Do You Need 300 Pieces of China in Your Victorian Parlor? Spoiler Alert: Yes, Obviously

Let’s get something straight: If you’re decorating a Victorian parlor, one teapot isn’t. going. to. cut. it. You’re going to need a lot more than that—at least 300 pieces of china, minimum. Why? Because the Victorians knew that more is more, and if you could still see any surface of your parlor, you clearly weren't putting in enough effort.

In the 1800s, parlors meant more than just a room, they made a statement. They showed off that you had enough time, money, and sheer willpower to accumulate as many fragile, delicate, and completely impractical as you could. China topped this list. Porcelain, ceramic, gilded—if it was breakable, it belonged in the parlor.

Every Available Surface Should Be Covered—Preferably Twice

Victorian parlors had no space for minimalism. Empty surfaces meant you were failing at life. Mantels, side tables, windowsills—every inch of your parlor needed to be occupied by something adorned and unnecessary. Your china collection serves as a good example, artfully (and I use that term loosely) displayed over every available inch.

Teacups, plates, saucers—these weren’t just for tea time. They were for every time. Especially if that time involved someone coming over to marvel at your good taste. Victorian interior decorating was about making sure every visitor knew that you owned at least three times the amount of tableware necessary to feed a small army.

But Is It Hand-Painted? If Not, Please Leave Immediately

Anyone can buy a teapot. But is it painted by hand? Does it have tiny detailed floral patterns that will never see the light of day because no one dares actually use it? If the answer is no, I’m afraid you’re simply not cut out for the parlor life.

During the china-painting craze, entire magazines were dedicated to helping genteel women paint intricate designs on their ceramics making sure each piece was as unique (and as unused) as possible.

More Is More: The 300 Rule

In a Victorian parlor, a few items was a starting point. Two or three pieces of china? Please. Come back when you have at least 300. Your collection should be sprawling enough to require its own cabinet, perhaps even its own room. If you haven’t had to install extra shelving to hold your burgeoning horde of teacups, you’re simply not doing it right.

People expected the abundance of decorations. A well decorated room had walls, surfaces, and maybe even the air packed with items, all vying for attention. After all, why have one vase when you could have 17? And if those vases happen to be fragile, expensive, and completely impractical, pshhh even better.

Matching Sets Are For Amateurs

Victorians didn’t care about matching. In fact the more mismatched your collection the better. Each piece of china should have its own story. You might have bought it at a high end auction or found it in a dusty corner of a secondhand shop. What matters is that you own it now, and it’s going on display.

Victorians loved to mix and match creating a chaotic, over-the-top look that felt deliberate (even if it looked like a ceramics factory exploded in your sitting room). Patterns clashed, colors popped and your guests were left wondering if they’d walked into a museum—or maybe a flea market.

Good Luck Dusting

Of course, there’s a tiny drawback to cramming your parlor with china: the maintenance. All those fragile items need attention, which means dusting. A whole lot of dusting. But then again, no one ever said being a Victorian was easy.

So while you might spend your afternoons cleaning 300 teacups just keep in mind—you’re doing it for the look. The beauty. The sheer satisfaction of knowing that no one absolutely no one will ever be able to out-decorate you.

And that, my friends, is the true spirit of Victorian interior decorating.

Optimize your Health with Mushrooms

Mushrooms are considered to be a very powerful food source to promote healing. A number of medical researchers believe that mushrooms are medicinal and have the ability to fight diseases. They discovered that mushrooms contain powerful antioxidants that make the immune system stronger. A stronger immune system enables the body to fight diseases such as cancer, tumors and heart disease. You will enjoy the wonderful taste of mushrooms and the arsenal of health benefits they provide. Mushrooms can either be cooked or taken as a supplement for you to obtain the health benefits.

Here are some mushrooms that are known to produce healing.

Maitake Mushrooms contain chemicals that increases immunity and protect the body against various forms of cancer.

Shaiitake Mushrooms fight cancer, viruses and heart disease.

Reishi Mushrooms are known for having anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties

5 Brilliant Ways to Be Healthier Behind Your Office Desk

There are so many temptations when it comes to food in the office. Donuts on Mondays. Bagel Wednesdays. Not to mention there is always a cake or a cupcake taunting you every time a coworker's birthday rolls around. It can seem almost impossible to be healthy when your entire workplace is offering you otherwise unhealthy and fattening snacks every five seconds. But I'm here to tell you that there is a way to be healthier behind your office desk! And if you already caved in and ate that donut, don't feel as if the entire day is shot and you should just keep eating donuts. You can still salvage the day and turn your unhealthy morning letdown into a much healthier rest of the day!

1. Drink water.

You know how they say to drink 8 glasses of water a day? Well I'm going to say it again. You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day! Keep in mind that your body sometimes just thinks that it is hungry when really it is just dehydrated. Instead of picking up a bag of gummy bears in the break room, pour yourself a glass of water. I promise this will help curb your hunger cravings.

2. Skip the chips.

When you make the healthy decision to skip the fast food and opt for a deli sandwich for lunch, you can completely blow your quick health kick by adding a side of chips or a big glass of soda. Skip the bad stuff when you order out for lunch. Whether it is fast food or a five star rated restaurant, those meals are loaded with calories. Skip all the nonsense and just order the main meal. You will be eating half the calories that you would have eaten had you gotten a full meal, chips and all!

3. Keep healthy snacks in your office.

We all get hunger cravings throughout the day. But how we choose to subside the feeling differs between people. A quick trick I've learned is to keep healthy snacks in your office drawer. This way when you are feeling hungry, you won't be tempted to walk to the break room and grab some candy. You will have carrots and celery sticks a mere inches away from you!

4. Take a walk.

When your body starts to crave some sugar at that mid-afternoon point, take a walk! Chances are you are just tired and your body is craving something to wake itself up. Instead of giving in to a candy bar, take a quick stroll around the office. This will boost your energy level and gives you a quick exercise in the middle of the day!

5. Don't stress.

Everybody is stressed about certain things. Maybe you are stressed about your home and it's lack of alarm system. I know of a company called http://www.smithmonitoring.com/Hurst-home-security/ that has made me much less stressed about the safety of my home. And when I'm less stressed, I don't eat as much! You know what I'm talking about. You start to think about all the things going wrong in your life and you binge eat to take your mind off of it. And that binge eating usually results in the consumption of one too many cookies! If you minimize the amount of stress in your life, you are less likely to eat fattening foods to make yourself feel better. Less stress, less stress eating. Simple as that!

About the author: Carly is a health freak. She loves anything outdoorsy and all things athletic. She is always tweeting her activities and instagramming her food.

Three Top Reasons Why an Emergency Fund is Important

Do you often wonder why an emergency fund is important? Is this a necessity or a matter of choice?

Setting money aside is one of the most significant aspects of your financial plan. When you're faced with an issue, you need the peace of mind that you have access to cash that you can use. Here are some three top reasons why an emergency fund is important.

Health Issues

You could be faced with a medical condition that prevents you from working each day. What happens when you've exhausted all your sick pay? When you're too sick to work, you can rely on your emergency fund to manage your medical expenses and other personal expenses that you have to cover.

Unexpected Job Loss

Are you single with only one source of income? If you only have one job, you need the confidence of having access to money that you will need when you're no longer employed. Try to save enough money that covers at least one year's worth of expenses.

Unexpected Home Repairs

At some point, you might have to deal with unexpected home repairs. If you're a homeowner, you have the important duty to pay for the costs of all the home repairs. These may consist of heating and air conditioning repairs, water damages, electrical issues, roof repairs, plumbing repairs, and a host of other problems. It is less stressful when you have an emergency fund to manage the costs for the repairs that you need to make your home more comfortable and functional.

Key Takeaway

One major rule for you to keep in mind is to always build an emergency fund before an emergency occurs. With a sound financial plan, you will have fewer worries when you're faced with a financial issue.

Best Materials for Non-Toxic Dumbbells: A Safer Choice for Smarter Fitness

What are the best materials for non-toxic dumbbells? In the age of wellness-driven living, fitness gear is evolving beyond performance. Now it’s all about purity, sustainability, and safety. Are dumbbells safe? While they may seem simple, the materials used in their construction can harbor harmful chemicals that impact air quality, skin health, and overall safety. For a cleaner workout and a healthier home gym, here are the best materials to consider when choosing non-toxic dumbbells.

1. Stainless Steel: Sleek, Durable, and Hypoallergenic

Stainless steel stands at the top when it comes to non-toxic dumbbell materials. Free from lead, BPA, and phthalates, it offers unmatched durability without the health risks associated with chemical coatings or synthetic compounds.

Benefits: Rust-resistant, recyclable, non-porous

Why it's great: Its sleek surface doesn’t absorb sweat or odors, making it ideal for hygienic, long-term use.

2. Cast Iron: Timeless Strength with a Safe Finish

Cast iron dumbbells have been popular in gyms for generations—and for good reason. These weights are often powder-coated to enhance grip and prevent rust, offering a non-toxic alternative to vinyl or painted coatings.

Benefits: Heavy-duty, long lifespan, recyclable

Watch out for: Vinyl-dipped versions that may contain PVC or other chemical additives.

3. Natural Rubber: Eco-Friendly Grip and Comfort

Natural rubber, derived from latex trees, is gaining popularity for its soft-touch, shock-absorbing properties. Used mostly in handles or encasements, it’s completely biodegradable and free from synthetic toxins.

Benefits: Non-slip grip, chemical-free, sustainable

Why it's great: Safe for skin contact and perfect for allergy-sensitive users.

4. Medical-Grade Silicone: The Soft Yet Strong Contender

Silicone-coated dumbbells offer comfort without compromise. When made from BPA-free, medical-grade materials, silicone provides excellent grip and is completely non-toxic—even under high temperatures or heavy use.

Benefits: Ergonomic, durable, inert

Tip: Look for certifications like “food-grade” or “medical-grade” to ensure safety.

Materials to Avoid

When shopping for dumbbells, avoid these:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Often found in vinyl coatings, PVC can off-gas harmful chemicals like phthalates.

Painted finishes: Especially if not labeled lead-free, chipped paint can release toxic particles.

Neoprene (unless certified safe): Some varieties include synthetic additives that may trigger irritation.

Final Thoughts

Choosing non-toxic dumbbells isn’t just about avoiding toxins—it’s about embracing smarter, more sustainable fitness practices. Whether you’re building a minimalist home gym or revamping a studio space, prioritize materials like stainless steel, cast iron, natural rubber, and silicone for optimal safety and performance. Your body and environment will thank you.

Three Powerful Ways to Relieve Stress

How do you relieve your stress? There are major stress contributors that can affect our personal lives as well as our health. However, in order to maintain your health you should find different techniques to relieve the stress factors in your life. Stress can be quite extreme and very harmful to the body. Stress can weaken the body and make you vulnerable to various illnesses such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, migraines, gastritis, and many others.

The good news is stress can be relieved naturally. Here are some tips that people are using to get relief.

* Young Living Essential Oils for Your Health - You can use these in your bath or simply inhale directly from the bottle. These oils are very powerful and have a wonderful healing effect on the body.

*Daily Walking is very helpful to release important brain chemicals known as endorphins. By walking at a comfortable pace, you're able to feel more relaxed and have a better mood.

*Weekly Massage is very effective to help you relax your muscles, especially if you suffer from chronic stress.

Hopefully you will find these tips helpful and improve your physical health.

How Many Bottles of Water Do You Drink Per Day? You Need Super Fresh Drinking Water

How many bottles of water do you drink per day? Super fresh drinking water is the most essential liquid that you need to survive. Did you know that most of your body's weight comes from water?

You may not be aware that around 70% of your body is made up of water. It is also known that the brain and heart have a composition of 73% water. The lungs contain about 83% water, the skin contains 64% water, and the muscles and kidneys contain about 79% water. Your bones also contain about 31% water.

How many 16.9 bottles of water should you be drinking?

Consider the 8x8 rule (8-8ounces of water each day) to determine how much you should be consuming to maintain proper health. According to some health experts, you need to drink at least four 16.9 bottles of water each day. This is equivalent to the 8x8 (64 ounces) rule. Some experts also confirm that you need at least 75 ounces of water each day.

If you're physically active, you may also need to consume more water to prevent dehydration. Your body loses electrolytes and water when you're sweating during your workouts. For this reason, you need to replace the amount of water you lose each time you work out. 

Benefits of Drinking Super Fresh Drinking Water

Super fresh drinking water is vital for several functions in your body. These include:

regulating the temperature of your body such as sweating and respiration

flushing body waste

lubricating joints

forming saliva that helps with digestion

delivering oxygen throughout your body

helping the brain to produce hormones and neurotransmitters

keeping your mucosal membranes moist

You can see that water is beneficial for your overall health. These are good reasons for you to consider increasing your water intake. You may experience certain health issues if you're not consuming enough water.

What happens when you don't drink enough water?

You can experience these side effects:

persistent headaches

constipation

skin health issues

dry mouth 

weight gain and slow metabolism

fatigue

mental fog

increased risk of strokes

Other Ways to Consume Water

Keep in mind there are other ways for you to consume water. How about drinking coconut water? Coconut water is a great option in contrast to plain water. It is rich in minerals and hydrates the body. You can sip coconut water throughout the day to maintain your fluid goals.

Water-rich foods can also help to keep you hydrated. Some of these include cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, oranges, celery, lettuce, and honeydew melon. These foods are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support health.