Archive for October, 2009
When shopping around for quality bedding materials, it’s important to be able to separate the marketing fluff from the genuinely useful information. The “thread count” phenomenon is a perfect example. For many years, consumers swore that having a high thread count automatically ensured that a set of sheets would be soft and durable. That belief is misguided at best.
Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of material, and it fails to factor in the construction of the sheet and the quality of the material used. Fiber quality and yarn size are much stronger indicators. Organic cotton sheets made from long-staple cotton are easily the most durable and softest type of bedding available. Lighter fabrics are made from finer yarn, so keep that in mind when you’re looking at insulation and breathability.
On average, I spend 10 to 12 hours of the day at work or at least en route during my commute. For that reason, I make sure to spend every spare moment catching up with my family. I think my son and daughter appreciate all the work I do to help them afford the nice things they enjoy, but there’s still an occasional pang of guilt when I miss soccer practice or a ballet recital.
“Business casual” just isn’t an option at my office where my job entails wooing wealthy corporate clients. I have to look my best all the time when I’m on the clock, and that means three-piece suits, pressed slacks and wingtips. The second I get home, all that formality goes right out the window. I slip on a pair of organic sweatpants and help my wife with dinner preparations. I figure it’s an indulgence I’ve earned.
There are few joys in life that compare to the feeling new parents experience when they bring their baby home for the first time. In their earliest stages of infancy, children are so fragile and tiny that one can’t help but be charmed. Most parents plan for the baby’s arrival well in advance, setting up a nursery with all of the furniture and other essentials. Even before the baby grows old enough to be mobile, it’s essential that parents make the nursery child-proof.
When tackling such crucial safety measures, you’ll need to begin by fitting any sharp edges in the room with padding. This means encasing the corners of furniture with some sort of barrier. Use heavy-duty tape or special plastic inserts to block off electrical sockets. Move any furniture that’s near a window away to the other side of the room. With these steps completed, you’ll be ready to deliver the child to his new home, securely covered with an organic baby wrap.