5 Practical Luxury Cars for Parents

Parenting and luxury can go hand in hand, especially when it comes to luxury vehicles. In fact, many luxury vehicles are a bit larger and offer more cargo space, leg room, and ultimately car seat room, making them the perfect choice for families. However, not all luxury vehicles are created equally. If you’re a parent but still want to indulge in a luxurious lifestyle (at least while commuting to pick the kids up from school), there are some options available.

Here are five of the most drool-worthy luxury rides perfect for adults and kids alike:

2019 Audi Q8. As always, Audi still prioritizes utility and performance, including within its luxury brand. The latest Audi Q8 features 335 horsepower with 369 lb. ft. of torque, so all eyes will be on you when you arrive at soccer practice. The quattro all-wheel drive makes driving in winter conditions a breeze, and with a price starting at $67,400 it’s manageable for many parents. There are three options for the Q8 and all come with the Audi virtual cockpit featuring a 12.3-inch LCD screen that serves as a digital instrument “cluster.” For both information and entertainment, it’s the true hub of this luxe vehicle. The MMI Navigation System ensures you’re always on track, and the full LED headlights and panoramic sunroof are touches of class you deserve after a long day.
2019 Audi Q8 SUV 3.0T
Acura TLX. As one of the most affordable luxury cars, with a price starting at $33,000, just about anyone can afford to treat themselves with this standout machine. It’s a little tight, so perfect for families with only children. However, what it lacks in interior space it makes up for with a low MSRP and details like the multi-angle rearview camera, dubbed AcuraWatch. It also has an advanced array of safety items and consistently gets great marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Source: Velocity Journal
Lexus GS. The latest GS model features the well-known stunning interior and a cushiony ride for comfort. It also showcases a high-tech system for infotainment while still maintaining those top marks for safety and reliability. The cozy seating also offers plenty of headroom and legroom, especially in the backseat for kids. The trunk is generous, and the rear-seat entertainment along with rear heated seats keeps the kids from complaining.
Source News Car Magazine
Cadillac Genesis G80. Nothing says luxury like a Cadillac and the latest G80 is spacious and comfortable for all ages. Adults can even fit easily into the backseat, which has added shoulder room compared to other similarly-sized cars. The trunk is also bigger and offers hands-free opening so you can easily carry the kids without struggling with the shopping. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with two USB ports. The starting price is $41,750, which is surprisingly affordable for its class. Add in the high-end interior and state of the art infotainment system, and you have a great deal.
Source Findlay Cadilliac
BMW 5 Series. The 5 Series has become a staple luxury vehicle for many families, and with good reason. It’s safe, luxurious, and reliable. It ranks high in crash tests, and it’s surprisingly roomy in the backseat. However, the front seats are extra comfortable and customized for adjustment 20 ways. With so many types of 5 Series available, there’s also going to be one to fit any budget. If you’re looking to make a subtle statement, this is the pick for you.
Source: Car and Driver

Parenting has its challenges, but with these luxurious vehicles, doing right by yourself doesn’t have to be an added burden. When shopping for a new family vehicle, take a peek at what’s available—all with leather seat options for easy cleanups.

January 21, 2019

10 Unique Ways to Show Someone You Care~Make Someone’s Day

We often forget that sometimes our family, friends, and people we have just met may need encouragement due to events that are happening in their lives. In fact, many times, these individuals are quiet about their need to be cheered up; however, once you make the effort, they will be quite grateful you did. What makes a positive difference is surprising people with something small and genuine. Sometimes, it is difficult to come up with the price way to make a positive difference in someone’s day. Consider the following ideas of how to brighten the day of those around you:

Use These 10 Wonderful Ways to Make Someone’s Day

Enjoying a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Taking someone on a hot air balloon ride is a great way to surprise them. The best hot air balloon rides are in exotic places. Some of the most famous in the world can be found in Bagan, Luxor, the Serengeti, and the North Pole. That said, there are many hot air balloon rides in places worldwide to enjoy. Activities such as these do a great job of lifting people’s spirits, getting them out in the fresh air, and providing them with a change of scenery. Hot air balloon rides are a wonderful way to surprise someone and truly brighten their day.

Surprise Someone with Lunch at Work

Another great way to make someone’s day is to surprise them with lunch at work. Sometimes work can be draining for individuals. Having a nice surprise during the day is a wonderful way to make someone’s day and have them realize there are things existing outside of work. Try to do this every couple of months and the person will greatly appreciate it.

Send Someone a Gift

It is a great feeling to receive chocolates or flowers at the office. The simple act of sending a gift with a nice note goes a long way. The recipient will not only know that you were thinking of them, but also that you took the time to do something generous for them and brighten their day. The best way to do this is to take the person by surprise and it will absolutely brighten their day.

Complete Household Chores for Your Roommate or Partner

If you are someone that does not work or has a less busy week, it is really nice to surprise your roommate or partner with a clean house. They will come home and be delighted that you took the time to make the place nice. The best way to do this is if they don’t ask you and you just do it anyways.

Introduce Yourself to Someone Sitting on Their Own at a Party

Going to events alone can be difficult. A great way to make someone’s day is to introduce yourself to them at a party. It is possible you may be able to make a long term friend or even a positive networking connection for business.

Write Thank You Notes

In the age of e-mail and smartphones, people often forget the simple gestures of era’s past. A great example of this is when it is appropriate to send a Thank You note. By taking the time to write a note on nice stationery, it shows that you went the extra mile to show that you appreciated their efforts, which will make their day.

Send Someone a Card

Even if someone hasn’t done anything for you to formally thank, it is a great gesture to send a card with a joke or a reminder that you are thinking of them. People greatly enjoy receiving mail and having something that arrives as a surprise is a wonderful way to make their day more positive.

Create a Picture Collage as a Gift

If there is a friend or family member that you have not seen in some time, it can be fun to pull out old photos and make them a collage as a gift. This can be done physically or electronically. By sending them your collage, they will remember all the fun times you have shared and also will be a reminder that you were thinking of them. Each time they see the collage, they will smile and it will improve their day.

Arrange a Spa or Sports Day

If you see that your friend appears very stressed out, then it is nice to purchase a spa day or arrange a sports day for them. These activities will allow you to spend quality time with them and to help them relax. It will also brighten their day to know that you took the time to plan something to benefit them. Doing this on a regular basis is a wonderful way to spend quality time with family and friends while showing them that you care.

If You Receive Good Service, Tell the Employee’s Supervisor

In addition to family and friends, there are ways to make a person who you don’t know well’s day. If you receive exceptional customer service, it is a great idea to tell the employee’s supervisor. It is quite frequent that we focus on negative things rather than the positive attributes of employees who provide us with customer service. By giving the employee a positive recommendation, you will help their work environment, encourage them to keep doing a great job and brighten their day.

Final Remarks

Remember the importance of taking the time to make someone else’s day. It is not important whether you know the person well or have just met them. Your small act of kindness will make a great impact on their life outlook and mood. Sometimes, we all go through stressful periods of life and need that extra act of kindness to help us to keep going. Constantly consider how you can positively impact the lives of others and you will feel a great sense of achievement and fulfillment while helping the lives of those around you.

A simple act of kindness
can stop a million tears.
A little hug
can give so much joy.
A letter now and then to someone
can save so many wasted years.
We should hold every moment precious
and help as many as we can
with a simple act of kindness
every now and then.
The world would be a better place
if we all cared a little more.
Imagine how many smiling faces
would greet us at the door
if we extended that helping hand
with a simple act of kindness
that could spread across many lands.

David Harris 6 March 2009
[…]
Related:
5 Most Adorable Gifts for the Minimalist in Your Life

January 21, 2019

5 Beauty Resolutions You Should Make For 2019

In the vast universe and long lists of New Year’s resolutions, all of which probably contain major changes of lifestyle, perhaps a change of career or deciding to eat healthier, beauty resolutions seem like the ones that are the easiest to keep. However, in the light of the fact that many of us still have certain beauty habits to adopt, and adopting a new habit is not an easy feat to achieve, we’ve decided to bring you a list of five vital resolutions. Some of them are brand new, while others are friendly reminders of the healthy beauty habits you intend to adopt every year, but somehow always fail to.

Since this is the year of skincare and emphasizing natural beauty, we will mostly be sticking to skincare resolutions because amazing skin equals beauty. Always has, always will.

I shall remove it all

Wearing makeup and playing with different makeup looks and techniques is great – that’s what makeup is for, to play and express ourselves. However, no matter which healthy ingredients your makeup products contain, or how tired or perhaps even lazy you are, you simply must take off your makeup when the night comes or when you have no intention of leaving your home for the day. If you don’t, not only will your pores get clogged and skin irritated, you’ll also be facing an acne attack, not to mention that you risk premature skin aging – the last thing you want.

So, cleanse your skin thoroughly in the following manner. First comes the makeup remover – choose wipes, micellar water, lotion, whatever suits your skin. As the post-makeup routine calls for a triple cleanse, proceed with washing your face with a suitable wash for your skin type (this is highly important). After that comes the toner. Not only does this little miracle worker even out your skin tone, but it has the power of removing residual dirt that you didn’t even know was there. Now, let’s move on to care and pampering.

I shall give my skin only the best

The skincare industry never sleeps. It works tirelessly to bring us new innovative products that will rejuvenate our skin, make it younger, and help combat premature aging, acne and a whole array of issues. One of the newest innovations in the field is the incredible facial serum, which, according to dermatologists, every woman is doing herself a disservice if she isn’t using.

If you’re not in the know, serums are powerful liquids that penetrate and nourish the dermis. They are lightweight, penetrate the skin with ease and are packed with more active ingredients than any moisturizer on the market. They contain powerful antioxidants and vitamins, and in the spirit of minding what we allow to penetrate our skin, it’s best to use those that contain the highest number of natural nourishing ingredients, such as for instance jojoba oil. Serums are meant for nighttime, when our body and skin reboot themselves, so after the triple cleanse, apply your mighty serum, seal the deal with a great moisturizer that nourishes the epidermis and hit the hay.

I shall exfoliate regularly

This is one of the things we most commonly forget to do – at least, we don’t do it as frequently as we should. The harsh winter weather dries our skin and that’s how dead skin cells that hinder that coveted glow are made. The same happens during summer, due to the heat. Hence, all year round exfoliation is a must. Underline this and put it in front of your vanity if you must – exfoliate your skin three times a week.

This is a sufficient number as any more frequently than that, you run the risk of irritating your skin. The goal is to remove the dead cells and reveal glowing and fresh skin, not strip the skin of natural oils and cause more harm than good. Be sure to use gentle, non-abrasive exfoliators. They will powerfully remove all the dirt, unclog pores and remove dead cells without causing irritation.

I shall stock up

The amount and variety of amazing and hydrating sheet masks has never been larger. These masks are simply incredible. You pop one on, get on with your day for 15 minutes, and after you remove it, your skin is instantly more glowy, plump and smooth. There is absolutely nothing not to love about these masks as they all have the same goal – to bring added hydration to your skin, and if you know anything about proper skincare, you will know that there is no such thing as too much hydration. These masks are so safe that you are highly recommended to use them on a daily basis.

However, if your budget doesn’t allow you to stock up exactly that much, three times a week will suffice, so hit the stores and start masking.

I shall protect my precious skin

Again, said by dermatologists hundreds of times, and we are still oblivious. Of course, we are talking about SPF creams. Our Skin Needs Sunscreen All Year Long but those UV rays are still here even though the outside may look grey and cloudy. So please, when choosing your moisturizer, pick the one with the SPF of at least 30. From premature skin aging to skin cancer, these are all the possible consequences to sun exposure, so protect yourself at all times. Needless to say, broad-spectrum sunblock is absolutely mandatory during summer, when there is more skin exposure, so don’t let that ever slip your mind.

Be good to your skin in 2019 and every subsequent one.

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