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Photo: stephalicious / Flickr

Heaters and hot water bottles can warm you up a cold winter’s night but what are they really doing to your skin? While ceramic heaters can seriously dry out your skin, a too hot water bottle can leave your skin looking mottled or you may even end up burning yourself with an electric blanket. So what is the safest way to use these products while still keeping warm on the last cold days of the year? (more…)

Photo: MetaGrrrl / Flickr

An ice cold mojito or pina colada can put the cherry on top of a great summer’s evening but you may be having trouble finding a nice after-dinner drink for these cold winter days. This winter add a dash of brandy, rum or whisky into your cocktail concoction and warm yourself up from the inside. Serve your cocktails hot in a latte glass, light the fire, sit back and enjoy! (more…)

Photo: the Italian voice / Flickr

Winter. Sigh. Snow is fun, but I can certainly do without the rain and wind messing up my ’do. I am not a hat kind of person, either. And there is nothing cool about parkas – the fur-lined, hooded kind, not the band. Besides, who could possibly enjoy being cold? You’re constanly shivering. You can’t feel any of your extremities. Your eyes water. Your skin is dry. But in this day of environmental awareness, switching a heater on is irresponsible, and expensive. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

The bright sunny days have come to an end and no doubt the entire household is slowly making the transition into its winter routine. Homeowners, you know what this means: it’s the final chance for us to make sure the house is well prepared for icy rain storms and heavy snow. Winter is notorious for damaging a home. Below are some steps you can take to be properly prepared for the months ahead. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

The height of summer doesn’t feel like the time to be thinking about the cold winter months, but a little preparation in advance won’t hurt. Now will be the easiest time to book the professionals to work on getting your home ready for winter, and you’ll have plenty of time for the jobs you want to do yourself. Find out more about how to make your home more comfortable in the colder months, and save money, too. (more…)

Photo: Andrei! / Flickr

If you thought that a hot tub was just for summer, think again – hot tubs have long been enjoyed in colder climates as a way of relaxing in the outdoors even when the temperatures drop! If you’re thinking of installing an outdoor hot tub, you can rest assured that it can be a feature that you use all year round. Find out more about hot tubs and how to use them to get the most out of them from summer through to the coldest winter months. (more…)

There are certain tips you can follow to maintain the beauty of your garden helping it survive the harsh winter conditions. (more…)

Our common perception about winter is all about snow, ice, and dead brown gardens. The last point, i.e. a dead garden however defies logic, as there is no scientific reason why you cannot make your garden bloom with flowers. There is no dearth of flowers that flourish during the winter and add that natural beauty that no money can buy. Just broaden your horizons and you will discover a variety of flowers and plants that are waiting to explode in your garden and fill up your winter in wonderful aromas. Moreover, no amount of commercial enhancements and designs can come near the charm and beauty that comes with flowers. (more…)

What comes to mind when you think about winter? Chapped and dehydrated skin and cracked lips. Do not fight winters or curse yourself for all the outdoor activities during those months. The best way is to take care of your skin and enjoy the winter to the max with a glowing and healthy skin. (more…)

A central heating system plays an important role in keeping the home warm during the chilly winter season. It typically consists of a primary heating appliance such as a furnace or boiler, which is usually located in an out-of-the-way spot such as the basement or garage. The boiler heats the water which is then ‘pumped’ to where it is required in your central heating. It is important that you have an elementary idea regarding the functioning and maintenance of the system, as it will assist you in extracting the optimum utility from it. It will help you to stop wasting fuel unnecessarily, while at the same time ensuring that you don’t go cold. You also need to strike the right balance in case you happen to have young children, disabled or old people in your home. (more…)