Category: Article

How To Applique

In embroidery, applique is a kind of ornamental needlework which is done by sewing together small patches of fabrics to form a larger pattern. It is commonly used as decoration, especially on garments. The technique is accomplished either by hand stitching or machine. 

 

Appliqué is commonly practiced with textiles, but the term may be applied to similar techniques used on different materials. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration. Applique, in sewing, is an artistic and great way to personalize designs in clothing. 

 

However, applique can be challenging to do, especially for beginners, and for those who are using embroidery machines.  Here are steps to show you how to appliqué effectively (in the most stress-free way as possible):

 

Things You’ll Need: 

Applique Fabric

Heat n bond light

Embroidery thread

Scissors

Marking Pen 

Ruler

Stabilizer (medium-weight)

Hoop

Temporary Spray Adhesive

 

  1. Pick out fabrics you’ll be using: What kind of fabrics do you want to work on? Where do you want your design placed? On your blanket, pillowcase, or shirt? Decide these things first before anything. When choosing a fabric make sure to choose something of great quality and one that’s tightly woven.
  2. Hoop it. After selected fabric and hoop size on your machine, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the fabric in the hoop properly (so that the machine won’t hit it) and then put it into the machine. When you’ve stabilized it, you’re ready for the next step. If you are not familiar with this hooping technique, see this tutorial on using Sulky® Sticky Stabilizer.
  3. Perform the color sequence on your machine: Before you prepare to actually attach your appliqué, you’ll need to make sure your machine is ready for the process. Choose your colors for the appliqué locator as well as the tack down stitch and the cover stitch. When that’s done, put the appliqué stop command in the right place on the design and place your fabric where the locator stitch is ready to go.
  4. Ready your design: Center the item you want to stitch on and mark the spot you want with a temporary making pen. Make sure your fabric is stabilized before sewing. Then, do the outline of your applique design first. This outline will be covered later so you can use any thread you want.
  5. Sew the appliqué locator stitch and then the appliqué: After the stick for the appliqué locator has been sewn as your guide, use a temporary adhesive to properly place your appliqué embroidery designs (making sure it lines up as planned) and then continue the process with the tack down stitch to make sure the appliqué stays in place during the rest of the process.  After the covering stitch, you can take the appliqué off your machine and remove the hoop for inspection.
  6. Cut the fabric. Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine then cut the excess applique fabric from around the stitch. Try to get very close to the stitch but be careful not to cut the finished applique! After the fabric is cut and removed, trim off the stray pieces. 

 

 

 

 

Applique is Very Easy To Do!

While it may take some time to get right, putting your computer to work at performing appliqué is well worth the learning curve! It will help you get creative and use all those stray pieces of fabric you’ve just been keeping. You can also create a personal and customized gift with this technique. Plus, you have to admit that it’s pretty cool to see the machine doing most of the painstaking, eye-crossing work that you used to have to do by hand. 

 

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Everyday Household Items

 

Every day we use countless throw-away items or stuff that affects our health in numerous ways.

 

Not only that, but with the increasing concerns regarding pollution, it’s time to start thinking hard and clear about what you can do to get all the convenience you want without negatively impacting the environment. In that regard, businesses may start giving out products in reusable containers. For instance, a cosmetic company can look for sustainable cosmetic wholesale packaging manufacturers that can provide them with re-usable containers in which they can house their products. This can enable a substantial decrease in landfills. That said, one can take choose to reuse other products instead of the regular practice of using and throwing.

 

Fabric Napkins

 

Spilling stuff is almost inevitable no matter how careful you are. However, you can change the way you deal with these spills.

 

Instead of getting the usual roll of paper towels that you’ll constantly need to change, look for fabric napkins that you can wash and reuse at your leisure.

 

Paper towels are a big part of waste produced by Americans. Fabric napkins, on the other hand, can last you for years until finally needing a replacement. And if that’s not enough reason to go for them, think about how much money you’ll save in the long run.

 

Reusable Water Bottles

 

To no one’s surprise, one of the biggest polluters in any country are plastic water bottles. The ridiculous amount of plastic getting dumped into the ocean is mind-blowing.

 

While carrying around a reusable bottle isn’t too convenient, it does a lot for the environment. And recently, it also became a trend among celebrities. And here’s the catch: they don’t just enable you to produce less waste. These bottles also prevent the contamination of beverages since they are BPA/BPS free.

 

Detergent

 

We all know about the harsh chemicals used in detergents. One might think that these pollutants are necessary to remove hard stains and keep clothes or dishes smelling good for longer periods of time.

 

However, that’s not exactly the case. The same effect can be achieved by using completely natural plant-based enzymes and compounds. This should be especially concerning if you’re thinking about dishwashing detergent because some of the nasty chemicals can remain stuck on your dishes.

 

You wouldn’t want ingesting that nasty stuff, so the best alternative is to look for the best natural dishwasher detergent that you can buy online or in stores.

 

Tote Bags

 

Why spend extra cash on plastic or paper grocery bags that don’t even last that long? Consider getting a tote bag and using it for all your carrying needs.

 

As long as you wash it properly and take good care of it, a tote bag can last you for years or even decades. Think about how much money you’ll be saving once you get one. And think about how many pounds of plastic you’ll prevent from getting into the ocean or landfills.

 

Eco-Friendly Straws

 

Since California and other states started banning plastic straws, many businesses have relied on paper straws to give their customers the same convenience without any of the earth-damaging properties.

 

But while a paper straw is effective, they don’t feel as good when you’re trying to sip some soda or juice with it. The best alternatives are stainless steel and bamboo straws that can be rewashed and reused to your heart’s content.

 

Biodegradable Trash Bags

 

While the items you’re throwing away might be friendly for the environment, trash bags are not. Sadly, most trash bags on the market are made from plastics.

 

However, there are a few biodegradable trash bags options that you can look into. We recommend those with BPI certification to make sure that you are getting the maximum reliability for storing and emptying your trash bin without affecting the environment in any way, shape, or form.

 

Compostable K-Cups

 

It seems like ages since standard coffee filters were best-sellers on the market. People now use advanced coffee makers that don’t even require you to ground your own beans.

 

However, single-use coffee pods are made, as you’ve probably guessed, from non-biodegradable plastics. If you have a large family or if you like drinking more than one coffee each day, you’re generating a lot of waste.

 

If it weren’t for biodegradable K-Cups, we would be recommending going back to traditional filters. But because of them, you can enjoy the same convenience without leaving an impact on the environment. So check out sustainable coffee pods the next time you’re shopping for a caffeine hit.

 

Final thoughts

 

Going green can be hard sometimes, but protecting our planet makes this effort worth it. We encourage our readers and their families to look for natural and sustainable alternatives to every household item they use.

5 Tips To Give Your Curb Appeal A Boost

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Most of us like to spend time improving the interiors of our homes, whether it’s a bathroom renovation or bifold doors. The trouble is, if the exterior of your home is neglected; this can really bring down your curb appeal. Improving the exterior of your home is well worthwhile to boost the value of your property and to create a property that you’re proud to come home to.These five simple ideas will get you started on improving your curb appeal.

  1. A professional clean

Let’s face it; it can be tough to clean the exterior of your house. Many areas are hard to reach, and not all of us are confident to use a large ladder. One option is to hire a Pressure Washing Orlando Company to clean the outside of your home. A low-pressure washer works by getting rid of the dirt, mold and algae, so that your house will look brand new in no time. A nice clean will help you to get your house ready for summer.

  1. A new mailbox

You might not think that your mailbox makes much difference to your home, but when it comes to curb appeal, every small detail counts. Treat your home to a new mailbox, ideally one that matches your front door. A wall-mounted mailbox is the best mailbox if you’re lacking space and want something sleek. If your home has a quirky and fun feel, why not try a novelty mailbox?

  1. A new pathway

There’s nothing worse than an old and broken pathway to bring your curb appeal right down! If your pathway is looking broken and faded, it could be time for a refurb from someone like these Concrete services in Wisconsin to make it look neat and tidy once again. In 2020 the ‘herringbone’ pathway style is incredibly popular. The style uses diagonally placed bricks and is available in a range of materials and colours. Diamond tiles are another popular style this year; these large strategically placed diamond shapes will give the outside of your home a modern and elegant look.

  1. Improve your doors and windows

One simple way to boost your curb appeal is to re-paint your front door. Why not choose a bright colour to really impress the neighbours! This season’s colours like grass green and cobalt blue are trending. If your front door is a little worse for wear, you might prefer to replace it altogether. Wood is often a popular choice for exterior doors; however, bear in mind that wooden doors need maintenance. Steel doors are more durable and create a modern look, whilst PVC doors are cheaper but won’t last as long. Similarly, painting your windows or replacing them with models like Infinity from Marvin windows can give your house an instant face-lift. Windows completely change the way a house looks, with white/cream being more traditional, wooden/brown being more rustic and grey/black being more contemporary. While you’re looking at windows and doors, take a look at your garage and see if that needs some love from someone like Overhead Door Company of Houston to either repair or replace the door altogether and make your garage stand out for all the right reasons.

  1. Repair your roof

A roof that needs some work can make your whole house look shabby – click to see here. Over time shingles start to break and curl, once these are replaced, your roof will be looking better already. If your roof has extensive damage, it may be more appropriate to have a full replacement. Roofing companies will be able to offer you advice about whether you need a repair or a replacement. There are several roofing materials to choose from including slate roofing, metal roofing, clay or concrete.

Some Useful And Simple Methods for Taking Care of Your Lawn

 

The lawn is a place where you like to spend your quality relaxation time. In the morning, with all freshness and coolness, the green grass under your feet makes you feel close to soothing nature. Similarly, in the evening, it relaxes your mind from all worries while walking. So, with such awesome qualities, the green grass deserves all care and protection on your behalf.

 

Taking care of a lawn can be a wonderful experience if you work appropriately for its maintenance. Some useful steps in this direction are:

 

1. Soil Testing: The quality of the soil reflects the health of the grass. If there are some problems under the soil, the turf will also remain in poor condition. So, it is important to check the quality of turf from time to time. Your local agricultural agent can tell you about the testing methods and available authorized soil laboratories in your area.

2. Improve soil limitations: After getting results, it is important to fix the issues of turf as per the recommendations of the lab. Restore all important nutrients essential for grass development. Fix the hard problematic areas first, and then fix the small spots. To repair bare patches, high-quality grass seeds and fertilizers can be used.

3. Choose Grass According to Region Climate: Just as shrubs, plants, herbs, and flowers grow according to the atmospheric conditions of a particular area, so the turf too. The cool-season grass flourishes well in the regions where cool temperatures prevail. Whereas, warm-season grass grows well during summer and in warm climates. You can choose the grass seeds as per the atmospheric conditions of your particular area.

4. Seed at the right time and appropriate season: To get the goals of grass thickening or filling the dry areas with grass of a lawn, it is important to seed the grass at the right time or season. The experts suggest that for the best results, purchase high-quality seeds from some authorized sources. Choose them as per their best features that provide durability, texture, and thickness to grass.

5. Water turf properly: For an appropriate growth of the turf, it is essential you water it timely and properly. Overwater and less water, both can spoil the beauty of your lawn. So, water it according to the need and quality of the grass. According to some experts at Hydro Dynamics, it is good to choose a grass that conserves more water in comparison to that which needs extra water to survive. This will help save water as well as your energy and time.

6. Provide Essential Nutrients: Your grass requires all the necessary nutrients to grow fast and properly. The lab test reports can tell you how much nitrogen, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, etc. are required for your turf. You can check the label of the fertilizers to know the available nutrients in it and buy them as per your turf needs. Fertilizers are an important part of keeping a lawn and plants healthy, just as you would find the best plant fertilizers for the greenery in your aquarium, you will need to make sure that your outside plants are thriving in their environment.

7. Lawn Mowing: It is important to mow grass in the right season and right manner. Generally, the trimming of grass depends upon the quality of grass as well as on different seasons. A wrong-way of doing this job can prevent the proper growth of your turf. Some grasses such as Bermuda Grass need less mowing whereas others require more. So, make sure you never remove grass more than required. To save time and energy use only high-quality machines and tools for this purpose.

 

Different lawn tasks depend upon the different seasons of a year. So, you need to take care of your garden accordingly. If you do not have sufficient time to do these garden jobs, you can also hire some professional turf management services. They understand all your lawn needs well. With their long experience and good knowledge, they help a lot to meet your desired goals easily.

 

5 Reasons to Hit the Road with Your Family this Summer

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

2020 has been a tough year. The pandemic is leading to a housing crisis as people can’t pay their rent. The US fatality count is now up to 137,000.

At the same time, the Black Lives Matter movement has taken to the streets in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Institutional police racism is a hot button topic.

It’s no wonder that many Americans feel stressed like never before. You might be dealing with, among other things, your kids being out of school, with no guarantee they’ll be able to go back in the fall. We love family road trips and summer is the perfect time to go on one! Our car is pretty old nowadays and there are a few dents and scratches too! I’ve thought about contacting a Ceramic coating Melbourne company but the damage doesn’t bother me too much at the minute. We’ll see how we get on during this summer’s road trip!

For these five reasons, you might want to take a family road trip this summer.

It’s a Change of Scenery

You need to be careful about getting out on the road this summer, especially if the area you are travelling to is prone to summer storms. That said, if you are travelling by a Honda Ridgeline, then perhaps purchasing a retractable tonneau cover (from this link) for your tonneau could be a good way of saving your luggage from the storm. After all, you would not want all your belongings to be destroyed by the wrath of nature. Besides this, remember that if the temperature is up, you should not leave your kids alone in the car, even for just a few minutes. Between 1998 and 2018, pediatric vehicular heatstroke killed over 800 kids, so you need to exercise caution.

Setting aside that grim statistic, the summer can be a great time to travel across the country. Your kids get the chance to:

  • See cities and states they never have before
  • Get out of the house they’ve been in for months
  • Spend some time reconnecting with one another

Seeing new areas will broaden their horizons. At a time when their schooling may be at a standstill, getting some real-world experience away from home will help make them more well-rounded.

It Saves Money Over a Traditional Vacation

Now is a time when lots of Americans are doing some belt-tightening. Those who have not lost their jobs might be looking at reduced hours. Some can work from home, and if you are among them, count yourself lucky.

What is evident for many, though, is that now is not the time to fly anywhere. That is because:

  • Flying during a pandemic is inherently dangerous
  • Flying is more expensive, and you might not be able to afford it

In theory, driving yourself and your family somewhere will be cheaper. Gas money rarely amounts to what plane tickets would cost, particularly if you have a hybrid or electric car.

No matter what kind of vehicle you take for the road trip, safety should be topmost priority. You probably already know to follow best driving practices wherever you are headed, but even then, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on some of them before you leave. Besides that, you might also want to have a few trustworthy accident lawyers in your contacts; this should serve only as a precaution, and an immediate person to contact in the event of any unforeseen incident. Nevertheless, one can never be too careful, and your family’s safety should come above all else.

You Can See Some Natural Wonders

You might not feel ready to take the kids somewhere like Disneyland, because you feel like the coronavirus precautions they’re taking are not sufficient. There is ample reason to avoid such locales, especially if someone in your family has serious health issues already.

It’s a far better idea to head to a national park. You and the family can get out in nature, and you can heal yourselves from stress seeing flora and fauna in their natural habitats.

With climate change occurring every year, there are some sites you can see now that might look quite different a few years down the line.

The Drive Time Gives You a Chance to Learn About One Another

Many families might live together and spend more time than ever with one another in the pandemic. Still, how much do you really know about one another?

Too often, family members spend their time staring at their phones, even when they are together. They might be in the same room but watching TV and barely speaking to one another.

Car time gives all of you the chance to open up to one another. If you’re a parent, you can take the time to talk to your kids about their future hopes and fears.

They can ask you questions about your childhood. Maybe you can reveal some family lore or anecdotes that better explain who you are as a person if you feel the stories are age-appropriate. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that once your road trip is over, your car should be given to a Mobile Car Wash Miami (or wherever you’re based) service so that you can use it for many more road trips.

You Can Visit Relatives

You also probably miss the relatives you haven’t had the chance to see in a while. You can visit them, provided that you wear masks and practice social distancing.

The pandemic has made it hard to reconnect if you live in a different city or state from a parent, grandparent, or other family members. Still, you can spend time with them as long as you follow CDC guidelines and don’t endanger each other. It will do all of you some good.

Families face challenges this year like never before in this country. Depression is widespread, and medical professions aren’t sure when a vaccine will emerge. If you can afford to take a road trip this summer, that’s one way that you and the family can shake off the doldrums and hopefully have some fun together.

Additional resources:

– If you’re in the market for a new car, check out these car ratings.

– Keep your kids busy on a road trip.

The Best Options After Cutting Your Cable TV Cord

For many years, people have considered cable television to be the best source of good quality entertainment. These days, cutting the cord is considered upgrading to better alternatives. People are still utilizing cable through a dish network. This helps them still access local channels and sporting events.

The Internet has become the most common source of information and entertainment today. Thereby, taking a highspeed connection to switch to streaming options after cutting the cord could be as easy as searching for “internet near me” to find the nearby internet service providers. Modern society today prefers streaming services while considering cable TV only as an old, expensive platform with a limited diversity of shows. However, before you consider doing cord-cutting, you should first decide the best options for your migration.

Here are some of the best choices you can choose from at reasonable prices:

The Local Library

This is the most popular way to get new movies and great shows, and they are offered either on Bluray or DVD. They also allow loans for free if you qualify for a library card, and have a good return history.

The only con can be that you have a limited selection, and you can find other DVDs are scratched due to borrowers’ careless nature. However, when the cost you incur is zero, no harm is done. You have to buy a DVD player.

Philo

This is the best streaming platform for all of your home devices like computers, iPhone, AppleTV, Roku, or Amazon Fire. It also has a feature that allows you to modify your profile, letting you save shows to watch at your leisure within 30 days after you save.

It is new in the video streaming scene; it gives you live television access at a cheaper cost than standard cable. This makes it the best choice after you consider cord-cutting. It offers a variety of 58 channels at a price of about $20 per month. To mention a few, they are HGTV, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and many more. They offer a free trial of a week for new customers to see if you like their entertainment.

Hulu

It is usually considered to be one of the best streaming services. It is less expensive than cable and satellite tv. They offer regular viewing of original content, local channels, and cable programs as soon as they go.

The thing that many people like best about Hulu is that it is suitable for your budget choice. Offering the lowest price of $ 6 for a subscription that includes ads and on-demand content. The highest price, which is $ 55 that features 60 live channels and on-demand content. Many times it is considered to be one of the inspirations for cord-cutting.

Local network with Antenna

This choice is cheaper also because you’re only supposed to buy the Antenna. Antennas are very affordable, costing an estimated $30, the availability of digital signals has considerably improved the quality of the picture. However, with this choice, you are limited to local stations only like ABC, NBC, FOX, and CW and for no cost at all.

It is advisable to check if you have the right signals in your area to justify the move. Especially if you don’t want to risk missing your favorite show. It is also cost-effective in that you don’t even need to pay for an internet connection. It can cut your cost a lot, cut the cable and start watching local channels and news for free.

Internet Protocol Television

They can directly stream the source media continuously. Selecting a provider that can satisfy your wants can be difficult, but the best choice after cord cutting. It is commonly known as multimedia services that include television, audio, graphics, and text, which are performed via IP based networks. The best IPTV providers to consider are:

Iconic Streams: Best for English TV and sports

Many people are searching for the best IPTV service as well as a good VPN that is cost-effective and reliable. It can provide a variety of channels, best quality streaming, low buffering, and an EPG that can cover mainstream channels. As well as allowing you to access any type of TV you wish to.

Iconic Streams has a lot of server power, allowing them two simultaneous streams meaning you could watch a game in one room, and your partner could watch her reality shows in the other room. Similarly by researching which VPN for ITV or perhaps the BBC, if preferable, is better then you may come across some reasonable options and low-cost ways of watching English TV.

TV Team – Best International IPTV

The TV Team new to the scene but is run by experienced technicians. It offers over 25000 streams on either live TV or VOD and is diverse, covering content from continents like Europe and Asia. They provided packages for a certain number of channels.

The cheapest packaging costs about $19 for a month’s subscription. The highest costing approximately $127, which is the premium. It has all the best channels and features.

The IPTV sector has a great variety of service providers to choose from-choices over high-quality channels and great internet connections. The choice of cutting your cord is the best and most cost-effective way for all your future entertainment choices in the long run.

Getting Personal With Mpix

I love to customize things. Make them personal and special.

Weather it is a sign for my wall or a blanket for my couch.

I started to use Mpix and it is everything I hoped it would be.

 

 

 

 

Get 30% off with code mamathefox30

 

I ordered 2 items, things I knew I would use and be able to appreciate. I ordered a custom photo blanket and a custom photo deck of playing cards.

 

With Covid 19 still growing we are at home way more than we typically are. So to help pass time and keep busy we started to play a ton of games. Besides the normal games like Monopoly and Guess Who, I started to teach my kids how to play a few cards games. They are loving using playing cards now and so far the game “war” is their favorite. They love to play as fast as they can. With our new custom playing card deck from Mpix the family can laugh and reminisce on the time we took this photo. We were in Amish country in Ohio. Checking out the stores and restaurant. We were in front of a fun Amish buffet restaurant. They had this giant chicken and we knew we needed a photo. So why not let the kids ride this giant sculpture! We all laughed so hard!

 

When it comes photo blankets, I have never experienced such high quality images.  I used regular cell phone pictures. Nothing fancy. A few of the images were from a photo shoot with professional cameras, but for the most part the images are regular photos, ones I took myself. on an Samsung cell phone. I was hesitant to use them, as I didn’t want the photos to look pixelated or not in focus.  I was stunned and thrilled to see how clear and bright all my photos look in the blanket. The best part, though is the softness. I have bought and felt a TON of blankets in my life. This is one of the softest, if not the softest, blanket I have ever touched.  I instantly called my kids over to touch it and though both said “WOW!!” at the same time and laughed. I seriously recommend making one for yourself. My extended family has already decided they want to make their own blanket with my niece first year pictures. Every month they take a picture to show how much she has grown. When she turns 1 year they are going to take those 12 images and make her a blanket she can cherish forever.

 

This Is How You Search For The Right Kind of Hair Extensions

Have you ever wanted to delve into the world of hair extensions, but had no idea where to start? Perhaps you’ve seen women with voluminous locks that can be tied up or let loose to create a stunning hairstyle and wondered how you can achieve the look yourself. The answer is simple: hair extensions.

 

Hair extensions are the quickest and easiest way to enjoy gorgeous results, so you can share the same full, flowing `dos you see in the movies and magazines. Yet, it’s important to research your options before diving in to make sure you find the best hair product for your needs.

What Type of Hair Extensions?

Are you looking for something temporary, or hoping for a solution that’s a bit more permanent?

Temporary hair extensions are quick and easy, and can be attached to your hair in less than ten minutes. Whether you have an important event you want to look your best at, or don’t mind spending the extra ten minutes each day getting your desired look, these are a great option. You can choose from clip-in hair extensions, flip-in hair extensions, and a ponytail hair extension.

Permanent hair extensions: this type lasts from five weeks to eight months, depending on the option you choose, which means you don’t have to take them out and redo them each morning. There are a number of methods that can be used, including Keratin, sew, and glue.

How Much Do I Need?

 

The next question to ask yourself when it comes to buying hair extensions is how many pieces you actually need to create a natural look. This number will change depending on what type you are going with and how thick your hair currently is.

For temporary hair extensions, choose between 120 and 240 grams for thin hair, or 120 and 180 grams if you have medium to thick hair.

For tape-in hair extensions, choose about 40 pieces at 100 grams each for very fine hair, and scale down from there.

As a general rule, opting for between 100 and 200 strands is best to give you the thicker look you’re after.

Which Texture is Right for Me?

Many people don’t stop to think about the texture when it comes to choosing hair extensions. There are three main types for you to choose from, including straight, wavy, and curly. What’s best for you will depend on your natural hair type and the look you’re hoping to create.

Straight hair extensions: These are the easiest to use and maintain no matter what type of hair you have. If you have straight hair already, then you can always add waves into your natural hair and hair extensions at the same time using a heat tool.

Wavy hair extensions: To achieve the wavy look, you will need a curling iron handy to get your natural hair to match the texture of the extensions. It requires a bit more effort, but makes for voluminous, flowing hair. On the other hand, your hair may have some natural curl or wave to it, in which case wavy extensions are an obvious choice.

Curly hair extensions: Whether or not you have natural curls, these can be fun to play with and add some volume to your hair.

Choosing the Right Color

 

This is an area many people stress over when it comes to buying hair extensions. You want to choose a shade that closely matches your own hair color. Whether you’re going to color treat the strands or not, having something already close in shade will yield the most natural looking results. It is often best to check out all the colors a company offers, and many let you email a photo of your hair for help when it comes to matching. If you’re looking to add some highlights, then you can always go for a shade or two lighter than your normal color. However, if you are dying your hair a drastically different shade, for example, a blue hair colour, then you will want to search extensions that are closely linked to that color or maybe a shade lighter/darker so you can have a two-dimensional look.

What Type of Hair?

There are several types of hair available when choosing extensions. Here are the main ones for you to consider:

Remy Human Hair: This is hair that has been cut with the roots still intact. It offers superior quality and is great for hair extensions.

Synthetic Hair Extensions: Sure, these are often much cheaper than Remy Human Hair, but the tradeoff is that they are of much poorer quality. Since it’s manmade, synthetic hair just doesn’t blend in as well with your natural hair, and it’s much easier to spot the extensions. Plus, they won’t last as long.

Non-Remy Human Hair: This is hair that is often collected off the floor after it has been cut, without the roots staying together. This is a much cheaper option than Remy Human Hair.

The great thing is that once you invest in some quality hair extensions, they will last you a while with just a little routine care. Refer back to the tips above as you set out to find the perfect fit for your needs. Happy shopping!

 

6 Self-Care Tips for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Modern life is so fast-paced and stressful that it has become very easy to feel overwhelmed. These feelings might stem from having too many things to do, not enough time for yourself, or any number of reasons. That said, staying in this mindset is unhealthy, and that is why we should find ways to get rid of these feelings for our mental wellbeing. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get rid of feelings of being overwhelmed.

Set Aside Some Personal Time and Stick to It

There are a number of ways to better take care of ourselves. The first is by setting aside some personal time each day to be with yourself. Even if you wish to learn how to become a witch or pursue your favorite hobby, you need to set a dedicated amount of time aside for it. Doing so can ensure that you are fruitful in your endeavors. One of the main impacts of feeling overwhelmed is the inability to take care of ourselves. To make sure we do not fall into this trap, it is important to carve out some personal time. During this block of time, you can read a good book, get a massage, take a bath, or do anything else that makes you happy. It is also important to stick to this schedule so that the negative feelings do not come back. One added advantage of doing this is that your loved ones and the people around you will benefit from you being in a better mood.

Prioritize Sleep And Relaxation

Research has proven that sleep deprivation can lead to stress and impair our thinking, memory, and concentration. Any of these three things can amplify the feelings of being overwhelmed. Sleep experts advise that you try to get seven to nine hours of sleep at night. Because of how incredibly important sleep is, you should find ways to increase the quality and quantity of sleep you have. A good mattress can help you do this. Ensure you find one that supports your body fully and is comfortable enough, so you stay asleep. If you do have a huge budget for a new mattress, watch out for the best mattress deals on Labor Day. Some of these sales have discounts as high as 50% which provides you the perfect opportunity to find the best mattress.

Spiritual self-care is also vital to staying healthy. This allows you to balance your body’s energy, and express yourself to the fullest. Our world is a crazy place, and sometimes we need to be careful what we put into our bodies. By using spiritual gemstone jewelry, you can receive the light and power of the universe in a way that not only enhances physical health but gives you the tools to help keep your body in tune with the rest of your system. These stones work with the physical aspects of your life and improve you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It may promote better sleep and relaxation. Crystals and gemstones are also said to promote self-confidence, establish a positive outlook in life, and improve overall well-being. If interested, you can check out the Best quality selenite that is believed to offer protection from negative energy.

Get Rid of Distractions and Stop Multi-Tasking

When doing too many things at once, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This is further compounded by the fact that when multi-tasking, it is almost impossible to complete one task. The tasks left unfinished can lead to more stress and overwhelm. Reducing the number of distractions around you and handling one task at a time are the best ways to get tasks done, which can shorten your to-do list and help you deal with everything in a timely fashion.

A day of rest and relaxation can do wonders for your mental and physical health. When we are tired, stressed out, or depressed, we don’t have enough energy to move forward in our lives. So, give yourself some time away from everything. Sometimes, a break may just be what you need!

Create Firm Boundaries

If you need to take some time for yourself, it is very important to create firm boundaries. These boundaries ensure you do not take on any tasks or responsibilities when you should be taking care of yourself. Learning to say no is also a good way to ensure you are only responsible for what you can comfortably handle at any one time.

Eat Well

Nourishing our bodies is important because it helps us deal with the stressors in our lives. If you do not eat well and have sugar dips throughout the day, you might not have the energy to handle everything that comes your way. Therefore, plan your meals, eat well throughout the day, and always have some healthy, backup snacks so you can raise your glucose levels when you feel a dip coming.

It’s a given that you would want to eat healthily, but you should also keep your snacks healthy and avoid oily, sugary junk food that can wreak havoc on your health. Instead, snack on fruit, nuts, small crackers with low-fat dressing, or even raw vegetables. Not only are these foods good for you, but they can be fun and delicious if prepared with a little creativity.

Exercise

Exercise has so many benefits that it should be a part of everyone’s life. In addition to helping you deal with stress, exercise can also distract your mind, so you have a few minutes of calm before you have to go back to dealing with the stressors in your life. Exercising can be as easy as walking around the house or going for a run through your local park.

Everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time. It is, therefore, important that we find ways to realize if we are getting overwhelmed and have a plan of action if those feelings start to crop up.

11 Bizarre Outdoor Lighting Ideas That You Will Adore

With regard to setting the temperament in any space, lighting is of the most extreme significance. Daylight and evening glow may be the best hotspots for light in open-air territories, however, it unquestionably assists with having some reinforcement. Lighting is one of the most important features of the home as it can highlight and add functionality to spaces. For most outside lighting you will need to make sure that your generator is able to cope with the extra capacity. One way of doing this could be to seek out a service possibly similar to Veteran electric generator services or a friend for recommendations on an electrician who can come and check out your generator. Considering, this post is highlighting 11 lighting ideas and tips so you cannot identify what time of day or year it is. Continue reading to find out about the most ideal approaches to making agreeable, trendy, safe, and sufficiently bright terraces, patios, and overhangs. Don’t forget to pick the right bulbs for where you want to light, as some can look very similar such as the GY6.35 and G4, you don’t want to get them muddled up and mess with your lighting set-up.

Beverages bottles loaded up with lights

All have heaps of beverages bottles left after evenings in, so why not preserve them and transform them into an improving light? Top off pretty wine or spirits bottles with pixie lights for a provincial yet shockingly rich feel.

Pathway lighting with luminescent rock lights

A sufficiently bright pathway to your terrace or your garden fills two needs: It does not just aid your visitors securely to the lawn yet in addition tastefully features the walkway. Introducing lights at a lower stature on the ground on the two sides of the way will make an otherworldly impact on the clearing. You could likewise attempt edge-lighting along the outskirts, particularly around grower or blossom beds. Sun oriented lamps or lights mounted on a stake are an extraordinary thought for pathway lighting as they dispose of the need to run electric wires. On the other hand, ground lights implanted into the walkway underneath will assist you with dispensing with the mess.

Simple standouts

In some cases, it’s a straightforward plan that establishes the best connection. An open-air crystal fixture with sharp edges and geometric outlines will add visual surface to an impartial space. Metals like an aluminum can likewise give a mechanical, machine-age vibe while mixing in with present-day furniture.

Water lighting

Water lighting is having water highlights around your lawn scene, for example, having numerous cascades and coordinating light installations within them. Light installations can be coordinated with water, which is incredible as they emit a glimmer of light which is very beguiling when matched with the mitigating hints of water.

Tree lighting

Another incredible method to illuminate an open-air territory is to illuminate the trees or plants there. Experts at Ellumiglow say be it an open porch or a little lawn, lit up trees make an outside space look all the more welcoming, and if the trees are all around kept up they can make space look progressively excellent as well. Illuminating the trees will give adequate light to sit and have a pleasant visit in an outside space.

String up the lights

There’s an explanation vintage-style string lights have stood the trial of time as a definitive open-air party lighting. Simple to string and accessible fit as a fiddle and size, this exemplary style is ideal for a night of moving or visiting with companions around the fire. Even better, the present rendition of these great lights come in both LED and sun-powered alternatives which mean reserve funds for you, and no worn-out bulbs to change! The best part is, string lights are anything but difficult to work and can be hung for all intents and purposes anyplace there’s the entrance to an outlet.

Fire pits

Fire pits are quite cool as well and on the off chance that you’re stressed over having an open fire in your backyard, at that point possibly you’d appreciate it more to have a false fire. It is proposed to have a lot of wood logs lit by pixie lights. It’s so straightforward but so enchanting. Also, the fire pit can be made easily by anyone and can be utilized even inside. It’s a motivating idea that brings about incredible changes.

Works of art with the assistance of lights

Have you ever heard of light sculptures? Lights arranged into 3D shapes for a major visual effect? You have now. Or if individual light arrangements aren’t your thing there are also continuous lights like those used in these devil may cry neon signs to create light art. As you can see, you can even utilize these lights to explain a message or somebody’s name. So get out there and get creative with light art.

Utilize unobtrusive light for engaging

Your supper visitors won’t need a brilliant focus on them while they’re making the most of their open-air feast, so stay with lighting that gives a delicate gleam. Open-air rooms, particularly feasting zones, advantage from unobtrusive, backhanded lighting that makes a tranquil mind-set. These days individuals are utilizing open-air lamps, pendants, and roof fans outfitted with light packs to enlighten seating and feasting territories. Utilize a dimmer with these installations; go to full light when preparing or getting ready food, or diminish it down for eating and unwinding.

Use uplights and downlights to upgrade divider surfaces

Uplights and downlights (or a blend of both) are turning into an undeniably well-known approach to feature your home both front and back. In a split second drawing the eyes, these lights bring whatever they sparkle on to the cutting edge making them impressive for fixing to remarkably finished dividers and walls. For optimal results and to ensure your lighting is installed safely and correctly, consider working with a professional, such as an Electrician in St. Paul or another qualified expert in your area.

At last, front entryway lighting

Welcome yourself home with wonderful front entryway lighting choices. Since it’s most probable the primary portal, these lights won’t go unnoticed. Contingent upon the style of your home or the kind of front passage you have, there are various approaches to picking the most fitting choice. This incorporates the style, size, and position.

Regardless of whether you decide to hang lights, mount them to the siding, or both, it’s imperative to pick a style that best suits you and the home. Despite the fact that having legitimate outside lighting assumes a critical job in wellbeing, don’t leave that alone. This is an ideal opportunity to be innovative.

Hanging lights, for example, capiz chandeliers and pendants, are perfect for tall rooms and yards. Without a hanging installation, space may look excessively void.

To twist it up, these are the 11 peculiar lighting ideas that you will adore. Ideally, this snippet of data may help you in your future undertakings.