Archive - March 2019

Ways to Maintain Mental Health

March 31, 2019
Health & Fitness
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Life can sometimes present challenges that can drastically affect your mental health. A tragic event such as the death of someone close to you or the loss of a job can cause you to fall into a state of depression. While turning to alcohol or prescription drugs may offer temporary relief they will only mask the problem.

Abstinence from Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Using a substance to relieve your pain or frustrations is not the answer. In fact, they will do the opposite and prevent you from dealing with your life. Additionally, by consuming a large amount of alcohol or abusing drugs you can put yourself at risk for developing a dependency. The good news is that if you find you can’t break free of this bad habit, there are facilities and places that have drug detox programs that can help you experience a full recovery.

Face the Problem

Life is not always easy and you will encounter times of extreme difficulty throughout the course of your life. The best way to appease your mind is to deal with the situation at hand. If you lost someone very close to you, try to focus your efforts on the good times you both enjoyed. If your source of depression stems from losing a good job, put all your efforts into finding a new one. Thankfully, with a good support system in place that includes your immediate family and friends, you can get over the hurdle.

Positive Thinking

There are two types of people, those that think positive and those that don’t. If you fall into the latter group, you view everything as doom and gloom. Remaining in this state of mind can cripple you and prevent you from enjoying living. You can turn yourself around and begin to view the glass as half full. It will take some effort, but you can do it. If you can’t seem to break free of the negative thoughts, therapy may help you get started. Sometimes, just talking in private to an unbiased person can help you open up and release the bottled up feelings.

Get Away

Working all the time and caring for a family day after day, leaves very little time for rest and relaxation. In order to heal and keep your mental health in a good place, you need to take a vacation from the drama, the stress and just focus on you. A weekend getaway with your spouse a few times throughout the year will not only let you leave your troubles behind, it will also let you strengthen the bond you two share. If you have children, share a vacation together once a year and learn to partake in simple, fun activities weekly. This will calm the home environment and make every person who lives there feel a part of the team.

Take a Walk

When life overwhelms you take a brisk walk and let the fresh air and the scenery consume your thoughts. The walk is not only good for the mind it also benefits your heart and instantly energizes your body.

Life isn’t always perfect and you should expect that you will encounter bumps in the road. However, if you learn to face your problems head-on and think positively, you can overcome anything life throws your way.

How Will 2019 Be A Year Of Change For Property Management?

March 28, 2019
Tech
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Every new year brings with it a flurry of predictions and goals for the 12 months ahead across many industries. Real estate is no exception. The past few years have been turbulent in the property sector, largely due to the uncertainty due to Brexit. Fewer overseas investors are interested in snapping up property in the UK without knowing how well the economy will recover.

Similarly, property management companies are changing their style to suit the long-term renters and changing building regulations. In fact, it’s forecasted that the built-to-rent system will be in the spotlight, along with home improvements and a focus on health and safety.

Here’s a look at those predictions in more detail:

 

The Built-To-Rent System

The built-to-rent system has been in talks since 2017. It’s a system that attracted £2.4bn in investment for purpose-built blocks of rental homes. For tenants, it’s set to offer a more streamlined renting experience with the personalised, superior quality style property management Manchester and other main cities are famed for. They’re tailored towards “hard-working professionals” with a monthly rent price-tag to match. These private rental communities are, on average, 11% more expensive than other rental properties in their area.

Property management will be forced to give the same care and attention to residential properties as they already do to commercial property management. This is because the calibre of the new BTR homes is much higher, offering tenants a new standard of renting. Many developments include amenities such as gyms, cinema rooms, communal lounges and gardens. Residents will no longer stand for below-par property management in response to the premium prices.

2019 is set to be the year where the built-to-rent system truly takes off in areas up and down the country. It’s also great for investors who have been put-off by Brexit, offering them a more secure scheme to be a part of. It’s anticipated that property buyers from the USA, France, Canada and Spain will be entering the UK property market as a result of the system. Additionally, because the built-to-rent scheme has the potential to fulfil the demand for homes and improve conditions for renters, many have backed it as an efficient way to solve the UK housing crisis.

 

Improving, Not Moving

Homeowners are taking advantage of easy credit, meaning that they can install a new kitchen or extension for virtually nothing if they manage their borrowings right. Building on your existing home has always been an appealing factor to property owners, adding a great deal of value to the house. Whether it’s a simple conservatory, loft conversion or full scale extension, home improvements could be the way forward for many. Many believe that because of Brexit, home owners will be less inclined to move house or upscale this year, meaning that renovations may prove to be even more popular.

It’s also great news for property management companies or landlords, who are presented with opportunities to potentially expand their property by a number of rooms or even another floor. Home owner’s not wanting to budge also makes it difficult for young professionals to enter the property ladder – which is there the aforementioned built-to-rent may come into play. More young people are inclined to rent than consider moving into a house, a trend which is predicted to continue this year.

 

Health and Safety

After the Grenfell Tower tragedy in the UK, the aspect of health and safety has been raised as a matter of upmost importance for every property management company. In 2017 and 2018, we saw a call for action in removing unsafe cladding from buildings. The Grenfell Tower property management company claimed the blame lied with Kensington & Chelsea council. Council’s up and down the country were forced to re-evaluate their current practices in regulation over construction and property management companies. In 2019, it’s expected that health and safety will be stepped up a notch to meet the high standards now in place. For property managers, this may mean spending more money per property than they did previously.

 

A Year of Change for the Better

The year ahead is certainly looking busy for changing property management practices. Not only will commercial property management be revisited, but it may be that residential property is also managed to the same degree. This has been long overdue, with more needing to be done about exploitative estate agents, unfair agency fees and improved safety checks.

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see whether the proposed built-to-rent system is able to alleviate some of the concerns the UK government has about the housing crisis. As with all predictions, it’s yet to be seen whether any come into fruition over the course of 2019. The only thing certain is that it will be an unprecedented year for the housing market thanks to Brexit.

Reasons You Might Want to Look Up the History of That House Before You Buy

March 28, 2019
Home Decor
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With the exception of moving into a newly built custom house, any home that you purchase and live in is going to come with existing memories. The old owners might put up a couple of fresh coats of paint, repave the driveway, or even completely renovate the bathrooms and kitchen before you move in. None of these actions are going to erase the fact that your newly purchased home is going to come with a history, which isn’t so bad of a thing if you think about it. What you do need to ensure is that you look up the history of your soon-to-be new home prior to closing. Having the names and pertinent information of everyone who lived in your home previously can make living a lot easier.

Ensuring Your New Home Has a Positive History

So, a lot of people who move out of rentals or choose to sell their property are just regular everyday people. You may use a reverse lookup address service out of sheer curiosity. Perhaps you look up the history of the family living in the home before you to confirm that they were the owner-occupants. Otherwise, people might do a reverse address search to check for any major local news stories related to crime. In this day and age, you really can’t be too safe while in the process of buying a house.

Find Out Who Your Neighbors Are

The history of the home you plan to buy and move into is important. At the same time, the background and identities of your closest neighbors is pretty crucial as well. No, you don’t need to find out the total life story of your neighbors and run background checks on them but it can be good to know what the neighborhood is like. Will you be moving onto a block filled with retirees, working parents, or young professionals who are fresh out of graduate school? Have your potential neighbors been living there for the past couple of years or did they inherit their homes from their parents several decades ago. Seeing who you will be living near is totally a step that shouldn’t be missed when shopping for a house.

Avoiding Being Harassed by Debt Collectors

When you get a new phone number you almost expect to get a bevvy of ‘wrong phone number’ calls, especially within the first 30 or so days. The majority of people simply don’t go through their entire rolodex to let everyone know that their contact information has changed. However, anyone who has inherited the phone number of someone with a lot of bad debt knows that those phone calls pretty much never stop. And thanks to skip tracing if you inherit their old address you can expect to receive phone calls as well as have their letters clogging up your mailbox. Some people can live with that while lots of others would rather not hear from debt collectors indefinitely.

When you buy residential properties, there can be lots of surprises. Sometimes previous occupants and owners leave behind parting gifts and even trinkets. You may see that some last-minute improvements have been made for you and your family to enjoy. Know the home as well as the neighborhood by doing a reverse address search.

4 Women’s Watch Brands with a Twist

March 27, 2019
Lifestyle
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It’s easy to fall in love with your watch regardless of whether you prefer a traditional style or a smartwatch. It’s an accessory that you can use to highlight your style and show off a small part of your personality. However, some girls can struggle to find a watch they love because it looks more traditional. Here’s a look at some watch designers that are creating styles with a twist on the conventional.

 

Picto

A Danish watch brand that offers both simplicity and complexity simultaneously. The design of the watch is usually just two colours, the face being one, and the rest of the watch is another, which makes the watch sound very basic. The unique design comes from the hour hand being a metal ball rather than a regular hand, and its highlighted by the minutes hand a conventional style. Its bold, simple design that will catch anyone eye, and the detail of the hands will keep their gaze. Buying a Picto watch shows that you’ve put an extra bit of thought into your choice of a timepiece and it’s unlikely that you’ll bump into anyone with something similar.

 

Storm Watches

A style of watch that you can continuously change. Storm watches offer interchangeable straps so if you taste changes on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, it’s a perfect designer to suit your needs. They provide multiple straps you can purchase separately and a variety of alternate styles, so if you want a regular leather strap in the day for a dress watch, or a rose gold watch in the evening, you won’t need to buy multiple watches, just straps!

 

AARK

The AARK collective offers a massive range of simple and complex timepieces. Using alternative, yet familiar pattern on the watches, an AARK watch could have a turtle shell casing or a wave formed hour hand for a slight alteration on what would be seen as a traditional watch. AARK’s vast collection of alternative watches makes it a tempting brand to browse through and it can match up with both smart and bohemian jewellery, and they are sold at a price point that is both realistic but also gives you the sense of buying a quality timepiece.

 

WWOOR

The twist on this brand will likely be the favourite. It offers a premium watch at some of the lowest prices imaginable. Watches from as little as $18 that have an ultra-thin gold casing with a mesh strap. Browsing the website immediately gives you the feeling of viewing a luxury brand, but the price tag you expect just isn’t there. The watches are conventional in their styles, but still has a beautiful finish.

 

Four brands to browse and fall in love with, it can be easy to pick out a watch in some cases, but finding one you keep and like for at least a few years can be tough at times, make sure you consider the price when committing to an alternative style at a high price.

 

Unique Stay: 7 Eco-Friendly Hotels in the USA

March 25, 2019
Travel & Vacations
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Modern rest brings us back to the supervalue of nature over any comfort. However, the hotel business doesn’t force us to choose between naturalness and sufficient comfort. Eco-hotels are the best embodiment of this combination.

If you are going to the United States and want to spend a few days in a unique setting, then the following hotels will be an excellent choice. Some of them are located at some distance from large cities, making Enterprise rent a car USA the best way to get to them.

Earthship Rentals, Taos, New Mexico

If you have ever wondered what it means to live outside of range, then you have a chance to try it. At the foot of Sangre de Cristo Mountains near the town of Taos, in New Mexico, there are several buildings that resemble Gaudi’s masterpieces and, at the same time, embodied imaginations of some children’s writer.

Helio House

They are called Earthship Rentals. These are unusual buildings created from recycled materials. They are extremely environmentally friendly. In order to ensure the saving, electricity is produced by solar panels, and the water supply comes from precipitation, which is collected in special tanks. It even has its own greenhouses.

However, you shouldn’t worry that you have to sacrifice your own comfort when staying there. The interior of the buildings amazes with bohemian chic interiors, decorated in ethnic motifs. Each of them is provided with Wi-Fi and TV.

Address: 2 Earthship Way, El Prado, NM

 

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, Nevada

Who says luxury can’t be eco-friendly? By using the example of Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas – with its energy-saving lamps, eco-friendly household chemicals, and organic cuisine – you’ll see that ecotourism can be chic. A LEED gold certified hotel proves that this temple of elegance and luxury really cares about the environment.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

(photo by Anthony Phillips)

The interior of the hotel – from the lobby to the last of the 392 rooms – is made in an elegant Asian style. A view of the famous Las Vegas Strip is best enjoyed by sipping a cocktail at the Mandarin Bar on the 23rd floor.

Address: 3752 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

 

Milkweed Mercantile, Rutledge, Missouri

Wallace Stegner Room

(photo by Queen Alline)

Located in Dancing Rabbit eco-village in northeastern Missouri, this unique eco-friendly hotel provides a great getaway for the fans of a healthy lifestyle and respect for nature. For all needs, the hotel use rainwater collected in a giant cistern installed on the front porch of the hotel. It’s filtered and used for drinking, cooking and washing. The hotel’s two-story building draws energy from solar and wind sources. The local café serves organic dishes made from natural ingredients.

Address: 3 Dancing Rabbit Ln, Rutledge, MO

 

Casa Gallina, Taos, New Mexico

Casa Gallina is another beautiful place situated in the mountains of New Mexico. The hotel promises to acquaint its guests with the “artisan lifestyle.” It consists of five houses of clay, located on three acres along the Rio Fernando River.

100_9186

(photo by Victor Caballero)

From the window, it offers a great view of Taos Mountains. Carpets and hand-made textiles, as well as the creations of local craftsmen, give a special flavor to the interior decoration.

The kitchen is equipped with all necessary modern appliances and environmentally friendly products certified by the US Department of Agriculture. In the evenings, you can brighten up your stay by gatherings around the fire. Other activities offered by the hotel include hiking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding, shopping, visiting galleries and museums – the hotel is located just five minutes from the lively city center.

Address: 613 Callejon, Taos, NM

 

W Hotel San Francisco, San Francisco, California

All visitors to the W Hotel San Francisco are invited to stay and remain “environmentally friendly, glamorous and global”, that is, to contribute to the improvement of the environment, without sacrificing the quality of rest.

W San Francisco—Fabulous Room

(photo by W Worldwide)

More than 50% of the lighting in the rooms and 90% of the street lighting provided at the hotel is environmentally friendly, as motion sensors, modern LED and compact fluorescent lights are used there. The hotel has an energy efficient cooling system that saves 300 kWh per year. By the way, the hotel features a silver LEED certificate.

Address: 181 3rd St, San Francisco, CA

 

L’Auberge Del Mar, San Diego, California

All initiatives for sustainable development in the hotel are combined in the program SafeEarth. It all started with the fact that the ingredients for food and beverages were selected only with an “organic” mark, and continued by using technologies to reasonably reduce energy and water consumption, as well as launching methods to reduce waste, and switch to active processing and composting.

L'Auberge Del Mar

(photo by B L)

Now the hotel is trying, as far as possible, to purchase domestic products and materials from local producers, which also has a positive effect on the carbon footprint of L’Auberge Del Mar.

Address: 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA

 

Big Mill, Williamston, North Carolina

The hotel is located on the territory of a former farm in North Carolina, in two hours’ drive away from the state capital Raleigh, which is famous for its oak forests.

bridge

(photo by bigmillbb)

Guests can stroll around the vast estate of 200 acres, admiring the beautiful gardens, forests, streams and rivers. The hotel’s premises are made from recycled wood and other materials from the former farm. When it’s possible, Big Mill uses energy-saving technologies, including fluorescent and low-voltage lighting, and instead of air conditioning, most of the hotel’s rooms use ceiling fans.

Address: 1607 Big Mill Rd, Williamston, NC

Drinking In Luxury: 5 Of The Most Sophisticated Bars In Manchester

March 20, 2019
Travel & Vacations
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With high-end cocktails, glamorous guests and champagne flutes, when it comes to luxury and sophisticated bars in Manchester, these are just a few of the things that come to mind. Thankfully, for visitors to the city, there is a wide range of choice available when it comes to luxury bars to choose from. Whether you’re going on a first date, business lunch or meeting up with friends for a catch-up, here are 5 of the most sophisticated bars in Manchester which you must visit.

 

Cloud 23

Overlooking the city, Cloud 23 is sat 23 floors above from the pavement and is the cities renowned “floating bar”. It is a truly lavish and exclusive hangout and has been known to host some of the most famous celebrities and parties in the city.

Cloud 23 offers one of the most sophisticated drinking experiences in Manchester, where you can sip champagne or a Manchester-themed cocktail whilst watching the world go by below you. If you visit on a clear and sunny day, then you may even be able to see as far as Wales, or visit at dusk and watch the sun set over the skyline.

 

Cottonopolis

Set in the trendy Northern Quarter, Cottonopolis is a true gem in the city. Quietly tucked away behind Piccadilly, this Japanese inspired restaurant and bar boasts a truly exclusive experience with a unique cocktail menu and extensive craft ale list. This is the perfect place to go for a relaxing drink with a twist, or a starting point for a sophisticated night out on the town and as a bonus point is also one of the best places to eat in Manchester.

 

The WashHouse

One of Manchester’s most secret bars, The WashHouse is not your usual city-centre drinking spot. You’d be forgiven for passing by and assuming this was just another launderette, but this is all part of the appeal and fun. Firstly, you need to make a booking over the phone, but when you step through the washing machine door, you’ll find yourself in a dark and mysterious speak-easy. If you’re looking for somewhere to impress, this is the bar for you!

 

The Refinery

Nestled in a quirky spot right in the centre of the city, The Refinery has an eclectic mix of drinking and dining experiences. Whether you want a casual dining room, a top-class restaurant or a laidback bar area, The Refinery is filled with hanging lights, potted plants and funky decor. A truly unique space with a carefully crafted cocktail menu and a selection of fine wines, The Refinery is the ideal spot to spend a weekend afternoon with friends.

 

Atlas Bar

Just a stone’s throw away from Cloud 23, Atlas Bar is located on the corner of Deansgate, underneath the railway arches. Well known across the city, Atlas Bar is the home to over 420 different kinds of gin from all over the world. If you’re new to gin drinking or are a favoured fan, then Atlas Bar is sure to throw you something you weren’t expecting. There’s nothing patronising about this bar, and the staff here are more than happy to talk you through the so-called “Gin Bible” to find a tipple which you will enjoy. If gin isn’t your thing, then the bar also offers an extensive craft ale selection.

Thirsty? TOP 6 Healthy Beverages to Drink on the Go!

March 19, 2019
Travel & Vacations
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Water is probably the healthiest drink you may have. You drink it every day and especially needed when you are traveling. What do you used to drink when driving? If drinking water is too simple for you and you want to try local delicacies, you can stop and visit the road side restaurants. It’s not difficult to mark them on your radar if you take a car with GPS. No worries about unexpected spends. You can find a read all the car rental rules beforehand! So, having a car, you are free to stop where you like and tasty what you want. But…what is recommended to drink on the go except for water?

Healthy dry green tea on a wooden spoon

 

  1. GREEN TEA

This popular hot drink (sometimes you can take it cold and refreshing) contains flavonoids. These elements are very helpful to prevent different disorders. It is enough to drink about 3 cups of tea a day to prevent heart attack, cancer, caries. Green tea is especially recommended for people who are trying to loose in weight.

  1. GINGER TEA

Ginger tea is known as a natural remedy for stomach health. Actually, it is also good for digestion and prevents sickness and diarrhea. But don’t think about it. Just make a cup of fresh tea with two ginger slices. Also, you can add some honey and lemon.

  1. MILK

Everyone knows that milk is a source of calcium. It is recommended to drink about 3 glasses of milk a day for adults. In addition to this, the milk is rich in D and A vitamin, and other elements useful for your bones and eyes. Don’t worry about your diet. You can buy low-fat milk.

Soy Milk

 

  1. FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICES

Fruit and vegetable juices are useful if you take them fresh, with no sugar and colorants. Don’t overdo! The juices are good when you take them limited. The most of the juices you buy in the supermarket are not 100 natural. If you have time, you can force juice out of an orange or lemon and get vitamins for the whole day.

  • Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate is a strong antioxidant. It is good for your heart. It prevents cancer and inflammation. Pomegranate juice is a good choice when you feel tired and exhausted. Just take a glass or two, but read the labels carefully. You don’t need a juice with sugar and much water.

  • Tomato juice

The benefits of tomato juice are obvious. Fresh tomatoes protect you from cancers. The juice is full of antioxidant lycopene, which reduces risk of lung and stomach cancer. You should drink tomato juice if you have pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, breast, and cervical problems.

Tomato juice with raw tomatoes

 

  • Orange juice

If you drink orange juice every morning you do right. By the way, it doesn’t take many efforts to force juice out of an orange. Orange juice is a source of C vitamin. Also, the juice is recommended for people suffering from a season allergy. But remember, only FRESH orange juice is healthy!

  • Beet juice

Are you ready to hear all the truth about a beet juice? Beet has a unique ability to lower a blood pressure, increase your stamina. Beet is full of magnesium, calcium, iron. Honestly, it is difficult to find fresh beet juice in the shop. It is better to prepare it at home or book in a juice bar.

  • Lemon juice

Yes, you are right! We are talking about lemon juice, not lemonade. Lemon juice cares about your liver, stimulate digestion process. Lemon is rich in C vitamin and boosts your immune system. Look here! Take a half of a lemon and mix it with a glass of water in the morning. It is a better stimulant than coffee to wake you up and boost your organism.

A glass of fresh orange juice with fruit oranges

 

  1. RED WINE

Don’t even try to drink wine when driving! A glass of red wine a day is useful for your heart and blood. The wine contains flavonoids and antioxidants. It is really useful only if you drink no more than a glass. If you are going to drink a bottle of wine therapeutic, you will never get any use of it.

Hot Chocolate at it's finest

 

  1. HOT COCOA

Do you like chocolate? If you like chocolate, you probably like cocoa. Do you know that cocoa is a healthy drink? Try to drink it hot. Hot cocoa contains antioxidants and their concentration is twice bigger than a cup of green tea usually has. But don’t forget about your diet. Sugar and milk must be limited ingredients. Hot cocoa is a fast and tasty way to get some happiness. It is useful for your heart if you drink it no more than a cup a day.

Of course, you are not going to drink hot cocoa or milk when driving. It is better to take some water. but there is nothing better than make a stop at the road side cafe and book a really useful and stimulating drink. Traveling is not a reason to forget about your health!

6 Ways to Run a Successful Cancer Fundraising in India

March 8, 2019
Lifestyle
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Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases that has handicapped a majority of the human population. It not only comes with a high fatality rate but also an unimaginable amount of financial distraught, which is why not many people are able to survive the onset of cancer. But just because we, with our single efforts cannot battle cancer, doesn’t mean that we are not powerful enough to battle the disease together. If humans don’t help each other to survive, in times of need, then who else will? Therefore, it is very essential for various groups and people to host fundraisers to raise money that will help in combating cancer. This is essential especially in a time like this where India is seeing an internet boom and we can use this to popularize crowdfunding for medical treatment.

To help and guide people who are interested in starting a cancer fundraiser’s themselves, here are 6 tips that are likely to help you out.

 

  1. Plan an Event:

This is the first and the most crucial step, in which one has to decide on how exactly do they plan to collect the money and how will they utilize the collected money. Online events like the ALS ice bucket challenge which was a trend a few years back, shows how the events need not be offline and physical.

 

  1. Make It Easy For People To Donate:

      It is extremely important that people know where exactly they have donated. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity about the donation gateway, it is very advisable to use a concrete platform that solely exists to help with crowdfunding India.

 

  1. Show How The Donations Are Making An Impact:

      When potential donors see that the donations are actually being used to help people in need and is making an impact in society, they will be in a much better state of mind and thus donate more generously. No-one wants to donate their hard-earned money to some shady organization that might or might not be legit.

 

  1. Have A Deadline:

      People are very lackadaisical in nature and that is exactly why one should always set a deadline for their fundraising campaign. This will make people donate at the very moment and they won’t keep delaying their donations.

 

  1. Incentive:

      Providing donors with some kind of incentive like giving them access to certain offers, makes them more interested in donating.

 

  1. Spreading Awareness:

      This is yet another crucial step, where the organizers need to explain and educate potential donors about how cancer cripples millions of Indians. Proper education on the matter won’t only help in raising donations but also enlighten the masses.


These are few steps with which one can easily setup up an event to facilitate crowdfunding for cancer in India. So, go out there and help raise money for people who need it.

 

Must-Have Items to Include in Your Custom Kitchen Design

March 7, 2019
Home Decor
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When you ask homeowners in which room of the house they tend to spend the most time in, many will answer with ‘the kitchen’. Between meal preparation, cooking, eating, socializing, entertaining, and even sitting with the kids around the table while they do their homework, the kitchen tends to be a very well-used room. With that said, it’s only natural that homeowners often pour a lot of time and money into extensive renovations of the kitchen so it best fits their needs and wants.

If you’ve decided that it’s time to go the route of a custom kitchen design to ensure that all of it fits your lifestyle and vision, then you need to be prepared to make a lot of decisions. With that in mind, here’s a look at a few must-have items that are perfect for your custom kitchen design.

Store Wine in a Smart and Attractive Way

For those who enjoy a good bottle of wine and have a bit of a collection going on, your custom kitchen is the perfect place to install wine storage. Having it available to you in the kitchen means it’s within reach and you won’t forget to enjoy all those great bottles you’ve been collecting. The Eurocave wine cabinet is available in different sizes and configurations, which means no matter what size your collection is, you’ll find a storage cellar that works. You can even have your wine cabinet built right into the design so that it blends with the cupboards and doesn’t stand out.

Second Appliances

Another thing you may want to consider in your custom design is installing second appliances – more specifically a second dishwasher, refrigerator, and/or oven. This is ideal for those with large families, foodies that love cooking, and those who entertain often. Obviously doubling up on appliances will increase your productivity in the kitchen.

Under Cabinet Lighting

This is one of those items that people don’t tend to fully appreciate until they have it. Under cabinet lighting not only serves a practical purpose of lighting the counter, which is handy during food preparation, but it also adds to the overall look and atmosphere of the room. It adds a sense of sophistication and luxury that custom design kitchens usually strive for.

Give Thought to Your Cabinet Height

One thing that people are quick to include in a custom kitchen is oversized cupboards that reach almost to the ceiling, or right to it. While this can certainly make the room feel taller and add drama to the space, it’s not always the most practical design choice. How will you plan to access those top shelves? Instead, you may want to keep things a little lower so that you aren’t having to get a ladder out each time you go into the cupboards.

No Such Thing as Too Much Counter Space

Finally, is the counter space, and there is only one rule here and that’s the fact that you can never have enough countertops. If you can find a way to have both countertops and an island, you’ll be giving yourself a lot more useable space.

Each of these items and tips will help you to create a flawless and practical custom kitchen.