Don’t underestimate that solitary wasp in the garden
If you see a wasp in the garden, especially at the beginning of Spring, it can be easy to just ignore it as the first of the season. Of course, much of the time the yellow and black scourge of pest insects is harmlessly passing through, but be warned – it only takes one queen wasp to create a nest.
Wasps build nests by chewing on wood, creating pulp and making many-chambered constructions out of it. Nests are started by the queen, who is gradually helped by more and more workers. They like to build in dry, secluded places – so when you meet the first wasp of the year, be aware that you might soon be joined by the rest of the family!
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: insects, Queen wasp, Wasp nest
Looking for an unusual gift? Try rats!
When you first start racking your brains to choose an unusual gift for someone, rats may not be at the top of your list. To most people they’re nothing more than vermin that should be taken care of by professional exterminators – not put up in the home in a fancy cage.
However, rats actually make good pets. They’re intelligent and easy to train, a little larger and more sturdy than hamsters, and are very clean. In the wild they’re forced to live where food is, usually waste; as pets, if kept fed and watered they can be very tidy (and surprisingly friendly). So if you’re thinking of getting the kids that first gerbil, why not upgrade to rats – you might be pleasantly surprised.
Mens cashmere jumpers will never go out of fashion
We’ve been wearing wool for centuries, and with good reason. It’s soft, warm, durable and flexible enough to accommodate a huge range of fashions and fashion tastes. Mens cashmere jumpers are no exception, providing a soft and luxurious feel with good cut and practicality.
Men of all ages need jumpers, for work, play and even sports. Cashmere jumpers provide something for everyone, and there are options to suit all budgets. You can buy on the High Street, but there’s even more choice online where a range of specialist retailers means you’ll always be able to find exactly the right jumper for you.
A lambswool jumper can be a great home comfort
There are many reasons to get a lambswool jumper. Fashion is an obvious one, as is warmth. They are popular because the wool is soft and light, without a high degree of elasticity, so they’ll retain their shape and look good for longer.
But another great reason to get one is as a little luxury to come home to, particularly in the cold winter months. Your jumper can be a permanent ‘stay at home’ outfit, warm and comfortable for the days when you don’t feel like leaving the house and want to be cosy on the sofa instead!
There’s more to your cashmere jacket than meets the eye
Before it gets to sit across your shoulders, your Cashmere jacket has already come a long way. It started out across the shoulders of a cashmere goat, of course, as wool, before it was collected. Then the laborious process of separating the pure cashmere wool out took place, before it was spun, shipped and woven into clothes.
Cashmere originates in Kashmir, India, where the wool industry really got started in the 15th century. Nowadays you’ll find cashmere goats in Australia, America and New Zealand, but the largest producer is China. And all this international travel for that one small jacket…
Keep some Sheer Cover concealer handy for those cosmetic woes
It happens to all of us. You’re going out to meet friends, or you have an important meeting, or worse still a job interview, and your body conspires to let you down. Spots, wrinkles, blemishes, dark rings under the eyes…and it’s always something you spot at the last minute.
That’s why it can be handy to keep a supply of something like Sheer Cover concealer around the house, to take care of cosmetic catastrophes and smooth over troubled brows. A few dabs with the mid-digit (it exerts less pressure and won’t make things worse), blend, and you can go on your way with no worries. It’s as important for the home as a first aid kit!
If your Canon IXUS battery is dead – recycle!
There comes a time in the life of any battery – including the canon IXUS battery that arrived with your new camera – when they can no longer be recharged and it’s time to replace them. Everything wears out in the end!
However, before you throw it in the bin, make sure you investigate your recycling options. It’s much better for the environment and it might be easier than you think. Some areas have local battery recycling points, as do some stores; or you might be able to send your defunct power source away for recycling. Check online and you might save the world from yet another lump of metal and plastic in the landfill…
Camera chargers help you snap more shots for less
It’s obvious that the camera chargers we use to power up our equipment are helpful when it comes to photography. However, they’re also useful when it comes to saving money. Not all cameras arrive with batteries and chargers – instead, we spend a small fortune on disposable batteries to keep them clicking away.
Investing in a charger and reusable batteries is a simple way of taking more pictures for less. You won’t be buying expensive throwaway power packs any more, and you won’t be caught out by flat batteries – just plug the charger in and you’ll soon be ready to go again. Add a spare battery to the equation and you’ll never miss a Kodak moment again!
Categories: Saving Money Tags: Batteries, Cameras, Chargers
DIY matters when looking for flats to rent in Aberdeen
You might not think too much about doing DIY in rented accommodation, but if you’re looking for flats to rent in Aberdeen it’s worth keeping an eye out for places where the landlord has undertaken some home improvements. If a place hasn’t had a lick of paint or any attention paid to windows, doors and floors for some time, the building might not be in great shape. Worse, the landlord might not be in great shape! If they’re not looking after their property, can you be sure they’ll look after your interests? Or your deposit?
Signs of regular maintenance and improvements are a good thing when flat hunting. It means the property is in good condition and you should be able to move in without too many worries.
Categories: Home Improvements Tags: Aberdeen, DIY, Flat rental
Why energy matters when you’re looking for flats to rent
Energy consumption is something we all need to think about these days, and it’s an important consideration when looking for flats to rent. It might affect how much the bills are for your new home, for example, if the flat isn’t very energy efficient.
Some good examples of eco-friendly techniques in the home are using energy saving lightbulbs, or working out a timetable that uses your central heating or storage heaters when the cost of electricity is lower – usually overnight. And of course you’ll save money if you look for an energy efficient flat in the first place, with good insulation and double glazing, because you can’t do anything about it yourself in a rented property. Add ‘energy efficient’ to your wishlist when flat hunting, and you’ll save money (and the planet) in the long run!
Categories: Energy Tags: Energy efficient, Flats, rental
