4 Gift Ideas You'll Want to Know About

Being a maid of honour comes with a lot of responsibility. You will, with the bride, be in charge of organising, arranging, and decorating the wedding; you will also be the bride’s confidant. You will also, as the maid of honour, be expected to give the bride an awesome gift. Gift-giving can be very difficult, especially on your friend’s wedding day – you will be expected to wow with your gifts, so with this page, you’ll be ready to. Disappointing your friend on her wedding day is not something we’re sure you want to do.

In this article, we are going to tell you, the maid of honour, four gift ideas you will want to know about to give to the bride. We hope that the gifts that we have compiled here are universal and will be appreciated by everybody who is lucky enough to get them.

Here are four gift ideas you’ll want to know about.

Bed Linen

Bed linen, while it should not be the main gift, is a great gift to give. Everybody appreciates bed linen and it’s to be expected as one of the bride’s bridal shower gifts, so why not be the person to give it to her? Rather than, however, giving her run-of-the-hill home supply store bed linen, why not branch out and find a nice artisan store where they craft the linen by hand. These stores have popped up in massive numbers over the last few years and many of them offer a superior product in a wide range of designs. If you cannot find one of these stores in person, we are certain you can find them abundantly online. Some of the best cotton bed linen comes out of India, so if you can find an Indian linen craftsman, you will be able to surprise the bride with a gift she will never forget and a gift that she will cherish forever. When buying bed linen, you will need to find out what size duvet and mattress they sleep on, however, lest you size incorrectly.

Necklaces, Rings, and Earrings

For your main gift, or your only gift [depending on the cost], you could consider purchasing the bride some jewellery. Jewellery is never going to disappoint and is going to always put a smile on the bride’s face. Jewellery, while expensive, is a gift that will be cherished for a lifetime, and providing it is of good craftsmanship, that will be passed down from generation to generation. Be sure to pick carefully and do not just buy any old thing you come across. A tip would be to browse police auctions. Police auctions will auction off stolen items and items that were acquired through crime and then seized by the police. You can, in these auctions, get some real bargains. If you are shopping for a cheap piece of jewellery for the bride, then you will definitely want to check out a police auction.

Perfume

Who doesn’t love perfume? Perfume is a gift guaranteed to please the bride, providing you get the right scent! You could, in the months leading up to the wedding, find out what her favourite perfume is, or you could take a guess and buy one that you think she might like. Choosing for yourself can be unpredictable, however, for you never know how somebody is going to react to a bottle of perfume that they are not familiar with. Even so, like with our bed linen suggestion, you might want to browse artisan perfume makers so as to find truly unique blends that will not be found anywhere else. You could also buy Oudh, which is very pricey, but very luxurious. Oudh is the height of luxury – you can find Oudh boutiques online and in cities across the world. Give Oudh a try if you really want to impress - you could even add some pheromones for men or women on top of this to make yourself even more irresistible to those you meet - great for occasions like date night when you want it all to go perfectly.

Shoes!

When all else fails, buy a pair of shoes. If you want to impress the bridge on her wedding day, invest in a pair of shoes. All you need to know is a foot size and you’re ready to go. Shoes are a great investment that you should definitely consider for the bride on her special day. Shoes will be guaranteed to put a smile on her face. Find a brand of shoe manufacturer that she likes or cannot afford and pull the trigger. It will be a gift you are remembered for. Who doesn’t like shoes?

In this article, we hope to have told you a few gifts that you, the maid of honour, can get the bride. Picking gifts for anybody can be difficult, especially your best friend. We hope you enjoyed the read and hope that we gave you some gift ideas to give.

Here's How To Make Yourself Instantly More Hireable

Are you interested in working to ensure that you are more hireable on the job market? In doing so, you can guarantee that you will be selected to interview for more positions and better roles. Here are some of the potential choices that you can consider and steps that you might want to take.

Get A New Qualification 

Qualifications matter when you are pursuing new job opportunities on the market. It provides evidence to employers that you have the knowledge and understanding to fill a role. The certifications you need or should pursue will depend on the industry you want to work in. For instance, if you are keen to operate in the construction sector, applying for CxA membership certification can be the right choice. Doing so will ensure that you can provide a better service to business clients. You might think that you don’t have the spare time you need to complete a certificate like this, however, don’t be so sure. There are a lot of courses these days that you can run through online without much of an issue. 

Improve Your Resume

It’s important to be aware that it’s not always about what you can bring to the table but rather the impression that you make from the very start. This means that you do need to ensure that you work to improve your resume. There are a few ways to do this however our recommendation is that you don’t let your resume stretch more than two pages. The only exception would be if you have some great experience at a wide variety of different companies that you can note down. You just need to make sure that it is relevant and to the point. 

Boost Your Appearance

Following on from first impressions mattering more than most people realize, you should also think about your appearance too. This can have a massive impact on whether an employer is going to want to hire you. The reason for this is simple. There are very few roles these days without a certain level of customer or client interaction. Employers want to ensure that you look presentable and that they’ll be impressed by what they discover when they interact with you at the start of the sales funnel. 

Get Networking 

Finally, these days, you won’t have to search for job positions on the market. If you take the right steps, employers are going to search for you. For this to occur, you just need to make sure that you are setting up your social networks the right way. There are countless social networks where you will be able to attract the interest of employers. For instance, you should definitely pay attention to LinkedIn and try to actively connect with people who are part of your chosen industry. This is a great way to get your foot in the door. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the best ways to make yourself far more hireable on the job market and potentially, claim that position that you have always hoped for. 

Is The City Still The Place To Be?

In countries across the world, the arrival of COVID19 saw people flee the cities and head out to the countryside. Those who stayed may be asking themselves if they should do the same. If you have a real yearning to live in the country, then the answer to that question may well be yes. If, however, you’re not sure, then you might want to think carefully before giving up the city.

Cities still have a lot going on

Whether it’s work or play, it’ll be going on in the city. Much has been made of the shift towards remote working. This may indeed be a long-term change, but it’s only part of the story. Careers aren’t built just on the work you do at your desk (although this is important). They’re built on human interactions and networking.  

Virtual networking sessions are a lot better than nothing. They are, however, still a long way from having the same sort of impact as real-world events. When you're in a city, you have the option to blend work and play or to keep them separate (or to do a bit of both). This means that you can maximize your networking opportunities to push your career forward (if you want to).

If you’re not a “career person”, it can still be wonderful to enjoy the social side of city life. Even when attractions are closed, you can often have fun just exploring the outside. Many cities are full of interesting sights which are often overlooked by tourists.

Cities are the places to develop your skills

Like online retail, online learning has improved massively over recent years. There are probably some skills you can learn just as well online as you can in the real world. For many others, however, real-world classes are the best, if not the only, way to go.  

Classes with any sort of “hands-on” element are obviously best delivered in the real world. Even classes that are purely academic can, however, benefit from real-world interaction between the students and the teacher or between the students themselves.

This is often particularly important if you’re studying to improve your career prospects. A lot of employers want to see that you can work both on your own and under a team. This is exactly why courses often include both solo and group assignments.

City life is convenient

Online shopping is getting better all the time, but it’s still not as good as having direct access to all the retailers you find in cities. That’s even before you get started on all the services available there. You’re just not going to get those in the countryside.

What’s more, the city is generally the place to find condominiums (as well as apartments and houses). Most of the many advantages of buying a condominium hinge on the fact that they combine the convenience of renting with the benefits of homeownership. In particular, you can leave a lot of repairs and maintenance to the management company.

It’s also worth noting that many condominiums offer some form of outdoor space. For example, they may have balconies, roof gardens, and communal outdoor areas. This gives you the same sort of benefits as a private garden, but without the hassle of maintaining it.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Popular Ways to Dramatically Change the Ambiance of Your Kitchen

For many, kitchens are the focal points of the house. They are the place where we gather and spend time with our friends and family. Some of the most important and cherished events in our lives have happened in that room. However, just because some unforgettable moments have happened there, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t change the way it looks from time to time.

Given the fact that we spend so much time in this room, looking at the same old cabinets can become pretty boring after several years. You want your kitchen to inspire you so you can make delicious meals for your kids. That’s why updating it once in a while is a good idea.

These are some of the most popular ways to improve the look of your kitchen.

Change the Color of the Cabinets    

One of the first things we notice when we enter someone’s kitchen is probably the cabinets so changing their color would be the easiest way to bring a new life into this room. When choosing any paint understand that all other colors in the room affect what looks the best and for some more ideas use this reference point to end up with breathtaking results. And remember, what looks good at someone else’s house might not fit well with yours.     

Cabinets are very important as they provide us with a much-needed storage room for our pots, pans, appliances, and food supplies. However, aside from that, they also represent a very important visual element of the room. By simply repainting them with a new color, the whole atmosphere will become much more vibrant.

Still, you need to make sure that the colors you use in this room actually mix well together. You can choose more neutral tones for cabinets and walls and use small details in bright shades to make the room stand out.

Maricopa County homeowners like to visit this Noblessa showroom Phoenix is offering them to see how different elements can affect the overall look of their kitchens. This way you can achieve a professional and cohesive look in your kitchen without much effort.

You can also remove cabinet doors for open shelving so you can show off your dishware and bowls or simply have easier access to them. When choosing what to put on open shelves or how to design them, consider mixing up some minimalistic serving bowls and tureens, classic double-walled mugs, and place recipe books with decorative items such as planters and vases. However, when it comes to decorating open shelves, less is more so make sure you are not making the space look cluttered by placing too many knick-knacks or kitchenware.

Installing The Proper Lighting

For the right ambiance, the light to use in the kitchen is just as important as the colors. The placement of these fixtures will determine if the room will give out the bright and sunny feeling or dark and bleak. Even during the nights, you can make the atmosphere sunny and warm if you invest in proper lighting.

If you want to make a statement and impress anyone entering the room, you can buy an interesting chandelier. However, if the chandelier is not really your style, you should consider using LED lights. You can install them below the cabinets or behind glass doors. If you like hosting parties at your house and if your budget allows it, you can get those that change colors. That way you will certainly make an impression on your guests.     

Get Rid of the Clutter

For your kitchen to have a nice flow, you need to have it organized and remove everything that is seen as unnecessary. Messy countertops and overall disorganization will make things look crowded and the atmosphere unfriendly to the visitors. So, make sure everything is in order and you don’t have too many things on the visible surfaces.

The cabinets are a good place for you to hide all the cooking equipment when not in use. Decluttering is an important part of making your kitchen more organized and the ambiance more cheerful. To help with this part of the process, you can design roll-out aka pull-out shelves for your cabinets. That way you will not only clear the countertops but also arrange the insides of the cabinets. This will make cooking times run much smoother and you will not lose your time trying to find a proper pen or a can of sauce.

Opting for The Complete Remodel

Another way to dramatically change the look of your kitchen is to hire professionals and redesign the whole room. Still, this is something to consider only if you have a big enough budget. Kitchens are very costly to remodel but working with a professional designer will certainly make it easier. They know all the tricks of the trade and will be able to give you suggestions you would never think about. Still, before you start all of this, make sure you have some sort of a vision and plan for this room and be aware of the costs.

Add Your Personal Touch

In a way, your kitchen should be a representation of yourself. It should have things that make you happy and comfortable. After all, you and your family are the ones who are going to use it every day. So, add some personal details and accessories to the design. If you have a blank wall, you can use removable wall-papers and add some colorful and interesting patterns to the room.

Another way to make it more unique and yours is by mixing the materials. For example, the upper cabinets can be made from different wood than the ones on the ground. You can even mix styles, like classic with contemporary. The possibilities are endless and it’s up to you to think it through and see what’s closest to your vision of this room.

Make It Useable

This is one of the most used and significant rooms in the house so it’s very important to make it as functional as possible. Although the “working triangle” layout has been the key principle for decades. However, with technology moving forward and multi-functional appliances becoming part of our everyday life, people have been abandoning this principle.

You can control all the appliances through your smartphone. For example, you can turn the light on and off. Also, you can connect your oven with the phone and get the message when your meal is cooked. These types of smart gadgets will most certainly impress anyone who enters your kitchen. So, if you have enough money in your budget, getting state-of-the-art equipment is certainly going to make an ambiance more appealing.

These are some of the ways you can improve your kitchen and make the atmosphere more comfortable for you and your family. Some of these tasks, you can do on your own while some will require help from professionals.        

The Amazing Stress-Relieving Power of Mindfulness

Considering the immense and severe adversities most of us have to deal with in our day-to-day lives, the stress and anxiety we experience are hardly surprising. Think of it as a sort of emotional demand and supply rule. In comparison, it is indeed true that the stressor is often not significant and becomes stress only through our perception. But we do fall prey to its demands and pressures. That makes it vital for us first to consider whether a response is indeed required to some potential stressor; otherwise, we only succeed in piling up our anxieties.

Managing Stress- Demand and Supply of Emotional Resources

We need to ascertain the tasks that must be attended to and the ones whose importance is secondary. One beneficial tool while trying to achieve this is mindfulness meditation. It has a significant healing effect on a lot of stress and anxiety that builds up as we respond to one stressor after another. It helps to soothe, calm, and provide relief from tension.

The Demand

By practicing mindfulness meditation, you get the additional emotional space that lets us sort through the various tasks that demand our energy and attention. It helps us to know which emotions are legitimate and invalid ones. One of the eleven books mentioned in lovelyrefinement.com/11-best-mindfulness-books-in-2020/ say that we could make out the difference between valid and invalid feelings; it would help us experience less anxiety and stress. The pressure starts piling up when we can't sort out such emotional demands properly through sufficient mental space. In such a situation, meditation brings us relief by giving our minds the clarity and space it duly needs to organize our priorities. We can refer to mental needs that situations call for as the demand side of the stress (in?) equation.

The Supply

On the other side, we have supplies in the form of emotional resources, and we should try to increase the same. The brain shows an extraordinary amount of plasticity or, in other words, the ability to change and adapt as one progresses through life. The techniques we use while meditating helps to train the mind, which boosts our abilities and increases our mental resources.

It is somewhat strange to see that while we have become aware of the need for a healthy body. The necessity of having a fit and healthy mind is still not adequately recognized. Mindfulness meditation helps people focus and clear their minds and make them more capable and better suited to cope with stress and emotional demands.

Preventing Stress

According to a naturopathic doctor located in Scottsdale, "You can also prevent the consequence of stress from adverse situations by practicing mindfulness meditation." Such meditation is an indispensable tool available to you to stop your stress from getting out of hand. There is not a single person ever who didn't have to deal with stressful situations. All of us know loss or grief or had to deal with estranged relationships or leave everything they knew by relocating. While they are highly stressful and too demanding, all such situations are unavoidable and need to be handled using special response techniques. And in these critical moments, meditation can bring you much-needed relief.

How Meditation Helps

Through mindfulness meditation, we learn to grasp situations better. It raises our awareness levels and gives us more mental space so that we can respond more effectively. For example, while mourning the loss of someone, heightened awareness of our minds' functions lets us better process the grief and sadness we are experiencing. Lack of understanding only serves to color our emotions and distorts our perception and judgment. In turn, it twists our senses about the kind of response the situation demands, and we feel overwhelmed even if the issue is not at all that serious. Stress acts like such a vicious cycle.

At this critical juncture in your emotional life, meditation steps into the picture. It reduces stress and helps create space in our minds, which helps differentiate between the situations we need or don't need to respond to. Meditations let us train our minds and serve to boost the available mental resources. Its effectiveness in dealing with stress makes mindfulness meditation a great tool to manage this mental disorder.

Meditation is a very, very good type of mental exercise. It helps you manage stress and might even be the panacea to finding your joy and happiness in life. Meditation serves to ensure your well-being and helps to develop a fundamental aspect of your satisfaction - your mind. Wishing you and your mind the best!

Amazing Presents Every Vegan Will Love

Shopping for vegans can be challenging because it’s easy to accidentally buy something that doesn’t comply with their ethical beliefs. Nothing says disastrous more than getting your vegan friend a lip gloss made from beeswax or a faux leather jacket made from toxic materials like petroleum. Because most vegans are environmentally conscious, you’ll want to make sure that the present you get them is both cruelty-free and green. Here are some amazing presents that every vegan will love.

Juicer

If vegans have one thing in common, it’s probably their love for smoothies and juices. They’re easy to make, they make a hearty breakfast, and they’re just simply delicious. If you have a friend who has just turned vegan, getting them a juicer will make their day. However, it’s not as easy as ordering the first result in your Google search. Juicers come with different functions and for different costs.

For instance, masticating juicers are specially designed to juice leafy greens with minimal waste. However, if your friend consumes lots of fruits and vegetables, a centrifugal juicer might be the better choice. Some juicers, which are on the more expensive side, come with both options so this is the safer bet if you have the budget for it.

Candles

The biggest mistake you can make when shopping for your vegan friend is buying a candle that contributes to environmental pollution. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which when burnt, releases some of the most toxic chemicals into the ether. Further, the smoke that emanates from the wicks contains several carcinogens that double as toxic for humans and pets.

Fortunately, you can still get your vegan friend an eco-friendly candle, just make sure it’s not made from beeswax. The reviewers from https://vegomm.com/best-vegan-candles/ suggest looking for all-natural soy wax alternatives, which are usually scented with essential oils and other natural ingredients that do not harm the user or the planet.

Instant Pot

To consume their recommended consumption of protein, vegans usually eat a lot of beans. It goes without saying that no one likes canned foods, and cooking beans can be very time-consuming and expensive when cooked on the stove; this is where an instant pot comes in handy.

An instant pot also allows them to make many vegan meat alternatives, such as seitan, very easily while steaming vegetables is a breeze with this handy kitchen must-have. Instant pots come in different sizes, so depending on your friend’s needs, you have a lot of options to choose from. They also come with a manual, in case your friend has never used one before and is not familiar with the different timing options on the pot.

Salt Lamp

Salt lamps are currently all the rage, and while they cannot cure diseases or immediately have an effect on energy levels or moods, they have been proven to purify the air and users have reported being in a generally uplifted mood while keeping them lit. Aside from being green and environmentally friendly, since they’re made from completely natural materials, they also make great additions to office décor.

Most salt blocks used are Himalayan, which is known for its pretty pink hues. Some recent research suggests that they are natural ionizers, meaning they alter the electric charge of the atmosphere, making it purer to breathe in and in turn benefiting whoever is near. Aside from giving your friend’s mood a boost, they are also thought to help users fall asleep faster and get better-quality sleep.

Leaf Leather Clothing

Although vegans don’t wear animal-based leather, faux products can be the perfect gift. However, you should know that most vegans are also environmentally conscious and many of them prefer to wear biodegradable clothes. Just any faux leather clothing won’t do. A great alternative is leaf feather, which is made from fallen leaves.

No trees are taken down in the process, so it’s completely green. If you’re wondering how it’s made, the leaves are soaked in water before it’s dyed and then set out to dry. It’s then blended with cotton to provide it with structure. All the ingredients used are non-toxic and the material is comparably durable, too. Other faux leather options may use plastic in the making, and unless it’s recycled, the process and materials used are usually non-recyclable and toxic to the environment.

Those are our recommendations for your vegan loved ones. These options are both environmentally friendly and completely cruelty-free. If you’re unsure if your friend already has the item you have in mind, you can always take them shopping and allow them to pick the item of their choosing. If you’re on a tight budget, always go with biodegradable items or décor made from recycled materials.