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What To Consider When Buying Countertops There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a material for your bathroom or kitchen countertops; marble, quartz, and the one at the top of many people s list, granite. If you ve decided on granite, there are even more choices to make in choosing the perfect granite countertop. If it s time for a kitchen remodel, or if you are selecting options for a new home or business, keep these five things in mind when choosing your granite countertops. Color There s a huge array of colors to choose from for your kitchen countertops greys, browns greens, blacks, whites, and beiges. Think about the color scheme of the room, and the finish of your cabinets, to find a color of granite that complements them. Edge Think about the style of edge you d like for your countertop. There are a number of choices that suit granite countertops, such as a bevelled or bull-nosed edge, and you may want to look at the popular new waterfall edge and side. Try out our countertop edge visualizer to get an idea of your options. Pattern You also have a range of choices for the veining, and pattern of your stone countertop. Granite countertops can be solid, marbled, or speckled, producing dramatically different effects. If you re going for a minimalistic look, then you could keep things simple with a solid-colored countertop. Or choose from a wide variety of colors that contrasts each slab to add in speckling or marbling. It s a good idea to take in color samples, cabinet doors, even flooring pieces when shopping for granite countertops. Our Account Managers can assist you in obtaining the perfect combination for a new home, existing property or commercial building. Consider the amount of light in the room as well to decide whether a darker or lighter granite would be best. Finish Choose from three different finishes polished, honed, or leather. A polished finish produces a smooth, shiny surface. Polished granite is less porous than other options. Honing cuts down on the shine, providing more of a matte finish. A leather finish makes the countertop surface textured, like leather. 6 SensibleShopper.net

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Tips for First Massage Therapy Experience Uses of massage therapy re different for each person. It may be a special treat you rarely experience, or it may be part of your weekly routine. Either way, you ll have to experience the environment for the very first time. If you have questions about massage therapy etiquette, you ve come to the right place. Once you ve decided to get a massage and chosen a massage therapist, you must be honest with yourself as to the reasons you re getting a massage. This will help your therapist provide the best service. Your visit will typically begin with a consultation with your massage therapist. Let them know the reasons why you re there pain relief, relaxation, or you just want to see what it s all about and they will be able to customize your appointment to help meet your needs. One of the most common questions we hear is What should I wear during my appointment? This experience is all about your comfort, so come dressed however you like. During the session, you re allowed to wear as many or as few items of clothing as you feel comfortable in. You will be fully covered during your session and we ll accommodate you any way we can to help you feel more at ease. Communication leads to relaxation. Your pre-session consultation will give your therapist an idea of the type of massage you need, but don t be afraid to speak up during the session. Let them know if they are applying the right amount of pressure or if they are working in the right location. Our therapists are trained experts, but they can t read your mind. Open communication will ensure the best massage experience possible. Communication could also help identify add-on services that will best enhance your massage. After your massage, enjoy the feeling of rejuvenation. Hydration is typically recommended after a long massage session. If you appreciated and enjoyed your service, you can leave a gratuity for your masseuse. Don t forget to book your next appointment before you leave! Having the experience and knowledge of the offerings fresh in your mind will allow you to book the ideal service for next time. 10 SensibleShopper.net

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Everyone understands what replacing kitchen cabinets means: tearing out the existing cabinets, installing new ones, and usually spending a lot of money. On the other hand, a lot less people know or understand what refacing means. Refacing is when the cabinet frames are left in place and covered with a layer of wood or laminate called a veneer, and the doors and hardware are replaced to match the veneer. As opposed to replacing, refacing your kitchen cabinets can save you thousands while still giving you the look of a brand new kitchen. You ve Got Options There are tons of options in doors and veneers to choose from, giving you a wide variety of looks to go with. The most expensive material for both cabinet doors and veneers will be real wood, which you can get in oak, cherry, or maple, as well as plenty of stained wood color options. If you do go with real wood, you ll need to make sure that it is well sealed to keep moisture out. For a less expensive option, you can use durable and moisture resistant plastic laminates, which are available in hundreds of different colors and patterns. Still less What is Refacing? expensive is RTF, or rigid thermofoil, which is fiberboard covered with a durable plastic coating. Plastic laminates are the most popular option and are relatively affordable, but you can choose to go up or down in price from there. More than skin deep Refacing doesn t have to be just the exterior of your cabinets. Interiors can be refaced and upgraded as well. You d be surprised by how dramatically kitchen styles can change with careful choice of door style and the addition of trim. Huge differences in utility can be made with the addition of storage optimizers as well. You will want to check with your contractor to see if storage upgrades are offered with their refacing services. As long as your kitchen cabinets are in good condition, refacing is possible. But if they are warped, water damaged, or otherwise falling apart, you should face the reality that those need to be replaced. Some companies can repair or replace cabinetry while refacing the others, so be sure to ask! SensibleShopper.net 13

Paraben-Free Cosmetics When you see a hair care or skincare product labeled as being paraben-free, you probably wonder what that means, and why it might be important. What are Parabens? Parabens are a form of preservative widely used in the cosmetic and personal care industry. Products like conditioners, moisturizers, shampoo and deodorant frequently contain parabens. Companies include parabens in their products to extend the shelf life. When the right portion of parabens is added, bacteria and fungi cannot grow in it. Are Parabens Dangerous? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done independent studies regarding parabens, and found that it s possible for them to negatively impact the immune system, and may increase allergies and sensitivity. This may have secondary implications in susceptibility to cancer. Since parabens are rapidly absorbed into the body, the CDC has done scientific research and reported a widespread existence of parabens in the human body. Why Do I See More Products Labeled Paraben-Free? Although the FDA continues to endorse parabens as safe, its history has been to say products are safe until proven otherwise, instead of vice versa. The appearance of more paraben-free products on the market is due to manufacturers listening to consumers. So now, when you shop for personal care products, it s likely you ll see more products with paraben-free clearly marked on the front of the label, as with Becca Cosmetics. The Need for Preservation Paraben is a synthetic preservative, its sole purpose to ensure safety and product quality. Personal care products travel from manufacturing to retail facilities to your home where it stays until the end of its use. That s a very long time for a product to stay fresh and safe to use, which is why manufacturers added parabens to begin with. A parabenfree product doesn t mean there s no preservative in the product, it only means there s no paraben in the product. A Better Alternative There are natural preservatives available to keep the contents of personal hair care and skincare products fresh and safe to use, such as citric acid, rosemary extract, and grapefruit seed extract. The best option is to avoid synthetic preservatives, not just parabens. Choose pure, natural products with ingredients you can understand without a science degree. 14 SensibleShopper.net

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Prep Your Gutter System for Fall As summer draws to a close, exterior upkeep has goes from mowers and hoses to rakes and ladders. No other outside component of your house is as susceptible to the conditions of autumn than your gutters. Leaves, twigs, rain, and low temperatures are locked and loaded and ready to put your gutter system to the test. 1. Clean and Inspect Unravel your garden hose one last time and flush out your gutters and downspouts. Give it a high-pressure hosing and then put on your outdoor work gloves to pick up and wipe away any remaining debris. If it s been a long time since you ve cleaned your gutters you will want to fill up a bucket with warm water and liquid dish soap and wipe them down with a sturdy sponge. 2. Repair Where Needed Once you ve cleaned and inspected your gutters you will have a good idea of where repair is essential. This can t wait. Buy exact-fit brackets and screws and then replace and secure them where needed. If you ve uncovered leaks, it may be possible to patch them. If the repairs are significant enough that they have impacted the appearance of your gutters you can always paint them when the weather forecast permits. 3. Keep Cold Weather Intruders from Nestling-In Autumn doesn t just bring falling leaves and rainfall, its cold snap sends rodents (mice, rats, squirrels and raccoons) packing for higher ground. The cozy beds presented by your concave gutters and downspout exit points gives them a place to nest. Pay a visit to your local home and garden store for humane rodent repellent and check your gutters often through the season to ensure they are free from nesting intruders. 4. Install Gutter Guards No matter how well you ve trimmed your trees and raked the yard leaves will still find their way on to your roof. It s what they do. If you don t yet have them, autumn is prime time to finally install gutter guards. A gutter guard, is a fitted screen with pinpoints wide enough to allow rainwater to collect within and funnel through while preventing leaves, twigs and pine needles from entering. Call a professional as soon as possible, before the weather catches up with the calendar. 18 SensibleShopper.net

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3 Things to Consider When Adding a Patio If you are thinking about adding a porch or patio cover to your property, doing a little brainstorming and research is worth its weight in gold! Here are ideas you can use to create a checklist when it s time to build an outdoor addition to your property. Type of Structure Like many things, answering the question of why you need something will help the project start off right. If you are looking for something economical and straightforward structure, then an insulated aluminum cover might be the way to go. If you are looking for a more custom option or you want a larger space to entertain, a custom patio cover may be the better choice. Custom patio additions are more common and can add more value to your home. Patio Cover Materials As we just mentioned, custom patio cover additions are the most common, typically in a design that matches the current design style of the home. If you have chosen an aluminum patio cover, you may want to consider a color that complements the current paint color of your home. Deed Restrictions Covers in your neighborhood will give you a good idea of the uniformity expected by a subdivision deed restrictions and HOA restrictions, but research is necessary. Contacting the right organization and getting a detailed list of what is acceptable and what isn t can help you to avoid a costly mistake. City Permits and Guidelines Again, research before you begin a patio cover project can help to define it and avoid any costly mistakes. Take the time to get detailed information from your city regarding construction regulations. Do you know how far from a property line your patio cover can be based on city guidelines? In addition to the research, you will need to get a permit actually to build the patio addition when the time comes. If you are using a contractor to build your patio addition, they will often take care of this step for you, but be sure that they agree to do that and give you copies of everything for your records and peace of mind. 22 SensibleShopper.net

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