12.31.2023
recap of word of the year 2023- Forgiveness
One of the most valuable assets to make modern life easier is practicality. That's why shapewear dresses are on women's wish lists. Firstly, they are practical and versatile. But they also offer a variety of benefits, such as shaping, confidence, and comfort.
They give women a smoother and more uniform appearance. They are pioneers in increasing confidence, building a more confident feminine figure in their clothes. They are made from comfortable fabrics that adapt to different body shapes. The democratization of access to quality fashion for women starts like this and this is extremely important to promote empowerment.
What are the advantages of wearing a shapewear dress?
The advantages are diverse. But the power of self-confidence is something that gains
power, after all, clothing that enhances your body and makes you love yourself more
and more is a fundamental piece for any woman's personal collection. You achieve a
better posture, when you convey this image, people automatically find you more
powerful and magnetic.
Furthermore, with a modern shapewear dress you can keep up with the main fashion
trends. A model with bell sleeves and a square neckline better fits your breasts, it is a
symbol of femininity and good taste. The belly gains a flat shape through the modeling
mesh, which is effective.
Body lines become lighter, making you even more beautiful. There is a harmonization
of the body in general: back, butt, breasts, hips and belly gain a new shape in a few seconds.
Does shapewear dress really shape your body?
Yes! But not permanently. Smoothes natural curves without causing pain, redness or discomfort. After all, the purpose of a shapewear dress is to highlight your body as it is.
The dresses with built in tummy control are a woman's true friend as they allow her to experience body positivity and be happy by accepting her body shape with love. A dress with a tight fit to the body and a side slit can give you such a sensual and beautiful look. Its shape becomes more elongated and the leg line stands out, giving you the confidence you deserve. The deep V neckline is attractive and leaves the breasts well structured. Support is guaranteed by the steel wire located at the top of the dress, which is practical because it eliminates the need for a bra.
Should I buy bigger or smaller shapewear dresses?
None of the options. Don't worry, the explanation is simpler than you might think. If you buy a smaller size, you won't have the natural modeling effect and will look tight and uncomfortable, and it may even have the opposite effect, as it may look like you weigh more than you actually do. When you buy a bigger shapewear, it cannot adapt to your body. The ideal is to purchase a shapewear dress in the same size as you are used to wearing other types of clothing.
You can take advantage of the shapewear dress sale to purchase a model with long sleeves and synthetic suede that will give you a very elegant look. The modeling mesh flattens the tummy and the transparent elastic supports the breasts so you look your best.
My fellow hunchbacked comrades of the digital age! Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – glued to our screens, diving deep into the abyss of endless scrolling, only to stand up and realise our backs have transformed into something that could rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I come bearing the good news from the land of less ache and more frolic!
Via Pexels
Never Trade the Fun of Scrolling for The Magic of a Real Doctor
Before we dive in, let me put my imaginary stethoscope aside and clarify – I’m no medical guru. If you’ve been wrestling with bears and injured your back while pinning the bear, you might want to speed dial your nearest Physiotherapy Centre. For the rest of us mere mortals whose back pain is courtesy of our passionate love affair with binge-watching, here’s my not-so-secret recipe for back bliss, served with a side of sports.
Swimming: The Back’s Bubble Bath
Let’s kick things off with swimming. Visualise yourself floating in the water, feeling as light as a feather – it’s pretty much a zero-gravity workout (well, almost, but we’re allowed some dramatics, right?). Plus, who doesn’t want to channel their inner sea creature? Word of caution to the newbies: steer clear of the butterfly stroke. That’s the deep end, literally!
Cycling: Pedal Away the Pain
Now, let’s pedal into the world of cycling. And no, you don’t need to be decked out in lycra for this. A stationary bike will do just fine. Picture this: pedalling away in the comfort of your living room, maybe even in your pyjamas, as you journey through the lands of your favourite fantasy series. Who said you couldn’t cycle to Narnia?
Yoga: Twist, Stretch, and Giggle
Ah, yoga – the ancient art of folding yourself like origami. But hey, it’s not just for those who can twist like pretzels. Yoga is a back’s best friend. Start with the basics – think child’s pose, think happy back. It’s not about mastering the handstand; it’s about the journey and occasionally about realising how far your toes actually are.
Pilates: Your Core’s Knight in Shining Armor
Enter Pilates, the unsung hero of core strengthening. It’s all about controlled movements, kind of like moving in slow motion. Think of it as fortifying your back with an invisible shield. Bonus: you get to lie down a lot. But don’t be fooled, this is a calorie burner exercise to create rocket strong abs!
Walking: The Underdog with a Punch
Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about walking – simple, effective, and severely underrated. Walk like you’ve got a meeting with royalty at the end of the block. It’s the perfect way to give your back some tender, loving care, and who knows, you might even make a new furry friend or two.
Valiant warriors in the battle against back pain that concludes the concoction of sports that could very well be your ticket to a happier, healthier spine. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. It’s okay to start at tortoise speed; we’re not all racing rabbits here.
Maybe one day, we’ll all be flexing those strong, pain-free backs, sharing tales of our conquests over cups of coffee. Until then, keep moving, keep smiling, and let those spirits soar – your back is on its way to a standing ovation!
12.14.2023
Boundaries-
If you would have told me a year ago that I would stop allowing people to walk over me and to stand up for myself, I would have laughed at you.
What does it mean to stand up for yourself?
Learning to stand up for yourself means that you're looking out for your well-being and bettering your mental health. You're defending your self-worth when you take up this action. When you're too passive under difficult situations, you may feel like you've let yourself down.
Understand that saying no can be a good thing- I have struggled with saying no all of my life because my mother is the same, she does more than she should for people, then she is tired and worn out. I once did the same thing but the last few months I am actually saying no to anything that I do not want to do or am comfortable doing. Saying no can be beneficial and it sets up a boundary.
Stay true to your words- After you've set boundaries and advocated for your own needs, you may feel the need to apologize. Try your best to ignore this feeling. You can be straightforward and assertive without apology. If you feel like you need to justify your request skip the "I'm sorry, but" part. Clearly state what's on your mind. I do this all the time, I apologize even when I have nothing to apologize for. Why, I don't know. I've apologized to someone who has tried to make my life so miserable. I did nothing wrong but yet I apologized.. why?
Consider how you could be giving too much- Giving your time and energy to people is great, but don’t overdo it. If you do, people will expect you to agree to any request or statement. This weekend is crazy hectic for me, so last night I decided to take something off my plate and cancel an event that I just do not have time for. It actually felt good
Know when to leave- If another person makes the environment toxic, it’s best to leave. You probably aren't interested in discussing the topic in a shouting match. Exit the room, get some fresh air, and make sure you're safe from physical harm. Walking out isn't a form of surrender but rather self-care. You're looking out for your well-being and safety. I walked out of my job yesterday, I was being abused and I had enough, I was pushed beyond my limits, I got home and I beat myself up over it but the more I think of it, I put up a boundary and I am not allowing this to happen anymore. You’re under no obligation to respond to what people say when it comes out of their mouths. If you can, take a moment to digest what kind of situation you're in and think about how you're feeling.
Remind yourself that you deserve respect
People who allow themselves to be pushovers don't have powerful self-esteem. Think about it this way: Why don't you deserve to have people respect you and your personal boundaries? There’s no reason you can't receive respect from your coworkers, friends, family, and partners. I used to be a pushover but I am no longer allowing it. If you don't like my boundaries then move along, I am not the one for you.
This all being said I have had a lot of horrible, rotten, mean, narcissistic managers in my life. I have let them treat me like garbage- from telling me I am not worth the ink that it takes to sign my pay cheque to just rude comments. But not anymore, you treat me like a human and I will respect you, disrespect me you will lose an employee.
When it comes to exercise, it can get boring after a while. Well, that's only the case if you're pounding the pavement all the time or you're going to the gym and doing the same routines over and over again. Your workouts should be as unique as possible to keep you interested, motivated, and inspired to keep going. Sometimes you need to diversify your workouts, and that means getting out of the gym and out of the house and going outside.
One of the things that you could do is start taking your workouts to the water. If you're fortunate enough to live by a lake or by a body of water like the ocean, then making a new workout plan is going to give you a variety in your exercise and it's going to make you feel fantastic. One of the things that you should try at least once is paddle boarding. Understanding why it's become such a fantastically popular sport is important, but you should also realize that this is mostly a sport for those who want to enjoy being out in the sunshine rather than in the winter months. So taking this advice right now will serve you very well later on in the year.
Whether you decide to learn on hard paddle boards or soft paddle boards, or you go the complete opposite direction and you look at kayaking, then you need to consider why you should absolutely learn to paddle board. But like, let's take you through some of the top reasons that paddle boarding should be your next exciting thing to do.
You're going to improve your balance massively. If you're somebody who is clumsy or falls over a lot, then improving your balance should be a priority of yours. However, paddleboarding is going to give you something that you've never experienced before. You will see your balance improving pretty quickly as you take up paddle boarding because you're going to be working on your core to get the board to balance itself. In the beginning, as a learner, you should be prepared to fall in the water a lot because you're going to be learning how to balance, not just how to stand up. It's not just about standing up on the board. You have to understand how to hold your core tightly and know that you're going to be able to do it. Confidence is important, but you're going to feel that burn after work.
Improving your fitness levels. While you're busy trying to balance on the board, successfully standing up is not the end goal. The end goal of paddleboarding, other than having fun, is that you're going to improve your fitness. You're going to work all of your muscles needed to paddle, stand and keep your balance all at the same time to improve your whole body strength. Paddleboarding gives your muscles a chance to work out in a way that it could never do with hard cardio.
It's good for your health. Standing on a paddle board is going to be much better for your health than standing in a queue outside a shop. You're going to have to balance your core and all of your muscles to be able to keep your paddle board steady and to stay upright while you're on the water. That alone is going to be great for your health more than just standing regularly would be.
The view is amazing. Paddleboarding allows you that feeling of flying. Being able to balance yourself Standing up on a board on the water while you glide along is a completely different experience than being in a kayak or a canoe. The view that you get is fantastic because you'll be able to see right the way down the river or the body of water that you are on.
You can do it anywhere. The one thing that everybody who paddleboards knows is that paddleboarding.Isn't restrictive. It doesn't matter where you live. It's a good sport for any location as you don't need to have a great swell with the sea like you would for surfing. All you need is a body of water. So whether you live close to a lake, a canal, the river or the sea, there are so many different options for you to have a beautiful experience while you paddle board.
It's an easy sport to get started with. The one thing that you'll find about buying a paddle board is that they are exceptionally light. If you're on your own, you'll be able to grab a board, paddle out, and go at your own pace. You don't have to rely on anybody else. This alone is an excellent reason to get started, because you don't have to worry about messing around with extra equipment or needing a second person to push you back up onto your board.It will take you somebody strength to move yourself, but that's something you can work on out of the water as well as in the water.
You get kissed by the sun. Unlike other water sports such as swimming, when you are paddleboarding you are standing up to move, which means you need to make sure that you are protected by the sun, but you're also being kissed by it at the same time. The sun is shining, making this a wonderful sport to be indulging in, and you get to soak up that vitamin D as you go.
It's not a high impact sport. Despite the level of strength you need to do paddle boarding on a regular basis, it's not a sport that has a high impact on your body .Lots of sports could have a huge impact on your body, but paddleboarding is not one of them. It's a low impact sport while being fantastic for you.
It's good fun. Honestly, this is really the only reason you need to get started. Paddleboarding is exciting and it's fun, and it will make you laugh hysterically while you're trying to balance yourself on a board. Once you nail it, however, it's the most exhilarating time you could have.
12.05.2023
A guide to selling your home quickly
While moving home is a lot of fun, it's also a relatively stressful experience.
After all, there are a lot of boxes that must be ticked ahead of time in order to facilitate a smooth, stress-free move. For example, you first have to sell your current home, something which can be difficult in the current climate. Not only do many properties sit on the market for months on end, but 31% of all house sales fall through at least once before completion.
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash
Of course, there are certain steps you can take to speed up the process.
1. Get into the mind of the buyer.
By now, you’ve likely attended a fair share of property viewings yourself. This puts you in a prime position when selling your home, as you know what buyers are told to look for when viewing a property or what qualifies as a good open house. This knowledge means that you can stage your home accordingly, making it appear as attractive as possible to a potential buyer.
For example, you may begin by dealing with any glaring maintenance issues, such as mold or damaged roofing. While this does come at an extra cost, it can save you a lot of money in the long run by ensuring your property is off the market as quickly as possible.
This type of step does change if you are selling a home that you inherited. Of course, you can go along the same route as if you are selling this home like it was you moving out, but, if you want to Sell Probate Property faster without having to make any changes, then you may want to look at selling it at an auction. The buyer mindset is essential if you need to facilitate a move, but if an auction is on your mind, then it doesn't have to be exact.2. Declutter your home.
Be sure to declutter your home before a viewing or open house. After all, this turns your home into a “blank slate” for the buyer to walk through, which means they can begin to picture themselves living in the space, as opposed to feeling as though they’re taking a tour of someone else’s home. Decluttering will also come in handy when you start packing, as you’ll no longer be taking any unnecessary junk along with you.
3. Enhance your curb appeal.
A property viewing does not begin the moment you open the front door; it begins when the viewer steps out of their car or drives down the street - and, as first impressions go a long way, it is crucial that your property looks appealing from the outset. This often means that you need to spend some time working on your curb appeal.
For example, you could work with a local lawn care company to ensure that your yard looks as neat and presentable as possible. This is particularly important when you consider the fact that buyers are often willing to pay more for properties with well-maintained gardens or outdoor spaces. In fact, “a nicely presented garden alone can be seen to add 20% to your house value”. You may also want to apply a fresh coat of paint to your windows and door frames.
4. Work with a trusted realtor.
Working with a realtor can simplify the entire moving process, as they’ll take charge of everything from scheduling viewings to contract preparation. As such, this can speed up the process of selling your home, as they’ll do a lot of the difficult work on your behalf. They also have a deeper understanding of the housing market, which means they can help you make smart, economical decisions, too.
When hiring a realtor, do plenty of research ahead of time to ensure they’re the right fit for you. For example, you may want to hire a realtor with extensive knowledge of the local area or one who has sold properties similar to your own beforehand. You can also ask friends and family for advice if they have moved within the past few years. Be sure to read all of their reviews from previous clients ahead of time too!
5. Be realistic with your asking price.
It's natural to want as much money as possible for your home, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into making it a nice place to live. However, it's also important that you are realistic when setting your asking price. For example, you should have your property valued by a real estate professional. When listing your property, you should also determine ahead of time the minimum amount of money you’ll accept from a buyer. This way, you don’t feel under pressure to accept the first offer that comes in.
6. Be prepared to negotiate.
While in an ideal world, a buyer will offer up the exact asking price right away, this often isn’t the case. As such, you have to be prepared to negotiate. However, while this can be a great tactic when it comes to getting as much money as possible, you also have to know when to give in. That is, if selling your home is an urgent or time-sensitive endevor, there may be a time when it's beneficial to accept a low-ball offer from a client. However, you can protect your best interests throughout the process by learning more about the art of negotiation. Remember, you can always ask your realtor for advice during this stage, as they can help you put your best foot forward or let you know when it is time to accept an offer.
Final thoughts.
In short, there are many things you can do to speed up the process of selling your home - which means that you can set your sights on the future (and your new property).
For example, this can be achieved through staging your home correctly ahead of viewings or enhancing your curb appeal, as outlined above. However, you should also work to manage your expectations throughout the process. The likelihood of you receiving an offer on the same day as you list the property is incredibly minimal, and you must be prepared for this. If you’re putting together a moving timeline for the new year, then you should be mindful of the fact that it takes, on average, 25 weeks to sell a property.
Either way, try to remember that good things come to those who wait. Once you’ve sold your home and signed those contracts, you can focus on your new life in your new property.
12.04.2023
Keeping Your Kids Safe at Home
As a caring parent, there is no doubt that you want to keep your kids as safe as you possibly can. That’s why you hold their hands when they cross the street and why you make sure they can it right next to you on the plane. But, what about when you’re at home?
A lot of moms and dads let their guard down a little at home because they view it as being an inherently safe space. The thing is, that is not always the case, not when it comes to kids anyway.
That being the case, let’s look at a few things you can do to make your kids more safe at home right now.
1. Get Yourself a Gun Case: Safety First
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way, and clear the air, first – if you're a gun owner, a gun safe isn't just a good idea; it's a must-have. Think of it as Fort Knox for your firearms. It's where your guns can have a nice, long timeout away from curious little hands. Plus, it’s a great place to store other 'adult' things that kids shouldn’t mess with, like that rare comic book collection.
2. Cabinet Locks: The Baby Ninja's Arch-Nemesis
Moving on to the kitchen, it is not exaggerating to say (well okay, maybe a little) that those cabinets are like a treasure trove for tiny explorers. Cabinet locks are your new best friends. They're like secret agents keeping your pots, pans, and poisonous stuff under wraps. Trust me, the day you find your toddler wearing your best frying pan as a hat, you’ll thank me.
3. Corner Guards: Because Kids Bounce (But Not Always)
Kids run around like they’re made of rubber, but last time I checked, they’re not. Those sharp corners on tables and counters in your home? They’re accidents waiting to happen. Corner guards are like little bumper pads that keep boo-boos at bay. They might not be the height of interior design, but neither is a trip to the emergency room.
4. Door Alarms: For the Little Escape Artists
If your kid is like a tiny cute little Houdini and loves a good escape, door alarms are your guardian angels. They let out a beep (or a wail, depending on the model) whenever a door is opened. It's like an early warning system that your little one is about to go on an unsupervised adventure, probably right when you’re trying to have a cup of tea.
5. Outlet Covers: Because Curiosity Didn't Just Kill the Cat
Electric outlets are often like magnets for kids. I don’t know what it is – maybe they think it's a tiny robot face or a cute creature smiling out at them from inside the walls. Outlet covers are cheap, easy to install, and keep tiny fingers from going where they shouldn’t. Consider them the bouncers of the electrical world.
6. Non-Slip Bath Mats: Turn Your Tub into a No-Slip Zone
Bath time should be fun, not an Olympic sport where nobody wins because everyone gets splashed and things are not so safe. Non-slip bath mats keep your slippery little critters from turning bath time into a fall festival. Plus, they come in all sorts of fun colors and shapes – because who doesn’t want to bathe with a giant rubber duck?
When it comes to the little ones who live with you, you really can never be too careful or plan too much to keep them safe and happy, can you?
12.01.2023
Word of the year 2024
Simplify: to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier
Humans used to suffer from scarcity. These days lots of us in Canada and America suffer from overabundance. There's just too much in our lives, we feel -too much stuff, too much information, too many worries.
1. Learn to say no.
'No' is just a little word, but many of us still struggle to get it out of our mouths often enough. But if you want a simpler life, you're going to need to start saying no more often. To find yourself, to find simplicity - you need to say no to everything that doesn't matter, You can't do everything.
2. Stop complaining.
Moaning about what's wrong with your life might feel like a great way to let off steam, but, in fact, science says it's just likely to make you more negative and therefore more prone to further problems and unhappiness.
3. Use the 10-year test.
Simplifying your life is as much about clearing out mental space as it is about tossing out physical clutter. Ask yourself will it matter in 10 years?
4. Accept others' imperfections.
"Don't expect your friend/significant other/parent/colleague/children to be perfect. You aren't perfect, either," says respondent Srishti Singh, who adds. We're all here to learn from our mistakes. Don't be so critical of others (or yourself). The more you accept these imperfections, the simpler your life gets.
Don't expect too much from other people, everyone reacts differently to situations, and you never know what the other person is going through. The more you judge, worry about, or compare yourself to others, the more complicated life will be.
5. Reduce your communication channels.
How much time do you spend checking social media each day? A lot, right? This year I've gotten rid of Twitter. I've also stopped reading news articles.
6. Have fewer opinions.
This doesn't mean be uninformed or uninvolved. It just means you should limit yourself to only forming opinions on subjects you actually care about. We would all save a lot of time and aggravation if we confined our opinions to domains over which we actually have control.
7. Head clutter off at the pass.
It's easier to stop useless stuff from entering your home. Get yourself off of junk mail lists, and take bills and statements electronically. Sort any mail that still arrives over a recycling bin, before you set it down. Before you buy any item, have a specific use and a specific place in mind for it."
8. Do what works for you.
The best simplifying measures and life hacks in the world won't work for you if they don't fit in with your own preferences and lifestyle,
What tips would you add to this list?