My Personal Finance Blog

Granite countertops have been the most popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms for years now, but it wasn’t always that way. Not too long ago granite was somewhat rare and expensive since it was so hard to quarry and cut. Now that effective techniques and machinery has been developed, the price of granite has come way down and the availability has skyrocketed.

Today granite is imported to the United States from quarries around the world. With over 2700 varieties of granite, there is seemingly no end to your choices for color and pattern. But not all granite is the same.

Advantages Of Granite Countertops

In general, granite is nature’s most perfect countertop. It’s been created over millions of years and as a consequence has a hard, generally impervious surface. You can drop things on it, spill stuff on it, set hot pans and cut on granite without damaging it.

Some of these activities are not recommended because in extreme circumstance you could cause damage, but the risk is low. Granite is very tough and durable.However, many stones with similar qualities are sold as granite, but are not true geological granite.

They are not “fake” granite. Scientifically speaking, they simply are not classified as granite, however in your kitchen they perform very similar to granite… some are even better than granite. So, it’s important to remember that performance can vary with different colors or species of granite.

For instance, some granite counter tops should be sealed to retard staining, but many granite varieties are naturally non-porous, nearly impossible to stain and don’t need sealing at all. Of course, these dense varieties are the best countertop for your kitchen.

Unfortunately, many designers, sales people and industry professionals fail to provide the complete information you need to make the best choice. Either they assume all granite is the same or just don’t know how to tell the difference.

You can perform simple tests to determine if the granite you like is a good choice. (Find more information on testing at the website below.)

Dis-advantages To Granite

You will get a tiny seam where the different slabs of granite have been placed together. Most likely you will also have a break in the color and pattern due to the seam. However, in most cases, the break can be minimized with good planning by the fabricator when cutting the slab and matching similar sections during installation.

Proper installation and support is paramount. Installing granite is not a do-it-yourself job. Granite is very hard, but if not handled, installed or supported properly, cracks can develop.

You must seal many types of granite as soon as it is installed in order to avoid staining. You will also have to reseal it on a regular basis every 3 to 5 years. This is not a difficult or complicated process and it only takes about an hour. So… you must maintain the surface, but that is true with any surface and no surface is perfect.

Just remember…. you can test your granite samples to avoid ones that are too porous for the kitchen (yes, there are a few) and choose a granite that doesn’t need to be sealed or one that won’t need sealing but every 3-5 years.

TIP: Go to the granite importer’s warehouse with your designer or fabricator and pick out the exact slab that you want to ensure you get the color and pattern you like and so you can test a sample of it.

Even among granites with the same color and name, from the same quarry, there are variations from slab to slab. Most people view that as a benefit since your counter top will be truly one-of-a-kind.

Price

Granite counter tops are most commonly sold by the square foot of the slab needed to cover your entire countertop including leftover scraps. Currently the price varies, depending on the quality and supply of the granite you choose, from an approximate low of about $25/sq. ft. to a high of about $125 per square foot including edge detail.

Edges come in a variety of styles to match your design theme whether ornate or sleek. Some of the fancier edges are created by gluing or laminating the edge for greater thickness and then cut to style.

All in all, you really can’t go wrong with granite. And now that you know what to look for, you’ll buy the best. There are other surfaces that are very good, but when comparing all the pros and cons, none are better than granite.

School pod?

im wanting a school bag thats black and fairly small so its more like a handbag. ive looked in riverisland and not found anything i really close to. Can anyone sugest a shop which do nice black handbags?live in england btw so please dont leave american shops =] lb22: I believe this one is real cute http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stor…lb155 kinda dear but real pretty: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stor…lb50: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stor…lb45:…

School pod?

need a stylish new handbag for college, big enough to hold a few files in – my price catalogue is up to lb20 – any idea where i can take one, bearing in mind i live contained by london? thanx =D http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs… about all those links for dorothy perkins i should hold just given you the one where you can look through themother places…

School pod?

what should i carry to school a backpack or tote i HATE backpack and would really want to carry a tote instead however i don’t know what size i need and if it will fit adjectives of my stuff i am going into freshman year. how big of a bag do i need? At my academy, almost all the girls use totes. The ones…

School purse?

what school bag r u guys carrying ..any suggestions? i similar to totes…can u find me sum?Thanks old navy other has great totes! they have different variety, sizes, and colors. that’s where i got mine!! i love totes, http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/tote-bag… Go to Areo or Holister, etc.! The hold such cute bags! I usually carry a backpack to academy! Jansport, Tug, etc. But go to…

School rucksack (NOT BACKPACK) ?

Okay, so this year i wanted to get a current school bag. not a backpack but a really cute big fund just to carry my stuff contained by. No one uses a backpack in my school solitary big bags, (not messanger bags eithier) get any ideas?Thank you, if you answer. vera bradley bag! they enjoy lots of different colors and sizes. some of the…

School rucksack ?

I really want a new school pod, and ive pretty much looked everywhere!is there anywhere i could find a nice black or grey handbag?or any kind of nice handbag but not too expensiveThanks Have you be to PacSun, they have surf type bags, from book oodles to clutches. Like Roxy, Billabong, O’neil, volcom Have you checked Roxy? http://www.roxy.com/family/index.jsp?cp=…They’ve got some really cute bags … I’ve…

School rucksack: Vera Bradley vs. Le Sport Sac?

I’m deciding on a school sack and I can’t pick which brand I want, right now i’m leaning towards Le Sport Sac because Vera Bradley is hugely popular but it sometimes looks kind of grannyish. On the other side, it’s cheaper, washable and the sell it at a store right down the road, where on earth as i might have to order the le sport…

The best part about cake decorating with kids? They will remember the experience for a lifetime. As I child, I remember cake decorating with my mother and grandmother, in fact it is probably one of my earliest childhood memories.

We used to bake chocolate cakes together and come up with all kinds of toppings from sprinkles to animal figurines. I loved eating the cake of course, and the frosting was divine.

For special days in the classroom, we would decorate cupcakes or cookies. Sugar cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles were a favorite, each kid in the classroom honored with a cookie that held his or her name scrolled on it.

However the image of us all together in the kitchen is what makes those memories most special to me as an adult. The warm feeling a person gets about childhood is often in those images: families working together, forming traditions together, and spending quality time working on projects that make moments and memories unforgettable.

Here are 6 Simple Tips for Making Great Cakes With Kids:

1.) Sprinkles, frosting, and candles. These three ingredients are great to keep around, particularly if you are planning on decorating cakes with very young children. Different colors of frosting are easy to attain at the grocery store or craft store for a very low cost. A variety of candle colors are also fun. Contrast is key, and sprinkles provide this contrast of colors because they have a confetti appearance. Different shapes are available as well, making creativity quick, easy, and fun.

2.) Sparklers. For kids that are older, sparklers are really fun to add to cakes. If the party is in the evening and outdoors, sparklers add a dynamic effect. Think sprinkles by day and sparkles by night! A dynamic visual appearance, sparklers are memorable and make summer picnics and grilling events fun for kids. Use the extra sparklers as an after dinner activity.

3.) Marzipan. Sculpting with marzipan is easier than you think. Marzipan soaks up food coloring easily, and the nutty almond flavor makes your sculpture fun to eat. Using basic shapes, even very small children can sculpt a masterpiece. They will love the attention they get with their miniature sculptures of ducks, pigs or fruit.

4.) Gum paste. The best part about gum paste is that it is extremely easy to work with and serves as a blank canvas for absorbing colors. Marzipan is great for this, too, but it does have an almond color, which can make things like eyes and snow a little more difficult to produce. Of course marzipan tastes great and gum paste does not taste very good. Using mostly marzipan and adding small accents of gum paste makes for a great effect. Or, simply create and dry a gum paste figurine to add to the top of a cake. Then, remove the gum paste figurine and use as a centerpiece for the dinner table.

5.) Sugar-based glitter. Much like sprinkles but more lightweight. Works great as an accent on a cake, cookie, or cupcake. Add glitter to the surface of a marzipan duck to make it sparkle, or under a winter figurine to give the illusion of snow on the surface of the cake.

6.) Prep your work surface. Making a mess can be fun, but cleaning one up is not. If you prep your cake decorating work surface, cleanup will be quick and easy, leaving more time for decorating, and great memories for the cleaner as well as the kids. Wrap the work surface or kids’ table with plastic garbage bags. Then tape waxed paper to the top. At the end, all you will have to do is toss the bag and sweep the floor.

Have fun using these tips in your own kitchen. Your kids will have a great time decorating, and you will all enjoy the great memories that come from the experience.

What you need to play golf? Golfkurse Platzreife, stick and ball, right? However, do not forget that you also need a good pair of golf shoes. Take a look in the golf shop, no matter in the local store or the online shop, and then choose what shoes you want.

Usually you may find the leather shoes in the golfshop. Indeed, it is not the cheapest out there but as always you pay for what you get and worth paying will give you little extra satisfaction. This shoe will be waterproof boat although there are other options that may be just as good. Most of these materials will breathe and come with waterproof to ensure you feel comfortable in both hot weather and wet weather.

So you’ve decided to breathe with water resistant shoes, although now a little hard in style. There are so many various shoes you can find. Those may come with different colors and different designs. What will you choose? Actually it really depends on your personal taste. You can go to see the classic, which looks like a coach or accent, or go for something a little different as golf sandals or boots. Golf sandals have made a visible impact as a player to find a lightweight shoe that is not too tight or hot like a traditional golf shoes. Open toe make them cool in summer. This is because it uses less material. Hence they can be cheaper. Golf boots are designed to look like hiking boots and offer the best waterproofing generally. However is usually come with higher cost.

Article by Vicki Churchill

One of the most popular accessories to use when creating cards and scrap book pages is to accessorise it using ribbon. Adding ribbon to a card can really finish it off giving it a professional finish and really make a card stand out.

Ribbons today are manufactured from many different types of fabric from satin to nylon some are patterned some have decorative items such as sequins or pearls added to them others have stunning edges.

Grosgrain ribbon is often used for card making, grosgrain ribbon is one of the more heavy ribbons and is normally made from silk, it can be purchased in a huge variety of colors. Grosgrain ribbon has a sort of ribbed look to it and is bold and usually consists of 1 solid color.

Satin ribbon is made of a smooth silky material either silk or rayon, it has a glossy look and is sometimes dull on the back. Satin ribbon is great for card making and scrap booking because of its shine, it is also commonly used for gift wrapping. This type of ribbon comes in a variety of colors and sizes to suit any project you are creating.

Velvet ribbon is probably one of the harder ribbons to work with when card making, this ribbon is luxurious and adds a touch of elegance. Velvet ribbon is soft and is a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back. Velvet ribbon is available in many different colors and sizes.

Organza ribbon is becoming more and more popular with crafters, it can be purchased in every color you can imagine and every size possible. It is a lightweight ribbon that has a sheer crisp look. Organza ribbon is especially popular for wedding cards.

Organza Ribbon can be plain or extremely fancy, it is extremely versatile and looks stunning when made into a big bow for the front of a card.

Gingham ribbon is one of my personal favourites it is a medium weight plain weave ribbon which has a check or plaid pattern. The checks in gingham ribbon are equal in width so they resemble little squares. Gingham ribbon has been around for centuries and is becoming more and more popular. Gingham ribbon comes in many different colors and sizes.

When using ribbon for card making it is important to use the correct adhesives, some ribbons are see through and there is nothing worse than seeing glue or a huge sticky dot where the ribbon has been fixed to the card. If adding a bow try and incorporate something that will set it of and also fasten it to your project, I find a brad work just fine and it will secure the ribbon at the same time.

What ever type of ribbon you use you will not be disappointed, I find when I have finished a card and I feel there is something missing a bit of ribbon sets it off a treat.