Why You Should Be Using GloMinerals

Whether it be to perfect your face or you are just switching your look up, cosmetic makeup can help you look your best around the clock. It is especially useful when going to work to prepare yourself for the day ahead; therefore, you want to be looking your absolute best while at work. The best way to prepare yourself in the morning is by applying simple makeup that compliments your face, and smooths out any flaws you may have.

Not all makeup is created the same, nor is all of it good for your skin. GloMinerals is a makeup formulated by skincare professionals that will not damage your skin or clog your pores. The last thing you want to have on your face for an important day is a pimple. It is important to use makeup that does not cause discomfort or irritation of your skin. GloMinerals provides both a beautiful face to look upon and a formulation that will not irritate your skin.

GloMinerals comes in all varieties, shades, and colors. GloMinerals provides eye liners that make your eyes truly stunning, compacts that hide even the most unsightly blemish, and lip stick. These spectacular products help bring out the best in your face. They can add luster to your lips to impress your date, or just hide that embarrassing blemish that recently showed up on your face.

Almost as important as the makeup itself, the tools you use to apply the makeup are equally as important. With GloMinerals spectacular tools, you will be looking your best on every occasion. A wonderful variety of brushes that range in variety from texture brushes to exotic kabuki brushes. The soft bristled brushes make applying your rouge a beautiful process. The brush is half the battle in creating that seamless, perfect face.

Whether it be to perfect your face or to hide that unsightly blemish, GloMinerals is there to support you with all of their amazing products. They are easy on the skin to keep your skin looking fabulous all the time. Their wide range of cosmetics and variety make this a must have product for your face.

One of the best places to buy GloMinerals products online is at Blush Beauty Store.  

Blush Beauty Store has excellent prices and wonderful service.  We highly recommend them.

How Cloth Diapers Heal the World

The average baby will use over 4,000 diapers in his or her lifetime. Because diapers make up such a huge portion of a child’s life, parents should make a careful assessment of the differences between cloth and disposable diapers. In general, cloth diapers are easier on the environment than disposable diapers are.  There is a wonderful list of articles at Diaper Junction which can really help you out if you are considering cloth diapers.  Click Here to read the articles.

First, using cloth diapers decreases the overall amount of waste at landfills. With Americans using over 21 billion diapers each year, this is an incredible amount of waste. The waste at landfills can take weeks to years to break down. Of special note is that plastics, which form a great deal of each disposable diaper, can take over five hundred years before they even begin to decompose.

Second, it takes a great deal of energy to manufacture disposable diapers. In fact, it is estimated that over 6,000 megajoules of energy are required to manufacture a year’s worth of diapers for a single child. While it can be argued that it takes a great deal of energy to manufacture cotton diapers and to wash and dry them, studies have shown that this is not actually the case. With today’s energy efficient washing machines and driers, caring for cloth diapers does not have to use much energy. In addition, while it does require energy to wash and prepare the cotton that forms cloth diapers, these diapers can be used time and again and can even be passed on to future children.

Third, using cloth diapers decreases the amount of gas or diesel that is used to ship disposable diapers to stores. These fuels create an increase in carbon dioxide and other gases. These gases can deplete the ozone layer, thereby leading to increased global warming.

Fourth, the waste from landfills can seep into the ground water, thereby affecting the water in lakes and rivers. The urine and feces found in disposable diapers is full of toxins. On the other hand, when cloth diapers are used, the solid wastes go into the toilet while the rest pass through the washing machine. These contaminants then pass into sewer systems where the water is thoroughly treated and cleansed.

It is obvious that cloth diapers are much better for the environment than disposable diapers are. They reduce waste at landfills, save energy and resources and do not contaminate ground water. They are indeed a healing agent for the world.

Click here for another really great article on why you should use cloth diapers.

Great Drapes!

Trends come and go, but when it comes to your home, the way you decorate reflects your personal style and since you have to live there, it needs to be decorated in a way that makes YOU and your family happy. There are several easy additions you can make to a room that can change the entire look altogether. Here are a few trends in drapes that will have your room looking updated and fresh with a simple window treatment.

Lace

I know it sounds 80's, but lace is back in when purchasing tops, dresses and even curtains! Not your grandmothers lace, but intricate and even sheer lace drapes that allow light to softly enter a room. Designs that vary from stripes to polka dots as well as paisleys. This is a super shabby chic look for those who want to keep their space soft and subtle.

Layers

A variety of materials and fabrics that overlap to give your window depth and contrast. Silks, sheer curtains and even heavier cottons. Colors and monochrome shades are in style this year as well. Mixing patterns and shapes are a great new look also!

Length

Incorporating different lengths of drapes has become a beautiful trend that used to be faux pas. A sheer under layer with a longer outer drape is an eye catching look for window treatments right now. No matter what you decide, go with your gut and the look that you love!

Skateboarding on a Dime

So your kid just informed you that he wants a “Penny skateboard” as a holiday gift. The first thing you’ll need to do is put aside your initial queasiness about your child riding a skateboard and the emergency room bills that may result.

Now, they don’t cost a mere “penny,” of course. But Penny skateboards from Australia (OK, the company is there, but the products are made in China) are pretty affordable on a modern, frugal budget. They start at 60 bucks for the beginner model, and top out at around $120.

But are they safe, you ask? (Here comes the queasiness again…)

First, let’s look at the specs. Penny boards are manufactured with “a secret plastic formula.”

The Penny Nickel 27” is the top model, and it features matched Custom 4” Penny trucks; smooth 59mm 78A Penny wheels; and Penny Abec 7 bearings.

Penny skateboards are throwbacks to the banana-style plastic skateboards that were popular back in the 1970s, but updated with modern-day upgrades in plastics, alloys, and composites.

The non-slip waffle top is there to provides perfect flex , and the specially formulated plastic is advertised to be extremely durable. The braided hanger trucks are custom-made by Penny.

On the practical side, Penny boards are extremely portable. A Penny board can fit in just about any locker or backpack.

And on the coolness side, Penny boards come in bright green, light blue, orange, black, purple, red, pink and yellow.

Reviews for the Penny boards are uniformly ecstatic. Satisfied customers like that the wheels give plenty of leeway for turns and carving.

The top-of-the line Nickel 27’ board provides as fast and smooth a ride as anybody could want.

Riders can do all the flips, kick flips, ollies, and other tricks they please, and with complete confidence. The cheaper models are made with the same quality plastic and hardware as the more expensive ones. Penny doesn’t skimp!

So there’s one thing, at least, that parents can feel good about in this scenario. Buy a Penny skateboard for your kid, and you are purchasing a quality product.

Plastic Surgery Positives

Years ago, I would have never thought that I would be a proponent of plastic surgery. Being in the fashion industry, I have seen good "jobs" and procedures gone wrong. Seeing people's life change overnight, sometimes not for the better, can be disheartening. On the same page, I have also witnessed firsthand, plastic surgery work to change the lives of those who almost lost theirs.

My husband was involved in an almost fatal car wreck a couple of years ago and actually had half of his face ripped off. It was a horrific accident that required hours of plastic surgery - putting my husband's face back together. Today, even though he still has a scar or two, if that plastic surgeon wouldn't have been there that night, my husband wouldn't look like himself today.

Another good friend who decided to get breast implants in Manhattan, a place known for top doctors, and came out a different person. After nursing her children for years, she just didn't look the same and it really affected her self-esteem. After a breast augmentation, she was like her old self, but better!

Out of all of the horror stories you hear, there really are positives to plastic surgery. Always look for reputable doctors and don't be afraid to ask the questions that you want answered honestly.

3 Hot Color Trends for Your Wedding Tux

The traditional wedding tux is a plain black and white. For a lot of men, this plain color combo just seems so boring. Some men want more options to express their own personality. While accessories like the vest and boutonniere give you some options for adding a bit of flair to your tux, choosing a wedding tux in a different color allows you to make a much bolder statement about your personal style.

Here are some of the hottest color trends right now for wedding tuxes:

Grey

From a light Heather grey to a dark, steel grey, when you choose a grey tux, you are creating a sophisticated and stylish look. This is a popular alternative that can suit any style of wedding, whether formal or casual. Bonus: It will still look good with most accent colors in the accessories or with bridesmaids dresses.

Brown

Brown wedding tuxes are very popular right now, and they create a very distinctive look. Brown wedding tuxes inspire a retro look that is perfect for the fashionable groom with an alternative sense of style.

White

A white wedding tux creates a bold look. White wedding tuxes are very formal, so they should not be chosen for casual weddings or settings. Very similar to the traditional black jacket tux, white tuxes are classic and formal. However, the contract they provide will allow you to create a distinctive look to stand out on your wedding day.

Choosing a different color for your wedding tux gives you the chance to stand out and to really make a personal statement. These colors are hot right now, but you should feel free to choose a color that best reflects your own personal style.

Clothes That Make Men Look Tough

I am a sucker for guys in uniform. I admit it! Anytime I see a police officer or military guy in fatigues, my knees go weak. There are many other types of uniforms though that aren't exactly "issued" but look just as good and make women swoon. These are just a few of the "outfits" that guys wear which make the ladies do a double take every time.

1) Farmers
Oh my. My husband is a country boy who grew up milking cows, riding horses and driving tractors. He wears tight fitting Levi's, cowboy boots and a Carhartt jacket - the perfect uniform for the lady who loves a tough guy who really IS tough!

2) Mechanics
From the grease on coveralls to the hands that could crush a beer can, there is just something so sexy about a guy who can make a motor run! Maybe it's the fact that it takes brains and braun to get a car going, these guys have both and look good doing it.

3) Truck Drivers
Ok, so most truck drivers that you see are not the gorgeous hunks that I am referring to. But every now and then, I see those flannel laden - trucker hat sporting babes that know how to handle a big rig - and it's a sight for sore eyes!

Have I left anyone out? Tell us what YOU think about men in uniform!

Best Shoe Gifts for the Sports Lover in Your Life

Do you have someone on your "nice" list this year who loves sports? It may be hard to figure out what to get these people since they likely already have whatever gear they need. However, there is one thing that all sports lovers need all the time: Shoes.

Sports lovers have to replace their shoes regularly to make sure their getting the cushioning and support they need for their active lifestyle. Here are some of the best shoes you can give as gifts for the sports lover in your life:

Men's Footjoy Golf Shoes

These stylish golf shoes are designed to provide the support needed on the golf course, as well as flexibility and comfort to help get through a long day on the green. Plus, they look cool! These shoes come in a number of colors and styles, so you can find the right pair for any golf lover in your life.

Vibram Five Fingers

These distinctive shoes fit your feet like a glove -- literally. The form over each individual toe, making you look like you have on a rubber foot. Though they may look a bit odd, they help to simulate the feel of being barefoot, which allows you to build the muscles in your foot. The Vibram Five Fingers are often worn for running, but they can be worn in just about any sport.

Teva Hiking Sandals

You don't need bulky boots to go hiking. These lightweight sandals provide both the support and the comfort needed to go on long hikes. Bonus: They look stylish and will keep your feet cool!

If you aren't sure what to get the sports lover in your life this holiday season, these shoes offer some great options for athletes of all types.

Aging Gracefully With Blush-ing Beauty

How I long to return to the days of my childhood when there were no wrinkles, blemishes, or dark circles surrounding my eyes. The smooth skin of childhood is a quality certainly missed these days. With age the skin changes and beauty products for skin care are necessary to enhance your skin. In order to attain a beautiful skin tone, quality skin care products are a must.

It is extremely important for me to keep my skin healthy and smooth, as I grow older each year. With chronological age comes aging skin and trying to avoid this seems impossible to do. The best way I can handle the aging is to take care of my skin by using professional skin care products. Beauty products that really do work are of utmost importance. Proper cleansers, brushes, applicators, soaps, creams, and lotions are available all throughout the market in today's society.

Blush Beauty Store offers everything I have been searching for. Proper application and quality products make my skin feel as if the clock has been turned back in time. Back to the time when my skin was blemish free and no wrinkles could be found. Looking back for me is in reality a time to look forward. With Blush Beauty products, I can look forward to having beautiful, healthy, younger looking skin. Thanks to all the products available to choose from, I can find something to help improve all of my skin flaws. To be young again, wouldn't that be wonderful? Having healthy looking skin is the first step.

My Faves:

1. BioElements Sleepwear Anti-Aging Cream (pictured above)
2. Clarisonic Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush
3. Glo Therapeutics Ultra 15% Vitamin C Serum

Why You Need a Newer Model HVAC System

Your heating and air conditioning system can have a big impact on your monthly electric bills (as well as other home appliances). Replacing your HVAC system and boiler unit with a newer model can do much more than improve the value of your home -- it can also save you a lot of money over time and can help you reduce your environmental impact.

Here are a couple of reasons:

Greater Efficiency

Older HVAC models and boilers are not as efficient as the newest models on the market. Some estimates are that older models have only about 60-65 percent efficiency. The improved efficiency of newer models will conserve energy, helping you to save money on your monthly electric bills and water bills, reducing your environmental impact.

Technological Advances

With the improved technology of newer HVAC and boiler models, there are many perks you can enjoy, such as the ability to use programmable thermostats that can keep your home a steady temperature. These perks are not only convenient, but they further compound the benefits of saving electricity, which saves you money and reduces the environmental impact of your home heating and cooling needs.

Your home HVAC system is an important piece of equipment that influences much more than the temperature in your home. Choosing a newer model HVAC system and other vital household equipment such as boilers (online for you DIY'er's!), can help you conserve energy, save money, and be more eco-friendly. If you haven't already changed out your older model, you should consider replacing it with a newer model HVAC today.

So You Want to Start a Restaurant...

So you want to start a restaurant? Well, nobody needs to tell you what a massive undertaking that is. You’ll be dealing with all sorts of permits, inspections and coming-up-to-code headaches in no time. But if your idea is good, it’ll all be well worth the trouble.

Just to get you started, here are some of the absolutely essential pieces of restaurant equipment you’re going to need.

First make sure you have a stainless steel sinks for food preparation, dish washing and employee hand washing. And make sure they’re well-placed in your restaurant. Remember: Germs and bacteria are not your friends, and stainless steel sinks are not their friends!

You’ve got to have a commercial ice maker. No restaurant can survive without one, especially during the hot months. What are you going to do – send an employee down to the corner convenience store to get ice every time you run out? Not likely, right?

Of course, you’ll also need commercial Refrigeration: That pretty much goes without saying, but keep in mind that you’ll need more than one kind.

We’re talking reach-in commercial freezers, reach-in commercial refrigerators, walk-in coolers and walk in freezers here. Some perishables need to be stored in bulk, and some need to be handy-on-the-spot for servers and cooks.

Unless you’re opening an Amish restaurant, you’ll need a commercial dishwasher. It doesn’t matter if your restaurant is the size of your childhood bedroom – those dishes and pots are going to pile up fast, and doing them by hand will eventually reduce somebody to tears (maybe you).

Oh yeah – since you’re in the business of cooking, you’ll need a convection oven, I highly recommend a Blodgett convection oven. You may want to also include a griddle and maybe a deep fryer too (how else are you going to make French fries?). 

Good luck, and bon appetit!

Fireproof Your Family with Fire Safety

Every year thousands of families are affected by fires in the home, and sadly, many lives are lost. Simple knowledge and actions are all it takes to help prevent fires in the home, and keep your family safe if they ever have to face one. Use these tips to fireproof your family!

Prevention is powerful!

Many fires can be prevented by using a little caution and common sense. Kitchen fires caused by grease splattering onto hot stove tops can be avoided by keeping the heat at a lower setting, and never leaving the hot oil unattended. It is very easy to get distracted while cooking and forget about the oil, and that is when a fire is most likely to happen. Make a point to turn off the stove or remove the oil if you have to leave the kitchen for even a moment.

Keep your dryer free from lint and dust, and never run the dryer while you are away from the house, or even while you are sleeping. Fires can form very easily in dryers that have lint in the machine, but by simply vacuuming the lint tray whenever you vacuum the carpets, all loose dust and debris will be cleared away.

Educate every family member, even the youngest.

As soon as children can understand and follow rules, teach them fire safety. Cover the basics, such as 'never hide from a fire', and have a plan of escape in case you ever need one. It's a good idea to draw a map of the house showing the best places to get out, and have a practice fire drill every couple of months to make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go in a fire emergency.

Keep smoke detectors outside every bedroom and on every floor of the home, and check them every 2-3 months to make sure they are working, don't wait until there is a fire to find out that the batteries are dead!

While worrying excessively won't necessarily prevent fires, arming yourself, and your family, with the knowledge they need, will help keep them safe from fires in the home.  Feld Fire has a great blog post about preventing fires in your home.  Click here to read it.

Trends in Truck Accessories

If you love your truck, adding after market accessories can become addictive. There are definitely no shortage of accessories to make your truck look (and actually be) tougher. It’s important to balance the aesthetic accessories with the functional ones. Here are 3 of the top accessories to help turn heads with your truck:

1. Fender Flares While fender flares are generally more about making your truck look better, they also provide some protection against mud, rocks and water that might come up and scrape your truck’s paint. Fender flares are also a great way to cover up rust that often develops near wheel wells, (although you might want to get that rust patched before it spreads and you trucks starts falling apart.) Another good use for fender flares is to cover your tires if you have after market tires that are wider than your truck’s width.
   
   
2. Tonneau Covers There are a number of reasons why you would want a cover for your truck bed. First is probably security. Having the ability to lock a cover over your bed lets you store anything in the back without worrying about theft (or at least takes some worry away). Also, a cover obviously protects anything in your bed from rain and snow. There are many kinds of covers, from rolling covers, flat hard covers, and hard top covers that extend up over your cab for extra protected storage.
   
   
3. Bed Liner If you use your truck to transport heavy objects you undoubtedly want to protect your steel bed from scratches, dents, paint chips and other damage. Any scratches in the paint can and will lead to rust. Think of a bed liner as an investment. While the best ones aren’t cheap, they will save you from rust repairs and help keep your truck’s resale value. 

3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs the POS System

Whether you run your small business online or in a brick-and-mortar store, you will need a way to accept payment from customers. If your business is conducted exclusively online, you can get away with using services like Paypal. However, even if you conduct most of your business online but still attend trade shows or other promotional events, you will need a more sophisticated way to take payment.

A traditional POS (point-of-sale) system may be out of budget for most small businesses. However, the new POS system offers the perfect solution. Here are 3 reasons hwy your business needs it:

It's Cheaper

A traditional POS system can cost as much as $20,000. The new iPad POS system can be purchased for about $1,000 -- including the iPad! The savings are obvious.

It's More Convenient

Asking customers to give you their payment information to run through Paypal or another service later can be a hassle (and it can make customers nervous). The iPad POS system allows you to swipe a card right on your device, accepting payment in one quick and easy motion. And it's secure, so your customers can feel confident paying you this way!

It Impresses Customers

Have you ever been in the Apple store and seen how sophisticated the iPad POS devices look? You can impress your customers by showing that you are up on the latest trends and technological advances in your business practices.

The iPad POS system can be a lifesaver for small businesses, giving them an inexpensive and convenient way to accept payment. You should consider it for your business if you need a payment processor.

Nature's Pet Chew Toy

You and your pets get tired of playing with the same old chew toy time and time again. The plastic and rubber chews do not last very long and the excitement for your pet wears off very quickly. Finding the perfect chew toy for your pet means finding something that will hold their interest for a long time and engage their natural curiosity and instincts. Bones are short lived toys and the synthetic substitutes for these kind of toys typically have all kind of unnatural additives. Antler dog chews are the perfect solution for all of these issues. An Antler Dog chew is the perfect long-lasting toy for you dog or puppy. Millions of deer, elk, and moose shed their antlers naturally in the United States every year. Thought technically a bone, antlers lack the soft center present in most bones. Antlers are solid all the way through and will not break or splinter, making it the longest lasting dog chew on the market today.

Because it is bone your pet gets the benefits of calcium and minerals that will enhance their health overall. Containing iron, sodium, and magnesium and almost fifty percent water, your dog's physiology will get a definite boost. The Antler chews are not processed or enhanced in any way. They come from nature directly to you and your pet. Unlike bones and other dog chews that begin to develop an odor over time, antlers are virtually odorless. Though us humans smell nothing, the finely honed nose of a dog picks up on the appealing scent right away, making it a chew toy they are sure to love! Antler chews can come from either deer, elk, or the moose. Each species has a particular chemical make-up and one is likely to be a favorite to your pet over all the others. Owners and veterinarians have also cited the fact that antler chew toys nearly eliminate the need to brush your pet's teeth. The natural chewing action and friction do a wonderful job of removing harmful bacteria that can lead to oral problems in your pet. Antler chews come in a variety of sizes to make it perfect for the for your companion no matter what their stature. Sixteen different sizes allow you to find the one that is perfect for any dog, whether they be a miniature or a dog of over one hundred pounds.

An Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder can be both a problem and an embarrassment. The simple definition of an overactive bladder is that a person has lost some control over their bladder. It generally results in frequent urination, the sense or urge to urinate, and some urine leakage.

People with this condition frequently get up during the middle of the night to urinate or because they sense the need to urinate. There are many times where the individual doesn't even urinate, but just feel the sensation of it.

The condition is very common in the United States and is identified as a chronic condition along with diabetes and peptic ulcers. An overactive bladder, if not treated, can cause a significant decline in self-esteem, withdrawal in social activity, embarrassment, and even isolation.

The reasons mentioned is why treating this condition is a must and should begin with diet and exercise. A cause of this condition may be due to poor nutrition and obesity, which can be helped, along with other medical problems, through diet and exercise.

A more effective treatment can be to use your mind to control your bladder. Gradually increase the time of urination, train your mind to notice if the need to urinate is just a sensation, and write down the times you urinate every day and increase that time daily.

If behavioral techniques do not work, then it may be time to try some prescription drugs. Prescription drugs may be the most effective in treating your condition, but it can potentially produce unwanted side effects. Side effects of prescription drugs is common, so make sure to speak with your doctor about what drugs are best to use.

A safer but less effective alternative is using natural herbal remedies for overactive bladder. These remedies have antioxidants and nutrients that may help soothe your condition. Taking in good nutrition along with natural remedies might be the safest way to treat your condition. There's more than one method to cure an overactive bladder, so try to see what works best for you.

The best thing to do is start out with the safer methods such as behavioral training, diet and nutrition, and natural herbal remedies. If all those fail, then talk to your doctor about getting prescription drugs to cure your problem. An overactive bladder doesn't mean your life can't function; it means there are things you have to do to overcome it and you can.

What can you do for those serving overseas?

If you have a loved one who is dedicated to serving the United States of America and is far from home, you're certain to want to do something to show you care. You can't be with them, you can't take away the dangers or hardships, but you can send them a variety of supplies that will help them through. Even if you don't have someone in the service but want to show your appreciation for the fine men and women who answer their country's call, you can send a care package and make a difference.

When considering what to send, there are many simple items that go a long way to make life easier for the service member that is overseas. One item that is in hot demand is baby wipes. For those who are in Afghanistan, the amount of water is limited and showers may be spread apart as far as one every two weeks. With a large amount of people in close quarters, that kind of bathing schedule is not welcome for anyone. With wipes, they can at least remove the worst of the grime and imprve their conditions considerably.

Another favorite of anyone in the service is pre-paid phone cards. Having the means to contact home is so essential. Our brothers and sisters in arms need a link with those at home to know people still care and home is waiting when the time of service is over. With pre-paid phone cards, those calls home can happen more often.

Send foods that will give a boost in energy and lift spirits. Nuts, energy bars, and chocolate will get the job done and help service members through a rough patch. Beef jerky in all its forms is a great protein booster. Hard candy and gum will help when men and women are dying of thirst. There are many times when they are exhausted, stretched to the limit or really down-hearted. Sending a thoughtful gift that includes something good to eat can do wonders. Walgreen's is a great place to buy items like these online.

Don't forget something for entertainment. Magazines and newspapers, even if they are old, bring a bit of home to a place far away when home seems like a dream. Bring those in the service a step closer to American soil with your thoughtful items.

Another great website to purchase some tactical gear gifts is Harry's Army Surplus.  They carry a wide variety of safety items, outerwear and military clothing.

If you have someone in the service, you'll know where to send packages. If you are doing this as a volunteer with no particular attachment, there are a variety of sites on the internet that will tell you where to send items. They can also give you tips on anything else that is useful for men and women overseas. Take a little time, money, and thought to make someone's time in the service more tolerable today.

The Benefits of Cloth Diapering

Look How Cute Cloth Diapers Are
Courtesy of  Diaper Junction

One thing that's for certain is that babies will poop and pee. It's a natural occurance that takes place sometimes more often than mothers like to deal with. Sometimes it feels like babies were put on this Earth to poop and pee and we, mothers, were put here to change diapers. Half of our job as mothers is to change diapers and make sure our babies are clean and comfortable and healthy.

There has been a debate going on for years about disposable diapers versus cloth diapers. It's been debated and debated and still it seems like so many people are not as knowledgeable on the subject as they should be. Many people have misconceptions about cloth diapers and are still unaware of what the benefits of the cloth diapers actually are. Many people believe that cloth diapering is an "alternative method" that very few people actually practice, however, this is completely untrue! So many parents are choosing the cloth diapering method and especially now, in this economy, and at this time in the world when environmentally friendly options are becoming more and more popular.Cloth diapering brings with it many benefits, some of which are often surprising to many and bring up some important questions for mothers to ask themselves.

When asking mothers of cloth diapered babies what the main benefit is to cloth diapering, many of them have some of the same answers: "it's more comfortable for my baby," "it's inexpensive," "it's environmentally friendly!" These are just a few of the reasons, and aren't these reasons pretty good?

Many parents like the thought of putting their babies into a more comfortable diaper since a baby spends pretty much all of it's time diapered. Cloth diapers provide an extremely comfortable and soft alternative to stiff disposable diapers. They allow the baby the move around more freely and feel less constricted while they move and play.

Another common reason that parents use cloth diapers is to save money. In the long run, cloth diapering your baby can save you up to a couple thousand dollars. Cloth diapers can be used multiple times and washed over and over again. Disposable diapers are good for a one-time use and if the baby chooses to pee every 10 minutes then you might be making a diaper run sooner than you think.

The amount of non-biodegradable waste that is produced from one child's disposable diapers is sometimes enough to turn parents off of them. Many people are choosing to go green and cloth diapering is just one of the many ways of eliminating some of that hazardous waste from our environment.

The Significance of Personalized Gifts

Items like these make the most perfect gifts.

Today, many gift givers have a tough time finding a unique item to give a loved one. They want to give the person a meaningful gift that he or she will truly appreciate. Personalized items make for meaningful as well as memorable gifts. Here are a few suggestions.

Many parents want to give a child a gift when he or she leaves for college. For instance, they might give their son or daughter a cozy blanket to use in the dormitory. Personalization makes this gift all the more meaningful. Parents may want to personalize the blanket with a collage of family photos or pictures of the child in his or her younger years. The personalized blanket serves as a reminder of the person’s caring family.  One of my favorite stores online that creates gifts like this is The Memories Place.

Kids are always looking for fun gifts to give their fathers on Father’s day. One option is a new coffee cup for dad to use at work. A personalized coffee cup goes a step further in making the gift more meaningful. The coffee cup may have their father’s name on it along with a funny caption. The gift of a personalized coffee cup shows dad that the kids are making efforts to find great gift. A personalized coffee cup is also perfect for mom on Mother’s Day!

New parents deserve a gift that honors the birth of their baby. A personalized baby blanket is an ideal option. This adorable item can keep a baby warm or decorate the interior of the nursery. Furthermore, when the baby grows out of the blanket it can be put aside as a keepsake for the individual in later life.

A personalized gift means so much more to a friend or family member than a generic gift from a shop. Personalization makes any gift extra special.

How to Paint a Concrete Retaining Wall

Painting a concrete retaining wall is not difficult, but it can have its challenges. It doesn’t matter how long and tall the wall is, and it doesn’t matter if the wall is poured concrete or concrete block, there are a variety of reasons why the wall needs to, has to or should be painted.

The wall needs to be free of dirt, grime or grease for the paint to stick. It might be as easy as taking a broom and sweeping the dirt off, or it might require a wash down with a garden hose. For stubborn dirt, grime or grease, it might take a power washer to do the job. If detergent is used to clean the wall, make sure the residue is completely washed off.

The wall will need some drying time which could take up to several days. Once the wall is declared fit for painting, consider using a primer on the wall. Concrete is a porous material and the primer will seal the pin holes and make it easier to paint. If no primer is used, the concrete will suck up the paint, and it might take two or more coats of paint to do the job.

Concrete can be painted any color, but it is important to use outdoor latex paint. Latex paint will stand up to the weather, especially if the weather is subject to multiple seasons. There is paint made specifically for concrete but is usually available in white, black or gray. If one of those is the color of choice, opt for the concrete paint. Some brands of concrete specific paint can be tinted a different color.

The best painting day will be seasonable temperatures and not raining or windy. Rain will hamper the paint job the same way a just washed wall will and a windy day will blow the paint every which way not to mention kick up dirt, grit and sand into the paint.

Painting can be accomplished with paint brushes, rollers or a paint sprayer. Put down drop clothes in front of the wall to prevent the ground from becoming paint spattered. Paint with even strokes and apply the paint in one direction. If painting with a roller or paint sprayer, it might be necessary to paint the edges of the wall with a paint brush. If there are scores in the concrete, it might be necessary to fill those in with a brush, as well.

After the painting is complete, rinse the brushes and rollers with water before putting them away or rinse out the sprayer and let it dry.

Yerba Mate - Not your average "Cup of Joe"

Many people wake up in the morning to their favorite cup of coffee to get them started for the day, but many people have trouble with this possibly unhealthy addiction. Caffeine is a stimulant that is found in a variety of plants, including the coffee plant and the tea bush. Caffeine is widely used in North America on a daily basis. But are all caffeine or “Xanthine” substances created equal?

In America, most people like to add things to their coffee that are not always beneficial. Cream, sugar, caramel, flavored syrups, and chocolate are the staples of the coffee industry. Coffee shops everywhere cater to the vast array of taste buds that enter their doors or drive by their windows every day. Regardless of their effects, coffee and other caffeinated drinks continue to be a permanent fixture in American culture.

But what if there was something else? What if the not so pleasant side effects of caffeine could be taken out of the equation and you were just left with the effects that most people use caffeine for in the first place? There is a not so new drink appearing on grocery shelves everywhere and can easily be found near your tea and coffee, that is a much healthier and a much more positive experience than the good ol’ “cup of Joe” that so many of us bathrobe clad, sleepy eyed, early risers desperately cling to.

Yerba Mate is a plant that is found in South America. The leaves have been used by the Ache Guayaki tribe for centuries for its energizing effects. Like its coffee cousin, it is also a stimulant more similar to the green tea plant than the coffee plant, but vastly superior. Yerba Mate is more accurately summed up by saying that it contains the strength of coffee with the health benefits of tea, plus the euphoria of chocolate. The leaves of the plant naturally contain many vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. And Yerba Mate now comes in a variety of forms and flavors. It can be found in health food stores and supermarkets as well as online. Besides keeping you awake during the day, Yerba Mate has also seen many additional health benefits. It is a much healthier alternative to your average “Cup of Joe” and I would encourage all coffee addicts to give it a try. You will not be disappointed!

What is a Borador?

The Borador is one of a long list of “designer” dogs. Also known as “boutique dogs” or “hybrids,” designer dogs are not purebred dogs, but rather a combination of two different purebreds. The Brangelinas of the canine world, designer dogs get cool combo names based on their two breeds. Among these boutique dog names are the Schnoodle (Schnauzer-Poodle), the Bagle Hound (Beagle-Basset Hound) and the Hug (Husky-Pug). So what does that make the Borador? Why, a Border Collie-Labrador, of course!

Appearance
As puppies, boradors can resemble Labradors, with the exception of the common trait of a patch of white fur on the chest. As they grow, however, the Border Collie traits become more apparent, and many Boradors only grow as tall as a Border Collie. The coat of a Borador is typically shorter than that of a Border Collie, but the face is less squared like that of a lab and more cone-shaped like that of a collie. Some Boradors inherit the webbed feet of a Labrador, along with a love for swimming.

Temperament
Boradors are very intelligent and quite energetic. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Boradors love to chew and will gnaw on just about anything if left to entertain themselves. The best rule of thumb for owner of Boradors is the old adage, “a tired dog is a good dog.”

The good news is that their high energy and high intelligence makes them eager to learn and easy to train. Boradors are also quite friendly, loyal pets who tend to get along well with children and thrive as members of families. These dogs are rarely aggressive. Quite the opposite, actually, they are sometimes too friendly, and, if not trained well, might just knock over guests with their zealous greetings.

Border Collies are bred to herd sheep, while Labradors are retrievers. Which traits are more dominant may depend on the parents, but it is more common for the herding instinct to outweigh the retrieving one.

Health
The typical lifespan of a Borador is 12-14 years. Like Labs, Boradors are prone to hip dysplasia (another reason to curtail that jumping instinct early). All of that chewing makes for a breed with excellent dental health. The coat of a Borador has little dander, and is easy to maintain with regular brushing and grooming. The Borador requires plenty of exercise not only to harness its energy, but to keep it from becoming overweight.

Companionship
Boradors are wonderful companions who make excellent pets for families. They tend to get along well with other pets, as well. The Borador is a great choice for anyone who is willing to work on the training and exercise needs. The reward for this is a lifelong bond with a loyal and loving pet.

Bobble Head Dolls Offer Something for Everyone

Custom Bobble Heads

The history of the bobble head dolls dates back to the 1800s. These fun dolls were originally called Nodders. The bobble head dolls that most people associate with today are fun collectible toys that date back to the 1950s. They waned in popularity for several decades and then came back in full force in the late 1990s. The best thing about bobble head dolls is that there are so many varieties of them for people to enjoy. In fact, many of the dolls are collectible which makes them even more appealing.

Today you can purchase a bobble head of almost any person or animal. Sports teams offer dolls of their mascots, players, and even coaches. From football players to baseball mascots, there is a bobble head available for any sports fan. Besides sports, businesses will have bobble heads made in something that represents their company such as a character from their advertisements.

Bobble heads have also been made in the likeness of politicians and celebrities. Fans can buy dolls that represent their favorite characters from movies and television shows. The variety of options available is astounding.

One of the most unique types of bobble head dolls are custom made. Companies such as HD Design Center offer customers the options of having their pet made into a bobble head or even themselves. These custom bobble head dolls are easy to purchase and most companies just need a photo of the subject to get started. Some offer a complete customized doll while others create a unique head and allow you to pick from an assortment of body styles.

Dolls that have the likeness of your favorite human or pet are a great keepsake for anyone. In fact, some couples who are planning their nuptials order custom bobble heads to use as decorations or even as a topper on their wedding cake.

Bobble head dolls offer fun for everyone. From sports fans to wedding couples the options are limitless. The dolls offer great gift options when looking for something that is unique and that represents a person’s interests. After reading this article, you might even decide that you want to have your face on a bobble head doll.

Quantitative Easing

Quantitative easing is based on a very simple, yet terribly flawed, idea of how to improve a downturn in a capitalistic economy. The idealology of Quantitative easing is that by Government intervention, of spending revenue, and by the Central Bank basically creating cash out of thin air -  the thought is that in the selected areas most effected by the downturn -  jobs and profits can be created the reverse the trend.

The most evident problem with a Government’s version of Quantitative easing is that the only resources available from them are taken from the same economy that they are trying to ease. Tax dollars taken from the working, revenue generating citizens of that economy. They are the one baring the burden of Quantitative easing, not the Government. The Government officials are strictly the administrators in this scenario, telling the citizens who and how their tax dollars the be used. Government earns and produces nothing, and the resources used in Quantitative easing create more of a drain from the economy than any easing that can be applied.

The lesser effects of Quantitative easing is the manner of how these resources are used. In order for any persons or companies to qualify for participation in Quantitative assistance some very particular criteria must be met. These criteria usually fall under the politically correct list of social diversification and undeveloped, unsupported ideas for technologies that are completely impractical. Jobs and industry ease economic downturns, not crazy ideas that no one could afford to purchase even if they ever could work one day.

Jobs are created by industry and industry cannot maintain growth and create jobs if they are overly burdened by taxes and Government. In a downed economy this situation is even more pronounced. A better approach is to ease the burdens placed on industries and allow them to create more jobs and opportunities because of their own prosperity.

A business or corporation, even an entrepreneur or independent contractor, will not try to expand or grow their business if that will cause a larger burden than the growth will provide. In other words, if it will add more taxes or costs than they see within reason they will not do it. like it or not that is a fundamental fact within capitalism, trying to pretend capitalism is something else will not help a downturn in the economy.

Does Going Gluten Free Help You Lose Weight?

Have you heard that a gluten free diet is healthier than other weight loss plans? Do you want to know if going gluten free will help you lose weight? With gluten free products popping up on grocery shelves and popular celebrities announcing what restricting gluten has done for them, it’s no wonder you’re confused. There are good reasons to go on a gluten free diet, but eliminating gluten won’t necessarily help you shed pounds.

Eating a gluten free diet is essential for those diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that’s triggered by eating wheat, rye or barley. It can improve inflammatory conditions, gastrointestinal complaints and allergy symptoms in those who are sensitive to gluten. If you don’t have celiac disease or some form of gluten intolerance, eliminating gluten doesn’t produce any additional health benefits you can’t get from moving to a whole foods diet. Most gluten free products contain more fat, calories and carbohydrates than the dishes they replace.

Going gluten free is a lot of work if you don’t have to. It requires you to learn which brands and companies will deliver you a safe product. While wheat is one of the eight major allergens that must be declared on the label, rye and barley are not. Reading labels each time you shop is essential because manufacturers can change their ingredients without warning.

For those who must go gluten free, switching to a fresh, whole foods diet is the easiest and healthiest way to get started. That means eating lean meats, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and complex carbohydrates such as potatoes and rice. Most healthy fats such as olive oil are also gluten free. Be careful with gluten free baked goods. Even if you make them yourself, they can quickly result in weight gain. While a whole foods diet means giving up many foods you’ve become accustomed to, you eliminate the problems that come from gluten cross contamination and will reap the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Just don’t forget to watch the calories.

All You Wanted to Know about Incontinence and More

Incontinence is a condition that affects countless millions of people. Although more commonly seen in older individuals, children and young adults can be afflicted as well. The causes of incontinence vary according to the type of condition diagnosed, and treatment options range from behavioral management to medications and surgery.

Types Of Incontinence
Polyuria is a term for excessive production of urine, often seen in persons with diabetes. This in itself does not necessarily lead to incontinence, but those diagnosed with diabetes often have frequent urinations and a sense of urinary urgency. Persons diagnosed with an enlarged prostate often suffer from symptoms of incontinence. Nerve function in the bladder can also be caused by diseases affecting the central nervous system. Those afflicted with Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida often demonstrate symptoms of incontinence.

Continence is considered as the interaction between the urethral opening and actions of the detrusor muscle. If this pressure balance is altered, leakage of urine is often the result. Stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence and giggle incontinence are all specific in their base cause. Stress incontinence is often seen in those with problems related to the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. Inability of the urethral opening to tighten normally results in overflow incontinence. Persons with mental conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's Disease are often afflicted with functional incontinence. Giggle incontinence is often seen in young children. Laughter may stimulate the nerves controlling the detrusor muscular activity.

Incontinence In Men And Women
As they age, women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from incontinence as men. Women who are obese or have pelvic floor disorders are candidates for developing some degree of incontinence. Men suffer from this condition less because of the difference in their urinary tract structure. However, those who are overweight or have an enlarged prostate are much more likely to develop a level of incontinence as they become middle aged. Older males often have a functional disability with the sphincter muscles surrounding the urethral opening.

Treatment Options For Incontinence
Physical therapy is often used on patients diagnosed with an early form of incontinence. The popular Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic muscles and has been shown to increase control over urination severity and frequency. Several pharmaceutical drugs have been developed to control urination in both men and women. These include tolterodine and oxybutynin. Drug products such as these have various side effects and should only be taken on advice from a physician. Absorbent pads and urinary catheters used in hospitals are often recommended for patients suffering from an advanced form of incontinence. A number of adult diapers and specially designed undergarments are available to help absorb moisture. These are manufactured to fit comfortably and are virtually unnoticeable when worn properly beneath the outer clothing.

Tips For Selecting The Right Wedding Dress

Your wedding day is one of the biggest, if not the biggest day of your life. Purchasing your wedding dress is one that ranks right up there for many women with purchasing their first car or home. One of the biggest tips to remember when purchasing a wedding dress is that it is your wedding dress. You might have friends and family with you to help you shop, but in the end you will be the one that will be wearing the dress. The saleswoman at the bridal shop might seem like she has your best interest in mind and wants to be your friend. In the end, she just wants to make a sale. In the end, the final decision on what type of wedding dress is up to you and you alone. Take advice from others, but choose a dress that makes you happy.

Choose a dress for comfort. Remember that you will probably be wearing the dress on your wedding day for close to half the day, if not longer. You will get ready in the morning and have photographs taken as you get dressed. There will be photographs possibly before the wedding. Then there will be some at the wedding and after the wedding as well as at the reception. To keep smiling you are going to need to be comfortable in your dress. Choose one that does not constrain you too much. At the same time, you don't want to wear one that is so low cut that you might fall out of the dress.

Choose a wedding dress that matches your personality. If you are not one that typically shows a lot of skin, why should you show it on your wedding day? After all, who are you trying to attract. Your husband already loves you and knows what you feel comfortable wearing. Trying to impress others on your special day doesn't make any sense. Select a dress that matches the style you have chosen for your wedding. Once again, others will offer input but it's not their wedding day. Choose one that makes you happy and comfortable.

Your wedding dress may never be worn again after your wedding day. It might seem funny to be spending so much time on choosing a dress you hope to only wear once. In the end though, your wedding day may be your most important day.  Be sure to have the proper post wedding supplies to store the memories from your most important wedding day.

Buying Antiques

If you have the collector's bug, buying antiques is not just a leisure activity, but a need. And if you are just a casual buyer sometimes engaging in what is called in some quaint little towns "antiquing," you might want to pay attention to these rules as well because they can save you some serious troubles.

First of all, do not buy antiques online. You have to be able to hold, feel and touch, even smell the item you are considering buying because fake antiques are as common as household pests. Ascertaining that an item is indeed over a hundred years old, which is what determines antique status, does of course not mean the asking price is justified, but it is nevertheless much needed reassurance that you are at least in the right ball park.

Furthermore, you want to know who you are dealing with. Does the antique dealer come across as a knowledgeable and helpful individual with an obvious respect for the antiques he has in his store, or do you sense something not quite right about him? In either case, to be on the safe side, you should always ask to see if they are part of a trade association.

Never just agree to the price asked, nor hold back your questions. You want the seller to be absolutely positive about the origin, age, and value of the item you are considering buying, and if the seller proclaims he is uncertain about any of those things, let it go and move on. And once you do agree to a price, see if you can get it further reduced by paying cash.

Always ask if the item has been damaged at some point, and restored. Depending on the damage and how much was restored, you might want to pass on this purchase. And, by the way, the seller is not obligated to tell you about previous damage and restoration. If you don't ask the question, you might never know until you try to resell it and have it professionally appraised.

The bottom line is, ask all the questions you want, and then some. If you just assume something is an antique but you never asked, you will not have any recourse before the law.

Ebay has a whole site dedicated to antiques.

What is the Easiest Way to Put A Car Cover On?

Your car is a prized possession that deserves to be well maintained, and many people do take care of their vehicle. But when it comes to protecting their cars against the natural elements; some owners assume that their vehicle was made to with stand the heat and cold.

The weather will eventually beat down the best of cars and what you are left with is a lackluster, discolored paint job. If you live in the city, you probably do not have a choice but to park on the streets. However, you do have a choice in purchasing a car cover for your vehicle.

Car covers have been on the market for a long time and the perception is that only guys with flashy sports cars buy car covers. For example, you'd expect someone who drives a Corvette C6 to use a car cover.  This is far removed from the truth, because when you understand the practical benefits of using a car cover. There is a high probability that you will run out and get it for your car. Another perception is that cars parked indoors do not need to be covered. Actually it does, to prevent dust accumulation that can scratch your paint job. In this discussion you will see how easy it is to slip it on.

All you have to do, after taking it out of the bag is to look for a tag labeled “front” on the inside of the car cover. Pull the cover over the front bumper and then lift the cover all the way down to the back bumper where you will secure it. That is all it takes to put on a car cover. Do not forget to retract the antennae before using the cover.

Some antennas do not retract, so in this situation gently pull the cover over the entire vehicle and mark the spot the cover meets the antenna. Using a sharp blade cut a small hole in the cover and insert the two snap-on rings (that is part of the package) to the front and back of the hole.

Car covers are available in many colors and styles and are designed to withstand heat, rain and dust while allowing any heat build-up inside the cover to escape. Choose a cover also depending on if you park indoors or on the streets.  A great place to buy car covers is by using Google Product Search.

Corvettes Rule The Road From Start to Finish

When the first Corvettes rolled off the assembly line, they were all polo white with red interiors. They were also the sleekest and fastest cars on the road. They were certainly the envy of every driver that they whizzed past. Now they come in a rainbow of colors, and, instead of one racy model, there are half a dozen. Instead of one type of convertible, there are several options.

The 2013 convertible Z06 corvettes include a 60-year anniversary addition. To reduce weight and make the corvette as gas efficient as it is fast, Chevrolet turned to race car technology. Riding on its aluminum frame, the new corvette benefits from its carbon–fiber components including its hooded dome. The engine is a 7-liter powerhouse, aluminum-block V8. The lightweight titanium intake valves and connecting rods are designed to work with an oil system that maintains and distributes pressured oil. This corvette offers race car speeds as high as 198 mph at 6300 rpm and 505 horsepower. 

The coupe offers a standard 6.2-liter V8 that can hit 190 mph with 430 horsepower and 424 torque. Both it and the Grand Sport Coupe offer a removable roof panel. Drivers get the feeling they are behind the wheel of the latest winning Corvette racecar. The six-speed paddle shifters make this automatic transmission as speed-responsive as a manual. The Grand Sport convertible takes the roof all the way down and still delivers on sporty styling. To complement its wider stance, Chevy engineers fine-tuned its power/weight ratio, heightened the suspension and added larger-than-base brakes. 

Whereas the original corvette owners had to worry about rust, new corvette owners get the same amazing durability with composite body panels that never rust. Corvettes today would make 1953 owners drool. They can go 0 to 60 in four seconds if they want to. Manual models with full start capacity make them as lithe as race cars.

The corvette has come a long way, but it still clings to the best of its past. Smartly-styled, fast-moving and fun to drive remain the hallmarks of a corvette. The fact that it is a classic before it is even driven off the lot is just the ice cream on the corvette owner's cake. The 26 mpg fuel economy is, well, the cherry on top.


Our favorite place to buy supplies for your Corvette is corvettemods.com.

Why Do Democratic Governments Create Enormous Debt?

There is a trend that is becoming increasingly obvious to even the most indifferent citizen of a democratic nation: Democratic governments all around the world are increasing their national budgets by incurring enormous debts.

Deficit budgets are being supplemented by measures like quantitative easing, which is just another variation of the bailout strategy. This has led to huge national debts in all the developed countries of the world.

This relentless debt accumulation by governments has compromised the future for those currently living in these countries. The proof of the futility of this policy of reckless borrowing has become clearly evident in the economic debacle facing Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. In these countries unemployment has risen and growth has fallen. Although Greece and Rome initiated the rise of Western civilization, they now appear to be the first casualties of its creeping economic chaos.

What is the future for countries that continue to borrow money that they have no way of paying back because of persistent unemployment leading to insufficient national growth rates? This is a question that fills the national news of democratic countries increasingly frequently.

In the meanwhile, policies promoting deficit monetization and quantitative easing continue to be implemented. What this basically means is that money is printed without any goods or services backing it. As any first year college economics student will tell you, this means that all goods and services available in a country will continue to become more expensive. In other words, this is a policy that stimulates inflation.

In the final analysis, inflation means that a democratic government is borrowing money from its citizens for increased taxation to keep the country afloat. Unfortunately as it does this, the citizens become poorer and the national debts even more alarming as less goods and services are produced and consumed both nationally and internationally.

Quantitative easing, however, can only be pursued by countries like the United States that is in charge of the money printing presses. In countries like Greece, for example, quantitative easing is not a choice because that country relies on the Euro, which means that it has to resort to austerity measures that are forcing citizens to be homeless. Austerity measures are the only choice because the Greek government has no control over the money printing presses.

Since the world has become a global village, with democratic nations highly interdependent in many ways, the collapse of a few European countries will create a domino effect, and this will ultimately create a tidal wave that will affect all nations.

Apparently, the welfare of the citizens of any nation is secondary to the success of political parties. In the US, for example, lawmakers appear to be waiting for the aftermath of Election Day to figure out how to introduce a $7 trillion cash hike in addition to numerous spending cuts. The austerity measures that are now taking place in some European countries may be closer than most people think even in countries where the self-sabotaging policy of quantitative easing is still possible.

What Are Tamper Proof Standoffs

Mounting signs, artwork, and special projects deserve clean lines without any obstruction to the displays. However, wherever security is an issue, tamper proof standoffs and locking standoffs are the perfect solutions.

Standoffs are the mounting hardware that secures metal signs, glass encased artwork and rare collectables to a wall. Instead of being flush to the wall, the tamper proof standoffs act as spacers so the items seem to be floating on the wall. This is not only decorative, but items are secured firmly and not subject to bouncing around when the wall they are attached to may tremble with an impact or by the ground shaking in area’s of subways and railroads, airports, construction areas, pedestrian and road traffic or in locations where earth tremors or strong winds are frequent.

Though there are many other looks available, there’s just something about the clean, uncluttered look of shiny stainless steel hardware when teamed with glass encased frames floating on a wall.. Displays of valuables are able to be displayed to their full advantage so that nothing detracts a viewer from seeing the full display. In addition, once mounted with standoffs, they will remain in one position and not tilt, slip or fall, thus ensuring little maintenance to sustain a lengthy display.

Displays of signs using the locking standoffs are safer from vandals or theft than with traditional wall hardware. Business owners will be secure in the knowledge that their customers will be able to see their logo signs, ad displays and safety signs clearly. Use of standoffs also do not harm wall coverings because they are away from the wall. Therefore, they can be mounted to glass, fabric covered walls, metal filigree designs, collection class graffiti and wall murals with just a minimum of harm to the surface. 

The tamper proof standoffs not only distance the displayed item from the wall, but also keeps the glass enclosure from crushing or obscuring the displayed item in any way. In addition, light can reach behind the display as well as from all other angles. Consequently, the displays are more enhanced and sure to be seen more properly.

Are Electronic Cigarettes An Effective Way to Quit Smoking?

The verdict is still out.  There is no evidence citing that electronic cigarettes are an effective way to quit smoking.  Quitting tobacco cigarettes is never an easy process. This is true even when you have a phenomenal electronic cigarette on hand. Many e-cig smokers comment about how with a good ecig design, you can be sure to enjoy lower stress, fewer cravings and less anxiety about the transition overall. The key to success in your tobacco cessation efforts lies in three important aspects of the electronic cigarette that you use.

Getting A Satisfying Lung Hit

The first and most important feature that your e-cig design must provide is the ability to get a good draw. Tobacco users are accustomed to getting a good lung hit and low quality ecigarettes are rarely able to supply this. In order to avoid many of the psychological and physiological developments that can arise during the nicotine cessation process, it is essential to choose a quality design that delivers substantial vapor to the lungs and which hits and feels just like a real cigarette. Well-crafted units will produce these effects without emitting the loud crackling sounds that below-average ecig designs are often characterized by.

The Vapor Plume

While smoking is often considered to be primarily a hand-to-mouth addiction, there is a strong visual aspect of this habit as well. Smokers do not feel as though they are truly smoking unless the tips of their cigarettes appear to be glowing hot and a large plume of smoke is emitted with each exhale. Thus, it is essential to have a strong and satisfying LED light at the tip and to get a substantial vapor plume from your unit. Low quality e-cig units are rarely able to supply a visually satisfying emission of vapor, making them a less than effective tool for quitting.

Optimal Flavor And Options In Nicotine Strength

If you will be including smaller doses of nicotine in your cessation program rather than stopping your nicotine use cold, you will want to have a range of strength options in your cartridges/atomizers. If there are not several nicotine strengths in your electronic cigarette start-up kit, it is important to make sure that you are able to purchase affordable refills for your unit. More often than not, you can secure significant quantity discounts that will allow you to purchase more cartridges/atomizers for less.

The taste and quality of the tobacco flavored cartridge/atomizers should be comparable to real tobacco flavors and overtones . The flavor supplied by the cartridge/atomizers can go a long way towards tricking the body and the mind into believing that it is experiencing a real smoke. Most users report strong overtones of vanilla, which is a common additive in ecigarette cartridge/atomizers and tends to create a taste that is quite a bit like pipe tobacco. You should also have the ability to try a number of non-tobacco flavors as well as light and ultra-light nicotine strengths as you slowly ween your body from this chemical.


Get Help to Quit Smoking From An Expert.  Visit www.smokefree.gov