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Party Tips To Impress Your Guests

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How to impress your party guests? It is a question that stumps even the best. Impressing party guests is not an easy job. From the dilemma of the type of drinks you are going to serve, to the kind of entertainment, decorations of your location to the type of food to serve. You may be feeling a little bit confident at first about it with the meal squared away, however, there is a lot missing in place. Some kind of flair; you definitely want your guests not only to be merely impressed by your flavor, but also aesthetically impressed. Whether it is a pool party, cocktail party or a normal multi course meal party, read on the following piece of guide and discover some tantalizing tips to enhance your party presentation.


The ideal party location
Depending on the type of party you want to host, you would definitely want your guests to be more comfortable throughout the party. For instance, if you are hosting a dinner party, these are generally intimate; your dining room would definitely be the most ideal place, if it is too small, think of your garden as an alternative. Of course, you will need the basics; lighting, tables and enough chairs. Ensure the hosting location in your house is sufficient and have a place reserved for everything to avoid awkwardness; assign a place for the shoes, guests’ jackets and so on.

Taste of your home
If you are planning an elegant party, you definitely won’t be serving take-away! Ideally, cook your best some food if you have enough time, if not, then buy pre made food from various restaurants. Food can also be a great way to explore some culture. If in case you are from a different country, keep a menu largely from your country. Keep in mind that some of your guests may be meat lovers others vegetarians, so make a variety of options. Some may be on a diet while others may be expecting a hearty-meal from the party.

Warm welcome
The food, décor and the location set-up are very important, but do not forget about being the best host! Greet your guests when they are walking in, all smiles and friendly and take their coat. Talk to them and guide them to the location; the best way to welcome your guests is simply to be there to welcome and guide them. You can have someone you really trust to be at the door if you are busy with other things but it would have been best if you were there yourself. Guests always love to feel special and treated as so, since they are your friends.

Décor: keep it simple and classy
There is absolutely no need to load your dining setting with various vases. It is called a center-piece for a reason and that is because just one is enough. Exactly what you are after is a focal-point for your dining table. You will be creating “clutter” in front of every plate by loading the table with lots of flowers. Settle for a single center-piece, you can have two or more candles however. Ensure that the table-cloth matches your napkins for an aesthetic look.

Entertainment
Some soft classical music, especially instrumental, would do for a quiet dinner party. Music forms an intrinsic part of any party, however, it can be a challenge to get it right. You wouldn’t want to be very loud neither very sonorously dull. Ensure that the music sets the mood of the party, for a younger party for instance, go with some contemporary fusion or some remixed soft music.

Cocktails before and after party
While you are welcoming the early comers and waiting for the rest of the guests, serve them some cocktails. Hors d’oeuvres can also be an impressive way to welcome your guests. After the main course meal, you can serve desert with some coffee. This should help counteract any effects of wine that was consumed. Use these tips and throw a memorable and fabulous party at your home.

Kara is a passionate blogger and works as a party tours operator in Australia.

Turning A Hectic Home Into A Peaceful Retreat

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Many of us are completely overwhelmed by the time we come home and there can be little-to-no time to keep our place looking the way we’d like. One of the best words of advice we can offer those of you who just want a place to relax is to enjoy each moment you have with your family. The little moments come and go and before you know it, you may have just missed out on a lifetime. Instead of looking at the full picture – such as all the home improvements you wish you could afford today – begin with the smaller pieces. No home is going to be 100% clean, 100% of the time. It’s impossible and you’ll drive yourself crazy striving for that kind of perfection.

No More Hiding in the Dark

Especially when you have a day off, it can be extremely easy to want to curl up in bed and sleep the day away. When you have a dark room, it’s much more difficult for your body to want to wake up each and every day. As much of a change as it may be, open up those windows bright and early in the AM. Stick with your regular work schedule as closely as you can. You’ll feel much more refreshed and motivated to take on whatever today brings if you have the sun shining in and a nice breeze flowing through your home.

Have a Cleaning Buddy

Sometimes cleaning our own homes is difficult because we don’t view things as others would. Bringing a friend into the equation to help out around the house is going to mean much better results because they are going to notice the things you’ve become too accustomed to, to notice. Sometimes just having someone talking to you as you clean or playing music in the background is going to make for a much more enjoyable experience. We don’t recommend working in silence, unless of course, this feels like a break for you.

It’s Okay to Ignore the World

While we aren’t saying you should never answer your phone and hide in your apartment on your days off, technology can be stressful. Is it really going to be the end of the world if you take a few hours and shut that ringer off? Allow yourself the luxury of lying on the couch, curling up with a great book or watching that movie you’ve been dying to see. Make sure you create time to enjoy your home, instead of it always being associated with a fast-paced life style. Choose a day of the week where there is zero cleaning allowed (other than minor pick-ups, of course such as toys or placing laundry in the laundry basket). If all you think of when you picture home is a cluttered mess and stress, then it’s time to add some fun to the mix and this may mean hiring a babysitter once or twice a month to get that much needed one-on-one time with your spouse.

Martha Illingworth is a leading supplier of verticl blinds in NYC. She fancies writing on topics of home improvement and suggests several useful tips that can make one’s house a peaceful place to live in.

Electricity Can Kill – Be Safe In Your Home And Garden

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Electricity is a wonderful thing and it can bring us heat and light, and even power our favorite home appliances. But it can also be dangerous when not respected or maintained properly. Even a badly wired plug can cause instant death if you are unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We should be vigilant in the family home, especially with young children. Here we talk about ways to make your house as safe as possible as far as electricity is concerned.

Child Friendly

It can be heartbreaking to read about an infant who was electrocuted when he stuck a fork into an electrical socket. Kids are very curious and this type of tragedy happens very often these days. Why take the risk, just install a plastic safety cover on all of your plug sockets. Do the same for your extension sockets because you never know when tiny hands might start to pry.

Overload

Try not to add too many plugs to your input sockets, they can cause a power balance and possibly even an electrical fire. Try to employ some extension leads or ask your local electrician to add some extra electric outlets. Test the surface temperature, if the plug feels warm, you should turn the switch off immediately.

Cord Condition

Check all of your appliance cords to see what type of condition they are in. even your hifi system can cause an electrical fire if the cords are frayed and electrical sparks escape. Any sign of serious wear and tear and you should replace them immediately.

Common Sense

It may seem attractive and tidy to run your extension leads under your carpets, but this is a very dangerous idea in practice. These cables were not designed to have heavy feet walking over them on a regular basis. If you are using too many extension leads, it is time you seriously added to your wall outlets.

Garden Power

One of the most common places for serious electrical accidents is your garden. The lawnmower is the biggest culprit, be extra careful when using one with an electrical cable. There have been many incidents that have resulted in the death of careless gardeners. Always be aware of the location of your electric cable when thrashing around with those sharp blades.

Electrician Checks

It is good practice to ask your local electrician to perform health check of your home every couple of years. You may think he will be touting for business, but he should be able to alert you to any potential electrical nightmares before they ruin your day, or even worse.

Fuse Box

If your lights or appliances stop working, before you do any investigative work, ensure that the power to your fuse box is removed. Many people have had fatal shocks when doing something as simple as changing a light bulb. If you are not comfortable carrying out one of these repairs, you should call on the services of someone who is familiar with electrical maintenance.

Today’s guest post is courtesy Radek Johnson, an electrician by profession. He understands that electricity is a blessing, but also advises people to be careful and not underestimate its devastating effect. He believes that certain good practices like switching off power cords when  not in use go a long way in ensuring safety.

The Risks Of Going Without Home Insurance

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While home insurance is not always required, this does not mean it is not something you should look into. You work extremely hard for the things you have and in the blink of an eye, all of those things could be gone. Without home insurance, you would literally be left with nothing. We don’t want to scare you but it seems as though many individuals simply don’t understand just how risky it is to keep their homes uninsured. Here are some of the things that being covered will protect you from.

Fire Damages

While a fire may not have ever happened to your home in the past, this does not guarantee that it won’t happen in the future. Some of the most common causes of fires are from appliances such as stoves and fridges. Even seemingly harmless items, such as electric blankets can spark and cause a fire. Make sure your home is up to safety codes and that you always pay for proper inspections so you do not end up having no choice but paying for such damages out of the money you have been working hard to keep in your savings account.

Natural Disasters

Mother Nature isn’t always something we can predict. Forest fires, hurricanes and floods are only a few of the disasters that can affect any homeowner, even those that do not have home insurance. The difference between those who have coverage for such events and those that do not? The individuals who do not have a home insurance policy are going to end up losing much (if not everything) they have accumulated over the years. This may mean they literally have to start from scratch, with just the clothes on their back and no home to shelter them. Starting over is tough and scrambling to stretch your budget now may be the best option for you and your family.

Injuries on Your Property

While it’s not exactly fun to think of the worst case scenarios, sometimes it’s important to think outside of our comfort zone and into the world of ‘what ifs’. Accidents, such as trips, slips and falls can occur and when/if this happens, there is a chance you could be sued. What many people don’t realize is a simple injury can mean millions of dollars of debt without the proper liability coverage.

The Good News: Getting Better Prices

There are many factors that companies take into consideration when setting up a new home insurance policy. Homes that have fire alarms or are close to fire or police stations are less expensive to insure. Having a security system installed can also lower your rates. Again, these types of things are going to greatly impact your future. What may not seem like that big of a deal today, could end up really hindering your ability to get the things you want, accomplish the things you’d like to and give your family what you feel they deserve.

This article is submitted by George Smith-Davies. He is a freelance journalist who loves writing about different investment and insurance scams. You can read all about the different insurance policies available here http://www.contentsinsurance.org. You can also follow him on Twitter.

3 Ultimate Chill-Out Zone Ideas For Your Home

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Ah, the woes of modern life! We all seem to be caught up in an endless sequence that involves juggling work pressure, dealing with financial issues, family, and other social obligations, all at the same time. All these factors cause a lot of physical stress and mental strain, majorly due to lack of adequate sleep and poor eating habits – basically, a rather unhealthy lifestyle. In such situations it is imperative to take some time out to relax, unwind and refresh yourself. But once again, by the time your weekend off approaches, you’re hardly left with any energy to go for an outing, isn’t it? You’d rather stay indoors and laze around. Not a problem. If you don’t have the energy to step outdoors to loosen up a bit and indulge in some fun and recreation, why not bring the fun and recreation home to you instead? Yes, it is possible. Have a look at the following few home recreation ideas to build your very own chill-out zone at home!

A bar in the basement

Have you got a basement at your property? Has it been lying neglected and abandoned for as long as you can remember? Why not give it a brilliant makeover and turn it into an amazing bar! Imagine chilling in your basement with your mates over the weekend, enjoying a few pints and watching your favorite sport on television. You could utilize your personal bar to host small parties and gatherings to socialize with family members or close friends. Or maybe on a weekday, after a tiring day at work, you could just unwind in the bar with a soothing glass of wine. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Swimming pool in the yard

Swimming in color

If you have a large backyard or even if you have an extended terrace, you could consider getting a swimming pool constructed. Depending upon the amount of space available there are plenty of interesting swimming pool designs you could choose from. Whether you want to relax in the pool on a hot Sunday afternoon, have a pool side barbecue party with your friends in the evening, or just have a fun session in the pool with your kids and wife, getting a swimming pool constructed at your property is one decision you will never regret. Moreover, it will also go on to add to the aesthetic value of your home.

A gaming room – up in the attic or out in the garage

wall invaders

When it comes to relaxing and unwinding, nothing comes close to the ultimate chill-out zone – a gaming room! How about cleaning up your attic and turning it into a fantastic gaming room? Or maybe you could take up the same project in your garage instead, if that’s more convenient. Having a personal gaming zone at home can be epic – an ideal way to escape from daily stress, office tensions and pesky partners! The main things that could go into your game room would be a pool table, darts, a television set for gaming and movies, a couple of cozy sofas, a mini fridge to store soft drinks, milkshakes or beers, and a few table games like Checkers, Uno, Jenga and Monopoly.

So say goodbye to stress and anxiety by investing in these incredible home relaxation and recreation ideas – a permanent solution to all your modern life woes.

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Jennifer Atkinson is a house wife and loves to keep her home neat and tidy. Along with the usual activities that she undertakes to keep her house clean she also has a chill out zone i.e a swimming pool in her house where she unwinds after the days work. She suggests using the services of Sunbreaker pools if you want to construct a swimming pool at your place. She also likes to blog about various household issues.

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