friday holiday

Holiday House in the Alps by AFGH Architekten

2011-02-15T22:05:00.000-08:00

AFGH Architekten designed this incredible holiday house located in Scheidegg, Switzerland.
The building was arranged on the periphery of the property so that the option of constructing another building could be left open. The concrete cellar anchors the building in the sloping terrain and houses the entrance area and the technical servicing, on top of which is the wooden volume of the building.
The concrete chimney of the open fireplace rises like a mast out of the cellar, and together with a concrete wall forms the bracing backbone behind which the two single-flight staircase connect the three levels.
On the ground floor is a large living room spread over two different levels and with different ceiling heights. The deliberately low area containing the kitchen in fact creates a spatial feeling.
The five-meter long fixed-glazed panorama window, which frames the breathtaking view like a picture, introduces a contemporary modernity

How to Find Fun at Home During the Holidays

2011-02-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

All too often, the holidays are times when families don't spend enough time at home. This may sound ridiculous because holidays are supposed to be centered around the home and the family unit. Nevertheless, with shopping and everything else needing to be done at the holiday time, it can be difficult for families to find things to do at home.

The truth is that the average family must make an effort to stay home and find things that are fun to do at home. When you do stay in more, you will realize your family is happier and not nearly as stressed out! Use these tips to help spur your memory and figure out exactly what you can do this Christmas season.

Family Traditions

One of the easiest ways to have fun at home during the holidays is to participate in family traditions. Many families have certain activities they do each holiday season. Some will help decorate the house with holiday decor together. Others will choose to hunt for a live Christmas tree together. No matter what you do as a family, you can guarantee that spending time together and in your home will make you feel great this holiday season. If you don't have any specific family traditions yet, you can always make this season the one where you create some great ones. There are no rules on this front, so just be creative and have fun!

Music

Another way you can have fun at home during the holidays is by getting in the holiday mood. One of the best ways to get into the holiday mood is by playing music. Playing holiday music in your home may sound a little ridiculous to you. However, the sound of the holiday music can bring out the bonding in everyone. You can play board games with your family while listening to holiday music and eating holiday cookies. Your kids will love it!

Parties

If you love to entertain, having a party is also a great way to have fun at home. You can throw a big bash, or only have a few friends over for appetizers and eggnog. Having a holiday party is perfect because your home is likely already decorated. So, all you need to do is pick up a few food choices and make some phone calls. Of course, if you want, you can always just create a small holiday party for your children and your spouse. You can sip eggnog by the tree and sit on the floor reading stories all night. Anything you can do to help your family develop great holiday memories is a good thing.

So make an effort to stay home more this holiday season. Find things that make your family happy and try them. You just might find that you would rather stay home than go out

Ten Free Must-Sees in London

2011-02-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

It's no doubt that London can be a very pricy city but that doesn't mean you have to shell out your life's savings while you're there. London has a ton of free activities and attractions for you to immerse yourself in. Here's our top picks:

1. British Museum: Not only is this one of London's top attractions, but it is also totally free. You can see cool exhibits like the Rosetta Stone, the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, and beautiful Aztec mosaic masks.

2. Borough Market: South of the river, this food-lover's paradise has been around since the 13th century. Open Thursday to Saturday. Don't miss it.

3. St. Paul's Church: While St. Paul's Cathedral may charge a ticket price to get in, this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is known as the actor's church and is home to memorials for Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh.

4. Whitechapel Gallery: First opened in 1899, this art nouveau building is home to 10 different galleries. Picasso's Guernica was first displayed here in 1939. On Thursdays and some Fridays you can enjoy music and readings. There is also a really cool café here.

5. Temple Church: Having a key role in the DaVinci Code, this is a must see. Built by crusading monks, this church is immersed in historical mystery.

6. Science Museum: Seven floor of exhibits, the Science Museum offers such cool displays as flight simulators, hot-air balloons and steam locomotives.

7. Photographer's Gallery: Located in the West End, this is an amazing contemporary photo exhibition.

8. National Maritime Museum: Located in Greenwich, this great museum features topics on Britain's seafaring past.

9. National Gallery: Housing 2,000 Western European classics by Van Gogh, Renoir, daVinci and Michelangelo, this place has it all and it's all for free. Located on Trafalger Square, over 5 million people visit each year.

10. Houses of Parliament: Reserve ahead and you can sit in on sessions. But more than that, the neo-gothic houses will amaze you.