Nicole

Boosting Body Confidence: Taking Steps In The Right Direction

Body image is a term given to the way we interpret the way we look. Body confidence is about feeling secure and happy in your own skin. Sadly, it’s something many of us lack. Whether you’re 100, 200 or 400 pounds, you’re 5’0 or 6’0, nobody is immune to body confidence issues. If you could do with a boost, look no further. Here are some simple steps you can take to make you feel more confident about your body.

Eliminate comparisons

This is one of the most important changes you can make, but it’s also one of the hardest. If you have friends that are skinnier, taller or more athletic than you, it’s human nature to think about how you measure up. We’re aware of the differences between us and those around us from an early age, and we never really grow out of the habit of making comparisons.

The fact that image is so important in modern society can also make it incredibly difficult to eliminate comparisons. With social media and fashion campaigns featuring ‘perfect’ bodies, it can be hard not to dwell on how you look in comparison to others.

If you find yourself feeling low because your Instagram feed is full of size zero models or fitness fanatics, take a break. Take time out, don’t look at others, and focus on how you feel in your own skin. We’re all different, we come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and what makes one person happy won’t necessarily make another content.

If you’re happy with your body as it is, don’t feel like you need to go on a crash diet to drop 10 kilos or spend all your time at the gym trying to sculpt abs and triceps. Try and ignore external pressures.

It’s also worth remembering that many of the images you see on social media are filtered and enhanced. The original image may look completely different to the pictures you see on your phone or tablet.

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Tackle your troubles

If you’re unhappy with the way you look, there are often solutions out there. While it’s essential to act for yourself and to resist pressure applied by other people or societal norms, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself.

If you’ve gained weight and you want to lose it again, you’ve skipped a few too many workouts and you’ve lost definition, or you’ve not been paying enough attention to your diet, and you’re worried that you look gaunt, don’t be afraid to make changes.

If you want to lose weight, focus on your diet and try and increase the amount of exercise you do. If you’ve hit a wall and you feel like you can’t physically get the body you want, you could investigate non-surgical treatments like those available at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, or you could strive to be the best possible version of yourself.

It’s so important to have realistic expectations. If you’re 5’2 and you’ve got hips and a bottom, you’re not going to become a Victoria Secret model no matter how much exercise you do. Embrace the body you’ve got and understand that even people who seem to have everything probably have insecurities too.

Be proactive about making changes that you know will bring you happiness and boost your confidence, but don’t lose sight of the fact that everybody is different, and that’s what makes the world such an interesting place.

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Make an effort to look good

We all have days when we don’t feel great about the way we look. If you lack confidence, simple steps like putting on a bit of makeup, doing your hair and putting an outfit together that makes you feel great can make all the difference. You don’t need to sit around the house in a ballgown, but making that little bit of effort can go a long way.

If it’s been a while since you went to a salon or changed your hairstyle, why not treat yourself to a bit of pampering?

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Ditch the haters

If you’re a fan of social media, you may have noticed that even models and celebrities receive hateful comments about the way they look. Even the most beautiful people in the world can be affected by negative feedback.

If you’ve got people around you who put you down or make you feel anxious, uncomfortable or inadequate, sever the ties. Friends are not real friends if they use you to make themselves feel better.

Friends and partners should support each other, champion each other and encourage each other to be as happy, confident and strong as possible. Don’t waste any more time trying to please people who will always try and bring you down. Focus on the relationships that make you feel good.

Relationships can have such a powerful impact on our feelings and self-esteem, and it’s much better to have a tight circle than to have loads of followers and friends that don’t have your back.

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Think about how you treat yourself

Are you your harshest critic? If so, you’re not alone. We tend to be much kinder and more forgiving with other people than we are with ourselves. If you’ve got a friend who is anxious about wearing an outfit on a date or your sister is complaining about her weight, what do you say to them?

You probably go out of your way to tell them they look stunning and make them feel confident. If this is a scenario that sounds familiar to you, it’s time to apply the same rules to how you treat yourself. Be kind, be gentle and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

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If you lack body confidence, you’re not alone. Very few people are completely happy with everything they see in the mirror. The key to gaining confidence is finding out what makes you happy and making changes in line with realistic, achievable targets. Focus on your own happiness and wellbeing instead of obsessing about the way others look, be kind to yourself and surround yourself with people who genuinely want the best for you.

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Welcome to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party 208!

Welcome to another week of Happiness is Homemade Link Party! We’re so glad you’re here! Spring is erupting everywhere here with the trees and flowers blooming. With that comes spring cleaning, yard work, outside DIY projects, and grilling season! So, let’s see what you have for us this week that will ignite our creative minds and hands!

On with this week’s features!

I am in love with this tablescape from Bird’s Party. This Rainbow Tablescape & DIY Balloon Garland is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and can be adapted for any celebration.

Kahlua and Cream Fudge from Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry has me drooling – Chocolate AND Kahlua, ya’ll!!

Looking for some new books to read? Then this 2018 Winter to Spring Reading List from Sweet Pea is for you.

Now, let’s get started now with this week’s party. While you are here, we’d love it if you would visit the blogs of our lovely co-hosts!

Love My Messy Messy Mess

Sweet Pea Lifestyle

That Recipe

The Lady Prefers 2 Save

The Painted Hinge

Upstate Ramblings

FOLLOW OUR PINTEREST BOARD! ALL OF THE FEATURES ARE PINNED ON THE HAPPINESS IS HOMEMADE BOARD!

The rules? They are really simple! Make sure you visit a few other blogs and make some new friends along the way. Feel free to link up your favorite recipes, crafts or your latest DIY project. We want you to share it all! As always, please make sure to follow your hosts and co-hosts!! Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured at Happiness Is Homemade Link Party! We will feature the favorite posts each week!

Disclaimer: Adding your link to this link party gives permission to all 12 Hosts, along with any co-hosts, guest hosts, and participants of Happiness Is Homemade, to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features, roundups, etc. with an explicit link back to your original source. Therefore, linking up you agree to allow us to use your images on each of our blogs in features relating to Happiness is Homemade Link Party.

An InLinkz Link-up

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4 Things You Can’t Forget When Moving To A New Home

Moving to a new home is such a hectic, busy experience. And, because it’s so hectic, sometimes important things can slip your mind. But if you want the home move to go as smoothly as possible, you’ll need to try your best to remember everything.

To see some of the most commonly forgotten things regarding home moves, make sure to read on.

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Things you should remember to ask the sellers

There are a host of questions that you should remember to ask the previous owner of your new home, most of which are easy to forget.

These questions include asking where the water stopcock and gas and electric meters are, if certain surfaces in the home need special kinds of cleaning products, what days the bins are collected on, what energy supplies the energy, and where the thermostat is.

If you remember to ask the sellers of your new home all of these questions, then you will be well on your way to knowing all there is to know about your new home. And, when you know all there is to know about your new home, you give yourself the best opportunity possible for the easiest possible move.

Remember to get a good moving company on your side

Yes, you may have a strong network of support willing to offer you their unprofessional assistance in moving your worldly belongings from your old home to your new one. But, if you want the job to be done properly and with as little stress as possible, you should instead turn to a reputable moving company to help you, such as those found at https://www.mybekins.com.

You should do so because they will have the expertise and equipment to be able to protect your goods and ensure nothing in your inventory falls by the wayside.

And, don’t leave it until a few days before you are set to move to get in contact with the moving company — get in touch with them as soon as you have a moving date

Remember to redirect your post

Redirecting your post might seem to be an innocuous task, but it is of vital importance that you do it. It is of vital importance because if your post doesn’t make it to you, especially if that has a direct impact on your new home, then you may miss out on something of great importance.

You could even miss payments that are demanded of you, or your letters could fall into the hands of ID fraudsters.

Just remember to redirect your post if you don’t want any more headaches added on top of the ones you already have regarding your home move!

No matter how stressed or flustered you become when you move home, please don’t forget all of the important things to remember that are easy to forget. If you do, you will make your move ten times more stressful than it needs to be. And who wants stress?

To see how you can further limit your stress in your new home, make sure to head here to see how minimalism could be the answer.

Don’t Ignore Important Documents

In the midst of all the planning and packing, you might forget about important paperwork. If you can keep essential documents organized, you will complete a task that is just as important as labeling every box. Ensure that you have financial records, medical files, and personal documents readily accessible. This is especially the case if you are in the process of obtaining permanent residence. This is because delays or misplaced forms can cause serious setbacks. By keeping these documents secure, you will ensure that you experience a smoother transition. Whether you are moving to a new town or starting a new chapter in a different country, you shouldn’t overlook these documents.

Friends, what are the things you could never forget when moving to a new home? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

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6 Cost-Effective Ways To Reinvent Your Look

The way that you look has a big impact on the way that you feel and even though it isn’t the most important thing, changing things up from time to time can give you a little boost. When you’ve been wearing the same clothes and hairstyle for years, it can be indicative of a wider rut in your life as a whole.

By reinventing yourself you can completely change your outlook on life and make a new start. You might be reluctant to do that because it means buying a whole new wardrobe and getting an expensive haircut but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of small, cheap changes that you can make that will change your look without breaking the bank.

Change Your Parting

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Most people never consider just how different your hair will look if you change your parting but it makes a huge difference. You’re probably parting your hair the same way that you have done for years, but if you switch it up, all of the layers in your hair will fall differently, giving you a completely new style. It’s also a great way to deal with fine, flat hair.

It’s difficult to get any volume in your hair if it’s particularly fine but you can easily sort that problem with a deep side parting. It’ll put a lot of lift into one side of your hair, giving you a lot more body than usual. A clever tip is to do your parting without a comb.

Instead of creating a fine line, just tilt your head to one side and draw the hair over with your fingers before flicking it back, you’ll have a great new hairstyle in no time, without spending loads on an expensive salon.

Crimping

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If you’re fed up with straight hair you could consider going curly but it’s time-consuming to do yourself and pretty expensive to do at a salon. That’s why crimped hairstyles are so popular at the minute. If you get the best hair crimpers, you can easily do it yourself at home. It’s pretty low maintenance compared to curling and it’s very on-trend at the moment.

New Accessories

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Buying a whole new wardrobe is pretty costly but you can turn your existing outfits into something new with a little clever accessorizing. Hair accessories are a great way to jazz up your style without going to get an expensive haircut. Putting a couple of ribbons or a bow in your hair will make it look fresh in no time, it’s the perfect way to inject a bit of your personality into your fashion without spending a lot of money to do it.

Adding a few items of jewelry is a great way to add to a look in a subtle way. Make sure to check out places like the Dallas jewelry store for beautiful pieces that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Jewelry is a must-have for anyone looking to vamp up their look. If you’ve not got much to show for when it comes to jewelry, go treat yourself.

You can also add a lot of accessories to your outfits as well so instead of buying a load of new tops, just add some layered necklaces to them and you’ll have a completely new outfit. Adding a belt to a dress breaks it up and makes the fit a lot different.

Put a cardigan over the top and you’ve suddenly created two new outfits for just a couple of dollars. If you are going to spend a little money on your new look, buying some great shoes or a new bag can inject a bit of life into some dull old outfits.

You’ve got to be careful with accessorizing though, it’s easy to take it too far. If you’re wearing a fairly plain outfit you can afford to use a few more accessories but if the outfit already has pretty bold designs on, too many accessories can make it look a bit too messy. Experiment with different combinations and you’ll be able to find a good balance.

Buy Second Hand

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Filling your wardrobe with a load of brand-new stuff doesn’t need to be expensive if you buy second-hand. Vintage clothes are very on-trend at the minute so you can look stylish and save yourself a lot of money at the same time. There are plenty of thrift stores all over the place that is absolute goldmines. It takes a bit of searching to find good stuff in the right size but it’s worth it in the end.

Change Your Skin Routine

It’s difficult to keep up with a good skin routine when you’re leading a busy life but it makes a big difference to how you look and feel. Maintaining good skin care makes your face look brighter and healthier which goes a long way toward revitalizing your look.

If you’re struggling to find the time to fit a skincare routine in, there are plenty of quick tips you can use. Dark circles around the eyes are one of the biggest problems that you’ll have but you don’t need expensive eye creams to sort them out. Sleeping on a thinner pillow reduces bags because when your head is elevated, you get a buildup of fluid under the eye, by lowering your head a little, you can combat gravity and stop that from happening.

Taking ten seconds to give your eyes a quick message when you apply creams also helps. Another great tip is to soak green tea bags in water and freeze them, then apply them to your eyes for ten seconds every morning.

A good skincare routine doesn’t have to take hours every morning, just use some of these simple tricks and you can cut it down to just a few minutes.

Bold Makeup

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The easiest way to change things up is to make a couple of bold changes and makeup is the best way to do it. If you usually go for a fairly pale shade of lipstick or mascara, why not try something a bit darker and more colorful? It’s only a minor change that won’t cost you a lot but it makes a massive difference. Try experimenting with different makeup choices and you can completely reinvent yourself in no time.

People often stick with the same old look for years because they’re unsure what choices to make and they’re worried about the cost of buying a whole new wardrobe but that’s not necessary.

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How To Save Money on Your Clothing (Without Cramping your Style)

Finding the balance between saving money and spending money is very hard, and this is especially the case if you need to go out and buy new clothes because your wardrobe is looking a little worse for wear.

Taking Stock

Sometimes it can be hard to go out and buy new clothes because you don’t know what you have already. This can lead to you buying things that you don’t actually need. Before you make a list of everything you need, it is a good idea for you to make a list of what you have already and when you do this, you’ll soon find that you can get the whole shopping trip done and all while saving a ton of money.

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Budget

Another thing that you can do is make sure that you don’t go into a shop unless you have a list. When you go shopping without a list, you’ll probably end up buying everything that you don’t need and this can cause serious problems for you.

To avoid this, take a notepad with you and make sure that you stick to the list. You also need to make sure that you write down the size you need and the color as well. By writing your budget for each item down, you can find the right items as well so do keep that in mind.

Check Online

Before you go shopping, it may help you to buy online. If you are worried about not being able to try on clothes before you buy them then why not go to the store to try them on before you do this? When you buy online, you can access a ton of discount codes and deals, not to mention that you can also access a much wider range of stock. A lot of people don’t know this, so it helps to check this out as an option before you drive out to the store.

Always Repair

If you have the chance to repair your clothing, you need to do this as opposed to going out and buying brand new ones. For example, hemming dress pants are very easy to do and this can save you a small fortune when you take them to a professional. The same concept applies to a huge range of other clothing items as well.

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Sales

Those huge “SALE” signs can be really attractive and this is especially the case if it is a designer brand. You need to make sure that you avoid being drawn to these if possible, and the main reason for this is because there is a high chance that there isn’t a sale on at all. You may be paying way more than you need to and the money that is discounted is probably a fake price tag that is used to try and drive sales. If you want to save money then you need to be a smart shopper, and this all starts with you being aware of what’s around you.

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Top Traits All Successful Mompreneurs Need

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You might have already noticed a new trend for mothers to give up their full-time job and embark on a freelance career from the comfort of their own home. There are many reasons why lots of ladies are now choosing to become mompreneurs this way.

For instance, it cuts out the expensive and long commute from their day, and it also gives them the chance to create a working schedule that works around their other commitments.

Not only that, though, but it gives them the chance to stay at home with their baby so that they can spend more time with their little one and they don’t have to pay for costly childcare.

Do you think that being a mompreneur could be the answer to some of your problems? If so, you need to make sure you have all the following traits to ensure your new career is a big success!

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A Willingness To Learn

Once you do set up your own home-based business, you will be responsible for it and how far it goes. In order to keep on growing and developing it, you will need to be willing to keep on learning and further your education.

For instance, there are many courses, such as an operations management degree online, that will help you to create a solid foundation of knowledge to help you get started with your freelance company. Whenever you see a relevant course or training day, it really is worth taking it, as all of this learning will set you up for the future!

A Strong Imagination

All mompreneurs need a good imagination – and that’s not just so you can come up with new stories to tell your kids every time they expect a bedtime story! First of all, you will need to think of a niche and USP for your freelancing business.

Imagination can help you settle on one that will help you stand out from the crowd. Having some creative imagination will also help you develop your brand and settle on a cool design for your website!

Plenty Of Energy

Even though new moms aren’t known for being the most energetic people on the planet, you are going to need to find a lot of energy from somewhere.

Even if it means upping your daily intake of coffee, all that extra energy will certainly help you push your business as far as you can take it. The energy that will come in useful when your child is demanding your attention!

Great Networking Skills

All business owners need to be good networkers, but it is especially important once you become a mompreneur.

Not only will good networking put you in touch with new clients, but it will also give you the chance to reach out to similar moms in your situation. You’ll be able to help each other and swap advice and useful tips.

If you have these traits, then you definitely have what it takes to become a successful mompreneur!

Now, friends, I want to ask, do you have traits or skills you think are essential for moms and women working from home? If so, I’d love to hear about them below!

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Don’t Want To Go Vegan? That’s Not Reason Enough Why You Can’t Eat Ethically

There’s a lot of talk about ethics and sustainability these days. From our cup of morning coffee to the milk we put in it to the eggs we eat for breakfast right through to the cup of cocoa we enjoy before tucking ourselves up in bed, it seems that our daily lives offer up a minefield of guilt when we stop to think about the ethical and environmental cost of the foods and drinks we count on to survive. It is for this reason that more and more people are turning to a vegan diet.

There’s no denying that eschewing meat, dairy, eggs, and fish can improve your health, reduce your risk of cancer and other serious illnesses and save you money while also being more sustainable it’s fair to say that veganism is not for everyone.

But just because you don’t want to (or are not yet ready to) commit to a vegan lifestyle, does that mean that you’re unable to eat ethically? Not necessarily.

In fact, a vegan diet isn’t always as ethical as it’s cracked up to be, especially when it’s largely comprised of processed meat substitutes containing soy and palm oil. You can be omnivorous but still eat ethically by:

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Cutting down on processed and fast foods

There are many reasons why cutting out processed meats is beneficial. Most commonly consumed processed meats like bacon, salami and pepperoni are type 1 carcinogens in the same category as cigarettes. Moreover, the meat, eggs and dairy products used by most fast food outlets are factory farmed which means that they are unlikely to be treated ethically or raised with sustainability in mind. As tempting as the call of fast food may be when you have a busy lifestyle, cooking from home affords you far greater control over the ethics of what goes on your plate.

Be a precision pescatarian

There’s an argument that eschewing meat for fish is a more ethical way of ensuring that you get plenty of protein and omega 3 oils in your diet. But just as some meat is more ethically sourced than others, the very same goes for fish. Often a little homework is all it takes to ensure that your fish is ethically and sustainably sourced.

Make sure that your salmon is GSI (Global Salmon Initiative) certified or that your fish, in general, is certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). This will ensure that not only are the fish sustainably sourced but that the people involved in farming it get a fair deal.

Get loose

Even your fruits and veggies could stand to be more ethical. Most of the fruits and vegetables that you’ll find in supermarkets are prepackaged in single-use plastics which can be disastrous for our oceans and the planet as a whole.

Not only can buying everything from fruits and veggies to nuts grains and pulses lose you can not only vote against the use of disposable (and non-recyclable) plastics with your wallet, you can also save a fortune since 15% of the cost of packaged foods goes toward the packaging itself.

And if you have any tips for tips for eating more ethically at home? I’d love to hear about them below!

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