Making Your Mark by Driving Nails Into the Walls in Your Apartment in Korea - How To Do It



In South Korea, the walls are not always made of plaster or jeep rock. You can expect the outer walls of your Korean apartment to be made of brick or cement, which means if you want to hang up a picture that cannot be held up with tape, you're going to have to drive a screw or nail into the wall that can sustain the weight of something that is heavy.

Even though winters get really cold, this is hardly expected in South Korea. Most Koreans wear light skimpy clothes in the winter and bundle up with electronic blankets and mattresses during the coldest winter months. Obviously the higher North you go, the colder it gets. For instance, if you live in Busan you don't need to bundle up too much. However if you're fighting the winter in an apartment in Seoul or Chuncheon you'd better know a few things about the walls of your apartment: they're made of cement covered in wall paper.

Depending on how long you're planning on staying in South Korea, you might have had the notion to decorate your apartment. I certainly did. I really don't know that it is with Korean architects and color coordination.... White walls, white ceiling, white counter top.... doors. Why couldn't they give us a brown door? This may not be the case for your apartment, but you'll notice that the vast majority of apartments in Seoul have this "white wall" syndrome.

The kind of nail you're going to need is different from most nails. You need to buy a cement nail which you can buy at Home-Plus or Lotte Mart. You can buy a hammer, but since you'll leave most of your furniture in South Korea when you leave to return home you might as well borrow one from your school.

Home-Plus stores are typically found near a Korean subway station. However if you live outside of Seoul or Busan you'll find them in heavily residential areas as well.

Hammering into concrete makes a certain kind of sound that is loud and unmistakably betrays what you're doing. I say betray because most landlords don't want you drilling holes in the wall, so if you do you'll have to pay if you put "key money" down. I put down 500,000won. Frankly I don't care because it's really important to me that my home is a place that fosters mental relaxation and creativity.

Do all your nailing on one day so you reduce the likelihood that your landlord pay you a visit. Korean landlords want to preserve the longevity of their walls so they can be sure to keep the apartment's quality top notch.

Of course if there are no cement walls in your apartment don't bother hammering cement nails in the walls. In fact you could just use tacks and make paper frames. If you do this, you'll get your 500,000 won back when you leave for sure.

As an aside, you could also buy some plaster and fill the holes the cement nails make to make it look clean. If the landlord doesn't check up on your apartment, you just might get your key money back.

Coming to Terms With Toenail Infection - The Facts on Nail Fungus



For many people toenail fungal infection is not something that should cause panic. The disease, after all, is not at all that serious. In fact, the only thing that it damages is the appearance of the nails. Of course, it may affect how your feet look, discouraging you from wearing sandals or any other footwear that displays your toes. However, to consider nail fungus as relatively harmless is to underestimate the germs' capability to wreak havoc on your feet. In fact, if you just let the fungal growth continue without intervention, you will soon be encountering diseases that are more serious in nature. That is why it is very important to learn about nail fungus and its treatment.

Onychomycosis is how doctors call this. This disease becomes possible if your feet are always damp and deprived of air and the proper amount of heat to kill the fungi. Many people living in countries with cold weather are susceptible to catching this because they frequently wear closed footwear for long hours. Therefore, if you live in a place with such conditions, you should spend certain hours of the day when you can take off your socks and shoes. You can then expose your feet to dry air. This will rid them of dampness, especially those parts between the toes. While at home, it will be good if you just wear flip-flops.

Nail fungus can be hazardous for people with diabetes or other diseases that weakens their immune systems. The fungus may have grown on the nails but these certainly are not limited there. These may also infect other parts of the body, particularly the skin. In fact, the fungi's characteristic is nearly similar to those that trigger athlete's foot, eczema, and ringworm. Therefore, if you do not treat this as early as possible, you render yourself vulnerable to skin diseases and disorders too. For the person afflicted with diabetes, any wound in the toenail area, such as one caused by an ingrown nail, can worsen once the fungi infects it.

There is an impression that the discoloration and damage of the nails are merely signs of aging. This is certainly an absolutely false notion. The truth is that this is nail fungus and it can affect anyone regardless of age. Therefore, as soon as white spots are seen on the nails, immediate remedies must be taken. At its initial stage, most remedies can be performed at home, such as the application of vinegar. The earlier the attention is given to it, the better the chances of cure. However, if you do nothing, despite of the early symptoms, you certainly put your entire feet at the risk of infection.

For those who wish to discover more about nail and toenail fungus why not do some research here: nail fungus treatment

Nail Art For You



Perhaps the greatest feeling about leaving the nail salon is the beautiful nail designs on your hands and feet. Designs can be simple and sweet or intricate and stunning. It is truly amazing how much art can be squeezed onto just one nail, especially your big toe! We all love having our nails done and nail salons meet customers needs by inventing many different ways to decorate your nails. Suddenly, the notion of nail care is taken to a different level.

Nail Designs: Basics

Nail polish is the foundation of your design. It does not matter if you are using nail art or not, because nail polish is appropriate either way. If you desire the natural look, you can enhance the beauty of your nails simply by painting a clear gloss over them. If you want a classic look like the very popular French manicure, you need both white and clear nail polish at minimum. If you are at the salon, you may want to get nail designs. The color of your nail polish can make or break your nail art.

Your next decision will be to decide if you want to add any 3D elements to your nails. Fun accessories include gems, diamonds, stickers, and other nail decals. You can use one or several decals on each finger. Decals enhance designs like shoes enhance your feet!

Konad or airbrush nail art are other methods to get professional nails. With airbrush art, the technician uses an easy to apply spray system on your nails. He or she will lightly spray over the nail design stencil producing salon nails that dry in seconds! Konad involves stamping nail art. This is an at home product that you can use to get professional nails by stamping the design of your choice onto your own nails. Since it dries instantly, the nail art is both beautiful and flawless.

If you haven't noticed, products are invented every day showing you how to do things yourself. People finally started to realize that it isn't very hard as long as you have the proper information. I mentioned earlier that nail designs can be simple or intricate. If you decide to save money by doing it yourself, you can start off with basic designs and work towards mastering more detailed designs. There is also a sense of accomplishment, I believe, in not relying on nail salons to get the job done!

Blue Nail Polish Is More Versatile Than You Think



If you have rejected the notion of wearing blue nail polish in the past, it's time to reassess your position. Although blue nails were once associated with edginess, these days even corporate executives are pulling off blue nails and still getting respect from others. Non-traditional nail polish is slowly pervading the mainstream and soon colors like blue, green, and purple will be just as common as red and pink.

If you are conservative, your first foray into the world of blue nails should be a muted shade. Save the glitzy bright blues for once you are more comfortable. The best colors to start out with are very light pastel blues. These colors are particularly appropriate in the spring time. Although you can wear light blues any time of year, especially in warmer climates, they have a special appeal once winter wraps up to a close. Some of these soft blue colors are white-based, which is a great way to ease yourself into blue nails.

For every day wear, medium blues are flattering on most people. If you have cooler skin, any type of blue works but if your skin tone is warm or olive, you might want to go with a more yellow-based blue. Metallic blues aren't just for rock concerts. They're also fun for New Year's and winter time.

If you are the daring type, then the boldest shades of blue are made for you. Some blue nail polish is packed with blue glitter. Glitter polish is popular with pre-teens but any age can pull it off if you have the personality to match. Holographic blue polish is also a lot of fun. Keep in mind that these colors look best on shorter to medium length nails. Long nails with sparkly blue polish can start to look garish pretty quickly so unless it's Halloween, stay away from these shades if your nails are especially long.

One thing to remember when you paint your nails blue is to use a good base coat, especially if you are going for darker shades. That's because darker colors can actually stain your nails if you don't put a protective layer of base coat in between your nails and the paint. Some base coats also help fill in ridges on your nails, which gives a more even application. This is really useful with darker colors because they tend to draw attention to flaws in your nails. A top coat is also essential because chips are very obvious when you're not wearing neutral shades. If the blue on your nails ends up too intense for your tastes, you can always layer a sheer neutral shade over top to help tone it down a bit.

Don't shy away from blue nail polish. There are so many different shades available that you should be able to find something you can pull off pretty easily. You can also experiment with different shades on your toes, where they are less visible to others, if you work in a conservative workplace.

Nail Health - What the Issues Are and How to Get Healthy Nails



Calcium deficiency has been blamed for so many nail ailments, with a poor diet and lack of nutrients one may a have need to be concerned. For most of the population, there is no need to be concerned about this. Nail issues may indicate severe health problems for some, but with no other symptoms dehydration and stress is likely to blame. Organic sulfur and diatomaceous earth have been known to help nails and hair grow. While improvements may be noted, they stop when the supplements are no longer being introduced into the body. Nail polishes can be painted onto the nail; however, harsh chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene are sometimes found in the strengtheners.

Flaking and peeling- Peeling can occur from one side of the nail to the other. Flaking can start at the moon (whitish crescent shaped area just before the nail bed) and continue to the tip. Peeling can be very painful and cause bleeding which is easily to become infected. Suffers of peeling often start to bite at their nails to get rid of the irritating nail piece. Flaking seems to start at the tip of the nail and continue back to the nail bed. Flaking thins the nail and makes it very weak. With the nail thinned it is easier for chemicals to absorb into the soft tissue and enter the body. To stop the flaking and peeling, one can use the strengthening nail polish. The polish normally has a type of "glue" that helps hold the nail together with some nutrients that are suppose to absorb into the nail. This "glue" is a mixture of chemicals that most would not want getting into their body. Weather, prescriptions, and household cleaners are the major causes of flaking and peeling. This is because they can be drying to the nail. Proper hydration, wearing gloves while cleaning, and vitamin e or lotion applied to the hands help tremendously to strength and hydrate the nail.

Fungus- Thickening of the nail with a yellowish tint and no noticeable growth in length is a sure sign of a fungus infection. While these infections are embarrassing, they can be cleared up with a cream from drugstores; however these drugs can be hard on the liver. Natural ways to rid fungus from the nail include; soaking the nail twice a day in vinegar or tea tree oil. Apply a petroleum jelly after the tea tree oil to protect the nail from drying out. Even if the fungus has been present for an extended time, the nail normally heals quickly with no permanent damage.

White spots-These spots appear on the nails which grow out with the nail. While this has put undue fear into many people because of the incorrect notion that it is due to calcium deficiency. The white spots are actually bruises that tend to show up long after the trauma had occurred. These are less severe versions of a black nail that generally falls off. White spots grow out with the nail and can be trimmed off after they are past the quick of the nail. They cannot be buffed away while they are present, but covering with a colored nail polish or just living with them for awhile tend to be suitable fixes. Being gentle with hand and nails is the preventative step.

Vertical Ridges- Ridges that extend the length of the nail from the nail bed to the tip. Vertical ridges are no indicator of health. While some push the notion that they are a sign or de hydration, most people find that they are hereditary. By gently buffing with a special fine buffing file the ridges are worn away. This is not a permanent solution, the ridges will grow back after a couple of weeks but can be buffed away to create a nice shiny finish on the nail.

"Horizontal" ridges- Deep ridges that form parallel to the nail bed. Horizontal ridges are important to take note of. They can be a sign of a lung disorder or malnutrition. If a blue color is seen with these ridges doctors expertise is recommended because it is a sign of arsenic poisoning. Horizontal ridges are also another indicator of trauma sustained to the nail bed; common after removal of fake nails, or intense pressure or pulling on the nail bed.

Nail health is important to keep track of since it is such a good indicator of overall health. Proper hydration and being gentle on our nails is the best preemptive measure for great nail health. Supplements such as organic sulfur and diatomaceous earth are helpful in achieving beautiful nails. Biting of nails and using harsh chemicals can destroy the appearance and strength of the nail. Being gentle, staying hydrated and consuming vitamins is the best way to achieve nail health.

Coming to Terms With Toenail Infection - The Facts on Nail Fungus

For many people toenail fungal infection is not something that should cause panic. The disease, after all, is not at all that serious. In fact, the only thing that it damages is the appearance of the nails. Of course, it may affect how your feet look, discouraging you from wearing sandals or any other footwear that displays your toes. However, to consider nail fungus as relatively harmless is to underestimate the germs' capability to wreak havoc on your feet. In fact, if you just let the fungal growth continue without intervention, you will soon be encountering diseases that are more serious in nature. That is why it is very important to learn about nail fungus and its treatment.

Onychomycosis is how doctors call this. This disease becomes possible if your feet are always damp and deprived of air and the proper amount of heat to kill the fungi. Many people living in countries with cold weather are susceptible to catching this because they frequently wear closed footwear for long hours. Therefore, if you live in a place with such conditions, you should spend certain hours of the day when you can take off your socks and shoes. You can then expose your feet to dry air. This will rid them of dampness, especially those parts between the toes. While at home, it will be good if you just wear flip-flops.

Nail fungus can be hazardous for people with diabetes or other diseases that weakens their immune systems. The fungus may have grown on the nails but these certainly are not limited there. These may also infect other parts of the body, particularly the skin. In fact, the fungi's characteristic is nearly similar to those that trigger athlete's foot, eczema, and ringworm. Therefore, if you do not treat this as early as possible, you render yourself vulnerable to skin diseases and disorders too. For the person afflicted with diabetes, any wound in the toenail area, such as one caused by an ingrown nail, can worsen once the fungi infects it.

There is an impression that the discoloration and damage of the nails are merely signs of aging. This is certainly an absolutely false notion. The truth is that this is nail fungus and it can affect anyone regardless of age. Therefore, as soon as white spots are seen on the nails, immediate remedies must be taken. At its initial stage, most remedies can be performed at home, such as the application of vinegar. The earlier the attention is given to it, the better the chances of cure. However, if you do nothing, despite of the early symptoms, you certainly put your entire feet at the risk of infection.

For those who wish to discover more about nail and toenail fungus why not do some research here: nail fungus treatment

So You Want To Setup A Nail Salon!

While growing up beauty, women like their nails to be attractive and beautiful. They spend huge money just polishing the charm of their nails. What does this mean? Clearly, it defines the importance of owning a nail salon! If you want to have your own nail salon, you just need to follow some tips and you will receive all desired results with your booming nail salon. A few of these tips are given here.

Think About All Necessary Things

A brief thought and clear notion can make your way easy! Before, you setup a nail salon, first check out the things and factors which are too important to be considered. This is what you can say a Business Plan! This includes the type of services you want to offer through your salon, the time hours you are going to give your business, the ways of treatment you will offer to your customers, the net fees and charges you are looking forward to receive, the tools that you will be making use of in your nail salon, where you setup your salon i.e. the location of your salon (should be easy to get to). In addition to this, you also need to decide the profits you are dreaming about to earn... these are certainly critical questions which must be asked to open a successful nail care business.

Cost Estimations

Yeah, costs are the most essential concern to think about. You must estimate overall costs for setting up a nail salon business. This covers the rent of your salon, the pay of your employees, the costs of tools and equipments you will buy etc.

Grants Can Help

Grants can play a major role in managing your costs and expenses. See, if you can acquire any grant to settle down your expenditures. Costs analysis is most crucial to be decided before setting up a salon and even any other business. As, if you did not estimate costs, you can face lots of problems in future!

See What Professionals Say

Taking guide from experienced and professional people is another good tip. You can ask these people for the things which are considered truly imperative for a nail salon as well as the concerns which may completely wipe out this business. These people can guide regarding their experiences and you can settle lots of things after their guide and considerate opinions.

Check out Available Facts and Details

Check out magazines, news papers, websites, journal, and lots of other things which offer factual and brief information about setting up a nail care salon.

So, benefit from the above discussed tips and, setup a flourishing and successful nail salon business you are dreaming about!

Are you looking for a reputed nail salon? No worries! We have organized a complete database of local nail salons all over the country to help you find the one nearest to your area.

Select the Correct Sewing Notions When Sewing Doll Clothes Patterns

There are many illustrations to choose from. A construction worker. A doctor. The pit crew for a race car. All these professions have tools of the trade they use every day. A contractor would never choose a rubber mallet to pound a nail any more than a race car's pit crew would use a hand held screw driver to change a tire during a big race. This shows that the proper tools are just as important as the skills it takes to complete a job. As you create clothes for Dolly, you need to collect buttons, zippers, thread, and so on. When sewing for dolls, choose sewing notions that work best for each pattern and help, not complicate matters, as you sew on a smaller scale.
I am sure, like me, you have a separate area for your doll clothes notions than the ones you use for your adult patterns. If not, I recommend a quick trip to a Walmart or fabric store to get a rolling storage cabinet with drawers in a variety of sizes; smaller ones to sort out pins and buttons and larger ones for thread, lace, and tape. Have an extra pair of scissors and measuring tape and make sure these tools have a home in your cabinet. It easily travels with you and all you need while sewing for dolls is all in one easily found spot.
To give you a few ideas, let's go through a list of doll clothes notions you would find if you came in my sewing room right now:
Flat doll buttons- these may serve more of a decorative purpose due to the fact that little fingers will dress Dolly, but are wonderful sewn over Velcro down the front of a blouse.
Snaps- extra small of course, due to the size of Dolly's outfit.
Stretchy plastic elastic- it is durable enough for use in Dolly's clothes, but does not withstand many washings. Stretches larger areas and works well when you do not want to use a casing.
1/8-1/4" ribbon for embellishing
Narrow lace for the hems of sleeves or the bottom of Dolly's dress
Wonder tape- excellent for holding fabric in place while sewing. No need for pins!
If you need pins, choose fine, short ones. Do not use quilter's pins as they are too bulky and will leave holes in your finer fabrics.
3/8" soft pajama elastic- this works well in waistbands for pants or skirts and on the edges of puff sleeves
Thread- you could have a cabinet devoted just to thread! With all the variety of fabrics you use, make sure your thread matches. More than just color I am talking about the weight. Cotton for cotton, silk for silk and so on. Do not use cotton on silk as the fabric and thread may adversely interact down the road. Keep these elements similar.
This is a short list. You may have mentally added more as you read. Great! Make this your own. These are just a few of the basics. As you grow your skill, you will think more creatively and may eventually need a larger cabinet. Remember that whatever sewing notions you choose, you are using them on tiny clothes and they will need to be the appropriate size. Enjoy collecting the sewing notions you will use to create one of a kind outfits for Dolly and her friends.