Lady Gaga Halloween Costume

Who says Halloween has to be scary? Halloween is an excellent excuse to dress up as your favorite (or not-so-favorite!) celebrity. Whether you're dressing up as a famous figure because you're a big fan or if you're making fun of the celebrity, Associated Content has plenty of celebrity Halloween costumes to give you great ideas. Here's a look at the 10 of the best celebrity costume ideas on Associated Content.

#1: Celebrity Halloween Costumes: Honoring Those that Died in 2009- by AC Contributor Aida Ekberg
2009 has been a major year for celebrity deaths. Michael Jackson and Billy Mays are just some of the ideas Aida outlines in her excellent article.

#2 Amy Winehouse Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Ms. Nicole A.
Because of her wild characteristics, Amy Winehouse makes a very recognizable celebrity Halloween costume. Nicole's article details everyone you need for your Amy Winehouse costume, from clothing to Amy Winehouse's fingernails.

#3 Octomom Costume- by AC Contributor Angel Vee
In 2009, Nadya Suleman, aka "Octomom" was all over the news with the birth of her 8 babies. Everyone knows who Octomom is (unless someone was living under a rock), making this celebrity Halloween costume choice an excellent idea. Angel goes into great detail on how to pull off your Octomom costume.

#4 Lady Gaga Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Angel Vee
Another great celebrity Halloween costume idea from Angel Vee! In 2009, Lady Gaga was all over the celebrity gossip magazines and websites, from her crazy outfits to the hermaphrodite rumors. Angel gives plenty of ideas to make a Lady Gaga costume work.

#5 Miley Cyrus Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Darrin Atkins
Sometimes, you're not up for creating a costume on your own, and that's okay! Miley Cyrus is a wildly popular teen TV and pop star, making her trendy costume choice for tweens. In this article, Darrin Atkins reviews different places to buy a Miley Cyrus Halloween costume.

#6 Kanye West Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Kevin Smith
How timely is this? Currently at the center of controversy for upstaging Taylor Swift at the VMA's, dressing up as Kayne West will surely get laughs at your Halloween party . In his article, Kevin outlines Kanye West makeup tips, clothing, and props you'll need for this costume.

#7 Heidi Klum Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor William Browning
Supermodel and star of Project Runway, Heidi Klum is a world famous celebrity and makes a unique Halloween costume idea. William tells you how to do it, down to the last detail, and even includes tips on how to get people to know you're Heidi Klum.

#8 Kim Kardashian Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Nikki
Show off your booty with a Kim Kardashian Halloween costume! Or if you don't have a booty, get some padded panties! In her article, Nikki describes how to great a Kim Kardashian Halloween costume.

#9 Top 5 Celebrity Costumes for 2009 - by AC Contributor Sarah Toce
Sarah has five excellent and details for celebrity Halloween costume ideas in her article. Michael Jackson, Kate Gosselin, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, Octomom - all very relevant in 2009.

#10 The Hills Halloween Costume Ideas by AC Contributor Avis Yarbrough
Whether you're a fan of The Hills or you can't stand this show, there's no denying its popularity! This article is a complete guide to making celebrity Halloween costumes from The Hills. Avis describes in detail costumes for the Hills' most popular characters - Heidi, Spencer, Lauren, and Audrina.

http://www.buyhalloween.info/lady gaga halloween costume

Modular Shelves

The décor theme is extremely important for any space. It does not only represent the people who use the space but also contributes to the functionality factor of the space. One of the modern themes for the home décor is the icy mix. This article is aimed to provide information on decorating with the icy mix.

Base for an Icy Décor

The icy décor is mainly inspired by deeply meditative, calm and somewhat pensive moods. Depiction of these moods in the form of décor is impossible to achieve without using the exact color palette for the icy décor. The icy color palette is governed by the shades of violet, grey, and blue. White can be a secondary choice. The complementary colors for this type of décor are lilac, orange-brown, and black.

Unlike many popular decors, the icy décor is about celebrating the contemporary furnishings, fabrics, and accessories while keeping a sharp, crisp, and clean look. The vintage items and antiques do not fit well in an icy décor. In fact, many interior decorators agree that the icy décor is going to mark this era in the coming times.

The purpose of the Icy Décor

One can have icy décor in a space for the following reasons.

-To beat the heat

The icy décor is great for the places experiencing hotter climates. This décor has the quality to mitigate the feelings and effects of the hot weather on an individual almost immediately. This is because the sunlight (or the artificial light) plays on the icy palette just as it does on the snow or the ice.

-To appreciate holistic living

The icy décor does not focus on individual pieces; rather it is about pulling the functionality factor from the overall décor. Therefore, the people who think too many little pieces to contribute to a décor is a lot of fuss can conveniently pull off an icy décor.

-To improve spaces lacking originality

Many popular décor trends encourage showcasing collectibles and vintages. Due to this, many people buy a large number of decorative pieces compulsively rather than buying them due to pure liking or a relation. This creates an artificial space lacking originality. The icy décor is a simple yet effective way to discourage the practice and to encourage people going for things they like and the things they can relate to, no matter how simple these things might be.

-To showcase austere spaces

Some people like and need austere spaces. The icy décor is a great way to highlight austere spaces with confidence, ease, and simplicity.

Elements of an Icy Décor

There are certain types of fabrics, furnishings, lighting, and accessories, which make and complement the icy décor.

Furniture

The furniture of the icy décor should be stark having clean lines. It means that the antique or vintage furniture does not go with the icy décor. The Scandinavian or Danish furnishings are a great choice for this type of décor. Other than these, aim for metallic or faux-wood, angular, and/or modular light weight furniture. In fact, the modern day or futuristic furniture with clean lines is great for the icy décor. A visit to IKEA can be fruitful without stretching the pocket.

Fabrics for furnishings, beddings, and windows

For the chairs and sofas, leather and/or the faux-leather are the best options. For the beddings, invest in translucent, synthetic fabrics. Keep in mind that the fabrics for the icy décor look the best when they are plain or have geometrical prints. (Keep the floral prints at bay if you do not want to spoil the whole look). The icy décor looks better if the windows are adorned with window shades or blinds instead of the conventional fabric drapes.

Accessories and lighting

For an icy décor, the accessories should be very basic and minimal to keep the look crisp and clean. Also, prefer the functional items for accessorize a room rather than only decoration pieces. For example, use cute glass trays to store candies, instead of crystal bowls that sit empty.

If the icy décor has lighter base colors then not much artificial lighting is required. In most of the places, sunlight during the daytime and lamps in the night would be sufficient for keeping everything visible. However, for places in deep blues and violets, invest in overhead spherical lights to keep everything visible without any strain on the eyes.

Some tips with examples on creating Icy Decor compositions

Tip: Do not go for a full renovation if your décor lacks or does not has anything 'icy'. Sometimes a hint of some colors from the icy palette is all you need to change the mood of a space.

Example: A place has red/orange floor hard or expensive to change. Paint the walls and the ceiling in the palest of the icy blue. Introduce stark white furnishings/ fabrics/ accessories.

Tip: Adding the right type of flowers and plants is a great way to highlight the icy décor.

Example: Irises and hyacinths come in shades of blue and white. The good news is that they can be grown in pots and they thrive indoors. Choose the pots in colors and shapes that go with the icy décor.

Tip: Theicy décor is the easiest to attain in the bathroom and the kitchen. Take them as a starting point to practice this type of décor.

Example: Grey or silver metallic hues are great to complement an icy décor and they are already present in most of the kitchens and bathrooms. The kitchens have silver/grey/metallic appliances and/or fixtures. Start by getting the walls and the ceiling painted in any hue from the icy color palette. Complement the base by adding rectangular shelves displaying the metallic cooking utensils, bake trays, baking moulds, knives and cutlery (if they are in blue/grey/silver tones). Finish by adding a big bowl/vase in deep blue/violet to be the focus of the whole look.

The bathrooms that have grey/silver/white fixtures/tiles/sanitary can provide a great base for the icy decor. Complement by painting the mirror trim in deep blue. Finish by adding functional and decorative accents in marble. (For example, invest in a marble statue that doubles as a towel holder.)

Tip: Make the icy décor warmer in mood in the winters by adding purples and magentas with a red base.

Example: A person lives in cooler climates but likes icy décor. Invest in fabrics and/or furnishings that are in shades of magentas, oranges, or reds. The space will instantly get warmer.

Source(s):

The information on 'Icy color palette' is taken from a book called, "Color Harmony for Interior Design' by Martha Gill. The same book serves as an inspiration for some tips.

Personal knowledge (developed from reading different interior décor books over time).

Modular Shelves

New Audi R8

What is it about the Audi brand name? Something about it just conjures up images of sleek professionals in executive cars, car chases, private detectives, and a whole world of myth. However, what many forget is that Audi, despite the myth surrounding it's actual brand names, makes what can be considered some of the finest and best priced luxury cars in the world. From the entry level (but very impressive) A4, to the R8 super car, the company produces a full range of vehicles that can be suited for any purpose. However, perhaps one of the companies more interesting offerings is the A3, and the 2007 models way well be one of the best and most entertaining vehicles currently on the market.

Even from the outside, it is easy to see that the A3 is not the typical Audi vehicle. The widened grill speaks much more to the companies more upscale A6 and A8 sedans, while the larger wheels and aggressive front end seem to add a new dimension to the car. However, by far the most distinguishing thing about the car is the sport back design. Yes, this Audi is a hatch. Of course, this may not appeal to everyone, and generally most either love or hate the design. On the plus side, the sport back gives a lot more room and offers something different from the traditional siding. However, on the other hand, that new and different approach may not appeal to everyone. Even with the sport back design though, the back end of the car is still stylish, and even though it may be different, the A3 still has that same refinement and professional exterior appearance which just screams Audi in every possible regard. Even though it may not appeal to everyone, it is hard to argue that the A3 is not a solid looking vehicle, and the exterior is definitely a plus, even if for the simple fact that it offers something different.

Moving on to the interior, Audi seems to have really raised the bar with the A3. Far from the cluttered center console designs of the past, the interior seems to be very smooth and definitely very refined overall. The gauges and most of the controls still seem to be largely the same as found in the A4, with the change of knobs used instead of buttons with regards to fan settings and temperature. The leather-wrapped steering wheel definitely adds a nice touch, and the overall interior is a very nice package. It is difficult to really appreciate the sport back design until one has experienced the massive amount of extra room that it adds inside the vehicle. As with any Audi, the driver is positioned well for driving comfort and the passengers have any number of options with regards to how to adjust their seats. Overall the interior is very comfortable, and the back seats offer more room than in the standard A4. The A3 is a great choice for those who like the style and comfort of an Audi, but at the same time may need a little more room or trunk space.

Although one would not expect a vehicle that looks like the A3 to drive all that stylishly, appearances can definitely be deceiving. The all wheel drive system works as well on this Audi as with any other, and drivers should have no fear about throwing the car sharp corners or snowy roads, both are handled with precision and perfect balance. The engine of the vehicle is turbo-charged, and puts out around 200 horse power. Although this may seem like a decent number, remember that the A3 is a decently heavy vehicle, and although it can definitely move when it wants to, the A3 is by no means a rocket ship, although it is unlikely that it was purchased for that purpose anyway. However, even though it may not be the fastest thing on the streets, the A3 is still a decently performing car, and one that offers incredible handling, a smooth ride, and little to no engine noise. Add this to the great fuel economy of the A3, and it is not hard to see what has made the A3 so popular.

True, it may look a bit different, any it may not drive like the typical Audi, but the A3 is built differently as well. For it's purpose, and for the excellent interior room and comfort, the A3 is truly an excellent car. It is unlikely that any could be disappointed with the A3, it is an all around great car with some excellent features and the longstanding quality of the Audi brand name to back it up.

New Audi R8

What is K9 Advantix For Dogs?

It is that season when fleas are out attacking your poor innocent dog along with you and your family. You have to take control of the problem. It is best if you can do something before the problem starts but that is not always the case. But there are products for both cases. You can always ask your veterinarian about what treatment is best for your pet.

K9 Advantix

K9 Advantix repels and kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes with imidacloprid and permethrin. It stops fleas from biting within a couple of minutes. K9 Advantix kills flea larvae which prevents them from developing into adult fleas and that breaks the flea life cycle. It prevents ticks from even attaching. It repels and kills the ticks before they can even attach. So with that, you reduce the potential risk of a tick-transmitted disease from spreading. It also repels mosquitoes. It repels and kills them before they bite. K9 Advantix prevents disease causing organisms to spread to your pets and keeps them protected. You apply K9 Advantix once a month on the nap of their necks. Very easy to apply. Never use this product on cats. You can purchase K9 Advantix from a veterinarian, call your veterinarian to see if they offer this product.

Frontline and Frontline Plus

Frontline is longer lasting than other brands and is water resistant. Kills flea for one month. Frontline is even gentle enough to use on puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks old. You can also use this product on pregnant and nursing dogs. Comes in a spray form or a topical application in Frontline and Frontline Plus. The frontline spray is an awesome product for your home. You can spray it on your pets or anywhere in your home to kill fleas. No odor or fumes to worry about. It is typically used for quick treatments. Frontline kills fleas and ticks while Frontline Plus kills fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and larvae and prevents re-infestation. You can buy from your local veterinarian. And it is now available at Target.

Revolution

Revolution is another monthly topical solution for your dog. It protects your dog from heartworms, fleas, ear mites, ticks and sarcoptic mange. Safe for dog's ages 6 weeks and over. Side effects are very uncommon with the use of Revolution. Do not use Revolution if your dog is on any other heartworm treatment. You can ask your veterinarian about Revolution.

dogs advantix

Modular Office Furniture

How Modular Office Furniture Can Improve Productivity and Enjoyment at Work

Modular Office Furniture can be beneficial for employers in helping to improve productivity. It can also help to create a more enjoyable work environment for employees. Here is how to use modular office furniture to gain maximum benefits.

Why Modular Office Furniture is in Style

Professionalism and efficiency are the two most important factors that one needs to keep in mind while furnishing his/her office. An office ambience that reflects these two factors can surely impress prospective customers and increase the productivity of employees. Modular office furniture is the most in style selection of late and quite surprisingly it can be afforded by people with modest budgets. The factor of affordability is accompanied with attractive designs that make modular furniture the first choice of many people.

Modular Office Furniture Advantages

Whether it is your home office or an office within a larger office building, you would like to have a work place which would inspire its employees to work more efficiently. The correct type of furniture can make a monumental difference in your office which will be realized once you change the old and dreary office furniture. So if you are setting up a new office or refurbishing the old one, modular office furniture is just the one for your office.

Office Modular

Medical Scale

Introduction

Long term health care refers to the provision of a number of different services for persons with a chronic illness or disability. Long term medical care includes both medical and non-medical care which assists the patient in the performance of activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and using the restroom. Long term care can be provided in the home, community housing, an assisted living home or a nursing home. It is estimated by the Department of Health and Human Services that approximately 12 million Americans will require long-term health care by the year 2020.

Long term Health Care Services

The particular medical care available to a patient is determined in part by the state and community in which they live. However, some of the common types of long term health care which are discussed below include: community services, home care, accessory dwelling units, subsidized housing, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, hospice care, respite care, and PACE programs.

Community Services. Some community services are provided by volunteer groups. Other services are made available through the Area Agency on Aging, the Aging and Disability Resource Center, or the Center for Independent Living. Some of the services provided to seniors are free, others may be provided at a low cost, and still others are provided in exchange for a voluntary donation. The community services include:Adult Day Care, Meal Programs (Example: Means-on-wheels.), Senior Centers, Friendly Visitor Programs,Assistance with Shopping and Transportation, Legal Assistance,Financial Management (Example: Payment of bills)

Home Care. Assistance with personal activities including laundry, shopping, cooking and cleaning can oftentimes be provided by friends and family members or volunteer groups. However, other professional care providers are available to perform specific functions that may not be performed by family and friends. For example, home health care agencies provide both nursing and attendant care in the patient's home.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) An accessory dwelling unit can be added to an existing residence for the benefit of a person requiring long term care. It enables an individual to maintain a level of independence. The ADU is a second living space within a home or a separate building a the lot which includes separate living and sleeping area, kitchen and bath. Each city's zoning ordinances will determine if this option is a viable one for the proposed location of the ADU.

Subsidized Senior Housing. Seniors of low to moderate income may qualify for federal and state programs that pay for housing. Some of the programs may also assist with the costs of meals and other activities as well. The individual is often placed in an apartment complex and pays a percentage of their income as the rental payment.

Board and Care Homes. A board and care home is a group living arrangement designed for individuals who do not require the medical services of a nursing home but do require daily monitoring and assistance. The home provides support services including bathing, dressing. These homes are referred to as 'group homes'. The monthly fee is determined by a sliding scale that is based on monthly income. The monthly fee includes rent, meals, and the cost of other shared services.

Assisted Living Facilities. Residents of an assisted living facility may live in a private room or apartment and yet meet with other residents for meals and social and recreational activities. The facility provides help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing as well as providing medical care medications, and perhaps transportation. The facility may include a health care services unit on site. The resident of the facility pays a rental fee and additional fees dependent on the particular medical services and non-medical services that they require. The services offered by an assisted levity facility vary greatly from one facility to the next.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) A CCRC is a retirement community that offers a number of different kinds of housing and a number of different levels of care. Some residents may be housed in individual homes or apartments while others may reside in an assisted living facility. Still other residents may be placed in a nursing home in order to receive a high level of medical care. As the resident's needs change, they are moved from one level of housing and health care to another. The communities have vastly different requirements in terms of commitments to remain within the facility and the services provided by the facility.

Hospice Care. Only terminally ill patients are cared for by Hospice health care. The care offered includes both that required to meet the patient's physical needs as well as that to meet their emotional needs. The singular goal of hospice is to provide comfort to terminally ill patients and their families. Each patient is assigned a team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers,

Respite Care. Respite care refers to the placement of a patient being treated by hospice care in a hospital for a short stay in order to give the care giver a period of rest.

Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Pace is a Medicare and Medicaid program that manages the medical care, social, and long term care services that are required to enable a very frail patient to remain in their homes and maintain their quality of life. PACE is not available in all locations.

Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs. Individuals eligible for Medicaid may obtain financial assistance with the costs of some home and community-based services. This program helps people maintain their independence while obtaining the care they require outside an inpatient facility.

A number of agencies are available to assist you in evaluating each of the options for long-term care. Some of these agencies are identified below.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA). This agency provides support to adults age 50 and older and their caregivers. The Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 will assist you in locating the Area Agency on Aging in your area. www.eldercare.gov

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). ADRC provides assistance to individuals regardless of income or age. www.adrc-tae.org

Center for Independent Living (CILS). CILS assists individuals with disabilities.www.ncil.org/directory.html

State Technology Assistance Project. The project provides information regarding medical equipment and other assistive technology that is available to the patient via the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North American (RESNA). www.resna.org

State Medical Assistance Office (Medicaid). This office provides information regarding assistance programs for low income individuals.

Medical Scale

iPods and Accessories

Apple held an event yesterday that introduced new iPods and the new Apple TV. [See complete coverage at TiPb.] CEO Steve Jobs was, of course, on stage and didn't hesitate to take some shots at Google and Android. 

Eric Schmidt stated last month that 200,000 Android devices were being activated everyday. That's a staggering number and shows how fast the mobile OS has grown in the past year. Jobs wasn't so certain that the numbers were accurate.

Quote from Jobs yesterday:

"We think some of our friends are counting upgrades in their numbers"

Obviously directed at Android, Google responded quickly, confirming the stat and clarifying what numbers they tally:

"The Android activation numbers do not include upgrades and are, in fact, only a portion of the Android devices in the market since we only include devices that have Google services."

Jobs took a couple other shots at Google at the event; perhaps he should get his facts straight before he attacks the competition. It's good to hear a clarification from Google, though, as no one was really sure what exactly counted as far as activations.

Turned off the comments because you guys just can't help yourselves, can you ...

Apple held an event yesterday that introduced new iPods and the new Apple TV. [See complete coverage at TiPb.] CEO Steve Jobs was, of course, on stage and didn't hesitate to take some shots at Google and Android. 

Eric Schmidt stated last month that 200,000 Android devices were being activated everyday. That's a staggering number and shows how fast the mobile OS has grown in the past year. Jobs wasn't so certain that the numbers were accurate.

Quote from Jobs yesterday:

"We think some of our friends are counting upgrades in their numbers"

Obviously directed at Android, Google responded quickly, confirming the stat and clarifying what numbers they tally:

"The Android activation numbers do not include upgrades and are, in fact, only a portion of the Android devices in the market since we only include devices that have Google services."

Jobs took a couple other shots at Google at the event; perhaps he should get his facts straight before he attacks the competition. It's good to hear a clarification from Google, though, as no one was really sure what exactly counted as far as activations.

Turned off the comments because you guys just can't help yourselves, can you ...

iPods and Accessories