Saturday, February 25, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

Makeovers for all


I have discovered a new exciting website which turns your household pictures into something magical. Photo Technics 1 will take your ordinary photo and with your imagination, they will create a master piece. They do great effects, such as bubbles, firefly’s, stars and turn pages, which they will put on to your photo along with spot lights and lens filters (mists around your image). Your photo really looks professional. The only difference is, is that you don’t pay professional prices. They are real value for money and well worth spending your money on to have the best photo album.
Photo Technics 1 works with there customers in designing there photo, they are really friendly and the finished product is excellent. I myself have had several photos done and I am extremely happy with the service and result of my photos. They look excellent hanging on my walls. I would recommend Photo Technics 1 as an highly professional company and well worth visiting there website.
Photo Technics 1 also gives you a welcome gift which is a real bonus when you place your first order. They send you a surprise photo complete with a make over which they will design from your first photo that you send them, so its like a buy one get one free and the result of that photo looks amazing.
They also do great offers, these offers do change so visit them regularly so you don’t miss out on the great offers that they provide.  To find out for yourself just how great Photo Technics 1 are. Visit there site http://www.phototechnics1.com  You will be glad you did.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient


Take advantage of these important tips that will help save you money and make your <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com/EFACTOR">homes energy efficient</a>!

<b>1. Use Fluorescent Bulbs</b>
Incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat and are very inefficient. Replace your home lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use 25% of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs use. In addition to that, flourescent bulbs last a lot longer.

<b>2. Solar Outdoor Lights</b>
Today's solar outdoor lights are not only cost effective but the designs are really nice, too. You're sure to find the right solar lights that match your <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com">homes design style</a> all while enhancing the look of your garden for free. Paid for by the sun.

<b>3. Upgrade Appliances</b>
Think you can't afford a new refrigerator or microwave? Think again.  Replace your appliances with Energy Star rated appliances. You will save in the long run and rest contently knowing you aren't wasting energy.

<b>4. Get Programmable Thermostats</b>
When you are headed off to work is there any reason to keep your thermostat at the same temperature you need it while your home? This is a big waste of energy and we don't always remember to change the setting before we leave. With programmable thermostats you basically just hired an assistant to take care of this for you. So relax.

<b>5. Dim Lights</b>
Dimming your lights can save anywhere from 10-50% in electricity and can extend the bulb's life by 20 times making your <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com/EFACTOR">home enegry efficient</a>.

<b>6. Use Lighting Scenes</b>
Ever wake up in the morning and find that the garage light is still on or come home from work and see that glow coming from the front office window? A
lighting control system can bring only certain lights on when you’re cooking, eating or reading. You can shut all the lights off in your energy efficient house at once or turn lights off in other rooms all from one convenient place.

<b>7. Control Climate with Motorized Shades</b>
You know the perfect time of day when the sun isn't coming straight through your windows but there's enough light outside to reduce having to use indoor
lights. Do we always remember to use natural light instead of flicking on the light in our house? I know I don't. Invest in motorized shades that can open at
just the right time of day allowing you to let the natural light into your home.

<b>8. Alternative Energy</b>
Solar panels on a south-facing roof can provide enough energy for electricity for your entire house.Don't worry you won't have a big metal twirling object on your roof, solar panels are designed to look like roof shingles keeping with the beauty of your <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com/EFACTOR">energy efficient home</a>.

<b>9. Variable Speed Air Handler</b>
Using a variable speed air handler is another efficient means to cooling and heating your home. With a quiet start up and not as abrupt you can count on less noise and a more efficient flow of air through your home.

<b>10. Monitor through Computerized Control Systems</b>
Control your entire home through one system. It's more than just energy efficiency it is managing your home wisely with new technology that saves you money while allowing you to operate different technologies throughout your home. So get smart and start saving today!

Learn how ICI Homes is leading the industry in <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com/EFACTOR">energy efficiency and high performance homes</a>. Visit us today at http://www.ICIHomes.com/EFACTOR.

About the Author
<a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com">ICI Homes</a> is an award-winning <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com">home builder</a> with desirable communities throughout Florida, also in parts of Georgia and Tennessee. From the 180's to several million dollars, ICI Homes builds comfortably designed and thoughtfully appointed condominiums, townhomes and single family executive or <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com">luxury homes</a>.

Copyright
© Copyright 2005-07, ICI Homes - <a href="http://www.ICIHomes.com">award winning home builders</a>. All rights reserved.

This Article is Copyright protected. Republishing & syndication of this article is granted only with the due credit, as mentioned, retained in the republished article. Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright. The text, hyperlinks embedded on the article and headers should remain unaltered. This article must not be used in unsolicited mail.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Make A Statement - (Other Than I Want To Keep Dry) With A Designer Umbrella


Umbrellas come in a wide variety of shapes, styles and colors to meet many needs.  From the basic bolt on beach chair umbrellas to fashionable designer personal umbrellas and the large ones for your backyard.  They all make a statement about your personal style.

Everyone knows that an umbrella is extremely useful in a rainstorm or when the hot sun is beating down.  Heck, most of us have several just because carrying one around in case of a downpour is inconvenient.  If you live in an area with a high number of precipitation days during the year, you probably have a small collapsible umbrella, one in your car, one at work and at least several at home.  From a practical standpoint, an umbrella in one of those standard utilitarian tools that are practical and necessary.

Those of us in high heat places where the sun feels hot and burning due to the intensity also benefit from an umbrella or parasol to deliver some much needed shade.  The umbrella has been a popular accessories for the stylish person for thousands of years due to it's utilitarian usefulness. 

Still, with style at an all time premium in our society, it just makes sense though to consider a custom umbrella.  One that would not only compliment your style but also deliver a statement about you as a person.  All with the addition of a specialty or custom designer umbrella.

Umbrellas typically are designed for a single person and unfortunately, if there's any wind, doesn't keep you completely dry either.  They're just not large enough to accommodate someone moving and carrying several things with them.

The answer here is the oversized umbrella.  These are much larger and can comfortably accommodate 2 people comfortably.  And unlike the older style umbrellas with the metal ribs, many of the larger units feature lightweight plastic or even bamboo like wood materials.  So although much larger, these units are not heavier and are actually more fun to use because you're not worrying about getting wet all the time. 

Umbrellas can be customized with logos and offered as premium thank you type gifts for employees and customers.  They also are available in a wide variety or designer colors and designs.  These designs include jungle scenes, beautiful tropical flowers, bold geometric lines, multi-colored rainbows natural scenery, jungle animals and much more. 

These stylish umbrellas are available for not only personal use but also come in larger sizes for cabanas and backyard decoration.  Don't be satisfied with just the plain and ordinary when you can have something that is not only just useful but also beautiful.


Friday, February 3, 2012

Low Cost Vacations And Family Values


The family vacation is a tradition intended to bring families closer together and one that many of us would just not think of giving up. Quality time for the family reinforces the importance of family values. It's sort of a "time out" from the day to day routine of living and growing. A chance to focus on getting to know better those that are most important to us, our family. Of course, how much importance you place on this event depends on your past experiences.

In today's fast paced society a vacation just isn't a vacation unless its costing you a small fortune to get to, and stay at, some exotic venue that usually offers no excitement without dishing out more money.  I suggest we put on the brakes and get back to basics. You surely won't have a better opportunity to do so than on the family vacation.

Let's not forget that the "family" extends beyond our home life. Most of us have family that we rarely get to spend time with either because of distance or time issues. But, one should always make time for family. Right? I knew you would agree!

Not trying to make you feel guilty here but, we do have a way of letting life rush us through the years.  I call it "non-intentional neglect" and most of us are guilty of it at some point in our lives. So, let's re-invent the family vacation to include some real quality time that reinforces the value of our families.

Would you consider a visit to grandparents, distant uncles, or a friend's home a vacation? When I was growing up, the family vacation usually meant visiting family members who lived some distance away.  Coming from a family of limited finances, this tradition was budget friendly yet, was sufficient to satisfy our need to escape the norms of home life.

Of course, as the teen age years approached, it became harder and harder for my mom to convince us that "we would have a good time" visiting the relatives. Some of which we had already spent several vacations visiting and had, I guess, lost their uniqueness to us as teenagers.

That said, if any of you can figure out what makes a teenager happy, except socializing with their own peers, then congrats! Let me know your secret. All kidding aside, I believe that they still enjoy the family outings but have a strong resistance to acknowledging that they are actually having fun. In other words, they are having fun and just refuse to admit it!

I was a single parent for many years and just didn't have the money for family vacations requiring hotel stays and admission fees. I guess I followed in my mother's footsteps in hoping that a visit out of town would suffice. And it did. For many years, the family vacation consisted of a visit to a dear friend or family member's home who was willing to put up with four kids for a week. These are truly "beloved friends and family!"

I am fortunate to have a good friend for life who has two children within the same age group as my kids. Since we didn't get to visit often throughout the year, these visits were exciting for both my kids and hers who had become good friends.

So, by all means plan to visit a family member's, or friend's, home for a week. Young children especially enjoy these trips. They make new friends and the family ties are strengthened.  This is an excellent way to reinforce family values and the importance of keeping in touch with family members that may live some distance from your home.

Do a little research before you go. Find out if there are any museums, historical sites, low cost attractions, or state parks within driving distance from where you'll be staying and plan to visit. Remember to ask the family member or friend you are visiting if they have any suggestions. Since they live in the area, they will most likely be aware of popular spots. Ask about bowling, roller skating, or special movie nights in the area and plan accordingly.  You can even plan some game or craft activities to keep everyone busy and having fun.

For those of you who have worn out your welcome or simply don't have family within a reasonable distance, finding vacation spots that will provide a memorable experience for everyone in the family can be a challenge.  Especially on a tight budget. Don't be discouraged, it is not impossible. Plan for your vacation and include it in your budget. This is the easiest way to prepare for a vacation expense and take the stress out of planning.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't lose sight of the value of a family vacation. Be sure to schedule quality time together no matter what your destination. Be safe and enjoy!


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Lice Cures – A Home Remedy


If your family has ever had to tackle head lice, and you’ve searched endlessly for lice cures that work, you know very well how frustrating the process can be. This can be even more of a nightmare if you have tried several different, over the counter; lice cures that failed to rid your family of lice.

If you use an over the counter lice cure, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars every time someone in the house brings home head lice, and then there is a chance that the treatments won’t even work.
A better alternative may be to try a home remedy. Most of the time, home remedies are much less expensive, safer and more effective for killing lice. There are several, safe, non-toxic home remedies that you may wish to try before sinking hundreds of dollars into over the counter, or prescription lice cures.

Of the many lice cures that are, one home remedy that has been recommended by pediatricians is the use of real mayonnaise.  To use mayonnaise as a lice cure you must saturate the hair and scalp in mayonnaise, and then cover the head with a shower cap. The treatments must be kept on for several hours.

When it is time to remove the mayonnaise, you simply wash the hair with dish soap a couple of times, and then use a specially designed comb to remove the dead lice and nits. After treatment, it will be necessary to thoroughly clean all of the surfaces in the home. Vacuum all carpets and furniture; wash bedding, clothes and coats. Anything that cannot be washed should be stored in an airtight plastic bag for at least two weeks.
The process should be repeated every four days for about two weeks to ensure that the head lice infestation is under control.

There are several home remedies that are said to work good as lice cures; they include using olive oil, or tea tree oil as apposed to mayonnaise, and regular use of a shampoo that contains coconut oil is suppose to work wonders for keeping your household free of head lice.

The most important step you can take in preventing head lice infestation in your home is to educate your children on the risks of sharing personal items, such as brushes and hats, with other children. Head lice spreads by the hair having physical contact with a louse found on clothing objects, furniture, combs, etc.

If your child is sent home from school with head lice, don’t panic. With some careful research are sure to find good lice cures that works.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Last-Minute Shoppers Rejoice: The Gift Card Can Save You


Despite their best intentions to finish holiday shopping early, many consumers end up waiting until the last minute: One in five people anticipate they won't finish their holiday shopping until the week before Christmas or until Christmas Eve, according to a survey conducted by Blockbuster.

The gift card, the quintessential last-minute gift, continues to be a popular choice among both givers and receivers.

A survey conducted by Deloitte & Touche found that 80 percent of adults received at least one gift card last year, with most averaging 3.2 gift cards during the holiday season. Additionally, a majority of consumers indicated in a 2004 National Retail Federation holiday survey that they would like to receive gift cards for the holidays.

Most retailers have gift cards available for last-minute shoppers. Entertainment, specifically movies and games, is one area where gift-givers are not likely to go wrong.

This year, Blockbuster is offering several holiday-themed gift cards at its 4,500 locations across the U.S. Seasonal cards include $25 and $15 gift cards, ideal for last-minute gifts for the baby sitter or a co-worker, while a five-pack of $5 cards lets you stock up on stocking stuffers or quick gifts for kids. You also can choose your own amount on gift cards with seasonal designs, such as snowflakes and gift boxes.

Additionally, all Blockbuster gift cards come with their own carriers, letting you address them to your loved ones instead of having to buy a greeting card.

With its large inventory of movie rentals, new DVDs and popular video games, the company is a boon to last-minute shoppers looking for gifts for several people on their list. For ultimate procrastinators, most Blockbuster stores are open every day of the year, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.   - NU