A peaceful, relaxing, long good night’s sleep. Who wouldn’t like that? At the end of a stressful day or after a long tiring journey, the feeling of sinking into a comfortable and cozy bed is nothing short of bliss.

The wonder’s a good sleep can do for your entire system is amazing. Not only is it an essential factor in work productivity, but also in increasing your overall energy and physical and mental agility. Scientifically, sleep is the time for body to repair the damage caused by stress and exposure to ultraviolet rays. This is because when you sleep your cells produce more protein, which help in repairing the damage. Studies show that losing even two hours of sleep can impair your performance equal to a 0.5 blood alcohol level (i.e: two glasses of wine). So next time you feel groggy on Monday morning at work, you probably know why!

When sleep is such an essential part of your life, then isn’t investing for a good sleep the smartest thing to do?! A good sleep is a combination of comfort and relaxation. Three main things which ensure this are choosing a good quality mattress, the right kind of pillow and a comfortable duvet.

Just think. You spend one-third of your life sleeping on your mattress, and this one-third determines the quality of the remaining two-thirds of your life.  Yet not many of us pay attention to minute details while picking a mattress for the bed. Interestingly, apart from the right size and durability, there are many factors to be considered before choosing a mattress that fits your need. So how do you decide what’s best for you?

The perfect mattress is one that moulds to your body, not the other way round. The lower back region in human body is the most common area for back pain because it bears the wear and tear of bending, lifting and stooping. A good mattress supports the back and allows the muscles to rest and rejuvenate during sleep.

Similarly, choosing a pillow is not about randomly picking the softest,
fluffiest one or the hardest one. Rather, it should be based on your
sleeping position because everyone has a special way that we feel is the
most comfortable way to sleep. Select a soft pillow if you sleep on your
stomach. This can prevent you from straining your neck. Buy a medium
pillow for good support if you prefer to sleep on your back. Or try a firm
pillow for maximum support if you sleep on your side.

Once you have the right mattress and correct pillow, then all you need is
a comfortable duvet to snuggle into! Duvets are both functional and
comfortable, and help to ensure the right warmth for your body without
making you sweaty, for a completely relaxing sleep.

And yes, don’t forget to turn off the lights! Happy sleeping!

Duvet Covers have become a popular choice for bedding around the world. Originally it was a type of bedding found in continental Europe or Scandinavia. The Duvet draws its name from the French word for down and that is the material that the quilt that a duvet covers is used with contains. The duvet (or quilt) can contain feathers, silk, wool, cotton, polyester batting or other artificial fibers. This duvet is then used with a duvet cover to keep it clean, or to coordinate it with the decor of a room.

The duvet may be confused with a quilt, but the distinction is typically that a quilt is used on top of other bedding, a duvet is used as the sole bedcovering.

Bedding however can be a great living and hiding place for all sorts of dust and dirt and duvets are no different. Dust mites can thrive in the duvet and it’s important that it be cleaned regularly. If you are allergic to dust and dust mites it would be especially important to find a duvet cover that is resistant to dust mites passing through the material.

Cleaning the duvet seems as though it could be a challenging process. A large commercial washing machine is recommended for a duvet to be cleaned. You should not have a duvet dry cleaned as the chemicals may damage the filler material. If you choose to dry your duvet in the dryer you should stop it periodically and break up any lumps of damp filler material that have clumped together. You should also use low heat to dry your duvet.

It’s worth noting that it takes special measures beyond a simple run through the washer to kill off dust mites.

Dust mites have been shown to be more effectively killed off if certain essential oils are used in the washing process such as pine, eucalyptus, or peppermint oil. These can kill a large majority of the dust mites in the duvet and will also leave a refreshing scent. Unfortunately just killing dust mites is note quite enough. Most allergies to dust mites are to their waste products and their bodies (dead or live) and so it might be effective to shake out or even beat your duvet with a broom as it’s suspended from a line.

After this you will need to redistribute the filling material so that it is evenly placed. If you start out with a dust mite proof duvet cover you will not have to take such extreme cleaning measures of your duvet, you can simply focus your cleaning on the duvet cover on a regular basis and still avoid allergies related to dust mites in a dirty duvet.

Even with a good duvet cover it would be wise to regularly wash your duvet, however it should not be necessary to go to such extreme measures to remove dust mites from the duvet if you have an effective duvet cover.

One advantage to the duvet cover is if they are allergen proof you should be able to just change out the duvet cover for washing on a frequent basis and then on a less frequent schedule clean your duvet. Another advantage to this routine is that you will be able to change out the look and feel of your bedroom on a regular basis as well if you have duvet covers with various designs.

For more about duvets and duvet covers, you may be interested in visiting the authors site where you can read more about caring for a duvet cover.

Just Imagine! You have a pink room with pink net, lacy bed covers, pink Pina Colada, pink personal diary, pink pen with the feather on top! And some Pink Papaya on the plate hehe. Ok I may be pushing it with the Pink stuff here but I do wish that lots of things were pink in my room. But unfortunately its not a girls room any more. I live with a boy! (My husband) and so he has managed to the room in blue just like a boy’s room would be. There are blue walls, curtains, bed covers, duvets, pillows et al but I must say that he has done a darn good job with the interiors! He rocks!

Why am thinking all Pink?

The answer is the brand “Pink Papaya”! Created by Ashmi Bhansali, a pretty girl herself. Pink Papaya is her fashion label through which she makes gorgeous Indian and western wear, slippers, tie-up chappals and lots more. I came across Pink Papaya a few years ago at The Spratt Store in Bangalore and ever since Iam a fan. You too can taste the sweet stuff from her label. Its available at Oak tree in Colaba, Sattva at Khar, Mogra at at Lower Parel, Phoenix Mills and some other places too.  What she is also doing nowadays is helping you use your old sarees and dress material, perhaps Mummy’s old stuff that you can put to good use. If you too wanna get yourself something nice and fun but not necessarily brand new, here is your chance! Call Ashmi Bhansali on 9820009008 or email trulypinkpapaya@gmail.com

So get yourself something pretty and pink (ok maybe not pink) from Pink Papaya! As for the owner,  I promise she is a magician with clothes so you sure will come back with a smile on your face!

Bed and Bedding

Since you will spend a third of your life lying in one, you thing carefully about the adjustable bed that suits you best. There are, of course, many differing sleeping surfaces and coverings used around the wold dependent on weather and cultural tradition. In the western world, the traditional adjustable bed base and mattress dominates the market. The recommended life span of the average adjustable bed is ten years, but few us heed that advice. Most people keep their adjustable bed for around double this time even though most mattresses will have deteriorated by about 75 per cent after 10 years. If you wake up in the morning unrested and plagued by aches and pains, it may be time to consider investing in a new adjustable bed.

When you go to the adjustable bed shop, do not allow yourself to be rushed by sales staff. Beds and mattresses can be expensive so you need not feel guilty about taking your time. The first thing to consider when buying a new adjustable bed is the size. An adjustable bed should be as wide as possible even if you sleep alone.

Preferably, an adjustable bed needs to be about six inches longer than its tallest occupant. The type of adjustable base for the adjustable bed depends on the degree of firmness you prefer. These can range from springs similar to those used in the mattress itself, though to hard wooden slats or metal bards. More important, though, is the type of mattress you choose. The general rule is not too hard or too soft. A good adjustable bed will allow your spine to settle into its natural S shape. Test a mattress by lying on it on your back and then slide your hand under the small of your back. If the mattress is too hard, our hand will move around freely. If the mattress is too hard, your hand will move around freely. If the mattress it soft, you will not be able to slide your hand in at all. If the mattress is just right, your hand will slide in and fit comfortably. Most mattresses have many springs inside and the springs that are independently sprung, the better the support will usually be. Alternative fillings can include polyurethane foam or latex. One important thing is that the mattress must be able to drain away the pint or so of water each of loses every night. A mattress covering made of natural fivers will cope with moisture well. When you think you settled on your choice, lie on the adjustable bed in the ship for about ten minutes to see if you still feel comfortable before parting your money. Once in use at home, your mattress should be turned over every few months to keep it in good order.

As an alternative to the traditional western adjustable bed base, you could consider a Japanese – style futon. These are made of layers of cotton wadding covered with calico and laid on a base made of wooden slats. This type of bed provides good support and can often convert into a useful sofa. The cotton mattress does require a good shake every so often to avoid the cotton layers forming into solid lumps.

Water beds are made of vinyl and are filled with water. The benefit of water beds is that they provide great support since they distribut wieght evenly. They are also hygienic and non-allergic.

Hammocks are perhaps a less common alternative to the traditional bed. The benefits are the soothing rocking motion they provide and a good circulation of air. They can be easily packed away, but hammocks do need a large room to accommodate each end.

Once you decided on the type of adjustable bed you want, you can think about the kind of pillows and bedding to go with it.

There are many kinds of pillows to choose from depending on your preferred sleeping position. The idea is to keep you head at the same angle to your shoulders that you have standing up. In general, if you sleep on your back, a medium pillow is best. If you sleep on your back feather pillows are great if you need a firmer pillow. If you normally sleep on your stomach, a softer pillow is less of a strain on your neck. Feather pillows mould better to the shape of your head, but these don’t last so long as synthetic fibers and can produce allergic reactions in some people.

Pillows made from synthetic fibers or foam will not aggravate allergies and are washable. Some people like to put a small pillow filled with herbs or hobs inside the main pillow to promote good sleep. Babies should not be given pillows until they are over one year old to avoid danger of suffocation.

Your next choice is the type of bedding. Most people in the western world now prefer duvets because it is easier to make the bed. Like pillows, duvets can be either synthetic or filled with feathers. Natural fibers allow the skin to breathe better, but will wear out faster than synthetic fibers and will cause an allergic reaction in some people. Many people prefer blankets and sheets as these can be added or taken off to suit the weather. Again natural fibers allow the skin to breath properly. Cotton sheets and blankets should be used for babies. If you need extra heat in the bed, get a good quality hot water bottle or a hot lover. Electric blankets emit electromagnetic radiation that is detrimental to health and are best avoided.

Once you are sorted out with bed and bedding, its time to take a look the wider environment starting with the bedroom itself.

I’m moving into my NEW apartment next week. No longer living in student accommodation as I am a grown-up now *shudder*

So how should I decorate?! Well in college I was digging the whole ‘tween’ thing… yes the likes of High School Musical (tho’  I’ve never even seen the movies!), kiddy duvets from Dunnes stores… basically cutesy designs. But now… woah woah.. now I want something more ME!…

I’m thinking retro/kitsch…

These caught my eye:

I Love, Love, Love this clock.  Available from Urban Outfitters and at only £10 it’s a steal! (Also available in gray)

Remember the retro hamburger phone?! I’d swap my mobile for this any day!

… and for those moments that I just have to see if I’ve hit 5 foot yet:

It’s a deer measuring tape…!

…and a lady bird…

…and not too sure what this is – but some girl like design!

Who knew measuring tapes could actually be cool?!

I like having my own mug. Ya know – just mine. I think it stemmed from my concerns as a kid that mugs were full of other peoples germs (I obviously had never heard of a dishwasher… I was 5!)… But every year I end up getting some random mug with a cute cat or hippo or something on it. Well not this year!

…well vegetarians are very cool…

… cuz we all like a bit of grime.

And finally a floral duvet cover. Ikea has really nice kitsch floral quilts and Laura Ashley, as always, has an abundance of flowery accessories. This one I found in Dunnes…

At approximately 12.03 this morning I was on the blower to remixer and producer wunderkind Starsmith. As long-standing Jack fans will know, we have taken rather a shine to this young upstart and we felt that it was about time we gave him and his right-hand woman Miss Ellie Goulding (that might be doing her a deep disservice) a chance to have their say in the illustrious pages of Who’s Jack.

Starsmith was just that, an absolute star…smith and we had a lovely chat about music, duvets, Twitter, Frankmusik and spelling.

Interrupting our pleasant conversation was the arrival of Ellie Goulding to Starsmith’s bedroom studio. So, as my conversation with Starsmith drew to a it’s inevitable end, he handed me over to Ellie and I started all over again!

Ellie was just as lovely and we had a nice little natter about languages, going to the gym, Starsmith’s cat and female musicians. Not necessarily in that order.

At the end of my bumper interview double header I also got them to play a little game based on that shit ITV gameshow ‘Mr and Mrs’. In a bid to find out just how well they know each other, I asked both Starsmith and Ellie the same questions and then tested them to see if they could come up with the same answers for each other…

You can find out how well the did in the October issue of Who’s Jack, as well as reading the accompanying interview article of unspeakable quality and craftsmanship.

In one week it will be another move…another change.

This will be my third place in London, and the biggest change is that it will no longer be a student residence…it will be an apartment…in a way I feel like I am going up in the world .

So how am I feeling about it? I feel good about the move. However, right now I am also a bit apprehensive about HOW I will make the move…HOW will I get all my stuff from this place to the next? More stuff has been added since my last move, mainly from Adrian who gave me duvets, a printer, a heater and a small fridge amongst other things, and from Michael from Denmark in terms of kitchen stuff. Luckily Lara will probably be able to make it to help me in the move…WOOHOOO. It will be nice to have the help and to see her and hopefully Steph again.

So far I have started taking some stuff to uni to limit the stuff I have at home. Also, I have started to check what I have and where. And more than that? I vacuumed my room today . It looks so clean compared to what it was .

Anyways, will let you know how the move goes I am sure .

We don’t hide it and anyone with kids will testify to it but kids are evil. Okay maybe not evil. They are like tiny teenagers with thier personalities amplified into stereotypes. Put a handful of them into a room and your guaranteed that World War 3 will break out within 5 minutes and at least one of them will be crying by then.

Today I recieved a phonecall at work from Vonnie because Nairn wanted me to do something for them. They had lifted every single duvet in the house into the livingroom and put them on the floor in front of the TV. The demand was for popcorn as they decided they were having a duvet day and wanted to watch some films. Even Greer was playing along with this and being good for a change.

Duvet Day

With today being the start of the Glasgow Fair holidays I finished work at lunchtime and headed home via the supermarket to pick up the aforementioned popcorn. I got home and everyone was doing great. I think Vonnie must have secretly feeding them sweeties when I wasn’t looking. They were that good in fact I fell asleep on the couch with my laptop on my knee and Greer in my arms.

They then surpassed themselves by bringing two boxes of LEGO down from their rooms and playing nicely with it all. I’ve never seen them like this! Not one of them fought over the special bits and they helped each other build whatever it was they actually built. I can never usually tell what they make unless it’s a car or a plane.

What I was amazed at though was the fact that some of the LEGO they were playing with was mine from when I was a kid. That stuff is almost 30 years old and apart from it being slightly discoloured you wouldn’t have a clue it’s had such a long life.

These are so cute. I have a little beagle that would look perfect on this bed below.

The best part is that you start out with a stuff sack, which you fill with things like old t-shirts and lonely socks. (perfect for my, ahem, packrat syndrome). Then you slip the duvet on—the site has 5 to choose from. They’re all very Apartment Therapy-esque, no?

Molly Mutt Duvets and Stuff Sacks

I am still working on my plans for the master bedroom, and more specifically for the bed linens. I still haven’t purchased a duvet cover. I am thinking now about keeping my plain white one and accessorizing to bring the colors in. This is what I have currently

Plain white bedspread/duvet/sheets

I just ordered this Civil War Woolrich blanket from Amazon, should arrive next week. I am hoping it is as comfy as it looks! It will be placed at the end of the bed.

I also have a yellow pillow that I got from Target. Not this pillow though, but I couldn’t find the real one on the Target site. The one I bought is silk with a white pattern and much nicer than this one, in my opinion. But this gives you the idea.

I still think I need some more grey in the mix. Here are some other duvet options from Ikea:

This was a choice of mine originally. Still up there on my list, but I haven’t seen it in person yet.

This is a little more subtle. There is a slight pattern of grey which  might be a nice hint, but I feel like I need something more bold. Ah, I don’t know. I guess I will have to wait and see what it looks like all together!

In other news, we sign for the house tonight! Officially the house will be ours, and we take possession on Thursday. Only two more days before the fun ca

Check us out in the Wenatchee World!

Our specialties include:

Window Treatments and Coverings • Valances • Swags • Cornice Boards • Panels • Roman Shades • Sheers •  Specialty Shades and Blinds • Fine Drapery Hardware • Slipcovers • Cushions • Pillows and Shams • Headboards • Duvets • Bed Skirts • Table Linens • Shower Curtains •

Home consultation and interior design services available.

The Hermitage Hotel has afternoon tea in the grand lobby. Down-filled duvets (that’s a fancy word for comforters). A presidential suite with 2,000 square feet. And a really nice toilet.

So nice, in fact, that it’s been voted (drum roll please) America’s best restroom.

Flush in the middle of downtown Nashville, the luxury hotel and its ground-floor men’s bathroom are definitely the head (so to speak) of the class.

The redoubtable restroom is art-deco style with gleaming lime-green-and-black leaded glass tiles, lime-green fixtures, terrazzo floor and a two-seat shoeshine station.

“You just can’t find anything like it anywhere else,” says Janet Kurtz, director of sales and marketing at the hotel.

The restroom won the honor in online voting sponsored by Cincinnati-based Cintas Corp., which supplies restroom hygiene products and services. The company says “tens of thousands” of people voted over two months last summer. Precise numbers are kept, well, private.

Criteria were hygiene, style and access to the public. The highfalutin honor has earned the restroom entry to “America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame.”

“People see it and fall in love with it,” Kurtz said.

It has four stools, three urinals, four sinks, spotless mirrors and a Sultan telephone that connects to the front desk.

And, (how do you put this delicately?) women seem attracted to it.

Lita Esquinance of Bradley County, Tenn., guides friends to the restroom for a discreet peek just about every time she visits Nashville. One of them, Sonja Luckie, jokingly summed up her visit with this discerning observation:

“For men, it’s very stimulating.”

The hotel, built in 1910 and renovated in 2003, has 122 guest rooms and suites. The restroom, down the hall from the hotel bar and restaurant, dates back to 1939.

Do they leave the light on for you? Not necessarily, but the famous restroom is cleaned hourly.

In her six years at the hotel Kurtz has never used the men’s restroom. But just wait.

“I hope they have a ladies’ night sometime.”

Read more: Flush with class: Tenn. bathroom voted best in US

I’m always a little surprised to find that when looking around for new bed linens, the sets I end up really loving, seem to be for “juniors.” Does that make me immature? Do I have infantile taste? I suppose I must. But check out these pretty duvet sets by DwellStudio. There are a few patterns in my picks below, for juniors. Can you pick out which ones they are? (Well, perhaps the teddy bears are a slight giveaway…)

geometry

motif robin

gio primrose

collage charcoal

Let’s remind ourselves of The Mysterious Things you might discover upon moving to the UK as a feisty and intelligent American lady. Oh darling,  will there be plenty. No one tells you (well besides us, I mean)  that you might notice your British partner doesn’t rinse the suds off dishes,  duvet covers might wean you from your beloved sheets for good, that in this country Asbestos is no biggie despite what you thought, and that you will need to be able to make tea for 10 Brits and get them all right. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! But– amongst those initial discoveries is the reality that you might need to descale the tea kettle at some point to get rid of rust and limescale buildup. Descaling the tea kettle is a frequent joke amongst us 3 American women and a frequent laughing point when we have one of our Betty’s tea parties (wait, I hope Betty’s descales their kettle?!).

Us three American ladies on this blog are very different, and it is highlighted by our approach to the tea kettle descaling. Do you fall into any of these categories?

Yankee bean: She doesn’t bother with descaling and actually didn’t know what the heck I was talking about at our first mention of descaling. She said something along the lines of  “Descaling? You mean cutting fish open?” Needless, to say she happily drinks her tea regardless of the mineral buildup– she won’t mind me telling you that the bottom of her tea kettle looks like a dandruff  storm that has settled for life.  I admire her relaxed nature to this and wish I could be so chilled about it.

Pacificbird: She only uses natural ingredients to descale to coincide with her uber-healthy lifestyle. She has tried numerous natural recipes and the most popular ones include using citric acid, lemon, vinegar, water… this goes along perfectly with her decision to give up caffeine and drink herbal cuppas instead.

Well, then there is me here–I can’t stand drinking tea from a nasty scaled tea kettle, with weird white things floating in the water. It just grosses me out. For example, I teach at a very posh college, but do those Old Boys bother to descale their very schmancy fancy silver coated kettle? No! So, I decline tea very politely. But in my home I descale my Tesco 5 quid bargain kettle every four months with those little descaling packets you can buy. By descaling I have had my cheapo kettle for years! Click here for a great little article on how and why to complete this important task. Gosh it’s so satisfying.

____

Tell me you don’t want this duvet from Ikea.

::

We wrestle and tug for more control over it, that is, Mr. Chill and I. We’re in an eight-hour nocturnal struggle over duvet possession–an endless battle that every couple in Britain must experience these chilly eves  in bed.

“We’re not going to turn up the heat”, I say,“For goodness sake, darlin’, its the bloomin’ credit crunch! Oh, and you’re hogging the duvet again!”

It is only my £19.99 -twelve- toggle- Woolworth’s-duvet that is my shield against the December elements in my Damp Victorian Terrace Flat (and now, this important item might even be a collector’s item now that Woolie’s has gone under!)

Growing up for  20 odd years of  sheets surrounding me in a cozy wrap, I never had heard of a “Duvet” until I moved to Britain almost 10 years ago. Well, had you? And the thing about going back home to America these days are those silly, odd sheets.That bedding system feels claustrophobic to me. They bind my feet, crunch my toes and make me sweat. When you have been living in England for so long you realize how its the little things that make you more British. Like using Duvet covers, for example.

There is no “duv-ate” about it, because duvet covers just make sense to me.

]]> http://dejamoicc.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/leaving-sicily/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:14:54 +0000 dejamoicc http://dejamoicc.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/leaving-sicily/

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Hey everyone!

Well yes, it was the night before we left we were all packed up and ready to go. It was really strange leaving that house. Now that I think about it I didn’t actually leave that much behind in Sicily. It was strange not doing anything with the refrigerator and the washing-machine. We just left them in the house for Giovanni to have.

I left a few “warm” (… not light) clothes, thinking that I wouldn’t need them in south-west France… wow, I was wrong! That giant, jumper thing really could’ve come in handy today. It’s been absolutely FREEZING *shivers*! But it can’t get much worse because all of the French are already in giant jackets and jumpers… unless they just stay wrapped up in duvets next to a cosy fire in winter… and even if they do, I’m up for that !

So anyway we were all packed with the things we actually needed. Now going back we only had 3 suitcases… I wanted to bring the swing that we’d got in Sicily… it was such a cool swing; see what I mean about not being so great with leaving things behind! But in the end the swing was still swinging silently on its own, hanging from the tree that I had tied it to .

Yeah, we only had three suitcases because my mom was in England and therefore wasn’t flying with us. The flight we’d taken was only one suitcase per person… my mom had to leave most of her things behind (my dad was packing )… but it was mainly just her jumpers and shoes.

The lemons in Sicily were absolutely enormous (I just remembered how much I miss them)! If you make a fist with your hand that’s the size they were! Okay, if you make a fist with my hand … The first day in England I walked into Karen’s dining room where my sister and my aunt (Natalie) were.

There was this… thing on the table. It was like a Sicilian lemon… but a million times smaller. I burst into fits of laughter and asked “What is that thing?!”… yes that was a lemon, Natalie seemed pretty confused, but Venetia joined in with my fits of giggles and then explained to Natalie. We’d only been away from the U.K. for two months, but really… this is what I used to think was a lemon! Ha! You’d get at least a quarter of a tall glass filled with lemon juice from one! Four would make a whole jug of lemon juice… here you’d have to use like twenty! Pathetic !

Right, yes back to Sicily. Sorry keep getting side-tracked! On the last night in Sicily, we drank an abnormal amount of milkshake (since we had a lot of milk in the fridge… and coincidently a lot of chocolate powder) and played jack-change-it to pass the time. We got to bed pretty early, then I was woken up at… okay I can’t remember the exact time, but it was much earlier than early for me. It was around about two am-ish… maybe four.

Once we were all ready we packed up the car and off we went. I was cramped in the back with suitcases sticking into my sides and a heavy carry-on-case on my lap. After an hour of being stuck like this we arrived at the airport, had a nice long stretch and then brought our bags inside.

So you’re wondering what we did with the car? Well even if you’re not I’m going to tell you anyway . Do you remember that guy I told you about I think it was eight blogs ago, the one that we met in the small electrical shop on the first day of being in Sicily, where we wanted to buy a SIM card from? He had moved to Sicily 11 years ago from Scotland and was teaching in Palermo University. Yeah, him! Well let’s just say Robert. Well Robert’s son had just turned 18 and Robert had wanted to buy a car for him. My dad had found this out when he’d phoned him to ask if he wanted our car. What are the odds, eh?

So Robert met us up in the airport, had coffee (what else?… Sicilians drink far too much coffee… but being in Sicily it’s difficult not to get hooked on the strong stuff with a coffee bar on every single street… I even did) with his wife and my dad, signed the papers then drove off in the car. Now it was just a waiting game for the check-in and then the flight to finally see my mom, who I hadn’t seen for almost a month now and then there was also Gizmo!!!

We had our last Sicilian coffee and breakfast then went off to check-in. Not again! Our bags were the correct weight combined but not separately… it was like so what’s the difference… apparently there is a difference . So we spread out the weights into the different bags, and then finally checked in… I had to leave my binoculars behind, which I’d been traipsing around with me since Ireland .

After an hour of waiting in the waiting area, the woman announced that it was “All Aboard Time” okay she didn’t actually say this but it was something in Italian and then everyone started moving quickly towards the doors… so this was sort of a gesture that we could start lining up to show our passports and tickets.

If you every go to Sicily be warned! Most Sicilians do not like waiting in a queue, so either stand your ground or move to the back before you get trampled on… or ultimately squashed between people.

We buckled ourselves in and with a smooth start (and no ear popping) we were off. My mom told us to look out for an ice lake shaped like a bears head somewhere to the north of Italy or south of France during the flight, but it was too cloudy… or it could have just been when I was busy concentrating on my coca cola and I didn’t notice it .

The flight was actually a lot of fun. There were a few teenagers more to the front that got down their electric guitars and started playing (not plugged in of course). Later on I turned my MP3 player up really loud, over the voices of the cabin, then I heard this ATCHOO! Turned to Venetia knowing it would’ve been her and said “I heard that even OVER my loud music!”… we burst into fits of giggles.

Later on we landed, stood around like everyone else waiting for the bags to come through. When they did we grabbed them. Adjusted them so that they’d stop slipping off the trolley and off we went to see my mom! As we came around the corner I couldn’t see her no matter how many times Venetia said, “There she is, no Bianca over there! That way!” Then I spotter her… right in front of everyone else, ran up to her and gave her a gianormous hug… or rather she gave me the gianormous hug… I was left powerless .

We went over to the car and drove south for a good hour or so, stopping at a fast food place on the way. Since I’d only been once in Sicily and was craving milkshake… you’d think I would’ve had enough on the last night in Sicily for me to never want any more for a lifetime … I hadn’t.

We finally arrived in a nice little village, then went to Karen’s house, I could hear Gizmo barking before the car had even stopped. I jumped out and Gizmo was already out to greet me. I had missed him so much!

Gizmo wants to play now and the sun’s starting to shine again. So going to leave it at that and will be back soon . Hope to hear from you all.

- Bianca

India is the land of different colors and varieties in fashion industry. India has vast and varied culture. The garments industry in India is one of the best in the world. Indian readymade garments and textiles are extremely popular worldwide. Today, garments exports from India are known for their quality and beauty in the international market.

Home is considered as mirror of its owner’s thinking. So it is very necessary to design your home in a very special and different way. India in itself is a very beautiful and designed creation of that almighty God. So India has a colorful and diverse culture which provides exquisite design to Indian life. Indian designed handicrafts are most popular for home decor throughout the world. All Indian home décor items contains unique blend of tradition and fashion.

The home furnishing industry in India offers a splendid range of bedspreads, curtains, antiques, carpets, cushion covers, table covers, wall hangings and other home furnishings. The beautiful range is result of the spirit and hard work of Indian craftsmen who bring old traditions back to life with latest fashion.

Indian handicrafts offer an endless variety of handicraft items, intriguing in its form and captivating in its beauty.
Profile:

Hue estilo Garments is a pioneer name in export of garments and home furnishing items. We export the true ethnic products which contain the majestic combination of Indian tradition and modern fashion. Our products are unique and versatile. Our mission is to provide our customers 100% quality. We aim to establish long term business relationship with our customers all over the world and promote the development of each other. With a clear objective and driven by vision we pay keen attention to deliver the best. Technological up-gradation, constant quality improvements and innovation are the catchwords behind our accomplishments. The products we manufacture are needled with comfort and its easy care nature instills customer confidence. We promise all our clients to provide best services. Hue estilo is the concern of Regal group,

Our main feature is passion and commitment for quality. We have well equipped developed and sophisticated machinery. We have excellent infrastructure. We process corporate orders in accordance with our clients need. Customer satisfaction begins at our drawing board.  Every design is created with the need of customers foremost in our mind – we consider how they will fit our designs around their lifestyle.  We have team of dedicated and expert professionals.

Quality:

Hue estilo always strive to maintain the highest quality standards and fashionable design, enabling us to offer our customers a wide range of standard and mixed colors. Ethics, Integrity, quality of product and service, make us a valuable business partner. We trust in our productivity, quality, service, relationship and human resources to achieve our goal. Well equipped and advanced machinery contributes in our continuous quality improving target.

Mission:

The customer service is the most important mission of Hue estilo. Our excellent service has gained the trust of men and women garments buyers around the world. We will try our best to meet the demand of our customer.

1. To provide 100 % customer satisfaction

2. Building and nurturing a healthy relationship with every one associated with our company

3. To produce and supply world class products

4. To provide the best of the best in customer service and offer true value for money

Products:

Hue estilo has always been at the forefront in providing the latest and quality products in garments and home furnishing field. We are known for our quality services. We exports all products related to home furnishing and garments industries. We have true ethnic and Indian products with the touch of latest fashion.

Some of our products are as follows:
Decorative items, Embroidery items, Curtains, Bed covers, Stylish Bags, Cushion covers, Handicraft, Home furnishing, Bed Sheets, Wall Decorative, Textile Accessories, Antique Wall Panels, Wall Hangings, Textile Decorative, Rings, Handmade Home Furnishing

Please feel free to contact us if you have any query.

Article By: Jayant Pidwa

(CEO)

Head office

F-309, M.I.A Basni IInd Phase

Street No. 7

Jodhpur–342005 Rajasthan, INDIA

Visit us: http://hueestilo.com

Mail us: mail@hueestilo.com

Call us: +91 982 808 2490

Business Description:

Hue estilo, one of India’s finest manufacturer. Hue estilo a professionally managed organization engaged in the manufacturing & exporting of finest quality textile printed garment and Handmade Home Furnishing

My sister phoned me yesterday to tell me about a documentary that was shown on German television illustrating the extremely cruel treatment of geese that are being plucked for their down before they are being slaughtered 6 weeks later. It is horrendous…I had no idea that geese are plucked alive. I always thought of down as a by product of the meat industry (i.e. Christmas goose).

If you are thinking of buying a feather down duvet this Christmas or later on in the January sales – think again. A video illustrating the plight of the geese is now uploaded on You Tube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=llZwycEYjR8.
Warning – you need a strong stomach and no emotions watching this video.

And to the person who argued with me about civet farming the other day – I really don’t think that any type of animal cruelty is justifiable, whether they are wild animals caught for exploitation or domesticated ones reared for meat and – as in this case – down feathers. Whilst I appreciate that impoverished farmers need to make a living, I do not believe that animal cruelty is justifiable, full stop. I agree that people need to make a living but animals can be kept in adequate surroundings and they must be treated with respect. We have no right to mistreat other species for our own benefit. This planet was given to us as a gift. We need to look after it or there will come a day when Gaia will take her revenge (sooner rather than later by the looks of it…and I do hope so, to be honest).

What better way to stay toasty on those cold winter nights than with a queen down comforter. Just imagine snuggling under a warm, soft comforter. Nothing could be better when the cold wind is howling outside and the snow is piling up. Here’s a look at what you need to know on how to choose the best queen down comforter and how to care for your new comforter.

How A Queen Down Comforter Can Help Beat The Winter Chill
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards]Terry Edwards

What better way to stay toasty on those cold winter nights than with a queen down comforter. Just imagine snuggling under a warm, soft comforter. Nothing could be better when the cold wind is howling outside and the snow is piling up. After reading this article, you will know how to choose the best queen down comforter and how to care for your new comforter.

First of all, let’s learn a little about a down comforter. The down comforter is filled with either duck or goose down. Duck down comforters tend to be a little less expensive. You must be careful with the less expensive comforters, because they can be filled with down and feathers to add bulk. The feathers have sharp points that can poke through the fabric and poke you.

Feathers can also work their way out of a comforter, reducing the amount of fill over time and leaving a mess of feathers on the bed.

The best fill for a down comforter is the Siberian Geese down. Comforters made with this type of down are heavier and they last a lot longer.

Down comforters can be classified by the amount of fill found in them. The higher the fill rating, the fluffier and fuller it will be. A fill rating of over 800 is considered the best, but is also the most expensive. These queen down comforters can cost as much as $4,000.

Most people cannot afford a $4,000 comforter, so when shopping for a down comforter, look for a fill rate of at least 550 or better. Take thread count into consideration also. The higher the thread count, the softer the comforter.

When shopping for a down comforter, try to find the best one for the best price. A quality queen down comforter will be expensive, but it will be worth it.

Now that you have purchased the perfect queen down comforter, it’s time to think about how you will care for your new comforter. Check the label for recommended cleaning instructions. If the label says dry clean only, don’t take the chance with any other cleaning method. You probably paid a lot for your comforter, so take proper care of your investment.

If the label doesn’t say dry clean only, you may want to wash your down comforter. If you don’t have an oversized washer, then you will have to go to the local Laundromat to use one of their large washers. Wash your down comforter on the delicate cycle with a mild detergent.

Throwing in a pair of white tennis shoes without the laces with your comforter will help keep the down evenly distributed. Dry your queen down comforter on the lowest setting with the tennis shoes. To keep it looking nice, periodically remove the comforter from the dryer and work out any lumps.

Nothing can beat the warmth and softness of a quality down comforter. Invest in a good queen down comforter and you will be warm and toasty all winter long!

By the way, you can learn more about a [http://www.downcomfortersa-z.com/Queen_Down_Comforter.html]Queen Down Comforter as well as much more information on all types of comforters at http://www.DownComfortersA-Z.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards http://EzineArticles.com/?How-A-Queen-Down-Comforter-Can-Help-Beat-The-Winter-Chill&id=763497