When you want to purchase jewellery, the best way to get value for money is commissioning bespoke jewellery. You can get much more bang for your buck choosing custom-made jewellery. There’s also that added benefit of getting something that is 100% unique. However, you will need to consider the precious metal to use in your jewellery, and there are many more options available than gold. Below are some of the various precious metals you can consider for your jewellery to help you decide which one to use in your bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewellery design.

Choosing Gold For Your Jewellery

One of the most common metals people use in jewellery is gold, but you will not want to use pure gold in your jewellery as it is too soft. If you use pure gold, also known as 24-carat gold, you will find it easy to damage your jewellery and bend it out of shape. Choose either 22-carat or 18-carat gold which is much tougher and less likely to get bent out of shape. Many people think about yellow gold. However, trusted jewellers in Mayfair and those in your local area offer gold in other colours such as:

• White Gold
• Rose Gold
• Green Gold
• Grey Gold

Choosing Silver For Your Jewellery

Silver is another common metal that people use for jewellery, and it is much stronger than gold, so it is less likely to bend out of shape. Another significant benefit of using silver for jewellery is that it is much cheaper than gold but looks fantastic. The best option for silver jewellery is Sterling Silver, which has a purity of 92.5% and is suitable for the jewellery you wear every day and for extended periods.

Choosing Platinum For Your Jewellery

If you are looking for a precious metal that is hard-wearing and will last, an excellent option to choose is platinum, which is increasing in popularity. However, the one drawback with this durable metal is its price, as it is often more expensive than gold. Platinum has a similar look to silver and is usually between 90% and 95% pure when used in jewellery. Although it is costly, you will know it will last when choosing this metal for your bespoke jewellery.

Choosing Palladium For Your Jewellery

If you want a similar look to platinum without the expense, you may want to consider using palladium instead for your custom-made jewellery. It was first used for jewellery after 1939 when platinum was declared a strategic metal reserved for the military. It is a white metal that is also very durable, like platinum and has increased in popularity. It will usually be around 95% pure palladium and is often mixed with ruthenium, making it a suitable alloy for jewellery.

These are the four most common metals you can consider for your bespoke jewellery, but there are more besides. Speak to the jeweller who will design and create your custom-made jewellery and see what they recommend. They can definitely create something beautiful for you using your preferred metal of choice.

 

If you are a huge fan of Downton Abbey and are curious about how you can transform different rooms in your home, using Downton Abbey as your inspiration, you’re in luck. A recent interior design campaign was released which shows modern takes on how different British celebrities would decorate some of the iconic rooms in Downtown Abbey for today’s modern world. If you love home DIY and Downton Abbey, continue reading to discover how to give your home a much-needed update with Downton Abbey as your inspiration.

Use large framed prints to decorate your walls:

In Downton Abbey, large framed paintings were hung up on the walls of many of the rooms to create an air of stately elegance. British celebrity Ruth Langsford would likely recommend hanging up large framed contemporary prints on your walls instead. As prints are thoroughly modern and are relatively inexpensive to purchase. As they are so inexpensive, you’ll also be able to swap out the prints that you choose from time to time to give your room a whole new look.

Use stand out pieces to decorate your rooms:

Graham Norton who is known for being Britain’s most famous talk show host and interviewing A-list celebrities from the UK and the USA would likely use stand-out pieces to give Downton Abbey’s rooms a modern update. For example, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Graham select a sophisticated floor lamp and a large leafy potted plant, in order to transform a room into a contemporary haven.

Take inspiration from minimalist Scandanavian style:

Joe Wicks, who is known for being a health and fitness personality, would likely transform the rooms in Downton Abbey by taking inspiration from minimalist Scandinavian style. As in his video workouts which he frequently posts online, Joe has been spotted working out in a home that boasts a contemporary white fireplace and Scandinavian furniture. So if you are looking for a fresh way to update your home, it’s a great idea to paint your fireplace or the wall behind your fireplace white and to add a few pieces of trendy Scandanavian furniture to your home. As a bonus Scandanavian furniture is often reasonably priced. One piece of furniture which Joe owns is a Scandanavian coffee table that he has placed on top of a neutral rug.

Consider artfully mixing light and dark tones:

If you’re a fan of Ruth Langsford who is a famous Irish TV and radio host, you may want to decorate the rooms in your home by carefully mixing both light and dark tones into your room design. For example, you may want to opt for dark wood furniture in a room that has light-colored walls.

So if you love Downton Abbey, are curious about how British celebrities would transform the home in Downton Abbey for modern times and love collecting DIY home inspiration, hopefully, your curiosity is satisfied. Especially if you’ve been searching for ways to modernize your living room as the most used room in your home.

 

Nobody wants to make their home look stuffed and tacky. On the contrary, people generally buy kardinad to change the ambiance completely.

As a rookie, you’re bound to make errors in your judgment, but don’t let the service provider get under your skin and scam you. Let this article make you more aware.

Taking the wrong measurements

It’s better that you don’t go to the store without measuring the length and width of your window. At this stage, you have to decide if you want it to float on the floor or be precise. This can also help you to avoid getting shades that are too narrow.

Not matching the color of curtains with the wall

A pop of color can bring life to a dull room. On the other hand, if there are already too many colors in your room, then it can be too overwhelming after a while. Always go for colors that are similar or neutral to your walls and other decors so that you don’t have to change perpetually.

Cleaning process

Yes, you read it correctly; you’re supposed to clean the curtains on a regular basis for hygiene purposes. Every kind of material requires an entirely different process for cleaning. Some of them could be strictly dry clean only, whereas others could be friendly with the usual washing machine.

Not checking the hardware beforehand

If your curtains are very heavy, then you need something durable to hold them in place. If not, then they’ll fall, and someone can get hurt. Be mindful of where you’re making holes for the rods. This is one of the mistakes that can cost you a lot to fix.

Don’t focus on style too much

Everyone wants their place to look chic and modern. However, not every place is the same. So, at times maybe you need to compromise on the style to see whether or not they are functional in your room.

Skipping consultation

When you browse through a reputed website, they give you an option to choose an in-house consultation. In this situation, a team of experts visit your place and help you pick out what’s right for your space. Due to the current pandemic conditions, businesses have started virtual consultation as well. The only difference is that the people take a look via a video call.

Fabrics! Fabrics! Fabrics!

Two things that people majorly look at when deciding the fabric would be the climate conditions and the cleaning process. You have to remember that the fabrics are prone to fading due to constant contact with sunlight.

Going overboard with your budget

You made a budget for a reason, right? So, try to stick to it till the end. You might have to do cost-cutting on maybe furniture or other decors so that you can buy the shades that you like. In this case, search for different vendors and see who can fulfill all your wishes within your estimated budget.

Keeping in mind the above-mentioned points is very important. Furthermore, Avaeksperdid can solve most of your curtain-related issues. You can check out the given link and get the best quotes today.

 

The online casino industry is undergoing an unprecedented boom. Of course, some of this is down to the impact of the pandemic, but it’s a trend that was already well underway. Customers new to the world of online gambling might find the different types of welcome bonuses confusing, but this short guide should help to make sense of everything.

Free spins

Probably the most popular type of bonus, free spins do exactly what they say on the tin. You’ll find them offered by most online casinos as a way to entice players onto the slot machines, where they’ll receive a set number of spins, completely free of charge. Naturally, the number varies considerably between casinos, but there’s a general scramble between establishments to offer the best deals since competition is high.

One caveat, though. Free spins are an attractive proposition, but they’ll sometimes come with wagering requirements. This means that you’ll have to wager your free spins winnings a number of times before you can withdraw them. Wagering requirements can sometimes be as low as x1 but much higher on some casinos. So, it’s important to check this small print before you start spinning.

Deposit bonus

Though not as common as free spins, players can compare the different deposit bonuses on offer using a casino comparison tool like freeextrachips.com. They sound more complicated than free spins but are, in practice, quite simple. You’ll deposit a certain amount of cash and then receive a top-up as per the size of the deposit bonus. For example, if you have a 50% offer and deposit $100, you’ll receive a $50 bonus from playing with – so $150 of funds.

In much the same way as free spins, this does come with limiters. Wagering restrictions might apply, sometimes to the bonus funds, sometimes to the whole deposit. This can seriously eat into your profits, so it pays to be selective over which casino you choose. For example, a 400% deposit bonus might sound lucrative, but you’re unlikely to come away with any profit if the bonus needs to be wagered x60.

Free chips

Although this applies mostly to online poker casinos (you might see it for games like Blackjack, too), it’s nonetheless a common type of bonus. Online poker is extremely popular, and advances in technology mean that casinos have been able to replicate much of the tension associated with playing face to face. In addition, free chips encourage new players to take to the table without making a deposit.

You’ll usually be given a set of chips upon signup, which you can then play through. Most casinos will limit how long the chips are valid, so always double-check and delay if their shelf life is short. While most free chips will have some kind of wagering requirement, it’s often significantly less than free spins or deposit bonuses. Some casinos might even stipulate that the chips only need to be wagered once before you can cash them out and convert them into real money.

 

Becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs there are. You will be helping to shape the minds of the next generation and facing new and exciting challenges every day. However, there are a few things you should know before you get started.

What Kind Of Teacher Do You Want To Be?

Think carefully about the age group of children that you want to teach. Teaching younger kids requires a different mentality and skillset to teaching teenagers. Ask yourself if you want to specialize in a subject of interest or if you want to help children gain the fundamentals in a range of classes. Think about whether you want to work as a teacher in a school or if becoming a private tutor suits your lifestyle better.

You Need The Right Qualifications

Enroll in a teacher training course for the range of ages that you want to teach. Look for a course that you can fit around your other higher education commitments. Most high schools require you to have a bachelor’s degree in addition to a teaching license. Apply for teaching internships in your local area. Necessary qualifications and certifications will vary from state to state.

You Can Apply For Financial Support

Find out if you are eligible for financial support as a teacher. Talk to your home loan provider about mortgage options for teachers. Research nationwide teacher home loan policies to see if you would benefit. These loans include buyer grants of up to $6,000 which you will not have to repay, as well as down payment assistance and rebates on appraisal and real estate agent fees. Applying does not affect your credit score. Find out if there are non-government home loans available specifically for teachers in your area. Look for financial aid options before you commit to a teacher training course.

Be Prepared For A Job Search

Start your search for a position early. Use available resources to browse positions and salary to find the right fit for you. Be prepared to network and apply to join professional organizations to give yourself the best chance of finding a job. Contact schools in your district regularly because jobs may come up at short notice. Consider specializing in one subject because specialized teachers can be in higher demand. Experience is a big factor in hiring so be prepared to take substitute positions to boost your CV.

 

Coronavirus turned our daily routines upside down. We could no longer hug our friends and family, go to work or even go shopping. Keeping safe and protecting those around us was of paramount importance, but our mental health may have suffered because of it. Rapid testing from companies such as Healgen has made a sense of normality much more possible. As life begins to return to normal, the little things, like seeing friends for coffee, mean a whole lot more to us. Let’s look back at the activities people have missed most over the last twelve months.

Hugging our friends and family

Whilst this may have been taken for granted pre-covid, affection and physical touch have been sorely missed by many of us. There is nothing better than the friendly embrace of someone close to you.

Eating out

We all love a restaurant trip – the food, the ambience and the service have all been sorely missed by many of us. As we all resort to cooking from home, or ordering in, nothing quiet beats a meal prepared by a professional chef.

Going to work

Now, hear us out. Though we have enjoyed the lie-ins, many of us miss the office gossip and a sense of structure in our daily lives. Working from home has been a nightmare for many of us. The stability of getting up at the same time every day and heading into the office has been dearly missed. As strange as it sounds, the prospect of returning to the office is exciting.

Shopping

Imagine no more empty shelves, mile long queues and panic buying. The thought of having a pre-covid shopping experience is calming. A peaceful window-shopping experience or grocery trip is just around the corner.

Going to school

It’s not just children that have missed school life. Parents have also missed some peace and quiet. Teachers and nursery staff have not been able to see their students, and remote learning has been a nightmare for many of them. Luckily, thanks to rapid testing such as the Healgen rapid Antigen test, our kids can return to the classroom.

Grabbing a coffee

Buying a hot steaming cup of coffee before a long workday or sitting down with friends and sharing a brew has been a widely missed activity. For many, grabbing a coffee is a daily ritual, and something that has been sorely missed.

The Gym

For many of us, the gym is extremely important. It allows us to work out our bodies whilst boosting our serotonin levels; it gives us a sense of accomplishment. Though some have resorted to home workouts, the atmosphere of the gym cannot be replicated. Fitness classes have also been cancelled, meaning that we have all had to brave working out alone.

Cinema Trips

Who doesn’t love a cinema trip? The excitement of viewing a long-awaited movie on the big screen has been taken from all of us, and we have been left watching films on our own boring televisions. To make matters worse, many up and coming movie productions have been cancelled, so we are left to stream movies we have already seen.

Music Concerts

Festivals and concerts are a much-missed activity. Whilst we have been able to view our favourite bands perform online, it isn’t the same as being at a concert with other fans. For a lot of us, music is a big part of life – concerts are a treat that we cannot wait to have back.

Haircuts

At-home haircuts have been a nightmare. We often come out of lockdowns looking very overgrown and in desperate need of a trim. A good haircut can give us a great self-esteem boost. A lot of us cannot wait to able to book a professional cut from our favourite stylist in the near future.

 

For many individuals who have been confined at home over the last year, it was not the walls closing in on us that drove us insane but the color of the walls. Perhaps you’ve concluded that your kitchen backsplash is dirty or that the linoleum floor in your bathroom can never really sparkle since it is obsolete. Homeowners looking for a quick design repair rushed to home improvement shops, while renters may have felt trapped by the fact that they did not want to risk breaking their lease terms.

Even though individuals are at home all the time, they eventually tire of the décor or notice areas that need to be updated. The problem is that you have a landlord who may or may not allow you to make changes.

Before You Begin: Renters’ Wallpaper using Peel-and-Stick Adhesives

Before beginning a home improvement project, always check your contract or speak with your property management first. Inform them that you would be putting temporary, removable wallpaper for renters in the future.

Do you want to add a single accent wall to your bathroom, or do you want to redecorate it completely? Will you be required to operate around obstructions such as windows, doors, electrical outlets, or light switch locations? Choosing a small area is a good idea if this is your first experience decorating with renter-friendly wallpaper or not wanting to commit to a large job. Typically, the smallest number of detailing and cuts are required in an area such as an entrance or corridor.

At the margins of geometric or repetitive patterns, it may be difficult to line them up. A crowded or complex design, on the other hand, will conceal any errors or defects, such as air bubbles or sheets that are slightly misaligned.

Tips for Hanging Removable Wallpaper for Renters Apartments That Is Simple to Remove

Take a look at the instructions: While installing removable wallpaper for renters in your flat is a low-risk decorating job, it is still essential to read the installation instructions thoroughly before beginning. This way, you’ll know how to prepare the walls, in what order to hang the sheets, and how much overlap to anticipate in each panel before you begin.

Make some room for yourself: The ability to spread out the sheets for measuring and cutting is made possible by having a comprehensive, level workstation. Important note: If you want to work on your floor, consider putting a piece of cardboard on the floor beneath the wallpaper to protect the surface from scratches. You don’t want the knife to cut through the paper and leave a nick on the floor.

Put a bright light on your wall to make a statement: Before moving on to the next panel, use a bright light to assist you in identifying and removing any air bubbles that may have formed.

In case you’re bored of your walls being blank and empty, try sprucing them up with tenants’ peel and stick wallpaper. There is wallpaper, which is available in a plethora of patterns, and even white removable wallpaper that may be used to bring color or individuality to your apartment without damaging the walls.

If you’re looking for an alternative idea for a night in with friends, why not try a wine and chocolate night. If you love wine, and love chocolate, it sounds like the perfect combination. And to help, this article is here to make sure you make all the right decisions with a simple guide to pairing the two.

Pairing wine and chocolate: The basics

Before diving in with a bar of Dairy Milk and a bottle of Shiraz, there are few tips and tricks to making the right pairing.

Both chocolate and wine can have an intense taste, which is why the right pairing is so important.

To start the night, try a wine that is slightly sweeter than the chocolate. Sweet wines include sherry, port, and Madeira.

If you are a keen wine drinker and can tell the difference between light- and full-bodied options, try to match this with the heaviness or sweetness of the chocolate.

When setting up your pairing night, it’s worth working your way through the chocolate or wine in a logical way. Start with white chocolates and get darker, or set up the lighter-bodied wines together before trying the full-bodied glasses. By starting with the lighter tastes of white chocolate, you’ll avoid being overpowered by dark chocolate and being unable to taste anything else.

White chocolate

As white chocolate often has that classic buttery taste, it’s ideal for pairing with sweeter wines such as sherry and muscat. These drinks will draw out the creamy texture of the chocolate and highlight any slight fruitiness.

If you’re looking for a riskier pairing, you could opt for a Zinfandel. This will contrast the white chocolate taste but draw out the fruity taste of the wine much more.

Milk chocolate

A light-bodied Pinot Noir or medium Merlot will work perfectly with a creamy milk chocolate. Whether you choose a chunk of chocolate on its own, or want to spruce it up with a chocolate mousse or a cheesecake, this pair will leave you wanting more.

On the other side, a sparkling wine or dessert wine such as muscat can go just as well. The acidity of bubbly intensifies the gentler tastes within the chocolate, allowing you to find a new appreciation for this guilty pleasure.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate tends to have a higher cocoa content, which adds a bittersweetness. With this in mind, dark chocolate should be paired with a fuller-bodied wine with flavor-intense fruits. Across the globe, the spicy hints in a Zinfandel are commonly paired with dark chocolate in order to create a deliciously intense flavor combination.

Nutty chocolate

You can pair delicious nutty treats such as Mozart Kugel chocolates with Madeira, port and sherry. These dessert wines combine with the hazelnut and marzipan in the chocolate to create a sweet and delightful taste that’s perfect for ending the night on a high.

Creating food and drink pairings can be a case of trial and error, and personal tastes. But with a little research into the best combinations, you could find yourself indulging in chocolate and wine a little more frequently.

In the United States in 2018, renewable energy made up 17% of the total electricity generated.

If you want to harness some of that renewable home energy to power your home, you may be wondering which energy-saving technology you should go with.

Thankfully, we have the best home sustainability tips to lower your bill and save on power, so make sure you keep reading!

1. Wind Power

Wind power normally comes from one of the huge wind turbines that you’ve probably seen, but you don’t need one of those to power your home. You can normally find a grid-connected wind system.

These are cheaper to install because they’re a smaller system. However, you may also need a small wind turbine as well, depending on how much power you use and how big your house is.

One of the benefits of using this type of energy is that if you generate too much electricity that you don’t end up using, the utility company will normally give you cash back as well. Wind turbines also qualify for the tax rebate from the United States as well.

2. Solar Power

Harnessing the power of the sun can also give you great potential solar savings. You’ll harness the sun by installing solar photovoltaic panels onto your roof.

These panels absorb the sun’s rays, and then they’ll turn the rays into energy that you can use to run your home.

They’ll power your home even when it isn’t sunny outside. This happens because on the sunny days, the panel will generate more electricity than needed, and then it will store some as a backup for when the sun isn’t shining. If you don’t end up using any of that extra power, you can sell it to the national electricity grid and make some extra cash.

While sustainability is great, you’ll also be able to cut down on your electricity bills.

3. Hydropower

If you live near a river or a stream that is always flowing, you could harness that energy to power your home as well.

You should call a professional to come and help you, but it’s actually not that hard to set it up yourself. You should find the deepest stretch of the river or stream and channel that through a generator.

The water flowing into the generator will create more energy for your home, and some people find this source more stable than wind. So as long as your water is running, your home will be powered.

You don’t need any fuel to use this electricity either, because this is very earth-friendly.

Discover More About Renewable Home Energy

These are only a few of the renewable home energy options that you have available, but there are many more of them out there.

We know that keeping up with the latest trends in suitability can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help you out.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more articles just like this one.

A good night’s sleep isn’t just the best way to recharge your batteries after a long day, it also has many additional benefits for your health. People who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to gaining weight, have difficulty shaking off illnesses, and can be less productive during the day. A lack of sleep can also have a profound effect on your mood, increasing anxiety, frustration, and even depressive tendencies.

Everyone knows that sleeping well is important, but we’ve all lain awake in bed at night, unable to settle regardless of how welcoming we make the bed. What people don’t often think about is how much our sleep is affected by the things that we eat – not just immediately prior to going to bed, but also throughout the day. If you’re struggling to enter the land of nod, here are some dietary hacks which might just be the ticket you need to get those extra zzzzs.

Reduce Caffeine

This one might seem obvious as caffeine is a well-known stimulant, but that’s also the reason many people turn to coffee to keep them going through an evening, especially if they’re working late. What a lot of people don’t know is that caffeine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 6 hours, so if you’re a fan of a coffee on your commute home, it might still be stopping you from feeling sleepy well into the night. Try switching to decaf or limiting caffeine-rich drinks like coffee and cola to the morning.

Watch the Alcohol

Although a drink before bedtime can help you fall asleep, it has long-lasting effects which can mean that the quality of the sleep you do get is not as good as it should be. During the night, we cycle between deep sleep and light sleep, with the former being where we get the most rest. Drinking too much alcohol before bed disrupts this cycle, sending you into a deep sleep straight away but then your brain stays in light sleep for the rest of the night. That means when you wake up you feel more like you’ve only had a nap than a full night’s slumber.

Aid Digestion

The last thing you need before bedtime is indigestion, so make sure you stay away from foods which will keep your stomach working overtime. Fatty foods, processed foods, and anything with a spicy kick will keep your stomach gurgling away long after you’ve started counting sheep. Try and eat them earlier in the evening to give your body plenty of time to process them.

But it’s also not helpful to go to sleep feeling hungry. Sometimes we need an extra evening snack to avoid a different kind of stomach gurgle! There are foods which contain chemicals like serotonin, melatonin, and tryptophan, which your brain makes to help you fall asleep, so snacking on these before bedtime will give it a head start. Good choices include bananas, berries, turkey, and tart cherry juice. Just make sure you don’t add extra sugar, as this will have the opposite effect.

Create a Calming Environment

Of course, it won’t matter what you eat if your bedroom atmosphere isn’t conducive to sleep. While you might not be able to do anything about traffic noises and streetlights, you can adapt the room to make it as comfortable as can be. Investing in a good bed, like one of these from Divan Beds Centre, will help your body to relax. Blackout blinds and curtains will deal with any unwanted light sources, and you might want to consider using a sound app to create a relaxing ambience. What could be more soothing than the sound of waves lapping on the shore?

Conclusion

Preparation for a good night’s sleep starts long before you make it to the bedroom. If you’re having trouble nodding off or waking up unrested, try moderating your diet and see if that makes any difference.