Happy Monday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Ours was sweet as my sister came to visit for a little bit on Saturday and it was so delightful to be able to spend some time with her. 

Today I am so excited to start sharing a new series that I will be doing on the blog each week- "What I Wore Teaching" focusing on Cozy Luxury Fashion for High School Teachers. Typically this series will be on Fridays, but to kick things off I am doing a couple of these posts this week to catch up on the school year so far! *smiles* 

 If we are connected on Instagram (click HERE to connect and say "hello") then you have seen me post some stories with some pictures of my teaching outfits. I have been overwhelmed by the response and it makes me excited because if you know me you know that I love fashion and creating a cozy luxury, affordable, European-Boho look. 

So shown below are pictures and then with information of where you can find similar pieces! Just click on the specific link that you are interested in to find the piece or a piece similar to that one (that sometimes I have found at a more affordable rate!). I hope that you love this series each week (whether or not you are a teacher)! 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

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Being addicted to something could be considered a chronic health problem. It’s an issue that plagues your life every single day and has a direct impact on your wellbeing. You can be addicted to so many things in life - even social media is an addiction. The telltale signs of addiction are that you find yourself doing the same thing all the time with no control over what you’re doing. It’s an impulse, you feel compelled to do that thing, or else your life won’t be complete. The best way to know you have an addiction is to see how you feel without this thing in your life. If you suspect an alcohol addiction, don’t drink for a few days. Your body will instantly shut down and scream out at you for this substance. If you feel sick and have the urge to drink to heal the pain, you’re addicted. 

Addictions are tough things that can ruin many lives. Nevertheless, you can kick your addiction to the curb. Regardless of what you’re addicted to, these rules will help you banish it and get on with your life:

The hardest thing about kicking an addiction is dealing with the gaping hole in your life.  The good news is that there are always replacements. Going through withdrawal from an addiction is not easy - especially not if you drink or use drugs. However, rechargeable vapes are a good replacement for smoking as you gradually withdraw from it. Eventually, you can even let go of the vaping and feel free. If you’re used to doing something over and over again, it’s almost impossible to suddenly go without it. So, you can fill this hole with a replacement that mimics the addiction without being problematic. If you smoke, throw away the cigarettes and get some starter kits for vapes instead. You mimic the act of smoking without filling your lungs with addictive and damaging toxins. If you drink alcohol, switch to non-alcoholic drinks instead. They taste similar, but you don’t have the addictive substance. You can make the switch to your replacement a gradual process to avoid going full cold turkey. 

Addiction plays on your mind in multiple different ways. There are some very strong links between mental health and addiction - the two are heavily interlinked and can cause an ongoing spiral. If you’re having bad thoughts, you’re more likely to slip back into your addiction. This will cause more bad thoughts, so the cycle continues. To address this, look at ways to occupy your mind. Take up a hobby, go for a run, start exercising, etc. All of these ideas will fill your mind with different thoughts and can also release endorphins that make you feel happier. You don’t have time to think about your addiction, meaning you slowly go off it. 

One final note about addiction - you must talk about your problems. Reach out to friends and family and let them know of your problem. Go to support groups and speak to people there. This gets a huge weight off your chest and also creates a support network. You’re no longer alone as many other people are supporting you and making sure you kick your bad habits. 

In conclusion, addiction is a serious thing that plagues your physical and mental well being. If you spot the telltale signs of addiction in yourself, you have to take action to reclaim both your life and your health. 

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A house move is a big deal. Selling your existing house and finding a new home is a significant change to make and brings with it both excitement and trepidation. It is wise to do all that you can to make the process as hassle-free as possible to help you make the transition to your new life an enjoyable adventure.

To reduce stress and to help your existing home to sell faster, it is essential to do some preparation work before you put it up for sale. Here are some of the ways that you can help to prepare your home to sell it:

Declutter Your Rooms

Making your home clean and tidy is a must when you are attempting to sell it. To make the whole cleaning process easier for yourself, removing any clutter is a must. Clutter can make rooms appear smaller and can be a distraction. Clearing out the clutter will make your home look lighter and more spacious so that it appeals more to potential buyers. Another bonus of decluttering now is that you will have fewer items to pack up and move with you, which you will be thankful for when moving day comes around!

Emotionally, decluttering your items and giving away things that you no longer need to those that will make use of them is a great thing to do. The process of decluttering can help you to get into the right mindset.

Increase Your Curb Appeal

The curb appeal of your home is a vital element to consider when planning to put your home up for sale. Your curb appeal refers to how attractive your property is to prospective buyers at first glance. Curb appeal is that all-important first impression that you get from a house, so it is essential that you make the first impression of your home a positive one.

Increasing your home's curb appeal requires you to make sure that your home's exterior is presented in the best possible way. This can be achieved by ensuring that your home looks neat, tidy, and well-maintained. 

Getting your windows and gutters cleaned is an excellent way to help smarten up the outside of your home. Don't forget to give your front door some care and attention too. Prospective purchasers will see your front door up close when they view your home, so it is worth making sure that it is in good order.

Freshen Up Your Yard

Outdoor space is a big selling point for homes, so making sure yours looks great is essential. Keeping your yard in good order with a well-kept lawn and free from weeds will help to give a good impression. Your decking, patio, and pathways can be made to look as good as new with the help of professional Pressure Washing. You may decide to make your yard look even more attractive by planting some pots with colorful plants and flowers. Flowers are an excellent way to brighten up your garden and add to its appeal.

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From Wagyu beef to Australian Blue Mussels, there are many different dishes that go exceptionally well with a high-quality whisky. Knowing how to choose a dish in relation to the alcohol you are drinking can really enhance the overall taste experience. Read on to discover some of the best foods to enjoy when drinking some of the finest whisky… 

• Smoked Fish and Meat – This goes well with smoky Scotch whiskies in particular. When it comes to alcohol and food matching one of the best ways to ensure success is to go for similar flavours. The smokiness in the whisky and in the fish/meat guarantees a winning pairing. 

• Indian food – This is another style of food that goes well with smoky whiskies in particular. If you are a fan of Indian food, give this a try. You won’t regret it.

• Pork Ribs – Another dish that is great to serve with whisky is pork ribs. When it comes to meat, you want to keep the dish as simple as possible. You don’t want to overwhelm the taste buds, as you will not be able to enjoy the whisky to full effect because the food will mask the flavours. Instead, opt for a light marinade for your pork ribs, rather than a hot barbecue sauce for example.

• Sushi – Sushi goes well with a whole host of whisky varieties. Ardbeg is one of the best whiskies to team with this dish due to its briny and salty quality. 

• Chocolate – Chocolate complements whisky beautifully, especially dark chocolate. The more cacao, the better. There are several chocolate-based desserts that you can make (or buy) that go well with whisky. Sticky Toffee Pudding goes really well with a glass of whisky. This is a traditional English dessert that features a rich moist sponge that is topped with vanilla ice cream and a thick, indulgent toffee sauce. Of course, this is the sort of thing you should save for a special occasion! We recommend keeping a weight loss journal or food diary to make sure you don’t overindulge too often.

• Scallops – If you opt for a light and sweet vanilla-tinged malt, a seafood dish will go particularly well, with scallops being an excellent choice. 

• Cheese – Cheese and whisky are a delicious pairing, but needless to say, there are many varieties of cheese to choose from, all of which offer different flavours. If you are enjoying a sweet Scotch, such as Glenmorangie, you should opt for a soft cheese, like Brie. However, if you are sipping on a spicy or smoky Scotch whisky, then you should go for a strong cheese, such as Roquefort or any other blue cheese. 

So there you have it: the complete guide to pairing food and whisky together like a pro. We are sure you will be surprised by just how much of a big difference this can make to your taste experience!

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Although many forms of it are significantly more treatable than thought in the past, the diagnosis of cancer is still one of the scariest that any individual can face. If a loved one gets that diagnosis, it is only natural to want to be able to help, to empathize, and to understand where it may be difficult. You also want to ensure you don’t take any wrong steps that may be the opposite of helpful. So, what can you do to support a loved one in your life who is battling cancer?

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Listen to them

When we are with someone who is going through a tough time, we can feel compelled to judge their reactions and decisions or to simply cheer-lead them with platitudes. This is usually because we’re looking for something useful to say. However, sometimes simply listening and affirming that you are listening can be a lot more helpful. Sites like Psychology Today can offer tips on how to be more genuinely present and how to truly listen rather than being compelled by our natural instinct to add our own two cents.

Get informed

You don’t want to go offering unwanted advice, no matter how well informed. However, if your loved one does want to talk to you about their diagnosis, treatments, and other decisions, you want to be informed enough to hold that conversation. Aside from listening to what they say about their situation, websites like Oncotarget can help you stay up to date and informed about the topic. As such, if they do ask for your input, you can feel a little more beneficial by being able to share and talk on what you have learned.

Be there for them

Sometimes, a person needs nothing more than good company when they are facing a tough time. If you have a jovial, happy friendship with them, you should aim to keep things normal and positive. Not only because laughter can be great for our health, but also because they may be facing enough changes in their life that they might look to you and other important to them as sources of some consistency and semblance of normalcy.

Do not offer advice where it’s not wanted

One common mistake, as understandable as it may be, is to try and offer advice on how they can handle their diagnosis or treatments without being asked. Even if you’re only trying to help and you want to find a solution that works for them, it can be agitating to need nothing more but company but find someone pressuring you into making certain decisions. Offer support, pray for them, lend what help you can, but don’t feel compelled to give advice where it’s not asked for.

The honest answer is that the best way to help a loved one battling a serious illness is subjective. They may need practical help, they may need moral support, they may simply need a friend. Be there, offer what you can, but learn their needs and follow them.

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If you’ve been living with pain for a long time, you might have got to the point where you are used to it. Or, you might still be looking for something that will help to ease the pain, even if it is only a little. There are a number of things that you can try, so if you want to know more about some of the things that you can do to try and ease some of the pain in your life, keep reading down below to find out more.

Aid With Your Walking

One of the things that you can try is getting some kind of aid with your walking. If there is a pain in your back or legs, it might be the case that there is too much pressure on a certain area of your body, and looking into new styles of canes could be a solution to consider. These take some of the pressure off one side of your body and allow you to walk better, reducing the amount of pain that you experience. Of course, a cane isn’t your only option, and there are other walking aids that you could find just as useful.

If you want to know more about how this could help you, you might want to speak to your doctor about it. They will be able to give you a list of benefits and potentially tell you whether or not this would be a good fit for you. It might be the case that the type of pain you have won’t be eased with a walking aid, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a go and find out.

A Special Mattress

Another thing that you could try is getting a special mattress. This could be particularly helpful if you are experiencing back pain, because sometimes the softness of a mattress doesn’t help the situation, and the same goes for if it is too firm. There are mattresses specially designed for those who are in chronic pain. They help to relieve the pressure off of certain known pain points in an attempt to ease the pain. The downside of this is that they can be quite expensive, so it’s only really an option that you can consider if you have the funds available to you.

Exercise Could Be The Key

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Finally, exercise could be the key. We know that you are in pain, so it doesn’t feel like exercise would help, but certain areas such as swimming have been known to be effective pain relievers. Again, this is due to the pressure being taken off your joints and muscles when you are in the water. However, walking can also be quite effective because it gets your muscles warm which will help them feel better than if they are stiff from not being used. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know some of the things that you can try to see if it helps ease the pain you’re experiencing. Hopefully, something on this list brings you some kind of relief soon. 

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If you are eager to tear your kids away from their laptops, tablets and smartphones, the chances are that you have tried every trick in the book. For some reason, the allure of screens has made any sort of worthwhile activity seem mundane and tedious to kids. We often look back at our own childhoods with rose-tinted glasses and remember playing out in the street with pals, riding bikes without a care in the world, and heading to the park whenever the sun was out. Today, technology has taken hold and staring at a screen playing a gory first-person shooter with a stranger halfway across the globe has more appeal. Take a look at how you can still spend quality time with your brood.

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Family Contract

Make the idea of screen time and limiting technology a family burden. Set up a family contract that every member of the household has to sign, including you. Whip this up onto the fridge and make sure everyone in the home abides by it. You aren’t going to be an ogre and demand that all screens be banished from the house. Instead, computer and social media time will be limited. One hour a day will be the most anyone in the home can spend online - unless for homework - and extra time can be granted for great behavior or as a reward. Your kids won’t feel demonized because even the adults of the household are joining in. By being inclusive, everyone is treated equally and fairly. While screen time is limited, you can spend quality time with your brood.

Cook Together

Finding an activity that you can share and do together can be a challenge. However, asking them to help out in the kitchen is a great way to get to think about their relationship with food, while spending time with you. You might even fancy signing up for the family friend WW Kurbo eating plan, designed to get young people fitter and healthier. This is even more important during these pandemic days when children haven’t been allowed out to socialize with their friends as much. Bake cakes, cook evening meals and enjoy designing new recipes in the kitchen together. You can cook up some gastronomic delights while spending quality time together.

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Get Outside

Even though your kids may adore playing on their Xbox, the chances are that they will enjoy spending quality time with you even more. Children love getting attention from their parents, so make sure you think of an outing or activity that will really blow their socks off. Think big and consider a day trip to the coast. A beach day is enough to tear any child away from their screens.  Instead, they’ll love playing with you in the sea, relaxing on the sand, playing some seaside amusements, and eating ice cream.

Spending quality time with your family needn’t be challenging if you are willing to put in the effort. Think outside the box, form a contract, get cooking, and enjoy the great outdoors. Before long, you will be making new family memories to treasure.

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Making changes to your health doesn't just help you to feel better physically. It can also affect the way you look, helping you to look healthier and happier. If you want to improve not just how you feel day-to-day but also your image, some lifestyle changes could make it possible for you to achieve what you want. A healthier lifestyle might give you more energy, improve your mood and enable you to generally feel better about yourself on every level. Even feeling physically better can result in a healthier image, with your positive feelings and outlook showing on your face and in the way you hold yourself.

Address Your Dental Health

You only get one set of adult teeth to last you for many years. Although you can replace them with artificial options, most people would much prefer to keep their natural teeth. When you take care of your teeth, it protects them, and it gives you a better-looking smile. Some adults might have missed out on the experience of having braces as a teenager, but it's not too late to straighten your teeth. Using clear aligners, you can straighten your teeth without the need for traditional braces. Straighter teeth look better, but they can also solve a few different health problems. They can correct problems with chewing, talking, and more.

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Get All the Nutrients You Need

How balanced is your diet really? Everyone likes to think that they have a healthy and balanced diet, but many of us may not be getting the nutrients that we need. A healthy diet may help you to be healthy on the inside, but it is also reflected on the outside. When you're getting the vitamins and minerals that you need, it can make your skin, hair, nails and more, healthier than ever. As well as adjusting your diet, consider the benefits of supplements such as daily multivitamins.

Stop Smoking

If you're a smoker, you're sure to be aware that it's not good for you. But the risk of cancer in the long-term isn't the only thing that you need to think about. Smoking has a variety of effects on your health, and quitting can immediately make you healthier. When you smoke, it affects your circulation, which means that you might not be getting enough oxygen and nutrients delivered around your body. This can affect your looks, including your skin, hair and nails. If you quit smoking, all of these things can improve, and you'll find yourself breathing better too.

Get More Sleep

It can be pretty easy to tell if someone hasn't been sleeping well. We're all familiar with that drawn look and dark circles under the eyes. Inadequate amounts of sleep can affect your looks in other ways, too, from lacklustre skin and hair to making it more difficult to manage your weight. Getting more sleep could make you look and feel healthier, lifting your energy and your mood.

Changes to your health can change your image too, so you not only feel healthier, but you also look healthier.

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The coronavirus pandemic has caused disruption to all of our lives, even those of us that have escaped the illness. Regardless of whether it has impacted your physical health, COVID-19 has probably put a strain on your mental health. Now is the time to fight back.

Daily life is still somewhat restricted, but you can still support your mental health in a variety of ways. Focus on the three factors below, and you won't go far wrong.

Activity

Regular exercise should play a key role in everyone's life at all times. However, it's arguably even more important right now. After all, social distancing rules have forced most people to spend far more time on the sofa than ever before. A conscious effort to combat this is the only solution.

It's a vital step for maintaining a good posture, energy levels, and body image. Crucially, exercise releases endorphins that reduce stress and promote positivity. Pushing yourself to learn new skills through jiu jitsu and technical sports can promote huge satisfaction. Nothing boosts your self-confidence like hitting new goals and targets.

MMA and fitness classes are also a great way to maintain a social life in a safe setting. The positive reaction that you are sure to gain from friends and family as a result of your physical gains is vital too. Its impact on your mentality is huge.

Balance

The significance of achieving balance cannot be ignored. Again, your home life is the perfect place to start. Creating a personal space to read or relax alone is vital. Otherwise, household will annoy each other due to the extended time together. Particularly when the cold weather arrives.

It's very easy to lose balance given the current circumstances. Whether it's a case of mental stresses or declining physical health, you should seek professional support. Focusing on your recovery from those issues will stop them from dominating your world any longer. Thus allowing you to enjoy a balanced lifestyle once again.

If you are working remotely, it's important to schedule your workload too. This is particularly crucial if the situation looks set to stay this way indefinitely. Versatility counts for very little if the time isn't used wisely, as you'll end up spending more time getting less done.

Control

Stress is one of the greatest threats to your ongoing mental health. Sadly, it will become a far more common feature when you feel as though you have lost control in key aspects. Good organization starts inside the home, which is why an uncluttered and clean home should be top of the agenda.

The most common cause of stress is money. Managing your finances as a frequent traveler, or a freelancer with unstable revenue is vital. Crucially, you should prioritize debt repayments and clearing balances. When your finances continue to worsen as a result of interest rates and late fees, it can all feel too overwhelming.

Learning to control the small things in life can work wonders for your mentality too. Embrace good sleep habits, diets, and friendships. When coupled with an effort to remove bad habits from your life, your mindset will be in a far better place. 

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