Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Mont Bleu by Newgen at Coquitlam

Located at the corner of Lougheed and Blue Mountain in the historical French Canadian neighbourhood of Maillardville, comes Mont Bleu. This will be Maillardville’s first high rise in the neighbourhood with easy access to Skytrain and a bundle of local amenities. Commercial units will be on the ground floor facing a public art piece as well as exposure from Lougheed. Mont Bleu will be featuring a 21-storey, 147 units with a mixture of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes. The 19th floor of the tower will have a large, south-facing rooftop amenity space for residents. On the 3rd floor, a developer is planning on having a lounge, kitchen and fitness centre.

Mont Bleu will be revealing the gift of Une Belle Vie, ʻA Beautiful Lifeʼ soon.

The post Mont Bleu by Newgen at Coquitlam appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2gPX1Jn

Flavelle Mill – Port Moody

Flavelle OceanFront Development

 

The city of Port Moody is planning a major upscaling of its livability with the creation of an oceanfront community that supports a mix of uses, including a range of housing options, along with commercial, light industrial and recreational uses for the benefit of local residents and visitors. As currently envisioned by city planners and developers, the 34-acre Flavelle Lumber Mill will be transformed into a modern urban village that supports a population of about 7,000 residents and adds a wealth of economic, recreational, social, natural and entertainment benefits to Port Moody.

A variety of housing options are being considered for the development, with condominium buildings, street-oriented townhouses, rental housing, and the potential for house boats estimated to lead to the creation of almost 3,400 residential units. The expansive waterfront area will be revitalized and enhanced by the building of about 1.3 kilometres of new recreational trails, a boardwalk along the water’s edge connecting to Rocky Point Park, and the development of four park areas totalling 4.9 acres, and a 1.9-acre public plaza.

The Flavelle Oceanfront Development could lead to the creation of more than 1,000 on-site jobs upon completion, which could generate up to $57 million in annual employment income. Plans call for 99,000 square-feet of office space; 72,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store, restaurants and cafes; 103,000 square feet of light-industrial space; a 106,000 square-foot campus of care facility; and 75,000 square feet of live/work space designed for artistry and other creative ventures.

Developers and planners plan to utilize a sustainable approach in the development to ensure energy efficiency and environmental health. By using LEED Principles of design and construction, planners aim to make the development a model for sustainable communities. The site’s location will help in this regard, as it is in walking distance of both the nearby Sky Train Evergreen Line and West Coast Express, which provide easy connections to the rest of Metro Vancouver.

Public consultation has been an integral part of the planning process thus far, and is expected to continue as the planning stage moves through the ongoing permitting process. I will be keeping a close watch on this project going forward, and will provide updates when appropriate. If you have any questions about the Flavelle OceanFront Development project, or any other questions about real estate in Metro Vancouver, register with us today.

 

 

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Flavelle Mill – Port Moody appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2z1rXOY

Edgestone by Bold Developments – Port Moody

Edgestone is a new townhouse development by Bold Properties located at 2131 Spring Street in Port Moody.   Once Completed in 2019, Edgestone will consist of 38  2, 3 and 4 Bedroom townhomes ranging in size from 1308 to 1658 square feet.

The expected breakdown of the homes is:

  • 2 Two bedroom + Den residences ranging between 1318 to 1327 square feet
  • 13 Three bedroom residences ranging from 1319 to 1381 square feet
  • 23 Three bedroom + Den residences ranging from 1540 to 1706 square feet

 

Each of the townhomes will be built Certified Green Gold, with Smart living solution including Ring Video Doorbells, Bluetooth enabled Schlage Deadbolt, and USB charging ports throughout the home, plus some more traditional family convenience such as laundry on the upper floor, private garages with overhead storage,  and family sized outdoor patios,  and a great children’s playground.

Located at 2131 Spring Street, Edgestone is centrally located with an easy access to Vancouver via the Barnett and Hastings by car, or if Skytrain is your choice, the Port Moody Centre station is a short walk away.  Other amenities in the neighbourhood include Suterbrook Village with all the shop and services it provides. For nature lovers and dog walkers, Edgestone is convenient located right off the Shoreline trail , which leads to Rocky Point and  Pajos!

Edgestone pricing is expected to start in low 900s with sales to begin by Mid November. If you’re looking for more information on Edgestone and would like to receive additional information such as floor plans, pricing, features and finishes when they are available,  please register with us today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Edgestone by Bold Developments – Port Moody appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2ihnlME

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Stop Making Excuses: One Writer’s Doubt-Slaying Strategies for Freelance Success

Slay your doubts for freelance success. Makealivingwriting.com

What’s holding you back from freelance success?

For a lot of writers, it’s fear of failure, doubt, or that voice inside your head that tries to convince you that you’ll never be good enough.

Believe me. I know what it’s like to keep second-guessing yourself, steer clear of networking and marketing, and get stuck feeling like every other writer is killing it but you.

I wasn’t always a freelance writer. In fact, I was a TV news reporter and producer, teacher, and human resources professional, before I made the leap to full-time freelancing.

Even though I had plenty of career experience, I had my doubts about freelance success.

But I knew I had to slay those dragons and stop making excuses.

It didn’t happen overnight. But I have found ways to overcome my doubts and fears, move up and earn more. And so can you.

Here are a few ways I deal with the doubts that trip me up the most:

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Recently, I rented a booth at a small business event. I had rock-star marketing collateral and a cool, antique typewriter on the table.

A woman spotted the typewriter and made a beeline for me.

Our conversation went like this:

“I love old typewriters! So, what do you do?”

“I’m a freelance writer.”

“What do you write?”

I listed all kinds of writing that her business might need.

Meanwhile, in my head, a voice chanted, “Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the biggest fraud of all?”

Sound familiar?

Fear is no fairy tale for new writers, and more experienced writers, too. But you can’t let that hold you back from freelance success.

Grab your virtual sword and cut your way through these fears and doubts:

1. I don’t believe I’m a freelance writer

Does your inner voice shout, “Liar, liar, pants on fire” when you tell people what you do?

You’re in good company. Many people experience this (a version of it anyway) and it’s got a name: Imposter syndrome.

I get it. I taught school for over a decade and struggle to see myself as a writer. Time helps. The longer you freelance, the more it becomes second nature.

In the meantime, here are few things you can do to slay your doubts and boost your confidence:

  • Join a networking group (or several) and attend local business events. Will networking land you new clients? Maybe. What it will do is build confidence. Every time I introduce myself as a writer, I believe it more.
  • Seek out other writers. It’s crucial to find your tribe. Get out there in person or online and share victories, challenges, advice, and ideas. I didn’t know any other writers, so I joined the Freelance Writers Den. It’s been a gold mine of information and support.
  • Build a killer website. It’s a business necessity, but you’ll also look and feel more professional. Check out other writer sites for ideas. Want to know a secret? I look at my own site when I’m feeling wobbly and think, “I’d hire her!”

2. I don’t know anyone I can ask for referrals

Really? I find that hard to believe. Just ask your family, friends, and professional contacts this simple question: Do you know anyone who needs a freelance writer?

You’re not imposing, taking advantage of a relationship, or bothering people when you do this. In fact, when you ask for referrals this way, instead of begging for work, most people will want to help you. Leveraging who and what you know is just smart.

Changing careers is no big deal
If you’re new to freelancing and worry your contacts will think you’re making another crazy career move, it’s really just another dragon of doubt you need to slay.

Statistics vary on how many times the average person changes careers in the US, but numbers range from 2 to 15. Add the gig economy, and transition is the new normal.

Me? I’ve been a journalist, trainer, agency writer, teacher … even a ski instructor.

  • Ask for referrals. Anyone you’ve made a connection with through work, play, or other activities is fair game. Ask for referrals.
  • Use LinkedIn and Facebook to see who you know and how you’re connected to people you’d like to work with.

3. I don’t know enough about writing

That’s an easy fix. Websites, articles, blogs, and books abound. The choices can be overwhelming so you’ll need to weed out the noise.

The resources I’ve turned to learn more about freelance writing include:

4. My writing might not be good enough

I’ve had my doubts about whether or not I’ve got the chops to handle a writing assignment or pitch a client that seems out of reach.

But I’m not the only one. Even pro writers sometimes take the rolling-around-on-the-floor-crying approach to deal with self doubt and get on with an assignment.

If you’ve managed to land an assignment, you’ve probably got what takes to do the work. But if you’re really concerned about whether or not your writing is good enough, here are a few ways find out:

  • Find a mentor or writers group. If you can find support close to home – great. If not, search online – geography isn’t an obstacle thanks to the Web. Or just join the Freelance Writers Den, where you can network with other writers, get help with query letters and LOIs, and develop your skills for freelance success.
  • Follow successful writers. Read up on writers who are doing well – then check out their work.
  • Get on with pitching. Just try it, instead of waiting around for tomorrow, next month, or next year. Search out potential clients and pitch your ideas. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Two different clients asked that I do a trial piece before they hired me for on-going assignments. Guess what? I got both gigs. Chances are your work is as good as the competition and maybe better.

5. What if I fail?

What if you do? I could go back to a day job in teaching, TV, or human resources. But there’s no way to know if you can do this, unless you try.

There are many avenues you can pursue in freelance writing like magazine writing, copywriting, or blog writing. Not all are a going to be a good fit.

But it’s just as important to find out what you’re not good at as it is to know what writing skills you do have to be a freelance success.

  • Learn from failure. I figured this out along the way. I’m not a copy editor. Oh, I know the rules of grammar and can follow a stylebook, but it’s not my strength. If you’re serious about freelancing, even if it’s just a part-time gig starting out, give it your best shot, and see what happens. You’ll never know unless you try.

Slay your doubts for freelance success

Everybody has doubts and fears. But you can’t let those things, or that creepy, talking mirror, hold you back from freelance success. Grab your virtual sword and take control of your freelance writing career. You can slay this.

Tara Brophy is a Boston-based freelance writer. She has followed her passion for writing through careers in TV news, education, advertising, and corporate learning & development.

Need help overcoming freelance fears and doubts? Let’s discuss on Facebook.

"I want to quit my job" - Bust your fears and earn more as a writer

The post Stop Making Excuses: One Writer’s Doubt-Slaying Strategies for Freelance Success appeared first on Make A Living Writing.



from Make A Living Writing http://ift.tt/2ycBaqJ

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Forte by StreetSide Developments at Burnaby Heights

Forte is an exclusive collection of homes in the heart of Burnaby Heights and within close proximity to Brentwood, Metrotown, Lougheed and SFU. This 5-storey mixed use residential and commercial development will feature 3 levels of condominiums atop of neighbourhood friendly retail. Forte is building large 1, 1 + den, 2, and 2+ den bedroom condominiums featuring high end stainless steel appliances, gourmet kitchens, panoramic balconies, underground storage and parking, plus a rooftop owners lounge with communal gardens. Forte will be within walking distances to Burnaby Library, Eileen Dailly Pool, Confederation Park and schools.

The post Forte by StreetSide Developments at Burnaby Heights appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2y428AV

Marquise by Blairmore Group at Cambie and King Ed Blvd

Marquise is a beautifully designed 58 units, concrete, 6-storey building by award-winning GBL Architects. Located just off Cambie Street on tree-lined Kinge Edward Boulevard, it is steps away from King Edward Skytrain with easy access to YVR and the Canada Line. Exterior cladding is built with the highest quality materials, and also features a concrete structure for both the building and the townhomes. Expansive windows and 9′ ceilings heights in the main living area draw light and fresh air inside. Most units will enjoy unobstructed views of downtown and North Shore mountains. Rooftop amenities provide a place to gather, garden and socialize in the open air. Marquise will be LEED Gold Certified and has been built in an utmost sustainable fashion to be exceptionally energy and water efficient, increasing the comfort and durability of the homes while reducing operating costs.

Marquise - Flat - VNC

 

The post Marquise by Blairmore Group at Cambie and King Ed Blvd appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2ha5WWG

Get Paid as a Freelance Writer: 5 Reliable Options

Reliable Options to Get Paid as a Freelance Writer. Makealivingwriting.comThere’s a basic freelancing question that mystifies many writers: “How do I get paid, exactly?”

When you’re used to an employer handing you a paycheck every week or two, it can be intimidating to realize that as a freelancer, you’ll only get paid if you figure out a method — and make it happen.

That’s probably why many writers gravitate to content mills and mass platforms that act as intermediary. Then, you know your payment will come from the platform.

Of course, once you see how tiny that payment is after the platform takes its cut, you’ll likely be looking to cut out the middleman.

Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to get paid directly by your freelance clients.

First, I’ll go over payment methods — and then, I’ve got a few quick tips on how to structure your contract to ensure you don’t get stiffed.

Payment methods for freelancers

My simple answer to how to get paid by freelance clients is: However the client wants.

You may have a preferred method, but the reality is that we’re here to serve clients. You’ll have more success if you’re willing to work with whatever method they prefer.

Sometimes your client is flexible and you have options, though. If so, here are proven options to get paid (and yes, some links are affiliate):

1. Physical check

Yes, this is still a completely valid way to get paid! And many large companies continue to cut checks to freelancers once a month, or biweekly. If you have a client like this, good luck getting them to make an exception and pay you differently.

Of course, this means you can have that “your check is in the mail” problem, where the client insists they’ve mailed out your check, but it doesn’t arrive. Mail can legitimately get lost, too.

You also need to watch out for online check scams, where the check bounces after you’ve turned in your writing work. (If you take checks, be sure to check with your bank and make sure the check has cleared.)

On the plus side, now that there’s online banking, you may be able to use a smartphone to digitally deposit your check from the comfort of home.

Be warned that accepting foreign checks can incur a fat fee — I once was charged $34 for depositing a Canadian check, for instance. Ouch! If you’re dealing with cross-border issues, other options will probably be more desirable.

2. Online payments

For the most part, we’re talking PayPal here, the dominant online-payments provider worldwide. But people in some countries, such as Pakistan, are prohibited from using PayPal. If that’s you, another online-payment option will be needed. Research online to see which providers currently accept payments from your country.

Venmo, Google Wallet, Payoneer, and Dwolla are among the popular alternatives I’ve heard good things about — and you can also send and receive money through Facebook Messenger. (Fees and terms vary — check the provider of your choice for details.)

Online payments have the advantage of being instant, a real plus if your bank account is low. The dark side is the fees — PayPal charges 2.9 percent, for instance. If you’re running a thriving freelance business of, let’s say, $60,000 a year, you’d give up $1,740 of that in fees if you got paid entirely through PayPal. It’s a major bite!

Many online sites pay only through PayPal, so it’s worth getting an account set up, as you may limit the gigs you can get without it.

Workarounds to get paid online

I’ve been skirting the PayPal fee issue for years by using Freshbooks for accounting, and taking advantage of their PayPal Business Payments program, which allows me to pay just $.50 for transactions of any size. It’s been sweet, and saved me thousands…but is no longer available to new signups.

Boo! However…if you sign up for the time-tracking and invoicing solution Harvest, you can use PayPal Business Payments, as they explain here.

There are other fee workarounds, too, such as having the client use Mass Pay on PayPal if they have that feature, or having them use “Send Money to a Friend,” to make them eat the fees instead of you. (You’re not supposed to do that on business transactions, and it can get them in trouble with PayPal if they get busted, so I don’t suggest asking your clients do it.)

Sadly, most businesses aren’t up for paying the fees — I’ve seen deals fall apart over this issue, so don’t press it if a client says no.

3. Bank transfer

Also known variously as ACH (automated clearing house) or EFT (electronic funds transfer), bank transfers fire the money straight from your client’s bank account into yours.

If you have an ongoing retainer gig, bank transfer is the ideal way to go. No more checking the mailbox or paying PayPal fees — you set a day of the month for automatic payment, and it pops right in.

To set these up, you have to give your bank account and routing number to your client, usually by filling out a bank form. This may seem hinky, but without your personal information — Social Security number, security question answers, etc. — they can only put money in.

Obviously, you’ll want to vet clients you set up bank transfers with to make sure they’re legit before you go down this road.

4. Payment service provider

Accepting credit cards is the method of choice for writers working large, multi-month projects such as book ghostwriting gigs. The client may not have $30,000 up their sleeve, and may need to charge it.

Taking card payments requires a payment service provider (PSP) of some kind. This used to involve purchasing clunky credit-card reader machines or cash registers. Fortunately, today there are virtual providers available, including Square and Stripe.

I’ve got a Square account and have found their process super-easy. If you want to physically process a client’s card, they’ve also got that handy little Square reader you can attach to your smartphone.

The catch? Credit-card processors take out fees, too. Square charges 2.75 percent, for instance. PayPal also can be used as a credit-card processor, for a small additional monthly payment plus its usual fees. Make sure you’re getting the lowest fee rate you can, and remember to build those fees into your project bids.

5. Tradeouts

Yes, you’d rather get paid in cold, hard cash. But sometimes, it’s just not possible. Your client desperately needs your writing help, you love what they do, but they’re broke. Or one of you is in a country where it’s hard to get or receive payments.

The solution is a tradeout, in which you get paid in goods or services the company provides. There are plenty of companies you wouldn’t do this for, but even now, I wouldn’t turn up my nose at getting paid in chocolate, hotel stays, or organic beef.

Tradeouts tend to be win-win, because the company pays less for the goods than the retail value your contract will use. So the company in essence gets a discount and doesn’t have to lay out any cash. In return, you hopefully get some goods you would enjoy, and might not otherwise be able to afford. You can even triangulate a tradeout, where you get one of your clients to pay one of your vendors — I’ve done that for people in countries with payment-processing challenges.

Tips to make sure you get paid

It’s good to have your payment method set up — but it won’t make a difference if you don’t have a clear contract that nails down when and how you’ll get paid.

Big rule: Don’t start work for a freelance client without a contract — and in the case of businesses, an up-front deposit.

If your prospect balks at the idea of giving you 30%-50% up front to get started, be wary. Up-front deposits are standard practice for nearly all types of contractors.

This contract should specify exactly what you’ll do, what the payment will be, and most importantly when the payment(s) are due.

A common blunder is to leave the terms of the final payment vague. This means the client could just keep stalling, saying they haven’t finalized the piece yet, essentially forever.

My preferred phrase: “Final payment is due 14 days after turn-in of final draft or upon final acceptance, whichever is sooner.”

This means there is a maximum 2-week wait before your check is due. Boom. Instead of  months of vague promises, calls, threats, until they finally pay up. Avoid that with strong contract terms!

How do you get paid as a freelancer? Let’s discuss on Facebook.

Avoid writing scams: Join Freelance Writers Den

The post Get Paid as a Freelance Writer: 5 Reliable Options appeared first on Make A Living Writing.



from Make A Living Writing http://ift.tt/2gJrBbg

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Challenge #265 - Photo Inspiration

Good morning. Time for a brand new challenge and we hope you will play along.

This week we have a photo to inspire you.


Before we get on to our challenge, let's announce the winners from Challenge #263 - Holiday






We have TWO Top Addicts for this challenge!





Congratulations everyone! Please grab the badges to display on your blogs.

Back to our challenge!


Here is our Design Team with their inspiration for you -



















Wonderful! Over to you now and have fun!





from Addicted to Stamps and More! http://ift.tt/2zNexpW

Halloween Décor Ideas That Will Surely Scare Your Visitors

What sets Halloween apart from other holidays is how invested people are into spooking others through their home décor or costumes. Try the following ideas and see how frightened your neighbors and guests will be.

 

Image Source: Flickr

Stacked Jacks
Who knew a benign pumpkin patch could yield such otherworldly creatures? Assume the role of Dr. Frankenstein this Halloween, and create your own monster, using stacks of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes. Only the heads need carving; if the bumpy body parts don’t sit squarely on each other, level them with a serrated knife, then use toothpicks, pushed into the flesh, to assemble them. Before attaching the head, insert a low-wattage light bulb, and plug it into an outside socket or heavy-duty extension cord. Source: MarthaStewart

Creepy Eyeball Glasses
Give your guests a fright by placing an eyeball at the bottom of your glass. This is a fun way to decorate as it isn’t obvious and it won’t be seen until the drink is tipped. You could print out any eyes and if the glass is plain on the bottom, just stick the eyeballs to the outside of the glass on the bottom. Source: StayGlam

Garage Door Victim
If you really want to freak people out, stuff some old clothes with straw or paper and leave the top half under your garage door, then splatter the front of the door with ketchup. Source: LittleThings

Eerie Glowing Ghost Halloween Décor
Ghosts are Halloween creatures that have been used for ages, but ghosts can also be boring. Make them interesting by creating a Halloween window decoration that will illuminate your window with an eerie blue glow. You can achieve this design by cutting some sheets to look like a ghost and placing a black light in the midst of the sheets. Creating this design in a dark space will make it glow even more. Spirits may exist in this world, but creating a freestanding ghost in your window will make it seem like your home is truly haunted by spirits from beyond the grave. Source: HomeBNC

Too scared of what might lurk outside your windows this Halloween? Get a window treatment today!

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post Halloween Décor Ideas That Will Surely Scare Your Visitors appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.



from Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters http://ift.tt/2iwC8H6

3 Ways to Lessen the Stress During Your Toddler’s Bath Time

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

One of the day-to-day struggles of a parent is bathing a child who absolutely hates being in the water. Make bath time less problematic for both you and your baby by following these great tips:

Image Source: Flickr

Ease bath time worries
Lots of kids have legitimate anxieties about having water poured over their heads. If your children usually cry when you wash their hair, this could be an issue you need to be sensitive to. Make sure the water you’re using is a comfortable temperature, and always warn your kids before you start to pour it over their heads. Consider buying a bathtime visor (a special foam hat that protects your kids’ faces while you rinse their hair), which can help minimize the amount of water that gets into their eyes. Source: TheSpruce

Try new methods
There could be various reasons that your child dislikes bathing. For starters you can try changing his bathing time, maybe bathing time is disrupting his play-time or maybe he is just lazy at a particular time. You could try to switch positions in the bathroom, try a different corner instead of the regular one; your child could like a corner better and cooperate while bathing. You could even start bathing your child’s feet first and make your way upwards since many kids dislike washing their face or hair; you could do this in the end and save yourself some crying time. Source: BeingTheParent

Remember to have fun!
By far the best way to make bath time easy is to make it fun! Get some fun bath toys and play with them with your toddler. You can also sing bath time songs, talk to him or her, or just interact in any way you enjoy. Bath time can be fun for both parent and child, and there’s no better way to make any activity easy than by making it enjoyable! Source: MomTricks

We can help you pick a bathtub that your kid will enjoy. Call us today!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Ways to Lessen the Stress During Your Toddler’s Bath Time appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/2xkketW

A Guide on Vacuum Attachments

Cleaning your carpet isn’t the sole purpose of a vacuum cleaner. In fact, there are several attachments to choose from and each one plays a different role. Here are some examples:

 

Image Source: Flickr

Crevice Tool

With its skinny shape and angled tip, this one gets into the tight spots: corners, along baseboards, around radiators or vents, between sofa cushions, and more. You can also use it for cleaning refrigerator coils or de-linting the inner workings of your dryer. Source: GoodHousekeeping

Dust Brush

A dust brush attachment typically has a circular brush head and is especially effective at picking up dust and particles without scratching surfaces. It works particularly well on window blinds, shelves and wooden surfaces. Source: ABowlFullOfLemons

Upholstery Brush

This extension resembles the vacuum brush but its bristles are more brittle and quite long, making it ideal for working on carpets. Similarly, it is essential to force soap and cleaners into furniture and carpets to get rid of all dirt, odor and stains.

Where it is used: This extension is helpful when getting rid of stains from furniture or shampooing your carpets. You can also use it to remove debris from your couches and armchairs. Source: VacuumsGuide

Stair Cleaner Attachment

Stair cleaner attachments come in many different styles. But most feature a wide, pivoting opening at the end of an extended hose, allowing you to clean around moldings while keeping the standing vacuum at the bottom of the stairs. Source: ApartmentTherapy

Bare Floor Attachment

Extend your vacuum’s usefulness to the kitchen or your hardwood floors. A bare floor attachment allows your vacuum to handle jobs on surfaces it may not have been designed for. The standard vacuum function is for carpets and a bare floor attachment becomes necessary should you want to use it otherwise. You will never have to use a broom again once you get a bare floor attachment. Source: Ebay

Keeping your carpet clean provides great benefits for you and your family. Call us today!

The post A Guide on Vacuum Attachments appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.



from Curlys Carpet Repair http://ift.tt/2h34TYn

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Now Boarding: The Year-End ‘Ugly Barge’ of Productivity for Writers

Board the 'Ugly Barge' of Productivity for Writers. Makealivingwriting.comProductivity for writers has a way of going down the drain during the holidays.

It’s all too easy to get sucked into the vortex of dinner parties, gift shopping, time off, and binge-watching a new season of your favorite TV show.

Your usual schedule for freelance writing and marketing gets squeezed by other things.

Sound familiar?

Fortunately, there’s plenty of time to get stuff done, complete assignments, land new clients, and still enjoy the holidays.

But to get from here to there, you’ll want to get on board the Ugly Barge of Productivity for Writers, says business consultant and former U.S. Army officer Charlie Gilkey.

In a recent Freelance Writers Den podcast, we talked with Gilkey and freelance writer Frances Booth about productivity for writers, systems, procrastination, writer’s block, goal-setting and other topics.

The goal: Help you make the most of the 71 days, 1,704 hours, and 102,240 minutes left in 2017.

Want to know the secret to year-end success and productivity for writers? Get on board.

Productivity for writers during the holidays

How are you doing with those big goals you set back in January? As 2017 slips away, is your productivity slipping too? You aren’t alone.

Freelancing can be tough and scary. Staying productive, especially during the holidays, doesn’t happen by accident—it takes hard work, discipline, and organization.

From conducting year-end reviews to staring down the blank page, Charlie Gilkey and Frances Booth share their best tips to keep you going strong all the way through December 31 in this Q&A.

  • Charlie Gilkey helps people and businesses focus on what matters and then execute it. He is an entrepreneur, philosopher, former U.S. Army officer, and runs the site ProductiveFlourishing.com.
  • Frances Booth is a UK-based author, journalist, and blogger. Her influential book The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World has been translated into six languages.

How do you find a productivity system that’s right for you?

Gilkey: I like to think of productivity systems as if they were an ugly barge. Yes, I said ugly and barge. A barge is designed to do one thing, get stuff from here to there. We don’t care what it looks like or how it works.

We should have that approach to productivity systems. The primary concern is not how pretty or organized it is, but whether it helps you do the stuff that matters.

First look at simple systems that get you going. Then look at how to make them more efficient.

How do you make writing time a priority?

Booth: Seize the time you get, because there’s not always a chance to write. Even if you’re a full time writer there’ll be other aspects of your business you have to spend time on.

Don’t wait until you’ve got a year, don’t wait until you’ve got that month off. Get two or three hours for your writing if possible. Even if it’s half an hour, take the time you’ve got.

How do you set priorities?

Gilkey: As a freelancer, what you’re getting paid to do is the high value activity, right? And activities that help you do more of that are more productive than unrelated things like watching You Tube.

Get clarity on what activities drive the most value. Set your priorities so you do more of those things.

The things that matter most to you are probably the most personally challenging. If it taps into a deep creative, mental, emotional, or social well, those things are easy not to do. Those are generally the first things that fall off people’s lists.

How do you get past staring at a blank page?

Booth: Starting is one of the hardest bits of writing. One tip would be, just start anywhere. Start in the middle. Start with a line. It doesn’t have to be your first line. Then go back and add the start, and later perhaps the end.

Also, create habits particularly for that moment you sit down to write. That might be as simple as always making the same type of tea, and perhaps wearing the same jumper. It becomes an automatic behavior.

How do you strike a balance between planning and doing?

Gilkey: There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer.

Many creative giants get wrapped around having some big why, this big purpose and strategy. They mess with that as opposed to getting out there and figuring it out. If you’re a perfectionist about planning, lean forward more and experiment.

But if you shoot from the hip, go the other way. Figure out how to take aim rather than firing a bunch of random stuff.

There are tools, tips and principles, but you have to try them on and tweak them. Roll your own system and make it work.

What’s your strategy for dealing with procrastination?

Booth: We all find procrastinations in something, because writing is difficult. Once we acknowledge that we can tell ourselves, “Oh yes, I’m procrastinating again.” Then we can say, “Okay, I give myself five more minutes, then I’ll start writing.”

Focus on one task. If we’ve got too many tasks we get overwhelmed. It’s a myth that we can multitask.

How do you conduct an annual business review?

Gilkey: You want three different views.

  1. What did you do this year that you want to keep doing?
  2. What do you need to stop doing?
  3. What do you need to start doing?

For example, if most of your business comes from word of mouth, what are you doing to encourage more? Make a system so you don’t have to market to all sorts of strange places. It sounds obvious, but sometimes it’s the obvious things that we’re not doing.

In our review we often end up with some darling thing, something we care about, but it doesn’t add up to any real results. Those are the hardest to let go.

Also assess your core daily activities, to make sure you’re doing them profitably and joyfully. That’s the creative crux of the review.

How do you stay productive when you’re tired or distracted?

Booth: Expect different things of yourself and have different tasks to do. There are always bitty little tasks that seem boring on another day, but they’re perfect for when you’re tired.

Other motivators could be small rewards, like a walk in the park or nice food at lunchtime. Deadlines are another excellent method.

How do you set daily and weekly goals?

Booth: Plan for the week ahead on Friday—don’t wait until the following Monday. Plan at the end of each day for the next day.

Don’t have too many big things to achieve in a day. Have one big task or maybe three at most, especially if they require you to take a big leap, something perhaps scary. You can’t do too many of those things each day.

Give yourself the gift of productivity

How will you be more productive through the end of the year? Go back to your goals for 2017. Celebrate your wins, and think about what you still need to do. Then follow this advice on productivity for writers and create your own plan to enjoy the holidays and a bright future for freelancing in 2018.

How do you stay productive as a freelance writer? Share your ideas on Facebook.

Maria Veres is a freelance writer based in Oklahoma and a regular contributor to Make a Living Writing.

Freelance Writers Den: Ready to grow your income? Sign up for the waiting list.

The post Now Boarding: The Year-End ‘Ugly Barge’ of Productivity for Writers appeared first on Make A Living Writing.



from Make A Living Writing http://ift.tt/2yHl4Ef

Friday, October 20, 2017

Semiah by Marcon-Ocean View in White Rock

Semiah by Marcon is centrally located near top rated schools, shopping plazas, and recreational centers in White Rock. There are 88 spacious, wide-open floor plan concrete homes with panoramic views. Semiah will offer a mix of 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom + den, 3-bedroom, and 3-bedroom + den condominiums with unit sizes ranging from 1,050 to 1,820 sq ft. From sunrise to sunset, gaze out at Semiahmoo Bay, filled with views that are impossible to take for granted, and contemplate what you might enjoy next. The possibilities are as wide as your view while overlooking the bay.

The post Semiah by Marcon-Ocean View in White Rock appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2yW89zl

3 Childproofing Tips That You Should Know

When your child loves to move around and explore stuff, it makes them prone to accidents. One of the best ways to guarantee the safety of your toddler is to childproof your home. Here are some tips you should follow:

 Image Source: Flickr

Ensure a soft landing

A clean carpet that is soft enough for babies to play on yet tough enough to withstand wear and tear from toddlers can be an invaluable addition to a baby-proofed nursery. A strong water and stain resistant underlayment may save money and frustration over the years. Source: DIYNetwork

Electricity and wiring

Most of us probably received quite a few of those outlet plug covers that you stick in the outlet at our baby showers. A safer alternative in your toddler’s room is to install a safe plate for your electric outlet. Children learn quickly by watching you remove and replace the outlet covers when you vacuum or plug in a new clock, for example, and start to try to copy you. You may want to be a bit more secure in your toddler’s room, when you aren’t right there watching everything she is doing.

If you have a lot of wires in your toddler’s room from the lamp, CD player, humidifier, etc. you may want to consider concealing the wires using a wire gaurd when you are toddler proofing. This can limit curiosity about “what happens when I do this?” that toddlers seem to fall victim of more often than not. it might just save a lamp from falling on her head.

Source: BabySleepSite

Avoid furniture from toppling

Time to secure your TVs and furniture — just in case. Use furniture straps to hold TVs, bookshelves, dressers, and other heavy furniture in place in any rooms where your child might be left alone, even for a minute. Don’t put a TV on top of a dresser — the drawers can be used for climbing. Put corner or edge bumpers on any furniture with sharp edges. Source: WebMD

If your home, or at least your toddler’s room, doesn’t feature carpet flooring yet, then it’s time to make a switch. We can help you pick the best carpet for your needs. Call us today!

The post 3 Childproofing Tips That You Should Know appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.



from Curlys Carpet Repair http://ift.tt/2xc18pL

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Heather and Seventeenth in West Side Vancouver

Heather and Seventeenth, by Terra Blanka Development, is a 4-storey concrete mixed-use building that is located on a quiet, tree-lined street on the west side and offers an extremely rare opportunity to be involved in South Cambie. Designed by GBL Architects, only offering16 2- and 3-bedroom luxury homes. Convenience, tranquility, and second to none, residents are just steps away from parks, shops, restaurants, top-rated schools, and transit.

 

The post Heather and Seventeenth in West Side Vancouver appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2x987Qo

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Pitch Accepted: The Newbie Strategy That Landed a Major Magazine Assignment

Get a major magazine assignment with no experience. Makealivingwriting.com

Can you land a freelance magazine assignment without any clips?

If you’re new to freelancing and don’t have a lot of writing experience, it’s easy to think you can’t.

But it’s just not true.

About a year ago, I started at ground zero. I was pitching local newspapers and charity organizations. And I wasn’t getting anywhere. Not even low-paying gigs or pro bono work.

How was I ever going to land a magazine assignment without any clips?

Fortunately, Carol set me straight. “You need to learn how to pitch successfully,” she said.

Instead of chasing dead-end clients, I decided to go big and pitch a major magazine — the kind of magazine that has a massive readership, millions in ad revenue, and a freelance budget that pays pro rates.

And it worked. Pitch accepted.

Want to know how I did it? Here’s how you can land a major magazine assignment without any clips or experience.

Magazine markets for newbies

I stumbled across a few nuggets of information about magazine writing while I was reading Writer’s Market about how to develop story ideas and write query letters.

Some major magazines work with new writers. For example, I found out that The Atlantic works with new writers and assigns 50 percent of its content to freelancers.

Want to write for a popular magazine? Start here:

  • Study Writer’s Market. If you want to write for a major magazine, this is the best place to find information on what editors are looking for, guidelines, pay rates, and where freelancers fit in.
  • Hint: Save yourself some time, and use the online version that makes it easy to search for magazines in your niche that pay the best rates.

Was I convinced I could land a magazine assignment with The Atlantic, after reading the guidelines? No.

Finding a paying market was just the beginning of the process.

Do your homework

There was one other interesting fact I discovered about The Atlantic. This magazine likes to feature articles about Donald Trump. Just about every magazine has recurring topics and themes they like to cover, and you can find out what they are by doing your homework.

I studied the magazine. I read a ton of back issues and looked for articles on Donald Trump. I even studied The Atlantic’s website and FAQs, to understand it’s style, voice, and audience.

And a story idea with a fresh angle on the POTUS, and his success in business and real estate started to emerge.

  • Got an article idea for a magazine? Before you start writing your pitch, take the time to really get to know the magazine. Look at things like sentence structure, word count, sources, style, voice, graphics, and photos. This step will help you get into the mind of the editor, think like a reader, and refine your idea.

Dig into research

Before I could send a query letter to the editor of The Atlantic, I needed to do some research on my topic. So I mapped out a timeline of Donald Trump’s successes and failures and identified key sources who influenced his decisions.

  • You don’t need to know everything on a topic to write a pitch and land a magazine assignment. But it’s a mistake a lot of new writers make, including myself. You just need to know enough to convince an editor you have a good idea. Do you research, find expert sources, and move on to writing your pitch.

Write a query letter

With enough research on my topic, I sat down to write a query letter for The Atlantic. But I kept getting stuck on a problem that stops a lot of newbie freelancers from moving forward.

Editors receive dozens of queries and pitches each day. Hundreds each week. And for a magazine like The Atlantic, there might be just 100 magazine assignments for freelancers commissioned in a year.

  • How do you make your query letter stand out? There’s more than one way to do this. As a newbie writer, I didn’t have any successful query letters of my own that I could model, so I:
    • Combed through advice on writing queries in Writer’s Market
    • Read a book called How to Sell Every Magazine Article You Write
    • Studied resources in the Freelance Writers Den

And after a lot of self-doubt, editing, and rewriting, I submitted the following pitch to News Desk Editor Scott Stossel at The Atlantic:

Dear Mr. Stossel:

Would you be interested in an article on how President Trump reinvented himself at the age of 44 and how this critical period in his life led to his decision to ultimately seek the presidency?

The article will also cover the development of many of his highly personalized approaches to issues as well as his distinctive mannerisms.

This juicy article will be a great fit for your readers especially because of the wild, sometimes funny, sometimes sad but totally unique journey the author entails.

In December 1990 Trump was living a lavish life in Atlantic City. He was just starting to feel like he was making money with his casinos and many businesses when things turned sour and life threw him headfirst into a huge crisis. Having done what his father and family had expected of him for 30 years, and still ending up bankrupt, Trump decided to do his own thing.

The article covers meaningful aspects of his life during this eventful period, which are both sad and humorous.

Among the many episodes covered are:

– Trump reinvents himself after massive infusion of loans to keep his New York real estate business from failing

– Other influences from family members and associates including Ed Koch, Fred Trump and Roy Cohn

– How he developed a conviction he could become president based on his business success

– Early plans to develop his political background from his father and Roy Cohn

This article will comprehensively explain the reasons behind his business decision to reinvent his apartment lease policies and how this major change from his father’s business practices affected his plans for the rest of his life, including his drive to run for the presidency.

Comments and quotes from his peers, including Ed Koch, will spice the article. A photo section will add a pictorial dimension.

My background includes freelance journalist and patent paralegal.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Cordially,

Douglas Fitzpatrick

Your first magazine assignment

A few days later, I heard back from Scott. My query seemed to come at the perfect time. And I scored my first paid assignment for a major magazine. Kind of crazy.

Here’s what I learned. You don’t need a pile of clips or years of experience to land your first magazine assignment. You just need to get started.

Work through the process to identify a market, study the magazine, research a topic for a story idea, and write a query letter. That’s what pro writers do, and it’s not really any different if you’re just beginning.

The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be signing your first contract.

Need help landing your first magazine assignment? Let’s discuss on Facebook.

Douglas Fitzpatrick is a freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas.

Freelance Writers Den: Ready to grow your income? Sign up for the waiting list.

Save

Save

The post Pitch Accepted: The Newbie Strategy That Landed a Major Magazine Assignment appeared first on Make A Living Writing.



from Make A Living Writing http://ift.tt/2x5XcXE

King George Hub at the Stations

King George Hub by PCI Group is a landmark, mixed-use development that will further transform the rapidly evolving downtown Surrey. Directly adjacent to the Expo Line’s King George Station and the two proposed light rail train stations connecting Newton and Langley City Centre, King George Hub will provide over 760,000 sq ft of LEED Gold, transit-oriented office, retail space in multiple phases and approximately 1.2 million sq ft of residential space. Residents will enjoy over 20,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor amenity space, along with direct access to transit and Holland Park across the street.

 

 

The post King George Hub at the Stations appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2yRwGWa

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Challenge #264 - Clean and Simple

Welcome back! Time for a new challenge. This week our theme is


Just before we get on with things, we would like to announce our winners from Challenge #262 - Make Your Mark.






Congratulations to our winners! Please grab our badge to display on your blogs.

Onto our challenge! Here is our Design Team with their amazing inspiration for you.






\












Over to you now and have fun!



from Addicted to Stamps and More! http://ift.tt/2x4sxdj

Hensley by Cressey in Burquitlam

Hensley by Cressey is coming to the West Coquitlam neighbourhood. This concrete high rise community is expected to include 272 homes over 35 storeys. The unit mix will include one, two, three bedrooms residences, 2 level skyhomes and townhomes with units ranging in size from 550 to 1410 square feet. The community will be located just south of the Austin Avenue and Westview Street at 430 – 450 Westview Street, which is a block east of North Road and is a short walk to skytrain and transit.

The building will offer an exceptional amenity package including a health club with outdoor pool and covered hot tub, steam, sauna, gym and fitness studio, covered gazebos and fire pit. Not to mention there will be a second Atrium style amenity space at the top of the tower with a lounge and games area. Expect fantastic views in all directions!

 

The post Hensley by Cressey in Burquitlam appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2gh70qS