#level and it'll be refreshing to see a different take on it!)

[kadoodles-on-ao3]

I'm currently on my way to see the new Godzilla movie!! My boyfriend and I finished up the og era of films just in time to see it :) I'll see if I can write up my thoughts on them all (and finish watching the rest of them) sometime soon!!

On the FFXIV front, I've played at bit of Shulk, but I've mainly been speed-leveling Melia through ARR (because my boyfriend really wants the Eureka Orthos tiger mount, and the BLM aetherpool weapon looks just like Melia's FC staff I must acquire it, so I'd like to do runs with him using Melia!) and despite being very early game still I've already had many fun interactions with people :) Including bumping into someone else also RPing mid-dungeon (as Urianger haha) who actually talked to me(lia) in-character between bosses??!!?! I'm having SO much fun already I just have to transfer my screencaps over here sometime to share ^^

[bonsai-babies]

Okay, it's the second time I see someone saying

"If Sam had seen Axel being BEATEN in the early seasons she would've called it a sob story and walked away"

Allow me to refresh people's biased minds with the two canon events that come to mind:

Sam immediately knew something was wrong with Robby's home life and immediately took action telling it to her parents.

Sam immediately broke up with a popular guy after seeing the way he treated Miguel and his friends.

Now, why did Sam take a different approach to Tory? CONTEXT. Sam and Tory had been antagonizing each other, and every mistake or absurd violent reaction that Tory ever had is always justified by "oh, but her tragic home life". Tragic past and home life doesn't give anybody a free pass to act like that. That's what she meant!

The fact that I have to explain it is pathetic. And of course people who dislike her won't care they just love to grasp at straws to attack her.

Sam is not a sociopath who ignores and doesn't care about suffering. In what UNIVERSE would that girl see that level of violence and be snob about it?!

You know who actually saw that level of violence AND CHEERED IT ON?? TORY NICHOLS.

Yeah, the same one you guys coddle. She cheered Hawk on while she broke an immobilized KID's arm while he BEGGED to be let go!!

She was there when the Cobra Kai's took Bert, one of the smallest kids, and beat him and throw him through a FUCKING WINDOW.

She attacked Sam while she was visibly distraught and NOT FIGHTING BACK. She just wanted to cause pain.

Now I don't see ANYBODY ever calling her on these acts of violence and ruthlessness. She didn't just WITNESSED those acts, she was the aggressor. But Sam is the villain?!!! Get a fucking grip or grow some sense while you're at it.

Sam would never be a snob about people's suffering, she only ever criticized people using it as an argument to excuse their behavior. She was ALWAYS empathetic and kind. Even when she wasn't brave enough to take a stand (which changed pretty fast).

Now please delete this take for the repertoire, it'll be less embarrassing for all of you who insist upon it.

[oh-my-may]

LET'S TALK GENSHIN AND REMURIA AND ARLECCHINO BEFORE I FORGET AND WE'RE ALREADY IN SECOND HALF OF THE PATCH WHY DOES TIME FLY WHEN YOU'RE AN ADULT

I'm gonna start the post with a few paragraphs I wrote just a few days after the patch went live:

So I finished the first Remuria world quest - it was beautiful. And really not as long as I first expected it to be. I probably could have finished it on the first day if I wouldn't have been as tired as I was

First of all the new map is beautiful. You'd think after 3? patches of map expansions where we already got underwater stuff it would feel repetetive but somehow it looks and feels different and refreshing. Maybe because majority of the map are caves where you can walk normally or they're ruins... idk.

I couldn't help but draw parallels between Remuria and HSR's Penacony tho, especially look-wise, the talk of a dreamscape and the theme of music. Especially now after finishing Penacony 2.2 I can't help but feel the two are very similar in certain aspects... the motive of Harmony and Song and Peace and saving a people and Gods? Also the way Remuria looks is so similar to certain things in Penacony? I already said rhis in my post on HSR, this is absolutely no hate whatsoever. I reckon there's only so much you can do with these motives? It's interesting how differently it looks in both games tho.

So yeah, Remuria is beautiful. The music is an out of body experience and encapsulates the whole thing perfectly. I haven't explored all of the map yet, but I like the new mechanisms a lot. The floating books look so cool and just generally the significance of music through it all... *sigh* it's so enjoyable.

So far for Remuria... i definitely missed a few things I wanted to say but it's been like 2 weeks since I played this and I definitely forgot something haha

AS FOR ARLECCHINO THO

First of all she's broken omg. It is kind lf annoying that it'll take weeks to max out her talents, rn for me she's sitting at crowned NA and skill and burst are level 7 each. But she still hits for like over 50k with each normal attack when she has a bond of life. Don't even get me started on her with Yelan MY GOD.

Okay with that out of the way let me talk about her story quest. First of all I find it very intriguing that hyv gave up on the usual pattern of having the second weekly boss for a nation be tied to the Archon and their respective second story quest (besides Mond ig)... i mean yeah Fontaine's archon situatipn is very peculiar but technically Neuvilette has taken over the role for now, right? Neither him nor Furina getting a second story quest makes me think Neuvi's probably gonna get his way later because it'll be HUGE. Again I wanna say that lore wise Neuvi is my fav character... HES JUST SO FNDNDBDN. And Furina is probably gonna get a pretty "random" one at one point kinda like Yoimiya did or Cyno... like its gonna be a good quest but it'a gonna be random. ANYWAY

I wonder how much different I would habe perceived the quest if I hadn't watched the Animated Short about Arlecchino that they put on Youtube... like it's her whole backstory? I could see where the quest was going right from the beginning because of it... that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, tho

Childe's little surprise cameo made me so happy c: MY BOY. He's alive snd well AND IN FONTAINE. Let me remind ypu we last officially saw him in the last Atchon quest gwtting yeeted into a black hole by Skirk. Then it was mentioned at the end that he was being treated and sent gome to Snezhnaya. Well...

The whole cryptic talk between Arle and Childe was quite interesting... so this project by the Fatui, right? (Forgot the name rn bc it's been a few days since I played the quest) Is it fonna be significant for Natlans story? What does it entail?? THE TEASE NNNNGNNGHH

I wonder if at some point in the game we're actually gonna see Lyney become the new head of House of the Hearth. Like... it's mentioned quite a lot in his story as well as in everything that has tp do with the House and Sröecchino herself... I wonder 🤔

Throughout the story I was reminded that one of the first things we heard about her (Childes voiceline that came out in like??? 3.0 or so???). It was that she would turn her back on and betray the Harbingers (AND THE TSARISTA) without second thought. She even says this herself in her voicelines. I just wonder what her ultimate goal is? To free herself from the curse? Which btw they tell us nothing about in the story. Story is all about the House and its inner workings and Arle's feelings about it and plans for the future (which I love btw but still not quite understand)... we also casually get told that Arle is not even that old??? Like the whole thing with Crucabena is so recent that Freminet remembers her???? Amd Arle was maybe a Teenager when she killed her so like??? She's only around 10 years older than the kids????

So how come she's a descendant from Khaenri'ah? I don't know if I read somewhere abput it or if its a rumor but not confirmed or if its said in her personal story which I haven't read yet but... she'a from the crimson moon dynasty? Or has some ties to it? And her curse is definitely related to it BUT WHAT IS HER CURSE EXACTLY. WHY DOES SHE HAVE IT. If she's only in maybe her late 20s she couldn't have been an actual Khaenriahn citizen (same as Kaeya and he still gives me the same headache thinking about this) so how does it all tie together in the end?? Does it have to do with the God of time maybe??? (Nevermind if this is talked about in her personal story in her profile I haven't read that yet)

So yeah... the fight woth her was so cool. The animation??? I saw people get upset about the fact that Traveler couldn't beat her but I actually love that?? Like... She'a #4 of the Harbingers and has some curse probably tied to Khaenriah and she KILLED A HARBINGER WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER??? Traveler nlt being this almighty MC makes them so much mlre likeable like yeah... they are obv far from having their actual power back? It took us ... how many times to fight Shuki No Kami before we could defeat it in the final try to learn all the patterns? The game wants to tell us that there's much more powerful enemies in Teyvat and rhis is only the beginning. Let me tell you yeah we beat Signora but it was Raiden who killed her... it was Zhongli who subdued Azhdaha. We only healed Apep with Nahidas help. Traveler has never been able to easily defeat these big enemies, they always had help. Yeah they have been getting stronger, they've been getting access to more elements but the bis enemies are just getting stronger and bigger too... I wonder where that will lead. Maybe the twins are only gonna get their true power bavk once they're united... ANYWAY

Her weekly boss fight is cool too. Using different mechanisms again, with the whole Bond of Life thing and all. She does this one attack in her second phase that I just... can't get behind tho. Someone always has to be the victim, THE SACRIFICE, to get me through haha. Idk how to dodge or avoid that attack. The one where she floats above the arena and then these bombs? Idk? Come down and basically crash down on the whole arena and I haven't found a spot where you can aboid getting hit and therefore killed immediately idk.

So yeah that's all for now. Very excited to play Cyno's second story quest. Heard only good things so far about it, which is good because I really didn't like his first one 💀 probably gonna get around to play it one of these days. Same as with the rest of Remuria exploration, gonna need mlre Clorinde funds :3

(Gonna add screenshots later, it's been so long that the ones I took aren't saved in the PS App anymore 💀)

[cirphu]

Ramblings on Only Friends Ep. 2

Part 1/4

Again, public declarations/proposals my be-loathed

Cheum is really just here for the vibes and her friends' happiness and I love her for that

JENNY!! I mean P'YO!!! AND HER MAN!!!

This confessional is giving Reality TV vibes and I'm here for it. Although the series is fiction, it is depicting the very real lifestyles of many people in the world and it's honestly so refreshing

See? Sand gets it ... so lame

Aww, Ray ... sweetie

I'm just properly looking at the intro and god everyone looks so hot

You are so right Cheum — there is nothing hotter than someone doing or talking about something within their area of expertise

Not Mew and Top being different sides of the same coin — they both like the challenge; let's see who gives in first

Seriously, can we get Ray some help :(

Mew putting that emphasis on "my friend" oof

Ah, so Top definitely knows that Ray likes Mew

The start of Sand and Nick's bestie era; we love to see it

Mew, you're really after my heart — to tell the guy who's everyone's type that he's not YOUR type *chef's kiss*

Yes, getting Mew is about the chase and conquest BUT Top is a little out of his element bc Mew stimulates his mind AND his lions; he really ain't gonna know what hit him lol

Ray, sweetie ... why are you following this man? At this rate, you're never gonna beat the stray cat allegations

Yo 10,000 Baht is 281.21 USD???! — I would do it too for a check lol

Part 2/4

Can't even focus on the heated make out etc. bc those horns/antlers behind Nick's head were a terrible accident waiting to happen *shudders*

Nick is already so gooooone I just-

With the level of game Boston is spitting, Nick really didn't stand a chance

I want Sand's messenger bag; wonder if it'll be merch

Oooo I love the way they filmed Sand walking into Ray's sitting room; nothing like a good one-take scene

Ray's mom ... that explains so much :(

I guess this wakeboarding park is the new BL spot; first Wedding Plan and now OF lol

GO APRIL!!

Oh no Cheum :(

I'm sorry but Top diving into the water was ... LMAOOO

Gdi Boston! STAND TF UP!!! Top's not gonna pick you and no dick is worth losing a friendship over

Part 3/4

Did Boston climb the shower wall bc how the hell???

Gotta find that post that talks about red (stop), yellow (slow), and green/blue (go) being prominent colors in Mew and Top's relationship because it's really evident in this episode, ESPECIALLY in this cookie scene

Look at my boi Mew setting those boundaries iktr

Mutual mast rep? We love to see it!

But seriously Nick, I'm gonna need you to run baby

Yooo Neo's body is insane; I'm looking respectfully

Can WE see the monstera? We love a good plant tour on this side of the internet

Leaving a hot girl to go home with a hot guy; Sand is winning either way esp considering this super playful vibe Ray is putting on

Part 4/4

Sleeping pills? AND a tragic backstory?

Ngl I thought he was lying too lol ... still kinda think he's lying, but I'll let it go for now

Okay maybe he isn't lying; look at the way he's holding Mew :'(

Is that Ray and Mew in the picture? And what's with the tense, sinister bg music? Whatchu plottin' Boston?

Pansexual rep? We love to see it!

As I said last week, lighting cigarettes as a form of foreplay

Who knew a cigarette smoke kiss could be so life-changing; I am a new person

That little voice in First's head must've been going crazy during this scene lol

AND YOU'RE GONNA KEEP WANTING ME??? IKTR

At this rate, Khaotung's tattoo needs to get a separate check for it's role in this series

Oh Sand, sweetie ... the fire started when you lit that cigarette and you started playing with it the moment you accepted that smoke-filled kiss *deep sigh* you're in too deep now baby (both literally AND figuratively)

Next week is gonna be insane; see you then :)

[cupidsbed]

Ceviche Inspired Salad with X-Men First Class

I woke up today seriously craving salad. It's all I've been thinking about since I woke up this morning. Big problem? A few of my roommates absolutely loathe traditional salad, so I have to get creative. This recipe is heavily inspired by Mexican ceviche and I essentially turned it into a dish you can eat as a full meal rather than a topping! I paired the salad with some spice rubbed chicken and I think I ascended to the heavens. This recipe feeds around four people comfortably, or two particularly high people.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

For the Salad

1 can sweet corn, drained

2/3 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 a small red onion

2 cups cherry tomatoes

3 large avocados

1 pinch tajin

1/2tsp basil

1/4tsp black pepper (white also works!)

1/4tsp dried dill

1/4tsp salt

1tbs salt (for the tomatoes)

1/2 lime

For the Chicken

2 chicken breasts

1/2 lime

1tsp tajin

1/4tsp cumin

1/2tsp paprika

1/4tsp cayenne pepper

1/2tsp black pepper

Hefty pinch of red pepper

1 tablespoon of cooking oil (I used olive)

Directions

Dump your drained sweet corn, and rinsed black beans into a large bowl.

Thinly slice your red onion and dump them into that same bowl.

Quarter your tomatoes and put them into a smaller bowl. Sprinkle your salt onto your tomatoes as evenly as you can and set them aside to allow the salt to soak up some excess moisture.

Dice your avocados and scoop them into the larger bowl. Mix up your bowl with a spoon or a fork, squishing the avocado slightly so it can stick to the other ingredients. I found this makes the texture a bit smoother and more cum in mouth worthy.

Add in your tomatoes and spices and mix again. Congrations! Your salad is done; now for the chicken!

Mix your spices for the chicken into a small bowl and set aside.

Slice your chicken into strips (size is your preference I like them fairly fat) and rub the spices onto both sides. You will have some left over that you can absolutely save and use later.

Line your pan with your cooking oil and cook your strips on a medium heat for about 4 minutes on each side or until cooked all the way through. Please keep in mind, I live in the mountains at about 5,000 feet in elevation. My chicken will cook a lot slower than someone at sea level or a lower elevation. Chicken becomes safe to eat at 165F (73.9C) if you have a temperature gauge please please please be sure to utilize it.

Plate the salad into a bowl, and place the chicken on top. Squeeze some lime on top and ta-da! You done it! You have completed your dish :)

A couple of notes before we move onto the nerd shit. You can very easily replace the chicken for something plant based instead. One of my roommates is vegan and I made this dish in a way that everyone in my household can enjoy. I cut him up a Morning Star Chicken Patty and cooked that in a separate pan and used the same spices (different mixture!! That one's contaminated!!). It'll give the same affect without leaving anyone out!!

I decided to pair this dish with X-men First Class. I've been pretty heavily hyperfixated on the X-men the past week or so after watching X-men 97' and I decided to start rewatching the entire series. I'm on the fifth movie in the series and I have been waiting for this one. First class is probably one of my all time favorites in this series. You can tell whoever wrote this script they grew up watching the cartoon or reading the comics. Obviously the writers and directors had their own take but I think it's such an amazing refresh from the nitty gritty of the first three (and the trash pile which was Origins).

During this time there was a lot of focus on World War II in superhero movies. And by a lot I mean the first Captain America came out the same year. I think it was very much needed. I don't even know how to put into words how horrific the Holocaust was and as a Jew seeing someone not only survive that, but rise and do incredible things means the world to me. Magneto endured horror beyond words, and he will always be a hero in my heart. He's the type of villain that has become the hero we needed because, in the words of 97', Magneto was right. We cannot expect acceptance without resistance. There is no assimilating into modern society. We are different, and we should celebrate those differences. In my case: I'm a bisexual trans jewish man and I'm so proud of who I am. I'm proud of my differences, I wear my yarmulke, my pride flags to show I will not fold in a society that is increasingly hostile against who I am on a fundamental level. I love the X-men series because it's not just a silly little super hero comic; it's a series that's full of diversity that's meant to empower the individual.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings, and please let me know how you like the food!

[timbrrwolfe]

Ok, as promised I'll do a quick list with summaries of each character build I have in mind to at least try in BG3.

Established characters

Rachel from Animorphs

Basically the idea is that she got plucked from the ending of the series (iykyk) and landed on the nautiloid, trading one mind controlling slug enemy for another. I just feel like there's a lot of meat to dig into mashing Animorphs together with the story of BG3. So much so that I considered and dismissed making her playthrough a Dark Urge one, but honestly? I've been reconsidering that lately. We'll see whenever I end up getting around to playing as her. She'll be a Circle of the Moon Druid, natch. But I may also dip a few levels into Barbarian. Just for flavor.

Harry Dresden of Dresden Files

I just finished reading White Knight, and the iteration somewhere among that and Proven Guilty is the one I've put a build together for so far. Which is only really relevant insofar as that he also gets a small multiclass bump for flavor. Iykyk. Again. I actually specifically jotted down the build ideas for him because I wanted to compare it to where he's at by the time the series ends. Obviously a wizard, and if you've read the books you can imagine what kind of spells he'll be using. Lots of fire. Shield. Some Thunderwave here and there. Probably Gust of Wind. I actually might need to skim what I've already read to get refreshed on all the magic he uses. I waffled about the school for a bit but it'll probably end up being Evocation. If not, then Transmutation. Probably. But Evocation's likely where I'll land.

Alex Verus by Benedict Jacka

This one's actually pretty similar to Dresden. Except British. And he's not much for magic outside of his divination magic (so, naturally, he'll be a Divination School Wizard). Which basically means I'll have to figure out spell choices that are within his limited scope of combat. Stuff like Blur/Haste (because he's technically reacting to things seconds in the future, so he's better at dodging), Fog Cloud (as that's a prepared item he keeps on hand), and I don't even know what else off the top of my head. But once I knock out the library books I have out I'll probably be getting back to this series so hopefully that'll help me figure it out.

Zuko from ATLA

Pretty simple. But maybe surprisingly not Monk. Rather, Fighter or even Ranger, for Two Weapon Fighting so ya boy can have his scimitars. And then probably the rest in Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer (this is what I said it was spoken for in my last post). Because of course. Cheating a bit to mention two other builds that are related. I'll likely do a proper Four Elements Monk playthrough as Korra, rather than Aang. And I'm considering trying to do specifically an Airbender build with mostly monk and maybe a level of Wizard to shore up some Airbender-y abilities that aren't present as Monk. Or just make them Githyanki to take advantage of some racial features for the same purpose. Gotta think on it more.

Jedi/Sith from Star Wars

Gonna put these two together as well since I haven't dug too deep into it. But the Jedi build will likely be Fighter/Cleric, or just Paladin. Dueling fighting style, regardless. Sith will likely be similar, except Warlock over Cleric/Paladin. Or just a different flavor of Cleric or Paladin. Again, I'd have to actually take time to flesh it out more and figure it out.

I think that's about it for established characters, off the top of my head. So onto

OCs

Gladiator Pit Wizard

A build I came up with a while back that I don't know if I ever intended to play so much as use for a story that kind of bloomed from it. A couple levels in Fighter, probably more levels in Wizard (Abjuration School, both because the first spell he cast - by accident - was Shield, and because as a battle mage having extra shielding is generally a smart move.) Basically the plan is for him to be fairly tanky while still being able to deal a good amount of damage. Might also be some spice thrown in the build here or there, tied to the story I may or may not ever write. Maybe a dip into a level of another class. Or a cute feat choice. We'll see.

Pseudo Vampire

As far as I know you can't make a vampire in BG3. At least not without mods (which I don't really intend to get into until I'm bored with the vanilla game. Which. Could be a while.) So instead, when I had a dream featuring a vampire that I then wanted to make in the game, I looked into what I could do about it. The answer, it turns out, was a School of Necromancy Wizard. And some levels in Ranger. Either Beastmaster for some familiar summoning, or Gloomstalker for some shadowy stealth shenanigans. Probably the latter, since I can just use Find Familiar anyway unless I want a Wolf or something. And shadowy shenanigans are about the right level of drama for her. Because she's the first evil character I have in mind (an itch that I've had more as I've done my current playthrough). Though her particular brand of evil is more megalomania "I'm the best and the world is my playground and everybody is my toy. And if some toys break, oh well."

Jaded Tiefling

I'm actually not sure what the build is gonna be here. Probably yet another melee + magic multiclass. The idea behind this character is she ran into trouble as a child due to prejudice/fear/hatred based on the fact that she looked like a demon. Nobody came to her aid and nobody helped her. So she had to help herself. Because of that, her mindset is now of the "if you're not strong enough to save yourself, then perish" variety. So she'll likely be another evil one, in that she won't be saving anyone, just looking out for herself. Of course there's a situation very early in the game that is a bit of a dilemma between her credo and her history, so that'll be interesting to sort out with her. Obviously still gotta hash this one out a bunch. She basically came into existence when I was like "Ok but /who/ would I do an evil playthrough with" when the itch started for that.

Bardbarian

He's a Barbarian. He's a Bard. He's a bardbarian. Half-orc whose tribe figured out how to use magic to bolster their martial prowess. He uses a drum and probably sings in some capacity. Also uses a club or some other blunt weapon both to fight and to beat his drum to call up the magic.

The Halberd Soldier

This one is actually a character I made for a campaign that I played about half a session of once many years ago. (I was very bad about getting dragged into a session by my cousin, taking forever to build a character, and then maybe playing one day and then never returning for that campaign). Basically all three of us were soldiers in some army and I don't even remember what the story was supposed to be. So all I have as far as defining characteristics for her are like. Uses polearms Violently protective of other women ... And honestly that's about it. Obviously gonna start her as a fighter, but the goal is to get the Polearm Master feat and maybe pick up some levels in Paladin or something for extra damage. That said she's very much on the backburner until that feat is actually fixed from its current bugged state in BG3 (unless they fixed it in the latest patch, I didn't look too closely).

It Me

Once upon a time I took an inventory to determine what I would be in DnD. Unsurprising, based on the whole Christian upbringing thing (a rocky relationship but still one I hold to) I scored Cleric the most overall. Then some friends also took the inventory. And then we did a one shot. And then another, like a year or two later. I ended up going with Light Domain over Life Domain because it felt a bit more fitting. Also because AoE Fire and Radiant damage. But that one shot was at like level 6, and I also scored pretty high in Druid, with a couple classes tying for third, so I might do a little multiclass if I make this one in BG3

And then there's

The Incredibly Basic Ideas

which is basically just

Storm Surge (Storm Sorc/Cleric nutty lightning damage build)

Transmutation Wizard

Beastmaster Ranger

Some kind of build that's all about shoving enemies around and maybe having setups that do bonus damage from that

Amoral Merc who will basically throw in with the highest bidder, as another flavor of a likely evil playthrough.

Probably a couple monks

Probably a couple bards

and other sort of more generic ideas that I haven't gotten any further than that with.

[cambion-companion]

ok my two cents onto the whole Alys and Aemond thing.

'but she was taken as a war prize after he murdered all her family'.

from what I have gathered looking online - since I haven't read the book - it's very clear that her supposed family wasn't her real family in an affectionate sense and at best I'd think that they were impartial to her, basically using her for lesser house tasks (plus there's a whole lot of rumors around her which makes me think that they didn't like her very much). like, it's made clear that as a bastard she isn't at the same level as the main family, hence I doubt that she cared much for them as they didn't care for her at first, and even if her loyalty stood, I don't think that she'd have shed much tears for having lost them.

secondly, had she even offered herself as a way to either gain power or to have her life spared or had they like brought her to Aemond as war spoils, I don't think that Aemond would have probably abused his power; like he clearly dislikes Aegon's pervy (to say the least) ways + he has been sexually abused (I am talking about the portrayal made on the show, since I haven't read the books and can't talk about that). so, I think that he'd probably have been intrigued (but more like 'oh gods, she has guts') but not that interested in bedding her, immediately.

like personal head canon, I see Aemond as a demisexual, so I think that he'd have gotten comfortable with Alys before bedding her, and by that time I think that maybe she was still doing to get power over him.

I do agree that the whole situation is quite fucked up, even more if we take in everything happening with these people and the talk about Alys' age, and it certainly wouldn't be the healthiest of romances but I also feel like it's such an interesting couple that to hear it slandered before it even appears... it just makes my blood boil, even more when they attack Aemond over it. like he is flawed and not perfect (although he is my babygirl) but there is no need to add stuff that isn't real.

It's refreshing to have a person who does their own research on the topic grace my inbox! The show has set up Aemond to be a very different person than how the books have him. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Alys too!

[sapphic-in]

On Badhaai Do

I loved it. I loved #BadhaaiDo . I've seen the criticisms, and it went and shit on most of it.

I've seen the criticisms, and it went and shit on most of it.

Firstly, the premise is based off the problems in lavender marriages.

Second, it does not play our trauma for laughter. @bhumipednekar and @rajkummar_rao actually do a brilliant job of getting it across. I remember this one scene were Rajkumar's characters is crying and you can see snot on his mustache. He hugs someone, and we see it on the other person. And that's amazing so-in-the-role acting right there.

Third, I do not necessarily want queer people in queer roles. In Indian cinema, this is a challenge because many queer people fear being typecasted into these roles only.

I want queer screenwriters and directors because actors are not the ones makinh the decisions. Here, a queer person was consulted for the script and it shows. No straight person could've portrayed us with this authenticity (link in the last story)

Fourth, the lack of research and the straight pride flag- research to me does not mean being perfectly politically correct. Idgaf if actors praising the pope for this one comment. I don't care if they did show the straight pride flag.

The difference is that it doesn't lead to any real harm to queer lives. It's a small, barely visible thing and those who know about it know it's problematic. But no one from the theater will Google what the small thing at the corner was.

We also need to understand that actors are not on a leash by studios. I don't know enough about the actors to love them but i know they're not hugely problematic.

We can't cancel the movie because they said something off, we can't police everything the actors do.

I do wish that joke on "what's your gender" "what do you think" wasn't made and there's no defense to it. Apart from that, my qualm is that the romance did fall flat sometimes.

But I loved this movie because it showed me and it was so brilliantly done and beautiful with morally gray characters who we can see growing- the quality content i did not expect while going in for some preachy clichè

So, I implore you. Do not write off this movie in your mind, don't cancel it. It's something that will have a direct impact on the community and is advocating for real change. There's one indefensible scene, which deserves all the criticism it gets.

But the beautiful way in which this movie is done, i can't imagine those behind it not listening.

It's worth giving a chance

I understand the hesitancy in accepting this- it is marketed a certain way, like a dumb surface level comedy. That'll bring people to theater though bec capitalism is shit, can't fault them for this.

The trailer and promotional content does not do justice to this amazing work of art.

• LESBIANS BEING BADASS SHITS BUT ALSO A COMPLETE DISASTER AHHH THE AUTHINTICITY

• The POSTERS. It's so indian and cheeky and gayyyy <3

• making fun of discrimination <3

• well developed charachters heh3

• A PRIDE SONG !!!

• The cheeky way they played with us at the very end wtf 😭 i was scared OKAY

• just- realism. Not showing queer people as woke asf (bec thats just how it is in India)

• Queer people having relationships that don't work out. I've seen the 'just know youre the one' thing so often, this was refreshing.

• I'm a sucker for angst with comfort y'all. And Bhumi's ex's story, her talking about it 😭 Rijhima should've held her throughout and its a scam she didn't

• SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVLYN HUGO PARALLELS ARGHHH the cafe scene? The very end, calling the lawyer dude to sit? The parent's dynamic?

• the realistic thing of some people will not accept you, and for some it'll take a lot of time.

Anyway this is all i can remember for now but yaar pls give this a chance ok

• Queer people having relationships that don't work out. I've seen the 'just know youre the one' thing so often, this was refreshing.

• I'm a sucker for angst with comfort y'all. And Bhumi's ex's story, her talking about it 😭 Rijhima should've held her throughout and its a scam she didn't

• SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVLYN HUGO PARALLELS ARGHHH the cafe scene? The very end, calling the lawyer dude to sit? The parent's dynamic?

• the realistic thing of some people will not accept you, and for some it'll take a lot of time, but you give it because it's someone close and you can't imagine loosing them

• Also bandi tot music video🥰

Anyway this is all i can remember for now but yaar pls give this a chance ok

[velvet-cupcake-games]

Hi! I love the game so far! I'm such a fan of Marion's character, she's so mature and level-headed, very refreshing to read. Oh and I wanted to ask what the LI's would do if their lover or Marion gets really severe cramps and becomes really irritable? (Yes, its that time of the month Lord have mercy)

Thank you! Marion's mature and level-headed except when she lets her impulsive streak get the best of her. :D You'll get to see this contrast in action on Will's route, where the player can choose whether she responds to his daredevil tendencies by trying to temper them via strategic choice or by joining him and going "full YOLO," as the Fortnite kids might say. Anyway, the ask! Robin: His first impulse is to use humor to cheer her up. This can go horribly wrong. If the player chose "straightforward" choices during the story, he's probably already learned to take a different and more obviously caring approach. If the player chose to be "clever" Marion, he might be in for a rude awakening when she suddenly no longer finds him charming.

John: He is the absolute best buddy you could have during the red tide. He will pamper the shit out of Marion, but he's also willing to leave her be if she asks for alone time.

Will: Marion and Will tend to communicate via bickering in the first place, so Will might not notice the difference at first. Once he does (or if she tells him what's up, which is extremely likely), he might decide to turn on Charming Will and be extra sensitive for a bit. Or he might get extra awkward. Either way it'll probably be pretty cute, a fact she can appreciate... afterwards.

Meissa: Hovers. Is concerned. Really really wants to help. May accidentally cause additional headaches for Marion at first, but learns to go with the flow (so to speak) as their relationship progresses.

Alanna: "Red Janey's come to visit, eh? What do ya need?" She's happy to fetch herbal remedies, an overwhelming amount of pastries, whatever floats Marion's boat. (Alanna herself prefers the "overwhelming amount of pastries" strategy - sadly, ice cream has not yet been invented.)

Geoffrey: He prepares a getaway to a calm, quiet location for Marion. He's intimately familiar with the irritability that comes from pain, and is unusually tender during this time.

Gui: As an aesthete, Gui isn't terribly comfortable with the messier side of human anatomy. However, his supreme self-control means that he will never let that attitude show. He brings her flowers and a light repast.

[bylightofdawn]

So my attempt to deal with midterm election anxiety today has been to just....not look at my phone all day long and I spent my morning/lunch break working on the LED set up for my display case.

I'm delighted to say that there are plug and play options so I did NOT have to learn how to solder to accomplish this. It's not the best, but for a first attempt at doing any kind of electrical lighting/wiring I will take the W and call it good enough.

I ended up prolly spending just as much between the various supplies than what I would have spent to buy a pre-built kit but I knew I wanted to have a diffuser for the lights rather than just have LED strips. So that required me doing it piecemeal instead sadly.

I think all in all I spent around 50 bucks or so so it's not the worst thing I've spent my money on in the past two months and I gotta say I do love the idea of doing additional mood lighting in my room. Sadly it's not quite bright enough to replace my standing lamp which has a LED lightbulb and I'd been toying with the idea of moving it across my room or something but now I think it's going to have to stay where it's at because it's just not quite bright enough to do the trick. I could buy a second set of LED strips and put them in like I've seen people do and maybe I will do that down the line so I can have multi-directional lighting options at different colors but for now, it'll do, pig.

I opted for a RGB set so I can do different colors. Sadly, since it's all on the same circuit, I cannot do like...different colors per shelf. I could I think if I did multiple circuits and did some splitters and did more technical shit than my brain can wrap it's head around but lawl the creepy red is definitely a mood. I also think I might be able to download an app to do custom colors than just rely upon the remote I got but I'll explore that later.

Though can I say just how amazing my Robert Eickholt paperweight looks in this lighting? I inherited this for my grandmother and it’s about the only thing of hers outside of her wedding ring that I’ve ever wanted and I finally got it a couple of years ago and it just…looks so awesome in this lighting. The dichroic glass scattered inside of the dome is just so beautiful. It’s a piece called The Silver Veil and it’s just the perfect name for this piece of art.

Also, Cody’s helmet refracted in it is HILARIOUS. But that’s neither here nor there

I'm lowkey bummed even with the diffuser you can see the LED's super strongly in the reflection on the glass. I don't know if I could try and disperse it further by maybe putting strips of parchment paper maybe inside the diffuser? But then I'm like ehhhh is that a fire hazard? I'm sure reddit has a tutorial somewhere on how to accomplish what I want but I cannot be arsed to look into it any further tonight.

I am going to just accept my tired sense of accomplishment, count it as a win and try and find a fresh distraction to keep me from obsessively driving myself crazy refreshing election results pages. As I feared...Texas is just a sea of fucking red. We're still fucking stuck with Greg Abbott as governor unless the Dem's can magically regain a shit-ton of ground in the next 24 hours and my stomach is in fucking knots over the whole state of the future in my country.

I'm so fucking drained from this election and dealing with constant attack ads from both sides. I literally told a bot to fuck off when they texted me an attack ad on behalf of Ken Paxton who is a fucking clown and how the fuck is that man even still in office after the sheer level of fuckery he's gotten into this year.

Ugh I need another distraction because my thoughts are definitely taking a bad spiral into full on anxiety mode. Sorry for whinging about politics, I know everyone is just fucking over it at this point. But eh, it's my blog and I will word vomit all over it if I so choose.

[harrycook]

27

June 12th 2018 was my 27th birthday.

Here are 27 things I feel like I have learnt about life so far:

1. Don’t Argue With Stupid People.

You get nowhere. It’s like playing scrabble with a dog, no matter how well you play, the dog will end up shitting on the board and walking away like he won anyway.

2. Eat The Damn Cake.

Yes I know that eating right and exercise is important for your health, but if you are in the vicinity of a cake or delicious bite of something, just eat it.

3. Working Is A Part Of Life, Not The Entirety Of Life.

Unless you adore what you do for a living and it is your pasison and life’s mission, take a deep breath and don’t take it all so seriously. At the end of the day, a job is to pay the bills and have pocket money to go and enjoy yourself when you’re not working. Unless you are genuinely passionate about your career, don’t sweat it. Don’t break your back worrying about a job that would replace you within a week if you dropped dead.

4. Don’t Take Anything Seriously, Seriously.

Unless you are performing open heart surgery or have the cure for cancer in your back pocket, lighten the fuck up. No matter what your job is, ask yourself if it will matter in 100 years? If not, giggle and let it go. The world won’t stop spinning if you miss a deadline or make a mistake. Breathe. It’s all good.

5. Ignorance Is A Choice.

Yes. It’s 2018. There is no excuse for ignorance or stupidity when we have more information on our phones than a public library. If you don’t understand something, research it. Pick up a book, scan the internet, question everything, especially the news. Be curious, ask questions and most of all, don’t be lazy. Educate yourself so the world can be full of kinder, more worldly individuals who know what they are talking about.

6. Throw Away Anything You Thought You Knew That Doesn’t Sit Well With Your Values.

We grow up in a society that feeds us garbage from the moment we enter the world. Boys are taught to be one way and girls are taught to be another. It’s a system that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years because society wants us to constantly keep within the mold. Screw that. Break the mold and let people be who they want to be. Go after a job you want, not what society wants for you. Travel, see the world, stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and go after the stuff that means something to you.

7. Laugh At Every Chance You Get.

Nothing beats a good belly laugh. Plus, it’s also extremely healthy. Laugh as often as you can. This goes straight back to the not taking anything seriously thing. Giggle more. It works wonders for the soul.

8. Get A Hobby.

The past year I have picked up the piano again (not literally 'picked it up', obviously, but started learning again), attempted to learn Spanish, set a goal of reading a book a fortnight (up to book 25) and started working out a minimum of three times a week. Each year older I start realising how quickly time goes and how many amazing things are at my disposal to learn or try.

9. Read The News, Then Read It Again, And Then Research Some More.

Don't take anything at face value. Just because the news tells you one thing, don't take it as gospel. These news shows are run by multibillionaire white men and corporations with agendas. Don't take it at face value. Look in to things. Read as much as you can and become your own private investigator for the truth. Just because a news show says something, doesn't make it fact.

10. Read More.

Nothing opens up the heart and mind more than a good book. The excuse of not having enough time to read doesn't cut it. Instead of watching an hour of Netflix, take an hour to open a good book. It's good for the soul. Trust me.

11. Get A Pet.

YASSSSSSS. Get a dog. Then get another dog. Then when you think you simply can't handle the amount of snuggles you are getting, get another dog!! In all seriousness, dogs are extremely good for your health. They reduce stress and anxiety, boost happiness and are wonderful snuggle buddies. Adopt don't shop! There are plenty of rescue animals in need of good homes.

12. Sometimes People Hurt You. It Sucks.

Yes. Sometimes the people you never in a bazillion years thought could hurt you, will hurt you terribly. I had an experience in recent years with extended family that completely shifted my entire outlook on people in general. Sadly, some of the people you think you know are far from what you think. It sucks, yes, but once you acknowledge it, it slowly stops hurting. You can move on with your life when you realise that sometimes a wake-up call is all you need to realise that you're better off without certain people in your life. And that's totally ok.

13. Log Off. Often.

The age of social media is WONDERFUL for so many reasons. Keeping in contact with people, viewing beautiful content, learning things with a click and the hours and hours of streamable content are all fantastic reasons to use social media. But on the flip side, it can also be an information overload and I highly advise switching off, taking a bath and leaving your phone somewhere away from you for a few hours. It can't be healthy getting a constant stream of negative news 24/7. So unplug. Those cute puppy pics will be there when you get back.

14. Exercise.

I know, I know, YUCK. Exercise isn't the most fun of activities, and I am the first to admit that whenever I heard someone say "but the endorphins are good for your happiness levels" I'd roll my eyes so far back in my head I could see my brain. But it's completely and utterly true. Just a 40 minute run 3 times a week has improved my mood ten fold. I've suffered with depression, anxiety and addiction for years, but exercise allows me to completely refresh and enjoy the day on a belly full of endorphins. Do it for the feeling you get, not to achieve some unattainable body. It works a treat. Trust me.

15. Napping Is AMAZING.

Yes. Napping is one of the best damn things to do. Nothing beats an afternoon nap. It refreshes you for the rest of the day and is a great way to reboot the system. Don't let people tell you otherwise. It's bloody fantastic.

16. Journal.

I've written a journal since I was ten years old and looking back on all the adventures, worries, achievements and memories throughout the years is something I cherish so incredibly much. Studies have shown that journalling is really healthy for the mind and soul. Grab a notebook and get doodling.

17. Take Photos.

If taking selfies is your thang, go for it. If taking pictures of trees, animals or the sunset gets you going, snap away. Taking photos is therapeutic for a number of reasons, but most of all it's a lovely way to document your life with things to look back on. Get snapping.

18. Never Think You Know It All.

It's easy to be arrogant when we are conditioned all our lives with things we are expected to believe. "Boys should do this", "girls should do that". But just because we've been taught it from a society that has never been challenged to think differently, doesn't make it right. Question everything. Stay curious. Look into things and don't dismiss stuff you know nothing about. Not only is it a really ugly personality trait, it gets you nowhere in life. Opening your mind and heart is a surefire way of experiencing life in all its' beauty.

19. Go After What You Want In Life.

Jim Carey did a graduation speech about his father who never went after his dreams because he wanted to do the ‘safe thing'. Have a 'stable' career that would provide for his family. From memory, his father failed and lost everything in his 'stable' career. The moral being that if you are going to fail at something, at least let it be something you love, because the fact is it is just as possible to fail at something you hate. Give it a go. Life is too short to not go after what you want.

20. Travel. Travel. Travel.

See the world. It'll show you that we humans are all the same. It replaces ignorance with knowledge and shows you how vast our planet is. Get out there.

21. Someone Who Is Nice To You But Not Nice To The Waiter Is Not A Nice Person.

I love this quote because it's so damn true. Don't be a dick to service people. Don't think you're better than anyone because you're not. End of story. Period.

22. Get Over Yourself.

Sort of a continuation of the above, this is just a reminder to get over yourself, have a giggle and realise that just because you have a fancy car, a nice suit or well manicured hands means absolutely sweet F.A. Being a good person, showing kindness, empathy and caring about the planet and human beings as a whole is what counts in my books. Just be a good person. It's that simple.

23. Tell Your Loved Ones You Love Them And Don’t Go To Bed Angry.

Pretty self explanatory this one, but all the same, something to remember constantly. Life is far too short to go to bed angry at someone. Throw away silly arguments and tell the people you care about how you feel.

24. Screw What People Think Of You.

I mean it. Who cares what someone else thinks of you? That's their stuff. How they perceive you and how they feel about you is none of your business. Water off a ducks' back. Let it go.

25. Try Not To Worry So Much.

I know. Easier said than done, but sometimes it helps to take a step back, take a deep breath in and ask a few key questions: Can I do anything to change the current situation? If yes, do it. If not, let it go. Breathe through it and remember all we ever have is right in this moment.

26. Meditate.

YASSSSSSSSS times a million. Meditating is one of the most powerful things I have ever learnt in my 27 years on this planet. Taking a moment to just sit and reflect and focus on the here and now is one of the most intensely wonderful ways of reconnecting to what matters. There are a million different apps you can use or simply sit and count your breaths. It works wonders.

27. Life is what you make it, but most of all it’s about love.

Love, family, friends and making memories is the most important thing in life. Every year on this earth I realise more and more how utterly stupid it is to worry about material things. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't enjoy material stuff whatsoever, but it shouldn't be what you go after in life. Nobody ever gets to the end of their life clutching on to their Chanel bag. The things that matter are the people you love and the memories you make.

So go for a walk, take in the view, have a laugh and breathe in every moment of every day. It's all we ever have.

- Harry.

[fabdante]

Hey there fabdante!! I really enjoyed your latest post about your favorite art media- thanks for sharing! You had some nice advice/tips listed there, and -as you said it was your favorite medium- I'd love to hear any other tips you have for using markers if you're keen to share! :DD Thanks- take care!

Hello!! I would love to share marker tips!! I love markers asdfghj for those who missed the last post refrenced, you can check it out here!

I added some pictures to try and elaborate on what I mean on some parts so the post got kind of long so I'm going to put it under a cut! I'll dive right into marker tips though, and there are pictures! It's colorful and fun I promise!

So you know that post that goes around every once in a while about refilling dried alcohol markers with alcohol to refresh them? I've never tried it, it probably works, however the post never mentions how that will delude your markers color over time which is important to note and be aware of.

Also, I wouldn't do the above with Copics. Copics are refillable and you're better off buying a refill pack and refilling your Copic. Each refill can refill a marker multiple times so they're worth the money I think.

OH! Also! Weird tip related to this! The reason I've never tried the alcohol tip is because I keep all my dying (non Copic) markers because they have a different texture then full ones. It can be useful at times. While not everyone has need for that kind of texture nor likes it, I personally find it very helpful.

Marker companies sell colorless blenders. I have no idea how they work. I am sorry.

To repeat from the last post (linked above) having a portable palette I think is really key. It's really a life saver especially when you have a big marker collection. It's really useful when trying to color match or decide what colors to use to shade, I think, even if different papers will reflect the colors a little differently. It at least puts you in the right ballpark. I use index cards sorted by color type with the names and numbers beside them and they look like this:

(One last tip related to the cards, I've found having the colors all down the one side is helpful since you can hold the colors right up next to whatever your trying to look at.)

(Also, I do recommend prioritizing buying earth/skin tones as you can see by my collection asdfghj while you can blend and mix markers to get colors you don't have, you cannot usually get these tones that way)

With markers, different papers have different levels of bleed out from the marker stroke. What I mean is like, when you draw a line, because the markers are wet, it will inevitably spread a bit. Some papers this is a very small bleed that you won't really notice. On others it'll be massive. This is less the fault of the marker and more so the paper though different marker formulas will act differently on the same paper. It's just something to be aware of and adjust to. For some people that's being picky about paper types to avoid bleed out, for people like me it's just testing and adjusting to the paper.

I feel like people tend to not think they can color mix with markers so you need every color ever to get the tone you want, but that's definitely not the case. While some people might not like the look, you can overlay colors to achieve colors that you don't have a marker for. I do this a lot when it comes to subduing brighter tones or, notably, with Thrall Warcrafts skintone where I have to layer multiple different greens on top of each other to get his skintone (see as follows). The background is also two colors laid over each other, that's how it got that effect:

It's really worth getting to know how your markers play together because you can get some really good effects from how they'll delude and interact with one another on the page. Also, markers are wet and if you work fast you can take advantage of that wetness for blending and mixing purposes.

Also, remembering that this is a wet medium, if you use marker on top of watercolor or gouache or something...yes it will reactivate the watercolor or gouache. Neither paint cares that its alcohol and not water. (I haven't messed up projects forgetting about this fact what are you talking about asdfghjkl)

Speaking of shading and rendering, I have some Thoughts. I notice a lot of people with marker will only use like colors to shade or they'll continuously layer the same color until they get a darker shade. Neither of these techniques is wrong, of course, but if you find yourself doing this and unhappy with the color pay off, I want to suggest...not doing that. I'm going to sound contradicting, but you can treat markers a bit like painting (I know I know I said I don't like painting but roll with me a minute sdfghjk). In the image above you can see some of this, especially in the fur which has a mix of purple, gray, and blue in it but here's another example. This is a traditional drawing I did of V in 2021 and I used some purples and blues in the deep shadows of his face, some of which are deluded by overlaying his skin tone again:

Also just...I recommend not using grays or blacks for shading in color unless what your shading is gray I guess but even gray I don't often shade with gray. This is less a personal tip and more a 'they tell you this in art classes' thing. Of course, everyone's going to do what they want to do but, something to consider for anyone using that technique who's unhappy with the color payoff.

And I think that's everything I can think of off the top of my head! Thank you once again for the ask and indulging my desire to talk about markers incessantly because I love them so much I mean look at them, the texture, the vibe, love it. I hope this is helpful and that you have a lovely day!

[fuckingfuckingchickentown-blog]

Home Improvement Tips For Living A Better Life A lot of people think that they are not able to do home improvement without outside help. People start projects daily but fail to finish them successfully. Renovations can be simple. The article below contains the information you need. Your air conditioning filters should always be kept clean. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. You may also be using way more electricity than necessary. To prevent buildup, think of changing the filter monthly. Using a light colored shingle or roofing material will help save you money in energy costs. The lighter color will reflect the suns rays instead of absorbing them, reducing the heat build up in your attic. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills. Install weather stripping on the doors and windows to make your house more energy efficient. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It'll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. Weather stripping will also prevent you from catching a chill from drafty windows. Using motion sensors on outdoor lighting is a good way to save money on energy. With the motion sensor on most models you can make adjustments to the sensitivity, and they can be manually turned on. If you have no counter space, install a microwave over the range. Over-the-range microwave ovens offer many features, including convection cooking. They are great for making all types of foods. This can change the way you cook forever. Place holes into the rim of paint cans with a nail. The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. Use nails and drill holes in order to solve this problem. Keep your floors protected while painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Old newspapers placed in layers can work well and are cheap. Plastic sheeting or inexpensive paint cloths will work, too. Do not forget that you need to have proper ventalation in your bathroom. Mold will easily grow in the bathroom because there is a lot of humidity there. Even if you continuously repaint the walls of your bathroom, the mold still will not die. Instead, try to find something that will stop its growth altogether. Install a window or ventilation, to dehumidify your space. Peepholes are a great addition for your exterior doors. Do it so you can safely see who is outside your door. You can also put in a peephole, which is very easily accomplished. A drill is required and you can finish the project in less than a day. It is well worth it, especially because a peephole can give you a greater peace of mind. Planning for home maintenance expenses when setting up a household budget makes it much easier to keep up with projects as they are needed. Anyone who owns a home and is able to commit a certain amount annually toward home maintenance ensures his or her home stays in tip-top condition. If money remains at year's end, it can be put toward upgrades or major renovations down the road. Wipe any dust, dirt or oil from your baseboards and walls with a damp rag before you start painting them. You can avoid the need for extra coats of paint by providing a clean surface for the new paint. If you want to spruce up the dining room, consider sanding and refinishing your dining room table. It takes a little while, but with a new finish your table can look brand new. Take plenty of time doing this so it comes out really good. Septic systems must be kept clean. It's easy to purchase chemicals that speed up the process of decomposition and prevent overflowing from occurring. Keep your septic tank in mind during your next home improvement project. Get a blueprint of your home, and be very careful in order to avoid any costly damages. If you hate painting and paneling, try wallpaper. Wallpapering a room is easy and it's an affordable way to refresh any room. Make certain that you choose the best paper for the entire design of the room, not only a color that you find attractive or suitable with family. Put ceiling fans up in rooms that are used a lot since this will increase the circulation. Using fans means you will not have to rely on your AC unit so much or your furnace in the winter, since you can use fans to push the warm air downwards too. Many fans change directions either drawing air downward or upward, depending on what you want. Have you really took notice of your door handles lately? Door handles made from brass or chrome are extra-shiny, and they add a great touch to the decor in your home. Carefully view all the door handles in every room. Consider replacing these handles with brass door ones in order to take a huge change. An expert can guide you through your renovations. They are trained to help you not only get the most bang for your buck, but also to create looks and designs that are modern and stylish. The assistance of a professional can be a great help. To spruce up the outside of your home, try painting it. While paint offers some great protection for your home, it also gives it a brand new look and feel. A good color choice will make the home into a fantastic one. As stated before in the introduction, many people think home improvement is impossible. People attempt home improvement projects all the time, only to end up failing. And it's not always hard. Just take these tips to heart and invest the time and effort necessary.

Home Improvement Tips For The Everyday Homeowner

Home improvement is a popular topic among any homeowner. Everyone wants the nicest house possible, but for a lot of people it can be overwhelming and frightening to start a home project. Read this article to learn what you need to know about the basics of home improvement.

Don't just plunk your money down for the first materials you see. Do some comparison shopping to get the most value for your dollar. If you plan to replace flooring in multiple rooms, prepare to spend a significant amount of money. However, shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars. There are many options available including discount supply stores.

When you are listing your home for sale, be sure that you define purposes for the different rooms in the house. Rooms such as the office and family room need the proper furniture to accompany them. Buyers are visual, and they often have a hard time imagining themselves in a space if it isn't properly appointed. A well-defined space makes your home look better and sell more quickly.

If you want to create a peaceful environment, pick out colors like blue, green, and purple in lighter shades. Linens and cotton fabric add to a peaceful atmosphere. Potpourri on the coffee table and a scented candle can also add serenity.

"Age-in-place" concepts can be a great way to make sure your renovation plans are on track with reality. This refers to the design philosophy that homeowners are going to age while they are in their home. When you are making changes to a home you want to keep forever, or even one you hope to sell, additions that are age-in-place increase the safety, value and comfort of the house.

Whenever you're doing home improvement work in your bathrooms or your kitchen, you must remember to turn off the water feeds before going anywhere near the pipes or fixtures. It may seem obvious but it can be easily overlooked which can be messy or even costly.

When you're planning to tackle a major renovation job on your own, you can still benefit from a little professional expertise. Write extensive notes on the work you plan to do, and ask a contractor to review them for you. You don't want to miss a step and then find out that this is going to be an expensive mistake to fix.

Take the time to talk to your neighbors about water drainage before starting on major landscaping. Many plans of this scope will involve draining water from your yard so as to avoid muddy, messy spaces. You need to figure out where you can drain the water to; diverting it to your neighbor's property isn't a good idea. It is all together possible to do this but you need to communicate effectively.

If you find that it's time to remodel your cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, seriously consider installing wooden cabinets. Wood cabinets frequently wear better than cabinets with laminates or cabinets made from other materials, because surfaces can be maintained and repaired more easily. Some of the more common choices for wood cabinets are maple, cherry and oak. You can stain these woods any color you want.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Find the highest point of the kitchen floor, and use that point to establish the height your new cabinets will be hung at.

Do you want to add some sophistication to your home but are low on funds? A good way to include a nice touch to you home is by giving it a brand new doorbell. This is an improvement anyone who comes to your home will notice.

You can really improve the appearance of your windows by simply replacing your window treatments. The sun often fades blinds, and children, pets and accidents also take their toll. Fresh blinds are a simple and nearly effortless way to make dramatic improvements quickly.

Think about your environment when trying to figure out what you want to do to fix up your home. For instance, if your area is windy, you may want to avoid a deck. If your home improvement does not match your local area, most likely you will not see a return on your investment.

Have you taken an inventory of your door handles yet? Shiny brass handles may be just what you need. Inspect each handle in your rooms and replace them with brass hardware instead.

Taping baseboards and ceilings is a key part to painting. No matter how careful you try to be, paint can drip. Tape the trim to keep the paint off. If you do not protect the trim or the floor, you will have to paint the trim again or clean the floor.

As you plan a project, make certain to set aside a spot for debris. Any demolition causes a large mess, and that mess must be placed somewhere. If you know ahead of time that you have a place to put the trash, you will not have a huge pile of debris in the way while trying to get the work done.

Stuffing a crack with steel wool can prevent mice from entering your home. The mice cannot chew through it as they can other materials (including wood), so it will help to prevent more pests from entering until you have time to complete a full repair.

Roller shutters and aluminum shutters make your home more secure and increase its value. They can be especially valuable if your home is located in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes, or if you are in need of extra security.

As this article has shown, many home improvement projects may be completed yourself once you have knowledge. Home renovations not only improve your home's value, but also improve the comfort of your home. Keeping the tips shared here with you in mind will help you get started on the right path quickly!

highpowercleaners

[greekmythologyaesthetic-blog]

Home Improvement Tips For Living A Better Life A lot of people think that they are not able to do home improvement without outside help. People start projects daily but fail to finish them successfully. Renovations can be simple. The article below contains the information you need. Your air conditioning filters should always be kept clean. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. You may also be using way more electricity than necessary. To prevent buildup, think of changing the filter monthly. Using a light colored shingle or roofing material will help save you money in energy costs. The lighter color will reflect the suns rays instead of absorbing them, reducing the heat build up in your attic. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills. Install weather stripping on the doors and windows to make your house more energy efficient. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It'll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. Weather stripping will also prevent you from catching a chill from drafty windows. Using motion sensors on outdoor lighting is a good way to save money on energy. With the motion sensor on most models you can make adjustments to the sensitivity, and they can be manually turned on. If you have no counter space, install a microwave over the range. Over-the-range microwave ovens offer many features, including convection cooking. They are great for making all types of foods. This can change the way you cook forever. Place holes into the rim of paint cans with a nail. The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. Use nails and drill holes in order to solve this problem. Keep your floors protected while painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Old newspapers placed in layers can work well and are cheap. Plastic sheeting or inexpensive paint cloths will work, too. Do not forget that you need to have proper ventalation in your bathroom. Mold will easily grow in the bathroom because there is a lot of humidity there. Even if you continuously repaint the walls of your bathroom, the mold still will not die. Instead, try to find something that will stop its growth altogether. Install a window or ventilation, to dehumidify your space. Peepholes are a great addition for your exterior doors. Do it so you can safely see who is outside your door. You can also put in a peephole, which is very easily accomplished. A drill is required and you can finish the project in less than a day. It is well worth it, especially because a peephole can give you a greater peace of mind. Planning for home maintenance expenses when setting up a household budget makes it much easier to keep up with projects as they are needed. Anyone who owns a home and is able to commit a certain amount annually toward home maintenance ensures his or her home stays in tip-top condition. If money remains at year's end, it can be put toward upgrades or major renovations down the road. Wipe any dust, dirt or oil from your baseboards and walls with a damp rag before you start painting them. You can avoid the need for extra coats of paint by providing a clean surface for the new paint. If you want to spruce up the dining room, consider sanding and refinishing your dining room table. It takes a little while, but with a new finish your table can look brand new. Take plenty of time doing this so it comes out really good. Septic systems must be kept clean. It's easy to purchase chemicals that speed up the process of decomposition and prevent overflowing from occurring. Keep your septic tank in mind during your next home improvement project. Get a blueprint of your home, and be very careful in order to avoid any costly damages. If you hate painting and paneling, try wallpaper. Wallpapering a room is easy and it's an affordable way to refresh any room. Make certain that you choose the best paper for the entire design of the room, not only a color that you find attractive or suitable with family. Put ceiling fans up in rooms that are used a lot since this will increase the circulation. Using fans means you will not have to rely on your AC unit so much or your furnace in the winter, since you can use fans to push the warm air downwards too. Many fans change directions either drawing air downward or upward, depending on what you want. Have you really took notice of your door handles lately? Door handles made from brass or chrome are extra-shiny, and they add a great touch to the decor in your home. Carefully view all the door handles in every room. Consider replacing these handles with brass door ones in order to take a huge change. An expert can guide you through your renovations. They are trained to help you not only get the most bang for your buck, but also to create looks and designs that are modern and stylish. The assistance of a professional can be a great help. To spruce up the outside of your home, try painting it. While paint offers some great protection for your home, it also gives it a brand new look and feel. A good color choice will make the home into a fantastic one. As stated before in the introduction, many people think home improvement is impossible. People attempt home improvement projects all the time, only to end up failing. And it's not always hard. Just take these tips to heart and invest the time and effort necessary.

Home Improvement Tips For The Everyday Homeowner

Home improvement is a popular topic among any homeowner. Everyone wants the nicest house possible, but for a lot of people it can be overwhelming and frightening to start a home project. Read this article to learn what you need to know about the basics of home improvement.

Don't just plunk your money down for the first materials you see. Do some comparison shopping to get the most value for your dollar. If you plan to replace flooring in multiple rooms, prepare to spend a significant amount of money. However, shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars. There are many options available including discount supply stores.

When you are listing your home for sale, be sure that you define purposes for the different rooms in the house. Rooms such as the office and family room need the proper furniture to accompany them. Buyers are visual, and they often have a hard time imagining themselves in a space if it isn't properly appointed. A well-defined space makes your home look better and sell more quickly.

If you want to create a peaceful environment, pick out colors like blue, green, and purple in lighter shades. Linens and cotton fabric add to a peaceful atmosphere. Potpourri on the coffee table and a scented candle can also add serenity.

"Age-in-place" concepts can be a great way to make sure your renovation plans are on track with reality. This refers to the design philosophy that homeowners are going to age while they are in their home. When you are making changes to a home you want to keep forever, or even one you hope to sell, additions that are age-in-place increase the safety, value and comfort of the house.

Whenever you're doing home improvement work in your bathrooms or your kitchen, you must remember to turn off the water feeds before going anywhere near the pipes or fixtures. It may seem obvious but it can be easily overlooked which can be messy or even costly.

When you're planning to tackle a major renovation job on your own, you can still benefit from a little professional expertise. Write extensive notes on the work you plan to do, and ask a contractor to review them for you. You don't want to miss a step and then find out that this is going to be an expensive mistake to fix.

Take the time to talk to your neighbors about water drainage before starting on major landscaping. Many plans of this scope will involve draining water from your yard so as to avoid muddy, messy spaces. You need to figure out where you can drain the water to; diverting it to your neighbor's property isn't a good idea. It is all together possible to do this but you need to communicate effectively.

If you find that it's time to remodel your cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, seriously consider installing wooden cabinets. Wood cabinets frequently wear better than cabinets with laminates or cabinets made from other materials, because surfaces can be maintained and repaired more easily. Some of the more common choices for wood cabinets are maple, cherry and oak. You can stain these woods any color you want.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Find the highest point of the kitchen floor, and use that point to establish the height your new cabinets will be hung at.

Do you want to add some sophistication to your home but are low on funds? A good way to include a nice touch to you home is by giving it a brand new doorbell. This is an improvement anyone who comes to your home will notice.

You can really improve the appearance of your windows by simply replacing your window treatments. The sun often fades blinds, and children, pets and accidents also take their toll. Fresh blinds are a simple and nearly effortless way to make dramatic improvements quickly.

Think about your environment when trying to figure out what you want to do to fix up your home. For instance, if your area is windy, you may want to avoid a deck. If your home improvement does not match your local area, most likely you will not see a return on your investment.

Have you taken an inventory of your door handles yet? Shiny brass handles may be just what you need. Inspect each handle in your rooms and replace them with brass hardware instead.

Taping baseboards and ceilings is a key part to painting. No matter how careful you try to be, paint can drip. Tape the trim to keep the paint off. If you do not protect the trim or the floor, you will have to paint the trim again or clean the floor.

As you plan a project, make certain to set aside a spot for debris. Any demolition causes a large mess, and that mess must be placed somewhere. If you know ahead of time that you have a place to put the trash, you will not have a huge pile of debris in the way while trying to get the work done.

Stuffing a crack with steel wool can prevent mice from entering your home. The mice cannot chew through it as they can other materials (including wood), so it will help to prevent more pests from entering until you have time to complete a full repair.

Roller shutters and aluminum shutters make your home more secure and increase its value. They can be especially valuable if your home is located in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes, or if you are in need of extra security.

As this article has shown, many home improvement projects may be completed yourself once you have knowledge. Home renovations not only improve your home's value, but also improve the comfort of your home. Keeping the tips shared here with you in mind will help you get started on the right path quickly!

highpowercleaners

[lesbianslovesatan-blog]

Home Improvement Tips For Living A Better Life A lot of people think that they are not able to do home improvement without outside help. People start projects daily but fail to finish them successfully. Renovations can be simple. The article below contains the information you need. Your air conditioning filters should always be kept clean. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. You may also be using way more electricity than necessary. To prevent buildup, think of changing the filter monthly. Using a light colored shingle or roofing material will help save you money in energy costs. The lighter color will reflect the suns rays instead of absorbing them, reducing the heat build up in your attic. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills. Install weather stripping on the doors and windows to make your house more energy efficient. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It'll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. Weather stripping will also prevent you from catching a chill from drafty windows. Using motion sensors on outdoor lighting is a good way to save money on energy. With the motion sensor on most models you can make adjustments to the sensitivity, and they can be manually turned on. If you have no counter space, install a microwave over the range. Over-the-range microwave ovens offer many features, including convection cooking. They are great for making all types of foods. This can change the way you cook forever. Place holes into the rim of paint cans with a nail. The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. Use nails and drill holes in order to solve this problem. Keep your floors protected while painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Old newspapers placed in layers can work well and are cheap. Plastic sheeting or inexpensive paint cloths will work, too. Do not forget that you need to have proper ventalation in your bathroom. Mold will easily grow in the bathroom because there is a lot of humidity there. Even if you continuously repaint the walls of your bathroom, the mold still will not die. Instead, try to find something that will stop its growth altogether. Install a window or ventilation, to dehumidify your space. Peepholes are a great addition for your exterior doors. Do it so you can safely see who is outside your door. You can also put in a peephole, which is very easily accomplished. A drill is required and you can finish the project in less than a day. It is well worth it, especially because a peephole can give you a greater peace of mind. Planning for home maintenance expenses when setting up a household budget makes it much easier to keep up with projects as they are needed. Anyone who owns a home and is able to commit a certain amount annually toward home maintenance ensures his or her home stays in tip-top condition. If money remains at year's end, it can be put toward upgrades or major renovations down the road. Wipe any dust, dirt or oil from your baseboards and walls with a damp rag before you start painting them. You can avoid the need for extra coats of paint by providing a clean surface for the new paint. If you want to spruce up the dining room, consider sanding and refinishing your dining room table. It takes a little while, but with a new finish your table can look brand new. Take plenty of time doing this so it comes out really good. Septic systems must be kept clean. It's easy to purchase chemicals that speed up the process of decomposition and prevent overflowing from occurring. Keep your septic tank in mind during your next home improvement project. Get a blueprint of your home, and be very careful in order to avoid any costly damages. If you hate painting and paneling, try wallpaper. Wallpapering a room is easy and it's an affordable way to refresh any room. Make certain that you choose the best paper for the entire design of the room, not only a color that you find attractive or suitable with family. Put ceiling fans up in rooms that are used a lot since this will increase the circulation. Using fans means you will not have to rely on your AC unit so much or your furnace in the winter, since you can use fans to push the warm air downwards too. Many fans change directions either drawing air downward or upward, depending on what you want. Have you really took notice of your door handles lately? Door handles made from brass or chrome are extra-shiny, and they add a great touch to the decor in your home. Carefully view all the door handles in every room. Consider replacing these handles with brass door ones in order to take a huge change. An expert can guide you through your renovations. They are trained to help you not only get the most bang for your buck, but also to create looks and designs that are modern and stylish. The assistance of a professional can be a great help. To spruce up the outside of your home, try painting it. While paint offers some great protection for your home, it also gives it a brand new look and feel. A good color choice will make the home into a fantastic one. As stated before in the introduction, many people think home improvement is impossible. People attempt home improvement projects all the time, only to end up failing. And it's not always hard. Just take these tips to heart and invest the time and effort necessary.

Home Improvement Tips For The Everyday Homeowner

Home improvement is a popular topic among any homeowner. Everyone wants the nicest house possible, but for a lot of people it can be overwhelming and frightening to start a home project. Read this article to learn what you need to know about the basics of home improvement.

Don't just plunk your money down for the first materials you see. Do some comparison shopping to get the most value for your dollar. If you plan to replace flooring in multiple rooms, prepare to spend a significant amount of money. However, shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars. There are many options available including discount supply stores.

When you are listing your home for sale, be sure that you define purposes for the different rooms in the house. Rooms such as the office and family room need the proper furniture to accompany them. Buyers are visual, and they often have a hard time imagining themselves in a space if it isn't properly appointed. A well-defined space makes your home look better and sell more quickly.

If you want to create a peaceful environment, pick out colors like blue, green, and purple in lighter shades. Linens and cotton fabric add to a peaceful atmosphere. Potpourri on the coffee table and a scented candle can also add serenity.

"Age-in-place" concepts can be a great way to make sure your renovation plans are on track with reality. This refers to the design philosophy that homeowners are going to age while they are in their home. When you are making changes to a home you want to keep forever, or even one you hope to sell, additions that are age-in-place increase the safety, value and comfort of the house.

Whenever you're doing home improvement work in your bathrooms or your kitchen, you must remember to turn off the water feeds before going anywhere near the pipes or fixtures. It may seem obvious but it can be easily overlooked which can be messy or even costly.

When you're planning to tackle a major renovation job on your own, you can still benefit from a little professional expertise. Write extensive notes on the work you plan to do, and ask a contractor to review them for you. You don't want to miss a step and then find out that this is going to be an expensive mistake to fix.

Take the time to talk to your neighbors about water drainage before starting on major landscaping. Many plans of this scope will involve draining water from your yard so as to avoid muddy, messy spaces. You need to figure out where you can drain the water to; diverting it to your neighbor's property isn't a good idea. It is all together possible to do this but you need to communicate effectively.

If you find that it's time to remodel your cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, seriously consider installing wooden cabinets. Wood cabinets frequently wear better than cabinets with laminates or cabinets made from other materials, because surfaces can be maintained and repaired more easily. Some of the more common choices for wood cabinets are maple, cherry and oak. You can stain these woods any color you want.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Find the highest point of the kitchen floor, and use that point to establish the height your new cabinets will be hung at.

Do you want to add some sophistication to your home but are low on funds? A good way to include a nice touch to you home is by giving it a brand new doorbell. This is an improvement anyone who comes to your home will notice.

You can really improve the appearance of your windows by simply replacing your window treatments. The sun often fades blinds, and children, pets and accidents also take their toll. Fresh blinds are a simple and nearly effortless way to make dramatic improvements quickly.

Think about your environment when trying to figure out what you want to do to fix up your home. For instance, if your area is windy, you may want to avoid a deck. If your home improvement does not match your local area, most likely you will not see a return on your investment.

Have you taken an inventory of your door handles yet? Shiny brass handles may be just what you need. Inspect each handle in your rooms and replace them with brass hardware instead.

Taping baseboards and ceilings is a key part to painting. No matter how careful you try to be, paint can drip. Tape the trim to keep the paint off. If you do not protect the trim or the floor, you will have to paint the trim again or clean the floor.

As you plan a project, make certain to set aside a spot for debris. Any demolition causes a large mess, and that mess must be placed somewhere. If you know ahead of time that you have a place to put the trash, you will not have a huge pile of debris in the way while trying to get the work done.

Stuffing a crack with steel wool can prevent mice from entering your home. The mice cannot chew through it as they can other materials (including wood), so it will help to prevent more pests from entering until you have time to complete a full repair.

Roller shutters and aluminum shutters make your home more secure and increase its value. They can be especially valuable if your home is located in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes, or if you are in need of extra security.

As this article has shown, many home improvement projects may be completed yourself once you have knowledge. Home renovations not only improve your home's value, but also improve the comfort of your home. Keeping the tips shared here with you in mind will help you get started on the right path quickly!

highpowercleaners

[badbitchbigtits-blog]

Home Improvement Tips For Living A Better Life A lot of people think that they are not able to do home improvement without outside help. People start projects daily but fail to finish them successfully. Renovations can be simple. The article below contains the information you need. Your air conditioning filters should always be kept clean. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. You may also be using way more electricity than necessary. To prevent buildup, think of changing the filter monthly. Using a light colored shingle or roofing material will help save you money in energy costs. The lighter color will reflect the suns rays instead of absorbing them, reducing the heat build up in your attic. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills. Install weather stripping on the doors and windows to make your house more energy efficient. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It'll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. Weather stripping will also prevent you from catching a chill from drafty windows. Using motion sensors on outdoor lighting is a good way to save money on energy. With the motion sensor on most models you can make adjustments to the sensitivity, and they can be manually turned on. If you have no counter space, install a microwave over the range. Over-the-range microwave ovens offer many features, including convection cooking. They are great for making all types of foods. This can change the way you cook forever. Place holes into the rim of paint cans with a nail. The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. Use nails and drill holes in order to solve this problem. Keep your floors protected while painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Old newspapers placed in layers can work well and are cheap. Plastic sheeting or inexpensive paint cloths will work, too. Do not forget that you need to have proper ventalation in your bathroom. Mold will easily grow in the bathroom because there is a lot of humidity there. Even if you continuously repaint the walls of your bathroom, the mold still will not die. Instead, try to find something that will stop its growth altogether. Install a window or ventilation, to dehumidify your space. Peepholes are a great addition for your exterior doors. Do it so you can safely see who is outside your door. You can also put in a peephole, which is very easily accomplished. A drill is required and you can finish the project in less than a day. It is well worth it, especially because a peephole can give you a greater peace of mind. Planning for home maintenance expenses when setting up a household budget makes it much easier to keep up with projects as they are needed. Anyone who owns a home and is able to commit a certain amount annually toward home maintenance ensures his or her home stays in tip-top condition. If money remains at year's end, it can be put toward upgrades or major renovations down the road. Wipe any dust, dirt or oil from your baseboards and walls with a damp rag before you start painting them. You can avoid the need for extra coats of paint by providing a clean surface for the new paint. If you want to spruce up the dining room, consider sanding and refinishing your dining room table. It takes a little while, but with a new finish your table can look brand new. Take plenty of time doing this so it comes out really good. Septic systems must be kept clean. It's easy to purchase chemicals that speed up the process of decomposition and prevent overflowing from occurring. Keep your septic tank in mind during your next home improvement project. Get a blueprint of your home, and be very careful in order to avoid any costly damages. If you hate painting and paneling, try wallpaper. Wallpapering a room is easy and it's an affordable way to refresh any room. Make certain that you choose the best paper for the entire design of the room, not only a color that you find attractive or suitable with family. Put ceiling fans up in rooms that are used a lot since this will increase the circulation. Using fans means you will not have to rely on your AC unit so much or your furnace in the winter, since you can use fans to push the warm air downwards too. Many fans change directions either drawing air downward or upward, depending on what you want. Have you really took notice of your door handles lately? Door handles made from brass or chrome are extra-shiny, and they add a great touch to the decor in your home. Carefully view all the door handles in every room. Consider replacing these handles with brass door ones in order to take a huge change. An expert can guide you through your renovations. They are trained to help you not only get the most bang for your buck, but also to create looks and designs that are modern and stylish. The assistance of a professional can be a great help. To spruce up the outside of your home, try painting it. While paint offers some great protection for your home, it also gives it a brand new look and feel. A good color choice will make the home into a fantastic one. As stated before in the introduction, many people think home improvement is impossible. People attempt home improvement projects all the time, only to end up failing. And it's not always hard. Just take these tips to heart and invest the time and effort necessary.

Home Improvement Tips For The Everyday Homeowner

Home improvement is a popular topic among any homeowner. Everyone wants the nicest house possible, but for a lot of people it can be overwhelming and frightening to start a home project. Read this article to learn what you need to know about the basics of home improvement.

Don't just plunk your money down for the first materials you see. Do some comparison shopping to get the most value for your dollar. If you plan to replace flooring in multiple rooms, prepare to spend a significant amount of money. However, shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars. There are many options available including discount supply stores.

When you are listing your home for sale, be sure that you define purposes for the different rooms in the house. Rooms such as the office and family room need the proper furniture to accompany them. Buyers are visual, and they often have a hard time imagining themselves in a space if it isn't properly appointed. A well-defined space makes your home look better and sell more quickly.

If you want to create a peaceful environment, pick out colors like blue, green, and purple in lighter shades. Linens and cotton fabric add to a peaceful atmosphere. Potpourri on the coffee table and a scented candle can also add serenity.

"Age-in-place" concepts can be a great way to make sure your renovation plans are on track with reality. This refers to the design philosophy that homeowners are going to age while they are in their home. When you are making changes to a home you want to keep forever, or even one you hope to sell, additions that are age-in-place increase the safety, value and comfort of the house.

Whenever you're doing home improvement work in your bathrooms or your kitchen, you must remember to turn off the water feeds before going anywhere near the pipes or fixtures. It may seem obvious but it can be easily overlooked which can be messy or even costly.

When you're planning to tackle a major renovation job on your own, you can still benefit from a little professional expertise. Write extensive notes on the work you plan to do, and ask a contractor to review them for you. You don't want to miss a step and then find out that this is going to be an expensive mistake to fix.

Take the time to talk to your neighbors about water drainage before starting on major landscaping. Many plans of this scope will involve draining water from your yard so as to avoid muddy, messy spaces. You need to figure out where you can drain the water to; diverting it to your neighbor's property isn't a good idea. It is all together possible to do this but you need to communicate effectively.

If you find that it's time to remodel your cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, seriously consider installing wooden cabinets. Wood cabinets frequently wear better than cabinets with laminates or cabinets made from other materials, because surfaces can be maintained and repaired more easily. Some of the more common choices for wood cabinets are maple, cherry and oak. You can stain these woods any color you want.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Find the highest point of the kitchen floor, and use that point to establish the height your new cabinets will be hung at.

Do you want to add some sophistication to your home but are low on funds? A good way to include a nice touch to you home is by giving it a brand new doorbell. This is an improvement anyone who comes to your home will notice.

You can really improve the appearance of your windows by simply replacing your window treatments. The sun often fades blinds, and children, pets and accidents also take their toll. Fresh blinds are a simple and nearly effortless way to make dramatic improvements quickly.

Think about your environment when trying to figure out what you want to do to fix up your home. For instance, if your area is windy, you may want to avoid a deck. If your home improvement does not match your local area, most likely you will not see a return on your investment.

Have you taken an inventory of your door handles yet? Shiny brass handles may be just what you need. Inspect each handle in your rooms and replace them with brass hardware instead.

Taping baseboards and ceilings is a key part to painting. No matter how careful you try to be, paint can drip. Tape the trim to keep the paint off. If you do not protect the trim or the floor, you will have to paint the trim again or clean the floor.

As you plan a project, make certain to set aside a spot for debris. Any demolition causes a large mess, and that mess must be placed somewhere. If you know ahead of time that you have a place to put the trash, you will not have a huge pile of debris in the way while trying to get the work done.

Stuffing a crack with steel wool can prevent mice from entering your home. The mice cannot chew through it as they can other materials (including wood), so it will help to prevent more pests from entering until you have time to complete a full repair.

Roller shutters and aluminum shutters make your home more secure and increase its value. They can be especially valuable if your home is located in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes, or if you are in need of extra security.

As this article has shown, many home improvement projects may be completed yourself once you have knowledge. Home renovations not only improve your home's value, but also improve the comfort of your home. Keeping the tips shared here with you in mind will help you get started on the right path quickly!

highpowercleaners