Sometimes when you search for serviced apartments, prices can be similar in different places, with one option falling into the luxury accommodation bracket while the other might just be regular self-catering accommodation. What distinguishes luxury accommodation from any other serviced apartment available for rent?

Exclusively listed as a luxury serviced apartment

In most cases, it really is just a matter of listing an apartment for long-term or short-term rent as being a luxury option to push it into the luxury accommodation bracket, but guests still have to be able to see and feel the luxury the paying for.

Location of the apartment building

Some of the best luxury serviced apartments are situated in traditionally unassuming locations, but the location still plays a major role in pushing any serviced apartment into the luxury accommodation bracket.

A traditional Victorian villa located in Clifton, Bristol, converted into a serviced apartment building looks no different on the outside, for instance, but given its location, it can be safely assumed that the apartments on offer are more for the luxury accommodation market.

Exterior decor and styling

The exterior decor and styling almost inherently come with the location of the apartment building, because there are standards to uphold in specific neighborhoods. If for instance the apartment building is located on some kind of high street, that almost automatically pushes it into the luxury accommodation bracket, and its outward appearance has to match that standard.

Interior decor and styling

Luxury self-catering apartments often have some great distinction in their interior styling as well, with the most refined of these buildings priding themselves in a back-story that goes with each individual unit. Often the styling is individualised as well so that you get a different experience each time you stay in a different unit at the same property.

The price

The price factor as can be associated with the luxury element of a serviced apartment perhaps goes without saying, but it’s not a simple matter of the higher the rates, the more luxurious the apartment is.

The highest-priced option at a serviced apartment building in the heart of London might be priced the same as a standard or deluxe apartment in Clifton, Bristol, but that doesn’t mean it matches the one in Clifton in luxury. Distinctions are often made for family accommodation, student accommodation, studio suites, etc, but that’s not all which goes into the pricing and so pricing alone isn’t a direct indicator of the luxuriousness of the serviced apartment.

Distinctive luxury amenities

We made mention of a similarly priced serviced apartment located in London to one perhaps located in a distinctively upmarket area such as Clifton, Bristol, but in addition to that contributing to the induction of a serviced apartment into the luxury bracket, there are also some very distinctive luxury amenities.

Something as simple as Egyptian cotton sheets makes for one such distinction and together with the other such amenities on offer, the whole experience becomes a luxurious one you’d be happy to pay the requisite premium for.

In writing, style is how a writer tells and writes a story. that readers hear when they read it. There are many different factors that go into a writer’s style, including word selection, tone, grammar, structure, and others.

When trying to decide on your style, consider the different elements of style. First, you must decide whether you want a casual, conversational style or one with formal style. You may also decide on the use of pronouns and verbs in your stories. Next, you should think about your background and your experience in writing. Do you know where you got your ideas, and do you know how to use those ideas to write the best work?

You also need to decide on the level of detail or realism you need in your story. How detailed do you want your characters to be? Do you need to use complex language, or is a simple narrative enough? Do you know the rules of good writing, or do you want to use your own?

Your writing should be able to communicate to the reader in an understandable manner. If the story isn’t clear and flows well, your readers won’t enjoy reading it and will likely abandon the book. In fact, many readers will just skim over it. Make sure that your style of writing communicates effectively to your readers, and doesn’t lose focus on the main point. You should never let yourself get sidetracked with other topics that aren’t relevant to the story you’re telling.

Your story also needs to flow smoothly from beginning to end. This can be a challenge for a writer, since the entire novel is involved at one time. However, when you’re writing a short story, you must concentrate on the character and the story and keep it moving along. If you keep it too linear, your reader will lose interest quickly.

Another aspect of style to consider is the level of complexity of the information. Too many characters in a story can make it hard to keep track of all of them at once. If you can’t tell who is who in your novel, or story, it might not feel like the story is complete. Make sure the characters flow with the storyline, not against it. if you want to avoid having to re-read the same scenes over again.

Writing is a process. One good way to keep your style consistent is to write about the same things over in your stories. You don’t have to write about the same people over. However, you should always have some sort of thread throughout your work to bring everything together.

Don’t make the story sound like it’s trying to sell you something. Keep the story interesting and captivating. A good rule of thumb is to always have a conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. This keeps your readers interested.

Your writing should always flow from one paragraph to the next. Don’t forget to pause the narrative after the main events have occurred. Sometimes we can get stuck in a loop and end up repeating the same scenes over. Having your readers interested allows you to move on with your story and not be bogged down by the same events.

Finally, the best thing to remember about writing style is that it is something that you are going to develop as your writing skills improve. and as you become more experienced with writing.

The best way to stay consistent in your writing style is to take notes during the writing process. While you may be writing your novel, take down notes about the things that didn’t flow well. and make sure to go back and correct them before you turn your book in.

The physical manifestations of your brand are often one of the most powerful tools when it comes to developing good brand awareness for your business. Whilst this is true many make the mistake of investing in a lot of promotional items for trade fairs that are often thrown away as quickly as they are acquired by potential customers.

The same is not true for custom paper bags. If you are a retailer of any kind with a physical store, then custom paper bags are a great way to get your promotional items to customers through a product that they can reuse in the future. This is why you need to take advantage of your bagging system, by offering custom paper bags to customers rather than your run of the mill wholesale ones. But what exactly are the different changes you can make on a custom paper bag?

1. You have control over the logo and branding on the bag

Getting your branding on a custom paper bag will help you stand out from the competition. Adding the logo to your bag will help strengthen your brand and increase the chances of your branding getting out there. Whilst this is a great marketing opportunity, you need to make sure the design is professional and fits in with the overall style of the bag. Do not make the design too big or too small as this could detract from the promotional objective.

• You can change the style and colour of the handle

In addition to the creative control you have over the logo design on the custom paper bag, you can also change the handle to meet your marketing objectives. Whilst wholesale products will often offer only one type of handle, custom paper bags allow you to create handles from different materials with a wide range of colour options to match the aesthetic of the rest of the bag. Just make sure to pick a material and colour that will complement your logo whilst also offering good functionality.

• You can develop promotional copy for the exterior of the bag

Copywriting is a key skill in many areas of marketing and one possible area where you may be able to get ahead of the competition is with the copy on a custom paper bag. Carefully chosen words could be used to convey a promotional message on a new sale season or a playful tagline that works with the overall branding of the business. Make sure you are economical with your words as the potential real estate for the copy on a custom paper bag is much smaller than in other online and offline mediums.

Make sure every custom change has been made for a marketing purpose

So, there you have it. Hopefully, we have enlightened you on some of the different options you have when it comes to customising paper bags. However, you need to avoid the common pitfall of change for change’s sake. Make sure all the features of the custom paper bag have been added to serve a particular marketing purpose. This will make investing in them worthwhile for your business in the future.

As the summer quickly approaches, your air-conditioning unit is likely to become your new favorite appliance. Like with any appliance, it’s your responsibility to be mindful of your AC’s wellbeing and to make sure it’s able to continue to live a happy and healthy life. Even the best care can only go so far, though, and with the hottest months of the year ahead, you can be sure to expect some additional strain. As your resident air-conditioning doctors, we’re ready and able to diagnose and treat any maladies your unit might deal with. Here are a few common air-conditioning unit problems and how we can fix them.

Thermostat Misreading the Room

There is a common fear among many homeowners: fear of the thermostat. While many new smart thermostats are designed to be as easy to use as possible, many older units can be frustrating to operate. Due to this, what may seem like serious air-conditioning unit problems can just come down to a few tweaked settings or improper readings.

First, check to see if your thermostat is in direct sunlight. The extra heat may cause it to misjudge the temperature of the room, making the air conditioner work harder than necessary. Second, make sure the thermostat and any additional temperature registers are properly clear and clean. If they’re covered in dust or blocked by furniture, they may not be able to properly assess the room.

If you’re sure there are no external factors interfering with the readings but something still seems off, it may be time to consult the operator’s manual. It may not be the most exciting piece of literature, but it will help you determine if your thermostat is correctly programmed and calibrated to manage the temperature in your home.

Clogged Airflow from a Filthy Filter

Since your air conditioner is constantly taking air in, there is always a danger of dust and other particulate matter getting into the unit and damaging it. In order to continue functioning properly, your air conditioner employs a heavy-duty air filter. This filter is essential to the operation of the unit, providing a first line of defense against external contaminants.

Despite this, a filter itself can frequently be the cause of air-conditioning unit problems. Eventually, the filter will catch so much material that it actually prevents proper airflow through the unit. With a clogged filter, your fans will need to work harder to pull air through the system, your condenser coils are at risk of freezing over, and water may even build up and leak out into your home. All of this can cause undue strain and damage, costing you more money down the line.

Luckily, air filters are designed to be removed and replaced. If your filter is at the end of its life span, all you need to do is take it out and pop in a new one.

Outside Heat Leaking Inside

It takes a lot of energy to maintain a comfortable climate on a hot day, and one of the most common air-conditioning unit problems we see is outdoor heat sneaking in. Like with your thermostat, be sure that you’re keeping direct sunlight out of your home if at all possible. Even with the windows shut, that hot midday sun can quickly heat up a room. Shutting the blinds or curtains can be surprisingly effective at mitigating outdoor heat, but that’s only when sunlight is the problem.

If you have a break or leak in your actual ventilation system, you have a much bigger problem on your hands. Not only will your cool air be escaping out into the walls or out of the house, but warm air may get into the ventilation. If you think there might be a leak in your ventilation, you need the help of a professional to assess the situation and patch it up.

Low Refrigerant Reducing Cooling

At the heart of your air-conditioning unit lies the evaporator coils, working hard to chill all the air that passes through them. These coils utilize refrigerant to both cool air and remove humidity, allowing the unit to do its job. If your system is operating with a low level of refrigerant, you have a serious air-conditioning unit problem. While it might seem like the solution is just to add more refrigerant, the situation is much more complicated than that.

If your refrigerant is low, you’re most likely also dealing with a leak along the refrigerant line. Even if you try to just top it off, you’ll keep losing refrigerant until the leak is fixed. In addition to that, refrigerant is a harmful chemical compound and should not be handled by anyone without the right training and experience. In that situation, you’ll need the help of a professional HVAC technician. They will be able to find and seal any leaks in the line, as well as safely refill the refrigerant.

Mechanical Malfunction in the Unit Itself

Your air conditioner is a complicated piece of machinery, with many moving parts all working in unison to provide your home with cool, refreshing air. With that degree of complication, it’s almost inevitable that something will eventually go wrong. If you’ve checked all the external factors but are still dealing with undetermined air-conditioning unit problems, it may come down to one of the components giving out.

Should you need unit repairs, the team at Entek is more than happy to help. Our trained HVAC technicians are well-equipped to assess and repair your unit, allowing you to get your air conditioning up and running again in no time.

While it’s impossible to predict exactly if and when a part in your air conditioner might break, it’s possible to prevent the problem in the first place. If you want to avoid any surprise repairs in the future, we highly recommend planning and scheduling regular air conditioning maintenance. The vast majority of problems you might run into can be easily prevented with regular inspections and tune-ups, allowing you to enjoy your indoor climate uninterrupted. So whether or not you’re dealing with air conditioning unit problems right now, feel free to get in touch.

Outdoor furniture can be expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment if you choose the right timber. When choosing outdoor furniture, it is key to ensure that the material it is made from is long-lasting, attractive, and sustainably sourced.  

Teak is one of the most durable and strongest of all the hardwoods and is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Take a look at why below.

Resistance to pests and weather

Teak is rich in natural protective oils which repels water. This keeps it from warping, cracking or becoming brittle and makes it incredible durable.  

Teak is perfect for garden furniture as it can withstand all types of weather including heavy rains, windy storms, winter frost and boiling sunshine without becoming damaged. The same natural oils that protect teak against weather, also serve as a repellent against insects and termites which means you can rest assured that your teak garden furniture will keep in good condition.

Low maintenance

Top-grade teak is very low maintenance thanks to its natural oils and does not need varnishing or other chemical treatments that some outdoor furniture might need. Teak will change colour over time if left untreated, so to preserve the colour you can coat it with a varnish.

Long lasting and stylish

Teak outdoor furniture is a great investment that is sure to last a lifetime, so don’t be afraid to get out and purchase some. As well as sitting alongside you whilst your family grows, teak will look good whilst doing it thanks to its striking wood grain and it’s elegant silver-grey patina colour that it has when weathered.

As the war on plastic rages on, many more businesses are now (thankfully) turning to plastic bag alternatives as a means of providing customers with something to carry their new purchases home with.

 Plastic bag causes a lot of pollution both in terms of the plastic they leave in the oceans and the greenhouse gases that they put in the air. However, switching from plastic to reusable bags is not an easy choice as it at first seems. There are lots of different options on the market and here we will show you why organic jute bags may be the perfect option for your business.

• Organic jute bags are the most durable reusable bag on the market

The durability of a bag is important as it will go part way to determining how much it can carry. This is the department where greener options like paper bags often fail. Organic jute bags, however, are some of the most durable options on the market. The stiffness and high fibre strengths make carrying large heavy items a doddle.

• Organic jute has a natural feel other reusable bags do not

If you are trying to market your company as eco-friendly and natural, getting the right products for your store is essential. And there are few better ways of conveying this message than through an organic jute bag. The material has a much more natural feel than paper or cotton and this makes them very popular with consumers.

• It is cost-effective to produce organic jute bags at scale

Financial factors also play a big role in determining which reusable bag you go for. Due to their relatively low production costs, organic jute bags are very economical to produce at scale. This makes them popular in the UK and a popular export for trading nations; which leads us nicely onto point number 4.

• Buying organic jute means supporting industry in developing nations

Having an ethical and traceable supply chain is becoming more important for businesses as consumers become more aware of where their products are coming from. The majority of the world’s jute is produced in Asian countries like India and Bangladesh. If you buy organic jute that is fair trade and traceable, it gives you another tool to use in your marketing. It also helps you become more ethical as a company.

A good supplier puts a lot of creative control in your hands

The reasons listed above are all great reasons why your business should consider organic jute bags as a plastic alternative in your stores. In addition to their physical benefits, many top bag suppliers are now offering them as part of their printing business. If you go with a printer experienced in printing on jute, you can have a lot of creative control over the final design. This is great if you have a very specific end design in mind for your organic jute bags.

A cure or vaccination for COVID-19 has yet to be discovered, which means that the best method moving forward is prevention. Social distancing and reducing contact with potential viruses can help significantly, but your real first defense is your immune system. If you do catch the virus, you need your immune system to be on form to fight the virus off.

The best way to boost your immune system is by fuelling it with the vitamins and nutrients it needs.  

The Top 10 Vitamins to Stay Well During COVID-19

All vitamins and nutrients are important because it’s only when your body is fully equipped in all areas that your immune system can fight effectively. That being said, there are some that are more important than others for boosting your immune system and helping you stay well during COVID-19.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most popular vitamin because of its pervasive use in dealing with colds. This is because it can help reduce symptoms, boost the immune system, and also works with the body’s healing process.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is another big one when it comes to the immune system, and with COVID-19, it can also help by boosting function in the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

The Vitamin B family

There are multiple B vitamins, including B1, B6, and niacinamide (a B3 variant). Together, they all work towards helping boost your immune system. Vitamin B will also play a crucial role in your energy levels, boost brain function, and improve cell metabolism. B vitamins play a critical role in your cell health and are very effective at preventing infections.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is essential to help your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Calcium, on top of keeping bones strong, it also is a key ingredient to heart health. Phosphorus also works towards bone health and allows us to make protein. This protein then improves the cell life cycle, including the repair and maintenance of all tissue.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and works to protect your cells from something known as free radicals. These free radicals are important, as they turn food into energy, but can damage our cells if not kept in check.

Vitamin K1

Another vitamin that is important for heart health and your cardiovascular system is K1, which works to create prothrombin.

Dexpanthenol

Dexpanthenol has been shown to promote cell proliferation and protect what is known as the epithelium. In short, it works to help towards wound healing and boosts the immune system.

How to Get These Vitamins

There is a variety of ways to can get these vitamins. You could boost your immune system in a single day with a resetiv.com flu recovery package that contains all the vitamins your body will need to beat the flu.

Even with this booster, however, improving your diet to get these vitamins on a regular basis is how you will stay healthy and, if you do get sick, give your body everything it needs to fight it off effectively. Think of the flu recovery IV as getting fighting fit, while your healthy diet is to get you through the marathon.

by Violet Knight

Unless your name is Patrick Star—of the cartoon variety, not the beauty guru—and you live under a literal rock, you’re undoubtedly aware that a large derriere and puffed up pout are still reigning as the most sought-after body modifications of the new decade. While some folks are embracing confidence no matter what their body shape (with a section of this demographic instead focusing on the importance of character and personal merit), another slice of the population has become obsessed with emulating celebrity beauty trends. These naturally unattainable goals have led to a massive spike in plastic surgery, with lip injections, fillers, and implants topping the list.

If we take a look at history, however, we can see that body trends come and go; at one point not so long ago, thin brows with high arches were all the rage and being stick-skinny was seen as the ultimate body type. Hairstyles, too, have changed drastically over the years, as have opinions regarding curves, piercings, acrylic nail styles, and a host of other body modification possibilities.

While some people insist on going under the knife or subjecting themselves to chemical injections in order to achieve what they hope will be a more idealized face or figure, there are a host of other non-permanent, non-surgical alternatives, especially when it comes to creating the appearance of full lips. Read on for a thorough ‘how-to’ on plumping your lips without using any injections or fillers.

OPTICAL ILLIPSION

The first method was re-popularized circa 2014 by King Kylie, herself: overlining the lips. It only takes a short browse through some YouTube beauty videos or an “Instagram realities” page to realize the full power and potential of makeup. 

The fantastic part about this option is that it offers the most natural look. Yes, the full-size lip is an unnatural phenomenon at its core, but it’s also a trend that can create an unpredictable and serious imbalance in the face. Unfortunately, this can quickly result in either regret or a feeling of needing more procedures to “even it out.” When working with makeup, we can create the illusion of a larger eye, smaller nose, more well-defined face, and of course, fuller lips—with zero surgeries, fillers, or injections needed.

This method also gives you free reign to try your puffy pout in a wide range of colors and styles. You can try lining your lips to their natural shape, or you can create a new shape if you prefer. Want a more defined cupid’s bow? Need some extra help on the top lip, but not the bottom? Wish your lips rounded out instead of cutting on a diagonal? Just draw it in! Pair your liner with a complementary lipstick, and enjoy your handiwork whenever it suits you. Being able to play with your lip shape is not a fluid option when dealing with injections and fillers, which is another major perk to this playful solution.

PLUMP, PLUMP, PLUMP IT UP

Depending on your age, you may remember the rise of lip plumping glosses back in the 1990s. These sticky, high-shine formulas created fuller-looking lips predominantly by irritating them; formulas would include ingredients known to sting the skin, which was markedly painful but did effectively call on the body to increase blood flow to the lips, making them look plumper for a short period of time.

The current plumping glosses on the market take a varied approach, with some repackaging the old technology and others adding to it or solely using new ingredients. These new formulas strive to increase collagen and elastin in the lips, which works to fill in lip lines, minimize cracking and improve the overall appearance of lips. As a result, lips visually appear fuller and more hydrated with continued use.

As a word of warning, it’s important to read the package when dealing with plumping glosses. Some of these products have a limit on safe usage per day, some are offering only short-term results, and others are meant to slowly enhance lips for a longer period of time. With the latter option, the typical time frame advertised is about two weeks; these products may or may not include a short-term plumping effect, as well. So long as you know what you’re buying, there shouldn’t be much disappointment to deal with.

KEEP, KEEP, KEEP IT UP

Another interesting technology to try is the handheld lip plumping device. There are a number of these circulating nowadays with varied instructions for use, but the same general outcome. Some of these devices are battery-powered, while others use your own breath to create a suction field around the lips. As extreme suction can lead to lip bruising, consider first trying a plumping device that has a number of intensity levels or the ability for you to control the suction on your own, and work your way up slowly.

There are definitely a number of perks to the handheld device route. First off, you can carry these babies around in your purse or bag and refresh your look whenever it suits you. While the makeup option can last all day long, the results of plumping glosses and lip plumping devices tend to fade faster. Being able to discreetly refresh your pout on the go (even sans mirror) is a significant bonus!

Adding to the allure of these devices is the fact that you don’t have to wear any makeup at all if you so choose. The main reason I shy away from cosmetic products is that they can be incredibly time-consuming, so you really have to want the results if you’re going to regularly dedicate the time. For others out there like me, who would rather get up and go, using a handheld device means that bare lips or your favorite lip balm is plenty good enough.

THE THICK AND THIN OF IT

Whatever your preferred style, it’s worth it to play around before deciding to take the more dangerous step of opting for injections or fillers. Aside from the fact that you could leave the doctor’s office looking botched and feeling tremendous pain, these treatments do have long-term consequences. Even if your fillers or injections look excellent at the outset, these products are notorious for creating bumpy, uneven lip texture which will remain with you for the rest of your life, even with routine maintenance.

There’s no shame in choosing to live your best life, but it’s always wise to weigh your options and be sure that following a temporary trend is going to be worth it in the end.

Resources: WebMD, Chicago Tribune

Changing your home décor can help to refresh your space, improve your mood, and encourage you to spend more time at home in 2020. However, it can be challenging to know where to start and which trends to follow when you are looking to decorate. If you are looking for some essential home décor tips to get you through the year, look no further than this list, which explains how to choose home décor that you will love for many years to come.

1.   Opt for Leather

Opting for quality leather furniture is an excellent start if you want to rejuvenate the look of your home, especially if you are concerned that your home has previously looked out-of-date or old-fashioned. Leather furniture surpasses any of the latest trends; instead, leather has remained popular for decades. Its longevity is due to its beauty, as well as its ability to make your rooms look smart and neat. Not only this, but it is essential to consider whether your furniture is easy to clean when changing your décor, and leather fits this criterion, needing only a clean with a damp cloth to look brand new again.

2.   Go for the Minimalist Look

When you are designing your perfect room, it can be easy to decide on a hundred different pieces of furniture that you cannot live without. However, you should try to cut down on your new furniture to create a minimalist look. Not only will it make your rooms look spacious and smart, but you will be thankful when it comes to your annual spring clean. You can achieve this look by opting for monochrome or neutral colors, investing in large storage containers, and taking trinkets off sideboards and windowsills.

3.   Make it Comfortable

Even if you are planning to create a professional and smart environment for you and your family, you must make it as comfortable as possible. You should remember that you will be spending most of your time within your home and that your house should be the place where you can sit back and relax in relative comfort. You can make your home cozy by investing in soft furnishings, installing a fireplace that can keep you warm on winter nights, buying flexible sofas, and investing in a high-quality bed frame.

4.   Be Wary of New Trends

Although it might be tempting to ensure that your new décor replicates the rooms you have seen in glossy magazines and on interior design websites, you should be wary of following any seasonal trends. Your furniture can last for 20 years or more and will outlast any of the latest fashions. This means that if you fall victim to any of 2020’s fads, you will likely need to shell out hundreds of pounds to stay up-to-date in the future. Instead, you should decorate your home in your own style and invest in long-lasting and classic furniture that will outlive the trends of 2020.