Historical vs. Modern Home Decor

I’ve always viewed home décor as a window into my personality. Each lampshade, piece of furniture, or wall hanging is a reflection of my values, likes and dislikes, mood, and more. For this reason I’ve always struggled when choosing my home items, since it seems that there is never a theme that is quite as complex as I am. One of the biggest areas in which internal conflict arises is whether I should select historical home décor or modern.

Antiques and vintage items bring a personality all their own into the home, and when you find some that reflect your own personality as well it can be truly special. History has its place in the home, and these items can muster up nostalgia and sweet remembrances of times long forgotten. The sentimental value of historical-style items, even those that are merely replicas or incorporate the idea of historical design, cannot be ignored.

On the other hand, modern designs offer a clean, simple look. They can help you to feel trendy and sleek, and can really reflect who you are in the present. Modern décor is constantly changing and evolving, and thus it’s even easier to find pieces that suit your home and style perfectly.

Perhaps the best homes incorporate aspects of both vintage and contemporary design into one unique space. Here, tips for bringing historical elements into the home can help to alleviate the internal strife caused by forcing a decision between the two styles. A modern home with historical elements or a vintage home with pieces of contemporary décor added in is the perfect way to uniquely adapt your home to the unique you. Be sure to find a Chicago financial advisor before making any large purchases to make sure that you can financially afford your historical or modern home decor.

Related articles

• Interior Decorating
• Celebrity home decor
• Bringing History into the Home
• Home Decor Trends for 2013

MMORPGs and Such!

I've been vaguely following the developments of one of the newer MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplay Game) that is slated for a beta release in 2007

I'm talking about Star Trek Online. There's already a host of Star Trek Online fan sites that have cropped up that do a better job of reporting developments in the production of the game than I could ever hope to do. There's Star Trek Online.Net and the Star Trek Online Fan site, just to name a few of the major ones.

If you don't know what an MMO is, let me educate you with the help of this Wikipedia article on the topic. Or take a look at this Wikipedia article specifically discussing MMORPG gaming.

Star Trek Online is just starting to get through some of the basic looks of the game, as well as camera movement. Character designs and interactions, as well as the elaborate systems through which leveling and progress occur, have not even been touched yet, it seems.

But you cannot deny the initial beauty of the graphics - if these make it through to launch, I'd say there will be much in the way of eye candy for all.

Related articles

• Bella Bathrooms stock new luxury bathroom suites to help home owners gain a sense of luxury
• 'Star Trek Online' launch veterans get free in-game swag
• Imogen Heap Collaborates with Deadmau5

Home Remodeling the Smart Way

You want to increase the value of your home, but you're not sure which improvements will bring the best return on your remodeling dollar? Check out this article which details the smartest improvements to get the biggest bank your home improvement bucks.

Bathroom

Number one on the list? A mid-range bathroom improvement. Typically you can expect to more than get more money back by sprucing up the bathroom. Note the emphasis on "mid-range": putting a bunch of high-end improvements is likely to cost you more than you'll get back when it's time to sell.

Re-Siding

Another idea is re-siding your house. Curb appeal is everything when you go to sell your home, as it's the first thing potential buyers will see, both in person and through pictures, and if your old siding is looking worn-out it will definitely affect how much buyers are willing to pay for your home. You can go traditional, or you can invest in log home siding, which will make your home look great and appealing to a wider range of buyers.

Kitchen

Rounding out the list is a minor kitchen remodeling. Refacing cabinets can be a much more cost-effective way to add some zing to your kitchen than replacing them, and putting down a little better flooring can return more on your dollar than top-end coverings.

That being said, you're the one who knows your home the best. Maybe none of these make sense for you because you're already happy with the way your kitchen, bathroom and siding (if you have any) look. If you're looking to stay in your home, then convenience and your personal desires are more important than resale value. But if you're looking to sell, make sure you're not throwing away money doing remodeling that isn't going to pay for itself. Be sure to find a Chicago financial advisor before making any large purchases to make sure that you can financially afford your historical or modern home decor

Related articles

• Renovations That Yield the Best Return on Investment
• Is The Economy Commanding You To Remodel Your Kitchen?
• Get that Dream Bathroom: Showers

Finding Ways to Get Back In Shape

Weight Watchers - Strawberry Smoothie Bar (Photo credit: frozenfoodjournal)

I am so curious how other moms get back into shape after having a baby.  This is my second c-section and I must say it is so much harder this time.  I am also started feeding, so I am concerned about losing too quickly and causing a drop in supply.  Plus I am so hungry and exhausted all the time. Just the way my body responds I guess!

I am not one of those lucky ones who lose weight quickly after a baby.  I am in my thirties so it seems like losing weight is so much harder.  I know people who are fanatical about losing weight and do extreme things to lose weight.  I guess I don’t have the desire to not eat for days or energy to work out once everyone is asleep.  I eat pretty well but I am a sucker for sweets so I think that is my downfall.  I have considered Weight Watchers but I am not much of a point counter.  

Currently I am walking several times a week but I am at a standstill.  I have not been able to wake up and run in the mornings since I am still waking up several times a night with my infant.  Also, I have only been able to fit in the occasional workout during nap time because I reserve that time for showering, cleaning, laundry, or even blogging. Finding time is certainly the hardest thing at the moment!

So what have you other moms done to get back into shape post pregnancy?

Not sure where this post originally appeared. If you know, let me know!

Related articles

• Well, Now I Know
• Lose weight post-pregnancy - but don't rush it
• How much can you save on life insurance by losing 20 pounds?