Dec 27, 2019

5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring



The moment when you propose to your partner should be a magical moment forever embedded in your mind. When you think back to how you started that exciting new chapter in your lives, it will have started with the proposal. But to make the occasion special, you need to buy the right kind of engagement ring. So, before you start practising going down on one knee, here are some points to consider before you go venturing out shopping for engagement rings.
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Your Partner’s Preferred Style

If you’re preparing to propose to your partner, then you’ve probably have had enough time to get an idea of what kind of styles they like. Do they prefer contemporary styles? Do they get nostalgic when they lay eyes on a vintage or antique ring? Remember, nothing kills a romantic gesture than a present your partner has no emotional connection to.

Do Your Research

If you’re going to buy a diamond ring, do some background research on the 4 Cs: Cut, clarity, colour and carat. These will give you a solid idea of the price you’ll need to pay as well as an assurance of quality. A good quality ring to be on the lookout for would be those with vvs diamonds, a diverse range with each one promising sophistication and style.

Set a Strict Budget

If this is your first time buying an engagement ring, you may be in for a surprise when you look at the rings out there and realise how much happiness can cost. Have a look online and compare the rings you’d like with the prices you can afford. Once you’ve got a good financial scope, arrange a budget and try to stick to it. You can probably afford to go over or under a little bit, but anything too over should be out of the question.

Plan Your Shopping Trip Accordingly

For obvious reasons, this is a trip you’ll need to take by yourself. Once you’ve decided on which ring you’re going to buy, cross-check with stores that will likely stock the ring. Give yourself enough time to plan everything, but do not decide to shop during holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. While this will give you some good cover, you’re going to find yourself competing with many other aspiring fiancees for rings and you may find your ideal ring destined for someone else’s finger.

Consult with Friends and Family

If you’re still not sure what engagement ring you should be buying, consult with your partner’s friends and family who can give you a few tips. Of course, you’ll have to make sure who you consult is not going to risk spilling the beans and spoiling the surprise. If possible, get them to accompany you on the shopping trip. That way, you will leave very little room for doubt and won’t spend days leading up to the proposal second-guessing your decision.

Now, when you prepare for the most meaningful treasure hunt you’ll ever undertake, you’ll have a better idea as to how to find that perfect match for the perfect partner.

Dec 11, 2019

6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Makeup Online



Today, you can buy just about anything online. From electronic gadgets to large furniture, e-commerce has made shopping quick and easy.

This also means you can easily shop for beauty products online with just a click or a tap.

However, you must remember that purchasing these products requires extra care and knowledge. Since you’ll be using the products directly on your skin, you must make sure that you only buy makeup from reputable and verifiable e-commerce websites. Also, you won’t get the chance to test whether the shade or finish of the makeup product suits your specific skin tone.
image:pixabay.com/photos/makeup-lipstick-make-up-foundation-2454659
To help you make the right decision, here are six mistakes you must avoid when purchasing makeup from online selling platforms and websites:

1.   Making Buying Decisions Based on Product Marketing


Today’s digital world makes it almost impossible to avoid advertisements and other product marketing tactics that makeup companies set up to convince customers to buy. This means that you are more susceptible to making purchases based solely on product marketing, and not on what you really need.

While it can be tempting to grab the 10 percent promo voucher for purchasing a specific makeup product online, you shouldn’t grab the offer just because it’s a good deal. Instead, consider whether you need such a product. You should also ensure that the item can live up to your expectations and determine whether it is the most suitable product for you in terms of tone, coverage, texture, and finish.

2.   Not Paying Attention to the Terms and Conditions of Online Websites


Before you go ahead and pay for the contents of your virtual cart, you have to make sure you’re well-versed in the e-commerce website’s terms and conditions first. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid the hassle of having to return the items you bought.

In fact, reading through the website’s T&Cs will also let you know if you can return items in the first place and at no additional cost.

For example, some sites don’t bear the cost of shipping for items that need to be replaced due to damage. Others may not provide refunds for the wrong products supplied and may only offer a trade-in with the correct item.

Either way, you have to read everything to set your expectations and make better decisions later.

3.   Purchasing from Unknown Manufacturers


Since you’ll be using the makeup products on your skin, you must make sure that you can trust the people who made it. This is why buying from unknown manufacturers can be considered a mistake when purchasing beauty products online. Some people are just there to sell and don’t care about whether their products cause problems to their customers or not.

To make sure you don’t make this mistake, choose an online makeup store that has built a good reputation. While it doesn’t need to be a well-known brand, you have to make sure that people have already tried the merchandise and confirmed that the company sells safe products that have passed quality control.

You’ll also need to verify if the manufacturer is genuine by checking their official websites. Check the details you get there and, even better, look for the physical store or contact the number posted on the website to be sure.

4.   Buying Unknown Makeup Products


Trying innovative products that are introduced online is okay, but you have to be careful when those items are related to skincare. If possible, look for a way to receive directions on how to use them properly. But to be safe, stick to products that have been verified as effective and tested over time.

5.   Buying in Bulk or Big Sizes


Buying one big bottle or several smaller containers of a product for a fraction of the price may initially seem like a good deal. But when it comes to makeup, this can be a waste of money since there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to use them all before they expire. The same goes for makeup kits.

Instead, purchase smaller sizes, especially if the product is new to you. For makeup kits, be sure that you love and would use every piece inside it before buying. This will help you avoid paying a higher price, only to find yourself using only one or two items in a five-piece pack.

6.   Not Reading the Label


Product and manufacturer names aside, you’ll also find that the ingredients listed at the back of the product’s packaging are useful. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin and allergies to specific ingredients.

Also, some ingredients are not recommended by skin experts because of the negative effects they have on the skin. Some examples are butylene and propylene glycols, petroleum, artificial dyes and fragrances, silicones, hydantoin, and other formaldehyde-forming chemicals.

Make(up) the Right Call

Online shopping has made purchasing makeup a breeze. To make sure you get the maximum benefit of the experience, be wary of the common shopping mistakes listed in this article, and let others know about them, too.

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Nov 23, 2019

How to Achieve Emotional Sobriety



If you are in early recovery, you may have heard old-timers going on about “emotional sobriety”. When we first get sober, we often have the misconception that recovery is just about being physically separated from drugs and alcohol. As time goes on, we begin to understand that the substances we used were only a mere symptom of our substance abuse disorder. We used in order to numb our feelings, emotions, and attitudes upon life and our fellows. Becoming fully recovered entails correcting negative behaviors and patterns of thinking. We have to develop emotional sobriety in order to fully remove the desire to drink or use drugs.
image:pixabay.com/photos/woman-girl-freedom-happy-sun-591576
What is emotional sobriety? 

Emotional sobriety is defined by your emotional wellbeing and your ability to regulate your own emotions after becoming free from alcohol and/or drugs. In order to make meaningful changes in your life and relationships, it is vital that you work to treat the mental symptoms of your addiction. It is often said that addicts and alcoholics are “restless, irritable, and discontented”. In order for us to create and manifest true recovery, we must overcome our personality difficulties.

Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous describes emotional sobriety best,

How shall our unconscious—from which so many of our fears, compulsions, and phony aspirations still stream—be brought into line with what we actually believe, know and want! How to convince our dumb, raging and hidden “Mr. Hyde” becomes our main task.”

Why is emotional sobriety vital?

When you are only physically sober, rather than both physically and emotionally sober, you will still be affected by distressing situations that you are incapable of resolving. Emotional sobriety is vital to long-term recovery, as it allows you to navigate triggers and emotions that once caused you to get high or drunk.

Emotional regulation skills

Before we get sober, our main issue is usually that we don’t know how to identify or regulate our emotions. Once we remove the drugs and alcohol, we are left with nothing to calm or soothe the negative emotions that will crop up. Learning how to regulate your emotions is a huge part of being emotionally sober. In sobriety, many people utilize therapy or 12-step fellowship meetings in order to learn the skills required to regulate their emotions.

Learning acceptance

Often, we come into recovery with a surplus of unresolved trauma. The barrier between us recovering from trauma tends to be our unwillingness to accept the reality of our past. When we become emotionally sober, we have worked on radical acceptance, which is a tool used to accept negative circumstances that we cannot change. Once we are able to accept the reality of something, it makes it much easier for us to work through the issue and move forward. Also, making it a practice to accept all of your emotions as valid will allow you to work through them properly; resulting in emotional sobriety.

Preventing relapse from occurring

Once you take drugs and alcohol out of the equation, it is vital to learn how to behave differently. If you are still stuck in the cycles of your old behavior, relapse is inevitable. To prevent relapsing, developing emotional sobriety is key. In order to do this, it is important to work through any traumas, develop mental stability, and learn how to work through your negative emotions in a healthy manner.

Author Bio:
Maya Kelley is an upcoming writer in the recovery community. She is passionate about working to break stigmas in relation to mental illness, addiction, and trauma.

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