Decorators encourage people to add some life to their spaces with colorful plants or fish tanks. This can prove challenging when you’re working with a desk or other tight space. While you may love the idea of watching a fish to decompress or bringing in a nice plant, you may not want to give up much of your office area. However, there are a few ways you can add interest to your office or small apartment without surrendering too much space.

Hang the Plants
If you really want a nice plant but don’t have the space for one on your desk, then shift gears and go with a little hanging planter. Set near a window for indirect light, this can be the perfect home for a philodendron that will trail down to add some color and texture to your area. However, you won’t have to surrender any of your personal space.

Natural Materials
You can bring a little life into a space by going with natural materials. Rather than plastic sheet shelves for sorting things, see if wicker baskets with linen liners will suit your needs. You’ll warm up the area and create a more functional space at the same time.

Movement and Water
A little desktop fountain can be a great choice for your desk or workstation. They take up very little space, and you just need a nearby outlet to power the system. You may enjoy the sound of falling water, and it can give you a quick and easy way to relax throughout the day.

Life and Color
It’s very soothing to watch fish swim to and fro, but most desks don’t have the space for a full aquarium. If you really only have room for a small fish bowl, then you’ll love the Biorb Life Aquarium. These clever systems give you the filtration power of a traditional aquarium with the small design of a simple bowl. They’re perfect for a range of small fish, and you can watch the fish occasionally throughout the day to prevent eye strain from using the computer.

While you may have a tight work area, you don’t have to forego the decorative accents. You’ll enjoy the space more when you add some life and interest to it, and you just may be more productive as a result. With these clever solutions, you can add some life and style to the smallest spaces.

From the earliest known dollhouse over 400 years ago, there has always been a certain reverence given to the miniature buildings and furnishings that inspire people to treat them with respect and covet them.  With the dawn of mass production many of today’s dollhouses are made from plastic and non-breakable material for children but authentic, handmade, intricate wooden dollhouses are still held in very high regard as a display item for the home.  If you have recently discovered the joy of these diminutive houses and their contents, then you might be surprised at just how wide the choices are when it comes to picking your first dollhouse.  Knowing how to buy a dollhouse for display begins with deciding what type, style and scale of dollhouse you want.

Types of Dollhouses

The range of options is so varied that from newbies to skilled collectors there will be a dollhouse to suit your vision.

Dollhouse Kits – Dollhouse kits come complete with all the parts needed to build an architectural masterpiece – from windows and doors to intricate crystal chandeliers. The end result though, lies entirely on your skill and imagination.

Finished Dollhouse – Finished dollhouses are dollhouses that have not only been built, but also completely decorated.  From the walls, the windows, the doors and the siding, to the chandeliers, the kitchen utensils and flower pots.  Finding your perfect finished dollhouse is a lot like finding your perfect home and you will have search until you find the right one.

Custom-Built Dollhouse – Just as someone would get a contractor and an architect to build them an actual house, a dollhouse can be custom made to your liking. This is a fantastic option if you have a vision but not the skill.

Styles of Dollhouses

As dollhouses are just small-scale replicas of life-sized houses, you can find them in various styles of modern and historical designs – from a traditional style house to an elegant mansion, or maybe even a castle.  Although you can purchase most any style of dollhouse, there are four styles that are more common.

American Style Dollhouse – A small-scale typical family home. Usually square with a triangular roof, five windows, and a door it normally has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and a few bedrooms.

Victorian Style Dollhouse – In true Victorian style these have towering, precipitous oblique roofs; multiple roof tops; and elaborate trim or decked slanted boards accentuating the roof space.  The windows tend to be different sizes and shapes and may even protrude outward from the house.

English Style Dollhouse – Similar to the American style just a little less simple. This box style house is one that grows taller as opposed to longer.

Tudor Style Dollhouse – A lot of intricate handy work goes into making the least common, yet beautiful Tudor dollhouse. In creating a truly authentic look with pronounced wooden rafters, course white exteriors, tiled roofs, and leaded windows.

Choosing the Perfect Scale Dollhouse

The scale of your dollhouse will largely depend on the space you have available. The scale will affect how large or small the dollhouse is and how well it will fit in the room where it will be displayed. Buyers can choose among five different scales.

Full Scale – This scale is 1:12, meaning one inch on the dollhouse is equal to 12 inches in the real world. Most accessories and decorations are made to fit in houses of this scale because this is the most popular choice.

Half Scale – Half the size of the full scale – meaning that one inch equals two feet in real life, labelled 1:24. This would be a good fit for a smaller house or a house made with smaller rooms.

Quarter Scale – Even smaller is the quarter scale, 1:48. In this size one inch equals every four feet in real life so it is rather small, and made as a decoration more than something to play with.

Less than a Quarter Scale – This is the smallest scale of 1:144, or one inch to 12 feet, and is so tiny that it would fit in the palm of someone’s hand.

Article written by Melody Jane Dolls Houses

Established in 2002 Melody Jane Dolls Houses are delighted to offer a huge range of dolls houses, doll’s house furniture and dolls house accessories.

While a gym is a great place to spend some of your free time when looking to build muscle or just get good body shape, it is quite expensive. Going to the gym can also be a no for some people who have crazy working hours. The fact that home gym equipment are quite expensive is another reason why a lot of people wish and resolve to work out but never get to implement their resolutions. Dumbbells are the most common work out equipment for body building, strengthening the core and creating enviable abs. If these are your primary workout goals, there is no need to fret about going to the gym. All you need are adjustable dumbbells. Popular reviews suggest using the adjustable models for body building.

Adjustable Dumbbell Weights

The main reason why popular reviews suggest using adjustable models is mainly because with these models, it is possible to find a dumbbell that can hold a maximum of about 50 pounds in each weight which makes a total of a hundred pounds. There are also adjustable dumbbells that can carry heavier and lighter weights. This means that the dumbbells can be used by beginners as well as individuals who have advanced training. Beginners can start with the light dumbbells and advance to heavier ones later in their workout while those advanced in training can invest in a bit heavier dumbbells.

Types of Adjustable Dumbbells

It is possible to get automatic adjustable dumbbells. This is another reason why popular reviews suggest using adjustable models. The best thing about the automatic type of adjustable dumbbell is the fact that you only have to select the desired weight and the weight automatically increases or reduces on the dumbbell. This saves time compared to manual adjustable dumbbells. A good example of a quality automatic adjustable dumbbell is the Bowflex Select Tech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells. The Power Block Elite Dumbbells are also very cool kind of dumbbells. These type of dumbbells however has a selector pin which should be used while the dumbbells are positioned on their holders in order to adjust the weight. One thing that separates this dumbbell from the rest however is the fact that it is possible to buy expansion kit that allows you to increase the number of pounds without having to purchase a new set of dumbbells. If you do not want to invest in anything else however, it might be a good idea to go for the Ironmaster 75 Lb. Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell with stand. The good thing about this dumbbell is the fact that it comes with a weight range of 5-75 pounds meaning you do not have to purchase a new set of weights. The downside however is the fact that this dumbbell is manual. Other type of adjustable dumbbells that have received great reviews are the StairMaster Pair of TwistLock Adjustable Dumbbells and the Universal Power-Pak 445 Adjustable Dumbbells with stand.

Exercises done with Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells can be used to tone the body and build muscles in various parts of the body. The dumbbells are effective for; chest, back, bicep, triceps, shoulder, hamstring, quadriceps and calve exercises.

I am always excited about each new year, because for me it is a chance to do something I have never done before. Personally I never know what 2016 is going to bring and I am always excited to live just to find out. I so much look forward to learning what 2016 has in store for me that I cannot wait for the next day to start.

I have to admit that I am really curious what 2016 is going to bring in terms of love. I have always been reading love horoscopes such as those Scorpio Love Horoscopes 2016 and I have to tell you that there is a lot of truth to them. I even remember when I was a teenager reading horoscopes was a huge part of my life. Back then, I would have to buy an actual newspaper or magazine to be able to read horoscopes, but these days all is different because all I need to do is to open my browser and visit some websites that offer me the possibility to read love horoscopes for the upcoming year. I have to admit that thanks to that things are a lot easier and a lot more convenient for me. I don’t even have to spend a penny on magazines compared to what it used to be in the past, which is a huge plus when you are on a budget.

My love life for this year looks bright and promising. If you are curious what this year has in store for you in terms of your love life, feel free to read all the horoscopes you can find once you visit the link above. And after the year ends, feel free to compare the events with the actual predictions. You will see that they came true once the year is already over.

Secret Santa has a bad reputation with some people. In some offices and friendship groups the tradition has turned a little stale, with people fed-up of novelty gifts and cheap stocking fillers. But we’re here to say that the Secret Santa tradition should be nurtured – Secret Santa is actually a great way to bring some festive cheer to the office or the extended family when you are on a budget. Here’s why Secret Santa still scores points.

1. You Save Money 

While you may think that you’ll only spend a small amount of money on each person, it quickly becomes clear that even the cheapest gifts all add up to some serious money at the end of the day. When you buy one Secret Santa gift you spend a little more on that one person, but that’s the only gift you have to think about. You can budget better and not end up broke by the end of the week.

2. No One Gets Forgotten

In the workplace or in big family groups it often happens that someone turns up to the gift giving party unexpectedly, and there is nothing for them in the gift pile. You end up feeling bad for the person who goes home empty handed, but it is really hard to keep track of everyone. A Secret Santa system helps ensure no one is left out and there is a little bit of Christmas cheer for all.

3. You Don’t Need to Find 10 Perfect Gifts 

Instead, you can find one perfect gift. If you don’t know people very well, in the office for example, it can be really hard to come up with gift ideas for 10 people or more. You may find one gift you love and that would be perfect for someone, but then spend hours wandering the store trying to get inspiration for the other nine. Save yourself the trouble with the Secret Santa concept.

4. You Can Set Spending Limits

A Secret Santa Gift shouldn’t be so cheap that it’s hardly worth receiving, but neither should it be so expensive you’ll need to save up in advance to buy it. Set a reasonable spending limit so no one feels overstretched. You’ll be surprised how creative people are when they have a spending limit to stick to. You get some great handmade gifts and ideas that are original and different.

5. Everyone Loves the Mystery

Make sure that no one reveals who they’re buying for until the giving – you could even try and prevent people from saying afterwards, too. It’s fun to guess who’s the one going out shopping for your gift. Plus, when you can’t tell anyone who you have, you must put in the effort yourself to find something they will like. It’s also fun at the gift exchange when you can try to guess who bought your present for you.

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Shopping for clothes can be an annoying task for some people. It can also get to be rather expensive if you don’t know what you are doing. This is why it is so vitally important for you to be as educated as possible before you embark on any shopping trip. The info that you don’t know can eventually cause you to spend much more than you need to. Your overall savings can be very substantial if you take a little extra time to prepare. Here are some nice examples of tips that will help you with becoming a smart shopper for clothing.

1. Shop at different stores

Some people insist on buying all of their clothes from one store. This will certainly save you money on gas by preventing you from driving around town. However, it will not necessarily save you any money. In fact, you might end up paying considerably more in the long run. Do not be afraid to do a little extra driving to find the clothes you are looking for at cheaper prices. You could also call some places to find out what they have in stock. This would help you to avoid wasting a trip.

2. What are online retailers selling?

You may not like buying clothes online because you prefer to try them on before you buy them. This is perfectly understandable. However, it is common for online clothing retailers to charge much less than their brick & mortar counterparts. This is why you owe it to yourself to take a quick peek and see what these online retailers are selling and how much they are charging. You can check out some lehenga sarees if you visit http://www.craftsvilla.com/clothing/lehnga.html.

3. Knowing when the sales are going to be held

Every shopper loves a good sale. The key is knowing when they will be held so you can get there when the sale first begins. This will give you the best selection of the items that are on sale. Many clothing retailers allow their customers to provide their email address. An email is then sent to that person to notify them every time that store is going to have a sale. However, some sites require you to check back periodically on your own.

4. Be mindful of shipping fees

The money you save could be lost on shipping fees. Be careful not to pay too much to have your purchases shipped to you.

https://pixabay.com/en/metal-latch-lock-door-security-730302/

The house is a structure where all our valuables are stored. These are not limited to valuables with monetary values, but also valuables such as memories that took place inside the home. However, houses are extremely vulnerable to theft with over 2 million burglaries being reported each year. Hence, it is important to safeguard your house, and the installation of a security system is one of the most prevalent steps applied in achieving safety of home.

There are a number of companies that can provide a design proposal specifically for a property. One of the well established agencies that are capable of determining a property’s specific need is the ADT in Chicago. Having a roster of professional staff with valid experience in the field is guaranteed.

However, even then burglaries are high, and a major reason is the fact that homeowners often do not pay attention to some very important points. Here are some of the mistakes homeowners do that are ineffective and does not result in effective security measures:

1. Taking on the task of professionals

Every property varies in requirements for security and surveillance installations. There are experts that should be tapped for such projects. The proper location of cameras can be determined depending on the angle of coverage that it can provide. The wiring devices and cables to be used must be of recommended quality. Electrical loads brought about by these installations are also computed by experts. The technicality of the work done needs to be properly addressed so as not to compromise the function of the system.

1. Choosing to install intimidating lock sets

Installing high-end lock sets that are made of quality materials may intimidate a thief. As per reports, thieves tend to attack homes that ‘look’ unsafe. If a homeowner is willing to invest on these things, then a thief can easily conclude that the owner of the house is wealthy.

1. Posting alarm signs

Many houses equipped with security systems advertise their installations by posting signs that the house is burglar protected. In some cases though, robbery is made easy because you are announcing to the public that a certain company installed your security. Once a thief is able to familiarize himself with the techniques a company implements during installation, it makes it all the more easier to rob your house. Sometimes, the warning signs are what intrigues robbers to break into the house, this is because they know that people who invest in alarm systems have valuables to keep.

1. Pretending to be there by leaving the lights on

Most homeowners use this technique to fool the neighbors that there is someone inside the property. However, if a thief plans on entering the house, the first step is to observe whether someone is inside which may compromise the success of the crime. Leaving a light on in a certain room without shadows or movement allows the robber to assume that it was left on just for the sake of pretending that someone is inside. What you can do is use lights that have timer functions. Leave a light on in a specific room and then set it to turn off after a few minutes. Set the other light to turn on a few seconds after the other one turns off. This is a much more effective way of fooling burglars off than just leaving a single light on.

1. Storing valuables where they are most likely stored

Burglars know that people have the tendency to keep the things that matter most near to them. Which only means one place: the bedroom. We may think that valuables are safer when they are kept in our private spaces, but the reality is that it is most likely that a thief has the same mindset. Confuse your burglar by creating hiding spots that are easily seen in public spaces but do not feel out of context. The kitchen cupboard may be a good hiding place, in addition to under the knives, below the kitchen sink. These are some spaces you can pick instead of leaving them in the drawer of your nightstand. Be unpredictable!

1. Building high walls to serve as perimeter fence of your property

Covering the house to safeguard it from public eye may provide additional safety for the property, but it also plants something in a thief’s brain–that there is something worth stealing inside. Keep things casual, do not make the neighborhood feel as though your house needs a total lockdown. Remove their possible suspicions by letting your property blend in with the neighborhood ambiance.

Be mindful of every detail you expose to the public that concerns your house, especially if you are new to the neighborhood. These deterrents have been used throughout time, and burglars are already aware of such techniques, making them ineffective security measures. Imagine how a thief would think and try to do things differently.

In order to learn to play music, you need to spend a substantial amount of time on it. Nobody becomes a musician overnight, but it can definitely help to have some sort of tools like this pro tools student here to help you to become better at music. Being able to play music is a truly wonderful thing and it is a good idea to learn to play effectively above all else.