Thursday, February 25, 2016

4 Lies You've Been Telling Yourself That Keep Your Home Cluttered


"Why do we need to clean our home if it's just going to get dirty again?" Who among you here tried asking this question? Most of us are guilty of making excuses when it comes to keeping your home neat and clean. It doesn't matter if you are living in Makati condo or any other real estate property; it is a must for you to declutter your home.

Sad to say, not all people understand the importance of an orderly home. For some reasons, it is a must for you to clean your home for hygienic purposes. Of course, you also have to know that your home is a reflection of who you are. If you have a messy home, you are most likely to be a messy person. With some excuses that we tend to believe, we tend to keep our home cluttered, which definitely not a good sight to have.

Well, if you are one of those people who usually have excuses, then below are some lies that you've been telling yourself that keep your home cluttered. And if you break into this lies, then it is going to be a breakthrough of your lifestyle.

Lie # 1: If I limit my wardrobe, my clothes will be boring


One of the things that we are so concerned about is our clothes. What to wear? Which clothes would match with these particular clothes? Or you just don't have any clothes to wear. As a result, we tend to buy new clothes for a new look, which will also lead to buying more and more clothes. You are not aware that your clothes are already full of clothes. And some of your clothes are not that useful for you anymore.

To stop this, you need to be wise when it comes to buying new clothes. Ask yourself if it's is going to last or is it really useful for you. You don't have to worry if you have limited clothes in your wardrobe. This is the time for you to learn how to mix and match clothes for you to look good on it. With that, you will not be filling your closet with clothes that are not useful for you anymore.

Lie # 2: If I get rid of something, I'll regret it later


Of course, you are not going to get rid of something that holds value for you. And I'm sure you are not going to do it anyway, right? That simply means you have to get rid of the things that you think there is no use to you anymore. For instance, if you have clothes that are already not fitted to you, then you better get rid of it.

Moreover, you have to limit your attachment to the things you have at home. When the times that you need to get rid of it someday, then you will not feel wasted about it.

Lie # 3: If I throw out papers, I will toss something important


You do know that not all papers you have at home are important. Perhaps, some of them are just a scratch or a useless draft of a letter. It is definitely going to be a common sense if you are going to throw important documents at home. The more you keep papers at home, the more cluttered your home is especially if you don't have any storage for it.

Again, it's common sense. If that particular paper is an important document for you to keep, then, at least, place it in a box or storage specifically for all of your documents. With that, even if you keep papers, it is still organized.

Lie # 4: If it's going to get done right, I need to do it myself


This might be effective sometimes. But you also have to know that not all things are under your control. Perhaps, you have so many things to do that keep you from cleaning your home since you don't have enough time for it. That is why you also need someone who can help you in cleaning your home. Well, if you want to get things done right, then you have to tell that particular person on what he/she needs to do for them to be guided.

Of course, you also have to choose a person who knows about cleaning your home, and not just any other person who don't have any idea on what he/she supposed to do. With this, you don't have the need to tell them all over again.

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

The Benefits of Going Solar at Home

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Ok, let's admit! Not all of us here are using solar for their home. Agree? For some homeowners, they are not that convinced when it comes to using one.  Perhaps, we don't understand what solar panels can do to your home. Basically, when you use solar power, you are getting the energy of the sun's rays. And mind you, aside from it reduce electricity bills, there are actually a lot of advantages when you use solar for your home.

Solar panels are also used to generate renewable and clean energy for your home, whether you are living in Ayala land properties or any other real estate properties. It is a good news if you are one of those homeowners who are already using solar panels at home. However, if you still have a hard time deciding if whether or not to use solar at home, then below are some benefits you can get when you use them.

Save money

One of the dilemmas homeowners usually faced is the bills of the electricity. Of course, we can't tell our family members not to use a particular appliance since it is definitely useful for us. Well perhaps, you can only ask them if they can limit the use of that particular appliance to save electricity. However, if you use solar power at home, you don't have to worry about the payments since you can definitely save more energy and money, than not having at all.

You and your family will not be hesitant in using a particular appliance since it is not that costly to use such. Also, you can use the money that you save that was supposed to be for paying the bills to the other important things you need to buy.

A non-polluting technology

This is also one of the many ways you can save the environment – by using solar power. Of course, since it gets power from the sun, it is all natural to use. You don't have to worry about pollution and other things that can pose a risk to our health. That means, there will be emissions, no need to extract resources from the earth – all natural. That is why it is best for you to use solar power in your home to contribute something good to the betterment of our environment.

Moreover, you will also have a healthier lifestyle since you are not surrounding with things that contribute to pollution. And if you are none of those people who are a concern with their health, you better start using solar power in your home as early as now.

Low maintenance

Basically, solar panels need only little to maintenance at all. Once you install solar panels at home, there is no need for you to move the parts here and there. You can also clean if you want to. However, solar panels can last even decades in your home even without cleaning it. You also don't need to worry about hiring some electricians or other professionals since you also don't need to have some replacements or any serious maintenance. Moreover, this is also one thing you should have, especially when you are one of those people who are busy and don't have enough budget to pay bills that are expensive enough for him.

Boosting home values

If you think that it is only in home renovations you can boost the value of your home, then you better think again. Using of solar power can definitely help boosts its value. It is a good investment to begin with. And what's more, interesting is that it will keep its value well as they have a very long effective working life.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Top 6 Things You Probably Don't Know That Ruin Your Living Room

We all do know that living rooms are a place where we usually entertain our guests or even ourselves. For some homeowners, living in a home would never be complete when there is no living room at all. But one thing is for sure, it doesn't matter if you are living in a condo around BGC or Quezon City, having a good living room is within your reach.

However, there are just times that we are not aware that the thing we placed in our living room ruins the beauty of it. Yes, particular things are not applicable when it comes to decorating or beautifying your living room. Moreover, if you are not aware of such, this might be the reasons why are not satisfied with the things you have in your living room.

When you have a nice living room, you can have the relaxation that you want to have. You don't need to go that far just for you to relax. You can now do it at home without any money spent. Well, that if you have an awesome interior design for your living room. If you are one of those people who doesn't have any idea at all, then below are some things that can ruin the beauty of your living room.

1. Visible wires
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Yes, a cable may be necessary, especially when you have appliances in your living room. However, it doesn't mean that you are not going to do something about it. Of course, you have to make sure that there will be no visible wires that can be seen. Perhaps, you can do something about it. You can have some wire holders where it can help hide those visible wires that you have. Or you can even make a box where you can put all the wires inside.

2. A couple of throw pillows
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Throw pillows in your living room are a great thing to have. In fact, this is also one of thing that can add beauty to the room. However, if you add too many throw pillows, it is also not nice to look at. If you do, then where will you let your guests sit when there are so many throw pillows on your couch? Perhaps, you can include 2 to 3 throw pillows, depending on the size of your couch. Also, you have to make sure that the throw pillows that are you have are clean to avoid any allergies when one used it.


3. Clutter on the coffee table

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This definitely one of the things you should never do if you want to have a nice and organized living room. Of course, you should not make the coffee table and any corners of the living room since it can definitely ruin its style. Moreover, when you have an organized table, it would be easier for you and for you guests to use the table on the stuff they want to do.

4. Uncomfortable/poorly placed seating

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Some of you here are not aware that the placement of their seat or couch is not proper. Of course, when one sits on it, they would definitely feel uncomfortable seating on that particular chair. Perhaps, the couch is facing the window while others are on the opposite side. It is not proportioned to the things that should be done to have a good and satisfying arrangement of your living room.

5. Dead/empty/boring corners

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There are just times that we don't have enough furniture to put in our living room, especially when you first move into your new home. However, that doesn't mean that you can't do anything about it at all. Of course, you can place something that would also compliment with the things around the home. Well, you can put some flower on it or anything that is beautiful enough for as not to make the corner dull or empty.

6. Bad lighting
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This is also one of the things that contribute to the beauty of the living room – the light. Of course, you should not put lights that are dim enough that can even light up the entire room. Moreover, when you have a good lighting, you will also most likely have a better view of your living room.


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Celebrating Chinese New Year: What Not To Bring as Gift When Invited

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It's almost Chinese New Year, and many of us here were invited by a Chinese Family to join for the celebration. You can be one of them too. Since there are a lot of Chinese people who are living also in the Philippines, some of them would celebrate at their respective homes in Alveo Land Manila or any other properties in the Philippines.

Of course, just like the typical New Year celebration, there will also be parties and exchanging of gifts. However, there are Chinese cultures that we are not familiar with. And if we are unaware of it, we might offend them. And I'm sure you don't want to offend them. Right? That is why, before deciding on what thing you want to give them, think first if it fits with their culture.

Yes, there are things that Chinese people are particular with. Perhaps, they are also particular with its Feng Shui that it brings. Well, if you are one of those people who were invited by one of your Chinese friends or family, then below are some things that you should not bring as a gift.

Sharp objects
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Bringing and giving somebody sharp objects such as scissors or knife is definitely a no-no. for Chinese people, sharp objects would mean that you want to cut off your relationship or friendship with them. When you slash something with a sharp object, it would divide into two parts. That also applies to the relationships that you have. So, try not to have it as your gift to them.

The number four
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Chinese people considered number four unlucky, since, in Chinese, number four (四 sì /srr/) sounds similar to the word for death (死 sǐ). That is why there is no 4th floor in any of their buildings and hotels. Generally, this doesn't mean you're going to give the number 4 literally. Number 4 would also mean sets or multiples of four.

 Shoes
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A lot of us would be happy when someone would give us shoes. But for Chinese people, it is one of the things that are a bad luck.  Since the word shoes (鞋 xié /syeah/) sounds exact the same for bad luck or "evil" which is (邪 xié). That is why shoes are a bad idea for gifts.

Handkerchiefs
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For some of us, handkerchiefs are important that is why some of us here love to have it as a gift. But in Chinese culture, they usually give handkerchiefs at the end of the funeral. That is why handkerchief would mean death, severing all ties or saying goodbye forever. And you definitely don't want to insult them by giving them handkerchiefs, right?

Clocks
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In Chinese culture, when you say "giving a clock" (送钟 sòng zhōng /song jong/), it sounds like saying "attending a funeral ritual" (送终 sòng zhōng), and it is also a bad luck for them. Moreover, clocks or watches also symbolize that you or he/she is running out of time. That is why no to clocks as gifts.

Pears
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We all love to eat fruits. Who wouldn't? But when it comes to giving of pears to the Chinese people, it is definitely a no-no since pears (梨 lí /lee/) sounds so similar to the word "parting" (离 lí).

Cut flowers
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In Chinese, giving of cut flowers is usually done for funerals. Flowers such as yellow Chrysanthemums and any white flowers represent death. The color white is the unlucky (funeral) in Chinese culture. That is why you should not give cut flowers to them.

Mirrors
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Mirrors are believed to attract malicious ghost. Moreover, mirrors are easily broken, which can also bring bad omen to the family. Of course, mirrors are not an advisable thing to have as a gift not only to Chinese culture but throughout much of Asia.