Month: February 2019

2019-02-20T00:01:00

(BPT) – Outdoor living continues to grow in 2019 as homeowners dream of adding spaces that provide tranquility, connection and touches of nature. More than just a home enhancement, these spaces are meant to inspire people to set digital devices aside and find moments of calm while making memories with friends and family.

Now is the perfect time to plan updates to outdoor living areas so as the seasons turn, you’re ready to enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest. Joe Raboine, director of residential hardscapes at Belgard, offers his expert insight into top outdoor design trends of the year that you should consider for your home.

Blurring of indoor and outdoor areas

Beyond windows and patio doors, home designs are truly blending indoor and outdoor areas thanks to features like folding walls and collapsible screens. For example, imagine a family room that opens up completely to an outdoor patio for easy entertaining, made possible by retractable walls plus smart lighting and strategic heating and cooling sources for seasonal comfort. These types of integrated spaces make the backyard a one-of-a-kind extension of the home.

Clean lines and contemporary style

Modern lines are a top interior design trend and it is expanding into outdoor living spaces, offering a seamless visual transition. Contemporary style with clean lines, textures and shapes have taken over more traditional styles, particularly among younger homeowners. Modular, large-format pavers embrace this trend and are expected to continue to increase in popularity, with smoother textures gaining traction.

Monochromatic and “greige” tones

The contemporary trend also leans toward monochromatic color schemes. Gray continues to be popular, with the growing trend of “greige” — blends of gray and beige tones — poised to take off in 2019. These muted hues blend seamlessly with the landscape, plus they allow homeowners to use strategic pops of color with furniture and flowers to create customized spaces that reflect their personalities perfectly.

Outdoor kitchens and fire features

In an effort to make outdoor spaces an authentic extension of the home, livability is a priority. That means outdoor kitchens and fire features continue to be a top trend. Kitchen additions like pizza ovens are reflective of the foodie movement, while fire features using gas fuel rather than wood are reflective of the desire for convenience, plus they are a good fit for many municipal regulations.

Sustainability is king

As more homeowners are prioritizing green living, outdoor designs that become a part of the local ecosystem are in high demand. This could include planting to support pollinators and integrating edible landscape into the design. Water features are growing in popularity, used to add a tranquil element to outdoor spaces while masking unwanted sounds, such as traffic or other noise pollution.

Visualization of designs

Partnering with the right designer is key to achieving the outdoor space of your dreams. More homeowners are asking for 3D designs in order to properly conceptualize a space before it is brought to life through construction. Belgard Design Studio can take a simple sketch with dimensions and a few photos and turn it into a 3D rendering or virtual reality experience so homeowners can see the true potential of their outdoor space.

Small footprint designs

Outdoor living isn’t just for homeowners with large properties. Houses with small footprints are adding impressive outdoor spaces in surprising places. This could be maximizing alleyway access, adding a courtyard to a small backyard, or shifting the focus by utilizing the front yard to create a patio and fireplace area. If you long for an outdoor living space, don’t let space constraints limit your dreams.

These 2019 outdoor living trends, in effect, will prove to create a year full of innovative outdoor projects that fit the needs of every homeowner.

2019-02-19T16:18:32

(BPT) – The red carpet, the gold statues and the glamour of Hollywood make awards night a beloved experience for people across the country. Sharing in the movie magic with friends and family can make the excitement that much more fun, so on Feb. 24, consider hosting a red carpet viewing party at home.

To bring out the essence of Hollywood and have a little fun in the process, consider these top tips for an awards-night party to remember:

A themed dress code: Play up the theme of the affair by setting a dress code. You could choose an upscale event and request guests wear Hollywood glam attire. Alternatively, you could request everyone dress as a character from their favorite nominated film. Finally, if comfy is more the vibe you are going for, invite everyone to come in their fanciest lounge wear, such as slippers and satin pajamas.

A red-carpet entrance: Transform your entryway into a Hollywood hot spot by renting a red carpet or buying a red plastic runner from your local party store. Add gold stars to really set the mood. Once guests enter your home, set up a fun photo booth space with props like feather boas and signs so the “paparazzi” can capture some pictures. Use your cell phone camera or consider buying an instant camera to share the photos as party favors.

Toast to friends and fun: A glass of the bubbly elevates any party, so pop open some chilled bottles of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut and your guests will feel like A-listers the moment they enter your event. This year, special edition red and gold bottles from the famed champagne maker will be poured exclusively at the ceremony and after-party, sure to be enjoyed by Hollywood’s most elite. To learn more, visit piper-heidsieck.com.

Judges’ choice games: Create ballots and hand out to guests so they can predict the winners of each category. After all winners are announced, score the cards to see who got the most categories correct. You might also surprise guests with your own awards to hand out for things like “best dressed” or “best comedy performance.” Then hand out swag bags to the winners with movie-themed goodies, such as DVDs, movie theater gift cards and gourmet popcorn.

Nosh on sophisticated bites: Serving up platters of tasty hors d’oeuvres is a simple yet classy way to feed your guests because it allows everyone to eat, mingle and watch the memorable moments of the show as they happen. This year, try this recipe from Wolfgang Puck for Deviled Eggs with Crab Salad. The crabmeat salad is hidden underneath the yolk mixture, transforming the popular hors-d-oeuvre into the perfect special-occasion treat.

DEVILED EGGS WITH CRAB SALAD

Makes 2 dozen halves, 6 to 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

Deviled Eggs:

12 large eggs, hard-boiled

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

3 dashes hot pepper sauce

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

Crab Salad:

6 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

1 teaspoon minced fresh Italian parsley

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 pinch sugar

Garnishes:

6 ounces trout roe

24 fresh chervil leaves

DIRECTIONS

For the Deviled Eggs, use a sharp knife to cut each egg lengthwise in half. Pop out the yolks into a mixing bowl, mash until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and spoon the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a decorative star tip. Set aside.

For the Crab Salad, sort through the crabmeat to remove any pieces of shell or cartilage. Add remaining ingredients and stir gently with a fork.

To assemble, use a spoon to distribute the Crab Salad evenly among the hollows of the egg white halves. Neatly pipe the yolk mixture over the Crab Salad on each egg half. Place on a platter, cover, and refrigerate until serving.

Before serving, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of trout roe on top of the piped yolk on each egg half. Top each half with a chervil leaf.

Source: Wolfgang Puck

2019-02-19T07:00:00

(BPT) – If you’re already planning your next fun vacation, congratulations! New places, people and experiences await.

Whether you’re into adventuring, sightseeing, bonding with friends and family or just relaxing, anticipating an upcoming vacation can be a great way to soldier through the colder days of the year. Being able to look forward to new destinations can make our regular, staid work routines easier to navigate.

Part of the appeal of a vacation can be the chance to gather meaningful photos that preserve treasured memories. That’s true whether your goal is fun family memories at a theme park or breathtaking shots of exotic flora and fauna. Regardless of your level of expertise and destination, you can bring home better photographs if you use the following tips on your next journey.

• Don’t rely on your smartphone. It may come in handy for occasional snapshots, but pictures meant to preserve precious memories call for an actual camera such as a DSLR or mirrorless that enables creative, high-quality images, better low-light performance and faster auto-focus.

• Invest in a capable camera lens. Regardless of the quality of your camera, the functions enabled by your lenses will dictate the scope of photos you’re able to take. Whether you’re shooting inside, outside, close up or far away, your lens will make the difference between a professional-grade photo and something best left in your camera roll. Fortunately, a range of high-quality, multi-use lenses are available from Sigma at prices that won’t ruin your vacation budget. Don’t pack your bags without including the tools that can help capture the best shots of your life.

• Choose highly photographic locations. Naturally, you’ll feel more inspired to get out your camera when vacationing in a visually compelling locale. Research places that will motivate you and challenge you to use your skills. The New York Times reports that travel companies are increasingly offering photo op excursions especially for hobbyists, thanks in part to the popularity of photo-sharing apps. “The travel industry is catering to this growing interest in a fun way,” says travel consultant Janine Yu. “After all, what more enjoyable way to learn how to improve your camera skills than by exploring a great destination at the same time?”

• Time photo sessions for optimal natural lighting. When planning your travel agenda, slot in plenty of time to take advantage of the daylight hours. The so-called “golden hours” most optimal for photographers are the two to three hours after sunrise and before sunset.

• Protect your equipment. If you’re flying, plan to carry on your camera bag. If airline restrictions require it to be checked, insure it well against loss and damage. Choose a sturdy but lightweight bag that offers padded compartments for your camera body, lenses and flash units, seeking ergonomic features that make it comfortable to carry. Disassemble and cushion all removable parts to protect them en route. Remember your charger, lens wipes and cleaning supplies, but limit your lithium batteries to two to meet TSA restrictions.

• Learn the best techniques for photographing people. You could spend years studying this topic, but basic strategies might include starting with a 50mm prime lens for its wide capabilities, and perhaps switching to an 85mm prime for more classic portraiture. Shooting at a speed of 1/125 sec or more helps you avoid blurry eye and facial movement. Note that all skin tones look best in early morning or early evening light.

Great photos are one element of your vacation you can enjoy long after you’ve returned to your normal routine. Make preparations ahead of time that allow you to capture the best possible images while you’re off on your next adventure.

2019-02-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – The latest buzz in the beauty world is all about CBD. Have you heard of it? Short for cannabidiol, CBD is grabbing headlines every day. Long known to be a beneficial ingredient for health and wellness, now it’s coming to the beauty industry.

Why is it grabbing headlines? Because of its anti-inflammatory, soothing and anti-aging properties, which make the oil an ideal solution to transform your beauty routine, from hair products to lotions to facial oils. And if you’re thinking, wait, cannabis? That’s marijuana, right? Wrong. Though CBD is found in cannabis, it is legal, it won’t get you high, and you will pass your drug test with flying colors. That’s because it does not contain THC, which is the ingredient in cannabis that produces the “high” effect.

Still confused? Don’t worry! We sat down with Kevin Wachs, the CEO and co-founder of Earthly Body, to look at some of the beauty areas where CBD is having the biggest impact.

Wachs was one of the first to identify the crop’s potential benefits and has launched several hemp-based brands over his vast career. Most recently, debuting EMERA CBD Haircare, the first line of haircare products made with 100 percent Non-GMO CBD oil. The line complements Earthly Body’s skin care brand, CBD Daily, to ensure your beauty bases are covered from head to toe.

Super skin care

We already know that inflammation can spell serious skin woes, but what you might not know is that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can do wonders to help soothe low-level irritation. The oil moisturizes and soothes skin thanks to the high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids it contains. These acids deliver important nutrients to the skin while protecting against environmental and other daily stressors.

Additionally, this primary phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis plant has been shown to be effective in providing pain relief in targeted areas when applied topically. Naturally integrating with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate homeostasis within the body, the oil works to soothe sore muscles and aches.

Happy hair

Earthly Body’s Emera CBD Haircare line is the first professional haircare line infused with CBD. This, along with other oils, is loaded with essential fatty acids so it helps to keep hair well hdyrated. By working with the body’s endocannabinoid system, it also helps to regulate hair loss and control dry hair and scalp conditions. In doing so, it encourages hair growth and promotes overall healthy hair.

“CBD promotes healthy hair growth and good scalp health and protects your hair from daily environmental stresses because it is antioxidant rich,” says Wachs. “It also strengthens your hair and reduces breakage thanks to the high levels of amino acids, and offers color protection thanks to tyrosine, too.”

In addition, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it works to calm and nourish beneath the surface by deeply penetrating and conditioning in conjunction with a blend of ingredients like lemon grass, chamomile and Japanese matcha green tea.

The new look of beauty products

The beauty industry is constantly changing, and as new products and trends enter the market, CBD-related solutions are poised to dominate. If you’re looking for a solution to dryness, soreness or nearly any beauty or wellness concern, CBD could be the answer.

To learn more, visit emerhaircare.com or cbddailyproducts.com.

2019-02-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – Discover Italy’s 20 wine regions, each with their own unique history, grape varieties, denominations, climate and beautiful landscapes.

2019-02-19T00:01:00

(BPT) – For many people, the beginning of the year is a customary time to assess their health and finances. And for most Americans, new health plan benefits have kicked in. Do you know how your health plan works? If not, now is an ideal time to learn how to make it work for you.

Rebecca Madsen, chief consumer officer of UnitedHealthcare, offers the following five tips that may lead you to better health and even help save you money.

1. Understand your plan

You may be able to save yourself a lot of time, stress and money if you take time to understand your plan before you need to use your benefits. Learn what your health plan covers — including medical, pharmacy and preventive benefits. When in doubt, call the number on your health plan ID card to get the most up-to-date information.

It’s also a good time to make sure you understand common health plan terms, such as deductible, copay and coinsurance.

2. Ask about lower-cost prescriptions

Talk to your doctor about the cost of your medication. They may be able to help find the most affordable option for you. Many doctors are now using technology like PreCheck MyScript that enables them to view precise medication costs in real time before leaving the exam room.

You may be surprised to learn that generic medications are often more affordable than their brand-name equivalents. In addition, some pharmacy benefit plans now offer discounts at the point of sale in the form of rebates, also known as a partial refund, from pharmacy manufacturers. These discounts could potentially lower your out-of-pocket costs on select medications.

3. Stay in-network

You can help keep costs down by staying in-network for your health care services. Your insurance company has contracted with certain health care providers to pay a certain amount of money for your visits, usually at a discounted rate. Because of those discounts, you pay less when you see a health care provider within the network versus one who’s outside the network.

For out-of-network providers, your insurance may cover only a fraction of the cost of care — or none at all — depending on your plan. Before you make your next appointment, check with your health plan to make sure the provider or facility is in network.

4. Know your care options before you go

If your health issue isn’t an emergency, it’s usually best to go to your primary care doctor for care. Your doctor knows you and your health history, can easily access your medical records, can take care of many health needs, provide follow-up care and refer you to specialists.

If it’s not possible to visit your regular doctor, you may be able to receive fast, professional and lower cost care at an urgent care center, a convenience care clinic or an online doctor visit. Online doctor visits are a great option for treating conditions such as colds, migraines and allergies. Online visits may cost as low as $40 or $50 per visit, much less than a trip to urgent care or an emergency room.

5. Take advantage of wellness discounts and incentives

Many health plans now offer financial incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, exercising or not using nicotine.

An increasing number of employers are offering wellness discounts and incentive-based wellness programs to help their employees improve their health. These initiatives may also lead to increased employee satisfaction, productivity and reduced costs.

For more tips and easy-to-understand information about health care, visit the UnitedHealthcare Newsroom at newsroom.uhc.com.

2019-02-19T00:01:00

(BPT) – We tend to think of the bathroom strictly as a utilitarian space, and therefore not worthy of the same energy and expense put into designing spaces like the living room or kitchen. We spend a lot of time in the bathroom, however. It’s the room where we start and set intentions for our day. In the evening, the bathroom is where we go to unwind — some people prefer soaking in a bubble bath while others take a hot shower to relax after a long day.

How a bathroom is designed can dramatically affect your experience. Consider improving your daily ritual with these three upgrading tips.

Design with ergonomics in mind

Ergonomics is the process of designing and arranging spaces so that they fit with the people who use them. When making upgrades to your bathroom, it’s important to think through how you use the space each day. What a functional design might look like to someone else could be inconvenient for you.

Bathroom storage tends to be treated as one-size-fits-all. Many bathrooms have a vanity that contains deep cabinets. People with this basic storage solution are forced to use small containers to organize their products and often have to rummage through belongings to get what they need.

An ergonomic bathroom considers what items you use most frequently, and is designed to keep those items accessible. Consider adding a medicine cabinet to your bathroom to keep smaller products that get easily misplaced on hand. A vanity that offers a top drawer allows you to store everyday items, like a hair brush or toothpaste, up higher than a storage cabinet would, meaning you wouldn’t have to bend down as often.

Find the best solutions through personalized designs

The way that your bathroom is set up and how you use your bathroom are unique. It’s often difficult to find an off-the-shelf solution that gives you exactly what you want from this space. Consider a solution instead that is customizable to your needs. Whether you’re working with a difficult bathroom layout or you feel limited by space constraints, modular designs help ensure you are able to meet your storage needs.

Bring technology into the bathroom

Technology plays a big role in most people’s lives, so it’s no surprise that it has started to pop up in bathroom designs, too. Consider how technology can simplify your daily routine. For example, defogging technology can be built into the vanity mirror to allow one person to shower while another is using the mirror. If you have products that need to be charged, like an electric toothbrush or razor, consider installing USB ports inside the medicine cabinet to ensure your go-to items are always ready to use.

Technology can bring entertainment into the bathroom as well. If you like to start off the day with some energetic music or unwind in the bath listening to your favorite podcast, Bluetooth technology can be the perfect way to add entertainment without sacrificing counter space.

The bathroom plays an important role in your day-to-day life. Use these tips to design a functional space that best fits your needs and find more ideas for bathroom upgrades at www.robern.com.

2019-02-18T14:15:00

(BPT) – Do you own an older home, and are you looking to make upgrades that matter? Strategic enhancements not only increase a property’s resale value, but also its functionality.

This is particularly important among young homebuyers. Sixty-eight percent of millennial homebuyers reported buyer’s remorse, according to a Bank of the West survey. Today’s high home prices in cities across the country mean that many millennials are buying older homes rather than newly built ones. Shortly after the purchase, these homebuyers feel disappointed with the dated features of their homes, unsure what and where to renovate.

If you feel you’ve settled for your home, or perhaps you love the older property but want to give it a face-lift, here are some leading home-improvement projects for older homes:

Technology additions: Smart-home features are frequently requested in new construction. Fortunately, your older home can become a smart home too when you implement technology, such as home automation. Thanks to WiFi, there’s no need for clumsy and costly rewiring. Smart thermostats, smart music and programmable lighting are prime examples.

Tankless water heaters: Tankless water heaters are ideal for older homes because they are easy to install, take up much less space and can reduce energy costs by as much as 60 percent. Because they heat water on demand, you never have to worry about running out of hot water. What’s more, longer warranties than what can be found with traditional storage-tank water heaters are now available. Check out the new 25-year warranty from Noritz on select tankless water heaters.

Wall removal: Removing a wall between the kitchen and living room can enhance the functionality of the area and provide a modern open concept design. Cutouts in walls are another option if the wall cannot be completely removed. Remember to ensure any wall is not load-bearing before removal, so you don’t impact the structural integrity of the home.

Popcorn ceilings: Once upon a time, popcorn ceilings were the top trend installed in every house. Today, they distract the eye and make a home look old. Consider hiring someone to redo your ceilings or research how to scrape it yourself. Leave flat or add a knock-down texture, which is a popular modern drywall finishing technique.

New paint/wallpaper: That ’70s pea-green paint in the bathroom and the ’80s floral wallpaper in the bedroom instantly date your home. By updating the walls, your house will feel more modern and you can customize to your personal tastes. Dedicate a weekend to painting the walls in your favorite spaces and you’ll be amazed at the transformation.

Painting old grout: After years and sometimes decades, grout in bathrooms and kitchen spaces really takes a beating and turns a dirty color that’s impossible to clean. It can be time-consuming and tedious to replace grout, so to get a fresh look consider painting it instead. Specialty grout paint makes the process simple with easy application features that simply roll on.

Update hardware: Hardware throughout a home gets dingy and dated. To update a space without an overhaul, simply change out the hardware. Cabinet knobs, drawer handles, towel racks and more in a modern metallic hue can make a space feel fresh again without much investment. Don’t forget about air registers, which can also impact the visual appeal of a space.

Energy-efficient insulation: There are many modern insulation options available today that weren’t around when older homes were built, and many of those homes have little to no insulation at all. In addition to insulation, remember to seal spaces for air loss, such as air ducts, doors, windows, pipe inlets and the attic.

Embrace the history: Be sure to research the history of the home and neighborhood. Would pulling out that original wood built-in be a detriment to the home’s authenticity and value? Perhaps you can hire someone to update the original wood flooring, so it has the modern stain tone you like, but the planks still maintain the home’s original luster.

Light fixtures: Light-fixture styles change through the years and can make your home appear older than necessary. Replacements can make a world of difference. For example, replace an old brass chandelier with a modern pendant design. Not only will it be a style update, but the light output can make the space more usable.