Author Archives: kirsty

Fall in Love with a Private Blue Cruise in Turkey

One of the most exciting ways to explore the beautiful azure blue waters surrounding the southwestern coastline of Turkey is on a blue cruise, but what is even better is when it is a tailor-made adventure just for you.

Whether you are traveling with an old flame, recently fell in love or searching to meet a special someone then look no further than taking a private blue cruise Turkey with Alaturka Yachting and Cruises.

The Ideal Gulet

The most difficult part will be deciding which Turkish yacht or gulet will best suite your desires.

Alaturka Cruises offers gulets for all budgets so you will certainly find what you want.

Standard gulets have all amenities to make your blue cruise comfortable including cabins with private bathrooms, sunbeds on the front deck, a shaded lounge, community fridge/freezer and bar area, and plenty of onboard games and sea activity equipment such as snorkeling gear and fishing poles.

The mid-range gulets include all amenities, but have more spacious bathrooms, modern interiors and air conditioning in the cabins.

For the ultimate blue cruise experience, luxury and deluxe yachts will provide the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. All gulets are equipped with TVs and DVD players for those that prefer to stay electronically connected, or a Jacuzzi on the upper deck for those who wish to sip champagne while soaking in the warm water under the stars.

Time to Set Sail

Now that you are on your gulet of choice, let’s hit the open seas and explore the Turquoise Coast.

Activities are plentiful while onboard whether you want to darken up your suntan while reading a romance novel, play poker with a special someone or drink a cold beer while reminiscing of past times.

If you want to discover the underwater world then grab your loved one and snorkeling gear to explore the lush marine life of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Experienced divers should be sure to make Kas a stop on your cruise to observe the Uluburun shipwreck from the Bronze Age or the WWII bomber plane near Flying Fish Reef. The plane lies at 58 meters (190’) so this is a dive for experienced lovers only.

Another fun-filled activity for couples is indulging in the mud baths in Dalyan. Help your loved one exfoliate by covering their body in warm mud infused with healing oils. Taking a dip in the sulfur pool feels amazing, but the smell is less than romantic.

The Most Amorous Sunsets

It goes without saying that sipping wine while watching the sun set over the sea is about as romantic as it can get, however with one of the many blue cruise destinations you can be surrounded by ancient history during this idealistic moment.

Most blue cruises make an overnight stop at St. Nicholas Island as the only way to get to the island is by boat. Pack your drink of choice and hike to the top of the hill to watch the beautiful sunset over the Aegean Sea.

The surrounding area of Demre is fantastic in many ways with the turquoise waters surrounding the partially sunken island of Kekova. Take photos next to the partially submerged Lycian rock tomb then hike up to Simena Castle and watch the sky fill with pink hues as the day comes to an end.

If you prefer to be served while watching the sun put herself to sleep, then have a romantic dinner at Panorama Restaurant in downtown Kas for a stunning view of Meis island and the beautiful blue sea. Be sure to indulge in the chocolate volcano dessert to finish off your date.

The Taste of Love

Of course so many of us love food, however the delightful flavors of this region in Turkey will leave a sweet taste in your mouth.

El Vino Restaurant located in Bodrum serves unique and seasonal dishes served with locally produced organic wine. The panoramic view from the rooftop terrace is special as Bodrum Castle shines brightly at night adding to the romantic feel of the marina below.

If you want to enjoy the rich taste of Turk kahvesi or Turkish coffee, then a stop at Bayramefendi Osmanli Kahvecisi in Fethiye should be part of your plan. Have the traditional coffee or get an added flavor such as chocolate, melon, hazelnut or caramel for a splash of modernity with this historically Ottoman drink. Damla sikizli is a gum-like resin that comes from the mastic tree, which is native to this region, and put into Turkish coffee as a special flavor from the coast.

For those that enjoy sexy food then make a reservation at Vanilla in Kaleici, the old town in the center of Antalya. Sleek, modern designs cozy up to Ottoman style architecture in this popular restaurant. Try the luscious goat cheese and walnut tagliatelle or share a bacon and pineapple pizza with your lover. Round out the meal with the decadent Turkish specialty baklava.

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Starting a Business from Home: What You Need to Know

More people than ever in the UK now work for themselves so the idea of running your own business from home is something anyone can consider as an achievable target. Starting a new business from the ground up does have many different challenges, including of course what kind of work you can earn enough money from in order to succeed.

Types of home businesses

There are now more ways of working from home that at any time in the past, and much of this is down to advances in communications technology. High-speed domestic broadband means anyone can be connected to the world to as big a degree as they want to be. You can run an international business without leaving your front door.

Online trading sites means that many UK entrepreneurs buy and sell goods online, dealing with suppliers and customers on an internationally basis. If you have knowledge of a particular thing that is in demand you can use your skill to ‘buy low, sell high’. Likewise, many people with creative writing or artistic skills can work as freelancers creating content for publishers, while others can use clerical and administrative experience to be a contractor working on out-sourced projects for an extremely wide range of companies.

Storage

While running a small home office needn’t impact much on the rest of the family, especially if you have a room set aside as a dedicated office space, any business that means dealing with stock or product deliveries can be tricky.

Obviously most families won’t want the whole house to become a stockroom. A garage can be used for storage, but increasingly many people whose self-employment involves buying and selling use secure rental storage facilities, as they are flexible in terms of how much space you need and are competitive cost-wise too.

Finances

Obviously, anyone making the move to starting their own business needs to take a long hard look at the financial implications. Funding might be needed in the early stages, invoicing, waiting for payments might cause cash flow problems, and dealing with the bookkeeping and HMRC requirements can take up valuable time.

Fortunately, there are some great accountants for contractors that do all the heavy lifting for you and can look after all the financial aspects of running a business from home that might seem too daunting for some who want to take the plunge.

Hard work

Of course, once you have everything in place the hard work really begins. Running you own business isn’t something that suits everyone, but if you have self-motivation and the ability to deal with the inevitable setbacks, you’ll be sure to be able to make a good go of things.

Knowing that there are plenty of ways you can share the burdens and use outside companies to help you navigate tricky areas such as finances that you might not have had to deal with before can be a very positive thing to bear in mind.

Perks of playing online bingo as a mom

Being a mother is always a huge responsibility irrespective of whether you are working or not. You tend to be so busy that sometimes you just feel like taking some time off to offer a moment to your self. This doesn’t mean you are trying to run away from your responsibilities, it just means you are willing to take a break now and then, in order to cool off your mind.

You can achieve that through online bingo as it is a great way to unwind yourself and have some excitement without making an effort. There are various benefits of playing bingo as a mom but I will just list down the two valuable one’s:

A great way of relaxing:

It proves to be great outlet of fun as along with playing bingo you get to socialize and make new friends with the same mindset. You don’t have to step out of their comfort zone to experience a game of bingo. They can easily access all the games even while doing the daily chores.

Win rewards effortlessly:

Online bingo proves to be a great way of earning money. The wide variety of websites available online are offering tempting rewards to all their players in the form of cash prizes, gift voucher and bonuses. You can even play free bingo and get a detailed overview of the site before converting into a depositing player. All you have to do is sign in to enjoy these impressive offers.

So, whenever you want some time off just sign in at New Look Bingo to experience the best free bingo offer with an extensive collection of games.

The Dangers of Hiring Unqualified Contractors

It can be very tempting, when you have a reasonably simple job that needs doing at your home or business, to hire an unqualified builder, plumber or electrician. The ‘odd job’ person can be quite convincing, when they regale you with numerous examples of impressive work they’ve supposedly completed. You will probably assume they are much cheaper than their qualified counterpart but this is often far from the case, bearing in mind what it might cost to rectify their mistakes. By choosing someone without the proper qualifications and experience, you are putting your property and residents at risk. It’s particularly dangerous to hire anyone who just turns up at your door offering their services; you have no idea of who they are or their intensions. Faulty wiring can cause dangerous shocks and is a fire risk. Badly done building work can collapse or cause damage to adjoining properties. And of course no one but a Gas Safe registered heating engineer should touch your central heating.

Doing It Yourself

It’s quite satisfying carrying out your own repairs or improvements, however you should always check current building regulations to see if the job needs to be approved and inspected. The vast majority of electrical work needs to be done by a qualified electrician. Even if you are capable and the work is sound, you will lack the necessary paperwork which can cause real problems if you sell your property. In addition, you are responsible if anything goes wrong. It’s fine to replace a light fitting or electrical junction box yourself, provided you rigidly follow safety protocols, however for anything else you should hire a professional.

Finding the Best Contractor

One of the most popular ways to find the right person is through word of mouth. If you know someone who’s just had their bathroom replaced, ask for an honest review based on quality and value for money. You can also find a trader through the government-endorsed TrustMark scheme. Always get quotes from three different, qualified traders and ensure they have the necessary insurance. Ask for recent photographs of work undertaken and get the telephone numbers of several customers for references. Once you have chosen a firm or individual, get a written contract, itemising as many details of the job as possible, with costs. This can avoid misunderstandings and discrepancies. It’s important to have the contractors’ telephone numbers, so you can notify them if there is a problem. Once a problem arises, ask them to rectify it immediately and get it in writing how they will fix the issue and how long it will take.

It really makes sense to hire qualified traders to carry out work in your home of business, as although the initial outlay is higher, there should be fewer repercussions, which should afford greater peace of mind.

Money saving plans for a better home in 2016

Now that the festive season is fading into the distance, many of us will be looking ahead to the new year with plans for fun holidays and home renovation.

However, it’s a common habit for many of us to overspend during the Christmas period, and whether or not the third Monday in January really is the unhappiest day of the year is up for debate. The simple fact is that most of us feel a little financially vulnerable in January.

But with some of these money saving tips, we should all be able to make some great home improvements in 2016!

Regular savings

The simplest way to save money is to give yourself a realistic target. Whether it’s something as simple as putting aside £20 each week from your wages, the amounts can swiftly add up and can make the perfect fund for getting that exquisite piece of bedroom furniture.

Although it can be tempting to dip into these weekly savings, it’s a good idea to keep things separate from your current account which is why savings accounts are the way forward. Despite the bewildering array of options, there are numerous resources such as the Money Saving Expert’s savings account guide that aim to demystify this process and help you save up towards some serious home improvements.

Keeping costs down

As well as putting money aside on a regular basis, basic costs of living should be examined to see if there’s anything that could be done to limit expenditure. Whether it’s draught-proofing your home in a bid to keep the infamous winter fuel bills down, or even buying your non-perishable groceries in bulk, a little bit of forward-planning can go a long way in helping you keep your pennies in your pocket.

Of course, there are certain pieces of furniture that everyone will have to invest in every now and then. And whilst a four-poster super king-size bed might be attractive, for most of us it’s more beneficial to think more sensibly and invest in the likes of the reliable yet cheap bed frames that can be found at the Bedstar website that further illustrates the internet’s impressive ability to help us hunt for some handy home bargains.

Taking advantage of offers

January is also the time of year where many furniture retailers will seek to provide some serious money saving offers. And whilst trawling around the high street used to be the preferred method of finding a bargain, the best offers can now usually be found in the online domain.

Bargain hunting has also got a whole lot easier with the likes of the Google Honey extension that can easily be installed into your Chrome browser to help you hunt down some of those money-saving voucher codes that can be applied for a huge selection of goods, whether it be a bed frame, a hatstand, or even just a brand new pair of winter socks!

How to Deal With High Cholesterol in the Family

Have you or your partner been told by your doctor that you should watch your cholesterol levels? This can be a scary diagnosis, and you are probably worrying about all the potential health implications and how to adjust your cooking routine.

Luckily, most of the time, elevated cholesterol can easily be reversed through simple steps such as adopting a low cholesterol diet, improving your daily exercise, and making easy lifestyle changes.

Here are the most important things to keep in mind when cooking for someone with high cholesterol.

Don’t Believe the Rumours

The most important thing to keep in mind when preparing for a cholesterol diet is to do your research. Not all fats are bad, and eggs are not the enemy, no matter what some media outlets might have led you to believe.

By understanding what cholesterol really does to the body and why it’s not necessary to completely change your lifestyle but opt for small changes instead, you will be one step ahead of the game and feel in charge again.

The Devil is in the Method

This might come as a surprise, but most of the time, it’s not necessarily about what you cook, but how you cook it. Chicken, for example, is great if grilled or roasted in the oven with a dash olive oil and herbs – but if you’re pan-frying your chicken with lots of butter then you’ll be increasing your intake of saturated fats.

Likewise, steaming your vegetables is usually a better choice than cooking them in the pan. Learning how to efficiently use spices to, quite literally, spice up a meal means that you will get plenty of flavour the healthy way.

Find Healthier Substitutes

If you’re cooking for someone with high cholesterol, it’s all about finding healthier substitutes for common foods. Always choose lean meats and trim visible fats before cooking. Choose white meat over red and replace meat with fish whenever possible.

Low-fat dairy products are a good choice too and you should always opt for wholemeal options when it comes to bread, pasta, and rice. Ditch those unhealthy snacks, and stock up on plenty of nuts, cottage cheese, and dried fruit instead.

Meal Planning 101

While you can’t always plan your meals in advance – especially if you’ve got a weekend of events planned – it is a good idea to prepare your dishes when you can. You can pack nutritional lunches for the kids without much extra effort by cooking a little more than you need for dinner each night and popping the leftovers in their lunchbox.

And to take care of those nights when you’re short of time, why not cook meals in big batches and freeze individual portions that you can simply heat up? All the convenience of a microwave meal but you’ll be assured of its nutritional value and ingredients.

Coping with disability: What are the key considerations for Parents when buying a car?

While the diverse nature of physical and mental disability in the UK is often misunderstood, there remain some facts that simply cannot be disputed. There are an estimated 11.9 million people in the UK who currently live with a disability, for example, which equates to a relatively surprising 19% of the entire population. This number includes a number of children and young adults who live with a disability, as numerous families in the UK create coping mechanisms that enable them to deliver the best care and quality of life to their loved ones.

Parenting with Disabled Children: The key considerations when buying a car

One of the key challenges facing parents and guardians with disabled children in their care is securing a viable mode of transportation, especially one that suits the physical needs and demands of their dependents. With this in mind, here are three considerations for parents when sourcing and buying a suitable family vehicle: –

What Mobility challenges does your Child’s disability cause?

There are numerous types of disability, varying both in terms of their nature and level of severity. Before entering the market for a new car, it is therefore important that you evaluate your child’s disability in detail and determine the main mobility challenges that they face on a daily basis. This will help you to determine the precise specification that your chosen vehicle needs, whether a standard car will suffice or you find yourself in need of a specialist, modified design.

The Extent of any Modifications that are required

If your child’s disability causes genuine mobility concerns, you may need to invest in a modified vehicle. Fortunately for today’s generation of parents, technological advancement has created a vast and diverse range of modified vehicles, each of which includes a number of purposeful specification changes that have been made without comprising the aesthetic design or performance of the model. While this is excellent news for parents, however, it is crucial that you enter the market with an in-depth understanding of your child’s needs and the extent of the modifications required to meet these.

What size of vehicle do you need?

Ultimately, it is impractical for many families to own any more than a single (or in some instances two) vehicles. This means that the majority of parents cannot buy a modified car to sit alongside their standard, family vehicle, so there may be a need to invest in a specialist model that can cater to the needs of all adults and children. So even though you may only have one children who lives with a disability, you will need to consider all financial and logistical demands and purchase a modified vehicle that is large enough to carry multiple passengers simultaneously.

The Benefits of a Minimalist Interior

It doesn’t take much to sell most homeowners on minimalism. Chic, practical, and timeless this is a style of interior design that has plenty going for it. Here are just a few reasons to embrace the less is more philosophy and go minimalist in your home.

Minimalism Puts Function First

As one of the more visually-arresting design styles, minimalism has a reputation as being quite impractical. In fact, this reputation is entirely unwarranted. Instead of packing too much furniture into one room, you will be making each object fit a certain purpose.

A table no longer doubles as a bookshelf and your office space no longer spills over into your relaxation area. Instead, everything has its own express purpose.

Minimalism Makes Cleaning Easy

The fact that your living space is uncluttered with any unnecessary items comes with an added bonus – everything is much easier to keep tidy. Even the room itself will look tidier since there is less inside it.

At the same time, the objects you choose will serve to make the room easy to clean. A minimalist design style focuses upon strong lines, solid surfaces, and plenty of light. Such sleek, smooth, and unbroken surfaces are naturally much easier to clean with a quick wipe down than more complex items that collect dust in various crevices.

Versatility

When you only fill your home with items that meet an express purpose, you’re naturally going to have some extra space. This serves to make your home feel larger and more open, but the advantages go beyond that.

Having fewer items and more space means that you can easily rearrange the layout of each room, whether because you’re having guests over for the evening or simply to make a chance. You’ll also find that it’s much easier to decorate, whether that means changing the carpet or adding a new twist to a room.

Minimalist interiors are simply breath-taking, but that’s just the start of what one can bring to your home.

Tips For Choosing A Kitchen Sink

One of the most important pieces of kitchen furniture is the sink; it is also one of the busiest. Therefore, it is important to give proper consideration to finding the best one. This can be quite tricky, when you are looking at the various sinks available at PlumbTile, so to help we have put together a list of some tips that will help you make the best decision.

Consider The Purpose

Before anything else you need to think about how you intend to use you kitchen sink. A double sink would be something you should think about if you are a keen home chef. It will enable you to wash up dishes while draining food at the same time.

Consider The Space

You need to think about the size of sink that suit the dimensions of your kitchen. Although a particular sink may have caught your eye, if it does not fit under your window, in the corner or on the island unit, it is no good for your kitchen. Corner sinks in particular are a space saver and a good choice if you have a odd shaped kitchen.

Consider The Size You Need

Think about the size of family you have or how many people share your house with you. If there lots of people living in your home, a double sink may be a good choice to handle all the utensils, pans, pots and crockery you have to wash up.

Think Of The Taps

Last, buy by no means least, when it comes to choosing taps, an integral and important part of any sink, you need to think not only about the type of spout, but the height of the taps also. Be sure to ensure that the spots of the taps you choose fit all of the bowls that are part of your sink.

The Benefits of Getting Your Teeth Whitened

Your teeth will naturally change in colour, no matter how well you take care of them. The food and drink that you consume will play a role, as will certain lifestyle habits, but you can reverse the process by having your teeth whitened.

Here are just a few benefits of doing so.

Confidence

A full set of shining pearly whites is bound to raise your self-esteem. After all, it’s far easier to smile when you know that your teeth are flawlessly white. That’s great, because smiling really does make you feel happier. Whether you’re out on the town, giving a presentation at work, or simply meeting up with some friends for a coffee, you’ll feel much more confident after having your teeth whitened.

Convenience

One of the best things about having your teeth whitened is that it can be accomplished very quickly, and with a minimum of effort. There are several methods available, but almost all will simply involve applying whitening gel to your teeth at night. As you sleep, your teeth will become whiter. The treatment won’t last forever, but you’ll be able to pick up some more gel at your dentists to repeat the process.

Attractiveness

Feeling confident about your smile is one thing, but that’s an effect likely to go into overtime when other people react to you more positively. It might only be a minor concern, but having your teeth whitened does make you more attractive, and people are likely to take note. This is one of the reasons why people often have their teeth whitened before having a family photo taken, or prior to events such as weddings and birthday parties.

Affordability

The tooth whitening process is extremely affordable. People used to have to rely upon expensive veneers to make their smile look its best, but now they can enjoy fantastic results for a far lower price.

Having your teeth whitened will make you both feel and look your best, and it’s a quick and easy process. If your smile could do with a bit of a touch-up, whitening is certainly the perfect option.

Revolution Mother