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How To Host A Memorable Poker Night With The Girls

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Poker has been considered a “man’s game” for decades, but that shouldn’t stop women from enjoying the game just as much as their male counterparts. In fact, we’re seeing more prominent women in the pro poker ranks of late, and one study even showed that 81% of women who have actually played before have enjoyed it! There’s simply no reason to consider the game a domain for men.

This is even more the case when we’re talking about poker at home. While it’s understandable that some women would still rather avoid the male-dominated poker rooms at actual casinos, hosting a poker night with your girlfriends makes for an excellent night in. You can catch up, enjoy some food and drinks, and enjoy a bit of playful competition in the process. If this sounds like a good idea to you, we have a few fun tips for how to make the evening memorable.

Make Some Cocktails

Ladies’ night in is a great time for a few nice cocktails regardless of what else you’re doing. And around the poker table, it can help everyone loosen up a bit! Your instinct may be to turn to some of the numerous poker and casino-themed drinks out there, and to be fair, some of them are sort of fun (you might even replicate the “Vesper” from Casino Royale). But really, you should focus on drinks that everyone will enjoy before drinks that fit a given theme. For the summer season ahead, we like both of the girls’ night in cocktails that The Spruce Eats promoted last year –– “Pretty in Pink” (made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and grapefruit juice with a rosemary garnish), and “Blueberry Pomegranate Slushies” (a frozen blend with blueberry, pomegranate, lemon, and gin). But those are just a few examples. The best approach is to poll your group and figure out what people like and then track down a recipe accordingly. Consider making “mocktail” versions as well, for those who may not want to drink for one reason or another.

Have Some Food Ready

Whether or not you set up accompanying cocktails, it’s always a good idea to provide some food to your guests. Because it’s not usually convenient to have a whole dinner plate in front of you while playing poker though, the best move is often to set up a bunch of snacking options for company to enjoy (or ask everyone to bring something small and easy to eat!). For some inspiration, we’ll turn to some great finger food suggestions that The Pioneer Woman posted last December –– most notably pizza rolls, deviled eggs, cranberry brie bites, and classic pigs-in-a-blanket. You can opt for plenty of other finger foods as well, but these are easy ones to consume that won’t get people’s fingers too dirty or greasy (though napkins should still be handy), and which are thus easy to enjoy during a few rounds of poker.

Invest in a Poker Set

A poker chip set can make for an excellent item to pick up for your own home poker nights. Playing with chips isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’ve played with them before, you know they add a certain level of professionalism to the game. Plus, let’s be honest: We all feel kind of cool fiddling with them by the side of the table. Similarly, having great cards (newer, thicker, and shinier, usually) will enhance the experience of the game. And while some of this might sound like a splurge, it all comes quite cheap. A nice set of chips and cards can be had for under $100, and new cards alone –– from the likes of good brands Bicycle or Theory 11 –– can cost as little as $10.

Buy a Poker Table

There are a lot of options when it comes to buying a real poker table, or some version of one. At the very high end of things, you can invest thousands in a permanent piece of furniture with a custom-made felt topping, special features (like drink holders), and matching chairs. If you’re not looking to spend a great deal on your table though, there are also options such as foldable tables, fold-up table toppers, and even mats that can roll out over a table to provide a more satisfying playing surface. You may want to keep a simple wooden interior design in your room and thus not even bother with a topper. The most important thing though is to have that surface, as it makes the game look more real and helps cards and chips slide more smoothly. Beyond that though, your choice will depend on your own preferences and the amount of space you have.

Set Up a Poker Atmosphere

This last suggestion is one to have fun with, and it can mean any number of things. Perhaps you want to set up some soft jazz or bossa nova music in the background to establish a retro casino feel; maybe you want to put up some poker décor (posters of classic films for instance, or poker paintings you find online), or maybe you want to control the atmosphere through some dimming lights, or an affordable chandelier hanging directly over the table. Whatever the case, give some thought to the kind of poker night you want to host and think of some options like these that can help you establish the accompanying atmosphere. The game will be better for it.

Girls’ night doesn’t have to be a night out at a cocktail bar or an evening dedicated to venting, as stereotypes would have us believe. A poker night gives you a great way to let loose with the girls, enjoy a specific activity together, and simply hang out with friends. And with the tips above, you can set up a great one –– and possibly even a new regular tradition.

 

4 Advantages of Automating Your Home

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Welcome to the age of technology, where everything can be done with the click of a button, and promises instant gratification without having to go to the store or even leave your home. Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and we can do more now than we ever thought before.

The next big thing? Automating your home. Automating your home is the process of turning it into a smart home that functions together as one singular system.

From your thermostat, to your lights, everything can be controlled in one single location. Whether from your smartphone or any other touch screen like a tablet, controlling your home has never been easier. Automating your home comes with many different advantages.

Here are some of the biggest ones that may make you want to consider to automate your home.

Increased Security

if security is a concern for you, then look no further than automation, automation makes it possible to remotely view your home from anywhere by simply looking on your phone. Whether you have surveillance cameras or motion detectors, you can control it all from the palm of your hand from wherever you have an internet connection.

What’s more, you can even set up security alerts on your phone to inform you anytime there is movement or sound. This can be especially advantageous for pet owners who want to keep an eye on their pets throughout the day. Remote security viewing makes it easy to have peace of mind while your furballs are home alone.

Lower Electric Bills

It’s not always easy to remember the turn on the lights, especially if you live with children. Automating your home means your lights will be on a timer, making it so you never have to worry about whether you left on a light or appliance again.

The same goes for your cooling and heating system. By being able to control it from wherever you are, you can turn the temperature up or down as you see fit, significantly reducing your overall energy bill.

Greater Flexibility

Being able to control everything from your phone means greater overall flexibility. No longer do you have to return home to make sure that you turn the light off or worry about your electric bill. Everything be done remotely from wherever you are giving you greater flexibility and overall peace of mind.

Ease of Access

For residents who have reduced mobility, automating your home can be a wonderful advantage. Rather than having to get up to turn lights on, or see who’s at the door, and automated home system can do it all for you. That means less risk of injury, and greater sense of well being over all.

 

3 Safety Tips To Know If You Get In A Bad Car Accident

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Luckily, most car accidents are small and don’t result in major injuries or too much property damage. But for the times when big car accidents do take place, it can be helpful to know what you can do to better protect yourself, your vehicle, and any passengers in your car from getting more hurt than they otherwise could have been.

To help you know what you can do to prepare, here are three safety tips to know if you get in a bad car accident.

Prepare By Keeping Your Car Clean

When in a car accident, one thing that can make things much more dangerous is having free-moving items in your car. Any items you have in your car will essentially become projectiles launching around when in a high-velocity car accident.

Knowing this, it’s best to keep your car as clean as possible when you’re driving around. If you bring something into the car with you and it doesn’t need to stay in there, it’s best to take it back out of the car with you at the end of your ride. And for things that do need to be in your car, make sure that those items are securely fastened down. This way, if and when you get in a car accident, the items won’t get thrown around to hurt you or break windows, which can cause even more harm and damage.

Keep Important Tools Nearby

In the event that you do get into a bad car accident, there are certain tools that it can be incredibly helpful to have close by your seat so that you can easily grab them and use them if necessary.

One thing that you’ll want to keep close by is a seat belt cutter. In some accidents, the seat belts can get stuck or you might not be able to reach the seat belt to unbuckle. In times like these, having a seat belt cutter will make it possible for you to exit the vehicle. Additionally, having a glass breaker near your seat can be helpful if you can’t get the door open but need to get out of the car in a hurry.

Get Out Of Potentially Dangerous Situations

After a bad car accident, it’s very common for people to be in shock and not functioning how they normally would. But despite this, one thing that you should keep in mind that will help to keep you safe is to move out of potentially dangerous situations as quickly as possible. This means moving your vehicle out of traffic if you can, staying far away from the road, and trying to get out of the vehicle if you smell gas or see that something is on fire.

To help you stay safer the next time you’re in a car accident, consider keeping the above-mentioned information in your mind every time you get in the car.

 

3 Ways To Prepare Your Business For Seeking Funding

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Whether you’re starting a brand new business or looking to grow your current business from where it presently is, one thing that you need to make either of these dreams happen is money. But since most people aren’t independently wealthy to just invest their own money into their ideas, almost all businesses will have to seek out some kind of funding.

If this is the stage that your business is at, here are three ways to prepare your business for seeking funding.

Seek Out The Right Funding Options

Because so many businesses will need to get additional funding at one point or another, there are so many different options available for funding. The trick is finding the funding source that is going to work best for you and your company.

For some, getting funding based on the specific type of business you’re operating, like restaurant financing, makes the most sense. In other situations, crowdfunding might be a better option. You can also look into things like investors or finding new ways of bootstrapping. Just make sure that you check out all of the options that are available to you before you just go after the first person or institution that offers you some money. You’ll want to be sure that you get great terms and that you’ll be able to accomplish what you want with the money you’ll be getting.

Plan For Your Financial Present And Future

Once you’ve decided what kind of funding you’re wanting to go after, you’ve got to get yourself and your business financially ready for some scrutiny.

No one is going to want to give money to a business that they don’t think will prove to be successful. So to show your success, try to get your business on as firm of financial footing as you can at the present moment. In addition to this, you’ll also want to think through how you plan to use the money you’re getting and how you’ll put it to use to make your business more profitable in the future, as these will be things that all lenders or investors will want to know.

Be Ready To Answer All Kinds Of Business And Personal Questions

Along with being able to answer questions about the financial aspect of your business, you should also be prepared to answer any other questions that might get thrown your way as you seek out additional funding. In many cases, people choose to invest in you and your ideas rather than just in what your business is on paper. So the better you can sell yourself, the better off you’ll be.

If you’re needing to get some added funding in order for your business to survive and thrive, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this process.

 

Orthodontics without braces- invisible aligners

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Are you looking into your orthodontic options? Perhaps you’ve been told a dental misalignment is causing disruptive complications? Have you considered the role of clear aligners like Invisalign London, in providing treatment without the complications and disruption associated with traditional metal braces? This article explores the everyday practicality of clear aligners.

The feeling of wearing invisible aligners

There’s an awful lot available online explaining how invisible aligners work, but what does it actually feel like to use, both within design and day to day?

The good news is that everyday use of these aligners is pretty uneventful. You wake up wearing your aligner, and remove it for the morning tooth brushing and flossing ritual, giving it a brief rinse in lukewarm tap water before replacing it. Every time you eat, you take out your aligner and it is recommended that you briefly rinse it and that you use mouthwash before returning it. Once the aligner is in place, it stops the natural flow of saliva over your teeth. This creates a microenvironment for bacteria to multiply without a normal cleaning mechanism, making it particularly important for you to wash or brush before replacing your aligner.

On a side note, the aligners might be translucent and practically invisible to wear every day but any buildup of plaque inside them or food debris is not. Not only does this make your orthodontic tool less effective, but it is also far more noticeable.

Professional life Impact

Starting with the first priority (everyone has to work at the end of the day), clear aligners almost always go unnoticed, especially when it comes to online meetings. Even in 4K resolution, the subtlety of the aligner, its closeness to the teeth and its translucency help. When used properly, the aligners fit tightly to the teeth, causing no risk of them coming loose or any awkward facial movements associated with loose dentures that could give away your use of an orthodontic tool.

In meetings and presentations where there also seems to be very little chance of them getting noticed, it does occasionally come up in one-to-one conversations, usually in more quiet corners of the office or at the water cooler. The change in shininess of the surface of the teeth can give a hint, and prompt a few questions although usually far more out of curiosity than anything else.

Personal life impact

Concerning your interpersonal life, particularly in dating, it’s probably best to preempt any notice from your date or partner by explaining that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment and getting a polite shocked ‘I had no idea!’. Even in the most passionate of moments, clear aligners do not have these sharp edges or complicated wire brackets that can make kissing concerning. So they do not come with the awkwardness of fitted braces!

In photos, even rather close selfies with clear aligners, they will only come across as an increased shininess on your teeth, and are more likely to hide imperfections than seem like one themselves. In a similar fashion as getting lipstick on your teeth, lipstick on aligners will adhere well, so a little caution when applying is warranted.

 

3 Reasons You’re Not Sleeping Well at Night

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Sleep is one of the most important things that we can provide our bodies with. If we hope to have enough energy throughout the day and keep our immune system strong, good sleep is a must. Yet, as we get older, getting a good night’s sleep can become more challenging than during our younger years. For that reason, it’s important to practice healthy habits.

Yet knowing that you should be practicing healthy habits and actually doing them are not the same thing. If you find yourself waking up the next morning, after a lousy night’s sleep, here are some of the potential reasons why you may not be sleeping well at night.

Alcohol

For many people, a glass of wine in the evening is a way to wind down and make you feel an extra boost of drowsiness before going to bed. Yet, one glass too many can interrupt your sleep patterns and leave you feeling out of whack. Ideally, you should avoid alcohol before bedtime, since it can significantly lower your overall quality of sleep.

According to experts, you shouldn’t be drinking more than three units of alcohol a week, or abstaining from it altogether. If you’re drinking a significant amount of alcohol before bed every night, then it’s likely the culprit for your drowsiness. Try cutting alcohol out of your diet for 10 days, and notice whether your sleep patterns change.

Lack of Exercise

If you lay your head down at night and find that you’re not tired whatsoever, it may be because your body isn’t moving enough. The more that we move our bodies throughout the day, the more our bodies will feel ready to rest.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and it will start to make a significant difference in how ready your body is to sleep at night. If it feels like it’s lacking some kind of movement, then your brain will still remain “on.” The great news is that exercise can come in many different forms. Whether it’s walking, running, or dancing in your living room, try to get into the habit of moving more, and your quality of sleep will significantly change.

You Need a New Bed

Perhaps you’re practicing all the right habits, and your sleep is still a problem. In that case, the problem may have nothing to do with you— you may be sleeping on a poor quality mattress that needs to be replaced. Mattresses were not built to last 30 years, in fact, even the best mattresses usually start to wear out after about 10 years. So, if you have a mediocre quality mattress, with springs poking out in odd places, or uneven surfaces, then it may be a pretty big sign that your poor sleep has to do with what you’re sleeping on.

 

3 Ways To Know If A Company Is A Good Fit For You

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If you’re on the hunt for a new job, knowing if a company is going to be a good fit for you before you start working there can be a real challenge. But because this aspect of employment is so important, it’s going to be worth it to put in some effort to research the company and learn as much as you can about it before you get hired and choose to start working there.

To help you in doing this, here are three ways you can see if a company will be a good fit for you before starting a new job.

Pay Attention To The Interview Process

The interview process can give you a lot of great information about how a company functions and what it would be like if you were to work for them.

If during the interview process you feel like the people interviewing you don’t really know what they’re doing, if they don’t appear to respect your time, or if the communication between yourself and the company isn’t to your liking, these could all be signs that the company wouldn’t be a good match for you. On the other hand, if you really enjoy each person you speak with during the interview process and feel like you get a good feeling about the company and its culture based off of this, there’s a good chance that you would like working at the organization now and into the future.

Check Online Company Reviews

Another way you can learn about a company before you work there yourself is to take a look at some company reviews that people have left online.

Pay particular attention to issues customers or clients have had with company culture, as this could be a signal that things aren’t going well within the company. Along with this, if you see reviews from any former employees, you may be able to get some insight into what working there would be like. Keep in mind, however, that people usually only leave reviews if they’ve had a very good or very bad experience, so take what you read with a grain of salt. But if there are complaints about it being an unsafe work environment or inadequate safety training, there are real concerns to look into.

Learn Who You’ll Be Working With

At many companies, their website or social media channels will include information about the people who work at the company. If this is available to you, take some time to learn about the people that you could potentially be working with. If you feel like you could connect with these people, that could be a good sign for you.

If you’re trying to uncover what your life would be like working for a specific company, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you gain some insights.

 

4 Kitchen Renovations for a More Beautiful Look

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A beautiful kitchen can make your whole house look more attractive. If you’re planning to sell your home, a kitchen renovation can also increase its value. Even if you’re not planning to sell, though, a well-designed kitchen is simply more enjoyable to cook and spend time in. Here are four ideas to help you get started.

Install a Kitchen Backsplash

A kitchen backsplash is a great way to add personality to your space. It’s also a practical way to protect your walls from splashes and stains. There are many different styles of backsplash to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that fits your taste and budget.

Here are tips for choosing the right one:

  • If you have a modern kitchen, you’ll want a backsplash that complements that style. For a traditional kitchen, you might choose a more classic tile backsplash.
  • Backsplashes can range from very inexpensive to quite pricey. Choose the material and style that fits your budget.
  • Some backsplashes require more upkeep than others. Make sure you’re prepared to care for your backsplash before you install it.

Paint Your Cabinets

One of the quickest and most affordable ways to give your kitchen a new look is to paint your cabinets. You can use a brush or hire a professional painter to do the job for you.

Here are tips for painting your cabinets if you do it yourself:

  • Use a paint that is specifically designed for cabinets. This will ensure that the paint adheres well and doesn’t chip or peel over time.
  • Make sure to sand and prime your cabinets before you begin painting. This will help the paint to adhere better and give you a smooth finish.
  • When painting, use long strokes in the same direction. This will give you the best results.

Replace Your Countertops

If your countertops are looking worn out, it might be time to replace them. This is a big project, but it can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen.

There are many different types of countertops to choose from, so you’ll want to do some research to find the right one for your kitchen. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Countertops can range in price from relatively inexpensive to very expensive.
  • Some countertop materials are better suited for certain tasks than others. Make sure to choose a material that will meet your needs.
  • Some countertop materials require more upkeep than others. Make sure you’re prepared to care for your countertops before you install them.

Add or Replace Lighting

Lighting can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen. If your kitchen is poorly lit, it can look dark and cramped. Adding or replacing lighting fixtures can brighten up your space and make it more inviting.

When choosing, make sure to choose lighting that will be adequate for those tasks. Also, there are many different types of lighting fixtures to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that fits your taste.

In conclusion, your kitchen is one of the most important places in your home. By completing these four kitchen renovations you can increase both the beauty and functionality of your kitchen easily.

 

Why are my teeth sensitive and can I treat them?

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Sensitivity in teeth is actually very common, but having sensitivity can seriously impact our lives day to day. Daily activities such as brushing, eating and drinking can cause us to have short, sharp bursts of pain in our mouths. If you are having issues with sensitivity you should always visit your dentist in Stevenage to check you haven’t got a more serious underlying issue.

Why does teeth sensitivity happen?

Often our tooth enamel can weaken and wear out tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots – when the root is exposed that’s when teeth get sensitive and sore. If you are looking to try and help get back your teeth to pre sensitivity there are a few different things to try.

What can I do to treat tooth sensitivity?

The most readily available option would be to purchase a desensitising toothpaste. Several days of using this can help block the pain caused by sensitive teeth. There are many, many different brands and products you can purchase over the counter. Most super markets, pharmacies have lots of options or you could go online and see what you can purchase from online venders.

If you visit your dentist in Stevenage they may apply fluoride. If fluoride is applied to the sensitive areas of your teeth it can help to strengthen the enamel. You could also be prescribed fluoride to put in trays and apply at home.

If in a more severe case exposed root surfaces can be treated by a dentist apply a bonding resin to the sensitive root surface. If this procedure were to take place you might find you need a local anaesthetic.

If you find your tooth root as lost gum tissue, your dentist could take a part of your gum from another area and graft it to the area of your gum affected.

Finally there are root canal procedures. If all the treatments have been explored and you are suffering with severe pain your dentist could then recommend you for a root canal. This procedure is used to treat problems within the tooth’s softcore. This is considered to be the most significant way to treat tooth sensitivity.

Once I’ve cured my sensitivity – how do I stop it from coming back?

When you’ve managed to cure your teeth of sensitivity you’ll want to make sure you brush your teeth twice daily with a soft burst and sensitive teeth toothpastes. We also greatly encourage daily flossing. Use soft brush strokes as opposed to intense scrubbing.

We also recommend taking a note of how much acidity is in your diet. Carbonated drinks often have loads of citrus fruits and this can cause enamel to break down. Try and make a conscious effort to use a draw when drinking fizzy, flavoured drinks this will also help protect against staining. If you do eat or drink anything acidic make sure you follow it by a large glass of water and a good teeth clean – this will help protect your teeth.

If you have any concerns relating to teeth sensitivity get in contact with your dentist as soon as possible – prevention is much better than cure when it comes to looking after one’s teeth.

Benefits of dental implants

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People can lose their teeth for many reasons, and it’s not always linked to bad oral care. Losing one’s teeth can be seriously traumatic and can lead a person to feel constantly stressed or anxious about the way they look. Having a daily inner monologue that questions your appearance and if every single person you talk to is thinking about the tooth you are missing can be seriously exhausting. Taking the step to having dental implants in Leicester fitted could be a major player in silencing these voices. But this is only one benefit – here are all the other benefits to getting dental implants in Leicester fitted.

Physical benefits of dental implants

When you have missing teeth the way your teeth fit together changers, any changes to jaw and structure will affect your alignment – having bad teeth alignment can lead to teeth grinding and headaches – if you’ve noticed since losing teeth that you’ve started getting more headaches having dental implants fitted could help cure this.

Did you know that when you lose a tooth the bone that holds that tooth there also starts to go? Bones are super clever and are the area in which a bone grows stops being stimulated through chewing, the body sends a signal to say, ‘right we don’t need to grow bone there anymore’. The problem with this is that the teeth on either side of the lost tooth could be affected. So, before you know it, you’ve not just lost one tooth you lost two or three. Dental implants are inserted at the bone and so aid against this.

Chewing and being good at chewing goes beyond just being able to get stuck into a super sticky chewy toffee. If you don’t have the right capabilities of chewing your food this could actually affect your digestive system. In the last few years we have all been made far more aware of the importance of the brain gut relationships and how these effects are health far beyond just how we digest food. The relationship between our gut and brain greatly affects mood and mental health. Dental implants can give you back your full capability of chewing – correcting gut issues tooth loss has caused.

Psychological benefits

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This was touched on earlier, but I think it’s worth mentioning again – how we will feel about our appearance has major implications on our day to day lives. If you don’t feel happy or confident in your own skin, you could end up with serious anxiety disorders which left unattended can cause people to isolate themselves from friends and family.

You also have the right to feel good, using up brain power, worrying about teeth, when that energy could be used to help advance your career or be put into the wealth fare of your children feels like a much better use of your time. Having dental implants could seriously help you in getting back that confidence and stop you wondering if the whole room is staring at your teeth.