All Your Need to Know Questions Answered

How to Layer Clothes

Layering is one of the best ways to get the most out of your wardrobe. Picking and mixing various items of clothes and wearing them over each other can create fabulous and unexpected effects of colour and texture. But how can you successfully carry it off?

Necklines are a great place to play with simple style ideas. A shirt worn open over a t-shirt is a classic example, but wearing a v-neck top over a scoop neck top is increasingly common. This doubling up of layers gives you the chance to put colours against each other – a black, low necked top under a dusky yellow shirt works brilliantly, but then almost anything works with black.

Leggings are also a great basis on which to build layering. Worn under denim shorts or with a skirt, and mixed up

How to make your home more energy efficient

Everyone is feeling the economic pinch at the moment and with the worry of the possibility of your energy bills increasing its time to look at how you can make your home more energy efficient. In the governments pre Budget report they announced a new boiler scrappage scheme which will be coming into effect in early 2010, it is designed to replace old inefficient boilers with newer less wasteful ones to aid in cutting peoples energy bills. So what does that mean for us all? Well if you have a ‘G-rated appliance, which is 70% efficient then you will be offered up to £400 off an ‘A-rated’ appliance. Also npower will be offering homeowners a further £400 off a new boiler if they replace one that is over 10 years old so you can potentially save around £800. According to the Energy Saving Trust replacing a old in efficient boiler with a new energy efficient one gives you better control and you could cut your household energy bill by up to 25% which would be a saving of around £250 a year for a typical family. However a new boiler will set you back about £2000 so even with those savings it is out of some peoples reach, but there are measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient:

Radiators – Many people do not realise how much heat from radiators is wasted, having thick lined curtains will help stop your heat escaping through you window frames however you need to make sure your curtains do not drop over the front of you radiators as the heat will never reach the room. Also if you have radiators in rooms that are very rarely used like a spare/guest bedroom then it’s worth turning off the radiators in those rooms.

Insulation –Most people know heat rises however many people seem to forget this fact when it comes to heating their home and leave their loft space poorly insulated and free for all your heat to disappear out into the cold. It’s important to get your roof, floors walls water tank and pipe work properly insulated as this can also cut your bills in half and it doesn’t have to cost thousands as many people are entitled to claim government grants to help with the cost, as well as making sure you block all draughts especially around doors, windows and letter boxes.

Energy efficient products – There are many products out there that can help you stop wasting energy and money, like fridges, dishwashers TV’s and more these products will have a energy saving recommended sticker on so when your old appliances need replacing it worth looking for appliances with this on.

Energy Saving Light Bulbs – You will use around 80% less electricity than traditional bulbs with these energy efficient bulbs and they do produce the same amount of light.

bulb

Picture courtesy of Arlor

Golden Root Complex

Golden Root Complex is commonly seen in pub vending machines in the mens toliets, prices can often be higher here than when Golden Root is purchased from the internet.

Rosavin is one of main ingrediants in Golden Root, it is usually found in cold regions of mountain ranges in the Artctic, Alps and the Rocky’s. Rosavin has also been claimed to help with depression and fatigue.

Golden Root is more often used as an alternative to Viagra, aimed at helping men increase stamina and sexual performance at a fraction of the price of Vigra, also Golden root doesn’t need a prescription so it can be readily be purchased from the internet.

Each Golden Root capsule is a 300MG capsule and the commonly sold product is the one cap packet which is priced around £3.99, although you can purcahse 10,20 and 30 packets. Golden Root also comes in a 150GM  cap but these aren’t that oftyen marketed on the internet.

Golden Root

Why a skiing holiday can be great for everyone (even a non-skiier)

There are many reasons why a winter holiday in a ski resort can be great even if you’ve never skied before or are an absolute beginner. If you book the right deal at the right resort, the range of activities on offer for non skiers can easily match those on offer for the skiers in the party. Many chairlifts and cable cars will happily accept non skiers, and it’s a great way to get to the top of the slopes but also to get back down the mountain at a speed with which you are comfortable. You can also try snow tubing, horse riding, dog-sledding or lots of other snow related activities. Many ski resorts also have natural thermal pools to while away a few hours in, and also provide spa and pool facilities which can be enjoyed by all. The secret to great non ski holidays at a winter resort is to book ahead and check out the other facilities available so you’ll know there are going to be alternatives for you. Depending on the resort you choose, the opportunities to shop can be superb, as well as some of the tastiest food and drink on offer. Some of the more exclusive resorts have a huge collection of boutique style shops and large resorts such as Chamonix have a great range of internal restaurants and bars. Of course, most of the resorts will have at least one coffee house where you can sit down and enjoy a hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake.

Of course, being in the mountains in the middle of winter can be one of the most amazing and exhilarating places to spend a holiday. The air is crystal clear, the scenery is breathtaking and the weather (although often below freezing) can often be very sunny. No wonder that for generations, the Alps in particular have been a popular destination for convalescence. So, as a non skier, you can see that you can take real advantage of all the resorts have to offer. If you are on a week’s ski holiday, you will want to spend every hour of every day skiing, and all evening recovering. As a non skier, you holiday can be varied, and you can return home feeling like you’ve had a real break. There are so many ski deals available these days it makes sense to take advantage of all the resorts have to offer.

Where to install underfloor heating in your home

You can install underfloor heating in most areas of your home however you will find it to be more beneficial in some areas more than in others. During the cold winter month’s there’s nothing worse than stepping on to your cold tiled floors in either your bathroom or kitchen, ceramic tiles, granite, stone and other similar materials are typically poor conductors of heat especially when you are using a traditional heating system like radiators or fires. However with underfloor heating systems installed beneath your tiles they turn out to be the opposite and conduct heat very well, heating up and staying that way for longer thus becoming more energy efficient and more cost effective as you will find it lowers your energy bills because it takes less time to heat your home.

Due to these reasons underfloor heating has become more popular with many people looking for more effective ways to heat their homes, especially when comparing it to using noisy radiators which can’t heat all the areas in your home.  It is a very flexible system to install into any shape room especially in awkward kitchens and bathrooms and it provides ample warmth in those spaces, meaning you can easily relax with a soothing warm heat coming from beneath you when it’s frosty outside.

How to look after and clean your Ugg boots

Before you first wear your Ugg boots it is advisable to spray them with water and stain resistant protector spray, make sure you spray them evenly and its best to leave the boots for 24 hours to dry before wear. Ugg Australia also recommends reapplying if your boots are frequently exposed to wet weather.

It’s best not to wear your Ugg boots during times of heavy rain and slushy snow, you should also avoid walking through mud with them and at any time that they could get soaked in puddles or streams.

If you find your boots are slightly marked you can normally clean them with a damp cloth or with a soft brush.

If you find your boots are heavily soiled you can wash them by hand using only water and vinegar on a cloth, using one part vinegar to one part water or use one part leather cleaner to one part water.

You must never put your Ugg boots into water to clean them as it will cause them to lose their shape, simply dab any areas that are stained to clean.

To dry your boots you need to fill them with paper towels to help them retain their shape and leave to dry for at least 24 hours

Do not dry your boots near a fire or heater or in direct sunlight, this will cause the sheepskin in your boots to dry too quickly and it will shrink and become discoloured.

Once they have dried you can brush your boots back into shape again with either a lint brush, a nubuck brush, a soft cloth, or a suede brush.

Remember to then spray them with some protector spray 24 hours before you wear them again.

Ugg boots are made from sheepskin leather so be mindful of stretching and staining that can occur while you wear them.

Ugg boots

Picture courtesy of jgrebedw

Thai massage in London

If you do not suffer from stress, then you must be about the only one who does not at some time or another, particularly if you live or work in London. Thai massage is a known treatment that will relax the body suffering from the effects of stress, whether this is work related, or through other causes. Traditional Thai Massage is an ancient system of healing with its roots in Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice. This unique and complete system of Yoga therapy combines rhythmic massage, acupressure, gentle twisting, deep stretching and meditation. Thai Massage releases tension, increases vitality and creates wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

Finding a traditional Thai massage London spa can be found online and when you have accessed the Thai massage London site, decide which treatments that they offer. You would be best advised to seek out a Thai massage spa in London that has a full range of treatments available. Look for upper body massage or Nuad Lai, this treatment concentrates on upper body tension (head, neck and shoulders) to release stress and ease tired and aching muscles. Another option is Nuad Nammun, this is a full body aromatherapy treatment combined with a customised blend of essential oils with a gentle massage technique to hydrate and relax a tired aching body.

Shop smart this Christmas

Internet shopping is a quick and convenient way to get all your Christmas gifts bought, however with online fraud increasing, it’s recommended that you use precautions when buying online here are some helpful tips:

1.    Some companies have a great website however it doesn’t mean that they are law-abiding, check trader’s details to make sure that there is a geographic address and email address, these are required by law.
2.    When shopping around for the best deals using comparison sites make sure the advertised price includes tax and delivery charges if not you deal might not be as good as you first thought.
3.    There are some online retailers who are part of the Internet Shopping Is Safe (ISIS) trustmark scheme, ensuring that you are protected against fraud.
4.    Only give out your payment card details over a secure connection look for a padlock symbol or ‘https’ in the website address, never give details over email and never give out your card pin number.
5.    For orders over £100 and below £30,000 you should consider using a credit card as these give you extra protection if anything should go wrong.
6.    Keep records of what you order including copies of email invoices.
7.    Before ordering items check terms and conditions for returns, and check your goods as soon as they have arrived because your rights to refunds, repairs and replacements can depend on how quickly you act.
8.    You also have at least 7 days to cancel an order and request a refund if buying from an EU retailer.
9.    Check your bank statements regularly, you have at least 90 days to report a suspect transaction
10.    If you do find that you have a problem, you should contact the seller then, if you have to, the payment company, your local Trading Standards Office and any ‘trustmark’ organsiation the seller is registered with.

The best 4×4 left hand drive cars

If you yearn to own a 4×4 there are literally thousands from which you can choose, price would have to be a major consideration. The cheapest way to buy a 4×4 is to source a left hand drive 4×4 in London, which is probably the best place to find new and used 4×4’s. With a massive number of cars to see and to try, you will be spoilt for choice at specialist left hand drive 4×4 London dealerships.

Specialist knowledge is paramount when buying a 4×4 and with a left hand drive version it will pay you to use a specialist who will be able to use his knowledge to help you with insurance, for instance, as insuring through a normal insurer, or a broker could mean that you are pang more to insure your car than you need to.

After sales service and warranties form an important part of any car sale and a left hand drive 4×4 is no different. Someone who can source the best vehicles, whether this is a new or used left hand drive 4×4 the people who deal in left hand drive 4×4 in London and elsewhere can find a vehicle that is just right for you. If you are taking your left hand drive 4×4 the specialist will organise UK registration shipping and any other preparation, also service work that may be required. All vehicles are meticulously serviced and checked prior to handover.