How to Budget for Your Wedding

Weddings are one of the most exciting—and expensive—times in your life. If you’re planning on getting married, you’re probably wondering how to budget for your wedding. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,391, according to The Knot’s 2018 Real Weddings Study. But that’s just the average cost—your wedding could cost more or less, depending on a variety of factors. To help you budget for your big day, we’ve put together a list of tips and advice. From setting a budget to cutting costs, read on for our top tips on how to budget for your wedding.

Determine Your Overall Budget

When it comes to wedding budgeting, the first step is to determine your overall budget. This can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not used to dealing with money. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

To start, sit down with your fiancé and talk about your finances. What can you realistically afford to spend on your wedding? Once you have a number in mind, start looking at ways to cut costs. Can you DIY some of the decorations? Is there a friend or family member who can help with catering? Are there any vendors you can negotiate with?

It’s also important to remember that your wedding doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, chances are good that something will go wrong on your big day. But as long as you and your fiancé are happy, that’s all that matters. So don’t let the little things stress you out and blow your budget.

Now that you know how much you can realistically spend on your wedding, it’s time to start setting some goals. Decide what’s most important to you and allocate your resources accordingly. After all, this is YOUR day and you should enjoy every minute of it!

Break Down Your Budget into Categories

When you’re budgeting for your wedding, it’s important to break down your expenses into different categories. This will help you keep track of where your money is going and ensure that you’re not overspending in any one area.

Here are some of the main categories you’ll need to budget for:

1. Venue rental: This includes the cost of renting the ceremony and reception venues, as well as any other necessary event spaces like a bridal suite or kitchen.

2. Catering: Your catering costs will include the food and drink served at your wedding, as well as any rental fees for plates, glasses, and utensils.

3. Wedding attire: This includes not only the bride’s dress and veil but also the groom’s suit or tuxedo, bridesmaids’ dresses, flower girls’ dresses, etc.

4. Photography/videography: You’ll need to budget for both your wedding photos and videos, as well as any additional services like photo booths or save-the-date cards.

5. Music: Whether you hire a band or DJ, or simply create a playlist yourself, you’ll need to account for the cost of music at your wedding.

6. Flowers: In addition to bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding party, you’ll also need to budget for centerpieces, altar flowers, and other decorative floral arrangements.

7. Transportation: If you’re providing transportation for your guests, you’ll need to factor in the cost of renting buses, limos, or other vehicles.

8. Favors: Wedding favors are a nice way to thank your guests for attending, but they can also add up quickly if you’re not careful. Make sure to budget accordingly!

9. Miscellaneous: There are always a few miscellaneous expenses that come up when planning a wedding, so it’s best to have a little extra money set aside just in case.

Determine How Much You Can Save Each Month

When it comes to budgeting for your wedding, one of the first things you need to do is determine how much you can save each month. This will give you a good starting point for creating your budget and will help you keep on track as you move forward with planning your big day.

There are a few different ways to go about saving money each month for your wedding. One option is to set up a separate savings account that is dedicated solely to your wedding fund. This way, you can make regular deposits into the account and watch your savings grow over time. Another option is to cut back on some of your monthly expenses in order to free up more money to put toward your wedding fund. For example, you could eat out less often, take fewer vacations, or shop less frequently.

Whatever method you choose, be sure to stick to it! By setting aside a specific amount of money each month, you’ll be well on your way to having the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Find Ways to Save on Your Wedding

When it comes to saving on your wedding, there are a few key areas where you can cut costs without sacrificing quality or style.

First, take a close look at your guest list. If you’re flexible on numbers, see if you can trim it down by 10-20%. This can save you a significant amount on your overall budget, as fewer guests mean less food and drink to purchase, and oftentimes a smaller venue rental fee.

Next, think about ways to cut back on your decor expenses. For example, instead of purchasing all new décor items, try renting them or borrowing from friends or family members. Or get creative with DIY solutions that will still give you the look you want without breaking the bank.

Finally, consider cutting back on your wedding party. A smaller wedding party generally means fewer people to pay for attire and transportation for, which can add up quickly.

By making small adjustments in these key areas, you can save big on your overall wedding budget without compromising on the things that matter most to you.

Use a Wedding Budget Calculator

When it comes to wedding budgeting, one of the most helpful tools you can use is a wedding budget calculator. This will allow you to input all of your estimated costs and see exactly where your money is going.

There are a number of different wedding budget calculators available online, so take some time to find one that best suits your needs. Once you’ve found a calculator you like, input all of your estimated costs into the appropriate fields.

The great thing about using a wedding budget calculator is that it can help you stay on track with your spending. If you find yourself getting close to your budget limit, you can adjust accordingly.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to estimating your costs, check out our Wedding Budget Worksheet. This will give you a good starting point for putting together your own budget.

Conclusion

With a little bit of careful planning, you can budget for your dream wedding without going broke in the process. By setting a realistic budget and sticking to it, you can have the beautiful wedding you’ve always wanted without putting yourself in debt. With a little creativity and some careful spending, you can have the wedding of your dreams on a budget that works for you.

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How to Become a Better Writer

We spend a great deal of time at our jobs on our computer doing all kinds of writing tasks. We use all types of software that help us with spelling, grammar, and editing but no one teaches you how to become a better writer.

This journey you must take for this is your own, but it need not be a scary one. Writers are important and not only crucial to have at work but also in writing pieces that help others achieve their own writing goals.

Why the Work Needs Writers

People especially need good writers in the workplace. We spend hours on FB, Twitter, and Instagram with our short posts, but no real writing occurs here.

We write fast emails, proposals, presentations, reports, and blog posts but these alone do not show our skills to deliver our very best writing skills. For our best writing to occur we must know how to become better and how to apply it. This goes for not only in our jobs but in our own personal writing so that we can be the best writer we can be.

It is not only important to know the English language in your job but also the ability to write paragraphs that draw attention to the topic at hand. It isn’t enough to just spell check or use grammar correction one must remember the way to how to become a better writer and apply it every day.

How to Determine if Your Writing Needs Improvement

To improve your writing, you need to make sure, the following points are in, so you’ll always be working towards how to become a better writer.

Tips to Learn How to Become a Better Writer

Read Other Writers

You need to read other writers to find the best way to write in your own style. By doing so you’ll learn structure and style and a way of writing that best suits you. Learning from the master’s is the best way to find your own way of writing. It’s important that you find your own voice.

Write Everyday

Write daily and/or multiple times a day to sharpen your skills. One thing to remember is that writer’s write. If you’re not writing daily or even multiple times a day, then you won’t get enough practice and learn how to become a better writer. The key is to write no matter what it is daily. Practice makes perfect.

Keep Getting Ideas

Jot down your ideas for they not only help motivate but provide inspiration. By writing your ideas you are gaining inspiration and that can generate something to write about. This is crucial for it will keep your imagination going and give you the motivation to sit down and write for you have something that you want to write about.

Develop a Routine

Create a ritual and stick to it. Set aside any time, even 30 minutes and let nothing interfere. By writing at a set time you’ve created a routine. It can be a morning or night routine but at least for 30 minutes. But if you can go an hour that would be better especially if you are trying to make writing a full-time job. You’ll need to put more time into your writing should this be your career path. Remember the more you write the better a writer you’ll be.

Just Write

Do nothing else during your writing time but write. We’ve all been there, you sit down to a blank screen and instead of writing you check emails, go on social media, etc. Just start writing and don’t worry about what you’re writing about. Let the words just come out. This is the best way to get the writing juices flowing. You will soon find that during this writing session that you will stumble upon something of interest to write about.

Distraction Free

Don’t get distracted by your surroundings. It is best to tune out all the noise and write. In our busy lifestyles, we are constantly pulled in all directions, but we must not lose sight of our goals when it comes to writing. Therefore, it is important to find a quiet place and make this the regular space that you can write with no interruptions. If you are using your desk, then clear it of all papers that could distract you from just writing. Your goal is to have a space that is cleared of anything that can pull your attention from writing. This is your set aside time. Respect yourself as a writer and others will as well. By setting this time aside it’ll help you to learn how to become a better writer.

Plan Ahead

Do you have a plan for what you are writing? By planning out or outlining (whichever is easiest for you) what you’re writing it leaves out all the downtime in your writing time. You should be writing during your writing time and not mapping out, outlining or brainstorming your piece. Use your time wisely. Don’t use writing time to research or plan. That can be scheduled outside of your regular time slot.

Your Own Style

Are you developing your own style? It is alright to study and even steal bits from other writers. But you must find your own style of writing in doing so this will reach your readers for they will hear your voice and not someone else. You need to make your own path by finding your own voice. Keep experimenting with other writers and find parts of their style that work for you.

Get to the Point

Are you getting right to the point with your sentences? Make sure you’re being as clear as you can with your writing. A long sentence isn’t really needed if it can be shortened and contain the same meaning. Keep to the point and keep it short and powerful. This will ensure that you don’t lose your readers and they will continue to read until the end of your piece.

Feedback Is Key

Are you getting feedback on your writing? Remember criticism is part of what being a writer is all about. It helps us to improve our skills and toughens us up as well. Critiquing is something that goes hand in hand with learning how to become a writer. It’s important to have someone with the knowledge of writing read it.

Get It Read

Your best bet would be a writer or an editor to look it over. Let others read it as well for it can only help improve your writing. Create a blog, or post on another’s as a guest. But get your writing out for others to see as this is important to living the life as a writer.

Make It Flow

Does your writing sound like you are stiff or robotic? You may need to break a few grammatical rules to make your writing flow but that is the name of game. It’s best to come across like you’re having a conversation with your reader. You want to be relatable so write like you are in the room with them and having a conversation. Your best writing is the kind that comes from you with no effort whatsoever.

Begin and End It Strong

Is your beginning and ending strong? These are the two areas that are the most important. You must hook your reader in the beginning or they won’t continue reading. Remember to keep in mind to always leave them wanting more. Each beginning should entice as well as each ending should encourage them to think long after they have read your piece. Keep your ending just as strong as your beginning so that you keep the readers interest all the way through.

Hacks to Become a Better Writer

When you are left with only a few hours to write your piece here are some shortcuts to help you learn to how to become a better writer.

• Get to the point quickly.
• Keep in mind these three key questions:
  • What is the reason for your writing?
  • What do you want your reader to know?
  • What do you want them to do?
• Keep it simple.  Write as if you’re writing it to a child.
• Don’t force it. Think of something happy, take a shower or listen to relaxing music.
• Be decisive. Take a stand. No open-ended questions. Be strong and close your piece strong.
• Read your writing out loud. This will catch grammar errors as well as make sure it flows well.
• Change someone’s day by choosing words carefully that are encouraging and positive.

Conclusion

These are amazing tools to help you learn how to become a better writer. We all have the power to make someone’s day with our words whether it be via texts, FB posts, Instagram or Twitter. Take time for your writing and know that you can write without the usage of all the software and correction tools. Learn the basics and then you add to it whatever helps to create the piece that you are writing.

Written for: Steady Content

Top 10 Disneyland Packages

Ever thought of going to Disneyland? Think it’s a lot of money? Well, think again. These Disneyland packages will show you many ways to find an affordable solution to your travel desires. It is just a matter of finding the right one that fits into your schedule and budget.

When you think of Disneyland, it should be full of excitement not fear of costs. This is a time to have fun together and be with the ones you love. It doesn’t need to be a chore to plan. Take time to look over these tips and the recommended Disneyland packages. Rest assured you will find the right one for your family and be off on that vacation in no time.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Disneyland?

January to mid-March would be one of the suggested times to visit. Going later in March you run into Spring break and that means it will get busier until the first part of April. Another good time is right after school begins in September until the first part of October. Lastly, the other time to go would be a week or two before Thanksgiving in November. You can beat the Christmas crowd and enjoy the calm before the storm sort of speak.

Going at these times will ensure that you will have fewer people and that would mean the lines are shorter. But take into account this would mean that some rides might not be operating. Disney utilizes the offseason to repair old rides. Also, take into account that the park may not be open long hours like they usually are during peak time. That would mean you might not have enough time to enjoy all the rides. Just know that there might be drawbacks to going during the offseason.

Is Disneyland Packages Affordable?

Disneyland has affordable packages that meet each individual or family’s needs. Depending on when you go will determine the cost. On non-peak days it is $97.00 whereas on peak days it’s $135.00 per ticket.  Should you want to purchase a hopper ticket then you are looking at a $147.00 This might be the way to go if you want to go to both parks during your stay. But going no matter what at non-peak times will guarantee savings.

The ones that wish to go more during the year will pay about $730 for an annual pass or get a Signature Pass that offers free parking, and this costs $999.

How to Find the Best Disneyland Package Deals

Once you determine how much you want to spend and when you would like to go, then your next step is to find the package that fits best. The Disneyland packages offer you a stay in their own hotels. So, when you are looking at these remember they have three hotels to choose from. They are Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Doing your research is key so don’t stop at this list for there are other deals to be had out there. These are merely suggestions and you will know what is the right one for you.  It is important to note: when deciding on a package (unless you get the collectible Hopper ticket) you will only be able to go to either California Adventure Park or Disneyland. This ticket allows you to hop between the two.  Here are some Disneyland Packages:

Disneyland Resort Dream Vacation Package

The most popular of all packages might suit you and your family. It can, like all the Disneyland Resort Packages be modified to suit your specific vacation needs. But here is what is included in this one:

• Three-night stay at one of their hotels: Grand Hotel, Disneyland or Paradise Pier
• Collectible Park Hopper ticket
• Early admission into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
• Discount card offering 10% off certain restaurants and merchandise
• Souvenir button, pin, and lanyard
• Discount on bowling

Disneyland Good Neighbor Vacation Package

You don’t have to stay at Disneyland’s resorts to enjoy the theme park. The neighboring hotels offer Disneyland packages too. They have put together ones that will fit into anyone’s budget. They have a list of lodging places but here are some to get you started. Should you need to find more they have them online.

Some less expensive ones to try are Anaheim Quality Inn and Suites, and the Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate. They also have some moderately priced ones: Best Western Plus Anaheim Resort, Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, and the Holiday Inn to name a few.

Once you find the hotel, you will also enjoy their Disney packages too. Here are some things you can find in them:

• Hotel Lodging
• Souvenir Park Hopper Ticket
• Walt Disney Travel Company luggage tag, savings card, and lanyard with pin
• One early entry into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland

Southern California City Pass Booklet

Along with the other standard features this package includes days and night stays at other hotels within Southern California. If you have never been to Southern California, this package would be a great way to site, see. Here is what you can find in this package:

• Minimum three-night stay at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
• Additional days/nights in San Diego, Orange County, or Los Angeles
• Access into one of the two parks (California Adventure or Disneyland)
• Early morning admission to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland (on Tues., Thurs., or Sat.)
• Luggage tag, lanyard and collectible pin from the Walt Disney Travel Company
• Savings card for discounts at various places around the park

Disneyland Flight Package

Through various online booking companies like Orbitz or Trip Advisor, you can find some great bargains. But this is only for airfare, hotel, and rental car. You might need to add the ticket on, but it will be worth it due to the savings on the travel. Some also give discounts if you spend for example $2,000 total when you book.

Disney Rewards Visa Vacation Package

• Minimum stay of three nights
• A Disney tote bag
• Access to the fitness center within the Disneyland hotels only
• Disneyland Park Hopper ticket
• Early morning entry to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
• Collectible lanyard with a pin, a luggage tag and savings card from Walt Disney Travel Company

Disneyland One to Four Day Passes

For those who do not need a hotel, just getting a pass is the economical way to go. You might live in the area or already have a place to say and just need a pass.  These passes can be purchased as a Hopper Ticket or a regular one. Whatever your choice you will only be allowed to go on the number of days you purchased.

Disneyland Hopper Ticket

The Hopper Ticket is fun because it allows you to go between Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park. It would also include an early morning admission into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Regular Pass

This Pass has you choose between going to Disneyland Park or California Adventure. You will be able to have an early morning admission to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Disneyland Signature, Plus, Deluxe and Premier Passports

These are for those that want to go to Disneyland regularly. They each have over 300 days of admission except the Premier offers unlimited admission days to the Disneyland Resort Park. They all include unlimited rides and attractions. In all of these, parking is included at Mickey and Friends parking structure. Some other perks are discounts on merchandise, dining, as well as photo passes.  There is no limit to how much fun you can have with these passports.

Southern California Special Passport

If you live in southern California, you can get a special annual passport. This pass allows you in the park on 175 select days. There are blackout days that you will not be able to use your pass on so be aware of those. Just show proof of residence with this pass and you will be able to have access to both Disneyland and California Adventure Park.

Costco Travel Package

Costco Travel has put together a multi-day vacation package as well. This package includes airfare, hotel stay at Disneyland Park Hotels, dining and car rental. This might be the way to go if you are a member to get the best savings for your family vacation.

California Adventure Package

If you are just wanting to see the California Adventure and not Disneyland on your trip, then this is the way to go. You do not need to purchase a Hopper ticket just the regular one and go right in. Included in all the passes the early admission. So, you can have one day to beat the crowds and enjoy no lines.

Conclusion

We all need to take time and have some fun. Going to Disneyland is every child and adults ultimate vacation spot. It is a place where we can be kids all over again and let the workaday world go for a while. You should be able to find the perfect package for you and your loved ones in the Disneyland packages suggestions. There are more available, but these will give you the most value for your money. We all deserve to shuck off our responsibilities for a little while and take pictures with Mickey and Minnie.

Newsjacking – Different Ways to Inject Your Sales and Promotion

You see headline news come across your phone, and when you search for more information you suddenly find many articles that reference the headline, but actually promote some other idea or product which wants to grab your interest! This is called Newsjacking.

 

Perhaps you are already on social media utilizing some latest news to promote something within your company? Or are you writing blog posts about something that just occurred in the world and referencing it to gain exposure to your posts? How about tagging on a celebrity that uses a product that your company is selling to generate sales in your own business? Well, if this sounds anything like you then you are already a newsjacker. You may not even realize that you are but here is the breakdown of what it is and how you can use newsjacking to benefit you and your company.

 

What Is Newsjacking?

Doesn’t this sound illegal? Well, believe it or not, it is quite legal in the marketing world and is being done every day. David Meerman Scott’s book “Newsjacking: How to Inject Your Ideas into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage” coined the term newsjacking. Basically, it is tagging onto a popular news story with your own content to gain public attention to your business and help your business gain exposure.  It is really that simple.

Each time a story breaks in the news there is a point when marketers have a chance to ride on the wave of its popularity. In doing so, they benefit their company. This could be through sales, increased hits on websites, more leads, etc. But the fact is that you have attached yourself to this event and you will continue to be on the ride until it dies down.

This doesn’t just pertain to business news but also celebrity stories, sports stories, and entertainment award shows.  These all can get your company noticed if you write the best content to coincide that event.

 

How to Use It?

To make newsjacking work for you and your company, you must have a good understanding of how to use it. This is not a complicated process, but you must act fast and know how to think quickly on your feet. Think of it as running a race with social media. You must always be on the ball and linked to stories that could prove to be successful for your business.

 

Here are Steps to Make Newsjacking Work

 

Create Alerts

What this means is to look for stories that you could newsjack and attach an alert to them through Google alerts.  This ensures that if something newsworthy occurs, you will get the first scoop on it. You are a busy person and searching all day on the internet for stories to newsjack would be a waste of your time. By setting up alerts you can sit back and let the internet work for you. Less time consuming and helpful in providing you with any news that is worthy of newsjacking.

Find the Keyword to Use

Once you locate your story, then you need to get as many people to see your posts as possible. This is the whole reason why you are newsjacking, so make it count. To locate a popular keyword, you can use Google to assist. Start with searching for the keyword search tool.  Look for popular keywords and target those in your content.

Find the Primary Source

You want to create content that is unique and hasn’t been written. You must find the primary source so that you are writing from the original story. This is key to not only maintaining your originality but also your own credibility. You must read all that is out there in the story that you wish to newsjack. So, when you write your own content, it is fresh and not piggybacking off another story.  You want your story to be the first out there and gaining the most exposure from your excellent skills newsjacking.

Create Your Newsjacking Content

Now it is time to write your content and get it out quickly. Remember you are up against a story that will soon go stale so your timing is crucial. No one reads yesterday’s news. But don’t let the speed impede your basic writing skills. Your content is going out to promote your company and increase sales, therefore, it is a representation of your business. Use your writing tools and check all spelling, grammar and punctuation. Have another person read it before you send it out. But don’t get too detailed in your editing. Just do the basic changes and get this sent out. Time is of the essence in newsjacking.

Find Your Niche

This phrase not only applies when your write but also when newsjacking. For your story to gain the attention that you want you must find the best way to tell it. You must consider your own audience you are sending it to. Write to your audience in the simplest way possible. But if you find that someone has written something already on this don’t despair. When you are newsjacking, you must keep in mind that you can always write something better than what is already out there. Just find your own way of telling the story and give your audience a reason to read it above all the other stories.

Publish Your Content

Publish has many meanings but in this case, it refers to getting your content out there in the web world. This means on your own social network sites. Also use your connections with newscasters, journalists, and celebrities if you know of any and have them help you.  It is in their interest as well for they also want to keep their own web content flowing. So it is a win-win for you both.

 

Benefits for Sales and Promotion

Newsjacking certainly has its benefits, for example, improving your brand’s reputation and driving highly targeted traffic to you that can turn into leads or sales. It brings awareness to your company and brings more traffic through SEO. Also brings new customers, and that helps to expand your business.  You want to bring your company into the limelight but be aware that there are some subjects that you do not want to associate your company with. Discuss with your team and come up with a list of topics that they would like to cover and areas to stay away from. To gain the most benefits from newsjacking it is best to put in some order within your department. This will ensure that you are making the most of the upcoming event and catapulting on it with a purpose in mind.

Whether generating more leads or gaining more sales for your company newsjacking can be a very positive tool if used correctly. There are some risks but once you have an agreement with your team and a plan in place, then it will run smoothly.

Newsjacking Key Elements

• Plan – Have a plan in place so that research and creating the story will go smoother.
• Purpose – Be clear on the reasons why you are newsjacking whether it be to generate leads, promotion or sales.
• Prepare – Put on calendar events relative to your company. Ex. NBA, Tony Awards, etc.
• Publish – Once completed and proofed, get your content out to your audience.

 

Controversial Topics for Newsjacking

It is recommended that you promote to the pop culture or zeitgeist. These groups are found by monitoring Google Trends and trending hashtags on social media. There are some controversial topics that you must stay away from to protect your company or brand for if you use them you might come across as too opportunistic.

Death, destruction, and disasters

It’s best not to newsjack off these types of stories. These will not promote your company or brand in a positive light by newsjacking off an upsetting event. If you are expressing sympathy or donating to a cause without trying to promote sales, then this isn’t newsjacking and will not be a risk to your marketing or promotional activities.

Politics

Measure the risks and rewards when choosing to comment on political issues. Keep clear of this area unless you are comfortable delving into politics with your audience that you are promoting to.

 

Conclusion

Newsjacking can be useful to a company from gaining new customers, increasing sales and promoting new products. We can benefit from events in the media to generate these results if we use newsjacking correctly. It is easy to move too quickly and cost your company or brand loss of their good reputation. This could happen if you use newsjacking on a disastrous event, death, or destruction. If you decide to take a political stance do so carefully and with the approval of your marketing team. We must approach newsjacking as we do with anything in our businesses with proper planning. Research your topics thoroughly while focusing on the results you are trying to achieve with newsjacking. But with any news story, one must act quickly so stay up to the minute with news alerts. Write your newsjacking story in a new perspective that will get to the heart of the matter and impinge on your audience. We all have a bit of pirate in us and newsjacking is a modern adaptation.

 

 

 

Written for: Steady Content

The Legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games

They say that the third time is a charm, and this definitely is true when you think of the London 2012 Olympic games. Hosting the Olympics for the third time in a row they certainly changed history and raised the bar on how we enjoy them today.  Although many medals were received by the 10,500 athletes that participated this is not what created its legacy.

Its motto was “Inspire a Generation.” And this motto was certainly fulfilled. There were several major firsts that were at this Olympics.  Not only was it a first time for women’s boxing to be included but it was the first time a woman participated in each and every one of the events.  Even countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunel had entered females to participate.  With these three countries added to the roster, it meant that all countries had at least one female participate in the Olympic games. This alone made the London 2012 a legacy in the eyes of all the countries that were eligible and participated.

The London 2012 Olympic games set the standard not only for women participation but of those that competed, the volunteers and the onlookers. London’s organizational skills set a precedent for other Olympic Game hosts to follow, thus making the London 2012 a legacy that will remembered for generations to come.

How to Get Rid of Acne

We all wish we had perfect skin or a magic mirror we could use to get it. What if you could have the clear complexion you want without having to pay a fortune? That got your attention? Thought so. Well, there is a way to help show you how to get rid of acne and not have to break the bank to do so.

Today we are very much into natural products and how to keep from damaging our skin with unhealthy product ingredients as well as sun exposure. But no matter what we do acne can come and haunt us all at some point of our lives. Whether we are a teen or an adult, acne can be a problem to contend with. It is not that hard to know how to get rid of acne and how to prevent it once you know the cause. 

Acne Definition and Causes

Acne is defined as the blockage of pores in the skin. These pores are also known as hair follicles. The pores produce cells as a normal process.  But if they increase in their production, then it clogs the pore. Once the pores are clogged, then the natural oil the skin secretes can’t come to the skin’s surface. By trapping this oil, it turns into bacteria within the pore and growth occurs.  

Acne can be seen on the face, but it also appears on the chest and back. There are different forms of acne and the key to getting rid of it is to know what kind you have.  There are two category types of acne: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

Types of Acne

Whiteheads and Blackheads

These two types fall under the non-inflammatory category. The only become inflamed if you mess with them by squeezing which is not how you get rid of acne. Whiteheads are small dots that are white in colour and generally are on top of the surface of the skin. Blackheads are blackish in colour due to the oils being exposed to air. They are a bit deeper in the skin aren’t easy to clean off. But both of these will eventually come out if left alone. 

Pimples

When you pick the area that has the acne it will break the surface of the skin. This causes it to become inflamed and form a zit or a pimple. That is why it is called inflammatory acne.

Cysts

This is another type of inflammatory acne that is caused when a pimple ruptures under the skin and doesn’t excrete outward but explodes down inside the pore. This will cause the area to become tender to the touch and swollen.

The Cause

There are plenty of experts that will tell you what they think the cause of acne is. But in actuality they don’t know anymore than we do. It can span from one’s diet of sugar, fat, and dairy just naming a few. But while it could be your diet, it might also be your own chemical makeup. You might have glands that overproduce oils, medication reactions, or just not taking good care of your overall health.

How to Get Rid of Acne

There are a lot of great treatments for acne. You can go and see a dermatologist and get a prescription but it might be expensive and not entirely needed. There are some treatments that you can do to learn how to get rid of acne on your own and not spend a fortune.  These can be purchased in your local store for a fraction of an office visit. Once you know the type of acne you have, you will know best on how to get rid of acne.

Tea Tree Oil

The use of tea tree oil is a natural way to get rid of acne. Tea tree oil is good for acne in small amounts, but too much can cause the skin to become dry. You might need to add water to the tea tree oil to prevent this from occurring. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a popular treatment and has many additional uses within the home. But it is most effective in helping to treat acne. After washing your face, you apply the coconut oil like you would a moisturizer.

Toothpaste Treatment

While this may seem a bit odd, it is an excellent method as it actually dries the acne. You must do a little at a time to see what works for your own skin. Just apply a little to your dry face and then let sit for about 10 minutes. Remove with cold water. Don’t leave on the surface if it is causing a reaction such as a burning or painful effect.

Vinegar Treatment

You probably have these ingredients in your kitchen now which are apple cider vinegar and water.  Apple cider vinegar has bacteria fighting components that clean the skin, but it can be drying. If this happens, then put additional water in the mixture.  It is only one tablespoon of vinegar mixed into one cup of water. Just apply after cleansing your face with a cotton ball.

Prevention

There are ways that we can prevent acne from occurring. Here are some tips that you might not have thought of when addressing acne.

Your Hair Care Effects Your Skin

Although this might seem a little far-fetched to think with your hair care also has an impact on your acne. Products like shampoo and conditioners contain oils and other chemicals that can irritate your skin and create more acne. Try to keep your hair off your face as much as possible. 

Regular Fitness

You are probably wondering what does fitness have to do with learning how to get rid of acne? Well, when you exercise you sweat from your pores. Sweat helps clean your skin of impurities. Make sure that you’re wearing clothing that will absorb sweat and let your skin breathe for this will prevent more breakouts. It is essential to shower right after to cleanse your skin of sweat and oils. 

Use an Acne Product

There are a lot of great acne products that you can buy at your local store and not have to go to a doctor to get prescribed. You want to look for the acne products that contain bacteria fighting ingredients. The most common components are benzoyl peroxide, lactic and salicylic acid. Start off using a little at a time to prevent the skin from drying out. 

Wash Your Face.

It isn’t enough to wash our face once a day and think this will take care of our acne. We need to do it at least twice a day with an acne soap. You want your skin to be clean, not dried out. Look for a gentle cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide.

Don’t Touch Your Face

It is only natural that we touch our faces and try to rid it of acne. But you must keep your hands away from your face. Don’t squeeze your pimples leave them alone. 

Limit Sun Exposure

It might sound like a good idea to go out in the sun and try to dry up your acne, but this is harmful and will cause damage to your skin. The sun will cause your skin to become inflamed. It is best to keep oil-free sunscreen and sun protective clothing with you.

Keep Your Skin Moisturized

It is hard to believe that one would need a moisturizer when you have all this excess oil to deal with in having acne. But it is one of the second most vital actions to do besides washing your face. You do not want your face to be dry and irritated. It is essential to keep the skin moist and use a moisturizer that is oil-free.

Don’t Cover Your Acne Up

We have a tendency to want to cover up our skin with makeup especially if we are women. Although this may be a short-term fix, it will actually delay your skin from clearing up. If you have to, try to not use a lot of makeup and remove it as soon as you can to give your skin a break.  But should you need to wear it for a special event or for work, it is best to look for the kind that contains no oil. Get a natural makeup that doesn’t clog your pores and won’t add to your acne. Always read what is in your makeup before you purchase it. By covering it up, this will not be a way of how to get rid of acne.

Limit Stress

In our busy lives, we are all fighting some form of stress. It is imperative that you find a stress relief method you can do to help. Experts have determined that stress can cause you to break out with acne. So it would be a good idea to search for a yoga class or even get a regular massage.

Conclusion

Once you know how to get rid of acne, you can be in control of your own skin. While we all want a quick fix, this isn’t always the best way to repair anything, especially on our delicate skin take time to find the right treatment for you. We are our skins only defence so make sure you arm it with what works best, and it will keep you looking good for years to come.

Is Venus Freeze in Detroit Right for You?

What if there was a treatment that could change your imperfections on your face and body without undergoing plastic surgery? Have I got your attention? Thought so. Well, the Venus Freeze in Detroit has the answer to aging and sagging skin.  This very well may be the new fountain of youth you have been searching for.  Their treatment is revolutionary and has proven results. They have helped to not only restore the youthful appearance but also to defy gravity with their unique treatment. Seems unbelievable but the before and after will astound you.

DEFINING THE VENUS FREEZE IN DETROIT

First, don’t let the thought of freezing deter you.  There is no real freezing involved in this treatment. It’s more like a massage using warm stones except a small device is used.

HOW VENUS FREEZE WORKS

It’s a nonsurgical process that is mainly performed on loose skin and wrinkles. It works with the body’s own restorative functions to repair itself.  The Venus Freeze in Detroit delivers heat and electro currents for a specified amount of time, through a highly sophisticated device.  The currents work by regenerating your own cells and giving you back the elasticity and wrinkle-free skin that you once had. Basically, helping it to restore itself back to its once youthful state. Which we all would agree would be something that would be worth doing for ourselves.

WHO CAN GET THE VENUS FREEZE IN DETROIT TREATMENT?

They can perform this treatment on anyone looking to improve the way their skin looks, feels and shaped. It is also for those that wish to reduce wrinkles and regain that youthful appearance.  Last but certainly not least, it is also for those that would like to just tighten their skin due to diets that left it sagging and would not respond to exercise. Basically, it is for anyone looking to change their appearance in a more natural way without the use of any surgical procedure. It is the healthier way to go in this day and age with all the different plastic surgery procedures.

REASONS TO HAVE THE VENUS FREEZE IN DETROIT TREATMENT

Here are 10 reasons to get this treatment:

• Skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
• Cellulite reduction and body contouring.
• No use of chemicals, lights or lasers.
• No downtime for the body to recover for it is natural and works with the body.
• It’s a treatment, not a surgery which means no scars to deal with.
• Can be done during a break or between running errands.
• Facial treatment takes 30 minutes and a specific area of the body takes 40 minutes.
• Can be performed on anyone for it’s good for all skin types.
• The results are visible after 3 weeks.
• The treatment is only for 6 weeks and has lasting results.

 

We can continue to search for the fountain of youth but at least until we find it, we can look beautiful. Give yourself a gift you can enjoy today and call Aurora Dermatology in Detroit Michigan to set up a consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written for: Steady Content

 

What Curlers are the Best for Your Hair?

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Article Title	Which Curlers are Best for your Hair?
Article Body	There are so many curlers on the market that it’s hard to know which will not only work great but also be the best for your hair. Some curlers dry out hair and are difficult to use. Over the last 10 years, I’ve been curling my hair, the most effective curlers I’ve found are in the Caruso ProTraveler Molecular Steam Hairsetter, $37.99, at Amazon. You get curls that hold all day and they won’t damage your hair.   Using these curlers is very simple and takes less than 10 minutes, from start to finish. By the time I’m done applying my makeup, the curlers are ready to take out.   There are just four easy steps:   Section hair Put curler on the steam base for 8 – 10 seconds Roll hair onto curlers Secure hair with attached covers   When time is at a premium, it’s nice to find a product that works with my busy life. I’ve had my Caruso curlers for 10 years, and they still work like the first day I bought them. I can purchase extra rollers online whenever I need more.   Caruso ProTraveler Molecular Steam curlers are gentle on hair and provide a nice shine. Consider your search for curlers over – you’ll be hooked on this time-saving miracle.
Category	37630 Hair Care Tips
Type of Article	Evergreen
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Arbonne Article

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Article Title	Why Arbonne Skin Care?
Article Body	There are many skin care products but Arbonne has impressed me with their quality skin care line. Made with natural ingredients in Switzerland, you can’t help but think that they are going to be good for you.   I’ve used the anti-aging Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 line for many years. I know it’s a long name but once you try it you’ll say it with a smile. It contains high levels of Vitamin C and other ingredients to restore your skin to its original state. If you’re like me, then you want to delay the aging process for as long as possible.  When I use this line, I almost feel as if I can feel my skin regenerating at every step. Now who wouldn’t want that from their skin care line?   From cleansing to moisturizing, it takes less than 10 minutes. There are five steps in the Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 line and with each one, I feel as if I’m giving my skin a gift. Even after my very first regimen, my skin will felt softer and firmer.   These five simple steps are: Step one: Cleanse with the NutriMinC RE9 Hydrating Wash Step two: Spray on the NutriMinC RE9 Restoring Mist, Balancing Toner Step three: Apply the NutriMinC RE9 Reactivating Facial Serum Step four: Use the NutriMinC RE9 Corrective Eye Cream Step five: Apply the NutriMinC RE9 Reality SF8 Day Cream   My Arbonne products last six months or more –   a little goes a long way. I definitely feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth, and since the Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 line, $33 – $298 online, is easy to find, I don’t have to worry about my supply running dry. Try Arbonne for yourself today
Category	Skin Care
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Aveda Hair Products

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Article Title	Surveying the Damage Un-done
Article Body	Aveda creates magical cosmetics, perfumes and men’s skincare, but Aveda hair products are my favorite. Aveda Damage RemedyTM products are made with the care and organic ingredients that the company is known for. Throughout the years, I’ve constantly changed my hair color and style, and my mane has paid the price. I thought the damage was irreversible until I came across  Aveda Damage Remedy products online. Each product in the line addressed my hair’s roughed up condition. Not only were the products effective, but they were reasonably priced compared to other leading salon brands. The most cost-effective way to stock up on these goodies is to order the Damage Remedy Kit,$98 at Aveda.  It includes all you need to revitalize damaged hair, including  Restructuring Shampoo, Restructuring Conditioner, Intensive Restructuring Treatment, and Daily Hair Repair. The shampoo and conditioner restore your natural shine, while Daily Hair Repair protects your strands before styling.  The Intensive Restructuring Treatment is a weekly salve used for deep conditioning. My hair felt like silk and looked like glass after I used it. When using the Damage Remedy Kit, breakage is minimized, moisture is replenished, and hair is healthier. I’ve tried numerous products unsuccessfully to repair my hair and get it back to a happy state. It wasn’t until I found Aveda hair products and the Damage Remedy Kit that I felt there might be hope. What took me 20 years to damage, the Aveda  Damage Remedy Kit took three weeks to repair.
Category	37627 Hair Care Treatments
Type of Article	Evergreen
Tags	Aveda hair care, Aveda hair care products, damage remedy, damage remedy kit, salons