A Giraffe

Who doesn’t love giraffes? They are very well-known for tall profile, their long neck, and distinct patchwork pattern. Their large eyes, long tongue, sizeable ears, and tufted tail further contribute to their unique appearance. 

 A few other facts about giraffes: they are the tallest of all living land animals (the heights of nearly 6 m), they prefer environments where there is a plenty of acacia trees on which they feed, giraffes –both male and female- have short horns on their head also known as ossicones, they have longer forelegs than back legs and their heart has special adaptations to allow it to pump blood up the animal's long neck to its head. A giraffe's heart has the difficult task of pumping blood at high enough pressure so that it can flow up the giraffe's neck to the brain (source:animals.about.com).

Camera Critters
 

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Lightweight Caftans with New Designs

Fashion designers are always working hard to come up with something new and refreshing. One almost new dress that has arrived in the market these days is caftans for women. Especially for summers, this dress came up with a bloom of new trend in the market as it is light in weight and easy to carry. Top designers and designer retail stores also considered it as one of the fashionable dress of the season as it is mentioned earlier that it is lightweight clothing and easy to go in summers.

Designer caftans can be worn in variety of ways and by different types of women of different body shape. For example, if you are tall and slim then it will definitely highlight your figure and thin legs and if you are fat with heavy upper chest and flabby upper arms and waist line then also it will cover all the fatty areas of your body and will give an elegant look to your body. It will attract more shapely parts of your body and will also suit women with larger upper thighs.

Another very important reason of wearing such designer caftans is that it is light in weight and very easy to carry in summers and will suit every occasion of this season. For example, Caftans of neon floral print will make an amazing day time dress, it will suit you if you are relaxing in a backyard or having picnic with friends or family. Evenly, white colour also beat the heat and thus, will help you making your day. Alternatively, if you are wearing a black coloured caftan or some plain dark coloured caftan also then it will make your evening an amazing one, especially if it is combined with awesome accessory.

Designer caftans are not only comfortable but also stylish and look very trendy in summer season. It appeals a range of body shapes of the women flattering with curves. Moreover, it is a versatile fashion item and sets a trend in the fashion industry.

Caftans originated from a traditional lifestyle and fashion trends of few Middle East Countries but yet it is modified as per the new trends and demands of the people. Although, it mostly covers the whole body but still there new designer caftans which are designed keeping new trends in mind and are less conservative. The one which are designed today are more colourful as compared to previous one and are introduced with more elegantly designed patterns.

Apart from long sleeved caftans, halter and spaghetti strapped caftans are also available these days in the market. In fact, the sleeves and neckline are not the only one which is changed in the designs of caftan but the whole length of the caftan is changed these days. There are variations in the designs of caftan right from neck to ankle.

So ladies! Get yourself a dress designed by a designer and purchase a gorgeous caftan for you without thinking twice about your shape and size.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Painting Contractors

If you have some painting projects which need the help and expertise of painters Dublin, you need to be wise with your choices. You certainly would not want to be one of the many people who have had many regrets with painting jobs that ended up in disaster. Getting the right contractor is more than just finding the cheapest person or company. You need to focus more on quality and not the cost. Remember that if the price is cheap, that is probably the same service you are going to get, cheap.

What are the mistakes which you should avoid when hiring painting contractors?

• Ignoring warning signs. It is important to pay attention to warning signs when you choose a contractor. Does the company return your call promptly? Do they answer your questions without losing patience? Do they have a lot of work? Do they have repeat customers? Do they make you feel that you are valued? If you hear warning bells go off, turn around and look for another contractor.
• Agreeing to vague statements. Whatever your agreement is with the painting contractor, everything must be written on paper. It is not a smart decision to just agree on things verbally. Never settle for a price without knowing what work is involved.  Aside from getting an estimate of the entire job cost, you should also be getting a list of the things which the painting contractor will be doing, such as taping, sanding, cleanup and other things.
• Forgetting clean-up. It can be very inconvenient to have to clean up after a painting job is finished. Make sure that your contractor also removes the tape, puts the landscaping back in order and removes the refuse.
• Forgetting warranty.  Warranty is vital for any job, including painting. A contractor must stand behind his work. If you are not pleased with his work in any way, he should resolve to correct mistakes or to make his work acceptable to his customers.
•  Choosing the cheapest paint. It can be very tempting to try to save a few bucks by opting for cheap paint but you have to remember that when you pay cheap, you will get cheap. Opting for a cheap paint might also cost you more money in the future because you will have to redo the painting job. Not only is that expensive, it is also quite a hassle to have to do the same thing twice.
•  Not doing your research.  If you want to get the best deal possible for your money, you must be prepared to put in hours of research. You need to look for the best painting contractors in your area and ask them for quotation, as well. Comparing the prices, as well as the services offered will give you your money’s worth.

A painting job done right saves people time, money and a lot of worries. Remember to avoid these costly mistakes which we have enumerated and you will be sitting in your newly-painted house or office, delighted and satisfied with the results.

Article by Sylvester Joyce is a freelance writer who enjoys home improvement, she writes about Painters Dublin.

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Maps and Scrolls - Eye Candy for Your Walls

Hanging maps and scrolls is eye candy with a difference. Authentic retro reproductions painstakingly copied from original maps and cartographers drawings they have a classic timeless appeal. As an interior design statement they have always been popular but lately, there has been a surge in popularity. Is it because we hanker for less frenetic times, or is it because true class never goes out of fashion? 

/image:pavilionbroadway.co.uk/

I love Paris in the springtime

Actually for all intents and purposes Paris in the springtime isn't quite as romantic as we are led to believe. It can be a cold, dreary place and anyone who has a love of Paris will know it can be a less than joyful place to visit in early spring. Thankfully, Paris has some wonderful places to visit on cold, damp days. One of the most visited monuments in France is the immediately recognisable from the map in the image.

In the centre of these authentic models of one of the original maps, the detail of the Ile de la Cite and the Ile Saint-Louis is exquisite. The former of these two islets is home to one of the most beautiful examples of French Gothic architecture and one of the most famous (if not THE most famous) churches in the world. These fortified islands in the middle of the River Seine meandering gently though the centre of this vast metropolis rise majestically, and probably little has changed from when the original map was created.

Take a closer look at the detail on the map and you will clearly see it is Paris if you know the topography of this ancient city. Clearly the skill of the topographers and map makers of the era, this one being a fine copy of an original dated circa 1739 is clear for all to see and has been faithfully reproduced on these authentic models. The originals were probably created on the instructions of the city elders of the time, and are fine examples of the cartographers’ art. They would have been in production for an almost unbelievable length of time before the final map was ready for publication.

Continuing the French theme

Fine copies of maps, manuscripts and scrolls add a certain je ne sais quoi to any style of interior décor and something you can be proud of. These fine reproductions of maps reflect the skill of the map makers. This particular iconic piece was originally in production for five years, and it is easy to see why. The detailing is unbelievably fine and intricate with every window, chimney and turret in the cente ville clearly visible. To call this a remarkable piece of work is to wonder at those map makers from centuries past and admire from a distance their skill, patience and attention to the finest detail. Such a piece of work nowadays would be prohibitively expensive to create let alone commission, survey and record before being put down in print.

These authentic models are painstakingly recreated to give the owner a beautiful wall hanging and a sense of the grandeur of ancient times. As homage to the map maker they have little in the way of competition and will enhance any interior décor style.

Graham Green is a freelance writer and blogger, and has a love of old books and AuthenticModels of historical maps, manuscripts and scrolls. 

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