Notepad Corner

When the temperatures start to plummet, it can be tempting to burrow into our duvets only to return when the sun has resurfaced. The last thing on our minds is donning our t-shirts and shorts and heading out on a run – no chance! Many people’s fitness levels drop in the colder months as we lack the motivation to exercise. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. These top tips will help you stay active this winter. Don’t give up Once the dark nights arrive and the temperature hits single figures, many people give up on the outdoor sports they usually love. There are other alternatives to ditching your outdoor pursuits though. If you’re part of a sports team, you could move the game inside a fitness centre in order to shelter from the elements. However, this isn’t always necessary – some sports can still be played outdoors. 

Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally named Yolanda, the strongest and most powerful recorded storm ever to make a landfall this year battered Samar, Leyte, Cebu and much of the Visayas Islands of the Philippines last November 8, 2013.  The devastating typhoon rendered thousands of families homeless and helpless. The once full of life and beautiful towns with a bubbly community turned into a ghost town due to massive damage and destruction not only on the infrastructures but to the lives of the people as well. An aerial photo of Guiuan, Samar courtesy of gmanetwork.com I am a Filipino and it’s really heartbreaking for me to see that there’s nothing left out there for my fellow countrymen who survived - survivors who braved to hold on for their lives.  Homeless, hungry and emotionally upset people can be seen loitering in the streets and even resorted to looting just to feed their hungry children and families the day after for relief efforts are hampered due to infrastructure and

When it comes to custom printed packaging tape, some companies leave a lot to be desired. Whether it's improper packaging materials, or an art department that doesn't really value the customer's feedback, it can be a general nightmare for someone trying to get their business started. Thankfully, Continental Packaging has none of these problems, as their customer service and commitment to quality products sets them head and shoulders above the rest. After having been in the business for over twenty years, Continental Packaging has developed a system that they know works and that their customers absolutely love. From the in-house art department that actively craves customer input to dedication to such high quality packaging tape supplies as PVC and polypropylene tapes, it's easy to see how they've managed to stay ahead of their competitors for so long. In fact, much of Continental Packaging's success stems from its exclusive ink machine, which allows them to

Kids grow like weeds. You hardly ever notice how big and tall they’ve become until their clothes become a wee bit tighter and smaller for them. No matter how many clothes you buy for them, it just seem like they always need more. So you grow a pile of clothes that clutters your closets, drawers and bags. When your kids outgrow their clothes, you can dispose them in some productive ways. Find a new home for your kids’ old clothing, accessories and toys by handing them down to their siblings, your other family members or your friend’s kids who needs them. It is one of the best ways to help out, reuse and recycle your kids’ old clothing. Clothing swaps are also in on several local and online communities. You can get together with other parents who are also offering their children’s clothes for trade or gifts. Another positive way of getting rid of your kids’ clutter is through garage and rummage sales. When your pile reached that uncontrollable amount, you can easily organi

Australia has become obsessed with food and many people are looking for the latest and greatest dining experience. We are looking for more than just a meal; we want the atmosphere, a holistic experience. So if you are looking for places with ambiance, here is a list of five casual diners with excellent design. Max Brenners Photo via Flickr Popular chocolate shop and restaurant, Max Brenners’ offers a holistic chocolate experience. Although there are many different franchises around Australia, they all share a similar internal decor. The overall atmosphere is one of warmth. It uses a dark pallet of materials, mostly dark wood, to create a cosy feeling, which compliments the warm beverages offered. The stores have a sense of quirkiness about them, and some stores have big chocolate melting vats that supply chocolate through pipes to the bar. The chocolate shop displays all its products in a well-designed fashion.

As parents we tend to become overly protective when it comes to our teens, but it is also our responsibility to help them manage relationships and attractions to the opposite sex. It is an inevitable process and parents, especially moms should be prepared to make some important decision when it arises. It helps to have some experience over dating, love and relationships from your own teenage years – you know only too well how everything feels. You want your teen to develop a healthy relationship and have good experiences when it comes to dating and puppy love. But of course you also want your teens to make wise decisions on who to date and how to handle situations around the opposite sex. Are they ready for it? 

Whether you've chosen to build your new home or renovate an existing structure, choosing the right flooring for you and your family can often pose a daunting question. While there are benefits to all styles of flooring, you must consider which is best for your lifestyle, cleaning and comfortability. Having children and pets is often a major deciding factor when choosing your flooring, as most parents will consider hygiene and cleaning a big part of their choice. For some more information when choosing the right flooring for you and your family, read on to discover the benefits and disadvantages of carpet, tiles and timber flooring. Carpet Flooring Photo credits:  photostock - freedigitalphotos.net For those home owners living in a cooler climate, there's often nothing nicer than stepping out of bed on to a warm, plush carpet, as stepping onto ice cold tiles in the morning can be quite a shock! Carpet is often a great choice for home owners who are trying to create a w