Blog

Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Set Up Your Own Business

Stuck in a mind-numbing career, recently redundant or ready to work after study or childbirth? You might be leery of the job market but worried that setting up a business is beyond you. Perhaps you don’t think you’ll be able to raise enough capital. But did you know that most things you need to run a business are now available in monthly installments on the internet? Accountants, project management, web hosting, even entire call centres (thanks to web hosted telephony and dialler systems that can be run remotely) – so you might not need as much cash up front as you think. And there’s always Kickstarter…

Anyway, if you’re stuck on the fence, see if our reasons can’t give you a little shove…

1. It’s better than being unemployed. Many people are facing – or have already endured – redundancy over the past few years of economic uncertainty. And they weren’t the first ones. Going to the Jobcentre, relying on state (or, indeed, anyone else’s) handouts for your income (which equals safety, food and well-being, when it boils down to it) is depressing. Money for nothing sounds all very well but you don’t get much of it, and not actually earning it is not great for self-esteem.

2. It gives you a more personal sense of security. This may seem counterintuitive, since you’ll be fending for yourself. But you’ll be relying on you. Not the whims of shareholders or the narrow confines of an employer’s market. If work dries up in one area, you can go and find a new motherlode somewhere else. You will have to save up an emergency fund that can tide you over if times get tough, but otherwise you’ll be free to develop yourself and your business in whatever direction feels most rewarding – financially and personally.

3. You get to make the decisions – creatively & financially. Sure, you might make the WRONG decisions sometimes, but that is pretty much a core mechanic to actually learning anything, ever. Wrong decisions teach you how to rebound, adapt, and try again. But imagine working for someone else who frequently makes bad decisions and you have barely any control over that – over the decisions themselves, or how they’re dealt with afterwards. That’s pretty frustrating. Running your own business puts you in control.

4. You learn a lot. There’ll be all that research you do to make sure you know what you’re doing, and the people you speak to will all have something to teach you, if you’re observant. And those decisions – the ones that don’t work out and the ones that give you satisfying glow – will all stack up in your “experience and insights” hopper for retrieval next time you’re weighing something up.

5. Bragging rights – or more importantly, self-confidence. When you take all those lessons you’ve learnt, make some good decisions and things go well, you’ll receive several valuable assets: a strong indicator of what you should do more of, in order to keep succeeding; a blend of security and gratitude for proving to yourself that you’ve got your own back; and far better Facebook updates than “look what I had for lunch again”.

6. You may get to create jobs for people. If you can expand enough to become an employer, you can provide work and income for someone else. This feels really, really good.

7. It’s liberating. Becoming self-employed makes the world look like one big opportunity – to meet people, have new ideas and explore emerging trends. Reading newspapers, looking out of train windows – they all become opportunities for Having Creative Thoughts, which is a nice sensation and may lead to the next stage of your career.

Good luck!

December 21, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Men Really Send Flowers

The time old tradition of sending flowers may be associated with well wishing, congratulations or the proclamation of love, however when men choose to furnish their loved one/ones with a fragrant bouquet of botanicals is rarely as plain as it seems. Forever masquerading as the simple, straight forward, uncomplicated strain of the human species, there lies a risk assessment, point scoring undercurrent to every decision a man makes, which would shock women. Well, maybe only some women. Actually, hardly any women, as most women are usually a few steps ahead in the second guessing game. For all those ladies who are still living in blissful ignorance of manipulating males, here are some illusion shattering things to look out for:

1. Persuasion. There is no such thing as a free bunch. One of the more obvious reasons, I grant you, but worth a mention anyway. Love hungry men trying to lure a mate or those who are trying to reignite passion need to flag their intentions. To send flowers may look like an innocent declaration of gentle feelings, but beware, strings will be attached.

2. Showing off. Although men have evolved from knuckle dragging primitives of yester year into modern day knuckle dragging primitives, they have failed to develop any colourful plumage. In lieu of shakeable eye-catching tail feathers or a flamboyant extendable quiff these simple-minded beasts resort to flowers, attempting to bedazzle their prey.

3. Distraction. How could a man considerate enough to send you flowers consider sending anyone but you flowers to? However, could those beautiful, fragrant roses have been sent to throw you off the scent? Always read the label. If they are simply addressed to ‘My Darling’, ‘Sweetheart’ or ‘Love Puff’, further questioning may be required.

4. Get Out Clause. So, you receive an arm full of Gladioli from your beloved, so glorious that it would make Morrissey weep with jealousy were he to unexpectedly clap eyes on it. Nevertheless, before you start swinging them round your head whilst singing ‘This Charming Man’, think. Has he, or is he planning on letting you down any time soon? Only time will tell.

5. Lazy. There’s not much to it really. Sending flowers cancels out having to waste any time or thought about what to get someone. Flowers can be ordered to and from anywhere in the world in less time that it takes to eat a doughnut. The old adage ‘It’s the thought that counts’ is true, but it is also the ‘effort’ and ‘imagination’ that counts, and will be counted.

6. Guilt. ‘Sorry’ does seem to be the hardest word and one that men feel they don’t have to bother actually saying if they have sent flowers. Avoiding the real issues and trying to curry favour with someone whom they may have wronged occasionally works. However, unless men man up and say exactly what they are sorry about, the flowers in question may count against them.

7. Love. Ok, ok. I’ll admit it. The majority of men who send flowers to their loved ones do so purely to make them happy. Crazy, I know, but in this cynical world we live in it is easy to forget that doing something to make someone feel all warm and fuzzy can in turn make the doer feel all warm and fuzzy too. So, why not start to make everything much warmer, fuzzier and if you suffer from hay fever, sneezier by buying someone they love some flowers.

December 1, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons You’ll Put Weight On This Winter

As we head into winter, you’re probably dreading the added expense of Christmas and New Year. Our wallets are already stretched to breaking point, with families up and down the land having to make cut-backs here, there and everywhere, so the last thing we need is another visit from Rudolph and co.

That said, although you may be worrying about whether Santa will survive on the less-than-luxury mince pies you leave him at the foot of your chimney, you should probably be worrying about your waistline too. Why? Because winter is when many of us let ourselves go.

So, if you don’t want to enter 2013 looking like you do on the back of a dessert spoon, watch what you eat. Otherwise you might find yourself adhering to all seven of these reasons why you’ll put on more weight.

1. Cold weather. As winter is the coldest season of the year it’s pretty much a given that people are less active. Gone are the early morning walks with the dog, the sunset jogs around the block and the weekend cycles in the countryside. In comes the staying indoors, the radiators turned up and rubbish on the TV. Out goes the range cookers and the hearty filling food, in comes the takeaways and the microwave meals….

2. Wet weather. The winter brings with it wet weather too. If it’s wet you’re less likely to want to walk, cycle or snake-board to work, turning to your car instead. Understandably too. Why turn up to work like a drowned rat, when you can get there in the warm and relative comfort of your own pride and joy? The thing is, though, while it may be convenient, not only will your travel expenses rise, so will the size of your trousers.

3. Less light. With the clocks going back the nights get longer. You end up going to work in the dark, and coming home in the dark. As such, many of us start to ‘hibernate’, with our body clocks thinking it’s time to shut down for the evening. “Shall I go to the gym?” you ask yourself. “Nahhhh. I’ll go home to the warm, thanks.” Less daylight and longer nights reduce your desire to keep active, leading to a night in front of the tellybox, rather than the exercise mat. Unless you’re watching Aerobics Oz Style on Sky Sports 2 of course.

4. Winter blues. Talk to any sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and they will tell you the same thing, as soon as the clocks go back their mood suffers horribly. They rue the loss of summer and dread the cold winter months. They get depressed, they get down and they miss the sun. They crave sweet and carb-heavy foods to keep up their energy and spirits. If that sounds familiar, watch the scales go up.

5. Seasonal food. Christmas is coming earlier and earlier nowadays. In fact, it was August this year when we first started noticing festive fare on the shelves. Mince pies, Christmas puddings, Twiglets, nuts, selection boxes, advent calendas… you could actually buy them IN AUGUST this year. Surely a new record? If you’re tempted by these offers (£5 for a tub of Celebrations for example), then just think to yourself, “I’m going to get fat!” That should stop you. Unless you say it with pride and conviction, in which case no one can help you.

6. Seasonal drink. Now this one is a sore point for many of us. Supermarkets up and down the land know that us Brits love a drink. We do. We can’t get by without the odd glass of wine now and again. But with Christmas coming, it’s fair game. “A bottle of Baileys for £12, when the normal RRP is £20? I’m there!” But so are those pesky little calories. If you don’t want to slam on the festive flab, then try and avoid these festive drink offers. Or use a straw. You’ll probably feel better that way.

7. Office treats. No matter how hard you try to stay cheery in the winter months, whether that’s keeping up your exercise routine, going for walks or constructing a stationary tower out of paper clips, you can bet your bottom dollar/pound that your workmates won’t be as committed as you. As a result, before you know it, the office will be inundated with sugary treats to help celebrate…erm… nothing in particular. So, if you don’t want to see your scales creak under the weight of all that office joviality, the trick is to learn to say no. Good luck.

October 30, 2012
7 Reasons Changi Airport Is An Asian Experience To Remember

The Great Wall of China. Angkor Wat. Huangguoshu Waterfall. Tubbataha Reef. Mount Kinabalu. All incredible sights in Asia, and all places any right-minded traveller would be keen to tick off their ‘must-visit’ list. Yet to me, each and every single one pales into relative insignificance when up against my most memorable Asian experience. An eight-hour wait at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

I know what you’re thinking. “Seriously? You prefer a commercialised, busy commuter hub to to the incredible, untouched architecture of Cambodia?” That’s what you’re thinking. Words to that effect anyway. In answer to your question, yes. I am being serious. And here’s why:

1. Art. The last thing you want to experience at an airport, particularly if you’re British like I, is that it’s raining inside the terminal. Especially when got on the plane full of optimism and no umbrella. That’s exactly what’s a happening at Changi Airport though. Only, unlike the British rain that gets you wet, this rain is dry and awe-inspiring. ‘Kinetic Rain’, as this relatively new art-installation is called, sees over 1,200 bronze droplets float in harmony throughout Terminal One. You can head to any one of Asia’s many galleries and museums, but you won’t find anything this incredible, engaging and intoxicating. I promise you.

2. Piano Man. Usually when I delight an airport with my presence, I have an earphone protruding from at least one ear. This isn’t so I can deter the type of traveller who thinks I’d be a great person to small talk with for two hours – though it helps – it’s because I find counting down to my flight time is much easier when number of songs is used as opposed to minutes. So there I was, strolling around Changi Airport when I came across a man and his piano. Bemoaning the fact that some passengers seem to be able to carry more hand-luggage than others, I took a seat and watched as he sat down and began to tinkle his ivories. For the next forty minutes I was treated to an eclectic mix of music ranging from Norah Jones to Billy Joel and, rather bizarrely, mid-nineties one-hit wonder band Hanson. I’m not going to sit here and tell you he was the greatest pianist I have ever seen. He wasn’t. In fact, he was bordering on abysmal. What I loved though, was that for those few minutes, people from all over the world joined together and appreciated the effort one man was going to to entertain bored, frustrated and tired workers. As you’ll have guessed, he wasn’t a professional pianist either. He was a cleaner at the airport.

3. The Birds & The Bees & The Butterflies. There isn’t just one garden at Changi Airport. There are five. Five! Including the world’s first airport butterfly garden. Not only does is it an amazing feat of ingenuity, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relaxed. Heathrow should really take inspiration and stick a few allotments in Terminal Five.

4. Just Passing. One of the most frustrating things for me is that I often land in amazing cities en-route to my final destination, but can’t get out of the airport to spend a few hours under the bright lights. Logistics obviously have a significant part to play in this, and I am not saying it is totally unreasonable for the authorities to expect me to remain within the confounds of whichever terminal I’ve been deposited in, it’s just when I can get out it lets me appreciate that city and country so much more. I might even buy a postcard. I am pleased to say it’s something Changi Airport seem to get. Which is why, if you, as I did, have over five hours to wait for your connecting flight, you can go on a guided tour of Singapore. For free. Which is enough time for the guide to show you The Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Little India and catch those who try and do a runner.

5. The Slide. Yes, that’s right. Slap bang in the middle of Terminal 3 at Changi Airport is a slide. And when I say a slide, I am not just talking about some children’s slide in a playground – though I suspect there is one – this was (and presumably still is) a 40-foot long, four-storey high slide built purely for men. Real men. And real women too for that matter. Though I have to say it did seem to be universally popular with the male species while our female counterparts looked on in utter bemusement. Still, we didn’t seem to care. We were just interested in who would dare to go down backwards first. It wasn’t me. Which I regret to this day.

6. Snooze Chairs. They do exactly what you expect them to. And after a few hours spent on the slide, listening to singing cleaners, examining exotic butterflies and taking photos of the city, you’ll be so glad they do. And they aren’t just pimped up armchairs by the way. These are proper leathered goods with head and leg rests and in-built massagers. Unfortunately, the previous occupant had obviously worn out the batteries in my chair, but I needn’t have worried. No sooner had I started to relax, than a young lady was trying to persuade me to have a fish pedicure. I declined, but it was nice that she cared.

7. Asian Humour. Despite Changi Airport living up to their promise that ‘The Feeling is First Class’, my abiding memory of Changi Airport comes from my first trip through there in 2006. And the feeling, at the time at least, was that I had been well and truly ripped-off. Happily walking along one of the airport’s expansive walkways, minding my own business, I was suddenly accosted by half-a-dozen Singaporeans in promotional t-shirts. If I go into the details we’ll be here all day, but to cut a long story short, I may have accidentally uttered the word ‘Yes’ at some point ensuring that thirty-minutes later I was wearing male lipstick. I may also have been momentarily famous in Singapore, but needless to say I haven’t spent too much time investigating.

So there we have it. 7 Reasons why Changi Airport is the place to go. I guess, though, if we’re to evaluate this further, Changi Airport is really just a visual interpretation of a bigger picture. And that bigger picture is that there’s greatness, reward and male lipstick wherever you look. You’ve just got to have the inclination and desire to get up and start seeking it out. And if a tour of Asian airports isn’t quite your thing, a multi-country holiday arranged by Selective Asia probably will be.

October 29, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why Working From Home Is Good

Truth be told many of us hate the demoralising Monday morning alarm and rush to the office only to be greeted by a desk of paperwork and your evil boss. The 9-5 grind can get the better of even the most workaholic individual, so why not bite the bullet, clear up your office desk and work from home? Here are seven reasons why running a home-based business can be the best decision you will ever make.

If Delia Smith can make a mint working from home, why can’t you?

1. Dress code. T-shirt, pyjamas or even your birthday suit, working from home can let you dress as you like without comments from HR and management regarding corporate dress code policy. This has many benefits, but few are better than the satisfaction of rolling out of bed in your Superman PJs straight into the office. Ultimate efficiency. No time wasted.

2. Your office is your castle. Working from home enables you the privilege of designing your very own office sanctuary. Comfortable and productive, the days of sitting on uncomfortable office furniture, at bland generic desks, will soon become a thing of the past. Just imagine the possibilities of creating a completely unique work station with a range of beautiful furniture and accessories.

3. Stationary won’t grow legs. There is nothing more annoying than every piece of office stationary you buy disappearing. Communal offices provide a perfect environment for stationary evolution; where, in a matter of minutes, single cell biros can develop the ability of movement and walk off without warning. With the correct furniture and storage space in your home you will be able to keep all of your stationary essentials safe. And threaten any want-away with the staple gun.

4. Home Cooking. Nothing beats a hearty home-cooked meal. Working from home will enable you to eat what you want, when you want. No more boring, bland packed lunches or overpriced vending machines. If you are lucky you could even have your partner or parent cook the food for you, letting you fight the hunger pains without sacrificing levels of productivity/looking on YouTube.

5. Flexible Hours. Getting up early on those cold winter mornings isn’t for everyone. Well, when working from home there would be no need to chuck the alarm clock at the wall anymore. You will have the freedom of a butterfly in a country meadow. However, it still requires a bit of discipline as you will still have to work in line with your client’s expectations. Breakfast meetings they might be happy with, bed and breakfast meetings… not so much.

6. Daytime TV. Working from home will introduce you to the wonderful world of daytime TV. Why not work away listening to the tranquil background noise courtesy of your country’s finest individuals on the Jeremy Kyle Show? If nothing else, it’ll make sure you work you backside off so you don’t end up on the programme too.

7. Save money & save the environment. Nothing raises blood pressure more than rush hour traffic. No longer will you have to contend with grid-locked roads, full of workers desperate to get home at the end of the day. This, in turn, will help you save money, which would normally be spent on fuel and also save the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. In other words you can add the title ‘Eco-Warrior’ to your ever-expanding CV. Take that BP!*

*Other oil companies are available.

Author Bio: Chris is a recent University Marketing graduate and keen sportsman (armchair sports fan). He is currently writing on behalf of thefurnituremarket.co.uk.

October 28, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Join A University Sports Team
Joining a university sports team isn’t all about how good you are at, for example, football. It is also about frequently partying, team banter, being the donkey of the day, drinking, drinking, laughing when some steals your pants and more drinking.

If you want to attain a respectable degree, you may think it’s a good idea to avoid such shenanigans. You may be right, but here are 7 reasons why joining a University sports team is the best idea since sliced bread and of course the see-through toaster.

1. Making friends for life. Leaving home for University is a daunting prospect. For probably the first time in your life you’ll be away from your parents and friends for a prolonged period of time. The thought of that kinda sucks. So one of the best ways to get involved straight away is to visit the fresher’s fair and sign up to a sports society. The induction will normally involve downing dirty pints whilst standing on a chair singing the national anthem (speaking from experience), however it’s a small price to pay as making yourself look like an idiot is a great way to break the ice and form bonds that never crack.

2. Legendary status. Going on a team night out and abiding by all the tasks the seniors set you, will provide you with a Van Wilder-like status. Also, if you are actually good at the sport of choice and put in a few “god-like” performances on the field and in the sports hall, that’ll do nothing but enhance your burgeoning reputation.

3. Partying. After a hard day of study and lectures at University the best way to unwind is to socialise. Being part of a University sport’s team provides you with the opportunity (sometimes more than you would like) to let your hair down and have a laugh. University is all about getting the work/life balance correct. Too much work and you can quickly turn into a nocturnal creature dependent on Lucozade and coffee. Alternatively too much partying can lead you to become less focused on your study and result in a zombie like existence. So do your work, then enjoy life.

4. Going on tour. Being part of a sport’s team or society will more than likely present the opportunity to go on tour and visit foreign countries. Festivals such as Saloufest, Festival Italia and Damfest all provide opportunities to play sport against other students from different Universities. One great way to personalise the trip and add to the banter is to design and order team t-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies bearing the University logo and nicknames/slogans, click here for more information. Here are a few good slogan ideas…
- I’m not shy – I’m just examining my prey
- I can fix anything – Where’s the duct tape.
- I’m in shape – Round is a Shape
5. Forfeits. Being the victim of forfeits isn’t great, especially if it’s your fourth time that night. However, designing them and watching them in action rectifies that pain/pleasure balance. Watching someone remove their attire and ride a traffic cone as if it was a pony, may not sound like everyone’s idea of a great night out, but when you’re at University you’ll be amazed at how good such things are for morale. The memories will last a lifetime.*

6. Stops you getting fat. After a week of being a student, your diet will most likely sound something like this… Pot Noodle, Chocolate, Crisps, Alcohol, Kebab, Pizza, Alcohol… you get the drift. Therefore it is important to burn some of the excess calories off with exercise. Exercise at University will help keep the pounds at bay and prevent you from becoming a Jabba the Hutt impersonator. Though obviously if you’ve also joined the Star Wars Appreciation Society, something will have to give.

7. Reduces Stress. Although, to many, University students give the impression that they are laid back, party-crazy, tax-dodgers, the truth be told, attaining a degree can be very stressful. Stress can be caused by money (the lack of it), assignment deadlines (the one tomorrow morning) and exams (the one tomorrow afternoon). Taking time out to forget about all of this is imperative for your sanity and overall happiness. Exercise stimulates the brain to release feel good endorphins, leaving you happy all day long. You also won’t fee as bad about eating Onion Rings every night.

*We do not condone borrowing traffic cones. It’s one of the main reasons roadworks are never completed on time.

Author Bio: Chris is a recent University Marketing graduate and keen sportsman (armchair sports fan). He is currently writing on behalf of expressgarmentprinting.co.uk.
October 27, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Wouldn’t Want To Be James Bond

James Bond is a hero; an archetypal action icon. He’s got the licence to kill. He’s got the cool gadgets. He gets the girl. He saves the day. Every man would want to be Bond, right? Well, no actually. There are plenty of reasons why being 007 wouldn’t rock. Here are seven reasons why it would suck to be MI6’s infamous secret agent…

1. Your Personality. Despite 23 cinematic outings, you’re still a curiously undeveloped character. You possess the superficial charm of a cunning cad, but deep down there’s little rattling around except arrogance and bitter grudges. You have serious communication issues, and are only able to express yourself through cynicism, brute force and a penchant for one-liners. While that’s undeniably entertaining for two hours, you’d actually enjoy life more as a Bond villain. In fact, there are seven reasons why that would be better.

2. No Friends. You don’t have friends; you have assets – sprawling networks of intelligence gatherers, double agents and fellow spies. But you can’t even hang out with them like a normal person because, most of the time, you end up killing them. Could you make some genuine BBFs? Not likely. Friends don’t tolerate it when you visit Fort Knox without bringing back a souvenir, or cancel dinner plans at the last minute to go on a murderous rampage at an embassy in Madagascar. Or star in a film as bad as Quantum of Solace.

3. Social Media. You already tell everyone your real name. This makes you vulnerable. But now you have to worry about your latest conquest Instagramming your awesome new toy, or tweeting about your top secret location. And what about when you want to check in to your luxury hotel on Facebook, or oust Le Chiffre as the Mayor of Casino Royale on foursquare? All your enemies will know where you are. Which is a problem. Your only hope of anonymity is to use a network no one else does. You’ll need to join Google+.

4. Insurance Costs. It might look fun to smash up millions of pounds worth of high-tech kit, but when you write off a souped-up supercar constantly it gets expensive. Constructing vehicles with built-in rockets and ejector seats means you need very special modified car insurance. And as a reckless playboy your quotes will be eye-watering. Your excess will be excessive. Rumours are already circulating that the follow-up to Skyfall will be Skyhigh – a sequel in which Bond battles rising insurance premiums, with a sub-plot about protecting his No Claims Bonus. It’ll be box office gold.

5. Bond Girls. You’ve spent decades as both a literal and figurative lady killer. But after 50 years of shallow and meaningless romantic liaisons, you’ve got a problem: you’re running out of women. It might seem like a supermodel falls into your bed every time you stop by Monte Carlo, but those days are numbered; your prolific promiscuity is leaving the world bereft of fresh conquests. And not only are they growing scarce, but attractive female characters are also getting harder to seduce now that scriptwriters have decided to give them personalities and feelings and stuff.

6. Transferable Skills. You haven’t aged since 1962, but one day you’ll have to quit 007-ing and hang up your Walthar PPK. Being a jet-setting spy gets old after a while, and eventually the familiarity of normal life will seem more appealing than driving invisible cars. But finding a job will be tough. You’re essentially only good at three things: espionage, seduction and violence. And you don’t officially exist, so you have no CV. Oh, and you’re a sociopath. These factors make it difficult to find a job outside being James Bond. A career as a male escort looks promising, but who wants a psychopathic gigolo? Your future employment prospects look bleak.

7. Death Proof. Sorry to spoiler, but you don’t die in Skyfall. And you won’t die in your next outing as 007 either. Or the next one, probably. Daniel Craig has signed on for two more Bond adventures, meaning you are effectively immortal. Knowing you aren’t going to die is boring. It takes edge off the action. Shooting bad guys is less exciting when you know they can’t kill you back. Not convinced? Immunity to peril might sound cool, but if they let Madonna do another theme song then being impervious to death won’t seem so amazing.

Author Bio: Andrew Tipp is a film geek and pop culture noodler. He is a man of science, and of reason. He is also a man of action. And he likes coffee. And bacon. He has previously written for backpacking website gapyear.com and youth media magazine IP1.

October 20, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Visit The West Country

1. Ease. Jump in the car for the short journey to the South West, no airport queues or flight delays to contend with, holidaying in the UK has much appeal. Throw your luggage in the boot and escape your busy home-life for a much needed pick-me-up! Some areas of the West Country can be easily reached within a couple of hours, making a short break in the area incredibly appealing.

2. Weather. Enjoy everything that this beautiful part of the world has to offer – honestly, the South West really is a pretty difficult place to beat. Granted you can’t guarantee good weather, whatever the season, but the ever changing scenery makes it one of the most picturesque parts of the country to visit.

3. Comfort. A holiday home needs to be somewhere to relax and unwind – we aim to make all our properties more comfortable than your own home! Bag yourself a cosy cottage where you can light the fire and relax and unwind with a bottle of wine and a good book! If the weather permits, brave the great outdoors, with many of our properties offering impressive outside spaces for you to enjoy.

4. Walks. There’s nothing like a good hearty stomp across the fields and a healthy dose of country air to recharge the batteries. Leave behind the hustle and bustle for a world of winding country lanes, fields, woodlands, stepping-stone streams and wild, open moors. For those with the need to be near the coast, there are 630 miles of coastal path around the South West, so lace up your boots and prepare to see some jaw-dropping scenery!

5. Beaches. There are an abundance of stunning beaches in the West Country, great for sunbathing, fishing, walking, a whole variety of family fun beach activities or a spot of al fresco dining! For the more adventurous, winkle out ancient caves, mysterious ‘fogous’ and smugglers’ hideouts. Rough, ready and open to the elements, or buried deep in the belly of the land, some are more under cover than others. Choose where you want to explore according to the weather and how adventurous you want to be.

6. Art. For centuries, poets, painters, potters and performers have flocked here to diffuse their creative block. Finding inspiration in the sea, the soil, the sun and the wind. The ancient landscape of the South West , and the special quality of light, especially in St Ives, have inspired artists for hundreds of years. From the traditional to the contemporary you’re sure to find something that will appeal to you.

7. Food. We are lucky to have a wealth of fresh local produce available to us in the South West. Farm shops aplenty, you are sure to experience some tasty treats whilst you stay in the area. Whether you’re seeking the good old Devonshire cream tea, a steaming hot Cornish pasty, a flavoursome Somerset cheese platter or some fresh fish off the boat at one of the harbours in Dorset, you’re sure to find something to tantalise those taste-buds! You may prefer to indulge in some freshly prepared food at one of the many superb eateries in the area, there are so many to chose from you may need a return visit or two, to fully appreciate all we have to offer!

October 19, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Move Overseas

Ever considered moving to a new country? Perhaps you are restless at home, maybe you just need a fresh start, perhaps there are better career opportunities abroad. Whatever your thoughts, are 7 reasons to convince you.

1. It’s scary. So, so scary. And it’s not just the big stuff that is scary – family, friends, job, home; it’s the little things as well. Things like not knowing which radio station to listen to, or how to use the bus, or having to ask what obscure children’s programme everyone is talking to. But it’s great because it’s scary. As the great Eleanor Roosevelt said, “do one thing every day that scares you.” Make one of those scary things moving overseas, and that can definitely count for at least a week’s worth of scary things.

2. You make new friends from scratch. You know when you starting dating someone new and it’s great fun because you get to find out loads about a new person, like where they grew up, their favourite music, how they like their eggs? This is also true of making new friends. It can be tough, because as with potential boyfriend or girlfriend, sometimes they will turn out to be duds. But don’t let that put you off! The one is out there for you!

3. You get to see another culture from the inside. In a way that you can’t possibly access during a short visit, you will come to know a different culture from a fly-on-the-wall perspective. You watch their TV and find out which newspapers are right wing or left wing. You learn stereotypes and what their comedy is.

4. Realising you’re a local in a new area is brilliant. The moment you notice you’ve finally stopped using a smartphone app to get you around your new ‘hood is a great moment, because you’ve absorbed your new surroundings. Even better is being asked for directions by a native and being able to give them. And better than that? Bumping into people you know on the street.

5. Bragging rights on Facebook. Because what could be a better reason to move abroad than making others jealous over social media? “Just chilling at [insert cool location] with [insert cool new friend’s name] before heading to [insert cool band’s gig] and then [insert cool, location-specific activity]. Whatevz.”

6. Homesickness really sucks. This might not sound like a reason to move overseas particularly, but it is a cathartic experience to have a cry once in a while because a song came up on shuffle that reminds you of home. It makes you value friends and family that much more.

7. Coming home again is excellent. Returning like the prodigal son, you are showered in love, free drinks, attention and meals. Whether it’s just for Christmas or you’re home for good, seeing, touching and smelling home and all the people in it after a lengthy absence is truly brilliant.

Author Bio: Vivienne Egan moved to the UK from Australia a year and a half ago. She is a writer for International Healthcare Insurance company, Now Health, and regularly cries at Tim Minchin’s White Wine in the Sun.

October 18, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why You Should Shop Online

There was tension in the office when Clive accused Deborah of stealing his voucher code

1. Shopping naked. Let’s face it, we all love a bit of nudity, but unfortunately public displays of it tend to be frowned upon. As such, going down to the local shopping centre in the buff may result in you going home in a police car. However, in the comfort of your own home, you can shop naked, cross dress or even wear your underpants on your head.

2. Cashback. A shopper’s dream is to be paid to shop so who would have thought you would be given a discount simply for shopping; well this is the case with the internet. There are various sites that track purchases and return a percentage of the sale to your wallet. If you’re feeling generous you can even use this to donate through sites like easyfundraising.org.uk.

3. Shopping for a partner. The internet really has opened our eyes to what people will pay for. Nowadays, you can pay for almost anything online from the meaning of life to a 10-year old Virgin Mary grilled cheese (real ebay sales). In terms of more normal behaviour, people have also turned to the internet to solve their relationship problems and now through sites like Lovestruck.com you can even pay for the chance to find love.

4. Keeping your sanity. Once you do find that soul mate through an online dating service, it’s important to do as much as you can to avoid going shopping with them. Connected by an invisible wire, many men have lost their marbles whilst accompanying their partners on shopping trips, which is another reason for why you should shop online.

5. No walking. Movement is overrated. Going shopping in actual shops requires so much walking that there have been reported cases of legs literally turning to jelly. To avoid this unlikely scenario it’s best to play it safe and shop online.

6. No carrying. Keeping on the same topic of protecting your body, physical shopping often requires a lot of bag-carrying. For those looking to enter bodybuilding contests, this form of shopping is ideal but for the rest of us, the online method is more suitable. Shopping is supposed to be therapeutic and relaxing, if we all wanted to work out, we’d be better off going to the gym.

7. The internet is our master. You might not actually know this but the internet has slowly become our master and as such, we must obey it. If it asks us to browse on a daily basis, we must! If it asks us to post status updates every 5 seconds, we must! And if it asks us to shop online, who are we to disagree with the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving internet.

October 17, 2012