Archives for 2018

While choosing a mattress for your own bed can be an easy task, choosing one for your child can be a daunting one. However, it should not be overwhelming if you can focus on the basic features. Unlike yours, your child’s mattress should keep growing in size to accommodate his or her growth.

Here are essential tips you could consider when shopping for your child’s mattress.

1. Ensure It Is the Appropriate Size

The first task would be to determine your child’s bed size before setting out to buy a mattress. For instance, if the bed is a twin bed, then the mattress should be a twin mattress that fits perfectly. The age, weight, height, and health needs are the important guiding factors you should bear in mind.

Changing a mattress and a bed every now and then for your child can be costly. Therefore, it is essential to purchase one that can be used for a long period. For instance, if your child is 3 years old, the mattress should at least serve its purpose until his or her 6th or 7th birthday.

Check the details here for an in-depth twin mattresses guide for your child.

2. Design and Color

A child will always be a child and it will be good to ensure that he or she gets to enjoy the childhood phase. When choosing a twin mattress, check for its design. Usually, mattresses have standard rectangular or square shapes, but they differ in terms of design. Mattresses have different inner layers designed to offer the desired weight support and spinal comfort. For a child with special needs, the design plays a very crucial part.

Moreover, you can also shop for a mattress that has colors your child likes. The mattresses are available in different color schemes from dark to light colors. Some even come with printed covers of cartoons or mosaic patterns. The important thing is to match the mattress with your child’s needs.

Important Advice: The perfect mattress for your child should be resilient enough to prevent flipping or rotating.

3. Non-Chemical Materials

Children are sensitive to chemicals which can pose serious health risks to them. Mattresses that are made from synthetic materials should be avoided as they can cause skin irritations and allergies for your child. The perfect mattresses are those made from natural and fresh materials such as organic wool, silk, hemp, organic cotton, and natural latex.

Before buying any mattress for your child, thoroughly read through the manufacturer’s manual so that you are sure with what you are purchasing.

4. Check the Price

When it comes to buying a mattress for your child, it boils down to what you can pay. High-quality mattresses are very costly compared to the low-quality ones. But, the good thing is that you will not miss something that comfortably fits your budget and needs. When shopping, always give the store attendant all the details so that he or she can know what will suit your needs.

Besides, do not overstretch your pocket if you cannot afford a particular mattress. What’s more, do not compromise on the quality. For twin mattresses, the price will range from $50-$1000.

Remember, a good mattress is one which you will use for a long duration due to its durability

Bonus Tip: Never buy uncertified twin mattresses since they pose health and safety risks.

Photo courtesy of Go Little Tokyo

1. Oshogatsu Family-Festival Fun: With three different locations across Little Tokyo, experience all the magic of a traditional Japanese New Year. Enjoy an energetic day full of live entertainment, traditional food vendors, music and more! Presented by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, this can’t miss event will delight the whole family!
   Tuesday, January 1, 2019 from 10:50 a.m.-4:00 p.m. various locations, free. Weller Court, Japanese Village, and Frances Hashimoto Plaza.

2. Delight in Delicacies: Stop by Tanota, one of Little Tokyo’s newest walk-up hotspots, for a popular New Years treat. As masters of takoyaki, a delectable snack traditionally filled with octopus, Tanota will be a featured vendor at the Oshogatsu Festival. Osechi ryori is a meaningful twist on the bento box – every dish within is imbued with meaning and meant to bring happiness and good fortune for the New Year.
   Murakai Market, open 9:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. on New Years Day.

3. Let Them Make Mochi: Japanese American Community Cultural Center’s (JACCC) annual day-long event for little ones inspires children’s creativity with the Children’s Oshogatsu Workshop. Lessons include modern calligraphy, gyoza-making, taiko drumming, t-shirt screen printing, and traditional mochitsuki-making! Reward a well-earned appetite with a bowl of buckwheat soba noodles at Suehiro Cafe, a classic dish to welcome in the New Year.
   Children’s Oshogatsu Workshop, Friday, December 28, 9:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Ages 7-13, (Tickets, Early Bird JCCC Members, $35, Early Bird Public, $40)

4. Reflect and Remember: On New Years Day, participate in the time-honored ritual of Hatsu Goma (first fire rite) at the Koyasan Buddhist temple, and up until January 3 ceremonial charms and amulets are available for purchase to help usher in a fresh start. Remember hope and strength in the face of adversity at Gombatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit Exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum. Fascinating photographs of Japanese Americans detained during World War II highlight the sacrifices made and the rich legacy left behind.
   Koyasan Buddhist Temple 341 E. 1st St, Jan. 1-3 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
   Gombatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit, Nov. 17-April 28, 2019. General Admission: $12

5. The Celebration Continues: The festivities don’t stop on New Years Day! Venture back to Little Tokyo on January 6 for a stunning display during Kotohajime. In its 36th year, Kotohajime is a feast for the eyes and ears with visionary dance performances and mesmerizing music.
   January 6, 1:00 p.m., Artani Theatre, JACCC. Tickets available for $18 for JACC members and $20 general admission.

Credit: Go Little Tokyo.

Working at home surely requires a huge amount of self-discipline. Aside from effectively balancing work and family time, a constant challenge among home-based workers is to keep their workplaces clean and organized. Staying consistent can be particularly difficult for those who are in the comfort of their own homes.

Now you have to remember that cleanliness usually promotes better productivity. If you want to increase your efficiency, ensuring that everything is orderly can be a huge help. You won’t experience difficulty locating a needed file, for example, anytime you need them.

Most importantly, having a tidy workplace project a professional image. This can be a great thing especially if you have to accommodate clients or other business contacts from time to time. Here are some effective tips for your office cleaners to establish a regular habit of cleaning your office:

Clean your desk often

Take a look at your desk and decide what needs to be kept and what needs to stay there. You are probably spending long hours on your desk and so it is crucial that you feel comfortable there. Place unnecessary accessories or documents somewhere else.

Also, resist the temptation of eating food on your table. Crumbs can attract insects while coffee stains can be difficult to remove. Do yourself a favor and go to the kitchen or dining area during short breaks.

Develop a filing system

Despite the widespread use of emails and electronic files, it is not surprising that many offices still find it useful to keep hard copies of important documents and contracts.

If the same is true for you, then make it a point to have an effective filing system. Use filing cabinets and folders for your advantage. You may arrange your files alphabetically, by date, or by client name depending on your preference.

Keep your electronics dust-free

Whether you are using a laptop or a desktop, you need to make sure that it is always free from dust and dirt. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the monitor and keyboard. The same can be used for wiping your printer, scanner, telephone, and everything else.

Set a place for everything

The trick for making your working environment more visually appealing is to create a place for everything. Therefore, dole out a place for each object and name it so that you may always recall where you have placed something.

Pay heed to the restrooms

It is exceptionally important to clean the bathrooms or washroom as they are the home to destructive microscopic organisms and germs. Utilize scrub and liquid solution to flush the sink area alongside taps. Refill the fluid cleanser routinely. Wipe the floor and bowls with the compelling cleaner. Install a room purifier or aromatic items.

By following these practical tips, having a tidy home office will be possible for you. Of course, these cleaning routine duties should be done often for you to experience the big difference. Doing major cleaning tasks also needs to be done at least once a month.