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Top 6 Tips to Improve Your Home's HVAC Energy Efficiency

  Are you in need of energy efficient HVAC tips that will help you save money and the environment in the process? January is a great time of the year to evaluate the energy costs of your home and make the necessary adjustments to keep your home comfortable and operating in the most cost efficient way.

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New Life "Paints It Forward" for Ezra Lionheart

Hey everyone, Noah Winkles here from New Life Painting. This is going to be our first annual Pain It Forward for Ezra Lionheart. We are doing this in memory of Ezra, my best friend, Eric, and his wife, Sarah who are a part of a program called Angels Foster Care, and they had Ezra for about seven months, and he had passed away a year ago.

So what we're doing is we're going to do a Paint It Forward in his memory. We worked with Angels to get Cindy and Wally Hernandez and we're going to be painting their house today. We chose them just because they have worked with Angels for about six years. They've had 15 kids through their house in the foster program and so we're super thankful, and really happy to work with them and paint their house.  For colors, we're going to go from this sand color and the green fascia, and we're going to go to a bare color which is called perfect taupe. It's kind of a silver taupe color that's going to be for the stucco, and then it's "Starless Night" is going to be for the fascia, which is kind of a dark navy blue. And then the black is Black Bordeaux, and that's going to be going around for the doors and for some of the trim. So those are going to be the three colors we are going to use.

I want to thank Kelly-Moore Paints and Lalo at Kelly-Moore for donating about 25 gallons to repaint this home. We want to just say thank you for that.  

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Custom DIY TV Stand with Sliding Doors

Ok I wanted to get this post out way sooner but ya know, life happened. So it's finally here for you today and I can't wait to share all the details on our gorgeous Custom... Read The Post

The post Custom DIY TV Stand with Sliding Doors appeared first on brepurposed.

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Black Coffee: Separating the Sheep from the Goats

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe …

Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance.

Let's get right to it this week …

Money is stored labor. Labor is part of human life. To devalue money is to debase life.

- John Kenneth Galbraith

Divorce is the one human tragedy that reduces everything to cash.

- Rita Mae Brown

If wisdom were measured by the size of the beard, the goat would be a philosopher.

- Danish proverb

Credits and Debits

Debit: Amazon CEO and founder, Jeff Bezos, announced he and his wife are divorcing after 25 years of marriage. Barring the presence of a prenup, Bezos' net worth is set to drop by half - that would see him lose the “world's richest man” crown to Bill Gates, forcing him to settle for being “only” the world's fifth-richest. His wife, however, would become the world's richest woman.

Credit: On a related note, last week Amazon overtook Apple and Microsoft to become the world's largest company. Unfortunately for Mr. Bezos, while Amazon now sells more stuff than ever, they still haven't penetrated the quicky-divorce market. Yet.

Debit: Looking at the other end of the socioeconomic divide, a new study has determined that 4 in 5 American workers are living from paycheck to paycheck. Yes, yes … I know exactly what you're thinking:

Debit: But seriously, how can so many working people be living from paycheck to paycheck in a “booming” economy? For the answer, look no further than our corrupt, debt-based fiat monetary system; American living standards have been steadily dropping ever since the US dollar's anchor to gold was broken in 1971. And things will only continue to get worse while the current monetary system remains in place.

Debit: By the way, those American workers who are barely making ends meet will be dismayed to learn that JP Morgan is now pegging the odds of a recession at 60% within the next year. What makes this notable is two months ago the very same JP Morgan forecast a 60% chance of recession … two years from now. Did I mention that unemployment more than doubled during the last recession in 2009? It did.

Debit: Indeed, the crashing oil, banking and utility sectors, coupled with slumping home and auto sales, are now at levels not seen since 2008. Of course, this suggests the global economy is headed for a severe recession, which explains the recent rotation into US Treasury bonds - and the resulting decline in interest rates. That makes perfect sense, especially with global confidence in the dollar stronger than ever. Oh, wait …

Credit: Hedge fund manager Harris Kupperman warns that, “When the (stock) bubble unwinds, it will be fast and vicious as there is no natural buyer for a money losing business that's run out of capital. It took half a decade to create the Internet bubble, yet it all vaporized in a few months; this bubble will collapse at a similar rate.” That's bad news for companies like Uber, Tesla, and Twitter. Probably Amazon too.

Debit: Falling stock prices are bad news for pensions too. Thanks to the Fed's decade-long low interest rate policy, the only hope pension managers had of meeting 8% return goals was by stretching into high-risk assets, which are now imploding. The US pension funding shortfall - public and private - is now $6.2 trillion. If the last two cycles are any indication, the next market downturn could see that triple. Yikes.

Debit: With the stakes so high, it's no wonder Fed chairman Jay Powell announced last week that rate hikes are off until further notice and that he's even looking at scaling back the Fed's liquidity-draining quantitative tightening program. Since then, stocks have been rallying. Hard. As macroeconomist Jim Rickards notes, “If you need proof that today's rigged markets still require Fed support, there it is.” Uh huh. Speaking of unwelcome support …

Credit: Meanwhile, Fitch is threatening to cut the United States' AAA credit rating. According to Fitch's global head of sovereign ratings, James McCormack, “There is a meaningful fiscal deterioration going on. If this shutdown continues … we may need to start thinking about whether that is consistent with AAA.” Psst. Hey, Mr. McCormack … that “fiscal deterioration” has officially been in hyperdrive for a decade now.

Credit: So, with the US economy now completely dependent on the Fed's printing press, it's no wonder that the world's largest hedge fund manager, Ray Dalio, all but admitted last week that the US dollar's time as the global reserve currency is coming to an end. No, he didn't say when. Frankly, I don't think he'll have to wait too long.

By the Numbers

Here's a summary of investment returns by asset class in 2018:

0.0% US Treasury Bonds

-1.5% Gold

-4.4% S&P 500

-4.4% Nasdaq

-6.0% Dow

-8.6% Silver

-11.0% Russell 2000

The Question of the Week

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Last Week's Poll Result

What is the brand of your mobile phone?

Apple (42%)

Something else. (33%)

Samsung (20%)

I don't own a mobile phone. (5%)

More than 1400 people responded to last week's question and it turns out that, when it comes to mobile phones, slightly more than twice as many Len Penzo dot Com readers own Apple as Samsung. Another third own a different brand, while 1 in 20 say they don't have a mobile phone. I've got an Apple, but I didn't pay for it - my employer did!

Useless News: The Forbidden Island

A Frenchman, an Englishman, and a New Yorker launched an expedition and discovered an uncharted island.

Unfortunately, the island was home to a tribe of cannibals. Soon enough the three men were ambushed and overrun. They were then tied up and taken to see the tribe's chief.

“You were forbidden from setting foot on this island!” the chief said. “We're going to eat you and use your skins to build a canoe. However, we're not without compassion - we'll let you choose how you're going to die.”

The Englishman said, “Give me a gun.” So the cannibal chief handed him a gun. The Englishman then raised the gun to his head and yelled, “God save the Queen!” before blowing his brains out.

The Frenchman and the New Yorker watched as the cannibals proceeded to skin the dead Englishman.

Inspired by the Englishman's bravery, the Frenchman then said, “Give me a sword.” So his wish was granted and he yelled “Viva la France!” before impaling himself.

The cannibals then skinned the Frenchman.

Finally, it was the New Yorker's turn. “Gimme a fork!” he demanded. The cannibal chief complied, and the New Yorker then jabbed himself over and over with the fork until he was covered with thousands of blood-oozing holes.

Puzzled at the spectacle he just witnessed, the cannibal chief asked the New Yorker, “So … any last words?”

“Yeah,” said the New Yorker. “There goes your God damn canoe!”

(h/t: resistedliving via Zero Hedge)

Other Useless News

Here are the top - and bottom - five states in terms of the average number of pages viewed per visit here at Len Penzo dot Com over the past 30 days:

1. New Mexico (3.13 pages/visit) !! 2. West Virginia (2.65) ! 3. Alaska (2.18) 4. Idaho (2.11) 5. Arkansas (1.86)

46. Hawaii (1.23) 47. Oklahoma (1.20) 48. Vermont (1.19) 49. Mississippi (1.14) 50. Wyoming (1.04)

Whether you happen to enjoy what you're reading (like my friends in New Mexico) - or not (ahem, Wyoming …) - please don't forget to:

1. Click on that Like button in the sidebar to your right and become a fan of Len Penzo dot Com on Facebook!

2. Make sure you follow me on Twitter!

3. Subscribe via email too!

And last, but not least …

4. Consider becoming a Len Penzo dot Com Insider! Thank you.

Letters, I Get Letters

Every week I feature the most interesting question or comment - assuming I get one, that is. And folks who are lucky enough to have the only question in the mailbag get their letter highlighted here whether it's interesting or not! You can reach out to me at: Len@LenPenzo.com

From Terri, who left an urgent request in my inbox this week:

Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! PICK ME!

Okay, Terri … I'm picking you! But if this ends up being the highlight of your week, then we really need to talk.

If you enjoyed this, please forward it to your friends and family. I'm Len Penzo and I approved this message.

Photo Credit: brendan-c

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Top Reasons to Plan Your Spring Landscaping in Winter

In landscaping, winter means spring. The more you plan ahead, the sooner spring will arrive outside your home. Plus, you'll get to spend the season enjoying your outdoor space rather than working on it. Picture it now: You're soaking up the sun on that first warm day-reading and lounging, rather than pulling and planting. If that's not enough to get you inspired, here are the top reasons to start planning your spring landscaping in winter.

Better Scheduling By the time the whispers of spring being in the air begin, your favorite landscape architect's schedule has probably filled up considerably. If you have a design-build project in mind-such as a patio, poolscape or outdoor kitchen-winter is the ideal time to book your desired company and a time frame that is convenient for you.

Pass the Time During the long stretch of winter, we all daydream about the reward of spring and summer. The problem is that doing so tends to make winter feel even longer. Instead of wishing, we can be working-and when we're spending winter working on your vision for when spring finally arrives, the time can fly like you never thought possible. Trust us and try it!

Enjoy the Process Using winter as the prep window for spring also allows you to take your time and enjoy the creativity that comes with landscaping. You can be deliberate with your decisions around plants, hardscaping and other features, without feeling like you're losing the few months of warmth we're entitled to as New Jerseyans. If you wait until spring is in full swing to get started, you could very well find yourself looking to the following spring-a full year down the road-as the one for which your space will be ready to host a bright and sunny get-together.

First to See Spring When you plan ahead, you'll have little to do in April other than wait for that blissful feeling in the air to arrive and embrace the natural beauty that follows. Ready to turn this winter into spring planning? Contact High Tech Landscapes today!

  The post Top Reasons to Plan Your Spring Landscaping in Winter appeared first on Hightech Landscapes.

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Choosing the Right Type of Retaining Wall for Your Property in Westchester County, NY

There are many reasons you may want to add a retaining wall to your landscape. A new retaining could correct the water runoff from your property going into your neighbor's yard, or it could simply add visual interest to your landscape design. How do you choose the right type of retaining wall for your Westchester County, NY, property?

Load-Bearing Retaining Wall

Retaining walls have varying purposes, but the most familiar one is to reduce erosion and water runoff from a sloping yard. Most yards have uneven areas, but the sloping terrain that sends water running toward your home and into your neighbor's yard creates a mess that needs to be resolved. The retaining wall acts as a barrier to keep the soil in place while redirecting the rain water in a storm. Because this type of wall frequently must be high, engaging a professional landscape contractor can be the best choice for a wall that functions as it should.

Related: Designing Stunning Curved Retaining Walls in Putnam County, NY

Tiered Retaining Wall

Some yards have more than one hill, which reduces the usable space for a patio, outdoor kitchen, or play area for the kids. A retaining wall can convert those Westchester County, NY, hills into graduated tiers, allowing you to optimize the use of each section. A play area could inhabit the topmost tier while another tier could be used for a flower or vegetable garden. At the base could lie a patio that adjoins the house, giving you a place to enjoy a fun evening visiting with friends and family as the kids play. Adding steps in the middle provides access to all of the once difficult-to-use landscape.

Landscape Retaining Wall

Some landscapes could go from simply pretty to “Wow!” with the addition of low retaining walls, especially in front yards where they would receive the most attention. A low retaining wall could provide texture and visual interest to the terrain of your yard. Bringing defined lines into an otherwise flowing picture, a low wall would provide a clear cut-off point for an expanse of grass, contrasted by the texture of the wall stones. A low landscape wall can be designed to draw attention to a focal point, like a massive, gorgeous tree or a grouping of colorful rose bushes. Even planting a row of low shrubs on the top of the wall can bring symmetry to the look of the yard.

A low retaining wall does not have to be one continuous wall. You may opt to add a gate to create the sense of something special waiting on the other side. The options are endless!

Any retaining wall can benefit from recessed lighting to bring focus and warmth to your landscape after dark. Retaining walls that border the entry to the driveway are a perfect spot for pillars with lanterns to help your guests locate your home with ease.

Related: 5 Design Styles for your Retaining Walls

Landscape experts can evaluate your yard to propose the design that will bring you the most effortless use and beauty. They can suggest the type of shrubs and plantings that would maximize your home's curb appeal as well as the views you see from your windows.

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What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance?

Small business owners have several ways to protect their financial position from loss, some of which are better understood than others. Insurance coverage, often in the form of liability insurance, and surety bonds are two of the most common types of protection small businesses may implement. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences that make them stand apart from one another. This brief guide provides insight into how surety bonds work, how that differs from insurance coverage, and when either is needed to safeguard a business and its customers.

The Ins and Outs of Surety Bonds

Being bonded and insured is not the same thing. Surety bonds – the first part of that phrase – provide protection to the customers and clients of businesses owners, licensed contractors, and other professionals. Bonds are provided by surety agencies as a way to reduce financial losses or damages incurred by the bondholder's customer should the contract agreed upon not be completed. In some cases, surety bonds are required as part of the licensing process. However, regardless of the type of surety bond in place, each agreement works similarly for the surety agency, the bondholder, and the customer.

When a contractor or business acquires a surety bond, there are three parties involved in the transaction. First, the surety agency that provides the bond evaluates the business owner or contractor to determine if a bond can be put in place. If so, the individual requesting the bond receives a certificate of bonding after paying for the coverage. The third party is the job owner, or the customer, that requires a bond to be in play for a new project to begin. For instance, a construction contractor may have the job site owner as the third party, as that individual or company is at risk if the contractor does not perform as agreed.

When a claim is made against the bond because work is not done in-line with regulations or is not completed per the original agreement, the surety agency pays legitimate claims on behalf of the bondholder. In this sense, a surety bond is like insurance. However, the bondholder is then required to repay the claim amount back to the surety agency.   

Breaking Down Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for a business or an individual contractor differs from surety bonds in several ways. First, business insurance is offered by an insurance company or agency, not a surety agency, and it is not always a requirement for licensing as a professional. Insurance coverage works to protect the business owner or contractor from financial losses. These losses may be the result of damage to the business or inventory, employee theft or other theft, fire, flood, or liability issues that arise with a customer or worker. There are only two parties involved in insurance: the insured and the insurer.

When a claim is made against an insurance policy, the insurance company pays out a benefit up to the limits of the policy for damages incurred, directly to the business or the contractor. This helps protect the individual or entity from financial ruin for circumstances beyond their control. There is no obligation to repay insurance benefits received, which differs from surety bonds for contractors.

Other Notable Differences

In addition to the organizations that offer surety bonds and insurance, and the fundamental ways each type of instrument works, there are other subtle differences between surety bonds and insurance coverage. First, surety bond pricing is based on the financial history and claims track record of the business or contractor. Because surety bond claims are paid by the surety agency and then repaid by the bondholder, individuals with surety bonds are extended a form of credit when getting a new bond. For this reason, surety agencies look closely at the financials of the individual and the business, including credit history and score. The cost of a surety bond is calculated as a percentage of the total bond amount put in place.

Insurance, on the other hand, is priced based on other risk factors. For instance, if a business owner has faced liability issues in the past where an insurance claim was paid, the cost of new insurance coverage may be high. However, most insurance companies do not review credit history or score when determining if a new policy can be issued. They focus more on the risks of the business, based on the type of insurance policy the individual is trying to secure. The cost of insurance is a monthly or annual premium that is paid based on these factors, not a percentage of the insurance policy taken out.

Both surety bonds and insurance coverage are valuable protection strategies for businesses and contractors. However, there are differences bondholders and insured individuals should be aware of before selecting the type of coverage necessary. Understanding these differences is beneficial in protecting your business, your customers, or both.

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

L

The post What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance? appeared first on The Blogging Painters.

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4 Ways to Organize Your Kitchen for the New Year

Welcome to 2019!

As is often the case, with a new year comes a flood of intentions and goals. One common goal is to finally get home organization under control. With the kitchen being the heart of the home, it is a wise place to start the organizing process. But how can you translate your need to organize into actionable tasks? What tools can help you in this endeavor? Here is a look at the ways you can make smart choices with your kitchen design and in turn, get organized [Where do I get the best design ideas?].

Pamper Your Pantry

A common culprit in a messy kitchen is the pantry. This can be for a variety of reasons. A lack of space can make storage cramped and disorganized. Equally painful is having limited access to kitchen items.

Our Solution – Roll-out Trays

Say “goodbye” to the days of digging in your pantry for the assortment of items needed to make dinner. Instead, consider the ease of roll-out trays in your kitchen. Beautiful dovetailed roll-out trays bring the entire shelf contents out for easy access and full visibility

Unruly Small Items

Have you ever reached into your cabinet for the salt only to have to shuffle through 30 other spices? Small items can easily eat away room in your cabinets and lead to clutter in the kitchen.

Our Solution - Pull-out Storage Cabinet

Have ease and visibility to see and access your smaller kitchen items like spices, herbs, and jars with the help of the pull-out storage cabinet. The adjustable shelves help keep these small items at bay.

The Sink of No Return

Another common offender in a messy kitchen is the dreaded sink base. From hard to reach trash cans to crowded cleaning items, a sink can easily turn into the place of no return.

Our Solution: Super Sink Base

Organizing your cleaning items will offer a simple solution to fighting the dead zone in your kitchen.  Declutter your sink with the help of a super sink base. Components of this storage solution include a tilt-out tray to storage sponges, scrubbing brushes, and scouring pads, a basket pull-out for cleaning supplies, a sink base liner to protect your sink base from leaks, and a towel bar.

Cooking and Baking Storage

Still wondering whatever happened to the lid from your spaghetti pot? Or the cookie trays you got last Christmas? What about that collection of container lids that vanished without a trace? Prevent items getting lost in your kitchen by taking advantage of cabinetry to help organize cooking and baking items.

Our Solution – Tray Divider and Multi-Storage Drawer

Never worry about keeping long or flat kitchen items organized again with the help of a tray divider cabinet. Available on base cabinets, refrigerator walls cabinets and over drawer cabinets, this divider keeps baking pans, cutting boards, and serving trays neat and organized.

Whether you're taming an avalanche of lunch containers, pantry items, or pots and pans, the multi-storage drawer offers versatile organization for your kitchen design.

The post 4 Ways to Organize Your Kitchen for the New Year appeared first on CliqStudios.

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Planning Your Yard for the New Year

You've probably heard the saying “new year, new you”, but have you thought about the saying “new year, new yard”? The new year is a great time to take on new projects and to better yourself and space around you. Here are some steps for planning your new yard:

Gather Some Ideas

The first step to planning your new yard is to get a good idea of what you want for your space. You can do this by looking around for inspiration. Start with your friends and family; has anyone you know done any lawn makeovers recently? Was there anything specific that you liked or wanted to include in your space? You can also go online to look for inspiration. Look at websites, like Pinterest, and galleries of landscaping companies to pick ideas that you want to include in your space. It is a good idea to keep a compilation of your thoughts and photos or links to things that you may want to add. The more organized you are with this part of the process, the better off you will be when it comes to executing your landscaping.

Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

There are certain things that need to be included in your landscape- space for pets and children to play, adequate lighting, safe walkways, etc. There are also things that you want to be included in your space such as pools, water features, and gazebos. Write a list of all of your needs and a list of all of your reasonable wants, and start planning on what you can reasonably fit into your space. It is important to be practical and to understand that not everything will fit into your yard. You will need to prioritize what you think will most benefit you, your yard, and your family. Once you have a concrete list of what you do and do not want to be included, you can start planning.

Look into Local Landscapers

Once you have an idea of what you want for your yard and the different aspects that you want to include, it is time to look for a good landscaper. To do this, it is important to ask around for recommendations and to read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to get honest feedback and first-hand experiences about what people were happy and unhappy with in regards to their landscaping experience. Make sure to look for photos of past projects and to seek out workers with good reputations and beautiful work. The better the company you work with, the better overall experience you will have with creating a new yard for the new year.

Build a Timeline

Now that you have your ideas, your wants, your needs, and a trusted landscaper to work with, it is time to create a realistic timeline. Some landscaping projects are going to take longer than others. For instance, a pool installation will take much more time than adding some new foliage. Plan your timeline accordingly. If you want to enjoy your brand new patio for the summertime, make sure that you are making the plans to build it in the early months of spring. Having a timeline established will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your backyard remodel.

Fill Out Our Vision Planner

When you know what you want and when you want it, the next step is to fill out our Vision Planner. Your Vision Planner will help us to understand the details of your project and will help us get an idea of the total price of your remodel. The vision planner tool is thorough and effective and will help us to get on the same page as you so that we can begin your landscape transformation. You can fill out the Vision Planner here.

The new year is a time of new beginnings, and your yard should be no exception. 2019 is the year to get the landscape of your dreams, and we are here to help make that happen. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 543-0500.

The post Planning Your Yard for the New Year appeared first on Cleveland Landscaping and Snow Removal.

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Raising a sofa with furniture casters to turn it into a dining settee bench

First of all Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful break and holiday season! I'm ready to blog again!

… and wow isn't that an exciting title to start with? Uhmmmm nope … but let me tell you it's a project that I should have tackled much much sooner because the outcome is literally life changing for us. I had bought the antique silk velvet sofa in our dining room years ago, yup years ago at a local auction but the seating height was not meant for a dining table. It was just too low and I had put solving this issue on the back burner. I just always apologized to people who sat at our table by saying that I didn't get to fixing the issue yet and that they should just focus on how comfy the settee actually is and not the fact that they are sitting at the table like children who just aren't as tall yet as everyone else. Yeah I'm rolling my eyes at myself as I'm typing.

Part of this project paralysis was due to the fact that I didn't know exactly what I could use to raise the seating.

Continue reading Raising a sofa with furniture casters to turn it into a dining settee bench at Cuckoo4Design.

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Keeping Your Poinsettia Beautiful Throughout The Winter

As one of the most popular holiday flowers, Poinsettias are sold by the millions around the world. But most people are unaware that this holiday masterpiece originated in Mexico. There are currently over 150 different varieties that offer colors of bright red and deep green to softer pinks, oranges and even creams and whites. And because it is native to Mexico, it can remain a beautiful splash of color for your patio or on your dining table throughout the winter months here in Phoenix.

Less Is Best

As with many desert dwellers and plants of the southwest, the Poinsettia prefers less water than most flowers. The roots should not be soaked with water or allowed to become completely dried out. This plant is very susceptible to root rot which will cause the leaves to drop very quickly. Never overwater, simply moisten the soil. Checking the soil every two or three days should be a good schedule.

Warmth and Light

The Phoenix climate is perfect for Poinsettias as they need a good amount of light and to be kept relatively warm. In a sunny window, as a centerpiece on a table near a window or even on a protected patio are all idea in the valley. If the sun is intense, be sure to check the soil more frequently as it will dry out faster. If the nighttime temperature is going to drop below around 45-50 degrees, it is a good idea to bring your Poinsettia indoors for the night and return it outside once the air temperature warms with the morning sun.

Poinsettias and Pets

Almost everyone has heard that Poinsettias are poisonous to domestic pets such as cats and dogs. This is somewhat true. The white milky sap of the flower is mildly toxic and can cause vomiting or drooling but medical care is very rarely required. Most pets who ingest this sap will be lethargic for a day, but then will be fine without special care or medication.

Not only are Poinsettias a long time holiday tradition around the world but they are one of the few that is very well suited to thrive in our desert environment. And with just a little care, they can add a festive splash of color to your home well into the spring.

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The KonMari Method: Organizing Sentimental Items

Organizing sentimental items can be tricky, but the KonMari Method helped us complete the process quickly and easily, decluttering and tidying up our meaningful mementos! This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. It seems like everyone is talking about “tidying up” lately, with the release of Marie Kondo's new Netflix...

The post The KonMari Method: Organizing Sentimental Items appeared first on Just a Girl and Her Blog.

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ideas for displaying quotes

With the new year, sometimes you need a gentle little reminder of your goals, your resolution, or just a little pick me up. Here are some fun and pretty ways you can display your favorites quotes or sayings.  I love this grey letter board. Change out the sayings weekly or monthly depending on the season or events.

I also like the idea of a really large one hanging on a wall like this one here.

I've always had a soft spot for neon signs. This LED one is a fun reminder on life.

Type up your favorite quote and frame it in a simple frame.

Have your favorite saying made onto a sign.

You can always buy a book of quotes, rip our your favorites and frame them.

Our daughter has quotes she has ripped out of magazines and books and she tacks them up on the wall of her closet. I think it's nice getting a friendly little reminder, a little inspiration, or a funny saying where you'd least expect it.

xoxo

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11 Fun Bunk & Loft Beds For Kids

Howdy, friends! Since we're in the middle of working on Steevenson's room and he is WILD about his new bunk beds… …I thought I'd share a list of ten more beds I swooned over while searching for the one we ended up choosing. 2. Charcoal Gray House Bed: I love the style and color of […]

The post 11 Fun Bunk & Loft Beds For Kids appeared first on The Lettered Cottage.

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Advantages of Owning a Franchise

Advantages of Owning a Franchise

On the previous feature, we have discussed the advantages of buying a franchise. In this article, we will further discuss why it is a better idea to own a franchise.

  Organized training and support is provided by the franchiser. You can expect that whatever good practices there is in the brand, this will be carried out to your franchise as well.

Franchisees use various measures to ensure your success. It is in the franchiser's best interest to make sure you grow and sell.

Franchisers often have good track record, a sure prerequisite to become a successful franchise as well. You as an owner carry out the same reputation as well.

Franchisers provide you with location assistance, making sure that wherever you decide to put up your franchise will have the maximum possible profitability.

A good franchise can take advantage of the entire economic system, and negotiate the best prices for everything you need at significantly lower rate than you would as an independent business owner.

  To know more about franchise opportunities at Life Maid Easy, click the link: http://www.lifemaideasyfranchise.com/

The post Advantages of Owning a Franchise appeared first on Life Maid Easy - House Cleaning Services for Vancouver.

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Meet Sweeten General Contractor Nick

His key to success? Scheduling, scheduling, scheduling!

At Sweeten, the experts in our network are experienced contractors and design pros we'd be thrilled to have working in our own homes. We check their licenses, insurance, quality of work, and customer service skills. Trust and open communication are the lifeblood of our free renovation service, and our personal connection to our experts enables us to match you to the best choices for your project. Here, get to know their personality and click to view their portfolio, including photos from past work and client reviews, so that you can hire the right team and renovate with confidence.

Check out Nick's portfolio here 

What do you love most about construction and working in the renovation space?

I think it's great to capture someone's ideas and bring them to life. Also, the joy customers have after the project is completed-when they are satisfied, it's really rewarding.

What do you want all of your clients to know when they start a project?

They have nothing to worry about. We'll take care of everything from A-to-Z.

What is your favorite project that you've done?

Actually, our first Sweeten project. Our client was very easygoing. He shared his vision and then let us work.

Describe your ideal client?

Trusting! They trust us, our expertise, our craftsmanship-pretty much everything about us.

If you couldn't be a contractor what would you be doing and why?

I am actually a chemical engineer. I'd be working back in pharma because I left that to work with my dad and to take over the company. This is really my dad's company, but we're partners.

What is your secret to make sure a project is wrapped up successfully?

Scheduling is the number one thing. Making sure subcontractors all align properly, they're on time and trustworthy. My subcontractors are very reliable.

What is your favorite New York City borough

I'm from Queens, so let's go with Queens.

What is your favorite New York restaurant?

There is a really good brick oven pizza in Brooklyn. It's called Campañas, it is right by the Verrazano bridge in Bay Ridge.

Take a look at some of Nick's renovations below and check out his portfolio for more photos of past work.

(1 & 3) Kate and Daniel's bathroom in Jackson Heights (2) Gloria's kitchen in Queens

Nick has been a Sweeten general contractor since March 2017.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project's location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you're ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

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The Top Kitchen Trends Of 2019

Does anyone know what happened to 2018? It feels like the year just flew by. But 2019 is here, and in the past few months we've noted an obvious shift towards new kitchen trends. Here, we're breaking down a few of our favorites, plus easy ways for you to incorporate these fresh new styles into your kitchen.

Grey Kitchen Cabinets

Grey is clearly still having a moment and we love incorporating this modern neutral into the kitchen with cabinets. Grey kitchen cabinets add subtle color and contrast to the room, without stretching too far away from tradition. This finish works well in a variety of themes from transitional to more contemporary, making gray the perfect choice for your kitchen remodel.

Mix and Match Cabinet Finishes

If the idea of grey kitchen cabinets or another color feels like a leap for you, consider mixing two different cabinet colors. Two-toned kitchens are trending in 2019 and with this approach you can lean into change without diving all the way in. Consider an accent wall of cabinets, a kitchen island, or wet bar cabinets in your color of choice. Your kitchen cabinetry can remain predominantly neutral with a splash of creativity.

Matte Black Appliances

Stainless steel appliances have some stiff competition. Matte black is becoming the finish of choice for kitchen appliances and for good reason. This new model is sleek and glamorous, finding itself right at home in more fashion forward kitchens. Choose matte black appliances to create a seamless look among your black cabinets or to create a classic two-toned kitchen with white cabinets.

Natural Stone Backsplash

The love of natural stone is not fizzling out any time soon. In fact, it seems to be popping up in more places than ever before. We've moved beyond the natural stone countertop to the natural stone backsplash – and even wall! With the favor towards rustic styles and more organic elements, incorporating natural stone in a more predominant way has become a priority for many homeowners. Bring this trend into your kitchen with an easy-to-install natural stone backsplash from The RTA Store.

Custom Nooks and Features

It seems like everyone wants a place that feels like his or her own. As a result, homes are becoming more customized and personal. Just having your own bedroom is no longer the standard, and kitchens are no longer just for cooking. We now also want a comfy reading nook, a walk-in pantry, a home office, and a fully stocked wet bar for entertaining. Because of these more specific desires, kitchens are becoming more customized. To add a personal touch to your kitchen, think of a new way you can optimize the space you have to meet one of your needs, such as installing wet bar cabinets off of your kitchen to create a home bar or overhauling your pantry into a super organized, clearly labeled dream for the New Year.

At The RTA Store we help make your dream home a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled cabinets and accessories. Whether it's your kitchen bathroom, laundry room, home office, bar room or TV room, we offer the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store, but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your dreams come true with the help of our free room design tool!