Types of Commercial Property And What They're Good For

When you set up a business of any kind, buying or leasing a commercial property is part and parcel of your expenditure. But, what types of properties are out there to choose from?

Setting up a business requires a lot of outgoing expenditure, the biggest of which will probably come from buying or leasing a property. Whether you’re opening a café, hotel, book shop or cinema, finding a home base is paramount.

The question is, what sort of properties are out there for your needs?

In this article, I’ll be taking you through the types of commercial properties, so you can get started with your commercial property conveyancing. The sooner this big decision is made, the sooner your business can be properly set up! So, let’s get cracking…

What is Commercial Property?



A commercial property, also known as commercial real estate, is a building or piece of land intended to generate profit. The property will usually be used for industry purposes but can include residential property, depending on the purpose and size of it.

Commercial Property Classifications

The Town and Country Planning Order of 1987 determine how commercial real estate is used, and what types it falls under. In order to determine this, they have a series of “use classes” which help to define things better.

Any property used for commercial purposes must adhere to the planning regulations within the order, or fines might be implemented. So, if you wish to renovate your property, or change its usage, you need to make sure it complies with planning. Ultimately, this:

Enables planners in the area to ensure their area doesn’t include certain property types to avoid complaints, for example, no pubs;
And it identifies what types of businesses can or can’t move into these areas.

10 Types of Commercial Property

Now that we know a bit more about what commercial property is and how it’s separated, here are the 10 types of commercial real estate you should be aware of:

Office Buildings


Office buildings are the first type we’ll be discussing. They’ll be used for general office work, as well as research and development studios in either urban or suburban areas. Office buildings are distributed into three different classes, which are:

  • Class A: the building will be very prestigious, so rents will be above average for the area. Systems and services will be very high-end, giving the business a high presence; perfect for customer-facing jobs for high-profile clients.
  • Class B: these will be perfect for a wide range of companies, with an array of budgets. The prices will usually match the averages in the area, and the building finishes will be fit for purpose.
  • Class C: usually for start-ups, housing small businesses who need a functional space with a below-average rent.

Retail

Retail includes any commercial business that sells anything other than hot food on its premises. This is a huge industry, which includes a massive array of different business types including, but not limited to:

  • Post office
  • Cold food vendors
  • Supermarkets
  • Clothes stores
  • Beauty parlours
  • Hairdressers
  • Funeral parlours
  • Car wash
  • Petrol station
  • Shopping centres
  • Malls
  • Nail salon
  • Drug stores

Within these larger malls, there will usually be an anchor tenant, or multiple anchor tenants, to draw people in. For example, many have a big supermarket chain situated within the mall to draw customers into the smaller shops.

Industrial

The industrial property sector typically involves large warehouses, which can be outfitted with machinery and shelving units to meet specific business requirements. These buildings may be used for manufacturing, assembly, storage, and distribution, such as wholesale warehouses. They’re usually located outside urban areas, near major travel routes, and often within large business parks. If you're in need of space, there are the availability of commercial warehouses for rent and can be tailored to suit your business needs and operations.

Leisure

Leisure properties encompass a huge array of different types of businesses and usually revolve around the entertainment industry. Some ideas that may be included within this type of commercial property include cinemas, skating rinks, gyms, bingo halls, swimming pools, and more.

Food and Drink

The thriving food and drink sector includes a number of different vicinities. Be it a pub, a restaurant, a coffee shop, a wine bar, or a café, they all apply.

This sector also includes takeaway services. As long as hot food and drink is served on the premises, even if it leaves the premises to be consumed, it’s all part of this commercial sector.

Hotels

The hotel industry -- although currently struggling due to COVID-19 -- was previously thriving and will thrive again at some point, especially if resorts to using an effective online hotel management system to streamline all operations. It’s a broad sector, including hotels of different types. These are:
  • Limited service: no room service, on-site restaurant, or concierge.
  • Full-service: does have all of the above, and is usually a big-name hotel.
  • Boutique: an urban or resort location, with a full service, but few rooms. Not part of a national chain.
  • Casino: a hotel with some sort of gaming component, like an arcade or slot machine.
  • Extended stay: limited service, with large rooms, sometimes with kitchens, for longer stays.
  • Resort: a large area, with attached amusement facilities, like a golfing range.

Land

Any investment properties on undeveloped rural land also falls into this type of real estate. These sorts of buildings offer lots of opportunities for future development, especially with land diversification being a popular choice for many farmers these days.

The opportunities of this land to become a staycation destination, a farm café, a spa, an adventure park, or anything else in between, means lots of profit can be made. These sorts of land fall into three different categories, including:

  • Greenfield land: undeveloped farm or pasture land, like a field, ranch or orchard.
  • Infill land: land in a city area that has already been developed, but is vacant.
  • Brownfield land: parcels of land which were previously used for industrial purposes, but are now open to use for other purposes.

Multi-Family

As we’ve seen, the definition of commercial property is land intended to generate profit. With this in mind, residential property greater than a certain number of units also qualifies as commercial. This is the case due to borrowing or tax purposes; it simply isn’t the same as buying a residential home.

In general, this type of real estate includes residential real estate outside of one single family, such as:

  • Apartments and condos
  • Co-ops, which are businesses owned by a democracy of people striving towards a common goal
  • Townhomes, which are old aristocratic buildings which generate income, often through apartments within
  • High-rises, which include buildings of nine or more floors and at least one elevator
  • Mid-rises, usually multistorey buildings found in urban areas with an elevator
  • Walk-ups, which are buildings of up to six storeys, without an elevator
  • Garden-style properties, which are one to three-storey apartments in a rural/garden-like setting
  • Special-purpose housing, for example, student housing, care homes, or subsidised homes in low-income areas

Non-Residential

These buildings will involve a huge number of different uses, usually with a community in mind. Some might include:

  • Banks
  • Creches
  • Churches
  • Community halls
  • Libraries
  • Art galleries
  • Museums
  • Clinics
  • Nurseries
  • Schools
  • Health centres

Mixed Use

These days, some buildings may be put to maximum use through being built for multiple purposes. For example, a hotel, office building, retail store or apartment building with a café or restaurant underneath is pretty common. This is a great way to make a bit of extra money through capitalising on the general needs of those using the building.

Ready to Buy Your Commercial Property?



As you can see, there are a large number of different commercial property types to consider when moving your business in. It’s all down to what you’ll be using the property for, and what sort of environment you’d like to set up in.

Hopefully, this article has given you an insight into what to expect from this large sector of real estate. Don’t forget to get in touch with a conveyancing solicitor to help you with your final decision.

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Wall Art Review From Desenio

If you are looking for wall art there are several online sites you can choose from these days. Let's have a look at one such company - Desenio. This is an ad but as ever all opinions are my own.

The choice of wall art these days is huge, but if you are looking for a professional company with a large choice you still have to do some research. Desenio is one site I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Who are Desenio?

Desenio are a company founded in 2010 based in Stockholm. Their ethos is that wall art should be well priced and not out of reach of the average person. The wall art they sell is therefore affordable to everyone with prices starting from under £10. At Desenio, you will find a wide range of posters along with frames, hangers, picture ledges and clips. They like to keep the designs fresh and frequently add new items to their range, in order to keep abreast of the latest interior and Scandinavian designs.

Sustainability

What about sustainability you may ask as they produce a lot of prints? Desenio take sustainability seriously and are a Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified company. FSC are a non-profit organisation that sets certain high standards to ensure forestry is practised in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial way and almost all the prints on the Desenio website originate from sustainable forests (with the exception of a few handpicked designs). 

Designs

prints

So let's talk about the designs. There is a huge variety of choice on the Desenio website. From the latest wall art trends to classic and timeless designs that transcend fashion. Whether you want classic black and white images, modern art, fun print for kids, retro art prints or travel posters, there is a wide choice available on the website.

Collections

black and white prints

The prints are organised in collections such as Fashion, Animals, Space, Retro and vintage, Black and white and Photographs. My favourites collections are Nature, Retro and vintage, and the section 'Studio Collections'.

Studio Collections

Desenio Studio Collections comprise unique photo designs where each collection pays tribute to the chosen location. Their creative team visited a number of cities across the globe to capture the essence of the cities and took photos to get a unique snapshot. I particularly love this collection with a strong architectural slant. It's a fresh modern look at cities you may have visited and celebrated the uniqueness of these destinations. 

My Choice 


 
The prints I picked for my living room, compliments of Desenio were two Venice prints. I wanted something to remind me of my travels and these prints reminded me of walking the Venice canals at night.

Venice at night is so much more beautiful than Venice in the day when all the cruise ships go. It's quieter and much more atmospheric. 



I was really happy when the prints arrived. They were packaged well in cardboard, were excellent quality and they came within a few days.

I also ordered black photo frames from Desenio at the same time and these were great quality too, with shatterproof acrylic glass so they are lightweight as well. It was very easy to place the print inside and hang, as the frames have clips on the back which were easy to move and adjust and a landscape as well as a portrait hook.  



Shipping to the UK is 6 Euros on orders of under 49 Euros and free on orders above. 

Conclusion

lounge

I enjoyed picking my wall art with Desenio. There was a good choice of prints, the ones I ordered came quickly, they were well priced at £23.95 each and looked great on the wall. If you are looking for even more of a bargain, check out the Black Friday offers on the 27th of November, when there is a 35% offer on prints (not available on frames or handpicked personalized prints) 

To be honest, there wasn't anything I could dislike from the process of ordering and receiving the prints from Desenio, it was an easy process and the prints are gorgeous. If you are looking for wall art I think you should check out Desenio. Highly recommended. 

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Add Value to Your Home with These Helpful Tips

There’s no doubt that a lot of us have considered renovating our homes this year. Having spent a considerable amount of time indoors over the last 12 months, we do not blame you if you find yourself wanting to tear down that once loved wallpaper! With the indoors and outdoors of your family home to consider, there are so many different avenues to explore. Read on for my helpful tips on how to freshen up your home and add value.

Paintwork


This suggestion seems like the most obvious but is where a lot of thought comes into decision-making. What colour do you choose and how can you ensure it fits with an existing colour scheme? Do you make a drastic colour change, or simply alter the shade? The possibilities are endless. Using a selection of tester pots on the area in question is the best way to go forward and decide which colour stands out to you. Considering the colours which complement the shape of the room you are redecorating, and whether it brightens the area is also another thing to have in mind.

Patio

Having a comfortable and welcoming outdoor area is of importance to any home with a garden. Planning which furniture to purchase and how it will fit with your garden is the best place to start. Whether you are looking for furniture suitable for young couples with pets, or for retirees, there is a large range of items out there. If you are planning on putting decking in your garden, ensuring that you make sure smaller family members and furry friends stay safe, is an important thing to remember. Particularly if the decking is raised, you want to prevent any accidents from happening. Companies such as the Juliet Balcony Company provide customers with beautiful yet simple glass designs to line your patio or decking area. Using glass balustrade systems, the glass designs provide a touch of elegance to any home and adds a significant value to any balcony/outdoor seating area. 

Furniture

upcycling

If you are changing up the colour scheme of your room and want the furniture to match, upcycling furniture is the best option for you, especially if you are on a budget and don’t want to needlessly throw out an old favourite. Giving a vintage chest of drawers a lick of paint and some new handles can make a world of difference while bringing it into the 21st century. Upcycling furniture will enable you to put a bit of your personality into the design. Make guests envious and question where that delightful new bookstand is from! 

Rendering

Something which is more expensive than something like upcycling, rendering is a consideration for those looking to completely redo their home to add value. While rendering costs a large sum of money, in the long-term, it is saving homeowners expensive maintenance costs in the future. Rendering can prevent damp from infiltrating your walls, causing erosion and cracks in the building foundations. Used on a variety of different buildings, rendering provides a sleek and aesthetic surface to gaze upon. This is a practice which definitely increases the value of a building! 

Let me know, have you been redecorating your home these last few months?

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Top Dressing Table Organisation Tips

A dressing table is one of the most useful pieces of furniture you can own. It is something that you can style to look just as you want it and is your space to sit down, get ready, and pamper yourself.

 

The only issue with dressing tables is that without any organisation, they can soon turn into a chaotic mess. This can make your whole room look cluttered and somewhere you don't necessarily want to spend time. If you find this is you, here are some top tips for organising your dressing table.

Invest in storage

There are so many storage options out there; it just depends on the type of dressing table you have to what you need. Some dressing tables come with plenty of drawers and if you are just purchasing your table, getting one with drawers is a great idea. Others have a tabletop which totally opens to reveal a hidden interior for storage, and others just have one drawer. Just having drawers, however, isn't enough, be sure to invest in some storage solutions for these, which can segment up your beauty items and make it much easier to find whatever you are looking for.

Make the most of the wall around it

Who says your dressing table has to be limited to the surface it provides? Instead, make the most of all the space on the walls that surround your dressing table too. Put up some different shelves that can house your makeup brushes and other beauty items. It could be a good idea to put the things that you use every day here, so you don’t have to rifle around in the drawers for them. Hang up some hooks to put your hairdryer, curlers, and straighteners on, as well as pockets you can hang up that can house all your hair bands and accessories. Not only does this look great, but it is super organised too.

Clear out what you don’t use

The items your dressing table stores can soon rack up, and you could find you have many of the same products. After all, do you really need six mascaras and ten lipsticks in the same shade? Don't forget old makeup can be full of bacteria too and does have a shelf life, so have a big de-clutter and throw out the items that you don’t use. Mascara over 6 months old? Chuck it out! It is a good idea to be ruthless here. If you don’t miss the item or go to use it in the next six weeks, you can throw it away safe in the knowledge you probably wouldn’t have used it again. Also, wash your brushes on a regular basis in a mild detergent and let dry. This stops makeup from flaking off and bacteria making your skin break out.  A nice fresh cloth cover can be a good idea. If you are looking for an affordable dressing and table covers wholesale, you can purchase it from CV linens.  

These are just a few dressing table tips to keep your space organised. When you have such a great table to pamper yourself on, you want it to be the best space it can possibly be and these tips can help you to achieve this. What are your top dressing table organisation tips? 

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Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Teeth

Looking after our teeth is extremely important. Once our adult teeth come through, there are no second chances. There are many things we can do in everyday life to keep our teeth as healthy as possible. This is an ad.

teeth

If you want your smile to look its best, below are a few lifestyle tips for healthy teeth.

Stop Smoking

Smoking does more than stain the teeth. Smoking can also cause bad breath, leading to lower self-confidence. Smoking can also increase the chances of getting gum disease, which can then lead to loss of teeth, receding gums and abscesses. Not only will this cause lasting effects on your mouth, but you will also be paying a lot at the dentist to get this fixed. 

Straighten Your Teeth

Straightening your teeth doesn’t just make them look better. Having straighter teeth allows for a cleaner mouth, as crowded teeth can prevent proper cleaning. If you are wondering about the braces cost in the UK, check out Straight My Teeth. They answer common questions such as, ‘How much do braces cost in the UK?’ and why clear aligners are a better choice. These teeth straightening options from Straight My Teeth are explained in detail, and you’ll find they cater to every price range.

Floss Daily

Many of us don’t floss daily, with a recent study showing only 31% of people floss on a daily basis, despite dentists and the NHS stating we should do this as part of our regular daily routine. Flossing every day is so important for cleaner teeth and preventing staining and tooth decay. The spaces between the teeth, as recommended by dentists Richmond, need as much care as the front and back, meaning to keep our teeth as healthy as possible, we should be flossing every day.

Cut Down on Sugar

Sugar is terrible for the body and it’s bad for the teeth. While we all know this, we still consume too much sugar. Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay and once a tooth has decayed past the dentin, there isn’t any going back. Cutting out the added sugar in our hot drinks, fruit juices and sweets will all have a positive effect on our mouth health.

Consume a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is great for healthy teeth. This means small amounts of sugar, alongside plenty of fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy. Milk is especially important for tooth health, as it can make teeth stronger and protect enamel. For more information on the worst and best foods for tooth health, click here.

Avoid Staining

If you want to keep your teeth healthy and white, avoid any drinks that can cause staining. This includes hot drinks like tea and coffee, as well as red wine. If you have stained your teeth by consuming too much of these liquids, don’t try and whiten your teeth with a cheap whitening kit. This will cause damage and may lead to sensitive teeth. If you want your teeth whitened, speak to your dentist.

To keep your teeth healthy, cut down on sugar, floss daily, stop smoking and consider straightening your teeth. Be sure to avoid any liquids that will stain your teeth to keep them healthy and white. These are just some of the things that you can do to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. However, don't forget to visit your dentist regularly too. If you don't have one yet, you can check out this one that does veneers and teeth whitening in Redwood City.

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High-Tech Equipment That Will Make Your Garden Rock

With most of us spending more time at home, attention is turning to the garden. We’re becoming more obsessed with controlling our immediate surroundings since we have fewer options to venture out of the house.

Even though things are grim right now, there are high-tech features that are making gardening more comfortable, better and more environmentally friendly. Here’s what we’re talking about.

Plant Monitors



Imagine if you could discover how your plants were growing using an app on your phone? Well, bizarrely, now you can.

The idea is pretty simple. You place a wireless sensor in the soil, and it then tracks things like the temperature, light levels, soil pH and fertiliser levels. All you have to do is wait for the app to produce a notification telling you that the nitrogen needs topping up and off you go. It completely takes the guesswork out of the process and means that you can rescue plants before they begin to show signs of physical fatigue and malnutrition.

Composite Fencing



Imagine if there was a fence that wasn’t made of perishable materials but also didn’t harm the environment.

Well, it turns out that there is - and it’s called eco friendly fencing.

This new type of fence takes the best of materials and combines them in a way that reduces fence turnover. The result is fewer trees cut down and lower overall emissions - just what you want if you’re concerned about the environment.

Hedge Trimmer Multitools



Trimming your hedges can be a bit of a struggle, even if you’re using a motorised trimmer.

While you might have a great attachment for your device that works on some bushes, that doesn’t mean it’ll work with all of them. Often you need different types of clippers.

Now, though, you don’t need to keep a set of trimming devices. Instead, you can simply swap out one blade for another, depending on your needs. That means less expense and more time getting things done in the garden.

Garden Planning Apps

Planning out a garden used to be something people did on sheets of paper, but it was always fraught with problems. What if you wanted to rearrange your layout?

Now, though, you can get garden planning apps that do a lot more. You can fiddle around with garden features and change how you set things out how you like until you get it perfect.

Many of these apps come with intuitive interfaces and hundreds of different textures for various plants. Ultimately, you should be able to get a sense of what your garden will look like from an aerial view.

Pole Saws

Nothing is more annoying than being unable to trim bushes and trees that have become overgrown. But in the average garden, it happens all the time. You simply don’t have any tools that allow you to pare back overgrowth high up in the canopy or around your roof.

With a pole saw, though, you can get around this issue. You just hoist it into the air and then let the trimmer do its job.

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What To Do In A Car Accident

A car accident can be a very shocking thing to happen, and whether it's your fault or not there are some things you need to do straight away. Let's have a look at what they are and how you can resolve any issues in a clear and straight forward way as possible.

1. Stop the car

car accident


The first thing you can do in a car accident is to stop the car as soon as possible in a safe place. Did you know it's actually an offence not to do so? Make sure you put your hazard lights on and switch off the engine.

2. No injuries? Remain as calm as possible

You may be shaken up. Take a deep breath and try and remain as calm as possible. This is the time to check everyone over to see if they have any injuries. If they don't you can breathe a sigh of relief. If another car was involved exchange details (see below).

3. Injuries? Remain as calm as possible



If there are injuries call an ambulance immediately. Explain simply what happened. The ambulance service will guide you to what to do. You also need to call the police. If another car was involved exchange details (see below)

4. Exchange details

Exchange details with any other drivers of vehicles involved. Do not admit responsibility. You may not have a full picture of what happened at this moment in time. This can protect you from liability if it is not your fault. Record the name and address of the drivers, their insurance details and make, colour and model of car, as well as the number plate of any vehicles involved. If you're uncertain about the legal implications after an accident, you may want to consult a legal professional, such as Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, or another firm in your area that specializes in personal injury law.

5. Record the detail



Make a quick note of the time and detail of what happened. This will help in the future with any insurance claims and any disputes. Record the time of the incident, anything that happened before, exactly what happened and the weather conditions. Take the name and address of any witnesses. Record any injuries and the details of the injured parties. Take a photo of the cars involved and any damage, most people have a camera on their phone these days.

6. Call your insurance company

As soon as possible call your insurance company to inform them of the incident. You will need your policy details and car reg number. You will also need the details of any other drivers involved as well as their car reg and their insurance details if they have them.

As you can see here is a lot to remember. If you try and keep calm and address this is a logical order then this will help. This is a simple guide to what to do in a car accident and does not offer medical advice. If you do all this you won't have to get a California car accident lawyer to help with any legal action.

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Nordgreen Philosopher Rose Gold Watch Review & 35% Black Friday Discount

Some people are watch lovers and some people are not. I've always been a bit on the fence when it comes to watches. I think a nicely styled watch can be an interesting addition to an outfit, and of course, it's always good to be able to tell the time, so when Nordgreen sent me one of the Philosopher watches to review I was interested to see what it was like. Would I love it or loathe it? This is an ad and may contain affiliate links but as always opinions are my own.   If you are interested in their Black Friday Offers You can also enter the code JEWELL35 for 35% off valid until midnight 1st of December! 

Who are Nordgreen?

Nordgreen are a Danish brand with their ethos based in sustainability and minimalist design. Established in 2017, they have quickly made a name for themselves on the watch market, aimed at style-conscious men and women who care about the environment. 

In the Nordic region, sustainability is a way of life, and Nordgreen applies these principals in a number of ways. Firstly they have a carbon-neutral office, planting millions of trees to offset emissions, secondly, they use sustainable packaging, thirdly by responsible manufacturing following best practices and lastly by a 'giving back' programme establishing partnerships with charitable organisations worldwide. 

Their watches are designed by award-winning leading designer Jakob Wagner, who has designed for companies such as Bang & Olufsen, B&B Italia, and Cappellini. Being sleek and stylish and not just functional, Nordgreen ladies watches come in three main designs - the Philosopher, the Native and the Infinity. 

The Philosopher watch

The watch I was sent to review was the Nordgreen Philosopher watch. The watch was delivered in 3 days, which I thought was quick considering their base is in Denmark.

Nordgreen Infinity watch open box

The watch came in a mid-blue soft touch presentation box that had an aura of class, and the watch was presented on felt like material.  

Nordgreen Infinity watch

The watch I had chosen was in a rich rose gold material, with the strap made of a metal mesh. The face was white with rose gold-coloured hour markers instead of numbers but also came in black. A simple date was shown on the watch face, and the watch had an hour, minute and second hand.

Nordgreen Infinity watch on rock

When you buy a Nordgreen Philosopher watch you can choose from a silver, gold or rose gold metal bezel, with a black or white face and a variety of straps including black, pink and navy leather. Vegan leather is also available. The watch came with a tool to be able to change the watch strap easily, allowing you to get different looks and more wear out of the watch. You can also buy a watch with an extra strap as part of a gift bundle too which I think is a great idea.

Nordgreen Infinity watch by the sea

Other features of the Nordgreen Philosopher watch include the fact that it is rain resistant, which is also a plus point in the British weather. It also fits a variety of wrists as it's adjustable with a metal clasp.

Nordgreen Infinity watch close up

What did I think of the Nordgreen Philosopher watch?

The Nordgreen Philosopher watch is a smart luxurious looking watch that I feel will appeal to women who are looking for a simple but stylish timepiece. It doesn't have many bells and whistles - you are not going to find a fitness tracker, chronograph or alarm but it makes up for that in glamour and class. 

Nordgreen Infinity watch on wrist

The company also has credible eco-credentials and with it's 'give back' scheme that helps charities in health, education and the environment, you know they really have a heart and care about people and the world around them. 

So did I love it or loathe it? I loved it! The Nordgreen Philosopher watch is a beautiful looking watch and one that I am glad I now own. I have no excuse now not to watch a watch, have I? 

Anything else I need to know?

Each watch has a two-year warranty for peace of mind and customer service is excellent according to Feefo, with an average score for customer service of 4.7 out of 5, with over 10,000 reviews. 

Black Friday deal

Nordgreen Philosopher watch

The Nordgreen Philosopher watch with a rose gold mesh strap retails at £169 but from the 21st of November to the 1st of December you can get 35% off all products with my code JEWELL35. This is the biggest discount available online for Black Friday! You can order from the Nordgreen website here, don't forget to enter the code JEWELL35 at checkout for your huge 35% discount.

Check out their special Black Friday watches deals too.

So let me know, what do you think of the Nordgreen Philosopher watch? Do you like the sleek design?

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Win 1 Of 5 'How To Live' Healthy Lifestyle Books And £30 To Spend On Italian Food Ends 15/12

Most of us want to live as long as possible don't we? However, there is so much information out there it can be difficult to sieve through it all and work out what we should do and what we should not do to live a healthy life. This is an ad.

How To Live

Well, one book I suggest you read is the new bestseller 'How To Live' by Professor Robert Thomas. 

'How To Live' is a guide on how to make the best nutritional and lifestyle choices to live a happy healthy life by one of the world's leading oncologists.  Whether you are in your 20s or 70s, it will help you to empower your body against ageing and degenerative disease. 


The book is divided into 4 chapters - How The Body Works, Food and Eating What To Avoid, Food and Eating What To Embrace, and Habits and Lifestyle. 

I found the book reinforced what I already knew about healthy eating, such as the benefits of a diet high in colourful fruit and vegetables and the importance of regular aerobic exercise as well as teaching me a few new things such as these takeaways below.

Did You Know?

  • That eating egg white and celery lowers blood pressure
  • That house plants can remove airborne toxins
  • That eating pomegranate can help prevent breast cancer
  • That you should swap energy drinks for beetroot juice to improve exercise performance 
  • That your choice of deodorant can affect your long term health
  • That dirty children get less cancer

The language is easy to understand and is generally free from some of the technical jargon you get in academic circles. It's a comprehensive read, and best read in sections so you can absorb the information that makes this book incredibly relevant to our modern lifestyle. There is a whole chapter on improving immunity and reducing chronic inflammation for example which is so important with many illnesses and especially to fight COVID-19. 

This book focuses on lifestyle strategies to prevent illness in the first place and is designed to be complementary to your doctor's advice and medical treatments and not an alternative to conventional medicine. 

This is all backed up with scientific research, not just anecdotal evidence, which you can follow through with the extensive citation references in the back.

Who is Professor Robert Thomas?



Professor Robert Thomas is one of the UK's leading cancer doctors and is an expert in the integration of nutrition, health and lifestyle strategies to lead a healthier way of life. He is a practising consultant oncologist with over thirty years experience in patient care and now leads chemotherapy services at the Primrose Oncology & Research Unit, Bedford as well as treating patients with radiotherapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.  As a clinical tutor at Cambridge University he teachers medical students in clinic and at the bedside. 

He has won numerous awards including 'Doctor Of The Year' 2000 by Hospital Doctor magazine, and 'Oncologist Of The Year 2006/7'  by The British Oncology Association. He has been featured on TV around the world including Panorama and Newsnight and his latest book 'How To Live' has been serialised in The Daily Mail. His previous book 'Keep Healthy After Cancer', aims to empower individuals with reliable information to ensure they can make the right lifestyle choices after cancer.

You can buy 'How To Live' from keephealthy.com and Amazon.  It would make a great stocking filler or gift for anyone who is looking to improve their health and immunity. 

Today on my blog you can win one of 5 'How To Live books' and the first winner will also get a £30 voucher for the Italian deli Diforti.com part of the Taste Of Sicily brand. The benefits of a Mediterranean diet are widely documented and Diforti sell a range of Mediterranean food including olive oils, olives, grilled vegetables and more.

You can enter through the Rafflecopter application below. Once you register entry is easy. Good luck! This competition is promoted at Prize finder, Loquax, Super Lucky, and Competition Database.

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5 Pros of Becoming A Teacher

There are many benefits that a person can get by being a teacher. Here Teaching Personnel look at some of the major benefits of being a teacher.

1. Job Satisfaction

children in school

Job satisfaction was mentioned by most of the teachers we spoke to. Many educators often go into teaching because they care a lot about their students and would like to make a difference in the lives of their students. A teacher spends so much time with his or her students throughout the year and is a role model and authoritative adult the students can trust. There aren’t many people who get to say that.

Teachers usually talk about the ‘Aha!’ moment (the moment when a teacher is physically able to see a student understand the matters or subject at hand after struggling with it for a certain amount of time). As a teacher, you feel good when this happens as your help, your teaching skills and patience have enabled the student to understand the concept. It feels good when your hard work pays off.

Apart from helping students pass exams, a teacher is also an important emotional stability in a child’s life. Emotional stability is very important as without it passing exams and future success may not be likely.

2. Summer Vacations and Holidays Off

Teachers get summer and a few weeks off throughout the year. It's a definite pro of being a teacher and this can work well if you are a parent too.

3. Constantly Developing and Practicing New Skills

pupils

The teaching profession often requires different skills including patience. Students expect their tutors to show patience with them throughout the year. Different people learn differently and every individual has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. As such, a teacher needs to understand this and adapt.

It can be very frustrating when a certain student understands a particular thing but the student next to them does not understand. However, as a teacher, you can use such a situation as an opportunity to enhance your skills, show understanding, flexibility, and patience to help. Keep in mind that it is impossible to always reach every student. This may be hard to swallow but as a teacher, you will be practising those important skills every hour and every day and become better as time goes by.

4. Being Part of a Community with Fellow Teachers

Let’s face it, teaching is a hard profession. The profession is physically and emotionally demanding but the good thing is that you can rely on other teacher’s help to get you through the day! As educators, you understand each other’s struggles and there is someone to listen to you and offer great advice. As a teacher, you will most likely have a strong team of friends around you at work. This team will help you a lot. Such a team may not be found in other work environments.

5. Offers You A Good Opportunity to Expand Your Knowledge

learning

Even though we see schools, colleges, and universities as a place for students to learn, it is not only the students who learn. Teachers learn too. This is because teachers further their knowledge while teaching their students. There are several opportunities for professional development and picking the brains of school leaders and colleagues. Teachers have said that they learn a lot from their students. In some instances, the roles are reversed.

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Bringing Your Period Property Into The 21st Century

Newbuilds are flooding the property market as developments all over the country come to fruition, and with so many brand new homes available, finding something a bit older is becoming more and more of a challenge. Oftentimes, older properties coming onto the market require a bit of work.

If you’ve been lucky enough to snap up a pre-loved period house but have since realised it hasn’t been decorated since the 1970’s, your biggest challenge will be bringing your home into the 21st century. This seems like a mammoth challenge, but it’s one that can be broken down into smaller stages.

Here are some of the things you should consider and prioritise when modernising your period property.

The Bones

period property

The most important (and expensive) part of any house renovation is the parts you can’t see – the bones. This refers to the basic structure of your house. Whilst this isn’t the most glamourous part of a house revamp, it’s the part that makes your house liveable and stable for years to come. Your house could have the most stunning wallpaper and light shades, but if the structure of the house is not in fit condition, it could all come crumbling down – literally.

Older properties are more susceptible to problems such as damp. If your house pre-dates 1875, there’s a good chance no damp proof course (DPC) has been installed. Even if your house is older than that, the DPC probably isn’t to the same standard as modern DPC and might be damaged or defunct.

A lack of effective DPC leaves your home open to excess moisture which is one of the leading causes of rising damp, wet rot and dry rot – all of which are extremely destructive to the integrity of your house’s structure. The first thing you should do when looking at overhauling your period property is getting a professional to do a site survey to assess if damp is an issue, and if so, treat it immediately.

If there is an extensive issue, it could eat up a large portion of your budget, so it’s essential you have a contingency plan in place for this when you buy an older house.

The Features

tiled floor

If the bones of your house are safe and secure, you can start to pay attention to the details of your house. It’s no secret that period properties are rife with beautiful features modern homes can only dream of. Modernising your house doesn’t mean ripping everything out and starting again; appreciate the details and accents your house comes with.

This could be in the form of reclaiming the original floors. Lots of Victorian properties have beautifully tiled hallways and natural floorboards. Vintage never goes out of style and floorboards/tiles can be incorporated into any modern design, so it’s well worth investing the time and money into restoring the original floors.

Stained glass windows are another thing you can preserve from the original house that will work with every modern palette, as are fireplaces. If the original fireplace was removed by previous owners to make way for something more ‘modern’, you can buy old fireplace surrounds online for a relatively low cost which will help restore some of the former glory of your house, but you can pair them with modern fireplace interiors to retain the power and convenience of 21st century heating.

The Décor

stained glass door

Using the original features of your house as a basis for the décor will go a long way to ensuring your home has a uniform and coherent flow. It’s only natural that you’ll want to replace some of the old fixtures and fittings, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. The good news is, vintage is in. This means you can replicate the look of a period property but make it modern with fittings such as freestanding baths and bevelled wall tiles.

If you have stained glass windows or doors, you can pick out the colours in the glass as a foundation for the colour scheme in your house. This doesn’t mean painting the entire room, but smaller accents such as soft furnishings can create a timeless flow throughout your house.

Renovating a period property is all about combining the old and the new in a functional way, but one that doesn’t detract or erase the history of the original house. You need to make sure your house works for you and your family, but it’s important to remember why you chose a period property instead of a brand new one before you start gutting the whole house.

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Choosing My Favourite Retro Travel Art With Fine Art America

Hi everyone. I hope you are well. You've probably been spending a lot of time at home recently, I know I have. Staring at the four walls in my lounge has made me want to refresh and decorate my home. So when Fine Art America got in touch to work on a collaboration with me I immediately said yes as they have some great art on their website. Art to brighten up any home. This is an ad, but as always all opinions are my own.

Creating on Fine Art America


Route 66 Fun Run Seligman by Mike Jones Photo

Fine Art America is the world's largest art marketplace and on-demand print technology company. They've been helping artists, photographers, illustrators and graphic designers sell wall art, home decor and other products since 2006. They have an easy to use platform that allows artists and photographers to upload their designs and sell to people worldwide. It's a great platform for creatives. If you love taking photos or creating art I recommend you check it out.

Shopping on Fine Art America

Barcelona retro print by Jim Zahniser

Even though it's a great platform for creatives to all their art, let's get down to what I'm here though to talk about - what Fine Art America sell. Fine Art America sell a range of products from wall art - illustrations, photographs and paintings to home decor - throws, towels, blankets and other products like stationery. If you can upload your design on it they probably sell it, giving a huge choice to their customers around the world.

Wall art on Fine Art America


South Beach art print by Michelle Constantine

The wall art on Fine Art America covers a range of posters, canvas prints, wood prints, metal prints and tapestries. Designs range from paintings to illustrations, photographs, to mixed media to digital art. The choice is so large, it makes it quite difficult to pick!

The prints I am choosing today are all travel prints. There is something wonderful about travel, the planning the trip, visiting the destinations, seeing new things, eating different food and experiencing new cultures. Even looking at art from travel fills me with joy. I also love retro art prints but have yet to buy any, so these prints have a retro vibe.   Let me know what you think.

Escape to Venice
Escape to Venice Italy Retro print by Jim Zahniser

This art print is joyfully retro. I've been to Venice and it sums it up well, the beauty of the canals and the fabulous Venetian architecture. The artist Jim Zahniser is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Pittsburgh, USA. His work is inspired by a love of travel and all things vintage.

Poolside Glamour


Poolside glamour art print by Slim Aarons

This photo from America in the 60s sums up the mood of the time. Everything about it screams old school glamour to me. Slim Aarons is a photographer specialism in photos from the 50s, 60s and 70s. His photos are of their time and convey a luxurious glamour lifestyle.

Experience Key West


Experience Key West  By Jon Neidert

This Experience Key West print has the same retro vibes as the Venice print by Jim Zahniser.  We've been to Key West and we loved it there although it's so much busier than this idyllic print depicts now. Jon Neidert is from Cape Coral Florida. He has a large selection of his images on Fine Art America and covers retro, wine, vintage and patent art.

Las Vegas Sign


Welcome To Las Vegas art print by Garry Gay 

There is nothing more iconic in Las Vegas than the Welcome To Vegas sign. It takes me back to our trips to the adult entertainment capital of the world. Garry Gay has worked in Northern California for the past 37 years. His award-winning fine art photos have been widely shown and juried into fine art shows.

So this is my selection of travel art from Fine Art America. Have you been to any of these destinations? What do you think of the retro art?

*Collaborative post

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