For many people, there’s one holiday that stands apart from the rest: Christmas of course!  Christmas is a magical time of the year, made only slightly less magical by the debate that rages in families every Fall: Which is the best Christmas tree for our home?  - Do we choose a real tree or an artificial tree?  - Do we go with a classic look, something more festive, or go a little wild with a pink or black tree?  - Is pre-lit the best option or do we want a blank canvas?  - Should we use multi-color lights or white lights?  - Is a full or pencil style...

More than Just a Pet Crate It often starts as a practical choice … Your new pup soils a rug while you’re off at work. “Man’s best friend” chews through a pair of expensive shoes. Your anxious dog digs his way out of the backyard and ends up at the neighbors. Whatever the case may be, animals often end up in cages (or “crated”) in order to curb undesirable behavior and keep them calm. In short, we do it because we need to set boundaries with our pets. However, you’re also setting the kind of boundaries that they need as...

Which Machine Wins the Cardio Exercise Stamp of Approval?    “Lazy Exercise” is the best kind of exercise. This isn’t driving across town for spin class.  This is walking out to the garage, putting on your favorite album, and burning a few calories before going into the office. This is a midnight session after an aggravating day at work, or a weekend session after a too-indulgent brunch with friends. Nothing makes your house a home quite your own personal home gym. Often in the garage or a spare bedroom and often one of the only places the kids will actually leave you alone. This...

Airbrush Buyer’s Guide Mystified by the variety of airbrushes available? Don’t know a single-action from a double-action? Don’t panic -- whether you’re shopping for your very first airbrush, buying a gift, or just curious about how airbrushes work, this guide can help. Airbrush Basics Types of Airbrushes There are two main types of airbrushes: single-action and double-action. “Action” in this context refers to the finger lever used to control the flow of air and paint from the paintbrush. Single-Action Airbrushes: This is the simpler, easier-to-use type of airbrush. A single-action airbrush’s lever is limited to a single up-and-down movement of...

All it takes is a quick Google search to find people looking for pain-free tattoos. While it's hard to understand for most artists, there are people out there that don't think the discomfort of being tattooed is a good thing. It would be great if you could just buy any product, throw a sign up in the shop window that said, "Pain Free Tattoos Here!" and go, but what makes a good numbing cream and do they work at all? Why Don't Tattoo Artists Use Numbing Cream? A lot of tattoo artists refuse to use numbing creams or sprays during...

There is plenty of scientific evidence out there proving the benefits associated with whole body vibration (WBV). Whole body vibration can help alleviate back pain, speed up the recovery of muscle and joint injuries, and even enhance weight loss. But did you know that there is scientific evidence which suggests WBV could also improve your mood? There are several published studies showing that WBV training can increase the levels of feel-good neurotransmitters in your brain. At the same time, such therapies can also reduce the amount of cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone) in the blood. For these reasons, and...

Complete Bounce House Buying and Review Guide Bounce houses have become all the rage at children's parties and events, and it's not hard to see why: kids love them for the entertainment they provide. Standard bouncers are lots of fun for the kids to bounce around in for hours, but some of the more elaborate bounce houses include features like obstacle courses, slides, and basketball hoops. All that activity keeps the kids busy for hours and tires them out - which is great news for parents! But with all of these options, how do you know which bounce house to...