Category: Lifestyle Page 19 of 20

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

Why You Shouldn’t Scrimp On Home Décor

On October 16, 2018

When you move into a new home (or you renovate your existing one) you’re presented with a unique opportunity to design a space which is exactly suited to your tastes. However, decorating usually entails a lot of spending. Worse, it usually comes at the same time as a move or a renovation, two things which are not known for being easy on the wallet.

Nonetheless, we’re here to tell you that, while you should always strive to decorate your abode within your budget, there’s still no harm in splurging on particularly exquisite pieces every now and then. You shouldn’t scrimp on home décor, and here’s why!

Happiness

Above all else, your home should be your own space – a space which makes you happy. As a result, you should aim to buy things that truly make you feel comfortable and “at home.” The devil is in the details when it comes to home décor, and spending a few extra dollars on a piece you love instead of going for a cheaper option could spell the difference between feeling content and feeling like something’s missing.

For example, if you’re putting up posters in a room, you shouldn’t feel bad about spending a couple of dollars more to have them framed. This small move instantly elevates your home décor and makes your walls look classier. Worth the splurge, don’t you think?

Quality

You get what you pay for, and this applies to your décor too. If you’re looking for high-class furnishings which will stand the test of time and still be usable in a decade, then you’re going to have to spend some decent money. Of course, there’s a balance which you need to strike between price and quality. We’re not suggesting that you go from IKEA to an Eames Lounge and a Fabergé Egg, but you should feel free to invest in some nice objects which last for a long time without breaking or looking tired.

That “Wow” Factor

If you’re like most people, you’ll be “house proud” to some degree, looking to show off your digs to any visitors. Investing in decent home décor helps give your home a “wow” factor that can be so important in making you feel proud of your home.

One great way to do this is by investing in a digital photo frame. Rather than print a bunch of regular pictures and have them gathering dust on the mantelpiece, why not have a couple of Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames displaying photos of your loved ones? A home décor investment such as this makes for a great conversation piece, giving your home brilliant talking points and an undeniable “wow” factor which will impress friends and family alike. Get a Nixplay Frame now!

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 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Mental Health

By Mars Salazar

On October 10, 2018

In Lifestyle

There’s some stigma attached to mental health problems, but the fact remains that these are issues which a surprisingly large portion of the global population deal with. Fortunately, it’s a topic that is garnering more and more attention in recent years, and for good reason.

Although serious problems require professional help, these four easy ways to instantly improve your mental health should help brighten your spirits in times of woe. Read on.

1. Exercise

Exercise is a natural endorphin-releasing activity, and although you may not always feel like going to the gym or doing strenuous exercise, you’ll naturally feel much better after doing so. Generally speaking, the better your body’s health is, the better your mind’s health becomes. Exercise for at least 20 minutes a day and track your progress to make it a part of your daily routine.

2. Take pictures

If you’re looking for a hobby that is relatively easy to pick up, photography is always a great choice. Whether you’re taking snaps on your smartphone or capturing long-exposure shots with a high-end DSLR camera, producing and retouching photos is one of the most calming hobbies out there, especially if you’re in a beautiful natural environment. You could even display your images on your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frame to remind you of your favorite memories. Your Nixplay Frame can also serve as a portfolio of sorts, helping you gain pride in your accomplishments.

3. Don’t be shy to ask for help

Whether you need serious help or you just need to get some problems off your chest, suffering in silence is sure to lead down a slippery slope if you’re not careful. When you feel like you’re not coping well with life, it’s best to talk to someone who can help you. It doesn’t have to be a psychologist–a close friend or family member whom you can confide in can still do wonders for your mental health.

4. Make time for yourself

We all need a little time to ourselves, no matter how much we love the people whom we surround ourselves with. Whether its 30 minutes in a nice bath or a couple of hours on Netflix, it’s important to unwind by yourself from time to time. This simple act of self-care goes a long way in keeping your mental health and stability in check.

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.

nixplay blog-autumn-bavaria-main image-fall colors-fall foliage

The Best Places To See Fall Foliage

By Mars Salazar

On October 8, 2018

In Lifestyle

When you think of fall or autumn, the Northeastern corner of the United States might come to mind, with people from all over the world flocking to New England to witness the changing colors of the leaves in the picturesque countryside. However, plenty of places around the world experience equally beautiful and photo-ready autumns, all of which make for dazzling images you can showcase on your Nixplay Frame.

Here are four of our top picks for the best spots around the world to photograph fall foliage!

1. Kyoto, Japan

Is there anything more beautiful than the striking red color of the Japanese trees in autumn? Kyoto’s famous temples become surrounded by deep red momiji (maple leaves) in autumn, making for a lovely sight. The fall foliage here is best seen in late November when the leaves are at their brightest and most beautiful.

2. Vermont, USA

The fall foliage in Vermont is the stuff of legends, with the mixture of yellows, oranges, and reds providing the perfect inspiration for your pictures. The foliage lasts all the way up until winter, and the ensuing snowfall makes the scenic region even more irresistible.

3. Bavaria, Germany

Famed for its castles and beer, Bavaria has been the home to real-life fairytales for centuries. Visit around September or October if you want to marvel at the region’s impressive fall foliage before it gets too cold, and don’t forget to indulge in some hearty German food while you’re there!

4. Husafell, Iceland

Husafell is a unique destination in the fall. Here you can visit Hraunfossar, the waterfalls of the Hvita river, which are surrounded by beautiful yellowish shrubbery that contrasts with the barren landscape of Iceland. If you go from September onwards, you may even be lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis, AKA the northern lights. If you’re looking for new photos to display in your Nixplay Frame, it doesn’t get much better than autumn foliage juxtaposed with this celestial display!

Wherever you end up deciding to see this season’s fall foliage, be sure to bring a camera with you to snap the breathtaking shots you’re sure to witness! Send your photos to your Nixplay Frame from wherever in the world you may be, and relive the best moments of your trip the moment you return home.

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.

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5 Items You Can Add to Your Digital Scrapbook

By Mars Salazar

On October 5, 2018

In Lifestyle

A digital scrapbook is a great way of immortalizing your favorite experiences, especially if you’re the sentimental type. However, you may be wondering what else you can add to your new digital scrapbook apart from standard photos. There are many things you can scan and add to your digital collection of memories, which is why we’ve provided you with these digital scrapbook tips to give you some inspiration!

1. Postcards

Although postcards are becoming less and less relevant in the digital age, they still stand as a nostalgic and quaint way to remember certain landmarks, places, or countries you’ve visited. What better way to remember your trip to Paris than a picture of the Eiffel Tower or an aged postcard of the Arc De Triomphe?

2. Stamps

Stamps, whether plain or one-off editions, could make a great addition to your digital scrapbook, sparking conversation with whoever should view them. Countries all around the world still release commemorative stamps to mark special occasions such as the Olympics or the anniversary of a historical date. You can also add to your digital scrapbook the stamps from the snail mail you’ve received.

3. Tickets

There’s no way we can list items you can add to a digital scrapbook without mentioning tickets! Tickets remind us of various trips and memories from our past, such as plane tickets, train tickets, concert tickets, cinema tickets, and theatre tickets. Including tickets of significant events in your digital scrapbook is a good way to spark your memory while viewing nostalgic objects from more carefree times.

4. Drawings

Even though your digital scrapbook isn’t a traditional paper one, it doesn’t mean that you can’t scan your drawings and include them, too. They could be drawings you’ve done yourself (whatever level of artistic talent you may have) or drawings that your children or loved ones have produced. Either way, they’re sure to add some life to your digital scrapbook!

5. Notes

Handwritten notes, especially ones which relate to significant events, are a unique and interesting reminder, as well as a brilliant talking point when you have guests round. Perhaps you found a handwritten note to buy a crib before your first child was born, for instance, keeping it as a memento in your digital scrapbook forever.

Now, digital scrapbooks wouldn’t serve their purpose if they’re just gathering digital dust on your hard drive. Display your digital scrapbook on a Nixplay Frame, place it in your living room or bedroom, and watch the memories flow!

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.

nixplay digital frame helping declutter homes

How a Digital Frame Can Help You Declutter

By Mars Salazar

On October 2, 2018

In Lifestyle

When you’re busy living your life and getting things done, it can be easy to let some things slide. As a result, you may find yourself living in a home filled with clutter, a sort of visual noise that distracts your mind and makes it more difficult to organize your life effectively.

Although an overly-messy home requires an extensive decluttering effort, there are some quick things you can do to minimize the unnecessary things in your home. A digital frame, for one, can certainly help to remove a cumbersome bunch of picture frames that may be only gathering dust in a corner of your once-cozy place.

Multiple photos in one digital frame

Photos are meant to be shared, displayed, and enjoyed. But if your shelves and mantelpiece are getting filled up with space-hogging picture frames, a Nixplay digital frame is a perfect solution that allows you to declutter your home and make more room for other items.

You see, a Nixplay frame allows you to view several images periodically, letting you see a different precious photo every time you walk by. Instead of having several family photos on display in normal frames, why not declutter by scanning all of your prints? You can then use the digital files to create a revolving slideshow which can be displayed in one single Nixplay frame.

A sophisticated aesthetic

Besides allowing you to declutter your home environment, digital frames also let you inject a sense of modernism and sophistication into your home. Nixplay frames come in different sizes and finishes, resulting in a classy and sleek look which complements your décor.

A digital frame also acts as a conversation piece when guests come over, as many people will be unfamiliar with this technology and will want to talk to you about it when they come over. Talk about an instant icebreaker!

It is said that people who suffer from anxiety and neuroticism can be greatly soothed by a simple home declutter, and a digital photo frame is a great way to reduce the number of objects which are cluttering up your home.

In addition to a big clean and a reorganization of your home, why not consider investing in a couple of digital frames to display your photos? You can display whatever pictures you want, and can simply change them if you should ever get tired of looking at them. The versatility and chicness of digital frames make them a must-have for anyone who wants to declutter their home in the most stylish way.

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.