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  • Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Decorating your home for the holidays is a festive tradition for many folks. It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas decorations! After all, it’s the happiest time of the year.

    Many stores that offer Christmas decorations and ornaments don’t start stocking their shelves with seasonal products until a month or two before Christmas, and when they do, their offerings are often limited. Plus, fighting through shopping crowds isn’t a pleasant experience by any means. But you can get a head start on your holiday decoration shopping by looking online.

    You’ll avoid the crowds, have a greater selection, and the ability to browse as long as you like without any pressure. Looking for twinkle lights? Pine scented candles? Unique ornaments and tree toppers? If you’re looking to pick up some new Christmas decorations for your family to enjoy, look no further. Today we’re discussing the best places to find Christmas decorations online!

    Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Hobby Lobby

    Hobby Lobby is well-known for their wide selection of decorations. They’re well-stoked any time of year, but especially around Christmas. You can find ample amounts of Christmas decorations to fill your home, from Nativity pieces to gorgeous wreaths. If you’re a fan of shopping in person, Hobby Lobby has a ton of physical stores you can visit to shop.

    If you’re fonder of shopping online, you can shop Hobby Lobby’s website and find great deals on Christmas decorations. In either even, you’re sure to find a great number of gorgeous decorations that your family will love!

    Target

    Target is great one-stop shopping for Christmas. They have everything from ornaments for trees to decorations for your home. Christmas lights, a favorite this time of year, are in ample supply at Target, too! They even have inflatables for decorating your yard. Everything from Santa to snowmen can be found in inflatable form!

    Target’s retail locations are plentiful and welcoming, unlike some of their competition. The staff is generally quite friendly and helpful, and you can find a wide variety of decorations in person. However, they also have an excellent online store for those who would rather shop from home. If you prefer having it right away, though, don’t hesitate to shop in person!

    Overstock

    Overstock is a website that, you guessed it, specializes in selling overstocked items. You can bet that there is a ton of overstock on Christmas decorations! If you’re looking for a good website to go to for decorations, we highly recommend Overstock. They often have great deals on fantastic decorations, and they offer free shipping with their Club Rewards program.

    If you’re the type that prefers online shopping to physical retailers, we have to recommend Overstock. You’re sure to find great deals on all the Christmas décor for your home this holiday season! Don’t forget to use their great search tools and robust filtering options to find exactly what you need.


  • Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    HTC is releasing blockchain version of HTC’s U12+ flagship, featuring a 6-inch QuadHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio, Snapdragon 845 chip, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 16-megapixel dual camera, 8-megapixel dual selfie camera, IP68 rating, 3,500 mAh battery, and Android Oreo. It has all the specs, pretty standard. What is interesting, and what Id like to take a deeper look into the is the blockchain tech HTC is packing in to its new HTC blockchain phone.

    What is Blockchain?

    For those of you that are unfamiliar, blockchain is an is an undeniably ingenious invention. Blockchain is allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied. Blockchain technology created the backbone of a new type of internet. Originally devised for the digital currency, Bitcoin, (Buy Bitcoin) the tech community is now finding other potential uses for the technology. Information held on a blockchain exists as a shared — and continually reconciled — database. This is a way of using the network that has obvious benefits. The blockchain database isn’t stored in any single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable. No centralized version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. Hosted by millions of computers simultaneously, its data is accessible to anyone on the internet.

    HTC BlockChain

    AS for the blockchain tech in the phone The phone contains a wallet that’s kept in a secure area “protected from the Android OS,” according to a press release, which can be used to hold the keys to your cryptocurrency and tokens like CryptoKitties. HTC also made a social key recovery mechanism in case your phone is lost, stolen, or you misplace your key information. You’re able to keep the recovery details with a few trustworthy friends, who must then download a key management app. HTC will then use a secret sharing algorithm to send the info to your friends, which you can then piece together if needed. The phone is also being opened up for third-party developers to make their own key apps and wallets.

    HTC says one of the purposes of a HTC blockchain phone is to allow users to control their data. But as long as this is an Android phone, some of that data still flows to Google.

    The Final Thought

    Another interesting development is that this phone can only be purchased with crypto currency. Being a blockchain phone, the Exodus 1 can be purchased only for crypto. 0.15 Bitcoin or 4.78 Ethereum will get you a phone. That’s $958 and $950, respectively, but the prices will change by the time I finished typing these words. That’s how crypto works. The HTC Blockchain phone can be purchased via the early access program.It  will be available in 34 countries including the US.

  • Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    It can be hard to parent effectively in the age of information. The internet is a big, unregulated place full of things kids probably shouldn’t see. While the simplest solution is to simply keep young children away from the internet, that’s an unlikely solution. That’s where these internet monitoring programs come in!

    Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    Net Nanny Review

    This service is so well-known that its name is almost synonymous with internet monitoring programs in general. This service costs $40 a month, which makes it a bit on the pricier side. However, it works across multiple platforms and offers control directly from an app. If you have Android, that is! Sorry, iPhone users.

    Net Nanny allows you to choose from a variety of filters to stop access to tons of different types of content. Most monitoring services prevent access to nudity or violence, of course. Net Nanny lets you increase the granularity of what is filtered, however. This allows you to rest easy knowing your children’s particular fears or phobias are being filtered out.

    Symantec Norton Family Premier Review

    Norton, well-known for their antivirus software, also has a well-regarding internet monitoring service. This service is highly recommended, due to its high-quality web interface and strong filtering tools. You can monitor and filter access from all devices that are connected to a network. This allows you to keep your children safe no matter what device they’re using.

    The only downside to Norton’s service is that it isn’t available on Mac. If your household doesn’t own a Mac, however, you have nothing to worry about. Another notable shortcoming is a lack of strong social media controls, but you can always just ban social media sites outright to avoid the problem. What 8-year-old needs Facebook, anyway?

    Qustodio

    A well-made and easy-to-use tracker, Qustodio works across Macs, Windows and mobile devices. It allows for strong filtering and monitoring tools, as well. It has a somewhat outdated web interface, but that’s outweighed by the strength of its monitoring and filtering. If your house has a wide variety of devices, from iOS to Android to Macs and PCs, this is the best monitoring program for you.

    The only notable downside to Qustodio is its relatively high price. The service runs $50, which is a touch expensive. However, it’s well-worth the robust monitoring and peace of mind it offers.

  • Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Few situations are more annoying to pets and their owners than a infestation of fleas. Fleas are mean, evil, awful little bugs. They get into your carpets, lay eggs and stick around for interminable lengths of time.

    Quickly becoming a problem, fleas can infest homes in very short amounts of time, posing health risks and frustrating living conditions for both people and their pets.  All the while, they pester your animals, making them itchy and uncomfortable. What’s worse, some pets even have allergic reaction to the pests!

    While there are many products that can be used to combat flea infestations, it’s vital to choose the right products that are appropriate for severity of your pet’s flea problem — otherwise you’ll end up wasting time and money as the flea problem gets worse. Today, we’re looking at the best ways to fight fleas.

    Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Flea Collars

    Flea collars are a great first line of defense to keep your animals safe from the tiny pests. Using a combination of pesticides that are harmless to animals and scents that disgust fleas, these collars have a high success rating. While your animal might not like having to wear an odd-smelling collar, it will help them avoid the worst of the flea infestation! This is just one part of the fight, however.

    Flea Sprays

    Spraying your carpets and furniture for fleas is another effective strategy. A number of high-quality flea sprays are sold in pet stores and online. Such sprays not only kill fleas but also help to kill their eggs. The trouble with fleas is that you will often think you’ve rooted them out, only for another round of eggs to hatch. The eggs can go dormant for months at a time before being activated by vibrations in the carpet.

    As such, spraying in often-unused rooms is advised. That way, any hidden, dormant eggs can be killed by the spray. This prevents the eggs from reactivating when you or a pet enters a low-traffic room!

    Diatomaceous Earth

    Also known as D. Earth, this naturally occurring mineral deposit works wonders as a pesticide. If you’re having trouble with a particularly nasty flea infestation, consider this mineral. Make sure you purchase food grade diatomaceous earth, as it’s pet safe. Sprinkle it around your carpets and near the thresholds of your doors and windows. Earth works by compromising the lipids in fleas’ exoskeletons. The chemical interaction causes the fleas to become dehydrated, as their bodies can’t lock in water anymore. As such, they die of dehydration shortly after contacting the mineral. Don’t worry, though, the mineral doesn’t affect anything bigger than a small bug. The worst it can do to a pet is dehydrate them slightly, so just avoid getting it on your animals if you can!

    Flea Pills

    Flea pills for pets generally have the highest success rates for preventing and treating fleas. Pills come in chewable tablets or capsules that must be swallowed, usually with food. These oral medications for fighting fleas require a vet prescription, and usually fight flea adults or eggs, but rarely both at the same time. Flea pills, like other medications, come with side effects; it is essential for pet owners to ask what these side effects may include. The two most popular feel pills include Capstar and Comfortis, and both start working within hours of being administered.


  • Monday Movie Reveiw: First Man

    Monday Movie Reveiw: First Man

    Hooray, Its Monday. That means like most of you, and the rest of the free world, I got to hit the theaters over the weekend. I like to do this every weekend. I wanted to take a little bit of time to tell you my experience at the movies. Just a minute to shed a little insight and perspective on Hollywood’s latest hit. Seeing a great movie in the theater can be a life altering experience. It can also be an easy way to waste a couple of hours and 30 bucks. My hopes is that with a quick review, from this self proclaimed movie connoisseur, I can save readers a few hours. Or better yet, possibly change a few more lives. I went to First Man this weekend.

    First Man is a look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. It is a A visceral, first-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the movie will explore the sacrifices and the cost—on Armstrong and on the nation—of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

    First Man 82 % Life Altering

    Being a child born and raised on the Space Coast I fell in love with NASA, Cape Kennedy and sending stuff to space. I was 5 years old and in kindergarten when I watched live in the sky the challenger explode. Blasting people in to space with less computing power than the apple watch strapped to my wrist is a very dangerous and challenging task. Just seeing this first person account of this was amazing and awe inspiring. NASA truly achieved greatness and an accomplishment in mankind’s existence. Its something we have grown to accept and be complacent with, First Man Brings it all back

     

    Movie For Movies Sake

    Apart for the amazing content of the story, they did an adequate job of bringing it to the big screen. Im not sure if Neil Armstrong was as dull and unflappable, and emotionless as Gosling portrayed him, If he was RG did a phenomenal job. The movie drags along frequently, and I never truley got to appreciate any of the characters. I feel this was a disservice to them. Some tragic things happen to important people in this story, but due to lack of character building you move on quickly. Maybe that was the point, The Rocket must launch anyways? Needless to say this was not Apollo 13, and RG is no Tom Hanks.

    The Final Thought

    First Man gets a 82 rating. Most of that is just due to how awesome it was to blast people to the moon in the 60s. The men, the ingenuity and the sacrifice it took to do this is worth my $15 at the movies everytime. I still stand in my front lawn and watch every rocket launch. Ill go everytime they make a NASA movie.

  • 2019 Toyota Highlander Review

    2019 Toyota Highlander Review

    The 2019 Toyota Highlander is here! Since its redesign in 2014, the Highlander has been a much more desirable vehicle than its original iteration. Available as a gasoline-powered model with two engine choices or the gasoline/electric Highlander Hybrid, Toyota’s popular mid-size crossover vehicle provides something for a wide-ranging tastes.

    The 2018 Toyota Highlander ranks near the top of its class. It has an upscale interior, a powerful available V6 engine, and a comfortable ride. Is the 2019 model a continuation of this trend? Or does it return to its unlovable roots? Let’s take a closer look!

    2019 Toyota Highlander

    The Toyota Highlander is a great midsize SUV. The Highlander provides a comfortable and quiet ride. It sports a handsome interior and a long list of standard safety features. Its available V6 engine scoots the eight-seat SUV around confidently.

    Under the Hood

    The 2019 Toyota Highlander has three powertrain options. There’s 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder and hybrid options available. If you’re looking for all-wheel drive, you’ll have to go for the 6-cylinder configuration. Meanwhile, the hybrid powertrain is the best for the environment, and also helps you net much better gas mileage. In fact, the hybrid engine gets nearly 28 miles per gallon in good conditions!

    Interior

    The interior of the 2019 model is spacious and luxurious. It seats eight, with three rows of seating. The third row is mainly for kids, but adults can fit back there. It just might be a bit cramped for long trips! The Highlander sports a huge, gorgeous infotainment screen, too. Other notable interior features include tons of charging options for smart devices, understated design and premium-feeling materials.

    Overall Ride Quality

    The 2019 Toyota Highlander has great suspension and responsive steering. Prior to the 2014 redesign, Highlanders were infamous for their abysmal handling. They leaned too much, rolled over too easily and drove like tanks. The 2014 models and forward have been markedly better, with redesigned and upgraded suspension. Thankfully, the 2019 continues this trend.

    Additionally, the 2019 model has a very quiet and luxurious ride. If you like riding high in the saddle, far from the road and quiet, this is the car for you. It’s got tons of space for a big family, and it’s a great value, too.

    Bottom Line

    The 2019 Highlander starts around $30,000, which makes it a pretty great value. It’s got a luxurious and quiet ride, great handling and a high-quality interior. If you’re looking for a good vehicle for a big family, this is one to consider!


  • Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Every time you turn on the television you are bound to see a commercial for anti-wrinkle creams. The skin-care market is filled with anti-wrinkle creams, all claiming to rid your face of signs of aging.

    However, not all wrinkle-creams are equal. Some anti-wrinkle creams work better than others for different people; some contain ingredients that may react poorly with certain people’s skin. With so many options available, the idea of choosing the right wrinkle cream can seem a bit overwhelming. For us, we think 5 wrinkle creams are top notch – and for good reason, since they come so highly rated:

    Asking the following questions when shopping for wrinkle creams can help you find a higher-quality product without overspending for results.

      • Will this keep my skin hydrated?
      • What are the ingredients?
      • Will this product protect my skin?
      • Is this product suitable for my skin type?
      • What is my budget?

    Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Amara Organics Advanced Age-Defying Moisturizer

    Amazon’s Choice isn’t a term used lightly, but this popular face cream has that distinction! How’d it get that high accolade? Well, that’s got to do with just how highly-rated it is. The vast majority of reviews of this cream are four- or five-star. Many people swear by this cream for moisturizing, and say it helps their skin look more youthful!

    Active Wow Youth Enhancing Eye Gel

    Fans of this eye cream rave over it. They say that it’s great for tired eyes, making them look bright and well-rested. Advocates of this eye cream say that it’s a must-have for bags under the eyes. The Active Wow Youth Enhancing Eye Gel is a favorite of people who want to make their eyes look younger and more well-rested!

    Radha Beauty Miracle Retinol Moisturizer

    A ton of five-star reviews and happy customers follow this Radha beauty cream. Reviewers rave about the cream’s moisturizing properties! After all, a great way to take care of the skin on your face is with moisturizer. Reviews comment on the moisturizer’s effect on their skin, noting that it has reduced their dark spots and made their complexion more youthful. Fans of the cream note that it isn’t greasy and does a great job of making skin feel young!

    TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

    This TruSkin serum is one of the highest-rated anti-aging cream serums around! Reviewers of this serum note just how young their skin looks thanks to it. The cream uses vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which are noted for their restorative properties. If you’re looking for one of the highest-rated and most-loved anti-aging creams, this is the one for you!

    Over 8,000 reviewers have left 5-star reviews for this one. If you’re looking for a trusted cream to help fight wrinkles, this one is beloved by many faithful users!

    Nu Skin ageLOC Future Serum

    Discover a more youthful appearance, morning and night.  The most advanced anti-ageing product Nu Skin has ever created, ageLOC Future Serum delivers the maximum concentration of ageLOC to the skin. This powerful, clinically tested formula reveals younger looking skin in eight ways, combining the benefits of many different anti-ageing products into a single product. ageLOC Future Serum – for a dramatically younger looking you.


  • Vermont Net Neutrality Laws Challenged by Broadband Lobby

    Vermont Net Neutrality Laws Challenged by Broadband Lobby

    The ongoing battle over net neutrality rages on. On Friday, lobby groups such as NCTA, CTIA, the American Cable Association and more filed suit against the state of Vermont. Their suit deals with Vermont net neutrality laws that force ISPs to follow net neutrality guidelines in order to get government contracts.

    Vermont Net Neutrality in the Crosshairs

    The lobbying groups filing suit in Vermont represent almost every major broadband company. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US, Sprint, Comcast, Charter, Cox, Frontier, and CenturyLink are among the groups represented. These groups were vocal supporters of Ajit Pai’s moves to have the FCC repeal net neutrality protections.

    The Vermont laws are somewhat narrow. As it stands, they only stipulate that government-owned buildings can only get Internet service from ISPs who follow net neutrality guidelines. However, the broadband companies are saying this is illegal, as they feel that the FCC’s ruling should preempt state laws.

    The Lawsuit

    The suit itself reads as a very antagonistic and surprisingly aggressive takedown on the part of the broadband companies.

    “Vermont’s attempts to revive and, indeed, expand a repealed regulatory regime are plainly preempted by federal law […] Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, state measures that contravene validly adopted federal laws and policy determinations, including those contained in FCC orders, are preempted and have no force or effect.”

    Legal commentators have mentioned how similar this case is to one in California. California’s state net neutrality laws, however, don’t have a terribly good chance of standing up in court. California’s laws almost directly contradict the FCC’s ruling, which is a clear violation of the supremacy clause. Vermont’s law, however, has a much better chance of sticking around.

    Why This Matters

    This case could provide a road map for other states that wish to exert net neutrality protections on ISPs. States have a great deal of control over how they award government contracts. Such contracts are highly lucrative and could cause ISPs to actually change their practices.

    If Vermont wins this case, it could prove an invaluable tool in the ongoing fight for a fair and open internet.

  • Everything You Thought You Knew About Medicare Supplemental Insurance is Wrong – See why!

    Everything You Thought You Knew About Medicare Supplemental Insurance is Wrong – See why!

    If you rely on Medicare for your health care, you might have found that Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For those on a fixed income, it can be extremely difficult to afford medication or any additional health care costs not covered by Medicare.

    If you are in a difficult situation where the health care bills are piling up, consider Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Medicare Supplemental Insurance is insurance that can help cover what Medicare doesn’t. We analyzed several plans with our experts and today we are breaking down the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance!

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Information About Supplemental Insurance

    An important note: in order to get supplemental insurance, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient, and Part B covers outpatient care. Anoter factor to consider is Supplemental insurance only covers one person. Additionally, as long as you’re paying your premiums, Medicare supplemental  insurance can’t drop you, no matter what medical issues you may begin to suffer from.

    Supplemental insurance won’t always cover everything Medicare doesn’t.  Supplemental insurance is not going to cover all expenses. Things like vision, dental, prescriptions, long term care and private nursing are also not typically covered. Finally,  supplemental insurance must be acquired within the first sixth months of you turning 65 and you must already be on Medicare to qualify.

    United Healthcare Insurance Company

    The United Healthcare Insurance Company is endorsed by the AARP, and for good reason. This company offers a great deal of benefits for those on Medicare. They have a 94 percent user satisfaction, which is stellar. They also offer coverage that can be combined with a Medicare Part D plan. Those with this policy can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare! United Healthcare allows you to choose from a wide variety of plans, coverage, deductibles and benefits so you have coverage to fit your health needs and your financial situation.

    State Farm

    State Farm is another option for supplemental insurance. State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare, helping to pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayment amounts not covered by Medicare. State Farm also provides you the flexibility to choose between different plans to meet your individual needs and budget. They are a well-respected agency and are renowned for their high customer satisfaction ratings “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There” tagline is very true. State Farm insurance might be able to cover hospital or medical services your Medicare won’t pay for as well.

    Humana

    Humana offers Medicare supplemental insurance that covers Medicare Part A and B. Humana’s policy covers coinsurance for medical expenses, co pays, hospice care and hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, and blood work. Additionally, the Humana plan also covers copayments for outpatient services. Remember, this is in addition to your Medicare coverage, so getting this extra coverage could save you a lot of money when you have expensive outpatient services. Particularly if you have frequent doctor’s visits, you may find yourself saving a ton with this supplementary policy.


  • Weird New Uses for Botox Injections

    Weird New Uses for Botox Injections

    Uses for Botox Injections are one of the most commonly administered aesthetic procedures in the United States. Although the treatment is a popular method that is used to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to ease migraines, excessive sweating and a few other conditions. When Botox is injected, it is priced two different ways: By the vial or unit. By the area, such as the area between the eyes, where frown lines are often treated with Botox.

    Injections: They’re a popular topic and yet still shrouded in mystery and a veritable amount of secrecy. Most of us venture to a consultation or decide against them without actually knowing much information—how much they cost, what to expect during an appointment, or what the results will be. Because we’re not willing to openly and freely discuss it (or have been taught not to), more often than not these conversations occur through a series of unanswered questions. Like sexual education, relying on abstinence is never going to be enough. We want to feel confident, look good, and make our own choices, and as such, that often leads to investing in modern skincare techniques. Lets take a look at 3 weird new uses for Botox injections.

    Fix that Gummy Smile with Botox Injections.

    There are some individuals who are using Botox to fix their gummy smiles, which is when an individual’s teeth are overpowered by disproportionate gum tissue. These individuals have Botox to keep the lip from raising too much when they smile.

    Botox Injection to Extend Your Blowouts

    A new trend is emerging where women are getting Botox in their scalp to extend their blowouts, and they don’t have to wash hair in between workouts. This works by injecting the Botox in to the sweat glands in the scalp. Giving you control of sweat from the scalp segion. The primary benefit of having Botox injections in the scalp is to control sweat from the top and back of the head. … A scalp is an active place for many different body functions.

    Premature Ejaculation

    Injecting Botox into the penis might relax the muscle and delay ejaculation; Allergan is currently testing Botox for this issue. The company also holds a patent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which is currently being tested in a third-party clinical trial.

     

    When Botox is injected, it is priced two different ways. By the vial or unit ($12 per unit, $15 per vial) or By the area. Such as the area between the eyes, where frown lines are often treated with Botox ($450 — $800 for an area)The decision to use a given number of units or vials, or to treat an entire area. This  depends on the discretion of the provider. Some places have a required minimum purchase