Lifestyle

Birthdays can be a very big deal in a lot of households. Not only are you celebrating the day of birth of someone special but there is cake and presents to look forward to as well. So whether you are looking to celebrate a 1st birthday or a 90th, there are a ton of ways to up the ante and truly throw one of the greatest bashes.

While at times birthday parties may be a challenge to arrange, especially if there are quite a few guests for the guest list, it can be done! The goal is to make the birthday person feel extra special while not worrying about any unneeded stress. While you can’t always please everyone, these tips below will help you to please the majority of the party-goers.

A day of golfing.

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You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who isn’t a fan of mini or wacky golf. Everyone likes to pretend that they are the Tiger Woods of the putting green and can get any neon ball past a laughing clown. Just by Googling some mini gold establishments in your area like “mini golf Long Island,” you’ll be able to see all the options available to you for planning a special day out.

The best news is these types of parties are great for any age. Most golf courses will offer budget and deluxe packages that are often time allotted and have some sort of party room access. Some courses also will have arcade games so that you can enjoy those amenities as well.

Some of the games can include skeet ball, whack-a-mole, and basketball hoops. Also, if you’re not a fan of cooking, most mini golf companies provide dine-in services where you can treat yourself to a nice lunch after an afternoon of playing games.

Have a bottomless mimosas party.

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Maybe you had something else in mind, like a nice bottomless brunch in DC, for example, with your closest girlfriends! You can choose to go out to your favorite restaurant or host a party at home. There is no better way to start a weekend than by surrounding yourself with your best friends and savory breakfast foods. Brunch at times can be an underrated meal but is often one of the most joyous since there is no rush. But really, the crowning glory of any brunch has to do with the mimosas or bellinis.

If you decide to have a birthday party at home, you can still set up a bottomless-brunch-themed birthday party at your house and bring the fun to you. Or, you could even go one step further and ask your guests to dress up. Maybe a 1920s “Gatsby” party where your friends can adorn some fancy glam eyelashes, elaborate pearls, and cute hats.

If you choose to host the party at your home, make sure to be prepared for all the ins and outs of party planning so that when the day comes, you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.

Have a zoom party.

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Since we’re still dealing with the worldwide pandemic, it may be more advantageous to plan a socially distant party by using Zoom. Currently, it could still be hard to get together for the proper celebration that you want. While we may not be able to do a dinner out, we can still make some great memories.

If you have a high school or college graduation coming up, why not plan a virtual dance party? Once you have your mock ceremony, which will include the diploma, you can then turn to the party phase. It’s a good idea to make a list of songs to get everyone in the mood and have your guests dress up in their fancy clothes.

As the night goes on, you can showcase each person as they dance and celebrate the accomplishment. If you can, try to record the dance party, so everyone has a video goody bag of the fun time they had. The party will be so good people may even forget that they aren’t hanging out in person.

There are other little ways that you can celebrate a birthday within the family. If the day is nice and the weather is cooperating, why not try a picnic at the park or by the sea? A little fresh air never hurts anyone, and there are often playgrounds and ice cream trucks around to enhance the day out. If you fancy just staying at home, you can host a family game night. Grab some old favorites like Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary. Make some popcorn and get ready for a night of laughs and quality time.

No matter what you choose to celebrate your loved one’s birthday or special occasion, the party will be great because of the people there who help make wonderful memories.

 

Switzerland is where many big and great watch manufacturers originated. It is home to a wide variety of watch brands ranging from high-end and expensive watches to quality yet affordable watches.

One of these watch manufacturers is the Heuer watch company. In this article, the history and the top 3 most popular watch collections of the company will be brought to light so keep on reading!

Where It All Began

In 1860, Mr. Edouard Heuer brought to life his love for pocket watches and started his own watchmaking business, and sooner than expected, the business immediately took off and created a reputable mark in the industry. Initially, Tag Heuer was not the company’s brand name. It used to be known as Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG.

In 1882, Heuer’s first chronograph was patented and in five years introduced the now widely used oscillating pinion and patented it, as well. Soon after, Heuer just kept having achievement after achievement.

The company released the very first wristwatch in the market and later developed its prized possession Autavia which immediately overtook the market and became the gold standard for cars and planes in 1933.

Other big companies like Abercrombie and Fitch started to partner up with them and gave the rising gem of the watch industry the breakthrough that it needed. From being known for its silver pocket watches, the Heuer watches started to dominate as the motorsport timepiece for racers.

With this title, potential investors started lining up for a stake in the company and in 1985, the Techniques d’Avant Garde group was able to acquire a minor stake in the brand which eventually resulted in the Heuer company being called TAG Heuer.

Carrera

Known as an official motorsport timepiece, Heuer participated and sponsored stopwatches in a lot of race car events. At that time, there was a notorious race that was dubbed as the most dangerous race in the world. The race that got officially banned by the government due to safety risks and fatal incidents was called the Carrera Panamerica race.

This race smoked the streets of Mexico and somehow inspired Mr. Heuer to create the ultimate racing watch which was then called the Carrera collection as a commemoration of the infamous race.

In this collection, most of the watches are powered by the in-house Heuer-20 movement with an incredible 80-hour power reserve to make sure that the watch does not falter at any time that you need it. The watch ranges from around 1,000 US dollars and could go up to around 22, 200 US dollars.

There are about 150 versions with different dial designs, sizes, and materials that you could customize to fit the lifestyle and aesthetic that you want. This is the best-selling collection of the company which always outsells every other collection and if you’re looking for the crowd’s favorite sports watch then this is the watch for you.

Aquaracer

Aside from being famously known in the racing world, the company also decided to explore the diver market with their Aquaracer collection. Specifically, the Aquaracer 500, can dive deep and still function at an astonishing depth of 500 m underwater.

Most versions of the line run on Heuer’s Calibre S electro-mechanical chronograph movement which facilitates its precise time-keeping. It also has a 12-facet bezel that is unidirectional to prevent any accidental movement underwater. It also has a screw-in crown with double safety gaskets that prevent dust and water from entering the watch.

The best thing about the watch is it can be functional and classy at the same time so you can take it diving on a good day and also wear it for a luxurious evening party. For a high precision and quality watch, you would expect it to be quite expensive but unlike other Swiss manufacturers, you can grab an Aquaracer watch at an affordable price of over 1,000 US dollars.

Formula 1

Formula 1 is another racing watch collection that brings functionality and style into the picture next to the Carrera line. This is the first watch released after Heuer was acquired by the TAG group.

It was the first analog series to be quartz-only by Ronda and continuously sticks to that movement to this very day. Although there was previously a quartz crisis in the 1970s, Formula 1 was still a huge success.

Early watches ran on the Harley SA 705 movement while the later watches ran on the ETA 955.412/ 955.414 movement. The precision of the watch came with bright colored cases to match the adjustable plastic straps as its design.

The Series 6 which was released in 2015 and continues to the present has changed the case design that it used to have since 1986 and was replaced with the 1970s Heuer Autavia case for a new look. The company also expanded by using Calibre 5, 6, and 7 to the newer models.

Takeaway

If you’re looking for a functional, reliable, and affordable watch then head on to the nearest TAG Heuer store or shop online for the best investment that you can get! The wide range of models and designs will surely not let you down.

 

Oris is a Swiss watch manufacturer that has been producing a variety of diving and classic timepieces since 1904. The company’s craftsmanship of developing high-end mechanical self-winding watches is well-known in the industry. Here are the newest models from its finest collections, the Aquis, Artelier, and Chronoris series.

Aquis Collection

The Oris 01 774 7743 4155-07 8 24 05PEB Chronograph Blue Dial Men’s Watch

This model from the Aquis series is one of the most attractive Oris watches on the list. It comes in a steel casing with a black bezel and a stunning blue dial that incorporates index hour markers and steel hands, both with luminous fills and covered by a sapphire crystal. Plus, the face also displays three additional small sub-dials for hours, minutes, and seconds indications.

The Oris Aquis 01 774 7743 4155-07 8 24 05 is also the best timepiece on the list in terms of water-resistance as it can go underwater for up to 500 meters. Plus, it equips the self-winding Oris Caliber 774 that offers two days of power reserve and 25 jewels. You enjoy all of these features by ordering this men’s watch online on Watchshopping for $2,879.

The Oris 01 798 7754 4185-SET MB Carysfort Reef Blue Dial Limited-Edition Men’s Watch

Another excellent men’s watch from the Aquis series with satisfying water resistance is the Oris 01 798 7754 4185-SET MB. It is a limited-edition timepiece that equips an automatic caliber resistant to water for up to 30 bars. The reason behind this is its compact 43.5 mm stainless steel casing covered by a reliable anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The back cover of this watch is also see-through, letting you see the beauty of its mechanical movements on the inside. On the other hand, the sophisticated-looking blue dial is packed with the same-colored bezel, a tiny date display, and luminous appliques. This Oris Aquis timepiece can be ordered online for $2,719 on Watchshopping.

Artelier Collection

The Oris 01 733 7721 4051-07 5 21 64FC Date Silver Dial Men’s Watch

If you want a classic watch with a minimal yet attractive design, then the Oris 01 733 7721 4051-07 5 21 64FC is for you. It has a clean-looking silver dial with a guilloche finish, index hour markers, and luminous-filled hands.

The attractive dial is fitted in a sapphire crystal-covered stainless steel casing with 50 meters of water resistance. This men’s timepiece even equips the 26-jewel automatic Oris Caliber 733 with a 38-hour power reserve. This watch from the Artelier collection is for sale on Watchshopping for a 25% discounted price of $1,149.

The Oris 01 733 7721 4055-07 8 21 88 Date Blue Dial Men’s Watch

Another excellent classic men’s watch from Oris’ Artelier collection is the model 01 733 7721 4055-07 8 21 88. It has a sapphire crystal-protected stainless steel casing that is waterproof up to 50 meters. The dial displays a blue design matched with silver-tone appliques.

This Oris Artelier model is one of the best additions to your classic luxury watch collection because, besides the attractive aesthetics, it also boasts precise self-winding caliber movements. Like the other men’s timepieces on the list, it is available on Watchshopping for a discounted price of $1,529.

Chronoris Collection

The Oris 01 733 7737 4053-07 5 19 44 Date Grey and Black Dial Men’s Watch

The Oris 01 733 7737 4053-07 5 19 44 from the Chronoris collection is perhaps the men’s watch on the list with the best-valued offer. It costs $1,199 on Watchshopping, which is 31% cheaper than its original retail price of $1,750.

The satisfying price also comes with excellent inside and out features. It incorporates a black and grey-colored dial fitted in a 39 mm stainless steel casing and protected by a sapphire crystal. Plus, it equips the Oris Caliber 733 with automatic movements, 26 jewels, and ten water resistance bars.

The Oris 01 673 7739 4034-SET LS Black Dial Limited-Edition Men’s Watch

The last but one of the most stunning watches on the list is the Oris Chronoris 01 733 7737 4053-07 5 19 44. It comes with an exquisite black dial placed in a stainless steel casing with brown leather straps. Plus, it runs a 25-jewel automatic caliber with ten water-resistance bars. This timepiece is also for sale on Watchshopping for $2,649.

Takeaway

The Aquis, Artelier, and Chronoris series are, indeed, Oris’ finest collections. This luxury brand is one of the best in the industry, from diving to classical wristwatches. And, it will continue to satisfy all the watch-lovers worldwide.

 

Omega has supplied legendary timepieces with superior consistency and accuracy to the world for far more than a century. Omega watches have always been in the frontline of technology, from space launches to World championships, staying true to their motto: “Omega — Exact Time for Life.”

History Of Omega

Louis Brandt built a small factory in the Swiss town of La Chaux-de-fonds in 1848, and Omega was born. He was only producing pocket watches using parts provided by local artisans at the time, and the company was known as La Generale Watch Co.

Louis-Paul and Cesar Brandt, two of Brandt’s sons, took over the watch business in 1879. They relocated to a more giant headquarters in Bienne, where they debuted the Labrador, its first series-produced caliber. And for its technical innovations and precise timing performance, the Labrador was deemed ahead of the times at the moment.

They continued using the Omega label and emblem after just a few years, but they didn’t officially register it until 1903. Omega, which implies “Great End” in Greek, has often been compared to the quality of it’s company’s timepieces.

Member Of Swatch Group

Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère was founded in 1930 when the firm partnered with Tissot. Omega was in charge of producing high-end men’s and women’s watches, whereas Tissot specialized in mid-priced timepieces. If the Quartz Crisis struck, Omega had no alternative but to take steps to keep it afloat immediately.

Omega’s Milestone

First Watch On The Moon

Omega watches seem to be at the frontline of luxury watches culture since 1848, from reaching the moon to finding the darkest oceans and performing alongside British spy James Bond. As Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon in 1969, he equipped the Omega Speedmaster “Moonwatch” as the first watch to have been taken on the moon.

Olympics Timekeeper

Omega has demonstrated its abilities in competitions aside from outer space. The company has always been a respected partner in a range of sporting events either domestically and globally since the 90’s. In 1931, an Omega chronograph established a milestone across all six chronometry tests performed at the Geneva Observatory, extending its influence further.

James Bond Timepiece

Omega’s fame extends beyond athletics, military flights, and space missions. It is one of the timepieces that frequently appears in films, such as James Bond movies. The suave spy is said to be sporting a Rolex Oyster in the novels. Through this, artist Lindy Hemming chose an Omega Seamaster over a Rolex.

Patented Materials Used

Many people are unaware that Omega has its patented materials. Its Sedna Gold, which again was launched in 2013, would be a great example. That is an 18K rose gold alloy developed by a Swiss watch company by combining gold, palladium, and copper. According to sources, the alloy also has a luster that lasts longer, which is three times heavier than solid gold.

Omega Mechanical VS Omega Quartz

Omega Mechanical Watch

A mainspring powers a timepiece, which should be turned automatically or manually by an user’s hand movement. Some people consider watchmaking to be a form of art and thus place a premium on high-quality craft in a timepiece. These are all the same individuals who’ve been intrigued by how a case’s mechanisms turn.

Mechanical watches also have the benefit of lasting longer than battery-powered watches. It will also continue moving for ages if you take it to the repair facility regularly. On the other hand, mechanical clocks become something that you would hand over to future generations as more of an heirloom.

Omega Quartz Watch

Digital watches are fantastic, so don’t dismiss quartz watches yet, though. Quartz watches are operated by an electric current passing through a quartz crystal supported by a battery. That causes the crystal to oscillate at a steady pace, which keeps the watch ticking. These are less complex than mechanicals, and this can be seen to their advantage.

Quartz watches have the drawback of not providing the seamless movement of automatic calibers. A mech watch’s second hand may move over the dial if you pay attention. A quartz watch, while, will leap from one second to a next. It can irritate aficionados, so if you’re not too picky, you will usually get away with it because it doesn’t impair the watch’s usefulness.

Takeaway

Watches have been the commonly used item of a person. You may be in business or personal. Having a watch on your wrist is vital aside from telling us the time; it can also suggest a persons’ power, personality, etc.

 

So you successfully relocated to Sweden and have learnt a few Swedish words. You have also learnt to keep time and to remove your shoes. What is next? It’s what you have been searching for – a guide to Swedish dating.

Swedes are beautiful but may prove difficult to mingle with, especially in the beginning. And if you are from a talkative or more outspoken culture, Swedes may look like a mystery. However, everyone is unique, so no two Swedes will behave alike.

Tips for Dating a Swede

If you are hoping to shift into the world of Swedish dating, here are a few guidelines to follow:

1. Make Your Move

If you want to approach a girl or a guy in Sweden, you do not need to be shy. So, girls, if you keep waiting for that hottie to approach you and request date, you may be disappointed. He may even be into you but is waiting for you to approach him and do all the talking.

That is because Swedes practice gender equality. It is culturally acceptable for a girl to make the move. This also applies to guys; if you are attracted to a girl, make your move, and request a date. Irrespective of gender, when you like a Swede, just take a bold step and make the first move. If you keep waiting, they probably won’t come for you.

2. Do Not Say it is a Date

This is an important but confusing thing about Swedish dating – it is not called dating. You could ask someone out for fika. After going out about 2 or 3 times, then you can proceed to other things like cooking or attending a sporting activity together.

Going out to see a movie or eat dinner together will come much later. However, when the time comes, do not call it a date. It is still a movie and dinner. You can check out this website to learn more about fika.

3. Always Hug at the Beginning and End of Your Meeting

In some cultures, kissing is a form of greeting. This kiss is usually planted on the forehead or cheek. Honestly, in Sweden, doing that will creep them out, so do not try it. However, they are huge lovers of an awkward hug.

You know that type of hug that involves leaning in to wrap your hands around each other, then you separate. Each fika as well as other activities should begin and end with that kind of hug. Now, it is important to stick to that hug except you have defined things with your date.

When you both have admitted that you have mutual feelings, then you can use other forms of greeting. But for Swedes, kissing is quite complicated.

4. Get Ready to Pay

Yeah, we all know that those cinnamon buns and coffee drinks will add up in the long run. They are not cheap. However, the good thing is you are permitted to spend on just yourself – buy only what you will eat or drink.

This country is enthusiastic about gender equality and dating is not an exception. Girls do not expect guys to pay. The guys may or may not offer. But guys, you can still act like a gentleman and offer to foot the bills.

However, if she rejects the offer, she means it. Don’t push it any further. Swedes do not see reasons why only one person must pay the bills. So, be ready to split bills.

5. It is Always Exclusive

Because Swedes do not really date, this part may seem quite odd. They meet for fika as well as other activities. But as soon as you start having fika, going out regularly with one person, everyone assumes that you aren’t dating another person.

This implies that it is culturally wrong to have fika and still flirt with different people. You can have fika with your friends, but it is one Swede per time, otherwise, you are cheating. You may not have even said that you are in a relationship, but fika already implies so.

Do Swedes Date Online?

Did you newly relocate to Sweden and you just got a job that keeps you very busy? Or you are a full-time student with tons of tests to take and papers to write? You can still find love despite your busy schedule. That brings us to online dating.

But do Swedes date online? Sure, they do! Online dating is called nätdejting in Swedish. It is a booming activity in Sweden because the country is known for tech-savvy innovation and shyness. Below is a list of some popular apps and sites, including what makes them unique.

1. Badoo

This dating site prefers to use the description, “social network”. It is not owned by a Swede but has an estimated three hundred and thirty million members worldwide. And it is quite popular among Swedes because it is free.

You will also find many foreigners on the site who basically want to hook-up. But if you want something serious, keep reading.

2. Tinder

In 2014, this app caught the attention of people in their twenties in Sweden, including travelers looking for holiday fun. Some people have nurtured long-term relationships from this app while others use it for hookups.

Do not expect to find profiles that are in-depth. Many members lie about their names, age, even the pictures could be fake or younger versions of themselves. If you fancy a person, you can swipe ja (right), otherwise swipe nej (no).

Someone can only start conversing with you if both of you swiped right. This ensures that users do not get any unwanted messages from strangers.

3. Meet @ The Local

This site targets foreign professionals in the country. It’s an ex-pat community of about 1 million members. You can register for free, then take some tests that will help match your profile with compatible people in your location. Before deciding to have a physical meeting with a date, you need to check out https://www.safety.com/10-online-dating-safety-tips/ to get some safety tips.

4. OK Cupid

If you love taking questionnaires and magazine quizzes, you may love this site. Its matching system is math-based to help you locate potential dates. So, you must be honest about what you want in order to get a suitable match. If you are too picky, you may discover that you have limited options.

5. Mazily

This is a free site for hipsters, people who are culture enthusiasts. Whether it is art, fashion, theatre, literature, or film, you can find people of like mind here. Apart from connecting singles to each other, the site serves as a tool for getting information on cultural events in Malmö, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. You need to know Swedish to use this site.

6. MindALike

It was created in 2012 and was described by Swedes as an “exclusive club”. Little wonder you must apply to gain access. And not everyone is eligible to apply.

The criteria for applying include earning a minimum of five hundred thousand kronor per annum and owning assets worth at least three million. A staff member from the site will assess your income and credentials.

The website boasts of educated graduates who occupy prominent offices in the public and private sectors. And as you may already expect, membership is not cheap. The basic plan starts at 890 SEK each month.

7. Elitsinglar

Elitsinglar means “elite singles”. It is best for people who are quite choosy in terms of getting a date. So, if you are the type of person that would prefer to see a person’s CV instead of their interests and hobbies, this site is for you.

The site’s goal is to build a platform that focuses on premium quality such that members can find like-minded people for long-term relationships. The criteria for joining include being over 30 years of age and a high educational profile. Profiles are thoroughly screened before going public.

These are just a few dating sites for Swedes. But you can visit this page to discover other sites that can boost your chances of finding a date.

Conclusion

Every place has a culture governing it and Sweden is not any different. So, if you do not want to appear awkward, it is important to learn how to date in the country before approaching the subject. We shared tips that will help you when you decide to date a Swede. And if you are busy or shy, there are various dating sites for you.

 

Puzzle games are exciting at times but challenging too, which means that you may feel frustrated if you cannot solve them and make notable progress. But with patience and practice, you can keep solving these puzzles and move to the next level.

The practice is essential when it comes to solving puzzle games or cross numbers. Through practice, you will be able to discover some tricks to handle Griddler puzzles quickly. Nonogram is one of the oldest and most popular types of puzzle games.

Nonogram puzzles are simple logic puzzles. It is a grid-based game with pretty simple rules. The cells must be filled or left blank, depending on the numbers at the side of the grid. Some of the levels are quite challenging to figure out, hence requiring you to be keen.

If you have been playing Nonograms with little or no success, then this article may be perfect for you. In this article, we give you a simple guide to help you solve a nonogram. Keep on reading this piece to understand more.

Solving Nonograms

One thing you need to understand when playing this game is that it involves identifying which cells to fill and which ones to leave empty. However, you cannot achieve this by just doing guesswork. That could only mess the progress.

Guessing may see you progressing fast only to realize later that what you are doing is actually not what you should be doing, so you will be forced to start from scratch, which will be a waste of your time and effort. If you are a pro-player, you may undo such an error and complete the puzzle. But if you are not, then you are doomed.

As you identify the spaces you will spot clues like unveiling a block of boxes to continue spreading. You can choose to cross or mark the cells once you have determined that they should be filled or shouldn’t be filled. You need to start with simple nonogram puzzles that can be easily solved using single column/row reasoning. This allows you to identify as many boxes as you can.

As you advance your nonogram solving prowess, you may try more complex options that require reasoning on more than one column/row. This entails determining contradiction; if you fill a specific cell, it would be an error since the other cell is a definite space. You are getting an answer to the “what if” question is the key to progressing in advanced Nonogram puzzles. With time, and as you continue to practice, you will be able to look beyond the first reasoning scope and identify considerable clues to help you solve this puzzle game like a pro.

When solving a Nonogram, it may be quite tempting to look at the hidden picture. However, it is not a part of the process of solving the puzzle. However, it can provide a clue, such as eliminating any possible error. You can also invest in Nonogram books to help you sharpen your skills and become a pro-puzzler.