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Meet the DIY blogger who thrives on aesthetically-pleasing organisation

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to home organisation, Adelaide blogger Iryna Federico has taken it to the next level.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The blogger has become known for her pastel aesthetics after her dreamy, candy-shop inspired pantry went viral online.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The pantry took her two years to finish, and she even began designing the space “before the builder even broke ground” on the house.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845538/diy-blog1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/082be73b36934ad1b0ed316145c36db2" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @fromgreatbeginnings / Instagram</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I had our builder remove any shelving and ended up with a blank room. I then found a local cabinet maker here in Adelaide who brought my design to life,” she told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bhg.com.au/this-bloggers-pantry-is-next-level-amazing?category=news" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Better Homes and Gardens</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She then filled the space with various containers and baskets that hold everything from baking ingredients to packets of food.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am a firm believer in using big baskets to organise my space,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They’re nice and deep which means I can hide all the ugly and messy packaging of items like chips and biscuits, and the space always looks tidy.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845539/diy-blog2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fb88810b7a4c40c1a1303b163262bd97" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inside Iryna’s garage. Image: @fromgreatbeginnings / Instagram</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since then, Iryna has given her followers a look inside her incredibly organised freezer, her two children’s wardrobes, laundry, and her garage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though her spaces appear luxe and incredibly stylish, Iryna picks up most of her storage gear from Kmart, Target and Ikea.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love Kmart for all their little organisation tools that make a nice addition to any space, in particular their three-tier shelves. They lift items from the back and make them easily reachable,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In her pantry, Iryna’s one pricey indulgence has been on Oxo containers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love them because they are BPA free and completely clear - they seal really well and are very easy to clean,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Being fairly pricey individually, I bought mine in bulk sets from Costco and did a bunch of 50 cent surveys to be able to justify the cost to myself.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But so far, her best purchase has been on Ikea’s $5 spice racks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I painted those pink and added my cook books and cooking utensils and it really brought the whole space together,” she added.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845540/diy-blog3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b9b826d22cbe4301b0a7de70901775fd" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @fromgreatbeginnings / Instagram</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since starting her Instagram account in June 2016, Iryna has amassed a following of more than 140,000 people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unlike other bloggers who have pursued social media as a career, Iryna also has a day job as a business development manager.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m a business development coordinator at an aerospace engineering company - nothing at allllll to do with organisation,” she wrote on Instagram.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s purely just a side hobby :)”. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @fromgreatbeginnings / Instagram</span></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Mummy blogger who "rehomed" adopted autistic son speaks out after backlash

<p><span>The mummy blogger who “rehomed” her adopted son has been dumped by multiple brand deals after receiving huge backlash for the decision.</span></p> <p><span>Myka Stauffer was heavily criticised after revealing she and husband James had given up their son Huxley, four.</span></p> <p><span>The couple said the decision came after discovering he had “medical needs” that they weren’t aware of when they adopted him from China in 2017.</span></p> <p><span>Soon after justifying their decision, Stauffer defended their decision, saying her former son – who has autism and is non-verbal – “wanted” a new home and hinted at problems between him and their four other kids. </span></p> <p><span>Now, many brands have chosen to drop Stauffer.</span></p> <p><span>Stauffer who has a following of 162,000 on Instagram and 700,000 on YouTube, had formed partnerships with big-name companies like Big Lots, TJ Maxx and Danimals yoghurt.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4S4hBJgwI_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4S4hBJgwI_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">My favorite Starbucks barista 🧜🏻‍♀️☕️ You hold such a special place in my heart sweet boy! 💚#happyhalloween #halloween2019 #halloweencostume</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mykastauffer/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Myka Stauffer</a> (@mykastauffer) on Oct 31, 2019 at 12:54pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>But according to </span><em>People</em><span>, many have dumped the mummy blogger over the incident.</span></p> <p><span>Stauffer hit a second wave of backlash when she responded to a critic in the comments section of her video titled “an update on our family”.</span></p> <p><span>“We would never just give up a child with special needs, this is a personal matter to Hux. It had nothing to do with he just had Autism,” Stauffer wrote, defending the backlash.</span></p> <p><span>“Multiple scary things happened inside the home towards our other children, and if these events happened with one of my biological kids, after all the help and after the behaviours we witnessed sadly we would have no other choice then to seek help and get their needs met.”</span></p> <p><span>She goes on to say Huxley “wanted this decision 100%” explaining she “saw” it when he was with his new “family” as the child was not able to communicate with speech.</span></p> <p><span>“He constantly chose them and signed and showed tons of emotion to show us and let us know he wanted this,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>However, not many were convinced, branding the defence as “disgusting”.</span></p> <p><span>“Oh yes. Non-verbal Huxley told you I don’t want to live with you guys no more send me to these strangers so that I can be traumatised even more in my little life,” one wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s so disgusting. Why adopt a child you knew was going to have problems just to toss them away?” another said.</span></p> <p><span>“OMG she’s so delusional,” one scoffed.</span></p> <p><span>While one said: “Obviously having a child with disabilities is incredibly challenging and can certainly present difficulties with other children but to say that this kid is some kind of sinister, dangerous figure is so irresponsible.”</span></p> <p><span>Some of Stauffer’s subscribers accused her of using Huxley solely to gain a bigger following and earn more money on her YouTube channel.</span></p> <p><span>Some declared the decision “awful” for both Huxley and the pair’s four other children: Kova, Jaka, Radley and Onyx.</span></p> <p><span>“@MykaStauffer adopted an autistic child from China and after years of having him, she gave him up for adoption because he had ‘bad behaviour’ after using him for $$$ on her YouTube channel,” wrote one user.</span></p> <p><span>“What Myka Stauffer and her husband did is awful. You don’t just give a child back … “ one tweeted.</span></p> <p><span>“She adopted a child for views and then got rid of him and treated him like a brand deal,” another said.</span></p> <p><span>There are even calls to have the family’s sponsors pulled, with angry internet justice seekers calling to #cancelstauffers.</span></p> <p><span>In the video where the Stauffer’s talk about “rehoming” Huxley, the pair said the child had autism and brain damage.</span></p> <p><span>“Numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit. He needed more,” Stauffer says while fighting back tears in the video filmed in the couple’s bed.</span></p> <p><span>She added that an adoption agency had helped place Huxley with his “forever family.”</span></p> <p><span>“He’s thriving, he’s doing really well, and his new mummy has medical, professional training,” she added.</span></p>

Caring

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Not meant to happen: Horror as three killed during blogger’s birthday party

<p>Three people have been killed after dry ice was poured into a swimming pool during a social media influencer’s birthday party in Moscow, Russia.</p> <p>The lives taken were in the midst of celebrating the 29th birthday of Yekaterina Didenko, an Instagram star located in the Russian capital.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HccidhVuz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HccidhVuz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Я Катя, аптечный РЕВИЗОРРО (@didenko.katerina)</a> on Feb 28, 2020 at 7:54am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>About 25kg of dry ice was tipped into the pool, a move that was meant to simply create a “visual effect” to impress guests.</p> <p>However, people inside the pool reportedly instantly began to choke and lose consciousness.</p> <p>Three people including Ms Didenko’s husband, 32-year-old Valentin Didenko, is reportedly among the dead.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8buKrLhAQL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8buKrLhAQL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Я Катя, аптечный РЕВИЗОРРО (@didenko.katerina)</a> on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:22am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Dry ice, which is frozen carbon dioxide, produces a heavy vapour when put into water.</p> <p>The cause of deaths has not been revealed yet but the vapour from the dry ice can cause an elevated level of carbon dioxide in blood when released in an inadequately ventilated space.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9K4wcKI1Gf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9K4wcKI1Gf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by ВИДЕО ИЗ БАНИ В ТЕЛЕГРАММ (@nuinovostii)</a> on Feb 29, 2020 at 4:01pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>p&gt;The Russian Investigative Committee is looking into the incident.</p> <p>It has been confirmed there were additional injuries on a number of other people, however the number has not been specified.</p>

Travel Trouble

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15 bloggers over 50 making their mark

<p>With millions of bloggers it’s no easy feat finding someone who speaks to you. That’s why we’ve probed and picked our way through the internet to unearth some truly inspiring and relatable bloggers, each proving that age is no barrier.</p> <p>From relatable stories to the downright hilarious, here are 15 bloggers over 50 who are making their mark one blog post at a time. Did your favourite make our list?</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.adelehorin.com.au/">1. Coming of age:</a></u></strong>When former SMH columnist, Adele Horin, announced her retirement in 2012 she certainly had no plans of slowing down. Her popular blog covers some of the most hotly debated issues among baby boomers today. She is currently dealing with difficult health news and is writing about it in her admirable open style. </p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://thatsnotmyage.com/">2. That’s not my age:</a></u></strong>This former magazine fashion editor is out to prove that youth has nothing to do with style. Follow Alyson for her weekly beauty and fashion musings.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.theroamingboomers.com/">3. The roaming boomers:</a></u></strong>When David turned 50, he and his wife sold their business and made plans to move to Arizona. Then the stock market collapse of 2008 wiped away 45% of their life savings. Instead of wallowing, the couple started a travel blog and reinvented themselves along the way.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.curlytraveller.com/">4. Curly traveller:</a></u></strong>Anja is an eccentric, quirky and honest blogger who divides her time between Singapore and the Netherlands. Her love for photography (and life!) is evident with every image.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.greyfoxblog.com/">5. Grey</a><a href="http://www.greyfoxblog.com/">fox blog:</a></u></strong> The Grey Fox, aka David Evans, asks, “how often do you see images of older men in fashion advertisements?” And with this sentiment, David, who has no formal experience in fashion, has set about turning the industry on its head.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.retiredandcrazy.com/">6. Retired and crazy:</a></u></strong>Great grandmother, Ann Cordiner travelled through five continents and 28 countries in two years, writing 146 blog entries along the way. We’re not sure if that makes her crazy or awe-inspiring. </p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.fitbodyfifty.com/">7. Fitbody fifty:</a></u></strong>In 2008, just a few weeks shy of her 48<sup>th</sup> birthday, Kerryn Woods from Melbourne, donned a pair of high heels, a sheen bikini and an extra dab of fake tan to compete in a figure bodybuilding competition. She writes about her weight loss journey and new life as a 50-something personal trainer and food blogger.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://bagsofwool.blogspot.co.uk/">8. Great balls of wool:</a></u></strong>Based in London, Una has been knitting on and off for 50 years and lives for the next wool bargain. She offers free patterns and the occasional giveaway.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://midlifebloggers.com/">9. Beyond midlife bloggers:</a></u></strong>Jane Gassner is a professional writer and editor who set about dedicating a blog to women 60 and beyond.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com.au/">10. Better than I ever expected:</a></u></strong>Just like the book, this blog, by ‘senior sexpert’ and author, Joan Price, leaves nothing to the imagination on the topic of sex and ageing.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.aboomerslifeafter50.com/">11. A baby boomer woman’s life after 50:</a></u></strong>Widowed at 50 and an empty nester shortly after, Judy’s blog offers a raw, yet optimistic and entertaining account of life after 50.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://juliasplace.org.uk/">12. Julia’s place:</a></u></strong>When Julia first retired from teaching in 2008 she suffered from anxiety, which she says, “was an opportunity for the demons to flood in.” Her rediscovery of cooking and community activities helped put her life back on track.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://elaineambrose.com/blog/">13. Elaine Ambrose:</a></u></strong>This blogger and author (Menopause Sucks; Midlife Cabernet) attracted more than 678,000 web hits on Huffington Post after posting an embarrassing, yet hilarious account about the time she <a href="http://elaineambrose.com/blog/dont-fart-during-an-mri/">‘farted during an MRI’</a>.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.gypsynester.com/">14. Gypsy nester:</a></u></strong>Just a couple of empty nesters having the time of their lives. Yes, really.</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://www.lavenderandlovage.com/">15. Lavender and lovage:</a></u></strong>Karen is a freelance writer and recipe developer who shares her time between North Yorkshire and South West France. She is currently writing a cookbook based on her research into British food, customs and recipes.</p> <p><em>Written by Mahsa Fratantoni. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/bloggers-over-50-making-their-mark.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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6 senior beauty video bloggers you should follow

<p>Beauty advice and tutorials are some of the most-watched videos on YouTube, but if you thought they’re just for teens and 20-somethings, you’d be mistaken.</p> <p>There are a number of talented senior beauty vloggers (video bloggers) out there with tips on how to look your best no matter what your age.</p> <p>So, the next time you’re stuck on what make-up look to do for an upcoming wedding or social event, let one of these lovely ladies give you a hand.</p> <p><strong>1. Melissa55</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to believe, but self-described beauty guru Melissa is 62 years old! This Tennessee grandmother knows how to look her best without turning to surgery or Botox. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVxz3ekxV8xW7HP-X2hiaw" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here to visit her YouTube channel</span></strong></a>, which features hair styling tips, make-up tutorials and skincare advice.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Belcg49hElY/" target="_blank">A post shared by Melissa (@msmelissa55)</a> on Jan 30, 2018 at 11:19am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>2. Tricia Cusden – Look Fabulous Forever</strong></p> <p>In 2013, fed up with the beauty products on offer for older women, Tricia Cudsen created her own make-up brand, Look Fabulous Forever. For the past five years, she (along with fellow over-60s beauty lovers) have been uploading their tips, tricks and tutorials to the accompanying <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuflfWUNugwPkZOQUEyAowQ/videos" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel</span></strong></a>, showing older women how to look their best.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohen8_Qq2jA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>3. FiftyPlusBeauty</strong></p> <p>Beth from FiftyPlusBeauty, who turns 60 next month (but you wouldn’t have guessed it by looking at her), decided to start her own <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC56oWj1NoeVBucf9ijPWeDg/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel</span></strong></a> after seeing how much other vlogger’s tutorials helped her own make-up skills. In her videos, Beth shares all the latest in anti-ageing skincare and beauty.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wwduwe2VAHE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. MaryEllen After 60</strong></p> <p>Since 2014, 64-year-old Mary Ellen has not only been dishing out skincare and make-up advice for mature women, but also time- and money-saving tips and DIY projects via her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQaM2bIPgPd9byjJ_DaZxEA/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel</span></strong></a>. She’s never had surgery, fillers or injectables, but still manages to look much younger than her 64 years.</p> <p><strong>5. Hot and Flashy</strong></p> <p>Angie is the 55-year-old make-up queen who looks at least 15 years younger. On her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HotandFlashy" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel</span></strong></a>, she shares easy-to-follow make-up tutorials, product reviews, and skincare advice. Angie isn’t afraid to talk about her cosmetic procedures either, opening up about her experiences to her hundreds of thousands of loyal followers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LsHp-GMmMZM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>6. Uppiesbeads59</strong></p> <p>Tammy (otherwise known as uppiesbeads59) is 58 years old and fabulous. This make-up and skincare lover isn’t afraid to address the not-so-pleasant sides of ageing (facial hair anyone). She shares all things ageing, beauty and more on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/uppiesbeads59/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rkPS9bNN6QE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>

Beauty & Style

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Hair care secrets from an 81-year-old fashion blogger

<p><em><strong>Dorrie Jacobson, 81, an </strong></em><em><strong>internationally recognised expert on ageing stylishly, writes for her popular website <a href="http://www.seniorstylebible.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Senior Style Bible</span></a>, which celebrates stylish older women who are embracing their mature beauty.</strong></em></p> <p>Nothing can change your appearance more (for better or worse) than you hair. Style, cut and colour can add or subtract years from your looks. How long has it been since you changed the style of your hair? How long have you been going to the same hair stylist? Perhaps it is time for a change.</p> <p>As we age, it’s important to take a realistic look at our hair style to determine if it’s still current and flattering. It’s a sad fact that as we get older, our hair becomes thinner, the texture changes and it becomes drier and less luminous, so it requires more care. Although long hair can be very pretty, shorter styles tend to give the appearance of thicker, healthier hair.</p> <p>So if you are ready to make a change, it’s best to make the investment and seek out the advice of a really good hair stylist who can suggest what cuts and colours will best suit you.</p> <p>While a good cut is essential, changing the colour of your hair can also make a dramatic difference. For some reason (convenience I suppose) most women tend to lighten their hair colour as they begin to go grey. The result being that most mature women tend to have either grey or blond hair, leaving the days of being a brunette or a redhead behind them.</p> <p><img width="465" height="462" src="http://www.seniorstylebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dorrie-Jacobson-Head-shot1-e1423087600619.png" alt="Dorrie-Jacobson-Head-shot1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-220" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>I was also going that route. I began adding blond highlights to camouflage my grey, but over time it morphed into a shade that really did not flatter my olive skin tone, so I decided to go back to my natural colour which is a dark rich red/brown. Wow. What a change! The darker hair colour and new spiky pixie cut took years off my face… and just flew away!</p> <p>Do you have any hair transformation stories? Share your experience in the comments below.</p> <p><em>For more of Dorrie Jacobson, please visit <strong><a href="http://www.seniorstylebible.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Senior Style Bible</span></a></strong> or her <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/seniorstylebible/?hl=en" target="_blank">popular Instagram here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong><em><br /></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/5-tips-for-creating-the-perfect-wardrobe/"><em>5 tips for creating the perfect wardrobe</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/ways-to-use-vaseline-in-your-beauty-routine/"><em>6 surprising ways to use Vaseline in your beauty routine</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/things-to-do-with-shampoo/">9 surprising things you can do with shampoo</a></em></strong></span></p>

Beauty & Style

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Travel blogger aims to set ‘wheel’ in every country

<p>Anthony Tipling-Bower has climbed the steps of Angkor Wat, rode on the back of a tuk-tuk through Bangkok, and floated down the Mekong Delta in a banana boat.</p> <p>They're the sorts of adventures that many travel bloggers write about - and the Newcastle native documents them all in his blog, The Geordie Traveller.</p> <p>But Tipling-Bower is a travel blogger with a difference. He is on a mission to become the first wheelchair user to visit every country in the world.</p> <p>"When I started my blog, I was desperate just to become a travel writer," he said. "I didn't want to be associated with some kind of disability travel writer."</p> <p>That all changed when he met a couch-surfing couple from Canada who encouraged him to make the most of his unique perspective.</p> <p>"We were talking about my travel writing and they said, 'Dude, you've got this niche - this thing that's different from 99.9 per cent of travellers. Just use it."</p> <p>Tipling-Bower, 25, has a rare genetic disability which affects all of the joints in his body.</p> <p>He writes reviews of all of the places he goes, and is working on creating an accessible travel guide for other disabled travellers.</p> <p>For the past two months he has been living in Wellington, undertaking an internship with the World Wildlife Fund and checking out the capital's attractions, such as Zealandia and Te Papa.</p> <p>He aims to break down disability stereotypes with the stories he shares on his blog.</p> <p>"One of my greatest pleasures is going around the world and really challenging people's perceptions of what it means to be disabled," he said.</p> <p><img width="499" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/21355/travel-blogger-in-text_499x495.jpg" alt="Travel Blogger In Text"/></p> <p>"Quite often I get people telling me, 'Oh, you can't do this' or, 'oh, you can't do that'.</p> <p>"When they see me doing it, it's quite a nice feeling to see the look on their face when they realise, 'Oh wow, you can do that'."</p> <p>Tipling-Bower says he doesn't see himself as "disabled" - in fact, there is nothing he cannot do.</p> <p>"When I was in Vietnam, I went on a tour to the Mekong Delta and I did everything, except the final activity on the tour was to get on these really small banana boats and to float down one of the back streams.</p> <p>"For two hours, the tour guide was trying to convince me it just wasn't possible to join in with this section of the tour. I just wasn't going to accept that. So I kept fighting and fighting.</p> <p>"As it were, when it came to actually going on the banana boats, I was the fastest out of the tour to get to where I was supposed to be, get on the boat, carry my chair myself - do everything myself.</p> <p>"I felt vindicated, in a sense."</p> <p>Follow Anthony's adventures on his Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegeordietraveller/timeline" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Geordie Traveller</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>Have you been to any of the locations Anthony has visited? Where’s your favourite place in the world to travel?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Siobhan Downes. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/05/aerial-tour-of-beautiful-flower-field-in-the-netherlands/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Aerial tour of beautiful flower field in the Netherlands</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/10-photographs-depict-last-man-on-earth/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>10 photographs depict the “last man on earth”</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/8-photos-london-mysterious-beauty/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 photos reveal mysterious side of London</span></em></strong></a></p>

Travel Tips

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Man pays $191 to take $14K first-class flight using frequent flyer tricks

<p>A <a href="https://www.topmiles.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">savvy travel blogger</span></strong></a> has made a habit of booking extravagant flights that cost him only a few hundred dollars.</p> <p>This time, Sam Huang cashed in 67,500 American Airlines miles for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Hong Kong.</p> <p>The first-class ticket on Hong Kong's iconic airline, Cathay Pacific, normally goes for US$10,000, but Huang paid just US$130 – including a US$75 late booking fee. And he took plenty of pictures.</p> <p><img width="452" height="340" src="http://static.businessinsider.com/image/562f9f03bd86efed5b8b9f8a-1200/image.jpg" class="size_primary" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>"The service was top notch and you can easily tell they paid attention to the minor details."</p> <p>Huang used a clever method involving credit-card sign-ups to accumulate American Advantage miles and snag the seat. Business Insider has previously confirmed with airlines that his booking methods are legitimate.</p> <p>From caviar and Dom Perignon to foot massages, the most impressive part of the trip might be Cathay Pacific's stunning lounges Huang was able to hang out in when he landed in Hong Kong.</p> <p><em>Written by Nathan McAlone. First appeared on <a href="http://stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span>.</strong></a></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Top Miles / Sam Huang</em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/funny-way-to-avoid-losing-luggage/">One man’s genius way to avoid losing your luggage</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/handing-your-passport-to-a-hotel/">Is it safe to hand your passport over to a hotel?</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/never-book-a-flight-on-a-friday/">Why you should never book a flight on a Friday</a></em></strong></span></p>

Travel Tips

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5 looks you’ll want to steal from Judith – the 72-year-old fashion blogger

<p>Meet Judith, a style blogger who is dedicated to inspiring older women with her fashion blog, The Style Crone. The 72-year-old trendsetter from Colorado in the US is on a mission to take back the word “crone” to its “original meaning, signifying a woman of a ‘certain age’ who embodies all her life’s wisdom, knowledge, experience, and love.” And after browsing her website and Instagram of amazingly quirky outfits we were certainly inspired to, as Judith advises, to “cherish our inner crone”.</p> <p>On why she decided to start her blog, Judith writes on her site: “I spent most of my career working as a psychiatric nurse in an emergency setting.  I also spent a period of time managing the care of head and spinal cord injuries. Choosing my outfits, which always included a hat, was a way to express myself creatively and as a form of meditation as I approached my day, which usually included extreme and painful stories told by interesting, traumatised people.”</p> <p>We love Judith’s zest for life and her original personal style. Here are five of our favourite looks from her blog:</p> <p><img width="499" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/8409/1_499x500.jpg" alt="1 (42)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="503" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/8410/2_500x503.jpg" alt="2 (45)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="504" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/8411/3_500x504.jpg" alt="3 (39)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="499" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/8412/4_500x499.jpg" alt="4 (38)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="499" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/8413/5_499x495.jpg" alt="5 (38)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>To find more of Judith’s style visit her <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://instagram.com/stylecrone/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </span>or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://stylecrone.com/" target="_blank">website</a></span>.</strong></p>

Beauty & Style

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7 reasons to become a travel blogger

<p>Gone are the days where the only people writing about travel are the ones compiling huge backache-inducing tombs begrudgingly included in people’s packs. An increasing number of people are starting their own blog to record their travels. Here are seven reasons you should join them.</p> <p><strong>1. Remember your trip</strong> – Probably one of the biggest advantages is that a travel blog will provide you with a great way to remember your trip. These lasting memories filled with your photos and words will always be there. People don’t realise while they’re travelling that a lot of the moments are fleeting, so embrace this and capture them so you remember forever.</p> <p><strong>2. Earn money</strong> – If everyone could make money from travel blogging we’d all be doing it, but even though it’s an oversaturated marketplace there are people are earning money from it. Be realistic with your expectations of course, but if you’re willing to invest your time and energy into this experience having a travel blog can turn out to be a nice little money turner.</p> <p><strong>3. It won’t cost you anything</strong> – Depending on how much of a gung-ho approach you are going to take towards your travel blog it may not eventually cost you anything to service. There are a lot of free blog hosting platforms included WordPress and Tumblr that are worth trying and won’t cost you a dollar of your time to set up and get ready to access.</p> <p><strong>4. Link with other travellers</strong> – Like we said there are a lot of people travel blogging at the moment so you should use it as an opportunity to create connections with other travellers through social media. It’s a great way to meet people from all around the world when you’re travelling and might just be a way to make some new friends to stay with.</p> <p><strong>5. Keep track with friends you’ve met on the road</strong> – Sometimes you forge connections with people while you’re on the road that through distance alone are a little hard to maintain. But if you’ve got a regularly updated blog that’s keeping them abreast of the news in your life there’s no reason why they can’t stay up to date with all your adventures online.</p> <p><strong>6. Inspire more travel</strong> – While you’re writing your travel blog you may feel that itch to jump on a plane and after your third post it may suddenly become one that is too difficult to ignore. Writing about travel is probably the best way to get your arse into gear and start making your own plans for a dream getaway, so make sure you start your blog promptly.</p> <p><strong>7. Puts your trip into perspective</strong> – Even when we’re telling our best friends about our adventures it doesn’t always feel right. Completing a blog will help put your trip in perspective and allow you to put a big full stop on the end of it.</p> <p><em><strong>Find out how one Over60 community member, Gayle Torrens, <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2015/08/writing-a-childrens-novel/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">started her own travel blog here.</span></a></strong></em></p>

International Travel

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Become a successful blogger

<p><span>Whether you’ve got a business and want to get the word out or you’re simply passionate about a topic and want to share it, starting a blog is the way to do it. Setting up a blog can be straightforward but creating a successful one is a bit more difficult. When we use the word success we don’t necessarily mean an internationally acclaimed blog but simply one that has a readership and a growing audience that keeps coming back for more. So how do you go about making your blog stand out among the rest? These easy-to-follow tips will help get you on the right track.</span></p><p><strong>Do what you love</strong></p><p>Choose a topic that you are genuinely passionate about and knowledgeable in. This will not only mean that you’ll want to update your blog but your passion will come through in your writing and that’s what readers – or more specifically repeat readers – respond well to.</p><p><strong>Write good content</strong></p><p>What you write is the most important factor in the success of your blog. Readers appreciate consistently high-quality content. Make sure you proofread all of your articles to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. It’s also a good idea to double-check any facts and quotes you include too. If you’re serious about blogging it might be a good idea to spend some time improving your writing skills – after all, it is the bread and butter of blogging. Open2Study offers a FREE online course, <a href="https://www.open2study.com/courses/writing-for-the-web" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Writing for the Web</strong></span></a>, in which you’ll learn the difference between writing for print versus the web as well as the characteristics of good online content and how to write for your audience.</p><p><strong>Update regularly and consistently</strong></p><p>In order to build a readership, you need to update your blog regularly and consistently. Readers always want more content and they like to know when it’s coming. A common mistake for a first-time blogger is to enthusiastically post at the beginning but then post infrequently after that. Decide how often you can realistically blog and stick to it! Your readers will love you for it and keep coming back. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>Be part of the community</strong></p><p>Now that you’re a blogger you are part of the blogging community. Embrace it because not only can you learn from your fellow bloggers but also they can help you by recommending your posts or blog to others – but keep in mind they only do this when they like what you give them. It’s also a good idea to comment regularly on other blogs you’re interested in and respond to comments on your blog as this all helps to make you a visible part of different conversations and contributes to a strong online presence.</p><p><strong>Market your blog</strong></p><div><p>Unfortunately, simply creating a blog and writing good content will not always guarantee you a successful blog. You need to get the word out there. Market your blog so people know who you are and what your blog is all about. You can do this in a number of ways such as networking with other bloggers, guest blogging for other successful blogs and getting them to link back to your blog, and then of course being active on social media is another way to get the word out there.&nbsp;</p><p>________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Want to know more about blogging or explore a career in this field?</p><p>Open2Study offers a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">free</span> online course, Writing for the Web, which could lead you to one of the following vocations:</p><ul><li>Social media manager</li><li>Technical writer</li><li>Web copywriter</li><li>Web designer</li><li>Web developer</li><li>Web publisher</li><li>Webmaster</li><li>Advertising designer</li><li>Marketing designer</li><li>Public relations manager</li><li>Assistant web designer</li><li>Assistant web developer</li><li>Website coordinator</li><li>Webmaster assistant</li></ul><p>The course covers:</p><ul><li>How to structure a web page</li><li>Considerations for search engines and accessibility requirements</li><li>Making your content scannable</li><li>Using keywords, headings, lists and links</li><li>Matching your company’s tone of voice</li><li>Creating a content strategy and style guide</li></ul><p>To find out more about Writing for the Web visit the Open2Study website <a href="https://www.open2study.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>here</strong> </span></a>or watch this video for some great insights as to what the course covers:</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZzdrglOnDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>&nbsp;</p></div>

Technology

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This 80-year-old fashion blogger is rewriting the rule book

<p>In a society which often looks unkindly on older women, especially the fashion industry which seems to think once you turn a certain age you don’t want chic clothing anymore (they’re wrong), this trailblazing 80-year-old is proving them all wrong.</p> <p>Dorrie Jacobson is the face of Senior Style Bible, a blog and Instagram page where she documents her stylish outfits, shares her fashion and beauty secrets and inspires other women to embrace an ageless attitude towards fashion (and life!).</p> <p>She writes on her blog: “Times have changed, mature fashionistas are now refusing to sink from sight in a sea of blue rinse and fluffy slippers. Recently, we have noticed a growing movement that is shifting to embrace older beauty.</p> <p>“Style mavens are taking the ‘old’ out of ‘old-fashioned’ and women over 50 are suddenly being chosen for major ad campaigns. In a youth oriented culture, the mature woman is finally being celebrated. This blog embraces that celebration.”</p> <p>To celebrate this amazing woman, here are just eight of her most seriously stylish outfits.</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5414/1_500x500.jpg" alt="1 (11)"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5415/2_500x495.jpg" alt="2 (14)"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="525" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5416/3_500x525.jpg" alt="3 (9)"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="504" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5417/4_500x504.jpg" alt="4 (9)"/></p> <p><img width="498" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5418/5_498x500.jpg" alt="5 (9)"/></p> <p><img width="499" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5419/6_499x495.jpg" alt="6 (9)"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5420/7_500x500.jpg" alt="7 (9)"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="493" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/5421/8_500x493.jpg" alt="8 (10)"/></p> <p><a href="https://instagram.com/seniorstylebible/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Find more on her Instagram</strong></span></a>.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Become a successful blogger

<p><span>Whether you’ve got a business and want to get the word out or you’re simply passionate about a topic and want to share it, starting a blog is the way to do it. Setting up a blog can be straightforward but creating a successful one is a bit more difficult. When we use the word success we don’t necessarily mean an internationally acclaimed blog but simply one that has a readership and a growing audience that keeps coming back for more. So how do you go about making your blog stand out among the rest? These easy-to-follow tips will help get you on the right track.</span></p><p><strong>Do what you love</strong></p><p>Choose a topic that you are genuinely passionate about and knowledgeable in. This will not only mean that you’ll want to update your blog but your passion will come through in your writing and that’s what readers – or more specifically repeat readers – respond well to.</p><p><strong>Write good content</strong></p><p>What you write is the most important factor in the success of your blog. Readers appreciate consistently high-quality content. Make sure you proofread all of your articles to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. It’s also a good idea to double-check any facts and quotes you include too. If you’re serious about blogging it might be a good idea to spend some time improving your writing skills – after all, it is the bread and butter of blogging. Open2Study offers a FREE online course, <a href="https://www.open2study.com/courses/writing-for-the-web" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Writing for the Web</strong></span></a>, in which you’ll learn the difference between writing for print versus the web as well as the characteristics of good online content and how to write for your audience.</p><p><strong>Update regularly and consistently</strong></p><p>In order to build a readership, you need to update your blog regularly and consistently. Readers always want more content and they like to know when it’s coming. A common mistake for a first-time blogger is to enthusiastically post at the beginning but then post infrequently after that. Decide how often you can realistically blog and stick to it! Your readers will love you for it and keep coming back. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>Be part of the community</strong></p><p>Now that you’re a blogger you are part of the blogging community. Embrace it because not only can you learn from your fellow bloggers but also they can help you by recommending your posts or blog to others – but keep in mind they only do this when they like what you give them. It’s also a good idea to comment regularly on other blogs you’re interested in and respond to comments on your blog as this all helps to make you a visible part of different conversations and contributes to a strong online presence.</p><p><strong>Market your blog</strong></p><div><p>Unfortunately, simply creating a blog and writing good content will not always guarantee you a successful blog. You need to get the word out there. Market your blog so people know who you are and what your blog is all about. You can do this in a number of ways such as networking with other bloggers, guest blogging for other successful blogs and getting them to link back to your blog, and then of course being active on social media is another way to get the word out there.&nbsp;</p><p>________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Want to know more about blogging or explore a career in this field?</p><p>Open2Study offers a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">free</span> online course, Writing for the Web, which could lead you to one of the following vocations:</p><ul><li>Social media manager</li><li>Technical writer</li><li>Web copywriter</li><li>Web designer</li><li>Web developer</li><li>Web publisher</li><li>Webmaster</li><li>Advertising designer</li><li>Marketing designer</li><li>Public relations manager</li><li>Assistant web designer</li><li>Assistant web developer</li><li>Website coordinator</li><li>Webmaster assistant</li></ul><p>The course covers:</p><ul><li>How to structure a web page</li><li>Considerations for search engines and accessibility requirements</li><li>Making your content scannable</li><li>Using keywords, headings, lists and links</li><li>Matching your company’s tone of voice</li><li>Creating a content strategy and style guide</li></ul><p>To find out more about Writing for the Web visit the Open2Study website <a href="https://www.open2study.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>here</strong> </span></a>or watch this video for some great insights as to what the course covers:</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZzdrglOnDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>&nbsp;</p></div>

Mind

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My blogging experience

<p><em><strong>Over60 community member and regular blogger, Sandra Ludinski, shares her experience of launching a blog and offers some helpful tips for others who'd like to do the same.</strong></em></p><p>Itching to blog but not sure where to start? Take a deep breath, stay calm, clear your head of all other thoughts and lastly, hone that sense of humour. Summons your self-belief and patience and you're all set to go.&nbsp;</p><p>Now I'm definitely not the most tech-savvy person ever to venture into cyberspace, yet I have managed to put together my own blog - and you can too. I do have to confess that I had a little help. I enrolled myself in a short "blogging for beginners" course run by the Queensland Writers' Centre. This course ran for 6 weeks with a two hour class each week. The aim of the course was to have each member of the class posting on their own blog by the end of the course. And guess what? That's exactly what happened. Despite being sick for one class and realizing that I had booked tickets for a concert (which is a rare event) another week, I still managed to get a somewhat basic blog up and running.</p><p>There are some things that you should give a little thought to before jumping into the blogosphere. Firstly, think about why you want to blog and what you will be blogging about. Is it for fun, is it to share information and perhaps images with family and friends or do you intend to blog for business purposes? Your blog will need a name and that name should reflect the subject matter that readers will find on your blog. It's worth spending a bit of time and thought on this and then you need to keep your fingers crossed and hope that some other blogger hasn't beaten you to it. You have the opportunity to check this in the set up process.</p><p>At this point I'd have to tell you that I'd have been far from confident doing this on my own and I'm forever grateful for the good humour, saint-like patience and amazing tolerance of our tutor. I'm sure she must have needed a bex and a little lie down after these classes. Or maybe even a stiff drink. I know I arrived home each week feeling exhausted and would lie in bed with blogging terminology buzzing around in my head. However, having now been through the process of setting up my blog, I'd encourage you to give it a go yourself and if you run into trouble, perhaps then find a course for beginners and get your problems sorted.</p><p>Once you log on to Wordpress (or any other blog site you may choose), you'll need to select a theme for your blog. The theme determines the appearance and sets the tone of your blog. &nbsp;Wordpress has a great range of the themes from which to choose and plenty of free ones to get you started without damaging the hip pocket at all. You can choose formal or informal, slick and polished or fun and funky themes - there are themes to suit all styles. Keep in mind that you can change your theme at any time, you're not locked in to one theme forever.</p><p>From here things get a little bit more technical. This is the part where it's great to have someone "in the know" leading you but I don't want to put you off. If you're doing this yourself, follow the prompts and use the tutorials. Wordpress has tutorials that are easy to follow and a help forum that can be useful. Again I must 'fess up and say that I was so grateful that our tutor had generously (and perhaps foolishly) given us her contact details. I did Facebook message her about a couple of things that were beyond my very basic capabilities and she quickly set me straight. Something that I wish I'd had explained to me is that there are two parts to your blog: the front end and the back end. The front end is what you and others see when your blog is opened. The back end is where you do all your posts, customizing, editing and all the tricky stuff. Think of your blog as having a split personality.</p><p>Don't be fooled into thinking I know what I'm doing even now - I keep clicking on things, exploring, changing things around, making my blog look like a dog's breakfast and having to backtrack to something that looks less like a joke and more "bloggable". Yes, my teeth have been ground down a little and I think I may have used a few words that I wouldn't want my mother to hear but the feeling you experience when you get it right is worth the angst. &nbsp;Don't be afraid to duck in and out of options and remember everyone's best friend, google. &nbsp;Whatever you do, don't give up! If it seems too overwhelming, find a short course and don't be embarrassed &nbsp;to ask questions of your tutor. There's always someone in the class who asks a sillier question than you - and everyone learns when you ask questions.</p><p>So why do I blog? Well, I don't take this whole blogging thing too seriously. My intention was to have fun with it. For me it's a place where I can post articles I've written on different websites for friends and family to read, somewhere to voice an opinion, share funny videos and to show my photography to anyone who's interested. Your blog is what you want it to be and can be as flash or as humble as you like. You can always jazz it up later, when you have the basics sorted. There are plenty of opportunities to customize, add widgets and use plug-ins. What does that all mean? I'm not sure - that's blogspeak and I'm off to phone a friend - google, that is!&nbsp;</p><p>If you'd like to take a peek at my very humble blog, you'll find it at&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://babybloomin.wordpress.com/">babybloomin.wordpress.com</a></strong></span>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Technology

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My blogging experience

<p><em><strong>Over60 community member and regular blogger, Sandra Ludinski, shares her experience of launching a blog and offers some helpful tips for others who'd like to do the same.</strong></em></p><p>Itching to blog but not sure where to start? Take a deep breath, stay calm, clear your head of all other thoughts and lastly, hone that sense of humour. Summons your self-belief and patience and you're all set to go.&nbsp;</p><p>Now I'm definitely not the most tech-savvy person ever to venture into cyberspace, yet I have managed to put together my own blog - and you can too. I do have to confess that I had a little help. I enrolled myself in a short "blogging for beginners" course run by the Queensland Writers' Centre. This course ran for 6 weeks with a two hour class each week. The aim of the course was to have each member of the class posting on their own blog by the end of the course. And guess what? That's exactly what happened. Despite being sick for one class and realizing that I had booked tickets for a concert (which is a rare event) another week, I still managed to get a somewhat basic blog up and running.</p><p>There are some things that you should give a little thought to before jumping into the blogosphere. Firstly, think about why you want to blog and what you will be blogging about. Is it for fun, is it to share information and perhaps images with family and friends or do you intend to blog for business purposes? Your blog will need a name and that name should reflect the subject matter that readers will find on your blog. It's worth spending a bit of time and thought on this and then you need to keep your fingers crossed and hope that some other blogger hasn't beaten you to it. You have the opportunity to check this in the set up process.</p><p>At this point I'd have to tell you that I'd have been far from confident doing this on my own and I'm forever grateful for the good humour, saint-like patience and amazing tolerance of our tutor. I'm sure she must have needed a bex and a little lie down after these classes. Or maybe even a stiff drink. I know I arrived home each week feeling exhausted and would lie in bed with blogging terminology buzzing around in my head. However, having now been through the process of setting up my blog, I'd encourage you to give it a go yourself and if you run into trouble, perhaps then find a course for beginners and get your problems sorted.</p><p>Once you log on to Wordpress (or any other blog site you may choose), you'll need to select a theme for your blog. The theme determines the appearance and sets the tone of your blog. &nbsp;Wordpress has a great range of the themes from which to choose and plenty of free ones to get you started without damaging the hip pocket at all. You can choose formal or informal, slick and polished or fun and funky themes - there are themes to suit all styles. Keep in mind that you can change your theme at any time, you're not locked in to one theme forever.</p><p>From here things get a little bit more technical. This is the part where it's great to have someone "in the know" leading you but I don't want to put you off. If you're doing this yourself, follow the prompts and use the tutorials. Wordpress has tutorials that are easy to follow and a help forum that can be useful. Again I must 'fess up and say that I was so grateful that our tutor had generously (and perhaps foolishly) given us her contact details. I did Facebook message her about a couple of things that were beyond my very basic capabilities and she quickly set me straight. Something that I wish I'd had explained to me is that there are two parts to your blog: the front end and the back end. The front end is what you and others see when your blog is opened. The back end is where you do all your posts, customizing, editing and all the tricky stuff. Think of your blog as having a split personality.</p><p>Don't be fooled into thinking I know what I'm doing even now - I keep clicking on things, exploring, changing things around, making my blog look like a dog's breakfast and having to backtrack to something that looks less like a joke and more "bloggable". Yes, my teeth have been ground down a little and I think I may have used a few words that I wouldn't want my mother to hear but the feeling you experience when you get it right is worth the angst. &nbsp;Don't be afraid to duck in and out of options and remember everyone's best friend, google. &nbsp;Whatever you do, don't give up! If it seems too overwhelming, find a short course and don't be embarrassed &nbsp;to ask questions of your tutor. There's always someone in the class who asks a sillier question than you - and everyone learns when you ask questions.</p><p>So why do I blog? Well, I don't take this whole blogging thing too seriously. My intention was to have fun with it. For me it's a place where I can post articles I've written on different websites for friends and family to read, somewhere to voice an opinion, share funny videos and to show my photography to anyone who's interested. Your blog is what you want it to be and can be as flash or as humble as you like. You can always jazz it up later, when you have the basics sorted. There are plenty of opportunities to customize, add widgets and use plug-ins. What does that all mean? I'm not sure - that's blogspeak and I'm off to phone a friend - google, that is!&nbsp;</p><p>If you'd like to take a peek at my very humble blog, you'll find it at&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://babybloomin.wordpress.com/">babybloomin.wordpress.com</a></strong></span>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Technology

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