Summer Sensations: 4 Ways To Relax

The summer sun and heat are back with a vengeance. We’re being blessed with some brilliant weather, worthy of sunbathing on the beach until sundown. Yet, we’re in a world that doesn’t allow us to enjoy these things anymore. Lockdown is still in effect at some level and that has made relaxing in the summer all the more challenging. But it's not the end of the world, there are some excellent ways you can relax in the heat.

Sunrise jogging

The sun rises about 5 am in the dead of summer, perhaps even earlier. If you go to sleep early and wake up to witness the sunrise, you’ll have the world to yourself. Use this time to go for a walk or go jogging. Enjoy watching the sunrise as you become fitter and healthier. It's incredibly therapeutic, to be by yourself, connecting with the earth, listening to your breath and knowing that you’re helping yourself to live longer. Don’t miss the opportunity to sweat in the sun, lose weight, get ready for your bikini beach visit and get a front-row seat to watch the glory of the summer sun rising through the trees and clouds.

Inside out

Health is not just about being able to run or lift weights. It is also about giving your body what it needs and what it may need, is good flushing of all its chemicals, toxins and horrible stuff that lingers in the muscles and blood. 5that’s exactly what this IV therapy service is designed to do. You just need to select what kind of IV drip you want. They have cold and flu-resistant drips, pure hydration, nutritional and drips for workouts. Then if you pass the medical, a nurse will come and help you attach the IV. sit back, thumb around on your phone and you will feel your body become lighter, more alert and all those nasty chemicals flushing out of your body.

Image Source: Pixabay

Zoom picnic in the garden

You may not be allowed to go and visit family, but you can still have a Zoom picnic! Plan a meal with your friends and family over a Zoom call. You can say hello to your nieces, nephews and grandparents. Cook some meals together, such as pasta salad, quiche, barbecue chicken and some fajita wraps to name a few comfort foods. Go outside in the garden, set your phone or webcam up and eat together. It's a great time to catch up with each other, enjoy the sun, be outside in your garden (which you may hardly use), and see how everyone is holding up. Soon, you shall meet and eat together again!

Homemade milkshake

Is there anything better than a summer milkshake? Of course not! There are many classic recipes you can make with just a few ingredients. Here’s a simple vanilla milkshake recipe. Sprinkle some chocolate shavings over the top and add some whipped cream to be extra naughty!

The summer is not something we should take for granted, so virus or no virus, we should all enjoy it as best we can.

Help Your Small Business to Thrive Online

Image Source

Many businesses start-out online; they’ve got a good website and are up-to-date with the latest digital marketing trends; others may be new to the internet or are underperforming for an unknown reason. If this sounds like you, then chances are you will need to update your online strategies to help grow your customer base and help your business to thrive. There are many ways to do this, such as building a user-friendly website and developing an effective SEO and content management strategy. In this article, we look at some of the best ways to help your business to thrive online.

Develop a winning website

‘Winning,’ in this instance, doesn’t mean a website with lots of graphics and fancy animations; in fact, a site like this could prove to be counter-productive, especially when users navigate away because it takes too much time to load. No, a winning website, in this instance, is one that is simple, clean, easy to find, and easy to navigate.

There are so many websites around that people feel there’s a need to stand out from the rest by being extra appealing - but that’s not the case. Unless you’re a graphics design company, who wants to show off what you do, there is no need for any bells and whistles. People coming to the internet generally know what they are looking for and want the process to be efficient.

Rebrand if Necessary

Have you looked at your analytics recently and noticed that they are underperforming? There are many steps you can take before completely rebranding your online business; things such as better SEO, new ad campaigns, and better content management, are worth your time and attention. But if it becomes clear that your business is not improving, it could be time to consider a re-brand.

Business rebranding can be an excellent opportunity to rekindle an existing brand, use the existing customer base and contacts lists, to create a business that is more in-line with your values and new business goals. Before rebranding, you should ask yourself some questions such as: what do I want my aesthetic to be, what materials will I need, what tone do I want, and how can I stand out? Rebranding is not something you want to do a lot of, so it’s worth taking some time to get it right.

Use SEO that works

If your business is underperforming, it could be down to your out of date SEO and/or your content management strategy. SEO is excellent when it is optimized correctly, it can zero in on the exact search terms of users and present your business right at the top of the rankings, but the algorithm is always changing, and new competing sites are coming online every day.

Review your keywords regularly, perhaps monthly, and ensure that you are using the best core keywords and clusters of related terms in your content and website copy. Keeping your SEO up-to-date is one way to ensure that search engines know you are relevant. It might be time-consuming, but it will pay dividends.

 

Local SEO services are the most suitable ones for businesses in the surrounding area. Indeed, they know the competition and what the keywords that work best are. With a bulletproof local SEO strategy in place, you can start capturing the audience of non-locals and locals interested in businesses like yours! Get there first and beat the competition.

Campaign with PPC ads

It’s advisable to do as much SEO work as possible to rank as highly as possible on the organic search results, but if you’ve achieved this and you’re ready to take a step further then pay-per-click ads (PPC) are the way to go. PPC ads refer to the top ranking ads you see on the search engine; these ads are search results that are relevant to your search and have the highest bid. A company will not pay for the ad unless it is clicked.

To improve your ranking on the search engines, over and above your organic SEO results, you will need to open an account with Google Adwords and/or Bing Ads to optimize your keywords and allocate your budget so that you’re competitive in the market.

Social media is your friend

It was once only for keeping in touch with friends, but now social media is an invaluable tool for companies who want to understand their target audience better, get feedback on new products and market them to people who are interested in buying them. If your online business is not taking advantage of social media, it is an area of potential growth.

Suppose your small business is a startup or one that’s recently set up and doesn’t yet have an online presence. You will want to have a social media presence but don’t sign up to every social media site, concentrate on just one of them and grow a customer base: you can do this through influencer marketing.

3 Ways You Can Make a Career Out of Your Love for Fashion

Is your passion in life to be part of the fashion world? Do you yearn to be included in one of the best paying industries, not just for the money but because you have a genuine love for it? It can be tough to break into this career, but with the different paths you can take and a lot of dedication and perseverance, you will have your own place in this magnificent huge business.

 Image Source: Pixabay

Retail
There are so many different job roles included in the retail side of fashion. Whether you would like to own your own business or be part of an existing one, these are the main job roles needed to form a store. Sales assistants are such a huge priority to a business, and this is also a great way to get your foot in the door. The main role for sales assistants is to handle the customers’ purchases, help customers, restock the floor and also make sure everything is clean and tidy.

There is also the visual merchandiser role, which is all about making the store look and feel appealing. A VM must have an eye for design, as they will deal with shop signs, window decals, rail arrangement, and more popular than ever - dressing mannequins. The store buyer is a vital role for any store, as they research into which garments should be sold in-store, and negotiate prices for the garments. You will then need the managerial roles, which includes those responsible for leading the team in-store, dealing with budgeting as a whole, and making sure that the store runs smoothly in general.

Design
If you are more interested in the creative side of the fashion industry, then becoming a fashion designer is a great role to have! There are lots of different aspects to this role; it isn’t necessarily just designing a garment. It includes making concept boards/mood boards to present to the other in-house departments, looking at costs and budgets for the making and producing of the garments, spotting trends, and maybe even noticing them before they become majorly popular and obviously working on briefs to design the clothes.

To be a fashion designer, you have to have a genuine interest in the making and creative side to this business. You also need to notice the tiny aspects and details of a garment to ensure you are making amazing quality items. To get into this competitive role, studying at college is helpful, as it can prepare you with what the industry will be like, build up your portfolio with guidance and also give you a degree at the end, which is extremely appealing to employers.

Manufacturing
There is a huge amount of negativity around machinists being underpaid and working in terrible conditions. If you are interested in sewing and hand producing garments but only hear about these awful situations, definitely do some research into slow fashion. Slow fashion is the act of producing better quality garments in an eco-friendly, sustainable, fair way. There are lots of brands practicing the slow fashion movement in a really amazing way that require machinists to help produce garments, so research into companies before taking the plunge.

There are so many different pathways into the fashion industry, and it can be hard at times to know where to look. Figure out what aspect you are interested in and then do some research into how to go about getting your foot in the door, whether that is from education, internships, apprenticeships or even just applying for a job if you feel you are ready.

Be More Stylish with This Ultimate Fashion Guide

If you want to make 2020 your most stylish year yet, then you have come to the right place. It’s never too late for you to start dressing better, so if you’re ready to make a change then here are some of the top things that you need to be doing.

Don’t Buy Something for One Occasion
Everyone has done this at some point. You may find that you buy a single outfit for a Christmas party, wedding or even a Friday reunion at the pub. Instead of buying something for one occasion, or a single event, it helps to have a few nicer pieces in your wardrobe that are much more versatile. If you go for something classic and simple, then this will help you to utilize your style much more. If you use accessories to your advantage, then you will soon see that you can always get the look you want without having to worry about a thing. If you want to dress up, then invest in some vegan eyelashes, or some nice jewellery.

Image Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Don’t Keep Things that Don’t Fit
It’s really not uncommon to hold onto items which don’t fit, just because you hope that one day, you will be able to fit into them again. You might also be tempted to buy things in a smaller size so that you have an incentive to lose weight. If you do hold onto these items, then you may find that this is one of the worst things that you can do. After all, if you do lose weight then you’ll want to go out and treat yourself to some new clothes anyway, so make sure that you keep this in mind if possible.

Don’t Keep Things that Don’t Suit You
So many people hold onto things that just don’t fit, or suit them. This is understandable because you might like the style, but it’s just not your thing. If you want to help yourself here, then it is a good idea for you to try and get rid of anything that you don’t feel as though suits you. If you do this, then you will free up way more room in the wardrobe and you may even find that you feel more comfortable and confident as a result.

Don’t Buy Something Because It’s Cheap
It’s incredibly easy for you to be won over by a huge discount. It’s understandable, but at the end of the day, you have to make sure that you are not being drawn into something that is just a bad investment. Never buy something because it’s a good deal, and also make sure that you only spend money on things that you are truly comfortable with.

One in, One Out
Another thing that you can do to try and streamline your wardrobe is to do the one in and one out rule. Whenever you buy something, you need to sell something else. This will keep your shelves from overflowing and you may even find that you end up being much more confident about what you are purchasing too. You will never buy something unless you love it, because if you do then you may find that you end up losing something else special.

7 Tips for Organizing Computer Files

Losing a file in your computer is a frustrating, but common occurrence for everyone. It’s easy to make a mess of photos, videos, documents, and other files you’ll need in the future.

Organizing it all can feel intimidating and might make you want to give up.

But there are benefits to having an organization system. Quick work, efficiency, and easier access turn you into a computer whiz.  If you want to know the best way to organize files on your computer, we have an easy-to-understand guide for you!

Below we have seven tips for organizing computer files that can solve your filing needs:

1. Create an Organization System

First off, you want to decide on a system for computer file organization. This prevents you from unknowingly changing your initial organizational structure. Since there are so many kinds, sticking to your preference makes sure you don’t confuse your system.

Remember that there's no right or wrong choice when it comes to your organizational structure. These are your files after all and you should have the final say. One important factor to consider is it should make sense to you, everyone else is secondary.

Remember, dumping all your files and documents on your desktop, is not an organization system. You are better off investing in Spectrum internet plans to prevent computer errors and lost files and then taking an extra minute to find an appropriate folder for your organized files.

2. Delete Your Unnecessary Files

One of the most important tips for organizing computer files is to delete things you no longer need. It’s best to get a step ahead of this as these files can accumulate over the years.

Aside from the fact it consumes space, these files will also slow down your computer.

Duplicate and junk files are common candidates for the recycle bin, as they are unnecessary or a one-time use file.  Find duplicate files and delete a copy so you can get some of the space back. Junk files such as temporary and installer files don’t do much afterward anyway, so delete those.

You can also get help from several cleaning applications. Though we recommend that you do it yourself so you can assess the files and not delete the ones important to you.

3. Have a Proper Name for Files and Folder

Yes, keyboard smashing your way into naming your files is not going to work in the long run. It may be fun and cool at first, but you won't be laughing later when you are searching around some gibberish language you invented at the time.

A proper name for your folders will have a huge impact on how you search for your files and documents later on. This is one of the better tips for organizing files on your computers as it speeds up searches and is easier to file.

You can name it according to the contents of the folder. Try to avoid redundant names and long names. Ask yourself what the document is about and its purpose, this helps generate keywords for a file name.

4. Separate the Folder From WIP and Complete

There are two kinds of work files: Work in Progress and Finished or Complete. Make two separate folders for each of them. It can also help you organize and remind you of the work you need to finish.

You can rename your folders to 'COMPLETE' and 'WORK IN PROGRESS'. Anything you want that can distinguish the two is a big help.

Once you finish something, move it in the 'Complete' folder. Make sure to delete it from the 'WIP' folder so you can avoid any future confusion. Do not make the mistake of creating multiple drafts and edits when it comes to a single document.

5. Archive Your Old Files

The main purpose of archiving your files is to recover the files after years or even decades have passed. This is also a great way to organize your files and take them out from your computer without losing it forever.

There are several factors you should consider when archiving your files.  Knowing how long these will last and how you can identify each file are common standards. You can also use tags to label files in a way that is easy to remember.

Keep consistent with your tags and keep their titles to a minimum.

For photos, you can write the metadata. Metadata is the information about the picture itself. This is useful for cataloging your photo album so you can search the exact photo you might be looking for.

6. Sort It Immediately After

The search functionality is there for you to see files immediately. But often, these can let you down by not working or lagging.

A quick fix is to store files in libraries or use shortcuts to access them from your desktop. You should do this if you are using a particular folder often, or you want a way to get into the folder easier.

Don't be afraid also to create sub-folders when you think it's appropriate. This is great when there's a folder that has way too much stuff in it. Remember, this is convenient, but not an excuse to dump everything on your desktop.

7. Organize and Clean up Daily

Of course, all the tips mentioned above will all be for naught if you don't organize it at least once a month or so. But there will be times where time is of the essence and you don't have the time to find the right folder.

Create a folder that can be your catch-all to be more lenient with mistakes when filing.

But remember to not do this often. Because you might get a habit of putting all your files in there and organizing it 'later'.

Remember, the ultimate key for the organization is consistency.

Follow These Tips for Organizing Computer Files!

Here are the ways you can sort the big mess in your computer and get some organization going on. Follow these tips for organizing computer files and you can be sure not to worry about where to find your files ever again.

But wait, you can still learn so much more! Don't forget to check out some of our blog posts and read them today. We cover everything from tech to general lifestyle tips, right here!

MAC x Selena Quintanilla La Reina Collection

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: I remember pre-ordering the MAC x Selena La Reina (The Queen) Collection in April of this year. I ordered this collection, because I enjoyed using the products from the MAC x Selena Quintanilla 2016 Collection. I'm also a huge fan of the late Selena Quintanilla. When I ordered this collection, it was the beginning of Covid-19 in the United States. I was worried about a friend of mine that was out of the country and also my family. Makeup was the last thing on my mind. This collection just sat in my makeup room. With having to wear masks (N95, surgical masks etc), I've worn very little makeup lately. Just occasionally. Well, I've finally taken this collection out again. I tried everything on and would like to share my thoughts with you.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  MAC x Selena La Reina Collection is Sweet

La Leyenda Extra Dimension Skinfish (Highlighter)

This highlighter is a beautiful soft gold. I applied it to the bridge of my nose, under my brow bone, cheeks and cupids bow. It's a beautiful gold that will compliment almost any makeup look. I love what MAC did with the packaging. On the front is artwork showing Selena's famous bustier. There's also a picture of Selena wearing the bustier. Usually we throw those clear plastic covers away, so that idea was ingenious. When you open it up, it reveals a beautiful rose and mirror. So I loved this. 

Selena Vive (Lives)

Selena Vive is a pink cremesheen lipstick. It applies really well to the lips. It offers full coverage. 

This color can be worn year round. Plus, I feel its complimentary to so many skin tones.

La Reina (The Queen)
(purchase here)

La Reina is a brown amplified creme lipstick. It reminds me of a mocha or cappuccino color.
I just think coffee. It's very creamy. Again, applied well and laid well on the lips.
I see this more as a Fall color. 

Inolvidable (Unforgettable, Never to be forgotten)

Inolvidable is a pink frost lipstick. The formula for this lipstick is an absolute stunner.
It has so much dimension. It's a peachy pink in my estimation.
It does have sparkles, but its very adult.

Queen of Cumbia (Cumbia is a genre of music popular through Latin America)
(purchase here)

Selena was known for and LOVED red lipstick. I'm a red lipstick lover myself.
And I must say, not all red lipstick is the same.
I have many in my collection and I don't have one like this.
It is a gorgeous red. Queen of Cumbia is a matte lipstick.

Hey Dad Pizza!
(purchase here)

Selena loved pizza! Hey Dad Pizza! is a light bronze lip glass.
It gives the lips some sparkle and shine. It can be worn alone or atop a lipstick.
I am going to try it atop La Reina.

It's a beautiful collection. I'm glad I purchased it. I look forward to wearing it in the future. 

Carmo: A Tropical Cafe & Bar

Not Sponsored: Cafe Carmo: A Tropical Cafe & Bar is located in New Orleans Lower Garden District [this area is also known as the Warehouse District/Arts District of New Orleans (ADNO)]. It's very sophisticated, trendy and artsy. Simply gorgeous! I forgot to take a picture, but upon leaving Cafe Carmo a Lamborghini was parked right outside. To view other restaurants in this area click here. I know a lot of my readers are not from Louisiana or the States, so here's a handy link to the various neighborhoods in New Orleans. Let me give you a little background about Cafe Carmo. It was founded by Dana & Christina Honn (also here) in 2010. It serves multi-cultural cuisine from the Caribbean, Central and South America, West Africa, Southeast Asia, Gulf South and Beyond.

The outside of the cafe is so pretty. I really thought it was cool! I love their sign, cool artwork on the doors, assortment of plants & trees and most of all the soothing sound of the water coming from their outdoor fountain. I love fountains! They're so soothing, peaceful and relaxing. A little tid-bit about me. I keep a fountain on my desk. I love listening to it.

Cafe Carmo practices sustainability! They use bio-degradable compostable carryout containers, bags, flatware, cups, cleaning supplies. Their counters, fixtures and furniture (tables and chairs) are salvaged and recovered. They don't just stop there, Cafe Carmo serves only seafood which has been sustainably and reliably sourced. They are the only three-star rating in the State of Louisiana by the Green Restaurant Association (you can find a list of green restaurants for your city by clicking here) and the only restaurant in the state to be certified by Seafoodwatch. That's impressive!

  Iordered a cocktail. I had the Caipirinhas/Caipiroska, which is Brazil's National Drink. It is Cachaca or Vodka muddled with fresh lime & cane sugar. A Que Pina, is Barsol Pisco, fresh pineapple, lime, aji amarillo, mint & cilantro. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the drinks. There's a glimpse of one further down. The reason for this was, I was too busy drinking mine. I forgot to take a picture. They're not sweet drinks, but they taste really good with the fresh fruit that's in them. Cafe Carmo offers both traditional & signature cocktails.

Now, the food! You guys, everything was SO DELICIOUS! For appetizers I had the Peruvian Ceviche (originated from Peru or Ecuador; it is fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices and spiced with fresh seasonings) which is fish, sweet potato, aji imo, aji amarillo, choclo and cancha. I've never had ceviche! Anytime I hear raw seafood, my nose turns up! LOL But you guys, it is SO GOOD! It has such flavor. There are so many elements and each compliment one another. I ate it up. Also had Creole Banquette Bread, which has Havarti cheese, shrimp, scallions, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes. It's better than pizza! I was in heaven. It's light and crisp. I love the cheese & toppings.

Entrees were the Rico, which is plantains topped with panela cheese, house smoked heritage pork, avocado, salsa fresca, rico sauce, served with organic greens and vinaigrette and the Trifongo Relleno. It is Puerto Rico's heritage dish of seasoned mashed plantains, cassava and sweet potato with seafood ceviche (there are other variations such as vegan ceviche and smoked pork or vegan meat). COLORFUL! FLAVORFUL! FRESH! EVERY BITE WAS HEAVENLY!

I mentioned in a previous post, how I wasn't exposed to food from other cultures. I've never tried any of these dishes or drinks. I'm so glad I'm trying cuisines from other cultures. That's why I am sharing my experiences with you. I've always been a huge fan of history. My father majored in History and it's so fascinating. Don't limit yourself with just historical events. Push yourself to explore and find out more about your city, the food you're eating, clothes you're wearing. I'm taking each place I visit, whether it's a restaurant, place or event as a learning experience. I use to look at places to eat as JUST THAT places to eat. It's important to expand your vision. Look at what's around you! Find out who owns the place. What's the history and story behind them opening the restaurant? What do they believe in? What's the history of the area that surrounds it. Try to always find out more.

You know I had dessert! This is Cafe Carmo's Caribbean Banana Cake. So delicious! It has walnuts in it. From my experience, banana bread (loaf) that is dark in color is simply the best. And so is this cake. It's rich! Two can definitely share and I even brought a piece home. It's really good! They have Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cake, Kahlua Chocolate Pecan Cake, Hazelnut Pudding Cake, an assortment of cookies, Gateau and Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse.

Some people cook and that's the way the food tastes. Nice. Edible. It's Food. But some people cook with PASSION, CARE and LOVE! It's extra special! That's Cafe Carmo! The presentation of the food. Where they get everything from. The freshness and colorfulness of the food. It ALL comes together. My experience there was absolutely exquisite. They offer dine in, take out and delivery. I will definitely patronize them again. I want to add my waiter was the nicest guy!

Before I left, they opened up a section towards the back!  I had to sneak a peak! Gorgeous, colorful artwork. I love brick walls! Love them! This separate area would be great to have a business luncheon, private party or celebration. There's a cooking area and bar. Plenty of places to sit. It truly has pizzazz. I  spotted the SUSTAINABILITY poster below. Read it. Its message is so beautiful. I added a copy of the menus below. I hope you enjoyed this review as much as I did spending time at Cafe Carmo. I encourage you to visit them when you're in the area.