2015 Wedding Trends: Top Ideas for Your Upcoming Big Day

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If you’re planning your 2015 wedding, then you need to know about next year’s top wedding trends. From the flowers to color motif to wedding dress, here’s a roundup of everything you need to know so nothing is missing from your big day.

Themes and Décor

Informal and unconventional weddings are a big hit. The hottest trend in décor and themes for 2015 weddings is bohemian-chic or rustic style. The idea is to create a very personal and intimate atmosphere as if you’ve brought together your family and friends at home.

This theme’s focus is on long wooden tables and chairs instead of the round ones. For brides and grooms who won’t simply give up on their idea of a glamorous wedding, copper would be a good alternative to the typical gold and silver. White twinkly lights will set the mood and create a cozy feel to the venue.

Color Motif

The top color pick for 2015 weddings are En Plein Air, which means “in the open air.” Think of gentle and soft muted hues. Aquamarine will be present everywhere next wedding season. This color is cool and ethereal and may even prove to be a stress reducer! As an added bonus, it’s an amazing way to cross off your something blue. Scuba blue, Lucite green, and toasted almond are the other colors that will be popular.

Flowers

The flowers used in weddings are also going to be rustic and country inspired. The floral arrangements and bridal bouquets will be composed of flowers that seem freshly picked right off the field. Using seasonal flowers remains a huge trend, as well as incorporating the season’s elements in the arrangement themselves.

Wedding Dress

2015 brides will have many and gorgeous trends to choose from when it comes to wedding dresses. It is going to be the year of vintage dresses, with defined silhouettes, but also models off shoulder tops. In terms of necklines, the trends are higher necklines with embroidered details or deep V necklines.

Invitations

The rustic feel that will rule a good part of the 2015 wedding trends is also extended to the invitations. The focus is mainly on the font or fonts used, giving importance to what is written. In lettering, silver will replace gold. If you’re looking to create a unique wedding invitation, consider using unexpected shapes (cutouts, for instance) and watercolors and pastel hues.

Year End Recap: Most Popular Songs that Ruled the Charts of 2014

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The year of the horse is coming to an end and as a certified music lover, I’ve tried my best to compile the most popular songs of 2014. After reviewing the music charts and choosing from more than a hundred songs, here’s the list of songs that stand out among others (in no particular order):

9. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor

More than a pop song with an infectious beat, Meghan’s debut hit “All About That Bass” is a song of self-acceptance that makes it soar beating Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” off the charts.

8. Stay with Me – Sam Smith

Rooting in the very basic elements of soul and a touch of Gospel, Smith heartbreakingly croons to his mystery lover and begs to stay with him. “Stay With Me” is the third track off Smith’s debut album In The Lonely Hour.

7. Anaconda – Nicki Minaj

Upon release, the song has met generally positive reviews from music critics that praised the song’s production and Nicki’s return to her hip-hop roots. It spends eight consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Hot 100 chart.

6. All of Me – John Legend

Dedicated to the love of his life, John Legend confesses his love through this love song. With the combination of his piano skills and rich and textured vocals, there’s no doubt it is named “the love song of 2014.”

5. Chandelier – Sia

The lyrics describe a girl trying to avoid feelings of sadness, pain, and shame through sex and alcohol. The video starred by Maddie Ziegler portrays a girl that drinks and parties all night to shield herself from emotions.

4. Fancy – Iggy Azalea (ft. Charlie XCX)

Described as an electro hop song, “Fancy” reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Azalea and Charlie XCX’s first number one holding the spot for seven consecutive weeks.

3. Crush – 2NE1

“Crush” sung by 2NE1, a girl quartet from South Korea, breaks the record by being the first K-pop act to notch an entry on the annual ranks since 1995.

2. Steal My Girl – One Direction

“Steal My Girl” is one of 1D’s deliriously fun single since “Kiss You”, a chunk of rock music so chewy that it can dominate your whole afternoon if you’re not careful.

1. Blank Space – Taylor Swift

“Blank Space” from her blockbuster album 1989 dooms a new romance from the start and takes some responsibility for its inevitable demise.

The Top 10 Most Weight Loss Friendly Foods on the Planet

Photo © Alan Cleaver

Do you know that there are certain foods that can help you shed the extra pounds? It sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s for real!

The following foods can help you feel full longer, curb cravings, and even kick up your metabolism. So if you want to be healthy and lose those excess fats, take this list when you go to the supermarket:

1. Whole Eggs

Eggs are among the “best foods” you can eat if you need to lose weight. They are nutrient dense and can help you get all the nutrients you need on a calorie-restricted diet. You can find most of the nutrients in the yolks.

2. Salmon

Big and oily fishes like salmon are incredibly healthy. They are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation, known to play a major role in obesity and metabolic disease.

3. Boiled Potatoes

Root vegetables like potato are high in potassium, a nutrient that plays a vital role in blood pressure control. Eating white, boiled potatoes will naturally make you feel full and eat less of other foods.

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collards are low in both calories and carbs, but loaded with fiber. They also have calcium that aid fat burning in some studies.

5. Avocados

Avocado is a unique type of fruit. Whereas most fruit is high in carbs, avocados are full of healthy fats that also found in olive oil. They also contain vital nutrients such as potassium and fiber.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Taking this at the same time as a high carb meal can increase feeling of fullness and make people eat 200-275 fewer calories for the rest of the day. It is also known to reduce blood sugar spikes after meals that may lead to long term good effects on health.

7. Quinoa

Quinoa is packed with protein, amino acids, phytosterols, and vitamin E that helps lessen body fat, body weight, and food intake.

8. Honey

Known to be a nutritious alternative to sugar, honey can improve blood sugar control, is a cough suppressant, and boosts immunity.

9. Cocoa

Cocoa contains more antioxidants that can reduce degeneration of aortic arteries and blunts fat deposition. Studies show that a bit of dark chocolate daily strengthens the heart, boosts mood, and keeps skin young.

10. Full-fat Yoghurt

Yoghurt contains probiotic bacteria that can improve the function of your gut, making you leptin resistant, which is the main hormonal driver of obesity.

How Can a LinkedIn Profile Boost Your Hiring Chances?

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Living in a digital age is but a worthwhile experience. This is where odd ideas meet reality.

If you are a job seeker, you should know how to take advantage of the modern tools to boost your chances for your target job. Apart from making a paper resume, you should also prepare a good online profile. You don’t know how far it can lead you to succeed in your job pursuit.

Now is the right time to improve your online “strength” through LinkedIn.

Why It Matters

LinkedIn is the most important networking site for professionals like you. Here are the reasons why having this social page can boost your career growth:

• It serves as your online resume. Like a paper resume, a LinkedIn profile contains sections that speak about your qualifications and strengths.
• Hiring managers use it. The recruitment process has drastically changed for it now entails browsing of LinkedIn profiles. If you have a good profile, chances are you will get shortlisted.
• Get an “unexpected” invitation for a job interview. Yes, this is possible. Even if you do not seek a job from a certain firm, hiring manager can see your professional record and might invite you to join the company.
• See yourself on Google search results. More often than not, LinkedIn pages get high ranking than other web pages (when one searches for people’s names).

Do It Right

Your LinkedIn profile is your tool to market yourself, even if you go offline. That said, it is imperative that you always keep it updated and striking.

How will you improve your LinkedIn account and the results shown by the profile strength meter? Here are some tips for you:

• Add content. Upon registration, provide all the required info. The more details you give, the higher your profile strength it can get.

• Upload a good photo. Show your professionalism. Your profile picture must be a head shot photo of (only) you wearing corporate attire. The background must be solid, light-colored.

• Cite your skills. If possible, ask former and current colleagues and bosses to recommend you for your acquired skills.

• Add connections and join groups. Joining groups in your field is a way to prove your expertise. Be an active member.

• Share relevant content. Do this on a regular basis to maintain a good profile.

• Avoid any error. Maintain an error-free career summary. Make it a habit to proofread it or ask someone to check it for possible errors.

Make a superb LinkedIn profile and you’re getting closer to job opportunities.

Best Places to Visit with the Family This Christmas

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Are you planning to travel with your family this holiday season? Here are some of the places where people best celebrates Christmas.

1. New York City, NY

Christmas in New York is timeless and beautiful. Aside from the Rockefeller Center and its world-famous Christmas tree, the carriage ride through Central Park brings you to the Currier and Ives era in the middle of Manhattan.

2. Amsterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Dutch people have two Christmas celebrations: toys and gift giving on Dec. 5; and family gathering and food feast on Dec. 25. Between these days, Amsterdam is filled with white lights, shopping avenues, and frozen canals where everyone is enjoying an ice-skating party.

3. Santa Claus, Indiana

Living up with its name, this town is packed with Santa-themed shops and attractions such as Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa Claus Museum, and Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari. Since 1914, a group of “Santa’s Elves” from the town has made it their mission to answer each child’s letter sent to Santa.

4. Philippines

Known as the country to have the longest Christmas season, carols is heard as early as September and lasts until January. As one of two predominantly Christian countries in Asia, Simbang Gabi or night mass is observed starting December 16 to Christmas Eve. Folk beliefs hold that God grants the special wish of a devotee that hears all nine Masses.

5. Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Dubbed as Santa’s “true base of operations”, thousands of visitors all over Europe tours the Santa Claus Village and Santa Park every year. The locals offer tours of Santa’s workshops where you can buy souvenirs, encounter real reindeer, and visit the big man himself.

6. Paris, France

Known as The City of Light, Paris maintains its reputation. During Christmas, strings of white lights, in all shapes, line the boulevards and shopping streets. High-end stores put on elaborate displays that attract crowds from all over the world.

Sounds fun? Book your flights now for some travel agencies give discounts to early birds. Remember that it is always the best to spend the holiday season with your loved ones.

How to Live Happily Being Single

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Whenever there are talks about single women, it is common to have some questions. Why don’t they settle down? Do they have a failed relationship?

For those who live a single life, it is their choice or the situation asks for it. It could be because of their partners’ death or a breakup. Whatever the reasons, you still have a good life to face.

We are in a society where there are single women. The good news is, they all cope and live a happy life. Here are ways on how to stay happy being single.

The Rules to Stay Happy

1.    Remind yourself that being single is not a weakness. It won’t be a bad mark on your personality. What will be a point against you is if you let this mess up your life.

2.    Create positive thoughts. There could be doubts on how you are going to live your life through the coming years. Insecurity may pull down your esteem. It is just normal to have a wavering feeling. But this should not weaken your aim to move on and live better. So look at yourself as a strong person who can live without relying on a partner.

3.    Bust out the old-maid myth. Don’t think that living without a partner will make your life less happy and meaningful. This is just an old adage to fill up a garbage can. You are a brave person that can redefine singleness into a fabulous concept. Isn’t it that behind every successful man is a woman? So who says that you can’t thrive on your own?

4.    Be thankful for what you have. Look around you and you have so much to appreciate. You still have your family, good friends, or children. They will always be there to listen and support you. What’s more, being single is not a glitch to solve. It is not as distressing as the problems on hunger, illness, and homelessness. You still have a worry-free life to take care and to endure.

5.    Focus on worthwhile things. Being single is not the end of the world. It should not stop you from you living. Now, you have all the time to improve yourself. You may take a new course to hone yourself to another field. If you are working, you can go for an extra job. These things will make you productive while forgetting past experience.

In truth, you should take pride to live in singleness. You are great and more than capable to live a happy and fulfilling life. You can find many benefits; thus, never regret being single.

Social Media Pages: The Hidden Keys to Business Growth

Photo credit: Forbes.com

The Internet has gone a long way. From its humble beginnings, it has grown to become a powerful tool that rules the world. It is more than a storage of global information—it is now a way of life, seems like the air that we breathe.

Not only people make the most out of the Net. Even businesses do.

Social media sites are a hit in recent times. And they exist not just to let people connect with others but also to earn a living. Yes, you read that one right!

Techniques to Try

If only all FB and Twitter users know how to use their accounts wisely to earn money, perhaps there would be lesser number of poor people.

So, you’re now convinced about the power of networking sites to start and/or grow a business?

Here are a few marketing techniques that you should employ to boost your online presence and achieve business growth:

• Video – Videos are still a hit for all types of netizens. Create one that advertises your business and upload it to various video-sharing sites (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, etc.). You’ll soon see it going viral across social channels.

• Hashtag – It seems hashtags are here to stay for good. Not only Twitter makes use of this scheme to let users know the latest trends; other sites have also applied it. In using a # sign, be creative. Include your business name to create a buzz, start a discussion, and make it searchable online.

• Facebook Ad – This may annoy FB users but not always and not all users. This is not very expensive as you might think. In fact, this is an ideal investment for a startup or small business. Make an enticing ad and it will surely give you a good conversion.

• Optimization – As long as SEO exists, social media optimization will never die. Keeping an updated social page for your business will let you gain due consideration from search engines. A maintained account is deemed relevant; thus giving you much higher rank.

• Picture – Instagram is a new yet powerful platform for marketers. Through it, they can earn money via sharing of pictures and succinct messages.

Mobile Version

Whatever technique(s) you choose to employ, be sure that you have a good mobile version of it. This way, you can reach much more audience.

These schemes can guarantee a profitable boost. Employ them and see your business growing at a breakneck speed.

Social media pages are, indeed, useful marketing tools and opportunities disguised as a mere social platform online. Discover them now!

Trending Christmas Decorating Ideas for 2014

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Christmas décor trends change from year to year to keep your home from becoming boring. They can also bring a dramatic and exciting change to your home’s ambience or give a feel of serenity and tranquillity to your house guests. The following ideas will give you some insight as to what the new trends so that you can begin planning your holiday décor.

• Shimmer and Shine. Inclusion of metallic accessories is one of the top home décor trends for 2014. Adding lots of gold and silver in your decors is going to be a popular trend. Using oversized gold bows and ribbons on the tree is better than just tiny shiny ornaments. This is also the best time to add some vintage gold framed mirrors, which you can hung on the wall or place on a table as the base display.

• Tranquil ThemesUsing a white tree with turquoise, pale blue, light green, or any pastel-colored decors is a trendy way to add tranquillity to your home. Be conservative for decors you put in a room if you want to achieve serenity. Less is always the best when creating a serene atmosphere.

• Exciting and Bold. Unleash your artistic touch this year through your Christmas decors. Colors such as purple, bright pink, rich turquoise, brilliant red, and emerald green are the ideal base tones to use. Rich colors with a metallic finish combine beautifully with dark shades of purple and turquoise.

• Vintage Re-purposed Decors. Vintage decorative accessories have already made their mark into the modern and contemporary trends. Vintage ornaments can attractively be infused into the modern home decors. Re-purposing items from the past is among the among the trendy 2014 holiday decorating themes.

• Textures. The use of textures to create visual interest in a room is also in the list of home décor trends. You can apply the trend using faux furs to create beautiful Christmas displays. Natural elements such as sisal and burlap blend well with woodland holiday décor themes.

Do you love these ideas or got other themes to decorate your home this coming Christmas? Share your thoughts with us. We would love to hear from you!

Why Do Huge Shopping Spree on November?

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Looking for big sales? Here’s one good tip: you will find some low-cost products at a certain time. 

Whether you want to buy gadgets, book a flight, or lease a car, there is a right time for each. For wise shoppers, November is the best month to make more purchases. Though there are deals on other months, you will still get more savings during November.

Here are some reasons this month is the best time to shop:

Photo credit: slidingwardrobeworld.com

1.   Find best deals. Aside from Halloween, get big discounts during November. It is not a surprise that products hit their rock-bottom price on this month. As stores begin to sell items for the Christmas season, they mark down prices of other products. Also, you will find low-cost toys and other gift items for the upcoming holidays.

2.   Stores begin to push their old stuffs. Traders will replace old stuffs. They will dispense these items by dropping the price. If you want to buy a car, this is the best time as new model comes out. Haggle your way down for good old car models as you can get one with a low price. Meanwhile, digital cameras and some tech gadgets have the same story. So you can buy these stuffs in a reduced cost.

3.   The market has enough supply. Prices are low because supplies of products are ample. Take for instance, cookware and kitchen tools. They are popular items for the season; hence, you will find them in every market. 

Photo credit: happynew-year.org

4.   Black Friday sale. In the US, Black Friday is a retail blowout right after the Thanksgiving Day. Massive savings, both online and around the country, entices millions of US shoppers.  You can get a 20% to 75% discounts on various products. The idea of Black Friday is to make a bigger profit. It coined its name from the theory that black ink is a mark for profits

 5.   Cold off-season. This is the start of a colder season. Buyers will move away from cooling products. As such, traders will cut off the prices to push these products. These are air conditioners, fridges, freezers, coolers, and electric fans. If you are into gardening, you will find plants to have cheap prices, too.