Half of the selfie struggle is finding good lighting and using it appropriately. That’s why I prefer to take a majority of my selfies outside or in a room where a lot of sunlight filters in.
So you’ve found the light – but are you really finding it? Lol, that sounds like some fake psychology mumbo jumbo but it’s a legitimate question. Finding the light isn’t just about taking a picture in good lighting. It’s more about angling your face so that the sunlight is smacking you right on your cheeks. While you’re having a selfie photo shoot, move your face in small motions until the lighting is just right (And I promise that you will know when that is.), and snap away you selfie queen.
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2) Chin Up: I can guarantee that a majority of the selfies that people take are deleted due to the illusion of a double chin. No one likes double chins. Okay, some people probably do. But, for the most part, a double chin is a major selfie faux pas. A killer selfie is all about the long, pretty neck, which can be easily achieved if you tilt your chin slightly upwards when you’re taking pictures. It’s going to feel unnatural, but your double chin days will be a thing of the past when you’re showing off your swan neck. Now, remember, chin up, shoulders back, and WERK. 
3) Smize: Okay, yeah I know I sound like Tyra Banks circa ANTM cycles 1-1 million but it’s so true. Dead eyes are a selfie no no. So, I want you to do an exercise with me. Go to the mirror and take a good hard look at yourself. Now, think about something happy and slightly sexy for that perfect “I have a secret” look in your eyes. A day in bed with Johnny Depp, perhaps? Hello! You should notice a visible difference in your face thanks to the newly found alertness and mischievous twinkle in your eyes. Thank you, Johnny Depp day dream!
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4) Quirky Cool: All selfies look the same. No matter who you are, from a super model to your average blogger (like me). It’s literally a picture of the camera on the flipped mode taking a shot of your mug. Cool. Now it’s up to you to make your pic unique so you don’t look like everyone else. When selfies first made their internet debut, a normal picture was just fine. But, now, standard selfies just don’t cut it anymore and absolutely nothing is worse than snapping a selfie only to have it be lost in the void of social media because it didn’t stand out.

Nowadays, selfies are more about fashion, quirk, and unlikely scenarios. Throw on a sassy Panama hat, tilt your sunglasses down your nose, and work like your life depends on it. And, bear in mind, that cool backgrounds are a must. What makes a background cool, you might ask? It literally could be anything – you just have to sell it. Take a selfie in front of a garbage can, label it with #ME, and watch the likes pour in. Be silly, be serious, be anything that you want, but for the love of all that is holy – be DIFFERENT.

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^^^ Being on top of the world is a pretty sweet background!

5) Give Me Face: Every selfie star has those little quirks that they do when they’re taking pics. Whether it be laughing out loud or giving duck face for days, find what expression works for your face and own it. I, personally, love an angular look. When I snap pictures I bite down on my jaw to give a more defined line. I also slightly suck in my cheeks to give the illusion of cheek bones to cut glass – but shh don’t tell! It’s a selfie secret! 😉
If you’re not keen on edgy cool but love a boho glow, inhale when the camera snaps for a “you just caught me picking flowers from the forbidden garden” face. Sounds silly? It is. But once you find that little quirk that works for you, your selfie game is about to change infinitely. Now, give me face, mother!
With these pro tips compliments of Lil Red, your next selfies are going to be so Instagram worthy that you’re not even going to be able to handle it. Just imagine what your followers are going to think! I taught you how to give face, but now, let Aura Frames teach you some tech savvy ways to up your selfie game even more in this infographic. Snap some gorgeous pics and snag yourself one of Aura Frame’s Digital Picture Frames for the perfect gift for your SO/parent/sister/friend or anyone else that likes looking at you!

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What are your tips and tricks for taking the perfect selfie? What is your preferred form of social media? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bonus Tip: Always, ALWAYS include dogs in your selfies if you can!! My featured image photo can attest to that! 😉 ❤

Jul12

Combating Aging With Exercise

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Combating Aging With Exercise

When we assess how our health is doing, more often than not we might find that we are lacking in more ways than one. It’s not easy keeping on top of our health and fitness levels, and sometimes the hectic nature of our schedules prevents us from fully applying ourselves to a disciplined gym routine. The job, the children, the spouse, alongside maintaining our houses and planning exactly how we want our future to pan out – these are all considerations that would love to take all of our time if they could.

Part of being an adult is figuring out how to prioritize each one. Over time, our stagnating ability to divert time to our fitness, health, or flexibility might mean that all of these categories gets worse over age. Part of aging is that you continually learn how your body is the opposite of how it was when you were in your early roaring 20’s.

Luckily, you can regain your fitness, health, and flexibility easily. It’s never too late to live a life that counteracts your age and allows you to live at your peak every day.

But how do you do so? Let’s discuss!

Standing Desks: Standing desks are gaining popularity among the health conscious for their ability to reduce the damage of sitting – by not sitting down at all. As humans, we were designed to be on our feet for most of the day; we are bipedal creatures who used to hunt our food by persistently running after it until it became exhausted.

Utilize this nature, and keep on your feet and ‘active’ while you work. There’s some discussion that standing helps you stay alert during the day. This is perfect to help avoid those 4 PM blues that most people face at the end of the working 9-5 day, where nothing gets done and everyone wants to go home. This might even help you secure that promotion that you’ve been after for some time.

Foam Rolling: Foam rolling is the most popular new method to help relieve the tension from your hip flexers. Are you experiencing hip pain? Try these exercises. These will demonstrate the best ways for you to alleviate that pain without having to go to a doctor or subscribing to some holistic therapy that you’re not sure will work in the first place. Foam rolling is suitable for anyone, even though it is mostly used by athletes and those who attend the gym regularly.

Yoga: If you’re really looking for a great stretching workout, what could be better than yoga? Yoga is the most intense and spiritual form of stretching that there is. Finding a good instructor in your town or city is the first step. Then, you will begin progressing down a path of meditative practice, which will help you stretch muscles that you never knew you possessed.

These tips can help anyone become a more mobile, flexible person, and as your age increases so does the necessity to do it. Take care of your bodily health, and it will look after you in kind.

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Jul11

Starting An Exercise Regime From The Beginning

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Starting An Exercise Regime From The Beginning

Most of us work sedentary jobs these days. When you’re sat behind a desk in an office, at the checkout of a till, or in the driver’s seat of a car for eight hours a day, it’s easy to fall into a routine of doing little to no exercise whatsoever. Before you know it, you’re so unfit that you struggle with even the most basic of daily tasks. No one sets out to end up like this, but it happens all of the time. But the great thing about the human body is how resilient it is. With a little effort and dedication, you can go from the most unfit person ever to running marathons. Our bodies can improve, heal, and achieve so much with the right training. If you’re fed up with huffing and puffing and want to live a healthier lifestyle, here’s how you can boost your fitness levels.

Build Up Your Foundation:

It’s not as easy as hopping on a treadmill and going for gold. When you’re unfit, you need to spend some time building a foundation or base level of fitness up. Your best bet for this is to head to the gym and keep using a piece of equipment that you’re comfortable with. Keep going until you can comfortably exercise for 30 minutes without it feeling like your heart and lungs are going to burst out of your chest. It might take a number of weeks or months to achieve this, but once you’re there you will have a solid base to work from.

Work On Flexibility & Strength:

It’s not just your cardiovascular system that you need to improve to increase your overall fitness. Strength and flexibility are also important, so be sure to incorporate these into your routine a couple of times a week. Strength training will increase your muscle strength and tone (and make cardio easier, since you have stronger muscles to support yourself) and flexibility will give you a greater range of motion. This keeps your muscles loose and supple and prevents injury.

Change It Up:

Once you’ve built up some strength, fitness, and flexibility, it’s time to change it up (REMIX!). Try out other pieces of equipment, look online at different routines, or book a few sessions with a personal trainer. When you keep doing one activity, your body will get used to it and you won’t get the most benefits from your work out. You could join some fun classes, sign up for a sport, try out HIIT, and even get some exercise equipment for your home to squeeze in those last minute workouts when you don’t have time to get to the gym. There are plenty of spin bike reviews here if you want to get into cycling or you could go with a rowing machine or treadmill. Either way, having equipment at home can help you up your activity levels and achieve your goals faster.

Use Professional Help:

Finding the right exercise routine for your needs can often be a little confusing, especially when you’re doing it yourself. That’s why working with fitness professionals can always be worth looking into. Thankfully, there are plenty of options you can go for with this, like Kevin Morgan of Pittsford NY. Look into the most appropriate ones for you to help narrow your options down and find the perfect one for you.

Set Goals:

Once you’re feeling fit and healthy, now is the time to start challenging yourself. Set some goals and do what you can to smash them. Decide exactly what you want to achieve in your fitness journey and take the proper steps to make it happen. Keep it fresh and enjoyable, because that way you’ll be far more likely to keep it up.

If you’re still trying for your beach bod this summer, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be bikini ready in no time! You go, girl!

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Jul11

Creating A Solid Foundation – On Your Face!

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Creating A Solid Foundation – On Your Face!

Modern foundation is a far cry from the clumpy, cakey foundation our mothers used to wear, but you would hardly know it sometimes due to the fact that so few of us know how to really do our foundation well. If you’re a foundation fan, and you want to avoid the caked-on face and look as flawless as a cover model, here are some simple makeup artist approved tips to help you do your foundation like a pro:

Find The Perfect Match: First and foremost, if you want your foundation to look good, you need to choose the right product. To test the color of foundation, you should apply a sample to the jawline. If the color blends in and cannot be distinguished from the rest of your skin, you know you’ve got it right.

As well as choosing the right color, you will want to use the right type of foundation for your skin. For example, matte products work better for oily skin, while drier skin may benefit from a dewy finish. To find out more about choosing the right foundation for your skin type, continue reading on soundbodylife.com. It might also be a good idea to try out a few samples or speak to a beauty adviser to find the perfect match.

Prepare Your Skin: You should never put foundation on your face without first cleaning and moisturizing it. Let the moisturizer sink into your skin for 3-5 minutes and then you can add a primer if you need your makeup to last all day or if you have very visible pores. If not, you can skip that and apply your foundation directly to your face.

Use The Right Tools: You might be surprised to know that makeup artists advise applying foundation with the tips of the fingers for a light coverage look. If you want to achieve a higher level of coverage, using a sponge or Beautyblender, which you can read more about at http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/g3711/how-to-use-beauty-blender-tips/ is advised. Throw out that brush right now and see your foundation improve!

Apply Concealer Last: If, like many women, you always apply your concealer before your foundation, you’re doing it wrong! The experts say that it’s better to apply it after foundation because then you won’t end up using too much. Makeup artists also advise using a concealer that is just one shade lighter than your skin. Doing it this way will help to prevent reverse panda eyes – not a good look.

Use A Luminous Powder: If you’ve been avoiding face powder because you think it gives you a dull, lifeless finish, then you obviously haven’t tried out luminous powder, which is perfect for reflecting the light and giving you a radiant glow. The trick is to apply the translucent powder in a ‘W’ shape starting from your left hairline, sweeping to the right. Hello, bright and pretty skin!

Less Is More: One final tip when it comes to foundation, concealer, powder, or any makeup really, is that less is more and by applying only the bare minimum that you need, you will always get that professional look you’re after.

A gorgeous makeup look starts with a strong foundation on your face! Try out these tips next time you’re doing your makeup for a picture perfect appearance.

Featured Image By: Flickr