Make Moving Easier

Make Moving Easier

简易搬家

It’s well known that moving home is highly stressful. So, you need to prepare in advance and get needy for the big move. Whether you’re moving cross-country or across the street, there are some things that you just have to do and get in order. These organising tips will help you make the moving process easier, less stressful and better for the whole family.

众所周知，搬家是一件非常压力的事。无论你只是搬到临街或移民，有些东西你还是必须提早做准备。以下有几项贴士能让你更顺利地完成搬家，减少压力、节省时间及整合整个家庭。

Sorting

分类

Sort through all your belongings, like your furniture, children’s toys, clothes, books and even crockery. Give any unwanted items to your friend or the local charity home. Don’t pack them and take them with you and only to have them sorted out in the new home.

从家具、儿童玩具、衣服、书籍和餐具等，一一分类所有物品。把你不需要的物品转赠给朋友或慈善集团。千万别把它们也带到新家，这只会加重你的负担来整理。

Labels all boxes clearly

标签所有箱子

Make sure that all boxes are labelled clearly with their contents. You can take it a step further by using colour coding to organise where the boxes will go in your new home.

依据箱子里的内容物，在箱子外标签清楚。你可以使用颜色来标签箱子，当箱子搬进新家时，就能更容易地分辨出哪个箱子应该放置在哪个房间里。

Right size of boxes

选对箱子

Small boxes for heavy items like books and large boxes for light items like linens and pillows. This is to reduce the chance of breaking your valuables and making the moving job easier. Put heavier items at the bottoms of the boxes, lighter items on top.

将重的物品如书籍放入小箱子里，大箱子则存入轻的物品如枕头或床套。这是因为能减少箱子的重力，并且减低箱子因过重而破掉。将较重的物件先放进箱子底部，较轻的物品摆在上面，这样能平衡箱子的重力。

Secure the boxes well

将箱子以胶纸固定

Use the tape generously to close the bottom and top seams, then making a couple of wraps all the way around the box’s top and bottom edges, where pressure is concentrated.

使用胶纸来封闭箱子的底部和顶部的接缝处，另外，依据箱子的顶部和底部的边缘封上胶纸，来增加重量受力。

Bundle the breakables

捆绑易碎品

As you pack your dishes, put packing paper around each one, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides, never flat, and use plenty of crunched-up paper as padding above and below. Cups and bowls can be placed inside one another, with paper in between, and wrapped three or four in a bundle. Pack them all in a dish-barrel boxes and label it “FRAGILE – THIS SIDE UP”.

当你收拾餐碟时，将包装纸放在每个碟子之间，然后以5至6个盘子，利用更多的报纸捆绑在一起。用大量的报纸作为填充放在上方和下方，来减少它们的碰撞。被子和碗利用同样做法，将报纸放作为间隔，并以3至4个作为一个捆绑。将它们都放入箱子里并标签“易碎品”。

May your house move be a great move.

愿新家为你带来好运。

By: Pek Yeng

Image courtesy of iStockphoto

Instant Sofa Makeover Tips

Instant Sofa Moveover Tips

快速为沙发改头换面

Boring with your living room? Want an instant makeover? Without having redo the entire living room, simply just add a decorative pillow with little effort, you can turn your living room to a new fresh style. Let’s see what we can do…

厌倦一成不变的客厅？想要改造下这沉闷的设计？无需重装修整个客厅，只需花点心思利用装饰枕头来改造，你会发现很多意外。让我们来看看有什么可以做的……

Warm up with textiles

纺织品

Textiles can change the entire feel of a room. A wild mix only works when there are balance, pairs, and colours of equal intensity. Consider placing a throw blanket to make your room cozier.

纺织品可以改变整个空间的设计感。依平衡感、双对、颜色对比来制造狂野搭配。放置一张毯子以增添舒适感。

Touchable surface

布质

Creams and white colours are the most beautiful colours combination. But when all shades are similar, it can feel flat; do contrasting, adding textures to make it visually interesting.

米色及白色两种颜色是最漂亮的色彩。但是，当所有的色调是相似的，你却需要搭配不同纹理或布质来刺激视觉上的效果。

Balance in pairs

成双成对

To keep your room look clean, consider doing in pairs with patterned pillows in front and solids as backdrop. Deep plum brings sofas to life in a bold way, and the feathers add a style of bohemian whimsy. Such combination will dress up any sofa.

为了让沙发显得干净，你就需要将东西成双成对，利用图案枕搭配素色沙发。紫红色的枕头为沙发带来了全新面貌，和羽毛枕相配有着波斯米亚风格。这个组合能完美搭配任何类型的沙发。

Splash with colour

运用色彩

The pillows are one of the easiest and quickest ways to experiment with colour. The turquoise and plum are typical combination, but they unexpectedly complement each other. They are great contrast with neutral background.

枕头是最快最简易运用色彩的工具。绿松石色衬上紫红色是经典组合，却又是出乎意料地相得益彰。在素色的沙发上能有非常好的冲击力反差。

Play with shape

千姿百态

Round pillows have great finishing touch, make a contrast between round and rectangular, feathers and tartan to make it looks unusual. Replace the classic square shape to another that instantly change the way your home looks like.

圆枕有画龙点睛的效果，将之做个强烈的对比 -  圆形和方形，羽毛和格子纹之间等。经典的方形枕头能瞬间改变客厅的面貌。

By: Pek Yeng & Asikin

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto

Lose Weight with Doing Housework

Lose Weight with Doing Housework
做家务减肥 

Losing weight is all about burning calories, doing exercise plays an important part in your lose weight plan as well. But, it can be tough when you do not have much time to workout due to your daily busy schedules. Here’s the good news, studies reveal that the calories burned while you are doing household chores which can really help compliment weight loss regimen. Here are some calorie-burning household chores tips.   

要减肥就要减掉体内多余的卡路里，你也知道运动是最佳的瘦身选择。但是生活繁忙的我们，太多的事情要做而忽略了适时地做些运动。这里有些好消息给你知道，研究显示只要我们花点时间和心思进行家务，也能有效地减掉卡路里。来看看到底哪些家务能让我们称为瘦身一族！   

Washing Car 

洗车 

Save money by washing your own car and burn an astounding 316 calories per hour. 

省下钱，自己动手洗车，你就能在一小时内减掉316卡路里。 

Gardening 

园艺劳动 

An hour of weeding and grooming your plants can help shed over 200 calories. Carrying new plants and flowers to their designated spots give you some lifting and cardio. It also gives you the chance to get plenty of fresh air.

 一个小时的除草机培育植物能消耗超过200卡路里，搬动盆栽也能帮助你做点拉伸动作。这也让你有机会呼吸到新鲜空气。 

Scrubbing Floors 

擦地板 

Scrubbing your tiled or wooden floors can help you burn over 350 calories an hour. Think about that next time you are scrubbing mildew, and remember to wear knee pads to take some pressure off your knees.

擦洗瓷砖或木地板，可以帮助你燃烧超过350卡路里。在你要准备擦洗霉菌时，记得要戴上护膝套，保护你的膝盖并让它承受适当地压力来训练你的大腿。 

Cleaning Bathrooms 

清洗浴室 

Cleaning bathrooms is often the least favourite chore, but the good news is, an hour of scrubbing the bathroom helps burn over 250 calories.

很多人往往最不喜欢清洗浴室，但是你可知道，一个小时的清洗浴室能帮助消耗掉250卡路里。 

Cleaning Windows 

擦窗口 

Burn 153 calories when you stretch, spray and scrub your windows clean. The stretching is great for all your muscles, especially your back. You can lose some fat while having sparkling windows. 

当你进行窗户清洁时，伸展、喷洒洗洁剂、擦洗窗户能帮助燃烧153卡路里的热量。这些伸展动作能训练上半身的肌肉，尤其是背部。你可以减掉卡路里又能让家里的窗户闪闪发

Ironing 

熨烫衣服 

Ironing your clothes for an hour helps you burn over 120 calories and stretch muscles of your upper body. It is best to do this in a standing position, switching hand timely to ironing is great idea. 

一小时熨烫衣服能有效地燃烧超过120卡路里及训练上半身肌肉的最佳家务选择。最好选择站立进行，并适时地更换手。 

Baking 

烘焙 

Baking cookies and bread for our loved ones while burning over 260 calories per hour. 

为你的爱人或家人烘焙曲奇饼或面包能在一个小时内燃烧260卡路里。 

Sort Out Bed 

整理床 

Sort out bed every time you wake up in the morning helps burning 15 calories. If we sum up, sorting out bed every single day can burn over 450 calories a month. Changing bed sheets of one bed, on the other hand, can burn over 40 calories. 

每天早上花点时间整理床能减掉15卡路里，持续每天整理便能在一个月内减掉450卡路里。更换床套也能消耗掉40卡路里。 

Move Furniture 

搬动家具 

Moving your couch, chairs, dining room table, bed and other furniture burns 225 calories and gives you a new environment to inspire. 

搬动沙发、椅子、饭桌、床等家具能消耗掉225卡路里，定时更换家具的位置能让你的家居保持新鲜感。 

If you are just lazy to the gym, stay home and do some housework is great idea. Doing housework regularly can help you stay in shape while keeping your house neat and clean. What a great idea, right? 

如果你懒惰上健身房，那么你就可要呆在家做点家务。通过进行一些家务能帮助你训练肌肉及减肥，还能让家里保持干净整齐。真是个好主意，对吧？

By: Asikin & Pek Yeng

DIY Deodorizing a Fridge

DIY Deodorizing a Fridge 
DIY冰箱除臭法

Did you know that apart from the artificial deodorizing agents, you could employ some cheap green remedies to get rid of fridge odour? You will be surprised to learn that some options here are cheaper than you thought, probably you already have them in your kitchen, so why not try them next time when you encounter bad smell comes out of your fridge! 

你可知道除了人工除臭剂，你也可以使用一些廉价且环保的方法以消除冰箱里的异味？你会惊呼以下的方法比你想像中简单又便宜，这些材料你能轻而易举的在厨房找到，那么为何不尝试此方法来解决冰箱难闻的气味呢？

Before 
之前

** Place your food correctly in the fridge.
** 正确地储存食物于冰箱里。
** Avoid storing food in open containers, so that the smells don’t blend.
** 避免储存在敞开食物使其味道散发于冰箱里。
** Regularly check the expiration dates of your stored food.
** 定期检查你的存储食品。

Natural Ways to Deodorize
自然方式来除臭

** Clean all the shelves and drawers with a thick paste of baking soda and water. Not only will you remove food stains but odour as well.

** 以小苏打粉混合水的粘稠膏状来清洗所有冰箱里的架子和抽屉。这不仅能去除污迹也能除臭。

** Use white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of the fridge, including the door gasket and the fronts of the vegetable and fruit bins.

** 用白醋混合水清洗冰箱内部和外部，包括蔬菜篮及冰箱门垫圈。

** Place an open container with baking soda inside and let it absorb the smells for at least 24 hours.

** 将小苏打盛装在开放的容器里并放置在冰箱里，让它吸收臭味至少24小时。

** Distribute freshly ground coffee evenly on a plate and put it in the fridge for 24 hours.

** 将磨碎咖啡渣盛装在盘子里，并置放在冰箱里至少24小时。

** Cutting an onion into half, place it in the empty fridge overnight. Remove the onion and leave the door of the fridge open for a while.

** 将洋葱切半，并把它放置在空的冰箱里隔夜。取出洋葱并打开门透风一阵子。

** To freshen the smell of your fridge, you can also soak a piece of cotton wool in vanilla and leave inside for 12 hours which will produce a lovely fresh and clean aroma.

** 要使冰箱清新芳香，你可以将棉花球浸泡在香草液里，将之放在冰箱里至少12小时。冰箱里就会有股清新的香气。

** Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours.

** 棉球球或海绵上挤点柠檬汁放在冰箱里几个小时，亦有以上的功效。

With these tips, you can easily keep your kitchen and fridge clean and fresh for a minimum price. Take care to choose your food wisely and to store it appropriately and you will rarely need to deodorize.

有了这些贴士，你可以很容易地以最低的费用来为你的厨房和冰箱进行清洁工作。明智地选择你的食物，并适当地储存，你将大大地减低冰箱所产生的恶臭。

By: Asikin & Pek Yeng

How to Save Your Electric Bill

How to Save Your Electric Bill

为你的电费单“减肥”

With technological advancement nowadays, probably we cannot live without home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioning, TVs and so on. But all these require electricity and will cause your electric bill increase.  Let’s take a look at some energy saving tips! 

科技的发达，人们的习惯，在日常生活中，我们离不开电器，电冰箱、洗衣机、空调、电视等，都需要大量用电。天气炎热，周末呆在家，全天候开着空调，电费也跟着高涨。每月看见电费单非常头疼。就来看看有什么省电的妙招，让我们学起来！

Air-conditioning

空调

** Thicker curtain materials can reduce indoor temperature. 

** 加厚的窗帘可以减少室内温度升高。

** Lessen to open windows to reduce the sunlight heat from outside.

** 少开门开窗，以减少阳光的照射和热气的影响。

** Clean air conditioning filter to maintain its operating smooth.

** 要保持空调出气管畅通，并两个星期清洗一次空调滤网，确保送风口通畅。

Television

电视机

** Volume and brightness of TV is the key of power saving, the volume higher, the more power consumption.

** 电视机的音量及亮度都是省电关键，音量及亮度越大耗电越多。

** TV is still under standby mode by shutdown it using remote control, the right way is to switch off the power.

** 使用遥控器关机，电视机仍处于待机状态，还在用电，正确是必须关掉电视机上的电源。

** Cover up TV to reduce the dust can reduce the power consumption.

给电视机加上防尘罩，因为夏季电视机温度高，机内极易吸附灰尘。机内灰尘多可能造成漏电，增大了耗电。

** Switch off TV when you are not watching.

** 不看电视时应关闭总电源开关。

Refrigerator

冰箱

** Avoid putting hot food into the refrigerator.

** 严禁将热的食品未冷却即放入冰箱内。

** Should wash the vegetables and fruits, drain and store them into plastic bag, to reduce evaporation, thus saving energy.

** 蔬菜、水果等水分较多的食物应洗净沥干后装塑料袋再放入冰箱，以减少水分蒸发而加厚霜层，节约电能。

** Do not put refrigerator items too close, leaving some space for air circulation. So reducing the number of compressor operation for saving energy.

** 冷藏物品不要放得太密，留下空隙利于冷空气循环，这样食物降温的速度比较快，减少压缩机的运转次数，节约电能。

** Refrigerator should place in an environment where temperature is low, and well-ventilated to stay away from heat and avoid from direct sunlight. When placing refrigerator, should leave some appropriate space on the top, left, right and back to facilitate cooling.

** 冰箱摆放在环境温度低，而且通风良好的位置，要远离热源，避免阳光直射。摆放冰箱时顶部左右两侧及背部都要留有适当的空间，以利于散热。

** Minimize the numbers of open times. Because the cold air spread when open door, the compressor will use more than 10 minutes to recover refrigerator temperatures.

** 在平时存取食物时，尽量减少开门次数和开门时间。因为开一次门冷空气散开，压缩机就要多运转数十分钟，才能恢复冷藏温度。

Washing Machines

洗衣机

** To decide the time length of washing according to the type of laundry. Silk and fine clothing generally requires shorter time to wash, while cotton and thick fabric may require slightly longer.

** 洗衣机洗涤时间的长短，要根据衣物的种类和脏污程度来决定。一般洗涤丝绸等精细衣物的时间可短些，洗涤棉、麻等粗厚织物的时间可稍长些。

** If you use washing machine to rinse your shirts, you can wring out the shirt from soapy and detergent foam before rinse.

** 如果用洗衣机漂洗，可以先把衣物上的肥皂水或洗衣粉泡沫拧干，再进行漂洗，既可以节约用电，也减少了漂清次数，达到节电的目的。

** Try to meet enough clothing to do washing machine to achieve the purpose of energy saving.

** 等洗衣机尽量储满足够衣物后才使用。

Electric Fan
电扇

**The power consumption difference between the fastest and slowest volume is about 40%, use slower volume can reduce power consumption.

**同一台电风扇的最快挡与最慢挡的耗电量相差约40%。所以，常用慢速度可减少电风扇的耗电量。

By: Asikin & Pek Yeng

Balcony: A Private Space

Balcony: A Private Space

阳台 暂别烦恼的地方

 

For those who live in big cities, balconies are probably the places where they can get some fresh air. It’s a good idea to make the space more comfortable rather than using it only for drying clothes.  

住在大城市的人们都缺少了新鲜空气，阳台就是最佳的地方让你休息、吸收阳光及呼吸清新空气。所以，何不花点时间让打造阳台成为属于自己的私人空间，让它不再是晾晒衣服的乏味空间。

In case you live in an apartment with balcony, don’t miss having a nice balcony décor. Wait no more, some fun décor ideas are shared here. 

如果你住在公寓里有个阳台，就别浪费这个机会了。还等什么，今天就动手改造你家的阳台吧！

Furniture 

家具

Benches and garden chairs are the perfect furnishing item for balconies because they provide enough space for at least two adults, or for one adult to lounge. You can decorate benches or garden chairs with decorative pillows according to the theme you decide to incorporate. 

长凳和椅子是摆置在阳台最佳的家居，因为它们提供了足够容纳两个成人的空间亦可以成为一个人的休息室。你可以摆放一些可爱的装饰枕头来决定你要的风格主题。

Placing a small side table beside your chair or bench is great idea, it can hold your drinks, snacks, or favourite books. But make sure to purchase weather-resistant cushions and furniture to ensure durability of your stuffs. 

摆置一张小桌子能让你放饮品、零食和书籍杂志等。确保你买的家具是耐候性（阳光照射、温度变化、风吹雨淋）。

Décor

装饰 

Balcony is a very flexible living space and can easily adapt to any seasonal home décor. So you can decide on the theme you prefer to portray. This should highly depend on the activities you plan on engaging in this room.

阳台是一个灵活的生活空间，能适应任何季节的家居装饰。所以，你可以随意决定你喜欢的主题。主题的考量决定于你打算在阳台进行什么活动而定。

For instance, if you plan on lounging and seek a serene hideaway, consider using soothing colours like blue, green, and white. If you favour something entertaining, then apply festive colours like orange, yellow and red. In addition, if you want a private rest time in balcony, hang weather-proof blinds as you can lower when necessary.

例如，你打算有个休闲及世外桃源的阳台，哪你考虑使用柔和的颜色如：蓝色、绿色和白色。如果你想要成为家人及三五好友聚集的地方，那么你可以选择橙色、黄色和红色。另外，你如想有个私人的休息空间，在阳台上记得安装耐候性的遮帘。 

Plants

植物 

Plants bring life to any room, and are necessary in an outdoor area like a balcony. Decorate using flowers and small trees to add colours. Use decorative planting pots to exhibit your flowers. Hang planter boxes on balcony railings or hang planting baskets from the ceiling. They will give your balcony a European look and will not consume any additional floor space.

植物能为我们带来生命的气息，也是阳台必要的元素。用鲜花或小乔木来装饰阳台，利用可爱花巧的花盆来承托美丽的植物；或是挂在阳台栏杆上，或是挂在天花板上的种植篮，以增添色彩。他们会你的阳台带来一股欧洲的气息，并且也不会阻碍空间。

If your balcony is very small, consider turning it into a flower and herb garden. Mix up colourful perennials, seasonal delights, hardy ivies and herbs that you can use in the kitchen. Get a sturdy stool and a soft cushion for the seat so that you’ll enjoy working in your own private garden.

如果你的阳台非常小，没关系，你可以将它打造成小花园或芳草园。混合多种类的植物，如：多年生植物、常春藤、香料或草药等，收成后还可以成为厨房香料呢。摆放一个坚固的凳子和一个软垫，让你好好地享受在自己的私人花园里进行园艺。

By: Asikin & Pek Yeng