One and Co

One and Co

Archives for April 2019

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4 Gifts Your Kids Will Actually Love

Having a child that is content, well looked after and loved is at the top of any parents priority list. We all want what’s best for our children and that means spoiling them as often as we can. However, the problem (if you can call it that) with spoiling out littles ones is that the other people in their lives want to spoil them too…which means finding gifts for birthdays, Christmas, other holiday celebrations, well done treats or just another way to say, I love you – can be super difficult. Buying duplicates of things, running out of ideas or simply giving your child more toys and gifts than they can play with can feel like a waste of money.

So, with that in mind, I’ve come up with 4 gifts your kids will actually love! Have a look and see if your little one would like any of these.

An investment

What could be a better way to express your love or your hope for their future than investing in it? From savings accounts to trust funds, ISA’s or even investment pieces – to find out more about investment pieces click here. By putting a little aside for them to enjoy when they’re older you can make a huge impact on their life. It can be the money towards a new car, the deposit on a home or even some money for them to embark on a travelling journey. The possibilities are endless.

A magazine subscription

The great thing about a magazine subscription is that it’s the gift that keeps on giving. You can subscribe to a magazine from 6/12 months and they’ll get to experience the excitement of receiving a new issue in the post every month. Not only that, but they might get a free gift every month and if you choose a topic that they’re interested in like baking, fishing, animals or dancing then it’s sure to encourage their passions. It’s great for boosting their reading skills too!

Classes

Does your child have a favourite hobby? Or maybe they’re looking for a new interest? Well, why not get them started or encourage their current passions with some lessons? From baking, to dance classes, swimming to horse riding, even painting, acting and photography. The possibilities are endless, and not only will they get the chance to enhance their current skills, but they can make new friends, boost their confidence, and have new experiences like competitions, travelling to National events and being amazed at what they can achieve.

Spend some quality time

They say that the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. And as far as children are concerned, then I couldn’t agree more. Choose a day where you can spend an entire day with them, let them choose what activities or where they want to spend the day and make lots of memories, take lots of photographs and just enjoy each other’s company. Go swimming, head to the zoo, eat a giant ice cream together and run along the beach.

A ping pong table

I recently bought my kids a ping pong table. I found a few super affordable ones on Amazon based on this website’s recommendations, and I simply went for it. Now, bear in mind, ping pong is not as super popular game in the US. So I was definitely frown upon by both friends and family members. That said, I thought, what the heck, it’s only a few hundred bucks for the table, 10 dollars for balls and 30 dollars for paddles. I’ve spent $400 on worse things in my life. To my surprise though, my kids loved it. And for good reason. Ping Pong is easy. There are few rules you really need to learn. And, of course, at the beginning everyone sucks at playing. That said, ping pong is super fun. And it makes my kids be competitive too which is a great skill to learn in life. 

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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Chicago is a Top Destination for Business Travelers

Chicago is one of the best cities for business travelers. Most of the restaurants and hotels near the downtown area and waterfront are attuned to the needs of business travelers. With the number of businesses and large companies headquartered here, it’s already got a great infrastructure and culture oriented around working hard and playing hard.

For those who are headed to Chicago for business this year, we’ve put together some reasons why we love this city and how to make the most of your next trip to the Windy City.

Pick a Techy, Business Traveler Hotel

If you want to stay near the water, there will be plenty of fancy, boutique hotels that want to sweep you off your feet. But what if you could have an upscale luxury boutique feel with the consistency of a national chain you’re familiar? The Hyatt Regency Chicago has the “Hyatt Has It” program that ensures you have access to all the amenities you’re used to as well as access to gadgets and free WiFi. If you need a boardroom or a place to meet with clients, there are plenty of professional spaces to choose from as well. You can also get limo service or quick taxis to anywhere in the city. It’s one of the most popular business travel hotels in the city for good reason. Visit their website to see more and even book your room today.

Know Where to Go and Explore

For those who have time to check out the city or just want to learn about where they’re traveling to, here are some of the terms and areas around the Windy City. The downtown central business district is known as the Loop. This is where the river borders the city to the north and west, and you’ll find Roosevelt Road down to the south.

If you want to understand traveling around Chicago, just remember that they take the “El” train. This express train goes quickly from O’Hare to downtown areas and any other stops around the downtown city without having to wait for an Uber. It’s just as fast, more reliable, and less expensive than New York City’s vaunted subway system!

In addition, most of downtown Chicago changed after the Great Fire in 1871. When rebuilding the city, planners made sure that the city was laid out for quick travel. If you remember that Lake Michigan is always to the east, you’ll never get lost. The grid system also makes it a lot easier to know where everything is. Just remember a few basics such as the center of the city located at State and Madison in the middle of the Loop.

In addition, as address numbers get higher, you get farther from the center of the city.

What’s the Weather Like?

A sunny day in Chicago can change quickly into a downpour. There are also long periods of cold weather from November to April. If you’re not already used to checking your weather app every day, you should get into the habit of seeing what kind of temperatures and precipitation are in store when you head up to the Windy City. It’s not uncommon to experience sudden temperature drops and afternoon showers out of nowhere. Umbrellas, rain jackets, and a good hat will help you stay warm and dry. However, it’s not called the Windy City for nothing, so be sure to hang onto your hat when you head into the central areas of downtown where the skyscrapers funnel the wind through the streets.

Research Restaurants by Neighborhood

Need some help looking all of the different areas of Chicago? This handy, cool neighborhood guide to Chicago will make it easy to pick out the neighborhoods you should explore on your extra day off if you have some time to spare!

 

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What Do Probation Officers Do

The term ‘probation officer’ is known to most people, yet what they specifically do can be less clear. In this article, we will look at what is meant by probation officer more closely. Looking at areas such as; day to day tasks of a probation officer, who employs probation officers, and the qualifications and/or training needed. The idea of this article is to give you an overview, so that you can see if firstly it appeals to you,secondly if you have the correct qualification, and, if this isn’t the case, the steps needed to be completed.

In terms of tasks you can be expected to perform as a probation officer, it is important to understand that your workload, in terms of content, will differ massively from one day to the next. Yet, some common tasks that can be expected can be established. For example, you will be helping offenders both prior to sentencing/going to jail and also when they come out. You may also be helping families of offenders, during these times. Before jail, you will be expected to help an offender come to terms with their custodial sentence, providing necessary information and advice for them. During their sentence, depending on the offender and/or case they’re involved in, you might be expected to visit them in prison.

While once they’ve finished their sentence, you will be key in their rehabilitation process. This might involve overseeing community work they’re involved in, or getting them involved in community work in the first place. Or more likely visiting offenders, or them visiting you on a regular basis to check up on their progress of reintegration with society, while making sure they are meeting the requirements of their probation (curfews, drug tests, etc.).

Within the UK, most probation workers are employed by the National Probation Service. Positions in probation work are often fairly competitive, so some sort of work experience, even if its voluntary, should be considered. On top of this work experience, a degree is often expected, yet not necessary. If you don’t have a degree in a related field to probation work, then you can enter the profession via vocational qualification or via a higher apprenticeship. These types of qualifications can allow you to apply for a level 6 professional qualification in probation (PQiP). Finally, it is also possible to become a probation officer via becoming a probation services officer first. This job will allow you to gain necessary experience and offer the chance to gain qualifications alongside your day to day work.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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What Are the Consequences of Becoming Bankrupt

If you’re struggling with debt and you’re thinking of declaring yourself bankrupt then you need to get advice from people like Creditfix to make sure you’re doing the right thing.

Why do people become bankrupt?

You can either apply for bankruptcy yourself or you can be forced by creditors. If you owe a creditor more than £5,000 then they can apply for you to become bankrupt. However, in practice, bankruptcy is a last resort and is only really advisable for people with unsecured debts of at least £20,000.

For amounts smaller than £20,000, solutions like individual voluntary arrangements (IVA) and debt relief orders (DRO) may be better.

How does it work?

If you want to become bankrupt, you’ll need to fill in an online form at the GOV.uk website. You’ll need payslips, benefit letters, bills, council tax letters, rent or mortgage details and the details of all your debts. The GOV.uk website will have a full list of all required documents.

You’ll need to pay £680 in England and Wales and £669 if you’re in Northern Ireland. This might seem steep, but by paying online you can make installments of as little as £5.

Once your application is submitted, the adjudicator will decide within 28 days whether to grant you a bankruptcy order or whether to reject your application.

If your application is successful

If you’re declared bankrupt then your bank accounts are immediately frozen and some or all of your non-essential assets might be sold to pay your creditors. The remaining amount of your debt, if there is any, will be wiped out, unless your income is deemed to be high enough for you to make some ongoing payments each month (for up to three years).

How long are you bankrupt for?

Usually, bankruptcy lasts for 12 months and during this time you’re an “undischarged bankrupt”. Even after the 12 months is up, your bankruptcy will remain on file for a further five years. This means that credit providers, banks, and similar organisations will be able to see you were bankrupt and use this information in their decision making.

Can you still get credit?

When you’re in the process of filing for bankruptcy you won’t be able to get a credit card or a personal loan and for the 12 months afterwards you probably won’t be able to get a bank account that offers a chequebook or an overdraft.

You’ll probably be restricted to a very basic bank account so you can pay direct debits and standing orders and receive wages and benefits.

What else can be affected?

You might think that it’s just things like loans, credit cards and bank accounts that can be adversely affected by bankruptcy, but there are other things as well.

You might find that your insurance premiums go up, as providers can see your recent bankruptcy. You must inform companies and service providers if you’ve recently been bankrupt, even if it does mean paying a bit extra. Some insurers may simply ask you to pay your year’s premiums upfront because their credit search will show up your bankruptcy.

In extreme cases, your home may be sold to pay your debts and this may mean you have to find rental accommodation. In these circumstances, having a financially-stable friend or relative to act as guarantor for the tenancy is helpful.

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Language Barrier Broken With Online Translation Services

Gone are the days when it was such a big deal to be posted for work in a country with a foreign language, or rather receive study notes in a different dialect. In this day, one moves with the different languages just at one’s fingertips on the smartphone making life so easy. With online language translation, inter culture barriers are broken. People go for vacations, conferences, exhibitions, all over the globe without fear of language barrier.

Eesti vene tõlge is one of the most commonly requested for language pair that the online agencies offer. Translations are done for a variety of topics like law, medicine, engineering, parenting, economics, banking, sports, among others. These can be done at a small fee or free of charge by the online translators and editors.

Easy to use

Using these online translation services is as easy as A-B-C. All one has to do is, feed into the given text box the information (primary language) needed for translation and then press “enter”. In some cases, the information is translated into the desired language as one types the text to be translated. The exact translation into the preferred language is given with completely no alternation of meaning. Additionally, all the different languages on the tool are well displayed for quick choice.

Convenience

This mode of translation can easily be done at the comfort of your bed or couch on your smartphone using a mobile application or using a web browser. No need to hire a third party. No need to fly to the country of translation. All this is done by the click of your fingers.

It’s Visual

Maintaining of the original meaning is very important during any form of translation. This kind of translation eliminates personal intonations that vary in different human beings which alter statements and whole meaning at large. These variations in intonations and accents are due to the difference in nature and cultures of people’s backgrounds. With online text translation, the visual word to word meaning is processed.

Fast

This is by far the strongest reason as to why people take on online translators. They are simply fast and efficient in the translating. Just by entering the information needed to be translated in one text box, an output text in the selected language is immediately received. For as long as there is a good internet connection, there is absolutely no time delay.

Variety of language pairs

There are very many pair combinations of languages found on the universe and these online translation companies offer a variety of these combinations. At least the most commonly used pairs are available. This is convenient for one who needs the same information in over ten dialects.

Affordable

These translation services are really affordable. Some tools are entirely free for use while others a small fee is made for your work. Depending on the magnitude of your work or purpose, the most appropriate tool that offers the highest level of accuracy is chosen.

To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.

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Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Japanese Bed

 

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The Japanese bed that you want to buy should be chosen based on a few things that you can lay it for yourself. You should check off all the boxes so that you can get the best results when you are trying to buy a bed. This is a big investment that you need to take seriously. You also need to be mindful that it is going to feel very different when you are in this bed every night. Use these tips to get the best possible results.

1. The Support

This is a cool Japanese bed that sits up on a platform that is going to be perfect for you to get to sleep every night. Most people have no idea how much they need a bed like this until it is too late. In fact, and it would be silly for you to look for anything else once you have laid on that bed for just one night. The Japanese bed can do everything that you need, and it can support you in ways that other beds cannot.

2. The Size

You need to look at the size to make sure that you have found something that actually fits you because there are a lot of beds that are use not the right size for you. Be very careful when picking sizes, and remember that the size choices you make will greatly influence how you sleep. A lot of people forget this, and they get to the point that they do not want to sleep in the bed.

3. The Box Spring

You need a very good box spring, and you have to be sure that you have found one that actually gives you a little bounce and support. It is going to be very hard for you to get the right spring if you have not also gotten the right mattress. These beds come with very nice mattresses because that makes it even easier for you to rest as you sink into the bed and it holds you up all night.

4. The Height

You need to make sure that you have looked at the height of the bed because you need to be far enough off the ground that it makes a difference for you. You also have to look at the way that the bed will support itself based on how tall it is. Some people will never be able to understand why they need a high bed, but they need a high bed with a lot of leg support.

The beds that you buy should be chosen based on what you think is going to make you sleep the best. Be very careful when choosing these beds because there are so many little things for people to take a look at. You need to be honest with yourself about when you need so that you can make the right choices.

To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.

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How To Avoid Your Business Being Flagged as Spam

We are in the age of the internet where everyone is struggling to get noticed and drive sales to their business. While this competitive environment has encouraged much innovation, it has also created a situation where businesses are resorting to very desperate means to get noticed, mostly by engaging in spamming practices.

Spamming practices involve the misuse of promotional tools in order to get noticed. The problem is that consumers have gotten much better at spotting spam from businesses and are less likely to patronize them if they sense any foul play. Here are some ways to avoid your business being flagged as spam.

Avoid spam articles

This is one of the oldest methods of spamming but is still used today. Spam articles are those that pretend to offer valuable information but are packed with keywords. Keyword spam involves cramming multiple keywords in a nonsensical order into an article in the hopes that it will get picked up by search engines and drive traffic. The problem with this is that readers can easily tell when an article is spam, and search engines are penalizing sites that publish such articles.

Instead of doing this, hire an SEO consultant to make sure that all your business’ content is created with only relevant and well-positioned keywords that will drive traffic rather than send it away.

Do not send spam emails

Spam emailing involves sending emails to people who have not consented to receive information about your business. Most times, these emails get sent to the spam folder and the email address is blacklisted by the email provider.

Instead of doing this, create a mailing list and ask customers to sign up for it. Create incentives such as a discount for signing up, and grow this number through organic means rather than spam. Make sure that emails are done well with relevant information and interesting visuals to hold audience attention.

Avoid hashtag spam

Because social media is so popular these days and the use of hashtags is a way to get noticed, a number of businesses tag their social media content with irrelevant hashtags in a bid to get noticed. As with article spamming, social media sites are cracking down on this and restricting the content that is found to be hashtag spamming.

Even though it might take longer to find an audience, only use relevant hashtags in your social media posts to avoid turning away customers and getting penalized by social media sites.

Embrace more appropriate promotion techniques

While spamming methods might seem like a shortcut of sorts to promoting your business online, there are also more acceptable ways to do this. These include paying for sponsored posts or ads, running contests to gain traction, or simply posting very profound and valuable content in order to get noticed.

Despite some popular beliefs, you do not need to resort to spamming practices to get your business noticed. Instead, follow the above tips to ensure better results.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

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How to Style a Fascinator Fashionably

Have an upcoming big wedding or a fancy race to attend? Well, then it is your time to take some fashion inspiration from the royals and be a total head turner at the event. If you want to get the look of the royals without spending like one then fascinators are your best bet. Head over the right online store and you will be mesmerized by the gorgeous collection at a diverse price range. However, if you are a newbie to this head gear then here is our guide to pick and style these beauties to absolute perfection.

Colour is key

Getting a flattering colour of fascinator is half the battle won when it comes to styling one. It is a wise idea to plan your outfit including the shoes and handbag before going fascinator shopping. This colour of your outfit will guide you in choosing the right colour of fascinator that gives a cohesive look. You can go for a classic look by getting the accessory in the exact same colour or within the same colour family as your dress or you can make a bolder statement by going for a fascinator which is in a different colour that your dress. A pop of colour in the form of a fascinator is, especially, effective when you don an all-black or all white outfit.

The colour of your hair is also quite a determinant for the fascinator you choose to pick. Earthy colours like deep green, beige and brown are a great choice for redheads. Pops of bright colours like yellow, pink and red with brown hair are a match made in heaven. And, soft shades of warm pastels like coral, lilac, powder blue is perfect for blonde hair.

Your face matters

For beauties with a long face, fascinators that have a longer design and add length to their shape are ideal. For those with an oblong face can benefit from fascinators that sit in a way to hide your forehead to balance out the length of your face. Those with a strong and heavy jaw line can sport a style which is wide.

Where to put it

Traditionally, fascinators are worn on either side of the face where the parting of the hair rests. However, it is not uncommon to see fascinators place in the front for those willing to take some risk in their fashion game.

Hairstyle

If you plan to wear your hear sleek and chic in styles like a low pony or slicked back up do then a smaller fascinator will give you a timeless sophisticated look. For fascinators of a more considerable size, it is a better idea to go for hairstyles with some volume such as curls and waves.

Hair type and length

Fascinators come attached to clips, combs and bands. If you have shorter hair or thinner hair then bands work best for you. Clips are great for those with hair of medium thickness so the clip has enough to hold on to. Combs work best with thicker hair which can often be coarse which gives the comb a very good grip.

 

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Tips for Improving Appearance of Lines and Pores

Stress, aging and improper hydration are some causes why there are visible fine lines around your eyes, forehead, and lip area. Your laugh lines may actually look good, but wrinkles are signs of aging. While growing old is inevitable, looking old is something you can resolve.

If you’re looking for a way to decrease the size of your skin’s pores and to diminish the signs of fine lines, proper care for your skin and choosing the right skincare products is a must.

1. Apply eye cream each night to diminish the signs of fine lines and wrinkles 

While you may not notice instant results after using an eye cream under your eyes for a single night, if you consistently use a highly rated eye cream for dark circles from a reputable brand, after a few weeks you should notice that your fine lines have diminished significantly.

2. Gently slide ice cubes around your face, to decrease the size of your pores

You can reduce the size of the pores by simply sliding an ice cube around the areas of your face for a few minutes. Just don’t overdo it as this will cause more harm than good to your skin.

3. Use a face cloth or facial sponge and apply lemon juice to your face, to decrease your pores

Another easy way to decrease the size of your face pores is to use a soft face cloth or a facial sponge to apply a few drops of lemon juice to your skin, to visibly decrease the size of your pores. Lemon juice is known to be a natural astringent that minimizes large pores. Alternatively, you can also use pineapple juice in order to achieve the same results.

4. Massage a few drops of olive oil onto your lines and wrinkles

In order to get rid of lines and wrinkles, simply massage a few drops of olive oil onto your lines, before you go to bed each night as olive oil has the power to help diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Just be sure to rinse your face with warm water and a face towel after you’ve massaged the olive oil onto your skin.

5. Consume foods which are rich in vitamin D and vitamin A

Vitamin A and vitamin D can naturally give you more plump, healthy and firm skin. So if you’re looking to reverse the signs of ageing, it’s well worth eating foods which are packed full of vitamin D and vitamin A.

Some examples of foods which contain vitamin D include salmon, tuna, soy milk and egg yolks, while some examples of foods which are packed full of vitamin A include broccoli, carrots, spinach, cod liver oil and spinach. All of which will be easy to incorporate into a healthy diet.

6. Purchase a skin mask which will reduce the size of your pores

There are many skin masks and sheet masks which promise to reduce the size of your pores in just 20 minutes. Although to get noticeable results, you’ll need to use a skin mask or sheet mask at least once a week. Some masks that are known to significantly reduce the size of pores include yoghurt based skin masks and charcoal based skin masks. Both of which are well worth trying!

So if you thought that you had to live with oversized pores or lines and wrinkles, think again as there are multiple ways to diminish the signs of wrinkles, lines and pores.

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What is Local SEO and How Does Local Search Impact Your Business

Local SEO is considered as a branch of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It heavily focuses on the proper optimization of a business webpage which can appear in local search results. One can easily distinguish local SEO from the general SEO framework through its localized content such as a particular address.

Here are some of the typical search terms that deal with local SEO:

  • Dentists near me
  • Auto mechanic near me
  • Lawyers in Boston
  • General contractors in North Carolina

To incorporate local SEO into a business’ digital marketing strategy, one should focus on the importance of emphasizing the various optimization efforts of businesses that are leasing retail shops, warehouses, or even factory production facilities; these businesses are known as Brick and Mortar businesses.

A guide created by HigherVisibility on the strategies under local SEO can help an organization or a business entity on the proper way of utilizing their webpage content, link building attempts, on-page optimizations, and other local SEO guidelines.

However, we are going to brief you with some of the more important details on local search as well as how it could impact your business.

Statistical Data on the Importance of Local Search

Here are a few statistical data from the Search Engine Journal concerning local search.

  • 50% of the searches on Google are done through mobile devices.
  • Most of the searches done on mobile devices are looking for local businesses.
  • 34% of the local searches on Google are done through the web or other devices.
  • 78% of local searches done on mobile devices lead to offline purchases.
  • 18% of local searches done on mobile devices resulted in a sale within 24 hours.
  • 1 in 3 searches on mobile devices was made typically before arriving at a physical store.

How Businesses Benefit from Local SEO

  • Dentists and Medical Practices

It is pretty self-explanatory that when someone is looking for a dentist, a doctor, or any medical professional, they are always searching for those near them. Most of us wouldn’t want to go out of our way to travel for several hours just to see a dentist when you can easily visit one within your area.

Those who are looking for medical professionals would most likely set appointments with them. It would be a more cost-effective and hassle-free process if they can find local medical services. With the help of local SEO, you allow your medical business to become searchable to those who have a high chance of actually visiting your office.

  • Lawyers and Law Firms

One of the benefits of local SEO is that search engine platforms like Google feature a call button that allows the searcher to easily contact a local business. Similar as to why it’s more reasonable to target local clients for medical services is because they have a high chance of actually availing your service or visiting your office.

If a law firm can properly incorporate local SEO into their webpage, it is possible to grace the top results of a particular search. In addition, the call button feature by Google can come in handy especially if the client has been in an accident. As a result, contacting local lawyers that offer free consultation would be a lot easier.

  • General Contracting Services

Local SEO for contracting services means that you are extending your business services to local clients. As a result, there is a high chance that clicks are turned into sales because location would not be a hindrance to both your offline and online customers.

Some of the benefits of local SEO for contractors include an easy application process for your business to Google Search or Google Maps. As a result, finding quality leads will be a lot easier and targeted since local clients are more likely to turn into real customers.

  • Plumbing Services

Similar to the implementation of local SEO by general contractors, plumbers can also benefit from this by allowing their local clients to find their business in an easier manner since it only targets local clients. This ensures that your plumbing business is enlisted in local listings. It is a highly effective marketing strategy because it uses your location to find clients within the same area as your business.

Local SEO can be proven beneficial to any type of industry. Even the editors of BBC News have realized the importance of local SEO in their business. By figuring out the most searched keywords, they are given an idea as to which stories are worth covering.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.