Finishing touches?. ? mission addition

?

In between summer break, three boys having birthdays, working 50+ hours a week and preparing a house for adoption, my last few months have been a blur. ?We were on a bit of a stand still with several Caseworkers and adoption specialists on vacation, all of who needed to approve a few ?improvements? for our home and of course, since we do not have a disposable income, (and promising not to use one credit card for anything adoption related) we have moved as quickly as our paychecks would allow. ?Don?t worry about the fact that we are on a deadline??..STRESS. ?(oh and did I mention my husband is starting a side business and all summer I spent job hunting?)

In our state, our adoption license must be approved by the court. ?This is the last step to becoming homestudy approved. ?Our court date needs to be completed by October 15th. ?Our CW, can submit our license at anytime before that date.

For those that are still unclear of our timeline, we contacted our agency in October of 2011. ?Completed paperwork by November 2011 (780 pieces of paper so far) and took our first PSMAPP class (training) in January 2012. ?So we are moving a little on pace, maybe slightly longer due to the fact that we moved mid way through this process and had to redo a few things.

I found a new job, that should free up a few hours of my week and from what we are being told, the average wait time for us getting matched is around a year. ?ANOTHER YEAR?..ugh, more on that later.

Today, I moved the twins into a room together, giving them a new full over full-sized bunk bed. ?(I still think twins are fascinating and will probably never understand that connection even if I tried for the next 100 years.) ?The other bedroom will be getting two twin beds?.I have a crib on stand by and my house is now looking like a small day care or summer camp with all these beds.

Why so many beds you ask? ?Well during my one on one interview with my adoption specialist, she asked if I would consider 3 children. ?Not one, not the ?maybe two if the situation is perfect? like we originally said at the beginning of this process, but 3. ?THREE!!! ?gasp

Scariest part, I said yes. ?I didn?t flinch, I slightly panicked, I quietly uttered the word ?yes?. ?I then had to go home and tell my husband, gasp. ?He said ?we are nuts!? ?or maybe he said I was, that?s really not the point. ?Even my 12-year-old said, ?that?s perfect! ?One little kid for every big kid.?

Nothing is definite. ?I think she just asked this to see how open we would be to the idea of more than one child. And since then, she has thrown several ?hypothetical children? our way. ?She also asked if we would care if it were all boys, a much easier transition to add more boys, than to throw girls into the mix I?m sure. ?We are not gender specific and girls would be a blessing. ?We didn?t get to choose the sex of our other children, why would we choose now?

So now, we prepare for our final walk through, which should happen over the next three weeks. ?We need to have a fence put in around our pool before that can happen. ?Easier said than done, first we needed to have our agency arrange for a state inspector to come out and tell us what would be approved for our adoption, then we needed to bring the plans to our agency before getting a green light. ?Now we wait for the installation. ?It?s a fence people, nothing special and yet, so many needed to have a say into how it would be installed. ?

The joys of adoption, you cannot make a single decision without input from the state and your agency. It?s a fence, imagine when we have a child.

Our final paperwork is completed, our preferences have been noted, the check list has all of its required checks, our finishing touches on our home is wrapping up. ?It seems like a long process, scary that this is only the pre-portion of the adoption process. ?We are hopeful.

WE ARE READY!!!!

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Source: http://missionaddition.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/finishing-touches/

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Learning More About The Law of Attraction - Other | Bookmark The ...

News ?

The self help world was revolutionized a few years ago when the law of attraction became a frequent topic of conversation. Even today it is hard to delve into the world of self improvement without ...

Source: http://bookmarktheinternet.com/News/learning-more-about-the-law-of-attraction-other/

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A Few Pointers on How to Select Decorative Tiles to Enhance the ...

Tiles have a long history of gracing the interiors of houses to improve the appearance of walls, ceilings, and flooring--from old temples to traditional structures! It's a great idea to think about your plans and spending plan if you're looking to improve your kitchen or restroom through impressive Calacatta gold mosaic tiles, for instance. The following are some techniques to help you select the right ornamental tiles for your home.

Establish your intention.

Different kinds of tiles can be installed in various areas in your home like in the walls, flooring, and counters. Select your tiles appropriate for your purpose. For example, strong and non-slip tile material like stone is perfect for outdoor usage, such as in pools and patio areas.

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Setting up tiles can either be a DIY or "leave-it-to-the-specialists" kind of project. If you think you can easily follow directions from handbooks or have the necessary abilities to cut and lay tiles, DIY can both be fulfilling and cost-effective. However, if you have neither the perseverance nor the capacity, there are a number of experts that you can choose to do the job for you.

Choose the right design to complement your house.

There are many types and styles of tiles readily available in the market. Select a design that emphasizes the fine points of the room, but keep in mind to remain within the budget. If you find it tough to choose, consult a restoration expert or do a fast analysis online or through magazines.

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J'can hero-soldier marks retirement from US military | NiceFmRadio ...

Sgt Terence Wright celebrates his retirement at a ceremony recently at the Holiday Sunspree Resort.

MONTEGO BAY, St James ? Technical Sergeant Terence G Wright Sr was already a hero-soldier when he migrated from Jamaica and joined the United States Air Force where he continued to excel in a 26-year career in which he saw action in the first Gulf War.

Caught up in the europhia of the Jamaica 50th Anniversary of Independence and London Olympic stardom, Wright came home earlier this month to mark his 60th birthday and his retirement from the US military, bringing with him a large contingent of close family and friends.?

Sergeant Terence Wright (left) poses with some of his close family members (from second left) Bobette Allen, sister; Keleen Rowe, sister; Percival Rowe, father; Owen Rowe, brother and Precious Heaven, sister.

?

The Independence period was special for him because he was, at age 10, the youngest member of the Boy Scouts in Jamaica to retire the British flag in 1962 and raise the Jamaican flag at the former Casa Montego Hotel in this northcoast tourist resort city.

The retirement ceremony at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort featured the presentation of the Jamaican and American flags, reading of the honoree?s military history and the lusty singing of the national anthems of both countries by the over 30 family members and friends, led by his wife Viviene Wright, children and siblings who shared in the joyful festivities. Master of Ceremonies was Josh Allen, brother-in-law of Sergeant Wright. Prayers were offered by his father, Percival E Rowe, JP.

?This moment, indeed, has taken my breath away. This moment will always be embedded in my heart,? Wright said, his voice choking with emotion.

Wright, a native of Westmoreland, started his outstanding military career in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), rising to the rank of assistant engineer in the Coast Guard where he was on special assignment with the US Embassy, responsible for diplomatic care protection on land, sea and air.

During these missions, he famously saved the lives of a family of four in August 1979. The Hunt family was being transported from a boat in Discovery Bay, St Ann to a Boston whaler on its way to Goat Island when the boat shifted and capsized, plunging the family members into the sea. Without hesitation, Sergeant Wright jumped more than 30 feet into the water, in full uniform and shoes, and made a heroic rescue of the four persons, none of whom could swim.

His accolades include an award for Outstanding Honour for being the seaport commander on a mission to capture one of the most wanted men in Jamaica in 1978 during a time of intense political violence. He was also in charge of aircraft protection in the Jamaica Air Wing at the JDF.

At the US Air Force in which he enlisted in 1986, he served in five conflicts and two wars, including the 1991 Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm which ousted Iraq?s Saddam Hussein from occupied Kuwait. His other major missions included the US invasion of Panama, for which he received several medals such as the Air Force Achievement Medal for outstanding accomplishment in April 1989. Wright said that among the most notable decorations for him was his award for being the first African-American in the history of the US Air Force to receive Sergeant of the Quarter in performance, ?which meant I had my own parking spot?, he joked.

Distinguishing himself in leadership, he was the oldest member in his training class in Texas and Illinois to complete the Air Force flight computer technical training in 1987 with high honours. His most prestigious award is the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional service.

Reflecting on his life?s achievements, Wright told the Jamaica Observer: ?The honour dearest to my heart, is my participation in the recovery and saving of lives in my parish of birth, Westmoreland, in a tropical depression in 1979.?

At that time, he was assigned chief scout for all security forces involved, including British and US troops.

The festivities climaxed the following day at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel where the group stayed, indulging in a poolside party and dining at Uncle Tony?s Steakhouse Restaurant.

Source: http://nicefmradio.com/featured/jcan-hero-soldier-marks-retirement-from-us-military/

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Heating by black carbon aerosol: Soot particles absorb significantly less sunlight than predicted by models

ScienceDaily (Aug. 30, 2012) ? Viewed as a potential target in the global effort to reduce climate change, atmospheric black carbon particles absorb significantly less sunlight than scientists predicted, raising new questions about the impact of black carbon on atmospheric warming, an international team of researchers, including climate chemists from Boston College, report August 30 in the latest edition of the journal Science.

Mathematical models and laboratory experiments used to study airborne soot particles led to projections that the absorption-boosting chemicals that coat black carbon could yield an increase in absorption by as much as a factor of two. But field studies in smoggy California cities found black carbon absorption enhancements of just 6 percent, suggesting that climate models may be overestimating warming by black carbon, the researchers report.

The surprising results highlight the early challenges in a nascent sector of climate science and could have implications for regulatory efforts to reduce the production of black carbon, or soot, by curbing the burning of fossil fuels. Still, scientists agree that black carbon in the atmosphere has a significant effect on global and regional climate, with earlier studies ranking the warming effects of black carbon particles second only to carbon dioxide gas.

"The team's field measurements in California showed the enhancement of absorption was very small -- approximately six percent instead of by a factor of two," said Boston College Professor of Chemistry Paul Davidovits, an authority on airborne particles, known as aerosols. "In one respect, it shows that nature is much more complicated than our initial laboratory experiments and modeling indicated. Now we will try to unravel and understand that complexity."

The historic role of black carbon soot in climate change has been well documented by scientists, most notably in the study of ice samples taken from deep within glaciers. For the past several years, Davidovits has collaborated with Aerodyne Research Inc., and colleagues from universities and government labs in the U.S., Canada and Finland. Their research has focused on the chemical and optical properties of sub-micron airborne particles of black carbon produced by commercial and industrial activity.

Unlike carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, which can survive in the atmosphere for decades and centuries, black carbon has a relatively short life span of approximately one to two weeks. Black carbon is part of a group of pollution sources known as Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs), including methane gas and ozone, which are produced on earth.

During their lifetime, black carbon particles are coated with airborne chemicals, which sophisticated laboratory tests have shown can act like lenses capable of increasing the ability of the particles to absorb sunlight and heat the atmosphere. That has raised a critical question as to whether targeting black carbon emissions in an effort to reduce climate change could yield relatively quick results on a regional or global level.

Led by principal investigators Christopher D. Cappa, a professor of engineering at the University of California, Davis, and Timothy B. Onasch, principal scientist at Aerodyne and an associate research professor of chemistry at Boston College, the team analyzed air samples near the California cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento.

Researchers tested air samples using a combination of real-time techniques, including aerosol mass spectrometry and photoacoustic spectroscopy. These techniques are capable of making measurements to determine the chemical, physical and optical properties of the black carbon particles, said Onasch, whose Billerica, MA-based company has developed the aerosol mass spectrometer instruments.

Onasch said the recent findings set the stage for further studies around the world under different atmospheric conditions in order to better understand how chemical coatings from a range of emission sources affect the absorptive properties of black carbon.

"When you put a soot particle into the atmosphere, we known it contains an elemental carbon component and we know what it's absorption will be based on mass and size," said Onasch. "But black carbon particles in the air are constantly changing. They collect inorganic and organic materials, they grow, change shapes, and change composition. These changes affect the absorption or warming capability of the black carbon. So the question remains: to what extent exactly?"

The recent findings only add to the challenge of understanding complex chemical activity in the atmosphere, said Davidovits, whose research is supported by the National Science Foundation's Atmospheric Chemistry division and the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric System Research program.

"These findings do require us to reduce our projections about the amount of heating soot produces, at least under some experimental conditions. But the findings don't point to soot as being a harmless climate forcer," said Davidovits. "Soot remains an important climate heating agent, as well as a health problem that has been well documented."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Boston College, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. C. D. Cappa, T. B. Onasch, P. Massoli, D. R. Worsnop, T. S. Bates, E. S. Cross, P. Davidovits, J. Hakala, K. L. Hayden, B. T. Jobson, K. R. Kolesar, D. A. Lack, B. M. Lerner, S.-M. Li, D. Mellon, I. Nuaaman, J. S. Olfert, T. Petaja, P. K. Quinn, C. Song, R. Subramanian, E. J. Williams, R. A. Zaveri. Radiative Absorption Enhancements Due to the Mixing State of Atmospheric Black Carbon. Science, 2012; 337 (6098): 1078 DOI: 10.1126/science.1223447

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KBJaVptbS7Q/120830141339.htm

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Report: One Month After Launch, Mountain Lion Now Powers More Than 10% Of Macs

Mountain Lion, the latest version of Apple's OS X desktop operating system, launched just over a month ago and according to the latest data from ad network Chitika, it now run on over 10% of Macs. Following the obvious spike in installs after launch - the OS was already running on 3.2% of Macs just 48 hours after its release - Mountain Lion's share of web traffic to Chitika's partner network continued to increase steadily, with no sign of letting up even a month later.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/voOXM6ALHHg/

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Imagine Entertainment's Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Sign on to Film Jay-Z's Budweiser Made in America Festival

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --?Imagine Entertainment partners, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, have announced that they are filming Jay-Z's Budweiser Made in America music festival, September 1-2 ...

Entertainment Calendar

The words "attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder" may conjure images of a distracted, overly energetic little boy, but such preconceptions are often mistaken and can seriously mislead.

DGAP-Adhoc: DEAG Deutsche Entertainment Aktiengesellschaft: DEAG earnings per share EUR 0.15 during the first half ...

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to ? 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Entertainment Partners Recognized as One of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces? in the United States

Entertainment Partners , the entertainment industry?s leading provider of payroll and production management solutions, today announces it has been named one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces? in the United States.

Backstage Unveils Redesigned Magazine, Enhanced Online Platform

Backstage, the most trusted place for performers to access casting information, obtain advice, and launch professional acting careers, has unveiled a new look for its print magazine and a more robust online platform.

'Twilight' tops entertainment chart in Britain for 2012

Breaking Dawn - Part 1 comes out on top of combined DVD, game and music chart.

Twilight DVD Tops UK Entertainment Chart

The teen vampire franchise Twilight has dominated entertainment sales in Britain this year, selling nearly twice as much as its closest rival.

CFC Media Lab Boosts Canada's Digital Entertainment Entrepreneurs

TORONTO, ONTARIO-- - ATTENTION: BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, ENTREPRENEURIAL MEDIAThe Canadian Film Centre today announced the creation of ideaBOOST, a new creative business development lab that will equip Canadian ...

Entertainment Leaders to Be Inducted into Variety Home Entertainment Hall of Fame on December 3rd

Nu Image, Inc. and Millennium Films Founder and Chairman Avi Lerner, Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Digital Strategy Officer Mitch Singer, Gaiam, Inc. president Bill Sondheim and Star Wars The Complete Saga will be inducted into the Variety Home Entertainment Hall of Fame on Dec.

Grand Prix Entertainment Expands Exclusive Sports Content

Grand Prix Sports, a subsidiary of Grand Prix Entertainment , a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment company, announced today it had added yet another Olympic s

Source: http://ecommerce.matrix-e.com/eshops/39-arts-entertainment/25045-sports-photo-success-start-a-successful-photography-business-arts-entertainment.html

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Wajam Injects Its Social Search Results Into Google Maps And Safari On iPhone

Wajam, the increasingly popular social search engine, uses a browser plugin to embed its own search results on Google, Bing and numerous other search and shopping sites. For the most part, this limits Wajam to the desktop, but now, the service is also finally coming to mobile. Starting tomorrow, the company will allow its users to see its social search results whenever they do a Google search in Safari and on Google Maps on the iPhone. Due to the locked-down nature of the iPhone, where browser plugins for Safari are not an option, this shouldn't even be possible and displaying its search results on Apple's mobile platform presented some obvious challenges for the company. The Wajam team, however, found a pretty ingenious way to get around these limitations.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/TU99StmEsGY/

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/48814780#48814780

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All eyes on Isaac as Republican convention approaches

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Mitt Romney's Republican National Convention sputters to life Monday with the lonely banging of a gavel in a mostly empty hall, then hits full speed on Tuesday, just as forecasters say Tropical Storm Isaac could reach hurricane strength and make landfall somewhere along a stretch from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle.

"We've got a great convention ahead," Romney said from New Hampshire as he headed into a high school auditorium Monday morning to rehearse his convention speech, suggesting that there were no thoughts of canceling the gathering. He said he hopes those in the storm's path are "spared any major destruction."

Party Chairman Reince Preibus, for his part, insisted the GOP can "have a great week" despite the storm bearing down on the Gulf Coast.

But Sally Bradshaw, a Florida Republican and longtime senior aide to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, was not so sanguine. "It's a mess all around and it's fraught with risk," she said. "It's not good for anybody ? particularly the people impacted by the storm."

It was hardly the opening splash that convention planners had hoped for, and risked the juxtaposition of Republicans partying as the storm heads toward the gulf ? almost exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

"Obviously we want to pray for anyone that's in the pathway of this storm," Priebus said Monday on NBC's "Today" show, "but the message is still the same: that all Americans deserve a better future and that this president ... didn't keep the promises he made in 2008."

The party hastily rewrote the convention script to present the extravaganza's prime rituals and headline speakers later in the week, and further changes were possible. Convention planners said Monday's speakers would be worked into the schedule later in the week.

It was a complication, at best, for a party determined to cast the close election as a referendum on President Barack Obama's economic stewardship and Romney as the best hope for jobs and prosperity.

The concern was two-fold: that Tampa, hosting thousands of GOP delegates, would get sideswiped by the storm; and that it would be unseemly to engage in days of political celebration if Isaac made a destructive landfall anywhere on U.S. soil.

"You can tone down the happy-days-are-here-again a bit," said Rich Galen, a veteran Republican consultant in Washington. "Maybe you don't have the biggest balloon drop in history."

Republicans hoped another distracting tempest would blow over, too, concerning abortion. The Obama campaign and its allies have doubled down in efforts to exploit remarks more than a week ago by Rep. Todd Akin, the GOP's candidate for a Senate seat from Missouri, that a woman's body has a way of preventing pregnancy in the case of a "legitimate rape." The claim is unsupported by medical evidence. The congressman quickly apologized but resisted Romney's pressure to drop out of the race.

Romney, in a Fox interview, said in comments broadcast Sunday that the fallout over Akin's remarks "hurts our party and I think is damaging to women," adding: "It really is sad, isn't it? With all the issues that America faces, for the Obama campaign to continue to stoop to such a low level."

In the reworked convention schedule released early Sunday evening, organizers planned a pro forma opening Monday afternoon, lasting no more than five minutes or so. Priebus was to gavel the convention to order, then immediately recess. Few delegates were expected to attend. In the only bit of convention-hall theater, a debt clock was to be set in motion, to tally the nation's red ink during the convention.

Speakers who had been scheduled for Monday were to start making the case against Obama, under the day's theme, "we can do better." That theme now will be threaded through the following three days, said Romney adviser Russ Schriefer, in charge of the convention's planning. "Even though the days will be abbreviated, I absolutely believe we'll be able to get our message out," he said.

The roll call of state delegations affirming Romney as the party's nominee now is to unfold Tuesday, an evening capped by speeches from Ann Romney and an assortment of GOP governors. Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, gets the prime-time spotlight Wednesday and Romney closes out the spectacle Thursday night, his springboard into the final leg of the contest. That's all if the storm brings no further complications.

So far, many delegates were taking the shakeup in stride. "People are pretty resilient, and people knew going in that there were some weather issues," said Pat Shortridge, the Minnesota state GOP chairman, from Lino Lakes, Minn. "I don't think it's dampened enthusiasm."

Weather was recognized as potential trouble when Republicans chose to hold their convention in politically vital Florida during hurricane season, a decision made well before Romney locked up the nomination. And it's clear that memories of Hurricane Katrina, and the failure of a Republican administration to respond effectively to its Gulf Coast devastation in 2005, are hanging over Tampa now. Republicans have been so sensitive to the political risks from natural disasters that they delayed the start of their national convention by a day in 2008, when Hurricane Gustav bore down on the Gulf, far from their meeting in Minnesota.

And it surely wasn't lost on Tampa convention organizers that a gathering storm gave Obama an opportunity to show leadership. As the forecast worsened, the president directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help.

"The president also told the governor to let him know if there are any unmet needs or additional resources the administration could provide, including in support of efforts to ensure the safety of those visiting the state for the Republican National Convention," the White House said Sunday.

Both sides grappled with how to conduct their politicking in the face of the storm. Vice President Joe Biden, who had been prepared to make as much political hay as possible over the Republican convention, canceled a campaign swing through Florida on Monday and Tuesday.

Polls find a tight race, and it's one that is likely to be settled in a small number of battleground states.

An estimated $500 million has been spent on television commercials so far by the two candidates, their parties and supporting outside groups, nearly all of it in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada. Those states account for 100 electoral votes out of the 270 needed to win the White House. Republicans hope to expand the electoral map to include Pennsylvania, Michigan, perhaps Ryan's Wisconsin and even Minnesota, states with 68 electoral votes combined.

All four are usually reliably Democratic in presidential campaigns. Yet Romney has a financial advantage over the president, according to the most recent fundraising reports, and a move by the Republicans into any of them could force Obama to dip into his own campaign treasury in regions he has considered relatively safe.

Republican office-holders past and present said the economy is the key if Romney is to expand his appeal to women and Hispanic voters.

"We have to point out that the unemployment rate among young women is now 16 percent, that the unemployment rate among Hispanics is very high, that jobs and the economy are more important, perhaps, than maybe other issues," said Arizona Sen. John McCain, who lost to Obama in 2008.

Bush agreed, saying that Romney "can make inroads if he focuses on how do we create a climate of job creation and economic growth." If he succeeds, "I think people will move back towards the Republican side," the former Florida governor added.

Obama leads Romney among female voters and by an overwhelming margin among Hispanics, but trails substantially among men.

___

Woodward reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Steve Peoples in New Hampshire; Thomas Beaumont, Tamara Lush and Brendan Farrington in Florida; Philip Elliott in Wisconsin; and Alicia Caldwell in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eyes-isaac-gop-convention-approaches-072545902.html

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VMware Not Cloud Leader ? Next Generation Providers Filling Gaps, Creating New Categories

VMware will spend this week seeking to convince us that it will take the mantle as the cloud leader. But the reality is something far different as we head into VMworld, the company's annual event. This is a space seeing deep disruption as new categories emerge in the change to more easy to use, commodity type services. The lack of leadership is apparent when you spend some time talking with the team from ManageIQ,which is clearly articulating the unique requirements companies need to consider when integrating their data centers to any number of service providers. Their story is about how they abstract the complex management issues that come with orchestrating cloud infrastructures.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/G9f99HTkDk0/

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Home Improvement, Remodeling, Toxic Black Mold & Mortgage ...

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Smit Patel lavishes praise on Unmukt Chand ? Cricket News Update ...

Smit Patel lavishes praise on Unmukt Chand ? Cricket News Update

India?s wicketkeeper batsman, Smit Patel, who scored the title clinching runs in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final against Australia, on Sunday, has said that he was always confident of lifting the coveted trophy.

India, the 2008 World Cup champions defeated hosts Australia by six wickets in the final, at the Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville to clinch the title for the third time.

While chasing 226 to win the coveted trophy, the Men in Blue started magnificently and were quite comfortable at 60 for 1 at the end of 10^th over. Baba Aparajith?s dismissal in the 15^th over was followed by quick wickets of Hanuma Vihari (4) and Vijay Zol (1), as India were reduced to 97 for 4 in the 25^th over.

Then came to the crease Smit Patel and shared an unbeaten 130-run stand with skipper Unmukt Chand to take the side home in the 48^th over, with six wickets to spare. Patel played an unbeaten knock of 62 runs while Chand played a magnificent innings of 111 runs, studded with six towering sixes and seven muscular boundaries.

The 19-year-old Gujarat cricketer lavished praise on skipper Chand for leading the side from the front.

"It was awesome batting with (captain) Unmukt (Chand). He is a match-winner," said the wicketkeeper batsman during a post-match media interaction.?

"We kept discussing our strategy during our partnership. I was quite confident that if we continued (the way we were playing), we could achieve the target (even if) with difficulty.?

"The situation was quite tentative when we lost the fourth wicket for 97 but we stuck to our basics. Our coach had told us whenever there is pressure we should just stick to our basics and that's what we did," he added further.

After kick starting their World Cup campaign with a four-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies U-19, the Men in Blue went on to defeat Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and New Zealand, to reach the tournament finals, where they defeated the defending Champions, Australia to win the title.

This is the third time India won an U-19 World Cup, after 2000 and 2008.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Smit-Patel-lavishes-praise-on-Unmukt-Chand-Cricket-News-Update-a182598

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Pierre Cardin offering glass skyscraper to Venice

MILAN (AP) ? French fashion designer Pierre Cardin has designed a gift meant as an economic catalyst to Venice and the region: a 250-meter (800-foot)-tall modernist glass skyscraper housing a fashion university, luxury hotel suites and shops.

But rather than unbridled enthusiasm, the proposed ?2.4-billion ($3 billion) project has been met with everything from healthy skepticism to open ridicule.

The "Palace of Light" has been described alternatively as a spaceship that crashed into the lagoon, a shiny fishing lure or an illuminated mushroom.

"It is seen with interest, but at the same time with open perplexity," said Claudio Borghello, a Venice city councilman. "There is not a skyscraper of this dimension in all of (the) Veneto (region), forget right on the lagoon." At the same time, "this could become a symbol that you can relaunch this part of the world."

Cardin, who turned 90 in July, designed his "Palais Lumiere" as a gift to his native Veneto, the region that includes Venice. While Cardin epitomizes French style, he is actually Italian-born: Pietro Cardin, trundled off from San Biagio di Callalta, north of Venice, by his parents to France at age 2.

Three interconnecting towers would be built at the industrial port of Marghera, an area in economic decline some 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Venice's landmark St. Mark's Square. Under the proposal, Cardin would clean up pollutants from the land, invest ?1.4 billion ($1.75 billion) himself and endow the fashion university, said Cardin's nephew, Rodrigo Basilicati, who has been pushing the project through the bureaucracy.

Plans envision 2,500 to 3,000 jobs on site created during construction, and another 2,000 to 2,500 after completion.

While welcoming the prospects of an environmental cleanup and new jobs, critics are concerned about overall impact on the fragile lagoon environment and a city already overwhelmed by mass tourism ? as well as visual pollution from the tower itself, which some complain has no relationship with the city's Byzantine architecture.

Architect Vittorio Gregotti urged Cardin: "If you want to do something for Venice, do something else." Italia Nostra, a preservation group, said the skyscraper, at three times the height of St. Mark's "would squash the city's proportions," and referred to the structure itself as a "giant illuminated mushroom."

To help persuade Venetians that the criticism is overstated, Cardin is opening an exhibit on the project in Marghera on Monday on the sidelines of the Venice Biennale of architecture, which opens Wednesday.

Basilicati said his uncle knew the project would be "a provocation." But the stylist wasn't quite ready for the intensity of the criticism.

"Let's say the reaction to the aesthetics he understands, even if it doesn't make him happy," Basilicati said. "On the other hand, the objections about the skyline and the environmental impact have disappointed him, using lies."

The towers, he insists, won't be visible at all from Venice's historic center, and only barely seen from the Lido island.

Italy's air traffic authority is expected to say within days if the tower's height interferes with local air traffic. After that, a committee of local authorities will convene in an effort to streamline final approvals, which could pave the way for construction to begin early next year.

"In an industrial zone like Port Marghera, which is not protected by UNESCO, I think this is only an improvement," Basilicati said

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pierre-cardin-offering-glass-skyscraper-venice-112443497.html

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The Celution: ? Living with a Long Distance Relationship ?

Today is the beginning of a potential long distance relationship that will hopefully continue for the next year or so. When I say "potential" and "hopefully", I mean I look forward to and hope for the relationship to last.?

To cut things short, the story begins in a Math class where we randomly sat beside each other and somewhat became friends which wound up blossoming into a relationship that has begun since early January of 2012. Unfortunately for us, I'm a grade behind him?? due to fact that I'm a keener and advanced into Math a grade ahead of my own?? so while I'm in my grad year this year, he's off more than half way across the country for uni. Fortunately, I planned on going to the same university a few years ago so as long as I work hard and make it in, we will be reunited in a year, if all goes well.?

Building up a positive mentality to cope with this moment was tough. We knew it was coming before we began our relationship and we also knew we would be okay with support from each other. I'll admit that I was quite hesitant about stepping into a relationship with him just because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to handle a long distance relationship. Now that it's all happening, I can only say that whatever happens, I don't regret giving in to having a relationship him; quite honestly, not a hint of regret since the start. I swear.

So far, I've just been trying my best to help him get organized for school. Thank goodness for technology! We are able to stay close via Skype, Facetime, and Google just to name a few staples in our new lifestyle together.?

It's quite a sad turn in our relationship but it'll be a valuable experience. I look forward to seeing him in December most but also look forward to catching up with him every day through technology. I will continue to work with him to keep our relationship going and most likely continue to share with all of you how we made things work out. Wish us luck! :)

Source: http://thecelution.blogspot.com/2012/08/living-with-long-distance-relationship.html

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A series of earthquakes rattle California

SAN DIEGO (AP) ? A series of earthquakes has rattled California, from rural Imperial County all the way to the San Diego County coast.

Paul Caruso with the U.S. Geological Survey says the first quake, magnitude 3.9, struck at 10:02 a.m. Sunday about three miles north-northwest of Brawley.

It was followed by a 3.4 quake about 90 seconds later in the same area near the southern end of the Salton Sea about 16 miles north of El Centro. Magnitude 2.2 and 2.0 quakes followed minutes later.

Preliminary USGS reports indicated that three quakes larger than magnitude 5.3 struck within two minutes starting at 12:30 p.m. Caruso says the magnitude of those quakes have not been verified.

A sheriff's dispatcher says there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/series-earthquakes-rattle-california-205938568.html

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Team building | How can you relate productivity to leadership?

How can you relate building to leadership or team productivity? The same way companies measure any other variable in a process. This streamlining, is analyzed for each individual input and output, along with variables and measurement of the edges of a process. Truthfully, a team or a process is palpable ? we can immediately see the effects. The challenge in teaching the decision makers in companies, to equate the work of their teams, the company of Financials.

Vocational training is for most companies given. When I worked a manufacturing company, it was the company and equipment most frequently used part of setting a new employee about to train in General. Whats with the other areas of training ? such as leadership, knowledge sharing or team-building? Known as human capital management, these areas are painted often pretty quickly from the budget in tight economic times. It may seem that HCM are issues only benefits and easily dispensable for short term budget planning. However, this decision may the company more money in the long term costs. The best way for companies to keep training rotation and Center to prove that HCM training the bottom line effect is likely.

Ram Charan ? author of what the CEO wants you to know: how your company really works focuses on the basics of money ? it says are three questions, each leader must answer are: 1. What is the money that model my organization? 2. How my team to contribute money that model? Think of the impact of these issues. Together with the issues, Charan includes five building blocks of money make model: cash, margin, speed, growth, and customers. By educating everyone in society to certain objectives can work guide on the basics of the financial structure of the company.

Written by Jim Mahone and Chuck Bokor paper under the title review of leadership training: economic impact and return on investment the effects of leadership training is analysed quantitatively by two different courses and in two different industries. One showed their results almost 15 per cent return on investment when you compare the cost of the initial training, the overall effect of the Organization, as well as a projected 179-to-1 rate for the cost-benefit ratio. Why, these conditions are so high, can be explained by the fact that leadership training develops the capacity in individuals with all kinds of situations, said the paper. The benefits, the right decision for individuals in senior positions of leadership make enormous, can have while also significantly impact the cost of the wrong decision.

Leadership training is evaluated not only on team members in the business objectives or appealing workers feel. Executives need to influence business knowledge and acumen of the company, as well as constantly better decision making skills to learn, so they can have confidence handle any situation or the choice that results.

Source: http://www.bidaac.org/how-can-you-relate-productivity-to-leadership.html

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India sets up investment panel as FDI slumps 78% in June

India's government on Friday set up a panel to suggest ways to improve the climate for doing business in the country as figures showed foreign direct investment in India slid by 78 percent in June.

The committee, headed by former Securities and Exchange Board of India chairman M. Damodaran, will prepare a report within six months for submission to the Congress-led government, the corporate affairs ministry said.

Overseas investors have increasingly been giving a wide berth to Asia's third-largest economy -- until recently a sought-after investment destination.

They have been deterred by a string of graft scandals, red tape, high inflation, sharply slowing growth and the government's inability to further open up the economy in the face of fierce political opposition.

The panel will include Indian industrial tycoons Anand Mahindra and Kumar Mangalam Birla "and come out with a detailed roadmap for improving the climate of business in India in a time-bound manner", the ministry said.

The late evening announcement coincided with the release of official data earlier in the day showing foreign direct investment (FDI) in June tumbled to $1.24 billion from $5.66 billion in the same month a year earlier.

For the financial first quarter to June, FDI tumbled year-on-year by 67 percent to $4.43 billion, according to the department, with big drops in construction, real estate, mining, and business and financial services.

The central bank said on Thursday that India could help reverse the investment decline by shortening investment approval times and sorting out land acquisition issues.

Central bank governor Duvvuri Subbarao cited the example of Singapore, an investment hub, to stress the importance of doing away with cumbersome rules that deter business.

"There is a need to make doing business easy by adopting models like the one in Singapore where multiple agencies/ministries sit together to quickly give a decision clearing investment projects," he said in the bank's annual report.

Experts say foreign investment is vital for India, which needs to fund a $1 trillion scheme over the next five years to overhaul its dilapidated ports, airports, highways and other infrastructure seen as key to boosting growth.

Among a host of stalled high-profile projects are South Korean steelmaker POSCO's plans to build a $12 billion mill. The plan has hung in limbo since 2005, running into trouble over land rights and environmental clearances.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government set out an ambitious plan to revive stalled economic reforms in the current parliamentary session and spur growth, which is at a near decade low.

But its legislative agenda has been jeopardised by a new deadlock in parliament over allegations the government lost out on billions of dollars in revenues from a controversial allocation of coalfields.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fdi-india-slumps-78-june-000618271.html

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There Are Some Technologies We Should Not Have [Rant]

Pretty much every book, movie, or TV show that has imagined the existence of time machines has come to the conclusion that they're a bad idea: tools for the very highly trained at best, catastrophic mistakes at worst. Time machines are a technology that the greater public is simply not mature enough to use properly. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/rFhj75UCESU/there-are-some-technologies-we-should-not-have

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Chrysler's Ram 1500 pickup truck relying on fuel economy, price

(Reuters) - Chrysler Group LLC is betting that better fuel economy and a moderate 1 percent increase in price from last year's models will help its line of 2013 Ram 1500 pickup trucks gain ground on industry leaders from Ford and Chevrolet.

The first redesign since 2009 for the biggest-selling vehicle in the Chrysler lineup has led to a pickup truck with more technology and less weight to go along with the usual pickup truck marketing features of power and towing ability, analysts who have driven the new Ram 1500 said.

The Ram 1500 goes on sale in the United States in October.

The starting price will be $23,585, including destination charges, Chrysler said on Friday. The highest-priced version in the Ram 1500 lineup will be a four-wheel-drive "Laramie Longhorn" crew cab at $48,415, including destination charges.

Chrysler, majority-owned by Italy's Fiat SpA , won't be able to topple the top-selling Ford Motor Co F-150 or the No. 2 General Motors Co Chevrolet Silverado in U.S. sales, but this improved Ram offering may narrow the gap, said analysts.

Edmunds.com director of vehicle testing, Dan Edmunds, said the Ram 1500, even an improved offering, faces an uphill battle against Ford and GM because pickup truck customers have fierce brand loyalty.

"There's definitely some technical benefits and there's some real benefits to the customer," Edmunds said. "They've got a good solid product here. The question is - does it overcome years of brand loyalty? That's hard to say."

Sales of the current 2012 versions of the Ram pickup trucks rose 23 percent this year through July in the United States, U.S. market, compared with a 12 percent rise for Ford F-Series pickup sales and a 3.5 percent gain for the Silverado pickups.

Still, Ford's pickup trucks made up 39 percent of the lucrative U.S. full-size pickup truck market, followed by 37 percent for GM's versions including the Silverado and the GMC Sierra, and 16.5 percent for Ram pickup trucks.

The GM total combines a 26 percent full-size pickup truck share of the Silverado and the 10 percent share of the Sierra.

The Ram 1500 "is not going to be a class leader in terms of sales volumes and Chrysler knows that," said Aaron Bragman, autos analyst with IHS Automotive. "They don't even have the capacity to do that. What they are is an alternative.

"Chrysler's goal is not to have a segment leader. It's goal is to make quite a bit of money, as all pickups do, and it does that quite well," said Bragman.

Pickup trucks have wider profit margins than do smaller vehicles, which makes the Ram 1500 an important product for Chrysler. Without Chrysler's profits, almost all from North America, parent Fiat would have shown a loss in the second quarter.

FUEL ECONOMY

Fuel economy, because of higher gasoline prices, has become a bigger factor for consumers when selecting a pickup truck in the past few years, said Bob Hegbloom, director of Ram Trucks for Chrysler.

So the Ram Truck brand and Chrysler will emphasize the version with a 3.6-liter, V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission that can get 17 miles per gallon of gasoline in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, Hegbloom said, citing estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The primary model of the Ram 1500 lineup, the 4.7-liter with a V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic will get 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

The 3.6-liter version of the Ram 1500 with the 8-speed transmission will surpass the upcoming 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, which gets 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, according to Ford.

GM's 2013 Chevrolet Silverado has a version of that truck with a 5.3-liter, V8 engine that can get 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

(Additional reporting By Deepa Seetharman in Detroit and Ian Geoghegan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chryslers-ram-1500-pickup-truck-relying-fuel-economy-040458976--finance.html

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Mayor's Office: Portland Police Bureau Training Advisory Council

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Source: http://www.sustainableportland.org/index.cfm?c=46727&a=408847

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What To Do if Your Child Swallows a Magnet

Aug 24, 2012 2:59pm

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Credit: Amazon

Dr. Robert Noel, an associate professor of pediatrics in the Gastroenterology Division at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, offered these tips for parents and caregivers who might have magnet toys in their home or suspect their child has swallowed a magnet.

Because magnet toys have industrial strength magnetic force, they find each other, or anything else made of metal, inside the body just as easily as outside. The tissue is trapped between which can result in:

• Holes in the tissue of the esophagus, stomach, intestines
• Infection
• Fistulas
• Bowel Obstructions
• Tissue Death
• Death

Tips for Parents, Caregivers Who Have Magnet Toys in Their Home:

• If you have children and are not using these magnets then dispose of them safely.
• If you have them and are still using them then put them away in a safe place preferably in a locked cabinet or locked container but definitely out of the reach of children.
• If you have adolescent that use these magnets educate them on safe use and storage of the magnets when not in use. Especially emphasize that younger siblings should not be allowed to touch these magnets.
• Educate your older children and teens about the risks of swallowing these magnets. Never permit them to use these magnets as face, body or mouth jewelry (such as to mimic piercings)
• If you have these magnet toys in your house, count them when you first use them, and count them each time before you put them away to account for all of them.
• Encourage your child to tell you immediately if an accident happens and he or she swallows a magnet or sees another child swallow one.
• Regularly check toys and play areas, including carpeting, for dislodged or lost magnets.
• Run another magnet or an object made of a ferrous metal around play areas, couches, chair cushions, etc. to pick up lost magnets.
• Consider using these magnets in a contained space such as on a tray where loose magnets can be contained to prevent them from dropping on the floor, carpet or into or under furniture.
• If you cannot account for all magnets after they have been out and used then evaluate the possibility that a child could have accidentally swallowed them.
• If it is possible that a young child could have swallowed them then immediately seek medical attention. Symptoms maybe not present or minimal until there is significant injury.
• Do not delay an evaluation if magnet ingestion is possible since substantial injury can occur within hours of ingestion.
• Don?t assume a swallowed magnet will pass normally. These magnets are very likely to be attracted to one another and trap intestine between them causing them to become stuck inside your child.

  Three-year-old Payton Bushnell of Oregon underwent surgery after swallowing a total of 37 Buckyball magnets, commonly sold together as a desktop toy. Doctors said the girl likely would have died had it not been for the operation, as some of the magnets had already torn several holes in her intestines and stomach. Credit: Photo courtesy of Randall Children

What You Should Do if You Suspect That Your Child Has Swallowed a Magnet:

• If you think your teenager, toddler or child has swallowed these magnets, immediately seek medical attention by calling your doctor or go to the emergency department.
• Don?t assume a swallowed magnet will pass normally.
• If your child has any unexplained stomach symptoms and these magnets are present in your household then consider the possibility that they have swallowed these magnets and take them to the emergency room for a x-ray evaluation.
• If the doctor says he sees only a single magnet on the x-ray and it is alright for your child to go home, make sure he has a taken at least two different x-ray views. Two magnets trapping a piece of intestine between them can appear as one magnet when one magnet is behind the other in an x-ray picture.

For More Information, Visit the Following Resources:

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN): LINK HERE

American Academy of Pediatrics Alerts Pediatricians to Dangers of Magnet Ingestions: LINK HERE

SHOWS: Nightline

Source: http://feeds.abcnews.com/click.phdo?i=027b35f83b7262e106047a3c5a010db2

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Official: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport officially rated at 365 HP, 16/22 MPG

New High-Performance Ford Explorer Sport, a Fully Capable SUV Certified to Deliver Class-Leading Fuel Economy

? The Ford Explorer Sport high-performance SUV is certified at 365 horsepower, with class-leading EPA-rated fuel economy of 16 city and 22 highway mpg

? The Ford Explorer Sport's standard Terrain Management System? has been specifically calibrated to optimize increased EcoBoost? power

? Explorer Sport features an interior inspired by designer fashion accessories, sporty exterior cues, and 20-inch high-performance tires and wheels

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 24, 2012 ? Ford's new Explorer Sport will stand in a class of one when it goes on sale next month with an EPA-certified 22 mpg highway rating, the only seven-passenger, high-performance SUV on the market to do so.

New for the 2013 model year, Ford Explorer Sport arrives, packing a 365 horsepower EcoBoost? engine, high-fashion interior design and class-leading fuel economy.

"Explorer Sport hits a sweet-spot combination of power, usable torque, 4WD capability, with class-leading fuel efficiency," said Bill Gubing, chief engineer for Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor vehicles. "The Explorer Sport EcoBoost engine matches Taurus SHO for output and the Terrain Management System has been specifically calibrated to optimize increased power ? regardless of the road or conditions."

Explorer Sport mixes high-performance SUV power with fuel economy of up to 16 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. This is 3 mpg better in the city and 2 mpg better on the highway than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango R/T with 5.7-liter Hemi engines.

Explorer Sport scores 3 mpg higher in the city and 4 mpg higher on the highway than the supercharged Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

No compromises

"Explorer Sport is an uncompromised high-performance SUV," said Gubing. "From making changes to the chassis and suspension, uniquely calibrating the Terrain Management System for added power, we're delivering an SUV that delivers great dynamics and performance ? while towing up to 5,000 pounds."

The Explorer Sport features a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic? transmission with a unique 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio to provide the balance of responsive acceleration and economical low-rpm cruising for better highway fuel efficiency.

Ford engineers also added chassis tunnel reinforcements and a solid-mounted electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) rack with improved pedal feel and response for drivers, both on-road and off.
This model comes standard with larger brakes for improved pedal feel, stronger resistance to fade and better performance while towing.

Explorer Sport also has received special Terrain Management System settings for optimizing increased power and torque in on-road touring and under sandy, snowy, rutted mud and hill descent conditions. These changes enable a luxurious ride for driving enthusiasts, without the harshness or thirst for fuel of performance-intended competitors.

Development engineers validated snow settings in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and returned to Borrego Springs, Calif. to fine-tune sand settings.

Sport-specific calibration optimizes increased EcoBoost power and consistent torque to specific conditions such as deep sand or snow, at the setting of a console-mounted knob.

Design elements

The 2013 Sport builds on Explorer's muscular, sculpted form with subtle cues to differentiate it from other models in the lineup.

Available in four exterior colors ? Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat, White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Tuxedo Black Metallic and Ingot Silver Metallic ? Explorer Sport has unique 20-inch painted and machined wheels, features blacked-out headlamp and taillamp treatments, black roof rack rails, sideview mirror skull caps and a liftgate appliqu?.

The Explorer Sport's special grille is a low-gloss Sterling Gray mesh, with contrasting ebony high-gloss bars.

The black front lower fascia features a functional opening for additional cooling. Explorer logotype in billet-like black adds a bold identity statement.

Inside, the high-end feel continues. Charcoal Black leather-trimmed seating is available with and without contrasting Sienna inserts.

The interior design contrast was inspired by fashion, mirroring two-tones that are currently seen in leather accessories and apparel from design houses Balenciaga and Prada. Stitching is emphasized to lend a handcrafted appearance while highlighting Explorer Sport's sculptured seats.

Explorer Sport also has unique steering wheel stitching, a technical look to instrument and door panel appliqu?s, unique Sport-logo floor mats and illuminated scuff plates.

Comfort, convenience, connectivity

As the top of the Explorer line, Sport offers a robust array of standard and optional customer-focused technologies that make driving more comfortable, convenient and connected. These include:

Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control (DEATC)
10-way power driver's seat with power recline and lumbar
Six-way power passenger seat with recline and lumbar
First-row heated seats
Compass and exterior temperature display
Rearview camera system
SYNC? with MyFord Touch? driver connect technology
Sony? Premium Audio System with HD Radio? and 12 speakers

Explorer Sport can be tailored to individual preferences with the following options:

BLIS? (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert
Cooled seats
Inflatable rear seat belts
110-volt outlet
PowerFold mirrors
Rain-sensing wipers
Intelligent access with Push-Button Start
Remote Start
Power tilt and telescoping steering column
Adjustable pedals with memory
Dual-panel moonroof
Power liftgate
Class III trailer-towing package

Explorer Sport is manufactured at Ford's Chicago production facility and goes on sale this fall.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/2013-ford-explorer-sport-officially-rated-at-365-hp-16-22-mpg/

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Beyond the Bath Basics

Beyond the Bath Basics

By Jennifer Shapira

Floor to ceiling tiles, recessed lights, glass-enclosed shower. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Narod Photography/BOWA)

Dee David is in the business of overhauling personal spaces.?The owner of her eponymous Falls Church-based kitchen and bath design firm has seen an increase in requests to redo and renew bathrooms, which she and other industry professionals say is a product of the recession.

No matter their means, people want to spruce up their homes, she says. Even small enhancements can make a big difference to one?s quality of life.

From facelifts to total gut jobs, whether the goal is a tiny but functional powder room or a better circulating master, experts say if you?re thinking about putting your house on the market, a bathroom redo is paramount.

One of today?s absolute biggest trends is the removal of the tub in the master bathroom, says Joshua Baker, co-founder of McLean- and Middleburg-based BOWA Builders.

Sectioned out vanity room and bath/shower that Dee David created with soothing gray palette has His and her vanities with lots of storage space. (Courtesy of Bob Narod Photography/BOWA)

Instead, frameless glass-enclosed showers, many with elaborate tile work and multiple jets, have become focal points, he says. And it?s obvious why: They can be custom-fit to be roomier and infinitely more spa-like and, as the population ages, the showers are safer than tubs.

Of course, there are exceptions for those who like a good soak, says Baker. While it?s true that the best-case scenario is a master bath complete with?a high-end, standalone soaking tub and full spa shower, if there are space limitations and the homeowner must choose one over the other, the shower always wins out.

In Style

Farrow & Ball wallpaper (Courtesy of Farrow & Ball)

Today?s bathroom design trends cut across all styles: traditional, transitional and contemporary or anywhere in between. Everyone wants a modern take on the essentials, from improved flow to storage. Homeowners want convenience and beautification above all else. As the population ages, it makes sense that chic-er commodes now sit at comfort height, and attractive grab bars are installed in walk-in showers. Vanities can be tailored to a husband and wife?s heights, says Baker, of a recent project.

Big masters were a big deal in the 1980s and early ?90s, but today the focus is less on space, and more on functionality, he says. Design solutions are where it?s at; for example, giving that little-used closet new life as a second entryway into the master bath.

Beautiful built-in vanities complete with storage (for towels and toilet paper) and display areas (to exhibit favorite possessions), or a spot for tuning into the morning?s news on an LED TV, just make for better movement.

Bath Vendors:

Dee David & Co. LLC
7906 Sycamore Drive, Falls Church, VA; 703-560-6601; deedavidandco.com

NVS Kitchen and Bath
8982 Hornbaker Road, Manassas; 703-378-2600

Case Design/Remodeling Inc.
701 Park Ave., Falls Church; 703-241-2980; 800-513-2250; casedesign.com

REVE Design Studio Inc.
5319 N. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington; 703-312-7060; reve-studio.com

Blue Moon Construction, LLC
42582 Muirwood Court, Ashburn; 888-209-8352; bluemoonconstruction.net

BOWA Builders
7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A10, McLean; 703-734-9050
201 E. Washington St., PO Box 205, Middleburg; 540-687-6771; bowa.com

Reico Kitchen and Bath
6790 Commercial Drive, Springfield; 703-245-0414
7500-B Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-748-0700; reico.com

Alexandria Kitchen & Bath Studio
1502 King St., Alexandria; 703-549-1415; akbs-oldtown.com

Harvey?s Kitchens & Baths
22560 Glenn Drive, Suite 115, Sterling; 703-444-0871; harveys-kb.com

Kitchen & Bath Factory
4624 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-522-7337; kitchenandbathfactory.com

Tile and Stone:

Architectural Ceramics
Alexandria Public Showroom
203 S. Union St., Alexandria; 703-299-6200; architecturalceramics.net

Falls Church Showroom
7505P Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-714-0161

Fairfax Marble & Granite
13913 Willard Road, Chantilly; 703-378-1080; fairfaxmarble.com

Flintstone Marble and Granite
21760 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 105, Ashburn; 571-223-2970; flintstonemarble.com

Stone World Inc.
25358 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 100, Chantilly; 571-239-5167; stoneworldonline.com

Potomac Marble & Granite
1235 Featherstone Road, Woodbridge; 703-497-6555; pmgranite.com

Mosaic Tile
8400 Hilltop Road, Suite E, Fairfax; 703-280-4300
14801 Willard Road, Suite 400, Chantilly; 703-631-4848
10720 Richmond Highway, Suite F, Lorton; 703-495-8453; mosaictileco.com

Best Tile Lorton
8196 Terminal Road, Lorton; 703-550-2352; besttile.com

Mid-Atlantic Tile
4121 Parke Long Court, Suite 110, Chantilly; 703-378-6610; mid-atlantictile.com

Fixtures:

Ferguson
Multiple locations
419-A Calvert Ave., Alexandria; 703-836-6526; ferguson.com

Lighting:

Alexandria Lighting
701 N. Henry St., Alexandria; 703-548-2320; alexandrialighting.com

Dominion Electric Supply Co.
14605 Lee-Jackson Highway, Chantilly; 703-631-8300; 1-800-525-5007; dominionelectric.com

Annapolis Lighting
10362 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax; 888-847-7295; annapolislighting.com

Dulles Electric
22570 Shaw Road, Suite 150, Sterling; 703-450-5700; dulleselectric.com

Lamps Unlimited
1362 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-827-0090; lampsunlimited-mclean.com

Lamp Factory Outlet
6412 Springfield Plaza, Springfield; 703-569-5330; thelampfactoryoutlet.com

Glass:

Woodbridge Glass
14312 Jefferson Davis Highway, Woodbridge; 703-494-5181; woodbridgeglassva.com

ABC Glass and Mirror Inc.
8395 B Euclid Ave., Manassas Park; 703-257-7150; abcglassandmirror.com

Showers, Saunas, Tubs
5739 Telegraph Road, Alexandria; 703-960-0220; showersauna.com

Paint:

Color Wheel
1374 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-356-8477; mycolorwheel.com/sb.cn

Color Wheel Paint Center
2802-D Merrilee Drive, Fairfax; 703-356-8477, ext. 2

Leesburg Paint
305 E Market St., Suite V, Leesburg; 703-771-2612; leesburgpaint.com

Baker mentions one such micro-improvement that clients love: the convenience of outlets hidden inside vanity drawers. Appliances like hairdryers and razors can stay plugged in and off, out of sight until needed. The result: no cluttering up of valuable real estate on beautiful, carefully chosen granite or marble countertops.

Other storage solutions that can make a difference: Consider an heirloom corner etagere, open shelving or a pretty basket that stocks tightly rolled, easy-to-grab plush towels, or a carved-to-fit cubby inside the shower to park bottles of shampoo and body wash.

?I always add a little niche,? says Stephanie Kelley, a Fairfax interior decorator (refineddesignllc.com). ?If you don?t, you?re stuck with those ugly things that you have to buy at the store to hold your shampoo, and they never look good.?

Another must: ?If there?s room, always put a bench in the shower,? she laughs, ?because women have to shave their legs.? Kelley recalls one client whose lower half was measured expressly for the purpose of a custom-built seat. Useful and luxe, the bench is essential for that home spa feel.

This BOWA master bath renovation in Great Falls features his and hers vanities, beautiful finishes and A heated floor .

Crystal Cubes

Today?s frameless glass showers resemble crystal cubes that often showcase intricate tile designs and mosaics on the floor or walls. Sometimes thought of as the bathroom?s ?jewelry,? pricier materials are often used in the shampoo cubbies, or banded on the sides of the shower?s walls as accents.

Gone are the days of a solitary shower head. Today?s shower includes, at minimum, multiple shower heads and adjustable hand-held jets in varied heights to literally treat each body part, says Schwartz.

They are also larger, often built to comfortably fit two and always include a bench. Homeowners can choose to enjoy a steam shower, ?where you can actually sit and take a steam bath within the shower itself, like you would at a spa,? says Baker. While it requires changes to the bathroom?s ventilation, a steam shower?s sophisticated controls allow you to take your time and finish up on your own clock. The same is true of heated tile floors, now much more common in a master redo: Set the timer to begin heating before you get out of bed and the floor will be toasty beneath your feet. After showering, envelop yourself in a towel warmed on a heated rack. Such luxuries are becoming more essential in achieving the much-wanted spa-like feel in today?s renovated bathrooms.

Contemporary master bath features a marble and glass tile blend, Mississippi river rock and cararra marble. Courtesy of Bob Narod Photography/BOWA

If frameless glass showers seem trendy because everyone wants them, it is one trend that experts agree has definite staying power: They make any bathroom look larger, aren?t defined by a particular style, and always look glamorous.

The look ?is more expensive but it lasts forever, and it probably won?t go out of style because it?s so simple,? says Donna Evers, president of Evers & Co. Real Estate in Washington, D.C.

Minimal maintenance keeps them in shape. The shower?s multiple heads have another important function: Fire away on soap scum and ?it?s almost like self-cleaning shower,? says David.

And, it may seem odd, but contemplate the drain. Traditionally, not a very sexy thing to consider when it comes to bathroom redos, but John Ronay, president and director of field operations for Blue Moon Construction, says he?s adding such innovative personal touches (?We call them ?funner features??) like soothing LED-lit channel drains that illuminate the shower underfoot. Longer and thinner, and less, well, drain-like, clients are finding that they are much more aesthetically pleasing, adds Baker.

BOWA master bath renovation includes matching vanities and roomy walk-in shower.

Stay Neutral?

Experts agree that one is the magic number for a bathtub in the home. It doesn?t matter where it is?hall bath, guest bath, no matter?the requirement is one if you decide to sell, says Evers. The self-described house addict has renovated two dozen properties, and regularly consults sellers on ways to whip their bathrooms into shape to appeal to buyers.?

?A master bath becomes a form of self-expression even more than the powder room,? says Evers. ?If you stay in your house 20 years and the styles change, you don?t want to be stuck with something you?re going to have to quickly renovate in order to sell it.?

Experts agree the best bang for your buck is to install fixtures in neutral colors. White is really where it?s at, says Evers. If you?re thinking about selling in the future, think understated.

?People say ?white is so boring,?? says Evers. ?But it?s not.? You can still show your own personality. Kick it up a notch with splashy accessories like bright colored towels, window treatments, lighting fixtures, even paint color?all easy pieces to change out when, and if, the time comes to sell. ?Your home is your home,? she says, ?but it?s also an investment.?

Transitional style has a broad, safe appeal, says Kelley, suggesting that it?s a good look for the potential seller?s bathroom. But, she adds, that doesn?t mean it has to be plain.

Bling It

David?s master bath for a home in Alexandria fit the couple?s needs to a T. The wife insisted on a bathtub because ?that?s how she melts away her stress of the day,? says David.

The walk-in shower is a frameless glass enclosure, its floor tiled in gray-toned stones that provide a stimulating foot massage. The custom-built master bathroom incorporates dual vanity spaces, hers larger?obviously?for primping purposes, laughs David; the other side, just right for his needs. If space allows, says David, there?s a trend toward zoning the bathroom by purpose and privacy. Specific spaces were carved out; bathing is in one area, the vanities are set apart in another. Recessed lights provide task lighting; matching curvy mirror-mounted sconces cast a warm glow.

Long, rectangular tiles were designed and placed from floor to ceiling, creating an elegant, contemporary feel. And, the palette of grays creates a soothing environment.

?Every woman wants a little bit of glamour or glitz in her life,? says David. And a bathroom is a perfect place to add sparkle.

David?s master bathroom for the Alexandria townhouse represents a down-to-earth contemporary feel with an out-of-this-world element. Like a starry night, the tub?s Caesarstone surround shimmers, says David, and makes the bathroom feel luxurious.

But adding sparkle doesn?t have to be pricey. ?You can spend $3 on a crystal doorknob to get that bling,? she says, ?and it looks cute!? She?s hung crystal chandeliers in small Arlington bathrooms, and added bigger ones when space permits.

Chandeliers, though glamorous, don?t always have to be traditional in look and feel. They can be more contemporary: Instead of the waterfall effect, a trio of crystal pendants can serve as a modern take on a stylish look.

Spacious shower with dual shower heads and bench. Courtesy of BOWA

Luxe for Less

But even if a glass-walled shower is not in your immediate future, you can dress up (or change up) a shower or bathtub with a statement shower curtain. You don?t have to shell out big bucks to improve the space.

Designers say the trend now is for bathrooms to be calm, nature- and Asian-inspired sanctuaries, often in tones of beiges and grays. That doesn?t mean you can?t paint the walls, or even one wall, a rich, striking color. Or consider wallpaper in a favorite print or pattern. Add touches of glamour with architecturally interesting lighting fixtures. Purchase an attractive mirror that fits your style, and pair matching sconces on either side. Even something as simple as a minimalist vase of fresh-cut flowers beside the sink will jazz up the room.

Ashburn interior designer Andrea Schwartz (andreadesignz.com) places smooth, flat rocks to the bottom of a basin to add to the space?s calming atmosphere. If you have natural light, choose an orchid at your local garden center. If not, Schwartz says to go with the faux?silk versions are available at most home goods shops.

Other improvement tips: Place ceramic floor tiles on a diagonal to make the space seem larger. And, use mildew-resistant grout that matches the tile, says David.

Match the hardware on everything, Evers suggests, from the shower door to the faucets, from towel bars to grab bars, even the flush lever on the toilet. Brushed nickel and polished chrome are good choices; they?re stylish but not too trendy.

Modern, Tranquil Spaces

?I find that most clients that approach me tend to want bathrooms that are more soothing, spa-like and tranquil,? says Patrick C. Carter, owner of Arlington-based architecture and design firm Reve Designs. To Carter, that request translates into a more simplified design?softer colors, natural materials?with a contemporary, modern aesthetic.

?Eight to 10 years ago bathrooms were much more traditional and fussy. Today, people live hectic lifestyles,? he says. ?They want to feel relaxed while they are preparing for, or unwinding from, their day.?

Carter recently completed two such projects, both incorporating natural stone set in more modern surroundings: a 1920s Arlington bungalow and a house in Reston.

For the Arlington job, Carter redid the high-traffic guest bath, and the couple chose high-end materials because they like to entertain. Carter finished the space with a dark gray marble floor, and tiled the walls in a combination of flagstone and glass.?

Planning for the possibility of mobility issues for the Reston couple, Carter created a wide steam shower and added a cantilevered bluestone bench. And, in a nod to the couple?s home state, the Wisconsin natives integrated modern Kohler fixtures.

These are welcome settings. Clean, simple lines and open, comfortable spaces with a bit of color or nod to nature make for a modern aesthetic.

At the end of the day, the client?s bathroom is a place to relax and recharge, says Carter of the spaces he?s curated. ?It?s that feeling of being somewhat pampered and able to just wash the stress off and go to bed in a different state of mind than when you walked into the bathroom.?

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Q&A With Joshua Mollet,?Showroom manager at Alexandria Lighting

What are some trends in bathroom lighting that you think have staying power?

?I would say clean, simple fixtures. If something can be ambiguous as far as design style?doesn?t really fit into one design style?[it] will stay around much longer. If a look fits into one design style, i.e. modern, this will be considered dated in just a few years.

?Earth tones have longevity: beiges, browns, grays, off-whites. Just remember, the more the fixture looks unique, the more it could be dated when the design style moves on. But this shouldn?t stop a homeowner from wanting to be more individualistic, especially if they plan to stay in their home for many years to come.?

What was one recent bathroom project you really enjoyed working on, and why?

?I recently worked on a powder bath in a new-construction home in Northwest D.C. The entire house is ultra-modern, clean and refreshing; gray tones and dark wood finishes. I instructed my customers that the powder bath is the one area that you should go crazy and out-of-this-world in design style. This room is used for one purpose only.

?The entire bathroom was tiled to the ceiling with clean, simple, warm earth-tone tile. Above the floating vanity was a clean, long rectangle mirror. We looked through all of my catalogs and finally found the perfect light. It?s a pendant that is brushed steel in finish but has a small cluster of circles around the bulbs. From the canopy at the ceiling, past the cluster of metal circles around the bulbs, this fixture has small silver chain going right through it. It looks like a piece of art.?

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Courtesy of Kohler (medicine cabinet); Yuriy Chertok/Shutterstock (rain shower); Konstantin L/Shutterstock.com (faucet); Lucy Baldwin/Shutterstock.com (tiles); pics721/shutterstock.com (tub); Gina Smith/shutterstock.com (light)

Trends Designers Would Like to See Gone for Good

There are a number of bad trends in bathrooms that industry professionals and design experts would like to see gone for good. Whether it?s about reconfiguring a traditional builder-grade style bathroom or gutting a 1970s-era space, designers have definite opinions about what they don?t like. Read on to see what causes experts to get steamed:

Tim White, sales and design consultant at Architectural Ceramics, in Alexandria:??It?s a bad idea to pigeonhole yourself into a particular color of tile. That makes it obvious that the tile is of a certain period. You don?t want people to say, ?Whoa, that?s so 1999.? Don?t tile a bathroom bright orange.?

Interior designer Patrick Carter:??I, personally, hate medicine cabinets. And I?m finding my clients don?t like them, and we?re ripping them out a lot, replacing them with more cabinetry for storage.? Despite some technological advances, Carter says he vented to one of his employees: ?If I have to deal with another medicine cabinet, I?m going to scream because they?re tedious. It?s a bit of a frustration for me. That?s not what I want to be designing around.

?To me, Jacuzzi tubs are disgusting. They breed bacteria when the water sits in them, so I just have a real problem with that. And if you are elderly or going to be aging-in-place, bathtubs can become very dangerous, when you get in and out of them.?

Designer Dee David:??Rain showers because they?re a pain to install, and they don?t get the shampoo out of your hair. But I love the [multi-jet] shower towers; they?re so easy to install.?

Joshua Mollet, showroom manager at Alexandria Lighting:??Two trends that I hope never come back are: polished brass finish. This is a dated, ?80s finish. Satin brass and aged brass are already coming back in style, though. But polished brass looks too new and gimmicky.

?The other trend that I pray to God never returns: ?70s swag pendants in the bathroom, flanking a mirror. So dated, it?s scary!?

Of course, trends can be good, says decorator Stephanie Kelley, but there?s a trick. In order for them to have staying power, she says, ?You can be trendy, but if you pick something that?s just really cool and kind of classic and natural, you can keep them for quite a while.?

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Q&A With Sarah Cole,?Director at Farrow & Ball

Has the guest bathroom become more important in today?s (U.S.) homes? If so, why?

?The guest bath definitely has become more important in today?s U.S. homes. As homeowners have begun to embrace using their home to express their own sense of style and personality, much like a wardrobe, the guest bath has become a simple way for a homeowner to express themselves and create a beautiful decorated space for their guests to enjoy.

?Adding a personal touch to these spaces helps your guests get a true sense of your style and your home?s unique flair. If your guest bath needs a refresh, it?s a simple and affordable way to spruce up your home while adding your own stamp to things.?

Does the guest bathroom allow for a bit more freedom when it comes to a homeowner?s personality?

?As guest baths are usually small in size, this allows for more freedom and flexibility to use vibrant pops of color or a wall of bold wallpaper that you may not ordinarily use in larger, more inhabited spaces.?

Are bold colors becoming more prevalent?

?Bold bathroom schemes are definitely on the rise with people being more daring with colors. Smaller spaces can be enhanced with bold, dark colors. Try using an indigo shade in the guest bathroom as this will create an intimate, cozy feeling; perfect for a smaller bathroom. Paint the walls in Hague Blue and All White on the skirting and woodwork. Pair with curtains and accessories in complementary blues and the rich shade on the walls. This will create a wonderfully cosseting feel?perfect for the end of a long day. Adding the touches of bright white keeps the bathroom feeling crisp and fresh.?

What is the biggest color trend right now?

?An on-trend and bold color scheme that is perfect for any bathroom is Brassica paired with All White. It has an intense jewel-like quality that transforms a bathroom into an enveloping cocoon. This rich purple provides the perfect backdrop to shiny silver accessories.

?Create a zesty, effervescent bathroom with this year?s must-have yellow: Babouche. A striking, graphic flash of this vivid hue will really lift a neutral scheme, and particularly complements grays.?

What are some small touches that one can add to a guest bathroom so that it feels really welcoming?

?From a decorating perspective, if you have a well-ventilated bathroom, using wallpaper on a feature wall can create a real impact and a certain ?wow? factor. For something totally different, use wallpaper on the ceiling of the bathroom so when reclining in the bath the full magnificence of the ceiling comes to life.?

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Small Touches to Create Ambience

Having a beautiful bathroom is about a lot more than just the right fixtures. It?s about setting the mood to help rewind from a tough day. Interior designer Andrea Schwartz and interior decorator Stephanie Kelley offer up these tips to smarten up your space and put you in full relax mode.

??To achieve a Zen feel, add a collection of glass or natural stones in your sink.

??Add an orchid (real or faux) depending on the room?s amount of natural light and your own skill level. (It?s a matter of watering or dusting.)

??Embellish the sink with a pretty hand soap dispenser and/or a simple bud vase with a colorful bloom.

??Put recessed and overhead lights on a dimmer switch to enjoy lots of light or a softer nightlight effect.

??Add a chandelier to up the glamour quotient; it?s so much more spa-like.

??To keep the glass enclosed showers looking their best, keep a squeegee in the shower to rinse off water spots when you?re done.

??Add pops of color to a neutral palette with fluffy towels or beautiful wrapped hand soaps.

??Hang a piece of art to add interest.

Tags: abode, bath, bathroom, home, home and design, jennifer shapiro

Source: http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/home-and-design/home-design-features/2012/08/23/beyond-the-bath-basics/

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