Getting your home summer ready – The BHS way
Getting your home summer ready – The BHS way

The onset of a new season is usually when we take a deep breath and prepare to get rejuvenated with a sense of newness. From our wardrobes to our homes and even our personal goals, there are many things that undergo a massive reinvention so that we can usher something novel in life. As we get ready to say goodbye to spring and welcome the onset of summer, there are a number of things that we can do to brighten up our home and hearth. So follow this guide for buying home decor and related items from BHS Online or the well-known British Home Stores, to get your home ready for salty temperatures and soothing air conditioning!

• Say it with floral: Just because spring is gone, does not mean that the freshness of flowers has to leave your home. From the home decor section of BHS Online, you can pick cozy linen for the entire home and stock up on pretty floral prints in hot exotic colors. The major trend this season is muted colors with bold accents like many hues of pink layered with a border of midnight blue or hot pink. You should look for such floral accents when it comes to linen as well as curious so that you have some flower power in your home throughout the sultry season.

• Get some throws: While the daytime temperatures may be unbearable, the evenings in many places across the USA may be slightly cooler. So layer your couches and beds with some comfortable throws that you can wrap around as you step out on the deck or patio for some outdoor evening breeze. Also, these throws will come handy when you are indoors with the air conditioning on, full blast! Get these throws in neutral colors to match those bright pieces that you may have in other corners of the same space.

• Plenty of cushions and pillows: From large beanbags to throw pillows and comfortable cushions, be sure to layer your space with pieces that will be easy to lean against and sit on. This will ensure that you have lots of comfort for your guests when they visit during the warm season because this is the time when everyone likes to get out of the house more often.

• Stripes: At BHS Online, you will also find plenty of stripes on accessories like drapes, cushions, throws, and other kinds of linen as well as vases and boxes. These bring in a robust summer feel which is also oh so fun! Take these and place them around the house as a fitting contrast with the floral accents so that you have a mix and match of sorts. But a word of caution – do remember to keep the rest of the setting neutral so that you do not end up with a loud statement on your hands!

  • 6 robust antivirus to keep your Windows PC safe from malware

    PCs and other devices are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to malware attacks due to the everchanging forms of viruses, adware, spyware, and ransomware. Also, the number of threats has been steadily on the rise due to the excessive exposure of devices to the Internet and the huge number of downloads users do these days. This makes it essential to install an antivirus software that will monitor your device for the presence of any malware and also provide real-time protection when you surf the internet, stream media, and download files. If you own a Windows-based device and are looking for a robust antivirus software, here is a list of the best antivirus for Windows you will find in the market.

    McAfee Antivirus Plus
    The subscription price per year for this best antivirus for Windows is approximately $60. With its behavior-based detection engine, McAfee Antivirus Plus offers standard protection to your personal computer from various online threats and malware. You can also use this antivirus on your smartphone as well as tablets. In 2017, McAfee re-designed the user interface to have a webpage-like look-and-feel. The new interface is simpler and more user-friendly with multiple tabs provided for PC security, identity protection, privacy settings, and account settings. McAfee offers 24/7 customer by phone as well as online chat until your subscription lasts.

    Symantec Norton Antivirus Basic
    With a street price of around $50 for a one-year subscription, Norton Antivirus provides five layers of protection with its Intrusion Prevention Wall, Antivirus File Scan, Reputation Database, SONAR Behavior Monitoring, and powerful tools to erase malware and repair damaged files. This best antivirus for Windows has a multi-stage installation process that requires you to install the product along with installing four extensions. The interface has been recently updated to allow users to find a particular setting more easily.

    Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus
    The one-year subscription charge of this antivirus for one device is under $40. By storing updated malware definitions in the cloud, Webroot does not occupy much space in your computer and provides robust protection against cyber security threats, identity theft, and password theft. This best antivirus for Windows also has a strong privacy protection layer. Its security system includes the use of metadata and behavior patterns. The installation is quite simple, but it takes time since Webroot conducts a full scan of your system during installation. The interface is intuitive with easy navigation. One of the significant features of this antivirus is its extensive user guide and user support resources.

    Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
    This is one of the best antiviruses for Windows in the affordable category. With a price of around $40 for a single device, the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus provides excellent malware protection that does not slow down the system performance. Other protection features include ransomware protection, a password manager, a secure browser with a virtual keyboard, and a file shredder. To provide flawless security, this antivirus uses behavioral monitoring, digital signatures of known malware, and Bitdefender’s Global Protection Network. This antivirus is compatible for Window 7 through 10. For XP and Vista, there is a separate package, Bitdefender Security for XP and Vista, which costs around $80.

    Kaspersky Antivirus 2018
    Compatible with Windows XP through Windows 10, the Kaspersky Antivirus 2018 is one of the best antiviruses for Windows in the market. It provides Hybrid Protection that combines the antivirus and malware data present in the cloud along with the advanced security features installed in the PC. The antivirus software scans your device in the background without hampering performance. Since it accesses the cloud, Kaspersky 2018 can provide real-time protection from new Internet threats that may emerge at any time. It also provides identity theft protection by using an anti-phishing defense mechanism and virtual keyboard. The price of this antivirus is around $60 for a one-year subscription for three devices.

    Avast Pro Antivirus 2018
    This is one of the best antiviruses for Windows in the basic category. This is because it includes features that other antivirus offer only with their premium packages. These include a password manager and a network scanner. It has one of the simplest interfaces among all antivirus for Windows. This antivirus uses one of the traditional ways of scanning for malware and virus. It uses viral-signature matching to compare the digital fingerprints of known malware against the digital fingerprints of files in your device. The price of this antivirus is around $35.

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  • Which Toyota Tundra is best for your driving needs

    If any vehicle is all American by heart, it is the Toyota Tundra. Made and assembled here in the country, the pick-up truck has its heart in the right place.

    The Toyota Tundra is available in five variants- the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, and the 179 Edition.

    Which Tundra is best suited for you?

    Toyota Tundra happens to be one of the best pick-up trucks in the country. To understand which variant of the Tundra is the best for you, it is important to determine some factors that will make your work easy.

    Usage: How one uses the Toyota Tundra says a lot about which one is ideal for the buyer. Is it used daily for hauling or used only to tow your sporting gears or equipment when vacationing? The Tundra SR5 is one of the most popular models designed for everyday use. It comes with fog lights and a touchscreen navigation app. With a cost of $32,830 MSRP, the SR5 is your best bet for pick-up and hauling too.

    Safety: The safety system, airbags, braking system, and seatbelts are the main factors underlying the safety of any vehicle. The Tundra SR5, Limited, and Platinum are the best in safety features. All Toyota Tundra models come with a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection to avoid any potential hazard or collisions. The Lane Departure Alert is another safety feather in Tundra’s hat. This feature helps detect lane departure while traveling at a speed of 32mph or faster.

    Pick-up: Some customers want a pick-up truck that can tow any weight especially when hauling or towing heavy equipments. For that reason, the engines have to be powerful. Towing depends on the horsepower, torque, and engine capacity. All Toyota Tundra second and third generation models have V8 engines. The Tundra Limited and Platinum have a towing capacity of 10,000 and 9,400 lb respectively. Moreover, 5.7L Tundra vehicles come with a tow package which include a towing hitch receiver, tow/haul mode switch 4.300 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty battery, integrated trailer brake controller, supplemental engine oil cooler, transmission cooler, 170-amp alternator, and 4-/7-pin connector.

    Trade-in valueDo not consider your Toyota Tundra as just a pick-up truck, but instead think of it as an investment which will have a good trade-in value. Toyota is a brand which is most reliable and quite dominant in the vehicle market. The Tundra is one such vehicle that maintains its residual value even after 39 months. So considering these factors, one can easily expect a good trade-off value of any Toyota full-size pick-up truck. The 2016 Tundra received the most coveted Kelly’s Bluebook (KBB) award for the `Best Resale Value’ in the full-size pick-up truck category.

    Toyota Tundra gives fantastic off-road performance followed by a spacious cabin and premium materials that match its exterior rugged body.

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  • What Makes Cheap Cell Phones Work

    The economic situation is not that much encouraging on a global level. The fluctuating economy has made people more conscious when it comes to purchasing decisions. Today, you can find a lot of people searching for some cheap cellphones. 10 years back; purchasing a cheap cell phone was considered as a bad practice and everybody was focusing on getting higher end models. Buying a cheaper option has become an acceptable practice today. Those people, who can afford to buy expensive models, are now opting for cheaper versions and renowned manufacturers also have started introducing cheaper models to address the increased demand for these versions.

    What makes cheap smartphones work?

    Nobody can disagree with the fact that cheap models offer excellent advantages. What makes these models work? A human being cannot think about a life without a cell phone. People are highly dependent on mobile phones and they rely on them not just for communication but for a wide range of purposes including listening music, watching films and making purchases as well. Earlier, smartphones were really expensive and only rich and the affluent could afford them. The ever evolving technological innovations have brought smartphones within the reach of average people and today, you can purchase really cheap cell phones from a lot of online and offline stores, Although high priced models have their own specialties and uniqueness, cheap versions offer most of the features and benefits of expensive brands. More and more people have started depending on these types of models. In fact; cheap models have become an inevitable aspect in the market. Most people love to purchase an affordable option and this is what makes cheap cell phone work.

    Other reasons that make cheap models work

    The pace at which technology is changing can be described as astonishing. A new kind of technology or an enhancement is being launched on a day to day basis and it makes the yesterday’s technology obsolete. This is another reason that makes really cheap cell phones work. You cannot buy an expensive device every time a new technology is introduced. The innate tendency of the people to embrace the latest technology can be materialized only with the help cheaper options. Another aspect is that the demand for the devices that run the older technology always comes down with new innovations. Consequently, the price comes down and if you are searching for a reasonably dynamic cell phone, you can opt for these types of versions. .

    Essential features increase the demand for cheap models

    The features available in cheap models are another prominent reason that makes these devices work. Best versions contain hundreds of features and not many people are making use of all these features. Majority of users use ten or twelve maximum. Why should you go for an expensive device if you want only 10 or 12 features? Best cheap cell phones offer most of the essential features that an average user is looking for and they can be purchased at significantly lesser prices compred to purchasing higher end devices. .

    These are basis reasons that make a cheap cell phone work. You can find a splurge of costly brands and gadgets in the market, but there is consistent demand for cheap versions and nothing can replace this demand. You should take an informed decision while searching for a cheap cellphone because not all the phones contain the features and services that you prefer, You have to be mindful about your needs and how much you can spend should also kept in mind. Then, you need to conduct some research before choosing the one that you like most.

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  • 4 secure mobile credit card processors that accept Visa and Mastercard

    With a growing trend of payment transactions being processed through mobile phones, credit card processors have ventured into platforms to provide secure payment gateways. The structure of mobile credit card processors is very straightforward and they accept Visa and Mastercard. Mechanisms and smaller devices have been created to smoothen the transfer of funds without any hassle.

    While there may be many players in the market, only a handful stand out.

    Most-trusted mobile credit card processors
    Following is a compilation of the best mobile credit card processors currently dominating the market. They accept the big guns of the credit card industry, which are Visa and Mastercard.

    • Square
      Features
      Square is a big player in the credit card processing industry with many loyal clients. Due to its low cost of installation and simple pricing system, it is very popular among small businesses.

    Disadvantage
    Square is not recommended for big businesses as the flat-fee payment could become very expensive for companies that undergo thousands of transactions on a weekly basis.

    • PayPal Here
      Features
      PayPal is one of the leading companies in the online payment solutions industry. Their product, Paypal Here, specifically targets a mobile audience and transacts money as well as accepts payments made via credit cards. PayPal Here accepts all credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard.

    Disadvantage
    The accessories for PayPal’s chip reader and other support equipment is expensive.

    • PayAnywhere
      Features
      With an unambiguous app with a plain design, PayAnywhere provides intricate details with respect to the fee system, inventory management, sales analytics, reports, and other financial tools for financial management. There is no monthly payment and it accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.

    Disadvantage
    While normal credit cards have less than a 1% fee, business credit cards must pay a fee of more than 1% on a non-business card. PayAnywhere also expects the user to pull in sales/swipes of minimum $5,000 a month to avoid a penalty fee of about $80.

    • Intuit QuickBooks’ GoPayment Reader
      Features
      Intuit’s GoPayment Reader has a clean interface. The fee per transaction is a mere $0.50, and the app has various options to save records of transactions. It also accepts all credit cards and e-checks.

    Disadvantage
    The app is for robust businesses which deal in bulk transactions. Therefore, it may be an expensive option for small vendors.

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  • Best home appliance store offering free home delivery

    Home appliances make our lives extremely easy. However, there are certain models of appliances which are difficult to afford for a lot of us. But there’s nothing to worry since there are certain deals available in various appliance stores that will help you grab your dream products at reduced costs.

    Apart from the cost, another difficulty that most people face while buying home appliances is the delivery. These can be costly and cumbersome. To overcome this hassle, here’s a list of some of the best home appliance stores that offer you free delivery. Numerous sites sell these products without compromising the quality or charging for the delivery.

    Amazon: Needless to say, this is one of the most popular e-commerce websites and appliance store in the world. It has a vast collection of home appliances to serve all your needs. The products get delivered to your doorstep without incurring any additional shipping cost. Starting from mixers to food processors, you will get them all under one roof. There is no doubt that they sell the original products from the house of the most reputed manufacturers in the world.

    ShopClues: ShopClues is an appliance store that has a vast stock of home appliances, grooming appliances, and kitchen appliances. You can shop for a variety of products from the comfort of your home. Some of the best selling home appliances include mixers, toasters, and sandwich-makers among other kitchen appliances, trimmer, hair dryers and epilators, grooming products, washing machines, geysers, among other appliances.

    Sears: This is another appliance store that offers various home appliances at unbelievably low prices. You can also become a member to enjoy the special privileges that they offer. You will get products from different brands available under one roof.

    These are some of the online stores from where you can purchase your home appliances at reasonable costs. The best thing about them is they offer quality products while charging less. To choose the one that suits all your requirements, you can go through the reviews of their websites. You could also consult fellow buyers who have already bought such products.

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  • Top Four Toddler Toys For This Christmas

    Top four toddler toys for this Christmas

    It’s time to roll as Christmas is just around the corner and we’re all busy preparing for the festive as well as shopping season. We do not want to miss out on the best of the gifts for our family members. So, when it comes to choosing the best toys for babies and toddlers at home, you do not want to settle for anything less than the best. Picking the right toy for your toddler this Christmas is not only a tedious task but also takes up a lot of thinking and planning. You cannot just randomly pick any toy, it has to be a special. As you can see that the toy stores would be filled with people looking out for best games and toys for their younger ones, you too should be ready to find the most adorable one. But toddler toys do not only mean stuffed toys, teddies and Barbies. You can be creative and choose something that is useful as a learning toy for your toddler. On the other hand, you can always research a bit more about which baby and toddler toys are the best for your younger ones. Toys for your toddler should be picked as per the age of your younger one. So, if you do not have an idea on which toy to pick this Christmas for your toddler, here are the top four suggestions you can consider.

    Fingerlings – Interactive baby monkey

    If you want your younger one to have an interactive friend, then you should gift this interactive baby monkey. It is available is various colors and responds to motion, sound, and touch by blinking its eyes. It also speaks silly monkey language and tilts its head. Who would not want such an adorable toy? Get this for around $20 from an online store.

    Building blocks – Get the creative geek on!

    Right from LEGO DUPLO to Mega Bloks 123 and Imaginarium Alpha and Numbers Foam Playmat, there are numerous building-block games for your toddler. Christmas is all about gifting and spreading love, and you can do so by gifting a simple game such as building blocks to your younger siblings as well.

    There are traditional building blocks that are made of wood; you can also find the modern creations that come with interesting, interactive learning such as numbers and alphabets. Building blocks can never be out of trend and your toddler would always like to build something or the other. So, now you can choose from a wide range of building-block games and gift it to your toddler this Christmas.

    The Luvabella interactive baby doll

    This doll laughs when you tickle her, and your toddler can also learn a few new words while playing or feeding the doll. Surprisingly, The Luvabella has some of the most life-like features as compared to dolls of its genre.

    Crayola Story by Me

    If you want your younger one to draw or write and enjoy them at the same time, then this gift can be a great pick. Herein, kids can write their own book along with illustrations and cover pages. Once done, the book needs to be mailed back to the publisher and gets a bound book in return. Isn’t that amazing?

    You can buy the toddler toys for Christmas from shopping websites such as amazon.com, toyrus.com, and hamleys.com. You can always compare these toys first online by doing an independent search. If you are not satisfied by the online research, you can choose to go to the toy store and ask for suggestions. Buying a toddler toy for Christmas would depend on multiple factors such as age of your younger one, price, brand, type of toys like board game, building blocks.

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  • 5 popular prepaid plans from Verizon

    Prepaid plans are good for saving money, and they also let you skip the contract and credit check. Verizon cell phone plans for prepaid users are divided into two types. The first one is for smartphones which include data, calls, and texts; the other one is for basic phones that do not include data. There is no activation fees, contract, or credit check for these plans.

    These are the four Verizon cell phone plans for smartphone users:

    • 2GB at USD 40/month: This plan is perfect for light data users—people who use data occasionally and mostly depend on Wi-Fi. This plan is suitable for using low data consuming apps. This plan is not for the ones who stream videos and music regularly.
    • 5GB at USD 50/month: This is a perfect plan for users who consume data moderately. This plan will allow people to use low data usage apps, browse Facebook, and surf the Internet occasionally. This plan may not be suitable for heavy data users.
    • 10GB at USD 70/month: This is one of the most pop[ular Verizon cell phone plans for users who cannot keep their eyes off their smartphones. It is for the ones who want to keep their social life happening even when they are away from Wi-Fi areas. This plan will allow users to use almost all the social media apps and will also let them stream videos and music occasionally.
    • Unlimited at USD 80/month: The unlimited plan is for people who can spend some extra bucks on their data plans for heavy usages. It is for users who consume Internet continuously and are addicted to video and music streaming. This is by far the best plan for heavy data users. If you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection at home, then this plan is just for you.

    For basic phone users, there’s prepaid plan of unlimited talk time and texts at USD 30/month. This plan is for basic phones that don’t have the function of the Internet. It offers unlimited calls and texts for USD 30 a month. From this list of Verizon cell phone plans, pick the one that’s most suited for you.

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  • Tips for shopping for luxury tableware

    Setting your table with elegance and class is extremely important for a formal dinner occasion. For one of the most important things you need is a classic formal tableware set that complements your dining room and the spread you plan to be setting out for your important guests. Read ahead to discover some simple tips that are guaranteed to help you choose your luxury tableware wisely and practically so that you are equipped in every sense of the word to meet your guests. Never commit the blunder of buying luxury tableware in haste and then repenting at leisure.

    – Ensure that the dinnerware will match your dining space gracefully: Although you may get attracted to the latest bold and contemporary designs, there is always a chance that these designs may not complement your dining space style. So, it is always better to choose classic dinnerware made of porcelain or fine china that will complement any style of dining space gracefully and elegantly.
    – The tableware you choose should have enough settings: Buy enough pieces to accommodate all your family members or guests. Always go for a set that has at least eight cups and saucers, plates, side plates, enough serving bowls, sugar bowls, teapot, and not to forget pepper and salt shakers. If your budget can be extended, it is best to go for a complete set of twelve plates and glasses so that you do not have to worry if you have a big crowd.
    – Go for tableware that will store easily: Regardless of whether you have a beautiful dinner wagon or just a simple kitchen cabinet to store your tableware, ensure that the plates you plan on purchasing can be stacked together in a compact and are sturdy enough to be stores in your storage space.
    – Go for pieces that can be cleaned easily: Majority of formal tableware is extremely fine and delicate and may have gold or silver trimmings that adorn their rims. Make sure that the tableware you finally choose is resistant to stains and cleans easily with water and soap. Do not go in for plates with delicate grooves and carved designs as dirt can get lodged in these parts making them more difficult to clean.
    – Make a list: Take a pen and paper and jot down all the pieces of tableware that you need to buy and ensure that you take this checklist with you when you go for purchasing. In this way, there is little chance that you may forget to buy even a trivial piece which is equally important to complete your set.

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