Home Decor Info

Portable Clock Radio

While most portable clock radios are a small investment, you should put some serious thought into what you need in a clock radio. There are 4 basic categories of features:

-      Basic features, like size, visibility, a snooze feature, and battery backup…

-      Travel features, like durability, which may or may not be important to you…

-      Audio features, like the type of speakers the radio uses, audio jacks, AM/FM/CD/MP3 capability…

-      And optional features, like telephones, multiple alarm times, Wi-Fi capability, iPod compatibility, and more…

The basic features will eliminate some models for you right away. Then eliminate any clocks that don’t have large displays. Don’t choose the travel-trunk sized alarm. Have frequent power outages? Well, you need to consider the audio features of your clock radio. What about MP3 capability? Can it play songs from your MP3 player to wake you up?

There are also many options available in portable clock radios. Why not purchase a combination portable clock radio and telephone?

Then a clock that will allow you to set multiple waking times might come in handy! Some newer models are even capable of logging into a Wi-Fi network to stream online radio for free!

The radio featured a variety of forms for American entertainment. Then in the 1950′s there was the “corsair” clock radio. During that time before television was expanded, the radio was the most popular home entertainment system in the United States. “The Old Time Radio” or the “Golden Age Radio”, was referred to radio programs broadcasted during the 1920′s through the late 1950′s. In 1928, Joseph Boluva released the world’s first clock radio.

The first vintage radio with an integrated clock was designed in the 1940′s by James Reynaldo, who put an alarm system in it. Because clocks with integrated alarms were very loud during that time, clock designers tried to come up with an idea of making a clock that would have a gradual wake-up alarm. Then in 1950, Herbert Dimond invented the clock radio that featured the snooze alarm.

Eventually, radios with integrated clocks became a hit in the market. According to references of October-December 2008, Bradley Winters of Hudson, Wisconsin, has developed an alarm clock with a keypad for setting time. It also has an integrated CD player, an integrated AM/FM clock, and an integrated docking port for portable audio storage devices. A cubic alarm clock radio with an iPod docking station, and a dual dock music system with two docking stations, allow two iPods or an iPod and iPhone to be played and recharged at the same time.

Digital clocks feature a radio alarm function as a beeping or buzzing alarm, allowing a person to wake up to any station that is set, rather than a loud or harsh alarm. These radios with an integrated alarm have a sleep button or a snooze button. This button comes in handy when you fall asleep with the radio on. Clock radios can easily put you to sleep or wake you up to the sound of music.

candle in glass

A lot of attention has been focused on gel candle safety in recent years. Most gel candles are container based, meaning decorative materials (called embeds) and a wick are placed inside a container (generally glass) and the container is then filled with molten gel. The gel is mostly mineral oil, blended with a stabilizing polymer, which helps the candle retain fragrance load.

Careless manufacturers assume that gel candles can be made in the same manner as traditional paraffin candles. First, gel candles should not contain flammable materials as embeds. The wick can float in a gel candle and set any of those embeds on fire. Many gel candles have no sustainer base of any kind, which results in wick “float” as it burns.

Second, it is important to inspect all your container candles before lighting – this includes paraffin candles. Make sure that glassware used to house your candle is designed to withstand the heat of the candle inside it. Ask your candle maker. Candle glassware comes in many shapes and sizes and not all are suited to gel.

Never leave a burning candle unattended – and never touch a burning candle!

Another type of container candle is called a “double glassed” gel candle. In this instance, a smaller container with the actual gel candle is placed inside an outer container where the design using gel and embeds has been made. In the last five years a new type of clear candle has emerged – freestanding gel-type candles. Again using a base of mineral oil, candle uses a patented resin as the stabilizer, creating a candle that outshines both traditional paraffin and gel candles. It requires no container like gel candles, burns longer than paraffin and holds more fragrance than either. The flame burns down through the inside of the candle as light radiates through the candle’s side wall. Resin-based candles can be made in traditional paraffin pillar shapes, lending them more decorative appeal than gel candles and more durability than paraffin.

Whatever your candle choice, know what your burning.

Garden Pots

Garden pots help in creating a more aesthetic and more attractive garden. You can find variations in types and makes of garden pots and each of these would bring something different in your desired landscape and garden design. Some ceramic and clay pots are finished with either colorful or plain colored glazes. There are more modern garden pots nowadays. Plastic pots of various shapes, colors and sizes are available in the market. They could also be utilized to produce a more modern garden design.

Some people would consider plant boxes as garden pots. If you are the type who likes to fill even your walls with plants, then you could make use of smaller garden pots designed to be hung. You can make use of these various designs, makes and types of garden pots to your advantage.

Tips For Using Garden Pots As a Container Garden

In some instances there is no other option BUT to use garden pots for a garden such as high-rise or apartment living. The following is a list of considerations if you are thinking of using garden pots in your own garden:

Garden pots are made from a large variety of materials, like clay, plastic and stone.

1. 1. Vary the Pot Sizes

If you vary the sizes of the plants and the pots, you will create a garden with a more eye-catching appearance. Place small pots up close and scale them up as you go back.

1. 2. Place Your Pots in Groups

If you place your pots in groups with smaller and mid-sized pots around a single large pot, you will add a lot of interest and a great focal point at the same time.

1. 3. Group Plants Requiring Similar Watering In Each Pot
2. 4. Group Plants Requiring Similar Sunlight In Each Pot
3. 5. Choose Plants That Require Less Water

Small pots tend to dry up fast since they can’t hold much water. Most garden pots already have a hole in the bottom for drainage.

1. 6. Add a Water Sealant to Terracotta Pots

Left unsealed, terracotta pots soak up the water that is intended for your plants.

1. 7. Potting Soil

For pots, its best to use a good potting soil as they are specially blended for this purpose. Potting soils are lighter in weight than normal soil and they hold water much better.