‘Tis the season to be innovative and smart. Christmas is just around the corner, and with the holiday comes a plethora of tiny tasks and obligations. Christmas is a big event in every household, but everyone tends to forget that preparations are no walk in the park. And they always fall on you to execute. If you’re organizing a party for a large number of people – perhaps for your extended family, friends, or colleagues at work – you may want to think about hiring out London Christmas party venues or similar ones close to you in order to accommodate all of your guests. Of course, the planning and organization needed to pull something like this off will be quite the undertaking.

That is why we brainstormed about potential Christmas decorations that are cheap and easy to make. We came up with 6 essential elements of DIY decoration – something you simply must include in your festive embellishment. Here are our Xmas décor essentials.

Wine Bottles

Every household has a heap of old, unused bottles. They are generally considered trash that you take out before holidays roll in. We say that’s wrong! Instead of throwing them out, you can find them a new purpose during Christmas. They are, as all items on our list, very versatile. You can combine them with other Xmas décor essentials, such as glitter or yarn. Here are a few ideas.

You can cover them in glitter and place them on the table or shelf. If you like minimalism, simply painting them in two glittery colors might be enough. If, however, you like to go all in, you can stick little DIY paper stars, or use hot glue to attach yarn. Yarn adds a little bit of old-school Xmas vibe to the ornament. You can also put the fairy lights inside the bottle. That way, you get a bright bottle (try not to go overboard with glitter here) to lighten up the room.

Pinecones

Well, this one is obvious. Pinecones are for many the definition of Christmas ornamentation. They are beautiful and truly flexible. Most decorations revolve around or include a cone or two. We are guessing that you are very familiar with this decorative element, but have you ever tried dipping them in paint? That way you get a two-color pinecone that can be a part of a wreath on the front door or table. You can take a large glass bowl and fill it with multicolor cones – just add some fairy lights and you are all set.

Pinecones are one of the most important parts of holiday decorations. They evoke the spirit of Christmas – and as such are an inevitable part of the festivities. We gave you a few simple ideas, but you can place them wherever you want and style them according to your preferences.

Glitter

Oh, where do we start with this one? Glitter is the definition of party spirit. And what else is Christmas than a large party? If you are throwing a party, make sure to include edible glitter for the kids. Plus, kids love playing with glitter. After the kids go to sleep, you’ll have a set of decorations to take the party to the next level.

Who knows, you might even end up playing games with your friends – like poker, or online casino games that you can find right here on websites like Casino Bloke, a venue fully dedicated to the ever-growing iGaming industry. You could stay ready for every event with glittery decor and makeup, be it an at-home party or going out for late drinks. Moreover, who doesn’t want to look out of the world as well as have fantastic and shiny food while playing an online game similar to Zoome casino.

One of the best things about glitter is that is very cheap and very easy to use. You can spray glitter on wreaths; cover bottles (see above), or apply glitter confetti to tree decorations. Tree ornaments are a vast area for exploration, especially if you combine it with glitter.

Candles

Another great item for Christmas experimentation. They are great for table decorations, but there are other places for them as well. For this special holiday, people typically buy red, green, or white candles. You can try any other color that suits the rest of your ornaments.

In terms of size, we recommend larger candles in a cluster. This way, you can place them on a shelf, coffee table, or dining table. You can add a few pinecones or spray some glitter – the choice is yours. For simple decorations, use tealights or votives. Use hot glue to attach them to a string or place them inside jars.

Yarn

The one thing that can unite all these elements is yarn. The yarn gives a traditional and rustic vibe to the whole product. If you want a décor that looks like it came from Instagram – yarn is the answer. But it is not just pretty – it is very useful.

You can wrap and tie it around candles in a cluster. You can attach it to tree ornaments sprayed with glitter. Wrap it around wreaths, fairy lights, or even bottles. Essentially, the possibilities are endless.

Fairy Lights

If you decide to forego the intricate festive ornaments and go with one thing only, fairy lights are the one for you. By just adding fairy lights to your window, door, or wall, you will create a sense of full decoration for your guests. The place will look classic and elegant. If you are throwing a party for your friends, string lights are a must. If you turn off all other lights, you will create a more subtle, intimate atmosphere perfect for a family gathering.

You have many options with these lights in terms of color and shape. They can be white, orange, or even multicolor. If you choose to go with the regular fairy lights with one color only, be careful. They should suit the color scheme of your home.

When it comes to style there’s nothing permanent. The looks of people changes rapidly and what’s the norm today might well not be in just a few months. So what we considered fashionable ten or twenty years ago is no longer popular. The very same happens to people’s style over the years. To keep up with trends we have to keep evolving our style constantly. If you feel that you need a huge change keep reading, as I’m about to give you three simple steps to renew your style. And since the New Year is almost here, it’s a perfect moment to renew our style: “New Year, new me”.

The first step is to reinvent your smile. The smile is one of the key components to the image that you project, and it stands out at first glance. If you tweak your smile, something very easy to do nowadays, your face brightens up immediately. It may sound ridiculous but most people are not happy with their teeth. What they don’t realize is that it’s super safe and inexpensive to take cosmetic dentistry treatments such as veneers teeth Turkey. Having lovely teeth doesn’t ever go out of fashion, especially if it comes with a lovely holiday in the sun attached!

The second step is a no brainer: change your hairstyle. It says a lot about your personality so you need to be comfortable with the new style. Everybody has a dream hairstyle or color but are afraid to take that risk. Perhaps now it’s your perfect chance to try!

Your hairdresser should be able to give you some advice on what’s trending right now, which kind of style matches your face, etc. 

Step three would be your clothing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed at this point, but don’t stress out: we’re giving you some hints…

Perhaps you could start by searching online and trying to find a style icon, although this is not absolutely necessary. Some people go as far as creating a mood board.

Another good idea, if you usually shop at the same stores, is to try shopping in different shops. That’s always exciting!

As mentioned earlier, nothing stays permanently as the norm. Just have a really good look at your closet and try to find the patterns you’ve followed in recent years. Once you’ve identified what your outfits have in common is time to decide what’s wrong with it.

Decide what you need to change. Keep only what you’re 100% comfortable with. Now let’s let the fun begin: go shopping! Try new styles and don’t be afraid to experiment.

In any case, it always pays off to be creative and create your very own style by combining these three steps at your wish (and re-tweaking it after). In fashion, there’s nothing that stays immutable over time, and what works for some people doesn’t necessarily work for yourself.

And lastly a bonus tip, the one that tops everything up: you may add something unique to your style, a signature look. This could be an accessory, a funky colour or a print, or even a beauty trick such as a special way of wearing make-up.

A perfect example of this was Amy Winehouse and her signature way of wearing eyeliner. In fact, if you ask anyone if they know who she was, most people would double-check they remember right by referring to her eyes or eyebrows.

So go ahead and get with your perfect smile, new hairdo and new closet, add your unique signature piece and start rocking the world!

As the holiday season approaches, it can become more difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle. The party season may get into full swing, the drinks are flowing, there is an abundance of unhealthy food on offer, and temptation can be too much to resist. However, just because the festivities have begun doesn’t mean that you have to forfeit your healthy lifestyle – you simply need to think a little more outside of the box and be more proactive and deliberate in your choices.

Everyone knows about the importance of healthy eating to maintain good physical and mental well being. But, there are other aspects of your life that are worthy of consideration. Take a look at these three simple ways that you can lead a healthier lifestyle even over the holiday season.

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Food

The Christmas turkey, cakes, puddings and treats on offer might be tempting, but you should limit your intake of sugary and fat laden morsels. However, don’t banish them altogether. Moderation is key. If you are at a party and the canapes are irresistible, have a couple. Just don’t eat a dozen. If the pudding on offer is a decadent and rich chocolate affair, share it with a pal. By enjoying little tasters of the treats on offer, you aren’t piling on the calories but you can still enjoy a sample of what is available.

If you struggle with your diet, ensure that you eat the rainbow. Choose colorful vegetables to add to your diet every day and mix up the way you cook them. Steamed vegetables are great with steak or lean meats. Alternatively, if you don’t want to cook steak regularly, you can freeze cooked steak and use it for a couple of months. Stir-fries are perfect accompaniments to spicy dishes. And raw vegetables can be the perfect way to maximize the nutrients that you are putting into your body. Swap the refined white carbs for whole grains and eat plenty of lean meat and fish rather than convenience food and fatty takeaways. While you’re making all of these meals, you can ensure that you’re living a healthy lifestyle by embracing an organic lifestyle and investing in eco-friendly products like those mentioned on the blog pages of Smart Organic Living. It may also offer you a sense of fulfillment to know that you’re doing your part to save the earth we live on.

Get Active

Just because the winter is drawing in and the evenings are getting colder, you shouldn’t be sitting in front of your TV watching your favorite box set every night. You need to be proactive and get out there. While jogging around the park late at night in the dark isn’t safe, you can head to the gym. Take a pal and make it a more sociable affair. You could add an element of friendly competition and race one another over 5k on the treadmill. Perhaps you enjoy the fun filled boxing and spin classes. Or maybe you want to tone up and the dumbells are calling you. Get active and find yourself utilizing your gym membership.

If you are reliant on your car, make sure that you use public transport a little more and get off a stop early when commuting to work. This can see you walking a little further and being in the great outdoors a little more. All too often we can become cooped up in our place of work never to see the light of day. Natural light is a real mood lifter, so ensure that you go for a brief walk every day. The sunlight also regulates your body clock and can help you sleep better.

Cars are getting a bad reputation for their gas guzzling and environment damaging properties. By taking the bus you are doing your bit for the environment. You might also limit your chances of being in a collision. Head to The NBA Law Firm and see the most common causes of car collisions. Limit your chances of getting into an accident by foregoing your vehicle altogether.

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Relax

Stress is becoming more prominent in twenty first century living. If you have an overbearing boss at work, you have unrealistic targets to meet or you are working overtime, it can be difficult to relax. However, you must find the time to pursue your own interests. This might mean heading to play soccer on the weekend, venturing to the gym in the evening or relaxing in the tub with your favorite book. Don’t ever risk burnout and strive to find the ideal work life balance. If you don’t, you may find yourself suffering from chronic stress.

Mindfulness is seen as a great way to help you worry less about what might not even happen in the future and remain more in the present. This is good to help you clarify your thoughts, stay focused on the here and now, and become less nervous about potential future outcomes. Check out the courses local to you and train your mind to manage stress in a more effective way.

Leading a healthy lifestyle can be tricky to maintain, especially when the holiday season could throw a spanner in the works. However, follow this guide, stay active, eat well, and relax, and you can maintain a healthier and happier existence.

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Whether you are a movie buff or a film newbie, there are many iconic films out there that are just begging to be watched in your lifetime. Films are a wonderful form of entertainment and some amazing stories can be told through the medium of video. 

If you are looking for holiday gift ideas for your family members this year or even just a little treat for yourself, buying a film or two can be the ideal choice. Here are the films that you simple have to watch before you die. 

Roman Holiday (1953)

Names like audrey and katharine hepburn have always been infamous, and if you have never seen Audrey on screen this is the movie you should start with. This film is about the royal princess Ann and her trip to Rome to find herself, and love. It’s a romantic comedy ideal for a cosy night in on a winter’s night. 

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Indiana Jones is a legend, and if you have never watched this archaeology teacher in action then you should start now. Harrison Ford is perfect for the role and this shows everything that’s great about classic action movies. 

Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio and they have produced some stunning films during their career. Spirited Away is the story of a young girl who takes a job in a bath house in order to save her parents. Encounters with spirits and stunning animation make this a great film for children and adults alike.

Un Chien Andalou (1928)

Not all films have to be 2 hours long, and this 16 minute short film is proof of what can be done with a limited amount of time. Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí created a stunning film here that changed the landscape of cinema for good. 

Avengers (2012)

Whether you love superhero movies or not, this Marvel Studios film marked a huge shift in cinema by pulling off the most ambitious crossover on film in recent years. After giving Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America their own solo movies, this film brings well-developed characters seamlessly together to build the ultimate shared universe. It was a huge risk that could have ruined Marvel’s chances, but instead propelled them to success. 

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick created a creepy, surreal film back in the 80’s with Jack Nickleson in the title role. Visit the Overlook Hotel and experience the oddities inside that can drive a man insane.  

Monty Python and the Holy Grail 

‘Tis but a scratch! This movie is one of classic British slapstick melded with historical references, and John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry GIlliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin created something unique that would change the comedy genre forever. Plus you’ll get to see grown men running around banging coconuts together. It’s a win win. 

Jingle All The Way (1996) 

Just for a bit of festive fun, this movie is one you should absolutely put on while you wrap your presents for the family. What could be better than watching Arnold Schwarzenegger running around looking for an action figure on Christmas Eve?!

When you’re a mom who is trying to juggle looking after your children, managing your household, and a full-time job, it can be extremely easy to find yourself crumbling under the pressure to find enough time and money to ensure that everything is taken care of. Whilst it can feel at times like you are carrying the weight of the world, there are some wonderful mom hacks that you can try to save yourself both time and money. 

Make Sure that You Have a Routine

One of the easiest traps to fall into when you’re an extremely busy mom is to get used to running around hectically without a routine. A good routine that you can follow strictly every day can help you to save some much-needed time as you don’t have to stop and think about what you should be doing next. As well as being an amazing way to save you some time in your busy life, it has been proven that having a strictly established routine is good for your mental health and can help to decrease the chances of developing bad stress and anxiety. Don’t just save your money and time, save your mental health as well! Taking care of yourself is just as important, if not more so, than taking care of your money.

Don’t Cook Everything Fresh

Whilst this may sound like you’re going to be feeding your family second-rate food, that simply is not true. A great way for a busy mom to save time is by batch cooking large amounts of fresh food that is then frozen and can be defrosted and served again at a later date. And the best part is that you won’t even be able to tell that it’s been frozen! Batch cooking is a fantastic way to save both time and money, as you won’t have to cook from fresh every day so you can spend some of that extra time doing more important tasks or, even better, relaxing and having some amazing downtime after a long, stressful day. In addition to saving time, batch cooking is an amazing technique to use if you want to save money on cooking, as you don’t have to continuously buy fresh ingredients, but you can still enjoy fresh homecooked food.

Find Discount Products

One of the best ways to cut down on spending money is by finding products that are essentially the same ingredients and perform the same service but at a much lower price. A great way to do this is by ditching the physical stores and start shopping online. With the just click of a button, you can find the same product at hundreds of different stores. That way you can directly and quickly compare which online store has the lowest price so that you are not overpaying. One of the things that most mothers cannot go a day without is their energy in a cup, a nice steaming cup of coffee. 

Whilst this is essential to most people’s morning routines, the amount that you spend on coffee can quickly add up to a very large and shocking price. A great way to conquer this is to look online to find cheaper and ethically manufactured coffee that will give you your pick-me-up without emptying your wallet. After all, the money you save on big brands can go towards doing something fun and amazing with your kids that they will remember for a lifetime say experts at Sambla.

Being a mom is a tough, full-time job, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to make your every single day life easier. Try some of these simple mom hacks to save time and money and see an instant change and improvement in your daily life.

We hear a lot about how we should take care of ourselves. The things that we should do to look after our health and wellbeing and improve our mood. But, something that we don’t hear much about is our senses and what we can do to keep them healthy and working well. 

Most of us assume that our senses will just naturally start to decline as we age. To an extent, this is true. We’ve got far fewer taste buds when we enter our 70’s than we had when we were 20. Our sight and hearing may start to decline from middle age, our skin becomes more delicate, and some people notice that their sense of smell isn’t as effective as it once was. Genetics also play a part. If your parents were near or farsighted, you are more likely to be the same. 

But, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing that you can do to improve your senses and slow any deterioration. There’s plenty that you can do to enhance your senses, and help them to stay young for longer. 

Protect Your Hearing

Most premature hearing loss is caused by long-term exposure to loud noises. If you work in a noisy environment or spend long periods of time at particular loud events, it’s worth investing in hearing protection, to reduce the risk of broken eardrums, swelling and hearing loss. 

Get Regular Checkups

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You should get your eyes tested at least once every two years. More often if you wear glasses or have noticed changes to your sight. These checkups shouldn’t just test how well you can see, but other areas of your eye health too. 

You might not need to get your other senses checked unless you notice sudden deterioration, pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. But, you should attend regular health MOTs to make sure your body is in good condition, and so supporting your senses efficiently.

Keep Clean

Dirt, bacteria and other germs can cause damage to our senses, so it’s important that we keep ourselves clean and practice good personal and home hygiene to stop any nasties invading our bodies. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Your diet can play a big part in keeping your senses healthy. A balanced diet with plenty of vitamin A, folic acid, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and plenty of water can help your senses to function well, keeping them healthy for longer. 

Get Some Exercise

You might not think that exercise could benefit your senses, but it can. Exercise boosts your circulation and lowers your blood pressure. This can keep all areas of our body working well. Yoga can be very good for your senses, and cardio activity will boost your overall health. 

Keep Warm

Being cold can be bad for your skin, affecting your sense of touch. It can lead to blocked noses and an inability to smell. Coldness can cause ear infections and damage, and you’ll find that things taste different if you are unwell with a winter bug. Keep yourself warm, and wrap up when it is cold outside.

Whilst the world has moved further ahead, women for a long time were considered inferior and secluded to the ‘comfort’ of their homes, ordered around to cook and cater to household and more ‘woman-friendly’ activities. However, with the advent of modernization and the immense struggle and strife worldwide, women have come center stage, albeit not on the same pedestal as men, but they are now increasingly becoming prominent outside of their homes and leading initiatives worldwide.

Sports is one of the latest sectors that women are growing increasingly comfortable in. Otherwise, for a wide period of time, it was believed that any kind of sport was meant only for men, and women did not have the temerity to sustain the rigor that came along with it. In this regard, cycling became a very popular sport for women, because it is a good exercise for the entire body and not only served as a means of transport, but allowed you to wander across to places that you otherwise would just ignore. Cycling is not just for recreational purpose, it is a serious professional activity too. Many professional and seasoned athletes time their cycling sessions for training purposes. They might also make use of cycling training apps to help them train better. Of course, you can also utilize training apps like Spoked (if interested, What to consider when buying a training cycling plan) to get personalized training sessions that can enable your training journey for the best. These training apps can also help you avoid unnecessary overworking injuries.

If you are a woman and are buying a bike for yourself, it is very important to first ascertain whether you are even interested in this sport or not. It is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, and to do it just to prove a point or just as an occasional pass time, would mean that you may be wasting your money on something that could potentially not benefit you. Similarly, if you are buying a bike for your girl child, or your girlfriend or your wife, you need to check beforehand, exactly how comfortable and interested she is, in trying to take up a sport which you may even be imposing her. Because if she does it out of her own free will, she is bound to enjoy it and sustainably take it forward, but if you force it down her, then her interest will be very short lived. Therefore, have her consent before you look towards buying any sort of bike.

Once it has been ascertained that there is indeed interest in the biking sector, then you should decide upon what size you want to go for. For that you may want to know her height and weight before you make the decision. This is because the size which you will advance towards will be in sight of that. Similarly, if there are some constraints in your life, some disability or injury that needs to be catered to, then you should choose a bike which can create a comfort zone for you rather than have you in constant pain.

One of the easiest way is to take her to the shop so she can look at a variety of bikes firsthand, so that you do not end up buying her one of the comfort bikes for women that she just does not like. Sometimes, your preferences are just not aligned with the other individual’s and it is perfectly alright to let her do the choosing. In this regard, she can choose the size of the tires, the kind of handlebar she wants, if she wants a small basket attached to it, what additional features she just does not want to compromise upon. There are a lot of things that guys may want that girls just may not be as attracted to, as is the case with the interests of girls. Don’t compromise with bike seat either, with a comfortable bike seat for women can go long trip without pain and maintain hip flexibility. Comfort matter too, right?

Similarly, it is also important to note that the decision may not entirely be gender specific. Even amongst girls, some would rather have a mountain bike (maybe one with even a Braze-On Front Derailleur) to rigorously take with them on their journeys, whilst others would be completely fine with getting a standard bike. It is just a matter of preferences and interest and it is best to sort these things out before you buy anything. After all the choices you make now, would matter!

If you are buying a bike for a woman without her knowing it, then it would be great to get a bike which comes with an exchange policy so that if she does not like it or is fond of another bike, then she can exchange it to get the bike of her dreams. After all, she is the one riding it so let her do the choosing.

Another option is to get a motorized bike, especially if she regularly commutes by bicycle. Motorized bikes have small engines powered by either gas or electricity that make pedaling easier, allowing the rider to take breaks without stopping. There are many types of motorized bikes built for different purposes. Learn how she uses her bike to choose the best model for her.