It’s worth remembering how as living creatures, we depend on sleep to function = it’s vitally important. Not only does sleep give the body the chance to rest and undergo cell renewal, but it generally allows us to recharge the batteries. Experts say that to to be on top of your game throughout the day, a person needs around 8 hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep.
So, with the act of sleeping so important, it’s worth ensuring you’re as comfortable as you can be with the right set of womens nightwear.
If traditional is more your style then you’ve come to the right place. We provide a variety of elegant and feminine two-piece pyjamas for the ultimate in comfort and practicality. From floral knitted long sleeve pyjama suits, knitted jersey Bermuda (with Bermuda style bottoms) and polly cotton jersey knits, to pure combed cotton fine rib knit and long sleeve tollie print, we have pyjama styles to meet any taste.
But our product range certainly doesn’t just stop at ladies pyjamas. No way. Ideal for wearing during hot summer evenings and nights, we also provide a wealth of beautiful nightdresses from mid and full-length sleeveless and long sleeve numbers, to quaint strappy or strapped style chemise. So, whether it’s cotton or fleece, we’re sure you’ll agree, there’ something for everyone.
Of course, anyone’s nightwear wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without a good quality morning gown, robe or seersucker wrapover. Not only do they keep you warm in the winter, but they also allow you to modestly step out in a bit of style and class. Have a look online at our dressing gown range.
For something completely different, we also sell sassy kaftans which offer the perfect balance between, comfort, style and keeping you cool. From, sturdy cotton-polyester designs to subtle embroidered, satin-trim variants in popular colours, we’ve got it covered.
So head over to ecornershop.co.uk where you’ll be greeted with a range of on-trend, quality and affordable womens nightwear, which is perfect not only for you, but as birthday and Christmas gifts for loved ones as well.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Magnetic Business Signs: Going Beyond the Car Door
Most people are familiar with magnetic business signs because they commonly see them on car doors. They're a cheaper alternative to having your whole car custom painted with your company logo and photograph, and some would say a more tactful way of promoting your business to a potential client base. But there are more ways to use magnetic signs than to just stick them on your car door. And since some people are worried about visibility of car magnets, taking different avenues when magnetically advertising is a great way to increase visibility without having to stick six magnets on your car.
Work with Other Businesses
One way to use magnets is to use them in partnership with other businesses. If you are an independent distributor of certain products, find out if a complementary business would be willing to place small magnetic business signs on their counter for customers to take. Maybe you sell hair supplies and accessories. Find out if a local gymnastics or dance studio would be willing to set your magnets out for the girls who take gym and dance. This way you aren't directly competing with the business, but you are offering a product that many dancers and gymnasts use – hair bands and barrettes.
You can even advertise through a completely unrelated business. See if a locally-owned pizza parlor would be willing to include a magnet on their delivery boxes. The larger chains do their own advertising, but a smaller place may be willing to negotiate something in exchange for free advertising from you.
Attend Local Business Shows
Often there will be business shows for entrepreneurs in the local area to attend for marketing purposes. Give everyone who enquires about your business a small magnet. People are more likely to keep marketing materials if they don't get in the way or cause clutter. Since many freebies are given at business events, a person will get home, see the magnet, and slap it on the fridge or some other place, but most of the brochures and business cards will probably get tossed out in order to avoid clutter.
Consider Direct Mail
If you have the budget, consider a direct mail campaign, targeting only those clients you know have expressed an interest in your business or one similar in the past. This way you don't waste money mailing to people who will never take advantage of your service or product. Include a small business sign in the mailer that has your business name and contact information on it. If you just send a brochure or flyer, chances are it will get tossed in the trash. If you send a flyer accompanied by a magnet, you have a better chance of attracting clients.
There are a number of ways to market your company with a sign. However, it's using effective marketing techniques that make the business signs a good advertising tool especially magnetic signs for vans and cars.
Work with Other Businesses
One way to use magnets is to use them in partnership with other businesses. If you are an independent distributor of certain products, find out if a complementary business would be willing to place small magnetic business signs on their counter for customers to take. Maybe you sell hair supplies and accessories. Find out if a local gymnastics or dance studio would be willing to set your magnets out for the girls who take gym and dance. This way you aren't directly competing with the business, but you are offering a product that many dancers and gymnasts use – hair bands and barrettes.
You can even advertise through a completely unrelated business. See if a locally-owned pizza parlor would be willing to include a magnet on their delivery boxes. The larger chains do their own advertising, but a smaller place may be willing to negotiate something in exchange for free advertising from you.
Attend Local Business Shows
Often there will be business shows for entrepreneurs in the local area to attend for marketing purposes. Give everyone who enquires about your business a small magnet. People are more likely to keep marketing materials if they don't get in the way or cause clutter. Since many freebies are given at business events, a person will get home, see the magnet, and slap it on the fridge or some other place, but most of the brochures and business cards will probably get tossed out in order to avoid clutter.
Consider Direct Mail
If you have the budget, consider a direct mail campaign, targeting only those clients you know have expressed an interest in your business or one similar in the past. This way you don't waste money mailing to people who will never take advantage of your service or product. Include a small business sign in the mailer that has your business name and contact information on it. If you just send a brochure or flyer, chances are it will get tossed in the trash. If you send a flyer accompanied by a magnet, you have a better chance of attracting clients.
There are a number of ways to market your company with a sign. However, it's using effective marketing techniques that make the business signs a good advertising tool especially magnetic signs for vans and cars.
Learn English Online at Your Own Pace
The English language is spoken in many countries and whether you're English-speaking or not, learning to use a language effectively can help you in any aspect of your daily life. From a business perspective, it's very advantageous to be fluent in English both for written as well as for oral communication --- especially in the current day and age where digital communication can make a big impact on your success.
You can easily learn English online with Internet classes and online tutorials that are designed both for native speakers who want to boost their skills as well as to help non-native speakers learn or perfect the language.
For many people, the thought of going to an English class isn't appealing. This is where online programmes can be of great benefit. They can help with various aspects of learning and perfecting the language. It has been said that English is the one of the most difficult languages to learn, but with an online program you can practise from the comfort of a computer.
How These Programs Work
There is a variety of distance language learning websites that offer to teach non-native speakers the language as well as to help those with English speaking skills improve their written communication. Some of these sites use interactive tutorials where you listen to the language being spoken and then answer a question. Others offer printables, lessons, and or a way to record your own voice to hear yourself use the language.
Using Online and Printed Resources
If you're looking to get a well-rounded education in the English language, you may want to use your online program in conjunction with a printed workbook or printable pages from a website. This way you are able to hear and see the language being used, which reinforces the rules of sentence structure and grammar.
In some cases, people find that they either read or write a foreign language best, followed by the speaking. Others find that it's easier to speak than it is to read or write. Using a variety of methods allows you to learn English online, while also learning the mechanics of reading and writing.
Taking steps to learn English online can lead to many new opportunities for you from travel, business, and other perspectives. Whether you live in an English-speaking country or would benefit from improved communications with one, using the web to your advantage can help you do so at a convenient pace for your needs. For English lessons in Leicester the MABT college run a wide range of different English courses.
You can easily learn English online with Internet classes and online tutorials that are designed both for native speakers who want to boost their skills as well as to help non-native speakers learn or perfect the language.
For many people, the thought of going to an English class isn't appealing. This is where online programmes can be of great benefit. They can help with various aspects of learning and perfecting the language. It has been said that English is the one of the most difficult languages to learn, but with an online program you can practise from the comfort of a computer.
How These Programs Work
There is a variety of distance language learning websites that offer to teach non-native speakers the language as well as to help those with English speaking skills improve their written communication. Some of these sites use interactive tutorials where you listen to the language being spoken and then answer a question. Others offer printables, lessons, and or a way to record your own voice to hear yourself use the language.
Using Online and Printed Resources
If you're looking to get a well-rounded education in the English language, you may want to use your online program in conjunction with a printed workbook or printable pages from a website. This way you are able to hear and see the language being used, which reinforces the rules of sentence structure and grammar.
In some cases, people find that they either read or write a foreign language best, followed by the speaking. Others find that it's easier to speak than it is to read or write. Using a variety of methods allows you to learn English online, while also learning the mechanics of reading and writing.
Taking steps to learn English online can lead to many new opportunities for you from travel, business, and other perspectives. Whether you live in an English-speaking country or would benefit from improved communications with one, using the web to your advantage can help you do so at a convenient pace for your needs. For English lessons in Leicester the MABT college run a wide range of different English courses.
The Manufacturing Process For Jigsaw Puzzles
It usually takes a few months worth of hours to make jigsaw puzzles. This seems like quite a lengthy process but once you see what goes into it, you will appreciate it, particularly if you're a puzzle aficionado. A lot of people enjoy doing jigsaws and there are some really intresting ones out there with varying levels of challenge.
1. Printing & Laminating
The first thing that is done in prepping to create a puzzle is that artwork is selected. This is often done via lithography, which utilises a plate that has been specially treated in order to absorb either water or oil. The same lithography sheet can be used for making several puzzles, thus saving on paper and press time. Once the litho sheets have been printed, they are laminated and allowed to dry for several days before being sent to a die cut press.
Die Cut Press
Die cutting of puzzle pieces allows for the mass production. This is done with a sharp and flat metal ribbon. These are then sent to a rule-bend expert in order to have razor sharp steel rules bent into them so as to create the actual puzzle pieces. You can imagine the time it takes to make a 1000 piece puzzle! This calls for extremely high pressure to be used.
Packaging
After the jigsaw puzzles are done at the die press, the sheets make their way to a breaker whose job it is to separate these pieces and then make sure that they are put into their packaging, which is usually some type of a cardboard box. Today, these boxes will usually feature a picture of what the puzzle will look like once it is completed, so that you can use it as a guide for when you are putting the puzzle together. This is a feature that manufacturers began utilizing in the mid-1930's. Once these puzzles are packaged, they are shrink wrapped and then shipped to be sold to the general public.
A puzzle can be a great gift. You'll find them in all sizes and styles and you'll find accessories, such as puzzle mats, that can be rolled away for mealtimes, etcetera. It's helpful for a child's development, can be a great family project, and if you have a hobbyist in your life, it's often possible to find a great jigsaw puzzle that would appeal to their hobby.
1. Printing & Laminating
The first thing that is done in prepping to create a puzzle is that artwork is selected. This is often done via lithography, which utilises a plate that has been specially treated in order to absorb either water or oil. The same lithography sheet can be used for making several puzzles, thus saving on paper and press time. Once the litho sheets have been printed, they are laminated and allowed to dry for several days before being sent to a die cut press.
Die Cut Press
Die cutting of puzzle pieces allows for the mass production. This is done with a sharp and flat metal ribbon. These are then sent to a rule-bend expert in order to have razor sharp steel rules bent into them so as to create the actual puzzle pieces. You can imagine the time it takes to make a 1000 piece puzzle! This calls for extremely high pressure to be used.
Packaging
After the jigsaw puzzles are done at the die press, the sheets make their way to a breaker whose job it is to separate these pieces and then make sure that they are put into their packaging, which is usually some type of a cardboard box. Today, these boxes will usually feature a picture of what the puzzle will look like once it is completed, so that you can use it as a guide for when you are putting the puzzle together. This is a feature that manufacturers began utilizing in the mid-1930's. Once these puzzles are packaged, they are shrink wrapped and then shipped to be sold to the general public.
A puzzle can be a great gift. You'll find them in all sizes and styles and you'll find accessories, such as puzzle mats, that can be rolled away for mealtimes, etcetera. It's helpful for a child's development, can be a great family project, and if you have a hobbyist in your life, it's often possible to find a great jigsaw puzzle that would appeal to their hobby.
‘Recycled’ Roof Solutions for the Eco-Conscious Home Owner
If you’re looking to upgrade your property’s roof and you’re looking for something that’s as easy on the planet as it is on your budget, here are some options you might like to consider:
Green Roof
This is a unique environmental initiative for improving outdoor air quality while enhancing urban landscapes and communities. A green roof is an alternative roofing concept which can be achieved by growing a low-lying, specifically designed roof garden. Green roofs also absorb solar radiation and carbon dioxide, making them a safer environment for the property's inhabitants, while increasing your home’s market value.
Rubber Shingles
Using the latest technology, plastic bags, rubber tyres and other recycled materials, are transformed into roofing which is durable and long-lasting. Not only are recycled tyre roof shingles considerably lighter and cheaper than the standard roofing materials, they are excellent insulators, can withstand 80 mph winds and can complement your home’s character perfectly.
Recycled Metal Roofing
Metal roofing, otherwise known as a ‘Cool Roof’, is another excellent example of alternative roofing for the environmentally conscious. These steel roofs are a great choice for home owners in hotter climes as they can make a considerable difference to energy bills. And metal roofing naturally repels light rays reducing the overall indoor temperature of the home. The amount of recyclable material in a metal roof can vary considerably according to the product manufacturer, so it’s worth shopping around to find the most eco-conscious solution for you.
Solar Power PV Shingles
Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar cells which harness the power of the sun without the need for bulky solar panels. Resembling typical asphalt shingles, solar shingles first became commercially available in 2005 and are popular for their aesthetic appeal as well as their functionality.
And a couple of Eco options you possibly hadn’t considered:
In Pernambuco, Brazil, toothpaste tubes are recycled into eco-friendly roof tiles. The aluminium and plastic tubes are crushed by machines, combined with resins and ‘baked’ at high temperatures, to produce light and water-resistant boards and sheets that are used as building materials.
Some forty thousand tiles are manufactured monthly, each one made from 1,000 empty toothpaste tubes. The tiles are highly weather resistant and more cost-effective than tiles made of clay, steel or aluminium. They do not conduct heat and are less noisy than metal in inclement weather!
The UK’s first nappy-recycling plant opened in Birmingham in 2010. Almost three billion disposable nappies end up in landfill sites each year and the plastic from this unlikely source is now transformed into roof tiles, decking and cladding!
Green Roof
This is a unique environmental initiative for improving outdoor air quality while enhancing urban landscapes and communities. A green roof is an alternative roofing concept which can be achieved by growing a low-lying, specifically designed roof garden. Green roofs also absorb solar radiation and carbon dioxide, making them a safer environment for the property's inhabitants, while increasing your home’s market value.
Rubber Shingles
Using the latest technology, plastic bags, rubber tyres and other recycled materials, are transformed into roofing which is durable and long-lasting. Not only are recycled tyre roof shingles considerably lighter and cheaper than the standard roofing materials, they are excellent insulators, can withstand 80 mph winds and can complement your home’s character perfectly.
Recycled Metal Roofing
Metal roofing, otherwise known as a ‘Cool Roof’, is another excellent example of alternative roofing for the environmentally conscious. These steel roofs are a great choice for home owners in hotter climes as they can make a considerable difference to energy bills. And metal roofing naturally repels light rays reducing the overall indoor temperature of the home. The amount of recyclable material in a metal roof can vary considerably according to the product manufacturer, so it’s worth shopping around to find the most eco-conscious solution for you.
Solar Power PV Shingles
Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar cells which harness the power of the sun without the need for bulky solar panels. Resembling typical asphalt shingles, solar shingles first became commercially available in 2005 and are popular for their aesthetic appeal as well as their functionality.
And a couple of Eco options you possibly hadn’t considered:
In Pernambuco, Brazil, toothpaste tubes are recycled into eco-friendly roof tiles. The aluminium and plastic tubes are crushed by machines, combined with resins and ‘baked’ at high temperatures, to produce light and water-resistant boards and sheets that are used as building materials.
Some forty thousand tiles are manufactured monthly, each one made from 1,000 empty toothpaste tubes. The tiles are highly weather resistant and more cost-effective than tiles made of clay, steel or aluminium. They do not conduct heat and are less noisy than metal in inclement weather!
The UK’s first nappy-recycling plant opened in Birmingham in 2010. Almost three billion disposable nappies end up in landfill sites each year and the plastic from this unlikely source is now transformed into roof tiles, decking and cladding!
How Green is Your Home’s Roof? Measuring and Reducing Your Roof’s Carbon Footprint
What exactly do we mean by the phrase ‘carbon footprint’?
In its simplest terms, a carbon footprint is the sum total of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, event, product or person. Greenhouse gases are emitted through a variety of sources including roads, transport, land activity, manufactured goods, materials, buildings and services.
For ease of comparison and reporting, carbon footprint is often stated in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide (or CO2) emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels.
So how does all this relate to your roof?
Your roof’s carbon footprint is made up from the sum of its components including the production of the raw materials, delivery to the factory, manufacture, distribution and installation.
Carbon footprint also relates to the performance of your roof once installed, and consideration must be given as to what will happen at the end of your roof’s natural life, for example, whether the materials are suitable for recycling. It is also judged on its ability to utilise renewable sources of energy such as rain, wind, or solar power.
The ‘greenest’ roofs (and therefore the most eco-friendly), are those which impact least on the environment in terms of their construction and ongoing performance.
Taking natural slate as an example, the raw materials themselves are excavated from the earth. However, up to 95 per cent of the excavated material ends up as waste because it is not suitable for purpose. Another important consideration is that these customary roofing materials often travel thousands of miles before reaching their final destination, impacting harshly on our natural environment.
The fact is, these types of traditional roofing materials cannot compete with modern recyclable tiling products in terms of eco-friendliness. As you would expect, plastic roof tiles which are recyclable and which use low-energy production methods, require short transportation in terms of miles and offer a long and useful life, score highest in the ‘green’ stakes.
As well as being popular with building professionals because of their ease of installation, owners of recyclable roofs love them for their maintenance-free qualities, exceptional design standards and visual appeal, as well the savings they make on their utility bills.
In its simplest terms, a carbon footprint is the sum total of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, event, product or person. Greenhouse gases are emitted through a variety of sources including roads, transport, land activity, manufactured goods, materials, buildings and services.
For ease of comparison and reporting, carbon footprint is often stated in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide (or CO2) emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels.
So how does all this relate to your roof?
Your roof’s carbon footprint is made up from the sum of its components including the production of the raw materials, delivery to the factory, manufacture, distribution and installation.
Carbon footprint also relates to the performance of your roof once installed, and consideration must be given as to what will happen at the end of your roof’s natural life, for example, whether the materials are suitable for recycling. It is also judged on its ability to utilise renewable sources of energy such as rain, wind, or solar power.
The ‘greenest’ roofs (and therefore the most eco-friendly), are those which impact least on the environment in terms of their construction and ongoing performance.
Taking natural slate as an example, the raw materials themselves are excavated from the earth. However, up to 95 per cent of the excavated material ends up as waste because it is not suitable for purpose. Another important consideration is that these customary roofing materials often travel thousands of miles before reaching their final destination, impacting harshly on our natural environment.
The fact is, these types of traditional roofing materials cannot compete with modern recyclable tiling products in terms of eco-friendliness. As you would expect, plastic roof tiles which are recyclable and which use low-energy production methods, require short transportation in terms of miles and offer a long and useful life, score highest in the ‘green’ stakes.
As well as being popular with building professionals because of their ease of installation, owners of recyclable roofs love them for their maintenance-free qualities, exceptional design standards and visual appeal, as well the savings they make on their utility bills.
Why Architects, House Builders and Roofing Contractors Should Recommend Plastic Roof Tiles to Their Clients
Given that there is an ongoing requirement for plastics in the construction industry, coupled with the need to balance that requirement to comply with the latest Government legislation, it makes sense for house builders and contractors to utilise recycled and recyclable materials wherever practicable.
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) website states that:
‘All plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon both economic and logistic factors. As a valuable and finite resource, the optimum use for most plastic after its first use, is to be recycled, preferably into a product that can be recycled again.’
The benefits of recycling plastics are:
• Less used plastic going to landfill.
• Less oil used for plastic production.
• Less energy consumed.
Where previously, house builders and roofing contractors may have steered away from using eco-friendly alternatives to traditional slate and concrete, due to performance issues of strength and reliability, now that choice has become significantly more attractive, thanks to the invention of Envirotile – a roofing tile with the greenest credentials, which radically outperforms traditional roofing materials.
Envirotile, the UK’s first commercially-available roof tile made entirely from recycled plastics, is five times stronger than conventional roof tiles. Yet it is 80 per cent lighter, making it easier to manoeuvre and align. As you would imagine, this drastically reduces the risks associated with manual handling at height – a boon for roofing contractors. And of course, if any materials should accidentally be dropped from height, plastic tiling reduces the hazardous consequences for those on the ground.
In addition to the major Health & Safety advantages, on average, Envirotile is estimated to reduce a contractor’s fitting time by 25 per cent – a considerable time-saving in the working day.
As well as making every roofing job less labour intensive, Envirotile effectively reduces the carbon footprint of every building project the contractor undertakes. And these days, with more consumers demanding ‘green credentials’ that’s an impressive boast for your company’s marketing literature.
In addition, Envirotile will help you meet the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Envirotile is easy to fit, economic to employ – and of course – aesthetically pleasing on the eye.
With less chance of breakages and no wastage of materials, Envirotile is the perfect roofing solution for today’s eco-conscious house builder, concerned with leaving a lasting impression.
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) website states that:
‘All plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon both economic and logistic factors. As a valuable and finite resource, the optimum use for most plastic after its first use, is to be recycled, preferably into a product that can be recycled again.’
The benefits of recycling plastics are:
• Less used plastic going to landfill.
• Less oil used for plastic production.
• Less energy consumed.
Where previously, house builders and roofing contractors may have steered away from using eco-friendly alternatives to traditional slate and concrete, due to performance issues of strength and reliability, now that choice has become significantly more attractive, thanks to the invention of Envirotile – a roofing tile with the greenest credentials, which radically outperforms traditional roofing materials.
Envirotile, the UK’s first commercially-available roof tile made entirely from recycled plastics, is five times stronger than conventional roof tiles. Yet it is 80 per cent lighter, making it easier to manoeuvre and align. As you would imagine, this drastically reduces the risks associated with manual handling at height – a boon for roofing contractors. And of course, if any materials should accidentally be dropped from height, plastic tiling reduces the hazardous consequences for those on the ground.
In addition to the major Health & Safety advantages, on average, Envirotile is estimated to reduce a contractor’s fitting time by 25 per cent – a considerable time-saving in the working day.
As well as making every roofing job less labour intensive, Envirotile effectively reduces the carbon footprint of every building project the contractor undertakes. And these days, with more consumers demanding ‘green credentials’ that’s an impressive boast for your company’s marketing literature.
In addition, Envirotile will help you meet the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Envirotile is easy to fit, economic to employ – and of course – aesthetically pleasing on the eye.
With less chance of breakages and no wastage of materials, Envirotile is the perfect roofing solution for today’s eco-conscious house builder, concerned with leaving a lasting impression.
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