Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 54)
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Interior design to create a perfect woodland retreat vacation home
Where better to go when you need to escape, than to a woodland retreat? A place to embrace silence, fresh air and nature in comfortable surroundings makes the woodland retreat one of the favorite vacation home options.
You can understand why
Immersing yourself in Mother Nature, surrendering to the natural rhythms of the earth, climbing out of bed at sunrise, falling back in at sunset – on vacation, the simple life can be the perfect antidote to the stressful, urban grind.
If your vacation home requires a woodland retreat makeover, take inspiration from these ideas for achieving a look that echoes rustic surroundings while retaining real elegance and style.
Wood works
Whether it’s Scandinavian log cabin chic you’re aiming for, or a Scottish Highland escape, a successful woodland retreat interior draws heavily on wood. The warmth and acoustic advantages of this versatile material mean that an interior with timber floorboards, paneled walls and sleek wooden shutters has the perfect atmosphere for a vacation hideaway.
Alternative woodland cues
As well as wall-to-wall wood, there are other ways of introducing a magical, woodland atmosphere into your vacation home. An entrance lobby with forest-themed wallpaper featuring trees or foliage, or a digital photographic mural, pulls you straight into a woodland world. You could even use different coloured acrylic from a Perspex supplier. This can add a range of different textures and make your rooms feel extra cosy! Using earthy shades such as mossy greens, browns and creams reinforces the natural feel and creates a relaxing, soothing interior.
Warm hearth
A warming wood burner accompanied by a basket full of logs makes a wonderful focal point in the main living area. Sofas and armchairs in seasoned leather, draped with blankets and throws in complementary colors will make you want to linger. A library stocked with books about the local flora and fauna enables guests to look up and identify what they see on their day hikes. Consider also a pair of binoculars and a telescope for stargazing on those clear, dark nights.
Sleep soundly
In bedrooms, try wooden canopy beds with silk vines and greenery entwined up the posts. A welcoming bed layered with blankets, throws, furs and cushions allows you to keep cozy and warm on cold nights. A wooden mirror draped with greenery and fairy lights turns a dull bedroom into a magical, woodland den.
It’s in the detail
The accessories in a woodland retreat themed interior should take their cues from the outside environment. Objects such as feathers, pebbles, leaves, pinecones and small tree branches look great arranged as a still life on a windowsill. Feathers, flowers and leaves can be framed and mounted on walls for decorative effect. Taxidermy, either real or fake, brings the outdoors inside in a truly unique way. You could even look for some lovely worktops to add a feature point in a room. You can look into worktops near you and select some beautiful ones.
Woodland creatures such as owls, foxes, rabbits and deer can be referenced in motifs on cushions, crockery, table linens, textiles and more. Look out for interesting items such as twig-handled flatware, candleholders, lamp-stands and picture frames with woodland detailing that fits your theme.
Vacation time spent close to nature is always worthwhile – and when you can do that in a stylish and comfortable woodland retreat, what could be better?
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Top Travel Destinations for the Perfect Proposal
Planning to propose to your other half? Want to make sure it’s the most romantic moment you’ve had together so far? Then here are some of the world’s most jaw-dropping locations that are perfect for getting down on one knee at.
All you need to do is plan your trip in advance, set the mood and most importantly of all – don’t forget to pack the engagement ring!
The Trevi Fountain in Rome
Rome is known as a city of romance, and the Trevi Fountain is one of its most iconic landmarks. This beautiful fountain will create the most stunning backdrop for your proposal. You could even get the perfect vintage engagement ring from Berganza.com, making the moment extra special. Just make sure you’ve got someone on standby to take a photo and don’t forget to throw a coin in the fountain too. Folklore suggests that anyone who throws a coin in the Trevi Fountain (with their right hand and over their left shoulder) will return to Rome again one day. On your honeymoon perhaps?
The Grand Canyon in Arizona
If you’ve got your sights set on a breath-taking location for your proposal, it doesn’t get much better than America’s Grand Canyon. This sensational gorge was crafted by the Colorado River over six million years ago and is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. With the vast landscape behind you, your partner is sure to say “yes” when you pop the question – just make sure you aren’t teetering too close to the edge when you make the move!
Maya Beach in Thailand
For those amongst you who are looking for a tranquil, idyllic location, Thailand’s Maya Beach could be the destination you’ve been looking for. With its white sandy beaches, clear blue water, stunning cliff faces and tropical climate, this location has got it all. Choose between a sun-kissed proposal on a secluded part of the beach or a sunset proposal as the sun goes down.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris
As one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower has been home to many proposals, including some celebrity ones (i.e. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes). Nestled amongst the bustling streets of Paris with warm cosy cafes, stunning architecture and rich history, this is the perfect destination if you’re looking to combine your proposal with a romantic city break. And, the beauty of Paris is it isn’t too far to travel to, providing you with the ideal opportunity to whisk your partner away on the holiday of a lifetime.
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How to file your tax on worldwide income
If you’re an American living abroad, your tax obligations are a little bit more complicated than most other nationalities.
You may assume that if you’re not earning money in the United States, you have no obligation to file a tax return each year. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Luckily, Taxes for Expats can help get you sorted. The service will do all the hard work for you so you can make sure you meet all your tax obligations and don’t end up with a hefty bill (or fines).
This isn’t just a digital solution. These are human experts who have been working in the industry for at least 10 years (half of them have more than 20 years of industry experience). They’re also well-versed in US tax law, and since work is completed in the United States by US citizens, you can rest assured that your information is in safe hands.
Taxes for Expats double checks all of your data. At least two professionals check your tax return to make sure the best solutions are found for you. One of the great things about this service? The pricing. Many people may be hesitant to try a service like this for the first time since no one wants to feel like they’re at risk of getting a big bill. But with Taxes for Expats, all of the fees are agreed to beforehand, and you can easily see how much you’ll be paying for the service. You may also want to check out the FBAR form which is often overlooked. Taxes for Expats only charge $75 for this form.
One of the things that make the system so easy to use? The client portal. Check it out below:
As you can see it’s super user-friendly and intuitive.
In this day and age, most of us are also concerned about who our data is being shared with. Taxes for Expats keeps all data strictly to itself- it doesn’t share any of it with third parties- even on the cloud.
When you’re completing the questionnaire, you’ll find it super easy to do, with no Excel spreadsheets or Word files making life difficult.
Taxes for Expats also have excellent support, including live chat and 18-hour phone support. If you’d like to get started, you can register on the Taxes for Expats website to get started. You’ll just complete a questionnaire and sign a letter. Once the team have completed your tax return you’ll pay and then review the return.
If you’re an American living abroad, you really can’t go wrong with a service like Taxes for Expats. Make life easy for yourself and use this service next time you need to file your taxes.
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Love Traveling? Why Not Try Something More Permanent?
There are plenty of us who would be more than happy to live in one place where their entire lives, never leaving the town, they were born in or seeking out new experiences any further afield. Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, as the old saying goes, different strokes for different folks, but for many other people, there’s always there’s that pull. The call to adventure from some far off place that makes them want to pack their bags and experience something new. Of course, even for those who do hear that call, the idea of actually doing it can be incredibly scary, especially if you’re thinking about going somewhere new permanently. However, if you’re the kind of person who can’t resist the call to adventure then here are a few reasons why living abroad might well be the perfect thing for you.
It allows you to broaden your mind
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to some home comforts every now and again. However, if you spend all of your time within your comfort zone, then you’re never really going to get the chance to grow or develop as a person. This is why so many people who never leave their hometown don’t seem quite as plugged into the world around them as those who’ve tried to branch out and experience new things, cultures, people, and places. Being able to immerse yourself in someone else’s culture and learn about it can not only give you a better appreciation for them and their country, but it can also help to give you a greater understanding of the world around you as a whole. It can stop you from taking things for granted or making assumptions that might be based on things that you should perhaps be questioning. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should reject your home and claim that everything about it is bad, but rather that learning about another culture can teach you to see your own much more clearly.
You can learn who you really are
A lot of us are quite heavily defined by the context that we’re in. If that sounds a little bit odd don’t worry, it’s actually pretty simple. The truth is that we all have a lot of personal history that surrounds us all of the time. Old friends, parents, the sites of breakups, makeups, first kisses, and parties gone too far. Because of this, it can be very easy to build up an image of yourself that is entirely based on these things. You imagine that you know who you are because of all the things that you’ve done and how they colour how other people see you. However, if you move to a totally new country, then that’s not really possible anymore. Moving somewhere new puts you in the position where you can’t rely on people’s perceptions of you in order to define yourself. You’ve got to figure out who you really are completely removed from your personal history and baggage. This can be pretty scary for a lot of people, but it can also be incredibly freeing. After all, not only can you get to know yourself but you even have the chance to completely reinvent yourself. Any mistakes that you’ve made in the past don’t need to follow you there. You can be a whole new person, and who you want to be is entirely up to you!
It offers new career opportunities
It really is amazing to think about just how interconnected the world really is these days. There was a time when many people were limited to careers exclusively in their immediate vicinity. But now, thanks to the internet, you can search for career opportunities all across the globe. Whether you’re a creative type, you have a business brain, or you want to teach and share knowledge with other people, the fact that you can now search for jobs among thousands upon thousands of different companies means that you’re almost guaranteed to find something that’s absolutely perfect for you. And that can help you take that next, crucial step towards your ultimate career goals that you might never have found if you were forced to only look within your home country.
It’s a surprisingly good way to save money
When people think of travelling to new places they often think first about the costs involved. However, travelling to a new country and actually working and living there are two extremely different things. Getting into the world and renting a studio apartment in a new country can be one of the best things you can do if you’re looking to save money on your monthly expenses! Plenty of countries both in Europe and Asia are incredibly inexpensive, and you can live a much more luxurious life there without spending half of what you would for the same things, or worse, back home.
You only live once!
As obnoxious as the term “YOLO” might be, it’s hard to deny that it doesn’t have at least a little grain of wisdom behind it. After all, the idea that “you only live once” has a lot of value as a personal philosophy. If you really do only live once then why shouldn’t you try to squeeze every last drop out of your life? Shouldn’t you be willing to try something brave and new, rather than staying in the same old bubble day in and day out? Living in another country might not change you as a person or find you your perfect career, but no matter what you get out of it, it’s sure to be an experience!
Of course, it’s important to remember that moving to the other side of the world can be a seriously big decision and not only that you should take without giving it some serious thought. However, if you’ve done your research and you’ve given it a good amount of thought, then the worst thing that you can do is to let fear hold you back from something that you really want. If it’s what you really want, then you shouldn’t let anything stand between you and being able to explore that brave new world!
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My top travel tips after years of wandering the globe
If you’re planning to travel sometime soon, a few smart travel tips can make your holiday go much more smoothly. Here are some of my top travel tips:
Get up early
If you’re hoping to beat the crowds and the heat, get up at sunrise to get the best photos and avoid hundreds of tourists in your space. You’ll also be able to be the first in line for attractions- saving you hours spent waiting in peak season. You can always take a nap later on in the afternoon and avoid the hottest part of the day before going out to explore when the temperature is cooler.
Take extra cash
You never know when an ATM will decide to eat your card, run out of money, or worse- deduct money from your account but not pay you out the cash. Pickpockets are also everywhere, and it’s easy to lose your wallet or credit card while you’re travelling. For this reason, you should always have some extra cash available. Stash a few hundred dollars but split it up and put it in different places. One of my friends likes to keep a $50 note in her (closed) shoe. Another friend keeps cash in an empty can of deodorant she cut open.
Back it up
These days, backing up your important documents is easier than ever before. I use Dropbox and Google Drive, but you can also use an external hard drive if necessary. Keep digital copies of your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, travel insurance policies, visas, and receipts for any electronics you have insured.
Shop around
I like to begin comparing flights weeks before I need to buy them. That way, I can get an idea of how much my flight will cost, which airlines I have to choose from, common stopover destinations, and flight times. By keeping an eye on my flights, I was recently able to grab some Webjet cheap flights from London to Washington DC when prices fell by more than a third.
Be open to new experiences
For many long-term travellers, being uncomfortable becomes a source of pride. I always stayed in hostels, would take a bus for 30 hours instead of paying for a flight, and always had to be doing activites once I was on the ground. This all changed after a holiday in Mexico where I laid on the beach with a margarita in my hand, ate delicious meals out, and went scuba diving in Playa Del Carmen. We stayed in an all-inclusive hotel and it was bliss. While I still like to take active holidays, I always keep an eye on Webjet travel packages to see if there’s a chance for me to take a truly relaxing holiday.
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4 Travel Convenience Tips for Sports Teams
Whether you’re traveling with an elementary school baseball team or a high school basketball team, eventually you’ll have to hit the road and head off to another city or region for those somewhat stressful away games. Being away from home with such a large group of people presents a number of challenges, especially when you’re having to supervise and manage younger minors who require more attention than their adult or adolescent counterparts. Planning ahead is important to avoid any unnecessary hassles or mishaps that could be avoided with a bit of due diligence and preparation. With that said, here are a few steps you can take to ensure maximum convenience for your traveling sports team.
1. Bring the Right Gear
Transporting sports equipment is one of the biggest issues when it comes to loading up and unpacking everything. Luckily, there’s no shortage of sports travel gear designed to accommodate virtually every need you can think of for any sport. To get an idea of what kind of gear you can use to simplify your traveling experience, check out gear-related blogs and catalogs for inspiration. For example, ThePlanetofBaseball.com contains reviews for common baseball gear types such as specialized backpacks and bat carriers.
2. Book Accommodations in Advance
Arriving at your destination and then having to worry about hotels, camping, lodging, or other forms of hospitality is simply not the best game plan if you want to ensure everything goes smoothly. Instead, be sure to take care of all booking and reservation duties at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Not only will this eliminate the concern of having to handle things at the last minute, it’ll also position you to get the best possible price. Likewise, inquiring about group discounts is also recommended if budgeting is a factor.
3. Delegate Logistics to One Person
Although splitting up duties might seem like a wise choice, ultimately it can lead to a lot of confusion and miscommunication. Thus, it’s best to choose a single event organizer to take care of the travel plans for the team. Taking this approach can also help you maintain accountability in the event that team funds are misused or misappropriated.
4. Bring Adequate Nourishment
Last but definitely not least, you don’t want your team going hungry and losing valuable energy as a result. Relying solely on restaurants and fast food could leave your players feeling lethargic after having to digest large or less-than-ideal meals. To give your athletes the edge and keep their energy levels up, you should bring plenty of healthy snack foods like protein bars, salads, sandwiches, juices, and maybe even a cooler or mini-fridge stocked with fresh produce.
Informing the Team
Finally, to keep the trip fully organized and prevent any misunderstandings, it’s best to review your plans with the team before departure. This way, everyone will know what they need to bring along and what to expect. After all, you don’t want your players and staff showing up with too much excess equipment, gear, or food after you’ve already taken care of that aspect of the trip.
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Top ways to get your life back on track
Are you in a funk? Maybe you’ve messed up, or you’re simply not sure what you should be doing with your life? We all go through these stages, so here are a few ways you can get your life back on track:
Set goals
The most successful people in the world are continually writing down their goals. And many of them revisit those goals daily. Whether you’re hoping to find a new job, increase your income, find love, or anything else, you need to have a solid goal in place and milestones along the way.
Talk to the experts
Sometimes, we simply can’t do everything ourselves. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t have the tools to get your thoughts and feelings under control, speaking with a therapist can help. The same goes if you’ve committed a crime- talk to criminal lawyers Parramatta. You may find that you’re ready to up-level in your business, so a business coach could help you see where you’re losing money or not making the most of your opportunities. A career coach could also help you decide which industry may be the best fit for you.
Do it together
Whether you’re hoping to lose weight, sort out your finances, or finally get your career sorted, doing these things with someone who also has a similar goal can make it much easier. If both you and your best friend are trying to save money, you can spend time doing free activities instead of paying for expensive dinners and drinks. And if you and your significant other are both trying to lose weight, you can keep each other motivated and make sure there are always healthy food choices in the house.
Learn to de-stress
These days, we have more things grabbing our attention than ever before. We’re continually connected to our friends through our smartphones, tablets, and laptops, and most of us have more stress than ever before in our lives.
That’s why it’s so important that you learn how to manage your stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Meditation can be one way to do this, and there are also a number of great apps like Headspace and Calm which make it easy for you to learn mindfulness and stay in the present moment.
You may also find that exercise is a great way to relieve stress. A simple walk outside in the fresh air or a session at the gym can get your endorphins flowing and take your attention away from your stress.
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4 Reasons To Break Up Long Haul Flights
When travelling to another country half way around the world, you usually have two choices – endure a single direct flight or break up the journey into multiple flights. Opting for multiple flights instead of one flight does mean that it’ll take longer overall to get to your destination, however there are lots of perks that make breaking up a long haul flight a better decision. Here are just four reasons to split up the journey instead travelling direct.
You can explore new places on the way
Stopping somewhere else en route could give you the opportunity to get out and explore a new place. Whilst many people choose to hang around in the airport until the next flight, you could arrange enough time between each flight so that you go out and see the local sight and stay in a local hotel. For example, if you’re travelling from New York to Instanbul, you could consider stopping off at Paris for a night. You could take a quick afternoon trip of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe and then go back to a hotel near the airport such as the AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget Airport ready for your morning flight. It doesn’t even have to be a whistle stop tour, you could plan a few days and have effectively two holidays in one.
It’s often cheaper
Breaking up a long haul flight can also be cheaper in many instances than taking a single direct flight. Take a London to Tokyo flight as an example – you’re usually going to be paying a grand for a single person direct flight. However, divide the journey and you’re likely to only pay half that amount. Even with a night in a hotel thrown in and a meal, you’re still going to be paying less overall. This could save you hundreds that could be put towards spending money or better accommodation at your destination.
You’ll feel less jetlagged
When travelling horizontally across multiple time zones, breaking up a long haul flight can prevent you feeling as jetlagged when you reach your destination. When travelling from Sydney to Cairo you have to set your clock back eight hours – a time difference that could take you several days to adjust to. However, stop off at Dubai which is only six hours behind and you could ease into the new time zone more easily.
It gives you a last adventure on the way back
If you’re taking a return flight, breaking up a long haul journey also gives you something to look forward to on your way home. Rather than having to face a ten hour flight before returning to normality, you can look forward to the chance of exploring somewhere new on your way back, even if it just for a night. It’s nice way to finish off your vacation abroad by giving yourself a small treat at the end.
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Things to Do on Any Trip to Niagara Falls
If you’re planning a trip to Niagara Falls, you’re probably looking forward to seeing the iconic natural landmark you’ve been hearing about for years. It’s legendary around the world, and attracts millions of tourists each year.
However, do keep in mind that there are plenty of other great things to do in Niagara Falls, no matter your age, interests, or tastes. You will even find that many Niagara Falls getaway packages include tickets to some of the top destinations in the region. Read on for a sample of things you need to do on any trip to the Niagara region.
Take a Boat Ride to See the Falls
Obviously one of the first things you’re going to want to do is see the actual waterfalls that make the Niagara area so famous. A great way to do this is on a boat ride that gets up so close to the natural wonder you can get splashed by the roaring waters and really hear their power.
Purchase a ticket on Hornblower Niagara Cruises if you’re on the Canadian side of the Falls. (Maid of the Mist operate a similar boat tour on the American side of the border.) During the Hornblower journey, which lasts for around 20 minutes, you will be taken near to the Bridal Veil Falls, Canadian Horseshoe Falls, and the American Falls. The tours are operated on modern, 700-passenger catamarans. You can choose to take a cruise during the day or night, plus there are extended 40-minute options as well.
Visit the Old Fort Niagara
If you really enjoy learning about local history wherever you go, then don’t miss a trip to Old Fort Niagara. This fort is the oldest operational one of its kind in the United States (it’s on the U.S. side of the Falls), and was built in the 1700s. Over the years this site has been utilized by, at various times, British, American, French and Native American troops, during wars such as the Revolutionary, French, and Indian conflicts.
While you’re at the Fort, check out beautifully-preserved barracks, cannons, and various other exhibits, and educate yourself on the landmark’s historical significance as you listen to a self-guided audio tour. Hourly musket demonstrations are run at the site, plus, at certain times of year you can also watch re-enactments of the battles waged at Old Fort Niagara over its lifetime.
Try Local Wines
Apart from the famous waterfalls, the Niagara region is also well-known as a top wine spot. There are at least 25 open-to-the-public wineries in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, around a 15 to 20 minute drive away from the center of town. In particular, though, explore the picturesque suburb of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
There are many great vineyards here, but the most iconic one has to be Inniskillin Winery. Inniskillin is renowned for its Icewine, a specialized type of dessert wine created using grapes which are frozen while still on the vine. This leads to a concentrated grape, since the water inside the fruit freezes but the dissolved solids and sugars do not.
While you’re at the winery, apart from of course tasting and purchasing some of the company’s excellent varieties, you can also take a guided tour to discover all about the vineyard’s wine-making process.
Ride the Niagara SkyWheel
If you’re looking for another good view of Niagara’s waterfalls, plus the surrounding area, take a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel. You’ll get some wonderful photographic opportunities from up high on this Ferris wheel, which reaches up 175 feet into the sky. Each trip on the SkyWheel takes around a quarter of an hour, and covers at least four full rotations.
The gondolas on the Ferris wheel accommodate whole families or groups of friends at once, plus they’re air-conditioned and heated for passenger comfort each day of the year. If possible, try to time your trip on the wheel for after the sun has set. Once this happens, the spectacular Falls Illumination lighting shows starts. It lights up the sky and the waters of Niagara Falls in all the colors of the rainbow, and is not to be missed.
Give Indoor Skydiving a Go
Lastly, if you’ve always wondered what skydiving was like, but haven’t felt confident about jumping out of a plane, head to Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center so you can give indoor skydiving a go. Here you can enjoy the experience of flying, but within a wind-tunnel flight chamber. While inside, you’ll get moving at speeds of up to 140 mph. The experience can be done in groups of four, too, so if you want to brave it with some friends or family members, you can all support each other.
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How to grow old gracefully (and independently)
While aging is inevitable, we can all choose how we age. While we all try to delay aging it happens whether we’d like it to or not. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the most out of your life, whatever age you are. And it’s possible to keep your independence while you do it.
Here are some top tips for aging gracefully and keeping your independence:
Enjoy what you eat
We’re always told what we should eat and drink, and old age is no exception. While we should all reduce our amounts of alcohol, fat, sugar, and salt, there’s no need to take all of the enjoyment out of dining. Food should be a source of pleasure and a chance to connect with others. Getting older will allow you to occasionally have a glass of wine or piece of chocolate cake- as long as you keep an eye on your portion sizes.
Meditate and rest
By the time you retire, you’ve likely spent a large portion of your life working. While your senior years allow you to enjoy the results of that labor, it can often make retirees fee lost. Going from a daily routine to having lots of time on your hands can impact your mental and physical health. Practicing mindfulness and mediation can be a great way to ensure you get a great sleep and feel more in control.
You also have an excellent opportunity to pick up a variety of leisure activities. Maybe you’d like to take up new hobby like drawing or painting, or you’d like to learn a language or a musical instrument. Go to movies, musicals, art galleries, and museums. Volunteer your time, participate in local councils, and enjoy the time you now have on your hands.
Make your home accessible
If you’re like most people, you probably want to stay in your own home for as long as you can. There are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe in your home. If you use a walker, make sure you have plenty of space to get around and you’ve removed any clutter. If you have a two-storied house, you can still stay independent with a stair lift. And make sure you’ve prepared the bathroom with plenty of grab bars, non-slip mats, and more.
Are you planning to old gracefully? Leave a comment below.
