Monthly Archives: November 2018

4 Great Side Income Ideas

The internet has opened up the realms of opportunity wide when it comes to earning money, even in the form as a side income. If you are finding that you would like another stream of income, therefore, either because you are not earning quite as much as you’d hope from your main income or because you wish to build on something that means you can stop doing your main job, there are many options out there. In the following post we are going to highlight a few of our favorites.

Surveys

Do you like giving your opinion on things? Surveys have become one of those fun ways you can earn money online. One in particular we like is WalGreenListens, that gives you the chance to fill out surveys from some of the biggest brands in the country. They all, more or less, work the same way – you give your opinion by answering a series of usually multi-choice questions and are remunerated for your efforts. Pretty simple, eh?

Freelance Writing

Do you have a talent for being able to put words together in a fluid, interesting and engaging manner? Do you enjoy writing? If the answer is yes to those questions, you could earn a side income doing some freelance writing. This is a popular way to earn money online and many people actually do it as their main form of employment. The reason it is so popular is that it is incredibly easy to get started in. There are a wide variety of different sites and platforms that help you to advertise your skills or give you the chance to bid and send proposals on jobs. There are various ways you can get paid too, so you might get paid per article/piece of writing, paid an hourly wage or for bigger projects when you’ve completed the work.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways to earn money online, and with good reason. While it would be foolish to say it is easy to make money this way, it is easy to get started. You don’t even have to be the most gifted website designer or know anything really technical. Essentially, you join an affiliate scheme with a particular company or retailer, such as Amazon, and you are given a special code that you can use when featuring reviews or pieces about items sold on Amazon that if people click on while on your site, and eventually buy something, you will earn a little bit of money in commission. It does take a lot of time and patience and to really get good at it, you also need to do some research, but you can still go from a rank beginner to having a successful affiliate marketing income.

Guest Posts

Already have a blog set up? Is it successful or in a small niche that is only just flourishing? Whatever the position you are in, one of the great ways to monetize your website or blog is to offer people the chance to post on your blog in the form of guest posts. It basically means that they get the benefit of your readership and visitors by paying for you to post one of their own blog posts, while giving them a link back to their site. This is a great way to make money because, again, it is relatively easy to follow through on. You literally just have to post their content and sort a link. They pay you for the privilege.

 

Hire Servers to Make Your Holiday Party More Enjoyable for You and Your Guests

Hosting a party is a great way of getting friends and family together, and also a networking opportunity if you are inviting business colleagues. Whether you are hosting in your own home or at a hired venue, getting everything just right is the key to a successful party, and there is so much to do! The trick to organising a great party is to start early; make a list of what you want to do – think about a theme, for example – and who you will be inviting, and then start looking for your venue!

Of course, in and around Los Angeles you have the pick of some excellent party venues, but you probably want to host one in your own home and grounds. These are often the best kind of parties as there is no pressure on anyone, and after all, who doesn’t love a garden party! With the right weather, great food, a fabulous crowd and perhaps some live music, you’ve got the perfect holiday party! If it’s a winter party you’re organising, one for the festive season, all the better, and we have a great way of making things go even more smoothly.

Take the Pressure off You

So, you’ve organised your guest list, got the food sorted, and you are excited for your party. Yet, you know that when it happens, you will be pulled here, there and everywhere to help serve, make sure things are going well and to attend to little problems. You don’t want any of that; you want to take your time, relax and enjoy yourself, so we recommend you hire serving staff to take the pressure off you. You might be surprised to learn how affordable it is to get hold of trained, professional servers who will attend to all your guests, leaving you to mingle and catch up with old friends.

Furthermore, you’re in luck if you’re in the LA region, as Los Angeles Party Staffing can offer you the very best people, and at sensible rates that will not break the bank. They have a team of highly experienced waiter and waitresses, who can help you with table set up, tray service, formal dining service, and washing and cleaning after the event. If you need bar serving staff, Los Angeles Party Staffing can provide you with friendly, professional bartenders experienced in serving everything from cocktails to wine, shots and more, and who will ensure that your bar area is well-presented and clean at all times.

With such professional service on call at great rates – check the website for more information and get in touch for a quote – you can be sure of a great weight taken off your mind whether your party is formal, casual or for a religious or other celebration. It makes sense if you want to enjoy your party with no added pressure to get in touch with Los Angeles Party Staffing now, and see how they can help you.

How To Transform Your Bedroom Into A Comfortable, Inviting Retreat

Do you want your bedroom to be a cosy, attractive retreat from the world? Course you do! So, here are some great tips to transform your bedroom into just that.

  1. Paint The Walls

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to transform any space is by painting it. Adding a fresh coat of paint is particularly effective in rooms where the walls are dirty, damaged, or discolored. While gray is still one of the most popular colors in the world of interior design, you may want to opt for a shade of green or blue instead. In essence, any cool color will help create a calming space that promotes relaxation, which is perfect for a bedroom. 

  1. Choose Your Wall Art Carefully

Hanging art on the walls is a great way to showcase your personal style. Avoid going overboard, however. In the bedroom, it is always best to keep things simple. Consider choosing one large piece of artwork that will act as a focal point for the space. If you prefer, you can decorate with mirrors instead. Hanging beautifully-framed beveled mirrors on the wall is a great way to add visual interest to your space and can also help the room feel bigger. One of our favourite things to do on the wall is to create a custom neon sign. These can look amazing in the evening.

  1. Reuse Items That You Already Have

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to completely revamp your space. Rather than buying a lot of new items, try reusing pieces that you already have. Experiment with moving furniture or artwork into your bedroom from other rooms in your home. You may find that pieces that you have had forever look completely different when you put them in another room.

  1. Don’t Follow The Trends

Just like in the world of fashion, trends are common in the world of interior design. Unfortunately, they don’t tend to last very long. At some point, things that are trendy today will become outdated. If you base your style around current trends, that means that your room will need to be redecorated a lot more often if you want it to stay fresh and modern. A much better option is to go with a classic style. That way, you don’t have to worry about your decor becoming outdated. 

  1. Use Houseplants To Liven Up The Space

One of the fastest ways to breathe life into any room is by bringing in houseplants. Plants are extremely popular right now – especially since much of today’s interior design centers around botanical and tropical themes. The best part is, plants are usually far more affordable than fresh flowers, meaning that you can add style to your space without having to spend a ton of money. They also last a lot longer as long as you properly care for them.

  1. Regularly Replace Your Mattress

All mattresses wear out over time, with the average lifespan being approximately eight years. If it has been longer than that since you last replaced your mattress, it is definitely worth thinking about buying a new one. A comfortable, supportive mattress can make a real difference in the quality of your sleep – check out these reviews for Mattress Firm

When deciding on a mattress, think about your current sleeping habits and lifestyle. Over time, your needs may change. For instance, if you are experiencing back pain, you may want to look for a firm mattress. On the other hand, if you sleep on your side, a memory foam mattress may be a better choice.

  1. Take On Some DIY Projects

Nothing is quite as satisfying as taking an old, outdated piece of furniture and transforming it into something new and exciting. The best part is, you can often completely change the look of a piece simply by painting it. Chalk paint is a great choice since it can be applied to any surface without requiring any prep work. Painting your furniture can totally transform the way it looks, making it much more suitable for your current decorating scheme.

The Benefits Various Of Ethanol Fireplaces

The formative weeks of any summer are spent on the beaches, barbecuing, and doing some yard work. It is only until mid-July when many homeowners start to think of how they can improve their homes, owing to the fact they spend the vast majority of their time indoors owing to the heat of the summer. If you find yourself in need of home improvement ideas, we have a good suggestion – install a bioethanol fireplace in readiness for winter.

Ethanol Burners As Compared To Others

The traditional fireplaces require firewood that has been properly seasoned. You still have to cut, haul, and then lit the firewood to make a fire. Moreover, you still need to a chimney, enormous space for the fireplace and wood storage, and you must meet the stringent regulations governing the insulation and use of wood fireplaces. Many houses are not capable of meeting all these capabilities. On the other hand, gas fireplaces are not always appropriate, depending on the size of the space you want to heat.

An ethanol burner accord homeowners with the opportunity to install a fireplace that fits their unique requirements and needs. Additionally, these fireplaces are very easy to install and they do not require the installation of a chimney or flue. They can be used indoors and outdoors. On the financial front, they are much cheaper too than gas and wood fireplaces to install and maintain. They are virtually maintenance-free.

In terms of flame quality, they burn with a beautiful orange flame that accentuates the ambiance in which they are used. In many regards, they become the focal point of any space they are installed in.

They are also very effective in warming up the spaces where they are used. Finally, they are easy to regulate and extinguish once you are done using them.

Forms of Installations And Fireplaces

An ethanol fireplace is very flexible in as far as installation goes. They can be installed on the floor, on tables, on the wall, on hearths without any problems. When properly installed, these fireplaces add value to your home when and if you want to sell your property. They also help out in refinancing situations.

Purchasing A Ethanol Fireplace

At our store, we do offer our high-quality bioethanol fireplaces on sale from time to time. And whether you purchase a catalog or clearance burner, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you have purchased your burner from a licensed dealer who has professionally installed it for you.

 

5 Must-Follow Car Safety Tips For Families

 

 

When you have a family, it is important that you make sure that they are safe at all times. One of the most dangerous places for your family to be is in your car. Accidents can happen very quickly and so you need to be prepared for anything that might come up. In this article, we’ll talk you through some tips for car safety for your family. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more about this.

Make Sure Everyone Has A Seatbelt

When you are in a rush, it can be easy to forget to check that all of your kids have their seatbelt on. In fact, some parents spend so much time worrying about their kids that they forget to put their own seatbelt on. This is something which you should avoid if you want to keep your family safe. On top of this, you should never have more people in the car than there are seats as this can be very dangerous.

Check Your Airbags

Most cars these days come fitted with airbags but once they have been used they might need to be replaced. It is very important that you make sure that the airbags in your car are properly functioning and that they are going to save you if something happens. If your airbags are very old, then you might benefit from having them checked out.

Check Your Horn

Many people think that car horns are only used for telling off other drivers when they cut you off but they are actually there for safety. Car horns can alert other drivers to your presence and they can come in very handy when it comes to preventing an accident. You should make sure that you get your car horn replaced if it is damaged and never drive without one.

Keep Young Kids In The Back

Another great safety tip for families is to make sure that small children sit in the back. The airbags that are fitted in the front of your car could seriously damage a small child if it were to hit them which is the opposite of what you would want. Make sure that you keep any kids who are under 12 in the backseat where they will be safer.

Stay Calm

Our final tip for family car safety is to remain calm at all times. When your kids are energetic and making a lot of noise, it can be easy to get distracted or agitated. If you are driving, you need to make sure that you are entirely focused on the road, so you can’t have a lot of noise and people moving about in their seats. If you can convince your kids to stay calm and you can do it yourself, then you’ll be driving a lot more safely.

Follow our tips if you want to make an effort to keep your family safe when going for a drive.

Why You Should Consider Personalised Baby Gifts

If a friend or relative has recently had a baby or is about to, you may be finding it overwhelming trying to find a great gift. You obviously want to the parents-to-be something that shows how delighted you are about their new arrival. But you also don’t want your gift, especially if you are particularly close to them, to be just like everyone else is going to get them. You want it to stand out, because you want them to know you love them and gave their gift some thought.

Have you considered personalised gifts? If you haven’t, it might be time to really think about it. In the following post we are going to look at some good reasons why.

Great Way to show You Really Thought About Their Gift

Anyone can buy baby clothes for a new-born. However, it takes an especially close friend to buy something like a personalised baby grow. If you know the gender and name, they are going to call the baby, it can be a great way to give them something that really stands out from other baby clothes and accessories, because let’s face it, they all look the same.

Even if you are intending on buying something with neutral colours because you don’t know the gender or the name, you could use your friend’s surname to give it personalised touch. These personalised gifts will be made to order and usually engraved with a laser marking machine. Your friends will see that you didn’t just pick up a pack of 8 baby grows from the local supermarket (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but instead, gave their gift some thought.

Stands Out from The Crowd

As we already noted above, baby clothes, while nice and cute, are all very much the same. If you’ve seen one knotted hat or blanket, you’ve seen them all. That doesn’t mean your gift for those proud parents-to-be in your life has to eb the same as everyone else. Personalised gifts are a great way to put a unique touch on something. Personalised bibs or even a blanket, that features the family name, will make it really stand out from the crowd of all those other similar items.

Why Buy from Made in the Moon?

So, we’ve discussed a few reasons why you should consider personalised baby gifts for those new parents in your life. Where is the best place to get these kinds of baby gifts? Right here at Made in the Moon, that’s where. Why? They have been a family-run business that are small but design and print off some truly beautiful personalised baby gifts, including t-shirts, blankets, bibs, hats, baby grows and so much more.

We really like the fact that they are a family business, as it means they are not just some faceless corporation looking to make a quick buck. Not only does a lot of care and attention go into the production of their products, but they are all made from incredibly soft 100% cotton, so you know those new babies in your life are going to be treated to the best in quality.

 

Benefits of Using Jade Rollers

There are some beauty routines that you will partake in as a matter of course: moisturising your skin, for example, using your preferred lotions and balms, is always a good routine to follow. Some area of the skin need very careful attention, and these tend to be where it is at its softest and most tender. Take the skin in your face: this is the focus of anyone who is talking to you, and you want to loo your best for the right impression. Looking after your facial skin is essential, so what do you do to make sure you have it covered?

If you read the beauty magazines and browse the internet regularly for the latest information and ideas, you will have read of many different beauty products and regimes, plenty of which have their roots in ancient Chinese and eastern medicine and practices. Indeed, there are so many that it is difficult to know how to approach these: are they real, as claimed, or are they promising something they cannot deliver? Some are genuine, and very popular, but there are a couple that are also very effective, yet are not so well known.

Why Use Jade?

Jade is a semi-precious stone you are probably familiar with – it’s a very beautiful stone after all – but what about its use as a beauty product? For many centuries, jade has been used as a skin care product in the Asian world, and is renowned for its ability to rejuvenate the skin and keep it fresh and glowing. How it does this, nobody really knows, but like many natural products it is proven, and the results will impress you greatly when you first try using a jade roller.

Our research found No.1 Jade facial roller Australia uses, and it’s from Zudoya. They provide premium, quality jade facial rollers that, when you start to use them, will produce the results you want: clear, fresh and young-looking skin. The rollers are beautifully presented and designed for facial use, providing a soothing and cool massage action that will reduce any baggage on your skin and help revitalise it, as it has done for millions of women in the regions of the world where it was first used.

Full Package

Buy from Zudoya and you get a beautiful jade roller – they also offer a similar product that uses Rose Quartz, another stone with refreshing properties – plus a luxury box to store it in, a manual that tells you how to get the best out of your new jade roller, and a special refrigerator bag that you use to cool the roller down before use for maximum effect.

This may be a new approach to facial beauty for you – we are sure it will be for many readers – but if you read the comments from satisfied buyers on the website you will see that it is a great purchase for you, and furthermore, you get a lovely crystal bracelet as a free gift. Have a look now, and try jade rollers for more beautiful skin.

Arranging Local Relocation to Los Angeles

If you are planning a house move in and around Los Angeles we feel your pain! In fact, no matter where you are, the fact remains that moving house is nothing but a chore, albeit often a necessary one. It is reckoned to be one of the most stressful occasions you will ever have to deal with, which is why many people move once – and then never again! There is, quite simply, so much to do that it can be overwhelming, and you also have to carry on with your daily life and deal with your job and your family.

What can be done to make moving house easier? Well, it’s never easy, but there are some things you can do to reduce the stress and make the process more achievable. To begin with, we strongly advise you plan ahead, and do so with a great deal of care and attention. You need to consider all the people who will need to know about your address change – insurance companies, banks, utility providers, even the authorities that deal with your driving license records – and make a list. Do this early in the process, and you will find you can deal with them one by one.

Relieving the Stress

There are other things you can do to relieve the stress involved in moving house – or indeed in relocating a business or in commercial moving – and these include one that you really must do: get help from professional movers, with experience in the field. Indeed, for those of you looking to relocate in Los Angeles, we suggest you talk to the friendly people at Excalibur Moving and Storage. They are recognised as among the best Los Angeles movers and a company you can rely on, with 15 years of experience in helping with all types of moving requirements.

Excalibur offers a full range of services and solutions in the local house moving field, and will be able to help you with any move, as no job is too large and no requirement too small. With a highly skilled team of packers and handlers, you can be certain that your furniture and other belongings will be treated with the utmost care. If you need to store any items , you can talk to Excalibur about their excellent rates for storage in safe and secure locations.

Sensible Rates

One thing you should do when planning your house move is draw up a budget; you’ll be surprised how much extra expense there is that you may not have covered, above and beyond the conveyancing and solicitors fees. Within your budget, make sure you include a sensible amount for professional moving services.

Excalibur will take a thorough inventory of your items and provide you with an accurate, free and no-obligation quote, and you can be assured they have a reputation for excellent service at great rates. If you’re ready to go, get in touch with the team at Excalibur Moving now, and make your Los Angeles move as stress-free as possible.

Moving Out of State With Kids

There is no doubt that moving house is one of the most stressful and troublesome events you will ever have to endure. It doesn’t matter whether you are moving a distance or locally, or whether you have an entire house to move or just a few things, there is so much to do in terms of organisation that it really does take its toll on you – and also on your family. For people with kids, moving – especially a major out of state transfer – can be nothing short of a nightmare!

This is why it takes careful planning to make sure you everything ticked off and done. We suggest making a list of the utility providers you need to inform, plus anyone else who needs to know of a change of address. You will also need to arrange in advance with schools in your new locality, so you can be sure of seamless transition for the children. There is also one major suggestion we would make, and it’s one that really will give you a head start: use a reputable, professional moving company, as they will be able to take a lot of the workload off your shoulders.

Why GPS Moving?

There are many companies offering professional moving and other services and solutions in and around the San Diego area, yet we found that GPS Moving, a company with many satisfied clients willing to testify to excellent service, attention to detail and sensible rates, have a reputation as being among the most efficient out of state movers in the region, with a full range of services designed to make your move as simple and stress-free as possible.

GP Movers begin by having a good look at what you need moving – they can attend to simple house moves, specialist items, and also commercial moving and corporate relocation – so that they can provide you with not only a no-obligation estimate, but also advise you on any special attention that may be needed. Their friendly, professional team will help you plan ahead and ensure that everything is in place exactly when it is needed, in order that you can take care of the more personal details that you need to do in person.

Simple and Stress Free

Not only will GPS Moving attend to any moving requirements you have – no job is too large or too small, and they have a team of handlers and drivers who have a wealth of experience in the field – but they will also help with packing, which is a major bonus when it comes to moving items that are precious to you and may need careful handling.

With 20 years of experience in carrying out both long distance and local moves, and with excellent storage facilities and rates to match, you can rely upon GPS Moving to get the job done smoothly, quickly and professionally, so if you’re looking for such a service, get in touch with them right now and one of the team will be only too happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

5 Parenting Tips For Exam Time

Students naturally find exams to be a source of added stress, and this stress can easily spread to parents. Raising a teenager contributes a healthy load of tension to the family dynamic. That tension grows greater when kids are preparing for exams. All too many parents have discovered that some of their attempts to support their children in this challenging time can be counter-productive.

With exam season gearing up for kids of all ages, we’ve taken this opportunity to assemble a collection of effective and reasonable parenting tips for exam time. 

1) Give Passes On Small Responsibilities

During exams and during the frantic preparations that precede them, cut your teenagers some slack on their ordinary household responsibilities. Chores might not get done. Rooms might be messier than you usually like them. Keep your priorities straight and accept a little slack while your children concentrate on bigger issues.

Many parents find themselves automatically reverting to nagging and hectoring during exam season. This is a perfect time to ease off on your kids’ household chores so that they’re free to dedicate more time to studying.

Don’t let these acts of charity pass unnoticed, though. Remind your children that this is a temporary bit of liberty. It’s entirely reasonable to expect your kids to “catch up” on cleaning and other responsibilities once their exams are complete. Make sure they know this, and don’t let them slide so far that they’ll have to spend their entire summer making up for missed chores!

2) Discuss Exam Anxiety With Your Children

Past experience might make you hesitant, but it’s important to make yourself available when your children are ready to talk about their exam situation. Gauge their mood carefully. How pressured do your kids feel? Do they consider certain results to be absolutely required? Let them know that this sort of performance anxiety is completely normal. Build up their confidence by reminding them of how hard they’ve worked to master their material. You may also want to point them toward our student tips on managing exam stress.

3) Make Space In Kids’ Schedules For Exercise

The drive to excel can be overpowering when your teen children are preparing for their exams. You may think conditions are ideal if your kids drive themselves to study past work and textbooks relentlessly. Be careful, though! Reducing their lives to an unending cycle of sleep-eat-study can be counter-productive for students.

Physical activity helps to elevate a student’s mood by encouraging the release of endorphins. These chemicals have a potent relaxing effect and can work wonders at easing the stress of exam preparations. Step up as a parent by encouraging more exercise during exam time. Make yourself available to shuttle your kids to sports activities or offer to cover the financial costs of regular trips to the gym. Collaborate with your kids in building a balanced study schedule; make sure they’re taking regular breaks to do something physically engaging.

4) Safeguard Their Health And Nutrition

You can do more good work to keep your kids’ lives in balance during exam prep time. Take the initiative to suggest regular breaks for de-stressing and chilling out, and do what you can to keep their diet healthy. Don’t let your children study for hours on end, surviving on a diet of “at the desk” snacks and heavily-caffeinated drinks. You don’t want to let your kids ruin their health and find themselves under the weather when exam time finally comes.

5) Make Your Expectations Clear

Exams play a huge role in charting out the course of your children’s future, both academic and professional. It’s only natural for you to want them to excel. Make sure you’re not overloading your kids with your own burdensome expectations, though; this can multiply the level of stress teens experience leading up to exams. Remember that the vast majority of students hold themselves to very high standards without external expectations. Loading your children down with extra pressure and sky-high performance demands can do more harm than good. If they feel they need help then start Googling “maths tuition near me” to get someone in to work with them on the subject they need aid with.

Parental pressure can take the form of explicit demands, like telling your kids that they must achieve specific exam results. Watch out for subtler forms of pressure, too. Don’t make your kids more anxious by discussing your exam expectations in front of their friends or talking to other adults about their academic performance in front of them.