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7 Pointer Checklist to Consider for Winter Weather

July 29, 2020 by Mandy

If you were to describe Melbourne’s winter months in two words, you would probably say- Freaking cold!!

We know our coldest months, June and July, are not being too kind with us this year too. You might have already experienced frosty nights over the last month. Hence, it is very important that you keep yourself protected throughout this season.

In this article, we have compiled a 7 pointers’ checklist that you should consider for the cold days ahead.

1. Hot Water System

A reliable hot water system is one of the best things you could get in the wintery winters. We know that you need a hot shower during winter. Not only does it feel relaxing, but it also boosts your mood, keeps you active, and also helps you get good sleep.

Hot water system’s benefit us in many ways:

For washing hands frequently (we all know it is a must in this season)
Washing fruits and vegetables
Washing kids’ toys (washable toys)
For any kind of household cleaning

There are two types of hot water systems.

Gas hot water system
Electric hot water system

Both are useful. Both have their own pros and cons. You can choose the one that suits you the best. For more information on hot water systems, click here.

2. Shine in the Sun

We don’t get sunlight throughout the day. But, when it is present, we should make the best use of it. You should give your body 20 minutes in the sunlight daily. Once the sun hides, close the windows and curtains to avoid the winter chill.

Sun is the actual protector. Keeping windows open for the sun not only warms the house but also kills the germs. You could also make use of thermal curtains for better insulation of the house.

3. Door Draught Blockers

Air leakage due to the gaps underneath doors should be addressed soon. If this is rectified, we can avoid almost 25% of the heat loss in winter. Door draught blockers can be easily found at your local departmental stores.

4. Winter Clothes

Spending on winter clothes is not a bad idea. Shop for woollen and polyester clothes. They keep you warm.

Windproof outer layers need particularly nylon clothes. Thermal wears are the best for those extra cold days. Thermal garments include undershirts, jumpers, underwear, etc.

5. Rugs and Mats

Placing rugs and mats all over the bare floors is a must to not kill your warm shower’s tender effect with the cold floor’s touch. Avoid chills from rising We can use thicker rugs for better insulation of the room.

Wool rugs are very good at this but also very expensive. Some of the most affordable and best-insulated rugs and mats are made up of acrylic, nylon, and cotton.

6. Hot Water Bottles

Hot water bottles are great purchases for the winter season. Before using, check for leaks. Moreover, the water should be warm and not boiling hot, while using the bottle.

The rubber of the bottle can perish from inside due to high temperatures. So, we must always remember to replace the bottle every two years. Make sure to wrap them in a towel before placing them directly on the skin.

7. Drink Hot

Drinking a hot drink will make you feel warmer. Especially on a cold day, if you are shivering, grab a hot beverage. This helps because your stomach is stimulated by other thermo-sensors. You can pick from hot water, milk, tea, coffee, soups as well as green tea for a healthy beverage.

Drinking hot beverages will also keep you hydrated during winter. Keeping all these pointers in mind, let’s enjoy this winter weather. Let’s keep all necessities ready for the winter.

Have a happy winter!

Good vs. Bad Ladybugs in Your Garden and How to Tell the Difference

July 23, 2020 by Mandy

Did you know that some ladybugs are good and some are bad? We’re not just talking about their behavioral patterns or a collection of ladybugs who like to hit the bar a little too often. These are ladybugs that are bad for the environment.

What‘s The Difference?

The good ladybug is a native of the US and is adept at eating other insects. It is particularly good at consuming insects that damage your plants. That’s why the ladybug has earned a reputation as the gardener’s friend and a helpful ladybug, controlling unwanted insects that do damage to everything.

The bad ladybug falls into the second category. It originates from Asia and will eat its way through aphids and scale insects, that’s not so bad. Unfortunately, the Asian ladybug also likes to winter in your home. They will get through tiny spaces and find a place to stay for the winter. They will crawl around your home, usually leaving yellow stains behind and a noxious odor. Although they don’t usually injure humans or reproduce inside, they can affect life quality through the constant cleaning up and the irritation caused by an allergic reaction to their presence.

If you think you have an infestation of Asian ladybugs then you need a pest control expert. You can find out more info here.

Identifying The Ladybugs

So, how do you tell the difference between these two species and decide if they need elimination or you’re happy for them to stay as unpaid assistant gardeners?

The classic ladybug has a hard red shell with black dots on it. The number of black dots is not significant, although you can count them if you wish! The classic ladybug has a black head and small white patches on the side of its face, that look like cheeks.

If you place it next to an Asian ladybug you’ll note that the classic ladybug is a little smaller and rounder in appearance.

Unfortunately, the Asian ladybug is also red with black spots. The good news is that they have a small white spot just where the wings met the head. This spot identifies them as an Asian ladybug, you may also notice they have larger white cheeks than the classic ladybug.

You’re going to need to study them closely in order to identify which one is at your house and whether you’re likely to have an issue or not.

Dog Attack

Although ladybugs don’t attack humans it is worth noting that in rare cases the Asian lady bug will attach itself to the roof of a dog‘s mouth. This won’t be comfortable for the dog and is likely to give them a bad taste into her mouth as the ladybug emits its noxious odor.

Fortunately, it doesn’t always involve a trip to the vet as the ladybug is likely to leave by itself. The dog can also swallow it although this may give it an upset stomach.

8 Popular Kitchen Cabinet Door Style Ideas to Consider

July 18, 2020 by Mandy

If you are doing a full kitchen renovation, you know there are several considerations to ponder, from countertop to cabinet doors. It may not be the easiest decision when it comes to selecting the various elements that you desire in your kitchen. However, you can get it right with your cabinet doors. Cabinet fronts may not be the most thought of design element when remodeling a kitchen, but there is a vast selection on the market that feature different designs, materials, and textures. Keep in mind your kitchen style when choosing cabinet doors, whether it’s country or modern. Here’s a look at 8 popular kitchen cabinet door style ideas to consider for your next kitchen renovation.

1. Bedboard Country Style Door

Beadboard cabinet doors with a bordered edge are an ideal fit for country style kitchens. Imagine having incredible farmland views of farmland from your kitchen window and these cabinets in the background will blend right in for the perfect picture. This style of cabinet door is full of cottage charm, but it may require a bit more cleaning and maintenance than some simpler styles.

2. Flat Cabinet Door

With a modern or contemporary style kitchen, flat cabinets would make an ideal addition. These doors are not all created with handles and clean easily. This affordable style can be used as a design element in creating a minimalist look in your kitchen.

3. Glass Cabinet Door

Feel like showing off your glassware or nice chinaware? Glass cabinet doors give you the freedom to do as such and it’s a simple way to create interest in your kitchen space as well as a focal point. Country kitchens are the perfect place to install these glass cabinets. You can choose whether you want colored or frosted glass if the clear glass is too revealing. Some effort may be needed to arrange or style the wares to make it an appealing presentation.

4. Heritage Cabinet Door

Heritage cabinet fronts bear some similarity to shaker cabinets with a raised central panel, but the woodwork is more intricately detailed. This style of cabinet doors is more traditional in design and is ideal for large kitchens where the extra detailing can stand on its own and not make the space appear cluttered.

5. Inset Cabinet Door

Inset cabinet doors sit inside the cabinet frame and showcase exposed hinges and smooth appearance. These cabinet fronts typically require bespoke fitting and custom joinery and can be pricey. Inset kitchen cabinets are not the most popular and it’s a style you generally find in luxury homes or grand estates.

6. Shaker Style Door

Shaker cabinet doors are known for their elegance and simple, yet functional design. These doors suit Scandi style kitchens, just as much as they do the modern kitchen. They are a great option for adding subtle kitchen details and for creating that classic look and feel.

7. Sliding Cabinet Door

With compact or limited kitchen space, sliding cabinet doors are functional and convenient and are also stylish doors as well. These cabinet doors fit well in a vintage/retro style kitchen.

8. Tongue and Groove Door

While similar to beadboard cabinet doors, tongue and groove doors lack an outlining border. They suit industrial kitchens and their minimalist aesthetic is appealing. Plus, the design offers texture and interest, but still creates a space that is uncluttered.

With these popular cabinet doors, you can create the kitchen you’ve always dreamed about. Whatever the kitchen style, you can find the best-suited cabinet to complement your design and space. Explore this list for your next kitchen renovation and see if there is an option here for you.

Closet Hangers – Effective in Organizing Homes and Storage

July 11, 2020 by Mandy

As it is said, ‘there is no place like a home’ for it is our little word of love and joy. We entail making our home look beautiful and eye-catching. Organizing the home in the proper manner and setting the things at the right place is a must for all. The most important, yet interesting point in organizing the things precisely is to work on the storage and designs. Besides, our wardrobe seeks well storage tactics to have everything set beautifully. Astoundingly, but of course not happening, our cupboards are never settled at best for we often keep our apparels and other things in a tacky way. However, the use of closet hangers for this purpose is a perfect idea.

Closet hangers are kind of items meant to hang the clothes in cupboards to eliminate the knocking down of the things. These are used in normal life but there are some who do not prefer unless one concerns about the maintainability of the clothes and other wardrobe things. Traditionally, plastic hangers were in use but considering its environmental concerns, manufacturers are constantly endeavoring to create the wooden hangers for modish wardrobe design and for sustainability. If you want to know, why wooden hangers are best in contrast to plastic hangers, let’s have look at below points:

Plastic hangers are not so effective for it does not last long.
Wooden hangers are more efficient in maintaining the holiness of clothes.
Most importantly, the use of plastic is undesiring for the environment.

In connotation to these aspects, the fashion freak and the people who love to organize their homes always opt for wooden hangers than plastic hangers. Happily, you can go for solid wooden hangers wholesale for the pocket-friendly purchase. Besides, there are immense benefits of using the wooden hangers in supporting the storage of the wardrobe.

These pros are listed below:

1. More Lifetime:

The lifetime of the hangers created with wood is more when compared with other types of hangers, be it, plastic or steel. More the lifetime more will be the efficient use of the product.

2. Intact the Structure of Clothes:

Wood, being more solid and rigid helps in managing the proper structure of the clothes. It does not let the clothes slip and fall off easily.

3. Fits in Every kind of Garment:

These hangers are good enough for every kind of garment. As it holds the apparel in a precise way, there is no need of ironing them again and again. In other words, it helps to behold the grease of clothes.

4. Affordable to Buy:

The cost of solid wooden hangers is not much. It is quite budget-friendly. With just a little cost, you can save a great expanse of storage.

5. Make your Wardrobe Look Classy:

When compared with the plastic hangers, wooden hangers are much classy and decent in looks. It boosts the beauty of the wardrobe and idealizes the storage for it.

What’s New

As there are continuous development and evolution in everything and every field, you can hope for the modernization of design and creativity in the notion of closet hangers as well. What’s new is the inventor of closet belt hangers that let you solve the jumbling of your belts, you keep in cupboards.

These allow well placement of your belts so that you can pick the one quickly whenever you want. There is no tackling of the belts with your super productive closet belt hanger. Moreover, it also comes up in wooden material for enhanced and efficient use.

These extremely useful closet hangers have just turned out the concept of organizing and managing the home interesting and enthralling. So, let’s store the clothes in an amazing way with these solid hangers.

Why it is Never Too Early to Start Planning for Halloween

July 9, 2020 by Mandy

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. With the opportunity to dress up, throw an epic party, and indulge your sweet tooth, Halloween is the perfect occasion to excite all ages.

Now, you may be thinking that Halloween is months away and that you haven’t even started the summer break yet, and you’d be right. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not too early to start making plans.

From purchasing decorations to planning party games to creating a spooktastic menu, keep reading to discover why it never too early to start planning for Halloween – plus, tips on how you can throw the greatest Halloween party of all time.

Save on decorations

By buying ahead of the Halloween season, you can save hundreds of dollars on Halloween decorations, allowing you to purchase bigger and bolder creations that are guaranteed to terrify your guests.

It is also a good idea to look out for coupons and promotional codes on Halloween decorations, with a Spirit Halloween Coupon enabling you to buy amazing quality Halloween costumes and decorations at a fraction of the cost.

Top Tip: Look out for end-of-season clearance sales with savings of 60% and more.

Time to pick a theme

Although you could just opt for a general spooky Halloween party, it is much more exciting to choose a specific theme, such as Monster Mash, Mad Scientist, Scary Movie – or you could even plan a Murder Mystery evening.

However, planning a themed party takes time and effort, so the earlier you start planning, the better.

Remember that once you have chosen your theme, you need to make sure that every element of your party ties in with it, including the decorations, food, and party games.

Top Tip: Make sure your theme fits your audience – if young kids are invited, don’t go too scary.

Tie-down your guests

It’s highly unlikely that you will be the only house in the neighborhood planning a Halloween party; therefore, if you want to make sure that your friends and neighbors RSVP for your bash, you are best off getting your invites sent out as earlier as possible.

Although paper invitations have always been the most popular option, more and more people are now choosing to send out e-invites instead. You may think that this screams laziness but, if you look online, you can find something amazingly freakish designs, or you could even choose to design your own Halloween invite.

Top Tip: Why not record your own video invite? Dress up the whole family and create an unforgettable visual invitation.

Perfect your makeup

You can find some pretty incredible Halloween makeup creations on social media in the run-up to Halloween, yet you may think that this level of artistry is beyond your capabilities. Fortunately, if you start practicing early enough and watch sufficient Halloween makeup tutorials, you will be a master by the time October 31^st arrives.

Top Tip: Purchase skin-friendly Halloween makeup that is gentle on your face and easy to remove.