8 Things To Do Before Summer Ends

What better time to take an adventure than Summer? The experts of adventures from Go Dream have shared their favorite Summer adventures to do in New York City. Go Dream was founded in 2007 by Nicolai Billie Krogh, and gives people the opportunity to give fun life experiences as gifts. They have been able to share over two million experiences, and also offer more than 5,000 experiences. Check out these once in a lifetime experiences that can help you send Summer out with a bang.

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.1. Paragliding In The Catskills

Get your adrenaline pumping by paragliding in Catskills. At $145, you can learn to paraglide with a certified instructor. After completing your lesson, you’ll be able to see scenic New York from a bird’s-eye view.

2. Drive a Ferrari

Who doesn’t want to drive a supercar? At $99, you can take a Ferrari out for a test drive. With this experience you get half an hour to drive on an adrenaline filled, but safe course with either a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren.

3. Fly A Helicopter

Starting at $440, you can fly a helicopter around Upstate, New York. You get a safety briefing beforehand, then you and your instructor will take flight around Westchester county, the Hudson River, and the New York/Connecticut coastline. At the end of your flight, you can take home an HD recording to show your friends and family all the sights you flew by.

4. Ice Cream Treats Tour

Beat the Summer heat by taking an ice cream tour in Manhattan. Starting at $55, you’ll begin the tour at Union Square, then explore neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Soho. This tour isn’t just about ice cream though, you’ll also learn about the areas you visit while taking in the beautiful scenery.

5. Wine Tasting Sail Trip

Enjoy a relaxing sail around New York City while also enjoying a fine selection of wine. Starting at $199, you can go on a wine cruise which will include charcuterie and cheese along with a special selection or theme of wines. While you’re sailing, you’ll also learn basic knowledge to understand various wines. The sail will last for two hours, and upon arrival you can choose which wine cruise you would like to go on as each one has a different selection of wines and themes.

6. VIP Golf Lessons

If you love to golf, this once in a lifetime experience would be perfect for you. For $100, you’ll be able to learn gold techniques personally from a PGA professional in Manhattan. After your lesson, a video of your swing can be viewed on a premiere Golf Channel Academy website so you can show off your skills. The best part is you can be any skill level to do this experience.

7. Downtown Jet Ski

Want to tour New York in a unique way? For $139, you and a friend can take a jet ski tour to see the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and more. All equipment is included, and the tour will last for an hour.

8. Hot Air Balloon Upstate and New Jersey

Experience parts of New York you haven’t seen before from high up in the sky on a hot air balloon. Starting at $248, you can travel by hot air balloon over Upstate New York where you can see Lake George along with vineyards and farmlands. You can even enjoy lunch and champagne included with your balloon tour.

By Shaunna Redman

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How Skilled Are You In The Art Of Relaxing?

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All arts require skill. Relaxing is absolutely an art. It is not something that happens completely passively. It’s possible to have many days off work, with your only responsibility there to relax and enjoy yourself, and yet STILL feel stressed and unnerved. It’s a normal part of being a person, and in order to improve your baseline levels of comfort, you can benefit from taking a little time to perfect this skill.

Referring to relaxing as a skill is quite difficult to conceptualize. However, with this list, you’ll see how healthier options can always be chosen:

Meditation & Yoga

Meditation and yoga is always an essential part of learning how to relax. This is because these practices help us slow down our minds in ways that are deeper than surface level. Taking the time out of your day to visit a tantra yoga Thailand session, or to begin a guided meditation group session, or to simply research the benefits of which online can help you begin to feel a sense of kinship with concentration. Many people feel that yoga and meditation are exercises in relaxing, in getting out of your body and escaping in good feeling. This is not the case. While you will often feel refreshed and deeply restored after one of these sessions, to consider this the main aim is incorrect. You can also visit Nature Sound Retreat to learn more about the benefits of meditation.

Meditation and yoga aren’t an escape from reality, it’s a deep cultivation of your awareness of it. A concentrated mind then begins to build, and this can feel intrinsically pleasurable in itself. With this, science has proven that you’ll become more able to feel empathy, to reduce aggressive and anger-fuelled issues, to feel a sense of deep relaxation and to enjoy better physical health and sleep hygiene. Meditation and yoga help you Relax with a capital R, as it woks on the underlying emotional and psychological structure of your mind, helping you relieve stress and come to a sense of real peace.

Better Content

It can be that while we find time to relax, we may not be conducting in relaxing activities. It might be that during your pleasure time this week, you’ve been watching an intense drama with difficult social situations and aggressive content. Of course, this isn’t to advise you to limit your content by appealing to the negative nature of the show in an accepting sense, but that how exposing yourself to this may mean you’re emotionally stimulated or impressed in ways that might not be the most beneficial for your relaxation time. Instead, perhaps focusing on a creative hobby, absorbing more relaxing and positive content, or taking the time to simply sit and read could help you feel much more catered for after work, or in the moments where you truly need to recharge.

Relaxation Aids

We all like to relax in different ways and there are plenty of relaxation aids out there that can help you to settle down. From learning what is thco and using it to your benefit to booking in a massage at your local spa, it’s important to know what aids suit you and to incorporate them into your lifestyle.

Social & Isolation

Some people recharge in a group. Some people need to recharge alone. No matter who you are, relaxing and comforting yourself in these matters can be benefited, but only if you try both to make sure you know what is best for you. It might be you decide to spend more time with your flatmates, or perhaps more time with your family despite working obligations. If intensely socialized but at your limit, you may decide that scheduling more time alone could be tremendously helpful to you. We all have different requirements, so be sure to find the setup that works for you the most appropriately.

With these tips, you’re sure to find yourself skilled in the art of relaxing.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How to Rejuvenate Your Skin for Fall

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You know the rule, and if you don’t, we’re here to dole out some serious skincare truths and the first one is – change of seasons calls for a change of your skincare arsenal. So, hurry up, finish off those summer go-to products so they don’t go to waste and get ready to spice things up – fall skincare style. The slightly harsher weather calls for some serious changes so stay tuned as we guide you through the skincare maze in order to welcome the golden season (with hopefully a few days of that magical Indian summer) looking fresh, rejuvenated, and ready for anything this period throws at you.

Laying down the groundwork

Fun in the sun is fun indeed, but excessive sun exposure, a crime we’re all guilty of, can and usually does take a toll on the skin, making it patchy, dry, and at times even leathery. So, before you do anything else, it’s time you did some repair work and eradicated the damage the sun may have caused. This is where two little miracles come to play – exfoliation and facial serums. By exfoliating your skin regularly – two to three times a week - you will have removed the dead skin cells caused by dehydration and sun, and will have revealed a glowing clean complexion that is ready for subsequent pampering. In case you have more serious sun damage, investing in a high-quality serum that targets this particular issue is the smartest thing you can do, as sun damage can have long term consequences if not addressed in a timely manner.

When in Rome

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In this case Rome is exfoliation and, as caring for your skin shouldn’t end with the face, it’s time to spruce up and rejuvenate the entire body. One of the whole-body pampering trends that has spiked in popularity is actually the ancient art of dry brushing. Not only does it  help remove dead skin cells, but fosters better blood flow and helps eliminate cellulite; not to mention that it has the power to soothe your body from within, so make sure you snag a good brush and learn how to do this ritual properly.

Choose wisely

When it comes to choosing products such as cleansers, toners and moisturizers, it’s always best to go with those coming from the same line. Skincare lines are carefully designed to work together in the right order and bring you the optimal level of cleanliness and much needed moisture, as harsher weather will call for reinforcement in the moisturizing department. So, choose your products wisely and stick to the best skincare regimen and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Of course, when choosing, make sure you take your skin type and possible issues (acne, discoloration or anything else) into account as this is what perhaps matters most when we talk about effectiveness.

Don’t forget this part

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We often neglect our lips, it’s time to admit that. Yes, yes, we did have fun with matte lipsticks and will probably continue to do so in the time to come, especially when we switch to darker berry and chocolaty hues, but we mustn’t forget to nourish our lips in preparation for the fall, during fall and well into winter. The harsh weather will leave you with dry chapped and not at all kissable lips, so go for something deeply nourishing that will also rejuvenated your lips too.

Butter up

The shiny and glitter-loaded body lotions were definitely one of summer’s top hits as the entire season was marked by the pursuit of the glow, but as amazing as they look, these lotions are more decorative than nourishing. Therefore, it’s time to switch to something thicker, buttery and deeply nourishing. Think in terms of Shea butters, rich and rejuvenating coconut. Search for local handcrafted brands that have incredibly powerful body butters in a variety of scents, so take your pick according to your scent preferences, but always keep protection and nourishment in mind.

Finish off strong

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Another product we tend to leave on the bench during summer is a really good hand cream. Just as the lips, dry, cracked hands are not only un-alluring but can actually be quite painful, so snag the best hand cream you can get your hands on. Moreover, just like the lip balm, always keep it in your bag because these are the two products that you’ll be applying at least five times a day so it’s vital to always keep them in close vicinity.

Not that hard, right – a little exfoliation, some new goodies; preparing for the fall has never sounded more appealing, you have to admit it. We know you can’t wait to get your hands on these fall skincare goodies, so now that our work is done, we’ll leave you to it. 

Weekend City Breaks: How To Make The Most Of Your Time

If you only have a couple of days free to travel, you might be in the process of planning a weekend city break. While it’s always nice to be able to get away if you only have a few days free it can be both exciting and disappointing - on the one hand, you have a chance to get away but on the other, it can feel like you don’t have enough time to explore wherever you are visiting.

The truth is that while a weekend city break is often seen simply as a great way to relax and refresh yourself before another hectic week at work, it can be just an interesting and enjoyable as a longer break. If you are someone who really likes to get to know the area that you are staying in, then you need to know how to make the most of your time when on a weekend city break.                                                                                                                             
Want to maximise what you’re able to do on your next weekend away? Then have a read of the tips below, take note and implement them, and you should be able to ensure that you maximise your time and have the most incredible weekend away.

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Choose your destination wisely

The first step to making the most of a weekend away is to choose your destination wisely. Think about what you want to get out of your weekend away - are you looking to relax and unwind or do you want to explore the modern art scene? Choose a destination that will offer you exactly what you’re looking for in a city break, so that you aren’t left disappointed.

Head to Paris for art and architecture. Go to Berlin for modern art. Jet to New York for shopping. Go to London for museums. Research the best cities to visit for the things that you are interested in and then pick one of those cities to head to.

Book in advance

You might have already booked your flights in advance and your accommodation too, but that’s not all you should book in advance. When you’re away for a weekend, time is of the essence, which is why it’s so vital that you book as much in advance as you can do. A major benefit of booking in advance is that the sooner you book things, the cheaper they tend to be, so if you’re on a budget this is a tip that you should also take note of.

For the city that you are visiting, take the time to research all of the must-see sights and attractions and all of the best restaurants to eat in. Place your booking beforehand to ensure that you don’t miss out. For popular attractions, such as the Paris Catacombs tour, it’s worthwhile booking your tickets as soon as possible, in addition to booking queue jump passes if available, to save time. (When it comes to making the most of your trip, it’s little things like this that can make all the difference.)

Plan your itinerary

In addition to booking as much as you can in advance, to make the most of a weekend trip it’s also essential that you carefully plan your itinerary. Take the time to research all of the best things to see and do while you are abroad and create a tick list of each of the things that you definitely want to do. Then, create a timetable for your trip that includes each of these things.

You may not be keen on the idea of having to schedule your time while you are away, but the fact is if you want to ensure that you are able to fit everything into your trip that you want to do, it’s important that you have a schedule in place. You will find fitting everything in far easier if you know what you are meant to be doing and when, as this means less umming and erring about how you should spend each day as your itinerary has already been planned out.

Manage your time

Weekend breaks are great but they come with time constraints, which means that you will want to make the most of every second of your trip. Little things can help you to do that, such as only traveling with a hand luggage so you can skip the queues at the airport while you wait for your bags to be released. This will also mean that you could, potentially start exploring as soon as you arrive as you’ll only have a small bag to carry with you.

Ensure that you are properly prepared to get around once you land at your destination of choice. If you are using a map on your smartphone to get around, ensure that you have already downloaded it and mapped your route. If you are taking transport from the airport to the city centre, ensure that you have booked this in advance and can simply find it and hop in once you arrive.

The more prepared you are for a weekend away, the higher the chance that you will be able to enjoy your time and do everything that you planned to do. There’s plenty to see and do in world-famous cities, which is why it’s so vital that you do lots of preparation and planning in advance, to ensure that you are able to have the most amazing time away and don’t miss out on seeing or doing anything.

Weekend breaks can be a great way to get away and spend some time relaxing and unwinding. While short breaks, if you are smart about planning your trip and are properly prepared, a weekend break can be a lot of fun. Even with just two days away you can see many of the sights that a city has to offer, it’s just a case of planning properly, that’s all. Hopefully, the tips and advice above will help you to do that and have the most amazing time away, relaxing and unwinding while enjoying seeing the sights.

Have something you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Bullett Journaling The Newest Trend To Keep Track Of Your Life

Fun doodles and keeping up with various events collide to create the new trend of bullet journaling. Starting a bujo was the best thing I ever did for myself. I kept forgetting what plans I had made and usually ended up double booking myself. I also kept forgetting what absolutely had to be done the following day, thus leading to low priority stuff getting mixed into the high priority stuff (and some things being completely abandoned). If I happen to sound like you, then maybe you should check out bullet journaling as well.

Photo by: @calligraphybymcdonald on Instagram

Photo by: @calligraphybymcdonald on Instagram

What is bullet journaling?

Bullet journaling is a unique way for everyone to keep track of their daily events. It can help relax you after a long day, or prep you for a big day. There is no right or wrong way to bullet journaling. The key focus is for you to keep track of your life and have fun.

Where to begin:

You can choose to make one from scratch by using any notebook you want. Many bullet journalists recommend and use Moleskine notebooks. If you’re on the busier side, you can buy a planner meant for bullet journaling so you won’t have to draw your layouts. After choosing your journal, you need a pen or a pencil, then you can start working on your monthly layouts.

Photo by: @focusign on Instagram

Photo by: @focusign on Instagram

Starting to track:

Many people use their bullet journals to keep track of everyday things outside of events.These things include: emotions, workouts, daily water intake, and tv shows watched. Some people also use their journals to keep track of their budget or for motivation to save money by doing a no spend challenge, which means no money is spent outside of necessities.

Plan out some things you would like to keep track of, then figure out a design you would like to follow. For a simplistic approach, you can number down the sides for each day of the month, then draw a box after each day which can then be colored in after your goal/day is accomplished.

By Shaunna Redman

Have something you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Looking Your Best From Head To Toe On National Men's Grooming Day

As grooming habits have become too complicated and we all want to look our best as Fashion Week comes by, we celebrate today National Men's Grooming Day by sharing our top essentials to look your best on any day, ladies too!

We've compiled a list of products from head to toes to maintain a healthy appearance for every man. So, if you’re a man who is interested about his appearance (or a woman who a better looking man), let us be your guide.

Hair

Esquire Grooming Shampoo - Your hair looks and feels better when it's full and balanced. This unique formula contains a blend of saw palmetto, pea sprout, chia seed, eucalyptus and ashwagandha to make your hair look and feel fuller-all while preserving its natural balance.

Ecru New York Marine Thickening Balm - A light, fragrant thickening gelèe that absorbs into the hair to dramatically increase thickness while providing protection against damage and breakage. Great for men with thinning or fine hair. ($24)

Dove Men+Care DermaCare Anti-Dandruff Fortifying Shampoo + Conditioner: Combat flakes and itch with the new range of DermaCare Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners that are engineered specifically for men's hair to help eliminate dandruff, improve scalp health, and make hair stronger and more resilient against breakage. 

Floyds 99 Texture Powder - Versatile, weightless powder adds volume, thickness and definition.  Gives hair a strong hold while providing pliability.  Absorbs excess oil from the scalp.  Safe for color-treated hair and sensitive scalp.  Perfect product for the gents with thinning or fine hair.  ($16.99)

Body

Dove Men+Care Stain Defense CoolFormulated with anti-mark technology that helps eliminate yellow stains on white clothing and white marks on dark, this antiperspirant offers 48-hour odor and wetness protection along with signature ¼ moisturizing technology.

Face

We have been loving the skin care line created by plastic surgeons Dr. John Layke and Dr. Payman Danielpour, Beverly Hills MD is a rapidly-growing skincare company committed to creating powerful anti-aging solutions using only the most natural and effective ingredients. Beverly Hills MD’s mission is to provide highly effective, accessible solutions for the most difficult skincare concerns that customers can use in the comfort of their own homes. “We continually innovate products our patients can use to improve their skin in between visits and know they’ll love seeing results from the comfort of their home.” says Dr. Layke

Rose Stem Cell Daily Cleanser: a powerful formula designed to protect, hydrate, and revitalize skin while it cleanses. Advanced ingredients work to smooth skin’s surface, retain essential moisture, and give you a fresh, energized look and feel each and every time you cleanse. ($70.00)

Deep Regenerating Stem Cell Moisturizer: designed to restore that healthy, youthful look your complexion once had—by giving skin a radiant, seemingly ageless glow. This breakthrough formula harnesses the revitalizing power of plant stem cells to make your complexion look smoother, brighter, and virtually flawless every day. ($150)

POLISHED by Dr. Lancer. Dr. Lancer partnered up with client and friend, Ryan Seacrest, to create POLISHED, a dermatologist-developed, tested and approved daily regimen that targets the specific needs of men’s skin and is powered by the highest grade and most innovative ingredients. The line includes an anti-aging serum, dual cleanse and shave, oil-free moisturizer, a daily micro scrub, and a daily lip care.

Yon-Ka Phyto-Tonic Aftershave

Optimize your skincare regimen with this alcohol-free aftershave that provides an instant feeling of freshness. Packed with 9 essential oils, this antiseptic treatment mist soothes razor burn and provides an instant feeling of freshness without leaving behind a greasy film. It is suitable for all skin types. ($38)

Fragrance

Geir For Men, a high-end, invigorating scent perfect for any occasion -  from hanging at home with family and working out at the gym to going on a date. The not too sweet, not too strong scent's combination of herbs, wet woods and lavender never fail to make a statement.  

Feet

COBY Callus Remover $13 -mThe 3-Piece COBY pedicure groomer lets you re-create a mini-spa right at home. This spinning callus smoother roller eliminates any tedious work associated with a home pedicure and is quick, easy and effective. In just seconds, you’ll have smooth, beautiful feet. Even men need to keep a pedicured foot!

 

5 Time Management Tips for Work at Home

Working from the comfort of their home is a dream come true for many people. You get a chance to be your own boss and the master of your schedule. There is no one looming over your shoulder and pushing you over the edge. Alas, escaping the tedious 9-5 loop should not throw you in the void of constantly juggling work and life.

Another challenge to keep in mind is that our work routines often die by a thousand little cuts, all those short pauses and distractions in the living environment. Is it possible to avoid these pitfalls? The answer is yes, but apart from discipline and perseverance, you need to harness the power of time management.

The right mindset

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It all starts with a shift in the mindset. I have seen so many people (including myself) chasing clients only to lose sight of how that affects their lives. In other words, they disregard the value of their own time. Do we really have to be available on weekends, nights, and days? Is it not enough to provide quality service and high value?

One of the hardest lessons is learning to say no. It took me quite a while to overcome this blockage, but I realized that I had to disconnect and spend time unwinding every now and then. It comes down to striking a better work-life balance and finding room in the schedule for your own happiness and health. Otherwise, you risk being overworked and experiencing a burnout.

Put it all in the writing

When everything depends on you and you alone, you cannot afford to drift around aimlessly. Get your priorities straight and be more organized. Use calendars and alarms to stay on tracks. Keep records of your contacts, invoices, tasks, due dates, documents, expenses, spreadsheets, etc. You can use the good old pen and paper or digital tools such as the Google Drive.

Moreover, one of the best habits you can develop is creating daily and weekly and daily to-do lists. In a nutshell, write down everything you want to accomplish in a set time frame. It is a good idea to handle the most important tasks at times of the day when you feel most energized. Less taxing tasks like checking emails can be performed even while commuting.

Smart productivity tips

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Rest assured that you do not need to work harder, just smarter. Managing time effectively revolves around being productive. The number of hours you put into tasks does not mean all that much. Even working for eight hours non-stop does not guarantee exceptional results. Science has proven that taking regular breaks holds the key to maintaining peak productivity.

So, do not be afraid to “waste” time on a lunch or coffee breaks every day. Here, I would underline that many freelancers successfully use a Pomodoro technique. Basically, you work in 25 minute bursts and then take a break of five minutes. During these breaks, you should stand up, stretch a bit, and rest your eyes from the screen.

Work means work

On the other hand, when you work, you need to really work. To make it happen, start treating your freelancing remote job like any real office job. Beyond everything else, minimize the number of distractions that can always prolong your work indefinitely. For most people, this means closing social media tabs and muting all notifications on the smartphone.

But, you also need to embrace a holistic approach and limit the overall information intake. At the same time, try to avoid multitasking. This practice forces your brain to engage in a perpetual back and forth and wastes precious time. Even when tackling less demanding duties such as filling paid surveys online, you should complete them first and only then proceed to the next block of tasks.   

Setting boundaries

When caught up in frantic clicking, typing, mailing, and browsing, it is easy to lose track of time. Also, you might be unaware of just how much these things can drain you. When I was doing nothing more than mindless clicking, I was happy with how little mental effort this required. However, after a while I became aware that it is something that stresses me out and drains energy.

So, know what your limits are and set realistic goals. Identify tasks and obligations that eat up most of your time or willpower. Most likely, you can benefit from streamlining and automating social media, email, and scheduling activities. Finally, bear in mind that there is an option to delegate and outsource tasks. That way, you will still be able to deliver without going out of your way.

Have time on your side

It is true what they say: time is money. I would also add that you never want to have it as an enemy. Like it or not, sound time management is integral to success of any work-at-home individual. This practice gives us the best of both worlds: getting more things done every day and still having a life outside work. You must measure the time and predict it help of clock-in clock-out apps.

So, if you really mean business, create a system and explain to clients how it works. There are many ways to prove indispensable other than being available around the clock. Schedule some regular downtime and take frequent breaks from work. Know when it is best to keep the nose to the grindstone and when to step away from it.

By Sophia Smith

Have something you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Guy's Trip: The Essentials You Need To Consider To Look Your Best

You might be a low-maintenance guy who sticks to their favorite couple of products, or you could be a man who enjoys the grooming process and all the stuff that comes with it, along with a variety of other travel “essentials”. Whatever your travel style is, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve got everything you need for your guys trip, before you get to the airport. Your toiletries bag doesn’t have to be a last minute thought, where you’ve shoved stuff in that you’re not going to use much, and forgotten the products you like to use daily.                                                                                     
Therefore, taking some time to get it together when it comes to what you use to groom, will save you expensive trips to the local drugstore and the time it takes to get there. If you’d prefer to have everything you need in your hotel bathroom; take a look at the following things to consider when you’re traveling so that you can escape the city with your friends in style, no matter where you’re heading.

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Think About The Change In Climate

Your face might be exposed to the sun more regularly, so aside from your factor thirty; you’ll need to pack a good moisturiser to nourish your skin during the evenings and overnight. You don’t want to have to deal with flakey, dry skin after you get back from your break; you’re meant to get home looking healthy and well-rested. Using a balm for your lips, with an SPF, is another great way to protect yourself from sun damage and dryness too. If your a cigar man, and want to enjoy one with your travel buddies, to celebrate your trip, it’s worth checking out the best travel humidor for your escape so that you can ensure your expensive stogy arrives in pristine condition.

Consider The Rest Of Your Body

Remember that your sunscreen is essential, so pack enough. Get to know and understand how much sun exposure your skin can handle and invest in your factors accordingly. Aloe vera lotion might be worth taking for those days you spent a little too much time floating on the inflatables, and it’ll cool you off so you can sleep. Whatever you do; don’t forget your deodorant and a body wash or shower gel, as these will probably be the first things you’ll need to reach for after you get off a long and sweaty flight.

Staying Suave With Great Hair

If you’re a guy with a full beard, a sharp goatee, or you’re cleanly shaven for the majority of the time, you’re going to want to have everything you need to tame your facial hair. Investing in a decent shaving cream or foam will leave your face less irritated than the hotel soap will, and you’ll be able to have a comfortable shave as well. Don’t forget your beard oils or balms too; you don’t want to have to shave all your beard-growing efforts off, just because you resemble Tom Hanks in Castaway. Your head hair should be treated with just as much respect; gel, wax, and hairspray should be packed accordingly, and take into account how the sun, pool chlorine, and seawater may affect it. If your vacation environment is going to take its toll on your hair, you might want to consider investing in a shampoo and conditioner combo that will maintain and improve those locks.

Have something you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

You Are What You Eat - How True Is This Statement Really?

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The answer? Incredibly true. Without heading into an overlong explanation as to why, it’s best to consider the answer immediately. You absolutely are what you eat. It contributes to your system and can very much dictate your physical health, your mood, your alertness levels among many other things. If looking to experiment with your health (hopefully in the process of trying to improve it,) there may be a few things you try.

However, even busting your hardest work effort in the gym will always be seconday to what’s going on in your refridgerator and cupboards. You can run all you like, but if you eat three buckets of KFC a day, you’re unlikely to see much improvement, although you will see some. The kitchen is absolutely where the best choices are made, meaning that considering new diets could be an excellent thing to do. Consider these tips for the best results:

The Keto/Carnivore Diet

The ketosis and carnivore diets are taking off, and for good reason. In fact, over 300,000 people have subcribed to the ketosis subreddit this year alone. Why is this? Well, the health effects seem to be being felt all over the world. Ketosis is the act of eschewing all carbohydrates from your diet, and absorbing healthy fats and meats in abundance. You can also take care of a vegan ketosis if needed, but this is much more difficult to follow. Ketosis is practiced thanks to the body producing ketones, a form of fuel source much more clean and energy-dense than glucose from carbohydrates, and this also allows you to burn your fat reserves from your body in the fastest possible time.

It’s truly a wonder to behold, and may only be believed with your own eyes as you conduct it. Another quite interesting diet trend lately is the carnivore diet, in which you remove all vegetables from your diet and eat solely meat. This apparently can help with inflammation, and there are benefits to following it. However, this is quite an extreme diet, so perhaps starting off lightly with a ketosis trial could help you think about your dietary intake differently.

Diet Sensitivity                                                                                
Remember that diets dictate who we are for the most part, especially when it comes to how our body handles what we feed it. Every now and then new sensitivities can occur as we age, or perhaps blossom in our children when we’d rather they didn’t. Ensuring you regularly inspect how you feel after eating certain food groups, and how well your body seems to digest certain items can help you really tailor a diet that works for you. For example, learning gluten sensitivity symptoms can help you diagnose difficult foodstuffs and also potentially where to eat or avoid to mitigate this. Diet is something that follows us throughout our whole life, so it’s important to steward a dynamic and engaging relationship with it in the long term, choosing food right for you at the time, to help you feel the best for the longest amount of time possible.

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Sheet Masks That We're Obsessed With

Stress and tiredness can take a toll on your skin’s appearance by causing wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. Using a sheet mask can help rejuvenate your skin and give off a younger, healthier appearance. The best part is that there is a mask for everyone from the different end results to the price ranges.

After a long day at work you may find yourself with dark circles under your eyes or fine lines. If this sounds like you at the end of the day, then you should try Celavive™’s Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask. The sheet mask uses two botanical extracts and two bioactive peptides to give the mask anti-aging qualities such as firming, smoothing, and brightening. This would give you a younger, healthier appearance perfect for going out on the town at night or waking up refreshed in the morning.

If you're considering investing in a luxury skincare regime, you might find this La Prairie skincare comprehensive review enlightening, detailing the brand's effectiveness and value.

If you find yourself with tired-looking, dry skin, but are on a budget, then you may want to try VITABRID®'s Dual Mask. The VITABRID® Dual Mask can be purchased for $8. This K-Beauty anti-aging mask contains a new anti-aging solution, PEPTIBRID™ and VITABRID®, to provide a concentrated supply of nutrition (active, stabilized Vitamin C and peptides) and elasticity to tired, distressed skin. Additionally, the mask is great for sensitive skin as it’s hypoallergenic, non-stimulating, and made of microfibers.

Since everyone has different results they wish to achieve with their skin, Anthropologie offers a set of three sheet masks called Keep Cool that will give you the results you want to see. Each mask combats specific issues such as fine-lines, dry skin, or irritation. Keep Cool and Shine helps with skin rejuvenation and reduction of fine lines. Keep Cool and Ocean helps with keeping skin hydrated all day, while Keep Cool and Soothe helps with reducing irritation and redness on your face.

For those of you who wish to focus on the dark circles under your eyes, there is a sheet “mask” for you. The difference is this mask is actually pads you place under your eyes to brighten your skin. Spascription has Brightening Under Eye Pads which contain Vitamin C to assist with brightening your skin. These pads are also hypoallergenic and made for all skin types. Plus, if you’re not into daily use you’re in luck. Spascriptions’ Brightening Under Eye Pads only need to be used 15 minutes once per week.

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Brighten Up Your Life By Brightening Up Your Interior

Adding a pop of color to any room can drastically improve your mood. If you often find yourself stressed or upset while at home, you may want to consider a few minor retouches to your interior design that will make a huge overall difference in your attitude.

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Choosing a color

Depending on how you’re feeling most of the time when you get home should help determine what color choice to go with. Cool colors, such as blues, greens and violets, promote peace which would help you feel better after a stressful day of work. On the other hand, warm colors, such as reds, pinks, yellows and oranges, promote cheerfulness which would be helpful if you find yourself feeling upset after returning home. With the cool colors, try to pick a bright shade as the darker shades could bring your mood down instead of giving you the feeling of tranquility. As for the warm colors, find a shade that isn’t overpowering to you as the warm colors can become an eye sore when you look at them constantly.

Related: Fall Color Trends To Give New Life To Your Room

Implementing your color choice

Look around the rooms you spend the most time in and make note of the spaces that make you feel less at ease or indifferent. If there are windows in the space, try putting up curtains or a valance that match the color you chose to go with. Letting in some sunlight every now and then can also help improve your mood in the space.

Other options include painting a simple pattern in your chosen color on one of the walls in the rooms you frequent, or finding simplistic wall stickers to put up. The latter is a good option if you live in a residence that doesn’t allow painting. You could also add some decorative pillows in the color of your choice to the space to add an additional level of comfort. Lastly, if you have a lamp that uses a standard lamp shade, you could find a lampshade that goes with your color choice to continue to brighten up your room and your mood.

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Does Island Life Suit You? Let’s Find Out!

DRAFT

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Don’t worry because this isn’t a Tom Hanks on Castaway sort of thing. Island life is cool but it’s not that great. No, this is a vacation dilemma. Usually, a holiday consists of a hotel and a browse around the mainland. There is a lot to do and see and eat and drink, so it has everything you need. Island retreats are pipedreams or they’re not suitable. Does the image of spending every waking second on a beach send shivers down your spine?

There is only one way to find out and that’s to do the research. So, here are four ways to tell whether you’re an island-baby.

Do You Like To Chill?

There’s no doubt that islands are relaxing. In fact, it’s the whole point of going in the first place. You get to go off the grid and split from everyday life. Forget about cell phones and the internet and staying connected; you’re in a dead zone now. What this does is give you a chance to reflect and gain perspective. Sitting on a beach sipping cocktails isn’t all fun and games, you know. Of course, some people find it impossible to sit still for more than five minutes without getting anxious. If you’re one of the latter, this vacation may not be suitable.

Do You Love Wildlife?

The great thing about islands is the abundance of animals. Typically, there are forests which provide lots of shelter and homes for exotic animals. Madagascar, the place, not the film, has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. And, that’s without venturing into the sea. Swimming with dolphins and scuba-diving with turtles are some of the most popular and favorite island activities of all time. Anyone who loves the planet and what it has to offer will feel at home on an island because it’s like being a kid in a candy store.

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Are You Active?

Relaxing is fantastic, yet there comes a moment when you need to release energy. Even the biggest beach-bunnies can’t spend two-weeks lazing on a beach. Of course, there are plenty of water activities to keep you active what with the fishing and snorkeling and diving. But, islands tend to have more to offer. Because they are small and less developed, there’s more room to cycle or walk or ride a horse. Motorcycles are also available and a hell of a lot of fun. There’s no need to stay still when there is so much to do.

Are You An Explorer?

Exploring an island is a primitive urge. As soon as you step foot on the sand, you’ll want to go off the beaten track. Or perhaps you won’t, depending on your personality. For the people who do, there is a lot to see and do which hasn’t been seen or done before. Even better, you can hop from island to island via a boat and do it again. All you have to do is pick a group of isles which are close together.

So, are you an islander like Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach?

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