For a long time, the covid restrictions dictated that gatherings were not allowed, but as more and more cities, states and countries start allowing things to open up again, events are slowly creeping their way back into our daily life. This of course, isn’t events to the scale and extent of big concerts and large scale weddings, but we are starting to see more business gatherings, small weddings and hybrid events that have both an in-person component along with a virtual one.

It’s not impossible to have an event in today’s environment, but it is going to be a lot harder, and there will be a lot more things to consider. The key thing is focusing on safety and making sure people can carry out the measures that will keep everyone safe. Whether you’re planning a small business summit or planning a themed birthday party, remember to create a solid plan and stick to it. What does it take to plan a safe and successful event in the time of covid? Here are the key things you need to consider.

Start With The Numbers

The number of people that you’re going to have in attendance will have a lot of bearing on how the event will be structured. First, be clear on what your state’s maximum attendance is. That number should guide you in every other decision you’re going to make in this process. If the limit is 50 people, create your guest/attendant list with that number in mind. Don’t make the mistake of inviting a lot of people above the limit with the expectation of cancellations. Assume that everyone is going to say yes and work with that.

Location and Setting

Now that you know how many people are going to be at the event, it’s time to deal with the next critical thing, where your event is going to be held and what the setting is going to be. The worst thing in this pandemic is being in an enclosed space, so remember the key is open space, big rooms or even open air if need be. If there’s a lot of space, social distancing becomes easier, and people have room to move around freely without feeling restricted.

You can also have an event that’s a mix between indoor and outdoor. Companies like American Pavillion offer large tent rentals which can allow you to have your event on a large clearing of land, with a big tent so that there’s still an indoor component. This allows you to have a lot of space, but still shelter that isn’t a walled-in room. That is the perfect way to create a balance and to also cover your basis on keeping people safe. For people who are hosting a business conference or summit, there are ways to make sure that people can attend and still be safe. One thing you can do is spread everyone out, and instead of having many people at one table, you can have one person per table.

Attendant Awareness

Whoever is going to attend your event has to know what the restrictions are in advance so that they are prepared. The last thing you want to do is brief your guests when they get there. When you invite them, give them a list of all the requirements from the social distancing, to how things will be set up and what will be expected of them. This gives them a chance to plan accordingly and also for you to know that you have guests who are fully aware. Guests want to know that you as the event organizer care about their safety. When we brief them beforehand, we show that we care and give them the peace of mind to have a good time.

Meeting Points

The one thing that will make an event complicated is food and refreshments. Points where people gather are going to be potential areas where people can come in contact. Luckily reducing the numbers of attendants will help spread people out, and when it comes to how people eat and drink, having a wait staff who can serve people while they stay in one place can help, instead of a buffet. Also making sure people wear their masks anytime they are away from their tables will also reduce the chance of potential issues.

There are still ways to have a great event even if things are a little different to what we’re used to. The success of your event is really down to how well you plan it, and looking ahead to some of the issues that might arise, and following through with all the restrictions and requirements. Remember there is still the option of having a mix between online and in-person to cater to different people and to keep things like numbers manageable.

Use new flooring

If your floor is getting old and you feel that it just isn’t looking great anymore, then now is the time to make a change and purchase a new type of floor. If you are looking for a new lust-worthy floor that will last for decades, that is very durable and that is suitable for all types of homes, then herringbone flooring is a good place to style to use, as this style of flooring suits a wide range of consumer’s flooring needs.

Paint your walls

In order for a house to really feel like a home, you need to be fond of the way your home’s interior looks. Home interior trends seem to change every year and we as consumers tastes change along with the times. You may have loved your red walls 10+ years ago, but do you really love them now? the chances are that you probably don’t.

If you are stuck for ideas on the sorts of colour pallets that will complement your home interior, then Instagram or Pinterest will give you lots of inspiration and the interior styles that are featured on Instagram really do vary, so there will be colour schemes that you will really appreciate.

The use of pastel colours have always been popular, especially if you are looking to give your home a slight feminine style. All pastel colours look very nice together, so you could use all the colours together and create an ice cream/candy floss themed room.

Use soft furnishings

The use of soft furnishings is a cost effective and easy way of bringing comfort to a room. Soft furnishings are especially needed during colder winter months, or if you are just having a lazy Sunday on the sofa and you want a nice soft warm throw to snuggle up in. Furthermore, soft furnishings are not always exclusively blankets, throws and cushions, they are also more practical items, such as curtains and rugs which give character to a room, which will therefore make a room seem more homely.

Use new lights

Lighting is actually a very important feature of creating a home, in the UK unfortunately we do lack natural light because of our mostly cloudy weather. So, it is almost essential to add lighting where necessary. Lighting can either be bright, vibrant and good for those who work from home, or they can either be slightly duller and have more of a warmth within their tone, to create more of warm and cosy ambience.

Add a fireplace to your living room

Fireplaces add such a warmth and cosy feel to a living room. However, most modern houses are not built with a fireplace as it is a relatively old concept of heating a house, but some may argue a home doesn’t feel like a home without having at least one fireplace. However, not to worry! Actual fireplace heaters are available to purchase, that can look very genuine and they still have a flame and like a fireplace they can adequately heat up a room.

It feels like spring has sprung out of nowhere this year! From the big freeze of the arctic vortex to Spring Equinox coming and going, this year, it feels like spring is needed even more.

Life is still quite tough for a lot of us, with the pandemic showing signs of ebbing but still worrying for a lot, and for many people staying at home will be on the cards for a bit longer.

Sort Out Your Home

With staying home in mind, it’s time to start thinking about those jobs you need to get done this spring and start setting aside the time to do them, so you can have a relaxing summer break knowing that your house is in the best condition possible.

Some of these jobs only need to be done once a year, but others you should probably put on your quarterly maintenance plan to ensure everything stays in working order.

Check Your Plumbing

Get a local plumber in to check your plumbing this spring, and make sure everything is ready for that summer break.

The last thing you want during the summer is an issue with your water supply, which means you can’t get adequate drinking water into the house or aren’t able to have showers or use the pool.

Using a local plumber also supports local businesses, and local businesses have been really hard hit by this pandemic. You will find plumbers in Tulsa OK, to give you some great options and prices, and you’ll be doing your bit to help a local business survive too.

Clear Your Guttering

Guttering can get clogged up at any time of the year, and over autumn and winter, you’re likely to get a lot of debris from dirt, leaves, and even moss stuck in the guttering.

If you didn’t clear your guttering in wintertime, get it done right at the beginning of spring, before wild birds spot it as a wonderful place to make a nest!

Jetwash and Reseal Your Decking

Wooden decking looks fantastic, but it takes a lot of maintenance to keep it looking at its best.

When the weather warms up and you’ve got a few dry days to look forwards to, give your decking a good jetwash and a reseal; this will make sure it’s in the best condition for the next year ahead.

Paint Fences and Sidings

Over winter, your fences and siding will take a lot, especially with the very harsh weather we’ve had this year.

It’s best to give them a good paint and reseal, just like you do with your wooden deck, to ensure that they will last. You can also take this time to check the wood and replace any rotten or broken panels.

Start Your Garden

Less maintenance and more calming!

Starting your garden now allows you maximum time to enjoy it over the summer months, whether you’re going to be planting a beautiful bloom of colors or digging for victory with your own raised bed vegetable garden!

 

Create a family room

Some may say, a family home needs a family room. In simple terms, a family room is basically a room where a family spends most of their time together. Living rooms and lounges is where families tend to group together, so focus on making your living room comfortable for the whole family. Adding soft furnishings is a good way to ensure that a room becomes more comfortable, this is because soft furnishings often include: throws, blankets, cushions and rugs.

Have a lovely green garden

When you picture a perfect family home, a beautiful green garden is almost always part of the picture. However, not everyone wants the upkeep and maintenance that is required as part of keeping a garden looking perfect. Luckily, artificial grass offers a solution to this issue, you can own a vibrant, realistic looking grass lawn without needing to cut and water the grass, artificial grass also lasts for years, so it is a long-term solution.

Have a study

A study room is great for professional people who work from home, because it gives a quiet, private place to complete work related tasks. Equally, a study is also suitable for children and teenagers, because it’s also a space that allows them to complete homework and study.

Have a playroom

A children’s playroom is a good idea for homeowners who are particularly house proud. This is because a playroom is a space which keeps children’s toys and mess inside one room, instead of it being scattered around the whole home. Of course, having a play room within the home also benefits the children, because they are free to get messy and play around without disrupting other people in the house.

Add a dining table to your kitchen/diner

Many families in the UK no longer seat and eat dinner together round a dinner table and they usually sit on the sofa and eat their meals on their lap, whilst there is nothing actually wrong with choosing to eat your dinner this way, but it may prevent a family from sitting together and socialising with no distractions from televisions and digital devices. A perfect ideal family home almost always has a table of some sort for members of the family to seat and eat meals on.

Turn a spare room in to a guest room

Owning a guest room seems to be a luxury, because when you own a guest room it is obvious that you already have sufficient space in a home, to be able to keep a room spare in its usage. However, you do not always need a luxurious high-end budget to be able to own a decent guest room. Second hand furniture and soft furnishings are ideal to be used in a guest room, as the furniture will only be used occasionally, so it doesn’t matter if some items are a little bit warn with wear and tear, or not of perfect, brand-new quality.

 

My wife and I did very well last January in managing to pull off the wedding of our dreams, right before this pandemic kicked in. Of course we had no idea at the time what would unfold in the months to come, but nonetheless it was a bullet that we were more than happy to have dodged. We had planned the outdoor wedding for long time and I have to be honest that it was touch and go whether or not we were going to be able to come through with all of our plans. In retrospect it went very well and based on that I wanted to share some tips with anyone out there who is planning such a wedding, to help it go off without a problem.

Spare Toilets

It didn’t take long for the toilets in the venue which we were outside of to fill up and that is why I am so thankful that the guys at Diamond Environmental Services were able to step in and help. I was actually a friend of ours who first suggested that we get extra toilets, based on her own experience of her wedding. This is a suggestion that I am more than happy to pass on.

Getting Enough Juice

One issue which we managed to prevent at the 11th hour was not having enough power, and it is easy to underestimate just how much juice you are going to need for something like this. When you break down the number of lights which you are going to need, the DJ booth and every other electrical outlet which is required for this type of event, you quickly recognize just how much you will need, and a generator is going to be absolutely essential here. Even if you are able to hook up to the mains of the venue, this is still a necessary step that I would recommend.

Walkways

Something else we nearly slipped up was walkways, and making sure that they were solid enough for people. The issue on our wedding day was that we had a very light drop of rain, which was enough to make the plastic walkways that we had in place slippy. We were able to use the stone pathways of the venue but had that not been the case then we would have been in trouble. The last thing that you guests want is their high quality shoes to get ruined because you haven’t planned well enough for the weather.

The Venue

If you are going to have a wedding outside a venue then I would suggest trying to get the marquee as close as possible to it, in order to make your lives easier. Again this is why we were thankful to have the extra toilets because there were some who just did not want to make the long walk into the venue and back again.

Some helpful tips to make sure that your day is amazing.

A great number of people have spent their lockdowns writing stories and unlocking their potential when it comes to expressing their creativity through literature. There has also been a number of high caliber authors such as Paolo Boffetta, who have been using their social media to help budding authors to realize their potential with tips and advice. Today we are going to follow on from what many authors have been discussing, and take a look into what exactly it is that makes a great author.

To those of you who wish to pursue this as a career, here is what you should be aiming for.

Great Researcher

It is important to remember here that authors do not simply sit down and have ideas flowing out of their heads, they have to do background work first. The very best authors are those who carry out the best research, because it adds more depth and credibility to their work. If you are writing a story about the legal system or about nurses and doctors, you have to know what you are talking about. Even if you have worked in these fields, there is still work to be done in order to deliver the most accurate information.

Storytelling

Interestingly, whilst many would suggest that you would first have to be a great writer in order to be a great author, it is in fact storytelling which is much more important. Being a good writer is required of course, but even if you are a high quality wordsmith, lacking storytelling ability will ensure that you are never a great author. Conversely, there are those who cannot write perfectly, yet understand the pace and the rhythm which is required in order to be a great storyteller.

Relatable

In order to get the reader to buy-in to the story, it has to be something which they can relate to. This is what readers are looking for in all stories, no matter whether they are about martians or architects. Great authors truly understand their audience and they are able to design their tales in such a way that instantly asks for the buy-in from the reader.

Character Development

And finally, one of the true hallmarks of a great author is one who is able to bring characters to life. Character development is essential to every story, it is what makes the story believable and what drives it forward. Following on from the need to make a story relatable, this is often achieved through the use of characters and the depth with which they have. To use this previous example, a well thought out martian character can be relatable if they have similar personality traits or struggles as the reader. The importance of characters cannot be understated and the best authors are able to create iconic and relatable characters in their stories.

These are the key aspects of what and characteristics which make a great author.

 

If you’ve been keeping up with recent news around the world, you know just how crazy the weather can be in places that were completely unprepared for the inclement events that came their way. And while you can’t prepare for every possible outcome, there are things that you can do to ensure that you and your family will be safe if a storm or other natural disaster comes to your neck of the woods.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for preparing your home for when a natural disaster unexpectedly strikes.

Keep The Structure Of Your Home Safe

Because you might only have a short time to get any forewarning about an impending natural disaster that’s headed your way, it’s best to always be prepared for anything that might be on the horizon.

As part of this, you’ll want to be sure that the home you’re living in with your family members or loved ones is structurally safe and secure so that it can protect you from all that’s going on outside. To do this, Nick Gerhardt, a contributor to the Family Handyman, recommends that you focus your attention on windows, doors, and your garage, as these tend to be the most vulnerable parts of a home during inclement weather. Also, if you have any concerns about the foundation of your home, make sure you get this looked at by a professional so you can fix any issues before they get exploited.

Consider Your Quick Action Plans

When a natural disaster is imminent, you’ll likely have to act fast. As a result, you’ll want to know what to do beforehand so that you can execute plans quickly rather than floundering as you think about what you should be doing or doing next.

To help you with this, Nicole Price Fasig and Nicole Saporita, contributors to Good Housekeeping, recommend that you make a plan of action for how you’ll respond to various emergencies that are most likely to hit your area and then practice your plan to see what changes might need to be made. Doing things like turning off your main electricity line or water line as well as quickly removing outdoor hazards is a great place to start.

Maintain Necessary Items

Once a coming natural disaster hits the news, stores usually get swarmed by people trying to prepare. So to avoid this mad-dash, it’s wise to always keep certain necessary items on-hand.

In general, you’ll want to keep enough food and fresh water at home to last your family for at least a few days. Also, hygiene products and some camping-type gear can be very helpful. And, in certain events, Elizabeth Rivelli, a contributor to Bankrate.com, shares that you should also have things like sandbags and other emergency materials to protect your home and family.

If you’re wanting to be more prepared for a potential natural disaster that hits your area, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do this.

Getting a pet is an exciting time, but there are also lots of challenges, and things that could be worrying if you’ve not done your research in advance. Today we’re taking a look at some of the things you’ll need to know when you have a pet so you’ll feel prepared and confident.

Where’s the Vet?

It’s important to know where your vet is when you’re caring for a pet. You don’t want to be searching “emergency vet near me” during the actual emergency – you need to be focused on your pet’s needs.

Registering for a vet as soon as you get your pet (or finding a new one when you move to a new area) means you have an existing relationship to call on when you’re worried, that you know where to go when disaster strikes and perhaps most crucially, you have experience getting your pet there under less stressed circumstances. Whether it’s carrying the cat up the road in a carrier, getting your dog into the car, or even decanting a fish into a transport vessel, experience with the logistics of a pet visit makes doing it under pressure easier.

What Do They Eat?

While you might expect exotic pets to have very specific food needs that you need to get right for them to be healthy, the same can be true of more mainstream pets. Even cats and dogs need different foods at different times in their lives, can have intolerances and allergies, or might need dietary changes to help health conditions.

Start with their age – kittens and puppies need specific food formulations to support their growth. These should be clearly marked in the supermarket, but make sure you know how old your pet is, and when it moves from the juvenile to adult stage of life. This can vary based on the breed, so do double check or get your vet’s advice if you’re not sure.

Exercise

Most pets require some form of exercise to support their physical and mental health – an understimulated pet can have weight problems and even suffer from anxiety and depression.

Find out what sort of exercise and how much your pet might need. For habitat bound pets, feeding live food can help to simulate the physical and mental exertion of hunting in the wild. Other pets require a more direct hand – dogs need to be walked and it can’t be too much or too little. Too long a walk can be harmful, especially to a growing dog, but getting outside provides opportunities for play, exploration and socialisation that are vital to its wellbeing.

Cats get a lot of exercise and stimulation exploring outdoors, but if you have an indoor cat you’ll need to work harder to fill its needs. Keep a larger stock of cat toys and rotate the ones you use to provide variety, and find room for a climbing tree. Find what engages your cat and make time to play with them every day to ensure they’re getting the stimulation and exercise they need to support their health and happiness.

 

It was almost inevitable that Frank Lampard was going to lose his Chelsea job despite the fact that he should have been a better chance at the position. We all know however just how Chelsea like to go about things and the likes of Roman Abramovich loves nothing more than sacking a manager. Almost as soon as Frank’s announcement was made, Thomas Tuchel was drafted in having recently left PSG. Tuchel has had a successful career thus far, although this is rarely a precedent for guaranteed success in the Premier League.

During pre-season Rick Andreoli Montreal and I were actually discussing a potential title charge for the Blues. Now however they are currently languishing in 9th position, what exactly can Chelsea now hope for?

Champions League

Despite the tough start and in spite of changing managers, Chelsea aren’t actually that far away from the top 4 and it is certainly something which Tuchel will have his eye on. Given the fact that so many teams are currently losing points in the league there is certainly a chance that Chelsea could finish in those top 4 places. Now the idea of a title challenge which Rick and I had is long gone, but Tuchel will certainly be charged with keeping the team in the Champions League for next season.

Reinvigorated

Based on the experience that Tuchel boasts, that Lampard didn’t, we can certainly expect to see some players reinvigorated in terms of their play. We know that Tuchel has worked with the likes of Pulisic at Dortmund and he has also dealt with some of the world’s biggest players in Mbappe and Neymar. That experience will be absolutely essential in making sure that the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner really reach their potential at the club.

Cup Chances

IT would be remiss of us to forget that Chelsea are still in with a shout of the Champions League and the F.A. Cup, and there is no reason why the new manager will not have an eye on these. The Champions League last 16 will see the Blue face a tough opponent in Atletico. We cannot forget however that this is a Chelsea team which is dripping with talent and once Tuchel gets his own mark on the team, we can expect to see some real progress. There is no reason at all that Chelsea cannot beat Atletico over 2 legs.

Big Spending

Chelsea fans will have to understand that this summer they can expect to once again go big in the transfer market. This could see some big arrivals for the club and Tuchel is no stranger to spending big amounts of cash, as the purchase of Kylian Mbappe showed.

Ultimately Chelsea fans may be sad to have lost Frank as their manager but the reality is that Tuchel is a fine replacement and they should be excited about the months and years to come.

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The brilliant lifestyle coach and social media influencer Faii Ong uploaded a video last month which really taught me something about mental health in adults. The point that he was making was that so many of us struggle with mental health in our 30s and 40s because of the reduction that we see with regards to socializing. Now many of us come out of school or college with hundreds of ‘friends’ yet gradually of course we lose touch with so many. The lack of acquaintances in our adulthood is not necessarily the issue here, the problem is that we don’t have enough friends, which of course serve as a great way for us to live our best life and give us an outlet too.

As an adult it is no doubt harder to meet people, but there are many ways in which you can still make friends, let’s take a look.

Joining Clubs

Much like when we are kids, meeting people who share our passions is a great way for us to engage with others and to make friends. The best way to find people who do share our passions is to join a club which focuses on it. For example if you are a sports fan then you could join a tennis club or a pool club, if you like to read then there are book clubs you can join which will introduce you to people who share your passion. The point here is that in order to find like-minded people, you need to go to places where they celebrate your passions.

Following Up

Something which many of us are guilty of is not following up with someone after we have met them for the first time. We can often fool ourselves into thinking that everyone has their own right circle and that they will not be looking to meet up or to do something else, the reality however is that most people would love to be invited out or invited to do something.

Using The Web

The internet is a great way to meet people, especially through organized meet-ups. These can take place for any number of reasons, an event which someone has set up, the chance to go for an adventure with people or simply to meet up for a coffee and discuss the finer points of life. The key for you to make friends is to engage and become a part of this kind of event, this is how you can make friends.

Less Judgmental

If you met your oldest friend for the first time today, would you be friends with them? Perhaps so, but in most cases it is unlikely that they would become your best friend. This is because as we get older we become more judgmental and therefore we close ourselves off to people. In order to make a friend you don’t need to love everything about them, you simply need to get on and have shared interests, and that is it.

Focus on this post-lockdown for a much healthier lifestyle with an abundance of friends.