It can be lovely to visit the manicurist, but doing your own nails at home can be very enjoyable and achieve fantastic results too. And as long as you follow some simple steps and focus on the job in hand (see what we did there?) you never need to worry that your nails will let you down.

Before you start make sure you have all your equipment. You need a basic manicure set as well as some products to use and color your nails. It is important to choose a good quality brand in order to get good results.

We like Zoya because this company specializes in professional nail care products so you can rely on their quality. A good place to start is with the Zoya Naked Manicure Travel Kit, because this provides a selection of color polishes, plus the base coat and top coat perfector.

Step 1: Clean your nails with nail polish remover. Even if you are not wearing any nail polish, doing this will remove any oils or dirt that could spoil the final finish.

Step 2:  Now clip and file your nails to get them into shape and then use a buffer. A buffer creates a smooth surface and removes any ridges, making your nails look more youthful. 

Step 3: Work on your cuticles. First use an oil-based cuticle softener to soften dry and dead skin. Then push the cuticles back with a cuticle stick. You can use this stick to remove any dirt trapped under the nails. Then wash your hands and nails and dry them. 

Step 4: Moisturise your hands and cuticles. This is a nice way to feel luxurious and give your hands some TLC. Once you have finished clean your nails again with nail varnish remover to ensure there is no residue 

Step 5:  Now it is time to apply a base coat to your nails. This will protect your nails from chipping, as well as hydrate your nails. Zoya Naked Base is a good choice for this as it is easy to apply and a great neutral color. 

Step 6: Apply the first color coat. Always keep the layer thin and make sure you get the brush right down to the cuticle and in all corners of the nail and although the coat to dry thoroughly. You have a fantastic range of colors to choose from. Check out the Zoya range for some color inspiration.

Step 7: With a thin layer of polish already in place, the second coat should be easy to apply. Again keep this layer thin and if you are choosing a light or pastel shade, bear in mind you may have to add another layer. It takes around 2 minutes for each layer to dry so set your timer.

Step 8: Once the color is how you like it, fix your work with a top coat sealer. If you don’t do this your nails are likely to chip so this important step prolongs the lifespan and keeps your nails looking good for much longer than otherwise. Be extremely careful with this stage. Because the top coat will shrink when it is dry, it may cause unsightly ridges if it is not applied carefully. 

Step 9: Now clean up! Remove any splodges or wobbly edges around your nails with a ball of cotton wool soaked in nail varnish remover and wrapped around a cuticle stick. This will enable you to achieve straight lines and clear away any imperfections.

There’s no place like home! There is truth to that popular phrase. Your home is a place where you should feel relaxed and comfortable. When you get used to seeing your home everyday, sometimes you don’t notice when there are things that could use some sprucing up. Making some of these small changes can make coming home at the end of a long day even better than it is now!

Fresh Paint

Don’t underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint! Over time, the paint on your walls can become dirty or outdated. Choosing a new color, or painting over with the same color just to have a fresh new coat, can make more of a difference than you think! Your walls aren’t the only thing that you can add some fresh paint to. Refinishing certain furniture (such as a wooden coffee table or dressers) can add a whole new look to a room. You can get creative with colors, designs, and finishes. Not only will you have a fresh new look, but it can also be fun!

Home Gym

If you have a room in your home that you don’t use much, or maybe you have some additional space in a garage or yard, adding a home gym can be a life-changing update. Not only are you more likely to get in some heart-healthy exercise if you have gym equipment at home, but you can also give that functional space a functional makeover. Gym equipment is heavy! Make sure you have the help you need to get this equipment delivered to your home. Movin’ is one of the best and top rated Salt Lake City UT long distance moving companies out there. They do it all! Everything from packing to storage and obviously moving – they have you covered. If you are looking for a moving company to help with the heavy lifting, Movin’ can provide reliable service from seasoned professionals, accurate estimates and pricing, and convenient appointment scheduling too.

House Plants

If a home gym and fresh paint are too space-, money-, or time-consuming, opt for an easy and inexpensive way to spruce things up: House plants! House plants have been shown to increase the fresh air in your home; however, they are also a wonderful way to add some color and decoration to a space. There are many different options when it comes to house plants, so visit a home improvement or plant store to pick out your special new decoration. Make sure it is safe for pets if you have any!

A Pet

Speaking of pets.. If you do not already have one, a pet can brighten up a home like nothing else. There is nothing better and more comforting than your pet happily greeting you when you get home! Having certain pets can be a huge commitment, like a dog or cat, but these are not your only options if you’re in a smaller or a home that isn’t pet-friendly. Pets like fish or small birds can brighten up your home and give you some company to welcome you back.

Natural Light

Does your home feel dark and dreary all the time? Open up those blinds! Natural light has been shown to improve happiness and mental health. Letting some sunshine into your home can make it feel brighter and more welcoming. If you can, open up your windows to let in some fresh air, as well! 

Air Purifier

When I first got an Office air purifier, I was shocked at how much dirt and dust was collected on the filter in a very short amount of time. Some of the particles in the air are so small that you can’t see them; however, they are still collecting on surfaces and entering your lungs as you breathe. Investing in a quality air purifier can not only decrease dust on the surfaces in your home, but can quite literally help you breathe easier!

Black mold in your shower is unsightly and dirty. It can also be a hazard to health, because it releases spores into the air which when inhaled can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms and health concerns. People who have allergies and sensitivities to mold, asthma sufferers, young children and the elderly can develop respiratory problems and headaches from breathing in black mold spores.

Black mold is a type of mold called Stachybotrys and is particularly toxic, but any mold comes with problems so is something that should definitely be avoided. Because the shower is a damp environment, it can become a breeding ground for mold if you are not careful.

So how to remove black mold in shower is an important part of your home cleaning regime that you cannot afford to overlook. 

Luckily, how to remove black mold in shower is very easy and can be carried out with simple household products.

• You can remove black mold with bleach. Simply mix 1 part bleach with 2 parts water and apply via a spray bottle.
• Leave the mixture in place for 10 minutes and then rinse off. You can work on any stubborn stains with an old toothbrush using the same bleach/ water mixture.
• If you don’t want to use bleach, try using white vinegar in exactly the same way. White vinegar is very effective against mold and provides a better smelling alternative. 
• Many people find that how to remove black mold from shower is best achieved with baking powder. To do this you mix the powder with water to make a paste and paint it onto the affected area before using a brush to scrub it off. 
• Prevention is always better than a cure so ensuring that your bathroom stays ventilated will help prevent the mold from forming. Always stay on top of any small areas of mold developing and remember to regularly clean bathroom mats and coverings which can become a breeding ground for germs and mold.

If you or your family members struggle with household allergies, a supplement may help minimise symptoms. BioAllers Mold, Yeast and Dust is a homoeopathic supplement by the BioAllers brand that helps protect you from black mold spores and other household allergens. It reduces common symptoms such as headaches, sneezing and blocked sinuses and helps your body cope with everyday airborne irritants that can adversely affect your health.

Nutritionists consider kale to be the absolute king of superfoods. This humble and inexpensive green vegetable might lack the exotic appeal of superfruit berries like Goji, but as a complete food you could probably live on, Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world. 

Kale is a member of the cabbage family similar to broccoli, cabbage, and sprouts. It is low in fat, although it does contain alpha-lipoic acid, which is a source of omega 3 which is fantastic for health. 

Kale is high in vitamins and minerals 

In addition, kale contains an amazing array of vitamins and minerals. One single cup of raw Kale contains:

• Vitamin A: 206% of RDA
• Vitamin K: 684% of RDA
• Vitamin C: 134% of RDA
• Vitamin B6: 9% of RDA
• Manganese: 26% RDA
• Calcium: 9% of RDA
• Copper: 10% of RDA
• Potassium: 9% of RDA
• Magnesium: 6% of RDA

All these nutrients are great for boosting health and this combined with very-low-calorie intake – only 33 calories per cup, makes kale fantastic support to any weight loss diet. 

Kale is high in antioxidants 

Antioxidants are molecules found in natural fruit and veg that have a protective effect on your immune system and can help protect against the signs of aging. Kale is rich in beta carotene, quercetin, and kaempferol, which all have positive effects on strengthening your immune system. 

It has a positive effect on eyesight with antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, so will help maintain healthy vision which is often an issue as we age. 

Kale is a great source of vitamin C too. This vitamin cannot be stored by the body, so it is crucially important to top up levels every day to protect health and vitality. 

Kale is fantastic for lowering cholesterol levels and when taken in liquid form can work as well as cholesterol-reducing drugs. 

So what are the downsides of Kale? 

There are no downsides to eating Kale. This leafy green veg is fantastic for health and is inexpensive to buy. The only reason why we do not eat as much kale as we should is that many people just do not like the slightly bitter flavor. 

If you want to enjoy the health benefits of Kale without actually having to eat it, there are some great supplements that make the vegetable far more palatable to modern tastes.

Amazing Grass Protein and Kale is a plant-based protein shake that delivers the health benefits of Kale in a vanilla-flavored smoothie. Each serving gives you the nutritional equivalent of a whole plateful of greens plus 20 gms of plant-based protein and is ideal for bodybuilders and people looking to lose weight, as well as those people who want the benefits of kale without the taste. 

The supplement is manufactured by Amazing Grass, a small Kansas-based company that utilizes organic grasses grown on the company’s own farmland plus natural organic green vegetables. 

National Women’s Health Week takes place between May 9-15, 2022. This initiative is being led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), and the aim is to remind women to make their health a priority following the COVID pandemic. 

National Women’s Health Week offers some great resources for health that will benefit women and girls as well as the whole family. So, let’s check out some of the OWHs suggestions to find out how this initiative can help. 

You are advised to continue to protect yourself from the COVID pandemic. The virus hasn’t gone away so it is important to make sure you are up to date with your vaccines as well as continuing to observe preventative measures such as mask wearing and social distancing. 

It is equally important to catch up on missed appointments. Many women have missed vital health checks such as mammograms, bone density tests and similar because of the pandemic. This means that now is the time to re-arrange and schedule these important appointments for the good of your long-term health. 

The pandemic has taken its toll on mental health too. So with everything returning to normal now, it is a good idea to reconnect with friends and group activities. If you have suffered from depression or anxiety, now is a good time to reach out for advice and get some professional help if necessary, as the resources are now available. 

Domestic violence impacts millions of women each year so if you or a friend is at risk, try calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline for some help in finding out how to escape from the situation. 

Springtime is a fantastic point of the year to work on your physical fitness and diet. So, if you have let this slide over the past two years, it is a great time to get back on track. Making even small changes will pay dividends for your long-term health and fitness. Switching to home cooking, going for a short break, eating more leafy veg; whatever you decide to do will make a positive difference that will benefit you and your family.

Don’t forget to think about your personal health. One way of doing this is to top up on nutrients and vitamins via a supplement. Women’s Nutrients from Pure Encapsulations is a supplement aimed specifically at women. It contains a fantastic range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support women’s health issues including stress reduction, breast health, and cardio health. 

Pure Encapsulations is an American supplements brand you can trust. The company specialises in natural, effective health supplements that will help support a range of conditions as well as provide an effective preventative to many others.  

We wish you luck on your health journey!