The Skin Rocks App has landed, and is available to download for free on the Apple App Store and Play Store here: apple storegoogle play
A lot of you have said you’d love to come shopping with me or for me to build you a routine. With the app, you can have me in your pocket (not literally, luckily for you!).
Be sure to turn your notifications on for exclusive content and information.
To get the best experience, I recommend you complete your skin profile as the app uses this information to recommend products. The more you explore products and guides, the more we learn about what your skin needs and what works for you.
What is the Skin Rocks App?
The Skin Rocks App has been created to be your go-to place for all things skincare.
There are thousands of products on the app, which includes details such as why you do or don’t need the product, how to use, what each product addresses and an ingredient breakdown.
The app will cover all products, it is unbiased. We have over 10,000 products on there and are uploading more every week. It does not just include products associated with me/I recommend.
The app also contains a wealth of content from trusted experts to help you learn what you need to know about your skin. The Column is the place to go for:
Advice from me
Myth busting
My current skincare routine
How to build a routine
How to use products
Top tips, tailored to your skin type and concerns
Skincare 101s
New product reviews
New trends
Skin concern catalogue
Think ScienceTM explaining what ingredients do and decoding the jargon.
What would I use the app for?
If you’re in a shop, you can search for the product you are looking at and be told if you do or don’t need this.
To discover new products.
You can add your current routine to a list, and find out how to use the products.
You can create a wishlist of products.
You can share your favourite products or guides with your friends.
Reading content when you’re relaxing.
From qualified experts, including me.
Spotlight on (Trends, what’s new, brand offers)
Skincare 101 (everything you want to know and learn to know about your skin)
Think Science (what ingredients do and decoding jargon)
Founder Hub (content from me, advice, myth busting)
Do you really want to buy multiple sets of headphones, each for a specific purpose? Do you want water resistant lightweight buds for working out, dedicated RF headphones that work for your TV, and ANC headphones designed for your daily commute? If you want decent headphones, those different models will easily add up.
When choosing your new set, don’t get bogged down trying to choose two or three headphones for different tasks. Instead, look for a set that can check multiple boxes.
There are many headphones out there adding features to appeal to different user profiles. A good set of workout headphones can stay put under a lot of movement, offer sweat and water resistance, and can put out good bass to keep you motivated. Those start to mesh with commuter headphones because both should be lightweight and comfortable, like Phiaton’s CURVE BT 120 NC wireless earphones.
Commuter headphones are often small enough to be stored in a bag, like the 900 Legacywith fold and go design, and offer amazing active noise cancellation to block out the roar of a bus or a plane, like the BT100 NC.
Certain earphones like Phiaton’s BT 390,BT 100 NC, BT 120 NC, and BT 460 also feature Everplay-X technology, which transforms your wireless headphones or earphones into their wired equivalents. If you find yourself running out of juice and you’re just not ready to stop rocking yet, all you have to do is plug in the included Everplay-X cable to your headphones or earphones and attach the other end to your phone, tablet, or other portable device. If you’re curious to see it in action, check out this handy gif here.
What’s more, by going with Bluetooth headphones, many new TVs and set top boxes can also work with them, like the BT 460 with smart play and pause. Instead of the early 2000’s and prior, where you’d place a transmitter box next to your TV, new sets have Bluetooth actively built in. It makes connecting and listening to your TV with headphones entirely effortless and one set can work across your computer, smart watch, smartphone, and television. True multipurpose devices.
By getting a set of headphones that work outside the norm, not only do you save money by not picking up niche headphones, but you get more for your money by using them in places you wouldn’t normally use them.
Disclaimer: If you purchase items through links on our site we may earn a commission.
Figuring out why your dog is so itchy and what to do about it can be complicated and frustrating.
Food allergies — and therefore, dog skin allergies — in dogs are becoming more common. The most frequently reported foods that cause allergic symptoms in dogs are beef, chicken, lamb, wheat, soy, walnuts and corn. However, dogs can be allergic to any foods containing small amounts of protein including fruits, vegetables and grains. Most food allergies can be successfully managed with a change in diet. Changing the meat source of your dog’s food, introducing a novel meat or feeding a hydrolyzed protein diet can help alleviate your pup’s symptoms.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to his food?
Food allergies and sensitivities can have many symptoms but often manifest as itchy skin. Environmental allergens can cause these same skin symptoms. Dogs with food allergies commonly have environmental allergies as well. Without treatment, these symptoms can become more severe over time.
Food allergy symptoms include:
Repeated ear infections
Rash around mouth and anus
Anal gland infections and leakage
Repeated skin infections (hot spots)
Itchy skin
Licking/chewing paws and legs
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Reflux
What’s causing my dog’s food allergies?
The exact cause of food allergies and sensitivities is poorly understood. However, it is believed that genetics and the integrity of the intestines may play a role in the development of food allergies in dogs. Rotational diets have been thought to decrease the likelihood of developing food allergies. The rationale is that by rotating proteins daily, weekly, monthly or even seasonally, the body may not have time to become intolerant of any one protein. This theory has not been proven with any scientific evidence.
If I treat my dog’s food allergies, will it treat the skin allergies, too?
The best treatment for dogs with food allergies is to identify the offending foods and remove them from the diet. A small number of dogs will be able to resume eating those allergenic foods after several months of elimination. Dogs who are allergic to just one meat source may find immediate success in a diet change. However, dogs with several food allergies may require a more advanced diet strategy to diagnose and successfully treat their symptoms.
Work with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog’s skin allergy symptoms are not caused by other factors such as parasites, environmental allergies, stress or other diseases. Adding a veterinary dermatologist to your veterinary team can expand your pet’s treatment options. You can find a dermatologist near you.
The following are several diet strategies that may be successful in treating dogs with food allergies:
New meat source diet
If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, the easiest change to make is switching the protein source in your dog’s diet. For example, if you are feeding a chicken-based diet, switch to a beef- or fish-based diet. Read the ingredient label carefully to ensure that there is only one protein source. For example, many pet food companies will add chicken to formulas that are advertised as having primarily fish in the recipe. Once you decide on a new protein source, check the ingredients in treats and supplements to ensure that your pup only gets one source of meat protein.
Limited ingredientdiet
This diet limits the total number of ingredients, typically to one source of protein and one source of carbohydrate; for example, lamb and rice. These diets are commercially available over the counter or by prescription from a veterinarian. The advantage of prescription limited ingredient diets is that the manufacturing lines are more controlled, helping to prevent cross contamination from other formulas, which is important for extremely sensitive dogs. These diets can also be prepared at home as long as they are balanced. There are tools out there to help. For example, Balanceit.com is a website that helps pet owners design and balance a limited ingredient diet.
Novel Protein Diet
A novel protein is defined as a protein that your dog has never eaten before. This may decrease the likelihood that your dog will have a reaction. However, some foods are cross reactive. For example, a dog that is allergic to beef may also be allergic to lamb, even if he has never eaten lamb. Proteins that are often novel to dogs include duck, alligator, venison and kangaroo. These diets may also double as limited ingredient diets, as many of them are designed with itchy, allergic dogs in mind.
Hydrolyzed Protein Diet
These diets are regularly prescribed by veterinarians to diagnose and treat food allergies. To understand how these diets work, you need to understand the structure of a protein. Think of a protein like a strand of pearls. Each pearl is an amino acid. The longer the strand of pearls, the more likely the body is to consider it an allergen. Hydrolyzed diets are made up of proteins that are cut up into smaller strands of pearls. This makes each protein less likely to be allergenic. Soy, chicken and fish are commonly used to make these diets. Even though soy and chicken are common allergens, they become less allergenic when hydrolyzed into smaller proteins. Only feed this diet with hydrolyzed treats — adding other non-hydrolyzed treats could cause allergic symptoms in your dog. There are several different formulations and prescription brands of hydrolyzed diets. If your dog does not like the flavor or has symptoms while eating one, try another brand or formulation. Find examples of hydrolyzed diets here.
Amino Acid Based Diet
An amino acid based diet is like a hydrolyzed diet, but is further broken down into individual amino acids. This is like taking the strand of pearls and cutting it into individual pearls. This nearly eliminates the chances of your dog being allergic to this diet. This type of diet is only manufactured by one brand of prescription dog food. Like the hydrolyzed diet, this diet should be fed alone and without other treats and food. If this diet is effective in controlling your dog’s symptoms, it should be continued for at least 14 weeks. At that time, you can begin adding one single ingredient per week to the amino acid based diet. When adding foods back to your dog’s diet, start with foods that have less reaction potential, such as fruits and vegetables. This method will help you determine which foods cause your dog symptoms. It is safe for your dog to continue to eat the amino acid based diet for life. You can also switch to a home cooked diet or a commercial diet containing foods you have already tried that don’t cause symptoms. Amino acid based diets are less palatable compared to other diets. If your dog refuses to eat this diet, try switching to a hydrolyzed diet, which tends to be more palatable. Amino-acid based diets tend to be prescription only. An example is Royal Canin’s Ultamino dog food.
Finding the right diet to help treat your dog’s food allergies can be a process. Each time you switch your dog’s diet, take time to add in the new diet while slowly phasing out the old. Transition time should take four to seven days. You may need to try a few different diets before you find one that is effective. These diets may take four to six weeks to bring relief. Avoid treats and supplements that are not on the diet plan. No matter what type of diet strategy you are using, never stop giving your dog his prescription medications. Patience is critical! It may take up to six months to find a diet that not only works for your dog’s allergies, but is also an enjoyable flavor and consistency.
Modern gray kitchen cabinets will surprise you ways you never thought possible. The cabinet color will take your kitchen decor to the next level. Gray is for minimalist interiors.
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Gray is the flagship color of brutalism. Some feel the color is monotonous, and let’s face it, it is.
As a neutral color characterized by emotional absence and a lack of energy, gray is an ideal background color for every space and style.
What Does Gray Mean In Interior Design?
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Gray is one of the hottest colors trending in interior design in the 21st century. This color goes well with both industrial and rustic interiors.
Achromatic: Achromatic gray is a gray where there are amounts of red, green, and blue in the color. Silver, a shade of gray, is an example of an achromatic gray shade.
Neutral: Gray is a neutral color that can easily be paired with other neutrals such as natural materials or colors like black, white, and earth tones.
Peace and balance: Gray is symbolically associated with many different concepts such as peace, balance, and truth. Gray is also associated with refinement and can make an interior look more elegant.
Best Gray Kitchen Paint Color
Willow Creek – this gray hue features a dash of violet, which makes this paint color a true original.
Powell Gray – the principle color of Williamsburg’s colonial revival period.
Repose Gray – it’s no surprise how this is Sherwin Williams’s second best-selling paint.
Agreeable Gray – arguable the most flexible paint color you’ll ever work with.
Fleur de sel– this bright neutral color is ideal for any country farmhouse kitchen.
Sea Salt – this paint color was designed specifically for a beach house kitchen.
Silver Plate – for the traditional and elegant kitchens.
Charcoal Gray– a dark classic gray for those who want to make a bold statement.
50 Gray Kitchen Cabinets to Refine Your Kitchen Style
Gray With Neutrals
View in galleryCombine gray with other neutrals to maintain a sense of simplicity and linearity
One of the easiest ways to incorporate gray kitchen cabinets into a kitchen design is to use them together with other neutrals. Neutral colors include earth tones such as beige and brown as well as natural materials like wood and stone.
Dark Gray Tones
View in galleryDarker tones of gray look more mysterious and intriguing.
When it comes to decorating with gray, tone means everything. Darker gray tones will read like a black in the room. The quality makes spacious rooms feel cozier while adding a touch of drama.
Gray Cabinets With Wood Counter
View in galleryComplement your gray kitchen cabinets with a wooden table or island.
Gray kitchen cabinets are a suitable option for modern, contemporary, traditional, and even rustic homes. They can look futuristic, simple, or full of charm, depending on the design direction you choose.
Gray And White Combination
View in galleryYou can also combine gray and white for a fresh and simple look.
Gray and white is a classic combination that can make a kitchen look ultra sleek and put together.
In this example, gold storage cabinets help to break up the look of the gray in the room, but the fact that gold is a neutral helps keep this accent from clashing with the rest of the kitchen’s design.
Gray Cabinets In Yellow Gold Kitchen
View in galleryOther colors pair well with gray. This includes all shades of yellow.
Just because you’re going with a neutral gray cabinet in your kitchen doesn’t mean that your kitchen has to be a full-on neutral palette.
Versatile Gray Look
View in galleryGray is a very versatile color. It can look futuristic but it can also look rustic or vintage.
One of the biggest advantages of gray in interior design is that it can be applied in so many different ways. In the kitchen above, gray is used with simple rustic cabinetry in a monochromatic look that is only broken up by the bright white countertop and the off-white plate ware.
Warm And Cool Gray Tones
View in gallerySome tones of gray have a warm look while others are cool.
Because of its quiet and detached nature, gray can help you create a pleasant and relaxing ambiance in the kitchen, the bedroom, and every other room of the house.
Gray Kitchen Cabinets
View in galleryConsider placing gray kitchen cabinets against a matching gray wall for cohesion.
The key to placing gray cabinets against a gray wall is to slightly change the tone of the cabinets to the wall. This helps to break up the space visually and set the gray cabinetry apart from the wall color.
Gray With Eclectic Materials
View in galleryThe choice of materials matters just as much as the color, if not even more.
The type of materials you use for gray cabinetry can impact the way the cabinets look in the room. A reflective surface such as metal is going to give a very different feel to the kitchen than if you did the same gray cabinets in stained wood.
Mix And Match Shades Of Gray
View in galleryMix and match different shades of gray to create a diverse decor that’s also monochromatic.
To keep gray from looking boring, one tactic used in contemporary interior design is to mix and match different shades of gray together in the same space. Layering these shades of gray on top of other neutrals lends visual interest to the room without any one single element in it clashing with the rest of them.
Combine Finishes And Textures
View in galleryMix and match finishes and textures to make the decor less monotonous.
Another strategy you can use to help break up the monochromatic look of all-gray cabinetry in the kitchen is to mix and match different finishes and textures.
Modern-Industrial
View in galleryUse gray in the kitchen if you want to create a modern-industrial interior design.
Cabinets made with natural materials, like wood, gray will highlight materials associated with industrial decor.
Pale Gray
View in galleryConsider a very faint shade of gray, almost white if you want the kitchen to look open and spacious.
Dark charcoal and ash gray might be too harsh. Tone down the whiteness of your kitchen by adding pale gray cabinets. An oyster color is always a soothing.
Warm Gray Kitchen Tones
View in galleryAlthough gray is usually a cold color, sometimes it can actually make a space look warm and inviting.
You can use your gray kitchen cabinets as a neutral canvas which you can then complement with all sorts of colorful and contrasting features.
Gray Kitchen Island
View in galleryThe gray kitchen cabinets can match the island for a smooth transition between spaces in an open plan.
Gray isn’t only meant for kitchen cabinets. By incorporating the same gray shades into your island, you can help carry your chosen gray color around the room.
Gray Wood Cabinets
View in galleryI like it how the wood accents are nicely spread across the room, complementing all the gray.
If you’re doing a heavy gray look with the color on many different surfaces, it helps to break up the monochromatic look of the space with some wood accents.
Monochromatic Kitchen Design
View in galleryIn a modern setting, gray can be the main color in order to create a futuristic decor.
If you use gray as your main color in the kitchen as well as on the kitchen cabinets, this will help you achieve a monochromatic look.
Forms And Angles
View in galleryTo make a gray decor seem less monotonous, play with unusual forms, angles, and finishes.
Gray cabinets can feel sort of bland if all the lines in the cabinet are symmetrical and repetitive. In industrial designs, adding some asymmetrical angles and forms can help keep things from looking bland.
Unified Gray Cabinets
View in galleryEven though everything in this kitchen is gray, the decor has an interesting dynamic.
Kitchens can look more unified when you incorporate gray throughout the space, not just in the cabinets. To keep this from looking monotonous, however, it’s a good idea to bring in touches of different textures so that the room doesn’t start to look flat.
Gray Cabinets With White Door Fronts
View in galleryA nice idea is to have kitchen cabinets with gray tops and sides but with white door fronts.
Medium to dark gray lightens the look by using white cabinet fronts. As an added feature, the gray around the room on the countertops and cabinet sides pulls the room together.
Gray Palette
View in galleryIf you’re trying to get the most out of a kitchen that is decked out mostly in gray, a smart tactic is to incorporate small colorful accents.
Diverse Cabinet Tones
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You’re using an achromatic color palette in your kitchen doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Using a diverse set of gray tones can add the visual illusion of texture and depth to your design.
Contrasting Materials
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Mixing and matching different gray tones with other neutrals such as cream and wood works well.
Light Natural Wood Accents
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Black furniture is a popular pairing with gray kitchen cabinets. Darker furniture can make your kitchen feel small without an open floor plan.
Gray Earth Tones
View in galleryAlthough not very common, the combination of gray and earthy colors is quite chic
Just because your kitchen cabinets are gray doesn’t mean you have to have a gray kitchen. In this design, gray cabinets are counter-balanced with copper fixtures and medium brown wood accents.
Gray And Yellow Combo
View in galleryHere’s another kitchen that pairs yellow and gray as a color combination. In the other yellow kitchen we’ve featured, yellow was the primary color with gray as a secondary color.
Futuristic Gray Look
View in galleryGray has an industrial and gothic allure. It looks cool and futuristic – think dystopian brutalism. If you want sophistication, gray provides plenty of it.
Stylish Marble Accents
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Because grey is a very neutral color, using it exclusively in the design of a kitchen can make this space look and feel boring. This is especially true when the design of the kitchen is simple, with flat-panel cabinets, minimalist details, and so on.
Introducing an accent color or materials prevents that from happening. Here’s a beautiful use of white marble in a design by studio OOOOX.
Diverse Finishes
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Another good way of making sure your kitchen doesn’t look bland even if you’re using neutral colors in its design is by opting for a variety of different finishes and textures as opposed to just one.
Accent Pieces
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Although simple and subtle in nature, light grey can be a nice accent color. Pair it with white in a kitchen to create a stylish, airy, and modern design.
Wooden Accents
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Wood is common for making furniture. However, it’s also good for accent material. Take advantage of its aesthetic to add warmth and contrast in your design.
Multiple Furniture Shades
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Another interesting and subtle way in which you can make your grey kitchen cabinets look more natural is by pairing them with other furniture pieces and surfaces that have similar colors.
This apartment interior by QUADRUM STUDIO is a nice example in this sense.
Smooth Transitions
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You can use contrasting materials, colors, and finishes in your kitchen’s design without making these elements clash with one another.
Creating a smooth transition between them helps the space look harmonious and to feel inviting and comfortable. The grey cabinets match the walls well as well as part of the floor which transitions into a wooden floor.
Light Nuances
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The contrast between the light gray and the white surfaces is subtle but enough to diversify the design. Combined with the Shaker-style cabinets, the gray is soothing. The white backsplash tiles and countertops give the kitchen a modern vibe. This example is from Newmark Homes
Dark Gray Accents
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Dark grey kitchen cabinets can look wonderful too and here they’re paired with black countertops and wooden accents which creates a super welcoming and cozy ambiance.
It’s a look that suits this narrow kitchen designed by Tom Bassett-Dilley. The white subway tiles have a classic aesthetic and unify the room.
Reflective Finishes
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What stands out when looking at this contemporary kitchen is how airy and open it feels. There’s a combination of factors at work here such as the high ceiling, the large windows. This is a project by architecture studio California at Home.
Gray Cabinet Pendant Lighting
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Another way to keep gray kitchen cabinets from looking too severe is to introduce lighter-looking materials. A good choice is glass, like the glass island pendants from Lily Ann Cabinets.
Cabinet Open Storage
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Go with an open storage design like these lattice-style cabinet doors from Elizabeth Taich Design .Bright gold pulls and fixtures are an unexpected and beautiful choice since many gray kitchen cabinets come with stainless steel or silver-colored fixtures instead.
Recessed Lighting
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To get the most out of your gray kitchen cabinets, they’ll need to be lit well. Recessed lighting is one way to add lighting to your warm gray modern kitchen design without washing it out with a bunch of fluorescent lighting. Recessed lighting from Remodelholic gives the kitchen a clean look.
Glass Shelving
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Using gray kitchen cabinets at the floor level and above the countertops can sometimes be a little bit of overkill with the color, especially in small kitchen spaces. See an example of how to pull this look off at Centered By Design.
Copper Accents
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Metallics are always a good match with matte gray shades in the kitchen since the gray color acts like a neutral backdrop to help copper accents pop. You can either use copper fixtures or go with even larger accents like these copper-colored bar stools at MassaRossa.
Green Accents
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Gray kitchen cabinets can feel gloomy when darker. Dark gray is associated with rain clouds. In this example from IKEA dark gray feels warm.
Light Gray Kitchen Cabinets
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Sometimes just the slightest tint of gray is enough to liven up a kitchen space. The gray cabinets are such a light shade that they almost appear off-white rather than gray.
Warm Lighting
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Along with including warmer-toned neutral accents with your gray cabinets, another way to keep things warm is to use warm lighting. Warm lighting casts a light with a yellowish or orange cast.
See how warm lighting and a warm-toned backsplash are used to keep things comfortable in this kitchen design at Backsplash.com.
Warm Metallic Accents
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Dark gray cabinets aren’t the only style of gray kitchen cabinet that looks great with metallic accents. Here’s another kitchen with gray cabinets from Wolf Home Products sporting warm metallic accents.
Black Backsplash
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White backsplashes are a popular choice to pair with gray cabinets, but they aren’t the only option at your disposal. You could go a little darker and more dramatic with a black backsplash like this backsplash at Simply Kitchen USA.
Gray Stained Wooden Cabinetry
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You might associate gray kitchen cabinets with metal and plastic, but a softer look for gray cabinets that can go as well in farmhouse and rustic designs as it can in contemporary ones is a gray wood stain.
Check out these gray-stained wooden kitchen cabinets from The RTA Store.
Gray Kitchen Island
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Ade a gray kitchen island complete with cabinets and do the rest of your cabinets in a neutral material, such as the light wood in these cabinets at Schrock.
Gold Interior Accents
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Another way to brighten up dark gray cabinets is to try painting the interior of the cabinets a different color.
These dark gray cabinets with gold interiors from Christopher Peacock add an unexpected twist to the design and help repeat the pattern of the natural wood drawer accent directly beneath them.
Black Countertops
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White or marble countertops are popular choices to match with gray cabinets, but take a look at these black swirled countertops at Cabinet Corp.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What Is The Best Cabinet Finish?
The best cabinet finish for kitchen cabinets is a semi-gloss finish. Semi-gloss is durable, which makes it a smart option for the kitchen where a lot of water, oil, and other substances will need to be scrubbed from the finish.
Is Satin Or Semi-Gloss Better For Modern Gray Kitchen Cabinets?
Satin finishes are popular as semi-gloss finishes in kitchen cabinets. However, satin finishes tend to not be as durable as semi-gloss finishes, which makes them a little less practical in working kitchens.
What Are The Different Types Of Kitchen Cabinet Doors?
There are different types of kitchen cabinet doors that can be used in conjunction with a gray color palette.
Modern Gray Kitchen Cabinets Conclusion
Gray cabinets aren’t just for contemporary designs. This color works well even in more casual kitchens. The key to installing modern gray kitchen cabinets without giving your kitchen a monotonous look is to break up the space.
This can be done with other materials such as wood, metal, or stone countertops. Bringing in other neutral shades and using multiple shades of gray will make your kitchen cabinets anything but boring.
Reality Winner was jailed for leaking a US report on the Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
She was released in June 2021 on good behavior, after four years of incarceration.
Winner told CBS she is “not a traitor” and had leaked the documents “out of love” for her country.
A former National Security Agency contractor jailed for leaking a document about Russian hacking in the 2016 election has spoken out about her experiences, insisting that she is “not a traitor.”
Speaking to CBS, Winner said she thought something was amiss after watching then President Donald Trump attempt to sow doubt about whether Russia had influenced the 2016 election.
“I just kept thinking, ‘My God, somebody needs to step forward and put this right. Somebody,’” Winner told the outlet.
“I knew it was secret. But I also knew that I had pledged service to the American people. And at that point in time, it felt like they were being led astray,” she added.
Winner told CBS that she “meant no harm and “did not betray” the US’ “sources and methods” of obtaining intelligence by leaking the document.
“It only filled in a question mark that was tearing our country in half in May 2017,” Winner said.
She also told CBS about what it’s like being called a “terrorist.”
“I’ve had four years of just trying to say I’m not a terrorist. I can’t even begin to talk about my actual espionage indictment. Or have a sense of accomplishment in having survived prison,” Winner said.
She added that she felt “stained” by the accusations that labeled her as part of the same groups she had enlisted in the Air Force to fight against.
Bluetooth headphones are great. They’re nearly wire-free, they are lightweight, and offer the utmost portability. What’s more, some offer a neat offering in the form of retractable earbuds, which have a comfortable band that rests around your neck. The individual earbuds are very small and retract into the band when not in use. This allows you to draw out the exact amount of cable needed to keep it out of your way and stay tangle-free when not in use. Since the body of the neckband is larger than headphones, that is how it is able to build in the feature, as well as a host of other niceties like sound quality and performance.
Phiaton’s BT 150 NC’s allows for the perfect individual cord length and tangle-free storage, while supporting four different sets of ear tips and stoppers that hold the tips in place. Perhaps best of all, the BT 150 NC’s design allows you to quickly remove and replace your earphones, which you’ll appreciate if you must cross a busy street or if you just happen to run into chatty neighbors when you’re out for a run. The BT 150 NC requires nothing more than a gentle tug when you’re ready to stow your earphones away. And they’re right there waiting for you around your neck when you’re ready to commence listening again.
To top it off, BT 150 NC’s power saving sensor automatically powers off the active noise cancelling when the earbuds are retracted to help prolong battery life and features intuitive swiping controls, which are much easier to manage than tapping on an earbud. A favorite feature is also its active notifications. If your buds are retracted and a phone call comes in, the neckband will vibrate, alerting you. Just pull out an earbud and put it in to answer the call, worry-free.
Headphones should be not only about audio quality, but convenience. Retractable earbuds on a neckband are comfortable, easy to use, add additional features, and always keep your headphones in reach. Don’t pull them out and worry about where to put them, just keep them conveniently around your neck.
Get the best of everything with advanced features, sleek design, easy controls, wired or free-use, and much more by trying out a set of retractable headphones and shed the normal pesky compromises.
The 3-3-3 rule explains what you need to know about the adjustment period in the first three days, three weeks and three months after adopting a rescue dog. Understanding what to expect and how to help your rescue dog adjust leads to a smoother transition and happier home.
Adopting a dog is a wonderful but challenging experience. When we change jobs or schools, new experiences can be exciting and intimidating at the same time. A rescue dog also needs time to adapt to and understand his new life.
You need to comprehend what he’s going through and try to help him adjust. Generally, puppies adapt more easily than adults do because they are almost blank slates learning new things and being exposed to new environments. Older and shyer dogs usually adjust more slowly. Each dog is an individual and, depending on his background, may take longer than expected to acclimate to a new life. Let him progress at his own pace. Let’s look at what you should know before adopting a rescue dog, what the adjustment issues will look like and what you should do to ease the transition.
Phases of a rescue dog: The first three days
Your new canine companion needs some time to decompress. He probably feels unsure of what’s expected of him and is stressed. He may:
Feel overwhelmed
Be scared and unsure of what’s going on
Not be comfortable enough to “be himself”
Not want to eat and drink
Be shut down and curl up in a safe area such as in a crate or under furniture and sleep a lot
Have diarrhea from stress or dietary changes
Test his boundaries
Phases of a rescue dog: The first three weeks
During this time, your new addition starts to feel relaxed and his true personality emerges. He may:
Start to settle in
Feel more comfortable
Realize that this could possibly be his forever home
Figure out his environment
Get into a routine
Let his guard down and start to show his true personality
Show any ingrained behavior problems
Phases of a rescue dog: The first three months
This is the period when your adopted dog’s true personality and temperament are displayed. It’s a great time to bond with him. He may:
Be completely comfortable in his new home
Start to trust and build a bond with you
Gain a complete sense of security with his new family
Settle into and embrace his new routine
How to help your rescue dog settle in your home
Set up a safe space away from commotion, such as a spare bedroom or laundry room. It should be a welcoming area with a cozy bed and crate.
Establish a routine so that your new canine companion will know what to expect from and feel confident in his new world. He needs regular feedings, exercise, play and training. Use positive reinforcement and speak calmly when getting to know him. Have patience. Introduce him slowly over time to his new environment and family.
The 3-3-3 Rule establishes milestones that help predict what your new canine addition may be experiencing. By understanding what occurs during these three periods, you’ll be better able to help him adjust to his new world. With patience, planning and routines, the bond with your rescued pup will blossom and you’ll have great adventures to come and memories to make.
The Republican Party of Florida once invited a lot of media to its big “Sunshine Summit” fundraiser.
But this year the list was far more exclusive, though Insider was granted access to a dinner.
DeSantis often bashes the media but fields a wide range of questions at press conferences.
HOLLYWOOD, Florida — The Republican Party of Florida and the Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign on Saturday refused credentials to numerous journalists for a major fundraiser that typically includes a broader media presence.
Among the publications denied credentials to the “Sunshine Summit” breakout speeches, debates, and banquet at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino were Politico, the Palm Beach Post, and the Miami Herald.
The Washington Post and The New York Times also did not receive access, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
The Republican Party of Florida invited only a few media outlets, including Insider, to cover the “Victory Dinner” in person. Among the other outlets present were the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, the Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Tampa Bay Times.
“I’ve covered RPOF annual convention since 2012,” one reporter who was not on the list told Insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by their employer to do interviews. “Never once had issue covering. This is not normal.”
The 2015 summit had 350 credentialed media. Donald Trump spoke that year as a candidate for president.
The journalists given access to the “Victory Dinner” were seated on top of risers in the back of the banquet room, where 1,500 people were dining on a meal of fish and steak.
Gov. Ron DeSantis was the star speaker, though guests also heard from Sen. Marco Rubio, who is up for reelection this year, as well as Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez.
Conservative-leaning outlets such as Florida Voices, Breitbart, and the Washington Free Beacon were invited to cover other events throughout the day, according to a spreadsheet obtained by Politico and posted on Twitter. Insider did not receive an invitation to the other portions of the summit and did not learn until Saturday the option was made available to select outlets.
Reporters who weren’t authorized to cover the event from inside the room obtained recordings and interviewed attendees outside the banquet hall.
The Sunshine Summit is a major gathering organized by the Republican Party of Florida, but the Republican National Committee and the DeSantis campaign were also involved in organizing the event.
Asked about the limited guest list, Dave Abrams, DeSantis campaign spokesperson, brushed off the complaints.
“It’s funny that the very reporters who were uninterested in the Sunshine Summit were the same ones huddled in a corner across from the entrance hoping for a peek,” he said. “We aren’t bothered by their tantrums — in fact it validates our presumption that fair coverage was never a thought for them.”
A schedule of the event shows the event showcased speeches from conservative columnists, Republicans running for office, and congressional debates.
The Republican Party of Florida did not livestream the event but NBC 6 and other TV outlets were permitted to carry the event live if they chose, said Lindsey Curnutte, spokeswoman for the DeSantis campaign. A Getty photographer was invited but didn’t attend, though a Bloomberg photographer was present.
The Florida GOP live-tweeted some of DeSantis’ quotes from his speech.
Curnutte acknowledged the media this year was “invite only” but didn’t share details about the screening process.
‘Try crying about it’
DeSantis often casts himself as an attack dog against the media at a time when polling shows public trust in the press is low.
DeSantis has particularly sparred with journalists over their scrutiny regarding his COVID-19 pandemic response in Florida, which often conflicts with federal health guidance. On Saturday he boasted that he “stood up to the media” and specifically derided the “corporate media.”
Yet DeSantis’ actual press relationship is more nuanced. His official press conferences tend to be open to a wide range of media outlets. At the majority of events, he fields numerous questions from reporters that often are off topic from the event’s intended purpose, though every once in a while he does not take any questions following an event.
Saturday’s event, in contrast, was a political event — not an official event for the governor’s office.
“My message to them is to try crying about it. Then go to kickboxing and have a margarita,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said on Twitter, mocking a comment previously made by former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “And write the same hit piece you were gonna write anyway.”
The Tallahassee Democrat speculated the DeSantis campaign might not want the governor’s event to overshadow another event happening across the state in Tampa, where former President Donald Trump was speaking at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.
DeSantis spoke at that same summit on Friday evening and there is growing speculation that he may choose to run for president in 2024 as Trump continues to dangle the possibility of a White House run. Trump, too, often clashed with the press.
President Joe Biden’s White House has faced complaints from reporters about transparency as well. In June, 68 White House journalists asked press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to stop prescreening and routinely turning away the same reporters for the president’s public events.
“The continued inability of the White House to be candid and transparent about the selection process for reporters attending his remarks undermines President Biden’s credibility when he says he is a defender of the First Amendment,” the letter said.
Jean-Pierre said at a White House briefing earlier this month that reopening the events was a “priority.”
Whether you telecommute, travel for work frequently, work for a company with multiple locations or in 2020 you are working from home, you just need to connect with your colleagues regularly when you’re not in the office. There is a good chance that you’re spending more time on conference calls such as Zoom or Skype these days than ever before.
If you’re doing so with your phone glued to the side of your head, though, you’re doing it wrong. A good set of headphones can make all the difference between suffering through laborious conference calls and—well, still suffering through them, but at least with a little more comfort and a lot less frustration.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a good pair of headphones for conference calls, because the criteria aren’t the same as when shopping for a good pair of headphones for music. True, you’ll still want to focus on sound quality, comfort, build quality, and reliability when it comes to conference calling, but a few other considerations become equally important.
It should go without saying that vocal clarity is paramount, so you’ll need to make sure that your new headphones have a good microphone. Most do these days, but if the microphone is on the in-line controls of a cable, make sure it doesn’t get buried in your clothing and becomes muffled.
Look for headphones that feature at least two or more built in microphones. Having more microphones will help enhance the quality of your voice during phone calls. Many lower quality headphones feature mono microphones and they are poorly positioned to pick up the speaker’s voice.
The headphone or earphone’s microphone location is another important factor to consider. The closer the mic is to your mouth, the better you’ll sound while speaking. Speaking toward the mic also helps emit a clearer sound and better listening experience.
Which brings us to another point: No matter where you fall on the wired-vs-wireless headphone debate, when it comes to entertainment, a good pair of wireless headphones is essential for teleconferencing. You never know when you might need to charge your phone, after all, and many modern mobile phones use the same port for charging and physical headphone connectivity. Of course, wireless headphones must be charged, too, so you’ll want to make sure whatever pair you pick has exceptional battery life.
Put that all together, and it makes Phiaton’s BT 460 over-the-ears, foldable headphones pretty much the perfect pair to take a little sting out of being tethered to your office telephonically. It features Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology for enhanced range and improved battery life, which, combined with its Li-ion battery and optimized power management, means you’ll get up to 20 hours of talk time in between charges with an outstanding 110 hours of standby time. Intuitive touch panels on the side give you a bevy of controls and smart pause and play will automatically pause and resume your music when you remove or put your headphones back on.
Perhaps the most convenient thing about the BT 460, though – especially for frequent fliers – is its elegant fold-and-go design, with a handy hinged headband that allows you to easily squirrel it away in your backpack or carry-on. Its padded ear and head pads offer a comfortable fit all day – or flight – long and Everplay-X allows you to continue using the headphones even if the battery runs out or the audio device is not Bluetooth compatible.
If you prefer a more compact and lighter pair of headphones or are in need of some budget conscious pair of cans for your kids zoom call, check out the rugged BT 390 with up to 30 hours of battery life as well as Everplay-X for those times when your kid will join you on vacation. It also features deeper bass set for many of today’s pop music.
In addition, iIf frequent travel isn’t in your future and you find yourself hopping from conference call to conference call unexpectedly throughout the day, you might find that a good neckband headphone is more up your alley. This innovative design is especially convenient because it keeps your headphones right there where you need them, when you need them, connected via cables to a comfy collar that can be worn all day with no discomfort.
For days when the home office also becomes your workout gym, the wireless BT 120 NC also offers active noise cancellation together with IPX4 rating, offering sweat and moisture resistance for those intense CrossFit or HIIT workouts. It also comes equipped with Fast Charge. That means that a 5 minute charge will provide up to 1 hour of playtime when the BT 120 NC’s battery is completely drained. It’s perfect for those moments when you are itching to go running outside but there is no charge left on your headphones. Just let it charge for a few minutes and you will be on your way to a great workout.
BT 120 NC also has another great feature in this ever evolving world of wireless gadgets: Multipoint Pairing. This is a technology that allows simultaneous connection to two different Bluetooth devices. So you can be watching Netflix on your tablet but also be connected to your phone at the same time. Should the phone ring, the BT 120 NC will automatically connect to your phone without the need to disconnect from your tablet and reconnect to your phone. Talk about saving precious seconds!
If you’re looking for dog food for weight loss, selecting the right diet is essential to achieving a healthy body condition. If you’re thinking of simply feeding less, that may help, but there are more effective, and safer, choices for overweight dogs. The goal is to find tasty weight management dog foods (and treats) that will reduce calories while meeting your pet’s nutritional needs. By looking for a few key dog food elements and ingredients, and following science-based formulations and approaches, you can find the best weight management dog food for your best friend.
How to tell if your dog is overweight
According to my organization’s surveys, The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 56% of all US adult dogs are overweight or have obesity. That equals over 50 million dogs at risk for weight-related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, skin issues and many forms of cancer. In addition, studies prove that dogs kept at a healthy body condition live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight dogs.
The danger of excess weight isn’t a number on a scale, it’s the harmful hormones and compounds produced by too much body fat (adipose tissue). That’s why it’s important to identify the signs of unhealthy weight and body condition score (BCS) at home.
The first step is to weigh your dog regularly. Identical to our own “battle of the bulge,” your dog’s body stores excess food energy as body fat. When an otherwise healthy adult dog gains weight, chances are most of that is fat. If you can safely pick up and weigh your dog once a month, you can get a good idea of how your dog’s weight is trending. Spotting body weight trends early is essential in avoiding excessive weight gain. Too often, I see pet parents completely unaware that their dog’s weight was creeping up. In addition, if you regularly weigh your dog, you’re more likely to spot inexplicable weight loss early, a common finding in dogs with cancer.
To gauge if your dog is within a healthy weight range, you can consult the breed weight charts on the petobesityprevention.org website or refer to American Kennel Club (AKC) and other breed standards. Don’t be alarmed if your healthy weight dog doesn’t fit neatly within these values. They’re only averages and may vary between organizations. Mixed breeds (including “Oodles and Oos”) can be tricky, so get your vet team involved to help.
Body Condition Score (BCS) for overweight dogs
Your vet will use a body condition score (BCS) and perhaps a muscle condition score (MCS) to determine if your pooch is at a healthy body composition. While the BCS is a subjective assessment of body fat percentage, it has proven to be a helpful tool for tracking progress over time.
At home, you can also perform a modified BCS by comparing your dog’s appearance to the charts and performing a few simple tests.
1. You should be able to easily feel – and count – your dog’s ribs when you lightly run your fingers across the side. If you can’t easily feel those smooth bones, that’s a sign your doggo is probably carrying extra weight.
2. When you look down on your pet from above, you should see an “hourglass figure” or an indentation near the midsection. If your pet looks like a blimp from above, he’s probably overweight or has obesity.
3. When you observe your dog from the side as he stands, you should see a slight tuck or upward slope of the tummy. If the abdomen hangs low and drags near the ground, that indicates the most dangerous and biologically active form of body fat, abdominal adiposity, is present. Time to get professional help.
Creating a weight loss program for your dog
When most dog owners think “weight loss for dogs,” they think “feed less and exercise more.” If only it were that simple.
The most important thing to do if your dog needs to lose weight is to make sure he’s healthy and a disease or drug isn’t to blame. Your vet will perform basic blood and urine tests and review any current conditions or medications. Hypothyroidism is common in many overweight dogs and needs to be controlled first. Arthritis, elevated blood glucose or diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and hormonal imbalances can be caused or exacerbated by excess body fat and require specific nutritional formulations to aid in weight loss.
Why feeding your dog less food can be risky
The problem with “cutting calories” by simply feeding your dog less “regular food,” is you risk reducing essential nutrients, creating additional problems to a dog experiencing chronic inflammation due to excess body fat. Most vets can share stories of misguided dog owners who created serious metabolic imbalances in their dogs by feeding a quarter or half of “normal.” In addition, a dog’s metabolism adapts or “resets” in response to reduced calories, resulting in less weight loss than you’d expect.
What to look for in a dog food for weight loss
For overweight dogs, therapeutic weight loss diets remain the safest and most proven method to reduce excess body fat. Keep in mind that marketing terms such as “weight management,” “healthy weight,” “weight care” and “weight control” have no regulatory or legal meaning and are not weight loss diets.
Look for foods labeled:
Light
Lite
Low calorie
Less calories
Reduced calories
Lean fat
Low fat
Less fat
Reduced Fat
These are approved and proven dog weight loss formulations.
In general, feed a food containing the fewest calories per cup or can your dog enjoys. Most therapeutic weight loss formulations will contain less than 260 calories per cup compared to maintenance diets that range from 325 to 500 calories per cup.
I typically start my dog weight loss patients on a higher protein and fiber weight loss diet. Protein and fiber have been proven to help with satiety and make your dog feel fuller, longer, resulting in less begging and pestering behaviors for food. If a dog doesn’t like the weight loss diet, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for another recommendation. There are many well-researched therapeutic diets with a wide variety of nutritional formulations to choose from, so your dog can get healthy while still savoring their meals.
A good rule-of-thumb is to transition your dog to a new food over a seven to ten-day period by adding an additional 25% of the new diet every two to three days. If you’d like to compare nutrition levels between pet foods, my colleagues at Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, have created an excellent Pet Food Calculator.
How much food should you feed overweight dogs for weight loss?
You’ll first need to have your dog examined by your veterinarian and an ideal weight calculated based on his current BCS. Based on your pet’s degree of excess weight, your veterinarian may choose a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start (Step Weight Loss). You can visit PetObesityPrevention.org for caloric recommendations or use this basic formula for weight loss in dogs:
Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 gives you weight in kilograms (kg) Calculate your dog’s Resting Energy Requirements (RER) in calories (kcals) based on ideal or target weight: 30 x (ideal or target body weight in kilograms) + 70 = Daily RER calories
For weight loss in healthy adult, inactive, indoor, spayed or neutered dogs, feeding the RER calories for the step-weight loss target weight (or ideal weight in some cases) should be adequate. In cases that fail to respond to this number of calories, your veterinarian may further adjust the total.
How fast should my dog lose weight?
Whatever weight loss dog food you feed, it should help your dog reach his ideal weight safely and quickly. My general guidelines for weight loss in dogs are 3 to 5% body weight loss per month. For a 95-pound Labrador Retriever that needs to lose 20 pounds, that’s about 4 to 5 pounds per month for five to six months. Most of my canine weight loss patients will be on a weight loss program for three to 12 months.
If a dog isn’t achieving his weight loss goals every 30 to 90 days, you should either reduce calories 10% or try a different diet. I’ve seen too many dogs being fed the same food for months without losing adequate weight. Change the amount, formulation or brand at least every 90 days if your dog isn’t losing weight. Metabolic adaptation is real; changing the diet periodically may be required to keep your dog’s weight loss on track.
How much should I exercise my dog for weight loss?
Exercise is important, but the majority of fat loss begins — and ends — at the food bowl and treat jar. In general terms, canine weight loss is about 70-percent diet and 30-percent activity. Aim for at least 20- to 30-minutes of walking or structured play daily.
What about dog treats for weight loss?
Take stock of the treats you’re giving. Many of these “calorie grenades” pack an awful lot of energy into an irresistible flavor bomb. For doggie weight loss, try switching to wholesome, low calorie veggies such as baby carrots, sliced cucumbers or zucchini, broccoli, celery or any crunchy greens that charm your canine.
Good health is a journey. Losing excess body fat takes time. Stay on the weight loss path your vet maps out, and you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, happier doggo when you reach your destination.
