Author: Charles Michel

Fireplaces are wonderful during the cold winter months when most of us just feel numbed by the cold. They warm our whole body within a few minutes and provide the perfect opportunity for the entire family to gather around with stories about their day. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the United States noted this and between 1933 and 1944 he presented his views on important issues in weekly radio segments that he named ‘fireside chats’. The unfortunate reality, however, is that few of us have a house or apartment large enough to justify installing a fireplace. The other point to…

Gone are the days when expensive, huge furniture, decor and appliances where the norm. Today, when it comes to home decor, more and more people are opting for a more casual, simple and functional look. You need to create a living space that is welcoming and cosy, not big, open and intimidating. These days less is more in home decor. People want a more casual and easy lifestyle, while still maintaining the creature comforts and upscale amenities that go along with it. Here are some current trends that home owners seem to be enjoying:

Shopping online has become a norm to many people wanting to avoid the crowds of the malls and enjoy various discounts and specials offered online. Not only that, many people enjoy shopping online because it allows you to shop at your own pace and do extensive price comparisons. Unfortunately, if you are not careful, online shopping can be expensive. But there are ways to save money while shopping online.

Lounge furniture can often end up costing far more than what most of us are willing to spend on furniture. Some people prefer to spend as little as possible on the furniture that they’ll use in their lounge area; others are eager to find the most perfect sofa on which they can spend many happy hours playing video games.

A diamond appraisal is used to determine the value of a specific gem. Usually, during a diamond exchange, the diamond is appraised so you can check its worth. Diamond appraisal involves the use of four main criteria also known as the Four C’s – carat, clarity, colour and cut.

If you have decided to choose 4×4 hire in South Africa to get around, then you will already be aware of the wide range of benefits that self-drive travel has to offer both tourists and locals visiting from various parts of the country. Many travellers choose the 4×4 hire option as a flexible and rewarding alternative to traditional tours. With so many world-class destinations across South Africa, self-drive allows you to see and do a wide variety of things, from off-road trails in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, to explorations into the stunning Garden Route, or even eco-trails in Gauteng; you…

You will be surprised at how popular pet insurance is becoming. More and more people are discovering the value a pet can bring to their lives. With this in mind, pet insurance is a valid option for those looking out for the health and well being of their pet. But exactly how much does dog health insurance cost and are you able to afford it?

Fewer than 1 percent of all pets have health insurance. The reasons for this low number are fear, ignorance and a laissez-faire attitude towards the wellbeing of their pets. But it is important that pet be insured against the possibility – sometimes the inevitability – of falling ill or getting run over by a speeding car.

There is no doubt that luxury car hire in Johannesburg gives you a chance to experience the thrill of your lifetime. Whether you are seeking a special vehicle for a special occasion, or money is no object and you need the best possible car for the duration of your trip to Johannesburg, now anyone can cruise through the streets of Sandton, Mellville or even Benoni in a powerful status car. Just about every car you could imagine is available for hire, from steamlined Porsche Boxters to state-of-the-art Ferraris or sleek Mercedes SLKs. For those who prefer to venture off-road, you…

Like many human insurance policies, a good pet insurance can provide you with the peace of mind in knowing that should something happen to your beloved pet, you have the ways and means of getting it the proper health care that it deserves. Good pet insurance should cover your pet for various medical treatments as well as lab fees, x-rays, prescription medications, and even surgeries. Some pet insurance packages may even include office visits and general procedures as well. But due to the wide range of pet insurance packages available, you need to check to make sure everything you want…