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If you are in the market for durable and gorgeous counters, consider Dekton countertops. Dekton countertops are a recent addition to countertop materials. From when it was introduced to the market in 2013 until today, they have risen in popularity.
Part of this popularity is the sheer versatility of the product. According to Dekton’s manufacturer, Consentino, Dekton is used in a number of products beyond countertops. These include cladding, flooring, and furniture. If you are interested in knowing more about this material that is generating all this buzz, read on.
Dekton countertops are part of a larger category that is called engineered stone. Consentino describes Dekton as the “Technical Ultracompact Stone”. They take more than 20 natural minerals and apply immense pressure to bond them together. They do in a couple of hours what nature takes years to complete.
In the end, they produce a type of quartz, but a quartz that is blended with porcelain and glass. Thus, Dekton is more resilient than standard quartz. Dekton is resistant to abrasions, scratches, stains, heat, and moisture. Dekton is also a more sustainable option than other types of natural stone.
There are multiple color and size variations for Dekton countertops to help you customize a look that works for your kitchen design.
Dekton countertops come in 40+ colors. These colors range in a natural and neutral color palette. The color of the Dekton countertop runs through the entire surface. Therefore, if you do happen to chip the countertops, the color is the same below the surface.
There are solid colors available as well as marbled, granulated, metallic, industrial, and natural irregular surfaces. The patterns do not extend through the whole slab.
There are multiple texture options available for Dekton countertops. These include polished, matte, oxide, slate, leathered, and brush-hammered.
For those people focused on sustainable architecture, Dekton countertops are an ideal option. Dekton by Cosentino is the “only Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Neutral surface on the market.”
In order to do this, they calculate and verify their carbon footprint with a third party organization. Next, they reduce the environmental impact of their production by using 100% renewable energy. Then, they offset the emission of the product for its entire life cycle.
The price of Dekton countertops reflects the quality of this stone surface. In other words, it is not cheap. The price of Dekton stone is more comparable to granite than it is to laminate. The price has a wide range, anywhere from $55-$115 per square foot installed.
The manufacturers, suppliers, and installers based the price on a multitude of factors. These include the popularity of a particular Dekton stone, the slab thickness, the seams, the number of holes cut, and the amount of demolition you need before you install Dekton countertops.
Dekton countertops have amazing qualities, but like everything else, it is not perfect. Consider the qualities of this stone to see if it might be right for you.
Pros
Cons
Here are some inspiration photos that we have gathered to help you better understand the look and style of Dekton Countertops
This kitchen features a Natura Dekton countertop. This is in the Stonika XGloss Collection. The background is a creamy white with a hint of gray marble. This island countertop is wide and long. It features few seams because of the large slab size of Dekton.
Because Dekton is so water resistant, it is ideal for bathroom countertop applications. This bathroom features countertops and a tub surround from Laurent Dekton. The Laurent comes from the Natural Collection.
For those with more texture in mind, there is Trilium. Trilium is part of Cosentino’s Industrial Collection. It has gorgeous tan, gray, and dark brown tones blended together. It creates some movement in this minimalist style kitchen.
Dekton works well for outdoor kitchens as it is a durable stone that does not need to be sealed against the elements. Dekton Aura is a creamy white with warm gray marbling. It gives a refined look to this outdoor space.
Dekton Khalo is a mixture of natural colors including a background of cream with black, gold, gray, and brown. This sleek kitchen design is the perfect application for Khalo countertops as the unique pattern shines within the simple space.
Dekton and quartz are similar in style and look, but they are also different in many ways. In general, Dekton is more durable than quartz. For example, Dekton is stain proof, heat-proof, UV proof, and does not chip. Quartz is liable to staining, heat marks, and discoloration from UV rays. It also chips more often than Dekton. For all of these reasons, Dekton is more expensive than quartz.
Dekton is a combination of more than 20 natural minerals. The three largest elements are quartz, porcelain, and glass. Cosentino uses pressure to create what they call this “ultra compact stone”. This pressure is what makes these materials into the strong surface that is resistant to damage.
Dekton and granite have a similar look, appeal, and price. Yet, these are very different surfaces. Granite is a natural stone, so there is infinite variation in color and pattern. Granite must also be sealed in order to give it a protective finish. Dekton does not need to be sealed. Dekton also does not stain like granite does.
Dekton is available from a Spanish company called Cosentino. They have distributors in the US like Home Depot and Lowes. Also, stores that specialize in countertops will have Dekton available. There may be a more limited supply at these places. This will depend on the popularity of the stone and the supply chain.
Look for a full list of all Dekton colors at Cosentino site. Please find it here.
Dekton is a new and trendy material for kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, and cladding. It has amazing qualities and stunning colors and patterns. There are drawbacks to using this material including the cost and tricky installation, but the durability and beauty of this material will win it many fans.
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Billionaire Elon Musk has been embroiled in a Twitter brawl over the Ukraine war with China’s top propagandist, Hu Xijin.
Hu, a former editor-in-chief of Chinese state media outlet Global Times who has been described as China’s “troll king” by The Guardian, called Musk out in a Wednesday tweet responding to Musk’s Twitter poll on how to end the Ukraine war.
In the poll, Musk asked his followers to vote on whether his list of conditions — which included re-doing the sham referendums in the four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia and ensuring Ukraine’s neutrality in the region — would work to bring an end to the conflict.
In his scathing response to the poll on Wednesday, Hu wrote: “Elon Musk has released his personality too much, and he believes too much in the US and West’s ‘freedom of speech.’ He will be taught a lesson.”
Musk fired back at Hu on Thursday with a phrase in Chinese that read: “手整体插在口袋里的人过分自信.”
The Chinese phrase posted by Musk did not appear to be entirely coherent but translated to: “A man with his whole hands in his pockets is overly confident.”
—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 6, 2022
It is unclear what Musk meant by the tweet. However, some Twitter users commented that it might have been a Google-translated version of a meme involving an innuendo-laden fake Confucius quote that states: “Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day.”
Users on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform appeared none the wiser about the meaning of Musk’s post but speculated that Musk meant to say that Hu was idle and powerless.
For his part, Hu responded to Musk on Friday with a tweet that read: “Man with hands in Twitter feels confident.”
—Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) October 7, 2022
Musk has sparred with several figures over Twitter in the last week, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
In response to Musk’s proposed peace plan, Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk, blasted Musk in a tweet on Tuesday that stated: “Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took a swipe at Musk, posting his own poll that asked if people like a Musk who supports Russia or a Musk who supports Ukraine more.
Musk also got into a contentious Twitter exchange with the Kyiv Post, a Ukrainian media outlet that called Musk out for his “pride and vanity.”
“Look, @elonmusk, like we said before we are grateful to you for the Starlinks. We naturally disagree with your peace plan and make no secret of it — but we do invite you to give us an interview and explain why your stance is like that. We are keen to know. DM?” the outlet wrote on its Twitter page on Thursday.
“I’m a big fan of Ukraine, but not of WW3,” Musk fired back the same day.
Hu and Musk did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
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While your bathroom might not hold a candle to a spa experience, don’t let a lack of fancy spa tools or professional-level skin care products prevent you from embracing your inner esthetician. Giving yourself a decent facial from the comfort of your home is essential to maintain your skin between spa treatments. You can even elevate the experience by setting the scene with candles and indulging in treatments like flash facials.
Here are a few steps to follow to boost your skin care regime with an at-home facial in between spa visits.
What Is A Facial? | Why Give Yourself A Facial At Home? | Facial Steps At Home | Facial Contouring | Facial Steps For Acne Prone Skin | Flash Facials
Whether you’re a facial fanatic or complete newbie, it’s important to understand what exactly a facial contributes to your beauty routine. An all-inclusive approach to skin care, a facial is a treatment or series of treatments that can target multiple skin ailments. You may be aware that the skin on our face is a map for our body’s needs, and a facial serves as an infographic to point out any nutritional deficiencies or general health conditions that need specific care.
Now, not all of these facial treatments are safe — or even possible — to achieve on your own.
Due to the precision and experience required, extractions should be avoided at all costs. Professional-level chemical peels are also not wise to attempt on your own as they can cause pigment irregularities and even scar your skin permanently when they are misused. Even without these more advanced spa treatments, you can give yourself an hour of skin pampering that will reset your skin. Although nothing will replace the expertise and experience of a professional treatment, an at-home facial by yourself can maintain the health of your skin until your next opportunity to visit your esthetician. If you do want a professional facial peel, we recommend learning more information at your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner.
Experts advise a facial once a month if your skin is frequently problematic, or every time your environment changes or you enter a new climate. Facials are an extension of your other skin maintenance, like exfoliation, dermaplaning or masks. Designate time for them the same way you might pencil in a manicure or tidying your eyebrows.
A facial is also a chance for you to disconnect from working at home and relax into leisure time. Simultaneously pamper yourself and tend to your skin’s needs under different circumstances. Whether you’re contending with a lack of work, relationship strain or any psychological anxiety related to the current circumstances, this is a way to decompress and boost morale. Facials should be done at night when your skin is most ready to repair, so think of it as another method to unwind. Your skin also renews every 20 – 30 days, so you’re likely to see results within several weeks of your facial.
Light some scented candles, put on the most relaxing, meditative music you can find and line up the facial care products you need. First up is a guide to an at-home facial for most skin types. If you have acne-prone skin, please skip forward to the next section designed for you.
Here is your step-by-step guide for giving yourself a quality facial:
Make sure you pull your hair away from your face and secure it with a headband or towel so you can apply your skin care products easily. Now, it’s time for makeup removal! Start by applying an oil cleanser before rinsing or removing with a warm washcloth. If you’re battling against stubborn eye makeup, in addition to the oil cleanser, you can pour a little eye makeup remover onto a cotton pad and wipe your eyes gently.
After removing your makeup, double-cleanse by massaging a small amount of another cleanser into your face and neck for 1-3 minutes (dilute with water if needed). Not only do facial massages allow your skin to better absorb the product, but they encourage the drain of build-up in your face that causes puffiness. Make sure to push the skin up as you massage to give your face a natural lift. Gently smooth forehead and eye area wrinkles as you go. This will relax the facial muscles. Rinse thoroughly.
Next, spray or apply toner with cotton pads. Remember the neck and decolletage (avoid the eye area here), as they are the first areas, other than the face, to show age. Toners are essential to complete the cleansing process and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
If you particularly enjoy facials that get a little steamy, never fear – this is something you can definitely DIY. Pour boiled water into a large bowl and place your skin six inches away while covering your head with a towel to trap the steam. This will open your pores and prepare your skin for exfoliation and absorption. You can steam up to 10 minutes, two minutes at a time.
Gently massage an exfoliant into the skin. Be careful not to scrub or drag, particularly around the delicate eye area where the skin is thinner. Massaging an exfoliant onto your skin gently removes dead cells and any remaining dirt or makeup. Rinse thoroughly.
It’s masking time! Apply a thin, even layer of your mask (it may be tempting to go thick, but it’s not necessary) and leave on for five to 10 minutes before removing with a damp face cloth. For extra facial benefit, employ your former massaging techniques to maximize absorption and natural lift. Remember to include your neck and decolletage.
To deeply hydrate the skin, reach for your facial oil or moisturizer for another massage. Make sure to avoid acne-prone areas. Gently knead your face for five to 10 minutes before rinsing the product off.
Now to lock in the moisture: Apply a serum that suits your skin and massage into the skin in circular motions. For example, the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum has a potent dose of non-irritating Vitamin C that brightens the appearance of all skin types. You can leave most serums on and follow with a moisturizer (only two steps away!).
Next you want to target dark undereye circles, puffiness or fine lines around your eyes. Reach for your favorite eye cream, lightly blending and tapping the product until it’s absorbed.
Take your moisturizer and apply a thin layer to the face, neck and decolletage. And you’re done with your first at-home facial! If you deal with acne, and you’re concerned that any of the steps would trigger further breakouts, up next we’ve gathered some insights on how to give yourself a facial designed for acne.
If you’d like to improve the look of puffiness, redness or conditions like rosacea, facial contouring using cold therapy can greatly assist. Cold therapy works by diminishing swollen tissue and broken capillaries to reduce redness and puffiness in the face. To do this at home, all you need are two ice globe tools that you pop in the fridge or freezer before rolling them across your skin to depuff and tighten the appearance of your complexion.
Ice globes are freezable wands with one spherical end that can be rolled or massaged on your face or the body. They are typically made from steel or glass and are ideal for lymphatic drainage as it relieves sinus pressure. The technique is easy to do at home.
Place your ice globes in the freezer or fridge until they feel cool.
Apply a lightweight moisturizer, lotion or oil onto your face before using your ice globes to help them glide along the skin. For example, the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer works easily with all skin types. You don’t need a lot of product, but just enough to allow the globe to slide easily.
Starting from your under eye area, swoop upwards towards your temple. When you reach your temple, pause to place a small amount of pressure. Swoop up and down approximately six times on each side of the face.
Next, you can roll the globe under the brow as well as across the top of the brow. Start by placing the globe near your nose and rolling it outwards across your eyebrow and eyelid towards your temple, pausing at the temple spot again with gentle pressure. You can repeat around six swoops on each side of the face and left side of your face. These actions should depuff and lift the eye area for a more contoured appearance.
Place the globe from the bride of the nose and roll across the eyelid and eyebrow, pausing at the temple. With each swipe (around six on each side of the face), roll with a lifting motion. Then, you can also glide the globe upwards from the center of your brows to your forehead and then across to your temple in an L-shape.
To contour your chin and jaw, place the globe from your chin, gliding the globe upwards across your cheekbones, pausing at the temple, at the top of the ear. For the jaw area, pull the globe up from the base of your jaw and upwards towards your temple, placing gentle pressure on the temple. You can even release tension by gliding the tool under your chin and down your neck.
Continue with your facial cleansing routine. Lightly exfoliate your face, if needed. Apply your moisturizers and serums as you normally would.
If problem skin is your specific concern, you may wonder if it’s still possible to give yourself a facial at home. Although you will need to take special care, an at-home facial can still be accomplished in a safe and effective way. Here is our step-by-step facial at home guide:
Follow the same first four points in “Facial Steps At Home.”
If you’re experiencing active acne breakouts, you’ll want to avoid physical exfoliating scrubs in those areas. You can use a light chemical exfoliating peel that has gentle acids that exfoliate without irritation with natural ingredients like salicylic acid from willow bark.
Apply a thin layer of a mask with fingertips to cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area. Dilute with water for easier application. Leave on for five to 10 minutes. Remove with a damp face cloth. Tea tree oil, absorbing charcoal, clay and salicylic acid are going to be the active ingredients to clear your pores and help with those breakouts.
Treat your skin with a spot treatment or a serum all over that contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil.
Don’t forget this finishing step, even if you do experience breakouts. Apply eye cream and a thin layer of a light moisturizer to the face, neck and decolletage.
Even after completing one of these two facials, the pampering is not complete!
Needing to refresh your skin in 10 minutes? We don’t always have a lot of time to dedicate to skin care when we’re rushing around in the morning.
Flash facials embrace multi-purpose products that provide visible results and benefits in a short period of time. These quick little facials make for great weekly or daily maintenance in between visits to the spa to help you maintain glowing skin and smoothness. We have two quick yet effective flash facial options for you.
Stone Crop Gel Wash is a gentle gel wash for all skin types to cleanse away impurities without drying out the skin. The Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™ is an invigorating powder exfoliant for all skin types. You can find this pairing in the Stone Crop Revitalizing Gift Set, a perfect gift just in time for the Holidays.
Here is a flash facial application you can try at home:
Mix 1:1:1 ratios of water, Stone Crop Gel Wash and the Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™.
Apply the mixture to your skin with a fan brush for an even application.
Use your fingertips to apply gentle circular movements over the face, neck and décolletage. Do this for 2-3 minutes. For oilier skin types, you may want to also leave it on for an additional 2 minutes.
Remove by rinsing thoroughly with water and patting your face dry.
For a complete facial, continue with additional Eminence Organics products, such as an essence, toner, serum, moisturizer and SPF.
Our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, has unpacked the benefits of a flash facial in this In The Mix video using the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser and the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant.
Step 1. Take a chickpea-size amount of the cleanser into your palm.
Step 2. Pour 2-3 shakes of Dermafoliant into your palm.
Step 3. Add a little water into your hands and rub them together.
Step 4. Apply on the skin using micro-circle movements. Start with the forehead and move to the temple and then to the jawline, neck and chest.
Step 5. Remove by rinsing thoroughly with water and patting your face dry.
This article was originally written in April 2020.
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Polycom VVX series phones (VVX101, VVX201 VVX300, VVX310, VVX400, VVX410, VVX 150, VVX 250, VVX 350, VVX 450, VVX500, VVX600, VVX1500) are very confusing when it comes to finding compatible headsets. Different models have different headset options and built in ports, so may headsets are available on the Polycom headset page. sometimes people read it as Polycom WX.
Polycom VVX 101, VVX 201, VVX 300, VVX 310/311, VVX 400: These are the simplest of all the Polycom VVX models. There is only 1 x RJ9 Headset Jack, so the choices are simple. Both Plantronics and Jabra, you can use their standard QD headset + Polycom RJ9 adapter cable. Look at our Polycom headset page for all the compatible headsets. With Plantronics, there are only certain models that are Polycom compatible. Others Plantronics models it cause a “buzzing” sound in the headset. I recommend the pre-bundle Polycom models like the Plantronics HW510-POLY or the Plantronics HW710-POLY Headset . If you like wireless, check out Poly Savi 7210+EHS. If you’re in a noisy office, I highly recommend the Poly Focus2 for Polycom. They all have been tested to work with all Polycom VVX phone models.
Polycom VVX 250, VVX 350, VVX 401, VVX 411, VVX 450: These are the newest Polycom VVX phones. Equipped with 1 x RJ9 jack and 1 x USB port. So you can use either the RJ9 port and USB port. I recommend headsets like Plantronics HW540-Poly or Plantronics HW510-Poly. If you want wireless, look at the Plantronics CS540-Polycom . All these headset have been tested and certified to work with Polycom VVX phones. If you’re on a tight budget, you can also use something like the Jabra Biz 1500 mono USB headset for only $89. For a noisy, busy office, look at the Jabra Evolve2 75 USB wireless headset with active noise canceling (ANC) technology to block out unwanted noise in the office and it has the best sound quality of all the headsets we carry.
Polycom VVX 500/501: This Polycom phone is equipped with 1 x RJ9 jack and 2 x USB ports. So you can use either the RJ9 headsets mentioned above or the Plantronics HW540-POLY or a USB headset like Plantronics Voyager 4310 UC Bluetooth Mono USB Headset. Looking for something more affordable, look at the the Plantronics Blackwire C3215. Polycom VVX 500 does not support Bluetooth directly. So if you want to use a Bluetooth wireless headset, you will need Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset , which includes a Bluetooth USB dongle that provide the Bluetooth wireless function with 100ft of range. If you need the best wireless range and an affordable price, the Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset is a great option.
Polycom VVX 600/601, VVX 1500: These Polycom phones has 1 x RJ9 headset jack, 2 x USB ports and it’s also Bluetooth enabled. So you can use all the headsets from the above models PLUS you can use any Bluetooth enable headset. I would recommend staying with the higher end Bluetooth headsets like the Jabra EVOLVE2 65 Mono USB Bluetooth Headset or the Poly Voyager Focus UC Bluetooth Wireless. If you want wireless at an affordable price, I would use the Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset with DECT 6.0 technology that provides 300ft wireless range.
For all the VVX phones, EHS (Electronic Hook Switch) remote answer cable is also available for EHS compatible wireless headsets. see our dedicated Polycom Headset page for more details or simply call one of our headset specialists at 877-999-3838.
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The dreaded annual holiday card photo shoot. The stakes are high and the pressure is on. It’s hard enough to get your spouse and kids to clean up, dress up and smile for photos, but your dog, too?
Dogster interviewed a range of pet picture experts, from dog trainers to photographers, to get the top dog photography tips.
Before snapping away, think about what your vision is for the most touching, hilarious or memorable photo. Decide where your shoot will be, what your dog will be doing and what she will wear.
“Plan every detail,” says certified professional dog trainer Joan Hunter Mayer. Questions to consider: Is the photo only of the dog, the pet parent out of frame? Or, will the picture be the entire family? Will everyone including the dog be dressed up?
Joan surprises her friends and family each year with holiday cards featuring her husband and dog, Ringo Starr. They have dressed Ringo as a secret agent, a rabbit in a magician’s hat and a cub scout.
They hire a professional photographer to shoot in their home but strategize in advance.
Whether your dog is wearing reindeer antlers or is simply supposed to sit during the picture, train your pooch before the photo shoot.
Joan buys Ringo’s costumes ahead of time so she can use rewards to condition him to be happy in his attire.
“You want the dog to like the outfit, so every time it appears, give your dog a high-value treat,” Joan says. “Then gently touch your dog with the costume, then treat. Start to dress him, then treat. Gradually get him fully dressed, then treat.”
Certified integrative pet behaviorist Rona Distenfeld recommends teaching your dog how to remain calm, so he can sit or hold the down position in a relaxed way.
“This allows you to move around with the camera,” Rona says. “These should all be taught through positive reinforcement without using any kind of restraint or aversive response for mistakes.”
Keep those canine cookies handy and use them to get your dog acquainted with photo shoot equipment.
If you’re using a smartphone, your dog is likely used to the device since you probably have hundreds of pet pictures saved on your cell. But if you use a camera that makes noises make sure your pup is not startled.
“Allow the dog to smell the camera while you practice taking shots with it,” says Natalie Hay, creative director at Alpine Dog Co. Natalie photographs dogs that model the company’s pet gear. “Have treats to reward them each time you take a photo – they will learn that staying for a pose means they get goodies once they do,” she says.
Tripods and light stands can be scary for some dogs, so let your pup check them out with, you guessed it, treats.
Great lighting is key to professional-looking photos.
If you are shooting inside, avoid having your photo subjects stand in front of a window, which can make them look like silhouettes. Instead, have the natural light shine on the front of your dog and family.
Kelly Mondora, a photo expert and founder of Ilios Lighting, says, “Smaller ring lights are great for small pets, while larger ring lights can be used for larger pets.”
Ring lights typically come in different colors, so you can choose one that will complement your pet’s fur color, Kelly adds.
If you take the picture outside, avoid direct sunlight so your subjects are not squinting. “On a sunny day, choose an evenly shaded spot, so trees don’t dapple the light,” says Cheryl Ritzel, a photography instructor and owner of FocusEd Camera. “If it’s overcast with even cloud cover, you can set up almost anywhere. Shade or overcast skies are all indirect light, giving the most flattering look to portrait subjects of all kinds.”
Be cautious using your camera’s flash, which can cause your dog’s eyes to light up with that demon-like glow.
The cliché practice makes perfect (or at least makes great bloopers) applies here. “Dress rehearsals are key to a successful photo shoot,” Joan says.
Bring your pup to the place you are going to take the picture.
“Familiarize your dog with the location you’re taking photos, so they have less need to sniff out all the new scents,” Natalie says.
Of course, bring that bottomless bag of treats! “You will need to be patient and reward your pet for good behavior,” Cheryl says. “Take breaks if things aren’t working. Never scold your pet. They will be less cooperative if they learn that portrait time is stressful.”
How can you get your pup to look at the camera and strike a pose?
Dog mom Lynn Julian has a secret weapon. She uses a treat holder that mounts on top of her smartphone. “It is an inexpensive, silicone clip that sells for only a few dollars,” Lynn says. “The dog looks at the treat and unknowingly looks at the camera.” (Examples of dog treat holders are
Cheryl recommends the camera be level with your dog’s face and focused on their eyes. “This perspective will be the most effective,” she says. “Move around your pet to get shots from different sides and angles. Move with your feet if you want to get closer or farther away. Don’t rely on the zoom of the camera lens or phone.”
If your dog is low energy, Sarah Dyer, the founder and chief photographer of Chuckle Hounds pet attire suggests exercising your dog before the shoot. “A panting dog looks happy,” she says. “A lethargic dog looks sad.”
Don’t hold back on the number of pictures you take. That one out of 100 shots might be the headliner for your photo card.
Many DSLR cameras have pet, wildlife, sport or action settings.
“In these modes, the camera will automatically select faster shutter speeds. A fast shutter speed will stop motion and get a shot where the pet isn’t blurry,” Cheryl says.
Some cameras have a burst mode that takes many photos quickly. Other devices have animal eye detection autofocus.
If you’re the photographer and in the photo, Sarah recommends using an inexpensive Bluetooth remote so you can snap shots with the click of a button. “It’s way better than trying to angle your selfie stick to hide your arm,” she says.
Enhancing your photos after the shoot is OK.
“Professional portrait photographers always edit their photos,” Cheryl says.
Sarah says it is rare that she gets the perfect shot, so she combines and crops images, adjusts the light and even adds snow. “Trying to shoot with snowflakes melting on your camera is a mess,” she says. “I use an app called Just Snow to make some pictures look like a winter wonderland.”
Other photo editing apps let you cover blemishes, whiten smiles and even make people look thinner.
Pet holiday card bloopers make the best memories
Be flexible with your vision of the perfect photo and review your bloopers. They may not be what you planned but could be the hilarious holiday photo card everyone hangs on their fridge.
Joan has thousands of photo outtakes from over the years. “The entire experience may be the best memory you’ll ever have,” she says. “No matter how much you strategize for plan A, your dog will make it plan B. But that plan B may end up being the funniest image you’ll ever capture — or the best story you’ll get to tell your friends and family.”
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Spanish architecture studio Sierra + De La Higuera has used traditional Moroccan zellige tiles to define the different spaces in this open-plan apartment in Madrid.
Housed in a 1940s building in the city’s bohemian Conde Duque neighbourhood, the apartment belongs to a well-travelled couple that wanted to stamp its Mexican and Galician heritage onto the interior.
“Our clients wanted to bring part of their origins to Madrid,” Sierra + De La Higuera told Dezeen. “This project is the outcome of a quest to find colour in Madrid, a characteristic marked by the owners’ journeys and origins.”
The studio was commissioned to carry out a complete refurbishment of the apartment, which included totally changing its layout.
The original plan consisted of a series of rooms laid out along a long windowless hallway. Sierra + De La Higuera removed as many walls as possible to create an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space.
“Historically in Madrid, houses had a lot of rooms and partitions,” the studio told Dezeen.
“But nowadays, we like to live on a more open-plan basis. The main aim of the new layout was to open spaces, eliminate corridors and hallways, and to gain as much natural light as possible.”
Two bedrooms – one with a walk-in wardrobe and both with adjoining bathrooms – are located at the north end of the apartment while a bright sitting room wrapped by south-facing terraces sits at the opposite end.
Throughout the apartment, natural timber, terracotta tiles and white walls were used as foils to the zellige tiling, which is distinguished by its imperfect hand-moulded surfaces.
The wood-panelled entrance hall with its arched doorways was conceived as a buffer between two different zones. On the one side is the Mexico-influenced kitchen and dining area finished with emerald green tiles.
And on the other side are the living room and the terraces with their bold yellow colour scheme, which were informed by the couple’s travels to Singapore.
“We focused on vivid colours: bright yellows, greens, blues and reds, paired with materials like tiles, ceramics and fine wood,” explained Sierra + De La Higuera.
In the sitting room and the two bathrooms – finished in red and blue respectively – the tiles were used to create decorative striped skirting that frames the different zones.
In some areas, the colours of the tiles are applied to other furnishings to create a cohesive feel, with the green upholstery in the living room echoing the glazed green tiles in the kitchen.
A large bookshelf that runs around the kitchen, dining and living room area was custom designed for the space by Sierra + De La Higuera.
“This element is very important to the clients, as it holds all the objects they have collected on each of their journeys in addition to all their books,” the studio explained.
In the bedroom, the architects designed custom cabinetry and specified a cloud-grey carpet to create a calm and cosy ambience, which is intended to evoke Galicia.
Other projects that use tiles to delineate rooms include a Barcelona bed and breakfast by Nook Architects that features vibrant blue tiles and cobalt-blue paintwork.
The photography is by German Sáiz.
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Michael Cohen, who was once Donald Trump’s lawyer and fixer, believes the Supreme Court would reveal its corruption if it gets involved in the former president’s legal tussle with the FBI over top-secret documents found at Mar-a-Lago.
Cohen commented in a TikTok video on Tuesday about Trump’s request for the Supreme Court to intervene in his dispute with the FBI over the seizure of more than 11,000 records from Mar-a-Lago. The remarks came after the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit overturned Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision to include around 100 classified documents in the special master’s review, pausing their use in the criminal investigation.
Trump is now attempting to get the Supreme Court to keep these documents under the purview of the special master.
“Delay, delay, delay, that’s what he’s gonna do,” said Cohen, referring to Trump. “This is exactly what he does in every single case. He will drag it now as far as he possibly could.”
In September, Cohen admitted that he had helped Trump create a “playbook” for dealing with legal troubles, which included delaying lawsuits as a tactic for avoiding prosecution.
Cohen said that Trump’s request to the Supreme Court was his “only move” but also weighed in on what could happen with the court’s decision.
“If the Supreme Court ends up listening to this bullshit, the fact that this fucking asshole can have top-secret documents, which is in violation of the Presidential Records Act, as well as the National Archives with their multiple subpoenas, requests, and so on for the return of the documents, we’ll know that the fucking Supreme Court is corrupt,” Cohen said on Tuesday.
He added that if the Supreme Court intervened and took Trump’s side, all the justices on the bench would “have to go.”
A spokesperson for Trump’s post-presidential office did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
The Department of Justice has been looking into whether Trump broke any of three federal laws — including the Espionage Act — by keeping classified documents at his Florida residence.
In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to felonies, including tax evasion, campaign finance violations, and bank fraud. He was sentenced in December that year to three years in prison and was disbarred in February 2019 by the New York Supreme Court.
Since his release, Cohen has become an outspoken Trump critic and has gleefully weighed in on the former president’s many legal troubles. In September, he also announced that he would be selling t-shirts that depicted Trump behind bars to “celebrate the fall of the mango Mussolini.”
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If cleansers, toners and moisturizers are the basics of skin care, then serums, oils and concentrates are the high-level superstars. Building on the simple skin care routine, serums, oils and concentrates add the powerful steps your complexion needs to optimize its health. They deliver potent benefits directly to the skin by correcting concerns, nourishing the skin and boosting hydration.
With the wide variety of products available, you want to pinpoint the best serum, oil or concentrate to target your skin concerns. Here’s a handy guide to help you choose the best one for your unique complexion.
Serums, Oils & Concentrates | Oils, Serums & Concentrates By Skin Type | By Skin Concern Or Condition | Layering Serums 101
First things first: What are the differences between serums, oils and concentrates?
Serums are lightweight treatments brimming with a high concentration of active ingredients that target specific skin conditions and concerns. They are fast-absorbing and penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering potent skin-restoring and hydration-boosting ingredients. Serums have a light fluid or gel-like consistency and should be applied after cleansing and toning.
Oils are chock full of essential fatty acids and lipids that restore the skin’s moisture barrier. They are often composed of plant oils like jojoba, rosehip or seabuckthorn, which are rich in antioxidants and replenishing emollients. Facial oils can be beneficial for all skin types (even oily) and should be applied as the final step before a moisturizer.
Concentrates are similar to serums in that they contain — you guessed it — a concentrated amount of active ingredients. Unlike serums, which have a gel-like consistency, concentrates are lightweight lotions with both absorbent and protective qualities. Because of this versatility, they can be layered with serums and moisturizers, or simply used on their own.
Read on for the best oil, serum and concentrate for your particular skin type and concerns.
Your skin type comes down to genetics. Your genes determine the amount of oil secreted by your sebaceous glands, the size of your pores and the texture of your skin. Each of these factors contributes to the dryness — or oiliness — of your complexion and, in turn, dictates how your skin looks, feels and behaves. Your skin type cannot be changed, but it can be managed with active ingredients that are beneficial for your complexion.
Normal skin can best be described as “well-balanced”: It has even sebum production and moisture content. According to Dermascope, “Normal skin displays a smooth texture and rosy, clear surface, with fine pores. There are no visible blemishes, greasy patches or flaky areas.”
All skin can benefit from potent antioxidants that can improve the visible signs of aging. We recommend the Eight Greens Youth Serum to protect skin from the drying and aging effects of environmental stressors like pollution, blue light and UV rays.
Dry skin produces less sebum than normal skin. This skin type lacks the lipid and oil production needed to retain moisture (which is what gives skin its soft and supple feel) and therefore appears tight, flaky and dull. Those with dry skin often have nearly invisible pores and display more prominent visible signs of aging.
Oils are the perfect addition to a dry skin routine. These treatments are composed of essential fatty acids and ingredients that boost skin’s hydration and moisture. We recommend our Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil and our Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil. The Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil contains camellia oil, pink tourmaline gemstones and marula oil to hydrate and soften the appearance of the skin. The Rosehip Triple C+E Firming oil contains rosehip, jojoba and seabuckthorn oil to improve moisture, soothe dry skin and fight the visible signs of aging.
Combination skin is neither oily nor dry; it’s both. This skin type is characterized by non-uniform oil production: more active oil glands in the T-zone and less active oil glands elsewhere. As a result, it tends towards oiliness on the forehead, jaw and nose, and dryness on the cheeks, jawline and hairline.
Believe it or not, combination skin can benefit from our Cornflower Recovery Serum. This serum is enriched with results-driven, Biodynamic® ingredients like cornflower and chamomile to calm and soothe dryness.
Sensitive skin is caused by a genetic predisposition to skin sensitivity and irritation. According to the Eminence Organics Product Support Team, it is typically described as “skin that endures the regular occurrence of unpleasant sensations such as heat, stinging, burning and tingling caused by forms of stimulation that wouldn’t normally create this type of reaction in a ‘normal’ skin type.”
If your skin is the sensitive type, opt for a gentle treatment like the Facial Recovery Oil, infused with clary sage oil and ylang ylang to keep skin looking even and perfectly balanced.
The opposite of dry skin, oily skin has overactive sebaceous glands. These produce an excess of oil which enlarges pores as well as coats the skin’s surface. For this reason, oily skin is often shiny and can be prone to breakouts due to blocked pores.
For oily skin, we recommend a lightweight option like the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum. This fast-absorbing advanced serum immediately sinks into the skin to deliver potent antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients. We explore this serum in depth below.
You may struggle with a skin concern or condition on top of your general skin type. Skin conditions are influenced by various internal and external factors such as hormonal changes, lifestyle choices and environmental stressors. Unlike skin types, they can be changed and treated, and it is not uncommon to tackle more than one at a time (for example, breakouts as well as an uneven skin tone).
As we age, intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to a depletion of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen in the skin. These materials are essential for a plump and firm complexion and, as they diminish, skin begins to sag and fine lines and wrinkles start to set in.
When it comes to wrinkles, you’ll want to add Vitamin C into your skin care arsenal. This vitamin helps improve the appearance of skin exposed to environmental stressors such as UV rays and pollution.
Formulated with Vitamin C, the fast-absorbing Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum reduces the appearance of uneven skin tone. Vitamin E and leafy greens such as kale and spinach provide additional support for your skin — you may notice a brighter appearance in your complexion and an improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Learn more about what a serum does here, or the correct amount to apply here. Otherwise, you can learn all about the effects of free radicals and oxidation on the visible signs of aging by watching this In The Mix video demonstration:
In addition to Vitamin C, you can counteract the visible signs of aging with skin care reinforced with botanical peptides and natural retinol alternatives. Our Marine Flower Peptide Serum delivers concentrated plant peptides to plump skin and smooth the appearance of wrinkles. The Bamboo Firming Fluid is infused with a Natural Retinol Alternative Complex derived from chicory root and tara tree to improve the appearance of firmness and elasticity.
Do you struggle with dark spots? Whether from sun damage, hormonal changes or bouts of acne, hyperpigmentation can be tricky to tackle. When your skin is exposed to stressors, it protects itself by going into overdrive and releasing melanin – a type of pigment in the skin. The result: dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Before you reach for hydroquinone, try a natural alternative. Our Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum contains bearberry and licorice root extracts, tara tree, African potato and Swiss Alpine Plant Extracts to improve the appearance of dark spots.
Large pores are a common skin concern. While everyone has visible pores, some naturally produce more oil, causing them to stretch and enlarge. Pore size can also increase with age as skin loses its elasticity and ability to “bounce back.”
You can’t “get rid of” pores, but you can shrink them down to size. Our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate includes a lactic acid (an AHA), ribose and red clover flower extract to remove pore-clogging buildup and minimize pore size.
Up to 85% of Americans report having experienced acne-related symptoms at some point in life. Whether you tackle tiny whiteheads or painful cysts, acne is treatable and you can find relief. We recommend adding the Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum to your skin care routine. This concentrated serum is infused with willow bark and tea tree oil to improve the look of breakouts and problem skin.
Dryness and dehydration are two separate skin care issues. While dryness pertains to a dry skin type and is characterized by a lack of moisture (sebum), dehydration is a skin condition that is caused by insufficient hydration (water). Dehydrated skin often suffers from itchy patches, increased sensitivity, inadequate skin cell turnover and accelerated signs of aging.
Hyaluronic acid is a miracle worker for dehydrated skin. Our product pick is the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum, which is infused with our Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex designed to deeply hydrate the skin and replenish moisture.
As expert esthetician Brian Goodwin tells us: “Hyaluronic acid is a skin essential that provides hydration and protection. Our Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex restores deep hydration for radiant looking skin.”
Find out about the best serums for glowing skin from our Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar:
Now that you’ve narrowed down your most suitable serum by concern and skin type, here is a crash course on layering or mixing serums the right way. Have a look at your skin type below to see which serums you can neither mix together and apply or which serums you can layer over each other.
These Holidays we’ve released the Essential Serum Trio Gift Set so you can gift yourself or others radiant skin! This Gift Set includes the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum, the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum and the Marine Flower Peptide Serum. Simply layer them together for the ultimate glow.
Step 1: Begin with the lightweight Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum, packed with visibly rejuvenating Vitamin C.
Step 2: Follow with the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum to plump and hydrate.
Step 3: Finish with the rich Marine Flower Peptide Serum to visibly smooth and firm skin.
Are you ready to add these products to your skin care routine? Find out more about serums, oils and concentrates with your favorite Eminence Organics Spa Partner.
This article was originally written in November 2016.
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Poly recently launched its new family of desk phones the Edge E and the B series in different models and with unique features making it a nice option for a desk phone for the office space. Today we will discuss the available headsets in the market compatible with this new desk phone. The models for the Edge B as your basic entry desk phones are the B series (B10, B20 and B30) the Edge E series models, that has bigger screens and more features are the E100, E2220, E300, E320, E350, E400, E450, E500 and E550.
The Poly Edge E offers integrated Microban® antimicrobial protection, that allows the handset to stay cleaner for longer periods of time. The speaker has Poly well known NoiseBlock AI and the Poly Acoustic Fence technology that allows to have a cleaner and better sound quality when using its speaker. The Edge E family has not one but two USB-C ports, on located in the back and the second one located on the right side when facing the phone, depending on the model it has built in Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi connectivity as well. We will discuss corded and wireless options for this desk phone family.
Plantronics HW510-POLY Polycom IP Phone Compatible Headset
We will start with a corded headset from Plantronics the HW540-POLY its your basic setup in corded headset with noise canceling microphone that can block up to 60% of the background noise, foam ear cushion with an over the head on ear wearing style. Quick Disconnect (QD) that allows the user to step out of the desk and take the headset with them without the tedious of putting on and off or plugging and unplugging from the phone. Order yours HERE.
Plantronics HW540-POLY Polycom Compatible Headset
Just as the sibling mentioned before, the HW540-POLY covers one ear, but in this case the wearing style is a on the ear convertible, so can be worn over the head, over the ear or behind the neck. Noise canceling microphone and foam ear cushions can be found as well. We find the Quick Disconnect (QD) as well, as it allows the user to walk away of the desk without having to take the headset off as its a professional grade call center style headset. Simply plug and play using the RJ9 port of the Edge E and the dedicated headset key. Order yours HERE.
Plantronics SHR2083-01-POLY Polycom Headset (no return)
For those really loud office environments, Plantronics offers the SHR2083-01 professional grade style headset. Covering both ears with an over the head and over ear wearing style, with 22dB noise reduction for the ear cups as this is a well known headset for use in harsh high noise environments such as factories or airports. We have the well known Quick Disconnect (QD) and with the proper adapter to be used with your Poly Edge E. Padded cushion headband can be found and with clothing clip and flexible microphone boom arm. Get yours HERE.
Plantronics Blackwire 5210 USB-C, 3.5mm Headset, MS Teams
We have the 510 USB-C from Poly (Plantronics), with a easy to use interface, simply plug the headset into one of the USB-C ports of your Edge E desk phone and the phone will recognize it as a corded headset. The 5210 headset is an over the head on ear style headset with Noise canceling microphone and leatherette ear cushion. The 5210 can be used with any device as long as it has a 3.5mm jack, such as tablets and some cell phones and with laptops as well. Get yours HERE.
Poly offers the new 8225 as a corded headset with the new Digital Hybrid Active Noise Canceling (ANC), that allows the user to block most of the environment noises in different levels, pretty amazing feature if the office or work space changes on the its loud noises. The 8225 has a built in busy light that turns on when in a call and the flexible microphone boom arm has the newest Acoustic Fence technology from Poly, the same technology found in your Poly Edge E, that allows to block most of the noises in the environment. The 8225 comes with leatherette ear cushions and paddles headband, making it a comfortable and nice option for a corded headset. Get yours HERE.
Plantronics CS540+EHS Remote Answer Bundle for Polycom IP Phones
The Plantronics CS540 is a well known headset with a convertible style headset, that allows you to use either over the head or over the ear. Wireless DECT frequency that allows you to roam up to 350 feet on line of sight, the CS540 works perfectly with its EHS adapter and this bundle will give you the remote answer on your Poly Edge E desk phone. Pretty easy to use and wear, making it one of the top contenders in our list for the Poly Edge E. Order yours HERE.
The Poly Voyager 5200 is another alternative for a wireless headset. Thanks to be a Bluetooth Class 1 headset you can use the BT700 dongle that comes with this headset on your Poly Edge E or if you have any of the models with built in Bluetooth you can pair it directly to your phone without compromising range or microphone performance. Over the ear wearing style only with a very discrete microphone boom arm and WindSmart technology. The 5200 UC can be paired to your smart phone and can be used out of the office and keep using it with a Bluetooth enable device. Order yours HERE.
Poly Savi 7210+EHS Remote Answer Polycom IP Phone Package
The Poly Savi 7210 headset is another alternative in DECT frequency. Thanks to this, the headset offers a range of up to 400 feet. A comfortable paddled headband with leatherette ear cushion covering one ear on top of it. This bundle gives you the well known remote answer for the Poly Edge E and you can find a flexible microphone boom arm. Easy to use volume controls and mute key can be easily found on the headset. Get yours HERE.
Plantronics Savi 8220+ EHS Wireless Stereo Headset Polycom Phone
The Plantronics Savi 8220 is a multi device headset that offers connectivity to your Poly Edge E, a computer and a Bluetooth enable device thanks to the Bluetooth built in the base. The headset runs on a wireless DECT frequency and it comes with Active Noise Canceling. Remote answer is found in this bundle and the headset is Telecoil Hearing Aid compatible, making it a nice option for people with hearing aid. We can get a range of up to 590 feet on line of sight. Noise Canceling microphone can be found in the microphone boom arm. Order yours HERE.
As you can see, there are multiple options available for your Poly Edge E. If need more information for a right headset solution give us a call.
The mentioned headsets are compatible with the Edge B family as well, as the B10, B20 and B30 have a 3.5mm jack, RJ9 port and they are EHS compatible as well.
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