Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Mom, Take Care of Yourself – First Things First

Motherhood is a full-time job – one that requires constant, hard work. And just like any other job, it can feel quite overwhelming at times. In those moments, recharging your batteries is of the essence. The question is: How can a mom take care of herself without feeling guilty?

First things first, moms need to realize that self-care isn’t really an option but a necessity. Secondly, taking some solo time is essential not just for your physical but also your mental and emotional well-being. Finally, taking care of yourself will make you a better mom and make the journey of motherhood much more enjoyable. With that in mind, here are five simple ways you can prioritize self-care as a busy mom.

Take time to exercise

First things first, every mom needs to understand that making room in her schedule for exercising is not selfish. It’s certainly understandable why lots of moms may feel this way. Some of them may be thinking that they’ll be taking away valuable time from their little ones. Others skip or delay exercising due to the lack of time.

Whatever it is that’s holding you back from engaging in regular physical activity, now’s the time to change it. For starters, find an activity you like. It can be yoga, pilates, dancing, or simply jogging. Then, schedule your workouts. You can tackle your exercises in the morning and cross them off your checklist early on. You can also try to sneak them in during the day. As long as you get your body moving, anything goes!

Make healthier choices

Photo by Zen Chung from Pexels

As a busy mum, it can be all too tempting to skip your workouts and reach for unhealthy foods. While they may seem convenient at times, these are bad decisions that you’ll only regret later on. Instead of letting time constraints and other factors lead you to unhealthy choices, do your best to eat healthy.

Generally speaking, this will mean filling your plate with more fruits and veggies and focusing on a wholefood diet. Aside from adding variety to their meals, moms should also consider taking digestive and immune system supplements to ensure the optimal amount of vital substances their body requires. By making healthy choices, not only will you manage to boost your own health and well-being. You’ll also be setting an example for your little ones, thus helping them start off on the right foot.

Stay connected

Once you become a mom, your new role starts to heavily impact your social life. Your priorities change, and taking care of your children begins to take up a major portion of your day. Maintaining friendships suddenly feels a lot more difficult, especially if you have child-free friends. Still, it’s important that you do your best to nurture those relationships and stay connected.

To do this, let your friends know that you need them. Be honest and open and try to prioritize them. Sometimes, that will mean reconnecting over coffee, and other times, it’ll mean talking on the phone once a week. Your non-mom friends may not be able to get what you’re going through, and that’s fine. If a friendship is meant to be, it’ll make the transition.

Don’t shy away from asking for help

One of the common mistakes moms make is try to do everything on their own. Some of them assume that others are too busy to help them out. Others feel helpless but are ashamed to ask for help thinking that it’ll make them a bad mom. The thing is, asking someone whether that’s your partner, friends, or family, to lend a helping hand can make parenthood a lot easier and smoother, especially if you’re a first-time mom. In fact, sharing the load can actually be quite empowering as it helps you be a much better mom.

Knowing when to ask for help is just as important as learning how to say no to non-essential things. If you’re feeling like certain responsibilities are adding to the burden, ditch them. Put your needs first, eliminate what’s unessential, and you’ll ward off that feeling of mental, physical, and emotional overwhelm.

Take baby steps at first

Learning how to properly manage your time as a mom and prioritize self-care can be challenging at first. This is why you want to take baby steps and do things little by little. The key to successfully juggling your responsibilities as a busy mom lies in your ability to detect small pockets of time that you can dedicate to yourself.

Even if it’s just a quick five-minute meditation or a brief yoga session, these small acts self-care all add up. Gradually increase your ‘me time’, and soon, you’ll have several hours to yourself every week.

Wrapping up

Putting yourself first when you’re a busy mom can be tough. Yet, it’s so vital to your overall health and well-being that it can not be neglected. A mom has her own needs, too, and by meeting those needs, you’ll make sure that you’re being the best mom you can be.

When Small Means Intimate – 5 Ideas for a Dreamy Wedding Reception

The entire world has come to a grinding halt because of the pandemic, but love always finds a way, right? When you have found that special someone, and you decide it’s time to tie the knot, this life-changing step in your life should have authenticity and reflect your relationship. In that sense, we’ve come to appreciate small, intimate celebrations that bring together our closest family members and a handful of friends, instead of hundreds of guests we never get to devote our time and attention to.

Planning a small wedding might just even spill out into the post-pandemic world, too. Because of its beauty and intimate nature, a cozy wedding with fewer people also means being able to use your budget on other things in your life, or the wedding itself. You can travel to an exotic place to organize the ceremony, book a fancy venue that would otherwise be out of the question, or spend your special day in nature. Here are a few ideas you can embrace for your intimate wedding!

Hand-written invitations and thank-you notes

Details do matter when you’re organizing a wedding for just a few people. Instead of mass-produced invitations, you can hand-pick and write your invites yourself, as a way to give your event that much-needed personal touch.

Hand-written food menus are also becoming more popular as a way to make weddings less formal and much more intimate. Wrap it all up with customized thank-you notes where you can take the opportunity to truly express your gratitude to each guest, instead of printing templated responses.

An intimate destination wedding

Now that the world is slowly re-opening and travel is once again somewhat possible, isn’t that the perfect excuse to take your small, intimate wedding celebration abroad? More couples are turning to this as the perfect way to then combine their honeymoon with the wedding itself, particularly for exotic destinations like Australia or Asia.

Couples are researching the most popular Sydney wedding venues and inviting guests to spend a couple of days in this majestic city as a way to commemorate the occasion. With stellar beaches, this is the dreamiest, most romantic destination for couples wanting to visit Australia and eager to have a taste of the local culture with all the precautions in mind.

Brunch weddings are a thing

If you can’t go to Australia, you can let Australia come to you! One of the latest Aussie trends is the brunch wedding. Is there anything more Down-Under than a colorful, diverse, delicious brunch served in style? It evokes an instant sense of intimacy and closeness, and it perfectly avoids the need for fancy finger foods and replaces it with delicious bite-sized treats we all love.

Not to mention it’s great for your catering budget. You can set up a coffee bar in addition to your traditional wine and liquor and offer a pancake/waffle station with multiple dips, sauces, and sides like fresh fruit, chocolate, and the like. Tacos can also be deemed worthy for your wedding reception, so if you’re feeling youthful and you want a relaxed wedding, brunch is a great option.

Live music in many forms

Weddings have changed during 2020, but so have other relevant parts of our lives. For example, live performances have been a true rarity, so people have started craving a bit of that creativity in their lives. Your wedding can serve as an opportunity to hire a local band, or even a single musician, to make your day even more special.

Classy weddings can benefit from classical music performers, like string quartets (but even a duo can be beautiful for a wedding of 15 people), while some live jazz can give your event that retro, timeless vibe. Caboose from Texas and Nite-Time from New York are just some examples of bands loved across the US to give a wedding that much-needed pizazz. Karaoke is another idea if you know your guests won’t be shy!

Set up a lounge area

Nothing says intimate quite like a dedicated lounge area where a few of your guests can sit comfortably surrounded by pillows and chat. Official seating arrangements are all fine and dandy, but in many European capitals, families are setting up weddings on their family estates and Airbnb venues that have that homey look and feel. That alone is enough to inspire people to get cozy and mingle.

No matter where you are, the lounging trend can find its way to you. In addition to having people sit at tables to eat comfortably and enjoy the music and the ceremony, you can also have one or two of these comfy spots for people to unwind, ditch their high heels, walk on the grass, and enjoy the event.

Instead of constantly looking for things to complain about, why not find a way to turn them around in our favor and make the most of what we have? Weddings are joyous occasions and require no pomp or grandeur to have relevance and beauty. Setting up your wedding as a small and intimate event can be just the perfect way to connect with your spouse-to-be, and to spend quality time with your guests for an unforgettable day.

Love Your Wife but Love the Environment Too – Eco-Friendly Options for Wedding Bands

While traditionally, metals like gold, silver, and platinum have been popular choices for wedding rings, a cloud has been cast over them by environmentalists protesting about the environmental impact of the mining process. The outcry for taking better care of our environment is growing by the day, and gentlemen who are sensitive to this cannot help but take it into account in whatever they do, including choosing their wedding bands.

The Negative Impact by Irresponsible Mining on the Environment

Many precious metals like gold, silver, platinum as well as gemstones like emeralds and diamonds are prized not only because of their looks but also because they are rare. According to the Smithsonian magazine, 20 tons of earth is excavated and discarded to yield enough gold for a single 0.333 ounce 18-karat gold ring. Mining not only results in the erosion of the soil but pollutes the water sources significantly and increases the emission of greenhouse gases. The wastes produced by mining activities harm the environment considerably making it unsuitable for any other use thereafter. Mining labor in the poorer countries made to work in unhealthy and unsafe conditions for a pittance.

Caring for the Environment

Given the huge impact on the environment caused by the irresponsible mining of conventional precious metals, you should try to choose an eco-friendly wedding band as a token of your concern. If you visit the website of Epic Bands, you will be amazed to discover the variety of options of eco-friendly wedding rings available. You can find something made out of wood, tungsten, ceramic, carbon fiber, and even dinosaur bone and antler that not only look awesome but have a minimal impact on the environment. Some other materials, you can consider include titanium, cobalt, and meteorite that are a rage nowadays among men who want to make a mark with a distinctive wedding band.

How Can You Be Eco-Friendly?

There are quite a few ways you can show your concern for the environment and lessen your impact on it. These include:

Pre-owned rings: You can get a good selection of used wedding rings from antique dealers, estate sales, pawnshops, and individuals in need of money. With perseverance and luck, you will be able to find a wedding ring you will love to wear at a reasonable price that saves you from buying a new one and being instrumental in ecological damage.

Recycled rings: You can get new rings made from jewelry that you already own, use family heirlooms, or even buy from stores that specialize in selling rings made out of recycled metals, pre-owned or Fair-trade gemstones.

Rings from manmade materials: Rather than used mined metals and gemstones, you can opt for lab-grown diamonds or rings made from manufactured materials like ceramic, silicone, and stainless steel, or even organic materials like wood, antler, carbon fiber, etc.

Conclusion

Getting married is a special event, and you can make it even better by using the occasion to demonstrate your care and concern for the environment. Instead of blindly choosing conventional metals, you can discover a wide choice of alternative materials that are more environmentally friendly.

Infographic created by Grown Brilliance, a lab diamond engagement rings provider

Car Seat 101: Differentiating Booster Seats And Child Car Seats

We’ll stop you right there if you think that booster seats and child car seats are the same. Sure, they are indeed vehicle components and are very important for children. But they have similarities and differences that might surprise you.

And guess what? You are in luck, for today, it’s all about finding the difference between child booster seats and child car seats. You will get to find out and learn more and differentiate these two car parts with ease once you finish reading. So let’s get into it.

Getting Into The Basics

A car seat is a specific structure inside your vehicle that carries the weight of a passenger while also granting comfort and safety.

There are numerous types of car seats, each highlighting a set of features and functions. There are regular seats, child booster seats, all-in-ones, and so much more

The Contenders: Booster Seats And Child Car Seats

So now, let us find out what separates booster seats and car seats to end such a debate once and for all.

Booster Seats

A booster is a seat resting at the back vehicle seat.
It can come with a specialized latch system that keeps it secure during travel. The latch also ensures that the seat does not move during usage.
A booster seat has a feature that allows the passenger to stay in an upright and stationary position.
Booster seats are ideal for protection against side impact.
Booster seats work best for passengers at least five years old without having to slouch, lean over, and play with the belt.

Child Car Seats

A child car seat comes with a harness system – usually four or five – that works to secure the passenger to the car seat.
Child car seats, just like booster seats, can keep your passenger in an upright position.
You can customize child car seats with additional features to adjust how you want to secure or protect the child.
Child car seats also come with a feature where you can customize them to provide postural adjustment for the passenger.
You can convert most child seats into booster seats.

So, Which One Should I Be Using?

There are a couple of determinants you must consider to know what seat you should be using. Check them out below.

For Booster Seats

The passenger must be mature enough not to mess around with the seat. This matter means that there should be no slouching, leaning, and no playing around with the booster seat overall.
In general, boosters begin at four years of age. But you may choose to use one once your kid reaches the age of five.
Your passenger should be at least thirty-five to forty pounds.

For Child Car Seats

Check your passenger’s height and weight before placing them on the seat.
Ensure that the harness would not make your little passenger uneasy or uncomfortable at any time.
You can opt for an all-in-one seat which is one of the most recommended seats on the market. And as you can set it front or back facing. Plus, you can convert it into a booster in the future.

Are You Still Confused? Don’t Worry One Bit

It can get very confusing when it comes to the world of cars and car seats. And a lot of car owners have a hard time finding which one is which.

To make things less complicated than they should be, a booster seat is a seat you set up on top of a pre-existing car seat. The item holds the passenger in place, but it is the vehicle that does the restraining. And a car seat is a restraint that comes with a built-in harness system.

Things To Take Note of When Using Seats

Never allow your passengers to slouch any moment. The action can be a hazard to passenger safety and security. In addition, slouching causes a myriad of problems – the belt will get loose, the passenger will be prone to impact from accidents, and so much more.
Also, setting up the harness with care leaves no risk of the child submarining. Submarining is where a child tends to slide from under and off of the restraint.
A well-secured passenger in a seat is bound to be a lot safer and injury-free should a crash or accident happen.
The harness will do no good if the passenger is not sitting properly.
Never use a car seat that is more than five years old. The item might have been through a couple of accidents, improper usage, and so on. It might even have some missing parts, which can make it more dangerous.
Always refer to the instructions given by your car seat manufacturer.
Every car seat is unique in its term. So not all of them will easily fit into your vehicle. It would be wise to test the item first before you hand over your cash.

To Finish Things Off

It is a swell practice to better work on some research before you purchase a type of seat. Doing so will not only allow you to save on some precious cash. But it will also guarantee your passenger’s safety once you get on the road and here are more tips to avoid a car accident.

Impressive Colors to Try for Your Kid

Color is one of the essential features of any design or interior décor. It tells a lot about the quality and flow of the design print or décor. You must take necessary caution while adding color to your kids’ room because they are sensitive to colors.

There are several colors to choose from for the kids’ room. Although this leaves you with numerous options, it also presents a hassle of making the right selection. Either way, you don’t have to lose sleep over the right color to use in your kids’ room.

This guide provides a list of colors that are suitable for the kids’ room. You will also understand why these colors are suitable options. Find out bellow.

Baby Blue

Baby blue is also referred to as cerulean blue. It is a darker and richer shade of blue. Besides the fact that it offers deeper quality to your kids’ room, it also adds richer texture and a cool feeling. You can consider blending this color with white to make it light and diverse.

Aqua Blue

Aqua is another shade of blue with a lighter shade. It is one of the most versatile colors for kids’ rooms because it flows well with many other bright colors like yellow, coral, and pink. This bright warm color is one of the best appearances kids love seeing around them.

Bonus Tip: Consider using a boat-shaped bed for your kids’ room if you are using aqua blue color to create a complete ocean feel.

Yellow

Yellow is one of the most beautiful colors on earth. Besides the fact that your kids will find yellow attractive, it also gives a warm feeling to your kids’ room. Yellow is also a decorative, hence, the reason for its presence in most kids paintings. So, it provides enough room for proper exploration.

Green

Green is another impressive color suitable for your kids’ room. This option allows you to add warmth, style, and class with a natural feel. All shades of green will work great in your kids’ room. But the lighter shades of green will add brightness to the room space.

Lilac

Most people confuse lilac with purple. Well, it is close to being right because lilac is a lighter shade of purple. Besides the fact that this color appears sophisticated in your kids’ room, it can also stand the test of time. So, you won’t have to change the color in your kids’ room when they get to high school. They can use it until they are teens or young adults.

Pink

Pink is one of the most beautiful colors that exist, and it is classic for a reason. Many people consider it as a sign of meekness. All shades of pink will give a perfect fit for your kids’ room. This color adds extreme beauty and warmth to any space design. Kids love this color because it is attractive.

Summary

Color is one of the most vital design elements in any space, including the kids’ room. It is often the basics of other arts, décor, and design in a room. Besides, color is capable of defining mood and enhancing relaxation. So, choosing the best color for your kids’ room is the first step in the right direction for having a perfect décor!

Different Types of Pancakes That You Must Try

Pancakes are some of the most loved and ultimate comfort foods people love to cherish. They are cheap and are pretty easy to prepare.

By just following a recipe and using your creative mind, you can create your very own pancake that specifically suits your taste buds. You can either eat them for breakfast or as a dessert.

They may not be termed as a wholesale bakery item because you can just prepare them at your home in just a matter of time.

The following are some of the best pancakes that you must try.

1. Classic buttermilk pancake

The ingredients required for this classic pancake are so basic that they are readily available everywhere. The main one thing you need to prepare this dish is buttermilk.

It will be cheaper if you prepare pancakes from scratch rather than buying premixed dry ingredients. The effort required to make a classic pancake is easy in both ways. Krusteaz pancake mix is the best buttermilk pancake you can try out.

2. Traditional Buckwheat pancake

This healthy traditional buckwheat pancake is prepared from natural buckwheat and it is gluten-free. Buckwheat is nowhere close to wheat. The flavor is mainly nutty and robust, which results in more complexity compared to using actual wheat flour.

3. Blueberry Pancakes

Blueberry pancakes are one of the most loved pancakes. You just cannot ignore these pancakes when they are in front of you. Using frozen blueberries is a great option to make these. Just ensure you defrost these berries before adding them into the batter. You can also use mashed egg whites to add some extra fluffiness.

4. Banana Nut pancake

Banana nut pancake is one of the most popular breakfast dishes and it has a lot of resemblance to the recipe of a standard pancake. When you add mashed banana into the batter, it creates an extra layer of moisture, which gives a flavorful finish to the product. You can leave some pieces of banana on the dish for added taste and flavor.

5. Mixed berry pancake

Mixed berries pancakes, as the name suggests, is simply a mixture of berries. You can add a few berries in the batter and use the remaining ones as toppings for the pancake.

Frozen berries indeed are a great option. This is one of the easiest easy recipes for those who like to eat more fruits.

6. S’MORES

S’MORES is a permissive and sugary dish that is more suitable as a dessert rather than breakfast. The toppings for this dessert include chocolate, marshmallow fluff, and graham cracker. These toppings take the pancake to a whole next level. Some people may even choose to sprinkle a few toppings in the batter for added flavor.

7. Choco chip pancakes

No matter what kind of chocolate you use, it will always taste good with pancakes. This recipe is specially made with mini choco chips. These small chips will add the flavor of delicious dark chocolate in every single bite of your devour. The best part, the ingredients will continue to enhance the actual taste of pancakes.

8. Peanut butter pancakes

If you mix peanut butter with wet ingredients of the batter, what you will get is a smooth and rich creamy flavor in each and every bite. Peanut butter consists of proteins and fats that help in balancing the protein, fats, and carbs in the pancake. So peanut butter pancakes not just taste good but they also provide you with healthy nutrition, great flavor, and taste.

9. Red velvet pancakes

Red velvet pancakes are nothing but a bigger version of cupcakes. These pancakes are mostly suitable for breakfast. The subtle flavor and bright red color of this pancake are extremely appealing, and the icing of cream, milk, butter, and sugar on the top of the pancake takes thisdish to a whole different level.

10. Chocolate pancakes

This recipe is only required when mini choco chips are not enough for a pancake. Chocolate addicts will need more cacao in order to enhance the flavor of chocolate in every bite they take. Mixing cacao powder in the flour before preparing the batter will add the distinctive best aroma of the chocolate in the pancake.

11. Sweet and spicy pancake

For all those who love sweets and spicy food, this pancake is the best for you. Ingredients such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg are added in the batter to give it a strong, tangy, and pleasant texture and flavor.

12. Savory herb

Pancakes need not always necessarily be sweet. Adding herbs and eliminating sugar is a great way to have a healthy, tasty, and light pancake for breakfast. For final seasoning, you can also add some ricotta and chili oil to get a lovely texture.

13. Cinnamon roll pancake

This recipe specifically induces the taste and aroma of a cinnamon roll in the pancake. To prepare a perfect cinnamon roll pancake, you need three main ingredients cinnamon fillings, pancake batter, and cream cheese icing. The recipe for cinnamon roll pancakes is a lot easier than an actual cinnamon roll. Plus, there is not a lot of difference in the taste.

14. Carrot pancake

As the name goes by, the recipe for this pancake includes carrots, raisins, and cinnamon, which makes it a flavorsome and subtle dish. The best icing you can add on top of this pancake can be cream cheese frosting, but if you are only looking out for a healthy option then this icing might not be the right recipe for you.

15. Toasted coconut pancake

This consists of four heavy doses of coconuts in the entire recipe. If you often crave coconut then you can also use coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut sugar, and toasted coconut in your recipe to satisfy your taste buds.

16. Mocha pancake

Mocha pancake is nothing but a combination of chocolate and coffee in the form of a pancake. This pancake is ideal for a brunch meal. The flavor of coffee and chocolate is assembled by adding cocoa powder and brewed coffee into the batter.

17. Caramel latte pancake

Caramel Latte is a simple, light, and fluffy pancake that presents added flavors of coffee to get a subtle aroma. You can also pour caramel sauce on top of the cake to balance the bitter taste of the coffee with buttery sweetness.

18. Pumpkin pancake

Pumpkin is fruit/vegetable that can easily fit in all kinds of dishes – even in pancakes! They are both inexpensive and healthy. You can add a can of pumpkin to increase the volume of your batter. It will also give you an earthy sweetness full of natural fluffiness.

19. Pina colada

If you ever get confused between a tropical drink and hot fluffy cake then this recipe is the best for you. This pancake gets its name from the combination of coconut flour, coconut sugar, and small pieces of pineapple. In the end, you can pour the mixture of maple syrup and coconut milk as a topping.

Father’s Day: Gifts for Dad’s Wardrobe

This summer may look a little different than last year’s with the end of the pandemic starting to get closer, which means dad will be stepping out a lot more. It can be a date night with mom, a poker night with the guys, or a day out with the kids or grandkids. Whatever the occasion, it is a perfect time and opportunity to refresh dad’s wardrobe for the year. From small accessories to complete the look to pops of color on a new polo shirt for an upcoming trip, give your special guy the “Cool dad” bragging rights with the best Father’s Day gift.

Belts

One thing every man needs is a good, comfortable belt. It’s no surprise that you can find several belts in a man’s closet because trying to find the right belt is more complicated than it sounds. However, a Lizard Tails rope belt, is no doubt one of the most comfortable belts anyone could own. Each belt is designed to look similar to a cord so that it holds your pants or shorts in place while avoiding the muffin top look by fastening the buckle to your exact waist size. Unlike leather belts, these belts are made from nylon rope so they don’t dig in, making it super comfy to sit for hours if dad happens to work in an office.

Polo shirts

The best thing about polo shirts is that they can be worn casually or for a dressier occasion. If you know dad has a special tropical trip coming up, a polo shirt made from linen will keep him cool while he’s enjoying the hot sun. If it’s a shirt to add to his collection of office looks, a cotton one in a neutral color would work best to pair with his office slacks. If it’s a shirt for golfing with the fellas, then you’ll want to look for specific golf shirts that are made with a Dri-Fit technology such as ones made by Nike to wick away moisture.

Shoes

The best part about gifting shoes is when you get to personalize them. Writing a message inside the tongue of the shoe or on the heel, and you can keep it short by writing a simple name such as grandkids names or kid’s names. Of course, if it’s more than two you’ll probably need to get another pair to finish off the names of all the kids. Brands such as Vans will even allow you to customize the colors and designs. If you’re planning on customizing a pair of shoes be aware that this takes some time. Some companies may be able to do it in a month while others may take longer. No matter if it’s a pair of golf shoes, a pair of sneakers, or lounge shoes, it can be done if you can imagine it. Do your research with plenty of time so that you can have these done and shipped just in time.

Outerwear

Coats and jackets are always necessary. Whether it’s a light jacket for the warmer summer months or a heavier jacket in preparation for the upcoming winter, a few jackets are a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. If dad happens to live in a warmer climate, a windbreaker is light enough for those irregular chilly days. This is another item you can have customized. For example, if dad wears denim jackets, shops on Etsy will allow you to write personal messages and even print pictures on parts of the jacket. Another great idea would be a jacket from his favorite sports team. NBA team jackets by brands such as Mitchell and Ness can easily become his favorite go-to jacket.

Sunglasses

This is another accessory that dad is sure to wear. Who doesn’t wear sunglasses these days? From popular brands such as Rayban and Oakley to the higher designer names such as Gucci and Saint Laurent, there are so many styles to match dad’s swag. While some fashionista dads can’t ever have too many shades to choose from, other less-maintenance dads could use an extra pair or two to replace the ones they keep misplacing. If dad happens to be an outdoor guy hiking, running, or cycling, be sure to purchase shades with scratch-resistant and polarized lenses to protect him from the harsh sunlight.

The best part about these items is that they can never have enough of them. So go ahead and splurge on dad even if mom says he has enough. There’s nothing wrong with giving him more variety.

How to: Hosting a Father’s Day BBQ

Nothing says Happy Father’s Day like a day of grilling. Make this Father’s Day extra special by going the extra mile for the special dad in your life. From simple to fancy, make this special day of recognition represent everything that embodies who dad is. From tablescaping, to menu preparation, here are some ideas to help inspire a Father’s Day feast in your own backyard no matter how casual or elegant dad is.

Tablescaping

While mom may enjoy all of the florals and pinks, dad on the other hand may prefer simplicity such as greenery and minimal table-setting elements. When it comes to setting the table, think simple. Simple succulents as centerpieces placed throughout the length of the table, mixed with small clear or gold candle votives against a black table cloth will really make the green in any plants you use pop. Green printed cotton napkins at August Table are a great touch to go along with the green and black color palette and will go nicely with white dinnerware and gold color flatware. If you prefer a brighter table-setting, use a white tablecloth instead of black and keep the rest. For a more casual approach, switch out centerpieces for food. Use appetizers and crudite platters to fill the center of the table. Be sure to use a couple of citronella candles to keep bugs away from your food.

Menu items

This should obviously be dad’s favorites. Whether it’s racks of ribs, hamburgers, sausage links, steak, or brisket, make his favorite the main course. If you know some of his favorite sides, make sure to incorporate them into the menu. Appetizers are always a must when grilling since grilling takes time and it’s best to keep guests munching on small finger foods as they wait. Easy appetizers such as chips and dip, crudite, and charcuterie boards are always a hit no matter the occasion. If you have time to prepare hot hors d’oeuvres some popular items include bacon-wrapped shrimp, chicken wings or small chicken skewers, crab cakes, pigs in a blanket, and jalapeno poppers are all perfect pairings to barbecue food.

Don’t forget dessert. This should also be dad’s favorite — whether it’s the famous pound cake he loves, cookies, chocolate brownies, or pie, don’t forget the toppings such as ice cream, fruit, and whipped cream.

To-do list

Be sure to prepare all foods that need to be marinated and any other foods that can be prepared the night before to make sure you’re not stuck in the kitchen for the entire celebration.

Cut corners where you need to. Whether it’s asking other family members for help or having the meal catered, don’t try to do it all. The less that you have on your plate, the less stressed you will be and more able to enjoy the togetherness of family and friends.

To keep food warm until it’s time to eat, set up a station of chafer dishes or buffet warmers. By setting up different food stations, the flow of the crowd will be easier since you won’t have a large crowd gathered all at once trying to dig in. It’s also a good idea to set up a beverage station with all of the fixings. Whether it’s beverage dispensers, a soda bar with syrups, and even cocktail mixers, be sure to have a station so that guests can refill their drinks and keep garbage nearby so that they can throw away their own disposables.

Set up any decor the day before if you can to take one less thing off of your plate.

No matter what type of gathering you have, remember that the most important thing is to be together celebrating the man of the hour. Try not to get caught up in the details. Afterall, it’s the thought that counts and anything you do is sure to make dad smile.

Signs Your Industry Is About To Be Disrupted

Today, we have a big debate regarding incumbent industries and startups. Some people believe incumbent sectors will always lead the market, while others think that startups are shaping our future. That’s why many people are worried about technological disruption. Yet, incumbent industries could embrace technology and use it in their favor instead of staying with the old methods. In this guide, we show you some of the early signs of technology disruption.

Your Customers Are Changing Preferences

One of the first signs that tech disruption is coming after your industry is that customers change their habits. This usually happens when there are new trends that shape their preferences. When smartphones began to be more common, companies started to migrate their marketing efforts towards mobile phones.

They started to invest in Mobile Development to create apps or in digital marketing. Therefore, if consumer behavior is changing some way, you need to do some research and find out why it’s different now. This way, you’ll be able to identify new possible business models.

More Venture Capital In Your Industry

Venture capital is a financial term that refers to the amount of money that investors provide to new companies that have innovative ideas. If there’s a high volume of venture capital flowing into your industry, it means that some startups might bring new solutions to your industry that you should be aware of. This is a clear sign that technology disruption is close to your sector. Therefore, it is crucial to closely follow startups that are leading the market if you want to stay afloat.

New Business Models

If new trends are coming your way, you’ll probably have to reinvent your business model. A business model is a path to communicate with and attract customers, and add value to a company. Therefore, if you ever see that companies in your industry are creating new business models, it means that tech disruption might come soon. Now, this isn’t necessarily negative. What it means is that you need to be creative and find new ways to approach your audience.

The best example of this situation is how the retail industry managed innovation. When online shopping started to be more popular, many people believed that the retail sector would be replaced. However, most of these companies embraced technology and began to invest in web development.

Top Tech Trends Disrupting Leading Industries

We’ve all heard that tech disruption could come from anywhere. Many people believe that in the future, there might be jobs that don’t even exist today. However, we can indeed identify some trends that are more powerful than others. These technologies change the way we communicate, the way we buy things, and many other activities in our daily lives. If your company wants to cope with technological disruption, it should be aware of these trends:

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, along with robotics, sounds like it belongs to a distant future. However, both technologies are already part of our lives. Although we don’t always notice it, we use artificial intelligence more than we think. AI refers to a discipline that focuses on helping machines mimic human activities. Therefore, AI is crucial for automation.

Artificial intelligence could replace jobs that require repetitive or redundant tasks. That’s why many companies have started to invest in AI. Some of the industries that are more affected by AI are retail, manufacturing, and logistics.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is also a strong trend in the tech industry that’s disrupting many industries. Machine learning helps computers learn from experience, but they don’t need to be programmed to do it. This is a powerful technology that can optimize many processes. That’s why many companies are now using machine learning-driven software for business purposes.

Some of the industries that are most impacted by machine learning are animation, finance, and healthcare. The animation industry is using machine learning software to automate the process of design. Although it still requires creativity and innovation, designers don’t have to spend as much time on programming.

Something similar happens in the translation industry. With machine learning and deep learning translation software, the results are more accurate. This means that human translators don’t have to do all the work.

Internet of Things

IoT refers to how devices are connected via the Internet. This trend has grown exponentially over the last couple of years and will continue to do so. IoT is widely used by companies to optimize processes and gain remote access to devices. Companies now have IoT security cameras or smart thermostats that reduce energy consumption.

IoT could potentially disrupt industries like agriculture, healthcare, and the automobile industry. With IoT devices, doctors can make a more accurate diagnosis and make the process more effective to save lives. Today we even have smart pills that help doctors see what’s happening in the stomach.

On the other hand, IoT can also make autonomous vehicles more secure. Since automated cars are still in their early stages, they don’t recognize traffic lights. However, in an IoT-powered world, this wouldn’t be a problem.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is here to revolutionize the way we store data. It could be the safest and most efficient way to store data. In the past, when companies saved their dataset in the official servers, the system used to be very slow, and there was a high risk of cyberattacks. However, companies can share their files more easily with cloud computing systems, improve their communication with customers, and avoid cybercrime.

Conclusion

It’s hard to predict how technology will change the world, even with the most sophisticated analysis. However, there are indeed some hints that alert you about the upcoming trends that affect your industry. The best thing to do is to continue to acquire innovative knowledge and capabilities that will create a sustainable business. And don’t forget about soft skills; remember that resilience and innovation could be the most life-saving skills in the future.

7 Super Benefits of Leveraging Instagram Stories for Your Brand and Product Promotion

Instagram Stories lets you share photos and videos that last for about 24 hours or so. Initially, many businesses think there is no point in using this Instagram feature due to its limited period. Some business leaders even think that the feature is of no use. Then, the reality is far promising if you have not used IG Stories until now. You can reap the maximum benefits of Instagram Stories to promote your brand and products. It will help you build engagement, boost content visibility, and make followers like your Instagram Stories content.

According to an article published in Forbes, IG Stories garner more views than regular Instagram posts that you see daily. Then, why not use this feature for the benefit of your business?

In this article, we will walk through the seven super benefits of using Instagram Stories for your branding and product promotion. Read on to learn more.

Helps in expanding your marketing strategy

These days, you need to expand your content and marketing strategies to retain the interest of your followers or target audiences. You need to find out what your potential customers like. It means including a new social media site, channel to your marketing strategy, or plan. It means you may need to start right from the beginning as far as your IG account is concerned and its audience.

You must use Stories because it is a useful Instagram feature on the same platform that you have been using for some time. When you have an IG profile and a set audience, all you need to do is diversify the content using the tools and resources you have in place.

Helps you maintain a quality business account

The images and videos you usually post on Instagram are saved to your account unless you decide to delete them. Then, you know that the content in your Instagram Stories goes away after 24 hours. You might be asking how that is beneficial to your business. It is a natural observation and therefore, you need an explanation. The images and videos in your IG Stories have real-time benefits or value and that too in the right context. That does not mean you need to post high-quality content all the time when it comes to your IG Stories.

Even casual behind-the-scenes shots of your office or employees will make your content resonate with your target audience. That is because you are doing real-time marketing that has context. Keep your IG Stories content simple and clutter-free. You may even treat it like your portfolio, highlighting the best, evergreen Instagram content. Here best means of high value that has contextual importance and not necessarily imply highly curated content like normal Instagram posts.

Makes your content visible in followers’ feeds

The new Instagram algorithm might cut back on the number of times your posts appear in the followers’ feeds. That is because Instagram will show your normal posts to those the algorithms think will interest followers. It’s one of the key reasons why brands are using Instagram Stories more and more.

You know that standard Instagram posts compete for a position, IG Stories show up at the top of the feeds. You will notice a colorful ring to show that a new story has come up on Instagram. This amazing Instagram feature helps your content to stay at the top of the feed so that followers can view the content without any obstacles. Moreover, when your IG Stories content is meaningful and engaging, you can expect to buy followers for Instagram in less time.

Lets you stay in touch with your followers

IG Stories disappears after 24 hours and therefore, it is no use spending lots of your time creating high-quality photos or videos. The Stories content could be spontaneous, raw, and authentic, and of course relevant to your business and products. The content should be related to a specific moment of your business.

The basic reason why brands are using Instagram Stories is that – the content gives a human face to their businesses. Yes, it makes your brand feel more human to your target audience. It is the best way to stay in touch with your followers. IG Stories makes your content transparent and real so that your audiences could interact with you deeply.

Lets you do marketing in real-time

One of the key reasons why businesses use Instagram Stories is because – it lets you do real-time marketing. Stories help to support the utilization of real-time marketing so that you can reach out to your followers at the right moment.

For example, when you post behind-the-scenes shots of a live product launch or annual function, it inspires your followers to participate in that event. Even for people who are not present at the sale event or annual function, IG Stories help them to stay connected with your brand. That is that.

Improves your IG content

You post images and videos when it comes to your regular Instagram content. Then, IG Stories have an edge over normal posts. You might be wondering how. That is because Stories have emojis, drawings, and even texts to make that content more engaging and purposeful. The markup features help in making your content look more appealing and in synchronization with your branding. You may even tag other Instagrammers on your Stories by including the @ sign in front of a person’s name in the description section of the post or even in the comments segment.

Lets you save and reuse content

Brands may not like to use IG Stories because they remain for 24 hours. Then, you can save the photos and videos from Stories manually as well as save all content to the camera roll automatically. It means that all images and videos of IG Stories are saved, which you can reuse and repurpose when necessary. No content is wasted even if you use IG Stories because you can save images and videos for later use.

Conclusion

Keep these benefits of Instagram Stories in mind when you use this awesome feature to promote your brand and products. Make your content look genuine, contextual, and spontaneous for gaining traction on social media.