Shopping Maniac

Great products, Bargains and gift ideas


You are here: Home / Archives for 2013

Archives for 2013

Matching The Perfect Jewelry To Your Little Black Dress

by

There are few things in any woman’s wardrobe as versatile or iconic as the little black dress, and whether you have tens of different variations on it or just one favorite you pull out time and time again, chances are you have and love one. Of course, with something this simple, it can feel like accessorizing is a bit of a challenge – do you go for statement bags and jewelry that add character to the dress and draw away from its simplicity, or do you keep things eternally classic with minimalist yet luxurious matching black shoes and bag and simple, elegant jewelry?

Well, the answer is, whatever suits your style and the occasion! A little black dress that fits well will look just as good whether you layer on cool modern silver jewelry, bold ethnic pieces or classic diamonds! Below are some ideas for different looks.

Fun and Modern

Just because the party you are going to is likely to be full of trendy types doesn’t mean the little black dress has to give you an overdressed or ‘safe’ look. You can pair it with interesting, artistic jewelry like sculpted silver bangles, big dangly statement earrings, or bold necklaces. Silver is a great metal to wear with black, so if you are a fan of chunky silver pieces or weird shapes in metal then the LBD is a wonderful thing to try wearing them with. You can also inject some bohemian style by using a color in your jewelry. Turquoise is a very good choice, but you can also work with things like amethyst, rose quartz and tiger’s eye.

Discreet and Classic

If you want to capture some real old school chic, less is more with the jewelry yet it should still give off a sense of luxury and impeccable taste. Pearls are one of the easiest ways to do this as a simple string of pearls around the throat (not too long unless you are going for a twenties inspired look) paired with pearl studs or tear drops in the ears looks expensive, chic and classy. This is also a look that works at just about any age.

Glitzy and Glam

Nothing says glamor like diamonds, whether you can afford the real thing or simply plan to achieve that sparkling look with cheaper diamond effect glass or diamante jewelry. You can go for the full Audrey Hepburn look with ornate diamond necklaces and long earrings, or, if you want the sparkle without it distracting from your dress, try some simple diamond stud earrings and a subtle chain necklace with a diamond pendant. Another good way to add the sparkle of diamond to any outfit, including the little black dress, in a way that is unpretentious and practical, is to have a watch with some diamond embellishment. Many people forgo a watch altogether these days, or don’t wear one with evening wear because they want to wear other jewelry on their wrists, but a well chosen, dainty watch actually makes a fantastic accessory to any level of dress other than perhaps a full scale ball gown!

Featured images:

The author of this post, Nolan Grey, is currently working for Diamonds on Web. He regularly volunteers at a local senior citizen home and he is very passionate about photography.

The Top 5 Material Choices For Decks

by






A deck can add additional value and outdoor living space to your home, and is a great place to entertain friends or grill out with family during the spring, summer, and fall months. As a homeowner, you may be considering building an entirely new deck or upgrading an existing structure, and may have questions about the options available for decking material.

Outdoor decks are generally crafted from one of two distinct materials: manmade composite or natural hardwood, and each possesses its own strengths and disadvantages. Knowing which decking material is right for you and what to expect in terms of maintenance requirements can help ensure that your deck will remain sturdy and great looking for years to come.

1. Hardwood Decking

Hardwood material has long been a popular traditional decking material due to its natural beauty and relatively low cost as compared to synthetic decking. Hardwood decking can usually be divided into two to three categories: pressure-treated wood, cedar and redwood, and, less commonly, tropical and other hardwoods.

2. Pressure-treated Wood

One of the most popular and low cost options, pressure treated lumber such as yellow pine is also chemically treated to resist fungus growth, moisture decay, and to protect against insect damage. Although it is the most affordable option for building material and is known for its longevity, a deck built from pressure treated lumber requires more maintenance than a deck built with a higher grade hardwood, and should receive a power wash annually and a stain or sealing treatment every two to three years to prevent cracking or warping from excess moisture.

3. Cedar/Redwood

Cedar and redwood are two hardwoods that are instantly recognizable by their beautiful and vibrant red coloring and distinctive smells. Both are mid-range building materials that are popular with deck owners because of both their natural beauty and tendency to weather the elements well. Redwood and cedar decks should also be cleaned on a yearly basis and treated with a semi-transparent stain every three to four years.

4. Tropical and Other Hardwoods

Tropical hardwoods such as ipe, cumaru, and tigerwood are relatively new additions to the decking market, and are beautiful and unique higher end building materials. Tropical hardwoods are extremely dense, and are naturally resistant to wood-boring insects and moisture decay, making them an excellent choice for decks to be built in damp environments. These hardwoods require the least amount of maintenance of any natural wood decking materials, requiring only an occasional cleaning or coat of protectant, although in certain areas tropical hardwoods can be difficult to find. Mahogany is another dense, moisture resistant high end decking material that you may want to consider if tropical hardwoods aren’t available in your area.

5. Composite Decking

Composite decking similar to Trex is usually a blend of sawdust, recycled lumber, and plastic or other synthetic fibers, and is generally considered to be the most low maintenance option for decks.

While many homeowners opt for composite decking because of the low maintenance associated with it, some may not realize that the material can warp just like natural wood if not properly installed or may scratch from repeated heavy use. Costs for composite decking tend to run approximately thirty percent higher than for traditional hardwood, although there are no additional maintenance costs for staining or sealants, and there is no sanding or refinishing required on the part of the deck owner. Composite decking is a good option for homeowners who don’t want to spend a good deal of time worried about the upkeep of a deck, but may come at the aesthetic expense of the deck itself, as color and pattern options can be somewhat limited when compared to hardwood decking.

This article was written by Nicole, a blogger who has spent many years researching the home improvement industry. She recommends WA Timber Decking as a great decking company.






The Pros & Cons Of The Top 5 Exotic Wood Flooring Options

by

Solid hardwood flooring is all the rage these days. Exotic hardwood in particular has become extremely popular in flooring for home and business. When you are thinking about using exotic solid hardwoods for your flooring, you should consider what your budget will allow, what colors will best suit your space, the level of durability you need, and what types of wood are best for the room. But you should also take ethics into consideration, for many exotic hardwoods are harvested in ways that decimate their forests of origin. As such, your choice should be guided by your needs as well as potential ecological consequences. Fortunately, it can be easy to satisfy both.

1. Zebrawood

Pro: Distinctive grain, consistent color
Con: Unsustainably harvested

The wood with the striped grain has an undoubtedly checkered past. As a beautiful flooring option, zebrawood has been so overharvested that existing forests are being destroyed to meet desire in the West for this precious commodity. If you must have Zebra on your floors, buy from a company that “upcycles,” meaning that they derive their wood from pieces that have already been cut and used for other purposes.

2. Brazilian Cherry/Jatoba

Pro: Similar to mahogany in presentation
Con: Color change, white spots, gapping

Brazilian Cherry (also called Jatoba) is not technically a type of the domestic Cherry. In presentation, it is much more similar to mahogany, and is equally hard and resilient. That hardness can make it difficult to install and puts pressure on fittings, which can lead to gapping between boards. And like other brightly-colored hardwoods, it is sensitive to light and therefore susceptible to color change. Additionally, Brazilian Cherry is vulnerable to buildup of calcium carbonate, which leaves white spots that are difficult to remove.

3. Rosewood

Pro: Beautiful color and scent
Con: History of unsustainable harvesting

If you are looking for an exotic hardwood that will make your house look and smell beautiful, consider Rosewood. Its name is derived not from the coloring, but from the distinguishing scent of roses that emanates from the wood. Rosewood has a gorgeous natural polish. Like zebrawood, Rosewood has a history of unsustainable harvesting, but recently producers have been growing the wood sustainably on farms.

4. Tiger Wood

Pro: One of the most durable exotic hardwoods
Con: Unsustainably harvested, color change, white spots

It seems that most of the exotic hardwoods that are best for flooring have a questionable history. Tiger wood is no exception. The wood from this African tree has, you guessed it, been unsustainably harvested. Its durability and color has made Tiger wood a very attractive option for flooring. However, like Brazilian Cherry, it is susceptible to color change and white spots over time.

5. Teak Wood

Pro: Water-resistant, long-lasting
Con: White spots, gapping, potential allergic reaction

Teak wood originates in Southeast Asia. But more recently, it is also grown sustainably in Brazil. Additionally, upcycled Teak is readily available. This wood is resistant to both water and insects, and is long-lasting, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Its density, however, can make it difficult to install and leaves Teak at risk for gapping.

Whether you choose Brazilian Cherry, Rosewood, Zebra, Tiger or Teak, your hardwood floors will be a statement of character to anyone who sees them. And with some careful choices, it will reflect your moral considerations as well.

This article was written by Nicole, a blogger who has spent many years researching the home improvement industry, including everything from DIY home improvement projects to the best options for timber flooring in Perth.

Top Tips To Transform Your Dingy Bathroom To An Urban Oasis

by

Never underestimate the importance of style in the bathroom. After the bedroom, it’s the first room you face in the morning and the room you return to the most throughout the day. It’s the one room of the house where you can usually count on being alone, and it’s the room that almost forces you to relax.

Don’t let a dreary, dingy bathroom make you dread the time you spend there. Put these tips into practice and transform your bleak bathroom into an urban oasis.

Lighting

Sleek, modern lighting can give your bathroom a spa-like feel. Elegant pendants with glass drum shades combine stylish functionality with easy-to-clean practicality. Smooth frosted glass sconces provide the ambient lighting every bathroom needs. If you have enough room, a crystal chandelier hung over a modern vessel sink strikes an unexpected contrast between quiet neutrals and over-the-top drama.

Flooring

Hardwood flooring is every decorator’s favorite, but it’s just not practical in the bathroom. Fortunately, most bathrooms are small enough that you can splurge on your flooring, because you won’t need a lot of material. A natural stone floor brings nature indoors, which is always calming. If you can’t afford natural stone, porcelain tile that mimics stone is an excellent second choice. Don’t forget to add radiant heat under the tile to keep your feet toasty on winter mornings.

Walls

You have two options when it comes to your bathroom walls: you can paint the walls white and add a pop of color with colorful towels, or you can put color on your bathroom walls and put crisp, white towels on the towel racks. Wrap classic white subway tile around a tub surround or backsplash, but make it modern by using white glass tiles instead of ceramic or by incorporating a glass tile accent strip into the design. Wallpaper is impractical for a bathroom, but you can add interest to plain walls with removable graphic vinyl decals.

Accessories

Bathroom accessories give you a chance to add softness and comfort to an otherwise hard-surfaced room and to appeal to the senses of sight, touch and smell. Luxurious towels are only the beginning. Add functional scented accessories such as soaps, lotions and candles and textured exfoliating mitts. Hang an ornate lacquered mirror over the sink, and tuck a small potted fern or vase of cut flowers into a corner of the vanity. Nothing stresses you out more then worrying about being late for work, so be sure to hang a stylish clock on the wall so you’ll always know what time it is.

Integrating Adjacent Rooms

No matter how peaceful your urban oasis bathroom is, it will seem out of place if it doesn’t share design elements with other rooms in your home. For example, if you have hardwood flooring in your master bedroom, choose a master bathroom flooring material that looks good with hardwood. Similarly, if your home is decorated in a Tuscan theme, bring a color from that theme or a piece of Tuscan art into the bathroom.

It’s so easy to transform a dingy bathroom into an urban oasis, there’s no excuse not to try these tips today. If you’re in search for national or local flooring experts, check out a reputable retailer and installer such as Floor Coverings International.

Arnold Norton has experience in home repair, renovations, and improvement. Mr. Norton has published several informative blogs and articles focused on helpful tips for new and current homeowners.

Why The Way TV Ratings Are Measured Needs To Be Upgraded For The Digital Age

by

The way TV ratings are measured in the USA, as well as many other countries, is decades old, and based a lot on broad estimation and guesswork. This leads to all kinds of problems where TV networks schedule shows based on this data, or even cancel shows which actually have large fan bases, because the ratings suggest otherwise. Here we take a look at how ratings fan base are currently measured, and why this no longer fits with the way many Americans choose to get their TV fixes:

What Are Neilsen Ratings, and How Do They Work?

Neilsen ratings are the main means of measuring how many people are watching a given station at a given time and hence the ratings for a given television broadcast. Invented and managed by the company Nielsen, the system is based on boxes installed in a proportion of homes that monitor what is being watched.

From this data, trends are analysed and possible viewing figures are extrapolated. This means that when you see that a given sporting event, or occasion like the Royal Wedding, gains record breaking viewing figures, this may not actually mean there really were more people watching this broadcast than any other broadcast in history, or in a given year. It is simply thought that there were, based on how many people with Nielsen boxes watched it.

Neilsen ratings also only take into consideration live broadcasts, so if somebody records something with a service like TiVo, or watches it with their TV provider’s on demand service either through their TV box or online, it will not be counted.

Why This Simply Doesn’t Work Anymore

The average TV installation service includes all kinds of convenient ways people can watch their favourite shows, as and when they like. This means that a lot of people don’t watch TV at its scheduled times any more. While some extremely popular shows may be an ‘appointment to view’ for some people, and things like the news and sports will always be watched live, when it comes to the average sitcom or drama, the live audience when it is first broadcast gives no real indication of how many people will have ended up watching that show that week.

Additionally, some people like to save up shows so they can watch a whole season in a marathon, meaning they don’t have to wait to get the full story. This means that the number of people who end up watching the show as a DVR recording or on demand could continue to rise for a while after the show has finished airing.

With people’s viewing habits and options having changed so much from their pre-digital, pre-internet state, this antiquated means of judging the popularity of a TV product produces figures that can’t be relied upon. The industry will soon need to come up with a new way to count real viewing figures, or to combine analysis from Nielsen with other forms of data, for example how much certain shows are being discussed on social media and blogs.

Featured images:
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://pixabay.com/en/icon-diagram-bar-cartoon-graphics-37717/?rf=api_jitendraag

Today’s featured contributor, Kate Harris, is a private investigator. She also works as a security consultant at AAA Satellite, one of the leading manufacturers of business security equipment. In her spare time, she likes to write blogs about various types of security systems used in businesses.

Meta

Pages