Gifts For Someone From Scotland

There is nothing nicer than buying someone a traditional gift because it means a lot more than buying the obvious option, such as chocolates or flowers. If you are buying a present for someone who lives in Scotland, grew up there, has fond memories of the place or simply is a fan of its culture, then Scottish gifts provide a great option for a birthday present or a gift for any sort of celebratory occasion.

https://pixabay.com/photos/scotland-landscape-mountains-hills-1761292/

Luckily, we can help you out when it comes to picking the perfect present for someone special in your life. Here are some of our gift suggestions…

A tartan angel necklace 

There are lots of tartan angel necklaces to choose from. If you are looking for the perfect gift to give the special lady in your life then it is advisable to opt for an ivory tartan angel necklace. Not only is it a stunning piece of jewelry but it symbolises love and thus it shows the person how much you truly care about them. This aspect coupled with the guardian angel itself also signifies that you want to look after them and protect them, creating a very touching gesture. A lot of people have a keen interest in angels, which can make this gift especially. You can read this piece on what angels really look like for more information and to aid you while searching for the perfect jewelry piece. 

Shortbread

If you are looking to buy someone a tasty gift, shortbread is the perfect idea because it originates in Scotland. Who wouldn’t like to receive some delicious shortbread? You may even want to get a Scottish food hamper. 

A baby pink pearl bracelet

A gorgeous and delicate pearl bracelet is a lovely gift idea for a special little girl. It is often a popular choice for those buying a birthday present for their daughter or a christening gift for their godchild. If you can, try and find a bracelet that comes with a detachable extension chain, meaning it can grow as the child gets older. This means that the bracelet will be something which can last a long time. I’d opt for a dreamy baby pink colour as this is a popular choice amongst young girls. How is this a Scottish gift? Well, you can get Scottish river pearls, so this can help you to make the connection.

Scottie Dog Brooch

This is the perfect gift for someone who is Scottish and proud. The silver Scottie Dog is a perfect representative of Scotland and animals are very much in fashion at the moment.

So there you have it; the top four Scottish jewelry gifts! I hope they make that special person smile.

Tips for Maintaining Safe Workplaces

 Creating and maintaining a safe place to work is crucial for all businesses. Whether it's a one-person operation or a huge multi-national company, it's important to have safety checks in place and to follow routine measures to keep the workplace up to code. Commercial buildings are used for a large number of industries. They also serve a large number of people, so it's of utmost importance to keep conditions safe and to keep buildings secure.

Read on to learn some ways to keep up with the safety needs of your commercial space:

Inspections

Having safety inspections done can help you know what types of issues may arise in the future and they also pick up on any issues that already exist in the space. From foundation to roof and everything in between, it's smart to inspect every facet. There are professional inspectors whose job is to find and track safety concerns, so take advantage of their knowledge. This step may be tempting to skip, but it can give you a strong advantage and a lot of knowledge about the property.

Repairs 

Once you have the property inspection information, you are ready to plan any necessary repairs. If your inspector indicates, for example, that the location needs updates to its outlets or to its generator, these are actions you want to take sooner rather than later. Luckily, you can find the right repair contractor easily. Just go online and search for commercial electrician Austin to connect to a professional and begin your repair process.

Routine Safety Checks

Making a habit of checking potential safety hazards is a great way to keep on top of any problems. You can assign a specific person to perform the safety checks, or you can rotate the responsibility around. Either way, you want to schedule it, the key is routine. This practice helps keep the workplace clean which is ideal, and it also helps give you an idea if any problems are developing.

Renting or buying a commercial property is a big deal - so you want to make sure to take all the steps necessary. Operating an office space or business of any kind requires a safe working environment. With the help of professional inspectors as well as maintenance and repair professionals, you can make sure the building is up to par. Keeping a schedule for safety checks - done by yourself, your employees, or a professional - also helps you make sure everything stays up to code.     

               

How To Put Safety First For Your Family

Image by Kaelie Nielsen from Pixabay 

It goes without saying that you want to keep your family safe, and in this day and age it can be worrying times, and you might wonder how you can possibly keep your family safe. With disasters happening all over, gun violence and stabbings at their peak, terrorism and online threats, the world is a scary place. Realistically though, it is a very safe place. Statistically, you are safe from all of these things, so reading horror stories will only scare you. But if you are feeling concerned for your family right now, then there are some things you can do to put your mind at ease and to feel safe in the knowledge that you are putting safety first. 

Talk To Your Children 

There's no point hiding your children from things that go on in the world; it is better to be open and honest about things that could happen and what they should do. For example, teach them the basics about what to do in a fire, such as getting low to avoid smoke or feeling doorknobs for heat before opening them. If you live in an area affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes, talk with children about how to recognize the signs and where they should go.

Make sure children know how to call the emergency services too. 

Put Together A Family Disaster Kit

Having basic supplies is crucial if there is a disaster, so get prepared ahead of time. A few things you can put in there include a first-aid kit, Water, Flashlights, batteries, chargers, non-perishable foods, like canned foods (and a can opener) and peanut butter, spare clothes, and a blanket or two and some toys or games.

Involve your children in planning and packing this disaster kit and make it into a fun game because the more you make it something regular and ordinary, the better and hopefully it will never be more than a game. 

Educate Yourself On Online Safety

The online world is a scary place, but there are also so many benefits to it and great things for our kids that you shouldn't keep them away from it, just keep them safe on it. They learn quicker than you do so you need to be ahead of the game and educate yourself on online safety. It's important to start discussing online safety at an early age, teach them about passwords and why they're important. It's also important to teach them about their behaviour online, and if they wouldn't do it in person, then they shouldn't do it online either. Would you go up to a stranger and start a conversation? Would you abuse people you don't know about how they look or what they're doing? They need to learn as well that once they have posted something, then it will stay online forever so to think about what they are saying. 

Always Buckle Up

It goes without saying really, but this simple act can mean the difference between life and death. According to the National Security Council (NSC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people aged 1 to 33. It also states that roughly every 12 minutes, someone in the United States is killed because of a road accident and every 14 seconds, someone will suffer an injury causing a disability. Seat belts save the lives of thousands of people every year, so always make sure you are travelling safely, use child safety seats and make sure you have installed them properly. Finally, don't drink and drive. Again, it's something that shouldn't need to be said, but sadly, according to the NSC, approximately 40 per cent of auto accident deaths involve drinking, so this is not a positive figure. Always make sure you are following the rules, because should something happen which isn't your fault, you need to make sure you can level the playing field with these car accident lawyers. 

Always Wear Helmets

For both you and the kids, make sure that you always wear a helmet when you are doing activities such as biking or playing sports, such as football, hockey, or baseball. Make sure your kids to but set a good example and wear one yourself. 

Keep An Eye Out Near Water

Always keep an eye on your children at a pool or beach or even in the bathtub. If you have a swimming pool, make sure it is fenced in and install self-closing doors leading to it. Put all the toys away to stop any temptation from little ones and for added protection, install a cover that prevents access to the water.

Upcoming Bicycle Rides/Races in Kansas City

My husband is a bicycle rider. He has the bibs, the jerseys, the shoes that clip into the pedals of his fancy bike, the socks, the helmet, gloves, water bottles, etc. He even survived being hit by a car on his bike.

He would kill me if I posted a photo of him on this blog, so you won't be seeing him in bike gear unless I get permission someday. Sorry. I personally think he looks super cute in his bikefit (bike outfit). Instead you get a picture of us on our recent date night to Jose Pepper's. I can't do a blog post without a photo.

I told you he was cute.

He has done a couple of the races listed below and enjoyed them, so I went on an online trek while sitting in my chair in the dining room to find some more races for him to try out.

Please check back regularly if you're interested in Kansas City bicycle events because there are many more to add!

Lizard Under the Skillet — Sunday, July 14, 2019 (no date yet for 2020)
Lawrence Bicycle Club, Lawrence, Kansas
30-mile, 40-mile, 60-mile plus bonus 50-mile options
$25 early registration
Details and register here.

Tour de BBQ — Saturday, September 7, 2019

"Ride Your Bike. Eat BBQ. Kick Cancer's Butt."

Metropolitan Kansas City area

12-mile, 35-mile, 62-mile route options

$25-$85 depending on which ride you choose and when you register

Details and register here.

Octoginta (50th anniversary) — Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
Lawrence Bicycle Club, Lawrence, Kansas
80-mile route with a 40-mile route option
$35 early registration
Details and register here.

Maple Leaf Gravel Grind — Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Benefits Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Ottawa, Kansas
Baldwin City, Kansas
16-mile, 35-mile and 70-mile options
$30 early registration
Details and register here.

LMBC New Year's Day Ride — January 1, 2020

Tailwind Cyclists New Year's Day Ride — January 1, 2020

Open Range Gravel Race — April, 2020

How to Buy the Perfect Sofa to Come Home to Everyday

If you’ve been looking for that perfect piece of furniture to make yourself feel comfy and pampered at the end of the day, then look for sofa sets at their deep and chunky best. There are very few things in life that can give off a more comfortable and relaxed feel than sofas with a ‘super sprung’ base, foam cushions made of feather and the glorious look of fine leather. Then, there are plenty of vintage leather sofa sets that give off their unique characteristics to wow you. If you prefer designer styles and are happy with slim and svelte designs then there’s no dearth of options to choose from either.

Authentic, traditional, or classic-looking lounging furniture and sofa sets – what will you choose? Here’s our take on how to choose the perfect sofa for your apartment or home – your very own luxurious retreat.

How to Select the Perfect Sofa?

Buying an entire sofa set can serve to be a big buy indeed.  It can be a rather daunting task if you are purchasing such furniture pieces for the very first time. As you begin your quest for the perfect set, there’ll be suggestions and recommendations galore. For instance, Jamie Fielden from SWJames.com suggests a neutral colored, leather Chesterfield sofa for a timeless piece that can go with many different styles over the years. Basically, you’ll find various stores featuring exclusive products with their own USP to set them apart from the plentiful options in the fray.

Which Arms are considered Cool?

Round arms can be said to be the trademark of sofas flaunting a traditional design. Contemporary homes with modern style furniture and décor generally complement more timeless designs. Tuxedo-style sets, with straight and firm hands of equal height as that of the back of the sofa meshes, sync with most homes. They go well with upholstered seating as well.

Stand-alone or Sectional

In order to decide upon the design of your new sofa – whether it should be a stand-alone or a sectional one - would be dependent on the space available to you. Say, you have a formal living room that’s used for occasional entertaining, then you may want it to be a stylish spot that tells about your personality. A stand-alone sofa would be a good bet for such a room with its clean and sleek lines. Sectional sofas are way too roomy. They are considered as good options for watching TV, lounging, napping, reading, or playing games while being seated around a coffee table. In general, sectional sofas are inviting and roomy; they require more space than stand-alone sofas. Choose accordingly.

Sofa Fabric for Homes with Pets and Kids

Do you have young children or pets at home? Its recommended that you invest in a fabric that wears well and is plush in looks. Cotton velvet sofas are feasible no-fail options. You may also choose stain-camouflaging patterns in other fabrics provided they are dark in color. It would do your leather furniture good if you manage to implement the “eat on the dining table only’ rule at home. It’s best to stay away from chenille sofa fabric as it warps and stretches with time.

Filling: Feather or Foam?

The ideal filling for many sofa buyers would be a mix of both feather and foam filling. An all-down filling would make the sofa lumpy in looks and will be a big drain on your pocket. On the other hand, an all-foam filling in your sofas would give rise to a stiff but resilient feel. As per experts in sofa manufacturing and design, modern-day homemakers are preferring foam-core cushioned sofas with a feather. Such a filling gives off a good balance between plushness and structure and also proves to be an affordable option for those on a budget.

Seat Depth

The average sofas have a seat depth of a minimum of 60 cms. This depth provides enough maneuverability space for people with long legs. In case shorter people are using the sofa, they can tuck their feet easily with this sort of depth. As seat depths tend to vary, it’s best to try out different designs and styles to ensure proper back support.

Invest in the Perfect Sofa Set

Getting home a brand-new sofa set is among the crucial home arranging decisions that you’ll make. It has to be perfect to match the feel and décor of your personal space. Along with the above tips, you may want to consider other factors for the selection of the perfect sofas – height, width, weight, seating capacity, color, plushness, and so forth. Make a well-researched and informed purchase decision to get the most out of your investments; today.