Tuesday 30 July 2019

Best Wall Art for Your Home

Displaying wall art is a great way to have your home reflect your personality and taste. Mounting an old masterpiece or cutting-edge sculpture in your living room or dining room lets you show off your artistic prowess to friends and visitors. With so many styles and types of wall art to choose from, there are plenty of options out there you're sure to love. Here are a few tips for finding wall art that suits your needs.


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Choosing Art for Your Home:


The Great Painters

If your style leans towards the grandeur of the past, then reproductions of timeless masters, such as Claude Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh, are a great way to add artistic appeal to your home. Use wall paintings by da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other old masters to decorate your formal living room or personal library, or grace an elegant living room with the colorful Impressionist works of Monet. If your home decor is more trendy and modern, add a bit of Picasso or Kandinsky into the mix.
Because these reproductions are meant to last, consider buying paintings that feature fade-resistant archival inks or other preservation methods.
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Children’s Wall Art

Create a special kids’ zone for your child using children’s wall art. These art pieces often feature bright colors, simple shapes, and fun figures to appeal to the younger crowd. Hang a special gender-themed picture in your child’s bedroom to help customize it, or place a gender neutral piece in a playroom. Give your kids motivation as they get up each morning by choosing from a variety of wall pictures that feature inspirational sayings for children.
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Wall Photography

Attractive wall pieces are not just limited to paintings. Diversify your wall collection by choosing from among the numerous available artistic photographs. Framed wall pictures that feature images of nature or intriguing figures are great additions to a home office or hallway. Add either a canvas style photograph for a contemporary room, or choose a framed picture that complements the existing furniture color in the room.
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Contemporary Wall Art

Contemporary wall art ranges from abstract pictures to scenes from nature or city life. Some focus on the small and are a great way to highlight your love of detail and the little things in life. Black and white contemporary pieces keep the color concept of your room simple with stark contrast. Other wall art provides bursts of color that stand out among the simple, smooth shapes of your contemporary decor.
Consider adding an impressive canvas triptych above your couch or bed to add style to a modern living room or bedroom, or even a five-part piece to decorate a larger space.
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Vintage Wall Art

If you have a healthy nostalgia for the good old days, choose from a variety of vintage wall decor to keep the best of the past always in the present. Prints of vintage vehicles, flags, and drinks add personality and character to your workshop, traditional kitchen, or bedroom. You can even create a special “nostalgia” room for entertainment purposes.
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Metal Wall Art

Metal wall art adds both intrigue and variety to your collection, and it enables you to create truly custom displays. For contemporary style rooms, add metal wall hangings. These can vary from interesting, abstract shapes to intricate insects and trees. Large wall stickers add fun to a garage, game room, or entertainment room. For easy installation and removal, consider vinyl, self-adhesive stickers. When applied to clean, white walls, properly added vinyl stickers can even give the appearance of paint.
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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca



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      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

Monday 29 July 2019

12 Essential Products to Keep Dogs Cool in Hot Weather

Summer is the perfect time to hit the lake, beach and park, but pet owners know it's just not the same without bringing Fido along for the ride. These items will help keep your pet cool and safe through the extra-long dog days of summer.


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Drinks All Around

Taking your four-legged friend on the go is one of the best parts of being a dog owner, but it can present multiple challenges. Having to carry an awkward dog bowl around in a desperate search for convenient water sources is a big one. This water bottle with a built-in dog bowl lets you give your furball what they need without sacrificing your style or convenience. Perfect for hikes, runs or just a quick trip downtown.

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Creature Comforts

Because cars weren't made for dogs, they often end up wherever they fit best. To accommodate for their awkward size, they are dealt the short end of the stick when it comes to airflow. This product is here to offer them the same comfort you receive, no matter the season. This flexible hose installs easily on your car's air vent and carries the air all the way to your pet, keeping them cool in the summer and toasty in the winter.

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Fin-Tastic Safety Jacket

Some people find dogs in clothes adorable, while others find it, well...cringy. However, no one can deny that a dog in a life jacket is functional and cute as can be. Especially when that life jacket has a fin. That’s right! This doggy life jacket has a shark fin making your pup the bravest, safest and cutest pup in the water.

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The Perfect Hangout Spot

Dogs have built-in insulation which makes cooler environments perfect. However, in the warmer months, their coats harbor heat all day long. One of the best ways to counteract overheating is to ensure your pup is getting airflow on all sides. This breathable, elevated pet bed allows them to relax and chill inside or out, even in the dog days of summer.

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Pampered Pet Pool Day

Pets and pools can be a very fun combination. Once the excitement of jumping in the pool has worn off and it's time to relax, make sure your best pal has everything they need to succeed. Fresh, cold water, their favorite toy and this pup-approved pool float. Four out of four paws. Safety note: Monitored swim and a life jacket are a winning approach for pet pool days.


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Paw-per Protection

If you’ve ever walked across a hot parking lot barefoot, it probably goes without saying that you didn’t make that mistake again. The same could be said for hot sand or even just a boat deck. The truth is, if these hot surfaces hurt our feet so much, then they are hurting our pet’s feet as well. Give your dog the protection he needs from the heat with these breathable and skid-resistant paw protectors.


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SUP Dog

Stand-up paddle boards have exploded in popularity over the past few years and with good reason. They are relatively easy to master and don't require a huge investment to get out on the water. However, the best feature of a SUP board may be the ample space on the nose for a certain four-legged friend. Until now, the space was there, but the slick surface left your pup with little to hold onto. With this traction pad, a slip-free, self-adhering and water-resistant surface awaits them.


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The Cool Down

As usual, water is here to save your pet on a hot day. Only this time, no pool is required. Whether inside or outside, this cooling mat uses water to effectively cool your pet down while the orthopedic foam construction helps with arthritis, hip dysplasia and many other common issues. All this is made even better with a two-year warranty.

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Coolest Vest You've Ever Seen

You’re probably thinking, "Why would another layer on an already furry dog help cool them off?" It doesn’t make much sense at first thought, but once you consider that this vest reflects sun, mimics sweat’s cooling effect when wet with cool water and features a reflective trim to ensure your dog is as visible as possible, it's a no-brainer that this vest will make your dog the safest and coolest dog around.

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I Scream, You Scream

You thought you had seen it all, but now your furry friend can enjoy one of the best parts of summer right along with you. This doggy ice cream mix is specially formulated to work well with your dog’s digestion. Keep them cool with a fraction of the calories and fat of regular ice cream while still giving them the protein and nutrition they need.

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Have It Made in the Shades

Just like humans, dogs tend to develop eye problems as they get older. Damage from the sun and harsh elements can play a large part in your pup’s ocular health. This summer, as you slide your favorite shades on, don’t forget to do the same for man’s best friend. These "doggles" make it easy with elastic straps and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that block out harmful UV rays.
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Your Dog's Never Looked (or Felt) So Cool

Keep your furry friend cool even when the sun is brutal with this cooling collar. Just saturate the fabric with water, and it's ready to go. For a maximum cooling effect, place the saturated material in the fridge before use. This one also features a built-in leash hole, so you can easily slip the cooling collar over your pup's regular leash collar.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca



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      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

Friday 26 July 2019

16 Essentials for a Summer-Ready Bar Cart

From the best handheld juicers to chic seersucker napkins to shatterproof drinkware, these must-have items will help upgrade your bar cart and keep you and your guests refreshed all summer long.



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Kill Time, Not Vibes

Nothing kills a vibe like the sound of broken glass and the mess that follows. Avoid the buzzkill by skipping the glass barware. Constructed with durable BPA-free plastic, this adorable line has you covered from rocks glasses to stemware and guarantees a shatterproof summer.

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Rabbit Cocktail Maker

What's better than a summer cocktail? A frozen summer cocktail. Use this handy cocktail maker from Rabbit to make margaritas, piña coladas, frosé and more. Fill the silicone carafe with your favorite drink ingredients, freeze and then squeeze the neoprene sleeve before serving. Since you're not adding ice like you would when making drinks in a blender, even as the drink melts, it won't get watered down and will maintain its flavor.

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The Perfect Juicer

Even an amateur mixologist knows that fresh citrus juices are the only way to go. However, squeezing citrus fruits by hand comes with a laundry list of problems. Not only is it unsanitary, it makes a mess, leaves your hands super sticky and it's nearly impossible to actually get all the juice into your glass. This gorgeous citrus juicer will circumvent all the issues and turn you into a mixing pro in no time.

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Raise Your Glass Dispenser

Add depth and texture to your summer bar cart with this beautiful rattan beverage dispenser stand. Not only will a stand help you to elevate your dispenser, making it much easier to use, it will also make your bar cart even chicer. Plus, the rattan will add a beachy vibe and make any drink feel like a margarita by the ocean.

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Garnish Like a Pro

Have you ever wondered how bartenders get those perfect strips of lemon in your martini? Well, we have the answer, and it's a lot easier than you may have thought. All you need is this nifty little tool. For under $10, you can create perfect citrus spirals and delicately shaved lemon peels to expertly garnish your beverages.

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No Watered-Down Drinks

Ice melts quickly in the hot summer sun and can make a cool beverage slightly unappealing. Sure, you could drink your beverage out of an ugly, clunky steel cup, or you could enjoy it in its proper vessel with a more creative cooling solution. These geometric whiskey stones are the perfect solution for enjoying a cool alcoholic beverage without having to worry about the sun watering it down.

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Shake Things Up

If you own a bar cart and no cocktail shaker, then you most likely are more concerned with aesthetics than practicality. However, we've got a shaker that is an expert in both fields: a golden pineapple shaker. Pineapple decor is already in and we’re pretty sure cocktails don't go out of style. It's a win-win.

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Maximize Your Wine Storage

Skip a boring lineup of wine bottles and opt for vertical storage that will allow you to keep more bottles on deck at once. This stacked wine-rack arch is as gorgeous as it is practical. The delicate gold finish is sure to fit in on any bar cart or credenza, and the slanting bottle storage will keep your corks wet and your wines as fresh as possible.
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Big Batch Beverage Dispenser

It's time you ditched the stained plastic pitcher you’ve used for years and opt for something a little more elegant. Not only will a beautiful beverage dispenser like this add a touch of class to whatever you choose to serve, but it will also allow you to make a much bigger batch, which is never a bad thing.

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Next-Level Decanter

Decanters are an absolute necessity on a bar cart. First of all, it will make you feel like a million bucks when you pick one up and pour yourself a dram. Secondly, they are the ultimate way to up your bar cart's aesthetic.

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Tried-and-True Bamboo Skewers

Forgo the expensive cocktail skewers that tend to wind up anywhere but back on your bar cart and opt for a simpler approach. These bamboo skewers probably look familiar because they are used on almost every drink you’ve ever been served in a bar. All that means is they are tried and true and ready to garnish your poolside cocktail.

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Ice, Ice, Baby

If you're serving guests from your outdoor bar cart this summer, an insulated ice bucket is a must. Don't even waste your time with a bowl of ice on a hot summer day. By the time you walk outside, it's already halfway gone. This bowl will be your lifeline in the hot summer sun and ensure every drink you serve is a refreshing one.

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Summer-Ready Seersucker

Making drinks can get messy and if you're away from the kitchen, you need to make sure you have a quick clean-up option. These stylish seersucker napkins are summer-approved and ready to wipe up all your bar cart messes. They also work great as cute make-shift koozies for when your ice-cold drink starts to numb your hand.

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In-Home Sommelier

Though many have tried to improve upon the design, it just seems that none compare to a plain waiter's corkscrew. This particular example has an ergonomic handle and features pretty much everything you need to remove anything that stands between you and your drink.


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Summery Sipping

Don't even bother garnishing your perfect summer cocktail with a drab, white plastic straw. Not only are these floral-print paper straws infinitely more adorable than boring plastic straws, but they are also infinitely better for the environment.

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Just Add Booze

If you don't want a pile of bar tools taking up a corner of your bar cart, then this is really all you need. This 10-in-1 bar tool features everything you need to mix drinks like a pro: a muddler, reamer, channel knife, two jiggers, zester, knife, stirrer, strainer, corkscrew and a bottle opener. Forgo the pile of individual tools and save room for some more booze.


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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca



 Top-Vancouver-Realtor-Carmen-Leal


      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.