I have always wanted to be an artist and one of my heroes in the art world is Peter Max, someone who I have respected for many years. A couple of years ago I wasn’t sure if this was for me any more and whilst I had never set out to make millions from selling my art, I needed to get by, and I wasn’t, then life threw me a bone. I discovered that I was acquaintances with the daughter of Peter, I couldn’t believe that this girl I had known for such a long time had a dad who I have loved for so long, and I didn’t even know! I knew this was my chance and so I just sent her a Facebook message, asking if there was any chance she could put me in touch, and that is where it all began.

The Connection

Claudia actually gave me the number for one of Peter’s agents, which was fine by me, and I contacted her the next day. I told his agent who I was and perhaps over-egged how good friends I was with his daughter, to my surprise they arranged for me to go to his studio the following day for a chat with the main man himself, I couldn’t believe it.

The Meeting

At the meeting I knew that this was my shot at trying to get an endorsement from an already established and highly successful artist, I took my best work and prepared my pitch. When I got there he was so casual and very quickly it just became a chat about art and inspirations which we have drawn from. I showed him a piece which I had done which he jokingly said that I stole from a gallery, high praise indeed. Now Peter says that I didn’t look nervous during this meeting but I can assure you that I was petrified, I felt like this was my last chance. Peter and I chatted for an hour and then he bought a small piece off me and we bid a fond farewell. I was happy to have had the meeting, but it came to nothing and I was devastated.

Not So Soon

About a week had gone by when the phone rang, and it was the number of the agent who I had spoke to before. She told me that Peter had asked me to prepare 5 pieces based on a certain theme, and that he wanted to buy them from me. Naturally I got on it right away and a week later I was back in his studio with the pieces. It turned out that Peter didn’t want to buy them from me, he wanted to put them in an exhibition he was doing and knew that if I though they were for him, that I would do my very best work.

That exhibition set me up for life, I have spent the last 3 years selling my art for prices which I cud never have dreamed of and I am still friends with Peter, and still doing exhibitions with him. I am eternally grateful for what he did for me but I am also proud of myself because I saw a glint of an opportunity and I turned it into the chance of a lifetime.

 

Planning a wedding is always special and stressful at the same time. Choosing a venue for the ceremony is difficult but if you are someone who loves outdoor setting then a garden wedding is a great option. It gives an intimate and personal vibe to the entire wedding celebration. During summer or a spring garden wedding, the environment is truly magical. You could choose your home garden or family home garden to host the ceremony. There are various wedding venues in Gurgaon that offers garden wedding to their customers. Here listed below are few outdoor wedding garden decoration ideas that add a magical touch to your wedding celebration.

• Lighting

Lighting can set the tone for the wedding celebration especially in outdoor weddings. Fairy lights on the tree branches add to the romantic feel. You could use candles in the center of dining tables or use them in the background of the stage celebration. Even paper lanterns hung on strings gives a divine look to the whole celebration. Adding interesting and right lighting will help your wedding to stand out.

• Seating arrangements

The added benefit of an outdoor wedding is that you could play with seating arrangements. Try to think our of box seating arrangements for your guest to make the wedding interesting and personalized affair. You could add ribbon tassels and chair drapes to make the seating visually more appealing. You could also add colorful cushions seats to give it a unique decorative look.

• Flower arrangements

Flowers are something that will never go out of trend. These will add glamorous look to any outdoor wedding. Flowers are a huge trend now and you could floral arrangement décor to your outdoor wedding to make it look beautiful and divine. You could use jars, wine bottles, painted vases for flower arrangements. A wedding company FNP Gardens in Delhi NCR offers such stunning floral arrangements in their wedding venues their customers.

• Entrance and Wedding ceremony signboard

Adding a signboard at the entryway of the venue is a great idea. This helps the guests to know the entryway as in garden wedding there is no definite entryway. Inside the venue, you could use this signboard to write down where the ceremonies are to take place and at what time. You could use the chalkboard as well as a mirror for signs too. These give an elegant and personal touch to your wedding celebration.

• Beautiful ceremony backdrop

The beautiful ceremony backdrop will add to the wedding celebration. You could do flower wall to arch or pavilion for the ceremony backdrop. There are tons of backdrops to choose from. These beautiful backdrops will make your wedding stand out and also give it an elegant look.

Garden wedding has a more relaxed approach and adds a personalized touch to the wedding celebration. The above listed outdoor wedding decoration ideas are sure to make your wedding stand out from other weddings. There are many wedding gardens in Gurgoan which make for stunning outdoor garden wedding venues. You could opt for these venues if you would like an outdoor wedding for your big day.

 

If your home has a conservatory, whether because you inherited it with the property or you had this extra room built yourself, you have probably long had romantic notions of regularly dining, reading or otherwise relaxing in it right through the year, with your garden making a stunning backdrop.

In practice, though, conservatories are often boiling hot in summer and freezing cold in winter, largely due to the space’s insulation. Here’s how to improve it as the year’s coldest season nears.

Upgrade the glazing

Let’s make one thing clear straight away: your conservatory, being a largely glass structure compared to the rest of the house, is bound to leak heat more heavily. Therefore, trying to retain heat in a conservatory is often an uphill battle, though improved glazing might ease your struggle.

Your conservatory is likely currently either single- or double-glazed, so you could upgrade up to triple-glazing – a potentially viable option if your glazing is currently poor, says TheGreenAge.

Try to keep draughts at bay

Naturally, wind can more easily pick up – or, at least, be more noticeable – in winter, hence why you ought to plug any holes through which draughts could enter your conservatory. Therefore, make sure its entryway is fully draught-proof and other potential draught sources are blocked off.

As the room’s glazing will remain mainly responsible for its heat loss, also consider fitting blinds or drapes ready to be closed when heat is at a premium and, therefore, should be trapped if possible.

Cover the flooring

As heat tends to rise, your conservatory’s floor could, as you set foot on it, feel even icier than what the thermometer reading indicates. However, there are ways of at least somewhat relieving this issue, like adding a rug or even carpet, both relatively cheap solutions, says This is MONEY.co.uk.

Alternatively, you could lay thick underlay – in which case, we advocate also adding a layer of sheep wool insulation for yet further warmth.

Fit a more insulating roof

If your conservatory is largely just a giant glass box right now, consider fitting a roof that, in material and look, is closer to the roofing elsewhere on your home. We particularly recommend a Guardian Warm Roof system, which the Yorkshire roofing company Findley Roofing & Building can fit.

For that roof, you can choose tiles or slates in your choice of colour and benefit from a more consistent temperature in your conservatory.

Heat the space, but only when you’re using it

While placing a heater in your conservatory is not an entirely lost cause, you should only do it after tacking the conservatory’s insulation issues, says Saga. You should also be careful to only switch on that heater when you are actually in the room, due to how quickly the heat can escape.

If you have your mind set on a heater, opt for an infrared one. This is well-suited to conservatories, as it will heat both its floor and furniture and help keep the heat around for just a little longer.

 

 

When it comes to customizing your Honda Civic, the options are virtually endless. Here are five quick, accessible ways to improve your car’s performance and aesthetics.

Replace Your Exhaust System

The exhaust pipe is essentially how your car breathes. The better it breathes, the better performance you’ll get out of your engine — and your turbocharger, if you have one.

Your local auto parts store likely carries a wide variety of performance exhaust system kits, each designed to enhance your Civic’s airflow for more power. The most popular set-ups are catalyst-back (“cat-back” for short) and are designed to replace the connection between your muffler and your catalytic converter.

Upgrade Your Shocks and Springs

Your shocks and springs have one job: maximizing your comfort. They do this by minimizing movement when you hit a literal bump in the road.

If you’re cool with a slightly rougher ride, however, swapping out your shocks and springs for stiffer, high performance models can boost both your traction and your handling. Because they’re less bouncy, they’ll keep your tires in more constant contact with the road. If they lower your suspension too, as many models do, your newly lowered center of gravity will increase your Civic’s handling.

Give Your Civic a New Coat of Paint

A custom paint job can make you feel like you have an all-new ride. Whether you keep things subtle and sophisticated or go big with a graphic, paint is a simple way to update your car.

It can get costly, though. For an inexpensive alternative, consider powder coating your rims. They may be just one small component of your car, but your rims can make a big visual impact. Opt for a bold touch of color or keep things ultra-lowkey with a matte black or gunmetal gray. No matter how much or how little paint you choose to deploy, protect it against the elements with a clear finish such as 3M Paint Defender Spray Film.  Spray-on protectants are simple to apply and can safeguard not only a custom paint job, but also other exterior mods such as spoilers, rocker panels, and replacement hoods.

Treat Yourself to New Tires

Your tires are crucial to your Civic’s performance. One straightforward yet significant way to customize your car is to change out your existing treads for higher performance models. Look for tires that match your car’s speed rating and offer a solid mix of traction and water displacement.

Try New Windshield Wipers On for Size

If you like to take your Civic off-road, a new set of windshield wipers is a small, inexpensive upgrade that can improve your performance. Swap out your conventional blades for beam or hybrid blades that are built to better withstand the elements and whatever road conditions your next ride may throw your way.

When you customize your windshield wipers, bear in mind that the driver side wiper blade size and the passenger side aren’t the same. The Civic’s standard sizes for each can change from year to year as well.

No matter how you choose to customize your Honda Civic, remember that your ride is a reflection of you. Choose aftermarket mods that not only strengthen your car’s performance, but also showcase your unique style.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

I think bespoke engagement rings are something I could get on board with. Yes, they’re more expensive because they’re personalised, but they’re also more meaningful. Someone who loves you has gone out of his or her way to pick out even the smallest of details when designing your bespoke engagement ring –the ring that will forever symbolize and memorialize the day you two each declare you’re ‘it’ for one another. When you think about it, all actual engagement proposals are bespoke in nature because they are crafted by one partner specifically for the other partner. They’re heartfelt and sentimental; they’re momentous and beautiful; they’re the start of a lasting promise.

Diamonds are supposed to be forever, right? So, if the ring is forever, why not make it as heartfelt, sentimental, momentous, and beautiful as the proposal is, so that all that joy and love can last forever and sweep you back off your feet whenever you look down at your custom (bespoke) engagement ring?

Personalisation has been a trend and a norm since men and women starting monogramming their hankies back in the day. Now there are entire businesses and websites devoted to their claim that they can personalise anything, and they do mean anything. If someone is vain enough to want monogrammed bed sheets, pajamas, and even underwear, then why is it so outlandish to think that a person might want to either:

1. Have a custom-designed bespoke engagement ring (especially considering that someone went to all the effort, thought, sentiment, and trouble to design and present you with a completely custom token of love and commitment), or
2. Present a custom-designed bespoke engagement ring to the person with whom they desire to spend the rest of their life?

Ponder that while we circle back to this idea of proposals being the epitome of bespoke–personalised, customised, and just for…you. Do you know that Promposals are a thing now? An actual honest-to-goodness thing. Teenagers across the globe are setting up grand and elaborate musical numbers, public declarations, and confetti-filled-anythings just to ask someone to go to prom, and the kicker is, most of these prom-going pairs have already agreed to attend the event together, and the entire Promposal is pro forma!

Jewellers now have specialised services precisely for customers who want to design a custom bespoke engagement ring. And if you have a picture in your mind, but have little to no idea how to help someone else see that picture, then have no fear. ReveDiamonds.com has a particularly detailed and easy-to-use online design page. The service is organised in such a way that you can choose from hundreds of designs for every aspect of the ring’s design–everything from stone shape, gem, claw setting, style (cluster, art deco, victorian, etc…), band style, diamond setting, etc…and just like that, you’re designing the ring of your partner’s dreams.

So, ignore any of the so-called nay-sayers, and remember just how much devoted effort and adoration went into that ring and that moment. And never forget to love every bit of it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Don’t let a little cool weather dampen your cruise. Whether you’re navigating busy traffic downtown or setting a course across the country, cruise comfortably this fall with the best cruiser riding gear. Find the right layers, jackets and boots to keep you comfortable and confident on the road.

The Best Fall Jackets

When you ride in the fall, you need to be prepared for all types of weather. From crisp morning to hot and humid afternoons and back to chilly evenings, you need gear that can handle a wide range of temperatures and weather patterns. Depending on your region, you can expect rain, snow or high winds.

The best cruiser jackets for fall rides incorporate versatile options and materials to prepare you for any event. Waterproof outer layers are often supplemented by an insulating liner. Find a jacket that has a removable liner or that is spacious enough for you to wear additional layers underneath. That way, you’ll be prepared for anything you face on the open road.

Layers of Warmth

There’s a range of layers available to keep you comfortable this fall. From heated jacket and pants liners and balaclavas to cool, breathable shirts and riding pants, choose the perfect layers to handle all weather patterns.

While you’re shopping for the latest motorcycle aftermarket parts on sale, consider how you can prepare your bike for a fall drive. Invest in a new windshield to avoid blinding rain or insects, and grab a waterproof cover to keep your gear dry.

The Perfect Cruising Helmets

Fall cruiser helmets are an unusual breed. You’re looking for a helmet that’s protective enough for long rides in cool weather, but also breathable enough to keep you comfortable as temperatures unexpectedly soar. You don’t want to buy two helmets for the same trip, so invest in headgear that can handle a range of temperatures.

Consider a helmet with breathing ports and removable breathing covers to keep up the trend of flexible riding gear. Other cruiser helmets have removable shields and visors to adjust your headgear accordingly. Test out your helmet to make sure it’s comfortable before hitting the road for a long trip.

Gloves, Boots and Other Accessories

Keep those digits warm and comfortable on your long drive. While temperatures may not have hit freezing yet, you’ll regret hitting the road without purchasing insulated gloves and comfortable riding boots. Cold weather boots are often restrictive of movement, so find a brand that retains the flexibility you need for long-haul road trips.

Some riding gloves are designed for extreme temperatures, while others offer a more moderate approach. Protect your hands and enjoy a comfortable ride by choosing a pair of gloves with a light or removable liner.

Don’t forget to keep a strong theme and consistent style in your riding gear. Cruisers see plenty of traffic, so gear up in a unified way to blend in with your bike. As you gear up, don’t forget to purchase the essential components your bike needs, like the best OEM parts for Kawasaki Ninja 500R. Match your bike and enjoy a professional look, comfortable feel and unforgettable ride.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

 

The idea of intermittent fasting is that you don’t eat within a specific time frame and eat whatever you want within another specific time window. For instance, if you follow an alternate diet, you have to starve for 24 hours and eat whatever you want in the next 24 hours. Some people find it difficult, so they try the 16:8 period where they starve for 16 hours a day and take food within 8 hours only.

The whole notion of fasting might seem unhealthy. Whether you want to lose weight or wish to become healthy again, fasting will help you. The good thing about not eating within a specified period is that you allow your body to recover and recharge. For instance, if you eat a lot, your body will then digest what you ate within a much longer time frame. If you didn’t eat anything during an extended period, your body has nothing to digest. Therefore, it will burn more stored fats, and it’s a good thing.

You also don’t want your body to get overworked. When you feed yourself even if you’re not yet hungry, it could lead to weight gain. You don’t give enough opportunity for your cells to recover after working hard.

It could also be the reason why even if you feel like you’re exercising a lot, you don’t lose weight. Your body keeps receiving a tremendous amount of food, and it can’t keep up with the digestion process.

Cleanse your body

Another reason why you need to fast is that you want to cleanse your body. You need to give it enough time to get rid of toxins. You might not notice it, but the food you eat contains lots of unnecessary elements that keep you unhealthy. With fasting, you give enough time to cleanse the body for it to start over. Not only will you lose weight, but you could also avoid the possibility of getting chronic diseases.

You need to be smart 

The good thing about following intermittent fasting is that you won’t feel deprived at all. It’s not like other diet techniques where you have to stop eating certain types of foods. With this method, you have to fast, but during the period when you can eat, you can have whatever you want. Of course, you can’t overeat all the time. You still have to be selective with what you eat.

Make sure that you eat what you deserve during that time frame. For instance, if you want to eat meat, you have to select the best restaurants. Eat lean meat, but meat with the best flavours. Check out https://www.kasbah-grill.com if you want kosher steak. You won’t feel guilty about that choice since it’s healthy and tasty.

You can also experiment at home if you want to try new dishes. The point is that you enjoy each meal, and you don’t let your diet plan prevent you from having a blast each time you dine.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

The practice of staging real estate for sale or rent has been around since the seventies, but it only picked up steam in the last decade or so. The reason it’s a growing trend is because most agents agree it’s an effective form of advertising and completely worth the cost. Staging an apartment might even be a little easier and less expensive than staging homes for sale because your units are probably just alike. This means you can either use the same decor over and over, or you can keep one unit staged for tours. Either way, you should take the time and care to do it right. If you don’t feel you have the eye for making the space attractive to renters, consider hiring a professional to get the job done.

Keep it simple

You don’t need much decor to make a great first impression. In fact, you want to keep the unit as clean and decluttered as possible. Little things, like a “welcome” doormat at the front entrance and a bouquet of fresh flowers on the counter will make potential tenants want to fill out a rental application before they leave the property, which should be a breeze when you opt to use landlord software services. The furnishings should also be simple. A couch, side chair, and coffee table are probably all you need for the living room. In the bathroom, you can hang clean, white towels on the rods. A bed that’s neatly covered with fluffy linens will make the bedroom an inviting place to be. And the kitchen needs little more than a neatly folded dish towel by the sink or hanging on the oven.

Don’t neglect the walls

Bare walls do little for any space. They can make a room feel cold and without personality.

It’s important to be careful with what you display, though. Try to find simple, elegant prints with mild colors and no controversial images. If you have trouble finding anything appropriate or affordable, you can opt to have a canvas print made from artwork online. This art should complement the space without overpowering it. One large print behind the couch is usually much more appealing than small ones scattered around the room.

Deep clean

If someone just moved out that the apartment, make sure that it is deep cleaned. One of the biggest deterrents of a potential buyer or renter is filth, and if they notice dirty windows your crew overlooked, or filthy cabinets, they’re likely to walk away. Cleaning is more than making sure the space looks good, however. Bad odors can reveal poor housekeeping practices faster than a dusty counter. If you notice even the faintest odor, try to eliminate it by having the carpets professionally cleaned or sanitizing the area it’s coming from. Don’t just try to cover it up. Strong deodorizers can sometimes be just as offensive.

Use high-quality furniture

If you use the same furniture for every staging, this expense shouldn’t be too high. You can even get away with using one or two quality pieces mixed in with some lower-quality ones as long as they look good. In the bedroom, for example, you can set an air mattress on top of crates and pass it as a bed in a guest room — as long as you cover the entire thing with nice linens. The dining room set and living room sofa should be chosen carefully, though. Since they stand alone, your renters will notice them first.

These things don’t have to cost you a fortune. Many furniture stores will rent out their best pieces for stagings and even deliver and set it all up. Some of them may even be willing to work out a deal with you that you will exclusively advertise their merchandise in exchange for letting you use it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

 

Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life. Some of the factors that one must consider are your interests, opportunities for professional development, and how well you’ll get paid for it. If you’re focused on pursuing a career that offers all of the factors mentioned above, we have listed some jobs that may pique your interest.

1. Psychiatrists

The average psychiatrist in the USA earns approximately $220,000 a year. While you don’t have to become a medical doctor to become a psychologist, if you choose to become a psychiatrist, you will be required to graduate from medical school.

2. Software Engineer

Salaries of software engineers can range from $70K-$295,000 a year. So if you have a keen interest in coding as well as designing and developing innovative new software for businesses, you may be interested in becoming a software engineer.

If you’re an analytical thinker and enjoy solving complex puzzles, you’ll also love the challenge of overcoming new design challenges each day. As you may have to come up with new solutions to problems in order for the software which you designed to work as you intended.

3. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists are doctors who are responsible for administering anesthetics, usually before surgeries. They are some of the most highly paid medical professionals in the country and established anesthesiologists typically earn around $267,000 per year.

It will take 8 years to be a fully qualified anesthesiologist and be able to provide the highest level of care for patients. After completing four years in medical school, to complete your training you’ll have to complete four years of residency, for which you’ll be paid.

4. Marketing Manager

If you don’t have an interest in medicine or science, you may be better suited to pursue a career as a marketing manager. Marketing managers earn around $147,000 per year and spend their days finding effective and innovative new ways to market different businesses, products, and services.

If you’re always coming up with new ideas and aren’t afraid of thinking outside the box, you may excel at being a marketing manager. Especially if you have strong communication skills and can clearly and confidently explain your marketing visions with other individuals.

5. Attorney

If you are passionate about the judicial system and believe that you have the skills to argue your cases in a court of law, you may be tempted by the opportunity of becoming an attorney. The average attorney in the USA gets paid around $144,000 a year, which is a competitive salary.

If you choose to become an attorney, you’ll also be able to become a judge, once you have plenty of experience as a professional lawyer. So if you’re looking for a career path that offers opportunities for career progression, it’s well worth learning more information about becoming an attorney.

6. Human Resources Manager

If you were to work as a human resources manager for a large international firm, you would earn around $130,000 a year. Working as a human resources manager is a great idea if you have a knack for reading others and identifying strengths and weaknesses in other individuals.

So if you’re determined to bring home a competitive salary, hopefully, you’re tempted by at least one of the six high-paying jobs which are listed above.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.