Mom will like anything you give her, but here are some Christmas gift ideas that will make your favorite woman happy.
Unless your mom is a gourmet chef, I would steer clear of the pots and pans department. I think that moms really like any kind of jewelry, clothing, or anything made by their children or grandchildren. I would also discourage you from buying vacuum cleaners even if they are robotic. Give that to your dad, instead. Here are other Christmas gift ideas.
Jewelry – Easy Christmas Gift Ideas for Mom
Any kind of pearl jewelry is good. I don’t know about your family, but I think that some of those jewelry items with fake birthstones are a bit tacky…though if you look for something simple, it might be nice. Do ask yourself if Grace Kelly would wear it…and if you don’t know who that is, and why would you…just remember that simpler is better, when you are buying something of this caliber.
Pearls for Mom Bracelet: This says “mom” on it, but the writing is tiny, so it’s not gaudy. I like this and I would wear this. Well, remember that your mother will wear anything you buy for her, or make for her, because it’s from you.
Beaded Edge Mother’s Hand Stamped Necklace: This is also cool because it’s funky and hand stamped. I like it as shown without Swarovski crystals, which don’t really look good with silver or pewter. If everyone is pitching in for the $45.00 and you can’t fit all of the names, you could use nicknames or initials. This is cute and can be worn daily.
Sterling Silver Family Heart Locket: Most of the time, I think that jewelry without names or words is the most classic and, therefore, preferable to jewelry with verbage. However, if you want to give your mom anything that says, “Mom we love you,” you will make her tear up with happiness, and I will give you my blessing. This is a nice locket for all of the things that your mother has done, or tried to do, for you.
Travel Accessories
If your mom is a traveler, you can find quite a few inexpensive things that she will love.
Rick Steves Books: No matter how many times you’ve been to Europe, you will learn something new from the Rick Steves’ guidebooks. I don’t know how people do Europe without them. He gives so many tips that are exactly what you need to know. And, if your mom has never been to Europe, you should save up and send her someday.
Danielle Cosmetic Bags: These are becoming harder to find but if you google around for Danielle Makeup Case White, you may find it. They are well-made of a nice see-through mesh. You know it’s the right thing if it has a little airplane pull on the zipper. Get it in any shape or size that you can find because these unassuming little bags are exactly right in all of the sizes. I’ve used them for years and they last forever.
The Danielle makeup bags that I’m talking about are cheap, so you might want to toss a little blusher from the drugstore into it. And, if you can’t find the travel cases with the little airplanes, any kind of makeup case is always helpful for mom to have. Even if she isn’t traveling much in this economy, she can always use it to stash her stuff in the car.
New Mom
Ed Hardy Diaper Bag: If mom has little ones, you can get her a groovin’ Ed Hardy Bag. For a less expensive alternative, try Sourpuss or Jaminga. Look around online because there are rocking cool diaper bags everywhere.
I really have to assure you that you needn’t stress over a present for your mom. Mothers are usually so overlooked that they are thrilled to receive anything.
It`s time to choose a gift for Dad, but money may be tight this year. That new set of Callaway golf clubs may have to wait until your financial situation clears up. In the meantime, below are some great gift ideas for those who want to spoil their dad, but stay on a budget.
Custom Gift Cards for Dad
Let’s face it. Dads love to shop for “guy things.” They love electronics, gadgets, sports, games for the Wii, games for the Xbox, video games, etc. So why not contribute to your dad’s potential purchase? Many times dads won’t buy a game or electronic gadget for themselves because it’s a bit too expensive. However, if you purchase a $20 custom gift card at your dad’s favorite store, this can go a long way. For example, a Wii game costs anywhere from $30-$35. A $20 gift card will cover most of the purchase.
A gift card is a great excuse for your dad to spoil himself. Remember to be thoughtful and to choose a place your dad will definitely shop. Some ideas include the local golf shop, Best Buy, PC Richards, Radio Shack, the local electronic store, Brookstone, etc.
DVD Movies for Cheap, Choose Your Dad’s Favorites
A gift that we often forget about is the DVD. It’s a great, generic gift for men, and especially for dads because you know your father well. Ordering DVDs online is a great way to save money. With a $20 budget, you can order one, newer DVD he’ll love, or two older movies. Be sure to take shipping costs and tax into account.
Some favorite movies loved by men include Pulp Fiction, No Country for Old Men, Top Gun, The Hunt for Red October, A Few Good Men, Caddyshack, Das Boot, Star Wars, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Animal House, Apocalypse Now, Raging Bull, Patton, Blazing Saddles, etc.
You can also buy great television series on DVD and get him interested in quality shows. Some favorite television shows loved by men include Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, CSI series, Mad Men, The Sopranos, Cheers, Taxi, Dexter, Rescue Me, Entourage, and so on. You can either introduce your dad to a new show that you know he’ll enjoy or remind him of his favorite old shows.
If you really know his interests well, buy specifically for them. Don’t stray from what he loves. It’s the thought that counts.
When Christmas shopping this year, use these Christmas gift ideas for dad to buy a personal, yet memorable gift. Keep to his interests and spoil him with thoughtfulness.
While money is probably the most requested gift among college students, some people would prefer to give the college students in their lives an actual present for Christmas and the other holidays. Shopping for a present for a college student can be a difficult feat for some people. However, there are several gifts that many college students would appreciate receiving. These gifts are described below.
Regardless of the genre, most students enjoy listening to music. Therefore, a practical holiday gift for a college student is a portable music player. If the student already owns such a device, then an accessory, such as a car adapter, would make a great gift. For a quick present, a person could also give a gift card to download songs, such as an iTunes gift card.
Give the Student Supplies, Clothes, or Gift Cards for Internships and Job Interviews
Many students complete internships during college, and many students apply for jobs after graduation. Therefore, a college student could be given supplies for these activities, such as a portfolio for storing paper, pens, and a resume. Internship and interview clothes could make a great gift, also. However, if the size and clothing preferences of the student are unknown, then a gift certificate to a clothing store is also practical.
Student Appliances, Serving Sets, or Decorations for His or Her Apartment
Since many students are living on their own for the first time, they might be in need of basic apartment items, such as appliances, serving sets, and decorations. For appliances, a student might be in need of certain kitchen appliances, such as a toaster or blender. Also, if the student enjoys hosting parties, then hosting supplies might be great gifts, such as a set of wine glasses or beer mugs.
Additionally, decorative items for a student’s apartment can also be great Christmas gifts. If a student has begun decorating his or her apartment in a particular style, then an item to complement that style would make for a thoughtful present. Also, basic living-space items, such as a wall clock or door mat, could also be great gifts for students.
Give the Student Electronic Equipment, Electronic Accessories, or Computer Software
Electronic equipment, which can range from alarm clocks to gaming systems, can make for a fun and useful gift for college students. A person can tailor the electronic item to meet the needs of the student. For example, if the student is in need of a printer, then a printer would be a practical gift. Also, electronic accessories can be great gifts, such as iPod covers, headphones, and gaming controllers.
Additionally, if the student owns a computer, then or she might need computer software, such as the latest edition of Microsoft Office. Or, the student might need a software program that is tailored to his or her college major. General software programs, such as anti-virus programs, could also be good gifts for students.
Whether it’s computer software or a new toaster, there are several useful and thoughtful gift ideas for college students. The gifts can be tailored to meet the needs of the student, such as work clothes for a student starting an internship or kitchen supplies for a student who recently moved into their first place. And, the gifts can be more general, such as music gift cards or computer accessories.
Getting famous online requires a lot more planning than using the “post and pray” method. However, searching online will bring you countless methods for how to gain more followers, increase your visibility, and manage your presence successfully.
Below you’ll find 4 of the most important tips for increasing your chances of making it big.
While we can’t guarantee that you will get famous online with these steps, they will certainly help!
1. Decide on your “niche”.
Your “niche” is basically your little corner of the internet. The first step to creating a successful online profile is to really decide what your passion is. What do you have expertise with? What information or knowledge do you possess that other people NEED? Now – go find community there!
When you think of your niche, think SMALL. It probably feels counterintuitive to narrow down the people you are trying to reach, but my specializing you are competing against a smaller number of posts for visibility. This method also benefits you because the people that you ARE reaching actually need what you are providing.
Pro Tip: Don’t just pick “busy people”. Narrow down to “athletic busy people” or “tea loving busy people”.
2. Post valuable content.
You have to bring value to your niche. People want to gain something from following you! This could be products they need, tips and tricks, or even solidarity. Either way, they have to connect with you and feel that you are solving a problem they have.
Finding community is incredibly important for this. For example: If you are focusing on the DIY niche – Post an Instagram Reel showing your niche how to stain an end table in under an hour. Bring the funny and relatable content!
Pro Tip: Look at your video and ask yourself, “Would I share or save this?”
3. Select 1-2 platforms to really dig into.
You need to learn about the algorithms (technical “formula” created for deciding which posts show up to many people and which don’t) involved on your favorite platforms. For example: Facebook likes to show posts that involve pictures of a face and that involve conversations. The more back and forth conversation, the more people that post is going to be shown to.
Once you have found your niche and decided on platforms – get involved in groups (on Facebook) or hashtags (Instagram) and interact with them! Build relationships with them! Providing value and answering questions will build credibility for you within the community.
Pro Tip: Utilize the search feature on groups or instagram to search for people’s questions in your niche. What questions do you have answer for? What problems do people have that you can solve?
4. Consistency, consistency, consistency.
This is probably the most important way to bring maximum visibility and engagement to your own posts. It is incredibly important to put content out on a frequent, predictable basis. People will come back to your account for your daily content! The more you post, the more people will be able to interact, and the more visibility you will have.
Have confidence! Yes, the internet can feel big and scary. But just take these steps one at a time and go for it. Find your people, dig in, and bring that value consistently. May your page views be high, and your bounce rate be low!
This post is sponsored by Weston Moving and Storage, a family-owned and operated moving company that has been serving South Florida since 1999. Though I have been paid to write this post, all opinions below are my own.
Moving can be a stressful and arduous undertaking for us humans, never mind our animal companions. As people prepare for a move, they also need to think about their pets.
As people prepare for a move, they are generally concerned with things like packing boxes, hiring movers, and changing addresses. But another very important thing to consider is the well-being of your family pet. Moving from one home to another can be traumatic for a pet if not handled properly, and there are several important steps to take in order to make the transition an easy one.
Moving with Pets – Before the Move
Image courtesy of Weston Moving
Plan transport – Ensure that your pet becomes acclimated to the actual act of transportation during the move. If your dog or cat is not used to being in a carrier or a car, plan accordingly and expose it to several short trips before moving day. Place its toys or blankets in the carrier or car with it so that it is surrounded by familiar objects.
Pack a bag – Gather enough food and water for the duration of the trip, and some extra in case of emergency. Bring bowls for feeding, toys, treats, and blankets, and a disposable litter box for cats if needed. Also, it’s handy to have a pet first aid kit on hand.
Print paperwork – Print copies of your pet’s license and vaccination certificates, and ensure that your pet’s identification tags are up to date and show the correct contact information for your new address.
When I moved from Florida to Kentucky, I was so grateful we had gotten my doggos used to the car because it made them less afraid of driving with me. And, we had gone on several trips that were extended road trips – think 10-24 hours long, so they were completely okay with the long haul of 800 plus miles.
Had they not been used to car rides however, we would have spent time acclimating them to the conditions they were about to experience beforehand!
For our long trek to Kentucky, we packed a bag with enough food to last a couple of weeks because we didn’t know how long we’d be living out of boxes. We also packed toys, blankets, their flea and tick meds and shampoo and other essentials to keep them comfy for the trek and first couple of weeks in Kentucky. We arrived in January, so it was important to have plenty of blankets for them to avoid getting too cold.
Moving with Pets -During the Move
Image courtesy of Weston Moving
Provide space – On the day of the move, ensure that your pet is in a safe, secure place away from the heavy moving traffic. It’s best to leave it with a friend or sitter, but if you must have it at home during the time of the move, place it in a quiet room with its bedding. Ensure that others know not to leave the door open, as the animals may spook easily during this stressful time, and open doors can provide a quick exit for scared pets.
Monitor behavior – Check in on your pet often to see how it’s doing and to provide it with food and water. It is normal for your pet to be stressed by the move, and any comfort you can provide it with will go a long way.
Ensure safety – Once in transit, make sure that your pet is safely confined and restrained, and make frequent stops to allow it to go to the bathroom and provide it with food and water.
Moving with Pets -After the Move
Explore together – Walk around your new home with your pet to monitor its reaction to and comfort within its new surroundings, and be sure to keep it restrained when near any open doors or open fencing, as it may be tempted to run away if frightened.
Set up camp – Pick out a spot for your pet’s stationary belongings, such as the food and water bowls and bed, and try not to move them from that spot. Signs of stability are very important at this stage, and this will provide it with comfort if its belongings are in the same place consistently.
Moving with Pets – Don’t Make Our Big Mistake!
Unfortunately, my doggos didn’t have stability when we first moved in. Had we been smart about our move and chosen a reputable moving company like Weston Moving and Storage, all of our belongings would have arrived safely. Instead, we foolishly went with a bad company that made it impossible to have any stability for a while due to broken furniture and goods. This didn’t have to happen to us, and it doesn’t have to happen to you either.
Instead of a lovely bed, we slept on blankets on the floor for about 4 days:
We held them close to keep them and us warm, and to make them feel safe while we slept. We also gave them plenty of walks and assurances that everything would be okay. Other than the fact they acted like they weren’t potty trained for a couple of weeks, they finally settled down and settled in to our new home.
I’ve mentioned it several times on this blog, but I sincerely wish we had used a better moving company. Check out my postsA Survival Guide To Movingand my recent post, 10 Things to Look for In a Moving Company as you’re considering the moving company you will use to transport your belongings. Let my cautionary tale motivate you to do your homework and hire a professional rather than choosing based on cost alone!
About Weston Moving and Storage
Weston Movers has been proudly relocating families and businesses for almost 20 years now! Whether you are searching for residential moving, labor only, packing services, or even commercial movers in Broward County, Weston Moving and Storage has you covered. They like to say that they simplify moving, and after looking at everything they offer, I can see why.
Image courtesy of Weston Moving
I didn’t even know packing services was a thing moving companies offered! I always thought you had to get a personal concierge or assistant to do that! To learn more about their company, and the areas they service, click here.
This post is sponsored by Infinite Moving, a moving company serving the central Florida counties of Polk, Orange, Lake, and Osceola. Though I have been paid to write this post, all opinions below are my own.
Anyone who has ever moved before can tell you that moving is hard enough to accomplish without all the little things that seem to go wrong at the worst moments. Luckily, there is hope. Below is a survival guide filled with advice that may help you have a less stressful transition from one space to another.
The “Pre-Move”
Far too many people seem to be under the impression that moving starts the day the mover trucks show up. However, if you start packing a couple of weeks (or even a couple of months) beforehand, when moving day rolls around, the stress of packing and transitioning from place to place can decrease immensely. One study documented that, on average, it takes a college student 4-5 hours to pack up an entire dorm room. This is a general guideline as most people intend to move their entire house, not just one room. So for a four bedroom home, you may want to give yourself as many as 20 hours to pack up those four bedrooms, and then an additional 4 to 5 hours for every additional room (i.e. kitchen, dining room, den, sun room, etc…)
It’s also a good idea is to pack a suitcase. In it you should include all the things needed for roughly three to five days after the move. That way, you won’t have to be digging through boxes when you need a change of clothes.
p.s. – for my recent move earlier this year we created a meal plan to use everything we possibly could in our fridge, freezer, and pantry prior to our departure. This way we had less to transport from place to place. The further you move, the more critical it is to avoid bringing things that need to stay refrigerated/frozen. In our case, we moved 800 plus miles, so bringing anything cold just wasn’t feasible.
Pro Tip: Try to make sure you don’t need immediate access to your kitchenware and utensils right away.
We created a box of essentials that included paper napkins and plates, as well as disposable cups and utensils. Our meals for the first few days were heat and eat meals or sandwiches so we wouldn’t need to scrounge the kitchen boxes looking for pots and pans and plates. Planning ahead for this saved us from a lot of expensive takeout food!
We also had a “As soon as we arrive” bag that had things like hand soap, toilet paper, and other essentials we knew we would need at the ready for immediate use. If you only read this far, you’ll thank me if you use these tips.
Packing
It is a good idea to clearly mark all your boxes to save yourself time and confusion. Aim for two “open me first” boxes per room in your new space. Like it sounds, these boxes will hold all the things you will most likely need first in your new home.
Padding – A good space saver idea (and one that is green to boot!) is to use all of your fluffy towels and pillows to cushion delicate and fragile items such as china, DVD players, and even computers. We even used shirts, shorts, and socks for extra padding because the stuff had to be moved anyway, and saved us serious coin on that overpriced styrofoam cushioning we could have used! Of course, whichever boxes have breakables should be labeled as “Fragile” and always put them on top when stacking with the heavier boxes on the bottom.
Weight – Try to keep each box below 30 pounds whenever possible. Heavier boxes have a tendency to get dropped, rip, and generally hurting the people trying to move them.
Electronics – If you have a lot of complicated electronics in your house, try taking a picture of how they are hooked up before moving them. Then when the time comes to re-hook them up, you only have to look at the picture, and voila!
Heavy items – If you have things like a pool table, piano, or other heavy and bulky items, do yourself a favor and choose a moving company that can help you with things like this! For example, if you need pool table moving in Polk County, it’s best to call in professionals like Infinite Moving that are trained in heavy lifting.
These items are not only heavy, but they typically come with a large price tag. And, if you don’t want them damaged, using pros is key. Besides, promising pizza and beer to your friends in exchange for helping move these items is not going to go over well when cousin John or neighbor Alice pulls a muscle or throws out their back helping you move something far too heavy for amateurs!
Labels – Never label your boxes with a pencil. Instead, use a thick black or dark-colored marker, and always label your boxes on top and bottom. If one gets turned upside down, you will still know what it is. We also labeled ours on the sides so we could leave them stacked and easily see what was where.
The Movers
Finding really great movers can be tough, but it is not impossible. If you choose to go with professional movers, don’t be afraid to look around and ask questions. Talk with friends who have used this company or that business. Research the companies that catch your interest and never trust one simply because it is the “easiest” or the cheapest. Feel free to vet these companies by logging on to the Better Business Bureau and US Department of Public Transportation websites.
Once you have survived the moving process, and you and all you hold dear is now safely located at your new house, take a deep breath and relax. Give yourself a moment before you get back up and start unpacking. Although your move is technical “over,” the unpacking process has just begun. Like with the packing process, you will need to have a plan before you begin.
Priorities First – Always concentrate on the “Open me first” boxes for the bathroom and kitchen. These are usually the items you will truly “need” soon if not sooner.
Timetable – Set a specific number of boxes to be opened each day, and don’t stop until you have accomplished the task. Do yourself a favor and take the boxes to the recycle bin as quickly as possible so you don’t have to deal with a bunch of clutter on top of trying to unpack the rest of your belongings.
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to have a plan for where everything will go before you unpack any boxes
Clean as you go – Trash bags should be kept on hand at all times for any newspaper, packing tape, and general trash. And, sanitize the area before you start filling it up.
A Few Tips To Make Moving Day Less Stressful
Having moved quite a few times myself, I know first hand how stressful moving can be. In my opinion, the packing and unpacking are the worst and most stressful.
Oftentimes, I would find myself standing in the middle of the room, spinning in circles while surveying the room, and wondering to myself, “Where do I begin?” That overwhelming feeling that comes over you when preparing for the big move can be daunting at times.
After the first few times I moved, I realized that I needed to become more organized. I had to find a better way to do it, and here’s what I came up with….
First of all, if you are planning on using a moving company such as Infinite Moving, or renting a moving truck to do it yourself, make your arrangements as soon as possible to reserve your time slot.
The easiest way I found to pack was to do it in “rounds.” What I mean by that is, start in one room and, doing each room individually, pack away the things you know for sure you will not need until after your move. This is round 1. Then, each week leading up to your move, do a sweep through of your house and pack away the things you know you can live without for the time being.
Not only will this help to lessen the stress of moving, but at this time, you can also decide to sell or give away the things you don’t ever use instead of moving them with you.
If you will be using cardboard boxes to pack your things, use a permanent marker and somewhere on the box, write the name of the room that the items in the box belong in. Then when you move, you can put the box in its designated room right away to make unpacking that much easier. If you are using plastic storage containers instead of boxes, pick up some cheap, easily removable labels to place on the containers and write the names of the rooms on the labels instead of writing it directly on the containers.
Another idea would be to mark each box with a number according to necessity. For instance, if the items in a box are personal toiletries, those would be something you would need to be unpacked right away, so you could mark that box with a “1” so you would know to unpack that box first. Then follow suit with the other boxes using the number “2” for items that you wouldn’t need to be unpacked right away but would need soon, and so on and so on.
If you have children, give them a box or two and have them pack up their own toys and personal belongings. This always works great with my kids. They love to help me out in any way they can, and they’re always so proud of what they’ve accomplished when they get their packing completed. Then when your move is over, and it’s time to unpack, the kids can then unpack and put away their own things.
Hopefully, the moving tips I’ve listed here will help to make your moving experience a little more pleasant, organized, and less stressful.
This post is sponsored by 24/7 Logistics Services, a moving company, in the Florida area. Though I have been paid to write this post, all opinions below are my own.
For those of you who don’t know, I moved to Kentucky from Florida at the beginning of 2021. I have a lot of regrets about how I chose to go about hunting for a moving company to transport our belongings from state to state. If I had it to do over, I would have been much more careful in selecting our movers rather than trusting blindly.
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did, so with that in mind, below are 10 things to look for in a moving company. Hopefully, they will prevent you from experiencing some of the woes we had when we moved.
What to Look for In a Moving Company
1. You need a trustworthy company
Whether they are packing your stuff for you, or just transporting it from point A to point B – you want a trustworthy company who won’t throw your crap around like the company I used did.
They had no qualms about dropping boxes, scratching my furniture, or dropping my entertainment center stair by stair down the stairs – which caused it to break by the way. Ugh. Do your homework people! Use a trustworthy company so they don’t do shoddy work!
2. They gotta be reliable
If your movers say they will be there between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., they sure as heck better do it! While my movers did show up early, they spent most of the time taking turns in the bathroom and not really working while running out the clock and then demanding extra pay for overtime. Sigh….
3. You want folks that are experienced
Oh, how I wish I had known about 24/7 Logistic Services when we were preparing to move from Florida to Kentucky. They not only have award-winning, nationwide movers, but they have four years of experience and a great reputation. But I digress…
4 and 5. They should be licensed and insured
One of the problems with who we booked…you guessed it – they weren’t licensed. So, when they broke my entertainment center and scratched my furniture, I really didn’t have any recourse. They had no way to pay back the damages
6. You want PROFESSIONALS
It sounds obvious, but janky websites and missed calls should be a key indicator to you about unprofessionalism. I should have paid attention to the red flags instead of pressing onward and getting screwed. I guess I’m just grateful most of our stuff arrived in one piece. But, I’m certain if I’d gone with professionals like the folks at 24/7 Logistic Services, all of my pieces would have arrived intact and there wouldn’t have been any negative issues.
7. They should be honest and transparent about pricing
While pricing will vary depending on demand and time of the week, there should be transparency about prices. In other words, no surprises! For example, we didn’t realize there were surprise fees to be incurred with our shady movers.
8. Prices should also be affordable
If someone is charging a fraction of what the average is, or multiple times more than the average – it’s a red flag. That said, I can understand charging more based on quality – just not a crazy high price that doesn’t seem justifiable!
9. Services should be customizable
Even in clothing one-size-fits-all doesn’t actually exist. That’s another thing I like about 24/7 Logistic Services. Their services are customized based on your unique needs. Its not just residential moving – they also offer apartment moving, packing services, long distance moving, special assistance for senior citizens, piano moving, and so much more!
10. Finally, they have to have amazing customer support
If customer satisfaction isn’t their number one priority – move on to someone that does hold that in the highest regard. You don’t have to use crappy movers. You deserve to have movers that will treat your belongings like you do – with care!
About 24/7 Logistics Services
24/7 Logistic Services is one of the leading moving companies, working on both local and long distance moving in Hollywood, Florida. They strive to provide customers with the top quality local and long-distance moving services. Their main objective is to provide speedy delivery and efficient support even in long-distance moving. Therefore, they offer first-class and well-maintained trucks and tractor-trailers. Moreover, all of their vehicles get 24/7 roadside assistance. And to become even more reliable partner to customers they have GPS-devices installed in each of their trucks, which enables the company to track your belongings’ whereabouts in 24/7 mode.
I'm Celebrating the Justice League Release with TV Store Online! Check out all the fun novelty t-shirts they have of your favorite characters!
I was given a free Superman Dress from TV Store Online in exchange for this post and social media love. While the dress was free, it has not impacted my review. All opinions below are my own. I also could receive a small commission should you choose to purchase via my links in the post at no cost to you. Thanks in advance for your support!
At the time of this writing, there is a pretty sweet offer of 15% off their entire collection on their website. They have all of your favorite characters too. Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, The Joker, Lois Lane, Hawkman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Mera, and The Flash.
The website asked me if I wanted to try any of their shirts or costumes, and I jumped at the chance to get this adorable Superman/Supergirl Tan Dress. It even has a detachable cape y’all. It is so cute. But, since the dress looks WAY hotter on the model on the TV Store website than it does me, here’s what the dress looks like:
My Review of the TV Store Online Products
I’ve received a couple of items from TV Store Online now, and for the cost, it’s a great value. I feel like the quality is decent, and I’m still rockin my Power Rangers jacket I got from the website a couple of years ago.
The sizes do tend to run a little small, so I would say it’s a good idea to get a larger size than you think you need. If you wear large t-shirts, go ahead and get the XL. Also – to extend the quality/shelf life – pay close attention to the cleaning instructions.
I personally would not throw these in the dryer because the fabric tends to shrink. So throw in a little fabric softener and hang it to dry. I suspect that this way of caring for my Supergirl tank dress will help it last as long as my Power Rangers hoodie.
Some of the products tend to be higher quality than others, but that is honestly expected considering the low price point. The costumers aren’t exactly intended for multiple uses. But if you have a couple of conventions and costume parties to attend, they are PERFECT. Like I said, you really can’t beat these prices.
Of what I have seen the t-shirts and hoodies have the best quality. And, I can confidently recommend them as great novelty gifts for yourself or the movie fans in your life.
Also – they have a lot more than just superheros. They have fun gifts and novelty items from TV shows and a lot of popular blockbuster films. Check out this website to see what I mean.
Here are some of my other favorites from their website:
And I LOVE me some Hoodies, so I definitely love these two:
Which one is your favorite? Leave me a comment or tweet me at AshleyisFamous and tell me about it! And, if you want to make a purchase, here is my affiliate link to TV Store Online one more time. There is no additional cost to you if you make a purchase from this link, but it does support my blogging efforts. So, thank you for your support!
Balance is key for proper technique and strength building, and developing a greater balance will allow you to have a more fulfilling yoga workout. Here five balance yoga poses, listed in order of increasing intensity.
Balance Yoga Poses for Beginners
Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Tree Pose is a common favorite among many yoga enthusiasts. It’s a simple way to improve your balance without tiring out your legs. While initially challenging, once mastered, Tree Pose offers a truly centering and calming experience. To form the pose, stand with your feet together and your hands on your hips. Bend your right knee into your chest, then, keeping it bent, turn it out to the right side. Place your right foot against the inside of your left thigh. Inhale, raising your arms above your head, and then exhale, lowering them out to the sides. To come out of the pose, you can either return to standing or lean forward into Warrior 3, described below.
Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III): This is a wonderful pose for increasing balance and stabilizing the legs. From Tree Pose, inhale, stretch your arms up over your head, and bring your knee in front of you, keeping it bent. As you exhale, press your palms together in front of your heart and take your bent knee under your body and extend it out behind you. Keep the back leg active and flex the foot. You can take your arms and stretch them out in front of you, out to the sides, or back along the sides of your body, whichever is the most comfortable for you.
Eagle Pose (Garudasana): Eagle Pose strengthens the quadriceps and provides a nice twist for the legs and arms, and it is one of the best balance yoga poses for increasing leg strength. Start by standing tall with your feet together, then cross your left leg over your right, bending the knee to press the left foot into the back of the right calf. Bend the right leg and stretch your arms over your head. Next, lower your arms on an exhale and bend them to make a 90-degree angle. Your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor in front of your body. Take your right elbow and place it inside the crook of your left arm. Then face the palms toward each other and press them together as you sink deeper into the pose. Repeat the pose for the other side.
Intermediate Balance Yoga Poses
Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana): This balance pose is a little trickier than Warrior 3, as it involves twisting the body and reaching one hand toward the floor. You can enter this pose from Triangle Pose or from Mountain Pose. Place your left hand on the ground, take your right hand to your hip, and lift your right leg into the air parallel to the floor. When you feel steady, extend your right arm into the air, perpendicular to the floor. Repeat on the other side.
Upward Bow Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana): This pose is a great way to increase flexibility in addition to balance. Commonly known as a “bridge” pose in gymnastics, it is probably the riskiest of all of the balance yoga poses in this article, so be careful and don’t push yourself too hard. Start by lying down on your back with your arms stretched over your head. Bend your knees and point your toes straight in front of you. Plant your hands near your shoulders and come up onto the crown of your head first. When you feel balanced, push up with your arms into the full Upward Bow Pose. Stay here only for a few moments, then tuck your chin and slowly lower yourself to the ground. Stretch your arms over your head and hug your knees to your chest to neutralize your spine.
Shirsasana (Headstand) - Though inversions are challenging at first, this restful pose has a great effect on the body's internal systems. Use a wall and work gradually towards building enough core strength and a sense of balance to stand freely. This pose tones all the internal organs and circulatory system and calms the mind. A great way to start every day.
Don’t push yourself so hard that you risk falling, and always be sure to move slowly and safely. Beginner’s classes can be a great way to learn the correct forms of these balance yoga poses and receive feedback from a trained instructor.
There is more to astrology than simply reading your sun sign. It is a complete work of all the planets and more to make a chart just about you.
How many times have you opened a book about astrology and read all you could about your Sun sign, only to put the book down and think, “That doesn’t explain me at all.” The reason for that is because there is more to your astrology chart, personality, and life path then just your Sun sign. And even though your sun sign may explain your personality in a broad spectrum, you need to know how the rest of astrology works before you can really make sense of who you are.
The Sun
The Sun is the most active force in your astrological chart. It is the most talked about and the most popular. That makes sense since it is the bigger part of your personality, and that part is what the world gets to see the most often. The Sun is the living force for our entire planet, and as such, the Sun sign is the living force for who you are and how you achieve your goals. It is the part of yourself that you can at most times control, the force behind how you act, and how other people perceive you. Yet, it is not the only planet in your birth chart and, if read on its own, seldom makes complete sense to the reader.
Decanates
Your Sun sign is broke down into three decanates. The first decanate is the first 10 days of the sign, the second is the next 10 days, and the third is the last 10 days. It doesn’t always follow a 10-day cycle since not every month has 30 days. Decanates help to refine your Sun sign without losing the basics for the sign. This is the first of many reasons why two people with the same sign can seem very different.
Cusps
To be born on a cusp is to be born on the day that one sign moves into the next sign. People born on a cusp often have the influence of both signs in their personality, yet one is always stronger. That is because a sign doesn’t change just because the calendar marks it. It is when the Sun will move from one to the next. A person who is born on Sept 23, the day Virgo moves into Libra, will be one or the other depending on the time of their birth. If that person is born at 8:32 AM and the Sun is still in Virgo until 4:03 PM, that person is a Virgo, not a Libra. It is important for people born on a cusp day to know what time they were born and where the Sun was on that day to know which sign is truly theirs.
The Moon
The moon is the second most important planet in your birth chart. In some ways, it is just as important as the Sun, for one doesn’t work without the other. The moon sign is the inner, sometimes darker workings of your personality. It controls emotions and how you feel, reacts, and fantasize. It forms the parts of your personality that you normally don’t want others to see, and at times you yourself don’t want to admit too. All your secrets and inner personality are formed by your moon sign.
The Other Planets
Of course, it doesn’t end there; the rest of the planets and how they were aligned the day and time you were born to play a part in the forming of your unique personality. Each planet controls a different aspect of human nature. They are as follows:
* Mercury-Intelligence
* Venus-Love and Pleasure
* Mars-Physical Energy
* Jupiter-Good luck, Optimism, Success, Generosity
* Saturn-Responsibility
* Uranus-Change, Originality
* Neptune-Mystery, Illusion
* Pluto-Awesome power
When each planet is charted, it is then put into a House. Houses divide the influence of the planets into specific functions to further narrow down who you are and how you make life decisions, form opinions and achieve your goals. There are twelve houses, all representing something different for your personality and your life path.
* House of Self
* House of Money
* House of Communication
* House of Home
* House of Creativity
* House of Service and Health
* House of Partnership and Marriage
* House of Death and Regeneration
* House of Mental exploration and long-distance travel
* House of Career and Public standing
* House of Friends, Hopes, and Wishes
* House of Secrets, Sorrows, and Self-Undoing
Getting to Know Yourself
There is more to astrology than a person’s sun sign. This is just the basics. To fully understand all the elements of astrology and birth charts, one must study the subject. By learning about astrology, you get the chance to understand yourself from the inside out. Astrology is about learning and understanding human behavior, and the first step in understanding is to first get to know who you are.
