Want to Be More Optimistic? Learn What Habits to Pick Up Here!

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Being happier and optimistic about life comes naturally to some people. For others they are naturally more pessimistic or realistic. If you’re looking to become more optimistic we’re here to help you out. We found this article on what habits to adopt. We hope it helps change your outlook on life!

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From the article:

Ever notice how some people just seemingly have a bright outlook on life — even when everything isn’t exactly on the sunny side?

You know those people: They’re the friends who have spilled coffee on their white shirt and still manage to have a nonchalant smile on their face. They’re the co-workers who make a big faux pas during a morning presentation and are still in a good mood at lunch. They look at the upside of life but they still live in reality.

Here’s the secret: They don’t have some magical, unicorn-like powers that make them that way. They just engage in behaviors that reinforce their positive frame-of-mind without making it seem like their head is stuck in the clouds, says Melissa Blakeman, M.D., the regional medical director at Johns Hopkins University.

Below are a few of the habits these realistically positive people practice on a daily basis.

They rid themselves of toxic relationships.
Who you are is partly a reflection of who you choose to surround yourself with — that’s why a good support system is crucial to an optimistic outlook, Blakeman explained. Studies show emotions like stress and happiness are contagious — the more you’re around it, the more likely you are to reflect that attitude.

Armed with this knowledge, positive people build a strong social circle that helps reinforce their upbeat nature. “You’d be amazed by how much a good support group can influence a good attitude,” Blakeman said.

They celebrate the little victories.
Positive people hold big accomplishments and small victories with the same weight, Blakeman said. There’s power in acknowledging the little things.

Research shows that thankfulness can lead to increased optimism, and it’s a habit positive people make a point to practice. Gratitude for the little moments — getting to the subway before it leaves the platform, getting a complimentary email from your boss at work — provides more opportunities to be positive since you’re concentrating on multiple facets of your day.

They plan ahead.
One study conducted by psychology researcher Sophia Chou found that those who identified as realistic optimists believed they had more control over their relationships and circumstances. “Every time they face an issue or a challenge or a problem, they won’t say ‘I have no choice and this is the only thing I can do,'” Chou told LiveScience. They will be creative, they will have a plan A, plan B and plan C.”

However, it’s important to realize when your current situation or planning becomes too overwhelming. Positive thinking is best cultivated with a relaxed mind, so take a break when you feel like you’re getting “so bogged down with the details” that it’s clouding your attitude, Blakeman said.

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Looking to create a more peaceful home? Checkout this article about ways to create a more peaceful home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/health/positive-people-habits/index.html

Looking to Make Your Home More Green but Don’t Want Solar Panels? Take a Look at This Idea!

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

With everyone wanting to go green and be more conscientious of the environment, even if only to save some money, it can be difficult to know what to focus on. Some people are totally sold on solar panels. Others not so much. If you’re in the not so much category then we’ve come up with an alternative for you. Take a look at this article we found. We hope it helps you save the environment and save some money!

From the article:

SolTech Energy, a Swedish company selling solutions for clean solar power, has developed a unique home heating system contained within roofing tiles made out of ordinary transparent glass. The attractive house-warming tiles (somewhat ironically) give roofs a beautiful, icy appearance quite unlike anything else we???ve ever seen before.

So what makes the system so special and award worthy? For starters, the tiles are made from ordinary glass and have about the same weight as those made of clay. Secondly, the system doesn???t, like competitors??? versions, heat up water or vacuum pipes, but clean air. The tiles are installed on top of a black nylon canvas, under which air slots are mounted. The black colour absorbs heat from the sun and the air starts to circulate. The hot air is then used to heat up water, which is connected to the house???s heating system via an accumulator. The beauty of the system is that it cuts energy costs throughout the year, during dark winter days as well as night time, due to its capacity to store heat in the isolating layers of air under the canvas.

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Looking for more ways to go green? Then checkout this article about green summer projects that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://awareness-time.com/award-winning-design-glass-roof-tiles-capture-solar-energy-to-heat-your-home-during-winter/

Have a Small Bathroom? Make it Chic Here!

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Having a small bathroom poses unique problems. In order to help you design a bathroom that is not only functional but also chic we found this article to help you. We hope it helps you design your dream bathroom in a small space!

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From the article:

While we might dream of a big bathroom in which we can splash around a double walk-in shower, triple basin and huge, freestanding tub, the reality is that many of have little more than a handkerchief-size space to play with. Fear not, though: There is a wealth of mini fixtures and fittings (teeny tubs and narrow basins, for starters), as well as loads of clever design tricks that can help maximize your bathroom???s footprint.

White is always a winner in small spaces ??? be it on tubs, basins, floors or walls ??? but that doesn???t mean you have to enforce a total color ban. Far from it. In fact, playing with light and shade, color and contrast, will inject personality and style into what can be a sterile look. After all, doesn???t the saying go, ???The best things come in small packages????

Try a tiny tub.
Some of today???s roll-top baths have been shrunk so you can squeeze one into even the tiniest bathroom. Make the best use of an awkwardly shaped room by locating your bath underneath the eaves. A teeny space also means you can splurge on luxe materials without breaking the bank.

Exploit corners.
Corner shower enclosures are one of the best decorating tools for bathrooms that refuse to conform to standard dimensions. Wall-hung furniture is also a boon for creating the illusion of space, as your eye can see the floor right to the wall.

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Looking for ways to clean common items in your home? Checkout this article with cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19837206

Looking to Improve Communication Skills at Home? Learn The Ways Here!

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Communication in any relationship is very important. No relationship can really thrive without good communication. In order to help improve communication skills in your home we found this article for you. We hope it helps!

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If you need Apartment complex dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Our Top 10 Tips For How To Improve Communication Skills at Home

GIVE WAIT TIME
Most of us don’t even wait for people to finish a sentence before we chime in with what we have to say.

A good rule of thumb is to wait 5-10 seconds for your child to answer. It gives your child time to process what they want to say. This can also prevent or diminish stuttering in some children.

DON’T OVER CORRECT YOUR CHILD
If you demand that your child say a sound correctly, especially if it is a sound that doesn’t develop until they are older…

…please stop!

Over correcting is the exact opposite way of how to improve communication skills.

The more you demand they say something right, the worse it may likely get. You don’t want to make talking and saying speech sounds a negative thing, because they just might stop doing it altogether.

Analogy time: Trying to “make” your child talk or say a sound “right” is like trying to tell someone who can’t cook, to cook better.

TREAT YOUR CHILD AS A FULL COMMUNICATION PARTNER
This can be tricky to balance. You need to talk to them as if they are adults but still remember they are children.

Talking with them like an adult doesn’t mean use adult vocabulary, jokes, or information they won’t understand. It means take turns, use eye contact, and value what they say.

As for younger children, there will many times they say something you don’t understand (gibberish), but again, take your turn, make your best guess about what they are talking about and reply to them…

…even if you’re not sure what they’re talking about.

Don’t talk to them in baby talk all the time. It’s O.K. every now and again, but after they are about 9 months old, try to limit how much you do it.

BE A GOOD MODEL
I’m not talking about being a good “role model”, although you need to be that too, I mean a good speaking model.

If you want to build strong speech and language skills in your child, you need to show that you have skills yourself. A good rule of thumb for how to improve communication skills is to talk slightly above your child’s level.

That way they will be stretched enough to keep building their skills.

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Looking for ways to clean common items in your home? Checkout this article with cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.home-speech-home.com/how-to-improve-communication-skills.html

Looking to Improve Your Communication With Your Plugged In Child? Get Ideas Here!

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Technology and screens are everywhere. They make it more challenging to have an actual conversation with anyone, especially kids. In order to help you out we found this article with simple ideas on how to better connect with your plugged in child. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Here are some simple tips to help make better connections with your plugged-in children:

Elementary School Children
1. Make a clear plan and ask them what they want to do for the day.
2. Limit screen time when you???re in the car or forbid it entirely. If your children are under age two, no screen time at all.
3. Allow them to negotiate???more screen time at home if they cooperate and help you shop or do their chores, but no more than an hour a day on screens (all of them).
4. Take them to a park or some place where they can run, play ball or do some kind of exercise. Take them outdoors every hour! Go sledding or walking or skiing! Walk the dog! Make projects with them.
5. Listen to music they love when you???re in the car or at home.
6. Participate in screen-free weeks if your town or school has one scheduled.

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Looking for more tips on communicating with your child? Checkout this article with communication tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/listen-the-kids/201401/are-your-kids-plugged-screens

Want to Take Your Home to Another Level? Look at These Ideas!

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

As homeowners it’s important to keep your home up to date as much as possible. In order to help you get ideas on what you can do to your home we found this article. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Given how much time most of us spend at home, it’s a shame most of us live in small, boring homes or apartments. If home is where the heart is, these interior design ideas will ensure that your heart stays happy!

Some of these interior design ideas are grand, sweeping, expensive installations, but for those of us without the money to spare, there are smaller ideas too that are still doable and will give your home a unique and personal touch. And for those of us who live in city apartments, there are also plenty of ideas that will help you save space!

Lowered Reading Room With Glass Walls

Reading Nook

Hidden, Rotating Bookshelf Door (with TV)

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Looking to turn your kitchen into more of a manly space? Then checkout this article about making kitchen manly that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.boredpanda.com/amazing-interior-ideas/

Interested in What the Future of Home Technology Looks Like? Find Out Here!

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Technology for the most part makes our lives easier. There have been advances in the area of our homes. If you’d like to know what type of advances are being made then you’ve come to the right place. We hope you enjoy these advances as much as we do!

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From the article:

We’ve long been fascinated by the idea of the house of the future. In 1956, MIT researchers tested plastic homes — it’d be a cinch to hose them clean, wouldn’t it? — while Goodyear researchers worked on air-bubble domiciles a few decades later [source: Ngo]. Neither one panned out, of course. But the concept of the “house of the future” wasn’t just structural. It also encompassed all of the new technology that would lie inside: video chatting instead of rotary-dial phones, robots to do our housework, and a few buttons we could push to control just about everything.

Alas, our homes still aren’t the technological wonders we’d dreamed about. But we certainly have made some advances. Think of amenities like central vacuum, in-home stereo and programmable thermostats. Not sexy enough? Then read about five truly exciting home technologies that are either available now or in development, meaning they all have a real chance of becoming commonplace.

Power Tracking
Did you ever wonder why we’ve long had smart technology in our cars, but not our homes? Think about it. If you’re low on gas, your car tells you. If your tire pressure is low, your car tells you. If you’re short on oil, need to check your engine or are out of windshield wiper fluid, your car tells you. All of this information helps keep your car healthy, and you safe. It also saves you money by taking preventive measures and avoiding costly repairs. But what does your home and its major appliances tell you? Nothing. Powerhouse Dynamics, for one, wants to change this.

The Maine-based company has unveiled the Total Home Energy Management program, which monitors a home’s energy use, energy cost and carbon footprint every single minute. Thanks to its detailed tracking, the system can tell you when your energy use spikes and why, allowing you to moderate consumption. It also monitors your appliances, letting you know when maintenance is needed so you can avoid pricey repairs, and even cluing you in when an appliance is so old and energy-inefficient that it’s cheaper to chuck it and buy a new one. And new features are constantly being added as the company identifies and addresses the needs of its customers . For example, when the defrost cycle in a customer’s refrigerator wasn’t working properly, the system was modified to provide an alert.

Home Security Through Facial Recognition Software
Lots of movies today feature businesses and governmental entities with facial recognition software in place, usually to keep unauthorized personnel from accessing areas with highly-classified information and priceless goods. Eventually, many of us may be able to install this software in our own homes. Why would we want to? Video cameras at our doors could identify our family and friends, plus strangers. If a stranger does ring our doorbell, the system could then immediately run the person’s mug against all the faces in our criminal and terrorist databases, so we don’t let in some really bad dude [source: Future Technology Portal]. Of course, sometimes a family member or friend turns out to be a bad guy.

There are numerous companies currently working with facial recognition software, for both business and personal use. When and if it becomes widely available isn’t yet known. Android currently has a face-unlock feature in its Android 4 operating system, aka Ice Cream Sandwich. But if you hold up a photo of the authorized user, it can be fooled [source: Bonnington]. So, it seems we have a ways to go on this one.

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Interested in a smart thermostat? Then checkout this article about smart thermostat that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/future-tech/5-future-home-technologies.htm/printable

Looking to Age in Your Home? Learn How to Modify Your Home as You Age!

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Aging is hard. Well not exactly hard but it causes aspects of your life to become hard. If you’d like to age in your home it’s important to plan ahead. In order to help you think of things that you normally wouldn’t think of we found this article. We hope it’ll help you learn ways to modify your home so you can live out your life in your home!

From the article:

Nothing beats home. It’s where many of us want to stay for as long as possible, even as we age.

And, yet, the varied aspects of senior life ??? impaired vision, arthritis and limited mobility ??? can make staying home a challenge. Thanks, however, to smart modifications ??? like adding grab bars in the bathroom or improving lighting in a hazardous hallway ??? the concept of “aging in place” is more possible now than ever. Once something of a buzzword, “aging in place” is now a specialty designation in the homebuilding industry. In fact, remodeling professionals with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have joined together with AARP, the NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council and Home Innovation Research Labs to develop the CAPS, or Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, program. The designation is not a requirement for remodelers, but those in CAPS undergo training and learn how to build tasteful, barrier-free living spaces suited to the needs of older adults.

1. Cabinetry: Shelving may need to be lowered so it’s more accessible, and you may want to add more base cabinets and drawers instead of doors. Relocating the microwave from above the range to a base cabinet also may help. One client requested a customized pocket door under the kitchen sink, so the standard doors wouldn’t get in the way.

2.Appliances: A stove with controls at the front is more accessible than models that have the controls at the back; a refrigerator with a French door-opening is typically more accessible than other styles.

3.Materials: Contrasting colors and a variety of textures and patterns can provide visual cues for someone whose vision is impaired. “Colors help your psyche,” Lewis said.

4. Flooring: Falls are a huge problem for older clients, so buy flooring that minimizes risk. Natural travertine, for instance, can catch the heel of a shoe, walker or cane. Try smooth tile.

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Want to learn more design secrets? Then checkout this article about design secrets to age in home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/home/2015/02/09/ways-modify-home-age/23133079/

Interested in What the Home Remodeling Trends are for 2015? Start Here!

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

If you’re planning on remodeling your home this year it’s important to get the most bang for your buck. In order to help you out we found this article with the remodeling trends of 2015. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Pink tile. Carpet on the walls. Avocado-colored appliances. What do they all have in common? Home improvement trends that came and, thankfully, went. You can easily date these trends back to the decade they were popular, and that???s not a good thing. While trends still occur, modern remodeling focuses on updating your home but keeps an eye toward the future.

If you???re planning a home remodeling or improvement project in 2015 and want to avoid mistakes of the past, three highly rated remodelers divulge what???s trending in home remodeling: Andy Lindus of Lindus Construction in Baldwin, Wisconsin, Mike Blank of MBC Remodeling in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and Jason Hampel of Moss Building & Design in Chantilly, Virginia.

What trends are you noticing right now in remodeling?
Blank: I???m seeing jobs are starting to get a little bit bigger again. People are spending more money, but they are still cautious. For a bathroom, for instance, usually I tell people a bathroom is going to run about $15,000. In the past few years, people have done everything they can do to stay in that range. Now, they???re going into the $20,000 to $25,000 range.

Hampel: I think, in general, people are looking for good value in terms of use of space, use of budget, satisfying their needs. The way you get value in remodeling is consolidating space ??? stacking needs. The way you do that is [adding] a kitchen bump-out with a master suite above it.

The benefit to that, efficiency wise, is you have one foundation, one roof, but you have more living space.

Lindus: We???re noticing a shift in the mentality of homeowners. They are now becoming more cognizant of having a home that functions properly, not just one that is aesthetically pleasing. We???ve seen an increased concern in how remodeling projects can make a home more marketable when they are placed for sale.

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Looking to do some remodeling? Then checkout this article about tips for success remodeling that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.angieslist.com/articles/contractors-talk-home-remodeling-trends-2015.htm

Debating Between a Closed and an Open Kitchen Layout? Learn the Pros and Cons Here!

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Kitchens are the heart of the home. People gather in the kitchen and eat and hangout. When designing a home or remodeling a home it can be difficult to know whether a closed or open kitchen layout is the best. In order to help you out with this decision we found this article for you that lists the pros and the cons. We hope it helps you make the best decision for you and your family!

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If you need Apartment complex dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

The kitchen has spent centuries as a separate workspace usually tucked away at the back of the house. Kitchens in the past were all business ??? if it???s not for cooking, then you won???t find it there; if you???re not cooking, then stay out.

In the past few decades, however, the kitchen has mostly been opened up and turned into an active space where the whole family can converge. Thanks to the popularity of open plan kitchens, people now do everything from entertain guests to helping their kids with homework in the kitchen.

That???s not to say, though, that the closed kitchens of yesteryear have gone the way of the dinosaur. In fact, a growing number of homeowners prefer keeping the kitchen as a separate space from the living and dining areas.

Both open and closed kitchen layouts have their own advantages and drawbacks. Here???s a quick rundown to help you decide which would be a better fit for you and your home.

Open Kitchen Layout
Pros

Perfect for multitasking ??? Since open floor plans basically combine the kitchen, living, and dining rooms into one big space, parents can safely watch their young kids while preparing a meal in the kitchen, your example. They can even cook dinner while working on a report for work or helping out with homework.

More natural light ??? Open layouts are more conducive to natural light. Big windows in the living room combined with smaller ones in the kitchen can suffice to light the entire space during the day, reducing electrical costs and elevating the overall mood.

Makes a small space feel larger ???Your kitchen, living, and dining areas may be small individually, but opening them up to each other creates the illusion of a much bigger space.

More room for entertaining guests and family ??? An open kitchen layout lets you stay connected with the rest of the family even when you???re cooking and they???re watching TV in the living room. If you have guests over, you can still chat with them while you???re finishing up in the kitchen.

Cons

You can???t hide any messes you make ??? Contrary to what we see on cooking shows, cooking is rarely a clean process. With an open kitchen layout, the disorganized chaos that sometimes takes hold of the kitchen will be there for everybody to see whether you want them to or not. Smells and smoke will also permeate throughout the whole space.

Open layouts can be expensive remodeling projects ??? Think you can just tear down that wall that separates your kitchen and living room? Not so fast! You???ll need to know if it???s load bearing first. You also have to take the plumbing and electrical systems into consideration. If you want an open kitchen layout, expect your remodeling budget to take a big hit.

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Looking for more kitchen remodel ideas? Then checkout this article about kitchen remodel ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.stockcabinetexpress.com/blog/the-pros-cons-of-open-vs-closed-kitchen-layouts/