Over the past few months I have been decorating the kid’s bedrooms and am finally getting round to doing ours and have decided to put blinds up as well to add the finishing touch. I’m quite a light sleeper and get woken up when it starts to get light in the morning, not good when it’s about 5:30 so I’ve decided to get some Blackout blinds to help.

Thankfully blackout blinds come in a range of different colours and patterns as my kids want ones that match their room’s colours, so I have ordered a pink set for my daughter and an orange set for my son. For our room I’ve gone for a patterned set that will match the colour of the walls which I have still to paint.

Ordering is really easy and you can put in the dimensions of your windows for a snug fit without cutting. The blinds should be delivered this week so will start putting them up at the weekend; hopefully it will help me sleep for a bit longer in the morning.

My wife likes to cook and bake and I like to eat, so I decided that she needed a new set of scales as the ones she had were passed on to her from her mum when she got a new one. I decided on some digital scales as they are more accurate than standard scales and a lot smaller too so they can be stored neatly away.

I opted for the Rad Professional RZ Series scales as they can weigh up to 1000 grams, more than enough for most things.

My wife loves her new scales and has been doing some experimentation with them; I’m not complaining as I like eating all the nice cakes and biscuits, but the chilli chocolate cookies were a bit strange.

I’ve been quite busy over the past couple of weeks, but at the weekend I eventually sat down and had a decent play on LA Noire; this is what I think so far.

The graphics are stunning; the motion capture of the characters faces really gives you a sense of reality while the city and scenery has been faithfully recreated to give you a 1940’s feel. Vehicles have their own characteristics and each one handles differently especially when it’s raining.

The game play is generally good too, but there are a couple of negatives. While the interviewing side of the game play is well thought out and executed, chasing suspects is very linear, all you have to do is run and the character does all of the jumping and climbs automatically, this can become boring after a while.

Driving is also quite laborious and it can take you a good 10 minutes just to get to the next location. You also have to make sure you drive carefully as hitting other cars, props or pedestrians causes you to be fined after the case lowering your stats. The best thing to do is make your partner drive you for the majority of the game.

The storyline and cases are well thought out with multiple suspects and witnesses to interview; there are also a variety of clues to find at the crime scene and suspects houses that you can later use to get your conviction.

LA Noire is a great game and although there are a couple of control aspects I’m not that keen on, the immersive game play coupled with a massive city to explore is sure to have gamers and reviewers raving.

There are a huge number of tool suppliers online.  Many of the larger trade stores have dedicated online warehouse centres where prices are often slightly lower, or at least equal, to the prices you find in the store.  When you buy online, you are inevitably under less pressure to make the purchase there and then; you can take as much time as you want to think about what you actually need, rather than what you want on that day.

When you are shopping online for tools and supplies, you will notice there are a large range of prices as well.  Many online retailers will periodically put items on sale as new ranges come in stock, so check back every quarter to see if anything you need is on special offer.  Most online tool shops will sell a variety of DIY supplies as well as tools, meaning that for some, a one-stop shop is available.  This means you can get the things you need at competitive prices, and have them delivered straight to your door.

Supplies and tools all come in differing qualities – the key is to find what you need and what gives you the best value for money.  You can do this by searching online; almost every product available has a user review, and some will have professional reviews done by specialist magazines.  You don’t necessarily need the most high end professional level equipment if you are only going to use it a dozen times a year.

If you are interested in forex, but are afraid to invest real money, open a forex demo account.  Think of the demo as a real forex account, but with ‘Monopoly’ money.  There are numerous benefits to using a demo account and any new trader should consider this as a first step into the forex market.

Free

Many brokers offer forex demo accounts free, which means you get to learn the basics of trading with absolutely no financial investment of any kind.  This also prevents you from being tied to a specific broker and means that you can try out various brokers such as CitiFX Pro and OANDA without any financial investment.

Education

The biggest benefit of a demo account is the education you receive, because there is no better means of learning than hands on training.  The only difference is you do not use real money as you learn how to analyse trends, read charts, interpret forex news and learn the ins and outs of the trading process.

No Risk

Though education is vital, the no risk factor makes forex demo accounts extremely popular for those new to trading.  While you are not actually trading, you receive practical experience without any risk of financial loss.  You also learn what works and what does not and if you make a mistake, nothing is lost.

Customer Support

Most brokers offer customer support to demo account holders.  The object is to provide an excellent experience that will make you turn to them when you decide to start trading for real.  This support helps to ease you into a complex currency trading world, so you become comfortable and confident.

I know I said at the beginning of the month that I was going to get Brink, then L.A. Noire, but I decided against Brink in the end after reading mixed reviews. I might buy it in a couple of months when the price comes down and it has been patched a bit more, but for now I will settle for L.A. Noire.

I ordered it from Amazon as I have their Prime account meaning that I get next day delivery for free, plus it was cheaper than the other online retailers. Play.com were offering L.A. Noire with a bonus assignment, which I was tempted in as Amazon don’t say if any bonus content comes with their version, but a £5 saving and free next day delivery swung it for me.

The game should be delivered on Friday, so I will post a quick first impressions post after I’ve played it for a while, so keep tuned!

Forex trading can be an excellent way of making money working from home, but the whole procedure require plenty of monitoring and input, even if you decide to trade in just one or two markets.  In an effort to make the most of your investment, you really need to invest in a good forex platform.  In most cases, forex software platforms are easily found online and downloaded to your computer.

What makes a good forex platform?  For one, it should offer currency charts, account breakdown and details, order placement, analysis facilities and the ability to modify your account rules.  Of course, the quantity and quality of information within the forex system will vary between platforms.  The better forex trading systems offer a plethora of knowledge and features. CitiFX Pro and forex.com offer some of the most popular trading software, full of useful hints and tips to get you started.

As you consider a forex platform, think about what it has to offer, as each has its own strengths and weaknesses.  Many forex software programs are designed with specific types of forex traders in mind.  Some are designed for new traders, while others meet the needs of those who are more experienced.  If you are new to the forex market, then one that has the most basic of functionality may be ideal for you.

The amount of time you have to dedicate to forex trading will influence which forex system is best for you.  If you have spare time throughout the day and can spend it trading, then almost any forex trading platform would be suitable.  If you do not have the time, platforms with highly developed forex robots might be your best bet, as you can tweak the rules for trading during times when you are unavailable.

May is quite possibly going to be an expensive month, with a range of things coming out this is my shopping list.

•    Brink for Xbox 360 – Brink is a FPS with a difference; it is set on the Ark, a futuristic floating city ravaged by civil war. The great thing about this game is its character customisation; you can change everything and make the player your own. Brink also features an innovative control system which allows you to climb, slide and jump over the whole terrain. Brink is out on the 13th May.
•    New mobile phone – my mobile phone contract runs out on the 19th May and I’m not sure whether to upgrade or get a whole new contract. I have the HTC Magic at the moment and want to stick with an Android device. I’ve been looking at the LG Optimus 2X and the Motorola Atrix, but might hold out till the beginning of June when the LG Optimus 3D come out.
•    Car needs its MOT – yes it’s that time of year again and my motor needs an MOT, hopefully it won’t cost that much so I can spend my money on something I want instead.
•    L.A. Noire for Xbox 360 – I know its another Xbox game, but this also looks quite good. You’re a detective in the 1940’s making your way through the ranks solving crimes. The game uses the latest mo-cap technologies to create even better character expressions. L.A. Noire is made by Rockstar Games so expect a good control system and great scenery. L.A. Noire is out 20th May.
•    Whatever the wife wants – Now I can’t go treating myself this month without spending a bit of cash to make my wife happy, so she can have whatever she wants (within reason of course!).

Today, the most popular way of getting into the forex market is by using a web trading platform.  Trading forex online can actually save quite a lot of time and frustration, since it is so easy and accessible.  A web-based forex trading platform such as the one offered by CitiFX Pro provides you with many features that make forex trading easy to get into and profitable.  In fact, even if you are new to forex trading, it is possible to make a profit with an online platform.

It is important to find a good training platform before you begin trading in the live market.  Many forex platforms actually offer the option to sign up for a demo account, to practice with, before you begin live trading.  The demo or trial, allows you to get a taste of what forex trading is all about through the use of virtual money, as you begin to learn the different strengths and weaknesses of forex online.

One of the most important features of a web-based forex trading platform is the analysis tool.  A good forex system will offer plenty of tools, including graphs and forex signals, to help you make educated investments.  The forex platform should also allow instant and real-time access to the forex market, so you can keep an eye out for trends and current price points.

Web trading platforms also make it possible to use forex robots to automate the trading process.  You can set your own trading rules and limit your risk, so you cannot lose any more than you are prepared for.  Additionally, your forex robots will carry on trading for you anytime of day or night, even while you sleep.

When you move into a new property or plan to work extensively on an existing one, taking out a wall between adjoining rooms may be one of the DIY projects you have in mind.  Always ensure before you start taking out a wall between rooms that it is safe to do so from a structural point of view.  The building plan to your property, or a qualified architect, should be able to tell you if the wall in question is essential; it may be holding up the roof and it might seriously weaken the building’s structure if it is removed.

One of the major advantages of taking out a wall between rooms is that the result is a larger room which may be brighter as the result of having more windows.  The larger room can be used as a dining or play area, or be used as a larger living or sleeping area.  You should consider, however, that having two rooms has its own benefits, such as increased privacy, being able to use the rooms for different purposes and giving a different feel to your property.

You are also advised to think about the potential value of your property by having one large or two smaller rooms.  Constructing a larger room may increase the value of your property, although it may not be to everyone’s taste.  Taking out a wall can also result in you having more DIY projects, such as installing new flooring or rearranging wall fittings and fixtures.