Entries for August, 2008
Dont understand just why cant mom stop using plastic bags for a change. They are so bad for the environment. I opened up a cabinet at the kitchen just now and nearly fainted when i saw the amount of plastic bags she's got stashed in it. What to do, i took them out, folded them up nestly into a pile and packed it into aa small box ready for disposal.
Reusable shopping bags are so chic these days. Time i get mom to buy a few of these reusable shopping bags and keep them in her car or her purse. You know what, Envirosax has a great range of reusable shopping bags. Have you seen those colorful reusable Envirosax Grocery Bags before? I have a few friends who collects every single one of their designs.
With the amount of shopping mom does each week, the Envirosax 5 reusable Shopping Bags that comes in a carry pouch is what she needs, lol. Well, Candice gave me these where she bought all her cheap Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags from. Since mom's birthday is only a month away. I'll buy Envirosax Shopping Bags for her. Good idea, huh.
{ mood } busy
Written by cashvault at 01:05 PM. Filed under Daily.
Some people may veer away from man-made medication for acne, primarily because they are quite pricey or because of the possible side effects it can cause. With the popularity and the modernity of natural treatments, acne-prone individuals are now using the simple tips below on how to prevent acne. You can use the same good advice too!
Eat Right
What you eat could reflect the youthfulness and the radiance of your face. Steer clear of processed foods like canned goods and packed meat. A fruit and vegetable diet could do wonders for your skin and it would contain most of the needed fiber, vitamins and minerals that you need. Avoid too much caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy foods and chocolate. You wouldn’t get the benefits of drinking eight glasses a day unless it becomes a habit. Do so and you would notice your face would have a nice and brilliant glow.
Natural Supplements
To make sure that you have sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, it is important to take in natural supplements. Make sure that you have your daily dose of vitamins A, Zinc, Vitamin B6. These play a vital role in maintaining a fresh and acne-free face.
Exercise
A good workout doesn’t only make for a good figure; it would also help your face boom with life and energy. It is also recommended to massage your face occasionally as it promotes good circulation of blood. This could also make up for a healthy lymphatic drainage that can help in the healing process of blemishes and acne.
Facial “Food”
Fruit and vegetables are good for your body; your acne-prone skin can have a helping of such foods as well. They make up for an excellent skin care regime when applied on your face. If you happen to notice, most cleansers and beauty products have variants like avocado, lemon, and cucumber amongst others. This is because they are the key ingredients in products that are known to promote healthy skin. They contain essential oils and have natural oxidants that can help eliminate acne. You can make use of fruits or vegetables as masks or cleansers.
It is always refreshing to see yourself in the mirror without a hint of acne. This does not only mean that you are gifted with beautiful features but it also speaks of your health. Follow the simple tips above and in no time, you can say goodbye to acne for good.
Written by cashvault at 01:06 PM. Filed under Daily.
Why does celebrity hair always look so perfect?
Celebrities have every tip, technique, and product for hair in the world at their disposal. So what are the secrets to hair color bliss? Are they available to us in the real world? Yes they are, and they’re all captured for you below!
Celebrity hair color always has two or more colors in it to give it depth, unlike drug store colors with their flat one tone look. A celebrity’s hair texture is successfully styled into something smooth and shiny if not glass like. There is no frizz or brassiness in sight. So how do they do it? Read on…
What tips, techniques and products are used when coloring celebrity hair?
Celebrities get their hair colored by a professional who specializes in European hair color or corrective color, or is a great artist. The hairstylist will “foil” the hair, using two or more colors to give the hair depth. Hairstylists will then put a “glaze” on the hair to seal in the color, to further tone the color, and to make the hair shine. These services are available in many salons. Usually the foiling with glaze is done every 2 to 3 months and can cost anywhere from $100 to $175 on average. A root touch-up and glaze is done every month and can cost between $25 to $100 on average.
How do celebrities keep their colored hair looking fresh, without brassiness between colorings?
Celebrities love Artec color depositing shampoos! These banish brassiness and keep their hair color looking fresh! Drew Barrymore told Allure magazine: "The best color shampoos I've discovered lately are the ones called ARTec. I use half Sunflower, half Walnut. Gorgeous. It comes out like a bronzy caramel chestnut." Jenna Elfman has changed her blonde hair to red with ARTec' Strawberry Color Depositing Shampoo. Minnie Driver uses Cocobean to give her brunette hair depth, and fashion designer Donatella Versace mixes White Violet and Lemon Flower to keep her keep her hair platinum blonde. If the hair color has really faded the celebrity will have their hair glazed which tones down the color and make the hair shine between colorings. Celebrities use salon shampoos and conditioners from brands like ARTec and Bumble and Bumble which are formulated for colored hair because these help hold in the hair color for as long as possible and contain protective sunscreens (the sun can bleach out the color, so they wear hats).
How do celebrities keep their colored hair looking healthy, smooth and shiny?
Celebrities use deep conditioners with protein in them very frequently to keep the hair texture from becoming too porous and rough. They create shine and smoothness by using ceramic irons on the hair, such as the celebrity favorite, the Sedu Flat Iron, or they curl the hair with gel, steam, or Velcro rollers, which hold curls longer than electric rollers. They trim off split ends with regular trims and have the ends of hair rolled under to hide them. Finally the hair is misted with a silicone based shine spray to complete the “red carpet” hair look!
Wow! Professional hair color can get expensive! So what is the closest we can get to a salon-style home hair coloring regimen?
For your two-color hair, you can now buy a great product right in your neighborhood drug store! Beauty experts consider L’Oreal Couleur Experte home hair color kit to be the best hair coloring product in the aisle because it gives you two colors for that multidimensional salon look! You first color your hair with a base shade and then paint on highlights with an easy to use tool. For your glazing treatment, try Clairol Nice and Easy Color Boosting Glaze in a shade recommended for your hair color. Use shampoos and conditioners for color treated hair. Your one splurge should be for the ARTec color depositing shampoo, as brassiness and color fade are no fun!
Written by cashvault at 01:08 PM. Filed under Daily.
Given the choice, i think i'd love to have girls when it's time for me to start a family. Girls are so much fun to have around, dont you think so. When i was just a kid, my mom will take me everywhere and buy me lots of beautiful clothes, shoes, bag.... you name it, i've got it. I was alomost spoilt rotten, lol. That's one of the luxuries when one happens to be the only girl in the family of all boys as siblings. So, now you understand the reason why i dont want to have boys? LOL!!!!
Now that i've grown up, both my mom and i do most of our shopping online. She gets tired easily and i dont like to shop alone. To be honest, i'd say the best thing about the internet is online shopping. I dont even have to leave the house to buy anything these days. Last week, a friend bought some clothing for girls online and told me to check the place out. The moment i saw those cute snow boots and funky scarves, i just want to buy them back. But for who, lol.
Oh, nevermind. I can always give them away as presents. I have so many nieces. Someone's bound to have a birthday coming up soon. Let's just see who the lucky girl is. Why dont you hop over to the site and check those beautifully designed girl's clothes out. Those pretty girls clothes are really irresistible. So, dont blame me if you bust your credit card shopping there.
Written by cashvault at 02:13 AM. Filed under Funds.
Getting a toothache while traveling overseas can be more than just annoying and inconvenient. It can ruin a good vacation. Here are some tips for preventing a toothache before you get on that plane, and for treating it if you get one anyhow.
Traveler's Dental Care
First of all, don't ever go on a long trip if you have an unresolved tooth problem, or even the hint of a toothache starting. Get it taken care of by a dentist, and if there is lingering pain, get a prescription pain reliever to take with you.
Have dental work done far enough in advance of your trip to be sure that all the pain is gone. It is common for a high spot on a new filling to cause severe pain days after it is put in. Any dentist can easily solve this by grinding it down - but wouldn't you rather have it done by the dentist you know and trust?
Avoid doing anything that can cause toothaches or other dental problems while traveling. Avoid eating popcorn, for example. It may be one of the worst foods for damaging teeth.
A toothbrush AND floss are a good idea on any trip, of course. Toothpaste may no longer be allowed on the plane, however. If you travel with only carry-on, this means you will have to remember to buy toothpaste as soon as you arrive at your destination. You can carry a bit of baking soda as an alternative as well - this will be allowed on the plane. Toothbrushes and floss are about dental problem prevention, of course, but what if your toothache starts while you're overseas?
Toothache Treatment
Try aspirin. Tylenol #3 is even better for a severe toothache. Antiseptics that contain benzocaine, applied directly to the irritated tooth and gum will temporarily relieve pain. Oil of cloves (eugenol) will also may help when applied to teeth and gums. Never put aspirin or other painkillers directly to gums, as they may burn your gum tissue.
Sometimes tooth pain does not originate in the teeth or gums, but in the sinus cavities. It may be a sinus infection putting pressure on the gums from above. In these cases, you might have to eliminate the infection with antibiotics to get relief. Some temporary relief is possible if you can clear the sinuses by steaming (carefully) your face, or eating hot sauce.
When teeth are temperature sensitive, you should obviously avoid hot and cold drinks. If it is cold outside, it will also help to breath through your nose. Breathing through the mouth brings cold air flowing over your teeth and can cause a lot of pain.
I have a toothache - the inspiration for this article. Two days ago I noticed that each time we drove over a mountain pass here in Colorado, the pain intensified. Descending below 8,000 feet seemed to take the pain away. If you notice this problem, be ready when flying - not all planes are fully pressurized.
Should you visit a dentist in another country? Certainly you'll have to if it is an emergency. Some toothaches are too severe to wait. You may prefer to just treat the pain until you get home otherwise. On the other hand, if the problem is simple, like a lost filling, some countries provide an opportunity for cheap dental care. Ask first, to see that the dentists are using gloves and the latest tools.
Written by cashvault at 08:58 PM. Filed under Daily.
When it comes to skin care, the importance of starting young cannot be stressed enough. Many beauty experts believe that the sooner you start taking care of your skin, the better. Even children will benefit from constantly washing their face and hands as well as staying away from the sun. Over-exposure to the sun is the single biggest reason for the premature aging of skin.
The sun's UV radiation rays can also create free radicals (split oxygen molecules that are corrosive) tht damage the elastic proteins that the skin needs to keep it tight, causing sagging skin with prolonged and continuing exposure.
Teaching teenagers that tobacco and alcohol can make their age faster and look bad may well be the most effective way of making them avoid these vices, especially considering how sensitive teenagers can be about their appearance.
The general rule about health - that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - applies to the skin as well. Once your skin has become weathered, sagging and wrinkled, there is no way to turn back the clock except perhaps through surgery. However, going under the knife is not an ideal method.
In the final analysis, bad skin is simply the result of a lifetime of accumulated bad habits. Paying attention to this process and taking steps early can give us a lifetime of great-looking skin.
Written by cashvault at 01:06 PM. Filed under Daily.
Before Miami became the hot spot that it is, there was Palm Beach – the destination of choice for affluent folks from the Gilded Age and on. Palm Beach still packs ‘em in, offering a huge variety of activities for even the most jaded visitor. Getting the obvious out of the way first, Palm Beach encompasses 47 miles of white, sandy beaches that are just begging to be walked across, and along which you will find scads of quaint cottages and small inns. The more urban side of Palm Beach reveals the city as a major cultural and commercial center. You will find museums, art galleries, and performance venues, not to mention huge shopping centers and over 2,000 restaurants. In spite of this, there isn’t much Miami/Ft. Lauderdale-style nightlife to be found in Palm Beach. Club Y is the only real nightclub, and while I really have no complaints with it (it’s really pretty nice), the fact that there is only one limits your choices and makes club-hopping difficult. The dining scene in Palm Beach is, however, without peer – and Amici Restorante and bar has been at the forefront of fine dining in Palm Beach for the past 12 years.
Amici is (as might be inferred) a restaurant specializing in Italian food. Over the past decade, it has become the restaurant in which you “see and are seen,” and is quite a hotspot. The food is all quite good, though naturally a bit expensive, and the wine list is superb. They offer brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, but to truly appreciate Amici, you really have to go for dinner. My favorite item is the grilled yellowtail snapper, but I haven’t had anything there that wasn’t top notch – their gourmet pizzas are delicious, and comparatively inexpensive – though some of them are a little too mundane for the price. They have a great variety of Italian and American wines, and the wait-staff are always willing to recommend a bottle that will compliment your meal if you aren’t that familiar with Italian wines. The only thing lacking about Amici is their desserts; what little they have is fairly uninspired, though it is always nice to close your meal with a simple gelato.
Amici is one of Palm Beach’s best, so hop in a Mirage Limo and come on over (would you really not take a limousine to a place you go to be seen?) Amici is a great South Florida experience, in a different way than the restaurants and clubs of Miami.
Written by cashvault at 01:34 AM. Filed under Daily.
The engagement ring is a ring you can use for the rest of your life, in many cases people place the engagement ring next to their wedding ring, which means that its style should reflect the same idea as of the wedding ring, this combination should be on your mind when looking for your engagement ring.
It is traditional for Americans and Europeans to place an engagement ring on the left-hand ring finger of a woman who has accepted a man’s proposal for marriage. The engagement ring is a symbol of the devotion and intent to be the one and only woman in her beau’s life. It lets everyone know that this is a lady that is spoken for. In the classical history of engagement ring styles and traditions, the ring was fashioned from a plain gold band. Today, engagement ring styles have evolved into a monster of choices that rivals the purchase of the wedding ring.
Traditional engagement ring styles often deal with a precious band that showcases a diamond or another gem. Over the years, the modern engagement ring style seems to incorporate a wide range of band varieties, including silver, gold and the increasingly popular platinum option. Since the 1940s, a single diamond is practically considered standard in today’s society. The well-known diamond company, De Beers, who pushed a highly successful advertising vision for the gem, made all of this possible.
It is not uncommon to see emeralds, rubies or sapphires taking the place of a diamond, but it is the latter that symbolizes strength and the concept of something that will last a lifetime. Engagement ring styles are often based on their durability, which is seen through the gems, as well as the bands. Gold and platinum last longer and represent higher quality than silver.
A growing trend among band materials includes titanium and stainless steel, which costs less, but also have a higher level of durability. It is these materials that allow a tension setting that projects the illusion of a stone that is floating.
There are many different engagement ring styles to choose from including classic and modern looks. With classic engagement ring styles, the settings are usually platinum in the bands with a round or emerald-cut for the stone. Modern engagement ring styles use a bezel-set design, making daily wear a compatible addition to any wardrobe.
As with all jewelry there are trends in engagement ring styles that are hitting the scene and includes antique rings that present a vintage flair that allows you to feel like you are wearing something rather historic. Some of the characteristics of these rings include floral accents, as well as filigree settings.
Platinum rings tend to be more expensive, but they will not only last longer, but will also keep its brilliant shine. It will not tarnish or yellow like other metals. These bands also make a variety of hand-carved, customized options possible.
Whichever ring you decide you go with you should always try and lower the price and ask for some kind of discount, if you know exactly what you want you can also search for the same design concepts in other shops, in either case it is always good to research and compare prices and quality.
Written by cashvault at 01:06 PM. Filed under Daily.
Glass Breakage Detectors
Glass breakage detectors are a type of alarm that react to the sound or vibration of breaking glass. These devices have become a favorite among homeowners because of they consume only a little space and are simple to use.
In the beginning…
The first known glass breakage detector was a metal foil encasing circuits wrapped around the glass, triggering the alarm when the glass breaks. But this did not appeal to the customers because it lacked aesthetics and was difficult to install.
When bugs or piezos came with technology, small glass breakage detectors that were sensitive to vibrations were created. While this allows faster reaction to glass breakage, there was still a problem. This model was sensitive to any vibration, which means that vibrations not caused by glass breakage can trigger a false alarm. Another problem for customers was that each window pane needed separate detectors.
Then came Acoustics, which solved the problem of having a detector for each window pane. Only one Acoustic sensor was needed for a single room, and each can detect sounds within a 35-foot radius. This model detects sounds instead of vibrations and the sensors transmit the sound to a filter which triggers the alarm. However, there was still the problem of being sensitive to other sounds (which sound like breaking glass) and causing a false alarm.
Then there was the dual-technology sensor, which used a microphone and filter that were attuned to two sounds --- the low-frequency sound of a flex wave at the point of breakage, and a high-frequency sound that follows when the glass is breaking.
Installing Glass Breakage Detectors
The glass breakage detectors of today are much simpler to install, unlike those of the old days. The detectors nowadays also require simple mounting procedures. For example, in choosing to mount your model on a window, you have to place it about two inches from the window frame. Mounting procedures might also require you to protect the unit from varying temperature. Improper mounting might also lead to false alarms.
Be wary of the drapes, shutters and blinds. They may interfere with the sensors. Background noise and wave interference might also cause false alarms. Cracked glass will also lead to a malfunction for the detectors.
Other features were also added to glass breakage detectors to obtain an optimal amount of security. Various measures were employed, such as volumetric detectors and magnetic switches.
Written by cashvault at 12:56 PM. Filed under Daily.
Good Camera Bags are crucial to the amateur and professional photographers alike. You’ve just spent time deciding on which digital camera to buy, now all you need to do is to find a suitable bag to protect your camera and your equipment.
Next to your Camera, a camera bag could well be the most important piece of kit you purchase. You certainly want to protect the camera you just spent your hard earned money on, and it also needs to be a safe and sturdy carrying case. It’s very important that your bag allows you to access your equipment easily and helps you organize your photographic equipment into compartments where possible.
There are many different bags available, from Crumpler and Sony to Lowerpro and Domke, all in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and functions. Which bag is most suitable to you largely depends on the type and intensity of photography you undertake. For example a Landscape photographer will often find him or herself shooting in damp or wet environments, so a durable, waterproof bag is appropriate. However, a weekend photographer shooting family day outs would simply need a soft, padded bag, normally carried over one shoulder for ease.
A cam-bag should make carrying your camera easier, not more of a hassle. So make sure that you find a bag that fits your camera well and preferably has wide, padded straps for comfort. If you are just starting out, you may only need a simple basic camera bag that will just hold just your camera.
However, if you’re more experienced, or carry more kit than usual, such as lenses, filters etc, you will obviously need a larger bag capable of taking more weight. Ideally, you’re going to want one that can hold all of the accessories you use most. Normally a camera body, spare lens, cleaning cloth and memory card holder. Remember though, if your camera bag is going to be used to carry more than just a camera, you definitely want dividers in it. These make it easier to keep your accessories separate. Try to find a bag with an inner zip pocket which can be ideal for your car keys or money, when traveling on foot.
A very important factor often overlooked when choosing a camera bag is the ‘Zip’. Look for Bags with big tooth zips. These type are less likely to jam or stick if they get damp or dirty. Some of which are available with rain closures which protect the zipper from rain. There are also double closure Zips which open and fasten from both ends, great for shooting pictures on the move. Although the color isn’t crucial, it is worth thinking about subtle colors, these will undoubtedly draw less attention from potential thieves and also mid toned bags will not absorb heat as quickly as other colors in hot environments, which could cause possible problems with digital equipment.
Written by cashvault at 01:07 PM. Filed under Daily.