Have you heard of the latest in a long line of countertop appliances? It is an air fryer nowadays! We have stoves, pots and pans, oven, microwave oven, oven toaster, deep fryer, and stovetop barbecue grill. Apparently, it is not enough. An air fryer is now a staple in most households. In our household, when something is broken, it gets fixed. We call an appliance repair specialist as soon as possible. Repair instead of immediately buying a replacement. But these days, we tend to add a new invention especially when almost everyone has and talks about it.

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So, what is an air fryer, anyway?

It is a countertop convection oven simulating deep frying without the need for cooking oil. A fan circulates hot air in high speed thereby cooking what is inside it. It is a “healthier” way of eating fried food because the food was not submerged in oil. That made most people get on board, especially the health buffs and those who are on a diet. Fried food is great! Who does not want a fried chicken? Or a fried porkchop with lots of gravy on it?

But, the question is, is it worth it? I mean, there is a real convection oven. There is also an oven toaster. Our office pantry has an air fryer so I went ahead and tested it. I bought a kilo of marinated pork belly which I normally cook in a deep fryer to make the pork skin and fatty meat crispy. First, the container basket is small. It can only fit at the very least three to four slices of pork belly, cut in two inches long and slightly more than an inch wide. It was a tight fit in it but I was able to make it work. Cooking time took about ten minutes, pausing in between to check if both sides were being fried properly. It was. The result? Tender, juicy pork belly slices. The pork skin was not crispy but tender, the same with the fatty parts of the pork. It was okay but I would have preferred for the skin to be crispy. It is healthy, though, so I forgave that result of the air fryer test.

I tested it again this time with baby back ribs. It was unsuccessful. The ribs became dry, the air fryer sucking out the juices from it. My sister cooked half of the baby back ribs using a slow cooker and it was a success! Juicy, fall-off-the-bones delicious!

Is it really worth adding to the number of countertop appliances at home? If you are into fried food, then, yes. Healthier way of frying, sure. If you already have an oven at home, I suggest not to buy an air fryer anymore. An oven will be so much better. Bigger, too. If you don’t have one, then go ahead and get one.

As for me, I think I’d stick with the big oven, our deep fryer, and the slow cooker.

Moroccan Berber Rugs and Beni Ourain Rug

Moroccan Berber rugs trace back to many years ago. The wealthy class of people used these rugs; some were often used for prayer. The rugs were made by hand from sheep wool, and one could give specifications on how they needed their rug according to the purpose for which it was to be used.

Women made Moroccan Berber rugs since the 7th Century. The women were supposed to weave the rugs in their homes close to their children. The Beni Ourain rug was made from a breed of Ourain Sheep.

The name Beni Ourain came from the Atlas Mountains in Taza. The rugs are woven in an ‘X’ shape to symbolize peace. The designs are mind-based. Some of the designs were; Ancient Berber Alphabets, geometric patterns, and talisman symbols.

It was believed the rugs could chase evil spirits away. Besides, the Beni Ourain rug designs were sometimes linked with some events such as fertility and birth. The Moroccan Berber Rugs were initially made to act as blankets. The wool woven into it helped in warmth retention.

Natural dyes were used in the decoration of the rugs. The shades included; almond leaves, Iron sulfate, henna, and cochineal. This was up to the 20th Century.

The Moroccan Berber rugs are woven in no particular order to follow hence the uniqueness in its production. The Beni Ourain rug had a neutral design that can fit into the modern world of architecture and design.

The rugs helped with warmth in the cold areas of the Atlas Mountains. In the Sahara, light rugs were made to consider the hot temperatures.

With the help of designers such as Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, Moroccan Berber Rug became well known and used today. The Beni Ourain rugs were produced in small numbers hence a bit difficult to get.

The Moroccan Berber Rug are less costly, making them more preferred to other designs. Owing to their low-cost manufacturing process, these rugs are not as expensive. The raw materials used are also easily affordable, transiting this advantage to the final product’s cost.

The rugs are easy to clean. This is with the help of the loop like manufacture. The rugs are also quite durable.

The Beni Ourain rug is beautiful. They are appealing to the eye and give a home a good and attractive look. Their fabulous patterns are eye candy. Also, rugs are suitable for both the cold and warm season. This makes them flexible. Moroccan Berber rugs are easily accessible around the globe.

Due to the use of wool in the Beni Ourain rug, the rug has a shaggy look, which makes it very useful in winter. It is these outstanding features that makes these rugs famous and unique. Visit City Cows London for more information.

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If you own a diamond ring then it is likely to be an extremely precious piece of jewellery, such as an engagement ring. Therefore, if you want your ring to look as stunning as it did when you first received it, you need to make sure you look after it properly. Your diamond is not going to maintain its beauty without proper care. When you consider how much of an investment a diamond is, you see why it is so important to care for your diamond properly. This article aims to give you a helping hand with that by providing you with some key advice on taking care of diamonds.

How do you clean a diamond ring?

One extremely effective way of cleaning diamonds is to use vodka. So, how do you use vodka to clean diamonds? This is a really simple method. All you need to do is leave your ring to soak in a glass of vodka. Once you remove the ring you will instantly notice that the diamond has got its sparkle back. However, don’t immediately place it back onto your finger. You will need to rinse it under the tap with warm water and then make sure you rub it dry as well. Use a lint-free cloth.

If you don’t keep vodka in your home then maybe this next method will be more beneficial for you. You will need to get yourself a bowl and mix together four parts warm water with one part household ammonia. Soak the ring in this solution for no longer than ten minutes. Once you have removed it you should brush it very gently with a soft small and gentle brush, such as a child’s toothbrush. After this, dip it back into the mixture and then rinse it with lukewarm water. Leave it on a drain to dry or you can use a lint-free cloth similarly to the previous method.

One important point to note is that you should never leave your ring on a paper tissue to dry. This is because it can leave dust and fibres onto the ring.

It is also a good idea to make sure you take your ring off while you are getting dressed. If you do not do this, it is going to get covered in perfumes, creams, and lotions, which can cause the ring to deteriorate a lot quicker than it would usually.

How should you store your diamond rings?

Storing your ring correctly is important as well, especially if this is an engagement or wedding ring. Make sure you keep your diamond jewellery in a fabric lined jewel case. In addition to this, don’t keep your diamond jewellery next to other pieces. You don’t want scratches to arise from them rubbing together.

Have a quality jeweller on hand

Last but not least, it is important to make sure you have a quality jeweller on hand to provide you with a repair and reconstruction should you need it. In fact, it is recommended that you take your diamond jewellery to a jeweller every six months so that you can have it looked at professionally and so that the prongs can be tightened.

When it comes to choosing a jeweller, the answer is simple; make sure they are experienced, they have a wealth of repair and construction services, their prices are fair, and they are experts in the field of diamonds.

Thanks to the Internet, it is easier than ever before to find a reputable jeweller. You can read reviews that have been left by others. Independent review platforms are best because you will know that you are reading authentic and genuine comments, rather than comments that have been hand-selected from the company in question.

Don’t forget about the security of your diamond ring

It is also important to make sure you invest in a quality safe for your diamond. At the end of the day, this is a highly valuable piece of jewellery, and so you need to make certain that it is looked after. What are the best home safes? This depends on what you are storing inside. You can get safes that are specifically for jewellery, which can be secured in your bedroom, or another part of the property if you would prefer.

To conclude, it is important to look after your diamond jewellery properly if you want it to sparkle for as long as possible. Not only do you need to consider jewellery maintenance, but you also need to make sure that your diamond jewellery is secure as well.

What is the right dress for an special occasion? Birthdays, weddings, funerals, job interviews, parties, and any other special event or occasion there is. The answer is it depends. One factor is the dress code, the degree of formality of the event or occasion. It it formal or casual? Are there guests who are up there in the social ladder who will be gracing the event?

It is best to keep elegant dresses in the closet. I believe there is a saying that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Is that right? An elegant dress can go a long way in an event or party. It is a matter of dressing up and owning it! Imagine wearing an Elegant Shift V neck Pleated Embossed Statement Midi Dress with minimal accessories so the focus will be on the dress alone.

Going to a holiday or cocktail party, a dinner event or a gala will require something dressier than your average attire. These occasions will give you the pass to push the glitz and glamour of what to wear. A midi dress, something with sequins, a flashy skirt, or a dress with embellishments.

Flattering a woman’s curves and accentuating her good angles are very important in choosing what to wear. A green dress with 3/4 sleeves A-line and embroidered will give the woman an illusion of a small waist and longer posture.

Always dress accordingly for whatever occasion or event you are going to. For elegant and lovely dresses, affordable, too, there is kis.net where you can get it from. There are so many lovely dresses to choose from, all dresses made to highlight a woman’s beautiful body. There is a dress for every occasion.

A tip for every woman out there: make sure you have an elegant dress sitting in your closet for a special occasion. You just never know when you will need one.

What’s your style? Feminine and flirty? Sporty and athletic? Dramatic and a little goth?

No we’re not describing Spice Girls personas, though if that’s your thing, cool! Everybody has that unique style and “look”; clothing and accessories that show the world their personality, conveys their interests, their aesthetic, and their unique charm at a glance. So what’s yours?

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Of course nobody these days has tons of cash to spend on clothes and accent pieces, do we? And yet, we all want to look fresh, unique and fun. That can be hard to do on a budget…but it can be done. We’ll tell you how to choose one or two signature pieces to define your look and show the world that creative, lovable spirit.

How best to go about choosing a signature piece? It’s easy!

Go Handmade

Got a friend who knits beanies? Does your little sister sell hand-made bracelets on Etsy? Are you really good at tie-dye? One creative (and affordable) way to find a unique piece that you know nobody else has is to custom-order something from a crafty person. Sites like Etsy can show you thousands upon thousands of cool hand-made pieces or you can go local and go to craft fairs, or just hit up someone you know! Better still, make it yourself! There’s nothing like a hand-sewn, knitted or designed piece that is one-of-a-kind, made just for you.

Glasses

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then glasses are the shutters. Everybody needs at least one cool pair of sunglasses; if you’re like us, then you need three or four – one for every season and every mood. For others, who wear glasses full time, you might want to revamp your look. No matter your style – if you like cat-eye glasses with huge rims, sporty Oakley glasses, vintage coke-bottles or something in between, there are great styles available that will provide you with great eye protection while looking chic and trendy. Glasses are one of those things that complete every outfit, that you can’t be caught without. Invest in a great pair and you won’t have to replace them for years!

A Favorite Sweater

Everybody has a favorite sweater. Don’t have one? Well, you should remedy that immediately. A favorite sweater is just like that fave pair of jeans: you can wear it with anything, it’s incredibly soft and comfy, just putting it to your face makes you feel better about your day. Spend a little extra and it will pay for itself over time. Whether you like handknits, cashmere or something else entirely, a beautiful and comfy sweater will quickly become part of your everyday winter style.

Nice Kicks

Anyone looking to boost their fashion capital should invest in a great pair of shoes. If you’re sporty and casual, a pair of cool Vans or Converse are a great choice. If you’re more of a minimalist with a hint of an edge, maybe a pair of combat boots. For the practical and chic, a pair of loafers. If you’re all girl, or need to be polished and classy for your job, a pair of stylish, well-fitting heels can do the trick. You get the drift. It’s cool to bum around in cheap shoes most of the time, but always have at least one pair of shoes that make you feel amazing, that take your outfit into the stratosphere. Wear those shoes whenever you need a little boost!

With these simple style tips, you can make your wardrobe stylish and charming with just a signature piece or two. Best of all, you can do it without breaking the bank.

It’s so much easier to shop for kids than adults, isn’t it? For children, whether it’s a video game, a cool outdoors toy or even just a box of their favorite candy, they’re happy. Adults are much harder. None of us treat ourselves enough, so it’s hard to say what we want when we’re asked, and nobody wants to get a boring gift for someone they love.

Adults need to have more fun. We work hard, and one great way to combat all the various stresses of life is to take a page from the kids we know, and actually play.

The next time you need to get a gift for a loved one, especially someone who is in tune with their inner child, why not get them something awesome they can play with? Below, we’ve outlined a few cool toys that are great for children and children-at-heart alike, gifts both large and small:

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Crafts and Arts

There’s a reason that adult coloring books have surged in popularity over the last five years or so. Adults want to engage with their inner child, revisit their youth and engage in creative play that relaxes them and lets the stress melt away. Coloring is a great way to do this, but there are other cool, crafty things to get into as well! Finger painting kits, embroidery-for-beginners kits, miniature-food-making-kits (those are our personal favorite), even beginner’s sewing machines, are all affordable and super creative gifts to give that person in your life who wants to learn a new skill while having a ton of fun. And the best part is, these gifts have the added bonus of a finished project/treat at the end!

Vintage and Retro Games

These are always fun, and there’s no shortage of games on the market – whether you’re into old school games like Monopoly or Battleship, old-school toys like jacks or marbles, or something much more elaborate, like the awesome recreations of classic arcade games, there are so many things to choose from. Seriously, could there be anything more fun than heading to the basement to play a game of classic Pac-Man? The multi game arcade machine is insanely popular right now and not as expensive as you might think! Whether you’re into Nintendo, Atari or something else entirely, you’ll find the perfect one for you.

Get the Blood Pumping

Outdoorsy, physical games are a great idea for the overgrown child in your life. It’s the kind of thing that everybody wishes they indulged in, but never buy for themselves. Think basketball goals, skateboards, trampolines, horseshoes, even a nice road bike. These toys will last for years, give the added benefit of exercise, and you can jump in and play, too!

Why not try one of these ideas the next time you need to get a great gift for the adult in your life? We all love a good oil diffuser or cookbook, but these hands-on, downright fun gifts will bring so much joy to your loved ones, and deliver fun for years to come.