Heirlooms are a part of a family’s legacy and for some they’re the last remaining connection to the past. Taking a look at your great-grandfather’s watch or an old collection of photos can bring you closer to your dearly departed and family history.

Heirlooms can be easily damaged through light, handling or heat, though, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep your family treasures safe and secure. Use our top tips to protect your legacy today so future generations can enjoy it as much as you.

Insure them

Some of our heirlooms need a bit more protection than others. Especially with items that have a greater monetary value such as jewellery, there is the danger that they could be stolen, lost or damaged after excessive handling.

You will want your inherited antiques to last for as long as possible, so you could look into jewellery insurance for some extra peace of mind.

Research them

Heirlooms come in many forms and likely have different maintenance requirements. Doing some of your own research can help you better understand your item’s needs and learn more about the way your ancestor lived.

There are some easy steps you can take to discover the story of your family heirloom, such as asking your relatives or looking for a patent number. After your detective work, remember to record the keepsake’s history.

Store them properly

While some family heirlooms such as furniture or silverware might be used every day, others might be saved for special occasions or not used at all. Creating a secure space to store these keepsakes is crucial for keeping them in pristine condition and safe from anyone who shouldn’t access them.

There are very specific storing requirements for some heirlooms to do with light, heat and humidity. Safes are great for protecting your family treasures from the elements and anyone who shouldn’t be handling them.

Get an assessment

If you’re struggling to find out information about your keepsake, don’t hesitate to contact the experts. Having your heirloom appraised can provide you with important dates, history and prices. It also means you have the right information to give future generations and ensure it continues to be cared for properly.

You can visit antique dealers or keep an eye out for antique fairs in your area to get some advice. You could pick up some handy storage tips or get a range of opinions on what your heirloom could be worth.

Navigating the art world may be challenging, not just for people with limited art knowledge but also for those with little experience buying art. Here are our best tips on how to quickly explore and buy art online from artists and various platforms, so you can make a choice you’ll be happy with for a long time.

1. Set Your Budget

The bane and boon of buying art online is that there are countless alternatives, far more than in a physical gallery. And while having so many options is great, it can also be overwhelming. A budget limits your options and prevents you from falling in love with artwork you cannot afford. If you are a first-time art buyer, it is prudent not to overspend, as you may regret it in the future.

2. Explore and Research

When people think of buying art, they usually think of paintings. However, other options exist, including photography, prints, installations, and several classic art forms. Maintain an open mind and educate yourself on the many art forms. For instance, if you have a limited budget but appreciate the work of a prominent artist, investing in a signed, limited-edition print would be a wise choice because the artwork would function as an investment and a masterpiece.

3. Listen to Your Heart and Intuition

Unlike other home purchases, art demands a great deal of emotion. If you adore a painting so much that you can’t live without seeing it every day, buy it! Do not feel compelled to purchase a major brand. Remember that you will have to live with the artwork every day, and if you dislike it, you will definitely regret your decision.

4. Know Your Space

A well-selected art collection should reflect your preferred style and tone, whether depth, passion, or brilliant, eye-catching hues. That said, works from different periods of art history, such as oil paintings and mixed media assemblage pieces, can live in the same space as long as they meet the owner’s aesthetic vision.

5. Verify the Legitimacy of the Artwork

Be careful of art reproductions and other forgeries on the market. Thick paint is sometimes reapplied to artworks to make them appear original. Research the artwork, the artist, and the location. Compare the artist’s previous works, the number on the print, their signatures, and so on. Take extra precautions and check to see whether the prints are numbered.

6. Confirm the Delivery Medium

As shipping is frequently included in the final price, ensure that the seller chooses a trustworthy shipper so that you can be assured that your item will arrive in a secure and appropriate condition.

Conclusion

Only invest in artwork that speaks to you on a personal level. Before making a purchase:

• Set a price range.
• Research your options.
• Determine the best placement for the artwork.
• Verify the artwork’s authenticity.
• Double-check the delivery medium with the seller.

Winter is coming! 

But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with your daily workout.

Winter workout gear is all the rage to keep you mobile and moving amidst the cold.

Check out these great workout items like mens athletic tights and running gloves which you will definitely need so that the cold won’t bother you while you get jacked up.

1. Men’s Workout Leggings

Men’s athletic leggings or compression workout pants are a workout essential. Wearing Men’s athletic leggings, whether in the cold or not, can aid in blood circulation and can help prevent fatigue. In layman’s terms–you can run, walk, or exercise your legs longer with the help of the compression from a men’s compression pants.

Wearing men’s compression pants in the cold or during winter can help in keeping your legs warm so that you can run or work out longer. However, not all compression workout pants work the same. If you’re going to be exercising in lower than usual temperatures, men’s warm up pants or mens fleece leggings would be great warm leggings for men to wear as mens workout tights are thicker which suits better in a cold weather.

You can also opt to use performance leggings as warm leggings for men in the winter. It should be able to help you fight off the cold as well and other possible dangers like frostbite aside from helping you keep your blood circulation going. 

Mens fleece leggings worn under warm up pants would be a great combo too to keep your lower body warm so you are able to move amidst the cold. Just make sure that when you are buying performance leggings for the winter season, see to it that they are actually designed for cold temperatures and are not too thin. 

2. Fitted Long Sleeve Shirt

Just like with mens athletic tights, a fitted long sleeve shirt or compression shirt will help you fight off the cold and keep the circulation going for your upper body. Compression clothing will be your best friend when you are working out in the cold. They will help your body retain heat by trapping your body heat close to your skin.

A compression shirt will also help in wicking away sweat from your body so that you would not feel too cold or uncomfortable when you are working out.

When buying compression clothing like a compression shirt, make sure that they are not too tight as this can restrict your movement. They should be just snug enough that they will not fall off when you are moving around.

3. Wind-Resistant Jacket

If you plan to run a trail during the winter, make sure that you have a jacket that is wind-resistant. The winter winds are sharper and can give you harsh frostbite and, for some, it can freeze your joints and turn you immobile. 

Make sure the jacket that you wear to run can repel wind so that you will not get too cold while you are out running. A good winter jacket should also be breathable so that you would not sweat too much and feel uncomfortable inside your own jacket.

4. Water-Resistant Sweatshirt

You might not think of it, but a water-resistant sweatshirt is a great piece to have when you’re working out in the winter. Water-resistant means that the fabric will not soak up sweat and water so you can stay dry even when you are sweating it out.

Whether you are working indoors or outdoors during the winter, having a water-resistant sweatshirt will help you not feel heavy as you sweat while exercising. Now, if you were to work out in a warmer temperature, you would opt for a dry-fit shirt. In this case, since you’re working out in the cold, you will need to wear something warm.

5. Vest or Thermal Hoodie

Outerwear will be your best friend if you plan to work out in the winter. A vest or a thermal hoodie is designed to keep your body warm while still allowing you to move freely. A lot of people tend to wear a heavy coat when they work out in the cold, but this can actually be counterproductive as it can weigh you down.

A vest or a thermal hoodie will still keep you just as warm but will not weigh you down as much. Thermal wear is made to keep you warm amidst the cold, while a vest can be an extra layer to keep your upper body warm and agile as you work out in colder temperatures.  This will help you move more freely and, in turn, help you burn more calories.

One of the most common thermal hoodies or vests is the puffer jacket or vest. These have insulation inside them that form the iconic puffer design. However, they might not be the best to workout in because they are heavier than your usual thermal wear. 

Instead, go for thermal wear that is light and made out of merino wool. These materials trap body heat and help you retain and regulate your body temperature. 

6. Reusable Hand Warmers

Your hands are the fastest to get cold when working out in the winter. Likewise, you will need your hands to do a variety of exercises. Reusable hand warmers are a great thing to have in your gym bag. You can warm up your hands in between sets of lifting weights, doing push-ups, and doing other exercises that need your hands. 

These are usually little bags that have beads or a gel-like substance inside them that retains heat. Make sure that you buy the reusable kind so that you can use them while working out or while you’re just out in the cold of the night. 

7. Running Gloves

Running gloves are another great option to keep your hands and fingers warm while your work out or run during winter. Reusable hand warmers may be hard to find or can be a bit pricy. But just like with compression clothing, these gloves will help circulate blood and keep your hands and fingers warm. 

8. Smart Watch

Exercising without measuring your goals, current weight, and progress is like driving without a GPS—it can be done, but it’s so much easier with technology. A smartwatch is an excellent piece of workout gear to have that can help you in measuring your calories lost, heart rate, and other health-related parameters.

Some of the more high-tech smartwatches have the capacity to alert officials like the police, firemen, and other safety-related personnel if you’re in trouble. This is a great feature to have, especially if you’re running out in the mountains during winter or in a remote location.

Happy Running!

As you gear up for the winter, don’t forget to bring a pair of men’s warm up pants or wear some men’s workout tights underneath your pants to keep your legs warm. Wearing some sort of outerwear is essential to working out in the winter, whether it be a vest, jacket, or men’s running gloves. And of course, while this is already a given, you’ll also want to make sure you have a good pair of men’s running shoes that will grip the ground and provide traction in snowy or icy conditions.

But as you start with your winter workout, remember that the most important thing is to have fun! Wintertime is a great time to get active and enjoy the outdoors. But it’s also important to be prepared so that you can stay safe and warm while working out in the cold weather.