Monthly Archives: April 2020

How to Distinguish the Magnetic Force of a Magnet

When you take a moment to think about it, a magnet really is quite a wonderful thing! This invisible force that attracts metal and can repel or attract other magnets seemingly defies the laws of physics, and many a young child has been steered towards a life in science thanks to early experiments in their schooldays involving magnetic force. There are many different types of magnets, and they are not just playthings but important items in a wide array of appliances and other uses. Let’s have a look at magnets in more detail and consider how to understand the force of a magnet.

More About Magnets

The history of magnets is one of interest, as magnets were not in fact invented, but ‘discovered’. Magnetite is a naturally occurring mineral that – as the Ancient Greeks noticed many centuries ago – had properties that attracted metal objects. It wasn’t until a scientist by the name of William Gilbert, an Englishman, began researching the subject of magnetism in the late 1500’s that the phenomenon became more widely known.

Today, magnets are used in many different areas: they are found in industry in some heavy machinery, notably in the mining industry and others where metal needs to be separated from other minerals. Magnets are also used in various medical equipment, notably the likes of MRI scanners, and also form an important part of most electric motors. As we shall see, the latter use is one reason why custom magnets bulk manufacturing is a strong and growing industry.

Back to the title, and distinguishing the force of an individual magnet involves a good understanding of the science involved, and the ability to interpret complex mathematical formulas. Without getting too deep into that, we will look at the difference between two types of common magnetic – the ceramic magnet, and the rare-earth magnet.

Ceramic vs. Rare-Earth

Until relatively recently, indeed as late as the 1950’s, magnets for all uses were made from naturally magnetised ore, such as Lodestone. These magnets did the job but were never very powerful. In the 1950’s it was discovered how to create ceramic magnets – made from barium or strontium ferrite – which could be made in various strengths. This gave magnets greater versatility.

Further developments in magnets came about with the discovery that ‘rare-earth’ elements could be made into magnets. The first, the samarium cobalt magnet or SmCo, were born in the 1970’s and represented a great stride forward in magnetic production. The breakthrough came in the mid-1980’s with the development of the neodymium magnet, or NdFeB, with its mix of neodymium, boron and iron constituents.

These days the latter are the most powerful type of magnets available to buy. The strength of magnetic field a magnet produces is measured in a scale called BHmax, arrived at by the complex calculations we mentioned earlier. To give you an idea of the different magnetic strength, look at this: the BHmax rating of a ceramic magnet is 3.5. The equivalent neodymium magnet has a rating of 40!

There’s your answer – the neodymium magnet is the one you need!

Easy Travel Outfits – Stylish and Comfortable Dressing

Getting ready to hop on a plane or to settle in for a particularly long bus, train or even car ride can be super tedious and tricky. You’re sure that you want to feel as comfortable as possible, but you always want to look presentable and, dare you say it, even well put together. Well, you’ve found your way to just the corner of the internet that’s going to make that more than achievable! Here are a few easy travel outfits and clothing ideas to get you inspired and ready to hit the road looking better than ever…

Beautifully Bohemian

Boho style outfits are ideal for travelling in as they are relaxed and loose fitting by nature, but they still have that gorgeous air of effortless chic about them. Choose a flowing maxi dress with a plunging neckline and statement sleeves, this is basically going to do all the work for you! Pair with chunky sneakers or your favourite pair of slides, layer on a couple of pendant necklaces and call it a day! You can add a floppy sun hat for an extra touch of romance.

Jump for Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits are so comfortable it’s crazy, and they just so happen to be incredibly on trend – the best of both worlds, hey! Embrace one of the biggest trends this season and channel the utilitarian look, choose a boiler suit style jumpsuit and roll up the sleeves. Pair with some pointed toe mules or boots and add a silky ribbon in your hair. This outfit is creative, cool and perfectly suited to comfortably chilling out on your travels.

Silky, Casual and Stylish

The satin midi skirt has been all the rage as of late and thankfully it just so happens to be as comfortable as it is stylish. Tone down the formality of the piece by pairing it with a tee shirt or simple, luxurious top. Great materials for your shirt include organic cotton, bamboo and cashmere. It doesn’t get any more cosy than breathable cashmere tops, so get searching for the ultimate travel companion. Throw an oversized denim jacket over your ensemble and carry a basket bag for a beautifully elegant yet relaxed travel get-up. Some woven sandals or a pair of good old fashioned thongs will go amazingly here.

Perfectly Polished

Ready to look like a professionally polished goddess whilst still feeling like you’re in your pyjamas? Enter the silk slip dress, also known as your day to day lifesaver. A silky slip dress in a refined nude such as a mauve or dusty rose makes you look so glam with an amazing lack of effort which, really, is what we’re all looking for. Wear with a chunky cashmere jumper over the top, knee high socks and some platform brogues for a chilly day of travelling or opt for a loose fitting blazer and wedge sandals for warmer days. A leather backpack and a choker chain necklace will match perfectly with your outfit.

Retro Vibe

Get a little vintage with your next travelling ensemble by stepping into a pair of high waisted flare pants. You can easily find these in lovely stretch jersey or in a knitted material for the comfiest travelling experience possible. Wear with a tight fitting tee, tucked in or a knitted turtleneck. Add a swipe of red lipstick if you’re feeling up to it and rock some chunky platform sandals or boots.

And there you have it! A couple of killer outfit ideas that are going to make you look flawless whilst you snuggle up on your journey.

Best Used Family Cars To Consider in 2020

There is no doubt that the SUV (sports utility vehicles) are the main choice for families looking for a bigger car. Many years ago the families seemed to go for estate cars, but you can get just as much inside an SUV and its easier and smaller to drive.

An SUV appeals to families because of all the rear seat space, and boot space. You can sit 3 children on the back seats easily and this will accommodate them as they grow. There is also enough room in the boot for a pram and whatever else you will be taking with you on the trip.

Here is our top 10 list and we will then discuss what makes a great family car.

Top 10

  1. Honda CRV
  2. Toyota RAV 4
  3. Honda Pilot
  4. Hyundai Pallsade
  5. Toyota Highlander
  6. Ford expedition
  7. Volkswagen Atlas
  8. Kia Telluride
  9. Chrysler Pacifica
  10. Hyundai Santa Fe

So what makes all these so good?

Value

Many of these will be available with buy here pay here car dealers where you can get a great range of finance options. They do hold their resale value quite well when compared to other types of cars. All the ones we picked out we like to think are reliable and this should also help keep the resale value of the car high.

Safety

This is most parents key point when looking for a car to drive their children around in. All the ones we picked out have decent safety ratings. Bigger cars are usually safer and these are all decent sized cars.

Drivability

No one wants a car that’s safe and hold its value if it’s not fun to drive on a daily basis. You want the car to be the full package. All of these are nice and smooth and some have great acceleration and come with a range of engine options meaning there should be something to suit everyone. Also with the car being big, you want to make sure the visibility is good so that you can park it easily and overall reduce stress while driving.

Technology

Most new cars are improving the technology they offer in cars and it can be a great selling point and one of the most fun parts about looking for new cars. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should all be common-place in most new cars as well as cruise control and lane assist driving.

Child Seats

How easy are the child seats to fit? You want to make sure they are easy to get in and out and one you don’t need a 100 page booklet for or even a youtube video. Getting a seat in and out should be something that’s easily done.

Boot Space

Is there a big lip on the boot? Does this make stuff hard to get stuff in and out. Do the seats fold down easily? All these should be considered when buying an SUV for the family.

 

Inexpensive Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Whether you’re selling your home in the near future or you want to add a few quick fixes for your own enjoyment, you’ll want to create a budget that you can live by. If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t have the necessary financial means to completely renovate your house, so what are a few inexpensive ways that you can add an updated look to your home? The cost and financial return of each project can very, but here are a few cheap ways that you can make a noticeable difference to your home and will be sure to add value:

Spruce up the kitchen.

The kitchen has always been considered the most important room of the home. For just a few hundred dollars, you can have your kitchen cooking in no time. First of all, make sure that all of your kitchen appliances coordinate to compliment each other. If the appliances don’t match, order new face panels for them. For instance, you’ll want to convert your white microwave and dishwasher to match the other stainless steel items that are featured throughout your kitchen.

One secret that many homeowners don’t know about the face panels on dishwashers is that they are white on one side and black on the other. So if your appliances are black and your dishwasher is white, simply take a minute to unscrew the panel and flip it around and you’ve coordinated your entire kitchen.

If you have a small budget and don’t have the financial capability of changing out the cabinets, then at least change out the cabinet door handles to a modern finish like brushed nickel. A small change like this can really add a polished look to your kitchen. Also, change out the light fixtures in the kitchen space. To make the kitchen look more spacious, install lights that make it look brighter. I also highly recommend changing out the kitchen faucet set.

Change out light fixtures.

If your recessed lighting lacks character, change out your living or dining room light with a more impressive piece. Also, a nice inexpensive method of sprucing up the look to your living room is with the ceiling fan. You can replace the old blades with new ones, all the while leaving the fan body in place.

Paint the front door.

What impression do you want buyers to make of your home when they step up to the front door? To give your home a solid appearance, opt for a new cherry wood look or something similar to give an amazing finish. Replace the old flimsy handle and lock set with something substantial that lets the buyer know that security is not a question with this home.

Building a room.

Okay, this one is not as bad as it sounds. In most real estate associations across the country, a bedroom is defined as a living space that has a built in closet affixed to the room. If you have a two bedroom house, but you have an additional living space that is used as an office, call a contractor to see how hard it would be to build in a closet. Most built in closet systems will range from $1500-2000. I know that sounds expensive, but by upgrading the status of your home from a 2 bedroom to a 3 bedroom has increased your value dramatically. Before, what would’ve been a home only fit for a small family has now opened up the possibility for a larger family with two or more children.

Retool the closets.

While we’re talking about closets, if your storage space lacks organization, spend the money to make your closets, pantries, and storage space more functional. This can be accomplished with a series of do-it-yourself wiring systems and can be installed in a weekend or less. If you’re not interested in selling this will still make your home more functional but if you are selling then it will give your home a customized appearance.

Replace the flooring.

If you were to blow your budget on anything then it may be this one. If you have room in your budget, replace the laminate flooring with something more appealing such as stone or tile. It gives a more polished look, and buyers appreciate the durability of a stone or tile floor. Find a friend that specializes in carpet and flooring work and offer to pay them for the help. The materials aren’t overly expensive, but the labor is, so if you can find someone that knows how to do it then I recommend going that route.

Pave your driveway.

This is another one that’s not necessary but will add tremendous value. The outer appearance of your home is extremely important. Paving your driveway is a simple home improvement project and, believe it or not, having a new driveway will make your home appear new as well. This will eliminate all of the worn cracks and ruts in your driveway and will be pleasing to any buyer that drives by your home. This is a simple project that a homeowner could easily do themselves.

Tips When Organizing and Ordering Graduation Invites and Announcements

There is not many days more important than graduation day. Whether it’s your graduation from high school, college or university, these are occasions you will want to celebrate with as many of those close to you and who have had a part in your progress. It can feel like a mammoth task, whether you are organizing the invites and announcements for your child or yourself. However, it doesn’t need to feel intimidating or even stressful.

In the following post we want to show just how easy it is to get organized and arrange for invites and announcements to be sent out related to your big day.

When Is Best to Order Graduation Announcements?

This is question that many people have, and it is bit of a judgement call really. In our opinion, you are best ordering graduation announcements and invites around 3 to 4 weeks before you plan on sending them out. This gives you enough time to fill out the envelopes appropriately. It also ensures you have something of a grace period so that if your order is incorrect in anyway, you can still correct it before you need to start sending those announcements and invites out.

Who Should Get Announcements and Who Should Get Invites?

When you are sending invites to your graduation or that of your child, you need to think carefully about who you are going to send them out to. It is always best to invite as many people as you would like to come as possible. Don’t be put off inviting those who live a little further away, as they will appreciate the fact they were remembered, even if they were unable to attend.

If there are any problems with inviting quite as many people as you would like, that is when you should opt for announcements, like no photo graduation announcements, so they are aware it is happening and at least feel part of it all in some small way.

Keep Aside Some As Keepsakes

Given how exquisite graduation announcements and invites are, like the beautiful full color 2 sided graduation invitations are, they are perfect keepsakes. You can keep some for yourself and give some to your parents and even grandparents as mementos. If you plan things out properly, you can even invest in portfolios to hold everything, so it is nicely presented.

Always Round Up the Amount You Need To Avoid Reprinting Costs

Printing companies always receive calls from panicked parents and students who request extra prints beyond the order they have already put through or even received. The cost of reprinting especially when it is a relatively small quantity, is more expensive than the cost of ordering potentially more than you need all at once. Therefore, it is far more economical to round up the amount of invites and announcements you need, so that you have enough to cover the full list of recipients, as there always seems to be new additions that arise further down the line as you remember them.