Guest Post by Jonathan Butler:

If you are not an expert, then buying a second-hand Rolex watch can be a tricky business. There are a lot of high quality fakes on the market that need to be avoided. However, with a few simple tricks you should be able to ensure you get a genuine model.

1. The Weight

A fake Rolex will often not be the correct weight. A genuine Rolex will be made with weight being fairly evenly distributed throughout the timepiece and bracelet, this is often not the case in a fake Rolex where a lot of the weight will be held in the timepiece.

2. The Second Hand

On a genuine Rolex the second hand moves in eighths of a second, and therefore the movement appears almost completely fluid to the naked eye. Often with a fake watch the movement of the second hand will be somewhat jerky. Another tell-tale sign that you would never find in a genuine Rolex.

3. The Wording

On a genuine Rolex watch the wording ‘Swiss Made’ is laser printed on. This means it is made of lots of tiny dots. This can only be seen under a magnifying glass. On a fake the text is often just a label or impressed mark.

4. The Glass

The glass used in a genuine Rolex is made from sapphire crystal. This means that you can only scratch it with diamond. This doesn’t mean you should try and scratch the glass of every Rolex you try to buy, but be aware that if the glass does have any imperfections on it then this could be an indication of a fake.

5. The Date Lens

The lens that sits over the area of the date to magnify it should sit directly over it. Sometimes with a fake Rolex the lens over the date may be slightly off center. This would never be the case with a real Rolex and should ring some alarm bells.

These are just some general pointers to get you started.  If you are seriously considering buying a Rolex watch it is recommended to go to an accredited jeweler or watchmaker. If you are ever in doubt ask for it to be inspected and valued by an expert.

Jonathan is the owner of Libertons, an online jewelry and watch marketplace, and regularly blogs about all things antique.

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Just when you thought that you had bitten the hunger bug, it come back biting you in the tummy. Where are those delicious gluten-free snack recipes that you need to make it through yet another food craving so you don’t break your diet? For the wise, they will heartily stock up on gluten-free snack recipes so that they won’t ever be tempted to splurge on the unthinkable again. Use these simple steps to easily find a ton of them for free.

Search Engines

Want easy access to gluten-free snack recipes? Then use your preferred search engine to find them in seconds. The internet comprises a wealth of information. There are thousands of websites that offer free recipes, and plenty which are solely dedicated to gluten-free snack recipes, too.

Free Recipes Sites

Look up a few free recipe sites. There are ample sites that are dedicated to offering gluten-free recipes; so make sure that you bookmark a few of them. Whenever you find yourself craving something yummy, make sure that you jot it down and try out a new recipe; it just might become your new snacking fix.

Gluten-Free Online Communities

Join a few online communities and forums that are dedicated to the gluten-free lifestyle. This way you can meet new friends and find tons of awesome gluten-free snack recipes that you probably will not find anywhere else. It’s an excellent way to socialize and find new recipes. Who knows, you may just make some friends who live near you in the process.

image via Beyond Diet

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Hunting deer is as much about using the right equipment as it is about skill, experience and patience. Every hunter has a favorite bow or rifle, a comfortable blind and a strategy to track and bag a target. Manufacturers from all parts of the country are constantly developing new and innovative products that make any style of deer hunting more enjoyable. Three new products are now available that hunters will want to take on the next deer hunt.

1. The Victory 8×42 HT Binoculars are one of the best new models on the market. These binoculars are designed with Carl Zeiss lenses. The lenses are made with Schott Glass high transmission materials. This allows 95 percent of the light to pass through to the viewer. This makes detecting shapes and edges in crowded areas much easier and lightens shadows. The quality and longevity of the lenses is enhanced because the interior housing has been cleared with nitrogen. The lenses have a special coating that resists damage from weather, falls, and flying debris. The entire housing also has a coating with comfortable cups for the eyes.

2. Dream Season Boa 17-inch knee-high boots are a new type of durable and functional footwear with a tactical appearance between the camouflage patches. Some of the main features are the layered materials and the special seal along the top rim that is designed to block any scent coming off the feet or calves that might alert a deer. The boots include a tough guard along the front that is designed to protect the leg from rough brush. The soles contain lugs that provide solid traction even on smooth or uncertain ground. The boots also have three layers of wool that provide warmth while hunting. The two main layers zip and unzip like pockets to provide less warmth or additional space for storing automatic knives.

3. The new Nikon P-22 scope has become very popular in the few months since it was released. The scope is designed for close to medium range hunting and can be adjusted between two and seven-times magnification. The scope includes two zero reset turrets that automatically return after zeroing the rifle to the correct distance so that future adjustments are easier. Each lens has been coated multiple times to allow more light to reach the eye. This is especially useful when hunting at dawn or dusk. The scope includes a setting to eliminate distracting parallax at a distance of 50 yards. It is most effective when attached to .22 caliber rimfire rifles although it can be calibrated for any model.

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Guest Post by Jordan McPelt:

In today’s world we are surrounded by technology in every direction. Technology and gadgets have their place and they play a vital role in our life, our work, our communications, safety, etc. You may, however, notice that families just aren’t talking to each other like families of the past would. The kids are always on the computer, iPad, smartphone, or video game system. Parents are constantly talking through their Bluetooth earpieces making business deals. Sometimes you just need to get away from it all, leave the technology behind, and vacation with no distractions. The following are the top five vacation spots that are perfect for taking a breather from the gadget-filled world we live in:

1. Clearwater Lake Lodge, Minnesota

Originally started in 1915 by Charlie and Petra Boostrom, Clearwater offers both cabins and boundary waters outfitters for a great mountain vacation. Lodging is located at the west end of Clearwater Lake in Minnesota because Charlie and Petra believed that views of the palisades were the best on the Gunflint Trail. You can’t go wrong by bringing the family here to enjoy activities on the lake like canoeing and breathe in the fresh air with no other distractions.

2. Deer Valley Resort, Utah

Nestled in the historic mining town of Park City, Utah you find yourself closely surrounded by beautiful mountains that will take your breath away. Take the family skiing in the winter in the best snow on earth or enjoy the music festival in July and August. Leave the mp3 players back at the lodge and enjoy some family bonding time.

3. Asheville, North Carolina

In Asheville you’re surrounded by towering mountains in nearby state and national parks. Pisgah National Forest surrounds the city and offers amazing mountain scenery. Take a ride down the 60-foot natural rock waterslide at Sliding Rock and build memories that will last a lifetime.

4. Colorado Springs, Colorado

With the 14,000-foot Pike’s Peak you’ll be impressed with the beauty and color of these mountains. Take a ride on the scenic Cog Railway through the mountain’s various zones and look at the great waterfalls and some Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

5. Whiteface-Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid is definitely a cold-weather sports playground. Twice the Winter Olympics have been hosted here and there’s plenty of fun to go around. Forget about the stress back home and enjoy your time doing the things you’ve always wanted to do with the family. In the summer this is an active practice facility where families can watch ski jumpers and freestylers perfecting their amazing moves.

As an author, Jordan McPelt writes about various subject matters including family vacations and lodging. To learn more about mountain lodging please visit clearwaterhistoriclodge.com/outfitting.php.

image via CIO

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Guest Post by Jordan McPelt:

Summer is the best time to think about improving one’s home. Many people express a desire to do something with their home but they don’t know what to do or where to start. The following will show you the top 3 projects worth your time and effort to improve your home cosmetically and also its value.

1. Floors

If you’re like me then you’ve probably noticed those certain areas of your floor throughout your house that creak when you walk over them. You may have also noticed the wear in your carpet where there’s higher foot traffic. Now is a great time to consider replacing that floor with something new, durable, and attractive. No matter what your floor type currently is you might want to consider installing laminate flooring. Laminate floors are easy to install and transport and if you choose, you can have professional laminate flooring Delray Beach installers come and do their work for pristine quality. Getting laminate floors in your home is a cost-effective way to increase the cosmetics, usability, and value of your home.

2. Living Room

The living room is often the first room that guests or even potential buyers see. It gives them a first impression of what the rest of the home is like. If you have a nice living room that is clean, uncluttered, and organized, guests will immediately feel more at peace and will believe the rest of the house is similarly clean and peaceful. As part of your home improvement projects, pay attention and give a little TLC to the living room. Ideas for improvement might include: new paint on the walls, a thorough cleaning, a new floor if needed, new furnishings, or a rearrangement of furnishings.

3. Basement

There are plenty of homes with unfinished basements or basements that could really use some improvements. Now is the time you will want to consider working on that basement. When you have a home that has a finished basement, that home’s value goes up greatly in the market and will pay you dividends in the long run. It is worth it to invest in the dry wall, the electrical wiring, the restroom, the extra bedrooms, and the carpet or laminate flooring in order to increase the usability of the basement and again the value of the home.

Improving one’s home is something we all want to do and should do. The trick is to know where to get started and how to do it. Once started, the rest will flow. Improving the floors, living room, and basement is a great start and will hopefully lead to even more improvements for your home.

As an author, Jordan McPelt writes about various subject matters including laminate flooring Delray Beach. To learn more about laminate flooring please visit uswoodflooring.com.     

image via Today’s Homeowner

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