Lilac City Momma

DIY

7 Style Hacks For Summer

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Summer is the perfect time to revive your summer closet and get excited about the festival season and outdoor soirées. For some, it can also bring the feeling of being hot and bothered if you don’t get your styling right. As the temperature rises, lightweight clothing, ample splashes of sunscreen and comfortable footwear will be your go-to staples for the season. By sticking to some basics, this will help you stay cool, calm and ultimately stylish to rock days on the beach or evenings by the BBQ. If you’re looking for some handy hints to make your summer stress-free, take a look at these style hacks to see you through the season.

Don’t wear black

Black is the go-to color for many people as it perceived to be slimming. But in the summer it not only makes you look like you’d rather it was winter, but it also makes you hot and bothered faster. Black and darker materials absorb the heat so opting for light colors is the best option when the temperature rises.

Try a non-wired bra instead

Most women can’t get away with not wearing a bra but during the summer choosing a lighter option will offer tons more comfort. Try a pretty non-wired bra if you can get away with it, and this way you’ll stop any irritation or unnecessary sweat.

Choose nature fibers

It’s the perfect time of year to wear beautiful clothes but just check the label first to see what they are made from. Flimsy synthetic materials will make you sweat more quickly and often stick to the body. By choosing natural fibers that breathe, such as cotton, you’ll feel cool and stylish all day long. 

Don’t forget your wide-brimmed hat

Take some shade wherever you go with a handy yet fashionable wide-brimmed hat. This go-to accessory is perfect for days at the beach and keeps the sun off your head and neck to keep you cool and prevent sunstroke.

Leave the skinnies at home

Denim is an on-trend look throughout the year, but skinnies in the summer can feel tight and uncomfortable on hot summer days. For a laid-back look that oozes tons of style, try mom or boyfriend jeans to mix it up a little.

Get organized

It can be easy to just throw all your jewelry into a box and hope for the best when you come to untangle everything, so using transparent mini tubs helps to keep everything separated. You can even update your jewelry collection to find some key pieces that are perfect for summer. Visit Blomdahl USA for some inspiration.

Keep your silver jewelry shiny

Accessories are perfect for complementing your summer closet so keeping them looking in tiptop condition is essential. For silver and brass items, dab a touch of ketchup on a cloth and rub the surface, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and buff. Voila!

When you’re bearing a little more skin this season, don’t forget your sunscreen too to keep you safe and healthy under the hot summer sun.

Marketable Skills That Any New Mom Can Learn

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The internet has completely revolutionized the way that we approach learning. Not only has the internet put an incredible amount of knowledge at the fingertips of anyone who wants it, in particular, it is now possible for new moms to pursue education while also raising their children. This is both a blessing and a curse; it is a blessing in the sense that it provides a huge amount of choice for anyone who is looking to expand their skillset, but with so many options available it can be hard deciding what to do.

While you are considering potential skills and qualifications, think about which ones are best suited to your circumstances. The advantage of online learning is that it makes just about any skill available to just about anyone, the only requirement is that you have an interest in the subject.

The following skills are all excellent choices for both those who want to apply for a role in an existing industry, and for those who want to learn a marketable skill that they can put to use earning money in addition to regular employment.

Arts and Crafts

The internet is a treasure trove of inspiration and instructions for producing arts and crafts in all kinds of different mediums. Before long you will find yourself with the skills necessary to improvise your own crafts and even find crafts to occupy your kids. Sites like Etsy make selling these a breeze once they are made.

Corporate Website Design

Every business today has a website and that is because customers now expect them. It is no longer enough to just have a social media presence, or to only have a token website available. Businesses today need to have a well designed and fully functioning website in order to seriously compete. Now that online services such as WordPress exist, anyone can make a website or blog with minimal knowledge. Check out White Summary for some WordPress design tips and other useful information.

Once you have had some practice and got the hang of designing and building websites you should have no trouble finding businesses in need of your services.

Coding

Code is all around us in this day and age. Every single interaction you have with your smartphone is the result of coding. And obviously this extends to laptops, desktops, work computers, and all other electronic devices. Coding is essential for everything from the design of smartphone apps, to the software that underpins the operation of Blu-ray players.

Coding is ubiquitous, and no electronic device can exist without it. As such, it is a skill that will open all kinds of doors for anyone willing to spend the time necessary to study it. You can get started with learning to code all on your own by using sites such as Code Academy. You can then expand your knowledge so that you can gain work in a particular field. Many leading universities now offer online equivalents to their campus courses and these include programming and software engineering courses.

Having learned to code you then need to find something that people will want, and that you can monetize. There are an infinite range of options for this.

There are many different degrees that you can learn to do online, in fact, just about any subject is now available to be studied online. The above skills are just a few examples of the many possibilities out there. Web design and coding are particularly good career choices because they are in high demand right now and are relevant to many different career paths.

Top Safety Tips for Aluminum Roof Ladders

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It is easier than ever to buy ladders for all sorts of different jobs now. In fact, you can go online and purchase aluminum roof ladders that allow you to climb up to great heights. While this convenience is a great development, is also means that we all need to take responsibility for how they are used. Consider that 43% of fatal fall accidents involve ladders and it quickly becomes clear how important safety actually is. And even if a fall isn’t fatal, it can still be life-changing.

Why You Need Aluminum Roof Ladders

There are many different reasons why people need to have these types of ladders. And there should be no need for people to call in expensive professionals every time they have a little job that needs doing either. Some of the reasons why people may require ladders, be they roof ladders, step ladders, or extension ladders, including:

To clean the gutters, paint their house, or change lightbulbs.

To complete their trade, such as painting, carpentry, or electrical work.

To complete general maintenance or stack goods in warehouses.

The list is endless! But no matter how endless it is, and no matter why someone uses a ladder, safety must come first at all times.

What Never to Do

Never:

Stand on the ladder’s top step, it will make it wobble.

Over-reach. If your belt buckle is outside of the ladder’s rails, you’ve gone too far.

Walk the ladder (standing on it and moving it)).

Place the ladder on unsuitable surfaces (slipper, wet, unstable, uneven).

Use the ladder when under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including medication), while tired, or when injured.

Forget about electrical wires. Aluminum ladders in particular conduct electricity and should not be used near wires at all.

Leave the ladder unsupervised.

What Always to Do

Always:

Make sure the ladder is completely open.

Put the braces securely in place.

Check the ladder is stable by wobbling it on the first step.

Hold the ladder properly.

Take all tools off the ladder’s top before you climb back down or move the ladder.

Work with a partner.

Check the ladder is suitable for your weight and that of the materials you are taking up with you.

Ladders are incredibly useful tools that are used in many different trades, but equally by domestic users, especially when doing home renovations. And that is a good thing. They have enabled us to complete a wealth of jobs, and they have made people more independent as well. Imagine having to call out a tradesman every time there is a leaf stuck in the gutter, or every time you need a lightbulb changing! However, it is incredibly important to remember that ladders are trade tools and they have inherent dangers associated with them. You must respect that fact so that you can use the ladder in a safe and responsible manner that does not cause any danger to yourself or to others.

Christmas gifts on a budget

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Christmas spending can get totally out of hand, with the annual push for more, bigger, better. Time off work paired with the expense of parties, travel, and shopping at the grocery store for those special holiday meals doesn’t help matters. Take back control of the gift list with budget-friendly Christmas gifting ideas.

DIY

Creative homemade gifts can be a great option for those on a budget. For best results, consider your recipient’s interests and tastes, and price out materials ahead of time. If you need the supplies for other tasks or you can reuse them for multiple gifts, you’ll save more money. Dollar stores and some secondhand shops or thrift stores can also provide crafting supplies inexpensively enough to make DIY gifting practical. This is a great option for creative, artistic people with good hand-eye coordination, lots of patience, and some proven skills. If you’re new to crafting and DIY, make sure that you give yourself lots of time to work on the gifts, and that you have extra materials on hand to make up for any false starts, and be realistic about the complexity of projects. Homemade gifts can range from cute, simple everyday items decorated to a friend or loved-one’s taste, to impressive efforts in bespoke customization.

Humor

Joke or gag gifts can provide big fun on a budget. Since many of these are inexpensively mass-produced, their value comes from the response that they can elicit. Pick up on inside jokes, established interests, and styles of humor to find the right gifts for those on your list. Consider the probable audience in the room when it’s opened – adult humor can be great fun among friends or mature relations, but you don’t want to be scrambling to make awkward explanations in front of the kids on Christmas morning. Likewise, lowbrow humor will work better with the young and young-at-heart than those on your list with a more elevated or dry sense of fun.

Fandoms

Like joke gifts, there are often a wide variety of mass-produced goods targeted towards fans of pop culture franchises across film, gaming, and comic media types. Look for character or branded goods that the recipient would enjoy or find useful. From wearables to purely artistic pieces, toys to character serving ware and themed peripherals, there’s something for everyone. You can blend this with a DIY gift if you’re artistically inclined.

Vintage and second-hand

Vintage and second-hand shopping is an underutilized strategy in the budget shopper’s arsenal. Good for the environment, socially responsible, and deeply creative, finding the perfect gift in the post-consumer market is a treasure hunt for an unknown prize. You can go searching for one thing and find an even more perfect gift idea drop in your lap unexpectedly. While true vintage can fetch high prices in discerning markets, you can often find incredible deals on surprising finds – and be sure to find unique gift options. Online markets such as eBay and Craigslist are another bargain-hunter’s dream if you know what you’re looking for.

Books

Simple, fun, and budget-friendly, a good book is a smart choice for any recipient. If you’re not sure about the literary taste of those on your list, browsing their social media for ideas or asking for a recommendation based on age or interests at the bookstore are both great approaches. Bookstore employees are generally book enthusiasts who have wide-ranging knowledge about trends and top titles across many genres and love to help you find the perfect bookish gift.

Practical

Sometimes, the best budget gifts meet a need or supply a regular activity or interest. Keep things simple and elegant, or pull together a box of fun goodies with a theme. Perennial favorites for adults can be barware such as whisky glasses or whisky tumblers, a cocktail shaker, a wine decanter, or home décor such as a new decorative pillow or throw blanket in the recipient’s preferred shade, pattern, or style. For children, a selection of art and craft supplies or themed, age-appropriate small toys such as a collection of farm animals or dinosaurs can keep them busy and entertained. For teens, foundational or fun cosmetics don’t have to cost a fortune, and simple basics such as socks suited to hobbies, activities, or other tastes can go over surprisingly well. Pick up on a regular drink order with a new coffee mug, tea tumbler, or water bottle in a design that suits the recipient.

Whether you’re a DIY master artisan or a thrift-store maven, these budget-friendly ideas are sure to help you breeze through your list this year.

The Need to Buy GU10 Rated LED Lights

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When buying downlights, you need to make sure that you choose a safe option. Downlights are generally used over an extended period of time. For instance, you use them in art galleries or museums. They highlight a certain object to make it clearer and more fascinating.

The problem with ordinary downlights is that they easily get hot. They also require more electricity to fully function. Worse, you have to keep replacing them since they only have a limited lifespan. Hence, LED downlights are now more popular. At first, they did not really catch on because the light produced was not as bright as traditional downlights. Eventually, better LED downlights were created. It takes several LEDs to create such a bright light, but it still works.

Of the downlights available, choose one that is GU10 rated. This means that it is a safer option. It does not heat up easily. It is not a fire hazard.

Installation is key

When you have bought the downlights, they have to be properly installed. The performance of the lights depends on the heat generated by the LED. If heat is not well-managed during the installation, it could affect the overall performance of the downlights.

Aside from choosing the right downlight, heat-sinking should also be considered. There is a metal device that you can buy which helps take the heat away from the LED.

The correct voltage must also be considered. This is why you need an expert to make sure the installation is carried out safely and correctly. Otherwise, the lights might even end up exploding.

Choosing the best light

In determining which LED downlight to buy, you need to consider its purpose. Where are you going to place it? How long do you want it to last? What colour do you want? While answering these questions, you will gradually filter the options until you end up with the perfect choice.

LED lights change in colour over time due to the frequency of use and temperature. This should not deter you from choosing LED downlights though.

You need to make sure you are getting a correctly rated GU10 LED bulb before paying for it. You might have a hard time looking for a GU 10 rated light in your local stores. But you can go online and start looking for the best choices.

Once you have bought the right downlight, ask an expert to install it for you. Better yet, before you even consider buying one, consult an expert in downlights. You will receive guidance on which downlights to buy and how you can save money using them. It won’t take much time to get them installed if you choose the right person to help you.