Author: Matthew McDisa

Matthew has an exemplary eye for details in products. His passion for exploring new things helps him uncover and discover product features that are totally unique. When he is not busy exploring a new product or putting it through tough tests, he enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and fishing. Matthew manages the Electronics & Automotive categories.

Categories
Home & Kitchen

Tips on Designing Your Dorm Room to Feel Like Home in USC

Dormitories are a second home for college students. Transitioning and adjusting from your real home to your dormitory can be quite challenging and could take time. But one effective way to fast track your adjustment period is to design your dormitory room in the manner that it will feel like home.

Most dormitories allow their occupants to redesign their room. The University of Southern California or USC have dorms and housing facilities that focus on the comfort of students. USC housing prioritizes their students’ satisfaction, above all.

So, here are a few tips for designing your dormitory room at USC for your comfort and convenience.

Room-Type Factor

Students come from different homes, different places, and diverse backgrounds. Therefore, when it comes to thinking of a specific style or design for a room, students may differ in ideas.

The first tip is to consider your room type. Is it shared? Is it spacious? 

USC housing offers different room sizes and room types to accommodate various setups and needs. Whether you like to share a room with your friends or opt for a single room, they can make arrangements to cater to your needs.

Decide on Your Design

The second tip is to choose a particular model, style, or vibe that feels like home. You can try to recreate your own room in your dormitory room or opt for a different one. Check on Pinterest for some room designs according to your liking.

Buy the necessary materials

Students carry their personal things to their dormitories straight from home. While some choose to buy new ones as they transition to dorm life.

When you have a design in mind, you can decide on the necessary materials you need to carry it out. You may buy new things that suit your design, such as the following:

  • Bed linens

  • Clothes hangers

  • Laundry basket

  • Bath linens

  • Shower tote

  • Storage boxes or crates

  • Desk lamp

You can also buy additional materials such as wallpapers and wall decors.

DIY Ideas

DIYs are usually fun because they are personalized. You can creatively clip photographs on your wall and decorate it using lights. You can personalize your wallpaper or make a DIY pen holder. DIYs will typically save you money from buying new things, and you get to be creative at the same time.

Keep it Clean, Calm, and Convenient

Remember that you will spend the majority of your college life in your room. This is also practically your place for studying.

Make sure that when you design your room, it feels spacious and not suffocating. It must be clean and organized all the time.

The placement of things in your room must be convenient. For example, your school materials must be within reach from your study table so you won’t need to stand up each time to get them.

Your dorm room must be an excellent place to study. It should be calming and conducive for studying and relaxing.

Don’t Forget Lighting

Lastly, when designing your room, consider the lighting. Make sure you get enough sunlight in the morning. When you decide on putting lights on your wall, make sure they do not become distractions to you and your roommates.

Place your desk lamp where you need it the most and ensure it covers the area you need light.

Designing your dorm room is exciting and entertaining. Be creative to pull off your ideas and turn your dorm room into an extension of your home.

Categories
Guest Post

7 Tips to Successfully Launch Your Fashion Blog Online

Whether you are a casual shopper, a fashion aficionado or a brand store owner, chances are you’ve given blogging some thought. The notion of writing online articles and putting your name out there is an exciting and worthwhile prospect to consider. According to published research, 53% of marketing experts claim that their top priority in terms of digital advertisement is blogging.

This means that blogging has a lot of potential for people with the know-how of the fashion industry as a whole. But how do you start a blog successfully and go through the unavoidable growth pains without a dent? Let’s take a look at just that through several tried and tested tips.

  1. Set Measurable Goals

Blogging is a very complex hobby to dedicate your time to. This makes it easy to give up on the notion of blogging due to the sheer volume of new information and terminology to cope with. For starters, set aside some goals and milestones for your blog to work towards.

Do you want to gain 10k followers in the first month of launching? What about your yearly goals? What fashion niches do you want to cover and expand toward over time? Systems such as SMART can help you identify what is important to you personally so that you can better understand the meaning behind your future blog. Once you know what is that you will write about, you can proceed to the blog itself.

  1. Choose your Platform

Let’s get technical for a minute and talk about blogging platforms. The website you choose as your host will serve as your CMS, or Content Management System. The most popular CMS on the web is WordPress, which you might have heard of before due to its widespread popularity. Besides that, you can launch your blog using Tumblr, Drupal and an assortment of other CMS websites.

Depending on how tech-savvy you are, you should typically lean towards WordPress since it offers the most flexibility and user-friendly options for new bloggers to use. Coupled with the best editing service on the web in terms of text editing, all of these CMS options can become viable to you over time. For now, however, stick to the one you are most familiar with so that you can focus on the more important aspect of blogging – such as blogging itself.

  1. Be Original, not a Copy

Originality has become something of a commodity on the internet, despite the open and free nature of the information. It cannot be overstated how important it is for your blog to be original in its topics, tone of voice and the overall style in which you will talk about trending topics.

While you will undoubtedly talk about famous brands, popular clothing or jewelry lines and so forth, you can do that quite well in your own words and point of view. Make sure to borrow what works for your favorite bloggers only in passing – focus on your own thing as much as you can if you want to succeed as a professional fashion blogger.

  1. Mind your SEO

A bit more about the technicalities of blogging (it won’t hurt, we promise). Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is another term you will undoubtedly come across while blogging. It concerns the general system in which search engines such as Google and Yahoo rank results on their pages. For example, if someone searches for winter shoe suggestions, your site will or will not show up on the first page depending on your SEO.

In order to be in the good graces of SEO, you should familiarize yourself with keyword optimization platforms. Tools such as Google Adwords and SEM Rush are quite intuitive and offer a lot of information on each distinct industry, fashion included. Use these tools handsomely in your blog optimization and your overall traffic will see a spike as a result.

  1. Share through Social Media

As an up-and-coming blogger, you should do whatever you can to reach a large audience. There’s no better way to do that than through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. All you have to do to get started is to set up dedicated pages on each platform with your blog’s name on it and you will be good to go.

Make sure to share any new blog post, discussion or article that you publish on your main blog through social media pages. This will allow you to be seen by people who might be patrons of fashion but have no idea your blog exists at all.

  1. Diversify your Content

Even though the first thing that pops into mind when “blogging” is concerned is text, that doesn’t have to be your only type of content. You can just as easily do video reviews of new clothing lines, interview fashion industry experts or retail salespeople among other things.

This will diversify your content drastically, ensuring that your followers have a lot of different things to experience on your website. It will also do wonders for your SEO (there’s that word again) if you have mixed content available for people to see. Don’t constrain yourself to write exclusively – branch out and see which ideas pop into your head that are worth blogging about.

  1. Communicate with your Followers

Lastly, you need to make time to talk to your audiences as much as possible. Anyone who comments on your content has taken time away from their day to read what you have to say and comment on it. Spark up a conversation at the end of each article you write by asking a question or a response from the reader.

This will allow you to casually start a chain discussion with potential readers who might share similar opinions to your own. It might also attract people who disagree with you and present their own points of view on the matter which is also a great turn of events. Don’t rely on one-sided blogging and call it a day – talk to people who show interest in what you do.

Give it Some Time (Conclusion)

While blogging isn’t backbreaking work by any stretch of the imagination, it still requires a lot of time and energy. Don’t give up on your fashion blog while it’s still in its infancy. Give it several weeks or even months and see how the routine of writing and optimizing content feels like. Instant success can rarely be found on the internet – build your way towards your own little audience and it will find you halfway.

Categories
Health & Beauty

Not Getting the Flavor from Your Vape? Here Is What You Should Know

Yes, it is possible not to get flavor from your vape device. It is a big disappointment especially when you want to enjoy your favorite e-juice. Unfortunately, there are many reasons for this, and consequently, there are many things that you can do to find a solution for the issue. As a beginner, the insights that we are going to share below will help you with how to go about resolving the problem. Likewise, the experienced vaping enthusiasts will also benefit as this is a common problem.

The Main Cause

Probably, you have heard about vaper’s tongue, which affects those who vape. This condition causes your taste buds not to recognize the flavor of the vape for certain reasons. Vaper’s tongue does not have warning signs, and it can happen at any time, even in the middle of vaping.

The mouth has up to about 8,000 taste buds to make sure that a person can distinguish almost every different flavor. But they can all temporarily fail for certain reasons. Saliva plays a big role in maintaining the functionality of the taste buds. If the mouth cannot produce enough saliva, a condition caused by a fatigued tongue, the mouth will be dry, and the taste buds will not work.

However, this is not the only reasons why you may fail to taste the e-juice during a vaping session. Here are other reasons.

  •         Failure to clean the vape device – cleaning your vape device and changing some parts like the atomizer as needed might be a big challenge. When residue builds up after many refills, the device might malfunction, which is a big challenge that may cause the flavors to disappear.
  •         Incorrect adjustment of the device – one thing to know is that most vape devices on the market today are highly sophisticated. They have numerous programmable options to provide different results. If the user configures the settings incorrectly, she or he may not receive the desired flavor or even sometimes may experience nothing at all. For a beginner who is still learning about such devices, this could be a big disappointment.
  •         Low batteries – whether one is using rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries, there could be problems with flavors if the charge contained by the battery is low. Most people have faced this problem only to realize that the low battery was the main cause.
  •         Using low quality e-juice – there are many brands of e-juice on the market today. Some manufacturers have a good reputation while others may only be interested in making money in the short term. Buying either poor quality e-juice or e-juice that has expired might be a cause of not tasting a flavor at all. In bad cases, they might cause the vaper’s tongue discussed above.

How to Bring Back the E-Juice Flavor

By now, any vaper who has experienced this challenge knows how disappointing it can be. Imagine buying one of the best vaping devices from a reputable shop like ePuffer only to experience such a big disappointment. The good news is that there are many things that you can do to either keep it at bay or solve the issue when it arises.

  •         Drinking more water – vaper’s tongue, which is now common, can sometimes be solved by drinking water to increase the production of saliva. This solution may require some time to take effect, but you can rest assured that it will often clear up at last. Fruit juices with citrus but limited sugar could wake the taste buds according to research. However, you must be careful as too much citrus could cause more harm.
  •         Cleaning the tongue – brushing the tongue gently could also work perfectly, but it is not a solution 100% of the time. It is worth trying because a dirty tongue hinders the chemical reactions caused by bacteria. Be sure to use a soft brush to avoid bruising the taste buds.
  •         Let the mouth rest – we all know that the mouth is a busy organ that is drinking this, eating that and now vaping. But if there is a problem like this, you can rest it for a few hours after drinking enough water. This will help the taste buds and other cells to regenerate back to their functional status.
  •         Check the vape device thoroughly – we already mentioned that the vaping device could be the main reason why you are not tasting the flavor. In this case, it should be inspected for defects, dirt or unusual behavior. Those with the right experience will often find a fault within a short time. When this is corrected, the flavor could trickle back for you to enjoy. Cleaning it regularly or as recommended by the manufacturer is very important. As such, changing of atomizers should occur with each cleaning to complete the servicing process.

Conclusion

Failure to get the desired flavor from a vaping device is bad enough for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. When you have prepared everything carefully that you need, the unfortunate vaper’s tongue will be a big drawback. It is your responsibility to try the mentioned solutions to bring back the taste buds’ functionality if you want to enjoy the e-juice flavors. Sometimes, medical intervention is necessary.

 

 

 

Categories
Automotive

Most Popular Special and Limited-Edition BMW Models

BMW has made numerous limited edition models to celebrate various occasions and for many other reasons. The German automaker is one of the most reliable in the world. Its special and limited editions leave many salivating for vehicles that are rare and difficult to obtain.

Various vehicle rental companies are known to buy these vehicles when they have an opportunity. The good thing is that this allows many people to access them as rental vehicles. For auto enthusiasts, it is worth knowing the popular special and limited editions released by BMW at different times. Here is a list of these limited editions.

BMW 6 Series M Sport Limited Edition

BMW only released 300 of these cars all over the world, which left many craving for more. As we know, the BMW 6 Series is a model with class because of its physical appearance and performance. Most of these special edition vehicles came with metallic blue paint, making them even more unique. The vehicles are equipped with either a V8 gasoline engine or a 6-cylinder diesel engine with the capability to propel the car from 0-100 KM/H in just 5 seconds.

BMW “30 Jahre M3”

This model was created to celebrate 30 years of M3 production. The special edition is a supercar in its class with 600 HP. The engine is a twin-turbo V8 4.4L. Both the exterior and the interior have been given the craftsmanship they deserve to make the car very special. According to reports, this is a rare vehicle on the roads today.

BMW Individual 6 Series Gran Coupe Bang & Olufsen Edition

This model was released in 2015, and it is indeed very special. For those who do not know, Bang & Olufsen is one of the best sound system companies, and they have partnered with many other companies to deliver the best sound systems for vehicles. By now, you can guess why this BMW Individual 6 Series is special. You will just enjoy the incredible audio coming from the vehicle.

BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition

You may have seen this Frozen Limited Edition of the M3 Coupe. They are considered to be some of the most attractive cars in the world. For this special model, the company released only 150 units in blue, red and white. All the above beauty is complemented by a powerful 414-HP engine and a luxurious interior. Simply, you must drive this car to have the first-hand experience, which is amazing.

BMW Individual M760i xDrive Model V12 Excellence The Next 100 Years

This is one of the most awkwardly named models but for a reason. It was created to celebrate 100 years since BMW made its first airplane engine in 1916. The company makes this special and limited edition vehicle to celebrate such an achievement. Again, this is a high-end vehicle with 610 HP, and only 100 units were released for the entire world. One of the eye-catching features is the panoramic roof that is out of this world. If you want to enjoy the best BMW models like this as rentals, you can visit Milani Exotic Car Rentals to pick your selection.

BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

Alpina provides their expertise to tune BMWs, especially the 7 Series. For this model, they played a significant role in designing the transmission and suspension, which are both created for high performance. As you can guess, this model has a 600-HP V8 twin-turbo engine and large Alpina wheels that measure 20 inches. The interior of this model is finished with high-quality leather for maximum comfort and class. Needless to say, the in-dash infotainment system is fully digital with numerous capabilities that are mind-blowing.

BMW M5 Pure Metal Silver Limited Edition

What makes this car very special is that only 50 units were made, and all of them were shipped to the US. Many people felt that this was unfair but, BMW has created them specifically for this region. The vehicle has a pure metal silver body made from aluminum flakes. Additionally, this BMW sports sedan has a lot to offer vehicle enthusiasts who were lucky enough to get one because it comes with a 600-HP engine.

BMW 760Li Sterling

This is another special and limited edition that is highly customized for those who have ordered the car. Any vehicle enthusiast can order this car at the moment and enjoy the unique sterling trims. With a 610-HP engine, one can already guess that this is a special car for those who want to expand their collection of high-end vehicles. The leather interior comes equipped with heated electric seats that look and feel great. BMW has not announced when it will cease the production of this machine. So, it is best to hurry up and get your vehicle now.

Conclusion

There are many limited-edition and special edition vehicles offered by BMW, but the provided list includes the most popular ones. From the specifications listed, all of these vehicles are high-end and luxurious. Because of this, their cost is also high, but those who drive these cars will definitely enjoy them.

 

 

Categories
Guest Post

How To Exterminate Black Scorpion

The black scorpions are large, averaging over 10 cm in length, they have a long lifespan, estimated up to 8 years. Under the light, the black scorpion’s color is deep black with no tints of any other coloration. They typically live in natural debris and under logs. Most of the time, the black scorpions are above ground, preying on insects for food. You can use a exterminator company near Hickory NC, or implement these tips to get rid of the black scorpion from your home.

  • Seal all crakes in your home. Black scorpions can slip through an opening just as flat as a credit card. Sealing your home is an essential method for keeping black scorpions from invading. In order to make sure your home is secure, take the following measures to seal the foundation, doors, and windows:
  • Make sure the screens are sealed, and your windows are closed tightly so the black scorpions can’t climb in.
  • Get door nicely seals to prevent black scorpions from coming in under the doors.
  • Use caulk to fill in holes and cracks in your baseboards, walls or the foundation of your home.
  • Dispose of bugs in your home: Black scorpions feed on insects, so in the event that you have an issue with ants, cockroaches or different pests in your house, you’ll have to take care of that issue before the black scorpions will go away. Here are a couple of good ideas to hold the bug disturbance down in your home:
  • Tidy up crumbs and do dishes quickly, so bugs don’t have a nourishment source.
  • Use insecticides around your home to exterminate insects. Make sure you do research and use this technique with caution because some insecticides sprays are dangerous to humans and pets.
  • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or borax around the baseboards and under the sinks in your home; these natural substances can help you kill insects.
  • Evacuate scorpion hideout: Black scorpions like to hide in dim spots, especially midday. Get rid of structures in and around your home that could be used as a helpful hiding spot by the scorpions. Use the following tips to shield black scorpions from sticking around:
  • Outside your yard, trim back foliage and bushes that scorpions can hideaway Dispose of piles of rock or woods around your yard. Cut back vines and other potential hiding spots.
  • Store cardboard boxes on racks rather than the floor.
  • Keep your storage rooms and rooms perfectly organized. Black scorpions like to hide away in shoes and heaps of clothes on the floor.
  • Try not to keep mess around your home or under the beds.
  • Kill every black scorpion you find: Use a knife, long-handled tweezers. Or the bottom of your boot to kill the black scorpions you see around your house. At that point place them in a waste bag, tie it up and dispose of it with your normal trash.
  • Lastly, call a professional exterminator: if you keep having trouble with the black scorpions, call a professional pest exterminator.