13 Washington-Area Food Trucks That Will Totally Come to Your Wedding

Late night treats have become commonplace among modern weddings, but a great way to localize them and add a “wow” factor for your guests is to bring in your snacks via DC’s kitchens on wheels. Some of these amazing Washingon-area food trucks can offer a little something extra to your celebration, while others can cater the whole shebang. No matter how big your party is we’ve got you covered with our full BBQ events.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

The only thing that comes close to going together as well as you and your fiance(e) is doughnuts and fried chicken, especially when it’s being served up by this mobile eatery. With fun flavors like maple bacon doughnuts and honey butter fried chicken, there’s a little something to please every palate. Price: $1,200 food minimum plus 20 percent truck fee for two hours. Additional $100 fee after 5 PM. If event is taking place outside of a 20-mile radius of their G Street restaurant space, additional fees apply.

BBQ Bus

What’s better than barbecue to add some Southern hospitality to your warm-weather wedding? Throw in some buttermilk cornmeal biscuits with the selection of brisket, pulled pork, pulled and spiced chicken, hot wings, and more, and we can’t think of any better way to make your guest feel right at home. Price: Find the catering menu online and email hungry@bbqbusdc.com for more information about booking the BBQ Bus.

The Big Cheese

There’s something about late nights and melted cheese that just go together. The Big Cheese will keep your dance floor fueled with spin-offs of the classic grilled cheese sandwich, including variations such as goat gouda and caramelized onions on multigrain bread or chipotle cheddar with guacamole and jalapeños on sourdough. Price: $100 per hour for truck rental, plus regular menu prices.

CapMac

Macaroni and cheese (or as we call it, the food of the gods) gets an upgrade with this street side serving: aged white cheddar, chicken meatballs, and fresh cream are just a few things you’ll find in your dish of deliciousness. Price: $1,000 minimum includes three menu items for guests to choose from, enough to serve 100 guests. Additionally, there is a truck rental fee of $75 per hour.

Captain Cookie & The Milk Man

Oh, sure, cake is delicious–but on a hot summer night, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as drippy, melty ice cream. End the night with a surprise delivery of Captain Cookie ice cream sandwiches that are made from scratch. Price: Varies based on location, time, and menu selections of event. Fill out the form on the website to receive a quote for your event.

Dangerously Delicious Pies

Pies may evoke the image of a holiday-season treat, but Dangerously Delicious Pies’ year-round confections are not limited to the sugar spectrum: they also serve up savory pies filled with recipes like ratatouille or beer brats along with cheesey quiches. Price: 15 pie minimum (pies are $35 for savory, $32 for quiches, $30 for sweet) with a $250 truck flat rate (additional $50 for ten to 15 miles out of DC, additional $100 for 16 to 20 miles out of DC). Event must take place within 20 miles of DC.

DC Slices

Pizza was probably your late-night go to in college, and it can be your after-hours snack for your wedding as well. The pies are baked right in the truck and topped with everything from buffalo chicken to tater tots. Price: $900 minimum, price for each pizza ranges between $6 to $24.

Feelin’ Crabby

Ideal for an Eastern Shore wedding, this truck will bring a taste of the sea with crabcakes, lobster claws, and more. This truck often partners with their sister truck, South Meets East, to include tacos alongside the seafood proteins. Price: Starts at $12 per person plus $200 truck fee.

Meggrolls

Proof that everything tastes amazing in a crunchy fried shell, this twist on the eggroll offers a jumbo-sized version packed with everything from a Big Mac-style burger to gyro meat to pulled pork. Price: $75 per hour truck rental fee plus $6 per Meggroll (each Meggroll is cut in half, so one roll can serve two). Interested in events like barbecue, just click here.

How to Become an SEO Freelancer in 48 Hours

The first real business I had online was working as an SEO freelancer. This was a few years ago, and obviously, in the last 5 years search engine optimization has changed a lot. There are many career opportunities in the field of search engine marketing, with SEO consultant Sydney being just a subset of that, and then there are many areas of specialization within SEO itself.

This post was originally published in 2011, but it’s been updated as of November 2016, because let’s face it, we all hate finding the perfect resource only to find out that it’s incredibly outdated.
How to Become an SEO Freelancer in 48 Hours

So is it really possible to become an SEO freelancer in 48 hours?

Well, yes and no.

Here’s the thing about SEO…

The only way to actually get good at it is to dig in and practice on your own sites.

You can read all of the books in the world, but until you try it out on your own sites and test yourself, you’ll never truly be able to have the confidence to be an SEO freelancer.

So the goal of this post is to give you all the resources you need to get started.

I suggest you take a weekend, review all of the resources and strategies mentioned, and get started.

If you take this seriously, within a few months you’ll be able to start seeing what works and what doesn’t and truly be able to start making a living doing freelance search engine optimization work.

So are you ready to jump into this, and start the process to becoming an SEO freelancer (or simply become more knowledgeable so you can apply the concepts to your own website)?
What is SEO?

For those of you who don’t know what SEO means, it stands for Search Engine Optimization.

SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank as highly as possible in search engines for keywords that are related to the content on your website.

Google is by far the most used and important search engine to focus on for SEO purposes.

One of the mistakes people make when they’re looking to start a business is they think they have to know everything there is to know about a subject.

This is false.

You just have to know more than the person paying you to do the work.

I’ll never know every single intricacy of search engine optimization (in fact, no one will), but I know enough to add a lot of value to businesses or individuals.

There are a lot of skills out there that you can become proficient in very quickly if you:

Spend the time to learn the techniques.
Have the resources necessary to get you there. This is the case with just about every single computer related job out there.

You don’t need special training or fancy degrees. You just have to be willing to learn, able put in the hours to learn the basics, and not be afraid to ask for help from time to time.

Note: I want to make this very clear up front. You can Google the answer to just about every SEO problem out there. Don’t forget this.
SEO Basics

So we’ve got 48 hours to get you to the point where you’ve got the skills necessary to do basic SEO related tasks on a freelance basis.

First things first, what exactly are we trying to accomplish and what are the components involved?

As mentioned earlier, the overarching goal is to rank your client’s (or your own) websites as highly as possible in Google for specific key terms.

Let’s look at everything that goes into a successful SEO campaign:

  • Keyword Research. This is the process of sorting out the good key terms the bad. You may rank first for “the best freaking blog in the whole entire world” but if no one is searching for that – it means nothing. At the same time, you don’t want to try and rank for the term “blog” because you’ll never succeed – there’s too much competition. In the keyword research phase of the process, you figure out which keywords have the best combination of attainability and sufficient traffic, allowing you to see positive results
  • Competitive Analysis. This is one of the most important components when you’re doing work for a company who has pretty strong competition. By looking at your competitor’s websites you’ll get ideas for key terms, understand the strengths and weaknesses of their site, and be able to capitalize on the things they aren’t doing so well.
  • On-Site Analysis. Essentially there are two major types of SEO: on site and off site. On site is everything that you can control on your site. This can include things like page titles, optimized sitemap, meta data, content, optimized photos etc. Off site is everything you can’t control. The primary aspect of this is incoming links from other sites. Links are the currency of the internet, and we’ll expand more on that topic later on. By reviewing and making changes to all of the things you do have control of on your own site, you’ll be making big progress towards favorable rankings, more traffic, and in turn, more revenue.
  • Link Building. Let’s break this down in the most simple blanket statement possible: more links = better rankings. The higher the quality of links (meaning links from large and relevant sites) you can obtain, the more likely you’re rankings will improve.

One thing to take note of, you don’t have to be an expert at all of these things. There are people who specialize in link building or keyword research. You won’t be able to make as much money from each client, simply because there is less work to be done, but becoming an expert in one of these fields could be a less daunting route to take in the beginning.

However, regardless of the route you take, you still need to understand the basics of each SEO discipline and how they all work together.

Here are four of the most important free resources that you should read in depth as it relates to SEO basics. Seriously, go grab a beer or a coffee or whatever will keep you awake, and read these posts. If you don’t have time now, make sure you bookmark this and come back to it later:

  • Moz Beginners Guide to SEO: This free course covers a lot of the theory behind SEO and will help you to understand the hows and whys of the field.
  • WebConfs SEO Tutorial: This one expands into some of the individual SEO disciplines a lot more than the Moz guide, and is one of the best overviews that I’ve gone through.
  • Search Engine Land’s Guide To SEO: This is a multi-part series from Search Engine Land’s Guide. It’s 9 detailed blog posts about different aspects of SEO – don’t miss this one.
  • SEO Book SEO Glossary: SEO Book is one the leading resources on the internet, and this is a really in depth glossary. It’s worth reviewing for key terms, and bookmarking for easy access later on.
  • Source Wave – Be prepared to be sold things around every corner on this site, but frankly, his free SEO content is really solid. So it’s worth spending some time reading it and watching some of his videos.

Always read more about the SEO beginners guide as your basis.

How To Become a Pilates Instructor

If there is one question I receive more than any other question it’s this:

‘How do I become a Pilates instructor?’

So today I’m going to lay out the process to becoming an instructor for those of you who may be interested. Pilates teacher training Sydney mission is to preserve and teach authentic poilates with current and future generations of Pilates Professionals.

Pilates is one of the top fitness trends in the world and has steadily grown in popularity over the past 50+ years. Due to its effectiveness and staying power, I wouldn’t call it a trend. Pilates is here to stay. Which is good news for those of us who have chosen this career path and those who are looking to dive in.

Becoming a Pilates instructor takes time, commitment and money. There is no doubt about that. I think many people make the mistake of lumping it together with general ‘group fitness.’ Group fitness instructors can be certified in one weekend, for a reputable Pilates certification that’s not the case.

6 Steps To Becoming A Pilates Instructor:

1. Take class

Immerse yourself in classes to learn the exercises, learn about your own body and observe other teachers. Take as many as you can and practice consistently. Take from a variety of teachers so that you can determine which style you are drawn to and what kind of path you want to follow. Ask lots of questions and inquire about your favorite teachers’ training and certification.

2. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I enjoy teaching? (you won’t be doing Pilates yourself, you will be teaching others)
Do I have an interest in body mechanics, anatomy and exercise science?
Do I enjoy speaking in front of large groups? (you will essentially be on stage!)
Am I self-motivated?
Am I okay trading job stability for job flexibility? (you will find your own healthcare, benefits, etc.)

These are just a few questions to consider. There are many more that I may dive into in a separate post.

3. Decide if you want a mat or comprehensive certification

A mat certification prepares you to teach group mat classes, which is what you will find in most gyms. A comprehensive certification prepares you to teach and train clients using the traditional Pilates equipment (reformer, chair, trap table/cadillac, etc.) in addition to mat. If you are hoping to teach ‘full-time’ or train private clients a comprehensive certification is the way to go. It is very, very hard to make a living on mat certification alone.

4. Research and select a Pilates certification program

There are a lot of good programs out there so I encourage you to ask your favorite teachers about their path and recommendations. You will want to determine if you are drawn to the classical or contemporary style of teaching.

A mat certification may cost $100 – $300. For a comprehensive Pilates certification you can expect to pay at least $3,000, quite possibly more.

A reputable certification program should include:

500+ hours of training, practice and student teaching (for comprehensive certification)
recognition from the Pilates Method Alliance
modules that take place over a period of months (not just a weekend or two)

A few that I highly recommend:

Body Arts and Science International (contemporary) – this is my training
Balanced Body University (contemporary) – I currently teaching in a BB studio and absolutely love it
Polestar Pilates (contemporary)
Physical Mind Institute (contemporary)
Peak Pilates (contemporary)
Power Pilates (classical)
Stott Pilates (contemporary)
Romana’s Pilates (classical)

There are many others but these are some of the most widely recognized programs that can be found across the country.

5. Complete your certification process

A mat certification can take a few months, while a comprehensive certification will take 12+ months. Most programs offer flexibility so that you can make it work with your schedule and goals. Your program will require tests and an opportunity to “test out” at the conclusion which will most likely include a written test plus a hands-on practical teaching assessment.

Ideally you’d also find someone to mentor you work through your certification and begin student teaching.

I went through my certification process while working full-time as a project coordinator in a commercial real estate firm. It was busy, but it can be done.

6. Secure liability insurance

Most studios will require that you have your own liability insurance. You can find these online through the PMA, Idea Fit, Lockton Affinity Insurance, or many other outlets.

At this point you are able to pursue teaching opportunities and begin working with clients!

7. PMA certification + continuing education

The Pilates Method Alliance is the governing body for the Pilates industry. Since this is an unregulated industry it’s not required that you acquire certification through the PMA but it is highly recommended. Once you’ve had an opportunity to dive into your teaching career and gain some hands-on experience, it’s a good time to start studying and preparing for the PMA exam. You can find out more here.

As time goes by you should also keep up with continuing education courses.

The truth is, you should never stop learning and growing as a Pilates instructor. When your certification program concludes, it’s really just the beginning of your education.

I am constantly seeking to learn more about the body, healthy movement, and Pilates on a daily basis. There is so much more to know!

I hope this post helps guide those of you who are looking to pursue a career in Pilates.

Do you have questions that I didn’t answer? Post them in the comments. 🙂

Pilates instructors – did I miss anything?

9 Pilates Moves That Burn Major Calories

Swimming

Lie on your stomach with your forehead down, your pubis anchored to the mat, and your inner thighs pressed tightly together. Your arms should be stretched forward with your palms down, and your feet should be pointed. Lift your arms, legs, chest, and head up on one count, and hold (A). Inhale and exhale normally as you alternate lifting right arm/left leg (B) and left arm/right leg (C) without touching them down to the mat. Count slowly from 1 to 10 as you swim, lifting higher and reaching longer with each progressive count. Sit back on your heels for a counter-stretch in your lower back, if needed. Find the popular beauty salon Northern Beaches which specializes on beauty parlors, treatments, spa, massage, tanning- and nail studios.

Crisscross

Lie on your back with your hands layered, palm over palm, behind your lifted head and with your knees bent tightly into your chest (A). Inhale slowly, and twist your torso to the left until your right elbow connects with your left knee, straightening your right leg forward and holding it a few inches above the mat (B). Exhale with control and twist right, connecting your left elbow to your right knee and extending your left leg. Continue alternating sides, completing six sets of twists.

Jogging Knees/Heel Ups

Keeping your elbows pinned to your sides and your abs pulled in and up, begin jogging and lifting your knees hip-height as you do (A). After about eight knee lifts, and without breaking stride, begin kicking your bottom with your heels (B), keeping your elbows pinned and your chest lifted. After eight bottom kicks, either move on to the next exercise or complete another set, this time reducing your lifts and kicks to six, then four, then two.

Leg Pull

Sit tall with straight legs extended, and squeeze them together tightly (your feet should be pointed). Place your hands, palms down, on the edges of the mat behind you, with your fingers pointed inward. Press into your hands, and elevate your hips (A) until your body is in a long diagonal line from head to heels. Inhale slowly as you lift your right leg up as high as it will go without shifting your body from side to side or dropping your bottom (B). Exhale with control as you return your foot to the mat, keeping your chest wide. Switch legs, and repeat. Try six times to lift your legs and hips higher and higher with each round.

Plank Jacks

Stand tall, facing the mat at one end. Inhale with control as you bring your arms up, lengthening your waist, and squeeze the backs of your upper inner thighs together tightly (A). Exhale slowly as you bring your head and arms forward, keeping them shoulder-width apart, and lower your hands to the mat by rolling through your spine (not folding at your hips); your abs should remain scooped. Place your palms on the mat with your head on your knees (bend your knees only as needed) (B). Walk your hands forward in 3 1/2 giant straight-armed steps until you are in a rigid plank position from head to heels, with your shoulders past your wrists. You should be balanced on the tips of your toes (C, D, and E). Jump your legs open and closed six times, reinforcing your stable, shoulder-past-wrist position with each jack (F). From your plank position, lift from your powerhouse muscles and fold your chest toward your thighs. Walk your hands back to your feet with straight arms, and roll up to standing. Repeat the sequence three times total.

Corkscrew

Lie flat on your back with long, sturdy arms by your sides. Squeeze your legs together tightly from the backs of the upper inner thighs. Inhale slowly as you lift your legs overhead, rolling back until you’re balanced in the middle of your shoulder blades and the backs of your arms (A). Point your toes, and exhale with control as you roll back down your spine, leaning your body slightly to the right (B). When your right glute touches the mat, circle your legs to the left and inhale slowly (C), rolling up the left side of your body while scooping your abs and lifting your bottom (D). Continue reversing the circle direction each time, and complete three sets. Learn more about choosing your beauty spa.

Kneeling Side Kicks

Kneel in the middle of your mat with a long waist. Put your left hand, palm down, on the mat while extending your right leg out to the side, in line with your hip. Your right hand should be behind your head, your hip over your knee, and your shoulder over your wrist (A). On a swift inhale, swing your right leg back powerfully without shifting your hips in front of your knee or disturbing your upper-body position (B). Exhale forcibly as you kick your leg forward without shifting your hips back or changing the position of your chest and elbow (C). Kick front and back eight times, and then switch sides, using swinging back to open the front body, and using all eight opportunities of kicking front to deepen your scoop.

How to Become an SEO Professional

SEO professionals are the iconic “knowledge workers.” The difference between a mediocre search engine optimizer and a true “expert” is potentially millions of hits. In talking about how to become an SEO professional I will be concentrating on defining a lone SEO consultant and won’t talk about starting an SEO company. I’ve worked with business owners as a freelance SEO consultant Sydney and provided services to SEO companies, and have improved the online presence of websites across a wide range of industries.

I will do this because I am a lone SEO consultant and not the owner of an SEO company, and people should ideally only talk about what they know. I have worked with an SEO company so I do know what the structure is like, but businesses are more than structure. Some of what I will say will be “my” story, while other parts will be the stories of other people who are SEO professionals and who have made their mark in the industry.

In The Beginning

I entered the Internet as a web designer, working with graphics and code/script. I loved hanging out on search engines simply because I could find anything I wanted. Since my college days I have spent hours searching for arcane bits of knowledge in order to put information in the departmental news letter.

When I became a web design professional, designing for paying clients instead of friends and family, my first paying client (my father) asked me to get him “traffic.” From worrying about databases and how best to use flash animations I was suddenly saddled with the responsibility of making sure that the web site I was working on (with a team of two other designers) would be visited. It was then I discovered search engine optimization. I soon discovered that this “traffic” issue was no insignificant problem. Every client I met with was more interested in increasing ROI than they were in what color scheme to use on the site.

These basic beginnings led to a deepening interest in SEO and also to my going back into copy writing, on which I base my SEO campaigns. If you ask what I did to become an SEO who on an ongoing basis optimizes three sites at any one time (while working on web development projects), I would probably reply “not much.” There are no schools for search engine optimization per se, though there are courses on search technology, Internet marketing, web copy writing, web design and a myriad of other topics that could strike your fancy. But for the netizen intent on becoming an SEO professional, there is nothing that beats getting traffic into a site; no degrees can beat results.

{mospagebreak title=Whys and How Tos}

When starting off, you can be involved in any field you like; the first SEO professionals were web masters and web developers. Some are web programmers; currently the majority I know are Internet marketers selling their products or affiliate products on the net. Your average SEO is a copy writer, a coder, a webmaster or an Internet marketer (including small business owners who take time out to learn SEO).

Whys

Most enter SEO so that they can sell products, theirs or someone else’s. I did it so that I could offer a back end service to my web development clients, and now to promote online businesses. Glenn Murray, an Australian copy writer, probably went into Search Engine Optimization in order to promote his own sites on the search engines, add three number one rankings to his resume as an SEO copywriter, and prove himself as an SEO copywriter.

Michael Perdone went into SEO after successfully optimizing his wife’s site. What distinguishes an SEO professional from an Internet marketer is results on the SERPs. A marketer may use opt-in lists, referrals, cold calling and various other methods to promote a web site; the SEO professional uses the search engines.

How Tos

Like I said, there is no hard and fast rule in how to become an SEO professional. An unhealthy interest in the vagaries of various search engines is necessary, as well as some technical skill (think of staring at tea leaves and trying to read the future). A knowledge of Internet protocols is useful, HTML coding skill and knowing what works and what doesn’t — for example, beautiful AJAX-enabled pages are useless to search engines, which only crawl on page content and don’t bother with content added dynamically. But there are some skills that are invaluable in SEO.

{mospagebreak title=Skills Required}

One: Strong Copy Writing Skills

Search engines want content. People do “web” search and not image or video search when performing searches online. To optimize for key words means those key words must be contained on your web site. Since you are the SEO expert you cannot afford not to write copy. Your favorite word processing package should be good enough to use to help you practice write articles on various subjects on the web, write SEO copy for your website, become a blogger, build an impressive copy writing resume and get links back to your pieces (as well as get respect from your peers).

A working knowledge of content management systems (hence languages such as PHP and databases such as MYSQL) and also how blogs work is good but not essential.

Two: Web Analytic Skills

You must be able to track and define your users behavior when on your site. This is so that you can see how successfully you optimized your site, and what “turns on” your users. A particular site I edit provides a broad range of software offerings but our web stat software showed that some particular programming languages received more attention than others. Some “long tail” keyword phrases (5 words or more) were surprisingly successful over the long term, which gave an idea of what should be targeted in future key word campaigns. Software packages such as Onstat for web hosts and Counterize for word press powered blogs.

Knowledge of JavaScript is essential for discovering on page actions and times spent on specific pages. But it is not absolutely essential as a skill for search engine optimization.

Three: Personality Traits

More important than particular skills is a personality ethos (or way of doing things). This third point is probably the most important set of skills an SEO professional must possess. You can think of them as traits instead of skills. They are invaluable; if you disregard everything else you can’t disregard this.

As an SEO professional, you must read voraciously on SEO, Internet marketing, new technologies, changing and emerging trends and everything search engine related. Most importantly you must know what’s new in search engine optimization and also which way is up. Permanent subscriptions to Search Engine Watch, Search Engine Land, WebProNews, Webmaster World and SEO Chat are not merely advised; they are absolutely mandatory. To become a search engine professional you must have an appetite for learning that would be dangerous if applied to food.

Another trait to acquire is strong communication and teamwork skills. Unless you are really multi-skilled (know every conceivable programming language on earth and have strong copy skills on a divergent series of topics), you will be working on teams. Even as a lone SEO consultant, the design aspect of your clients’ sites should not necessarily be yours to handle. This is also true of programming and server side interactions.

If you believe a client needs a forum or a custom designed guest book, you do not have to be the designer, but you will have to communicate your needs to the web programmer. Programmers are usually geeky technical types who are overworked to start with, so they will appreciate clarity in communication. If you have any unfriendly qualities (and we all do sometimes), you will have to work so that they don’t show in your professional communications. Ideally you should eliminate them, but then your personal life is not really any of my business, is it?

{mospagebreak title=Closing Touches}

Knowing how to use the search engines is advised. This way you can search for tools which allow you to analyze your competition’s performance on the SERPs, and discover automated ways to perform operations such as directory submission, article submission and also other analysis which will make you, the SEO professional, look very good to your clients when you are speaking in the lingo of the “industry” (as with every other field, SEO has its own particular terms). This is all basic stuff for professionals, but for anyone who wants to know the barriers of entry to SEO it is a good introduction.

Be Extremely Service Oriented

SEO is a service, and like all services, it’s not just about the product. It’s also about the after sales, the pre sales, the customer relations and customer satisfaction. No matter how good you get, if you cannot keep your customer happy, then you may not be around for very long. If you check the bad press about SEO companies, it’s mostly in the area of customer service, not in their product delivery. If you want glowing referrals and repeat business then it is advisable to be service oriented and be extremely customer focused.

In a Nutshell

Here are some things you need to do before you quit your day job and hang out a shingle! Get (and learn how to use) Macromedia Dreamweaver, register a reseller hosting package, learn HTTP redirect commands and subscribe to (and read) all major search engine newsletters. And most importantly, get a guinea pig site and rank it for a variety of key words (give yourself a year or two).

After all this, get screen shots of your rankings and print out your traffic server logs, get glowing testimonies from a set of reputable customers, set up a blog (and release your own newsletter) and then my friend, you should be able to handle an SEO task without quaking in fear that you will disappoint the client. And I honestly believe that there is more tan enough business out there for every one, so “the more the merrier.” Read more about the services that SEO companies offered.

Kitchen Color Schemes: How to Avoid Kitschy Colors

The kitchen is the heart of the household, a place where you prepare meals and make memories. So it only makes sense that your kitchen’s color scheme reflects your unique tastes and personality, right? The concept for new kitchens Sydney is simple – take an open-plan design but add in a freestanding shelf unit or raised breakfast bar to create separation without the need for a full-on wall. Mirrors Sydney have different texture and mixture of design according to your needs.

The answer to that is yes — and no.

Although there may be a special hue that gets your heart thumping, there are many reasons why it makes sense to opt for a neutral palette in your kitchen. Many design professionals agree that using shades like white, beige, or gray as the foundation for your kitchen not only open up a spectrum of colorful possibilities, but enhance the value of your home.

The Never-Regret Factor

“Timeless colors are perfect, whether for resale or for your dream home,” says Jackie Jordan, Dallas-based director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “Your kitchen won’t suffer from this-looks-like-it-was-done-in-the-90s comments if you opt for a neutral palette.”

“It’s a space where potential buyers envision themselves spending a lot of time,” agrees Sue Pelley, spokesperson for Decorating Den Interiors in Easton, Md. Thus, although you may believe your purple cabinets are divine, others may think they’re dreadful. And that, she says, can be a real barrier to a sale.

The Versatility of Neutrals

But does going soft and natural mean you have to stifle your inner Van Gogh? Not a chance.

“A neutral kitchen is the perfect canvas to personalize as your tastes change,” says Jordan. “It gives you the opportunity to accessorize with fun rugs, dinnerware — even just a fresh vase of flowers to liven things up.”

“I love being able to change moods with colors, often inspired by the changing seasons,” says Wendy F. Johnson, a certified kitchen and bath designer based in Manchester Village, Vt. “Neutrals can provide the base for a huge range of related or contrasting colors to be used with them, from bright and saturated to peaceful, muted hues.”

Texture also adds enormous impact to a neutral kitchen. A combination of materials from rough to smooth and matte to high gloss creates visual contrast and reflects light differently throughout the day, says Johnson. “For example, you can mix barn wood walls and satin painted drywall, white oak cabinetry with glass insets, lustrous concrete countertops with a stone tile backsplash. These might all be in the same tones, but there is nothing boring here.”

Using Color to Complement Your Kitchen’s Size

Your kitchen’s square footage is another important factor to consider when choosing a color palette. If the space is small, opt for paler hues for cabinets, walls, and countertops. Shades of white, bone, or cream reflect light and help a tiny kitchen feel brighter and more spacious.

Neutrals are also a great choice for kitchens that open up to other rooms, notes Pelley. “If your kitchen is part of a great room design, remember that any new paint will need to work with the color schemes in those rooms, too.”

Non-Permanent Ways to Add Pops of Color

Rather than committing to a single color scheme, a neutral kitchen lets you sample the rainbow. One option is to choose coordinating window treatments and chair cushions to liven up the space, says Johnson. An eye-catching poster, multihued area rug, or a collection of pottery displayed on a shelf all add personality to your kitchen and are easy to change when you’re ready for something new.

Paint is another low-cost way to incorporate a pop or two of color into a neutral room. You can grab a brush and paint your kitchen chairs or counter stools, or add a bright hue to the interior of a glass cabinet. Ready for something bigger? Consider rolling a bold shade on a single wall to create lively contrast in an otherwise single-color space.

Top Neutral Color Schemes

Neutrals may be timeless, but there are some combinations that look especially fresh. “I love warm grays and whites — always have,” says Johnson. “There are so many natural materials available in these tones that mix together beautifully, and all colors look gorgeous against this type of palette.”

Sherwin-Williams’ Jordan also favors white and light grays in a kitchen. “It’s a sleek and modern combination that works perfectly with the ever-popular stainless steel appliances and subway tile.”

When it comes to a big-ticket item like a kitchen, it makes sense to choose a palette that will endure for the long term, says Johnson. “Those of us who thrive in colorful surroundings will groan at this, but even we need some soft, peaceful environments sometimes.” Read more about the color that you want for your kitchen.

Selecting the Right Color to Paint Your Kitchen

Conventional kitchen color planning says that earthy colors, warm neutrals, and bright colors make both the cook and the diners feel more comfortable. These colors satisfy many purposes: coordinating with cabinets; reflecting light; providing cheer; and being palatable to buyers of your house. Whether you’re extending to add a new kitchen Sydney or simply renovating your existing space, our Willoughbyglass.com.au experts explain how to get the best value for your money. A custom made splashback can be a game charger in your kitchen

01 Kitchen Color “Rules”?

Good kitchen design rules often dictate that very dark colors, cold neutrals, and all other cold colors like blues, greens, purples, violets, and other colors in similar families do not promote hunger. Thus, they generally do not work as well in kitchens.

That said, kitchen colors should ultimately follow personal tastes. Black is conventionally a poor kitchen color. But as shown here, black works well when paired with the sharply contrasting stainless steel of the island and white of the breakfast bar and pendant lights.

02 Warm Neutrals (Glidden Camel Tan)

With enough shade or tint, any color can become a neutral; it is just a matter of which type of neutral you want. If you are nervous about getting your kitchen paint color wrong, it is hard to go wrong with mid-range neutrals.

While neutrals are usually equated with “boring,” but they do not have to be. With the addition of red, yellow, or orange, neutrals can be warmed up. With green, blue, or violet, they can be cooled down.

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Glidden is the dark horse of the Home Depot aisles, marginalized because Behr is Home Depot’s favored house brand. Glidden is cheaper than all Behr paints except for Behr PRO.

Glidden Camel Tan steps back and lets the cabinets run the show in this bright-warm, comfortable kitchen.

03 Reds (Sherwin Williams Red Obsession)

While red as a kitchen color is not for everyone, it should be considered if you want to add spark and spice.

In a kitchen with plenty of dark colors, it can cut through the gloom. In a kitchen with fog-gray stainless steel appliances, it can provide a welcome focal point for the eyes.

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Going red is like taking that big leap off the cliff. If you are going to do it, make sure you do it well.

Sherwin-Williams’ Red Obsession delivers a needed punch when you have lots of gray and stainless steel in your kitchen.

04 Rich Browns

Brown is considered earthy and evocative of the very place where your food comes from the earth, the farm. For those who are neutral-averse, brown almost becomes the New Neutral: safe.
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Brown lends itself to so many tasty pairings. This kitchen from Sherwin-Williams is expertly color-coordinated. The reddish-brown of the walls play well with the darker brown cabinets. Even the kitchen island’s green fits into this family.

If, in the past, you have been brown-averse, consider a deep brown for your kitchen.

05 White-On-White

White is a class of kitchen unto itself. It is a thing, a certain kind of look.

Designers such as Christopher Peacock became famous for promoting all-white kitchens. The design can be described this way: white cabinets, white walls, white ceiling, possibly a white counter, and in case we forgot anything, let’s make it white, too.

Kitchens designed by Peacock and his ilk have a lush, traditional style, like the country Connecticut manor of a wealthy Wall Street stockbroker, circa 1926. Leona Helmsley’s $65 million Greenwich kitchen was all-white. You get the picture.

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If you have white thermofoil MDF cabinets, embrace the look. Go ultra modern and sophisticated with white plastic stools from Wayfair, a white-on-white clock, and white small appliances. Stainless steel cone pendant lights complete the look.

06 Toned-Down Yellows

Many homeowners and designers agree that light yellow is a winning color in the kitchen.

It is friendly enough not to raise any eyebrows, yet distinctive enough that it will complement most types of kitchen cabinet wood species.

Like whites, the yellows reflect maximum ambient light—a plus if you have a gloomy townhouse or row house—yet without the hospital-sterile feeling that white convey.

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Deeper yellows that are shaded with a smidge more black, such as Ralph Lauren Home Kayak Yellow and Mesa Sunrise, help evoke the mood of a traditional, classic kitchen, yet maintain a rich tone.

06 Blues (In Moderation)

Blue barely makes the best kitchen colors list. It has traditionally been considered a “downer” color, not conducive to stimulating one’s appetite. After all, how many foods can you think of that are naturally blue?

One thing to say about blue kitchens is that they have an instant vintage appeal. In limited amounts and with just the right tone, blue can give your little kitchen a retro sweet, cottage-y appeal.

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Used sparingly or as an accent color, blue can be made to work in a kitchen. Check out our new kitchen designs in our website.

You Should Book Your Travel Packages Early

Cruises offer you the chance to go to many different places. This piece will give you great advice for having the most fun you can use on a cruise or elsewhere. There are months that deals for ski Canada is affordable for everybody.

Create a packing list of what to pack.

Be flexible when choosing your vacation destination. While it may be fun to revisit your favorite spots, being flexible can open you up to new experiences. You can even save money by picking an alternate destination.

When you are traveling by car or plane with toddlers, make sure you have enough fun things to keep them occupied. Try to bring along some of your child’s favorite toys. You may want to purchase a new toys for the travel because this will offer him enough distraction to keep your little one excited.

Try getting in some physical activity before you board the plane.This will help you avoid the tediousness of long flight. Sitting in the same position for a long periods of time can cramp up your legs and back cramps.

When traveling, be sure to wear light shoes that are extremely comfortable and easy to kick off. You are going to have to take your shoes off during security checks. Flip-flops or slip-on shoes are recommended for air travel footwear.

Bring a business card with you explore your destination city. This is useful for people that do not have a firm grasp of the language.

A motorcycle is a good mode of transportation for short travels. It can be quite a lot of fun.

Sign up for forums and social websites that are focused on travel. A great way to get ready for a trip is to socialize on these forums and ask questions and read stories from other travelers. This will put you make friends and share experiences to avoid making their mistakes or missing some great spots on your own trip.

Sleeping pills can help you through a long red-eye flights. It can be very hard to get sleep on a plane with all the noise, given the cramped seating, and the uncomfortable seats.Try a sleeping pills to make your flight go by more quickly. Don’t take these prior to takeoff, as a delay or problem may require that the plane returns.

Try to get the “local” rate that a hotel gives the hotels when you travel. Hotels often cater to locals with deals to local citizens in an attempt to fill their rooms. If you know a person that lives in the city, ask them to call about any special offers that might be available. This method can save you quite a lot of money.

Road trips tend to be boring so it is a good idea to plan some activities along the trip. Breaking things up your trip can create memories that will last a lifetime. Provide children with a map and schedule of your intended itinerary and route so that they can follow along.

Sometimes hotel walls in hotels are really thin. A great set of earplugs can help block out the noise and give you relax at night.

You don’t have to wander far to experience a fun weekend getaway. There are many things to do in your state or town. You can support your local businesses by traveling close to home. You might even find something really fun nearby that you didn’t know about.

Always take bottled water when going overseas.Many foreign countries have non-purified drinking water that is not purified leading to illness. Use bottled water to brush your teeth. You can also become ill from using the tap water.

Try to get a room on a upper floor. You should also opt for a room without sliding doors.Rooms with these are an easy target.

You want to always make your baggage stand out in comparison to everyone else’s luggage. You can decorate it with stickers or even color it. This will help you can be sure to spot your luggage and keep others from accidentally walking away with yours.

If you wear corrective lenses, make sure that an extra pair is in your luggage. This will help to ensure that if your current pair breaks on the glasses you are wearing become damaged you will still be able to see. You may not want to keep them in your carry on bag, or you can pack them into a suitcase if you prefer.

Long flights can certainly be taxing.You can avoid this by taking a flight that gets to your destination at the same time of morning you usually get up. ) and rest of the flight. Wake up refreshed and be ready to greet the day!

If you are bringing a pet, you need to take the time to research hotels that accommodate pets and any fees that may apply to bringing your pet with you.

Keep in mind that you are not the only person staying in hotels. Be courteous to others; keep your noise level down so you do not disturb your neighbors. Even at mid-day others may be napping, there may be someone catching a nap or recovering from jet lag. You don’t have to tiptoe around, but keep volume levels reasonable and be considerate.

Split up your valuables into multiple places. Don’t keep all your important papers in a single place. Put your cash, tickets, passports, and other important items into different bags. This way, if something is stolen or lost, you will at least have other items.

Check in early for your attendance on the flight.When you check in, make a note of your flight numbers and then a few hours before you are scheduled to depart, and several hours prior to the flight, check on the current status of the plane in order to plan properly.

Choose the offerings that help make your needs.

As previously stated, you can enjoy a cruise and see many places, or travel a different way. Cruise ships can help to maximize the fun for your family. Use these tips for a better trip.

How To Successfully Navigate Airport Security Procedures

Traveling is almost like going on an adventure of your home for a fun adventure. The following tidbits of info will help you plan a great travel checklist. Bluepowder.com.au an expert guide to skiing and snowboarding in Big White Canada, including the best runs, hotels, restaurants and bars

Don’t use public computers in your hotel or anywhere else they offer free internet while you are on vacation. There could be keyloggers that take your information

When traveling by air, it is important to wear shoes that are comfortable and easily removable. You are going to have to take your shoes off at the security checks. The ultimate shoes for flying might well be sandals or flip-flops.

A luggage tag hanging from the outside of your luggage is easily lost in transit.

These cookie sheets make a flat surface for kids to color on or coloring books on.

Always check expiration dates that are printed on your passports. Many countries have specific rules in place about passport expiration. Many will not allow you entry into the country if your passport expires soon.

Rental agencies want to try to get you to buy additional insurance that you may not need what they are selling. Vehicle insurance policies often have basic third party coverage.

If you are traveling to a different time zone, try to stay awake until 8pm local time. Though you may be exhausted, it’s best to not go to bed early so you don’t exacerbate jet lag.

If you choose a cruise for your vacation, get to know your fellow passengers at dinner. Many times you will get put at a large table with people you are unfamiliar with. Have a positive attitude and speak with different people. You are likely to see them often, and you might pick up some useful information.

Your vacation can turn into a nightmare if not take the time to do some research before planning. Read the reviews from others who have stayed there before. Their bad experience can prevent you avoid staying in a poorly rated hotel or seedy hotel.

Try not to exchange currency when you are in a different country. You can get foreign currency easily. You can obtain the foreign currency from an ATM at a bank. These usually offer better exchange rate available.

Don’t put your child in the aisle on a plane. Make sure there is an adult between the inside. Children are naturally curious and could harm themselves if they decide to reach into the aisle while a cart comes through. They will also be less likely to try to run if you are blocking the aisle.

Make sure you take along all important documents when you leave. Keep the copies of your insurance, insurance information, and other documents in a separate place than the ones you travel with.

Pack snacks if you will be traveling with kids. It might be best to pack more than you anticipate needing.This keeps them happy and busy so that they don’t cause a smoother trip. Even some junk food wouldn’t hurt just this time.

Contact lenses should be in a useful container for traveling. You can keep just a small amounts of hair gel or lotion inside to last through the trip.

If you can’t find somewhere to exchange your money right away once you reach your destination, exchange some of your money before you leave, and exchange the rest once you have found a currency exchange.

Make sure you allow yourself ample time for checking out of the hotel.Many hotels charge hefty fees if you are not out on time. Always give yourself enough time to get checked out.

When you are traveling by car, especially traveling for business, the temptations will be plenty. Rather than spending too much time hoovering around the buffet, check out the gym. This can keep your trip.

Make sure that you are aware of what the airline’s policy is for carry-on policy. Most airlines let you bring a small suitcase in addition to a personal bag on board. Make good use of that so you keep all the important items remain with you!

When traveling overseas, you need to check and make sure you have the proper paperwork and visas to travel in and through them.There are numerous kinds of visas, and some countries are very strict about who they let in. Consult with a travel agent, as well as the embassy’s website corresponding to the country in which you are going.

Take turns at driving when you are going to be on the road for long hours. If you completely exhaust yourself before you offer to switch, you increase the chances of getting into an accident. Do not wait until you are too tired to do so safely. You should change drivers at the wheel every three hours.This will keep you nice and refreshed for the drivers from getting so tired that they can’t effectively drive.

This can put a serious kink on your cruise entirely. You will end up in bed for days recovering from seasickness and not enjoying yourself on deck. If you know ahead of time, you can purchase some medication to manage your symptoms and make your trip much more comfortable.

Don’t bring too many clothes than you need on your trip. You should easily be able to pack a weeks worth of clothes for your travels. If you are going to be gone over a week, then just consider washing the clothes instead of packing even more.

Do not freak out if your bags have not arrived at your destination. Find out from airport staff where to report your lost luggage, present the officials there with your baggage claim tickets and complete any necessary paperwork.Most of the time your luggage will be found, your baggage will be found and given back to you in short order.

You should always carry a copy of your reservations on you always. This helps if the car rental company or hotel cannot find your reservation; you are questioned.This simple step can help you avoid a lot of problems. Print your papers out and have them in a strong folder.

The concepts in this piece are intended to make your travels go smoothly, though there are sure to be some bumps in the road. The biggest piece of advice we can give you is to relax and enjoy the ride. Know more about ski Canada packages.

The First Thing That People Come Across at the Time of This Process Is to Get a Good Logo Designer

Logo is a very important and at the same time very unique graphic or word mark that helps to attract people’s recognition. Many commercial enterprises and organizations use their own logo as their brand symbol or identity. People and customers can easily recognize the company or brand name by their logo. So it is quite important to get a good and commendable logo to represent a company. Design a logo instantly with our online free logo generator tool.

The first thing that people come across at the time of this process is to get a good logo designer. Yes, first important step is logo design that would be created by a designer. As it would be a face of the brand, one must think of a very unique but catchy logo. It also depends on the product of the company when it comes to design a logo, like if a sports brand wants to promote its product it should go for a particular logo that reflects the image of that product. For that reason, among many, people should grab a talented logo designer. That would be the most challenging thing to do, because designers are waiting for you to get an opportunity to show their talent but not many companies get lucky to have a mind blowing logo.

Logo design is not a simple task. Marketing team and Design agency get involved to finalize a perfect symbol and color of that logo. It takes lot of time to create a perfect symbol as it should be able to attract all the attention of the mass around the world. There are some very famous logos like Nike, McDonalds, BMW, Face book, Vogue, Barbie, Fly Emirates, Adidas, Twitter, Pepsi, and Apple etc. These popular logos are crying aloud that designing logo is as important as the product of the brand. And to get that people should keep in mind important aspects of logo design, which are Uniqueness, Appealing, Relevance and Communication. These are the important aspects should be keep in mind.

In this process we meet custom logo that has a strong place to be considered. Many use only a short symbol, which is called custom logo, to portray the errand of the company or an advertisement which is also very powerful. Companies use this kind of logo to get a unique and creative image as it is possible for people to get confused with other logos, though no one can use others’ symbol after being created. So, logo design has become a popular trend nowadays. Many agencies and software companies are raising their heads in this field and the profession is becoming one of very good sources of making money. Because of this a huge amount of designers are getting chance to prove their talent. It also helps people to get a good logo designer for their brands. This profession began to grow from 1950 in United States. At that time, popular designing firms were responsible to make many famous logos and it has become a trend now.

Many small companies require free logo for their brand and for that they have options to look for some web-sites that provide free logo. Those websites provide free design service to help people have their own unique symbol. Gradually one could gain the knowledge of how a color of logo can be selected and other important things that can be known by following the process of getting free logo. Many small entrepreneurs don’t want to invest lot of money for getting logo but it is important to get a logo for their brand, so they have option for that.

There are many Indian logo designs that have successfully attracted everyone’s attention and have made all the brands unique. The examples are Mumbai Indians, Air India, Green Apple, DLF Indian Premier League, Indian Pacific, Airtel, HP, State Bank of India, Tata Docomo etc. So it can be said that in India there are good scopes of getting talented designer or firms that provide services. Of course, one can find a talented logo designer if needed and searched properly.

Logo Design India is one of the popular firms that help people getting good affordable logos. This is true that to get a unique logo one has to hunt for a good, experienced agency or talented logo designer. It also depends on luck to get a perfect, attracting logo that will change the image of the brand forever. Many are willing to invest a good amount of money to have an attracting symbol. But it is possible to get logos without spending a lot and some popular brands also haven’t spent much to get their own logo.

Logo designer from India are very talented and are successful when it comes to provide you good logo as we have many examples before our eyes. Many Indian organizations are proud to get their logo from Indian logo designer. Indian logo design is getting popular internationally and the market is spreading like other International agencies.

People can look for good agencies to get a logo for their companies and if they want to get free logo then it is possible too. In India Every small and big businessman or company are able to get good logo to represent their brand.

Sukhen Bhattacharya

officestuff

[http://www.brilliant-webdesign.com]

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