Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
HEALTH Made Easier..
Forget radical resolutions--they just make you feel bad when you drop them. Instead, weave a few of these smart, science-supported habits into your routine. An effortless change can have life-altering benefits.
*Eat dark choclate five or more times a week and you may be 57 percent less likely to have coronary heart disease than people who don't.
*Quit smoking and after five years your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is cut in half. After 15 years, your risk of lung cancer is as low as that of a lifetime nonsmoker.
*See an eye doctor when you detect vision problems as you age and you could decrease your risk of dementia by 64% compared to people who don't get their eyes checked.
*Get your thyroid checked by your primary care physicians and you may have up to a 69 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease.
*Walk at least six miles a week and you'll help protect your memory as you get older.
*Lose 7 percent of your body weight if you're over-weight and you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%
*Exercise moderately for 30 to 60 minutes a day and you may have up to an 80 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
PLEASE help one another in some small way today! & SMILE AT ALL :)
*Eat dark choclate five or more times a week and you may be 57 percent less likely to have coronary heart disease than people who don't.
*Quit smoking and after five years your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is cut in half. After 15 years, your risk of lung cancer is as low as that of a lifetime nonsmoker.
*See an eye doctor when you detect vision problems as you age and you could decrease your risk of dementia by 64% compared to people who don't get their eyes checked.
*Get your thyroid checked by your primary care physicians and you may have up to a 69 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease.
*Walk at least six miles a week and you'll help protect your memory as you get older.
*Lose 7 percent of your body weight if you're over-weight and you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%
*Exercise moderately for 30 to 60 minutes a day and you may have up to an 80 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
PLEASE help one another in some small way today! & SMILE AT ALL :)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Fitness Made Easier..
Everyone is busy(and beat), yet some people manage to exercise regularly. How to be one of them? Find a program that combats your urge to avoid. Below, workouts to trump the most common excuses:
The Excuse-"I don't have time" The workout: speedy circuit training; An especially efficient use of exercise time is alternating short bursts of high-intensity cardio activity with strength moves--a one-two punh known as circuit training. "The combination burns tons of calories and even helps speed up resting metabolism," says Valerie Waters, a trainer in Los Angeles. You can do this in 30minutes at the gym or "by taking advantage of the equipment at the playground," says Johanna Subotovsky, an exercise physiologist for Equinox Fitness in New York City. Start with a five-minute warm-up(a fast walk that turns into a job), then do sets of squat thrusts, push-ups, and monkey-bar reverse pukk-ups(start with your feet on the ground, pull your body up, and hold for as long as you can). Next, take a two-minute fast run followed by a two minute rest. Repeat the whole sequence three more times.
The Excuse-"I'm way too tired" The workout: flow yoga; A practice that starts slowly, such as Vinyasa(often called flow) yoga, wakes your body gently and takes the dread out of getting to class. After a few minutes, your heart starts pumping, your brain fog clears, and your energy rises. But don't let the gentleness fool you: this is serious muscle-strengthening exercise. Your own body serves as the resistance, and you'll see results. If you don't have access to a yoga studio, you can stream youga classes on your computer at yogaglo.com($18 a month); download Yoga Stretch and Yoga Relax from iTunes(99 cents each), among other top yoga apps; or try a DVD, such as Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow($17, amazon.com)
The Excuse-"Exercise is so boooring" The workout: dance classes; Because it's fun and mentally engaging, dance doesn't necessarily feel like exercise,"but it gets your heart rate up and engages your big muscle groups," says Subotovsky. Zumba, a blend of Latin styles, is available at many gyms and is good for increasing flexibility and stamina. And you can find adult beginner ballet classes at local dance studios. There's nothing like it for toning the legs, rear, and abdominals.
The Excuse-"I don't have any discipline" The workout: a walk or run for charity; If health and vanity aren't sufficient motivators, bring cause and committment into play. To find events in your area, log on to active.com. Raising money ans awareness for a cause you care about puts purpose in your stride. Or consider training with a partner, whether it's a friend or someone you find through a social-networking site (such as meetup.com) that pairs people with like interests. "Once you're accountable to someone else, you're far less likely to go AWOL," says Subtovsky.
Remember to SMILE, maybe buy someone's lunch or Starbucks today :) Spread the Love!
The Excuse-"I don't have time" The workout: speedy circuit training; An especially efficient use of exercise time is alternating short bursts of high-intensity cardio activity with strength moves--a one-two punh known as circuit training. "The combination burns tons of calories and even helps speed up resting metabolism," says Valerie Waters, a trainer in Los Angeles. You can do this in 30minutes at the gym or "by taking advantage of the equipment at the playground," says Johanna Subotovsky, an exercise physiologist for Equinox Fitness in New York City. Start with a five-minute warm-up(a fast walk that turns into a job), then do sets of squat thrusts, push-ups, and monkey-bar reverse pukk-ups(start with your feet on the ground, pull your body up, and hold for as long as you can). Next, take a two-minute fast run followed by a two minute rest. Repeat the whole sequence three more times.
The Excuse-"I'm way too tired" The workout: flow yoga; A practice that starts slowly, such as Vinyasa(often called flow) yoga, wakes your body gently and takes the dread out of getting to class. After a few minutes, your heart starts pumping, your brain fog clears, and your energy rises. But don't let the gentleness fool you: this is serious muscle-strengthening exercise. Your own body serves as the resistance, and you'll see results. If you don't have access to a yoga studio, you can stream youga classes on your computer at yogaglo.com($18 a month); download Yoga Stretch and Yoga Relax from iTunes(99 cents each), among other top yoga apps; or try a DVD, such as Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow($17, amazon.com)
The Excuse-"Exercise is so boooring" The workout: dance classes; Because it's fun and mentally engaging, dance doesn't necessarily feel like exercise,"but it gets your heart rate up and engages your big muscle groups," says Subotovsky. Zumba, a blend of Latin styles, is available at many gyms and is good for increasing flexibility and stamina. And you can find adult beginner ballet classes at local dance studios. There's nothing like it for toning the legs, rear, and abdominals.
The Excuse-"I don't have any discipline" The workout: a walk or run for charity; If health and vanity aren't sufficient motivators, bring cause and committment into play. To find events in your area, log on to active.com. Raising money ans awareness for a cause you care about puts purpose in your stride. Or consider training with a partner, whether it's a friend or someone you find through a social-networking site (such as meetup.com) that pairs people with like interests. "Once you're accountable to someone else, you're far less likely to go AWOL," says Subtovsky.
Remember to SMILE, maybe buy someone's lunch or Starbucks today :) Spread the Love!
Monday, December 27, 2010
EXPERTISE...
1. Celebrate everything: Each time I walk into my apartment-even if I've been gone for less than a minute-my three dogs leap on me, kiss me, lick me, wag and bark, and show me their chew toys. I find it inspiring: Life throws a lot of junk in your direction, so you might as well get your kicks when you can. Now I try to acknowledge every small-but happy event(my kid's birthdays, good doctor's visits, even when a mosquito bite stops itching)with at least a cheerful word or gesture. I believe that if dogs could speak, they'd say,"You should have a cupcake for that." That's a worldview I can get behind. {Julie Klam is the author of You Had Me at Wolf}
2. Just Being present is Enough: About a decade ago, I suffered the two greatest losses of my life in quick succession: My sister dies of breast cancer, and my marriage ended. One lonely night when I was experiencing the worst of my grief, my two cats got on the bed and snuggles up to either side of me. They didnt make a sound; they just stayed there, so close that I actually felt embraced. That was such a powerful lesson in what truly gives comfort. I have never known what to say to a friend who has a terrible illness or who has lost a loved one, but my cats taught me that I don't need to say anything at all. What matters is showing up.{Susan Logan is the editor of Cat Fancy magazine}
3. (Brain)size doesn't matter: My wife and I once had a parrot named Chicken who had a really small brian. And yet Chicken took great pleasure in humanlike activities, such as rearranging the cupboards. She was so clever-as most pets are. If you observe them, you'll be reminded that even though people are smarter, we're still just animals with all the same emotions, like anxiety and joy.{Nicholas Dodman author of 5 books including The Dog Who Loved Too Much}
4. Don't Try so Hard: Cats are quirky, independent thinkers. Some people don't like them for this very reason. But I find that quality enormously appealing. I respect each of my seven cats because they are so true to themselves and resistant to outside influences. In my opinion, it would be preferable for politicians, in particular, to behave more like cats, who just do their own thing, and less like dogs, who clamor for affection and acceptance.{Betsy Alexander is a Philadelphia music teacher whose YouTube video of her piano-playing cat, Nora, has racked up more than 19 million views}
5. You Can Get Along with Anybody: You know that expression "They fight like cats and dogs"? In my experience, it's not necessarily true. It's quite surprising how animals of different species(cats, dogs, birds, you name it)can be friends-as long as they are raised in a warm and loving environment. In my work, I bring home baby birds almost every night. Our dog Spinnaker, an Australian shepherd, treats them very gently. He has raised baby flamingos with us and even helped train a falcon. Humans would do well to emulate such displays of generosity.{Laura Wyatt is the curator of wildlife at the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens, in Davie, Florida.}
Buy someone's coffee in the morning & SMILE! :)
2. Just Being present is Enough: About a decade ago, I suffered the two greatest losses of my life in quick succession: My sister dies of breast cancer, and my marriage ended. One lonely night when I was experiencing the worst of my grief, my two cats got on the bed and snuggles up to either side of me. They didnt make a sound; they just stayed there, so close that I actually felt embraced. That was such a powerful lesson in what truly gives comfort. I have never known what to say to a friend who has a terrible illness or who has lost a loved one, but my cats taught me that I don't need to say anything at all. What matters is showing up.{Susan Logan is the editor of Cat Fancy magazine}
3. (Brain)size doesn't matter: My wife and I once had a parrot named Chicken who had a really small brian. And yet Chicken took great pleasure in humanlike activities, such as rearranging the cupboards. She was so clever-as most pets are. If you observe them, you'll be reminded that even though people are smarter, we're still just animals with all the same emotions, like anxiety and joy.{Nicholas Dodman author of 5 books including The Dog Who Loved Too Much}
4. Don't Try so Hard: Cats are quirky, independent thinkers. Some people don't like them for this very reason. But I find that quality enormously appealing. I respect each of my seven cats because they are so true to themselves and resistant to outside influences. In my opinion, it would be preferable for politicians, in particular, to behave more like cats, who just do their own thing, and less like dogs, who clamor for affection and acceptance.{Betsy Alexander is a Philadelphia music teacher whose YouTube video of her piano-playing cat, Nora, has racked up more than 19 million views}
5. You Can Get Along with Anybody: You know that expression "They fight like cats and dogs"? In my experience, it's not necessarily true. It's quite surprising how animals of different species(cats, dogs, birds, you name it)can be friends-as long as they are raised in a warm and loving environment. In my work, I bring home baby birds almost every night. Our dog Spinnaker, an Australian shepherd, treats them very gently. He has raised baby flamingos with us and even helped train a falcon. Humans would do well to emulate such displays of generosity.{Laura Wyatt is the curator of wildlife at the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens, in Davie, Florida.}
Buy someone's coffee in the morning & SMILE! :)
Finances Made Easier
If money stress is keeping you awake at night, do yourself a favor and confront your concerns head-on. Often all it takes is one smart step to put some of your biggest worries to bed. Here's a start.
$$$I don't know where my money goes each month. Just Do This: Go to mint.com, a free online money-management program, and use the immensely helpful basic budgeting tools. Once you sign up, you'll be prompted to link the site to your and credit-card accounts Within minutes, mint.com automatically categorizes your costs and shows how much you're spending in different areas. Then you can easily see where you need to cut back.
$$$I'm scared to invest in stocks but worried I'm missing out. Just Do This: Start slowly. Take $1000 from your savings account and place it in an index fund, where you have a good chance to earn solid returns without taking on too much risk. Consider Schwab's S&P 500 Index Fund. It requires only a $100 initial investment and, at press time, boasted a 9 percent return for the year 2010. Suddenly you're in the game.
$$$I'm clueless about how much I'll need to retire one day. Just Do This: Pull together a few numbers: how much you earn, how much you have in savings, and how much Social Security you'll be due at retirement age (go to ssa.gov for an estimate) Then run them through T Rowe Price's easy-to-use retirement calculator (troweprice.com/ric). You'll learn how much money you'll have each month in retirement, which will let you know if you're on track.
Have a Safe New Years Eve! & remember to SMILE SMILE SMILE each & every day! :)
$$$I don't know where my money goes each month. Just Do This: Go to mint.com, a free online money-management program, and use the immensely helpful basic budgeting tools. Once you sign up, you'll be prompted to link the site to your and credit-card accounts Within minutes, mint.com automatically categorizes your costs and shows how much you're spending in different areas. Then you can easily see where you need to cut back.
$$$I'm scared to invest in stocks but worried I'm missing out. Just Do This: Start slowly. Take $1000 from your savings account and place it in an index fund, where you have a good chance to earn solid returns without taking on too much risk. Consider Schwab's S&P 500 Index Fund. It requires only a $100 initial investment and, at press time, boasted a 9 percent return for the year 2010. Suddenly you're in the game.
$$$I'm clueless about how much I'll need to retire one day. Just Do This: Pull together a few numbers: how much you earn, how much you have in savings, and how much Social Security you'll be due at retirement age (go to ssa.gov for an estimate) Then run them through T Rowe Price's easy-to-use retirement calculator (troweprice.com/ric). You'll learn how much money you'll have each month in retirement, which will let you know if you're on track.
Have a Safe New Years Eve! & remember to SMILE SMILE SMILE each & every day! :)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
IF YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES...
*Call your Dad
*Check your voice mail
*Move some random files on your computer desktop to the correct folders
*Refold your sweaters and stack them by color
*Floss your teeth!
*Water the plants and wipe dusty leaves with a damp towel
*Sew on a button
*Pitch three old items from the refrigerator
*Put to-be-donated clothes in a bag by the door
*Untangle a necklace
*Cancel one appointment you just really don't want to keep
*Find that evening bag, scarf, or top that got lost in the closet
*Test pens or markers and toss the dead ones
*Arrange your hangers so they all face the same way
*Pick up five things and put them where they belong
*Wash the dog's bowl
*Brush the cat
*Clear off the top of the refrigerator
*Remove gum wrappers, receipts, and ATM slips from your purse/wallet
*Get rid of shoes that kill your feet
*Scan your medicine cabinet and throw out any expired prescriptions, vitamins
*Test your smoke alarms
*Shred something - anything
*Write a thank-you note that you've been putting off
*Walk around your home with a small can of white paint; do touch-ups
*Create an emergency kit w/bottled water, batteries, flashlight, canned foods
*Download the pictures in your digital camera to your computer
*Paint your toenails
*Throw out all expired coupons
*Gather valid coupons and stach them in the glove compartment
*Set up a PayPal account
*Look through a box of photos and frame one that speaks to you
*Empty the bathroom wastebaskets
*Scan your sock drawer & put any one-offs in a basket
*Open your file cabinet and get rid of five old files
*Transfer dates from invitations and school flyers to the calendar
*Return that Netflix movie
*Locate all your critical pot tops and nest them together
*Check your stack of magazines and eliminate half
*Polish your favorite boots
*Read an old journal entry
*Adjust all the bills in your wallet so they face the same way
*Look in your shower stall, ditch any shampoos/body washes you haven't used forever
*Neaten up the freezer
*Do two yoga poses
*Move worn-out towels to the highest shelf of the linen closet
*Answer 3 pressing emails
*Charge your portable devices
*Sweep under the kitchen table
*SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL :)
*Check your voice mail
*Move some random files on your computer desktop to the correct folders
*Refold your sweaters and stack them by color
*Floss your teeth!
*Water the plants and wipe dusty leaves with a damp towel
*Sew on a button
*Pitch three old items from the refrigerator
*Put to-be-donated clothes in a bag by the door
*Untangle a necklace
*Cancel one appointment you just really don't want to keep
*Find that evening bag, scarf, or top that got lost in the closet
*Test pens or markers and toss the dead ones
*Arrange your hangers so they all face the same way
*Pick up five things and put them where they belong
*Wash the dog's bowl
*Brush the cat
*Clear off the top of the refrigerator
*Remove gum wrappers, receipts, and ATM slips from your purse/wallet
*Get rid of shoes that kill your feet
*Scan your medicine cabinet and throw out any expired prescriptions, vitamins
*Test your smoke alarms
*Shred something - anything
*Write a thank-you note that you've been putting off
*Walk around your home with a small can of white paint; do touch-ups
*Create an emergency kit w/bottled water, batteries, flashlight, canned foods
*Download the pictures in your digital camera to your computer
*Paint your toenails
*Throw out all expired coupons
*Gather valid coupons and stach them in the glove compartment
*Set up a PayPal account
*Look through a box of photos and frame one that speaks to you
*Empty the bathroom wastebaskets
*Scan your sock drawer & put any one-offs in a basket
*Open your file cabinet and get rid of five old files
*Transfer dates from invitations and school flyers to the calendar
*Return that Netflix movie
*Locate all your critical pot tops and nest them together
*Check your stack of magazines and eliminate half
*Polish your favorite boots
*Read an old journal entry
*Adjust all the bills in your wallet so they face the same way
*Look in your shower stall, ditch any shampoos/body washes you haven't used forever
*Neaten up the freezer
*Do two yoga poses
*Move worn-out towels to the highest shelf of the linen closet
*Answer 3 pressing emails
*Charge your portable devices
*Sweep under the kitchen table
*SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL :)
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Simple List
$16,000 - The approximate value of a can ok Krueger's Finest Beer or Krueger's Cream Ale-the first mass-produced beers sold in the United States. Manufactured by the New Jersey-based Krueger Brewing Company, the flattop cans(a.k.a. beercantiques)debuted on January 24, 1935, and a church key(an opener with a triangular head)was needed to crack them. Stay-on tabs were introduced in 1975, and they've been ruining manicures ever since.
$6,761 - The average number of mail pieces-credit-card offers, catalogs, letters to Justin Bieber-processed each second by the United States Postal Service. Add your own contribution to the mix and send a note in honor of National Letter Writing Week, which begins on January 9. And if you need another reason to put pen to paper, then do for John Hancock, whose birthday is the 12th.
6 to 13 - The average number of minutes a drill is used in its lifetime. If yours did more hanging out than hanging up in 2010, unload it on DiggersList.com, a free construction and home improvement classifieds site that puts sellers and buyers of excess supplies(drills, paint, tile)in touch. Don't miss the site's blog, which includes helpful how-tos that will prove handy for your latest New Year-inspired project.
18 Million - Roughly the number of flowers used to decorate the floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. Each float contains more stems than an average American florist goes through in five bloomin' years! The 122nd festival, themed Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories, gets going at 11a.m. EST on New Year's Day with Paula Deen serving as the grand marshal y'all.
$50,000 - The amount former Miss Wyoming Bernann McKinney paid a cloning lab to bring her beloved pit bull, Booger, "back to life."(In 2008 five boogers were born, marking the first successful commercial canine cloning.)To learn more about the controversial subject of cloning since the days of Dolly, check out the new book from investigative reporter John Woestendiek. Dog, Inc.(Avery, $26)is out now now now now now.(Sorry, we couldn't resist.)
767 - How many milliion gallons of wine Americans drink over the coursh of a yearrr. If you have ever fallen for a bottle at a restaurant and been unable to find it later at a local wineshop(or, more likely, forgotten its name), now you can snap a pic of the label with your iPhone and the new Snooth Wine Pro app($5, iTunes)will decode the image to locate the cheapest bottle available in your neighborhood or online. Also cool: You can collect snapped wines in a "cellar" for future reference.
YAY! it's SMILES-ALL-DAY-SATURDAY :) TAKE MOM TO LUNCH DAY!
$6,761 - The average number of mail pieces-credit-card offers, catalogs, letters to Justin Bieber-processed each second by the United States Postal Service. Add your own contribution to the mix and send a note in honor of National Letter Writing Week, which begins on January 9. And if you need another reason to put pen to paper, then do for John Hancock, whose birthday is the 12th.
6 to 13 - The average number of minutes a drill is used in its lifetime. If yours did more hanging out than hanging up in 2010, unload it on DiggersList.com, a free construction and home improvement classifieds site that puts sellers and buyers of excess supplies(drills, paint, tile)in touch. Don't miss the site's blog, which includes helpful how-tos that will prove handy for your latest New Year-inspired project.
18 Million - Roughly the number of flowers used to decorate the floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. Each float contains more stems than an average American florist goes through in five bloomin' years! The 122nd festival, themed Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories, gets going at 11a.m. EST on New Year's Day with Paula Deen serving as the grand marshal y'all.
$50,000 - The amount former Miss Wyoming Bernann McKinney paid a cloning lab to bring her beloved pit bull, Booger, "back to life."(In 2008 five boogers were born, marking the first successful commercial canine cloning.)To learn more about the controversial subject of cloning since the days of Dolly, check out the new book from investigative reporter John Woestendiek. Dog, Inc.(Avery, $26)is out now now now now now.(Sorry, we couldn't resist.)
767 - How many milliion gallons of wine Americans drink over the coursh of a yearrr. If you have ever fallen for a bottle at a restaurant and been unable to find it later at a local wineshop(or, more likely, forgotten its name), now you can snap a pic of the label with your iPhone and the new Snooth Wine Pro app($5, iTunes)will decode the image to locate the cheapest bottle available in your neighborhood or online. Also cool: You can collect snapped wines in a "cellar" for future reference.
YAY! it's SMILES-ALL-DAY-SATURDAY :) TAKE MOM TO LUNCH DAY!
Holiday Gift Buying Guide Part II
PUSHES YOUR LIMITS:
Map A Run-The inclusion of a GPS chp in Timex's Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch allows you to track location data(including elevation and speed) & create virtual breadcrumb maps of any route. That info can be uploaded to your computer and analyzed by performance software.[$300; timex.com]
Heavy Metal-There's no law that says a man has to wait until January to make good on his resolution to get stronger. So if you're an unrepentant couch potato or just bored by a monotonous workout, you'll develop muscles you never knew you had with a few two-handed swings of this 35-pound cast-iron RKC Kettlebell.[$88; dragondoor.com]
Lights Out-In honor of the iconic brand's centennial, the Everlast 100 Year Kit lets you gift the sweet science to anyone in training. The lucky recipient gets hand wraps, hook-and-loop training mitts, and a 70-pound heavy bag. All he'll need now is an equally well-outfitted sparring partner.[$100; everlast.com]
A New Skin-Twohunting buddies from Idaho developed the First Lite Chama merino-wool base layer(it's available in black and three patterns), but it's not just for the marksmen. Whether your pal runs for pleasure or to escape rampaging boars, he'll appreciate how merino keeps out the winter chill while letting his skin breathe and sweat evaporate.[$100; firstlite.com]
Little Drill, Big Power-At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tenacious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring.[$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
Huge Cans-Quincy Jones's resume spans six decades, meaning he's spent more time wearing headphones than Dr. Dre has spent hating the police. Jones lent his pitch-perfect talent to create AKG's Q70I Reference-Class Premium Headphones, which have been tuned to re-create the wide dynamic range usually reserved for the maestros behind mixing boards.[$480; akg.com]
Winning Set-These sinister Bicycle Guardians Playing Cards eschew ruddy-cheeked cherubs for glowering gothic angels. Color-coordinate with two-tone White Metal Clay Poker Chips, and get ready to steal your buddies' money.[$5 per deck, theory11.com; $11 per stack of 25 chips, pokchips.co.uk]
Roast & Toast-Drew Estate's fragrant, oil-infused wrappers intrigued aficionados upon their arrival in 1999. Its most anbitious entry, Acid One Cigars, elevates that flavor exploration to new heights. Wrapped in cask-cured leaves from Cameroon, with a rich and chocolaty flavor, they're a dessert you can puff.[$230 per box of 24; drewestate.com]
MAKES HER SMILE:
Cold Runner-Title Nine's Victory Jacket combines nylon, wool, and warm poly fleece into a versatile piece that lets her sweat evaporate during workouts and looks stylish even when she's running errands. Bonus: Built-in mitts mean she won't need to shove her cold hands in your jacket pocket anymore.[$149; titlenine.com]
Country Cool-When snowdrifts threaten to ruin the pumps in her closet, she won't have to sacrifice her footwear(or sense of fashion)if she pulls on Hunter's Regent Savoy Boots. The quilted rubber, with its patent leather-like sheen, lets her tromp through the freshly plowed sludge at the bottom of the driveway in style.[$175; usa.hunter-boot.com]
Couture Cap-After a long day running moguls, women looking to stay warm apres-ski will need the Nobis Ms. Glam hat. It improves on the traditional trappor in a few ways: Faux fur means nothing was harmed in the making of the togue, while feathers and oversize pom-poms add a feminine touch. Plus, it'll make her a couple inches taller, no heels necessary.[$75; nobis.ca]
Retro Bling-The Aveen Liv Necklace works because it's delicate and original: a long, gold-plated chain accentuated by tiny gold-plated leaves and three purple Swarovski crystals, with that just-big-enough lens, refracting both the light and her friends' jealous looks.[$44; aveendesigns.com]
HAPPY SHOPPING! TGIF & SMILE AT SOMEONE TODAY :)
Map A Run-The inclusion of a GPS chp in Timex's Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch allows you to track location data(including elevation and speed) & create virtual breadcrumb maps of any route. That info can be uploaded to your computer and analyzed by performance software.[$300; timex.com]
Heavy Metal-There's no law that says a man has to wait until January to make good on his resolution to get stronger. So if you're an unrepentant couch potato or just bored by a monotonous workout, you'll develop muscles you never knew you had with a few two-handed swings of this 35-pound cast-iron RKC Kettlebell.[$88; dragondoor.com]
Lights Out-In honor of the iconic brand's centennial, the Everlast 100 Year Kit lets you gift the sweet science to anyone in training. The lucky recipient gets hand wraps, hook-and-loop training mitts, and a 70-pound heavy bag. All he'll need now is an equally well-outfitted sparring partner.[$100; everlast.com]
A New Skin-Twohunting buddies from Idaho developed the First Lite Chama merino-wool base layer(it's available in black and three patterns), but it's not just for the marksmen. Whether your pal runs for pleasure or to escape rampaging boars, he'll appreciate how merino keeps out the winter chill while letting his skin breathe and sweat evaporate.[$100; firstlite.com]
Little Drill, Big Power-At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tenacious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring.[$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
Huge Cans-Quincy Jones's resume spans six decades, meaning he's spent more time wearing headphones than Dr. Dre has spent hating the police. Jones lent his pitch-perfect talent to create AKG's Q70I Reference-Class Premium Headphones, which have been tuned to re-create the wide dynamic range usually reserved for the maestros behind mixing boards.[$480; akg.com]
Winning Set-These sinister Bicycle Guardians Playing Cards eschew ruddy-cheeked cherubs for glowering gothic angels. Color-coordinate with two-tone White Metal Clay Poker Chips, and get ready to steal your buddies' money.[$5 per deck, theory11.com; $11 per stack of 25 chips, pokchips.co.uk]
Roast & Toast-Drew Estate's fragrant, oil-infused wrappers intrigued aficionados upon their arrival in 1999. Its most anbitious entry, Acid One Cigars, elevates that flavor exploration to new heights. Wrapped in cask-cured leaves from Cameroon, with a rich and chocolaty flavor, they're a dessert you can puff.[$230 per box of 24; drewestate.com]
MAKES HER SMILE:
Cold Runner-Title Nine's Victory Jacket combines nylon, wool, and warm poly fleece into a versatile piece that lets her sweat evaporate during workouts and looks stylish even when she's running errands. Bonus: Built-in mitts mean she won't need to shove her cold hands in your jacket pocket anymore.[$149; titlenine.com]
Country Cool-When snowdrifts threaten to ruin the pumps in her closet, she won't have to sacrifice her footwear(or sense of fashion)if she pulls on Hunter's Regent Savoy Boots. The quilted rubber, with its patent leather-like sheen, lets her tromp through the freshly plowed sludge at the bottom of the driveway in style.[$175; usa.hunter-boot.com]
Couture Cap-After a long day running moguls, women looking to stay warm apres-ski will need the Nobis Ms. Glam hat. It improves on the traditional trappor in a few ways: Faux fur means nothing was harmed in the making of the togue, while feathers and oversize pom-poms add a feminine touch. Plus, it'll make her a couple inches taller, no heels necessary.[$75; nobis.ca]
Retro Bling-The Aveen Liv Necklace works because it's delicate and original: a long, gold-plated chain accentuated by tiny gold-plated leaves and three purple Swarovski crystals, with that just-big-enough lens, refracting both the light and her friends' jealous looks.[$44; aveendesigns.com]
HAPPY SHOPPING! TGIF & SMILE AT SOMEONE TODAY :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
6 Newfangled Social Media Tools Worth Discovering | Social Media Today
6 Newfangled Social Media Tools Worth Discovering | Social Media Today Hoping you all find this helpful :)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Holiday Gift Guide 2010 Part I
The Perfect Gift...Brings the Fun!
KNOCK IT IN: The 18-inch-tall Trifle Design Offside Football Coffee Table features a mirrored glass "field," a body handcrafted from solid oak, and a brushed stainless-steel trellis - an homage to classic grounds like Stamford Bridge, home of the Premier League's Chelsea-that looks cooler than anything in the Ikea catalog. [$785; libertygames.co.uk]
OFFLINE GAMING: This Hannibal Large "Shesh Besh" Backgammon Set channels the game's artisan heritage with inlays of walnut, lemon, olive, and rosewood, and, on the lid, mother-of-pearl. Which is to say: This board is for the man who knows his pips from his points. [$350; hannibalenterprisesinc.com]
FRESH CREAM: Crafted from sturdy New England white pine, the White Mountain Ice cream Maker churns a gallon of ice cream or frozen yogurt in about 30 minutes. So gather the family and enjoy a Manhattan while Junior cranks up some dessert. [$170; whitemountainproducts.com]
INSPIRES CREATIVITY: Writer's Set; The brass zipper surrounding Manufactum's Leather Writing Case opens to reveal pencils and an eraser perfect for sketching the Champs-Elysees. But it's the plant-tanned Bavarian leather-which assumes your grip's imprint-that adds a sense of legitimacy to even the quickest doodles. [$125; manufactum.com]
GET DIRTY: When fisherman approached designer Bill Bartels clamoring for tough-as-nails aprons, he scavenged the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard for heavy-duty canvas. Designed for craftsmen from coast to coast, Bartel's Field House Trusty Workshop Apron gives your pal a reason to get off his ass and back to work. [$165; blackbirdballard.com]
PHOTOG'S KIT: After honing his chops alongside Andy Warhol, photographer Ari Marcopoulus infiltrated America's nether regions, documenting rappers and snowboarders. Appropriately, the Ari Marcopoulos x Incase Camera Bag, which is bundled with a book of unpublished Marcopoulus snaps, boasts a canvas exterior suited for tough in-the-field assignments. The bag's magnetic clasp facilitates quick access to a cell phone or film, and Velcro dividers let you customize the inner compartment. [$200; goincase.com]
LITTLE DRILL, BIG POWER: At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver, and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tencious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring. [$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
BURN ONE DOWN: If you've seen The Man With the Golden Gun, you're familiar with Colibri-its lighter doubled as a principal component of the film's title prop. This Colibri Flask Lighter can't kill a man with one shot, but its wind-resistant torch ensures you'll have no issues lighting up at late-season tailgates. [$35; shoptcgbrands.com]
PAGE TURNER: From the earliest burlesque shows to pornography's golden age, Taschen's Sexy Books pay homage to the cosmic perfection of our anatomy. Overflowing with Freudian implications and interviews with erotic artists like Robert Crumb and Tinto Brass, these hardbacks stand as testament that nature knows best. [$60 each; taschen.com]
SAVE THE DATE: Spare your vino-loving friend the wasted money and a mouthful of vinegar by giving him A Date With Wine, the stainless-steel stopper from visionary designer George Lee. The twistable date rings let him know when he first uncorked that bottle, presuming he was sober enough to set them properly. [$45; shop.gessato.com]
SMILE! & buy someone's coffee today :) Part II coming soon...
KNOCK IT IN: The 18-inch-tall Trifle Design Offside Football Coffee Table features a mirrored glass "field," a body handcrafted from solid oak, and a brushed stainless-steel trellis - an homage to classic grounds like Stamford Bridge, home of the Premier League's Chelsea-that looks cooler than anything in the Ikea catalog. [$785; libertygames.co.uk]
OFFLINE GAMING: This Hannibal Large "Shesh Besh" Backgammon Set channels the game's artisan heritage with inlays of walnut, lemon, olive, and rosewood, and, on the lid, mother-of-pearl. Which is to say: This board is for the man who knows his pips from his points. [$350; hannibalenterprisesinc.com]
FRESH CREAM: Crafted from sturdy New England white pine, the White Mountain Ice cream Maker churns a gallon of ice cream or frozen yogurt in about 30 minutes. So gather the family and enjoy a Manhattan while Junior cranks up some dessert. [$170; whitemountainproducts.com]
INSPIRES CREATIVITY: Writer's Set; The brass zipper surrounding Manufactum's Leather Writing Case opens to reveal pencils and an eraser perfect for sketching the Champs-Elysees. But it's the plant-tanned Bavarian leather-which assumes your grip's imprint-that adds a sense of legitimacy to even the quickest doodles. [$125; manufactum.com]
GET DIRTY: When fisherman approached designer Bill Bartels clamoring for tough-as-nails aprons, he scavenged the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard for heavy-duty canvas. Designed for craftsmen from coast to coast, Bartel's Field House Trusty Workshop Apron gives your pal a reason to get off his ass and back to work. [$165; blackbirdballard.com]
PHOTOG'S KIT: After honing his chops alongside Andy Warhol, photographer Ari Marcopoulus infiltrated America's nether regions, documenting rappers and snowboarders. Appropriately, the Ari Marcopoulos x Incase Camera Bag, which is bundled with a book of unpublished Marcopoulus snaps, boasts a canvas exterior suited for tough in-the-field assignments. The bag's magnetic clasp facilitates quick access to a cell phone or film, and Velcro dividers let you customize the inner compartment. [$200; goincase.com]
LITTLE DRILL, BIG POWER: At a feathery 3.1 pounds, the Rockwell H3 pulls triple duty as a drill, driver, and rotary hammer, satisfying all your weekend DIY needs. But don't let it's compact size fool you: This tencious multitool packs enough punch to drill through concrete, so that shed you've been meaning to build should be a cinch next spring. [$180; rockwelltoolsdirect.com]
BURN ONE DOWN: If you've seen The Man With the Golden Gun, you're familiar with Colibri-its lighter doubled as a principal component of the film's title prop. This Colibri Flask Lighter can't kill a man with one shot, but its wind-resistant torch ensures you'll have no issues lighting up at late-season tailgates. [$35; shoptcgbrands.com]
PAGE TURNER: From the earliest burlesque shows to pornography's golden age, Taschen's Sexy Books pay homage to the cosmic perfection of our anatomy. Overflowing with Freudian implications and interviews with erotic artists like Robert Crumb and Tinto Brass, these hardbacks stand as testament that nature knows best. [$60 each; taschen.com]
SAVE THE DATE: Spare your vino-loving friend the wasted money and a mouthful of vinegar by giving him A Date With Wine, the stainless-steel stopper from visionary designer George Lee. The twistable date rings let him know when he first uncorked that bottle, presuming he was sober enough to set them properly. [$45; shop.gessato.com]
SMILE! & buy someone's coffee today :) Part II coming soon...
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Using Social Media to Boost your Business or Advance your Career
Being socially savvy online can help every professional or entrepreneur. James Andrews, a managing partner of the Atlanta-based social media communications company Everywhere, blogs and tweets as the "Key Influencer" while helping companies develop social media strategies. Here are his tips for creating your own:
1. Understand the goal: People question the value of social media because it's hard to monetize. That's missing the point. "Do you have an ROI for your telephone? Can you monetize that?" Andrew asks. "It's a tool. The return would be picked up in search, gaining brand recognition, and being able to talk to your consumers. And you don't have to wait on traditional media to validate you, nor do you have to buy it".
2. Have a plan: You should have realistic expectations of what you want to accomplish, and make sure that your strategy is sustainable. "People get what I call social media fatigue. They get really excited, they dive in, they add tons of people on Twitter, tons of people on Facebook, and then it becomes overwhelming," Andrews adds.
3. Listen first: Social media gives you an unmatched opportunity to hear what your customers, colleagues, and competition are saying. "The brands that are doing it well are the ones that are deploying listening tools first and foremost. And the best marketers are the ones that actually listen first," according to Andrews.
4. Watch your tone: "One of the mistakes businesses make is that they look at social media as a place to replicate advertising. You don't want to transfer your marketing language over to your Facebook fan page," Andrews says. Ask yourself: How do I sound? What's my persona? Do I sound like a human, or do I sound like a press release?
5. Be consistent: Building a faithful following won't happen if you don't dedicate the time to talk to your audience regularly. "You want to make sure that you have the internal resources to be consistent. That doesn't mean you must post 12 times a day," Andrews says, "but you want to be engaging."
BE NICE, SMILE & LET THE OTHER PERSON GO FIRST :)
1. Understand the goal: People question the value of social media because it's hard to monetize. That's missing the point. "Do you have an ROI for your telephone? Can you monetize that?" Andrew asks. "It's a tool. The return would be picked up in search, gaining brand recognition, and being able to talk to your consumers. And you don't have to wait on traditional media to validate you, nor do you have to buy it".
2. Have a plan: You should have realistic expectations of what you want to accomplish, and make sure that your strategy is sustainable. "People get what I call social media fatigue. They get really excited, they dive in, they add tons of people on Twitter, tons of people on Facebook, and then it becomes overwhelming," Andrews adds.
3. Listen first: Social media gives you an unmatched opportunity to hear what your customers, colleagues, and competition are saying. "The brands that are doing it well are the ones that are deploying listening tools first and foremost. And the best marketers are the ones that actually listen first," according to Andrews.
4. Watch your tone: "One of the mistakes businesses make is that they look at social media as a place to replicate advertising. You don't want to transfer your marketing language over to your Facebook fan page," Andrews says. Ask yourself: How do I sound? What's my persona? Do I sound like a human, or do I sound like a press release?
5. Be consistent: Building a faithful following won't happen if you don't dedicate the time to talk to your audience regularly. "You want to make sure that you have the internal resources to be consistent. That doesn't mean you must post 12 times a day," Andrews says, "but you want to be engaging."
BE NICE, SMILE & LET THE OTHER PERSON GO FIRST :)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Gift Guide-Charitable Buying for the Holidays
Shop to It! Inspired by the folks at TOMS shoes, we're embracing the spirit of charitable buying.
1. Dually Noted: Who would've thought a random encounter at an egg race in India would lead to a sustainable--and socially responsible--notebook company? "Betty&Betts", JoJo Blythen and Tanya Clarke's line of stunning paper goods, features notebooks and address books made from acid-free, biodegradable or recycled paper, and organic fabric. Each handmade book, pieced together in India and Nepal, utilizes fair-trade suppliers. About $11-$17, bettyandbetts.com
2. Four Eyes: Seeing is believing, and the folks at Warby Parker are definitely believers. Four friends started the eyewear company earlier this year, and their limited run of 27 styles-along with a monocle-for men and women has been growing ever since. The retro-modern cellulose acetate frames are enough to inspire spectacle lust, and the anti-reflective lenses are sweet(as is the budget-friendly price). But the real reason to lay your money on the table is the fact that the company donates a pair to RestoringVision and other non-profits with every purchase. warbyparker.com
3. Poster People: Buy limited edition art and throw a one-two punch: support noteworthy artists while donating to charity. Online gallery The Working Proof releases a new print each week, with 15% of the total sales going to the charity of the artist's choice. You just may start marking Tuesdays at 1:30 EST on your calendars to catch the debuts. "The West Wind" by Patrick Hruby benefits Doctors Without Borders, $30, theworkingproof.com
4. Wine Into Water: Ditch the fancy wine descriptions and head to Cellar Thief. The company not only tells it like it is, but also offers deep discounts on a carefully edited list(there are only 3 choices at any given time). Top it all off with a hearty dose of karmic goodness: One bottle of wine equals 100 ways to clean drinking water given to people in need. Discount varies depending on the amount purchased. cellarthief.com
5. Happy Feet: Keep your footsies toasty with a brightly colored pair of organic cotton socks-and warm your heart and that of someone else while you're at it. Socks for Happy People, come in 3 cheerful designs in an array of coordinated hues. With each pair purchased, an even warmer pair is donated to a child in Mongolia(made locally from Bactrian camel hair). As the company suggests: Buy socks, give warmth, be happy. About $24, socksforhappypeople.com
6. Kickin It: In 2005, inventor Tim Jahnigen set out to create an all-terrain soccer ball. Now just five years later, his brightly colored balls for the One Worl Futbol Project are spotted around the globe, thanks to a playful buy one, give one program that donates an identical ball with each purchase to a needy child in UN hot spots, conflict zones, or refugee camps. Stitchless, non-deflating, and usable on any playing surface, it makes life a total game. $39.50, oneworldfutbol.com
7. Start Canvasing: Pictures can say a thousand words, but you can leave giftee speechless with a gallery-wrapped canvas print of one of your favorite photos. Picture It On Canvas, uses archival canvas and inks and a UV topcoat spray, and each canvas you buy means another canvas is donated to a nonprofit charity(one of them, Operation: Love Reunited, is an organization that photographs deploying and returning military units). From $35, pictureitoncanvas.com
8. Modern Art Moisturizer: The name Jeff Koons brings up images of shiny balloon rabbit sculptures, not silky body moisturizers. But this holiday season, he's teamed up Kiehl's for a limited edition Creme De Corps line that's available at department stores, like Dillard's and Nordstrom, as well as online. Four products feature his namesake artwork, and 100% of the net profits from every sale benefit The Koons Family Institute, part of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children(icmec.org). $27-$70, kiehls.com
SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! :)
1. Dually Noted: Who would've thought a random encounter at an egg race in India would lead to a sustainable--and socially responsible--notebook company? "Betty&Betts", JoJo Blythen and Tanya Clarke's line of stunning paper goods, features notebooks and address books made from acid-free, biodegradable or recycled paper, and organic fabric. Each handmade book, pieced together in India and Nepal, utilizes fair-trade suppliers. About $11-$17, bettyandbetts.com
2. Four Eyes: Seeing is believing, and the folks at Warby Parker are definitely believers. Four friends started the eyewear company earlier this year, and their limited run of 27 styles-along with a monocle-for men and women has been growing ever since. The retro-modern cellulose acetate frames are enough to inspire spectacle lust, and the anti-reflective lenses are sweet(as is the budget-friendly price). But the real reason to lay your money on the table is the fact that the company donates a pair to RestoringVision and other non-profits with every purchase. warbyparker.com
3. Poster People: Buy limited edition art and throw a one-two punch: support noteworthy artists while donating to charity. Online gallery The Working Proof releases a new print each week, with 15% of the total sales going to the charity of the artist's choice. You just may start marking Tuesdays at 1:30 EST on your calendars to catch the debuts. "The West Wind" by Patrick Hruby benefits Doctors Without Borders, $30, theworkingproof.com
4. Wine Into Water: Ditch the fancy wine descriptions and head to Cellar Thief. The company not only tells it like it is, but also offers deep discounts on a carefully edited list(there are only 3 choices at any given time). Top it all off with a hearty dose of karmic goodness: One bottle of wine equals 100 ways to clean drinking water given to people in need. Discount varies depending on the amount purchased. cellarthief.com
5. Happy Feet: Keep your footsies toasty with a brightly colored pair of organic cotton socks-and warm your heart and that of someone else while you're at it. Socks for Happy People, come in 3 cheerful designs in an array of coordinated hues. With each pair purchased, an even warmer pair is donated to a child in Mongolia(made locally from Bactrian camel hair). As the company suggests: Buy socks, give warmth, be happy. About $24, socksforhappypeople.com
6. Kickin It: In 2005, inventor Tim Jahnigen set out to create an all-terrain soccer ball. Now just five years later, his brightly colored balls for the One Worl Futbol Project are spotted around the globe, thanks to a playful buy one, give one program that donates an identical ball with each purchase to a needy child in UN hot spots, conflict zones, or refugee camps. Stitchless, non-deflating, and usable on any playing surface, it makes life a total game. $39.50, oneworldfutbol.com
7. Start Canvasing: Pictures can say a thousand words, but you can leave giftee speechless with a gallery-wrapped canvas print of one of your favorite photos. Picture It On Canvas, uses archival canvas and inks and a UV topcoat spray, and each canvas you buy means another canvas is donated to a nonprofit charity(one of them, Operation: Love Reunited, is an organization that photographs deploying and returning military units). From $35, pictureitoncanvas.com
8. Modern Art Moisturizer: The name Jeff Koons brings up images of shiny balloon rabbit sculptures, not silky body moisturizers. But this holiday season, he's teamed up Kiehl's for a limited edition Creme De Corps line that's available at department stores, like Dillard's and Nordstrom, as well as online. Four products feature his namesake artwork, and 100% of the net profits from every sale benefit The Koons Family Institute, part of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children(icmec.org). $27-$70, kiehls.com
SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! :)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Mobile Marketing: Location, Location, Location
A 2010 study by comScore suggests that almost 46 million mobile phone users have smart-phones--almost 20% of the market share of total mobile users.
Those numbers are enough for advertisers to start taking the mobile market very seriously. But what is the best way for advertisers and marketers to gain traction in this growing industry? Increasingly, the mobile content and applications are being targeted at a user's location. A study from the Mobile Marketing Association(MMA) states that more than 25% of adults in the U.S. have used maps, navigation or other mobile phone services that automatically determine location. The same study indicates that nearly half of those using mobile phones have taken action on mobile ads.
Increasing the localization of customer targeting means more qualified traffic and better opportunities for conversion. Utilizing localized advertising in combination with interactive advertising offers users the very services they are seeking.
That's a Winning formula.
Ready, Aim, Advertise
The great strength of the mobile ad is that it allows for very specific targeting of users. Advertisers who take the time to get to know their target audience will be able to reach out to a large group of consumers who are hungry for information about what is available in their immediate area. At this point(and it should come as no surprise)the leader in location-based advertising is Google. Google has acquired a patent for using location for advertising, which sets it ahead of the competition. It allows users to bid on ad prices within a defined area and allows advertising from apps to directly correspond to a user's location.
Hook
Anyone with experience managing PPC campaigns will find themselves in familiar territory when launching mobile ad campaigns. Just like PPC, mobile advertising allows you to set up a section for specific campaigns and, within other campaigns, create accounts for different brands, as well as their relative keywords.
In addition to choosing to advertise in search results or through the content network is the ability to select a specific area--obviously of importance to mobile ad campaigns. Mobile ad platforms will allow you to target geographical locations based on country, region and specific city.
Test for Success
Like other advertising campaigns, having several versions of an ad and a landing page is paramount to success. continue to test different tactics and don't be afarid to experiment.
Be aware that the ability to track mobile advertising campaigns is still somewhat limited. When checking an IP address for someone who visited your site with a Blackberry, for example, you will be seeing the Internet Gateway address, not the actual phone's IP address. In addition, some phones don't support cookies and others clear the cache on a regular basis. However, there are analytic solutions to help track ROI. Affiliates who find ways to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns will be miles ahead when the technology catches up tp the needs of advertisers. And, by making use of the ability to target specific locations, you have already narrowed the criteria for analysis.
Mobile advertising, especially in terms of affiliate marketing, is in the early stages of its growth. There will be obstacles to overcome. But those who get in early and manage to grow with the developing technology will have a head start on their competition. The technology is already advancing in leaps and bounds. If you start now, you'll be ready for the next development phases.
It's Saturday so SMILE BIG, BE NICE, buy COFFEE for a friend! :)
Those numbers are enough for advertisers to start taking the mobile market very seriously. But what is the best way for advertisers and marketers to gain traction in this growing industry? Increasingly, the mobile content and applications are being targeted at a user's location. A study from the Mobile Marketing Association(MMA) states that more than 25% of adults in the U.S. have used maps, navigation or other mobile phone services that automatically determine location. The same study indicates that nearly half of those using mobile phones have taken action on mobile ads.
Increasing the localization of customer targeting means more qualified traffic and better opportunities for conversion. Utilizing localized advertising in combination with interactive advertising offers users the very services they are seeking.
That's a Winning formula.
Ready, Aim, Advertise
The great strength of the mobile ad is that it allows for very specific targeting of users. Advertisers who take the time to get to know their target audience will be able to reach out to a large group of consumers who are hungry for information about what is available in their immediate area. At this point(and it should come as no surprise)the leader in location-based advertising is Google. Google has acquired a patent for using location for advertising, which sets it ahead of the competition. It allows users to bid on ad prices within a defined area and allows advertising from apps to directly correspond to a user's location.
Hook
Anyone with experience managing PPC campaigns will find themselves in familiar territory when launching mobile ad campaigns. Just like PPC, mobile advertising allows you to set up a section for specific campaigns and, within other campaigns, create accounts for different brands, as well as their relative keywords.
In addition to choosing to advertise in search results or through the content network is the ability to select a specific area--obviously of importance to mobile ad campaigns. Mobile ad platforms will allow you to target geographical locations based on country, region and specific city.
Test for Success
Like other advertising campaigns, having several versions of an ad and a landing page is paramount to success. continue to test different tactics and don't be afarid to experiment.
Be aware that the ability to track mobile advertising campaigns is still somewhat limited. When checking an IP address for someone who visited your site with a Blackberry, for example, you will be seeing the Internet Gateway address, not the actual phone's IP address. In addition, some phones don't support cookies and others clear the cache on a regular basis. However, there are analytic solutions to help track ROI. Affiliates who find ways to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns will be miles ahead when the technology catches up tp the needs of advertisers. And, by making use of the ability to target specific locations, you have already narrowed the criteria for analysis.
Mobile advertising, especially in terms of affiliate marketing, is in the early stages of its growth. There will be obstacles to overcome. But those who get in early and manage to grow with the developing technology will have a head start on their competition. The technology is already advancing in leaps and bounds. If you start now, you'll be ready for the next development phases.
It's Saturday so SMILE BIG, BE NICE, buy COFFEE for a friend! :)
Friday, November 26, 2010
yEd Graph Editor
yEd Graph Editor: "Free diagram editor" This is very cool...hope you can benefit from it :)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Four Pillars of Building Instant Trust Online
+Appearance: First impressions matter. Recent research indicates that people will form an initial impression of your landing page or website within 50 milliseconds. This is almost as fast as visual processing happens in the brain, and can be considered as an instantaneous and automatic response. The initial reaction then extends to a more considered review of the page and will impact our likelihood of taking the desired conversion action.
*Professionalism of design: regardless of the intended audience or your business purpose, the visual design of your website should be professionally executed. It must hang together and function as a unified whole. Fonts, colors, and graphical elements must combine into a single visual "look."
*Sparseness and neatness: clutter can be your worst enemy--whether it is visual embellishments or dense, longwinded text. Less is more. Ruthlessly edit everything on the page until it is pared to its essence and has a natural and unforced feel. Give your page room to breathe.
*Organization & clarity: too many choices on the page canbe paralyzing. Similarly, a disorganized page increases the visitor's cognitive load and forces them to spend time simply trying to figure out how they should digest the information that you have presented. As the title of Steve Krug's excellent book on Web usability so elegantly outs it, "Don't Make Me Think".
+Transactional Assurances: will we be spammed if we enter our e-mail into a form? Will the goods promised ever be delivered after we order from an online catalog? Will our identity be stolen? Such questions are always in the background when we navigate around the Web.
*Forms of payment and delivery: many e-commerce catalogs only show acceptable forms of payment and return policies after the checkout process has been started. In fact, they must be seen before they are needed and prominently displayed above the fold on every page. The same is true of well-known delivery and shipping methods.
*Data security and privacy: the website must be certified as "safe" by outside experts in terms of its ability to protect data. Having privacy policies and computer security trustmarks from well-known vendors will instantly show someone that you have safeguarded their data properly.
*Policies and guarantees: often, the transaction is not at issue. It is what happens afterwards that concerns people. By prominently featuring warranties, return policies and gaurantees, you can assuage these anxieties. A visual seal can be created to draw the eye to these important elements.
+Experts & Media: your visitors are not likely to have heard of your brand. Unless you present a truly world-class consumer company, people are unlikely to know your brand promise. They do not know what you stand for.
*Reviews and awards: many services and products have won awards or at least been reviewed by relevant industry publications. Using the award seals or "reviewed by" language can be very effective.
*Pain endorsements and spokespeople: paid endorsements can convey trust or at least the celebrity of the spokesperson to the product or service in question.
*Marquee clients: using client logos with permission or at least prominently featuring a written list of clients(unless specifically prohibited by contract language)will create powerful visual proof of your legitimacy. They confer an implicit halo effect--if you have worked with large companies, you can handle smaller "regular" ones.
*Media Mentions: media companies are experts at self-promotion. Any association with them confers a sense of notoriety to your landing page. Often, media outlets can be broadly defined as bloggers or authoritative voices in your specific niche.
+Consensus of Peers: we often follow the lead of people like ourselves. For example, if our circle of acquaintances turn us on to a new musical group, we are more likely to listen. Regardless of the actual cultural tribes that we belong to, our peers exert a very strong influence on us.
*Objective numbers: "The many" can be demonstrated by showing how many people have bought, downloaded, or started a free trial. Numbers should be cumulative, starting with the inception of the business of product. Spell out the digits of each number(e.g."Over 1,000,000 downloads") and use large fonts to draw additional attention.
*Likeness: create affinity by demonstrating that the people taking action are similar to your website visitors. This can be done by picking appropriate colors, editorial tone and graphics to make your visitors feel at home. You can also have a large number of detailed testimonials that discuss common situations faced by similar people.
Trust is a critical factor to transactional success, particularly in an online environment. If you build on the four pillars of trust outlined herein, you should have a solid foundation for improved conversions.
Remember BE NICE & always, always SMILE :) have a GREAT Holiday one & All!
*Professionalism of design: regardless of the intended audience or your business purpose, the visual design of your website should be professionally executed. It must hang together and function as a unified whole. Fonts, colors, and graphical elements must combine into a single visual "look."
*Sparseness and neatness: clutter can be your worst enemy--whether it is visual embellishments or dense, longwinded text. Less is more. Ruthlessly edit everything on the page until it is pared to its essence and has a natural and unforced feel. Give your page room to breathe.
*Organization & clarity: too many choices on the page canbe paralyzing. Similarly, a disorganized page increases the visitor's cognitive load and forces them to spend time simply trying to figure out how they should digest the information that you have presented. As the title of Steve Krug's excellent book on Web usability so elegantly outs it, "Don't Make Me Think".
+Transactional Assurances: will we be spammed if we enter our e-mail into a form? Will the goods promised ever be delivered after we order from an online catalog? Will our identity be stolen? Such questions are always in the background when we navigate around the Web.
*Forms of payment and delivery: many e-commerce catalogs only show acceptable forms of payment and return policies after the checkout process has been started. In fact, they must be seen before they are needed and prominently displayed above the fold on every page. The same is true of well-known delivery and shipping methods.
*Data security and privacy: the website must be certified as "safe" by outside experts in terms of its ability to protect data. Having privacy policies and computer security trustmarks from well-known vendors will instantly show someone that you have safeguarded their data properly.
*Policies and guarantees: often, the transaction is not at issue. It is what happens afterwards that concerns people. By prominently featuring warranties, return policies and gaurantees, you can assuage these anxieties. A visual seal can be created to draw the eye to these important elements.
+Experts & Media: your visitors are not likely to have heard of your brand. Unless you present a truly world-class consumer company, people are unlikely to know your brand promise. They do not know what you stand for.
*Reviews and awards: many services and products have won awards or at least been reviewed by relevant industry publications. Using the award seals or "reviewed by" language can be very effective.
*Pain endorsements and spokespeople: paid endorsements can convey trust or at least the celebrity of the spokesperson to the product or service in question.
*Marquee clients: using client logos with permission or at least prominently featuring a written list of clients(unless specifically prohibited by contract language)will create powerful visual proof of your legitimacy. They confer an implicit halo effect--if you have worked with large companies, you can handle smaller "regular" ones.
*Media Mentions: media companies are experts at self-promotion. Any association with them confers a sense of notoriety to your landing page. Often, media outlets can be broadly defined as bloggers or authoritative voices in your specific niche.
+Consensus of Peers: we often follow the lead of people like ourselves. For example, if our circle of acquaintances turn us on to a new musical group, we are more likely to listen. Regardless of the actual cultural tribes that we belong to, our peers exert a very strong influence on us.
*Objective numbers: "The many" can be demonstrated by showing how many people have bought, downloaded, or started a free trial. Numbers should be cumulative, starting with the inception of the business of product. Spell out the digits of each number(e.g."Over 1,000,000 downloads") and use large fonts to draw additional attention.
*Likeness: create affinity by demonstrating that the people taking action are similar to your website visitors. This can be done by picking appropriate colors, editorial tone and graphics to make your visitors feel at home. You can also have a large number of detailed testimonials that discuss common situations faced by similar people.
Trust is a critical factor to transactional success, particularly in an online environment. If you build on the four pillars of trust outlined herein, you should have a solid foundation for improved conversions.
Remember BE NICE & always, always SMILE :) have a GREAT Holiday one & All!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Moms show your daughters
WOW these girls are absolutely FANTASTIC! They are from Kings Mills Ohio great teamwork!
http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=14256
http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=14256
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Facebook email: How your email went social | Social Media Today
Facebook email: How your email went social | Social Media Today
Soo tell me any readers of the blog? WHAT do you think of this?
Soo tell me any readers of the blog? WHAT do you think of this?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Dynamite - Taio Cruz - A Cappella Cover - Just Voice and Mouth - Mike To...
This is GREAT LOL your morning SMILE~
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Gift Guide for the Man About Town
Robot Cuff Links: sure to be appreciated by your offbeat cousin who's dapper enough to use cuff links and cool enough to know that robots are all the rage. To Buy: Toy Robot cuff links, $45, cosmicfirefly.com
Whiskey aftershave: notes of cedarwood, amber, and yes, whiskey, in a compact four-ounce bottle. To Buy: Whiskey aftershave $12, portlandgeneralstore.com
Crank Radio: for the hyperprepared, a solar-and-hand powered radio with a flashlight and a phone charger. To Buy: Radio light, $30, llbean.com
Wooden robot: robots are all the rage. This reconfigurable toy is the perfect procrastination tool. To Buy: Cutebot, $34, michelevarian.com
Fetch balls: treat a dog owner to a bucket of balls in distinctive colors that won't get lost at the park. To Buy: 30-Love Eco tennis balls, $10 for 10 & personalized bucket, $7; bambeco.com
Literary postcards: for a bookish pal to send or save, 100 postcards featuring iconic covers from 70 years' worth of Penguin titles. To Buy: Postcards from Penguin $25, barnesandnoble.com
Pocket telescope: just 31/4 inches long and great for catching a close up of a kid's winning goal. To Buy: Zoom Art telescope, $42, ameico.com
Hanging plane bag: it clips onto the seat pocket in front of you and holds your phone, iPod, and paperback. To Buy: F1 Seat Pak, $28, flight001.com
SMILE! & check out there Great gifts & Be Nice to ALL :)
Whiskey aftershave: notes of cedarwood, amber, and yes, whiskey, in a compact four-ounce bottle. To Buy: Whiskey aftershave $12, portlandgeneralstore.com
Crank Radio: for the hyperprepared, a solar-and-hand powered radio with a flashlight and a phone charger. To Buy: Radio light, $30, llbean.com
Wooden robot: robots are all the rage. This reconfigurable toy is the perfect procrastination tool. To Buy: Cutebot, $34, michelevarian.com
Fetch balls: treat a dog owner to a bucket of balls in distinctive colors that won't get lost at the park. To Buy: 30-Love Eco tennis balls, $10 for 10 & personalized bucket, $7; bambeco.com
Literary postcards: for a bookish pal to send or save, 100 postcards featuring iconic covers from 70 years' worth of Penguin titles. To Buy: Postcards from Penguin $25, barnesandnoble.com
Pocket telescope: just 31/4 inches long and great for catching a close up of a kid's winning goal. To Buy: Zoom Art telescope, $42, ameico.com
Hanging plane bag: it clips onto the seat pocket in front of you and holds your phone, iPod, and paperback. To Buy: F1 Seat Pak, $28, flight001.com
SMILE! & check out there Great gifts & Be Nice to ALL :)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Next event info...
"Blanket The Homeless" w/blankets-jackets-gloves stay tuned? coming Nov 25 fan or check http://bit.ly/GDMFans for more info, the time & particulars coming soon!
Carhartt Commercial
Green Drinks Mason next event 11/25 'Blanket The Homeless' blankets,jackets,gloves
Saturday, November 6, 2010
dose of useful tidbits...
44,102,664 - how many bulbs you'll find featured on TackyLightTour.com, a Clark Griswold-ian ode to over-the-top holiday lawn displays. Upload your favorite eye-blinding showcase(there's a 10,000-bulb minimum so have fun counting!), or search for homes in your area to map out a self-guided tour. While your kids may covet your neighbor's North Pole-apalooza, you certainly won't envy his electric bill.
365 - the number of thoughtful notes documented in the uplifting new memoir 365 Thank Yous(Hyperion, $23)out at the end of the month. At 53, John Kralik was in the midst of a divorce, with a struggling business. Instead of dwelling on his misfortune, he decided to embrace an attitude of gratitude by writing one thank-you note every day-to business associates, his children, and even his regular Starbucks barista. This daily ritual-and what he learned from it-will inspire you to tackle life's(occasional)stink with ink.
1891 - the year that a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco set up a crab pot at a ferry landing to collect money for the poor at Christmas, marking the beginning of the organization's famous Red Kettle campaign. These days, donating is as easy as downloading the Salvation Army Christmas Music app($3, iTunes) since $1 from each purchase goes to the charity. The app streams holiday music from eight categories, including classical, jazz, oldies, and children's.
$5.65 - how much it costs to send an old-time telegram anywhere in the world, courtesy of TelegramStop.com(international postage included) At this nostalgic site, you simply type in your message(in true telegram fashion, the word 'stop' is subbed in for periods), preview your telegram, then click Send. Within four to eight business days, the recipient will receive his/her surprise, although it will be delivered via mail truck, not(sigh)a pony.
10 - roughly how many hours of shut-eye you need to replenish your body and mind after several semisleepless nights(think four hours)according to a new study in the journal 'Sleep'. Researchers have found that sleeping in after a few days of missed sleep can help pay back the debt, reducing any lingering sense of fatigue and mental fuzziness. As the weekend approaches, we suggest highlighting this paragraph, then tacking it to your bedroom door to ward off early risers.
8 - the number of balls that have dropped in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve since 1908, when the tradition began. The current one, on duty since 2008, weights 11,875 pounds, measures 12 feet tall, is embellished with 2,668 Waterford crystals, and has 32,256 LEDs to light its way. A bit flashy, you say? Not for Times Square, where buildings are 'required' to have at least one illuminated sigh that stays lit until 1 a.m.
SMILE & BE NICE to every person you interact with on Sunday :)
365 - the number of thoughtful notes documented in the uplifting new memoir 365 Thank Yous(Hyperion, $23)out at the end of the month. At 53, John Kralik was in the midst of a divorce, with a struggling business. Instead of dwelling on his misfortune, he decided to embrace an attitude of gratitude by writing one thank-you note every day-to business associates, his children, and even his regular Starbucks barista. This daily ritual-and what he learned from it-will inspire you to tackle life's(occasional)stink with ink.
1891 - the year that a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco set up a crab pot at a ferry landing to collect money for the poor at Christmas, marking the beginning of the organization's famous Red Kettle campaign. These days, donating is as easy as downloading the Salvation Army Christmas Music app($3, iTunes) since $1 from each purchase goes to the charity. The app streams holiday music from eight categories, including classical, jazz, oldies, and children's.
$5.65 - how much it costs to send an old-time telegram anywhere in the world, courtesy of TelegramStop.com(international postage included) At this nostalgic site, you simply type in your message(in true telegram fashion, the word 'stop' is subbed in for periods), preview your telegram, then click Send. Within four to eight business days, the recipient will receive his/her surprise, although it will be delivered via mail truck, not(sigh)a pony.
10 - roughly how many hours of shut-eye you need to replenish your body and mind after several semisleepless nights(think four hours)according to a new study in the journal 'Sleep'. Researchers have found that sleeping in after a few days of missed sleep can help pay back the debt, reducing any lingering sense of fatigue and mental fuzziness. As the weekend approaches, we suggest highlighting this paragraph, then tacking it to your bedroom door to ward off early risers.
8 - the number of balls that have dropped in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve since 1908, when the tradition began. The current one, on duty since 2008, weights 11,875 pounds, measures 12 feet tall, is embellished with 2,668 Waterford crystals, and has 32,256 LEDs to light its way. A bit flashy, you say? Not for Times Square, where buildings are 'required' to have at least one illuminated sigh that stays lit until 1 a.m.
SMILE & BE NICE to every person you interact with on Sunday :)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Where to Go, What to Do
US Companies - provides basic info on virtually every US public and private company. www.manta.com
Manufacturers - online version of the Thomas Registry key manufacturing directory. www.thomasnet.com
Patents and Applications - a quick and easy way to locate existing patents and patient applications.
www.google.com/advanced_patent_search
Federal Contracts - find companies that are doing business with the federal government, and even contract details.
www.fedspending.org
Site Linking Relationships - get an animated graphical representation of web site relationships. Knowing these relationships can provide a snapshot of a company's customers and business partners.
www.TouchGraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html (case sensitive)
Larger Companies - find very good information on publicly-held and larger private companies.
www.hoovers.com
SMILE! & Have a Safe Halloween :)
Manufacturers - online version of the Thomas Registry key manufacturing directory. www.thomasnet.com
Patents and Applications - a quick and easy way to locate existing patents and patient applications.
www.google.com/advanced_patent_search
Federal Contracts - find companies that are doing business with the federal government, and even contract details.
www.fedspending.org
Site Linking Relationships - get an animated graphical representation of web site relationships. Knowing these relationships can provide a snapshot of a company's customers and business partners.
www.TouchGraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html (case sensitive)
Larger Companies - find very good information on publicly-held and larger private companies.
www.hoovers.com
SMILE! & Have a Safe Halloween :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Three Popular & Valuable keyword research tools!
Test them out find which one works best for your business!
Google External Keyword Tool
(https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal)
Google recently changed its free keyword research tool so that it now resides as part of the AdWords platform. While Google is the standard and has most of the search engine business on the Internet, this toll gives no competitive data. It's best to use one of the tools below for primary keyword research and use the Google tool to verify initial findings.
Wordstream
(www.WordStream.com)
This tool conducts keyword research and will build a complete ad campaign using its database and the keywords it helps you choose. It will also perform grouping and organization of keywords to help segment your list into an effective SEO-friendly structure for your site.
KeywordSpy*
(www.KeywordSpy.com)
This tool has the most data of any keyword tool on the internet and an easy-to-use interface. The database of keywords is the largest outside of Google, and the interface allows you to plug keywords directly into the ad platforms of Google, Yahoo! and Bing.
SpyFu
(www.SpyFu.com)
SpyFu has many features, such as allowing you to compare two sites and giving a graphic representation of PPC ads and the changes that have been made to them over time. It also has an extensive history of the ads run by specific URLs that you can search by date.
Happy Keyword searching and remember to always SMILE!!! :)
Google External Keyword Tool
(https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal)
Google recently changed its free keyword research tool so that it now resides as part of the AdWords platform. While Google is the standard and has most of the search engine business on the Internet, this toll gives no competitive data. It's best to use one of the tools below for primary keyword research and use the Google tool to verify initial findings.
Wordstream
(www.WordStream.com)
This tool conducts keyword research and will build a complete ad campaign using its database and the keywords it helps you choose. It will also perform grouping and organization of keywords to help segment your list into an effective SEO-friendly structure for your site.
KeywordSpy*
(www.KeywordSpy.com)
This tool has the most data of any keyword tool on the internet and an easy-to-use interface. The database of keywords is the largest outside of Google, and the interface allows you to plug keywords directly into the ad platforms of Google, Yahoo! and Bing.
SpyFu
(www.SpyFu.com)
SpyFu has many features, such as allowing you to compare two sites and giving a graphic representation of PPC ads and the changes that have been made to them over time. It also has an extensive history of the ads run by specific URLs that you can search by date.
Happy Keyword searching and remember to always SMILE!!! :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
9 problem solvers
1. Mini Survival Kit: some survival kits include fire starter & rope, which is fine if you're MacGyver. But in the case of a real emergency, reach for this 16-item change purse-size savior, which includes nail polish, deodorant & more.
To Buy: $12, msandmrs.com
2. Extra-Cool Champagne Carrier: we hate to burst your bubble, but that Santa-clad bag isn't doing your gift any favors. This refrigerator-inspired box, though, doubles as gift wrap & keeps the Veuve Clicquot chilled for two hours.
To Buy: $40 for bottle and case, at liquor stores.
3. DIY Photo Gift Tags: this year, grace your presents with cheerful custom gift tags. Upload an image, add your own greeting, then tie one on.
To Buy: $12 for 25, cardstore.com (enter the code SIMPLE20 at checkout)
4. Stocking Mailer: this festive box takes deliveries from ho-hum to ho-ho-ho. Perfect for a far-from-home student or a soldier overseas.(Find out what and how to send at ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml.)
To Buy: $15 for three, shipshapeusa.com - standard shipping charges apply
5. User-Friendly Apron: a heaping helping of cooking factoids are printed upside down, so the answers are(literally)at your icing-covered fingertips.
To Buy: $29.50, delight.com
6. Autumnal Crust Cutters: Humble pie? Hardly. These spring-loaded tools punch out crisp fall leaves to dapple your apple.
To Buy: $18, williams-sonoma.com
And have you heard about...?
7. TGIBLACKFRIDAY.COM: get the inside scoop on discounts from major retailers, like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, weeks before the circulars are printed in the newspapers.
8. FANCYFLOURS.COM: this vast emporium of cookie cutters(15 pages worth!), toppers (crystal rose petals), and gift packaging will inspire even nonbakers to turn on the oven.
9. WRAPITAPP: enter your gift box's measurements(or use the app's handy measurement tool)to find out how much paper and ribbon you'll really need per present. Then follow the easy step-by-step picture tutorials.
To Buy: $2 iTunes.
Happy Hump Day! SMILE the sun is out & YOU are alive today :)
To Buy: $12, msandmrs.com
2. Extra-Cool Champagne Carrier: we hate to burst your bubble, but that Santa-clad bag isn't doing your gift any favors. This refrigerator-inspired box, though, doubles as gift wrap & keeps the Veuve Clicquot chilled for two hours.
To Buy: $40 for bottle and case, at liquor stores.
3. DIY Photo Gift Tags: this year, grace your presents with cheerful custom gift tags. Upload an image, add your own greeting, then tie one on.
To Buy: $12 for 25, cardstore.com (enter the code SIMPLE20 at checkout)
4. Stocking Mailer: this festive box takes deliveries from ho-hum to ho-ho-ho. Perfect for a far-from-home student or a soldier overseas.(Find out what and how to send at ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml.)
To Buy: $15 for three, shipshapeusa.com - standard shipping charges apply
5. User-Friendly Apron: a heaping helping of cooking factoids are printed upside down, so the answers are(literally)at your icing-covered fingertips.
To Buy: $29.50, delight.com
6. Autumnal Crust Cutters: Humble pie? Hardly. These spring-loaded tools punch out crisp fall leaves to dapple your apple.
To Buy: $18, williams-sonoma.com
And have you heard about...?
7. TGIBLACKFRIDAY.COM: get the inside scoop on discounts from major retailers, like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, weeks before the circulars are printed in the newspapers.
8. FANCYFLOURS.COM: this vast emporium of cookie cutters(15 pages worth!), toppers (crystal rose petals), and gift packaging will inspire even nonbakers to turn on the oven.
9. WRAPITAPP: enter your gift box's measurements(or use the app's handy measurement tool)to find out how much paper and ribbon you'll really need per present. Then follow the easy step-by-step picture tutorials.
To Buy: $2 iTunes.
Happy Hump Day! SMILE the sun is out & YOU are alive today :)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Paul Zerdin Ventriloquist at Comedy Rocks With Jason .Manford - FUNNY -
HAHAHA...watch this for your morning/afternoon/evening SMILE!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Google Search Tips & Other Search Engines
Search Within Results: scroll to the bottom of a google search results page & locate 'search within results'. Click the link and enter a new term into the search form.
Instead of searching the web, you'll only search for that term within your original results.
Search a Date or Number Range: enter the terms you're searching for, and then enter a date range 'separated by two periods(e.g. 1999..2002)
Google will deliver results featuring your terms(s) but only with pages that also include that date range. Works for number ranges too: e.g.$100..$300
Google Amnesia Assistance-let Google fill in the blanks: if you can't remember part of your search, use an 'asterisk*' and Google will fill in the blanks. Great for name searches, job titles, even email addresses(e.g. "*@acme.com"
GoogleGuy: www.googleguy.de/google-yahoo Enter a search term and compare side-by-side Google and Yahoo results. Note how one search engine typically has indexed more web sites, and the result ranking can be dramatically different.
Cuil: increase the relevance of your search results. www.cuil.com Enter a broad search term; On the results page, choose a main category to the top-level menu, or choose a category in the Explore by Category section; As you click on sub-categories notice how the Explore By Category menu changes. Continue to click through various sub-categories to help you find results relevant to the information you desire.
Viewzi: display search results in a variety of ways. www.viewzi.com Conduct a standard search; use Boolean for better results; Using the top vavigation, choose a display type; Click the image to enlarge it and/or to directly visit the site; Click the "more info" link under the search form to see the features and benefits of a specific display type.
Exalead: make searching easier with numerous search features all combined into one engine. www.exalead.com/search Conduct a standard search or use Exalead's Advanced Search link, located directly next to the main search button; In Advanced Search, follow the prompts and narrow or expand your search; Narrow your search by choosing one of the links on the right side.
HAPPY searching, Enjoy your family & the day & remember to always SMILE! :)
Instead of searching the web, you'll only search for that term within your original results.
Search a Date or Number Range: enter the terms you're searching for, and then enter a date range 'separated by two periods(e.g. 1999..2002)
Google will deliver results featuring your terms(s) but only with pages that also include that date range. Works for number ranges too: e.g.$100..$300
Google Amnesia Assistance-let Google fill in the blanks: if you can't remember part of your search, use an 'asterisk*' and Google will fill in the blanks. Great for name searches, job titles, even email addresses(e.g. "*@acme.com"
GoogleGuy: www.googleguy.de/google-yahoo Enter a search term and compare side-by-side Google and Yahoo results. Note how one search engine typically has indexed more web sites, and the result ranking can be dramatically different.
Cuil: increase the relevance of your search results. www.cuil.com Enter a broad search term; On the results page, choose a main category to the top-level menu, or choose a category in the Explore by Category section; As you click on sub-categories notice how the Explore By Category menu changes. Continue to click through various sub-categories to help you find results relevant to the information you desire.
Viewzi: display search results in a variety of ways. www.viewzi.com Conduct a standard search; use Boolean for better results; Using the top vavigation, choose a display type; Click the image to enlarge it and/or to directly visit the site; Click the "more info" link under the search form to see the features and benefits of a specific display type.
Exalead: make searching easier with numerous search features all combined into one engine. www.exalead.com/search Conduct a standard search or use Exalead's Advanced Search link, located directly next to the main search button; In Advanced Search, follow the prompts and narrow or expand your search; Narrow your search by choosing one of the links on the right side.
HAPPY searching, Enjoy your family & the day & remember to always SMILE! :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Interesting stuff,
24 million - the number of Americans who play basketball at least once a year
83 minutes - the time men spend preparing to go out-four minutes longer than women
National Sandwich Day - celebrate it this Nov 3 by broadening your palate. Try a mix of carmelized onions, roasted peppers, figs, Kalamata olives, and shaved Manchego cheese on ciabatta bread
Rosario Dawson - Unstoppable, her new flick with Denzel Washington sounds like a Speed rip-off...only this time the bomb's on a runaway train. Who cares, as long as this beauty is a part of the action
Splatterhouse - one of the most violent, gore-filled games ever created, and we mean that in the best way possible (PS3 & XBox; $60)
18% - how much more space the muscle in your body occupies, compared to fat
COOL Social Media info coming Saturday 10/16 everyone SMILE!
83 minutes - the time men spend preparing to go out-four minutes longer than women
National Sandwich Day - celebrate it this Nov 3 by broadening your palate. Try a mix of carmelized onions, roasted peppers, figs, Kalamata olives, and shaved Manchego cheese on ciabatta bread
Rosario Dawson - Unstoppable, her new flick with Denzel Washington sounds like a Speed rip-off...only this time the bomb's on a runaway train. Who cares, as long as this beauty is a part of the action
Splatterhouse - one of the most violent, gore-filled games ever created, and we mean that in the best way possible (PS3 & XBox; $60)
18% - how much more space the muscle in your body occupies, compared to fat
COOL Social Media info coming Saturday 10/16 everyone SMILE!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Not easy being GREEN!
Article that was published bout my Green Drinks Mason events grp you may enjoy-Thanks
Want to help the environment? Care for a drink? Being environmentally consciou involves more than just throwing cans in a recycling container-although that's a start. To truly be green, one must think green and live green. It's a lifestyle change that betters the planet, and the smallest steps go a long way.
One group, now firmly established in Mason, is reaching out to people hoping to make a difference by giving them an unusual arena to gather, to socialize amd learn how to live eco-friendly. Sometimes it's as simple as chatting over a few drinks. Every month, people who work in the environmental field set up meetings known as Green Drinks. This eco-movement has been taking place in bars acorss the country since the first meeting was held in London in 1989, when a heated discussion within a small group of environmentally friendly fashion designers in a local pub turned into a tradition. In 2001, the official website of the movement, greendrinks.org, was launched, inviting others to host there own discussion forums in local bars. Green Drinks now holds monthly events in 722 cities worldwide.
Green Drinks Mason was established in September 2008 and the first meeting was held in January 2009. The meetings, which are open to everyone, take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6-730pm in area locations, including Cincinnati. The group's website http://bit.ly/GDMFans describes the meetings as a way to "discuss, network and learn about sustainability - and have a good time doing it." The premise of Green Drinks is simple: discuss the environment, have a drink. Anyone is invited to sit and chat, and there's no real agenda to follow. "We want to get as many people as possible together to just network and meet people," says Eric Routenberg, founder and organizer of Green Drinks Mason. Routenberg, outside sales manager for InfoTrust LLC, http://www.infotrustllc.com saw Green Drinks as an avenue for people to exchange ideas and business cards, or just sit and listen in a friendly, non-threatening environment.
Topics of conversation have been as simple as discussing the benefits of recycling and how to stop a leaking faucet, to the more complex issues like global warming and urging government officials to require more reusable sources of energy. The talking points continue to shift and grow-while the drinks keep flowing. Often times, Green Drinks will invite a guest speaker to the monthly meeting "just to spark a conversation," says Routenberg. Of course, the topic must be environmentally related. The most recent Green Drinks Mason took place at the Famous Neon's Unplugged in Over-the-Rhine in August and featured a special forum on Cincinnati's green source for salvaging usable building materials. Jerry Janszen from Building Value LLC was the guest speaker. Along with themes and guest speakers, some meetings have featured promotional perks like a limousine tour of the city, or other ways to help their fellow businessmen while remaining a non-profit. A benefit for women with fibromyalgia is scheduled for the next meeting Sept. 29 at the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club in Ludlow,Ky.
"I just got tired of looking around the city and seeing these cigarette butts and trash on the ground," says Routenberg about founding the group. His concern for the area sparked a movement, and as a result, the Mason chapter of Green Drinks became reality. Most of the early meetings took place at the Fox & Hound Pub on Bowen Drive Routenberg says he's seen the group increase with every meeting. "We nearly doubled our very first meeting to our second," he says. Steps to create a new Green Drinks for your city are relatively easy. Among them: a reasonable distance from other Green Drinks chapters, maintaining politically neutral, and a desire to help others and the environment. Routenberg became aware of Green Drinls while reading an article in Men's Journal. Soon after, he made the call to Edwin Datschefski, founder of greendrinks.org, seeking to organize the Mason chapter. Datschefski serves as the international coordinator of Green Drinks and was one of the founding members in London.
While Green Drinks has become large in terms of worldwide participants, the philosophy of a small get-together remains the same. Each city strives to host the events in a local bar setting whenever possible, and most new groups start with only a dozen or so participants. It;s not uncommon for a larger city to attract 100 or more people per month to their meetings. Ten to 60 people have attended recent Green Drinks Mason meetings, and the number grows each time. "People have been turning out more for many different reasons," says Routenberg. Some chapters have noticed that as the group sizes increase, so do the possibilities. It's not uncommon for events like these to create lasting friendships, partnerships or even romance. Green Drinks also serves as a venue for prospective employment, something that is on the minds of many. As people gather with similar interests, certain opportunities may present themselves. This is something Routenberg has seen as a rewarding byproduct of Green Drinks.
"No matter what field it may be in, we all know someone who may fit a job opening," he says. "It's always satisfying seeing people come together for others in need and it's always great when you can relax and toss back a cold Blue Moon with an orange slice, too". In additiion to his responsibilities at his day job, InfoTrust, Routenberg works tirelessly on his promotion of Green Drinks Mason. He maintains social networking sites like Facebook and blog http://bit.ly/GDMason and gives updates and news blurbs on the latest Green Drinks news. "We aren't asking you to do a complete 180 in your lifestyle in one day," says Routenberg. Habitual changes can be difficult, but Green Drinks aims to make the transition a little easier-and more fun. Of course, you could always come for the drinks.
THANK YOU for reading this article on my Green Drinks Mason -- SMILE!
Want to help the environment? Care for a drink? Being environmentally consciou involves more than just throwing cans in a recycling container-although that's a start. To truly be green, one must think green and live green. It's a lifestyle change that betters the planet, and the smallest steps go a long way.
One group, now firmly established in Mason, is reaching out to people hoping to make a difference by giving them an unusual arena to gather, to socialize amd learn how to live eco-friendly. Sometimes it's as simple as chatting over a few drinks. Every month, people who work in the environmental field set up meetings known as Green Drinks. This eco-movement has been taking place in bars acorss the country since the first meeting was held in London in 1989, when a heated discussion within a small group of environmentally friendly fashion designers in a local pub turned into a tradition. In 2001, the official website of the movement, greendrinks.org, was launched, inviting others to host there own discussion forums in local bars. Green Drinks now holds monthly events in 722 cities worldwide.
Green Drinks Mason was established in September 2008 and the first meeting was held in January 2009. The meetings, which are open to everyone, take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6-730pm in area locations, including Cincinnati. The group's website http://bit.ly/GDMFans describes the meetings as a way to "discuss, network and learn about sustainability - and have a good time doing it." The premise of Green Drinks is simple: discuss the environment, have a drink. Anyone is invited to sit and chat, and there's no real agenda to follow. "We want to get as many people as possible together to just network and meet people," says Eric Routenberg, founder and organizer of Green Drinks Mason. Routenberg, outside sales manager for InfoTrust LLC, http://www.infotrustllc.com saw Green Drinks as an avenue for people to exchange ideas and business cards, or just sit and listen in a friendly, non-threatening environment.
Topics of conversation have been as simple as discussing the benefits of recycling and how to stop a leaking faucet, to the more complex issues like global warming and urging government officials to require more reusable sources of energy. The talking points continue to shift and grow-while the drinks keep flowing. Often times, Green Drinks will invite a guest speaker to the monthly meeting "just to spark a conversation," says Routenberg. Of course, the topic must be environmentally related. The most recent Green Drinks Mason took place at the Famous Neon's Unplugged in Over-the-Rhine in August and featured a special forum on Cincinnati's green source for salvaging usable building materials. Jerry Janszen from Building Value LLC was the guest speaker. Along with themes and guest speakers, some meetings have featured promotional perks like a limousine tour of the city, or other ways to help their fellow businessmen while remaining a non-profit. A benefit for women with fibromyalgia is scheduled for the next meeting Sept. 29 at the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club in Ludlow,Ky.
"I just got tired of looking around the city and seeing these cigarette butts and trash on the ground," says Routenberg about founding the group. His concern for the area sparked a movement, and as a result, the Mason chapter of Green Drinks became reality. Most of the early meetings took place at the Fox & Hound Pub on Bowen Drive Routenberg says he's seen the group increase with every meeting. "We nearly doubled our very first meeting to our second," he says. Steps to create a new Green Drinks for your city are relatively easy. Among them: a reasonable distance from other Green Drinks chapters, maintaining politically neutral, and a desire to help others and the environment. Routenberg became aware of Green Drinls while reading an article in Men's Journal. Soon after, he made the call to Edwin Datschefski, founder of greendrinks.org, seeking to organize the Mason chapter. Datschefski serves as the international coordinator of Green Drinks and was one of the founding members in London.
While Green Drinks has become large in terms of worldwide participants, the philosophy of a small get-together remains the same. Each city strives to host the events in a local bar setting whenever possible, and most new groups start with only a dozen or so participants. It;s not uncommon for a larger city to attract 100 or more people per month to their meetings. Ten to 60 people have attended recent Green Drinks Mason meetings, and the number grows each time. "People have been turning out more for many different reasons," says Routenberg. Some chapters have noticed that as the group sizes increase, so do the possibilities. It's not uncommon for events like these to create lasting friendships, partnerships or even romance. Green Drinks also serves as a venue for prospective employment, something that is on the minds of many. As people gather with similar interests, certain opportunities may present themselves. This is something Routenberg has seen as a rewarding byproduct of Green Drinks.
"No matter what field it may be in, we all know someone who may fit a job opening," he says. "It's always satisfying seeing people come together for others in need and it's always great when you can relax and toss back a cold Blue Moon with an orange slice, too". In additiion to his responsibilities at his day job, InfoTrust, Routenberg works tirelessly on his promotion of Green Drinks Mason. He maintains social networking sites like Facebook and blog http://bit.ly/GDMason and gives updates and news blurbs on the latest Green Drinks news. "We aren't asking you to do a complete 180 in your lifestyle in one day," says Routenberg. Habitual changes can be difficult, but Green Drinks aims to make the transition a little easier-and more fun. Of course, you could always come for the drinks.
THANK YOU for reading this article on my Green Drinks Mason -- SMILE!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
You Know What Time It Is Right?
Baseball Fever & The Cincinnati Reds -vs- The Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night! Now let's ALL get behind those REDS....LOL & cheer on the Hometeam! :) GO REDS!
More GDMason coming soon...FROST in the AM brrrr it is gonna be 34* tonite! CHILLLLL
More GDMason coming soon...FROST in the AM brrrr it is gonna be 34* tonite! CHILLLLL
Friday, October 1, 2010
MONEY TALKS!
"Get it for a Song" - If all we had to do to buy something was croon a ditty, that would be the bargain of the century. For the familiarity of this saying, credit William Shakespeare, who popularized it in 'All's Well That Ends Well'. In the play, a jester tells the tale of a melancholy rich fellow so in need of a little joy that he sells his mansion "for a song". But the next time you're about to pay, don't expect sellers to be so generous. You'll need to lay down some cash-in lieu of tracks
Either..Or Use airline miles for airline tickets? Or for some other item? If you're close to scoring a Free ticket to Rome, we have one word for you: Arrivederci. "The smartest way to spend your miles is on high-cost travel, like an intn'l flight, says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, a consumer-travel website. In fact, you should always avoid trading in your miles for goodies like an espresso maker & a DVD player. Why? In comparison with a free plane ticket, the retail items eat up a disproportionate number of miles, says Galia Gichon, founder of Downtoearthfinance.com, an independent financial-education website. Case in point: A recent $516 Delta flight from New York City to London would require 60,000 Delta Sky Miles, whereas a 120-gigabyte Sony PlayStation that retails for less($390)would cost 79,400 miles. Of course, if you have miles that are about to expire or you plan to travel on popular travel dates, such as the winter holidays, the equation changes. In those cases, go ahead and order that juicer or video-game console, guilt free.
Thumbs-Up To...The New Gift Card Rules: As you may have heard, gift cards now cannot lose value or expire until 'five' years after the date of purchase, thanks to Federal Reserve regulations. (Previously, cards could become invalid one year after purchase) And there's more good news: Starting August 22, service fees, including those tacked on for balance inquiries and adding money to the card, are now limited to one fee per month. Plus, a full year has to pass before an inactivity fee (around $2 a month) can be charged, and as of January 31, 2011, the fee amount must be fully disclosed on the back of the card.
HAPPY OCTOBER & HAVE A FALL FILLED WITH COLORS & SMILES!
Either..Or Use airline miles for airline tickets? Or for some other item? If you're close to scoring a Free ticket to Rome, we have one word for you: Arrivederci. "The smartest way to spend your miles is on high-cost travel, like an intn'l flight, says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, a consumer-travel website. In fact, you should always avoid trading in your miles for goodies like an espresso maker & a DVD player. Why? In comparison with a free plane ticket, the retail items eat up a disproportionate number of miles, says Galia Gichon, founder of Downtoearthfinance.com, an independent financial-education website. Case in point: A recent $516 Delta flight from New York City to London would require 60,000 Delta Sky Miles, whereas a 120-gigabyte Sony PlayStation that retails for less($390)would cost 79,400 miles. Of course, if you have miles that are about to expire or you plan to travel on popular travel dates, such as the winter holidays, the equation changes. In those cases, go ahead and order that juicer or video-game console, guilt free.
Thumbs-Up To...The New Gift Card Rules: As you may have heard, gift cards now cannot lose value or expire until 'five' years after the date of purchase, thanks to Federal Reserve regulations. (Previously, cards could become invalid one year after purchase) And there's more good news: Starting August 22, service fees, including those tacked on for balance inquiries and adding money to the card, are now limited to one fee per month. Plus, a full year has to pass before an inactivity fee (around $2 a month) can be charged, and as of January 31, 2011, the fee amount must be fully disclosed on the back of the card.
HAPPY OCTOBER & HAVE A FALL FILLED WITH COLORS & SMILES!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
hot, hot (cheap) heat
The cold is coming-is your house ready?
AH, FALL. Leaves falling, pumpkins ripening, birds flocking southward to their winter homes. And there you are: shivering in your basement, kneeling by the furnace, trying to light the pilot, & softly growing more morose with the realization that you'll be paying triple-digit heating bills for the next six months. Worse, you might even be paying thousands a year for splotchy forced-air heat that leaves some rooms cold, others roasting, and everyone with runny, dust-filled noses, if you live in Cincinnati,OH allergy central!
But don't fret. chilly children, there are as many ways to efficiently & thoroughly heat your home as there are to fry an egg. That is, there are a few-and it all depends on what type of heating system you have, how much work you want to do, & how much you are willing to spend up front to save down the road. As The Jam famously sang, "What you give is what you get." So let's get gittin'.
But first, a word. One of the biggest heat depleters is leakage. I don't want to get all Dad on you, but the cheapest & quickest way to stay warm & save money is to cover your windows with heavy-duty plastic & check for air leaks around outlets, vents & doors.(See more tips at www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/)And now, on to the business at hand.
Activent: Forced-Air Fixins(Easy) Most houses in the U.S. have forced air heating. It's easy to check: Does hot air blow through wall vents or floor registers in your home? Then you have forced-air heating. Unfortunately for you, forced-air heating can be the most inefficient, money-sucking, environmentally damaging heat source outside of burning coal. Apart from that, it often blows dust & allergens through its vents, contributing to sneezy misery throughout the winter months. Forced air also 'blows' because of that little thing called a thermostat. The thermostat monitors the temperature of the room in which it is placed, & it turns the heat on & off to maintain the temp. in that room. The only problem is that a house is generally made up of many rooms, & all of those rooms are different: Some big, some small, some have lots of windows(that easily release heat)some don't. This makes keeping a consistent temp throughout the house impossible-and wastes heat in rooms you aren't even using.
So what to do? Upgrading to another heating source can be prohibitively expensive, & for renters it isn't even an option. One idea is to install a neat little gizmo called Activent(theactivent.com)in the rooms most used in the cold season to save up to five percent in heating costs per room. Here is how it works: Activent is a wireless thermostat & automatic vent combo. You install it within the existing heating duct(which takes about five minutes)then put the wireless thermostat somewhere close to where you usually hang out. The thermostat monitors the temperature in the room, automatically opening & closing the Activent as needed, and is programmable to shut off when you know a room won't be in use, It works for A/C as well.. In a house with four Activents installed, savings are estimated to be about $370 a year, dependng on fuel costs in your area,(each Activent unit costs about $75)In other words, you'll stay warmer for cheaper!
Radical Radiant Heat. Radiant heat can be up to 95% cheaper to install & about 30-50% less expensive to run than forced-air systems. That's huge. But why is it always about money with you people!?! What about warmth, comfort, & enjoying the company of loved ones? For this, we offer radiant's true benefit: This in-floor system is arguably the highest-quality, cleanest, & coziest heat source available. I can attest to this. It is warming my feet & my lazy dog's stomach right now. Basically, radiant heat systems work by heating a circuit of tubes under the floor. These tubes are heated by either hot water or electricity. Electric systems are usually best for small spaces, while hydronic(hot water)are best for larger spaces. The best option is to use both: electric for kitchens & bathrooms & hydronic for large rooms through out the rest of the house.
For new construction, it's a no-brainer: just have hydronic or electrical systems installed as you do your construction. Remember that the quality of floors will determine the efficiency of your radiant system: Thin floors warm quickly but cost more to keep warm; thick floors like concrete stay warmer longer & are way more efficient but take hours to heat. For existing construction, it's more complicated. Installing radiant systems means ripping up your existing floor or scrambling under your basement adhering heating tubes to the underside of your floorboards, which I can tell you is a royal pain. But within a few years, radiant heat pays back big-time. Soon you'' be feeling as warm and cozy as sipping Hennessey next to a crackling fire!
SMILE at someone TODAY, you have NO idea how much that helps people :) And also.. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=155279697830829&ref=nf
AH, FALL. Leaves falling, pumpkins ripening, birds flocking southward to their winter homes. And there you are: shivering in your basement, kneeling by the furnace, trying to light the pilot, & softly growing more morose with the realization that you'll be paying triple-digit heating bills for the next six months. Worse, you might even be paying thousands a year for splotchy forced-air heat that leaves some rooms cold, others roasting, and everyone with runny, dust-filled noses, if you live in Cincinnati,OH allergy central!
But don't fret. chilly children, there are as many ways to efficiently & thoroughly heat your home as there are to fry an egg. That is, there are a few-and it all depends on what type of heating system you have, how much work you want to do, & how much you are willing to spend up front to save down the road. As The Jam famously sang, "What you give is what you get." So let's get gittin'.
But first, a word. One of the biggest heat depleters is leakage. I don't want to get all Dad on you, but the cheapest & quickest way to stay warm & save money is to cover your windows with heavy-duty plastic & check for air leaks around outlets, vents & doors.(See more tips at www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/)And now, on to the business at hand.
Activent: Forced-Air Fixins(Easy) Most houses in the U.S. have forced air heating. It's easy to check: Does hot air blow through wall vents or floor registers in your home? Then you have forced-air heating. Unfortunately for you, forced-air heating can be the most inefficient, money-sucking, environmentally damaging heat source outside of burning coal. Apart from that, it often blows dust & allergens through its vents, contributing to sneezy misery throughout the winter months. Forced air also 'blows' because of that little thing called a thermostat. The thermostat monitors the temperature of the room in which it is placed, & it turns the heat on & off to maintain the temp. in that room. The only problem is that a house is generally made up of many rooms, & all of those rooms are different: Some big, some small, some have lots of windows(that easily release heat)some don't. This makes keeping a consistent temp throughout the house impossible-and wastes heat in rooms you aren't even using.
So what to do? Upgrading to another heating source can be prohibitively expensive, & for renters it isn't even an option. One idea is to install a neat little gizmo called Activent(theactivent.com)in the rooms most used in the cold season to save up to five percent in heating costs per room. Here is how it works: Activent is a wireless thermostat & automatic vent combo. You install it within the existing heating duct(which takes about five minutes)then put the wireless thermostat somewhere close to where you usually hang out. The thermostat monitors the temperature in the room, automatically opening & closing the Activent as needed, and is programmable to shut off when you know a room won't be in use, It works for A/C as well.. In a house with four Activents installed, savings are estimated to be about $370 a year, dependng on fuel costs in your area,(each Activent unit costs about $75)In other words, you'll stay warmer for cheaper!
Radical Radiant Heat. Radiant heat can be up to 95% cheaper to install & about 30-50% less expensive to run than forced-air systems. That's huge. But why is it always about money with you people!?! What about warmth, comfort, & enjoying the company of loved ones? For this, we offer radiant's true benefit: This in-floor system is arguably the highest-quality, cleanest, & coziest heat source available. I can attest to this. It is warming my feet & my lazy dog's stomach right now. Basically, radiant heat systems work by heating a circuit of tubes under the floor. These tubes are heated by either hot water or electricity. Electric systems are usually best for small spaces, while hydronic(hot water)are best for larger spaces. The best option is to use both: electric for kitchens & bathrooms & hydronic for large rooms through out the rest of the house.
For new construction, it's a no-brainer: just have hydronic or electrical systems installed as you do your construction. Remember that the quality of floors will determine the efficiency of your radiant system: Thin floors warm quickly but cost more to keep warm; thick floors like concrete stay warmer longer & are way more efficient but take hours to heat. For existing construction, it's more complicated. Installing radiant systems means ripping up your existing floor or scrambling under your basement adhering heating tubes to the underside of your floorboards, which I can tell you is a royal pain. But within a few years, radiant heat pays back big-time. Soon you'' be feeling as warm and cozy as sipping Hennessey next to a crackling fire!
SMILE at someone TODAY, you have NO idea how much that helps people :) And also.. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=155279697830829&ref=nf
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Did you Forget?
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=155279697830829&ref=nf Sept 29 LQQK forward to seeing you all. If you can't make it Please go to www.fmaware.org and click on Donate tab. Let's help with $ in the amount of $5 or $10 to find answers for Women w/Fibromyalgia.
Thank You!
Thank You!
Monday, September 20, 2010
8 Problem solvers of the Month!
*Teatime-Friendly Mug: this refined ceramic cup has a clever zipper-inspired groove to help the string on your bag of Earl Grey stay put. To Buy: $40 for 2 mugs & 2 coasters, mollaspace.com
*No-Hand Stand: slide your iPhone into the Movie-Peg's groove, then prop it up on a steady surface for smudge-free viewing. Comes in six film-inspired colors.(Pretty in Pink, Blue Velvet) To Buy: $8, movie-peg.com(An iPad version, $13 is also available)
*All-In-One Makeup Stick: Hogwarts, eat your heart out. This truly magical wand features a coordinating eyeliner, highlighter, and eye shadow that fit together in a pen-size tube. There's also a three-in-one version for lips. To Buy: $17, wanderlovebeauty.com
*Muffin-Pan Sponge: if you find yourself blurting out expletives as you try to remove baked-on spills after cupcake duty, this uniquely shaped Casabella sponge will help clean up the tin-and your language, young lady. To Buy: $3, kingarthurflour.com
*Collapsible Wheel Barrow: turns out, you can reinvent the wheel(barrow)--just check out this ground-loading model. Its low center of gravity reduces strain on your back to make hauling big piles a gentle fall breeze. To Buy: $65, uncommongoods.com
And have you heard about...?
*Dropbox.com: tired of emailing files to yourself so you can access them from another location? Try this online backup site, where you can store up to 2 gigabytes for free. Install the software on two computers & the site will keep them in sync. Works interchangeably with a Mac, a PC, or a mobile phone.
*Renttherunway.com: if you don't want to spend $$$ on a dress you'll wear once, maybe twice, sign up (for free) at this clothing-rental site. Generally, rentng a piece from a designer like Herve' Le'ger, Catherine Malandrino, or Tibi costs about 10% of the retail price, which means you can score a $1590 cocktail dress for $150-and that includes shipping both ways & dry cleaning.(To ensure a perfect fit, you can pick two sizes.)
*Jasmere.com: this group-buying site is similar to Groupon.com but focuses on discounted products from specialty retailers as opposed to community-centric deals. Once a slae on, say, art prints, beauty products, or sweet treats goes live, buyers have 24 hours to commit to purchasing. The more people who order, the higher the discount. When time is up, your credit card is charged the lowest price.
SMILE! & buy someone's breakfast, lunch or Starbucks today :)
*No-Hand Stand: slide your iPhone into the Movie-Peg's groove, then prop it up on a steady surface for smudge-free viewing. Comes in six film-inspired colors.(Pretty in Pink, Blue Velvet) To Buy: $8, movie-peg.com(An iPad version, $13 is also available)
*All-In-One Makeup Stick: Hogwarts, eat your heart out. This truly magical wand features a coordinating eyeliner, highlighter, and eye shadow that fit together in a pen-size tube. There's also a three-in-one version for lips. To Buy: $17, wanderlovebeauty.com
*Muffin-Pan Sponge: if you find yourself blurting out expletives as you try to remove baked-on spills after cupcake duty, this uniquely shaped Casabella sponge will help clean up the tin-and your language, young lady. To Buy: $3, kingarthurflour.com
*Collapsible Wheel Barrow: turns out, you can reinvent the wheel(barrow)--just check out this ground-loading model. Its low center of gravity reduces strain on your back to make hauling big piles a gentle fall breeze. To Buy: $65, uncommongoods.com
And have you heard about...?
*Dropbox.com: tired of emailing files to yourself so you can access them from another location? Try this online backup site, where you can store up to 2 gigabytes for free. Install the software on two computers & the site will keep them in sync. Works interchangeably with a Mac, a PC, or a mobile phone.
*Renttherunway.com: if you don't want to spend $$$ on a dress you'll wear once, maybe twice, sign up (for free) at this clothing-rental site. Generally, rentng a piece from a designer like Herve' Le'ger, Catherine Malandrino, or Tibi costs about 10% of the retail price, which means you can score a $1590 cocktail dress for $150-and that includes shipping both ways & dry cleaning.(To ensure a perfect fit, you can pick two sizes.)
*Jasmere.com: this group-buying site is similar to Groupon.com but focuses on discounted products from specialty retailers as opposed to community-centric deals. Once a slae on, say, art prints, beauty products, or sweet treats goes live, buyers have 24 hours to commit to purchasing. The more people who order, the higher the discount. When time is up, your credit card is charged the lowest price.
SMILE! & buy someone's breakfast, lunch or Starbucks today :)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Timely Trivia - Cathy Conversation Starters!
70% the probability that a tree in a certain picturesque New England forest contains ANTHOCYANIN, the pigment that makes leaves turn red or brown in autumn. The onset of cool weather combined with bright sunlight stimulates the production of anthocyanin, allowing the warm tone to emerge. To find out the peak leaf-viewing days in your area, head to weather.com and search "fall foliage".
$1,243.60 the average amount those bidding on a car went up on their offers when sitting on soft chairs, according to a recent study by researchers at MIT, Harvard and Yale. Those who sit in hard chairs were shrewder, offering only $896.50 more. The researchers concluded that our sense of touch can influence our decisions in ways we may not be aware of. So the next time you find yourself in the hot seat, make sure it's a hard one.
16 billion the approximate number of quarts of popcorn that Americans scarf down each year. Trade in the predictable butter for unexpected ingredient combinations, like paprika & brown sugar or garlic-infused oil and pecorino, during this National Popcorn Poppin' Month.
16,242 how many baseball fans attended the 1st-ever World Series game, on October 1, 1903, which pitted the Pittsburgh Pirates against the eventual champions, the Boston Americans. Fast-forward to last year's series, when more than 50,000 fans packed Yankee Stadium, not to mention the 19.4million watching on TV. Strike up a conversation with that bit of trivia once the Fall Classic begins on the 27th. Just don't do it when the bases are loaded!
25lbs how much Halloween candy a reusable ChicoBag can hold. (That's like 781 Kit Kat Snack Size bars!) The earth-friendly tote company is teaming up with the nonprofit Green Halloween(greenhalloween.org)for it's annual Trick-or-Treat bag contest. Kids ages 13 and under can email their own "eek-o-inspired" designs to Halloween@chicobag.com by November 5. The winning creation will show up on next year's carriers. For more details on the contest or to purchase this year's design, go to chicobag.com
Decade 500 the number of newsworthy photos in Decade(Phaidon,$40)out this month. Reflect on the good (the launch of YouTube), the not-so-bad (Y2K), and the scandalous (wardrobe malfunction!) moments of the last 10 years with these visual blasts from the past.
Be Safe this Halloween & Please Donate Sept 29 for Women w/Fibromyalgia www.fmaware.org click Donate tab. $5 or $10 dollars much appreciated! :) Thanks
$1,243.60 the average amount those bidding on a car went up on their offers when sitting on soft chairs, according to a recent study by researchers at MIT, Harvard and Yale. Those who sit in hard chairs were shrewder, offering only $896.50 more. The researchers concluded that our sense of touch can influence our decisions in ways we may not be aware of. So the next time you find yourself in the hot seat, make sure it's a hard one.
16 billion the approximate number of quarts of popcorn that Americans scarf down each year. Trade in the predictable butter for unexpected ingredient combinations, like paprika & brown sugar or garlic-infused oil and pecorino, during this National Popcorn Poppin' Month.
16,242 how many baseball fans attended the 1st-ever World Series game, on October 1, 1903, which pitted the Pittsburgh Pirates against the eventual champions, the Boston Americans. Fast-forward to last year's series, when more than 50,000 fans packed Yankee Stadium, not to mention the 19.4million watching on TV. Strike up a conversation with that bit of trivia once the Fall Classic begins on the 27th. Just don't do it when the bases are loaded!
25lbs how much Halloween candy a reusable ChicoBag can hold. (That's like 781 Kit Kat Snack Size bars!) The earth-friendly tote company is teaming up with the nonprofit Green Halloween(greenhalloween.org)for it's annual Trick-or-Treat bag contest. Kids ages 13 and under can email their own "eek-o-inspired" designs to Halloween@chicobag.com by November 5. The winning creation will show up on next year's carriers. For more details on the contest or to purchase this year's design, go to chicobag.com
Decade 500 the number of newsworthy photos in Decade(Phaidon,$40)out this month. Reflect on the good (the launch of YouTube), the not-so-bad (Y2K), and the scandalous (wardrobe malfunction!) moments of the last 10 years with these visual blasts from the past.
Be Safe this Halloween & Please Donate Sept 29 for Women w/Fibromyalgia www.fmaware.org click Donate tab. $5 or $10 dollars much appreciated! :) Thanks
Friday, September 10, 2010
room for Pie..
Double Pumpkin Pie with Oak Crust
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 50 mins
Cool: 2 hours Oven: 450*F / 350*F
1 recipe Oat Pastry
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1 9-ounce jar pumpkin butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 egg whites, lightly beaten
3/4 cup fat-free milk
Pumpkin-Choclate Cheesecake Pie
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 64 mins
Chill: 30 mins Oven: 450*F / 375*F
1 recipe Deep Dish Pie Pastry
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate or miniature chocolate pieces
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup half-and-half or light cream
Chopped chocolate (optional)
Ginger-Pumpkin Meringue Pie
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 69 mins
Cool: 2 hours Oven: 375*F / 350*F
1 recipe Gingersnap-Graham Crust
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cups maple syrup
1 recipe Brown Sugar Meringue
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 50 mins
Cool: 2 hours Oven: 450*F / 350*F
1 recipe Oat Pastry
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1 9-ounce jar pumpkin butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 egg whites, lightly beaten
3/4 cup fat-free milk
Pumpkin-Choclate Cheesecake Pie
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 64 mins
Chill: 30 mins Oven: 450*F / 375*F
1 recipe Deep Dish Pie Pastry
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate or miniature chocolate pieces
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup half-and-half or light cream
Chopped chocolate (optional)
Ginger-Pumpkin Meringue Pie
Prep: 30 mins Bake: 69 mins
Cool: 2 hours Oven: 375*F / 350*F
1 recipe Gingersnap-Graham Crust
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cups maple syrup
1 recipe Brown Sugar Meringue
Monday, August 30, 2010
The New Type of Job Search
Looking beyond Career Builder & Monster...check these unknown, but very good helps!
--Job Aggregators
--Job Boards & Industry Niche Sites
--Twitter
--Facebook Job Search
LinkUp.com - in your area/city & zip code
Jobster.com - search company sites for jobs
JobsOnline.com - Every job, Everywhere, Apply today, Start tomorrow
Oodle.com - FREE for companies to post jobs in there companies
CareerJet.com - an employment site
JuJu.com & http://www.job-search-engine.com
Job Central.com - Govt jobs, register to look for jobs
Hound.com - where you can find unadvertised jobs
Realmatch.com - like a dating site, matches you with different jobs
AllTop.com - top jobs
JobBoardReviews.com - very nice
JobSiteNiches.com - specific jobs listed
JobServe.us - good site to view
JigSaw.com
Emurse.com
Benefits of Twitter
1. Showcase yourself
2. Learn from others
3. Build your network
4. Learn technology
5. Market your work
6. Learn about others
TwitterJobSearch.com - local & Int'l as well all my European friends :)
TwitterJobFinder.com
Tweetscan.com
TwitterJobCast.com
JobShouts.com
NearbyTweets.com - find local ppl on twitter near you
TwitterListCincinnati.com
Twellow.com - yellow pages of twitter folks
TweetAJob.com - find lots of jobs here
Twilert.com - again more jobs
HootSuite.com - great aggregator once you have Twitter down
Bitly.com - a URL shortener
**Just a few things I hope will help you find a job. Feel free to leave comments-Thanks!
--Job Aggregators
--Job Boards & Industry Niche Sites
--Facebook Job Search
LinkUp.com - in your area/city & zip code
Jobster.com - search company sites for jobs
JobsOnline.com - Every job, Everywhere, Apply today, Start tomorrow
Oodle.com - FREE for companies to post jobs in there companies
CareerJet.com - an employment site
JuJu.com & http://www.job-search-engine.com
Job Central.com - Govt jobs, register to look for jobs
Hound.com - where you can find unadvertised jobs
Realmatch.com - like a dating site, matches you with different jobs
AllTop.com - top jobs
JobBoardReviews.com - very nice
JobSiteNiches.com - specific jobs listed
JobServe.us - good site to view
JigSaw.com
Emurse.com
Benefits of Twitter
1. Showcase yourself
2. Learn from others
3. Build your network
4. Learn technology
5. Market your work
6. Learn about others
TwitterJobSearch.com - local & Int'l as well all my European friends :)
TwitterJobFinder.com
Tweetscan.com
TwitterJobCast.com
JobShouts.com
NearbyTweets.com - find local ppl on twitter near you
TwitterListCincinnati.com
Twellow.com - yellow pages of twitter folks
TweetAJob.com - find lots of jobs here
Twilert.com - again more jobs
HootSuite.com - great aggregator once you have Twitter down
Bitly.com - a URL shortener
**Just a few things I hope will help you find a job. Feel free to leave comments-Thanks!
GDM + NFA
Hi everyone - The month of September, for Green Drinks Mason, is one of support for a crippling disease. Fibromyalgia, it affects so many people, mainly women, and I have some close friends, Shannon & others, who can use our help, and by help I mean making a donation to the cause: www.fmaware.com Is the site to make donations too. Click on the 'Donate' tab at the Top right hand side of the page & as always, we Thank You! We will be headed out to Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club or www.yelp.com/biz/ludlow-bromley-yacht-club-ludlow
Green Drinks Mason
http://bit.ly/GDMason
http://greendrinks.org/OH/Mason
http://bit.ly/GDMFans
Green Drinks Mason
http://bit.ly/GDMason
http://greendrinks.org/OH/Mason
http://bit.ly/GDMFans
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Hotmail - erockavella@hotmail.com - Windows Live
Hotmail - erockavella@hotmail.com - Windows Live: "http://www.strategy-business.com/article/09306?gko=5df7f"
Monday, August 23, 2010
Facebook (94) | Eric Routenberg A Must-See!
Facebook (94) | Eric Routenberg A Must-See!: "A Must-See!Dog Saves Dog A MUST SEE
Length:0:51"
Length:0:51"
Friday, August 20, 2010
road test Hair Dryers..
Best Overall> T3 Featherweight Luxe: weighing less than one pound, this little wonder didn't tire arms, even during marathon sessions. While pricey, its four heat settings, two speeds, & two attachments guarantee flawless results.
To Buy: $250, sephora.com
Suitcase Friendly> Revlon Designer Series Folding Handle Travel Dryer: this compact model fits into any carry-on. (Tuck in the handle & it measures about 5" wide) And it's got power: Testers found it dried hair quickly & left strands feeling silky.
To Buy: $20, kmart.com
Energy Saving> Conair EcoDry Styler: this planet-friendly model uses 25 percent less juice than full-force competitors but works well. And it comes with all the extras, like a cool-shot button and an efficiency-boosting nozzle.
To Buy: $27, conair.com
Pro Pick> TwinTurbo 3200 Ceramic & Ionic: "It's four heat settings tame all hair textures, from baby fine to coarse. And it cuts drying time in half" says Jeanine Syfu, a New York City stylist.
To Buy: $199, birthofbeauty.com
Quietest> Velecta Paramount Paris X:Q Onyx: babies and husbands slept peacefully while testers wielded this machine which claims to be 300% quieter than the average. And with a mighty 2,000 watts(many dryers have no more than 1,875)it dries hair in a flash.
To Buy: $300, beechergroup.com
The Retro-Futurist Exotic - One look at the Morgan Aero SuperSports & you half expect to see a comic-book avenger behind the whell, prowling a dark, dystopian metropolis. And as is often the case with sci-fi heroes, the car's technology is a mish-mash of old and new. In Morgan tradition an ash hardwood frame for the cabin is mounted to the aluminum chassis with alloy body panels-a modern variation on 1960s-style Italian coach buidling.(Ash is strong, flexible, & light-perfect for a sports car)Inside, the wood peeks out between carbon fiber & leather. Flowing pontoons & a cascading grill hide a 367-hp BMW V-8, good for 4.2-second 0-60 run - handy when you need to make a quick getaway.[$197,000; morgan-motor.co.uk]
The Next Generation Gauge - Analog gauges would be too simplistic, but a purley electronic instrument panel wouldn't reflect the mechanical soul of the Lexus LFA, a $375,000 technological tour de force with a 9,000-rpm V-10 engine. So Lexus invented a way to do both. A TFT screen displays a virtual tachometer-more specifically, a tachometer that morphs, rotating when you put the car in sport mode so the redline is at the top, where it's more visible. But the coup de grace comes in a motorized metal ring with an acrylic lens that slides in front of the tach, lending depth to the display. Like the LFA itself the gauge is an innovation on tradition(lexus.com)
The Made-Over SUV - For off-road purists, the Land Rover Defender by Aznom is heresy, but there's no faulting its panache. It's more Rodeo Drive badass than Rubicon bruiser, as Aznom dolls up the patron saint of SUVs with carbon-fiber skid plates, a two-tone paint job, and an orange interior seemingly stolen from a Lamborghini. {price N/A; aznom.it}
***SMILE! :) Uber HOT here this wknd, but coming into FALL-AHHH Sleep well, celebrate often, LOVE MUCH!
To Buy: $250, sephora.com
Suitcase Friendly> Revlon Designer Series Folding Handle Travel Dryer: this compact model fits into any carry-on. (Tuck in the handle & it measures about 5" wide) And it's got power: Testers found it dried hair quickly & left strands feeling silky.
To Buy: $20, kmart.com
Energy Saving> Conair EcoDry Styler: this planet-friendly model uses 25 percent less juice than full-force competitors but works well. And it comes with all the extras, like a cool-shot button and an efficiency-boosting nozzle.
To Buy: $27, conair.com
Pro Pick> TwinTurbo 3200 Ceramic & Ionic: "It's four heat settings tame all hair textures, from baby fine to coarse. And it cuts drying time in half" says Jeanine Syfu, a New York City stylist.
To Buy: $199, birthofbeauty.com
Quietest> Velecta Paramount Paris X:Q Onyx: babies and husbands slept peacefully while testers wielded this machine which claims to be 300% quieter than the average. And with a mighty 2,000 watts(many dryers have no more than 1,875)it dries hair in a flash.
To Buy: $300, beechergroup.com
The Retro-Futurist Exotic - One look at the Morgan Aero SuperSports & you half expect to see a comic-book avenger behind the whell, prowling a dark, dystopian metropolis. And as is often the case with sci-fi heroes, the car's technology is a mish-mash of old and new. In Morgan tradition an ash hardwood frame for the cabin is mounted to the aluminum chassis with alloy body panels-a modern variation on 1960s-style Italian coach buidling.(Ash is strong, flexible, & light-perfect for a sports car)Inside, the wood peeks out between carbon fiber & leather. Flowing pontoons & a cascading grill hide a 367-hp BMW V-8, good for 4.2-second 0-60 run - handy when you need to make a quick getaway.[$197,000; morgan-motor.co.uk]
The Next Generation Gauge - Analog gauges would be too simplistic, but a purley electronic instrument panel wouldn't reflect the mechanical soul of the Lexus LFA, a $375,000 technological tour de force with a 9,000-rpm V-10 engine. So Lexus invented a way to do both. A TFT screen displays a virtual tachometer-more specifically, a tachometer that morphs, rotating when you put the car in sport mode so the redline is at the top, where it's more visible. But the coup de grace comes in a motorized metal ring with an acrylic lens that slides in front of the tach, lending depth to the display. Like the LFA itself the gauge is an innovation on tradition(lexus.com)
The Made-Over SUV - For off-road purists, the Land Rover Defender by Aznom is heresy, but there's no faulting its panache. It's more Rodeo Drive badass than Rubicon bruiser, as Aznom dolls up the patron saint of SUVs with carbon-fiber skid plates, a two-tone paint job, and an orange interior seemingly stolen from a Lamborghini. {price N/A; aznom.it}
***SMILE! :) Uber HOT here this wknd, but coming into FALL-AHHH Sleep well, celebrate often, LOVE MUCH!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
the simple list
1/4inch - the length of the average termite. They may seem good for nothing, but according ot Peter Miller in The Smart Swarm, the way the tiny pests construct 10-foot high mounds may provide a model for creating energy-efficient buildings. There's something to chew on.
$25,000 - The First Prize college scholarship up for grabs in Jif's Most Creative Sandwich Contest. Wrest open a jar and help your preteen chef(yes, parental collaboration is encouraged)to one-up last year's winning concoction of crunchy peanut butter, apples, grapes, and chicken in a lettuce wrap. Enter your delicious out-of-the-(lunch)-box creations by October 22 at jif.com.
4 - How many inches deep a tulip bulb should be planted in the fall to help it bloom when warmer weather hits. The ideal time for planting spring-flowering bulbs is October for most parts of the country, so order yours now. Pick from a wide selection of varieties at brentandbeckysbulbs.com and whiteflowerfarm.com.
17 minutes - The average length of a designer's show during New York City's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which kicks off September 9. This year the tents move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, as they comment on their favorite trends.
207 words per minute - The fastest score (at press time) on Typeracer.com, a FREE site where you can see how effective that seventh-grade typing class really was. Put your fingers on the marks (ASDF and JKL;) get set, and compete against others. (Hunt-and-peckers need not apply.)
Boost your performance with having a smarter home!
Reduce viral clutter: consolidate photos, videos, and music on one centralized media server with an Intel Core i5 processor for easy multitasking.
Sizing up the TV: figure out how far you sit from the TV, then divide the number in half for your screen size.
Sound solutions: for simulated surround sound in smaller rooms, try a soundbar. For even better sound, add speakers in the back of the room.
Centralized DVR: major cable companies offer cable receivers/DVRs that allow you to record on all your TVs, all from one box.
Upload photos anywhere, anytime: get a memory card that lets you store your photos as well as upload them wirelessly to your computer.
$25,000 - The First Prize college scholarship up for grabs in Jif's Most Creative Sandwich Contest. Wrest open a jar and help your preteen chef(yes, parental collaboration is encouraged)to one-up last year's winning concoction of crunchy peanut butter, apples, grapes, and chicken in a lettuce wrap. Enter your delicious out-of-the-(lunch)-box creations by October 22 at jif.com.
4 - How many inches deep a tulip bulb should be planted in the fall to help it bloom when warmer weather hits. The ideal time for planting spring-flowering bulbs is October for most parts of the country, so order yours now. Pick from a wide selection of varieties at brentandbeckysbulbs.com and whiteflowerfarm.com.
17 minutes - The average length of a designer's show during New York City's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which kicks off September 9. This year the tents move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, as they comment on their favorite trends.
207 words per minute - The fastest score (at press time) on Typeracer.com, a FREE site where you can see how effective that seventh-grade typing class really was. Put your fingers on the marks (ASDF and JKL;) get set, and compete against others. (Hunt-and-peckers need not apply.)
Boost your performance with having a smarter home!
Reduce viral clutter: consolidate photos, videos, and music on one centralized media server with an Intel Core i5 processor for easy multitasking.
Sizing up the TV: figure out how far you sit from the TV, then divide the number in half for your screen size.
Sound solutions: for simulated surround sound in smaller rooms, try a soundbar. For even better sound, add speakers in the back of the room.
Centralized DVR: major cable companies offer cable receivers/DVRs that allow you to record on all your TVs, all from one box.
Upload photos anywhere, anytime: get a memory card that lets you store your photos as well as upload them wirelessly to your computer.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Eco Sport, Style & Design
The Twisted Sleeping Bag: Circus contortionists may be fine with the claustrophobic confines of the average sleeping bag, but for the rest of us, there's the Montbell Ultralight Super Spiral Down Hugger #1. By pairing elastic thread with ultralight 12-denier nylon cut on the bias-a tailor's trick that utilizes a fabric's natural stretchiness - it lets you, say, sit up cross-legged without unzipping it. And when you finally lie down, those elastic seams elaminate drafty air spaces.
[$329; montbell.com]
The Sexy Hiker: We appreciate the Patagonia P26 hiking boot-named for the number of bones in the human foot-for its eco-chummy leather upper (tanned in a process that uses 35 percent less energy) & 50 percent recycled sole. But we want it because it looks so sleek compared to other hikers, a streamlined, wedge-shaped sports car in a parking lot of blovky Econoline vans. [from $170; patagonia.com]
The Agile Knife: A sharp blade becomes more of a hazard than a help if you don't have the dexterity to use it properly. Enter the Gerber Mini-Remix and its gaping hole. Slide your index finger through & you'll realize that the knife's pivot point is right at the base of the 2.05-inch blade, not your wrist, allowing for control that makes you look like a sushi maker - even if you're just cutting drywall. [$30; gerbergear.com]
The Cutting-Edge Bat: Ted Williams once wrote that he spent the off-seaon using an ax because it improved his swing, which in turn inspired the Baden Axe Pro Bat. Gone is the perfectly cylindrical handle and disk pommel, replaced with the pinched oval handle and flared bottom of an ax. Okayed by the MLB, the new maple bat has caught on with pros who say its ergonomic handle lets them take batting practice longer.
[$110; badensports.com]
Unexpected Design-The Eco-Friendly Shoebox: A collaboration between Puma & California design think tank fuseproject to create a more Earth-sensitive, efficient shoe carrier.
Design Process: At first fuseproject, led by industrial design god Yves Behar, toyed with a fairly simple remix of the regualr shoebox: One prototype was made from 100% recycled pulp, but was discarded because it required more energy to produce than a standard cardboard box. Nearly 2 years, roughly 1000 concept sketches, 40 prototypes & several environmental audits into the project, Behar found what he wanted a design that was not only greener in constitution, but greener in function, too.
End Product: The Puma clever Little Bag is a heat-welded (to eliminate thread)sack made from recycled PET plastic with an origami-like cardboard divider inside. Puma estimates it will save 8500 tons of paper, 20 million megajoules of energy, & 275 tons of plastic, but Behar's pleased that he gave a shoebox utility. "Often with eco-solutions the consumer gets less of something," he says. "This bag becomes functional, whether it's to travel with the shoes or to replace the plastic bag you get at the store." After a few more tweaks, you'll be able to get your kicks with the Clever Little Bag this winter.
***SMILE! TGIF & be the Light in someone's day...Today! :)
[$329; montbell.com]
The Sexy Hiker: We appreciate the Patagonia P26 hiking boot-named for the number of bones in the human foot-for its eco-chummy leather upper (tanned in a process that uses 35 percent less energy) & 50 percent recycled sole. But we want it because it looks so sleek compared to other hikers, a streamlined, wedge-shaped sports car in a parking lot of blovky Econoline vans. [from $170; patagonia.com]
The Agile Knife: A sharp blade becomes more of a hazard than a help if you don't have the dexterity to use it properly. Enter the Gerber Mini-Remix and its gaping hole. Slide your index finger through & you'll realize that the knife's pivot point is right at the base of the 2.05-inch blade, not your wrist, allowing for control that makes you look like a sushi maker - even if you're just cutting drywall. [$30; gerbergear.com]
The Cutting-Edge Bat: Ted Williams once wrote that he spent the off-seaon using an ax because it improved his swing, which in turn inspired the Baden Axe Pro Bat. Gone is the perfectly cylindrical handle and disk pommel, replaced with the pinched oval handle and flared bottom of an ax. Okayed by the MLB, the new maple bat has caught on with pros who say its ergonomic handle lets them take batting practice longer.
[$110; badensports.com]
Unexpected Design-The Eco-Friendly Shoebox: A collaboration between Puma & California design think tank fuseproject to create a more Earth-sensitive, efficient shoe carrier.
Design Process: At first fuseproject, led by industrial design god Yves Behar, toyed with a fairly simple remix of the regualr shoebox: One prototype was made from 100% recycled pulp, but was discarded because it required more energy to produce than a standard cardboard box. Nearly 2 years, roughly 1000 concept sketches, 40 prototypes & several environmental audits into the project, Behar found what he wanted a design that was not only greener in constitution, but greener in function, too.
End Product: The Puma clever Little Bag is a heat-welded (to eliminate thread)sack made from recycled PET plastic with an origami-like cardboard divider inside. Puma estimates it will save 8500 tons of paper, 20 million megajoules of energy, & 275 tons of plastic, but Behar's pleased that he gave a shoebox utility. "Often with eco-solutions the consumer gets less of something," he says. "This bag becomes functional, whether it's to travel with the shoes or to replace the plastic bag you get at the store." After a few more tweaks, you'll be able to get your kicks with the Clever Little Bag this winter.
***SMILE! TGIF & be the Light in someone's day...Today! :)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
beauty & fashion..
road test deodorant: smell sweet through the dog days of summer w/these picks-the best of more than 60 tested. They won't ball up, rub off, or disappear by day's end!
Best Solid: Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Revive Deodorant-it glides on smoothly, thanks to a blend of moisturizers that nourish the skin & protect against razor burn & chafing
to buy: $4.50 at drugstores
Best Gel: Soft & Dri DriGel-a click produces just enough for a sheer, clear coat of protection. And during a day of clothes shopping(pull on, pull off) it left fabrics clean of marks.
to buy: $2 at drugstores
Best Heavy-Duty: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant/Deodorant-swipe it at night(when your body can best absorb the formula)to minimize moisture with prescription-like power.
to buy: $8 at drugstores
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dermadoctor Total Nonscents Ultra-Gentle Antiperspirant-this mild roll-on formula is fragrance-free, dries in seconds, & wont irritate sensitive(or freshly shaved)underarms.
to buy: $20 dermadoctor.com
Best Natural: Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Care Deodorant-extract of hops & zinc help eliminate odor-causing bacteria, while organic aloe vera softens & soothes skin.
to buy: $5.50 tomsofmaine.com
Best Scent: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant-this stick keeps you dry & leaves behind a soft hint of bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla.
to buy: $18 donnakaranbeauty.com
real steals-tired of your summer wardrobe already? get a load of these stylish under-under $100 pieces that you'll be able to wear now and in the fall.
$70 H&M Blazer - whether you call it cream or winter white, this cotton-blend tuxedo jacket is wearable in hot & cold months. to buy: hm.com for stores
$87 Petit Bateau Top - this long-sleeve cotton top offers an unexpected take on natural stripes: mustard yellow; to buy: 212-988-8884
$98 Banana Republic Jeans - in comparison with polished dark denim, a broken-in pair seems relaxed and fun. to buy: bananarepublic.com
$39 Talbots Belt - a skinny leather belt that will survive years of outfit rotations to buy: talbots.com
$98 Yosi Samra Sandals - fancy cutout flat thongs made of butter-soft leather. to buy: yosisamra.com
$88 Ann Taylor Shirt - with dual pockets & tab sleeves, this is the silk-blouse version of your cargo pants. to buy: anntaylor.com
$70 Coldwater Creek Necklace - a chain necklace intertwined with fabric that you can wear long or layered. to buy: coldwatercreek.com
$54.50 GAP Skirt - this straight 19-inch style has the laid-back feel of jeans but with pencil-skirt polish. to buy: gap.com
$84 213 Industry Belt - for instant edge, add this polyurethane belt that's covered with gold metal disks. to buy: diamondsandpearl.com
$65 Aldo Flats - throw on orange leather flats when your neutral outfit needs a pick-me-up. to buy: aldoshoes.com
$30 JCPenney Belted Dress - come Friday, trade in your stiff suit for this still work-appropriate denim dress that comes with a chic brown belt. to buy: jcp.com
$80 Marlyn Schiff Necklace - help your face retain that summery glow with a bright glass-bead necklace. to buy: Skirt, 610-520-0222
$50 Bakers Wedges - thanks to two-inch platforms in the front, these leg-elongating five-inch faux-leather wedges are actually walkable. to buy: bakersshoes.com
$40 Dimri Top - believe it or not, the shoulder-baring cut of this teal silk halter downplays broadness up top. to buy: dimri.com for stores
$98 for three Sogno Bracelets - a pretty contrast: wooden beads mixed with colorful Swarovski crystals. to buy: shopsogno.com
$80 See Thru Soul Jeans - zippers on the insides of the ankles are a fun twist on typical skinny jeans. to buy: southmoonunder.com
$17 Payless Sandals - flexible soles and go-with-everything bronze faux leather will make these your favorite summer shoes. to buy: payless.com
***In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed man is King! [think about it] :)
Best Solid: Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Revive Deodorant-it glides on smoothly, thanks to a blend of moisturizers that nourish the skin & protect against razor burn & chafing
to buy: $4.50 at drugstores
Best Gel: Soft & Dri DriGel-a click produces just enough for a sheer, clear coat of protection. And during a day of clothes shopping(pull on, pull off) it left fabrics clean of marks.
to buy: $2 at drugstores
Best Heavy-Duty: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant/Deodorant-swipe it at night(when your body can best absorb the formula)to minimize moisture with prescription-like power.
to buy: $8 at drugstores
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dermadoctor Total Nonscents Ultra-Gentle Antiperspirant-this mild roll-on formula is fragrance-free, dries in seconds, & wont irritate sensitive(or freshly shaved)underarms.
to buy: $20 dermadoctor.com
Best Natural: Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Care Deodorant-extract of hops & zinc help eliminate odor-causing bacteria, while organic aloe vera softens & soothes skin.
to buy: $5.50 tomsofmaine.com
Best Scent: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant-this stick keeps you dry & leaves behind a soft hint of bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla.
to buy: $18 donnakaranbeauty.com
real steals-tired of your summer wardrobe already? get a load of these stylish under-under $100 pieces that you'll be able to wear now and in the fall.
$70 H&M Blazer - whether you call it cream or winter white, this cotton-blend tuxedo jacket is wearable in hot & cold months. to buy: hm.com for stores
$87 Petit Bateau Top - this long-sleeve cotton top offers an unexpected take on natural stripes: mustard yellow; to buy: 212-988-8884
$98 Banana Republic Jeans - in comparison with polished dark denim, a broken-in pair seems relaxed and fun. to buy: bananarepublic.com
$39 Talbots Belt - a skinny leather belt that will survive years of outfit rotations to buy: talbots.com
$98 Yosi Samra Sandals - fancy cutout flat thongs made of butter-soft leather. to buy: yosisamra.com
$88 Ann Taylor Shirt - with dual pockets & tab sleeves, this is the silk-blouse version of your cargo pants. to buy: anntaylor.com
$70 Coldwater Creek Necklace - a chain necklace intertwined with fabric that you can wear long or layered. to buy: coldwatercreek.com
$54.50 GAP Skirt - this straight 19-inch style has the laid-back feel of jeans but with pencil-skirt polish. to buy: gap.com
$84 213 Industry Belt - for instant edge, add this polyurethane belt that's covered with gold metal disks. to buy: diamondsandpearl.com
$65 Aldo Flats - throw on orange leather flats when your neutral outfit needs a pick-me-up. to buy: aldoshoes.com
$30 JCPenney Belted Dress - come Friday, trade in your stiff suit for this still work-appropriate denim dress that comes with a chic brown belt. to buy: jcp.com
$80 Marlyn Schiff Necklace - help your face retain that summery glow with a bright glass-bead necklace. to buy: Skirt, 610-520-0222
$50 Bakers Wedges - thanks to two-inch platforms in the front, these leg-elongating five-inch faux-leather wedges are actually walkable. to buy: bakersshoes.com
$40 Dimri Top - believe it or not, the shoulder-baring cut of this teal silk halter downplays broadness up top. to buy: dimri.com for stores
$98 for three Sogno Bracelets - a pretty contrast: wooden beads mixed with colorful Swarovski crystals. to buy: shopsogno.com
$80 See Thru Soul Jeans - zippers on the insides of the ankles are a fun twist on typical skinny jeans. to buy: southmoonunder.com
$17 Payless Sandals - flexible soles and go-with-everything bronze faux leather will make these your favorite summer shoes. to buy: payless.com
***In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed man is King! [think about it] :)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
if you do one thing this month
Clain Your Cash On MissingMoney.com
A quick search on this free secure website, endorsed by the nonprofit National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, could turn up forgotten assets from old bank accounts, insurance policies, stock and bond returns, safe-deposit-box contents, and more. To learn if you have loot out there, simply enter your name and state of residency.(Quick tip: Conduct separate searches using your maiden name and in every state that you have lived.) Dinah Mouat of Solon, Ohio, found almost $500 of her own money in an old savings account and $1,500 of her husband's. "It was like discovering buried treasure," she says.
...by the numbers
100,500 - the number of words an average person consumes-meaning, reads or hears-every day
Amazingly, the amount we read has tripled from 1980 to 2008. (Think of all those hours spent on the computer at work. Thanks, Internet!)
A quick search on this free secure website, endorsed by the nonprofit National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, could turn up forgotten assets from old bank accounts, insurance policies, stock and bond returns, safe-deposit-box contents, and more. To learn if you have loot out there, simply enter your name and state of residency.(Quick tip: Conduct separate searches using your maiden name and in every state that you have lived.) Dinah Mouat of Solon, Ohio, found almost $500 of her own money in an old savings account and $1,500 of her husband's. "It was like discovering buried treasure," she says.
...by the numbers
100,500 - the number of words an average person consumes-meaning, reads or hears-every day
Amazingly, the amount we read has tripled from 1980 to 2008. (Think of all those hours spent on the computer at work. Thanks, Internet!)
Friday, August 6, 2010
How To..
>Catch Bobby Pins: always losing your barrettes and bobby pins in the bathroom? Put a magnet on the counter. Next time you drop a bobby pin, it winds up attracted to the magnet instead of hiding on the floor.
>Microwave Healthier Popcorn: instead of using packaged microwave popcorn, try making your own version. Put two small handfuls of popping corn into a regular brown paper lunch bag. Use the "popcorn" button on your microwave(or set for 2 minutes and stop when the kernels stop popping), and when it's finished popping, you can decide how much butter and salt you actually want on it.
>Clean Carpets Naturally: so you have a dog, a Big dog/any dog and always looking for natural sanitizing solutions rather than harsh chemical cleaners? Try this homemade carpet deodorizer:
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
16 oz baking soda
Mix the essential oils into the baking soda thoroughly(lemon essential oil has a yellowish color that may stain if not blended completely). To use, sprinkle on carpet and then vacuum. Store leftovers in a sealed container and use whenever needed!
***Remember to SMILE each day, offer a helping hand to someone in need & buy a friend a TGIF Starbucks or lunch :)
>Microwave Healthier Popcorn: instead of using packaged microwave popcorn, try making your own version. Put two small handfuls of popping corn into a regular brown paper lunch bag. Use the "popcorn" button on your microwave(or set for 2 minutes and stop when the kernels stop popping), and when it's finished popping, you can decide how much butter and salt you actually want on it.
>Clean Carpets Naturally: so you have a dog, a Big dog/any dog and always looking for natural sanitizing solutions rather than harsh chemical cleaners? Try this homemade carpet deodorizer:
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
16 oz baking soda
Mix the essential oils into the baking soda thoroughly(lemon essential oil has a yellowish color that may stain if not blended completely). To use, sprinkle on carpet and then vacuum. Store leftovers in a sealed container and use whenever needed!
***Remember to SMILE each day, offer a helping hand to someone in need & buy a friend a TGIF Starbucks or lunch :)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Facebook | Josh Pilot
Facebook | Josh Pilot: "CD NOW FOR SALE. www.cdbaby.com/cd/pilotjosh Buy it now and be a trendsetter!!!The Josh Pilot Band | Price To Pay | CD Baby
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Listen to and buy The Josh Pilot Band music on CD Baby. Download or buy the CD Price To Pay by The Josh Pilot Band on the independent record store by musicians for musicians."
www.cdbaby.com
Listen to and buy The Josh Pilot Band music on CD Baby. Download or buy the CD Price To Pay by The Josh Pilot Band on the independent record store by musicians for musicians."
New Belgium Brewing!
From mighty to mudflats. The river that fills the massive Lake Powell,
carves its way through the Grand Canyon and provides 30 million people
the means to live, never meets the sea. But it met Jonathan Waterman
and a group of skinny dippers who are determined to expose its plight.
Share a Skinny Dip and meet the Colorado River at SaveTheColorado.org
carves its way through the Grand Canyon and provides 30 million people
the means to live, never meets the sea. But it met Jonathan Waterman
and a group of skinny dippers who are determined to expose its plight.
Share a Skinny Dip and meet the Colorado River at SaveTheColorado.org
Friday, July 23, 2010
Skip The Chit Chat
If you'd rather not discuss the weather, skip it. A new study asserts that happy people have more substantive conversations than those who engage soley in small talk. The data don't disclose whether profound conversations causes happiness or vice versa, but a combination of both is likely. Small talk is a useful social skill, even a way to enter into deeper conversation, study coauthor Matthais Mehl of the University of Arizona acknowledges, but intimacy is necessary to build and maintain real bonds.
4 ways to encourage more rewarding conversations:
*Dare to Disclose: Substantive conversations don't need to be driven by emotion; they can be about politics, technology, even what you watched on TV, but they must involve some personal disclosure. Next time you're having a dialogue, try inserting something revealing about yourself-you might be surprised how the other person opens up.
*Be a full participant: Give your full attention when you're talking to someone, instead of going through your laundry list of to-do's in your head, and you'll inevitably have a more involved tete-a-tete.
*Find common ground: Mehl says people look for commonality as a way into having more profound conversations. If you can identify that common ground, you're on your way to having more meaningful exchanges.(You're from Los Angeles? Me too! I also work in finance. Can you believe California is in more debt than Greece?)
*Embrace your environment: Find a place where you feel secure and confident. For some people, that might be a corner of a crowded coffee shop-for others, a secluded part of a park. Whether a discussion is one-on-one or in a group, it's important to go somewhere everyone feels comfortable. When people feel relaxed, guards go down. The conversations you'll have will astound you.
@@@ SMILE today! treat someone to lunch :)
4 ways to encourage more rewarding conversations:
*Dare to Disclose: Substantive conversations don't need to be driven by emotion; they can be about politics, technology, even what you watched on TV, but they must involve some personal disclosure. Next time you're having a dialogue, try inserting something revealing about yourself-you might be surprised how the other person opens up.
*Be a full participant: Give your full attention when you're talking to someone, instead of going through your laundry list of to-do's in your head, and you'll inevitably have a more involved tete-a-tete.
*Find common ground: Mehl says people look for commonality as a way into having more profound conversations. If you can identify that common ground, you're on your way to having more meaningful exchanges.(You're from Los Angeles? Me too! I also work in finance. Can you believe California is in more debt than Greece?)
*Embrace your environment: Find a place where you feel secure and confident. For some people, that might be a corner of a crowded coffee shop-for others, a secluded part of a park. Whether a discussion is one-on-one or in a group, it's important to go somewhere everyone feels comfortable. When people feel relaxed, guards go down. The conversations you'll have will astound you.
@@@ SMILE today! treat someone to lunch :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Quick Fitness, Fresh Pick, Cleaning
Speedy Travel Workout - you can do this full-body routine beachside, poolside, or in a hotel room.
*Jumping Jacks - keep arms straight as you bring them up to your ears w/each jump,
do for three minutes.
*Wall mountain climber - place hands on a wall, arms straight, and lean your body at an angle.Step forward with right foot, quickly switch feet do for three minutes fast.
*Push-up w/side plank - do a push-up w/legs straight, rotate to the right so feet & hips are stacked, raise left arm for a breath. Lower arm & return to start position.
*Lunge w/biceps curl - holding a full bottle of water in each hand, stand with left foot forward, lower into a lunge, do a biceps curl, then lower. Repeat for 1 minute then switch legs.
*Back lunge/shoulder raise - stand feet together, a water bottle in each hand, step left foot back into a lunge. With arms straight raise them to shoulder height, lower arms return to standing. Switch legs and repeat.
Cantaloupe - 5 delicious ways to enjoy this juicy fruit.
*Cantaloupe Caprese Salad: arrange sliced cantaloupe & tomatoes on a platter. Top w/halved bocconcini(small balls of fresh mozz)Drizzle w/olive oil & sprinkle with chopped mint, salt & pepper.
*Cucumber & Cantaloupe Salad w/Sesame Seeds: toss cut-up cantaloupe, sliced cucumbers & sliced red onion w/canola oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, salt & pepper.
*Crackers w/Cantaloupe,Ricotta & Ham: top rye crackers with ricotta, sliced cantaloupe, sliced ham, salt & pepper.
*Cantaloupe & Mint Slushy: in a blender, puree cut-up cantaloupe with lemon-lime soda, mint & ice.
*Gingery Cantaloupe & Raspberry Parfaits: bring 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar & 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger just to a boil; remove from heat & let cool. Drizzle over raspberry sorbet & cut-up cantaloupe.
Cleaning - 15mins to a neater car interior
Minute 1 - toos items that shouldn't be in the car into a small bin. Throw trash into a garbage bag. Spritz the cup holders w/glass cleaner & let sit.
Minutes 2&3 - using disposable cleaning wipes, tackle the dashboard, center console, inside door pockets, steering wheel & gearshift.
Minutes 4&5 - clean leather seats with a few wipes. Wrap around the end of flat-head screwdriver & run it along the bottoms & switches on the dashboard. Wipe out the cup holders with paper towels.
Minutes 6 thru 9 - using a paper towel clean all the wndows with glass cleaner, including the windshield, sunroof & rear window. Remove the floor mats & whack them against each other to dislodge dirt.
Minutes 10 thru 13 - vacuum the floor mats with the bare hose of a hand vac for maximum power. Vacuum the seat upholstery & foot wells, shifting the front seats fully forward then back to hit every spot.
Minutes 14 thru 15 - replace mats & return the seats to their original positions.
SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! at your co-workers today :)
*Jumping Jacks - keep arms straight as you bring them up to your ears w/each jump,
do for three minutes.
*Wall mountain climber - place hands on a wall, arms straight, and lean your body at an angle.Step forward with right foot, quickly switch feet do for three minutes fast.
*Push-up w/side plank - do a push-up w/legs straight, rotate to the right so feet & hips are stacked, raise left arm for a breath. Lower arm & return to start position.
*Lunge w/biceps curl - holding a full bottle of water in each hand, stand with left foot forward, lower into a lunge, do a biceps curl, then lower. Repeat for 1 minute then switch legs.
*Back lunge/shoulder raise - stand feet together, a water bottle in each hand, step left foot back into a lunge. With arms straight raise them to shoulder height, lower arms return to standing. Switch legs and repeat.
Cantaloupe - 5 delicious ways to enjoy this juicy fruit.
*Cantaloupe Caprese Salad: arrange sliced cantaloupe & tomatoes on a platter. Top w/halved bocconcini(small balls of fresh mozz)Drizzle w/olive oil & sprinkle with chopped mint, salt & pepper.
*Cucumber & Cantaloupe Salad w/Sesame Seeds: toss cut-up cantaloupe, sliced cucumbers & sliced red onion w/canola oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, salt & pepper.
*Crackers w/Cantaloupe,Ricotta & Ham: top rye crackers with ricotta, sliced cantaloupe, sliced ham, salt & pepper.
*Cantaloupe & Mint Slushy: in a blender, puree cut-up cantaloupe with lemon-lime soda, mint & ice.
*Gingery Cantaloupe & Raspberry Parfaits: bring 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar & 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger just to a boil; remove from heat & let cool. Drizzle over raspberry sorbet & cut-up cantaloupe.
Cleaning - 15mins to a neater car interior
Minute 1 - toos items that shouldn't be in the car into a small bin. Throw trash into a garbage bag. Spritz the cup holders w/glass cleaner & let sit.
Minutes 2&3 - using disposable cleaning wipes, tackle the dashboard, center console, inside door pockets, steering wheel & gearshift.
Minutes 4&5 - clean leather seats with a few wipes. Wrap around the end of flat-head screwdriver & run it along the bottoms & switches on the dashboard. Wipe out the cup holders with paper towels.
Minutes 6 thru 9 - using a paper towel clean all the wndows with glass cleaner, including the windshield, sunroof & rear window. Remove the floor mats & whack them against each other to dislodge dirt.
Minutes 10 thru 13 - vacuum the floor mats with the bare hose of a hand vac for maximum power. Vacuum the seat upholstery & foot wells, shifting the front seats fully forward then back to hit every spot.
Minutes 14 thru 15 - replace mats & return the seats to their original positions.
SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! at your co-workers today :)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Increase your Flexibility & Improve your Life
The Ultimate Daily Stretch - Warm up your muscles before you begin with a short walk or some jumping jacks. For each move, breathe out as you stretch. "You want a slow, smooth & controlled movement," says physical therapist Margot Miller. As you ease into each stretch, you'll feel the muscles relax a bit-that's due to increased blood flow. Only move to the point of resistance; the stretch should not hurt. Be careful not to bounce [sorry, Jane Fonda] which can cause tiny injuries to the muscles. Complete the whole sequence, it should take about 10 minutes.
For Your Upper Body: especially helpful if you sit at a desk all day, need to work on your posture, or carry tension in your upper body.
1. Place your hands on the back of the head & gently push it forward with your chin tucked. Hold for five seconds.
2. Now place the heels of your hands on your chin, fingers pointing toward your ears. Gently push your head back. Hold for five seconds.
3. Rest your right hand on the top of your head and gently press your right ear toward your right shoulder. Hold for five seconds. Repeat on the other side.
4. Raise your arms and clasp your hands above your head; imagine lifting & lengthening your spine. As you bend to the left, release your hands. Grasp your right elbow with your left hand and pull it to the left. Hold for five seconds. Come back to the center and repeat on the right side.
For Your Back: especially helpful if you are prone to lower-back pain or like to run for a workout.
1. Lie on your stomach, legs straight and feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Place your hands on the floor under your shoulders and slowly lift your chest up. Hold for 10 seconds.
3. Come to a standing position with feet shoulder width apart. Lift the toes your right foot off the ground, bend at the hip, and fold your body over. Hold for 10 secs
4. Come back to a standing position and repeat on the left side with toes pointing to the left.
For Your Lower Body: especially helpfyl if you wear high heels frequently or like to run, walk, bicycle, or use an elliptical machine.
1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Lift your right leg off the floor, holding it with both hands. Flex your foot and hold for five seconds. Lower and switch legs.
3. While still seated, bend your right knee and lift your leg. Pull your knee to your chest. Flex your foot and hold for five seconds. Lower your right leg and repeat with the left.
**Hope you can use this good info for you or another person! SMILE! & T.G.I.F.
For Your Upper Body: especially helpful if you sit at a desk all day, need to work on your posture, or carry tension in your upper body.
1. Place your hands on the back of the head & gently push it forward with your chin tucked. Hold for five seconds.
2. Now place the heels of your hands on your chin, fingers pointing toward your ears. Gently push your head back. Hold for five seconds.
3. Rest your right hand on the top of your head and gently press your right ear toward your right shoulder. Hold for five seconds. Repeat on the other side.
4. Raise your arms and clasp your hands above your head; imagine lifting & lengthening your spine. As you bend to the left, release your hands. Grasp your right elbow with your left hand and pull it to the left. Hold for five seconds. Come back to the center and repeat on the right side.
For Your Back: especially helpful if you are prone to lower-back pain or like to run for a workout.
1. Lie on your stomach, legs straight and feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Place your hands on the floor under your shoulders and slowly lift your chest up. Hold for 10 seconds.
3. Come to a standing position with feet shoulder width apart. Lift the toes your right foot off the ground, bend at the hip, and fold your body over. Hold for 10 secs
4. Come back to a standing position and repeat on the left side with toes pointing to the left.
For Your Lower Body: especially helpfyl if you wear high heels frequently or like to run, walk, bicycle, or use an elliptical machine.
1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Lift your right leg off the floor, holding it with both hands. Flex your foot and hold for five seconds. Lower and switch legs.
3. While still seated, bend your right knee and lift your leg. Pull your knee to your chest. Flex your foot and hold for five seconds. Lower your right leg and repeat with the left.
**Hope you can use this good info for you or another person! SMILE! & T.G.I.F.
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