by eviehodge1549 | Dec 31, 2015 | Fashion, From the Heart |
Hello Elegant Readers!
I pray that you are having a wonderful and peaceful Christmas Holiday Season! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. My wife and I decorate our home with four trees and put up lights on the outside. With all the Christmas hype, are you feeling a Christmas Letdown? In speaking with people and how they describe their holiday, this is a very true emotion felt by many people.
JT standing next to one of our Christmas Trees
The buildup to Christmas is months in the making. You start seeing retailers advertise for Christmas in July specials. And then once Halloween is over, the gift-giving season is in full-swing. Every store you go into, or every website you click through, they are trying to sell you something. Black Friday Steals, Doorbusters Deals, Cyber Monday Deals! It’s everywhere! Retailers are telling you that you need to buy a gift for everyone, from your mailman to your co-workers, to your long lost cousin Jimmy who you haven’t seen in twenty years.
Christmas Day arrives. You have your gatherings, whether with family or friends. You distribute your gifts, and partake in a feast (or two) and have a sweet treat (or two). And then before you know it, it is over. Just that fast, all the hoopla is over and Christmas is done for another year. It’s time to start planning for New Years. And the Christmas LetDown starts! Why? With the months of planning and purchasing gifts, preparing meals and organizing gatherings; it is all over in a matter of few hours. Here are a few quick tips to avoid the LetDown and to be able to enjoy more of Christmas.
Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
With retailers forcing their agenda of purchasing a gifts for everyone; you must step back from the commercialization and shift your focus on why you are celebrating Christmas. My wife and I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, first and foremost. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas and no gift-giving season. If you are a Christian, Jesus should be the center of every part of your life, including Christmas. As Christmas Day approaches, take some time to read about the Birth of Jesus and reflect how His birth forever changed the world and forever changed humanity. It is an amazing story that should never be forgotten through the deluge of gifts. Many churches often have a Christmas celebration. Find one in your area and be sure to attend. This will help keep the true message of Christmas in the foreground.
Make Christmas Last More Than One Day
Christmas is only one day on the calendar – December 25th. Many people plan their celebration for that day, or maybe Christmas Eve. Since the holiday is on a random day during the week, many people only have that one day to celebrate before going back to work. And with New Years Eve the next week, people turn their attention to the next holiday. The key is to make Christmas last longer is to spread out the festivities. If you are planning a gathering for friends, try for the weekend before. If your family is out-of-town, you can visit them on a weekend in January. Another thing that I like to do is to continue saying “Merry Christmas” beyond December 25. If you have many people who you are giving gifts to, then spread out the distribution throughout the entire month of December. If you have more than one gift for a spouse or a child, then give the gifts to them over a course of days. All of these things will keep the Christmas Spirit alive and burning in your heart.
Avoid the Hoopla and Enjoy the Season
The Christmas season is a fast-paced ride and it can be quite overwhelming. The key to really enjoying the Season is to step back, slow down and enjoy every moment. If you are buying gifts for friends and family, be sure to make a list of who you are buying for, how much you want to spend for that person and then start searching for the gift as early as possible. Don’t wait until the last moment before going out and finding the gift. It will make the buying process less stressful. If you are making home-made gifts – cookies, lotions or crafty items, make sure you have all of your supplies and start the process early. Then as the Christmas approaches, you are already finished and you can sit back and enjoy visiting with family and friends.
The Christmas LetDown can easily set in when we get caught up in the craziness that other people have placed on Christmas. If you step back and remember why you are celebrating and learn how to avoid the rush and hoopla; then Christmas will never be a burden again. You have to put your mind to it and make an effort to follow through with these tips.
Let me know if you have felt a Christmas LetDown and what you did to do to combat it. Or if any of these tips have helped you through the Season.
by | Dec 22, 2015 | Pets |
Hey Beautiful People,
Hope you are having a lovely time during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It only gets stressful if you let it, don’t filter it in and try to enjoy the occasion. When I feel that stressful spirit come, I immediately have to say out loud, “I will not receive that, I take joy in my life!” Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It is so easy to get caught up in the commercialization of the Christmas holidays and I refuse to play into it. When I come home from work, my hubby I like to go outside and play with the puppies and have fun.
Gio and Vinny on the set
Do you know that the number one way I find time to spend extra time with my puppies is during their grooming time. I know you are saying, ‘you have got to be kidding me?’ No, I am not. When I get the comb in my hand and start brushing my collie, Vinny doesn’t like to sit still. He runs around and come back and run around and come back until he is tired. Collies shed practically all year long. There is not a time when I don’t get some underbrush. My beagle, Gio has short hair; but will still shed a lot of hair. How can I tell? When I rub his back the hair just comes on my hand. His hairs are shorter and he is quick to finish but he will sit still for the minute and then he is off sniffing out new territory in the backyard.
Spending time grooming your dog has many great benefits:
1) Bonding with your pet. Having this close time with your dog will create a strong bond and will foster trust and affection.
2) Getting to know the places on your doggie’s body that may have hair knots. You have to get a good quality comb if your dog is prone to knot and tangles. We recently had a chance to sample the RollinPets Brush and it worked wonderfully on Vinny. He gets tangles and knots behind his ears and this Brush removed them without a problem. In the past, we usually had to cut them out; but not with this comb. The comb also removes the undergrowth without a problem. As the seasons changed, the thickness of Vinny’s hair changes and that undergrowth needs to be removed. The RollinPets Brush glided smoothly through his hair and quickly removed that undergrowth with ease. The metal bristles on the brush actually massaged Vinny and relaxed him. He was actually enjoyed the grooming session for a change.
The amount of hair removed from Vinny after using the RollinPets comb for the first time.
3) You can check their ears, teeth, and nails to see if they need any extra cleaning. Checking your pets coat is a good thing to do because sometimes you might find a scratch that you would not have normally seen or you might find some dry skin. If your dog is comfortable with you checking his ears, teeth and nails; this is a key time to do it.
4) After you groom your pet, you can run around the backyard or throw a ball or stick until you both are ready for a nap. When I throw the stick for Vinny to catch it the tenth time, he looks at and sits down because he has officially worked out for the day.
DISCLAIMER: I received the RollinPets Comb at a discounted price in order to write this review. I did not receive any monetary payments and all opinions are strictly my own.
by | Dec 20, 2015 | Fitness |
Getting fit is one of the hardest things that most people will do in their life. In order to make some headway in this battle, you will have to find a way to incorporate daily exercise into your life. The first thing you have to do when trying to get fitter is to find the right gym in your area. In most cases, you will have a number of gyms to choose from, which means you have to do some research to narrow the field. The following are a few tips on finding the right gym in an area.
The Location is Important
The first thing you have to consider when trying to find the right gym is where it is located. You want to make sure the location of the gym is close to your home and work. The more convenient the location of the gym is, the more apt you will be to go on a consistent basis. The time and effort you spend trying to find the right gym is well worth it in the end. Having the right gym is a big piece of the weight loss puzzle.
The Equipment is Vital
Another very important thing you need to consider when trying to find the right gym is the equipment they are using. Ideally you want to find a gym that is only using the most up to date equipment on the market. The higher the quality of the machines in the gym are, the easier you will find it to get the right results. Make sure you go around to a few different gyms to find out what type of things each of them has to offer. By taking your time and looking at all of the options, you will be able to find the right one.
Assess the Monthly Costs
The next thing you have to consider when trying to find the right gym is the cost. You need to make sure you are able to afford the membership and that it is worth it. The more you can find out about what is being offered versus what you are getting, the easier you will find it to get the right results. Most people are looking for deals on both the clothing they need and the gym membership is essential. Finding good Fabletics deals is easy and will allow them to get the clothing they need to start their fitness journey.
Taking the time to weigh all of the options is the best way for a person to find the right gym and fitness clothing.
About the Author
I’m a regular fitness fanatic. My name is Tanya AKA Tanya the Tank (I’m not as big as you’re imagining)! I train 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Most of my training time is done using free-weights, with one day a week focusing on cardio. I write about various aspects of strength training, and training choices. Follow me for more!
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by | Dec 20, 2015 | From the Heart |
Hello Elegant Readers!
Christmas if fast approaching. For some people the season is more stress than joy because they focus too much attention on buying gifts for people without having the money to do it. Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since. You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday season should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
by | Dec 19, 2015 | Fitness |
For most people, trying to keep their weight at a manageable number is an ongoing struggle and something they work very hard to achieve. In order to keep one’s weight in check, an exercise routine will need to be developed. The hardest part about getting is shape is staying on track and following through. Some people have the misconception that working out will cost them too much money between the clothes they have to buy and the gym membership. Finding things like Fabletics coupons can help a person save money and get the quality workout gear they are after. The following are some of the signs that a person needs a personal trainer.
Not Getting Results on Your Own
The first sign that you need to hire a personal trainer is that you are not getting any results on your own. Without the proper knowledge regarding fitness and proper workout technique, it will be easy for you to feel like you are spinning your wheels. By finding a reputable and experienced professional, you will be able to get the advice and guidance needed to keep your head in the game and get some results.
You Lack Motivation
Another reason to seek out the help of a professional trainer is their ability to keep you motivated. It is beyond hard to keep your mind on fitness by yourself. By having a personal trainer, you will be able to get the positive reinforcement needed to get optimum results. By taking the time to research the trainers in an area, you will be able to figure out which one has the best reputation and track record. The more you are able to find out about the trainers in an area, the easier you will find it to get the right results. The time and effort that is put into this process will be more than worth it in the end.
Bored With Your Workouts
Yet another reason you need to find a personal trainer is that they will be able to get the eclectic workouts you need to stay interested. The more varied your workouts are, the easier you will find it to stay on track and get the fit body you are looking for. Make sure to call around to get an idea of the type of workouts the personal trainers in your area offer. The more you are able to find out about what is being offered, the easier you will find it to get the right trainer hired. One of the best ways to get motivated for your first season is by buying new Fabletics workout gear. Be sure to weigh all of the options before getting this gear.
About the Author
Hello, I’m Natalie. I’m not your average fitness fanatic. I love being healthy, and in shape, but I’m also lazy! The thought of going to gym or going for a run, literally tires me out – just the thought of it! I tend to write about how I deal with this irrational behavior, and maintain a regular exercise routine and overall healthy lifestyle.
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