When you start making soap and you get the bars down pat, some like to make liquid soap. Liquid soap is a nice alternative to the sometimes messy bars of soap. With liquid soap there is no soap scum build up to deal with and no hard soap to have to clean off of the counter. Finding the time to clean up after your family can be hard enough without having to clean up after soap.

To make liquid soap isn’t nearly as difficult as you would have thought. There are actually many ways that you can make liquid soap, some more difficult than others. One of the easiest ways to make liquid soap is to melt down a bar of soap. All that liquid soap is is a bar of soap that has more water added to it. When picking the bar to use to make liquid soap, it is best to use one that has little to no colors and fragrances added. I say this because those are the things that can be irritating to your skin causing it to dry and flake. A pure castile bar of soap would be best as the main ingredient in them is olive oil which is known to nourish your skin.

Basically the only things that you will need to make this simple liquid soap are a bar of soap, some water, a stove and pot and last but not least, a glass heat resistant measuring cup. Of course if you wish to add fragrances, vitamins or any other additive you will want to have them on hand too. To begin to make your liquid soap you will need to either grate or cube your bar of soap. Once this is done, add the grated or cubed soap to the glass measuring cup with an equal amount of water. Most bars of soap weigh approximately four ounces and so you would want to add in four ounces of water. If you get a bar that weighs six ounces, add six ounces of water and so on.

Now with the soap and water inside of the heat resistant glass measuring cup, place the cup inside of a pot that is about half full of water. Turn the stove top on a low heat setting so that you can start to melt the soap gently. Heat the water to where it is almost at a boil but not totally. You can remove the cup with the soap inside once the soap has become a uniform liquid, meaning that there is no separation of the soap and water. If you do not wish to add any other additives to your soap then you can remove it from the cup and place in the container of your choice.

I personally like to place additives in my soap so that it has some antibacterial action and also can soften my skin. Even the best bar soaps out there can leave your skin feeling a little dry and so I like to add some vitamins to my soap. To do this you can simply take some vitamin A and E gel caps and empty the contents into the soap. You can add about three or four of them to be just right. If you want you can add more, this is just the amount that I suggest. Also, to get some natural antibacterial soap you can simply add some eucalyptus, tea tree or even grapefruit oil to your soap. This is a natural alternative to some of the harsh chemicals that are available to do the same thing. When adding in the oils I only use ten to twelve drops of any or a mixture of the oils. Basically no more than twelve drops total.

 

This soap will be something that you can give as gifts or have just for your family to use. And what’s great when you make liquid soap is that it is just what you wanted. This soap is something that you can use knowing exactly what is in it.



By: Meryl Bliss

About the Author:

The importance of interior lighting is an undisputed fact with the table lamp making a major contribution.  

The illumination of a room, hall or living space, is only half the story, for a lamp, when viewed as more than “just lighting” can serve, along with pictures and antiques, not only as a work of art, but a functional work of art, offering visual pleasure while fulfilling a most practical role.

We have before us today, a very wide range of shapes and styles from which to choose, from the antique and traditional to space age minimalism. 

When speaking specifically of antique lamps, replacement value is an interesting point and one very often overlooked.  The following pair of lamps with their formal description is a fine example:-

 

A finely carved pair of French, 19th century,

lime washed, portrait, fruit wood busts as lamps.

The subjects are, Louis-Auguste Dauphin of France and

Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria.

Louis is shown as a handsome young man of 15.

He wears a short, side curled, powdered wig,

tied at the back of the neck with a large silk bow.

At his throat is a tied linen cravat, or, stock, a stiffened linen neck cloth.

Across his right shoulder he wears the Sash of the Order of the Holy Spirit.

The Order was worn suspended from a

sky blue, silk moiré ribbon, Le Cordon Bleu.

On his left breast he wears The Order,

a gold Maltese cross with white borders,

each of the eight points ending in a gold ball

with a gold fleur-de-lys between each of its arms.

At the centre of the cross, is set a white dove descending.

Marie Antoinette is shown as a pretty, young bride of 14,

her hair dressed with roses.

Marie Antoinette was an Austrian Hapsburg Archduchess

and roses were the symbol of her Austrian heritage.

Recall her famous 1783 portrait, Marie Antoinette with the Rose,

painted by Vigee Lebrun who painted 30 portraits of the Queen,

most including her signature flower, the rose.

These elegant busts on a short socle and

standing on custom made, faux marble, circular bases.

The busts depict the couple at the time of their marriage

on the 16th of May, 1770,

Louis aged 15 and Marie Antoinette 14.

On the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste,

Marie Antoinette became Dauphine de France.

At the death of Louis XV, in May 1774, his son, Louis-Auguste,

ascended the French throne as Louis XVI. He was 19.

Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and Navarre.

Circa 1880           Overall height (including shades) 30″ / 76cm

 



 

Some antique lamps have a story to tell and the couples portrayed here, of course, are the ill-fated Louis XVI of France and his Queen, Marie Antoinette.  

Many and varied are the “causes” of the French revolution, but one thing is no longer in dispute and that is that the monarch was seen to stand for every thing that was wrong with France toward the close of the 18th century.  At the time, the Royal Family was seen as the great symbol for the problems facing French society.

Today, modern French history has revaluated the role of the Bourbon monarchy and the attitude is one of recognizing that the monarch was the scapegoat for the pent up frustration and anger of France. 

During the Reign of Terror, at the height of the French Revolution, Louis XVI was deposed and the royal family imprisoned.  Marie Antoinette was tried, convicted of treason and executed by guillotine on the 16th October, 1793, nine months after the King.

Not only do we need to be aware of the story portrayed by these lamps, but we also need to consider the possibility of repeating this artistic achievement today.  

These busts were carved over one hundred years ago and would have cost what would now be seen as a trifling amount of money. If we were magically able to ask the artist to repeat this work, I believe we would be quite shocked at the cost!  This of course, is assuming that a woodcarver with a level of skill required could be found – another saga all of its own.  This is usually when the “how could I replace these?” penny drops!

 In summary, quality antiques such as these will never be as reasonably priced as they are today!  It has been said that when you consider purchasing a mass produced, newly made item, comparing its quality, price & likely depreciation value, “antiques are cheap”.

   

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an exclusive on-line range of over 100 unique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US, the UK and Australia.  Ask to be included on their mailing list for updates.

For further information you are invited to visit their web site at -:

http://www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2010



By: Maurice Robertson

About the Author:

All in all, apartment parking lot etiquette seems like it would be simple…right?

Wrong.

After observation over many years of my various apartment communities’ parking lots, I have come to the conclusion that not everyone may have knowledge of the rules, regulations, and general niceties that come with sharing a massive parking lot.

We’re here to help. There are some very simple ideas and tips to follow when parking at an apartment community that can make storing your vehicle easier for you and the residents around you.

Assigned Parking- One thing to always be aware of is if a community has assigned parking. Lots with awnings, usually are marked with numbers and these are assigned to particular residents of that apartment. You should avoid parking in these spaces at all costs. Even if you notice that no one ever seems to park in space “107″, you should park in your assigned spot. Parking in the wrong assigned spot can cause a domino effect of residents parking or the assigned resident might even call to have you towed. So pay attention and park in your own spot or general shared spaces…not the assigned ones.

No Double Parking- I assure you that parking your car at an angle and taking up more than one spot will do you more harm than good. This action is more likely to anger other parkers who can’t find a space, which can end in your car being towed or worse. Sure, your tricked out Honda Civic is a really great car, but keep it in one space please.

Private Property- Remember that the other residents’ vehicles are their own private property. Be respectful of this and try not to lean on, sit on, or damage someone else’s vehicle. You should also keep in mind that vandalism is unacceptable at all times for any reason. Even if you are really peeved at that double parked Civic, vandalism is NOT an option and is prosecutable by law. There are sometimes security cameras and a good number of witnesses around at a community, so be respectful of other resident’s property.

Slow it Down- The speed bumps that are found throughout the drive aren’t made to be jumps. The speed bumps are their to slow you down. Remember that there are often families with kids that live in apartments too. Kids, animals, adults, and other cars can dart out into the drive or around the corner. If you are going to fast, you might not have time to react and can cause a really bad accident or worse. So, please, slow it down.

Accidents Happen- We all know that from time to time accidents happen. Whether you bump another car while opening your car door or some other accident, be a responsible resident and leave your information on a piece of paper under their windshield wiper or if you know which apartment they live in, drop by and let them know what happened. Trust me, its better to let them know this way than to have them find out it was you from another witness or worse…the law.

If every single resident were to follow these very easy and respectful rules when parking at their communities, parking would be a simple and headache free endeavor.

(Oh and never park in a handicap space unless you have a handicap pass or sticker)



By: Apartment Dude

About the Author:

Whether you are looking to rent your property, or you are looking to rent a Bangkok property then you are few clicks away between you and the perfect choice for Bangkok houses or condos.

All the listings are updated daily. You have several search options to find the latest available homes for rent, apartments and houses in Bangkok. The vendors can help you to find Bangkok apartments for sale or rent, Bangkok real estate agents, and information about the Bangkok real estate market.

It is well known that one of the most comfortable and most solicitated means for living in a busy and fast society is apartments. Apartments provide a colorful lifestyle for those who live under their roof, as they are available in attractive, comfortable models and at reasonable prices. It is not difficult to find an affordable apartment home as there are lots of Bangkok companies and individuals engaged in posting their latest offers on Bangkok Finder.

Apartment homes are made in different models and attractive styles and they are available in different types such as one bedroom apartment, two bedroom apartment, three bedroom apartment etc. The apartments owners are connected to the agency and are interested in renting their properties, so you will get the best price. There are hundreds of available properties listed.

Whether you are looking to rent your property, or seeking a property to rent, we encourage you to list or find it here. When you search for your favorite rental place you need to follow two steps where you got to chose the exact location and dates, guests and rooms. You can search for the best price, the minimum floor area, type and many others until you find exactly what you looking for.

When you travel to Bangkok, you have three main options for lodging. The first is represented by the Bangkok apartments section, the second by Bangkok condos and third by Bangkok houses. This may mean you are renting a house, a condo or an apartment.

So, the best alternative is the apartment rental. The fact is that rentals are getting comparatively lower and lower comparing with last year rentals. Cheaper rentals was inevitable so now is the best time to consider renting an apartment. Bangkok Finder strive to select every apartment available so you can select any apartment you feel will suit to your needs and finances.



By: SuzanaZainal

About the Author:

One of the most significant characteristic of any antique item is its age. Since antiques have been passed down from one generation to the next, these items easily undergo daily wear and tear. Thus, any antique item demands considerable care to preserve and protect its timeless value.

While a professional antique restorer is recommended for more intricate and detail-oriented method of antique restoration, you can also do your part to help maintain the artistic and historical value of your collection. Read on some tips on how to clean precious antique pieces.

Direct sunlight is a no-no for antique furniture. You should never display antique furniture in direct sunlight or beside air-conditioning or heating units. The heat that comes from these sources will deteriorate the fragile state of the antique piece. Place antique furniture in cool areas or better yet ask antique experts of how to properly display your piece. Note that different types of wood require different temperature to maintain its elegance.

Use soft, lint-free cloth for polishing. Soft and lint-free cloth should be used when polishing antique pieces. You should never polish antiques the way you may polish your modern pieces. Remember that antiques are old and can easily be torn, scratched or broken if mishandled.

Move antique furniture with care. Because of the furniture’s sensitive condition, you should only move antique pieces when you really have to and only with utmost care. Otherwise, let the furniture stay in one corner of your house to lessen the probability of accidental breaking.

Use your hands when dealing with antique ceramics or glass. Cleaning antique ceramics and glass is quite simple just by using lint-free cloth for regular dusting. However, unlike antique furniture pieces, wearing protective gloves in handling antique ceramic and glass is not advisable. It is more appropriate to handle antiques of this type using your clean hands. It is good to know that sunlight and humidity would not affect the condition of some antique ceramics and glass. To determine sensitive antique items, you must seek the advice of an antique expert.

Store antique ceramics or glass in sturdy shelves. The most common problem with antique ceramic or glass is breakage. Therefore, extra care must be given in its storage. You must never place antique ceramic or glass in unstable cabinets. In case of accidental breakage, place each piece even the smallest one in acid-free tissue and bring to an experienced antique restorer. You must never repair damaged antique pieces on your own to avoid devaluation.

Regularly polish antique silver and metal pieces. Antique silver and metal items are extremely delicate. Antique items made from these materials can react to natural conditions and may result to corrosion, scratches, dents and fractures. Regular and proper cleaning through polishing with soft cloth will reduce the difficulty of maintaining the items’ patina. You should use protective gloves when handling antique silver and metal to avoid tarnishing due to body sweat.

Store antique jewellery separately. Antique jewellery is extremely delicate. A piece of jewellery is possible to be made up of several types of precious stone or metal in which one would adversely affect each other through time. This is why you should not store several pieces of antique jewellery in just one box. Make sure that you have a separate box for each piece to avoid chemical reaction.

Hire the expertise of an antique jeweller. Small jewellery pieces make it almost impossible to clean, so an experienced jeweller specializing in antiques is recommended to handle these items.



By: Benedict Smythe

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