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The Ultimate Staycation: How to Create a Relaxing Backyard Oasis

You don’t have to go to a luxury resort to enjoy a little slice of paradise! Check out these tips for creating a backyard oasis you can enjoy all summer long.

Summer is right around the corner! And as the weather warms up, many people will be planning vacations to the beach or their favorite far away destination. And yet it isn’t necessary to spend a small fortune to have a great time and get the most out of your summer vacation experience.

Instead of traveling around the world, you can enjoy a staycation in your own backyard oasis! All you need to do is, Visit https://avantilandscaping.ca/ and get in touch with experts who will change your backyard oasis with their innovative Landscaping Services.

After all, sometimes travel vacations leave you needing extra vacation time just to recover.

So why not create your own little paradise right at home? This article takes a look at some great ideas you can use for transforming your backyard and patio area into the perfect retreat.

Keep reading to learn how to invest your travel dollars into home improvements that will make you the envy of the neighborhood!

Build a Luxury Treehouse

We aren’t talking about your grandmother’s tree house here. Tree houses have made a big comeback in recent years. But not the kind made out of plywood you probably remember from your youth.

People love the adventure of tree houses and enjoy feeling like a kid again. Fortunately, designers have figured out a way to create structures that offer all the modern comforts of home while still providing privacy and the adventurous experiences you crave.

This is the perfect way to enjoy your staycation. Put a flat screen TV on the wall, open the windows to let the breeze in, and kick back with your family and a great movie!

Put in a Pool

Having a pool in the backyard is the ultimate treat for a long hot summer. After all, when it’s hot out, there’s nothing better than cooling off with a swim. 

Pools are ideal for afternoons and evenings with friends and family. Everyone loves the water, and you can put burgers on the grill and keep the pool party going well into the night.

Swimming pools come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Regardless of the size of your backyard space, there’s something for everyone. Pool designers, like these builders, have the skills to transform your backyard into the staycation oasis of your dreams.

Build Your Dream Deck

Have you been dreaming of adding a deck to the back of your house? A deck really can transform your backyard into a space where you’ll want to spend long days lounging, grilling out, hanging with friends, and watching the sun go down as you enjoy the privacy of your home.

Adding a deck is also a great way to increase the resale value of your home. After all, you’re adding livable space that is perfect for entertaining, spending special occasions with family, and just having the ability to enjoy the outdoors without being down in the grass with the critters.

Keep in mind that your deck doesn’t have to be huge or cost a fortune to offer plenty of creature comforts. This is your chance to be creative and make the most of a great space that everyone will love.

Build an Outdoor Movie Theater

Here is an idea the will truly turn heads. Everyone loves a good movie. And everyone loves to spend time outside. So why not combine the two for the ultimate summertime movie experience?!

Constructing a movie theater in your backyard doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. In fact, creating the perfect outdoor movie screen is easier and more affordable than you might imagine.

You can watch your favorite romance or action flick right there in the comfort of your deck, or spread blankets on the lawn and munch on popcorn as you lounge with loved ones. It’s like bringing the drive-in movie home with you.

This is also a perfect way to spend time with neighbors. After all, seating is only limited by the size of your yard!

Create a Theme

What could be better than having a tropical cabana or Moroccan-style courtyard in your backyard or patio space? By tying the design elements of your backyard together, you can create an overall theme that transports you to an exotic destination every time you walk out the back door.

The great thing about designing around a theme is that the possibilities are endless. Perhaps you long for a rustic mountain retreat, or a Spanish-inspired getaway, or even a little slice of the Caribbean right there in your backyard.

All you have to do is dream it, build it, and then enjoy countless evenings in your favorite environment.

Install an Outdoor Shower

Here’s something you might not have ever considered, yet is the perfect touch for spending time in your patio paradise. Installing an outdoor shower is ideal for rinsing off after a dip in the poor or simply cooling off after a day lounging in the sun.

Outdoor showers can be beautiful and take up limited space. This way you can step out of the pool and rinse off without having to tromp through the house to shower in the bathroom. 

You can also use it for your morning shower, waking up to the fresh morning breeze on your skin and sunshine on your face before enjoying your first cup of coffee on the patio.

Create a Luxury Lounge Area

When it comes to getting the most out of your staycation, it’s hard to beat the simple pleasure of relaxing in a luxury lounge area. Furnish it with the finest patio furniture that will make every moment feel like a moment spent in paradise.

This is a space you can use for dining, playing games with friends, or simply soaking in the beauty around you and while making the most out of vacation days.

Creating the Perfect Backyard Oasis

Staycations are an awesome way to relax without having to venture to exotic destinations. Designing a backyard oasis of your own provides privacy and much-needed relaxation without having to buy a plane ticket. 

Click here to see 5 awesome vacations you need to take in 2019.

 

If You’re Having Roof Problems, I Feel Bad for You, Son: 5 Most Common Roof Problems

Roof Problems? I Feel Bad for You, Son: 5 Most Common Roof Problems

If you’re a homeowner, you owe it to yourself to know what can go wrong before it does. Here are the most common roof problems to watch for.

Roof problems can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare.

A roof’s main purpose is to protect the occupants of the house from the elements. However, a roof takes the brunt of weather-related forces and requires regular maintenance.

A roof in disrepair left unchecked for too long can lead to much larger and more expensive problems. Water damage alone can cost a homeowner thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on how long the home has been exposed to moisture.

Roof problems come in a large variety of problems from a large variety of causes. Fortunately, the homeowner’s insurance covers most roof-related repairs.

Here are 5 incredibly common roof problems.

Water Leaks

Water can turn a happy home into a moldy home in a matter of weeks.

Unfortunately, one of the most common roof problems is water and moisture leaking into the house.

Water can negatively affect a house on several fronts. First, if water soaks into drywall, it will most certainly need to be replaced, as well as any paint that is vulnerable.

Secondly, water left unnoticed in a dark, warm place can lead to mold-growth which can have severely negative health repercussions for you and your family. Not to mention, mold removal can be quite costly.

Finally, long-term water and moisture exposure can potentially damage the infrastructure of your roof, making it weak and even dangerous.

Homeowners would be wise to remediate water leaks immediately.

Moist attics can also be a place for pests to thrive, which can be a real chore to get rid of.

Old or Damaged Shingles

Another common roof problem is old and damaged shingles. Unfortunately, this is something that just happens with time.

Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements. Rain and snow can potentially seep into the shingles causing them to warp or let water into the underlying structure.

In cold weather, water can get under shingles and freeze, pushing them out of place. Alternatively, a hot day with the sun beating down can also warp shingles on a roof.

Hail is the biggest threat to shingles, which can account for thousands of insurance claims in a town after a single hail storm.

Poor Roofing Installation

Unfortunately, roof problems can sometimes be caused by the people you hire to install or fix it.

This can lead to more severe problems down the road. For example, a badly botched roof repair can often require an entire roof replacement. 

Just make sure you hire the right people next time.

If you’re not sure what your home needs, check out this Arizona roof replacement guide to decide what’s best for you.

Poor Structural Installation

In some of the worst scenarios with roof problems, the structure of the roof has been installed improperly.

This is bad news. Not only are you going to experience problems such as water leakage, but you also may be in a hazardous situation.

Poorly done roof structuring will make it very difficult for any professional to provide a long-lasting roof.

Additionally, roof repair professionals need to ensure the underlying structure doesn’t need to be replaced, or the repairs won’t last long.

Inadequate Ventilation

Another threat to the structural integrity of a roof is inadequate ventilation.

A roof needs ventilation to allow warm air to leave and cool air to cycle through. If this process is not allowed to happen, warm air and moisture can combine to cause mold growth and rotting wood.

A Healthy Home is a Happy Home

Our homes are our sanctuaries. We really don’t need something as simple as roof problems corrupting a place of peace and happiness!

We want our homes to be healthy and fresh all year round!

For more like this, check out all of our articles about home-living!

 

Guidelines for using natural remedies

Many people today are turning towards nature to get cure for their medical issues. For centuries people have used the natural herbs, plants and other remedies to cure their diseases and they worked fine for them. But then came the era of pharmaceuticals and everything natural went to shadows. Today, when there are too many side effects of the medicines discovered and when there is a lot of mistrust found for these medicines, people have started to revert back to the nature to cure their long lasting diseases and are actually happy with the results.

Benefits:

There are a lot of benefits of using the natural remedies for curing as they are easy to find, are cost effective and the best of all is the zero side effect ration of these remedies that make them the most popular amongst the health seekers. Same is the case with the people who are suffering from chronic pains. Be it the back pain, tooth ache or arthritis, the nature remedies help cure them all as they have the substances present in them that make them anti-inflammatory and pain killing.

Unlike the pharmaceutical medications, the natural remedies and medicines build your immunity system strong and make it more responsive towards the diseases, the stronger your immunity system is, the lesser you get under the attack of the viral infection and other diseases.

The process of healing is natural so it does not disturb the natural balance of the hormones and stabilizes the metabolism as well. For most of the allopathic medicines, one medicine when used for one purpose could affect some other organ instead and you would have to start medicine for that as well. But the natural remedies are safe to use without the worries of effecting any other organs.

Another great benefit of the natural remedies is that you can get them from the stores without having any prescription from the doctor. You just have to go to the store and ask for the thing you are looking for. They won’t ask for some authentic document to prove your need. So it would save your time and energy as well.

Dosage:

The only precaution you need to take while eating these natural medicines is that how large or small a dosage will be. Although there are no side effects to it, but still excess of everything is bad. You need to know about the right side of turmeric you are taking, correct dosage of kratom capsules for pain, the willow bark powder you need to take, number of cloves to put in mouth before use etc.

Also, the natural remedies are so good to take that there are chances for one to get addicted to them especially the pain killer ones. As they soothe and ease out your pain, you could become an addict so make sure you are taking them only when it is required. Keep an eye on the children and teen agers using such medicines as the chances to get addicted are more in them.

How to reduce chronic pain and inflammation naturally?

Looking forward to learn how to reduce chronic pains and inflammation naturally? Then the tips that we have shared below are for sure going to help you a lot in reducing pain.

  1. Deep breathing and meditation

Sometimes, when you have such pains that hardly get reduces, it becomes better to learn to start living with them rather than trying to kill them. So if you have such a pain that is chronic and won’t leave, you can start meditating and relaxing to avoid this pain. Breathing deep, enjoying the natural flavor of the fresh breeze makes you feel relaxed and calm and you tend to forget you pain. Meditation is a really healthy exercise that links you to the nature and helps you heal as well.

  1. Reduce stress as stress triggers chronic pain

If you want to reduce the effects of pain in any part of the body, just remember that the pain increases with the increase in stress. Any negative emotion in the body elevates the pain and thus makes you feel more miserable. If you are stressed, depressed or suffering from anxiety, you will feel more pain. So try to stay more cheerful and warmer towards life to kill the effects of pain.

  1. You can make use of the natural remedies to get rid of pain

If you are experiencing some chronic pain, then instead of going for the medications that are high in chemical, you must go for the natural remedies as these remedies are bound to give you relief while they have very little or zero side effects. You can use them without any trouble. There are a lot of commonly used remedies for pain such as cloves, turmeric, willow bark and CBD oil treating chronic pain and inflammation. Based on the availability of the remedy, you can pick the best option for you and start using it right away to get rid of the pain.

  1. Meet people who share the same interest with you

When we have some consistent pain, we start feeling lonely and left out, while there are hundreds of people suffering from the same disease around us. Several support groups are made only to treat these problems in the people as they sit together in the group and share their feelings about the disease. Everyone sympathizes with the other and you learn that you are not the only one rowing the boat, but there are several in the same boat as well.

  1. Avoid bad habits that elevate the pain

There are a lot of things that not only trigger the pain but they are responsible for worsening it as well. These typically include taking alcohol and smoking. If you have any of these two habits, you sure will get bad pain. Quitting all that takes you away from natural and healthy nutrition will help get rid of the pain quicker and easier?

Vintage UNDONE Watches: 5 Unique Designs for Collectors

The vintage watches that are created by UNDONE in their latest collection go out on a limb to provide iconic vintage designs at an affordable and reasonable price; they intend to keep the price low while not compromising its Unique Selling Point (customization).

While UNDONE’s Aqua collection uses an AR-coated sapphire crystal, the vintage line includes hardened crystal that forms a dome over the watch. In order to have an affordable price tag, the vintage line had to eliminate the sapphire crystals. Sapphire crystal domes are great at being scratch resistant. However, K1 crystal domes also do an excellent job of protecting the watch from any nicks and scratches. The crystal dome makes for a good vintage appearance as well.

The mecha-quartz movements allow you to indulge the best of both worlds, that is, the accuracy of the quartz movements and the sweeping movements of the second hand, which is a unique characteristic of the mechanical chronograph; the efficiency of the quartz movement doesn’t need constant winding and is perfect for a busy lifestyle.

UNDONE’s vintage watches have a Seiko VK16 movement, you get the normal hacking movement of the second hand, and you can instantly reset the chronograph by pressing the bottom pusher. The second hand can be set immediately without pausing.

When you customize your vintage watch, you get to choose from a variety of options; some of the choices include calf, Cordura, perlon, rally, and alligator printed leather. You can select from any of the alternatives mentioned; each one brings the vintage aesthetic to life and has a unique characteristic on its own. The strap is handmade and will look great on your wrist. It rests comfortably without being cumbersome; the strap has a distressed vibe that really adds to the vintage look.

The straps also come with quick release spring bars, and this is very convenient because you can change the belts quickly without the help of any tools. The quality of the straps and other components of the watch are of the highest caliber, and you can tell it’s good (as a customer) because UNDONE puts in the effort to ensure that the vintage aesthetic extends to the rest of the watch, and does not stop at the strap itself.

Design:

Even though the vintage watches in UNDONE’s collection allow for customizations and you’re “designing” the watch based on your needs, it helps to know the process you have to follow when creating your watch.

The vintage series took inspiration from the four famous watches in watchmaking history. The Breitling Navitimer, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Dato Compax, and the Omega Speedmaster. If you want to customize the vintage watch, the “Killy” is a popular choice, and you can pick a gold strap; this really accentuates the vintage look. You can select red for the hands, it serves as a good contrast to the gold strap, and you can choose a yellow gold dial and case color as well.

UNDONE also allows its customers to personalize the text of their choice on the dial, and you can choose a quote that represents your beliefs, passion, and feelings. The vintage watches have a clean aesthetic. They are balanced and symmetrical in design while paying tribute to great watches of the past, like Rolex Dato Compax. The collection pays close attention to detail. It tries to stay as historically accurate as possible; thereby, resulting in watches that have an iconic design without seeming repetitive.

While keeping the vintage theme in mind, the two pushers that are located on the side of the UNDONE watch will remind you of watches from the 1950s, including the neatly designed crown. The contrasting finish of the pusher on the case side is quite impressive as well. The middle strip where the pusher is located is brush-finished, and the stepped bezel is polished.

When it comes to the case back of the vintage watches, you’re provided with two choices- open or closed. You can choose the option you desire with the image and text of your choice.

Conclusion:

The look of the vintage watches in itself is so alluring that being able to customize the watch is a cherry on top of a fantastic cake. You should note that the customization may come with extra charges. With the vintage collection, UNDONE has managed to blend easy styling and perfect personalization with reasonable prices. There may be a distinct Rolex flavor with these watches, but that’s just the inspiration and tribute of the classic watches. The collection has managed to take inspiration from the classics and still manages to give it their little spin, making the collection unique and their own.

6 Reasons Why Mental Illness Doesn’t Have to Control Your Life

If you’re suffering from a mental health condition, you’re among millions of others in this world. In fact, mental health and neurological disorders affect 450 million people around the world.

Your condition may feel isolating at times, but you’re far from alone.

That’s one reason why you shouldn’t let it control your life. In 2019, there’s no need to hide or feel ashamed. Everyone is struggling with something, and people are more open and honest about it than ever before.

So, if you’re struggling, reach out for help. And if you’re just trying to get through the day, consider these 6 reasons why mental illness doesn’t have to control your life.

  1. You have some control

If you’re struggling with something like depression or anxiety, you can’t exactly will it away. But you’re not powerless either. You have control over how you handle your depression. And you have choices. You can talk to someone in your life that you trust, enlist the help of a professional counselor or call a hotline. Today, there are even online resources that allow you to chat with a mental health counselor. Even just a little control can help you feel like you have power over your mental illness.

  1. You can live at your own pace

There are things we have to do, and then there’s everything else. You must show up to work or school every day. But if you’re feeling especially down, you may want to cancel lunch plans. It’s up to you to decide how much you can handle. And if you’re having a particularly bad day, you may be able to call in sick to work – as long as you don’t take advantage. Everyone needs a break sometimes, and this is especially true for anyone struggling with mental illness.

Just keep in mind that you probably want to keep cancellations as a last resort. Mental illnesses can easily lead to isolation, which can worsen the condition.

  1. It helps to be around people who love you

Mental illness can trick you into believing that you don’t need people. But the truth is that we all need someone. Humans weren’t meant to live in isolation. So if you’re going from day to day without checking in with the ones you love, it may be time for a change.

  1. People are more understanding than you may think

With one in four people struggling from a mental health disorder, this is a common problem. It’s not something to be embarrassed about. You can’t help your condition, and people are likely to understand. Depending on your condition, it’s probably wise to educate people on the common symptoms, so they understand your behavior better.

  1. We only have this one life

Regardless of your reason for changing your life, remember that we all only get this one. You can spend it hiding away or you can embrace all the things that make you who you are (mental illness included) and life it to the fullest. Every day that you spend in isolation is a missed opportunity to experience your own life. Forget about anyone else. You owe it to yourself to get out there and live.

Try to do something each week that gets you out of your comfort zone. Even if it’s just a walk through the park when you’re feeling like retreating to your bed. The more you fight your unhealthy urges, the easier it’ll become.

  1. There are treatments

If you feel like you’re really suffering as a result of your mental illness, talk to your doctor. There are many potential solutions, from medication to behavioral disorder treatment, that can help make your life easier. With the right treatment, it’ll be easier for you to regain control over your life and stop letting mental illness hold you back.

When you’re diagnosed with a mental illness, it may feel like your life is changing. In reality, it’s simply the first step towards living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Now that you have a diagnosis, you can start taking strides towards treatment and/or management to hep you get the most out of your life. Every day won’t be easy, but it’ll be worthwhile.

5 Tips on How to Resolve Your Mental Problems

In a recent survey, the demographic statics state that the illness or to be specific to the health problems that is spreading like wildfire among the common masses is none other than mental retardation and mental health problems. The daily rat race in the sake of survival and progress of humankind is one of the reasons for the prevalence of such poor mental health.

Excessive work pressure and mental stress have led to such a situation. Daily assignments, deadlines, heavy duties, company projects, etc., all of these add extra pressure to the everyday pressure cooker which is steaming and boiling people regularly. These daily stressful errands are responsible for people’s ill mental health.

Another reason for the lack of mental peace is problems in one’s personal life. This is a significant factor which dominates mental depression in one’s life. To avoid or overcome these mental disturbances one should obey the following tips and religiously practice them.                             

  1. Avoid Alcohol, Smoking or Drugs

It is easier for an alcohol consumer, smoker or a drug addict to fall under mental depression rather than other ordinary people. Some people believe that these items of addiction help oneself to relief stress. But this is a thoroughly wrong and vague concept.

If a person consumes alcohol, smokes or take drugs to make himself or herself stress-free, he may find mental peace for few moments, but he is bound to feel more depressed and filled with anxiety the day after. See this is an example of how lousy addiction is unsafe for a person. There are several side effects of these elements of addiction.

Consuming alcohol effects our brain through thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is necessary for our brain especially for motor control and coordination and can cause memory and eye problems as well. Smoking especially smoking of cigarettes causes irritation and more of anxiety problems. Drugs turn out to be the most dangerous addiction of the lot with side effects like low moods, paranoia and delusions.

The most dreadful fact is that addiction to drugs can lead to a serious mental disease like schizophrenia as well. Thus we see how much harmful addiction of liquor, smoking and drugs can be.

  1. Value Yourself – Taking Tender Care of Our Body and Mind

We should at first respect our self; we should be kind to ourselves and treat ourselves with the utmost care. We should be satisfied and take pride in however we look. Some people repent upon having drooping eyes, big noses, elf-like ears, etc.

They do not realise they can shape up themselves beautifully as they are. For example, haircuts for big noses, eye-liners for drooping eyes, beautiful earrings for elf-shaped ears. See this is a perfect example for that. They can groom themselves beautifully in this way and fall in love with their own self.

This will help increase their self-confidence and avoid mental depression arising from inferiority complex. One should also stress on the inculcation of moral values that would help in beautifying the inner self. This would help in keeping oneself self-content and maintaining good mental health.                                  

  1. Try to be sociable, connect with others, help others and ask for help if needed

Humans are social animals. They do not want to be left out alone in this vast world. This is why humans, through ages,  across the world have been keen on connecting with people of their similar kind, even if this task involves crossing mountains or oceans.

Making an effort to maintain healthy relationships with people and giving a warm talk with them whenever you get a chance, is one of the best ways to maintain one’s mental peace. A person should sacrifice his self-esteem and have a welcoming attitude towards people. This is the reason why social networking media is flourishing day by day.

  1. Managing Stress

Stress in both personal and professional fields creates mental breakdown for several persons. Making out a leisure time from one’s routine is a must. It allows you to breathe in the daily hustle bustle of life. One should also take vacations after a certain period. Thus in such a manner, one can avoid stress in the course of his daily errands.

  1. Physical exercise is essential

A person’s physical health is complementary to one’s mental health. Mental health and physical health is directly proportional to each other. To maintain one’s mental health physical exercise is a must. Morning and evening exercise, even for five minutes can be productive.                     

 

Getting to Know Yourself: How to Learn Who You Really Are

Do you ever look in the mirror and feel like you don’t know the person you see? Keep reading to learn how you can get to know yourself on a deeper level.

Americans are more unhappy than ever before. But we’re more connected than ever and have access to more conveniences than at any point in history. So why are so many people struggling?

If you can relate, it may be because you simply haven’t taken the time to get to know yourself. If you don’t know who you are, what you want, and what you don’t want from your life, how can you feel content and satisfied?

Read on to learn how you can learn how to know who you are. 

How to Learn Who You Are

When you’re constantly busy, always connected, and never take the time for self-reflection, it’s easy to go through life without knowing who you are. 

Here are some ways you can stop feeling lost and get to know yourself:

Be Still 

You can’t find out who you are if you never take the time to simply be alone with yourself. You may find that silence and alone time is scary, and you find it deeply uncomfortable. 

This is normal at first, but it takes stillness and silence to be completely truthful with yourself and understand why you are the way you are.

Talk to a Professional

Often, we’re simply not equipped to dive deep into questions like ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I the way I am?’ A trained therapist can help you through this journey, so you can understand not only who you are, but what occurred in your life to make you this way (both good and bad). 

Therapy can also prevent you from repeating past mistakes, and help you form new, better habits. 

Get Feedback

While it’s important to do the tough work yourself so you can find out who you are, feedback is also hugely helpful.

Talk to close friends and family members who you trust. Ask them two questions: ‘What weaknesses do I need to work on’, and ‘what things do you admire about me?’ 

Take all opinions with a grain of salt, but if you’re hearing similar feedback from those closest to you, it’s a great opportunity to use this information.

Know Your Values

Your personal values help determine who you are as a person. They’re what you use to determine what is constructive, desirable, useful, important, and beneficial. Once you know what your core values are, you can use them to determine what your priorities are in life.

Learning what values are the most important to you is key to making sure your daily life is aligned with those values. 

While thinking about your values, ask yourself ‘what makes you happy.’ This isn’t fleeting happiness, like the endorphins you get from eating chocolate or the pleasure from your favorite TV series. Think about what true, lasting happiness looks like for you.

Do You Know Yourself?

The above steps are just the beginning when it comes to learning to know yourself. Self-knowledge is a life-long process, but by taking the time to work on these skills, you’ll likely be much happier. 

To get started, check out some of our self-improvement blog posts today.

 

Out with the Old, in with the New: Tips for Upgrading your life

We live in a society where everything is a rush, rush, rush and because of this we tend to live a life where we neglect what is important. We don’t find the time to attend to things as we should and find ourselves with cupboards bursting at the seams mostly with unwanted goods and no place for anything else. We need to declutter, reassess and look at where we can upgrade our lives. Decluttering can be rather therapeutic for mind, body and soul. We can change our lives for the better by making healthy changes and discarding the old, to make place for the new.

Upgrade your car

They say we should upgrade our car every five years, but this isn’t always be possible as cars can often be expensive. We should look to upgrade especially when the repairs start skyrocketing and we find we are spending more money to keep it running where if we got something newer it would be more of a benefit to our pocket than a burden. Let’s be honest, there really is so much excitement around getting something new – especially a new car (even if it’s second hand), and it really doesn’t have to be a costly affair. CarZar SA’s top rated car buyer is a great option for upgrading.

Clean out your clothes closet and throw away what you no longer wear

We love to go shopping and we get home with our new purchases only to find we have to once again find space on top of everything else or double up on the hangers. It is advisable to at least do a closet clean out every six to eight months. There is nothing wrong with keeping the outfits that are your favourite pieces but go through your closet and be brutal. Look at what you have not worn in the past eight months and toss them out – they are just taking up space. There is nothing more rewarding than taking your once loved items to a shelter and passing them onto others that are in need. Decluttering your closet is rewarding and gives you the chance to see what you need and what you don’t need. It also, of course, makes space for your brand-new purchases!

Spend time with people that inspire you, rather than those that drain you

Often, it’s in our nature are to be accommodating to everyone and to keep working on relationships with others – even if they’re not good relationships, and are people not meant for us. But this is a habit you need to break rather sooner than later. Declutter this area of your life so that you can make space for good energy, instead of putting up with those that drain you and leave you disappointed. There is nothing like being lifted up by friends and family, especially those that you trust, make you laugh, that share good news and drive inspiring conversations.

Do more of what makes you happy

Upgrading your life is really just about analysing different areas of your life and making positive changes. Every one of us have interests, passions and talents. Some are aware of them and other aren’t – but this is a good time to explore them. Take up a hobby of some sort or simply explore whatever interests you – you might just discover that you have hidden talents. Or perhaps you’ll rediscover a passion that you forgot about, because you were so busy working or doing other things. Hobbies can also create a happy space where you can relax and just be with your thoughts; it gives you the chance to reassess the day or something that is worrying you.

Say goodbye to unhealthy habits

Upgrade your life by starting to live a healthier lifestyle. Say goodbye to habits that have an unhealthy effect on your health and way of living. Give up smoking that causes problems not only to your health but to those around you. When you give up smoking food tastes better, you smell better, and you will start feeling a lot healthier after just a few months. You will get an appetite as smoking takes away the craving to eat. Start gym or some kind of exercise as this will improve your health and wellbeing. Change your diet, leave the junk food behind and start filling your life and stomach with healthy foods that will give you energy and leave you feeling energised.

6 Intimate and Creative Gift Ideas for Your Wife or Girlfriend

Are you stuck looking for gift ideas for your wife or girlfriend coming up to a special occasion such as her birthday or your anniversary? Perhaps you just want to do something loving and romantic to surprise her and let her know just how loved and appreciated she is. Finding thoughtful, unique gifts for your wife can be tough, especially when you feel that she deserves her own private island. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things that you could do for her that will have the right impact without having cost the earth. We’ve put together some top gift ideas that the special lady in your life will love.

1. Handmade Gifts:

If you’re stuck browsing the shops for gifts and feel that everything just seems so generic, then why not consider making something for your girlfriend or wife? A hand-made gift doesn’t really have to be expensive or elaborate; simply knowing that you’ve taken the time and effort to think about her, and make something for her with your own hands is sure to make her happy. And even if the gift isn’t majorly expensive, it’s bound to be something that she will love and cherish forever.

2. A Map of the Stars:

Shop around online to find companies that sell printed, frames maps of the stars on a specific date. Whether it’s the night that you first met, asked her to be your girlfriend, shared your first kiss, asked her to marry you, or tied the knot as husband and wife, a map of the stars from a special day that you both share can be a very thoughtful and romantic gift idea that also makes for stunning home décor!

3. Scented Candles:

If you’re on a tight budget but still want to treat your wife or girlfriend to something special, scented candles are a lovely idea. They are often inexpensive and can turn any room into a more luxurious setting. And, you could even turn it into a romantic, thoughtful gesture like placing the scented candles around a relaxing bath for her or giving her a romantic massage by candlelight.

4. Intimate Gifts:

Do you want to spice up your sex life with your wife or girlfriend? Then an intimate gift that you can both enjoy is a great idea. Look for sex toys that she will be able to enjoy with you or on her own; you can find a great range of vibrators, dildos, ben wa balls and more over at Simplipleasure; get one for your woman to add some excitement and passion to your sex life, become more intimate, and try something new.

5. Jewelry:

If you want to find a gift that is a safe bet, then jewelry is often a great choice. And with such a large range of options available, you’re sure to find something that your wife or girlfriend will really love. Whether she prefers traditional, diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings or enjoys wearing jewelry that’s more unique, it’s a great gift idea if you want to pick something that really suits her style and shows just how well you know her.

6. Useful Tech:

Last but not least, don’t feel tied down to traditionally ‘romantic’ gifts. There are so many tech products that you could treat your wife or girlfriend to, that she’s sure to love and appreciate. If she enjoys reading, for example, she’ll love a Kindle or other e-reader, or perhaps she’s in need of a new smartphone, quality headphones, or a home assistant such as Amazon Echo or Google Home.

What kind of gifts does your wife or girlfriend love to receive from you? Let us know in the comments.