5 Ways To Do Christmas On A Budget

Not Sponsored: Did you enjoy my Ways To Save Money Series on beauty, fashion and food? I thought I would write a couple of posts on ways to save money for Christmas as well. With inflation at an all time high (and it doesn't look like it's getting any better for 2023), it's important for you to save as much as you can and spend as least as possible. However, this doesn't mean you have to sacrifice Christmas. With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, let me give you a few suggestions to have an awesome holiday without busting your budget. 

Photo by Anastasia Belousova from Pexels

You Don't Need A Christmas Tree!

They're really nice (artificial or real), but you don't need one. You and your family will survive. I've gone two years, without putting a Christmas tree up (I had to deal with my health) and I survived. Give yourself a break this year! You won't have to water a real one or decorate it either. HaHaHa So what can you do to replace a Christmas Tree? Think smaller. Decorate using poinsettias (cheaper). Use Christmas greeting cards given to you by your employer, businesses, friends, co-workers and family. Do you have a small nativity set? Use that on a table as a backdrop. Maybe you celebrate Kwanzaa or Hanukkah. Use those candles as your centerpiece. Place all of those things together and place your presents around that area. Scent your home with Christmas candle (candles are super cheap this year). Use family pictures. The idea is to create your own centerpiece for Christmas.

Don't Buy Expensive Ornaments Or Gift Wrap

Ornaments can be very expensive. If you do wish to decorate your Christmas tree, consider paper ornaments. Think of it as an art project. Have everyone sit down at a table and make ornaments. They can write messages, draw pictures etc. Consider using family pictures and travels that showcase what you did this year. Your ornaments will have a lot more meaning!

You also don't have to buy wrapping paper! Consider using brown paper bags (store - solid side) and simple string to wrap your presents. You can add a candy cane, sprig from a tree, and/or pine cone from a tree to add to the gifts festivity. Use can also use old ornaments (from years past) as embellishments. 

Divvy Up Christmas Dinner

Instead of trying to pay and cook everything yourself for Christmas. Think about splitting up those dishes amongst others (friends, family etc... whomever you invite over). You may be responsible for the turkey or Christmas ham. Let others bring a dish! Let them bring sides or desserts or paper-ware. Usually people don't mind. Don't be afraid to ask. 

Also consider shaking up your Christmas menu! Do you really have to have a turkey or ham again!?! Why not have a roast, chicken or theme Christmas dinner!?! You can have a country Christmas, southern Christmas, international themed Christmas food. Use your imagination. Make it different. Sometimes you get tired of eating the same thing every year.

Don't Break The Bank With Christmas Gifts

Did you read my post, 10 Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas? I thought of so many ways you can give someone a perfect gift without your budget going haywire. They will love anything you choose from that list. Trust me.

Christmas Music

You don't have to buy Christmas music! Go to YouTube and put together a music playlist. It's FREE! There are countless songs from classical, vintage, current, reggae, instrumental artists. You can put a playlist of thousands of songs. Play them at your next get together or even for yourself.

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Types Of Underwear You Should Take On Holiday

When you’re packing for a big trip, it can get very stressful very quickly. That’s why it’s better to get things organized in advance, so you’re not rushing around at the last minute. If you ensure you get a few things sorted out in good time, you’ll save yourself a world of trouble and reduce the risk of forgetting any important items. Your clothing is at the top of the list, as it ensures you’re happy and comfortable throughout your trip. This includes your underwear! So, here we have put together types of underwear that you should take on holiday with you, to ensure you have the best time.

Photo by Elizaveta Mitenkova from Pexels

Shapewear

Although shapewear has been around for decades, it’s recently had more hype around it with celebrity endorsements and new lines coming out. Shapewear is a great underwear option on holiday, as it serves whatever purpose you want. Whether you’re looking to cinch in your waist, accentuate your assets, or simply smooth the look of your body, there is a shapewear product to help from places like SKIMS amongst others. Shapewear can be worn under most outfits and is surprisingly super comfortable. Perfect for when you want to look your best on holiday.

A Variety of Bras

It’s always great to be prepared with a variety of bras for each occasion on a trip away. Consider what kind of vacation you’re having - are you going to be active? Do you plan on dressing up in your finest clothes? Think about what bras would match. Some ideas are as follows:

• Your favorite everyday, supportive bra - great for exploring the local area.

• A strapless bra -  for when you want to wear a strapless dress or top.

• Pretty bralette - these are great relaxed options for the day or night. They can be worn underneath outfits or even as tops, depending on what type you get. Bralettes are often not as supportive as other bra types so make sure you’re not doing anything too strenuous! Plain bralettes can also be worn in bed as comfy pajama tops.

• Sports bra - if you’re planning on pumping iron on your trip, a sports bra is essential to keep everything in place! If you do high-paced exercise without, you can cause yourself pain and discomfort, so be sensible.

• Nipple covers? - although not exactly a bra, if you want to go all out and wear a backless, strapless number, then you could consider nipple covers to prevent your nipples from poking out!

Lightweight Panties

In terms of material, you’re going to want to bring along items with comfort in mind. Day to day you need to go for breathable, lightweight material panties. Cotton can be a great option, as it’s good for soaking up moisture (perfect for hotter, sweatier weather conditions) which can, in turn, prevent a build-up of odor.

By taking on board this advice, and by planning ahead with your packing, you’ll avoid feeling like you have nothing to wear on your trip. Your underwear is just as important as your outerwear, as it can tie your whole outfit together. Make sure you take along plenty of options with you!

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Buying The Latest Types Of Shapewear From The Most Reliable Supplier

Have you wondered what are new fashion trends in shapewear world? No need for looking any further, because we about to tell you everything you need to know about shaping clothes newest trends.

Shaping clothes as any other have own trends. Of course, it more sustainable, as it doesn’t change every three months as usual clothes and you don’t need to buy new shaping clothes. Especially, if you buy high quality shapewear made by professionals of their work. Some great shaping underwear and similar products can be found and purchased on Waistdear.

Waistdear is the biggest manufacturer of shaping bodysuits, sportswear, swimwear, waist training belts and, also, they have clothes you can wear for walls, for job, workout, dates and even on events. You can see anything from a breathable bodysuit to a nursing bras for mothers of newborn babies. So they could be very helpful for you. Besides that, they are very comfortable for everyday wearing.

If you searching for other types of everyday shapewear, then check butt lifting shapewear. They have so many different types. Leggings for gym of  biker shorts, yoga shorts, mini shorts – underpants with butt enhancing effect like on the photo below.

It's awesome trend in shapewear that already became a classic, but recently it got major improvements. You can get improved versions of butt lifting shapewear on Waistdear official website. You even can buy leggings you can wear for daily walks. They look like your normal leggings (well, probably they look better than average classic leggings you can find in any mall), but they made that way so your body shape could look its best. And yes, Waistdear have absolutely awesome designs and colors, when it comes the butt and hip lifting leggings.

Without doubt, the main trend in clothes the recent years is eco-friendly trend. Too bad, the most brands that have been on the market for decades are started doing it only the recent 5 years when our ecology is in very bad state.

Although Waistdear is pretty young company, they already make sustainable clothes from recyclable materials. Not all shapewear shops and vendors do this, very unfortunately, some brands don’t care about ruining our planet and design new trend every month that after will be thrown away thanks to low quality of products and fast fashion.

In our time, it’s very important to choose brands that make eco-friendly suppliers for your store or dropshipping business.

That’s why most people choose Waistdear.

Another bonus costumers get when ordering waist trainers on Waistdear is that they get logo of their own stores. So if you want to sell waist trainers that look more unique, you can read an article on how to order wholesale waist trainers with logo easy and cheap. They have step by step instructions.

Although they have very big section of different waist trainers: from black one with classic zipper to the one with amazing cute prints all over it, we want to show you something between it. Classic enough, but still doesn’t look boring. This black and red waist trainers is the only thing fans of fashion and sport want on this Christmas. So if you know someone like that, a gift like that would make her happy.

On their site you may find waist belts for sculpturing of two types – neoprene waist trainers and latex ones. Which better will work for you? Try yourself! Prices on Waistdear are so cheap that you can buy multiple models for wholesale price without hurting your wallet.

Another product you should buy on Waistdear is sportswear. It is very cost-effective to buy it there. In fact, their fitness crop tops, longsleeves and leggings look super stylish and professional. They look like the ones personal trainers wear. So all fitness or yoga lovers would appreciate getting such an item as a present on winter holidays. Who doesn’t want to look flawless in a new year?

Some definitely try buying bulk sportswear on Waistdear!

Look at this beauty! We love this mint color! It will definitely cheer you up during hard exercise and will give you extra energy!

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SHEGLAM X Willy Wonka Collection Review And Swatches

Not Sponsored: Have you heard of the makeup brand SHEGLAM? I've never heard of them! I just learned about HipDot, a couple of years ago. What made me take notice of SHEGLAM, was Trendmood showcasing their Willy Wonka makeup collection. I'm a huge fan of anything Willy Wonka. It was one of my favorite stories as a child. SHEGLAM was founded in 2019. It's a cruelty-free makeup brand. They believe in GLAM FOR ALL! They follow guidelines for ethical manufacturing and development. They follow global cosmetics safety guidelines and they are Leaping Bunny approved. Plus, their prices are absolutely amazing. So how was the collection? Let's see...

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

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

SHEGLAM X Willy Wonka | Wonka Bar Eye Shadow Palette - Supersweet

How authentic looking is this Wonka Bar? I have a faux Wonka bar and Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar in my makeup room and I have to constantly remind myself they are not real. So I was happy to add this to my collection. I love this eye shadow palette's packaging. It has a true chocolate brown color with beautiful gold and white accents. It even comes with a clear Wonka Golden Ticket and mirror. This palette contains eight (8) shades. Really beautiful colors and very soft & wearable. They come across dark in the palette, but they are beautiful on the skin. Does the palette smell like chocolate? Unfortunately to me, no. But the aesthetics of the overall palette are very pleasing and satisfy me.

SHEGLAM x Willy Wonka | Cocoa Yum Yum Lip Balm - Supersweet

I love lip balm! Let me rephrase that, I love MOISTURIZING lip balm! This lip balm has 3 layers to it. It's chocolate scented and has cocoa seed butter & sodium hyaluronate moisturize for luscious cocoa lips (pic hand - top left).

SHEGLAM x Willy Wonka | Cocoa Kiss Lip Duo In Brownie Bite - Sweet

These Cocoa Kiss Lip Duo's come in three (3) shades: Brownie Bite, Cookies N' Milk, and Hot Fudge. You get a lip liner and lip gloss. Both products contain cocoa butter and sodium hyaluronate. The finish is high shine and glossy. (see lip balm pic - hand - top right)

SHEGLAM x Willy Wonka | Golden Egg Solid Perfume - Bittersweet

This golden egg is THE CUTEST! I also love how they have a good and bad Eggdicator (a machine that discriminates between "bad eggs" and "good eggs") on the box. Well, this golden egg is a solid perfume. The top notes contain cacao and musk. The middle notes are tonka bean, whiskey and almond. The base notes are vanilla, caramel and milk. So how do I like it? I applied it as suggested, behind my ear on my neck and wrist points. It has an extremely sweet scent to it. I didn't particularly care for it, but the egg is cute.

If you would like to see all of these products in action, give me until the end of the week (I have an event to go to for my other blog) and I will put together an Instagram reel so you can see them. Overall, I was impressed with the brand.

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How To Successfully Monetize Your Blog

Are you looking to monetize your blog but not sure where to start? This blog post will give you some tips on how to find your niche, start blogging, and monetize your blog successfully.

Whether you're passionate about fashion, beauty, or fitness, there's a way to turn your hobby into a money-making machine. And with so many options for monetization, the sky is the limit when it comes to earning potential. So if you're ready to learn how to make money from your blog, read on for some essential tips.

Image Source - CCO License

Find Your Niche

The first thing you need to do before you can monetize your blog is find your niche. What are you passionate about? What can you write about for hours on end without getting bored? Once you've found your passion, you can move on to the next step.

What Are Your Skills?

Do you have any special skills or talents that you can share with your readers? Perhaps you're a great cook and can share recipes and cooking tips. Or maybe you're an expert in a particular field and can offer advice and insights. Whatever your skills may be, make sure they're relevant to your niche.

Know Your Target Audience

Who do you want to reach with your blog? What kind of people are you writing for? Once you've identified your target audience, it will be easier to tailor your content to their needs and interests.

Start Blogging

There are a few different ways to start a blog. The most popular blogging platforms are WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. If you're not sure which platform to use, try out a few of them and see which one you like best. Once you've chosen your platform, it's time to start setting up your blog.

Set Up Your Blog

Now that you've chosen your platform, it's time to set up your blog. This is where you'll decide on things like your blog's name, domain name, design, and layout. You'll also need to create accounts with any social media platforms you want to use to promote your blog. Once everything is set up the way you want it, it's time to start writing compelling content.

Write Compelling Content

Your blog won't be successful if you don't have good content. This is what will keep people coming back for more, and it's what will help you attract new readers. When writing your content, always keep your audience in mind and make sure that everything you write is interesting and informative. If you're not sure what kind of content to write, try looking at other blogs in your niche for inspiration.

Monetize Your Blog

Place Ads

Placing ads on your blog is one of the most common ways to monetize it. You can work with ad networks, or directly with companies, to place ads on your site. Ad networks will give you a code to insert into your site, which will display the ads. Companies may give you a banner to place on your site, or they may pay you based on the number of clicks or impressions their ad gets.

Ads can be a great way to monetize your blog, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure that the ads are relevant to your audience and that they don’t interfere with the user experience on your site. Second, consider the placement of the ads carefully so that they don’t take away from your content. And finally, don’t overdo it – too many ads can be overwhelming and turn people off from your site.

Sell Products Or Services

If you have products or services to sell, you can use your blog as a platform to do so. You can set up an online store using a shopping cart plugin, or list individual products for sale with Buy Now buttons. You can also use your blog to promote other products and services that you recommend – for example, if you’re a travel blogger, you could promote travel insurance or tour companies that you use and trust.

Selling products or services from your blog is a great way to monetize it, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that what you’re selling is relevant to your audience and that they would be interested in it. Second, consider offering discounts or exclusive deals for people who buy through your blog – this can help increase sales. And finally, provide good customer service – people who buy from you should have a positive experience so that they’ll come back and buy again in the future.

Work With Companies To Make Sponsored Content

Another way to monetize your blog is by working with companies to create sponsored content – this is when companies pay you to write about their product or service on your blog. This can be a great way to make money because you’re essentially getting paid to endorse something on your site. There are lots of blogging opportunities that brands will like to offer in terms of sponsored content.

But it’s important to be careful with sponsored content – only accept sponsorships from companies that you trust and whose product or service would be relevant and interesting for your audience. Also, make sure that any sponsored content is clearly marked as such so that readers know it isn’t editorial content like everything else on your site. 

Use Affiliate Links

Affiliate marketing is another way bloggers can monetize their sites. This involves promoting someone else’s product or service on your blog and earning a commission whenever someone clicks on the affiliate link and makes a purchase. Affiliate marketing can be done through ad networks or directly with companies – many companies have affiliate programs that bloggers can sign up for.

When using affiliate links, it’s important not to bombard readers with too many of them. Space them out throughout your posts, and only include them when they make sense. For example, if you‘re writing about travel, you could include an affiliate link to an airline‘s website when mentioning flights. But if you‘re writing about something else entirely, it wouldn‘t make sense to include an airline link. Also, make sure that the links are clearly marked as affiliate links (with “affiliate link ” ) so readers know what they are.

If you want to monetize your blog, it all has to start from the beginning, so don’t skip any of the important steps we’ve talked about here today.

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Keep Your Home Clean And Organized Through Christmas

Without a doubt, this year has been unlike any other. And so will this Christmas be. Almost no parties will happen, and even family get-togethers will be kept to a minimum. But Christmas is a time to be with the people you love most, like your family and friends.

Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash

Even though you'll have to take many safety precautions, you can still have small Christmas parties and dinners at your house, even if it's just for your partner and kids. If you're having other close family members over, it's important to make sure your home is ready. With the tips below, you can start making a beautiful and safe winter wonderland.

Create More Space

You're getting ready to have more people over than usual, and it's never been more important to make sure everyone has enough space. Even if you're having a small party or your apartment isn't very big, you can make more room by moving your furniture around.

For example, if you're having a dinner party, put the dinner table in the middle of the room and get rid of any extra chairs or cabinets. You might have to plan ahead for this, but it can help you make your rooms feel bigger and more comfortable.

Deep Cleaning

If you've been waiting for a good time to clean your house thoroughly, this is it! Deep cleaning your home is a good way to get rid of clutter and give your rooms a new look. And, of course, you can make your family's environment healthier and more fun.

When you do a deep clean of your home, the little things matter. For example, if you clean your windows or front door, it can look like you really care about and love your home. Invest in professional rug cleaning as well to bring out the true colors of your carpet.

Make A Cozy Space

Christmas is, of course, a time to spend with family and friends. Even if you're only having a small Christmas dinner party this year for your closest family members, you can still meet up with some of your friends safely. You can do this by keeping your distance, being aware, and going outside.

If you don't want to go to the nearest park, you could turn your patio or veranda into a place to meet your guests. Just make sure to add blankets, pillows, and heaters to make it extra cozy.

Make Sure You Think About Hand Sanitizer

No matter how big or small your Christmas party is, making sure everyone feels safe has never been more important. Adding themed sanitizing stations around the house can make this a lot more fun. These should have towels and hand sanitizer. But you can also make little care packages for each of your guests that include a face mask and small hand sanitizer bottles.

Think About Your Bathrooms

Everyone who stays at your house will use the guest bathroom, so you should keep it clean and organized. Add towels for your guests so they don't have to share with other people. You could also use paper towels made from recycled paper to give them a clean, one-time option. Make sure that your bathroom has antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer for your guests.

Keep Things As Clean As Possible

Mess is the enemy of a stylish home, and getting rid of it has never been more important than it is now. The Christmas decorations and gifts will, of course, take up a lot of space in your home. But it's important to get rid of everything you don't need right now.

Just taking down decorations and putting away things you don't need can make your whole house look much cleaner. In turn, this can make it easier for you to clean and sanitize your living space before your guests arrive. Once they're gone, it's easy to clean surfaces that aren't full of stuff. Using a catering team could help to keep your kitchen clean.

Decorate, With Thought!

Putting up Christmas decorations is a big part of making your house feel more festive and warm. But they can also get in the way and make your living space smaller. So, when you're planning your decorations for this year, make sure to go for a simple look. This will keep most surfaces clean and free of dust and dirt. You can also make a cozy but airy space by replacing garlands and wreaths with lights, ribbons, and fairy lights.

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How To Achieve Happiness In Your Career

We've all had jobs that weren't satisfying, where it was hard to be happy, and every day felt like a drag. We've all probably done work that was so boring it was almost painful. But the real truth is that you can be happy in any job, no matter what you do. Work can be fun in many different ways. You can be happy at work right now even if you're not in your dream job. Read on to find out more.

Photo by Marek Levak from Pexels

Find A Good Work-Life Balance

Finding a good balance between the needs of your job and your own values and priorities can help you be happier at work by giving you a sense of calm and satisfaction. Try to figure out what your ideal balance between work and life is, and if you can, take steps to get there. If your employer has tools to help you reach this goal, see if you can use them to be happier at work. This might be collaboration programs and software or apps they can recommend, for example.

Make Your Mornings Less Stressful

If you rush around in the mornings trying to get ready for the day ahead, you might be setting yourself up for a stressful day. How you start your mornings is very important to how good you feel, so pay attention to your routine and look for ways to make some good changes.

For instance, you could get ready the night before or get up 15 minutes earlier. Or, take a moment to write down three things you're thankful for. When you do this first thing in the morning, it can have a big effect on how happy and positive you feel, and it can help you get your day off on the right foot.

Having breakfast is also a good idea because it will start your metabolism and get your brain working at a faster speed. In this way, work is not so difficult, and you can get more done.

Let Small Things Go

There are always fresh challenges to face every day. Rather than letting these annoy you, learn to embrace them and go with the flow. One technique for doing so is to stop worrying about the past or the future and focus on the here and now. Being in the moment frees your mind to concentrate on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the issue at hand.

Focusing once more on the here and now will help you release any lingering anxiety and simply accept each moment for what it is. This can help you just enjoy what you are doing, even if it's a hard task to complete.

Take Breaks

If you're feeling down about your work, taking a break may help you see things in a more optimistic light. It's important to take breaks throughout the day, and if at all feasible, you should aim to completely unplug from work during these times. Getting some time away from the office, whether at home or on a trip, can do wonders for your perspective while back at work. In other words, you might be more content in your job if you had more time to recover from workplace stress.

Learn New Skills

Doing the same thing every day can get boring, so try to switch things up and keep pushing yourself to learn new skills. Taking the time to learn new skills and do new things at work can make you happier and more satisfied. It can also keep you motivated and inspired, which can make you feel happier and more satisfied with life as a whole.

Find A Career You Love

Some people are fortunate enough to discover a line of work that puts their strengths to good use, allowing them to pursue a profession they take pleasure in. In other cases, a job you like could be something you are passionate about or that makes you feel good about yourself.

No worker is happy all the time at work, and even jobs that you love can sometimes be frustrating or boring. But you are more likely to be happy at work if your job is something you like and are proud of. Look at yourself, your skills, and the things you're interested in, and find something you can do every day that you'll enjoy.

Take Charge Of Your Professional Development

Invest in your own personal and professional growth to take charge of your own development. Make a plan and set some goals for your career, and then try to reach them.

Ask your boss for help that will really benefit you. Look for assignments that will help you reach certain milestones in your career or learn certain skills, such as understanding data-driven teaching. Follow up on valuable opportunities and connections, even if they aren't being made for you by your current employer.

When you feel like you're in charge of your career and can see yourself getting better and growing, you're more likely to be happy with your job.

 Get A Mentor

A good way to be happy at work is to find a good mentor and talk to them when things get hard or you're stressed. This is because they might be able to help you solve problems, confirm your successes, and find the good things about your current job. If you don't have a trusted mentor yet, you might want to look into your professional network and meet people who could fill this role.

Ask For Feedback

When you get feedback on your work, it can either give you positive feedback that makes you feel valued or help you fill in key skill and knowledge gaps that will help you do your job better and fit in better with your work environment. But when managers don't give this kind of feedback, employees often feel unappreciated, unable to do their jobs, and unhappy at work.

If your boss isn't giving you feedback on a regular basis, you should start asking for it. Ask your boss for feedback after big projects are done, or talk to the management team about putting in place regular employee evaluations to help everyone do their jobs well.

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Colourpop Not A Box Of Chocolates Eye Shadow Palette And French Kiss Lip Lacquer In Macadamia Review And Swatches

Not Sponsored: Colourpop comes out with lots of cute collections throughout the year. People complain about this, but think about it. Not everyone is the same. We all like different things. Colourpop is merely creating choices for everyone. I've been monitoring these collections and one finally appealed to me. It's a foodie theme. It's Colourpop's Not A Box Of Chocolates Collection. This collection appeals to me for many reasons, as I will outline 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) 

Colourpop Not A Box Of Chocolates Eye Shadow Palette is Sweet

Colourpop Fresh Kiss in Macadamia is Supersweet

Colourpop Not A Box Of Chocolates Eye Shadow Palette

Let's start with the eye shadow palette. Why does it appeal to me? I love neutrals. This palette contains 16 eye shadows and what's great is it contains an equal assortment of both light brown and dark brown shades. Have you ever purchased a neutral palette and the majority of shades are DARK? I have and didn't use them very much. So I look for that when purchasing palettes now. Besides the cute names (Champagne Truffle, Drizzle Me This, That's Rick, Cherry Cordial, Tiramisu, Praline etc.) Each eye shadow shade looks like a piece of chocolate (lines, hearts). I almost didn't want to swatch this palette, because it is so cute. All shades swatched really well. The only one that was chunky was PB Brittle. So be careful applying that particular shade. But you will be able to create many looks using this palette.

Colourpop Fresh Kiss Lip Lacquer in Macadamia

This collection offers three (3) different shades of lip lacquer. I purchased the lightest shade, which is called Macadamia. The next shade is called La Vida Mocha and the darkest shade is called Fudge Yeah! I love it! HaHaHa I would describe Colourpop's Fresh Kiss Lip Lacquer in Macadamia as creamy and smooth. It lays beautifully on the lips and honestly makes your lips look even better. I love the shade and can wear it with many things. It looks really good!

You may be asking, HEY, DOES ANY OF THIS SMELL LIKE CHOCOLATE!?! The eye shadow unfortunately does not, but the lip lacquer does smell like cocoa (but doesn't taste like chocolate). I'm very pleased with my purchase. Colourpop, despite inflation, has managed to keep prices down and affordable. For makeup lovers that love themed products, it's a win-win in my book. This collection can be purchased at Colourpop and ULTA Beauty.

 

Be sure to check out my Instagram reel for application of this eye shadow palette.

Read my other Colourpop reviews here.

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Tips On Making The Most Of Your Money

Money can be a very delicate subject for a lot of people. With the cost of living continuing to rise across the board, things are getting more difficult. The problem is that this trend shows no sign of stopping any time soon. What that means is that individual has to be far more careful with their money to avoid them making tough decisions. In fact, some people are having to make the heartbreaking decision of choosing between heating and eating, and those with young children are not having a good time. In hard times it makes sense to discover as many ways as you possibly can to make the most of your money.

Image by Frantisek Krejci from Pixabay

Pay Off Debts

With interest rates rising, it makes a lot of sense to pay off your debts. Is there any scope for you to increase the payments you are making to pay it off quicker? Debts are extremely crippling financially. They hang around and eat into your money, meaning you do not have anything left to save or invest.

Create a Budget

Budgeting is a great way to help you manage your money better. Work out what your essentials are, rent or mortgage, utilities, internet, phones, etc., and then figure out exactly what toy have to play with. If you struggle with money, then you need to buildup an awareness of where your money goes. What may be an idea is to draw out the money you have to play with and ensure that you spend only that each month. 

Make Cutbacks

When you look at your finances to create a budget, you may well discover a few things you usually waste money on. These can include subscriptions to things you no longer need or use, like the gym, magazines, etc. It will help if you cut out anything that is superfluous. Other ways to make a cutback include shopping in cheaper grocery stores, going without a haircut for a few extra weeks, doing your own nails, etc. when you start long at your life, you are bound to find a lot of things that can be cut back.

Delayed Gratification

If you want to make the most of your money, then you need to practice delayed gratification. It is all about resisting the urge to buy something and either waiting until you have the cash instead of using credit or waiting a month and seeing if you still have the same attraction to whatever it was. Practicing delayed gratification can stop you from falling into debt and help you increase your finances.

Take Advantage

Sometimes in life, bad things happen. A product could be harmful, you may have an accident, or someone may injure you in some way. No one wants an injury, but if you sustain one, you should sue for compensation. Why not hire a motor vehicle accident lawyer or complain to the outfit that has wronged you? There is a lot of money to made in negligence claims, so you must take advantage of a bad situation.

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3 Important Facts About Botox

Photo by Lucas Guimaraes Bueno from Pexels

Botox is one of the most popular beauty treatments. Celebrities don't shy away from Beauty Clinics, especially when the results are a rejuvenated, youthful, and energized look. Taking a few years off their face is a dream for most people, but sometimes you might feel unsure if Botox treatments are the right for you.

When searching for a beauty clinic that provides treatments with Botox Miami has excellent options you can choose from. Beauty clinics will provide you with all the important facts about botox. They recommend that you undergo a thorough medical exam before scheduling a session.

Doing some research before undergoing a treatment that alters your appearance is good practice. If you wish to try botox treatments but are unsure, the following points might help you get a boost in your confidence and try out the newest beauty treatments.

1. How Do Botox Treatments Work?

Botox treatments are frequently used by celebrities who want to regain a youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Botox is a drug used in beauty treatments to smooth wrinkles by blocking nerve endings and relaxing muscles. In the preparation of this drug is used a bacterial toxin called botulin is used. This injectable treatment combats the signs of stress, frustration, and other chronic muscle activity by blocking the chemical signs that make the muscles contract.

Contracted muscles are the number one reason for the wrinkling of the skin. After injecting botox in an area, the specific muscles will be unable to contract due to the botulin toxin. You will start seeing results three or four days after the initial procedure.

2. Botox Treatments are Long Lasting

The effects of Botox treatments can last up to six months in some cases. Otherwise, it can last three to four months on average. A few factors influence the longevity of your treatment's effects. If you are physically active, your body produces large amounts of sweat during every workout. Gym rats will soon notice that the effect of their cosmetic treatment doesn't last too long. This happens when the body breaks down the botulin toxin, allowing the regeneration of nerve endings.

Your metabolic level is another essential factor in determining how long your beauty treatments will last. Depending on whether your metabolism is slow or fast, your Botox treatment can last for a longer or shorter period of time.

3. Types of Botox Treatments

There are different Botox treatments for every patient. For example, BroTox is a treatment made especially for men. Due to the difference in physique between men and women, the medical expert injecting the Brotox will pay attention to every detail on the client's face, including muscle mass, hair distribution, and muscle fiber pattern.

Baby Botox's name was inspired by the much smaller doses used for the beauty treatment. The limited amount of botulin toxin will have a limited effect on the muscles on your face. By injecting it directly into the jaw joints in your skull, Baby Botox reduces the grinding of teeth, clenching, and any stiffness in the jaw muscles. NewTox is an alternative to traditional Botox. Although it uses the same active ingredient, NewTox treats smoker’s lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other distinctive wrinkles.

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How To Improve Customer Loyalty And Cultivate A Customer-Focused Company

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In order to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of business, it is crucial to create and foster a customer-focused culture within your company. Customer loyalty is key to any successful business, and there are many ways to cultivate and increase customer loyalty. This blog post will discuss how to measure and improve customer loyalty within your business and how to create a company culture that focuses on the customer.

1) Measure and Monitor Customer Loyalty

The first step in increasing customer loyalty is to measure and monitor it. This means collecting data such as customer feedback, surveys, online reviews, etc., that can provide insight into what customers think about your company and how they rate their level of satisfaction with the products and services you offer. With this data, you can more easily make informed decisions on how to improve customer loyalty within your business. Additionally, tracking customer numbers over time will help you identify trends that may indicate opportunities for improvement or areas that need more attention.

2) Offer Incentives and Rewards

One of the most effective ways to increase customer loyalty is to offer incentives or rewards for loyal customers. These could be discounts on future purchases, exclusive offers or access to new products and services. Offering incentives and rewards like a custom flash drive found here is an excellent way to show customers that you value their loyalty and appreciate their continued business. Not only does this increase customer loyalty, but it also encourages people to spread the word about your company and its offerings which can lead to more customers in the future.

Also, while creating incentive and reward programs, it's important to tailor them to your specific customers. Make sure that the rewards you offer are attractive and relevant to the customers you're targeting.

3) Provide Quality Service and Support

High-quality service and support are essential for building customer loyalty. Customers should feel like they can trust your company to provide them with quick, helpful responses, no matter what problem they may be facing. Therefore, make sure that all customer inquiries are addressed efficiently and professionally, regardless of how small or insignificant they may seem. Additionally, ensure that customer feedback is taken into consideration and acted upon as quickly and efficiently as possible, as this will show customers that their opinions are valued and taken seriously.

What to do with customer feedback

The best way to make use of customer feedback is to take it into consideration and act upon it as quickly and efficiently as possible. This shows customers that their opinions are valued and taken seriously, which in turn, will help build customer loyalty. Make sure to thank customers for taking the time to provide feedback, and let them know how you plan on using it to improve your products or services.

4) Focus on Customer Experience

The customer experience is one of the most important aspects of any business, so it's crucial to ensure that you are constantly striving to create a positive customer experience. For example, consider providing extra services or amenities such as free shipping, easy returns, personalized promotions or discounts and exclusive offers. Additionally, be sure to keep up with customer trends in order to ensure that your products and services are in line with what your target audience wants and needs. Doing so will help make sure that your customers feel heard and appreciated.

5) Provide additional training to your employees

Providing additional training to your employees is also a great way to increase customer loyalty. Training sessions should focus on customer service skills such as problem-solving, communication, and understanding customer needs. Additionally, ensure that your staff is up-to-date on the latest trends in technology and products so that they can provide customers with an informed opinion when asked. Doing this will help build trust between customers and staff, which in turn will lead to increased customer loyalty.

In addition, make sure to keep your employees motivated and engaged by providing incentives such as recognition, rewards, or even team-building activities. Doing this will help ensure that your staff is consistently providing the best customer experience possible.

6) Use technology to enhance customer experience

Technology can be used in a variety of ways to help enhance the customer experience. For example, consider using customer relationship management (CRM) software such as Salesforce or HubSpot, which can help you better understand and manage your customers. Additionally, look into analytics platforms such as Google Analytics that can provide you with valuable insights into customer behavior which can help you tailor your products and services to their needs.

Finally, consider using social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to engage with customers. Ask for feedback, share relevant content and respond quickly to any inquiries or complaints - doing this will show customers that you care about them and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure they are happy.

7) Work on your website

Your website is often the first thing customers see when researching your products and services, so it's important to make sure it is up-to-date and easy to use. Make sure that the information on your website is accurate, relevant and easily accessible. Additionally, consider adding an FAQ section or other forms of customer support, such as a chatbot, to ensure that customers can quickly find answers to their questions. Doing this will help improve the customer experience overall, leading to increased loyalty in the long run.

By taking these steps into account, you can create a more loyal customer base for your business while increasing overall satisfaction levels within your company. Taking the time to measure and monitor customer loyalty, offer incentives and rewards, provide quality service and support, focus on the customer experience and invest in employee training are all essential steps in cultivating a customer-focused culture within your company. Doing so will help to ensure that customers feel valued, appreciated and part of the larger community.

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Designing The Perfect Party Invitation

Whenever you are thinking about hosting a party, you’ll always want to make sure that you are doing so in the right way, and a major part of that is always going to be designing a party invitation that people are going to respond to positively. In fact, it can very often be the case that a good party invitation makes a world of difference to how many people actually turn up, so that is certainly something that you will want to think about here.

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In this post, we are going to help you out on this front by looking at some of the things to bear in mind when you are designing a party invitation. As long as you consider the following, you should find that you are going to end up with a more or less perfect invitation, and that is going to make for a much better party on the whole.

Keep It In-Theme

Your party should ideally have a theme, and therefore so should your invitation to that party. If you don’t keep the invitation in theme with the party, it just won’t make any sense. You can think of the invitation as a means of getting people ready for the party, and part of that should be introducing the theme to them as best as you can, so make sure that you are doing this.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard. In fact, the theme can be subtle if you like, but it should certainly be present at least. As long as that is true, you are going to find that your party’s invitation is a lot more attractive and, well, inviting, and that your guests are going to feel a lot more ready for the day itself.

Make It Personal

It’s also a really good idea to make sure that the invitation is as personal as possible, or at least has something of a personal touch. As long as you do that, each guest is going to feel that little bit more special, and this can really help to keep the numbers up on the whole. Making it personal is the kind of thing that you can do quite simply too, so that’s something that you should think about here.

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The best way of course is to simply ensure that you are putting their name on the envelope and in the invitation itself. If you do that, you are nodding to the fact that you specifically want them there, so that’s a really important thing to think about. As we have said, making it personal can prove to be very important for a bunch of reasons, so make sure not to overlook this vital part of the process.

Don’t Forget The Envelope

A lot of people fail to appreciate just how important the envelope actually is, but the truth is that it’s a really vital part of the whole process and of the invitation itself. It would be a shame to put a lot of hard work and effort into the invitation and then allow the envelope to let it down, so that is definitely something that you want to avoid if at all possible. So how can you make sure that it is working for the invitation as a whole?

Actually there are a couple of major ways. Firstly, good invitation envelopes are made of a high quality paper or card, so that they have a bit more of a substantial feel and heft to them. You should also consider that it should have the theme featuring strongly on the front, as we discussed above. And a good envelope will be inviting in itself.

While it might seem like a small detail, it’s the kind of small detail that can really matter, so be sure to think about that.

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Clear Details

Finally, a simple thing you need to think about too is that the details are as clear as possible on the invitation. The clearer they are, the more likely it is that your guests will understand what is being said, will know how to RSVP properly, when the party is and where it is, and so on. That includes not just what you write, but how, and which font you use too. This again is something that turns out to be hugely important, and which you will need to make sure you are thinking about as much as possible.

If you have done that, you’re going to have a much better party invitation in no time.

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Tips For Choosing The Right Optical Store In Brooklyn

An optical store is a shop where people can purchase eyeglasses and frames. Contrary to the belief that optical stores are full of salespeople, these stores are often staffed with professionals. And that's part of the reason there has been a rise of optometrists combining their practice with optical stores.

However, optical stores vary in terms of services, the type of professionals available, and the products they have in stock. And with numerous optical stores in Brooklyn, making a choice can be tricky.

There are several things to consider so you can make a wise decision. So, to make the process easier, discussed below are some great tips for choosing the right optical store.

Inquire About Advanced Eye Examinations

Technology has made significant advancements, especially in medicine. As a result, optical stores now offer advanced eye examinations that are more thorough compared to standard examinations. So, when looking for an optical store, ask whether they conduct up-to-date eye examinations and what it entails.

An advanced eye examination is more thorough and takes roughly an hour or twice as long as a standard exam. It includes an examination of the external eye, a full sight test, and a spectacle prescription check. An advanced eye examination may also include an optomap retinal scan and optical coherence tomography (OCT) 3D scans of the macula or optic disc.

These methods offer as much information on your eye health as possible and can detect serious eye conditions you may have developed over time.

Knowing the optical store offers comprehensive eye examinations can assure you of quality services. And in the end, you'll get accurately prescribed lenses that will correct your vision.

Consider The Type Of Staff

Whether you need to get corrective lenses or fashionable eyewear, consider choosing an optical store with the following staff:

• Optometrist: This highly qualified professional will thoroughly test your vision to determine the health of your eyes. And with the results, you'll get prescribed the right glasses or contact lenses. When looking for an optical store, find out whether the optometrist has excellent credentials and experience to detect and manage eye disorders.

• Dispensing Optician: The advantage of selecting an optical store with a dispensing optician is getting expert advice when choosing suitable frames, coatings, and lenses. Their advice is vital because they consider your lifestyle, occupation, and prescription suitability. Consequently, you'll be able to get eyeglasses that fit well and learn how to care for them.

• Support Team: This team is trained to perform different services under the supervision of an optical practice manager. Some support team members might include receptionists, optical assistants, and clinical assistants.

Examine The Products They Offer

Eyewear, whether corrective or protective, comes in different designs and functionality. Thus, it's practical to choose an optical store with a wide variety of options for frame styles and types of lenses.

For instance, a reputable optical store may offer lenses with blue light protection if your work involves staring at a computer monitor for most of the day. If you're physically active, you may need polycarbonate lenses, which are lightweight but strong enough to withstand impact.

Aside from correcting your vision, it’s essential for your eyewear to fit your lifestyle.

Look At The In-Practice Equipment

Over the years, the optical industry has seen a lot of innovations. Technology has made it possible to have accurate eye examinations. Hence, when looking for an optical store, check if they have modern devices, like an optical coherence tomographer, tonometer, and retinal imaging equipment.

This way, you can be assured of a thorough eye exam that can detect potential ocular diseases. You'll also enjoy easy and painless examinations that ensure you get the right prescription for corrective lenses.

Check Their Customized Services

As seen above, technology has eased the process of getting personalized lenses that take into account your physiology. The eye care professional will measure the following:

• Vertex Distance: This refers to the distance between the glasses and your eyes.

• Pantoscopic Angle: This measures the inclination or tilt of the glasses.

• Pupillary Distance: This measurement locates the center of your eye's rotation.

These precise measurements enable them to produce customized lenses that optimize your vision.

Bottom Line

Choosing the right optical store in Brooklyn shouldn't be challenging if you know what to look for. Consider one that offers advanced eye exams with the latest equipment and has a wide range of eyewear.

In addition, check the credentials of their eye care professionals and the customized services they provide to ensure your spectacles are the right fit for your lifestyle and physiology.

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7 Things You Can Eat To Feel Better About Yourself

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There are probably many things you eat to feel better about yourself. But it's almost guaranteed you eat the wrong things. Sugary snacks and carb-heavy meals provide immediate relief from stress. But they do this in very unhealthy and addictive ways. Here are some alternatives.

Edible Cannabis Products

There are many cannabis-based products on the market. Before you go running for the hills, they aren't what you think. Edibles and drinks aren't like smoking cannabis. CBD products are relatively safe and don't get you high. THC is in Delta 9 gummies, but not in the same way as smokable leaves. Edible CBD and THC products are known for helping reduce stress because of the flavonoids and cannabinoids, which pretty much mellow you out and calm you down.

Eat to Feel Better with Chocolate

Chocolate doesn't just taste good. Cocoa has been shown to help enhance blood flow to your brain. As a result, you feel more alive and energized. It also gives you a quick mood and focus boost. Research shows that flavonoids in cocoa that are similar to cannabinoids can make you smarter, which will help productivity at work. Cocoa and its health benefits come from darker chocolate rather than processed. So your favorite sugary snack bar probably won't help.

Whole Grain Breads

When you're stressed, your hormones feel better when you eat carb-rich foods. But cookies with lots of sugar won't necessarily make you nearly as satisfied as whole-grain bread. Whole grains can also increase the amount of useful bacteria in the digestive tract, which has a big effect on how you feel. It's not the best idea to eat a sandwich every day, and you might want to vary your diet. But whole-grain bread is much healthier than white bread and has slightly less gluten.

The Many Virtues of the Humble Egg

If you don't eat many eggs, you really should reconsider your food choices. Eggs are some of the healthiest foods you can eat. They are almost all protein, and the delicious yolks provide a substantial amount of good fats. Some of the amazing health benefits of eggs are as follows:

• Eggs provide a massive dose of protein.

• They contain large amounts of selenium, B12, and folate.

• Eggs promote a healthier diet with good cholesterol.

• You will feel fuller for longer after eating eggs.

• You can make all kinds of meals really cheaply using eggs.

Eggs are like a self-contained medical marvel when it comes to their nutritional benefits. In one egg-based meal, you can get almost every nutrient your body needs. And some that help you cosmetically, such as riboflavin, which is good for your hair, nails, and skin blemishes.

Try Some Coconuts

There are a lot of medium-chain triglycerides in coconut. These are good fats that can make you feel better. Coconut also protects nerve cells, which can help lower the risk of Alzheimer's and stroke. If you want to eat more coconut, try putting coconut cream in your coffee. Or you can add coconut flakes to your favorite recipes. Light and airy prawn tempura made with coconut are to die for. And there's nothing wrong with opening one up and eating it as is.

Food You Can Eat to Feel Better Includes Olive Oil

Adding a little olive oil to your salad or cooking with it instead of butter or lard could make you feel better. Trans fats make you feel bad, while healthy fats, like those in olive oil, make you feel better. Healthy fats are liquids rather than solids at room temperature. One of the best oils is olive oil. But the substance itself is good for your health, and the fruity flavor makes you enjoy food more by making serotonin. Additionally, there are documented benefits for your heart.

Mussels Aren't for Everyone, But…

Mussels have some of the highest levels of vitamin B12 found in nature. You might not like the way they look, but they are a good source of vitamin B12. Your brain cells stay warm because of vitamin B12. This keeps your mind sharp as you get older. Mussels also have zinc, iodine, and selenium, all of which are very important. All of these are needed to keep your mood stable. Mussels are also high in protein and low in fat, so you can eat a lot of them without feeling guilty.

Summary

When times are tough, you might eat to feel better about yourself and life in general. There's nothing wrong with this. But you can make unhealthy choices. However, there are some things that are better than fast food, such as CBD gummies, the humble egg, and mussels.

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