Category: Lifestyle

How to Give Your Home a Pre-Spring Makeover

The winter months have left your home looking rather gloomy, and while spring might seem rather far off, a great project to get started on now is a simple home makeover. Try to involve your children, as well, to give them a good reason to ditch the computer or TV for a few hours after school.

The first step in touching up your home is, of course, a paint job. Don’t try to tackle the whole house, this will end up costing an arm and a leg, and will also stretch your patience with the process. Choose a few areas or rooms that could use a change; the difference in color will change the entire space, saving you the cost and effort of repainting everything. Of course, spend the little extra you may need to fix up any scratches or areas that have peeled.

This season’s popular colors are pastels and deep jewel tones. These will help brighten up any space, as well as give them a completely different mood. Try to match your choices to the white or cream bases that are already used throughout your home. A deep minty turquoise, for example, looks stunning with white walls, shelves or rugs. If you’re hesitant to commit to a new color, or too lazy to paint full walls, go out and buy some stencils and add a little bit of color and personality that way instead. You can even paint on children’s furniture, too, like a desk or a dresser. Wall-stickers are another great option to achieve this look.

Next, work on the more specific décor. Look around your main areas, and revamp your photo collection. Buy an eclectic bunch of new picture frames (mix colors, shapes and sizes), then sort through your photos and choose some favorites to put on display.

Now, move on to your furniture, rugs, cushions and other living room accessories. Don’t bother buying anything new; try to work with what you have. If the stuff looks kinda shabby, why not try removable covers? This will give you an opportunity to try new colors and styles without committing to the new look. You can even dye them yourself. Add ribbons, lace, tassels or designs to your cushions- if you’re intimidated by sewing machines, you can use hot glue instead.
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Third, think about adding some plants to your interior. Beautiful potted flowers, or leafy vines like ivy, literally add life to a room. At your local nursery, ask for sturdy, indoor plants, that perhaps have a pleasant smell. Put some on top of the refrigerator, by the stairs, in the bathroom and on the piano, and make sure to put a bit of thought into the pots you choose.

Last but not least, think about the curtains, towels, bath mats and shower screens. These little things give the room its finishing touches, changing the atmosphere from hectic or messy to appealing and organized. While you’re at it, buy some new plastic drawers to keep in children’s bedrooms, bathrooms and the den to help keep things in reach but out of sight.

 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The Scoop on Garden Containers

There are many different opinions on whether or not container gardens are a good idea for growing plants.  Now that the very cold and snow season is ending in the States and the UK, a lot of people are looking into their gardening options again.  And one popular option – especially for those who do not have a big open space where they live – is container gardens.  But what is the skinny on these?  Are they good, bad, healthy, attractive, easy to put in place?  Let’s have a look.

Enjoying Your Winter Garden

According to one expert from London, MD of Clifton Nurseries Matthew Wilson, the most important thing to make your plants in this setting attractive is to use a whole slew of different textures and colors along with a mix of bulbs and shrubs.  Bedding is used less and architectural plants can look very attractive as well.  In addition, he pointed out that the container used is just as important as the plants themselves, and this is even more true in winter as with additional light reflected, grayer days get a bolt of light.

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Problems with Container Gardens

But according to another article, there can be certain hassles to using container gardens due to their “need for frequent watering and fertilization.”  These plants require the gardener – you – to give them nutrition for healthy growth.  But if initially you ensured there was a good quality potting soil (as opposed to garden soil) this can be very helpful.  It is also important to read the full fertilization instructions on the package before planting.

Now for the Fun Part

If you want to enjoy planting as a family, do something fun and cool with the kids, then why not try something a bit silly but really cute?  One tweeter did something a bit imaginative and creative and made some color in their garden with these baby container crocs that are not expensive, easy to do and definitely generate exciting after-dinner party conversation.  All you need to do is fill the foot part with potting soil, plant the seed, stuffing it as much as you can and where there is still soil showing, plant some hens and chicks, stuffing some in the holes by the toes too since these make great fillers for plants if you are looking for something a bit unusual.

The Physical Link Between Warmth and Romance

This year’s winter feels endless. Studies have long shown that the cold and lack of sunshine can have a real effect on a person’s health, as well as their mental state. For example, even a minor decrease in vitamin D can result in general aches and pains. The constant darkness can also cause depression, which, this time of year, is more commonly known as the winter blues.

A recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research has revealed that the frigid season also influences people’s taste in entertainment, which explains why movie theaters are often jam packed with action and epic films during the summer, and romance and comedies from December through March. This is because when consumers feel cold, their preferences shift.

“We often think of love as being warm,” explain authors Jiewen Hong and Yacheng Sun. “This link between love and warmth appears in everyday language, songs and poems.”

Their statement is undeniable. Picture a romantic scene- what comes to mind? A cozy fireplace, a sunny beach, candlelight… Some may picture a walk in the snow, but what are the lovers doing? Huddling together, appreciating the warmth they find in each other in contrast to their chilly surroundings.

Is There a Real Connection?

The authors conducted their study in order to discover whether the connection between love and warmth is merely a metaphor, or if there is in fact a physical connection between the two.

In their research, Hong and Sun included four lab studies and a detailed analysis of an online movie rental company. They predicted that romantic films are more desirable when they are dealing with physical cold, because the chill triggers a need for balance through psychological warmth.
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In one of the tests, the researchers sat participants in rooms with various temperatures and gave them a choice of films to watch. The colder participants all leaned towards romance or comedy, both feel-good genres. The authors were interested to discover that once they pointed out the coldness to participants, they no longer preferred romance. This reveals a subconscious link.

To prove that the findings are indeed relevant beyond the confines of a lab, the study analyzed movie rental data from a DVD rental company, matching it to the coinciding weather and outdoor temperature. People were indeed more inclined to rent romance movies during colder periods.

So next time you’re feeling cold and a little down, why not follow the trend and curl up with a blanket, a hot cup of tea and a cozy, feel-good romantic flick?

 

Valentine’s Day Globally

Today is Valentine’s Day which dates back to 496 AD when it was established by Pope Gelasius I.  By the 15th century it had become a time for lovers to express their love toward one another through flowers, candied goods and greeting cards (known as “valentines”).  However, in 1969 Pope Paul VI obliterated it from the German Roman Calendar.  But that hasn’t seemed to stop people all around the world – including those in Italy and Germany – from marking the day in some romantic way.  Let’s take a look.

Thailand

Getting married on this day has taken on some interesting traditions in Thailand like saying “I do” underwater; sky-diving or hanging off cliff-sides.  But if you’re going to go popular, you’ll need to get wed at Bangkok’s Village of Love.  For those seeking something a bit more spiritual, it is traditional to lay candles, incense and red roses at the Trimurti shrine and pray for a husband at the Hindu deity’s feet.

Germany

Although we get the impression Germans don’t know how to do romance, it’s actually not the case.  Since the end of the Second World War, Valentine’s Day (known as Valentinstag in Germany) has become increasingly popular with Germans making heart-shaped gingerbread cookies for their loved ones.

Japan

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Japan has two celebratory days for Valentine’s.  On February 14th women usually give their boyfriends chocolate as part of the “giri choco” tradition; indeed, they can give up to 20 boxes without seeming weird!  This dates back to the 1950s when the holiday started and a wise Japanese chocolate manufacturer saw a chance to boost the economy and make a nice tidy profit at the same time.  Soon enough, everyone jumped in and tons of chocolate was being sold on this day.  According to a Bloomberg report, half of all chocolate sold each year in Japan is on Valentine’s day.

But it doesn’t end here for the egalitarian Japanese.  On March 14th – White Day – men shower their ladies with chocolate (of course) as well as jewelry and lingerie.

Italy

Of course Italy has to have something huge on Valentine’s Day, being known as one of the most romantic countries in the world.  Couples go to Verona for “Verona in Love” at which a variety of Shakespeare-themed events are held like tours to retrace Romeo and Juliet’s footsteps; a competition to choose the best love letter to Juliet or a moment with Juliet’s statue for good fortune.  As well, one can enjoy the gorgeous city for what it has to offer: vineyards; boutique hotels and tons of candle-lit eateries to bring out the romantic in everyone.

UK

The British do the traditional stuff of cards, flowers, chocolates and hearts, but one might be curious as to what the newly-wed Royals will be doing on their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple.  Unfortunately nothing all that romantic since William is deployed at the Falkland Islands today.  However, not to want to waste a day on frivolity, his bride Kate will be spending time with children at a medical facility run by one of her charities of choice – Action and Addiction.  Perhaps she’ll get a bouquet sent to her by her loved one anyway…

World Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston, Dead at 48


Whitney Houston, the beloved pop singer whose music resonates in the hearts of every household, passed away on Saturday night at the age of 48.

Though her more recent past was plagued with a chaotic marriage, depression and drug abuse, Houston’s love of music and elevation of the soul is recognized and appreciated all over the world. Songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “Saving All My Love for You” grace talent shows, films and performances every year.

Houston’s death was discovered on the eve of the Grammy Awards, the biggest night of the year for the music industry. Sunday’s event included many a tribute to the woman who once ruled the stage. Jennifer Hudson, often compared to Houston, sang an emotional tribute at the Awards. Numerous other celebrities expressed respect for the singer and regret of her passing, including Elton John.

Before her death, Clive Davis, Houston’s longtime mentor, said she was expected at the gala, and that she might even perform. “It’s her favorite night of the year,” he said. “Who knows…by the end of the evening.”

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Two days before her death, Houston performed “Jesus Loves Me” beside Kelly Price at a pre-Grammy party, where she was said to be in a wonderful mood.

Aretha Franklin, the singer’s godmother, said she was shocked by the news.

“I just can’t talk about it now,” she said. “It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen.”

Andrew Currey Turns 41

Today is Andrey Currey’s birthday.  The Australian javelin thrower has broken the record in his country eight times – and the longest he has thrown it is 85.75 meters.  But at one of the Olympic trials, he only came in third with his throw of 78.33m although that was still adequate enough for him to make the team. But he should be forgiven for not being totally on his game since his wife (and fellow javelin thrower) Louise, endured a knee injury while competing on the first day of the trials.

Currey’s Career History

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Currey has definitely had an impressive javelin throwing career, but no doubt the highlight of this was back in 1998 when he won the bronze medal.  In 1994 at the Commonwealth Games he came in sixth and five years later fifth (even though in 1998 he threw more than 80m).  Making it to the Atlanta Olympics was one small step for Currey but one huge leap for Australia, since he was the first man ever from his country to compete at Olympic level since the 1956 Melbourne Games.  But since he came in at number 21, he didn’t make it to the final which was somewhat disappointing since he’d just endured three national record-breaking throws in three weeks.

On three separate occasions, Currey has competed in World Championships.  In 1993 he came in at number 40; two years later at number 16; and in 1999, number 21.  Today he is also a fitness consultant and his hobbies include: fishing, water skiing; golf and tennis.