Lilac City Momma

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DIY Tips for Newbie Vapers – How to Choose the Right Type of Vaping Device

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Within the past ten or fifteen years, e-cigarette alternatives to smoking have been making their way into the mainstream. However, e-cigs have evolved and now there are several alternatives in use for ‘vaping’ instead of smoking. As a newbie vaper, or someone considering tobacco alternatives, it’s time to look at your options. Here are four different types of vaping devices, but just remember that one is not necessarily better than another. It’s a matter of preference!

A Quick Word for Newbies aka Noobs

There is going to be much to learn and it will take time to familiarize yourself with all the terminology and techniques you’ll want to understand. From the different kinds and strengths of e-juices to the kinds of devices you can use and how to care for them, it’s going to be a learning process, so get ready for the journey.

You can read more here about what it means to vape, how to get started and what you’ll need. At the moment, it’s important to understand that vaping does not mean you are limited to cigarette lookalikes. The following information is just a brief rundown on the most popular trends in vaping devices.

1. Cig-a-likes

These don’t take a lot of explaining because as the name implies, they resemble a cigarette in looks. The obvious difference is that you don’t light them and there is no smoke. Usually there is no button to push. You just puff on them, inhale the vapor and blow it out again. The right e-cigs can offer the sensation of smoking and the tip typically lights up just like a burning cigarette! Cig-a-likes are usually disposable but some can be refilled.

2. Vaping Pens

These earned the name of ‘pen’ because they resemble a pen and can actually be mistaken for a pen when placed in a shirt pocket. While some are wider and longer than your average pen, they are fashioned like a pen and thus are called vape pens.

3. Mods

Often referred to as ‘box mods,’ these are the ultimate in vaping experience because they are most often highly customizable. From the kind of tank attached to the battery module to the kind of coil used to produce vapor, there are several ways you can make each mod give you the effect you are after. Some give you that ‘smoking’ sensation of mouth-to-lung vaping and others are direct to lung and usually produce a much bigger vape cloud.

4. Pods

Finally, there are pods. These are typically smaller than a mod and the little pod that holds the liquid is where the coil and juice are held. Like mods, they are refillable and some have coils which can be replaced as well. Pods are great for people on the go and although they ‘can’ resemble a pen or cig-a-like, there are different shapes and sizes as well.

As a newbie vaper, it is suggested that you take the time to learn about the various devices on the market. Think of it like choosing the brand of cigarettes you prefer because, after all, it’s just a matter of preference. Which do you prefer?

To read more on topics like this, check out the DIY category.

Filed Under: DIY

DIY Nail Beauty Tips and Tricks for Moms

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Being a mom often means not spending enough time for personal pampering. Even when I have the time to go to the salon or spend the entire day at the spa, I often find myself choosing to stay home with my kids anyway. I’m sure many of you feel the same way too.

That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve some pampering. More importantly, it doesn’t mean you can’t still be beautiful and take good care of yourself. There are many DIY beauty routines that you can do to take care of yourself at home.

In this article, we are going to focus more on the beauty of our nails. You already know how to keep your skin and hair healthy and looking beautiful, so it is time to go through some DIY tricks that will help you maintain the beauty and health of your nails.

Moisturize Often

Washing your hands frequently often result in drier skin; using hand sanitizer has the same effect too. What most moms don’t realize is that these recommended activities also dry up the nails. When you moisturize your skin, you also want to moisturize your nails.

The same rubbing lotion or moisturizing cream can be used for moisturizing the nails. Simply make sure that you apply a moisturizing cream to the cuticles and nails in the morning and before going to bed at night. Your nails will look better and healthier with this simple routine.

If you want to go the organic route, I highly recommend coconut oil for moisturizing the nails. It works great for your skin. It even helps your hair grow stronger and faster, so you know how well it can nourish your nails.

Go with the Alternatives

Older nail polish and removers contain a lot of toxins. They are not harmful in the short run, but repetitive use over the course of several years will cause your nails to decay at a much faster rate. Besides, harsh polish and remover contains chemicals like toluene and formaldehyde, which are best avoided anyway.

The good news is that many beauty brands now use fewer chemicals – if any – and safer ingredients for their polishes and removers. You simply need to read the labels when choosing the next one to buy and make sure you don’t get one with the harmful chemicals.

There are alternatives too. Water-based polishes are becoming more popular on the market. They may not last as long as polishes that contain chemicals, but you will not be harming your nails while trying to look beautiful.

Anticipate Nail Issues

Knowing the most common nail problems and how to solve them will make maintaining your nails at home a lot easier. There are some common problems indeed, including peeling nails and weak nails. In the case of peeling nails, you want to avoid washing your hands too harshly or applying the chemicals we discussed earlier.

Weak nails that split easily can be a huge problem, but making changes to your diet and treating your nails properly will alleviate the issue. Moisturizing helps too, since moisturized nails are less likely to crack thanks to their higher – and natural – flexibility.

Fungus nails are among the issues you want to take seriously. When you see signs of toenail fungus – materializing in the form of spots and a yellowish hue appearing on your nails – you want to treat the issue immediately. The same can be said for black nail fungus, which is the result of an infection or a broken nail not treated properly. This guide will help you prepare for these issues better.

Adjust Your Diet

Speaking of adjusting your diet to prevent nail problems, making some changes to your diet also helps with maintaining the beauty of your nails. Your fingernails need certain nutrients to grow healthily. You need to make sure that you consume those nutrients as this will result in healthier nails in general.

Consuming Omega-3 fatty acids is a great start. You can now find Omega-3 in a lot of food items, including oats, some fruits, and eggs. You also want to consume enough protein for better nail growth. Calcium is another crucial nutrient to consume for better nail health.

Other nutrients serve specific purposes. Zinc helps keep the nails healthy by increasing its flexibility and preventing white spots from forming. Vitamin B also strengthens the nails, making it perfect for when you are dealing with brittleness and split nails. You also need to consume vitamins A and C to maintain the natural shine of your nails while keeping them moisturized.

Avoid Damaging Your Nails

Some treatments are based on misconceptions. Rather than helping your nails become healthier and more beautiful, those treatments expose your fingernails to more risks and potential problems. Trimming the cuticles when cutting your nails, for example, is definitely not something you want to do.

Cuticles are there to protect your nails from bacteria, which means cutting them increases the risk of an infection. Cutting too deep into the cuticles will make things worse, since it often ends up with exposed nails and pain from under the nails. Rather than cutting the cuticles, push them back using a soft pusher.

For cuticles, what you want to remove is the dead skin cells rather than large chunks of the cuticle. Using abrasive materials to scrape the top of the nails is also best avoided. These are common practices of traditional manicure that are no longer recommended by experts.

Sleep Well

Last but certainly not least, give your nails enough chance to regenerate and be healthy naturally. The way to do that is by getting enough sleep at night. You cannot substitute a good night’s sleep with a nap because the body regenerates cells at an optimum level in the evening instead of during the day. Getting enough sleep at night is really good for your nails as well as your hair and skin.

Healthy nails are beautiful nails. Now that you have these tips to use, maintaining the health of your nails and keeping them looking beautiful as ever will be very easy to do.

Join the discussion on this topic with Lilac City Momma by visiting our contact page.

Filed Under: DIY

3 Simple Ways to Freshen Your Laundry Without Toxic Chemicals

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There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh laundry, especially when the smell lingers for several days on your clothes or soft furnishings.

Unfortunately, in many cases, this smell is artificially generated. The smell may last but that also means the chemicals in the detergent are still present. These are chemicals that can harm your body. In fact, you may be surprised at how many potentially harmful chemicals are in your household detergents.

It’s not just you that these harsh chemicals can affect; the environment and the wildlife can also be affected.

However, there are 3 simple ways in which you can freshen your laundry without using toxic chemicals.

1. Use A Specialized Detergent

Companies are becoming more aware of the effects of chemicals on humans and the environment. That makes it possible to purchase specially formulated laundry detergent which will help your clothes smell fresh whether you’ve been using them for sport, swimming, or simply everyday wear.

Look for detergents made with all natural ingredients. You should be able to find the full list of ingredients for your detergent, giving you confidence that you’re doing your bit for the environment and your family’s health.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is not going to make your clothes smell of flowers but it will help to remove odors and soften your clothes. It can also help to reduce the pH level of your water and can even prevent the buildup of limescale (if you have hard water).

All you need to do is add ½ cup of baking soda to the detergent slot in your machine and let the machine do its job.

If you do decide to use baking soda, it is a good idea to give your machine a rinse regularly. This will ensure all the powder has gone. A buildup of residue can affect the smooth operation of your machine.

You can also use baking soda if washing by hand. However, you need to add it to the basin of water and let it dissolve before you add your clothes.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar is a great accompaniment to your choice of detergent. You can add ¼ cup of vinegar (here is a great one!) to the fabric conditioner slot on your machine and let it wash like normal.

However, it is important to add this to the rinse cycle of your machine; if it is part of the clothes washing cycle then your clothes are likely to end up smelling of vinegar. But, add it to the rinse cycle and it will simply soften your clothes; helping them to smell fresh.

Don’t forget, that whatever you choose to wash your clothes with it is always a good idea to air dry them. This will help them to stay fresh and will reduce your need to iron them.

Putting them in the dryer may be faster but it will remove the freshness that you’re trying so hard to keep.

Using a natural detergent and the air drying method is definitely the easiest and best method to follow.

 

How to Keep Your Home Relaxing and Stress-Free

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The heavy responsibilities that come with living life often have their fair share of stressors. You might experience the brunt of it earning your primary source of income, which makes your home a sanctuary to help melt the stress of life away. That said, it can sometimes be challenging to make steps toward a stress-free home when you have so many other things to worry about.

Unfortunately, neglecting certain aspects of your home as you concentrate on work could very well lead to your home being just another source of stress. To avoid such a potential outcome, here are just a few ways to keep your home relaxing and stress-free.

Do a bit of spring cleaning now and then

No matter how much someone might like the look of a functional mess, there comes a time when the clutter becomes too much and begins to stress homeowners out without their knowing. No matter how stressful the workplace might be and how much you might want to ignore responsibilities at home, it is vital that you work toward cleaning and decluttering your home.

If it is cluttered to the point that you are not sure where to begin, it is a sign that you might need the help of a furniture removal service. More often than not, less is more, and if your home is starting to look more like a storage unit, it is a good idea to start getting rid of extra junk.

Always make your bed at the start of your day

You would be surprised just how much comfort there is in seeing a made bed at the end of the day. One of the curious things about making your bed when you wake up is that it instils a sense of responsibility that becomes stronger as the days and weeks go by. Fixing the bed is often a sign that you are ready to take on the duties of the day, and if you make it into a habit, you will always have a made bed to come home to.

Allow more natural light to enter your bedroom

There is something relaxing and pleasing about the rays of sunlight entering your room as you wake. It is not recommended to cover your room with thick drapes and dark tones – it will only serve to make you feel worse. Instead, let your alarm clock be the light slowly enveloping your room and setting the mood for the day to come. If you are having difficulty adding natural light to your bedroom, it would be a good idea to add a mirror as an extra source of natural light as the rays bounce around.

It can be all-too-easy to neglect your home thanks to the stresses of the workplace – but do not let it stop you from taking steps to make your home a stress-free place. By following the methods above, you will always have something to look forward to at the end of the workday.

How to Pack the Difficult Items in Your Home

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Moving home can always be an opportunity for a massive amount of stress. Of course, the more that you plan and prepare, the more that you can reduce that stress. Whether you’re moving a few streets away or to another state entirely, then you might already be worrying about how you’re going to pack some of the more difficult items safely. Some obvious possessions are going to be trickier to pack than others. If you want to reduce your stress levels as much as possible, then here’s how you should get those challenging items packed away safely and securely.

Liquid Luck

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your new home to find that your shampoo and cleaning materials have leaked all over your suitcase. That’s not going to be a good start! Avoid this by removing the lid and covering the opening with some plastic wrap. Then, simply put the top back on, and your liquids will be much more secure.

Kitchen Knives

If you were planning on throwing all of your cutlery drawers into a box and hoping for the best, then you might be making life harder and more dangerous. Kitchen knives can easily poke through boxes! Instead, use an old toolbox or a set of manila folders for the sharper blades, and you’ll all be much safer.

Fragile Goods

Plates, vases, and ornaments are usually going to be your main concern. Remember the old trick of using clothes to fill up those fragile items so that they become sturdier; wrap them in clothes or towels, and use strips of cardboard as a divider. This will give you all the protection you need.

Heavy Items

If you’ve got a piano or plenty of white goods, or your couch could be used to house a new family member, then you’re going to need to use a professional mover. Check your local area for the best movers Charleston, and you’ll be able to relax a lot more. Never underestimate how much easier moving will be if you use a team of professionals to help.

Book Worms

If you’re a big reader, then you already know how annoying it is loading up boxes of books. They’re heavy! Ideally, you want to either use smaller boxes for your books (too big and they become too heavy to move) or use suitcases with wheels. It will make them much more comfortable to transport.

Expensive Jewelry

There are some traditional ways of storing your necklaces, brooches, and earrings to make for more secure moving. Egg cartons used to be a standard way of storing smaller items, as they are sturdy enough to protect your valuables. It might be better to wrap your jewelry in tissue and fold it all together in a secure safety box. Egg cartons are fine, but they’re not the safest option.

Moving to a new home is an adventure, so don’t let the stress ruin your move. Make sure that you’re as prepared as possible. The more that you plan in advance, the quicker you’ll be unpacking your well-packed possessions and working out where to put them in your new home.

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