Home Improvement

Top tips to reap the fullest experience from fall TV

by

(BPT) – With long nights and chilly temperatures, it’s always good to find an excuse to stay home. Here’s a classic excuse that’s gone from lame to legitimate in a short time: I have to catch up on my favorite TV show.

So fix your favorite snack and pull up a sofa, because this fall, there are a ton of hot and critically acclaimed TV shows debuting and returning.

In fact, one projection says 2017 is on track to smash records. This year, as many as 500 original scripted shows have already aired and streamed, according to a report in AdWeek. That means there should be something for everyone, right?

Now’s the perfect time to check in with your set to make sure it’s up to the task of bringing you the best possible TV-watching experience.

Get cinematic: It’s not unheard of for TV shows to boast multi-million-dollar budgets that can cover elaborate costumes, locations, sets and stunning special effects that would rival any movie. If you’re looking for TV technology with the ability to accurately replicate the action and characters, consider investing in one of LG’s sets. Whether you look at their premium LG OLED TVs or one of their Super UHD TVs with Nano Cell Technology, you’re sure to get the most lifelike, advanced picture quality available.

Switch around with ease: If switching the TV display from cable to streaming is still a complicated feat that requires three remotes and a 10-minute training session that still befuddles your partner, it’s really time to update your entertainment station to something sleeker and more intuitive.

A smart set with a compatible remote can solve all these problems. For example, all of LG’s OLED and Super UHD sets come with its award-winning webOS Smart TV platform and Magic Remote, which makes flipping between content seamless and easy — all without stumbling into a screen of TV static. Plus, LG’s Magic Remote is voice-activated, making your life easier than ever before.

Get organized: Figuring out what to watch and when to catch it is half the battle. The last thing you want is a big let-down because your show happens to be on a bye week you didn’t know about. Shop around for an app that lets you manage your shows, so you know at a glance what’s coming up. Also, today’s sets come with a platform so you can keep and manage your information right where you’re going to use it.

Start thinking about the series finale: When a favorite emerges, keep the season finale in the back of your mind. That’s a great reason to host an end-of-season viewing party, because plot twists and cliffhangers are so much sweeter when experienced with someone. Even if you have plenty of comfy seating to handle the crowd, make sure your TV set is suitable for screening at a wide angle. Many LCD sets have a narrow viewing range with the TV’s “sweet spot” limited to directly in front of the TV, which can mar the entire experience.

However, the superior technology of LG OLED sets pulls everyone into the drama with the widest viewing angles available, and with more than a billion rich colors and perfect blacks, your guests will only see a lifelike, high-contrast image wherever they sit. LG has the largest selection of OLED TVs on the market. If you’re interested in learning more, visit lg.com/us/oled-tvs.

Top tips to reap the fullest experience from fall TV

by

(BPT) – With long nights and chilly temperatures, it’s always good to find an excuse to stay home. Here’s a classic excuse that’s gone from lame to legitimate in a short time: I have to catch up on my favorite TV show.

So fix your favorite snack and pull up a sofa, because this fall, there are a ton of hot and critically acclaimed TV shows debuting and returning.

In fact, one projection says 2017 is on track to smash records. This year, as many as 500 original scripted shows have already aired and streamed, according to a report in AdWeek. That means there should be something for everyone, right?

Now’s the perfect time to check in with your set to make sure it’s up to the task of bringing you the best possible TV-watching experience.

Get cinematic: It’s not unheard of for TV shows to boast multi-million-dollar budgets that can cover elaborate costumes, locations, sets and stunning special effects that would rival any movie. If you’re looking for TV technology with the ability to accurately replicate the action and characters, consider investing in one of LG’s sets. Whether you look at their premium LG OLED TVs or one of their Super UHD TVs with Nano Cell Technology, you’re sure to get the most lifelike, advanced picture quality available.

Switch around with ease: If switching the TV display from cable to streaming is still a complicated feat that requires three remotes and a 10-minute training session that still befuddles your partner, it’s really time to update your entertainment station to something sleeker and more intuitive.

A smart set with a compatible remote can solve all these problems. For example, all of LG’s OLED and Super UHD sets come with its award-winning webOS Smart TV platform and Magic Remote, which makes flipping between content seamless and easy — all without stumbling into a screen of TV static. Plus, LG’s Magic Remote is voice-activated, making your life easier than ever before.

Get organized: Figuring out what to watch and when to catch it is half the battle. The last thing you want is a big let-down because your show happens to be on a bye week you didn’t know about. Shop around for an app that lets you manage your shows, so you know at a glance what’s coming up. Also, today’s sets come with a platform so you can keep and manage your information right where you’re going to use it.

Start thinking about the series finale: When a favorite emerges, keep the season finale in the back of your mind. That’s a great reason to host an end-of-season viewing party, because plot twists and cliffhangers are so much sweeter when experienced with someone. Even if you have plenty of comfy seating to handle the crowd, make sure your TV set is suitable for screening at a wide angle. Many LCD sets have a narrow viewing range with the TV’s “sweet spot” limited to directly in front of the TV, which can mar the entire experience.

However, the superior technology of LG OLED sets pulls everyone into the drama with the widest viewing angles available, and with more than a billion rich colors and perfect blacks, your guests will only see a lifelike, high-contrast image wherever they sit. LG has the largest selection of OLED TVs on the market. If you’re interested in learning more, visit lg.com/us/oled-tvs.

Real-mom life hacks for an imperfectly perfect life

by

(BPT) – Your house is spotless, your children are well behaved, and every night there’s a beautiful home-cooked meal on the table. Just how do you do it?

The answer: You don’t. From 1960s how-to guides portraying the perfect mother to today’s Pinterest-crazed super moms, there’s always been pressure on women to do it all. But in reality, it’s unrealistic, and moms today are saying: “That’s OK.”

“Being a mom, you quickly learn to let go of trying to perfect every aspect of your life,” says actress and mom Busy Philipps. “So rather than trying to perfect things, I rely on tools to simplify those chaotic moments, which allows me to enjoy what matters — time with my kids … and my sanity.”

With that mantra in mind, Philipps is sharing some of her favorite life hacks. Here are a few secrets for moms — both beginners and seasoned — for getting things done and enjoying life’s good moments:

Make me-time and them-time: “It’s so important to master me-time!” says Philipps. “Nothing beats getting up early for a good workout before starting the day. Want to really maximize a workout? Plug in your headphones, stream your favorite show, and get your heartbeat pumping while catching up on those episodes you missed! Another secret? Include your kids in ‘me-time’ once in a while for a ‘them-time’ session. Manis and pedis with my girls is always a fun outing where we can spend quality time together.”

Minimize laundry time: “Never-ending laundry is a never-ending headache. I love my LG SideKick washing machine, which is a pedestal washer attached to my main washer,” says Philipps. “It’s perfect for washing those small laundry loads that are a big deal and can’t wait — from a soccer uniform to delicates and activewear. You can also wash two loads at the same time when you need to: large loads in the main front-load washer and delicates — like my favorite workout clothes — in the LG SideKick, which is a huge time saver.”

Cut cooking chaos: “Forget the foodie frenzy,” Philipps stresses. “If you can pull together a simple and nutritious meal for the family, you are a superstar. This doesn’t require slaving away for hours in the kitchen. Internet search one-pan recipes. When time is really crunched, there’s no shame in takeout. Trust me, everyone does it.”

And her healthy eating tip? “I get my kids to eat healthy by hiding nutritious food — like broccoli pureed into spaghetti sauce — so they don’t even know they are eating it. A page from a book I swear by: Jessica Seinfeld’s popular cookbook, ‘Deceptively Delicious.'”

Create a healthy competition: In a perfect world, your kids would enjoy helping with all the household chores. In the real world this can feel like fighting a losing battle. Philipps’ solution: Try using a little trick psychology. “Think of ways to transform cleaning into a competition,” she says. “Who can toss the dirtiest clothes into the baskets? Who can make their bed faster? Who can match more pairs of clean socks from the laundry in 60 seconds or less? Kids will race to win, all while helping you get those chores done.”

“Being a parent can get messy, but obviously we wouldn’t want it any other way,” says Philipps. “Tricks like these help me accept that life’s not perfect, which is okay because life’s good. And good is great!”

During storm cleanup, safety comes first

by

(BPT) – For many people, fall is their favorite season – mild temperatures, fall clothes and fall leaves creating colorful yards. But the season involves more than cool breezes and fall colors. From New England to California, Florida to the Great Lakes, the final few months of the year usually bring with them a greater frequency and intensity of storms.

With the recent weather events, and the possibility of more to come, homeowners will need to be prepared for broken branches, fallen trees and debris.

Even for those who are experienced with storm cleanup, safety is always a priority. Whether you’re a suburban homeowner or part of a local rescue organization such as a fire station or police department, take the time to review the following safety precautions so you’ll be ready if a storm hits in your hometown.

* Prepare before the storm hits. Before you see any weather alerts on your phone or the local news tells you to take cover, prepare to tackle the aftermath by having your equipment in tip-top shape. Make sure everything is working properly and refresh your memory by reviewing the owner’s manuals and all safety precautions.

* Listen to local authorities. You may see the direct damage in your yard, but make sure you know the full extent of the damage in your community before you go out. Local authorities will let you know if the storm has passed, along with what precautions to take and what parts of your community are unsafe for traveling.

* Always check for downed power lines. With any big storm, the chance of power outages is high. Before you start any kind of cleanup, make sure the storm didn’t take down any power lines in your area. One of the most common dangers during storm cleanup is using power tools on branches and other debris entangled by power lines. All it takes is a few seconds to look, and this precaution could save your life or your neighbor’s life.

* Wear protective gear. Always use protective clothing while using power tools. There’s no sure way to know the full extent of the damage from a storm, making it even harder to know what might also be underneath the tree limbs and branches you are clearing. If you’re not sure if you have the right clothing, check out Husqvarna’s full line of essential gear, including chaps, boots, gloves, eye and ear protection and more.

* Always be aware of your surroundings. While clearing debris, be aware of others who might be around you and cut away from them to avoid personal injury or further home damage from kickbacks. Also, be extra cautious of animals that you may not typically deal with in your yard, such as snakes, fire ants and even alligators that might have come in with the storm.

* Leave the big jobs to the pros. If you have the equipment and the know-how, you can be a significant help to your neighbors and community in a time of great need. However, it’s important to recognize what jobs need to be handled by the professionals, such as clearing uprooted trees or massive overturned portions of homes or cars. If you feel you might do more harm than good, it’s best to get your local fire station and police department involved, as well as any rescue organizations that are in town to help with cleanup.

Along with taking the proper safety precautions, having the right equipment is an essential way to prepare for the worst storms nature can hurl at you this season.