Tropical Prints for Summer

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Top Tips to Beat the Heat

While summer fun in the sunshine is something many people look forward to, it’s important to practice some simple safety precautions to keep things from going from fun to dangerous. Whether you’re inside or outside, there are lots of tricks and tips you can practice just to increase your comfort level when things heat up.

Here are some top tips to beat the heat this summer.

1. Time for Sun, Time for Shade

In your home, you can close curtains and blinds when sunshine starts pouring in late in the morning, and open them during the early morning and early evening hours. This can make a big difference in keeping your home cool during the day.

2. Night Air

During the night, open windows. Use fans in the windows to help pull in the cool night air. When the sun comes up and things start to get hot, turn off the fans and close the windows. If you don’t use air conditioning at all, you might want to leave the windows partly open and move the fans away from open windows but still leave them on.

3. Damp Sheets

When it starts to cool down outside but your house is still hot, consider hanging a wet sheet in the doorway or in open windows. Incoming air is cooled by the water evaporating off the sheet. You might be able to rig something up with a wet sheet in front of a fan, but make sure the fan isn’t touching the sheet.

4. Cross Breezes

It’s amazing what a difference it makes in air circulation when you have windows and doors open opposite each other. This allows the air to flow all the way through your house.

5. Slow Down

There’s a reason why summer is considered a “lazy” season. While most of us can’t stop everything in the summer, we can slow things down a bit. For example, strenuous outdoor activities can be saved for evening or early morning. And it’s important to know your limits – seniors will have a different idea of “strenuous” than young children, for example!

6. Indoor Fun

Children are especially hard to keep down in the summer time. They want to be outside in the heat running around! While it’s good to get out and get exercise and fresh air, consider some fun indoor activities for kids on those really hot days. Local museums and fitness centers are good places to start.

7. Water Fun

There’s nothing like water to keep you cool. For outdoor summer fun, water parks, pools, sprinklers, and other wet activities are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while beating the heat.

8. Carry Spritzers

Since not all outdoor activities are going to involve being indoors or playing in water, bring your own water! A spray bottle or mister can help a lot in keeping you cool. Put some ice in the spray bottle if you can, and refrigerate it between uses or keep it in a portable cooler.

There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the summer, heat and all. Be prepared, make a few adjustments, and enjoy the season.

The Importance of Focused Breathing

What is something that we do every day? If you are human, then you breathe. Keep reading to find out the importance of breath and how you can learn to focus yours.

One of the crucial elements of meditation is breathing. It is your focal point – especially when you are beginning the practice.

What Is It about Breathing?

For one, we need to do it to live. For two, it is our breathing that can signal changes in our body as well as our emotional state. What happens when you get scared? You breathe faster and shallower. What about when you are upset? Breathing is hard and harsh but also shallow.

Someone could tell what is going on with you just by the changes in your breathing. During meditation, breathing works to help bring your mind, body and spirit under control and in the same place.

We will initially talk about how to focus your breathing and then how you can control it.

Focusing Your Breathing

When you begin meditation, find a comfortable place to sit and also a comfortable position. Your space is more conducive to meditation when it speaks of calmness, peace and tranquility.

Sitting is a great starting position. Keep your spine in alignment and your pelvis pulled under your hips. A large pillow or cushioned mat will make sitting even more comfortable.

Once you are in position, maintain a soft focus on the floor, the wall or even the back of your eyelids. You can keep your eyes open or closed.

To maintain your focus, concentrate on your breathing. Don

Swimsuits and Cover Ups

The biggest decision about summer wear, and also the most dreaded, is the swimsuit. But, thankfully there are also cover ups that can help you get the desired look – whether in the water or relaxing on the beach. So, what are the trends for summer this year?

There is more variety in swimsuits this year. There is definitely something for everyone. So, no matter what your shape or taste, you can put your best body forward during the warmest months of the year.

Swimwear Trends

Vintage

Sun Hats for Summer Style & Protection

If you want to enjoy the sun and warm weather year after year, then you

Summer Camp

Summer camp is a tradition for many children. It allows them to spread their wings and get a taste of independence before they fledge and leave the nest completely. It also gives parents an opportunity to experience their first taste of an empty nest. Even if your child goes to summer camp every year, it doesn

Strappy Sandals – A Style for Everyone

Straps are in. Everyone wants to look like a Roman centurion, only more refined and sexy. If you are looking for something to put on your feet, go for the strappy sandal.

The trend this year is comfortable and stylish. That definitely throws out the stilettos. Don

Keeping Cool without Air Conditioning – Top Energy-Saving Tips

Let’s face it – air conditioning is expensive, and it uses a lot of electricity. And many times, we turn it on without giving it a second thought.

If you want to keep cool this summer without using air conditioning, here are some energy-saving tips.

1. Hold Off Turning It On

Many times, we turn on the AC as soon as it’s a little warm outside, or just because it’s a certain day of the year. (May 1! Time to switch the thermostat to AC!) But if you can hold off a bit, you’ll be surprised at how you will get used to the increasing heat of the season gradually. Without the “shock” of going from a cool house to a hot outside, your body will adjust itself to the hot temperatures.

2. Dress for the Occasion

Have you ever had a member of your family crank up the heat in the winter while wearing a tee shirt and shorts? You probably wanted to tell that person to put on a sweater and sweat pants! The same is true in the summer. If you’re wearing jeans and a tight shirt, even if they’re fairly thin material and short sleeves, you’re likely to be hotter than someone wearing a loose sun dress. This is because jeans and tight shirts cling to your skin and do not allow your sweat to evaporate. Wearing loose, thin clothing in light colors (dark colors absorb heat) helps keep you cool.

3. Fans – How Grandma Stayed Cool

Prior to electricity (which is most of human history!), people used various means to keep cool – usually it involved staying outdoors or taking a dip in the local body of water. So when the humble electric fan was invented, it must have been a boon for people who had no way to keep the air moving without fanning themselves. While fans do use electricity, they do not use nearly as much as a central air conditioning unit, and you only need to run a fan in the room(s) you are using.

Some fans are more effective than others. Fans that mount into windows can do an amazing job of cooling down a room, especially at night. During the day, you might want to take the fans out of the open windows when the air outside begins to heat up. This helps keep that cool night air in your house as long as possible.

4. Shade – Natural and Man-Made

Shade is an important aspect of keeping your home cool. There are several ways you can increase the shade around the outside of your house. You can plant fast-growing shade trees, such as poplar or mimosa. Or tall shrubs can also work, like butterfly bush. And foliage-dense, hanging plants on the inside of your windows will also help. In addition, installing awnings over windows and doors can help tremendously. Sources say that awnings can reduce the temperature in your house by up to 10 degrees.

5. Spritz!

A small mister with water can help keep you cool – spray as needed. You can give it a cooling kick by mixing half water and half rubbing alcohol, and adding a drop or two of peppermint essential oil. Also, a little baking soda mixed with water makes a very cooling spray. If your spray bottle is big enough, throw in some ice cubes.

There are all kinds of ways to keep cool without using air conditioning. And your energy bills should show it!

Six Ways to Add Color to Your Home without Painting

Painting a room can be tedious, and it’s also not something you want to do every season. But as moods, seasons, and trends change, you can help your home interior keep up by adding splashes of color. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money, either.

Here are six ways to add color to your home without paint.

1. Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are a great way to get your decorating and color “fix.” You only need a few, and you can rotate them, combine them, and change them every so often.

You can place throw pillows in some interesting places, too – not just in the corners of the couch and chairs. You can place them on the floor in a cozy arrangement in front of the TV or fireplace, or use them to top the back of your sofa or loveseat. Or you can imply a certain design, such as using all white pillows with a bright yellow one in the center to indicate a daisy, or bright red and yellow pillows with a black one in the center, which also looks floral.

Another creative effect is to use throw pillows of different shades of the same color. You can arrange them in all sorts of interesting patterns.

2. Food and Flowers

Food is colorful! Bowls of apples, oranges, limes, lemons, and other brightly-colored fruits and vegetables (real or fake) add a lot of tasty color to a room. They also lend a natural air. The same is true of flowers and houseplants. Bright greens and colorful flowers add a natural, fresh look to a room.

3. Curtains

Try adding some brightly-colored panel curtains to your room. Experiment with colorful patterns and solids to see what works best in your room. Curtains add color and create a focal point in your room.

4. Lamps

Dusty, dingy lamps can drag any room down. Clean them off and add a bright new shade. Or hot-glue bright silk flowers to a plain white shade. There are actually all kinds of ways to dress up old lamps and add color at the same time. You can decoupage the lamp’s base, for example, or decorate with classy stickers and craft gems. You can also cover your worn lampshades with thin, colorful paper.

5. Throw Rugs

You can get very pretty throw rugs for not much money. Place vividly-colored throw rugs at focal points in the room.

6. Primary Colors

Some of the brightest colors are the primary ones – red, blue, and yellow. Whether you are doing slipcovers, lamps, pillows, or something else, try combining these with a non-primary color that contrasts, such as yellow with hot pink and bright blue accents.

As you can see, it’s not too hard to add color to your home without spending a lot of money.

Custom Silhouette Chalkboards for Mom

What mom or grandmother would not love a silhouette of their young child to help them remember how sweet they were at that age? You can cut out a silhouette and frame it, but why not make something useful, as well? One way to accomplish this is to create a silhouette chalkboard.

Begin by finding a good profile picture of your child. Since most people do not keep 8 1/2

Signs and Treatment for Heat Stroke: How to Play It Safe When the Weather Gets Hot

Do you know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion? Do you know what to do if you see these symptoms exhibited in someone? Whether you’re enjoying an outing with your family or simply out in your garden, it’s important to know the signs and treatment for heat stroke. Here are some tips on how to play it safe when the weather gets hot.

1. Heat Exhaustion – Causes and Signs

Heat exhaustion is different from heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, but heat stroke doesn’t lead to heat exhaustion. So first, let’s take a look at some of the causes and signs of heat exhaustion.

Dehydration

Despite the term “heat exhaustion,” sources are clear that the number one cause of heat exhaustion is dehydration. However, dehydration can occur at any temperature if you don’t drink enough. What makes heat exhaustion unlike other forms of dehydration is that it starts with sweating. When you don’t replace the fluids and electrolytes (salts) lost in your sweat, dehydration and heat exhaustion can occur – even if you are drinking fluids. It’s easy not to drink enough, or not drink the right kind of liquid.

Signs and Symptoms

Heat exhaustion is characterized by:

* Excessive thirst
* Nausea
* Feeling lightheaded and/or dizzy
* Headache
* Muscle cramps
* Dark, concentrated urine

Treatment

A person experiencing heat exhaustion needs treatment right away. Even if you seek medical help (which is a good idea), you need to take action immediately to prevent the more dangerous heat stroke. Here are some steps you can:

* Get the person to the coolest possible area. If you’re outdoors, go for shade; if you have access to air conditioning, get that person to an air conditioned area as soon as possible. An air conditioned vehicle is fine, as long as it’s cooled down first.

* Rehydrate with appropriate fluids, especially water and “sports” drinks. If you don’t have any sports drinks, watered-down fruit juice with a pinch of salt or baking soda in it can help. Try to give fluids slowly to avoid vomiting and nausea.

* Allow that person to rest and not go back out into the sun for the rest of the day.

2. Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is more serious than heat exhaustion; heat stroke can be fatal. Heat stroke occurs when the body can’t cool and hydrate itself in excessive heat during long periods of time. During heat stroke, a person’s core body temperature can rise above 105 degrees F. If you see any of these signs of heat stroke, call 911 and take action while you wait for help to arrive. Here are some of the signs:

* Headache (severe)
* Pallor or hot, red skin
* Rapid pulse
* Dizziness
* Muscle cramps
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* “Panting” or shallow, rapid breathing
* Seizures
* Confusion
* Loss of consciousness

Take action right away:

* Get the victim to an air-conditioned area.

* Use ice or cold, wet cloths on the victim’s skin (especially on the head, armpits, back, and groin areas) to bring down body temperature. Put them in a cool bath or shower if one is available.

* If victim in conscious, have him or her drink slowly – sources suggest half a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes.

* Remove unnecessary clothing and have the victim lie down.

Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy your summer without the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Preparing Kids for Summer Break

The kids around the country are counting the days. They know before too long, the final bell of the school year will be ringing and they

Planning for Child Care during Summer Break

One thing working parents have to think about as the school year draws to a close is planning for child care during summer break. There are a variety of options so it is important to begin thinking about this well before it is needed. Here are some suggestions you may want to consider.
* Discuss child care with friends who have children. They may have suggestions on options for summer break. If they do not work outside of the home, they may even be willing to watch your children while you work. Be sure to discuss payment for their services to maintain your friendship. The extra money will probably be helpful and will help cover food and supplies your children will use.
* Summer camps are one way parents handle child care needs during the summer months. These camps will often last three or more weeks, which means the children are cared for, occupied, able to spend time with or make new friends, and their needs are being met. Begin looking into what types of summer camp programs are available that fit into your budget.
* Day cares are also an option, but these can be expensive. In fact, some parents will pay upwards of $7,000 for summer day care charges. That is a large chunk of money that most families cannot afford. The price may be cut for more than one child but it may not meet your budget.
* Check into the local recreation center to see what types of programs they offer for the summer. This may be a great option especially if you only need to have child care for a couple of weeks rather than the entire summer. Many recreation centers will allow you to enroll your children on a week-by-week basis, but you will want to find out what is available and sign-up as soon as you can as spaces may be limited.
* College students are often available during the summer. If you know a college student, and feel you can trust them, this may be a good option. Be sure to discuss ahead of time what you are willing to pay, what type of activities (if any) you would like to have your children participate in, and how long you will need their services.
* Local colleges and universities may offer programs for the summer. Some programs are set up to allow teachers an opportunity to work during the summer and offer activities they may not be able to do during the regular school year. If you do find a summer program at a local, find out when the sign up deadline is and how much the program will cost.
* Local area worship centers, synagogues and churches will often have vacation Bible schools that will last a week or more. Churches will often stagger their vacation Bible schools so they do not all run at the same time. If your child is interested, they may want to attend more than one.
* Ask family if they can help. Finally, if you have family that lives close by, or even if your family lives far off, ask them if they will watch the children for you while you work. For family that doesn

How to Keep Your Pet Safe during the Hot Summer Months

When the weather heats up, pets can be very uncomfortable. They can also suffer injury and even death. It’s so important to keep your pet safe during the hot summer months. Here are some tips to help keep your feathered and furred friends safe this summer.

1. Outdoor Fun

One of the best things about summer is taking your pets on fun outings. Hikes, walks, farmers’ markets…but make sure you prepare ahead of time and use common sense. Have a cooler with bottled water for pets (and humans!), and take along a bowl or other container that your pet can easily drink out of. A spray bottle is a good idea, too, so you can mist your pet if it gets too hot. And seek out shade periodically so your pet isn’t “baking” in the hot sun the whole day.

2. Know the Signs of Heat Stroke

Cats, dogs, rabbits, and pet birds are all prone to heat stroke. Here are some of the signs to watch for.

Dogs:
* Anxiety and agitation (the dog won’t settle down)
* Excessive panting (this varies by breed – you’ll probably know when your dog is panting more than usual)
* Vomiting
* Sticky, dry mouth and gums
* Weakness in the legs and a staggering gait

Cats:
* Panting
* Anxious and agitated behavior like pacing
* Dark-colored gums
* Lethargy
* Rapid heartbeat

Birds:
* Panting
* Holding the wings away from the body
* Agitation and anxious behavior

If your pet exhibits any of these signs, get him or her to an air-conditioned area immediately. For birds, darkness is important in calming them. Spritz your pet with cold water and call your vet.

3. No Cars

Yes, you’ve heard this – but it just has to be included in any pet safety checklist for summer, because people still seem to miss this. Do not ever leave your pet in a parked car when the temperature is over 70 degrees F. Period. Even with the windows down (which risks your pet jumping out anyway!), it can still get deathly hot in a parked vehicle. And even if you just want to run into a store for a minute…don’t.

4. Portable Fans

Stocking up on a few battery-operated, portable fans can really help. If possible, try to get some of the fans that also spray mist while they blow. That can really help keep a pet cool (it’s nice for people, too!), and the fine mist is less “offensive” to animals like cats than a spray bottle.

A few simple precautions and increased awareness can help keep your “fur (and feather) family” safe this season!

Mother

Moms love to receive flowers from their children. However, even though they will not share this with their children, they do not like watching the flowers wither and die. This Mother

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – How to Use Mirrors to Reflect Light

When light hits a mirror, it bounces off of it and back into the room. This helps multiply the light in the room, and using multiple mirrors can generate all kinds of interesting light effects. But just placing the mirrors randomly won’t work.

So here are some suggestions and tips on how to use mirrors to reflect light.

1. How Light Acts

Some people think that light bounces straight off of a mirror, but actually it reflects off the surface of the mirror at the same angle at which it hits. This is important if you want to position multiple mirrors to reflect light off of each other.

2. Window Light

Place a mirror on the wall opposite a window, and the light that comes in will be reflected off the window, brightening the room. Even if the light from the window does not directly hit the window, the mirror will reflect the window itself.

3. Indoor Lighting

Place mirrors opposite an indoor light source, such as a chandelier, light fixture, or lamp.

4. Bigger Is Better

Sources say that you shouldn’t worry about putting a large mirror in a small room. In fact, that’s considered better if you want to bring light into a small room. In fact, it’s no longer considered outdated to do mirrors wall-to-wall, covering a whole wall with them or installing a wall-sized mirror in one room.

Another large-mirror option is to place an oversized mirror on the floor that reaches to the ceiling. It will immediately add light and a brightening effect.

5. Fireplace Light

A reflective, mirrored screen by your fireplace can reflect the firelight and add a warm glow to a darkened room. A mirror over the mantel is another way to create a sense of space and light near your fireplace.

6. Candle Light

Mirror candle coasters reflect the flame’s light and enhance the effect. Placing candles in front of a mirror reflects a romantic glow when the sun goes down.

7. Mirrored Ceilings

Another throwback – mirrored ceilings are a great way to open up a cramped entryway or bathroom. Ceiling lights and lamps are then reflected and the area appears much larger.

8. Dark Walls

If you have a space with a dark wall – such as an area with dark wood paneling or brick – hanging a mirror on that dark wall will reflect the lighter side of the room and add light and balance.

9. Closet Doors

A cramped bedroom can be brightened up considerably by adding mirrored closet doors. These do not have to be expensive, and they do give a sense of space and increase light.

Mirrors have a definite place in decorating. Adding light and space, tastefully-placed mirrors are a significant and affordable enhancement to your home.

Make a Message Board for Mom

Message boards are a great way to keep track of important things. They can be used to put photos, recipes, shopping lists, messages and more. If your mom wants to get more organized, one of these message boards may do the trick.

Think about the d

Top Ten Low-Cost Upgrades for Your Home

Do you want to upgrade your home, but you’re intimidated by the cost? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that home improvement means massive outlays of cash. Of course, it can mean that; but it doesn’t have to. You don’t have to spend a great deal of money to make some big improvements to your home.

Here are the top ten low-cost upgrades for your home.

1. Front and Center – Your Front Door

Start with the front of your home, sources say. This is the place you will look at every time you walk in the house, and so will everyone else who visits. The front door is a good place to start. Here are some ways to spruce it up.

* Paint your front door. Usually a coat of primer and one coat of paint will do the trick. For a natural wood door, lightly sand the wood surface and apply a fresh coat of stain.

* Buy a new handle or doorknob.

* Hang an attractive, fresh wreath on the door.

2. Front Porch

Still at the front of the house, make some improvements to your front porch. Matching planters on either side of the front door can look great. Make sure the plants in them are healthy and attractive. You can also hang plants from your porch ceiling if you have one.

A welcome mat that’s colorful and classy can also add a quick upgrade and a splash of color.

3. Kitchen Faucet

The kitchen is an important part of your home – it’s where people look first if they are buying a home and it’s where guests tend to congregate. For a small amount of money, you can replace your kitchen faucet – of course, that price goes up if you have to hire a professional. But if you can do it yourself, you can spend as little as $15 for a new kitchen faucet that sparkles.

4. Kitchen Cabinets

Paint your cabinets and refresh your entire kitchen for just the cost of the paint. Natural wood cabinets can be lightly sanded and re-stained.

5. Kitchen Appliances

Wash the front of your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher to give immediate refreshment to your appliances.

6. Bathroom Floor

For a quick, affordable fix for a worn bathroom floor, look for a sheet of vinyl flooring that can be placed right over the existing floor. You can also put down a new bathroom throw rug that covers most of the floor. Bright colors look the freshest.

7. Toilet Upgrade

Instead of replacing your whole toilet, just replace the toilet lid and seat. Then clean the toilet and put a nice arrangement of flowers on the toilet tank.

8. Window Treatments

New panel curtains or quick window treatments can upgrade and refresh a whole room. You can do most rooms in your home – or at least the bedroom and living room – for very little money.

9. Throw Pillows

New throw pillows add color and newness to your living room, den, or bedroom. Choose bright, clean colors and patterns.

10. Replace Throw Rugs

For not too much money, you can replace your worn throw rugs and liven up your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and entryway.

There you have it! These ten cost-effective ways of upgrading your home should make your living space livelier and fresher.