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Daily Archives: August 26, 2020

Pittsburgh Mercantile

When I worked at Tiffany, we had the coolest boss, Susan. She was so Stylish and Funny and she had the best taste, laugh, and handwriting. She was the epitome of “THE Tiffany shopper” wrapped up in the cutest little package. My cube was right outside her office for so many years so I was the luckiest with a ringside seat to all her fabulousness!!!! I recently learned that Susan started The Pittsburgh Mercantile, a curated collection of crafts and goods from local Artisans of the Pittsburg area. You will find “designs with clean lines and meaningful ornamentation, work that reveals the beauty of the raw materials and the hand of the artist. We celebrate quality and utility and attention to detail. We love things that get better with age.  In short, things with character.” I have quickly fallen in love with this site. And, recently made some purchases myself. It is my new go-to for gifts and unique finds. Oh and Susan packages and ships all the items so every purchase comes with a painstakingly perfectly tied bow a la Tiffany & Co style.

Click images below to go to the website page…

I love the simple elegance of these drop earrings…

I ordered these “two little birds” earrings after seeing them in a video that Susan posted. I just loved how they move and jingle…

I saw Susan wearing these on Instagram and have taken a second look a few times now..I really just love these..

I added these to my gift wish list…These Star Dominos are a great for any family!!

This folding ruler reminds me of the one that we had in our garage tool shed when growing up. I’m dying for one…great for the handi man or lady in your family!!

I have a few friends with fall/winter birthdays that are going to be getting these hand knit rainbow socks….so fabulous!!!

Every respectable closet needs these amazing Swedish Lavender Sachets..They keep your clothes smelling fresh and keep those pesky moths at bay…

This is a brilliant idea, a cookie box. Such a cool way to safely transport all of your homemade goodies (the best part of the meal!!) from school to your book club and everywhere in between!!! There is also a pie and cake box as well!!!

It is soo hard to find good pillar candles….these are extra tall and hand dipped…and they come in soo many great colors…

This backgammon set is what everyone in my husband’s office is getting this year…I love the colored board. It will look so chic sitting out in any room AND such a fun game to pass hours together!!!

One of my favorite items on the site are the vintage Pucci purses by designer Carolyn Roberts

Here is one in fall colors..I am dreaming about this…

The Tassel Necklaces are also perfection…

Fences Make Good Neighbors

Looking for privacy? Well, you’ve come to the right place because there are a lot of interesting privacy solutions for homeowners. The traditional saying goes ‘fences make good neighbors. But what is this true? Well, you don’t feel like your private space is invaded, not by their overgrown plants or weeds and neither by their prying eyes. But it’s also because spaces are clearly defined. You don’t get into arguments with people, who know where they stay with each other. But surely, there are modern and contemporary ways to achieve this right?

The classic fence

Let’s start off with the benchmark, the classic fence. Did you know that it’s not just wood that is used for the garden fence but vinyl too. Vinyl is cheaper and lighter but doesn’t have the same kind of allure that wood does. These are some of the fence companies that you should be contacting to know more about the key differences. Wood is very versatile but needs to be taken care of more proactively. It is also more prone to things like termites and rot. However, vinyl may be lighter and less work, but it’s not as strong as wood. If you live in a cold or windy area, you may want more support for your fence. The last thing you want to do is to have one of your fences pushed down by the wind, and have it crush the neighbor’s rose patch.

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Steel fence

The modern steel fence is usually found in gated communities or upper-middle-class homes. As you can imagine, it’s more daunting and imposes a different kind of image onto your home. Painted in black, white or just kept bare, the steel fence is a very sturdy and elegant option when done right. The stems and spikes on a steel fence make for good protection from burglars and wild animals. This kind of fence is great if you have small children and live in a neighborhood where there are big dogs around. However, it’s also one for longevity, so once it’s in it’s very tough and expensive to remove, so make up your mind thoroughly before fitting this type of fence.

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Pickets and planks

The contemporary fence is etched in everyone’s mind because it’s so simple and picturesque. The white picket fence is made up of dense wood, such as oak, cedar or beech. You can also get yew wood if you want to engrave personal designs into each plank. However, you should note that this kind of fence is more for the front garden and not the back. It won’t afford much privacy but it looks homely and comforting. You can set how far you want each plank to be which will determine how much people can see beyond the fence and how protected your children playing on the lawn will be.

Fences are great for your privacy but they can also bring a new layer of depth to your property. Choose wisely and select the kind of color and material you want beforehand. 

3 Tips To Optimize Your COVID-19 Safety

Just about every single person on Earth’s life has been shifted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on what you do and where you live, your life could have been mildly or dramatically affected – but regardless, things have changed for you and your family, and aren’t looking likely to return to normal any time soon. In an ideal world, coronavirus would leave our world as quickly as it arrived, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. It looks like this virus is here to stay for the time being, and with winter on the way, it is more important than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones against infection.

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Your health and wellness is likely very important to you. If it isn’t, it should be. You never really realize just how fragile you are until you get sick or injured – and by then, it’s usually too late to prevent the consequences. If you want to protect yourself and stay well, the name of the game is taking preventative measures. Preventative measures can seem drastic or unnecessary, but can potentially save your life when push comes to shove. Let’s take a look at three tips to optimize your COVID-19 safety.

  1. Follow Expert Advice

In a world where fact increasingly gets mixed up with opinion, it’s hard to figure out who to listen to. The best way to engage with advice when it comes to coronavirus is to listen to qualified doctors. Politicians are, unfortunately, all too quick to use crises as a vehicle to spin their political agenda, and this can lead to people taking unwise actions. If you want to know how to truly be safe, listen to doctors.

How can you listen to doctors? It’s all about seeking out respectable medical journals, or direct advice from your doctor. Even if just over the phone, you can ask your doctor their opinion on how to best protect yourself from COVID-19. The level of risk currently varies depending on your location and your age, health history and disability status. Talking to your doctor is a great option.

  1. Preparation Is Key

If you are heading out of the house, for example to the supermarket, the drugstore, to a coffee shop or to work, you should prepare more rigorously than you usually would. Make sure you are practising tip-top hygiene to ensure you are at a lower risk of contracting coronavirus. How? Here is how to prepare to leave the house during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Remember your mask. The essentials used to be your phone, wallet and keys – now it’s phone, wallet, keys, mask. No matter where you go, you should carry a mask with you at all times, just in case you need it. You can use disposable surgical masks, the specialist N95 Face Mask, or a washable cotton mask. 
  • Hand gel. Before you step out the door, remember to have a bottle of hand gel in your bag or attached to your keys. Many people are also putting a bottle of hand gel in their car for regular use, too. Being caught without hand gel can increase your risk of infection.
  • Avoiding crowds. If you take public transportation often, there are certain times of day you should avoid, such as the morning and evening rush hours. This will help you to stay socially distanced from others.

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  1. Boost Your Immune System

Remember, prevention is better than reaction. If you want your body to be at its best ability to fight infection, your immune system should be functioning highly. Your body has a natural immune system which will always work to fight viruses and infections, unless you have an immune-compromizing condition. However, there are ways to help your body fight infections and function well.

Taking vitamins such as echinacea is one way to boost your immunity. Echinacea is a herbal remedy which has been proven to fight colds and help your immune system attack viruses and bacteria. Taking echinacea is recommended if you already have a cold, but it can be taken daily during the winter months for an extra boost.

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Foods such as ginger, bell peppers, broccoli and garlic are also said to be immunity-boosters due to their natural properties. Eating a colorful, healthy, vegetable-heavy diet is excellent for your health in all aspects.

Conclusion

Your health and safety have never been more vital than now. Your ability to fight the coronavirus or any other illnesses that come your way, could save your life. Ensure you invest in yourself this winter, and treat your health as a priority if you can.