Celebrating Christmas with Christkindl.LIVE Review

Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  I love everything about it.  One of the things I look forward to is getting something new every year.  I will often visit craft shows and Christmas shops to find new and exciting things.  This year, I was introduced to Christkindl.LIVE.  

Christkindl.LIVE is an online market that was launched last year due to Covid.  Ever heard of Christkindl?  Let me share a little information with you.  The Christkindl Market is simply a Christmas market that offers so many unique things. You can click on the link and check out the website to learn about Christmas, traditions, puzzles, and more.  

The wonderful folks at Christkindl.LIVE sent me several beautiful items to check out and I love them.  I received the most adorable gnomes, a coffee mug, a plush huskie, mulled wine spice pouches, and a nutcracker shirt (with 3-D characters).  Pictures do not do justice, but I tried my best.  

Everything is so well made and it is something that I would highly recommend!   Go check them out!

How You Can Save Money in Your Everyday Life

 Life can be very expensive, and if you are not careful, you can find that costs can quickly spiral and even get out of control. Getting on top of your finances and maintaining a healthy bank balance will ensure that you can reduce some of the stress and pressure you feel in life. Of course, saving money will not improve every area of your life, but it will work to make things just that little bit better and brighter. So, when it comes to saving money every day, what do you need to start doing, and why?

Your Mindset

The mindset that you have and the approach that you have can affect more areas of your life than you know. When you have a closed or narrow-minded mindset, you can often overlook the things in your life that can name an impact and difference. Opening up your mindset and also being prepared (and willing) to change is a positive step that you need to start making today. If your mindset is not open, then you can never embrace everything as well as you can, and you will struggle to make positive steps forward. So, stop making excuses and start making a change.

Make Meal Plans for the Week Ahead

When you do not know what you are eating or consuming throughout the day or even the week, then you may end up constantly visiting the grocery store (doing top-up shops). To get control of this situation, you need to plan out what you will be eating and when. When you create a weekly meal plan, you can establish just what ingredients you are using, and then you can shop accordingly. If you do not create a meal plan or set out the meals you want to eat for the week ahead, then you will end up wasting money on impulse purchases, and food and produce that is most likely ending up in the bin.

Compare, Change and Switch

Saving money in your everyday spending requires that you look at what you are spending and when. Just what is leaving your account and what are you getting in return? If you are not getting good value for money for your car insurance, for example, then you need to start making changes. Fortunately, you can find great auto insurance deals with Root Insurance that can help stretch your money that little bit further. In all cases where you are paying monthly bills, you need to be prepared to compare, change and switch providers regularly.

Using Coupons and Promotional Codes

Spending money is something that you have to do within your life, especially if you want to keep a roof over your head. However, to make your money stretch that little bit further and to ensure that you always get good value for money, you need to use promotional codes or coupons wherever you get the opportunity to. Coupons that save you money or that reduce your spending should be something that you integrate into as many areas of your everyday life as possible. At first, it can be difficult to remember to use coupons, but once you are in the habit or routine, you will soon see that it becomes second nature.

A Helpful Guide to Buying Diamond Jewelry

It goes without saying that a well-crafted item of diamond jewelry can be an exquisitely beautiful accessory or gift. 

For some people who are setting out to buy such an item for a partner or a loved one, the anxiety that comes with selecting the perfect piece can be equally exquisite!

Whether buying a piece of diamond jewelry for yourself or for a loved one, here is a helpful guide to make that jewelry choice both a wise and a memorable one.

Choosing a set piece or a custom design?

Perhaps one of the first decisions to make when buying diamond jewelry is whether to invest in a set or ready-made piece or to take the path of commissioning a custom-made piece. 

This decision is largely individual – some people may see a piece and simply fall in love with it, while others may have an idea for a unique work in mind.

Whatever the choice, there is one common recommendation – seek out a reputable jeweler, and preferably one who specializes in diamonds. A good example is a specialist house like Culet Jewellery who will design custom-made diamond rings in Sydney, Australia.

When deciding upon a custom design, it may be possible to source the diamond(s) from a specialist supplier and have the design crafted by another jeweler. Typically, a store that specializes in bespoke designs has the knowledge and capability to do both. 

Get a diamond grading report

A natural diamond, as opposed to a synthetic diamond, will typically come with a diamond grading report. As each diamond is unique, the individual report details the specific characteristics of an unmounted diamond. Essentially the 4C’s of this quality assessment are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Although they may appear similar to the naked eye, no two diamonds are exactly the same and these aspects, together with any small flaws, go towards contributing to a diamond’s unique character.

File this report away for future reference as it will assist with valuations. Remember that as a precious gem, a piece of diamond jewelry can be considered an investment as well as a beautiful accessory piece.

Know the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds

Diamonds will either be natural or lab-grown. Essentially a natural diamond is just that – a gem that is found naturally occurring in the earth. Natural diamonds are becoming rarer with each passing year, as the underground pipes in which they occur are becoming increasingly harder to find. This may make the natural diamond a preferred choice for the buyer.

A lab-grown diamond has all the look, feel, and beauty of a natural diamond but is ‘manufactured' in a laboratory. There can be factors like lower re-sale values associated with these manufactured gems; however, this may not matter to many buyers

It is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a natural and a lab-produced diamond. A reputable specialist firm will know the difference and will typically use responsibly sourced natural diamonds in their pieces.

Shine on

With a little foreknowledge and forethought, the selection or design of a memorable and exquisite piece of diamond jewelry can be both an exciting and rewarding experience.

A Guide to Feeling Good About Your Appearance

It can be difficult to feel good about your appearance, even if you are the most fashionable person in the world. Then, if you are noticing that you are beginning to feel self-conscious about your appearance and your body, then here are some of the best tips that you can follow to feel good about yourself. 

Improve Your Smile 

More than half of people in the USA feel conscious about their teeth. This could be due to crooked teeth, staining, gaps, or dental work such as fillings. Then, you should look for ways that you can improve your teeth, as this will allow you to smile without worrying about what your teeth look like. For instance, when you next need dental work, you might decide to opt for tooth-colored fillings in Colorado Springs. These fillings are less noticeable than the traditional silver options that most people have and can help you to feel less worried about the impact of dental work on your teeth. 

Avoid Looking Inwards 

Rather than constantly focusing on yourself and your own appearance, you should instead consider staying present within the moment that you are in, and thinking about the activity that you are enjoying rather than your looks. You should also try to realize that others do not notice the small flaws that you see in yourself and that most people are not looking at or judging your appearance. You should also try to stop looking in detail at your appearance and highlighting every single flaw that you see, as this can make you conscious of features that other people will not even notice. 

Change Your Self-Talk 

Many people have a constant track of negative self-talk running through their heads at all times, and this can make you feel bad about your appearance, even if there is no cause for you to feel bad about it. Then, you should try to consciously change your self-talk by turning the negatives into positives and by using affirmations. You might also try to talk to yourself as you would want a friend to, and to write down the positives about yourself whenever you notice them. 

Do Not Compare Yourself to Others

It is also important that you do not see everyone else as perfect and compare yourself to them. It can be easy to think that other people do not have flaws and insecurities that they themselves are conscious of. However, this is not the case. Then, rather than comparing yourself to others who you admire, you should instead focus on coming to terms with and finding the positives in yourself. 

Express Yourself 

The only way that you will ever feel comfortable about your appearance, though, is if it truly expresses your personality. Then, you should try to opt for a hairstyle and clothing that you love and that you believe flatters you. You might also consider pampering yourself by performing self-care activities or by going for a manicure. 

3 Tips for Getting the Most Out Of Everyday Life

 

Pixabay CC0 License

When all is said and done, everyone wants to get the most of everyday life – and to feel as though they are living in a fulfilling and positive way that enhances their sense of well-being, while simultaneously allowing them to achieve their full potential.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of everyday frustrations and routines that we often end up falling into, which could end up severely impairing our ability to get the most of everyday life – ranging from simply settling into inaction and not pushing ourselves to be more outgoing, to becoming overly jaded and cynical.

Here are a handful of tips for getting the most out of everyday life.

Express gratitude and show appreciation often

A major part of the reason why gifts such as diamonds from Whiteflash.com are so popular is that we all understand, on some level, that showing appreciation for the people closest to us is an extremely important thing to do – whether that appreciation is shown through material gifts, or through other means.

One of the best ways of ensuring that you have the most positive possible experience of everyday life is to take steps to express gratitude and appreciation on a regular basis, both for the people closest to you, but also for life itself, and for the small blessings and benefits found in the course of your normal day-to-day life.

This gratitude may take the form of pausing to internally express thanks before eating your meals, or it could take the form of spending a moment in reflection before going to bed at night so that you can reflect on the positive moments that you experienced during the day.

Expressing gratitude and showing appreciation often can work wonders when it comes to helping you to feel more positive about life as a whole, and helping you to better see the magic and opportunity contained in every day.

Have routines in place to help you to generate momentum as quickly as possible, each day

A major part of what causes many of us to feel as though we have wasted time, and that causes us to go to bed at night with a sense of frustration rather than satisfaction, is the simple fact that we allow ourselves to be guided by procrastination in one form or another.

Instead of trying to force your way through procrastination through sheer willpower, a far better and more reliable approach is to have some routine place that helps you to generate momentum as quickly as possible each day, so that you don't have the chance to sit around and ruminate or become distracted beforehand.

Such a routine could be as simple as laying out your clothes for the next day, the night before, and jumping into the shower as soon as you get out of bed in the morning so that you are bathed and dressed before you have time to sit around searching the web on your phone.

Practice the art of savoring the moment

Adopting mindfulness and savoring practices that help you to appreciate each moment without being distracted by the past and future, can be deeply rewarding.  Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention to the present moment on purpose, non-judgmentally, and with curiosity.

Mindfulness and savoring practices can help to enhance your ability to live in the present moment. You can try Delta 8 Gummies to be more mindful. Focusing on the present makes you less likely to dwell on past regrets or future worries. As a result, you can connect more deeply with others, and you may find that your enjoyment of life increases.

Ultimately, life is something that unfolds in the present – so the more you can savor the present, the better for you.

4 Practices That Will Make You Sleep Better Every Night

Spending the night tossing in bed and turning to every angle makes no one happy. You can have control over sleeping well every night! Some people suggest that how you sleep at night is dependent on your age, but there are several activities you can do to ensure that you get enough sleep. The difference between a restful and restless slumber is in how many healthy activities you do every day. Here are some tips on how to improve your sleeping condition:

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Physical Exercises

Yoga, carrying heavy weights, running, or walking are all physical activities that can significantly impact how you rest at night. A good exercise session can adjust your mental health and help create a restful mindset. Get in a few rounds of stretching or squats before heading to bed. These activities make your mind exhausted, which is conducive to having a good rest.

Staying consistent with exercises becomes a problem for most people. However, personal trainers for cycling activities or chiropractic care can help relieve tension from your body. It would be best to consider Tai Chi exercises to improve your breathing abilities, but ensure that you get a trainer who has a Tai Chi certification for effectiveness.

Create a Beautiful Bedroom

You want a good night of rest, how does your bedroom look? The bedroom condition plays a vital role in enhancing a peaceful time during the night.  Play around with the decor, the bed design, lighting, and beddings to create a haven out of your bedroom. This way, you will always get to relieve tension when you enter the bedroom.

Your body can relax when it is in an attractive room! The aesthetics of your space should bring out a calm and beautiful look to trigger excitement whenever you think of going to sleep. Make the lighting comfortable, not too bright or dim. You can also get beddings that have cozy colors.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine and sleep cannot go together! If you want to get long hours of rest, always avoid taking excess caffeine, especially at night. Some people think that drinking a cup of coffee at night is a good way of relaxing after a busy day, but it also has a significant effect on your ability to fall asleep. You can take foods that have this stimulant early in the morning when you wake up and get something else, like at night.

Limit Your Naps

Napping is suitable for your general productivity. How you nap is the issue because it can affect the way you sleep at night. If you want long hours of rest at night, it would be best to limit the nap hours or minutes. Napping for hours late in the night can reduce your chances of falling asleep. You can also set the alarm to ensure that you nap for specific minutes.

Conclusion

Sleeping adequately depends on how disciplined you are with your night routine. Once you stick to a particular practice, it is crucial to ensure that you stick to the same pattern to stay consistent with other daily activities. Soothing also works best for helping you get the rest you deserve at night. Put on soothing music at a low volume and get cozy in bed for a restful night.

How to Feel Better in Yourself and Improve Your Self Esteem

Improving your self-esteem and feeling better in your own body is important if you are going to live a happy and fulfilled life. However, this can sometimes be harder than you might have originally expected, especially if some of the stresses of life are starting to get to you. Then, here is a guide to improving your confidence and feeling good in 2021. 

Get Treatment for Chronic Health Conditions

Sometimes, your low self-esteem and confidence might be the cause of physical health issues. For instance, if you have an allergy or a chronic health condition that prevents you from joining in with the activities that others enjoy, you might feel frustrated at yourself and your body or left out of events and gatherings. Not only this, but if you are struggling with insomnia caused by an underlying issue, this can leave you more susceptible to low self-confidence as your energy and mood levels dip. Then, before you take any further steps, you should find treatment for these conditions. At an ENT in Arlington, TX, they can help you with everything from sleep apnea and allergies to chronic infections. 

Manage Mental Health Issues

Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression can dampen your self-esteem and can cloak your mind in negative thoughts throughout the day. They can make it difficult for you to maintain a personal hygiene regime and can lead you to have too much or not enough sleep. Then, to feel better in yourself and improve your confidence, you need to manage your mental health issues. You can do this by scheduling a doctor's appointment, where they might be able to prescribe you self-care activities, medication, or talking therapies. 

Adapt Your Appearance

If you are struggling with confidence issues, you should consider faking it until you make it. For instance, you should try straightening your posture, as this can present you as confident to others and can help you to feel good about yourself. You might also consider choosing new clothes for yourself that flatter you, that you love, and that present the image of yourself that you want to show the world. 

Change Your Breathing

Many people who are suffering from anxiety or simply find that they are shy in social situations can benefit from the right breathing techniques. Taking a step back and a moment to breathe can help you to ground yourself, and can give you a moment to think about what you are about to do, recite a positive affirmation, and feel good about yourself. 

Squash Bad Habits

You should also try to squash any of your regular habits that are bad for you. These habits could be dampening your energy levels and your mood, and could also be having damaging physical and mental health effects. These bad habits include smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and starting your day with a more than ample dose of caffeine.

How to Reset for Fall

As I scrolled through Instagram and Facebook the other day, I noticed that so many of my friends and family members are really excited about the approaching fall season. I’m right there with you! I’m excited for the cooler weather, the fun activities (apple picking, pumpkin carving, and more!), and of course, I feel like the change of a season also comes with a fresh start, that I’m really excited about. Goals have been harder to keep over the past year and people have instead been met with stress and maybe some anxious thoughts and feelings, instead. Although you cannot avoid stress, you can try your best to take charge of your life and make a change for the better. Don’t procrastinate - start during this new season, which will give you a fresh start! Here are a few ways to reset for fall, and prep for new goals, or new changes that will make you better in every way:

Refresh your goals

The beginning of fall means that the year is three-quarters of the way through (how is time flying by so quickly??), making it a perfect time to check in with the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Even if you’re not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, fall is still a great time to take a look at where you are, reflect, and assess or reassess. If you’re not on track to complete a goal (or goals), take a step back to really think about why you’re not on track. Are you not doing something you should be doing? If so, create a plan as to how you will course correct in the fall and winter. Also, be sure to ask yourself: Is this goal still relevant to you? Do you still really want to do this? Don’t be afraid to amend your goals. It’s not always about completing a goal for the sake of completion. Sometimes our circumstances change, or our beliefs, and that specific goal doesn’t make as much sense as it did six months ago. What is important is that you’re acting in a way that reflects your personal values. Don’t think of it as failing, think of it as refreshing your goals.

How’s your budget?

How’s your budget doing? The fall is the perfect time to look over your finances if you haven’t done so recently. I know it sounds crazy, but the holidays will sneak up on us soon. As fun as the holidays are, they can be very expensive. You can prepare for the extra spending with a little fall planning. If you’re not on a budget, make a plan to get back on track. Once you’ve assessed your budget, list out the holiday expenses you anticipate, i.e. travel, gifts, parties, etc., and estimate the total costs. After you’ve figured out how much you will spend, figure out where you will cut back in the fall months to make sure you are staying within your budget. It sounds early, but you will be thanking yourself in January. 

Deep clean your home

Throughout the summer, I am always on the go. With all of the vacations, yard work, time spent with family, spending as much time outside as possible to soak up the last drop of sun, my house gets forgotten about, especially the inside. Everyone always talks about “spring cleaning”, but personally, I love the fall time when it comes to really cleaning out my house. Go through your closets and get rid of any spring/summer clothes you did not wear this year. Take a look at your winter stuff too, especially coats, and donate the stuff you know you won’t wear this year. (The fall is a perfect time to donate winter attire to a local nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.) Then, organize your winter gear to make getting dressed in the morning a breeze. Also, get a basket for each member of your family to store their hats, gloves, etc. It will be so helpful to just grab and go! While you are deep cleaning and decluttering, do not forget about your furniture! If you are cleaning it, make sure to move it and get behind beds and couches. You can also remove the cushions and vacuum out the inside of your couches. If you need to get rid of some furniture, call a company to help with that, such as College Dudes Help U Move. They can help with Charlotte furniture moving, no matter if you are just moving things around to make your layout better, or if you are removing large furniture items from your home. These local moving experts can help with (obviously) furniture moving, but also residential and commercial moving too! When you hire them, you will get the safest and most prompt moving services in NC, according to their website. Your items are in safe hands with them and plus, your stress will be much lower, too.

While these are just three ways to reset for fall, this will give you a start when it comes to making sure you are mentally refreshed for the new season!

Coraline in theaters One Night Only - August 24, 2021

THIS BELOVED ANIMATED FILM WILL BE RELEASED IN THE NEW LAIKA STUDIOS EDITION BLU-RAY™+DVD COMBOS WITH EXCITING NEW BONUS FEATURES

CORALINE  will be released into theaters for One Night Only on August 24, 2021, and will be released on Blu-ray/DVD on August 31, 2021.  

Los Angeles, CA – Four groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed films will receive new high-definition releases this fall when Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition) and The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition) are released on August 31, and ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition) and Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition) are released on September 14 by lauded animation studio LAIKA and multi-platform entertainment distributor Shout! Factory. The Blu-ray™+DVD combos are loaded with exciting new special features, including “Inside LAIKA interviews with the studio’s animation team”, Never-Before-Seen Animation Test Footage, and Feature-Length Storyboards for each of the films. All four films were nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Animated Film.

Along with digitally remastered editions of the films, new and existing bonus features, and new, collectible packaging, the LAIKA Studios Editions feature insightful, commemorative new essays by esteemed journalists Peter Debruge (Variety), Ramin Zahed (Animation Magazine), Bill Desowitz (Indiewire) and Charles Solomon (author and former Los Angeles Times critic).

Additionally, Fathom Events, alongside LAIKA, Shout! Factory, and Park Circus, have announced that they are bringing fan favorites Coraline and ParaNorman back to theaters to celebrate the 15th anniversary of LAIKA Studios. The two titles will be presented in their entirety and will feature exclusive bonus content that reveals the unique creative process behind LAIKA’s extraordinary films.  

Tickets for Coraline (in theaters Tuesday, August 24 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)) can be purchased at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices. Tickets for ParaNorman (in theaters Tuesday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)) can be purchased starting Friday, August 13. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (participating theaters are subject to change).

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, LAIKA is known for blending trailblazing artistry with bleeding-edge filmmaking technology. In making the studio’s first feature, director Henry Selick and the team behind 2009’s Coraline brought the film to life with painstakingly handcrafted stop-motion, utilizing an innovative combination of new and existing technology creating a sense of timelessness and securing its place as a modern classic. It was the first stop motion film ever conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3-D, creating a new and thrilling experience for viewers.

The studio continued to innovate with 2012’s ParaNorman, the first film to use full-color rapid prototype 3D printing of the puppet faces, pioneered by LAIKA. The supernatural comedy thriller about a young boy who can speak with the dead, ParaNorman was heralded by critics for its handling of complex and sometimes melancholy topics with a touching candor not often seen in family cinema. The supernatural comedy thriller directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler was cheered by fans and extolled by many critics’ groups as the year’s best-animated feature.

The Boxtrolls, released in 2014 and directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable, continued LAIKA’s streak of innovation and attention to detail. Based on Alan Snow’s book Here Be Monsters!, the film featured several new feats of inventive filmmaking, including designing collapsible armatures that enabled the Boxtrolls to pop in and out of their boxes; constructing a giant, steampunk-inspired roaming “Mecha Drill,” and staging a complex choreographed ballroom dance scene that seamlessly integrated practical puppets and 3D-animated background dancers. The result was a charming and heartwarming film, a perfect fit for the studio’s canon. 

A heroic adventure set in a mythical feudal Japan, 2016’s Kubo and the Two Strings is a tale of courage and the power of storytelling. Inspired by Japanese art and design to create the vibrant world that Kubo inhabits. The production team at LAIKA was led by studio President & CEO Travis Knight, who directed the film and animated several of the scenes.  To bring this breathtaking tale to life, the filmmakers created a 400 pound, 16-foot-high puppet (the largest ever created for a stop motion film), managed thousands of grains of sand for a shipwreck scene, and created more than 48 million possible facial expressions for the Kubo character alone. Kubo and the Two Strings won the BAFTA Award and became only the second animated feature in history to receive an Oscar® nomination for visual effects.

All four of these incredible films showcased LAIKA’s inventive 3D stop-motion and CG hybrid technique.  The integrated effects made the characters and their surroundings feel authentic and lifelike, immersing viewers deep into their worlds. Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition), The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition), ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition), and Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition) are a salute to the artistry, innovation, and vision of their dedicated filmmakers.

Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition)

From Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, James, and the Giant Peach)) and based on the novella of the same name by author Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Coraline is a wondrous, thrilling, fun and suspenseful adventure and the first stop motion animated film ever to be conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3-D, unlike anything moviegoers had ever experienced before. A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real-life – only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her counterfeit parents try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to save her family and get back home.

Voice Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, John Hodgman, Robert Bailey Jr., and Ian McShane. Produced by Bill Mechanic, Claire Jennings, Henry Selick, Mary Sandell. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman. Written for the screen and directed by Henry Selick.

Special Features:

• NEW Never-Before-Seen Coraline Animation Test Footage
• NEW “Inside LAIKA Featurette”
• NEW Foreword by Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic for Variety
• Audio Commentary with Director Henry Selick and Composer Bruno Coulais
• The Making Of Coraline
• Original Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes
• Feature-Length Storyboards

 The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition)

This comedic fable unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells. The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy, Eggs, since infancy as one of their dumpster-diving and mechanical junk-collecting own. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by villainous pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher, who is bent on eradicating them as his ticket to Cheesebridge society, the kindhearted band of tinkerers must turn to their adopted charge and adventurous rich girl Winnie to bridge two worlds amidst the winds of change – and cheese.

Voice Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Blum, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, and Simon Pegg. Produced by David Bleiman Ichioka, Travis Knight. Screenplay by Irena Brignull, Adam Pava. Based on the book Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow. Directed by Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable.

Special Features:

• NEW Never-Before-Seen The Boxtrolls Animation Test Footage
• NEW “Inside LAIKA’ Featurette
• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Foreword by Ramin Zahed, the Editor in Chief of Animation Magazine
• Audio Commentary with Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
• The Making of The Boxtrolls
• Original Featurettes

ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition)

In the comedy thriller, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he’ll have to take on ghosts, witches, and, worst of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul-whisperer bravely summons up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion – as he finds his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

Voice Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch, Bernard Hill, Jodelle Ferland, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, and John Goodman. Produced by Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight. Written by Chris Butler. Directed by Sam Fell, Chris Butler.

Special Features:

• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Inside LAIKA Featurette
• NEW Never-Before-Seen ParaNorman Animation Test Footage
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Chris Butler and Co-Director Sam Fell
• “Peering Through the Veil”
• Original Featurettes

Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition)

Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan. The film follows clever, kindhearted Kubo as he ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen - a magical musical instrument - Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King and the evil twin Sisters to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

Voice Cast: Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, Art Parkinson, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro. Screenplay by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler. Produced by Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight. Directed by Travis Knight.

Special Features:

• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Inside LAIKA Featurette
• NEW Never-Before-Seen Kubo and the Two Strings Animation Test Footage
• Audio Commentary with Director/Producer Travis Knight
• “Kubo’s Journey”
• Original Featurettes

ABOUT LAIKA:

Fueled by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight, the animation studio LAIKA was founded in 2005. Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® plaque in 2016 for its innovation in 3D printing. All of LAIKA’s five films: Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), and Missing Link (2019) were nominated for the Academy Award® for Outstanding Animated Feature. Kubo and the Two Strings also won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and received an additional Oscar® nomination for Visual Effects. Missing Link was awarded the Golden Globe® as Best Animated Film. @laikastudios

ABOUT SHOUT! FACTORY

Shout! Factory, LLC is a leading multi-platform media company devoted to film and TV distribution, development, and production, as well as the preservation and revitalization of the very best in pop-culture entertainment. Founded by Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, and Garson Foos in 2003, Shout! owns and manages a large portfolio of films, contemporary and classic TV series, animation, and documentaries. The company’s creative acquisition mandate has established it as a leading independent distributor, with partners and properties including GKIDS, Sesame Street, The Carol Burnett Show, The Johnny Carson Show, IFC Films, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, ITV Studios, Major League Baseball Productions, and many others. Shout! Factory Kids focuses on live-action and animated kids and family properties as well as anime, and the company releases films and television shows in other genres under the Scream Factory and Shout Select imprints. Shout! develops, acquires, and distributes new films via Shout! Studios owns and operates libraries including Mystery Science Theater 3000 (in partnership with creator Joel Hodgson) and the Roger Corman New Horizon Pictures Library, and operates the acclaimed streaming service Shout! Factory TV. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

A review and giveaway of this adorable movie will be coming next week.  Check it out on the big screen tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Fashion Trends For The Family

 The fashion trends for Thanksgiving this fall are all about color. With the arrival of our favorite season comes a new palette of colors to embrace and experiment with. There's no need to feel limited by these fashion trends, however! You can wear any type of clothing you want with the right color combinations. Let’s look at some fashion trend ideas that will help you find your perfect fall/winter wardrobe as well as explore different ways you can combine colors for the Thanksgiving dinner.

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Kids Fall Fashion Trends

Try boys thanksgiving shirts for kids who love to show some personality. And for girls, try a jean jacket in aubergine hues with printed leggings and gold ballet flats.

If your kid gets hot easily, layer up on the clothes for chilly days. Warm brown pants with an orange sweater are perfect! 

Some ideas of how you can mix colors:

A warm-toned shirt layered over a dark top creates a deep look that will keep kids cozy through winter. For boys or girls looking for something more unique, consider adding pops of color like mint green tones mixed into their wardrobe! The possibilities are endless when it comes to kids' Fall Fashion Colors. Have fun mixing harmonious shades together for kids this Fall.

Women Fall Fashion Trends

Find your fashion color: fall fashion trends are all about rich, warm colors. Browns, reds, and oranges are a great place to start when choosing an autumn fashion trend. Pair these stunning earth tones with black or white for a classic look that will never go out of style. Layer tops in darker shades over lighter ones for more dimension! 

Don't forget the boots: this is going to be the season where ankle boots really shine so don't feel like you have to stick with traditional winter footwear such as Uggs or snow boots!

Incorporate some dark into your wardrobe: Add depth by mixing deep brown hues and scary shades of purple together in one outfit for maximum impact this fall/winter season. Deep purple is a fantastic fashion color that can be used to create an elegant and rich look.

If you're looking for fashion inspirations from celebrities this season then take note that famous fashionistas are rocking some serious styles with these autumn/winter hues. Try the following colors for your fall/winter wardrobe: rust, dusty rose, burgundy, deep olive green, lavender, and taupe. 

Men Fall Fashion Trends

Almost too easy this thanksgiving: take your pick from among traditional dark hues like navy blue and black; choose more muted shades such as camel brown or coffee brown or go bold by adding bright indigo blues instead of plain white. Thanksgiving is not the only time of year to express individuality through fashion. so, when it's cold outside and snowing (or raining or sleeting), you can still show off your unique sense of style with men's winter clothes in jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red, and deep Bordeaux wine. 

The result? A wardrobe full of new possibilities where thanksgiving dinner becomes the perfect canvas for expressing individuality through fashion choices.

The Do's and Don't Of Online Chats

 Have you ever wanted to start a conversation online but didn't know what to say? Whether it's on Facebook or through all chat line numbers, online conversations can be awkward. 

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Let's have a look at some tips on how you can start online chats and avoid awkwardness. These include knowing the different types of chat lines so that you are prepared for any online conversation.

Know the type of online conversation you want

Is it a video chat? Texting? A one-on-one call or group chat? Knowing what kind of communication you want will help with online conversations as well.

Be aware that online chats can be different from in-person communications, so don't take them personally. Instead, be mindful and conscientious about your messages to keep things civil!

If someone makes an online comment that upsets you, please try not to respond right away before thinking more critically about how they could have said it differently.

The benefits that online chats have in store 

Online chatting offers many benefits over traditional forms of communication such as face-to-face interactions, phone calls, and text messaging because people are generally much less shy when using computers or cellphones to talk to others instead of interacting face-to-face.

There are various online chats available which can be a great way to start online conversations as well. It will have the added benefit of finding people nearby who match your preferences for dating while also chatting online! 

You may want to test out some types that offer free trial periods before deciding which is best for you.

Friendship sites like Meetup are another option if online chats aren't what you're looking for but rather connecting with others by location first and foremost. This can be very beneficial if you are in a new city and want to connect with other people online but don't know many locals.

Finally, online chats through sites like Google Hangouts or Skype may be something you're interested in for video chatting! These can also be used as free trial periods until you decide that it's worth paying the monthly fee for more features.

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What Not To Do On Online Chats

Don't be the online chat police

If someone is trying to get into a conversation with you, let them do it - don't spoil their fun by interrupting and saying, "You shouldn't say that."

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Keep things positive

There's no need for negativity online. You'll find people online who are looking for friends or just want to make new connections; some might not have as many opportunities in life because of where they live, so it can help when chatting online.

Be polite

It doesn't matter if the person is flirting with you or giving you advice on something, always remember your manners! For example, never argue about grammar mistakes during an online chat session. That's what spellcheck is for.

Don't be too online

Unless you're looking to make a connection, don't send the person who's chatting with you more than one message per day. If they want to chat that much, it's not online dating!

The Things New Parents Always Have To Learn

If you are about to become a new parent, there is every chance in the world that you are feeling incredibly worried and nervous right now. This is a very normal feeling to have, and in a way, it would be quite strange if you were not worried at all. But you should at least feel heartened by the fact that most of the things you are going to come across are things that many people have come across before. What’s more, you are easily going to be able to learn how to manage them all, each as they come.

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In this post, we are going to take a look at a number of the new things that new parents always have to learn. Knowing about what these are upfront can help you in a number of ways: you can start researching and trying to learn about them, you can mentally prepare, and you can start to appreciate the magnitude of what you are doing. Don’t let that get in the way, however: it really is one thing at a time, as it is with everything else.

How To Go On Little Sleep

There is no doubt about it: once you have a kid in the picture, you are going to lose out on sleep for quite a while. At the start, your baby will obviously be up and crying throughout the night, and maybe all night if you are unlucky. And then when they get a little older, you’ll find you may lose sleep just from worrying about them! So whichever way you look at it, you are probably going to lose out on sleep for quite a while from here on out.

The question here is how to cope with it. After a while, you will find that you naturally start to manage with less sleep fairly easily. But if you want to hurry that process up and make it a lot easier, you might want to think about trying some tactics for dealing with less sleep. That includes having something to do when you can’t sleep, like reading a book and trying not to worry about it too much, as over-worrying about your sleep often makes it all the more difficult to sleep more!

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As long as you don’t panic and you get what sleep you can, you should find that you can more or less function okay, and your body and brain will soon learn how to cope with far less sleep than you may have been used to up until now.

Decorating The Nursery Is Really Important

People often think of decorating the nursery as just a nice, cute thing to do. While it is also that, it actually turns out to be one of the most vital things you can do for your child. The reason is simple: when you have spent a great deal of time and energy and effort on decorating the nursery, making it look really nice, and ensuring it is homely, your baby is much more likely to be happy with the room, and therefore to enjoy sleeping in it.

So, if you want to make sure that your baby is sleeping as well as possible, you should definitely be sure to put a lot of effort into the nursery as best as you can. That is going to make a radical difference to your baby’s restfulness, which as we have seen is important for your own restfulness too! It is also a good way to get yourself ready for the baby’s arrival, and a nice tradition to work on the nursery.

Breastfeeding Takes Practice

Practically no mother in the world finds breastfeeding easy on the first dozen or so attempts. It’s a completely normal and natural part of the process to find that there is a learning curve to trying to get your baby to feed. So if you are finding yourself worrying about this, just try to relax. It really is a very common concern, and nobody in the world finds that their baby latches on perfectly each and every time - and certainly not the first time. You should therefore try to be relaxed around the whole thing, and certainly don’t beat yourself up about it.

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Another important thing to bear in mind about breastfeeding is that it can be incredibly painful. This pain can take some getting used to, but it is something that you will find goes away after a period of time, or at least you do ultimately get used to it. You’ll also find that there are times when your baby only wants to feed for ten minutes, and sometimes they’ll want to feed for an hour, so you never really know what you are getting into each time you go to feed them. As long as you know this from the start, it can help you in not over-worrying about these very normal issues.

Nobody Is An Expert First-Time

When you talk to other parents, or when you read books or find information online, you might often get the feeling that everybody else in the world appears to be an expert on the subject of raising a baby. It can be very easy to feel as though you are alone in the world not knowing about the basics of looking after your kid. However, this is how everyone feels when they first have a child, and often far beyond that too, and you are definitely not alone in feeling this way.

The fact is that nobody is an expert right away, and you are not going to be either. It’s okay to have a learning curve and to take your time picking everything up. That’s just how it goes. What you shouldn’t do is blame yourself or be overly strict with yourself and beat yourself up for not knowing things: that kind of attitude won’t lead to anything good, and you’ll only find it actually makes things worse in general anyway. Give yourself a break!

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Be Grateful For Help...But Don’t Accept It Blindly

Once you have a baby, everyone in your life will want to help you, and you’ll start receiving offers for different kinds of help left, right, and center. This is going to make you feel either calm or overwhelmed, depending on your nature. The best approach is to be genuinely grateful for the help that is being offered but to also be wary about what help you accept. You need to know that the help is coming from a person who knows what they are doing. If it doesn’t, you are going to find that you can end up in a worse situation just by taking their kind offer of help! So it is wise, and in your baby’s best interests, to be slightly wary of any help that is offered too.

That being said, from time to time you will want to be able to give your child to someone for the night, and it’s good to have someone who will do that for you when required. Generally, this should be your own parents or someone equally as close to you, whom you know you can trust. And bear in mind that this first time away from your child will be particularly difficult for you.

How To Change A Diaper

One of the most important and basic skills that you are going to need to learn is, of course, how to change a diaper. Once you have got the basic process down, it’s not really all that hard, but again it can be the kind of thing that takes a good deal of practice in order to get it going and to see what you need to do each time. You should change a diaper at least whenever your baby feels uncomfortable in their current one - and don’t be surprised if they go to the toilet again straight after putting a new one on them! The easiest way to change a diaper is to ensure you have everything to hand when you begin, keep a hold of your baby at all times during the process, and take it slowly. You’ll find that this makes it a lot easier on the whole.

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You Will Make Mistakes

Another important lesson in all of this is that you should expect to make mistakes once in a while. No matter who you are or how prepared you might feel, there are things you are going to get wrong. You have to learn how to deal with this situation, and to do all you can to try not to be too hard on yourself. It really is just a part of the process, and a normal part of it too. You should expect to get things wrong once in a while - if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have any opportunities for learning new things.

As you can see, there is a lot to bear in mind. Just take it slow and easy, and all should be well.

Third Trimester Hassle: 6 Fun Things To Do To Prepare Yourself for Delivery

The third trimester is the most exciting pregnancy time, but it can also be the most frustrating. Your baby will soon be here, and you're getting big! So if you are feeling frustrated with your growing body or need a break from being pregnant for a bit, take a look at these six fun things to do during this final stretch that may help prepare yourself for delivery.

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Go for Every Beauty Appointment

It's easy to forget about the beauty appointments you need during pregnancy. They're just so many, and it feels like there are never enough hours in a day! 

But taking care of your skin is essential, especially as you get closer to delivery when hormones will change and cause an increase in acne or other breakouts. You'll also want to book any non-invasive treatments now before the baby makes everything too difficult for travel.

So, no matter if you're going for a massage or facial to release tension in your muscles and increase blood flow, an appointment with your stylist to get that perfect haircut before baby's here, or to get those nails done now - book them! You'll be so happy you did.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Pack your hospital bag as soon as you can. Put in the clothes you want to wear after delivery, a toothbrush and toothpaste, any toiletries or other supplies of yours with strict security requirements. If possible, pack your phone charger too. Pack snacks for yourself if it's difficult for someone else to get food while at the hospital with you, such as juice boxes or cereal bars.

You'll need things to entertain yourself. You may also find it helpful to bring an extra set of sheets and pillowcases from home just in case they're not available at the hospital; this is especially important for those with babies who have eczema or allergies. 

Finally, pack your birth plan in the bag and any paperwork you need for the baby's social security card, insurance cards, and any other essentials.

Have a Baby Shower

A baby shower and a gender reveal are parties that typically occur in the third trimester of pregnancy. The mother-to-be and her friends or family members throw it traditionally to celebrate the pending birth and new arrival. 

Typical planning for a gender reveal party includes information about when and where the event will be, who's invited, what they should wear if appropriate, food needed, gift ideas for mommy, and clothes for the little one(s) before their arrival home from the hospital. 

Sometimes there are games at showers such as "guess how many jelly beans" or bingo cards with different prizes on each card. It can also include other traditional events like breaking open packs of diapers to reveal the gender or guessing a baby's weight.

A popular thing for guests at showers is to bring gifts in place of attending, but sometimes people are instructed not to bring anything because everything has been taken care of. 

The average number of attendees at a shower is 12-14 people, and they usually last an hour or two hours, depending on the games and food available. 

Install a Car Seat

First, you'll need to find out what type of car seat your baby will need. If you don't already have a car seat for the newborn stage and are looking for one before this due date, check with friends or family members who may still be using theirs. You can buy new ones at any major retail store that sells furniture. With installation in mind, when shopping around, try to look for seats with side-impact protection and those approved by the proper authority. 

Find a Pediatrician

A pediatrician is an important person to look for when you're pregnant. They can provide recommendations about the safety of your pregnancy, any changes that will happen in the baby's development, and what type of care they'll need after birth. There are many different types of pediatricians- general pediatrics or a specialist like neonatology (newborn care).

It doesn't matter if this appointment might be premature due to how early you are in your third trimester because no doctor will see you until at least 34 weeks into the pregnancy anyway. So this meeting with them could potentially save time and money by advising before labor starts! Finding one as soon as possible is also vital as babies under two months old should not travel more than two hours away from their doctors.

How To Use Your Baby Stroller, and Wrapper

The first thing you need to know is that there are two types of strollers: the umbrella and the smaller type, and then there's the more common full-size stroller for bigger kids. If this will be your toddler's primary mode of transport, buy one big enough so they can grow into it.

If you're having twins, think about getting a toddler double jogger which fits both babies in front of each other. Of course, you'll want extra large storage underneath for all their stuff--and get an adapter kit if you have only one car seat carrier because otherwise, once the second baby is born, you'll need to buy another car seat.

Learning how to use the stroller and rubber can be fun--and it's also an excellent way for you to bond with your toddler.

Conclusion

The key takeaway from this piece is that pregnancy can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but don't let all the physical changes get you down; enjoy every moment because soon enough, they'll be gone forever. It is also essential to prepare for your third trimester. It can give you peace of mind and help take care of any loose ends before the baby arrives.

4 Tips to Help Kids Ignite Their Confidence

 

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You might be a busy mom, but if one thing is certain, you'll always have time for your kids. As you watch them grow, you are always happy to help them with homework, take them to and from activities, or offer advice when they need it. However, as your kids grow up, they might struggle with self-esteem and confidence issues, so how can you help them ignite this to achieve theory potential?

Model Confidence to Them 

No matter who you are, your kids will always look at you like you are a real-life superhero, at least until puberty hits and they enter the moody teenage years (they will come back around, though). If you model confidence as your kids are growing up, they will feel more comfortable in who they are. There is a line, of course. Some kids are more reserved than others, so you should understand their level. Don’t be aggressive in forcing them to do things or open up. Let them do it naturally, but still demonstrate how a little confidence could benefit them. 

Get Them to Help Around the House

Getting your kids to help around the house by doing the dishes, cleaning their room, and even knowing how to repair clothes gives them valuable life skills. This is ideal when preparing your kids for when they leave home, whether moving out entirely or going to college. When they leave, they will feel confident that they can do anything, which will encourage them to take charge of situations when others are reluctant. The more they know and the better you prepare them, the more belief they will have in their abilities. 

Encourage Them to Try Different Things 

Confidence will not come from sitting in front of the TV or computer all day long. Parents that give their kids the tools to try new things can produce the most confident people in any room. They don’t need to stick to everything they try, but fostering a curious can-do mindset will give them the opportunity to meet other people and try something. From here, kids will learn what they are good at and they will develop important social skills that keep them from being the wallflower at every social event. 

Teach Them That Perfection Is Not Possible 

Too many kids get swept up in the idea of achieving perfection. It takes time to realize that perfection is not possible no matter who you are, and you can accelerate this by teaching your kids not to beat themselves up by not being perfect. Despite this, there are things they can explore to become their ideal person, rather than anyone else’s. Whether they want to straighten teeth with clear braces rather than metal ones or learn how to persevere when things get tough, they will soon become comfortable with who they want to be, perfection or not. 

Ignited 

Every parent wants their child to be confident at school, with friends, and during activities. If you feel your child is yet to reach their confidence potential, consider how you can help them achieve this. You don’t need to hold their hand, but you can give them a nudge in the right direction.

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

In a world that seems like it's on fire most of the time, whether it be a global pandemic or crashing economies, it can be hard to stay positive and motivated. This is understandable, seeing as many business owners and employees have seen terrifying times the past year, not knowing when things will get back to normal and if that is even a possibility. Nothing can stress a person out as easily as money, and one can't help but feel a little alone in the situation, even though millions of people are facing the same fate. But, there is light to shed on all the negativity shown on the news each day, and there are ways to shut out the pessimistic opinions and comments while keeping your mindset and thoughts in the right direction. That said, here are some tips on how to stay positive in a negative world.

Surround yourself 

Whether it be family, friends, or your pets, having life around you will help you stay positive. No person is made to be alone; it's literally not in our DNA to distance ourselves from other people. This means that surrounding yourself with loved ones is exactly what the doctor ordered when you're feeling blue. One of the reasons so many people worldwide have attested to falling into depression during lockdowns and restrictions is that they had to say goodbye to the world and lock themselves in their homes, some living alone and not seeing another soul for days on end. But, whenever possible, or whenever you're facing a stressful situation, step one is involving your inner circle and allowing them to help and guide you where they can. There's nothing as sweet as affirmations from a loved one, and it might be that little nudge you needed when you felt like giving up. 

Tech detox

Have you felt like a failure, afterward scrolling through social media and seeing all these happy, beautiful people living their best lives, and felt even more like climbing in bed and never getting out again? The truth is that social media paints an incomplete picture of what reality is, and more often than not, what you're seeing isn't at all what the facts actually are. Things like filters and other cosmetic apps can morph a photo into looking totally different than the original. Still, you only get to see the one that makes you feel especially bad about yourself. Doctors have seen a phenomenon in young girls who visited their practices wanting to look more like Instagram models and have even given the occurrence a name; Snapchat Dysmorphia. This term refers to the influence of social media filters driving young girls to undergo plastic surgery to look more like the filtered versions of themselves. Try doing a tech detox every now again - who knows; you might like it so much, you'll be looking up how to deactivate Instagram and make it permanent.

Reward yourself

Life goes both ways! Too many people are quick to scold themselves when they make a mistake but don't even remember to give themselves a pat on the back when they do something right. It's important to remember that you are your number one priority and that taking care of yourself should always be at the very top of your to-do list. So, after a long week, a hard day at the office, or even a tough meeting, reward yourself a bit - it can be as minor as your favorite lunch spot or as lavish as a shopping spree. You'd be surprised at what a reward system can do for your motivation levels. Before you know it, it'll incentivize you to work even harder in hopes of having another opportunity to grab yourself a nice, juicy reward. 

Take personal time

This is not a reward but a crucial element to coping with stress and challenging times. Sometimes, months can even go by where you're constantly hustling from one appointment to the next meeting, to another client, and so on. You may even feel like you barely have time to breathe, let alone personal time. But, whether it be half an hour to meditate in the mornings or a few minutes at night to take a hot bath and read a book, those moments that are your own to use as you please are essential to maintaining a balanced life. 

By following the above tips, you'll be feeling more positive and motivated in no time. After all, there is a lot to be optimistic about; you just need to pay attention to it!

Dating Tips All Introverts Need to Know

 

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Just because you are an introvert doesn't mean you can't hang out there and find the best friends and even the love of your life. It just means you are a little reserved and may not be quick to request a date or be open about your feelings to others.

Plan ahead

You don't want to remain blank on your first date. It can be damn dull. On the other hand, if you are the kind of person who can't pull conversations fast, then no need to worry. Just juggle something in your brain or note somewhere and go through it before you step out of your house. Planning for your date will enable you to pull out conversation quickly.

Opt for online dating

Please consider dating online. Introverts are known for being good at words and writing, especially when they are in their space alone. There are several ways to find dating partners online; an example is chat line free trials. And you should never shy away. There are great people in there who can't simply find time to go out on a physical date.

Be vocal about your introversion

Your nature is not weird or abnormal. Studies have shown that 25-40% of the world population are introverts. Knowing this should be an assurance that it's alright to be who you are, but your partner might not know this. Be sure to let them know otherwise. You may get misunderstood. Your partner is in a better position to understand why you like or dislike something if they already know your character. If your partner respects your personality, they are likely to provide you with what suits you best.

Appreciate being yourself

The worst mistake and injustice you can make to yourself is putting up a show, trying to be a different version of yourself. It's an injustice to yourself in the sense that you can never maintain the act for long. However, it's pretty common for people to act a little different in their initial dating but be sure not to go extreme. It's better if your partner knows you for who you are from the word go. Be the most brilliant version of yourself instead.

Let your partner know a communication channel that you love, social media, text, etc.

Use questions

Sometimes it can be pretty hard for an introvert to start or pull a conversation, and if this is you, don't worry yourself much. Use questions. It's another sure way of blinding your fears. Question is a quick way of letting people get open about themselves. It will also enable you to get to know more about each other because both of you will want to discuss the question. I.e., your hobbies? In here, you are both going to discuss on lengthy about your likes or dislikes, and you will end up having a great conversation through the use of questions to ignite conversation

Conclusion

It will be suitable for your partner to know more about you, although introverts don't like being open to others unless they are sure of winning trust nevertheless try your best being open you never know your date may end up being your long life confidant.

The tips shared are a sure way to better your dating experience.

4 Signs You’re Ready to Date After a Divorce

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Divorce can be a truly emotional thing to go through, and it is definitely going to have an impact on you both in the short-term and even in the longer term too. However, no matter the circumstances that meant that your divorce came about or how it made you feel, remember that one day you will feel ready to meet someone new and move on.  

But when will this happen? When will you know? To help you figure this out, I have put together four signs that you may be ready to date after being divorced.  

1. You don’t feel bitter anymore 

There will be a lot of anger and bitterness after a divorce, even if it was a mutual decision. However, these strong and negative emotions can make it hard to move on and meet someone new. If you have noticed that you don’t feel quite so intensely for your ex anymore and there is no resentment there, then you are getting yourself even closer to moving on.  

2. You feel like you found yourself again 

Many people say that they start to lose themselves during a bad marriage and also a divorce too. One sign that you are ready to move on and try to find new love, whether on Tinder, via gay chatline meetings, or in person, is that you feel like yourself all over again.  

Reclaiming who you are and recognizing your old self (or a new version of your old self) is a sure-fire sign that you are ready to allow someone else into that person’s life.  

3. There is no guilt 

Even if you were ready to divorce and move on, there is still a chance there might be some residual feelings of guilt when you think about finding new love. This is normal in those early stages, but these feelings will fade over time, and you won’t feel guilty anymore.  

Once those feelings of guilt disappear, then the time has come to start dating again.  

4. You are happy alone 

Being alone is not something that many will want to have to cope with in the long term. But, if you feel happy with being by yourself or feel comfortable in your own company, this will help with your dating. 

We know that it sounds strange, but if you are unhappy being alone, then this means that you will be somewhat desperate to meet someone, which is not something that other people are going to see attractive. Or it could attract the wrong kind of person.  

Only you will know when you are ready to date after a divorce. However, if you are not sure what the signs are, then hopefully, this blog post has helped you. It might be scary to think that you are ready to move on and meet someone new but try not to put too much pressure on yourself. 

Instead, take the time to look around, to try out the different dating platforms, and to just experience what it feels like dating again after some time out of the game.