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Joanna Greenberg

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The glories of Liverpool lie in its past industrialization, urbanization and exquisite buildings that shape the city. While football and music have been its prime brand positioning in modern times, they also have several galleries, museums, waterfronts, historic architecture and many others that leave tourists in utter amazement when they move around the city.

Liverpool’s awe-inspiring, tourist destinations draw millions of tourists to catch a glimpse of the city. The city has a friendly environment and an affordable lifestyle, making it easy for people to tour and visit. The following are some of the notable places you can’t afford to miss when you are in Liverpool:

  1. The Beatles Story Experience

Liverpool is famous for the Beatles. To commemorate and celebrate the exploits of the Beatles, an award-winning exhibition center located at Albert Dock, on the UNESCO World Heritage waterfront was erected. This beautiful arena offers visitors the lifestyle, culture, and music of the Beatles Story.

  1. International Slavery Museum

The International Slavery Museum provides an exclusive exhibition into life before the slave trade, how the slave trade started, how slaves were handled and how the slaves suffered discrimination even after the abolishing of the trade. It provides rich insights into centuries of years ago. Locate the museum inside the Mersey Maritime Museum of the Albert Dock.

  1. Liverpool Cathedral

The Liverpool Cathedral is a world-class tourist attraction, providing one of the best tower experiences any tourist might desire in Britain. The tower is the largest in Britain and the fifth in Europe. It offers Bell Chamber, Great Space Film, two dining avenues, and classic music for visitors.

  1. Chester Zoo

If you’re a lover of animals, then you can’t get passed the Chester Zoo. It is a 125-acre zoological garden, situated in Cheshire, serving as a home for over 27,000 endangered and exotic animals. The zoo consists of dreaded animals such as giant snakes, elephants, crocodiles, and others.

  1. Lady Lever Art Gallery

This gallery was dedicated to Elizabeth, Lady Lever by the husband known as William Hesketh Lever. The gallery consists of mind-blowing collections such as Pre-Raphaelite painting and the artistic works of world-renowned men like Millais, Rossetti, Burne-Jones and Holman Hunt. Locate the gallery at Port Sunlight Village.

  1. The Sudley House

The Sudley House, located on the Mossley Hill Road encompasses the finest arts of great people such as Romney, Millais, Gainsborough, Landseer, Burne-Jones and much more. The art collection has been subscribed to the work of a Victorian merchant ship owner known as George Holt. When you move through these places, you will notice the beauty of Liverpool and why it has served as a leading tourism hub in Britain.

LIVERPOOL ONE

We have included this excellent infographic by Liverpool One which shows clearly how to get to some of its most social media friendly destinations, which also by definition means destintions where you can see some of the world-class art and culture Liverpool has to offer:

The Evolution of Lighting Design has come a long way over the centuries, in 1807 where the Victorian lighting breakthrough first came through gas fired streetlights, transforming the London landscape and creating a much-needed boost to safety.  From gas through to the very first light bulb, invented by Joseph Swan in Newcastle Upon Tyne which eventually revolutionised lighting in buildings from his very own home, through to theatres and shops. With the invention of the lightbulb, inevitably, the subsequent styling and interior design elements followed and elaborate contemporary lamp shades from companies like Tiffany were popular with the wealthier communities. Designer Lighting and modern lighting accessories had been born. The designs began to evolve and moved through the decades, including iconic desk lamps and the first-floor lamps, through to pendant lighting and modern chandeliers.  Of course, the technology changed to and we saw the emergence of LED light bulbs and importantly energy saving bulbs to help the environment. 

Today, there is a huge range of modern lighting accessories and designer lights to choose from and Naken Interiors are one of the UK’s premier suppliers to customers here. Sometimes the sheer volume and diverse range of choice possible now days can overwhelm, but once a theme is chosen, you are able to transform a room from the ordinary to the extra-ordinary! Lighting has such an impact on the interior design look and feel to our homes and workplaces, so it is worth investing in designs that make a statement and makes your spaces really shine.

Starting a small business can be one of the most rewarding and financially lucrative decisions you will ever make. It is no surprise then that there are over 30 million small businesses in the United States. Perhaps more impressively, nearly 50% of the American workforce are employed by small businesses.

Small businesses promote creativity, the entrepreneurial spirit, and a sense of independence that can be hard to find in a larger corporate setting. Additionally, there are a dizzying amount of different types of small businesses that can turn out to be lucrative for the owners.

Types of Small Businesses

  • Restaurants
  • Consulting Firms
  • Public Relations
  • IT Solutions
  • Blogging
  • Tutoring

A complete list of small business ideas would be impossible to compile because of the sheer range of possibilities. When you want to start a small business, you must think of a skill that you have that you know will be in demand. Once you have the idea, create a business plan that lays out your expenses, expected growth, and profitability.

With a good idea and a well-formed business plan, you will be well on your way to starting a successful small business. With that being said, you will still need to find funding for your new financial venture, which can be a difficult process. 

Read the tips below on how to fund your small business. 

Outside Investors

Outside investment is one of the most effective ways to fund your small business. If you manage to raise money from outside investors, have faith that your business plan is well constructed and potentially profitable. 

Additionally, having outside investors who own a stake in your company will minimize your risk if your business does not manage to succeed.

So, how exactly do you attract outside investment?

Firstly, remember that in order to effectively attract outside investment, you must have a solid business plan. No one will want to go into business with someone who has not done their homework. Once that is complete, there are a variety of different ways to find people willing to invest in your new company.

Outside Investor Resources

  • Business schools
  • Online business communities 
  • Friends and family
  • Angel investors
  • Investing clubs

Make sure you do your research to find out which type of strategy would work best for you.

Loans

When you start a small business, it is always a good idea to start your funding journey through outside investment. However, if you can’t find enough outside investment to fully fund your small business, you can turn to a variety of loan options that will help you set up your business. 

Government Small Business Loan

Small businesses are good for the American economy. As such, there are loan programs set up by the government that are designed to reward small business owners and entrepreneurs. The Small Business Administration, or SBA, is a government program that helps small business owners achieve their goals. The SBA promises lower interest rates and down payments, as well as no collateral needed for some loans.

Bank Loan

If you don’t have a line of already established business credit, it can be difficult to receive a bank loan for your small business. However, depending on your credit, a bank might be willing to give you a personal loan that you can then use to help get your business of the ground.

Title Loans

A title loan is a great option if you have bad credit but are in need of cash in order to start a small business. If you own a free and clear title to a vehicle, you could qualify for a title loan. 

While interest rates can be higher for a title loan, they will get you money quicker than an SBA or bank loan. Additionally, depending on the value of your car, a title loan might even be able to get you more money.

What Type of Funding is Right for You?

Starting a small business can be a daunting process. However, if you eventually find success through your small business, all the fear and sacrifices that go into building one will be worth it.

One of the most important things you need to do in order to start a small business is get enough funding.

Luckily, if you use the tips outlined above, you will be well on your way to owning your own small business. 

The casino is more like an amusement park for adults where gaming activities are being carried out. However, gambling is the major activity in many of the casinos today.

It involves investing a certain amount of money on a certain prediction. A successful prediction indicates wins with more profit while an unsuccessful prediction indicated loss of invested money.

Many casino players have failed for reasons unknown to them. They believe it is just about predicting. Casino involves an interplay of numerous factors. Schmitts Online Casino has helped in compiling 4 reasons why casino players fail, they include the following:

  • Lack of Understanding of The Rules

This is the major reason why casino players fail. This is because they believe rules are general. It should be known however that each game varies in rules. In fact, rules vary from country to country or even between different casinos. For example, using the same rule for Blackjack and Blackjack Switch leads to failure. One way to curb this is to familiarise oneself with the rules guiding the game.

  • Playing The Wrong Game

Some casino players fail because they play games they are not comfortable with. Failure follows when the game is tedious or hard to appreciate. It is difficult not to know the rules and play the right game. For instance, some players opt-in for the American version of Roulette with its double zero pockets. This implies failure as they increase the house edge by 3% as compared to opting for the European or French version.

  • Intoxicated, Yet Gambling

Research has shown that excessive consumption of alcohol reduces the thinking capacity of the consumer. Some players are fond of drinking while playing. This makes them place the wrong bet, thereby losing. In addition, drinking alcohol is a form of distraction in a game. For example, slowing down in the croupier denotes total failure. Croupiers are known for their fast dealings. Therefore, stay away from alcohol in order to increase your winning chances in casino games.

  • Falling For Gambler’s Fallacy

Gambler’s fallacy believes that an outcome is more likely to occur in the future because the opposite has been occurring frequently. Some players fall into this fallacy thereby losing them chances. The truth is that the other way round is also possible; an outcome might occur soon if it hasn’t happened for a while. Players should know that each spin is independent of the spin before or after it. Gambling is a game of mathematics and not in any way related to previous outcomes

There are many reasons why casino players fail. Some of them also include playing outside your bankroll, ignoring optimum strategies, trusting betting systems, playing with real money without trial, playing at unlicensed casinos, etc. It is important for players to be extra cautious while playing.

This will help increase their winning chances. Not everyone makes mistake in casino games,  those that know the way and put it into action don’t. Don’t fall for any of the above tricks and you will be on top of the game.

You should never break this rule: Buy your cigars only from a trusted professional local retailer or a reputable online tobacconist store where you can get good pipe tobacco online. This rule can never be over emphasized. You don’t want to buy something that you’ll regret.

The shopping convenience of buying cigars online anytime, from anywhere that the internet has brought us is actually enjoyable and safe if we arm ourselves with the right guidelines and tips:

Can they Guarantee Fresh Cigars

Be sure what you’re buying are fresh cigars. For it to be really fresh it means the store have a good humidor and keep their cigars at ideally around 70% humidity and 70 degrees F preferably. This will ensure the cigars are kept at high quality. You may need to contact the online store to find out.

Can they Guarantee Fast Delivery

The store should be able to arrange for fast shipping. You cannot afford to wait forever for your cigar to arrive. If they have a shipping option of 2 – 4 days that will be great. This will go a long way to reduce the time that your cigars will be on the road and outside of a humidor. If it stays too much on transit, what you’ll get will be different from what you paid for. It’s risky to compromise on this.

Read Reviews about the Sore Products and Services

You can find reviews from other cigar buyers about the store. Ask friends around about the online store. Chances are that if the online store is around for some time then one or two others have been served by them who are willing to relay their experience.

Do They Offer Cigar Singles

Find out if the online store offers cigar singles. If you find a shop that offers cigar singles it means you will be allowed to taste any cigar to see if you want to really buy the whole box. With this you can feel what you want to buy before bring out your credit card.

It’s ideal that before making a decision you test like 2 different cigars of one brand. This is a great tip especially for new cigar smokers.

Is the Online Store Secure?

To keep your financial details safe only buy from online stores that use data encryption technology or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This helps keep whatever financial information you’re exposing on the website safe and secure and cannot be seen or decoded  by a third party.

Do a little check to confirm they have a privacy policy and terms of use clearly stated. Ensure you register with a secure password. Combine your password with numbers, letters and symbols.

How About their Customer Service

How is the online store customer service like? Do they have various means to contact them? Is it easy to contact them? You may need to contact them from time to time for one reason or the other especially if you’re a beginner or not to experienced and need clarification on some stuff.

Here are vital tips to help you with cutting, lighting and smoking your cigar like the pros.

To have a perfect and easy cut using a double bladed guillotine cutter it is best to lay the cutter on a table, place your cigar straight in the cutter and snip.

Using this method makes it possible to have a straight and perfect cut. It picks just the right piece to chop off the cigar.

To keep your cigar burning evenly and nicely like the pro do you need to regularly rotate it. Rotate the slow burning part to the bottom. This works well because the bottom burns faster. The oxygen that feeds the flame has not been displaced by the smoke so it allows that bottom art to burn on and on faster than the top part of the cigar.

If your cigar seems to be a little tight simply squeeze and massage it gently. This could loosen the bunch and the problem may be fixed. If this seems not to work then poke a hole through it length by using a skewer or ice pick. Do this carefully and only before you light your cigar.

Your cigar off just too often? You should do this. Before you take that draw of smoke to savour against your palate try to draw and exhale a quickly a couple of times. This keeps your cigar burning even the difficult burning ones.

You must have heard some self acclaimed gurus say that 70% is the ideal relative humidity for cigar storage. The truth of the matter is that most cigars (not all though) will actually be too wet at that point and drawing it will be a task and the real taste will be affected. For the best experience keep your stuff around 65% RH preferably.

If you want to quickly and easily check how effective your humidor seal is working. Simply empty it and place an energized flashlight in it. Then properly close the lid and take a close observant look at it in a dark room. If the light shines right through then there are leaks or gaps in the humidor so you shouldn’t expect it to give you the best.

Whenever your butane lighter is beginning to misbehave and not serving you as it used to. The answer here is to purge it. Have it emptied and depress the fill system. Allow all the shut-in air in the empty gas reservoir to totally go out. When you no longer hear those hissing sounds then your lighter is perfectly purged.

Only remove your cigar band after it has been lit for around five minutes. The heat on the cigar would have loosen the glue on it from the wrapper. This will help prevent you tearing the leaf.

If you have to relight a cigar you’ve left sitting for some time. Pick it tap off gently all the remaining ash and blow gently to clear any stake air that may alter the taste. When satisfied light it and blow again gently through the cigar for about 5 seconds before taking in your first draw. This helps reduce the sour taste that comes with relit pipe tobacco cigars.

The first thing to note is that a cigar is not inhaled but sipped gently , and then blown out gently (exhaled). Absorbing the flavor on your palate.

I’ll be giving you some salient tips to help you smoke like a pro. Some folks have been smoking for a while but they still lack some basic smoking skills that will help them maximize the fun.

In order not to unravel the outermost cigar wrapper you should be careful not to cut too far into the cigar. Newcomers especially should take note of this. If you buy tobacco online as a newbie you may not kn

Cardboard matches should not be used. You could ruin the cigar if you do because they are tainted with chemicals.

You don’t have to knock off the ash. Allow it go off by itself. One key quality of a good cigar is a long ash. It won’t hurt to show off with it.

Before smelling a cigar it’s best to remove the cellophane. Leaving the cellophane on means you won’t be able to really smell the vital essence of your cigar. If not you’ll end up with other scents.

Use Cedar Spills

Using Cedar is very important. It is known to help retain a needed degree of moisture. It fine smell blends so we’ll with tobacco like no other.

Ever wondered why most manufacturers put sheets of cedar in cigar boxes? It’s because of its fine blend with tobacco.

Deal with the Cigar Band

You don’t have to tear the brand name on the cigar. Doing that could tear up the Wrapper. There is nothing wrong letting others see the brand you smoke especially when the brand is topnotch.

Handle the Ash with Care

While it’s fun to leave the ash trailing, it could fall off where you don’t want it to so it’s advisable to let it go at some point to avoid any emergency.

Don’t worry if you have no ashtray around, you can ash it on the lawn. These premium cigars are natural so have no fear of harming the soil or grass.

Put Out a Cigar

You shouldn’t snuff out a cigar like you do a cigarette. They aren’t the same. All you need to do with a cigar is place the cigar butt in an ashtray and let it fall off on it own. Cigar have no chemicals in them that cause them to burn so you can allow it go off on it own.

Relighting A Cigar That Has Gone Out

You have to keep your hand rolled cigar burning by puffing and positioned where are can reach it. This is because it has no chemical elements in it that allows it to burn on its own.

It’s best to relight a cigar when warm. If it cold before you decide relighting it the taste is tainted. Even when you cut it and remove the ash there will still be remnants in it. It is best to keep it lit but just in case it goes off just light another one.

Do you have intention to give a friend some cigars as gift? If yes, then this guide will put you through on what to give that will represent your class and please the person you’re sending the gift to. You know it’s not every cigar you should present as a gift that will give you and your person the right image and impression.

Does the Appearance Strike a Cord

When it comes to gifts appearance matter a lot. People are moved by what they see. The outer wrapper of a cigar is a good sign of it general quality.

To give a presentable cigar gift go for those that have smooth and shiny wrappers. If you can find any tear or cracks on it, then it may be bad. Give the cigar pack a charming appearance. An appearance that is appealing and inviting.

Does the Color Match?

You will find cigars in many different colors. Colors like black, brown, red, green and yellow. Colors are powerful and charming and have meanings attached to them. Depending on the occasion and favourite color of the person choose a color that will perfectly match. Don’t just go for what color you like. Put the person in question and the occasion in mind as you select the color.

As you settle the color issue. You should know that cigars with spots, smudges, or dark spots on the wrappers are not good to present as a gift especially if you want to make a good impression with the gift.

Cigars that are like that are poorly stored or poorly constructed. This kind will give a bad impression about your person. Depending on the persons and occasion it’s sometimes better to pick those with even and uniform color.

Does it Feel Good?

The feeling a cigar has is great and impactful. The color, wraps and texture of the cigar should emit a nice feeling. To have this get a cigar that is firm when squeezed and springs back to shape. Those kinds that a so soft and mushy and a turn off to those who really know cigar and smoke well. You can’t afford to give a less quality cigar to one who is an experienced cigar smoker. It won’t strike the right cord.

Does it Smell Good?

We all know that taste and smell are closely related. You need to consider the smell the cigar emits and be satisfied with it before considering it as a gift.

The flavors people smokers associate with cigars are not tasted with the tongue but the nose. Go for those filtered cigars that smell good. There are a lot if them these days. If it smells well it’ll sure be great to smoke.

Before all this you need to be sure the person you’re gifting the cigar smokes. It won’t hurt to try to find out from third parties what he enjoys smoking. His wife, girl friend, friends or close associates will come handy here – ask them.

Most newbies have daunting task buying their first cigar. It need not be so with the right tips in your hand.

One of the challenging issue they face is choosing from sin many varieties. And also entering into a new world of different vocabularies. Sometimes you don’t even know what is been said. You don’t know how to communicate with other cigar lovers or sellers. Everyone can just tell you’re a newbie.

If you’re a newbie I’m the cigar world then you’re in the right place you need not fear. This is a straight to the point guide to help you find your foot and blend with the others seamlessly.

This guide will hopefully help you in your first cigar buying go smoothly as expected.

Try to Stick to Tobacconists


As a beginner there is so much you don’t know so you shouldn’t fall into the hands of sellers who are not professionals. There are several advantages why you should buy from a tobacconist.

Buying from a tobacconist means you’ll large selection of quality cigars you can choose from. If you have any questions they can give you the perfect answer and put you through. You’ll be guided professionally. Their staff are usually very knowledgeable and we’ll experienced so they know all that a newbie can start with. You’ll also receive valuable tips to help you stay safe.And you’re sure anything you buy with them is topnotch. If what you want is a safe start then a tobacconist is the right classroom for you.


Start Small


This happens to almost all cigar beginners. They usually don’t know what to start with or what they really like to take. So your preferences will change frequently. To help settle this issue it’s best to buy a few and see how it goes. Experiment with the few you have and you’ll sooner than later find what best suits your style and taste.

Start with Mild Cigars

Don’t rush things. Don’t try to act a pro. Don’t try to be someone else. Just take it easy and gradual with yourself. For a beginner like you, full-bodied smokes can be overwhelming and potentially even unpleasant. It’s not a good start at all for you. Go for mild cigars, there are lots of little cigars in this category. And if you feel comfortable you can then move from there. They will help ease you into the other stronger cigars if you want to proceed into the cigar smoking adventure. This will keep you interested and not turned off at the very beginning.

Don’t Spend a Fortune

Don’t start spending heavily from the beginning. You need not spend a fortune. Grow into the life don’t drag yourself forcefully into it. You may get burnt early and have yourself to blame.  For a newcomer you can easily get a quality cigar for under $10. You need not go for expensive and fanciful cigars now. Stay with the mild and moderate cost cigars. Get your palate developed and then you can scale up to the extravagant smoke.

Long road trips are every parent’s nightmare – but, believe it or not, they can be enjoyable for the whole family! Don’t worry if you’ve exhausted games like I-Spy and spot the yellow car, there are plenty of other ways you can keep your kids happy during a long car journey.

Follow these top tips to help your journey, wherever you’re going, feel more like minutes than hours.

Sun shades at the ready

First things first, you’ll need to bring sun shades to stop your children from getting too hot and being agitated by the sun. After all, a hot journey is certainly not a comfortable one! This simple trick guarantees a much more peaceful back seat.

If you have young children, it’s extra important to equip your car with sun shades. Even if you have air conditioning, the cool air might not reach the car seats in the back!

Make a playlist

Make a playlist and be sure to include songs the whole family love. Let the kids pick a handful of their own favourites, that way there will be no fighting over which song is next! The anticipation of waiting for their songs will help to keep the kids quiet and the hours will fly by a lot quicker. Sing-a-long is optional!

Bring along some toys

Toys are the ultimate distraction – and kids love them! Pick up some of their favourite toys that are easy to carry and you’re on to a winner. If you have young children, opt for their favourite dolls, teddies or figures. For older children, you might want to bring along some puzzles (like a magic cube), colouring books or even a good book to read.

Looking to treat your kids to some new toys for your long journey? You don’t have to invest in expensive gadgets that will set you back hundreds, take a look at these cheap toys for kids for a little inspiration!

Don’t forget the snacks

It’s important to keep your kids healthy, but the occasional treat won’t do them any harm. Pack some of their favourite sweet treats or chocolate to keep them happy – at least for a little while! If you prefer, you could pack some healthy snacks such as fruit or seeds. If you’re going to be in the car for a long time, you might even want to pack a more substantial packed lunch to keep the whole family happy.

Take a break

It’s time to stretch those legs! Kids and adults alike can get restless on a long journey, so if you are travelling a long way it’s a good idea to take breaks often (every few hours or so). This will help your children to release any energy they have built up in the car (and you can have a much needed stretch!)

Watch a film or TV show

You don’t have to have a top-of-the-range car equipped with built-in screens to benefit from this one! Bringing along a tablet or a phone to watch a film on is the ultimate way to keep the kids entertained for hours. Unlike in-car games and snacks, films will last a lot longer. Peppa Pig at the ready.

How do you keep your kids happy on long car journeys? Let us know in the comments below!