The flooring in your home is exceptionally important as it is an expensive investment and is what most people will notice almost immediately upon entering your home. There is a wide variety of flooring options available to you, and it can be difficult to choose one to accentuate different rooms and styles. Different rooms with different uses will have different flooring styles, depending on how the rooms setting and mood should feel, as well as who uses the room and how often, as this is relevant to durability of the flooring. As a general rule of thumb, you should only have up to 3 different flooring style options in your home.
This is a general guide on how to use different flooring for different rooms.
Colour scheme
A house’s interior design should include a general colour scheme for the whole house. The colour choices can vary, but this is largely dependent on where the rooms are located. The entrance to a house should have natural flooring such as wood, stone, tile or a mosaic. This sets the entrance to your home as comfortable.
Living areas
The key for the living room flooring is to match the colour of the floor in the entrance, as they should flow into each other. It’s not necessary to match them exactly as long as they blend well.
Family areas
Family area floorings should continue the colour scheme of the previous rooms and should have some similarity to the kitchen. When using carpet, it is recommended to use a darker colour to avoid showing stains and footwear marks. For high traffic family areas wood, stone and tile flooring works best.
If these tips are followed, your house should have flooring and a colour scheme that accentuates each other and works well to create a certain setting and mood.
Are you looking to buy essential oils? Welcome to the club!
Over the years, more and more people have started to discover the therapeutic benefits of using plant extracts like lavender, rose geranium, chamomile, and so many more. They can be used in a wide variety of therapeutic contexts including relief from stress and anxiety, promoting better sleep, soothing skin irritations…the list goes on!
If you are going to buy essential oils for the first time, there are some things you should know about them. Ideally, after reading this article, you will have an adequate understanding of these products for you to be able to purchase and use them with confidence.
They can have different effects on different people
Essential oils can have different effects on everybody.
One of the most important things to understand before you buy essential oils is that they can provide different results for different people. For example, while extracts of lavender, basil, chamomile etc. are associated with having a calming and relaxing effect, for some people they can be quite stimulating.
The effects of the extract you use will also be influenced by how much it has been diluted, and the way you use it. For example, massaging it into your skin can often produce a different result than if you used a diffuser.
As you can see, there are a lot of variables at play. Most people who buy essential oils for the first time need to experiment to find what works best for them.
With all this in mind, you should be proactive in your research before you buy essential oils. It can be helpful to get in touch with an experienced aromatherapist or even just someone you know who has a lot of experience in this area.
There are also plenty of books out there you can use as a resource. For example, a book about leveraging aromatherapy to promote better sleep can be the way to go if you are struggling with sleep issues.
Understand how to use them
If you are going to buy essential oils, then you would no doubt want to have a firm understanding of how to use them. If you start using extracts without knowing what you are doing, the consequences can be severe.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a chemistry wizard to use these products, but there are some basic things you should understand.
There are 2 popular ways to use them; aromatically and topically.
Aromatically
Essential oils are popularly used for their aromatic qualities.
For most people who buy essential oils, this is the most familiar way to use them. There are several different ways to use extracts aromatically.
The most common way is via a diffuser, primarily because it is a relatively low-effort means of introducing the therapeutic benefits of your favourite extracts into your home. While they are not difficult to use, the aroma they produce can be quite potent and may not be suitable for everyone.
A standard diffuser works by using heat to break down the molecules of the extract and dispersing them through the air so that you passively inhale them in small amounts. A diffuser is designed to disperse the aroma at a concentration that is comfortable and not overbearing (even the nicest aroma can be overpowering if over-concentrated).
If you are about to buy essential oils for the first time, then a diffuser is often the best place to start due to their ease of use. There are several different types of diffusers out there, and the right choice for you will depend on the experience you want.
A nebulising diffuser uses a high-velocity, pressurised jet nozzle and air stream to break down the extract into tiny particles. While nebulisers are effective and reliable, they are also the most expensive variety, so be prepared to make an investment.
Another type of diffuser to consider using when you buy essential oils is an ultrasonic diffuser. This diffuser makes use of electronic frequencies and water to create ultrasonic vibrations that turn the extract into a fine mist.
There are also other varieties of diffusers out there each with their own unique features and benefits.
You don’t absolutely need a diffuser to enjoy the aromatic benefits of different extracts. If you buy essential oils, then you can pour a few drops onto cotton balls and place them in a bowl, leaving them to disperse the scent wherever you like in your home (this is known as dry evaporation).
Topically
Essential oils can be used topically for skincare.
Of course, when you buy essential oils, you can also use them topically. You likely already have used skincare products that contain different plant extracts, such as jojoba oil which helps promote younger-looking skin.
It’s very important that you understand that most extracts are very potent and therefore should not be applied directly to your skin without first being diluted. To dilute the extract, you use a carrier oil which dilutes the potency of essential oils without interfering with its therapeutic properties.
Coconut, sweet almond, olive, vegetable, nut and other oils are commonly used as carrier oils. After you buy essential oils, it may take some experimentation to figure out which carrier pairs best with them.
A general measurement most people follow is having one teaspoon of carrier mixed with every three teaspoons for pure essential oil. However, depending on your sensitivity, you may want to dilute it more (this is also recommended when using extracts with children).
When you buy essential oils for topical use, it’s a good idea to know what your goals are. This will allow you to research and select the extract with properties that are most beneficial for you.
For example, for wound care, you would want to buy essential oils that have antimicrobial properties and are gentle to sensitive skin. There are a small number of extracts (such as lavender) that can be used in small amounts on the skin undiluted.
Where to buy essential oils?
Essential oils can be bought in many different places.
Since it is a massive and growing global industry, there’s no shortage of places for you to buy essential oils. Going online is a great way to find a wholesaler who can ship the desired amount of extract to your front door at a competitive price.
It’s important that you do your research into the supplier you want to buy essential oils from so that you are assured they have a good reputation. It can be a good idea to start with a small order at first and then make larger purchases once you are confident you are getting the best products.
There are a lot of different sources out there from which you can buy essential oils but taking some time to research the best option for you will be well worth it. Hopefully, you will be able to find a supplier that you can rely on to consistently deliver a high-quality product.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you should not be afraid to take the leap and buy essential oils if you are interested in exploring their therapeutic or skin care benefits. While it can seem like there is a lot to learn, everything will fall into place once you get started.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and he was in office from 1861 until his death in 1865. He led the nation through the American Civil War, which was instrumental in abolishing slavery and modernizing America and its economy. In April 1865, Abraham Lincoln was attending a play with his wife when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, who was a Confederate sympathizer.
He is highly regarded as one of the best presidents of all time, and Abraham Lincoln’s face is carved into Mount Rushmore with three other American Presidents. During his presidency, Abraham Lincoln also had to deal with a lot of different fractions within the government. His leadership during a very difficult time in American history is why he is remembered as one of the greats.
There where a lot of aspects to be considered when thinking about what made Abraham Lincoln a great President, have a read on below to find out more:
Share the Credit
Abraham Lincoln knew that it wasn’t just him that changed the face of America and abolished slavery, among other things. One of the things that made Abraham Lincoln so great was that he gave credit where credit was due. No one person can accomplish all this by themselves, they need a solid team around them. He wasn’t too proud to share the credit.
Knew His Weakness
Even the greatest of Presidents will have some sort of weakness. Abraham Lincoln was able to recognize where his weaknesses were and he tried to work on it. One of his main weaknesses was that he forgave people too easily and gave them too many chances. Eventually he realized the error of his ways and was able to compensate.
Had a Solid Vision
One of the most important things for a President to have is a solid vision for what they want to achieve during their time in power. Abraham Lincoln certainly did have a great vision and he never wavered from it because he knew that it would ultimately make America a better place, and that is one of the major reasons why he was such a great President.
Control of Emotions
There are a lot of things that can go wrong (and right) during a presidency, but no matter what happens it is important that the leader has a cool head and doesn’t make rash decisions that have a significant negative lasting impact on Americans. Abraham Lincoln was known to be very level headed and able to keep control of his emotions, even at the most difficult of times.
Knew How To Take a Break
It should come as no surprise that being the President of the United States is a very difficult and time consuming job. This means that it is pretty easy to be burnt out, and when people are burnt out they tend to not make the best decisions. Abraham Lincoln knew when it was time for a break to recharge his batteries and come back rejuvenated and stronger. Something as simple as heading off to the theater is one of the things Abraham Lincoln liked to do.
Get Hands Dirty
Abraham Lincoln wasn’t about to engage in the American Civil War from the sidelines, he was a President that wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and actually go out into the field. During the American Civil War, he spent a lot of time visiting the hospital where sick troops were held and even the battlefield itself. He also liked to spend time talking with the public.
During US protests in response to the death of George Floyd in May 2020, an occupational rally was held in Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Known as the Capital Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) and Free Capital Hill, the protest was established June 8, before ending July 1.
How it came to fruition
The formation of the protest zone was preceded by weeks of tension, mostly due to violent interactions between protesters and armed police. On June 7, a man drove his vehicle through the protesters and shot one. The police resorted to tear gas, flashbangs and pepper spray to control the protesters and protect surrounding properties. The mayor of the city, Jenny Durkan, banned the use of tear gas on June 5; however, police began using it again on June 8, citing an inability to control the crowd. Police subsequently boarded up the East Precinct and left, in the hope of de-escalating the situation.
The zone
The CHAZ was reportedly a “self-organizing” space, with protesters occupying the space. They had three demands:
Cut Seattle’s police budget by 50%
Shift additional funding to community programs in historically black neighborhoods
Ensure that protesters would not be charged with offences or crimes
President Donald Trump tweeted his disapproval of the zone and its constituents, calling for decisive action from the mayor and local government. In response, Mayor Durkan described the region as “a festival”, as opposed to “an armed takeover”. Despite this, there were several shootings in the area, resulting in several deaths and serious injuries, including a 16-year-old boy.
These shootings compelled Chief of Police to declare the region as unsafe and dangerous. On July 1, the mayor issued a direct, executive order to take back the zone. Police subsequently cleared the area of protesters and reclaimed the station.
Plumbing is a vital part of anyone’s home, and if it is important to be educated on a few key things about plumbing in order to avoid disaster. Here are some important things you should know about plumbing, which might make your next plumbing emergency a lot less stressful than it has to be.
Turning off the water supply
A burst pipe can result water being sprayed all over an affected area, possibly damaging walls, furniture and accessories/appliances. Someone who was not prepared for this situation may go into a panic seeing this, and would cause more harm than good. Knowing where your water supply is and how to shut it off is crucial to lessen the damage that a burst pipe can cause.
Learn how to identify safe water
There are many sources for water, but not all of them are safe for consumption. Consumption of unhealthy drinking water can lead to serious health issues, and it is important to know where to get safe water and where water is unsafe. You need to ensure the water you are using and drinking is ‘potable water’, which means safe to drink. It’s also important that potable water stays clean and uncontaminated.
Be aware of the lifespan of your appliances
Everything in your house from your fridge to your toilet will have a limited lifespan. Ensure you know what that lifespan is so that you are aware when it is getting close to needing a check-up or a replacement. This avoids you being surprised in the future and being unprepared.
Those are some important things to know about plumbing that may save you some costs and keep your head cool in plumbing emergency situations. Learning these things can ensure the safety of you and others around you.
Innovators are the people that have the ideas to make our lives better. Most of the time they have these ideas and create something amazing, before we even realise that we need it. Innovators are thinking of ideas from a variety of different areas. No matter which area you are interested by, there are certainly a lot of innovators behind the scenes trying to make it better.
Technology is a big area of innovation and a lot of innovators are focusing here. Technology is making our lives better in a variety of different ways and there are certainly innovators out there working on stuff that we couldn’t even dream about at the moment. It will be interesting to see where the next decade of innovation takes us and how our lives will be different, and hopefully improved for the better!
There are a few specific innovators in particular that are working on some pretty awesome stuff at the moment. Have a read on below to find out more information about some of the biggest innovators to watch:
Janosch Amstutz
He is the force behind HoloMe, which is said to be one of the biggest steps forward in communication since Skype hit the market. HoloMe has developed a HD augmented reality platform. What this means is that you can have a perceived 3D thing (like a person) in your space. So, for example, if your sister lives on the other side of the world, HoloMe would bring her to your living room, not in a video, but as a complete person.
Richard Hanbury
After Richard Hanbury was in a car crash, it gave him the idea to experiment on himself to track the pain he felt, this was using patterns of sound and light. He used an EEG to track his brains response and as the pain he felt started to decrease. This is a really cool product that has the potential to help a lot of people, especially those battling with opiate addictions, which is a really big problem in America at the moment.
Giuseppe Scionti
More and more people are either trying to eat less meat, or have become full vegetarians. This means that more people then ever need the right type of food to help get the protein and other nutrients back into their diet that they have lost when not eating meat. This is where Giuseppe Scionti and the company NovaMeat step in. He is using 3D printers to make the next advancements in finding a suitable meat substitute.
Raunaq Rose
There is no question that in the future there will be more self driving cars. To date, there have been some great advancements in this area, but there is still a long way to go before these cars can be on normal roads.
Raunaq Rose is working in this area, but on something a little bit unique, he is taking psychology and adding it as one of the important factors when developing self driving cars. This is because humans behave differently depending on where they are located and driving.
Kathy Hannun
Everyone knows the impact humans are having on the environment, and there are a lot of people in the world that are trying to leave as little of an environmental footprint as they can. Kathy Hannun has a new innovation that will help households reduce the amount of footprint they leave. She is looking to use geothermal power but for a household level, this may become the new way households heat their home, and she created the company called Dandelion.
If you’re getting started in the SEO world then one of the first terms you’re likely to hear is the word ‘backlink’. A lot of people just starting out will struggle to understand the term.
In short, backlinks are incoming links to a page on the web.
When one external webpage links to another, it’s called a backlink. Backlinks are a major metric that determine rankings, the higher the number of backlinks a web page has the more it tends to be trusted and viewed favorably by Google, boosting its rankings.
Once upon a time, quantity mattered more than quality when it came to backlinks. Generally people could get away with spammy practices and low quality links, because search engines could not discern the difference. This has all changed in recent years and now quality is much more of a determining factor in rankings. It is important that backlinks come from high quality web pages with good authority and content. Sites should also be relevant when backlinking, unrelated content will be ignored or confuse search algorithms.
Why are they important?
All backlinks are important to your website because they improve SEO in a number of ways, chiefly by improving your organic ranking. Building good backlinks will help you to improve your organic position in search results, improving the traffic your page will receive.
Another positive is faster indexing because bots find you web page by following other links. Backlinks will lead to faster discovery, allowing your site to be crawled sooner and allowing it to index faster.
One of the top benefits of backlinks is that they contribute to referrals. Readers of another webpage may come across the link and follow it to your page.
How do you get backlinks?
There are several steps you can take in order to gain good quality backlinks. If you’re serious about gaining backlinks you should recognize that it will take some proactive effort on tour part, and a well thought out strategy. Here are few of the things you should be doing if you want to increase your backlinks.
Write good content
If you want other websites to link to you then you need to create high quality content. Genuinely useful, interesting content will attract backlinks with little effort – some people might actually seek you out and ask you if they can link to your content.
Writing good content for your website or your map is all about ensuring that you address a problem or answer a question. You could have a unique take on a topic, or take a different approach then your competitors. If you have expertise on the topic that you’re covering then people may begin to view you as an authority on the topic. It is important to make your content very easy to read, it should flow naturally and be legible. Variation of sentence structure and good formatting with the use of headings and paragraphs to break text up are important to help make your content enjoyable to read.
Guest blogging
The concept of guest blogging is basically that in exchange for writing a free article for another website, you will be able to create a link or more to your own website.
Finding sites to guest blog for can be a challenge, keep your eyes out for websites with open calls for contributors as they are usually looking for this kind of exchange.
Otherwise stay on the lookout for websites that cover the kind of topic that you’re interested in and that’s relevant to your website, even if they are not openly looking for guest contributors they may accept your pitch.
Many people assume that pharmacies are only able to provide services such as filling prescriptions or giving out flu shots. In reality, you can stop by your pharmacy for a variety of things, not least of which is over the counter medicine, also known as OTC medicine.
This is no surprise for chain pharmacies, which are often connected to bigger stores and have more to offer at first glance. However, over the counter medication is typically available at all pharmacies, and it can seriously help you out even without a prescription!
What Are Examples of OTC Medicine?
The most simple definition of over the counter medicine is that it is medication and drugs that can be bought without a required prescription. This was decided upon by the Food and Drug Administration, who deems whether or not medication is safe enough to sell over the counter without the need for a prescription from a doctor.
You’ve most likely run into the store and bought over the counter medication without even realizing it! Here are some of the general conditions that over the counter medication provides:
Pain relief. These drugs can improve overall body aches, headaches, cramps, and soreness These are the most common examples, including Tylenol, Advil, and Motrin,
Cold or flu symptom treatment, from decongestants to unblock your nose to an expectorant that can clear the airway.
Cough suppressants. These OTC medications help clear away a prolonged cough.
Allergy relief and antihistamines. These can help with seasonal allergies or prolonged ones.
Heartburn. While most heart medications will require intervention from a doctor, issues like heartburn can be treated with over the counter medicine.
Diarrhea and constipation. Pharmacies usually stock plenty of over the counter medication to relieve both constipation and diarrhea.
Over the counter medication is reliably versatile and covers a wide variety of issues. You can Google the best OTC medicine for a minor health issue or injury, but you can also ask the pharmacist upon your arrival which one would be best for you. Now that we’ve explained some of the essential examples of over the counter medication, it’s important to also be aware of the risks.
The Risks of OTC Medication
Since over the counter medication is widely available, even to the point of being bought online from good websites like https://www.canadadrugsdirect.com/, it may be easy to assume that it has no risks. While it may not be as risky as, for example, prescription drugs, there are still certain things you need to be aware of.
For example, the dosage and make-up of the drugs should always be checked before use. You may have an allergy or condition that prevents you from using certain over the counter medication. A good example is how somebody with high blood pressure cannot take certain decongestants, or how pregnant women may not be able to take some general medication.
Finally, over the counter medication is still medication! There is the possibility that it could interact badly with other certain medications, supplements, or drinks that you are ingesting. That’s why if you have any questions at all, don’t be afraid to do your research and ask the pharmacist.
OTC Medication Makes Life Easier!
Now that you know more about the uses and risks of over the counter medication, you can use it when you need it without fear! You’d be surprised by the wide variety of OTC medication that is offered in pharmacies both physical and online. Whatever your mild health issue is, it is highly likely that it can be solved by OTC medication! Don’t be afraid to utilize it to your benefit.
The Nintendo Switch has become increasingly popular since its launch and release. This is due to various factors that have helped to push its success to where it is today. Its unique design and features including the ability to transform from a handheld gaming device into a controller which can play onto a TV is one of these factors which makes it stand out from the crowd. It has something completely different from other consoles that have been released in the past years and marks it on the map as something new.
Another one of these reasons is the games that are available on it, namely Animal Crossing which has become very popular due to social media and meme culture. Many have flocked to buy the Nintendo Switch simply for this game.
Still not convinced?
Here are some of the great reasons to buy a Nintendo Switch.
The Switch is very portable
The Nintendo Switch is known for its portability, and is easily accessible at any given time. It can act as a handheld device with a screen that can play games quickly and with ease. This is part of what makes the Switch so appealing, especially to younger audiences who want to be able to quickly access their favourite games at any location.
It is the only console to play Nintendo’s best games and older ones
Nintendo’s collection of games is brimming with new titles that have been highly successful and to critical acclaim, as well as older titles that are loved by people all over the world. The Switch is able to play all of these games, appealing to Nintendo fans globally. Nintendo has been behind titles such as The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart and Pokemon, all titles that are loved by so many gamers. To play these newer games, the Switch is required, and this is a big reason why it is so popular.
It’s great for local gaming and families
The Nintendo Switch makes playing with friends locally easier than ever, as you are able to team up with people cross-platform. This means someone can be on a computer, Playstation 4 or another Switch and you can all play together.
In summary, the Nintendo Switch is very popular due to the many features it has and the uniqueness of it, as well as the popular games Nintendo has been putting out for years now and as of late. The Switch is well worth the purchase for any casual gamer.
As has been the case for the last four years, the American political scene has been characterized by chaos, disunity and social upheaval. Indeed, the DNC presented President Trump as a leader lacking compassion, empathy and understanding for the sanctity of the office he held. On the other hand, the RNC furnished an image of the president as competent and a voice for the blue-collar working class.
If you’re interested in American politics and the upcoming election in November, here’s everything you need to know about the recent conventions.
The DNC
As was to be expected, the DNC focused heavily on the Trump Administration’s apparent failings in handling the coronavirus pandemic and the economic fallout of the health crisis. With the US death toll still rising significantly (despite case numbers falling in recent weeks), the DNC pointed to the current administration’s lack of leadership and understanding of the severity of the crisis as the core reason for the loss of life. At the same time, the DNC tore into President Trump’s temperament and character, arguing that his lack of political nous makes him unsuitable for the title he holds.
The RNC
Conversely, the RNC targeted the recent racial disunity and social instability as grave threats to the traditional American way of life. While the Democrats criticised the administration’s handling of the crisis, the Republicans clamoured for optimism, promising a renaissance was around the corner, which would be threatened by a Democratic victory at the election this year.
What was shared between both conventions was this – that the stakes for an election have never been higher. Both parties outlined how the United States is at a crossroads, arguing that the nation was either on the precipice of greatness or falling away into more chaos and uncertainty.
