For Evaluate It by SQM Inspectors - Evaluate Facebook Evaluate Twitter

Through the eyes of Amy...

1. Jack-o-Lantern Luminaria: Get a piece of transparent paper, draw on some spooky face designs on it, use tape to create a cylinder, and place a push light inside of the cylinder for a mess-free, spooky decoration!

2. Spooky Silhouettes:On black paper, cut out a silhouette and glue it onto a piece of white or orange paper. To complete this decoration, frame it!

3. Candy Garlands:For this decoration, get a bunch of wrapped candies and staple the ends of the wrappers together. The best part of this decoration is that it would be create a delicious time while cleaning up after Halloween.

4. Dripping Pumpkins:Do not have time to carve out a jack-o-lantern? Then simply take some red acrylic paint and drizzle it onto the pumpkin. Do not forget to do this over some paper, as it may get messy.

5. Glass Eyes: Gather some clear cabochons, and print out or draw some spooky-looking eyes on some paper. Cut those eyes designs out, and use some glue to stick your designs onto the flat side of the cabochon. Now, your guests’ blood will run cold whenever those eyes fall upon them.

Through the eyes of Suzy...

 

STEP 1: GATHER YOUR MATERIALS

All you need to do to get started on this lantern is:

  • 2-4 cleaned, empty tin cans (you can use any size)

  • a hammer

  • an assortment of nails (for larger or smaller holes)

  • colorful permanent markers

  • paper, pencil, masking tape, scissors (if you plan to use a pattern)

  • votive candles

  • a towel

 

STEP 2: CLEAN AND FREEZE

Gather the used tin cans, remove the labels, and clean them thoroughly. Fill each can with water and freeze them overnight until solid. The ice will stabilize the can and prevent it from cracking or bending when you punch in holes later.

 

STEP 3: DESIGN YOUR PUNCH GRAPHIC

Decide on a design for your tin cans. Draw the pattern out on a piece of graph paper and tape it to the can as a guide or you can freehand a design.


STEP 4: PUNCH OUT YOUR PATTERN

Using a folded towel, cradle the frozen tin can and position a sharp, narrow nail above each mark on your pattern and gently tap it 3 to 4 times with a hammer until the you make a pattern on the tin can.

 

STEP 5: REMOVE THE ICE BLOCK

Rinse the can under a hot tap until the ice block pops out and allow the can to dry.


STEP 6: ADD SOME COLOR

To add color to the new punched-tin lantern you can create a variety of fun, shiny designs by simply using colorful permanent markers.


STEP 7: LIGHT ‘EM UP!

Drop in some lighted votive candles, enjoy the fun, flickering patterns cast by your new handmade lanterns! Be sure to place the lanterns on a fire-safe surface as the candles can get hot.

 

 

Through the eyes of Suzy…

Sometimes, we all need a little motivation to keep moving forward. The easiest way to be inspired is to read quotations that you can relate to or want to be able to relate to. Here are my personal 10 favourite quotes of all time:

1. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

2. Create what sets your heart on fire and it will illuminate the path ahead.

3. My goal isn't to wear brands. It's to become one.

4. Unless we push beyond what we can currently do, we will not progress.

5. If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it.

6. If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

7. Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.

8. To change your life, you need to change your priorities.

9. You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures.

10. Be picky with who you invest your time in. Wasted time is worse than wasted money.

I find that the best time to look at these quotations is right after you wake up. The temptation of relaxing on your bed with soft pillows and blankets can be strong; reading these quotations will help motivate you to get out of bed. Additionally, you can read them during your commute to school, work, or wherever else you are traveling to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


How to use coconut oil this summer

 

Do you ever wonder if there is a miracle product that can pretty much do anything in terms of beauty? Well, coconut oil is exactly what you are looking for. From lotion to makeup remover to hair treatment to cuticle care, coconut oil can do anything that you want it to do. Here are numerous ways of using coconut oil:

 

1. Use it as a hair mask: You can either apply coconut oil directly to your hair (from root to tip) or mix it with other natural ingredients known to be good for hair. Coconut oil is quickly absorbed into human hair, making it one of the most effective natural ways of moisturizing it. Simply apply, leave it on for around 30 minutes, wash like you normally would, and enjoy the best hair of your lifetime.

 

2. Use it to remove makeup: Although applying oil to your face seems odd, it can be extremely beneficial if you use the right kind. Not only does it effectively remove makeup from your face, it also gently moisturizes your skin, making it unnecessary for the skin to produce extra sebum on your face.

 

3. Use it to clean makeup brushes: Mix coconut oil with antibacterial soap to completely clean makeup brushes and make them good as new.

 

4. Use it to take care of cuticles: Applying coconut oil to cuticles can make nails extremely strong and healthy. If you like to apply lots of nail polish frequently, you will definitely benefit from this method.

 

5. Use it moisturize your body and face: Like I mentioned before, coconut oil can be an effective gentle moisturizer. Your skin will be soft, glowy, and smooth after you use it as lotion.

 

6. Use it as deodorant: This one is a bit odd, but it works! You can either apply it straight to your armpits or mix it with arrowroot and shea butter to make a deodorant mixture.

 

7. Make an exfoliator: You probably heard of honey and brown sugar mixture. But have you heard of brown sugar and coconut oil? It's more effective because it's not sticky like honey and it's more moisturizing because of the coconut oil.

 

8. Use it as lipbalm: The simplest way of using coconut oil is to apply directly to your lips as a lip balm. It will make it extremely smooth and soft.

 

 

Now you know how coconut oil can be used for pretty much anything. If you are thinking about purchasing it, make sure you buy the raw, organic, non-processed coconut oil – not the one that contains chemicals and other substances.  

Through the eyes of Suzy...

I'm pretty sure a good amount of people are aware of social media and its growing influence on customer relationship management. Big corporations have been utilizing social media to directly communicate with their customers and so far, it has been very effective! Whether customers make positive or negative comments on social media, companies can instantly check the message and reply efficiently, improving the relationship with the commentator. To the customer, it may be about getting a response from an actual human representative, but to the company, it is much more than that.

Interacting with customers on social media can positively impact the company in a variety of ways. The most obvious one being improved reputation and image. Social media is a virtual space in which millions of people can view and comment on big corporations. If the company does a good job in managing relationships with commentators and followers, it will create a reputation of having good customer service. Second, it can increase the engagement and exposure on the media. With more people communicating with the company, the higher the engagement rate will be for the company. And with more engagement, the more exposure it will have in terms of public relations. Now, this is where the plan can backfire. If a customer complains or negatively comments about the company and it fails to politely fix the situation, the whole problem can blow up on the media in a bad way. Screenshots of the conversation between the company and customer will go up every single social media platform and there will be no escape from it – which is why it's so important to know how to properly manage relationships on social media. On the bright side, another benefit of social media is the inexpensive cost. Any company can whip up an account and start promoting its services and products! Of course there may be extra costs for better benefits, but the basic services are relatively inexpensive.

 

Now looking at all the companies engaging in social media, it is clear as to why they do it. The benefits exceed the cons by so much! If you are thinking of starting a business, definitely look into social media customer relationship management.  

Many people think that baking is time consuming and messy, and generally it is! However, for those who are too busy, uninterested, or short for time, I created these 5 quick and simple recipes, all with 4 ingredients or less, that take under 30 minutes to make. Enjoy!

Apple Pie Bites

- Pisburry Crescent Dough

- Melted butter

- Brown sugar

- Apple slices

Separate crescent roll pieces, combine melted butter and brown sugar, spread mixture over each crescent roll piece, place apple piece at the bottom of the triangle, roll up. Bake at 350 for 10 mins.

 

Cinnamon Rolls

- Store bought puff pastry

- Soft butter

- Brown sugar

- Cinnamon

Unroll Crescent Dough without separating pieces, spread butter over rectangular dough, sprinkle generously with sugar and cinnamon, roll into cylinder shape, cut into 10 equal pieces, bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Feel free to top with icing!

 

Pizza Bites

- Pisburry Crescent Dough

- Marinara sauce

- Pepperoni

- Cheese

Separate crescent roll pieces, spread marinara over each crescent roll piece, layer on cheese and pepperoni, roll up, bake at 350 for 10 mins.

 

Prosciutto Pops

- Store bough phylo pastry

- Brie cheese

- Fig jam

- Proscuitto

Line a muffin tin with phylo pastry dough, bake at 350 for 5 minutes, remove from oven, fill cups with fig jam, Brie and prosciutto, bake all together for another 5 minutes at 350.

 

S'mores Pie Pops

- store bought pie crust dough

- Milk Chocolate Bar

- mini marshmallows

- beaten egg white

Cut pie crust dough into long rectangles, cover half of each rectangle with chocolate and marshmallows, fold other half of dough on top of filling and pinch sides shut, brush beaten egg white on top of each mini pie, bake for 15 minutes at 350.

 

$8 Vodka shots? $9 Tequila shots?

After just over an hour at a club or a bar, you can easily spend over $50 as you recklessly drink shots after shots, most of which seem heavily diluted. If you are like me, a very price-conscious person, dropping a $50 at a club or a bar is not easy to do. However, the temptation is damning, I must say. For those of us who want to enjoy a night out with our friends with lots of drinks minus the empty wallet, here is a list of my Top 4 affordable bars in Toronto:

1. Sneaky Dee's: Crazy graffiti on the wall, cheap drinks, live indie rock band, and a chill atmosphere are all part of the experience at Sneaky Dee's. It is easily a fun place to check out after a night out or to go grab some breakfast the morning after

2. Imperial Pub: This pub is more for the older customers looking for cheap drinks. You can choose from a wide range of draft beers and listen to live music.

3.Communist's Daughter: Cozy and quaint, this bar is a favorite of many locals. It is a very small bar, fitting approximately 40 people maximum. The place is decorated like an old bar from the 80's and is a very friendly environment with the bartender occasionally playing music with his band, serving drinks in-between verses.

4. The Labyrinth Lounge: The Lab is a go-to place for students looking for cheap drinks and a place to dance with good music. Drinks are as cheap as $3 a shot, with a variety of alcohol to choose from other than beer.

 

 

 

 

 

Through the eyes of Suzy...

Do you ever wonder if there is a miracle product that can pretty much do anything in terms of beauty? Well, coconut oil is exactly what you are looking for. From lotion to makeup remover to hair treatment to cuticle care, coconut oil can do anything that you want it to do. Here are numerous ways of using coconut oil:

1. Make a Hair Mask:

You can either apply coconut oil directly to your hair (from root to tip) or mix it with other natural ingredients known to be good for hair. Coconut oil is quickly absorbed, making it one of the most effective natural ways of moisturizing it. Simply apply, leave it on for around 30 minutes, wash like you normally would, and enjoy the best hair of your lifetime.

2. Makeup Remover:

Although applying oil to your face seems odd, it can be extremely beneficial if you use the right kind. Not only does it effectively remove makeup from your face, it also gently moisturizes your skin, making it unnecessary for the skin to produce extra sebum on your face.

3. Clean Makeup Brushes:

Mix coconut oil with antibacterial soap to completely clean makeup brushes and make them good as new.

4. Cuticle Care:

Applying coconut oil to cuticles can make nails extremely strong and healthy. If you like to apply lots of nail polish frequently, you will definitely benefit from this method.

5. Moisturizer:

Like I mentioned before, coconut oil can be an effective gentle moisturizer. Your skin will be soft, glowy, and smooth after you use it as lotion.

6. Deodorant:

This one is a bit odd, but it works! You can either apply it straight to your armpits or mix it with arrowroot and shea butter to make a deodorant mixture.

7. Exfoliant:

You probably heard of honey and brown sugar mixture. But have you heard of brown sugar and coconut oil? It's more effective because it's not sticky like honey and it's more moisturizing because of the coconut oil.

8. Lip Balm:

The simplest way of using coconut oil is to apply directly to your lips as a lip balm. It will make it extremely smooth and soft.

Now you know how coconut oil can be used for pretty much anything. If you are thinking about purchasing it, make sure you buy the raw, organic, non-processed coconut oil – not the one that contains chemicals and other substances.

 

Through the eyes of Amy....

Unfortunately, leafs are changing colours and the weather is starting to get cooler, which only means one thing…the new school year is starting! This means paying for tuition, rent, transportation and textbooks. Whenever possible, getting used textbooks are the way to go.  Not only are they cost-effective, but may come with free notes as well. Of course, successfully obtaining and selling such textbooks would require efforts from both parties. This blog will focus on tips for sellers:

1. Know the Market:

Before making your posting, look up what other people are selling and how much they are selling for. If the quality of your books is better, you may get away with asking for higher price. To get the best price, post your ad early and offer an additional incentive, such as offering notes. If your ad is the first one up, check the price for a used and new copy of the book at the university bookstore to determine a price for your book. 

2. Post on Student Websites:

 If your school has a website where students could list their used textbooks, and then post you listings ASAP! Listing is free of charge, and since many students know of the website, it will be very likely that you’ll get a reply.

3. Post on Facebook Pages:

Join Facebook pages for your university, program, and/or course and make a post stating that you are selling textbooks and notes (if you have them) for that course. Look for Facebook groups made by students of your school for the sole purpose of textbook exchanges as well.

4. Keep It Clear and Concise:

In your posts, clearly state the course number, the condition of your textbook, and the method of contact. A photo of the textbook would also suffice as opposed to adding more words to your posts.

5. Do Not Lead Them On:

Always contact the buyer beforehand if you have found another buyer. Be mindful that the buyer may have been waiting to buy the textbook from you for a while. You would not like to be waiting at a meeting location for a long time only to have someone text you that they have already sold the textbook.

6. Take it Down:

Once you have sold your textbooks, take your old posts down. You would not want to be constantly contacted about textbooks that you no longer own. This will save both your time and another student’s time.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog for tips for buyers!

 

Through the eyes of an intern...

For the entire school year, I have been looking towards the summer as it was the glorious reward at the end of my stressful school term. Thinking about all the festivals, music, food, beaches, and the parties got my blood pumping and gave me something to look forward to during my exam period.

As I am writing this blog, I realize that half of my summer has already passed. What have I done so far? Besides starting an internship, I haven't crossed anything off of my bucket list. No festivals, no beaches, and no exciting plans. I can't be the only one out there. So what can we do to make this summer last?

Firstly, crump up the unrealistic bucket list and throw it in the garbage bin. Going jet skiing or cliff diving is probably not going to happen before your school or work starts in September. Instead, you should create a smaller weekly bucket list that has a higher chance of being completed. Now, I'm not talking about an hour-by-hour schedule, I'm talking about a half-a-page check list for the week! For instance, I am going to write down a Sunday morning yoga meet up at the park, one of the summer festivals happening downtown, one hobby that I want to completely immerse myself in for the good portion of the day, and a type of meal that I'm going to cook for a healthy lifestyle. All of these are small temporary things, but they will definitely give me a sense of satisfaction by the end of the week.

Second, think about what you want to accomplish for the last two months of summer. Whether it's a work-out goal or a career goal, determine a short-term goal that you are most likely to complete if you commit to it every day. Even if you are not a student like me, you probably have something that you want to accomplish! Focus on that and figure out how you are going to achieve it. You may think that two months is a long time, but time flies very quickly. If you are not quick to act, you will lose the precious summer that is given to you!

 

Through the eyes of Julia...

If you are a first time visitor, London can be quite overwhelming with so many attractions, sites and restaurants. Here are the iconic tours, attractions, and restaurants you must visit for an authentic London experience.

Tours:

The Hop-on Hop-Off bus is a great way to cover a lot of ground while learning about this historic city but if you prefer walking or have a tighter budget, SANDEMANs NEW London Tours is another great option. For an adrenaline filled tour,London RIB Voyages is highly recommended and is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor for a reason!

Take the 80 minute Thames Barrier Explorer’s Voyage to see every major sight the Thames has to offer aboard an exhilarating 630hp speed boat. The company's award winning guides are stand-up comedians, actors and performers by night – not to mention total history buffs!

For those with quality cameras or an interest in photography, a “Hairy Goat Photography Tour” is a must. This tour is yet another great way to see London's historic and iconic attractions and the skilled tutor/tour guide can provide excellent tips to improve your photos.

Sightseeing:

London is full of culturally rich monuments, buildings, parks and markets. If you are not a fan of taking city tours, here are a few sites you must visit during your stay:

  1. Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of West Minster, also known as “Big Ben” and the houses of parliament.

  2. The iconic Tower Bridge, built from 1886-1894.

  3. Buckingham Palace which is open to the public for tours during the summer months while the Queen is on her annual vacation in Ireland.

  4. Kensington Gardens to enjoy the immaculately maintained landscaping and water features that have been featured in many films.

  5. The London Eye to get the breathtaking birds eye view of London from a maximum height of 433ft!

  6. St Paul's Cathedral to appreciate the detailed architecture, moldings, gilding and ornate artistry within.

 Food:

From lite breakfasts such as delicious coffees and scones, to full brunches of Nutella crepes, stacked hot cakes or the English classic; fried eggs, tomatoes, beans, ham and toast, you must visit New London Cafe at least once during your stay.

For an inexpensive lunch, Tortellini Cup is the place to go for Italian fresh handmade pasta. London locals frequent this “fast food” pasta shop for a quick yet delicious bite on a busy day.

Next to St Paul's Cathedral, the famed Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen is the perfect lunch stop on a long day of site seeing. The restaurant has extensive a la carte selections and 3 course prefix menu options.

If you enjoy a hearty pie, you must book a lunch or dinner table at Green Pea, where portions are generous and the extensive menu choices are delivered verbally by the charismatic owner himself!

For your afternoon sweet fix, treat yourself to the best cookie in London at Ben's Cookies. You can sample their menu of fifteen decadent flavours baked daily with classic to unique flavours like lemon and coconut cookies.

When in London, an afternoon high tea is an essential experience. Visit the Tea Room at Harrods or Chateau Dessert for a five star dessert selection to accompany your afternoon tea.

I hope this guide helps. Enjoy the weekend!