There has been a big rise in blogging over the last few years and blogging is now a viable career for some (including me), however, there is still a lack of understanding by some about what blogging is and how blogging can help businesses.

What is blogging?

E-commerce covers a broad sweep of industries, encompassing any transactions or business that is conducted online or via the internet. This includes banking, real estate contracts, and much else. Retail, of course, makes up a large proportion of these transactions, with people buying and selling everything from second-hand clothes to groceries to antique furniture. Here are some of the expected trends of e-commerce in 2019 and beyond.

Retail and E-Commerce Become One
The retail industry will merge with e-commerce. Retail transactions are expected to comprise almost one-fifth of ecommerce business in the near future and there is scope for this number to swell even more as any differences between the two industries blur away to nothing.

Convenient Delivery

This means that traditional shopping – with patrons visiting premises and choosing from the stock on offer – will decrease. Any suppliers wanting to remain with a predominantly physical presence will find themselves suffering as customers turn to what is more convenient. Even shops like convenience stores who rely on gaining custom out of hours and at weekends, might find themselves struggling as delivery times shorten – some deliveries can already happen within hours of ordering – and people use their devices to order that much-needed milk or bread.

Ethical Concerns

There is a hesitation at present in the growth of online, in part, due to ethical concerns over the treatment of workers and the growing introduction of robots over manpower: driving down costs to management but forcing people either out of work or into long hours in dangerous warehouses. If these large companies can overcome their labour issues, then the convenience of shopping online and having your purchases delivered to your home is sure to win over the public once more.

Pop-Up to the Future

Where a physical presence is needed, there is a growing provision of multi-function spaces – large premises that can be hired for a day or a month in order for events to be held. Whether they are pop-up offerings, promotional or celebratory events, while the real business continues uninterrupted thanks to the online presence that allows people to do their shopping first thing in the morning, just before bed, or even at 3am on a sleepless night.

Insta-commerce

Finally, social commerce is on the rise. Almost everyone has heard of influencers, Instagrammers or YouTubers who promote products or lifestyles to their thousands of followers. This trend began with pap-shots of celebs or royals in certain dresses or clothing items that then sold out within minutes. The trend is increasingly being monetised by social media savants who seize on popular culture and trends to instantly decree changes in tastes and styles.

This insta-culture can be worrisome as there is little in the way of regulation so far, but it is a very visible platform and any unsafe claims (extreme eating regimens, Gwyneth Paltrow's notorious jade egg, or encouragement to perform dangerous stunts or trespass on private property) are usually called out promptly.

The overall trend for e-commerce is a shift away from trust in large impersonal corporations and towards companies that have a recognisable 'face' attached to them. A good social media presence and prompt responses to queries and issues all help to establish a business as offering good customer service and being generally trustworthy.

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There is money to be made in property and you may be wondering how to capitalise on this when interest rates are so low. One thing you can do is become a landlord but it can seem like a minefield at times.  So here is a simple guide to becoming a landlord.

Property


Are you buying a property for this purpose or do you have one already you will let?

If you are buying a new property to maximise potential, you could look at buying one in an area in demand, such as near colleges or universities or in a tourist destination. 

Type of Let

Are you going for a long-term or short-term let? You could potentially get more money for a short-term let but this could be seasonal. You have more flexibility with a short-term let which means you are not locked into a long-term agreement. A long-term let generally means you get a regular income coming in but the returns may be lower. 

Remember you can earn £7500 tax-free in the governments rent a room scheme.  If you are going down the Air BnB route you should be furnishing the property to a good standard, and provide free Wi-Fi, good quality bedding and towels as this is what is expected these days to get positive feedback.

Furnished or Unfurnished

Will you rent your property furnished or unfurnished? A furnished property can demand more money but you may get items damaged and you will have to factor in replacement costs long-term. 

Don't forget you have a responsibility to provide fixtures and fittings including furniture which is safe to use. Whether you are letting it furnished or not you need to provide smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers. fire blankets and gas and electricity safety certificates. 

Tenancy agreement




Make sure you have a tenancy agreement in place, which is a contract between you and the tenants. It sets out your responsibilities as a landlord and that of the tenants such as when they will pay their rent. 

Consult a solicitor to ensure you have the correct details. This is a legally binding contract. If you use an agency they will be able to provide a tenancy agreement for you.

Agencies

If you decide to use an agency to help you let a property you have advantages and disadvantages. 

The biggest advantage is that they can advertise the property for you and also deal with the tenant. The biggest disadvantage is that they take a fee, usually 10% but can be up to 20%. Some people prefer to use an agency as it can be a stress-free 'hands-off' approach to letting without the fuss.

Mortgage

A buy-to-let mortgage is the type of mortgage you need for a new property.
If you still have a mortgage on a current property it is important to inform your mortgage provider as you could get into trouble with them otherwise, as the mortgage was provided in the first place presuming you live there unless you said otherwise.

Insurances

So you have agreed on a let, then be sure to have the appropriate insurances. 

As well as building cover which is essential a landlord insurance policy is worth considering.  It can cover you for loss of rent if your home is damaged and is inhabitable, accidental or malicious damage by tenants, eviction of squatters and more. 

So here is a simple guide to becoming a landlord.  Let me know, have you ever thought about becoming a landlord

*Collaborative post

Having a child changes many things in your life. This small person is now the centre of your world. Gone are the days when all you had to look after was yourself.  It's not just you in the world any more, you have this bundle of joy that you have to care for, nurture and protect. 

Although the simple basics of looking after a child aren't that costly - food, clothing, and love, we all went the best for our children, and some things will cost more than you expect. If you want to help your child in the future you should be considering saving for their future. 



Maybe you want to give them a helping hand and save for their college education, maybe you want to put money aside for their first car, or maybe you want to help them get on the property ladder and save for their first deposit. These are all great ideas, and will certainly help your child, but have you thought about how you are going to do this?

Many of us use a mix of Junior ISAs, children's saving accounts, and friendly society tax-exempt plans. In fact, this is what I did saving for my son when he was a child. It was great when he got to 18 and I had some money to help him with the costs of starting university. 




If you are wondering if you are saving enough for your child's future, have a look at this infographic by Shepherds Friendly below. Shepherds Friendly, which is a friendly society, (a mutual association for the purposes of pensions, saving and insurances), surveyed 2000 parents and found out of those surveyed, 43% had thought about opening a savings plan for a child.  Of those that had thought about it, 65% said they would only pay between £10 and £50 a month. 

Now you may think that isn't a lot but it can make a big difference in the long term even if you put £10 aside every month. That is what my mum did for me, start small and then when she could afford it she increased the amount. I remember my mum always saving for my future.  Every month she would pay money to the insurance salesman, who used to collect the money door-to-door. That's what you did in those days. She is clever my mum!



When I was older then, I had money towards my first car. That was a massive help to me when I was a student nurse.

To work out how much to save for your child's future, just think about how much you can realistically afford, times it by 12 and put aside that amount every year. Of course with savings plans, you need to save on a regular basis so that's why it's important to have a realistic idea of the amount you can save. If you think about it, an average cup of coffee is £2.50 and saving the cost of two cups a week for 4 weeks is £20. Then if you can afford it increase it slowly. That's a reasonable amount to start with, that can go towards something nice for your child when they are older, such as their first car, their wedding or going to university. If you have family members that are happy to help, they can set up a savings plan for your child too. T

With the cost of a second-hand car and insurance from £2000, the cost of a new home deposit from £10,000, and university debt running up to £50,000, then any helping hand your child receives will be greatly appreciated I am sure. 


Let me know, do you have a savings plan for your child? Do you think it's a good idea? What would you use the savings plan for?

A beautiful face needs the right investment to make it look good. First, you need amazing makeup products like those from Sulwhasoo and then you need to apply it properly. Every makeup artist needs his/her own set of makeup tools to get the perfect look and there are many benefits of having your own makeup tool kit. Having the perfect brushes, sponges, and applicators can really make a difference. It is a good investment, both for those that wear makeup every day and for those amateur and professional makeup up artists that work in the beauty industry.

Here are all the reasons why you need to invest in your own makeup tools:

1. Keeping your own makeup tool set is more hygienic and sanitary
The primary benefit of owning your own makeup tool set is having better sanitation both for you and your makeup client. Makeup tools like brushes, sponges, and applicators come into frequent skin contact, both from your hands and the face of your various clients.

It is important to make sure your makeup tools are clean to prevent skin outbreaks and irritation caused by dirty makeup applicators. It is so much easier to clean and ensure makeup hygiene when you have your own tool kit than sharing or borrowing it from others.

2. You will have better product control and management

Another perk to having your own makeup tool kit is being able to choose your own brush sets, foams, and applicators according to your needs and budget as a makeup artist. You’ll have more freedom to choose which makeup tools to use and buy depending on your needs and preferences.

For example, you may choose to buy an entire brush set from a certain brand only, or mix and match several individual brushes from various brands. You can also decide how many or less of a particular makeup tool you need. You may like to have three eyeshadow brushes instead of just one because you don’t want to mix up eyeshadow palettes or choose to just have one because of a limited budget.

3. Enables for more precise application

One of the greatest perks of owning your own makeup tool kit is that you’re more comfortable and capable of handling the tools you’re going to use, which leads to better and more precise makeup application. You are basically familiar with handling a makeup brush with the right grip and using the right strokes.

Comfortability is an important factor when applying makeup because having the wrong grip or stroke is not going to help you achieve the best results on your client. Furthermore, improper handling of makeup tools will cause joint fatigue on your hands that will diminish your ability to apply makeup on a client’s face, especially when you are applying a makeup look that takes several hours.

4. You can achieve better effects with the right tools.



Using your own makeup tools also delivers better effects on your makeup application. If you are comfortable with handling your tools, you will also be more accustomed to blending correctly and applying the cosmetic product to achieve the desired effect. The cosmetic product may be good and even expensive, but without the right brush or required makeup applicator, the makeup artist may not be able to achieve the right effect.

5. Having the right tools can maximize the products’ effectivity and function.

The right makeup brushes, sponges, and applications can boost and maximize the effectiveness of a cosmetic product. For example, liquid foundation is spread out more easily and with a better finish when it is applied onto the face using a blending sponge than just using your fingers. An even application saves you more time, energy, and the product itself since it ensures that only the right amount of the product will be used due to better application. Having the right brushes also enables your colour palettes to look better because it will be properly applied using the right brush, thus making blending easier and making the colours stand out or harmonize each other.

Investing in your own makeup tool kit is a good idea as it helps you ensure better sanitation, product application, control, and management that greatly benefits any makeup artist by ensuring the makeup process is more comfortable and easier.


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Are you planning to decorate your home but stuck for ideas? When it comes to home decor, everyone has their own personal style. However, if it is your first time decorating a home you may not have established your style yet. It is important to understand your interior style, as it will make the design process much easier, whether you decide to take on the project yourself or work with a professional.

To help you uncover your home decor style, you should read these top tips which will allow you to create your dream home.

Get inspired 

Trading online is a great way of expanding your business and extending its reach across the globe. For many businesses, e-commerce is the only means with which they sell their goods.

If you are looking to set up an e-commerce site then it’s vitally important that you have a website and a platform capable of growing with your business. The last thing you want is to have to scrap it all and start again in a few years, as this is both very expensive and very time-consuming.

So, how can you ensure that you create an e-commerce website that you won’t outgrow?

Business Basics

It is hard to save money. Many of us are paying more in bills and our paychecks are not growing. However, it is still important for you to try to save money for a rainy day and an emergency fund is a great idea to cover unexpected costs.

There are several things that you will need to plan for.

Car Repairs

The Village Hotel Club Bristol is a newly opened hotel, a short drive from the city centre in Filton, and less than two miles from fantastic shopping at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. 

We checked in quickly with the receptionist who was cheerful and informative. There was also a self-service check-in available too.


First impressions of the hotel were good. Everything was clean, modern, cool and contemporary.  I really liked the bright decor!





In the foyer, there is a Starbucks coffee shop, perfect for your morning Americano or mid-morning snack and also the Village hotel 'Pub and Grill' for all-day dining. We would be eating in the Pub and Grill the next day so more of that later.





A nice little welcome.


Firstly, how cool is this decor? I am not a fan of the beige and browns you get so often in a room so this made a refreshing change. 



Rather than some soggy biscuits, an apple was complimentary in the room (It would have been nice if we had two though).



The bathroom was super modern and included features such as electric blinds, a magnifying mirror with adjustable lighting and a huge rainfall shower.


I was pleased to see proper size bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. So much more eco-friendly than the tiny bottles of toiletries you get in most hotels, with all the plastic waste. The ESPA products smelt lovely too. Other eco-friendly features include the half flush on the toilet and the ability to use the smaller shower head instead of the rainfall shower.


A quirky 21st-century feature of the bathroom was the privacy door. As the bathroom door is glass, at a touch of a button you can make the glass opaque so no one can see you. Such a cool feature. If you are not that familiar with the person you are sharing a room with though, it could be a bit of an issue, the sound from the bathroom does carry, so best to book a separate room. 


As there were so many interesting gadgets, there was a sheet in the room explaining these and how they worked. 



The room had a Tassimo coffee machine, Dyson hairdryer and an Alexa - Amazon's virtual assistant.

The Dyson was super quick at drying hair, which for £300 if you had to buy one, I would definitely want it to be! The Tassimo was great and came with a range of pods as well as sugar and milk for those coffee hits. 


The Alexa was a little temperamental. They are always like this though and we had fun asking it questions. If you said "Alexa, Ask Village...." and any questions about the hotel it would tell you the answer.  A nifty feature.

The TV was a massive 55inch HD TV and came with Sky Sports and movies as well as all the usual channels. You can also check out of the room on the TV which is useful if you are short of time. A Chromecast was another feature in the room, which allows you to stream from your devices but we didn't use this. 


If you want room service there is a menu available and you can order it from the Village Hotel app. The prices for main courses seemed average for a hotel, the starters were a bit more expensive than I thought they would be but the portions are large. 

Tribute night

So after freshening up, we started to get ready for the evening ahead - an Ed Sheeran and Beyonce tribute act in the hotel's function room. The hotel holds these every weekend and they cost £30 per person including a three-course meal. Drinks are not included but there is a bar available.


The room was nicely set out and the tribute acts were good.


Even though we are not fans of Ed Sheeran he did look and sound like him and got the crowd going, as did the Beyonce tribute, a very effervescent lady who had so much energy!


The three-course meal consisted of butternut squash soup with warm bread rolls, a roast turkey dinner and a raspberry and cream mousse. The starter was particularly good and for the price of the meal and entertainment, I thought it was great value.


So that night after being well fed and truly entertained we retired to our room and had a great night's sleep.







The next morning breakfast was included in our rate and was in the Village Pub and Grill. It consisted of a buffet breakfast with a choice of hot and cold food. It wasn't a hugely extensive breakfast but it suited our needs and included tea and coffee, long life juices, cereals, yoghurt, croissants and melon as well as bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and beans. One of the bloggers we were with is gluten intolerant and they did have gluten free bread available as well as soya milk.

Leisure facilities



After breakfast, I went for a swim to work it all off. If you are staying in the club room you get the use of the leisure facilities for free. This includes the pool, a state of the art gym, and exercise classes. Mr W was very impressed with the gym and if you are a local I think the off-peak rate for a monthly pass is around £35.  If you have a regular room you do have to pay £5 for access to the leisure facilities.  Everything was clean, modern and high-tech and the leisure facilities are a huge plus point if you are staying here.


Les Mills event 

After checking out the pool and gym I popped along to the Les Mills launch event. Les Mills is a fitness programme that runs classes throughout the world. Their mission is to create a fitter planet and their classes from Body Pump, to Body Combat combine exercise to music. Every few months they revitalise their classes and create new moves to keep everything fresh so today was the launch of their new season of classes.





The class had so much energy that I really wished there were Les Mills exercise classes near me. Unfortunately, I live in a small town on the South Wales coast where the average age is 80, but I live in hope! 

Bristol Fashion Show Festival 

Then it was a quick change and a short ten-minute drive to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway for the Bristol Fashion Show Festival. This ticketed event was a lot of fun. As well as the tents that included beauty and style makeovers you got three  30 minute events - a catwalk show, a styling workshop and Caryn Franklin, TV presenter and broadcaster in conversation with some of the top UK fashion influencers. 




I booked myself in for a free 10-minute style consultation. I was asked which styles I like and was shown some of the new designs out this season. I think I probably needed to be more specific in what I wanted out of this session, as I wanted to be shown items I wouldn't normally wear.  If you wish to do this in future I would go for the more in-depth style consultation for 30 minutes at a small charge.



Then it was time for the first event, a discussion with Caryn Franklyn in conversation with Sonny Turner and Zoe De Pass, two fashion influencers. Sonny is an influencer that has curves and who celebrates body positivity, whilst Zoe is a London based content creator that works on changing misconceptions that being a mum doesn't mean you have to dress 'mumsy'.  

Anecdotally people seem to see influencers like this as a relatable side of fashion. Not everyone is a size 8 and 5 foot 10 and women want to see other people that look like them in the fashion industry. Caryn asked how many people there read blogs and almost all the hands went up. 

Sustainability and ethical fashion were flagged up as an area to watch. Caryn suggested that you ask your favourite fashion brand what they can tell you about their carbon footprint about their worker's conditions. When they are asked this on a regular basis it may make them realise people want change.