9.23.2016

The Safest Way To Light Up Your Home This Christmas

Buy the right bulbs.

  • If lights are labeled for indoor use, don’t use them outside.  The wiring isn’t designed to hold up in snow or rain, so if the interior gets wet, you could be in for a nasty shock’'
  • Figure out how many strings of lights you will need to do the entire job, then check product packages to find out how many strings can be safely connected to each other.  If one brand doesn’t allow enough connections, look for another that does.

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Pick a safe extension cord.

  • Be sure it’s labeled for outdoor use and if appropriate, for cold weather.  Otherwise, the cord may become brittle and crack, exposing the inside wires to rain and snow.
  • Look for a gauge size (also called an AWG number) of 12 or 14.  This number indicates the amount of electrical current the cord can support.  For outdoor holiday lights, cords with a number of above 14 may overload and become a fire hazard.completedfavicon

9.21.2016

How To Have Blooms That Last

Test for freshness.

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If you’re putting together your own party bouquet,try this trick.  In the flower shop, sniff the water that the flowers are sitting in.  It should not smell foul.  And rub the stems to make sure they aren’t slimy.

9.19.2016

All You Want To Know About Candles

Bright ideas on what to look for, plus tips for safer burning

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Which wax to use for candles matters.

9.17.2016

Can You Get Red Nail Polish Off A White Shirt and Other Home Hacks

I guess CLUMSY is my middle name!

I splashed red nail polish (O.K. Accidentally.) and I was wearing white shirt.(Mental note to use nude nail polish next time.)

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How To remove Nail Polish off a white shirt.

9.16.2016

A Pet Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

Whether you favor purse-size pups or you are more of a cat woman, interacting with animals can decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol, and just being around dogs boosts levels of serotonin – the brain chemical responsible for lifting mood. 

@philiphusthewestie @aw_gaskarths #westie #westitude #forevermore #westiegram #westielove

A photo posted by Marie Bautista-Bulatao (@marie_1102) on

I should know.  Our westie makes me healthier and his infectious energy is so delightful! Even if he totaled my guitar’s prs archon, I still love this little guy!  I just feel so relaxed around him (and my doctor says my blood pressure is sooo normal!)

If you don’t have a pet, go to your local park and watch other people’s animals frolic. completedfavicon

Relax. Unplug.

Do you spend most of your time

online?

on the phone?

answering e-mails?

We are all so connected nowadays that we barely notice the tension produced by incessant phone calls and e-mails.

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When you have some time for yourself, really make it your own by unhooking all your connections to the outside world.  Now use that peace and quiet for some serious daydreaming.  Add to the mix a bit of soulful music.  Now that is a great way to reconnect with you.  And deep inside you, you are truly a muscian friend. completedfavicon