Entries by Pixabella

I thought this was interesting on Science Daily, a room designed to be the world's most relaxing room to calm even the most stressed out minds.

What they did is put some soft mats on the floor that you lie on with your head resting on a Lavendar scented pillow, while really gentle relaxing music plays in the background.

As you look up you see an artificial clear blue sky, but you'll be bathed in green light reminiscent of a forest glade.

It sounds weird, but at the same time kinda groovy, the designers are from the University of Hertfordshire who specialise in studying relaxation and the room is only a showcase to see what is possible, but it makes me wonder if we can duplicate this at home/

I would love to own an Infrared Sauna, mostly because I suffer from back and shoulder pain and I know these can make a big difference to easing pain, which would give most people an improved quality of life.

The infrared waves can reach upto 1 and a half inches into soft tissue so they're able to reach most aches and pains and using far infrared saunas looks so much more convenient than going to a specialist, just have it installed somewhere in your own house or out on the patio.

An infrared sauna can also help with weight loss since the body sweats and has to use up calories to do so. I love the idea of sitting in a sauna and relaxing, yet losing weight at the same time!

Check out this wonderful old swing machine that I've been using to make little things for around the house.

It's a Sigma, but basically the same as a Singer which is the more popular brand, and it works by using a foot pedal. Learning to the get the combination of right and left foot working properly is a challenge but the machine produces a wonderful straight line, and it use no power.

This sewing machine only has one foot for the needle so it can only do straight stitching, I'd love to get a foot for it that could also do zig zag stitching but I have no idea where to look.

Despite it's age, it works really well, a little bit of oil to lubricate it now and again, and then use those legs. Working at this machine for a couple of hours feels the same on my legs as going for a long bike ride and I'm sure it's helping tone my muscles.

Recently I've mentioned how much I love fashion and crafts, well I've started sewing again, just little things, but I so desperately needed a new pair of scissors for cutting fabric.

Up till now I've just been using the kitchen scissors but they're never long enough or heavy enough. I bought this pari for only a few Euros, and they're absolutely fantastic. They needed a bit of oil to lubricate them but they cut so much better.

The fabric I'm cutting ranges from lightweight cotton to really heavy denim and other scissors seem to get caught up on the threads and either stop cutting or rip the fabric which can be expensive if you're cutting to a pattern.

Maybe next year I'll upgrade to a professional set of scissors like seamstresses and fashion designers use.

Living in Southern Spain we don't often hear about wealthy business people who are also major benefactors to charity, philanthropists they're called. Previously I could only mention people like Bill Gates or Paul Newman, but now I've got a scoop.

Not too far away from here is Gibraltar which is a small British territory that is a centre of banking and other service industries and where I've just discovered another entrepreneur who is also a philanthropist. In fact she's so close, only a couple of hours away that I could probably even meet her if I made the effort, but I digress, let me tell you more.

Ruth Parasol is one of those very rare woman who rise to the top in their industry, she joined her father's real estate business at an early age but then developed several companies with business partners because of her expertise in web enabled applications and international law.

A few years ago she got married and now lives in Gibraltar where she helps run the Bonita Trust, a fantastic charity that supports cultural, health, and education non-profit organisations in Gibraltar.

I'm not sure how much Ruth is worth, and I don't suppose it's terribly important, but she was once listed on the Forbes top 400 list although she now devotes her time to looking after her family and helping run the Bonita Trust.

Recently I made the move to a house which is situated not so far from Ronda. I love it because at the moment the house has everything I need.

Whilst moving in I discovered a cabinet in the house and thought it was another storage area where I could stuff things into. Well you should of seen my face when I opened the cupboard door, it was an Antique sewing machine.

I was so excited the machine looked perfect and when I spoke to the owners they had no issue with me using it. Well I was stoked I have a sewing machine to use, and best of all it doesn't need electricity.

Cool, back to the old days of peddle power and burning calories. Being frugal is certainly paying off, and now I don't have to worry about how much electricity it's sucking up.

I love this little machine it's a real pity that it didn't come with extra bits and pieces to be able to sew zig zag and make button holes. Oh well at the moment I am quite happy sewing straight stitch and making double seams.

If you're like me and enjoy sewing and would like to become more self sufficient I would recommend paying the money in reason for an Antique Sewing machine and the extra bits and pieces.

Relying on electricity here in Spain is proving to be a little uncertain with constant power cuts that can sometimes last up to 6 hours. This is why having an Antique Sewing machine gives me the freedom to sew. At night this could pose a problem but I am sure I can buy a solar powered LED lamp that will emit enough light.