Oceanside Residence by Heusch Inc.
1/15/2019
![]() This seventeenth-floor condominium offers spectacular views from the city to the beaches of Santa Monica Beach, the Pacific Ocean to Malibu. The client purchased two adjacent condos with the intention of combining them into one large unit. The main unit was a large 2 bedroom condo and the adjacent unit a studio. The studio apartment was converted into the guest room whereby a large sliding wall opens the sitting area of the guest room to the main living space. The two bedrooms were combined into a large master further contributing to an open, contemporary floor plan. The walk-in closet was The post Oceanside Residence by Heusch Inc. appeared first on Home Stratosphere.
0 Comments
![]() Where you invest can make a big difference in how safe and profitable your investments and personal finances are. Make sure you understand how the laws vary, and set yourself up for success by organizing in, living in, and investing in the best states. View the full article: 5 Factors That Determine a State's Investor Friendliness on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unwanted Christmas Tree Pests
1/11/2019
Christmas trees are vulnerable to thousands of spider mites, praying mantis eggs and more. Did you know that up to 20,000 bugs could be lurking in a single Christmas tree? This holiday season, we're here to help and have a checklist of things to consider before bringing your tree into the house.
It is important to note that none of the insects that emerge from a fresh-cut tree will cause any harm or damage to the tree, house, furnishing or occupants. Do not spray Christmas trees with pesticides, as they may do more harm than the insects themselves. If you'd like to learn more about what to watch out for this holiday season, see this recent news story (click here) featuring one of our Regional Trainers discussing the topic of pests and Christmas trees. The post Unwanted Christmas Tree Pests appeared first on Terminix Pest Control. Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
1/10/2019
This quick and easy Chicken Parmesan is the answer to your weeknight dreams!! And since it's made in the Instant Pot, it's ready in minutes! Don't get me wrong, my family LOVES my Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe, so I was skeptical. No breading, no frying – sign me up! And since we are cutting down on the carbs this month, this was a no-brainer! Of course, if your family wants their pasta, feel free to serve it on the side (I had mine with zucchini noodles). Tax credits and deductions are typically offered to small businesses each year. With a little planning, you can prepare to take advantage of the deductions you may be entitled to. The high-level summary of deductible business expenses from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can help you get started. Read on to learn what expenses your business may be able to claim. Equipment and Software PurchasesYour business may qualify for the Section 179 Deduction if you purchased eligible equipment throughout the tax year. This deduction typically allows businesses to claim the full purchase price of any qualifying equipment. Some eligible items might include machinery, printing presses, office furniture, computers and computer software, according to the IRS. Insurance CostsInsurance premiums related to issues like malpractice, workers' compensation and property coverage are usually deductible as business expenses, says the IRS. Life insurance and car insurance premiums may be deductible as well, though eligibility depends on circumstances surrounding the coverage - such as who is listed as the beneficiary or how you calculate car expenses. It may be best to confirm eligibility with your tax adviser. If your business meets the below qualifications, you may also be able to claim the small business health care tax credit, according to the IRS.
Keep in mind that a full-time equivalent employee is defined by the IRS as multiple employees who are not full-time employees individually, but whose hours equate to a full-time employee when combined - and a full-time employee works at least 130 hours within a calendar month. Charitable ContributionsIf your small business makes qualified donations to charitable organizations, they may be tax deductible, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Not only does this include cash donations, but businesses may also be able to deduct the fair market value of property donations or expenses incurred as the result of volunteer work (such as supplies or telephone expenses). Energy-Efficiency EquipmentIf your business invested in certain types of energy-saving equipment, you may be able to deduct the expenses on your taxes, according to Energy.gov. Examples may include heating or cooling systems, solar lighting or a solar water heater. The Energy.gov website notes specific qualifications, so be sure to check with your tax adviser to see if any of your energy-efficient upgrades qualify. Accommodations for Qualified EmployeesIf your business invested in ways to provide access to people with disabilities, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit if you meet certain qualifications, says the IRS. Credits may also be available if your business hired people with disabilities or removed barriers that previously prohibited their ease of mobility. Additionally, if your business employs veterans, you may be able to claim the Work Opportunity Credit, says the IRS. By putting in time and effort now, you can find out if your small business may be able to benefit from tax breaks. If you think your business qualifies for any tax credits, be sure to consult your tax adviser to see if you can take advantage of the deductions. The brief discussion of taxes on this page may not be complete or current. The laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. For complete details, consult your attorney or tax adviser. Originally published on February 19, 2014. The post 5 Tax-Saving Tips for Your Small Business appeared first on The Allstate Blog. QUIZ: 9 Alcohol Cheats in Animation
1/10/2019
![]() But times have been changing for a while. Nowadays, it's very rare that you'll see any alcohol references in children's animation. BUT! When they weren't allowed to show alcohol, writers and animators have cleverly tried to cheat the filters by simply replacing it with something else, so they could still show comical drunkenness, bar scenes, or savage hangovers. Let's see if you can guess which “kid-friendly” substitutes these cartoons used. Even if you completely strike out on all 9, it's pretty interesting! What Was Used Instead of Alcohol? 1) The Secret Life of Pets (2016)![]() SAUSAGES ![]() 2) Adventure Time (2014)![]() CUCUMBER WATER ![]() 3) Phineas and Ferb (2008)![]() MILKSHAKES ![]() 4) The Legend of Korra (2014)![]() NOODLES ![]() 5) All Hail King Julien (2016)![]() COCONUT MILK ![]() 6) Chip N' Dale's Rescue Rangers (1989)![]() ROTTEN FRUIT ![]() 7) SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)![]() ICE CREAM ![]() 8) Transformers (1985)![]() ENERGY ![]() 9) My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (2018)![]() CIDER ![]() QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation You didn't do so well, but the answers are interesting, right? Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation You did okay! Interesting answers, eh? Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation Super well done! Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation Wah wah! You scored a perfect zero. Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation NAILED IT! Impressive. Most Impressive. Share your Results : This honestly isn't to cast judgement on films or cartoons that show alcohol consumption. We all may have varying opinions on that, but we can probably ALL agree that cartoons aren't always the best teachers. Apparently, it's okay to animate someone comically misusing Talk to your kids early about responsible drinking, okay? Earlier than you probably think you'll need to. The world is already teaching them more than you know. – Thanks to Responsibiliy.org for sponsoring this post. Working with them has opened my eyes much wider to the importance of parents consciously working to stay engaged with their kids, and not just about school or Pokémon or the latest Pixar movie, but especially to have meaningful conversations about often overlooked topics like responsible drinking. As well as all the obvious bigger life stuff they'll need to have a good head on their shoulders about. Like wearing socks and sandals. Ugh. You might be wondering what happens to bed bugs in the winter. The answer is; nothing. Bed bugs are not pests that fall prey to cold weather and die off, nor do they hibernate. While they don't necessarily like cold temperatures, they can survive and continue to move from one location to another, causing infestations as they breed. If you discover you have a bed bug infestation, or just suspect that a bug you've seen in your house is a bed bug, there is no need to panic. Bed bug treatments are available to rid your Souderton home of bed bugs no matter the season. How a Small Kitchen Can Work Best
1/7/2019
When it comes to kitchen designs, smaller rooms are often ignored. We don't always see how a small kitchen can work best the compared to large rooms that have enough space to include many different elements such as a kitchen island, large separate seating area and many other things too. Bigger isn't always better!While many people would prefer to have a bigger kitchen because it provides more options not just from a design point of view but from a practical aspect as well, a smaller room means you can be more selective with the features you have. Just because your kitchen isn't that big doesn't mean you can't enjoy a practical, aesthetically pleasing and functional kitchen. In fact, having a small kitchen can have benefits such as ensuring that you don't have unnecessary clutter and you can be smarter with your design choices. We've looked at ways in which you can design a small kitchen in the past and for our first post in 2019 here at the Kitchen Warehouse we are going to look at how a small kitchen can work best with some space saving tips and style ideas. Space savings tips for a small kitchenIf you don't have loads of room then making the best use of space is vital. You can't afford to have too much clutter in your small kitchen because it will look even smaller. In fact, many of the space saving ideas you can implement don't even come with a big price tag either. #1 Remove upper cupboards and put in shelvingThis is a technique that is more of a mind trick than anything else but it can be used to great effect in your small kitchen. By removing your upper cupboards and instead using open shelving can give the illusion that the room is actually bigger. This kind of goes against the 'reducing clutter' advice because cupboards are a great way to get things out of sight in the kitchen. Simply put it into the cupboard and shut the door however in especially small rooms shelving can open the space up. This is a great way to make galley kitchens appear bigger than they actually are and in any room design that feels a bit claustrophobic, removing the upper cupboards can really open it up and give the illusion of more space and remove to move. #2 Add seating to spare counter spaceDo you have a bit of spare space at the end of the counter with nothing on it? Why not add a couple of seats and provide an extra seating area? Small kitchens generally suffer from a lack of places to sit. Even if you have a separate dining room or seating area, sometimes you just want somewhere to sit and have a casual coffee. A couple of kitchen stools at the end or the side of your kitchen worktop in a space that isn't really being used for anything else can add another dimension to your small kitchen. If you have a small island in your kitchen then it can be worth adding seating there as well and doubling it up as a casual dining area with a place to prepare food and clean up too. #3 Brighten it upWe'll have a quick look at some colour scheme that suit small kitchens below however to make the room seem bigger then using natural light and bright colours can have a big impact. Even when it comes to things like your kitchen blinds you should aim to lighter colours instead of dark. Replacing your existing kitchen doors with lighter or even glossy colours have also brighten the room up and make it seem larger. We have an extensive range of light cupboards doors here at the Kitchen Warehouse that you can use to great effect. The brighter your small kitchen is particular with natural light then the bigger it is going to seem. #4 Install drawers instead of cupboardsOk, so you will need a few cupboards in your kitchens but try and focus on drawers instead. Why? Well, drawers provides easier access to a range of different items that would otherwise be stuck at the back of your kitchen cupboard. We all know the task of rummage through our cupboards to get that one item we haven't used in months but with drawers you get easier access. This means you can potentially store more things in the kitchen but it will reduce a lot of the clutter you have in your cupboards as well. Drawers themselves can offer a cleaner and more organised look in the kitchen than cupboards even if the contents themselves are a bit of a mess. #5 Get smaller appliancesDo you really need a massive kettle and toaster that toasts 8 pieces of bread at once when there are only 2 of you living there? What about a large oven that is better suited to a family of 6? Investing in compact appliances can help save a lot of room and is one of the best ways as to how a small kitchen can work best. This really depends on how many people live there and are using the kitchen however if you can get away with it then small worktop appliances and white goods can go a long way to increasing the space you have available. You don't need to have smaller everything but even just a few different compact appliances will open up more room for you. Colour schemes for small kitchensIf you really want to know how small kitchens can work best then getting the colour scheme right is important. Using neutral and bright colours can work wonders for a small kitchen. In fact, there are various methods you can use with paint which will improve how big your kitchen looks and feels. Eve things such as creating an accent wall can go a long way to achieving this as well. Remember to avoid dull and darker colours in small spaces as even if you have a lot of natural light it will still feel cramped a very claustrophobic. How a small kitchen can work bestJust because your kitchen isn't blessed with a massive amount of space doesn't mean that you can't make the most of it and have a beautiful designed room. Smaller is often better particularly if there aren't that many people using the kitchen. I'm sure most of us would love a huge kitchen with endless possibilities but the reality is a bit different. If you have a small kitchen then these space saving tips and colour design schemes will really help you to not only physically open up the space you have but also give the impression that the room is larger too. A small kitchen can work best in many instances and it is often the best choice for many people because it means less mess, less clean up and there are less things to think about from a design point of view too. If you need any help in designing a small kitchen or want some advice how to make the most of the room you have available to you then don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert team. The post How a Small Kitchen Can Work Best appeared first on Kitchen Blog | Kitchen Design, Style Tips & Ideas | Kitchen Warehouse UK. Bilyana (left) accepting her award from TidyChoice co- founder Ana (right)
The Home Care Professional of the Year Award celebrates the most skilful, professional and reliable housekeepers and child carers. The 2018 winner, Bilyana, received the most votes from customers and outstanding reviews. We spoke to Bilyana to find out why her customers love her so much.
Hi Bilyana, congratulations on winning our Home Care Professional of the Year award 2018!
How did you feel when you found out you had won the competition? Absolutely thrilled and surprised! (laughs) When they called me and said I was a winner, I couldn't believe it, because I am not a lucky person. When I told my husband that somebody had called me and told me about this award, he said are you sure? (laughs) Nobody believed it because I never win anything!
You certainly deserved this award because all of your customers voted for you! What do you think makes you good at doing the job and how do you keep customers happy? I like to be a nice person with every customer. Every house is different, and each customer is different, so I try to be good and understand everyone. When I go to clean a house, I feel like it is my house that I am cleaning and so I take real pride in the work that I do. When I go into a house, sometimes it is tidy and sometimes it is a bit more messy. If it is messy, I make sure it is clean and that absolutely everything is tidied up, even if I have to stay 10 or 15 minutes more, because that is what the customer pays for. I want all of my customers to be happy. It means a lot to me, when they say thank you, because it means I did a good job for them.
What is your favourite aspect of being a home cleaner? The different people. All the customers are different, and I like that because from every person you can learn something. I like to spend all of life learning. I also like when customers choose me for new bookings over other professionals that might be available. That means a lot to me. I feel very happy at that fact.
What advice would you give to other housekeepers? All customers are different, and every house is different, so a personal approach is important. They need to feel something and to work with their hearts. This is how I like to work. Everybody has bad moments, maybe they are not feeling too well, or something is wrong at home, but always try to do your best. You need to always give something more!
About Bilyana Originally from Bulgaria, Bilyana studied technology and management of catering establishments in secondary school, before studying Chemistry at university. Bilyana worked as a manager in a restaurant in Sofia before moving to the UK in 2010. She worked in a hotel as a housekeeper for a year and then became a private home cleaner. She joined the TidyChoice platform in March 2017. Outside of work, Bilyana enjoys cooking, reading and listening to music. She would love to spend all of her time with her son, but, of course, it is tricky! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2019
Categories |