How PMP Certification Could Be A Smart Career Move

Image Source: Unsplash CC0 License

PMP certification is granted by the Project Management Institute and it boasts a status as the most widely project management qualification on a worldwide scale. By attaining PMP accreditation, you display that you have the competency, education, and experience to direct and lead complicated projects successfully. Below, we are going to take a look at the benefits of this qualification in further detail.

There is only one place to begin, and this is with the fact that you will be able to set yourself apart by attaining PMP certification. As mentioned in the introduction, it is a mark of quality – showing that you have a knowledge set, and the credentials to prove it. Whenever you go to apply for jobs in the future, you can rest assured that this will put you in a more positive light than those that do not have the PMP qualification. This can also be beneficial for those that are ready to make a career switch. There are more job opportunities for those with this qualification. Statistics actually show that there are roughly 20 per cent more job vacancies than they are credentialed workers available, making the odds very much in your favor.

Of course, you will gain invaluable experience by achieving the PMP certification. You will work through different situations that you may not have come across before in your own work environment. This will give you the ability to solve diverse and complicated project issues in the future. This will also mean that you are more productive and efficient in all of your project experiences, no matter what you are dealing with. Whether you trade Forex or you have a business in sports psychology, this can help.

The PMP certification also gives you the ability to evaluate potential team members and employees. If you have not had any training, it is likely that you have experienced moments whereby the group have you have has not worked together cohesively. You cannot figure out why they cannot work together efficiently. Once you have done the PMP qualification, you will have the ability to determine what skills are going to be valuable in your team and whether people are going to be able to work effectively together. This will ensure you put the best team together. Moreover, if something isn’t working, you will be able to rectify it.

Research also indicates that you will be able to command higher pay if you achieve this certification. You can expect to gain anything up to a 20 percent increase in salary when compared to someone that does not have such a qualification. It is also worth noting that PMP is recognized on a global scale, which means your skills are transferable no matter where you live. This can also be beneficial if you have to manage projects with remote teams based outside of the country.

As you can see, there are many benefits associated with attaining the PMP qualification. Thus, no matter whether you are a project manager, hoping to be one, or you deal with elements of project management in your role as a leader at your current organization, you should be thinking about achieving this certification sooner rather than later.

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation in Macchiato 400G and Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Board Meeting Review

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

Not Sponsored: Every year, I like to try 1-2 foundations. I felt it was time to try Huda Beauty. She offers a #fauxfilter luminous matte foundation. I have dry skin, so whenever I see the words matte I get worried. Its full coverage, long lasting (24 hour flexible wear), luminous matte finish, blurs, non-cakey, transfer proof (water, sweat, fade, humidity) and fragrance free (that is what the website states). That's a lot! HaHaHa I purchased this online (Covid still going on) and got my shade wrong (I'm orange ... sorry you guys ... oompa loompa), so Macchiato is not for me. But I still tested it anyway! So disregard the color. I show you pictures of me without and with the foundation on. I was very impressed with the coverage of this foundation. It really hid the redness in my face, dark areas and acne scars. It adheres to the skin well and does hold up to humidity (which we have a lot here in New Orleans). I do feel however this foundation is better for anyone without dry skin (normal, combination and oily skin types). Because alone, it applies really dry (on dry skin like mine)! I would have to apply more moisturizer and eye cream (than I usually do) before using this foundation (and as of right now, she doesn't offer another type of foundation). She does offer a skin tint, but usually I need full coverage. I think it's a great foundation if you have another skin type (other than dry). She also offers it in many shades. I also purchased her Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Board Meeting. It is considered a spiced cinnamon mocha (warm tone) lipstick. It has a matte formula as well, but it felt really good on the lips. It looked good as well. I do a lot of prepping to my lips. I use Sara Happ lip scrubs and primer. I use Fresh beauty lip serum and advanced lip care lip balm. This lipstick will lay beautifully on your lips (and STAY) if you take care of your lips (lip regimen). I was impressed with Huda Beauty. Sorry I didn't get the foundation shade right, but luckily was able to give it to someone else to use. I'm still using Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. I used no concealer in the pictures below. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation is Sweet

 Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Board Meeting is Sweet

 

 

NO MAKEUP

 

MAKEUP (FOUNDATION + LIPSTICK)

Fresh Kombucha Cleansing Treatment Review

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

Not Sponsored: If you follow my blog, you know I sing the PRAISES of Fresh's Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence (first reviewed here)(can be purchased here: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, Harrods). I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It plumps up my skin (face, neck, shoulders, decollete) and gives me a very youthful appearance. It's expensive, but so effective ... so good! So Fresh, just came out with a Fresh Kombucha Cleansing Treatment (Nordstrom, Harrods, Space NK, Neiman Marcus). It's a 2 in 1 NO RINSE cleanser and prebiotic treatment. So let me break it down! What kind of cleanser is this? Fresh wants you to use it "as your primary cleanser or as the second step in double cleansing for full makeup days". Fresh states that it removes makeup, sunscreen, pollution, impurities, refines the look of pores and protects the skin with prebiotic inulin for clarity (skin balance & to fight dullness & dehydration). To use, you saturate a cotton pad, sweep over your face and eyes, to remove eye makeup hold the cotton ball over the applied area, follow with Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence. I had problems with all of this! This product may work for you if you wear VERY LIGHT makeup. At a minimum, I wear sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, foundation, under-eye corrector, concealer, blush, lipstick ... yeah a lot! And that is my BASIC makeup. This cleansing treatment is very gentle and it took awhile to remove those layers. You can also imagine the number of cotton balls which added to the waste. I use either Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (reviewed here) (Bloomingdales, Harrods, QVC) or Drunk Elephant's Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser (reviewed here) RINSE and I'm done! So this stuff is a liquid (can be used at home, but it will become challenging when traveling) and it's extremely gentle and not effective when removing lots of layers of skincare and makeup. It smells fine (a clinical scent) and it's light as water. You can splash it on your face. Once applied to you skin, there is some stick ... some tack. This dissipates over several minutes. Again, I have a problem with the waste that it causes. Yes, it's NO RINSE, but the "guck" has to go somewhere and that somewhere is on countless cottonballs that Fresh suggests. Overall, my face never felt fully clean. My skin did feel soft (so that was good). So those are its faults (in my opinion as a primary cleanser). As a second step in double cleansing. I honestly think ANY cleanser you use currently is stronger and more effective than this cleanser. I really don't see the purpose of this cleanser at all. I hate to say it, but its true. I can only see one using this if you barely wear any makeup. So, I'm not recommending that you purchase this. I DO RECOMMEND Fresh's Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence (as mentioned above). But this product didn't do it for me and I feel there are much better products out there.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Fresh Kombucha Cleansing Treatment is Not Sweet

 

Youth To The People | Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser Review

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

Not Sponsored: I've been wanting to try Youth To The People's Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser for awhile (but you can only truly try so many cleansers at a time). Doesn't it sound really good!?! Let me talk briefly about the history of the company! The company was founded in 2015 by two guys (related) Greg and Joe. They were influenced by their grandmother (who was a pioneer in professional grade skincare), their Aunt Lori and Greg's Mom Lisa. The company has a strong background in Inclusivity, Equality, Sustainability, and Social Justice. They believe that our planet and communities co-exist. They donate to various philanthropic organizations (to support women, families, the planet, science-driven initiatives and to fight hunger etc.). Overall they have a very good philosophy! Now, their cleanser. YTTP states, "The powerful, but gentle daily face wash is formulated with cold-pressed antioxidants - kale, spinach, and green tea (also alfalfa, vitamins c, e and k) - to give your skin the ultimate cleanse. It works effectively to prevent buildup in pores, remove makeup, and balance pH without drying or stripping. This is the green juice cleanse for your face." A green juice for my face? I'm all for it! You wet your face and with wet hands put 1-2 pumps of this cleanser in your hands and work into a light lather. You then massage it into your face for 30 seconds. Now my thoughts! It has a pure, fresh vegetable scent. It lightly lathers when applied to the face with water. When I rinsed, I felt something was still there (like a lightweight film). For me, my face never felt clean. The formula just didn't work for me. I will say it's moisturizing and non-stripping. I didn't experience any irritation or anything while using this cleanser. But my dry, sensitive skin never adapted to this formula. My skin didn't feel clean. I looked at the reviews on their website and this cleanser has received EXCELLENT reviews, so just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. I would try a small bottle of this before investing in the larger bottle, to see if it works with your skin type. This cleanser is also PETA, FSC and Leaping Bunny Approved (cruelty free). 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Youth To The People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser is Bittersweet

 

Milwaukee City: Where It's All Happening

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

Wisconsin is a northern state, so it's a little chilly most of the year. However, this time of year when the sun is shining is the best place to visit. Not only is there so much to do in the state because the numerous lakes are open to water activities, but you also have incredible seasonal cuisines to enjoy. Milwaukee is the star of the state, the largest city with over 600,000 people. It's also the home to the famous Milwaukee Bucks which are currently in the running to win the NBA playoffs. Not to mention, the countryside is great too, classic Americana if you will. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do while in Milwaukee.

Calling all Mexican food lovers

You might think that a northern state wouldn’t be such a festoon of Mexican cuisine and culture. However, Milwaukee has some of the finest Mexican food you can hope to find in the country. It's a brilliant testament to the quality of ingredients grown locally. Guadalajara has been touted as the best Mexican restaurant in the city. It's been around since the 1980s, serving classic dishes like enchiladas, sour cream and beef tacos, salsa and chips, chili cheese nachos and seared fish with beans and rice. Another great option is El Señorial which serves some mouthwatering skirt steak in Mexican spices and herbs. They also do American side dishes like French fries, mac n’ cheese, etc.

Bucking the trend

The Milwaukee Bucks are the center of attention across the country. They have been the underdog for so long, but now they have a great lineup of players and a great coach. They are third in the Eastern Conference, currently playing 7 games against the Atlanta Hawks. The stadium is alive with noise, great camaraderie and great services for the crowd. There are Tickets On Sale now for the next 6 games the Bucks are facing against the Hawks. Every sports channel believes they will win the Eastern Conference and then it's onto the NBA finals. If you want to see incredible dunks, amazing 3-pointers and be among the thriving crowd, check out their live performances in the Forum.

Harley-Davidson Museum

The most famous motorcycle brand of all time, is headquartered in Milwaukee. There is a 130,000 square-feet three building complex, which hosts the most invigorating history of the brand anywhere in the world. All in all, it's about 20 acres! There are over 500 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the museum. Guests also get glimpses of what the brand is currently working on from time to time. When visiting, you should check out their Hollywood section. There are so many famous on-screen motorcycles you’ll see that you’ll recognize from movies you’ve seen. It's 115+ year-old display of history is worth the trip alone.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is where it's all happening right now. The Bucks are on a roll, the Mexican food is hitting just right and the best Motorcycle brand in the world calls the city home. Come and visit, you won’t regret it.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil, Hydra Lip Tint in Picnic Plum and Beyond Powder Highlighter in OMG | Review and Swatches

Disclosure / PR Samples: Hey Everybody! The lovely people at Illamasqua PR sent me some beauty treats to try. I was really excited to receive these, because have you seen their New Summer Collection? Everything is so pretty. The colors in the collection really caught my eye. So beautiful. You should definitely take a look. Let me go over each product with you. Also, look for a special code further down below that will save you some money. And as you ladies and gentleman know, all opinions are 100% my own.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff)

Illamasqua Hydra Veil | Sweet

It's part hydrator. It's part primer. Okkkkk. Well I have super dry skin! So how did it work out? It's a really cool gel formula. It looks like clear jelly. Use the spatula provided, to scoop a little out. You'll see an indentation in the product. Apply it to a clean face. What's so cool, is that it goes back to its solid form within seconds. It's fun to see! Illamasqua's Hydra Veil feels so nice and cool to the skin. It applies evenly. It sinks into the skin. Your face feels hydrated. This is great for all skin types. For anyone with dry skin (like me), this is lightweight which will work great for Spring & Summer. Going into Fall & Winter, you may need a little more hydration. As a primer, my foundation laid beautifully over Illamasqua's Hydra Veil. As you can see below, in my pictures. It's a really good product.

Illamasqua Hydra Lip Tint in Picnic Plum | Supersweet

I love ... Love ... LOVE this lip tint! And I am super-finicky about balms and tints. This is the first product that caught my eye from their Summer 2021 Collection. These come in an assortment of colors. Each lip tint has two colors. Blended together, they give you one beautiful color for your lips. I received Picnic Plum. Scroll a little bit. Isn't it beautiful! So pick a color that works for you and enjoy! Not only is the color payoff gorgeous (it lays beautifully on the lips), AND it's MOISTURIZING without being sticky or tacky. It seems more like a lip treatment! These have apricot and peach hazel oil. Illamasqua promises that your lips will be hydrated for 10 hours. I love this formula and your lips will love it as well. Take my word for it! I will never leave you astray. So worth it! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

Illamasqua Beyond Powder in OMG | Sweet

A highlighter that provides a natural and radiant glow. It's a baked highlighter that provides illumination or if you want to highlight certain points/areas. I swatched two areas on my hand. One is swatched using just the stroke of my finger. The other is the highlighter blended out. It's soft. It's natural. If you need to increase the intensity it's buildable. I used it on the bridge of my nose, cupids bow and cheek bones. You can also use this to accent your collar bones. This is a product that can be used year round. It truly is beautiful and ups your makeup game, as you can see below.

Want to save a little money? I know you do! Use my code: SWEET25 to save 25% off your order. 

Thank You Illamasqua PR for sending me these products. I love everything.

Beyond the Wrinkles: Some of the Most Frustrating Things About Aging

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

After the last 16 months, we’ve all needed to indulge in ourselves on occasion so we can feel happier and get through this thing! But of course, the feeling that we've got to treat ourselves with unhealthy things is as old as the hills, but it’s never an easy thing to escape, especially as we get older and older. When we get older we start to think about exercising and eating right, but we have to remember that as we age, there will be things we can't necessarily fight. Let's show you some interesting ways that your age shows itself, but also what you can do about it.

Excess Hair

You could find the best laser hair removal to help, but you could also learn to embrace it. Of course, some people don't like the idea of excess hair, but it is a key part of getting older. Why? The answer is very simple: hormones! As we get older, our estrogen levels dip, which means there's more testosterone floating around our bodies, causing more hair to grow in every location!

Sleep Problems

In many ways that it can be a blessing, especially if you get up before the kids do! But sleep problems are not necessarily due to aging in a physical sense but can arise from the emotional or medical conditions we get as we age. But it is important to remember that a solid 7 to 9 hours is going to make a massive difference to your quality of life. It doesn't just make you feel fresher, but it will reduce my memory problems, depression, and risk factors for diseases like cancer.

Weight Gain

As we get older we start to lose muscle, which starts around the age of 30. We can lose between 3% and 5% per decade. And one of the best ways to preserve our muscle mass is, of course, to exercise, but we also need to remember that if we lose muscle, we become less active, so our body burns fewer calories.

Depression

As we get older, we've got to be more aware of how depression can rear its head. The older we get, the more emotional pressures we face. Whether this is having kids, career pressures, or older parents needing more help, we can think it's an unavoidable part of getting older, but the reality is reducing depression is all about simple practices. As a priority, talk to your doctor, but also realize what your depression triggers are. Sometimes, we can't avoid these things, however, we can talk about them.

Fragile Bones

Something that we notice as we get older is that little creaking and clicking when you get out of bed. If this is the case, you may need to make your bones a bit stronger by lifting weights and taking a vitamin D supplement.

With all of these issues, we think that they are just a part of aging, so therefore they just are frustrating. But we have to remember that there is something we can do about them. If you want to reduce any chances of deterioration, the best defense is prevention. You may see people in their 60s, 70s, and beyond who are more than happy, healthy, and mobile. We don't have to give in to any form of decline.

Don't Ignore These Health Problems

There are lots of things that you can experience with your body that are easy to brush off. A twinge here and there or something that comes and goes may be easy to ignore when it's not there all the time. However, just because you are able to put something to the back of your mind, it doesn't mean that you should. There are plenty of things that you shouldn't ignore because they might be a symptom of a bigger problem or they might get worse if you try to wait for them to go away. Make sure you don't brush aside these problems.

Changes To Your Vision Or Hearing

A change to your vision or hearing might not be something that you notice at first. It can happen slowly so, although you might suspect that something has changed, you could easily be in denial. But a change to your vision or hearing could get worse if you don't pick up on it. It's even more important to pay attention if you experience a sudden change, which could indicate a more serious problem. Getting your vision and hearing checked will help to identify any issues that might be present, what the cause might be, and the best treatment.

Image Source: Pexels CC0 License

Toothache

When your tooth starts to ache, you can start to dread having to see someone about it. Maybe you hope that it will go away, but a toothache suddenly stopping might not be the good sign you hope it is. If your tooth hurts, it's best not to ignore it. Make an appointment with a dentist to get it checked out as soon as you can. You might have a cavity or another issue that's causing the problem. Dealing with it as quickly as possible will prevent the problem from getting worse.

A Cough That Won't Go Away

Having a cough is a pretty normal occurrence, especially during the winter. However, there are times when a cough can be a sign of something more serious. If you have a cough that hasn't gone away after two or three weeks, and it's not COVID-19, there's a possibility it could be more than just a cough. While it's not the most likely result, there's a chance that it could be cancer or another health issue related to your lungs or respiratory system. If your cough won't go away, see your doctor to find out what the cause might be.

Stomach Problems

A lot of people can experience problems with their stomach or digestive system, which they don't do anything about. Regular indigestion, heartburn, or other problems can be annoying and make you feel uncomfortable, but you might brush them off as no big deal. However, there could be plenty of reasons for these kinds of problems. Some of them might have a relatively simple solution while others could require more in-depth investigation and treatment to address them.

Instead of ignoring the health problems that you experience, make sure you get them checked out by a medical professional to determine their cause.

Important Health Checks You Shouldn't Forget

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

Staying healthy shouldn't be all about waiting until you think that something is wrong before you fix it. You can often be a lot healthier by taking preventative steps and by having checkups to pick up on potential issues before they develop. There are a few different types of health checkups that help you to manage your health and stay on top of any problems that could come up. These aren't checks that you need to have too often unless you think something is wrong, but you might benefit from organizing them between every six months to every two years.

Dental Checkups

You only get one set of adult teeth, so looking after them is essential. It's important to see your dentist if you have a toothache or other problems, but it's even better to have regular checkups. Seeing a dentist every six months or so gives you a chance to have your teeth and gums checked. It's also a good opportunity to have your teeth cleaned and to get advice from your dentist or dental hygienist on looking after your oral health. It's better to spot problems like cavities before they grow into bigger issues that are more difficult to fix.

Vision Checks

Your vision could change at any time. Even if you don't need glasses or contacts now, you could find that you need them at some point. As you get older, some eye conditions become more common too, making it even more important to have your vision checked. An eye test every two years is ideal for most people, although some people might benefit from having them more often. Eye exams are especially important for some, such as people with diabetes or people who have a family history of certain conditions. Of course, if you think your vision has changed, don't wait until your next check.

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

Hearing Health

While you might get your vision checked regularly, your hearing might not be as much of a priority. Many people only associate losing your hearing with old age, but your hearing can be affected by other things too. If you work in a noisy environment or you take part in activities that could damage your ears, whether it's going to concerts or shooting, your hearing could be at risk. You could also damage your hearing by listening to music too loud, especially with headphones. A hearing test will pick up on any problems with your ears or hearing.

Annual Health Check

A more general health check is also useful to help you stay healthy. While a checkup might not be able to find every problem, it can identify various indications of any issues to address. An annual health assessment could include checking your weight, your blood pressure, your cholesterol, doing some blood tests, and more. Like other health checks, this becomes more important as you get older and some health issues become more common.

Stay on top of your health and you can prevent problems before they develop by catching them early.

Unconventional Ways to Relax

Image Source: Pexels CC0 License

If you need more relaxation in your life, but you’ve had enough of scented candles, massages, or mindfulness, you may be delighted to know that there are many other, less conventional, ways to relax than the ones we’re all told to try time and time again. Let’s take a look at some of them now.

Laughter yoga

Spending time in a room with a bunch of other people moving through various yoga poses while laughing at the top of your lungs may sound very strange, and maybe it is, but it has also been shown to be an excellent way to relax, de-stress and find more happiness in your life, so if there is a laughter yoga class near you, it may be worth checking out.

Gaming

It certainly isn’t for everyone, but many people find that spending some time gaming can help them to relax by transporting them to another time and place. Games like Drift Hunters are not only lots of fun to play, but they require concentration and skill, which can help you to get into a relaxing flow state where you live in the present moment and only the present moment, which has been shown to be beneficial to mental health.

Play with a pet

Pets have been proven to lower stress levels, help reduce the symptoms of stress and depression, and even lower blood pressure amongst other things. They’re furry little miracles and we’re lucky to have them. So, next time you want to relax, start playing with your pet, or simply just petting him and you’ll soon start to feel better. Don’t have a pet? Borrow one!

Declutter

You might think that tidying up your home is anything but relaxing, however, the process of decluttering makes it necessary for you to really focus your mind on the task at hand so you can be sure to keep the right things and get rid of this stuff you no longer want, which again, can help you to live in the moment and get into a flow state. Not only that but when your home is less cluttered, so is your mind, which means it will generally be much easier for you to relax.

Take on a challenge

Again, this may not seem relaxing, but actually, challenging yourself to a difficult task can take you away from your troubles and give you a satisfying problem to solve, which can actually really help you to calm down. So whether you try your hand at learning French or playing the guitar, do something that challenges you daily.

Try scream therapy

Head off to a deserted mountaintop or deep wooded area and just scream at the top of your lungs until you can scream no more. Once you’re done, you’ll feel so relaxed. Weird yes? But it’s also an extremely cathartic practice, which is why so many people practice this one from time to time.

They may be unconventional, but these activities really do help you to relax, so why not give them a try?

Have You Recently Damaged Your Hearing?

It’s only natural to be cautious of your health, but when it to hearing health, you can never be too careful. It’s something that can become easily damaged, and it won’t always show whether or not you’ve damaged it. As the symptoms aren’t always obvious, there are a number of things you can look out for, while making sure you don’t do anything else that puts your hearing health at risk. You should also note that not all concerns will mean that you have hearing health, as there are a number of symptoms that could be caused by something else - meaning that it’s only going to be temporary.

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

The Symptoms

If you’re concerning that your hearing health has been damaged or is at risk, there are a few symptoms that you should be looking out for. As it’s not always easy to tell, it can help to not only lookout for this for your own sake, but it can often show in others before they are aware of it themselves.

One of the more telling signs that you or someone else might be experiencing hearing loss is the volume needed to be able to hear things clearly. For instance, if you find yourself watching TV with someone and you notice that they need it to be very loud, possibly so loud that it’s uncomfortable for you - it could be a sign that they are experiencing hearing loss.

It might start to become clear to you whether or not you have a hearing loss through conversing with others. It can become very difficult to maintain conversations for a number of reasons, whether it be sounding muffled when they speak, or you have to use more energy to listen to what they’re saying - either can be a sign that you’re experiencing hearing loss.

Possible Causes

If you feel like you might have damaged your hearing, there are a number of things that can contribute to it, and it’s possible that you have experienced them previously.

It’s very important that you do your best to make sure that you keep physical objects out of your ears at all times. Of course, that doesn’t include things like earphones that cannot possibly reach your eardrum, but smaller objects pose a huge risk of damaging your hearing.

It’s common to experience hearing loss if you spend your time around a lot of loud noises throughout the day. If you’re working with heavy machinery, or around music that’s very loud to listen to - you should make sure that you were ear protection.

Actions You Can Take

If you believe that you have damaged your hearing, you should consider seeing someone who can help you. Whether or not you have or haven’t, it’s always good to get a second opinion when it comes to health concerns. You can learn more here, and you shouldn’t delay it if you’re seriously concerned. Leaving it unchecked can lead to even worse problems - just adding to the hearing loss!

BARU: A Latin Caribbean Restaurant | New Orleans, Louisiana

Not Sponsored: I had planned on eating at a restaurant in downtown New Orleans, but unfortunately the environment around that restaurant has drastically changed (so I changed my mind). I decided to pick a restaurant on Magazine Street. You guys know last year, I tried a couple of restaurants on this beautiful thoroughfare and I promised I would patronize more. BARU, caught my eye. People sitting outside looked peaceful, content and (most of all) enjoying their food. So, I thought I should eat there. I didn't have a reservation (and it was busy), but the hostess gave me a great big SMILE/WELCOME and found the perfect spot to dine. A couple had just finished eating outside, which led to the perfect table. I really love the ambiance of BARU. It's intimate (small). Its minimal. You get personalized attention. They treat you like family. If you're looking for another restaurant that gives you this kind of personalized attention, let me recommend Tito's Ceviche & Pisco, which is also on Magazine Street. The food at BARU is really good! It's considered a Latin and Caribbean Restaurant. For an appetizer, I had the Ostras Fritas (cornmeal crusted oysters cilantro alioli carmelized onions lime) and Ceviche (gulf fish, avocado, leche de tigre, sweet potatoes, red onions, cancha corn). You HAVE to order both, if you visit this restaurant. I thought I was in heaven. They are so delicious!!! I could've eaten both all night long. SO GOOD! Ceviche is also good here and here. For dinner I ordered the Pescado Frito (whole fried snapper, coconut rice, tostones, mango slaw) and Lechon Cubano (slow braised pulled pork, cilantro rice, black beans, maduros).  The fish, was so meaty and white. It was really delicious! I couldn't get over how meaty it was. Everything was delicious and well prepared. If anyone from the restaurant reads this review, I just want to give my compliments to the chef, the hostess and wait staff for a wonderful evening. I highly recommend them. I'll definitely visit BARU again.

The Rum House Caribbean Taqueria | New Orleans, Louisiana

Not Sponsored: The Rum House on Magazine Street STAYS BUSY! There are always people sitting outside. There are always people sitting inside. That observation tells you one thing ... they MUST be good! HaHaHa I'm so glad I finally got to eat at this popular establishment. It did not disappoint. Just as the name suggests, they are known for their stock of Rums (that literally come from around the world). There is an entire wall filled with bottles of rum. I ordered a mango mojito. I thought the mango mojitos at Landry's Restaurant were awesome (they are). But the mango mojitos at The Rum House ... OH ... MY ... GOD! They are even smoother and more delicious! I didn't think that could happen. I was elated. The Rum House has THE BEST bartenders! While I was sitting at the bar, I noticed this guy having some drinks and a big plate of nachos was served to him. They were so colorful and looked so delicious. I said, I want THAT! I love the artwork at The Rum House. There was painted art of the French Quarter, Bob Marley, New Orleans style homes and Jazz musicians. They were really pretty to look at. When seated, I asked the waiter if they had daiquiris. He said I can have them make you a strawberry daiquiri. I said ok :D It's THE BEST strawberry daiquiri I've ever had. I'm not a drinker and I could just go to this place and just drink! HAHAHA For an appetizer (which literally could be a meal) I ordered the DAMN GOOD NACHOS (pulled pork, black beans, jalapenos, tomatoes, red onion, lime cream, cilantro & melted cheese). SO DELICIOUS! I ordered the MR. BIGGS PLATE (choice of four tacos, one side and a beef patty). My side was their macaroni and cheese. The tacos were a combination of fried oyster, flaked fish, chipotle shrimp and brisket. My favorite was the oysters! The place is festive, upbeat and fun! The food, absolutely delicious! The drinks would make even Jack Sparrow of The Pirates of the Caribbean blush.