Espresso Education | Lifestyle Bog – Page 4 – Tips on Business, Health, Fitness, Beauty & Travel

Espresso Lifestyle

Tips on Business, Health, Fitness, Beauty & Travel

Feb222017

Tips for Increasing Your Property Value

DIY, Finance, House & GardenBy Espresso Education February 22, 2017

There is no doubt about it, landscaping increases the value of your property. Not only does it make your property look beautiful, it shows everyone that it is a well-cared for property. If you wanted to buy a property you would certainly be less interested in one that had long, straggly grass, half-dead shrubs and weed-filled gardens. You would even suspect that the roof might leak, just by looking at the garden!

Whether you are selling your home or not, it is easy and fun to get your outside area into great shape, especially knowing that the value of the home will rise by up to 11%, as discovered by a Michigan University study. Here are some tips that will provide good value in your landscaping or garden maintenance efforts.

Create edgings around your garden and lawn. This can be simply done by digging a narrow edge with a spade, or you can use bricks, bush rocks or other media. Defining the edges somehow makes it all look so much tidier.

You can use plants for many things apart from just beauty. They can screen an ugly fence, give privacy from nosy neighbours, add cool shade and even create a fence. Purchase mature plants from a nursery if you can’t wait for that hedge to grow.

Feb122017

What to Know about Bail Applications

LegalBy Espresso Education February 12, 2017

If you get into trouble and are arrested by the police, you may be granted bail. This only happens if you have not committed a crime of violence and the police think you will not re-offend in any way. If you have contacted a criminal law firm they will most likely apply for bail on your behalf.

In some cases the police will let you go after you’ve been charged without any need for bail. However, you must agree to attend court on the date set, whether you get out on bail or not. There are two types of bail; police bail and court bail.

Jan292017

Can You Really Handle that Home Renovation?

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education January 29, 2017

Colray Cabinets reported this month, that many handymen and women just love the feel of power tools in their hands and the satisfaction of completing a job such as building kitchen cabinets. The trouble is that they can easily get into strife when they take on a job that is a bit too much for them. For a start, handyman power tools are usually not strong enough to use for a big carpentry job. You risk wearing out the tool and having to replace it, or having to purchase a commercial tool instead, for a great deal more money.

Putting together a flat pack may seem simple enough, but do you have anywhere to do it safe from the children? Kids always want to help and can easily be injured, injure someone else or ruin the project when they get into things they shouldn’t touch. Building cabinets in the kitchen is not a good idea. Doing it on the back deck is better, but still not ideal.

Besides, flat pack cupboards are not always suitable for a kitchen that is already built. They may not fit into the space, especially if the kitchen is an old one, perhaps built before metric measuring came into being. Cabinetry is an important part of the kitchen for storage and is highly visible. If your cupboards look amateurish it will spoil the look of the whole kitchen – possibly the whole house, if you have an open floor plan.

Professional cabinet makers are used to dealing with odd measurements in renovations and they are perfectionists in taking measurements, so they are more likely to get it right. They’ve had lots of experience creating beautiful cabinetry for kitchens and other places. They could make a built-in wardrobe or laundry cupboards with ease. And they do it for a living, so they are sure to have insurance in case of an accident.

Jan22017

How to Start Divorce Proceedings

LegalBy Espresso Education January 2, 2017

Once a marriage has completely broken down, one or both parties usually file for divorce. It is a good idea to consult with family lawyers to find out the best way to proceed. Most will tell you that there must be a separation of 12 months before you can start divorce proceedings. In fact, this cannot be done until 12 months and one day after the separation.

Fortunately for those people who would find it financially difficult to live somewhere else, a couple can be legally separated while still residing in the same home. The court may require proof of separation and this can be given in several ways.

Dec272016

Who Should do the Electrical Maintenance Work in Your Home?

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education December 27, 2016

It is very easy for the home handyman to think it’s okay for him to fix small electrical problems around the house. After all, it can’t be that hard to take apart an old light switch or power point and install a new one, can it? Every trained electrician would tell you that it is illegal for the DIYer to do work like this, even if it appears to be easy. In fact, if it is not done correctly it’s likely to electrocute someone.

Electrical maintenance work should only be done by a licensed electrician such as Electrician Perth Experts because of its inherent danger. It is fatally easy to do some small thing wrong and it can result in a house fire or worse, loss of life. Government regulations allow only small things to be done by the untrained person and you can be in trouble if you repair or replace light switched yourself. How would anyone know?

Sep22016

What is in Botox?

Health & BeautyBy Espresso Education September 2, 2016

A toxin from the bacteria that causes botulism is used to make Botox or botulinum toxin type A. Botox is well known as being used by celebrities and others to reduce or prevent wrinkles. It does this by paralysing the muscle into which it is injected. The effects are not permanent as the body works to remove this toxin, even though it is in a very weakened form. The amounts used are very small and in a diluted state, which is why Botox work is very safe to do, even though it springs from the toxin of a bacteria that causes food poisoning.

The many uses of Botox

Botox is not only used in the pursuit of smooth skin. It can be used to alleviate the symptoms of many nasty diseases and conditions, including migraine, upper motor neuron syndrome, blepharospasm, (uncontrollable twitching of the eyelid) and bruxism (teeth grinding), underarm sweating and overactive bladder, to mention just a few.

Generally speaking, it works to paralyse or weaken a muscle that is working more than it should, or to relax a muscle that is too tight. Or it can work by blocking a nerve that is causing some kind of problem, making sufferers’ lives that little bit easier to bear.

Jul52016

Latest Trends in Renovating Kitchens

DIYBy Espresso Education July 5, 2016

If you ask a kitchen company like Kitchen Professionals it is no use renovating a kitchen only to find you have not incorporated at least some of the latest trends; you would still be dissatisfied with it. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms of the home and increasingly, is becoming a part of the living room with modern floor plans.

This means it is moving away from the traditional kitchen look and fitting in more with the look and feel of the space it shares. Here are some of the latest trends in kitchen design that you might be able to incorporate into your kitchen renovation – that said, only keep the ones you like!

May22016

9 Tips for Newcomers to Bali

TravelBy Espresso Education May 2, 2016

While many people return every year to holiday in Bali, there are always newcomers to the island that may not know too much about it, such as what to expect and where to go. Here are some tips for newcomers to Bali that will help you get the most out of your holiday in this popular tourist destination.

If you don’t want to buy, don’t ask the price. While this is accepted in Australia, it will only make the Balinese vendors chase you down the street trying to sell you something. It’s better to not even stop or make eye contact unless you are a serious shopper.
If you want to shop, make sure you are somewhat familiar with Australian prices because these days the prices are not what they were. That said, you can haggle if you want, but do it respectfully.

Apr22016

8 Health Benefits of Red Wine

Food & WineBy Espresso Education April 2, 2016

As unlikely as it may seem, wine is good for you – but only in moderation. Many people don’t really understand what moderation is because it is different for women and men, and whether you are having it with a meal or alone. Women have less water in their body and different enzymes than men, so they need to drink less. Moderation for women is one glass a day and for men, 2 glasses.

There have been many studies done on the health benefits of buying wine – mostly red wine – and some surprising results were noted. These results were only gained by those who kept to the moderate limit of wine consumption. So here is a list of benefits that were found by studies on the matter.

Mar182016

16 Reasons to Own a Plunge Pool

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education March 18, 2016

A plunge pool is a pool that is small but deep. It is used as a way to cool off and invigorate yourself, or it can be heated for more comfort, especially in the winter. Sam Sorgiovanni has included plunge pools in many of those amazing super yachts he designs and they are ideal for this. They can also be ideal for your home for a lot of reasons.

They make great use of available space or odd corners.
They can fit into places such as a small courtyard, where a larger swimming pool would not fit.
Because they can be heated they are suitable for use year round.
They are comparatively cheaper to heat than a swimming pool.

Nov212015

7 Garden Plants that Help Beautify Your Skin

DIYBy Espresso Education November 21, 2015

Once you decide to engage a landscaping company such as Lone Pine Landscapes to have some landscaping done, it will surprise you how it improves the look of your garden. But with a little effort, your garden can also improve your skin. By growing certain plants in your garden there will always be something you can pick and use to help your skin look naturally beautiful, reduce scarring, treat acne or heal burns.

Here are some plants you might want to add to your garden for this reason.

Aloe Vera is well-known these days for its soothing, anti-oxidant properties. It is included in many lotions that help prevent or ease sunburn or other kinds of burns. Having it in the garden means you can pick a piece and squeeze the sap onto a burn for quick relief and no scarring. It may help get rid of stubborn acne and is also useful to remove make-up if you have sensitive skin. An easy care plant that doesn’t need much water.

Aug152015

The Consequences of Shareholder Disputes

Business, LegalBy Espresso Education August 15, 2015

When you have a business with shareholders one thing you have to watch out for is a dispute between the shareholders and directors. This can arise if the shareholders don’t get much in the way of return for their investment and they blame the director for mismanagement. It is essential to have commercial lawyers, who know all about your business to try and reduce the damage as much as possible and get things back on track.

The consequences of not clearing the problem up are serious and can even be disastrous.

They can include:-

Loss of reputation and potentially, lost custom and income for the business
A great deal of emotional trauma for those involved
Loss of control for the director/s
Possible legal action against the company if it is found the director/s are doing the wrong thing
Litigation that can drag on for many months and cost more than you can pay
Dissolution of the business

Some disputes are simple and can easily be solved by firing the director if they have done the wrong thing. But others can be a great deal more complex and include many different factors that the directors cannot be held responsible for, such as a market downturn.

Jul22014

What to do with your Unused Swimming Pool

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education July 2, 2014

Most kids love to have unlimited access to a pool; they would be in it for hours every day if they could. However, parents are not always the same. As you get older, it takes more effort to go swimming in the backyard pool and you probably have many other things you would like to do instead. So now that the kids have left home or are more interested in their hairstyles than swimming, is that backyard pool gathering metaphorical dust? Why not convert it into something else? Something that could become a very interesting hobby. What?

A fish pond! This is not only ecologically sustainable, but you will have a great supply of fresh fish on hand for dinner. We tend to think of a fish pond as something about knee high holding rarely seen fish only a few centimetres long. If your swimming pool was converted to a fish pond there would be no reason not to grow fish to eat in it. It is deep and big enough that many fish would thrive.

Jun252014

10 Tips to Hiring a Professional Handyman

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education June 25, 2014

Even though you pride yourself on being a handyman there are some maintenance or renovation jobs you just cannot do. It may be that what is needed is outside of your field of expertise, it’s illegal for an unqualified tradesman to do it or it requires the tools that you don’t have and that are not worthwhile purchasing because you wouldn’t use them enough to get the value out of them. So when you have to hire a professional handyman here are some tips to ensure you get it right.

Make sure the handyman can do the job you want done. Not all skilled handymen do all jobs, or they may not be qualified for all work, such as plumbing and electrical work.
Ask them to show you their liability insurance as well as their other professional qualifications.
Use someone local as long as they have all the qualifications you need. That way you will pay less for travelling time.
Ask around to see if you can get recommendations on the quality of their work. They may even take before and after photos for their portfolio or website.

Jun52014

The Easy Way to Choose A Colour Scheme for the Living Room

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education June 5, 2014

It’s not that difficult to work out an amazing colour scheme for your favourite room. You don’t have to be an interior designer like Sam Sorgiovanni to have a home that pops with all the right colours. It can be quite an easy job to choose colours for any room if you have a pretty mat or even a piece of artwork you really love and intend to use in it. Here’s what to do.

Choose the main colour in the artwork and use a colour chart to find a paler or lighter version for the walls of the room. This will usually be a background colour, not the part that pops out at you.
From the wall shade, choose a slightly darker hue for the carpet.

Mar22014

How Important is Logo Design?

BusinessBy Espresso Education March 2, 2014

If you are trying to create a memorable brand name, the logo design you use for your business will play a big part in it, but not necessarily straight away. It takes time and energy to get a brand well-known and it may never go international or even national, depending on what it is. That’s not to say the logo is any less important.

When it comes to logo design, it is important to be both creative and unique, even though the latter may difficult to achieve. At least you can put the various elements together in a way that makes it unique and stand out from the competition. A good logo is not created in 5 minutes simply by doodling on a piece of paper. You need to think what your company is about and try to incorporate elements of it into the logo. Apple has done this admirably with the missing ‘byte’ from its apple symbol.

Dec142013

8 Reasons to Hire a Photo Booth for Your Wedding

EventsBy Espresso Education December 14, 2013

Planning a wedding is fun and exciting as you look forward to the big change in your life. There are many things to organise, from the wedding dress and the rest of the outfits to the venue, food, drinks and decorations. Which music you’ll have and what DJ to hire must also be give attention. And don’t forget the photographer. According to event experts Lumin8, there must be an official photographer, but for all those happy snaps at the reception a photo booth is the way to go.

When you provide a photo booth at your reception you will be making many people happy. For a start, many family and friends who may not see each other very often will be able to take group photos together without the need to arrange it all with a busy photographer on the night.
The photo booth has with it props such as costumes, masks, hats and more to make more fun as people can dress up to get their photos taken.
It also takes care of background so you don’t have to worry about getting someone else’s hand or the back of their head in a photo you thought would be perfect.

Sep122013

Advantages and Disadvantages of Building a Home

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education September 12, 2013

Moving into your own home is an exciting time, whether you purchase a pre-built one or decide to build your own. There are several advantages and disadvantages to building a home instead of buying one ready to live in,

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of building is the time it takes. Waiting to move in means you have to pay rent somewhere else for all that time as well as paying off the mortgage. You may be able to move in with relatives or lease a caravan you can move onsite for cheaper rent. But such options may only be for the brave!
Some building contracts can end in dispute where the property owner has to contact building & construction lawyers to help them sort out litigation issues.

Sep22013

5 Reasons to Consider Liposuction

Health & BeautyBy Espresso Education September 2, 2013

Not everyone is considered to be an ideal candidate for liposuction. You may think that only obese people would be accepted for the procedure, but in fact, doctors often advise a different method of weight loss for those who are too overweight for liposuction. This is because liposuction is not really done in order to lose weight; it is done to restore your body to a more acceptable shape. In order to do this, the fatty deposits that are causing the problem must be removed.

Doctors will want to speak to you about the reasons for having liposuction done and they also need to examine you to see if your problem is one that liposuction will really help. So if you are considering undergoing liposuction, here are 5 reasons why doctors would consider you to be a good candidate.

Jul122013

5 Tips for Budget Bathroom Renovations

DIY, House & GardenBy Espresso Education July 12, 2013

The bathroom is a room that gets a lot of use and so can easily start to look worn out quickly or it may just be old-fashioned. There are many reasons why you may want to renovate a bathroom, so if you are on a budget, here are 5 tips for you.

A bathroom that is tidy and organised will always look better than one than is not. Therefore, additional storage can have the effect of brightening up the bathroom. Closed cupboards are better than open shelving because you can shut the door on the mess – and they don’t get covered in dust. However, make sure that they are easily accessible or they won’t be used as much. You can fit lots more in if you put all those smaller items into a container in the cupboard. Storage in the shower recess may also be possible and will ensure that your grooming products are right to hand.