Archive - December 2018

Winter Hair Care Tips

December 31, 2018
Health & Fitness
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Winter is a festive time. From the ski slopes to the ice rink, to the holiday parties and family traditions, winter is a well-loved season. For your hair, on the other hand, winter can take its toll.

Cold air, snow, ice, rain, and dry air from indoor heating can do a real number on the health of your hair, and leave your style looking flat if you don’t take proper precautions.

In this article, we will discuss a few ways that you can save your hair from winter damage. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Wash Hair Less Often

Natural oils provide a protective layer between the scalp and hair. If you over wash your hair during winter, your hair can become dehydrated and weaken. It is recommended that you do not wash your hair more often than every 3 days during winter.

You can prevent your hair from becoming greasy between washes by using a dry shampoo to deodorize and absorb oils.

2. Blow Dry Your Hair

If you already blow dry your hair regularly, good for you. If you don’t, you should start, at least during winter. The last thing you want to do is to go out into the elements with even partially damp hair. Any moisture in your hair can freeze and cause breakage.

It is important to remember, however, that frequent use of a hair dryer can dry out hair, causing breakage and split ends. You want to make sure that you are using the right products to keep your hair healthy. The best blowout kit will include a heat protectant. These are used to create a thermal barrier on top of the hair to prevent your hair from cooking when using heat styling tools.

3. Moisturize Your Hair

Cold weather and dry central heating can do a number on your hair. We recommend using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner during the colder months. But this may not be enough to keep dry hair at bay entirely. A once-a-week intensive treatment and monthly deep conditioning will help winterize your hair

The use of an oil treatment also helps dry hair to regenerate, it also creates a beautiful, and lustrous shine. Hair oil can be applied directly to wet hair after shampooing, or even after blow drying. The ends of your hair will benefit from this treatment most of all since they’re roughed up by coats, scarves, and sweaters in winter.4. Say No to Harsh Cleansers

When it comes to your shampoo, you want to make sure that you’re using a low sud formula that doesn’t include sulfates. Sulfates are incredibly harmful to hair and suck the moisture straight from the strand. To get the best for your hair, invest in an all natural formula. Look for products that contain natural compounds and read labels carefully. Avoid products that contain any of the following:

  • sulfates
  • parabens
  • irritating foaming agents
  • phthalates
  • formaldehyde
  • oxybenzone
  • ethoxylated ingredients
  • polysorbates
  • phenoxyethanol
  • petrochemicals
  • triclosan
  • TEA/DEA
  • synthetic fragrances or colors

 

Some of these compounds are toxic, and may even contribute to cancer. It’s best to always choose natural products that are cruelty-free.

5. Wear A Hat

Winter activities like skiing, skating and sledding can be a lot of fun. Even a walk in the park with a nice hot coffee or cocoa can be a relaxing and simultaneously exhilarating experience. But the best way to protect your hair from the winter elements is to simply wear a hat. Exposure to rain, snow, and cold are real stress factors for your hair. A hat can minimize exposure to the weather. And with so many stylish options out there – you’re guaranteed to find a hat to match your style.

5 signs that your roof is goof proof

December 27, 2018
Home Decor
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Living in a house has a lot of benefits, but it also comes with a slew of responsibilities. Most people don’t pay much attention to their roof until it springs a leak. It’s good to take precautions and solve underlying issues before anything happens. You want your roof to stay solid so you never have to break out the leak buckets. Leaks can lead to mould and rot, and that won’t be a pleasant sight. There are some signs you can look out for if you want to know if your roof is free of potential hazards

1. It has to be relatively new

Houses and buildings are designed to last quite a long time, but the same doesn’t apply to their roofs. It’s estimated that a quality asphalt shingle roof lasts around twenty to thirty years. If it’s approaching its twenty-fifth birthday, it’s a good time for a check-up.

A very old roof could look fine from the outside, but some internal damage has built up over time, even if you can’t see it. Anything from the integrity of the foundation to the material of the shingles could be affected. If your neighbours are all replacing their roofs all of a sudden, yours might also be due for a replacement.

2. No signs in your attic

Don’t judge a book by its cover! Just because your roof looks spotless and unblemished, doesn’t mean that it’s working as intended. The first place to check for damage is in your attic.

You should arm yourself with a flashlight and inspect every corner of your attic. Look for signs of leaks, such as stains and streaks that can be found on the walls. The most obvious signs of a faulty roof are beams of sunlight passing between shingles.

3. The roof itself isn’t sagging

A sagging roof is cause for concern. It shows that there are significant problems with the things holding it in place. In this case, there might be a problem with the decking. Worse yet, it could mean that the foundation is faulty, and that could bring it down.

It’s not a sign of imminent danger, especially if it’s only on a small patch. Unfortunately, it can progress and take a hold of your whole roof. This is why it’s crucial to take action when the problem is still manageable.

4. Well-maintained shingles

Having your rooftop in tip-top shape means all the singles have to be intact and in place. Heavy storms are known to displace a few or damage them. If you notice any of them are cracked, buckling, or damaged, you will have to take care of that before the roof starts leaking.

Doing repairs on your own roof can be dangerous work. There is a real risk of slipping and getting injured. If you are able to, consider hiring roofing contractors in Sydney to do the job for you.

5. There’s no moss on it

Moss is a delightful addition to any garden and it looks great when it’s on a rockery. Seeing moss on your roof, however, isn’t a very good sign. It might look nice, but it shows that your roof might have trapped moisture inside it.

For starters, you should remove the moss itself, but later on, focus on the underlying problem that caused the moss buildup.

Conclusion

Having a solid roof above your head is crucial for any homeowner. A warm, cozy, leak-proof home is essential if you live in an area prone to storms and unpredictable weather. This is why it’s always good to take precautions and being prepared will benefit you in the long run.

TOP 8 Safety Tips for First-Time Budget Travelers! Read and Start Packing!

December 27, 2018
Travel & Vacations
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It is not a secret that experience is very important for travelers. It makes us happier. So, stop thinking that traveling is impossible when you don’t have much money. It is possible to travel on budget! There are many helpful advices to help you! First of all, start planning your trip from home or even on the way. Try to book a car from Enterprise rent a car in Austin when you are going to Texas. Remember, whenever you go, there is always a big choice of cheap cars for rent. It is much cheaper to book them beforehand. What’s next?

Here are few more helpful advices for first-time young travelers. Saving your budget is important but traveling safe even more important. Where to start?

Insurances | Sunshine Coast

 

Get Insurance

Of course, it sounds like an obvious routine thing. Nevertheless, you can be surprised of how many people are so exited of their future trip that can easily forget about the main thing. It is all about insurance! If you still don’t have a traveling insurance, you definitely need it! What does it mean? It means that you protect yourself from health problems, luggage loss, flight cancel. It can happen that you don’t use your insurance at all! But nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.

Minimum Gadgets

As a rule, people try to take as many gadgets as possible for traveling. It can be digital cameras, pocket irons, laptops, smart watches, trackers, boilers, chargers. Stop! Do you really need that big camera and accessories? Do you really think you’ll have time to work on your laptop on the go? Your smartphone is all you really need! This is a good gadget to check your mail, use GPS, find a good room for sale or book a table for dinner. Don’t forget to charge it from time to time!

Watch Your Way!

Be fast and attentive! If you don’t know the way, use your GPS to find it. Navigation means much. It doesn’t take much money from your budget if you take a car with navigation. Also, try to use your phone to learn more about the city or state you are going through. You may even use your earphones and voice guide.

Minimum Alcohol

Definitely, you may have dates, meet new people, visit bars, concerts, eat in the street cafes, anything. Just be careful. It often happens that you can be fooled by bad people. Watch your drinks and try to use less alcohol in a company. Trust to no one!

 

Use Apps

As it was told before, you need a smartphone with different apps. You don’t know for sure what app you will need in future. There must be a moment when you will lose your way and walk around the same place for many times looking for a museum. Your Must-haves are:

  1. Uber: The most of the experienced travelers already have it on their smartphones. If you can’t drive for any reason and you are really scared of using public transport, you should try Uber.
  2. Rental24h: This app is needed to rent a car from home when you want the cheapest one. It really works!
  3. bSafe: This app is very helpful for young and solo travelers. If you are in danger just click and send a SOS message to your friends or relatives. Of course, if you are traveling through the country, your friends can hardly help you. Nevertheless, they can call the police.
  4. Drunk Mode: You can use your app when you feel you are lost and your company is far from you. Just click and find your company. It is not a pleasant thing to lose your way in a new city.

Coffee Break Flat Lay

 

Watch Your Expenses!

Traveling on budget you have to count! Also, don’t forget to keep your money in safe. Don’t forget to inform your bank that you are going to travel to avoid possible uncomfortable situations and money limits.

Wear Neutral

Traveling solo makes you keep an eye on what locals usually wear and how they look like. It is not a key factor of your traveling but it helps to feel like locals. Even if you are traveling through the American states, clothes of the South state people differ from others. Try to be neutral for not to attract people attention to your traveling person. Also, this advice is important when you are a traveling woman.

Aire

 

Learn Address of Your Country’s Embassy

Embassies and consulates of your country can be very helpful when you have difficulties or troubles. Try to find out the address beforehand. Traveling through the USA you can assign for Smart Traveler. This free service helps to give your any needed information on your request. Why don’t you use it?

First time travelers make many mistakes, especially budget travelers. It’s natural! Don’t be afraid to travel from the state to state and discover new places. It is interesting for your age. Moreover, it is absolutely possible to travel on a small budget. Start saving money right now!

Understanding the Benefits of Screen Recording Software

December 26, 2018
Tech
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Screen recording software is really quite self-explanatory and will provide you with the means to capture video footage from your screen. On the surface that may seem like it will only be useful in certain types of situations, but in actual fact, screen recording has numerous benefits.

Understanding those benefits is the first step to being able to take advantage of them.

A Tool to Save and Create Content

Overall the best way to look at screen recording software is as a tool to save and create content. Because it can record your screen it can be used to save anything that is on it – just as a screenshot would, but in video form instead.

The footage that you’re able to record can also be used to create content of various types. Essentially if there is any type of video that requires footage of something digital – screen recording is the best way to capture it.

As a tool to save and create content there are several key benefits to using screen recording software:

  • Clearly, show actions that are being performed on a computer involving any software or digital product. It could be for a how-to guide or to give someone a quick helping hand.
  • Save footage of issues and bugs to make it easier to communicate the problem when requesting assistance. It is possible to upload such videos to YouTube or social media and then share them with others when asking for help.
  • Save video content such as online streaming videos or any other variety that happens to be playing on your screen. In fact, screen recording can be used to save video calls from platforms such as Skype or Google Hangouts as well – which in turn can be used to create content such as expert interviews.
  • Record a log of activities that are being performed on a computer for future reference. At times this is used in workplaces to track activity on computers, either for security reasons or to ensure that any issues can be traced back to their source.

Odds are you’re starting to see that screen recording can be used in a wider range of situations than you may have initially assumed. In fact, because you’re able to save anything that you need from your screen it can be very versatile.

Conclusion

To be perfectly honest there is nothing else that compares to screen recording as a tool to record and save content from a screen. The next best thing would be screenshots, but videos are able to capture and communicate far more effectively than any image – and all you need is a video recorder for PC such as Movavi Screen Recorder Studio.

Make no mistake there are lots of other benefits that can be gained by using screen recording software, and as you explore its capabilities you’ll undoubtedly find ways it is able to help you on a regular basis. Over time it may even become an indispensable tool that plays a vital part in enabling you to perform various tasks.

Impact on local store owners from online grocery delivering system

December 24, 2018
Tech
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The technology keeps on changing every day. The Internet has connected each and every person from all directions of the earth. With the introduction of the internet, it has caused changes in every little thing. Everything has now become easily accessible even when sitting at home and doing nothing. The Internet has introduced us to the online ordering system. The introduction to online ordering and delivering system has changed the whole scenario of every industry as it is delivering everything with only a few clicks of the user.

Effects of Online Ordering System

With the introduction of e-commerce, everything has become easier as the payment of purchased goods can be done by card or an e-wallet system. Even cash on delivery option is available for every product. Due to attractive promo codes and offers the shipping charges are either decreased or even not applied. This all has resulted in higher demand and growth of an online retail business. The startups in the online retail industry have cost the local retail industry a huge decrease in earnings. Because of the attractive offers and easy delivering system, it sometimes cost less than buying it from local sellers. This affects the business of local retailers.

E-Commerce is taking over in each and every category of retail industry. Electronics, clothes, footwear, jewelry and what not. Even they take the order of monthly groceries and deliver to your doorstep. Before the launch of applications or websites for ordering groceries online, the customer had to visit the local store and buy everything by himself/herself. But now applications like Instacart has taken up the responsibility of providing groceries to the doorstep of the customer.

Ordering Groceries Online With InstaCart

The customers can order the groceries online and they do not need to go to any local grocery store and ask for goods. The application will take care of it. It will take the order from a user and provide the ordered products from the local store only. It will notify the local store owner of the requirements of the user and the shop owner will use the delivery system provided by the application to deliver the order to the user. The payment of ordered things can be done either via card or cash or an e-wallet system. It does not limit itself until here. These applications also provide exclusive offers which are successful in attracting customers towards them. With the medium of such offers, the advertisement of certain brands or items can be done effectively. They also take good care of products/groceries when in transit. Which allows the items to remain in the fresh or unbroken state during transition also. As the delivery is to be done from local shops only, it takes less time to deliver these items to the customer. Also, the customer can schedule the delivery of items by “buy later” option. The customers can also track the order in transit and can contact the delivery person also.

Thus the Instacart works as the mediator between the buyer and the shop owner. It arranges the delivery of items from the shop owners who are well known in the local market and thus guarantees best products or from the store user was used to buy groceries. Hence the user has been assured for the quality of products being the best as either he/she has already bought products from the store in past or the store is known locally for providing best quality products that the Instacart is ordering from now. Hence it provides a business opportunity for local store owners and delivery persons along with ensuring the best quality products to the buyer. So this application is more likely to increase the earning of stores that are registered with it. So the belief of negative impact on the business of local shop owners is proved to be a myth.

Opportunity Knocks!!

An application like this turns out to be a better opportunity for entrepreneurs. They can own such application or website and work as a mediator between customer and shop owner. But owning one such application or website demands a higher need for investments. But the small startups cannot support such expensive needs. Also if they are owning one such application or website, it will need an entire staff for the maintenance of this application or website. Which results in higher consumption of money.

If an option is available which includes the ownership of application along with the assurance of fewer charges required after maintenance than that is an opportunity to grab right away. With the current trend of on-demand applications like instacart clone it is possible. This option helps in owning a similar application which works just like Instacart and comes with a benefit of costing fewer charges. It will cost less and you can demand changes in it whenever it is required. Also, the attractive features of it turn out to be more user-friendly and are beneficial for increasing earnings.

Why everyone loves Mumbai

December 19, 2018
Lifestyle
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The commercial capital of India; Mumbai is famous for its chaotic streets, impressive structures, and lively atmosphere. It is being said that one should visit the city at least once in a life. This is a place where high-profile fashion stores stand side by side with a street market. Similarly, an expensive restaurant is placed near the street food stalls. The city also has a rich history as well as cultural background. It is considered as the home for stunning shopping markets, wonderful art museums, and India’s best nightlife. One more feature of the city is it has the biggest tropical forest in the middle of the city. Some of Asia’s largest slums are also located in Mumbai. People from all over the country and globe love Mumbai for many reasons. Let’s have a look at those reasons.

  1. Delicious food-

    The city has transformed from a small village to the metropolitan area over the years. At the same time, the cuisine has also undergone a great evolution. The food options in Mumbai mainly include rice, fish, vegetables, delicious curries and sweets. You will get to test a variety of options especially when you try from the street food stalls. You don’t need to dress up and go to the lavish restaurants to taste delicious food. You will find stall and vendors at every corner. The must-try dishes are the Bombay sandwich, Bhel Puri, Kebabs and Kanda Poha.

  2. Shopping markets-

    Mumbai is filled with so many captivating markets. If you want to explore the city, the best way is to roam around from market to market and do a lot of shopping. You can experience the thrill of shopping in traditional bazaars as well as modern options like shopping malls in the city. Some of the famous shopping spots are Fashion Street, Zaveri Bazaar, Chor Bazaar for antiques and many others.

  3. History and culture-

    Mumbai have many sites that showcase the historical heritage. The Gateway of India is the most iconic place in this capital of Maharashtra. It also has many museums, caves, attractive architecture. One of the most remarkable places is Elephanta Caves which has many temples, halls along with the sculptures of gods engraved in stones. The old city of Bombay is also endowed with many temples and monuments including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Haji Ali Mosque, Gandhi house, and many others. So, have a stay in any of the best hotels in Mumbai and ride a local or taxi to visit these places when you are on a tour to Mumbai.

  4. Nightlife-

    The nightlife of the city is considered as the best nightlife in India. The streets come after the sunset with various food stalls, nightclubs, and bars. The party lovers can have the best time visiting the clubs and shaking the legs on rocking music.

  5. Bollywood-

    We all know very well that, Mumbai is the home for Hindi film industry which is known as Bollywood. Many of the visitors come to Mumbai just to visit those wonderful theaters and the studios of Film City or to have the glimpses of their favorite Bollywood stars who are residing mostly in Bandra.

These are a few reasons why everyone loves Mumbai. If you are also willing to visit the city and experience all the joys the city has to offer, plan your holiday, do online room booking and get ready to witness the glory of the city.

CoolSculpting for Flanks and Sides: Treatment Centers to Consider

December 18, 2018
Health & Fitness
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Nobody ever likes being fat. Most of us spend days watching fitness videos and reading special diet articles on the internet. And then we end up trying some of these things. Maybe you did the same. But here is what happened at first, you tried exercising for a few days, saw no result, and then gave it up. You did the same with dieting. Later you learned your lesson that these things require time and patience. So you gave your best in your third or fourth attempt. But although exercise or diet paid off in the long run, one problem remained. And that’s the fat on your flanks or sides.

The flank is the part of your body that is located between your rib cage and the hip bone. Flanks are also called love handles. They are also the part of the party from where fat is the hardest to lose. Sometimes even heavy exercise or extreme diet may also fail to help you lose the fat stored in the flanks. Apart from the obvious side effects of accumulated body fat, the fat in this particular region of your body also affects your body image negatively.

You may fail to fit in some of your clothes because of this fat. And looking at your body in the mirror might make you feel bad about yourself. Negative body image can also cause severe psychological disorders.

Coolsculpting:

A great way to get rid of the fat from your flanks is CoolSculpting. It is the procedure in which the unnecessary fat in your body is frozen with the help of controlled cooling. The frozen fat cells die and then get eliminated from your body. With the help of this simple procedure, you get a well-defined body.

And what’s great about CoolSculpting is that it is FDA-approved. In fact, it is the only FDA-approved non- surgical fat reduction treatment. So you can take your chances with CoolSculpting without having to worry about the side effects. Another plus point about the procedure is that it is permanent. Once you lose those fat cells, they are never coming back.

How does it Work:

CoolSculpting is a highly controlled process of fat removal. It works by targetting fat cells under your skin with precisely controlled cooling. The targetted cells freeze and turn into crystals. Once in crystallized form, the cells die. Over time, these dead cells get eliminated from your body, and you end up with a nicely curved body.

Treatment Centers to Consider:

If you are thinking of getting CoolSculpting for flanks, then you need to know about the best treatment centers. You can’t just visit any clinic that claims to do CoolSculpting as it is a complex procedure and can only be carried out by the experts. Here are three of the best CoolSculpting centers that you can consider:

1. CoolSculpting at Body By:

One of the best CoolSculpting treatment centers in the U.S. is located in Indiana. The best thing about CoolSculpting at Body By is that they think of their patients as individuals. They try to understand each patient’s specific needs so they can cater to them accordingly. They have a highly qualified team of professionals that never disappoint a patient. The experience of CoolSculpting at Body By and team shows in the work they have done so far with their numerous patients. Each member of their team is highly skilled and come together to make a treatment plan for each patient. Making an appointment with CoolSculpting at Body By is pretty easy. All you have to do is enter your
details in a form on their website, and you will have an appointment with one of America’s most successful CoolSculpting team.

2. CoolSculpting Treatment Center New Jersey:

This treatment center is run under the leadership of one of America’s best physicians, Dr. Merlo. She has won numerous awards and is known as the top doctor in New Jersey. The New Jersey CoolSculpting Treatment Center offers a free consultation to all new patients and also 25% off on their first CoolSculpting package. It is the kind of offer that no one should miss. You can schedule the appointment via call or their website.

3. CoolSpa:

CoolSpa is New York & number one CoolSculpting provider. Their team is full of trained nurses, aestheticians, and plastic surgeons. Spas bring comfort and peace to the mind, the same way Coolspa brings comfort to your body by removing the unwanted fat from it. Coolspa has 10,000 successful CoolSculpting procedures to its credit. You can learn more about them via their website and book an appointment through a call.

So if you have gotten tired of exercise and diet then maybe it is time to give CoolSculpting a shot. It is the safest way to lose the fat stores in your flanks. No need to throw away those jeans you can’t fit in anymore. Get CoolSculpting done so you can start wearing the clothes you want.

Garden Plants to Avoid if You Own a Dog

December 17, 2018
Garden
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dog garden plants

While everyone with green fingers would like to plant a beautiful and welcoming garden, it is important to remember that many plants are toxic to animals if ingested. Unfortunately, because we cannot explain to dogs not to eat flowers or dig up and eat roots, dog owners must take the initiative. To avoid risking your dog’s health, pet experts James Wellbeloved advise that all dog owners avoid planting any flowers, trees, and shrubs that are potentially harmful to dogs, and to learn the common symptoms of poisoning in the event of your dog eating something toxic.

Aconitum (e.g. Wolfsbane) and Caladium

Both plants are actually poisonous to humans, let alone dogs. Most dogs are unlikely to eat Aconitum because this family of plants tends not to smell very nice, so dogs aren’t so curious to taste them. However, some dogs won’t rest until they have had a taste of everything, and side effects can include vomiting or developing heart issues.

Caladium is just as harmful but its attractive leaves and nicer taste make it a more likely candidate for your dog to try and consume.

dog garden

Grape vine

Grapes are very toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure and long-term urinary problems, as well as some of the more common poisoning symptoms. Sadly, dogs don’t know this and will happily nibble at grape vines, so it is safest to remove these from your garden entirely.

Hyacinths and Tulips

It can be hard to resist planting Hyacinths and Tulips. Most gardeners recommend them because they are easy to grow and a great way to quickly add colour and a delightful scent to any garden. Unfortunately, dogs also like the smell of these plants and some breeds, especially Labradors, are prone to eating them. In high quantities, they are poisonous and can cause oral irritation and digestion issues.

Ivy

While many pets will ignore ivy for the beautiful decorative plant it can be, dogs are not one of them, and many will frequently take bites out of it. The plant is extremely dangerous in high quantities and can even lead dogs to fall into a coma.

Oleander

Just a handful of Oleander leaves is toxic to large mammals, so the plant can be lethal for dogs who like to dig up plants and eat whatever they find.

Cyclamen

Similarly, while Cyclamen is less toxic overall, its root is very likely to harm your dog if they dig it up and eat it.

Yew

Dogs will generally not attempt to deliberately eat parts of a Yew tree, but many love to play with sticks. Unfortunately, the bark in Yew trees is full of various toxins which are harmful to dogs, so if they chase or chew sticks from a Yew, poisoning is very likely and can be severe.

Recognise the symptoms of poisoning

This article details some of the garden plants especially toxic to dogs, but there are many more which are also dangerous. While it is important to know if anything your garden might be toxic to your dog, you can also help by being aware of the common signs of poisoning in dogs, including fever, tremors, and vomiting. That way, if your dog shows any symptoms after roaming the garden, you can act quickly and go to the vet, and then find and remove the offending plant later.

Art Shows of 2018

December 17, 2018
Lifestyle
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With 2018 drawing to a close, it’s a great time to look back and take stock of the year that’s passed before we turn and start to anticipate the year that’s yet to come. It’s been an exciting year in the art world, both for established names and hungry, new artists who are all about finding the cutting edge and pushing it yet further.

Art Basel

As is usual for Art Basel, 2018 was a packed year. Just their final show – the recently concluded Art Basel Miami Beach in early December – was richly stocked with both spectacle and deep consideration of the art world as well as exciting new works.

One of the highlights of the show was the celebration of Act One – the exclusive art journal – an evening event at an exclusive hotel transformed into a Garden of Eden wonderland with the help of sculptures lent by Russian art supremo Zurab Tsereteli.

With a programme of panel discussions about some of the most vital issues facing the art world today, and a stunning installation/performance piece inaugurating Art Basel’s Grand Ballroom, this was a show that finished the year on a high note for the artists, for the organisation and for contemporary art as an institution.

London Highlights

London, as a bastion of old world culture as well as innovative art and design, put on a strong showing through the year in its museums and galleries, serving the public more than collectors and buyers.

Good Grief, Charlie Brown is on in Somerset House through to March 2019, so if you’ve not had the chance to take it in already, this celebration of Charles M Schulz’ iconic comic strip can be a treat for the dark days after Christmas. Loneliness, anxiety and alienation might not sound like the perfect recipe for the funny pages but this exhibition shows how Schulz turned them into an immortal and, yes, comic exploration of the human condition.

Lasting till just after Christmas in the National Gallery is hosting an exhibition of Mantegna and Bellini’s greatest works, and there’s an odd parallel to the Peanuts strips here. While Schulz made deftly, darkly comic work of some of the most heart wrenching aspects of human nature, these Renaissance masters took on some of the brutal scenes of suffering in the bible, transforming torture and martyrdoms into works of transcendent beauty. This is a dense exhibition with lots of background information to absorb, so you’ll step out if its galleried informed, entertained and educated.

New Year, New Look for Your Home

December 14, 2018
Home Decor
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Many people look forward to the new year as a chance to start fresh and to make new beginnings. Some people change their look by getting a haircut, a new hair color, or even a whole new wardrobe. Others like to revamp their home. If you are the latter type and in search of ways to spruce up your home for the new year, here are a few things you can do:

A Standout Standalone Piece

One of the easiest ways to give your home a new look is by investing in standalone pieces for each room in your house. A standalone piece draws the eye to itself and serves as the focal point for a room. To give your kitchen a quick upgrade without spending a small fortune on a complete renovation, simply install a standalone sink outside the main cooking area. Guests can easily wash up before meals when you entertain or host parties, or you can use this when you bartend. You can buy beautiful freestanding sinks at a good price from Badeloft.

Badeloft’s freestanding sinks are made from high-quality stone resin which offers a naturally refined look compared to other materials such as stainless steel or porcelain. Standalone sinks and bathtubs by Badeloft are made from the same high-quality materials, which is lightweight but functional and durable. A freestanding tub would also serve as a great focal point in your bathroom if you have the extra space. It also adds a touch of luxury and elegance, and you will surely enjoy soaking in a nice warm bath after a long, tiring day.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

It’s amazing how much a simple fresh coat of paint can completely transform the look and feel of your home. For a cost-effective makeover that can instantly change the atmosphere in your home, consider repainting your walls. You could even choose to repaint just one wall a different color to add dimension and visual interest.

Your choice of color will deeply impact the atmosphere in your home. Light neutrals give a home an air of sophistication and a modern touch, while darker neutrals tend to give it a more masculine feel. Light shades of blue and green are perfect for those who gravitate towards a more natural look, while plain white can give the illusion of a larger space.

A Different Layout

You might be surprised at how different your home can look if you simply change the layout. If you’ve had all your furniture in exactly the same places for years, it might be time to shake things up and move them around. Take an honest, objective look at the way your home is currently laid out, and consider whether or not everything is in the right space that makes the most sense. The flow of your home might be improved simply by moving a few pieces of furniture around.

When changing the layout of your furniture, consider its function and natural lighting. If you love to read on the sofa, you may want to move it closer to the large window so you can enjoy the natural light as you read. If, on the other hand, the sun tends to shine directly in through the window and onto a seating area, making it hot and uncomfortable, you may want to move the seating area to a cooler spot out of the sun. It’s these kinds of small changes that can change not only the way your home looks, but how you make the most use of each room.

Less Clutter, More Space

New Year is the time for resolutions, and many people commonly vow to tidy up their home and keep it clean at the beginning of the year. Why not join the revolution and clear your home of excess clutter that may be taking up valuable space? Decluttering your home, especially if you have years of accumulated junk to go through, can be quite overwhelming, so make the project less intimidating by tackling one room at a time. Set aside items that are no longer useful to you, but that are still in good condition and can be donated or sold at a garage sale. Everything else goes into the trash. By taking on one room at a time, you make it easier to complete the project, and by the end of the week, you should have a cleaner, brighter more spacious home, perfect for welcoming the new year.

Try out any one of these simple updates and you’ll see how easy and inexpensive it can be to give your home a fresh new look.