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When you get dressed in the morning, what are the main factors that influence the clothes you choose to wear?

Like most of us at the moment I work from home, so generally the main thing I think about when I decide what to wear is how comfortable the clothes are.

If you need to look professional though you might pick out clothes that look neat and polished and that make you feel confident and well put together.

And if you’re feeling a bit low you might pick out something in a bright colour that cheers you up.

I have to admit that I’m not a big follower of fashion, but I do think that the clothes we choose to wear can have a big impact on how we feel.  They can also effect how other people see us, and we can use the clothes we wear to make a statement to the world.

One of my favourite trends over the years has been slogan T-shirts.

There are so, so many designs to choose from that you can always find a T-shirt with a slogan or image on it to suit your mood and let the world know how you’re feeling.

You can start by picking out the colour of a T-shirt to suit either your mood or what you’re doing that day.

Bright colours like yellow and red are great if you’re feeling cheerful and want to show that to the world.  Or if you’re feeling a bit anxious and want something to help you feel a bit calmer you could go for a purple or green T-shirt.

The interesting thing with this is that studies have shown that the clothes we wear can change the way we feel, but as a result of us believing that they will.

So putting that red T-shirt on won’t magically make you feel happier, unless you believe that it will.  And that belief tends to come from knowing that this particular top fits you well, and that you feel confident in it.

The other place you can start with choosing a T-shirt is the slogan or design on it.

There are so many designs to choose from when it comes to women’s T-shirts so there really is something for every personality and every mood.

I love T-shirts with simple slogans like ‘not today’ for days when you’re not in the mood for dealing with the world and want to make a bit of a joke about it.  On the flip side of this I also love T-shirts with uplifting slogans and messages reminding people to be kind and keep positive.

These kinds of T-shirts can make us feel better when we put them on, as well as make other people smile when they see us wearing them, which isn’t bad for a humble T-shirt.

We can also express different sides of our personalities with the T-shirts we choose to wear.

You can use them to show your allegiance to a particular sports team, or to tell the world about your love of your favourite tv show or film.

If you have a more quirky personality you can find T-shirts that help you express that side of yourself with fun graphics and slogans.

No matter who you are, what mood you’re in or what you want to present to the world, you can find a T-shirt that will help you express yourself without having to say a word.

Do you have a favourite slogan T-shirt?  What do you think it says about you when you wear it?

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post

Smart TVs are an ever-growing trend in the TV industry. It seems like we cannot get enough of this innovative, entertaining gadget. Each day, more sophisticated units flood the market, making it difficult for consumers to select the ideal candidate for their viewing experience. But is there more to these appliances than meets the eye? You are about to find out in this comprehensive guide.

When purchasing a smart TV, there are some specific factors to consider, some of which include functionality, budget, and interior setting. Knowing what to look out for in a TV set can save you time and money; otherwise, you may find yourself stuck in a psychological maze of indecision. So, I am here as your tourist guide to help you navigate the world of smart TVs easily.

Do I need a smart TV?

This fundamental question comes before an individual decides to go TV shopping. Many reasons may cause an individual to purchase a new smart TV; probably, the current one is faulty, or the user needs an upgrade.

Whatever the case may be, buying a new TV comes with several merits. For one, you can stream pre-installed programs, surf the internet, enjoy your favourite video games, view your gallery, and perform other exciting activities, without leaving your couch. These preloaded programs include but are not limited to Amazon Prime Video, Disney, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora.

Straightforward accessibility

What use is a smart TV if you have trouble operating it? For newer models, there is an intuitive walk-through process that guides users on how to install and set up their TV and TV software.

With the intervention of the internet in the TV industry, it is easy to download media files, surf the internet for relevant content, and carry out other tasks

My smart TV functionalities

Having an idea of what to shop for based on your specifications can go a long way in getting the best TV deal.

So, where do you begin? It’s simple, analyze your needs (if you live alone) and your family’s (if you have a household). For example, if you love sport, you need a smart TV device  that comes with the sport app pre-installed, or one you can download from the internet.

Other factors worth considering include size, functionality, compatibility, and quality. With the ideal screen dimension and resolution, you can get the best viewing experience. Recently, more TV specs are available in 4K, which is four times higher than the HD display version (1080p).

What about TV/smartphone connectivity?

The activities you can perform with a smart TV are endless, one of which includes shared connectivity. You can move media content from your TV to your smartphone, and vice-versa. It is not uncommon to find users controlling TV programs and streaming services from their mobile devices.

In summary, investing in smart TV may seem financially wearisome. However, several brands and models meet different pocket sizes. As a result, you will get an ideal TV set for your projected price range. Having one of these entertaining appliances can transform your home and your lifestyle.

With the content shared in this guide, I hope that you will be able to make the right decision when shopping.

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post

Times can be tough occasionally, and the family budget can take a beating every now and again.

As a parent, it can be one of your priorities to balance the books, ensure the bills get paid and everyone has what they need to function. But with that can come the stress and extra pressure.

Especially if the figures are just not adding up. Life can get in the way sometimes, and things can surprise us like unexpected bills when we least expect it.

But how can you make your family budget work for you?

There are tweaks and changes you can make to your spending habits and how you manage the family budget. I thought I would suggest to you some of the actions and steps that you could take to make it happen.

First of all, make sure you have exact figures for things. This will help you get a clear idea of where your money is going each month.

Once you have scrutinised your outgoings versus your income, you can attempt to make some of the changes suggested below.    

Time to reduce the food bill

One of the first things you can start to reduce would be the food bill. Traditionally, this can be one of the biggest outgoings you have per week after your mortgage or rent payment.

Thankfully, it is one that is in your complete control. A great tip would be to try meal planning. This can help you put together a list of the things you need, and stop you from wasting food or spending money when it isn’t necessary.

You could also look at making some changes to the places you shop and the type of food you buy. Choosing to have an extra meat-free evening to save on buying meat, if that is an option for your family. 

Make debt a priority

Debt can also become a big part of your outgoings, and while you may not have had that intention, it is a fact of life that people have some debt around them at different stages of their lives. Instead of burying your head in the sand with it, take control of the situation.

You could start with receiving some advice from local charities who could give you some of the options that you have. Or, you may be able to start paying things back yourself. A top tip would be to pay back the debt that costs you the most in interest first. 

Switch and save

When you begin this journey, you will have itemised what you spend on other outgoings such as energy and insurance. But when was the last time you changed provider for those things? Many companies save their best deals for new accounts, and so loyalty may not be paying off for you.

Switching could give you some amazing savings each month. Doing this sort of check regularly will ensure you always pay the lowest possible price for what you need. 

Be savvy with your shopping

Shopping can often be one of those things that can cause you issues. Your children and family members need things. They are always growing, and yes, that means you need to spend money.

However, it doesn’t need to dent the bank balance as much as you think. You can use discount codes and vouchers in order to find what you are looking for and save some money in the process. Plus sales are always a great place to shop and buy ahead of time.

You could also hop online for items that you need more frequently such as prescription glasses. Websites like https://www.eyeglasses.com can be very useful and offer up some great savings. You might also want to seek out the amazon deals where subscribing for items you buy frequently can give you some great savings. 

Recycle where possible 

Recycling isn’t just about your waste and rubbish; it is also about recycling older things from your older children for your young ones.

Toys, clothes, uniforms, they can all be stored and then reused when the time comes. It can be a great way to make some savings on those essential purchases that you know are on there way. 

Plan as much as you can 

Finally, planning can be a great way to ensure that you do all that you can to make some savings. You can plan birthdays and occasions. You can take time to plan Christmas by putting together lists of what you need to buy and save for. You can also plan for vacations.

Planning can help you save and prepare for what spending you need to make, so it doesn’t hit you too hard when the time comes. 

Let’s hope that these tips help you to boost the family budget and feel more in control of your finances. 

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post

None of us – absolutely not a single one of us – is getting any younger. Ever since time began, there’s been no way to escape it. No way to hit pause. No way to rewind time to go back and make better decisions.

All we have is hindsight, and trying our best to learn from the mistakes of others. 

No matter which stage of life you find yourself muddling through, contemplating the ifs, buts, and maybes of yesterday, yesteryear, and what’s to come, there are most likely very few people reading this who think “um, nah, I’m fine actually, finances, relationships, career, fitness, all in check, but thanks for asking”.

It just doesn’t happen. That way of thinking is for the mega rich. The affluent 1%. The people who only have to worry about whether the name “Bigshot McBigshot Face” is taken for their yacht. 

Change is hard. Change that lasts is harder. That’s why we’re going to look at some tips for gaining the edge over lethargy and indecision. 

Plan it. Draw a chart. Get some markers and stickers.

It may sound silly, but whatever your goal is – from losing weight to saving money or even placing advertisements for a new drummer for your band – you probably need to hit daily and weekly goals of ‘bits’ of effort to chip away at your plan.

Think about it.

How much have you actually done this MONTH towards achieving that thing you want to do? South of zero? Yeah. See the issue? 

Let’s say you want to quit smoking (bonus lifestyle tip: you could even aim to switch to vaping to help ditch the cigarettes – see this range of vaping liquids). You need about three months to kick the cravings. That means you need a chart for 12 weeks.

Where you can see your progress, you’re more likely to stick to your goals.

You need a wall chart. With days mapped out and stickers ready to put in the boxes to show you how you’re progressing. 

Don’t overdo it – too much too fast is … too much

Here’s the thing about lifestyle changes that stick. You won’t lose weight overnight. You won’t become rich by Friday. Just like you’re not going to get the new job or meet the person of your dreams by sitting on the couch and doing nothing about it.

But can you do too much too fast? Yes, you can.

Don’t try to change too much at any one time in your life.

Pick one thing to straighten out. Health. Love life. Finances. Career. Whatever it is, nail it. One of the best ways to ‘nail it’ is to involve a friend. Tell someone what you’re thinking. They will shed some light on the issue, too. Plus, this regular support can be invaluable in keeping you on track. 

Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post

I started writing this blog a little over 5 years ago, when I didn’t go back to my office job at the end of my maternity leave.

Back then I had no idea what was really involved in running a blog.  I was completely unaware of all the work that was involved, all the different things I’d have to learn and the endless to-do list I’d end up trying to keep on top of.

5 years down the line and I’m still learning, and still working on finding ways to get to the bottom of that to-do list.  There are a few things I’ve picked up though that can help with being more organised as a blogger.

1. Create a schedule

I do have a weird resistance to this and it’s taken me a long time to accept that having a schedule of sorts is actually really helpful in getting my blog life organised.

Knowing what content I’ll be publishing when and where takes away the stress of trying to come up with something on the spur of the moment.

The editorial calendar plugin for WordPress is a huge help in getting my blog posts scheduled.  It lets me put in drafts of posts which I can then drag around the calendar to the days I want to post them.  Then once they’re ready to go I can schedule them to go live whenever I want.

Having a schedule for blog posts is one thing, but it’s only one part of the puzzle.  Another key factor in getting organised as a blogger is to set up a social media posting schedule.  You can keep this as simple as planning out what content you’ll share on which channel in a spreadsheet, or you can use something like ContentCal to make life even easier for yourself.

You can get all your social media posts drafted out and then schedule them to go live at a set time each week, or whenever you want them to be published.  Having a social media plan instead of scrabbling around each day wondering what to share can make a big difference in how organised you feel as a blogger.  Saying that, it’s something that I’m still working on getting on top of!

2. Batch your content

This is something you’ll hear productivity experts talk about all the time, and it’s because it really works.

What it means is that you do a load of the same type of job at the same time.  So when you’re in the mood to write, you sit and write out drafts for your next 4 blog posts.  If you have amazing light in your house one day, then you spend a few hours getting all the photos you need for the next few weeks taken in one go.

When we stick with one type of activity we get into a state of flow, and are so much more productive than when we chop and change and jump from one activity to the next.

3. Keep a notebook handy

One of the simplest ways to get more organised as a blogger is to just keep a notebook handy.

You can have just one that you keep on you, or have a few dotted around the house and in your bag so you can jot down ideas whenever and wherever they come to you.

Whether it’s a brilliant idea for a blog post series or a note to remind yourself to reply to an email or take a photo of something, you’ll need somewhere to record all the thoughts that pop in your head throughout the day.

If a physical notebook doesn’t work for you then you can try using the notes app on your phone, or downloading something like trello or evernote that you can sync across all your devices so you can access all your digital notes wherever you are.

Hopefully these tips will help you to feel more organised as a blogger. 

I’m hoping if I keep trying to take my own advice I’ll feel on top of everything one of these days!

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post

Your skin deserves a reward for all it goes through. It is subjected to the elements and pollution on a daily basis. It also has to deal with makeup, other body products, and exposure to household cleaning products. Even what you eat and the random things you do, such as forgetting to wear sunscreen, can damage it.

All of that damage does not show up right away, but when it finally does laser treatment might help you fix it.

Lasers versus clinical light therapies for skin 

The first thing to understand about laser treatment is what it is. Laser treatment is a form of light therapy for your skin. However, not all forms of light therapy are laser treatments. For example, intense pulsed light (IPL) is not considered a laser procedure, even though it is in the family. A true laser procedure uses a single wavelength of light and focuses it into a narrow beam. It also produces a lot of heat. Although, the exact amount of heat is different for each laser model.

Laser tools and how they have changed

Laser skincare is an area that is always growing. Which means that many different tools for laser treatment are available. Those available today, such as modern diode-lasers, were not always around. Such modern tools often perform the functions of multiple earlier types of laser devices, which is a boon for the skincare industry. It can also help you, as a patient. It means less struggling to find a clinic offering the treatment you need and less time spent in the treatment chair.

Lasers that are ablative and those that are not

In the laser world, there are tools that are ablative and tools that are not. The ablative laser devices are powerful machines that often yield immediate changes in skin appearance. That is because their main focal points are the surface of your skin and the layers near the surface. They are used to perform laser peels, primarily.

The non-ablative lasers of the skincare industry are sometimes unsung heroes. They do not alter the outer later of your skin right away, so you might feel you are gaining little benefit from treatment at the time. However, they strengthen your skin cells by getting more collagen to the places it is needed. When your body increases production of collagen, cellular bonds are reestablished and fortified. That means your skin may show great results, but it could take weeks for that to happen while the cells repair themselves.

Why lasers work in the first place

Regardless of if a certain laser technology is new or has been around for years and its general type, it is important to understand why it works. The functions of every laser do vary slightly, but they have some commonalities. For example, the light they produce can alter skin cells in a positive way. The heat a laser produces is also a major factor in its success. It is heating the cells that either damages them enough to trigger healing or gets rid of them entirely if they are abnormal, such as part of a scar or blemish.

More about lasers and the conditions they correct 

Lasers can do far more than many people think in terms of skin health. There are a multitude of conditions they can correct. From acne to sun spots, lasers do it all. They can help you get rid of freckles or even remove unwanted hair. And all-in-one laser devices are particularly good at that level of multitasking. So, when your skin has you feeling down, look to lasers for a change of appearance and outlook.

This is a collaborative post

There are lots of people around the world who make the choice to live and work in a different country from their families.  Generally as a result of different work opportunities being available in other countries.

Which means there are lots of people needing to find a way to safely send money back home to their families in places like Bangladesh.  Thanks to the internet and the huge number of service providers like ACE Money Transfer in the market, the entire process is luckily now extremely simple and easy. 

Yet, despite the simplicity and convenience, there are a lot of things that can go wrong when people try to send money online. If you want to send money to someone safely and without issues then here are some things you should be careful about:

Don’t forget to check the exchange rate:

Exchange rate is a critical factor that can either make the process of sending money to Bangladesh meaningless or give you maximum return for the amount of money that you send. Before you go ahead and send the money, don’t forget to check the current exchange rate. Exchange rates fluctuate and change on a regular basis depending on the currency’s performance in the market. If it is higher, it means that international money transfer is favourable and you should start the transaction. However, if it is low, wait for it to stabilise if possible. 

Enter the correct details:

Whenever you use any money transfer service, you will be asked to provide the details of the recipient. The information required contains the name of the recipient, his identification number and the bank account information. Make sure that you take your time and cross check everything. Even a spelling mistake should be avoided at all costs. Be especially careful about the bank account number so that you don’t end up sending money to someone else’s account. 

Beware of hidden fees:

Not all the service providers are like ACE Money Transfer that prioritise their customers and put them above anything else. There are many scammers in the market that do send the money to Bangladesh but deduct a lot of the money in the form of hidden fees. These deductions are called hidden fees because the sender is initially not informed about these deductions. In other words, he is robbed of the money that he provided the service provider. The trust of the customers is betrayed. This is a highly unprofessional practice. 

Make sure it is safe and legal:

When you are trying to send money to Bangladesh, the last thing you would wish for is to bear monetary loss or get into trouble with the legal authorities. When selecting a service provider or a channel for the transfer of money, make sure that you opt for the one that is authentic and legal. Feel free to do some research and go through the customer reviews. This will help you get an insight about the quality of their services. There should be no compromise on the security and reliability of the channel that is being used to send the money. 

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post