Start early in the season, adding new decorations gradually, allowing your home to transform little by little. Remove them the same way, taking down the obvious holiday themes, leaving the winter themes up until spring. You’ll be surprised at how much more you appreciate your existing decor once it's updated and refreshed. Try some of these ideas to get your home in the spirit for the holidays.
Indoors:
Add a small cedar garland under existing photos or mantel decorations. For a more dramatic change, remove the existing vases or floral displays and replace them with a holiday floral display, a basket of pinecones or a garland with red bows. Remove that mirror from over the mantel and replace it with a cedar wreath with a red bow.
If you have vases of silk or dried flowers, keep the vases and replace the flowers with poinsettias or bright red dogwood branches.
Put your candles away and replace with red, green or gold versions. Transform your everyday candlesticks into Christmas candles by wrapping vines of holly or red berries around the bases.
Replace your table runner with a glittering holiday version. Put your white paper napkins and paper towels in the cupboard and opt for the holiday versions.
Place gold and silver accent pillows on the furniture or drape a bright red afghan on the sofa.
Maybe it’s time to give some of your pictures a rest for the cooler months by replacing them with winter scenes.
In the kitchen I have a set of holiday glasses and mugs that replace my everyday glassware until the New Year. I also have holiday place mats, tee-towels and guest towels.
Start now and force some bulbs for fresh hyacinths or daffodils during the winter months. If you start one every 2 or 3 weeks, you’ll have fresh flowers all winter.
Outdoors:
Keep your hanging planters out, just remove the dead plants, and replace with cedar, silk poinsettias and large pine cones. Add a holiday wreath to your door, railings or porch columns. Add some red bows to your bird feeders, shrubs or evergreen trees.
Replace your doormat with a holiday mat.
Replace your outdoor lights with red and green bulbs.
A few simple changes not only refresh the look of your home, but improve your attitude when facing the long winter ahead.
Ive Been Really Trying
It's summer once again and you know that it is the perfect time for you to show off your new buff body. After looking at your body in front of the mirror, you feel pleased that the long hours you spent working out in the gym and the countless weight loss programs you endured have finally paid off. Your slim arms, flat tummy and gorgeous legs are really something that you can be proud to parade on the beach this summer.
Although a well-sculpted body is really a factor in making you a dazzling beach babe, you also need to think about your overall look, including your accessories and makeup. If you want to be the star of the beach, read on and follow these tips:
Find A Perfect Bikini
Even if you have a body that is to die for, you still have to take time choosing a bikini or swimsuit that will suit your size, body shape and activities. If you plan to simply laze around on the beach, then a string bikini will be all right. A high leg bikini is also more appropriate for people who have short legs. However, if you plan to play beach volleyball, swim your heart out on the sea and do other beach activities, you must ensure that the straps on your top are firm and secure. You don't want your precious ones to peak out or loll out of your top while playing volleyball or swimming with the dolphins.
Don't Be Afraid To Accessorize
Many think that beach outfit should be minimal. Although this is all right, there are actually a number of tasteful accessories you can bring to the beach. A pair of cute sunglasses and some shell necklaces or wooden bangles can add a little spunk to your otherwise boring beach outfit. Finding the right flip-flops could also make or break your look.
Have A Tan
For some people, going to the beach is a chance to get that most coveted tan. But this may not be a very safe thing to do, especially because of the ill-effects of overexposure to the sun. What you can do to keep away from overexposure to the sun yet avoid looking pasty and pale on the beach is to use tan spray. Do not overdo it though because you don't want to look like a cooked crustacean.
Keep Your Nails Clean
A manicure set is a must when you are going to the beach. When you are walking on the sand, playing beach volleyball, or parasailing with your friends, your nails can surely get dirty or, worse, chipped. Thus, you should always be ready to trim your nails and repair your polish. It would be better if you stick to clear nail polish for a cleaner and fresher looking nails and toes on the beach.
Makeup Essentials
Your beach vacation does not mean you have to build sandcastles or stay on the beach 24/7. Since you will surely go to restaurants or hang out in bars while you are there, better be prepared with your makeup essentials. Waterproof foundation and concealer are a must, so are water resistant mascara and eyeliner. For more color, cheek and lip stains are also a good choice. By the way, you can also find lip-gloss that has sunscreen to protect your lips from being chapped and dry under the heat of the sun.
Don't Forget Your Eyes
You probably know that sun protection for your face and body is necessary to keep your skin from getting burned by harsh sunrays. A sun protection factor of over 50 that shields you from both UVB and UVA rays is ideal.
However, for your eyes, you also need to look for a sun block that is gentle enough on the area surrounding the eyes. Also, do not forget to bring an eye cream that helps get rid of puffy eyes and dark circles after nights of drinking and having fun with friends. One eye product that you can use is Eyevive. Simply visit http://www.eyevive.com/ for more information.
Both Matt Barker & Janet Martin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matt Barker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Public Relations, Marriage and Bathroom Home Improvement. The professional Remax realtor team of Barker & Hedges can handle all of your St. Paul real estate needs. View the listings in all of the Saint Paul neighborhoods. Matt Barker's top article generates over 8100 views. Bookmark Matt Barker to your Favourites.
Janet Martin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Womens Health, Pregnancy Problems and Asthma. Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine. ht. Janet Martin's top article generates over 33100 views. Bookmark Janet Martin to your Favourites.
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