Get Your Home Renovation Tips From Pros!

Photo credit: The Radio Scout

Every few years we make a decision to make a home renovation, but that is a easy part! The hardest parts are where to begin and what exactly to do. To ease your mind we have tips from professionals that are working on home renovations and decoration on daily basis!

Chalkboard Wall By Fashion Furniture

A chalkboard wall is a super easy and fun way to change up a wall. Use it as an art canvas (finally, you can let your kids draw on the walls!) or stay practice by writing lists and chores. Take the design a step further by creating a frame around the painted area with reclaimed wood. We have one in the Fashion Furniture corporate office and it’s a blast! Here’s an easy tutorial on how to prep, paint, and prime your chalkboard wall.

You can buy chalkboard paint at any hardware store in a variety of colors to stick with your home’s color palette. If you’d rather create a custom color, check out this post to mix your very own chalkboard paint!

If you’re a renter, no sweat! You can still do this DIY project in your apartment. Painting over the chalkboard wall to the original can be done in an afternoon. Lightly sand the wall, then wash with soap and water. After the wall is dry, paint over with a latex primer, then cover with wall paint.

Italian Style Bedrooms – Home Decoration Tips By Deriasworld

While researching to buy a bedroom, you have often heard of the Italian style bedroom concept. Come, what’s the Italian style bedroom? Let us give you the answer to the question.

Italian-style bedrooms, which we encounter a lot in today’s bed types, do not tire your eyes and do not contain interlocking colors. Thus, it provides a simpler appearance. Do not think that this simplicity is a simple simplicity! This simplicity used includes completely noble touches. Italian-style bedrooms, which are also supported by agricultural motifs, have different designs with their development in technology, and this style, which develops day by day, will give you an excellent experience.

By choosing the Italian style bedroom, you have reached simplicity in your room. But you can be from this simplicity with little details. You should make your curtain selection carefully. You should choose a flatter and patternless curtain rather than a colourful and patterned curtain. Because black, white and grey colours are dominant in this style, you should make careful choices. You should choose a more elegant choice in wardrobe selection. You should make this choice between grey, black and white colours and continue its simplicity. You will have a perfect look with the elegant and simple coloured nightstands of your choice.

Contemporary: Minimalist With Natural Light – Selling Warner Robins

Homes with asymmetrical exteriors are usually made of mixed, natural materials. Bamboo and rattan are characteristic of Contemporary homes.

Minimalist in style, many Contemporary homes have larger panels of glass windows (some even offer spectacular views), which allows for great natural light and energy efficiency. Clean, straight lines and neutral colors set these homes apart in your neighborhood.

Minimalist style with ample natural light – along with interior plants and greenery – is trending and easy to achieve in your home. Try clean window treatments, like neutral-colored blinds, to allow the maximum light to come through or think about installing a skylight – we love the pyramid-shaped version.

Contemporary is one of the most popular styles of home, and adding contemporary elements to any redesign is a great way to update in an efficient and effective way.

Why might you consider a loft conversion or home extension? – Lisa’s Notebook

Loft conversions are a great way to transform a property without having to move home. However, they are definitely one of the bigger home improvements that require substantial outlay. So what’s actually involved? Firstly, you need to find a reputable company, ideally one that comes highly recommended. You could even visit some of their completed projects to get a feel for how they operate.

Loft conversions will require professional drawing plans and, in some cases, planning permission too. If you live in a flat, a semi-detached, or terraced property, then a party wall agreement will also be needed. And if you live in a conservation area as well, there are additional hoops to jump through. Lastly, loft conversions need to adhere to building regulations. As a rule of thumb, you need a minimum height of 2.1 metres over 50% of the room after the new floor has been put in.

There are many different types of loft conversion available including: skylight, rear dormer, double dormer, mansard, double mansard and hip-to-gable. So, giving an estimate of costs is tricky as it also depends on where you live in the UK. But once you’ve decided to invest and upgrade your loft space, you can take comfort in knowing you’ve created that beautiful extra room you and your family have been looking for. And, of course, you’ll have added several thousand pounds to the value of your home.

Kitchen Design Trends – NV Realty Group

If you want to create a kitchen that exemplifies your personal taste, have a clear vision, ballpark budget, practical plan, and general timeline before you begin the construction process. As you develop the plan, consider these tasteful kitchen design tips:

Custom Cabinets
Savor Simplicity
Easy Enhancements
Goodbye Granite
Oversized Islands
Hidden Appliances & Beverage Stations Traditionally, homeowners held to the convention that all appliances must be the same brand. Consequently, many an argument ensued between spouses who could not decide between the better brands: kitchen aid stove top? General Electric refrigerator? And Bosch dishwasher? For luxury kitchens, owners should pick the best brand for each appliance, yet smaller scale kitchens appear more uniform with the same brand for all appliances.

When is it appropriate to remodel your kitchen? – Belk Tile

If you are considering remodeling the kitchen, know that it can be a very big project. There is the planning, the budget and the fact that many times your kitchen will be unusable for some time. So you really want to make sure you’re ready to take the step. Our team at Booher Remodeling Company wants to help you make your decision considering these four signs that it may be time for your remodeling.

You are out of space
Cleaning is difficult
Your appliances are obsolete
The value of your home is at stake

Is the glass backsplash in fashion?

You may be wondering if the use of glass tiles in one way or another will withstand time and is not safe. The glass tile backsplashes are very fashionable and left to last for another twenty years. In terms of styles, it is advisable not to worry too much about current trends, as fashion can change just as it can last.

Determine Renovation Goals – Morris Invest

There are plenty of rental upgrades that make life easier (like these ones here) but it’s important to set priorities for the room you plan on renovating so you don’t lose money. You can’t properly budget for a renovation project without knowing what you absolutely have to do first— so, create a must-do list.

It might look something like this:

● Decide to renovate the kitchen in your rental property

● Choose to take on a full remodel or tackle some DIY upgrades

● Research reputable contractors in the area

● Choose a contractor to work with

● Make an appointment with the contractor

● Research kitchen design trends

● Decide on a design style for your kitchen

● Research costs of your dream kitchen

● Be realistic and set a budget!

A must-do list creates boundaries and helps you hit your goals. If you stray off the path a little, it’s okay— just make sure to refer back to your list so you stay on track during the renovation process and don’t spend money you don’t have.

Kitchen Updates for Rental Property – Wellington Home Team

Are the doors on your kitchen cabinets becoming an eyesore so you are thinking about replacing those cabinets? Try removing the cabinet doors on the upper cabinets and doing a little refurbishment on them as an alternative. Because people tend to pay less attention to the lower cabinets, you can make the uppers your visual priority. Just one cabinet with no door can be an attractive shelf and useful, though you must fill in the holes from the door hardware. However, if the kitchen has all upper doors that are unsightly, removing them all will lower the appeal and functionality. In this case, replace them all. By focusing on the upper cabinets as a set, you do not have to match the lower cabinets, as contrasting upper and lower cabinets is a popular design trend currently.

Pay special attention to the “working triangle” – Life Of Creed

The area between your sink, fridge, and range is called a working triangle among the design pros because these three are the main hotspots of any kitchen. So, make sure that these three form an equilateral triangle (when you map them out) to make the entire food prep process much easier. Additionally, decide on the range/sink placement, i.e. the view from there areas.

Don’t make a mistake and think that designing is your job! – Renopedia

As a homeowners, you may feel a certain responsibility about the whole kitchen design scenario, but do remember that designing is a designer’s job. You may think you know your needs the best and that is certainly true to an extent, but you have to understand that the professional you’ve hired to do the job is better acquainted with the market price of materials, knows the best contractors, and better understands whether a certain material you want is going to live up to its potential or not.

Guide to revamping your kitchen – The Home

New lights, maybe even a skylight, can freshen up a kitchen, but take into consideration the angle of your roofline and the direction your kitchen faces. A skylight in a kitchen with a southern or western exposure can make the room very hot, even in the winter. When you are planning to brighten up the kitchen with natural or man-made light, keep in mind that this room is usually the hottest in the home due to appliances like ovens and stoves. Use LEDs that are brighter, cooler and more energy efficient. Be sure to get the type that dims without flickering. Mini lights, installed under shelves and where the cabinets meet the floor, can light the kitchen for many uses, eliminating the need for overhead lights.

Kitchen Curtains Ideas – Decor Home Ideas

As usually kitchens are hard-working spaces full of appliances and cabinetry, curtains are a way to soften their look, embellish and enliven them, especially contemporary ones, which, as a rule, are of clean, minimal design.

In addition, used alone or complemented by blinds or shutters, curtains provide privacy as well as light control and heat control.

Keeping kitchen window treatment clean/especially near the stove and sink/ is usually an issue, so, choose easy to clean and maintain options.

If you think you need to add curtains, before making any decision, consider carefully the number of the windows, their location, and the amount of natural light your kitchen gets.

Generally, whether used for functional or purely decorative reasons, curtains are an option to add color, pattern, texture, and visual interest to any kitchen, whatever its style.

However, especially if your kitchen has a garden window with a view, consider a no-treatment window solution.

10 DIY Ways to Upgrade your Kitchen without Breaking the Bank – TSI Shipping

1. Reface & paint your cabinets

2. New cabinet hardware

3. New counter tops

4. Counter top resurfacing

5. Tile back splash

6. Under cabinet lighting

7. Kitchen drawer and cabinet organizers

8. Wall-mounted accessories

9. Modern kitchen art

10. Vinyl flooring with grout

Tips For The Elderly – Senior Lifestyle Mag

Consider Height

Adjusting cabinets and appliances can make a world of difference when you are cooking and using the kitchen space. You may need to raise appliances up, such as a dishwasher or oven for example, or lower cabinets where the top shelves are becoming a struggle to reach. Also make sure you consider the height of your sink, as this may also need raising slightly to prevent stooping or unnecessary bending.

Safe Flooring

It is crucial that your kitchen floor is safe, as having a fall due to slipping or tripping can result in some nasty consequences. You may have had your kitchen floor for years, which is a perfect reason to have it looked at and, potentially, replaced. There are specially designed non-slip tiles, low-pile carpet,s or textured vinyl that can all be used as safe flooring solutions in your kitchen.

Here are a few other tips to consider when making your kitchen floor safe:

Never place a rug in your kitchen as this could cause a tripping hazard
If you are having tiles installed, go for slightly smaller tiles as these give better texture and grip
Use a floor covering that is non-glare to help improve visibility
Make sure the floor you choose is easy to keep clean

Latest Trends For Lighting – Yall

Our home is a place where we feel happy and safe. Everything from curtains to lighting reflects our living style. The lighting at our house depicts our attitude and status. So, it should be such that it shows the welcoming, decent, and lively nature of the people residing in the house.

Hence, below are some of the trendy lightings in 2019 for your dream house:

Chandelier
Dimmers
Hanging lights
Floor lamps

Incorporate Organic Elements Into Your Kitchen – Digitized House

In most households, the kitchen is the heart and hearth of the home so when the time comes to remodel it, it’s imperative you remain guided by your style and convenience. Preparing delicious meals for your family takes both skill and inspiration so the overall feel and vibe of the space play a vital role. So, incorporating organic elements into your kitchen space can pay big dividends.

Decor Choices
Plants and Greenery
Organic Materials
Natural Light
Get Cooking in Natural Style

Get Creative With Lighting – broke & chic

Some homeowners really underestimate the importance of lighting. One ceiling light fixated in the center of the room will not provide the right amount of light needed inside your home. It is important to consider adding different types of lighting to enhance your home. You can do this in several different ways.

Ambient lighting is meant to illuminate the entire room. This usually comes from one source. Ambient lighting can include a ceiling light or lights racked along the edge of the ceiling. You can supplement ambient lighting with accent lighting. This includes floor lamps, table lamps, and any form of lighting that can highlight one area of the room.

Consider yourself fortunate if you have plenty of natural lighting inside your home. Natural lighting will save you money on your power bill will also provide plenty of benefits from the natural sunlight. The sun’s rays offer vitamins B and D and boosts your immune system. If you don’t have extra windows in your living room or bedroom, consider adding more during your renovation plan.

Interior Designs For Virtual Home Staging

Key features of the classic design include:

– Color: Classic furniture style will contain dark and neutral colors such as mahogany, beige, cherry, hazelnut, gold or even black in the furniture materials, furniture and texture.

– Interior light: The typical features of light in the classical style are crystal chandeliers, lamps made of transparent stones, or expensive glass. Normally, a chandelier is placed in the center of the ceiling so that the light can be distributed evenly, which gives the interior a finished look.

– Classic furniture: Classic furniture is mainly made from precious woods, expensive upholstery fabrics, and natural leather. Often wooden furniture is varnished which makes the interior airy and very furniture graceful. It is appropriate to use gold carving as decor.

To order home design in classic style means to create a unique artistic composition, where every detail is in harmony with others and carefully selected. Use Virtual Staging to choose the most suitable design for your kitchen.

5 Green Improvements for Your Home in 2020 – lynchburgtnmama.com

1. Solar PV

Solar panels are an obvious but fair start to the list for green improvements. Solar PV has been around for nearly a quarter of a century but only now in 2020 is it truly being realized as a standard home installation. Most new builds come with solar PV already fitted and those with older homes are quick to get it added to their roofs.

2. Energy Efficient Doors

The latest research on heat-trapping suggests that even a tiny gap or crack in your doors can lead to a hefty loss of heat. This drastically affects the energy efficiency of your home and boosts the cost of your energy bills at the same time. Now, energy-efficient doors most commonly made from fiberglass or metal can help homeowners tighten up their heat loss rating and start saving money immediately. Installing an energy-efficient door can help you to instantly save up to 10% on your energy bills.

3. Skylights

Many homeowners would never consider the addition of a skylight as a green home improvement. However, skylights offer some unique advantages to the health of your home environment and to your home’s energy efficiency. In rooms where you currently have no windows such as a hallway, bathroom or utility room homeowners should consider installing a skylight. Not only will the room now benefit from natural light which can help reduce mold, but the sun will help heat the room saving you money on your energy bills.

4. Sustainable Garage Doors

Many homeowners overlook the green improvements of energy efficient garage doors, failing to see how much heat is lost thought the large doors. It’s vital that not only is your garage well insulated but that the garage door itself is energy efficient. Installation of an energy-efficient garage door can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home. The best eco-friendly garage doors have been created from eco-materials that have been recycled or resued. Ethically sourced materials are also a good choice to further ensure you have the most eco-friendly garage doors. Common materials may include recycled steel or aluminum.

5. Tankless Water Heater

Replacing appliances with energy-efficient appliances certified by Energy-Star is a growing trend among homeowners. The water heater is no exception with new technology enabling homeowners to replace their big old water heater with a state of the art tankless water heater. Not only will this save you space in your home, but it will also effectively reduce your energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home significantly. Once your tankless water heater is installed you can expect to immediately save around 20% on your current energy bills, some can even cut your bills as much as 50%.

6. ELECTRIC RADIATORS

Consider using energy-saving electric radiators. Nowadays, these heaters are the number one energy-efficient method and they are pretty easy to install. They can be very stylish and there are plenty of modern designs to choose from.

Rattan furniture

Rattan furniture is made of all-natural cane. The finish can be sanded down and the furniture repainted or stained. This means if you get tired of the current stain or you want to re-decorate your room or home to a different color just change the stain of the furniture! The cushions are removable in full-frame Rattan furniture so you can also change the cushions any time you like! Your Rattan furniture is basically furniture for life and there is no furniture type anywhere that reaches that level of environmental sustainability because it will never need to end up in a landfill!

Ways to Help Prevent Motorcycle Accidents

As a motorcycle rider, you have many responsibilities set by the law to help keep yourself and others safe. While not necessarily a statutory requirement, there are other steps you can take to try to prevent an accident. It is especially important to put safety at the forefront of any ride due to how vulnerable motorcycle riders are in comparison to their car-driving counterparts. You do not have the luxury of a large metal enclosure around you to take the brunt of the damage and need to bear this in mind any time you are on the road. Click the link for more information from a motorcycle accident lawyer based in Long Island if you have been affected.

Firstly, it is imperative that you maintain constant vigilance at all times. While this may sound like being overly cautious, you need to remember that there is no such thing as being too safe, especially when it can mean all the difference between life and death. If you are feeling tired or lethargic, you will not be in the best position to stay aware of your surroundings, meaning you may be more likely to become involved in an accident. This does not just endanger yourself, as other road users or pedestrians would also be at risk. Having a good quality amount of rest can help to alleviate these symptoms and allow you to navigate roads safely once again.

Taking certain medications can also affect your ability to drive safely. You might have been informed of this by your doctor or chemist prior to taking the medication. There may also be a warning on the leaflet or information label detailing the possible side effects. If drowsiness or loss of concentration is on there, it might be worthwhile speaking to your doctor, or avoiding driving until the course of medication is complete.

Alcohol and drug usage will also limit your road safety. By taking these, you will be harming your reaction capabilities. This can mean the difference between avoiding a hazard and causing harm to yourself and others. Due to this, it is best to avoid riding your motorcycle entirely if you know that you will be consuming alcohol.

It is best to get your motorcycle serviced on at least a yearly basis and to check tire pressure levels, and for any damage, each time you ride. Regardless of the length of the journey, these checks can help keep you safe.

While there are many dangers to riding a motorcycle, a lot of these can be avoided by keeping yourself alert while riding, as well as wearing the correct safety gear at all times. Something as simple as a good quality helmet can potentially save your life in the event of a crash, so all gear should be well looked after and replaced in the event of any damage.

6 Surprising Reasons To Use Cannabis For Your Fitness Journey

You’ve been riding the fitness train for quite some time. Now, it’s time to up your game. If you’re looking to maximize your workouts and improve post-workout recovery, Cannabis just might be the answer.

If you’re serious about fitness and have been working out for some time, your training results will peak and then level off. When this happens, you’re not getting the optimal results since you’ve reached a plateau. Cannabis can help you reach your goals.

We all should know by now that Cannabis is beneficial to relieve anxiety and pain. Those with epilepsy are also using it. Now, serious athletes are using cannabidiol to improve their workouts with powerful results.

What is Cannabis?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis or hemp plant. THC is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. While both cannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system to produce a wide array of health benefits, such as pain relief, inflammation reduction, and relief from anxiety, it’s only CBD that doesn’t cause the well-known “high” of marijuana. Cannabidiol that comes from hemp has less THC than if it comes from cannabis. One compound of cannabidiol from hemp has less than 0.3 percent THC.

How is Cannabis Used?

Cannabidiol comes in various forms, including oils, capsules, tinctures, salves, and balms. It’s available online and in local holistic shops, dispensaries, grocery stores, and even gas stations. When you buy CBD, always be sure you’re getting products that are effective and safe. Researching and shopping online in stores like NuLeaf Naturals makes buying CBD products quick and efficient.

The following are six benefits of CBD for athletes:

1. Reduces Inflammation

Cannabis, or marijuana, has powerful and natural anti-inflammatory properties. For inflammation, CBD can be ingested or applied topically. CBD is a naturopathic treatment commonly used for chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Since it’s safe and effective for these conditions, amateur and professional athletes are using CBD to reduce inflammation, enabling them to recover from workouts faster. Whilst some people may be wary of taking CBD, it does have a lot of benefits, however, they can always look into supplements for inflammation first to see what else is available if they need a variety to choose from.

2. Reduces Pain

Cannabidiol is used to treat a variety of hard-to-ease pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, arthritis, and neuralgia. For these reasons, athletes are turning to CBD to reduce pain caused by strenuous exercise.

CBD works for pain as it intercepts the transmission of pain signals and muffles pain receptors in the brain. It also stops the absorption of anandamide, a pain regulation compound that manages surface symptoms and inhibits overactive pain receptors in the brain.

Using rats as subjects, a study in 2016 indicated CBD that was used on the skin helped reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. According to the study, if cannabidiol works for chronic pain conditions like arthritis, then it should work for musculoskeletal pain due to strenuous exercise as well. In a narrative review of cannabidiol and sports performance, researchers concluded that many physiological, biochemical, and psychological effects could benefit athletes in muscle recovery and pain.

3. Improves Mind-Muscle Connection

Amateur and professional athletes know that it takes more than exercise and movement for optimal results from fitness. You also need to focus and concentrate. You need to stay motivated, especially if you hit a plateau. CBD can help keep you focused and motivated so you can focus more effectively on your workouts and achieve the best results. It does this by increasing cell production in many regions of the brain.

A 2018 trial on the long term use of cannabidiol for cognitive functioning indicated that CBD could improve cognitive functioning, including focus, concentration, and motivation. Twenty frequent marijuana users were the subjects. All were allowed to continue using marijuana. This is because the study analyzed if CBD could offset the decrease in cognitive functioning associated with THC. The participants were given 200 mg of CBD per day for ten weeks. The subjects showed improvements in attentional switching, verbal learning, and memory. Attention control was associated with increased plasma CBD concentrations.

4. Helps with Digestion

Following a nutritious diet plan is essential for optimal health. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is helpful in the digestion process. But, sometimes the body needs a little assistance with digestion due to digestive tract inflammation and bloating. Fortunately, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can treat these digestive issues. Plus, it can assist digestion by controlling meal portions with greater satiety from your foods. That is, your body will be able to digest your food correctly, thereby allowing for greater absorption of nutrients. This helps prevent overeating.

5. Boosts Mood

Strenuous workouts can take a toll on your body, both physically and mentally. When you exercise, your body goes through tremendous stress, which can make you feel sleepless and anxious. CBD can help with all of this. It can improve your mood and make you sleep better by boosting dopamine absorption in your body, alleviating your sleeplessness by decreasing REM, and improving your sleep cycle.

6. Offers Easier Workout Recovery

Have you ever experienced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which shows up 24-48 hours after a tough workout session? If you work out hard, then you probably have experienced it. So, you know that it’s difficult to recover when your muscles are tight and sore. However, CBD can help with this, too. Taking CBD will improve your workout recoveries, making them less intense and shorter.

Additionally, CBD can help eliminate the use of pain medications for post-workout recovery. Athletes commonly use NSAIDs and opioids to control pain. By using cannabidiol, athletes can avoid liver damage and addiction caused by these pain medications.

CBD has many health benefits, including pain relief, reduced inflammation, relief from anxiety, improved mood, and easier natural workout recovery. All of these benefits are essential to performance. However, before you start taking CBD or any other nutritional supplements, it’s always essential to consult with your doctor or a medical professional.

Party Planning 101

Everyone loves going to a party, as they are a great way to have fun and socialize with friends. However, planning a party is a completely different story, as a party planner has many tasks to complete and roles to fulfill. In addition, if a party ends up flopping then the planner is the one who is usually blamed, adding a lot of pressure. So how can you ensure that everything goes according to plan when throwing a party? Here’s a guide to ensure you plan the best party possible.

Venue and Location

The first thing you should think about when planning a party is the venue and its location. You want to have a venue size that matches the party’s size. For example, if you’re having a large party you’ll want to have a large venue so that there’s enough room to accommodate all your guests. If you’re having a relatively small party, then there’s no need to waste money renting out a large venue, as you’re likely just wasting money on a venue that will make the party seem empty and lifeless. You also want the party to be in a convenient location, because if it’s too much of a hassle for guests, then they simply won’t come. Finally, you’ll have to handle things like parking or alternative transportation in order to make things easier for your guests.

Guest List and Invitations

The next step you need to take in your party planning is planning out what your party’s guest list is going to look like. Inviting the right guests to your party will have a huge impact on the success of the event. You want to invite fun people that know how to have a good time and will socialize. You also want to be careful of inviting people that may have bad blood or don’t speak to each other. If you get these people that have dislike for each other in the same room with alcohol involved, then there could be a large amount of drama. As a result, you need to be smart with who you’re inviting. As for the invites themselves, you’ll want to ensure that the details of the party are clearly stated in order to eliminate any potential confusion. You also will probably want to make the invitations look nice and special, as they will set the tone for a great party.

Food and Beverages

Another important part of planning a party is providing the right food and beverages for all of your guests. Not only do you want to have a large quantity of food in order to feed your partygoers, but you will also want to have high-quality food as well. No one wants to eat bad tasting food, especially at a party when it can be a major mood killer. As for drinks, the same rings true, as you’ll want to provide plenty of beverages like water and soda. You’ll also want to have plenty of alcohol on hand for those that are old enough to drink it. Having high-quality alcohol at your party can make people more social and relaxed, adding to a great party environment.

Entertainment

Although it’s one of the last things you likely plan, the entertainment you provide at a party is still extremely important. The entertainment you choose is often the life of the party. If you choose an entertainer that flops, likely the party will as well. As a result, you may want to use a special form of entertainment like live entertainers. Now you may think “Where can I find live entertainment near me?”, but there are actually lots of places where you can look. You can check talent websites or get in touch with agencies that may be able to point you in the direction of some suitable clients. Finding the right form of entertainment can be a huge boost to your party, so it’s extremely important that you plan it out correctly.

Why the Number of Personal Injury Claims Is on the Increase

In many countries, the number of personal injury claims made has been gradually rising for some time now. As you will see, there are several underlying reasons for this. You can find more about injuries and how to heal them by visiting Meds News.

Some of them are fairly obvious, but others less so, which is part of the reason we decided to look at the subject. Personal injuries cover a wide range of accidents, including slips, trips and falls, road accidents, falling objects and more – if you have found yourself victim of any of these, you may want to speak to someone with experience handling a similar situation, like this personal injury lawyer

Human behavior is a contributing factor

The most obvious underlying reason for more personal injury cases being made is the fact that more people are getting hurt in accidents. As traditional risks are being addressed new ones are replacing them.

For example, in many countries, the number of car accidents that lead to serious injuries or death has fallen. Yet, at the same time pedestrian deaths have started to creep up. Exactly why that has happened is not fully understood. But what is known is that a significant percentage of these accidents have happened when people have stepped in front of cars while using their phones. Drivers texting or making calls is also leading to more accidents. So, while better traffic controls have been making the roads safer, our behavior has been creating new risks.

Some risks just cannot be completely mitigated

Plus, some risks that have always been there simply cannot be eliminated. No matter how hard we try to do so. Take working at height as an example. The number of serious accidents that occur when someone falls off a ladder is understandably high. For many years, governments have legislated to try to minimize these incidents. Yet, as you can see here, despite making sure everyone who uses a ladder is fully-trained and having every workplace usage risk-assessed, the number of at height injuries is not being reduced.

People are more aware that they can make a claim

In the not so distant past if you had an accident you generally accepted that you had been unlucky. Then, you did your best to recover from your injuries and pick up the pieces of your life. If it were a road traffic accident your insurance company would usually seek compensation for your injuries. For a workplace injury, it would be your union rep who would help you to file a claim.

But, if you had an accident outside of those scenarios, the idea that you could file a personal injury claim simply would not cross your mind. You would have only been vaguely aware that such a legal mechanism exists. Plus, even if you were aware you would automatically assume you could not afford the processes involved in making such a claim.

That is no longer the case. Today, more people know their rights and realize that they can pursue their claim without losing money.

Children’s Bedtime Routine – Dos and Don’ts

Putting your child to bed can seem traumatizing for many adults. You may feel that your child is a holy terror at bedtime, but sweet at any other time of the day. As parents, we have all been there, and hopefully, this article from BetterCleans will offer some useful tips for when you’re faced with this situation. You want to get your child to bed at a decent time, yet he or she asks for a drink of water, 34 bedtime stories, and says I love you 291 times. The other scenario is that your child kicks, screams, and cries until he or she is exhausted and seems to pass out on his or her own. Neither scenario is helpful. You should stop here and realize that you will NOT be a perfect parent because they do not exist. There are some things that you can do to help your child at bedtime, but each child will respond to things differently.

Dos

The following list contains a few things you can do to establish a working bedtime routine. Sometimes flexibility should be allowed when circumstances arise. However, these suggestions will help your child enjoy the bedtime routine.

Be Consistent

This piece of advice is suitable for children, whether they are going to bed or when establishing dinner routines or wake up routines. Children thrive on consistency. They need to know what to do and when to do it. You can establish this routine in whatever way that you need to do it. If you need to brush their teeth and hair before bed, do that at the same time each night. If you have medicine, vitamins, or other health-related routines before bed, do them at the same time.

Have a Bedtime

We ARE talking about bedtime routines, right? However, parents do not always have an established bedtime. It’s extremely important to teach children to enjoy playing with games that help their brain development, like Lovevery Play Kits. Some children will resist sleep and continue playing until they fall over. Having a bedtime will help children’s internal clock establish itself better. Be sure that your child’s bedtime allows them enough sleep to be happy and functioning the next day. Warn your children when they will need to go to bed earlier due to having an activity the next day.

Let Them Have Input

If your child likes to read a book at bedtime, let them choose the book. If you tell them stories, let them pick the story. Choosing pajamas may seem like a silly thing, but children like to have some control too. Let your child decide what they want and do not want at bedtime. Make reasonable accommodations. A stuffed toy or doll may make them feel better about sleeping alone.

Help Them Feel Safe

A security blanket, doll, or night light may make your child feel much safer and happier going to bed. Help them feel safe in their room by offering one of these things. If your child sometimes gets up at night, place a nightlight in the hall or bathroom to help them navigate. If your child gets up often at night to use the bathroom, you may want to limit their food and drink intake in the evening.

Don’ts

While some parents and children have different needs, the following things should be avoided at bedtime. However, you should keep your child’s individual needs in mind. While most people do not suggest eating or drinking near bedtime, some children have medicines they must take at night and may need a snack to take them with. These suggestions are simply to help establish a routine. You should always do what is best for your child.

Stimulation

An exciting story, cartoon, or song will not usually help your child to sleep better. You should avoid stimulation as much as possible, leading up to the bedtime routine. Children can sing a song, listen to a story, or possibly watch a show, but the last things you do before beginning the bedtime routine should be calming.

Food and Drinks

Avoid sugary or caffeine-laden snacks and drinks in the evening. Juice may be okay for some children, but stimulation should be minimal near the end of the day, as previously noted. Snacks and foods should be as nutritious as possible. An occasional bowl of ice cream might not break your routine, but choosing these things regularly might not be the best idea.

Let Them Run the Show

While you can give your child some choices, do not let them run the bedtime routine. Make sure that your child knows how important a good night’s sleep is and lead them through the routine. Letting them choose a book or stuffed animal to sleep with is fine, but you should not let them push you into extra time, stories, or snacks.

Make the Routine Hard

If the routine has too many steps, your child will not be able to complete them consistently. Make the routine simple and calming. A bath, oral hygiene, and a bedtime story are all that is needed for a bedtime routine. Medicines and other health-related activities can be included.

Final Thoughts

Don’t worry too much about the order of the routine. Yes, your friend may give their child a bath, then brush their teeth, and then tell a story. Some children may want to brush their teeth before a bath. These things are not as important as establishing a consistent routine and avoiding bedtime stimulation. Be careful about staying with your child until they fall asleep. This behavior can create dependence. However, if your child is experiencing anxiety, you can stay for a few nights and ween them away from the back rubs at bedtime. The important thing here is to teach your child the importance of rest and establish a working routine with them. Some nights, you may need to change the routine to meet the needs of the child or family. Do not worry about the night here or there. The important thing is that most nights are on a routine, and the changes are for reasons the child understands. A visit from grandma might change the routine, but an extended visit should not impact the child’s routine for more than one day. A well-rested child is usually a much happier child.

Everything You Need to Know About the GMAT

The majority of students who hope to pursue an advanced business degree, such as an MBA, have to take either the GRE or GMAT. While some graduate programs have dropped their standardized testing requirements for applicants altogether, the majority of business schools still ask prospective students to report their scores for one of these exams. In addition, some MBA programs will only accept GMAT scores, not GRE results.

While some MBA hopefuls opt to take the GRE, taking the GMAT will allow you to apply to the widest range of programs. If you confidently have your eyes set on a Master of Business Administration degree, then it’s time to buckle down and start preparing for the GMAT.

Test Questions and Format

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT test-makers, the GMAT acts as a predictor of success in a graduate business program and helps applicants stand out from the pack. The exam “measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills, the two most relevant skills to the world’s top graduate business programs.”

Like the GRE, the GMAT is computer-adaptive, meaning the exam adjusts itself in response to your abilities, and questions become more or less difficult accordingly. The GMAT includes the following test sections, which are individually scored:

● Analytical Writing Assessment– This portion of the exam tests your ability to think critically and convey your ideas in writing. You have 30 minutes to answer one question analysis of an argument question—scores for this section range from 0 to 6, with half-point increments.

● Integrated Reasoning– The Integrated Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and evaluate information represented in different formats. Question types include graphics interpretation, table analysis, multi-source reasoning, and two-part analysis. Test-takers have 30 minutes to answer 12 questions. You can score anywhere from one to eight with one-point increments.

● Quantitative– In 62 minutes, you have to answer 31 data sufficiency and problem-solving questions. This section of the test measures your ability to understand data and use reasoning skills to make conclusions based on the given information. You will receive a score from six to 51 with one-point increments.

● Verbal– According to the GMAC, the Verbal Reasoning section “measures your ability to read and understand written material, to evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written English.” You have 65 minutes to complete 36 reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction questions. Scores range from six to 51 with one-point increments.

Unlike the GRE, LSAT, and MCAT, the GMAT allows test-takers to choose the order in which they complete the exam. You can select one of the three following options:

– Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal

– Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

– Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Exam and Application Costs

The cost of taking the GRE varies by country, but in the U.S., you can expect to pay $275 for the exam itself. For each additional score report you order it costs $35.

If you want an enhanced score report, you’ll pay an extra $30. This report can tell you the percentage of questions you answered correctly, rank your performance by question type, identify your strengths and weaknesses, show how you managed your time, and tell you how well you performed on questions based on their difficulty.

Recommendations for Test Prep

On average, applicants spend 100 to 120 hours studying for the GMAT over the span of two to three months. Once you choose from the GMAT test dates for 2020, it’s recommended that you create a study calendar. The GMAT test-makers offer a free eight-week study planner that will help you track your progress, develop a strategy to improve your score and create a plan for the day of the exam.

Mastering the GMAT

To improve your odds of acceptance into an MBA or other professional program, you’ll want to leverage the GMAT to show off your analytical, reasoning, and writing abilities. While not all schools require you to take the exam, reporting your scores is an opportunity to prove your capabilities. To master the GMAT, give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the exam and even take the exam more than once if you aren’t satisfied with your performance.

7 Home Exterior Updates for Maximum Curb Appeal

When you’re trying to improve your home’s look, you shouldn’t only think about how it looks inside. It would help if you remembered to update and improve upon your curb appeal too.

With the right home exterior updates, you’ll even be able to enhance the value of your property. You can see some examples of this in the online gallery of these Happy Valley, Oregon landscapers.

If you’re considering investing more in your home’s curb appeal, there are several updates worth an investment. Try out seven exterior home updates in this article below.

Start with the necessary clean up

Before you do any significant updates and improvements upon your home’s curb appeal, the first step is to clean up your house’s exterior.

Sometimes, people think that they don’t like how the exterior of their home looks, but after a good cleaning, they find that few, if any, change about it at all.

A clean up doesn’t only involve getting rid of dirt. It also includes the essential maintenance of the current things around the outside of your home.

For example, you can trim the bushes and other plants outside your home that are getting a bit out of hand. You can also touch up the pain trimmings around your home. Don’t forget to mow your lawn.

This first step is essential because it’ll show you which aspects of your home need more of an update and which ones are fine.

Revamp your landscape

When people think about improving their curb appeal, their landscaping is the first thing that they believe in developing.

When you neglect your landscaping, it can make your home look older and more worn out. If you don’t trim your greeneries often, they can overgrow, which can add that neglected look to your home.

Aside from the general maintenance of your landscaping, you should consider upgrading it too. If you have the budget for it, you can also spend some money by improving the walkway leading up to the front door.

Replace the exterior finish

When people think of improving their curb appeal, often the first thing that comes to mind is the landscaping.

Although that’s a significant part of how your curb appeal looks, there are also other parts outside your home that could enjoy a revamping.

One such thing would be the exterior finish of your home. There are plenty of ways you can replace or revamp your exterior finish.

For example, house recladding in Auckland is a popular way to improve people’s homes’ surface finish. Not only are you changing the way that your house looks in a significant manner, but you’re also investing in the exterior protection for your home.

There are all sorts of recladding options available for you, so you should weigh each type of recladding material.

Place some outdoor lights

Something as simple as lighting can change how they look and feel of a place will be. When it comes to outdoor lights, your priority is how it makes your house look when it’s nighttime. Thus, you have to be strategic with your placement.

There are all sorts of outdoor lights out there, each with a different purpose, effect, and lighting method. Knowing the exact way that each outdoor lighting fixture works will help you figure out where it’s best to place them.

Besides accentuating your home’s exterior with light and pieces of furniture, you should ensure that your home’s number sign is visible. That way, guests will have an easier time looking for your home if you have a dinner party.

Swap your roof shingles

If you’re looking to make significant upgrades to your curb appeal, you’re going to have a budget. If you’re willing to get a relatively expensive update in your home, you should spend that on your roof shingles.

When it comes to the colors, you should be deliberate about the colors of your roof shingles. It’s much better to get darker roof shingles, especially if you need to neutralize your home color.

Consider switching out your windows

Replacing your windows is a step that few people take, but it can update your home’s exterior. When choosing to replace your windows, make sure that you take the entirety of your home’s design in mind.

If you have a period home, you need to make sure that your windows match that theme. Otherwise, it might feel like a mismatch.

Create stylish hardscape

Besides landscapes, you also have the option of improving upon the hardscapes around the exterior of your home.

Your hardscapes are things like the walkways leading up to the front door, the driveway, fountains, etc.

Creating a consistent style between your hardscapes will add a sense of structure to the design of your curb appeal.

Over to You

From the smallest changes to the most significant improvements, updating your home’s exterior can have massive effects on the appeal of your home.

Stick to a theme and think about how each element of your home’s exterior plays into one another.

Next time you find yourself fiending for a change in your home, consider updating your curb appeal with the help of these home exterior upgrades.

The Links Between City Living and Better Health

For years, the prevailing wisdom has been that living in a city is bad for your health. Why would anyone choose to live in a crowded, noisy urban environment when they could stretch out in the suburbs? Although it’s true that the suburban lifestyle is attractive in many ways, it may not be as good for you as you have been led to believe. A recent study conducted by the University of Oxford and the University of Hong Kong found that obesity rates are lower where the population is denser. In addition, people who live in cities socialize more often than those who live in places with lower density.

Based on these findings, the impact of urban living on overall health should be easy to determine. City dwellers typically walk more because everything they need is close to them. This results in lower obesity rates than in suburban and rural areas where sprawl forces most people to drive everywhere. Plus, being surrounded by others means city people spend more time socializing. That can have significant mental health benefits. Overall, this study concludes, living in urban areas isn’t as harmful to one’s well-being as the consensus seems to believe. There are many reasons why humans have chosen to live so close to one another throughout history. Even though technology has made it possible for us to live farther apart, that distance may be damaging to our health. For more details about how living in a city can mean a healthier lifestyle, see the charts on the accompanying guide.

City Living & Better Health from Mo2 Properties

Let Your Hair Do the Talking – Most Popular Hairstyles and Hair Tips for 2020

2020 has been an interesting year mixed with successes, failures, emotions, and so far, absurdities on a global scale. While everyone is grappling with what the year has given us, the masses are still holding on to what the future presents.

And for this piece, instead of looking at health and politics, we’re focusing on something the 2020 woman is concerned about – hair and style.

Despite 2020 not offering many opportunities to slay publicly, hair trends and tips have still cropped up to define what the year should look like for the modern woman. In this piece, we’ll go through the most interesting of these hairstyles and hair tips that will rock the rest of your year. So, read on.

Short Hair Is Getting Popular

With everyone under lockdown, keeping those long locks kempt is becoming quite an issue. Thus, more women are leaning towards short hair.

And even without considering the lockdown, celebrities had already started building a short hair trend as early as the year started. Most notable of them were Karlie Kloss and Kaia Gerber who donned super-chic, super-short hairstyles at the beginning of the year.

However, short hair doesn’t mean that the blade has to cut everything. You can try Bob cuts, which are the more popular short hair alternative. The classic bob is very versatile, sleek, and looks sophisticated.

Embrace Natural Texture

A common 2020 hairstyle theme is texture. More and more women are starting to embrace their natural locks and thus showing off their natural texture in any hairstyle they wear. This means that we’ll be seeing less of over-styled, super-sleek hair.

Instead, hairstyles will be having more natural texture – whether it’s curly or relaxed and tousled. That’s why classic Bob cuts, for instance, are getting popular.

This means that for 2020, heat tools should be used less often. And if you do, they should accentuate your natural texture instead of suppressing it.

Try Deep Waves and Curls

Long hair is still a popular hairstyle in 2020. Specifically, more women are leaning towards deep waves and curls. The main reason for this is, deep waves are easy to make, maintain, and can work even with thin hair complimented with hair extensions.

Deep waves only need hairspray and a wand to make. The wand creates the curls or waves while the hairspray gives the hair some hold. For ladies with thin hair, these deep waves perfectly add volume to your hair. All you have to do is run a brush through your hair once the curls are done.

Bold Roots for Depth

Color creates depth. And for 2020, bold roots are what you need for healthy-looking and voluminous hair. The best part is, this trick requires minimal effort from you.

Bold roots add more interest to your hair color. All you have to do is let your roots grow naturally as they would. The natural bold color of the roots adds the much-needed depth and edge to your hair and hair color.

And since trying this look requires little maintenance, bold roots are great for the year since most salons are not open or operate within restrictions.

Warm Hair Colors

Warm hair colors should be your colors of choice for 2020. That means no more Icy Platinum Blonde dies on your hair. Instead, warm blondes, mahogany spice balayage, and auburn highlights are the new trendy tones.

These colors don’t require much upkeep, which makes them perfect for 2020 where movement is mostly restricted. These colors also grow out nicely if you use techniques like face-framing highlights. Plus, they brighten your looks too.

Alternatively, you can go for solid colors instead of highlights – which ruled most of 2019. These single-process colors also require less maintenance, thus fewer visits to the salon.