Category: Lifestyle

How to Prioritize Exercise as a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an incredible experience. With all the rewards that come with it, so do numerous changes. When you become a parent, you get a completely new set of priorities and it may seem like the old habits and routines are far gone. With the new baby, sticking to your old way of life can indeed be challenging. There are days when you feel so exhausted that even brushing your teeth may seem like a struggle, not to mention finding time and strength for a workout. By now, you’re probably aware of all the benefits that exercising regularly has on your overall health as well as on your mood. Here are some useful ideas to help you incorporate exercise into your new daily routine and get you back in shape.

1. Make a plan.

If you’re one of those people who like to master-plan everything from grocery shopping to moving house, then you know how much easier things can get. If you’re on the other hand, more of a theory-of-chaos student now may be the time for a change of habits. Good planning is definitely half the battle, especially at this point when you feel like your whole life has changed. Making a schedule will give you an insight into the times when you can squeeze in your workout routine. Sometimes, you won’t be able to stick to it completely, but don’t let that get you down. The important thing is to try to be consistent as much as you can.

2. Exercise at home.

When you have a baby, you may find leaving home a bit more complicated than you thought. No matter the reasons, if you’re not able to spend time at your local gym like you’re used to, don’t worry. There are many other ways to do some much-needed exercise and one of them includes working out at home. Search the web and find some gym equipment online store where you can buy hand weights, jump rope and other similar equipment you can use at home. Pieces of furniture like a chair or a sofa may come handy too. Use the time to work out when your baby is napping or you have a family member around. Yoga is also a great choice to get your body perfectly toned and stretched at home and here you can get some inspiration and check the yoga pose library.

3. Take baby steps.

With the new schedule, you’ll probably find it challenging to set aside a full hour for a workout. That’s understandable given the circumstances. Instead of a long exercise, you can do shorter 10 to 15 minutes workouts while your baby is asleep or occupied. Aim for quality over quantity and make every minute count. Set realistic goals, and don’t be harsh on yourself if sometimes you can’t perform the way you would want to. Taking baby steps will make it a habit to prioritize exercise and with time, you’ll be able to make your workouts longer.

4. Exercise with your baby.

Even if you don’t have a babysitter, there are still a number of ways you can exercise with your baby. You can put a baby in a stroller and go for a walk. You’ll get your exercise and you’ll both get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. Inviting your friends to join you is a great way to socialize. When your baby gets older, you can switch to jogging. There is a variety of jogging strollers available designed especially for this activity. Another great activity you can indulge with your bundle of joy is hiking. Put your baby in a sling or a front carrier and let them enjoy nature together with you.

5. Find someone to watch the baby.

Whether it’s a partner, a babysitter or a family member, ask someone to watch the baby so you can exercise. Having this time just for yourself will mean a lot. You’ll be able to dedicate yourself to your workout routine without interruptions and worries. Depending on the amount of time you can get, you can go to the gym or exercise at home. You can even go for a run around the neighborhood. Talk to your partner and see if it’s possible for them to watch the baby before they go to work. A morning workout will boost your energy levels and keep them high throughout the day.

Conclusion

Learning how to prioritize exercise is a skill that can be mastered like any other. Although it may seem difficult at first, with the new baby and hectic schedule, it’s still doable. By exercising regularly, you’ll not only feel great but will also get more energy to tackle all the other obligations that motherhood brings.

Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Shape

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Being pregnant is certainly one of the most amazing and most challenging parts of a woman’s life. Of course, if you live in Australia, the challenges of pregnancy are easily overcome because you have access to all the care that you need. Everybody talks about how important it is to take care of yourself during and after pregnancy, but how little time you’ll have to do so is usually underestimated. Your baby will have to be a priority for a long time but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your mental and physical health.

Being a new mother is hard for many reasons, one of the main ones being that your body needs to heal. As well as that, you’ll notice some changes and gain a new shape that you didn’t use to have. This can be fairly discouraging for most women as they are used to looking a certain way. So as not to take a toll on your confidence and self-worth, you need to make an effort to regain your pre-pregnancy shape. Every woman likes feeling beautiful, and getting your old body back can do wonders for your happiness. Remember, a happy mother makes for a happy baby.

1. The first days

It’s important to start exercising after the first few days of giving birth just so your body can get used to being active again. That being said, you can’t overdo it. You’re still very sore and sensitive from giving birth, which is evident even when you start feeling a little better after a couple of days. Ideally, you should let your body rest for one week and then slowly start exercising.

One of the best exercises you can do after giving birth is isometric exercises. They’re the type of exercise that focuses on building muscle through resistance. If you want to bond with your baby while exercising, a very simple thing you can do is lie on the floor on your back. Place the baby on your tummy then tighten your abdominal muscles and push the baby upwards as you breathe. You’ll be inhaling while you push the baby up and exhaling as you set them back down.

Walking is another thing you can do start moving. You’ll have a lot of obligations and responsibilities, which means you’ll be on your feet a lot. This is good news because walking is one of the most convenient things you can do to help your body regain shape. First of all, cardio is bound to build endurance and stamina, making you more capable of handling taking care of the baby and the house. You can also carry your baby and walk around the house with it. This way you’ll be strengthening your arms, tightening different muscles along your body, and bonding with your baby at the same time.

If you want to kick it up a notch with walking, you can always walk in place when you’re doing chores like washing the dishes, for example. Don’t be afraid to take solo walks outside the house, either. Building up your strength will get you ready to tackle the neighborhood and some surrounding hills, too. As your baby grows, you can even bring them along with you. You’ll be surprised how much muscle pushing a stroller around builds.


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2. Establishing a routine

Now that you’ve started exercising in your first days of being a new mother, it’s time to start establishing a routine. The key to getting back in shape is to continually exercise. Building your routine is going to be hard in the beginning, because your schedule is mostly concerned with your little one right now. The gentle exercise you’re doing in your first days after giving birth will be an excellent path to a lasting routine.

Not only is it easier for your body as it gets used to exercising regularly, but it’s also much easier for your schedule. It’s better and simpler to fit in simple exercises into your day than to try to fit in full workouts right away. Build up to your final goal, don’t start at the ending.

More often than not, new Aussie mums have trouble starting their new exercise routine because they don’t feel it working. Saggy skin around the abdomen and breasts can be a huge disadvantage that hinders your success. Instead of becoming more confident as you exercise, you’re actually getting demotivated by the day as your skin is still saggy, no matter how good you may feel. This is why plastic surgeons in Canberra state that this is a procedure undertaken after pregnancy that focuses on the breasts and abdomen. It’s common for new mothers to opt for it because it sagging breasts and tummy are rectified with this procedure.

Thus, this can be the perfect boost you need to establish your routine. That’s especially true since you’ll be doing mostly light exercises in the beginning, and your body will have time to heal from the procedure while getting used to being active again.

The best practice for establishing a routine is to exercise at the same time every day or every other day. There must be a time in the day when you can just put the baby down and do your exercises. Even if it’s just half an hour, it will be enough to get you used to exercise at a certain time. If nothing else, you can always use the time when your baby is napping wisely. Other than that, you can wake up somewhat earlier or go to bed a little later. Whatever free minute you have in the day, use it to establish your exercising routine.


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3. After six months and more

Once you’ve established your exercising routine and your body has mostly healed from giving birth, you can step it up a notch. Going slow and steady wins the race, and this is the time where you really get to prove that. When it comes to exercising six and more months after giving birth, you have a lot more options to choose from.

First of all, you can start with the pelvic tilt. This is a great way to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Of course, make sure that your abdominal muscles didn’t separate during birth before you attempt this exercise. If the doctor hasn’t informed you in the hospital, you can always check with them now. With your knees bent and feet flat, lay on the floor. Then slowly tighten your abdominal muscles as the pelvis rolls towards your upper body. Instead of using your bottom muscles to move, try using your tummy muscles.

Another simple yet effective exercise you can do at home is the swan stretch. This is an especially good choice if you have a sore back and want to strengthen your back muscles. You should lie on the floor with your palms on the floor beside your shoulders. Then simply lower your elbows to your hips and let the upper part of your body move off the mat until your ribs are lifted. Make sure that there is no tension in the lower back.

If you want to try something different, there’s always Yoga and Pilates. These two types of exercises are good for the mind and the body and work on strengthening your core. As well as that, you’ll learn just how strong your body is and improve your mental health. The best part about Yoga and Pilates is that they can be done at home and at fitness centers. This way, you can choose what’s more comfortable for you. Lots of YouTube videos will show you exactly what to do and how to move while you’ll still get to keep an eye on your little one. On the other hand, if you’re itching to get out of the house a little, you can always enroll in a class and meet some new friends.

Finally, one of the most fun things you can do to regain shape is to dance. Whenever you can, have a little dance party at your house. Play all your favorite tunes and don’t be afraid to really move your body. This activity can be fun for the baby, too. They’ll love watching their mum be happy and goof around, but they’ll also love to participate if you choose to dance together.

Conclusion

Even though the road to regaining your pre-pregnancy shape is long and tiresome, it’s worth it. Being in shape doesn’t just mean being beautiful and confident, it also means being healthy. Your body will be much stronger and heal more easily, allowing you to nail every new challenge as a mother. The basis for a strong relationship with your child and good mental health is being physically fit and able to handle your new life. You’re not just getting in shape for yourself, you’re also doing it for your child. We’re confident that with some dedication and time, you’ll be in your pre-pregnancy body once more.

6 Fashion Trends to Try out This Summer

Adding a modern garment can inject attitude to the most basic wardrobe. The catwalk styles are extreme and basically for display, but they become accessible and everyday versions that are sold at a massive level of fast fashion and retail. Some deserve our money, others do not. Go through the list of the great successes (and failures) of this summer to find your style. Additionally, to learn more about fashion check out ThreadCurve.com

  1. Animal prints

The leopard and cheetah prints are still incredibly popular. If we have loved it, we have bought it and we have used it since the 60s, so why stop doing it now? Wear blouses, mid-calf skirts, and dresses that are so “trendy”. Snake skin has also been included, but this trend comes and goes, and it is one of those options that you like or detest. Our professional advice: opt for the prints of classic animals, such as leopard and cheetah for clothes (the zebra is not one of them) and let the sandals or boots with relief reptile add a dash of style to jeans and pants.

  1. The utilitarian style

This trend looks great on the catwalk and is practical in real life. The jumpsuits similar to the old pilot or mechanic, cargo pants and military style jackets have been updated. Choose loose and loose garments with some definition at the waist (elastic inserts, a belt or adjusted to the shape) in soft and elastic combinations. These additional pockets are excellent for storing keys, cell phones, IDs, eyeglasses and lipsticks. Our professional advice: if you like wide jeans, you will love the cargo; but look for the ankle shorts. You will not see many cargo pants on the catwalks, but they are an overwhelming trend in stores. To make utility garments look a little more elegant when going to work or going out at night: wear the jacket with tight skirts and feminine dresses, add a silk blouse to the cargo pants, and put on your overalls with soother heels and a jacket.

  1. Dyed

Hippie’s splashes are reinvented in neutrals with controlled colouring. And this is not the fashion of a single season: this trend will continue until the following autumn and winter, thanks to the strange calendar of fashion shows in the fashion industry with a season of anticipation. I just saw it! Our professional advice: opt for white and gray dyeing, or faint black, instead of the striking kaleidoscope colours you see on the catwalks, or choose a dyeing effect in immersion that is more gradual and monochromatic to achieve a more versatile style and sophisticated. It makes more sense to wear it in mid calf skirts, sweatshirts, blouses and athletic clothing.

  1. Denim clothing

If you love jeans or the idea of ​​wearing jeans, but you have not put them in years, here you will see how to wear denim now. The straight and mid-calf structured skirts were not starring on the catwalks, but they really had an impact with the stores and online retailers that recognize lifestyle success when they see it. Our professional advice: opt for good knee-length skirts straight or mid-calf that resemble normal clothing (but without the seams and pockets that look like jeans) and t-shirt dresses that are really dressed (not only cambray shirts with curved skirts) and those with a bib overalls with bib.

  1. Yellow

The great colour trend is cheerful yellow in all its variations of tone, intensity and hue. It is not only the bright school bus, but also the yellow banana, butter, calendula, turmeric, honey and saffron. Yellow works just as well with white, cool tones as black or navy blue, and warm tones such as tan or brown. Our professional advice: if you are one of the people who resist yellowing, try it on a print, on a skirt, on shoes or in a bag. Ignore neon yellows or intense acid, such as lime or chartreuse, which are very strong for some skin tones, and opt for softer, lighter yellows such as banana, amber or caramel (yes, those are also yellow).

  1. A lightweight suit

Do not wait more. This duet never fails to make us look confident and elegant, even on the hottest, wettest or rainiest days. When your hair is rebellious, your makeup feels sticky and you feel sweaty and swollen, the firm and modern figure of a tailor suit will help you to cope with the day. The new factor is in the proportions; In current fashion the jacket is more relaxed and longer than in recent years, with a slight feeling that it is big, but without super shoulders. Our professional advice: choose a trouser that reaches the waist (your preference: the ankle, short, broad long, narrow or loose) and that goes well with your shoes, and accompany it with a jacket.

A Guide on Spring Cleaning Right Before You Move Home (And Other Ways To Make Your Move Less Stressful)

Moving house can be a stressful time… but it doesn’t have to be. One way to make your life a whole lot easier is to properly plan a spring clean so that when it’s time to move, you’re not left scrubbing the fridge at the last minute!

Not just this, but performing a spring clean means that your new home will feel as homely as possible right from the start. The fridge is clean, the floors are shining and there’s zero dust! Yay.

Naturally, spring cleaning is itself a daunting task (especially if you have to clean a lot of outdoor elements) So that it doesn’t add more stress on what can be an already-bulging stress pile before you move, let’s take a look at how to properly perform one. We’ll also take a look at other ways to make your move less stressful.

Clean High

Think dust is confined to just the countertops and floors? Think again. If you can get into your new home before you move, make sure to give things like overhead lighting fixtures and ceiling fans a good dusting.

In fact, tackle any features that are close to the ceiling as these can get really grimy.

Make sure to take a look at the floor directly underneath these features, too, as the dust has this nasty habit of trickling down. Ceiling fans in particular cause dust to actually rain down!

Clean Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors take it personally when you walk on them your shoes on, and they tend to show the dirt! If you’ve been guilty of this in the past, make sure to give your floors a good clean before you move. It’s the same if you’ve got pets – floors will collect hairs.

Use a dust mop or vacuum to get rid of the grime, dirt and any hairs. Dust the hardwood floor with a mop, and make sure to use a dusting agent.

Want a new floor altogether? Go here for the best hardwood flooring.

Work On The Fridge

I mentioned the fridge earlier, and it’s a pretty big deal. Why? Well, just think of all those perishable foods you’ve got in there! Not to mention the fact that a fridge can get plain filthy over the course of time.

Before you move, take out all your perishable food. This could take a bit of time and you should set aside at least 20 minutes for this task.

Then, make sure to scrub the inside of the fridge – from the shelves to the drawers – with soap and water. In fact, you might want to make a solution of vinegar and water, as this can scrape off any stuck-on, stubborn fifth.

Move onto the freezer next, removing the shelves and giving them a good clean.

Tackle The Whole Kitchen

Once you’ve cleaned the fridge, it’s time to move onto the whole kitchen.

There’s a lot to do, so it’s important that you put enough time aside to work on everything from the tops of the cabinets to the corners of the ceiling.

Then there are the appliances, including the sink, the microwave, and the oven. It will all need to be cleaned so that you can move into your new home with a much bigger peace of mind.

And if you’ve got any stubborn stains that just won’t come off, trying mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda.

Clean The Bathroom

It’s a smart idea to replace your toilet seat before you move. It will only cost a small amount, and it will ensure it’s super clean.

Other than that, cleaning the barroom is a matter of disinfecting. Use sponges and soaps to scrub surfaces, and then use an antibacterial spray to eliminate any germs that are still hanging around. You want your bathroom to be spotless and free from harmful bacteria.

Other Tips To Make Moving Easier

Hold a Garage Sale

Got some stuff you want to unload before you move? A garage sale is a great way of getting rid of things you don’t want while raising a bit of cash. Plus, it can be a super fun way to spend the day and you can get the whole family involved!

(Just make sure no one sells your favorite cardigan without you realizing)

You can use moving sale banners to help you advertise your sale.

Pack in Advance

For everything else that you want to take with you, make sure to pack in advance. If you leave packing until the very last minute, you will yourself a major headache and arguments between family members could easily break out!

Pack an Essentials Bag

It’s unlikely that you’ll unpack everything on your first night in your new home. Heck, you might not have unpacked everything by the end of the first week! This is why it’s helpful to pack an essentials bag that contains all the stuff you’ll need on the first night.

Hire Professional Movers

If you have a friend with a van who can help, that’s great. Otherwise, it’s a smart idea to hire professional movers to help you out.

Not sure it’s really necessary? Just think of all that heavy furniture that needs lifting!

Conclusion

The hard work starts now. Make sure to use the tips in this article to give your home a spring clean before you move. Trust me, once that’s out of the way moving will become so much easier (and even a tad fun!).

This guest post contribution is courtesy of SignMission, an American owned, operated and manufactured company in Florida. Signmission offers custom signs such as moving sale banners, safety signs, and even license plate frames.

7 Bachelor Party Stories 2019 that Could Ruin the Marriage

Brace up to read the weirdest, hilarious, and wild bachelor party stories. Ones they never want their wives to find out. Read up funny bachelor party stories!

Bachelor party stories are interesting and refreshing, little wonder brides to be don’t get to go. As the bachelor party themes, game, booze, and stories are one of the highlights. There are one too many a crazy bachelor party with unfathomable things happening in them.

We hear stripper stories, wild Vegas stories and more. They are entertaining, but they all have one thing in common. They can lead to a bachelor party gone wrong and ruin a marriage. Their wives must never know, but we do, so enjoy 7 interesting bachelor stories.

1. Hidden guilty pleasures

This groom did something he’s never done, but he can’t tell his wife. She would smoke him! Hear him…

“I did something during my bachelor’s even that I’m never going to tell my wife. I am not big on drugs, and my wife frowns over anything beyond marijuana. But my best man hosted my bachelor’s party at the casino. And after everything, I went into the toilet and snorted cocaine off the seat.”

2. Are those cold feet?

One of the toughest bachelor party challenges is getting through it without changing your mind. This was the case of this groom who almost developed cold feet. His story…

“My bachelor party happened at the bar, a day to rehearsal dinner. While hanging out with friends, those crazy thoughts came. I shed tears of fear, uncertainty and the unknown. But this is one thing I never want my wife to know. She’d misinterpret it.”

3. Stripper club stories

Some strip club stories can leave one lost for words. This was the case of this groom who got stunned by the confession of a stripper. See his story…

“I had my bachelor’s at my hometown, Pittsburgh. A city where everyone runs into someone they know. After bar hopping through the day, we ended up at a strip club. My friend screamed delight, and I realized it was my ex from middle school stripping. They all insisted I got a lap dance from her. After everything, she told me she had a husband. It was a stunning, yet weird discovery.”

4. Semi-nude wifie pictures

Drunk, yet fighting temptations with his wife’s semi-clad pictures. But his wife will never know what it cost him… Cost her. Read his story…

“On my bachelor party, I got very drunk. My friends didn’t relent on pushing me to visit the strip club. At some point, I got sick of it and pulled out my wife’s pictures. They were the ones she sent to me while I was away on a business trip. I told them, this was why I didn’t need the strip club. Back from the weekend, I told my wife with pride that I didn’t visit the strip club. But how I succeeded in not visiting, I’d never tell. Good thing I got my guys some awesome groomsman gifts.”

5. Scared lily-livered men

Who’s the boldest man? I’m sure this groom would raise his hand. But that wasn’t the case during his bachelor party weekend. His story is hilarious!

“My brothers who doubled as my best men planned a whole bachelor’s weekend at Finger Lakes, New York. We took a cabin, with the plan to eat, smoke weed, booze, eat sausage, and play golf. On the first day, a storm hit, which sent us from the golf course to the cabin. While drinking, the sky turned black, phones went off, and radio signaled a tornado. We could find only a small crawling space cum basement, which all 12 of us crawled into. I can’t tell my wife that 12 grown men were well scared for their lives and ran to hide. Although, I told her about the tornado.”

6. The wild Vegas party loss

Hosting wild bachelor parties in Vegas will leave you with wild Vegas stories. This is the case of this man who lost huge cash. Hear him.

“I’ve never visited Vegas, so I had a weekend bachelor party there. I’m a social gambler, but with the Bach party craze, I gambled and lost a lot of money. I’d have used it to make a down payment of a house or something responsible as an adult. My saving grace was that I and my wife had not merged our accounts.”

7. The bucket list – or not

He always wanted to sleep with an Asian woman since college, and his friend knew this. Was he able to strike that off his bucket list? Did he do it even while almost married? Find out.

“I’ve always fancied sleeping with an Asian woman, and my best friend since college knew. But getting married, I knew I couldn’t do that anymore. So, my best friend got me an Asian stripper for my bachelor’s party. She gave me a lap dance. But that, I can’t bring myself to tell my wife.”

Reading some of the best bachelor party stories above will leave you in fits of laughter. The wife must never know!

For the Love of Shoes: Tips on Buying New Pairs for the Summer

Summer is still a few weeks away, but you can already feel the heat and the excitement – mostly the heat – in the air. Summer means spending more time outside and having a lot of fun being involved in adventures and parties. Summer is also the perfect time for new outfits, fresh new looks, and some fashion experiments along the way.

One thing you must never forget when preparing for the summer is to pick up the right pairs of shoes. A suitable pair can turn an ordinary look into a special one. It can also make or break a look and determine just how comfortable you can be when spending a lot of time outside. So, how can you be smart with buying new pairs of shoes for the season? Let’s find out, shall we?

 

Stylish Sneakers

One thing is true: you can never go wrong with sneakers. Sneakers can be paired with anything other than a super-formal attire. Well, I take that back. With enough confidence, you can rock a dress and a jacket with a stylish pair of sneakers. That’s the keyword there: stylish.

Finding a stylish pair of sneakers is no longer a difficult task, thankfully. Mainstream brands are putting more emphasis on style with the latest sneakers in their collections. They may have dull trainers, but there are always plenty of interesting sneakers to go for.

Fashion brands are joining the excitement too. Gucci sneakers are not only stylish and easy to mix and match, but they are also easily one of the most comfortable sneakers on the market too. You can check out the full lineup of Gucci sneakers and other footwear on the SSENSE website to get some inspiration.

Even simple sneakers work well in the summer. White sneakers, a pair of jeans, and a white T-shirt are all you need to look stylish. You can add accessories or switch to a mini skirt for a chic look. Alternatively, you can go for a more colorful pair of sneakers for some extra flair. And if you need a little help trying to figure sneakers out, finding out what does c/d mean in shoe sizes will certainly help a lot!

 

Time for Sandals!

Summer is arguably the only season when wearing sandals make sense. Whether you are spending an entire day at the beach or just having a fun get-together with friends, wearing sandals is acceptable in most casual occasions. Sandals are also very comfortable on a hot day, although they don’t provide the best protection.

Some sandals are also designed to be stylish and trendy. Collections from brands like Havaianas, for instance, now introduce more colors and patterns so that they can be mixed and matched with various outfits. You can even find sandals in the season’s best colors, including coral and white.

The only thing you want to avoid is wearing sandals with the wrong outfit. Some casual outfits work better with sneakers or flats. Other looks simply aren’t made for sandals entirely. Still, take extra care and I guarantee that you will love your sandals this summer; a good pair of sandals is unbeatable.

If you don’t fancy flip-flops, slide sandals are great alternatives. Some heeled sandals are gorgeous. The classic Adilette Slide Sandals are interesting when paired with jeans or muted skirts. They are incredibly comfortable and can be worn as flats with the right outfits.

 

Along Come the Flats

Of course, we cannot talk about summer shoes without talking about flats. Flats are perfect for summer not just because of the comfort level they offer, but also because they work well with a wide range of looks and outfits. You can wear flats – the right pair of flats – with a semi-formal dress as well as a casual T-shirt and jeans.

As this is a very popular type of shoes for the summer, the options to choose from are enormous. Some flats are more interesting than others. Gucci has this incredible ink Patent Sadie Spike Ballerina Flats; from the name, you can immediately tell that the flats have spikes and gorgeous accents. It is (un)surprisingly comfortable too.

The Tulum Soft Footbed is also interesting in its functionality. The four-strap design means you can wear this pair comfortably all day and provide your feet with sufficient support. The same four-strap design also makes this pair more flexible, since you can wear it with a semi-formal outfit without the shoes looking out of place.

Comfort is still the focus here, so make sure your flats are designed for comfort. Most flats with good soles can support your feet over an extended period of time without making you feel like you are walking on nails all day. Find the perfect pair of flats, and they will be your favorite shoes for sure.

Here’s the good news: now is the perfect time to shop for summer shoes. The new collections are out, discounts are still in place, and you can get great deals on the shoes you want; those Gucci sneakers are looking more and more attractive when you additional discounts and special offers from a retailer like SSENSE, don’t they?

How to Have the Health of the Whole Family under Control

Raising a family isn’t always an easy task – your children are busy, you are overworked and there are too many things that need to be done, and somehow never enough time. However, considering the high percentage of child obesity, as well as the number of easily prevented chronic illnesses among adults, it seems that the stakes truly are high, which is why it is so important to have a healthy family life. So, here are some ways you can keep the health of your whole family under control:

Eat healthy meals as a family every day

Photo by Aldyth Moyla on Unsplash

 

Even though family mealtime is often overlooked in our overly hectic lives, regular family meals are the easiest way to have the health of your whole family under control. As the person who is usually in charge of cooking, you have the ability to only make healthy and nutritious meals that will not only provide your family with all the daily vitamins and minerals they need, but it will also teach your children to become less picky eaters when they have a wide variety of healthy food available at home. Family meals will also provide an opportunity for family members to come together, strengthen ties and build better relationships with each other.

Pay attention to your oral hygiene

Taking proper care of your mouth, teeth and gums can help prevent bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay, and can even help you keep your teeth as you get older. That is why teaching your children how to maintain good oral hygiene is of vital importance, as well as paying regular visits to the dentist together, as a family. If you need a recommendation, be sure to visit https://www.dentalartsny.com/. But apart from maintaining hygiene, another good idea would be to invest in some cosmetic work to make sure you have healthy, pearly white teeth and an alluring smile. While most cosmetic dental procedures can be quite costly in many countries around the world, for example, invisalign cost in Sydney is fairly low, which is why most Australians who want to have perfectly straight and beautiful teeth decide to pay a visit to some of Sydney’s best and most professional dentists.

Choose a good family doctor

If you are an American, your healthcare system gives you the option of finding a great family physician, which can be the right answer to most health-related problems you and your family may face. Since family doctors tend to treat a wide range of conditions, they can be your primary care physician for every family member at any point in life. Family doctors have the change of familiarizing themselves with your personal, as well as your family health history, helping them make quicker and more accurate diagnoses. Apart from yearly checkups, family physicians can help you manage illnesses, and may also perform minor surgical procedures, or help you find a specialist when the need occurs. While family doctors save you money, more importantly, they offer you and your family better overall health.

Don’t overlook the importance of mental health

According to the World Health Organization, almost 20% of children worldwide experience some form of mental disorder in their lives, most commonly anxiety and ADHD, and over 15% of adults suffer from mental illnesses, prevalently depression. Unfortunately, disorders such as these are underdiagnosed and undertreated, even though treatments are uncomplicated and readily available. Since depression can sometimes be a side effect of chronic illnesses in adults, managing these conditions may be of great help. Additionally, promoting a healthy lifestyle, improving living conditions and getting enough support from friends and family members, as well as regular visits to psychologists, therapists and support groups, are all effective ways of aiding in the treatment of mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression.

If you work healthy habits into your family’s life and daily schedule, and never overlook the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you will boost your family’s chances of living longer and better lives.

7 Tips for Throwing the Best Yard Party This Summer

Throwing a party in your backyard is a lot of fun. Not only does it allow you to entertain guests outside in the nice weather, but you don’t have to worry about too much of a mess inside the house. If you want to have a party outdoors in your yard this Summer – whether it’s just a casual BBQ, a kid’s birthday party, or for some other occasion –  there are a few things you can do to make the most of it.

Clean Up the Yard

To start, you’ll want to give the entire outside of your home a good cleaning. This means doing things like pressure washing the home, patio, sidewalks and deck, hiring a pool service company, picking up any debris around the yard like broken branches, mowing the lawn, and trimming back any overgrown trees (try The Local Tree Experts) or bushes. Outdoor maintenance takes some time, so be sure to start early if you want your yard to look its best before guests arrive.

Prepare for All Weather

One thing you can’t really control for outdoor parties is the weather. You may plan on having it on a day when the weather is supposed to be nice, but then the forecast changes as the day gets closer. To prepare for this, it’s a good idea to have plans in place for any weather situation. For instance, if the weather looks like it’s going to be very hot, you can have some tents up to provide shade or even move some fans outside. Or if it looks like rain, make sure the inside of your home is ready for guests.

Make the Best Use of Space

When you have guests over for a yard party, you can do more than just have everyone in chairs on an uneven lawn. Instead, you can designate some spaces for your party and make your yard look better. Adding in a patio is a great way to do this, or you can even build a deck. This will provide a nice flat surface within your yard so that you can make the most of the area.

Find Better Furniture

A great way to improve your outdoor parties this Summer is by having better furniture. Get rid of those rusted folding chairs and instead opt for some comfortable lounge chairs or even a nice couch. Also think about table space and make sure you have something big enough to fit most of your guests. Outdoor furniture isn’t always cheap, but it will last a long time if you take care of it, meaning you can have plenty more outdoor parties.

Add in Some Lawn Games

While it’s perfectly fine to have a yard party where everyone sits around talking with a few drinks, you can liven things up by adding in a few lawn games. Simple games like Horseshoes or Beanbag Toss give your guests something to do and can add a fun competitive atmosphere to your party. If you don’t have space for lawn games, consider getting some other party games you can play outdoors, like card or board games.

Build a Fire Pit

When the party starts to wind down, and the cooler night temperatures start to arrive, a fire pit is a great way to keep things going. With a firepit you give your guests something warm to gather around, and it helps to provide a cozy atmosphere to the end of your party. To build a fire pit all you really need is a shallow hole in the ground, some stones, firewood, and some chairs to sit on. Learning how to build a fire pit It’s a great way to add yet another feature to your yard – one that your guests will love.

Upgrade the Technology

Finally, consider upgrading some of the technology around your yard. For example, you could move your home voice assistant – like Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa – outside so you can play music through it. Or you could get a Bluetooth speaker and allow your guests to play music off their phones. Another thing you can do is add in some different colored lights to provide a different atmosphere to your nighttime party. There are plenty of ways to make your yard party a little more modern, and you don’t typically have to spend much to do so.

Start Preparing for Your Yard Party Soon

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to improve your outdoor parties this Summer. The key is to start planning well before the party, so you have enough time to get everything together. If you can do that, you should find that your outdoor parties are a great success and that everyone wants you to host from now on.

Healthy Life Essentials

Keeping in mind the fact that we are tempted on every corner with unhealthy food, it is very difficult to change our life habits and try something different. Lack of physical activity along with an unhealthy diet usually makes people lose motivation to make a change even if they aren’t happy with the way things are. Sadly, this lifestyle often includes problems such as low energy levels, obesity, and even depression, yet it’s difficult to snap out of this vicious circle of bad habits. Although it’s not always easy, it’s possible to change things and live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

A yoga mat

When you get to a certain age, you might notice that your exercise options are more limited than they used to be. This is because most of us have to balance our family and our career, and keeping up with rigorous workout routine isn’t always high on our priority list. Still, it doesn’t mean that we can’t work out at all; it just means that we don’t always have the time or the strength to go to the gym several times a week. This is where home workout sessions step in – all you need is a good yoga mat, a couple of weights, and a few props: perhaps a coffee table, a couple of chairs, or your bed, and you’ll be ready to go. Yoga is also a great choice for people who want to stay strong and flexible, and it also allows you to work on both your physical and mental health too. Find useful yoga videos on YouTube, get on the mat and start working out.

Healthy diet

As we age, our bodies react differently to certain foods, and this means that you should really be mindful of your diet and pay attention to what you eat. Your metabolism is getting slower and it’s impossible to keep living the same kind of life you’ve lived in your teens and when you were a student. A healthy diet consists mainly of vegetables, fruits, fresh cheese, and fish, and even though there should also be meat, it doesn’t have to be the dominant part of a meal. This means you will feel full without that heaviness in your stomach that comes after you finish a big meal. If you don’t have time to cook every day, you can always order food to be delivered to your address and save some time. If you want to help boost your metabolism and keep the figure of your youth, you should try to include more dishes and groceries rich in protein and fibre.

Social life

When was the last time you had a night out? Admit it: staying in the comfort of your home might feel safe (it is your comfort zone after all), but you’ll end up feeling a bit grumpy. Perhaps you should try to go out a bit more and see some of your old friends who you haven’t seen in a while. You don’t have to go out to the club and party all night long (especially if you have something scheduled for tomorrow morning), but you could go see a movie and grab a drink at a nearby pub with your friends. You don’t have to drink alcohol to have a good time; just try to find out what’s going on in town and try to have some fun. Sometimes, just by staying socially active you will find new energy and experience joy doing the things you missed.

A good nights’ sleep

A lot of health issues occur because you’re tired and exhausted. If you’re overworked, your immune system will be unable to fight diseases because you aren’t getting enough rest. Good quality sleep is essential if you want to be positive and stay focused in the office. This is why you should make sure you’re getting enough sleep and that it’s a quality sleep too. Check your mattress and pillow, keep the air fresh and bed sheets clean, and you’ll be sleeping much better.

It’s possible to turn your life around and live a healthier lifestyle if you decide to make small yet significant changes. Baby steps will take you to your goal, and you will be not only healthier but happier too.

Every Body Is a Beach Body – Best Swimwear for Different Body Types

The beach season is upon us but sometimes, instead of joy, it can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Everybody is obsessed over their beach body, but the truth is that every body is a beach body. There’s absolutely no reason to miss the opportunity to enjoy the water, sand and the sun just because you may not look like a runway model. In the end, it all comes down to finding the best style of swimsuit for your particular shape in order to look your best and feel comfortable and confident. If you need some guidance on how to pick the perfect swimwear for your body type, keep on reading.

1. Pear body shape

If your hips are wider than your chest, and you also have slender shoulders with a clearly defined waist, you probably have the so-called pear body shape. When you’re picking your swimsuit, you want to add more balance to your look, considering that your bottom half is more prominent than your upper half. With that said, striking and bold patterns and ruffles for the top combined with plain, single-color bottoms work great. You may also want to check out bottoms with skirts.

2. Inverted triangle

In case your shoulders are broader than your hips, and your figure is generally slender and maybe even a bit masculine, you have an inverted triangle body shape. Since this particular figure usually means that the person is athletic, you can get away with plenty of different swimwear styles. For starters, you can count on the fact that quality sports swimwear will make a great choice. On the other hand, triangle bikini tops as well as flashy bikini bottoms with ruffles, fringe, and similar, will look positively stunning on you, too.

3. Rectangle body shape

In general, people who have shoulders and hips of the same width, yet lack definition in the waist area are usually said to have the rectangle body shape. And when you’re choosing your ideal swimwear, feel free to go for bikini tops. Whether you’d want to enhance this area more with ruffles, bright patterns, and other details or wear a padded top will depend on your bust and is entirely up to you. The bottoms should create visual curves, and in that sense, ruffles and fringes are a good choice. High-cut bottoms are also a good option in this case. And if you like one-piece swimsuits, opt for a plunging neckline. Finally, bold geometric patterns and striking prints will always look good.

4. Apple-shaped body

If you’re curvy all around, with a rounded tummy as well as a fuller bust, you have the apple-shaped body type. In this case, you may want to check out the retro-inspired high-waisted swimsuit bottoms and underwired balconette bra tops with extra support. A one-piece swimsuit that’s also underwired and adds a bit of structure and support in the tummy area is also a popular choice for apple-shaped figures. In general, any color is fine, but it would be best to stay away from some really flashy prints and color combos.

5. Hourglass figure

If you have an hourglass figure, you have equally wide shoulders and hips, with a tiny waist. With that said, you’re really lucky as you can basically get for whatever style swimsuit you want. However, the most popular option involves flaunting the tiny waist, which is why bikini tops and bottoms rock. Triangle and balconette top together with high and Brazilian cut bottoms will always look absolutely amazing, but, as mentioned, you can wear anything you’d like because it all looks great on you!

In case you feel really self-conscious about your body and want to cover up as much as possible, you may want to look into thin and cool sarongs that you can use as wrap dresses. There are also very thin tunics made to be worn over the swimsuit. However, keep in mind that summer is there for you to enjoy yourself and have fun – not to stress over your body shape!