Lilac City Momma

Lynn

4 Places to Visit While Traveling with Kids in Milan

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Many people overlook Milan for other romantic and historic cities such as Venice, Rome, and Florence. However, did you know that Milan is a perfect destination to travel to with family and has a bucket list of things you can enjoy doing? It also has the advantage that it is easily accessible from many cities in Europe. There are also safe and easy airport transfers from the airport to your hotel room. In Milan, you can enjoy the best of Italian ice cream. Kids will love it. However, Milan has more fabulous things to offer them than dairy products. Below are some places to visit while traveling with kids to Milan.

• Indro Montanelli Public Garden 
This garden is a public park located on the northeastern side of the city center in Porta Venezia district. The park has been around since 1784 making it the oldest park in Milan. It occupies 172 meters squared with small playgrounds enough for kids to play and run around, walk or just take leisure strolls.

• Civic Aquarium
This magnificent remnant of the 1906 World Expo, located at the Simplon Park, has a Nouveau style. Through the years, it underwent several closures. However, in 2006, it became the official home of the Civic Aquarium. This aquarium is now an attraction for both tourists and locals. Though small, the Civic Aquarium holds an impressive history collection of sea life. It has 36 tanks containing over 100 species of fresh and salt-water creatures. Moreover, the aquarium has a café, bookshop, tech-savvy classrooms, library, and activity spaces. You can travel with your kids there to wander through ponds, springs, marshes, and other aquatic environments.

• Natural History Museum Milan
Located at the edge of Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli is the two-floored Natural History Museum of Milan. The vast 19-century building houses an extensive collection of preserved animals, skeletons, fossils, and minerals. There is a lot of history to learn here although you might need an interpreter since most of the information is in Italian. Kids under 18 years enter the museum free while adults pay only $5 per head. These prices are affordable.

• Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum
While visiting Milan with your family, make sure you visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum, which is the largest technology museum in Italy. The museum, dedicated to the renaissance scientist and painter known as Leonardo da Vinci, is one of best cultural centers in Europe. It has an extensive collection of technical-scientific and artistic objects that portray Italian history. Here, you will explore Da Vinci’s drawings and more than one hundred scaled models created using his sketches.

Various artifacts and sites celebrate the growth of the transport industry in Italy. In the water transport, you will get to see a racing catamaran and a cruise ship. On the gardens outside the museum is Enrico Toti, an Italian submarine. There is a collection of locomotives and carriages when it comes to the development of the Italian railway. Moreover, several airplanes are hanging from the ceiling and a full sized helicopter highlighting Italy’s prowess in the aviation sector.

Man Cave Decor Ideas

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  1. Repurposed Wrench Coat Hooks

This is a fast, easy and creative way to create enough coat hooks for many guests that visit your man cave during the sports seasons. You can either go to your tool box or tool shed and find all of your old wrenches and use them. If they are rusty, make sure that you clean them and then you can either coat them some Rustoleum or shine them up and keep them as they are. Either way, put each one in a vice and bend it as much as you need to for it to be as near in half as possible. If this is too strenuous, take it to a local workshop and have it done. Then, find a space on the man cave wall, and use long screws to fasten them to the wall in a staggered formation.

  1. Vintage Television Bar Cabinet

With so many flea markets everywhere, vintage is all the rage, and what better way to store your alcohol than inside a vintage piece of cabinetry. It gives the feel of the “old days” when you watched the games with your dad on the old black and white, and it gives a whole lot of space to store your alcoholic beverages without creating actual cabinets. Just remove the “guts”, put a formed piece of wood on the inside bottom of the television to cover any holes, and insert your liquor. Then hang small lights, like mini Christmas ones, on the inside of the television above the bottles and create a warm glow.

  1. DIY Drinko Plinko Game

This is one of the games that everyone knows from the show “The Price is Right.” You can make your own version to play either while you watch your sporting events, or as a separate tournament during the sports “off season.” The directions on how to make one and how to play are here.

  1. Pinball Machine

Pinball is still the rage with the updated versions that have 3D graphics and so many different themes that it will be hard to decide which one to buy! Take a consensus of your man cave friends and have everyone pitch in and buy the two most popular choices! You can choose from many of the Justice League characters, racing themes, various forms of hunting including bow and shotgun, and even retro classics like Donkey Kong.

  1. DIY Beer Coasters

Here is a man cave DIY that you and the boys can do while you are watching the game it’s so easy! Take all the discarded cardboard beer holders and cut out the beer insignias on each one into a square that fits the same size as a square, coaster-sized piece of tile that you can buy at the local home improvement store. Then, brush some Mod Podge on the back of the cardboard and place it directly onto the front of the tile piece. Turn it over and let it dry for 20 minutes. Repeat this as many times as you have tile pieces and insignias. Then, repeat it again 2-3 more times for each tile piece until each one has at least 2-3 more layers of Mod Podge. When completely dry, affix felt adhesive strips to each back corner of every tile for non-skid use. Finally, put a top coat of clear acrylic finish on each one.

Jessica Kane is a writer for The Pinball Company, the best online source for new, used, and refurbished pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and more!

5 Home Renovation Projects that Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Residence

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If you have experienced damage to your residence due a storm, or because of some other reason, you obviously will want to get your home repaired appropriately. However, because you are undertaking work at your residence, you may also be considering undertaking some other home improvement work on the property.

There is a myriad of different types of home improvement projects that you can undertake on your residence. Your could undertake any number of improvement projects on the interior of your home. In the alternative, you could embark on exterior projects, including some that can optimize the curb appeal of your home.

There some more simple, less costly exterior home improvement projects that can enhance the exterior of your residence. Indeed, there are five home improvement projects that can improve the curb appeal of your residence.

A Fresh Coat of Exterior Paint

One of the quickest and least expensive ways in which you can up the curb appeal of your home is to give the exterior a fresh coat of paint. IN many ways, it is the condition of the exterior walls of your residence that garner the most attention. This includes guests to your residence, your neighbors, passersby, and potential buyers, if you are considering putting your home on the market.

If you are a person who enjoys do-it-yourself projects, painting the exterior of your home is one of the easiest to undertake and one of the most reasonably priced DIY endeavors. On the other hand, if you want to hire a professional to deal with this task, this type of project represents one of the more affordable one in which you can retain professional assistance.

Patch Up the Lawn

If your residence is like many homes, your lawn may not be in the best possible condition. Your lawn may have brown patches or a hearty crop of crab grass or even weeds. Another relatively simple project you can undertake to improve the curb appeal of your home is to take on and correct issues with the lawn. Getting the lawn back up to par usually is not a costly endeavor. Moreover, with proper instruction, it is also something you can do on your own.

Repair the Driveway

A more extensive, and a bit more expensive, project you can undertake to enhance the curb appeal of your home is repairing the driveway. Although cracks on a driveway very well may be limited to that surface alone, and not extend to the foundation or elsewhere at the premises, a driveway in need of repair sends a message that a house may have major issues. Addressing a driveway problem is crucial if you want to put your home on the market for sale.

Install Outdoor Lighting

There are very affordable, and easy to install, outdoor lighting options available to you. Many options can be undertaken on a DIY basis and with no outside assistance. This include outdoor lighting alternatives that are powered by solar energy. You need not worry about laying electrical cord to power up this type of outdoor lighting. You can have a fresh outdoor lighting scheme up and lit in not time at all.

Add a Flower Bed

A fifth step you can take to improve the curb appeal of your home is to add a flower bed, or some other vegetation. A flower bed can add a vibrant touch to the landscaping of your residence. In addition, planting and maintaining a garden has some other benefits as well. For example, many people find tending a garden gratifying and a solid way of managing stress.

In the final analysis, there are three primary reasons why you might feel motivated to enhance the curb appeal of your home. You can satisfy any one, or all, of these objectives by undertaken one, two, or even all of the suggestions contained in this article.

The three primary objectives of enhancing the curb appeal of your home is to make it more inviting for you and your family. After all, your home is where you spend more of your time.

The second primary reason for upping the curb appeal of your home is to make your residence a neighborhood showplace. If you are like most people, you want your home to shine when contrasted with other residences on your block.

Finally, if you have your sights set on selling your home, an enhanced curb appeal is invaluable. An attractive exterior of your residence may be the primary reason why a prospective buyer schedules a walkthrough of your home.

Jessica Kane is a writer for OSHA Campus Online, where you can complete a variety of OSHA training courses 100% online at your convenience.

Unique Residential Landscaping and Exposed Steel Pipes

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Steel pipes can be utilized in a home construction or remodeling project in a number of different ways. Of course, in the vast majority of situations, steel pipe utilized in this manner is hidden behind the scenes or under the ground.

As you go about planning for landscaping at a new residence, or if you desire to give your existing grounds a facelift, you may face the need for some plumbing and the placement of pipe. Before you go about seeking or drafting plans that call for the sequestration of pipe that may be necessary to effect a landscaping plan that you hold dear, consider some benefits that you can realize by permitting at least some of the pipe associated with a garden or some other landscaping effort to remain visible, out in the open and for all to see.

Selecting Steel Pipe

There actually are a number of different derivations of steel pipe suitable for residential use. Two suggestions for the purposes of this discussion about exposed pipe are stainless steel pipe and black steel pipe.

Both stainless steel pipe and black steel pipe are highly durable. They can both be coated with other substances to prevent corrosion, which renders them suitable for a broad range of uses.

In this discussion of exposed steel pipe, visual preference becomes the primary issue when comparing stainless and black steep pipe. Stainless steel is widely utilized in many different settings, so much so that any homeowner is likely familiar with its bright, vibrant appearance. On the other hand, black steel is just that. Steel turns black in the case of this derivation of the metal because of the manner in which it is forged.

Taking a Clue from Exposed Pipe in Lofts

The idea of exposed pipes really is nothing new. The reality is that exposed pipe has become a decorating staple in residential properties for years. Indeed, exposed pipes are almost a signature element of a residential loft in this day and age.

What is a bit new is the idea of incorporating exposed steel pipe into an overall landscaping scheme. Before diving into the propriety of such an endeavor more fully, a homeowner should bear in mind that exposed pipe, including pipe made of steel, in an outdoor setting is not some new concept. Exposed pipe has been widely used in the agriculture industry for generations. Exposed pipe is an integral element of gravity irrigation systems, for example. It is a common feature in dairy operations.

Exposed Steel Pipe can Enhance the Look and Feel of a Garden

Incorporating exposed steel pipe as part of your landscaping efforts can enhance the overall look and feel of your garden or gardens. The pipe can provide an accent or flare that contributes to the manner in which the flora you select for a garden is highlighted.

In considering how exposed steel pipe will enhance the look of a garden, you do need to ponder whether you want stainless steel or black steel. You need to make decisions about the types of plants you think more than likely will be a part of your landscaping.

Exposed Steel Pipe is a Practical Solution

Exposed steel pipe is not only something that adds to the look of your garden, enhances your landscaping visually, it can provide a practical solution when it comes to maintaining your residential grounds. For example, exposed steel pipe permits you a great deal of flexibility as to where you place faucets and other elements necessary to water or irrigation.

Of course, you certainly hope nothing will go awry with your landscaping pipe scheme. However, issues can arise. There is a truly practical element associated with exposed steel pipe as part of a landscaping scheme. If something breaks down in regard to your pipe, you will be better able to detect it when the steel pipe is exposed. In addition, you will be in a better position to get pipe repaired or replaced as necessary far easier when it already is exposed.

Cost of Exposed Pipe

Finally, if you elect to go the exposed pipe route when planning your landscaping, you may be able to save some money in the installation process. Generally speaking, being able to avoid installation of all of the pipe underground, or in walls, can be a costly endeavor, particularly when it is part of a remodeling effort. As an aside, the installation of exposed steel pipe typically is accomplished faster than is a more traditional pipe installation.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading steel tubing suppliers of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipe, tubes, fittings and flanges.

How to Prepare Your Credit to Buy a Home

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Owning a home is the great American dream, but with bad credit, such a fantasy can seem more like a nightmare. Most conventional mortgage lenders will insist upon a credit score above 700 to secure a mortgage. Meanwhile, the FHA offers loans to individuals with scores as low as 540. A low score could require a higher down payment, a steeper monthly insurance rate, or result in declined funds.

If you’re worried about a low credit score standing between you and your dream home, take a look at these helpful tips on how to repair your credit and budgeting before applying for a mortgage.

Know Your Score

Every 12 months you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are the three credit bureaus that offer access to this information. It is important to check each of these, as not all accounts report to the bureau. Keep in mind, you’ll want to make this inquiry atleast 6-9 months prior to applying for a mortgage. This will allow you to repair any issues and set aside time for the bureau to reflect those improvements. Late payments, bills that went to collection, and other derogatory items should be dealt with accordingly.

Make Amends

Scrutinize your credit report for errors. If the document fails to report paid bills or collections, you need to file a dispute as soon as possible. If you notice any unknown accounts or activity, you may be a victim of fraud or identity theft. If the resolved issues fail to make it onto your credit report in time, you can apply for a letter of goodwill from the credit institution. Such documentation lets your mortgage lender know the issues are outdated or resolved. Whatever you do, check your report at least once a year, as some issues have a statute of limitations.

Keep the Old

Good standing, older credit lines are a great asset. A long history of outstanding credit looks good to lenders. Plus, since closed credit cards remain on your credit report for up to a decade following the closure, eliminating a card you no longer use or with an imperfect account record isn’t going to work in your favor. Moreover, an available but unused credit card can improve your balance-to-limit ratio.

Optomise Your Balance-to-Limit Ratio

Your balance-to-limit ratio reflects what portion of your available credit you are utilizing. In most cases, lenders look for applicants who have a 15% or less ratio. If you can stretch your limits prior to applying for a mortgage, a 10% ratio is even better. Overall, lenders don’t want to see clients who are overextending themselves. At the same time, suddenly opening an extra line of credit to boost your current ratio isn’t going to work either. Each time you apply for a line of credit your report shows a hard inquiry. Too many of these and you’ll likely see your score drop.

Balance Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Another important factor in approving your mortgage is your debt-to-income ratio. You want this number to be right around your balance-limit ratio. While it is tough to skew the numbers, reducing your spending and limiting large purchases will work in your favor. Use an online calculator to determine your ratio and then make a plan to chip away at your debts or reduce your annual spending. After you’ve purchased your home, this number will rise significantly. However, once you’ve secured a mortgage, you won’t have to play it as tight.

Make Wise Decisions

This last step is an obvious one, but still worth noting. Adulting isn’t always easy and it often means sacrificing a fun purchase for security or, in this case, a permanent home. If you’re ready to enter the world of homeownership, you probably already realize this. However, a hard look into your personal finances can be a healthy reminder to plan for the future. Moreover, you may want to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor, who can help you to better organize your money.

In Conclusion

Securing a mortgage is imperative when it comes to purchasing your first home, but, for many, sub par credit can stand in the way. By taking the time to fix and maintain your credit history, you’ll be on the road to homeownership and a promising financial future.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage a leading company that provides Internet fax service for individuals and businesses.