Steve Volk's Blog, page 13

Eclectic bathroom: mixing styles and breaking patterns

A well-established bathroom renovation plan includes a generous budget, an intense selection process in terms of fixtures, lighting, flooring and colors, accurate measurements, the help of a plumber and installation. However, once you complete the basics, you have to decorate your future spa oasis in accordance to your personality. Of course, there are numerous styles available, from modern and sophisticated to rustic and traditional, but the problem is that you cannot limit yourself to just one type of design. Well, the bright side is that you do not even have to taking into account that nobody prohibits the combination of more than two styles. In fact, such a combination acquired a specific name over time – the eclectic style. If you are a nonconformist, then you will absolutely love the challenges imposed by this type of décor because it practically forces you to think outside of the box. Only fine arts lovers and connoisseurs used to approach this once hardly to comprehend funky mix.

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The eclectic style perfectly matches your rebel personality

If you are not familiar with eclecticism, then make sure that you keep in mind its typical characteristics, which refer to a calm and strategic mix of different periods, contrasts, the addition of unique items, either inherited or handmade, extravagant use of materials and an organized mess. If you worry about the new bathroom cost, you should know that achieving this original style is far cheaper than purchasing and installing the necessary fixtures. Therefore, you should not skimp when exploring decorative elements for your peaceful oasis. If you are proud because you do not fit into any basic stereotype, than having the opportunity to infuse the same vibe into your bathroom will make you incredibly satisfied. In fact, this project allows you to express freely without someone else judging your actions so if you want to interblend farmhouse and contemporary, then go ahead and paddle your own canoe. The purpose of creating an eclectic bathroom design is to break patterns in the first place so becoming shy along the way is pointless.

The basics of eclectic design: textures, colors and accessories

Moving on to the actual renovation, we are going to approach three important elements, namely texture, color and accessories. The best part about the eclectic style is that you have the possibility to play with materials without staying within certain limits. Whether we are talking about old and new, hard and soft, matte and shiny materials, only your creativity can stop you from creating a strikingly beautiful space destined for relaxation, especially after those long and stressful days at work. In what concerns the colors, you have to opt for neutral shades for background, but also include your favorite color or a strong color that works for contrast. You can even combine four colors if you want. Finally yet importantly, when it comes to the accessories department, you can go wild. If you gathered a multitude of accessories throughout time, do not hesitate to include a good part of them in the bathroom.

 

Every parent’s guide to raising a happy and successful child

 

Whoever compared parenting with a second job or with a marathon knew that children are sweet little angels and weeping demons at the same time. Somehow, kids have the ability of experiencing all the possible feelings in the world in just one day: excitement, shyness, fear, embarrassment, happiness, anger, confusion, sleepiness and so on. Therefore, what type of attitude should you as a parent adopt in such situation? You do your best to fulfill all your duties and provide everything that your kid needs, but as much as you try, sometimes you lose your temper. Do not worry; you are a human being and if you shout at your child without even realizing, you do not have to blame yourself. Instead, you should use it as a bad example to teach your little one a lesson: that you do not have to raise the tone of your voice in order to prove your point, but to bring an excellent argument in your favor.

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Affectionate gestures make your kid happy every single day

You do not have to keep track of all the good and the bad things you do as a parent because it does not matter. As long as you teach him the importance of gratitude and responsibility, pay attention to his needs, ask his opinion or help on things, focus on his physical health, encourage creative play and leave him enough space to become independent, you are doing a great job. Do not think about the fact that you were not able to organize a pompous party for his birthday this year, think about the moment when you bought the most realistic t rex costume and kept it on for hours on the hottest summer day just to make him laugh and nourish his passion for dinosaurs. These special gestures show the endless love you feel for your little one. You deserve respect because you do not wait for your kid’s birthday to give him something special. Instead, you seize every opportunity available to surprise him with an unexpected gift and witness his adorable laugh.

Teach him important lessons that he will use in life

Nevertheless, make sure that you do not reach the other extreme, namely raising a whimsical child incapable of making decisions on his own. You care about his happiness, but you also want him to achieve professional success. First, ensure a positive environment where he feels confident enough to express his thoughts and feelings. Otherwise, he will become introvert and never dare to rise above his fails and overcome obstacles. Let him know that you value his opinion in order to boost his self-esteem. Secondly, since you practically represent the biggest influence on his moral development, become his model of integrity and success. Furthermore, if your kid does something good, applaud his achievement. Teach him that taking risks sometimes proves to be the wisest decision for reaching your objective. Finally yet importantly, allow him to play and engage in various group activities because it is crucial fro brain development.

Precautions you should take before going on a road trip

 

So, you decided to go on a road trip, but you are not good with organizing? Well, this article is going to present all the precautions you should take before your departure. From preparing the car for a long trip to purchasing the items you’ll need on the road, reading this mini-guide will get you going. The main purpose of these precautions is to keep you or whomever you are traveling with safe. You definitely want to avoid any type of injury during your trip, so pay attention to these details and everything should go as expected. Here’s the list:

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Hire an attorney

Even though you might consider this step irrelevant for a simple road trip, you should know that it’s much better to have a professional deal with the law. When an unfortunate event happens, you won’t be able to think rationally and face all the complicated forms and documents that need to be correctly filled in. An attorney can help you with all that stuff and you can concentrate all your resources on something that really matters. A car accident can be extremely damaging to one’s emotions, reason why you won’t find the time to manage paperwork if something happens. Take as an example how beneficial hiring a Los Angeles injury attorney can be.  

Make sure the car is ready

It’s better to avert the disaster instead of dealing with the consequences. You need to prepare your car thoroughly before going on your road trip. Start with checking the oil level. This is a detail that’s usually left behind by drivers. The oil level and the tire pressure are the first details you should check before stepping into your car, regardless of the reason why you drive. Of course, there are more precaution measurements you should take when going for a longer drive. Change the oil filter if you consider that it is used up. Remember that driving a lot of time or in harsh conditions require frequent oil changes to prevent any sludge build-up. Check your brake service and always carry a battery replacement with you. If you don’t have a spare battery, make sure you purchase jumper cables and learn how to jumpstart a car.

Have your emergency kit prepared

The last step involves setting up your emergency kit. Each car should be equipped with a complete emergency kit. In some countries, the law requires drivers to carry an emergency kit at all times. An emergency kit should help you survive for at least 72 hours. It includes a first aid medical kit, non-perishable food, lots of water, batteries and chargers etc. Don’t forget to carry some maps, personal toiletry items and some extra clothes with you, especially if you are going to drive in less populated places. Store your kit in appropriate conditions and check the availability of all the items every now and then. Your health is more important than some money you spend on a new emergency kit, so think about that before starting your journey.

Unusual shopping list – to invest or not to invest

 

Are you tired of buying the same items over and over again? The joy of buying something new that has a specific utility in one’s life is irreplaceable. Spending money recklessly on things that do not directly affect the way you live – or your future – is something to avoid. Throwing money away on stuff that has no impact on your life is irrelevant and should stop. Of course, there are some items that should be bought monthly, without exception. But what if you’d spend your money on something more relevant other than devices, clothes or going out? This shopping list is the most unusual one you’ll ever read, but buying the items listed here can entirely change your future or can transform a bad day into a good one instantly. That’s the reason why buying them it’s worth a try. Here’s the list:

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DNA test kits

The first unusual item you can invest in is represented by DNA test kits. These kits can give you some pieces of information regarding your genes. They can assess what your main attribute is (intelligence, strength or speed), they can give you a detailed picture of your metabolic rate, or you can even trace your ancestry and see what your genealogical tree looks like. Even though it seems like running such test won’t have a direct impact on your life, the truth is they can influence your future tremendously. For instance, if you learn what your attribute is, you can select a career that makes good use of that respective trait of yours. The genes of a person lean towards a certain direction that can help a person choose her path. If your genes are directed towards strength, you should fructify that by training your body. In other cases, you can focus on training your mind and engaging yourself in mind-challenging activities. The DNA test results will help you decide what your next step is going to be, so the investment is surely worth making. You can learn more about this topic here.

Camping items

Have you ever thought to invest money into camping items? If you never focused your attention on spending your weekends in nature, this is the moment you should do it. The stressful day-by-day activities will get to you eventually, making you feel overwhelmed. That is the moment when you should take a break and there is no better option other than going camping. Why camping? The answer is simple – you don’t have to spend additional money other than the initial investment on camping items. Invest in a water-resistant tent, a ground cloth, some extra stakes and a sleeping bag and you’re all set. For cooking or miscellaneous activities, you’ll find the items around the house. Thus, you can spend less money on an experience that’s worth much more. Investing money in things that could actually influence your life is recommended instead of wasting it on temporary items. Think about that next time you come up with a shopping list.

Parental anxiety: allowing your child to study in Spain

 

It is no secret that parents have a hard time accepting their children’s growth because of its close link with independence. Sadly, they must watch their babies develop into curious, intelligent and brave human beings ready to take over the world. Therefore, when the opportunity arises, no teenager will ever hesitate to study abroad. Even more, they instantly think about exploring new places, meeting friendly people, expanding their horizons, facing responsibility and paving the path towards a successful career. Parents, on the other hand, cannot stop thinking about their children’s safety, stability and happiness during the process. They remain at home worried to death. However, the truth is that some parents embrace anxiety unreasonably. If you know that your child is mature enough to leave home, enjoys discovering interesting facts and engaging in various activities, displays a great ability of coping with different teaching styles, adjusts to cultures and makes friends easily, then he is the ideal candidate for studying abroad.

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Investigate the country where your child wants to study

Most parents probably worry about their child forgetting to contact them regularly and getting lost in the exploration or self-discovery process. However, taking into account all the means of communication available today thanks to technology, not being able to stay connected with a member of the family or a friend overseas is almost impossible. The only inconvenient is that you will have to adapt to your child’s study schedule. Even more, ParcelABC and other delivery companies out there help you send and receive small or big packages from that person. Of course, you should do your own research about the respective country, from demographics, population density and socio-economic profile to language and culture. This might give you peace of mind and you might be able to sleep better at night. However, you have to make sure that your child understands certain essential safety and financial aspects. For instance, taking adequate rest and avoiding harmful habits while handling finances responsibly and being aware of dangers lurking everywhere, such as thieves are lessons that will prepare your child for this stage in his life.

Maintain a good communication during the entire period

Fortunately, when it comes to staying in touch and sending packages to your child, distance is not a problem. Whether your child forgot something meaningful for him at home and you have to send it from UK to Spain or even from UK to Russia, the process should be smooth and simple. The same thing applies when sending money. Even though you made sure that your child disposed of enough money when he left home, you have to be aware that he will require more on the way. If you doubt your child’s sincerity then you can check each “investment” made during the period spent overseas, but it is important not to give your child the impression that you are controlling him or even worse, that you do not trust him. As a parent, you have to learn how to deal with the anxiety caused by your child departure while remaining at home.

 

Breakup survival: moving out on a shoestring budget

Whether it represents a more convenient decision, financially speaking, or the love is unbearably strong, most couples decide to live together. If everything goes smoothly, both parties have to benefit from this step. However, if the relationship becomes unhealthy, there is no point in prolonging the suffering. Having a mature conversation where you both discuss about your current feelings about each other is the wisest move. Obviously, a break will help you eliminate all the confusion in your mind because you will be able to gain a more objective perspective on your relationship status. As a result, after a period you will determine if you should break up. The bad news is that you will no longer be able to live in the same residence. Since you probably did not prepare for such a major change, you start panicking because you practically do not have a place to stay so what do you do?

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Rent a storage unit for your belongings

Well, this article has the purpose to help you manage the process of moving out easier. Stressing out over this unexpected transition from having a stable partner to being single is pointless. You have to adopt a positive attitude and carefully plan your next steps. If you talk with a close relative or friend, they will definitely accept having you in their home for a few weeks or so. However, since you will not benefit from the same amount of space you had when living with your partner you will have to find an adequate place to store a part of your possessions. There are numerous storage units Atlanta that you can consider without worrying that someone might steal or vandalize your stuff. In fact, these types of units have modern security features and even climate control so you could not find a better solution. Just pay attention when you separate your belongings because you want to make sure that you keep basic items that you use every single day and you store decorative elements or clothes that you are not currently using.

Crash on a friend’s couch until you find a place to stay

Now, moving on to something even more important, even if your friend or relative welcomed you in their home, you should not take advantage of their good-heartedness. This means that you should start looking for an apartment from the first day you step into their house. You do not want to become that annoying person who disturbs others’ peace for her own comfort. Indeed, nobody said that it will be easy, particularly because of the mixed thoughts running though your head and confusing feelings in your heart. Practically, you have to move on while moving out. Becoming stable from both a financial and emotional point of view requires time and patience so if you make mistakes along the process, learn how to forgive yourself. A breakup is tough, but if you create a pleasant routine and you start saving the necessary money to start living alone, you will be ok.  

Adjusting to a small living space: how to organize your apartment

People consider downsizing for different reasons. Whether they plan to retire and they no longer need a large space, they cannot afford living in a big house anymore so they start looking for a small apartment downtown or they simply realized that filling so much space is almost impossible and they would feel more comfortable knowing that they are not wasting it, downsizing represents the solution. However, adjusting to a tiny apartment after living in a quite imposing residence for so long is more difficult than you imagine. Just think about it: you will not benefit from a big garage for your expensive vehicle, you will not have big walls to display that amazing art collection and you will not have storage-oriented furniture for all those antique and valuable books, not to mention about the size of your closet.  Indeed, moving from a house with plenty of space to a tiny apartment in the city sounds like a challenge.

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Renting a storage unit: the solution for your valuable belongings

The bright side is that, regardless of the problem, you can always find an efficient solution. In this case, if you cannot place all the personal items inside the apartment, you can direct your attention towards numerous storage units Concord that provide adequate conditions for every item and maximum security. In fact, your valuable antiques will enjoy more protection against harsh weather conditions and thieves inside such a unit instead of your apartment located downtown. After organizing a part of your belongings inside the storage unit, you have to return home and start organizing the other part. Since you no longer have a lot of space available, you have to be resourceful and ingenious. Do not worry because there is a multitude of ideas on the internet on how to get the most of your tiny apartment. Furthermore, this article has the purpose to offer you guidance in this regard in order to facilitate the process. However, you must understand that if you do not change your mindset first, you will never manage to accept or get used to your new place.

Tips for giving the illusion of a bigger space

You will be happy to discover that apart from organizing all your items successfully inside the apartment, you can even create the illusion of more space. Lighting, colors, mirrors and multi-functional furniture is all you need for maximizing the existing limited space. An important tip that you cannot overlook is removing doors. Of course, not all of them (leave the entrance door alone). However, the truth is that an excessive amount of doors makes you feel cramped and suffocated. Returning to the main tips for maximizing the space in your small apartment, you should start by decorating with light shades. Because of their light absorbent nature, you want to stay away from dark colors. In order to transform any room in a warm space, you want to let natural lighting come in. Finally yet importantly, mirrors will reflect light colors meaning that if you place them strategically, they will give the illusion of a much bigger space.

Useful day-to-day apps and websites to try this year

 

You got tired of the same apps you’ve been using lately, the same websites you visit daily, and want to try something new? Then you are in the right place. The year 2018 surprised people with lots of innovation in terms of technology. Keeping up with these innovations is surely not easy because it requires both substantial investments and understanding what they are all about. But one thing you can certainly do is related to the activities you fill your time with. Using a device for entertainment is no longer unusual, but you should learn how to make the best out of that experience. Start by visiting the appropriate websites and using the apps that do have a benefit in your daily life. Here are some examples:

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For security purposes

First of all, you have to make sure that you are secure while browsing the internet, regardless of what type of device you are using. There are plenty of apps that could help you secure your device. Plus, you can use websites that provide you with useful information regarding security. You can find a person’s identity via her phone number. Simply access a website that offers a phone number search option and you are all set. Invest in a licensed antivirus for your computer to avoid unpleasant situations caused by malware. Free antivirus programs are usually making your computer slower, and this is not the outcome you want to achieve.

Organizing your life

For organizing each moment of your life, you’ll get the chance to choose from a variety of apps and websites. First of all, decide what your purpose is. The categories of apps and websites you can select vary from to-do organizers, apps/add-ons that block certain websites to boost productivity, complex calendars, and schedule apps to business-oriented apps. You can use them all at once or focus on the one that helps you the most.

To-do lists are a great way to start your day productively and creating a list on your phone or laptop is much more rapid than writing down in your agenda. As for boosting productivity, taking a break from the time-consuming social media websites, YouTube or any other distraction that may be in your path is the right choice. You can do that through apps for your smartphones or add-ons for your browser – it all depends on what device you spend most of your time. Scheduling your time with the help of a virtual calendar can save your day. Scheduling apps can send you notifications when there’s something you need to complete in a certain period of time. This can be very helpful for people who usually forget what they have to do.

Entertainment purposes

As for entertainment, you may already know that games, both single and multiplayer, wait for you. No matter the platform you choose (mobile, computer, console etc.) games will always represent a way to escape from routine and take some time to enjoy yourself. Check what game seems interesting to you and don’t be afraid to invest in it. In the end, it will surely be worth it.

How to use Bitcoin to do your shopping

 

Do you like shopping? If the answer is yes, then you need to know that you are not the only one. Virtually all people like to buy goods. Why? Well, because it makes them happy. For you, as well as for those individuals, there is nothing like shopping. Maybe you like shopping for clothes. Or maybe you like shopping for everything. No matter what you purchase, you should use Bitcoin. Bitcoin was created so as to make transactions quick, reliable, and easy. A great many merchants accept Bitcoin in their physical and online stores, so what are you waiting for? Maybe you do not know how to use the cryptocurrency for shopping. Read this article and learn.

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Create a Bitcoin wallet

You cannot use Bitcoin as a payment method unless you create a blockchain wallet. A wallet is basically a collection of keys, as well as the software used to control those keys and make financial transactions. You can view it as your bank account. To get started, you need a valid address. There are 3 options when it comes to Bitcoin wallets: desktop, mobile, and web wallets. To make your life easier, opt for a mobile application. Create the blockchain wallet and connect it to your bank account.

Buy some Bitcoin

So, you have set up your wallet, but there is nothing in it. What you need right now is a cash infusion. You do not need to read Bitcoin news to know that exchanges are available in any part of the world. It is important to choose the right trader. Some brokers are not as reliable as others, which is the reason why you need to be careful. What you need to do is compare exchanges, paying close attention to the fees. Taking into consideration that new exchanges are growing at a rapid pace, maybe you should start reading Bitcoin news. This way, you will learn about eventual problems.

Pay with Bitcoin

The last thing that you need to do is to make the payment. The good news is that you do not need to enter sensitive bank card information. All you have to do is to send the payment from your blockchain wallet after having chosen your product. You will receive information about your order, not to mention that a QR code with which to scan your wallet. Scan the QR code, open the payment in your wallet, and send the payment manually. That is all you have to do.     

Consider buying a Bitcoin gift card

In case you did not know, there is such a thing as a Bitcoin gif card. This is a simple way in which you can offer cryptocurrency as a gift. Or you can make yourself a little gift. With the card, you can acquire just about anything and the shopping method will get you discounts too. The main problem is that you can spend the gift card in only one store. What is more, it needs to be purchased in advance.  

How to select a good company for your needs

The problem that puts many people in difficulty is represented by the way they choose the services and products they are going to use. Marketing has a great influence on the way people perceive a company. Even though the quality of the products or services that a business sells might be lower compared to another, if the first one invests a lot in attracting and engaging the customers, it will surely win the battle. As a buyer, such thing doesn’t represent the ideal outcome because customers want to buy qualitative products and services that are appreciated by other clients who previously tried them. Well, in order to properly select the sellers, you should respect these rules:

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Always check business listings

To easily compare companies, checking business listings is a must. These are usually websites where businesses promote what they offer to the large public. It can be a product, a service or the company itself. Business listings include many companies out there and provide the users relevant information about them, such as contact details, a short description or even prices. Such listings can help you make a clear comparison between two or more companies that work in the same field. Consult a list of companies in Zimbabwe and see how easily you can compare one another. You’ll eventually be able to choose what’s best for your individual situation, but keep in mind there are other details to consider as well.

Reviews are important

One thing that people often forget about would be reading lots of reviews. When a company has a strong marketing strategy to attract your attention and gain your trust, it is quite complicated to remain impartial and see what other clients have to say before buying. One thing is certain – hurrying won’t help you make the good decision, it will only make it worse. Being pressured to buy something you’re not completely sure about is a strategy that many businesses use. This is the reason why you need to remain confident, to know exactly what you expect from the product or service you are buying and, finally, to read previous customer’s opinions. Clients are the most trustworthy because their opinion is neutral. Make sure that the reviews you’re reading are genuine, otherwise they have no value and can confuse you rather than help you.

Peer-to-peer marketing is relevant

The only type of marketing that can be trusted entirely is the P2P (peer-to-peer) one. As in the case of reviews, P2P marketing involves customers who share their opinion to other potential customers. The opinion can be either negative or positive, but when P2P is used as a strategy, a company can hire personnel to encourage potential customers to buy from them. Because each factor mentioned in this article can turn out to be controlled by the company, it is paramount to check multiple sources and several types of comparison, especially if the investment you plan on making is a larger one, which you cannot afford losing. Taking your time to pore over each detail is a must in order to make a good choice and avoid regrets. The secret is to get informed.