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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

GUEST POST | Are you thinking about a holiday away? Maybe some time on a beach with the sun beating down on you? The sun is right there, you just need to take advantage of it. How? With a trip away, of course!

Not convinced? Well, we can help you out there. We are going through all the reasons that a week in the sun benefits you, from allowing you a break from city life to the very real health benefits of being in the sun that we’re all lacking in the winter months.

SUN HOLIDAY

The sun is for everyone
A beach holiday is for everyone, and everyone needs one now and then. And the best part of a sunny holiday is that there are no barriers for entry. Although there are other activities at the beach, the main point is to simply sit there and soak in the sun and the sea. Take in a book and/or a cocktail, bring a picnic, or visit the surrounding restaurants and street vendors and simply relax.

Of course, a week in the sun doesn’t need to mean a week on the beach if that’s not for you. Sometimes that’s simply not stimulating enough for some people. If you prefer a wander around a sunny city, or an underrated small town for a bit of peace, you won’t regret it.

Everyone needs a break
Even if you are retired, you will need a break. In fact, because you have retired you have officially earned your break, and a week in the sun is a great way to go about it. Whether it’s leaving the grandkids behind for a while, or stepping away from some external stress, you deserve a week of sun, sea, art, food, and friends.

You can make new friends
And yes, you can make new friends. Especially if you end up in a resort-style hotel. It’s as easy as going down to the pool and having a laugh with others around the pool. There are some people who simply start chatting to everyone, and if that’s not you, find them. Before you know it, you’ve got plans to try this great restaurant with them that night.

You can be covered for your trip
If it has been a while, and you’re not entirely confident in travelling, you can make it easier on yourself by getting your trip covered with a travel insurance policy. You can get policies that cover your bag getting lost, your wallet getting stolen, your flights cancelled, and importantly, medical cover if you get ill. For a good example of what to look for, check out the over 50 insurance policy on the Staysure site.

sun holiday

The sun is good for you
Sunlight is hugely beneficial to the human body and mind. There’s a reason that seasonal depression is a thing. For your mind, sunlight releases serotonin, which is the happiness hormone. So not only will you naturally feel happier with a week in the sun, but the knock-on effects are that it will boost your bone health and treat your skin well. Sometimes too well, so load on the SPF anyway.

Conclusion
Frankly, we’ve run through the most boring reasons to take a week away in the sun. You don’t need to justify it with health benefits or needing a break. If you want a week in the sun, take a week in the sun. You should be excited about such a venture, and if you’re not, excited about a week in the sun.

maybe look into what the Swiss Alps are doing lately? Travelling should excite you, to your core. And you’re never too old for that.
20:53 No comments
AD| Car finance is one of the most popular ways to fund your next car purchase. Drivers like car finance because it gives them more flexibility and the ability to get a car but pay for it over a set period of time. When compared to buying with cash, this can usually mean that you can get a better car than you first thought, too! Before you start applying for car finance, it’s worth remembering that it’s never guaranteed you will get offered a car finance approval. So, the guide below has been designed to make your life a bit easier and looks at the top 5 things you should do even before you start making applications for finance.

car showroom

1. Calculate your loan
When it comes to getting a car, your monthly payments are really important. Your budget for car finance should be realistic and affordable, as it’s crucial that you can meet each payment every month until the agreed end date. Failing to stick to the terms of your credit agreement can lead to the car being takes off you if it’s a secured loan, which can lead to more serious financial implications. Usually, car finance deals are spread over 3–5 years and your loan term can affect how much you pay back each month. If you’re not sure how much you can afford to borrow, you can use a free car finance payment calculator to see how much your monthly payments could be before you even start applying.

2. Save money for a deposit
When it comes to car finance deposits, there are some agreements which require you to put down some money to help secure the deal. It’s worth knowing before you start applying, so you can either have time to save or know how much you’ll need to fork out. Whilst there are any car finance deals with no deposit, it can be better to have something to put down at the start of your agreement. Not only can it increase the likelihood of getting an approval, but it also means you aren’t borrowing as much from the lender. A deposit contribution reduces the loan amount, which can make your monthly payments cheaper and save you money as a driver.

3. Check your credit
Before you make any application for finance or credit, it’s always best to check your credit first. You’d be surprised how many drivers look for finance without know where their current credit score stands. It can be a good idea to check your credit for car finance before you even start applying. Credit score is important to car finance as it helps the lenders to assess the level of risk. If you have a low credit score due to missed or late payments, lenders may think you are more likely to default on their loans, too. This can make it harder to get accepted or means you may be offered a higher interest rate to secure the deal. In this instance, it can be worth taking some time to work on your credit score before you start annoying to help make your deal more affordable.

4. Research different lenders
There are so many car finance lenders who can offer you a finance deal, and it can be hard to know which one to choose. Lenders may also be suited to some drivers over others. If you’re struggling to get approved due to bad credit, it may not be worth applying with mainstream or prime lenders, and instead you could find a lender who specialises in no credit or bad credit finance. You could also consider using a car finance broker to help find the best deal for you. Car finance brokers have access to multiple finance lenders at once and means you can save time but letting them do the leg work for you!

5. Take your time and ask questions
When it comes to getting a car on finance, it’s important that you don’t rush into the first deal that you are different. Car finance agreements last for a number of years, so it’s significant that you get eh right deal with affordable payments. If you’re ready to apply, it can be a good idea to think about the sort of car you need and want, how much you want to pay and how you’re going to afford it. Don’t be scared to take your time when making a decision, researching car finance and asking as many questions as you need to in order to make an informed decision.
20:43 No comments
 GUEST POST | Lifestyles of the rich and famous have always appeared glamorous and out of reach, but just because you might not have a million-dollar fortune, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get a slice of the action. OK, so working on a super yacht isn’t the same as sipping champagne and soaking up the sun on the deck, but this can be a very exciting career all the same. If you are someone who doesn’t mind the idea of spending your days out on the open water, here are some other highlights this kind of job could offer you.

yachts

A Sense of Adventure
Perhaps the most obvious benefit to working on a super yacht is the opportunity for great adventures. This kind of career can be particularly attractive to those who would like to travel as they work, and as long as you don’t get seasick, this could be the perfect way to do it. You will also meet a variety of people who are using the yacht for their vacations and the other staff aboard. You could forge life-long friendships with your fellow crew members, which can be a fantastic reason to try this type of career.

The Opportunity to Indulge You will be working on the yacht, and these glamorous facilities will be for paying guests, but that doesn’t mean you will never have the chance to enjoy these yourselves. When the yacht is vacant, the captain or the owner might allow you to use the facilities on board as a reward for your hard work. This might not happen on every yacht you work on, but it is certainly a possibility that it can be a wonderful additional perk.

A Good Income
Another benefit to working on a super yacht is the salary you could make – not to mention the tips! As there will be a lot of wealthier and more influential people on board, this often means very generous tips for the crew members. It can be a great bonus to add to your bank account, allowing you to enjoy your days off at these beautiful ports and other destinations. You could even choose to put this cash into savings for a future home, travel plans, or whatever else you want. You might also be entitled to tax breaks for crew members that are away frequently. Learn more about it from this tax service for UK seafarers. You will also save on living expenses, as food and accommodation are covered on board.

An Opportunity to Develop New Skills
When you are working in an environment like this, you will need specialist training to help keep yourself, your fellow crew, and the guests safe at sea. It can be a fascinating experience; these aren’t skills everyone will have. In addition to this, you will also develop a lot of transferrable skills like great communication and customer service, as a few examples.

Life at sea might not be the right choice for everyone, but working on a super yacht can be an amazing experience and a wonderful job worth looking into.
16:53 No comments
AD – GIFTED | With Christmas Day fast approaching, are you looking for an alternative to the traditional turkey for your Christmas Dinner, but not sure what to have? Why not take a look at Swaledale Butchers, and see what tickles your fancy!

Let's face it, a whole turkey is probably the most traditional meat for Christmas dinners, but sometimes it's nice to switch it up and try something new. Whether you opt for chicken, beef, ham, lamb, or even fish, there is so much choice depending on your preferences, you will be spoilt for choice.

I was kindly gifted a selection of meats from Swaledale Butchers, who put together a delicious Christmas meat box for me to try out, and I can tell you now, I was not disappointed! These meat boxes are simply showcasing some of The Dales' most delicious seasonal cuts of native breed meat that they have to offer. This includes grass-fed, dry-aged on the bone >28 days beef, outdoor reared native breed pork, Yorkshire's tastiest pasture-fed lamb, free-range, herb-fed chicken, Harewood Estate's wild estate-reared venison and award-winning sausages and bacon.

christmas dinner

Topside of Beef
Beef often comes to mind when choosing alternative Christmas meats, and for good reason. It's such a versatile type of meat, that can be accompanied by so many other dishes, making it a popular choice during the festive season. Beef is enjoyed by a small percentage of the population on Christmas day. Yet, at Swaledale butchers, they specialise in native breed products, and have seen a 15% increase in our Christmas orders containing native and traditional beef roasting joints yearly. The topside of beef is such an underrated cut, and something that you should definitely consider if you're a lover of roast beef. Partnered with crispy roast potatoes and parsnips, Yorkshire puddings and gravy, what more could you ask for?

Free Range Ham Joints
Another popular choice for Christmas Dinner is joints of ham. A perfect choice for those hosting a large amount of guests, and to feed a crowd over the festive period. A joint of delicious dry-cured ham is the ultimate celebration piece for your festive food selection. Such versatile meat that can be served hot alongside your traditional roast potatoes, vegetable and gravy, or even as leftovers with a salad and roast vegetables, or simply eaten cold for sandwiches, you'll have endless amounts of options.

Pigs in Blankets
Finally, not so much an alternative, but what Christmas Dinner would be complete without the trusty pigs in blankets?! They are certainly a firm favourite in my home, and an essential to any Christmas plate. The Swaledale pigs in blankets are made even tastier with heritage breed pork from the Yorkshire Dales; simply-seasoned pork sausages wrapped with rashers of dry-cured, smoked streaky bacon, for the perfect flavour combination. When cooking mine, I love to pan fry them, and once fully cooked, I drizzle over a small amount of honey, garlic, and rosemary for the ultimate flavour combination!

What meat do you have for your Christmas dinner? Would you consider looking for an alternative to Turkey?
21:16 No comments

AD | Are you always feeling like you're not being productive whilst working from home? Does your home office environment make you feel unmotivated, uninspired, and lazy? Why not consider using artwork to decorate your space, and make it feel more inviting.

If you're someone who is currently working from home, or you are planning to in the future, being able to decorate your home office workstation in any way you want can really help the way you work. Whether you choose the artwork for your walls or your desk, ultimately you have the choice to incorporate pieces to suit your own personality and cater to what makes you feel more productive and focused whilst working. Whether that be bright colours, textures or plants, these can all help you work more efficiently and productively, and are things that you wouldn't normally find in a traditional office setting.

In order to boost your productivity levels whilst working from home, the overall vibe and aesthetic of your office can impact both your mood and your motivation. If you work from home or own your own creative space, you probably have more flexibility to incorporate art that inspires you. Unlike working in a plain, boring office setting, having total creative control over setting up your home office in your own personal surroundings can help you produce better quality, more efficient work.

home office

One way you can achieve improved results whilst working from home is to include some artwork in your office environment to boost your productivity levels, help you be more creative, and just help create a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you create your own artwork, you buy art online, or you pick up some inspirational pieces from the shops, they can all have a positive impact on your working environment. Listed below are some ways incorporating art in your home office can boost productivity.

It Can Help You Re-focus
Staring at your computer screen all day can cause eye strain, headaches, and can impact the quality of your work when you start feeling tired. Having good reasons to look away from your screen for a few moments can help you to re-focus your thinking, as well as reducing fatigue, headaches, and the effects of eye-strain. 

Regularly changing the art works you place upon your walls or have displayed in your office will encourage you to have a rest from your computer screen, and give you a short time away from your work. Hanging posters and paintings of simple peaceful settings in the office will make workers feel more welcomed, more content and create an overall general sense of calm. Some of my favourite categories to choose art from include original landscape paintings, colourful abstract pieces and simple nature, floral or botanical images.        

It Stimulates Creativity
Having art around you can inspire creativity and boost your thinking. Inspiring and eye-catching artwork creates focal talking points, stimulates healthy discussion and encourages innovative thinking from those viewing it. If you're on the lookout for some creative artwork pieces, why not consider selecting pieces filled with vibrant colours and bold patterns to inject some character and life into your home office.

landscape wall art

Can Help You To De-stress
Art inspiration in the work environment can actually help reduce stress levels. Many individuals who work from home may feel overworked, stressed and even like they aren't performing to the best of their abilities. However, displaying artwork that inspires you can help improve your overall wellbeing, and make you feel less stressed, and much happier whilst tackling your workload. As well as artwork, surrounding yourself with colourful flowers, plants, and greenery is a well-known way of reducing stress levels and increasing productivity whilst working.

Boosts Positive Emotions
Having vibrant artwork displayed in your home office can boost your own positive emotions, allowing you to figure out better ideas, focus on tasks, and concentrate better. When you're surrounded by a positive atmosphere, you're more likely to work better and will be more motivated to complete all your tasks assigned for that day, without feeling like procrastinating all day long.

In conclusion, there are so many benefits of being surrounded by and displaying art in your own personal space. Utilising paintings and wall art displays in your home office help add some character and a personal touch to your work space, making you feel more relaxed, more motivated, and you feel like you can work better whilst at home.

Are you currently working from home? Do you use artwork to help boost your productivity levels?
22:01 1 comments
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