Tips for Shopping for Home Decor Online

With the growing availability of online stores, shopping for home decor has never been easier. Instead of going from store to store and flipping through countless catalogues like we used to do, one can now simply log on to the Internet to browse countless options of kitchen decor, living room decor or even garden decor. Getting the looks you want for your home has never been easier; you are no longer limited to the items you can find in your community because now you can peruse products that are available from the global community. To get the most out of your online shopping experience, here are a few tips to ensure your purchases are made as smoothly as possible.

Plan Early
When buying products on from online stores, one thing you have to take into consideration is the shipping time. This is one of the drawbacks to online shopping, but you can avoid any hassles by planning and ordering early. Online retailers have a legal responsibility to ship your products within the time they say that they will, so if you are ordering from a reputable retailer you shouldn't have to worry about late shipments. Additionally, planning helps you to save money on your online purchases. If you know that you are getting many products from a single retailer, then you can reduce your shipping costs by buying in bulk. Estimating how much time something should take to get from the store to you isn't too hard: if you are buying a large couch from overseas then be prepared to wait a while. Alternately, if you are buying flowers online then you can generally expect the flowers to turn up on the same day.

Know What You Want
Having a general understanding of how you want your home to look will save you countless hours of browsing websites and searching for the perfect look. Come up with a list of things that you want before you even start looking, this will not only save you time, but will also reduce the chances of unnecessary impulse purchases. Once you know what it is you are looking for, you can begin eyeing up deals as well as start comparing prices and choosing a reputable retailer. If it is paint, carpet, curtains or other fabrics that you are after, ask the retailer to send you swatches before you buy anything since some colours are different in real life then they are online.

Protect Yourself
The following are a few examples as to how you can protect your personal and financial security while you are shopping online:
- Find out about warranties or guarantees of products as well as their cancellation and return policies. Print out and save a copy of your confirmation page and take note of the company’s phone number just in case there are any problems.
- Make sure your online purchase is secure. You will know that it is if the website begins with "https://" as opposed to simply "http://".
- Never give out your tax file number, passwords, or any other personal information that isn't necessary for the purchase.
- If you can, try to only use a credit card for online purchases. The great thing about credit cards is that only credit is drawn out as opposed to your personal finances, you aren't as vulnerable to identity theft, plus any suspicious purchases can be put on hold.
- Use you consumer intuition: if something feels wrong, then proceed with caution.

Chicken Satay

Hope this photo can invite one's appetite. This chicken satay will become one of main menu in our new eating place that will be opened in a few days ahead.
My husband cooked, baked and then captured the food from different angles last Sunday. We'll use the pics for banners and menus.

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Upgrade Your Interior and Find a Fitting and Fabulous Sofa

If you’ve had the same sofa sitting around in your home for several years it may be time for a change. Perhaps the fabric is wearing down due to gradual wear and tear or the look is out of style and is in desperate need of an upgrade Whatever the case may be, there are several types of sofas that have gained popularity in the interior design world. Deciding on what type of sofa to buy to replace the old one is never an easy decision, but if you are determined you will find a sofa that complements your space. A new couch can bring life to a dull room once more.

Traditional Sofa

If traditional is something that suits your fancy, continue the traditional theme in a decorated room with an elegant and traditional couch. A traditional couch usually fits up to three people and this is a piece that is most often chosen for a living room. Depending on the material that you’re looking for, go for a leather or suede fabric that looks nice and feels exceptional.

Love Seat

If your home is just for you and your sweetie, why not make the room appear larger and invest in a single love seat? While you’re at it, incorporate beautiful accents and improve the modern lighting in your home. Within the living room there will be just enough room for the both of you on your new love seat and with the supporting elements you’ll feel at home. Find a fun love seat with trendy fabric or scripted font. Every time you walk into the room you’ll fall in love with a new look that you’ve created.

Divan
If you’d like to utilize the space on your wall, look for a divan that is make backless. Place the divan directly against the wall and buy your own cushions that feel soft and cozy on the couch. Glam up the overall appearance and buy pillows with sequins or create an elegant look and opt for lovely black pillows instead. Whatever the look is that you end up creating, you’re trading in an old sofa for a new one and the new change will make your space look like new.

About the Writer:
Sierra is a writer, blogger, and ocean dreamer. Catch up on her latest happenings on her Ocean Dreams blog.

How You Can Throw the Perfect Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and romantic but take a lot of planning. With an outdoor wedding there are added elements you need to consider such as hot or rainy weather, possibly having to deal with insects and guests becoming overheated and dehydrated. You will need to have sort of shelter, such as a pergola. You may choose to have your outdoor wedding on the beach, in gardens or at home alongside your brand new kit home. The choice of location is entirely up to you.

Weather
Even if it is summer be prepared for all weather. A Spring day can often quickly turn into a rainy day and in Summer temperatures can soar into the forties. You will need bottles of cold water available and perhaps even a fan for those hot days. You will need some sort of shelter, such as a pergola or a marquee or you may have a big enough veranda around your home. In colder weather you can hire outdoor heaters.

Permits
If you are planning on getting married in a public space you may need a permit to do so. Contact your local council because there are rules in regards to things like photography, lighting candles outdoors, throwing confetti and rubbish removal.

Bugs

You can organise everything to do with your wedding but you can't stop the bugs and insects that naturally occur outdoors, particularly during warmer weather. Insects can be annoying for guests so make sure you put out citronella candles or have a bug zapper.

Dehydration

If guests are drinking alcohol it is also a good idea to provide plenty of water. You can very quickly become dehydrated when outside and drinking alcohol doesn't help. Provide plenty of bottled water as well as non-alcoholic drinks for your guests. If it is going to be a really hot day have someone keep an eye on guests and make sure they are drinking enough fluids.

Menu
Check that your caterer is experienced in handling outdoor weddings as they will need to be conscious of providing food that will last outdoors and not go off. You might need to choose food that does not require refrigeration and won't spoil in the heat. Foods containing dairy products aren't a good idea, such as cheese and cream. Seafood can also be a problem if it gets hot. You don't want to end up poisoning your guests, so choose your menu wisely.

Alternative plans
You should have a back up plan. If it rains your whole day could be spoiled if you don't have somewhere for guests to shelter, and if it is very hot you will need somewhere for guests to retire in the shade. You can choose to marry outdoors and then hold the reception inside. Otherwise hire a marquee to provide shade and shelter and even think about having raised flooring so that if it does rain and the ground becomes soaked guests won't end up with wet feet.

Image: fhiky.com

Dragon Sculpture

Tomorrow (Jan 23rd, 2012) is the Chinese New Year. In some places in my country, the celebration is much greater than the common New Year (Jan 1st). For The Weekend in Black and White,
I'd like to share pictures that relate with Chinese culture. My husband captured it when we visited a Chinese themed shopping place.

Best Flower Options for your Home Made Arrangements

When it comes to making flower arrangements, it's always much more fun to make them with flowers you have grown yourself. Whether you are making an arrangement to liven up your living space or to give to someone else, using your own flowers will make the arrangement that much more special, causing people to ask: “are those from your garden?” There are a number of excellent plant choices for use as cut flowers: perennials and annuals both make for great cut flowers and also will grow easily in your garden. Here are a few suggestions of great flowers you can grow yourself that will also result in a lush, one-of-a-kind bouquet.

Roses

They make great Valentines Day flowers when you want to express love to your partner, but that is not the only thing they are useful for. Roses are really easy to grow and will produce beautiful blossoms year after year as well as add a lot of elegance to an arrangement. Roses also come in a variety of soft and beautiful colours.

Cosmos

These flowers are everyone's favourite cut flowers mainly because they bloom profusely and come in a variety of colours. The more you pick them, the more they grow, which makes them ideal to use in an arrangement. The delicate flowers and wispy leaves do a lot to accent your bouquet.

Spider Flower

These tall, gangly plants explode in spidery blossoms of pink, purple and white. The vivid colours and the unique shape of the flowers add a lot of texture and intrigue to both your garden and your arrangement.

Forget-Me-Nots

These popular garden plants also make a great addition to an arrangement given their rare true blue colour and lasting blooms. Forget-me-nots grow in tight vivid clusters, which will help you achieve a variety of shapes and sizes in your bouquet.

Marigolds

Marigolds produce amazing, brightly coloured flowers that are strong enough to help prop up other flowers in your bouquet. Their texture will give your arrangement a very soft and touchable look and come in great spring shades from soft yellow to deep gold.

Sunflowers

Whether you choose the short or the giant variety, sunflowers of all sizes make great long-lasting cut flowers. As the focal point of a bouquet, these bright and cheerful blossoms will bring the fresh feeling of spring to your home.

Sweet Peas

Nothing grows faster and with as much vigour in your garden than the sweet pea. Although the fruit they bear is often the prize of growing them, the blossoms they produce also make great filler in a spring bouquet. The stems are deceptively strong adding structure to your arrangement, and the flowers offer a variety of colour and spicy scents.

Baby's Breath

Baby's breath is a favourite of many gardeners for adding texture and a light feeling to their flowerbed. In an arrangement, the airy sprays of white and pink flowers add a burst of freshness and variety and create a sense of lightness, delicacy and softness.

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans are a staple of any flower garden. The traditional golden daisy-like petals burst out of both gardens and flower arrangements like the sun; they are easy to grow, and their long, straight stalks add dimension to your arrangement.