Oak Stair Treads

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When it comes to home decorating. There’s really a bunch of materials and pieces that we could choose from with like some glittery center pieces that can give a great seeing to the home and these some raw materials that we could placed in inside the home for the accentual matter like an pot of trees and some fountains accessories that can make the whole house looking specious and comfortable to hang to. Actually, as we talk about home decor, there’s an various or wide range of designing we can pick up depending on your taste and personality. Others like their home to be techno and modern while other prefers it to be more looking raw and old-fashion, whatever could it be one thing is main goal which making the house looking neat and proper.

Though there’s a varied selection of oak stair treads available in the market today. But I think the wood material is never be outdated in trend because wood is classy and it has its own value already as we dig up the history of home designing and decorating. So – why not using wood than those metals that can be easily rusted. Plus, wood can be lasted for decades either millennium as chosen the best type of wood to use like narra, mahogany & etc..

Classy Looking Newel Posts

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Nowadays, home decors are always into modern concept because that’s what the hot thing and most probably the demand these days when it comes to home decorating and designing. That is why people are quite fascinating to them most especially to these metallic kind of piece work and concepts. However, nothing cant still beats to the classy woody newel posts because it can give accentual appeal to the whole staircase as you uses all types of newel posts together, and I know most of the home designers out there will be on my side now as am telling you here that wood staircase and its posts are still the best to use. Though, it kinda sound like old-fashioned but I think this probably make your home quirky looking as you’d still consider to use the wood stair instead of the metallic and modern ones.

Adding an old piece to you home is actually the best thing to do. Because it can balance up the culture and ambiance inside the home and turn it up into nicely peaceful type of home. Just look into those Japanese inspired type of home where woods are often uses, as a main material of the home. You can see on how raw and beautiful the house is.. because the concept of the nature are perfectly implemeted and used in the proper part of the home, so – it turned out well and amusing to the eye.

The Brief History of the Manbag

Presented by Ghurka

Ah yes, the Man Bag. It’s funny how something so utilitarian and masculin can be misconstrued as something, how should we say, not so macho. 

 

The truth is men have worn bags for centuries for, both style and utility, proving that hand-bags aren’t just for women. 

 

During the renaissance (before pockets) men wore girdle pouches. Girdle pouches were very handy for transporting things like spices, flowers, and herbs. 

 

The satchel, arguably the manliest of the man bags was used primarily by school children to transport books (think modern day backpack). 

 

The briefcase came into existence during the Industrial Revolution and was used by powerful men to transport important documents, papers, books, and small valuables. 

 

During the World Wars military men fastened bread bags to their belts and used them as an all purpose carrying bag. 

 

The messenger bag has made a strong resurggence. Historically they were used by bike messengers and postal carriers before they evolved into a fashionable item. 

 

So next time friends give you a hard time over that so called “Man Bag” of yours, tell them it’s just the opposite of femininity; it’s historically masculine.

Sponsored video : Helping the Women of Cha Cha Cottage

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My life is far from perfect but I consider myself lucky because I am able to have access to and enjoy the finer things in life. On top of that is the fact that I have a strong support system whom I can turn to whenever I want some much needed help, and that is my family. Since I am so blessed, I feel that I should at least give back some of the blessings I have received to people who are in need, in any which way I can in my own small way. It does not really matter what the cause is as long as I know I am making a difference in a person’s life.

Having said that, many philanthropists and charitable organizations give their support to women’s and children’s causes because they are considered to be the most vulnerable in society – being the ones who are subjected the most to neglect and abuse. Although some people might think that it is not their obligation to help these people, I strongly feel that it is a part of our social responsibility to at least not turn a blind eye in their plight.

Guinness, one of the most successful beer brands worldwide (brewed in almost 60 countries and is available in over 120), has partnered with Cha Cha Cottage in Singapore through the Arthur Guinness Projects. Cha Cha Cottage is a social enterprise that provides single and needy mothers with home-based cottage industry work such as candle making to help them get back their independence while caring for their families. The video shows three mothers from Cha Cha Cottage who make candles to feed their families. It says in the video that a candle is a giving thing and thousands can be lit from a single candle and yet its life will not be shortened. It represents how even a single person willing to help these ladies can make a difference in their lives.

Guinness has committed to raise $100,000 SGD for these women. You can be a part of this campaign by going over to the Arthur Guinness Project’s Facebook Page. From May 11 to June 21, netizens can offer their pledge towards the cause. Guinness Singapore will donate $100 to Cha Cha Cottage for every click of support you make. To further raise awareness for the group of marginalised women in need of support, a symbolic light-up event will be held on June 21 with 1,000 pledged candles.

Sponsored By: Guinness

BEAST Kikwang, Junhyung and BTOB Sungjae Fashion Style X The Kooples’ Store Opening

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Might most of you, might know already who are these guys were. They’re one of those leading and well known Kpop idols today in the Korean music industry. And I know most of you are following these guys whether to their music or kind of styling they were wearing off on the certain appearances that is why I am so pleased then to blog this up where these guys are wearing their neatly styling. I simply liked their styling here because it’s looking neat and at the same time well comfortable to them, I think the type of pieces they wears here are the ones they prefers most because though we usually sees Korean celebrities wearing these high-end brands quite often but I think they were not comfortable wearing it due maybe of the high details of it which needed to be portail for the pieces to be shown as supposed to be.. I hope you can get what am trying to say here.. ehhe

As for today, I havent knowyet what are the brands of these pieces they worn here for the Kooples’ Store Opening. However, as I got to know pretty soon. I’ll be surely update you all for you to know and mimic their style here as you pleased to. Okay, that will be all for now and please keep on checking this blog, istarblog.com, for more Korean celebrity fashion updates.

Publish Brand 2014 Summer Collection

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Basics are so fine. Yes! guys loves to wear pieces which are basics like plain tees and shorts that’ll be well pair of with any sneakers. I think, mostly guys styled themselves of this kind especially now as we got the summer season. Because these are the most comfortable pieces that we could wear off as we got into hot kinda weather also basic pieces can we rock with as well in any high-end brands for sort of season like in winter and fall, all you have to learn was on how to mix and matches clothes that blended well for your styling. I hope you can get what am trying to say here.

Okay, recently, the brand called Publish Brand had released their ” Publish Brand 2014 Summer Collection” and I believed at this moment, these pieces, from their collection, are already out in the market. If you wanted to check them out on your bear eyes. Just heads up in any nearby mortar stores for the preview and you’ll probably know as well further details about each pieced they’d had cooked for us this summer season. Actually, these pieces are like my style. Because I wanted to wear something comfortable and in away give me at ease.. hehe

Alright, that will be all for now and please bear with me for not including some details of this brand’s collection. Because they haven’t sent me yet the PR of it so – am doing this post in advance..ehhe But this may surely be updated as I handed the PR, pretty soon.. Thank you!

OLX’s TV Ad Campaign – Where Buyers Meet Sellers

Online classified sites have become a sensation on the internet. No longer are they restricted to the developed nations as they are sprouting up and gaining strong footholds in emerging economies too. You can even buy second hand kids products for sale online. What makes such sites so successful is the fact that the entry barrier is low, which allows anyone to post an advertisement for free and grab whatever is on offer.

OLX is a worldwide famous company with headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina and New York City, USA. It has a strong foothold in over 40 countries and caters to most of its customers in their local languages. The online classified site ventured into India in 2006 and soon created a strong platform for itself. The company then broadcasted its first series of TV advertisements in 2011 with the tagline “Bech De” or “Sell It”. The aim of the company is to provide a simple and efficient platform to its consumers to sell their stuff and also to buy products that have been put on sale by other users.

Unlike its numerous competitors, OLX has identified television as a great medium to increase its popularity and make it famous amongst the masses. These series of TV advertisements are themed “Yahan Sub KuchBikta Hai” or “Everything Sells Here”. They focus on the normal life of an average Indian and how they use OLX to make their life so much easier. Laced with humor and without any celebrities, these series of commercials have generally received a positive response from the masses. They have also tremendously increased the number of visitors to the site. You can also watch these advertisements if you stay connected.

Watch OLX Old Promise TVC:

The main aim of the OLX TV campaign is to strengthen its “Bech De” or “Sell It” proposition. If you still haven’t watched these commercials, you will love the innovativeness shown in the company’s TV ad campaign that delivers the message and encourage people to sell and buy products via OLX.
OLX is a great and reliable way to sell and purchase products. There are loads of benefits of OLX from both a seller’s and buyer’s point of view. You don’t have to pay commission to an agent for a deal. You can also meet the individual in person who is selling or buying a product and negotiate the price on your own. You can also easily buy property, pets, second hand cars and loads more stuff at affordable prices.

Protecting Your Leather Frank Wright Shoes

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Although I am a laidback type of guy who prefers to hang out with my friends in casual clothes and comfortable shoes, I do not limit myself to buying just one type. As a matter of fact, I have a mini collection of shoes that a lot of my friends and relatives are envious of. I also have a few pairs of leather shoes that I give careful attention to because they are quite expensive and I want them to last for a long time. Leather shoes are sensitive to water and chemicals, thus it is prone to damage. There are simple ways however to ensure that your leather shoes are not just well protected but clean as well.

It is advisable to apply a water repellent on your leather shoes before you wear them because water can really do a lot of damage to your shoes. When it comes to polishing, choose a color that is the same with your shoe color or else they will get stained permanently. Also use a cream based polish instead of the liquid one. So as not to affect the quality and texture of the leather, do not go overboard with your polishing. It is a must to use a high quality leather conditioner on your shoes for them to stay shiny.

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Another way to protect your leather shoes is to choose the right protectant. Keep in mind that different weatherproofing products serve different purposes. Use a beeswax product instead of a protective spray. Probably the most important tip is to not use your leather shoes during bad weather. With these things in mind, you will definitely be able to use them in a long time.

Shopping for leather shoes is likewise easy when you know where to shop for the best. Established in 1885 in London, Frank Wright Shoes up until this day, sells trendy footwear that combines classic designs with modern styling. They have a wide variety of shoes (leather, suede, Brogues, Razor Sole, and Canvas) and Boots (leather, suede, Work Boot, Chukka/Desert Boots, Razor Sole, Canvas, Chelsea Boots). There is definitely something for everyone.

Among all the shoes available, my favorite is the Frank Wright Fry Black Leather because I can wear it with just about anything. I can pair it with pants/chino pants for that formal look or with shorts for a casual, laidback style. It has a traditional brogue design and fry multi eyelet with lace-up shoe style. This shoe sells at an affordable price and can be worn everyday.

Top 5 Tips for Refurbishing Your Home

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Whether you’ve just moved into your new house or you’ve lived there practically all your life, there comes a time when all houses need a new lick of paint, some new carpets, a new bathroom or a complete makeover. For most people, it’s a massive job and it’s difficult to know exactly where to start. Here are my top 5 tips for any homeowners who are taking the plunge and seeing how beautiful they can make their house.

 

  1. Make a list of things in the order they need to be done

It’s common sense to get the bigger jobs out of the way first and then concentrate on the smaller and more decorative things. Don’t start buying new carpets until you’ve painted the walls, and don’t paint the walls until all the plastering jobs have been done! Make a list, since this will help you along the way, especially if there are lots of different jobs and tasks which need to be done. You can sit down with other members of the household and combine your ideas and thoughts in order to make sure everything gets done as effectively as possible. Once you’ve listed all the things which need to be done, list them in the order which they need to be completed.

 

  1. Be careful who you hire

The term “cowboys” when referring to builders and other tradesmen hasn’t come out of nowhere – it’s evolved because of the poor and shabby workmanship which people have paid for on their houses. It’s incredibly important to hire somebody who you can trust to do the job properly. Never hire somebody just because you know them and you think they’re a nice person – people can have great personalities and yet they can’t do their job very effectively. The best way to decide who you’re going to hire is by going to houses where work has been done previously and having a look around. Most tradesmen will have a few references in the area which they can give you. Once you’ve got the contact details, get in touch with the homeowners, explain the situation and they’ll probably be more than happy to let you go and have a look at their home. If it’s an outside job, such as a conservatory or roofing task, you could have a drive to the house and view it from the outside without actually having to go inside.

Be careful when reading reviews from the individual’s website, since reviews on a managed website can be easily faked and might not be from real people who have used the services before. Go to websites which are not connected to the tradesman, such as directories and websites which allow people to advertise their services. These are much more likely to be true, although getting references and speaking directly to people is the best thing to do.

 

  1. Set a budget

One of the worst things you can do when refurbishing your home is to start getting into debt and having poorly managed finances. If you already have a mortgage and other bills which need to be paid on the house, getting more debt will just bring on stress and anxiety and won’t make the makeover of your home an enjoyable experience. When you’re making the list of things which need to be done, research the market rates for each job and find out an estimated amount which each job will cost. You can contact tradesmen and ask them to come to your house and give you a free quote for the work which you need doing. You can then keep track of the price each one gives you, and if you’re trying to decide between two workers, make the decision based on the price.

Another way to help with budgeting is to set a budget for each individual room of the house. For example, if you know the bathroom needs to be entirely taken out and replaced, give this a higher budget. The kitchen, on the other hand, might be in good condition and only need a new coat of paint on the walls, therefore, this room will be given a lower budget. You can always manage your finances effectively by downloading budgeting software and apps, and reading top 10 reviews on a variety of products is a brilliant way to find the perfect one.

 

  1. Do it your way

When people hear that you’re refurbishing your home, they’ll want to give you all their ideas about the house. However, remember that it’s your home and you can design and decorate it in the way that you want it to be done. You can appreciate their help and ideas, and you might be able to get some great tips from them, but don’t let them take over and make decisions for you. Remember that you’re the one who will be paying for the work to be done, so you shouldn’t feel pressured by other people into how you should be decorating the home.

Don’t rush when you decide how to decorate, especially when it comes to colour schemes and which colours are going to go in each room. Take samples of different colours of paints and different carpet patterns, and remember that there are loads of things to choose from, such as vinyl, wooden floors, thick carpets and rugs. Think about which colours which match in different rooms, and if there are other people living in the house, remember to ask their opinions too. If they sleep in one of the bedrooms, see if they have any preferences when it comes to colours, patterns and what type of furniture goes in the rooms.

 

  1. Shop around

Don’t walk into the first shop you see to buy your new fireplace, and don’t choose that patterned carpet just because you know the shop owner. Shop around – look online to see if you can get some good deals. A lot of carpet stores and DIY shops are hidden in warehouses that you never knew existed, and a quick Google search will reveal a variety of stores in your area where you’ll be able to purchase things.

The same applies to the tradesmen and workers that you hire – do your research and speak to as many different people as possible in order to get the best prices and the best value for money.

Have a look at the things that you can purchase yourself. For example, if you have a plumber coming to do some work on your bathroom, they will charge you extra for parts in order to make a profit. Taking the time to search these things yourself will enable you to find out what the current price is for the items, and if you want to purchase them yourself, you’re at liberty to do so.

Don’t miss out on vouchers and discount codes too. If you’re going to be spending quite a lot of money in one store, they may have a loyalty card or a discount voucher that they can give you for your spending. This will help your budget too, since you’ll be saving money on the budget and spending less than you anticipated!