If you are in the market for a new television but don't immerse yourself in the world of constantly-evolving technology, you might be left wondering what kind of TV display is right for you. When searching for a new TV online or in-store, you'll probably find prominent descriptors such as QLED, OLED, UHD, and 4K—but what do these terms really mean and what differences do they make in a TV display? Let's briefly go over the definitions and differences so you can be more informed when you make your purchase. QLED QLED stands for "Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode" or "Quantum-dot LED" TV. QLED TVs function similarly to regular LED displays, except they use a technology called "quantum dots" in order to boost the color and brightne…

Your company's logo is one of the most important branding elements for your business. It is often the first thing people see when they visit your website, social media, or pick up your business card. A logo can be used in all of your marketing materials, and it's something that people visually associate with you and your company. Unfortunately, many companies neglect the importance of logo design, leaving their logos outdated, hard to read, or even non-existent. Let's go over three reasons why you might want to consider updating your logo for your business. 1. Brand Identity A logo is the metaphorical face of your business. Do you feel like it represents your company or brand accurately? As businesses grow, change, and move in di…

Dental flossing is an essential part of a regular dental hygiene routine, but many people tend to skip this step (no matter how many times our dentists tell us it's important). However, flossing remains one of the best ways to remove food and plaque from between your teeth and promote good oral health. Let's discuss the importance of flossing regularly in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. 1. Prevent Gum Disease If you've ever avoided flossing by using the excuse that your gums hurt or bleed each time, it's actually a sign that you need to floss more. The buildup of plaque and bacteria on your teeth can cause inflammation and irritation, which can cause your gums to bleed and lead to gum disease. Gum disease can damage you…

When you think of alterations, do you see a bunch of dollar signs? Many people think alterations are expensive and unnecessary, but this isn't always the case. Depending on what you need done, how much fabric and time will be involved, and the tailor's rate, alterations can actually be quite affordable—and the finished product will have you wondering why you didn't get your clothes altered sooner. Let's go over three main reasons why you should consider taking your clothes to the tailor. Comfort Clothes that fit well are typically more comfortable to wear than clothes that are too big or too small. A tailor can help take in a shirt that's too baggy, let out a pair of pants that are slightly too tight, and adjust other pieces so…

It's no secret that having clean counters and tabletops can feel like a breath of fresh air—but sometimes keeping those high-traffic areas clutter-free can be a daunting task. Whether it's a desk, kitchen counter, or dining room table that becomes a magnet for clutter, let's go over three tips for decluttering your home's problem areas (and the secret to keeping them clean). Declutter One Area at a Time Whether you have time to tackle multiple problem areas on the same day or can only spare 15 minutes for cleaning, one of the best ways to declutter your home is to work on one area at a time. Focusing on one area can reduce overwhelm and make the task feel much more manageable. Toss, Sort, and Put Away One of the worst cul…

When it comes to the "perfect" skin care routine, there's no one-size-fits-all solution—which is why it's easy to unknowingly use methods or products that irritate your skin (even if they work well for someone else). Let's go over a few common skin care mistakes you might not even know you're making! Using Products with Harmful Ingredients Even though skincare products are marketed to improve your skin, it's possible that the products you use could contain chemical ingredients like parabens, sulfates, or phthalates—which can irritate sensitive skin. Be sure to research or check the ingredients of your skincare products before purchasing so you know what you are putting onto your skin. Additionally, other harmful ingredient…

It's nearly Thanksgiving, which for many people means gathering together with family or friends, giving thanks, and sharing a meal. Thanksgiving also means Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. This weekend of sales is a great way to further show thanks and appreciation for the small businesses we know, like, and trust. Let's go over a few reasons why we should all #ShopSmall this holiday season and support our local small businesses. Why Shop at Small Businesses? When you think of a small business, what comes to mind? Do you picture the mom-and-pop bakery down your street? How about the friendly folks who run pop-up shops at weekly markets? Or perhaps you think of a local boutique that s…

November 23rd is National Espresso Day! This fun holiday was created to celebrate the invention of the espresso machine and the way espresso has influenced coffee since 1884. Here are a few quick facts about espresso: - Espresso is both a type of coffee beverage and a brewing method, and it is not limited to a certain type of bean or roasting level. - Espresso is made by forcing pressurized hot water through finely-ground coffee beans, making what is often called a "shot" of espresso. The highly-concentrated espresso can be used as the base of many popular coffee beverages (such as lattes or cappuccinos) or drank by itself. - The first version of the espresso machine was patented in Italy in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo, the first …

If you work at a desk, it's important to have a desk chair that will not only keep you comfortable all day long but also help you maintain proper posture. Let's discuss 3 common signs that might indicate your current desk chair is too uncomfortable or bad for your posture (and why it's worth it to get a new one). Back, Neck, or Shoulder Discomfort If you find yourself experiencing pain or stiffness in your back, neck, or shoulders at the end of the workday (or even after sitting for an hour), this is likely a result of poor posture in your desk chair. Sitting in a chair that doesn't support your body properly can lead to permanent posture issues or more serious back problems down the road. Numbness or Tingling in Hands or Fing…

Winter houseplant care is a little different than houseplant care during the spring and summer. When it starts to get cold outside and there's less sunlight during the day, houseplants need a little extra care to stay healthy. Let's go over a few tips that should help you keep your houseplants alive (and thriving) all winter long! Avoid Overwatering When it comes to houseplant care during winter, overwatering is a common mistake that many people make. With colder weather and fewer hours of sun, your plants won't take in as much water as they do in the summer, and too much water can cause their leaves to turn yellow or lead to root rot. A good rule of thumb is to check your plants' soil regularly to see if your plant needs water. If t…

When we're driving down the road, we don't want to think about potential car emergencies. It's a scary idea that something could happen to your car and leave you stranded on the side of the road or in need of roadside assistance. However, car incidents do happen and it's best to be prepared for any situation ahead of time so you can avoid being stuck without help! Let's go over 11 things you should always keep in your car in case of an emergency. 1. Spare Tire and Tire-Changing Supplies Having a spare car tire is one of the most common things to keep in your car, but you should also make sure that you have the supplies to be able to change the tire on the side of the road—if nothing else, at least a car jack and lug wrench. …

Smart light bulbs have been growing in popularity for a few years now, but they can still feel pretty new and uncertain to those who have never used them. While they may seem unnecessary or complicated to some, they can add ease, accessibility, and customization to a home that traditional lightbulbs do not offer. Let's go over what smart bulbs are, how they work, and what things you might want to consider before making the switch. What Are Smart Bulbs? Smart light bulbs are wirelessly-controlled devices that allow you to manage the lights in your home with a remote or smart device. Most smart bulbs are connected to the internet through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and offer a wide range of features. If you have a voice-controlled smart hom…

Do you tend to hit the snooze button in the morning for "just five more minutes" of sleep? If so, you're likely doing more harm than good to your sleep cycle. While it can be tempting to want to get a few more zzz's, let's go over why it's typically better to get up right away, along with a few tips to stop pressing snooze. Why Shouldn't We Snooze? Despite the idea that pressing snooze will give you a few more refreshing minutes of sleep before starting your day, snoozing in the morning can actually throw off your natural sleep cycle, confuse your body, and make waking up more difficult. The amount of time your snooze button gives you is typically not enough time for your body to go through a whole sleep cycle, which means there's a …

Has your computer been giving you trouble lately? Before you make the decision to buy a new one, it might be a good idea to contact a computer repair company. The life of many computers can be extended with just a little tune-up! Let's go over 4 reasons why you might want to opt for computer repair over a new PC. 1. The Problem May Be Minor or Easily Fixable What may seem like a huge problem in the moment could turn out to be an easy fix for a computer repair professional. If it's a software issue, they will try to determine what is triggering the error and suggest a resolution for you or offer a software patch if available. For hardware issues, they may provide troubleshooting steps that you can try yourself, or they'll look deeper …

If you haven't already done so, November is the perfect time to take care of your yard and garden preparations for winter. There are many ways you can prepare your outdoor space upcoming colder weather, so let's go over five of them here. 1. Rake Up Fallen Leaves As annoying as it can be, raking up fallen leaves on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to take care of your yard in the fall. If the leaves are left alone, they can create thick layers or mats that may damage your lawn. If you get large amounts of rain or snow in your area, the fallen leaves can also be difficult to remove after they get wet. Do your future self a favor and remove the leaves regularly to avoid this problem! Raked leaves can often be lightl…

It's that time of year again! Daylight Saving Time is about to end, which means most of us are about to change our clocks and "fall back" one hour on November 7th. While the fall time change means we gain an extra hour of sleep, it can still affect your body's routine (and it will be dark outside before the traditional workday is over). Let's go over four ways you can prepare for the time change and make the adjustment a little easier. 1. Gradually Adjust Your Sleep Schedule One way to prepare for the time change is to slowly adjust your sleep schedule the week before. This is undoubtedly easier to do for the spring change because you are preparing to wake up earlier, but it's not always possible to wake up later than usual in prepar…

If you go trick-or-treating with your children on Halloween, you may have started noticing bright teal pumpkins on your neighbors' doorsteps. What may seem like an interesting decoration choice is actually a nationwide movement called the "Teal Pumpkin Project," which aims to make Halloween a safer and more inclusive holiday for all kids! Let's go over what the teal pumpkins are all about and how you can participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year. What is the Teal Pumpkin Project? The Teal Pumpkin Project began with the goal of making Halloween safer and more inclusive for children and families with food allergies. Halloween candy or other food treats are often dangerous for trick-or-treaters with life-threatening food all…

If you're looking to sell your house in the future and want a strong return on your investment, you're likely trying to figure out how to increase its value. There are a lot of factors that can go into increasing the value of a home, from something as big as a kitchen remodel or as small as repainting a room. Let's go over 6 tips for increasing your home's value! 1. Have Your Home Inspected Getting your home inspected by a professional can help you become aware of any non-cosmetic issues that should be fixed before selling, such as leaky pipes, foundation issues, or outdated electrical wiring. While it might be a pain to get these things fixed, they will greatly add to the value of your house when it's time to sell. 2. Add a Fresh…

There are many reasons why dermatology should be considered an important part of your healthcare. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of skin conditions, such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. A dermatologist can also help diagnose skin cancer or other serious conditions that can occur on the skin. Let's go over 5 reasons why you might consider visiting a dermatologist. Acne Acne is a very common skin condition that can affect people of all ages. While it's not dangerous, acne can be uncomfortable and may leave scarring if not treated properly. Because everyone's skin is different, acne treatment is not a one-size-fits-all situation—but a dermatologist works with each individual…

Even if your child is not a musical prodigy, music lessons are a great extracurricular activity that can complement any child's education. In addition to having fun and learning a new instrument, let's explore four reasons why you should consider signing up your child for music lessons. Improve Physical and Mental Skills One great benefit of music lessons—no matter the instrument—is that they can help build and improve your child's physical and mental skills. Music lessons can improve hand/eye coordination, general motor skills, and timing, which are skills that can be applied to almost any other situation or activity! They can also improve a child's focus, short-term and long-term memory, and recognition of patterns. Music lesso…

It's starting to cool down outside, and it's time to take a look at your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system if you haven't already. HVAC systems usually don't get the attention they deserve until the first signs of cold weather start to hit, and it's important to take care of them now so you can be prepared for colder days ahead. Let's take a look at a few HVAC maintenance tips that will help you prep your system for winter. Change the Filter Believe it or not, the air filter in your HVAC system should be changed every 90 days, if not more frequently. If the filter is clogged with dirt and debris, your HVAC system can become much less efficient at heating and cooling your home. A dirty HVAC system will not only reduce the amo…