18 fashion hacks to look fabulous
18 fashion hacks to look fabulous

Fashion is a powerful tool that can enhance confidence and transform one’s overall appearance. While it’s easy to assume that looking fabulous requires a hefty budget or a personal stylist, the truth is that with a few smart fashion hacks, one can achieve a stylish and effortlessly glamorous look. Here are some fashion hacks for men and women that will help them elevate their style game and look fabulous for any occasion.

Fashion hacks for women

  • Embrace the power of tailoring
    Ill-fitting clothes can make even the most expensive or fashionable outfits look drab. Tailoring can instantly transform an outfit, making one appear polished and put together. One can take their favorite pieces to a skilled tailor and make necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
  • Sit down to check comfort of new clothes
    When trying on new clothes, make sure to sit down and move around to ensure the garments are comfortable and flattering from all angles. Clothes may look great when standing but can be restrictive or unflattering when sitting. Testing the fit and mobility will help one determine if the piece is truly suitable.
  • Dress according to body shape
    Dressing according to one’s body shape and strengths is a powerful fashion hack. For example, for an hourglass shape, highlighting the waist with belts or fit-and-flare dresses can make one look fabulous. Similarly, someone with a pear-shaped body can pick A-line skirts to balance their proportions.
  • Experiment with proportions
    Wearing a loose top and pairing it with slim-fitting bottoms can add proportion and balance the look. Similarly, a voluminous skirt paired with a fitted top can create an hourglass shape. Experimenting with proportions adds a contemporary edge to one’s outfits.
  • Pick quality pieces instead of fast-fashion fads
    Avoid getting caught up in fast-fashion trends that come and go quickly. Instead, focus on investing in high-quality pieces that flatter one’s body type and are made of durable fabrics.
  • Play with accessories
    Accessories have the ability to elevate any ensemble. Statement necklaces, colorful scarves, hats, bags, or trendy belts can instantly transform a simple outfit into a fashion-forward look.
  • Practice layering
    Layering can add depth and dimension to an outfit. So, mix and match different textures, lengths, and styles to create unique combinations. For example, layer a denim jacket over a flowy dress or wear a long cardigan with a belt over a fitted top and jeans.
  • Try contrast styling
    Wearing contrast baggy and tight clothing can create an interesting look. For example, pairing a loose, oversized sweater with skinny jeans or leggings can bring both comfort and style.
  • Choose color coordination
    Combining colors can impact one’s overall appearance. Stick to complementary colors or create a monochromatic outfit, or experiment with bold and neutral colors to achieve a sophisticated and cohesive appearance.
  • Invest in basic pieces
    Invest in timeless essentials like a well-fitted white blouse, a versatile little black dress, tailored trousers, a classic blazer, and quality jeans. These basic pieces can be mixed and matched with trendy items to create stylish outfits for any occasion.

Fashion hacks for men

  • Elevate looks with accessories
    Accessories are not just for women, they can add a touch of personality and style to men’s outfits as well. Experiment with accessories like watches, belts, ties, pocket squares, and sunglasses to elevate one’s look. Choose accessories that complement the outfit and add a pop of color or texture to make a statement.
  • Upgrade shoes
    Shoes are a fundamental part of men’s fashion, and investing in quality footwear can instantly enhance one’s overall style. Opt for classic and versatile shoes, suede loafers, or clean white sneakers. They can be paired with a variety of outfits and provide a sophisticated and stylish touch.
  • Invest in timeless classics
    Building a wardrobe of timeless classics is a fashion hack that never goes out of style. Invest in key pieces like a well-fitted suit, tailored blazers, crisp white shirts, dark-wash jeans, and quality leather jackets. These versatile staples can be mixed and matched to create a range of outfits for different occasions.
  • Pay attention to grooming
    Grooming plays a significant role in men’s fashion. Maintaining a well-groomed beard or facial hair style that suits one’s face shape, keeping one’s hair trimmed and styled in a way that complements their face cut, and taking care of skin and nails are small details that contribute to a polished and stylish appearance.
  • Create a layered look
    Men can mix different textures and fabrics to create stylish layered looks. For example, pairing a denim jacket with a crew neck sweater and a button-down shirt or other unique combinations can instantly enhance one’s look.
  • Experiment with color
    While neutrals are versatile, adding pops of color can make a statement and add personality to men’s style. Start with small steps like incorporating colorful socks, a patterned tie, or a vibrant pocket square. Gradually, experiment with bolder colors in shirts, sweaters, or even trousers to showcase individuality.
  • Pick tailored jeans
    Denim is a wardrobe staple and tailoring one’s jeans can take them from ordinary to extraordinary. Investing in well-tailored bottoms or taking them to a professional tailor for adjustments can create a polished and put-together look.
  • Master smart casuals
    Smart casual dressing strikes the balance between formal and casual attire, making it perfect for various occasions. This can include pairing tailored trousers with a well-fitted shirt or a blazer for a polished yet relaxed look. Alternatively, combining dark jeans with a crisp polo shirt and a structured jacket can allow one to effortlessly transition from a business meeting to a social event without compromising on style.

  • How often should you check your sugar levels?

    Diabetes is a growing problem, and every doctor suggests that diabetic patients should keep a regular check on their blood sugar levels if they want to keep their diabetes under control. For this purpose, diabetes tests are very important. With technology advancing so fast, keeping a check on sugar levels has become easier than before because of electronic devices that are available in the market.

    When should you conduct a test to check the levels of your blood sugar?
    Blood glucose should be frequently checked. But how often? Well, the answer to this depends on the type of diabetes that you are suffering from.

    • If the patient has type 1 diabetes, then the doctor usually advises the patient to test their blood sugar at least five to seven times a day. The doctor will direct the exact time of testing. Most doctors advise testing before and after meals, before and after exercise and other day-to-day activities to check the effect of these activities the blood sugar level. Self-diabetes tests come to the rescue when you have to test glucose levels many times daily.
    • Patients who are administered insulin for treating their type 2 diabetes are usually advised by the doctors to undertake diabetes tests at least twice a day or even more depending upon several other factors. The time of testing is usually similar to type 1 diabetes, that is, before and after meals and sometimes even before going to bed. But sometimes patients can keep their type 2 diabetes under control without the use of insulin-based medications. For such patients, frequent checking of blood sugar is not always required.
    • Apart from these two types, the frequency of testing blood sugar also depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the patient.
    • For women who have gestational diabetes, diabetes tests follow a different pattern and usually vary from patient to patient although checking the blood sugar levels before and after meals is something that remains common to all form of diabetes.
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  • Choose the right digital hearing aid

    If you find yourself saying what! too many times a day, it may be time you get yourself a hearing aid. Hearing aids do not technically treat deafness but they amplify sounds and hence make them more audible. A digital hearing aid typically contains a computer chip with an amplifier that converts incoming sounds into a digital code. Based on your level of hearing loss and the ambient sounds around you, it amplifies the signals and reconverts it to sound waves. This is then played through speakers in your ears.

    When it comes to buying a digital hearing aid, there is no universal solution and it must be customized to fit your ear size and lifestyle. There are six main types of hearing aids that you can choose between:

    Completely-in-the-canal Hearing Aid: These types of hearing aids are molded to fit the inside of your ear and are virtually invisible. It is mainly used in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss.

    PROs

    • Smallest and least visible hearing aid
    • Does not amplify background noises such as wind


    CONs

    • Highly susceptible to clogging by earwax
    • No extra features e.g.: volume control
    • Uses very small batteries with a short lifespan

    In-the-canal Hearing Aid: This is a slightly larger hearing aid that is molded to fit inside the ear canal. It is used in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss.

    PROs

    • Larger in size and hence easier to maneuve
    • Easy to insert and remove


    CONs

    • Susceptible to clogging by earwax
    • Additional features may be difficult to control due to device size

    In-the-ear Hearing Aid: These are prescribed in cases of moderate to severe hearing loss and are of two types: full shell and half shell. Full Shell hearing aids take up most of the bowl shaped part of the outer ear while half shell occupy only the lower half of this area.

    PROs

    • Easy to handle
    • Easy access to volume controls and battery compartment
    • Use a larger battery that has a longer battery life


    CONs

    • Is usually quite visible
    • Picks up more background noise
    • Susceptible to speakers being clogged by earwax

    Behind-the-ear Hearing Aid: This may be used to deal with almost any type of hearing loss. This type of digital hearing aid consists of two parts, one which rests behind the ear and the other that is custom fitted to sit in your ear canal. A small tube hooks over the ear to connect the two parts.

    PROs

    • Capable of high levels of amplification
    • Easy to handle and access


    CONs

    • Visible to the naked eye
    • Picks up a lot of background noise

    Receiver-in-canal Hearing Aid: This is very similar to the above mentioned hearing aid except that a tiny wire is used to connect the two parts in place of the tube. This type of hearing aid is a little less conspicuous than the Behind-the-ear type.

    The cost of a digital hearing aid can start from around $1500 and go on increasing depending on the number of features it has, accessories, remotes, professional fees, warranty, battery life, noise reduction etc. Ideally, ask for a trial period before you decide which hearing aid suits you the most.

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  • What you need to know about iPhone 13 and its models

    At its recent event, Apple unveiled the stunning iPhone 13 and its models to the world through its virtual event. The new phone comes in 4 different models, namely, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and the all new iPhone 13 Pro Max. Starting September 24th, these models will be available in stores for people to purchase, so the wait is almost over for those who’ve been wanting to get their hands on these latest gadgets. Also, keep a tab on the iPhone 13 cell phones sale to grab your favorite models at the best deal.

    Features
    These new models come with the A15 Bionic chip, a cinematic mode for videos, a promise of 5G experience, Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, and longer, much better battery life than the previous models. Thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate, the user experience is much more smooth, fast and responsive. Out of the four models, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will also have 1TB storage options, making space an absolute non-issue for the user.

    Pricing
    Here’s the pricing for the models according to their storage options available:

    • iPhone 13
      Costing around $799 for 128GB, $999 for 256GB, and around $1,099 for 512GB.
    • iPhone 13 Mini
      $699 for 128GB option, $799 for 256GB, $999 for 512GB.
    • iPhone 13 Pro
      128GB is priced at $999, 256GB priced at $1,099, 512GB priced at $1,299, and 1TB priced at $1,499.
    • iPhone 13 Pro Max
      $1,099 for 128GB, $1199 for 256GB, $1,399 for 512GB and $1,599 for 1TB.

    Colors
    iPhone 13 and Mini come in starlight (white), blue, pink, midnight (black), and product red, whereas iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max only come in sierra blue, silver, graphite, and gold options.

    Pink and sierra blue are two new non-traditional color options available to the consumer.

    iPhone 13 cellphone deals
    Since the event, there have been several deals available for the purchase of the phone. AT&T is working on some trade-in deals with some new and current customers. This only applies to those who have an unlimited plan and have opted for a 36-month installment option!

    Apple itself is allowing trade-in deals with up to $790 off, depending on the trade-in value of your iPhone 8 or any other newer model. However, you can also use some other OS phones.

    If you are a Verizon customer, you can get up to $1000 in a trade-in deal with them for the 128GB iPhone 13 Pro. Speak to a customer executive to understand the terms and conditions of the iPhone 13 cellphone deals in detail.

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  • A Concise Guide to Purchasing an Energy-Efficient Clearance Refrigerator

    It is always a huge decision in purchasing a new refrigerator. This is because the refrigerator is the centerpiece of all kitchen appliances. If you are what you eat, then the refrigerator is crucial since it acts as a device that holds all the ingredients for a meal. It is also the means of keeping food fresh. Very often we choose between replacing an old refrigerator even though it may have become unpleasant to look at and seem to be an energy-hogging device. More often than once do we wander into an electronic store in pursuit of purchasing a refrigerator in a clearance sale, but the different specifications cause us to be intimidated. Here are a few tips that will soon cause you to become an expert in purchasing a refrigerator in a clearance sale.

    Top mounted freezers

    There are different types of refrigerators including top-mounted freezer, bottom freezer as well as side by side freezer refrigerators. Although a new refrigerator may not have the same configurations as the old one, ensure that the dimensions and the size ratios are similar to that of it. A 60 Watt light bulb is said to consume more energy than that of a top mounted freezer refrigerator that has an energy star associated with it.

    The energy star

    The Energy Star is the simplest measure of having the means to an eco-friendly refrigerator that saves both money as well as energy. The refrigerator is the highest energy user after cooling, heating, and hot water in a household. Improvements in compression, as well as insulation, has helped in reduction of energy consumption considerably among the newer refrigerators as compared to the older models.

    Size matters

    It is no secret that smaller refrigerators consume lesser energy compared to larger ones. 16-20 cubic feet is the most appropriate size for a refrigerator striving to be energy efficient. Do not purchase a new refrigerator and then keep the old one to have an extra cold storage. Be absolutely certain that your new refrigerator fulfills your cold storage and other requirements.

    Figure out what matters to you

    Before investing in a clearance refrigerator, ensure that you completely understand what you require the most from a new fridge. This is so that you pay only for what you use and your money gets its worth for the complete life cycle of the refrigerator!

    Recycle the old refrigerator

    One cannot stress this enough as recycling an old refrigerator plays a crucial role in the reduction of global warming. Apart from reducing the number of energy units that are consumed, it also helps prevent toxic chemical substances from being released into the environment. Not recycling the old refrigerator and foam can cause up to 10000 pounds of greenhouse gas from getting released into the atmosphere.

    Brand does matter

    The purchase of a good refrigerator can only be trusted by the sale from a reputable store and by a reputed brand. This gives you brand quality as well as reliability that may not exist if purchased from a local store. Make sure that you do a thorough research before you buy a new refrigerator. What’s more is that you may be able to purchase the same at a cheaper price during a clearance sale at these stores. Usually, in the month of May, stores have clearance sales to clear their stock of electronic products. This can help you save quite some money as it can reduce the money spent on the refrigerator as well as the money that may have been spent on wasted energy units.

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  • Top 4 Fitbit bands to keep up with fitness goals

    Having a fitness band on your wrist can be more than just you trying to keep up with trends in the technology world. It is a great way to track your health goals and body metrics. If affordable, sporty, competitive, and athlete-friendly are some of the things on your checklist of fitness trackers, Fitbit might have some great options for you. Read on to know more about the top 4 Fitbit bands.

    Fitbit Inspire 2
    Minimalism and budget-friendly are two important features combined with the Fitbit fitness tracker. It conveniently connects to smartphones and helps you keep track of your activity, sleep, texts, calls, and other notifications. You can safely wear the watch in the pool or swim as deep as 50 meters. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about losing the watch. Fitbit and Tile’s partnership has been of great help to people in finding the watch with its built-in location technology. What’s more, the watch has an amazing battery backup of about 10 days. The band is also available in two different sizes with three band colors. 

    Fitbit Sense
    Another top Fitness tracker cum smartwatch to buy is the Fitbit Sense. Albeit costlier than the brand’s other offerings, the sensor-rich band has better tracking ability. It reads the body’s statistics and offers better insights into recovery and physical ability. The insights help you determine which days your body might require some rest and when it might be best to keep pushing. The watch can track your blood oxygen, body temperature, heart rate, and stress tracking with the help of electrodermal activity. An added advantage of the Fitbit Sense is its compatibility with smart home devices letting you create waking up and sleeping routines. You can also control Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and answer calls with its help. 

    Fitbit Charge 4
    The Fitbit Charge 4 is a fully loaded fitness tracker with over 20 activity modes, including hiking, running, walking, cycling, and more. Its built-in GPS activates track distance and time, along with the route you take. You can use the app to consult it about your workout quality and intensity. The smart band is capable of keeping track of your goals and tracking your sleep, presenting you with insights for rest and recovery. An added benefit of the Fitbit Charge 4 is its compatibility with Spotify. It enables you to keep control over your music or podcast playlist without having to pull out your phone now and then. Being retailed at just under $100, the Fitbit Charge 4’s battery will last you up to a whole week. 

    Fitbit Versa 3
    If a data-rich smartwatch is something you are looking forward to, the Fitbit Versa 3 might be the right pick for you. The watch is a great competitor against other brands in the segment. The smartphone comes with GPS tracking to keep an accurate record of your workout statistics. The watch vibrates mildly whenever it meets a goal or enters a different heart rate range. Fitbit PurePulse 2.0 is an improved technology that can better track heart rate, blood oxygen, and other important statistics. You can also use the watch’s voice activation feature that helps set reminders and alarms, make and answer calls, and respond to emails. Fitbit Versa 3 is also compatible with smart home devices. 

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  • Best credit cards to consider for small businesses

    Credit cards are a big boon to small businesses. Enabling a healthy cash flow, credit cards help to make large purchases by allowing businesses to borrow money for a particular time period without interest. Without having to carry physical cash which can be stolen more easily, credit cards offer flexibility and ease of transactions.

    The lack of availability of personal savings, assets, bank loans or wealthy friends and family who can share their wealth for running your business leaves us with one option – credit cards.

    Offering better terms and conditions for their usage, business credit cards are a good cushion to fall back on, for people with a small business. Their extended billing cycles, higher credit limits, discounted interest rates for repaying credit earlier than specified, allowing customers to combine reward points of multiple cards enabling them to utilize the benefits faster, free employee cards, privileged access to airport lounges, airline ticket discounts, discounts on restaurants and hotel stays for those whose business involves frequent traveling, cash back schemes and heaps of other profitable advantages should be considered while applying and owning credit cards for small businesses.

    Different credit cards offered to small businesses by the largest credit card companies in the United States each have their features. A few examples of the credit cards offered are:

    • American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card
    • Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
    • Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business
    • American Express OPEN Business Platinum Card
    • Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and
    • American Express OPEN Business Gold Rewards Card

    While for some of these credit cards, an annual fee is a must, others can be enjoyed without it. The cost per year, interest rates, billing cycle, transaction fees for overseas expenditure, late fees payable in the event of a delayed repayment, and the credit cards with the best business rewards, the best for large travel expenses, the one with the most cash back rewards, the most flexible credit card and other such aspects and benefits of each of these credit cards must also be considered before applying for one.

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  • Can diabetes cause foot pain?

    Do you face extreme pain in your legs, and feet-related issues like ulcers, calluses, toe infections? Have you ever wondered why that happens? Well, the root cause of the problem might be diabetes. If you haven’t tested for diabetes yet then maybe you should. Most patients who have diabetes suffer some sort of feet pain, mostly because of lower blood circulation and damaged blood vessels and peripheral nerves. In such cases, ask your healthcare provider for diabetic foot remedies.

    What causes the pain?
    Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet.

    1. Diabetic neuropathy – This is a condition where the nerves in the foot get damaged because of uncontrollable high blood sugar levels. It leaves the foot numb, unable to feel heat, cold or pain. Ir also causes foot ulcers and the faulty alignment of the feet.
    2. Peripheral vascular neuropathy – This condition leads to hardening of the arteries because of poor blood circulation. It usually happens in arteries far from the heart and brain and results in lower oxygen delivery. Hence a cut or a sore takes more time to heal and in worse cases can also cause gangrene or tissue death.

    Almost 80 per cent of people who have diabetes are affected by some form of foot problems and are likely to seek diabetic foot remedies.

    What are the actual symptoms of diabetic foot pain?
    The most common thing that people complain about in diabetic neuropathy is a feeling of numbness. One might feel a tingling sensation or a sharp pain shooting through the lower limbs. Patients even complain of increasing pain during night time and lack of good sleep. Diabetic foot remedies are a combination of therapies that intend to bring relief from the pain though it cannot completely provide relief from the symptoms.

    What should you do?
    Diabetic neuropathy can also be controlled with proper exercise and acupuncture. Keeping the blood sugar under control is one of the major goals to meet since this can also reduce the pain.

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  • Here’s why changing the water filter of your refrigerator so important

    Regular appliances such as refrigerators are assets that we use in our everyday lives. Routine maintenance needs to be performed to keep them functioning at optimum level. One of the most important parts of a refrigerator that needs to be changed from time to time is the water filter.

    Most refrigerators built in the last two decades have a built-in water filter that dispenses water through an orifice built in the door. The water dispensed from the orifice passes through refrigerator filters that purify the water of contaminants to provide clean and chilled drinking water.

    It is recommended to change the water filter at least once in every six months. This is a general rule of thumb but the actual need to change it greatly depends on the usage and flow rate expectancy. Not changing the refrigerator filters leads to the following problems:

    • Permits unwanted contaminants and bacteria to pass through into your water cups and your body
    • Decreases the water pressure
    • Leaves a bad taste and smell in the water
    • So if you are not sure about how long it has been since you changed your water filter, check the smell and taste of the water. If the water is odorless and does not have an unpleasant taste, then there is no need to change the filter, but if there is an unpleasant smell or taste, then the filter needs to be changed immediately.

    Changing the water filter is actually very simple. Most manufacturers design the filter mechanism in such a way that the filter is easy to access and replace. Most filters can be twisted a quarter turn and pulled out. There are other refrigerator filters, which have a large button next to them. This button needs to be pushed, and the filter shall pop out. In case you are confused, simply follow the user manual to learn how to replace the filter.

    In general, changing the refrigerator filters twice a year will cost you around $70-$80. Each water filter shall filter about 1500 bottles of water. So if you replace the filter twice a year, you shall be able to filter about 3000 bottles.

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