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Laundry Room Renovation Tips

January 17, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

 

The laundry room is one of the most overlooked rooms, yet it is as important as any other room in the house. In fact, when people plan home renovations, very few people think of renovating the laundry room, after all, no one but members of the household goes there. But that the laundry room is not exactly a public place does not mean it should be an eyesore. Renovating your laundry room not only breathes new life into this space but also makes it a welcoming and warm place to carry out the necessary chores.

So if you feel the laundry room in your New Zealand home will do with a much-needed renovation, here are some tips to point you in the right direction.

Location matters

If you have the luxury of deciding where to site your laundry room during renovation or construction, it is important that you choose a location that is perfect for the engine room of the house.

A typical laundry room should be located on the ground floor with easy access to the outside. This because you will most likely be moving in and out of the laundry room while doing the laundry, particularly to have access to the clothesline and you don’t want to track water through the living area.

You should also consider siting your laundry room in a location that is properly ventilated and where plenty of natural light can reach. Remember that laundry generates a lot of moisture and heat, and the perfect location will play a huge role in preventing mould and mildew. It is also a good idea to install an extractor fan in your new laundry room to help keep the environment healthy.

Consider appliances

When it comes to choosing laundry room appliances, it pays to look at the big picture. For example, if you have a large family, it will be economical to do large loads at a go than multiple smaller washes. But this means getting a bigger washing machine.

So if you think that your laundry appliances can do with an upgrade, by all means, make that a part of your laundry room renovation project.

However, even though your laundry room is probably one of the most private spaces in the house, it is no excuse for your appliances to be all over the place. Part of laundry room renovations should include taking away your laundry appliances from the full glare of the public, and there are a few tricks and tips you can use to achieve that.

For instance, you can create a small partition behind which the laundry equipment will be hidden, so that your laundry room can have a more appealing and inviting open space.

This idea is ideal for when your laundry appliances are old and outdated and you cannot afford new ones at the moment. Just be sure to create the partition is a way that it doesn’t disturb free movement in the room.

Plan how to use your space

Everyone understands the frustration of working in a cluttered laundry space. Everything is just everywhere that there is just not enough room to carry out the necessary laundry chores. To experience a fully functional laundry space, it is imperative that you design your laundry room in a way that meets with your unique lifestyle requirements – and this is not something that can be rushed.

Do proper research and spend enough time planning your laundry space, including the placement of laundry so that you can still have enough room to do your chores and move about. If you want your, be sure to hire the best renovations company as this type of work will likely warrant a major remodeling.

Consider storage

A typical laundry room is home to a lot of things – from laundry appliances to cleaning products, dirty laundry and even abandoned bric-a-brac. This can put a lot of strain on your storage space and make the entire room completely cluttered.

It is therefore important that your renovations include practical storage in your laundry room. For most people, a combination of shelves, cabinets, and even containers is enough to give the laundry adequate storage for anything, but others may need to extend their laundry room a little bit especially if it is a really small space, or consider creating more storage close by.

However, having storage inside the actual laundry room is a more practical idea and there are lots of ways to achieve this. One of the popular ways to create extra storage in a cramped room space is to use overhead shelves and vanities.

Any item that needs to be kept out of sight can be stored overhead, and the top of the overhead shelves or vanity cabinets can also be used to store bigger items like the ironing board, vacuum cleaner, and so on.

Open shelves are rapidly gaining popularity in homes that are short of space, and there is no better place to experiment this system than in an out-of-way location like the laundry room.

Make it water friendly

Finally, it is imperative that you make your laundry room as water-friendly as possible.

Remember that the laundry room is one place where water is always used. This means that there will always be water spills and mess that will have to be cleaned up regularly. But unless the floor and walls of your laundry room are water-friendly, you will also be changing floors and walls regularly, and this will not be good for your pocket.

So when planning a laundry room renovation, use vinyl, tiles and stonework floors, as these are floors that can really work well for laundry rooms.

Definitely avoid wood floors, carpet or any other floor type that don’t work well with water otherwise you will be battling mould, rot, and a whole range of issues in no time at all.

You don’t have to be paranoid about potential water problems in the laundry room. Simply take the necessary steps to prevent these problems occurring and you will be fine.

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Ways to be a Smart Money Manager

October 14, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

You need to be smart in handling your money. When you take out loans that require a long-term commitment, you need to be even more responsible; otherwise, you will have a hard time finishing off the loans. These are the tips to help you become smart in deciding how to use your monthly income.

person holding on black steering wheel inside car

List all your expenses

You need to have an idea about how much you’re going to spend the following month and on which expenses. You have to make sure that you don’t forget anything since it could lead to bigger penalties. Once you already know what to spend your money on, it’s a lot easier for you to do the budgeting.

Don’t be impulsive

You have to think things through. Don’t include in your budget an item that you don’t need just because you want to buy it. You can suspend all these plans and reconsider them later when you have enough cash to spare. For now, focus on the priorities and let go of the unnecessary expenses.

Rethink your plans to buy items on sale

Just because there are items on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy them. Some of these things are unnecessary. When you need to buy them in bulk, it might be a waste of money. Yes, you’re getting savings, but do you really need to buy that much? You can use whatever amount you spend on shopping during a sale period for some other important expenses.

Learn to say no

Another reason why you can’t properly budget your money is that you can’t say no. When your friends ask you to go out on a Friday night, you immediately say yes. When they ask you to go on an unplanned trip, you also say yes to it. This is a problem because you don’t need to do all of them. You can tell them that you don’t have enough money or you’re still paying off other expenses. They will understand your decision. If they don’t, they might not be your real friends after all.

Focus on a long-term commitment

If you took out loans that require several months of payments, you need to focus on them. Find a way to repay the loans as soon as possible. You might even have to do advanced payments if necessary, so you won’t have to think about the loans in the future. You can get back to all other unnecessary expenses once you have finished paying off your loans.

It takes time for you to be an expert in managing your finances. You even have to learn how to sacrifice if you wish to achieve your financial goals. You need to stay focused and committed. Don’t allow yourself to get side-tracked. It doesn’t mean you can’t use your money for entertainment or leisure. You can still include them in your monthly budget. However, you need to know which expense to prioritise.

If you need to get a car and you wish to obtain a reasonable loan, you can check out www.carfinancegiant.co.uk now.

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Car Buying on a Budget – 4 Tips to Consider

September 30, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

 

Shelby, Muscle Car, Car, Mustang, Vehicle, Ford Mustang

We all aspire to own a car of our own. However, many tend to hold off on the idea if not forget it entirely due to the common misconception that they are big-ticket items that only a wealthy few can afford. But the good news is that purchasing a vehicle isn’t out of reach. Even for those with little more than a modest budget to work with. And securing a deal that won’t put you in financial trouble is more than just a mere possibility. To this end, here are some tips to consider when buying a car.

  1. Don’t limit your options

While you may have a specific automobile in mind, it’s a general rule of thumb never to limit your options when buying a car. After all, you’re likely to find equally good vehicles that may be cheaper than your chosen car if you actively look for them rather than if you don’t. And as a result, you’ll be able to secure a model that will not only suit your needs but fit your financing terms a lot better too.

  1. Consider all financing options available

Financing is a crucial element of vehicle ownership, especially if you’re buying brand-new. After all, very few people can afford to spend a small fortune on securing their desired model in one transaction. More often than not, making monthly payments for a period of time is the only feasible way for most of us to buy a vehicle.

With this in mind, it’s good standard practice to consider any and all options available for financing. Don’t think that the only road you can take is what the dealerships are offering as there are other avenues to explore. Financial institutions such as banks, for example, can provide loans at cheaper rates. And companies like www.carfinancegiant.co.ukoffer no deposit benefits for car financing.

  1. Refer to automotive reviews when in doubt

These days, it’s not uncommon for aspiring car owners to read through or watch automobile reviews. After all, they offer far more comprehensive and objective information on vehicles than the manufacturers who tend to be economical with the facts. As such, it’s crucial to do the same before you start spending. In this way, you’re far less likely to commit a substantial amount of financial resources to a model that you aren’t happy to own.

  1. Second-hand cars are still a viable option

If money is tight or the budget allocated isn’t enough for a brand-new car, buying a used car is a viable alternative that should be considered. After all, there are plenty of options available that are no more than two or three years old. More importantly, they’re much cheaper than the latest models too. Just be sure to bring a mechanic with you to help assess the condition of the vehicle. It will save you a lot of time and money.

Despite the fact that car ownership is a sizeable investment, it’s not that challenging to make a purchase that won’t break the bank. And with these tips, you’ll have a better chance of buying a vehicle at a price that you can afford and be more than happy to pay.

 

 

Filed Under: Hobbies, Lifestyle

Ways to Afford Things That Seem Expensive

September 19, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

At first look, it might seem impossible for you to afford anything expensive. Considering how much you earn each month, it doesn’t make sense to aim for expensive stuff. Before you abandon the idea, you need to understand that it’s possible for you to purchase these things. You just need to identify what you want and work hard to have it.

Get an extra job

What do you usually do after work? If you have nothing to attend to, it doesn’t hurt to get an extra job. You can earn more money and use the amount so you can buy something expensive. It’s exhausting, but also rewarding once you finally get what you want. You may also try online jobs so that you don’t have to leave your home. You can keep earning by sitting in your chair.

Don’t pursue an expensive trip 

Yes, there’s a benefit in travelling to different places. An international trip might also be a good thing. However, there’s no need to do it all the time. You can cancel these trips if there are other opportunities in the future. For now, you can save whatever you earn so that you can buy these expensive things. Besides, going on expensive trips is like blowing your money and you have nothing to keep apart from memories. Two international trips that you cancel would be enough so you can afford a luxurious item.

Stick with your budget

When you think about the expenses you have each month relative to what you’re earning, it’s possible to purchase luxury brands. The problem is that you always go beyond the amount that you intend to spend. For instance, you keep eating out when you can stay home and cook healthy dishes. You also hang out with your friends during the weekends and end up spending a lot. If it’s not in your budget, you have to say no.

Set your eyes on the goal

When you know what you want to buy, you will do everything to reach that goal. You can even start a savings account intended for the items you want to buy. Even if it seems challenging, you will find a way to achieve your goals.

Be smart in what you buy

Some luxury items seem overpriced, but you need to check their value. For instance, a luxury watch is something you can use for a long time. It’s also flexible in terms of use. When you check out online stores, some of the options are even available at a lower price. If you need an Omega nato strap as a replacement part, you can also get it online. However, considering the quality of luxury watches, you won’t have to think about buying these replacement parts any time soon.

You deserve great things in life and don’t let anyone prevent you from having them. You don’t always get the chance to spend on all the things you love, so you have to desire these things

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Meditation Needs to be a Part of Your Day

September 19, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

 

If given the chance, you need to meditate. You can’t end your day without meditation or any other mindfulness activity. It’s becoming popular these days especially in a world that quickly becomes stressful. People who struggle with mental health issues also use meditation as an opportunity to relax and feel better.

You assess your emotions

When you argue with other people, you usually respond based on how you feel at that moment. You don’t think about what you say or the impact of your words. When you meditate, you pause for a while before you proceed. You give yourself enough time to think about what you said and even contemplate asking for forgiveness if you know you were wrong.

It clears your mind

You face lots of challenges each day. You might have no idea how to face the challenges ahead. Therefore, you need to meditate to help you clear your mind. Your ability to make the right decisions might start to get affected when you have a lot to think about. Your productivity is also on the line when your brain gets clouded. You need to clear your mind, and meditation is a good way.

You don’t need a special place

You might say that you can’t meditate because there’s no space for meditation available near you. The truth is that you can meditate anywhere. Some people can even do it while inside a bus. You can also do it at home. If you have freestanding baths, you can spend a few minutes meditating. As long as you’re comfortable in a place and you’re willing to let go of all negative thoughts, you can start to meditate.

Things will be clearer

You feel like you have no idea what to do next because your brain gets blocked by everything that you face. With meditation, you can finally clear things out. You will realise that you were at fault in a specific situation. You will also think about talking to a person you hate. You make terrible decisions when you’re at the height of emotion. Things start to be better when you have clear thoughts.

Make it a habit

You will find it challenging to meditate at first. You think that it’s a waste of time. You still have lots of other things to deal with, and you have no time to meditate. However, when you start to practice being mindful, it will become a natural process. You can even meditate in your office amid a busy schedule.

Inspire others to do the same

When you finally realise the value of meditation, you can recommend it to others. Some people think that they don’t need to meditate, but they do. You could save people from the brink of mental health problems when you tell them to meditate. You can also share some tips that helped you meditate quickly. Even kids should have an idea of how to meditate.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Free Budgeting Apps to Help You Save

August 24, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Money is tough for everyone, but there are things you can do. If you find yourself struggling to pay off holidays and Christmas, you could probably use a budgeting app that can help you save and allocate money. There is never a better time to start saving than now. Don’t be a slave to debt anymore, find out what you need to do to better save and take care of your finances without stress or inconvenience. Below are a few options you have to begin saving in a fun, dynamic way.

Free Apps for Saving

There are more options to help you save money than you likely realize. Most are approved by the FCA and regulated by open banking providers. Open banking began in 2018 as a way to enable third parties and access financial information in a secure way. These platforms are encrypted and safe. Only current data is included in open banking right now, you may need to share information about credit cards or your mortgage to interact with those details.

Oval Money

The Oval Money app allows you to monitor your spending while setting up steps, rules, and parameters for yourself. You can add rules based on your habits. For example you may pay into your savings when you go for a run, post on Facebook, or buy coffee. You can also set up a weekly deposit into your savings account. Savings on Oval are held in a segregated account at Barclays.

You should keep in mind that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protects deposits up to £85,000 per provider. There is also the option to invest through the app, and it will not put your capital at risk. Finally, Oval Coach sets savings missions to improve your habits. The more missions you complete, the harder they become.

Money Dashboard

Money Dashboard is available on Android, iOS, and on the Web. This dashboard allows you to see your accounts in one place, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards. With all of your income and spending automatically categorised, you can see where your money is spent. You can set targets for each category, which is handy when you need an incentive to cut down on extraneous costs like eating out.

This free app is great because it also gives you the option to look into the future. The app predicts your income, expenditures, and balances. Looking to save money for Christmas? Seeing four months in advance can show you how much you need to start saving ahead of time. Money Dashboard is support by 70 UK banks.

Yolt

According to MoneyPug, a site commonly used for budget tactics and to find payday loans, Yolt is also free and available on the same operating systems as Money Dashboard, but it only supports 35 banks and financial institutions. The app puts all of your accounts, cards, and pension investments in a single place, and you spending is split up into categories. This way, you can see where your money is going, aided by a three-month spending history chart. Debits are highlighted so you can avoid surprises. You can also set and track spending limits for each category. You will also be able to monitor renewal dates for bills and subscriptions.

Cleo

The same basics of Yolt and Money Dashboard apply to Cleo, but unlike the other apps, Cleo works through Facebook Messenger. Ask it if you can afford a night out and you will receive insight into your spending. The free app sends notifications, quizzes, and challenges to keep you updated and engaged.

Bean

While subscription is king right now, Bean allows you to track and stay in control of your regular payments. Connect your bank and credit accounts, use the dashboard to find recurring payments, and sort cancellations of things you don’t need to pay for. The apps also provides a comparison and switching service to find a better deal. Bean will notify you if your bills are going up and makes sure you’re not paying more than you need to.

Whatever app you choose, there are plenty of options to help you save money and spend wisely. Take a look at these options today and begin budgeting the right way.

 

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Is Your DC Lifestyle Hurting Your Mental Health?

August 9, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

People live a little differently here in Washington, DC. If someone were to visit DC from a small town in the middle of the country, they’d likely be shocked by the pace of life here. Visitors would also be likely to notice that DC residents work very, very hard; even when they’re technically off the clock, you’ll catch DC denizens firing off emails or cutting deals over dinner. All of this stuff leaves very little time for eating well, so DC residents tend to consume a lot of take-out and restaurant food.

And then there’s the booze; oh, boy, the booze. From government leaders to financiers and from college students to wealthy men and women of leisure, Washington, DC is packed to the gills with folks who like to throw back a cocktail or seven. Studies paint a grim portrait of DC drinking culture; ours is the hardest-drinking city in the country, and one of the booziest cities on planet Earth.

As you go about your daily life in the DMV, you may not realize how exceptional some of these things are. After all, these are the things that everyone here seems to be doing. You need to be careful, because a typical DC lifestyle is not a very healthy lifestyle at all.

Taking stock of your DC lifestyle

Not everyone in DC works long hours, consumes massive quantities of booze, and gorges themselves on take-out. Many of us do, though, and it’s up to us to notice these bad habits and correct them.

Take stock of how you’re living your life. A food and exercise journal can help you keep track of the facts, and so can a daily schedule. Look at how you’re spending your time and your money, and consider what you’re putting into your body and what you’re expecting to get out of it. Are you driving yourself too hard?

Make a list of the things about your DC lifestyle that could be hurting your physical and mental health. Then, resolve to do something to improve each of the things on it.

Making changes and improving your lifestyle

You’ll probably always work hard in DC, and you may never completely banish stress and anxiety. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t make meaningful changes to the way you live. By altering habits and building new healthy lifestyle norms, you could quite literally add years to your life.

To make real changes, though, you’ll have to do two things: Choose sustainable changes and focus on habits. Diets and exercise plans tend to fail in part because those who create them are so bent on making massive changes. Massive changes require massive willpower to implement, and they often end up being short-term solutions. Even if you manage to crash diet your way down to your ideal weight (and you shouldn’t do that, because it’s not healthy), studies show that you’re likely to gain it all back quickly. Why? Because a crash diet doesn’t change the way you eat when you’re not dieting.

So focus on your habits: When do you eat poorly, and why? Break habits loops or, better yet, replace the “reward” with something healthier. Choose moderate changes and keep enjoying a filling diet even as you make it a healthier one.

You should also get some help. There are plenty of therapists in DC who can help you make meaningful changes to your lifestyle that will improve your mood and thought patterns. Therapy has the potential to reshape the way that you respond to stress and negative thoughts, and it can help virtually anyone build a healthier mind and craft a healthier lifestyle.

You won’t change overnight, of course. But you don’t have to let DC’s stresses and unhealthy norms hurt your body and mind. Team up with mental health care professionals, adopt better habits, and get more out of life.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

30% of People suffer from this – What is it?

July 30, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Keeping yourself rooted in good mental and physical health is key at whatever age. It can be true that while you get older it can be harder to maintain exerting yourself physically. One of the most surprising is the age at which one of the most common leg issues can impact you. Varicose veins. From young men who spend all day at their desks working, or even those that spend too much sculpting their leg muscles. As with many issues in life it is about balance.

How do Varicose Veins Form?

Your body has a network of veins that spreads through all of your limbs, carrying blood between your extremities and your heart. The veins in your pelvis, legs, and feet have a harder job ahead of them, as they have to push the blood against gravity. To do this, the veins have small valves inside them. These valves help to stop the blood only flowing downwards, and push the blood back towards the heart instead. When these valves are put under too much pressure or are overworked, they can stop working effectively and can fail. If this happens, blood begins to pool in the vein because it isn’t being pumped back up properly.

Blood pooling in the veins can lead to many complications, and rapidly becomes painful. The vein begins to swell and twist, as the blood causes the walls of the vein to distort. Often you can see this kind of bulging vein through the skin of the leg. Sometimes blood can also leak into the tissue around the vein, and this may appear to be bruised skin or an ulcer. In some cases this will also cause the skin to dry out and flake, and can become venous eczema. The biggest risk is that a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) will develop, which can cause a stroke or death. Varicose veins may look like a cosmetic issue, but they should be taken seriously.

There are a number of different treatment options for varicose veins, but most of them fall broadly into heat-based or chemical-based treatments. Generally these are outpatient surgeries, that take place using local anaesthetic. Having varicose vein surgery doesn’t need to be a big deal, and in many cases you will recover quickly within only a few weeks. This outpatient surgery is quick and easy, but there are a few steps that you should take to make sure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible

Tips for Recovery

Your varicose vein treatment and recovery can be simple and uncomplicated, but make sure you follow some precautions.

The main thing that you should do in the first few days after surgery is rest. Your leg and the incision site will feel stiff and sore for a week or two after the surgery, so you should make sure to take it easy during this period. Keep your legs elevated for the first few days, and don’t do anything strenuous. There will also be bruising at first, which will fade after a couple of weeks as well. You can use arnica for bruising and pain relief,

The exact length of time that you will need to rest for will depend on how many veins you had treated, and exactly where the veins were located.

It’s extremely important that you don’t take any long-haul flights for at least four weeks after your varicose vein surgery. Long-haul flights can contribute to blood clots in the legs due to the pressure changes in the cabin and the long periods of sitting down without moving your legs. If you have just had surgery, these kind of flights can slow down your recovery. If you need to take short flights, this is okay after one week has passed since your surgery.

Another option for helping to speed up your recovery is to wear compression stockings. Generally, you should wear compression stockings for the first two to four weeks after your surgery, as these will help to reduce the pain and bruising from the surgery.

Your surgeon and medical team will also give you painkillers to manage the pain after surgery. Make sure that you take these as prescribed and for as long as your surgeon suggests that you do.

Recovering from varicose vein surgery shouldn’t be too complicated or painful, but you do need to take some steps and precautions for reducing any possible pain that you might experience. Make sure that you take care not to overexert yourself and don’t take any risks when it comes to flying. New treatments keep being developed, and with any luck recovery will also become more simple as treatments improve.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Lifestyle of High Rollers – The VIP Treatment

July 26, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

 

Traje, Hombre, Dapper, Trabajo, Masculina, Negocio

You may not have ever heard of Akio Kashiwagi but he was an extremely wealthy real estate tycoon from Tokyo who once claimed to have an annual income of $100 million on top of over $1 billion in assets. Well, casino operators were quite familiar with him. Casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City knew him well because of his outrageous gambling habit. It was not unusual for Kashiwagi to walk into a place like the Trump Taj Mahal and play baccarat for $200,000 per hand. In theMartin Scorsese film Casinothe character of Japanese high roller K.K. Ichikawa was based on Kashiwagi and those who saw the movie will have a good idea of the VIP treatment he received. Would a whale like Akio Kashiwagi have frequented the casinos that he did if those casinos didn’t offer him all the perks and privileges like private jets, the most luxurious suites, and all of those free bath towels? Probably not.

Casino operators have always pulled out all the stops when it comes attracting high rollers and it is the same at online casinos. Most high rollers might not be on the same level as the aforementioned Akio Kashiwagi but they still have a lot more money to play with than the average Joe. Even though high rollers can place single bets of £10,000, £100,000 or even more on a hand of online baccarat without thinking twice doesn’t mean that most of them aren’t looking for all the added value they can get. They are. This is why so many online casinos offer such valuable rewards to people who regularly play for higher stakes. The online casinos are constantly trying to outdo each other in this very competitive industry. High rollers want bigger bonuses, frequent promotions, and the best loyalty rewards programs available.

There are plenty of reputable online casinos for high rollers. These high roller online casinos offer bigger and better bonuses and promotions along with higher limits on deposits, withdrawals, and stakes. They offer rewards programs that feature perks like cashback, faster payouts, and prizes such as comped first-class trips to exotic locations or popular events like Wimbledon and the World Cup. 888Casino’s VIP Casino Club is one of the top loyalty rewards programs for high rollers. Players reach the top tier when they become VIP Platinum members. The estimated £5 million in wagers that is needed to earn the required 750,000 comp points might be out of reach to a lot of customers but high rollers can easily achieve this and, once they do, they are eligible for a whole bunch of extras. Hefty weekly, monthly, and yearly cash rewards, jewelry, high-tech gadgets, free trips, and plenty of exclusive events are just the beginning. VIP Platinum members also get their own account manager, exclusive support staff, and a higher comp point conversion rate among other things. That 100% up to £1,500 first deposit match bonus is just a drop in the bucket when you are a high roller at 888casino.

Those who live the fabulous high roller lifestyle at Mr Green Casino can look forward to being invited into the prestigious Club Royale where they are treated like royalty. Club Royale members no longer pay any transaction fees and their withdrawals are instant. Members can increase their deposit limits and wagering requirements on exclusive bonuses and promotions are drastically lowered. Club Royale members can enjoy members-only events and they can win comped VIP trips to locations and events all over the world. Concierge services that are tailored to the high roller’s desires and a personal accounts manager is at their beck and call around the clock. Add in the regular bonuses like Mr Green’s welcome bonus and their REEL Bonus Spin Fossils through which customers can collect over 1,000 free spins and you have an online casino experience that is far beyond most others.

It isn’t just online casinos that give preferential treatment and amazing extras to high rollers. There are several online bookmakers that also have fantastic VIP programs that cater to the more affluent sports bettor. Ladbrokes is one the most recognizable and trusted brands in online betting and one of the things that keeps their customers happy is their VIP Program. Unlike many other sites that offer casino games and sports betting, Ladbrokes’ VIP Program allows members to earn points when they play at the casino and when they bet at the sportsbook. In fact, points are earned at a faster rate by wagering on sports. Every £10 worth of single bets earns 2.5 points while every £10 wagered on accumulators earns 3 points. It won’t take a high roller all that long before they get invited into the exclusive Platinum VIP club where they will be treated to exclusive promotions, hospitality prize draws, VIP events, their own account management team, and enhanced point redemption.

If you enjoy playing at online casinos or betting with internet bookies and you want to be treated like a high roller should be treated then you certainly have a lot of options. Online betting sites are doing all they can to get you to place your bets with them and you might be surprised at the lengths they will go to. Higher limits, priority customer service, instant withdrawals, and plenty of cash and prizes are just some of the things that are waiting for high rollers at the best online casinos.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

The Science and Art of Salt Glazing

July 26, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Salt glazing is an old technique in pottery that is becoming a new craze for collectors. It originated in the Rhineland region of Germany between the 13th and 14th centuries but has evolved and developed greatly, making it unique and unpredictable pottery. Collectors love the beautiful results of salt glazing. As stoneware pottery, it is more difficult to find, making it more appealing to hobbyists.

What is salt glazing?

Salt glazing uses a unique method of applying the glaze. Instead of applying a coat of glazing minerals before firing, potters completely cover pots in sodium vapours and fire. The salt is added to the kiln at 200 degrees and releases sodium that acts as a flux of silica. The vapours then melt the surface; that is why it is also called vapour glazing. The discovery of this process came from the use of salt soaked wood from barrels that contained brined food.

The salt creates vapours that react with clay at a very high temperature, or with the silica, and produces sodium silicate. The latter is liquid glass, so it naturally glazes the pot with the clay’s properties. Classic pots made using this method have a distinct orange peel look, but potters would later realise that adding salt when firing can create various effects.

As an alternative to salt glazing, soda glazing was developed as it is less toxic. The technique is the same, and both salt and soda create sodium vapour. Soda produces sodium carbonate, which has no chloride.

How is it done?

Wares should first be bisque fired before salt glazing. Salt is thrown carefully into the kiln’s firebox with a steel angle at a temperature of about 1300 degree Celsius. It should vaporize before hitting the floor. Some potters add sodium carbonate to water and spray it. To achieve the orange peel look, add a pound of salt for every cubic foot of kiln. When the vapours start to form, they will start dropping on the pot. Those drops identify salt glazing. Most potters use separate kilns for salt glazing because residue can build up inside, which may have an effect on other firings.

Beauty

Salt glazing achieves texture, surface and colour quality that no other process can. Each is unique, which is challenging yet remarkable in a market of uniformity and mass production. Firings can affect any slip or underglaze on pots and result in interesting, varied outcomes. No doubt, this technique adds brilliant texture from building up the layers to the marking of salt vapours. No wonder famous potters such as Bernard Leach embraced it. His works are displayed in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

Salt glazing is a difficult, yet addictive process, as potters would put it. Today, it is practised by a dedicated few. It involves science, as you have to put salt at the right temperature. As an art, it takes a great deal of skill to throw salt. Beginners may take two years to learn it. In the UK, there is only one company licensed to produce salt glazed pottery.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/ceramic-clay-container-crock-2138/

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I'm Fern and I have a love for travel, beauty, health and flowers! I went to school for nutrition, but wasn't really interested in being a nutritionist. So, I started to bartend and have since I graduated school a year ago.
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14 Jun 2017

YUM!

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These summer salads only get better overnight: https://t.co/sH3CFSMISF

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my postmates ignored the giant "DECAF" note I left on my latte order and now I'm like

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