The Stars of the 2020 Races

January 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment

If you’re geared up for the 2020 racing calendar, you’ll no doubt be keen to know who you need to look out for in time for Cheltenham and the other upcoming races. 2020 is set to be a fantastic year for racing, with a wide variety of brilliant contenders to look out for. But if you’re keen to place your bets on three of the top picks this year, we’ve selected our favorite stars of the year ahead. These three choices are some of our top picks for popular race horses that look set to perform well over the coming year. 

Fakir D’oudairies

Fakir D’oudairies won the hearts of many back in 2018 during the Cheltenham January meeting when he was victorious in the Triumph Hurdle Trial. He won by an impressive 13 lengths from Fine Brunello and while he wasn’t able to achieve the same level of success in the Super novices, there is still a chance for him to turn it around this year. He stayed up the famous Cheltenham Hill and has the ability to go really far if given the opportunity as he gains experience with age. He achieved second place among Grade 1 companies at both Aintree and Punchestown and he secured his first win of the first season in Navan, holding off his competitors by three lengths. 

Crypto

Crypto, trained by Micky Hammond, had a winning start with his debut in Newcastle and surprised people with how spectacular his performance was. He won by eleven lengths from Honda Fifty and was a stand-out contender throughout the entire race. Crypto looks set for great things and 2020 could be the perfect year to showcase his skills on the track. He’s also got great genes – he’s the half-brother of six winners, so his owner should have no difficulty in finding him opportunities going forward. He’s likely that he could face longer distances than two miles as he gains more experience, so it will be interesting to see how he fares over the coming years. 2020 could be the year that he really shines. 

Lost In Translation

Lost In Translation had a number of close calls last season which could put punters off backing him this year. But he’s a much-loved selection and this could be his season to shine. Although he fell to Defi Du Seuil at Sandown and Cheltenham, he still ended last season in a strong position by achieving success at Aintree. He won by six lengths in the Grade 1 race against Top Ofthegame and also enjoyed victories at Haydock and Carlisle. At the latter, he managed to hold off Count Meribel by two and a half lengths and by a length and a half against Bristol De Mai at Haydock. He could be one of the top racers of this season and will definitely be one to watch out for as the key races of 2020 gets underway. 

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Complete your look with a pair of stylish eyeglasses

January 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment

If you wear glasses, chances are you have had to deal with them clashing with your look. Because people notice your face immediately, choosing the right pair of eyeglasses is massively important if you have to wear them every day. Depending on what style you go for can change what people think of you in the first instant. Do your glasses make you look sophisticated? Do they make you look fun or conservative? Or do they make you look older or younger than you are, all of these can be decided by your style of glasses?

We have decided to compile some pointers to help you complete that perfect look, and what glasses to pick to do so. If you are looking for a great place to buy some stylish glasses, the range of eyeglasses from EyeBuyDirect.com is a good place to start looking.

 

Your personality and lifestyle

The first thing you need to do is to consider the different parts of your life. What kind of work do you do and when you are off the clock, what do you do with your spare time?

If you have an active lifestyle, you might need to purchase several pairs of glasses in order to make sure you have a pair for every scenario you might face. 

Business Glasses

When you are at work, you need a pair of glasses that maintain your image. You should probably have a pair of conservative glasses for this. Stick to smart colors and frames. Classic shapes like ovals rectangles and almonds go with all types of formal wear, and traditional colors such as gold black and brown all look good with a suit.

Creative/Fashionistas 

If you want to show off your creative side, go for a modern look with thicker frames. Multi-colored glass made with laminates are another great way to go, especially if you want glasses in a vibrant color.

Another great choice is to go with a retro look. Retro vintage frames that have been recreated wit hn materials can give you that old school look without you having to try and repair your glasses all the time.

Seniors

Some people over the age of 50 think that just because they are getting older, that they have to wear old fashioned glasses. This is a load of rubbish. A fresh style can make you look younger, going for soft rectangles for men and cat-eyes as a woman can help you project a more youthful look.

 

Additional tips

Always make sure you get anti-glare coatings on your glasses, glare can cause you to squint, which makes your eyes harder to see clearly. This can make you seem less assertive or awake.

If you are in direct sunlight a lot, opt for Photochromic lenses. These will automatically adjust to the sunlight, meaning you do not need to swap out for a pair of sunglasses. This should save you money and allow you to spend a little bit more on your main glasses as you no longer have to buy sunglasses.

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6 Things no travelers should leave home without

January 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

When you’re planning your family vacation, the trip of a lifetime or even a romantic break away with your partner, there’s nothing better than organising your itineraries, planning your travel arrangements and of course, ensuring you have everything you need, packed and ready to go. It’s all part of the excitement and anticipation!

But in all the rush and all the excitement, it’s usually common for certain items to get left behind. It’s pretty frustrating, but when you leave behind something vital, it can be enough to hinder your entire trip. So, what are the items we should prioritise and not behind? Read on for 6 things no traveller should leave home without. 

Emergency contacts

Life is unexpected. Things can change in an instant, even when you’re on a well organised holiday. You don’t always have to expect the worst but being prepared for the unexpected means that you can save yourself a lot of time, frustration and upset. Ensure you have access to your emergency contacts including your attorney – this company can help you if you’ve suffered an injury that wasn’t your fault – a local tow truck company, your insurance company and of course your next of kin. It’s also a good idea to have the number of the local emergency services if you’re in a different country.

A universal charger

From taking full advantage of the GPS, downloading apps to keep the kids entertained and taking some once in a lifetime photographs, your smart devices are going to need a lot of battery power to keep them going. So, make sure you don’t leave home without your charger – better yet, invest in a universal charger which you can use just about anywhere. That way you won’t have to remember all the adapters too.

A reusable water bottle

We all need to drink more water and if you’re visiting a hot country then it’s even more important to stay hydrated. Taking a reusable water bottle with you on your travels means you’ll save a fortune on buying bottled water and do your bit to help the environment. If the tap water at your destination is questionable then boil the water first or sterilize the water yourself with a water purifier. 

Travel insurance 

Again, being prepared is always the best option and you should never travel without having a good travel policy in place. Opt for a travel policy that covers you for medical emergencies, treatments and medications as well as travel-related mishaps such as lost luggage, delayed flights and cancelled holidays.

A simple first aid kit

Whether you’re backpacking through Asia, taking the kids camping for a weekend or you’re heading to a spa retreat with your partner, packing some simple first aid items will help you out of a jam. From headache tablets and painkillers to diarrhoea medicines, antihistamines, bandages, plasters and sunblock. Don’t leave home without them! 

Travel documents

Your passport, your boarding pass, tickets, insurance documents, visas, all these things shouldn’t ever be left behind! Keep them together in a folder for ease of access and don’t forget to make copies just in case!

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7 Important Electrical Decisions You Need to Make When Renovating

January 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

You will be stuck with the changes you make while renovating for a long time. That’s why it’s essential to cover everything before you begin the project. One of the most important areas to consider is electricity. The following list includes things you should think about before finalizing your renovation plans.

What Type of Switches Will Your Renovation Need?

There are several types of switches available, including dimmer, toggle, 2-way, and 3-gang. Each serves a different purpose. A 2-way switch is often used to control standard lighting. Gang switches include a number that indicates how many circuits are present.

With a large number of homes switching to LED lighting it’s easier than ever to control the level of lighting each bulb emits so having a switch that can control this is beneficial.

Do You Need More Light Fixtures Installed?

This is an excellent opportunity to update your light fixtures. Older homes often have fewer fixtures, while others may have components that are outdated in both appearance and performance.

Consider what you plan to do in the space you are renovating. A space meant for work will require more illumination while one meant for relaxation or entertaining may require a lower level of lighting.

Are Your Power Points Safely Positioned?

Your power points are where your family will access electricity to use devices. These need to be placed according to building code requirements. A certified electrician can recommend useful instillation spots that are also compliant with the law.

Also, consider the surrounding area and what it will be used for. Is this a place where someone may want to plug in a laptop or party lighting? Make sure the power point is easily accessible but away from hazards like water sources.

Are You Upgrading Your Appliances?

Old appliances are not as efficient as today’s models. They also tend to have fewer safety features. Inspect the appliances you already own and consider upgrading. This is especially important for rooms with more devices or gadgets, like the kitchen or entertainment center.

Choose appliances that are Energy Star rated for better efficiency. They may add to the cost of your renovation but will save you money in future utility bills.

Do You Want Outlets with USB Ports?

If your family is tech-savvy, then they will appreciate better access to USB ports. New power outlets are available with USB ports built in. These are best placed in areas where your family uses the most devices or likes to charge phones and tablets.

Does Your Project Leave Room for More Devices?

Make sure you have some extra power outlets and capacity available to handle future additions to your home. 

Many families plug in seasonal devices, like Christmas lights and decorations. The kids may want their own computer someday, or you may add a TV to a room in your home where one wasn’t previously used. 

Each of these situations will increase the demand for power and outlet space in your home.

Can Your Electrical System Handle the Increased Capacity?

Once you know what you would like to add, make sure your home’s current electrical system can handle the increased demand. You may need to upgrade your service box to ensure that everything will work reliably and safely. 

An electrician can advise you on whether an upgrade or new wiring will be required.

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4 Proven Tips To Sleep Better At Night

December 31, 2019 by 1 Comment

Having trouble sleeping at night? No worries! We are here to fix it for you, which is why you need to stick with us till the end and read all of what we say thoroughly. 

You see, a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things, and you shouldn’t compromise on it no matter what. No matter how much you exercise, no matter what your diet plan is, if you aren’t getting 6 to 8 hours of proper sleep, you won’t be able to function properly. According to research, poor sleep comes with negative effects on all of your body. From your hormones to your blood to your brain, it all gets affected when you just don’t get a good night’s sleep. 

In a nutshell, if you have been having this issue for a while now, then know that it’s not normal, and you have to take measures to fix it as soon as possible. What’s worse is that you can even gain weight due to a disturbed sleep cycle. But luckily, there are a few tips for better sleep, and that’s what we are going to talk about today. 

Today we are going to tell you about some of the best proven tips to sleep better at night, so do take notes. We assure you that with these tips, you’ll see the change yourself and you are just going to love it. 

1- Don’t Consume Caffeine At Night 

Have you heard someone say that they couldn’t sleep at night because they had a cup of coffee? Well, the chances are that you did, and it’s pretty much true because caffeine does keep you awake. What happens is that coffee stimulates your nervous system, and it makes it difficult for your body to relax naturally. This is the reason why a cup of coffee early in the morning can do wonders for you, but at night, it’s the worst thing to drink as it can mess up your sleep. 

2- Try Yoga 

Sometimes, people don’t realize that their nervous system isn’t relaxing naturally because their body is stressed. With a stressed body and brain, of course, you’ll have trouble sleeping, and this is where yoga can come in handy. Yes, you read that right! Yoga is great to start a productive day, and to end your day, all eased and relaxed. If you search the internet, you can easily find some yoga poses that will help you have a good night’s sleep. 

3- Don’t Eat Late 

Midnight snacks are out of the question. The fact is that if you want to have a good sleep, you shouldn’t even eat late in the evening. Late night meals can mess up both things, your sleep, and the release of HGH and melatonin in your body. The perfect time to have your dinner is 4 hours before you go to bed so that your body can easily break down all the energy from the food, and the rest gets digested just the way it’s supposed to. A healthy digestive system plays a massive role in providing you a good sleep at night. 

4- Take A Relaxing Bath/Shower

Take a bath if nothing’s working for you because this is a tried and tested fact that if you take a relaxing bath at the end of a hectic day, all the stress is relieved, and even your nervous system relaxes, which is where sleep jumps in. 

Conclusion

Try out these tips, and we can bet on the fact that things will work for you. Also, make sure to rise early in the morning and don’t stay awake till late, as this can also mess up your sleep cycle. 

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A Guide to Living Like a Celebrity in 2020

December 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Ever wondered what it would be like to live like a celebrity? Maybe as your favourite singer or actor? Well look no further, in this guide we’ll look at ideas you could implement to do just that. 

Even if it’s just for a short time, everyone can live like a celebrity by following these helpful hints and tips. 

Book a Luxury Holiday

Why not try a destination you wouldn’t usually go for? You don’t have to spend big to get a luxury holiday. Take a cruise, for example; you can find some fantastic deals on luxury cruises. Holidays with Celebrity Cruises offers exceptional culinary experiences, top destinations and the world at your service. 

If that doesn’t give you the celebrity experience then nothing will. Imagine it; you’re on a lavish ship being ferried to some of the world’s most exclusive destinations while being treated like royalty. That would definitely be classed as living the high life! 

Drive Luxury… on a budget!

You’d be surprised at what luxury car deals are out there. You don’t need to be a millionaire to drive a car that oozes style. After all, new doesn’t always mean better, and this is especially true when it comes to cars.  

You can even get a luxury car on finance, where you pay a set monthly price. You could bring home a BMW or Jaguar that sits on your driveway or curbside! Do the calculations and see if you can stretch your budget, as nothing makes a statement like a swanky car – new or used!

Mix-up your Style

This one is pretty simple. Have a look at your wardrobe and then compare it to some of the clothes your favourite celebrity wears. Can you take any tips off them? 

Go unique. Go outrageous. And you don’t have to blow your budget on designer clothes to do this. Check charity shops or places like TK Maxx. You’ll find a treasure trove of brilliant items on sale that could mix-up your style. Charity shops often offer some great vintage pieces that will make a statement. 

According to Elite Daily, 80 percent of fashion is wearing something outrageous and just saying, “This? Oh, this is fashion.” So why not do just that? All the celebrities are doing it, why can’t you? 

Look Polished for Less

Never be afraid to go high-street to get your clothes and makeup. You can grab some great high-street makeup and beauty products for very reasonable prices these days. And they do just as good of a job as the expensive brands. So, you can always look great for less. 

Appearing clean and polished is an inexpensive way to look classy! Hold your head up high and be proud of the way you look, like your favourite celebrity does. 

And Lastly

Be confident! Dress in your new style, take some selfies of your getaway and post them to social media. If you want that celebrity experience, then go outside your comfort zone. It’s your life, live it. 

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Healthy Lifestyle Advice For The Elderly

December 31, 2019 by 2 Comments

As time passes and we progress through the aging process we naturally start to slow down and can’t always do the things we used to do (or for as long), but aging doesn’t always have to be a painful process and we can do a lot to slow down or minimize many of the elements of getting older. Our aging processes are encoded into or DNA and there is not a lot we can do to change that; we have quite recently discovered that the natural lifespan for a human being is actually just 38 years. Of course, we tend to live much longer than this but that seems to be correlated more with our advanced medical science and our lifestyle choices than our DNA. In other words, how long we live can be determined in part by the way we lead our lives. In this article, we’ll look at a few ways you can ensure your lifestyle helps to slow down your aging process.

Making the right choices

There are some fairly obvious choices you can make to help you live a longer life; we know that stopping smoking, not drinking so much alcohol, maintaining your exercise schedule and eating healthily all have a huge impact on the way that you age and the diseases and health conditions you may be susceptible to. It’s also very important to support your mind alongside your body, staying socially active, retaining a strong sense of gratitude (working hard to maintain a glass half full view of life) and challenging your mind with puzzles and learning are all crucial as you get older.

Change your home for your needs

You need to accept that as you get older, you might not be as able as you once were. Making the decision to look after your health and body in your home is one fine example of accepting that you are not as young anymore and that you need to make changes. You should, therefore, proof your home against potentially dangerous falls and breaks by ensuring you have stair lifts for older people, grab bars and other safety features if required.

Get Help 

As you get older it becomes increasingly more important to take the right steps that are going to help you improve your health and well-being. Now, there are a lot of ideas that will allow you to achieve this, and getting help is one of the best things you can do to achieve this. It is important to make sure you come up with ideas that will help you improve and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. And this might mean joining a retirement community, or hiring some live-in care assistants to help provide you with the help and support you need in order to help you boost and improve your life in the process. 

Senior care home services play such a massive role in helping you to enjoy a little extra independence, as well as being able to live a healthier, happier, and more comfortable life in the process. There are a lot of factors that play a part in this, and you need to make sure you focus on the best ideas that are going to help you with this. If you are eldderly and looking to be able to benefit from some of the best possible health advice, you should try to make sure you get help and support, and this is something that can help you make the right choices here.

Finding physical activities that work for you

We have recently discovered that it is possible to continue to grow muscle mass well into our seventies and beyond, so there is a strong argument for maintaining resistance training in your movement schedule, if at all possible. Anything from lifting weights to wearing weighted wrist or ankle bands, light push-ups against a wall or even just regularly carrying shopping home from the store can all help to keep muscles strong. This helps to support and protect your bone structure, too, which is vital as bones can become more brittle and susceptible to breaks and fractures as we age.

If you are able to walk, then you should. Conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis can make movement uncomfortable or sometimes impossible but however far you are able to walk, even just a little is better than none at all. Walking is not only a fantastic regular exercise for the body but is also great for mental health and as an anti-stress activity. This can also be combined with social activities; perhaps join a walking group so you can maintain your physical health while nurturing your social circles too.

Maintain a healthy diet

Keeping your diet rich in vegetables, healthy carbs, fruit, nuts, and seeds will not only help your body to remain strong, fit for purpose and bursting with energy, but it will also ensure you don’t carry excess weight. Obesity is one of the leading causes of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Keeping your diet healthy will give you the best chance of getting the most out of life, no matter how old you are.

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3 Famous Lightsaber Duels

December 29, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The Star Wars saga has often been referred to as a “space western,” however it is the lightsaber duel, rather than the shootouts, that has best captured the imagination of fans. There have been many lightsaber battles over the course of the nine movie saga and everyone has their favorite. Perhaps one of these three famous lightsaber duels is yours.

Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Anakin Skywalker

One of the great mysteries of the original trilogy was why Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan became enemies and how Anakin got the injuries that resulted in him having to wear the iconic Vader suit to stay alive. Obi-Wan and Anakin’s epic duel on the volcanic planet of Mustafar finally answered those questions. The pair fought over a lake of boiling lava until Obi-Wan infamously gained the high ground. When Anakin attempted to leap past Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan cut off one of Anakin’s arms and both his legs, leaving him lying helplessly near the boiling lava. The heat from the lava eventually caught Anakin’s clothing on fire, badly burning him. After lamenting Anakin joining the Sith instead of destroying them, Obi-Wan left Anakin to his fate. Anakin survived long enough for Sidious to rescue him and have him put in the Vader suit.

Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Maul

In spite of only being the apprentice, Darth Maul was one of the prequel trilogies’ most memorable characters. Darth Maul brought a level of athleticism to the art of lightsaber fighting not previously seen in the saga. Utilizing his double-bladed lightsaber, Darth Maul fought both Jedi, eventually separating the pair, during the climactic battle of “The Phantom Menace.” As John William’s “Duel of the Fates” perfectly scored the battle, Maul killed Qui-Gon and nearly defeated Obi-Wan. However, in an act of desperation, Obi-Wan launched himself over Maul, landing behind him and slicing him cleanly in two with Qui-Gon’s fallen saber.

Yoda vs. Count Dooku

Fans never got to see Yoda take up a lightsaber in the original trilogy. A lightsaber duel would have been hard to pull off with Yoda’s original puppet form. CGI allowed Yoda to have more freedom of movement in “Attack of the Clones,” which made his much-anticipated battle with Count Dooku possible. Yoda made up for his lack of size with dazzling speed and acrobatics and battled Dooku to the point where he gave up and ran away.

These are just a few of the many iconic lightsaber battles that have fueled the imagination of fans and sparked countless debates over the decades. If you’re a fan of the Star Wars saga, chances are you have a favorite.

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