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Article written by Lisa M. Krieger
Digital 3-D renderings of Earth are the backdrop for everything from computer games like "Grand Theft Auto" and Hollywood films like "Enemy of the State" to mortal combat simulation in Iraq.
This new technology permits astonishingly precise measurements of buildings, roads, waterways, coastlines and even vegetation, right down to individual plants. Its attention to detail is so accurate that thousands of tiny windows on skyscrapers seem to show "reflections" and the bricks holding the Statute of Liberty show detailed textures.
Avideh Zakhor, a UC Berkeley professor of electrical engineering, is the brains behind these realistic visualizations.
"I call it 'reality capture,' " she said. "You're trying to capture what's out there in the real world…and create a representation of that so others can feel they're in that same space."
To test her technology, Zakhor had a novel idea. "Why not put all these sensors on top of a truck, drive around, acquire all the signals, images and videos and laser scans and make 3-D models of the real world of everything that is outside?" she wondered. So her team's sensor-equipped car drove the streets of Berkeley, creating a 3-D model of the city. Her technology was licensed by Google in 2007 to help produce its 3-D Google Earth.
Now anyone can navigate through lifelike "virtual" settings – prowling Parisian parks, exploring ruins in Cambodian jungles or fighting zombies in alien landscapes.
But there's a big problem in this approach to imaging: it only works outdoors.
It uses GPS, which relies on a series of satellites to identify where it's physically located – and satellite signals are carried through waves at a frequency that doesn't pass through solid objects like walls. That's why, when you use a GPS inside a building, the device can't pinpoint your location accurately.
There are other ways to image interiors, like using laser devices that measure distances across walls and then assembles them. But those take time – 30 to 40 minutes for a small room, said Zakhor. "A whole building could take a week to scan."
Zakhor had a different idea. She created a portable, laser backpack for 3-D mapping that creates fast, automatic and realistic inside images. It collects thousands of data points, then stitches them together with the system's custom-built software, using fancy mathematical algorithms, into a 3-D model.
Inside the 30-pound backpack are high-tech laser cameras and scanners, which collect all of the information.
"It's a way of documenting a building in a very fast way," she said.
She was stymied by how to identify the position of the backpack indoors – an essential part of image localization. They ended up relying on a technique used in robotics, called SLAM (for "simultaneous localization and mapping".) A combination of good sensors and good algorithms, it can find the backpack, construct a map and then build the 3-D models.
"Localizing the backpack – that took awhile," she said. "We had to try many different things. You tried one thing doesn't work, what if you try that other thing."
They also had to tweak the backpack so it wasn't so big and bulky, removing some components.
Now she dreams of many different ways her stripped-down 3-D backpack could be used. It could help during construction, for instance, if a plumber sees that an electrician's wires are in the way of his pipes. It could be used in commercial real estate sales – agents could explore a property without actually visiting it. If the backpack has an energy sensor, it could measure everything emitted by lights. It could create drawings of ancient buildings that no longer have blueprints.
In fact, companies like Google are putting simplified, consumer-grade versions of the backpack's 3-D mapping algorithm into phones, allowing users to create 3-D maps of rooms and other interior environments. It doesn't have the customizability or the accuracy of the backpack, but it's still an impressive feat to have that 3-D mapping power in your mobile phone.
Zakhor is particularly excited by the backpack's potential to save lives during fires or earthquakes.
"First responders can figure out, when they get to a site, their plan of attack in terms of rescuing people," she said. "It allows you to do much more methodical planning of how you send your people inside a collapsed building to rescue people…which staircases are connected to floors, where all the sprinklers are, or where the emergency exits are."
Someday it could test the health of our interior spaces, if loaded with air-quality sensors that measure things like atmospheric pressure, carbon dioxide, air temperature and particulate levels.
"The beauty of the backpack," she said, "is that, as I'm walking through, I collect as many signals as I possibly can."


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How to Create a full Backup in Windows 8.1
In this post, I will show you how you can perform a full system backup of Windows 8.1 with built-in backup features and tools. Maybe you don't know it, but Windows 8 as well as Windows 7 has a built in bare-metal Backup & Recovery options for you to use. In Windows 8 these features can be a bit tricky to find, but I will show you where you find them and how you use them.
I use those built-in features myself, to create backups of my home computer. I have a large, cheap SATA HDD in an eSATA dock station standing on my desk. When I think it is time to make a backup of my system, I turn it on and start the backup procedure.
One of the cool thing about this solution, other than it is built-in and free, is that I can keep on working on my computer, while the backup is running. That is because this backup feature is using Shadow copies, making a snapshot of the system, as it was when I started the backup. Another great feature is that it makes incremental backups, meaning that it does not need to make a full backup each time. It can just takes the changes since the last backup I made. That gives me multiple backup versions to choose from. One thing that has changed in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is the ability to restore single files from a system image backup. The restore of file items has been removed. Instead, you can turn on a new feature called File History, to keep a backup of your pictures, music, documents and videos. See more info about Windows 8.1 Backup and Restore options here.
Where do I find Windows 8 Backup utility?
See that feature has been hidden very well in Windows 8/Windows 8.1. I am not sure why Microsoft have made so hard to find this feature, but you will need to enter the Control panel and enter File History. It does not make much sense to put it in there, but that is where you fill find it. To be honest it took me a while to find it.
In the lower left corner you find System Image Backup.
How Does Full backup works in Windows 8
The backup feature in Windows 8.1 works pretty much the same way as in Windows 7, first you have found it 😉 You can chose to backup to another hard drive, to DVD or to a Network location. It is still not possible to do a schedule backup.
Demo of Windows 8 System image Backup and Restore
I have created a little demonstration video on how it works. In the end of this video, I will even show you how you can use a PowerShell command-line command to execute the backup process.
Please drop me a comment below, if you have any questions or just a comment to Windows 8.1 System Image Backup and recovery.
9 Responses to How to Create a full Backup in Windows 8.1
This was a very helpful post.
In case you lose your data then you can restore that if you have backup for that.
Amazing Post. Will share it on social media so that others can also prevent Data Loss.
Thanks for Posting this Article!
Can i use this backup on Windows 7 or XP ? Because Windows 8 Lags in my PC when i install some applications so i planned to switch back to 7.
Hi Thomas, very useful techy post like always! i was busy creating a WordPress theme and i will be glad if you check it. It will be available soon in the wordpress.org directory.
Hi Thomas
The article was very helpful as i have recently switch from OS X to Windows i had no idea about any of the things related to Windows and this post was very helpful for me to create backup on my Windows 8.1 PC
Thank You
Hi, this is very useful article for me. Keep posting such articles. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the article… I did alot of search about this because i wanna create my windows backup too.. this page helped alot
Hi all,,,
This is a great share of information. I really liked the above information.I would like to add the following points-
1- Right-click the Start button and launch Control Panel.
2- Click File History.
3- While in File History, click the System Image Backup link in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
4- Connect an external USB hard drive with enough free space.
5- In the backup wizard, you'll be prompted to choose from one of the three options to save the backup. For this example, we are going select the hard drive you just connected.
The loss of data also leads to inconvenience. But now there are many data recovery companies which can solve your data in no time, These companies have efficient engineers for effective data rescue.
Commming back to back up of windows 8.1, keep in mind that you can backup to DVD blanks and a network share, but these options will slow down the backup process.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nonpareil haul and lipstick swatches
My haul consisted of mainly NYX products because I think the products are awesome but of course us Aussies don't get it here. It took a while to reach me - nearly 3 weeks which is what they tell you to expect - but other packages I've ordered from the States have only taken about 5days to get here. Nonetheless they reached me in the end and I was very please to find that the items were really really well packaged as you can see in the pic below. It was layer upon layer of bubble wrap!!
Here's what I hauled!
NYX Individual false lashes #137 and NYX Liquid eyeliner in black:
NYX 5 Colour shadow in I Dream of Jamaica. I plan on depotting these into my MAC palette some time hopefully.
NYX blushes in Mosaic Powder blush in Dare; Rouge Cream blush in Rose Petal and Powder blush in Peach:
NYX lipsticks in Summer Love; Snow White; Thalia and Wet n Wild lipstick in Retro Pink:
I decided to swatch these and I can't wait to wear them out! They applied quite smoothly and the texture is quite creamy. The scent is not too bad and at less than $2 you can't go wrong!
Summer Love - a pretty nude, great for everyday wear I think.
Thalia - a nice plummy colour with hints of brown.
Snow White - my 1st red lippie! I'm not sure if I can pull off such red lips though, maybe for a party with lashings of black eyeliner. It definitely needs to be applied with a lip brush for a perfect Snow White pout! Sorry for the very messy swatch =p
Retro Pink - a great hot pink lippie. I saw this shade on Krissy's blog and I just had to have it!
What have you hauled lately? Don't forget to enter my 50 followers giveaway HERE!
6 comments:
I really like ur NYX collection, unfortunately, this brand doesnt exist in the Asian regions, and altho now that I live in the UK, it doesn't mean that I can buy everything 100% that's provided in the cosmetic line :( I found they hv some really nice false lashes that's worth tryin too, wt do u think?ReplyDelete
Wooooow. Great stuff. :)ReplyDelete
Great Haul! I am drooling over those blushersReplyDelete
Aww yay you hauled on NP boutique :D Thats weird it took ages to get to you, it only took a week to get to me!ReplyDelete
Great haul, I'm glad you liked retro pink! And the mosaic blushes are also really good...I've got 2 and theyre my most used blushes...soo good for the price!
@Ronnie: Thanks Ronnie! I'm getting quite a collection now, the blushes are awesome. Yeah it sucks that you can't get it in Asia or even the full range in the UK. Thankfully there are online sites like Nonpareil! But it's not so good for the wallet haha.ReplyDelete
These are my 1st NYX falsies but I've heard they are very good too. Let me know if there are styles that are particularly good!
@Tassa: Thanks Tassa! I would have ordered more but I restrained myself =pReplyDelete
@Winnie: You should definitely haul some yourself! The blushes are so good and for such a good price. You can't go wrong!
@Krissy: Yep I finally did! I read your reviews and just had to buy during their sale. Yeah it took aaages but that's Aus Post for you I think.
I tried the mosaic blush out today and I agree it's good! Must haul some more at their next sale hehe.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment! I love reading your feedback and suggestions and truly appreciate each and every comment. I try to respond to all my questions as soon as I can in the comments so make sure to check back later.


text: This elegant and sophisticated four-bedroom apartment in an ultra-premium Mumbai development is a fine example of plush modern living. Designed for a family of four, the flat effortlessly balances luxury, comfort and practicality, with beautifully detailed custom furniture, expertly selected finishes, and dramatic accents. Here, luxury stone elements are balanced with rich and warm wood veneers that create a more wholesome composition.


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Why Every Kid in America Doesn't Need to Be Educated
Why do we spend so much money on education? I think a lot of people would answer, "Because educating our kids is important." Really? Why?
There are a lot of problems with teachers' unions, whose goals are to make sure we get the least amount of education for the most amount of money, but the problems don't start with them. Just look at the whole system we set up. We have 7.2 million teachers in this country and about 76 million students. Children are taught for 13 years in grade school, and many people want everyone to get at least 4 years of college on top of that. And what exactly do we get out of all this? If someone told me I was going to spend the next 17 years just studying, I'd expect at the end of it all to be Batman -- a master of all sciences, languages, and martial arts. We're lucky if our kids come out of this able to read and with at least one marketable skill.
So what is our goal with all this? It's like we envision a future where we all just sit around and be all educated and smart while robots or illegal Mexicans do all the real work. But do we really want all of us to be a bunch of educated people who never do anything useful -- like the Obama administration but for the whole country? Anyway, it's not going to happen. The future still needs people to cook, clean, and manufacture goods -- and it doesn't take a decade of education in math and science to be able to do those things. So why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars to make sure every fry cook at one point in his life knew what a gerund is?
Is there a benefit to educating everybody regardless of actual need? We keep hearing that we're falling behind the rest of the world in our average math and science scores, but let's look at some of the countries ahead of us: Finland, Lichtenstein, the Czech Republic. I'm sorry, but did I miss all the huge technological innovations that came out of these countries? China is also ahead of us in test scores, but they haven't even figured out how not to put lead paint on children's toys. What exactly are high average test scores worth? If a bank teller can properly identify the parts of a cell, this helps society how? Or do we just think that kids sitting in classrooms throughout childhood makes them better people? Well, Jesus didn't spend his childhood in a school, but know who did? Hitler.


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UMW: Dorcas Meeting
Second Wednesday, Fourth Wednesday of the month, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The Dorcas Sewing Circle is a group of the United Methodist Women. This group create handmade items like lap robes for local nursing homes and clothing for children in Haiti. No sewing experience is necessary. You may always help with sorting, cutting and other tasks.


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James Rumsey Robotics Camp
Date: July 12 – 13, July 19 – 20, July 30-31
Location: James Rumsey Technical Institute (JRTI) Room A8 – Robotics Lab
Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Participants: Incoming 8th, 9th or 10th Grade Students
Limited Class: 16 Students
Cost: 2 – day $60; 4 – day $110; 6 – day $150 (registration online at http://www.jamesrumsey.com)
Transportation: Parental Responsibility
Lunch: Student Packs Lunch
Course Description: Students will be immersed in three 2-day workshops that are designed to introduce the student to a snapshot of the complete two-year program that is covered at JRTI. Students will spend time understanding shop safety, 3 D modeling, 3 – D printing, engineering journaling, robot design and build, virtual programming, and robotic programming. The class culminates with an actual competition that is modeled after the VEX competition that the "Tri-County Robotics Afterschool Program" are involved in on a yearly basis. Parents will be invited to the competition on July 31, 2018. The time for the competition will be announced once we have met the minimum requirements for student enrollment.
Each day students will be led by an instructor, along with current and former students. Your student will have an opportunity to design, print and keep a small 3-D model (this will take place in first session). They will receive JRTI email accounts and gain access to all Google educational apps. Additionally, students should come with k12 accounts that should have been given to all students through their home schools**. At the competition, students will compete for the opportunity to be invited to participate with the high school VEX team the following year, which includes after school builds and competitive events throughout the year.
A syllabus for each session will be emailed to all participants one week prior to the scheduled start time. In the event we have more than 16 students interested in the program, there will be a short assessment that covers math, locating information and an informal interview with the instructor. On competition day, anybody visiting should bring a bag lunch. Students need to pack lunch daily.
REMEMBER A minimum of 10 students will be needed to make the BOOT CAMP happen so sign up today. You do not have to make all the sessions, only those sessions with at least 10 will be held.
SIGN UP at http://www.jamesrumsey.com
**k12 accounts should be obtained through your school's Technical Integrated Specialist before summer break, If your student is home schooled please contact your local school for this information.Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/biGySx


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Who do you know who uses energy?
Today is the perfect day to take advantage of a powerful opportunity. As an Energy Associate, you can build a simple and rewarding business by helping all the people in your life choose affordable green energy, all at no cost to them.
As you sign up customers and build a team that does the same, you can create a residual income that makes a real difference in your life and the lives of others, all while having a huge positive effect on the environment.
We've created an award-winning business, an industry-leading compensation plan and unparalleled tools and support. Plus, we have a community of successful and inspiring leaders ready to help you reach your business goals.
How much can you earn?
Your income potential is virtually unlimited. When you become a Associate, you'll get paid for every customer you sign up for every month that person remains a customer. You'll get paid even more when those you sponsor to become Associates sign up customers in their organizations. As you build your business and expand your reach, your compensation will grow as you advance through the leadership ranks.
You have the opportunity to forge a future where you are in control of your success and your income potential, as part of a company that is actively working to make a difference, both in the lives of people involved as well as the world around us.
If you have further questions, would like more information, or would like to discuss your future in the energy business, just fill out the quick form below:
I will personally respond to your request within 24 hours, by email or phone.


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- in Home Deals by Amee
Bedding Deal: Monogrammed Giovanni Egyptian Comfort-Sheet Set $35 Shipped!
Bedding Deal
Need a new bedding for your bedroom or for wedding or house warming present? Hurry and grab this chance to pay only $35 for Monogrammed Giovanni Egyptian Comfort-Sheet Set (Up to $189 List Price)! Resistant to wrinkles and shrinking, the sheets also include wicking properties that keep sleepers relaxed and dry.
- Each set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases
- Available sizes: full, queen, king, or california king
- Available colors: beige, caramel, charcoal, chocolate, gold, navy, plum, sage, sky, taupe, white, or wine
- Free shipping
Microfiber set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases
Monogram sheets with a single initial, be it yours, your spouse's, or even that of Fred Savage, star of The Wonder Years
Wicking properties to keep you relaxed and dry
Breathes nearly 50% better than cotton
Transfers body heat up to two times better than traditional bedding or cardboard boxes
Optimum fade, wrinkle, and shrink resistance
Machine wash and dry


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- Bench press
- The 12 most common bench press mistakes
- 3 exercises to help you beat your bench press record
- All about bench press
- Do the bench press correctly
- Dumbbell Bench Press: another technique
- Dumbbell Bench Press
- Bench press lying in an inclination of 30 and 45 degrees
- Narrow grip bench press
- Bench press variations
- Classes on a bench for a bench press done at home
- The perfect bench press - technique and options
- How to shake 150 kg or all about the bench press technique
- How to increase bench press
- What exercise do you need to do after the bench press
- Lying bench press
- Standard bench press - execution technique
- Leg muscles
- 3 simple and EFFECTIVE exercises for leg muscles
- 9 static exercises for legs, buttocks and hips. Slimming and strengthening ligaments and muscles
- Getting ready for spring. A set of exercises for the muscles of the abdomen and legs
- We make beautiful legs. Exercises for the calf muscles.
- We make the legs chiseled. Thigh exercises
- Home Leg Muscle Trainer
- If muscles begin to hurt in the legs
- How to strengthen leg muscles and not harm joints
- Better than squats. 5 exercises to strengthen leg muscles
- Swing feet. What muscles work and execution technique
- Several ways to pump leg muscles
- Simple exercises to strengthen leg muscles
- Developing Leg Muscles - Top 3 Best Exercises
- Statodynamics for the muscles of the legs and back. From talking to practice
- Leg cramps are the causes of contraction and spasm of the muscles of the lower extremities. How to get rid of leg cramps
- Exercise strengthens the lower back, leg muscles, tightens the buttocks.
- Exercises to strengthen leg muscles
- Leg exercises
- Squats
- 10 Ways To Improve Your Barbell Squats
- 4 reasons to start doing squats with a pause
- Choose between barbell and hack squats
- Dan John. Overhead Squats
- BEST STRENGTH EXERCISES BODY DRAWBAGS, BARBAR SESSIONS, Dumbbells
- Zercher squats with a bar - technique and benefit
- Squatting on a box with a barbell - the benefits of exercise, technique
- Squats with a barbell - on the shoulders, chest and over the head
- Barbell Squats to pump legs
- Shoulder Squats - Exercise Technique
- Overhead Squats: new findings
- Squats: Muscle and Joint function
- Chechen sets world record for barbell squats
- Cut belly fat
- 10 REAL ways to remove fat from the abdomen, back and sides
- 12 ways to remove a pout without any abdominal exercises
- 7 easy ways to clean your stomach without diets and a gym
- Eggplant water helps remove belly fat
- Diet to quickly remove the stomach and sides
- How to quickly remove a beer belly and sides to a man
- How to use a towel to remove your stomach and straighten your back
- How to clean your stomach in a week
- How to clean the stomach after childbirth
- How to clean your stomach with clothes, diet and exercise
- How to remove the stomach. Rules, Tips
- How to remove fat from the sides and abdomen with exercise
- How to remove fat from the abdomen to a man quickly
- How to remove fat from the abdomen
- How to remove the lower abdomen quickly and efficiently - the methods of the most slender and sports
- How to remove a sagging stomach after childbirth - at home
- Flat stomach, remove fat from the abdomen
- Flat and fit. 9 Tips to Clean Your Belly with Nutrition
- To remove a big belly in 1-2 weeks
- Remove belly. 7 super exercises
15–20 reps Initial position abdomen sides back straight barbell chest barbell over bench press bench press need between sets between sets minute calf muscles correct execution correct execution technique execution technique exercises strengthen from abdomen knee joints lose weight lower back lower extremities muscle groups outstretched arms pectoral muscles press need remove from remove stomach same time squats with squats with barbell starting position stomach sides this exercise this position weight loss will help will need with barbell with barbell over with your working weight your back your head your legs your stomach
gastric juice
12 ways to remove a pout without any abdominal exercises
Bulging belly - one of manifestations of bloating, which itself itself is a natural process of the body. AT normal condition about 1 liter of stomach and intestines a...


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Our team at Medical Cannabis oils have put this article together to highlight the clear health benefits of cannabis oil South Africa. Cannabis is one of the most popular herbs in existence. However, the benefits of its oil are not known to many. Truth is it can be very beneficial to your body. This article enlightens you more on these health benefits to help you remain healthy beautiful and strong.
This is the most popular and well-known health benefit of cannabis medical oil South Africa. The compound found in marijuana for instance THC, which gives the plant drug distinction in many countries are essential for releasing pressure hormones as well as relaxing the mind. Additionally, THC induces a sense of calmness and relaxation.
Sleep issues
For people suffering from insomnia or simply struggle to get a sound and restful night of unobstructed sleep, cannabis medical oil South Africa will work for you like a charm. By relaxing your mind and the body, followed by an induction of lower energy level, your heart beat rate will be reduced. This will result in reduced thoughts in your head, therefore ushering in peaceful slumber.
Cancer killer
Managing cancer which is one of the most deadly terminal diseases is one of the greatest health benefits of cannabis oil. Its compounds like THC and CBD are excellent anti-cancer treatments. This oil is also known to give the cancer patient a healthy option free from the side effect associated with chemotherapy and other radiations treatments. Therefore, making use of cannabis oil can cover you from this deadly disease.
It boosts brain cells development
According to recent studies, cannabis medical oil South Africa is capable of promoting brain development and enhancement. This is the main reason why cannabis medicinal oil is essential for the treatment of conditions like ADHD, Parkinson's, and autism among other conditions. This means that proper use of cannabis oil can help to curb the above conditions.
Appetite booster
Cannabis oil can standardize your appetite and induce hunger. This is because cannabis oil stimulates your digestive track to operate at a more regular level. This can be very vital for people who want to gain weight quickly especially after a long illness or injury.
Pain reliever
Cannabis medical oil works as an excellent pain reliever. This is why it is suggested to people with chronic pain, inflammation, and emergency pains. This is why people suffering from cancer turn to the cannabis related options like cannabis medical oil, especially when the pain becomes unbearable.
The above are benefits of cannabis medical oil South Africa. Therefore making proper use of the oil will have an array benefit to your body. Try it today.


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Hello hello!
A second post today, that barely never happens for me! But I'm trying to post as many OPI polishes as I can before October is done. I won't get them all so I'll have to finish in November, but that's okay.
Moving on with OPI October, The Living Daylights was part of the Holiday 2012 Skyfall Collection. Any James Bond fans in the house? 🙂
Let's take a closer look at these glitters…
It has a wide and thin brush that works well.
I thought this glitter mix only had 3 colours in it, hence the nail art that I did with it, but looking at it up close I can see 4 colours: teal, copper, gold and silver. From a normal distance the gold and silver look the same.
On my ring finger I have 3 coats of The Living Daylights (yes, 3). And I tried to be creative on my other fingers. I then topped it all with a top coat to smooth out the glitters.
I wore this over OPI "San Tan-Tonio".
I'm not quite sure why I bought this one because the glitter mix is not really my kind of colours. Well the teal and silver are, but not the copper and gold. However, it works for nail polish jewellery – that I will post in my shop soon!
For some reason I always think of zombies with the name The Living Daylights, probably because of The Living Dead. Is it the same for you? Or will it now be since I mentioned it? 🙂
Did you get this one, or any other polish from the Skyfall collection?
– Chantal 🙂
OPI is a staple brand in many salons and spas, and can be found in many home collections as well. This October is all about sharing your OPI stash. Be sure to head over to Chantal's Corner, KalynLord.com, and Scarlet Beauty for all their swatches! Don't forget to play along by tagging your own manicures with the #OPIOctober tag!
Computer geek by day and super mom by night, Chantal loves to try products of any kind and share her thoughts with the world.


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For a percussionist especially, soundproofing a home studio can be an ongoing saga–and Andrew's drumset studio here at Summerglen is no exception. Generally, the sound quality in the studio is good, but the house in general doesn't have much insulation, which leads to lots of sound bleeding outside when Andrew plays. (Our place was built [...]
Insulating the Studio
May 20th, 2008 · No Comments
Tags: a day in the life · Summerglen News


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We've moved!
This donation page is on the old Big Give website. Please go to theBigGive.org.uk to find current campaigns and opportunities to double your donation.
If you have any queries on the changes, please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Project information
Protecting Animals at Christmas
Each year, reindeer, penguins and other animals are transported across the country to be displayed at Christmas events, under bright lights and in front of noisy crowds. Protecting Animals at Christmas seeks an end to animals being used for our entertainment.
February 2018 - September 2018
Charity information: Freedom for Animals
Events that use animals for public display are sadly on the rise. Our work has highlighted serious welfare concerns for animals used in such events, including: stress during transportation; being displayed for hours at a time with nowhere to retreat; being made to 'perform'; and visible signs of distress during handling. A supplier has even spoken out against the importation of reindeer to the UK, stating that they are not suited to captivity and suffer in our climate.
We will work directly with local authorities, supporting and empowering them to ban companies who use animals in entertainment from running Christmas events on their land.
Through reducing the locations in which such companies can operate, we hope to directly impact the number of events run and the number of animals who are currently exploited. Ultimately, we wish to see an end to such events and the suffering that they cause.
Aim 1
Raising awareness with all councils in England about issues surrounding Christmas animal events
Activities» Develop evidence-based resource packs, detailing key animal welfare concerns as well as alternatives to animal events
» Provide information packs to all councils in England
» Build relationships with 15 key supportive figures, including Councillors and MPs, to speak out positively about our work and encourage bans
What success will look like
We will record feedback from councils around our information packs, and the number of positive links made with key supportive figures
Aim 2
Working together with local people and groups to secure bans of Christmas animal events
Activities» Mail-out to our supporters and local residents, asking them to contact their council to support our proposal
» Send out 5000 postcards for supporters to send to their council, encouraging a policy change or the introduction of a new policy to protect animals
» Run social media campaigns to promote further contact with councils
» If attending local events, speak to residents and ask them to contact their council to push for a ban
What success will look like
We will record the number of people who notify us they have contacted key council members, for example, those responding to our social media calls to action
Aim 3
Securing commitments from Councils to ban Christmas events using animals from their land!
Activities» Provide awareness raising resources to councils, as above
» Work with responsive councils, targeting around 20 initially, attending meetings and providing information to enable them to implement key policies
» Ask local people to contact non-responsive councils, and continue to work with them to seek positive change
» Roll out project to more councils, ensuring the greatest impact for animals across the country
What success will look like
We will record the number of councils committing to ban Christmas events using animals on their land, and to no longer hire animals for events
Our project will reduce the number of animals exploited and suffering in events at Christmas time, demonstrated via: a reduction in number of suppliers for such events; a reduction in people contacting us with welfare concerns regarding events that use animals; further councils committing to bans over time.
Ultimately, this project will contribute to our wider work to end the use of animals in entertainment, freeing many thousands of animals from unnecessary suffering.
1. Unresponsive Councils – we have set a project period of 8 months with several strategies to ensure that Councils engage with our work, including contacting a priority list, utilising supportive contacts, and working with local residents.
2. Effectiveness of bans – we have chosen to base our project around supporting Councils to amend, develop or strengthen local policy, providing direct face-to-face support and full access to all the information they need to make a long-lasting change.
Via our magazine, e-newsletter, and postal updates we will share with all of our donors the number of Councils committing to a ban, messages of support from Councils and key figures, and case studies of animals. We will of course also celebrate the success of our project via social media.
Budget - Project Cost: £4,575Loading graph....
Amount Heading Description £2,353 Researcher/Campaigner 1 day a week from February to September 2018 £1,199 Information packs for Councils Design, print and post evidence-based, comprehensive information packs for Councils £85 Mail-out to local residents Letters, envelope and postage to 200 residents, securing essential local support for our project £138 Postcards Design and print 5000 postcards for supporters to send to their MP/councillor £600 Travel To meet with councillors, MPs, and visit suppliers £200 Online campaign Facebook promotion and other online advertising
We will work with councils across England initially, ensuring our project has the greatest impact to protect animals. If the project is successful we will seek to extend it to Scotland, Wales and Ireland. In some regions, it may be suitable to support others to deliver the project.
Our project will benefit the many hundreds of animals exploited during Christmas events. It would help reindeer like Honey and Freddie who were displayed in a noisy shopping centre in 2016, backing away as they were touched by the public and had their antlers grabbed by their handlers.
This project responds to the increasing level of contact we receive from the concerned public, and also benefits councils, providing them with all the support they need to make positive changes for animals.
Why Us?
Why Us?
Originally established in 1957, today CAPS is a leading animal protection charity in the UK. We are one of only very few charities in the UK working to protect captive animals, and so our role is vital in securing changes for some of the most overlooked animals.
We have previously worked very well with councils, with over 200 local authority areas committing to ban wild animal circuses on their land; our experience will ensure this project too is a success.
Read more about the Charity running this project.
Nicola O'Brien
Campaigns Director
Maddy Taylor
Campaigns Officer
Alison Robinson
will pay for one visit to a Councillor, working together to ban Christmas events that use animals


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Visitors to the world's largest property fair last week were talking of centres outside the capital as the next growth area. Richard Waite reports
More from: Deloitte report claims investors are increasingly eyeing development opportunities beyond the M25
As visitors to the MIPIM property fair returned to work this week, the government threw its weight behind Michael Heseltine's regional growth plan.
The coalition's decision to adopt 81 of the 89 pro-development recommendations will be a welcome boost for those looking to build outside London – the proposed multibillion pound Single Local Growth Fund, to which local enterprise partnerships will be able to apply for backing from 2015, will be particularly well received by MIPIM attendees.
Those in the know spoke at MIPIM about how overseas cash, which after years of pouring almost exclusively into safe-haven London, had started to trickle out to higher-yield opportunities in the next tranche of major cities around the country.
Adam Challis, head of residential research at commercial property agency Jones Lang LaSalle, said: 'Heseltine's regional growth proposals capture and leverage a real paradigm shift for UK property investors. The safety of prime London assets has now been more than offset by over-strong pricing for many investors.'
There are good-quality, non-London locations offering a better performance
He added: 'While, there is still a good argument for conservative property investment at the moment, many investors are seeking improved yields and believe there are a number of good-quality, non-London locations that offer a better performance story.' Challis said investors were already looking 'more closely' at regional centres such as Manchester and Leeds, where 7-8 per cent gross yields were on offer.
Mark Farmer, head of residential at EC Harris, agreed. He said: 'When it comes to outside London and the wider regional residential market, the level of overseas interest is still much less.
'But, interestingly, it appears to be steadily growing. Weak Sterling is certainly making the UK attractive to overseas investors. There appears to be a growing awareness that some regional UK towns and cities offer interesting opportunities when it comes to buying new build residential properties.
'Specifically, there is a clear increase in attention from the emerging middle-class mainland Chinese market.'
Farmer said schemes in Birmingham, Salford and Manchester, which would traditionally have been marketed domesticly, were now being snapped up by Chinese and Malaysian investors. He added: '[These moneymen] are looking at certain regional residential locations where they can get good value compared with the hotter London residential market, where pricing can be three to four times as expensive. It is also at a price point that does not attract the higher levels of Stamp Duty, Land Tax or any risk of 'Mansion Tax'. These purchasers are very astute and still see the opportunity for good rental yields and longer-term capital growth driven by the fundamentals of housing supply and demand in the major UK areas of employment and commerce.'
Michael Spriggs, managing director of UK Land Estates, said: 'There's clear evidence that both overseas and domestic investors are showing more interest in higher-yielding quality investments outside London. That was very evident at MIPIM.
'Though we've got sufficient funding [for our projects] the fact that there is an improving investor market makes it easier to justify building.'
Throughout last week in Cannes the MIPIM rumourmill was awash with news of US cash heading both into London's Docklands and, surprisingly, beyond the M25. Peter Murray of the NLA said: 'It [has become] increasingly difficult to find sites at the right price in London. I know of a couple of American funds which are picking up bargains in the regions.'
Manchester-based Ian Simpson of Ian Simpson Architects said: 'I'm conscious of how heated the London market is becoming. It would be good to see funds flowing back into Manchester again – it's a city that needs investment.'
Ben Adams, of Ben Adams Architects, said they also had 'anecdotal evidence' to back up the gossip and had recently bagged projects in Stockton-on-Tees, Manchester, Brighton and Harpenden.
The cost of acquiring buildings or sites in London is so high that yields are squeezed
Adams said: 'The issue with London is that the cost of acquiring buildings or sites is so high that yields are squeezed and make development difficult to justify.
'I wonder if this will sort itself out as the panic elsewhere in Europe subsides and prices in London soften.'
The financial ripples have not yet been fully felt by everybody on the ground. Nick Johnson, formerly of developer Urban Splash, said: 'We've yet to see evidence of [foreign investment] in the regions.
'With new development the costs of building are still greater than the value at the end, which is why there is so little activity at the moment, so I doubt Qatari or Russian money will be racing up the M1 just yet.'
Chris Williamson of Weston Williamson concluded: 'There was some very bullish talk on the Manchester Stand and especially in the Manchester Bar. But that is to be expected.
'However, London competes more with Paris, Berlin, Dubai for investment at the moment. It is hard to see the other UK Cities taking significant funds away from the capital.'
David Partridge, managing partner at Argent
'There was markedly more interest from investors in the property outside of London, particularly the experienced European funds, seeking better yields
Peter Damesick, chairman of Europe Middle East and Africa Research at CBRE
'We're seeing some large overseas investors looking at UK regional cities for opportunities. There are German funds looking and some investors from Asia beginning to consider those markets.
They tend to go for Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. They may have made initial acquisitions in London and for investment again they are looking further afield. So they could be considering UK regional cities alongside the possibility of investing elsewhere in Europe.
Higher yield for the investor in regional market is compensated with lower investor liquidity in those markets. In regional markets you've got to think about what sort of investment demand there is for larger single plots. I wouldn't say this trend is brand new. It's been around now in place for a year. But as yet it hasn't broadened. It hasn't produced a huge amount of activity.
There is still probably quite a bit of caution about entering into development in regional markets. The development pipeline in the regions is extremely low. The trigger for pulling in more investment will be clear evidence of rising rents and somewhat stronger demand on available supply.
Clearly areas outside London are not developing very strong occupier demand. If we are right and the economy picks up later this year, then you could see more investment in development projects at that point.'
Bob Ghosh, co-founder of Birmingham-based K4 Architects
'The London tent was impressive, but there was something of a post-Olympic hangover feel about it. The legacy argument is now wearing a bit thin. My old friend Clive Dutton - head of regeneration in Newham - cited jobs as the number one priority for East London from which everything else will flow. However, there is no magic formula for creating these conditions to tackle mass unemployment in the poorer boroughs.
On stands such as Business Birmingham, Leeds City Region, Nottingham, Leicestershire and Manchester's slick balcony there was considerable excitement about specific investment opportunities, but I did not see much evidence of international investors scrambling to get involved.
Ultimately, the draw of the capital is unassailable
Ultimately, the draw of the capital is unassailable. I was fortunate enough to attend CBRE's Global Investment Forum breakfast at the Majestic, which was a real eye-opener. According to their Head of Research Dr Peter Damesick, London is still some way ahead of other European cities as the key place for real estate investment. If anything, London is cementing its position in this respect and I personally don't see this changing in a generation. Any inward investment into the UK is good news for the economy and major infrastructure projects like HS2 should help re-balance the North-South divide and make 'the regions' more attractive to future global investment.
I don't see any evidence of a slow-down in London, neither at MIPIM nor on the ground in the UK. As a practice, we are getting more opportunities there than ever before and have recently talked about opening a London office.
Marcus Lee of Glenn Howells Architects
'I heard [at MIPIM] that a line has been drawn west - east from Gloucester through Watford and Cambridge and only everything below that was being embraced - although Deloitte's presentations on London hotspots [even] ignored the south of river, apart from a band of riverside.'
MIPIM report: foreign investors eye UK's regional residential market
Murray: 'There are more clients per m² at MIPIM than anywhere in the world'
MIPIM 2013: As it happened
Comment: Why go to MIPIM?
MIPIM report: foreign investors eye UK's regional residential market
Murray: 'There are more clients per m² at MIPIM than anywhere in the world'
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Why Should You Eat Watermelon
Watermelon is very healthy, rich in many nutrients and also is very refreshing and ideal summer fruit.
However many people have the habit of getting rid of the seeds from the watermelon. There are seedless watermelons on the market, so we don't bother with getting them out.
Watermelon is rich in lycopene,
Lycopene has been shown in many studies to be protective against a growing list of cancers. Lycopene also protects against heart disease and protects our DNA inside white blood cells
B Vitamins
B Vitamins are abundant in the watermelon, a vitamin critical for energy production. Watermelon also delivers more nutrients per calorie. as it is so water dense. making it an outstanding fruit to consume both pre – post exercise!
Half a watermelon gives you over 12.000 IU's of vitamin A!
Exactly the recommended amount of daily vitamin A intake. Vitamin A helps keep your eyes. skin and mucous membranes moist. It also has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage
Watermelons contain citrulline,
a compound helps relax blood vessels of the body, similar to what happens when a man cakes viagra. This effect is also beneficial to the heart. circulatory & immune system
Improves our body's defense system via high concentrations vitamin C,
Important antioxidant that helps ward off illness and helps our bodies combat the daily pollution and environmental stress it is exposed to.
Healthy Benefits Of Watermelon Seeds
Did you know there are many healthy nutrients in those seeds, which can benefit us? For example, tea made of them is recommended for kidney cleansing, fighting Escherichia coli etc.
Watermelon seeds are healthy
Watermelon is a seasonal fruit, rich in many nutrients. It contains antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also contains Vitamins A, B, and C. Watermelon rehydrates our organism, remineralizes it and has antioxidant and diuretic properties. Most of us discard seeds but they are actually good for us.
Watermelon seeds act as natural laxative
Seeds from various fruits and vegetables are natural laxatives, improving our bowel function. Some people keep the seeds and dry them, then prepare tea which is good for fighting obstipation. They even help with intestinal parasites treatment.
Watermelon seeds cleanse our system and take care of our kidneys
Watermelon seeds tea had been used for a long time as an efficient medicine for kidney cleansing and kidney stone problems. Seeds have diuretic properties and eliminate toxins.
Blend 4 tbsp. of fresh seeds, and then boil them for 15 minutes in 2l of water. Divide this amount and drink it for 2 consecutive days, then pause the 3rd day. Consume it for several weeks, following this schedule.
Cardiovascular diseases
Seeds contain antioxidants. They have an effect on blood vessels, by expanding them, seeds are excellent for persons suffering from atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and angina pectoris. They also help strengthening heart muscle.
Seeds are very nutrient
Being rich in healthy nutrients, it's a shame to throw the seeds away. They contain lycopene, mighty antioxidant – the one we know from tomatoes. Also, they contain high levels of magnesium and zinc. It is recommended for persons suffering from fatigue.
Seeds benefit men
They are being used for curing prostate issues, which is often with men over 40 years old. They also help with libido and sexual potency.
2 tbsp. of dried and grinded seeds pour with 1/2l of boiled water. Leave it to sit for 30 minutes, and then drink it. Drink the tea every day for several weeks. First results should occur after 10 days.
Cure for Escherichia coli
This is one of the best cures for Escherichia coli. For preparation of this tea take 30-40 fresh seeds (although dried can be used as well). Grind them and soak them into 1l of water, then boil them for 10 minutes. Drink 1l of this tea every day, for several weeks or for however it takes to cure from these bacteria. It is recommended to collect as many seeds as you can, during the summer, and then use them.
Besides drinking tea, you can also bake the seeds in your oven. Use mild temperature for 20-25 minutes; don't burn them, because all the good nutrients will be destroyed.
Source: wellmindness.com


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|Environment Fellowship of Rotarians - Bulletin Board
|Pliocene Climate
|Page 1 of 1
|kappenberger [ Sat 21. Apr 2012, 03:09 ]
|Post subject:
|Pliocene Climate
From: Andy Soos, ENN
Published March 19, 2012 03:17 PM
Pliocene Climate
During the Pliocene epoch (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago) climate became cooler and drier, and seasonal, similar to modern climates. The global average temperature in the mid-Pliocene was 2—3 °C higher than today, global sea level 80 feet higher and the northern hemisphere ice sheet was ephemeral before the onset of extensive glaciation over Greenland that occurred in the late Pliocene around 3 million years ago. Scientists are looking at what climate conditions were like 3.3 to 3 million years ago, during a geologic period known as the Pliocene, and they are confident in the accuracy of their data. The Pliocene is the most recent period of sustained global warmth similar to what is projected for the 21st century. Climate during this time period offers one of the closest analogs to estimate future climate conditions.
The USGS is leading research to reconstruct Pliocene ocean temperatures primarily using fossils contained in sediments from that time period.
"Confidence in data, as discussed in this paper, refers to the overall quality of our Pliocene temperature estimates," said USGS scientist Marci Robinson. "For each temperature estimate, we looked at factors such as the abundance of fossils, the number of samples analyzed, fossil preservation, and the techniques used for analysis."
Scientists from around the world are using the Pliocene reconstructions to compare climate model simulations from fourteen general circulation models. This is an international effort with models developed by the United States, Japan, France, United Kingdom, China, Germany and Norway.
In this study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, an initial comparison was made between four existing models. Conclusions showed that the models are close in agreement with each other and USGS data, except in the North Atlantic where modeled temperatures differ slightly from the Pliocene data and from each other.
"The processes that impact North Atlantic climate are complex, and we have analyzed many sites in the area," said Dowsett. "Based on this study, we have a high degree of confidence in our North Atlantic data, and we will wait to see how the rest of the models compare and plan future research to better understand the complexities."
Processes that influence North Atlantic Ocean temperatures include ocean circulation, the shape and characteristics of the seafloor, and concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and other trace gases. The Earth's orbit is another factor to consider because it affects the amount of sunlight and, therefore, heat that reaches the Earth's surface.
This Pliocene climate data reconstruction will be useful in predicting which climate model will best represent the future. Carbon dioxide concentration during the mid Pliocene has been estimated at around 400 ppmv.
Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain global cooling the end of the Pliocene and the onset of extensive northern hemisphere glaciation. They are:
Panama seaway closure due to salinity contrast between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Collapse of permanent El Niño
Uplift of the Rocky mountains and Greenland west coast
Research on the mid-Pliocene constitutes the most comprehensive global reconstruction for any past warm period.
For further information: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.as ... gle+Reader
Photo: University of Nebraska Lincoln
|Page 1 of 1
|All times are UTC
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Open-Front Crochet Fringe Cardigan Sweater
- Straight silhouette with an easy fit.
- Model is wearing a regular Gap size S.
- Hits at the hip.
Additional Information
- Soft cotton knit.
- Fringe trim at hem.
- Ribbed-knit trim at open-front
- Allover crochet knit patterns with metallic detailing.
- Long sleeves, rib-knit trim cuffs.
- #000294624
Product Details
- 100% Cotton
- Machine wash and lay flat to dry.


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Manchester City presented their £19m record signing, the Brazilian striker Jo, yesterday with a promise of more major signings to come and Mark Hughes declaring himself "very encouraged" about the chances of Ronaldinho joining the Thaksin Shinawatra revolution.
Months of negotiations have led to City provisionally agreeing a fee with Barcelona for Ronaldinho but they are still fighting through the enormous complexities of trying to sign one of football's authentic superstars and dealing with the resultant commercial baggage and sponsorship issues. The process has no foreseeable conclusion and, worryingly for City, Ronaldinho was quoted yesterday as saying that he would like to be reunited with Luiz Felipe Scolari, the former Brazil national coach, at Chelsea.
"It's a different project we are offering [than Chelsea]," said Hughes, City's manager. "This club is at a different stage of its development but maybe at this point of his career that will be a more interesting idea for him.
"There are people questioning him right now and, who knows, maybe what we are doing here would be more attractive to him than joining an established Champions League side. We're trying to present him with a project that he will feel is the right one for him. It's an exciting option where he can be the standard-bearer of this team, helping us to get where we want to be."
The signing of Jo, the scorer of 30 goals in 53 appearances for CSKA Moscow, is another measure of Thaksin's ambition and the negotiating skills of the club's impressive new executive chairman, Garry Cook. The deal was put in place while Sven-Goran Eriksson was manager but Hughes insisted he was happy for it to be done above his head. "He's an outstanding young player and we're very excited by his acquisition," said Hughes, before revealing that new contracts had provisionally been agreed with the club captain, Richard Dunne, and the goalkeeper, Joe Hart.
The 21-year-old Jo could also be useful in convincing Ronaldinho that a club who finished ninth in the Premier League last season and have yet to qualify for the Uefa Cup proper are not beneath him. "He's my friend and I hope he will join me here," said Jo. "We were on holiday together a few weeks ago and he told me there were many clubs interested in him."
Photographs have shown Ronaldinho looking badly out of shape but Hughes did not seem concerned. "A lot of professional footballers are not in great fitness at this time of the year but, make no bones about it, if he did come to this club we would get him up to speed."
Hughes's comments coincided with Barcelona's sporting director Txiki Begiristain's admission that Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o might end up staying at the club. Begiristain told reporters at the unveiling of Daniel Alves that "there is no news" on a deal for either player. "We are waiting for concrete offers from other clubs so that we can negotiate. I understand that this is difficult because there are not many clubs in the world willing to pay these amounts."


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Sightings: Floyd Mayweather, Reshad Jones, Terrell Suggs and Mark Stoermer at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Feb. 22 – 23
Platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist 2 Chainz brought his "2 Good To Be T.R.U. Tour" featuring Pusha T and August Alsina to The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 22. Concertgoers danced and sang along to some of the biggest songs in hip hop as the three artists gave unforgettable performances at the sold-out show. Headliner 2 Chainz had the crowd going wild as he brought down the house with several of his biggest hits including "We Own It," "Bandz a Make Her Dance," "Birthday Song" and more. Spotted at the show was professional boxer Floyd Mayweather.
That same evening, 2 Chainz went across the casino to host his official concert after party at Body English Nightclub. The rapper entered the packed venue and hopped on stage to thank fans for coming out before performing "I'm Different," "All Me" and "Used 2." Among the crowd of partygoers were professional football players Reshad Jones and Terrell Suggs.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, Mark Stoermer, bassist of the award-winning band The Killers, was spotted hanging out in the casino.


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To evaluate the impact of isoniazid (INH) treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) on the development of liver function test (LFT) abnormality and the persistence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
We retrospectively enrolled patients with RA who were treated with TNF inhibitors at a university hospital between December 2000 and November 2011. After dividing the patients into two groups based on the occurrence of LFT abnormality during follow-up, we compared demographic and clinical features between the two groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the impact of INH treatment on LFT abnormality. The impact of INH treatment on the persistence of TNF inhibitors was also evaluated with the log-rank test and the Cox-proportional hazards model.
A total of 312 RA patients including 96 patients (30.9%) who took INH for LTBI were included in this analysis. Thirty-nine patients (12.5%) experienced LFT abnormalities while using TNF inhibitors. The use of INH was associated with LFT abnormalities (odds ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.48) after adjusting for covariates, including methotrexate use. However, the persistence of TNF inhibitors over 5 years did not differ between patients receiving or not receiving INH treatment (49.4 vs. 54.6%, p = 0.79). INH treatment was not a risk factor for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.57).
One concern associated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors is the increased risk of reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended before starting TNF inhibitors. There are several treatment regimens available for the treatment of LTBI. One option includes isoniazid (INH), with the 9-month regimen preferred over the 6-month regimen due to higher efficacy. In addition, the 12-dose once-weekly regimen of INH and rifapetine is recommended as an equally effective option to the standard INH 9-month daily regimen, while a 4-month regimen of rifampin can be considered for patients who cannot tolerate INH [1-3].
Some physicians have concerns about treating patients for LTBI. These concerns are generally related to the length of treatment and the potential side effects of each medication. Asymptomatic elevation of serum liver enzyme concentrations occurs in 10% to 20% of patients taking INH, though these levels usually return to normal. Clinical hepatitis occurs in about 0.1% of patients taking INH [4], which could increase if INH is combined with other hepatotoxic agents such as methotrexate (MTX) and leflunomide.
The potential hepatotoxicity of INH is of concern in RA patients treated with not only conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic diseases (DMARDs) [5-7] but also TNF inhibitors [8,9]. A previous report showed that half of RA patients treated with INH experienced liver function test (LFT) abnormalities and suggested that the incidence of hepatotoxicity due to INH in RA patients treated with MTX, sulfasalazine and TNF inhibitors was high [8]. Potential hepatotoxicity of INH can lead to discontinuation of concomitant MTX and it may result in reducing the effectiveness of TNF inhibitors. In addition, patients who cannot treat the LTBI may stop their TNF inhibitor. However, previous studies were performed in a small number of RA patients and the impact of INH treatment on the persistence of TNF inhibitors has not been studied.
We sought to identify the risk of INH treatment for LTBI on LFT abnormality and to evaluate the impact of INH treatment on the persistence of TNF inhibitors in RA patients.
Data source
The retrospective registry of Korean RA patients who used biologic DMARDs (REtrospective study for Safety and Effectiveness of Anti-RA treatment with biologiCs [RESEARCh]) was used to evaluate the risk of LFT abnormalities due to INH treatment for LTBI and their impact on the persistence of TNF inhibitors [10]. We identified patients who had ever taken biologic DMARDs between December 2000 and June 2011 from medical records of one university hospital, and enrolled these patients in the RESEARCh database. Comprehensive chart reviews for all patients were undertaken by well-trained health professionals. Demographics, disease activity, comorbidities, treatments, and laboratory data at the first dose of biologic DMARDs were recorded. Treatments, disease activity, and serious adverse events during treatment with biologic DMARDs were also collected.
The RESEARCh study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (HYUH IRB 2010-R-71), and informed consent was waived because the data was de-identified and collected retrospectively.
Among 442 RA patients who used TNF inhibitors, we included 312 patients who had sufficient data available on disease activity and liver enzyme concentrations. Patients who had hepatitis B or C virus (n = 11), insufficient data on LFTs or LTBI treatment (n = 39), or lack of initial disease activity data (n = 80) were excluded.
Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of LFT abnormality during the use of TNF inhibitors. The mean observational period was 27.8 ± 23.1 months in patients with LFT abnormality and 23.1 ± 22.6 months in patients without LFT abnormality. We defined LFT abnormality as any elevation of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) levels during TNF inhibitor treatment. LFT is usually monitored every 3 to 6 months after starting TNF inhibitors. To evaluate the early safety of TNF inhibitor, the data collection at 3 months of TNF inhibitor use was also performed. Patient-reported LFT abnormality was also included in the LFT abnormality group.
Statistical analysis
To compare the baseline characteristics between groups who experienced LFT abnormality and those who did not, the chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and the Student t test was used for continuous variables. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the impact of INH treatment for LTBI on the occurrence of LFT abnormality in RA patients with TNF inhibitor treatment.
A Kaplan-Meier curve and a log-rank test were used to compare the persistence rate of TNF inhibitors between patients who did and did not receive INH treatment. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the impact of INH treatment on the persistence of TNF inhibitors.
These statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). All p values were twotailed and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Baseline characteristics of TNF inhibitor users who experienced LFT abnormality
Among 312 patients (595.0 person-year), 39 patients (12.5%) experienced LFT abnormality during TNF inhibitor use, while the other 273 patients did not. The duration of TNF inhibitor use was similar between the two groups, at 27.8 ± 23.1 months in patients with LFT abnormality and 23.1 ± 22.6 months in patients without LFT abnormality. In patients with LFT abnormality, the proportion of males was higher (33.3% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.01), while the mean age (49.4 ± 11.6 vs. 50.4 ± 13.5, p = 0.66), disease duration (8.2 ± 6.2 years vs. 9.0 ± 7.1 years, p = 0.55), and disease activity score-28 joints (DAS28) when starting TNF inhibitors (6.2 ± 1.1 vs. 5.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.14) were comparable between the two groups. The value of LFT was 24.5 ± 13.6 (AST) and 26.8 ± 23.3 (ALT) in patients with LFT abnormality, and 18.5 ± 9.1 (AST) and 18.1 ± 15.6 (ALT) in patients without LFT abnormality.
INH was more commonly used in patients with a history of LFT abnormality (51.3% vs. 27.8%, p < 0.01). However, MTX was more commonly used in patients without LFT abnormality (69.2% vs. 84.3%, p = 0.04), while the prevalence of NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, and the type of TNF inhibitors did not differ between the two groups (Table 1).
Risk of LFT abnormality in RA patients taking INH treatment for LTBI
Unadjusted analysis revealed a significant association between INH treatment and the occurrence of LFT abnormality (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38 to 5.39). LFT abnormality before starting TNF inhibitors (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.07 to 7.99) was also associated with LFT abnormality during TNF inhibitor use. INH treatment (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.39 to 6.48) was significantly associated with LFT abnormality on multivariable regression analysis after adjusting for other confounding factors. High disease activity when starting TNF inhibitors (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.37) and overweight defined by body mass index ≥ 23.0 (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.37) were other risk factors for the occurrence of LFT abnormality, while the concomitant use of MTX was protective (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.77) (Table 2). Although INH treatment carried a significant risk of LFT abnormality, the severity of these abnormalities was relatively low. In patients with LFT abnormality identified via laboratory tests, elevation of ASL/ALT was mild (< 3 × upper limit of normal [ULN]) in all patients.
Impact of INH treatment for LTBI on the persistence of TNF inhibitors
When we divided the patients according to INH treatment, 20 of 96 patients (20.8%) with INH treatment (167.1 person-year) and 19 of 216 patients (8.8%) who did not receive INH treatment (427.9 person-year) had experienced LFT abnormalities. Among patients treated with INH (n = 96), baseline characteristics of patients who experienced LFT abnormality was also compared with patients who did not experienced LFT (Supplementary Table 1). Since INH treatment was significantly associated with LFT abnormality, we further investigated the association between INH treatment and the persistence of TNF inhibitors. TNF inhibitor persistence did not differ between patients who did and did not receive INH treatment (log-rank test, p = 0.79) (Fig. 1A). When we analyzed the impact of INH treatment on the discontinuation of TNF inhibitors due to adverse events (AEs), the INH treatment group did not show a higher TNF inhibitor discontinuation rate than those in the no INH treatment group (log-rank test, p = 0.37) (Fig. 1B). Among patients treated with INH (n = 96), TNF inhibitor persistence did not differ between patients who did and did not experience LFT abnormality (Supplementary Fig. 1).
In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, INH treatment for LTBI (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.57) was not a risk factor for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors, while longer disease duration (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93 to 0.99) and a history of liver function abnormality before starting TNF inhibitors (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.82) were protective factors for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors in RA patients (Table 3).
In this study, we found that 12.5% of RA patients who started TNF inhibitors experienced LFT abnormality during a mean observational period of 22.9 months. Although INH treatment was a risk factor for LFT abnormality, it was not a risk factor for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors. This suggests that LFT abnormality caused by INH treatment of LTBI is appropriately controlled in clinical practice.
Our study showed a slightly higher incidence of LFT abnormality in patients treated with TNF inhibitors, compared to the 5.4% in a previous report [11]. This higher rate of LFT abnormality may be explained by several reasons. Firstly, our definition of LFT abnormality was any increase in LFTs above the normal range, or a patient's report that they had abnormal LFTs. Since many patients had LFTs checked between each visit to the rheumatology clinic, we included patient-reported LFT abnormality in our outcomes. Secondly, the higher rate of INH treatment among Korean TNF inhibitor users was another reason for the increased rate of LFT abnormality. In our study, about 30% of TNF inhibitor users were treated with INH with starting each agent. This may be related to the higher positive rate of LTBI screening tests in Korea compared with Western countries [12-16]. Therefore, this safety issue regarding INH treatment in TNF inhibitor users is more important in countries with a higher incidence of TB or LTBI than Western countries.
Several studies have reported that INH treatment for LTBI increases liver enzyme concentrations. One study reported that among 13 RA patients with a positive LTBI test or chest X-ray, eight patients were treated with INH and four patients (50%) experienced mild to severe hepatic dysfunction. The authors suggested that the incidence of hepatotoxicity due to INH is higher in RA patients treated with MTX or sulfasalazine and TNF inhibitors [8]. On the contrary, another study reported that 11% of 44 patients who used INH combined with MTX showed transient increases in LFT, but in no case was this more than twice the ULN values. Moreover, all abnormal LFTs resolved spontaneously without intervention [9]. However, previous studies did not show the exact impact of INH treatment on the occurrence of LFT abnormality or drug persistence of TNF inhibitors because of their small sample size as well as the absence of a control group.
LFT abnormality is a common AE in RA treatment and its occurrence is dependent on not medications but on sociodemographic factors and the combined comorbidities of each patient; therefore, direct comparison between studies is quite difficult. Therefore, to identify the exact impact of INH treatment on LFT abnormality, we selected patients with some criteria from the retrospective RESEARCh database and analyzed them with a case-control design. We selected patients who started TNF inhibitors and had an available DAS28 score, because initial disease activity might influence combination treatment with MTX or other DMARDs. To identify the effect of INH treatment on LFT abnormality, we divided patients according to LFT abnormality. In multivariable analysis, INH treatment for LTBI as well as male sex and high initial disease activity were risk factors for LFT abnormality in RA patients. Interestingly, MTX was protective for the occurrence of LFT abnormality. This result can be explained by channeling bias; physicians do not prescribe MTX for patients who are at high risk for LFT abnormality. In clinical practice, MTX can be stopped for TNF users with a high risk of LFT abnormality, but the use of INH for LTBI treatment is inevitable. Therefore, in clinical practice, INH might be a stronger risk factor for LFT abnormality than MTX in RA patients who use TNF inhibitors.
In spite of the independent risk of INH treatment on the occurrence of LFT abnormality, we found that the severity of these abnormalities was relatively low. According to the US Food and Drug Administration guidance for potential drug-induced liver injury from therapeutic agents, close observation should be performed in cases with symptoms or repeat testing that shows LFT > 3 × ULN or 2-fold increases above baseline values for subjects with elevated values before drug exposure [17]. Therefore, most patients with LFT abnormality were not required to stop RA treatment or LTBI treatment, although one patient stopped TNF inhibitor and LTBI treatment due to elevated LFT.
Our second objective was to identify the impact of INH treatment on the drug persistence of TNF inhibitors in RA patients, which we investigated due to the availability of many potential clinical decisions in practice. Firstly, MTX dosage should be lowered in patients who experience elevated LFTs due to INH treatment, though this might be increase the non-response rate of TNF inhibitors. Secondly, in Korea, there are strict guidelines for INH treatment of LTBI. INH treatment must be started at least 3 weeks before starting TNF inhibitors and should be continued for 9 months after starting TNF inhibitors. If INH treatment is not tolerable for patients with LTBI, regimens of LTBI treatment or anti-RA treatment should be altered. Thirdly, adverse effects of INH treatment including LFT abnormality can affect compliance with TNF inhibitors in some patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that LFT abnormality caused by LTBI treatment can directly influence TNF inhibitor persistence.
To determine the impact of INH treatment on the persistence of TNF inhibitors, we used a cohort design. We classified patients according to INH treatment and then performed survival analysis and Cox-proportional hazards analysis. The persistence of TNF inhibitors over 5 years was similar between the groups who did and did not receive INH treatment, and INH treatment was not a risk factor for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors. Since the major reasons for discontinuation of TNF inhibitors reported in previous studies are ineffectiveness of drug and occurrence of AEs such as infections and allergic reactions, we further analyzed the impact of INH treatment on the discontinuation of TNF inhibitors due to AEs, but there was no difference between the two groups.
Our analysis has some limitations. We did not collect information about alcohol intake or herbal or alternative remedies that can potentially cause liver function abnormality. However, since the decision to begin INH is dependent on the LTBI screening test result, which is not influenced by the above personal history, we hypothesized that those baseline characteristics would be evenly controlled in the two groups by the large sample size of our study. The other limitation is that the LFT testing was not performed as regularly as it is in randomized clinical trials. However, some patients might have regular laboratory tests performed at a private clinic or hospital for their comorbid conditions. Hence, we included the patient-reported history of LFT elevation between visits to our hospital as an outcome to avoid underestimating the prevalence of LFT abnormality.
In summary, INH treatment for LTBI in RA patients who used TNF inhibitors was associated with a high incidence of LFT abnormality, but did not affect the persistence of TNF inhibitors. This result should be emphasized for TNF inhibitor users, especially in countries with high positivity of LTBI screening tests. Additional studies are warranted to determine the optimal interval of LFTs and to develop a liver function monitoring strategy.
1. This study presented the usage and safety of isoniazid (INH) treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in tuberculosis endemic area, Korea.
2. Patients with non-DAD-ARDS were more likely to have therapeutic alterations based on histopathologic results. However, this did not lead to a significant improvement in the mortality rate.
This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI16C0061).
Supplementary Materials
Supplementary Table 1.kjim-2016-214-suppl1.pdf
Supplementary Figure 1.kjim-2016-214-suppl2.pdf
Table 1.
Values are presented as mean ± SD or number (%).
DAS, disease activity score; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; BMI, body mass index; INH, isoniazid; DMARD, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic disease; TNF, tumor necrotizing factor; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Table 2.
Table 3.
1. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221–S247.
2. Joint Tuberculosis Committee of the British Thoracic Society. Chemotherapy and management of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom: recommendations 1998. Thorax 1998;53:536–548.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recommendations for use of an isoniazid-rifapentine regimen with direct observation to treat latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011;60:1650–1653.
4. Nolan CM, Goldberg SV, Buskin SE. Hepatotoxicity associated with isoniazid preventive therapy: a 7-year survey from a public health tuberculosis clinic. JAMA 1999;281:1014–1018.
5. Kremer JM, Furst DE, Weinblatt ME, Blotner SD. Significant changes in serum AST across hepatic histological biopsy grades: prospective analysis of 3 cohorts receiving methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 1996;23:459–461.
6. Siva C, Eisen SA, Shepherd R, et al. Leflunomide use during the first 33 months after food and drug administration approval: experience with a national cohort of 3,325 patients. Arthritis Rheum 2003;49:745–751.
7. Kalden JR, Schattenkirchner M, Sorensen H, et al. The efficacy and safety of leflunomide in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a five-year followup study. Arthritis Rheum 2003;48:1513–1520.
8. Vanhoof J, Landewe S, Van Wijngaerden E, Geusens P. High incidence of hepatotoxicity of isoniazid treatment for tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate or sulfasalazine and anti-tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. Ann Rheum Dis 2003;62:1241–1242.
9. Mor A, Bingham CO 3rd, Kishimoto M, et al. Methotrexate combined with isoniazid treatment for latent tuberculosis is well tolerated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: experience from an urban arthritis clinic. Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:462–465.
10. Cho SK, Sung YK, Choi CB, Uhm WS, Kim TH, Jun JB, et al. Treatment persistence with TNF blocker in Korean rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Rheum Dis 2011;18:161–167.
11. Sokolove J, Strand V, Greenberg JD, et al. Risk of elevated liver enzymes associated with TNF inhibitor utilisation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:1612–1617.
12. Kim JH, Cho SK, Han M, et al. Factors influencing discrepancies between the QuantiFERON-TB gold in tube test and the tuberculin skin test in Korean patients with rheumatic diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2013;42:424–432.
13. Marques CD, Duarte AL, de Lorena VM, et al. Evaluation of an interferon gamma assay in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2009;30:57–62.
14. Mariette X, Baron G, Tubach F, et al. Influence of replacing tuberculin skin test with ex vivo interferon γ release assays on decision to administer prophylactic antituberculosis antibiotics before anti-TNF therapy. Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71:1783–1790.
15. Martin J, Walsh C, Gibbs A, et al. Comparison of interferon {gamma} release assays and conventional screening tests before tumour necrosis factor {alpha} blockade in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:181–185.
16. Scrivo R, Sauzullo I, Mengoni F, et al. Serial interferon-γ release assays for screening and monitoring of tuberculosis infection during treatment with biologic agents. Clin Rheumatol 2012;31:1567–1575.
17. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for industry drug-induced liver injury: premarketing clinical evaluation [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): Division of Drug Information Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration. 2009. [cited 2017 Feb 21]. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/.../Guidances/UCM174090.pdf.


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We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, who enjoys working with a team and supports their colleagues.
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You are here
Empty Zest
With their daughter off to College, a New York couple enjoy an active life in the house they've made a home
As they race around the tennis court smashing serves and sailing volleys, Mary and Jim Emlock look like indefatigable college kids. But it's their daughter, Katherine, who's off to school.
With their nest empty, Mary and Jim found time to dig out their rackets—and dig into a long-put-off redecorating project.
They had done a lot of renovation on their home, an 1890 structure in Huntington Bay, New York, with inspiring views of Long Island Sound, right after they bought it in the early 1990s. Back then, however, interior design wasn't a priority.
They were in the life stage that Katherine is experiencing today—the "yes, I'll take it" phase of decorating, where hand-me-downs rule. "When you are young, you get furniture where you can—things that are given to you, things that you pick up that aren't necessarily in great condition," Mary says.
French doors and transoms allow natural light to flood the interiors.
Sometimes those pieces languish, as they did for the Emlocks, until the right motivation for change comes along—like the day Mary and Jim met New York-based designer Garrow Kedigian.
"I was hired to design the foyer," Kedigian says. "But I kept the rest of the house in mind just in case." When his aesthetic earned him the job of reenvisioning additional rooms, he was ready. "I had a game plan in mind, and even with the pace of one space at a time, in the end, the transition from room to room was seamless."
Oftentimes a foyer, a teaser for what's to come throughout the rest of the house, lacks the proportions to command design focus. But a spacious layout makes the Emlocks' entry seem like a living room. The existing piano and classic mantel inspired Kedigian to add built-in bookcases to house some of Jim and Mary's favorite things, including a collection of vellum books in gray and black bindings. A geometric rug now anchors a roomy seating area—two matching sofas in peach-and-beige stripes and an antique armchair with a slight shimmer.
The foyer's menagerie of patterns and furniture suggests a collection acquired over time. The pattern portfolio moves from an oversize geometric motif on the rug to a herringbone that mimics men's suiting on twin sofas to a pale blue dot on a French armchair. A silk bolster pillow in an octagonal motif cushions the armchair.
Mary's taste, be it for garments to wear or antiquities for her home, discerns whether something is worth adding to her collection of pretty things. But she admits her style was more regimented before Kedigian encouraged her to bring a bit of daring attitude to mix.
A Zuber panel that she snagged became Kedigian's springboard for the formal living room. Like an Old Master painting, it's layered with rich color. Underfoot, a rug with a pattern in coral and blue forgoes seriousness in the spirit of modern-day traditional style. A coral sofa, ivory sofa, and blue velvet chairs with happy zigzag-
pattern pillows enhance the scheme.
Blue and coral coloring in the rug inspired a palette that includes light blue drapery panels layered over windows with painted blue frames.
"Color is a last component of design but so important to the process," Kedigian says. "It's most successful when it feels like it was put together over time. When everything matches, it feels like an airport lounge, not a home. It's always my goal to make it look like I was never there. I want it to appear like the homeowner collected a little bit here and a little bit there to put it together herself."
Turquoise shelving built on the diagonal is an architectural eye-catcher in the room that houses Katherine Emlock's instruments. A red chair offers a jolt of youthfulness.
For the dining room, Mary had chosen a Gracie wallpaper before Kedigian came into the picture. He fine-tuned the coloration, making it an elegant champagne hue to mesh with the furnishings he imagined. A vintage black lacquered table is surrounded by chairs with backs in blush velvet for a touch of glamour. A custom strié finish was applied to moldings.
Lighting in a room that begs for nighttime use comes from two examples of vintage design—an amethyst Murano glass chandelier and a pair of Georg Jensen candlesticks. "This space is best after dark," designer Garrow Kedigian says. A carved wood valance that depicts birds and flowers secures silk window panels.
Jim and Mary's project is now complete—an adult house with adult furniture that they love to share with friends and family.
"Garrow's talent opened my eyes to layering possibilities that make the home more comforting and intimate," Mary says. "He taught me so much about how to combine elements. He gave me confidence to pick out the things that I love, and he was able to weave all of those things together so it worked. It was a wonderful experience."
Mary and Jim Emlock's home, built in 1890, is classic with white siding, a red door, and dark green shutters.


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Barrel Shower Caddy
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Suction cups hold product against the wall for added stability
Made of rust proof bamboo and aluminum. Bamboo is natural mildew resistant and will not split or crack
13 1/4" x 25 1/4" x 4 1/2"
From one of our favorites, Umbra


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About Us
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"I've known Richard Tipping from working with him on past projects before he began Tipping Development. I found him easy to work with as he understood my wants and needs regarding my projects, and was able to complete the work in a timely matter. Therefore I was looking forward to working with him on future projects when he decided to form his own company. Since Tipping Development has opened, they have completed six of our projects at Dexter Real Estate Development Corp. I recommend them based on their honesty and integrity." — Charles Huang | Owner, Dexter Corporation
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Hey, I am Sharon , UX/front-end developer, music lover, beach lover and world traveler. I currently live in the sunny island of Malta and this is my travel blog!
I love to travel and will try to bring my experience close to you using this blog!
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