Homestyle Gossip

Tweet Tweet! Calling all iPhone addicts: Need to extend your twitter following? Sure we all follow our friends and favourite celebrities, but did you know you could learn a few things on Twitter as well?

Well we’ve got just the thing to help!

We’ve searched the Twittersphere and handpicked the top 10 iPhone Twitterers actively engaging with users online.

1. @Matt is from Edinburgh and is a freelance iPad, iPhone and MAC OS developer. He frequently talks about iPhones in his posts and has 5000+ followers but only follows 157 users. He actively engages with twitter users through regular updates.

http://twitter.com/mattgemmell

2. @MuscleNerd is an LA based self proclaimed ‘iPhone hacker’. He has his own blog at http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ and is extremely twitter active.

http://twitter.com/MuscleNerd

3. @AppBoy is apparently from ‘cyberspace’ and really engages with readers, offering a great guide for iPhone users on various apps and functions.

http://twitter.com/AppBoy

4. @Clatko is interested in all things technology, specifically when it comes to Apple and the iPhone. His website is http://www.latko.org and he has a contact page where he is more then happy to communicate with users. He is very engaging and has over 200,000 followers. Many updates on the iPhone 4.

http://twitter.com/clatko

5. @Joehewitt is a software developer based in California with 20,000 + followers.  He has already got the iPhone4 and shares his views on it with readers and offers information and advice.

http://twitter.com/joehewitt

6. @Sophiestication = Sophie, a user interface sorceress living in Germany. She creates articles and tips on the iPhone for her readers. She has 7,000 followers.

http://twitter.com/sophiestication
7. @Krapps is a slightly different take on iPhones from the norm. They aim to entertain their users by providing whacky and weird iPhone apps. Over 13,000 followers.

http://twitter.com/KRAPPS

8. @Flyosity designs and builds software and is a developer of digital post for the iPad. Offers interesting insight into the iPhone.

http://twitter.com/flyosity

9. @SebastienPage is the founder of the iPhone Download blog and admits to being a serial tweeter! What better source to get your iPhone information from. He has over  37,000 followers.

http://twitter.com/SebastienPage

10. @MacTweeter is an Irish tweeter who provides his readers with the latest Apple news from the most reliable sources. It’s no wonder he has more then 126,000 followers!

http://twitter.com/macTweeter

This article was written on behalf of Protect your Bubble. For more information please see iPhone Insurance or Mobile Phone Insurance.

Badly thought out bathroom and cloakroom lighting can often create a very clinical space. For a room where many of us want to have a soak in the bath or just unwind at the end of a busy and stressful day, however modern your bathroom or cloakroom suites, a very bright penetrating light is the last thing you want.

With the advent of Jacuzzis and all round showers, modern bathroom suites create a room more like a home spa than the sterile utilitarian space it used to be. Although up to the minute tiling and fittings provide a very sleek and modern look, sympathetic well designed lighting strategically placed sets the mood for an enjoyable experience.

A modern bathroom these days is a multi-faceted space. Functional lighting is required particularly over or around mirrors to provide a shadow free reflected image for shaving, brushing teeth, applying makeup and hair styling. Controlled lighting whether over a bath or within a self contained cubicle or walk in wet room provides bright light for a quick shower or bath or subdued lighting for something more intimate. Wall sconces also bring a feeling of luxury into a bathroom or cloakroom that traditionally has been reserved for living areas and a central chandelier in a bathroom adds that real feeling of glamour into a traditionally sterile space.

From an ecological perspective, halogen and energy efficient lighting should be used but again this need not restrict lighting effects where many different models and styles provide the variety of lighting you want plus varying shades of bulb are available from subdued gold to piercing white.

Natural lighting also must not be ignored. A well placed window, sunlight tube or skylight for when those wonderful warm sunny days send shafts of light streaming into your bathroom and large mirrors cascade natural and artificial lighting around your bathroom to wake you out of your slumbers and get you ready for your day.

-       “Make Time for Safety”

21^st to 27^th June 2010 is Child Safety Week. This week is dedicated to making both children and parents aware of ways to stay safe. Every year, child safety week focuses on a different aspect of the safety of young people to help raise awareness. This year, the focus is to make time for safety. So simple, yet so many of us are not taking part in this. Accidents are one of the biggest factors contributing to child deaths, with numbers rising up to 5 young people a week. Many of these accidents can be avoided by making a change.

This does not only apply to people who have children, but any environment where a child may end up. The idea behind Child Safety Week is that we can make great changes to children’s lives if by making a few small changes so that we are better prepared for these situations. Child safety week can pretty much apply to anyone, in any industry as long as your willing to spread the message!

Here are a few very basic things you can do that will contribute to bringing down the number of accidents that occur every year that can be avoided:

1)     Safety in the sun – Children have ultra sensitive skin and should not be exposed to high sunrays without having the appropriate sunscreen on. Remember to reapply every few hours.

2)      Keep sharp objects out of reach – it sounds simple but so many children are injured by picking up something that was easily accessible to them that shouldn’t have been.

3)     If your kids are surfing the internet, make sure the appropriate privacy settings have been applied and make sure you are internet savvy enough to pick up on something if it doesn’t feel right.

Show your support for child safety week, and show that you care! Remember, a few small changes is all that it takes!

As society changes, tastes change, and something which is particularly popular amongst young first time home buyers today is the open plan kitchen.

Although combining your kitchen with your living room is not to everyone’s taste, there are a lot of advantages. Not only does an open plan kitchen allow you to cook spaciously without the common problems of narrow fitted kitchens with not enough space to manoeuvre, but also to chat and socialize with your guests or family whilst doing so.

One thing to bear in mind when deciding on this type of kitchen is the appliances you choose to decorate it with. Obviously they have to be practical, but also attractive to a certain extent as they are more on show than in a normal kitchen.

During a dinner party you may want your guests to notice your colour coordinated appliances or stylish pots and pans. Remember this doesn’t always mean extra expense, just a good sense of style.

If you boast a particularly large open plan kitchen, you might want to consider breaking up the space a little with such things as a breakfast bar or a small dining table. These things make your kitchen practical as well as stylish and become a popular way to bring the family together in an informal way.

A separate oven or stove top is a very attractive way to decorate your open plan kitchen and is not as pricey as it may seem. It all depends upon your individual needs of course, perhaps you prefer extra worktop space for the chef in you, or would rather have a larger oven for those numerous family members. However you choose to decorate, open plan fitted kitchens bring that modern and sociable touch to your kitchen that every household needs.

Although you might not realise it, your bathroom can be a highly dangerous place. Bathroom suites and shower bath suites require certain safety issues to be taken care of in order for you to reduce the risks to yourself and your family.

The following five points include some important steps you can take to keep your bathroom safe:

1. Keep electrical appliances away from bathroom suites. For most this goes without saying. But for others, it is just all too tempting to have an electric heater in the bathroom or to have a television set to watch while relaxing in the bath.

The fact is however that electrical items pose a huge health risk. Your bathroom has many sources of water and although you will try to prevent water from going too near the devices, you can’t always control it. The only electrical appliances you should have in your bathroom are ones designed for bathroom use such as razors or toothbrushes.

2. Ensure the floors are kept dry. One of the most common household accidents is slipping on a wet floor. Bathroom floors can get very slippery, so you should make sure to dry them any time you splash water on them.

3. Place handle-bars near the most dangerous areas. Putting a metal hand rail near the sink, toilet and bath would be beneficial in case the floor ends up being slippery and causes a slip or trip onto a hard floor.

4. Be careful about hot water. Make sure your water heating system doesn’t make the temperature of your water too hot. Many people scald themselves on overly-hot tap water.

5. Store all bathroom cleaning products safely. This is especially important if you have young children, since some of these products can be highly dangerous.

Bathroom suites, like any part of your house, need loving care and attention in order to keep them looking pristine.

By keeping your new bathroom clean, you will help to maximise their potential and prevent its lifetime being cut much shorter than what it should be.

Many of the things you need to do to care for bathroom suites will depend on what type of suite you have (wood, china, stainless steel, etc). Nevertheless, there are things you should know regardless of what type of bathroom suite you have.

First of all, when cleaning your bathroom surfaces, you should be careful about how long you leave general household cleaners on them before rinsing it off. Make sure this is never longer than for a few minutes at a time.

Bathroom cleaners are strong substances that can damage your surfaces if you leave them soaking for an excessive amount of time. This is especially important for any wood surfaces you may have, which are at particular risk of being damaged by cleaning agents.

After you have washed your bathroom taps, you are best wiping them over with a cloth. This helps bring out the finish and makes them look as shiny as possible – especially good when you have guest round.

Many types of counters available for bathroom suites and en suite bathrooms are made of materials such as glass which can shatter easily. Avoid putting glasses on top of bathroom counters, and if you feel the need to drink here, opt to use a plastic cup instead.

With regards to the toilet, it is best to stay away from cleaners that you put inside the tank. These can eventually result in the flushing mechanism being disrupted due to damage to the flush valve.

One of the main concerns for anyone who is getting older, or those who have elderly relatives, is the cost of care in old age. It can be a worrying factor for many people, especially if you don’t have any capital or savings and are living on benefits. It is possible to plan for the cost of care homes in advance by purchasing an annuity, which is the payment of a lump sum to an insurance company who will then agree to pay set fees for the remainder of your life. This can provide security for your old age and ensure you receive the care that you need.

Many care homes provide independent living care which allows you to retain a sense of independence whilst living in an environment where you will receive care if you require it. Sometimes as you get older you may become forgetful which can be dangerous, or not be quite as steady on your feet which can be a danger. Care homes can be the answer to a safe life whilst being able to take care of yourself. Care homes will usually provide nursing care, although if you require full time and permanent nursing care you will usually have to stay in a nursing home.

Financing for elderly care is a complicated business and many people are not sure who pays fees and whether any help from the government is available. If you have assets and income, including your home and any savings you have which are below a set level, then the local authority will fund the cost of your care home. If you have income and assets above this limit you will be expected to pay towards the cost. If you are living in a care home you will receive some sort of benefit such as Attendance Allowance, which will also be used to fund care homes, but you will be allowed to retain a set amount for yourself.

When deciding what gift to send someone it can often be a challenge, knowing exactly what they like could be difficult. Sending Flowers by post is an ideal way to show someone that you care and is very easy to do. Receiving flowers this way used to be seen as a cheaper alternative to a gift, but these florists have improved so much and the quality of the flowers is now amazing.

In the UK there are several flowers which are preferred for bouquets of flowers; these are carnations, roses, lilies, daffodils and chrysanthemum’s. All of these look and smell amazing when placed in a bouquet and are all traditional English flowers which are used often. The flower companies that are now professionals in this field ensure that your flower delivery is perfect every time it is sent.

Every flower which is used in the flowers by post are selected and handpicked to ensure that they are the freshest and best flowers that could possibly be used. You can choose between the standard flowers or the more expensive luxury flowers to go into your selected bouquets. You are guaranteed though which ever flowers you choose, these will be only the best and will arrive at their destination looking and smelling amazing every time.

Flowers by post are an ideal way to show someone how much you are thinking of them even though you may not be able to be with them. They are an ideal gift for every occasion and everyone loves to receive flowers as they brighten up a room within minutes. Flowers are a timeless gift which people love receiving and can ensure that they know that you are thinking of them. Flowers can be sent for so many different reasons; they can express love, joy, sorrow and friendship,

You can also add other items to your flower delivery and you will always have the opportunity to write a personal message for the recipient. These added touches are fantastic and you can be as subtle or as elaborate as you want, there are no limits only your imagination.

You are guaranteed to bring a smile to the special person’s face as they un-wrap their gifts and flowers, and they will cherish them as they will mean so much to them. Ordering these flowers is so easy and the websites are guaranteed to guide you through every single step, you really can’t go wrong.

Each website is designed to help you select your flowers, so if you are unsure then they will advise you on certain flowers for different occasions. You can look at the wide selection of fantastic bouquets that they have and either select one of those or adapt it to suit your taste and budget. They can also advise on messages to write if you are unsure and what gifts would be suited to each occasion, they are there to advise and help you to guarantee that you choose the perfect bouquet every time.

Apart from coffee for hot drinks, when we think of coffee recipes, for many,
tiramisu or a really sumptuous coffee and walnut cake comes to mind.

To call tiramisu an Italian trifle belittles it rather. It is an exquisite Italian sweet made with everything that is good about Italy; namely mascarpone cheese, savoiardi biscuits and good Italian coffee, and nothing less will do.

Coffee brands such as Cello, Lavazza, Kimbo, Mauro and Illy, the very best Italian mascarpone cheese, savoiardi lady fingers, sugar, eggs, Cognac and cocoa power all combine to make this luscious dessert. Everything works rather like an English trifle where the espresso is put into a shallow bowl, cognac and cocoa rather than sherry and jam added and the biscuits then soak it all up. The eggs yolks, sugar and mascarpone are then beaten together like custard, and the whole assembled together with sprinklings of cocoa power on the top.

Another top recipe using coffee would be something Austrian, like a rich coffee and walnut cake. Again ingredients are everything in this cake. Toasted walnuts are used, again the very best espresso coffee and lots of softened butter. All the ingredients including the eggs, butter, caster sugar, and flour are whisked together, then freshly made espresso coffee and the toasted chopped walnuts are added. The mixture is then divided into two sandwich tins and cooked for 30 minutes.

When cooked, the cake is left until cold, and then coffee syrup made of freshly brewed espresso mixed with demerara sugar is drizzled over both halves of the cake. Finally the frosting and filling made with caster sugar, mascarpone, full fat fromage frais and some more espresso is spread over the top and through the middle of the cakes and whole toasted walnuts placed on top for decoration.

Both tiramisu and coffee walnut cake would make sublime desserts to end those special dinner parties with friends.

In every self respecting fashionista’s retro accessories collection there should be a retro tote bag. However with so many gorgeous pieces to choose from it can be difficult to decide on just one! Learning about the two of top retro handbags of 2010 selected by other fellow retro purse worshippers can be a valuable guide and the following suggestions are here to put you on the right track:

The modern mix dome Tignanello tote bag

This gem of a retro handbag is available in a variety of colours. The beautiful colour variations will have you itching to buy more than one as retro gifts for your friends, and it is designed in perfect dimensions. It is a handy size to tote around all those other retro accessories that are essential for a fashion diva but this divine bag will never weigh you down. There are several handy compartments built in so you can organise all your essentials from your purse, a small makeup case, your mobile phone, sunglasses and any other mix of girly trinkets. This retro bag is made out of real leather and has a stylish interior lining with dual shoulder straps. There is a zipped pocket at the back, a centre zip divider and other multi-functional slip pockets. It is the perfect complement to any outfit and can accentuate retro jewellery.

Fossil Bailey multi tote bag

This eye catching retro treat is made of real patchwork leather. It is a wonderful size made to hold your iPhone, sunglasses, purse, your designer mineral water and maybe the odd light fiction copy or two. There are sweet dangle and tassel embellishments that add extra glamour to this already breathtaking piece of fashion art. It comes with dual shoulder straps and closes with hidden magnetic clasp. There are some great slip pockets at the front and a back wall zipped pocket.