Category: Lifestyle Page 11 of 20

Stories about food, fashion, travel, and other topics relevant to our readers’ interests.

What To Do On A Staycation

On August 20, 2019

Taking a vacation isn’t always easy. Either it’s too expensive or too time-consuming, or you’ve simply run out of ideas on where to go. The good news is, more people are opting to stay at home for a summer staycation—and with good reason!

Who says you need to venture to a luxury resort or go abroad for a worthwhile vacation? If you fancy the idea of spending your summer break camping in your backyard, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or finally making a dent in your endless Netflix list, our top staycation tips prove there really is no place like home.

Enhance Your Cooking Skills

Getting your hands dirty in the kitchen is always a productive way to kill some time. As you’re not spending a fortune on plane tickets or a new vacation wardrobe this summer, use the cash you’d spend otherwise on a set of cookbooks to learn how to get more creative with your food.

If you don’t fancy getting messy in your own kitchen, tickle your taste buds by attending a local cookery class and mastering some new recipes. The next time you host a dinner party, you’re guaranteed to impress your guests!

Leave Your Front Door

Make the most of your summer staycation time and venture beyond the familiar territory of your doorstep.

There is always plenty to see and do during the summer months, regardless of where you live. A summer staycation is the perfect opportunity to get to know your own town and dabble in the local culture. Where are the top-rated eateries? Are there any boutique shops you’ve always wanted to check out? Which local attractions or events can you visit?

Whether you’re going alone or taking a friend along with you, we highly recommend throwing yourself in at the deep end and signing up for a community program, an arts and crafts course, or a challenging workout class. Whatever it is, it’s a new experience to tick off the list.

Experiment With Home Photography

If you’re a budding photographer (which is pretty much anyone with a smartphone these days, right?) why not try your hand at some home photography?

Developing your skills—on either a phone or a camera—isn’t as complicated as you might think. Whichever device you’re using, you can enhance your home photography by experimenting with new angles, editing apps, props, lighting, and lenses.

If you’re passionate about showing off your home’s interiors, improving your garden, or trying your hand at some still life photography, you could even create a Pinterest board or an Instagram account to show off your work. Not only will this take your photos one step further, but it will also help you build a following of likeminded photographers and share your thoughts and ideas with them. (Don’t forget to follow Nixplay on Instagram and on Pinterest!)

Whatever you’re taking photos of and whichever style of home photography you’re trying out, displaying your images proudly in your home on a digital photo frame ensures you’ll never lose sight of them.

Take A Short Road Trip

A summer staycation doesn’t necessarily mean limiting yourself to your surrounding area.

If you’re staying close to home for your summer staycation, you can combine travel and photography by taking a short road trip to a nearby landmark, coastline, or nature reserve.

Don’t fret about making a detailed itinerary: The best and most exciting way to plan a road trip is to not plan it at all! Throw the map out of the window, set a time limit for yourself, and just drive. Wherever you end up is an opportunity to broaden your horizons, see different places, and create new memories.

The best part of a short road trip? You’ll be snuggled up in your own bed before the sun goes down!

Upgrade Your Home

Nothing gives you more peace of mind than de-cluttering your home. So, if you’re looking for productive things to do on a staycation, you can’t go wrong with an interior revamp.

Start by saying goodbye to all the clothes you haven’t worn for over a year and donate them to a charity of your choice. Next, go from room to room and throw away anything that’s collecting dust —it’s better off in a trash bag than gathering germs on your desk. Finally, make good use of your rubber gloves and give your house a deep clean.

Now that the hard part is over, you can reward yourself by upgrading your home with something you’ve always wanted. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, spending money on some new wall art, or adding a slick gadget to your collection, any addition to your home is an improvement.

Embracing Your Summer Staycation

Vacations aren’t always about sticking to a tight activity schedule. Sometimes, it’s better to simply unplug, relax, and watch the world go by.

You might want to do nothing except take a week-long nap, watch movies, and stay wrapped in your duvet. And that’s fine! The time you enjoy wasting is never wasted—and self-care is important.

Whatever you’re doing on your summer staycation is worth savoring. So why not keep the memories alive forever on an advanced digital display in your home? Our range of frames will inspire you to view and share your favorite moments in the best way. Browse our selection of high-tech digital photo frames today!

How to Make Going Back To School More Fun For Your Child

By Mars Salazar

On August 10, 2019

In Lifestyle

Going to back to school isn’t a fun experience for every kid. After all, who wants to hit the books again after playing around and lazing about all summer long? Not most kids, that’s who.

But this school year’s going to be different–it’s going to be more fun and exciting. Here’s how you can do it.

Have Them Help Plan Their Meals.

You know what every kid’s favorite subject is? It’s not math, art, or P.E., but recess. Making your child the coolest kid in the cafeteria is guaranteed to get him/her excited to go to school. You can achieve this by planning your child’s meals with them. Make their food look and taste good, and they’ll be very excited to walk out the door in the morning.

Designate A Study Nook.

It’s definitely more exciting to do assignments and learn new things when you’ve got a nice place to study in. It works for a lot of people, and it might just work for your child, too! Designate a place in your home as a study nook with colorful school supplies, organizers, and a corkboard or whiteboard where your child can pin up their homework and mementos. Give your kid the opportunity to decorate the study nook and they’ll be more excited to use it.

Display Photos Taken During The School Year.

Don’t forget to display all the photos your kids have taken during the school year! Display them on a Nixplay Frame, which can be easily updated with their latest snaps. Take advantage of our upcoming Back To School Sale and get 25% off selected Nixplay Seed Frames, only from August 12 to 25!

Write Down The Reasons Why School Is Fun.

Sit your children down and have them list everything they love about school: Their friends, their crushes, their favorite teachers, the field trips, their favorite subjects, the beautiful campus, the opportunities to represent their school in competitions. This exercise reframes their mind, allowing them to shift their focus from the things they dread about school, to the things that get them excited about it.

Shop For New Clothes.

One more way to get kids to excited to go to school is to spice up their wardrobe a bit. Be it a new pair of jeans, t-shirts with prints they love, or light-up sneakers, they’ll be eager to parade them in the schoolyard and show them off. It probably is an unconventional way to stay motivated, but it might just work!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

What’s The Coolest Adventure You’ve Been On With Your Friends?

By Mars Salazar

On August 2, 2019

In Lifestyle

Few things can strengthen a friendship quite like an adventure. And it’s usually the craziest adventures that turn you into best friends for life. Have you been on such an adventure with your friends? Here are some real-life adventures of some of our Nixplay Family:

“My friends and I were on holiday at a beach resort, and we impulsively signed up to camp out overnight, Survivor-style, on a deserted beach island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean along with a handful of newfound friends. There was no electricity, we slept in tents and hammocks, and we built a bonfire for warmth and cooking. After dinner, we went skinny dipping in the sea while drinking beers under a starry night sky. It was definitely a night we’ll never forget!” – Megan, 33

“My best friend and I celebrated our 25th birthdays by planning a 2-month trip around South America. We visited the beaches of Brazil, went to the Machu Picchu in Peru, then continued our trip onwards to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. It wasn’t always easy–we had a few quarrels and got into a few mishaps, but we emerged from that trip closer than ever.” – Philip, 27

“After our college graduation, my friends and I went on a road trip across the USA. We started our vacation in New York (where we were based) and followed the Atlantic Coast, driving down the Overseas Highway and crossing New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, eventually making our way to Florida. It was a lot of fun, and I’d love to do it again!” – Jan, 41

“My closest girlfriends and I have been joined at the hip since high school, and we’ve been each other’s confidantes throughout the years. On the year we turned 50, we went on a girls-only trip to the Maldives for a luxurious vacation. We spent a week in a villa, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, watching dolphins, enjoying spa treatments, and watching the sunset while sipping drinks. We don’t know when we can go on an adventure like this again, so I’m glad we got the chance to do this while we’re all still alive and strong.” – Greta, 51

The best friendships are forever. Commemorate your bond with your pals with a Nixplay Frame! Get up to 25% off selected frames, only until August 4!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

4 Nostalgia-Filled Ideas To Celebrate International Friendship Day

By Photomyne Guest Post

On August 1, 2019

In Lifestyle

Few things in life are as pure as friendship. Whether our greatest friendships began over a shared toy before we could spell our names, or over a game of Mahjong that became the can’t-miss moment of your week, our friends have become our bridge to shared happiness.

International Friendship Day may be over, but the bond you share with your friends should be celebrated every day. Here are a few great ways to look back on the relationships that matter most to you.

Dig Through Old Photo Albums

Human memory may fade, but the moments we hold closest to our hearts need not be gone too. Looking at old photographs is a great way to remind yourself of where you were and how your friends helped mold you into who you are. If the memories in our minds contain the unwritten records of our lives, then the photos we take hold our written history, effectively capturing the colors and moods of erstwhile forgotten moments and preserving them in print.

Turn Your Printed Pictures Into Digital Ones

It’s important that we hold on to our history. By preserving our pictures, we ensure that they will remain not only a part of our memories but also a part of our futures.

With a digital scanning app like Photomyne (free on iOS and Android), you can easily scan decades’ worth of photos on to your phone. Now you can quickly find that first photo of you with your college roommate on your next reunion!

Share The Love

Never miss a chance to let your friends know how much they mean to you! Don’t keep this love and emotion to yourself—share the love and let your friends know how much you care. Show them exactly how much they mean to you by sharing with them photos of your lives together.

One way to do this is by sending them a slideshow of your favorite memories, including photos the fun times that you forgot ever happened. Upload them on a Nixplay Frame so you can display your pictures on your mantle for all your guests to see. The best part? Nixplay’s Friendship Day sale is still ongoing, so you can get our bestselling frames at up to 25% off!

190723_FriendshipDay_BlogPost_Insert_800x450-01

Call A Friend & Catch Up

When is the last time you picked up the phone and called a friend you haven’t heard from in years? Maybe your college roommate is traveling around the world and the time difference made connecting that much harder. Perhaps your best friend since your daycare days just had a baby and time just got in the way. No matter the situation, all it takes is that one phone call to rekindle the magic that brought you two close in the first place.

No matter what, never let life get in the way of a beautiful friendship. Do what it takes to relive the unconditional love that only comes from your friends.

How To Make Friends While Traveling

By Nixplay Team

On July 30, 2019

In Lifestyle

Meeting new people is always a major highlight of any trip. Whether you got to know friendly locals at a sports game or hobnobbed with fellow tourists while sightseeing, one thing’s for sure: The memories you shared will be cherished forever.

However, making friends on the road isn’t as easy as it looks, especially for introverts. Befriending other people involves deliberately stepping outside your comfort zone and making yourself a bit vulnerable, and it can even trigger moments of mind-wracking anxiety. But rest assured, the payoff is usually worth it.

So how does one go about making friends while traveling? Here are some easy ways to do so.

Hang out at a bar

Traveling alone? Seek out a lively bar, order a drink, and chat up the person who eventually sits next to you. Start with small talk—bring up the weather or ask about the person’s drink—then proceed from there.

Join a free tour

You can find free walking tours in several cities worldwide, and the good news is that they’re usually free. It’s a lovely way to see the sights while learning interesting things about each landmark’s history. Don’t forget to give your guide a good tip!

Get active on social media

Join travel groups on Facebook and ask around for travel tips, interesting restaurants, and other fun activities in your destination. Who knows, you might even get invited to fun events!

Volunteer

Volunteering hits two birds with one stone: You’ll get to meet new people while helping out the community. It also provides you with an in-depth view of the issues surrounding your destination and gives you a newfound appreciation of the life you’re lucky enough to live.

Just strike up a conversation!

Really, it all boils down to getting out of your comfort zone and chatting up the people around you. Stuck on a bus for a long trip? Strike up a conversation with the person beside you. Taking pictures around the city by your lonesome? Don’t hesitate to a stranger to take a picture so you’re in the frame, and return the favor. Just go ahead and chat!

With the right mindset, you’ll befriend a ton of people before your trip is over. Don’t forget to take lots of photos with your new pals and display them on your Nixplay Frame!

Invite your new friends to share their photos with you so you’ll always have memories of your adventure together. Take advantage of Nixplay’s International Friendship Day sale and get up to 25% off selected frames, only until August 4!