Collars: Get Safer Ones For Your Cats

If you warmly welcome cats to be part of your life then it's time to offer them something that they can use throughout their existence. These special items appear so important because it adds to the unique look of your kitties while you take care of controlling their moves and behaviors. Buy or make cute collar for your dear kitty and make sure that it is safe. This is a type of accessories that any kitty can be proud of.

Today, there are different types of collars available in the market yet not all are equal in terms of quality and usefulness. Others are more specialized that they are only use for special cases like training kitties. There are those useful everyday for they are just simple and cute. Despite the variety of choices and more improved collar options, think only of your dear pets' safety whenever they need to use this thing. They won't tell you that they don't like that so it is up to you to determine what they really need. Will it be the breakaway type that opens quickly or the traditional type commonly use?

Give your cats' considerable amount of freedom when they are home or outside but never forget to have their collars attached in case they can't find a way home. With a collar attached, you get to easily identify your cat. You would hear a sound that if the collar has a sounding bell or you can be more confident that somebody will have it returned to you if the collar tells the name of the cat and where to return it in case he is lost. Truly, these items worn around their necks are the return tickets for lost kittens.

When getting good collars from a particular shop, you should think always of how safe they are? Do they have some unfamiliar features? Will they open quickly in case the cat pass was snagged in the fence, he can still get out and continuously go after the running mouse. Safe collar options are what cat owners should have on their lists. If they can't determine which is safer then they can always pause and look for help. Reviews are always readable. They might have things to say. A friend of yours who is a cat lover too can help you decide what to get. But, never fails to determine the size, breed, nature, and common activities of your kitties to make sure that you give right supplies.

Because Sherlock by Rachael Acks

Because Sherlock

Rachael Acks

My love of steampunk is all Sherlock Holmes' fault.

My mother read out loud to my brother and I when we were kids. We read a lot of books over the years, including Just So Stories and The Flame Trees of Thika. But I think the most influential books that my mother poured into my brain were The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Complete Sherlock Holmes.

The first two have an obvious influence, and on anyone that has ever written fantasy, whether you like the books or not. I've wanted to somehow touch that level of epic storytelling ever since I heard the description of the Battle of Helm's Deep. (Though from my end of things, by preference there would be a lot more women with swords and maybe a little less detail in descriptions of how pretty the forests are.) I wrote stories from a very early age, and there was that fantasy element in them from almost the get-go.

Sherlock Holmes was a different matter entirely. I loved all the short mystery stories, but it didn't infect my brain quite the same way. I didn't have much of a desire to write mysteries. Honestly, outside of Sherlock, I have little interest in the genre. But the world of stinking London streets and hansom cabs lurked in the back of my mind, just waiting for its chance.

There's a sector of people out there that didn't appreciate the steampunk-ish update that Sherlock Holmes received in the 2009 and 2011 movies starring Robert Downey Jr. as the title character. I loved it. Relished it. That twist to the setting and the addition of sudden, grinning and winking mayhem felt like Holmes had just been waiting for steampunk to be invented. It may be because to a little girl sitting on the couch in 1980s Denver, the 1890s in London felt just as far off and fantastical as the idea of zeppelins floating over the Rocky Mountains in some nebulous, quasi-Victorian era.

At their heart, the Sherlock Holmes stories are about adventure and being intellectual simultaneously, solving problems with an inventive mind first and a well-placed bullet only when that fails. Perhaps that is what makes Sherlock Holmes do so well in the speculative fiction family (just look at the spec fic stories that have been written about him, such as Neil Gaiman's A Study in Emerald) - he's all about thought and adventure. It feels natural to take that adventure and extend it into the 'what if' while maintaining that emphasis on the intellect.

There's a rabid curiosity fundamental to Sherlock Holmes as a character that also exists in every steampunk story that I've ever read and enjoyed. As a subgenre, Steampunk takes something very real - Victorian culture and steam - and goes on an adventure into a realm of big ideas where the first and greatest weapon is an inventive mind. That's what attracted me to the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle when I was young, and what has fueled my enthusiasm for steampunk in recent years.

I thought about Sherlock Holmes often as I was writing my own story. I can't make claims one way or the other how much he helped me out, but I like to think there was a knowing smirk or two. 

Refreshing shoes

front top left : lime shoes - Alexander Wang fish shoes - yellow shoes - multi pastel flats - double platform blue shoes - Vuitton pastel sabot - light blue shoes - tall wedges

from up left: pattern platform shoes - metal stilettos - black pink Diego Dolcini shoes - orange shoes- Casadei cut out wedges - pink suede shoes

What better way to start Sunday if not with some shoe shopping? Spring shoes are fresh as sorbets, ready to quench our thirst of shopping. Here I listed some of my favorite pastel ones.

Cosa c'è di meglio che cominciare la domenica con un po' di rilassante shopping? Le scarpe primaverili hanno gli stessi colori delicati dei sorbetti. Ecco le mie preferite.

Why Do Cats Urinate in the House?

There are many reasons why your cat might be peeing in the house, anything from cleanliness, change of territory and the scent of another cat. Let's look at why cats urinate in the house and what you can do to make it stop.

Making your cat stop urinating on the carpet is easier than it seems. Many cat owners cannot keep an eye on their pet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it becomes difficult to see what they are doing, where and why they are doing it. I want to run through some real life situations that have happened to me, and how I stopped the constant urinating on carpets.

Why do cats urinate in the house, and what you can do to make it stop.

One of the many reasons cat owners find themselves in this predicament is down to health issues. A couple of years ago my male cat was starting to pee just outside his litter tray, and then over a few days, he spread to other rooms and before I knew it, the house was starting to smell of urine. He had never done this before, he was always clean and never missed the spot when it came to doing his business.

Over the next couple of days, I made more of an attempt to follow him, only to find he wasn't peeing as normal. The short story is, he had a urinary infection, and the vet mentioned that he might be associating the pain he felt when he urinated to his litter tray, and so he avoided going in. I don't want to scare you, but if this sounds like something that could be happening to your cat, then either give your local vet a call, or take him in for an examination.

If the above is not something you think is happening, then lets run through another couple of reasons of why cats urinate in the house.

A change of territory is also another reason for random urinating, as they are simply marking their new home with their smell. You may see this happen for only a couple of days, but if it continues, then there might be other issues to look at.

Cleanliness is something I must mention, because it has happened to me in the past. If you have an indoor cat which uses only a litter tray, then having a dirty box is something of a no go area for many cats. Daily cleaning is essential, and the urinating in carpets will start to fade within days. Make sure your cat has easy access to his tray when it is cleaned.

These simple steps above may sound obvious, but many people have busy lives and forget that the simple things are usually the problem. If you think your cat has health issues, then don't waste anytime in having the vet give him a health check.

Stop your Cat Peeing on the Carpet. This easy to read book, has helped me and thousands more around the world, simply click on the link to get your copy now. You will also find cleaning tips, and how to tell if your Cat is trying to tell you something.

About the Author:
My name is David Barratt Jackson. I have been working with Cats for the past 10 years, on everything from training to cleaning. If you are having a problem with your cat Peeing on your Carpet and not using their Litter Tray, then I can help.

Peacock feather collar for the masquerade ball DIY

A masquerade ball is the right place to show a fancy ball dress or a statement accessory and you even risk to pass unoticed. Excess and fun are the main characteristics of Carnival. How can we transform the spirit of  this crazy feast day into something wearable? For me feathers and bright colors are the best choice. This is how the idea of this collar is born. Match it with a multi color eye make up and have fun. See how to make the collar after the jump.

Un ballo in maschera è l'occasione adatta per indossare un vestito o un accessorio vistoso rischiando anche di non essere notate. Eccesso e divertimento sono le caratteristiche principali del Carnevale. Come possiamo trasformare lo spirito della festa più pazza dell'anno in un capo indossabile? Piume e colori vivaci sono un ottima scelta ed è così che nasce l'idea di questa collana da abbinare ad un make up rigorosamente multicolor.

supply: a feather boa and some peacock feathers, a piece of black cotton and glue(lots of it)
vi serviranno: un boa di piume, qualche piuma di pavone, un ritaglio di cotone e colla

I cut the pattern twice, I sewed two pieces together then I turned the collar inside out
Ritagliate 2 volte il modello, cucite i due pezzi di stoffa uno sull'altro e poi mettete il colletto a dritto

I took off some feathers from the boa then I glued them onto the collar
Staccate le piume dal boa e incollatele sul colletto

this is how the collar looks covered by feathers
ecco il colletto coperto di piume

I added peacock feathers and then more black feathers for extra volume and fluffiness
Incollate anche le piume di pavone e continuate ad incollare piume per aggiungere volume alla costruzione 

DIY idea: Acne leather cut out skirt

Acne spring 2012

Acne spring 2012

It's an unusual leather skirt the one designed by Acne for spring summer 2012.  It can be made just cutting out star shapes from your leather skirt and no sewing is required. That's why leather is a fantastic diy material: it does not rip off!

E' una gonna originale quella disegnata da Acne per la primavera 2012. Può essere realizzata ritagliando delle stelle dalla vostra gonna in pelle. Non sarà necessario cucire nulla perchè la pelle non sfila e questo la rende una perfetta materia prima per i nostri fashion diy.

Fashion week looks from the streets

Audrey Hepburn looking jealous of the studded clutch this man is wearing

shoes chatting about latest trends

 Milano fashion week lands today and some of the biggest names of fashion will walk down the runway. I promise to keep my eyes opened fo you to spot trendy DIY ideas. Today I would like to share with you some streetstyle looks I snapped in Milan (pretenting to be Scott Schuman ) last september during fashion week . 

La settimana della moda milanese è ai nastri di partenza. Da oggi fino al 28 Febbraio alcuni degli stilisti più famosi del globo sfileranno sulla passerella e io prometto di tenere gli occhi aperti per individuare i più trendy diy. Oggi vorrei condividere con voi qualche look che ho immortalato (fingendo di essere Scott Schuman) lo scorso settembre a Milano durante la fashion week .

Versace show

Believe it or not, this unexpected pop of color walking down the street is Anna Dello Russo. I know it's not a great pic but she's the fastest fashion vision you can encounter. She was literally running in high heels from a show to another and I wasn't fast enough to catch her.

these are a pair of Etro pants

at Marras show - Marras

Moschino invitation card was a lovely fan

at Moschino

pirate loafers

Marni for H&M inspired necklace DIY

Marni for H&M on Vogue Russia

Another H&M designer collaboration wll hit the stores on 8th of March. It's the turn of Marni a sophisticated luxury italian brand. H&M abandons the big names of the fashion industry known by the masses and chooses an intellectual fashion house. We could say that H&M goes radical chic in fact it also picks Sofia Coppola to direct the tv commercial. Marni is known for prints and patterns with a vintage feel and for big statement jewels. The collection designed for H&M has Marni written all over it. It's tribal, vintage and also bohemian and bauhaus. The full lookbook has been disclosed only a few days ago.
See the full Marni for H&M lookbook here. Will you queue outside H&M stores?

Now let's get back to today's diy project. I think that  jewelry is the best part of  this Marni collection.   Every piece looks like a 70's jewel and it's either in wood or in plastic. The plastic leaves necklace you see above are my favorites.  I can make a similar one with just a lighter and an empty bottle. See how I made it.

H&M continua la sua collaborazione con i grandi brand e l'8 marzo sarà il turno di Marni. H&M abbandona i grandi nomi del fashion industry conosciuti dal grande pubblico e sceglie invece un brand di nicchia e più intellettuale. Potremmo dire che quella del colosso svedese sia una scelta radical chic sottolineata anche dal nome di Sofia Coppola scelta per la regia dello spot. Marni è conosciuto per le sue stampe dal sapore vintage e i grandi gioielli e la collezione disegnata per H&M rispetta il dna della maison. Si potrebbe definire una collezione dal sapore vintage con influenze tribali,  sia bohemien che bauhaus. Il lookbook completo è stato svelato da poco, cliccate qui per vederlo. La collezione sarà disponibile solo in negozi selezionati. Che dite? Farete la fila fuori?

Ma torniamo alla collana diy di oggi. A mio parere i gioielli sono la parte migliore di questa collaborazione. Sono tutti molto vistosi  in legno o in plastica, in particolare la collana in foglie arancioni qui in alto è la mia preferita. Possiamo realizzarne una simile con una bottiglia in plastica e un accendino. Vediamo come.

A colored bottle

I didn't care what was inside the bottle, I picked this orange juice only for the color of the bottle (is it weird?).

By the way get a plastic bottle. 

Scegliete una bottiglia di plastica

empty it and cut it

vuotatela e tagliatela

Cut out a leaf shape and get a lighter

Ritagliate una foglia e prendete un accendino

Now this is the fun part: warm up the plastic leaf with the lighter. Keep it a little far from it. You'll see the plastic leaf bend and become tridimensional. It will look much more like a real leaf. These 3d leaves will add volume to the statament necklace.

Ecco la parte divertente: scaldate la foglia con l'accendino mantenendolo ad una certa distanza. Vedrete la plastica piegarsi e assumere un aspetto tridimensionale che servirà a dare volume alla collana. In più otterrete una foglia molto realistica.

here's the first leaf
ecco come appare la prima foglia

Cut the bottle in pieces
Ora ritagliate tutta la bottiglia

Curl all the pieces
e piegate tutte le foglie

Insert one leaf after another
Infilatele una dietro l'altra in un filo

these are three layers 
qui in alto tre strati sovrapposti di foglie

I then added a couple of beads and then I finished the necklace with  thread and crochet using the romanian macramè technique I used in the Stella MCartney diy dress.

Ho aggiunto un paio di perline ed ho ultimato la collana con  filo e l'uncinetto realizzando la fettuccia rumena che già ho utilizzato nel vestito diy di Stella MCartney.

Cats and Dogs Can Coexist

As animal lovers we have had an assortment of pets throughout the years but cats and dogs have been the primary choice when it came to our 4 legged children. Having deciding early on to only adopt rescue animals, we often had behavior issues to address before peace would reign.
When you are introducing new members to your home there are facts that must be considered. Dogs are territorial and will often be aggressive to any new addition to their home. Cats have the same tendencies and will fight to defend their territories and mark their spaces to show their dominance.

There Is Hope

It is a challenge to get dogs and cats to coexist but it can be done with time and patience. The usual process is to separate the two physically however this is not a practical long term solution. Though caging and closed rooms can be used in the beginning for safety, creating a plan of action for new behaviors can help you achieve harmony with time and practice.

The First Steps

Obedience in the most important factor when introducing your older pets to the newest member. Both cats and dogs can be taught basic commands and NO must be understood immediately. Chances are your new pet will understand the command by word or by tone but it can also be reemphasized with treats and affection.

While the older pets are contained, allow the new pet to slowly acclimatize themselves to the new surroundings and smells. By letting them wander on their own for short periods, they can scatter their own scent within the home which allows the other to become familiar to the new scent.
Once the new pet is secured, allow the older pet to investigate and aquaint themselves to the new scents and reward them positively for acceptable behavior. This stage may take some time for both cats and dogs to adjust but the more they feel safe the faster the process.

The Introduction

Once you see signs of acceptance you can introduce physical contact. With each pet being held securely and only when they are calm in each other's presence, you can allow them to sniff each other. Be ready to correct negative behavior and offer protection from aggression swiftly.
By repeating this process often and increasing the time in each other's company, they will begin to learn to adapt to the new situation.

Dogs are pack animals and are happy to be with their families and though cats are aloof, they too enjoy affection from their owners. In time you will begin to see that your dog and cat can coexist peacefully without fear or aggression.

You may find they become the best of friends and they may agree to give each other a wide berth. Whatever the case, you can teach both dogs and cats to be comfortable in their new home safely.

Got a burning question about making pottery for fun? Grandpa Gord and Grandma Gertie put a sensible spin on expert advice, with a little humor thrown into the mix. We cover topics ranging from pets to parenting, careers to hobbies, relationships to lifestyle, finances to food, and everything in between. Visit us at SensibleGuides.com for some simple and straight from the hip advice from people who've been around the block a few times.

Stella MCartney inspired cut out dress with wavy hem DIY

Yesterday we talked about wavy hems and how they are trending this spring. I really appreciated how Stella MCartney incorporated curled hems in her spring 2012 collection. Today I'll show you how to diy a similar dress cutting out one you already own. I will also show you a crochet technique to make a cord I used to decorate the dress: it's called the romanian cord (or european macramè).

Start with a long sleeve dress. I made my dress from scratch because I had a very cute piece of fabric that was perfect for this project. The project is all about cutting out so a dress you already own will be fine.
Ready to start? Follow me after the jump.

I put my dress on my diy dress form (or just wear the dress). Highlighted in the pic you can see the part of the fabric you have to cut it out. Start cutting on the shoulders, 1 inch far from the neckline, cut off the cleavage untill the armhole. Also cut off one sleeve.

This is how the neckline looks once cut

Now let's cut the wavy hem.

This is how the dress should look once cut

 Now let's decorate it! Stella MCartney's dress is heavy embroidered along the neckline and along the hem. To imitate this embroidery I made a few meters of crochet cord (but you can also buy a cord or a cute trim). This cord is called romanian cord (or european macramè) and it's easy to do if you know the basics of crochet, click on this link to learn how to do the romanian cord.

this is how the romanian cord looks like

I pinned the cord over the dress then I sewed it

And this is how the embroidery looks like when done.

And this is how the dress looks once finished.
I hope you liked this tutorial, happy Sunday!
See other diy cloths here.