Discover Inspirational Street Art of Berlin

Berlin is a city which sees the number of visitors increase each year. The food, entertainment and culture draw a steady crowd. Not only is Berlin beautiful architecturally but a relatively new trend has swept the city in recent years, enhancing this beauty further. This trend is street art. This phenomenon is sweeping European cities making the city walls individual works of art. Whether it’s the canvas of what’s left of the Berlin Wall which makes up the East Side Gallery or a hidden corner of the Mitte District, street art is there to discover, and it’s actually very good.

If you’re a person who enjoys art this is a definite must see and even if you are not a connoisseur this unconventional art form will keep you amazed. One issue with street art is it can be difficult to locate the must see pieces especially since it is generally created at random locations around Berlin. Much of this art is done illegally and some is even removed which is a real shame. However Berlin officials have not failed to notice the potential here and have begun commissioning pieces. Don’t worry however, as a group of enterprising people has set up “Berlin Alternative Tours”. These tours are highly informative and fun and the guides really know their stuff!

The street art itself is not just paintings, but stickers, sculptures and whole area transformations. The Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg districts in Berlin really encapsulate this new movement with much of Berlin’s street art concentrated in these areas. For those of you familiar with the street art scene you will know that Berlin has become the European hub for this art form. World famous artists such as Bansky, Blu and El Bocho frequent the city regularly to add more of their art to its walls. Each of these artists have attained fame for their skills as urban artists. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie adore this art and have commissioned several pieces from the English artist Bansky.

Also, its worth mentioning that if you are going to Berlin as a group or as part of a corporate outing contact ‘GoArt!’. This group organizes specially designed group tours. It’s really worth it if travelling as part of a group. So if you’re looking for something a bit different to do in Berlin, try seeking out the street art yourself or get in contact with Alternative Tours of Berlin for something really special

. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough.

This guest article was written by Hannah for publishers of the free city guide, BerlinCityGuide.net

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Top Christmas Toys for Your Kids

 

Another year has passed and here it comes again, a new Christmas holiday is upon us and you have to look for new toys and new gifts for your beloved children. What joy it is, to wonder from store to store, getting asked by the sellers if you need any help and if they may assist you choosing your gifts only for you to buy something too expensive you're not sure your kids will love, so you have another option and that to take the kids with you to the store, letting them pick their own toys for them only this is even worst as they may pick several toys and most likely they will be expensive as well….so now what?

In this article I want to inform you that this Christmas will be different and you'll have no trouble picking the right toys for your kids at great prices and achieving all this without even leaving the house, amazing right? So, get a pen and paper and follow the following steps as I will tell you now how you shall find the top Christmas toys 2011 for cheaper prices than at the actual stores and all this with a click of a button.

No matter what you'll search for online, no matter what item or product it will be the chances are that you'll find it cheaper at the online stores than at the actual stores outside. This is no different when it comes to Christmas toys 2011 and so this year instead of wasting too much cash at the actual store you will purchase the same toys for lower prices and these will be toys your kids will choose by themselves as well.

Now, do you have your pen and paper ready? You can go to Google and search for the phrase top Christmas toys 2011 and get 10 results which are 10 different sites. Visit each one and write down the toys they expect to be the top and most popular this year. Now, after you've finished take a look at your list, you'll see there are probably several toys you've written more than once, so these are the toys you want to mark and remember because if more than one site recommends them, it means they will be at the top.

Search for the toys and check their prices, write them down and establish yourself the amount of money you wish to spend this Christmas. Now, call your children and tell them that these are the toys they can have this year, out of

the marked toys they will pick their desired and favorite toys and that is it!

You save time and money and your kids get new toys which will be popular and best-sellers this year. You can also check TopChristmasToys2011.com where you'll find the complete list for all top toys for Christmas 2011 for both boys and girls of various ages.

Take care and have a great holiday!

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How to Decorate Your First Home on a Budget

So you’ve just moved in to your new house or apartment and you’re thinking, “Now what?” You have some old furniture from college, maybe some stuff that your parents gave you and boxes of junk that you haven’t looked through since high school and probably won’t help your new pad look lively, let alone cool. You know all cool designer brands you want to buy from, but lets face it, you’ve barely got enough money to pay your bills, so that sofa you were eyeing at Sears is a high hope, even with a Sears coupon. This is still hope though, as long as you can manage some creativity to stretch your dollar as far as it can.

Before you even think to go out shopping look at what you have. That futon may be old but it’s still comfortable and can be used a sofa for the time being. The dinning room set from your parents with the bright blue chairs that don’t match anything can still work with a bit of sprucing up, so keep that too! Keep anything that has potential to look good with a new coat of paint or some nice fabric. Now that you know what you’re working with, it’s time to make a list of all the items you need.

Once you’ve got your list you’re prepared to go out into the world of thrift shopping! Not quite what you expected? Well if you’re on a budget a thrift store is the best place to shop. They have furniture, appliances, art and other décor just waiting to be bought and turned into treasures with a little bit of patience. You said you needed a TV stand, well there you go! It may have a broken hinge but that can be fixed with an extra $5 at the hardware store. It’s still half the price of buying it brand new. You wanted a bookcase but not in that color? Buy it anyway! You’ll be making a trip to the hardware store for that hinge so you might as well pick up some paint too. Be on the lookout for old posters, frame and trinkets that you may like.

Once you’ve gotten some new goodies head over to the hardware store for anything you’ll need to repair some of the furniture you bought. A new hinge, screws and don’t forget tools if you don’t have your own. Make sure to stop by the paint aisle to spruce up that bookshelf and those blue dining room chairs! It’s amazing what a new coat of paint will do to some old furniture.
Places like Big Lots or dollar stores also offer a lot of home décor items such as frames, valance for curtains, pillow covers, candles, vases, tablecloths, and organization and storage bins. If you’re good with a sewing machine or know someone who is, they can help you create your own curtains, pillow covers or futon covers so you can have a great unique look.

Steff Scholl knows all about thrift store shopping and stretching her dollars. Fortunately, she’s crafty enough to turn even the dullest of furniture into something new. But when she doesn’t feel like taking those extra steps, she turns to Sears.com where she can use a Sears coupon to get great discounts on her home décor.

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6 Unique Tips to Save Money On Clothes

When the economy is bad and you are looking to tighten up your budget, the first thing to do is cut expenditures. Learning how to save money on clothes is a gift that keeps on giving - the average person spends about $800 per year on new clothes. These 6 tips will help you to maximize your results!

1. Shop with Cash
The easiest way to save money on clothes is to only buy what you can afford. If you don’t have the money in your checking account to cover the cost of those must-have jeans, you cannot afford them. Save up if you must, but do not use your credit or store card! An added bonus is you may be able to negotiate an additional discount with smaller shops by paying with cash versus a card.

2. Discount Stores
Stay away from the malls and boutique shops. Head for discount stores, such as Marshalls or T.J. Maxx. There are stylish bargains to be found at stores like these and you will pay a fraction of the price. It is important to note, however, that just because a store is inexpensive, it doesn’t mean you will save any money. You must also buy fewer things to reduce how much you spend overall.

3. Shop Out-of-Season
Shopping for spring and summer items in the fall and your fall and winter items in the spring will save you tons of money. Retailers will mark down out-of-season clothes to ridiculously low prices just to make room for new incoming merchandise. Staying ahead of your clothing needs is essential in order to get the best prices.

4. Look for Deals Online
Sign up for email lists through various retailers and you will receive coupons and alerts about the latest sales. If you are planning on buying a new item of clothing, you owe it to yourself to look online first and see if there are any coupons available or upcoming sales. You may even be able to purchase your items directly from the website as well – saving you time.

5. Consignment Shops
With so many trends from the past coming back in style, it is worth checking out your local consignment shop. You can even make money on your old clothes that you no longer wear. Consignment shops will sell your items in exchange for half of the cost. Several shops will also offer an additional discount if you use the money you made from consigning your clothes on in-store purchases.

6. Take Care of Your Clothing
The way to save the most money on clothes is by taking care of your current wardrobe, so you don’t need to go shopping as often. Avoid the dryer when possible and pay attention to the care tags on each garment to know how to wash them properly.

Conclusion
Having to buy new clothes now and then is unavoidable, but there are ways to spend less and get more for your money. Following these simple tips will save you a bundle and give you more money to spend on the essentials or debt reduction.

Alex Vanderpump likes to write about shopping, great deals & cheap home insurance.

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Celebrate Christmas By The Pool

In some states where the winter is mild having a holiday pool party is not uncommon. Last year on Christmas Eve, much of Texas saw yuletide temperatures reach into the high eighties and even nineties! Although temperatures in Florida hovered at thirty-nine that very same year.

Even if your local weather does not cooperate, it's a great time to bring your friends and family together for hot cocoa and carols around the pine-scented fire pit. Imagine your nearby trees strung with colorful lights, oversize Christmas ornaments floating in a glowing backyard pool, and a holly wreath on the front of your outdoor barbecue. Just because it might be too cold to comfortably swim doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beauty of your backyard this holiday season.

A few borrowed or rented heat lamps can make your pool area a beautiful and spacious backdrop for your holiday party or open house. Some creative decorations can highlight your home's most beautiful feature. Don't forget the holiday cookies and mistletoe!

Make your guest list and check it twice and your pool side Christmas party is sure to be nice! As much merriment as can be had, it's important not to forget pool safety year round. No one wants the most wonderful time of the year to end with injury or worse. Friends and family are sure to bring their kids around for the holiday fun and a pool safety fence is an attractive and effective way to make sure everyone stays dry and safe. A pool fence with a self-closing gate will keep children safe while not interfering with the aesthetic beauty of your pool and surrounding landscape. Plan a fantastic party, keep safety in mind and your event is sure to be remembered for all the right reasons.

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How to Organize and Prepare Your Holiday Table

Planning is a normal part of making holiday preparations. You plan the menu, how much food to prepare, and you probably plan ahead of time what to wear, along with other details. If you've never done it before, planning how you'll arrange your holiday table can be a huge time saver, and can really remove some of the pressure we all tend to experience on the day our loved ones arrive to share the holiday. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you you plan your holiday table settings:


Step one is get organized. Well in advance of the flurry of activity on the actual day of your gathering, step into the dining room and remove anything that's not holiday-related, then take stock of your dishes and serving pieces. Select which items you would like to use for the feast and try them out on the table. Use sticky notes to designate each piece with what it will be used to serve. By doing this, you can see what works and what doesn't, where certain dishes belong on the table, and you'll find out if you have enough serving utensils to go with platters and bowls, etc. To reduce the number of dirty dishes you end up with at the end of the day, use casseroles and other bakeware that are attractive enough to appear on the table, and if you plan on setting out pots and pans containing food, consider wrapping them in a holiday-themed, or otherwise festive tea towel.


Step two is plan a space to chill and serve wine. Use a tray table and situate it in the dining room beside the sideboard or anywhere it's easily accessible but out of the direct path of foot traffic. Place your ice bucket, corkscrew and glasses on the table and you're ready to go. You'll be saving space in the refrigerator and cutting down on the number of people who need to actually come into the kitchen, which will be greatly appreciated by those who are working on food preparations (namely you!). You can also plan on having a medium-large cooler situated somewhere in the room, but out of the way, which can be filled with ice and used to chill cans of soda and/or bottles of beer to accompany the meal if desired and for watching the football after everyone has finished eating.

Some people even take design classes from accredited online colleges when they want ideas on decorating.
Use clever solutions to arrange the sideboard. Cake stands can be set out with serving dishes placed on them to provide extra room on the board, and if you happen to be expecting guests who aren't familiar with the foods traditionally served at your holiday gatherings, or if you're trying out several new dishes along with the old favorites, use attractive card stock to create labels for each dish so that your guests will know what is being served.

To reduce the number of people who have to be involved when it's necessary to pass condiments, or the bread basket, plan on having a group of items at each end of the table. Salt and pepper, gravy boats, butter, etc. are all good choices when planning on what sort of items to include in the separate groupings.

A valuable bonus tip is remember to keep any reusable takeout containers, empty margarine tubs, and other various containers which can be washed and stored to pull out at the end of the meal when it's time to package up leftovers to send home with those who might wish to enjoy some of your delicious food the next day. Also save the sturdy sort of shopping bags that have handles, to place the packaged up leftovers in so that they can be easily transported home. Finally, remember to have extra napkins, utensils, glasses and other supplies standing at the ready, and don't forget to clean out your fridge and freezer a few days before the event to make room for holiday specific foods and ingredients.

Follow this guide to help you prepare for the best holiday ever, and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones, as well!

Elizabeth Cole is a freelance writer and veteran hostess who contributes guest posts for AdvanceMe America's leading merchant cash advance provider.
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How To Have An Eco Friendly Wedding

A few decades ago, having an eco-friendly wedding would have been almost impossible. There weren’t very many eco-friendly wedding venues, wedding favors and flowers to choose from. However today, it is perfectly possible to have a fun and eco-friendly wedding without having to walk down the isle in a wedding gown made of leaves and feathers.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Venues

If you are planning to have an eco-friendly wedding, the first thing you should do is to pick a venue that sets the mood for your wedding. Sadly, many fancy hotels and resorts aren’t the least bit earth friendly. They use too much electricity and water and too many cleaning products. The easiest way to have a green wedding is to pick an outdoor reception venue such as a botanical garden or a hillside. However, if you would like to be able to walk around in your white, high heeled wedding shoes without getting stuck in the lawn, a garden wedding may not be for you. Nonetheless, all is not lost. You could decide to have the ceremony and the reception at the same venue so that your guests aren’t travelling from one venue to the next.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses

Finding green wedding dresses can be a challenge because most dresses are made from tulles and satins. However, that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Visit vintage clothing shops and check out the pre-worn wedding dresses. Alternatively, if you really want a new dress, find a designer who uses green fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and peace silk.

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Eco-Friendly Wedding Invites

While some green wedding websites will suggest that you send out wedding invitation emails as opposed to paper invitations, we all know that isn’t practical. Emails just don’t feel formal. In addition, some of your older wedding guests may not have email addresses. Imagine asking your fiancée’s great aunt to get an email address so that you can send her the wedding invitation. The good news is that there are lots of companies that offer recycled paper products and plantable (yes plantable) invites.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors

Sadly, most wedding favors usually end up in the trash. In fact, some wedding guests are rude enough to leave them behind. Therefore, why not give you wedding guests eco-friendly favors and garden wedding favors that will not hurt the environment even if they do decide to throw them out. If you are worried about not having too many options to choose from, you will be happy to know that the options are virtually endless. From bamboo photo frames and bamboo wood candles to plantable seed favors and eco drawstring bags, you are bound to find something that you like. Alternatively, if you cannot envision your wedding guests planting their favors, go for edible favors instead. Give your guests a lovely jar of jam or fresh honey.

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Having a green wedding isn’t so hard when you know what to look for. Just find wedding vendors who specialize in eco-friendly products and you are good to go.

Having an eco-friendly or garden wedding? Find the latest collection of garden wedding favors and plantable wedding favors with the help of Ashley Madison—the author of this article.

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