Beauty treatments for your big day

You have the venue and the dress you now need to get ready for your big day. This is the day that you want to look your best in every aspect of the word. You will definitely spend a few Rands on beauty treatments. The question is where to start.

I’ll say start at your hair treatment, because hair can take some time to look good. If your hair is damaged it is good to start with a few hair masks. You can get them at your hairdresser. She will probably be able to tell you what you need to do for your specific kind of hair. Hair is one of the first things people will see, because your dad will remove your vail and the emphasis will be on your hair. Healthy hair will make it easy for you to almost have any hairstyle you can think of for the big day.

The second thing you should start thinking about is your skin. Skin is one of the things that will automatically come right with contraception pills, but not in all cases. It is good to get a product that works for you skin and stick to this specific product. Skin is very sensitive and should be handled with care. Skin treatment for me is one of the things I don’t just do for my big day; I see it as an investment for my old age. You should spend money on your skin; it is the one organ everybody sees.

After you have all the above, it’s good to start looking for a good make-up artist or maybe ask one of your bridesmaids to go on a make-up course to help on the big day. Make-up is one of things I personally think should be natural on big occasions, because the photos will last forever. Go for a test and see what looks good on your face. Watch a few YouTube Videos for inspiration. Experiment with ideas.

If you have that sorted you are almost set for you big day. Hair removal is one of the biggest beauty treatments ladies think about when getting married. You will have to decide what will work for you, waxing, laser hair removal or just shaving. If waxing and laser is one of the options you are interested in. You will have to start with the treatment a few months before the wedding. You will have to talk to a beauticianist to get more information about the types of products available. Part of the hair removal treatment is also getting rid of hair down there; you will have to be careful, because the skin is sensitive. Do not apply anything in areas if you are not sure the product was tested and given to you by a professional.

I think that is the most important beauty treatments you will have to worry about. It sounds like a few, but when you start you will realise that it becomes more than just a treatment, it will have to become a habit or a life style for you to get the effect you’ll need for your big day.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Beauty & Health, Weddings & Events 0

Babyproof your home

Babyproof your home to help keep your baby safe. Accidents do happen, but there are a lot you can do to try and minimize these accidents.

If you have stairs, babyproof it by installing a safety gate at the top and bottom. Parents often think installing at just one end is good enough.

Keep electrical appliances unplugged or at least out of reach when you are done using them. It not only creates an electrical hazard, but can also fall on your baby if they pull on the cord. Speaking of cords, tie up long electrical cords. This will keep it out of their way when they go on a crawl expedition and prevent them from tripping over them or pulling on them.

Babies love placing things in their mouth’s as this is the way they get familiar with the world around them. Babyproof tip is to always check the floor or low places for any small objects a child can get hold of and swallow. Not only will it be a choking hazard but items may have germs and potential viruses.

Another thing babies love is sticking their fingers into holes and electrical sockets may look like fun. Install babyproof covers on all your electrical outlets to prevent any harm coming to your bundle of curious joy.

Your baby can’t read and a big warning sign on a bottle does not mean anything to them. Keep cleaning supplies or poisonous liquids in a high cupboard and locked away. This also holds true for medicines. Because it’s a medicine or vitamin does not mean it won’t harm your baby. Recommended doses for babies are much lower than for children or adults. So swallowing too much of a medicine can harm your baby. Buy babyproof locks for any cabinets containing potential dangerous objects. This includes cabinets for glassware, cookware, silverware etc.

When working with a stove, use the back burners when possible and always turn your pot handles inward. When they get adventurous they will stand up against anything and a hot stove is not a good idea, so always know where your baby is and guide him/her away from the stove.

A swimming pool poses an obvious threat, but water indoors can also be dangerous. Never leave water standing in a bath, sink or bucket. A baby can drown in just a small amount of water. Never leave your baby unattended in a bath or basin, even for a second. If for any reason your baby gets access to a hot water tap, prevent possible scolding by turning down the heat on your geyser.

Babyproof your home and take some of the anxiety out of parenting.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Home Improvements, Building & DIY, Property 0

Automotive Services - How do I choose a reputable Service Provider?

For most South Africans a motor vehicle is so much more than a status symbol or a convenient way to get from point A to point B. A lack of reliable public transport in most parts of the country has forced nearly all South Africans to acquire motor vehicles, and with motor vehicles comes the need for reliable automotive services.

An automotive service provider inspects, maintains and repairs cars and light trucks. In the United States of America, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certifies professionals and shops in the automotive repair and service industry. However, lacking a similar certification body in South Africa, most South Africans rely on recommendations from friends or car dealerships when it comes to choosing automotive services.

The Automobile Association (AA) could provide valuable insight in this regard. The AA has been operating in South Africa since 1930. It is a non-profit organisation and its services include roadside assistance, technical and motor-related legal advice.

Its Quality Assured accreditation programme (AAQA) identifies prospective partners across a wide spectrum of automotive services, including auto body repairs, vehicle maintenance and repair centres, auto electricians, locksmiths, accessory fitment centres and specialist repair centres. They not only check to ensure that the facilities and services of these service providers comply with the AA’s stringent quality assurance requirements, but also that they will deliver on the expected service to ensure customer satisfaction. It would be wise therefore to check whether your chosen automotive services partner is accredited with the AA.

Consumers should also be aware of scare tactics. The number one tip on the Reader’s Digest’s list of 29 tips from mechanics and car experts is to always get a second opinion when a mechanic claims that substantial work needs to be done. It’s also wise to ask for old parts back, to ensure that they have in fact been changed and that they were worn out.

Finally, there is something to be said for a good old gut feeling. If your gut is telling you to go somewhere else, listen to it. Automotive services hardly ever comes cheap; make sure that you get the best you can possibly afford.

April 8, 2015 Articles, At Your Service, Automotive & Services 0

Audi's four-door TT concept leaks ahead of Paris debut

If the images are legitimate, and German publication Auto Zeitung claims they are, the car will be nearly 30cm longer than the standard TT to make room for rear-seat passengers and two rear doors.

This would position it as a direct competitor to other ‘fastback’ vehicles such as the Mercedes CLA, the Volkswagen Passat CC and potentially Audi’s own five-door A3 model.

However, it will have four-wheel drive and a tuned 2-liter turbocharged engine that will be capable of putting out 400hp so clearly it has Mercedes and BMW, rather than parent company VW in its sights.

There is a growing trend for manufacturers to take a star model and extend it into its own breakout range.
When BMW revived the Mini back in 2001 it did so with a single car with three levels of performance, but now it is a full-blown range offering coupés, estates and even a soft-roader.

Fiat is currently doing the same with the 500. It’s already available as a mini-MPV and an SUV version will be making its debut at the Paris Motor Show next week.

And there’s little doubt that the TT has the appeal and the cachet to go beyond being simply a hardtop coupé and soft-top roadster and Audi has already tested the water on numerous occasions over the past 12 months, revealing a two-door shooting break and a crossover SUV take on the car at autoshows.

The fastback would be the third design study of 2014, and while it’s merely a concept, Audi more than any other manufacturer has a habit of taking concepts and making them production realities.

Therefore expect to see something very like the TT fastback on a road near you by 2017.

Source: The Times

April 7, 2015 Articles, Automotive & Services, Electronics, IT & Technology 0

At your service - build your business with good customer service

The words “at your service” has been used so often by many customer service personnel that it may ring hollow or even seem insincere. However, customer service can make, or break, a business and that is why it should be an integral part of any management strategy.

Great customer service is not only about keeping customers happy. It is also vital to bring them back to your business. How do you make it happen? New customers become return customers if a few simple but golden rules are followed.

  • Deliver on promises – do not promise what you cannot deliver, whether it be products, services or appointments. Reliability and trust are the cornerstones of any relationship and customer service is nothing if not a relationship between a customer and your business.
  • Listen to your customers – Not only will it make them feel valued, but it will also help you to deal with complaints and give insight into their needs. It is also an excellent way of getting feedback on your product or service offering as well as the competency and ability of your staff to create great customer experiences.
  • Train your staff properly – Customer service personnel should not only be knowledgeable about your products or services, but should also have a solid understanding of what good customer service really means.
  • Try to solve problems – Sending a customer from pillar to post without offering real solutions is a sure-fire way to lose customers. Go the extra mile to sort out issues, offer alternatives and resolve complaints.
  • Finally, never underestimate the power of making someone feel important. Your customers are the lifeblood of your business and should be treated with the sincerity, respect and grace that they deserve.

Following these simple steps and having a sound understanding of what the words “at your service” truly means, could make all the difference in how customers perceive the level of service at a business.

April 8, 2015 Articles, At Your Service, Financial, Legal & Business Services 0

Agricultural sector – the lifeblood of South Africa

Agriculture has always been an important industry in South Africa and together with mining and manufacturing forms the backbone of the South African economy.

The agricultural sector in South Africa is divided into commercial farming and subsistence-based farming, mainly in the rural areas of the country. Thanks to its seven climatic regions, farmers are able to produce a variety of marine and agricultural products, including livestock and game, grain, wool, fruit and wine.

Livestock is the largest agricultural sector in the country with the main focus on cattle and sheep. Dairy is produced throughout the country with more than 4 000 milk producers employing around 60 000 farm workers.

As a meat-loving nation, beef farming plays an important agricultural role with South Africa producing 85% of its meat requirements. However, production cannot keep up with local demand and as a result 15% of our meat has to be imported from Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and even further afield. South Africans have also developed a taste for white meat and consequently chicken is now one of the country’s largest agricultural imports. Sheep and goat farming, poultry and pig farming and game farming form part of livestock farming in South Africa.

The grain industry is one of the largest agricultural sectors representing between 25% and 33% of the country’s total gross agricultural production. Maize is most widely grown and is also the most important source of carbohydrates in Southern Africa. It is produced mainly in the central regions of South Africa in the Free State, North West and Mpumalanga highveld. Other grain crops include wheat – the second largest locally produced field crop, sunflower seeds, barley, sorghum and soya beans.

South Africa is the ninth largest wine producer in the world. More than 99 000 hectares of vines producing wine grapes are under cultivation. There are six wine producing regions in the Western Cape, and another four geographical units in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo. South African wine exports have more than doubled between 2003 and 2013 and some 275 600 people are employed both directly and indirectly in the wine industry.

The types of fruit produced in South Africa can be classified as deciduous, citrus and subtropical. Deciduous fruits, including apples, pears and peaches, are mainly produced in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Cold winters and dry summers create the perfect climatic conditions to grow these crops. Tropical fruits, such as pineapples, bananas, avocados and mangoes are grown mostly in the northeast and some coastal areas. South Africa also has a thriving citrus industry, with more than half of citrus production exported in most years.

Other crops grown by South African farmers include vegetables, sugar, cotton, tobacco and tea (honeybush and rooibos).

It is clear that the South African agricultural industry not only plays an important role in the South African economy, but also feeds its people and the people of Africa. Considering the fact that the South African population is expected to grow to 82 million by 2035, we cannot afford to neglect this

For more information about Agricultural services click here

March 17, 2015 Agricultural, Articles 0

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY – THE FARMER’S BEST FRIEND, OR NOT?

The South African agricultural sector has a notoriously bad history of labour relations, arguably because it was built on slavery. With the dawning of a new era, where farmers are increasingly relying on agricultural machinery to farm economically, labour relations are even more threatened.

Farm workers often feel forsaken and done in when they get retrenched, especially in instances where their whole personal history is entwined with that of the farm and the farm owner. It is however often very difficult if not impossible for the farmer to maintain his workforce, as minimum wages is for many a farmer simply unattainable.

Nowadays many farmers choose agricultural machinery over manual labour, as they believe this might limit the chance of them fighting legal battles. They are often not prepared to employ people, as the potential human relations problems that this poses, outweighs the problems agricultural machinery might have, by far.

But agricultural machinery is an extremely expensive alternative. It’s not only the purchase price, but also maintenance, insurance etc. With the rising price of diesel, many a farmer is contemplating reverting back to human labour as opposed to agricultural machinery.

Meanwhile there is general consensus that children of farm workers should have access to excellent schools, so that they can profit from their own productivity. The enormous problem in South Africa of inadequate teaching facilities as well as badly trained and often unenthusiastic teachers remains unresolved.

With an improved education system the children of farm workers might even become the engineers involved in the development of more efficient and cost effective agricultural machinery.
It is also interesting to note that recent data released by Stats SA suggested that the agricultural sector went a far way in realising the target set to the sector by the National Development Plan in terms of creating one million additional jobs. Dawie Maree, FNB Agriculture: Head of Information and Marketing says that according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data for the first quarter of 2015, the sector created 183 000 jobs compared to the same period in 2014 and 150 000 jobs compared to the previous quarter. Total employment in agriculture is currently estimated to be just under 900 000. However, Stats SA redesigned the Master Sample, a process routinely undertaken by statistical agencies.
According to Maree the Q1 figures for 2015 were estimates based on the 2013 Master Sample, while the other figures are still based on the 2007 Master Sample. The changes are therefore influenced by the updated sample and we now have to wait for a few more quarters for these changes to take effect and to be able to again compare apples with apples.

September 3, 2015 Agricultural 0

Agricultural Equipment

It’s quite remarkable how, throughout the ages, the tractor has remained the best-known example of agricultural equipment. Although a huge variety of machinery finds its way to the farm, it is the faithful old tractor that defines the very essence of farming.

A tractor is a piece of agricultural equipment specifically designed to deliver high torque at low speeds, often for the purpose of hauling a trailer or other implements used in agriculture and also in construction.

According to Wikipedia the word tractor was taken from Latin, meaning “to pull”. The first recorded use of the word meaning “an engine or vehicle for pulling wagons or ploughs” occurred in 1901, displacing the earlier term “traction engine”.

Agricultural equipment may be mounted on or be towed behind the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power, should the equipment be mechanized.

For a city slicker the most well-known manufacturer of agricultural equipment must surely be Deere & Company, with their brand name, John Deere. In 2014, it was listed as 80th in the Fortune 500 America’s ranking and was ranked 307th in the Fortune Global 500 ranking the previous year.

But John Deere does not only manufacture agricultural equipment, it also provides financial services and other related activities. They are for instance listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The company’s slogan is “Nothing Runs Like a Deere”, and its logo is a leaping deer, with the words ‘JOHN DEERE’ under it. The logo of the leaping deer has been used by the company for over 135 years. Over the years, the logo has had minor changes. The company’s agricultural products are identifiable by a distinctive shade of green paint, augmented by yellow trim.

For the farmer who really wants to be noticed there are also other options such as the Lamborghini tractor, which is clearly designed for the super wealthy.

Another example is the Case IH Steiger 600 – something like a Bugatti in the world of tractors.

According to Ray Blessed the unique Big Bud 747, built in 1977 by the American company Northern Manufacturing, still remains the largest (50 tons, 4.27 meters in height and 8.1 meters in length) and the most expensive in the history of the tractor. Then it cost the customer $ 300 000. Today the figure stands at over 1.13 million dollars.

And yes, right up there with the cream of the crop in agricultural equipment, stands the John Deere 9560RT. The model is intended for plowing fields, and is equipped with a 560-horsepower engine.

May 11, 2015 Agricultural, Articles 0

Accommodation and travel - always hand in hand

Accommodation and travel go hand in hand, whether the purpose of travelling is for business or leisure. Budget, location, facilities available and level of comfort and luxury required by the traveller all come into play when choosing accommodation. There are many different types of accommodation options to consider as well. Hotels, guest houses or B&B’s, self-catering chalets, even caravans or tents all offer a different experience while travelling.

Probably the most important aspect any traveller needs to consider is the price range of accommodation. A luxury, five-star hotel will obviously be much more expensive than a simple B&B. However, it may include many tangible and intangible benefits that more affordable accommodation would not, including breakfast and or/dinner, expensive toiletries in bathrooms, tea- and coffee-making facilities in rooms, room service, privacy, a spectacular view and safe parking.

Location is another vital point to consider, especially for business travellers. Being close to the venue where meetings will be conducted, or a conference attended, would obviously be preferable to staying far away from the venue and having to negotiate rush hour traffic in an unfamiliar city. Leisure travellers, on the other hand, might prefer accommodation with a nice view, close to the beach or as far away from the town or city’s business district as possible.

The facilities offered by different places of accommodation may differ vastly and travellers may regard these facilities with varying degrees of importance. Business travellers, for example, may require a hotel or guesthouse to have Wi-Fi access, a business centre with fax and Internet facilities, and a desk in their room where they can work. Leisure travellers may prefer facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts or even a golf course.

The level of comfort or luxury required by a traveller is closely associated with the price range of an accommodation establishment. The more luxurious and comfortable a room, the more expensive it is likely to be.

With regard to the types of accommodation offered, business travellers tend to prefer hotels over B&B’s. Hotels offer a fairly impersonal, standardised experience, with most offering parking, breakfast and some satellite television channels. Offering an impersonal service is not necessarily a bad thing. Many travellers, especially business travellers, do not necessarily want to engage with the staff or other guests and prefer to be left alone.

Guesthouses or B&B’s are smaller establishments, which offer a more personal accommodation experience. It might not have all the facilities of a big hotel, but usually there will be a lot more interaction between guesthouse staff and guests. B&B’s are often nothing more than a few rooms in someone’s home and it offers travellers, especially those travelling to foreign countries, the experience of “staying at a home away from home”.

Self-catering chalets, caravans and camping are popular choices for families travelling with children, or those seeking a more adventurous accommodation option. These types of accommodation allow for a lot more freedom with regard to meal times and entertaining other guests. It is usually also a much cheaper option and therefore one often the first choice of families with children.

For every traveller, there is a place of accommodation just right for him or her. It is simply a matter of doing the research, establishing which aspects are most important and finding the right option.

For more information about Accommodation & Travel click here

April 8, 2015 Accommodation & Travel, Articles 0