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Decorating Tip: Buy a bigger bed sheet
The size of the mattress is important to consider before purchasing linens. If you have a thick mattress, you should look for a fitted sheet with extra-deep pockets. Before making a purchase, ask if the linens are oversized to allow for shrinkage. Wash after wash, this will help ensure a perfect fit.
-- HGTV/ Scripps Howard News Service
Home-Selling Tip: Tall, mature trees
Flower beds and shrubs are nice, but tall, mature trees encasing a house is better. Surveys show that mature trees can not only raise the value of a house but help it sell faster. That's because people like the privacy that mature trees can provide, and FrontDoor.com says they provide the "ultimate curb appeal." Buying mature trees and having them planted around your house may be a big investment, but it also may be well worth the price.
Going Green: Budweiser says Grow One
Budweiser has launched a campaign called Grow One, encouraging men to grow a beard as long as they can and, in the process, save water. According to the campaign's Facebook page, the average shave uses between 3 and 10 gallons of water. Earth911.com had eight of their staffers forego shaves for 14 days, and they estimate they saved around 560 gallons of water over that time.
Did You Know …
The national median existing-home price for all housing types jumped 10.1 percent to $177,400 in April from a year ago. -- Realtor.org
New Product: Sony’s waterproof camcorder
Sony recently revealed the HDR-GW77V full-size camcorder, which the company says is waterproof and shockproof. Sony claims the camcorder can withstand an underwater depth of up to 16 feet as well as a drop of 5 feet on land. Plus, it can capture 20-megapixel still photos, and it has GPS, built-in flash and "Sony's sweep panorama feature," says Consumer Reports Electronics Blog.
Garden Guide: Enjoy an evening show
Gardens are often best enjoyed in the evening as a calming refuge after a day of work.
"Why not plan and plant for this time of day?" said University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Martha Smith. "Choose a garden site that is easily viewed from a comfortable spot, such as your favorite chair on your deck or a rocker on a porch."
Colors are important for an evening garden. Select plants that will give the best show from 6 p.m. until nightfall. Dark, cool colors such as purple and deep blue will be lost at dusk, but light colors will take on a luminescent quality. White, cream, or yellow will pop out. Pale pinks and blues also work but should be placed adjacent to lighter colors or against white fencing to accent the contrast.
GateHouse News Service
