The Perfect Party Music*

For most people music is one of the most important elements of a party. Virtually everyone loves to dance and
even those who do not want to actually get up and boogie on down love to watch others enjoying themselves on the dance floor and like listening to the music. In most cultures music is an important part of any celebration so if you are planning a party it really is worth taking the time to get the music right, especially as we head in to party season!

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Live is usually best

If you have enough space and the right venue it is always worth hiring a party band. Doing so adds something a little extra special to your event.
Most DJs do a good job but there really is nothing quite like live music. It is much more memorable than recorded tracks for one thing. People love the energy of a live performance but you need to ensure you hire a good band to really benefit- it is not enough to go online and hire the first party band you see. That approach is a sure fire way to end up disappointed, you need to take the time to find a group that has plenty of experience and a reputation for filling the dance floor.

The Vibetown party band is a great example of the type of group I am talking about here. They have plenty of experience and perform live at all kinds of events including weddings. Most importantly of all they take a flexible approach and will adapt the tracks that they play to suit the crowd they are performing for.

Choosing a good playlist

However it does not matter how well the party band you choose plays, if they do not play the right kind of music you could still end up disappointing your guests and wasting your money.
It is always well worth spending some time going through their playlists and choosing songs that you know your guests will enjoy. Try to mix things up a bit to make sure that there are tracks that everyone can potentially get up and dance to. This is particularly important for family events where you are likely to be inviting people of all age groups.

If you want some ideas to help you to choose the tracks for your next party you will love this page. It is a list of the most requested party songs so is a great starting point for choosing a playlist and making sure you have something to suit all of your guests.

Background music

You also need to think about background music. It is a good way to create a nice ambience as your guests arrive. If food is to be served having music playing gently in the background while everyone eats can also be a good idea. The best party bands will provide this service as part of their package if you ask them to- just ask if this is part of their deal and be prepared for a slight additional cost, albeit a well worth it one.

What are some of your favourite party tracks?

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Studying Online in the UK: Some Pros and Cons*

Education varies greatly in different parts of the world. The current university system however is globally acknowledged and generally accepted as standard. Now with the Internet becoming so accessible it has opened up great new horizons for educational institutions- most universities now offer courses online and provide study materials themselves. Some of these courses are completely free whilst others are paid for. Courses use techniques like video conferencing to bring the classroom in to your own home, but like everything else these educational methods too have their own pros and cons.
Advantages:

-> One of the main reasons people choose distance education is because it enables them to work and therefore earn while they study. For students who already have families or come from low-income households this could be a deciding factor in whether they will acquire an education or not. Many of Britain’s already established and accredited universities offer online courses but often at costs proportionate to their traditional study fees. There are also specific online universities like NC Italian University London that offer excellent low-cost courses in different subjects.

-> Online distance courses offer greater flexibility in studying. Students have the choice of studying whenever they feel most motivated and interested rather than attending mandatory lectures. It also allows them to study at their own speed.

-> Distance education is cost-effective. It enables one to cut down on living expenses that would otherwise be incurred by actually going to university and living there. Travel expenses will also be reduced drastically. In some cases tuition for online education is much cheaper.

-> For students with physical or mental health issues distance education is a great alternative to get their degrees and prepare for a good career.

Disadvantages:

-> One thing that people opt for distance education will miss out on is the camaraderie and fun of university life. This is the time when people make memories and solid friendships as well as establish a base for their future careers. This is absent in the cases of distance education.

-> One of the things that give students a boost in studies in campus education is the presence of a learning environment. In the case of distance education it is the students alone who are responsible for creating this. If he or she is unable to do so then they might just be setting themselves up for failure.

-> The absence of a teacher in many courses might be a deterrent. Some students thrive on being left alone to figure things out while others need a firm guiding hand. The latter type students will have a tough time without a teacher especially in subjects that they normally find difficult.

-> Not everyone has access to or knowledge of the technology required for undertaking distance education. For students who are uncomfortable with the technology used by online universities this is not such a suitable option.

Distance education might not be suitable for everyone but the trend is here to stay. For those who cannot for whichever reason take the regular path, distance education provides an extremely valuable alternative as well as learning opportunities that our societies up to about half a century ago could not even imagine.

As someone who is currently contemplating further education via distance learning I would love to hear your experiences.

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Fit for a Princess with JewelleryBox

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with jewellery and there’s one brand that has really caught my attention lately thanks to seeing their beautiful packaging and delicate pieces ALL OVER instagram and my favourite blogs. JewelleryBox is an online accessories retailer who provide high quality, super dainty pieces in 9ct gold or sterling silver at really affordable prices meaning beautiful jewellery is accessible to everyone, hurrah! They very kindly offered me the chance to pick something from the website so I could see what all of the fuss is about for myself and the second I clapped eyes on this ring* I knew it was the one.
The ring arrived so prettily packaged that I almost didn’t want to unbox it and disturb the perfection. I soon got over this though as I couldn’t wait to see my new ring (although I did take everything apart very delicately which is highly unusual for me!)

The ring itself is gorgeous, dainty and looks far more expensive than it’s £10.15 price tag. It’s of excellent quality too, sometimes I find silver tarnishes almost instantly when it comes in to contact with my skin but I’ve been wearing this ring non-stop since it arrived and there isn’t even a hint of a blemish.

I’m so smitten with this and I have several more pieces from JewelleryBox on my wish list ready for a little treat, probably whilst I’m busy picking up pretty little Christmas presents for my friends and family- “one for you & one for me” is a totally acceptable gift buying policy, right?

Have you ever bought from JewelleryBox before? I’d love to know what you picked and what you thought.

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Wish List- Vintage Style Jewellery*

Another week another wish list- I’ve been spending so much time browsing getting inspiration for Christmas shopping and gift guides that it was inevitable I’d stumble across rather a few things I’d like to own myself. Jewellery has been the main object of my desire this week, specifically vintage jewellery (and vintage style jewellery). I go through phases with what types of jewellery I favour but vintage has always held a great appeal to me. When I was much younger I inherited a beautiful vintage Victorian cameo necklace from my Grandma and that fuelled some kind of obsession with historical pieces. These days I have quite an eclectic collection of jewellery spanning any number of years. With the return to Autumn and the rich colours emerging I’m suddenly craving a return to the past, I’d love to be pairing the pieces below with chunky berry toned knitwear and layers of scarves and hats.

Here | Here | Here | Here | Here | Here | Here | Here

Of course modern jewellery has it’s time and place but for me I favour it more in the Summer months when my style in general tends to be more minimal. Is anyone else a seasonal jewellery switcher? What’s your current style?

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Pusheen at Watchshop.com

Cat lovers and fans of Pusheen grab your pencils and get ready to add to your Christmas list! Brand new to watchshop.com is the most adorable (supposedly Children’s but plenty of room for an adult sized wrist too) bargain of a watch.

Pusheen Watch c/o Watch Shop

I know that by 29 I should be favouring more mature styles but some days you just need a little something pink and plastic to cheer you up! I’ve been pairing this little beauty with denim and slouchy sweaters and I’ve caught a few people giving it a sneaky admiring glance when I’m out and about.

At only £11.99 this would make a perfect Christmas present for children and adults alike, at that price you could easily justify picking one up for yourself too if you can’t wait for Santa!

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