New Uses for Old Curtains

Redecorating your home can be expensive. But you don’t always have to go out and buy the newest décor on the market. You can repurpose items you already have - like curtains! Your curtains may be old, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their use. There are many ways to recycle the fabric that once covered your windows. Here are several ideas on how you can come up with new uses for old curtains.

Table accessories: The fabric from old curtains can be repurposed into a tablecloth or runner for any table in your home. The material can also be converted into placemats or decorative napkins that will add flair to any dining room table. Think about the different types of events you’re hosting, whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner or a small cocktail party, and use old curtains that match those vibes.

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Blankets and pillows: Old curtain fabric can also be used to create throw pillow covers, blankets, or pieces to a quilt. With blankets and pillows, you do want to consider the texture of the curtain. Burlap may not be the best choice for something you want to curl up with, but silk would make for an excellent pillowcase. Make use of these old curtain fabrics to create unique pieces that add comfort to any room in your home.

Headboard: Another option for repurposing your old drapes is to convert them into a headboard. This option is less expensive than purchasing an actual headboard, and it will create a new focal point in your space. Headboards pull a room together, and it’s so simple to DIY one. You can hang one behind your bed as is or upholster a piece of wood.

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Room dividers: Use old curtains to divide a large living area into two separate spaces. For example, you can split an office space from a living space or create a secluded play area for children apart from your main living room. It’s also a good idea for children who share a bedroom and want extra privacy.

Shower curtain: Old drapes can also be converted into shower curtains. Simply add a plastic lining to protect your repurposed drapes. Shower curtains are an item in the house that can really show off your style and personality, so the more eclectic the pattern, the better. Plus, you’ll have a shower curtain that can’t be found anywhere else and at a much lower price.

Doors: This option provides your home with the privacy of a door, but with a more open and decorative feel. Utilize old curtains to cover a closet space in a hallway, bedroom, bathroom, or any area in your home that you want to be hidden from view.

It doesn’t matter whether your curtains are solid or patterned. Any type of curtain can be repurposed in several ways. When you’re recycling old curtains, think about the color scheme and style of your home so that you’re creating a cohesive vibe throughout the house. Get creative and reinvent your old curtains into new décor for your home!

Many thanks to Piper Classics for this guest post.

10 Hacks To Choose The Best Destination For Your Next Holiday

If you are a travel buff, you will probably know that exciting feeling about planning your next trip. You may have seen a lot but the bucket list keeps getting longer. It is easy to create a bucket list but hard to order it according to your priorities. Of course, there would be some places that you would want to check out sooner than later.

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So how do you decide what your next destination is going to be? What are the factors that you should consider while making up your mind about the places to visit first? Though there is no tried and tested way to have the list ordered priority-wise, you can still follow some tips to decide the destination for your next holiday. Here are some hacks that can help you with the decision.

Start by considering your budget

First things first, you should have enough money to finance your vacation. After all, you cannot imagine traveling abroad only with a limited amount in your vacation fund. Have a complete overview of your travel budget and decide whether it can take you to a distant destination or somewhere close by. You need not splurge a fortune on a holiday and end up broke. Rather, choose an economical destination that gives you good time without toppling your budget. And if you are not willing to compromise, wait and save till you have enough for your dream destination.

Be open-minded when you decide

An alternative destination is better than no holiday at all. Rather than being rigid about your choice, be open-minded and explore places that are not as popular as the ones your friends talk about. Haven’t you heard about a place? Don’t you know that it even exists? Google is the best place to explore the most amazing destinations across the globe, all within your budget. Who knows, you may have the best holiday of your life if you are willing to just try and explore. So go ahead!

Get smart with travel bookings

When you are not really sure about fitting your favorite holiday destination in the budget, you can be extra smart with your travel bookings. Choose cheaper flights that take you through a different route. Rather than taking a direct flight, you can catch a connecting flight and save your money. Or why not fly in one that drops you to a city near your destination and take a train or shuttle to reach there? Just find the alternatives, calculate and plan a holiday to your dream destination without breaking the bank.

Find more about the shortlisted destinations

When you are not sure about where you want to go, make a list of the destinations that you would want to consider. Check online to find things to do in your area when you are actually there. Google is the best place to know more about any holiday destination, from the places to visit the ones to eat and shop. Once you have things listed out for each of the chosen destinations, pick the one you like the most.

Safety first

Of course, you need to find about all that the destination has to offer. But ensure that you check the places from the safety perspective as well. Whether you are planning a solo trip or a family holiday, keep safety on the top of your checklist. Search online and you will easily find out statistics about crimes involving tourists in specific parts of the world. Choose a place that is totally safe for travelers.

Understand your objective

Another factor that influences the choice of a holiday destination is the objective of the vacation. Ask yourself why you would want to travel to a specific place, whether it is going to be a short getaway or a long break to relax and unwind. The reason will probably make a difference in the choice of your destination. Similarly, you may want to explore a place with the idea of moving there or starting a business in the future. Another consideration that you may want to bear in mind is whether you would prefer a beach holiday or one to a ski resort.

Solo or with family

Are you planning to travel solo? Do you want an extended vacation with your loved ones? Obviously, the choice of destination will depend on this factor as well. Wellness resorts and adventure trips make the ideal choices for solo trips. On the other hand, you can choose a beach or ski resort if looking for a perfect family vacation. Whatever destination you choose, make sure that it offers all that you want and is safe as well.

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Avoid stereotypes

The biggest blunder that travelers make is to stick to the stereotypes while deciding the vacation destinations. Who says that you should visit only New York or Los Angeles when you travel to the US? Why just book for Paris when in France? Every country has some hidden jewels that are less popular but offer much more. Be willing to explore places that you have not heard your friends and colleagues talking about.

Trust your instincts

If a destination seems to beckon you, just trust your instincts and go ahead. When it comes to having a dream holiday, the best advice is to be selfish and choose a destination that you want to explore. If none of your friends or family members like the idea, plan a solo trip because you would not want to miss on a dream destination just because others are not keen to be there.

Don’t be indecisive

Once you have chosen a destination, go ahead and book it right away. Be decisive because indecision will just make you more stressed out and you may miss out on the opportunity to visit a cool destination. Don’t ask for too many suggestions because you may end up being confused and even drop the idea of going for a vacation. Rather go ahead and make your bookings as soon as you lock a destination that you would want to explore for your next vacation.

When you decide the destination for your next trip, do consider these hacks. After all, choosing the right place is surely going to make all the difference!

Common Symptoms and Causes of Migraine Headache

Migraine is a common problem that is faced by many adults (sometimes even kids) in our country. Migraine is an extreme headache problem that causes nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. This headache can last from a couple of hours to 2 days and sometimes even much longer. Although the reason behind these migraine attacks is not confirmed by the doctors, they say that these headaches occur due to change in the flow of blood to your brain and the genes from your parents.

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People sometimes tend to get confused between normal headaches and migraine headaches. Not knowing the difference between headaches and migraines, one does not get proper medication from the doctor and thus, suffers a lot. While in headaches, one experiences a dull and overall pressure throughout the forehead or scalp. Whereas, while in migraine, one experiences a sharp and intense pain on one side of their head along with nausea, blind spots, and vomiting.

Here are some of the common symptoms that tell us we have a problem with migraine:

1. You may experience the symptoms a day or two before the actual migraine pain. Symptoms like irritability, stiffness in the neck, fatigue, and depression can sometimes indicate that you are going to get migraine headaches soon. You can start the medication at the earlier stage to avoid extreme conditions.
2. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to smell which causes nausea and vomiting.
3. You also start getting irritated from bright lights and your vision may also get blurred.
4. You may even feel the tingling sensation in your arms, legs or face. 
5. There might be a loss of appetite as well.
6. You may experience this headache once in a month or two but if not treated properly, the number may increase to you getting migraine headaches 3-4 times a month.

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Although it may seem like the migraine headaches are not in your hands and may occur whenever they want. But if you notice, there is a pattern and signs that lead to the headaches. You can contact your headache doctor and tell them about your symptoms so that he can start with the proper medication. Here are certain things that trigger something from within and cause migraine:

1. Sometimes a change in weather can disrupt the flow of blood and cause severe headaches. Change in temperature does not suit everyone and can cause many health problems, migraine being one of them
2. Stress is one of the major reasons that cause migraines. All of these things; stress, anxiety, and migraines are interlinked with each other. When you are stressed or too depressed, your brain releases the chemicals that lead to migraines.
3. Some food products may also be responsible for triggering a migraine. Sometimes food containing nitrates may also be responsible for your migraine. Getting too addicted or even withdrawing from caffeine may change the flow of your blood vessels and cause headaches. 
4. Certain habits like excess of smoking or drinking alcohol can cause regular migraine headaches.
5. Sudden changes in your diet or lifestyle can also be the reason for your problem.
6. Some medications can also disturb your blood vessels and cause this problem of migraine headaches.

Tips for Decorating This Christmas Season

As the year comes to a close, many people start focusing on the holidays. While it can be a beautiful season, you may also find yourself stressing to get everything done on a limited schedule. One area that tends to frustrate people is decorating. Though it can be fun to invest in decor and display it around your residence, you also need to come up with a plan so you don’t feel like you’re annoyed as you attempt to deck the halls with boughs of holly.

If you need advice on how to improve your decorating process, now is the perfect time to look for help. Explore these tips and see what you can do to get more out of your attempts at decorating.

Start Small

Decorating in some neighborhoods can become something of a healthy competition. One home will put up an elaborate display and other homeowners will try to outdo their neighbors each year. While this can be a fun way to go about creating a beautiful wonderland on your lawn, it can also be a huge point of frustration for you and your family. Instead of opting for a big, complicated display, try to scale back and see what you can accomplish on a smaller scale.

Minimalist decorations are quite popular nowadays. A few strategically placed decorations can create more of a cozy sense of winter magic than a garish display of bright lights and singing Santa Claus inflatables. Sit down before you start putting up and decorations and formulate a plan on how to go about making your home more festive for the holidays. The simpler the plan, the easier it will be for you to get through these tasks without feeling overwhelmed by how much you need to finish.

Artificial Options

Another area where it can be easy to feel stress while decorating is with your Christmas tree. Though you may feel like a natural tree is the best way to go, it can also be a lot of work. Putting up a real tree in your home means you need to go buy one, haul it to your house, put it up, decorate it, and then tend to it in the weeks before and after the holiday. If you want an easier option, then it can be helpful to consider buying an artificial tree from a seller like Balsam Hill.

Balsam Hill trees may be artificial, but they perfectly capture the real deal. Selecting an artificial tree gives you more control over the size and style of your tree, allowing you to maximize the space in your home and find an option that fits perfectly. Decorating an artificial tree is also a lot easier, as you do not need to worry about damaging the branches while hanging your ornaments. Best of all, you don’t need to worry about watering the tree or any of the mess that comes along with caring for a larger living plant.

Make Memories

You may also want to think about making your decorations at home this year. This can be especially fun if you have little ones in the house. Set a night of the week aside for your family to make some decorations together. You’ll be able to create some beautiful wreaths, garlands, and ornaments for the season and make lasting memories all the while. Your little ones will be able to look back on these years with fondness when they remember how much fun it was to make decorations with their parents.

Stressing out about the holidays is an easy way to ruin your season. Find a better way to decorate by opting for simpler solutions and see how much of a difference it can make to your experience.

Three Reasons to Invest in the Designer Bag You've Always Wanted

There is definitely something about a designer bag that makes it such a covetable item for most women who love fashion. Bags can add a touch of high fashion class to even the most everyday outfit and can easily become one of your absolute favorite possessions. Of course, they are not an insignificant purchase when it comes to the price tag. While they definitely are worth it in terms of how long they can stay in style and be a useful part of your wardrobe, it can sometimes be hard to persuade yourself to part with the money for the bag of your dreams.

If you've been putting off allowing yourself a designer bag because it seems like too luxurious a purchase, here are three reasons why you should let yourself have that special bag you've always wanted!

It Can be a Literal Investment

No, not just in terms of the joy you'll get from owning it. A high-end designer bag not only retains a lot of its value if you decide to sell it at a later date to buy a new one, but some classic bags can actually gain value as they become valuable vintage pieces and a part of fashion history or a collection.

Of course, your main priority is to get a bag that you will enjoy while you own it, but thinking about getting a bag in an iconic style that will still be worth something if you take good care of it can be a good way to justify the price. Something chic and classic like some of the latest Saint Laurent bags from SSENSE could be just the thing. Saint Laurent bags are one of the many beautiful brands you can find to buy at SSENSE, so it is well worth browsing their collection.

It Can Redefine Your Look Like No Other Item

Your bag is something you take everywhere, and so if you want to make just one single purchase that can completely upgrade how you look whatever else you are wearing, then a bag is the thing to choose. It is more eye-catching and useful than jewelry, more versatile than designer shoes, and if you pick a classic design it will look good for all seasons.

It's Useful!

While some accessories we buy just because we love how they look, most don't really serve a purpose that one couldn't do without. You don't really need a necklace or even a watch, or a scarf or belt. You do need a bag, however, and so while you may be able to get by just fine with a cheaper one from a fast fashion brand, a designer bag is still a less frivolous fashion purchase than a lot of other accessories.

As you can see, there are some great points here that can really help to justify splurging on that stunning bag you have always wished was your own!