Author Archives: Jeffrey Scott Thomas

Sustainable Victorian Interior Design Tips

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Though traditional Victorian homes are not very eco-friendly or sustainable, there are many ways you can renovate an old house to make it more sustainable or design a new Victorian-style home using sustainable materials and elements. There is no reason you have to give up your love for Victorian design just to be more eco-conscious.

Sustainability is important, and homeowners need to do their part to minimize their home’s carbon footprint to mitigate further damage to the environment. Still, it is possible to have a beautifully elegant Victorian home while being mindful of your impact on the planet.

Below are some tips and tricks you can follow to design the sustainable, modern Victorian home of your dreams:

1. Build Your Own Sustainable Victorian Home

If overhauling an existing Victorian-era home seems like too much work, or if you simply can’t find exactly what you are looking for, building your own home in the Victorian style is an option. Building a family home takes a lot of time, money, and effort, but the result is often worth it. It means you can use more sustainable materials from the start and ensure everything looks exactly the way you want it to.

2. Renovate a Condo or a Townhome

Maintaining a smaller carbon footprint can sometimes be achieved by living in a smaller home. So instead of buying and renovating a Victorian house, you can look for a smaller condo or townhome that is a new build designed in the Victorian style. New, smaller builds like condos and townhomes are often more sustainable, and even if you can’t find one in the Victorian style, you can renovate it or decorate it using Victorian design elements.

3. Eco-friendly Subdued Hue Paints

Today, chic Victorian designs are all about using darker, subdued hues such as smokey blacks, blues, and greens, while bringing in brighter colors with the furniture and decor. Not all paint brands are the same, however. So when choosing your Victorian paint colors, opt for brands that use non-toxic paints that are more sustainable and better for your health.

4. Sustainable Patterned Fabrics

Contrasting textures and fabric patterns are staples in Victorian-style homes as they can give the space a very opulent and luxurious feel. However, you don’t need to buy expensive fabrics to achieve this look. You can purchase more sustainable fabrics and dye them yourself using natural dyes. Or you can even find what you are looking for at thrift stores.

While fabrics and decor from a thrift store might not have been initially made sustainably, buying things second-hand helps keep landfills from overflowing and reduces the number of new things that need to be manufactured. You can shop second-hand for just about anything, including curtains, lace table cloths, patterned pillows and bedcovers, and more. 

5. Upgrade Old Appliances

One of the best ways to make your home more sustainable is to install new energy-efficient appliances. Older, Victorian homes often come with outdated appliances that use more energy than they need to. Of course, many new energy-efficient appliances do not reflect the Victorian style, but there are design hacks you can use to make them look vintage. There are even some companies that sell modern, energy-efficient appliances that are designed to resemble those from bygone eras.

6. Prioritize Natural Light

While elegant, vintage light fixtures are a great way to bring the Victorian style to your home, they are not always the most eco-friendly design option. This is not to say you can’t install these light fixtures or use elegant lamps, but it’s best to actually use them as little as possible. To avoid having to use lights during the day, try to design or buy a home that has a lot of windows and good natural light. This can help you reduce your energy bill and lower your home’s carbon footprint while still allowing you to use elegant, Victorian light features when it gets dark.

7. Buy Second-hand Art and Decor

The elements that often tie a space together are art and decor. Hunting down vintage pieces to create your Victoria dream home can be fun and even eco-friendly, depending on where you shop. There are plenty of new companies that manufacture things in the Victorian style, but supporting these sellers is not very sustainable. Instead, seek out thrift shops and antique stores to repurpose existing art and decor.

It’s more satisfying anyways to know that you are using an actual piece versus buying something new that looks vintage. You can even find and repurpose old light and plumbing fixtures that better match the Victorian style.

Wrapping Up

Just because Victorian design doesn’t look sustainable doesn’t mean it can be environmentally friendly. There are many construction companies today, for example, that can build a Victorian-style home using eco-friendly materials. And the interior design can easily mimic the Victorian era while utilizing sustainable and thrifted products and materials. There are really no limitations if you are willing to get creative and put in a little extra effort.

Can Remote Work Be Your Retirement Alternative?

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The retirement used to mark the end of someone’s career. This was a happy occasion, where people would throw a party, eat cake, drink and then watch their retired coworker ride off into the sunset where hobbies, family, free time and travel were waiting for them. A pretty picture, isn’t it? And in theory, this is what the retirement should be. However, the reality is much different than the dream.

The quality of life has improved and people live much longer into their retirement. While this should be a good thing, financial troubles are mounting and making retirement really unrealistic for people. Many professionals don’t consider pension the adequate amount of money for a good and healthy lifestyle in the senior years. In fact, Social Security has become mainly a supplement income than a central source of income. Adding to this, lines between the private life and the business, professional life are blurring. More employees are adapting their schedules to make them more flexible and work arrangements are much different now than they used to be. Often there is no need for people to come into an office, they can work from home and do so comfortably. People also think that all of the retirement activities can happen along with work – seeing the world, spending time with your family or doing hobbies.

“Retirement is no longer that shiny thing waiting for us at the end of the road. It’s something most people fear or dislike. We want to keep working, especially if we love our careers and enjoy our work. So, how can the market change to fit these new requirements of aging professionals.”, says Zara Fox, employment agency specialist at EliteAssignmentHelp and Revieweal.

Remote work is one option that could fit many older people looking to still earn an income and have fun with their work. Here are some of the options that you should consider before you retire:

Part-Time Jobs

As a start, if you have some technical skills and some familiarity with technology, you can go from working full time in an office to working part-time from home. Your experience and abilities could still benefit your team well into the senior years. You can bring new values and knowledge to your team. Plus, you have the free time to enjoy new activities and learn more about your industry. As  a rule, the money is never the only bonus when it comes to the job. If you remain socially and mentally engaged, you are less likely to develop dementia and other cognitive issues.

Project based work

“You probably have a vast number of contacts and your network is probably huge because you have spent so many years in your industry. This gives you plenty of opportunities for contract work and project based work which you can do remotely while travelling or being at home. It’s much easier to find options through your own private networks than through any other channel.”, says Ezra Holmes, HR representative at UKWritings and Essay Services.

You can also get more profit and higher pay this way. Plus, the competition is much lower this way.

You can advise people

Professionals that are retiring have plenty of experience and knowledge that can give them the right to the position of advisor, specialist or consultant. They have seen, led and experienced many things which makes them the perfect person for this position. They can remain in their workplace as a remote advisor or on-call advisor. They can also apply to be specialists in startups or new and small companies which need someone more experienced to help them. It can provide a secure income and allow seniors to use their expertise for good.

Coach employees or teams

Another interesting opportunity to use your expertise is to coach teams in your industry or niche. Many professionals need strategic guidance and they need someone to help them map out their careers. If you have decades of experience in the industry, you can easily find this kind of work which can also be done remotely, through video conferences, chatting, phone calls and so on. It can also be done in person. As a bonus, you are making a positive impact.

People who retire don’t have to stop working. Of course, some people will enjoy their sunset years but most will want to stay social and aware of their industry. They will also want to continue improving, growing and learning new things. However, the industry has to support them as well, by hiring them and respecting their expertise. In addition to this, they could have speaking opportunities as well as some alternatives like blogging, writing a book, having a Youtube channel where they can share their advice and so on. You don’t have to retire if you don’t want to – stay updated on new opportunities.



Madeline Miller works as a career coach, tutor and writer at Dissertation writing service and Custom Assignment. She enjoys helping people find their dream job as well as creating articles about things that excite her for Best essay writing services.

How To Stay Fit And Healthy In Your Thirties

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What if I told you that two-thirds of adult Australians are overweight or obese? If you’re a man whose waist circumference is more than 98.0cm, or more than 87.9cm for a woman, you might be one of them. In your thirties, the issue might become less solvable if you ignore it. The metabolism becomes slowlier as years pass by. Let’s see how you can stay fit and healthy in your thirties and fit into the good part of the statistics. 

  1. Determine your ideal BMI and try to maintain it

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to most adult men and women. It is a number calculated from the individual’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. The BMI can be used to indicate whether someone is overweight or obese. The World Health Organization defines “overweight” as a BMI greater than or equal to 25, and “obese” as a BMI greater than or equal to 30.

It is important for people who are overweight or obese to try to maintain their weight because they are at an increased risk for developing many diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

  1. Have a healthy diet plan and stick to it

A good diet plan includes a variety of foods and encourages you to eat healthily. Eating healthy will help you maintain your weight and improve your health in the long run. Here are some healthy diet plans for people in their thirties.

  • Paleo Diet: A diet that focuses on unprocessed, natural foods like meat from animals you hunted yourself or plants that you have processed yourself. If you want to avoid gluten, dairy, and refined sugars, this is the right diet for you.
  • Mediterranean Diet: A diet that focuses on healthy eating habits from countries where the food is mostly plant-based with a small amount of fish and poultry and a fair amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nuts. The Mediterranean diet is good for people who want to limit their intake of sugar and saturated fat.
  • DASH Diet: A diet plan created by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute that focuses on eating healthy amounts of food groups like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish low in both sodium and saturated fat and low in cholesterol.

There are many diets, so make sure you consult with a nutritionist about this. 

  1. Always warm-up before exercising and have a rest day

It is important to always warm-up before exercising. It helps your muscles get prepared for the workout. You can do a light jog, some light stretching, or perform some exercises that are less intense than the ones you will be doing for the rest of your workout.

A rest day is also important to have every once in a while so that you can recover from all the physical work and exercise you have been doing. This day should not be a full day of rest instead it should just be an active recovery day.

  1. In case of injuries see a physio

Exercise is an important part of your life and it can help you stay fit. But if you have an injury, it is better to see a physio. If you don’t go for a physio appointment, the injury will get worse and your recovery will be slower.

One of the most common reasons for people to avoid seeing a physio is that they are worried about the cost. But in reality, it’s worth spending that money on your health. Physio Canberra center offers different recovery programs for every wallet.

  1. Check your overall health at least once a year

It is important to check your health at least once a year. This will help you catch any illnesses or diseases early on and prevent them from developing into something more serious.

It is recommended to get screened for different types of cancers, such as breast cancer and colon cancer. You should also get tested for blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and other health markers that can help you live a healthy lifestyle.

  1. Balance private and professional life

 You should stay in touch with your friends and family, work on your hobbies, and try not to stress too much at work.

Having a good social life can help you maintain better mental health, keep your stress levels down, and even improve your performance at work.

Doing hobbies can be a great way to take some time out of the day for yourself while also improving your creative thinking skills.

There are so many ways of staying healthy and fit in your thirties and we only presented some of them. We are all constantly learning and improving ourselves, so never think that once you’re an adult with a stable job, you stop living life to its fullest.

The Best Ways To Support Small Businesses

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Small businesses are making a resurgence in many different markets. Corporate businesses with nationwide or regional reach are sometimes hard to compete with, so when you find a small business that you love, be sure to show your support.

You may be a small business owner yourself or you may be thinking about becoming a small business owner, and surely one must practice what they preach and support businesses similar to their own.

We’ve put together a quick list of the best ways to support small businesses in order to directly provide financial support to businesses and their employees that you love:

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Buy Local

A great way to support local business people in your community is to be sure to buy local and to select local businesses for your services.

If you have repairs to be conducted on your car or home, why not look to a local company that is employee owned? There are usually many choices to make when you are seeking service-oriented companies to work with. Be sure to call around and compare the prices, business approach, and service details before you decide which company you will use.

Asking for referrals from your network is a great way to also find out about new companies that could be able to provide the services you need.

Shop With Discretion

When you are looking for a new item, don’t just buy the first thing you see. Think about what you need. There may be items that are available produced by many different labels, some of which are local or handmade.

Do your research by checking online for the products you want and see if there are brands you love that support small business. Amazon, Etsy, and product websites are also great places to look when you are comparing products.

Some of our favorite brands include clothing from independent retailers and customized equipment from retailers, like Extreme Sports WannaBes, who remind us that “If you’re a WannaBe like us, then you know that the most important part of any adventure is the story that comes after.”

Traveling to other cities for shopping events is a great way to travel and see new places as well.

When you would like to support small businesses, you can also try to visit local markets to shop. These may include retail establishments, restaurants, craft markets, antique markets, art fairs, and more!

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Go Organic or Farm-to-Table 

When it comes to food, what better way to support local farmers than to choose to purchase locally.

There are usually options in areas where local farms are in operation that can be utilized by small-scale and large-scale farmers. Whether it’s buying from a farmers’ market or signing up for a weekly or monthly delivery plan, you can receive locally grown products in many locales.

For meats or seafood, shop local markets as well. Be sure to ask if products are shipped or local, fresh or frozen. Expand your stock of local food products and include vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, condiments, breads, and more!

If you do some shopping planning along with your meal planning in advance, you may be able to plan your local purchases to become a substantial part of your diet. 

Customize Your Purchase 

When you shop for specialized purchases, small businesses can provide amazing gifts for you or your loved ones.

Custom products that can be produced especially for you are perks when shopping with small businesses. 

Create some of the most memorable gifts for business or personal giving when you shop small business. Some of our favorite products are custom drams, personalized products, made-to-suit accessories, and more!

When you buy custom made products you are usually supporting small businesses.  Sometimes you may be supporting both small and larger businesses by taking prepared products and then customizing them. Some businesses do the hard work for you and offer a range of customized products to fulfill the wants of their audience.

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Reduce Your Carbon Footprint 

One of the greatest contributions to supporting small business and buying local is reducing your carbon footprint.

If you are not utilizing long-distance shipping then you are saving on fossil fuel emissions.  You can further your carbon reduction savings by electing to eat poultry, pork, and fish and cutting out beef or lessening the amount of beef you consume.

Utilize a carbon-fighting vehicle, public transportation, bicycling, or walking to further reduce your carbon emissions. Fighting climate change is an important consideration for everyone as we enter the next decade.

Buying local and supporting small businesses is a great way to support local workers, artists, farmers and more. Reduce your carbon footprint while you enjoy wonderfully made and crafted items by shopping small businesses.

 

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5 Gorgeous Gifts For The Interior Design Fanatic In Your Life

When you visit a person’s home and stand in awe of the immaculately detailed decoration of their living space, you can safely assume that this person loves anything and everything related to interior design.

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If you have such a person in your life who often redesigns their rooms and is always on the lookout for unique home furniture and decor, you should appreciate their aesthetic sensibility. When it’s time to give that person a present, it’s a no-brainer that you should give them an interior decor item. But what?

A generic decor item won’t do. You have to ensure your gift suits their style and their home. Here are five home design gift ideas to please anyone’s interior design tastebuds.

1. Classic Wall Clock

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A nice big clock is elegant and practical for any room of the house. A wall clock can serve as a decorative accent to fill up any empty wall space. Although we have the convenience of checking the time on our electronic screens, it doesn’t compare with a grand, artistic display of time.

There are a few aspects to consider, first the size of the clock. For an accent piece, choose something smaller, within the 10-18 inch range, but for a statement piece, go for a larger clock, between 24-30 inches. When it comes to materials, you can go the less expensive route with plastic, or choose a higher quality and price tag material like wood or metal.

The material you choose affects the styles available. You can select something modern with a metallic frame or something traditional with a natural design. Try to choose a color that will blend with the decor of any room. Neutral colors like white, beige, gray, and black are best. Natural colors of wood and metal are also safe choices.

2. Intriguing Showpieces

A showpiece can be the perfect gift for someone who has shelves and cabinets decorated with quirky items. Unique and interesting showpieces add a touch of detail and character to a place and reveal the interests of the homeowner.

One home decor tip when shopping for a showpiece for someone else is to buy something that matches a showpiece they already have. For instance, if someone is into animal figurines, you should get them a similar kind of showpiece. That way, you can be sure that they’ll like your gift and it will fit with the rest of their decor.

3. A Unique Vase

Displaying fresh (or artificial) flowers in a vase can enliven any room. But vases are not just for bouquets anymore. According to modern home decor conventions, a unique vase can also serve the function of a showpiece. It can fill up empty surfaces, draw the eye to a piece of furniture, and add charm to the space.

There are several vase shapes available, from bottleneck to flared, footed to cube, centerpiece to minimalist and more. Before picking out a vase, take a look at the decor styles already in the home and make sure your choice will compliment them.

4. Photo Frame with a Personal Memory

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Nothing makes the heart grow fonder of a gift than a touch of personalization. A photo frame with a picture of the two of you can be a personalized housewarming gift that will remain timeless. The best part of a framed photo is that the picture takes the center stage. If you choose a picture that has captured a memory both of you cherish or simply a picture you know they will like, the gift immediately becomes valuable, no matter which kind of frame you put it in.

Having said that, it’s still necessary to go with a frame that complements the picture. An easy way to do this is to match the color and tone of your frame with the color palette of the picture. Go for a simple, understated style if you are unsure about opting for something more bold. The perfect gift is a personal thing, so consider getting the frame engraved with the date of the photo within.

5. Meaningful Antiques

This is a bit of a niche choice of gift, but it can be a treasure trove for someone who is into antiques. Including antique pieces in your living space adds an archaic aesthetic to a modern home. For some people with more traditional and rustic homes, antiques will complement the home well.

There are multiple considerations to be made while buying antiques, especially if you are making an expensive purchase. Since these will be used, vintage items, you might have to do some restoration as well. Buy something small and manageable if this is your first time.

Make Each Gift Count

There are only two rules for buying interior design gifts for someone—know the person’s taste and know their home. If you can look at a gift and immediately tell whether it will fit into their home and their general style, you’re on the right track! If not, the best way to find out is to experiment. Either way, what makes your gift valuable is how much thought you put into it.