Each seller has a preferred way of posting an ad. Some will use newspapers, others opt for classifieds or vehicle buy and sell magazines, and many use free online services. Search them all thoroughly, and make note of the used boats that closely fit what you’re looking for. Also be sure to note the condition as it is listed in the ad. Like most luxury second-hand items, a good deal on a used boat won’t last long. Take down the phone number and make the call as soon as you can. Take too long and you might miss out completely. Be willing to work around the seller’s schedule, but be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to inspect the boat. Leave a contact number in case the seller needs to get in touch with you prior to the visit.

Summary: Scour the classifieds for used boats. Act quickly when you find one you like. Establish a time to see the boat.


Birth control pills contain progesterone and estrogen, two hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and determine how heavy your period is each month. Taking birth control pills causes many people to experience lighter, shorter periods. If your period is particularly heavy and you're ready to manage it with medication, this might be the right option for you.  Talk to your doctor about getting a birth control pill prescription. Everyone's body is different, and there are a lot of different types of pills designed to cater to different needs. Make an appointment with your doctor or go to your local health clinic to get the prescription that's right for you. Take the pill according to instructions. If you skip a few days, you might end up experiencing a heavy or irregular period - not to mention, the pill will no longer be effective as a birth control measure. Be sure to take the pill every single day, at the same time every day, to experience the benefits you're looking for. The Pill isn't the only type of birth control that can work to regulate your period. If you don't want to take a pill every day, consider these other options that will have the same benefits as the standard birth control pill:  The birth control patch. This is usually placed on the arm, back or thigh. It distributes the same hormones as the Pill, only they're absorbed through your skin. The patch has to be changed every few weeks.  The birth control ring. This is a small ring inserted into the vagina and changed out once a month. It releases hormones into the bloodstream.  A hormonal intrauterine device (IUD). This is a small metal device that is implanted in the uterus by a health care provider. It releases hormones into the uterus and works for up to 12 years. The IUD causes some people to miss periods or have lighter periods, but for others it can make periods irregular. If you would prefer not to have your period at all, there are now options that will let you eliminate it altogether. Several drug companies make pills that create either very light or nonexistent periods, depending on your preference. The pills are similar to regular birth control pills, but they contain a type of hormone that can regulate the period to an even greater degree.

Summary: Talk to your doctor about going on the Pill. Consider other hormonal birth control methods. Look into continuous birth control pills.


This will help keep any decorations you place inside of it nice and clean. It will also make your fireplace look neater. This section will give some ideas for decorating the inside of your fireplace. You do not have to use all of them. Instead, chose just a few that appeal to you the most. Place some colorful flowers into a large vase, and tuck the vase inside the fireplace. You can also use potted plants, just make sure that they don't require a lot of sunlight. Also, make sure that the flowers and vase/pot are large, and proportionate to the fireplace. For a rustic look, fill a few jars of varying heights with fake lemongrass and place them inside the fireplace. This can be an antique vase, or a statue. If the ceramic piece is very slender, consider flanking it with smaller ceramic pieces, candles, or potted plants. Whatever you put inside the fireplace should make an impact. Fill it up at least halfway, but avoid overcrowding it. It can work as additional storage as long as it doesn’t look messy. Colorful balls of yarn will look pretty against the dark backdrop. Before you put paper items inside a fireplace, make sure it is completely clean and ready to be used for storage. You can use LED candles if you are concerned about safety. They are a great substitute for log-based fires and can look quite romantic or magical. Use freestanding candlesticks of various heights or a long candelabra for a dramatic effect.

Summary: Make sure that the fireplace is clean, and free of ashes and soot when it is not in use. Add color and fragrance with flowers. Place a ceramic piece inside. Put a basket with magazines or craft items inside. Put candles inside the fireplace and light them in the evenings.


Set a medium saucepan on the stove and pour in 8 cups (1,900 ml) of chicken broth. Turn the burner on low and let the broth heat up. Keep the heat on low while you begin the risotto.  The broth should be about the same temperature as the rice in order to make the risotto creamy. This is why it's important to not add cold or boiling hot stock. If you'd like to make the risotto vegetarian, substitute vegetable stock for the chicken broth. Remove 1 cup (240 ml) of the broth and pour it into a bowl. Add 1 ounce (28 g) of dried porcini mushrooms and stir them so they begin to absorb the hot broth. Leave the mushrooms to rehydrate for 20 minutes and then drain them. Keep soaking the mushrooms until they're soft. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the olive oil into a large skillet and turn the burner to medium. Once the oil shimmers, stir in 1/2 of the diced onion and 1 minced garlic clove. Stir and cook the mixture until the onion softens and becomes clear. Stir the onion and garlic frequently to prevent it from sticking and burning to the bottom of the skillet. Slice 1 pound (450 g) of fresh portobello and crimini mushrooms into 1/2 in (1.3 cm) thick pieces. Add them to the skillet along with 2 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons (7 g) of chopped fresh thyme, 2 tablespoons (7.5 g) of fresh chopped Italian parsley, and 2 tablespoons (28 g) of butter. Use a mix of portobello and crimini. If you only have one type of mushroom, use a full pound (450 g) of whichever kind you have. Keep the burner at medium heat and cook the vegetables and herbs until the mushrooms are lightly browned. Stir in a little salt and pepper to taste. If the mushrooms look like they're browning too quickly, you may need to adjust the burner. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of truffle oil into the skillet and stir in the rehydrated porcini mushrooms. Add more salt and pepper according to your taste and let the mixture cook for 1 minute. Turn off the burner and set the mushroom mixture aside. If you don't have truffle oil, you can leave it out since it's purely to add extra-mushroom flavor. Or, you can try making your own truffle oil.
Summary: Heat the chicken broth in a pot over low heat. Soak the dried mushrooms in 1 cup (240 ml) of the broth for 20 minutes. Sauté 1/2 of the onion and 1 clove of garlic for 5 minutes. Add the fresh mushrooms, bay, thyme, parsley, and butter. Sauté the mushroom and onion mixture for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the truffle oil and rehydrated mushrooms.