Earrings and necklaces add a flare and style to any outfit. Whether you’re going for hobo-chic or classic elegance, the accessories are key to “selling” the look. Diamond earrings are absolutely classic. You can almost never go wrong if you decide to sport a pair of diamond earrings on your beautiful ears, but, let’s face it, not all of us can afford to rock the rocks round the clock. And to consider having diamond earrings in multiple styles for multiple looks is a great idea from a fashion perspective, but not such a practical idea from a financial stand-point.

So, if we can’t have them all, for which ones should be strive? What will best serve our wallets and our wardrobes? Well, let us begin by focusing on the three broad categories we’ll attempt to serve with our diamond earring choices: professional, classic, elegant. I was going to make that second category “casual,” but the choice would too poorly illustrate my intended connotation, so I’ve changed it to classic, a category I will shortly explain.

Professional. The classic diamond stud earring is what we need here. It adorns the lobes, so you don’t look incomplete. It compliments almost every outfit. On job interviews, it does not draw attention or distract from your professional interactions. If you are going from the office during the day to a function in the evening, whether business or pleasure, the studs transition beautifully from one outfit to the next–or, more exactly, from one context to the next. I would further recommend, however, that you go for the square cut. The clean, strong lines are confident, and it helps the studs to look a bit bigger if you have to sacrifice size for the price tag you can cover.

Classic. You want something that is not the professional square stud earrings, but still very clean and lacking in distracting. A round stud with a halo setting is perfect! It creates the illusion of a larger diamond by surrounding the main stone with a halo of smaller ones, which creates a trendy look for more casual outfits or contexts, but a versatile stud that could transition to other contexts if needed.

Elegant. You want something that is going to attract attention. You want something that is going to make you glow, frame your face, and act as another layer of decoration upon your well-curated outfit. For this, I can recommend nothing other than a drop earring. Now, depending on your personal style, your taste is colour palette for clothing, your budget, and the weight you feel comfortable holding on your ears, you could choose either diamond drop earrings or a diamond and pearl drop earring. Both are elegant and gorgeous. The details of each, though, I will leave to you.

Anything you can add to your collection of diamond jewels and baubles along the way is icing on the proverbial cake.

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

When a parent’s health deteriorates and their independence suffers, it can be tough on the kids. They’re often at an age when they’re raising their own families, they’re trying to save for their own retirements, they may live far away, and organizing and paying for home care may not be a practical decision.

Nor is home care always the best choice. There are a number of advantages to moving into a retirement residence. Seniors who make the move can:

• Enjoy more active social lives with their neighbors.
• Get easy access to exercise classes designed for seniors.
• Access care that’s designed for them.
• Add to their retirement savings using funds from downsizing.

What to Look for in Assisted Living Care

Before you start visiting facilities, you can narrow down your options based on a few core criteria:

• Is the location close to family and friends? What about doctors’ offices, hospitals, specialists, therapists, or any other services Dad may need on a regular or semi-regular basis?
• Does the facility handle transportation to and from medical appointments?
• What types of care does the facility provide? Consider what your father’s future needs are going to be like, including nursing care, dementia care, physical rehabilitation, etc.
• Is it affordable for your family?
• Is it a relaxed assisted living residence where dad can pursue his hobbies and enjoy a high quality of life?

Touring Assisted Living Care Facilities

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, start calling to book tours. It’s important that dad comes with you on these tours – he’s deciding where he’s going to live. On the tour, make sure he’s the one asking questions and doing as much of the talking as possible. He’s the decision-maker, although it’s also important that you learn about the residence as well.

The tour is also a great chance to try the food, ask about the menu, check out the amenities, and physically check out the location and the surroundings.

This is also your best opportunity to judge the suites or apartments. Is there enough room for dad to live comfortably? Is he going to have the privacy he wants, as well as the option to socialize? Make sure the apartment will also be navigable if dad requires mobility assistance.

When so much research can happen online, taking a tour is a good way to learn about the culture at a retirement residence, something you won’t get just by searching online.

Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Residence

While you’re there, be sure to come prepared with questions. You use this list to start off:

• Is the facility pet-friendly?
• Are you allowed to bring your own furniture into the suite?
• Are higher levels of care available if they’re needed in the future?
• Is your parent free to come and go as they please?
• Is the residence held if a long-term stay in a hospital or rehabilitation facility is needed?

Learn everything you can before deciding on an assisted living facility. Take the time to do your research and make sure dad is part of the process every step of the way.

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

If you are a landlord trying to rent out a property, you know it can be hard to find the right tenants who are willing to pay the right price. It can feel like there are endless hoops you must jump through just to fill up rooms and make a livable wage. With cleaning, painting, tending to electrical needs, and spiffing up the appliances, it can be stressful to also worry about making a good impression on potential tenants. You may want to consider staging the rental property to make it look warm and inviting when potential renters come to visit. While it is often held that staging is only for real estate or homes for sale, staging can actually be a great asset to landlords showing rental properties, as well. If you are considering staging a rental you’re trying to fill, read on for three reasons why it could be a great investment for you and help you grow your business.

Renters will be able to visualize their home

One objective of staging in general is for potential tenants or buyers to be able to visualize themselves in the space you are showing them. Having an armchair thoughtfully placed in the corner by the fireplace or having pots hanging above the stove can make a big difference in the psychology of the potential tenant. Staging experts say that through staging, one can accentuate spaces and show the positive potential of a property. When homes and apartments are bare, they can feel small and cold and tenants may not be able to picture how it could ever feel different.

You will have several chances to impress

Though it may not seem as such, staging a home can actually save you a lot of time. Staging experts make the process a breeze and know just how to decorate a home to make it more inviting. All you need to worry about is cleaning, fixing, and painting. You can rest easy knowing the job will be done right. Additionally, with the time that you’ve saved by hiring stagers, you can focus on enhancing different parts of the home that will make potential tenants more likely to fill out an application. Consider external paint jobs, landscaping, or hiring roof cleaning companies to make the roof of your rental property really stand out. There’s a reason why so many realtors focus on curb appeal: The outside of your property is your first chance to make a good impression on a new potential tenant.

Tenants who see a staged home may be more willing to turn in a rental application upon noticing how all the space can be utilized. Just be sure to use an online application to help you set specific screening measures to ensure you get a top-quality tenant who has strong credit and is able to pay rent with the least amount of hassle and stress.

Create a mutually-beneficial relationship with the stagers

Having stagers come in and stage your rental property could also be a beneficial thing for your network. For one, it is always good to have connections in your industry in case you need to refer to them to someone in the future. Additionally, you could strike up a deal with the stagers you work with. You can invite them to leave their business cards in your staged property, which will help them grow their business. If you allow them to subtly advertise in your home, you may also be able to get a discount for their services. Building up a good relationship with stagers will help grow both of your businesses, as you can spread the word about their services through word of mouth, and they can spread the word about your available properties the same way.

By staging your property, you’ll increase your chances of attracting potential tenants. Just be sure to consider budget and where to spend that budget to maximize your staging efforts. Utilizing landlord software is also a great way to maximize returns, as the features offered with such solutions help you screen potential tenants and make collecting rent and communicating about issues include repair requests a breeze.

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

People who like to wear a t-shirt with sayings on it can get a second glance from passers-by. There are quotes that are funny, inspirational, loving, and can make anyone’s day. If you are one of those people who are fond of announcing your mood daily, then statement shirts are the best outfit for you. Read more about t-shirts in this site here.

Places where You Can Wear Shirts with Sayings

Yoga Class

When you love meditation, peace, and relaxation, you might want to enroll in a yoga class. While you are at it, a statement shirt about meditation can make your fellow yoga enrollees be more motivated. Aside from inspiring yourself about the benefits of yoga, the prints on your t-shirt will remind you that yoga is a great alternative to medicine. A plain and simple logo of a man who meditates on black fabric can be a graphic meditation message to other people.

Office

If it’s your free day and you can wear anything at work, then a tee with a design of “think outside the box” can work best for you. You can even buy one that has a print of “work hard in silence and let your success make the noise” to make yourself energized while doing projects at work. There are also great options that speak about how teamwork is important so you might want to promote its spirit using your outfit of the day.

At Home

If you are fond of positive vibes, you might want to wear a design that speaks about thinking good things. Sayings such as “Think Positive, Be Positive” can give you uplifting vibrations throughout the day. It can make your day great and you will be reminded to always look at the bright side of things. It is important to keep yourself happy while you are at home since it is the place where you are the most comfortable. Starting your day great can make your entire day productive. If you want more sayings, you can check out those cool t shirts with sayings on the internet. You can get ideas from them about the shirt trends today.

On a Restaurant with a Date

In this aspect, you need to be careful not to turn off your date. However, this is a way of showing them that you are a great person. They might even find your shirt funny. Say, for example, if you are a man and you will be dating a nurse, you can have something printed on your outfit such as “Real men only date nurses” or another print with that idea. However, you have to make sure that you know your date well so that this will not be the reason that they will avoid you the next days.

At the Bar

You can get funny prints like “from nine to wine” or “wild and free” when you go to the local bar. This can attract people who will find what you are wearing amusing or something that they can relate to. Don’t be afraid to let your personality show. This is one great way of finding a topic when you meet a new person.

Make your Statements Great

You will only have one chance of making a good impression. Make it good by wearing a cool printed shirt that can make a positive vibe. If you are with your friends, you can wear clothes with the same prints on them to show solidarity. If you are on a date, you can show the world that you belong to each other with through couple shirts. Remind yourself that you are great, unique, and an amazing being through your favorite sayings. Know more about the sayings in this site: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/saying.

If you are interested in shirts with sayings, you can get custom-made prints with the right company. You can request for a saying that has made a positive impact on you. If you found a design that is very inspiring, don’t hesitate to buy it as it can make a big difference to you in the future. You can even select the design, typography, words, and color of what you want to appear on your shirt. There are a lot of t-shirt printing companies that can happily make your designs come to life.

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

So, you want to be a writer. Congratulations, you’ve chosen yourself one of the most challenging and yet rewarding career paths you could possibly have opted for! They don’t tend to offer courses or recruitment camps for writers when you’ve left college or university. You may have a degree in English Language, English Literature, or Creative Writing, but that’s no guarantee of finding work.

Most companies and industries that will pay you for writing will want to see a resume of your work before commissioning anything from you. That puts you in a Catch 22 situation. How are you supposed to build up a resume if nobody will give you a chance to start writing? With so many different fields of writing – from journalism to writing scripts, books, poetry, opinion columns, or just general web content, what’s the best place to start looking?

It can feel a little like a minefield when you’re first starting out, but there are ways into the profession if you’re focused and determined enough to make it. Here are five simple tips that we’re happy to pass on to anybody who’s looking to turn a hobby into a paid job

1. Be Prepared To Write About Anything

You might have the best idea for a book or script in your head, and you probably want to write that before anything else, but it’s unlikely anyone’s going to take a submission from you seriously if you don’t have a track record which suggests you’re good with the written word. You can’t afford to pick and choose what you write about when you’re first starting out. If someone wants an article about what to wear this summer, you best be prepared to write it. If you’re asked to identify the next big trend in video games, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the market, and come up with a solid suggestion for that trend. Writers aren’t just writers; they’re researchers. They go away, learn about the topic they’re writing for, and then put those thoughts into their own words. At the very beginning of your career, writing anything at all is better than writing nothing.

1. Get To Know The Gig Economy

If the phrase ‘gig economy’ is a new one on you, you should probably stop what you’re doing and do some in-depth research into it before you take another step towards changing your career path. For the majority of people finding their way into writing right now – especially those who wish to do so on a totally self-employed basis – the gig economy is the fastest way to earning money. The gig economy was practically made for writers, with websites like Fiverr and Upwork providing opportunities for new writers to prove their worth by taking small jobs from companies or individuals who need content writers. Once you have your foot in the door with someone, they’re likely to place larger and larger orders with you so long as you can keep providing the goods.

1. Be Prepared To Work For Free

This covers a lot of bases. If you want to get your foot in the door with a particular website – say, for example, a sports website – your starting point is probably to send them your work for free, hope they like it, and then agree on a price for future work. There has been considerable debate over whether writers should really do this, considering that nobody in almost any other line of work is expected to work for free in the hope of earning something in the future. Our take on it is that unless you’re coming into a writing job straight from education, with something resembling an apprenticeship, it’s a cruel necessity. Nobody is going to pay you for your work if they don’t have a guarantee of quality. If you send them an example of what you can do, they can then make an informed decision as to whether they want anything further from you. If you get it right, you should only have to do this once. Whether it’s a screenplay or an article, make it a great one, invest your time and effort in it thoroughly, and turn it into your calling card. If it’s truly good enough, someone will invest in you.

1. Be Prepared For Rejection

You will get turned down. You should know that before you even open your laptop and start typing. Not everything is going to believe in what you write as much as you do, and not everybody will value your work as highly as you do. JK Rowling was famously turned down dozens of times with the first ‘Harry Potter’ novel before someone was persuaded to take a chance on it. Trying to make a career out of creative writing is like playing online slots; you keep on putting something into it – be it money or time – and the majority of the time you get nothing back. Online slots will pay out eventually though, and that’s what everyone sticks around for. One day, playing a casino game like Fluffy Favourites Slot will pay out a jackpot, and if you’re lucky you’ll be the one walking away in profit. Writing is the same. Take every rejection as a spin and a loss. Keep on spinning, and eventually, your reward will come if you’re lucky and talented enough.

1. Make Friends With Other Writers

We honestly don’t know how aspiring writers coped before the internet. Writing is a lonely craft, often conducted in silence and solitude. When things aren’t going well, it’s hard to know who to turn to and what to do next. The internet has taken a lot of that loneliness away. Support and friendship groups to writers are all over social media, and plenty of online forums as well. Making friends with other writers will give you a go-to resource for ideas and inspiration – but there’s so much more, too. You’ll often find writers will share work opportunities, tell you when and where to submit articles, and even personally refer you to somebody they’re already working with. They’ll proofread for you, and provide critiques and feedback. Nobody knows what the psychological side of being a writer is like, other than other writers. If you registered on a forum today and asked someone for ideas about how to start a career in the trade, you’d probably find you get even more ideas than you’ve just read in this article – so why don’t you go and do it right now?

Now, it would be relatively easy here to reel off a few items that not many people own but many desire or aspire to add to the portfolio of their life. It would also be simple to draw up a list of ultra-trendy, state-of-the-art technology that promises to improve your life, but doesn’t necessarily do a whole lot of good (fitness trackers, anyone?!). Instead, we’ll opt for a short list of more ethereal, everyday essentials that you can’t simply go out and buy, but must plan for over time.

Acceptance

Here, we are referring to what Psychology Today calls: “The Inescapable Importance of Acceptance.” Essentially, if you feel as though your life is missing something, at any time, you don’t have acceptance. If you have acceptance, you’re missing nothing – as, at this moment in time, your life is exactly where it is supposed to be, possessions, warts and all. Philosophically, if you have acceptance, your life is missing absolutely nothing.

Peace of mind

Similarly, if you’re looking for one thing (or five) to ‘fix’ you, then there’s a good chance that you’re focusing on external influences to repair something much closer to home. Ask yourself if there’s something you’re avoiding, anxious of or feeling guilty about. Could tackling a recurring regret or fear help you to feel more comfortable than buying something that will distract you from it? Put another way, peace of mind also means: “the absence of worry.”

Focus

If you can get yourself the above two crucial qualities in place, you’re likely to be able to prioritise what you actually need far more clearly. You’ve cleansed yourself of the desire to simply improve your life without actually addressing your life, then settled your mind so that you can be clearer about what you genuinely require. Is it a new job? Something for the home? A home of your own or something to do with the people you live with? You’re now free to ask what’s really important.

Direction

No, this isn’t the same as focus. If anything, it’s more a complementary and comforting offshoot. With focus established, you can begin to look a little further ahead and plan for the future. If your problem is career-based, do you need to contact a recruiter or management consultant for training advice?

For home improvements, would rubber a specialist in rubber roofs in Newcastle or elsewhere in the North East be able to help you fix up your home? With acceptance, peace of mind and focus, you’re far more likely to have the patience required to pick a direction – and see it through.

A plan

As you set off on the direction you’ve carefully and consciously chosen, you need to make sure that you don’t veer off track. Keep abreast of where your thoughts are taking you, with regular mindfulness of where you are and what you’re doing. This way, you’ll never stray too far from acceptance, and you’ll have peace of mind more often than not – ensuring that your focus and direction are never far from where you need them to be (i.e. your plan).

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

Are you planning to move out soon? Things can get on your nerves if it is your first time being away from your family. However, on a positive note, living in your own apartment is exciting. You can look forward to decorating the entire place and buying your first bedroom furniture with your hard-earned money. Being on your own means that you need to accomplish many things upon moving to your place. So here are some basic things that you should not forget on your moving checklist.

Bedroom stuff

After signing your apartment lease with your landlord, the first important furniture that you should buy is a mattress unless you plan on sleeping on the floor, which can get pretty uncomfortable. Do not forget to add several pairs of bed sheets, blankets and pillows. Having a side table is also essential where you can place your lampshade, mobile phone and alarm clock.

Table and chair

For you to eat your meals comfortably, you need to have a chair and table. If you are planning to invite several guests, then you should look into buying a bigger table and more chairs. If you have restricted space in your apartment, then you can opt to invest in folding chairs and tables instead.

Kitchen appliances

Eating take-out food is unhealthy and expensive. It is more practical to do grocery shopping and cook your own meals. If your apartment is unfurnished, then you will need to invest in an electric stove, microwave oven and a refrigerator where you can keep your food fresh. A few pots, dishes and utensils should also be part of the list.

Toolbox

If you plan to do some carpentry work in your bedroom or the living room having the necessary tools is a must. Go ahead and buy yourself a toolbox that contains the essential tools like pliers, a hammer and a screwdriver. Make sure that you have nails and screws that come in different sizes. Instead of calling a carpenter to fix small things, it is better to do it yourself.

A big and comfortable sofa

If you do not have any idea how to decorate your living room, then you can start by adding a big couch. You will find this piece of furniture useful if you are planning to invite a couple of friends over, host a weekend party, or watch TV all day long.

Cleaning materials

Part of your responsibility when living alone is to ensure that your apartment is kept clean at all times. Do not forget to invest in a vacuum cleaner, a broom, dustpan and several rags. Also, you need to buy cleaning materials for your kitchen and bathroom like bleach, detergents, and toilet bowl cleaner, etc.

Before moving into your new apartment, it is best to create a complete list of things that you need to bring and purchase.

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

Traditional counseling, or in-office therapy, has been a tremendous asset for the mental health industry for hundreds of years. However, as technology continues to improve and expand, more types of therapy are becoming available, especially as technology continues to advance.

One of the more recently developed forms of therapy is referred to as e-counseling, or online counseling. This form of therapy can be accessed anywhere in the world, by anyone with an internet connection. But is it better than traditional counseling? That’s what we’ll discuss in this article.

E-Counseling vs. In-Office Therapy

There are a number of benefits and drawbacks to each form of therapy, and depending on what you’re hoping to achieve by getting therapy, these things may determine whether or not you choose e-therapy or in-office therapy.

In-Office Therapy

• Allows for face-to-face interactions with your therapist
• May take more time to book a session with a therapist
• Transport time is required, and busy people may find that they are not easily able to get to their therapy sessions
• Allows for a more personal engagement with a therapist
• Great for people who do not have or do not want to be using the internet – people who live off-the-grid, etc

E-Therapy

• Much more accessible than in-office therapy, which can be ideal for people who are too busy
• Does not offer the same face-to-face interaction, and some people find that their engagements do not feel as authentic
• Easy to find and get into contact with a therapist who can treat your issue specifically
• Great for people who are physically disabled or who live in rural areas away from therapists

Which Should You Go With?

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Both forms of therapy are good for different people, depending on their circumstances.

One thing to address is the idea that some people have suggested: that e-counseling is simply ineffective because you’re not working with a counselor face-to-face. This is simply not true, as studies have shown that many people experience improvement when engaging with a counselor online.

That said, there are certainly many people who prefer the authenticity and intimacy of a face-to-face conversation, and these people may prefer in-office counseling.

Whatever you decide upon, it’s a good idea to reach out as quickly as possible and look for a therapist who can help you with whatever issues that you’re struggling with. As long as you approach therapy with the proper mindset – a strong desire to receive help and improve your mental health – then whichever pursuit you choose will likely benefit you.

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