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  • Most durable kitchen flooring

    In some homes, kitchens take a lot of wear and tear, particularly if children and pets are part of the household. In others, a different kind of lifestyle means that the householder doesn’t do much cooking, but wants an attractive space with aesthetic appeal.

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    Every homeowner has their own set of unique requirements for their new kitchen floor.

    What most people share is a desire for a kitchen floor that looks great, adds value to the house and most of all, lasts. There is nothing worse than splashing out on kitchen flooring that looks great at first but soon begins to crack, yellow or mark. It is important to consider how the flooring will work with the newly designed kitchen that you have planned from places such as Kitchens Doncaster company
    www.christies-interiors.co.uk/kitchens/ Specialists like this will be able to advise you on the types of flooring that you may want to consider and those to steer clear of completely.

    Engineered wood – easy to clean and durable

    More and more people are turning to engineered wood flooring to solve the durability problem. Initially, some householders can be sceptical, worrying that engineered woods can’t be cleaned easily. But today’s wood cleaners are highly effective, while a sealed surface on the top layer of the floor means that it is stain-resistant. Good Housekeeping has a number of reviewed products for cleaning wooden or engineered wood surfaces.

    Able to cope with moisture and heat

    Engineered wood is particularly suitable for kitchens because cooking produces heat and humidity. The structure of engineered wood means that it has a layer of real wood over other material, usually plywood. So it is more structurally stable and capable of dealing with fluctuations in temperature and in the moisture content of the air.

    Stains are inevitable in the kitchen due to cooking, and if a really vibrantly-coloured turmeric or saffron dish is spilt on the floor, a vinyl floor covering will probably never recover and will always show a yellow stain. However, because an engineered wood floor consists of planks, you always have the option to replace one or two planks that have become irreparably stained.

    Let’s not forget that durability is not simply about stain resistance and other physical qualities. A timeless, classic floor will not go out of date and provides a more durable, long lasting design feature for the kitchen. Patterns can be fashionable at one time but often date and make the entire kitchen look old-fashioned. So the timeless quality of a wood finish can prove far more durable in style terms than the latest fashionable colours, finishes or patterns.

  • The key to a strong start in hockey

    Hockey coaches often emphasise how important it is to get a strong start, in practices as well as games.

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    According to Pete Friesen, the Carolina Hurricanes’ conditioning coach, a solid and dynamic warm-up is essential for a strong start. This involves incorporating movement into each exercise to ensure muscles contract, heart rate elevates and body temperature increases. This will help to deepen your breathing so that your body is ready to compete.

    Dynamic warm-ups do not involve the traditional jogging warm-ups or seated stretching. Opting for a more dynamic routine can help to prevent injury, as well as maximising player’s potential for development. For example, the Great Britain Hockey Team train for at least 12 hours each week, alongside a minimum of two gym sessions and individual training on the pitch and the gym.

    In hockey, a dynamic warm-up usually involves beginning with the traditional, passive stretching exercises. Afterwards, activate key muscles such as glutes, lower abs and back, as well as the neck and shoulders. Lastly, coaches should concentrate on activities to fire up players’ nervous systems and increase their core temperature. This can include a field hockey drill, such as those listed on https://www.sportplan.net/drills/Hockey/.

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    Positive encouragement and music can help set a good atmosphere. Music with a strong beat can also help give some rhythm to your warm-up routine. Some specific exercises include Waiters Bow, a stretching exercise focused on engaging the hamstrings by tilting forward and clasping the hands.

    Hip bridging is another great exercise which offers multiple benefits. With this exercise, players lay down and engage their glutes, lifting the hips to the ceiling and holding for several breaths before repeating.

    Burpees are great for engaging a number of muscles while getting your heart and breathing going. Start in a standing position, and lower your body into a squat, ensuring your feet are shoulder-length apart. Then form a squat and do a single push-up, before kicking your feet forward to return to a squat position. Once you have jumped out of the squat, into the standing position, that is one rep complete. The faster a burpee is performed, the more benefits are gained.

    Coaches cannot expect players to start games energised if dynamic warm-ups are not incorporated into training sessions and pre-game plans to maximise player performance and development.

  • What is the best music for shopping?

    As a business owner, it’s not always easy to know which the best genre of music is to play in store. It’s often easier to work out which is definitely the wrong music to play to put your customers off! Music that is played too loudly, is a little too brash or annoying is a big no-no and guaranteed to send your customers running for the door.

    Overhead music plays an important role in making customers feel comfortable and encouraging to stay inside your store and continue shopping. If you play the wrong music, you won’t be creating the optimum desired shopping experience which could have a negative impact on your brand and ultimately your sales.

    Choosing the right music has a number of benefits:

    It can help to create an atmosphere that develops into a brand experience

    Helps to put customers at ease and boosts their mood

    Music can provide subtle cues for encouraging a customer to move through a store

    Improves staff morale

    Helps to increase sales

    Background music means much more than simply a silence-filler. It can be an incredibly useful tool to improve store performance and create a more pleasant environment for all those who visit and work there.

    See if you can do better than just playing music that is ‘satisfactory’ or ‘ok’. The ideal scenario is to invest a little time and effort into finding the perfect music for your brand, your unique selling point, your products and ultimately, your customers. Here are some tips for finding the best music:

    Try not to choose music that is based on your personal music preferences

    Whether you like the music or not should not be a deciding factor

    If you’re a big fan of a particular genre, only be tempted to use it if it’s the right fit for your business

    The same must be applied to the personal preferences of staff members. The preferences of the customer must be placed first and foremost and play what they want to hear.

    It’s important that your music matches your branding so think about the different things that make your company unique and how best to represent your corporate personality. Try to use a music genre that shares those defined qualities and characteristics. If you need help with this, contact a professional Music for business company like https://moodmedia.co.uk/sound-solutions

    An example of using music effectively is a luxury jewellery store that plays classical music. Classical music has been shown to encourage customers to make more expensive, high-end purchases. It sets just the right tone for an atmosphere of sophistication, elegance and luxurious living. Wine sellers have also carried out experiments whereby they play classical music instead of pop and noted that when they do, their customers buy more expensive bottles of wine. The more refined the music, the more refined the customer feels.

    Always consider how the music will be received by your customers and how well they will respond to it. Pick a genre that best suits their interests and tastes, avoiding anything that might put them off.

  • Tips For Event Success

    When it comes to planning an event, there are some crucial elements to consider in order to make it a success.

    Understanding the purpose

    One of the most common mistakes when staging an event is not fully understanding the mission or point of the event. This is especially true of many fundraising events, where the purpose is simply seen as having a ceremony or raising funds. A successful event has a mission as well as objectives and goals that are used as a measurement of success. The better an event is understood, the better the planning will be, as well as the amount of resources required. This could be anything from wanting to demonstrate a new product to welcoming clients to your new Office Space Bracknell way.

    Choice of Venue

    The success of an event relies greatly on the choice of venue. The best venue provides a firm connection between the reason for the event and the community or group of people for which the event is aimed at. Considerations must include the type of event, the available space and size, how the event needs to be laid out and the accessibility and convenience of the location. If you have recently moved into new business premises, perhaps like those offered by http://officespacebracknell.co.uk/ you may wish to invite your clients and suppliers along to your new office to welcome everyone to your new space.

    A Written Plan

    Having a written and agreed upon plan is crucial and best prepared in good time so there is no last-minute stress. Many mistakes can be made during the planning stage, so if there’s plenty of time and a guiding document, there will be less room for error. Writing down a plan helps logical thought processing and means objectives, goals and mission can be thought through and put into place early on. A solid plan will include objectives of the event, a detailed step-by-step of planned activities, information about the site and budget/expenses details.

    Evoke Emotion

    During any event, there must be a moment which engages the audience, grabs their attention and makes them fully aware of the purpose of the event, the cause being supported or the importance of the contribution of those attending. This is harder to create in some types of events than it is for others, but at all events there should a unifying moment that connects attendees to give greater meaning.

    Ensuring the Event Flows

    Whatever the event, be it a business conference,  fundraising banquet or simple gathering, it must flow like a scripted presentation. There needs to be a start, middle and finale that are planned carefully. The order or sequence of activities must be coherent and flow seamlessly – get this wrong and you can end up with a disengaged or unfocused audience. The sequence of events sets the tone of the entire event, affecting the outcome and having an impact on future attendance and revenue raised. Therefore, careful planning for this aspect of the event is critical to its overall success.

     

  • What to take with you when you see a solicitor

    There are many reasons you may need to see a solicitor, from seeking general advice to specific events such as a house purchase, making a will, a divorce, or setting up a business.

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    Finding a solicitor is straightforward and it is important to remember that if you are not happy with the service provided, you can always make a change.

    By making an initial enquiry, you can satisfy yourself that the solicitor is someone you feel comfortable speaking to and that they have the expertise you need.

    Documentation

    Your first port of call will probably be a firm that is local to you and easy to access; for example, if you are based in the South West or The Cotswolds, you will find a range of Gloucester solicitors such as www.deeandgriffin.co.uk/.

    Once you have chosen your solicitor, you will need to make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting. At this point, it is important to explain your needs and to check what documentation you should take with you for your first meeting.

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    As a new client, the solicitor will have to carry out identification checks. These are legal requirements on their part, as they must ensure that any transaction does not involve money laundering.

    Costs

    There are simple documents that can confirm you are bona fide, such as a passport, a driving licence with photo ID, proof of address such as a household bill, or a benefits book. The government website provides a proof of identity checklist.

    You may be entitled to legal aid to help with your costs, so check with the firm what proof of income you need to provide if you qualify for this. It is important to get a clear idea of the costs as soon as you contact your solicitor. They will assess the costs during the legal process and keep you up to date throughout your case.

    Some firms may offer free advice on what is known as a pro bono basis if you cannot afford fees and legal aid is not available.

    In addition to documentation, it is helpful to write down the questions you want to ask during the appointment. You may also wish to take a friend or family member along to the meeting to help and support you.

  • Top tips:  Preparing for New Flooring

    Whatever flooring you’re going for, whether it’s carpet, vinyl or Laminate Wood Flooring, this is a great way to give your room a new designer look. For a choice of flooring options you could pop over to links including https://irwintiles.ie/index.php/wooden-flooring.html  and see whats available.  But in order to guarantee that the flooring will stand the test of time, it’s important that you ensure the surface underneath it is level and strong. If it isn’t, it’s likely that the floor will develop some defects, which could cause it to become uneven and would detract from its new look.

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    Here are some helpful tips as to how you can avoid these problems.

    Levelling a Wooden Floor

    Hardboard sheets are great when you’re trying to prepare a wooden floor for a new surface because they’ll help you to get it level, and they’ll reduce the draughts that may come up from underneath them. Before you lay these down, it’s a good idea to spray or brush them with water before you stack them in the room for 48 hours, as this will allow them to expand slightly. This means that when you lay them down they’ll tighten up as they dry rather than expanding, which will make sure they don’t buckle once you’ve laid them down.

    Then you’ll need to lay these down (adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines), starting in the corner of a room and putting each of the sheets tightly together. When you get to the other side of the room, you’ll probably need to cut one of the sheets down, but use the cut-off at the start of your next row so that the sheets are staggered.

    Levelling a Concrete Floor

    If you’re putting vinyl flooring on a concrete floor, it’s a good idea to use a self-levelling latex compound before you lay it – but only if the concrete floor is sound.

    If there are any cracks or holes in the concrete, you’ll need to dampen these with water before using your filler, as this will prevent the filler from cracking because it’s dried too quickly. Using a cement and sand or mortar mix, you can then fill these holes in and leave them to dry. Then you’ll need to add your compound, pouring it across the floor according to the directions provided by the manufacturer. Be careful not to flood the room by spreading it in a thickness of about 3mm.

  • Body cameras help bring a man to justice

    It is a scenario that frequently frustrates police – there is an accusation of assault, and often a fairly good body of supporting evidence, but the victim no longer supports a prosecution and will not attend the trial to give their evidence. In many cases this will result in an unsuccessful prosecution or charges being dropped.

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    Hi-tech Equipment Captures Essential Evidence

    However, a pilot project taken on by constabulary is seeing frontline police being equipped with a Body Worn Camera each, meant that this very scenario was avoided.

    Martin Funnell was charged with assault on his girlfriend and assault on the police officer who had responded to the victim’s calls and attended the scene. The officer’s Body Worn Camera had recorded the visibly upset victim letting the officer into their home and the defendant becoming agitated and aggressive towards the police officer, who told him that he was going to be arrested.

    Preventative and an Overt Evidence Collection

    Camera footage from body worn cameras is becoming increasingly valuable to police. But it is also a piece of equipment prized by security companies and businesses that have a need to protect their premises.

    The best type of cameras available on the market these days have extremely high-quality visual and audio. The equipment available from suppliers is water-resistant and can record up to eight hours worth of footage.

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    The benefits of the body worn video camera to police are numerous. Not only does the equipment record high-quality footage that can be used evidentially, it saves the officers time. This is because the quality of the evidence is indisputable, resulting in more early guilty pleas and less need for police officers to investigate vexatious complaints about police officers’ actions.

    A Successful Trial

    As is clear from Martin Funnell’s case, the camera can ensure that a prosecution can proceed successfully even where the victim refuses to cooperate in the process. This is often a big problem in domestic abuse incidents. The evidence recorded at the scene can have a big impact on a court.
    If this results in one of the household residents having to move out because of violence, a restraining order being put into place or they have broken in you might need a Dublin Locksmith company to come and repair or replace your locks.  You want to feel safe and secure at home so why not contact sites including http://locksafe.ie/  to help you today.
    For Funnell, the use of the camera footage in the trial resulted in an early guilty plea to all charges and a sentence to include 40 hours of unpaid work and compensation for the victims of his crime.

  • Short Break benefits for you

    If you’re used to working hard all year and eagerly awaiting your single two-week holiday during the summer, it might be time to think about taking more mini-breaks. It can be far nicer to use less of your annual leave for multiple short breaks than using it all in one block. Here you’ll see many reasons why you should holiday more for shorter periods and why it’s good for you, both mentally and physically.

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    While longer holidays are great for really immersing yourself in a culture and place, however you can take in far more destinations when you take several short trips. Imagine taking a weekend break every month – you could experience 12 new destinations in a single year! There’s no shortage of places to visit but I bet you wont regret asking yourself what are the Things to do in Market Harborough? Check out sites including marketharborough.com and it will be sure to keep you going through your short break with shops, restaurants, cafes and more!

    Short Breaks More Action-Packed

    When you’re spending less time in a place, you’re more likely to fill that time with far more activities and sight-seeing. This makes a short break feel longer and more satisfying. With long holidays, we tend to take things slowly so when we return to work, the holiday feels shorter than it was. An action-packed short break can leave us feeling more refreshed and energised than a fortnight on a beach.

    Limited Luggage

    Not many people enjoy the endless packing for big vacations. The great thing about short breaks is that you only need to throw a few things into a weekend bag and off you go.

    No Mountain of Work to Return to

    Some people find it hard to switch off and relax from work responsibilities, especially when a large holiday will inevitably mean a mountain of paperwork to return to. A short break can make it much easier to disconnect from work for a few days without worrying about things piling up in your absence.

    More Productive

    Short breaks have been proven to make you more productive and able to focus, acting as periods of revitalisation. By getting away from work and usual routine, people return feeling fresher and more content to get back into work.

    Cheaper

    Obviously, a short break is going to be easier on the wallet than a long holiday to the other side of the globe. Travel distances will be smaller, so travel costs and less nights spent away bring down the cost considerably.

    Easier for Pets

    If you’re like most families in this country, you’ll have a beloved cat, dog, gerbil, parrot or other variety of pet that needs looking after. It’s much easier and cheaper to find a pet sitter for a short break than it is for a longer holiday. There are many more options available when it’s a quick weekend break you’re after, even if it’s last minute.

    Go at Short Notice

    Planning a big vacation takes real effort – you have to work around annual leave and then there’s the family commitments to take care of. A short break, on the other hand, can be planned in a matter of hours and doesn’t need to cause any upheaval to normal arrangements. Choose a destination, bag a weekend bag and jump in the car!

     

  • Kitchen foods that are secretly surface cleaners

    Most of us work hard to keep our homes clean and hygienic. It can be a worry, especially if you believe the adverts for cleaning products!

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    However, before these hi-tech cleaners were invented, people managed to keep their houses clean. In fact, some think that the harsh chemicals used in modern products are partly to blame for the rise in asthma and eczema in recent times. Are we paying through the nose for products we don’t need and may even be doing us harm? If so, what’s the alternative? below are some tips. How ever good these tips are for home, your work cleanliness is different so to stop the worry get a professional in to help like a Leicester Cleaning Company which could be found at similar sites to www.acecleaningcompany.co.uk.

    They can help with all kinds of work environments like office, commercial and industrial so why not get your quote today.

    Simple and cheap

    The great news is there are lots of ways to clean, using items you may already have in your kitchen. One of the best cleaners is white vinegar – it may be labelled ‘distilled vinegar’, ‘spirit vinegar’ or ‘distilled malt vinegar’, but it should be a clear liquid with an acid content of 5-8%. Combine 100ml vinegar with 1.5 litres warm water for a brilliant window cleaner. Use in a spray bottle for easy application and rub to a gleaming shine with a microfibre cloth, or newspaper if you’re really going retro.

    Vinegar is one of the ingredients in a good surface cleaner too. Mix 120ml vinegar with 4 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda and 2 litres water. This works brilliantly on tiles, as well as kitchen and bathroom surfaces, but don’t use it on granite or other stone surfaces, as the acid in the vinegar could damage them.

    Floors

    Wood floors can be cleaned with a mixture of half olive oil and half lemon juice. Use a spray bottle to apply it then rub it in with a soft dry cloth. This is a great polish for wood furniture too.

    Vinyl, tiled or laminate flooring is very easy to keep hygienic, which is one of the reasons they are such popular choices. They clean beautifully using white vinegar again. Combine 8 tablespoons of vinegar in 3 litres of hot water and add a few drops of essential oil for a lovely smell – try tea tree oil or lavender.

    Toilets

    To deodorise your toilet, some bicarbonate of soda in the pan and white vinegar squirted round the inside and a good scrub will leave it smelling fresh. For limescale, pour white vinegar into the bowl and leave it overnight.

  • Essential oils in your everyday life

    When it comes to incorporating essential oils into your everyday life there are a variety of ways in which you can use your favourite scents. Whether this is lavender to help calm you, peppermint for mental clarity or perhaps orange and geranium for a mixture of the two effects. There are hundreds of different oils to choose from and the ones that you use will depend very much on the result that you are looking for, along with ay pre-existing conditions or contraindications which mean that you should not use certain oil. It is always best to buy your oils from a reputable company such as https://www.quinessence.com/essential-oils so that you can ensure their quality.

    Here are a number of ways that you can use these oils in your everyday life and routine.

    Massage – this involves adding your chosen essential oil to a carrier oil or a lotion such as coconut oil or a plain lotion. You can also find massage oils and lotions that are already infused with the oil. This massage does not have to be a full body massage it could simply be using a hand lotion each day and rubbing some of this into the pulse points located on your wrists.

    Diffusing – this is one of the most popular ways to enjoy essential oils and requires the use of a diffuser, You will place a few drops of your chosen oil or oils into water in the diffuser and allow this to disperse into the air. Some people choose to do this at the end of the day as a way in which to relax themselves before sleeping and others will use a variety of oils throughout the day and may use oil diffusion as a way in which to get them through the mid-afternoon slump rather than having to resort to caffeine. Oils that can help to stimulate include peppermint, rosemary and orange. If you are looking for something to relax you after a hard day at the office you might want to look at using lavender, geranium or roman chamomile.

    Inhalation – you may think that this is the same as diffusion but the subtle difference is that during inhalation you will place a drop of the oil directly into your hand and will then place your palms close to your nose and inhale the smell. You can also achieve this by placing a few drops onto a handkerchief or perhaps a favoured scarf that you regular place around your neck.

    Topically – this means placing the oils directly onto various areas of your body and is most often used in reiki and reflexology. If you are going to apply oil directly to your skin you should always seek the advice of a professional before you do so to ensure that the oil is appropriate for your and safe for direct use. If you are concerned then adding it to a carrier oil or lotion may be a better alternative.