Author Archives: Ella Mason

Be Safe, Be Seen: Personal and Professional Safety Clothing

Posted on by

With increasing numbers of people out on the roads, and industries becoming increasingly hazardous thanks to the insatiable demand for work to be done as quickly as possible, it’s more important than ever that we all have adequate protection when we’re somewhere that accidents can occur.

Whether this is in the workplace or just out for a Untitledbike ride with the family, we all need to make sure that we are visible to others in the vicinity to reduce the risk of accidents occurring because we weren’t seen. The best way of doing this is to wear high visibility clothing wherever possible to reflect light and stand out in dark areas.

Motorcyclists are just one group of people who are particularly at risk out on the roads. Due to being a significantly smaller vehicle than cars and lorries, and only having one headlight, many drivers will pull out from side roads without really looking and seeing an oncoming motorcyclist resulting in a potentially fatal accident.

If the motorcyclist is wearing a form of high visibility clothing, particularly at night or in harsh weather, then they increase their chance of being seen and reduce the risk of accidents.

A lot of people choose to go running along the side of roads near their homes. People, obviously, don’t come with headlights or indicators, and busy passing traffic can obscure the runner from the vision of other road users. When the leading car moves around the runner, the following cars might not be able to see them, resulting in an accident. Wearing a high-viz t-shirt or lightweight jacket can help them to improve their visibility with headlights reflecting off the clothing.

Pedestrians out walking their dogs can also find high-visibility clothing for their beloved animal to help them to be seen when walking near roads, too.

It’s also vital that safety clothing is worn in a professional capacity. If you work in a yard filled with lorries that require assistance with their maneouvres, such as quarries or supermarket delivery bays, then wearing something that helps you to be seen is key.

In these two examples, visibility can be compromised by harsh or dark weather conditions, or by other obstacles in the environment such as quarry walls or recycling bins. By wearing high-viz clothing, a reversing vehicle should still be able to spot you and reduce the risk of being hit as you guide the driver backwards.

5 Ways to Make Your House a Home

Posted on by

heart-home-rugGetting a house of your very own is an exciting experience and you will want to start putting your stamp on it straight away. Turning a house into a home is a great way of making it yours in a special way and so here are the top five ways you can make your new house into a personal, warm home for you and your family.

Personal Touches

It is the people who live in a house that make it into a home and so make the most of the people around you. Photographs and mementos hung in stylish frames make great wall art and you can put them in any room of the house. You can even get your friends and family to help you decorate your home thus create new memories and a familiar feeling every time you enter.

Make It Yours

When you are looking to decorate your house, you will probably look through hundreds of brochures, trawl the internet and speak to everyone you know about what they think but, in the end, this is your house and you need to make the final decision. Go with your instincts, even if it’s not in the latest decorating magazines and you will find your home has a personal, meaningful look that is all you.

Invite Me In

A house becomes a home when the people you love feel conformable and welcomed when they visit. A bright and warm home will put them immediately at ease and you should always make sure you have plenty of seating to accommodate everyone. Of course, an emergency tin of biscuits in the cupboard and lots of mugs for tea and coffee are essential too. A cold, draughty house is one way to put people off visiting so it is worth taking a look at your heating system and seeing if it needs an update. There are so many beautiful fireplace suites to choose from on the market and it will keep your home warm and toasty – perfect for when visitors drop by unexpectedly.

A Finishing Touch

Although it can’t always be helped, people will feel more comfortable in a home that isn’t halfway through a renovation. A half-finished bathroom or bare walls in the lounge don’t exactly scream ‘come on in!’ and you will feel less than pleased that guests are seeing your work half-done. Try to get things finished once you begin and don’t let DIY jobs over-run into weeks instead of days. The bigger jobs, such as changing your heating works may take a little longer but they are worth getting done in one go if you can – especially when there are plenty of fires & stoves at Homebase to choose from!

A Group Effort

If you live with others, it is important that they have a say in how your home should look. A spouse may have ideas of their own about what style to choose for a particular room and with the rush of getting things done; sometimes we can ignore their requests by accident. Make sure you have discussions about what you both want for your home before you begin. The same goes for children too – let them have an input into what their room will look like so that they feel that their own personal space has their very own stamp of approval on it.

 

Style Your Living Room With Feng Shui

Posted on by

A cluttered room can make you feel disorganised. Ever had a piece of work to do but just haven’t been able to until the mess surrounding you has been cleared? That’s exactly it! Creating the perfect feng shui in your home is so important, particularly for your peace of mind. This infographic from Furnishing Homes explains just how important the placement of items are in terms of creating the perfect zen area for your front room!

Furnishing Homes
Furnishing Homes

How to create the perfect event

Posted on by

Planning the perfect event can be time consuming and stressful, so you must be prepared for every outcome. Make sure you have a responsive and hardworking team helping you to make the event as successful as you wish it to be. To help plan the most successful event, follow the steps on the following infographic:

Planning the Perfect Event Created by Total Displays

Top Must-See Australian Sights for 2013

Posted on by

Australia is a land of marvels; from the wonderfully diverse wildlife to its rich and culturally significant heritage – there is something for everyone on this land down undeaustralian_flag_3r. Picking out just five must-see sights is a difficult task but here you will find the best places to visit this year in Australia.

Kangaroo Island

Who doesn’t love a kangaroo? They are one of the most iconic animals of Australia and most well-loved creatures and they even have their own island! Throughout the year, visitors can make their way to this stunning island and see some beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. Stay in the top class hotels and sample gourmet food before heading out and seeing what incredible sights you can see. And it’s not just kangaroos that you can spot here – it is also home to koalas, sea-lions and pelicans.

Sydney Opera House

A lot of people have taken a picture of ths incredible building when visiting Sydney, but how many of them have actually been inside for a performance? The Sydney Opera House is not just an amazing feat of architecture but one of the most famous concert halls in the world. If you have the time, make your trip unforgettable by taking in one of the fantastic shows held at this venue all year round.

Great Ocean Road

See some of the most amazing sights that Australia has to offer by travelling along the Great Ocean Road. A road trip along this iconic route is a great way to see the stunning scenery that this country has to offer and it allows you the freedom of stopping wherever you please. Just remember to make sure your car and its contents are fully covered before you set off. Get your vehicle serviced before your trip and make sure you’ve sorted out budget car insurance in order to make sure your road trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Wallaman Falls

Australia has a number of beautiful waterfalls across the country and one of the most spectacular is Wallaman Falls in Girringun National Park, Queensland. The waterfall is formed by a tributary of the Herbert River, Stony Creek and is notable for its single-drop of 268 metres, which makes it Australia’s highest permanent waterfall.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is world famous as the largest coral reef system on Earth, comprised of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Due to its warm, clear waters and abundant marine life, the Reef is very popular with tourists wishing to dive beneath the waves and explore this amazing underwater world.

The Importance Of Branding

Posted on by

Having a strong brand is important. It doblog_angle-brand-imageesn’t matter if you are an author working from home or a huge marketing consultancy with hundreds of staff. How you present yourself to your customers, clients, and staff, as well as online is always important.

Brand Guidelines

You’ll probably find that when you started your business you already had an idea of how you were going to conduct yourself and show off your company.

You should take these ideas and write them down. These are your brand guidelines. They could be as simple as using your logo on all correspondence or you could go into more detail with the fonts you use, the way you speak and the clothes you and your staff wear.

Ask Your Customers

If you are unsure as to what you brand is, or should be, then ask your customers as they’ll be able to give you a less-biased opinion than your friends and family. Market research like this gives you a good idea of where you stand in the market, how your customers perceive you and if your actions are portraying the right image.

Instantly Recognisable

The great thing about building a brand is that you can create something that is instantly recognisable, even when your brand name isn’t visible. For example, if people know your logo well, they’re likely to think of you when an envelope arrives on their desk in those colours.

Expectations

Your branding can also tell customers what to expect. Elegant, swirling fonts and colours such as gold and deep red just scream opulence. You must live up to these expectations though, if your branding doesn’t match what you sell or the service you offer then you’ll either end up disappointing your customers or attracting the wrong ones.

Cut Through The Noise

If you do something controversial, different or exciting with your brand then you are likely to get noticed. This might be an amazing advertising campaign, an unlikely mascot (meerkats, anyone?) or a very honest approach to the business and customers.

This is how people will remember you and there’s always the likelihood that something you do might go viral and sky rocket the brand to fame.

Brand Advocates

If you can get a high profile figure on board with your brand then people are going to start to take note. It’s no good asking a footballer to be the face of your new chocolate bar as the two don’t really fit together. However, a celeb chef known for her love of chocolate would work brilliantly.

Stick To It

Once you have some your branding sorted, stick to it. People will come to recognise the brand and that’s only useful if you continue to use it. This might be on promotional material, uniforms, stationary, or on your website.

There might come a time when you want to rebrand but this should be done carefully and only when your current brand is so out-of-date that it no longer represents you and your company.

Take a look at this article on Richard Schaeffer Liquid Holdings to give you an idea of how to brand yourself as an individual.

 

How To Keep The Kids Entertained on Long Car Journeys

Posted on by

bigstock_Family_travelling_by_car_6563169With the warmer weather now upon us (thank goodness!), it’s likely that most parents are starting to cast their thoughts forward to the summer holidays – but I just don’t mean the trip abroad, golden sands, and blue seas kind of summer holiday (because if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be more than ready for that), I’m referring to that probably little more dreaded kind of summer holiday; the children’s 6 week break from school kind of summer holiday. Ah.

Just what on earth are you going to do with them for the whole duration that won’t mean breaking the bank?

Well, one of the most fun and cost effective ways to keep your little ones occupied throughout the summer holidays is to go on a family road trip.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, quick short journeys to school or the supermarket are stressful enough with the constant echoing of “are we nearly there yet?” every 5 minutes. But, believe it or not, there are ways to keep everyone entertained to ensure that your ride runs as smoothly as possible.

So, if you’re planning a long car journey for this year’s summer holiday period, then here are a few ways to do exactly that:

In-Car Entertainment

There are plenty of cars out there with a screen built into the back of the front seats, which mean the kids can watch a DVD while in the car. So, if you’re a family that travels on the road a lot, then it may be worth investing in such a car for the future. Take a look at used car dealership in San Antonio to see what’s available.

Load the car up with DVDs and let the kids choose what they want to watch. A film should keep them quiet for a couple of hours.

Car Games

If you want to be a little more traditional with your games then perhaps think of one that the whole family can play…

Yellow Car

This is where family members get points if they are the first one to spot a yellow car. Bonus points for yellow Minis and yellow Beetles. Whoever has the most points at the end of the journey wins!

I-Spy

This is a traditional game that doesn’t need much explanation. It might not be the best game for very long journeys but it’s a good starting point.

Hangman

If you have a paper and pen on you then you can play hangman. If that’s not everyone’s cup of tea then dots or noughts and crosses might be an option. There are plenty of games like this that can be played, you can even get kids books with the basics already filled out.

Guess The Song

Who can be the first to guess the song on the radio from the opening bars? This also works if you have a new compilation CD. Make sure you hide the case, though!

Computer Games

This might be on a handheld console, smartphone or tablet. Give the kids a few games to play. The educational ones are particularly good for long journeys. A lot of games aimed at children will be able to teach them something.

Just Chat

Talking to your children can be a great way to pass the time. Long journeys are a great time to bond. There’s always the temptation to distract the children with games and DVDs but just chatting might be entertaining for all of you.

Take Your Time

If you’re not in a rush to get to your destination then perhaps take your time. Stop off at exciting destinations that will break up the journey to make it more interesting. It might be stopping at the side of the road to look at sheep in the field or it might be stopping at a pub with a great play area for a spot of lunch.

Write

You can get your kids to do something creative by getting them to write a story. It could be collaborative with the whole family joining in or it can be down to them to write something that you’ll read at the end. This can be a great challenge that will definitely get them thinking. Perhaps give them a topic on which to write about.

How to Buy the Right Shutters

Posted on by

Shutters are extremely popular amongst homeowners and interior designers: indeed, in warmer cities such as Rome, they are white-shutters-bay-window-chorleywoodfrequently used instead of windows rather than as an addition to them!  However you plan to used them, choosing the right shutters can be tricky: after all, there’s a fair few different models out there.  That’s why we’ve written this piece on helping you pick the right ones when checking out the different window shades:

Choose According To The Design

Because they’re designed to different aesthetics, different shutter models suit different décor.  Solid shutters, for instance, are more suited to older style properties that lean towards a Victorian visual.   As they keep out more light, they also work well in rooms that have a more minimal décor, such as country cottages.  Vice versa, of course, shutters that have a solid lower half but movable slats on the top work very well on French doors, as they give off the perfect impression of a continental aesthetic.  Plantation shutters, meanwhile, are ideal if you’re looking to get more creative with the colour schemes.

Are Shutters Right For You? 

Essentially, shutters are used as an alternative to blinds – so how do you know they’re right for you?  Well, for starters, they’re far more hygienic.  Curtains and traditional blinds have been known to absorb dust, where as shutters are simply wipe clean.  The adjustable ones are also more measurable in terms of how much light enters the room – more so than many blinds.  Finally, they also offer an increase in insulation when compared to blinds, saving a decent amount of money in the long run.  Essentially, shutters are the right choice if you want a cleaner, cheaper room.

What’s Your Budget? 

Whilst they’re by no means crazily expensive, full shutters aren’t going to be a cheap as simply knocking up a pair of home-made curtains.  However, it’s still more than possible to budget for your own design.  For instance, café-style shutters are hung-up on just the bottom half of the window, so are ideal for those who want to achieve privacy without spending the cash to kit out the whole set of panels.   Of course, those with a slightly higher budget can then move on to full-height shutters and the solid models, both of which offer a great deal of options.

How Much Light Do You Need? 

Different shutters will enable a different amount of light through, meaning that they’re suitable for different rooms.   If, for instance, you’re looking to set them up in a professional environment such as an office, then you’re going to need the shutters that let through the maximum amount of light during the summer months – otherwise you’ll have quite a dingy workplace.  Vice versa, shutters within a restaurant should be able to offer enough natural light to have an atmosphere but without blinding the customers, especially in the evening.

Finally, the matter of spend is worth considering.  If you’re making a long-term investment, then it makes more sense to spend a decent amount and get full shutters installed.  However, if you’re simply giving them a tryout to see how they look in a new property and you’re unsure if they’ll be kept, then you should hunt around for any bargains.