Tag Archives: womens suite

Has New Year’s Day Always Been January 1?

The story of the calendar used in the U.S. and across the Western world begins in 45 B.C.E., when Caesar ordered up a 12-month calendar starting on January 1 based on one complete rotation around the sun, with three cycles of 365 days followed by one leap year of 366 days to compensate for small discrepancies in the man-made calendar and the way the earth actually moves around the sun.

The Julian Calendar was in wide use until the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century C.E., after which the European calendar fell into a bit of disarray. Dates were shifted to coincide with Christian holidays. In some places the year was moved back to start at Christmas, in others moved up to start in March to coincide with the Incarnation of Jesus.

(We still have a vestige of the old March-start calendars hidden with us in plain sight: September, the ninth month of our year, is Latin for seventh month; October for eight month; November for ninth, December for tenth.)

via Why We Celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1 | TIME.

131st ROSE PARADE – NBC

January 1, 2020 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Orange Grove Blvd. & Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA

The 131st Rose Parade begins at 8 AM on January 1, 2020, and will feature floral floats, spirited marching bands and high-stepping equestrian units along the 5 1/2 mile route down Colorado Blvd. Experience—in person—the magic of New Year’s Day in an unrivaled celebration, exclusive to the streets of Pasadena.

About the Show

Featuring lavish floral floats, high-stepping equestrian teams, marching bands from across the globe, a star-studded lineup of talent, hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets and millions more watching the telecast worldwide, “The Tournament of Roses Parade” is the most popular New Year’s Day celebration in the world. A grand tradition in every sense of the word and nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” NBC has been broadcasting this spectacular New Year’s Day parade for 92 years, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the event beginning in 1954. Enjoyed for generations and celebrated by audiences young and old, “The Tournament of Roses Parade” is the perfect for way for you and your family to ring in the New Year.

Two-hour LIVE special.

THE ROSE PARADE – AN ICONIC TRADITION

For millions of people around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic New Year’s Day tradition.

The Rose Parade travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd. and features four types of entries: floral-decorated floats entered by a participating corporation, non-profit organization or municipality, equestrian units, bands, and Tournament Entries. Rose Parade participants have long histories with the Tournament of Roses and keep the traditions alive.

The earliest Tournament of Roses welcomed 3,000 spectators to its first parade filled with beautiful, horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers. More than a century later, the parade floats are a marvel of state of the art technology, all tucked away beneath flowers and other all-natural materials.

ROSE PARADE HISTORY

PARTICIPANTS

Each year more than 80,000 hours of combined service are supplied by 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses Association. Nicknamed “White Suiters” because of the distinctive white suits every volunteer wears, these community-spirited men and women give up their evenings, weekends and holidays to ensure the success of the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game®.

2020 ROSE PARADE THEME – THE POWER OF HOPE

The 2020 theme, “The Power of Hope,” celebrates the influence of optimism and hope.

The belief that what is wanted can be attained. From the struggles of those who came before us to dreams yet fulfilled, hope is more than simply the possibility of fulfillment. Hope is dignity and respect, joy and happiness, aspiration and achievement. Hope never, ever quits. Through hope, we can aspire to be our best and in turn inspire those around us to reach higher.

With hope – anything, in fact, everything is possible.

Float Design

This category showcases attractive, visually well-balanced floats that over a creative treatment of the designer’s idea. The floats are in line with the parade’s theme and include the use of animation.

Floral Presentation

This category provides a visual balance and cohesive mix of floral and non-floral materials. The floats are predominantly floral in appearance and display an abundance of flowers.

Entertainment Value

This category creates a dramatic impact by creatively using additional elements to advance the design concept. Additions may include, but are not limited to, float riders, outwalkers, pyrotechnics, and showmanship.

391 South Orange Grove Boulevard • Pasadena, California 91184 • (626) 449-4100 • © 2019 Tournament of Roses.  

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (Wednesday, Dec. 25, on ABC)

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CST/MST/PST; airtimes vary, check listings, on The ABC Television Network and on the ABC app) – This Christmas, Disney Parks celebrates the joy of the season as hosts Jordan Fisher and Sarah Hyland share this magical holiday tradition with families around the globe. Co-hosted by Jesse Palmer, the Christmas Day celebration will be merrier than ever before, bringing together the adored Christmas Day parade, special musical performances, surprise celebrity guests and heartwarming family stories to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Joining the festivities as parade correspondents are Freeform’s “grown-ish” actor Trevor Jackson and star of Freeform’s upcoming series “Good Trouble,” Cierra Ramirez. Musical performances include the following:

Gwen Stefani performs “Winter Wonderland” from her Christmas album, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”

Brett Eldredge sings the holiday classic “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Andrea Bocelli sings the incredibly moving “Ave Maria”; then Andrea is joined by his son, Matteo Bocelli, to perform “White Christmas.”

Host Jordan Fisher performs “This Christmas.”

Aloe Blacc performs “Tell Your Mama” from his first holiday album, “Christmas Funk,” out Nov. 9.

Freeform’s “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” star and Hollywood Records artist Olivia Holt sings a holiday tune.

American Idol winner Maddie Poppe celebrates the season with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

Disney’s dynamic a cappella group DCappella performs the popular Christmas hit “Last Christmas.”

Why Don’t We performs “Kiss You This Christmas” from their holiday album, “A Why Don’t We Christmas.”

shopping for men

Christmas Gifts for the Men in Your Life

This curated Christmas list will have you checking the men in your life off your gift list! There are a ton of great ideas! Click through for the full article and to see all the picks!

For all the men in your life who do so much for you, why not show a little appreciation this holiday season with a thoughtful, useful, mindful gift? Whether you’re shopping for your new-to-yoga nephew or your dad who just realized he’s into foraging, we’ve got something for everyone. Now get to shopping!

https://www.giftadvisor.com/men/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6IHwBRCJARIsALNjViV9k_dyxK6Xd-ijWu5hSqXKWqZ9bt7gfCD5rU0dvZyOYK9yyBJBg4gaAsqGEALw_wcB

Deck the Halls!

The rustic Christmas scene that she pulled off is amazing! This is the sort of vignette that inspires me to “Deck the Halls”! Beautiful!

 

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m usually a get my Christmas decor up December 23 type of girl. I don’t know why the holidays always seem to sneak up on me. But this year is entirely different! Not only is the Loft fully decked out {on December 1st no less}, but this year I did my very best to create the ultimate yuletide feeling. Though I did have a bit of an incentive!

via Apartment 34 – Your ultimate source for style, fashion, living and beauty.

DIY Light Box

DIY Light Box

DIY Light Box 

If you've read the post on how to take great product pictures, you've read about the importance of light in your pictures.  When using natural light isn’t possible or just doesn’t work for your particular needs, a light box is often the next best alternative. This post will demonstrate how to make a DIY Light Box. No need for any fancy materials or supplies. Many of the items are probably things you have at home already!

List of Supplies:
1. Cardboard box
2. Box cutter or X-acto Knife
3. White printer paper or White Tissue Paper (the type found in the gift wrap section)
4. White poster board
5. Portable lamp
6. 100 watt white light bulb
7. Double sided tape (or regular tape that you roll up on itself)

Directions

About the cardboard box. It should be large enough to hold the items you are photographing but not so huge that you can’t store or transport it easily. After assembly, remove the top flaps of the box. You want this part to be open. Next, using your box cutter or X-acto Knife, cut the sides out of the box leaving a small border around the edges. You are going for a “picture frame” look on all sides. Do not cut out the bottom!

Once all your sides are cut out, apply double sided tape to the inside of each “frame”. This is where you will be applying the white paper. The goal is to (as seamlessly as possible) cover the inside of the box with your paper. We are trying to make an environment as free from color and shadows as possible.

Voila, you’ve made a light box! Now get busy taking pictures and posting your stuff. I find it works best if you go into a dark room and put the lamp as close to your box as possible. If you are not getting the desired lighting, add more lamps. I’ve seen examples online using up to 3 lamps at a time.

 

From: thepreparedmother.wordpress.com

Toilet-Plunger-Red-Circle

Unclogging a Blocked Toilet Trap Without a Plunger

Unclogging a Blocked Toilet Trap Without a Plunger

If you find yourself in a predicament to have a blocked toilet and no plunger nearby here’s what you need to know. Try this simple solution to unclog your toilet with dish soap, a container of hot water, a little patience and that’s it.

Stage one: Pour dishwashing soap into the toilet. Since the dish soap density (– 1.06) is great than water it will sink to the bottom of the toilet bowl.

dish soap toilet

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 2: Allow 15+ minutes for the soap to be absorbed into the blockage acting as a pipe lubricant. 

Pouring dish soap into toilet

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 3: Pour a container of really hot water into the toilet bowl making its way through the trap pushing the blockage out.

15+ Minute Wait Pouring Very Hot Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 4: Flush the toilet and watch as the obstruction vanishes!

If you liked this article please forward to a friend via email (blue cross) or post on Facebook or Twitter

small business holiday season

Your Small Business and the Holiday Season

Small business owners know that sales from the Holiday Season can be a defining factor in the overall success of your business. Make this the year that you get a "leg up" on next year's business! We've curated several excellent articles to act as a resource for your Holiday Season planning and hope you find them encouraging and helpful! Let us know if any of the resources made the difference for you this season!

1) 30 Unique Holiday Promotions for Your Small Business. Kabbage.com

The holidays will be here before you know it. But instead of panicking about how much there is to do before then, get excited! There’s still plenty of time to plan a creative holiday promotions calendar and make an impact on this year’s profits. Tons of little (and big) holiday promotion ideas are out there to leverage in your brand’s marketing efforts as the end of the year approaches. So here are some of the most fun ways to create buzz around your company:

2) Keep Your Employees Focused this Holiday Season! BusinessKnowHow.com

 Between shopping, decorating, and readying for visits with family, it's no surprise that many employees are less than focused on work during the holidays. So how can an employer keep distractions down and productivity up? Here are five tips that can help.

3) How to get your business ready for the holiday season. SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com

 Whether you run storefront business, or or strictly sell ecommerce, it’s time to create a holiday sales strategy. If you make the bulk of your profits between November 15 and January 15th as in Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, or the day after Christmas, it time to make sure that your business is ready for the holiday sales rush. 

4) 6 Tips To Slay Sales This Holiday Season. p2Bi.com

 Now is a great time to do a quick audit of your website to make sure that everything is working as it should be. The importance of omnichannel retailing has grown exponentially and you want to make sure that your customer can find your products not only on the shelves of your store or your retailers’, but also online and more specifically from any smartphone. Stats show that in 2014 mobile accounted for over half of all holiday shopping traffic. Make sure your website is compatible with laptops, smartphones, and tablets alike. Also, you can use a tool like Google PageSpeed Insights to quickly test and solve for any issues on your website that could be slowing down its performance.

free printable advent calendar

Free Printable Advent Calendar from Ella Claire

Free Printable Advent Calendar

This adorable free printable Advent Calendar is amazingly charming. With endless options to customize, you can definitely make this project fit any decor! Please visit EllaClaireInspired.com for more beautiful pics and the full tutorial! 

I have been wanting to create an advent calendar for a couple of years now, and I finally got to it this year! When I was a kid, I loved those little ones with the candy in all of the slots. I wanted my babies to have something fun to be excited about each day too. It is no secret that I love vintage typography and that is the direction I went with these. I love vintage Christmas!

Source: Free Printable Vintage Christmas Advent Calendar – Ella Claire

Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts

Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts – 50th Annual!

Tempe Festival of the Arts – Fall Event!

50th Anniversary!
 
November 30 – December 2  | 10AM – 5:30PM

www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

The Tempe Festival of the Arts spring and fall events each attract nearly 250,000 visitors to the Downtown Tempe over the course of a 3-day weekend.

Quality artists are fundamental to the success of the event. Each year, the Festival receives more than 1,000 applications from artists across the country. From these applicants, a jury comprised of members of the local art community. They select the top artisans in each category to participate in the Festival. During the Festival, a new jury then selects the best overall artist and the top artist in each category.

Participants are separated into 18 different artistic categories for judging. They range from woodwork to photography to ceramics and even wearable art. More than 400 artist booths line Mill Avenue and the surrounding streets presenting unique, and hand-made artwork that offers visitors a distinctive shopping experience.

While the Tempe Festival of the Arts primarily focuses on art and the artists that create it. There are also a wide variety of other activities for guests to enjoy. Live entertainment stages provide musical entertainment for festival-goers. Performances by a number of well-known local musicians keep audiences in high spirits throughout the day. Past performers have included the Gin Blossoms, Walt Richardson, Margo Reed, and Hello Swindon. In addition to the scheduled entertainment, street performers, vendors, sponsor exhibits and entertainment booths are set up for the amusement of Festival visitors. In addition to arts and entertainment, the Tempe Festival of the Arts offers support to the Tempe community. A portion of the proceeds raised at the Festival benefits local charities.

 

enjoy father's day together

How Kids & Dads Can Enjoy Father’s Day Togethery

Happy Father's Day! To celebrate Dad and family today,why not enjoy Father's Day together! This article lists a few creative ways to celebrate and enjoy Father's Day together this year. Remember, you don't have to wait for a special holiday to gather up the family for a fun day together. So after Dad's breakfast in bed, load up the family and head for the great outdoors! 

It is rumored that Ben Affleck recently dressed up as Batman for his son’s superhero-themed birthday party, which must have scored super-cool points on the playground. But don’t worry, dads; you don’t need to don a bat suit for your kids to know you are the superhero in their life. The special relationship between father and child—the "dad effect”—refers to the profound impact on children when fathers spend quality time with them. The positive long-term effects on their well-being, happiness, and self-worth are astounding.In honor of Father’s Day, we’ve rounded up five active ways for kids and dads to spend quality time together. They’re guaranteed to strengthen bodies and bonds!

Source: 5 Active Ways Kids & Dads Can Celebrate Father's Day Together – mindbodygreen.com

Crash Test Dummies

Crash Test Dummies

Auto safety advocates honor engineer Samuel Alderson to this day for developing the very first Anthropomorphic Test Device — popularly known as "the crash dummy." He did it back in 1968.

Crash dummies really hit the big-time in the 1980s, with the debut of public service announcements starring "Vince" and "Larry," whose various automotive disasters helped "drive home" the advantages of buckling up.

Though Vince and Larry retired from the PSA circuit back in 1999, their costumes live on, as part of the collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

More importantly, the Crash Dummy PSA campaign is credited with increasing seat-belt use more than five-fold, saving some 85,000 lives.

DIY Kids Activities for The Car

As a mom of many, we spend a ton of time in the car going to the various events.  We need to make the time worthwhile.  Make the time spent in your vehicle more organized, more efficient and less stressful with some of these car tricks.

Help entertain your kids with a DIY travel book.  You can create pages of activities for your kids to do independently in their carseats.

Send yourself a message in a bottle to remind yourself of all the fun you are having on an outing together.

Create a bucket pulley system.  This is great to get things to the back of the car without stopping on long trips.  Be sure to secure or remove the bucket between hauls.

Keep the baby binkie clean.  Carry spares in condiment sauce containers.  When one gets dirty, just open another container.

Create a temporary tattoo of your phone number.  Put it on your child’s hand when you are traveling or at a busy event.  If they get lost they can tell someone how to reach you.

via Car Hacks, Tricks and Tips for Families – Kids Activities Blog.

 

The Steps I Took To Lose 60 Pounds

At 16, I stood on the scale in my aunt’s bathroom and my jaw dropped. I was 5’6 and weighed 200 pounds. Then and there, I decided that I couldn’t live like this anymore. With the help of these six habits I gradually implemented, I lost 60 pounds, and have maintained a healthy weight ever since. I'm not saying it was easy, but focusing on making these small changes helped me sustain my weight loss for 15 years now.

via 8 Steps I Took To Lose 60 Pounds + Keep It Off – mindbodygreen.com.

Helpful Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions!

As a psychology professor, I teach classes on changing behavior, and I usually start by asking my students how many of them have made New Year’s resolutions that failed. Most hands go up. In fact, many people respond that they have stopped making New Year’s resolutions because they don’t work.

But it does not have to be this way. Simply put, if you want to succeed with your New Year’s resolutions, you have to start way before New Year’s Eve to get ready. Don’t make a fervent wish on Dec. 31. Instead, people need to give themselves some preparation time.

via How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions | TIME.

How To Deal With Everyday Anxiety

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who struggle with anxiety, you know the havoc it can wreak on your daily life — from getting in the way of professional development to interfering with your personal relationships.

Fortunately, there are natural, nonprescription ways of dealing with this increasingly common problem. These activities range from relaxation techniques to increased exercise, and each can be tailored to your lifestyle.

Do keep in mind that these tips are best for milder forms of anxiety — not clinical depression or anxiety disorders. If you feel you’re suffering from something more serious, contact a health professional.

Otherwise, combat your stress levels and everyday anxiety with these nine natural methods:

via 9 Easy Ways To Deal With Everyday Anxiety: A Doctor Explains – mindbodygreen.com.

new year's resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

Have you made any New Year's Resolutions? While we try to start off every new year on the right foot, we never get official and write any thing down in our family. This year, we're cutting back on sugar and going for a daily walk. Not very ambitious, I know, but we like to be realistic with our goals!  

New Year, healthier you New Year’s resolutions are a bit like babies: They’re fun to make but extremely difficult to maintain.Each January, roughly one in three Americans resolve to better themselves in some way. A much smaller percentage of people actually make good on those resolutions. While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later, a 2002 study found.It's hard to keep up the enthusiasm months after you've swept up the confetti, but it's not impossible. This year, pick one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it. Here’s to your health!

Source: Top 10 Healthiest New Year’s Resolutions – Health.com

Juices for Your Health

I love juicing and am always on the prowl for different combinations to try. These 4 juice recipes fit the bill! If you are looking to eat healthier in the New Year, chances are that juicing a few of your meals every week is on your list. Why not give these a try and let us know what you thought?

 

4 Juices To Reduce Bloating, Cleanse The Liver & Sharpen Your Mind – mindbodygreen.com.

5 Tips to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Struggling to keep your New Year's Resolutions? According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, only 71% of Americans make it through the first week of their resolutions. After the first month, only 64% are still sticking with it. 

While these statistics could be disheartening, the truth is that it's never too late to start again and just because you took a week (or more) off from your resolutions doesn't mean that you have to give up! In fact, every week can be a chance to start a new resolution! If you are having trouble sticking with your goals, it could be time to take an honest look at what is keeping you from succeeding and tackle the obstacles! At the same time, keep these 5 tips in mind. 

5 Tips to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

1. Make Changes One at a Time

Have more than one resolution that you are trying to tackle this year? While it's great to have goals, it's important to be realistic and to set yourself up for success! Most New Year's Resolutions take serious behavior changes and if you overdo it you are more likely to give up as you begin to feel overwhelmed. 

2. Avoid Stress

I know, this sounds like we're being overly simplistic but it truly will make a huge difference. The changes you are making are going to be stressful enough without adding additional stress. Now is not the time to take on extra tasks or get a new puppy! Instead, surround yourself with supportive friends and family that know what you are trying to do and can give you the emotional boost that you may need. 

3. Stay Away From Absolutes

Any time you are denying yourself, you are tempting your rebellious side. Rather than state, "I am never eating carbs again!" try limiting carbs to one or two days a week.Knowing that you can indulge your carb cravings if you just hold out one more day, may help you to quell those cravings!

4. Avoid Your Triggers

While this may not be possible all the time, it's a good idea to stay away from situations that will cause you to crave those things that you are trying to avoid. Trying to quit smoking? Take a few weeks off from those social functions where you would normally have a cigarette. Is your goal to work out more often? Don't stay up late the night before you are planning a trip to the gym.Figure out what situations cause you to ditch your resolutions and then stay away from those situations. 

5. Make a Plan

Most successful endeavors begin with a well thought out and constructed plan. While winging it can work some of the time, the best way to ensure success is to seriously consider from the outset your goals and the obstacles and how you can tackle both!

The bottom line, stick with it! Major habit changes definitely don't happen overnight but most of them are worth the effort and some can add years to your life! For more helpful tips on keeping you New Year's Resolutions, check out this article!