admin, Author at Girls Guide to The World

March 7, 2019 by admin

What Not To Do When Tree Trimming

Some people believe trees grow on their own without any outside assistance. To a certain extent, that’s true. But as with any living creature, there are things a tree requires in order to maintain its health.

Just as humans need oxygen, water, and food to survive. Likewise, a tree needs the sun and nourishment to thrive. In addition to these essentials, trees also need to be regularly cared for to ensure they maintain their integrity and do not become a hazard lurking in your yard.

Did you know that a tree must be regularly trimmed and pruned? Mr. Tree offers pruning and tree trimming services, in addition to other types of maintenance. If you live outside our service area, however, you may need to find another skilled arborist to care for your tree. If that’s the case, there are a few things to avoid when it comes to tree trimming.

Avoid Doing it Yourself

We’re sorry to disappoint, but we don’t subscribe to do-it-yourself tree care. In fact, you should never attempt to perform tree work yourself as it’s a dangerous job that requires specialized skills and expertise. Don’t believe us? Just look here, here, and here for a few recent examples of tree trimming incidents that turned fatal. Tree trimming is a dangerous job and should not be performed as a DIY project.

Don’t Hire Just Anyone

Tree trimming isn’t simply a dangerous task for the average layperson. It’s a dangerous task for everyone. That’s why you should do your due diligence and only hire certain companies to perform the work. So, what are some things you should look for?

The first thing you should do is make sure the arborist you hire is certified and insured. Request a copy of the company’s insurance policy to make sure that it is current. You should also confirm that each arborist who works for the company is certified or a member of a reputable institution. Ask what type of safety gear the arborists use and inquire about their safety procedures. You should also ask for client references so that you can be confident in your decision before hiring that company.

Do Not Top the Tree

What exactly is tree topping? It’s a method of removing large branches at the top of a tree to reduce the tree’s canopy. Many homeowners engage in tree topping because of mistakenly held beliefs. Some homeowners believe, for instance, that topping a tree will make it smaller, more manageable, and even healthier. However, the very opposite is true. Topping a tree leads to large, open wounds that make your tree more susceptible to pest infestation, disease, and damage. Topping a tree could also encourage the growth of weaker branches. Be wary of any arborist who believes topping your tree is a good option. In fact, it’s not even permitted in the city of Portland and many others.

Refrain from Over-trimming

While it is important to trim your tree regularly to maintain its overall appearance, you want to be careful not to over trim your tree. A general rule of thumb is to not remove more than 25% of a tree’s foliage per year. Removing any more than that could deprive the tree of essential nutrients since removing too much foliage inhibits the tree’s ability to convert the sun’s energy into food through photosynthesis.

Avoid Tree Trimming During the Fall

Certain times of year are better for tree trimming than others. While light tree trimming can be done virtually any time of year, you’ll want to wait until trees are dormant to schedule some of the heavier work.

In general, the best time to do your tree trimming and pruning is in the winter. It’s best to prune during the dormant season for several reasons: wounds to trees will heal faster, the tree will be less prone to disease or infestation, and it’s also easier to trim when there’s less foliage.

However, the time of year that you do your tree trimming work should really be tailored to the type of tree as well. While most trees should be trimmed or pruned in late winter when they are fully dormant, spring-blooming flowering trees should be trimmed immediately after they bloom.

Don’t Schedule an Appointment Before Doing Your Research

While light tree trimming is ok throughout the year, you’ll need to determine what type of work you want done before scheduling your appointment for tree service. Some cities, including Portland, require specific permits for pruning your tree. For instance, you’ll need a permit to prune native trees in an environmental overlay zone or within the Pleasant Valley Natural Resources overlay zone. For information on when such a permit is required, check here.

Some permitting for street tree pruning can be self-issued online. Permits are valid for 30 days and should be applied for 30 days in advance of your scheduled tree work. For more information on pruning permits, check here.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the don’ts, let’s focus on some of the dos.

Do hire a professional to perform your tree service work. Improper pruning or tree trimming can do serious damage to a tree. It’s best to be cautious and have a certified arborist perform the work instead.

Do be consistent with your tree maintenance. That includes trimming, shaping, and pruning as needed. You should also have your tree regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and to be confident that your tree is maintaining its health. A damaged, decaying tree can pose a serious threat, so preventative maintenance is best.

We service the entire Portland and Vancouver areas and would be more than happy to help you keep your tree looking its very best!

January 25, 2019 by admin

How to Prepare for a Hiking Adventure

Before you set out on a hiking adventure, there are certain things you need to bear in mind. Hiking is a popular adventure sport that can be both exciting and exhilarating. It also provides you with plenty of opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors and witnessing glorious scenery. There are thousands of great hiking trails you can follow, all over the world. Prepare carefully for your hiking trip, and you’ll enjoy every step you make.

Choosing Your Trip

What are you looking to get out of your hiking trip and what experiences do you want to enjoy along the way? Deciding what type of hiking trip you’re looking for is going to help you find the right location. You might want to walk from one town to another, stopping in local cafes and speaking to locals. It might be a more off the beaten track kind of adventure you’re looking for, where you spend the night in a rustic hut. Do you want to visit third-world countries, or would you prefer to hike somewhere more familiar?

What is Your Level of Fitness?

If the most walking you ever do is just a couple of miles along the pavement, you might find walking five or more miles on varied terrain a little challenging. You’re going to have to consider getting into shape before you make any concrete plans. Give yourself a couple of months to train, and you should be ready for your hiking vacation. Part of your training should include walking with a loaded backpack.

Find the Right Walking Boots

A large part of your day will be spent on your feet, so it’s vital you’ve got a good pair of walking shoes or boots. They should fit properly and have good ankle support. Don’t be tempted to buy a pair just before you set off on your trip, as you’ll need time to break them in. Several pairs of hiking socks are also essential items to pack. Outdoor Wilds has reviewed some great hiking and hunting gear if you want to learn more.

What Clothing do You Need?

You’re going to be carrying extra clothing in your backpack, so it’s important you only pack the essentials. Make sure the items you bring are comfortable, waterproof and breathable. If you’re going to be walking during the hot summer months, consider buying yourself some hiking gear with a sun-protection factor.

Emergency and First Aid Kit

Space in your backpack is at a premium, but the following items are very handy. Remember to pack run protection, if you’re walking when the weather is sunny, insect repellant, energy snacks, matches or a lighter, torch, knife, first aid kit, a compass and an insulating blanket. If you’re not sure how to read a compass, then consider buying a handheld GPS device.

Hiking can be a fun experience, but there are also plenty of risks. The weather can change unexpectedly, or you could find yourself lost. Before you set out, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. It’s important you’re prepared for all eventualities. The tips given above will help you make the most of your hiking adventure. When you return home safe, it won’t be long before you’re making plans for the next one.

December 19, 2018 by admin

9 Residential Interior Design Tips That Never Fail

Residential interior design can sometimes be trickier than commercial, despite what you may think. While commercial design has structure and relies less on creativity and more on functionality, residential interior design gives you free reign. When you don’t know where to start with decorating your new home, here are some residential interior design tips that our designers swear by every time.

Color Scheme

Create a distinct color scheme to unite the rooms of your home. Having a different style or color palette can be confusing and uncomfortable, so the best way to make the rooms throughout your home feel more cohesive is to create a distinct color palette for your residential interior decoration. Not all colors have to be used in all rooms, but there should be some familiar or repeating elements, like a pop of color, a specific pattern, or a repeated texture.

Design Upward

Is your home tight on space? Those with starter homes or apartments, listen up. One of the best residential interior design ideas is to design upward, meaning choose pieces that are vertical and take up upward space instead of pieces that are more horizontal and take up more floorspace. Avoid short and wide pieces, like bookcases, trunks, or benches, and instead opt for versions that are skinnier and stretch upwards. When choosing the best residential interior decoration, also place your artwork this way. Pieces should be vertical, and placed higher up to make the room seem taller.

Stock Your Bar

This might not be the first thing on your mind when you think of residential interior design tips, but this can actually make a difference in your home. Bar carts are as trendy as ever, and are perfect for making your space feel more welcoming when entertaining company. And a stocked bar cart looks even better. There are a variety of different shades, materials, and styles to choose from in today’s market.

Layer Your Textures

Who says you have to stick to one kind of texture throughout your room? As far as residential interior design ideas go, you probably haven’t taken this one into consideration for your home. Try pairing things like natural woven linens with sleek satin. This will add depth and dimension to your room by way of the textures in your furniture, carpeting, wall hangings, pillows, or rugs.

Take Inspiration From Nature

It’s been proven time and time again that when it comes to residential interior decoration, you can never go wrong with plants or flowers. They’re fresh, lively, and vibrant, so seek out any opportunity you can to fill a vase with some greenery or add a few succulents to your windowsill. Take this into consideration when choosing other decor, too. Natural never goes out of style, and it can be seen throughout other elements like live edge wooden tables, straw or jute rugs, and other natural materials.

Focus on Your Big Splurges

Everyone has large pieces they’ve invested in, whether it’s a luxe sofa or a valuable piece of modern art. It’s great to sprinkle these important pieces throughout your home and show off the high quality things you’ve invested in. Make sure to show these off to make the investment worthwhile. Make your new sofa the focal point of your living room, or make the piece of art the first thing you see when entering your home. Your residential interior design will feel more elevated and upscale as a whole when these great pieces are on display.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors have always provided a variety of clever residential interior design hacks. They can reflect light to brighten up a room and make it appear warmer, they can give the illusion that a small space is much bigger, and add some necessary elegance to a space that is lacking. Mirrors are perfect in any room that faces some sort of residential interior design challenge, and can likely solve your problems easily.

Paint Your Ceiling

Looking for another trick that tackles your dimly lit room? One of our favorite residential interior design tips is to paint your ceiling a shade that is slightly lighter or paler than your wall color, so that it gives the illusion of brightness, even if there is not much natural light in the space. This works especially well in kitchens, which often have floor to ceiling cabinets that can make a room appear pretty dark.

Incorporate Metallics

Metallics look great in practically any space. Even if your residential interior design veers more towards a traditional style, incorporating small metallic accents in your hardware can give it a unique edge that not many spaces have. Look to use metallic hardware, or find pieces that have metallic legs, stands, or edges. You’ll notice a mature glamor that is subtle but unmistakable.

November 3, 2018 by admin

Social Work Recruitment: How Does it Work?

If you’re thinking of pursuing social work as a career, you likely have a reasonable idea of what a social worker does, and which part of the sector you want to work in (with social workers attached to schools, hospitals, and prisons, working with parents, recovering addicts and helping prisoners not to reoffend, you have a surprisingly broad choice in what your career blossoms into!). There’s plenty of information out there, in the news as well as in fiction, that helps you construct a mental picture of what social work is like.

If that sparks an interest, it doesn’t much resource to find out what options you have for training and education to enter the field. Social workers are in high demand and there are plenty of different ways to acquire the necessary qualifications which you can pick based on your needs and specific circumstances, from undergraduate degrees to on the job training, and taking in postgraduate qualifications and conversion courses on the way.

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll need to get to grips with the systems in place designed to connect trained social workers with the jobs that need their skills!

Your first point of contact is likely to be a social work agency: these firms tend to have either particular specialisms or a national reach, and either way bring more experience and connections to the task than you can. They also provide a people to fill short term and cover vacancies, as well as longer term jobs. These are a good idea for people just starting out, if they want to acquire a variety of experience quickly to help them find the long term job they’re aiming at.

If your is to work for the NHS or elsewhere in the welfare state, you’ll find large national job boards where positions are posted: while an agency can do some of the legwork to help you find a shortlist of jobs you’re really interesting, it’s also worth consulting the source directly, especially if you have very specific requirements for the jobs you’re looking for.

Another rich source of jobs for social workers are charities, who, as a bloc, are the biggest employers of social work staff outside the Government. Obviously your particular career aspirations and specialisms will dictate which charities you will want to look at when you’re searching for a job. Even if you’re training makes you an asset to any aspect of social if you eventually aspire to managing a children’s social work service in the town where you grew up, working with the Help the Aged won’t advance that causes specifically.

October 25, 2018 by admin

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health and Wellbeing

When it comes to your success, there is a lot that could be holding you back. You need to be strong, confident and continue to pursue opportunities as they arise. If your mental health is reducing your ability to seize these opportunities or to even perform a satisfactory job, changes must be made. It is not weakness to accept help.

Mental health costs are projected to cost the world $16 trillion by 2030 if we do not put more emphasis on treatment options and care for our population. On top of the financial cost of ignoring mental health, there is also the issue of high suicide rates. Suicide is the number 1 cause of death in people aged 15 – 29. Every 40 seconds someone out there will successfully take their own life, and many more will attempt to do so. Depression is not something anyone asks for or wishes, and if you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important that you seek out help and take care of your mental health and wellbeing.

Try Different Treatment Methods

The brain is one of the most complex and least understood parts of the body. There are over 100 billion neurons that work, and both chemical imbalances and external factors can affect how your brain functions. Depression, for example, can be caused due to trauma or due to a chemical imbalance.

You wouldn’t treat an infection the same way you would treat a cold, even if they both cause a fever. For the same reason, not every treatment for depression will work for you. The causes are diverse and can be difficult to diagnose. It is up to you to try different methods until you find the one that clicks. There are new treatments emerging on the market every day, and the only way you can fail yourself is by giving up and considering it to be hopeless.

A new method that has helped many with depression is TMS therapy. TMS, which stands for Transcranial Stimulation, is a non-surgical and non-medical therapy option for those with depression. It is offered by Smart Brain and Health and is preferred by many due to its lack of many common side effects that plague other treatment methods. Those who suffer from depression owe it to themselves to find a treatment method that works best for them and to try new options if the side effects are not agreeable to them.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health and Wellbeing

Medication and treatments are not the only way to care for yourself. Putting more emphasis on healthy living, seeing more of your friends and family, and finding ways to relax and fight back against chronic stress will all help. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, but the exact lifestyle changes you will need to make to support your mental health will depend on your tastes and personality.

Mental health cannot be ignored. It is already the leading cause of disability in the United States, and without intervention, it will end up costing the global community trillions. On the personal level, prioritizing and supporting mental health will reduce suicide rates and increase overall happiness and fulfillment in everyday life.

October 16, 2018 by admin

Finding The Right Vehicle For Your Travels

Source

There’s nothing better than exploring the world out on the open road. Driving is freeing, relaxing, and a more spontaneous form of travel. In fact, road trips accounted for 39% of the total vacations taken in the US, according to MMGY Global’s 2017-18 Portrait of American Travelers. If you’re driving long distances, having the right vehicle is essential. You need something comfortable, reliable, and capable which suits your individual travel needs and budget. So, take the time to thoroughly research and consider all your options — this guide will help put you on the right track.

What will you be using it for?

Other than driving, what will you be using your vehicle for? Are you going to be sleeping in it? Alone or with an SO? Do you need another bed for a friend or relative? Then something like a Eurovan would be a good choice. If you want to cook in your vehicle consider an RV or VW Westfalia. Also consider how much time you’ll be spending in your vehicle. If you want space to stand upright, consider something with a high ceiling like a Ford Transit or Iveco Daily van. But, if you’re going to be eating and cooking outside and you’re okay sacrificing standing upright, a hatchback van with room to sleep in may be all you need.

Where will you be going?

Your travel plans may require your vehicle to have better maneuverability. For example, if you plan on driving off-the-beaten path on rougher terrain, you’ll need a four-wheel drive. Something like a Chevrolet Colorado is a reliable, practical, and capable vehicle able to cope with trickier roads. But, if you’re sticking to the safety of regular, well-maintained roads, you won’t need to bother with a four-wheel drive. If you want greater flexibility on your journey, consider a towing a camper. You can therefore park it at your campsite and adventure out on tougher roads in your van.

What can you afford?

Your budget obviously plays a big role in your choice of vehicle. In addition to the initial cost of the vehicle, you’ll also need to consider ongoing costs. Work out a rough budget for insurance, maintenance and repairs, and gas or diesel — preventing bad gas mileage is essential if you’re driving long distances. You’ll also need to factor in campsite fees if necessary.

Ultimately, the right vehicle for travelling depends on your personal needs and preferences. You may prefer a vehicle with certain features like bluetooth capability, air conditioning, a backup camera, or cruise control. If you take the time to research, compare, and contrast all your options, you’re bound to find the perfect vehicle for you.

October 16, 2018 by admin

How to Give Your Image a Makeover

We all get bored with the way we look from time to time. Of course, it’s important to feel comfortable in your own skin, but sometimes we all need a little refresh. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or you want a change to ring in the new season, there’s plenty you can do to give your image a quick makeover and improve your look. Here are five tips to inspire you.

1. Dye your hair

Sometimes, all it takes is a change in hair color to achieve an entirely new look. Choose autumnal highlights or an entirely new shade to transform your hair. If you’re craving a unique style but don’t want to use dye, you could part your hair a new way, get it cut into a different style or don some trendy new headwear.

2. Experiment with make-up

Bored of wearing the same cosmetics day after day? Experiment with your makeup to switch up your style. You could try contouring, buy a new eyeshadow palette, or experiment with colorful mascara. The great thing about makeup is that you can try as many different looks as you like without permanently altering your appearance.

3. Invest in skincare

If your skin could do with some love, why not head to your local skincare salon for a pampering? Facials and moisturizing treatments can do wonders for your complexion, while laser skincare treatments can help you correct imperfections and enhance your natural beauty. If you’ve considered getting your lips filled but don’t want invasive surgery, dermal lip fillers could be the solution you’ve been waiting for. The medical experts at Your Laser Skin Care perform safe lip filling procedures using Restylane Los Angeles to reshape the skin and give you a fuller pout.

4. Reshape your brows

Your eyebrows frame your entire face, so their shape can have a major impact on the way you look. If you can’t afford to have them threaded or waxed at a salon, you can easily shape your eyebrows at home. Remember not to overpluck and to focus on the hairs that stray away from your brows’ natural arch shape. If you want to give your eyebrows more definition, you can use a pencil to fill in the area or even get them tattooed at a professional salon.

5. Switch up your wardrobe

You don’t have to invest in an entirely new wardrobe to give your image a makeover. While you might decide to buy some fresh pieces for the new season, you can make the most of the clothes you already own by trying new combinations, customizing your existing garments and accessorizing with different jewelry and shoes.

It’s important to spend some time on yourself now and then to make sure you’re feeling good, both inside and out. Whether you’re bored with your locks, in need of some new outfits or you simply want to try a new skincare routine, there’s a lot you can do to start the new season feeling fresh.

October 8, 2018 by admin

Perfect Autumn Days

With September behind us, it’s no longer possible to be in denial about the onset of Autumn. It’s a season that can be miserable, with the rise of cold, dark days signalling an end to summer fun. October is a reminder that we’re on our way into the dark, and if you’re affected by SAD it’s even more serious: it could be herald of listlessness, absent energy or full-blown depressive episodes.

If you’re not an ‘Autumn Person’ you need to find silver linings in this cloud – or at least compensations for the bad weather. If you do naturally love the season there’s no reason not to lean into it and plan some perfect Autumn days!

Getting Outside

One of the things that can bring on low mood in this part of the year is the lack of sunlight: as days grow shorter, the amount of serotonin in your brain can drop, leading to low mood and depression. It’s wise to equip yourself with a lightbox, to replicate the wavelengths of natural light, but another important tactic is to make the most of the good days that October can bring!

It’s a natural instinct to nest when the weather gets colder, but try to defy it and plan some Autumn walks to soak up the year’s remaining sunshine, and stay in touch with the turning of the seasons by watching how the leaves change. It’s easy to do if you live in a smaller town, but if your life is in the heart of the city, it might be worth planning a weekend trip to the country to get outdoors and get your body the fresh air, natural light and beauty it needs to keep you feeling good!

Staying In

On the days when the weather itself stops you getting outdoors, it’s a pleasure to go with your gut and stay in. Put together all your blankets, your cushions, your most comfortable clothes and comfort foods and nest! Whether you’re spending all day in your pajamas or changing into a luxury cashmere track pant and sweater combination, just make sure you’re cosy and comfortable.

Rather than letting the bad weather turn you into a hermit, try to coordinate with friends! Build your bad weather days into social occasions: movie marathons, book clubs and potlucks to make sure you’re not isolated, and you’re spreading the labour that goes into relaxing!

October 4, 2018 by admin

Your Local Skincare Clinic

Do you know where your local skincare clinic is? Do you know what they can do for you? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you could be missing out on some vital treatments or even simply some very pleasant pampering!

Let’s take a look at your local skincare clinic and find out why it’s a vital resource for modern life.

Location

You need to find the right clinic in the right location. It’s not unlike finding the right gym: there are more factors at work than simply where you live. If you live in South London and have lots of spare time, then somewhere like Skinsmiths Skin Clinic Clapham will work for you. If you’re working life keeps you busy then you might want to make your regular appointments at a more central location that’s more convenient for your office.

Services

To know if the clinic is right for you, you need learn about the services they have on offer. It’s not going to work for you if they don’t offer the treatments you need. Get to know your local clinic by:

Speaking to their experts
Following them on social media to learn more about them, their services and any offers available
Looking at their price list and comparing to other clinics
Look at their reviews online

Short Term and Long Term

One of the things you really need to get to know is the difference between long term and short term skin treatments that you could book for. If you have an event coming up that you need to look your best for then you need to be able to pick a treatment that shows good results with a single booking, without significant recovery time. Laser skin clinics take multiple appointments and can also require significant aftercare so might not be suitable if you only have 48 hours of notice before you’re on display. If you’re concerned about your wrinkles, for example, but have only a little time to prepare you’d better served by a hydrating facial than a subdermal laser treatment to stimulate collagen.

On the other hand, if you have longer term conditions, or more time to work you can opt for some of the treatments that require more commitment in time to work and recover from. The effects can be dramatic and the results unquestionable, so it’s worth knowing what’s on offer so that, when you have time you can commit a course of treatment.

October 2, 2018 by admin

Portrait Painting: a Tribute to your Memories

Our life is nothing but a series of events and choices, some good and some bad, some happy and some sad, the memories that we take away from it is what actually matters in life.

There are days which simply cannot be expressed verbally but hold a special place in our heart and that is what makes your life worth living and truly meaningful.

Celebrate such awesome experiences by getting a portrait painting done.

Times change and so does everything around you but one should always remember and be grateful for all the good times that have gone by.

A custom portrait can be the perfect means for showcasing and portraying all that you yearn to express.

With the advancement of technology capturing a moment has become child’s play hence I suggest that you turn photo into painting and immortalize those great times that you have had till now.

The moment or the person may be an important part of your life so what better way to create a fitting tribute than to get a portrait painting done by turning picture to paint.

A huge life size custom portrait is a great way to make your house more visually appealing.

It is a great way to turn your house into a bold and charming fashion statement.

It is the perfect mixture of creativity and authenticity, a great way to reminisce about some great times that have gone by.

Most importantly getting a portrait painting done is not only a great way of remembering the good times that have gone by but also have a positive attitude towards life.

It gives you hope even when the going gets tough and this dialogue from the movie Shawshank redemption perfectly states its importance.

“Hope is a good thing maybe even the best of things and no good thing ever truly dies.”

With a vast array of features like change the face, style transfer and mediums such as charcoal portraits, oil portraits to choose from PortraitFlip is certainly your one stop shop for all your artistic needs.

The sun shines brightly over every single person there is without any form of discrimination and so should every one.

One random act of kindness at a time, that’s how you change the world. ‘One random act of kindness is all it takes to make people believe in a better future and thus create a better present.’

An acrylic portrait painting can be that kind of gift that reminds and restore a person’s faith and hope when the times get tough and circumstances are dire.

It can be a great reminder that in a sometimes cruel and chaotic world one still has something, someone or some memory that he can turn to in times of need.

Art has this great ability to strike a chord with your heart all whilst being really eye catching.

A portrait painting is thus the perfect epitome of excellence personified.

Time and tide waits for no man and thus one should always live life to its potential best for most of the times we live in a very restricted circle of our potential best, we have reservoirs to draw upon of which we do not even dream.

Turn photo into painting and watch your custom portrait take a life of its own which is a reflection of your vision and the artist’s talent.

A true artist imbibes a part of his soul in his paintings, leaving his/her own unique mark on them.

Some moments are priceless and thus converting thus converting them into a portrait painting is a perfect tribute to your memories.