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Tips For Staying Fashionable For Pregnant Moms

November 25, 2016 by Mandy

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Let’s get one thing straight, for the most part, pregnancy sucks and any images of glowing moms-to-be very rarely represent the reality. Everything gets big and swollen, nausea is constant and your hormones and mood are all over the place. You may not feel often feel too good when you’re expecting but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to look good right? Staying fashionable during this time is a tricky challenge, but not impossible, here are some tips for looking good when you’re pregnant.

Don’t Hide Your Shape

Remember that you’re pregnant and not fat, going for big clothes might seem the obvious option but this will only give you a bulky appearance. At the same time you should avoid snug fitting clothes, knitwear is usually a great option as it provides flexibility and will tightly fit the right areas and allow your bump to breathe. Alternatively, men’s style shirts are a great option, similar to a nice knit they will emphasize the slimmer areas and provide a loose fit over the waste and belly.

Use Those Boobs

There is nothing wrong with showing off those swollen boobs of yours, especially if you are normally a little flat chested. Naturally it needs be done in a classy fashion but flashing a bit of cleavage can not only look good but will help you to feel stylish and a little sexy, just what you need when you’re not exactly feeling very sexy inside.

Take Pride in Your Bump

Show that bump off with snug fitting dresses and tops, I found that horizontal stripes really worked for me and showed my bump off just enough. Of course it depends on how you are feeling and what time of year it is but a figure hugging dress can often look beautiful as well. Just make sure that if you do opt for anything that’s figure hugging that it’s made from stretchy material to keep you feeling comfortable.

Rock Those Heels

Certainly in the earlier stages of pregnancy you shouldn’t be afraid to keep wearing heels, as long as they feel comfortable then why the hell not. My advice would be to avoid wearing them when you know you are going to be out for a long period of time, but for a night out with the hubby you should definitely still wear your heels along with your stylish Chanel glasses and feel good.

Jeans Are Not Dead

Slouch pants around the home are bliss but they have no place in the outside world, just because you’re big it doesn’t mean you can’t rock jeans or casual trousers. There are some fantastic maternity wear shops out there that offer stretchy waist jeans, even skinny jeans, and comfortable fitting trousers giving you no excuse. Most standard retailer outlets even have maternity wear sections so shop around (online if you’re feeling bleurgh) get the style and fit that’s right for you without spending a fortune.

The key to be fashionable during your pregnancy is that YOU feel good as well as looking good, don’t be a slave to fashion and risk your wellbeing or health. There are so many options for pregnant women today that there is a style for us all, above all else just remember to embrace your bump and all of your new curves.

Filed Under: Fashion

Creating and Maintaining Value of Your Family Vehicle

November 22, 2016 by Mandy

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A new vehicle’s value depreciates as soon as it is driven off the dealership’s lot. In fact, as soon as you drive it on the road, it is already considered a “used” car. Even brand new vehicles when used as demo cars are no longer considered new. However, there are ways to maintain the value of your family vehicle so it holds the most value over the years that you own it.

There are also financial and resale reasons to ensure the value of your vehicle. Resale and collateral for a loan.

Taking Out a Loan Against the Value of Your Vehicle

At some point, your family may have an emergency and need to secure a short-term loan for financial reasons. If you’re close to paying off your vehicle, or it has already been paid off and holds its book value, there are car title loans to help through the financial crisis.

Maintaining a High Resale Value

No vehicle will ever sell for what you paid for it, unless you’re selling a mint condition classic or antique vehicle. As such, it’s important to do regular maintenance on your car from the first day you purchase it. This ensures that if you ever decide to sell it or trade it in on a newer car, you will get the most money back on it.

It is not difficult to keep your car maintained, however, if this is your family’s primary vehicle and you have small children, there are some important considerations to keeping your car in check.

Interior Maintenance

When you go to trade in your car or use it against a loan, the vehicle’s interior plays as much importance as the outside and under the hood. In fact, some buyers may not worry as much about a torn hose as they are about stains or tears on the car seats or carpets. A hose is easier to replace than a vehicle’s interior.

  • Seat covers: If you have kids who like to eat and drink in the car, which is normal, the best idea is to buy seat covers and car mats for your car. The covers and mats can be taken out to wash and dry and they’ll protect against stains and other damage. When you’re ready to sell your car or have it evaluated for collateral against a loan, simply remove the covers and mats and your vehicle’s interior will look showroom new.
  • Smoking: If you’re a smoker, now is the time to quit smoking inside of your vehicle. It doesn’t matter how many windows you have down, the residue will seep inside of the car’s interior and you may never get rid of the smell even with professional detailing. In addition, never let any passengers smoke inside of your vehicle either and try not to smoke right before getting into your car. The smoke will cling to your clothing and transfer to the interior of your vehicle.
  • Trash removal: Never let trash pile up in your car. Dispose of it daily so it takes less time when you do your weekly cleaning. An alternative is to keep a bag inside your car specifically for tossing out any trash you generate during the week.
  • Weekly cleaning: Set aside one morning a week to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your car. Beyond vacuuming, wipe down the interior including the dashboard, steering column and seat belts, and clean the windows. When you wash the car, be sure to get up under the wheel wells and clean the wheels.
  • Car Wax: If you use a good wax, you should only need to wax your car two or three times per year. For older vehicles, you may want to give the car a double wax before winter to protect it against the salt and sand during the snow season. For hotter climates, wax protects sun damage.

Maintaining the Mechanicals

For new car purchases, do not ignore the maintenance schedule included in the owner’s manual. They are there to help you keep your vehicle running smoothly and avoid possible major repairs down the road.

Aside from annual vehicle inspections, if you live in a state that requires them, you need to keep a check on the following, which could end up damaging the vehicle’s engine or transmission over time:

  • Fuel oil: Check with the owner’s manual to see what weight the oil should be during different times of the year. Before you go on any long road trips, be sure the check the oil level. It is critical to maintain the proper levels of fuel oil so you don’t have the expense of replacing your car’s engine.
  • Brake fluid: You need your car to stop securely, but if you’re low on brake fluid, you may need to apply more pressure than necessary and the car may not stop.
  • Transmission fluid: This is especially essential in automatic transmission vehicles. Not maintaining the proper fluid levels could seriously damage your vehicle’s transmission, which is a repair you do not want to have to make. It can be very costly.

Safety Essentials

To even further protect your vehicle’s value, make sure you’re safe on the road so you can be better protected against accidents. These include proper headlights, turn signals, rear and brake lights and tire pressure. Keeping all of these essentials properly maintained will go far in maintaining the value of your vehicle.

Filed Under: DIY/Home, Finance Tagged With: car finance, vehicle maintenance

Nursing Qualities You’ve Learned as a Mom

November 16, 2016 by Mandy

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For many moms, working hard in their career and providing for their family is something that is very important to them. But, returning to school can be a very daunting thought, especially when you are a mother. However, earning a college degree can be one of the best ways to improve your employment prospects, earn more money, and even change your career path completely. If you are considering going back to college to study for a degree, why not choose a field of study in an area you are already well skilled in: caring for others. As a mom, you will have learned many skills and qualities that can be easily transferred into a nursing career.

Good Communication

As a mom, you will have looked after your little ones since before they could talk and tell you what’s wrong. You know that good communication isn’t just being able to talk to people; it’s also about being able to read others and pick up on non-verbal cues, something that moms and dads do on a daily basis. As a nurse, this skill will definitely help you to build good relationships with both those that you care for and the people that you work with, helping you to offer your best support to patients and be a good team player.

Planning and Time Management

Nurses have a lot of different things to deal with on any given shift, therefore good time management and planning skills are essential. For moms, it’s also important to be able to plan your time around working, looking after little ones, and everything else that you are committed to. As a nurse, being used to planning, not only your time but your kids’ time as well, can help you to be more structured and productive during the working day. It can also be very beneficial if you choose to qualify through an online nursing program, such as the course available from Arizona State University.

Critical Thinking

As a mom, thinking critically in order to remain calm even when under pressure is essential. Any mom knows that getting worked up and panicky will only cause their little ones to get worried as well, worsening the situation. Working as a nurse means that you will often be confronted with emergency situations or crises where you will need to be able to stay calm and think on your feet. As a mom, you have probably already done this a few times, for example if your child has ever been injured.

Supervisory Skills

Moms often make great senior nurses due to their ability to always stay on top of what’s going on. As a mom, you have to be vigilant at all times, especially when your little one is a toddler and likes to explore. In a hospital setting, this extra vigilance and awareness that you learn from looking after your child can make you a better nurse.

As a mom, you have already learned a lot of skills which will make you a great nurse. An online accelerated nursing program can help you get started down this career path.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: nursing, online course

5 Tips to Restore Upholstery from Water Damage

November 16, 2016 by Mandy

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A flood is something nobody wants to experience, and if you happen to live in an area where flooding occurs, it can be a serious problem. Water might be an essential component to life, but it sure can damage furniture, and if you’ve ever experienced trying to restore furniture damaged by water you’ll understand perfectly. Most furniture is made from timber, and water quickly degenerates wood, causing stains, and after a while making the wood unusable. Here are some useful tips to help you save your furniture if it’s been damaged by water.

  1. It is important to evaluate the damage as soon as possible, and remove the furniture to a dry area. The longer it is exposed to water, the more damage will occur, so move everything as soon as you can, even lifting it off the ground will help. Water damage restoration should be carried out by professionals, especially if the furniture is expensive.
  1. Salvage what you can, and separate what can be saved and what cannot. Take pictures of all the furniture, as this might come in useful when making insurance claims. Make sure the damage is evident, and if necessary, take pictures of one item from several angles. Wooden doors will often swell up after being exposed to water, and you may not be able to open them without causing damage. If the furniture is inside a room and the door will not open, it is probably best to sacrifice the door by breaking it down, to allow access to the damaged furniture.
  1. Sunlight is your best friend when it comes to drying out furniture, so try to find a dry area in the sun and leave all the items out for as long as possible. Mattresses can often be saved, if the water isn’t too dirty, and they haven’t been exposed to the water for too long. Anything more than a few hours would render the mattress unusable.
  1. Timber furniture can often be salvaged, especially if it is made from hardwood, and after it has been dried, check the joints and see if mould has established itself. If you are in WA, and need your furniture restored after a flood, call in http://www.chemdryexpresswa.com.au/, who can quickly appraise the damage, and undertake any possible repairs.
  1. Upholstered furniture might be salvageable, especially leather, although with some upholstery, the colour might run. For leather, try various chemical cleaners, but make sure the surface is fully dried before using any chemical solutions. If you are unsure whether or not an item of furniture can be salvaged, talk to the experts, and they will quickly assess the damage. Often, the repairs would cost more than the item is worth, and unless it has some sentimental value, it is best to write it off.

Flooding causes a lot of damage in the home, and time is of the essence. If you have advanced warning of rising water levels, move everything off the ground if possible, as this will reduce the damage considerably.

Filed Under: DIY/Home

6 Ways To Pick A Reliable Family Dentist

November 16, 2016 by Mandy

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While family dentists tend to offer similar services, each practice has its unique offerings. The right dentist can make a massive difference to your family’s wellness. You should set out to find a family dentist who is passionate about what they do and who is immediately able to put the youngest of their patients at ease in the chair. You will also want to find one who is dedicated to providing the best care possible.

How to Find a Family Dentist

  1. Experience and Credentials

Besides the level of care the dentist provides, you need to consider his or her experience and credentials. Every dentist in Sydney should have graduated from dental school and sought the correct licensing. A really dedicated dentist, though, will have gone a little further than the minimum requirements. Find out whether your potential dentists have advanced certification or perhaps held a teaching position.

  1. Pay a Visit to the Office

You want to be confident that you are in good hands, so go and see with your own eyes. It’s okay to interview potential dentists and learn about their procedures, practice, and policies. Talk to the office staff and the dentist about such factors to find the perfect match for your family. Consider the following points when visiting the office:

  • Specialties
  • The dentist’s training
  • Office hours, emergency care, and appointment requirements
  • How long the dentist has been in practice
  • The staff’s experience
  • Policies regarding payment plans, fees, insurance
  1. Personal Requirements

Every dentist is different and likewise, every patient has different needs. Some people look for convenient appointments, so you’ll prefer a larger practice that can see several patients at once. Other patients are more concerned about fees, so they will want an affordable dentist who accepts payment plans and insurance. Others are looking for a single-practitioner dentist, so you’ll want to find a dentist that treats every patient like one of the family.

  1. Dental Services Offered

Plenty of families like a dentist who offers a full range of services. Should you require extensive work, such as restorations, you want to know that you’re in the hands of your family dentist who you know and trust. Examples of general dentistry services include:

  • Teeth examinations
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Oral cancer screenings
  • Night guards
  • Sealants
  • Veneers
  • Bridges
  • Crowns

You may also want to choose a dentist who offers cosmetic services like Invsalign or teeth whitening.

  1. The Technology

This is another big factor to consider when looking for a family dentists: what technology does he or she use? Many people get anxious when it’s time for a check-up or cleaning, so make sure the dentist offers conscious sedations. Some dentists use advanced technology to protect a patient’s mouth from bacteria during surgery. Selecting a dentist who uses the latest and best technology is beneficial for your overall health and reflects the dentist’s commitment to patients.

  1. Recommendations

Ask your friends and family for dental recommendations. Talk to co-workers and neighbours, too. People’s advice can prove priceless when you’re looking for a trustworthy family dentist.

There you have it. Use these 6 tips to find the perfect dentist for your family.

Filed Under: Dental Health

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