Lifestyle Archives - Page 12 of 53

7 Reasons to Consider Putting Your Dog on a Grain-Free Diet

In recent years, grain-free diets for dogs have become more and more popular, with grain-free food options becoming a common choice among responsible dog owners who only want the best diet, lifestyle, and health for their pets. While there are still plenty of kibble brands and other commercial dog foods available that are not necessarily unhealthy for your dog to eat, these are becoming less popular since they are filled with wheat, corn, and soy. Grain-free dog food options do not contain all of these common ingredients. Instead, feeding your dog a grain-free diet means that they get fewer carbohydrates and a diet that is richer in protein, meat, and animal fats.

Is grain-free food better for your dog? Raw feeding, grain-free dog food brands, and bone broth are all becoming popular choices for a dog’s diet, but there’s still a lot of debate around it. The truth is that every dog is different, with varying dietary requirements, so just like with people, what works well for one dog might not be great for another. As a pet owner, it’s up to you to be aware of what your dog needs. Speaking with your vet can help you determine your dog’s specific dietary needs and decide whether or not switching to grain-free feeding is going to be the best choice for your pet.

Below are some of the main reasons why some dog owners are switching their pets to a grain-free diet.

Better Nutritional Content

For most pet owners, their dog is a main member of the family, and looking after their health and nutrition is important. Sadly, many commercial dog foods are packed with large quantities of grains that are mainly included to bulk out the product and keep production costs down to make a larger profit. As a result of this, commercial dog foods are often cheap to buy but have very little nutritional value for dogs due to the main ingredient being grains and carbohydrates. On the other hand, many pet owners agree that grain-free dog food is worth investing more in since it has a much better nutritional content for dogs including meat and fish proteins and vegetables, providing your beloved pet with a much more balanced diet.

Improved Digestion

Dogs are biologically unable to digest many grains, which can lead to digestive problems if a dog is a regularly fed food that is high in ingredients like wheat. Grain-free dog food options like bone broth can help to improve digestion in dogs since they contain much fewer carbohydrates and more protein, making them easier to digest. Bone broth for dogs is easy to make at home or you can purchase pre-made versions for your dog to help with digestive issues. According to Native Pet, bone broth for dogs can also help with your dog’s gut health and reduce the risk of leaky gut. If your dog is suffering from digestive issues, Native Pet offers a wide range of products that may benefit.

Healthier Coat

Many pet owners say that switching their dog to a grain-free diet helped to improve the condition and health of their coat. Unfortunately, most standard dog food that is made with grains does not provide your dog with the full range of oils and nutrients that they need to maintain healthy skin and fur. Since it is much higher in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s no surprise that switching a dog to a grain-free diet often means that you see improvements in the softness and shine of their coat quite quickly. More protein in their diet means that a dog’s coat is likely to be stronger, healthier, thicker, and shinier, which reduces shedding and malting too.

More Energy

A dog that doesn’t seem to have as much energy as you would expect them to have for their breed and age might be suffering due to their diet. If your dog is lethargic and tends to get tired quickly after walking even though they are young, fit, and healthy, you might notice a change if you switch to feeding grain-free. This is because the main source of energy for dogs is protein, and a lot of commercial kibbles and dog foods just don’t contain enough of it to provide your dog with the energy that they should have right now.

Help with Allergies

A switch to a grain-free diet is often recommended for dogs that suffer from food allergies. When it comes to food allergies in dogs, corn and wheat are two ingredients that are very likely to lead to symptoms. Some common signs that your dog may be allergic to their food include signs that they have an itchy butt, licking their feet excessively or diarrhea that lasts for longer than twenty-four hours. Some dogs might be allergic to certain meats and proteins that are present in their food; however, carbohydrates and grains tend to be a much more common culprit. If you are concerned that your dog might be allergic to a food ingredient, contact your vet who will be able to help you put your dog on an elimination diet to determine what is causing the symptoms.

Better Breath

If you’ve ever pushed your dog away because they have stinky breath and got too close to your face, then you’ll know that it can be an unpleasant experience that many pet owners have had to deal with. Sometimes, your dog might have bad breath because they have eaten something that they shouldn’t or need a dental chew, but if your pet persistently suffers from bad breath problems, this could be a sign that they are not getting the right diet. Your dog’s dental health is largely impacted by their diet, and bad breath can be a sign of poor nutrition. In fact, many pet owners who changed their dog’s diet to a grain-free one said that their dog’s breath also improved a lot.

Weight Management

Dog — A young woman is hugging her dog while outdoors taking a walk

If you need to watch your dog’s weight, swapping to a grain-free diet can be a beneficial move. Dogs that eat a diet that is rich in carbohydrates are often more prone to putting on excess weight, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. This is an increasingly common problem among dogs who are on a regular kibble diet if they do not get out for several walks a day. On the other hand, grain-free food for dogs is much lower in carbs and tends to have higher amounts of healthier carbs like sweet potatoes, which are less likely to cause a dog to gain weight.

Making the Switch

If you think that your dog might benefit from a grain-free diet, there are a few things to keep in mind before you swap their food over. Gradually switching to a grain-free diet can be a good idea since this will give your dog a chance to adjust to the changes to their food and avoid issues with digestion. A sudden change could cause your dog to have an upset stomach or even cause anxiety if your dog’s blood sugar levels are suddenly changed as a result. Start adding grain-free food to your dog’s meals each day and reducing the amount of their old food a little more daily while keeping a close eye on them.

More and more pet owners are switching their dogs to a grain-free diet for a number of benefits. With more meat, protein, and healthy nutrients, it’s no surprise that dogs enjoy and benefit from grain-free food, bone broth, and other more natural meals.

Give a Unique Twist to Your Cowboy Hat with a Concho Hatband

Do a fast Google search to remind you how in the sixties and early seventies, rock stars looked like. You would see that these celebrities were inter-connected by some fashion accessories. Hats were the connecting link between these charming old-school heroes. The most prevalent accessory worn by all the heroes was the iconic and classic floppy hat that always had a cool hatband. During those days, the celebs took pride in their hats and always wore hats with hatbands and decorations that seemed unique and essentially homemade. Hats are currently in vogue. Hatbands give a whole new look to your casual hats. According to Vogue, wearing a hat is an easy way of adding visual interest to your attire.

Know the Difference

A hatband is a band that runs around the outside of your hat. A sweatband, on the contrary, is the band running inside the hat. The hatband helps to absorb the sweat from your forehead. Hatbands are available in a broad spectrum of materials. It is quite simple to add a new lease of life to your hats in the wardrobe. You may just use a scarf or bandana or just a piece of fabric. You may use a large bead for cinching the scarf to your favorite hat. Fashionable women have a good collection of vibrant silk scarves. Often your scarves are sitting idle in the wardrobes waiting to be used. Use a scarf as a hatband to flaunt your style and get adequate protection from the scorching sun.

Tips to Choose the Best Cowboy Hat

There are endless options while choosing the best cowboy hat for your use. Remember that the right hat is waiting for you. It seems like you are Harry Potter searching the destiny wand. You may consider trying diverse styles and sizes. Some of the cowboy hat styles are the derby, the pinched front, the gambler, the cattleman, and some more modern interpretations. Choose the best hat that fits you perfectly. Do not get swayed, but stay firmly grounded while choosing the perfect hat.

Straw hats are casual hats best for daily wear, while felt hats are far dressier. Do not buy a hat that overwhelms you; instead, choose a hat that complements your facial shape. Choose a hat as per your unique requirements and preferences. You may opt for a perfect hat looking at its buckle or when you consider the slightest details like suede weave or crystal embellishments.

Concho-Decorated Bands for Your Hats for Ultimate Fashion

Concho in Spanish means ‘seashells’. Conchos are generally oval or round disks of silver utilized for decorating mostly your leather accessories. Your leather saddlebag or belt may have sleek Conchos attached to them. Concho is predominantly, used for adorning thick leather bridles, belts, & saddles, clothing, hatbands, picture frames, boots, holsters, jewelry, and bolo ties.

Start by poking a hole through your chosen material for fitting the Concho securely onto the material. Conchos usually are available with screws on their back like Chicago screws. Conchos are best for embellishing your hatbands, as they are sparking silver decorative pieces.

Many centuries ago, Conchos were launched by Native Americans. Earlier Conchos were manufactured from stones and shells. It was much later when Conchos were manufactured from hammered silver dollars. You may find Conchos at farm outfitting stores, leather retailers, and online stores. Buy eye-catching Conchos for your hatbands. Concho hat bands are best for creating a fashion statement.

Tips to Attach a Concho

The exact way of attaching a Concho depends primarily on the backing. Here are the basic steps to fix a Concho on a hatband. Start by punching a hole in your leather hatband with the help of a keyhole puncher, slightly smaller in comparison to the Concho diameter. It allows for a secure and tight fit. Consider screwing the Concho seamlessly through the hole until the screw end is sticking out of the leatherback. Then, strategically place the perfect screw cap and tighten firmly with pliers. Alternatively, turn over the leather hatband and keep hammering the rivet until it is flattened against the leather. Consider placing a washcloth carefully over the rivet for protecting the leather hatband from getting damaged by the hammer.

Tips to Buy a Concho Hatband

Cowboy hat — A traditional cowboy hat with all its adding is displayed

Team up Perfectly with Your Outfits: Your Concho hatband must complement the kind of cowboy appearance you are hoping to project. The hatband should complement the cowboy hat and make you look cool in a pair of jeans, a casual t-shirt, boots, and a cowboy hat with a dashing Concho band.

Choose a Design with Wisdom: When you buy a hatband, you will come across several options. You may opt for a band with a precise fit. You may choose a leather hatband with conches or a ribbon hatband, or a woolen one.

Avoid Getting Swayed By Criticism: No need to seek others’ advice or opinion for styling a cowboy hat with a Concho hatband. Just choose a hatband that looks amazing and complements your sense of style or fashion. When you wear the hat it should make you feel confident and give you an iconic appearance.

Conclusion

Understand and embrace the essence of flaunting a cowboy hat. Perfect adjustment of a hat is of pivotal importance. It speaks volumes about your personality and lifestyle.

Every Penny Counts: How to Get Your GAP Insurance Refund

Do you know that amazing feeling when you’re digging through your jacket pockets just to find some long-forgotten money? It’s still your money and you didn’t actually earn anything, but it feels like a gift, right? That’s a little bit like what a GAP insurance refund feels like. You purchased insurance, were paying for it, you’re expecting it to be refunded but you still love the little reward of your money coming back to you. In today’s economic situation, most of us can’t spare even a single penny, so let’s learn all about GAP insurance and how to get refund money into your pockets.

What is GAP insurance?

Before we dive into the refund mess, it’s important to know what exactly is GAP insurance. GAP insurance or more precisely, Guaranteed Auto (or Asset) Protection is coverage for vehicles, both new and leased. In case your vehicle gets damaged, totaled, or stolen, your GAP insurance can provide you with a safety net and help you pay the difference between your car’s current value and the money you owe to your lender.

The issue is that cars lose value as soon as you take them out of the salon, and continue to depreciate, dropping 20% in value by the end of its first year. During its second year, it will lose another 15% and so on and so on. Now comes the worst part: if your vehicle gets stolen or destroyed, the insurance will only cover the actual cash value of your car, minus the depreciation. Let’s say your $15,000 car gets stolen after one year—you’ll most likely get around $12,000 from your insurance company because of the drop in value. And if you owe more than $12,000 to your lender, you have to cover it yourself, unless you have GAP insurance that will cover everything that’s left.

What is a GAP insurance refund?

It’s all in the name this time. GAP insurance refund will give you your money back for the unused premium balance. It sounds quite complicated, but it’s quite simple actually. If you borrow some money to buy a car and you want to save money on any emergencies that might happen in the future (car crash or car theft), you can buy GAP insurance. In just a little bit over two years, you’ve managed to pay off your car loan even before its due date. In case you decide to be billed for your GAP insurance annually, it’s possible to get your money back for the remainder of the year you paid in advance.

Am I eligible for a refund?

It’s possible to get your refund in different cases. Typically, there are three situations that allow you to finish paying for GAP insurance and get your money back: you’re paying off your loan, you’re changing insurance companies and you’re selling your car. In the first situation, you can get a refund for GAP coverage you’ve paid for but haven’t used. Next, if you want to change your insurance provider for any reason and switch to a different company, it’s possible to cancel your policy. Then, you can get a refund on the paid part of the coverage that you haven’t used yet (just make sure to get new car insurance before you cancel your old one). And lastly, if you decide to sell or trade your car with GAP insurance, you can also receive a refund on unused coverage. This all might sound confusing, so if you’re new to insurance refund, it might be best to contact professionals who can check whether you’re eligible for a GAP insurance refund and do all your paperwork. If you find the right company, you can only pay them for their services in case you get your refund which means more money in your pocket!

Where’s the scam?

Your GAP insurance only works in case you have comprehensive car insurance (which is already very useful and provides good safety). In case you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, you should not have been sold any GAP insurance policies. In some cases, agents can slip in the GAP insurance policy without your knowledge or push you to buy it without proper explanation. This is an obvious insurance scam and you might benefit from talking to your chosen claims management company.

All in all, you’ll love your GAP insurance refund when you manage to get it. You and your insurance expert team can work together and get you your precious money back!

5 Reasons That an American School May be Right for Your Child

American educational institutions—and particularly US Universities—are recognized globally for their academic excellence, with American institutions of higher learning consistently ranking among the world’s best. This makes American education highly coveted by foreign nationals, and many parents choose to send their children to American schools as a way to prepare them for American university education in later years. But the United States is not the only country where one can enroll in a school with an American curriculum. Many international schools around the world follow the American system, which means that young students of all nationalities have the chance to discover American education for themselves.

Are you currently deciding on an international school for your child? If so, consider one that is rooted in the American tradition. The educational approach and values cultivated by an American school may be a good fit for your child’s learning needs and professional aspirations later in life. Here’s a list of reasons to enroll your child in an American-curriculum Singapore school.

American School Curricula Are Known for Their High Academic Standards

One thing that surely defines the American school system is its high academic standards. American school curricula—including those that are taught outside of the US—are known to be enriching, substantive, and well-encompassing of the world’s important academic disciplines. If you want your child to benefit from an exhaustive curriculum that’s considered world-class, then it will be a good decision to enroll them in an American school. If they can succeed in a school that follows American academic standards, they’ll have a great chance of succeeding in other learning environments that are equally challenging.

American International Schools Produce Well-Rounded and Independent Students

Academics aren’t the only focus of American education, however. American curricula typically encourage learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. You can expect an American school to offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities, such as sports clubs, academic societies, and organizations devoted to artistic pursuits. The school may even offer mentorship programs with career professionals, intercultural exchanges, and volunteering opportunities with civic organizations. Your child can join such activities and become a well-rounded and self-determined learner as a result.

An American Curriculum Will Improve Your Child’s English Proficiency

English is considered the world’s lingua franca in fields like business, science, technology, and global politics. If the goal is to improve a student’s proficiency in the English language so that they can excel in any one of these fields, then enrolling in an American school—where English is the main language of instruction—is a logical choice. Enroll your child in an institution where they can learn and practice English, and they will be much more confident about pursuing a global career.

An American School Education Will Increase Your Child’s Chances of Being Admitted to a US University

Another great advantage of American international school education is that it generally increases a student’s chances of getting accepted into a world-class higher institution of learning—particularly one that’s located in the United States. If your child wants to apply to study in the US or in other countries that have similar tertiary education systems, then it would be good to make them familiar with the American educational system.

College admissions committees typically recognize the American pedagogical framework, and that may factor into their decision to accept your child into competitive degree programs with similar standards and similar modes of delivery. Even better, have your child earn credits from courses that are recognized by American institutions of higher learning. If your child obtains high scores in Advanced Placement courses, for instance, American colleges and universities may grant them placement or corresponding course credits.

Your Child Will Experience Diversity and Develop a Global Perspective

The building of one of the international US schools is well designed

Lastly, although the American educational system is primarily associated with the “American way,” it’s not the only perspective your child will learn when they’re enrolled in an American school. American international schools are known to celebrate cultural diversity and to honor global perspectives. Your child may graduate from the school with a greater awareness of American life, but they will also have lots of opportunities to discover the cultures of their fellow international students. Together, they will form a learning community that’s truly global and inclusive in nature.

Final Words: Choosing an American International School for Your Child

As a parent in Singapore, you have a lot of international school options for your child. Aside from schools that follow American curricula, there are also schools that follow the Canadian school system, British school system, and the International Baccalaureate system. All of these have their respective pros and cons, and these should be weighed carefully before you choose an international school for your child to study in.

If this short guide has appealed to your sensibilities—and if it looks like an American curriculum would suit your child—you can do your own due diligence and begin exploring the top American international schools in Singapore. May you find a school that honors your child’s talents and learning capabilities, and may the program mold them into global citizens inspired by American education.

New Baby at Home? How to Get More and Better Sleep

There is no better feeling than bringing a new baby into your home. It’s like a dream come true, only better. However, there’s one thing you’re likely to struggle with: sleep. Your baby needs you during the night, so you’re going to spend a lot of time awake.

If you want to get more sleep and better sleep – even if you have a baby that needs you throughout the night – there are some simple steps you can take. Here are five things that you should do:

1. Read as much as you can

You have a lot to think about as a new parent. From choosing the right baby clothes to ensuring that your child gets a good night’s sleep, your mind is always racing. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take the time to research things you can do to improve your own life.

There is no shortage of books, websites, and blogs that provide tips and advice for how to get a better night’s sleep — even if you have a newborn who is doing their best to keep you awake for hours on end.

2.Track everything

There will be times when you feel like you’re getting the proper amount of sleep. There will also be times when you wonder if you’ll ever get back to your normal schedule. This is something you should expect. By tracking everything you do, you can pinpoint both the good and the bad.

For instance, make note of when you go to sleep and when you wake up. This should include all the times that you wake up in the middle of the night to tend to your child. It’s important to get the proper amount of sleep, but you’re not going to do so unless you have a clear idea of what’s working and what’s not.

3.Put away your phone

When you finally get the chance to hit your pillow, it’s time to fall asleep. Don’t spend time searching the internet. Don’t browse social media. The more you do this, the greater chance there is that you’ll stimulate your brain and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Keep your phone turned off. And while you’re at it, do the same with your television.

4.Watch what you eat

Meals — Healthy meals are placed in plastic boxes

No matter if you have a new baby at home or not, what you eat before you go to bed can impact how well you sleep. This goes along with tracking everything. Should you find that a certain food doesn’t sit well with you, cut it out of your diet.

A good example is eating spicy food before you retire for the evening. It may taste good on the way down, but it can result in acid reflux. And if that happens, you could suffer through a night full of pain while still having to care for your newborn.

5.Upgrade your mattress

That old mattress should find its way to the curb sooner rather than later. Even if you think it’s comfortable, it could be wreaking havoc on your sleep and your health as a whole. Learn more about modern mattresses, as you’re likely to find that an upgrade can do wonders for your mind and body.

Tip: even though online mattress companies are growing in popularity, it may be best to shop locally. This gives you the opportunity to test out each mattress on your shortlist before you make a final decision. Doing that can save you time, money, and aggravation over the long run.

Final Thoughts

A lack of sleep can affect your mental and physical health, so you need to fight back against it to the best of your ability. The one thing you need to remember is that this is just a temporary phase. There will come a time when your baby sleeps through the night. That thought alone should be enough to keep you going.

Take as many steps as you can to get more and better sleep. Even if you only take small steps in the right direction, it’s sure to do wonders for how you feel.

What tips do you have for sleeping better with a newborn at home? Is there anything that didn’t work for you?

Personalized Holiday Gift Guide

Finding holiday gifts used to be a task that was relatively easy. We’d wrap up a few candles or mugs, bake a few dozen cookies, sign, and mail the cards, and then cross everything off our to-do list. These days, when it comes to holiday gifting, the bar’s been raised. This is because things like app promotions, online sales, and the higher prices that are accompanying things mean that gifting can easily break a budget. That is unless you do your shopping with a list. To that end, here’s a quick list for people who want a more personalized guide.

The Healthcare Professional

This is someone who loves taking care of others, so why not pamper them a little bit. You could get them something like healthcare shoes since they tend to be on their feet all day. Another idea for this essential worker would be a set of comfortable scrubs that have enough pockets for everything they need to carry. You might even want to splurge and get them a day at a spa so they can relax a bit.

The Gym Rat

This person will check their steps on their Fitbit while they’re doing the shopping, ride one of those cruiser bikes that looks akin to the old-style Schwinns when they take a spin around the neighborhood, and she may even wear leggings on a daily basis. You might even say she’s a gym lover or ‘gym rat.’ Try sprucing up the sneakers look with a nice tunic sweatshirt that has a high-low hem. These flatter all body styles. You might also want to go for a knit hat lined with fleece that has a faux fur accent to help them stay warm if they like to get some exercise outdoors.

The Trendy Type

This lady’s always the first one to wear and do everything from sock booties to shag hairstyles. This is because she shops for new and trendy things and the term ‘age-appropriate’ never even crosses her mind. These days, retro dazzle seems to be the thing. To that end, try a sequin shirt paired with black pants and a slouchy shoulder bag.

The Earth Lover

This person might be a vegan who loves fashion and beauty with a sustainable, green twist. Feed her altruistic lead with green gifts that have a Fair-Trade certification, are made from recycled materials, or are organic. These might be gifts that you make yourself or those you can buy from a variety of stores, both online and off. Beloved has some great body mists in a myriad of scents, which are all-natural.

The Classic

Holiday — A happy young girl is on the street that is decorated for Christmas while it is being snowed

Do you know that woman in your life who wears pants instead of jeans? Maybe she pairs them with loafers as opposed to kicks and won’t wear a sweatshirt but will rock a sweater anytime. If you know the lady in question, you also know that she tends to not leave the house without perfume and lipstick, so either of these would be a good gift option. Get her something that’s polished and sophisticated but up to date just enough to make a bit of a difference to contemporary style. You may even want to splurge and get her a translucent glass jewelry box so that she can keep either her makeup or her bangles organized and on display where she can find them whenever she needs them.

No matter which woman in your life you’re shopping for, as long as you think about who she is and what types of things she enjoys, you’ll be able to find her a gift that she’ll absolutely love because it’ll show the effort you put forth.

Leggings are Back on The Agenda: 7 Ways to Wear Them in 2022

If there’s one clothing item that is perfect for multiple occasions, then it’s women’s activewear leggings. They’re comfortable, and stylish and can be worn with a wide variety of outfits. This is why they’re going to be popular in 2022, which after all, isn’t a big surprise. So if you’re a fan of comfortable, diverse clothing pieces, then here are some useful ways that will show you how to match leggings with the rest of your clothes.

Wear them with a chic tunic or a long shirt

If you have a tunic or a long button-down shirt then you love wearing, adding leggings to the combo can seriously elevate your whole outfit. Plus, they’re lighter and more comfortable than jeans or regular trousers, which is why they’re such a great choice when you want to cover your legs without wearing pantyhose. Pantyhose are great but really suitable for cold weather, and in that case, leggings can be a great replacement.

Make them colorful to spice up your outfit

Those who love colorful and vibrant outfits might consider wearing statement leggings with floral or animal print motifs. You can go even a bit further and combine such legging with other prints and colors for a more exciting effect. Mixing and matching contrasting patterns can be done, but it’s important to be careful and pay attention to every little detail, in order to create a balanced look.

Wear them as part of your activewear outfit

The easiest and most practical way to wear leggings is while exercising. After all, this is why they exist. You can either wear loose or tight clothing while exercising, as long as you feel comfortable and motivated to reach your fitness goals. There are no definite rules, but many people prefer tight clothes as they feel it gives them better control of their bodies during exercising.

Find an elegant jacket to match with your favorite pair of leggings

Those who love business casual fashion will be happy with the next outfit. Since leggings are such a versatile clothing item, that means you can combine them with pretty much anything, and the final result will be stunning. So if you choose a pair of seamless leggings, you can add an elegant jacket to the mix as that will likely make you look both stylish and laidback. Since sneakers are fashionable again, that also means you can wear them as well, and still look amazing regardless of the occasion.

If you want the ultimate stylishness, then go with leather leggings

Leggings are the savior of every fashion-conscious lazy girl, which is not surprising. If you consider yourself a bit lazy, then leather leggings will be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe. They fit perfectly to almost any top, and leather definitely makes everything look more stylish. For those who prefer unique colors, then feel free to pick burgundy, as this color is going to be very trendy in 2022.

Make sure to pick the right material

The choice of material matters a lot if you want to look your best while wearing leggings. Even many big designers’ names are starting to catch up, so now it’s possible to find matte, shiny, and lace inserts that are all perfect for different occasions. If you enjoy elegance, romance, and sophistication, and you need a quick solution for a fancy night-out outfit, then lace leggings are a perfect choice for you. When it comes to leggings, there’s a spectrum of different materials, so picking the right one should depend on your aesthetic preferences and the occasion.

Woman — A young woman is wearing leggings in the nature

Know your style goals

Knowing your style goals is important, as it helps you pick the best clothes. And when you rely on leggings, it’s important to know the best pieces to match with them. For example, if you love a casual look, then combining leggings with a leather or denim jacket is the right thing to do. Then again, if you love an active lifestyle, choose sports leggings and pair them with a casual tee or a sports bra.

Conclusion

Wearing leggings is going to be trendy in 2022, and these tips will help you pick the best pair, and match it properly for the most stylish effect. So feel free to experiment with different prints, materials, and colors. As long as you keep everything proportional and balanced, you’ll look amazing no matter what you wear

Key Freight Member Regulations You Have to Meet Before Joining a Freight Alliance

If you’re a freight forwarder working independently, joining a freight alliance makes a lot of sense. Freight alliances help their members increase their business profitability. As members of international networks, freight forwarders also get access to key industry information. They get to understand how the bigger players operate.

Freight forwarders can even create business connections within these networks to bolster their operations. But, joining a freight forwarder alliance is not easy. While there are many freight forwarder alliances located all around the world, the best ones have strict regulations for members.

Understanding How Freight Forwarding Alliances Accept Members

International freight forwarder alliances are extensive groups of international freight forwarders. The best attracts the best. Hence, to join the best freight forwarder alliances, members have to go through various vetting processes. Why do freight forwarders have to meet these standards to become a part of the alliance? Transparency.

According to key players in the global supply chain, the lack of transparency is the biggest threat to profitability. When there’s no transparency, there’s no accountability. When things go wrong with shipments, end customers usually have no recourse. The best freight forwarder alliances don’t want irresponsible or non-transparent members.

That’s why these alliances enforce the following freight member regulations –

Vetting Before Joining the Alliance

Before joining a freight forwarder alliance, applicants have to fill out various forms. These forms request the freight forwarder’s company details, financial details, track record, etc. After submitting these forms, freight forwarders have to undergo strict screening and vetting processes. These vetting processes are designed to –

Check the financial stability of the freight forwarder’s company
Confirm the specific objectives of the applicant’s freight forwarding operations.
Verify the applicant’s reputation to ensure a high degree of reliability.

When each member of the alliance passes these rigorous screening processes, the overall trust inside the alliance grows. No freight forwarder wants to be associated with professionals who have poor track records or outstanding financial obligations. These types of faults reflect poorly on the alliance.

So, the best freight forwarder alliances always have extremely rigorous qualification processes. These alliances want to maintain high standards for their members.

Acceptance of the Proposal – Joining the Alliance

Invitation — A man is holding a piece of a paper

If you’re a freight forwarder who is new to alliances, don’t expect to climb up the ladder too soon. You’ll have to pay the membership fee. Then, your company’s details will be added to the freight forwarder alliance’s network database. These details are accessible to all members.

Bear in mind – your fellow members will be high-quality freight forwarders themselves. But, once you prove your reliability to the freight forwarder alliance’s administration team, you receive a host of perks. Some of the basic benefits include –

Assistance with day-to-day business operations via access to the latest shipment tracking/managing software tools.
Payment protection plans.
Insurance.
Marketing services.
Partner discounts.

While it’s easy to see the advantages of joining a freight alliance, there are several rules you must follow before you can join one. Here are some key points to remember:

Be an established freight forwarder with a proven track record
Sign contracts with clients for at least 12 months
Pay membership fees
Follow the alliance’s rules and regulations
Abide by the code of ethics set by the alliance

If you can meet all these requirements, it’s likely that your freight forwarder business will benefit from being a part of an alliance.

The quality of benefits depends on the quality of your freight forwarder alliance. The better the quality of your freight forwarder alliance, the stricter the membership rules. Memberships in such alliances come with hefty fees and strict requirements. But, ultimately, these fees translate to direct business advantages.

How to Come up with a Custody Schedule That Works

Divorce is not an uncommon situation today, with half of all children in the US going through the experience of their parents getting a divorce. However, a marriage ending does not mean that the family has to end as well. Many parents who decide that their marriage can no longer go on are concerned about minimizing the impact of the divorce on their children and want to make sure that their kids still feel safe, secure, and with a family to belong to no matter what has happened between their parents in the past. When it comes to making sure that the impact of divorce is minimal on your children and they are able to continue growing up in a way that is happy and healthy for them, a custody agreement is often essential. This agreement creates guidelines for your family when it comes to parenting time and how responsibilities are shared, making it easier for you to adjust to your new lives and providing much-needed stability for your children.

Modern Custody Agreement Trends

Some experts have noticed that these days, dads are no longer satisfied with older-style custody agreements where kids tend to traditionally spend more time with their mother, and only spend time with their dads on one weeknight and every other weekend. The good news is that more dads are looking for spending more time with their kids and genuinely want to share the parenting responsibilities 50/50, rather than only going for this kind of custody agreement as a way of getting out of child support. While after a divorce, children do not get to see both parents at the same time anymore, it’s usually healthiest for the child if an equal custody agreement can be reached, as they are not spending more time with one parent compared to the other. For more information, check out Onward for advice on parenting time guidelines. Onward offers an app that you can use to split costs and childcare responsibilities with your ex, and their advice on parenting time guidelines can be used to help you come up with a custody plan that works best for you.

Popular Custody Agreement Ideas

With more and more children now sharing their parents more equally after a divorce, and more dads looking to spend more time with their kids than the traditional every other weekend, both families and legal professionals have become a bit more creative when it comes to the different ways that they can divide this time. Some of the most popular ways to divide parenting time when it comes to custody agreements include:

Alternate weeks: The child will spend one week with one parent, and then the next with the other. Most families switch over on a weekend or Monday morning.

2-2-5-5- split: With this type of agreement, parents will alternate back and forth with having the kids. First, there’s a shorter period of two days, then two longer periods of five days each. As a result, parents do not go more than five days at a time without spending time with their children and the children can spend one half of the week with one parent, and the next half with the other.

2-2-3-3 split: With this agreement, one parent will have custody of the child for two days, before the child goes to the other parent for another two days. The first parent then has three days, and then the other has three days. This allows parents to alternate weekends spent with their kids.

3-4-4-3 split: This type of custody agreement split allows parents to divide the week almost in half, with each parent getting the kids for three days one week, then four days the next.

How to Come Up with an Ideal Parenting Time Agreement

Every family is different, and when it comes to deciding on a child custody and parenting time agreement, different things will work for different people. While there are various ways to divide parenting time that you might be able to choose from if you think that one is going to work well for you, keep these tips in mind as you decide on a parenting time agreement to help you come to a decision that you can all be happy with.

Use an App: There are plenty of apps available now that are designed for co-parents to create shared calendars and more. This makes it easier to communicate with your ex when it comes to working out your schedule and can help you with parenting time over occasions like birthdays and the holidays.

Be Flexible and Creative: Standard parenting time or custody agreements might not always work for every parent, for example, parents might have unusual work hours that require a more flexible and creative agreement. If you or your ex-partner work unusual shifts, for example, then it might be necessary for you to spend a little more time coming up with an agreement that is going to work.

Consider the Children’s Schedules: Often, this has to be the top priority when coming up with a custody agreement as the last thing that you want is to cause disruption to your child’s life. If your ex lives nearby and is easily able to take children to after-school activities and sports, for example, this is unlikely to be a huge problem. However, if not, it’s important to think about how a custody agreement is going to affect your child’s schedule and what the best way to minimize the impact will be.

Ask Your Child: While most experts don’t recommend allowing your child to make the final decision, it’s worth getting their input on what they think might work for them, especially if you have older kids who are capable of understanding what’s going on and can voice their own wishes. Not only could speak to your child make it easier for you to come up with ideas that you may not have thought of yourself, but it also demonstrates to them that hearing them is a priority during what can be an unstable situation.

Deciding on a custody agreement that works for everybody is not always easy, but with the right strategies, you can create a schedule that everybody is happy with.

Invest in One Cargo Tracking Tool or Multiple Tools? The Complete Guide for Merchants

Visibility over the location of your containers is critical if you’re a shipper, importer, or exporter. Unless you track your containers at each stage of their journeys, ensuring reliable and on-time arrivals is impossible. Your organization can lose money if it doesn’t track its shipments and they go missing or experience delays.

Cargo or container tracking tools allow shippers to track the locational data of their sea cargo. These tools provide the cargo’s exact coordinates, port details, and other important information. A top shipment tracking tool always boosts’ a company’s productivity, accountability, and profitability.

Thankfully, modern-day shippers can choose from different real-time cargo tracking tools. They can even monitor their cargo at all times by using different cargo tracking tools. Should you opt for one cargo tracking tool, or should you use different tools? If you’re using only one tracking tool, what features should it offer? Let’s explore your options.

The Different Types of Cargo Tracking Systems

Here are the basic cargo tracking systems that most cargo tracking tools use–

Standard Tracking: This basic form of container tracking system records the movements of the cargo’s journey as it passes through major ports. This type of data is scattered. Standard tracking systems don’t provide a complete picture of the cargo’s status and location.
GPS Container Tracking Systems: These systems use GPS technology (Global Positioning System) to declare the real-time location of containers on merchant’s vessels. Containers need to have GPS tracking tools (with battery packs) installed inside for these systems to work effectively. GPS container tracking systems can even show the container’s temperature, travel speed, latitude, and longitudes. Some advanced GPS container tracking systems even provide “shock reports” documenting the damages ensued by the cargo during transportation.
Automatic Identification Systems: Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) collect digital data from nearby AIS stations on ships, satellites, bases, etc. If your container is next to an AIS station, your AIS tracking system will instantly detect its location. AIS stations are present on all merchant ships, satellites, bases, and ports. Hence, you can determine the exact loading/unloading time of your cargo using the data from the AIS systems. This digital data exchange with nearby AIS stations gives AIS-powered cargo tracking tools increased data accuracy.
Multi-Tracking Systems: These systems are specifically designed for logistics service providers. As the name suggests, multi-tracking systems collect locational data using a variety of technologies. Your multi-tracking system may use GPS data, AIS data, and other types of data to determine your cargo’s location. These real-time tracking systems are by far the most efficient.

Which Tracking System Should You Choose?

From a cost and convenience perspective, investing in one multi-tracking system makes the most sense. These systems can provide rapid responses and second-by-second updates regarding cargo coordinates. You can now fully integrate multi-tracking systems on your websites.

By doing so, you can make your website the direct source of all information regarding the location of your containers. Invest in one secure, easy-to-use, and low-cost multi-tracking system. Use it to optimize your delivery schedules.