Life Hacks

Spring cleaning is good for the home, and it’s good for the soul. When the area you are cleaning out is your wardrobe, however, it’s good for your sense of style as well. Far too often we hoard old clothes that don’t fit us or that we don’t wear ever. Doing so bulks up our closets, and yet can actually make you feel like you have nothing to wear. You need to clean thoroughly and gut your wardrobe so that you can get to the diamonds in the rough, and so that you can make smart shopping decisions in the future.

How You Know You Need to De-Clutter Your Closet

Not every spring warrants a full clear out of your closet, but you should consider doing one if:

You Never Feel Like You Have Anything to Wear

This is a huge sign you need to audit your wardrobe. Having plenty of options and not feeling like wearing any of them is not a good sign. Clear out what you don’t wear to make room for the items you love.

You Have Clothes That Don’t Fit

If you have something that doesn’t fit and hasn’t fit for years, get rid of it! It doesn’t matter if that is your goal weight and you are keeping it around for “motivation.” This strategy is toxic and not helpful, and it clutters up your wardrobe.

Your Wardrobe is a Mess

Having a well-organized wardrobe brings peace of mind and the ability to see all your options easily.

Steps to De-Cluttering

If you have decided it is time to de-clutter your wardrobe, you will want to:

1. Take Everything Out
2. Sort Through What You Have
3. Organize Your Closet with Your Keeps
4. Donate, Sell, or Recycle the Rest

What to Look for When Buying New

When buying new, you want to choose clothes that suit your body type and shape, invest in quality fabrics, and know what pieces will be the most versatile in your wardrobe:

Choose Clothes That Flatter Your Body Best

The online world has given women of all sizes the ability to shop for great clothes that suit their needs. From ethical fashion to plus size fashion, the best place to search for your next great wardrobe staple is online. For curvy women, for example, you can find great options from every day to wedding-appropriate online at Froxx.co.uk. Even if you can’t go in store to try things on, you can call them or email them with a purchase request and have it delivered right to your door.

Know About Fabrics and What They’re Good For

Learn the basics about the most popular fabrics that are in use today, and if you come across something new, look it up before you buy. Some materials are terrible for summer months, others are bad for winter, and some are just unwise all year round. By knowing your fabrics, you can make future purchases work better for your lifestyle.

Be Creative When it Comes to Styling

By choosing clothes that work together, you open up styling opportunities. This way you can be more creative with your options and express yourself more fully than ever before.

 

 

Being a mother or a father is stressful. It can be very hard to keep up with the dangers and risks kids face every day in order to try and protect them. Nowadays, children are more exposed to drugs than ever. They see them on t.v or in the movies, where they are often portrayed as normal, or even fun. There is not enough talk about how drug addiction is a disease, and that far from being cool it is actually very dangerous. Studies show that 78% of US teenagers have tried alcohol, and over 42% have used illicit drugs. Many years ago, I was one of those teenagers.

I started drinking alcohol when I was just a child, only 9 years old. Then, I became acquainted with drugs at 13. At first it was marijuana, but soon enough I was consuming more hardcore drugs. Even though there were some pretty evident changes in my behavior, it wasn’t until I was years into drug abuse that my family talked to me about drugs or alcohol. It was a big taboo back then, and my parents were scared about how to deal with it. I don’t blame them for my addiction. They did the best they could with what they had. But now that I am 10 years sober I realize the importance of talking to kids about drugs from a young age. It can make a big difference in preventing them from being in a dangerous situation.

It is important to give your children the right information regarding delicate topics such as this one. Talking openly to them about drugs and alcohol can help build trust between you and they will feel more comfortable coming to you if they have any questions. If you’re planning on having the “drug talk” with your children, take a look at these tips on how to do it the best way.

Do Some Research

The first step before talking to your children about drugs is to educate yourself on the matter. Do some research about different types of drugs and their effects on the mind and the body. You can’t tell your children that drugs and alcohol are dangerous if you don’t know why. Understanding the differences between each type of drug, what they look like, the consequences it may bring, etc, you’ll be prepared in case your kids have any questions.

After stating the facts about these substances, it is important to be clear on your personal view of drugs. Explain why you think they should not use illegal drugs, why you think this would be irresponsible behavior and discuss the harms drugs can cause. Avoid scare tactics like telling them that “marijuana will kill you”. It will be more effective to discuss drugs realistically and share actual facts with them.

Keep it Age Appropriate

An important factor you should take into consideration when talking to your children about drugs and alcohol is their age. The way you approach them and the terms you will use will vary depending on how old they are.

Ages 4 to 7

This is the age when you start teaching them about the importance of self-care. Talking to them about nutrition and personal hygiene can lead to the topic of drugs and other behaviors that can be bad for them. For example, when you give them a vitamin you can explain to them that it is important to take it because it makes them healthier and stronger. But also tell them that they should only take what you give to them because there are other drugs that can harm them. If they get curious about any medicine you take, explain that you should only take medicines that have your name on them or that your doctor has chosen for you. If you take medicine that doesn’t belong to you, it can make you sick.

Ages 8 to 12

This is an age in which kids tend to give their friend’s opinion a lot of importance. It is also the time when they start questioning their parent’s views and decisions. A good way to start the conversation is to ask them what they think about drugs and alcohol in a nonjudgmental way. Show them that you value their opinions and that you are open to any questions. If they have false information about drugs, gently give them the correct facts. Explain that it is easy to come across wrong information, but they can always check with you. Starting a dialogue with your children at this age helps keep the door open as they get older, more curious about the world and less inclined to share their thoughts with their parents.

Ages 13 and Up

Adolescence can be a difficult time to communicate with your children, but it is the most crucial time to do so. Kids this age are likely to know other kids who use alcohol or drugs, so you have to be prepared to answer more specific questions about these substances. Try to understand your kid’s feelings about drugs, but also use these conversations to explain the dangers and legal issues of consuming these substances. Be straightforward about your expectations of them and how you want them to behave in situations that involve alcohol and drugs. Let them know that your main concern is their well-being and that you are always available to talk about any questions or thoughts they may have regarding this topic.

Talking to your children about drugs from a young age can help them make better decisions throughout their life. When I was growing up I didn’t have access to any reliable information regarding this topic, and maybe if I had I wouldn’t have struggled with addiction all those years. If you don’t talk to them about drugs and alcohol today, you may have to talk to them about drug and alcohol detox and recovery tomorrow. And, trust me, if there’s anything you can do to avoid that, you should.

Do you know any other tips about how to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol? If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below.

 

Twenty Three Layers is one of the top personal and corporate event planners in NYC. The company was founded by Jessica Boskoff, and it is her unique vision that set their events apart. Whether the event is for thousands or just a few people, Twenty Three Layers will create a unique occasion. Part of the reason for its success is that it follows some basic principles that will lead to a stress free and successful event. There are several key elements to keep in mind when planning a party no matter how big or small it is.

One key is to have planning down to the last detail. Nothing should come as a surprise, as everything has been thought out well in advance. Food and drink lists, guest lists, and the timing of the entire event should be planned with exceptional care and attention. Part of that planning should be to have a theme of a party. It can be as simple as a Christmas theme if it is a Christmas party. Parties with a well thought out theme can really make them stand out.

It is fine to send out e-invites, but a classy party should send out traditional mailed invites. They add a touch of refinement. The invites can be as fun as you want but having them mailed is a nice touch. It is fun for people to make their own drinks, so various beverages and mixers can be made available. It is a nice place for people to converse and have a fun time. One drink that can be prepared in advance is a unique cocktail that has been made just for the party.

Food can be served various ways, but one nice way is to have food trays moving around the party. It means people can move around, and there is always something available. It might be nice to have kids in their own sections to eat and play. It will allow the others at the party to relax with other grown-ups. If there is a sit-down meal, the servings can match the theme, or they can be nice and simple. Part of the art of planning means the host or hostess can leave themselves lots of time to be ready for the start of the party. A relaxed host will mean relaxed party-goers.

A nice touch is to give the guests party favors as they leave. They do not have to be expensive or fancy, but they will be a great thing for your guests at the end of the event. It is by following these tips that Twenty Three Layers has become one of the most sought after event planning companies in NYC

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If it’s been a long time since you’ve treated yourself to a beauty day, continue reading to discover a few reasons why you deserve a long-awaited beauty day.

Why you deserve a beauty day:

1. Everyone deserves some quality time to themselves

If it’s been a while since you’ve enjoyed some quality alone time, it’s well worth enjoying a beautiful day and relaxing at a spa, where you’ll be able to rest, relax and unwind whilst enjoying rejuvenating spa treatments. Examples of which may include hot stone massages, seaweed wraps, and mud masks.

As an added bonus, you should find that at the end of your beauty day that you’ll be in such a great mood, that you’ll start to enjoy spending time with your loved ones again. Especially if some of your friends and family members have been getting on your nerves recently.

2. Your skin deserves pampering

As your skin is exposed to the elements such as wind, sun, and cold temperatures, it’s well worth treating your skin to luxurious treatments which will restore your skin’s natural glow. After your beauty day, expect friends, family members, and strangers on the street to compliment you on your healthy complexion.

As an example, if your skin is currently dry and chapped from hot or cold temperatures, you should be able to restore your skin’s moisture by splurging on a facial. While if your hands are feeling rough from everyday life, it’s well worth booking a manicure and hand massage for your hard-working hands.

3. A beauty day is a great day to bond with family members or friends

If you don’t need a day to yourself to unwind, you may still enjoy the experience of getting to share a day of fun and relaxation with a few close friends or family members.

Better yet, if you a close friend or family member has been through a particularly tough time or has been working really hard, you may want to treat them to a surprise, all expenses paid beauty day. As you’ll be sure to make their month and to put a smile on their face!

4. You’ll experience a boost of confidence

When you see how good you look after your beauty day, you’ll be sure to feel like a million bucks. So if you want to put a bit of extra spring in your step, it’s well worth booking a beauty day fill of amazing treatments, for yourself.

As an added idea you may be interested in organizing a beauty day for yourself if you have a special event coming up, such as a job interview, a wedding or a birthday party and want to ensure that you look and feel your best, during your special event. As you deserve to feel as good about yourself as possible. Especially during a special day.

5. Treating yourself to a beauty day, is a great way of prioritizing yourself

As most individuals spend most of their time putting other people first, it’s a great idea to make yourself a priority and check out a beauty salon on Park Street Sydney as an option to treat yourself!

Hopefully, you’re now convinced that you deserve to feel special, pampered and relaxed on a special beauty day!

To read more on topics like this, check out the life hacks category.

If you live with allergies or certain respiratory conditions, keeping the air clean and healthy is important to you. You want to breathe easily inside of your home, the one place in the world where you should feel the most comfortable. Fortunately, keeping and maintaining a less polluted atmosphere inside your home doesn’t have to require special devices or the intervention of professionals. There are a lot that you can do on your own at little or no cost of time or cash.

1. Take control of the humidity. The humidity level in your home should be somewhere between 30% and 50% to ensure adequate airflow in rooms that are prone to dampness, like bathrooms.
2. Use fragrance-free cleaners and ditch air freshener sprays. The components of these two everyday items can sure make everything smell good, but they also introduce unhealthy elements into the air you breathe.
3. Keep smoking of any kind outside of the home. This is a no-brainer, as smoke is never good for the air that you breathe. The best thing to do for overall wellness, however, is to quit smoking altogether.
4. Get your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems checked regularly. Keep them maintained with seasonal visits from a trusted HVAC expert in your area. You can also check your own HVAC filters and clean them, in many cases. This is a must, as these filters trap unwanted particles that could go into your lungs. In some cases you need to change the furnace filters and you need to check whether it is a 10x10x1 furnace filter or 10x20x1 furnace filter etc. You need to find the right one and this will keep pollutants at bay.
5. Switch to hardwood floors. Carpeting looks nice and is certainly cozy, but it can trap everything that you bring into your home from the outside. Dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander and more irritants can live inside the fabric of pretty much any carpet. Hardwood floors, however, are less hospitable to airborne irritants and are easier to keep clean.
6. Use a dehumidifier to cut down on moisture. Excess moisture in the air can breed all kinds of problems, and even produce mold inside your home.
7. Wash all used bedding once a week. All kinds of nasty stuff can live inside the folds of your bedsheets and comforters, especially if you have pets that like to sleep where you do. A hot-water spin through the washing machine and drier will take care of most of these concerns with ease.
8. Use carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an often-lethal compound found in the air. Detecting it early can prevent serious illnesses and even death.
9. Elect for wide, open spaces. Clutter accumulates dust like nothing else, and when it gets moved as you finally get around to putting stuff away, what happens? That dust is suddenly in the air, where it can get into your airways. Minimizing clutter also makes it easier to detect visible signs of mold and other damage to the interior of your home.
10. Kick your shoes off at the door. A lot of respiratory conditions and allergies are aggravated by the traces of the outdoors that come indoors on the soles of your shoes. Use a welcome mat outside of your door, and make sure that shoes are left by the door when people come inside.