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Sometimes after a long, hard week putting in your hours at the office, you really do just want to relax and unwind at home. However, with the warmer days of spring and summer just around the corner, it won’t be long before you’re officially in the mood to get out of town once in a while. Don’t simply assume you have to do the same old things you’ve always done in years past though. The following ideas are all excellent ways to mix things up.

1. Gaming Weekend

You don’t have to live near Las Vegas or Atlantic City for a fun  weekend to be an option for you. Most states are home to at least a couple of resorts. Try your luck at the slots or the roulette wheel a time or two. Then follow up with a delicious dinner at a gourmet eatery and perhaps a show.

2. Train Ride with Benefits

Trains rides are more than just a scenic way to get from place to place these days. There are a lot of companies out there turning train rides into unique experiences in and of themselves. If you’re anywhere near wine country, a wine-themed tasting experience on a train is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. Alternatively, you could try a mystery-themed alternative like this dinner train Manatee County Florida option. Solve a good, old-fashioned murder mystery, and enjoy a sumptuous multi-course dinner in good company!

3. Rent a Beach House

The next time you’re planning on driving to the coast to partake in the excellent healing benefits of a weekend by the ocean, consider nixing the hotel stay and renting a beach house for a couple of days instead. It’s a much homier, cozier option that comes complete with plenty of privacy, the ability to cook your own meals, and even enjoy morning coffee on the back porch as you watch the waves.

4. Play Tourist

Are you not sure you actually want to get away from home base, but in the mood for something different nevertheless? Try experiencing your own home town or a neighboring city you’ve been to many times from a tourist’s perspective. Move into a cute little bed and breakfast for the weekend. Sign up for a walking tour, or spend the whole weekend trying all those fun little experiences you normally pass up because you’ve got other places to be. You’ll be glad you did!

Sometimes it is a good idea to become a minimalist in life even if the whole world tells you to shop all the time (yes, online shopping, I am thinking of you here). If you don’t want to give in into the modern lifestyle that heavily promotes shopping, you might find those below tips to be useful to you:

1. Create new habits by turning into a minimalist. It might take you some time because old habits die hard, but if you have enough motivation you should be able to accomplish your goals. What is it that motivates you to become a minimalist? Lack of home space, or you simply like the idea of having only a few things at your disposal that don’t clutter your home? Think about it for a second and you might discover that you might have a lot more reasons to be a minimalist than you have previously thought so.

2. To free up some space at home, try to store seasonal stuff such as clothes or sports equipment. If you don’t have a second home, or if your attic space is limited, consider public storage such as public storage Fort Lauderdale to help you with this task. You would be surprised how much personal space in your home you can get by simply removing a lot of your stuff that you really don’t need.

3. If you want to become a true minimalist you will need to learn to say no to various purchases. Before you jump on the opportunity to buy another miracle food processor you might want to ask yourself a question: do I really need another item of this type? Am I really going to use it frequently to justify the purchase? Once you learn to say no to some of the purchases that are not really necessary you will be freed from the consumerist lifestyle that many of us have succumbed to. It will free you allowing you to be a happier person.

You might not think about the summer and holidays when winter is in full swing, but before you even know it you might realize that you are about to pack for your summer adventures. Before it takes place though, you need to make sure that your spring cleaning goes according to the plan and that you enjoy it as much as possible. Here are some ideas that can help you with that:

1. Try to sell or donate some of the things you no longer need. Believe me, doing so can be a very enjoyable thing to do especially if you have been having some items for many years and you are absolutely sure that you no longer need them. Knowing that somebody else might benefit from the items you no longer need can also make you feel better, so if you don’t feel like selling on eBay then head to a local charity store and give them something they might appreciate.

2. If you are unsure about some items and you don’t exactly know what to do with them, consider hiring a storage unit such as self storage lancaster. This is a great way to deposit some of them items you only use from time to time so that you know that you can come back to them later. There are many benefits of using storage facilities and they are affordable too. As a matter of fact, a lot of individuals, not only businesses, use them on a regular basis, so you might want to do the same in case you haven’t done it yet.

3. If you have some items that can be store outdoors then put them in your garden shed or another place outside of your house. Make sure though that the items won’t get destroyed by mildew or you risk damaging them permanently.

4. In everything you do, remember to enjoy yourself. Organizing your belongings can be a very rewarding experience that can free your mind and your space in the long run, so learn to make the most out of it.

Most of us can’t afford to splash out on a Picasso or De Kooning for our home, but we still want to have some nice pieces of art to liven up the walls. It is common to buy a print or two from a local store and then frame it, but mass-produced artwork is typically printed in factories and shipped overseas, which is not great for the environment. When you hang a mass-produced print or reproduction painting on the wall, only big business benefits. So, what are your options if you want to buy art in a more socially responsible way?

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Buy from Local Artists

In any community, there will always be creative types that produce artwork. Some of them rely on the money they make from selling their artwork, so by purchasing one of their pieces, you are making a real difference to that person’s life.

Look out for art shows in the local community and go along. If you see a piece of artwork you like, ask the artist if it is for sale. They will be thrilled to make a sale and you get to enjoy a piece of original artwork in your home.

Student art shows are another good place to pick up affordable artwork. Most final year students studying art at college exhibit their work in a show. The work is usually for sale at a reasonable price. It is a great opportunity to buy a piece of art from an up-and-coming artist. You never know, this impoverished student could become the next Damian Hurst!

Buy Art Souvenirs on Your Travels

Do you travel a lot? If so, you probably enjoy buying souvenirs to remind you of your experiences. We all like to pick up mementos when we visit a new place, but rather than wasting money on cheap junk that was probably mass-produced in a factory in China, why not invest in a piece of art instead?

Art is an important industry in many developing countries. In Africa, talented locals carve wonderful sculptures from local wood, and in Australia, the indigenous Aborigines produce amazing ‘dot’ paintings. Instead of buying a silly t-shirt, invest in a painting or sculpture instead. If you pick up a small piece of art and have it well-wrapped, it can travel home in your suitcase for free.

Buy Charity Artwork

There are some amazing non-profits that work with artists in impoverished parts of the world. You can purchase an original painting and in return, your cash helps to support an artist and their family, as well as raise awareness for them and their community. This Banksy stained glass painting is a great example of this type of project. The picture has been produced by a talented artist and would look fabulous on your living room wall.

Produce Your Own Sustainable Artwork

Get creative and work with driftwood, discard materials, and leftover paint. It is amazing what you can do if you have a vision for the kind of piece you want hanging on your wall!

Got any more great ideas? Let us know in the comments!

By Karen Hill
Award winning singer/musician eLAY from Birmingham, England is making a comeback after a terrible illness. He has put his energy (amongst many other interesting projects) into releasing a brand new EP. If you are a fan of musical genres which include funk, indie or rock, then you should find eLAY
appealing. This 2 Track EP really shows eLAYs individuality and creativity. It is actually produced by eLAY himself at Production Boudoir studio and consists of the tracks ‘Crazy’ and ‘I Want You’ and I have been lucky enough to have had a sneak preview of it by checking this Karen Hill article on eLAY.

The time around Christmas is a very special time, a magical time. The Christmas spirit is everywhere and it seems like people tend to enjoy it a lot wherever they go. It is also this time of year when we tend to shop a lot. Our houses are suddenly filled with tons of new items and the space to store them is always limited. This is why it is always a better idea to keep a close eye on the items you buy to make sure that you won’t buy something that takes a lot of space, but is not really needed. Here are some of the most popular items that people tend to buy this time of year that also cause a lot of clutter in our homes. You might want to steer clear off these at all cost:

1. Kitchenware such as coffee machines or waffle makers for example. Are you absolutely sure you really need a device that will enable you to do waffles for your whole family each morning? If you are struggling with lack of time, like most people do these days, especially during morning hours, you might find that a simple cereal-based meal is all that you need in the morning instead of starting your waffle maker. Eventually, you might find that the device is just gathering dust and it is time to hide it somewhere due to lack of use.

2. TVs. It is proven that various electronics such as TVs are some of the most popular purchases during November-December shopping season. People are lured by the attractive prices of many TVs only to find out that their homes might be too small for another giant screen hanging from the wall.

3. Garden tools and equipment. Many people choose to buy those out-of-season hoping to get better prices.

If you have made some mistakes and your house it too full of items you don’t really need, don’t panic, but rather consider the options that come with self storage facilities such as storage units parker. You will be surprised how many things you can safely store there for as long as you want it.

Going to university, for the majority of students, is the first time they will be moving away from home. This can be both liberating and daunting, especially when first arriving to a new town or city which will be home for the next few years. Here’s a few things to expect, look forward to, and perhaps prepare yourself for when going to university.

The sheer size of a university can take some getting used to in the first few weeks. Finding your specific seminar room in your first week of lessons can take a lot longer than you might expect. If you’re still getting your bearings it can be a good idea to aim to get to your class five or ten minutes early, just in case you take a few wrong turns. A lot of universities offer apps to help students find their way round university as well. After a few weeks though the twists and turns of a campus will become second nature to you, and finding those spots that suits you for studying, socialising, and everything in between is a lovely experience in itself.

Where you choose to live when you move to university is obviously a huge factor in your university experience. Student halls can work for many people, and the accommodation tours at open days can help give you a feel if this would be the right fit for you. Alternatives, such as the large housing plots offered by student accommodation Huddersfield can be preferable for some students, or if there is a shortage of university offered accommodation.

Social life for many first years outweighs the academic side of university. It’s not the end of the world if this happens to you. Part of the learning experience of university is working out a healthy balance of work and fun, and this will often come from learning from your mistakes. Societies are often a great way to meet new friends and kick start your uni social life. There is an abundance of societies on offer at most universities, something that will appeal to anyone, helping you find people with similar interests to you. Freshers fairs are often held at universities where students can see all the different societies on offer. Try and not sign up to too many societies on the day, as often you’ll find it’s too time consuming to commit to all of them throughout the term.

While doing your housework can be a great time for you and for your home, it can sometimes leave you frustrated as well. If you have one of those days that everything seems to be falling down from your hands, sit down for a while and think of those few simple tips:

1. I know that you want to get everything done as soon as possible, but actually taking regular breaks can make all the difference and will allow your body to regenerate without running out of energy. Your body is a bit like a car. If it’s tank becomes empty it just stops and cannot go on anymore. Remember to take regular breaks to stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks regularly.

2. If you are losing patience because your hangers won’t hold your clothes use this simple trick: put a little bit of glue to prevent the slipping of clothes. Of course, allow the glue to dry first before you put any clothes on the hangers.

3. If lack of space and organization is your problem, don’t panic, but rather carefully consider all the options you have because you might have more of them than you initially thought. For example storage units such as storage units irvine can do a lot for you by keeping your belongings safe at all times and your house clean and organized. Nothing solves the problem of clutter better than adding an extra room to your house. If expanding your house is not an option, you might discover that storage units can be absolutely invaluable in helping you to achieve what you want and need so much.

4. Keep your car organized as well. You home should not be the only place where you need to have things under control. Keeping your vehicle in order at all times will allow you to relax more when you drive as you will know that everything has its place. There are many car organizers that you can easily buy on eBay and Amazon, so don’t hesitate today to buy something you will actually enjoy and that will allow you to store things.

If you are ethnically inclined to this festive season then try out some experiment designers’ have for you in Salwar fashion. Being simple yet in a fusion pattern, it can make you head turner. Adhering to the modesty of ethnicity you can do a lot makeover to your salwar draped look. Ultimately remember the great saying:-

                    “Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men says it is the wisest course” – William Shakespeare

Kurta and dupatta being the staple of Salwar suits have lot to do on the pattern and cut of both upper and lower part. Let’s discuss in details with numerous cuts and pattern to assist you better with festival round the corner.

The flaunting petals pattern

Inspired by Tulip flower petals this pattern of pant is designed so in ankle length around the hemline that enhances the look. A three folded stitch resembles the flower. Keeping kurta in short knee length or upper than that you can pose in smarter ethnic look. Drape your dupatta around your neck if your figure type is hourglass or pear-shaped.

Afghani Style

The pant silhouette is flaring with narrow stich around ankle. The middle part of the pant flared to knee level forms a wider pleat and narrow cuffs in a vehement style. With balloon-like flairs, it complements the short kameez and a flaunting dupatta on one side. A neat one side braid or an untied hair spruced on one shoulder looks good. Chiffon, silk or net fabric of such salwar kameez online is hugely available.

Dhoti Salwar

Like flattering pleats of dhoti wearing style of ancient India, dhoti salwar is outlayed in the most traditional form. It is edgy and trendy when paired with short anarkali or angraksha kurti. Being comfortable and trendy for festival, party and office wear it can feature add-on to your traditional and ethnic side.

Cigarette Pant

Demonstrating its nomenclature it is straight tight ankle length pant which gives a very professional, classy yet smart look. Your inclination for wearing the salwar kameez will enhance when you come out with this comfortable traditional wear. Long jacket type front slit kameez is exuberating in salwar kameez online.

Harem Style

Slightly like that of Afghani style, it has less flair but more diameters. You can pair it with short kameez or crop top. A T-shirt can also fuse this ethnic-western fashion into a global statement.  Salwar kameez online USA has a growing demand of same. This is often found by celebrity and travellers to drape during their trip. Comfortability is its added factor. And your extra inches can hide under the influence of its flair so the figure is no consideration for such type.

Palazzo

With extra inches parallelly running throughout the pant up to bottom, hemline is palazzo.  All age groups have accepted it widely. Any kurti length can accompany it. It comes in higher designer pattern and normal cotton low ranges as well. For domestic, professional, fashion, party, wedding and any occasion it is unbeatable ethnic fashion.

Shararas       

It is a flowy form with a special round flair from the knee is coming as mainstream fashion. Based on its origin in Muslim culture, this salwar suit is very traditional. Flaring itself in party and weddings it is on global fashion.

With these flairs of salwar pant, you can experiment a lot on the top or kurti part. Salwar kameez online USA has a high demand for traditional ethnic wear. You can try an asymmetric pattern or C-pattern hemline. Jacket form of kurti goes well with straight pant or pattern. Anarkali, Angraksha are some outlay that can be buzzing this season. If you have some other idea share with us and let the ethnic fashion rise the global hike.