Tricia's Musings

Random Thoughts about life in general, living in the big city of Toronto



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Archives for December 2012

Musical interludes

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My husbands been playing his guitar a lot more often lately. He’s always played his guitar a lot, but as I said he’s playing more and more these days.

He has an obsession with Led Zeppelin recently. I don’t know why, but he’s been trying to figure out Kashmir on his acoustic guitar again. I know he figured it out several years ago but I think he forgot that he figured it out so he’s at it again.

I really don’t mind him playing guitar. I love it actually .. except, the only time he plays it is when I happen to be concentrating on something, like say when I’m studying for a big final exam for example. Sigh … He just had to look something up on Youtube last night in the middle of my studying and play along with it.

When he did stop playing guitar last night and I could resume studying he decided to restring his guitar. I noticed that he’s using a new brand of strings – good ernie ball strings. I’ve never seen him use that type before. He must be experimenting!

Hopefully he lets his guitar rest for a couple of days. I really have to have some peace and quite so I can concentrate, but after Sunday evening he can play some celebration songs because my exam will be done and the house can be full of all kinds of sound.





5 Quick Tips for Creative Photographs of Children

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As cliché as it may sound, we often hear the phrases, “they are only little once,” and “a picture is worth 1,000 words.” Since this is the case, you will want to ensure to take plenty of pictures of your baby, so you can look back and cherish the memories for the rest of your life. However, you do not want to make the mistake that most people do, which is to have a bunch of pictures that look practically identical with the exception of the child being a different age in each picture. We have done the research for you and came up with five quick tips for creative photographs of children.

Different Angles

First of all, you, nor anyone else you show the pictures to, wants to feel like they are looking at duplicate pictures with the exception of the child’s age and the clothes they are wearing. For this reason, you should try to vary the angles of your shoots. For instance, you could take some full-body portraits in some pictures, while you could have the angle looking up, down or from the side in others.

Zoom

In some pictures, you will want to capture your child with a cute background, such as in front of their playhouse or toys. However, there will be other times where you just want to focus in on your baby’s stunning eyes. You can accomplish either task by zooming in or out.

Caught Off-Guard

One thing that many parents have done in the past that they end up regretting is only having professional pictures or pictures they carefully choreographed taken. For this reason, we have found that your best bet is to catch your child off-guard when you take some of the pictures. If you see them making their infamous “pouty” face, quickly take their picture. In other words, you do not want to just have a bunch of pictures of them with a plain background and a cheesy smile on their face.

Bring it to Life

Another mistake many people have made is to take a bunch of generic-looking pictures of their kids. Instead, you should bring the photographs to life by using various special effects and angles as aforementioned. However, if you want the maximum effect, you should try to catch them when they are crawling around for the first time or playing with their favorite toys.

Lighting

Finally, you do not want every picture to have the same lighting. You can change up the lighting a bit by taking some pictures indoors and others outside. Additionally, you can create homemade backgrounds, such as using their favorite blanket, to make the photographs even more personal.

While your baby may keep you up all night and flat out wear you out, you should cherish these years because they are only young once. However, you are only capable of remembering so much about your child’s baby years, so you will really regret it if you do not have a wide variety of their baby pictures.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=children+photography&ex=1

About Author

Betty Pierce is a photography enthusiast from New York who first started using a rangefinder before switching to DSLR. She hopes to eventually work with Dr. Mark Antman; founder of the famous stock photography agency, Image Works.

One more exam and then I’m done!

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I’m so happy to say that I’m almost done my nursing courses! Yeah! One more exam to write and I’m done done done! I’ve done extremely well in my studies too. Considering it’s been some time since I’ve had to study this hard it’s nice to see I was able to get back into the groove and get the kind of marks that I was getting when I originally studied nursing.

Then … with any luck I’ll be back to work some time in the new year. I just have to have a couple more meetings with Human Resources at my workplace and ta da .. back to work for the first time in a while. That will be interesting!

It took a while to getting back into studying all the time but I think I might actually miss it in a few days when I’m done. I was actually thinking that I might take a surgical nursing course sometime in the spring. Break out the scalpel blades! LOL I certainly already have experience in that area from my work in the pain clinic and from having worked with a plastic surgeon but if I take a surgical nursing course I’ll definitely be able to work in the OR in our hospital. In the meantime I hope to get back into the ER. I loved working in the ER.

Ok .. back to studying if I’m going to ace that last exam.

How to Make a Small Bedroom Stylish

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A small bedroom doesn’t have to limit your decorating abilities. There are so many ways you can turn that small bedroom into a stylish retreat. Whether you create an accent wall or choose the right furniture, the room can be just as beautiful as a large master suite. The following are just a few tips on how to make a small bedroom stylish.

Create an Accent Wall

A great way to add interest to a small bedroom is to create an accent wall. This is easily done by placing the bed’s headboard on that wall, but to jazz up the wall, you’ll want to paint it another color or add high-quality wallpaper that makes it stand out. Because you’re decorating such a small room, you can afford to spend more money on high-quality, unique touches.

Add Trendy Colors and Finishes

Colors and finishes make the room. In a small bedroom, chances are you will only need one gallon of paint. To make the process easier, choose a paint that has the primer and paint all in one. This ensures you’ll only need one coat. Decorators recommend neutral colors in small bedrooms, but don’t be afraid of dark colors. The myth is that it makes the room appear smaller, but a color cannot change the size of a room. In fact, dark colors can be very cozy. Adding a bright white trim can also make the room more stylish. When it comes to metallic finishes brushed bronze or brushed stainless are very hot right now.

Buy Furniture That Fits the Room

If you can afford to purchase new furniture, purchase pieces that fit the room. Furniture that actually fits the size of the room will instantly make the room feel larger because you’ll have more space. While you may want a king-sized bed, a queen will probably be a better fit. Of course, you can always keep the king if you’re willing to omit extra dressers and storage pieces.

Make the Room Inviting

A small bedroom doesn’t have to be a turn off, by adding an accent wall, you’re already on the way to making the room more inviting. By adding a few of your favorite accessories, fluffy bedding, and different types of lighting, you can make the room truly inviting.

Cut the Clutter

Last, but not least, as you put the room back together, take the time to cut the clutter. Place items in three piles donate, throw away, and keep. Remember, the fewer things go back in the room, the more inviting and stylish the room will be.

Don’t overlook decorating your bedroom because it’s small. Take the time to add the perfect touches so that the room is stylish and inviting.

About the Author: Bok Dunnaway and his wife spent a great deal of time searching for the perfect Manhattan apartment, but that mean small rooms. They purchased a modern bedroom set and have worked hard to make their small space into a home.

New Bathroom Technology For The Modern Home

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Technology has infiltrated every aspect of home design. State of the art kitchen appliances, home theaters, sophisticated timing systems that turn house lights and air conditioning units on or off and elaborate home audio systems are just some examples of technology that has influenced the overall atmosphere of the home. Not to be overlooked, bathrooms are now rising to meet the standard of technology set elsewhere in today’s modern home. Listed below are 10 of the most inspiring innovations trending in contemporary bathroom design:

1. Hidden televisions:

A flat screen TV cleverly hidden behind a special mirror is a cutting-edge innovation in bathroom technology. The unseen TV is only visible when turned on. At all other times, it appears as a beautiful mirror. This is a great way for users to keep up with the news or their sports teams even while getting ready for the day.

2. Digital water temperature:

The digital thermostatic valve, or DTV, electronic control system is a high-tech way to control water temperature and settings in the bath or shower. Most DTVs allow users to set and save their personal preferences for temperature, and it procures this information when each person is showering. Some models even allow users to turn the shower on from another room via remote control.

3. Towel warmers:

The towel warmer gives users the ability to heat their towels on a warming rack while they shower. When they step out of the shower, there is a warm towel waiting to make their transition from hot shower to cold room more comfortable.

4. Mirror defoggers:

Another common annoyance people face after showering is a fogged mirror. Mirror defoggers are just the solution needed for this frequent occurrence. Special mirrors with defoggers built-in mean that they will stay fog free even in very steamy bathrooms.

5. Heated floors:

Walking across cold bathroom tiles in the morning or after a shower is unpleasant. Thankfully, electronic under floor heating is now available. It comes in a mesh style that goes directly under the bathroom tiles. Thermostatic controls give users the ability to maintain the floor temperature they prefer. In addition, they often have timers that turn the heaters off or on automatically according to programmed settings. This enables users to wake up to a warm bathroom floor each morning.

6. Luxury shower heads:

The latest advancement in shower head technology is large shower heads that produce a rain-like effect. These shower heads are installed in the center of the shower and are aimed directly down. They often have several settings that include differing types of rain-like water flow from drizzle to down pour. Some even have massage settings and colored lights that shine within the falling water to create a beautiful effect. These shower heads are sure to have users singing in the rain.

7. Toilets and toilet seats:

Innovations in toilets and toilet seats are astounding. There are now tankless toilets that rely on electricity to flush. Moreover, some companies are designing their toilets with touchless technology that means users never have to open or close the lid with their hands thanks to sensors that automatically shut the lid after use. There are even some models that incorporate all the aforementioned features and have heated toilet seats and lighting within the toilet bowl for midnight trips to the bathroom.

8. Touchless faucets:

Another great addition to the technologically advanced bathroom is touchless sink faucets. These sensors on the faucet sense a user’s hand underneath the spout and turn on. The touchless faucet is a great way to minimize the spreading of germs especially in bathrooms that are used by multiple people.

9. iPod dock toilet tissue holder:

In the high-tech bathroom everything gets revamped even the toilet tissue holder. There are now moisture resistant toilet paper holders that double as an iPod dock, charger and player. Speakers are built right into the sides of the holder to project the sound outward.

10. Bathtubs:

Last, but certainly not least is the high-tech bathtub. Now available are tubs integrated with luxurious massage jets that users can control via controls located on the side of the tub. There are also some models that come with built-in TVs, digital thermostats, iPod docks, DVD players, radios and colored lights that create a beautiful effect in the water.

In a society that demands the very best when it comes to technology and design, bathroom innovations are now increasing to meet this requirement. The 10 technological inventions listed above make bathrooms just as high-tech as any other room in the house.

Attached Images:

Eric Blair writes about interior design and spicing up any bathroom with the proper use of unique oval wall mirrors.

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