Cool Info Lounge

I decided to get an ankle tattoo for my birthday. So I went to a local tattoo parlor last month just to browse through several books of tattoo designs they have.

Getting a tattoo is kind of a permanent thing because you’ll be stuck with it for a very long time. Sure, today you can have your tattoo removed but why go through more pain and hassle, not to mention the extra money you have to spend. Going through tattoo books can help you decide on the tattoo design you want to get if you don’t already know.

Anyway, I’m a late bloomer compared to my friends when it comes to getting a tattoo. Most of them got tattoos when they were in their teens. I actually already wanted to get an ankle tattoo when I was 15 but I chickened out. First of all because I was afraid of the pain from the tattooing itself and second, my dad might inflict more pain on me if he found out I had gotten myself tattooed. Well, I’m a big girl now so I can make my own decision what I want to do with my body. My dad might still scream at me when he sees my tattoo but I won’t give a (bleep)!

So here I was at the tatoo parlor flipping through the tattoo books looking for the perfect ankle tattoo design. Since I never wear shoes (I either go barefoot or wear flip flops at most), an ankle tattoo would be perfect. I can show it off and draw attention to my beautiful feet

After going through a couple of the tattoo design books I was starting to get a little frustrated since I hadn’t seen a single tattoo artwork that I liked. Most of the tattoo designs were either childish or cheesy. I wanted something feminine and sexy on my ankle. Something that would represent me for many years to come.

So I continued thumbing through the pages of the tattoo books and saw some interesting tattoo designs. Several of the artwork looked scary and even hideous, although a number of the gothic tattoos were rather impressive, I must admit. However, I still had not seen one that jumped out and said “I belong on your ankle!”

I had been in the tatto parlor for over 20 minutes and still had not decided on the design I wanted. Finally, one of the tattoo artists approached me and asked if I needed help choosing a tattoo design. He tried to help by asking me a few questions about what I liked, my interests, and even my beliefs.

After going through the Q and A trying to figure out who I was, the tattoo artist, who by the way, was quite a handsome guy, dug through some of the tattoo design books that I had not yet had the chance to look through. Finally, he picked up a book and smiled saying, “I think you’ll find the perfect ankle tattoo design here.”

So I opened the tattoo book and saw some new age and pagan related tattoo designs like pentacles, zodiac symbols, moon and stars, and fairies. I was like, ” wow, cool! Finally we’re getting somewhere.” Seeing my excitement, the tattoo artist smiled again and stood by my side while I browsed through those tattoo designs. He then pointed to a design and said, “I think this will look great on your ankle.”

This cute tattoo design consisted of a fairy wearing nothing on her body, kneeling down amid flowers, showing her bare soles, her long hair covering her chest, a crescent moon and a few stars above her. I jumped in excitement as I saw the beautiful work of art. “Yes, this is it! This is me!”

I just couldn’t contain myself as this tattoo design represented me in so many ways. Sorry, I can’t elaborate too much without violating the G rating of this site, but I think you have some ideas. I’ll just say I’m a natural girl, and leave the rest to your imagination

I immediately scheduled an appointment with the artist to have my left ankle tattooed that same week. It did hurt, kinda… but it was bearable and I didn’t cry. The result is definitely worth the price and the time spent going through the tattoo designs. I now have a really cool ankle tattoo that I’m really proud of.

After seeing my ankle tattoo, my friend and co-worker wanted to get a tattoo as well. So I took her to the tattoo parlor and looked through a couple of tattoo design books. It didn’t take her very long to pick a design since we have similar interests and I knew which tattoo designs to show her. She decided on a colorful pentacle and fairy tattoo design. The only difference was, instead of her ankle my friend chose to have the tattoo on her right arm. Now both of us have tattoos we’re excited to show off. I love my left ankle tattoo so much, I’m thinking of getting one for my right ankle

Posted by Tanya

Aromatherapy gifts and products such as oils, first used nearly 6,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians, are still coveted for their soothing and medicinal properties. Aromatherapy gift products contain powerful essential oils that have several therapeutic benefits for the body. They not only help to improve physical health but also appear to enhance psychological and emotional aspects of our health.

Aromatherapy gifts are a thoughtful way of helping someone to relax after going through a tough situation by encouraging them to take a few minutes to unwind. The sense of smell is strongly tied to memory and this powerful sense can help a person restore their sense of calmness and tranquility after tense hours at work or elsewhere.

Finding the right present for certain occasions may not be easy especially if the person is under a great deal of stress or grief. If you know someone who could use a thoughtful token of your esteem to help get their mind off of stress or an unpleasant situation, consider adding aromatherapy gifts to your shopping list.

One of the most popular fragrances for relaxation is lavender. Because of its relaxing qualities it’s a well-received fragrance, and an important ingredient in many aromatherapy gifts. Vanilla is often added to the lavender fragrance for an extra-special effect. The vanilla is a traditional scent that is closely related to memories of growing up. To many folks vanilla creates a homey feeling. This scent mixed with lavender is a new classic among aromatherapy gifts.

A friend of mine once related the following experience…

“I love the lavender and vanilla mixture because I received it as a gift from a good friend years ago. I had just lost a loved one who was ill for quite some time. The hospital visits, the care, and the funeral greatly exhausted me to say the least. I was so grateful that a special person thought of aromatherapy gifts as an option for someone going through the grieving process.

She included a simple note of sympathy for my loss and an added message of kindness suggesting that I relax and remember the good times, which I did. The aromatherapy gifts included lavender and vanilla scented candles, some bubble bath and after-bath lotion along with lavender and vanilla linen spray.

I took time to relax in the bath and for the first time in months, I felt my muscles release and the tension melt away. The scent from the aromatherapy gifts lingered on my sheets and pillow case as I fell asleep that night. It was my first restful night’s sleep in a long time.

Although the aromatherapy gifts did not stop the grief, they made the process easier. I really appreciate my special friend who reminded me of the importance of taking a little time to relax and remember. I recommend aromatherapy products to anyone who needs a good relaxing memory or two, and will add aromatherapy gifts to my list.”

OK, enough of sadness and stress. We need to keep our vibration high! So, how about some pleasant scents for your home? Who said that the only time you can get that homey, warm smell of apple pies, the kind of smell you remember from childhood, is if you learn how to bake? Aromatherapy gifts can now create that smell and all other smells in your home without having to cook or bake anything!

If you really want to make it even more special, why not get an aromatherapy gift basket for that special someone? There are selections suitable for all occasion. What better gift to give than pleasant scents and cheers?

The following are a few aromatherapy gifts which will give you some ideas.

• 3 vials of essential oils: lavender, sweet orange, and grapefruit. These oils are equipped with oil dropper as well as a porcelain warmer intended for healing and releasing aroma. In addition, this aromatherapy gift set also includes a tea light and two meditation balls that are designed and crafted to kindle pressure points in the hands in order to promote relaxation and energy flow.
• Aromatherapy candles blended with fine essential oils and combined with pure beeswax which are hand poured in order to produce a therapeutic and long burning natural candles. These aromatherapy gifts could be perfect for those that love candles.
• An aromatherapy gift set which includes bath and shower gel with lavender essential oil, perfume balm for applying to pulse points, hand made soap, relaxing bath parcel, and relaxing bath bomb. Aside from that, the set also includes a CD of soothing music for meditation.
• Special aromatherapy gifts for different months such as the Aromatherapy Eye Pillow for January, Heart Pillar Candle for February, Aromatherapy Bubble Jar Candle for March, Easter Egg Candle for April, Aromatherapy Pillar Candle for May, and so on.

Of course, you can mix and match those aromatherapy gift products to create your very own unique set for the appropriate occasion or person.

If you’re wondering where to find high quality aromatherapy gifts at great prices, you should search the internet. You can find numerous bargains online at places such as eBay. Click here and find great aromatherapy gifts at bargain prices.

Posted by Tanya

How you answer job interview questions greatly influences the employer’s decision on whether or not to hire you. Your resume may get you through the initial screening process, and great qualifications certainly are an asset. However, almost all hiring decisions are based on how well you handle your job interview.

Job interviews allow your potential employers to assess how well you’ll be able to work with them or the company, and also give them the opportunity to get a sense of who you are as a person. Therefore, knowing the best way to answer job interview questions will certainly help you get your dream job.

The best rule of thumb is to present yourself in a favorable light, but keep in mind the old saying that honesty is the best policy. Therefore, don’t just tell the interviewers what you think they want to hear. Many employers use a set of fairly standard job interview questions, with job-specific additions depending on the type of a position you’re applying for. For instance, asking about your strengths and weaknesses is common practice.

Talking about your strengths should be the easy part of answering job interview questions. Just tell them what you’re good at in relation to the job you’re applying for. When it comes to your weaknesses, that’s when you need to tread a little more carefully. If you could turn what could be perceived as a weakness into a strength, that would be an excellent way to answer the job interview question.

For example, you could say “because I usually pay a lot of attention to details, I tend to work a little slower than others.” That would be a great answer if the job requires detail oriented employees. Again, remember that the interviewers appreciate honesty. So, if you can think of a true weakness tell them about it, but also mention that you’re working on improving yourself.

Your potential employers also want you to show that you have a base of knowledge about them or their company. When you answer job interview questions about the company you’re applying at, it helps to be informed. You should research the company prior to the interview so you have a good idea of how the company’s structure is set up, what they do, and where they’re is headed. This will demonstrate that you’re actually interested in this particular job at this particular company, instead of just casting your net as far and as wide as possible.

Job interviewers will also want to know a bit about your past experiences and your plans for the future. When answering job interview questions about your previous employment, be sure not to mention any grievances or dissatisfactions. Instead, focus on the positive and portray yourself as moving on to better opportunities. When they ask about the future, try to see where you’ll fit into your interviewing company. This is another important reason why it pays to do your homework before the interview.

A job interview also gives the potential employee to know more about the employer and the position. So, when you’re done answering the job interviewer’s questions, be sure to ask some of your own. That’s another way to show that you have a genuine interest in the company and the position.

It’s understandable that you might get a little nervous during a job interview. It’s a good idea to practice answering job interview questions with your friends or relatives so that you will gain more confidence. If you answer the job interview questions in a truthful way and have a positive outlook, the employers are more likely to look favorably on your application and offer you the position.

Good luck on your next job interview!

Posted by Aiden

A good meditation for beginners class or guide will introduce the concept of meditation to those who are not familiar with it. Unfortunately, there are misconceptions about meditation such as that it’s only practiced by those of certain religions or that you have to sit still for hours and hours. The fact that there are a variety of meditation techniques and practices sometimes adds to the confusion.

I remember when I was in 8th grade I saw my grandpa sitting with his eyes closed listening to some surreal meditation music. It was the first time I ever saw him do that so I was like, wow, since when did he become a Buddhist? I asked him what it was all about, and he told me he was taking a meditation for beginners class to learn how to relax, and that you don’t have to be a Buddhist, a Hindu or belong to any religion to meditate.

Later he told me that taking meditation for beginners had helped him to be calmer, more patient, and that he was able to deal better with the stresses at work. He also seemed to be a lot happier. A few months later my grandpa started taking tai-chi lessons and meditation was part of the activities, but by that time he was no longer a beginner in meditation.

I thought the whole meditation thing was interesting but I didn’t really start getting into it myself until I was in high school. I took karate as an extra curricular activity ‘cos I thought it was cool and I would learn self defense at the same time. We were taught meditation in our karate class. We only meditated for a short period before we begin each class, but even then I already felt the benefits of meditation. During those short moments I felt deep calmness and peace like I never had before.

After I graduated from high school I started working in a new age store where I had the opportunity to read and learn more about meditation. I also took yoga classes which involved even more meditation than did karate. Today meditation is a daily routine in my life. I usually do it first thing in the morning after I wake up. That way I’m mentally prepared for the day’s challenges. I meditate with the help of a Zen alarm clock which smoothly and gently brings me out of meditation.

Meditation is about freeing your mind, and subsequently your body, of impurities. Now, by impurities I mean things that weigh you down and keep you stressed out. Studies have shown that over 90% of diseases are caused by stress. Meditation for beginners will teach you how to relax and forget about your problems at work, your debt, your kids behaving badly, etc.

Meditation can help the tense emotion flow away from your body and mind as you drift off into a serene atmosphere where burdens do not exist. You’ll find yourself on a different plane. One that lies beyond your physical presence. A place where you can rest and take refuge from the troubles of everyday life.

This does not mean that you’re in denial, for once you come out of your meditative state, you will feel rejuvenated and invigorated, your mind becomes clear, you’re more peaceful and joyful and hence, more able to deal with life’s challenges.

If you’re interested in meditation for beginners classes you can check your local community as some do offer such classes by themselves or along with yoga, tai-chi or other martial arts. You can also search online since there are some good meditation for beginners programs available.

Posted by Tanya

Wedding sandals and flip flops are fashionable in today’s casual world. Just because your wedding is a special day in your life and you’re wearing a dressy wedding gown doesn’t mean your feet have to suffer.

Besides, young brides are excited to show off their newly pedicured feet. Wedding sandals come in a variety of styles that complement your fancy wedding dress.

This reminds me of my own memorable wedding. I was one of those girls who already dreamed of having a fairytale wedding when I was still little. I spent many years saving ideas and pictures of cakes, flowers and dresses that I wanted for my own wedding. However, wedding sandals were not part of it as I always thought I would have to wear a pair of fancy shoes on my wedding.

The moment my husband slipped that sparkly diamond ring on my finger, I intensely started planning for my perfect wedding. To my dismay I soon realized that the planning of my dream wedding turned into a complete mess. I barely had time to breathe.

Luckily, I had a travel agent friend who managed to save our sanity. She suggested that we look into having a Sandals wedding where we’d not only be able to exchange our vows but also be able to have our honeymoon at the same time. Wow, what a wonderful idea that was! Why didn’t my fiance and I come up with it ourselves?

We discussed it with our families and all agreed that we would have a Sandals wedding. My parents were only too happy fly to whatever destination we chose. Our best friends were also excited. Before we knew it, there would be about 20 people attending our small wedding and I was ecstatic.

After doing my research on Sandals wedding we decided to go to Jamaica. It was a popular destination, yet affordable and looked very promising. We had several places to choose from for having the wedding ceremony and they would provide some of the items, including a bouquet, the officiant, and a professional photographer. Basically, the wedding coordinator told us that all we had to do was to show up.

The evening of our romantic Sandals wedding we would have a candlelight dinner in one of the finest resort restaurants. I thought that was really incredible.

Since we would be getting married on the crystal white sandy beaches of Jamaica, I wouldn’t need a pair of fancy shoes. For such a casual atmosphere, I thought wedding sandals or flip flops would be more appropriate. So I was going to wear wedding sandals to our Sandals wedding, hahaha! I personally prefer the casual looks of flip flops to the dressier wedding sandals. But where would I find my wedding flip flops?

Well, since I love shopping online, eBay was the first place I looked. They have great selections of wedding sandals and flip flops at bargain prices. I also checked out a few other places just to make some comparisons but I ended up purchasing a pair of cool wedding flip flops on eBay.

Finally, after months of waiting and planning, our time arrived; our Sandals wedding was only days away. Unfortunately, however, we arrived in Jamaica a day after a major storm hit the island. The beaches were littered with seaweed and debris that had washed ashore. The coordinator suggested that we choose a location other than the beach. We wound up choosing the garden and it turned out perfectly!

An hour after exchanging our vows and having our small reception that the resort provided, we were in our swimsuits and floating in the pool. My Sandals wedding actually offered me so much more than I’d anticipated. I wasn’t stressed about having to take care of a million details at the last moment. It was hassle-free, simple and yet, romantic.

My husband and I are planning to go back to the same Sandals resort for our 10-year anniversary and renew our vows. And yes, I will be wearing another pair of wedding flip flops. Or maybe this time I’ll choose to wear barefoot wedding sandals as our barefoot friend Tanya suggested

Posted by Tasha

Belgian chocolate is known among the best in the world, which is well deserved since great ingredients make great chocolate, and chocoholics around the world appreciate quality.

The Swiss also make good chocolate but the Belgians were able to top them. It comes as no surprise since there’s a long tradition of chocolate making in Belgium, and a strong marketing campaign was able to get the world’s attention. If you’re traveling to Belgium you should visit a chocolate museum or two and learn more about Belgian chocolate history.

The selection of the best cocoa seeds and other ingredients is key to the high standard of Belgian chocolate. You can tell when a low quality cocoa is used in any chocolate, since it leaves a bad after taste. A superior chocolate gives a lingering rich, full flavor which you can savor even after the chocolate leaves your mouth Another great thing about Belgian chocolate is that it’s processed mainly by hand, including the final decoration.

By the way, did you know that praline was invented in Belgium in 1912? Folks there have always enjoyed exchanging chocolates as presents, and they take pride of their quality export which is popular around the world.

Belgian chocolate has a wide range of products with different center fillings in plain, milk and white chocolate. Fruit, butter cream, mocha caramel, and ganache are some of the fillings that you can savor. In addition, you can also try almonds, nougat, whipped cream, cinnamon, ginger, coffee, rum, and spice. Belgian chocolate liqueur cups taste out of this world If you enjoy something a little out of the ordinary, you might find lime, coriander, or jasmine tea appealing.

You can enjoy chocolate in many delicious forms such as truffles, chocolate mousse, and cake. If you use Belgian chocolate in cooking, everything will taste even better. Chocolate fountains are all the rage for parties and receptions.

The rivers of warm, liquid chocolate are a chocolate lover’s delight. You can dip stuff like fruits such as bananas and strawberries, or even cookies into the chocolate goo. Belgian chocolate dipped marshmallows are simply heavenly! Belgian chocolate fountain refills are available, so you will never run out.

Since the high quality also applies to the packaging, Belgian chocolate makes the ideal gift, all tied up in a ribbon.

Buy our World Champion Box, made by Pacal Caffet, World Champion Chocolatier. An exclusivity zChocolat.com.

Related article: World’s Finest Chocolate

Posted by Susie

Bikini waxing is the removal of unwanted hair in the bikini area or bikini line. This is something I have done regularly to the dismay of my mom. She said she wouldn’t be caught dead having a bikini waxing. According to her there are just some things that are sacred and the bikini area is one of them.

I have to admit bikini waxing may not be for everyone. When you go for a bikini waxing, you are sort of baring everything you have to a total stranger. In order for the technician to perform their task you have to get up on all fours and spread your legs as far as you can, while pushing your butt up into the air. Talk about opening up! Some people are just not comfortable going through all that for cosmetic reasons. Even some of my friends say this is the most humiliating grooming they can imagine.

Bikini waxing involves applying hot wax on the spots you want hair removed, and ripping it off with a strip of paper, and this can be a little painful. I personally don’t have any problem with bikini waxing and exposing myself to others since they’re professionals. I feel totally comfortable having it done. Even the pain is not really that bad although I always scream out of reflex and giggle afterwards So to me bikini waxing is actually kinda fun and I often laugh when people get so uptight about it. I’m not ridiculing them though, I just find it funny the way they react when they hear about bikini waxing

However, I don’t recommend doing your own bikini waxing at home, although there are do-it-yourself kits available with instructions and tips on how to do bikini waxing yourself. It’s hard to do a good job doing it yourself. Of course, you’re welcome to try it if you’re adventurous and have good dexterity, but please don’t call me when you can’t remove the wax, or you accidentally sat on something that you are now stuck too, hahaha!

Should this happen, you would need to contact the wax company and figure out what to do. This won’t be the most pleasant phone call you have ever made, though I bet the operators are quite used to getting calls about home bikini waxing gone wrong.

I remember my aunt once said, “Tanya, if I were young and sexy like you, I might consider having bikini waxing but at my age it’s just a bit too much. I’m having a hard enough time going to a gynecologist.”

If you’re uncomfortable with bikini waxing for whatever reason, you have other options. You may want to consider shaving more often or have a laser hair removal for that area. Unlike bikini waxing which needs to be done every few weeks, laser hair removal is something you only do once, although it may take more than one appointment and cost more than bikini waxing.

Brazilian bikini waxing on YouTube:

Posted by Tanya

“Belly dancing is a fun activity to increase your cardiovascular stamina, firm your muscles and improve your flexibility.” That’s the description of a belly dancing class offered at our local community center that my friend Virginia told me recently.

She has been successful losing weight; she’s now very energetic and wants to exercise more to keep the weight off. However, she also wants to do something exciting or otherwise, she would lose interest and slack off. She says yoga and other activities at the gym are too boring. She believed joining a belly dancing class was the answer but kind of reluctant to do it by herself.

So Virginia asked me if I would be willing to take the belly dancing lessons with her. The classes were offered 2 nights a week for 6 weeks, and held from 6:30 to 7:30pm. I thought taking belly dancing lessons would be a lot of fun but the time was over the dinner hour and I would need to be home with my daughter. So I told her I was really sorry to not be able to join her.

She also tried asking some of her co-workers to take the belly dancing classes with her but none of them seemed too thrilled about wearing costumes that show their bellies, twirling scarves and clinking together cymbals. Needless to say, my friend was a bit disappointed.

As luck would have it, a couple of months later Virginia showed up at the store where I work acting very excited. She said, “Tanya, guess what! They’re offering another belly dancing class. This time the lessons will be on weekends, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 4 to 5. Will you join me this time? Please, I’m really counting on you, girl!”

Well, how can I say no to that? So the very next day we went to register for the belly dancing class. To my surprise, Virginia managed to recruit one of her co-workers who happened to be rather shy. I wondered how long that girl would stay in the belly dancing class.

When we registered we were told we needed to buy belly dancing outfits and scarves, while they would provide the cymbals. Our attire included a belly dancing costume of our choice, a scarf, and an optional pair of soft shoes or sandals. The instructor said we could attend classes in bare feet if we so chose since many belly dancers enjoy dancing barefooted and connect with mother earth, and historically belly dance is performed barefoot. I was really excited about that since I’m a barefoot girl who is all about connecting with mother earth.

On the first day of our belly dancing class Virginia and I were both barefoot but her shy co-worker wore sandals since she didn’t want to get her feet dirty. I felt great wearing my belly dancing costume. My nose ring, belly button ring, and toe rings complemented my outfit.

The first lesson was pretty exciting. We were taught some basic belly dancing moves. The scarves helped us get into the flow of the music which included some drum beats. We also used finger cymbals to help keep the beat for some of the belly dancing segments.

They shot movies of us belly dancing which they would later make into DVD’s. Pretty cool! Virginia’s friend didn’t have too many comments about the belly dancing lessons. She said it was a totally new experience to her. Well, it was to all of us as a matter of fact.

However, 3 weeks into the belly dancing class she was really getting the hang of it surprisingly! She was very supple and confident in her movements and was very comfortable twirling her scarf around to the beat of the drum, and clinking her cymbals. She also smiled a lot. Everyone commended her.

Oh, she also shed her sandals! She said it was lot easier and more comfortable to belly dance in bare feet. She didn’t mind getting her feet a little dirty since she could always wash them later. She danced with the music with such grace, awing all her friends and co-workers that came to watch. It was amazing how belly dancing lessons had improved her confidence and self esteem.

We all had so much fun that before we knew it, we were reaching the end of our belly dancing class. We all had toned our muscles over the course of the lessons, and Virginia’s shy co-worker had become more out going. The instructor was hoping that the students would continue with belly dancing as an on-going source of exercise. She said having the outfits should motivate us.

On our last day of class we put on a sensational belly dancing show for our friends and family whom we invited. My mom and my daughter were there and they were impressed. My daughter said she wanted to take belly dancing lessons too! Virginia’s relatives and friends were equally inspired.

Then something rather amazing happened. About a month after we completed our belly dancing class, I got a call from Virginia telling me that she and her shy co-worker (who was no longer that introverted) had accepted a part time job belly dancing at a Middle Eastern restaurant by the beach!

I was simply stunned but very happy for both of them. Should I follow in their footsteps? Hmmm… that’s certainly something for me to think about, and I’ll let you know what I decide

Belly dancing does have many benefits. It gives women the opportunity to make new friends, celebrate the joy in music, develop self confidence through artistic self expression, and last but not least, it helps create and maintain a strong, healthy body. So if you’re considering taking belly dancing lessons, I’d say go for it!

Posted by Tanya

Cookie gift baskets make wonderful gifts for all occasion. Who doesn’t love cookies? They’re a great way to celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day as well as birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and other special occasion.

You can slso use cookie gift baskets as a way to say thank you, congratulations, good luck, get well soon, and convey other expressions when words alone may not be enough.

One good thing about cookie gift baskets is that they don’t have to contain exclusively cookies. You are free to add in other goodies like candies, chocolate bars, or brownies and fudge and create mixed cookie gift baskets.

Need more ideas to fill your cookie gift baskets? How about oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies, and jam filled cookies? Oh, and don’t forget everyone’s favorite: chocolate chip cookies!

If Christmas is the occasion, you may also want to include lemon bars and cinnamon cookies along with some gingerbread men and candy canes. You can decorate your cookie gift baskets with gold tissue paper, red or green cellophane and gold or silver confetti, and throw in a couple of pine cones to reflect the season.

If you’re a cookie lover like me, you probably have no shortage of recipes at hand, and including the recipes for your cookies in the gift baskets as an extra treat for your recipients would be a great idea.

One thing to remember about cookie recipes and gift baskets is that you should tailor them to your recipients’ tastes and needs without compromising the quality of the cookies. For instance, substituting shortening for butter or margarine may result in disappointment.

If you have a friend who is crazy for chocolate chip cookies, you may want to make a cookie gift basket based on chocolate chips that contain a mixed variation such as raisins, peanuts, macadamia nuts, and cinnamon.

A health conscious business associate of yours will appreciate a cookie gift basket filled with healthy fruit based cookies. Including your recipes for each selection will assure them that your delicious cookies won’t compromise their food ethics.

There are also sugar-free cookies and other foods you can put together to create special cookie gift baskets for diabetics. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves make for a really tasty cookie and usually are less caloric. The sweetness comes from the spices, and tends to be healthier.

On the other hand, if the consumer has no dietary restrictions, you can present them a gourmet cookie gift basket filled with decadent and calorie-rich goodies like butter cookies and fudge.

As you can see, you can make excellent cookie gift baskets to suit the pickiest eater with just a little creativity. In case you need more ideas for cookie gift baskets and recipes, check out some cooking magazines or recipe books. You can slso find some free, great tasting cookie recipes online. Just do a search!

Posted by Susie 

Baby shower decorations are an important part of baby showers which are held to celebrate the arrival of a newborn.

If you have a friend or family member who is an expectant mother, you may want to consider throwing her a baby shower, which is a time honored tradition allowing a group of women to get together and have fun while sharing the joy and excitement of the future mother.

If you already know whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, you can choose the theme for the baby shower party decorations accordingly.

Baby shower decorations of different shades of blue will be appropriate for a baby boy, while pink would be for a girl baby shower party. Yet some parents would rather have a surprise and don’t yet know the gender of the baby. If this is the case, you should go with baby shower decorations of neutral color like white, yellow, or green.

Speaking of yellow, duck baby shower decorations are quite popular and they look cute. You can even choose that as your theme for the party. For intance, for your baby shower table decorations you can buy table cloths, paper plates and cups with duck prints. And how about rubber ducky baby shower games to entertain the guests?

Another idea for baby shower decorations is to use a Disney theme with different characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie The Pooh, or Snoopy. Wait, I know Snoopy isn’t really a Disney character but I thought I would throw it in just to give you more ideas If you’re so inclined, you can also go with home made baby shower decorations.

A few balloons along with carefully placed congratulations signs, and a fun item such as a stork centerpiece on the refreshment table would make wonderful baby shower decorations.

People love looking at old baby pictures, and it might be a cool idea to use baby pictures of the parents to add a personal touch to the baby shower decorations. Imagine the delight of the parents to have their own baby pictures displayed at the baby shower party for their child.

What’s a baby shower without a cake or cupcakes? There are a variety of baby shower cake decorations available you can purchase to match the theme of your party, or you can place a special order. There are also plenty of decorations for baby shower cupcakes you can choose.

Whether you’re planning to have the baby shower indoors or outdoors on a warm day, you should consider using colored streamers to add a festive touch to the occasion. Choose streamers in the same color scheme as the rest of the baby shower decorations.

Those are just a few ideas for baby shower decorations. You can search online for more baby shower decoration ideas, and most of them are free.

Since having a baby is an exciting time in the life of a woman, you need to carefully plan the celebration, from writing the invitations, to planning the activities, to choosing the right baby shower decorations so that it will be a joyful and memorable occasion.

Posted by Tasha 

Online doctorate education naturally follows my previous posts on online bachelors degree and masters degree. Now is the perfect time for you to advance your degree in your chosen field.

Thanks to the internet, distance learning doctorate degrees have become more practical and affordable compared to traditional higher education options.

Pursuing online doctorate degree programs practically eliminates the need to commute to classes, allowing students to meet their family and/or career obligations.

Because online doctorate education programs also offer flexible course work, you will still have time to enjoy life. Just like with online masters and bachelors degree programs, it is vital that you attend an accredited online doctorate program.

You have come this far in your pursuit of higher learning, so you want the best an online education has to offer. Whether you’re interested in a degree in executive business administration, public health, theology, or other fields, an online doctorate degree will give you the credentials you need to become an expert, making you a more valuable employee, and in turn you will earn great salary.

Therefore, it’s very important that you do your homework comparing several different accredited online doctorate programs and universities in terms of the length of the program, course work and credit hours required to graduate, as well as tuition and fees.

A great place for you to start your journey would be http://www.elearners.com, where you can find over 8,000 accredited online doctorate degrees along with other college degree programs and courses. Once you have decided on a degree program and university, the application process is fairly easy.

If funds is a major concern for you, you may want to look into financial aid offered by most accredited programs as well as other sources such as grants and scholarships from public and private institutions.

Also keep in mind that manay employers see the value in higher education and hence, they offer tuition assistance to their employees who decide to further their education by obtaining an online doctorate degree.

Therefore, although a good accredited online doctorate education program may not be cheap, it can still be affordable to you if you take advantage of the many financial assistance resources available.

So there should be nothing to hold you back from enrolling in a distance learning doctorate degree online and advancing your career. Good luck and best wishes for a brightest future!

Posted by Aiden 

Masters degree online is a great option to supplement a bachelor’s degree that you already have in your field. In the previous post we discussed about getting a bachelor’s degree online. Why not take a step further in advancing your education and career by pursuing an online master’s degree?

Enrolling in an accredited online masters degree program is ideal for students who are already in the work force or have a family. Because the coursework is flexible, you don’t have to worry about extra commuting time to classes, missing dinner or other duties that your job or household requires.

While many students prefer to arrange their study time around family and career responsibilities, there are a few who do have the time to invest in more intensive programs. If you’re one of them, then an accelerated online masters degree program may be ideal for you.

Regardless of the type of program, most likely you have decided the field of study you want to pursue your online master’s degree in. Some of the most popular masters degree online programs include psychology, counseling, criminal justice, science, accounting, education, and nursing.

Many registered nurses with a bachelor of science degree in nursing can continue on to earn a master’s of science and specialize in various nursing areas. These professionals also need to complete a certain amount of clinical hours at local facilities to fulfill the requirements for graduation.

Just like with online bachelor degree program, you have to make sure you find an accredited online master’s degree program. You have probably heard of the paper mills that offer spurious masters degrees online that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. That’s why it’s crucial that the institution is accredited with the proper governing authorities.

Another important factor is that the tuition and fees are affordable. While many online universities and colleges offer financial aid assistance in the form of loans, there are also other sources such as scholarships and grants that will help you get your online master’s degree.

You may also want to find out if your employer offers a tuition assistance program as an incentive to their employees and staff to further their education in their chosen field. After all, with a master’s degree you’ll become a more valuable employee and earn better salary.

For example, with a bachelors in psychology, there is only so much you can do. If you have a masters degree in psychology, online or otherwise, you have that much more bargaining power you can use to obtain a better position with better pay, not to mention a more exciting and rewarding career.

A friend of mine was interested in pursuing criminal justice and she recently earned a bachelor degree online. She’s now actively looking for an affordable online masters degree in criminal justice, and is excited about the bright future ahead of her.

It will take hard work and dedication to get through the classes, but if you are willing to put in the effort you will reap the rewards. So, why not start researching a few accredited masters degree online programs today!

Posted by Aiden

“You want to earn a bachelor degree online?” That’s what my uncle said to his son Fred when he told his parents he was going to get an online bachelor degree in business.

Fred’s parents were in disbelief. First of all, they’re not very computer savvy. Although they have a PC with internet connection, they usually go online just to read emails and the latest news. They had never heard of such a thing as online bachelor degree.

Second of all, they’re both very traditional academics. In their opinion, attending a “real” university or college is the only way you can get a decent education, providing you with the job skills needed to advance in the corporate world. So needless to say, when they heard their son talked about online bachelor degree programs, they were puzzled, if not shocked.

It took my cousin a long time to “educate” his parents about online education and degrees, and to finally convince them that getting a bachelor of business administration online through an accredited program is not such a bad thing.

Fred was a little disappointed that even some of his educated friends thought that pursuing an online bachelor degree was easy and hence, intellectually worthless. They also said he was doing it just so he could earn more money instead of having a genuine interest in acquiring knowledge.

Well, what’s wrong with earning a great living? Fred has always been pretty self-willed. He’s been sick of working a low-paying dead-end job. He has a dream of some day being financially independent, and believes that getting an online bachelors degree in business administration will really help him.

He has made up his mind to earn an online bachelor degree and doesn’t care what others think. However, he said he couldn’t really blame his friends for mocking online education since most of them have a science background, and scientists have hands-on experience which online courses can’t provide. Besides, their love of science is greater than their love of money.

Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree also deprives you of the human contact that you get if you attend a real world college or university. You won’t be able to discuss or debate things with your peers face to face, and you don’t have a personal relationship with your professors.

Nevertheless, going for an online bachelor degree program, whether in business or other fields like accounting, education, or engineering has its advantages.

Many people who work full time and have children to take care of just don’t have the time to go back to college and sit through classes. Earning an online degree in their chosen field is a great alternative for them. Enrolling in an accredited online bachelor degree program also allows them to do most of the studying and work in the comfort of their own home and at their own pace.

If you’re interested in earning an online bachelors degree whether in science, business, accounting, psychology, agriculture or any other field, it’s most important that you enroll in an accredited program.

There are a number of bonafide universities and colleges that offer online education and degrees. Once you contact them, many online colleges will be eager to call you and encourage you to sign up for their programs right away. However, don’t let them pressure you. This is your education, and you need to take the time to properly do your research and gather information before deciding on the major (area of study) and online programs.

If cost of tuition is a concern, you may want to look into accredited online bachelor degree programs that offer financial aid, and there are quite a few. You just need to do a little searching.

Posted by Aiden

Baby shower games are a must when you’re planning to have a baby shower and want to entertain your guests. A good baby shower game needs to be fun yet appropriate for the entire family and those who attend.

When planning a baby shower (or any party for that matter) you need to keep in mind the different characters of your guests. You can’t please everyone, but you can make the theme enjoyable to most. For example, baby shower bingo games are pretty popular but do you think those in attendance will appreciate it?

There are plenty of ideas for baby shower games. Unless you’re so inclined, you don’t need to spend hours creating your own baby shower games. Finding the right shower party games can be a little challenging but there are a few places where you can find help.

For instance, you can search the internet for printable activities that can be used to fill up the dead space of time between presents, cake, and snack. There’re great resources online that offer free printable baby shower games.

One of my neighbors who was planning a baby shower told me she found a site that offers over one-hundred different printable activities for party guests. You can find a variety of cool free baby shower games that you can download and print. Some require you to have Adobe Reader in order to print the stuff.

If your party is going to last for hours, it would be a good idea to include some active baby shower games for your guess just to add a little variety, and so they don’t get bored.

If you’re religious, you may want to add some religious element to the celebration by including some baby shower games that educate, inform, and entertain at the same time.

Selecting the menu and party decorations, as well as deciding the right date for the event and sending the invitations may overwhelm you, but just imagine the joy and excitement of the mom-to-be on the day of the party. Although finding the right baby shower games can be a bit challenging, it’s comforting to know that you have a selection of baby shower games and ideas available online, and many of them are free.

Posted by Susie

I think preventing a cold is easier in theory. I mean many people know what to to to prevent a cold but they still get it every so often. So what’s the problem? I guess it’s because they don’t do what they’re supposed to do. Just like knowing how to lose weight doesn’t make someone lose weight, right?

Look at me for example. I know what I need to do to prevent a cold (hey, I’m writing this post so I should know what i’m talking about, right? ;)) but like I said in my previous post I get a cold like almost every other month. Even right now I’m having the sniffles and my nose is so stuffy I’m breathing through my mouth. How ironic, huh?

Oh well, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to me though ‘cos I do know a thing or two about how to prevent a cold although I may not always follow my own advice. Anyway…

I’m sure you remember your mom telling you to never walk in the rain, always wear a jacket, and never walk around barefoot when it’s cold, etc. Did you always listen? If you were a good kid you probably did but if you were a little brat like me you probably did those things anyway and you survived. So does any of our moms’ advice really help prevent a cold?

I don’t know, and I don’t think anyone really knows for sure but it kinda makes sense that when your body temperature is low your immune resistance is lowered which makes it easier for you to catch a cold.

But here’s the good news. If you’re living a healthy lifestyle like eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest, you’ll have a strong immune system which certainly helps prevent a cold. And if you do get a cold it usually doesn’t last long.

That’s actually the case with me. My colds usually don’t last more than a few days, a week at most. Every once in a while I’d get a nasty cold that lasts like a month or so and my snot turns thick and yellow. Ok, ok, I know it’s gross. Sorry, just couldn’t resist! ;p

Now the emphasis is on natural alternatives to prevent a cold, like taking supplements like Echinacea, vitamin C, zinc and other herbal remedies to prevent and treat a cold.

Oh yeah, what about chicken soup? Isn’t that also something our moms always told us to eat when we had a cold? Well I recently read that chicken noodle soup broth contains anti-inflammatory properties that help unblock sinus and chest congestion. No wonder it makes us feel better!

One last thing you can do to prevent a cold is to always carry a small bottle of sanitizing gel. It comes in handy when you’re out and about and can’t always wash your hands after touching different objects like door knobs, shaking hands with different people, or blowing your own nose. It helps kill the germs on your hands and prevent a cold.

Ha… hachoo! Sorry, gotta go blow my nose now. Till next time, keep warm and keep healthy!

Posted by Tanya