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Most Popular DIY Hacks for 2019

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Whether you are looking for some inspirational budget-friendly ideas to spruce up your home, or you like the challenge of trying new DIY projects, we have a list of DIY hacks for you to get your teeth into. So, get your overalls on and your toolbox ready for action to help you bring these ideas to life.

Refresh wooden kitchen cupboards

If you have been looking at your kitchen cupboards and dreaming of getting a new kitchen fitted but don’t want to fork out thousands, you could simply refresh your wooden cupboards instead. Painting them with modern colors like muted blues as listed on elledecor.com will rejuvenate the look of your kitchen without the huge cost of replacing your cupboards. Another way you can make your units look brand new is to fit new handles, giving the impression that you have a completely new setup at a very small price. You can get a set of stainless steel or nickel handles for a fraction of the cost of one new cupboard.

Wooden headboard/wall feature

A really stylish and chic way to give your bedroom a new look it to create a wooden headboard that covers a large section of wall, in the place of a standard headboard. You can use reclaimed wood to give a rustic feel to the headboard that will also act as a feature in the room. The cost of materials will be significantly less than buying a new headboard. We love the driftwood effect, or using wooden pallets to create this look.

Floating shelves

Floating shelves have become very popular, with both DIY newbies and experienced DIYers trying this hack out. There are a few brilliant ways to build a floating shelf, including installing a flat plank of wood, or even using old hardback books to create shelves to hold other books upon. These types of shelves are relatively easy to make but you should be careful to ensure that you do not cause any damage to the wall, or risk your safety in any way. If you decide to hire in a handyman, they should be able to quickly help you with installing floating shelves. You should check their online reviews and check that they have the right insurance, such as the cover found for handyman insurance at next-insurance.com, so that your home is protected from any accidents.

No-maintenance artificial grass

Artificial grass has come a long way since the awful plastic looking offerings that were first available. Now you can buy realistic artificial grass in your garden that is easy to lay as shown by buzzgrasss.com. A patch of grass will not only transform the way your outdoor space looks and feels, it will save you hours and hours of work spent mowing and edging your grass. It is ideal if you have kids that are constantly wearing your grass away and you will never need to buy a new lawnmower again. If you were thinking about getting rid of your grass to replace with concrete paving then artificial grass could save you money and ensure that your garden still looks like a beautiful dream space.

These are some of the easiest DIY hacks that can have a big impact in your home and garden, without costing you loads of money. Let us know in the comments below if you have any other great ideas to share.

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Top Three Benefits of CBD for Womens Health

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When investigating the benefits of holistic healing, it’s close to impossible to avoid hearing the question: “Have you tried CBD?” 

Cannabidoil, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive compound taken from the hemp plant that has made waves in the world of natural remedies for its effects on everything from general anxiety to chemotherapy patients. This high result and low side effect remedy has shifted countless views on the power of holistic medicine, particularly in women. Still not sure if CBD is right for you?

Here are the top 3 benefits of taking CBD as a woman: 

Sleep

From mothers, to business-women, to students in higher education, all women crave a good night’s sleep We can’t function, focus, or complete basic daily tasks required of us if we haven’t had the proper rest to fill our tanks. Taking CBD roughly one hour before bed, particularly relaxation blends with melatonin or chamomile, can improve sleep quality by relaxing the central nervous system. 

Receptors in cannabidiol activate the C1 and C2 receptors in the body’s Endocannabinoid system. This is the system that regulates the body’s immune system, sleep rhythm, brain functions, and pain management. In relieving symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, fatigue, and other pressing health issues, CBD calms the body enough to obtain a quality night’s sleep. 

Relieving anxiety

Women are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder than men. Many women actively battle symptoms of nervousness, stress, and depression. Patients experiencing anxiety and depression are often prescribed antidepressants known as SSRIs. 

SSRIs block serotonin reabsorption in order to aid the cells within the brain to transmit serotonin signals. These signals increase mood and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Studies have shown similar connections to serotonin receptors after taking CBD with post-intake scans showing anxiety-reducing patterns of blood flow. 

While further testing needs to be conducted in order to definitively state CBD as a remedy for anxiety and depression, these initial findings are promising. 

Reducing PMS symptoms

Easily the most daunting aspect of being a woman is the monthly occurance of menstruation. Bloating, cramping, migraines, heavy bleeding, and a slew of equally unpleasant symptoms hit like a tsunami, and can last anywhere from three days to over a week. 

For many, menses comes with chronic, debilitating disorders such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS. Given its anti-inflammatory qualities and effects on the body’s immune and brain health, CBD often relieves symptoms of these conditions. 

Where can I get CBD?

It’s important to remember that every person’s body is going to react to illness differently, and subsequently different remedies. While one method of treatment may change a patient’s life, it could barely make a dent in the patient next to them. Similarly, someone taking 10 milligrams of CBD every morning may see drastic results, while another may require closer to 50 to feel relief. 

Finding the right CBD regiment is a process. It’s best to start this journey by discussing the reasons for intake with a physician who can give input on dosage, frequency, and method of ingestion. CBD comes in various forms from tablets and sublingual drops, to topical creams. Based on the need for use, though, each of these can work in different ways. 

Researching various brands online can be the best aid in making these decisions. Finding a thorough review of multiple brands from the point of extraction to distribution can answer any questions and concerns about third-party testing, sourcing, or even pricing and packaging. The CBD Insider is a popular source for these extensive reviews and also offer discounts for their readers. For example, after a review of the CBDistillery brand, they linked a cbdistillery coupon code for their readers to use on their next purchase. 

Women can be strong, powerful, and brave. They deserve to live the highest quality of life possible whether they’re looking for relief from day-to-day stressors or hoping for a break from the monthly monster of their period. Taking CBD can be just the thing to provide that quality of life improvement.

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Four Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Children

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If your little ones love getting stuck into art and craft projects and you often find them with glue or glitter paint up to their elbows, rest assured that they’re not just making a wonderful mess – they’re also learning and developing in a range of essential ways. Creative activities are certainly worthwhile for the children in your home, with little ones deriving a range of important benefits from getting involved with DIY tasks and unleashing their creative side. We’ve put together some of the main benefits of arts and crafts for children.

Individual Development:

Arts and crafts can be one of the best ways for children and young people to get in touch with their imagination and develop their own individual craftsmanship interests. For example, drawing and painting could spark an interest in the fine arts, or making items out of clay could lead to an interest in pottery, leading to developing more advanced talents and skills in the future. Arts and crafts are unique in that they are often easily child-led, giving your little one the chance to get a range of goals when it comes to what she wants to achieve.

Life Skills:

Completing a craft project or work of art isn’t just a lot of fun; it also gives children the opportunity to understand the process of communicating visually. Working on arts and crafts projects can be an excellent way for children to develop and build a large range of life skills, such as fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and even helping to strengthen social skills when working together with a group or class. In fact, arts and crafts projects for children can strengthen certain job-specific skills as an adult. For example, a child who grows up to become a fashion buyer, visual merchandiser, or interior decorator will benefit from all the skills learned during childhood arts and crafts.

Academic Benefits:

Arts and crafts aren’t just great hobbies for children; they can also strengthen their academic achievements and many children discover their life’s passions through getting creative. But, it’s not just the potential to one day study an art degree or pursue a career in the arts; craftsmanship can also make it easier for many children to understand other academic subjects such as Maths and Science. According to art therapists, incorporating arts and crafts into Maths, English and Science subjects can make them far easier for little ones to understand. Get craft items to help your child learn at https://www.raaaft.com/.

Self-Expression:

Last but not least, arts and crafts tend to make it easier for children to express themselves. A child with access to paints and a paintbrush finds themselves with the ability to create meaningful pictures, expressing himself as boldly as he wishes with a range of different brush strokes and colours. For some children, being able to express themselves through art is extremely important. Many children who have experienced trauma in their lives turn to art and crafts projects to help others understand how they feel.

Do your children love getting creative and making art? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy

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Keeping your home clean all the time can be overwhelming especially if you are a busy person. It is usually at the weekends when you find time to clean your home. As the days of the week pass by, you see another stack of dirty laundry, dirty dishes in the sink or a growing stack of mail in the hallway.

Save yourself from a tiring weekend cleaning up your home by adopting these daily housecleaning tips.

For your bedroom

You can make your bed first thing in the morning and you have to do this every day. You can wipe the bedside table as you go too. When you come home from work, do not just throw your clothes on a chair or on the floor. Throw them in the laundry basket, or hang them up if you want to wear them again.

For your bathroom

After every shower, you can spray your shower with a cleaner, wipe the surfaces quickly and rinse. You should make sure that your towels and robes are properly hung to dry too. This is done so that you can still use them up to three times because they are air dried well.

When you decide to have a relaxing bath, wipe it clean after you use it as well to prevent mildew and mould from building up. It applies to all kinds of baths, from freestanding baths to whirlpool and drop-in baths. You can also give your toilet a quick scrub at least once a day.

For your kitchen

Learn to multitask. You can clean up while waiting for your food in the oven to be cooked. Keeping your kitchen organized and more efficient make a big difference too. Do not let the dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Every night, you can fill and start the dishwasher before retiring to watch your favourite TV show. If you notice a spill in the kitchen, wipe it up immediately.

For your living room

While watching television, you can wipe your side tables and coffee table during commercial breaks. There is nothing better that being productive even when you are relaxing. When you are about to retire to bed, give the living room pillows a little fluffing.

For your hallway or entryway

Coats, keys and bags can be kept in the same spot. This can make it easier for you to get everything you need before leaving the house. When it comes to trash, you do not have to wait for enough trash to take it out. You can take it out when leaving your home.

Doing these simple housecleaning tips can be a big help. You will not have to do so much during the weekends. You can at last use you weekend to relax and rest. All you need is a little self-discipline.

Image: freedigitalphotos.net (dfrsce)

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Do You Want Your New Kitchen to be more Efficient? Here’s How to Do it Right

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When designing a new kitchen, it’s often tempting to look at a floor plan (the available space) and see how all items (appliances, cabinetry, tables, worktops, and so on) fit best. It’s an important issue, of course, but dumping everything together with the only goal of making things fit is certainly not the best way to do it. When designing a floor plan, you need to focus on efficiency.

A kitchen is where family comes together to eat and cook foods that make everyone happy. It is a meeting place not only for preparing food, but socializing and spending time together. It’s important to have a organized and workable kitchen since it’s one of the main hubs in any house.

To do it right, you need to understand exactly what a cook does in a kitchen, what he or she needs, and where these things happen. A kitchen can easily be compartmentalised if you understand about the four cooking zones. Do you want your new kitchen to be more efficient? Here’s how to do it right.

The triangle

If you like to fix snacks or prepare meals in your kitchen, then surely you are familiar with the concept of the working triangle, even if you’ve never heard of it; it’s the area in which you are most likely to bring your recipes to life. The working triangle is the area between the refrigerator, the hob or range, and the sink. It’s an important factor to keep in mind whilst designing, and it’s usually a good idea to keep those three items relatively close together.

The cooking zones

Experts in kitchen design and professional chefs like to have four zones in their kitchens. If you have the space, you may want to create these yourself as well:

  • Prepping – This is where are the ingredients are gathered, cleaned, and cut into suitable portions for cooking, such as a worktop (like a suitable granite worktop London from J.R. Stone).
  • Cooking – this is probably the hob and oven area, although you may want to store other appliances nearby, such as food processors and so on.
  • Cleaning – It’s probably the least favourite area in the kitchen, but it requires space and practical design; washing dishes can be labourious, too.
  • Storing – the cabinetry and shelves should be planned for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

Designing around it

Remember also that it may not be necessary to store all your pots and pans in the kitchen – items that are not used often can be stored in a different pantry so your kitchen is not cluttered and so that it remains to have an open feel where movement is not restricted and. And make sure to have beautiful flooring that is easy to keep clean. 

Even if your kitchen is relatively small, you can maximise your available space (and therefore efficiency) by understanding how a cook moves – by understanding the working triangle and the four kitchen zones; it’s the key to making projects in the kitchen fun. Looks are important, but functionality should be on the top of the list. Aesthetics will flow naturally after that.

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LED Lights and the Benefits of Using Them

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LED lights are becoming a huge trend these days. There is no wonder why a lot of people prefer LED lights over the more traditional lighting options like fluorescent and halogen lights. If you still have not switched to LED lights, here are some benefits that will surely change your mind.

  • Long life.  LED bulbs can last for up to 100,000 hours. This is really incredible. It is equivalent to 11 years of continuous operation. If you only use the lights for up to 8 hours per day, you will need to replace them only after 20 years. The lighting diodes don’t easily burn out. They also don’t become less bright over time. The type of light produced is consistent.

 

  • Energy efficient. This is another reason why you should switch to LED lights. They are more efficient than traditional lighting options, as 80% of the electrical energy produced is converted into light while just 20% is lost. For traditional lights, it is quite the opposite. Just 20% is converted into actual light while 80% is wasted. To produce the light you need at home, more energy has to be consumed. You will notice a reduction in your electric bill once you use LED lights, a dramatic drop compared with bills from previous months.

 

  • Ability to withstand tough situations. LED lights are shock resistant. They can also withstand vibrations and external impacts. Hence, they are perfect even as outdoor lighting systems. Changes in weather will also not have any effect on these lights. This is also the reason why they are popularly used as traffic lights.

 

  • No UV emissions. We all know that UV light is extremely dangerous. It can cause skin cancer and other illnesses. With LED lights, there is little infrared light produced and almost no UV emissions at all. Hence, they are perfect when used for sensitive objects or materials. You can see them being used in museums and art galleries, for example. Archaeological sites also make use of LED lights. The integrity of the material on which the LED lights are focused will be preserved.

Whether these lights are used at home or for commercial purposes, they will surely do a great job. To top it all, these lights are affordable. They might be more expensive than regular lighting options, but consider how long you are going to use them. If you divide the cost by the number of hours for which the lights are used, you get a pretty good deal. Add to that the amount you save on your electric bills. Find out more information about LED lights and choose the best ones to use at home at www.downlightsdirect.co.uk.

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Reasons Behind the Popularity of LED Lights in Several Applications

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There is no doubt about the popularity of LED lights these days. From museums and art galleries to performance stages, LED lights are already used as downlights. Here are some more reasons why LED downlights are preferred.

  1. Longevity

With LED lights, there is no need to keep changing them. You are guaranteed that the lights will last for a very long time. In fact, it takes an average of 80,000 hours before these lights cease to function. Fluorescent lights on the other hand burn out quickly. They have to be replaced often. Other options like HID lamps may last long, but they take time before restarting.

  1. Nice effect

The good thing about LED lights is that they output their full capacity really quickly, reaching full brightness in just microseconds. However, if you decide to dim them a bit for a wonderful effect, you can do so in an instant. They are often used for both functional but also for things like Christmas holiday light decorations. There are varying levels of brightness that can help create the feeling or ambience you want. The best part is that when used for a really long time, LED lights will gradually dim. You will know when they have to be replaced. This is better than incandescent bulbs that suddenly stop, so you won’t have any warning before you need to buy a replacement.

  1. Totally safe

LED downlights don’t heat up easily. They also don’t contain mercury unlike other lighting options. They are totally safe. They are not fire hazards. They might have to be properly installed for full functionality, but once they are, they will not pose any risk at all. You will notice the difference, as you can barely get close to a fluorescent downlight due to its hotness after some time of use.

  1. Energy savings

The initial cost of downlights might be the only downside. Compared with other options, you will have to spend more for LED downlights. This is due to the number of LED lights required to make a well-functioning downlight.

The good thing is that LED lights are energy efficient. They require much less energy to fully function, unlike other lighting options. The amount that you will spend purchasing LED downlights can be easily recovered through savings on your electric bills. You also won’t need not replace these lights over and over again. In the long run, you will save more money.

If you are interested in buying LED downlights now given all these benefits, check out www.downlights.co.uk.

You will see a huge difference in the overall performance and energy efficiency between traditional downlights and LED downlights, and you will not regret making the switch to LED lights in the end.

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How do I Mount My TV on the Wall?

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Have you been admiring TV screens mounted on walls? You can also mount your TV on any of your walls. It’s may appear quite simple. However, you need to have the right materials and expertise to professionally mount a TV on a wall. If you lack either of these two, it is wise to consult a professional technician. If not well-mounted, your TV screen may fall off the wall, causing damage. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, here are some great tips to remember.

Get the right tools

Be well equipped with the right tools to use when installing a TV wall stand. Among the tools you’ll need are a level, pencil, tape measure, stud finder, screwdriver, drill and bits. These tools aid in positioning your TV in the perfect position for maximum visibility.

Find the stud and mount

The first step is finding the stud. This is the best place on your wall that can support your TV screen. There are several ways technicians use to find the stud. However, if you can’t easily find it, you can use a stud finder. This is an inexpensive device readily available. You can confirm that you indeed found the stud by poking a finishing nail through the wall. Before you go to the next step, make sure that the stud is capable of supporting both the weight of the mount frame and TV screen.

The next step is to mount your TV. The right position will depend on the size of your mount frame. Most types of TV mount are supported by four bolts, that should be drilled into the wall. However, make sure that you choose the right TV mount depending on the TV size and weight.

Run your wires through the wall

Avoid electronic device wires hanging down the walls or lying on the floor. Make sure that the cables are run in the wall. Your home, or office, will look more organised by eliminating cables on the floor. Most TV stands have a space that allows you to run your TV cables.

Place your TV on the mount

This is a simple task. However, you should carefully mount the TV on the frame to prevent it falling off. Once it’s in the right position, tighten all the bolts that hold your TV to the mount frame.

You no longer have to place your TV screen on a table. When doing a conference, you can ensure maximum visibility of the screen by mounting it on the wall. You can choose to place your TV on a tilt, fixed or ceiling TV mount.

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Make Your Asian Wedding Extra Memorable With These 5 Tips

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Asian weddings are unique and exciting. There are a lot of elements that are not present in any other weddings. If you are about to get married as an Asian or with an Asian partner, you have to live up to a lot of standards. Therefore, you should not mess it up. There are many different cultural wedding traditions for different countries, you should learn about the Asian traditions before the wedding. Here are some tips to make sure that your wedding becomes extra special.

  1. Choose a fun or unique theme

Just because you belong to a certain cultural group does not mean you can’t make use of other people’s cultures or practices. As long as you don’t make fun of them, it is perfectly fine. The colours of Bollywood or the regality of Thai weddings will add extra spark to your wedding. Just find the right theme that fits your taste and that of your guests too.

  1. Find the right venue

The venue sets the tone for the wedding. It has to be perfect. You must feel great being in the place. You should also find a place that looks amazing in photographs. You can’t recreate these moments. Therefore, the place must be superb. If there is one element in your wedding on which you can choose to splurge, it should be your wedding venue. Don’t settle for something cheap or else you will regret your decision later. There are great Asian Wedding venues that will win your heart right away. The only problem is that, being really popular locations, you might have to book early.

  1. Add an element of surprise

Just because you are doing an Asian wedding does not mean everything has to be in line with the theme. You can add something different or unexpected. This will totally surprise the guests. Book a magician for an awesome performance. You can also invite puppeteers for kids of all ages. Asian weddings can take a really long time and this is a good way to retain the attention of the guests.

  1. Choose the right dishes

Food is definitely what most people at the wedding look forward to. Select the dishes that everyone will love. This will take careful consideration of your catering for the event – there is a lot of great Asian cuisine. However, you should not choose anything too weird that most of your guests won’t be able to eat. There could be a lot of leftovers and it might be a huge waste of money.

  1. Order the best wedding cake

You can go all-in when it comes to the cake. It is one of the highlights of the wedding. It should look and taste great. There are a lot of cake artists these days and they can make any type of cake you fantasize about.

By following all these tips, you can have a wedding that is going to be remembered forever.

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Tips on How You Can Move Safely

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Moving is a daunting process that needs careful planning and preparation. Aside from making sure you have the time, money and energy for the big day, you also have to keep safety in mind. Not everyone likes the ‘do it yourself‘ moving aspects. This includes making sure your furniture and fragile items are handled carefully and your safety in moving heavy furniture, unless you are hiring professionals to do the lifting for you. If you are not hiring professional movers, check out these tips for your safety.

  1. Use the right equipment

Get the right tools to ensure your safety when moving heavy furniture. You can rent, borrow or buy moving equipment that will make it easier and safer for you to move large items. One of the most helpful pieces of equipment you will need is a furniture dolly. It is a wheeled handcart that lets you move heavy furniture with ease. Moving companies often offer rental of a furniture dolly, but you can also buy one that you can use whenever you feel like organizing things at home.

You can also buy furniture slides that will help you transport heavy items safely. You just have to place the slider under a piece of furniture, or each leg, for convenient sliding. Moving straps are also useful for redirecting the weight from your back to stronger groups of muscles. And you don’t want to ruin your beautiful flooring either. 

  1. Lifting properly

Follow proper lifting protocols whenever you need to lift heavy items. Avoid straining your back by lifting with your legs. Do this by bending your knees while keeping your back straight. Additionally, move with your legs when turning sideways, and not with your hips. Keep the furniture as close to the centre of your body as possible. Take your time whenever moving furniture. Rushing can cause injury when you are not careful how you move. Move slowly and smoothly.

  1. Ask for help

Do not try to do things on your own. Moving is best done as a team. Gather some of your friends or hire assistants. This ensures not just your safety, but also proper handling of your furniture.

  1. Wear proper clothing

Do not overlook clothing and footwear. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Use comfortable, breathable clothes of the right size. It is best to avoid baggy shirts that can get hooked on furniture. Wear socks and closed shoes. You can also use gloves for a better grip and hand protection.

A successful home move is one that has no injuries or accidents. It is important to take extra precautions to avoid possible mishaps since you are at risk of injury. If moving seems too overwhelming, you can also consider hiring moving professionals who have the right experience and equipment to move things efficiently. Removals Cheltenham will help you move with ease since you don’t have to bother about lifting all your heavy furniture.

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