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Tired Of Your Living Room? Give The Walls A Makeover

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Does your living room seem bland or out of date? Changing the walls in your living room can make a huge difference. Best of all, there are so many options to choose from. Not only can you paint the room, but you can get creative with your own photography. So, what you are waiting for? Give your living room walls a much needed makeover.

Go Bold With New Paint Colors

Paint is something you can have fun with. Because paint is so affordable, you can take the risk to throw a bright pink or ocean blue color on the walls. If you don’t like it, you can always paint over it. Look for inspiration in magazines, fabrics, favorite accessories, etc. Also, check out the new paint lines at your favorite home improvement store.

Create an Accent Wall

If you’re afraid to make a bold change on all the walls, choose an accent wall to paint with a different color or some other type of design. The accent wall will also be the focal wall. For example, if you have a fireplace, this will be your accent wall. This can be a great way to make a big change without becoming overwhelmed. Creating just one accent wall will prevent the room from seeming too bland without making it chaotic.

Invest in High Quality Wallpaper

High quality wallpaper can be found in rich colors and unique designs with detailed textures. However, high quality wallpaper is expensive. This is why many people choose to only use it on an accent wall. When doing this, you want to match paint to a color in the wallpaper for the surrounding walls. This will give you a big wow for very little money.

Bring in a Mural Artist

If you want something truly unique, hire a mural artist. A mural can be anything that fits your personality. It might be a large oak tree and an open field or even a city graffiti scene. Always get samples of previous work before hiring someone. This will be expensive, but will give you a look that will be unique to your home. Make sure you double check with family members who are artists. You may have a family talent who can do the work for a little less than an unknown pro. You should also ask if they’ll give you a discount for allowing you to put their work into a portfolio.

Turn the Walls Into Scenery

Last, but not least, you can have photos transferred into wallpaper panels. If you have scenic photos from a favorite vacation, use them. This would be a great idea for a focus wall and would again be a very unique option. One tip though is to have the wallpaper professionally hung to get the panels even.

Your living room doesn’t have to be boring. There are so many great ways to add the wow factor and many will provide a unique look that no one else will have. Best of all, many of these options are affordable on any budget.

About the Author: Marianne Branch and her husband just remodeled their entire living room. The ordered sofas from HomeQ but they had a mural painted on the wall by a local artist. Now their living room is a relaxing beach oasis!






Get Great Style At A Great Price – Top Tips For Buying Clothes On EBay

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When you are looking for great fashion at bargain prices, online auction sites like eBay can be incredible places to find it. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can get something really special at an unbelievable price, whether you’re looking for cool niche clothing, unique vintage pieces, or the latest fashions for less than you’ll pay in stores.

However, there are plenty of things that can go wrong, from finding that the item you want isn’t all it seems, to buying things that don’t fit. You can also, as the auction drives the price up, sometimes end up spending more than you originally planned to. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of shopping on eBay.

Remember That Only the Seller Can Cancel Your Bid

It can be tempting, if you see several items you might like that are similar, to bid on all of them, assuming that you won’t win them all and this way you should at least get something. However, remember that you can’t cancel your bid, so if it ends up that you are the highest bidder in each auction you are committed to buying all of the items. This may not be what you actually meant to do if the items are all basically the same.

Say you really want a pair of designer sunglasses, and there are five pairs currently on sale which would be suitable. You probably don’t want all five of them, so you should start with the one that ends first. If you win it, you have your sunglasses and can stop bidding. If you don’t, you can start bidding on the others, in order of finishing time, as your maximum bid gets beaten. This way you should win one of the five pairs and aren’t risking having to buy them all.

Really Check Out the Description

Good sellers give very accurate descriptions as they don’t want buyers complaining if things aren’t exactly what they were expecting. Many people who sell clothes do it as a business and rely on that good feedback. You should therefore be able to see things like what the item is made of, its care instructions, and its exact measurements on the item description. This is important, particularly if you are buying a brand you have never tried on or a vintage item – sizes can vary hugely but measurements in inches are absolute. If the measurements are equivalent to a dress, pair of trousers or shirt you already own that fits, then your new purchase will probably fit too.

Factor in Shipping Costs

If you are buying something really cheap, like a bargain dress you have won for $5, remember that shipping could cause it to cost more than double. People tend to be conservative in their shipping pricing, so it’ll often be more than the actual cost of shipping. Other sellers offer free shipping. There are all kinds of variations, so look at the shipping price as well as how much the item is going for before you bid and make sure it still represents good value.

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Today’s guest author, Jenny Wadlow, is a freelance blogger. She is a fashion enthusiast and often gives out fashion tips in her articles. She often advises her readers to try rockabilly clothing and experience the vintage look.

The Perfect Gift For New Mums!

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If somebody you know has just had a baby and you’re planning to visit, you won’t want to go empty handed. Grab a gift that your friend will love and they just may swap your bundle for theirs and let you have a cuddle! When someone has their first baby they are showered with presents such as baby-grows, toys and flowers. Get them something a bit different and they will always remember it.

The very best thing you can get for any new mum and their fresh little bundle of joy is a hamper, thoughtfully packed out with everything that they’ll ever need in those precious first few weeks. We’ll show you how to build a baby hamper that will make your friend’s life a lot easier in the early days.

Step One – The Hamper

Choose a box that can be reused – a plastic square box is ideal as it can be used for storing toys or baby toiletries in the early days. Line it with some beautiful tissue paper and tie a ribbon around the sides to make it look extra special. Add a tag and write something meaningful on it.

Step Two – For the Baby

When filling the hamper, think ‘practicality’ first. Choose items like baby wipes, nappy bags, a packet of newborn-sized nappies, a packet of muslins, some talcum powder and some baby bubble bath. These are all the things that your friend and her newborn will need in the first few weeks but that they might not have stocked up on already. Add one toy – she will probably already be inundated with baby toys but one more won’t harm! Another great thing to throw in is a formula dispenser. She probably won’t need it straight away as she may be breastfeeding, but once the baby switches to formula she’ll be using it every day! If you buy a baby-grow, then choose one that is for 6+ months. Loads of people buy newborn clothes so she’ll have lots already, and they grow so fast she’ll appreciate having clothes for when they get a bit bigger.

Step Three – For the Mum

In the excitement of a new baby arriving, a lot of people forget that the mum has been through something pretty big herself. She’ll be feeling tired, sore and emotional after the birth. Spoil her rotten by adding a few luxuries to the hamper. Body lotion and moisturiser are a great idea, perhaps a facemask and some gorgeous-smelling soap and definitely a lush box of chocolates! A few sachets of hot chocolate and perhaps a bottle of her favourite perfume will go down a treat too.

By giving your friend some practical things for her baby and some luxury items for herself, you’re giving a gift that is the best of both worlds. She will be especially grateful that you have thought of her as well as the baby and she’ll find herself dipping into the hamper daily for useful bits as well as the odd treat. Finally, when she’s ready, take her out for a well-earned glass of wine!

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Today’s guest post author is James Wilson. He works at Gift Wrapped Up, providers of <a href=”http://www.giftwrappedup.com.au/“>christmas hampers</a>, baby gift baskets, chocolate hampers, corporate gift hampers and more. He believes that writing is a great way to share his work and experience with readers.

Ways To Entertain Your Kids During Summer Holidays

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As parents, we all look for exciting ways to keep our children entertained so that they can experience days of fun during the summer months. Below are some exciting things you can do with your children this summer that will keep them from being bored.

Make Your Yard a Water Park – Kids love being in the water during the summer. By only spending about $15 on a large sheet of plastic, you can make your own slip-and-slide. Find a small downhill incline in the yard to lay the plastic down. Make sure you check the area for rocks, sticks or things that might cut through your plastic and remove them. At the top of your incline, place the hose, releasing just enough water so that it flows at a steady stream. Make sure the plastic is completely wet so the children can slide down it smoothly. If you want to add extra smoothness, mix some dish washing soap and water together. Spread it on the plastic with your hands or a mop. When everything is smooth and slick, stand back and watch the kids have a ball! Why not join in and take a dive yourself?

Local Festivals and Fairs – Kids love exploring, so going to some local events is always fun for them. Many local festivities have learning displays for children. These can captivate your kid’s minds and keep them busy for hours. Search online daily so that you can plan for upcoming events you might find. Most of these have very little cost involved and allow for some great family fun. They are out there just waiting to be found.

Kids Ferrari Track Day – If you want your kids to experience days of excitement, you must try the exciting Ferrari driving experience for kids. What child would not be excited about driving a Ferrari before they turn 17? A popular summer entertainment choice for children is the Our Kids Ferrari Driving Experience. Your children will have a welcome introduction and safety lesson on driving techniques before they begin. Once they start, they enjoy 10 full minutes of driving a Ferrari 360 on a track. When they are done, they will receive an individual driving certificate as well as a DVD featuring some of the amazing driving experiences. You should allow about two hours for the complete driving experience.

Water activities – What kid does not love boating? Getting out on the refreshing water and letting the wind run through their hair or diving into the cold water off the back of a boat is always exciting. Just taking a relaxing swim off the boat is just as fun. There is plenty to do when you take the kids boating. Kids can try skiing, tubing, wave boarding and water boarding. When the get good and worn out, just sit back and let them enjoy the boat ride. Boating is great fun and a good way to spend some quality time with the kids.

Summer does not have to be boring. By doing a bit of research, you can find plenty of exciting ways to entertain the kids all summer long!

Ursula Jones is a specialist writer on the topic of kids activities. Here she looks at entertaining the kids in the summer holidays. see more experience days at http://www.wellwickedstuff.com/

Give The Gift Of Exercise!

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If you’re stuck for a present for your other half and you know they have a latent interest in getting fit, then why not help them with a gift that will encourage them? Loads of people know they should be getting fit but it’s hard to find the motivation and break the back of it. The first step is often the scariest, but with your help and encouragement they may just be able to do it. And in a few years’ time when they are running marathons without breaking sweat they will thank you so much for getting behind them!

If your partner has a birthday coming up or you are looking for a Christmas gift for them, there are several things that you could get them which would be nothing short of life-changing. We’ll give you some hints here:

An Exercise Machine

Exercise machines don’t come cheap and it’s hard for anybody to justify buying one for themselves. But if it’s given as a gift it’s another matter! If you have a lower budget you could always look at some second hand options. Anybody wanting to get into fitness would be thrilled to receive a treadmill, a cross trainer, a rowing machine or an exercise bike. That way they can get back into fitness in the comfort of their own home!

Gym Membership

If the person that you love would love to go to the gym, why not look into buying them membership at their local one? Choose one that you know they’ll love (gyms with swimming pools are always a hit) and then go along to reception to ask about their joining details. You will usually have to pay a joining fee as well as a monthly subscription but sometimes the gym will waive the joining fee so it’s always worth a haggle. If there are any coins left in the coffers you could buy a really funky gym bag to present the membership card in! Your other half will be delighted that you put so much thought into their present. The downside may be that they’ll love working out so much you may never see them!

A Workout Suit

Perhaps your loved one is always talking about going for a run but never quite getting round to it?! With brand new exercise clothes they just may make the extra effort! Nobody wants to go running in a baggy old pair of jogging bottoms and an ill-fitting t-shirt. Then there are the shoes – it’s important to have good quality trainers to run in, in order to absorb the impact. If they don’t have the right shoes they won’t be going anywhere. Pick out an outfit that they will love, but if you’re not sure about sizes you could always take them along for the shopping trip.

Giving your partner the gift of exercise is a really great way of showing them you care. Perhaps you could both get into exercise together to really help each other along? You’ll be the fittest couple on your block!

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Today’s featured writer, Jenny Wadlow, is a cardio trainer. In her opinion, Horizon elliptical brings the best out of cardio training. She gives great tips on fitness and workout through her blogs. You can follow her on twitter@JennyWadlow.

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