The Publishers League

February 12, 2010

Easy Projects For The Beginning DIY’er

Filed under: Home and Furnishings — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 5:20 pm
Knock knock
Creative Commons License photo credit: marc0047

DIY home improvement is becoming the standard, rather than the “weekend warrior” image that it used to conjure up.  The housing market has us living in our homes longer, and the economy has less money for all, so this is the perfect economy for people to learn to do it themselves.  In this post I want to share some projects that are perfect for those that are just starting to get their feet wet with the DIY mentality, but want to make a big impact in their home.

Changing out the ugly brass doorknobs that came with your home is just about the easiest project around.  They are extremely easy to replace, and new ones make a huge impact.  You can find the knobs that fit your style online, or if you’re the “old school” type, vintage doorknobs are also pretty easy to find at antique stores.

Another project that will help out your wallet and the planet is to install weather stripping on the windows and doors.  Rubber weather stripping is very affordable and comes with an adhesive side that makes it super easy to install.  This project will lower your energy bills by reducing the amount of air that leaks out of your doors and windows, thus keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  You can find rolls of this weather stripping at your local hardware store, and if you need to buy a lot of it bulk pricing is easy to find online.

An easy way to improve the lighting in your bathroom is with new light fixtures.  These are much easier to install than you might think, and only take basic knowledge of wiring and electricity to complete.  The key to making it as simple as possible is to get fixtures that are the same size as the current ones so no modification is necessary for the wall.

DIY home improvement isn’t a trend, it’s how everyone is going to do things in the future.  Only highly specialized projects will go to the pros and the rest will be left to you and me.  What better time to start learning than right now?

February 11, 2010

Facts About Smoking Marijuana

Filed under: Health & Fitness — Tags: , — damon @ 6:01 pm
Cannabis VII
Creative Commons License photo credit: Adrian Miles ©

A lot of people think that marijuana is a relatively harmless drug for a number of reasons.  It is pretty easy to rationalize this because it is not really possible to overdose on the drug, nor is it possible to become so intoxicated on the drug as to pass out or be completely dysfunctional.  There is no real fatal dose.  It is also easy to justify because there is almost no withdrawal symptoms for the vast majority of users.  You can simply stop using the drug and be perfectly fine, without having to do anything special to go through thc detox.

Most people get bent out of shape over how harmful the smoking is for them physically, and many compare it to cigarettes.  They will make claims such as “one joint contains more tar in it than 200 cigarettes,” and make other outrageous sounding claims such as this.  Is this really true?  Probably by some measurement, it may very well be.  But it misses the point.  Those who abuse marijuana on a regular basis are suffering from an emotional standpoint more than a physical one.  They are handicapping themselves socially and using the drug to dodge reality.

The real facts about smoking marijuana are that people who are hooked on the drug and use it every single day are probably medicating their emotions and their daily stress with it.  Instead of facing life and dealing with normal, everyday problems, they are using the drug to medicate themselves every day at the drop of a hat.  This becomes a problem over time and really becomes a lack of maturity.  The person stops growing emotionally and they get to the point where they have to be high before they can have fun even watching a movie or enjoying a sporting event.  Their life becomes defined by the need to get high in order to enjoy themselves, and of course this is a trap of addiction.

Learn How to Apply Makeup Like a Pro

Filed under: Men's and Women's Fashion — Tags: , , , — damon @ 3:23 am
20100124-DSC_0087_074
Creative Commons License photo credit: Scribblez

People think that makeup is only for those who work in the fashion or entertainment industry. But actually makeup could be used to enhance your features and camouflage skin imperfections. However, applying makeup should be done well in order to project your best features. If you want to apply makeup like a PRO it is important to start mastering the basics first.

Face

There are a lot of makeup primers nowadays that you could use to make your makeup last all throughout the day, a good one to try is Smashbox Face Primer. Next, apply a concealer that is a bit lighter than your natural skin tone. Usually yellow-based concealers work best for most skin types. Then apply a foundation that matches your skin. I just apply only on key areas like on your forehead, on your chin and your cheeks. Then spread it across your face. Use powder to set everything in place. A little blush on the apples of your cheeks, and a bit of bronzer makes your face glowing already.

Eyes

Like for the face, you could use an eyeshadow base called Urban Decay Primer Potion which makes your eyeshadow brighter and lasts longer. Normally we use a tapered brush to apply eyeshadow and probably a smaller brush at the corner of your eyes to blend a darker shade, creating smokey eyes. With the use of a small angled brush, you could apply eyeliner at your eyes’ waterline and on top of your eyeshadow lids near the lashes. Then apply two coats of mascara.

Lips

In choosing lipstick, it usually depends if it is for daytime or evening looks. Normally we use more neutral colors for work and brighter or more colorful lips for night. You could also use a lip pencil to define the shape of your lips. And to finish it off, dab some lip gloss on the middle of your lips to add a hint of shine. Now you are officially perfect and have that beauty

February 10, 2010

Choosing the Right Metal Carport Roof Style

Filed under: Home and Furnishings — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 9:40 pm
SteelMaster Metal Carport
Creative Commons License photo credit: SteelMaster Buildings

Most consumers choose a carport roof style that is consistent the root style of their home or simply because they like the ways it looks. There are many roof style options for metal carports including arched, A-frame, flat, and gabled. What most consumers do not realize is that weather conditions should also play an important role in choosing the right roof style for an outdoor shelter. Unlike the roof of your home which is able to withstand snow accumulation, high winds, and heavy rainfall, most carport infrastructures are not able so you need to find a roof style that will work with your type of climate.

Arched, gabled, and A-frame roof styles work best in areas of heavy snow and rain because the excess weight will simply run off to the sides of the shelter. Flat roof styles are perfect for areas of high winds because they are less likely to interfere with the wind. Canopy style carports are the least expensive to purchase but you will need to make sure that you take the shelter down should the forecast call for inclement weather such as high winds and heavy snowfall. Canopies work really well for seasonal shelter for cars, boats, RVs, and other seasonal machinery or equipment. Canopy shelters are ideal for commercial use as well for such things as onsite vehicle, machinery, and supply storage.

Some carport companies sell one specific type of roof while others carry a wide selection of styles so you can find exactly what you need. Leonard Carports is a perfect example of a company that carries a good selection of multiple types of roofs as well as both open and enclosed carports. Leonard has fifty one factory outlet stores in the North Carolina region. The company is well known for their quality storage sheds, storage buildings, and portable buildings. If you do not live in the North Carolina area, make sure you try to find a carport locally because that will eliminate the high shipping costs.

Home Remedies for Natural Joint Pain Relief

Filed under: Health & Fitness — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 7:56 am

There are many home remedies for natural joint pain relief but which one is right for you? If you have joint pain and are overweight, it would be best for you to shed some weight. This is especially advisable for those who suffer from knee joint pain because it is the knees that carry the whole body’s weight. Going through a crash diet will not help though so what you need to do is to lose weight the healthy way. Adding more green vegetables to your diet is suggested along with taking in more water and fresh fruit juice. If you do this everyday, you will be shedding weight faster than people who go through crash diets.

If your joints are really aching and you need immediate relief, joint pain can be alleviated by rubbing wintergreen lotion on your joints. This will help you feel much better.

Starting with a meal plan for every week is a good way to change your diet. Your diet should be composed of natural remedies that help in relieving pain in your joints. Add more items that have omega 3 fatty acids -that means you have to eat a lot of fish. There are many fish recipes you can find online. If you do not like fish much, start with a tuna sandwich or a tuna steak. You can also try buttered tuna with lemon juice; just go easy on the butter.

In the morning, instead of drinking coffee or maybe before you drink your coffee, get a warm glass or water with apple cider vinegar and honey. Ginger tea with honey is also a great alternative. These warm drinks will not only give you a lot of energy but will also lessen joint pain.

Try to get a regular massage in your favorite spa at least once every two weeks. Increasing your blood flow will prevent your joints from aching. Apart from that, you can also try doing yoga or other forms of exercise. Building up your muscles is important so that they remain healthy even if they hurt from time to time.

February 9, 2010

Perquisites For Signature Loans For Bad Credit

Filed under: Personal and Corporate Finance — Tags: , — damon @ 1:53 pm

Unlike many other loan options, signature loans for bad credit do not require a co-signer or any type of collateral to secure the loan. A signature loan simply needs your signature and proof of income to secure the loan. Signature loans are often referred to as unsecured personal loans because the lender will offer the loan based on your credit and your income. You must be able to repay the loan in a timely manner in order to secure the loan.

If your past credit problems have been terrible, lenders are going to look upon this as a reflection for the future and they may not lend you the money you need. Your best option for a signature loan is to keep the funding amount small and then to ask a good friend to co-sign the loan. If your friend has good credit, this will secure the loan for you, allowing you the opportunity you need to get the money you need to pay for your emergency expenses.

The biggest positive of bad credit signature loans is the ability to use the funds for whatever you need, without needing collateral. You just need to have a steady income in order to secure the loan.

Anyone that needs to use the money to pay for school should first look into student loans for people with bad credit. These student loans give you the money you need for your education, but without the fast repayment terms as signature loans or other personal loans. Student loans also offer a large advantage because your interest rate will be smaller from those of personal loans. Although you are going to have a larger interest rate because of your bad credit, you should easily be able to pay off the money you borrow when you get a nice job thanks to your education.

Consider Listing Your Site at a Directory

Filed under: Business & Marketing — Tags: , — damon @ 1:01 pm

People tend to think that search engines are the only way to get your website traffic. This is certainly not the case. There are dozens of ways to get your site traffic, including traffic exchanges and link directories. The latter is probably the best source of getting traffic.

The way search engines work is by using bots to search out how many inbound links are directed towards your site. The more inbound links, the higher your site is going to be listed. Inbound links provide traffic, and the only way for a site to measure your traffic is to locate and tag your site first. If your site is found by itself without being submitted to a search engine, it stands a higher chance of being successfully listed on one. That being the case, don’t submit to Google, or any other search engine for that matter. Instead, try listing your site in a link directory.

A link directory, like Yahoo! Directory, lists sites under every category conceivable. These directories are gleaned by search engines every couple of months for new additions. Those new additions are added to search engine results, which is how Google can boast millions of sites for just a few keywords or a phrase.

You can also search directories for other places to list your site. For example, typing the phrase making money on Google will lead you to different directories for affiliate programs, as well as sites that feature articles on how to make money.

While a directory is not the same as a search engine, it can be said that it’s just as effective as a search engine. It’s free, and you will certainly get more positive results from listing your site there than you would listing it at the top six search engines online.

10 Smart fat burning tips

Filed under: Health & Fitness — Tags: — damon @ 4:08 am

In this article you will find the top 10 tips to help you burn fat and they do actually work. Unlike all the other tips that leave you frustrated and none the lighter. Implementing them will not have you frustrated you will rather be enlightened and your body fat percentage will lower each day. Just follow these tips and see how the fat just melts away:

1. Weight train

Building muscles burns fat like crazy as they make place for the new muscles. To start building muscles, take up regular weight training.

2. Do interval training

Interval training is definitely the cardio exercise that burns the most fat and calories. Do 20 minutes of cardio interval training for 2-3 times a week. One of the best cardio machines that you should have a look at is the eliptical machine.

3. Eat fat burning food

Fat burning food will help you to burn more fat. Make sure to include lots of them in your daily diet.

4. Train on an empty stomach

This is also a great strategy to lose more fat. The fitness mini stepper is excellent for toning the lower body.

5. Get in as much free exercise

Free exercise is exercise that doesn’t really count as real exercise but they do help you to burn much more calories and fat. These includes walking your dog, vacuuming the carpets and taking the stairs instead of the lifts

6. Drink lots of water

Here is a great reason to drink up – after a glass of water, your metabolism increases significantly.

7. Decrease your calorie intake

Eat slightly less than you would normally do and you will lose weight and fat in the process.

8. Use supplements

Supplementing with weight loss supplements can help you to burn more fat and calories. Just make sure that you know of all the risks and the precautions you need to take.

9. Drink green tea

Drinking green tea can aid in fat loss and can also cause less fat to be stored.

10. Don’t stress

Excess stress can be the reason why you are not losing fat as it can make you store fat on your tummy. To destress do some yoga or meditations.

When you put the above tips to practice, you will start to see your body fat percentage lowered and you will get lean and more defined. Just remember to exercise regularly and to follow a healthy and balanced eating plan. That way you will be in shape for life.

February 8, 2010

Decorating A Whole House

Filed under: Home and Furnishings — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 8:53 pm
Morgan's paintings
Creative Commons License photo credit: back_garage

If you have an entire house to decorate, it can seem like a daunting prospect but you can tackle one room at a time, one element at a time. Start with the basics of lighting, color, flooring then add in key pieces of furniture and soft furnishings before finishing with some great accessories.

It can seem easiest to decide on a theme in the beginning and to stick with that theme as you make your decorating decisions. For example, if you decided at the outset to use a southwest decorating theme you would know which colors to choose for wall paint and to look for a southwestern style rug rather than a contemporary one.

But themes are very limiting and even if you just make a color scheme, you can get tired of it quite quickly (and you may find you whole house out of date before too long).

It may be best to have an eclectic mix of things you love while still sticking to design principles, such as balancing light and dark colors and using colors which work well together. It allows you to be both fashionable and flexible in your choices and you will end up with an interior which uniquely reflects your personality and not a style that you have just because you read about it on the pages of an interior design magazine. If this means mixing an antique chest of drawers with a hot pink rug then so be it.

Do your thinking over some time and allow yourself plenty of time for planning your decorating projects. These things cannot be rushed. You might like to paint your home in a neutral color such as cream while you get your ideas together if you cannot bear the thought of unpainted walls. That way you will not feel rushed into making decorating decisions you might regret.

Can A3 Printers Do Heavy Printing Tasks?

Filed under: Comp & Tech — Tags: , , , — damon @ 12:58 pm
Monster Ricoh Printer
Creative Commons License photo credit: cote

There is currently a variety of A3 printers in the market. Similar to desktop printers, there are a lot of combinations of features for an A3 printer which makes them suitable for different kinds of purposes. There are A3 printers that are designed for printing photo quality outputs. This makes it suitable for printing brochures and presentations. However, there are also A3 printers that are designed to do heavy printing.

For purposes of comparison, let’s take a look at the Xerox Docuprint 3055 and the Epson Stylus Pro 4880 to see if they have what it takes to do heavy printing tasks. Both are A3 printers that are currently available in the market.

Speed
In terms of speed, the Xerox Docuprint 3055 produces 35 pages per minute. That’s a page in under 2 seconds. In short, you could have five 7-page newsletters in 1 minute. However, the Epson Stylus Pro 4880 produces a borderless picture the size of 11” x 14” in 6 minutes. That’s more than 200 times less the printing speed of the Xerox Docuprint 3055.

Capacity
The Xerox Docuprint 3055 has a standard capacity of 700 sheets. It is also extendable up to 2,350 pages. From capacity alone, it is obvious that it is designed to take on heavy duty printing. The Epson Stylus Pro 4880 has a standard tray of 250 sheets. Aside from that, it holds a roll of 17” wide paper as long 132” at most. This is roughly equivalent to an additional of 135 A3 size sheets. This capacity is obviously not designed for mass production of documents.

Print Quality
The Xerox Docuprint 3055 is a monochrome printer and it doesn’t have color-printing features. It is able to print at a resolution 1200 x 1200 dots per inch. Being a laser printer, crisper black is expected from it. While it doesn’t produce great portraits, it is well suited for printing articles on newsletters. The Epson Stylus Pro 4880 however leads in this aspect by providing resolutions as high as 2880 x 1440dpi. This is very suitable when printing posters or portraits.

Connectivity
Both the Xerox Docuprint 3055 and Epson Stylus Pro 4880 allow USB and Ethernet connectivity. This means that both printers are not designed as personal printers only, they are designed to be network printers as well.

The Verdict
The Xerox Docuprint 3055 makes a good printer for heavier printing needs. The Epson Stylus Pro 4880 is good for making high quality colored outputs. This brings us to a conclusion that there are some A3 printers that can take on heavy printing tasks and there are some that cannot. Top printer manufacturers like HP, Canon and Brother have their own line of A3 printers as well.

To answer the question, “Can A3 printers do heavy printing tasks?” The answer is some can and some can’t. If you have a lot of printing needs, enough to call it “heavy”, then look for A3 printer that is designed exactly for that purpose, like the Xerox Docuprint 3055.

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