WordPress Content Blocks, CSS Gradients, and Free Icon Fonts

May 10th, 2012 Comments off
Here are a couple links to some cool things I found in regard to web design today. WordPress Content Blocks This is a simple WordPress plugin that allows you to create segments of text that can be used anywhere around your site. This can be done via a short code in a post or page [...]

I Didn’t Die, I’m Still Around

April 11th, 2012 Comments off

It is interesting on how quick time can go by.

I knew that I had not posted to this site in some time but I did not realize that it had been 1 1/2 years. Whew! I realize that with the length of time it has been since I posted and the subject matter I had been writing on that one could easily assume that I did not make it past November 2010. The truth is that I am still here and kicking.

Where Have I Been?

In treatment. Fortunately not cancer treatment – I am going on 2 years since the known cancer in my body was removed. Unfortunately since that time I have had several serious ailments that been as bad if not worse then the cancer. I am not going into details here but if you are interested you can check out my personal site on my health issues -

Dan Masters health

In the last 2 years I wish I could say that I have been full of faith and have continually had the devil under my feet. I do have victory over the devil (I am still here) but it really has been a battle, the hardest of my life. I all that time I don’t feel that I ever turned my back on God but I definitely have not been “active”. Active to me means daily interaction with regular church attendance. I have not had that.

What God Has Done

What I have had is a God who has been my father and has remained faithful no matter what my prospective of my righteousness is in my eyes. He is faithful, He is loving, He is kind, and I have no doubt of His ability to give me strength when I am weak and feel like I cannot go any further.

I am so humbled by what He has done for me that I feel like I could never pay Him back. I didn’t deserve to survive. But I did through His power. I am still weak and do not know what my life will be like now. Irregardless I have something on the inside of me that wants to do whatever I can in order to let people know God as I know Him. He is not just the savior of my soul but of my body and spirit as well.

He is real and he saved me in so many ways. 

He can do the same for you too.

 

Categories: From the Network, Health Tags:

Abuelos Mexican Cuisine Now Offers a Gluten Free Menu

April 3rd, 2012 Comments off

Abuelos Mexican restaurant now offers a gluten free menu. The menu offer 14 different items that gives us gluten free folks a pretty selection. I have not tried Abuelos yet due to the fact that I have been gluten free for a while but now that I know that they off gluten free items now I can’t wait to check them out.

Here is their press release announcing their new menu -

Abuelo’s Introduces New Gluten-Sensitive Menu

LUBBOCK, Texas – Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurants have introduced a new, special gluten- sensitive menu with several items created specifically to accommodate guests who have gluten allergies or celiac disease.

Gluten-sensitive guests now can select from 14 items featured on the special menu ranging from salads, Tex Mex plates and House Specialties, and even dessert. For instance, the new gluten- sensitive menu includes Abuelo’s delicious Yucatan Shrimp Fajita Salad, a Tamale Plate, with two beef tamales, Pork Tenderloin with Honey Chile Glaze and several choices of fajitas including Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Shrimp Fajitas, Pork Tenderloin Fajitas and Vegetable Fajitas, plus several other entrées. Additionally, Abuelo’s award-winning Traditional Flan, is also featured on the gluten-sensitive menu as a dessert choice.

“With gluten intolerances becoming a more common concern, we want to have menu items that all our guests can enjoy,” said Robert Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company.

For more information contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Melanie Carroll, Food Concepts International February 14, 2012 806-785-8686, ext. 149; 806-789-7695 (cell)

melaniec@food-concepts.com

About Abuelo’s

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo’s has consistently been on the leading edge of Mexican cuisine, combining menu creativity, outstanding food and beverage quality, colorful plate presentations and superior service in an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas, Abuelo’s has received national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant, one of America’s top chains, and for offering great meals for less than $20. The company currently has 40 restaurants located in 15 states throughout the United States and is currently constructing its 41st location in Fort Worth, Texas at the Hulen Mall, which is scheduled to open in early March. For more information, visit www.abuelos.com.

One last note – the Abuelos in Austin is located near the Barton Creek Square mall. Here’s a map – Abuelos Mexican Cuisine, Austin, TX.

Categories: Eating Out, From the Network Tags:

Even Beach Houses Need Stair Parts

March 13th, 2012 Comments off

Beach houses around the world can vary tremendously. Most beach houses that are in areas that are prone to flooding are built on stilts and require a specially made staircase to enter the home. These types of stairways are built out of materials that are know to be able to endure the harsh climates that they are subject to. Along with the types of materials used, accuracy is just as important. When building the railing for the stairs a contractor will ofter use a tool like a bore buster in order to makes sure his cuts are precise.

Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Please move from all around the world in order to have their own piece of paradise. Unfortunately this means that property values in Hawaii are at a premium. Due to high property values sometimes homes are built on multiple levels with different families living on each level.

When contractors are faced with constructing buildings that serve multiple families they often have to choose styles that will appeal to a wide range of people. This allows the contractor to keep construction costs down while appealing to a wider audience. This also helps when repairs need to be made and stair parts need to be purchased. When living in such a lovely place such as Hawaii, it is wise to keep your costs down so you can enjoy the finer things in life.

Categories: Beach Related, From the Network Tags:

Reliable Cheap Web Hosting to Support WordPress Themes

March 12th, 2012 Comments off

WordPress has revolutionize the concept of website content management, previously it was quite difficult to add, remove or modify content on the running website but wordpress offer graphical user interface using which one can easily manage website content even when the website is live and all the changes made in the content can be viewable in seconds. Beside this it offers plenty of useful applications and plug-ins for instance website builder, social media applications, SEO plug-ins and more. In website builder WordPress offer 1000s of free WordPress themes and various other themes are available over the internet at low prices, using these wordpress themes one can easily created high quality websites. Now some people prefer to have customize WordPress CMS and themes, as WordPress is developed in PHP platform one can easily modify it according to website needs.

WordPress is no doubt one of the best content management systems but people adopting wordpress need to be careful in selection of web hosting as it required additional application and plug-in support in order to perform mannerly, that’s why smart people prefer to choose WordPress hosting. There are several web hosting companies that offer wordpress hosting service but few experienced and reputed best web hosting companies ensure entirely optimized WordPress hosting servers.

A best web hosting company offer several web hosting plan which vary on the basis of server technology, features and cost. The most commonly offered web hosting plans are VPS, shared and dedicated server hosting. One can pick the most suitable among them according to website requirements. A cheap web hosting company optimized your selected hosting server to provide complete support for WordPress applications and plug-ins. Being on optimized wordpress hosting server allow you easy integration of WordPress themes, applications and various wordpress plug-ins, this way a website perform faster and you don’t have to face any kind of compatibility issue.

So if you are interested in adopting customize WordPress CMS, obtain reliable WordPress hosting from best web host.

Categories: From the Network, Link Love Tags:

Ensure Absolute WordPress Application Support While Choosing Top Web Hosting

March 12th, 2012 Comments off

Web hosting services are of many types one can pick a suitable web hosting service depending on the nature and behavior of website. These days’ people are frequently adopting various content management systems in order to have easy content management, most people prefer to choose WordPress as it is way easier to understand and manage. WordPress was initially used as a blogging tool but later on it has become a comprehensive content management system with little knowledge of PHP one can easily customize it as well.

WordPress provide various built-in applications and plug-ins that are required to perform various tasks such as social media sharing, website promotion tools, website builder with 1000s of free wordpress themes and more. Beside these built-in applications 1000s of wordpress applications are available cheaply over the internet one can easily buy and install there desired application. But all these applications and plug-ins required to be integrated properly on hosting server in order to perform accordingly. There are plenty of web hosts that present wordpress web hosting support but only few top web hosting companies provide absolute wordpress application support so that one can easily configure various web applications.

Top web hosting company offer various web hosting servers to managed diverse websites, people with blog websites choose shared hosting whereas for professional website VPS and dedicated web hosting are reliable. People with wordpress websites one can pick any of these hosting servers and top web host configure it properly in order to ensure absolute wordpress applications support. While choosing web host one has to be sure about the reliability of their servers as performance of websites depends on it.

With absolute WordPress application support and stable web hosting services vps hosting company offer customer support as well so if you are looking for best wordpress hosting support do inquire about application support in order have fast and efficient website performance.

Categories: From the Network Tags:

Home Decoration Trends are Just Few clicks Away

March 12th, 2012 Comments off

People are getting very much trendy in term of decorating their houses; there are many companies that provide complete interior and home decoration services but people these days don’t have time to look for home decorators. That’s why smart companies have their online existence via websites; they provide various themes and home decoration samples, budget estimations so one can easily visit website and choose their desired themes and can place order online.

If you are a home decorator or interior designer and looking to host your website there are many things which one need to consider while choosing a hosting plan and a web host. There variety of web hosting companies but people always prefers to obtain cheap web hosting services. A reliable and reputed web host offer shared hosting server, VPS and dedicated server to manage numerous types of websites. Home decoration websites include heavy images and might required complex applications so in order to deal with this type of website VPS hosting is considered to be reliable.

A best web host provides stable and well configured hosting servers so that one doesn’t have to face any issue while configuring website. Beside this a professional website need to stay live in order to have maximum exposure that’s why one need to be sure about the stability of servers. A reliable best web hosting company houses its servers at data center to ensure high quality server maintenance.

Beside this best web hosting company always try to fulfill customer requirements and provide various value added services such as regular back-up facility, website builder tool, social media sharing apps and more.
So if you are planning to host your home decoration website, choose best web hosting services to get effective website.

How Wooden Vertical Blinds Can Transform Your Home

March 11th, 2012 Comments off

It doesn’t take much to change the character of your home and make an impact. In fact it’s often the subtle changes you make that can turn your house into an inviting home, not just for you, but for others too. Small adjustments to your interior décor can transform the feel of it without a huge budget, and your windows are a great place to start.

Windows are rarely dressed to their full potential. Many people believe curtains and blinds to be simply a staple fixture that don’t have much of an impact on the overall feel of a room. But it is quite the opposite. The way you dress your windows can have a massive impact on your overall interior design, so make careful choices.

It’s important to think about how your window dressings will fit in with the colour of your walls or the furnishings you’ve chosen. Not matching or complementing your current décor could ruin the effect you’re going for or require a whole new look. One simple option to avoid this happening is to opt for wooden vertical blinds. Wood is so versatile and contemporary and it can add a neutral backdrop to your existing décor. Many curtains use fabrics that can become dated quite quickly, but wood is timeless and will match any tastes.

The wood you choose for your vertical blinds will depend on your existing woodwork and furniture, but also think about the size and functionality of your rooms. Lighter wood will give the impression of space in smaller rooms, making them light and airy. These will work particularly well with subtle colours such as pale blue or spearmint green. Whereas darker wood will give a cosier feel to bedrooms and larger living spaces. With darker wooden vertical blinds you can be braver with your décor. Opt for warm colours such as reds and oranges.

Wooden vertical blinds make a subtle statement, but they still allow you to show your own personal style and add some character to your home.

Beach House Theme WordPress 3.3.1 Compatible

March 3rd, 2012 Comments off

I have tested the current version of the Beach House with WordPress 3.3.1 and it is compatible.

Out of full discretion this theme does not have a lot of the newer hooks and features incorporated into it. I will be looking into see what I can add to the theme to make it more feature rich. I also do have a redesign for the Beach House theme in the works as well. The new theme has more horizontal space for your posts and pages like many of the newer themes that are available.

Thank you again to everyone that uses the theme. Be sure to drop me an email if you have an questions or issue in regard to installing or using it.

Categories: From the Network, Theme News Tags:

What Matters in Selecting the Best Web Hosting Company

February 29th, 2012 Comments off

web hosting imageNew web hosting are starting up everyday and it seems that each one of them is offering the same services and prices. With all these choices it makes it difficult to pick the best web hosting company for your website. What are the things that differentiate one web hosting from another? I bring this issue up here on the Beach House WordPress theme site because hosting can make the difference between your site looking good and working properly or not working and looking good at all.

Just because you choose an inexpensive web host that doesn’t mean that they are not any good. On the other side just because you pay  lot for hosting that does not mean that they are going to be reliable and meet the needs of your website. What you want is a cheap web host that provides both good technical support to meet your needs and the needs of your website.

Here are a couple of guidelines for things to look for in a web host:

Technical Services: Make sure the web host you select provides high quality servers since your website performance depends on it. Check out their security measures to prevent server from external and internal threats. Finally check out what sort of technical issues are addressed in their equipment and security policy? Do they charge to diagnose issues that are server related? Do they do regular backups of the servers?

Effective Technical Support: Technical support is very important since you depend on your website being available 24/7. Unfortunately, cheap web hosting companies claim to provide best technical support but when actually need to contact them they take a lot of time to respond and in the mean time your website may be running slow or may be down. The ideal web host ensures responsive technical support and is always available via chat or phone to respond to customers needs.

A good web host should offer:

  • 24/7 customer support from skilled technicians
  • Answer support phone calls within a minimum amount of time
  • Respond emails quickly
  • Propose instant solutions to the problems
  • Encourage customer feedback

A web host with the above qualities is the type of host you want for your site. Make sure you take the time to research web hosting companies and you will not suffer down the road if problems arise.

Categories: From the Network, How To's Tags:

Spring Designs

February 24th, 2012 Comments off

Spring is just around the corner, and with it not only comes the need for some spring cleaning, but also the need for some renovating in the home. Spring, of course, symbolises new life and a new beginning, and the best way to celebrate this is by using bright and bold colors for your home design. Fuchsia is the most popular color this spring, apart from yellow, but every year it’s yellow, so I thought I’d introduce some fun fuchsia designs.

A white or pale background will give this color a great base and make it stand out even more. So, white walls, a white sofa and white or cream rugs will work well to support this bright color. Fuchsia should then be used for accessories and main features of the room. Your curtains work well as one of the main features, and look stunning in bright fuchsia. Consider made to measure curtains that reach all the way to the floor even if your window doesn’t. The long curtains elongate the window making it look bigger than it actually is.

Another main feature can be some wall art. Floral patterns are exceptionally popular this spring, and you can get some really interesting ones that you can use to create a stunning gallery grid on one of your walls. A gallery grid is simply a selection of wall art that are arranged in a grid to create an interesting picture together, or a collection of pictures which go well together.
Vases in fuchsia with pink tulips in them sitting on your wood coffee table can really complement the room, as well as interesting accessories such as different shades of fuchsia water jugs, mirrors with fuchsia frames, and fuchsia lampshades.

To make the most of your white sofa, consider having a fuchsia throw draped over it, and some fuchsia accent pillows. Different sized accent pillows will create a comfortable atmosphere as well as an interesting feature.
The best spring design looks fresh and crisp, so consider adding fresh flowers or a comforting freshener to your home on a regular basis. Lavender is renowned for its calming effects on people, as too is camomile, but you could go for some more spring like fragrances such as rose, vanilla or Jasmine.

You can use this fuchsia theme in any of your rooms at home, but it does work best in the living room, as more often than not it is the biggest room of the house, as well as the one you spend the majority of your time in.
Have fun designing this spring.

Using Roman Blinds To Help Towards Improving Your Home Interior

February 24th, 2012 Comments off

A good choice for window treatments to help bring together all the areas of the home and feel more welcoming and together is using Roman blinds. Roman blinds are fashionable window treatments that provide protection as well as style over the top of your windows. The unique aesthetic of Roman blinds can help towards a bit of sophistication to any room in your home. Many people would not realise that Roman blinds can also help towards a more eco-friendly home, they do this by shielding the light when necessary whilst also being able to let in the light in various degrees. Roman blinds can insulate a room as well. When you are thinking about what Roman blinds to order, coordinating them with the current fixtures within your room is important.

Matching Your Roman Blinds with Your Wall Color

The first way to achieve this is to find some blinds that are a similar color as the walls. This is obviously only a good idea if you are not planning to change the walls to a different color anytime soon; this allows you to choose a particular style for your blinds that will be well coordinated with the surroundings. If you choose blinds that are the same color as the wall, the blinds will blend in and not be very noticeable. However, if you go for a color for your blinds that is lighter or darker in tone than the wall color, you will create a stylish monochromatic look between the shade of the wall and the shade of the Roman blinds.

Matching Your Roman Blinds with Your Existing Furnishings

If you’re not planning on changing the existing furnishings in a room for the foreseeable future, you can tailor the perfect pattern for your Roman blinds by taking similar elements from the fixtures. You could however be planning to update your furniture at some time in the near future; in this case, you could use the colors of the Roman blinds when shopping for your new furnishings. Matching the Roman blinds with your furnishings can bring a cohesive look to the room. When multiple textures and shades are used well within a room, it can bring a pleasing look to a space. If you have a red sofa, you could add red Roman blinds to the windows. Differing from using the wall color as inspiration, the windows and furnishings are more separated, so the colours won’t fade. Alternatively you could use patterned Roman blinds. For example, if you have a blue sofa and a black rug, you can use blue and black patterned Roman blinds to bring the room together nicely.

Matching Your Roman Blinds with Your Flooring

The final option to match your Roman blinds to the interior of the room is by choosing blinds in a similar color as the flooring. The color of the window treatments and floors are noticeable against each other. An example of this would be if you had cherry floors, you may want to opt for a red, purple or plum shade. You may also want to use Roman blinds to contrast with the rest of the fixtures. But this only works with certain styles and colors.

Finding The Right Finishing Touches

February 24th, 2012 Comments off

There are many ways to subtly improve your interior décor. One of the most understated ways is to change the door handles that are featured throughout. Most people believe that these fixtures are simply functional devices that go relatively unnoticed. However this is far from the truth.

Due to the wide variety of styles, designs and colours available on the market, door handles are an inexpensive and effective way of sprucing up your home without spending an excessive amount of money or changing the whole interior. The amount of handles that are displayed inside a house is commonly forgotten about. Once doors, cupboards and drawers are all fitted with new and attractive knobs, the overall effect will be much more widespread than may have first been imagined.

It is definitely worth browsing the many online retailers who sell different types of handles in several materials, colours and designs. Deciding on a budget beforehand is also important as, when changing or replacing every handle, more than one will be needed.
Deciding on what door handles to buy can be difficult. You first have to consider what look you are striving for:

MODERN?
Brass, chrome and stainless steel are ideal for those who wish to implement a modern look into their interior. These types of handles are not only easy to clean and maintain but also stand out, making it noticeable that you have co-ordinated your entire home.

UNIQUE
Leather door handles are becoming increasingly popular amongst decorators who see the advantages involved with their endurance. Whilst other types of handles may need replacing once they become slightly scuffed, leather in fact improves with age; meaning that wear and tear will not affect its attractiveness.

ELEGANCE
There are a number of options for those who wish to implement elegance. Porcelain, glass and crystal, although slightly more expensive is a great way of doing this. This type of material does, however, require a substantial amount of cleaning and polishing for it to stay in pristine condition.

Purchasing door handles, thanks to the internet, is now easier than ever. There are several options available to people. Going directly to hard ware and furniture stores will allow for the opportunity to get a close and thorough look at the fixture. However, there are many sites that offer a much wider variety of choice and free delivery.

How Could Solar Power Add Value To Your Home?

February 24th, 2012 Comments off

Solar power is one of the most efficient ways to cut your reliance on big energy companies and make big savings on your utility bills. Using natural sunlight for energy reduces your carbon footprint and can result in regular payments using the FiT scheme in most countries. An American study has shown that modern solar panel installations can even add value to your home in the eyes of prospective buyers, as well as save you money on electricity.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory studied around 72,000 homes in California, comparing the selling prices of the 2000 homes with solar power systems against those without. They noted that existing homes with solar power installed at a later date sold for up to $17,000 more than newer houses with solar power built in. They found that solar panels set a home apart from others selling in the area and sped up the selling process as buyers were more interested.

Prospective house buyers could have been put off by the look of older solar panels, as they often stood out and contrasted harshly with the roof and the look of the house. In the past solar panels were bulky and the silver/blue colour of the panels didn’t fit in with slate and brick tiles. Panels are now available in a wide range of colours and styles now, for instance black panels are available for homes with slate roofs, and red solar panels the size of roof tiles can now be re-tiled into existing roofs. These offer extra insulation during the winter as well as being almost unnoticeable when viewing the house.

Perhaps a more expensive and invasive option would be to re-tile the roof and put in an in-roof mounted system, which would leave the solar panels lying perfectly flat with the roof and out of sight. The panels would need to be fitted into the rafters, so this option would be best when a re-roof is needed or in a new build house. Otherwise a large area of roof tiles would need to be removed in order to fit this system.

When it comes to selling your house, it is best to discuss the positive impact solar power has on your home with your estate agent or realtor, as they are often unaware of the energy and money savings associated with solar panel systems. By telling prospective buyers how much energy they will save on utility bills and how much carbon footprint is reduced, you could be setting your property apart from others they have viewed and they will become aware of the extra value in purchasing your home.

Turning A Log Cabin Into The Perfect Playhouse

February 24th, 2012 Comments off

As children grow it is only natural that they require more room, to work, rest and play. Your home that once seemed spacious can seem cramped because there isn’t enough room for the children to run around and enjoy themselves. But fear not, there is no need to go to the hassle of moving to a different home or the expense and red-tape of building an extension to your home. Log cabins are a great cost effective alternative that not only give you the added space desired but also create a beautiful focal point for your garden.

Adding on an extension can cost tens of thousands, and often require lengthy and complicated planning permission, which you are not guaranteed to get. In addition, should you have the funds and get clearance from local authorities then your next challenge is finding someone reputable who you can trust to undertake the project. In the end, many families simply give up and make do with what they have because of the hassles, hurdles and expenses.

The idea of putting a shed in the garden doesn’t appeal to some people because they picture yesterday’s designs and building methods that created eyesores that started falling down before they were worn in. However, things are much different today and a well-designed log cabin can actually add to the aesthetics of your home. Once you see the cabin in place, you will see how it actually adds beauty to your home. That is something that cannot be said for those older garden buildings from years past.

A log cabin can actually add to the look of a home whilst providing the extra space your family so desperately needs. These beautiful and economical alternatives to messy and expensive construction projects have a contemporary look that is a superior alternative to yesterday’s concrete or metal sheds or garages.

Even better, these cabins come in a variety of styles to blend in well with your home’s design and a variety of sizes to fit every budget and garden size. Smaller cabins provide a simple space away from the rest of family where one or two children can play in the safety whilst the bigger models can offer your family two or more rooms to enjoy.

You can put a playhouse anywhere in the garden, and if you really want to go all out, and have the budget, you can create a mini playground in your own back garden, with swings and slides. Find a small table and chairs so the kids have somewhere to sit, or an old sofa you or a friend no longer use. When you’ve got the log cabin set up, your children can use it for whatever they want; one minute a house, the next a spaceship, or a castle. Their imaginations can keep them occupied for hours, while you can relax knowing they’re safe in the back garden.

It’s likely the kids will decide they want to do everything in their new den, and why not? Let them eat a few meals outdoors if the weather allows, and they’ll probably find homework a lot more exciting when they do it in the playhouse. In summer you may even decide to let them camp out in the playhouse a few nights!

One of the beauties of a well-built log-cabin is that it will last years, even decades, meaning that as your children the playhouse can evolve. When your children started needing a quiet place to study then they can turn it in to their own private office. Alternative, if they grow into the musical type they can have their own practice room for them and their bandmates, ensuring that your house remains peaceful when you’re trying to unwind from a long day at work.

Even further down the line, once your children have flown the nest then the logeivity of a log cabin that means you can use it yourself for whatever you want, beat the crowds at the gym by having your own personal fitness suite at the end of your garden, alternatively you could create an art studio, poker den or anything else you desire, the only limitation is your imagination!

One of the least expensive ways to get a playroom to add enjoyment to your home is to get a log cabin for the garden. Since it is also one of the quickest and most appealing alternatives to an extensive and messy extension, it is very likely the right choice for your family.

Add Personality To a Room With Patterned Roller Blinds

February 10th, 2012 Comments off

A home is, for most people, a place to be proud of. Due to the fact that the majority of us spend a lot of our time there, it is important to ensure that it is looking at its best. Whether it is a stately mansion or a terraced house on a city street, care and time needs to be taken to make it attractive and tidy.

One of the main features within a home, although largely overlooked, is the windows. Many people decide to use curtains to cover their windows, adding both colour and character to a room. However, patterned roller blinds are a great way to make sure that personality and sophistication is incorporated into a home. Not only are they visually appealing, relatively cheap to buy and easy to navigate, they are also energy efficient.

It is important to allow a substantial amount of natural light into the home. Once rolled up, a roller blind is virtually invisible, permitting light into the room, whilst when rolled down, an equally attractive view can be achieved as the pattern becomes visible.

The very design you chose will help to add personality to your décor, an important element of any area that is used regularly by an individual or family. A favourite amongst homeowners and interior designers is the use of flowers stamped on blinds; a great look to brighten up any kitchen, living room or hallway. Bedroom designs can vary. Depending on your interior décor, a blind can become a noticeable and attractive centre piece within the room. Children can portray their latest obsession by adding a roller blind that features their favourite character, activity or programme.

The main advantage of these blinds is that they are easy to use and easy to install. Most people will be able to fit their roller blind without help from a professional, meaning added convenience. Also, this particular type of window treatment is easy to clean, allowing you to constantly keep your home looking clean and polished.

With such a wide variety of styles, designs and colours to choose from, a home owner will be spoilt for choice and will easily find the perfect blind for them and their home.

Hot Wheels RC iNitro Speeders

February 2nd, 2012 Comments off

Growing up one of my favorite toys were “cars” which were made by Matchbox and Hot Wheels. As an adult one of my favorite toys is my iPhone. Hot Wheels has managed to bring two of my favorites together with the Hot Wheels RC iNitro Speeders.

The iNitro Speeder is a micro RC car that can. E controlled with either the included controller or with your iDevice with the included IR adapter. If you choose to use the IR adapter there is a cool app that you download that adds more functionality then just your standard left/right/backwards/forwards. With the app you have the following options (screenshot below) -

  • Dual Stick: choose from 3 styles of dual-stick controller skins. These work like typical RC controllers.
  • Motion: in this screen you can control your vehicle’s acceleration and steering by tilting and turning your Apple® device!
  • Slide: in this screen you can control your vehicle by touching the screen on your Apple® device and moving your finger!
  • Set Route: this screen lets you select from a variety of pre-set driving patterns that your vehicle will drive.
  • Draw & Drive: this screen lets you create your own driving routes two ways! You can choose to have your vehicle drive the route as you are drawing it – or draw the route first, then have your vehicle drive it afterwards.

This is a brand new product hitting the shelves so there are t too may videos of this little car in action yet. I will post videos as they become available. In the mean time here are some shots I was able to take on my own.

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Categories: Cars, From the Network, Hot Wheels Tags:

Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce

January 27th, 2012 Comments off

Call me a happy man. I just stumbled upon gluten free Teriyaki sauce while visiting a new Korean supermarket. It is made by Kikkoman which is one of the most popular makers of Soy and Teriyaki sauce.

In all honesty when going to a gluten free life style, not being able to eat chicken Teriyaki was a big deal. I didn’t used to just put it in chicken but would put it on plain white rice as well. I am pretty certain that the taste will be comparable to the regular sauce since I have their Soy sauce and it tastes the same.

So if you are feeling like some stir fry Teriyaki style then I would check out your local Asian market to see if they carry it.

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Categories: Cooking, From the Network Tags:

OnLive Desktop iPad App Puts Windows 7 in Your Hands Via the Cloud

January 13th, 2012 Comments off
This one is filed – what will they think of next. It is now possible to have a fully functional copies of Windows 7 and Office 2010 running on your iPad. Not only that, it’s free! Streaming via the cloud is nothing new to OnLive as they have been streaming video games for a while. [...]
Categories: Blog, From the Network, iPad, Windows Tags:

Air Hogs Heli Cage Hands On Review

January 11th, 2012 Comments off

Today I was walking through the toy aisle at my local Walmart when I spotted a new micro helicopter by Air Hogs. This one is called the Heli Cage. As you can se below this new helicopter has a 2 axis cage around it to protect it from crashes, warranting the name.

The Heli Cage has the same electronic setup as the latest Havoc Heli’s as it is advertised to have 5-way control (as opposed to the previous generations 4-way control) . The controller also has the new Turbo Forward button from the Havoc Heli in order to give more control over forward flight. On the side of the box it states that you can “Crash and Keep Going” along with a note that the heli always lands upright. Finally the box notes that the cage can be removed for regular flight.

I just purchased the Heli Cage so the full hands-on review will come after I get some time to play with it. In the mean time here are some pictures of the Air Hogs Heli Cage in the box:

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Categories: From the Network Tags: