Posted by Editor | Comments Off on How to Care for, Use, and Store Your Leather Bag

How to Care for, Use, and Store Your Leather Bag

History buffs might have heard of the 5,500-year-old leather shoe found by archaeologists in Armenia, and while it’s not a leather bag, it’s an incredible testament to the durability of leather. But even if it’s a tough material that can last for thousands of years, the environment in which the leather shoe was preserved had to be dry and cool to keep it intact.

The same conditions are also needed for leather bags that are sold today. Remember that it’s made from animal skin that is prone to cracking, drying, staining, and warping, so, you must care for it the right way.

Polish or Condition
Before cleaning, polishing, or conditioning your leather bag, you should know what type of material you’re dealing with. You can check with the store for the type of skin used; whether it’s vegetable-tanned, chrome-tanned, full-grain, top-grain, exotic, and patent leather.

Polishing means coating the leather with a protective finish to make it durable. But be careful when doing this because it can change the color of the material, so test the product first on an inconspicuous corner. The conditioner on the other hand, is like a moisturizer for the leather, to keep the material from drying, wrinkling, and flaking. Use only a product made for leather once a month, and with a dab of conditioner on a clean, soft cloth, rub on the surface in circular motions. Leave the conditioner by air-drying for 10 minutes, then wipe off the excess.

Waterproofing Leather
Generally, you should avoid taking your bag with you in bad weather, because even if there are products that will protect the leather from moisture, it can never be fully waterproofed. If it does get wet, just let it dry naturally and don’t use heating materials to avoid warping the leather.

Avoid freezing temperatures as well, because it can make the material brittle. You can use beeswax creams in non-dyed leather to protect it from water, or a spray protectant that is made for such a purpose. Remember to test the product first on an inconspicuous part of the bag.

Cleaning and Storage
Your hands should always be clean when handling the leather bag because they could absorb the oil from your skin. But since this isn’t possible all the time, you could clean the surface with slightly damp cotton cloth. You could also spray a leather cleaner on the cloth, then wipe it on the leather in circular motions. If you see any stains, these should be removed immediately using crushed white walk that is sat overnight and dusted off the next day.

Before storing your leather bag, use a leather conditioner to keep it soft (except on patent purses) then let it air-dry before wrapping it in a dust bag or fabric bag. For suede bags, clean only using a suede brush instead of a damp cloth. Don’t forget to air your leather bags once every two weeks to prevent mold growth.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on 3 ways to spice up your lunchbox

3 ways to spice up your lunchbox

What other great way to break everyday monotony than by looking forward to surprised conveniently located in your packed lunch? Not only are these affordable, it also ensures cleanliness in food preparation compared to usual takeout routine. Not only that, these lunchbox ideas are sure to entice health advocates and enthusiasts, since every packed-lunch has all the right nutrients in just the right amount.

Here are three lunchbox ideas for those anticipating delightful treats:

1. Crunchy Peanut Butter and Apple Wrap
This treat will surely tickle the child in you. Mostly popular with kids, this wrap is packed with goodness in just the right texture. For this you will need flour tortillas, a cup of peanut butter, chopped apple and a cup of low-fat granola. First off, prepare the tortilla. In each, spread a generous amount of peanut butter. Next, take your apple and granola and apply the same procedure, the amount depending on your liking. Roll up the tortillas tightly, then cut it in equal halves. Wrap with another layer, but this time using plastic wrap. These are ready to pack in insulated containers.

2. Asparagus and Greens with Farro
One way to keep healthy is to make sure you have an adequate amount of greens in your diet. For this lunchbox idea, you will need a cup of uncooked faro, a bunch of thin asparagus, a cup of whole almonds, lemon, kosher salt, olive oil, baby spinach, baby kale and baby mustard greens, black pepper and parmesan cheese. Boil three cups of water in a medium saucepan. Next, add faro and let it simmer in low fire until tender. Drain water afterwards. Next, arrange a steamer basket in a large skillet, with water below basket level. Boil then add asparagus. Steam until tender to a crisp. Place in a bowl together with the faro. Squeeze lemon while still warm. Add in flavors with your almonds, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add in greens and mix well. Place parmesan for a finish.

3. Burrito Bowls
Give your usual bowl a twist it deserves. For this one, you will need cauliflower florets, salt, canola oil, reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix, lean boneless pork loin or skinless boneless chicken breast halves, poblano pepper, frozen whole kernel corn, black beans, lime, avocado, romaine lettuce, Pico de Gallo, Mexican-style four cheese blend and lime wedges and fresh cilantro. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. After which, cover and pulse the cauliflower which is neatly placed in a food processor. You should achieve rice-size pieces in this process. Next, transfer cauliflower in a baking pan pined with foil. Add in oil, and salt and coat well. Spread cauliflower evenly. Until lightly charred, roast the cauliflower, uncovered. Ina separate bowl, add avocado and lime zest. Mix well. Prepare another mixture of oil, taco seasoning and lime juice. Prepare lettuce in a separate bowl with the cauliflower and pork mixture. Using a spoon, place the avocado mixture at the center. Place Pico de Gallo and cheese on top. Coat with lime juice mixture. Servings go well with either lime wedges or cilantro.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on Ways to Avoid Worsening Pimple Outbreaks

Ways to Avoid Worsening Pimple Outbreaks

Not everyone is blessed with seemingly pore-less flawless skin. Most of us have to take extra measures to keep our best accessory spic and span, not only for aesthetic purposes but most importantly for our health as well.

Whether we like it or not, there are just some days when our skin decides share a pimple or two, with very convenient locations such as on our nose or right in the center of our cheek. And that’s only for the lucky ones. Those on the other end have it as bad as no-space-for-new-pimples level.

But whatever may be our category, we are no stranger to pimples. Here are ways to avoid pimples as they deserve to stay only during our puberty stages:

1. Don’t pop your pimples
As much as you’d like to terminate the agony and just get on with it, please get a hold of yourself. Not only is this unsanitary, it may cause irritation and may lead to even bigger problems such as infection. Your pimples are still part of your skin, and thus may cause scars if prematurely opened and forcibly lacerated.
It may also be a source of bleeding, which we are fully aware is never a good sign. A scar wouldn’t be such a good sight after your popping impulse. This also clogs surrounding pores, so not only did your problem get bigger, it got around as well.

2. Don’t touch your face
When in deep thought we always find ourselves holding onto our chins, scratching our nose or resting our cheek on our hands. By all means, you are entitled to touch your face but only if your hands are clean. Our hands are our most agile parts of the body and thus harbor microorganisms as we move about during our day.
So to make sure that you don’t get any of that grime to mix with your already oil-laden face, make it a habit to keep your hands clean and of course to refrain from touching your face often.

3. Don’t overuse makeup
As much as you’d like to cover up those blemishes, make sure not to overdo it. Your skin is also an organ and is basically needs breathing space too. Applying makeup to cover up pimples actually worsens your pimples by clogging pores.

In the long run, it even triggers outbreaks. As much as possible, keep your face makeup free or apply as minimal as possible. Should you really need to put on makeup, use those that are non-greasy and fragrance-free.
These are only a few tips to avoid worsening pimple breakouts. Above all these is that basic rule of always washing our faces. After all, complications can’t start in the first place if oil and dirt are washed off before they could even have the chance to sink in.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on 5 Ways to Eliminate Pests

5 Ways to Eliminate Pests

Sometimes hygiene alone does not solve a pest infestation problem, that is why pest control management is a viable option for homes that are suffering from this common but unpopular topic. Perhaps the misgivings of partnering with pest control services to address such an embarrassing problem might be in the lack of information about the methods used for pest removal.

1. Mechanical Methods. Believe it or not, some homeowners in Singapore who do not want to have to resort to neutralizing pests if it is possible. In cases where the homeowner does not want to kill rats, humane methods such as baiting and capturing of the small mammals are recommended. Mechanical means the physical removal, and sometimes relocation, of the pests from the home. The pest exterminator will have to determine key locations where these pest nest, eat, and hide. They can also use electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices which will not kill but only repel pests.

2. Biological Methods. There is another effective method to exterminate rodents without the use of chemicals. By introducing natural predators in the area, the vermin will be hunted down. Although this is rarely used, introducing a cat or a dog trained to hunt rats is a safe and guaranteed pest control method. Another way to use this method is to look for the common prey of the pest that might be present in your home and to eliminate them. For example, spiders are attracted to silverfish and might be the cause your house is a home to a lot of them.

3. Chemical Methods. Most misinformation about the methods used by pest control services comes from rumors about dangerous pest control chemicals used to kill rats, get rid of cockroaches and other insects such as the bed bug. But the pest control worker will not use such a method without a thorough assessment of the pest problem and taking into consideration the requests of the homeowner in Singapore to ensure safe removal of annoying pests.

However, chemicals are mostly used to treat termite infestation, but the species and the home must first be determined to effectively remove termites. Other common chemical pesticides used to terminate pest are classified based on the target species; these include insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, bactericides, fungicides, and larvicides.

4. Organic Methods. Another way to remove mice humanely is to use peppermint sprays. This is a type of organic method that targets only the pests you are trying to eliminate without harming the other animal species. Plants are also protected through this method. Plus, the chemicals used are not harmful to humans are will degrade overtime instead of leaving residues of the poison for many years to come.

5. Hygiene and Prevention. The pest control management will advise the homeowner on how to prevent further infestation in the future through hygiene and maintenance. These include regular servicing of the plumbing fixtures and pipes to avoid leaks that might attract vermin, proper food and garbage disposal, and the proper use of commercial insecticides and other chemicals to control minimal infestation. In cases where pest population can be controlled easily, a 24 hours pest removal is a practical solution, especially if the homeowner does not want to bother with an extensive treatment that might take weeks or months to complete.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on 4 Crucial Things You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Laundry

4 Crucial Things You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Laundry

Whether it’s about clothes, curtains, or even other textile materials in your home, there’s always a something you can do to keep them looking new, just like a professional laundry service!

Here are a few things you need to know when it comes to cleaning your laundry:

1. Follow the instructions on the label.
Most clothes come with a little tag with symbols that indicate certain ways to clean that particular item, and because they can be made of different materials, the ways they are cleaned can also be quite different.

These laundry symbols could even tell you the best laundry methods to use, such as laundry for spa or dry cleaning, which are cleaning methods best left to commercial laundry services.

2. Sort out your laundry.
Sorting out your laundry is more than just setting apart whites from the colored clothes. You also need to sort them by thickness and whether they’re soiled or not, as these take more time to wash and fold.

Keep this in mind especially if you need dry cleaning to get clean towels, or if you simply want to wash towel stains by normal washing. By sorting out your laundry, you minimize the risk of color bleeding.

Depending on Singapore laundromats, the price of t-shirt washing varies. These services also offer a wash and fold for your convenience. You should also separate the suit jackets, blazers, and other clothes that requires dry cleaning and send them to a commercial laundry shop.

3. Load the water and detergent before the laundry.
Uniform laundry can be washed and cleaned with a washing machine or by hand or at your own time, but no matter what type of clothes you wash, always load the water and detergent before the laundry.

Alternatively, you can choose to send it to a commercial service to get them cleaned at the same time faster and more easily. You can also add laundry delivery in addition to the express laundry of your choice.

4. Going to a 24 hour laundry service might save your life.
Because of the hectic schedule in Singapore, it’s no surprise that you may find yourself short on time to get your laundry cleaned by yourself – especially with same day dry cleaning for blazers and suit jackets.

This is where the professional laundry service comes in to take care of your laundry for you at a reasonable price.
There are a lot of things that a 24 hour laundry service can offer you that you may find yourself needing in a pinch, such a laundry delivery services to get your clothes to your doorstep, and an ironing service if you need to iron clothes but don’t have the time.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on Six Basic Kitchen Tools You Should Buy

Six Basic Kitchen Tools You Should Buy

Whether you’re living on your own for the first time or studying to become a cook (maybe both!), having a basic kitchen set is not only a great graduation gift, but an excellent investment – especially when you have roommates.

Here are six basic kitchen tools you need to get started:

1. Frying pan
Frying pans are the workhorses of good kitchens, capable of browning, frying, and even sautéing. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good non-stick pan with a thick bottom and a lid.

Though this can be expensive at first, non-stick pans are a blessing for beginner or amateur cooks because they’re much easier to clean.

2. Non-stick Sauté pan (with handle)
Having a multipurpose pan that does everything a frying pan can do plus a little more for soups and sauces is always a plus. Think of the sauté pan as the deeper version of the frying pan.

When getting one of these, a two-quart pan should be the perfect size for cooking basically anything, pasta, to vegetables, or even rice.

3. Knife (and knife sharpener)
What you want is a good, sharp knife that will keep its edge for a long time. If you can’t blow your budget on an expensive knife, a cheap one will do as long as you sharpen it regularly.

A bit of advice: the secret to a good knife is in the handle. It should feel comfortable and well-balanced in your hand. A knife with a good weighted handle will do most of the chopping and make it easier.

4. Spatula
A good spatula is indispensable, especially when it comes to things like scrambling eggs or removing cookies, and you can get one for cheap. Make sure to get a slotted spatula that lets you remove excess liquids and oils.

5. Measuring cups and spoons
These should be self-explanatory. Because you want spoons and cups for precise measuring, consider investing in durable ones that are microwavable and don’t dent easily.

6. Cutting board
Wooden cutting boards are best for knives because it keeps them in peak condition for longer. Separate ones for different meats (beef, pork, chicken, etc.) are ideal, but a good hardwood board will do as long as it’s sanitized properly to avoid contaminating your meats.

Remember the saying: buy a good tool once and you’ll never have to buy it again. The same goes for kitchen tools.

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Posted by Editor | Comments Off on Three Quick Breakfast Foods for People On-the-go

Three Quick Breakfast Foods for People On-the-go

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if you don’t have a lot of time to sit down for a full meal, you don’t have to skip it entirely. In fact, breakfast meals should be easy to prepare and take no more than ten or fifteen minutes at most, and the faster the better.

Here are a few quick ones that you can do in less than five:

Sandwich
Bread is a pretty versatile carbohydrate food item that goes well either on its own or as the carbohydrate cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast. These are the following ingredients that bread goes well with for a quick sandwich:

• Mayonnaise
• Peanut butter and Jelly
• Cheese
• Butter

And these are the ingredients that go along with bread, but can also stand alone on their own as a full meal:
• Eggs – Great protein and one of the greatest versatile food items in the kitchen that you can add scrambled, as an omelet, or even paired with a few slices of avocado in between two slices of loaf bread for an eggs benedict.
• Ham/Bacon – They go amazing with or without cheese and eggs, with their only downside being that they may take some time to thaw from the fridge. Add sausages to the plate and you have yourself an English breakfast.

• Chicken – This might take a little time to prepare, so it’s best to cook it the night before if you have to wake up really early. Mix with fresh lettuce and tomatoes and a dash of mayonnaise for a quick chicken sandwich.

Cereal / Trail Mix
These are quick grain meals full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that anyone can prepare. Cereals only need milk, and you can buy pre-mixed trail snacks as they are, or you can combine them yourself from a whole host of different nuts and berries available at any supermarket.

Fruits
Fruits make for a good healthy option – apples, bananas, and even oranges are relatively cheap and should last a while with proper storage. Another advantage to fruits is that they’re quite versatile.

For instance, you can throw them in the blender for a quick smoothie, add them to yogurt to make it more flavorful, or even make fruit salad simply by adding diced pieces of them together in a bowl. You can put yogurt or condensed milk in the mix for more sweetness.

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