The Best Interior Design And Decorating Trends To Revamp Your Space

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Whether your design and decorating choices are big or small, they can immediately communicate your style to anyone who enters your home. They can also bring you a sense of joy whenever you look around you and see the beautiful pieces you picked out. Revamping your space can even have health benefits. One-third of homeowners say that they change to a healthier lifestyle after remodeling their kitchen, according to Houzz.

Now is the perfect time to give your space a makeover and start feeling those benefits. It doesn’t matter if you rent an apartment or own a house, you have options for how you want to express yourself in your home. Let’s take a look at some of the top design and decorating trends of this upcoming year to get inspiration and ideas for your home.

A new kind of subway tile

For a number of years now, white subway tile has ruled the kitchen backsplash market. This style gets its name from the subway tiles that were first used during the early 1900s in New York City subway stations. These tiles became the standard subway decoration because of their easy-to-clean and durable surface that reflected light well. They also became common for kitchens because of similar reasons, but now designers are putting a spin on them.

This year’s trendy backsplashes are still utilizing the fresh white color of subway tiles, but the individual tiles are larger than the standard three by six inches of past tiles. The larger tiles also minimize the amount of grout that shows. Designers are arranging them in herringbone, chevron, or stacked patterns, rather than in the offset brick pattern of years past. Some people are even ditching the rectangular tiles completely and opting for circles and curved lines instead.

Going green

For once we’re not talking about eco-friendly living (although incorporating environmental options remains a popular trend), but rich and vibrant green hues that bring nature inside. Interior designers have seen earthy green tones on the rise in homes as people want to create a paradise that allows them to escape technology and the stress of the outside world.

The best part of these decorating trends is that you don’t have to make permanent changes your landlord wouldn’t appreciate in order to incorporate green into your home. Pick out green throw pillows and blankets to accent your living room, or go bold with an armchair or sectional entirely upholstered in green. If you can make lasting changes to your home, consider incorporating sea glass into a kitchen or bathroom countertop. Subtle shades of green, blue, and aqua are typically found in every 50 to 100 pieces of sea glass and can make a plain space feel like a relaxing oasis.

Multifunctional furnishings

As more people move into smaller apartments and homes made for city-living, decor is also becoming more compact and multifunctional. Anyone who has lived in a more modest space knows the challenge of making a living room double as a guest room or finding storage space when it seems impossible.

Luckily, the furniture to solve these problems can be both stylish and functional. Designers have created storage options that fit neatly into existing furniture pieces, like under-bed drawers. Couches that transform into beds no longer look like the clunky messes that your parents had, but like a completely normal sofa that fits seamlessly into a living room. If you’re working with a small space, be sure to look for pieces like these that can do double duty while adding to the aesthetic of your space.

Now that you’ve got some inspiration from what’s trending right now, it’s time to go forth and give your home a facelift with these decorating trends. It’s probably in need of one, as about 85% of all homes in the country were built before 1980. While you’re remodeling, remember to have fun and pick out designs that speak to you. When all’s said and done, you should have a space that wipes away the stresses of the day and brings you absolute joy.

Another College Athletics Scandal: This Time, It’s Not About the Athletes

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The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) loves this time of year. College basketball tournaments are going on all over the country, football programs are gearing up for the upcoming season; and the money is pouring in. It’s estimated that the entire North American sports industry will be worth upwards of $74 million by 2020. The NCAA brings in more than $1 billion a year in revenue.

Because this organization is so profitable, there has been a push to better compensate student-athletes. Seemingly every year there are scandals involving athletes being illegally paid — especially when it comes to recruitment. The story that’s currently circulating the news, however, is a little bit different. Money is still exchanging hands and athletics are still involved, but it’s not the top athletes that are typically at the center of these college scandals. In fact, the students that are involved in this recent admissions controversy are barely athletes at all.

Graduates of the University

According to ESPN, federal prosecutors have indicted nine college coaches and dozens of other school administrators and officials for their involvement in an alleged bribery scheme that helped famous and wealthy parents — including Aunt Becky from Full House (Lori Loughlin) — secure their children admission into some of the country’s most prestigious universities.

“I don’t know how much of school I’m going to attend,” said Olivia Jade Giannulli, Loughlin’s 19-year-old daughter and USC student. “But I do want the experience of, like, game days, partying… I don’t really care about school.”

Jade, an online influencer, went on about her excitement for college parties on her YouTube channel last summer. Now, since her mother is at the center of this bribery scandal that involves creating fake athletic profiles, she’s taking some serious criticism. Unlike someone like Patti McGee, the first woman to become a professional skateboarder back in 1964, Loughlin’s daughter has no history in athletics.

College parties are one thing and twentysomethings love letting loose and playing all sorts of fun games during these outings. But at upscale cocktail parties, where two to three glasses a person are typically consumed, there are often shady, backdoor deals being done in order to get children into the nation’s top schools.

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, what’s next for the students involved in this scandal is still to be determined.

“As to charges against them, we’re still considering that. It’s not an accident that there are no students charged in these charging documents,” Lelling said. “The parents, the other defendants, are clearly the prime movers of this fraud. It remains to be seen whether we charge any of the students.”

Jade and similar people looking for more of a party-like college experience should check out some of the following schools, though it’s still imperative to get in fairly. For what it’s worth, though these are still quality educational facilities, here are some of the top party schools in the United States:

  1. Tulane University
  2. University of Georgia
  3. West Virginia University
  4. University of Wisconsin
  5. Howard University
  6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  7. Indiana University — Bloomington
  8. The University of Alabama
  9. Florida State University
  10. University of Texas — Austin
  11. University of Iowa
  12. Southern Methodist University
  13. University of California — Santa Barbara
  14. Miami University
  15. Penn State
  16. Ohio University
  17. University of Mississippi
  18. University of Southern California
  19. Syracuse University
  20. University of Kansas

The following schools are involved in the new bribery case: USC, Texas, Georgetown, UCLA, Stanford, Wake Forest, San Diego, and Yale.

3 Tropical Destinations To Beat A Long and Harsh Winter

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After a long winter, it can be great to get away for a bit to a tropical, warmer destination. You might think you need to look outside the United States for a vacation spot warm enough, but believe it or not, you have plenty of options to choose from within the country. In fact, U.S. domestic travel increased by almost 2% in 2017.

There are over 19,000 airports, heliports, seaplane bases, and other landing facilities in the United States and its territories; with all of these options, one of them is sure to have your next vacation destination. Even without a passport and without leaving the United States, you’ll be able to plan a fun tropical vacation the entire family will enjoy. Check out these 3 tropical destinations for a fun vacation to beat the winter blues.

Hawaii

Always a classic for an island getaway, Hawaii has a few different islands perfect for vacationing depending on what you’re looking for. For a more nature-oriented vacation in Hawaii’s tropical forests, try visiting Kauai; a variety of movies are filmed on this island due to its picturesque landscape. If you’re looking for more of a traditional vacation experience, the Big Island could be right for you; with plenty of hotels and luxury vacation activities to choose from.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has tons to offer while still being close to home. Check out the wide variety of wildlife on this island while not being too far away from the mainland. If you’re looking for a slightly more secluded getaway, try one of the smaller islands off the coast of Puerto Rico; many of these islands haven’t had as many tourists, making them a bit quieter and off the beaten path. Don’t forget to check out all the ocean activities the islands have to offer; 19.6% of Millennials participate in water sports, and you’ll find plenty to get involved with there.

Catalina Islands

While you may have heard of the last two tropical destinations, these lesser-known islands are sure to help you beat back the winter blues. These islands are less than 50 miles off the coast of California but are the perfect tropical getaway. Look for all your summertime and tropical favorites, including zip lining, hiking, beaches, and more.

Even without a passport, you can make the most of these tropical destinations to help get over a long winter. Which of these travel spots can you see you and your family vacationing to?

 

Nail Salon

Ohio Spa Owner Under Fire For Naming Nail Salon ‘Inappropriately’

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Jobs. A necessary evil. That is, of course, unless your job doesn’t feel like day-to-day toil. A poll taken in 2016 referred to Millennials as the job hopping generation, with six in 10 open to a new job at any given time. This is a greater number than any previous generation.

While that fact has drawn criticism from older generations, younger people are much more likely not to suffer through doing a job they hate. A concept that doesn’t compute to certain mindsets. A way to avoid disliking your job is to start your own business. Sure, it’s tough at first, but you’re ultimately in charge of what happens, for good or for ill. Plus, you get to name your own business.

Ohio resident Dawn Moon is a new business owner. The licensed cosmetologist recently opened her nail salon and spa that has since caused quite the scene. The value of on-site signage is equal to 24 full-page newspaper ads each year. For Moon, this wasn’t enough, so she took her marketing acumen and opened Pandora’s Box by officially naming her nail salon Hand Jobs Nails & Spa.

So many reactions. Outrage. Offense. Laughs. Viral marketing. Her spa, in just a few days, is on the map internationally.

“You don’t want something that they can’t remember or that they can’t pronounce or say. In less than a week, I think the whole country knows about us. You can’t pay for that kind of advertising,” she explained.

Phenomenally clever. She goes on to defend the name because it’s literally the establishment’s job to work on hands. Still, some residents of the town are outraged over the name and have appealed to the zoning board to force Moon to change the name of her spa. She’s prepared to fight it tooth-and-nail.

“If you go in and get your nose done, it’s called a nose job right? Well you come in and get your hands done it’s a hand job!” she argues.

She’s certainly not wrong and whichever way the verdict turns out, she already got enough free marketing out of it for the whole ordeal to be worth it. The spa has reportedly received more compliments and jokes about it than ire, but it only takes one “I want to talk to a manager!” type to get the authorities involved.

The decision of whether Hand Jobs Nails & Spa remains named thusly is forthcoming and if they’re told to change the name, appeals will be filed and it’ll be taken to court, reports say.

Some 99% of marketers swear by the unique value of trade show exhibits that aren’t found in traditional marketing mediums. We might suggest they take a lesson from Dawn Moon and harness the unique advantage of knowing the viral content market and thoroughly exploiting the attention span of the internet and the collective reach of a little PG-13 humor.

Now, who’s ready for a manicure?

A Breakdown Of Common Myths Surrounding The HPV Vaccine

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You’ve heard of it on the news, seen commercials about it on cable television, and spotted the posters in your doctor’s office. It seems like ads about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the HPV Vaccine are everywhere, but what exactly is it?

HPV is a term for a family of common viruses that people can pass to one another during sex. These viruses are so common that most people will contract an HPV infection at some point in their lives, but it usually clears up on its own. The danger comes when an ongoing HPV infection causes abnormal changes in the lining of a woman’s cervix. When these changes are not treated, they can lead to cervical cancer.

injecting injection vaccine vaccination medicine flu man doctor insulin health drug influenza concept – stock image

About 39.6% of men and women will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point during their lives. Although HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, it has also been strongly linked to other cancers in both men and women, including cancers in the mouth and throat, penis, anus, vagina, and vulva.

Luckily, there is a vaccine that helps the immune system fight and clear the HPV infection before it causes cancer. As with most vaccines, there are many common myths about the HPV vaccine that tend to circulate. Let’s break down some of these misconceptions and find the truth about this helpful vaccine.

Myth #1: The HPV vaccine is not safe or effective

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Advisory Committee for Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has continuously reviewed the safety of Gardasil, the common HPV vaccine. WHO reported as recently as July 2017 that the vaccine has an excellent safety profile. As with all vaccines, some people experience effects after the injection such as redness, swelling, mild nausea, or a headache. However, these effects tend to pass quickly and are minimal when compared to the protection from cancer the vaccine provides.

Myth #2: Only women need the HPV vaccine

As both men and women can get HPV, anyone of any gender should get the vaccine for optimal protection. The HPV vaccine protects against approximately 90% of cervical cancers, but it also offers protection against many of the other cancers mentioned above to which HPV has been linked. It will provide protection against most genital cancers in men caused by HPV and against 90% of genital warts in both men and women.

Myth #3: You can only get the vaccine as an adolescent

While it is recommended that you receive the HPV vaccine when you are younger, anyone up to the age of 26 can get the vaccine. Doctors tend to advise getting the vaccine when you are younger because it works best if given before you are exposed to HPV through sexual activity. Research has also shown that young people create more antibodies to the vaccine than those in their late teens or early twenties, making it more effective in the younger crowd. While patients aged 14 and under need just two doses of the vaccine, patients over 14 years old will need an additional third dose.

Getting the HPV vaccine is just as important for your health as doing seven or more hours of physical activity per week, which has been shown to extend the life expectancy of adults. Make sure that you and your loved ones are doing everything you can to protect your health by getting the HPV vaccine and spreading these myth-busting facts to others. To find out more information about HPV, you can visit www.hpvalliance.ie.

Dating Downloads Set To Go Into Overdrive On January 6

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Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to find love? You might want to pull out your smartphone and re-download your favorite dating app again. According to new reports, January 6 is expected to be the busiest day for online dating of the year.

Dating Apps Image from hellogiggles.com

The popular dating site Match.com reports that the busiest day for online dating is the first Sunday following the new year. This means that fateful day rests on January 6 and most first dates will occur the following Friday. Match.com even dubbed that special day of the week, “First Date Friday, ” which is set to occur on January 11.

But Match isn’t the only dating site to experience a surge in swiping. Up-and-coming dating app Hinge reported that singles used the app 22.5% more on the first Sunday following the new year.

Tinder, the undisputed leader of the dating app pack, saw 44 million matches made in a single Sunday. With so many users picking up online dating on that first Sunday, the day has become a holiday in its own right. It’s been dubbed “Dating Sunday.”

Woman using dating app and swiping user photos

But why January 6?

Many theorize that users hope to find love in the new year, making January a particularly popular month for dating apps across the country. But that first Sunday is key. People are bored after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and eager for more excitement. For others, this Sunday following the holidays may be the first time they’ve had downtime to use a dating app in the new year.

Match found that 53% of singles on their site think of the new year as a clean slate; for those looking for love in 2019, dating at the beginning of the new year is a fresh start.

“January is all about resolutions and we always see people kickstarting their dating after a reflection phase where they try to figure out what they want from life in the new year and what they are going to do differently,” claims Bumble’s Danielle Chadha.

“We see a lot a lot of new registrations and a lot of profiles being updated and we encourage our users just to be straightforward in their bios and profiles about what they want.”

So, how can you craft the perfect profile for Dating Sunday?

Here are some tips to help get you to First Date Friday.

Put your best face forward

This means it’s time to ditch the sunglasses. Potential matches want to see your beautiful smile and pearly whites. It’s estimated that 96% of people believe that a healthy, attractive smile makes someone more appealing to a potential partner.

Actually fill out your bio

So many singles just put their social media information on their profile and hope for the best. Unfortunately, this won’t get you potential matches. You want to fill out your bio with information that can start a conversation. Include your likes and interests with a funny quote or an interesting one-liner.

Ditch the bad pickup lines

We’ve heard them all before. It’s time to come up with unique first lines if you want to get responses from potential dates. For those who are stuck, Tinder came out with a few alternatives on their Swipe Life blog to get you started.

For example, they list “Best smile on Tinder. You must use Crest, lol” as a bad first liner. While 99.7% of people view a healthy smile as socially important, this won’t get you a date.

Tinder suggests you use this instead: “OK, nice smile, but how’s your frown?”

If you’re not into dating apps right now, don’t stress. There are other busy times where you might be more apt to download Tinder or another dating app.

After all, time is relative and there’s no limit on when you’ll find love. The French once tried to institute a 10-hour clock, instead of the regular 24 hours. If you’re struggling on a dating app, at least you didn’t fail as badly as they did following the French Revolution.

And if you’re one of the many people swiping on January 6, good luck this Sunday!

Do Women Need to Work Harder to Get Promotions?

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By Marley DeRosia

It’s the end of the year and employee reviews are in: did you get a promotion?

If you’re a woman, it’s unlikely. New analyses show that women need to have over a year’s worth of education and almost a full year under their belt in work experience to get the same job as their male counterparts.

On top of that, fewer women will ask for promotions. And among those who do ask for promotions, at the end of the year, are less likely to receive the same outcomes as men in similar positions.

Young hipster woman tired for work and nap on workplace .

According to CNN, this is a result of implicit bias in the workplace. After all, Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland only felt qualified to apply as a professor after receiving this accreditation.

Unfortunately, this implicit bias is so hard to manage because countless employees do not realize they’re performing these behaviors, to begin with.

And now that end-of-year reviews are officially upon us, here are some tips to earn that coveted promotion and even the playing field in the coming year.

Do some research

LinkedIn has become the online resume-builder that any curious worker can witness, but countless other sites detail their paths to success. When you find a person who has achieved your most recent career goals, don’t hesitate to view how they got to that point. More often than not, LinkedIn users will upload every facet of their resume, including education, volunteer work, and experiences that got them to where they are today. You should never fear to ask how people achieved their goals. If you notice a pattern, try following their footsteps to build a stronger resume.

Get innovative

Doing the bare minimum will rarely get you noticed by decision-makers in your company. You have to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to prove you’re a leader.

CEO of MyCorporation.com Deborah Sweeney regularly has to make this decision among her employees.

“They’ll need to be able to show me examples of moments when they took initiative and it paid off to benefit their department and the overall company. Promotions also help groom employees for leadership roles, so they should be able to demonstrate moments where they helped lead or guide a team too,” she says.

There’s no cookie-cutter formula that will guarantee a promotion in the future, but any company can benefit from added innovation. For example, only one in every seven businesses relies on an alarm system for security. Implementing a new system or talking to a supervisor about this can lead to positive changes in your work environment. Even small improvements like this can be enough to show your managers that you’re willing to take initiative to improve the workplace in conjunction with other efforts.

Young businesswoman in a thoughtful pose on a gray background

Don’t forego having kids

Becoming a parent is a major accomplishment. Unfortunately, countless parents, particularly mothers, fear that having a child can halt career progression in its tracks. In fact, the BBC recently released a short Christmas film about a working mom and her frustrated teenage son.

The film received divided criticism with many claiming the message was anti-feminist. After all, it showed a hardworking mother getting criticized by her family for working long hours. Daily Mail writer Sarah Vine sums it up succinctly.

“God forbid that anyone should actually be grateful for the hours she puts in, for the way she somehow manages to run the home while also holding down a job,” Vine writes. “Because none of that matters: she’s not at the beck and call of her child. She is, therefore, a Bad Mother, a woman who has lost sight of the only thing that matters in her life: her family.”

“That she is, in some fundamental and visceral way, going against her nature to the detriment of those she loves,” she writes.

In the United States, 46% of two-parent households witness both parents working full-time jobs. Just because you have children doesn’t mean you’re not a valuable employee who deserves recognition for their accomplishments. Besides, becoming a parent offers valuable leadership skills in the workplace.

Don’t be afraid to relocate

Large businesses will often need excellent leaders in other branches of their company. While you might love the town you live in, don’t be afraid to move should the opportunity arise. You may fall in love with a new city or enjoy your new job even more than your current position. After all, around 33% of renters will move house each year. Exploring a new part of the world may benefit you in unexpected ways.

Take your performance review to heart

Your performance review should not be the time to ask for a promotion. It’s likely that the company has already made its end-of-year decisions regarding finances and employee promotions. If you didn’t get one, however, take the performance review to heart, particularly the areas on which you can improve.

Company heads love to see growth and making these necessary improvements to your performance prove that you’re willing to adapt and improve for the sake of the company. While you shouldn’t damage your health in the process, you should always look to improve in your career.

In the end, each company is different. It’s up to you to find the best path for advancement, whether that means working harder or moving out of state. Good luck with your performance review!

Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year. "Living Coral"

Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year is…..Living Coral

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Pantone, in keeping with its trend from the past twenty years, has announced its 2019’s Color of the Year. “Living Coral” is sure to be the shade showing up across store shelves all over the nation; in everything from clothing to accessories to interior decor.

Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year. "Living Coral"

An Optimistic Pick

This vibrant, warm hue combines shades of salmon and rose. It reflects a sense of optimism for the coming year; and Pantone’s published description of the shade of pinkish-orange seems to communicate that. Pantone announced that, “Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.”  It looks like Pantone is going to be looking to this tone as inspiration for the upcoming year.

Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year. "Living Coral"

Many sources seem to agree that this color is sure to be a hit with younger generations especially; which means it will likely show up in online photos and social media everywhere. This nature-inspired pick is in keeping with 2017’s choice, “Greenery.” Both draw from natural hues to shape future trends. However, not everyone is thrilled with this symbolism; in an era of climate change, several are saying that the pick is a bit too ironic considering the current state of actual coral reefs.

Hint: it hasn’t been a good year for coral.

Where You Can Find Living Coral In 2019

Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year. "Living Coral"

Pantone’s Color of the Year traditionally has been a hit across fashion trends and interior design, and this year’s pick is likely to be no exception. “Living Coral” is likely to show up in interior design magazines, boutique racks, and unique accessories everywhere. You might even see it on wheels — with some one billion bicycles on the road today, there’s bound to be a cyclist or two with an eye for coral. Also keep an eye out for this hue on social media; a recent Live Well survey found full-time workers and Gen-Yers spend an average eight hours every weekday in front of a screen, meaning that once word of this popular hue spreads, it’s likely to be everywhere online.

As 2018 draws to a close and 2019 gets underway, expect to see “Living Coral” anywhere and everywhere, from fashion to accessories to home decor. How do you plan to make use of this vibrant hue in your fashion picks for the new year?