Holiday Safety Tips

Holiday Safety Tips

James Hirtenstein from Baby Safe America has put together a list of six tips to keep your home safe for you and your family this holiday season.

1. Keep candles and matches away from low tables and decorations. Make sure they are all blown out prior to going to sleep.

2. Keep all alcohol off of coffee and end tables while children are awake.

3. Keep all nuts, candies and any chokable food off out of arm's reach from children.

4. If you have a live Christmas tree in your home, make sure you are maintaining the tree. Prune the bottom of tree from all sharp protruding branches. You should be watering your tree daily to keep it hydrated and to keep it from getting dry and brittle. Remove all small ornaments from the tree if you anticipate small children in your home. It's best not to rely on placing them all at the top of the tree as that will make the tree top heavy and give it a better chance to fall over. Instead of overloading your outlets with lights, use a high quality powerstrip with a built in surge protector and make sure lights are unplugged before going to bed.

5. Be proactive! Send a "heads up" email to all invited guests about these dangers and ask for their help in ensuring a safe and happy party. Alert all guests as you greet them at the front door that there are small children in the house and to be aware of potential hazards. Placing small but noticeable post-it notes around the areas of potential danger will also act as a constant reminder and ensure that accidents will less likely happen. People are drinking at these parties and once alcohol is consumed the rules you discussed earlier in the night will be forgotten by a few people for sure so these constant reminders could be the difference between a jolly good time and a preventable catastrophy. 
6. Make sure that you are mindful of these "danger zones" throughout the night. Put someone in charge of checking the areas at times throughout the day to make sure that they are up to the correct safety standards for having children around.

Source

---

bigcitymoms.com

Read More

Great Ideas: Re-Use

Re-Use an old frame for a vanity tray that’s pretty as a picture.

Sang An

At a party, stash ice in a colander set on top of a bucket or a bowl. Water will drain out, and guests will get only the solid stuff.

Aya Brackett

Drink Carrier as Condiment Kit

Cart condiments to a backyard barbecue. Slot flatware, ketchup and mustard in the compartments for easy transport.

Forget unruly plastic bags that seemingly regenerate under your sink. An empty tissue box keeps them neatly corralled and ready for use.

Read More

Warwick appleFest

Sunday, October 14th

ocated in the Hudson Valley Village of Warwick, New York
Admission is FREE !

Applefest began in 1989 as a simple harvest celebration to support the Warwick Valley Community Center. Named one of the “Top 100 Events” in the country, over 30,000 visitors now attend the one-day event, traveling from neighboring states to experience the extraordinary variety of Warwick’s apples, culture, and entertainment.

The festival is produced by the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Warwick Valley Community Center.  Festival proceeds benefit these and other local non-profit organizations.

Over 200 craft vendors
Dozens of food vendors
50 local non-profit exhibitors
Music & entertainment on several stages all day!
Childrens’ Carnival • Farmers’ Market
Walk to Village shops, restaurants & businesses
Apple Pie Baking Contest (slices for sale!)
Fun for the whole family!

Read More

4TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN KIDZ KARNIVAL

4TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN KIDZ KARNIVAL

OCTOBER 28 / 12:00PM AT PIER 46 INGREENWICH VILLAGE

COST

FREE!

RESTROOMS

Pier 45 Comfort Station

ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Yes

SUBWAY & BUS LINES

Hudson River Park's Pier 46 transforms into "Halloween Central" with fun-filled attractions for the family. Dress up and join the crowd for face painting, mask decorating, wax hands, cotton candy, rides and more.

All ages are invited. Most attractions will appeal to kids aged 2–8 years.
 

Source:

http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/events/4th-annual-halloween-kidz-karnival

Read More

Quick Makeup Tricks

Quick Makeup Tricks

Tips that will improve your looks in no time.

Susie Cushner

For Your Face

The problem: Lackluster skin.
The boost: Use tinted moisturizer and cream blush to make skin glow. “Apply moisturizer with a sponge right over any makeup you’re wearing,” says Kim Smith, a makeup artist in Fairfield, Connecticut. Try Olay Definity Color Recapture ($25 at drugstores). Then blend a pink or peach cream blush onto cheeks. Consider Stila Convertible Color in Peony ($25, stilacosmetics.com).

---

The problem: Tired eyes.
The boost: Wake them up with an illuminating shadow and a mascara refresher. Use a concealer under the eyes if needed. Next, sweep a sheer gold-flecked powder over lids and on the inner corners. Try Lancôme Color Design Eye Shadow in Filigree ($18, lancome-usa.com). Also brush on one of the new mascara emulsifiers to rewet and smooth the mascara you applied in the morning.

---

The problem: Blah-looking lips.
The boost: Apply a berry-colored stain. It requires less precision than dark lipstick (just use a finger), and it won’t rub off. A rosy shade, like Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon ($25, beccacosmetics.com), flatters all complexions. Top with gloss for extra shine.

Susie Cushner

For Your Hair

The problem: Flat strands.
The boost: Tease small sections to add lift: Pick up a layer of hair at the crown, place a fine-tooth comb two inches from your scalp, and comb backward, says Roque, a stylist with the Wall Group in Los Angeles and New York. Try the Acca Kappa Beechwood Comb ($30, shopaccakappa.com). Repeat wherever you want height, then brush hair gently to smooth it.

The problem: Dullness.
The boost: Apply a shine enhancer that’s formulated for your hair type. If you have straight hair, run a towelette infused with defrizzing natural oils down its length. Try Jonathan Product Pocket Redo Freshen-Up Wipes ($13 for six,amazon.com). For curls and waves, apply styling cream to dry hair, then use your fingers to twirl and reshape curls. Experts like Kérastase Crème Oléo-Curl ($34, drugstore.com).

The problem: That same old bun or ponytail.
The boost: Add a little style with something subtly sparkly. Slip a pretty pin or barrette into your hair just behind one ear. Another option: Make a deep side part in line with the arch of one eyebrow before pulling your hair back, says Paula Ivins Kingston, owner of the Lucid Salon, in Lebanon, Ohio.

Susie Cushner

---

For Your Body

The problem: Pale, ashy skin.
The boost: Liven it up with a healthy helping of lotion and a dab of bronzer. Start with a lotion that has a hint of shimmer, which reflects light and renders imperfections (bumps, lumps, scars) less noticeable. Try Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($7.50 at drugstores). Stop here or add some color by rubbing a liquid bronzer between palms and applying it to exposed areas, like the legs, arms, and décolletage, in long strokes. Jemma Kidd Show Stopper Year Round Body Glow ($28, target.com) looks natural.

The problem: Unkempt hands and nails.
The boost: Give yourself a warp-speed manicure to polish things up. First moisturize with a thick hand cream to soften skin and cuticles. Smooth on Dove Cream Oil Intensive Hand Cream ($6 at drugstores). Trim nails to the same length (short looks most modern). Finally, apply one coat of a light metallic gold or silver lacquer that won’t show chips, says Eun Joo Tracy, a nail technician at G Spa, in Boston. Try Revlon Nail Enamel in Gold Get ’Em ($5 at drugstores), which looks pretty on all skin tones. Add a quick coat of the same color to your toes if they’ll be on display.

Source

realsimple.com

Read More

DIY baby V-neck

DIY baby V-neck

Thanks to iheartpears for this great idea:

Here are instructions how to make a regular onesie into a V-neck for your baby boy or girl.  Here are 3 easy steps

1. Find the very center of your onesie neckline.  Mark your spot and cut a small slit in the neckline.  

PS. Don't cut all of the way through the neckline, I cut about half or 3/4 of the way.

2. Fold over the right cut edge over the left. Pin the right V-neck angle

3. SEW! Hand sew the V

Then you are done!!!!  You have your cute baby V-neck onesie.  Perfect baby shower gift as well,

 And there you go! 3 easy steps to make your V-neck baby onesie

Read More

History of Trick or Treating

History of Trick or Treating

Although there is a long history to Halloween, trick or treating as we know it today is a comparatively recent phenomenon.

Numerous traditions could lay claim to the historic roots of Halloween but it is not clear which one, or some combination of all of them, trick or treating actually developed. Originally, a common Celtic custom during the celebration of Samhain called for families to leave food outside their door to ward off spirits. In the Middle Ages, mumming involved people dressing as demons and ghosts to perform and receive food and drink. Scottish and Irish families practiced a similar tradition called guising, where they dressed in costume and accepted gifts from households. The Church in 1000 A.D. designated November 2nd All Soul's Day and converted the Celtic practice into a tradition of handing out pastries called soul cakes to beggars on All Souls Day.

Europeans immigrating to the United States brought the tradition of souling with them in the 19th Century, begging from door to door. The custom called for the beggars to masquerade from house to house. Similar practice would be undertaken on Guy Fawkes Day and at Thanksgiving. As more Irish and Scottish immigrants came to America, more of their local practices were seen.

The first reports of modern trick-or-treating exist from Wellesley, Massachusetts in the 1920s. Children started ringing doorbells for treats in costumes more in the 1930s as the practice moved south and west from wealthy Eastern areas. Subruban neighborhoods made it possible for children to more easily go from door to door. But they didn't necessarily get candy. Toys,coins, fruits, nuts and other treats were just as popular gifts to prevent tricks as candy. Kool-Aid and Kellogg's promoted their products as Halloween treats in the 1950s as well.

It took a while for trick or treating at Halloween to develop into what it has today. Prior to trick or treating, young boys would play pranks and cause mischief while parents threw Halloween parties. This problem of kids' pranks on Halloween was especially prevalent during the Great Depression. The first mention of "trick or treat" in a major periodical was in 1939 in American Home. It told of the success of the author of hosting a Halloween party to discourage children from the practice of engaging in mischief at Halloween.

By the late 1940s though, the practice of trick or treat at Halloween was seen nationwide. In the 1950s, candy manufacturers realized that their products made the perfect treat to hand out for Halloween, and began marketing it as such. By the 1970s, commercially wrapped candy had won the battle due to its economical price, popularity with children, and fears among parents about tampered homemade products.

Now, Americans spend billions each year on Halloween candy.

Now, Americans spend billions each year on Halloween candy.

---

.Source: http://www.funtober.com/halloween/history-trick-treat/

Read More

Bridal Sample Sale: October 25th

Read More