Why Do Women Get Breast Augmentation?

Have you been considering breast augmentation surgery?

Each year, around 200,000 women undergo breast augmentation in the United States. It’s one of the top five most popular plastic surgeries in the country. 

So, why do women do it?

The answer to this question is: … there isn’t just one answer.

Sorry to disappoint my audience.

The truth is, breast augmentation is a surgery that can do a number of things to benefit women. As such, women of all ages, body types, and backgrounds are interested in it.

If you’ve been on the fence about whether to undergo breast augmentation surgery yourself, below are some of the ways you may benefit from this procedure. After doing a deep dive into why women choose breast augmentation more than nearly any other, I found that there are # main reasons most women are drawn toward it.

Why Women Get Breast Augmentation Surgery

Reason #1 – To combat aging

It’s not easy being a woman — especially when it comes to getting older. With each passing year, it seems like something else starts to droop, sag, or lose volume. It can even feel like you might as well give up at times. After all, why sacrifice more time, energy, and money to “fix ourselves up” when it’s only a matter of time before we need even more work done.

While it’s easy to have this mentality, I don’t actually think it’s beneficial.

You see, women can be beautiful at any age. Moreover, feeling beautiful is not as much about having a pleasing outer appearance as it is about having inner confidence.

The good news is that both of these things can be accomplished at once with breast augmentation. Older women who want to reclaim a feature of their youth and boost their self-confidence can benefit greatly from this procedure. It takes care of small, deflated, and sagging breasts (sometimes with help from a breast lift), and it also gives women that boost of pride and self-assuredness that is so helpful to our psyches, especially as we get older.

Reason #2 – To complete a total body transformation

According to top NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman, a large number of women who make appointments for breast augmentation consultations are seeking full body transformations. Most often, they’ve lost a considerable amount of weight recently and are looking for a way to enhance their appearance further.

These women have put in a lot of hard work to get where they are today. Dr. Schulman works frequently with both women and men who have dieted and exercised for months and years to drop 50, 100, 150, or even 200 or more lbs. This is no small accomplishment.

These individuals want to top off their efforts with procedures that will help enhance their appearance even more. That’s why many end up seeking out full-body makeovers that include liposuction for stubborn fat, tummy tucks to get rid of excess skin on the abdomen, and procedures like breast augmentation.

Women who have lost a lot of weight commonly have excess skin on their breasts, and they may have lost weight in their breasts too, which can give them a “deflated appearance.” Breast augmentation (sometimes combined with a breast lift) will restore volume and size to the breasts, resulting in an overall more pleasing appearance that women can be proud of.

Reason #3 – To improve a feature they’ve always wanted to improve

As it turns out, many adult women have been unhappy with their breasts since puberty. For these women, undergoing breast augmentation is not about aging or dealing with sagging breasts after having children. Instead, it’s about fulfilling their lifelong dream of having full, curvaceous breasts.

These women have felt self-conscious about the size or shape of their breasts since a young age. Perhaps they’ve been used to wearing a small A cup their whole lives. Many have padded their breasts and used uncomfortable push-up bras for years. They’re ready to be done with these painful and itchy undergarments. They want voluminous breasts that always look good — whether wearing a dress, laying out in a bikini, or being completely nude.

Reason #4 – To give moms their pre-baby bodies back

Along the same lines as women who have recently accomplished significant weight loss, many moms are looking to use breast augmentation for restoring their pre-baby bodies. The procedure is often done as a part of a “mommy makeover.”

Mommy makeovers are plastic surgeries that actually include several procedures all rolled into one. As the name implies, they are primarily for mothers who are done having children. Although women can get a mommy makeover and still have additional children afterward, it’s best to undergo this procedure after you’re done having children simply because your results may be lost or diminished with a new pregnancy. Additionally, some women may have a hard time breastfeeding after breast augmentation or a breast lift (though not all).

Most often, a mommy makeover includes liposuction, a tummy tuck, and some sort of breast augmentation and/or breast lift. Mothers may choose to get implants because of lost volume and size in their breasts (often due to breastfeeding), or if they just want a small size increase, they may opt for breast augmentation via fat transfer. During this procedure, fat is taken via liposuction from somewhere else on the body (like the abdomen) and transferred to the breasts to increase volume and size there.

Making the Decision to Get Breast Augmentation

In the end, breast augmentation should never be carried out for anyone else’s reasons but your own. Perhaps you’ve recently lost a considerable amount of weight or had your last child. The boost of confidence a breast augmentation can give you may actually spur you to take even better care of yourself than you already have been. Certainly, for moms, it can be a life-changing procedure that can even help with postpartum depression.

For others, it’s not uncommon to want breast augmentation surgery in order to combat signs of aging or to alter small breasts that you’ve been unhappy with since your late teens.

No matter your reason, just make sure it’s yours. In the end, if you go with your instincts and have optimistic — but also realistic — expectations, you’ll end up making the best possible decision for you.

Sources

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Clinique | Limited Edition Black Honey Must-Have Makeup Set Review And Swatches

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

Not Sponsored: I purchased Clinique's Must-Have Makeup Set for TWO reasons! The super cute tin, the makeup comes in. Peppermint candy lips? Yes, please! Adorable. The second reason was to try Clinique's famously popular Black Honey lipstick. I've heard so much about this lipstick and how it compliments all skin tones, that I had to give it a try. You receive four (4) products in this Christmas themed set. Let me share my thoughts about each. This set contains a Cheek Pop Highlighter in the shade Celebration Pop. It's a really pretty gold and shows subtly on the skin. I tried it on my brow bone, nose and cheeks. This set has an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. Again, this is why I purchased this set. It's a beautiful shade. I love the color. But I wasn't WOW'd by it. It's nice, but it has a little stick to it. It leans more towards the lip gloss side (a little sticky). It contains a High Impact Mascara in Black. Again, its ok but I've had better mascaras. It also contains a Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in Black. I prefer eye pencil liners. I will say, that this was easy to apply. Just take it one section at a time. If you do make a mistake, it's easy to remove (right then and there). Once it sets, it stays! But it easily comes off with Clinique's Take The Day Off Makeup Remover, which is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE makeup remover. This set must be selling like hotcakes, because I currently only see it at Kohl's. So if you want it, hurry and get it. I purchased mine from Sephora about a month ago and it was on Clinique's website, but they must've sold out of the set. There's also a Clinique skincare set, that contains its black honey lipstick. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Clinique Limited Edition Black Honey Must-Have Makeup Set is Bittersweet

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What Causes Acid Reflux? And How Do You Prevent It?

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Acid reflux is a surprisingly common condition, affecting millions of people every year. It occurs when acid gurgles up through the stomach and spills out into the esophagus. Here, it begins to damage the lining, causing pain.

There are many factors that cause (or contribute) to acid reflux. In this post, we take a look at what they are and, potentially, what you can do to prevent the disease from developing in the first place.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a big cause of acid reflux. The growing baby pushes up against the stomach as it gets larger, making it easier for acid to spill out. As you might expect, pregnancy-related acid reflux gets worse during the third trimester when the baby is at its largest.

Smoking

Smoking is another common cause of acid reflux. Researchers believe that it has multiple effects on the body that make the condition more likely. For example, smoking damages the mucus membrane in your throat. It also impairs the muscle reflexes, making it more likely that acid will bubble up from the stomach. There’s also reduced salivation, which increases the acidity of the stomach acid.

Naturally, if you want your acid reflux symptoms to improve, it is a good idea to give up smoking. You’ll reduce acid reflux and your risk of oesophageal cancer.

Avoid Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

Certain foods are more likely to cause acid reflux than others. Fatty and fried foods, for instance, are top culprits, as are carbonated drinks.

You may also want to steer clear of herbs, such as mint, or foods that contain a lot of tomato, such as salsa.

You’ll need to spend some time experimenting to see which types of food trigger your acid reflux. It can be different depending on your sensitivities.

Omeprazole capsules are available for those wanting to reduce symptoms while they experiment.

Being Overweight

Being overweight is another common cause of acid reflux. Pressure on the stomach can cause it to move up through the diaphragm, increasing the chances that acid will pour out of the stomach.

Eating A Heavy Meal

Heavy meals can also cause problems, particularly if you lie on your back afterwards. For instance, you are much more likely to experience acid reflux if you eat a roast dinner and then go to bed an hour later.

If you know that acid reflux is going to be a problem, try eating the biggest meal of the day at lunch time. You can also experiment with getting the majority of your calories earlier in the day, rather than later.

Taking Too Many Painkillers

Some pain killers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin can cause stomach acid problems. In many cases, they prompt the stomach to produce too much acid which then spills out into the oesophagus. Certain muscle relaxers and blood pressure medications can have a similar effect because of the way they irritate the stomach.

You might want to ask your doctor if he or she would be willing to give you different medication that doesn’t produce the same unwanted side effects. You could also try alternative pain management techniques to reduce your need for painkillers in the first place.

Stomach Problems

The most common cause of acid reflux, particularly among younger people with the condition, is hiatal hernia. This occurs when the sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus shifts up through the diaphragm, usually due to poor diet or weight gain. Usually, the diaphragm prevents acid from moving up from the stomach but, in this case, it can’t.

There are ways to treat hiatal hernia medically. However, the best approach is to make lifestyle modifications that allow the sphincter to move back below the diaphragm again. The best way to do this is to eat a high-fibre diet. When your stomach has more material to press down on, it creates less intra-abdominal pressure. This, in turn, stops forcing the stomach into a high position, reducing the likelihood of acid reflux developing.

Too Much Alcohol

Alcohol is a major contributor to acid reflux and something that you’ll want to avoid. In fact, alcohol may also be responsible for other related conditions, such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn or dry cough.

If you drink alcohol socially, look for alcohol-free beers and wines next time you’re out – most bars and restaurants do them. Also, try to drink earlier in the day, as drinking later stimulates stomach acid production and may travel up the oesophagus.

In conclusion, for many people, acid reflux eventually goes away. However, you’ll need to make certain lifestyle changes to keep it at bay for good.

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What a Tummy Tuck Can and Can't Do

When excess abdominal skin and small pockets of unwanted fat plague you, a tummy tuck could be your best opportunity for a solution. Below, we’ll outline both how a tummy tuck can provide amazing benefits and how the surgery is limited.

But first, what is a tummy tuck?

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

According to San Francisco Bay Area plastic surgeon Dr. David A. Sieber, “A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty will restore your youthful figure, lifting and trimming the excess skin and muscle in your abdomen to transform your body into something you’ve always desired.”

Essentially, the procedure first involves being put under with general anesthesia. From there, the main incision will be made between the belly button and the pubic hairline. In some cases, an additional incision will be necessary. The muscles will then be tightened, and the extra skin will be trimmed off before the incisions are closed.

What a Tummy Tuck Can and Can’t Do

If you are considering a tummy tuck, it’s important to understand what to expect from your procedure. Below, we’ve outlined a list of things that a tummy tuck both can and can’t do.

A tummy tuck can get rid of sagging, excess skin.

The primary thing that a tummy tuck does is remove sagging, excess skin. Anyone can experience excess skin on their abdomen or elsewhere on their body, but certainly, excess skin on your stomach is particularly annoying. It can get in the way when you are exercising, being intimate with your partner, and just generally on a daily basis.

Your tummy tuck will rectify all of these issues by getting rid of the extra skin and creating a firmer, smoother profile.

A tummy tuck can’t get rid of all stretch marks.

Some patients will approach their surgeon asking about stretch marks. While no one likes stretch marks, the sad news is that tummy tucks don't all automatically make them disappear. In some cases, a tummy tuck may certainly be able to remove certain stretch marks, but more often than not, it’s just a few.

A tummy tuck can make your abdomen flatter and smoother.

Naturally, this is one of the big draws of a tummy tuck. Nearly everyone wants a flatter, smoother stomach, and for many, the tummy tuck is the best solution available.

A tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter stomach in several different ways. First and foremost, any excess skin will be removed, and this will go a long way towards making your abdomen smoother and more attractive. Next, the underlying muscles will be repaired. These are often damaged due to extreme weight gain and/or pregnancy. And finally, excess fat can be removed via liposuction as well.

A tummy tuck can’t be performed without scars.

Unfortunately, incisions are a part of the tummy tuck procedure. You can't undergo a tummy tuck without incisions. Inevitably, where there are incisions, there are scars. Therefore, anyone who undergoes a tummy tuck is going to come out on the other side with a few scars.

The good news is that you can mitigate the appearance of your tummy tuck scars by working with Dr. Sieber or a similar plastic surgeon to hide them as much as possible. All incisions will be placed in discreet locations, and you will also be given instructions on how to properly care for them. This is something big that you’ll want to pay close attention to as properly-cared-for scars tend to be all you need.

A tummy tuck can help fix diastasis recti.

If you’re a mother, you’ve undoubtedly heard the term diastasis recti before. What it means is the “separation of the muscles.” Pregnancy is likely the biggest culprit when it comes to diastasis recti because the stomach muscles expand so much to accommodate the baby. During a tummy tuck, your surgeon can fix separated muscles.

A tummy tuck can’t help you lose a significant amount of weight.

While a tummy tuck will certainly help your abs look smoother, tighter, and tauter, it will not help you actually lose weight. If weight loss is something you want to achieve, you’ll need to do this before starting to think about surgery. Most of the best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are just five to 10 pounds away from their goal weight.

A tummy tuck can boost your self-confidence.

Many individuals who have undergone significant weight loss find that a tummy tuck is exactly what they need to reinvent themselves completely. The reason is that significant weight gain can often lead to the skin being stretched beyond its normal amount of elasticity.

Even after an individual has dieted, exercised, and/or undergone weight-loss surgery, there is no way to get the skin taut again without surgery. This leaves many individuals feeling down about their appearance.

Fortunately, a tummy tuck is the perfect way to boost your self-confidence again. If you are a mother who’s done having children or someone who’s recently lost a lot of weight, you deserve to look and feel your best. A tummy tuck can help get you there.

A tummy tuck can’t stop you from ever gaining weight in your abdomen again.

Tummy tucks are primarily concerned with removing excess skin and fixing separated abdominal muscles. On the other hand, many plastic surgeons will also perform liposuction alongside a tummy tuck. This means that if you have a bit of excess fat in your abdomen, you can have it removed via liposuction during the same surgery as your tummy tuck.

The result will be a firmer, smoother abdomen. Unfortunately, for some patients, this firmer, smoother, abdomen doesn't last. If you don’t focus on your diet and exercise regimen, it can be all too easy to gain some of the fat you lost back. In this way, a tummy tuck is not always a guarantee.

Tummy tucks are frequently performed as part of a Mommy Makeover procedure or a post-weight loss transformation. No matter your reason for getting a tummy tuck, you can rest assured that it will be a transformative procedure.

The vast majority of individuals who undergo tummy tucks are entirely happy with the choice they made. If you are interested in learning more about this procedure and what it can do for you, book a consultation appointment with a reputable and experienced plastic surgeon today.

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Food For Mood You Can Easily Consume Each Day

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The argument over food for mood has raged for decades. For every study imploring the benefits of one product, another one pops up with opposite results. Wine and beer are perfect examples. Yet, some superfoods are beneficial on their own, as a group, or as supplements to overcome mood issues with testosterone replacement therapy and related treatments. Similar hormone balancing is also crucial for the correct function of organs and the brain.

High Percentage Chocolate

You will have a difficult time trying to find someone who doesn't like chocolate. One of the world's most traded commodities, cocoa makes the chocolate products we love. However, to reap the benefits of this biochemically rich superfood, you must consume a specific amount. For instance, manufacturers like Kraft mix their chocolate with fats and sugars. These are not good and are high in calories. For the most benefit, you need 70% cocoa products. Preferably without added milk or cream. The effects are similar to CBD and boost serotonin.

Omega-3 Fatty Fish

Your boy cannot produce Omega-3 itself. Therefore, you must source this superfood somewhere else. Salmon is the best food for Omega-3 intake, but it is also found in tuna, mackerel, and sardines. However, not everyone enjoys fish. Fortunately, plant oils and nuts, and seeds contain small amounts. Enough to feel the benefits if you consume them every day. The benefits of Omega-3 are well documented for brain health and staving off the effects of age-related illnesses like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Additionally, depression and anxiety are reduced if you regularly consume Omega-3 fatty acids.

Bananas, Oats, And Berries

Bananas are bursting with potassium. Potassium is essential for heartbeat regulation, protein synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolization. Meanwhile, oats and berries are rich in antioxidants that help your body flush out harmful chemicals. All of these work together to help you feel emotionally balanced with a better sense of general well-being. Also, all of these foods are cheaper than most others, and they can be enjoyed together. For example, you can get a massive dose of most of your daily nutrients with a bowl of creamy oats topped with banana slices and berries.

Good Quality Coffee

For many, the day cannot even begin before they have a cup of coffee. Coffee contains a high amount of caffeine, which promotes brain function and alertness. Therefore, it's an excellent way to start the day. Additionally, coffee has been shown to increase the neurotransmitter dopamine, similar to serotonin, to feel better about yourself and stabilize mood. However, like chocolate, not all coffee is made equal. Therefore, it is advised that you source the best coffee you can afford and stay away from instant coffee. Fortunately, home coffee machines are very affordable these days.

Leafy Greens

While the children may not appreciate them, eating various leafy greens is one of the easiest and more nutritious methods for different vitamin and mineral intake. Happy Valley Seeds recommend lettuce seeds get included in your garden if you love leafy greens.

However, it can sometimes be challenging to know what constitutes a leafy green. Some examples include:

• Spinach: there's a reason why Popeye eats it.

• Kale: an excellent base for healthy smoothies.

• Watercress: rich and peppery for chicken sandwiches.

• Leaf lettuce: can be used in any salad.

• Chard: bitter taste but will lift a standard salad.

These leafy and delicious green vegetables can be prepared and sneaked into almost any dish without the kids noticing. However, you will appreciate the difference they can make to soups, salads, and sandwiches as they fill you with high amounts of various vitamins and fiber. All of which regulate blood pressure and improve cognitive function.

Nuts And Seeds

There is a wide variety of nuts and seeds that are great for daily consumption. Cashews, peanuts, and pistachios are among the most popular nuts. While sunflower, flax, and pumpkin are readily available seeds to snack on or mix in recipes. Nuts and seeds contain high amounts of tryptophan which is excellent for boosting serotonin. Unfortunately, they also have high amounts of zinc and selenium, two of the most widely deficient nutrients in people. This is alarming since they are essential for your sense of smell and taste and immunity and fertility, respectively.

Pulses And Legumes

Pulses and lentils are more commonly known as beans and lentils. You may not think consuming these daily is easy, yet they easily translate into many recipes. One good trick is to replace half your meat with half a cup of beans, lentils, or both. For example, try mixing in a handful of Billotti beans with your next spaghetti bolognese for the kids. Or substitute half of the lamb with red lentils in your next curry. Not only will these superfoods add a new dimension of texture and taste, but they are also an extremely rich source of vitamin B and folate.

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The Perfect Guide To Passive Income Investments

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Have you been looking for new ways to earn a passive income? Passive income is the best kind of extra money to make because it doesn't require you to clock into an hourly job or put forth a daily effort. Passive income is income that comes from either a rental property or from a business that you don't participate in regularly.

Passive income isn't a second job, and it isn't money you get for doing nothing either. Instead, you'll put all your hard work into it upfront. Then, you get to sit back and relax while earning money.

You might still need to put in some work here and there along the way, but you won't be actively working to receive the income. This leaves the question: best ways to make passive income? There are many great ways to earn passive income, and you'll find a few examples listed below.

Continue reading to learn more!

Affiliate Marketing

Do you have a website or blog that's already up and running? If so, then you need to take advantage of affiliate marketing. How does it work?

Within your content, you'll promote a third party's product or service by including a link to their page. Each time a visitor on your website clicks the link, you'll receive a commission. The commission rate will vary depending on the third party and their terms.

To earn a significant amount of money, you'll need to have a good amount of traffic to your page. Keep in mind that it's beneficial to know your target audience and then promote products or services that you know they're interested in. You'll get more clicks this way than trying to promote something unrelated to your content.

Don't forget that you can use your social media platforms to do this as well. You might know it as being an influencer, but it works the same way. Affiliate marketing is thought of as passive income because you simply need to add the link to your content to earn money.

A High-Yield CD

There's no better time than now to start looking at different CDs (certificate of deposit). Do some online research to find one that offers the highest interest rates. These are the ones that'll grow your money the fastest.

You might be able to find an online bank from out of state that you can open a CD with. You'll need to have cash in hand to put into the CD in order to open the account, but once it's there, it'll continue to build interest for you. Some CD accounts might require a minimum of $500 to get it started, for example.

You can then add money to your CD account when available. Placing your money in an account like this is much more beneficial than placing it in a regular savings account.

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Airbnb Listing

If you have free space in your house or apartment, or if you have an entire house or apartment you're not currently living in, then you can list it on Airbnb for rent. You will need to put in some work upfront to clean the space and market it. Once you have guests booking their stay, your property will then make money for you.

Aside from needing to clean the property after each guest, renting out your home or apartment is another source of passive income. Plus, you can always hire professional cleaners to clean the place for you.

Car Rental

Renting out your car is similar to renting out your home. If you have a spare car that's not being used, then why let it sit in one place and take up space? Why not let it make money for you?

Find a car rental platform to sign up for and then create your account. Of course, the car will need to be in great shape to ensure everyone is safe. If your car passes the test, then you can list it for rent.

People will then rent your car and most platforms will take care of the rest for you. You'll be sent your portion of the rental cost, and you don't even have to get off the couch!

Cash-Back Rewards

Do you use a debit or credit card for the majority of your purchases? Some people prefer to use their cards over cash. If this sounds like you, then you need to make the switch to a cash-back rewards card.

Many banks offer this option on credit cards or debit cards, and you don't have to do anything extra once you make the switch. Each time you use your card, you'll receive cash back or points to spend on specific products.

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Bitcoin ATM

More and more people are beginning to invest in Bitcoin. You might even have dabbled in it yourself. With that being said, you know how important it is to stay on top of the latest trends and find new ways to invest in them.

What's another way to invest in Bitcoin? If you own a retail business, then you can host your own Bitcoin ATM machine. Customers in your store will use the ATM to manage their Bitcoin transactions.

In return, you'll receive compensation for allowing the ATM on your property.

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Which Form of Passive Income Will You Try?

There are so many great forms of passive income that there's something for everyone. Do you know which method you'll want to try? Don't feel stuck with choosing one.

Try out a few different methods until you find one or some that work well for you! To find more topics similar to this one, make sure to visit on a regular basis.

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Hungry for Success? The Best Food Related Businesses To Run in 2021

If you are an entrepreneur hungry for success, then there is no better opportunity to sink your time and money into than a food business. However, choosing which type of food business to run can be confusing. After all, there are so many choices such as sit-down restaurants, cafes, and fine dining. The good news is you will find a rundown of many of the most on-trend and relevant businesses for 2021 in the post below.

Bakery or Dessert Window

First of all, if you are looking to make money from a food-related business right now, you should consider running a bakery or dessert window. A window is a small business that serves from a single hatch, often in high footfall areas. However, because the premises are so small, it's often a lot cheaper than those surrounding it.

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Of course, windows serving all types of food can be found, but desserts are a particularly good idea because people will always go for a sweet treat, even if they have had a full meal elsewhere. Also, desserts can be made to look very photogenic which is great for getting coverage on Instagram. Plus sugar! Everyone loves to have a sugary treat now and then!

Meal Box Kits

They are not only faster and easier to make at dinner time, but meal kits offer a range of other benefits including being carbon neutral, being able to choose in line with specific dietary requirements like low calorie, vegan, or dairy-free. However, their major selling point is that they take all the mental work out of planning evening meals for the family, as well as greatly reduce the time that is needed to go shopping for them. As these are tasks that can take a great deal of effort and time, many people are switching to meal boxes to make their day-to-day life easier.

Of course, this means there are significant opportunities for entrepreneurs that are interested in creating meal kits to send out to their customers. With niche markets in particular such as all organic food, all-vegan food, or all low-calorie food being excellent opportunities for a business.

Although, it is worth considering the challenges of doing so before you begin. In particular, access to sophisticated and fast logistics is vital to run such a service successfully. This is because fresh ingredients need to be kept cool, and uncrushed, while also being quickly transported from the provider to your hub, being repackaged and then sent out to your customers.

Shakes And Juices

While they are technically drinks and not food, running a shake or juice business can be very profitable right now as well. Smoothies, in particular, are big business especially when customers can add in extras like wheatgrass, spirulina, or kale.

Delivery

While not quite as glamorous as some of the other options here, it's worth noting that there is still a massive market to be tapped when it comes to good old takeout and delivery food! Indeed, because of the huge social changes that have come about due to the pandemic, more people are ordering more food to be delivered to their homes than ever before. Of course, that is great news for anyone considering opening a business that meets this market. Although working out what type of food to offer can be a challenge. After all, there are so many to choose from.

Happily, some factors can help you make the right decisions here. First of all, it is best to pick food you love and are passionate about because you will be the one making it day in and day out to send to customers. With that in mind, if your family is from Thailand and you grew up learning how to cook authentic Thai dishes, which you love to this day, it might be better to open a delivery service offering this type of food rather than burgers and fries.

However, passion is not the only consideration when it comes to choosing your delivery food business. Overheads are another important factor to be aware of as the lower they are, the more opportunity you have for making profits.

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Last, of all, be sure to never underestimate the power of an already established brand. Of course, what we are talking about here is buying into a franchise. Indeed, there are many benefits to choosing a franchise delivery business including that food is usually simple and quick to make like pizza or fries and burgers. Not to mention that the franchiser has already created a market for their food through marketing and brand awareness, Something that means your business can hit the ground running, rather than spending valuable time establishing itself.

Food Truck

Food trucks are super on-trend right now because they offer good food at a reasonable price and also appeal to the younger, hipster market because of the van’s retro designs and the produced instagrammable aesthetics.

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Indeed, if you are planning on opening a food truck, one of the most critical marketing strategies to get right is to ensure your vehicle and the food you create is picture-perfect. Use retro fonts for your branding, add wax papers to serve your food in emblazoned with your brand, and be sure to display hashtags that people can follow and add to get the word, and more importantly images of your food out there!

Another great benefit of a food truck is that it can provide you with access to plenty of customers, without needing to pay through the nose for permanent premises. In fact, with a food truck, you can attend festivals, fayres, or even move it from place to place in the city to make sure you can access the best footfall and maximize your profits.

Although, it is worth highlighting that pitch costs as such festivals can be expensive, and you will always have to park in line with your cities zoning laws, which would prohibit a food truck in places like public parks. Therefore it's best to check this beforehand.

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Too Faced: You're So Hot | Hot Cocoa Bronzer & Lip Gloss Set Review And Swatches

Not Sponsored: Two things about Too Faced Cosmetics. They always come out with the cutest packaging. Their messages are always positive. Calling all hot chocolate lovers? That would be ME! Piping hot! With marshmallows, please! I purchased Too Faced's You're So Hot, Hot Cocoa Bronzer & Lip Gloss Set. You get three products in this one collection: Hot Cocoa Limited Edition Bronzer, Christmas Cocoa Limited Edition Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss and a You're So Hot Exclusive Makeup Bag. Let me discuss each, because I really love this set (and it's a great price!).

You're So Hot Exclusive Makeup Bag - I really love this makeup bag. It's pink. It has mugs filled with frothy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. Cute little marshmallows are sprinkled on both the front and back. It has You're So Hot written on the front. It has Too Faced written on the back. I love the size of it, because you can fit a lot of products in the bag. It doesn't give the size, but it looks to be about 5'x7". I love fanciful makeup bags. 

Hot Cocoa Limited Edition Bronzer - I think I have nearly, every Too Faced Bronzer. I have quite a bronzer collection. The packaging for this bronzer also has pink cups of hot chocolate filled with whip cream and mini marshmallows scattered about. When you open the compact it has a working mirror and a frothy mug of hot cocoa (3 color layers). When I swatched the 3 layers, I was less than impressed. I could barely see them on the back of my hand. However, if you swirl your brush with all three (3) you can clearly see the bronzer on your brush (or beauty blender if you prefer to use one). This bronzer is light. I don't see it working for all skin tones. One size does not fit all in this case. To give you a comparison, look at the skin on my chest in comparison to my face. For me, this bronzer warms my skin tone up. This bronzer also gives my skin a nice glow. I am much more impressed with it on, than in the compact. It's scented like hot cocoa powder mix. 

Christmas Cocoa Limited Edition Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss - This Christmas Cocoa lip gloss smells so delicious! Can anyone say chocolate candy bar? Chocolate cake? It's chocolate goodness in a tube. I love the color! It's a beautiful brown shade that is complimentary to many skin tones. This has to be the tamest Lip Injection yet. I didn't feel any burning or stinging. It made my lips look smooth (and luscious wink wink). It is a GLOSSY gloss, that delivers HIGH SHINE! It's perfect for Winter. 

I wasn't sure how this set would work for me. I'm pleasantly surprised. This set offers really good products, for an excellent value. Now take a look at my Too Faced Christmas Coffee Eye Shadow Review.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Too Faced You're So Hot Collection is Sweet

 

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Too Faced | Christmas Coffee Eye Shadow Palette Review And Swatches

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

Not Sponsored: Well, Too Faced has taught me something new with this bite sized palette. I don't know where I've been, but I've never heard of Christmas Coffee. Don't throw anything at me? HaHaHa I'm familiar with Starbucks Christmas Blend Coffee. But it doesn't seem like the same thing??? HaHaHa Well, I looked it up and Christmas Coffee is a blend of spices (cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, brown sugar), fresh ground coffee beans, milk and festive sprinkles. I'll have to find a place and have a cup. HaHaHa I'm intrigued. Well anyway, Too Faced's Chrismas Coffee bite sized eye shadow palette (ASOS, Selfridges, Macy's, Nordstrom) is scented as such. I love the pink, candy cane striped mug on the front cover of the palette. There's a dollop of whipped cream and a cute gingerbread man cookie placed atop of all this cute goodness. This palette contains eight (8) shades: (TOP) Kool Whip, Warm Me Up, Cinnamon Chai, Holly Sh*t (BOTTOM) Brew-Tiful Day, Slow Roasted, Candy Cane Latte, and Christmas Coffee. They all swatched really well, so the quality is excellent. I really love that GREEN! It's so gorgeous. I semi-copied the look Too Faced provided via YouTube. With this palette, you can easily go from day to evening. For day, it has an assortment of beiges & browns (neutrals) that I love. Then HOT POP CRACKLE put on either that Holly Sh*t (Green)  or Candy Cane Latte (Red) and you're ready to get FESTIVE! I used Warm Me Up from my lid to above my crease. I then used Cinnamon Chai in my crease. I popped (patted) Holly Sh*t on my lid. I'm deathly afraid of strong colors (eye shadows) so I played it a little safe (too much so) in my picture below. I should've taken it a tad higher and also use it under my bottom lashes as the lady did in her video. I used Christmas Coffee underneath my lower lashes, but I would also tight line (go in my water line) to connect the two. I'm wearing Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Christmas Cocoa on my lips. And Wallah, there you have it! I don't know if green is my color. I'll have to experiment a bit more with this palette. I'm a neutral natural girl at heart. The palette has a light sweet coffee scent. It's really cute. The packaging gets me every time. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Too Faced Christmas Coffee Eye Shadow Palette is Sweet

 

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Frank Body | Buff Marshmallow Body Scrub Review

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

Not Sponsored: I love a good body scrub, but they can be hard to find! One can go through a lot of trial and error, finding the right one. Some don't exfoliate enough. Some exfoliate rather harshly (at least for my sensitive skin). Some don't moisturize enough. Some are an oily mess. I've reviewed a plethora of body scrubs through the years and many didn't cut it for persnickety me. My favorite to date is an inexpensive one called, Soap & Glory's Breakfast Scrub.

Frank Body's NEW Buff Marshmallow Body Scrub recently caught my eye. It was actually the word MARSHMALLOW that drew me in. You guys know how much I love foodie products. Especially dessert. Ooh La La! I love hot chocolate and marshmallow's this time of year. I love eating marshmallows! Let me stop rambling and get to this review. When you open the jar to this body scrub, it is pink, fluffy, candy-smelling, marshmallow-y goodness! It's truly delightful! You scoop some of this whipped goodness out of the jar and work it into your skin. The amount of exfoliation this scrub offers is perfect. It does a great job exfoliating and your skin will feel super soft after using it. 

Unfortunately there is a BUT! I've tried this scrub a number of times and the problem I have is when you rinse the scrub off your body. The scrub rinses off (to the eye), but you still FEEL the product on your skin. Does that make sense? I said to myself, maybe it's just the moisture left from the scrub that I'm feeling. To a degree it is. I then patted my body with a towel, and it takes that "something-on-my-skin feeling" away. I don't find this body scrub very moisturizing. I have SUPER dry skin! If you're looking for this body scrub to provide moisture, it won't do it. Maybe it's better for oily and normal skin types. If you have dry skin, you will need some type of moisturizer afterwards. I WILL SAY, this body scrub provides excellent EXFOLIATION and SMELLS GOOD. I love their YouTube video with the cake and everything. This body scrub contains shea butter (a spread for skin, not toast. shea butter hydrates your body and nourishes your skin without leaving it greased up or weighed down), quartz (a gentle, natural exfoliant that smooths skin and tackles breakouts, scars, stretch marks and cellulite), marshmallow root extract (instantly hydrating and moisture retaining) and sweet almond oil (an antioxidant packed oil that leaves your skin hydrated post shower). 

The only other products I've tried from Frank Body are their Cherry Bomb Lip Scrub and Lip Tint (here). So good. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Frank Body BUFF Marshmallow Body Scrub is Bittersweet

 

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How To Up Your Customer Engagement Stakes

It’s all the rage right now and for very good reason. Customer engagement is no longer an obscure strategy formed by a marketing or sales department somewhere; with the seemingly never-ending rise of the online retail and commercial services market, more companies than ever before are getting in on the game.

Intense competition between online retailers and traditional retailers alike has increased focus on customer experience, pre, and after-sales service, and additional pursuits like enhancement and loyalty programs.

All of these additions to the existing customer service strategies have tightened the lanes of competition, even more, so now the next step in this constant evolution to be sighted for improvement is customer engagement.

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The umbrella term of customer engagement brings together various business environment elements to achieve a particular end. So if we look at it from this angle, we’ll understand that there isn’t one specific function that heightens your customer’s experience with you, but rather a collective of experiences that enhances it.

From the time they see an advert for your business, to the time they make a payment and then onwards to receiving the product or service and then to the assessment of the quality of their experience, you can further break down all these elements to understand the holistic nature of the concept even more.

But for the sake of time and understanding, let’s look at this example:

You run a company that supplies stationery and have a medium-sized but busy store in town. You also have a website with an online ordering and delivery service. In light of recent global developments, you also ship to countries outside of the United States; this means that ideally, you also have a customer service team that works according to different time zones. After all, if you want to be a business that exports, you need to be available to all of your clients all the time, no matter where they are located.

But, who has the resources to man a customer service team virtually around the clock? A solution to this problem is to find out how you can add live chat to your website. This nifty tool allows you to have one member of staff on a rotation basis that monitors sales queries, service issues, or complaints when everyone else is sleeping on your end of the world but wide awake on the other.

The amount of staff you’ll need for this service will depend on the number of queries you’re getting from abroad and if it warrants the cost of having someone working odd hours to provide that service. If it doesn’t, you’ll be looking at “chatbots” to do it for you.

With every link on the chain of your client’s journey with your business, you need to have an engagement policy that lets your customers know you’re serious about their custom and that they’re supported every step of the way. This builds credibility and allows you to monitor your processes for faultlines and potential pitfalls.

Don’t wait until your business is on the brink to take customer engagement seriously, be proactive, and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches later.

Remember that if you’re not taking care of your clients - someone else is already waiting to do so, but a solid customer engagement program will ensure that you’re best placed to identify issues before they become problems and keep your customer right where they belong - with you.

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How To Gain More Energy In Your Life

One of the most important things you can do for your health is to try and improve your energy levels. This is important and it makes a big difference, because the kinds of things you do to have more energy tend to be really good for your health in so many other ways, so that is something that you might want to bear in mind. In this post, we are going to take a look at just some of the ways that you might be able to gain more energy in your life. As long as you have thought about the following, that should be a lot easier.

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Develop Mindfulness

Having some strong mindfulness can really radically help you to gain more energy on the whole. That’s because thoughts and emotions that go through your system unrecognised for what they are tend to cause a big drain of energy. The more acutely you can recognise what’s going on internally, the more that you can get through those feelings quickly, without them draining you too much. You can develop the necessary mindfulness for this by meditating once or twice a day, for around twenty minutes a session.

Cut Down On Alcohol

If you do tend to drink alcohol and you know that you might be drinking too much, then that is one thing that is certainly going to be affecting your energy levels in a profound way. It is important to make sure that you are not drinking too much, and that you do something about it if you feel that you are. In serious cases that might mean going to rehab for alcohol abuse. In less severe cases, it might just mean keeping a lid on how often you drink, and how much when you do it.

Sleep More

If you are struggling to sleep enough, then there are some important and powerful steps you can take in order to improve that situation. As it happens, these are pretty straightforward to do as long as you know how best to approach it. In general, you are going to sleep better if you are avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and if you have some kind of bedtime routine that you follow every night. So make sure that you are doing those things first and foremost if you want to have more energy. You might be amazed at the difference it can really make.

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Eat Right

Your diet is always important in matters like these. Make sure that you are primarily eating healthy whole foods - such as fruits and vegetables - rather than processed and junk food, which is often going to inhibit your energy levels rather than boost them. In particular, keep on eating a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. If you can do that, you are going to have a lot more energy, and you will be able to enjoy every day of your life so much more, so it is really worth doing as best as you can do it.

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What To Do If Your Business Is On The Brink

It is no secret that most new businesses fail. Launching a venture is difficult enough but keeping a business afloat can be incredibly challenging, particularly during turbulent or unpredictable times. If your business is on the brink, here are some tips to help you move forward.

 Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

Seek Advice

It is tough to know what to do or where to turn if you encounter cash flow issues, demand for products and services is falling and sales have stalled. The best course of action to take is to reach out and seek advice. From financial advisers and legal experts to consultants and charitable organizations that provide guidance and assistance, there are paths to explore. It is important to understand your options and to ensure that you have all the information you need to decide what to do. You may be able to use the advice you receive to try and boost sales or rebrand the company, or you may decide that winding down is the best option.

Make Cost Savings

Cash flow issues are one of the most common causes of business failure. If you’ve got more money going out than coming in, it is difficult to stay above water, especially if you have outstanding debts. If you’re keen to try and make the business work, consider ways to cut costs and maximize profit margins. Look to reduce employee expenses, explore flexible, cheaper staffing options, negotiate better deals on supplies and try to drum up interest in the business and create leads. Aim to make your business more efficient and increase productivity by utilizing modern technology, and eliminate unnecessary costs. Carry out audits and draw up budgets to help you manage your money more effectively.

Selling And Liquidating Assets

Many business owners come to a crossroads, which involves making a decision between selling, closing down the company or pressing on and hoping for a change of fortune. At this juncture, it is worth taking the time to weigh up all the options and consider which is best for you and your team. If it’s possible to sell the company, seek advice to help you set a price and navigate the process. If there’s a risk of going under, it’s worth looking into options like liquidating assets. For restaurants, for example, you can go here to learn more about selling excess inventory items. If you want to continue, think about how you can increase sales, lower spending and boost your cash flow.

Focus On Loyal Customers

When times are tough, you need customers. Many business owners chase new customers when they want to boost sales and increase their income. While this can be beneficial, it’s wise to focus on loyal, repeat customers. Studies show that loyal clients are likely to spend more money than new customers and they are more likely to support brands they know and trust. Get in touch with your customers, keep in contact, actively engage with clients and let them know about promotions, special offers, new products and services and exclusive member discounts.

No entrepreneur wants to think about reaching a point where their business is on the brink of collapse. Sadly, this is a reality for many company owners. If you are at a crossroads, weigh up all the options and don’t be afraid to reach out for help and advice.

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