Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Tackle-It Tuesday: Linen Closet Door Organizer

Every Tuesday, I tackle a different project around my home that's been bugging all of us!

We were spoiled in our previous home of 17 years with a huge linen closet in our main bathroom, so big the kids could even hide in it for hide-n-seek. I longed for a closet that was NOT in the bathroom so people could grab things they needed without having to wait for someone to get out of the bathroom.

Then we moved to THE DREAM HOUSE and have a cute little hallway linen closet. The challenge is that it is not deep and the shelves are not wide.

Here's a BEFORE picture of our entire linen closet. I feel like we have fewer toiletries and medicines than a lot of people do, but still it's an unorganized mess no matter what I do. Looking for allergy medicine results in everything getting knocked over.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Can't Sleep Because Of Insomnia?



Your body and mind need enough rest so that they can function optimally. The most effective way of providing your body and mind with this rest is through having enough sleep. But there are a lot of people who do not get adequate sleep because of different reasons. Some are too busy that they only have a few yours to sleep. Others suffer from insomnia where despite going to bed and trying to sleep they are unable to sleep. If you suffer from insomnia you will feel fatigued even during the day because your body and mind will not have had ample rest. This makes it paramount to know the most ideal ways of dealing with being unable to sleep or having irregular sleep. So, can’t sleep because of insomnia? Here are some of the most helpful solutions that can help you deal with insomnia.

Getting the Right Bed and Mattress

The condition of your bed and mattress plays an important role in determining the quality of sleep you get. If you sleep on a bed which makes you uncomfortable you will not be able to sleep properly and you might even wake up at night because of the discomfort. Therefore, you should ensure you sleep in a good mattress which is optimally comfortable and can support your body properly. SleepingCulture provides information about type and brand of perfect mattress – check out their website.

Regular Sleeping Time

To avoid insomnia you should also try to have regular sleeping time. This means that you should have a habit of sleeping at certain time at all the times. Sometimes we get too busy and find that we are sleeping too late. It is advisable to try and be organized so that you can finish what you are doing early to get time to sleep. When you have regular sleeping hour your body will get used and as a result you will be able to sleep without struggling. Check out the Ultimate Bedtime Wind-Down Routine!

Eating Habits

It is also advisable to avoid eating too much food before going to bed. This is because this will affect your body and you will not be able to sleep comfortably. Furthermore, you should ensure you finish eating at least one hour before going to bed. The importance of this is that the one hour will give your body enough time to digest the food you eat and this will allow you to sleep comfortably. If possible you can also eat the kind of foods that are known to enhance sleeping and at the same time avoid stimulants and other foods that prohibit sleeping such as coffee.

Good Sleeping Environment

While going to bed it is also important to ensure that you are in an environment where you can sleep easily. You should ensure there is no noise that can prevent you from sleeping. You should also ensure that the temperatures of your bedroom are ideal for sleeping. Furthermore, you should dim or completely switch off the lights while going to bed. The importance of this that the environment you sleep on plays an important role in determining how you sleep.

 Avoiding Sleeping During the Day

Most of us love sleeping during the day especially after lunch. This will prevent you from sleeping properly at night. The body will already be relaxed and therefore at night it will not need a lot of rest. Even if you are fatigued during the day you should try to persevere until at night. If you wait until it is sleeping time your body will require resting and as a result you will sleep properly.

Avoiding Stress

The mind plays an important role in determining how well you sleep. If your mind is distracted by stress you will find it hard to fall asleep. This makes it paramount to avoid situations that might stress your mind. In case you have a lot on your mind you can try different ways of relaxing your mind such as counting a thousand to one backwards. Such things will take your mind away from the stressful thought and as a result you will be able to sleep easily.

It is evident that insomnia is a condition which affects many people. But as outlined there are different ways of dealing with this particular issue and ensure you sleep properly. Most of these things such as getting the right mattress are simple and they will not cost you a lot. If you do the outlined things you will realize that you are able to sleep properly in a comfortable manner. Therefore, if you cannot sleep because of insomnia there are different things as outlined you can do to enhance the quality of your sleep.

Meeting Success - How To Properly Prepare Your Next Business Meeting

 

Business meetings are an integral part of day-to-day life for office workers throughout the world. Preparing and presenting in front of peers, management, or even clients takes up a great deal of your working day. It is critical that you know how to be efficient and organised to avoid wasting your colleagues and your own time. 

If you are a flexible or remote worker you may need some tips on how to effectively prepare for your next business meeting. Whether you are doing an internet search for meeting rooms near me to try to set the stage for your meeting or if you could benefit from some timeless wisdom for maximising productivity during meetings, you are sure to appreciate the points outlined here.

Let’s look at some of these tips and best practices to ensure that you are fully prepared for your next business meeting.

Know Your Audience


Regardless of the purpose of your next business, it is essential to know the names and roles of everyone who will be in attendance. First impressions make a big difference and using someone’s name when addressing them will make you memorable and will also get people to pay attention to what you want them to hear.

If you are presenting in front of existing or potential clients, learn everything you can about them and their business. Make it personal too, do not give a presentation that is geared towards everyone. Tailor your content to make it relevant for the people in the room.

Know Your Industry / Market


If you are immersed in a particular niche or industry, it is critical that you know the ins-and-outs of the field as well as contemporary developments taking place within it. Knowing what is going on will give you an authoritative presence and help you to be taken seriously by your team and by your clients. 

Prep The Location


Having a high-quality location to hold your business meeting can make or break the atmosphere of your proceedings. Especially if you are a flexible or remote worker, make sure to secure a meeting space with a premium provider. Doing so will guarantee that the space is ready to go when you arrive and will be complete with the furnishings and aesthetic décor to set the stage for your success.

These providers also know that the best meeting locations are easy to find and access. For this reason, you will find the best pay as you need meeting spaces in central business and financial districts which are close to central transportation routes.

One more thing to consider is the type of room to use for your meeting. Make sure that you are using your chosen space effectively to set the right tone for your meeting, whether that be in a boardroom, meeting room, or private office space.

Set A Schedule


Having a list of what you want to accomplish during your meeting and how much time to spend on each task or point is essential. This will help you to keep a consistent flow throughout your meeting without wasting time sorting through what to do next. Make sure to be realistic with your time management and leave some room for flexibility.

Take The Time To Prepare


As the saying goes, those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail. While it can take a great deal of time to prepare yourself for an important meeting, it can make all the difference to your success. While more casual and informal meetings will not always require the degree of preparation suggested above, be sure to keep these tips in mind when the matter at hand is significant for your business.

9 Hidden Gems In Italy



When it comes to Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is Venice and Rome. However, it is the hidden gems of Italy that will have you hooked and returning time and again. Right from its quaint villages to the colorful stacked houses, taking an off beaten part in Italy will pay off. There are a total of 20 regions that make up Italy and these hidden gems will leave you asking for more.



1.         Castelmezzano, Basilicata



Located against the backdrop of Dolomiti Lucane, Castelmezzano is a hidden gem that is paired up with another beauty on the opposite mountain, Pietrpertosa. There is a high-speed zip wire which connects the two Italian towns together. This town is mesmerizing when you view it from a distance. The surrounding area is full of hikes, natural parks, and forests. This beautiful town dates back to the 10th century and has an old-world charm. It should be on your list whenever you head to Italy.



2.       Trento, Trentino



Trento is the capital city of the Trentino region and it is ideal for a city break. It will not exhaust you but it will give you an opportunity to experience the best of Italy including food, art, culture and a vibe which makes Italy so unique and a favorite amongst travelers. The cobbled streets of Italy are clean and spotless, you can get more information on https://www.interhome.co.uk/italy/ about the best accommodation options here. You can spend a weekend here and take a walk in the streets with no rush to be anywhere. The destination is popular with the neighboring countries to visit by car but it is still off beaten destination in Italy.



3.       Matera, Basilicata



Matera has recently gained popularity amongst tourists and it was awarded the Capital of Culture in 2019. It is a must-visit. There are caves which make up the Sassi which is the old part of the city and it is incredible to explore. It is a quiet place with numerous lesser discovered attractions.



4.      Mantua, Lombardy



It is surprising that this beautiful city is still off the beaten path in Italy. Known for the largest residential building in Europe, Mantua gives you the best of art and architecture. It is surrounded by artificial lakes which is an opportunity for you to go on a sunset boat cruise. However, the real magic lies in the grand architecture in Mantua. The Ducal Palace has about 600 rooms and they are an architectural delight. Only a few are open to the public. It is impressive and worth a visit.



5.      Tropea, Calabria



Calabria will give you the best of azure water and sandy beach days. It is of great value and one of the best places to visit in Italy. This is a very affordable beach destination that is uncrowded and is worth your time.



6.      Varenna, Lake Como



Much has been read and written about Lake Como. It is a real gem and the most famous place in Italy. Varenna is across the water from Bellagio and it has mind-blowing castles and grand houses which have mountains above. Varenna has cute little coffee shops with lakeside views and is perfect for a long weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation.



7.      Alberobello, Puglia



Puglia is known for the Trulli houses. There are stone buildings with a pointed cone-like roof and it makes for a perfect postcard photo. It is a hidden gem but more and more people are discovering the place. Walkthrough the empty streets and discover the history of the iconic buildings. The houses are a blend of traditional and modern.



8.     Camogli, Liguria



This place will steal your heart in each and every manner. The charming Camogli still has the charm of a traditional fishing village in it. Camogli is a traditional fisherman town that has colorful houses and a laid back vibe. It has small backers and impressive hotels that will take your heart away.



9.      Martina Franca, Puglia



A very short drive from Alberobello, Martina Franca is one of the hidden gems in Italy. There is an opera festival in the summer where there are many visitors to this town. It has little restaurants and spotless settings which make it an ideal place to relax and unwind.



These hidden gems in Italy should be a part of your itinerary on your next visit. You will be mesmerized at the beauty and serenity you find at the stunning lesser-known destinations.

Want That Picture Perfect Smile? Then Take On This Advice

Smiling is one of those things that can instantly lift your mood. No matter how rubbish you are feeling planting a smile on your face can change things. It can brighten your day. The same can be said for when you look back on pictures. Looking at yourself in those pictures should spark great memories. Often the smile is a big giveaway of the emotions you were feeling at that precise moment.


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But, for many of us, we can often look back on a picture of ourselves with dislike. Again, this normally boils down to the smile. Some people can feel less confident in front of a camera, forcing themselves to smile uncomfortably. Some may not have confidence in the beauty of their own unique smile and refrain from doing it. What we don’t want is to look back on those memories in years to come and not be able to remember the emotion or memory behind it. This is why I thought I could share with you some tips and advice to create that picture perfect smile. One that you feel confident in wearing no matter what the occasion.


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Brush your teeth regularly


People can feel less confident about their smile because of their teeth. So one sure fire way to improve their condition and appearance is to have regular teeth brushing routines. Making sure you brush them both morning and night for at least two minutes per session. What it does is enables you to make sure that no food or sugar is lingering on your teeth. In the long term, this can cause damage to the enamel, which further goes on to bigger problems like cavities or teeth decay. Keeping on top of your brushing can vastly improve the appearance of your teeth. You could also consider using a specialist toothpaste that helps brighten the appearance of your teeth.


Make sure you keep up to date with dentist visits


Keeping up to date with regular dentist visits is vital for good dental hygiene. It can be one of the quickest and easiest ways of highlighting any issues that you may be struggling with. Of course, things like that when ignored could go on to create further problems in the future. A regular visit will also make sure that your teeth are kept in tip top condition. It can be difficult to keep organized when it comes to booking in appointments, and there is a misconception that treatment can be pricey. This is where dental insurance and plans can help spread the cost. A great idea is to look into policies and information. You can see Guardian Dental here and other options online.


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Have confidence in your smile


One of the biggest things people can struggle with when it comes to their smiles is their lack of confidence. A big happy smile makes that particular person look extremely confident and sure of themselves. So if you don’t feel that way, then it’s less likely to be portrayed in your smile.


You may also have issues with how your smile looks cosmetically. This can also affect your confidence. If you worry about how straight your teeth are or how white they appear to be, then that is bound to have an effect on how you smile. Some people will then try and cover it up by not showing any teeth or forcing a smile. Confidence is not something you can learn; it’s more about how you feel. It’s about being more comfortable with how you look. Often addressing these issues can have a positive effect on how you feel.


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Consider teeth whitening


If one of the reasons why you don’t feel so confident in your smile is down to your teeth colour, then there is something you can do about that. Thankfully there are a couple of different options to consider. One of the easiest ways is to try a teeth whitening toothpaste. This will gradually brighten your teeth as you brush. These kinds of methods can take a few weeks before you can see visible changes. Alternatively, you may want to consider other options like teeth whitening sets. This is where you will create a mould to your teeth, insert a teeth whitening solution into it, and then use a UV light to help the solution start to work. This means using this mould a few times, but you can see visible results much quicker.


However, many cosmetic dentists offer a teeth whitening service. This, in principle, is similar to the at home kit, but a professional takes care of the procedure.


Make sure you smile naturally


Smiling naturally is one of the best ways to highlight your face and show off your features. Your smile is unique to you. So try and encourage yourself to smile more naturally. In front of the camera and socially. This will improve your confidence. A natural smile can even make your eyes light up. A forced smile can look fake and staged, which won’t be the effect you will be going for when trying to capture a memory.


Think about other cosmetic options


Are your teeth are causing you confidence issues? Or stopping your ability to smile naturally? Then you may want to consider alternative methods. There are plenty of cosmetic dentists that offer options to improve how your teeth and smile looks. There is the possibility of using braces to straighten your teeth, or even considering things like veneers for a more polished finish. All these options will cost you money, and surgery or any cosmetic enhancement needs to be well researched before any decisions are made.


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Eat and drink the right things


Finally, a lot of what we consume can have a huge effect on how our teeth look. Things like coffee, red wine, berries and tomatoes. They can all stain your teeth and cause discoloration. While it’s fine to treat yourself to these foods, make sure you give your teeth a good brush at your earliest opportunity.


I hope this advice will help you be more confident in front of the camera when smiling.
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