The first step to getting red lips is getting rid of dry, flaky skin that builds up and hides their natural color. Sloughing away the dead skin brightens your lips, brings out their inner red color and prepares them to take on a stain. Here's how to make and use your own scrub: Mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Scrub the mixture into your lips in a circular motion. Rinse the mixture away with warm water. Repeat as necessary. Sometimes a basic lip scrub isn't enough to get rid of the dead skin. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will do the trick. Choose a clean toothbrush, wet it with warm water, and gently scrub your lips in a circular motion. Rinse your lips. They should be left bright, plump and renewed. Increasing circulation to your lips makes them look plumper and redder. You can naturally make your lips a little plumper by using cinnamon or another spicy household item on your lips. Just rub a little on, wait a few minutes, then rinse your lips. You can use any of the following as a natural lip plumper: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper mixed with a few drops of water 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with a few drops of water 5 drops of peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract A piece of fresh ginger rubbed over your lips Now that your lips have been exfoliated and plumped, it's time to make them soft and supple. This will help them keep their color longer and prevent them from drying out. Use any of the following ingredients as a lip serum; just rub it on your lips and wait a few minutes for it to absorb: 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon almond oil

Summary: Use a natural lip scrub. Try a toothbrush. Use a natural lip-plumper. Moisten them with a homemade serum.

Let your local police know that you are concerned about graffiti in your neighborhood. Point out any vacant properties dimly lit areas and any other places that are prime spots for graffiti. Ask the police to patrol these areas a little more. The local authorities may also suggest some other methods of deterrence that you have not thought of. Developing a relationship with your local police creates a team approach to deterring graffiti. Good quality security cameras are expensive but even cheaper ones have a deterrent effect because people see them and assume that they are being filmed. Erect them where they are obvious and be sure to secure them well. Post signs that say "All activity is being monitored." You can even add security cameras and never turn them on. People will automatically assume that they are being watched. Join up and place the signs about your area. Be sure to do your bit as others help you out too. Attend local meetings to discuss happenings in the area and to come up with ideas for dealing with challenges as a group. You can also contact your local Keep America Beautiful affiliate to create a graffiti awareness program for your neighborhood. Call (203) 659-3000 or email info@kab.org. Suggest graffiti deterrence as a topic for a watch meeting and invite local law enforcement. If you become a victim of graffiti, remove it within 24 to 48 hours. If you remove it quickly, there is very little chance of it becoming a reoccurring problem. If the graffiti is in a public area next to your property, call your city and county officials to report it as soon as possible. Graffiti vandals take pride in their work and do not want it to be erased quickly. Graffiti tends to attract more graffiti. So removing it quickly will prevent others from damaging the area.

Summary: Talk with local authorities. Add security cameras. Use a local neighborhood watch. Remove graffiti quickly.

There should be very little soil left. When it does need to be repotted, move it into a container that is no more than 1 inch larger than the old one. Put 1 inch of potting soil into the new container, gently remove the Hoya from its old container and set it in the new one. Fill in around the roots with potting soil and water it generously to settle the soil and give it a good drink. It will bloom again on that same stem. The faded flowers can be snipped off with sharp scissors just below the flower.

Summary: Do not repot the Hoya until the container is full of roots. Repot your plant with peat-based potting soil. Leave the flower stem on the Hoya after the blooms fade.

Take some time to come up with the ways you want to improve your current kitchen. One of the most important questions is if you have enough space. You may need to add onto your kitchen. After settling on space, pick out the kitchen features you absolutely have to have. For example, your dream kitchen may feature an island cooktop instead of a traditional stove. Save pictures of kitchens you like. Use them to identify features you want in your ideal kitchen. Decide upon a maximum amount of money you're willing to invest in the remodel. As you plan your kitchen, do some research to find out how your plans fit your budget. You can do this by searching for furniture estimates online, visiting furniture showrooms, and talking to designers and contractors. Most of the time, remodeling costs more than you'd expect, so you'll need to alter your plans or budget. The biggest priority is getting the layout and utilities right. Cabinets and countertops are the next part. These will comprise most of your biggest expenses. Don't forget to add in designer and contractor costs. Take the time to draw out your kitchen. Figure out where you'll put your refrigerator and other appliances. Add in the counters and cabinets. A complete sketch shows you how much space you have to work with. You may need to opt for smaller appliances, counters, and cabinets in order to maintain enough free space in the kitchen. Keep in mind where your utility lines are going to be. Electrical outlets, plumbing, and gas lines all affect the arrangement. To save money, have the contractor keep them where they are now. Most likely you have an idea of how you want the kitchen to look. Perhaps you want your kitchen to look modern instead of traditional. It could be all wood, or it could incorporate a color theme. Picking a style means focusing on the overall look of the kitchen rather than its parts. For example, a kitchen with a modern style might have a black, gray, or white color scheme with a lot of reflective surfaces and marble walls. The appliances can be metallic and the furniture can look very sleek and minimal. A cottage kitchen could have checkered light blue or yellow patterns, vintage or white appliances, wood floors, and colorful decorations. For a farmhouse kitchen, wood flooring and furniture works well. The color scheme can include red, yellow, blue or white. Stone and brick appliances can also give a rustic look. A French or Mediterranean kitchen looks very ornate. It can feature warm colors with white or yellow walls and wood cabinets. It might have hand-painted wall tiles, a chandelier, copper pots, or ceramic crafts on display. Even if you plan on building the kitchen yourself, speaking to a designer is a good idea. Kitchen designers and architects can help you finalize your remodeling plans while staying within your budget. Construction contractors provide outlines for structural and utility work. You'll need these plans to apply for building permits. Significant remodels involve a lot of different parts, from electrical wiring to furniture installation. Usually you can get one contractor to do everything you need. Get estimates from at least three companies. Each contractor should talk to you about your design plans and give you an estimate. Use the estimate to figure out if you need to change your plans to stay under budget. Search the contractor's name online to find reviews from other customers. Consult your local government to figure out what permits you need. For most work, you won't need a permit. If your remodeling plan includes building or demolishing walls, window openings, or utility lines, you'll most likely need a permit. Designers, architects, and contractors can take care of this.
Summary: Pick the features you want in your kitchen. Come up with a preliminary budget. Plan out the kitchen's floor space. Determine the kitchen's style. Get construction plans from a contractor. Get contractor estimates. Apply for construction permits.