However, some dog repellents are based on harsh chemicals that can be irritating not only to dogs, but also to users who come into contact with these chemicals while applying them. Therefore, natural dog repellent that is based on organic plant materials is recommended by dog trainers as well as by gardeners, lawn experts and animal control personnel.

It is possible to make natural dog repellent from common natural ingredients such as vinegar and lemon juice. However, both of these products leave an odor on household surfaces, so they cannot be used indoors. The repellent effect of these liquids does not last very long, and they are not water-resistant, so their outdoor efficacy is quite limited as well. Other household items that dogs find distasteful include chili pepper, which is difficult to use indoors and also dissolves quite rapidly outdoors.

Natural dog repellent is available from manufacturers that specialize in ecologically safe outdoor gardening products, as well as from pet supply manufacturers. Most of these repellent products are approved by the USDA or FDA, so they must meet minimum standards for efficiency while living up to their registered descriptions as natural and non-toxic products. Repellents of this type, which are based on plant oils such as citronella, are available in liquid or granular form. Liquids are usually more convenient for indoor use as well as for use on outdoor furniture that is made of wood or wicker and covered in fabric. Granules are recommended for use in gardens and around the perimeter of lawns.

When purchasing natural repellents for dogs, look for a product that is certified as biodegradable, so that it does not cause harm to the environment. Most repellents that are based on natural ingredients do meet this specification. Check to see whether the formula is water-resistant, and how often it needs to be reapplied. A repellent that is labeled for indoor and outdoor use is best for dog training and for homes that have pets, whereas longer-lasting granules are more efficient for pet-free homes that need strong, but safe and gentle, outdoor protection to keep stray and neighborhood dogs away from lawns, gardens, pools and other outdoor fixtures.

Liquid or granular dog repellents that are based on natural ingredients are an efficient way to keep dogs from damaging home or outdoor plants and furniture. The right natural formula is often more effective than older dog repellents that are based on potentially hazardous or malodorous chemicals. Some natural repellents are also effective against cats and small wild animals such as squirrels. These products are particularly useful in wooded areas where small animals may pose health hazards as well as causing damage to plants and lawns.

Raise Efficiency Levels

The rate at which one company’s efficiency runs smoothly depends on whether the company’s employees are at the office for important meetings. However, those who work from home or have their office online based will not run into this small snag in the business loop. An important fact to remember for those who choose to work from a virtual office: Emergencies have the worse timing.
To keep from having a virtual office meltdown, there should always be a list with a “chain of command” on hand to see who would step up to the plate when the first person has to dash away for an emergency. All virtual office members need to have an updated list with many ways to reach them; this list should also include a “time clock” schedule, even when they aren’t at the computer.
Try to keep everyone on the same track with what is currently being worked on. Cloud has made it possible for virtual companies to share all documents, information, and even schedules; so when someone does become a victim to an emergency there will be no work left behind. One beneficial outlook of virtual offices is there never needs to be a reason for solo jobs. Everyone can work on a project to help get more work up and out.

Keep Customers In the Know

Customers are the key to all business, so keeping them in the dark is a bad way to help the company grow. Most customers believe a company has actual cubicles, instead of an open virtual office. Always be honest to the customers; let them know how the company is run. If a customer feels uneasy with how the business is ran, will more than likely not be a customer company’s want.
The jump into the world of technology has gotten a lot of positive feedback, and companies who are honest about the status of their company will create much larger selling points. Having comparison charts the customers can view will also bump up the popularity of the company.

While some customers will be a little put off by the thought of a virtual company, if the company keeps excellent perks for the customer, there will never be a dry spell in the future. Make customers feel comfortable with working with a virtual business, whether it’s constructing face-to-face meetings or allowing them to review samples of work before it is officially agreed upon.

Virtual offices are becoming widely more popular as the technology age continues to grow. Just like traditional offices, virtual offices will have hurdles that need to be overcome. While finding the solutions may seem trickier, always remember to keep good contact with the workers. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; so a virtual company cannot function properly if there is a weak spot in communication.

Author Box
The post is shared by George Martin. George is self employed virtual assistant that provides administrative and technical help. Apart from that he is traveler and keen observer. Visit his site to know more about virtual office and serviced offices melbourne.

How do I start the process? 

You need to figure out which hobby you want to turn into a career first of all. It needs to be something you enjoy something you’re good at and something you’re confident with too. Once you’ve identified which hobby is going to bring you the most enjoyment as a career – then you need to start thinking about how you can turn it into a job. For hobbies such as swimming, horse-riding, climbing, knitting, football, etc, look for local courses in your area and inquire about teaching positions that are available – or perhaps look into starting your own class or tuition course. For hobbies such as writing and photography, have a look at local freelancers and the rates they charge and take your inspiration from them. You could even give them a call and ask for any advice such as local resources. If your hobby is already a career and you know of a great company that specialise in it – don’t hesitate to inquire with them about job opportunities.

Another important thing to remember though, is that starting a new career shouldn’t be taken lightly – even if you are certain it’s something you want to do. When you start on your journey, make sure you do all your research properly – check out local competition, look at other people in the industry, ask yourself if there is a need for what you’re wanting to set up. All these things will help stop you from failing when you do take the leap.

Another thing you may want to consider, is starting up on a part-time basis at first – doing this means you still have some money coming into your household whether or not your new career takes off or not. Having this back-up during the initial stages will put your mind at ease and keep your bank balanced too, it also means if you don’t enjoy your hobby as a job then you have something to go back to. Sometimes hobbies are better left as an enjoyable past-time rather than a full time job, and this might be something you discover. Don’t be surprised if this happens to you – many people use their hobbies as a way to relax away from their jobs, so when you combine the two it can be quite confusing!

Overall though, making this move is a fantastic idea. Having a career which you enjoy and you love doing is always a good thing and something everyone aspires to at some point in their lives. It may take work to establish your career in your new industry – but stick to it because the outcome is worth it.

About the author: Tiffany Kirsten Cole works as a designer maker for Sue Tables Jewelry.

Surfer’s Paradise
As one of the largest tourist destinations in Australia, the coastal community of Surfers Paradise has quickly established itself as the “capital of the Gold Coast”. The popularity of Surfers Paradise is unrivalled, and it has much more going for it than just the great waves. Here you will find the perfect fusion of city and beach lifestyles, with high rise apartments lining the shore along with clubs, pubs and fantastic shopping mixed with the beautiful skyline, great parks and, of course, the stunning stretch of beach. The five star restaurants, exciting tours and the top end Gold Coast apartments, showcase the best that hospitality training in Australia has to offer.

Tamborine Mountain
Directly west from Surfers Paradise is a large plateau called Tamborine Mountain. This natural inland paradise is inhabited by a small artistic community, offering you a spectacular getaway from the crowds of the Gold Coast. Visiting this magnificent rainforest will have you discovering the beautiful winding nature trails and the new Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk where you will soar 30 meters above the rainforest below. The peace and beauty of this area has attracted many talented artisans and craft makers, so be sure to check out the local township and the Tamborine Mountain Market.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park
Just north from the tip of the Gold Coast is the Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park. This paradise of island chains is easy to access and yet remains quiet and serene, making you feel like you are a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast. Here you can indulge in some world class diving, become skilled at the art of sand tobogganing, learn to surf on less crowded beaches or take a gentle stroll through the quaint coastal villages. There is plenty of accommodation to be found, including motels, holiday rental houses and cabins as well as cute B&B’s.

Snapper Rocks
If you are into surfing, then you have probably heard of Snapper Rocks. Even if you haven’t, this is the best spot to be if you are either an experienced surfer, or someone who wants to catch a glimpse of a famous surfer doing what they do best. Snapper Rocks can be found at the southernmost tip of the Gold Coast, right where water from the Tweed River pours it’s sand into the ocean, making it one of the best places to surf. Surfers love it here because the surf is both epic and consistent with a normal ride lasting anywhere between 50 and 300 metres. On a good day, Snapper Rocks is considered the longest break in the world.

Henry’s mother Rachel Hulin is actually an accomplished photographer and was able to create the Baby Flying effect.  Rachel Hulin stated the following, when asked about the pictures and what they meant:

“The photo was sort of magical in an unexpected way and I wanted to make more,” Hulin said. She posted the photograph on Facebook and soon there was a flurry of comments. “Some people like the cute ones, some people like the spooky ones,” she said. “It’s an interesting litmus test.”

Rachel also stated on CNN that she utilized a little bit of Photoshop in order to ‘remove herself’ from the photos; thus proving that baby Henry was never in any danger.

Enough about the pictures and take a look for yourself below!

Signed, Rick Jeffries

Whilst some of these cities are world renowned for the shops located throughout the city, others don’t have quite the same shopping reputation but that doesn’t mean they should be disregarded.

Below, Travel Supermarket looks at 10 of the top shopping cities around the world:

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is famous as one of the top places to shop in Asia. Many people travel here exclusively for the great shopping, although the city has plenty to offer in terms of culture and nightlife too. The city is well known for its high quality silk clothing, as well as its traditional crafts and handmade jewellery.

The best place to find some bargains is the Chatchak Market, whereas the Central Department Store is the place to go for high fashion at low prices. The majority of the shops and malls here are open from 10am till 10pm. The currency here is the Thai Baht, with 50 Thai Baht being the approximate equivalent of one British pound.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is another hot spot for shopping. Most of the high fashion boutiques here are located downtown, in streets such as Calle Lavelle and Calle Florida. For brand names including Cartier and Armani, head to neighbourhoods such as Recoleta. The city specialises in leather goods of the highest quality, which come with amazingly low price tags. The currency is pesos and £1 is equal to about 20 pesos. The shops here open early and close between 9pm and 10pm.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen and Denmark in general is known for its up to the minute boutiques and malls. In the area of Gronnegade, you can expect to find brands such as Simonsen and Munthe. For couture brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Prada, take a trip to streets such as Kobmagergade or Stroget. Some of the best department stores here include Magasin du Nord and Det Ny Illum.

The city is well known for its beautiful porcelain pieces, made by the likes of Royal Copenhagen Porcelain. Most shops here open from 10am until 7pm and the currency used in the city is the Danish Krone, with £1 being equal to approximately 8 Krones.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has plenty to offer its shoppers aside from high tech gadgetry. Visitors to the city today will find a wealth of huge malls, designer boutiques and street markets that are filled with every kind of beautiful fabric and accessory that you can think of. Some of the local designers to look out for include Walter Ma, William Tang and Vivienne Tam. Some of the best streets for finding bargains on include Li Yuen West and East.

In terms of markets, nothing beats a trip to Stanley Market, which is a great place to pick up some Chinese artwork, silk garments and porcelain vases. Hong Kong is famous for its jade accessories and jewellery, so a visit to the Jade Market, located in a place called Ya Ma Tai, is an absolute must. Shops in Hong Kong often stay open until 9pm most days. The currency of the city is the Hong Kong dollar, with £1 being equal to about 12 dollars.

London, England

London is a must visit for any shopaholic. Some might go for the vintage shops surrounding Brick Lane, whilst others may prefer the high end fashion of Prada and Chanel found in Saville Row. Others still might like to browse through the trendy boutiques that can be found in Covent Garden. London has something for everyone, no matter what their preferences and tastes.

For high street fashion at affordable prices, there’s no better place than Oxford Street, where you can find the main department stores such as Selfridges and Debenhams. For trinkets, try Portobello market and for luxurious treats, a trip to Fortnum and Mason is a must. Most shops here are open from 9am until 5pm, with later hours on Fridays.

Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles is the place to go for all the big name designers. The two most well known spots are Rodeo Drive and Melrose Avenue. This is where the stars come to stock their wardrobes full of pieces from Gucci, Chanel and other famous designers.

However, for those looking for something a little less pricey, then a trip to Santee Alley is a great idea; here you’ll find plenty of affordable impersonations of the latest couture pieces. The Grove shopping centre is an amazing sight, filled with every kind of shop imaginable. The US dollar is the standard currency here, with £1 converting to about $1.60 at the time of writing. Most of the shops here open from 10am-6pm.

Marrakech, Morocco

Shopping in the colourful, vibrant and bustling streets of Marrakech is an experience in itself. Haggling is expected by the market owners here, so be prepared to discuss or argue your way to a bargain. The prices here are worth it; all of the silks, pottery and jewellery are priced far lower than in the UK. Take a trip down to the bazzars on Souk Smata and pick up some handmade silk slippers.

The city is famous for its beautiful carpets too, so make sure to pick one up on your travels. The markets here stay open from 9am until 9pm and most places in the city accept the Euro or Dollar. £1 in Euros is equal to roughly €1.10.

New York, USA

New York is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the world, as it houses everything from affordable fashion to high end designer labels, as well as rare books and high tech electronics., Madison Avenue is the place to go for exclusive boutique pieces, whilst those on a budget can take a trip to Canal street for some impressively cheap pieces. Some of the most well known department stores here include Macy’s, Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. For more unique finds, try SoHo and NoLita. Again, the pound here equals about $1.60.

Paris, France

Paris is a fabulous place to take a shopping trip. The window displays here are incredibly chic and artistic, making the entire shopping experience a visual pleasure. Marais is one of the best neighbourhoods in which to explore the chic and fashionable aspects of Paris, with plenty of galleries, boutiques and other shops.

The 8th arrondissement is another hotspot, where you can find two streets that are famous for their great range of international couture; namely avenue Montaigne and the famed rue du Faubourg St-Honoré. For a more affordable shopping experience, try places like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, which are both located on the Boulevard Haussmann. The shops here usually open from 10am until 6pm.The currency here is the Euro.

Milan, Italy

Milan is famous all over the world for its fashionable ways. For high end designer names such as Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli, take a stroll down Via della Spiga. Other brands such as Missoni and Miu Miu can be found on Via Sant’Andrea. For those who prefer more affordable, high street type labels, then the shops on Corso di Porta Ticinese and Corso Vercelli are excellent. The markets of Milan are great for those looking for beautiful, hand crafted trinkets and jewellery. The Euro is the main form of currency here and the shops generally open from 10am until 7.30pm.

More and more, we’re seeing companies offer phones with larger and larger screens, where it’s almost to the point when you’re walking around with a small tablet in your pocket. Will the Galaxy Note change all of that? Sure, it’s thin enough, light enough, but is it really that manageable in your pocket all day?

That all depends on the user.

What you do get is a solid device that has a 1280 x 800 resolution AMOLED display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB of ROM and will be upgraded to Android 4.0 in the near future. This has all the makings for a very, very powerful piece of technology. But how would it work as a phone, of all things?

Although the screen is fluid and beautiful, it’s being reported that holding the device in one hand and trying to use it that way is nearly impossible. If you enjoy texting with one hand, this phone is not for you. You don’t enjoy using a stylus, this phone may also not be for you.

Fortunately, if these points don’t bug you, you can still use this effectively.

Samsung has included apps that take full advantage of the hardware in the Galaxy Note, and you will have full access to all of the wonderful apps that are included in the Android app library.

With the Samsung Galaxy SII’s 4.52-inch screen, the Galaxy Note absolutely trumps it in size, and it dwarves the iPhone’s puny 3.5-inch screen. That said, the Galaxy Note will be a force to reckon with for those looking for a smartphone with a larger screen than anything offered previously.

Although, with such impressive specifications, you can almost certainly expect the price to be at a high point.

In conclusion, despite a probably high starting price, you certainly get a solid smartphone compared to others on the market. Before you make the plunge, make sure the large screen is something you can handle for at least two years. Other than that, enjoy!

About the author:

Joe Petchonka is a professional blogger and writer who writes for a number of NY Mazda dealerships.

People wonder about the wisdom of lending their cars to friends, neighbors or employees, asking whether or not they will be responsible if the person borrowing the car crashes. The law is clear: Whether or not you are in the car, if you authorized the drive, you are liable for the consequences. Normally, your auto insurance will cover medical expenses and property damage; but before you relinquish the car keys, you should double-check the facts and fine print.

Know your policy.

In general, car insurance protects the car regardless of who drives it, so that most everyday circumstances are covered. Before you offer random acts of kindness, though, check your car insurance policy for exclusions. The most prominent examples: licensed drivers in your home who do not enjoy coverage under your policy—in other words, your carrier probably excludes your big kids who must carry their own insurance or obtain coverage on your policy before they operate the family vehicles.

Know your driver.

Because your friends and neighbors undoubtedly are properly licensed, probation-free, and insured for their own vehicles, their coverage probably will pick-up where yours leaves-off. Of course, “probably” emerges as the key word, and you should not allow your kindness and affection to prevent your asking all the relevant questions: Before you turn over the keys, ask ingenuously, “Do you have your license and insurance card with you?” Pretend you’re being motherly and very protective.

The caution warrants repeating: Do not let affection or a sense of urgency blind you to the risks of loaning your vehicle to a family member, friend, or employee. If, for example, you know the person suffers any kind of illness or impairment which might cause an accident, lawyers will allege you behaved negligently when you turned-over the keys. If your would-be driver takes any kind of prescription medication that might contribute to an accident, or if you know your friend has enjoyed a cocktail or two—even if she does not appear intoxicated—plaintiffs’ attorneys will argue you acted recklessly when you allowed her to take the wheel of your car.

Exercise extra caution if you own your own business and ask an associate to drive your car for anything work-related. In personal injury lawsuits, all your assets are subject to liens or seizure, and all your income is subject to garnishment. You are at-risk of losing everything. If you know or suspect your employee has a less-than-stellar driving record, do not run the risk of letting him drive your car. If you discover business is picking-up to the point where you and your associates are spending large amounts of time driving from appointment to appointment or client to client, you have reached the point where you should add commercial insurance coverage to your vehicle. Before you sign for the new policy, though, put all your employees through defensive driving classes, and double check their records. Yes, the additional commercial coverage will cost extra dollars in premiums, but all those dollars are deductible as business expenses.

Invest in uninsured motorist coverage.

You, your friends and neighbors always and everywhere act as good citizens. You confidently can assume, however, that no one else on the road behaves nearly so well, and you should protect yourself accordingly. For example, on any average weekend, one in five drivers is over the legal limit for alcohol, one in twenty is driving without insurance, and one in every thirty-five is driving on a suspended or revoked license. Although most companies offer uninsured motorist coverage as an extra rather than a standard feature in your coverage, you should think of it as an “essential extra.” Especially if you are “the generous type,” who acts kindly without always thinking like a lawyer, uninsured motorist coverage will give you extra peace-of-mind as you watch your friends roll out of your driveway in your car.

Christopher Jensen is a writer and car enthusiast offering advice on how to get cheap auto insurance quotes from various providers of cheap missouri auto insurance coverage.

Fab wasn’t lying when he said “Just throw it in the bag.” According to TMZ, Fabolous spent $45,000 on 120 bottles of Moet for his friend’s birthday. As host of his unidentified friend’s birthday celebration, Fabolous had the champagne bottles delivered in a gold wheelless carriage. Club employees delivered the carriage on their shoulders like royalty in ancient times. The name of the friend hasn’t been released, but for Fab to spend that much money, they must be pretty close. Check out the pictures of the crazy event below. All pictures come courtesy of TMZ.

The world of gambling has seen many world records. Some of these have been verified by Guinness World Records and some a little more dubious. Here we take a look at a selection of some of the more impressive achievements.

Most of the major gambling these days takes place in tournaments both in large casinos and online. Online transactions account for increasingly more player activity than ever before. The online gambling giants, Poker Stars broke the world record for the largest online poker tournament with 200,000 players signed up even before it actually started. Poker Stars had in fact broken their own previous record and announced the news in Prague during the European Poker Tournament tour.

Last year, a 20 year old Norwegian broke a record to become the recipient of the largest ever payout from an online casino game. Net Entertainment paid out a giant 11.7 million Euros to the lucky player which surpassed the previous largest payout by a country mile.

On our very own shores, mother of two Christine Bradfield celebrated in 2008 after achieving the world record for the biggest win on a Bingo game. She scooped £1.1 million after one of her twice weekly nights to the halls. She immediately vowed to share the winnings with her sister in law as they had a pack to split any winnings they received. Christine stated that she planned to take a little shopping before treating her husband and children.

There is always of course the more trivial and some might say pointless world records but nonetheless they are records and we take a look at some of them now.

The record for the longest throw of card was achieved by American Jim Karol who managed to propel a standard playing card 67 yards. Probably not the most exhilarating feat.

Coming back to the game of Bingo, Doug McManaman managed to balance a basket of bingo balls on his chin for 1m19.4s in order to honour the game. I’m sure many people would have been wondering why, but it’s a record all the same. Incidentally, the record for the highest game of Bingo was achieved in 2009 when a group of walkers trekked to the top of Mount Everest to play the game at a height of 17,500 feet. Quite mad!

In March 2010, American architect Bryan Berger broke the Guinness World Record for the largest house of cards. It took 44 days and nearly 220,000 free standing playing cards to achieve this. This would have been even more impressive if he wasn’t already the world record holder for exactly the same thing. Sticking with cards, another American Patricia Demauro from New Jersey broke the world record for throwing a dice the most times in a game of craps without once throwing a seven. She threw a total of 154 times with odds of it occurring being 1:56 trillion.

Another equally impressive record was set back in 1992 by Archie Karas at Binions Horseshoe in Las Vegas. With only an initial loaned stake of $10,000 he went onto a variety of games and beating many great poker players, culminating in him winning over $17,000,000.

It wouldn’t be right to conclude without mentioning the Euro millions. The UK has generated it seems a succession of winners of this game and it wasn’t until July 2011 that the largest ever winners were created. Colin and Chris Weir from Glasgow managed to scoop £161 million on the game which immediately thrust them into the Sunday Times rich list. Not a bad day at the office some might say!

This article has been put together on behalf of Ladbrokes Bingo; Play £10 on Bingo tickets and they’ll give you £30 free!