Category: General Articles

Choosing Gifts For Your Dad

You want to buy gifts for your Dad that show how special you think he his. After all the great things he’s done for you. Only Dad’s are always pretty evasive when we ask them what they want for their special day. Usually we get the answer ‘nothing’. Of course getting them nothing just wont do, so we need to turn detective!

I always found asking ‘Mum’ what Dad would want fairly successful, Although the answer would normally be pretty practical. Socks or new ink cartridges for the printer. Useful but not particularly cool gifts for Dad!

Is your Dad an up to date dude on Facebook? If so have a look and see if that gives you any clues, nope? Mmm…. Have a dig through his music collection, what does he like? Are any of them touring in the near future, could you get him tickets to see them? Or is your Dad’s music collection so old it’s still on vinyl? In which case you could buy him one of those gismo’s that you plug into the pc and transports his dusty old collection into the digital age.

What about his hobbies, does Dad love golf, fishing, bikes (motorised or otherwise?), does he play a musical instrument?

Ok, if analysing his life doesn’t give you any ideas for gifts for your Dad, how about my top 5 great gifts for Dad?

5. Time

The gift of time is very precious. What Dad could appreciate anything more than his son or daughter arranging a day out with him? Arrange a day that you know your Dad would enjoy. If he like cars or motor bikes, find out if there is a show on near you. Fishing or golfing. Even if he isn’t into these types of activities, it’s never to late to start! If all else fails a pie and a pint at the local won’t!

4. Best Dad T-Shirt

This might sound a bit cheesy, but I can’t think of any Dad who would, even maybe secretly, love this gift. Find an old picture of you both, or a photo of the whole family and have it made into a T-shirt. Along with a caption such as ‘I love my Dad’, or ‘Best Dad in the World’

3. Brew Your Own Beer Kit

These had gone out of fashion. A couple of decades ago brewing your own murky concoction in the garage was all the rage. Thanks to the recent recession the idea of brewing your own pint is making a bit of a come back. Thankfully modern technology has improved the process of brewing your own, the gift with a refreshing drink at the end, great gifts for Dad!

2. Avoiding DIY disaster

Most Dad’s like to think of themselves as a bit of a dab hand at DIY. If yours is one of them then buy him a DIY encyclopaedia. From fixing tiles to a spot of rewiring. There’s nothing like a …

Assembling KidKraft Fun Explorers Submarine

The mere thought of having to assemble a toy makes most parents uneasy. We have all dealt with products that were almost impossible to assemble, with incorrect instructions and missing parts. Having just finished assembling the KidKraft Fun Explorers Submarine, I must say I was amazed. Manufacturers often claim their product is easy to assemble, but KidKraft has really made assembling the Fun Explorers Submarine easy and fun.

For starters, no need to try to figure out which part matches the picture in the instructions. KidKraft Fun Explorers Submarine assembly instructions show part numbers. No big deal you think – but they also have little number stickers on the parts themselves! So there is never a question if the part you picked up really matches what you saw in the instruction pictures. The numbers make it easy to identify each part. This takes all guessing out of assembly. Why other manufacturers do not do this is a mystery, but KidKraft really deserves credit for making the assembly experience stress free.

Assembling the submarine is a step by step process. Parts can be logically separated into two categories:

1) larger things that have to be put in a specific place, and screwed in

2) smaller accessories that can be placed anywhere, though assembly instructions suggest proper location

Phillips screwdriver, which is not included, is needed to assemble the KidKraft Fun Explorers Submarine. An Allen wrench used to secure the propeller comes with the set. Each assembly step typically involves putting two parts together, and using 2 or 3 screws to secure the parts in place. Thus eight simple steps suffice to assemble the submarine – and at any point in time you are dealing with only two parts and two or three screws.

Kidkraft claims it takes only 30 minutes for a grownup to assemble the submarine. But this would be a wasted opportunity to have fun. Why not get your child involved in the assembly process. Kids can wipe the parts, secure parts with screws (under grownup supervision), and generally have fun watching the submarine take shape. The time to finish assembly will be longer, but everyone will have plenty of fun, and it could be educational as well.

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Where to Find Adorable Infant Boy Dress Clothes

It can be quite a challenge to find a suitable and adorable dress-up ensemble for a baby boy. Certain times of year the shops will stock more formal apparel for infants, generally around the winter holidays and again in the spring. Should your event be at another time, shopping for a suitably dressy baby boy outfit becomes more difficult. Perhaps the little darling is attending a wedding, formal party or special occasion and should be dressed accordingly. There are other options than just the baby clothing department. It’s a special event, start your little gentleman young with the idea that he should be dressed for the festivities.

In recent years, many specialty boutiques have sprung up offering designer and unique things for children and babies. While commonly a more pricey option, the quality and attention to detail on the dress clothes for infant boys will ensure that the little man is dressed to impress. These baby boutiques will also carry charming accessories and can be a great place to find unique gifts for little boys. Some of these shops specialize in handmade items, while others focus on environmentally sound sources and practices. Other baby boutiques may focus more on a refined taste, elegant and classic children’s’ wear that can reflect a more traditional taste. It reflects well upon the family as a whole to attend to the details of even the youngest member’s appearance. Whether that family has a refined sense of tradition or an artistic flair, baby boutique wear can let a baby boy dress up in a style fitting to his heritage. A browse of the local specialty boutiques in your area can be a fun afternoon filled with interesting finds.

As infants tend to outgrow their clothes with great speed and regularity, children’s consignment stores have also found their way into many shopping centers. A far cry from the crowded and dusty thrift stores, these shops are set up much like the specialty boutiques, but stock previously-owned merchandise. A more budget-minded option, a kids’ consignment shop is likely to have a good selection of infant boys’ formal or dress-up wear. Rather like the mom-to-mom sales, parents trade in their child’s outgrown or unneeded clothing for store credit or sometimes cash. If funds are an issue, it may be possible to swap out some of that massive pile of outgrown and hardly worn bodysuits for a dapper ensemble for the little gent to wear to a formal event.

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Baby Shower Gifts: 7 Top Baby Gifts for A New Born

A baby is a nice addition to the family. While you can cuddle the baby to your heart’s content, you must not forget to bring the newly born loads and loads of gifts just to express your ardent love. When it comes to baby shower gifts, there are plenty to choose from. However, here we present some of the top baby gifts which will keep any baby and its mom more than just happy:

i. Beautiful baby shoes: Baby shoes or booties are ideal gifts since they can be used by the newborn almost immediately. Make sure to buy booties which are comfortable to the wearer, cute in looks and extremely protective.

ii. Gift or note cards: This gift is more for the mom than the baby. You can supplement your other gift with a note or gift card. A personalized card with a personalized message will be the more preferred one and can also serve as keepsakes from the occasion.

iii. A baby seat or pram: Why not gift the baby a cushioned seat or a pram which can be safe and snuggly. Plus, the modern day sellers stock those alluring and sophisticated ones which even come with lights & musical notes.

iv. A play mat: A colorful and jovial-looking play mat is also considered one of the top baby gifts. It can come with toys, soft toys, chimes and other attractive things that will keep the baby in a cheerful mood.

v. Books: Books make for another perfect gift. But we are not talking of any normal fiction piece! If you are planning to buy a book for the mom, then make sure that it has got interesting facts and trivia about babies or it has tips on parenting or things like that. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book for the baby, you can purchase those animation-filled picture books which are tailor made for a toddler of a 1-2 year old.

vi. Newborn pictures: When you are picking baby shower gifts for the mom, one of the best gifts that you can give is an adorable picture of the newborn. The mom can hang the picture on the wall of her bedroom and gape at it throughout the day until her own baby arrives. This is a gift that comes with loads of feel-good feeling!

vii. Bath kit: Bath kits also make for coveted baby gifts. The baby, once he arrives, will need a lot of cleaning and for the sake of hygiene, it is always prudent to have a separate bath kit for the young one. A bath kit comes with lots of essential things including towels, combs, brushes and even bath toys. Both the baby and the mother are going to love this gift for sure.

Some other baby shower gifts that you can pick up are silver spoons (silver gifts are popular by tradition), bedding for the baby, baby …

Review of Key Fashion Trends For Spring Summer 2010

There are plenty of different women’s wear trends for 2010 which should include something to suit everyone. The trends can be separated into two main categories minimalist and busier or eclectic styles which include lots of colours and patterns. The nineties is a key influence on trends for SS10 with both grunge and nineties minimalism making a comeback.

Here are some of the key trends that were seen on the catwalks for SS10 and it won’t be long before they start to filter down to the high street and online retailers.

Military – Stella McCartney featured a very stylish washed out version of the camouflage print whilst khaki colours were popping up every where from Alexander Wang to Chloe, Balmain and Louis

Vuitton. Classic, crisp tailored pieces and more elaborate costume style pieces will all be big news for Spring and summer.

Stripes – this trend has been bubbling away for a season or two now but for the spring and summer is likely to explode with a bang. The flattering version of horizontal stripes has been seen on dresses everywhere from Paul Smith to Sonia Rykiel.

Florals – This seasons floral fall into three camps, the feminine and romantic ones which are worn with washed out pastels and denim, the darker smaller ones which are worn grunge style with black opaques and boots and the really bright, bold and graphic ones which are layered with bright colours and clashing patterns for maximum wow factor.

Pattern Mixing – this is such a huge trend for 2010 it featured on so many different catwalks in one way or another. There really a re no rules when it comes to this trend, anything goes from mixing clashing prints subtle washed out pastels prints, checks, stripes, spots and florals.

Layering – another key comeback look from the nineties, laterying will be big again for 2010. Check out Alexander Wang for inspiration on how to achieve the most laid back style by layering. You can also use layering to play with proportions as seen at Marios Schwab.

Safari – this is a really classic trend which makes a comeback year after year. Look for neutral tones and simple classic safari style jackets and shorts.

Denim – look for classic chambray shirts, denim skirts to wear with white shirts as seen at Stella McCartney, denim with ditsy floral pieces or more directional pieces as seen at D & G.

Chiffon and Nude Colours – Dreamy dresses in nude, neutrals, creams and beiges made of sheer fabrics such as chiffons were all over the catwalks for SS10. Some of the most beautiful included Chanel, Fendi, Givenchy and Gianfranco Ferre.

Some of the key pieces of clothing to update your wardrobe for the Spring and Summer are the new and updated version of the classic trench as seen at Burberry, ankle socks worn with strappy shoes if you dare, shorts in just about any style you choose, relaxed …

Giving Gifts Could Be The Best Way To Keep The Romance Alive

When you find that you are at the peak of your love with everything going on fine, you would like to keep that love alive. The best way to keep the romance alive is by giving gifts. If you are at the beginning of a relationship, it may not be appropriate for you to think of giving gifts. You may not know what your lover loves and may end up disappointing him or her by giving a gift she might not particularly like. Secondly, a premature gift may even lead to nipping of the relationship in bud, if your partner misinterprets your intentions.

But a well developed love would do well with a nice gift. But what kind of gift can be given? This will be a difficult question to find an answer to. You can classify gifts into two categories: gifts your lover will like and gifts that will be useful to your lover. A gift that your lover loves will bring you an instant appreciation but a useful gift will ensure that your lover will remember you for a long time. In either case, the gift should suit the personality of your lover.

But the most important thing about choosing a gift is to remember that you should not allow your own interests to cloud your choice. People often have the unconscious habit of choosing a gift in tune with their own interests. When they find that the receiver is not much impressed, they tend to fault the taste of the receiver. But the reality is that everyone has his or her own preferences. So, focus on the interests of your lover. If both of you have some common interests, then the task will be easy. Otherwise, you should put yourself into the shoes of your lover. This should be immensely possible and easy if you have been in love fairly long enough and have a good understanding about your lover and their tastes.

It will also be useful to check whether your lover is already in possession of the article you plan to buy. Of course, you have to get this information discretely by asking some indirect questions. Think of the things you have been talking about, the desires, ideas and cravings expressed by your lover at different times. It will not be difficult for you to find out what your lover wants or needs and make an appropriate choice.

If you can add an element of surprise to your gift, it will enhance the value of the gift.

The idea of giving your lover a gift is to express your love and affection toward them. Therefore, the gift doesn’t have to be very expensive. Something simple will often prove to be the most valuable.

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The Basic Elements of Style

Wearing the latest in fashion is what every one of us likes to do. But it is very important to carry the clothes in style. Having a great wardrobe is definitely essential but some basics of style should also be adhered to in order to make a striking fashion statement. There are lots of online wholesale apparel shops that cater to the fashion conscious generation. But apart from stocking up a fantastic collection, there are a few other issues that need to be paid attention to.

• A well groomed appearance is very essential in order to carry any ensemble with style. Nobody looks good with straggly, greasy hair, chewed up fingernails, gross skin, unplucked eyebrows, and leg stubble.

• Taking good care of your clothes is also very important. Well maintained clothes are the basic requirement of carrying off any stylish look with elan.

• Over usage of accessories can kill any fashionable ensemble. It is always best to make minimum use of accessories so that they can act as a compliment to the basic outfit and add some style.

• Try to choose outfits based on which colors and styles look nice on you. It is a good idea to match what you are wearing with your own personality. This helps in bringing out your true colors and helps you look and feel great.

Each year new fashion trends are born and it is time for the old ones to retire. Though it is definitely a great idea to go with what is in vogue, but at the same time you should keep an eye out for the comfort factor as well. Comfort and style goes hand in hand and choosing apparel based on how comfortable you feel wearing them is the smartest decision. Fashion trends appear unexpectedly and fade away even quicker than they appeared.

There is no limit to the permutations one can think of in terms of mixing and matching clothes and creating a style that is comfortable yet elegant. If you want to achieve a great look, be in line with new fashion styles that are influenced by different seasons. In recent we have seen the rise of new brands as well as the comeback of some old fashion trends. To wear something different and with style is to create fashion and with a bit of creativity you can come up with unique combinations that can become a personal fashion statement.

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Guide to Hair Removal – Part 1

These days it seems there are so many ways to remove unwanted hair that it’s hard to know where to begin! We thought we’d discuss some pro’s and cons for modern hair removal techniques over the next couple of weeks. This week we’re looking at waxing, and sugaring, ouch!

Waxing

Waxing is a method of hair removal that can be used on almost any area of the body, from eyebrows to legs. It involves a thin layer of warmed wax being spread over the skin, after this a piece of cloth or paper is pressed firmly onto the wax, which is then is pulled quickly off against the direction of hair growth. Waxing can be quite precise when required, though we would recommend that you visit a professional before you attempt to use this method yourself.

Pros

Waxing removes hair from the root so it will leave you hair free for longer than methods such as shaving or the use of creams – up to around 6 weeks!

You won’t get ‘stubble’ with waxing in the way that you do with shaving as there are no sharp cut edges left to grow back.

Re-growth appears softer and less noticeable for this reason.

Cons

It can be tricky to use this method yourself as there is a certain amount of skill involved. Also, you must avoid waxing fragile, broken or bruised skin and never wax moles or areas with varicose veins.

If you are using steroid medication you must avoid waxing as it may thin the skin.

This method of hair removal may cause bleeding or skin irritation.

Wax can be tricky to remove from the skin if any is left after use.

The biggest argument against waxing is that it hurts!

Sugaring

Sugaring as the name suggests involves the use of a sugar, honey or molasses based paste and works and is applied in a very similar way to waxing.

Pros

See waxing pros.

Sugaring may be less painful than waxing because sugaring paste may be less likely to stick to the skin than wax, therefore removing only the hair and not affecting the skin in such a dramatic way.

It is also easier to remove sugaring paste than wax – all it takes is warm water.

Cons

See waxing cons.

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Trying to Fit Into Clothes

People’s weight issues are never-ending. Famous people are always in magazines for being too skinny or overweight. The TV channels are filled with weight loss shows and documentaries about people with health problems who are trying to get fit. Sometimes however people are just the frame that they are meant to be.

Diet and exercise is meant to be an important part of life and to many people they do try to take this into consideration. However the number of young people being able to cook from scratch decreasing and the number of working hours increasing, this makes it very difficult to come home from work and cook up healthy meals. Healthy food always seems to be the things that take time to create meals out of. This compares to microwave meals and bars of chocolate, all the nice but naughty things, which are readily available for you to stuff your face with! Temptations pop up everywhere and you will need real will power if you are a bit obsessed with a certain bad thing for you.

Although people do become overweight from eating unhealthily and having too much of the wrong food, underweight people can too become this way through not eating enough. Some however are naturally just this way. Some ‘skinny’ people who you see walking down the street are trying really hard to put on weight and whilst many people wonder how they can moan about having to put it on, but it can be just as difficult for them to put pounds on as it is for larger people to drop them.

When you create sculptures of human beings you have to start out with a wire frame, and although some people with weight issues will use this as an excuse, it can be true that some were built to hold a certain amount of weight. Whether it is no more or no less, it can be very difficult for these people to change shape. Although this may sound odd, some people genuinely look better being a bit over or underweight; if they drastically changed they will not look like they did before and some parts of their body may change which they wished had not.

Clothes can be a struggle at both ends of the spectrum; I know this because I can still fit into young children’s clothes although I am lucky enough to fit into adult sizes too. For some who can only fit into kids clothes it can be upsetting as they want to be able to shop in the normal adult section instead of the children’s wear, or on the other scale in the plus size department. No matter what size you are or where you are trying to get to, as long as you are happy in yourself do not worry about where you have to shop, it’s how you make the clothes look on you that counts.

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The History of The Bridesmaid

Who came up with the idea of having bridesmaids? Most brides know that this special day could never be pulled together without their help. So why do we have bridesmaids and what is their historical importance?

the history of the bridesmaid dates back to the ancient Anglo Saxons who always began a wedding with bridesmaids leading the groom to the chapel and groomsman leading the bride. In ancient roman the roman law stated that there must be at least ten witnesses to a wedding. In order to outsmart the evil spirits that were believed to attend the wedding the bridesmaids would dress identical to the bride. This continued even into the late 19th century in England when it was believed that ill-wishers would administer curses and hexes at the wedding, but if the bride and bridesmaids were all dressed identical they would not know who to curse.

In other parts of the world the bridesmaids served as foot soldiers. The bride was accompanied by maidens dressed alike to confuse would be robbers on her way to her grooms village. They served as her as protection. This entourage would also deter scorned suitors from stealing her dowry or kidnapping the bride herself. Over time this protection was less needed and the number of bridesmaids became a direct signifier of the wealth and social status of the bride. The more maidens you had waiting on you on your wedding the more money you were supposed to have there by elevating you social status.

In ancient China the bride’s house was guarded by her bridesmaids. When the groom came to collect his bride he had to first pass the tests of the bridesmaids. This custom originated from the bride’s family and friends not wanting the bride to leave the family home. The groom was blocked at the bride’s door, and the bridesmaids tried to stop him from entering by asking questions about the bride, a way to test if he really cares about her. This was all done in good nature and eventually the groom was allowed to enter but sometimes the bridesmaids played tricks on the Groom to delay him from entering spawning yet another custom which lead to him giving gifts to the bridesmaids to let him enter the house.

Bridesmaids may not serve as foot solders but they still play a very important role in the wedding ceremony, not by fending off hexes and scorned suitors, but by providing support and serving as an advisory board. They are special guests at the reception and act as the bride’s special assistants. From shopping for dresses to writing place cards and hosting the bridal shower, their first duty is to be helpful. Today they fend off mishaps instead of hexes and act as the first line of defense for all the things that may go wrong on this special day protecting the bride from stress instead of evil. The payoff is that walk down the aisle, looking …