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2022 Printable Calendar Collection

My friends, a new year is just around the corner! While you settle into these last few weeks of December, you can still plan for next year!

Introducing my new Calendar Collection for 2022! Over at my print shop, find six different designs to frame. These are all year-at-a-glance style. If you’re like me and like to look ahead or glance at a year then you’ll love these large scale calendars!

These are perfect for an office or kitchen or anywhere you need to quickly remind yourself of dates. I’ve created six different designs using my sketches and photography. I’ve blended artistic touches with the practicality of a calendar in an instant download!

These printable calendars are fantastic framed in poster size at 24×36” but you can also print them at 18×24” or 50x70cm (see below how they’re a perfect fit for the IKEA RIBBA frame).

Here are the six designs up close:

Boho Flourish

Watercolor botanical flourishes in earth tones surround this year-at-a-glance calendar.

Olive Leaves

Illustrated palm leaves surround this calendar with months identified in a script font.

*also available in a teal background, see the listing!

Blue Leaves

Cascading blue leaves beautify this calendar with months backed by blush pink squares.

Black Scallop

Sketched abstract scallop shapes surround this calendar in minimalist type.

Retro Surf

A retro style calendar featuring surfboards in a line with months displayed in minimalist type.

Beach Walk

Find instant serenity in this wall calendar in soothing blue tones and an ocean view.

I’m very excited to share these new designs with you!

Earlier this year, I wrote about the easiest way to frame large scale art under $50.

Each one of these prints can be framed and hung on the wall as a reference all year.

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Each digital download includes a 2to3 ratio which prints as large as 24×36” as well as a 3to4 ratio which print as large as the 18×24” size.

Also included is the 50x70cm size which sits perfectly inside this $15 IKEA RIBBA 19¾x27½” frame (also available in black). The 24×36″ IKEA RIBBA frames are only $20!

Find the 2022 Calendar Collection here.

From today until December 25th, all calendars are 20% off!

Use the coupon HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout!

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Cabin Getaways Across the USA

This time of year I always look around for weekend winter getaways and cozy cabins always come to mind. How lovely it is to escape to a little cabin in the woods! In winter, nature is mostly dormant and invites us to slow down and recharge in anticipation of new seasons of growth. How lovely it would be to explore outdoors by day and sit and read by the fire by night in these featured homes.

Last year I featured cabin getaways and desert getaways. Today I’m back with even more cabins available for rent across the USA. These cabins offer appealing interiors that are just as lovely as their outdoor views. As much as I love a classic log cabin, it’s refreshing to see unique twists on traditional style or more contemporary looks on display in these getaways. They’re fun to glance at for design inspiration but you can rent them too! Click on the header links to explore more images and check out their availability calendar.

Sky Cabin | Washington

Coastal Hilltop | Oregon

Big Bear Lake | California

Lake Arrowhead | California

Mountain Chalet | Montana

Modern A Frame | South Dakota

Blushing Beaver Cabin | Oklahoma

Long Lake | Wisconsin

Frame | Pennsylvania

Fairytale Cabin | Vermont

Tiny Home | Tennessee

Catskills Cabin | New York

Modern Mountain | North Carolina

Lake Hartwell | Georgia

Which one would you pick for a weekend getaway?

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5 Secrets of People Who Always Have a Clean House

It is natural for homes to become messy and dirty at times, but the homeowners use different techniques to tackle various problems. There isn’t any confirmation that proves that a few people come with a clean gene. For developing better habits for keepinghouses clean, it is time to disclose some secrets. Towards the end, you will find that it is not tough to have a clean home:

Discard the old and worn out

When you have fewer items in your home, then you can easily get a cleaner home. When cleanliness freak people purchase anything new, they become successful in escaping from the worn out and old things. And so, they manage to strike a balance. These people either donate or sell their old things. At times, they also throw out the old things that they no longer need or use. People should be mindful that nothing should be preserved for safekeeping. If you haven’t worn a dress within the last year, it is most unlikely that you will wear it again. Hence, there’s no point in keeping it.

Do the dishes

A kitchen can’t look spotless when the sink is full of dirty dishes. Dirty dishes make a kitchen look messy naturally. So, it would not be a nice idea not to wash them the very day and postpone the work to be done the next day. You must always clean them now.

Form rules

Forming rules might sound similar to boot camp; people who have clean homes do implement different rules. For example, they do not walk around wearing their outdoor shoes inside their homes. They also train their kids to clean up besides enforcing some rules regarding where they must keep their toys. Home is a person’s castle and so, everyone wants to have a clean castle that they can enjoy. For having a clean home, you must set some rules and everyone in the house should follow them. Even when you aren’t born with a clean gene, you are liberal toacquire a few cleaning habits

Cleaning gutters

Clogged gutters always pose a huge concern to a person’s gutter system. When a person lives in an area that has lots of trees, critters, and overhead foliage that run around, then he would be required to hire a professional gutter cleaning service, like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Kansas City for getting his gutters cleaned regularly. Gutter cleaning is a vital task that people need to include for having a clean home. Frequent cleaning of gutters avoids pesky damage of water and insect infestations too.

Keep all the cleaning supplies handy

Though it seems sufficiently tough for a person to keep his house clean, he must not make the process tougher. And so, people must keep all-purpose paper towels and cleaners under every bathroom sink. And so, you will find no excuse to not keep the counter clean when it seems dirty. If people are required to haul their cleaning supplies all through the house, they will not feel inclined to use them.

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How Do Tenancy Deposit Claims work?

Imagine this situation: you have just moved into your new rented home after giving your landlord your tenancy deposit. You’re confident that your money is safe with them because they promised to register it with a government-authorised protection scheme.

Fast forward to more than a month later and you have asked your landlord for an update on your deposit, but you have  not received any reply. Take heart though; according to UK laws, landlords are required to protect tenant deposits within 30 days of them receiving the money. Once they have done so, they are to send tenants details about the protection scheme where they registered the deposit. This is called prescribed information, and if this is not provided to you 30 days after you paid the deposit, you may be eligible to file for a dispute or tenancy deposit claim.

Tenancy deposit protection schemes are intended to keep your money safe throughout the course of your tenancy. If you break any of the tenancy terms or damage part of the property, your landlord can use the money to offset repair costs. But if you have diligently followed all tenancy terms and paid your rent on time, your landlord is obligated to return the deposit to you after your tenancy ends.

Tenancy disputes

Millions of tenants in the UK claim that their profit is not protected. The estimated worth of unprotected deposits is around £515 million, or nearly 50% of tenants. Many renters often think that if their landlord is well-known or has been in business for years, or their letting agency is popular and big, they are automatically guaranteed deposit protection. Most of the time, the reality is the opposite: their deposits were not or have not been protected.

So, even if it is specified in the agreement that your deposit will be protected, don’t rely too much on it. There are rogue landlords who often resort to illegal behaviour, such as denying their tenants deposit protection.

When you can make tenancy deposit claims

There are three instances when you are eligible to file for tenancy deposit claims

When your landlord does not register your deposit in any of the government-authorised protection schemes: mydeposits, Deposit Protection Service, and Tenancy Deposit Scheme. When your landlord protects your deposit and then removes it without re-registering it even while you are still renting and living in the property. When your landlord puts your deposit into the tenancy deposit protection scheme late – after more than the 30 days that was given to them.

If your landlord is found to have breached the tenancy deposit laws, they will be ordered to return the original deposit to you and will be asked to pay between one to three times the deposit value for every breach.

How a tenancy claim works

Before filing a tenancy claim, you first need to verify if your deposit has been protected or not. Here’s what you need to do:

To check if you have a basis for making a claim, you can ask your landlord or letting agent for confirmation. If they did not provide you with the prescribed information, you should ask them for it  because they are required to do so by law. If your landlord or letting agent does not respond or provide you with accurate information, check the websites of the deposit scheme providers. You will have to enter the following details:Your surnameStart date of your tenancyYour postcode

These details are typically contained in your tenancy agreement.

If you are in a joint tenancy, you may have to enter the details of your joint tenants if the information is not available under your name.

If you just renewed your tenancy, you should enter a different start date.

If you cannot find the details you need, talk to a representative of the deposit protection scheme provider. Their contact number is usually displayed on their website.

Once you have verified that your landlord has not protected your deposit, you need to get in touch with a team of solicitors experienced in tenancy deposits. After verifying your proof of a right to claim, the team might have to go over your tenancy agreement to determine if your landlord provided you with the right clauses and documentation.

This step will provide further confirmation if you have a valid claim.

Your deposit protection compensation claim team might also verify with you if you are still willing to push through with legal action.

Provide your solicitors with all the information needed for your claim to move forward. This includes evidence such as photos, videos, and documentation of landlord-tenant communication (via email, text, written letters, or personal meetings).

The team will then prepare a letter of claim for you, which is sent to your landlord. Your landlord is given 14 days to respond to your letter. If they do not, your team of solicitors will prepare to take them to court.

No win, no fee

Choose the team of solicitors from Tenancy Deposit Claims if you want a no-win-no-fee guarantee from solicitors who are authorised and registered with The Solicitors Regulation Authority. Tenancy Deposit Claims’ solicitors are well-versed and experienced in tenancy deposits, so your chances of getting a successful claim are higher.

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Botanical Staircase Garlands

I finished decorating my staircase today, I was in the mood to deck the halls. We’ve had a few weeks of sunshine and my yard was so happy so I was inspired to use what I’ve got! I chose non traditional yard clippings to layer over my faux lighted pine garland that I reuse every year.

A few years ago I layered big bunches of eucalyptus, but this year I mixed boxwood clippings from the huge hedge in my front yard with blooms from my Mexican orange flower plant. These stems will stay fresh over a week in small floral tubes.

The blooming florals are unconventional and give it a slight wedding-ish vibe but I love them mixed with boxwood clippings and matte green ornaments.

Both staircases and mantels offer up so much opportunity to get creative with trimmings. I gathered some other ideas I found on the internet for your staircase too. Notice how you can mix in a group of different objects and create a statement staircase!

Bright Ornaments + Pinecones + Eucalyptus + Berry Sprigs

better homes & gardens

Faux Magnolia + Berry Springs + Metal Bells

rambling renovators

Shiny Ornament Garland + Striped Ribbon + Paper Tags

liz marie blog

Classic Red Berries + Burlap Ribbon

midwest living

Eucalyptus + Dried Flowers + Colorful Ornaments

first sense interiors

Mixed Garland + Stockings + Ribbons

better homes & gardens

rtificial Sprays + Dried Citrus

melanie lissak

Multicolored Ribbons + Burgundy Leaves

Ribbons + Berries + Pinecones

at home in arkansas

Twigs + Pinecones + Oversized Bells

pottery barn

Juniper + Earth Tone Ornaments

southern living

Magnolia + Twigs + Ribbon

hgtv

Olive Leaves + Ribbons

the identite collective

Simple Swags: Ribbons + Mini Bells

i spy diy

White Paper Stars + Star Cutouts

layered lounge

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Tendering and Project Management for a Construction Project

The availability of required resources is a key aspect of ensuring projects are completed. Most businesses nowadays have gone ahead and employed procurement experts who work with different team members such as the project manager to ensure resources are available. The role of the project manager is quite large and includes working from every angle with every team member to make certain the building materials have arrived on time and are of good quality.

Tendering and project management mainly focus on completing short-term goals such as a construction project. In this article, we are going to look at some of the steps that are included for the entire process to be a success.

Planning for Tendering and Project Management

Every development project starts with a plan. What are your plans to accomplish the objectives for tendering and project management? Who are the investors or stakeholders? How much time is needed to complete the project? What is the scope of the project? How large is the budget, and what is the quality level of the materials used? These are examples of questions that you might come across when developing the budget. Answering these questions ensures that there is an appropriate workflow in the tendering and project management process and that issues are aired out and can be resolved in the early stages of construction.

Begin the Tendering and Project Management Process

Here, the main stage of construction begins. Everything will be determined by the goods and services received. You can start by listing all the potential vendors you are likely to receive resources from. Come up with a list of vendors that you feel will really help with the project. At this stage, you can feel free to communicate with more companies and builders and hear what their proposals are.

After doing all this, it is time to sit down and make a list of builders and other companies that you want to involve in your project. Reputable architecture companies such as Humphreysandsons will help you with numerous construction services such as making plans, drawing the plans, seeking approvals, and even supervising the project.

Control as Part of Tendering and Project Management

Most vendors will promise you a lot of support in your project, but you need to be aware that not all will fully agree on the same terms. As a project manager, one has to go through and ensure that every vendor and builder has agreed with you about their intentions. Active oversight improves how work is carried out. The more vendors are aware that there is someone watching, the more performance improves at every level.

Wrap Up the Project

This stage of tendering and project management involves the project manager going through every detail included in the project and making sure that everyone has done their part respectively. In case of any unaddressed issue, the project manager will try and resolve it by forwarding it to the right person.

At the end of every project, the team ensures that the client is happy with what they receive and also that the team itself has learned from the mistakes made for future growth and improvement.

Conclusion

A successful project comes with its own ups and downs, which should be expected. The above article provides everything you need to know about tendering and project management. Read it to learn more.

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What You Need To Know When You Look For a New Rental Home

Renting sometimes gets a bad name from people who think that buying a home is the ultimate goal, and even if it is your ultimate goal, renting can be a great stop-gap for single people or couples who don’t want to be tied down. One of the biggest benefits of renting is that you can move on fairly quickly. You just need to give the landlord notice and pack your things.

This can be really good if you’re moving to a new city for work, or you just want to try out a new neighborhood.

What’s In A Home?

If you are considering renting, though, there are some things that you should know before you start looking at apartments. This is a list of things that everyone who rents needs to know before they sign on the dotted line.

1. Work with a real estate agent

It’s important to make sure that you are comfortable with your decision, or else it could cause problems later down the road. Look at reviews for local estate agents, search for estate agents in Erdington Birmingham, or wherever you are looking, and see what their reviews are by renters to ensure you’re going with a good agent. They will be able to help you find the ideal home for you.

2. What kind of space do you need?

Are you bringing your whole family with you, or just yourself? How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want to live by yourself or with friends? All of these things can make a difference when it comes to choosing a rental home so think about them carefully.

3. Think about what size storage space you will need

This is significant because, in some apartments, the storage space is in another unit or building. That could make moving in and out much more difficult if the landlord doesn’t offer help for this process. It’s important to find an apartment that makes moving in and out as easy as possible for the tenant.

4. Consider neighborhoods

This is important for a lot of reasons. For instance, if you want to live in a neighborhood that is safe and has great schools, this could be beneficial when it comes to your child’s education. If you want to live near a park or restaurant, something like that can also make moving in easier and more convenient.

5. How durable is the building?

One of the most common complaints about rental homes is the quality of construction and material quality. This can be very important for both tenants and landlords if they want to avoid costly repairs down the line, especially since this will happen regardless of whether you own your home or rent it.

6. Does the property owner have a reputation for managing repairs/maintenance?

The landlord’s reputation is important to know before signing an agreement, especially since these disputes can go on forever. It’s important to have a sense of whether or not the property owner is responsible over the long haul.

7. Does the property have any history of complaints about pests?

There are some things that are just unavoidable, but some landlords will knowingly rent out properties that have pests. It’s important to ask around and see if the landlord has a reputation for being on top of this sort of thing or not.

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DIY Wall Christmas Tree

I wanted to create something different for a holiday tree this year. I was inspired by this wall hanging christmas tree and thought to build a taller version for myself for less money and I did!

This wall Christmas tree is made with lattice strips and pine garland from Lowe’s and decorated with lights and ornaments just like any holiday tree, but this version is flat on the wall so it’s perfect for small spaces!

The “trunk” which supports the design is painted the same as the wall color so it recedes into the background.

To recreate one for yourself the supplies are: two 8’ lengths of 3/4” pine lattice; 9 feet of pine holiday garland; 1¼” wood screws; battery operated lights; large picture hanging strips; paint (same color as wall); holiday sprays and ornaments of choice; miter saw; level, paintbrush; pencil; wire cutters; floral wire.

First, cut the two 8’ strips of ¾” lattice into the lengths shown: 6’ “trunk” with 5 “branches” in the following sizes: 30”, 24”, 18”, 12”, 6”.

With a level and pencil, mark the 6’ “trunk”on the wall. Apply the picture hanging strips to the back of the tree “trunk” and (following the instructions) press the back of adhesive hanging strips to wall. Remove it from the wall and paint it the same color as the wall so it blends with the background.

Mark a 12” separation between the “branches” on the “trunk” and drill pilot holes through the center.

Cut the 9’ pine garland with wire cutters into the lengths of the “branches”.

Using floral wire, attach the trimmed piece of pine garland to the individual “branches” and insert any berry or leaf sprays.

One the paint on the “trunk” is dry, reattach it to the wall with the Command large picture hanging strips. Using a drill or screwdriver, attach the garland embellished branches to the “trunk” with wood screws.

Add battery lights, hang ornaments, and add any other decor!

You could also use the same tree to display your holiday cards too!

See today’s Instagram Reels for the full step by step video.  🙂

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Contemporary Electric Fireplaces

Yesterday as I was adding a touch of festive decor to my studio while the fireplace was on and I was reminded of how much I love the one in my small sitting space.

It will be my third winter with this one and it is so great for warming up this room on colder days. This electric fireplace I bought two years ago is still available but in a lighter color wood and also in white.

You can always build a frame and mantel to create a more built in style, there are a lot of tutorial online from people who’ve done it. But if you’re not feeling like all that extra work, these portable electric fireplaces may be just the thing to warm up your space too.

hollis fireplace (also in black)

marble look

portable electric (also in black or white)

off white veneer

shiplap

traditional white

antero black

antique silver

faux stacked stone

barnwood

black fluted

wall mounted contemporary

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Tips To Grow Your Business Leveraging Influencer Marketing

The results of influencer marketing are phenomenal, and many of you even agree with that. The way digital marketing works has evolved in the last few years as the internet has reached almost every corner of the globe. With more and more creators emerging on the digital platform, influencer marketing has reached new heights, and with that, it has become a hot topic of the industry.

Yet, many businesses still lack the right and maximum benefit of influencer marketing. So, below are the recommended tips to grow your business with influencer marketing.

A quick definition of influencer marketing: Influencer marketing is promoting your content/products with influencers across blogging websites and social platforms.

Find Niche-Specific Influencers: Biggest breakthrough you can make with influencers is finding the right and best-match influencers that serve content related to your business.

FACT: Nearly 82% of people follow the recommendations of micro-influencers.

Build a Walkthrough or Detailed Product Review: With a detailed walkthrough of your product, you can tell people about its compositions alongside its pros and cons. The better they explain your product, the better the audience can understand.

Populate Content: Once influencers share the video/blog on their platform, a new audience will reach your doorstep (website/physical store). It’s equally important to promote the content on your social platforms to get enhanced results.

Boost Your Organic Reach: With the right influencer marketing, you can boost your organic presence and add elevation to the sales count. Furthermore, integrating influencer marketing into your marketing strategy will also help in increased decision-making.

Now, newbie markets will find different ways influencers can work. Below are the top ideas to work with the influencers.

Technical Subject Experts: Many influencers have technical expertise, which can be advantageous to companies looking for a technical audience. Numerous technical experts are available that can help you create detailed content on your products and reach new audiences.

Connect with Influencer Bloggers: Undoubtedly, Vloggers are in trend, but bloggers still have a solid user base that makes them an excellent option to connect and populate your business content to new audiences.

Podcast Endorsements: Podcasts are the new way of running successful influencer marketing. According to the study, every third American listens to a podcast, making it another popular marketing tool. Advertisers can consider podcast endorsements to expand their reach.

Social Media Ads: Whatever influencer content you choose for your business promotion, you can leverage social media to enhance its reach and grab a new user base.

Find Influencer on All Social Platforms: Today, numerous social media platforms give birth to numerous influencers. Tiktok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and many more are some of the best examples. You can find influencers from all and turn their audience into customers.

In short, the options are many, but it entirely depends upon how you take advantage of influencer marketing to boost your sales or organic reach.

So, these are the smart yet trending practices that can provide assured results to your business.