Problem: Article: You can start out with 1 cup of exfoliant, or use 2 parts exfoliant to 1 part carrier oil. You can start out with ¼ to ½ cup of carrier oil. The less oil you use, the more abrasive your scrub will be, and the more oil you use, the more moisturizing it will be. You can also use 1 part carrier oil to 2 parts exfoliant.  Consider substituting your carrier oil with honey, milk, or yogurt. If your carrier oil is particularly thick, like coconut oil, you will need to melt it in a saucepan over a stove, or in a heat-resistant cup in the microwave. Use a large wooden spoon or a spatula to mix your ingredients together. The exfoliant will not completely dissolve, which is what you want. You will end up with a grainy texture. If you want your scrub to be more abrasive, then add more of your exfoliant. If you want your scrub to be smoother and gentler, then add more of your carrier oil. At this point, you can put your scrub into a jar, or you can continue adding other ingredients. If you choose to use essential oil in your scrub, you can add it now. Use anywhere between 5 to 10 drops. If you are using a small amount of exfoliant and carrier oil, then you may have to use less essential oil. If you are adding additional ingredients, such as honey, fruit juices, or colorants, do so now.  For liquid dyes and food coloring, start with a few drops. Do not add too much, or else you risk coloring your skin. You want the color to the subtle and pale. For powder colorants and mica powders, start with a pinch or too. As with the liquid colorants, you do not want to add too much, or else you will risk staining your skin. For other ingredients, such as butters, herbal teas, honey, juices, and yogurt, start with 1 tablespoon, and continue adding more to your taste. If you are making a smaller batch, then start with a smaller amount, such as a teaspoon. If your scrub is starting to get too runny and lose its grainy texture, the exfoliant might just be settling. Give it a stir. If that does not help, you have added too many additives. Remedy this by adding in more of your exfoliant. Once you have finished adding your optional ingredients, such as essential oils, additives, and dyes, you will need to stir your scrub again to mix everything together. Once you have finished combining all of your ingredients, transfer your scrub into a container and store it in the refrigerator. You can use any container you want, as long as it has a lid. The best containers have a lid that either screws on, or closes with a latch.
Summary: Put your chosen exfoliant into a bowl. Add your chosen carrier oil. Stir your ingredients together. Add the essential oil. Add everything else. Mix your scrub again. Put your scrub into a container.

Problem: Article: Your hands can introduce bacteria and germs to your lenses, which can cause an infection. Additionally, lotions and substances on your hands can irritate your eyes. Always cleanse your hands in warm water using soap. Use a lint free towel to dry your hands. It’s best to only open one side of your case at a time. This limits your risk of mixing up your contacts.  Make a habit of taking out your lenses in the same order each night. If you are using an upright case for rigid contacts, unscrew the top and remove the lens holder. Open one side of the lens holder at a time. Gently touch the lens and drag it down to the bottom of your eye. Then, pull the lens away from your eye. Some people who wear rigid contacts use a suction cup to remove them. If you use this method, make sure your suction cup is positioned directly over your contact. After each use, rinse your suction cup with contact lens solution. Since lenses are soft, it’s easy for them to get torn, especially around the edges. Not only will this make your lenses feel uncomfortable, it also allows bacteria to collect in the damaged spot. During your inspection, look for visible dirty spots, as well.  For example, you might see a mascara streak on your contact. This is a visible dirty spot that can likely be cleaned away with extra rubbing. On the other hand, a tiny tear on the edge is damage that can’t be corrected. If your contact is torn or otherwise damaged, throw it away.
Summary: Wash and dry your hands using a mild soap. Open one side of your contact lens case. Remove one contact lens from your eye with your finger pad. Check the lens for any damage.

Problem: Article: Each espresso shot will need to have a specific amount of coffee. Most lattes are made using a double shot of espresso, which means two shots.  For each shot of espresso measure out 18-21 grams of ground coffee. You can do this by putting the espresso machine's portafilter on a kitchen scale. Zero the machine with the empty portafilter on it. Carefully add 18-21 grams of coffee per espresso shot.
Summary: Measure the coffee for your latte.

Problem: Article: Use the Piano Technicians Guild website (http://www.ptg.org/4DCGI/Directory/RPT/Person.html) to locate a technician in your area. If you're planning on buying an acoustic piano, you'll need a good technician to maintain your piano over the years. You'll also want them to go with you when you find a piano you're about to buy, to help you check it out for flaws or potential problems. Most technicians will be happy to do so, knowing that they are building a relationship with a potential long-term customer. If you're looking for a used piano, you may try asking your piano technician if they know of any for sale. They may have recommendations and probably know first-hand whether the piano is of high enough quality. Talk to music teachers, performers, and piano technicians to ask for their favorite brands and styles. You will have the most luck talking to someone who has actually played a particular brand extensively and can tell you how they feel about it, as well as warn you of any long-term problems or shortcomings.  For digital pianos, some preferred brands are the Yamaha Clavinova series ($1,800-$10,000) and the Roland HP series ($2000-$8000). For acoustic pianos, Yamaha, Steinway & Sons, Kawai, and Baldwin are all considered reliable brands. Each piano is best judged on its own independent merits. Visit a piano showroom or large music store with plenty of pianos to try. Staff should be happy to let you play any of the pianos on display (provided you play at an appropriate volume). Try as many as possible to get a sense of what sounds and feels the best to you.  Bring a friend, preferably a musical one, to give a second opinion. Ask them to play while you listen. Take their advice on which pianos sound best, but remember your own preference is what's important, as you will be the one playing it. Try pianos side-by-side instead of going to several different stores. Most showrooms and piano suppliers have plenty of brands and styles, and you'll be able to compare them better if you play them one after the other. Make note of which pianos you liked the best, wait a day or two, and come back to play them again. You may feel differently about some of them the second time around, and having a few days to think will also help you weigh other factors such as cost.  If you're buying an acoustic piano, bring your technician with you this time. Show them the pianos you're considering and ask them to take a look and make sure they are of high quality. The sales staff should be fine with this; if they aren't, find another store. If the piano is going to be primarily for your children, bring them in to try out your favorite pianos. Children will be more likely to show an interest in music and work hard in their practice if they feel a connection to the piano and an involvement in selecting it.
Summary:
Find a registered piano technician. Ask for brand recommendations. Try some pianos at a showroom. Wait a few days and visit your favorite pianos again.