Who Said Nothing in Life is Free?

What do you imagine when you think of your dream wedding? For many people, it’s walking down the aisle in front of 500 guests, wearing a ballgown which Cinderella would envy. But for others, it’s something much more casual – an intimate ceremony surrounded by your nearest and dearest, where you can let your hair down together and have a good time.

Because the average American wedding costs almost $25,000, it’s not surprising that more couples are choosing to ditch the drama in favor of a more laid-back day. If you and your partner are planning a wedding, and want an informal way to share your love with the world, read on. Here are three ways you can make your ceremony as laid-back as you.

1) Wear Flat Shoes

There’s nothing worse than wearing a pair of uncomfortable shoes. Pinched toes, sore heels, and blisters can easily ruin an otherwise perfect day.

Most brides are surprised by how little time they get to sit down at their wedding! Even the most comfortable pair of heels can leave your arches aching after a couple of hours – and who wants to be hobbling their way through their very first dance with their partner?

Sandals are the ultimate wedding shoes for laid-back brides. Think dainty straps, crystal embellishment, even floral designs – sandals can be even more beautiful than conventional wedding heels. If you’re getting married on a beach, then check out these gorgeous barefoot beach wedding sandals that will let you feel the sand between your toes as you say your vows near the ocean. There’s no 5-star wedding package we’d take over that.

2) Find A Dress With Pockets

Discovering that your new dress has pockets is always a victorious moment. Now imagine if that dress is your wedding dress!

We’re seeing a huge increase in the number of wedding dresses with pockets, so much so that many bridal websites now have sections dedicated to this trend. As designers embrace a welcome blend of style and practicality, it’s never been easier to find a dress that doubles as the perfect place to keep your ‘something blue’ during the ceremony.

From satin A-line gowns to bohemian lace dresses, there are plenty of options out there for brides who don’t want to worry about carrying around a bag on their big day. Not only are pockets practical, they also look great in photos – simply slide in your hands for the perfect effortless pose.

3) Embrace The Bespoke And Homemade

Weddings with rustic decor are all the rage. Whether it’s upcycling old wooden boxes into beautiful signs, filling jars from the thrift store with party favors, or making your own confetti from dried wild flowers, there are hundreds of ways to put your own stamp on your wedding decor. Handmade decorations don’t just look beautiful – they also help keep costs down, saving you money for the honeymoon or a future ‘rainy day’ fund.

Do you have any friends or family members who could help you create a bespoke ceremony? Perhaps your future mother-in-law is excellent at embroidery, or your grandfather is great at DIY. If anyone has any special skills, ask them if they would mind helping you put some finishing touches to your decor. Most people would be delighted to help out, and it’ll give your wedding a homespun, family feel that will ensure it’s as unique as you are.

Keep the Vibe Stress-Free

If you’re planning your perfect laid-back wedding, follow these tips for a ceremony that’s as relaxed as it is romantic.

We all know how important sleep is, but do we know how important it is to optimize our bedrooms for sleep?

Even though we spend around a third of our day sleeping, we don’t always design our room to best help us sleep. The environment in which we sleep greatly affects the quality of our slumber.

With that in mind, here are 4 ways you can improve the quality of your bedroom; hence, the quality of your sleep:

1. Ditch the Night Light

Light regulates when you are sleepy and when you’re not. When your eyes detect light, it raises your body temperature and produces cortisol because the light makes your body think you should be awake. This goes for any light, including night lights, digital alarm clocks, or the light on your phone screen when you receive a message.

Ditch the night light and turn over your phone and alarm clock during the night, so the lights don’t disturb you. Also, consider buying blackout drapes. They will stop any light coming in from the outside during the hours you want to sleep, but let in just enough in the morning to naturally prepare your body to wake up.

2. Invest in Quality Duvets, Sheets, and Pillows

The comforter, sheets, and pillow you sleep on at night will affect comfort levels and your overall sleep. If you are someone who already struggles to fall asleep, having an uncomfortable bedspread won’t help. Even one bad element within your bed can be enough to bug you and keep you up.

So, when you are shopping for bedding, check out which thread counts and fabrics are most comfortable in sheets, and the kind of duvet you want. This may vary season to season as well, as you won’t want to use a heavy duvet during the winter.

Moreover, one of the most important parts of sleeping is considering the pillow you lay your head on. Consider the way you sleep. If you sleep on your bad, a thinner pillow may be more suitable. If you wake up with neck pain, you are most likely not using the right pillow. Also, maintain a healthy pillow game by replacing your pillow every 1-2 years or when they’re too flat and worn.

3. Ditch the Electronics

Technology, social media, and instant messaging are permanent fixtures in our lives, but they shouldn’t be allowed in the bedroom! When it’s time for sleep, you want to eliminate all distractions. The free-for-all nature of Twitter and Facebook can get your mind racing at somebody’s comments when your brain should be winding down.

WhatsApp and Messenger messages on your phone or tablet light up your room and disturb you with pings just as you are about to fall asleep. If possible, turn off electronics during sleeping hours, use an old school alarm clock, or put your phone on do not disturb. Emails and push notifications alerting you in the middle of the night will disrupt your sleep pattern and can be quite annoying.

4. Eliminate Clutter

There are so many benefits to reducing the clutter in your bedroom. A cluttered room leads to a cluttered mind! Sleeping in an untidy, chaotic space can stop you from relaxing after a long day. It may also serve as a distraction if you’re trying to sleep.

It’s as simple as clearing your bed before laying down on it. Make this a habit, and you will improve your sleep in no time!

Conclusion

These are 4 ways you can be on your way to a healthier, more enjoyable sleep. All it takes is making a few changes and developing habits you’ll enjoy for the rest of your life!

If you love home improvement and you’re looking for a new career, you may want to consider becoming a general contractor. This is a respected profession that is practiced by thousands of people across the country.

A contractor plays an important role at any major construction site. They manage and oversee projects and communicate between clients, vendors, and construction workers. They make sure a job gets done on-time and on-budget.

If you enjoy home improvement, you might be a perfect fit for this type of job. However, there are certain steps you’ll have to take before you get there. We’ve put together a general overview of the process for you. We’ll take you through it step-by-step so that you understand what it takes to become a contractor.

What Benefits Can You Expect?

While you are deciding if this career move is right for you, take the time to learn what you might get out of it. This particular profession has a lot to offer if you’re good at what you do. Some of the benefits include:

Pay – As a general contractor, you are responsible for a lot of different people on the job. Because of this high level of responsibility, you’d have the pay to match it. Depending on what types of projects you head, you can make anywhere from 80,000 to 90,000 dollars a year or more.

Connections – While you work on different projects, you will gain valuable connections. You are an important point of contact for everyone working on a construction site. People you work with will remember you and may contact you about future opportunities. You will be able to build a steady network. As you complete jobs, remember to make a good impression. That will determine whether or not you are hired back for future job opportunities.

Travel – As a contractor, you will also have the opportunity to travel. Because most certifications are issued by the state, you may have to remain in the state. But that still allows you to take on projects in other cities. If you like to travel and see different cities, this is a great perk.

Flexibility – Another benefit of becoming a general contractor is the flexibility it offers you. Most of the time, you have the power to choose which projects you want to work on and which ones you’d prefer to decline. It’s also easier to work projects around other events in your life.

Opportunity to Be Your Own Boss – Depending on how you structure your career, you can be your own boss. You don’t have to answer to anyone else unless you work for a larger company. But if you decide to work as a freelancer or start your own company, you can shape your business into whatever you want. You may have to study up on rules and regulations regarding business ownership and management, but the rewards are worth it.

Education – In some places, you may be able to get into contract work with only a high school diploma. To do this, you have to be extremely focused and skilled from the beginning. However, it is becoming more common to see professionals with a college education as the standard. If you are starting a degree with the intention of becoming a full-time contractor one day, some popular subjects to study include:

• Building/construction science
• Architecture
• Construction management
• Construction engineering

When you pursue post-secondary education in a construction-focused field, you will gain valuable insight and hands-on experience. Some of the skills you are likely to build include:

• Scheduling
• Handling ethics
• Project management
• Dealing with contracts

Working as a contractor takes more than just a solid understanding of the construction process, which is why classes like these are so important. To be successful in this job, you need to be good at working with people. You don’t have to be a bubbly people person, but you do need to know how to manage employees and see the bigger picture. If you have experience working with others in previous jobs, those skills can be easily transferred. At the end of the day, completing a project successfully is all about cooperation.

Another type of path that people choose on the road to becoming a general contractor is the internship/apprenticeship path. While you are in school, or even after graduation, you can complete an internship or apprenticeship with an established company. Try to find a program that pays a decent wage. Some companies try to underpay their interns, or they don’t pay them at all. You may also have the chance to work part-time somewhere in exchange for class credit.

Training and Experience – In addition to the valuable training you’ll receive as a part of a degree program, you should

also build up your real-life experience. Most clients prefer to hire someone with a few years of experience in the industry unless you’re a friend. If you are hired to work for a large company, you may have additional company-specific training to complete as well. If you have the opportunity to do an internship or hands on course while in school, take it.

Certifications and Licensing

Once you finish your training and education, make sure that you have all the licenses and certifications that you need. Some states require you to be licensed if you want to complete certain types of projects, however, this varies from state to state.

For example, if you are looking to get a contractors license in Alabama, you should research the requirements in that particular state. Look for a program that offers a final course and/or exam to take. During your career, it is important that you keep all of your certifications and licenses updated. Following the necessary laws and regulations is important for safety purposes.

Conclusion 

Now that you understand the process, you can make your own plan. Once you become a contractor, you can work in a field that you love while making a substantial income.

Looking for some great ideas to give your loved ones for Valentine’s Day? Check out this fantastic products below….

The KeySmart Pro with Tile is perfect for anyone who is wanting more ways to organize their life. It is a compact, lightweight, swiss army style gadget that minimizes and organizes your key collection and can hold any style key. Plus with the KeySmart Pro with Tile you can pair it with the Tile app and locate your lost keys on a map.

For chocolate lovers, Loacker chocolate wafers are the perfect gift. Underneath delicious chocolate, there are light, crispy wafers and two layers of tenderly melting cream filling. They contain no artificial flavorings, no artificial colors and no artificial preservatives. Choose from several varieties such as hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla, lemon, double chocolate and more.

The Calico Critters Cute Couple Set includes Stella hopscotch rabbit and her boyfriend William Cinnamon rabbit, a bouquet of roses and a bouquet holder. Stella and William can even hold hands. Mix and match with other Calico Critters play sets to create a whole Calico Critters Village!

Pinkalicious & Peterrific: A Pinkatastic Valentine’s Day! contains 5 episodes filled with lovable tales of friendship and caring about others. In the episode A Pinkatastic Valentine’s Day Pinkalicious can’t wait to show her classmates just how much she loves them by making homemade collage valentines out of their favorite things. But what will she do when the valentines are accidentally destroyed ?

Love is in the air with Simon & Schuster Children Publishing’s 2020 Valentine’s Day titles:

• With a Little Help From my Friends – Celebrate friendship with this lyrical picture book that beautifully illustrates John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s world-renowned words from “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
• The Very Very Far North – An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making that’s reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh.
• Friendship Saves the Day – Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko celebrate Valentine’s Day in this heart-shaped board book based on PJ Masks, the hit preschool series airing on Disney Junior!
• Angelina Loves – Angelina Ballerina loves lots of things! There’s her family and dancing of course—with her ballet class at Miss Lilly’s ballet school. And cartwheeling around the playground with her BFF, Alice. Fans of Angelina will love reading about everything Angelina loves (and probably things they love, too!)

Winning Moves Games has several new games for 2020 including:

• Risk Europe – This enhanced game of conquest will excite gamers with hours of battle and strategizing to control Europe! Each player steps into the role of a medieval king and competes with a full army to expand their kingdom and take over Europe. Through shrewd tactical planning –and a little bit of lucky dice rolling- one player will conquer Europe and reign supreme.
• No Stress Chess – Unlike any other Chess teacher, No Stress Chess teaches you how to play using illustrated cards and an illustrated 2-sided board.
• Rubik’s Orbit – The challenge is to solve all six sides of the 360º rings to match the Rubik’s color all the way around the sphere. The Rubik’s Orbit is an exciting new take on the Rubik’s 2×2 puzzle.

Spin Master Toys has fabulous and fresh new ways to play and accessorize…

• Explore Uni-verse, an out-of-this-world all-new brand of collectible unicorns that allows kids to explore and immerse themselves in a never-ending, wacky world of make-believe.
• Meet Hatchimals Pixies Vacay, the newest additions to the Hatchimals Pixies collection that travel in style to the most popular spots around the globe PLUS a whole new way to hatch.
• Discover Hatchimals Pet Obsessed and their perfect pet matches like turtles, lions, hippos, puppies and more.
• Experience a whole new way to twist with Twisty Petz Treatz, deliciously scented stacked treats that transform into bracelets

Do you feel like you never put yourself first? Are you overwhelmed all the time and always looking for a break?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend much time on yourself. When you take care of others first and don’t dedicate time to a self-care routine, you’ll likely be off-center and get stressed. A go-to method will help you balance the emotional, physical, spiritual, and educational aspects of your life.

Here are 5 ways to create a self-care routine you can fall back on.

1. Think Holistically

Maintaining holistic self-care means a balance between work and play. Don’t give all your time to one aspect of your life and neglect the other. Enlighten your mind, nourish your spirit, and energize your body.

• Eating mindfully will help you maintain optimum levels of energy as well as boost your immune system.
• Don’t forget to hydrate for clear skin. You can also preserve the glow by buying yourself skincare gifts set from Okana.
• Meditation is essential for your spiritual, emotional, and mental health, while yoga and exercise are a great way to keep your body invigorated.

2. Declutter Your Life

You may have physical, emotional, and interpersonal clutter in your life, which only distracts you from focusing on your growth. Self-care requires you to clear the clutter and use the space to improve yourself and reach your spiritual and psychological goals. You can only achieve your wellbeing by avoiding unnecessary hassles in your life.

• Start by cleaning your living spaces because physical clutter can slow down your life. For the perfect mindset, you need an organized and tidy living space, which gives you more space.
• You also need to cut the toxic relationships in your life that are bringing you down. Any person that brings negative energy in your mind, heart, and soul shouldn’t belong in your life.
• Breakdown your to-do list to more straightforward tasks and stop trying to do a million things in one day. Instead, prioritize the most critical tasks that will directly help you reach your goals.

Invest only in relationships and friendships that make you happier and help you to achieve your deepest desires.

3. Love Yourself Unconditionally

While human beings are capable of extraordinary love and compassion for others, most love you conditionally. Unconditional love is unlimited and infinite. It seems impossible to achieve, but you should love yourself regardless of the circumstances in your career, finances, status, power, and relationships.

The book Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On it by Kamal Ravikant can help you understand how to get into a mindset of self-love. It enables you to know how to love all of you, including your strengths, flaws, weaknesses, and secrets. Every part of you is worthy of love.

4. Pursue Your True Passions

Life is too short to spend time and resources on goals that aren’t yours. Self-care means remaining authentic and finding your true desires. Don’t pick a particular career path because society says it’s right or because it has substantial financial rewards. Find something that interests you.

Sometimes you have to do whatever it takes to survive. But be sure you’re always looking for ways to progress to your true calling.

5. Have High Standards and Stick to Them

Self-respect is a crucial aspect of self-care because it protects you from settling for less while you deserve the best. This respect goes beyond how you view yourself; if you allow others to trample over you, you’re only debasing your worth and damaging your self-esteem. Make sure you maintain your opinion of yourself at the end of the day and get what you truly deserve.