How-To How To Spring Clean Your Life In 2019 1:23 PM It's time for spring cleaning - not just our homes but our lives. Rather than focusing on New Year’s resolutions you know you will never stick to, take a more proactive approach to improve your life, from self-improvement to decluttering your stuff. If you want to ensure next year is one to remember, learn how to spring-clean your life in 2019. 1. Review Your Finances & Start SavingAfter many months of hard work, do you have little money in the bank? Provide yourself with more financial security in 2019 by reviewing your budget. For example, compare your outgoings against your income to identify where you are wasting your revenue. You should also open a savings account to develop a rainy-day fund to enjoy financial security throughout the year. 2. Spruce Up Your Credit History Speaking of your finances, have you got a poor credit history? If so, this could prevent you from securing a mortgage or car loan. However, it is possible to dispute a report to repair your credit. Crediful specializes in helping people take control of their finances, so you should read their review on a popular credit repair company that could help you to receive the keys to your own property or car in 2019. 3. Alter Your Attitude A negative attitude can affect your day. Give yourself a fresh start by developing a more positive mindset. Whenever you have a pessimistic thought, counteract it with a positive affirmation. It might also be helpful to undertake cognitive behavioural therapy to effectively manage your emotions and problems, as it can change how you think and behave. 4. Remove Physical Clutter Clear your mind by clearing your home of physical clutter. Take the time to remove items, simply collecting dust in your home. This means finally tackling your junk drawer, pulling unwanted items out of an attic, or purging your rooms of items taking up unnecessary floor space in the home. It will help create a light, airy, and bigger home. 5. Automate Your Bills Take a little stress out of your life by automating your bills, as you’ll simply need to make sure there is enough money in an account to cover your outgoings each month. You also can streamline your payments by ensuring your bills leave the same account to make it easier to track your payments. 6. Get Real About Your Career As your career will take up most of your time, it must make you happy. Ask yourself if you’re in the right job or if something bigger and better is waiting for you. Maybe you are settling as you’re too afraid to step outside your comfort zone. If so, there is no time like the present to take your career into your own hands, so change jobs, expand on your qualifications, or identify the different ways you can climb the corporate ladder. 7. Start Clearing Your Debts If you want to live a happier, more peaceful life, embrace a debt-free lifestyle. Like decluttering your home, getting rid of your debts can make you much happier. Aim to pay off your credit cards or make bigger loan repayments so that you will free up your finances in the future. You can then focus on spending the money on home improvement tasks, a dream vacation, or a large nest egg. 8. Say Goodbye to Toxic Friends While it might not be easy to say goodbye to friends you’ve known for many years, you need to remove them from your life if they pull you down instead of building you up. While you might feel connected to them due to the time you’ve known them or the journey you have gone on together, you cannot keep them in your life simply for nostalgia. If someone treats you badly, they’re not your friend. 9. Make a To-Do List Do you struggle with organization? Do you constantly miss deadlines or fail to identify your priorities? If so, consider making to-do lists to perform every essential task on schedule. Whether juggling multiple tasks at work or wanting to complete projects within the home, make a list that will break down the tasks by priority, day, or concern, which can simplify your life.
Travels 5 Places To Visit For Your Family Vacation In France 7:00 PM Charles de Gaulle, the former French President, rightly said, “France cannot be France without greatness.” Boasting of incredible destinations, unmatched culture, thrilling nightlife, and fine dining, France today allures over eighty million tourists on an annual basis. Holidaymakers from all over the globe take utmost pleasure in exploring the sizzling cities of this nation that is steeped in deep history. The majority of the cities are dotted with magnificent palaces, cathedrals and ancient castles that make France stand out in terms of architecture and aristocracy. This European country, in other words, is that ideal paradise where you will love to take your near ones, especially your family. Being the third largest country in the world, France has plenty of beautiful cities for a super holiday that can now be exclusively arranged by Opodo. Here are 5 great cities that will surely make a family vacation of a lifetime. Take a look: 1. Paris The capital city has to be on the list as it is also the most populous one with plenty of remarkable things to witness. To top the charts is the Eiffel Tower followed by the Louvre Museum, the Sacre-Coeur, and the Arc de Triomphe. Well, if it’s not the first time for you, head to Denfert-Rochereau, the Place de la Nation, the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Marais where you can keep a bit of distance from the crowd. Besides, you can take your family to let them witness around 6,600 sculptures at the Musee Rodin. The Seine Cruise, on the other hand, will be quite enjoyable as it would take you past the famous landmarks, making way to the English Channel. Don’t forget to take your kids to Disneyland Paris where they will enjoy taking spectacular rides. 2. Lyon Rested in east-central France, Lyon is the third largest city that boasts of a long history and attracts tourists to witness its vibrant culture and historic architecture. Do not miss exploring its various districts like the Presquile that is surrounded with bars and restaurants, the Croix-Rousse that is known for its secret passageways while Fourviere will leave you spellbound with its Gothic churches and Roman ruins. The Lyon Cathedral and its astronomical clock of the 14th century too is sure to grab your attention. 3. Strasbourg This is one amazing place in France where you will discover beauty in its art and architecture, food, fashion and even in its language. As it is located along the Rhine River, it has a fine blend of German and French cultures. Moreover, what the ladies would love here is shopping from the range of Alsatian textiles, stork-shaped souvenirs, cookware and what not. Pick up those exclusive gift boxes, candies, and cookies from those little shops to leave your little ones delighted. 4. Corsica Who doesn’t want to witness the birthplace of the great Napoleon? Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, takes pride in having places in the name of this German legend, especially the Bonaparte House Museum. Besides, water activities are plenty here as a lot of tourists spend weekends here kayaking, surfing, water skiing etc. 5. Marseilles If you are keen to witness the amalgamation of African and French culture, this is the city for you. The beaches here too deserve mention like Plage de Prado, which is quite wide and open for kids who can find climbing walls and playgrounds as well. Of course, the historic museums like the Art Museum and the Natural Art Museum will accumulate memories for the art lovers. The unmatched Mediterranean food keeps calling back tourists every year while young graduates love choosing this French city for weekend evening parties. If you are willing to explore these cities or other any other location in France with your family and friends, Opodo will assist you without any hassle. Grab this opportunity now and you never know this can be your dream vacation you have been waiting for!! If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Food 4 Ways To Make The Most Of A Farmers Market 7:00 AM Farmers markets across the United States enable local farmers to sell fruit, vegetables, and more directly to consumers. Each farmers market has its own individual character, letting you really experience an area, its food, and its people. Incorporating a visit to a local area farmers market can be a great way to enhance your next vacation. Here are four ways you can make the most out of your own visit to a farmers market, both at home and on your travels. 4 Ways To Make The Most Of A Farmers Market Purchase Fresh Seasonal Produce Image via Flickr by katerha You haven't really tasted a tomato unless you've had one fresh from the vine! Grocery-store produce pales in comparison to the fresh, seasonal bounty you can buy at a local farmers market. Top restaurants often pick up produce at their local markets, because the main secret to a great meal lies in using quality ingredients. You deserve the same from your own kitchen and while traveling — why settle for chain dining or typical road-trip snacks when a stop at a nearby farmers market can set you up with seasonal local produce to enjoy on the road? Travel to Different Farmers Markets You can have so much fun visiting different farmers markets during your travels across the U.S.! Check out different seasonal produce across the country, and enjoy the different character of each market. Whether you're enjoying fresh produce from the historic downtown Roanoke Farmers Market (Saturdays through September!) or the weekend markets in downtown Sacramento, visiting a local market enables you to get a real feel for the character and food of a given area. When weaving a visit to a farmers market into your travels, be sure to get a hotel nearby so you can easily plan a stop at the market along with your visits to other area attractions and events. Try New Produce One of the best ways to make the most out of any visit to a farmers market is to try produce that might be new to you or that you might otherwise avoid. Learn to enjoy produce in season, and appreciate it more precisely because it is fleeting. You might think you don't care for a particular vegetable, but you may never have had the chance to taste it at its peak freshness. Farmers markets help us learn what's in season and learn how to eat locally year-round. Talk With the Producers Farmers markets offer a unique opportunity to get to know the people who are growing the produce you're about to consume. They can tell you about how it was grown, give you tips on how to prepare your purchases, and guide you to the fruits and vegetables you're most likely to enjoy. At home, become a regular and get to know your local farmers. On the road, talks with local producers can be a great addition to your travel experience. Farmers markets let you eat seasonally and help create personal connections with the people growing your food. Be sure to build in a visit to the local farmers market at your next travel destination. If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Fashion & Style Cute And Customized Earrings From oNecklace 9:34 PM Personally, I don't use a lot of jewelries. Sometimes, I don't even accessorize. But if I would, my go-to piece of accessory is a pair of earrings. Simple and cute ones and not too flashy. What I've never have in all my 3 decades of wearing earrings though is a monogrammed pair. Now I am happy to share I have finally got my pair of cute and customized earrings from oNecklace. Cute and Customized Earrings from oNecklace Perfect gift I think customized jewelry is a thoughtful gift. Not only will the person receive a beautiful piece of accessory, they also get to have their names or initials on it. A personal touch! If customized jewelry is what you like to give to someone (or yourself!) this holiday, you need to visit oNecklace. Don't be misled by the name oNecklace. They have other kinds of jewelries you can choose from. They offer monogrammed or customized jewelries from my favorite earrings to necklace, rings and bracelets. They also have key chains and accessories specially made for kids. If you're getting married soon (like me), they have collections for bridesmaids too! A perfect gift for your girls. They also have birthstone collection if you like some bling. Cute and customized earrings Of course, I chose a pair of heart-shaped stud earrings with my initial. You can choose from silver, gold or rose gold plating. I picked rose gold. Why I like oNecklace I like that when you order from their page, it is organized so it's easy to choose. The description of the item you're buying is also stated clearly like the material and thickness. When you choose an item, you will be redirected to a page where they show the accessory in different kinds of materials that can be used so you can see the comparison in appearance. If you want to give your gift in a nice package, just tick the Add Gift Box & Bag option before adding to cart. You can see the estimated delivery date (just at the bottom of Add to Cart button) so you know when to expect it. Click the Shipping information (bottom left of the item's photo) and you'll see different shipping options and information. It is also a plus for me that the package arrived in a bubble wrap. It means they are taking precaution so you receive your parcel without damage. I like the simple and sturdy box it came with and the matching gift bag. You can keep your jewelry clean with the cleaning cloth included in the package. A Certificate of Authenticity is also included stating that all oNecklace precious metals are hallmarked, confirming that they meet the legal standard. I have no complaints on customer service either. Which made the transaction smooth and easy. For today's busy world, we don't want to complicate things. I am definitely one of those who prefer shopping online. Because it's just amazing how you can buy what you need without leaving your home and going through the hassle of traffic and long lines at the mall. I've been saying that here on my blog for years now. So, reliable online shops like oNecklace is a huge help. For those who are asking if oNecklace is legit, the answer is yes. Will I recommend oNecklace for jewelry shopping? Obviously, yes. I am eyeing their name necklace actually. If I would start wearing necklace now, I'd definitely start with that. Check out oNecklace for more fabulous items. I have received this item from oNecklace in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fashion & Style Simple Makeup And Skincare Tips For Men 9:09 PM Simple Makeup And Skincare Tips For Men Makeup and skincare tips for men sound taboo. But it's 2018. No more stigma!In reality, it is okay for men to wear makeup and care for their skin.Makeup is about fixing imperfections to help you build the confidence to look and feel great.Skincare helps prevent skin problems, delays signs of aging, and protects from infections or germs.The makeup industry has grown significantly in recent years and developed some fantastic products that can be used by any gender, skin color, and age. Makeup aims to enhance your features and highlight your beauty. Even the manliest of all men can benefit from makeup.Makeup and skincare for men may not be as prevalent as we want them to be yet, but it's simple to do. And there is an extensive range of products that even men can use to make themselves look flawless. Simple Makeup & Skincare Tips For Men Skincare tips for men Everyone in all walks of life must take care of their skin. Nobody likes dry, flaky, full of breakouts, and dull skin. Not only does it affect your self-esteem, but it can also be a sign of or bring severe health issues.Even should invest in good skin products, such as face and body scrubs, moisturizers, sunblock creams, serums, and masks.Keeping a skincare routine has been proven to make your skin stay healthy. It helps repair skin from damage, delays signs of aging like the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts your skin health. There are also lip exfoliators, scrubs, and lip balms. Unfortunately, dry or chapped lips can be painful - and unappealing. Taking care of your skin is not a threat to your masculinity. Skincare for menHair care tips for men Because men have higher levels of the androgen hormone have more hair on their bodies than women.The head hair, as well as the facial hair, should be nicely trimmed and groomed all the time. Some men also shave their body hair to keep them feeling cool and light.There are plenty of essential oils, balms, creams, and masks for hair. They help style the hair and keep them strong and nourished. Most men also have hair loss problems.To help keep your hair strong and healthy, here are some steps you can do:Don't shampoo your hair every day. Instead, use a natural or mild shampoo. Ask your doctor if there's a product he can recommend.Take vitamin B complex, biotin, vitamins A, D, and E.Massage your scalp with Rosemary oil.Avoid sleeping with wet hair.Hair care Makeup tips for men: Concealing and Correcting You work hard and sometimes pull an all-nighter. So you wake up with tired, puffy, saggy eyes. Sleep deprivation and stress can make your skin look dehydrated, blotchy, pigmented, and dull. Use concealers to hide skin imperfections and color correctors to make you handsome and flawless. Concealer for menWhat are your favorite makeup and skincare products from which men and women can benefit? Got tips?Hero image
How-To Stuck In A Rut? Here's How To Get Out Of It In 5 Easy Steps 7:00 AM It's easy for people to get into a rut.What does it mean if you're stuck in a rut?It's the feeling of seemingly trapped or stuck in a mundane, non-changing pattern of life, work, and/or personal behavior.Being busy, stressed from money, jobs, family life, and other things that may not be going your way---no wonder you sometimes don’t feel okay. Maybe you don’t enjoy your job and are unattached from your ambitions. You might be feeling unmotivated to exercise and look for jobs; I know I have certainly felt like that before. Being stuck in a rut can have serious implications on your mental health and cause low mood and depression.Once you understand why you're feeling that way, it will become easy to minimize the problem.Even if right now you're feeling stuck in a rut. Here's how to get out of it. Stuck in a Rut? Here's How to Get Out of It in 5 Steps 1. Make plans If you're currently in a rut and sick of your everyday, mundane routine, why not try to make plans. Get a diary or calendar and make plans you can look forward to. This could be as simple as cooking or eating your favourite food, visiting family or going on holiday. It might sound simple but it could make you feel happier and more motivated when you have something to look forward to. Make plans to go to the cinema, meet up with a friend for coffee, and possibly book a holiday. By having these plans in place, you'll have something to look forward to and feel more motivated and happy. 2. Change your routine Many people get in a rut because they get bored of their routine. You might feel like your day job is getting less exciting or there is no change or improvement. A simple change in routine could make you feel happier.You could speak to some new people at work or leave earlier for work. Enjoy the outdoors more with your morning coffee. Simple little changes could help you get out of a rut. 3. Spice up your life Many people get stuck in a rut because they're sick and tired of their day-to-day. Help spice up your life by doing something fun!Do things you enjoy with your romantic partner, friends, or family. Go on a date night once a week where the two of you dress up and go out for dinner. Go to a theme park or zip-lining course with a group of friends.Try a hobby you haven't tried yet but has always piqued your interest.Right now, there are online classes that are either paid or free. Maybe you can enroll in an art class, dance class, or maybe volunteer in an animal shelter.Dogs especially are known to keep you out of depression. They're full of surprises. 4. Be spontaneous Speaking of surprises, surprise yourself by being spontaneous! Have a pizza or Chinese takeaway instead of heating your microwaveable meal. Call or visit someone you've missed and not seen for a while.Go on a holiday---alone or with someone. 5. Look for your purpose Maybe it's easier said than done. If only all of us know what our purpose is at the get-go. Many people fall into a rut because they don’t know what on earth they're here for. Maybe that's why the book The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? written by Rick Warren sold over 50 million copies as of 2020.If you’re stuck in a boring office job that has no room for improvement, you're more likely to suffer.I would suggest looking at having a psychic reading done online at evatarot.net to help provide you with a path going forward. This might help reveal your purpose and what you should be focusing on most in life.If you're a believer, find the answer in God's words. You may not always see your way and there will always be doubts but remember that it's not over until you say it's over.Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut right now? These 5 easy steps might just help you get out of it. Gifs from GiphyThis post contains affiliate links so I'd get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. This helps me maintain my site. Thanks in advance!
Freelancing 4 Time-Saving Tips For The Busy Email Marketer 9:20 PM 4 Time-Saving Tips for the Busy Email Marketer You juggle a lot of roles in your personal and professional life.Whether you're a business owner, email marketer, or project manager, there is just too much to do in one day.If only you can clone yourself or delegate more.Thankfully, there are apps and tools now like simplelists.com that is both time-saving and convenient. They help build and send emails directly to your mailing list. They make managing your emails simple even if you're not a techie.Time is money in business. It's crucial that you know how to manage and use it wisely. Here are four time-saving tips for the busy email marketer overwhelmed with work. 1. Ease your design workload with ready-to-use templatesJust like you, your readers are busy too. They'd prefer an easy to skim email. Once opened, subscribers spend about 15-20 seconds scanning your email (MarketingSherpa).The layout of the email is vital. But, not everyone has an eye for great design. Don't fret. Email service providers like Emma offer dozens of pre-made templates that you can use. With clean designs, the templates let subscribers digest an email in seconds. The templates offer a responsive design, which means they adapt to every screen. This is important because 55% of emails are opened on mobile devices (Return-Path). 2. Save time growing your list with set-and-forget collection toolsEvery year, businesses lose about 25-30% of subscribers. It is necessary to grow your list by 25% just to cover your annual losses, also known as churn. You have to gain more than 25% if you want to actually grow your list. Here’s a time-saving tip for the busy email marketer to ensure you're growing your list:Use set-it-and-forget-it tools that collect email addresses and sync with your email service provider. Here are a few tools to use: Sign-up form Put a sign-up form in a visible spot on your website so visitors can easily join your email list. The form should be short and simple. It should also have a compelling or inviting offer.Save your time growing your list by making it easy for your visitors to join. Most email service providers offer sign-up forms that you can put on your website. As customers join your list, names and emails flow seamlessly into your email account. Pop-up formConsider using pop-up messages to collect email addresses. Try a tool like OptinMonster or Privy to create a pop-up, launch it on your site, and sync your new contacts to your email account. You can trigger pop-up messages in different ways. For instance, the message can appear after a visitor spends X amount of time on your website, when they visit a certain page, or if they read a specific blog post. Contest assistantHost contests or giveaways. If you use a tool like Woobox or Gleam, you can keep tabs on participants while collecting and storing new contact information. Once these tools are deployed, information rolls in. You don’t have to do anything. Hence the name, “set it and forget it.” Contest assistants are time-saving tools for the busy email marketer.3. Maintain your email list with easy-to-use tools An email list requires maintenance. You'd want an email list with warm connections. To make that a reality, you have to remove inactive and disengaged subscribers. Or send them a win-back email campaign. Customers who unsubscribe should be removed immediately if your provider doesn't do this.Same with bounced emails.The CAN-SPAM Act requires businesses to remove customers from their email list within 10 days of unsubscribing. What about subscribers who don’t seem interested in your email anymore? Email maintenance is time-consuming. Email service providers like Emma provide user-friendly tools to scrub email lists. It will remove the unsubscribed contacts to help you save time. 4. Automate certain emails to enhance customer relationships Schedule emails to send at your preferred time. You can trigger an email based on two things: a date or a subscriber’s action. Choose to send an email on dates you promised your subscriber when running a product launch, or during the holidays.Send them emails based on their customer's journey.Set up campaigns that trigger sending emails only to those who chose to receive them.Wondering which emails you should automate? Takeaway These time-saving tips for the busy email marketer are meant to help you maintain your connection with your audience without getting stuck in the process of creating. Working with an email service provider like Emma gives you access to an easy-to-use builder, templates, integrations with popular apps, and automation features that replace manual tasks. Put simply, Emma can save you time. See how with a free demo.