My Library

Posted By J on March 5, 2010

Travel season is almost here. Do you have any vacation plans in the work?

After travel planning and booking your getaway, it pays to know that your are really travel ready. Apart from the necessary travel documents, you should ensure that your luggage are ready for the beating that they are about to get via the usual mishandling that they receive from porters, etc.

At this time, I can’t help but browse online for a new set of luggage. The Titan 360 Four Matte (Titan luggage) in red is very attractive.

I think it’s about time to retire our black set of luggage. I can’t get over this luscious color.

Category: Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tags: shopping

Posted By J on February 26, 2010

It’s cold outside, and what is the next best thing to do? Sleep in and linger under the covers. That is what I normally do but I have  been unable to do so these past few days because I have been going around town. Yesterday and today though, I was back to normal because I was forced to stay home because of the storm. I had to get out of  bed  eventually because I needed to do some chores and checked our credit reports. I periodically checked ours, but I forgot to do the year end check last December.

Having said that, are you confident that you have the  warmest bedding to shield yourself from the cold temps?  It is important that we pick the warmest bedding and find our comforter zones.

• Down comforters are best for very cold climes. Therefore, a 100% cotton cover is good. A thread count of at least 300 is good (more is better) but the higher the count, it is less likely that the down clusters will poke through. They have to be covered with a duvet cover and sent to the cleaners at least yearly but more often is desired.
• Wool are good for people who overheat under warm covers and wake up feeling sweaty as wool wicks away moisture allowing the body to cool off naturally. A tight weave prevents the wool fibers from protruding.
• Silk are for people who have asthma or allergies. The fill is naturally hypoallergenic and are inhospitable to dust mites.
• Primaloft is for the budget conscious. It is a synthetic option and made of microfiber polyester. It is almost as warm as down but it is also heavier.

Category: Buying Tips | No Comments »
Tags: Linen

Posted By J on February 19, 2010

As a follow-up on my preceding post, let me share with you the safest ways to keep your bauble beautiful and shiny. I only tackled metals on my last post, so here’s the complete guide.

Diamonds – soak them in a solution of two parts warm water and one part ammonia for several minutes, then scrub them to loosen any embedded dirt. Rinse and pat dry. Diamonds are hard and they are prone to scratches or they can crack if knocked together in a box so they have to be stored individually.

Emerald – dip in room temperature water and brush gently; let dry. Do not use warm or soapy water because most emeralds have fine cracks on and under the surface that are filled with oil or resin during the finishing process. This fillers can be removed and make the fissures noticeable, if warm or soapy water is used. It is imperative to have this gem re-oiled by a professional every few years.

Opal – a soft, soapy cloth is enough, then rinse. They are prone to chipping thus, extra care when handling and storing them is in order. It is best to stash them in a jewelry box that is opened frequently reason being that opals need to absorb moisture from the air to prevent cracking.

Turquoise – all you need is a soft dry cloth. The porous stone could absorb the fluid/cleanser and they can discolor. To maintain the  color they need frequent cleaning.

Pearl – whether real, cultured or faux, pearls are very fragile and they can lose their luster quickly. Wipe pearls with soft, moist cloth after each wearing. To thoroughly clean pearls, dip a brush in a mix of mild soap and warm water, then work  it around the pearls. Wipe with a wet cloth. If it’s a strand of pearls that you’re cleaning, lay the strand flat to prevent the string from stretching. It is wise to have your pearls examined by a jeweler every two years to assess if they need re-stringing.

Sapphire, Ruby, Tanzanite, Peridot, Amethyst – immerse each separately (to avoid scratching) in a mixture of warm water and mild softener free dishwashing liquid. Scrub gently, rinse and dry.

Category: Cleaning Tips | No Comments »
Tags: Ideas

Posted By J on February 14, 2010

Any woman who is inclined at collecting jewelries should know how to properly maintain them. Whether it is made of gold, platinum or silver there is a corresponding routine maintenance to keep them in their best shape.

For gold and platinum, dipping them in sudsy water is enough for routine cleaning. If the piece is not made of pure gold (10K rather than 24K) it contains alloy metals that may tarnish. Should that happen, adding a few drops of ammonia to the solution and then brushing it gently should be sufficient. If that does not work, you should take the piece to a jeweler for polishing.

Easy enough, right? If only maintaining our weight was that easy, we may not need phentermine at all.

Oh, and to finish this article, I should not forget silver. Your silver pieces only needs cloth that is specifically designed to spiff silver. Avoid using paper towel or tissue as the rubbing action can cause scratches.

Category: Cleaning Tips | 2 Comments »
Tags: Ideas

Posted By J on February 14, 2010

We’ve heard about so many tips and suggestions on how to have great skin year round. And I’m pretty sure that we have done a lot of those tips, yet we still end up disappointed. To the unlucky ones, they are still trying to get rid of acne even at a later age hence, they are unsure whether to take the old route or try something new and keep abreast with exposed acne treatment reviews.

There are five commandments to achieve great skin:
1. Moisturize, moisturize!
2. Good fat is good for your skin even if you’re on a diet.Now, you should know that I’m not talking about butter. Instead, go for the healthy fats aiming at least two to four servings a day such as: fat from salmon, flaxseed, nuts and avocados.
3. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
4. Avoid dehydrating products. Limit your intake of alcohol to two to three drinks a week.
5. Drink plenty of water and ensure that you retain it.

image credit: laprairie

Category: Beauty Tips | No Comments »
Tags: skin care

Posted By J on February 14, 2010

Have you considered getting those herbal weight loss pills to banish your tummy pouch? If you’ve tried the latter and even went on a strict diet, yet the flab in your tummy won’t budge, maybe it’s time to get moving too.

Exercise and diet as well as those other ‘little helpers’ can help in achieving your goal. Exercise as many experts say, make belly fat less risky, so it’s important to incorporate it in your weight loss plan. If you do a combination of the above, you can shrink your fat cells around your belly. In fact, even thin people still need to exercise to protect the heart.

So, get moving!

Category: Fitness | No Comments »
Tags: Ideas

Posted By J on February 13, 2010

How do you take the creases out of a leather or suede jacket? You might say they don’t get creases. But if you are like me who just received a leather jacket (a gift) through the mail, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

I’ve received the parcel a couple of days ago, and I have been bothered by it. Thus, instead of concentrating on reading my book about natural remedy for acne I got myself caught up on finding the best way to take out the creases.

The solution? When I took a hot shower, I hung the jacket up in the bathroom. Voila! The steam helped relax the wrinkles. Now, I can relax in the company of my engaging book and finish it so I can move on to the next. Did I tell you, I love to read?

Category: Musings | No Comments »
Tags: getting personal