Today's Obsessions |
- 7 Fashion Faux Pas at Christmas …
- 7 Holiday Disasters and How to Avoid (or Fix) Them …
- 7 Ways to Teach Your Kids About The Holidays …
- 8 Tips For Surviving The Holiday Season …
- 10 Good Magazine Subscriptions …
- 8 Best Ex-Bashing Songs …
- 8 Reasons I Love My Laptop …
- 7 Things I Love About Christmas …
- 7 Tips for Great Holiday Photos …
- 8 Negative Effects of Over-Exercise …
- 9 Best Bride Movies …
- 7 Reasons I Love Contact Lenses …
- 8 Sexy Spa Secrets …
- 7 Great Heist Movies …
- 7 Tips on Getting Rid of Circles under Your Eyes …
- 8 Most Haunted Places from Around the World …
- 8 Facts on Video Games …
- 7 Things That Help Constipation …
- 7 Last Minute Gifts for Unexpected Guests …
- 7 Ideas for a Smart Winter Wedding …
| 7 Fashion Faux Pas at Christmas … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 10:33 AM PST  Some of the biggest fashion disasters ever appear during the Christmas holiday. I can’t, in fact, think of any other holiday that promotes so much jolly hideousness. I’m not saying I am immune to it, just that I recognize it for what it is … even when I may be guilty of it. That being said, here are the biggest 7 fashion faux pas at Christmas. 1. Loud Holiday SweatersOh, you know these. Rudolph with a bright red nose. Lots of tulip paint, glitter, and sequins. Multicolored Nutcrackers. Santa Clause emblazoned larger than life. Christmas sweaters are awful. Even the decent ones are awful. You can only wear them during this one time of the year (I hope), so they generally smell faintly of moth balls and musty closets. They make even supermodels look awful. Everyone who wears one of these should get a lump of coal. I just … I have to go throw something away, be right back. 2. Lighted/Blinking JewelryYes, your ornament earrings are cute. But the blinking lights are going to make me have a conniption fit, I think. Ditto your Rudolph pin, your Grinch necklace, and your Santa bracelet. Why aren’t your batteries dying? On the plus side, befriending a person who likes this kind of jewelry makes sure you will always be able to find your keys, even in the dregs of your purse. Because they have lights, you know? 3. Red and Green and Red and GreenUnless it’s in a pretty plaid, I am not fond of a red and green color scheme in clothing. You see that so much this year, though. People look like walking, talking Christmas wrap. I know it’s fun and gets you in the spirit, and that is totally awesome. I’m just saying that it puts me in the spirit to shield my eyes. |
| 7 Holiday Disasters and How to Avoid (or Fix) Them … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 10:18 AM PST  The holidays can be stressful, and I'm not just talking about the crowded malls and tight finances. Every holiday dinner or party seems to reveal another minor disaster, and they can really take their toll! Some are just unavoidable, others are funny a few years later, but almost all can be avoided, or at least fixed a little on the spot. Here are 7 holiday disasters and how to prevent, prepare for, or repair them without losing your cool. 1. Not enough food
So you've decided to host the holiday at your house, and a handful of friends and family RSVP. At the last minute, your step-brother shows up with his second wife and their six kids — now what? If it looks like there may not be enough food, don't panic. You can always order pizza, or make something instant to fill the gap. Then, at the end of the night, as your step-brother is leaving, gently remind him to please RSVP next time. 2. Burnt dinner
The Christmas I was pregnant — hugely pregnant — with my youngest daughter, we hosted dinner and I burnt the ham. I stood there in the kitchen, staring into the oven, horrified, until my beloved Aunt Susie came into the kitchen, sliced off the burnt part, added a few pineapple slices, and served the ham. No-one had a clue I had "burnt" dinner, and all was well. If you truly do burn dinner, it's okay, too. Again, order pizza or carry-out Chinese and insist, graciously, that someone else burn dinner next year. 3. Drunken insult
According to recent research, in every family, there's a brother, uncle, or father who drinks too much at dinner and manages to somehow alienate or insult someone. The best way to avoid this is to not serve alcohol… or to stop inviting mean-drunk Uncle Richard. If it's too late, and the insult has already been made, hustle him into another room to avoid fisticuffs and proceed as though nothing happened, with a meaningful glance at the offended party that clearly says they'll get the biggest slice of pumpkin pie for having to deal with that mess. |
| 7 Ways to Teach Your Kids About The Holidays … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:42 AM PST  Sometimes, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the thoughts of presents and cookies and yummy food, we forget what the true meaning of the holiday is all about. My family celebrates Christmas, but many celebrate other holidays, while some do not celebrate anything. Maybe, after reading this article, you may change your mind, or at least understand why the ones who love the season, celebrate like we do… 1. What is Christmas?Tell your kids what Christmas is all about, and how Christmas came to be. Read the Nativity story to them and take the time to answer their questions. You may be surprised at the interesting discussions that it inspires! My family has an Advent calendar we read the Christmas story from. We've read from it for 19 years and every year, we still look forward to reading from the calendar. 2. Read BooksThere are many wonderful books you can check out from your local library. I am not referring to just any books, but one about customs and traditions from other countries. This teaches everyone about the reasons many celebrate in a different way. Holidays such as Hanukah or Kwanza are celebrated in similar ways as Christmas, with traditions, special foods, and family time togetherness. So encourage your children to learn about these fascinating holidays! 3. Watch Quirky Holiday MoviesI know, we all remember Rudolph, The Grinch, and Frosty, not to mention Charlie Brown, right? Have you shared them with your children? They may laugh up a storm when they see the graphics and the simple story line, but these films are great! Watch them with your kids, drink some hot cocoa, and snuggle on the couch together. Afterwards, talk about how important family is and holding on to traditions while making new ones. |
| 8 Tips For Surviving The Holiday Season … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:41 AM PST  Do you find that every year Christmas grows ever more stressful? What with buying gifts, trying to keep everyone happy, putting up with drunken relatives, and wondering how you're going to pay for it all, the holiday can sometimes be more trouble than it's worth. So I present the following essential guide to getting through Christmas without losing your sanity … 1. What Holiday?For my fellow Grinches, this is my number one tip. Ignore the whole thing altogether – or at least as best you can. This is quite difficult when the whole thing is so in your face, but it can be achieved. Stick to your guns and if you don't want to participate, then don't. 2. Disappear …Do you want to have a truly relaxing time? Do you really not enjoy family gatherings? Or do you not have people to celebrate with? Then book yourself into a hotel. Kick back, relax and let somebody else do the hard work. 3. DelegateAre you always the one who ends up hosting the entire extended family for dinner, and doing all the work? Are you fed up with preparing mountains of vegetables and getting no thanks? Then make this year different. Tell people if they want to get fed, they will do their bit. Share the work around. |
| 10 Good Magazine Subscriptions … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:39 AM PST  A good read is hard to come by. Nothing disappoints me more than to get halfway through a story or article and completely lose interest, and yet I do all the time. So here are 10 magazines that I have come to find have the best articles for your money! 1. Good HousekeepingOne of the first women’s magazines ever, Good Housekeeping offers well written, informative articles on everything a women needs from food to fitness, and even child care. I love the beauty product reviews and their seal is known on beauty products nationwide. 2. Woman’s DayMuch like Good Housekeeping, Women’s Day offers a broad range of information for today’s contemporary women. In addition, it has many neat creative ideas for crafts and cute eats for the special people in your family! 3. Family FunI love Family Fun! It’s packed full with creative crafts for the kids, games for parties, wonderful recipes for then entire family, and much more! It is by far one of my favorite to receive every month! |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:10 AM PST  Don't you just love to hear a good, strong ex-bashing song? I love them and they are always on my playlist regardless of my relationship status! There is something about them that moves me and makes me feel strong and capable of doing anything. They are perfect for getting over a break-up and even better after it's all done! So, here are my top 8: 1. Beyonce – Irreplaceable"…and keep talking that mess, that's fine, but could you walk and talk at the same time?" Priceless! This song is on my top list because it helped me get back on my feet after realizing that I've wasted two years with the man that didn't deserve me. It's emotional and kind of empowering at the same time – makes you feel like you want to cry but you don't allow yourself to do that. Why? Because you are a strong woman who gives everything and wants everything in return. 2. Pink – So WhatUpbeat and wild! Perfect for those times when you just can't stand listening to anything slow and sad. So, yup, put it on repeat and dance in front of the mirror while picking your party dress! Why not? Hey, the ex is gone and you're ready to hit the dance floor looking like a million bucks. "So what? I am a rock star! I've got my rock moves and I DON'T NEEEEEED YOU!" 3. Destiny's Child – Survivor"She won't last a day without me and she'll be begging to take her back in no time!" Hmm, any guy thinking this is up for a big surprise. No, we won't self-destruct, fall apart, go broke or stop breathing because we're much smarter, wiser and better than that. Furthermore, every guy that sells us short doesn't deserve us anyways! |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:04 AM PST  While I'm not a great fan of technology on the whole, I must admit that I couldn't live without my laptop. It's just so useful! Nowadays, it's pretty much essential to have a home computer, and certainly extremely useful. Here are some of the reasons why I love my laptop. 1. Space Saving
I'd never go back to having a desktop computer, as I dislike the way that they dominate a room. You have to buy a special desk, and unless you buy one with doors the computer will be permanently on display. 2. Portability
The whole point of a laptop is that you can move it about easily. I can work in any part of my house, even in bed if I want to! When the weather's warm, I can work outside. I can take it to the library, or with me when I travel. 3. Work
My laptop allows me to work easily at home. With an internet connection I can work for people all over the world. It opens up so many possibilities, especially for a freelancer, as we are not restricted by geography. |
| 7 Things I Love About Christmas … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:59 AM PST  Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and probably always will be. There are very few negative aspects to this holiday. Sure, shopping can be a huge pain, due to the large number of people crowding into stores, but it's well worth it when I can make someone happy with the perfect present. Here are 7 things I love about Christmas. See if you agree and feel free to add your own reasons in the comment section! 7. The smells of Christmas
The neurons that control scent perception are able to pass on their memory to new neurons right before they die themselves. This is why smells have the tendency to trigger specific memories. Scents that I strongly associate with Christmas are cinnamon, cloves, and all spice, which are the three spices my mother used to put in her simmering potpourri each Christmas. This concoction was always setting on the wood stove and the house smelled wonderful! 6. Seasonal flavors companies use to draw in more business
Christmas is the time of year when ice cream manufacturers bring out the peppermint candy cane ice cream. I love adding a scoopful of this ice cream to my hot cocoa on a cold winter day. Quite a few of the local businesses in my town offer special holiday treats as well. These items are only offered during the holidays and then I have to wait until next year to get a taste of them again. 5. Watching all my favorite Christmas movies and cartoons
I have to watch certain shows each Christmas, just to get my holiday movie fix. My top five are National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf, The Santa Clause, Scrooged, and A Muppet's Christmas Carol. The holiday cartoons I grew up with aren't shown on regular television anymore, so now I have to resort to renting them. If it was up to me, I'd watch a Christmas movie each day. |
| 7 Tips for Great Holiday Photos … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:53 AM PST  When I look back through photo albums, I'm always horrified with how bad so many of our holiday photos ended up, and wonder why on earth we keep them! Someone always seems to have their eyes closed, we're all over-exposed, and someone always looks like he was PhotoShopped in, long before there was even such a thing. Now that I'm a semi-pro photographer, and have assisted some marvelous photographers, I've learned how to avoid those holiday photo faux-pas. Here are 7 tips for taking great holiday photos! 1. Get down and get closeIf you're going to be photographing children or puppies or the tree or anything else that's closer to the ground than you are, get down. Way down. This will give you the best perspective, and you'll notice immediately how much better these photos will be. Also, get some close-up shots of small details, like a particular ornament on the tree or your niece's adorable, pudgy cookie-holding hands. 2. Lighting is everythingNo matter how marvelous and expensive your flash is, you'll discover that natural light is always the best. Before you line everyone up in front of the tree in the dimly, lit den, look around to see if there's a spot with better light. Also, if you're going to photograph everyone outside, then make sure they're not looking into the light, or everyone will be squinting. 3. No funky, loud patternsEveryone loves Aunt Betty's light-up reindeer sweater, and Uncle Tony's really loud plaid Christmas shirt, but if you're going to be photographing them together, prepare for a busy-looking result. If you're going to photograph them in a group, spread them out a little, and pair them with relatives wearing slightly less obnoxious prints and patterns. |
| 8 Negative Effects of Over-Exercise … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:50 AM PST  Initially, exercise is an unpleasant and painful chore. You won't have any desire to perform any kind of workout any time soon. But once you do it enough times, you understand why people actually like exercise. However, you start craving the high and empowerment that working out gives you. Three times a week is no longer enough; you find the need to work out harder and with increasing frequency. You become obsessed with exercise and you feel like you cannot live without it. You think you are doing yourself good by working out the way you do. But you should realize that the sad thing about over-exercise is that it brings you more harm than good. Here are 8 of the negative effects of over-exercise… 1. Deterioration of personal relationships
Exercise addiction leads you to isolate yourself from your family and friends. You miss out on social activities just to exercise. You don't work out with anyone because your rigid schedule does not allow room for deviation. Your personal relationships suffer because of your exercise compulsion. 2. Failure at work or school
Work or school takes a back seat in your life plan. Exercise becomes your number one preoccupation and priority. You wish you were working out while at work or at school. You find it hard to concentrate on the tasks at hand if you fail to get your daily dose of exercise. 3. Injury
An exhausted body is more prone to injuries. Over-exercise can lead to strained tendons and ligaments, sprains, and fractures. You can also experience frequent muscle soreness and pain. |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:46 AM PST  Whether you are about to be married, have been married for years, or haven’t even thought of marriage yet, nearly every girl loves a great wedding flick! I’ve seen my share over the years and although it’s hard to choose a favorite, there are several that make it to the top of my list! So here they are, my 9 best bride movies! 1. Father Of The Bride
2. Bride Wars
3. The Wedding Planner
|
| 7 Reasons I Love Contact Lenses … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:40 AM PST  I started wearing glasses when I was seven, and I'll never forget the first time I put them on. The trees! They weren't just green amorphous blobs! They had leaves! My next vision-related epiphany came many years later, the first time I wore contacts. My eyes! They were green! And when I wasn't wearing my thick, ugly glasses, other people could see them! Since that wonderful day, I've worn contacts nearly constantly, and glasses only occasionally. I love my contacts, and here's why. 1. I can see my eyes!
I hated wearing my glasses because no-one could see my eyes, which are actually quite pretty. Now that I wear contacts, I'm always getting compliments on my bright green eyes. 2. I can see, actually…
I feel like I can see better with my contacts in, rather than when I'm wearing my glasses. This is especially true for m peripheral vision. And they don't get smudged or dirty like glasses, either. 3. They come in cool colors
Have you ever wondered how you would look with blue or violet or green eyes instead of brown? I know I've always wanted to try violet Elizabeth Taylor eyes for a change, and with special contacts, you can! |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 08:28 AM PST  The following 8 sexy spa secrets have been collected from spas across the US. These are used in some of the top spas in the country, so I'm sure they all produce excellent results. Take a look at them and see if you might have some secret spa techniques to add at the end of the list. I wish I had time to try all these out in the same day! 8. Deep condition tired, dry hair
Mash up half of an avocado, a quarter cup of coconut milk, and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Wet your hair first and then apply this avocado/coconut mixture to your hair. Let it set for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse well. Avocadoes have a lot of oil in them, so they make a great moisturizer. The coconut oil and milk will add a tropical smell to the conditioning mixture. Talk about soft hair! 7. Smooth callused feet
Photo Credit: honeybee photography Soaking tired, dry feet in warm water will soften the soles and enable you to remove calluses much easier. Use a pumice stone or callus file for smoothing heels and other rough areas on your soles. A monthly treat for feet is made by combining 2 cups of each of the following: hot milk, mashed pineapple, and mashed papaya. It's best if each of the fruits used are fresh, as opposed to the canned variety. Apply this mix to feet and let set for 20 minutes before rinsing. Be sure to use a heavy moisturizing cream for feet after rinsing. 6. Giving your eyes a boost
No one feels sexy with a set of puffy eyes. Cucumbers are commonly used to reduce puffiness, but red grapes work well too. Make sure the grapes are chilled, not frozen, and cut them in half. Apply the grape halves to puffy areas of the eyes after you've taken a warm shower. The warmth will open up the pores and allow the antioxidants from the grape halves to soak into the skin better. |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 06:25 AM PST  As much as I love comedies and zombie movies, I love heist movies even more. They're so suspenseful — will they be able to pull off their scheme, or will they be caught? Will the gorgeous explosives specialist end up with the hunky getaway driver? And what, exactly, is in that briefcase? Naturally, some heist movies are better than others, and after nearly 30 years of watching them, I do have my favorites. Here are 7 great heist movies. 1. The Sting
2. Reservoir Dogs
3. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
|
| 7 Tips on Getting Rid of Circles under Your Eyes … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 05:47 AM PST  I have dark circles under my eyes. It's partly hereditary; my mom has them as well, and her father had them. When I was younger and going through my Goth-lite phrase, I thought they were cool. I thought they made me seem dark and brooding and deep, and suggested I stayed up all night doing dark, brooding, deep things. Now that I'm in my late 20s, it's not so cool and I wish they would go away, or at least lighten up a little. So, from me to you, here are 7 tips on getting rid of the circles and bruises under your eyes. 1. Cucumbers
This is one of the simplest, most time tested ways to at least reduce the appearance of dark circles. A slice of chilled cucumber over each eye while you relax will do the job. Of course, this will only work for a little while, so it might be something you do before you go out, have a picture taken, or something like that. 2. Cold Compress Masks
Making a cold compress or using a cold mask will only work for short amounts of time as well, but these methods are still helpful. Ideally, you should do this for ten or fifteen minutes each time, and it can be applied twice a day. 3. No Smoking
Smoking can actually cause dark circles. If you do smoke and are not ready to quit, then at least try to limit yourself, even if it is just an experiment. See if the circles under your eyes start to disappear. If so, you may have found the cause. |
| 8 Most Haunted Places from Around the World … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 04:29 AM PST  I'm all for a good scare, but I tend to resort to watching a scary movie instead of heading to an actual place that is considered to be haunted. I've often thought about spending the night in one of those haunted castles advertised on televisions shows about scary places. I think I might actually chicken out if I was offered a free night at one of these castles, just because of the many horror movies I've seen in the past. Here are the 8 most haunted places from around the world. 8. The Sedlec Ossuary in Czechoslovakia
The bones of 40,000 to 70,000 people were used to make this ossuary, or 'bonehouse' in Czechoslovakia. As the story goes, an abbot sprinkled earth from Golgotha on the cemetery outside the abbey around 1278. This act created a holy place where everyone wished to be buried. The plague of Europe supplied the first quantity of individuals for the ossuary, but the artistic arrangement of the bones that is seen today wasn't in place until about 300 years later. The chandeliers, wall decorations, and altars, and many other aspects of the church are all made of skulls and bones. 7. The Tower of London, England
Seeing as this tower was constructed in 1078, there has been plenty of time to accumulate ghosts for a sufficient amount of haunting to take place. Prisoners were held in this tower and tortured in a severe manner. Many of said prisoners were also treated badly on a daily basis. It's no wonder these lost souls have come back to haunt the Tower of London. There is a long list of prisoners who were detained in this tower and many died there too. |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2010 03:50 AM PST  Video games have been around for a while now and I would like to give you my blog on 8 facts on video games. There are many different know facts that video games can do for you or teach you a few things about our history. Please read my 8 facts on video games….. 8. Video Games Have Evolved Over the Last Decade
Video games have come a long way with graphics, controls and fun. The old joystick for the Atari is no more and now we use a remote that allows you to imitate a sword swing or a boxing hit. We also have face recognition for the x box 360. The graphics now will blow you away. In the early years when the first Nintendo came out the graphics were just hitting the side scroll ages. 7. Kids That Play Video Games At Early Age Learn Faster
Kids and video games are the perfect combination. Reason for this is that they develop better minds. Imaginations explore and teach them good hand coordination. 6. People That Play Video Games Feel Relaxed
It's very true, because when I play video games I feel relaxed. You can get lost in some of these games that have puzzles or an exiting story. You may forget life outside the TV existed. Very good stress relief, unless you play something aggravating. |
| 7 Things That Help Constipation … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 02:38 AM PST  Constipation is one of those bodily functions that no one really likes to mention. However, it is a fact of life. Here are 7 things that help constipation that seem to work for most people. Some of these have been passed down from one generation to the next in my family and others I found online. I hope you can find one that works for you or someone else who is dealing with constipation. 7. Cut out refined foods
Even if you aren't able to completely cut out refined foods, you might at least want to cut back on them. Foods that are highly processed tend to have a lot of the nutrients taken out of them, as well as containing a lower amount of fiber. Eating raw vegetables will provide you with more roughage than over-cooked veggies with no crunch at all. 6. Molasses
Don't take a spoonful of this gooey substance daily, since it does contain a lot of calories. If the flavor is too strong, then try mixing it with some juice or honey and don't ingest more than a couple of tablespoons full. Mixing molasses with honey in a half-and-half ratio generally makes it very tolerable to swallow. 5. Apples
Whether you drink apple juice, apple cider, or eat apples, these tasty fruits are a natural laxative. Maybe the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" refers to more than simply boosting the immune system. I read a recommendation for eating an apple an hour after a meal. This is supposed to reduce the chance of constipation. |
| 7 Last Minute Gifts for Unexpected Guests … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:01 AM PST  It is easy to do. You accidently forget someone on your list. Or an unexpected guest arrives, at the last minute. Maybe you decide that co-worker you really do not like deserves a gift anyway. What do you do? How do you bring a gift to the tree when you do not have one? Here is what I do… 1. Keep a gift drawerI try and keep a shelf, or drawer, with inexpensive, but nice, gifts are available at a moments notice. These gifts can be items you bought on sale, after Christmas last year, or odd and end gifts that are not spectacular, but would be nice to receive if it were you in the circumstance. 2. Picture FramesWho doesn't have a dozen photos that could use a frame? A picture frame is always something a person can use. There are a variety of budgets you can figure into this picture also, from $5.00 to $25.00. Keep these on hand and you will never be without a gift to give. 3. Puzzle BooksFrom crosswords to word searches, puzzle books are sure winners. Keep a variety of levels in your gift drawer. Children enjoy puzzles as well as adults. A nice addition would be a pack of fancy pens or pencils, especially if you are giving these to children. Cartoon characters are really appreciated. |
| 7 Ideas for a Smart Winter Wedding … Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:17 AM PST  Winter weddings are increasingly popular, and with good reason. They can be so magical and whimsical, almost like a fairytale. There are so many things you can do and so many opportunities to pull off a gorgeous ceremony and reception, even if you do not have a lot of time or money. These 7 ideas for a smart winter wedding should give you quite a few options! 1. Old Hollywood Glamor
Winter is the perfect season to pull off the old Hollywood glamor theme. You might do it in décor or you might model the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses after this style. Lots of fur (faux, of course), dramatic colors, capes, and things of that nature will make for a truly glamorous wedding. 2. Seasonal Foods
Planning the menu for a winter wedding can be so much fun. You can incorporate fresh, delicious seasonal foods. Butternut squash is a great choice, you can get away with serving warm, hearty soups, and for drinks you can include hot chocolate and even eggnog. The cake, of course, can be a true work of art with a winter theme. 3. Flower Power
The flowers that complement a winter wedding are absolutely gorgeous. Naturally, dark red roses are a preferred choice, but there are so many others. For instance, if you’re going with silver as one of your colors, you can actually mix in some silver-dollar eucalyptus. Calla lilies are a gorgeous choice too, and so are amaryllis. |
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