Everyone dreams of traveling the world. Whether it be a trek to England or a spiritual journey to Dubai, traveling is something that everyone can benefit from. It helps us grow, experience different cultures, and provides us with memories to last a lifetime. Now that’s not to say that traveling is always easy, it is a learning process and you will constantly find yourself taking note on what to do to improve your experience. Here are some traveling tips to best prepare you for your next adventure:

• Plan a budget ahead of time

Always keep extra cash stashed away for emergency situations. This provides you with a cushion in possible conflict and is a comforting thing to have on yourself.

• Study the places you plan to go ahead of time

This way you can find things that interest you and be able to visit them when you reach your destination. This will help you plan your time wisely and be able to take in as much culture as possible while you are at your destination. Also learn some basic of the language of the place you are visiting to be able to at least slightly communicate with locals

• Wake up early

Don’t waste time sleeping away your days! Wake up early and soak in the culture as you wander around this foreign territory

• Keep an open mind

Being in a foreign area can be stressful and confusing, but don’t let yourself get caught up the negative aspect and instead embrace this new experience as a one in a lifetime chance to immerse yourself in a different culture. Try new foods, take new roads and keep a positive mindset

• Take a lot of photos

Document your trip so that you can look back at the photos and have warm memories to flood your mind with sweet nostalgia

• Meet some locals

Talk to locals of the land- find out places to go from them so that you can live like a local and not be limited to typical tourist traps

• Prepare for all types of weather

Weather can be unpredictable so pack things that you may not think you necessarily need but that you will be desperate for if you don’t have

• Immerse yourself in the culture

Avoid eating at chains or visiting places that are familiar to you. Try new things and experience instances that are out of the ordinary for you

• Make sure your passport is up to date

This is obviously very important. At least six months before you leave make sure everything having to do with your passport is lined up and ready to go. Also make a photocopy of your passport to have a backup in case anything happens to your first one

• Enjoy every moment!

Traveling is one of the most amazing experiences you can give yourself. Be sure to soak in each moment and create wonderful memories for youself

Living in a cozy space always creates a pure at home feel, but how do you make those spaces feel bigger while still maintaining the intimate feel? When decorating a small room every inch counts so follow these ideas to make your small room feel bigger while maintaining your relaxed homey vibe. Here are 10 tips for you living room: 

Living Room-

1. A busy pattern for a rug can really shrink a space. To avoid picking out a rug that will swallow your room whole try layering a smaller patterned rug over a big, solid colored statement rug.
2. Make your furniture multi functional to save space. Use a short dresser as a stand for your tv to go above. This creates a place for you to put away things that may otherwise clutter the room.
3. Of course, the age old trick of adding mirrors to a room still reigns true. If you are not familiar with this trick already, adding mirrors to a room creates the illusion that the room is larger. Keep this in mind and use reflective furniture, like a transparent coffee table,  to create the same illusion. Glass, metal, and acrylic pieces make a room seem more spacious in the same way that a mirror does.
4. If you have low ceilings do not emphasize on it. For example if you plan on doing a small gallery wall let the photos go higher than expected to create the appearance of a higher ceiling.
5. Keep your color palette similar and carry a consistent decorative theme throughout to create a steady cohesive look.  Using neutral tones usually works best for keeping a small room seem open and airy.
6. Moving your furniture away from the walls gives you more room to layer your furniture. What that means is if you want to put a tall bookcase behind a sofa it will make the room look nice and full and be a beneficial way to make the most out of a small space.
7. Do not think that just because the room is small that all the furniture you put in it has to be small too. While keeping scale and proportions in mind using furniture varying in sizes gives a visually appealing look and makes the room more logical and functional.
8. Keep the colors of the room light to make the room feel brighter and larger. Working with white tones stops a room from feeling constrained and creates a brightness throughout.
9. One of the biggest helping hints is to keep your room organized and get rid of any clutter. By adding well placed storage units you can decrease the amount of clutter that a living room always seems to so quickly build up. For example buy decorative baskets to throw your remotes or wires in.
10. Take advantage of any possible light that shines in the room. Using light window treatments and decorating the room using pale colors will allow the light to reflect and keep the room looking bigger than it is.

Color is responsible for 60% of our response to an object or a place, this is called “color psychology.” So, you can understand why it is so important to pick the right color when decorating your home right? To learn more about the color wheel and color schemes click here.

Vibe

What do you want people to feel when they step into a room? Calm? Excited? Social? Formal? Well your color scheme can have a deep impact on what you and your guests feel in a space. Bold colors, such as deep red,  correlate with a more dramatic intense feel. While softer cooler colors, such as blue, give a calming relaxed vibe. If you want a welcoming cozy environment warm colors create the perfect atmosphere. Whereas deeper cool colors and neutrals give a room more of a formal feel. So it is important to consider these things when choosing a color for a room.

Lighting

Lighting has a huge impact on how your room will look because certain hues can look different depending on the light. Natural light would show the truest form of the color you choose. So if you’re looking for a color to paint a room that has a lot of windows and sunshine coming in you do not have to worry about the color looking different from when you looked at it in a store versus when you paint it on your walls. Incandescent lighting is your typical light bulb and tends to bring out warmer tones such as yellows, oranges and reds. Then there is fluorescent lighting which can be a bit tricky to deal with. Fluorescent lighting sets a bluer tone to a room, therefore it works well with cooler tones as when you use warm tones with this type of lighting you run the risk of it clashing.

Testing

Buy samples from stores of colors that you like and then go home and test the color on a small space of your wall. This is the absolute best way to see which colors you like the best This also gives you the opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone. Feel free to pick a bright daring color to test out, maybe you will end up loving it and going down a different path than what you had expected.

Finishes 

Plants are a great way to bring some natural elements into your home while adding ambiance. Not only do they look beautiful but there’s a certain satisfaction to seeing a plant grow and prosper in your space. Plants can also detox your air all while looking lovely and adding a special detail to your home. Here are some plants that you can grow to add both beauty and purity to your home.

Dracaena: These houseplants come in all shapes and sizes. Perfect for brightening up an empty corner, there are many different versions of the Dracaena that one can choose from. Dracaenas also deal well with both low light and high light situations, so if you want to have one in your living room by a window or in the kitchen tucked away, they will both still blossom accordingly.

English Ivy: Great for low light environments English Ivy plants are a climbing plant that work wonderfully in homes. They are also well known for removing allergens from a home and purifying the air from carbon monoxide.

Areca Palm: These plants are cluster growing and are great for bright areas with indirect sunlight. These gorgeous plants are also the most effective at air purifying, according to NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Not only that but they work as a natural air humidifier and eliminate carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, xylene and more.

Peace Lily: The Peace Lily is a stunning flower that adapts perfectly in low light areas. Having this flower around eliminates acetone, which is a toxin emitted from electronics and certain cleaners. Be careful to place the lily in a high area if you have pets because it can make them sick if ingested.

Snake Plant: This plant grows strong and tall and is a great way to add vibrant greenery to any room. Snake Plants are easy to maintain especially because they deal well with any type of lighting.  It also absorbs carbon monoxide nightly and releases oxygen into the air, leaving your spaces feeling fresh and clean. In addition it also eliminates formaldehyde and benzene.

New York City: along with being the city that never sleeps, it is also the most populated city in the US and a global power city due to its massive impact on media, art, fashion, entertainment, education, technology, research and finance. With 40% of New Yorks population living in the Big Apple its no wonder that the streets are always bustling about. A number of American cultural movements also started in New York such as the Harlem Renaissance, modern dance and the Beat Generation.

Back in the 60s disco music was flowing the streets of New York as the dance music movement was rising in popularity. Years later in the 70s punk rock took over the music scene with bands such as the Ramones, New York Dolls and even KISS emerging from the cities streets. The “new wave” style of rock developed a few years later and became popular at New York rock clubs around the city. Also in the 70s hip hop started gaining popularity from being played at block parties on the streets in the Bronx neighborhood. Classic hip hop artists such as Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu Tang Clan, and Busta Rhymes produced multi platinum records at New York recording studios.

New York is also greatly known for its art scene as it is the global center for the  international art market. The Queens neighborhood is quickly growing as one of the main artistic hubs for New York with its ample warehouse spaces perfect for hosting galleries. Not only is the city well known for the many art galleries but it is also popular for its great displays of public art. The underground subway system has been known to host public art projects such as magnificent tile mosaics. The graffiti subculture also was very trendy within the city when it first began to flourish.

The creative energy flowing throughout New York is undeniable. Home to many renowned museums, theaters and acclaimed filmmakers New York is a mecca for inventiveness in the arts. One of the largest and most impactful art museums, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, is located in Central Park and brings in many guests each day. If you are a fan of theater what better place to visit than New York City?  With 39 large theaters throughout the city that are collectively called “Broadway” there is endless options for viewing pleasure. Or you could enjoy a classic New York movie from the comfort of your couch.  Although not as big as Hollywood New York is extremely well known for its film industry, making it the second largest film mecca in the US.

So as you can tell New York is the home to culture and entertainment abound. One of the most popular cities in the US it definitely lives up to its larger than life reputation. With sparkling  city lights to light up the night and starry eyed dreamers to fill the sidewalks New York is the perfect destination for those seeking excitement, entertainment and cultural experiences.

Everyone who has used a hammer and nail on their drywall knows the pesky holes that it leaves behind. By following these rules you can cover up those annoying left behind holes and your wall will look good as new.

What You Will Need:

• Wall patch - A wall patch is an adhesive patch that sticks to your wall to nicely cover up the hole you are trying to fix. You can purchase a wall patch at any hardware store and they are usually between $2 - $7 depending on the size or kind.

• Joint compound or spackle - This is what you use to cover the wall patch. Joint compound is white and similar to plaster. Spackle is a putty substance used mostly for smaller projects.

• Putty knife - This is what you will use to evenly spread the compound or spackle. A putty knife can range in price from $5 - $30 based on its size. You can pick which putty knife size is best based on the scale of your project.  

• Sanding block - You will use this in one of the last steps to sand the surface and make it smooth.

• Paint - Last but not least it the paint to officially cover up and blend with the rest of the wall.

The Process:

• First you want to smooth the surface that you are planning on fixing to remove any chunks of drywall from the hole. Once you have done this clean and dry the surrounding area

• Next use a wall patch over the hole. Wall patches are great for easily covering up holes left behind in drywall. You can purchase one from any hardware store for anywhere from $2 - $7. Make sure to smooth the patch evenly to the wall.

• Once you have the wall patch over the wall you should apply a thin layer of joint compound or spackle to the hole and evenly spread it with you putty knife.

• After the area has dried sand it until it is sufficiently smooth and apply another layer of compound or spackle. You can repeat this process however many times until the area is properly to your liking.

• After the final coat of compound or Spackle has dried, sand the surface one more time and finally wipe it clean. You are now ready for the final step!

• Lastly, paint over the surface and voila your wall is fixed.

Located in North Central Switzerland Lucerne is a stunning area along the Reuss River. Made up of only seventeen cities and towns, Lucerne's population is only 250,000. The awe-inspiring sites of the city are bountiful as one walks across charming towns with the view of magnificent mountains always ahead. The breathtaking Chapel Bridge, also called the Kapellbrücke and the Water Tower are found at the heart of the city along the Ruess. This site is the most famously recognizable landmark for the city of Lucerne and a popular destination for all the sightseeing extraordinaires. This is the scene that is presented in the Loose Petals poster print of the beautiful city. 

Authentic Swiss cuisine can be found everywhere in Lucerne. Swiss food is also highly influence by the surrounding regions of France, Germany and Italy, making the delicious options endless. Switzerland is especially well known for their mouth watering cheese because making it is part of Swiss heritage. Because of this there are over 100 varieties of cheese produced in Switzerland. These cheeses are made in small dairies led by master cheesemakers, meaning that none of the cheese found in Lucerne is factory produced. As one can tell, cheese is a pretty serious subject matter over in Switzerland and definitely an artful and respected savory cuisine to locals and visitors alike.

People dressed up at the Lucerne Festival 

Among the delectable cheeses of Lucerne are some equally incredible events. One of the most popular being The Lucerne Carnival celebrated every year in the month of February. With arts and entertainment found in abundance the carnival sure seems like quite an extraordinary sight to see. A typical day taking part in the carnival would include seeing people dressed as characters in extravagant masks and costumes celebrating the many musicians or Guggenmusigens (in native Swiss language) participating in the festivities.

Astonishing sites, exquisite cuisine and whimsical events abound, Lucerne paints a picture of a truly alluring haven. To immerse oneself in such a culture would seem like entering a fantasy world, one that I myself, would probably never want to part from. So I suppose as winter quickly approaches here in the US we can all daydream about winter wonderland over in Lucerne and imagine ourselves happily strolling along their quaint brick roads.

Picking the Perfect Frame

Picking the perfect picture frame to compliment your art may seem like a daunting task. What looks best? Do these colors match? How can I choose the best frame to go along with this piece? So many questions. A few tips will help you to skip the confusion and pick out the best frame for you.

• Always remember to measure the size of your picture. Don’t forget to include any borders that may be surrounding your art piece as well.
• Pick out a matting color that you think looks the best with your picture. The matting is the area that surrounds a picture when it is in a frame and it should always be two or three inches larger than the picture itself for basic framing.
• When picking out a color for the mat there are a few things to keep in mind. Focus on the color scheme in the picture instead of trying to match the room itself. The mat should go well with the art that you are trying to display and that is what you should be focusing on. Look at the elements in the pictures that you want to be most noticeable and pick out a mat that properly executes that. Try to stick to neutral color tones that will not overpower your piece.
• Next, choose the right size frame. Picking a frame that is too thick for the size of your print may end up overpowering it so always be sure to keep scale in mind.
• To get the measurements right when purchasing a frame do not forget to include the mat in your order.
• Another very important factor to keep in mind is to take your time choosing the right style and effect that you want to achieve. Contemporary prints usually go well with sleek style frames while older pieces can handle strong bold frames and shapes. This is the most important factor to consider while choosing how you want to stylize the print and your room.  

Prague: a city that many people visit and never want to leave. With its picture perfect views and cultural and historical attractions it’s no wonder that TripAdvisor named it the 5th best destination in 2014. Looked at as one of the cultural centers of Europe, Prague hosts many events and festivals throughout the year such as Prague Writers Festival, Prague Fringe Festival, and the World Roma Festival. Prague, where beer is cheaper than water,  also hosts the Czech Beer Festival which is a 17 day celebration held in May where more than 70 Czech beer brands can be tasted.

Often referred to as the stone dream or the golden city, Prague is home to many architectural gems. With so many different architectural styles side by side there is plenty to see when you visit the city. If you choose to see Romanesque style architecture visit St. Martin Rotunda or St. Cross Rotunda. For Renaissance style take a stroll to The Royal Summer Palace or the Ball Game Hall. For classic cubism style you can visit the beautiful Adria Palace.

While eating in Prague you can taste the German influence in much of the cuisine. The three main foods are vepro, knedlo, and zelo or what we in America call: pork, dumplings and cabbage. Other popular dishes include roast beef, roast chicken and spicy cured meats. Traditional Czech sauces are known to be heavy and creamy often paired with spicy meat or cabbage to create a unique delicious blend. Before, during and after your meal it is not uncommon to be enjoying some of Prague’s esteemed beer. Gambrinus, Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen are just three of the beloved beers of Prague. With the cities love for drink comes many places to drink, with a handful of tank pubs, breweries and bars throughout the city. After a good meal and a few brews one may explore the effervescent nightlife that Prague has to offer. It is often a destination for many Europeans for its fun clubs and lively music scene.  

Prague is friendly to anyone who enters its hemispheres, from hearty food and a good brew to the beautiful sights and endless cultural entertainment options once you visit you will have a hard time leaving.

Color Wheel:

Monochromatic: Choosing one color and playing with every variation of it. Working with the tints, tones and shades of that specific color to reach a modern and sophisticated look. This can be a tricky task to take on so be sure to really research what color you want and what you want to accomplish with it.

Ex: Blue

Analogous: This color scheme uses three colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. This creates a simple elegant design that really meshes well with whatever look you are going for. These colors compliment each other well so it is an easy but classic theme to choose for a room. The best way to use an analogous color scheme is to pick out a main color and use the other colors as accents.

Ex: Red, Orange & Yellow

Complementary: This is a high contrast combination of two colors opposite of each other on the color wheel. This is a bold statement to make in a room and is a great scheme if you really want to make a certain element of your room stick out. To best achieve this look without it being too overbearing you want to pick one dominant color as the background and the other color as a complementary color.

Ex: Red & Green

Split Complementary: For this you will use a base color and the two colors adjacent  to it on the wheel. While using this scheme you also want to add in neutrals throughout to break up the visual stimulation of the colors. This is a good scheme if you want to make a statement but are unsure of how exactly to do so.

Ex: Purple, Blue & Yellow

Triadic: This uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. This ends up being a very bright look with high contrast and a good balance. Again, you want to let one color dominate over the other two to create the perfect blend.

Ex: Purple, Orange & Green

Tetradic: This theme uses four colors spread equally around the wheel. This is the most daring scheme to attempt because it is said to be quite difficult. It is also sometimes called “double complimentary” because you end up with two pairs of complementary colors. When using the tetradic theme be sure to use one dominant and the other three equally to create a balanced look.

Ex: Blue, Violet, Yellow & Green

Source:

http://www.decorlove.com/how-to-choose-a-color-scheme-the-basics-of-color-coordination/