All posts by : themarkhorco

Festoon lights are a great way to add a cosy glow to your space to transform both the inside and outside of your home. We offer a wide range of festoon lights in a variety of colours and lengths, so you can use your festoon lights to express your personality in your home and garden.

To help you choose the best lights for your space, we’ve created the ultimate festoon lights buying guide so you know which lights are best suited to your needs.

Our Range of Festoon Lights

We offer a range of mains powered, battery festoon lights and solar festoon lights so you can find exactly what you need to transform your home and garden this year. Below is a comparison table and breakdown of all our key mains powered festoon lights to help you decide on the best fit for your space.

Festoon Range	Outdoor Use	Bulb Colour	Length	Use
Core Connect	Seasonal		Up to 75m	Home
Pro Connect	All Year		Up to 150m	Home & Events
Ultimate Connect	All Year		Up to 100m	Events
Ingenious Connect	All Year		Up to 500m	Events
Twinkly	All Year		10m	Home & Events

Core Connect Festoon Lights

Our Core Connect festoon lights are a great quality and style option with a low voltage (31v) power source. With a classic bulb effect, they’re great for both big and small spaces and will transform your spring and summer garden parties to bring your space to life. Hang them on fences, and drape along pergolas to create the ultimate garden glow up. We’d recommend taking them in during the winter time to avoid any damage and styling around your home instead for a cosy snug setting.

Pro Connect Festoon Lights

Our Pro Connect festoon lights are a premium quality option that’s great for both home and commercial use. They can be kept up all year round and come with the option of both clear and frosted bulb caps so you can create the perfect glow for your garden. They have a voltage of 230v and come in a variety of bulb colours and the option of a black or white cable. Hang them around your pergola or along walls to create a charming shine for your alfresco dining, or a magical ambience for your outdoor movie nights.

Ultimate Connect Festoon Lights

The Ultimate Connect range of festoon lights have a voltage of 220v and have been designed for commercial use with premium quality and longevity in mind. They have replaceable bulbs giving you the ultimate flexibility and are weatherproof so can be displayed all year round. With options of different coloured bulbs and cables, they’re a perfect option for weddings, venues and events.

Ingenious Connect Festoon Lights

Perfect for transforming large spaces, our Ingenious Connect festoon lights are the most traditional and classic festoon range we offer. Inspired by Thomas Edison, the fragile glass bulbs use 230v to provide a stunning and authentic golden glow. With options of different styles of both belts and bulbs, they’re sure to create a cosy and comforting light for your weddings, parties and events.

Twinkly Festoon Lights

Our Twinkly festoon lights are a showstopping statement piece to add to your garden this year. Controlled by your smart phone, you have complete personalisation over the look and design of your lights. With individual LEDs you can choose the colour of each bulb and add effects and animation on the app to adapt the lights for every season and create the ultimate light display. They’re great for styling along walls and fences or draped around your pergola for a stunning party statement. Perfect for using throughout the entire year we’d recomment a dry box to keep them protected in the winter.

Smaller Space Festoon Lights

Our collection of festoon lights also includes ranges for smaller spaces to completely lift your garden decor. Our plug in festoon lights are a quick and easy way to add a classic glow to your garden and are super simple to just switch on and watch your space come to life. Our outdoor battery festoon lights are a great fuss free option for those who don’t have an outdoor plug socket and can be styled anywhere in your home or garden. We also stock a wide range of solar festoon lights so you can brighten up your space in an eco-friendly way. Style these lights anywhere in your garden, along fences and overhead spaces, and watch as your garden comes to life when dusk falls each evening.

1. The Iron Mug

You know how it is: you’re running late for work, you forgot to iron your shirt and there’s no way you can leave the house without having a heavy caffeine hit first. Here’s the solution: a mug and iron in one. Just try not to slosh coffee all over your work shirt.

2. Ramen Fan

You need to eat those yummy noodles and you need to the eat them NOW. Apart from the fact they’re delicious, you’ve only got a fraction of your lunch break left. But they’re boiling hot! And you don’t want scalding noodle juice dripping all over your chin and your chest. The solution? This elegant ramen fan, which cools the noodles on their journey from the bowl to your mouth.

3. Dine Ink

Another one for busy lunchtimes. You’d love to get away from your desk, but there’s just far too much paperwork to do. Fear not: use ‘Dine Ink’, the cutlery-and-pen-in-one. Great for teachers with stacks of marking to do. Just try not to get food stains on your students’ exam papers.

4. Egg Moulds

The opposite of a time-saving advice. Why have a boring boiled egg when you can mould it into something interesting? Just take the slimy, soft-boiled egg, squish it into one of these moulds, let it cool, unclasp it and voila! You have an animal-shaped snack. With all kinds of options available from chicks to footballs, there’s an egg mould to suit just about everybody.

5. The Rotimatic (a Roti-Making Robot)

Why use a boring old oven to cook flatbreads when you can employ artificial intelligence to do the job? The robotic Rotimatic claims to measure, dispense, mix, knead and puff perfect rotis, before spewing them out of a slot, all in just 90 seconds. Fed up of flatbreads? Fear not: the Rotimatic is connected to The Cloud, giving users access to up-to-the-minute recipes for other delicious bread items, including pizza bases and tortillas. This kitchen gadget is definitely not budget-friendly, but if like your rotis quick, convenient and delicious, it’s a worthwhile investment.

6. Ravanello (the Radish-carving super tool)

Why would anyone want a radish to look like a radish when they could have a radish that looked like a Super Mario toadstool, AKA fly agaric, AKA the most poisonous mushroom going? Fear not: The nifty Ravanello ‘supertool’ enables you to gouge spots out of the flesh of your radish and carve a stalk, transforming it into a miniature, poisonous toadstool. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

7. The Selfie Toaster

Why stop at posting your pouty, posed pictures on Instagram when you can eat them for breakfast? The Selfie Toaster imprints images on to slices of bread, providing the perfect slice of toast for someone who really loves themselves. Delicious.

8. Banana Surprise Yumstation

Why wouldn’t you want a kit that enables you to bore a hole through the middle of a banana and inject it with jam or chocolate spread? The Banana Surprise Yumstation is aimed at children, presumably to promote healthy eating, but pumping a banana full of sugary goo surely defeats the object?

9. Bogeyman Egg Separator

Need to separate your egg whites from your yolks? This is the man for the job. Despite looking like he is suffering from a terrible cold, Bogeyman will expertly divide the components of your egg by depositing the white. Through his nostrils. Like snot. If watching him in action doesn’t totally put you off your food, it’s pretty effective.

10. Muffin Top Cake Moulds

If you’d like to have your muffins served with a reminder of what might happen if you eat too many muffins, you need these cake moulds in your life.

11. Rollie Eggmaster

Why make the choice between eggs or sausages for breakfast when you can have both? Designed to save time, the Rollie Eggroll cooks eggs quickly and turns them into a sausage-shaped… thing. When it’s ready, the egg-sausage thing crawls creepily out of the top of the device like a giant yellow worm poking out of the ground. Yum.

12. Hot Diggity Dogger

Where to start? Perhaps with the name: who wants a thing called ‘Dogger’ in their kitchen? Still, if you’re a big fan of hot dogs, it might be worth investing in this bread-roll-and-frankfurter-toaster in one, the ultimate piece of hot dog making kit.

13. The Tea Infuser Shark

This tea infuser is fun, but is perhaps less effective if your tea doesn’t happen to be the colour of blood.

 14. Butter Glue Stick

You really want to butter your toast but that block that just came out of the fridge will not melt and now your toast is getting cold. Don’t worry, though, all you need is a Butter Stick. Just don’t get it mixed up with an actual glue stick.

15. YolkPig

Oh look, it’s yet another slightly disturbing yolk / white separator. The YolkPig vacuums the yolk out of the egg and then deposits it elsewhere, thanks to its squeezable sucking motion. It’s definitely cuter than The Bogeyman, that’s for sure.

16. Onion Goggles

We don’t care how ridiculous they look, onion goggles are a brilliant invention. Anything that prevents the inevitable tears when chopping onions is a winner. Just don’t forget to take the things off before your dinner guests arrive.

17. Head Knife Block

Why store your knives in a bog standard knife block when you can repeatedly stab a disembodied wooden head with them?

18. I could Eat a Horse Spaghetti Measuring Tool

Ah, the age-old dilemma of how to measure the right amount of spaghetti. this nifty thing solves that, by letting you choose your portion size based on the size of the person who’s going to be eating it, or for when you’re ravenous, the size of a horse.

19. Messaging Toaster

Don’t just send a text message or put a note on the fridge, that’s so boring! With this ingenious device, you can say everything you need to, from ‘I love you’ to ‘Put the bins out’ on toast. more interesting than beans.

20. Pasta Pot Holders

Never burn your hands / set a tea towel on fire on the hob again! These clever silicone pot holders, in the shape of pasta, are the ultimate kitchen hand protector. Perfect for foodies, as long as they don’t try to cook them.

If you’re like many of us, you’re spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen these days. It’s surprising how often breakfast, lunch, and dinner come around—and then they’re here again. There’s no more munching in the office breakroom, and all your meals and snacks are up to you. If you’re realizing that you need to up your kitchen game, now’s the time to do it. With these gadgets, nothing can stop you.

Your knives are dull, and your tomato sauce is splattering all over your backsplash. Sure, that’s what it’s there for, but it takes a lot of time to clean up. Quarantine is tough enough—you don’t need to pile more on your plate. Rather than getting frustrated while you’re cooking and baking, add some of these kitchen gadgets and accessories to your arsenal.

Thanks to the creativity of others, there are so many great cooking gadgets that we can benefit from. Mince garlic with ease or strain and serve with a single spoon. If you’re new to spending a lot of time in the kitchen, these unique cooking tools are probably ones you haven’t seen before. Whether you’re baking a cake for your birthday—we’re sorry you can’t see your friends and family—or venturing into grinding-your-own-spices territory, we have a list of the best kitchen tools for you.

Essential kitchen gadgets

Yes, we talk about cooking a lot. That’s because we love it, and we know a lot of you do, too. Last year, we told you about unique gadgets that will help you master recipes. And then we rounded up a list of the most useful kitchen gadgets from 2019.

When 2020 came around, we thought you might want to know about automating your cooking to make this year your most efficient yet. But, well, 2020 took a different turn than we expected, so we thought you might want to cook faster in quarantine. Because some people now have working from home and homeschooling and cleaning and more to manage all at once. Just a couple weeks ago, as we all started getting used to (or hating) being at home, we showed you some of the cool smart kitchen accessories that will change up your cooking.

But now we’re highlighting the little stuff. The fun cooking accessories that may not be total necessities but will definitely add joy and ease to your kitchen routine.

Necessary (and fun!) kitchen accessories

We’ve never highlighted these products on a blog before, and we think they’re ones you’re sure to love.

OTOTO BLADE Rhino Knife Sharpener

Everyone needs some fun kitchen gadgets, and the OTOTO BLADE Rhino Knife Sharpener is a useful one. With its non-slip base, this helpful tool is not only easy to use but also safe. If you have wet hands after prepping vegetables, you don’t have to worry about slicing your finger on accident. Available in Green and Charcoal color options, the BLADE knife sharpener is a cute little rhinoceros.

Frywall Splatter Cone

Thanks to the Frywall Splatter Cone, you won’t be burned by splashing oil ever again. And you can say goodbye to pasta stains on your favorite shirt while you cook. Available in eight-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, this silicone splatter screen fits a variety of pots and pans. Plus, this splatter shield comes in red, black, green, and orange colors. When you’re warming up pasta sauce, this will protect you from the bubbles.

RIG TIG DROP Compact Colander

If you have a humble living space, the RIG TIG DROP Compact Colander might help you replace a few kitchen items. This multiuse colander is great for washing leafy greens or berries, and it also works as a strainer for pasta and other items. Furthermore, this kitchen colander might even take the place of your salad spinner. Turn on your faucet and stream water into the handle to wash your food. The water will drain through the colander—and, voilà! You’re ready to eat.

Dreamfarm Holey Spadle Dual Spoon Ladle

Cooking is great, but dirty dishes aren’t. By using the Dreamfarm Holey Spadle Dual Spoon Ladle, you will be able to keep most of your other kitchen utensils clean. This handy product acts as a slotted serving spoon that strains whatever you’re cooking. This kitchen spoon is ideal for dishing up noodles, grabbing loose vegetables, and more. Plus, this kitchen ladle even has a bend in the handle so you have a built-in spoon rest. Not only will you keep your other kitchen utensils clean, but you’ll also avoid dirtying up your counter.

Dreamfarm Levoons Scrape Level Measuring Spoons

Because they have a built-in scraper on top, the Dreamfarm Levoons Scrape Level Measuring Spoons make sure you get the exact right measurements. You just move the lever to scrape the excess off the top. On top of that, it’ll help you keep your hands clean. With all that flour, sugar, and oil, baking can be a messy process. Rather than scraping off the top with your hand, the Levoons do it for you. You still get all the fun and reward of baking without the unnecessary mess.

Dreamfarm Smood Potato Masher and Scraper

The Dreamfarm Smood Potato Masher and Scraper is a kitchen accessory that will make your life easier. This potato masher easily fits over a boiled potato, and then you simply push down to completely squish it. You’ll be able to make the smoothest mashed potatoes and delicious guacamole in seconds. Plus, it has a silicone scraper attached. This means you can scrape your bowl clean with the same utensil. Furthermore, if you like to make your child homemade baby food, this kitchen gadget will mash it up to perfection.

Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press Scrape Eject

Easily press garlic without getting your hands dirty with the Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press Scrape Eject. This kitchen accessory presses unpeeled garlic, scrapes itself clean, and ejects the peel. Eliminating stinky hands, this garlic press scrape is powerful and easy to use. In fact, the Garlic Press Scrape Eject can press multiple cloves of garlic at a time, without you peeling them first. Afterward, you can just push the peel eject button to get the garlic peel out.

Lucky Mouse Rice Container and Scoop

You don’t normally want mice in the kitchen. But, in the case of the Lucky Mouse Rice Container and Scoop, you do. This adorable little mousy friend doubles as a scoop for rice. The smaller container holds 3.5 liters, and the larger size holds seven liters. A super convenient feature is that the Lucky Mouse scoop holds exactly a cup so you don’t have to dirty another kitchen gadget. Totally food safe, they stack easily for better storage in your kitchen or pantry.

JIA Inc. Rolling Wheel Mortar

Freshly ground spices add a certain je ne sais quoi to recipes. With the JIA Inc. Rolling Wheel Mortar, you can easily grind seeds, herbs, and spices in your home. This wood pestle has a unique circular design, giving you a better grip as you roll it across the fresh ingredients. And the porcelain base won’t retain different flavors once it’s washed so it’s ideal for use over and over again. Practice mindfulness as you roll the pestle back and forth, crushing your wonderfully smelling ingredients. Reminiscent of an ancient Chinese tea mill, this kitchen tool brings up nostalgia.

Do any of these cool kitchen accessories pique your interest? We love that little mouse scoop. Let us know which ones you want to add to your kitchen setup!

Introduction

Trimming dogs’ fur with electric clippers is commonplace in professional grooming and in preparing pets for veterinary surgery. Professional groomers and veterinarians know their way around clippers and know the proper techniques to avoid any harm to your pet. However, that’s not always the case when pet parents choose to trim their dog’s fur at home!

In this article, Dr. Shadi Ireifej (a board certified veterinary surgeon) will review proper hair clipping technique for home grooming and also share some of the science behind skin trauma and infections on pets resulting from clipping.

Proper hair clipping techniques

First: some basic, practical advice for trimming fur:

• Prior to grooming, give your pet a bath with a neutral shampoo, taking care to avoid getting water and shampoo in the ears or eyes. Drying after the bath begins with a dry towel followed by a blow dryer, while also brushing the pet to remove knots and mats.
• The ideal clipper should be as quiet as possible, so as not to startle the pet.
• There are both battery-operated, cordless clippers and those that plug into the wall to maintain their charge, so choose the one that fits your space best. For easy, quiet operation at home, we recommend Aeolus’s handheld clippers.
• When shaving your pet, be methodical. A systematic approach not only ensures you don’t miss any spots, but also prevents cosmetic blemishes like shave lines
• Keep the pet still to prevent accidental trauma. Grooming-induced lacerations, dermatitis and abrasions are common, and are at a higher risk with wiggly pets! But, how do you keep your pet sitting still? Methods include administering sedatives (always check with a veterinarian prior to administering any medications to your pet!), manually holding the pet and utilizing grooming positioning accessories to help with pet restraint.
• Clip with the growth of the hair (as in, go in the same direction as that of the hair). This also creates a more smooth and natural look to the shaving.
• A brush can be used to help lift the clipped hair up for those moments where the clippers do not seem to be removing hair adequately. This also aids in acquiring a more even appearance to the clipped hair.

Remember: grooming at home may save money, but it’s not for everyone! Not every pet tolerates it well and not every pet parent has great grooming skills. Always seek the service and guidance of a professional groomer if you are not 100% sure of your abilities (or your pet’s patience with you while you learn 😊).

Here is some science on using clippers on your pets:

2019 canine study

It was found that 24 hours after hair clipping using a No. 40 blade, a significantly higher incidence of erythema (redness) and higher number of bacteria (Micrococcaceae) was found when compared to hair clipped using a No. 10 blade.

This is intuitive, and the science backs it up: using smaller blades means finer and more precise trimming, and thus less redness and less chance to spread bacteria. The larger clipper size causes more skin trauma and has more surface area for bacteria to colonize, so it presents a higher risk of infection. Naturally, it is much more difficult to groom a bigger dog with smaller blades, so just remember to keep cleanliness in mind when grooming bigger dogs!

2016 veterinary clinic study

Contaminated clipper blades have been cited as potential fomites involved in the transmission of pathogens in veterinary and human medicine. In this particular study, it was found that 51% of clipper blades sampled were contaminated with bacteria. It was also found that the type of cleaning solutions had a significant association with bacterial contamination, whereas the cleaning frequency, storage location, and practice type had no significant association with bacterial contamination.

What this means: pick your cleaning solution carefully! It’s the main factor in spreading bacteria in grooming. Use a professional-grade disinfectant every time.

2010 fungal infection study

Fomites such as brushes and clippers are known to be potential risk factors for the transmission of dermatophytes (such as fungus) between pet animals. Thankfully, the risk of this as a result of adequate veterinary clinics and pet grooming salons disinfection protocols is incredibly low.

Takeaway: if you choose to groom your dog at home, clean your equipment just like a pro would! (Take a look at our tool sanitization products).

Conclusion

There are plenty of excellent products out there for those who want to groom their own pets. The right set of clippers is just one very important tool used for this purpose. Clippers also come with their own risks, though, especially bacterial colonization on the hair-clipped skin. Using a smaller-sized clipper blade and using a potent antiseptic for cleaning the clipper blades may aid in preventing this. Additionally, adequate cleaning techniques appear to be highly effective against preventing fungal infections from clipper usage.