Inspire Yourself Using Different Platforms

First and foremost, you have to educate yourself with the latest wall craze to know what’s trending these days. For that, you can shift your focus to social media applications, like Pinterest and Instagram. The images uploaded by users on these social platforms can inspire you. You might not even have to turn elsewhere for any further guidance to know which colors should be on your interior walls.

Use the Color Theory to Your Advantage

You should also be aware of the interior designer’s no-fail color theory before opting for any wall paint. The idea of a color wheel is relatively simple. To select the different hues in one color for your room, you must look for shades assembled into one category. For example, when it comes to green, you will see lime, olive, emerald, teal, and hunter green in the same attribute. Implementing these different hues in one room will create a tranquilizing effect, especially in bedrooms. However, if you’re searching for contrasting colors that complement each other, you might want to look on the opposite ends of the color wheel. For instance, a shade of violet will look phenomenal with a shade of amber when you want a pop of colors in any given room.

Use One Statement Piece to Bring Everything Together

We wouldn’t tell you to choose all your furniture and decor items before assessing your wall paint options, since that might be going a bit over the top. However, we would still recommend you opt for one statement piece before thinking about painting any room so that you have a sound starting point. For example, several interior designers use large wall arts, mostly abstract, to inspire themselves. Others focus upon major upholsteries, such as central rugs. Once they have an item with a range of colors to choose from, they can select the warm and cool hues accordingly to set up the rest of the room, including painting the interior walls.

Understand the Whites

Whites also have an astounding range, from stark white with no undertone to warm whites with undertones of yellow, brown, and pink or cool whites with gray, blue, purple, and green.
You need to realize which white to opt for in different settings. For example, if your sole purpose is to make a room look airy and spacious, choosing a stark white for the interior paint color will be your best bet. Cool whites can also help make a room feel more open if you don’t have a lot of natural light filtering inside the room. Contrarily, if you want your space to envelop you in coziness, it’s best to opt for the warmer whites.

Make Your Small Rooms Feel Cozy

In spite of what many people assume, you don’t always have to make your small rooms look airy and spacious with white paint and mirrors. Instead, you can achieve a more sensual effect by opting to paint one of the walls with a warm color, like amber, adding a much-needed oomph into the room. The remaining walls can either be a shade of light gray or a hue of white. You can implement this idea when you have a small room like a library, study, office, or a foyer in your house that needs a major aesthetic do-over.

Don’t Stick to Painting All Walls with One Paint

Many people make the mistake of choosing one paint and doing their whole room with that. Instead, as we advised in the last point, you can always single out one wall to add a touch of intimacy in a room. Plus, you can even opt for patterned wall paint to create a modest expression. Either way, that particular wall can be astoundingly optimized by adding eccentric family photo collage frames or hanging metal or wooden plaques exhibiting paintings or inspirational quotes.

Note: It’s best not to paint all walls in one room with different colors, since that only creates an unnecessarily uncanny look that you wouldn’t appreciate later.

Treat the Ceiling as the Fourth Wall

Moreover, you must not forget to treat your ceiling like a wall as well. For example, if you’re choosing to paint the four walls with a particular color, say blue, you can paint the ceiling with a stark white to pronounce the wall colors. On the other hand, suppose you’re shading your interior walls with any shade of white. In that case, you can integrate some personality into your room by coloring your ceiling with a warm shade, using surrounding paintings or upholstery as an inspiration.

Add Consistency to All Rooms

Consistency is of crucial importance when choosing interior paint colors for your walls. Let’s suppose you opt for the technique mentioned in point number six (Don’t Stick to Painting All Walls with One Paint). By opting to paint one wall in each room with a different shade, you can give each room a distinct aura. However, to ensure consistency in your house and bring everything together, you must keep the color utilized on the remaining three walls similar for all rooms.

Consistency is of crucial importance when choosing interior paint colors for your walls. Let’s suppose you opt for the technique mentioned in point number six (Don’t Stick to Painting All Walls with One Paint). By opting to paint one wall in each room with a different shade, you can give each room a distinct aura. However, to ensure consistency in your house and bring everything together, you must keep the color utilized on the remaining three walls similar for all rooms.

The post How to Choose Interior Paint Colors appeared first on Koshka.

Ask Yourself “Why” First

No, we don’t want to deter you from getting a robot vacuum cleaner. But there are new advancements with manual vacuum cleaners to consider. Checking out the best vacuum cleaners in your area is a solid place to start! After weighing all of your options, you’ll want to consider what features will have the most impact on your robotic cleaning experience.

Ask Yourself “Why” First

You’ll want to invest in a vacuum cleaner that’s fit for the job you need. With that said, there are models made specifically for small/big spaces, so it’s important to get what works for your space. The most important things to consider here are overall strength and battery life. To get a good idea, consider getting an estimated square footage of your home (or at least the areas you’ll want vacuumed) and compare that with the respective battery lives.

What Kind of Flooring Do You Have?

Just as with power and battery life, some vacuum cleaners are made specifically for select flooring, such as carpeting, hardwood, tile, or laminate, etc. It’s not necessarily the case that getting a carpet cleaner (won’t) get the job done, it’s more about efficiency and preserving the lifespan of your investment. While there are a plethora of vacuum cleaners made to handle multiple surfaces, many are optimized for a specific one. Aside from a noticeable difference in overall performance, investing in something specifically made for the job you need will decrease the chances of you needing a vacuum repair company. So with that said, know what goes on in your house and don’t settle. Get something built for what you need.. and maybe even a notch or two above just to be safe.

Do You Have Pets (How Many)?

If you have any cats, dogs, ferrets, birds… whatever… you know that pet hair and dander can be a real pain. Not only does it sit around, but it can clog up vacuum cleaners, depreciating their value over time. That’s why select robot vacuum cleaners are made specifically for pet owners – ideal for picking up shedded hair in the summer months, dander, even strands from broken-down toys. We probably don’t have to tell you how frustrating (and downright nasty) doing this is, so avoid having to use a vacuum cleaning guide and just avoid the issue altogether. From here, you’ll just want to consider how many pets you have, as the quantity of hair and dander will determine the level of power and capacity you’ll want to invest in.

Check out our other “How To” or “Shopping” articles.

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Having your own ice cream maker at home can be a great way to make healthier ice cream desserts and also allow you to tailor your ingredients for allergies. In either case, you can always tweak the ice cream recipes to your liking when pulling everything together in an ice cream maker to give yourself a treat.

However, choosing an ice cream maker can indeed be a troubling task when you’ve never used such accessories at home. Therefore, to make things easier for you, we’ve pulled together this 7-step guide on how to choose the best ice cream maker!

Step 1 – Choose the Right Type of Ice Cream Maker

There are several ice cream maker variants available in the market these days. You can refer to the following section to ensure you get one that matches your preferences:

Traditional “Ice and Salt” Ice Cream Makers
The traditional ice cream maker has an ice and salt mechanism to maintain a constant cold temperature in the bucket. These machines allow you to do a hands-on job by engaging in the process from the start to the end. This is especially fun when you have kids around since it may push them to participate in the summer as a family. However, it’s best to remember that it takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes of constant cranking to produce a fresh batch of ice cream through these ice and salt machines.

Gel Canister Ice Cream Makers
These machines have gel containers that you need to pre-freeze for about twenty-four hours. The containers consist of a cooling substance that helps make the ice cream-making process faster and easier. However, it’s only suitable for occasional use since you would have to refreeze the gel container for making a second batch of fresh ice cream.

Frozen Bowl Ice Cream Makers
Like a gel canister, you have to pre-freeze a bowl in this type of ice cream maker as well. However, the difference is that you can accomplish that task in around eight to twenty-four hours, which gives you some wiggle room because of the comparatively quick freezing process. Since most of these machines come with an extra freezing container, you can put that in the freezer at all times to ensure you can cook up some ice cream without waiting for the bowl to freeze at the eleventh hour.

Compressor Ice Cream Makers
Compressor ice cream makers are equipped with a built-in electric refrigerator so you don’t require any prepping time before assembling all the ice cream ingredients to make continuous batches. In short, the inclusion of a refrigerator eliminates the delay you experience with frozen bowl or gel canister ice cream makers. However, these machines are also more expensive than any other ice cream maker.

Ice Cream Balls
Ice cream balls are an ideal option for you if you’re looking for a fun way to make ice creams on your camping trips or picnics. These are small globe-like devices with a screw top on both ends. You can put all your ingredients together in the ball and roll it continuously in a “passing ball” match until the ice cream forms. Simply put, it’s a less messy and more fun way to enjoy your frozen desserts outside.

Step 2 – Consider Materials

For the most part, opting for a plastic body ice cream maker is not a wise decision since it can easily break and deteriorate as time passes. On the contrary, aluminum is usually a good material because it keeps the ice cream cold throughout the composition. Moreover, it holds moisture better.

Plus, it’s best to choose an ice cream maker with a glass lid so you can see what’s happening inside at all times, knowing the precise time when your ice cream is ready.

Step 3 – Give a Thought to Frequency of Use

If you’re getting an ice cream maker for rare occasions, you may opt for any model, even investing in one that doesn’t operate on an extra powerful machine. However, if it’s the other way around, you should get an accessory that can prepare large batches of ice cream without any mechanical hassle throughout the summers. Not to mention, some ice cream makers can be put in the dishwasher safely after disassembling. Therefore, you don’t have to wash the machine every other day yourself.

Step 4 – Think About Production Capacity

On average, most ice cream makers can produce around a liter and a half of ice cream in a single batch. However, you can explore your options to see each model’s production capacity when you’re looking for something more small or large-scale.

Step 5 – Realize Your Budget When Pondering the Freezing Attributes

We would all love to choose an ice cream maker with a self-freezing attribute at a price that falls within your budget. That’s because non-freezing models are way more inexpensive than self-freezing ones in addition to being less bulky. Not to mention, self-freezing models also cost more because of their greater electricity consumption.

Step 6 – Pay Attention to Available Storage Space

Some ice cream makers are as compact as the size of a kettle. On the other hand, some models can be as space-consuming as a food processor. Therefore, you shouldn’t forget to ensure you have enough space on your counter or in a cupboard before choosing a model. This way, you don’t have to struggle with storage afterward.

Step 7 – Don’t Forget the Noise Factor

Lastly, while we all love making homemade ice cream, the processing noise can be an annoying factor. Therefore, irrespective of the ice cream maker type you opt for, don’t agree upon a model that exceeds sixty-five to seventy dB noise level. Ultimately, it’s always a wise decision to read as many reviews as you can online before opting for any accessory. We hope this 7-step guide helps you choose the best ice cream maker for your household!

The post Tips for Choosing an Ice Cream Maker appeared first on Koshka.

St. Lucia Day

December 13th marks the day that Swedes honor a saint from the third century. She was Italian and a martyr. But on this day, young Swedish ladies don long white robes, the bravest a crown of candles, and wake their relatives bearing a tray of pastries. There is even a special bun made with saffron called Lucia Cats just for this celebration. It is believed that St. Lucia represents light in the darkness, and well, in Scandinavia, winters are long and it often appears that the sun is visiting the other side of the planet.

St. Nicolas Day

This saint’s birthday is marked on December 6th. He was the role model for the non-religious jolly old elf and was known for giving all his possessions and even his food to help others. Something to think about as we tear into our presents, and feast on multi-courses of rich food and drink.

Christmas

In many European countries, this holiday is considered sacred and/or a time to give thanks for nature’s bounty. In the Ukraine, for example, Christmas Eve is marked with the ‘Holy Supper’. Instead of stockings, houses are decked with sheaves of wheat. The holiday commences when the first star in the sky is sighted.

Kwanzaa

This holiday was created in the 1960s by a California college professor to honor centuries of African traditions and to bring African-Americans together as a community. Celebrated largely in the United States, the name means “First Fruits” and honors the ideals at the core of life- family and unity. Again, light plays a dominant role in the celebration as a candle holder known as a ‘kinara’.

Mardi Gras

In many countries, this day as well as New Year’s Eve, mark time to reflect and ask departed ancestors for guidance and assistance. For the Japanese, it is the most important holiday of the year. At midnight shrines and temples are visited. Many homes strike a ceremonial bell 108 times to represent the negative behaviors believed to be at the root of all evil and misery.

In Ecuador, a straw effigy representing the old year is burned along with his ‘will’ drawn up by each family. The will lists their faults and weaknesses. As the figure burns, it is hoped that their negative behaviors will be destroyed as well.

Mardi Gras

The date varies by year, is celebrated with new clothes, and a lantern parade headed by a silk dragon who represents strength. Firecrackers are thrown at the dragon to keep him from falling asleep. Sounds like fun!

Other Asian traditions include praying to departed loved ones asking them for guidance and wish-fulfillment. Intentions are placed inside a paper horse which is burned so its smoke will convey each message to the intended relative.

Mardi Gras

Marks the day in January that Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar AKA the ‘three wise men’ first saw the infant Jesus. The French celebrate with King Cake, Puerto Rican children awake expecting to find a treat under their beds, and in Spain, it is the day their Christmas is celebrated. The only question this author has is how, in the first century BC, did travelers from India, Arabia, and Persia learn about the coming birth and decide to make a pilgrimage?

Mardi Gras

Revelry’s last hurrah before the solemn Lenten season is celebrated in diverse ways around the globe. The American tradition in New Orleans that includes floats decked with celebrants throwing bead necklaces in celebration of Fat Tuesday, a Lenten precursor. Brazil’s Carnivale is an explosion of bright costumes, parades, and loud music. Then there’s England, where some villages note this event by holding a race where the women of the town run a distance while continuously flipping a pancake. No butter. No maple syrup. For real.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse of how other global citizens celebrate the same holidays we do. Why not incorporate some ideas and cross-generate some new traditions into your family’s holiday gathering? It could be as simple as adding saffron to your stuffing recipe or in lieu of greeting cards sending a list of customized well-wishes or the coming year to everyone on your list. Whatever you decide, make sure you and yours have as joyous a time as possible, each and every winter season!

The post Winter Holidays Around the World appeared first on Koshka.

Test your soil to determine the ph level. Lawns along with plants need adequate nutrients in the soil in order to grow. Testing your soil can let you know of any issues you may have and allow you time to apply the needed nutrients to promote healthy growth come spring. If you need to raise your soil pH, lime should be applied. Lime requires a few months to completely absorb into the soil and applying in warmer climates can cause damage to plants. A fall soil test should show a mid-range result in key nutrients, letting you know you supplied an adequate amount of fertilizer and nutrients throughout the growing season, too low of reading means you ran out of nutrients before the end of the season, and too high means too much fertilizer was used. Fall readings are perfect for gauging the success of your previous growing season.

While you want to test your soil, fall is also the time to fertilize your lawn before heading into the winter months. As fall approaches, plants and grasses begin to “prepare” for winter. The change in temperature and the shorter days trigger the plants to start slowing growth and shift their food storage to their roots. Fertilizer that is applied in the fall is giving the grass the nutrients it needs to store for the winter and use it as fuel for the spring. When spring arrives, the grass greens up quickly and grows thick and lush blocking out weeds.

Fertilizing your lawn provides the nutrients needed for the winter months, however, you do not want to be providing nutrients for the plants/grasses you don’t want. Remove weeds prior to winter. These pesky plants will compete for the nutrients throughout the winter months and take away what is needed for your grass to be healthy come springtime. Also, you will want to remove your annual plants. These plants have to be replaced every year and leaving the dead plants discourages spring growth and can also be home to many lawn and garden killing insects.

Once you have removed all the unwanted weeds, you will want to make sure to cut the grass. As fall approaches, the grass starts to slow down growth so mowing will not be necessary as often. Climate plays a role in how often you should cut your grass through the winter months. For warmer climates, cut your grass as you normally would just about half as many times. So if you are used to cutting it every week, switch to a bi-weekly schedule. Be sure not to cut the grass too short, cutting it short can damage your lawn and impact spring growth. In colder climates, shorter grass is the key. Grass in cooler areas has to regrow in spring and cutting it short during the winter months helps keep it from being matted down and inhibits new growth. If you are concerned about length and how many times to cut your grass as you prepare for winter, your local landscape firms can provide winterizing services to ensure a healthy lawn in spring.

Fall months are a great time to over-seed your yard. This is basically applying grass seeds over the existing turf. You will want to make sure you do this before the temperatures get too cold. The ideal temperatures for seed growth are between 60 and 70 degrees. Just like with mowing your grass, what seeds to use on your lawn and when to apply will vary depending on where you live. In colder areas, overseeding is used to help prevent weeds so waiting until late autumn is not optimal. Seeds need time to establish roots in order to prevent weeds from filling in those thinner areas of your lawn. Northern areas should over-seed in early fall. In warmer areas, overseeding with cooler season grasses helps keep your lawn looking green all year long. By overseeding with cooler season grasses, when your warm-season grasses are dying out or going dormant the other varieties are ready to take over.

Not to be overlooked during this process are your trees and shrubs. Make sure you are pruning and cutting back trees and shrubs. Fall is the perfect time to do this. Once spring arrives, your yard will be starved for sunlight. Removing those overgrown limbs will allow complete exposure to the warm spring sun your lawn has been missing.

All of these steps outlined above are important to the upkeep and maintenance of your lawn and getting it ready for the winter months. However, one of the most important things you can do to ensure your lawn is lawn of the month come spring is to make sure you rake the leaves and keep them raked throughout the season. Nothing is harder on a lawn than a thick carpet of wet leaves. If these are not removed it can leave you with a dirt patch to deal with come spring. Raked leaves also serve as a great compost, so be sure to rake them up and save them for later. If you are lucky enough to have a small amount of leaves accumulated, consider mowing them instead of raking, this will provide a thin compost layer over your grass providing nutrients for the winter months.

Caring for and preparing your lawn and garden for the winter is not a step you want to forget. While most people are more concerned with the upkeep during the warm growing season, it is also important to make sure your lawn is prepared for the winter months. Following these simple tasks outlined will help to ensure that your lawn is ready to thrive come spring.

The post Tips For Winterizing Your Lawn appeared first on Koshka.

Batman: Arkham City (2011)

We name Arkham City not only the best Batman game ever, but the best superhero game ever – period. You’re no longer confined to Arkham Island… you have the whole city to explore and fight crime in. There’s an extensive main story filled with high-profile villains such as The Joker, Killer Croc, Scarecrow and more, plus tons of mini-games and side quests to feed your craving. Oh – and there are additional heroes you can play as, such as Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl and more!

Toy Story 3: The Video Game (2010)

Did you like the Toy Story 3 movie? If so, you’ll love the game! It’s a platform-adventure game that is based on the movie, but with more included. Play as Woody, Buzz, or Jessie in multiple game modes, including multiplayer, where you explore everything from Andy’s room to the outside world.

Ori and the Blind Forest (2015)

Left to explore the dying forest alone, you play as Ori and are accompanied by Sein, a spirit that guides you through your adventure. Your goal is to restore the forest, along with those who you lost within it. The beautiful, natural-looking graphics add an aesthetically pleasing tribute to the Rayman games while demonstrating some originality of its own. The story and gameplay are truly loads of fun for the whole family.

Doritos Crash Course (2010)

Have you ever watched shows like “American Ninja Warrior” or “Sasuke” (in Japan)? They have people attempting crazy-timed obstacle courses that require immense physical strength and durability. Well, this was re-animated with a super fun platformer-adventure game sponsored by Doritos. There are various stages across 5 countries, each more difficult than the last. You can play alone, competing against your past times, or challenge friends in real-time. Tons of fun, and even better it was free!

Sonic Generations (2011)

The modern Sonic of today (well, of 2011) collides with the vintage Sonic of the Sega Genesis era, creating a wild adventure for all. This happens because Dr. Eggman tries going back in time to defeat a more vulnerable Sonic, but it backfires because the two just unite for some extra action. You get the best of both worlds, with a combination of nostalgia and modern action that anyone can enjoy.

South Park: The Stick of Truth (2014)

If you’re a fan of South Park, there’s no way you won’t love this game. It takes place following the Game of Thrones gag trilogy from their 14th season, where you play as your own character. As the “new kid”, you embark on a fantasy quest with the kids in South Park, defining your role and backstory along the way. Warning: the contents of this game aren’t ideal for younger audiences.

Alan Wake (2010)

Playing as the famous author, Alan Wake, you embark on a journey to find your missing wife. During this process, you notice something weird going on in town. Like his books, the plot consists of 6 episodes, each loaded with plot twists and cliffhangers. It’s very creative, and a great way to combine action with mystery for a ton of fun.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (2008)

The fifth installment of the series was not a disappointment. Your team has to compete in a long set of difficult challenges to win the L.O.G. (Lord of Games) competition. There is a lot to unwrap here, tons of game styles and mini-games built for both single and multiplayer – lots of fun! Though we have to admit, while the graphics were great, we thought the animations were a bit… awkward.

Red Dead Redemption (2010)

This open-world adventure is like Grand Theft Auto meets the Wild West. As a super cool cowboy, you engage in revolver combat on horseback. There are hundreds of bounties to finish that you can complete alone or with friends (up to 15 of them). The story is solid, graphics were ahead of its time with years with an impressive budget to boot.

Assassin’s Creed 2 (2009)

It’s time to get back into the animus, but instead of playing as Altaïr during the crusades, you’re playing as Ezio in Italy during the Renaissance era. Haven’t you always wanted to travel to Italy? Here’s your chance – battle the Knights Templar and assassinate corrupt world leaders for the greater good. Here you’re equipped with new tools and gadgets, including flying machines designed by Leonard Di Vinchi himself! In our opinion, this is the best from the entire Assassin’s Creed series.

The post The 10 Best Adventure Games For The Xbox 360 appeared first on Koshka.

Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

The ninth installment of the Tomb Raider series was a doozy (in a good way). You play as Lara Croft, right after the events from Tomb Raider: Legend. You adventure through Northern Europe, into the Mediterranean Sea all the way into parts of Asia with the intent of finding new information about Lara’s missing mother. The maritime exploration was a really nice touch! This game gets pretty mythical, dealing with Nordic Mythology and its DLC expansions Beneath the Ashes and Lara’s Shadow add additional light to the plot.

Cave Story (WiiWare) (2010)

Created as an expanded port of the original hit from 6 years earlier, this version of Cave Story offered enhanced graphics, new soundtracks and a few extra levels. This includes the addition of Curly Story and Boss Attack, which just added more depth to the already awesome adventure platformer. We love how your character has no memory of where they came from, so you relate to them as you play through many areas of the game.

Wario Land: Shake It! (2008)

The sequel to the classic Ware Land game hit the shelves in 2008 and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It gave users a similar experience to the original Wario Land games they loved for GameBoy but featured something special – the shaking/moving options of the Wii controls. This added the extra level of fun that really had people feeling like they were part of the game, enabling tons of fun for the whole family.

Rayman Origins (2011)

The jungle platform-adventure game returned with a twist – additional playable characters. Up to 4 people can jump on a game at once, playing as either Rayman, Globox or one of the Teensies where they can explore levels that take people from the seas to the skies. It had just enough of its old essence for the nostalgia people wanted, with better graphics and enough new features to freshen the game up.

Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)

A lot of people were waiting for this and for good reason. Acting as a sequel to the previously successful New Super Mario Bros for Nintendo DS, the Wii version added new playable characters such as Luigi and Yoshi. It added a touch of Super Mario Land to the original platformer that people absolutely loved. With cooperative gameplay, people can play together with their friends to complete levels, which gave rise to special features in new Mario games such as Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey.

Lego Batman: The Videogame (2008)

Everyone’s (or at least most people’s) favorite character from The Lego Movie got his own game and like many of its kind – it was a great one! It takes an alternate twist on the infamous M-Rated Arkham series where the inmates escape and it’s up to Batman and Robin to stop them from wreaking havoc on Gotham. There are nearly a dozen villains to take on, such as the Joker, Man-Bat, Killer Moth, Penguin and more!

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure (2007)

The animated pirate adventure became an instant classic among the Nintendo community. The plot is to find Treasure Island, in doing so Wiki and his crew has to explore jungles, volcanos, castles and island fun, all to find the maps. The game is filled with adventure for the whole family.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

Taking place in between the Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess takes Link on a journey through the Twilight Realm, a parallel dimension to his own. The world design and unique characters were so innovative for its time, combined with surreal gameplay. As a result, it’s considered one of the best games from Nintendo.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)

The sequel to Super Mario Galaxy was perhaps one of the best… ever! You pick up where you left off from the original, only this time each planet has you transforming like never before, including bumblebee, rock, fire and so many other Marios. You even get to ride Yoshi like the good ol’ days!

Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

On your way to celebrate a once every century event Princess Peach is kidnapped, along with her entire castle. Mario fails to stop the event, and is stranded in space until he’s picked up Rosalina and her Lumas – those who watch over the cosmos. From here, you have to travel to different planets and galaxies to collect power stars so you can reach Bowser and rescue the princess. This game took all 3D Mario games to new heights, adding new transformations, play styles and missions that made it an all-time great.

The post The 10 Best Adventure Games For The Nintendo Wii appeared first on Koshka.

Here are a few things to consider before getting your child a starter piano.

How Serious Are You About Piano?

The idea of having your child learn any instrument always comes with some level of risk.
Start by considering:

• How important is it that your child picks up an instrument?
• What if your child is hesitant to play?
• Will you be getting your child lessons?

Simply put, you’ll want to consider whether you’re simply exploring options for your child, or if you want them to commit to piano for at least a given number of times. Because pianos vary in price and do require some level of maintenance, you’ll want to consider your initial level of commitment before purchasing something you may later regret.

At worst case, there are excellent piano renting options to look into, at least at first!

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What Sound/Aesthetic Are You Looking For?

Pianos are more than instruments – they’re furniture too! This means the design of the piano you choose can really make or break the design of the room it’s in. After all, would you prefer an eye soar or an instrument that brings your room together?

Then there’s the sound to consider. Would you want an acoustic sounding piano or a digital piano? There are pros and cons to each. For acoustic, you have a real sound that doesn’t require electricity, but also has to be maintained. On the flipside with digital, you can get an array of sounds without the need for any tune-ups, but ironically can’t quite replicate the sound of real strings.

Digital pianos often take up a lot less space, which brings us to our next point.

Where Are You Putting Your Piano?

Everyone’s different here. Some people like having a grand piano in an open space of their living room, while others like to build smaller rooms around the piano. Of course, there’s no right or wrong answer here – it’ll all come down to the layout of your home and your social intentions with your new piano.

Fortunately, you can get a floor plan so you can be absolutely sure how well (or not well) your new piano will fit. After all, you’d hate to shell out a bunch of money for a piano that doesn’t quite fit… right?

What’s Your Style?

Options are no longer limited with pianos. You can get an assortment of styles and colors to best fit your desired space.

Do you have something in mind?

There are a number of great pianos for sale to choose from at an array of price ranges.

Now Let’s Talk Price

You probably knew this was coming.

I suppose this goes hand-and-hand with how serious you are about piano, mainly because many pianos are considered to be an investment. So if reselling is an option, take that into consideration.

Otherwise, there are great deals around on starter pianos with opportunities to upgrade later on.

The post How to Choose the Best Starter Piano appeared first on Koshka.

Create Privacy

Privacy is key when it comes to creating a space you want to retreat to. Creating a private area can be done with a few upgrades. Adding a privacy fence is a great way to block off your whole yard or just a portion of it. Planting large green hedges or using large planters can also provide the privacy you are looking for. If you are looking to close off a deck or patio area, consider using outdoor curtains or trellises to create a private space.

Add A Hammock

Once you have created your private area what better way to relax than adding a hammock. When you think of relaxing many people often think of hanging out in a hammock on a nice fall or spring day reading a book or taking a nap or just hanging out. Hammocks are a great way unwind and just seeing a hammock swaying in the breeze can make your stress slip away. Hammocks can be hung between two sturdy trees or they can also be purchased with a stand. Make sure when placing a hammock that the ground below is a soft area of mulch or ground covering. Adding a hammock is an inexpensive way to provide a retreat-like upgrade to your backyard.

Create A Water Feature

Adding a water feature can be another way to create that relaxing spa-like retreat you’re looking for. Not only do water features create that soothing sound so many people enjoy, they are also beautiful to look at. These features can be as simple as a store-bought fountain, simple waterfall feature, or koi pond. You could also splurge on a pool with built-in water features that are sure to impress and provide the tranquility and outdoor living atmosphere you are looking for.

Add Outdoor Fire Pit

Your water feature provides just the right amount of soothing sounds and relaxing vibes but adding an outdoor fireplace takes things to another level. You can spend your days enjoying your water feature and your evenings enjoying the warmth of your outdoor fire pit area. Professional fire features are a great way to get back to those days of campfire chats and storytelling. Who doesn’t love a delicious roasted marshmallow or s’mores enjoyed around the campfire?

Install Outdoor Lighting

Lighting elements can be an easy way to create ambiance in your outdoor living area. Lights can also provide an additional security feature and extend the time you can enjoy your outdoor space. There are great solar and wired options to light up your walkway and pathways. Uplighting under trees can help showcase your property. Add string lights along your fences or trellis can help to frame out your area. Don’t forget your seating and conversation areas, adding candles or sconces are great easy ways to spruce up your outside oasis.

Bring The Kitchen Outdoors

Kitchens are not just for indoors anymore. Many homes and properties are now being equipped with outdoor kitchens or being added by the homeowners to provide an additional extension of their living area. These areas can be as simple as a stand-alone grill to very elaborate outdoor kitchen areas with grilling areas, prep space, and even outdoor sinks and refrigerators. Be sure your kitchen is equipped with the right grilling and cooking accessories.

Add Plants

Changing out old plantings or adding new plants can be a great way to spruce up your outside area. Adding in some new flowers that you don’t normally use can give your backyard a fresh new updated look leaving you feeling like you just visited and new spa-like destination right in our own backyard. You can match your plantings to the season and have a vibrant new appearance to go along with the change in weather.

Design A Kid-Friendly Area

Don’t forget the kids! If you’re updating your outdoor space you will want to create a fun space for the kids to enjoy. This can range from playsets and designated play areas for outdoor sports such as badminton or bocce ball for the younger aged kids to cool outdoor seating space with an outdoor movie screen. These areas can provide hours of entertainment for the whole family.

Eliminate Bugs

Even with all the right outdoor elements in place, your spa-like retreat bugs can really put a damper on your backyard plans. There is nothing worse than annoying mosquitoes and other insects to ruin your time outside. Totally eliminating bugs from a backyard or patio may be nearly impossible, controlling them should be easy to do. Adding elements such as citronella candles can help keep pests at bay. Also make sure you take away any of those areas that mosquitoes and other insects tend to gravitate too such as standing water, which attracts mosquitoes. You can also enlist the help of a professional pest control company to spray the yard for ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs.

Outdoor spaces are a great way to extend your living space and connect with your family and friends and create lasting memories. Creating the perfect retreat doesn’t have to be difficult or a costly endeavor. Take all or some of our advice and you’re on your way to a sanctuary you will never want to leave.

The post How To Turn Your Yard Into A Retreat appeared first on Koshka.

In contrast, when renovating on a shoestring budget, you must stay on top of matters right from the start. Home renovations always cost you more than the initial estimates, no matter how comprehensive your calculations are. Working with a tight budget is one of the major reasons many people do not meet all of their home renovation goals.Here, I will share some tips to help homeowners meet their home remodeling goals without breaking the bank and getting the outcome you are hoping for.

Leverage Laminate Flooring

Renovating and remodeling floors can change a house’s look and feel considerably. In some cases, flooring renovation even improves the functionality of a given space. If flooring modifications and upgrades are a part of your renovation project, you should consider laminate flooring for the job. The top reason to pick laminate is its significantly lower cost than all the other flooring options. Hardwood flooring job can cost you anywhere between $12 and $20 for a square foot. Similarly, installing tiles can lie in the range of $5-13 per square foot. However, even the top of the line laminate flooring options (e.g., luxury vinyl tiles) won’t cost you more than $8 per square foot. Besides cost, laminate flooring also involves a host of other benefits. For instance, they are easy to install and maintain. You can install them on any type of subfloor, and they can withstand almost all types of uses and are a great option for any area of your home. Also, you can choose them in a range of designs and product offerings. You can renovate your bedrooms with stone/tile-design laminates. In the living room, you can use laminate with hardwood finish. Going with laminate instead of traditional flooring material can reduce your flooring cost by more than half.

Stress Over Function Rather than Space

Your house is built to certain square footage, and the only way to increase that is to add on to your home and that is not always an option given your lot size and other limitations. Often the only way to update the layout of your home is to take away space from other areas. When you increase the size of any section in the house, you steal the space from other portions. For instance, when you extend your kitchen, you trim down your dining/living room space at the same time. Besides, extending any space requires tearing down walls and partitions and building them again, making this type of renovation a giant sinkhole of expenses. On the other hand, you have the option to improve the function and efficiency of the existing layout without fiddling with space extensions and reductions. For instance, if you need more functional space in the kitchen, just remove the traditional space-hogging, single-story shelves with multiple cabinet-style pullout drawers. This modification will let you put three times more things in the same space. Similarly, cabinets utilizing the wall’s full size will ensure you don’t have to clutter up the room space with standalone storage furniture. Also, you can set up spaces to utilize multiple functions. A spare bedroom should not just be a spare bedroom. You can also renovate it to make it a study or even a small gym. Remember that improving a given space’s utility and function is less stressful and more budget-friendly than remodeling it for space extension.

Go for Rental Equipment and Tools

In the initial excitement of a DIY renovation project, many people blow a considerable amount of their budget on buying tools and equipment needed for the job. They buy construction and remodeling tools and equipment and rationalize the purchase as a lifetime investment. You need to understand that construction equipment is different from other appliances and not used on a daily basis. This limited use stretched over a long duration doesn’t justify spending a high upfront amount on them. Instead, it would be best if you rent them. Apart from what you already have in your hardware toolbox, you may need a power drill, impact driver, nail gun, oscillating tools, step ladder, and scaffolding for your home renovation job. Instead of spending huge sums on buying those articles for later “non-existing” use, look for options to borrow or rent them from your local hardware store. A top-quality impact driver can cost you around $130-$140. However, you can borrow the same model at $10-15 for 24 hours. Similarly, you can get all sorts of scaffoldings on rent at less than one-tenth of their prices. Besides saving you hundreds of dollars, using rental equipment and tools also has another benefit, i.e., you don’t have to worry about where to keep them.

Consider Second-Hand Fixtures

Many homeowners believe that second-hand fixtures can’t be used in renovation projects. One has to steer clear away from the misunderstanding that “second-hand=low-quality/rip-offs.” Suppose you are looking at the right place and assessing items for your remodeling/renovation requirements. In that case, you can find a host of valuable things from stores offering second-hand and salvaged fixtures. They can provide the same functional and aesthetic value as a brand-new fixture after a little do-up. From acrylic skylights to insulated windows and prehung doors, you can find various home renovation items and fixtures from second-hand or repurpose type stores.. For example, a 4×5-foot insulated window that you buy for $600 from a home center can cost you around $300 when you buy it second-hand. Thrift stores are one place where you can find various salvaged fixtures in pristine condition and at a reasonable price. Home renovation is undoubtedly a stressful job with lots of expenses involved. However, if you follow some of the tips laid out here you can renovate your home and come in on or under budget. Choose laminate over real wood for your floors, focus on functional expansion instead of space expansion, borrow tools instead of buying them, and leverage second-hand fixtures. By following these tips, you can keep your renovation job a cost-effective affair.

The post 4 Tips for Carrying Out Home Renovation Project on a Shoestring Budget appeared first on Koshka.