Author

Joy

How To Identify Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

written by Joy

While there’s no denying the appeal of precision cut diamonds, a stone that has been hand-shaped offers individuality, as does anything made with the hands of a skilled person. The Old Mine Cut, or Old Mine Cushion, as it was also known, was all the rage in the early and middle Victorian periods and if you happen to be looking for a diamond engagement ring of this era, talk to a leading Australian antique dealer.

Old Mine Cut: Identification Tips

One thing you will not see with an Old Mine Cut diamond is symmetry; the hand-worked facets are all very slightly off, which adds to the appeal and with the current global trend for hand-crafted jewellery, Old Mine Cut stones are very popular for engagement rings.

Relatively Small Table – Old Mine Cuts have a smaller table than machine cut stones.
Large Culet – The culet is the fine point where all the facets meet and this is larger with a hand-worked diamond.
High Crown – The upper part of the stone is called the crown and it is higher with the Old Mine Cut.
Deep Pavilion – The lower part of the diamond (below the girdle) is quite deep with hand-crafted cuts.
58 facets – The Old Mine Cut has a total of 58 facets, including a large culet.
Slightly Off-Symmetry – This is evident to almost everyone when comparing with a Brilliant Cut and this is an added attraction.

Those looking for vintage style engagement rings Sydney and other cities around the world have can search online for a leading antique dealer who would have an impressive catalogue of fine Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian diamond engagement rings. Like other fine examples of antique jewellery, you can expect to see a steady appreciation when you invest in an antique diamond ring.

Old Mine Cut Diamond

The Art Deco Period

Most of the diamonds of this time were hand-cut using the Old Mine Cut and as this cut utilises straight lines and geometric shapes, it is very easy to see that a hand-worked stone is slightly off from perfect symmetry. Check out the online antique dealer if you are looking for a unique diamond engagement ring that is completely hand-made, as they would have a great selection of genuine pieces, each with its own colourful history.

Online Resources

If you would like to learn more about hand-cut diamonds, the Internet offers a wealth of free resources and a few hours would see you with enough knowledge to be able to identify hand-made cuts from machine cuts. You can watch YouTube videos that clearly point out the things to look for when inspecting diamonds, and the information will be invaluable when you are looking at antique jewellery with a view to purchasing. Of course, you should always be dealing with a reputable antique dealer, as they would put their reputation on the line regarding the quality of pieces they sell.

If you are one of the people who prefer hand-crafted jewellery with hand-cut diamonds, talk to a leading antique dealer and let them source the perfect piece of diamond jewellery to present to your partner when you pop the question.

Image credits:
pixabay.com
pexels.com

March 30, 2021 0 comment

fitness Food health lifestyle

5 Tips to Maintain Better Eating Habits during the Pandemic

written by Joy

The Covid-19 pandemic does not only have a great impact on global business and economy but has wrought disruption to everyday lives like significantly changing the family lifestyle and eating habits.

With the implementation of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders in place, family routines and activities have notably changed. Having less time for outdoor activities led to a sedentary lifestyle which triggered overeating and bad food choices.

Since Novel Corona Virus will not go away in an instant, We, as parents have to start creating and implementing a positive and healthy lifestyle for our family. We have to stop treating every day like a weekend. So, here are my 5 tips on how to maintain better eating habits during the pandemic:

Use the weight scale

To maintain and set a plan for healthy eating habits, you must first evaluate your family’s eating behavior. What food do you put on the table, what do they eat as snacks, how often do they eat, and more.

It is also important to check on each family member’s ideal weight for us to know who’s gaining too much weight and who’s needing to gain weight. Recommended ideal weight depends on age and gender.

Another way to check is to keep your waistline in check, change out of your pajamas. If your work pants still fit then you are still on your desired weight. However, be reminded that even if you are maintaining your desired weight, it does not necessarily mean that you are healthy as you need also to check on what you are eating.

Plan your Meals to maintain better eating habits

Make an effort on planning meals for your family. Research on guidelines for proper recommended daily nutrition. A healthy diet is vital if you want to lose weight.

Reduce serving processed meat products such as bacon, sausage, ham, or salami.

Limit red and fatty meats and full-fat dairy products. Make a habit of always reading the nutrition labels when buying food.

Limit the intake of sugar and salt, opt for whole grains rather than refined foods.

Always include vegetables and fresh fruits in your family meals.

Keep hydrated

For optimal health, ensure drinking lots of fluids. Encourage family members to drink water instead of sugar-sweetened sodas and beverages.

As much as possible, limit or avoid alcoholic drinks especially for senior adults.

eating habits

Best foods to eat to conquer cravings

The sedentary lifestyle led young children to be couch potatoes gaining weight, a study shows that many young children are gaining 20 to 30 pounds in a year. Because they have limited activities, they tend to always hanker for something to eat even though it’s not yet mealtime.

Conquer cravings by making good choices and eating right.

If your child asks for something sweet, hand them a fruit or a whole wheat muffin. Set their snack time and stick to the schedule.

For young adults who sleep less and snacking more throughout the day, chewy options can be an ounce of nuts, crunchy celery, or carrot sticks.

If you crave a cake, it might not harm if you allow yourself with no more than a slice. So as with one square of chocolate just to satisfy that craving.

Snack bags can be helpful to avoid overeating. Making a snack bag for your kids is a healthy option at the same time will save you time for your other chores.

Buy less takeout food, cook more

To support local eateries, many of us are choosing to order in meals. This is okay for a change of pace but not daily. It is healthier to have home-cooked meals.

Make cooking a family activity. Teach your children how to cook or bake. Involving family members in preparing family meals is a good time to bond more.

It is public knowledge that emotional eating is one of the major causes of being overweight. You eat not because you’re hungry but you use food to help you deal with stressful situations. Instead of eating, drink a warm tea. Get active and stay busy, exercise instead of stress eating.

Image source:

Image 1 – pixabay

Image 2 – pixabay

March 14, 2021 0 comment

Uncategorized

My 8 Favorite Korean Actors of All Time

written by Joy

Watching Korean dramas occupy my free time and has become my favorite past-time activity. I am fascinated with several Korean actors, not only because of their good looks but how they amazingly portray a character.

The very first K-drama I watched was The Baker King in 2010. A melodrama life story starred by Yoon Shi-yoon. This made me cry a bucket of tears and since then I am hooked to watching different family shows and K-dramas genres like action dramas, medical dramas, school dramas, horror dramas, family dramas, and even historical dramas.

There a lot of new and budding Korean actors nowadays, but I always look forward to watching the latest k-drama movie or tv series of my favorite 8 Korean actors of all time.

Ji Chang-Wook

Korean Actors

image via Netflix.com

I first watched Ji Chang Wook in the series Empress Ki in 2013. He’s my first favorite K-drama actor. A versatile, masculine, and handsome actor who also starred in the following movie/tv series:

Healer
The K2
Suspicious Partner
Melting Me Softly
Backstreet Rookie
Lovestruck in the City
Fabricated City

Jo In-sung

Korean Actors

image via Netflix.com

Among my Korean Actors’ list, I find Jo In-sung the most handsome. I love his character in the series It’s Okay Its Love which was released in 2014 so as with his 2013 series That Winter, The Wind Blows. I am looking forward to his comeback movie or tv series this 2021.

Ji Sung

image via Netflix.com

Ji Sung is also talented and hot, his superb acting in Doctor John and Kill Me Heal Me is impressive. He also starred in Familiar Wife, and Defendant.

Jang Hyuk

Image via wikipedia.org

Jang Hyuk’s striking personality made me watched his drama series:

Tell Me What You Saw
My Country: The New Age
Bad Papa
Wok of Love
Money Flower
Voice
Beautiful Mind
Fated To Love You
IRIS 2
Midas
Robber
Thank You

Lee Seung-Gi

Korean Actors

image via Netflix.com

I like the manly image of Lee Seung-Gi in the series A Korean Odyssey and his fearless character in the action series Vagabond.

Hyun Bin

Korean Actors

image via Netflix.com

Hyun Bin captured the hearts of many women in his drama series Crash Landing on You. You will love him more when you watch more of him in his movie The Swindlers and drama series Memories of the Alhambra and, Hyde Jekyll, Me.

Lee Jong-suk

Image via Netflix.com

The good-looking boy next door is how I describe this young actor. He is also commendable in his Drama Series:

Romance is a Bonus Book
While You Were Sleeping
W: Two Worlds Apart | W (MBC / 2016) – Kang Chul
Pinocchio
Doctor Stranger

Lee Min-ho

Korean Actors

image via Netflix.com

Pretty boy, that is how I describe Lee Min-ho. His stunning good looks capture the hearts of the young and old as well. Aside from his good looks, he’s admirable in terms of his acting abilities. The following are his best movies and drama series I have watched so far.

Bounty Hunters
Gangnam Blues
The King: Eternal Monarch
The Legend of the Blue Sea
The Heirs
Faith
City Hunter
Personal Taste
Boys Over Flowers

How about you, do you also enjoy watching Korean dramas? Who are your favorite Korean actors?

March 13, 2021 0 comment

career Finance Tips

4 Tips on How to Work From Home

written by Joy

With the COVID-19 virus mutating into a new strain, we can assume that we will be again in lockdown or limited outside movement will be imposed for a while longer. Unfortunately, many have lost their jobs due to economic fallout. Many businesses have gone out as the ban on public transportation has limited employees from going to work. To remedy this problem, many have adopted the Work From Home Model.

Unfortunately, Work From Home is not a familiar working model in the Philippines. Most Filipinos are used to working inside office spaces or moving into a general location. Socialization is within our blood, so adjusting to an isolated lifestyle can prove to be challenging. Communication issues and such are common concerns as raised by this news article.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and economic instability, people are looking for ways to earn online to make both ends meet.

The trend of being an influencer marketer does not only apply to the younger generation as elderly influencers or what we now call granfluencers has invaded the limelight of social media and influencer space. Many elder people are now interested in learning new trends and becoming more tech-savvy. They build their social media exposure through Instagram or tiktok showcasing their favorite products, so some are being tapped by brands for collaboration.

In my years of administrating this blog, I have written dozens of articles. It ranges from normal lifestyle tips like workouts to more modern like online shopping. I have been working online since 2011, so here are some tips on How to Work From Home.

How to get started

If you wish to take Work from Home seriously, then you need to set up more than a few things.

First, to get job offers, you need to build your online presence. Create an account on an online platform like Linkedin where you can showcase your skills and expertise, milestones, and professional life. It is a widely known site ideal for building connections for potential freelance work.

Second, prepare your resume, cover letter, certificates if there is. Make it concise, your potential client will not be interested in reading a long letter.

Third, you need to set-up an account to where you can receive payment for your services. PayPal, Transferwise, or bank wire transfer are the most common forms of receiving and sending money electronically.

Last is to learn more. Do not settle for only what you know. The more skills you can do, the more likely you’ll get hired. You can find a lot of free online courses and webinars to study and learn more skills like email automation, transcriptions, web research, content writing, and more. Remember to hone your skills by practicing.

work from home

image via pixabay

Finding the Right Job

Fortunately, countless online jobs are offered over the internet.

Content creation – Blogging

One of the easiest solutions to monetize your blog is through collaborations with brands who need help with their outreach. Influencer marketing is a viable revenue stream. Once you have established your website, you can start to work from different online platforms that connect brands and bloggers. Also, you can generate passive income through ad placement and affiliate links.

Video Content Creation – Vlogging

Video content creation is not only for famous influencers, newbies can be a vlogger too. Creating relevant and random videos that capture the viewers’ interest can be a goldmine. However, you need to consistently upload new content and work on promoting your video channel to gain more followers before you can apply for monetization.

Online Game Streaming

One of the good side jobs for gamers just like what my son did.

Virtual Assistant

Offering administrative services to clients from a remote location like email management, web research, social media management, data entry, transcriptions, content marketing, video editing, and more.

Creating a Proper Setup and Workspace

Device

Investing in a good working device like a laptop or a desktop is a must to work properly. Most clients will ask for your device specifications depending on your task. Video editing for instance will need a more high-end specification. Additionally, it is recommended to invest in a good noise canceling headset too.

Workspace

Setting up your workspace nook is also important. You have to take a corner or a room in your home where you can work with fewer distractions. Consider proper lighting and ventilation as you will be working long hours. Though you can work anywhere in the house, a table and a comfortable chair will give you a real work from home office look.

Internet Connection

Aside from a good device, the Internet connection plays a major role when you work from home. Choose the best ISP (Internet Service Provider) in your vicinity.

work from home

image via pixabay

Time Management

The biggest concern with the Work from Home model is managing between household and work responsibilities. This doubles if you are a parent who is raising children, or if all of you only share a single PC or laptop. Set regular work hours if you are on a flexible work time.

Let your family know that you cannot be disturbed during your work hours except for pressing matters or an emergency.

Making a scheduled to-do list will help you manage your time doing house chores, family bonding, and relaxation.

February 18, 2021 0 comment

home and family Tips

4 Tips to Remember When You Move House during the COVID-19 Pandemic

written by Joy

In this time of pandemic, it is risky to move house. Social distancing is being followed, and moving furniture may violate that rule. After all, a person cannot carry heavy pieces of furniture on their own. The close physical contact carries a risk of catching COVID-19 despite the precautions set by you and the moving company.

However, to move during the pandemic might become worthwhile. In the Philippines, prices for residential units have steadily increased by 34.9 percent. This increase in price is to be expected, as the country has experienced a massive economic drop. Nevertheless, as of December 2020, prices for residential units have dropped. One must take advantage of this period, wherein prices for residential homes are slowly stabilizing.

In a previous article, I have written four reasons of why you can’t move house in less than a week. While I still believe in these reasons, I do think that it is better to add new ones to accommodate the current situation.

Learn the Property’s Market Value

It is important to know the market value of the residential property you are planning to move into. The rapid changing of unit prices can make or break your investments to the house. This is especially true if you plan on reselling it. You will be able to plan out your finances properly, and set aside some money for other uses. If you plan on taking a loan, this step can help you in the long run. There are many online mortgage calculators that you can use as well, so there is no real reason to impulsively buy a property.

Additionally, knowing the market price of the house can also help you avoid scams. If there is a discrepancy to the price and the property itself, then you can quickly back out of the deal. This is crucial, as further home renovations like floor makeovers can be quite expensive.

move house

Plan out your Moving Route and Finalize your Location

It is public knowledge that traffic is always a big issue in the Philippines. If you plan on moving, you need to plan out your route in advance. This helps you avoid traffic jams, and potential crowded areas. If you are planning to move into a different city, then this step becomes even more important. You will want to know the history of the area, the general reputation of the citizens living there, and if there have been any past cases of the COVID-19 virus.

A good house location is one that is far from densely populated areas. However, you would still want to consider its distance to the nearest hospital, mall, grocery stores and other necessities like ISPs.

Prepare an Organized Plan

While this part is a no-brainer for a tip, you have new things to consider when you move house. If you are living with an elderly family member, see to it that they do not get exposed to COVID-19 no matter the cost. Similarly, you should do the same for any children or family member with low immune systems. Try to organize the time of the family members who will be going in and out of the house, so you are able to keep track of the people they interact with.

Packing your stuff should also be done neatly, and each box should be labeled. This way, you will know which ones to unpack immediately, and which ones to simply keep in the storage. This process should be done months or weeks in advanced, as you finalize your next residency.

move house

Try to quickly Make the new House livable in less than a Day.

While I have written an entire article dedicated to this point, I still think it’s crucial I mention this among these tips. The less time you spend travelling between your new and old home, the less time you get exposed to COVID19. Running in the same line of thought, you will need to disinfect your luggage ASAP. Depending on the strain of the coronavirus, it can last on the surface of your cardboard boxes between a few minutes to 5 days. Without proper disinfection and cleaning of your luggage, you are facing a real risk of exposing your family to the pandemic.

Image credits:

Image 1 – Unsplash

Image 2 – Unsplash

Image 3 – Pixabay

February 10, 2021 1 comment

health lifestyle

Essential Oils: Tips for First-Timers

written by Joy

The use of essential oils is incredibly popular nowadays. Aromatherapy, simply known as essential oil therapy is used to promote wellness. I am using these oils to make my home a relaxing haven and at the same time for therapeutic benefits. It alleviates stress and improve sleep quality too.

Here are some important points to bear in mind if you are using an essential oil for the first time:

Buy Only Authentic Essential Oils

There are a lot of essential oils to choose from, each with its unique scent and potential health benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to research carefully what you need and buy only the authentic ones from a trusted brand like CDL Naturals. Most of Casa de Lorenzo Organic products are locally produced in various provinces in the Philippines, thus it is more affordable as it is locally made from locally sourced extracts like Calamansi, Dalandan, Black Pepper and more.

Never Overdo it

Ideally, it is advisable to do aromatherapy for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Inhaling essential oil even when diluted for prolonged periods can do more harm than good. Don’t use it too much or too often.

Less is more

Since these oils are pure, it may likely cause irritation and sensitization, so, you must use extreme caution when using it. Always remember that less is more when using essential oils.

Dilution

Read directions carefully. Do not apply directly on your skin, use as directed. The rule of thumb when making a 2% dilution is by using the by-the drop method, i.e. add 12 drops of your preferred essential oil to 30 ml of your moisturizer or lotion.

Aromatherapy through inhalation or diffusion

Decide which type of diffuser will work best for you – evaporative, nebulizing, ultrasonic, or heat diffusers. It is recommended to choose a diffuser that is easy to clean. A built-in timer is a plus so it will only release the right amount of oil.

In my case, I am only using a ceramic candle diffuser. It is cheaper and easier to clean and only uses a tealight candle to heat the oil to promote diffusion.

Types of Essential Oils Locally Produced in the Philippines

essential oils

Calamansi Essential Oil
The scent of Calamansi has been suggested to help alleviate depression and anxiety. It is also among the few aromatics that not just masks bad smell, but completely neutralizes them, making the essential oil a great additive to cleaning products. It is also an excellent additive to skin toners/astringent or blended with other essential oils in a massage blend.

Dalandan Essential Oil
Just like Calamansi, the sweet citrus of the Philippines’ oil is extracted from its peels via distillation. Unmistakably citrusy and sweet, Dalandan Essential Oil is among the all-time favorites. Aside from feeling really good after smelling Dalandan Essential Oil, this can also be used like the oil from Calamansi.

Elemi Essential Oil
A world renowned oil because of its benefits, Elemi Essential Oil has been popular to the rest of the globe but to us Filipinos, it seems we are just slowly being familiar inspite of the world’s supply coming from our country. There are 2 types of Elemi Essential Oil, the first one and the most popular, comes from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum tree or the Manila Elemi. The 2nd one comes from the resin of the Canarium ovatum tree or the Pili tree, which have yet to gain popularity as an alternative. Dubbed as “poor man’s frankincense,” Elemi Essential Oil is basically the more abundant and readily available substitute for Frankincense. Well known for its skin rejuvenation benefits, Elemi Essential Oil is also an amazing anti-inflammatory, a great additive for massaging strained or tired muscles, provides relief to respiratory troubles and a great stress reliever.

Almaciga Essential Oil
Known to the world as Manila Copal, its globally traded as an ingredient in making varnishes. Traditionally, Almaciga is used as fire starter, caulking for boats, smudge for mosquitoes and incense for religious ceremonies. There are documented evidences that the resin is burned and smoke is inhaled for asthma and other minor respiratory troubles. The Almaciga Essential Oil is extracted by distilling the resin from Agathis Philippinesis trees, which are native to the Philippines. Not much is known for the use of its essential oil because of its extreme uniqueness and it is virtually unknown up until its creation by CDL. The Almaciga Essential Oil’s aroma falls in-between Elemi and Frankincense making it another potential alternative to Frankincense.

January 26, 2021 2 comments

garden home and garden

The Versatility of Quick Connect Systems

written by Joy

If you constantly deal with attaching, detaching, and reattaching watering tools for various applications around your home, you aren’t alone. Many have experienced the same frustrations, leading them to use quick connect systems. These useful and versatile connections are designed to fit onto your garden hose and allow you to a range of different watering tools without the need to attach and detach. The plug is disengaged from the socket for attachment exchanges. Quick connect systems make everyday tasks in the garden, around your lawn, and elsewhere easier and less time consuming. Here are a few ways in which a garden hose quick connect system can aid in your daily to-do list.

Power Washing

Quick connect systems make connecting to power washers very easy. With the plug and socket design, you can attach your hose to the power washer and reap the benefits of an unobstructed flow of water volume. Power wash your porch, patio area, pool deck, driveway, and anywhere else with ease. With a high quality quick connect system, there should also be zero leaking, helping you to get the most pressure possible from your power washer.

Gardening

Need to switch to a garden hose nozzle to water your vegetable garden or flowers? With a quick connect system installed, you can do so easily. Say you had another watering tool attached to your garden hose, like the power washer mentioned above. All you’ll need to do is remove the hose connection from the power washer and insert the hose into the nozzle. It takes just seconds to make the switch! You can go from the force of power washing to the gentle stream of watering nozzles in just a few steps.

quick connect systems

Quick Connect Systems in Washing Vehicles

Some people prefer to just use a standard garden hose nozzle with various settings to wash their cars. Others are more passionate about their car washing methods, using foam guns to completely cover their vehicles in soap before starting the wash process. Whatever the case is for you, you’ll need a quick connect system to seamlessly switch between different watering tools. It will allow you to move through the cleaning process with ease.

Watering the Lawn

At the end of the day, you may like to turn your sprinklers on to thoroughly water your lawn. Quick connect systems make the transfer from using different watering tools to a sprinkler easy. They ensure your hose fits the sprinkler just right so you can quickly get it set up for watering.

Quick Connect Systems

The above are a few of the many ways in which quick connect systems make watering tasks quick and easy with no attaching and detaching hassles. You might wonder if all systems are pretty much the same. The answer is no! There are a few things to look out for when shopping for a new garden hose quick connect system. One of these is a warranty to ensure your purchase. This will protect you should your quick connect system leak or become inoperable. Another factor to consider is the type of metal used to manufacture the quick connect. If you enjoy a cool sip of water from the hose, allow the kids to play in the water from it, or fill your pets’ bowls with the hose, then the components you choose for it should be 100% drinking-water safe. This ensures the safety of you and your family should the water from the hose be ingested. Don’t be fooled by the cheapness of plastic components, as they aren’t built to last. If you’ve never used a quick connect system, you’ll be surprised by how easy they make tasks you previously found tedious and time-consuming!

January 21, 2021 0 comment

garden home and garden

Preparing Your Outdoor Patio Furniture for Summer

written by Joy

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy your outdoor space. It lasts for only a few months so you might as well prep up your outdoor patio furniture for more dining, bonding and cuddling moments with your family.

As a result of the mandatory home quarantine due to the pandemic which started on the early months of 2020, most of us got the chance to do a lot of things inside our homes. To keep ourselves busy and to make each day productive, some did simple home repairs or gardening, while others venture into baking and cooking.

Since governments have enforced restrictions on outdoor activities to prevent the spread of the corona virus, we have learned how to focus on new goals and how to be creative and organized as well. Prepping for your kids’ summer activities without traveling can be done through preparing your outdoor patio.

Outdoor Patio Furniture

Building a DIY Paver Walkway

Paving the walkway is one of the ways to prepare your outdoor space for the coming warm months. You may choose from a range of materials from stone, marbles or concrete. You can streamline your patio space by adding decorative borders to make it more refined. Line it with rocks or flowers or maybe create a sitting wall out of stones and bricks.

Outdoor Patio Furniture

Choose furniture and decorations that are durable enough for outdoor use. If you want to create a romantic spot on your patio, go for sleek and elegant furniture pieces. You may use hardwood furniture but be sure to have it has the right finish to avoid premature damage due to the weather. For the children’s area, consider putting up swings, hammock and other play sets that can stimulate their physical activity, also opt for wrought iron or metal sets which will endure spills and stains.

Outdoor Decorations

For your decorations, keep it simple yet interesting. You may hang wind chimes or signs. You may also put up decorative lamps or lighting fixtures. To promote rest and relaxation, add flowering plants, touches of Zen such as sands and stones and a nice water fountain.

Image credits:

a-mblomma – pixabay

Dean Moriarty – pixabay

January 6, 2021 0 comment

toys

From Toys to Collectibles: Best Remote Controlled Toys for Christmas!

written by Joy

It’s the season to be jolly, and nothing makes children happier than new toys. However, it is also important to realize that they do not come cheap, nor do they last. Memories are also often attached to them. This makes it harder for children to let them go once they grow older. You would want to find the best remote controlled toys that can last, be entertaining, and transition into adulthood.

One toy type that sticks out in my mind are remote-controlled toys. These toys are safely cared for most of the time, and left to be displayed when unneeded. Both of my sons used to play very often with them. To this day, they still have these toys and are in working order. Now, my youngest enjoys to build his own RC toys as a hobby. It gives him a different experience to something he used to play with.

Unfortunately, getting the right RC toy can be a little difficult. In the present time, it is also dangerous to go out shopping due to COVID19. Asking for details about a toy can take longer, and it is harder to know where to start. As such, I have prepared a list of ideal RC toys (and how safe they are) to get for your children on the coming Christmas Season!

ANTAPRCIS RC Robot Dog Toy (3+ years old)

If getting a real pet is tough for you but your children wants one, then getting a Robot Dog is a good alternative. It acts almost like a real dog, and is easily programmable. It can sing, dance, bark, and walk. It saves you the cost of buying dog meals, as well as time from cleaning up after a pet.

Arguably, it is the safest toy in this list. It won’t bite your children, and has a smooth and round body that avoids any injury. It is smarter than it looks like, and has a rechargeable 2 AA batteries in its socket.

Best Remote Controlled Toys

SGILE 4WD Remote Control Toy Car (4+ years old)

We are starting off simple with this RC toy. It can move forwards, back, reverse, do 360 spins, and 180 flips with a few buttons. This means that there are 120 possible moves that your child can do with this toy. Its controls are simple enough for children as early as 4 years old to play with adult supervision.

We all know that children can sometimes try and take a bite out of their toys. This RC stunt car does not have any sharp parts that can potentially harm your children. Its exterior is made with a mixture of premium ABS plastic, and non-toxic explosion-proof PVC materials. This makes the toy durable, and harder to destroy.

It has a rechargeable 4.8V 700mAh battery, allowing the toy to last longer for children to enjoy.

Remote Controlled Toys

ANTAPRCIS Gesture Control Robot (3+ years old)

If cars are not your children’s thing, then that’s perfectly understandable. My youngest was into figurines more than cars. Fortunately, RC toys are not limited to cars. An RC robot is a prime example of what RC toys can achieve.

It has a bulky design, which will prevent the child from choking from any small pieces. It is also very intelligent, and will avoid obstacles if it is left to its patrol function. Hand gestures allows it to move, so a child can play with it without a remote! It can sing and dance for the child, and entertain them with it at least twice a day.

Unlike the previous one though, the remote-control part of this toy is something that only the parent has to control. This is especially true if the child is younger than 4 years old. Once the child grows older, they can input as many as 50 motion commands into the robot using the remote. This gives them a whole new experience to enjoy with the robot.

It has a battery life of 60 minutes, and the charging time of roughly two hours.

Best Remote Controlled Toys

ANTAPRCIS Large RC Dinosaur Robot (3+ years old)

My youngest son is a big fan of dinosaurs. Ever since he was little, he had a huge fascination with them. He frequently watched Land Before Time. If your child was like mine, then they would surely appreciate an RC Dinosaur. I recommend this toy if your child is at least older than 3 with some adult supervision.

This dinosaur can dance with prerecorded music, and touching its head would cause it to interact with the child. It can receive instructions from the remote controller, and shoot the sucker bullets on its top. It can be programmed with multiple actions, allowing the dinosaur to play a series of actions.

Unlike the previous ones in this list, it does not have a rechargeable battery. It requires 1 Lithium ion battery to operate.

Best Remote Controlled Toys

ANTAPRCIS Remote Control Toy Car (6+ years old)

The very first RC toy that I have bought my children before was an RC racing car. This was the toy that introduced my children to Remote Controlled toys. I can remember my youngest frequently bumping the RC against walls, but the toy stayed intact. As it turns out, it is made of high-quality ABS and PA material.

The toy runs with a speed of 18km/h, allowing children to compete and race against each other with a thrill. Its controller is pretty simply to use, so even a complete novice can use it. However, it must be noted that this toy should be played with carefully as it consists of potentially sharp and small materials

It has two 6V 600mAh rechargeable batteries, allowing it to last for 50 minutes.

Best Remote Controlled Toys

November 26, 2020 0 comment

home improvement

Custom Solar Screens: Protecting More Than Your View

written by Joy

Most of us think of the words, ‘Solar Screens,’ and we immediately think of protection from the sun. Either blocking the sun out of our window’s view, keeping the harmful rays of the sun from fading our home’s carpets, furniture and drying out wood, or blocking the light out completely depending on the strength and purpose of the screen. But many of us may not have thought of something else solar screens can do for the protection of two other items: vinyl siding and artificial turf.

How can a custom solar screens protect a home’s vinyl siding and artificial turf?

What Makes Artificial Turf Melt?

Custom Solar Screens

Artificial grass is a material made of synthetic, man-made fibers that look like real grass, available in different pile heights and different styles to mimic full, thick, natural-looking grass without the effort. Not only does it save on the hard work needed to cultivate a real grass lawn, but it also cuts out the need for nearly 55 gallons of water per square feet, annually, to keep a real grass lawn looking as beautiful as artificial turf always does.

There is, of course, one unexpected downside to owning artificial turf. Concentrated sunlight can make artificial turn begin to discolor and curl unnaturally at the ends. The main culprit will be the sunlight reflected from your windows as turf can begin to melt after too much sun exposure.

Your artificial turf melting or discoloring doesn’t necessarily mean it was cheap, as many technological strides have improved how turf reacts to natural light. However, it is made of plastic and might be in a spot of highly concentrated light which can quickly create a superheated area. Even if you removed the damaged turf and replaced it with the top brands available, within a week you will no doubt find a melted spot in the same place. Not only are windows the most likely the culprit, mirrors, glass and anything reflective like outside décor can be responsible for this phenomena as well.

How do Custom Solar Screens Prevent Turf and Vinyl Siding from Melting?

For more than half a century, one of the go-to finishing materials for home building or remodeling has been vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is made by extruding polyvinyl chloride through molds to complete the outside curb appeal of a house. Prized for its tough weather resistance, ease of use, and affordable price, millions of homes and businesses across America are clad in vinyl siding. Including homes and businesses in America’s warmest states that see the most sun almost all year round.

Custom Solar Screens

These homes and businesses have windows. Windows, when in full sunlight will reflect the sunlight onto surfaces, especially if those windows are the energy-efficient kind and those surfaces are most likely the vinyl siding on your house.

Concentrated sunlight that reflects off surfaces can create enough heat to melt the vinyl siding of a home. The same culprit responsible for melting artificial turf can be responsible for marring vinyl siding.

If you have begun to notice distorted vinyl siding on your home such as bubbling or warping caused by the concentrated sunlight, there is a way you can stop the damage further. You can prevent the damage from ever occurring with custom solar screens.

Placing a custom solar screen over a window that reflects concentrated sunlight disperses that reflection so that it is no longer concentrated. Along with that benefit of saving vinyl, solar screens can reduce the amount of sunlight and heat generated from UV light even further, cooling your home or the room up to 15 degrees, as well as possibly saving up to 30% on your energy bill if installed in throughout your home.

If you have a window reflecting light onto your vinyl siding, or your turf is melting, save yourself the headache of costly replacements and repairs now by shopping for a custom solar screen that is affordable, easy to install, and have your problems solved in no time.

Featured Image source: pixabay

November 13, 2020 0 comment

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