Celebrity /

The Most Common Mental Health Disorders

1 in 8 people are believed to be currently living with a mental health disorder. While there are many different forms of mental health disorders, some are much more common than others. Below are some of the most common forms of mental health disorders, how to spot the symptoms and how to treat them.

Featured Photo from Worth

Generalised anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is possibly the most common mental health disorder. It is a form of anxiety that is affected by lots of different triggers as opposed to just one thing. 

People with GAD tend to worry a lot, and these worries can end up becoming draining and debilitating. It’s possible that you have GAD if:

  • You get anxious about many different tasks and situations and feel constantly on edge
  • Anxious thoughts are keeping you up at night and distracting you from tasks during the day
  • Your worrying is having a negative impact on relationships, work or school

GAD symptoms can range in severity from mild persistent worrying to full-blown panic attacks. In all cases, it’s important to do something about it in order to stop it getting worse. It’s worth looking into professional treatment for anxiety if symptoms are severe. If symptoms are mild, you may be able to explore your own forms of anxiety relief such as breathing exercises, listening to music or taking herbal remedies. Do not turn to alcohol or drugs in order to treat GAD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is another type of anxiety. It is triggered by a traumatic event which could range from childbirth to being a victim of a violent crime. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. 

Some of the symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Constant nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event that keep you up at night and distract you during the day
  • A fear of certain situations or places that is detrimental to everyday life (such as not wanting to get into a car after a road accident)
  • Feelings of isolation or guilt that cause you to become morose and irritable

There are many treatments for PTSD that you can explore. Some people are prescribed antidepressants, while therapy is recommended for others. PTSD is often at its worst when the event is still fresh in one’s mind, but will usually gradually fade over time. However, for some people it can get worse over time – this is when you know that you need to get professional support. Solutions like support groups can be very beneficial. 

Depression

Depression is not just sadness. It is a sense of resentment and hopelessness that lasts weeks or months. Depression is often triggered by certain events, however, those who have a history of it or family with depression may be prone to more random episodes. 

You may have depression if:

  • You are losing interest in things that once brought you joy and do not feel hopeful about anything
  • You feel constantly tired and have no urge to look after yourself
  • You have lost your appetite and your sex drive
  • You waste away the day sleeping or find it difficult to sleep at all due to depressed thoughts

Like other mental illnesses, depression can vary in severity. Some people just feel constantly dispirited, while others can feel there is no point in living at all – which can lead to suicidal thoughts. While you should seek treatment in all cases, it’s particularly important to reach out if you are thinking of harming yourself. There are many ways to overcome depression including lifestyle changes (such as developing a strict routine and exercising), antidepressants, therapy and socialising with people whose company you genuinely enjoy.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects many people and involves obsessive thoughts and behaviours that end up negatively affecting everyday life. Unlike GAD, people with OCD often carry out specific rituals that seem excessive or nonsensical to other people. This could include routinely cleaning things that are already clean, checking that a door is locked multiple times every night or avoiding stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Not all obsessive behaviours are a problem. However, OCD is worth treating if:

  • You find yourself missing appointments or are late to work/school due to lengthy OCD rituals
  • Your relationships become strained because of your obsessive thoughts and behaviours
  • Your physical health is being affected (for example, you’ve developed dermatitis from constantly cleaning your hands)

Therapy is the best way to treat OCD. Using professionally recommended techniques you can help to overcome obsessive thoughts and behaviours. 

Accessories /

2023 Style Overhaul: The 4 Key Accessories You Need To Know

You know, when it comes to looking your best, it’s not just about the clothes you wear. Sure, they are important, but it’s the accessories that truly have the power to make or break your overall look.

They are the missing links that turn an outfit from good to fabulous. So, whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or just looking to spice up your everyday look, you have come to the right place.

We’ll dive into the incredible world of accessories to revamp your style in 2023.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Statement Bags

Imagine you are wearing a basic outfit like jeans and a top, and then you sling on a statement bag. Suddenly, your whole look becomes extraordinary.

Now, you might be curious about the kind of bag that’s stealing the show in 2023. Well, it’s all about welcoming the cross-body puffer bag trend but with a twist! They come in bold, eye-catching colors like vibrant orange or rich red and are conversation starters- Adding personality to your style.

So, whether you’re off to beat the day or hanging out with friends, let your bag do the talking and your style shine bright.

Silk Scarves

Silk scarves are like magical style changers. They’re versatile pieces that can be styled in different ways.

For a touch of sophistication, you can tie them around your neck. Alternatively, you can drape them over your shoulders for a boho vibe or even wrap them around your hair for a playful twist.

And guess what? In 2023, oversized silk scarves are the latest trend. They’re like wearable art, with bold prints and vibrant colors that can instantly jazz up your outfit.

Stylish Belts

Adding a stylish belt to your outfit can work wonders in transforming your look. It brings a balance to outfits that might need a little extra flair.

For instance, if you are wearing a long sweater or loose top, a well-placed belt can define your waist, creating a flattering silhouette.

What’s even more interesting? There are so many styles to choose from! A studded belt might be your go-to choice if you’re going for a bold vibe. Similarly, if you’re into some glitz, a belt decorated with sparkly gemstones can make your outfit pop.

And when it comes to colors, classic black or brown belts are great as they can go with different outfits all year round.

Layered Jewelry

Layered jewelry has a special charm that catches everyone’s attention. Think of it like wearing layers of elegance with each piece making you feel graceful and stylish.

When speaking of this accessory, there’s a trend that’s been getting a ton of love lately: stackable rings. You can wear these thin, stylish rings together on one finger. Apart from that, there are layered necklaces. You might wear a delicate pendant necklace alongside a bolder chain.

What makes this jewelry so special is its versatility. You can wear them to formal events like office meetings or a casual hangout with friends.

Final Words

With these four essential accessories, you can instantly transform a simple outfit into a fresh and trendy look. But remember, they aren’t just add-ons – they’re the special elements that can take your outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. So, don’t be afraid to mix and match and make them your own.

Accessories /

Simple Tips For Perfecting Accessories

Whether you consider yourself a fashionista or just treat clothes as a practical matter, looking and feeling your best is likely always on your radar when you’re rummaging through your wardrobe. After all, the ideal outfit can boost your confidence, comfort, and happiness throughout the day. But, what if we were to tell you that you’re also missing out on a crucial style factor that could make just as much of a difference?

Accessories are an often-forgotten fashion focus, but these little additions can make or break even the most functional outfits. From making things fun and sassy to helping you feel glam on even comfy days, accessories are a transformative power for fashion good, and they’re a style subsect well worth delving into.

Unfortunately, while most of us mess around with accessories at some point, a lot of us either forget or simply don’t care to wear accessories daily. And that’s a significant waste of style potential! 

Of course, we’re not saying that you need to wear as many rings as Beyonce at the Grammys, but playing around with at least a few accessories could transform your look. So, how do you achieve an a* look with your accessories?

Find the right accessories for you

Most of us spend significant amounts of time tailoring our wardrobes. Yet, when it comes to accessories, we’re often guilty of opting for easy, costume-style choices. And, then we wonder why we’re not getting along with them down the line!

Accessories deserve every bit as much of your attention as your clothes themselves. To start getting accessories right at last, you certainly need to step away from cheap plastic pieces that turn your fingers or neck green!

Instead, focus on curating a high-quality wardrobe of accessories. Throw out all of those flimsy cheap rings and replace them with a 5 carat diamond ring in a shade that you know you’ll be able to pair easily. Replace all of those tangled cheap necklaces with one or two quality pieces that are sleek and likely to last you for a long time to come. 

Put accessories where you can see them

It can be tough to change a lifetime of treating accessories as a secondary consideration. As such, you need to train yourself in the habit of wearing accessories at last by displaying them where you can see them.

Instead of dooming your earrings to that dark, dirty bag that you never even think to look in, invest in some decent accessory holders that can display either around your bedroom or, better, in your bathroom. That way, even if you don’t spare a thought for accessories as you’re getting ready, you’ll inevitably see your new, sleek accessory collection when you’re giving yourself a last touch-up. And, when they’re this easy to hand, you might find yourself reaching for a bracelet or something similar to complement your outfit a lot more often. 

Take inspiration from the best

We often look to celebs and other figures in the public eye for style inspiration. But few of us think to pay attention to accessories in the same way. In reality, though, there’s a whole load of great accessory inspo at our fingertips when we’re ready to use it.

Figures like Miley Cyrus are perhaps most worth paying attention to right now. That’s because Miley loves to layer a load of accessories with her outfits, and she looks great doing it! Equally, Beyonce has a thing for personalized jewelry, while Kim Kardashian has even been snapped making vintage accessories cool again.

As soon as you start paying attention, it’ll be far easier to see how great accessories can be when they’re done well, and also how you could start on your own accessory journey. It just takes a little research and a basic idea of what kind of styling you’re looking out for!

Have fun styling

Accessories can be even more fun to style than our outfits. After all, the whole purpose of accessories is to contrast or complement the rest of our style choices. By having fun, and not being afraid to play around with what accessories have to offer, it’s possible to get stuck in a habit that you can’t get enough of. 

Whether you use apps like Stylebook to test out accessories with potential outfits, or just get stuck in with dressing up like you did when you were younger, you’re sure to settle on some great accessory combos that you’ll likely soon struggle to leave the house without. 

Entertainment /

How To Find Your Ideal Type of Music

Music is something that many people find to be an incredibly important part of their lives. It’s something that makes them happy (even boosting their mood when they’re feeling down), it can help relax them, and it’s even something that can help with creativity or exercise. It’s motivating and, above all, it’s fun. 

Yet there are so many different styles of music in the world that it can be hard to work out what’s going to make you happiest and what’s going to be the most fun. Although it’s fine to like lots of different styles of music (and many people do), if you can work out what your favorite is – the ideal style for you – then you’ll always know precisely what to listen to when you need a boost. With that in mind, read on to find out more about how to find your ideal type of music. 

Photo by cottonbro studio

Think About Yourself 

One way to find your ideal type of music is to think about yourself and engage in some self-reflection. When you think about your particular personality, your emotions, and what you just like in general, you might be able to narrow down your music choices and listen to the things that really speak to you and mean a lot, rather than things that don’t do a lot to or for you, even if they’re pleasant enough to hear. Perhaps you’re an extroverted persona who’s energetic and loves dancing. In that case, you might like a different style of music compared with someone who is more introverted and likes to listen to music rather than move to it. 

When you understand more about how music makes you feel, and you know more about yourself, you’ll be able to match these two things up so that the music you listen to helps to give you the peace, happiness, and solace you’re looking for. 

Try Different Genres

Just because you’ve always listened to one particular type of music, that doesn’t mean it’s the one that’s going to be best for you. It can almost become a habit when you turn on the radio or download a song to ensure it’s in the genre that everything else in your collection is in.  

But what if you changed that? What if you decided that you would try an entirely different genre instead? You could search for the best music torrenting sites and find all kinds of new styles of music there with easy access. Pick one to begin with that you’ve never listened to before, and see what you can find. Not only will this be fun, but it will teach you a lot about music in general too. Of course, you might find that your old favourite genre is actually best, but equally, you might find something you like better that you would never have tried before if you didn’t specifically go exploring. 

Learn About Music History 

Understanding the origins of certain types of music and how that style has changed and evolved over the years can be fascinating, and it’s a great way to find new genres that might appeal to you. You can research the genres that you listen to most and then start to think about other types of music – you might even find they’re all linked in some way to help you determine what to look into next. Gaining this knowledge won’t just give you more appreciation for the music itself, but it will give you a good amount of insight into the emotions and themes you’ll find in the music too, and that can really mean a lot. 

Take classical music, for example. That has a long history that dates back many centuries, and there are some massively influential composers involved, like Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, for example. Or what about jazz? Jazz has roots in African American history, and again, it goes back a long way, giving you a chance to understand more about all kinds of history from around the world and in various time periods. 

Go To Live Performances 

There’s something really special about live performances that can elevate any piece of music into something wonderful. That’s why it’s a good idea to go to as many concerts, musicals, and other events as you can. Not only will you hear the music, but you’ll see it performed, and that can give you a lot of information about how the piece has been created, and if the performer is putting energy and emotion into the song, it’s even better, and will stay with you for a long time. 

Try to see live events that encompass lots of genres, and go to small local gigs as well as big arena-based ones. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the music, connect with the rest of the audience, and you might find a new style of music to love.

Accessories /

Tips for Finding Clothes Cheap!

Are you looking to update your wardrobe? Maybe your current clothing choices don’t reflect who you are, or perhaps you’ve lost yourself over the years and need a revamp. You might just be in need of some seasonal staples, or be in need of some new pieces following a weight loss journey. Either way, you’ll find that buying clothes is expensive especially if you’re after a whole new wardrobe! Here are some of the ways to keep those costs down.

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok

Shop second hand

Secondhand apps like Vinted have changed the ways that many of us shop for clothing, and how we think about ‘pre-loved’ items. These platforms give you the choice of masses of different items at a fraction of their original cost which is a great way to save money as well as the environment. When it comes to things like baby clothes especially you can get some real bargains, where most people over buy items and their baby grows out of them quickly. However, there are hidden gems in all categories and you can get unique pieces and even designer labels at hugely discounted prices. If you prefer to shop in person then charity shops are another gold mine for bargains. You can find all kinds of great items especially if you check in them on a regular basis, and as a bonus the money you spend in there goes to a charitable good cause so you’re doing good while you buy. 

Utilizing fast fashion in the right way

The trouble with fast fashion sites like Shein is that they’ve come under a lot of scrutiny for the environmental impact they have and that their labor can be exploitative.  If you do choose to shop at fast fashion sites, be mindful of the impact that they have and try to make sustainable choices where possible. Due to the cost of living crisis, many of us are short on money, and buying essentials like clothing has become unaffordable. Cheap fast fashion sites can be useful here as they mean you can get the things you need without breaking the bank, but try to shop as responsibly as you can. If you go for versatile and timeless pieces that can be worn across seasons then you’ll get the most amount of wear from each thing you buy. 

Shop the sales

Keep an eye on seasonal sales, holidays, and clearance events to snag discounts with your clothing- times like Black Friday can be a good time to refresh your wardrobe. Just be careful and avoid getting carried away and buying items solely because they’re on sale, and be wary of shops inflating prices before sales to make the discount seem bigger than it is when it comes to sale periods. Stick to your shopping list and only buy what you genuinely need or love.

Shop safely

When you’re shopping online it’s important to stay safe and protect your money. There are two common ways to pay electronically- ACH vs EFT. ACH covers different electronic transactions like direct deposits and bill payments while EFT is about transferring money between accounts, like online payments. Always make sure to use trusted websites with secure payment options like Paypal, and keep your financial information private to shop safely online too.

What are your tips for getting clothing cheap?

Fitness /

Getting Serious About Your Daily Workout

It may not take long before you want to elevate your daily workout for strength, endurance, and satisfaction. Taking it to another level isn’t as easy as just working harder. Other factors, such as finding the right gear and even changing your diet, come into play. Here are some tips.

CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels

Learn to Warm Up Properly

One of the most overlooked parts of exercise by beginners is skipping the warm-up or not doing it right. And this is the most common cause of sprains and other injuries. A good warm-up should last for around 10 minutes and includes jogging on the spot, stretches, and gentle exercise to get the blood flowing. Professionals at gyms like Fitness 19 can show you how to do this correctly and will always welcome the chance to educate you about warming up properly.

Invest in Good Quality Gear

If you don’t use good quality gear such as trainers, sportswear, and accessories, you risk injury. On the lower end, you will just end up paying more when you have to constantly replace the cheap items that wear out quickly. You should always invest in breathable materials for tops, bottoms, and trainers. And buy the best you can afford. You should always feel light and comfortable but also protected. It also helps to buy multiple items to help with laundry.

Use Music in Your Daily Workout

It is very common for people who exercise a lot to listen to music when doing it. Music can help set the tempo for your workout. Meaning you can work to a beat and get good results at the same time. But having your own playlist also means you get to enjoy the music you really like at the same time as exercising. This can help lower your anxiety about exercises and set your mind in the right mood. It helps to invest in quality earphones that won’t fall off when moving.

Take Your Diet Seriously

You may not realize your diet needs to change dramatically to get the best out of working out. What you eat can help or hinder your performance in the gym, and staying away from carbs is a mistake some people make. Carbs give you energy and provide it in short bursts for improved athleticism. Of course, you also need to eat more protein from various meats and vegetables to aid in performance, but mainly for muscle regeneration. And avoid “energy” drinks at all costs.

Supplement Your Intake

Even when you eat right, you may not get all you need for the best workout. Vitamin and mineral supplements are excellent for topping up anything you may lack and can boost your workout in the right combinations. Vitamin B compounds, zinc, and magnesium are excellent for overall health and performance. But of course, these cannot make up for a poor diet. And try to limit vitamin drinks and foods that come with extra sugars, caffeine, and other harmful substances. 

Summary

Your daily workout can become much more effective with some small changes. You must learn to warm up correctly, work to your favorite music, and boost vitamin intake with supplements.

Lifestyle /

Tips for Hosting Guests At Your Home

As soon as you move into your own home you will start hosting guests. Hosting is great fun, it gives you a chance to show off the place that you live as well as socialize and enjoy spending time with your loved ones. There are so many different ways to host a guest, you can have them over for a movie night, a games night, to try out new recipes (if you want to try something new here is a quiche recipe anyone can make or so simple catch-up and hear how they have been.

Photo by fauxels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-making-toast-3184183/ 

When hosting guests at your home, there are plenty of things to think about – making sure your house is tidy, ensuring it smells nice, having plenty of drinks available, and so on. To help you with the next time you host, here are some of our top tips. 

Give yourself plenty of time to tidy 

Everyone is conscious of how their house looks, especially when they have guests over. When you know you are going to be hosting someone, give yourself plenty of time to spring clean and tidy. Depending on what you are planning, the last thing you want to do is be stressed and have to urgently clean, tidy as well as cook. 

Your house smell says a lot 

Just like the shoes you wear when you meet someone, the smell of your house says a lot about you. On top of giving yourself plenty of time to tidy, make a conscious effort to remove any bad odors in your home. Room sprays are a great way to add a luxurious smell to your home and so to are diffusers and candles. Depending on your budget, you can buy affordable ones as well as more expensive ones. 

Have plenty of drinks available 

You don’t want your guests to be thirsty when you are hosting them. A day or two before they arrive, do an online order and select plenty of drink options that they can enjoy when round. Ensure you have alcoholic drinks as well as non-alcoholic drinks available in case someone isn’t drinking that day. If you have the time, mocktails are a great way to treat guests as well as impress them. With a quick Google, you’ll find a whole plethora of recipes to try out – some simple, some more complex. Instagram is a great place to investigate. 

Put your guests’ needs first 

Remember when hosting, your guests come first. Before they arrive, have a conversation with them about anything they may require – dietary requirements, drink tastes, dessert options, etc. You want to leave them impressed when they leave and the best way to do this is for them to leave impressed. 

We hope these tips give you some inspiration when hosting guests at your home. What tips do you have for hosting guests at your home? Which of the tips above did you find most useful? Is there anything you think we should add to the list? Please let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Beauty /

What Are The Best Confidence Boosting Ideas To Try

Confidence is something that everyone can make use of in their lives, no matter what they do or what their personalities are like. Some people seem to have confidence already, but a lot of people need to boost their confidence to get it to a good level that will help them when it comes to getting a job, interacting with people, and generally being more successful in life.

Featured Image from GLAMOUR

Of course, knowing that you need to get more confident and actually doing this are two different things, and it’s not easy to know what you should be doing to help yourself get the most out of life. With that in mind, here are some ideas that you can get started with, and once you put them into action, you should be able to boost your confidence a little at a time.

Photo by Engin Akyurt

Change Your Appearance

One of the biggest reasons people might have to feel less confident about themselves is their appearance. Although most other people probably wouldn’t notice an issue, almost everyone has something about themselves they don’t like, and by changing this thing or making the best of it if you can’t do anything about it, your confidence levels are sure to be boosted.

One thing you can do is to change your wardrobe. By updating your clothes, trying out new fashion trends, and really finally finding your personal style, you’ll feel a lot more confident every time you get dressed, helping you to be happy in most situations you find yourself in. Remember that although style is important, wearing clothes you like and that you’re comfortable in is also important. Take some time to explore different styles, experiment with colours and patterns, and wear what makes you happy.

You can also change your hairstyle, and it’s best to visit a professional if you feel this is the right thing for you to do. Having great hair is definitely something that boosts confidence; just think of how amazing you feel when you walk out of the salon with a fresh cut and perhaps a new colour – why not give yourself that treat and boost your confidence at the same time?

If you really want to make a change, a mini facelift could be the answer; you can get more information about the procedure here. You’ll certainly need to research what happens and the benefits, but it could be exactly what you need to take your confidence to the next level.

Take Up Hobbies Or Work On Old Ones

When you are able to take part in hobbies you love or have always been interested in, this can be another wonderful (and fun) way to increase how confident you feel in yourself. Think about what you might like to do or consider old hobbies you don’t do anymore but that you’d like to get back into. Whether it’s painting, playing a musical instrument, cooking, writing, or anything else, when you do an activity that you can enjoy and get a sense of accomplishment from, you’ll see that you are capable of achieving things, and this will obviously make you feel more confident – you’ll be less worried about making a mistake or not getting very far.

As well as this, sometimes confidence can come from just getting better at your talents and skills. This is why it can be a good idea to go back to hobbies you used to do and start again – or pick up where you left off if that is something you feel confident in – you can see how this is so important in life – doing.

Get Fit

Doing exercise doesn’t just help when it comes to your physical fitness, but it can also have a big impact on your mental and emotional state. That’s because when you engage in regular exercise, your body will release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters in the body. You’ll feel good and get a great sense of well-being at the same time as making yourself fitter and healthier. This feeling of positivity will improve your confidence.

Another way that getting fit will improve your confidence links back to the idea of changing your appearance. When you get fit, you will lose weight, and your skin will look healthier because of better circulation. If this was something that was worrying you and making you less confident when you interacted with other people, it won’t be an issue anymore.

It’s not just about exercise either; making small changes in your lifestyle that mean you become healthier (changes like giving up smoking, eating more fresh food, drinking less alcohol, and so on) will also boost your confidence and help you live a better life.

Accessories /

Tech Every Modern Clothing Store Needs

Thinking of opening up your own clothing store? On top of purchasing your inventory and general equipment such as clothing rails, there could be a few pieces of tech worth investing in. Some of this technology could be necessary for providing good quality service to customers, while other gadgets could be useful for helping you to organize stock and keep accurate accounting records. Meanwhile, other pieces of tech could be important for keeping your store secure. This post delves more into some of the specific tech you need to run a successful modern clothing store.

Pexels. CCO Licensed.

POS system

Traditional cash registers with physical buttons are now largely a thing of the past. Modern cash registers are typically attached to POS systems – these are touchscreen monitors that use software to help digitally record sales information. Such systems can also help you keep track of stock, as well as link up with accounting software in order to automatically calculate how much tax you owe. 

It’s worth taking the time to compare POS systems. Some POS systems are designed specifically for fashion retail and could be a good choice when setting up a clothing store. 

Card readers

It’s become the norm for retail outlets of all sizes to accept card payments. This will require you to invest in a card reader. It’s worth accepting both credit cards and debit cards. Most modern card readers can also accept contactless payments and mobile payments. Some are even portable, allowing them to be used around the store. 

When choosing retail payment processing services, make sure that they are compatible with any POS technology you are using and that they are linked up with the right accounts (accepting credit cards will require a merchant account). 

RFID readers

RFID readers are devices that are used to scan RFID tags. These tags allow you to digitally keep track of every item of clothing that goes in and out of your store. They are a more advanced version of barcode scanners – instead of having to directly scan the barcode, an RFID tag simply has to be within close proximity of the scanner. Most RFID readers are wireless allowing you to use them at the counter or around the store.

As with choosing the right card reader, it’s important to choose an RFID reader that is compatible with your POS system. Some store owners may prefer a barcode scanner as it can be cheaper, however, RFID readers tend to be more convenient.

Magnetic scanner alarms

A useful device to detect and deter shoplifting, magnetic scanner alarms are able to alert you if someone leaves your store with an item that has not been paid for. They work by picking up barcodes or RFID tags. 

Of course, if you are using RFID tags within your store, make sure to use an alarm compatible with RFID tags. If you are using barcodes, look for an alarm that is compatible with this technology.

CCTV cameras

Another useful form of security technology to consider for your store is a security camera. These can be placed inside or outside of your store to record evidence of various types of customer crimes such as shoplifting, vandalism, or personal injury fraud. They can even be used to monitor employees and prevent activities like stealing from the cash register. These cameras typically link up with software that you can view at any time on a number of devices.

Security camera picture quality can vary – it’s important to find a camera that is fairly good quality. You can buy multiple cameras if you would prefer to monitor different parts of your store. There are security companies that can install these cameras for you.

Desktop/laptop

It’s useful to have a PC on site that you can use for admin tasks like accounting, ordering new stock, creating rotas, and marketing. Laptops have become the most popular option because they are portable, allowing you to use them around the store or take them home with you if you would prefer to carry out work there.

It’s worth investing in a good quality computer as it will last longer. For business purposes, you generally don’t need anything too powerful. 

Phone system

Finally, it’s worth having a business phone that you and your staff can share. Phones with portable handsets are the most useful option as you can use them around the store. It’s possible to buy multiple handsets and even set up an internal phone system for calling other employees within the store (however this is generally only necessary for larger stores).

You can compare handsets online. If it is just you running the store, you may find that a cell phone is all that’s necessary. 

Accessories /

How To Elevate Your Look

Do you ever just get bored of your current look and want to do something different and fun? Elevating your look, aka – changing it up, doesn’t need to be expensive, and you don’t have to do anything too dramatic either. Style and beauty all come down to one thing – how it makes you feel. 

 

When you feel confident in what you wear, your hair and even your lip color, you will feel like you can take over the world. But if you’re feeling like your look is tired or just that you want to change what you are doing right now, here are a few tips to help you elevate your look. 

 

Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash

Tailoring 

The first and most important person in your life when it comes to elevated fashion and style is a good tailor. A good tailor will be able to make almost anything you purchase look like it was made just for you. 

 

They can adjust sleeve length, improve shoulder seams and inseams, and move buttons to be more flattering; plus, many have the skills to make clothing too. 

 

Look for recommendations and reviews for your local tailor, but be prepared to travel and book for the really good ones. 

Salon

The difference between a good hair salon and a great one is the staff. Look for highly-skilled, innovative staff that have a wealth of knowledge. But perhaps more importantly, ideally, you want to have a choice of services too. 

 

Getting your hair done should be something you look forward to, but sometimes you don’t want a cut and color. Salons like thealchemysalon.com are the perfect example of skill, innovation and an excellent hair treatment list if you want a treatment or extensions. 

Beauty 

Many beauty salons are now offering some chemical and sculptural procedures. Face peeling for a refreshed skin look, sculpting of the jawline using botulinum solutions, as well as more typical options like brow shaping and lash lifts. 

 

The great thing about getting semi-permanent beauty treatments is that it gives us less to do. For example, with lash lifts and extensions, if you don’t have time or like the feel of mascara – no problem. If you find filling in your brows a long process, then microblading is for you. 

 

There are many options to elevate your look in beauty without a long-term commitment.

Basics 

The basics are the building blocks of your look, and if you don’t have them nailed, you’ll always need to fill those gaps. Basics include the right underwear (supportive and the correct fit) and staples like great jeans and good t-shirts. Remember that many of the basics are classics, too, and work well together or with additional items. 

Classics V Trends

Fashion is what you wear, and style is who you are – as the saying goes. This means that you shouldn’t feel pressured to hop on fashion trends. Instead, you can choose a key piece to play with but keep your style classic (or classic to you). Trends have a habit of making people feel uncomfortable, and when you aren’t comfortable, you aren’t confident either. 

 

Experimentation is great, but ultimately comfort and confidence will elevate any look. 

 

Lacking confidence from time to time happens, but to get yourself back on track, check out these tips: Style Tips to Boost Your Confidence: Grooming, Colors, and The Right Fit