Tricia's Musings

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



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Give the gift of great sound – BassBuds in-ear Headphones (discount code)

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I was recently offered the opportunity to try out a pair of In-Ear Headphones. I’m an avid music lover so I thought, why not give them try? I love receiving packages so I was quite pleased the day my new BassBuds arrived.

Now I know you’re probably thinking why would she be getting exited about simple earbuds? Well, it’s because they aren’t just simple earbuds. For one thing – They’re absolutely gorgeous. They come in 20 stunning colors across two collections so there are plenty of choices for the most choosy of person.

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but I can tell you I wasn’t expecting the lovely box that they arrived it. It was like a lovely jewelry or gift box. Very classy packaging for in-ear headphones. Once I opened the lovely white box I discovered that it included not only the Dark Blue BassBud Earbuds but also a white soft storage and travel bag, plus 6 pairs of silicone tips (3 white and 3 black) and 3 pairs of memory foam tips.

I happen to have small ears and I’ve always found most earbuds uncomfortable. Most end up falling out on me when I move so it’s nice to see that the BassBuds came with so many tips, and in different sizes. I think I’ve found the one that I prefer – the memory foam tips.

As you can see from the photo above there’s a bit of a bling quality to these earbuds. They are embedded with Swarovski ® Elements. I love it. Don’t think that because of the crystals that these are just for women. While I was waiting for mine to arrive I happened to noticed a guy on the subway using earbuds that looked suspiciously like BassBuds. People are using them here in Toronto!

Now that I’ve covered how the BassBuds look – as important as that is … I know that you really want to know what I think of the sound quality. Well let me tell you I gave these earbuds quite a test. I pulled out all of my headphones (2) and my other sets of earbuds (4) and compared the sound quality. None of the headphones or earbuds that I own are top of the line. I was comparing the earbuds that came with my ipod, my Kindle earbuds, a pair of Philips earbuds, and a Nokia headset earbud, Abelplanet headphones, and a noname headphone brand with the BassBuds.

I found the sound quality to be quite clear and I enjoyed the sound from these earbuds more than any of the other earbuds or headphones that I tested them against. The quality of the sound was so much richer. This might be because BassBuds use advanced Crystaltronics sound technology.

Now if the looks and sound weren’t great enough the BassBuds have one more fantastic feature! They are Hands Free Mic compatible with most smartphones. If you are using your BassBuds, listening to your favorite tunes and a call comes in on your phone you don’t have to fiddle and disconnect your earbuds to answer your phone. No, just activated your voice control using the hands free mic.

I’ve certainly been listening to a lot more music since my BassBuds have arrived. I’m very happy with them. Not only with the sound quality and how beautiful they are but that they fit my ears so nicely.

If you’re interested in purchasing BassBuds you can use this discount coupon BB75263 until the end of the month to get $30.00 off the price.

The company is located in the UK but don’t let that scare you off, they will ship to all major Countries worldwide. Remember I’m in Canada and I got my BassBuds fairly quickly and successfully!





What’s Up Doc?- How to Care for Your Pet Rabbit

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The number of people who want to make rabbits as their household pet is on the rise. In fact, based on the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, which was published by the AVMA or American Veterinarian Medical Association last 2007, there are around 6 million rabbits that are kept as pets.

Despite being labeled as the most damaging pets to furniture and fixture as well as house structures, rabbit owners have stated that there were fewer disadvantages to owning these animals as compared to other smaller species. The pet owners have testified that these pets are the least noisy of the caged pets, and they were also ranked as one of the best stress relievers.

A Rabbit’s Diet: Understanding The Needs Of Your Pet Rabbit

There are different species of rabbit, and they may vary in size, body shape, and personality. Generally, the biology and behavior or these animals are very similar to that of wild rabbits. This means that their needs are very complex and they are not very easy to care for. If you want to own a rabbit and keep it as a pet, you must be aware of how they live, eat, and behave. Additionally, you must also be aware that these animals, if cared for properly, can leave up to 8 to 12 years.

Among the things you need to know is the eating habits and diet of these animals. Here are some of the essential diet facts you need to be aware of:

  • Rabbits need water for without any water to drink, they can become seriously ill
  • They love to graze on and eat grass and other plants. Additionally, their digestive system needs to have grass or hay so that it can function properly. Rabbits also eat mainly at dawn and dusk.
  • Eating grass can also help keep their teeth in good condition. Grass can ensure that their teeth are kept at the right length and shape. Failure to follow the proper diet will result in serious dental disease and health issues.
  • The amount of food they ingest will depend on the rabbit’s age, state of health, and lifestyle
  • You must also know that rabbits do not eat cereals, root vegetables and fruit.

Important Diet Tips

Now that you know the key aspects of a rabbit’s diet, you must also learn how you can provide proper diet and nutrition. If you fail to provide your pet with the proper diet and nutrition, your rabbit will suffer from either malnutrition or obesity. Malnutrition will result from the lack of food and nutrient intake. Obesity, on the other hand, will result from overeating. Here are some of the things you need to do to properly care for your beloved pet.

Clean Drinking Water: You must provide your rabbit with fresh clean drinking water all the time. You must remember to check their water supply at least twice a day. If you place your rabbit outside during the winter, make sure that the water does not freeze.

High Quality Hay or Grass: Provide your pet with high quality hay or grass since this makes up most of his/her diet. Aside from grass, you can also add a small amount of rabbit pellets or cereal mix; however, grass is much more important for their diet. If you choose to add rabbit pellets, you must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, you can also consult your veterinarian since he/she can advise you on how to provide the best diet for your pet.

Food That Must Be Avoided: Never feed lawnmower clippings to your pet since this might upset your rabbit’s digestive system and make them seriously sick. In addition, you must also remember to give only small amounts of root vegetables, such as carrots or fruits.

To ensure that your pet is eating properly, you must observe the amount of food they eat as well as the amount of water they drink. If you notice any changes in your pet’s eating behavior, or the number of droppings is significantly reduced, or there are soft excretions sticking to the rabbit’s end, immediately consult your veterinarian. These might be symptoms that your pet is seriously ill.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Creative Commons – Svadilfari.”Rabbit”. August 23, 2008. Online Image. Flickr. Dec 8, 2012 image source

Kris Lim is an animal lover who is also interested in caring for exotic pets. She also writes about rabbits which are quickly becoming popular among animal lovers. If you want to care for a rabbit, the author offers simple tips, and she advises owners to bring their pets to a Miami Animal Clinic where a veterinarian can be found.

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.

What Not To Eat During The Holidays

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The holidays are all about family, friends and food. Whether you prefer the appetizers, main course or desserts, there are plenty of temptations to go around during holiday parties. Rather than avoiding certain dishes that you think are bad, here are some of the worst holiday food offenders and why you should stay away from them.

Eggnog

Before you add any liquor, eggnog is still one of the worst holiday drinks you can consume. With the primary ingredients consisting of milk, cream and eggs, it’s no wonder this holiday drink can help add on some serious pounds. Instead of drinking eggnog, look for the traditional hot chocolate. With about one third of the calories, hot chocolate is definitely the better option if you’re looking for a hot winter drink.

Crab cakes

Appetizers can be found all months of the year, but you’re the most vulnerable to consuming more than you should during the winter months. Crab cakes are one of those appetizers that are difficult to resist, regardless of the season. In the case of the crab cake, you’ll find imitation crab meat bound in mayo, rolled in breadcrumbs and dropped into a pot of boiling fat. This results in a fatty ball of calories that equals more than three dozen shrimp. That’s right, more than 36 shrimp. With that said, you might want to swap out those crab cakes for some shrimp cocktail. With fewer calories, you can eat more of them and be more satisfied.

Cocktails

You can’t get through the holidays without having a few nights where you overdo it with the holiday cocktails. Truth be told, some cocktails you can get away with drinking if they’re diet or low in sugar. The classic gin and tonic, however, is not an exception. Tonic water actually contains more than 20 grams of sugar per eight ounce serving, which puts it on the same level as any other lemon-lime soda. If you’re still looking for the bubbles and alcohol content, drink some champagne. It contains one fourth of the sugar and it makes you look way classier.

Beers

Not into liquor? That’s fine, because holiday parties are stocked with beer as well. The problem with beers in the winter is that they’re generally darker brews and heavier, such as porters. While these beers might warm you up, they’ll also make you heavier. When you can, opt for the lighter beer. It generally has fewer calories and still tastes great.

Meat

It’s finally time for the entree and you have your choice of chicken, turkey, or beef. Which one are you going to choose? Maybe if you knew that prime rib packed up to 750 calories, your decision would be a little bit easier. That’s right, the prime rib that you’ve loved for years comes from one of the fattiest parts of the cow. If beef is what you want, opt for the beef tenderloin. It will save you at least 50 to 100 calories and is just as tasty as the prime rib.

Dessert

Ahh, the desserts of the holidays. Impossible to avoid and too good to resist. Holiday pies dominate most dessert tables, and it’s for good reason. They’re full of sugar and fat with just a touch of butter and fruit. While there are a lot of bad pies, the worst one you can consume would have to be the pecan pie. Sticky with corn syrup and sugar, the pecan pie is the worst offender on the dessert table for sure. If you still want dessert but would prefer to avoid the pecan pie, look for the chocolate fondue or angel food cake. Either of these options are much better for you and you’ll save tons of calories swapping out for them.

The holidays are among the worst times of the year to be dieting, especially because there’s always the temptation of amazing food that you really don’t have the opportunity to eat at any other time throughout the year. Instead of giving up everything you love, if you just make some very basic changes to your diet and swap one thing out for another, you’ll be able to focus less on what you’re eating and more on the people you’re spending your holidays with.

Attached Images:

Ann Michaels is a freelance writer who loves the holidays. When she’s not busy putting up her outdoor nativity scenes with her children, she enjoys cooking and baking for family and friends who come up every winter to spend the holidays with her family.

How to Choose a Fantastic Christmas Gift for Your Sister

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There are few people in the world who will ever know you as well as your sister. You and she share common family lines, personality traits, and memories of growing up. If you want to give your sister a gift she’ll cherish this coming holiday season, then the time to start planning is now. Need some inspiration? Here are some tips for how to choose a fantastic Christmas gift for your sister:

Give her something she needs. Does your sister make regular sacrifices for others? If so, she most likely has a secret wish list of items that would make her life a lot easier (or otherwise pleasant) – items that she would never buy for herself. For example, if your sister’s son has the latest iPhone and she is still navigating the roadways with a compass (we all know a woman like this, no?), you can do her a big favor by gifting her with any of a number of great gadgets, from mp3 players to GPS units.

Give her a fantasy gift. Everyone has a fantasy land in their minds that they like to visit when real life is stuck in the doldrums, and chances are your sister has allowed you access to her daydreams on more than one occasion. Tickle her fancy this Christmas by giving her a unique and unexpected gift that springs from her secret wishes. For example, a hot air balloon ride might be perfect for a woman who secretly wishes she could fly (even adults have childish fantasies), while a guided excursion on horseback might be ideal for an adventurer who spends all of her time tied to the home front.

Something sentimental. The most meaningful gifts don’t have to cost anything but your time and thought. Rummage through the family chest to put together a sentimental gift that will tug at your sister’s heartstrings. For example, you can create a scrapbook with old photos, or create a video dedication to your sister using clips from old home videos.

Get the entire family involved. If your ideal gift for your sister is going to require a considerable expenditure that you’re simply not capable of meeting on your own, then you can ask your family members to contribute in order to make it possible. The great thing about a family gift (in addition to the sheer magnitude of what you can afford) is that it is a wonderful reminder for your sister of how many people she has in her corner . . .and there is perhaps no greater gift than that.

When it comes to choosing the perfect sister gifts this Christmas, you are really only limited by your imagination. Think of all the qualities that make your sister special, and then draw from this list for inspiration to create a gift that she’ll never forget.

About the Author: Kendrick Henandez loves his twin sister with all his heart and hopes to make her smile with an extra special surprise this holiday season.

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