Winter Decor For 2019

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. It seems that as soon as trick-or-treaters spread their treasures out on the living room carpet, storefronts and strip malls chuck their pumpkins and deck the halls. Decor-shopping can be addicting, and a simple trip to Target or HomeGoods can end in enough lights and garland to decorate a skyscraper. That’s why it’s important to plan out what you’re going to get before you visit a brick-and-mortar or online store. These are some of the top winter decor aesthetics for 2019.

VÄRMER Collection – IKEA

Their furniture may be infamously difficult to put together, but their 2019 winter collection drives a hard bargain. Modernist decor is known for its geometry and solid color, which this collection has in droves. From bold and bright star lights to crosshatch-patterned aprons, the VÄRMER collection uses white space to its advantage. Apple red and ocean blue lines contour the collection, evoking images of holly berries and frozen-over lakes. The simplicity of this collection makes it perfect for any home aesthetic!

Read the full blog at MaryMickel.net.

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Pinterest Spotlight: DIY Crafts I Love

There’s nothing more relaxing than some good old-fashioned DIY. I’ve been saving some of my favorite crafty projects on my DIY Pinterest board, and thought I’d take some time to share them with you. Some of these would make great holiday gifts, while others are perfect for when you’re snowed-in!

Read the full blog at MaryMickel.net, and check out Mary Mickel’s Pinterest!

Exploring “The Beyond” With Georgia O’Keeffe

Last autumn, as splashes of warm color decorated branches and sidewalks and the first hint of a chill wove through sleepy towns, I had the distinct pleasure of observing pops of springtime color. The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art offered this display, housing more than 30 of O’Keeffe’s paintings and works by over a dozen emerging artists who found inspiration in her work. For three and a half months at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR, Georgia O’Keeffe’s still lifes, landscapes, and feminine form studies were on full display in all of their rich, bold, luscious grandeur. Here are just a few of the pieces featured at the exhibit that were my favorites. Be sure to visit the websites of the talented artists behind these lovely works.

 

To see these fantastic piece of art, visit MaryMickel.net.

Pinterest Spotlight — Fall Inspiration

As you can tell, these aren’t fall colors, but COLOR in general gives me life, as does the crisp fall air. I am rejuvenated this season and find myself thinking about all sorts of changes and looking for new infusions of inspiration for my work as well. Below are some of my favorite, colorful brilliant images that are inspiring me this season. Be sure to follow my Inspiration board on Pinterest for all the color you could ever want!

1: It doesn’t get more beautiful than Judy Garland passed out in a bed of poppies with gorgeous faux snow speckling her face!

To read the full blog, visit MaryMickel.net.

Benefits of Traveling by Train

In the early 19th century, trains were the main form of travel in North America and Europe. Rail travel has certainly declined in the past century, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a fun and efficient way to travel. Around the world, passenger trains continue to offer transportation between cities. Rail travel has many advantages over traveling by plane or by car. Take a look at these 5 reasons to book a train ticket today.

Scenery

The views offered by train rides cannot be replicated by any other form of transportation. Trains often wind through the countryside, around mountains, and past rivers. These scenic views are often inaccessible to cars and invisible to planes, whether that’s due to the driver being focused or the plane zipping through a cloud-filled sky. Fortunately, all train passengers have to do is relax and watch the world pass by.

Comfort

Trains offer comfort and other amenities that you don’t always get from other vehicles. Unlike planes, trains offer plenty of legroom and walking space in case you’re tired of sitting, and the bathrooms can be quite spacious. Long train rides come with restaurants and sleeper cabins, which should never be taken for granted! Plus, passengers can bring on outside food, drink, and activities to enjoy during the ride, with trash receptacles available once you’ve finished your snacks. Both cars and planes seem cramped in comparison.

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.net.

Maintaining Professionalism on Social Media

In 2018, Business Insider reported that a whopping 70% of employers used social media to screen job applicants. By visiting candidates’ Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram profiles, among others, hiring managers took note of the language and attitudes used when posting in a public forum. If you haven’t cleaned up your social media act, it’s time to start. Here are some ways to be professional on social media.

Privacy Settings

Be aware of what the privacy settings on your account are, who can see your content and what types of settings you can have. Some social media platforms give your the opportunity to make specific pieces of content that you post private, while others have broader privacy settings. There are also settings that allow you to prevent certain people from looking at your content. Make sure that you know all about security settings before you post content because if you post anything that is controversial, you may hurt your career. Even if you have a private account, remember that what you post on the internet will stay around forever, even if you delete it.

Do Not Post Controversial Photos

When you post images on social media, do not post anything that could be taken the wrong way. For example, do not post provocative pictures of yourself. It is also not a good idea to post pictures of yourself that relate to drug use, alcohol use, adult relations and breaking the law. Even hinting at these activities in a joking manner can be inappropriate. After all, will everyone understand that you were just messing around? Be sure not to include illicit paraphernalia, even red plastic cups, in your pictures—especially if you are not the legal drinking age!

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.com.

What Does Success in Digital Marketing Look Like?

The age of technology has made digital marketing a necessity for businesses. Even so, the internet is a fairly uncertain place, especially for businesses considering digital marketing. How can you be sure your business is handling it correctly? This is what success looks like in digital marketing.

Innovation

Finding new ways to do things is what keeps a business like Barnes and Noble afloat for years, while resistance to change is what leads to the downfall of competitors such as Borders. It’s important to keep up with the goings-on within your industry and target markets, as small happenings can lead to major shifts. This butterfly effect implies the need for constant monitoring of subtle changes in the market. What better way to do this than by maintaining an online presence through digital marketing?

Social Media Engagement

The cornerstone of a digital marketing campaign is the use of social media. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other sites allow for quick sharing of multimedia. Thanks to hashtags and keyword metrics, it’s easier than ever to promote your message. While there are numerous ways to measure the success of your social media campaigns, the most overt is overall engagement. How many times are your Tweets viewed? How many likes, shares, and reposts do you receive on average? Do you earn new followers each day? These numbers are the baseline for maintaining or adjusting your social media strategy to maximize the effectiveness of your digital marketing campaign.

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.com.

Autumn’s East Coast Vacation Destinations

Summer may be the go-to getaway season, but have you considered the benefits of an autumn vacation? From milder temperatures to lower costs to smaller crowds, fall trips offer the most bang for your buck. If you’re still itching for some rest and relaxation long after the sun sets on summer, here are some great trips to take this autumn!

Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida

When the summer sun beats down on asphalt and mouse-eared tourists, it can be hard to be happy—even in “The Happiest Place on Earth.” So, while summer is the perfect time to gather the kiddos for a long vacation, it’s not always the perfect time to visit Walt Disney World. In fact, June through early August is considered one of the worst times to visit the 30,000 Acre Wood due to heat, humidity, and crowds. But, once late August hits and summer turns to fall, there’s no better time to visit Mickey Mouse. While the heat beats on, particularly at the start of the season, and hurricane season can result in not-so-sunny weather, offers of free dining packages and great off-site hotel deals make this prime time to visit. To make the most of these benefits, look into early October.

Charleston, South Carolina

Rated the number one fall travel destination by U.S. News, Charleston is the perfect vacation destination for anyone who loves history and culture. Rich with Revolutionary War-era architecture and decor, Charleston offers a unique blend of past and present. From the Taste of Charleston food festival in October to countless fall tours by the city’s Preservation Society, the Holy City treats your five senses like royalty. Plus, Charleston’s famous magnolia trees display beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn, providing warmth and a splash of color on blustery days.

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.net.

3 Ways to Polish Your Resume

Often, your resume serves as a company’s first impression of you, and you want it to be a good first impression. But beyond quadruple-checking grammar and updating your job experience, how can you make your resume stand out above the rest? The following three tips can bolster your resume and get you noticed by employers.

Alter the Aesthetics

If you work in a highly technical field, a basic serif font on a resume will suffice. However, for graphic designers, videographers, and writers, you may want to consider adding some color to the resume. There are plenty of templates out there for building a colorful resume, from borders to unique fonts, but putting in some personal touches will really make it pop. So, what all can you do? For starters, pick a font that’s easy to read but unique enough to stand out. Avoid generic fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial, but don’t pick overly decorative fonts like Curlz. Once you’ve settled on a font, embellish the document with some color. Try to keep the colors calm, and if you use more than one, make sure the color scheme is logical. For example, green and red look good during the holidays, but can easily clash. You can also add a border or background, but make sure it isn’t too distracting. Overall, you want your resume to be distinct but subtle—an oxymoronic balance, but a realistic one.

 

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.com.

Top Packing Tips for Long-Term Travel

It’s easy to overpack for a short vacation, and even easier to overpack for a long one. Since you’ll be lugging your bags to and from the airport, and you’ll likely be taking home all sorts of trinkets from your travels, you’ll definitely want the extra space. Here are a handful of packing tips for your next long-term travel adventures.

Ditch the Detergent (and Other Toiletries)

You’ll want to wash your clothes while you’re on a long trip, but that doesn’t mean you have to bring a whole gallon of detergent with you. Certain items, like toothpaste, mouthwash, and detergent, can be removed from a packing list. Instead, you can simply purchase them when you arrive at your destination. This way, you save space packing and don’t risk a bottle popping open in your luggage and causing a mess. If you use a certain type of soap or shampoo for health reasons, definitely pack those. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to try some international toiletries.

Fold Like an Expert

Plenty of YouTube videos demonstrate how to efficiently and effectively pack a suitcase to make plenty of room. Common methods include rolling entire outfits into small cylinders and using vacuum-seal bags. Whatever the case, you can always find some method to fit your belongings into your luggage. Check out some extreme packing videos and, once you’ve laid out everything you plan on packing, put some of their tips to practice. You may end up using a smaller suitcase than expected!

 

To read the full article, visit MaryMickel.net.