Toybox News

There are many whimsical, fun baby room themes if you are planning on decorating a nursery. Infants need stimulation, so parents get the chance to be kids again and let their playfulness and imagination run wild.A fun, flexible baby room theme is to decorate it in whimsical patterns. Try painting butter yellow or grass green stripes on the walls. Then hang bold graphic pictures of cats and dogs in bright red or blue frames on the walls.Use the same graphic style to paint a toy chest using stencils, or apply stickers against a colorful painted background.Another fun baby room theme is a design around the theme of Sweet Dreams. Use bright colors such as watermelon pink and lime green on accessory...

It's that time of the year again, when we resolve to make changes that will improve our lives. Your home is a big part of your life and a comfortable, inviting space can really make a difference in how you feel every day. It seems only fitting that we should add some design resolutions to our yearly ritual.So here's my top 10 take on the design resolutions that I believe can make a real difference in your home.1. Designate a space for clutter and resolve to keep it cluttered. Surprised? While it's true most people would put getting rid of clutter at the top of their lists, I've been in enough homes to understand that if clutter is part of your lifestyle, it will just keep coming back...

Vertical and functional space planning are two of the most overlooked areas in most households interior design layout. In this article we'll discuss how to double the functional space in the bedrooms of your house.Think VerticalEffective space planning and interior design requires that you plan in three dimensions - so start thinking about the space above your head and higher up on the walls. There are great functional bedding and storage solutions you can use to easily double your floor space in a bedroom and its functional storage space.Futons for the guest roomsWhy waste the functionality and floor space of a designated guest room when it can normally operate as your den or library? When...

The Motorola "Q" phone is...

Furniture is any home decor's staple. If you are planning to get some new home decor furniture, there are quite a lot of things to be taken into consideration. You can be overwhelmed with the selection available and get confused about the type of home decor furniture you need. Here are a few ideas you can use when searching for new furniture pieces for your home. Home Decor Furniture for the Kitchen No one enjoys eating on an unsteady table and rickety chairs. Luckily, there are many options to choose from when you are looking for a new kitchen set. If you want to create a fancier look, get a table with a glass top and pair it with minimally cushioned kitchen chairs. For a more country look, go for...

We all have a favorite color right? Indeed this has become almost a cultural question for many of us. We're asked it at some interviews and it's even a question that could be used on a first date to break the ice. The question is this - have you ever wondered why a color is your favorite color or what impact it might have on your personality or even on your life?Let's have a look at how each color can impact your home decorating projects - both positively and negatively.Color can motivate us, change how we view something and even change our moods.White has been the color of purity for thousands of years. It's a color also associated with sterility which is why it's used so often in bathrooms for...

Holidays are the time of year to seduce the senses and bolster the bonds between family and friends. But even the hardiest of revelers can succumb to holiday stress. Fret not, you weary holiday warriors. Below are tips for managing holiday stress. These holiday stress tips include ways to stay organized, ways to volunteer your time, decorate, shop, cook, and even write cards - all the while making your health and happiness top priorities.Time Management Tips to Minimize Stress: Stress and depression often go hand in hand. It is estimated that 10 percent of the population experiences depression triggered by stress. You can minimize these unwanted effects by controlling time spent on holiday...

Your child's bedroom is one of the few rooms in the house where it is perfectly acceptable to get creative and experiment with bold colors, stencils, and innovative furnishings. Make decorating your child's bedroom a fun event for both you and your child by involving her tastes and interests as well as her help in organizing, painting, and choosing accessories. First, decide if you will base the room's décor on a theme or simply on colors. Themes are a lot of fun for children, but are often quickly outgrown as children grow and interests change. If you plan to use a theme, choose something that can grow with your child. Use accessories that can be easily changed as your child grows or her...

Sex and violence look good on TVThe content of most programming is dangerous for many children. It is often not healthy for adults either. Sex and violence seem to be the natural programming for the media of TV. Scenes of gore or lust splash on the screen in vivid color. The abstract concepts of love, joy, and friendship simply do not fit as well into a box. It is not surprising then that the trend in television content has been towards more sex and violence.Sexual content doubled in seven yearsIn fact, sexual content has doubled in the last seven years. "Scenes featuring kissing, fondling, and talk about sex have nearly doubled on television since 1998, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study...

A masculine bedroom doesn't mean that the bedroom can't be romantic and appealing to the lady of the house also. It is much easier to create a bedroom reflecting masculine designs that a lady will love than it is to create a frilly bedroom that a man will feel comfortable with. Not really the way we're used to thinking is it..? No doubt because the woman is usually the designer, right? Let's try and do something new with our bedding this time. Where do we begin then..?Masculine bedrooms are often created through color and clean lines. Black, blue, purple, green are some of the beautiful colors on the masculine pallet. Fabrics can just about any material you desire. Egyptian cotton, cotton/polyester...

"Everything that can be invented has been invented." ~ Charles H. Duell, Commissioner of the US Patent Office in 1899."Children nowadays are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food and tyrannize their teachers." ~ SocratesWhy is popular music so bad today? I mean, I'm not that old, but jeez, the music of today, with only a few rare exceptions, kinda stinks. Some would say that when New Year's Eve 1979 ended, we were ushered into an era of lame music that we still haven't escaped from today.I grew up in the 80's and remember listening to the Beatles, John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkel, Roger Waters and Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, and David Bowie, to name a few, with my...

Providing a safe environment for your child is one of the most important factors in how they will grow up. Ensuring your children are safe at all times can be a very difficult task but it is important to do your best to ensure they live in an environment where they feel secure. There are many safety devices and techniques you can use in your home which will help to ensure that nothing bad will happen to your children. Although being overbearing and overprotective with your children can create negative effects as they get older, not protecting your children enough can lead to even bigger problems. If you want to learn easy and effective ways to keep your children safe you have come to the right place...

We all have a favorite color right? Indeed this has become almost a cultural question for many of us. We're asked it at some interviews and it's even a question that could be used on a first date to break the ice. The question is this - have you ever wondered why a color is your favorite color or what impact it might have on your personality or even on your life?Let's have a look at how each color can impact your home decorating projects - both positively and negatively.Color can motivate us, change how we view something and even change our moods.White has been the color of purity for thousands of years. It's a color also associated with sterility which is why it's used so often in bathrooms for...

When thinking about rugs, most people envision an Asian themed rug. This type is called an oriental rug and is a very popular choice of rug. There is another type called the braided rug. It may not be as famous as the oriental type, however it is a beautiful and historic rug that deserves a look into.Essentially a braided rug is a rug that has been formed by braiding strips of material together. They are very strong and come in a variety of shapes and colors to suit any home. Although they are usually found in an oval shape, don’t be surprised to find circular, rectangular or even heart-based shapes.Braided rugs can add a touch of elegance to any room. They can either be used on their own, to...

The arrival of a baby brings happiness and joy to everyone in the family. It's an exciting time! By the addition of the new family member means that space has to be found for a nursery. And once that space is found, what is the nursery going to look like? Here are some important steps to consider on decorating your baby's nursery.Of course, the gender of the baby will probably greatly influence the colors being used in the room, and so if you don't know what the gender will be it may be best to start off with very neutral colors at first, especially on the walls, and then you can add the appropriate color accessories later on. Just don't put off painting the room very long, as you want to make sure...

Are you planning on matching with existing items or are you replacing your furniture completely? Where are you planning on positioning the furniture? Are they going on the deck, poolside or on the patio? What is the furniture being used for? If you have children, choose something that is sturdy and can handle the rough and tumble from youngsters. Ensure that your furniture is weather treated against rain, wind, sun and humidity. Wicker can be easily damaged by these elements and wood also requires a weather-proof treatment. Plastic is often a good option but may prove less attractive. Metal may become too warm to use during hot weather. If the furniture is untreated, you can use treatments from...

There are many whimsical, fun baby room themes if you are planning on decorating a nursery. Infants need stimulation, so parents get the chance to be kids again and let their playfulness and imagination run wild.A fun, flexible baby room theme is to decorate it in whimsical patterns. Try painting butter yellow or grass green stripes on the walls. Then hang bold graphic pictures of cats and dogs in bright red or blue frames on the walls.Use the same graphic style to paint a toy chest using stencils, or apply stickers against a colorful painted background.Another fun baby room theme is a design around the theme of Sweet Dreams. Use bright colors such as watermelon pink and lime green on accessory...

There are many whimsical, fun baby room themes if you are planning on decorating a nursery. Infants need stimulation, so parents get the chance to be kids again and let their playfulness and imagination run wild.A fun, flexible baby room theme is to decorate it in whimsical patterns. Try painting butter yellow or grass green stripes on the walls. Then hang bold graphic pictures of cats and dogs in bright red or blue frames on the walls.Use the same graphic style to paint a toy chest using stencils, or apply stickers against a colorful painted background.Another fun baby room theme is a design around the theme of Sweet Dreams. Use bright colors such as watermelon pink and lime green on accessory...

My daughter just turned 21. My son is 16 1/2. I am 54. Hmmmm. Are they old or am I? I guess it depends on your point of view. But no matter what my age the empty nest syndrome is quickly approaching. I have had to start thinking about the empty house in my future. How will I feel when their bedrooms are empty and devoid of the sounds of life of the ones so precious to me, no matter how annoying a few of those sounds are?. Their faces won't be readily available to kiss, or their bodies always there to hug everyday. Or when I no longer HAVE to get up or stay awake for them, or work my day around picups???..the list is endless.How will my heart feel when I am no longer needed in that way...

We're often asked about installing or renovating fireplaces in bedrooms. Here in Richmond, Virginia it is a controversial issue as building inspectors sometimes don't like the idea due to safety concerns.Please be assured that we, too, feel that safety is the utmost concern with any fire. However, we also appreciate a homeowner's desire to install or restore a bedroom fireplace for the warmth, charm and romance a fire offers. A fireplace can be as safe in a bedroom as in any other room of your home.What About Vent-Free Gas Appliances in Bedrooms?This issue is particularly misunderstood. Vent-free appliances in bedrooms must be a wall hung heater and must be under 10,000 btu's.**A vent-free log set...

The average size of the home may have increased in recent years but despite these recent advances there still just does not seem to be enough roomespecially in the bedroom. By the time simple furniture is placed in the bedroom like a bed, dresser, nightstand, and perhaps a simple desk or night tablethere just is no room left over for living! While we would like to believe that simply moving to a larger home is the solution, the simple fact is that we must make do with the sparse space we have in the present. One very simple yet realistic solution to the lack of storage space in the bedroom is to add a bench. Quality-made bedroom benches are particularly useful for children and can help organize the...

Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two things: sleeping and feeding - although, as she needs an average of 8 diaper changes a day, maybe that should be three things :)Newborn babies sleep for around 17-18 hours a day, but the bad news is she will sleep only for 3 or 4 hours at a time. When she wakes she will probably need feeding and/or a diaper change.Babies are not born with a conception of day and night, so you have to teach her to take short naps in the day and longer sleeps at night. During the first few weeks you will have to feed on demand and let her decide when she will sleep. Then you should try to encourage her to take the majority of her sleep at night by changing her...

Throwing an animal theme party can be great fun. You might want to narrow down your animal theme to something smaller. From farm animals, zoo animals etc. this will give you a smaller group to work with. Fpr something smaller to work with go with just one animal group.For any animal theme you have a lot of room to do whatever you want. For a wider theme you can have a better chance of finding some animal themed invitation cards. Make sure you get them ready a good month before the party, that way you can send them out two to three weeks before your party.From there you can start getting the items for your animal theme. For each different animal theme you'll need different items. For a farm animal...

Today leasing is very popular. Instead of buying your car, you can lease it. When the lease expires, you return the old car to the dealer and you can lease a newer model. One reason that leasing is so popular is that a smaller amount of money is required up front and monthly payments are low. This is a very appealing concept to many people. We lease houses, mobile homes, apartments and even the things inside them. People lease steamers for drapes and carpet cleaners and floor polishers to keep their floors clean as new. If you cant afford to purchase all your appliances and furniture, you can lease them. Some homeowners buy a second house, fix it up and then lease it out to others. This can be...

Be it a Christmas Do, a Retirement Party, or a summer social event to thank staff for their hard work or recent sales figures, your get-together should be fun for everyone involved with the business.Your Office or workplace may be the cheapest but not necessarily the best venue for your event. Consider your staff too - would they wish to give up a sunny summers day or a cold winters evening to attend a function in the same place that they spend most of the days of the year? Probably not! Works parties should be fun occasions for people to relax after working hard, thus your office may not be the best place for this. If you have many sites dotted around the country a central location is essential to...

Just two months ago, a group of mothers from three generations (Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomer demographics) shared their buying habits with retailers and manufacturers on purchasing childrens bedroom furniture and baby products. This occurred at the fifth annual Kids Today conference in Bonita Springs Florida.Author and entrepreneur Maria Bailey, an executive in the fields of publishing, marketing, and business development, was the keynote speaker at the conference and a moderator for the panel. Maria Bailey has worked for numerous companies, including Automation USA, AutoNation, Discovery Zone, The Miami Herald, Broward Community College, and McDonald's. Her experience as an executive and the mother...

Before purchasing Children bedroom furniture It is important to consider safety in mind while buying for Children's, plus kids grows fast and accordingly their needs changes, so it would be important to imagine all these aspects before shopping Furniture for Your Children. Usually Children's rooms are small and they have plenty of things to store, so be smart to use each and every bit if space available. And at the same time your kid's room must be comfortable, safe and full of fun, to keep them cheerful. For purchasing kid's furniture it is suggest buying a crib bed as it can be modified in-to a toddler bed / full size bed easily. A Crib is a bed with high sides for a young child or baby, and lots...

FRESH WITH green COLOURby : Noki Prayudi Green colour identically with the fruit bringing freshness. This colour is very compatible application at your children room. Many people confuse in determining colour which is suited for children rooms. People often to using striking colour like yellow or orange but out there so many people like calm colour which is bringing freshness. One of that colour is green. Green can associated with nature and many people like to back to nature because they can feel peace and fresh. Green can be alternative for your children rooms colour. Green is merge from 'calmy' blue and 'warmy yellow'. The merge create a great colour called green which is make your eyes not be...

There are all different types of kid's furniture that you can purchase to go with the theme of their room. However, regardless of the type of furniture you obtain for your child, you will want to make sure that it allows them to move comfortably; does not take up too much room so they still have a nice, safe play area; and is easily accessible to them. When purchasing kids furniture there are a few aspects you will want to keep in mind. They are the following: 1. The size of their room. In other words, how much space you have to work with. You don't want to overload your child's room with furniture. 2. The theme of the room: is their furniture that will match? For instance, if you are doing a...

Just two months ago, a group of mothers from three generations (Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomer demographics) shared their buying habits with retailers and manufacturers on purchasing childrens bedroom furniture and baby products. This occurred at the fifth annual Kids Today conference in Bonita Springs Florida.Author and entrepreneur Maria Bailey, an executive in the fields of publishing, marketing, and business development, was the keynote speaker at the conference and a moderator for the panel. Maria Bailey has worked for numerous companies, including Automation USA, AutoNation, Discovery Zone, The Miami Herald, Broward Community College, and McDonald's. Her experience as an executive and the mother...

Since I grew up in the 1950's it is fun for me to reflect on some of the nifty things during that era.Drive In Theatres Known then as the "passion pit", Drive In Theatres bring back many happy memories! My birthday being in July was the prime season for Drive In movies. I would invite all my friends over to celebrate my birthday complete with my mother's homemade barbeque sandwiches which was my favorite.She would make it from sliced rump roast and then lay the meat in an electric skillet smothered in barbeque sauce. Just before dark we would all pile into a car and head for the drive In. I still remember the intermission jingle "Let's all go to the lobby" with the hot dog, soda drink and...

---------------Get Life Skills - Not Student Loans---------------Student loans? Who needs them? Take charge of your money for the rest of your life.=================Part I (This article)Part II Student loan consolidation has big benefits for losersPart III Idea beats student loan consolidation and creates a winning mindset.==================You'll never need student loans with these ideas.1.Grants in place of student loans - no repayments2. Part time earning decreases student loans3. Economising (builds life skills) avoids some student loans----------------1. Grants - Supreme way to avoid student loans----------------A grant is a gift of money that you don't have to repay. Isn't a $50000 grant...

Kid furniture and baby furniture are something that every parent needs to think about buying and there are several things that you should keep in mind. When it comes to kid furniture you'll want to make sure that it has more than one function. If you buy shelves for your child's room one of the things that you should do is make sure that you can use the entire shelf unit for storage and not just for books. When you're buying tables and chairs you may want to consider buying kid furniture that is smaller in size so that it fits your child's needs. One of the newer kid furniture ideas on the market are large closets that open to reveal a desk area and a storage area for toys and clothes. If your...

Michael Holland Decorating boys bedrooms with licensed characters and themes is an easy but expensive option. While most children do have a preferred character or theme that they would enjoy having in their rooms, there are more affordable ways to achieve a similar desired result. Basics in boys bedrooms ideas. Most boys will easily embrace decorating ideas that are a little different or not mass-produced as long as they include similar colors and concepts. He'll feel good about having something original and special that's goes beyond the expected boys bedrooms ideas. This will encourage him to appreciate the idea of being an individual, different and unique from anyone else in the world. Beyond...