Category: Reviews

1. How to live a balanced life

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 1st Aug 2020

   We are constantly on the go, always moving from one thing to another. Trying to keep up with work, family, social, health, hobbies and more. This can often feel overwhelming, chaotic and stressful like you are doing so many things, but none of them well. That is why it is important to find the right work-life balance for you and your family. 

   

   Balance is all about feeling centred, it is about feeling that your heart and mind are not being pulled too hard in either direction. It’s about feeling in control of your life, grounded, calm, clear-headed, and motivated. 

   Balance is important to implement into your life, it creates harmony, peace and satisfaction. It helps us to be motivated as well as more attentive, productive and successful in what we do.

   Take care of and nurture yourself.

   Your health plays a large role in the quality of our life and work. We are more motivated and far more productive and healthy when we eat well, get enough sleep and do physical activity. Burning the candle at both ends catches up with us in the end, resulting in burn out.

   Limit screen time and instead. work in an activity or a ritual each morning or evening that is just for you, may it be a cup of coffee in the morning before you start your day, 15 minutes of yoga before bed, a lunchtime work or an evening bath.

   The space you come to relax and rejuvenate is vital in helping you to live a balanced life. When it’s disorganised, chaotic and not feeling very homely it’s hard, to feel at ease. Make your home a sanctuary, a place to come home and unwind. With the bedroom being the heart of the home when it comes to relaxation, to make sure you have all things comfort, The Dozy Owl has got you covered.

   Know Your Prioritises

   Balance is about knowing when to say no, it does not mean doing everything on your to-do list in one day. Look at what is important, what is necessary and what can be put off to later. Set your boundaries and manage expectations.

   Writing a list of your goals is a great way to manage the balance in your life, you may be in the process of building a career, studying, starting a family or buying a house. Work out what stage of life you are at and try not to bite off more than you can chew. It is best to focus your energy on a few milestones at once, so that you do them well and can move onto the next.

   Be Organised

   Being organised and planning ahead is a great way to bring balance into your life. Whether it is daily, weekly or monthly, create a to-do list or a planner for upcoming appointments, exams, meetings, holidays and milestones. In doing this you’ll be able to see if you are allowing enough time for hobbies, family time, social life, work and relaxation.

   

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2. How can social media marketing help small businesses succeed?

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 27th Jul 2020

   I was having a conversation with some friends recently about social and media and one friend genuinely asked, "what is it that you actually do?". It is amazing to think that around the world, the use of social media is rising with over 4 billion users already being on some kind of social media platform but if you don't operate in that world, you don't understand the benefits it can bring to a business.

   

   Social media is now considered the most influential tool that businesses can use to promote their brand to potential customers. You are missing out on a ton of opportunities if you are not using social media for your brand. There are multiple reasons why social media marketing is considered necessary for small businesses. We will list some reasons why social media is the most reliable way to market and grow your small business. 

   1. It is incredibly cost-effective

   When it comes to small businesses, the biggest hurdle in their way is the lack of finance. Since most social media platforms don’t charge to create an account and start using it, it helps you cut out a little money on marketing. 

   All social media marketing needs is investing a lot of time and working hard to build a brand image. Even if you get the paid version, you won’t have to pay as much as some other marketing strategies. So social media marketing is an excellent way to promote your business with a strict budget. 

   2. A better way to interact with customers and build trust

   Social media is all about meeting and talking to new people and engaging with them. That is what makes it an awesome marketing tool as it enables you to get closer to clients. 

   You can talk to potential customers and tell them about all the services your business is offering. Your page will explain everything that they need to know about your business and make it easier for them to trust you. This trust is what will build relationships with customers that will last a long time. 

   3. Showcases your brand’s authority and dedication

   Customers have to understand that you are committed to what you are selling to get them interested. Social media marketing makes it easier for you to answer customer queries and understand their requirements. 

   Their feedback can help you improve your product or your business and get better. Contented customers will also help you promote your brand to others and give you more sales. You can have complete control over your promotion campaign and gain loyal customers as a result of it. 

   4. Enables you to get better SEO rankings

   If you have a blog or a website to promote your business, your social media account will play a major role in driving traffic to it. SEO ranking matters a lot because it generates leads much faster and more efficiently. 

   Social media marketing is another outlet where you can promote your website and understand what people think of it. You can also share snippets of your content on social media to get people interested in visiting your blog.

   5. Build awareness about your brand in the market

   Social media is the most amazing way to introduce your small business to the market. You can promote it to the potential clients in your local area and gain their attention. At the same time, it is a good way to let your competitors know about your brand.

   With more than one billion active users each month, there is no better platform to find potential clients. And the best thing is that you don’t even have to spend a ton of time doing it. A few weeks of building your social account and a reliable social media marketing strategy is all you need to succeed.

   Conclusion:-

   We understand how difficult it can be to improve sales as a small business. Social media marketing has been effective for many businesses around the world and there is no doubt it works just as nicely for a small scale business. We hope that this article helped you to understand the importance of social media marketing for small businesses. Don’t waste any more time and start using it for your own brand today itself! 

   

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3. A simple statement : Desenio review

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 9th Jun 2020

   A few years ago, we were contacted by Desenio - the frame and print people and were asked to take a look at their fantastic library of prints - needless to say we loved them and they still hang on the teenagers wall even now. Home is where your WiFi connects automatically is one of our previous word art prints and this has never been more relevant with us all working from home at the moment.

   In the current climate it seems a simple statement can make a loud noise.

   We have recently had the opportunity to get some more prints and frames from Desenio and I don't mind admitting that I spent almost an hour lost in their website. The range has expanded since we last worked with them and they have a very wide portfolio of prints and posters and even more frame options too.

   There are many ways to browse using the easily identifiable and suitably located starting headers of PRINTS/FRAMES/BESTSELLERS/NEW ARRIVALS and for a fantastic inspirational treat GALLERY WALLS.

   All of these headers offer a drop down sub menu either by hovering over them or selecting, each full of additional options to explore…all making for a very quick and simple user experience, a welcome layout structure considering the vast array of options on offer.

   

   Once we had selected our frame style and size (again very easy with all dimensions listed and easily identifiable) we chose our prints and checked out.

   When our package arrived it echoed the clean and simple brand identification of the website with a sturdy plain box with a DESENIO logo on the top. Inside was a very well packaged set of high quality frames sandwiched in between air bag wrap insulation and perfectly positioned to fill the ergonomics of the box – impressive we thought! Clearly some time and effort has been put into packaging the products so the customer is welcomed by a very nicely laid out set of products. Obviously we ordered quite a few frames but I’m sure if only 1 or 2 were ordered there would be a similar level of packaging finesse.

   The frames themselves are high quality and sturdy without being too heavy and come with double sided protective film on the Perspex, all individually wrapped with cardboard corners.

   At first glance we thought our prints had been forgotten however upon further exploration we found that in true Desenio fashion they had not been forgotten, in fact they had been placed underneath the frames in a lovely envelope with an obviously hand stuck sticker seal keeping it shut – again giving a feel of consideration and personal attention. Reluctantly ripping the sticker seal (weird how I never like doing that?) we discovered our prints delivered on high quality photographic paper with excellent print clarity – surprising considering the modest cost.

    

   Overall a fantastic user experience with great quality products and fast, free delivery when you spend over certain amount. We would encourage you to put aside plenty of time to explore all the prints on offer – you’ll need it!

    

   Disclosure : This is a collaborative post 

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4. The Best Games To Play To Keep Yourself Entertained If You’re Self-Isolating

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Mar 2020

   Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. Everybody’s lives have been affected in some way or other, with many of us now having to spend our days cooped up indoors. The cabin fever can be hard to fight off, but getting into a good game can definitely help you out with that battle. If you’re a keen gamer, (like my girls) you’re probably already rejoicing at the seemingly endless amounts of time you now have to play your favourite games. And if you’re not a keen gamer, that may well soon change. 

   

   Slots

   Online slot sites have become incredibly popular lately. There is no denying the fact that online slots are the most popular type of casino games. They have come a long way from the the first physical online slot machine, the one armed bandit which appeared in the 19th century. There is a wide variety of different games out there to play, it’s nice and simple, and you can potentially bag yourself some nice cash prizes too. If you find yourself with extra time on your hands during self-isolation, you should definitely try these slot sites out.

   Animal Crossing

   First released back in 2001, Animal Crossing has proven to be an ever-popular game with kids and adults alike. For those who aren’t familiar with Animal Crossing, it’s a life simulation game. Each game has you living in a new town, inhabited by cute human-like animals. You can visit other people’s towns, decorate and expand your house etc. Nintendo launched Animal Crossing: New Horizons earlier on this year, and people are already loving it.

   The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

   Released in September 2019, Links Awakening is the latest edition to The Legend Of Zelda franchise, and a remake of the original released back in 1993. Playing as Link, you awake in a unfamiliar place away from Hyrule, where there are talking animals and monsters roaming free. You must discover your whereabouts, exploring the island with all its traps and dangers.

   The new Link’s Awakening is an almost perfect example of a remake: it retains everything that made the original so memorable, while making it work for a modern audience.

   The Outer Worlds

   This action role-play game, released in October 2019, is another highly popular game of the year just past.  In the early stages of the game, players can build their own character and unlock a ship. This functions as the games’ central hub space, and provides a fast travel point to access different locations within the game. The player then ventures off on various missions, fighting off enemies and developing their technical skills. 

   Clash Of Clans

   Available to download on the app store, Clash Of Clans is definitely a great game to get into whilst your self-isolating. Mobile gamers love it for its engaging gameplay and competitive scene. In fact, around 3 million people play Clash Of Clans each an every month.

   You simply build yourself a base, protect it, train up your troops and attack others. As you procure more gold and resources, your base will grow bigger and bigger. It’s fairly simple, but incredibly addictive.

   The Game Of Life

   Unfortunately for a lot of people, broadband speeds are down due to Covid-19, meaning playing online games and video games might not be as easy as it usually is. However, there are loads of great board games out there to enjoy still, including The Game Of Life. This is a great game for the entire family to get involved with. It’s a two to six players game, centered around money. The wealth your token car collects as it travels around the board represents your score, with the aim of the game being to finish the game as the wealthiest player on the board. This game has been a family favourite since the 90s, and well worth ordering if you haven’t already got it tucked away in your cupboard somewhere.

   Ludo

   Another great board game to enjoy if your broadband speeds are down is Ludo. This game has been a true board game classic for decades, with its super simple rules and fast-spaced action.

   Ludo was actually first invented back in India in the 6th century, known then as Pachisi. By the late 19th century, variations of the game made it to England, one appearing in 1896 and taking on the new name that we all now know it by.

   With many of us now having to spend a lot of time indoors, there is no better time to try out a new game, whether that be online slots, a new video game or even getting back into playing a classic family board game. Times are tough for everyone right now, so let games distract you from the all the craziness in the world for at least a little while longer.

   This is a collaborative post.

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