How-To How To Start A Lifestyle Blog: 7 Simple Steps To Follow 8:49 AM Online influencers and bloggers don't only have the trendiest and coolest job today. They also are financially and emotionally rewarded. How many lifestyle bloggers do you know are living your dream life? They travel, experience, and do what they love. How to start a lifestyle blog? That is the million-dollar question. Where do you begin? As a lifestyle blogger, I've gathered some simple and practical tips for building your own little kingdom on the internet. But first...What is a lifestyle blog? A lifestyle blog is where you, the Blogger, share your life with your readers, interests, activities, and thoughts. It's that simple. How to Start a Lifestyle Blog: 7 Simple Steps to Follow 1. Find Your Niche Before you even create an account, think about what your niche will be. Your niche is that one topic your blog will be centered on. Most people have numerous interests, so their blog niche is wide and varied. This is okay as long as you know how to categorize and can talk about each regularly. For beginners, the advice would be to stick to a specific topic first. To find your niche, ask yourself these questions: What is your primary interest? What do you love to do? What are you most knowledgeable about? Knowing and having your own niche is essential in blogging because: Your place will attract your target audience. You will be considered an expert on this topic. If you haven't established a following yet, stick to one topic to avoid confusing your readers. A confused reader will unlikely return. 2. Choose a platform The experts would advise choosing WordPress to make your blog look more professional. I have started with Blogger (while it was still Blogspot), and so far, no regrets. For me, it is easier to navigate. Numerous layouts now are either free or paid for that suit your taste and style. I've seen a lot of successful lifestyle bloggers that use Blogger and WordPress. Do your research and find out which one works for you. 3. Get a domain name In deciding what to name your blog, remember to... Choose a catchy name, so it's easy to remember. Keep it simple. Make your domain name reflect your blog's niche so people would know what to expect. This also helps in keyword searching. For example, people who want to read about traveling to Southeast Asia will unlikely use the keyword "constellation" in the search bar.You can buy a domain name to make your blog look more legit and professional. It is a small but essential investment.It is tempting to use your name as a domain name, but experts suggest against it. Especially if you're not a celebrity. Some use their names, and it works just fine. Just put in the work of increasing the traffic to your blog. 4. Get your own URL Nothing says professional, official, and authentic than having your own .com. There are many hosting services to choose from now. Do your own research (yes, research is a big part of blogging). Which one is best for you as most of these services offer promos and discounts. They can also offer other services like customized email addresses and plugins. 5. Design your page Your page is your online home or presence, so to speak. It is like welcoming visitors into your sanctuary and offering them what you know and have. Design your page to reflect your personality and niche. Then, make it show your signature. You'll be spending most of your time on your blog, so you might as well create one you'll always be happy to visit. Important:Make sure your website is not only pleasing to you but that it also appeals to readers. Some font colors are too painful and strenuous to the eyes. Some background music or designs are too distracting. Your reader's experience is essential. When they find it hard to focus on the content, they leave, and most of the time, they never return. 6. Research It's never-ending research. Be diligent in finding answers and tips online to help you with your content. Research also helps you find solutions when you encounter technical issues. The world is bursting with fake news nowadays. Do your own research before publishing something to double-check the authenticity or credibility of the topic.Be someone your readers can trust. 7. Write great content Content is still king.No matter how appealing your domain name is...Even if you have the most impressive web design...No one will want to follow your blog if you write like a robot. Write engaging, informative, inspiring, funny, or stirring content. Proofread. Double chekc speling. (See what I did there?)Give people a reason to hit that Share button, leave a comment and recommend your blog to their friends.Most importantly (and I strongly suggest), write honestly and from the heart.Write for people and not for SEO ranking.When you do what you love and love what you do, you hit the sweet spot between profit and passion. That is your purpose.Keep these tips in mind, and don't forget to always bring your patience, perseverance, and positive attitude. Because successful blogging is not just about posting a photo or a frivolous hobby. It involves a lot of hard work.If you believe blogging is your purpose, today's the best time to start a lifestyle blog.
Health & Wellness 11 Helpful Tips To Sleep More Soundly At Night 6:20 PM If falling asleep fast or staying asleep is your problem, don't fret.There are helpful steps you can take to sleep more soundly at night. Here are 11 tips that can remedy your sleeping issues: 11 Helpful Tips to Sleep More Soundly at Night 1. Don't drink coffee or caffeinated sodas too late in the day. Caffeine has a stimulating effect that can keep you from falling asleep. It can take more than eight hours for the effects of caffeine to dissipate. A late-afternoon cup of coffee can keep you up all night. Stop drinking coffee at least five or six hours before you head to bed. 2. Don't rely on alcohol to help you sleep more soundly at night. When you drink alcohol, it makes you drowsy. As a result, it makes it easier to fall asleep. Unfortunately, alcohol makes it difficult to reach the deeper levels of sleep required by your body so you may wake up more frequently during the night. This can leave you feeling exhausted the following morning. 3. Unwind before going to bed. When you are stressed out, it is practically impossible to fall asleep. You can help counter stress by taking time to unwind before going to bed. Try setting up a nightly routine to relax. For instance, take a warm bath. Read a good book to clear your mind. List down your worries. Next to each item on your list, write down steps that you can take to deal with the problem.Sometimes, getting these items out of your head and down on paper can keep you from laying awake worrying about them. 4. Choose the right time of the day to exercise. Sticking to a regular exercise schedule can improve the quality of your sleep.When you exercise, your body releases a stress hormone known as cortisol. This hormone can keep you awake if you exercise too close to bedtime. Most experts recommend exercising in the morning so that by the time you're ready for bed, your cortisol level has gone down. 5. Minimize the noise and dim down your light. As a general rule of thumb, you will get better sleep if your room is dark and quiet. Keep away from sound and light distractions.Turn off your TV, radio, or any devices that make a sound. Invest in room-darkening curtains or blinds. Avoid using the overhead light too late at night. Instead, rely on a small, dim nightlight. Keep your room in the proper temperature for sleeping as well. If your room is too hot or too cold, it can keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Try to keep the temperature in the 68 to 72° range. 6. Modify your eating habits. If you are used to eating a huge meal right before bedtime, it could be keeping you awake at night. Going to bed too hungry can also keep you from sleeping. Choose foods that can help promote better sleep.Add tryptophan-rich foods like milk in your snacks or have some almonds, walnuts, oats, bananas, apricots, peaches, artichokes, and bok choy. 7. Try to limit your fluid intake later in the day. Avoid drinking any liquids after 8:00 PM so you don't have to get up for a bathroom break in the middle of the night.Soda or caffeinated drinks should also be avoided as caffeine could make you urinate more. 8. Don't smoke right before bed. Even though having a cigarette may feel soothing, nicotine is actually a stimulant. Try to finish smoking earlier in the evening so that the nicotine has plenty of time to leave your bloodstream before you head to bed. 9. Try NOT to nap. Taking naps can add to your sleeping problem. If you really need to take a nap, try to limit it to approximately 15 or 20 minutes. A short nap like this can be refreshing - especially if you take the nap about eight hours after waking up. 10. New mattress. The right mattress can help you sleep more soundly at night.It makes a huge difference to how you feel when you wake up. These mattresses from Hampton and Rhodes are known to be of great quality. 11. Don't allow your pets to sleep with you. Pets are cute and cuddly. But they also move around a lot during the night and could leave allergens on your bedding. Get your fur baby a comfortable pet bed that you can place next to your bed.This way, your separation anxiety could be addressed without you sacrificing a good night's sleep. 11. Limit the types of activities that you do in bed. Your bed should be reserved solely for sleeping and for intimate activities. Don't bring your work to bed.Don't watch TV, snack, or talk about your problems before sleeping.Train your mind to think that when you're in bed, it's time to get that sound sleep that you deserve. There are many distractions and bad habits that can greatly affect how you're sleeping. So you can sleep soundly at night, follow these 11 simple yet helpful tips.Gifs from Tenor and Giphy
Health & Wellness Pick An Ideal Retinol Cream For Your Skin 12:39 AM There is no dearth of products available for skincare in the industry. Every few weeks there are new launches that take the fashion and beauty industry by a storm. With hundreds of products in the market, it can become difficult to make a choice. However, it is important to note that every cream is not suitable for your skin type. There are creams which contain retinol and it is said to be very effective. You need to choose a cream with retinol that works the best for your skin. Here are the top 10 creams available in the market: Pick An Ideal Retinol Cream For Your Skin Skinceuticals Retinol Cream: This cream is the top choice for many. It is easy to use and gives significant results. It is used by many professionals and it works fast. It will ensure that the skin becomes clearer, smoother and has less noticeable wrinkles and fine lines. SkinMedica Retinol Complex: Professionals vouch by this cream currently available in the market. It does not produce any irritation or redness but it is a little bit sticky after it dries. It is a good wrinkle cream which works on fine lines, discoloration and rough skin. Strivectin-AR Advanced Retinol Night Cream: This cream is the easiest to apply and even a little bit goes a long way. It spreads with ease and blends quickly on the skin. The best thing about the cream is the light and fresh smell which lingers on for a long time. It gives short term and long term results that are effective and your skin will look smoother and clearer once you start using it. Obagi Retinol 1.0s: This cream has been a top performer for a long time now. Its 1% concentration formula is gentle but very effective. There are no side effects of this product and includes skin soothing ingredients like shea butter and bisabolol. Kate Somerville Retasphere Retinol Night Cream: This is a very good retinol cream which shows effective results in the short term and the long term. It works on the fine lines and increases skin smoothness. Another advantage of the cream is that it is moisturizing, this can be rarely said about all retinol creams. However, it is a little thick when you apply. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM: This simple but effective product works wonders on the skin. It does not have many ingredients outside of retinol and the retinol percentage is higher than other treatments. It does a perfect job on fine lines and wrinkles. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream: This is one product which proves that you do not have to spend a huge amount to get good results from a wrinkle cream. There are a few better retinol creams out there, but this one is value for money. You will not find a better cream for this price. It is easy to use and works really well on the skin. Algenist Retinol Firming and Lifting Serum: This cream is priced on the higher side but works well for firming and lifting the skin. It shows excellent short term and long term results in addition to improvement in the evenness and softness of the skin. Philosophy Help Me Retinol Treatment: This is a perfect product for individuals with a sensitive skin. If you want a product that reduces fine lines and dark spots without causing irritation, this cream is meant for you. It is a highly preferred choice of many. Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus: This cream shows exceptional results in the long term. Its short term results are impressive, but the long ones are even better! However, it has a high price tag but scores well if you look at all the other areas. Find the best retinol creams at www.retinol.com/best-retinol-creams. Their review has been prepared after using the cream and trying out every product for the short term and the long term. Consider your skin type and the kind of treatment you are looking to provide your skin with. If the product meets your requirement, you should definitely go for it. Depending on your skin type, the cream will show its results. Hence, if you notice significant results on your skin after regular use of a particular cream, it is advisable to stick to it. With tons of options available in the market, you will be spoilt for choice. Read the reviews and consider the ratings when you make your decision to buy. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Fashion & Style 9 Things You Need To Consider When Buying Diamonds 3:19 AM Buying a diamond, whether for oneself or a loved one, will probably be a big decision in most people’s lives. After all, a diamond is not only a statement piece but also a big investment. As such, it is necessary to do a thorough research to ensure that you only buy diamonds that are the best bang for your buck. If you are not too knowledgeable about what to consider when buying a diamond, then the below tips will definitely help you make the right choices. 9 Things You Need To Consider When Buying Diamonds Decide On Your Budget The first factor to take into account is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on the diamond? Since they come in all price ranges, knowing what you can afford will definitely help you narrow down the choice and keep any tendency of overspending in check. Usually, people tend to follow the ‘3-month rule’ which means that one should set a budget equivalent to ones three month’s salary to make a purchase. So, if you have a monthly salary of $2500, you can set a budget of $7500 when it comes to buying a diamond necklace, ring, or anything similar. However, do keep in mind that this is only a recommendation. The real budget must only be decided based on your financial situation. So, if you cannot afford to spend $7500, then never try to set it as the budget. Overspending on your diamond can easily punch you into deep debt that can take years for you to settle. That is definitely something that you should totally avoid. via ActiveHolidayCompany.com The Four “Cs” The next big thing you need to watch out for when buying a diamond is something called the Four Cs of diamond – cut, color, clarity, and carat. The cut of a diamond refers to the way in which it has been shaped. This will determine how well the diamond sparkles. As a rule of thumb, you should only buy diamonds which has a cut that has been at least rated a ‘Good’. Never buy anything less than that. Not only will the diamond have less sparkle, but you might also find it pretty tough to get good resale value in case you decide to sell it off at a future date. If possible, definitely buy a cut that has been rated ‘Very Good’ Color does not actually refer to how colorful a diamond is. In contrast, it refers to how colorless it is. The color of a diamond can range anywhere from yellow to complete transparency. As should be obvious, diamonds that are the clearest are considered to be the most highly valued while those that tend to be colored are of less value. The diamonds are assigned grades where, D, E, and F signify pure, clear diamonds, while X,Y, and Z represent the diamonds that have the highest amount of coloration. Typically, most experts suggest that one must only buy diamonds which have at least been color graded as H. Clarity denotes whether a diamond is clean and free from any defects, both inside and outside. The clarity of a diamond is rated from IF (internal Flawless) which is considered the best clarity diamond, to I3 (Imperfect 3) which is considered the lowest clarity diamond. Now, you don’t have to be obsessed about getting a diamond with the highest clarity. Some inclusions in the diamonds are not only okay but also lends the diamond its own unique identity. If you plan on selling it in the future, then you should only buy diamonds with a clarity grade of VS1 or higher. Carat refers to how much the diamond weighs. If you are on a tight budget, it is recommended that you look to buy a diamond that is just shy of standard carat cut-offs like 0.5, 0.1, 1.25, and so on. It is at these carat weights that diamond prices increase the most. As such, buying just below these levels can get you a good quality diamond that fits within your budget. So, if you are planning to buy a 1.5 carat ring, then opt for something like 1.45 carat instead of 1.5. If you do focus on ensuring that other factors like cut, color, and clarity are all up to the mark, you will definitely end up with a diamond that is good value for money. Trusted Seller You must only deal with a seller who has a good reputation for dealing with diamonds. Remember that you will be investing quite a lot of money in the diamond. As such, dealing with a shady seller may result in you owning a low-quality diamond at an exorbitant cost. So, check the background of the seller and ensure that they have been in the business for several years. Get the opinion of your friends, relatives, and co-workers to find a good seller. And above all, be wary of a seller who offers a diamond at a price that seems too good to be true. Fluorescence Fluorescence has been called as the invisible flaw in a diamond, and here is a reason for it. Unless the fluorescence is strongly observable, its effect on the appearance of the diamond is pretty minimal. However, this does not mean that the price is not affected. Even the slightest indication of fluorescence will cause a diamond to be valued at a lesser price. So, when going to purchase a diamond, you can get some pretty good deals if you are willing to compromise and are okay about buying diamonds with fluorescence. Considering that a normal person will never be able to distinguish between a diamond with slight fluorescence and no fluorescence, this should be a good buying opportunity for people with limited budgets. Shape When it comes to shape, diamonds which are round in shape tend to be the most expensive. And as the roundness of the diamond decreases, its cost also decreases dramatically. While around 1 carat VS1 diamond might cost you around $9000 to $9500, an oval-shaped diamond of the same weight and clarity will only cost you around $6500 to $7000. So, if you are not too obsessed with getting a perfectly shaped diamond, you can literally save thousands of dollars. And if your budget is pretty limited, then this is your best choice. via Giphy Certification Diamonds also come with certifications from professional bodies. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) represent two of the most popular certification authorities in the world. Other professional certification bodies you might come across include the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), International Gemological Institute (IGI), and Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD). As far as possible, stick with diamonds that have been certified by AGS and GIA. That will ensure that the diamond you are buying is of the highest quality. Setting You must also decide on the setting of the diamond. Generally, people prefer to have the diamonds set in platinum since the colors tend to match each other. The diamond will also reflect the metal in which it is being set to some extent. Since platinum is white in color, it blends in very well with the diamond. In recent times, there has also been an increasing shift to gold. If you do decide to set your diamond on a gold ring, then you have to understand that the diamond can appear slightly yellowish around the corners since it is reflecting the gold. But on the positive side, this also means that you don’t have to spend too much money on a diamond that has been rated very high on the color grade since that level of color clarity will not be required when you are setting the diamond on gold. Girdle If you are buying a diamond that has an extremely thin girdle, then do consider setting it in a way that all its corners will be protected. In case the corners are constantly exposed to rough surfaces, then it is very likely that the girdle will be prone to chipping. This will inevitably cause the diamond to look flawed which can negatively affect its resale value. It is to avoid such difficulties that it is recommended to protect the girdle when you set the diamond. via Giphy Conflict Free Finally, you should make sure that the diamond you buy is ‘conflict-free’. Since diamond is extremely valuable, it often tends to create various conflicts in areas where they are mined. Severe human rights violations, genocides, slave labor etc. can also be present in the acquisition of such diamonds. It is in this backdrop that the Kimberley process was conceptualized. If the diamond is being sourced from a country is following the Kimberley process, then that is a guarantee that the diamond has been mined under a fair environment where no human abuse was committed and fair labor laws have been practiced. Such diamonds are also called ‘conflict-free’ diamonds. By deciding to purchase them over other diamonds, you will be doing a good deed for this world. 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Lux Thinking Aloud The Power Of An Introvert 5:00 AM The Power of an Introvert Parties could lull me to sleep. Socializing is like pulling teeth. I love staying home curled up in a corner, reading a book, or watching a movie. Quiet one-on-one conversations are more interesting and fun.Does that sound like you?Well, you're not alone.Hello! I'm an introvert too. GiphySociety taught me that I was weird, boring, and even a snob. It was confusing especially during the phase when I wanted to blend in.Late have I realized that I'm an introvert and there's nothing wrong with me.I'm normal. In fact, more than normal.Because there's a power in being an introvert.Inside the brain of an introvertWhat's the role of Dopamine? Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that communicates with brain cells and encourages them to act in a pleasurable, excitable, euphoric way. Introverts are people who are over-sensitive to Dopamine. Too much external stimulation overdoses and exhausts them. While extroverts can't get enough Dopamine. Giphy Extroverts are the gregarious life of the party.While introverts become more alive in solitude. Giphy Wall Street lawyer and introvert Susan Cain said:Introversion is more about how you react to a stimulus. It is often mistaken for shyness which is the fear of social judgment but they are different. The problem with our society is that schools and workplaces are designed for extroverts. You're forced to work with a group on tasks that you can and would rather work on alone. Giphy Introverts make better leadersPsychologist Adam Grant said...Introverts make better leaders. Because they deliver better outcomes by letting their members run with their ideas. Unlike extroverts who tend to get too excited with their ideas. The great leaders Gandhi and Eleanor Roosevelt led not because they wanted to, but because they were driven to do what they believed was right. (Susan Cain)Susan Cain on TED Talks Introverts are more at peaceThey say you can find true wisdom and peace in solitude and silence. God spoke to Moses when He was alone. God spoke to Elijah in the calmness. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, came a gentle whisper. -1 King 19: 11-12 It may not appear that introverts are having a great time because they're mostly just quiet. But don't you envy that calmness and peace? Giphy Psychological theorist Carl Jung said extroversion and introversion are typically viewed as a single continuum. No one is a pure introvert or a pure extrovert. He compared the two processes to the heartbeat. There is a rhythmic alternation between the cycle of contraction (introversion), and the cycle of expansion (extroversion). However, each individual tends to favor one or the other attitude and operates more often in terms of the favored attitude.Introverts see the world in terms of how it affects them. Extroverts are more concerned with their impact on the world. Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, you've got a special gift that only you can offer.But never underestimate those who are quiet and those who prefer to be alone. Introverts got power too. They're a force to be reckoned with.Tatsuya IshidaHow about you? Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
