Category: Uncategorized

  • Underrated Registry Items No One Thinks of

    Underrated Registry Items No One Thinks of

    Ah, the wedding registry. It started as a tradition to inform your guests which kitchen appliances you desire or if you prefer China over crystal. Thanks to the never-ending advancement of technology, you no longer have to stroll through a Bed, Bath, and Beyond with a scanner and unraveling indecisiveness. 

    Yes, you now have several places that not only offer the appliances you need but also websites such as Present Value and Honey Fund that allow your guests to send you money instead of writing checks. I mean, come on, it’s 2020, who even writes checks anymore?

    Your possibilities are endless, so settling for traditional is a thing of the past. Without further ado, I present to you registry items that are absolute lifesavers, and no one thinks of getting. 

    For The Kitchen 

    Yes, the kitchen is the priority, don’t start judging unless you’re crazy obsessed with becoming a chef like moi. Kitchen appliances are expensive, and for what? So I can spiralize zucchini and pretend like it’s a tastier alternative to the pasta family? I don’t think so. This is your chance to invest in appliances and have other people buy it for you. Hey, it’s how it works. 

    Air Fryer: Ah, yes, another alternative to using less oil and getting (almost) the same results as actual deep frying. The air fryer was all the rage when it first made an appearance, and you probably can find one in every American household. If you’re like me and love your food fried, this option is less mess, less oil, and a great addition to  a healthier lifestyle. 

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    Oh, and everyone that comes over will ask you if it was worth it, and you’ll proceed to brag about how your children or husband “can’t even tell the difference”. Win-win. 

    Ginsu Chikara Forged Knives: You’re probably wondering, why these specific knives? To be honest with you- they are Amazon’s Choice, on sale, and have high ratings and praises in the comments. Also, everything else was incredibly expensive. Why are knives so expensive? you may ask.  I’m sure a three Michelin star chef somewhere has the answer (or Google), but don’t miss out on your chance to invest in high-quality knives that you don’t have to pay for. C’mon, you know these are important and will come in handy (haha, get it?).

    For The Bathroom 

    The little things matter. Even a room that may seem insignificant deserves the same care as the other rooms in your home!  Setting a specific theme in your bathroom is a great way to decide what needs to be put in it. Just do us a favor and don’t be one of those who put a scale in plain view…just don’t do it. It’s bound to ruin someone’s evening, I guarantee it. 

    Wall Mirror: Imagine walking into someone’s bathroom, and they have this in their bathroom. Like hello, why aren’t more people doing this? As much as I love to check my face after a great session on the throne, I’d much rather check everything. This addition will not only complete your bathroom’s overall look but will also benefit your guests when they need to check themselves and need a full view. 

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    Plants: You’d think it’d be more common to see plants in the bathroom, considering every other room gets a damn plant, but just the opposite. Because of it’s low light, humid environment, there are several plants that actually thrive in this environment. You’ve seen the way they complete spaces! Either that or my Pinterest addiction is getting out of hand… 

    For a list of bathroom plants, click here.

    For The Living Room

    More plants! Of course, this is another great room where plants should be present. But there are other priorities. I know what you’re thinking: what could be more important than plants? There is, my friend, and they will make a huge difference to how comfortable your guest feel when they come over. 

    Comfortable Rug: A luxurious rug. Those plush, soft, “want to sink your whole body into them” rugs. Not the lightweight, dull, and bright colored rugs. If you were to tell me that I could only choose one person to survive the zombie apocalypse with, it’d be the person with this rug. 

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    Wall Art: More specifically, a piece of art that tells a story you’re fond of. What a great conversation starter, right? This adds an artist aspect to the room, but it’d be personal to you, as well. And it would help if you always had something personal or unique to you (the host) for others to see. This includes pictures of the family or a university degree you’re proud to show off. 

    For The Bedroom  

    I’m going to admit something, and it’s not pretty, but it needs to be said. For a considerable chunk of my adult life, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what was in my bedroom, how it was arranged, the wall color, the carpet…it just never made sense to me. 

    Then I finally owned a home, and it all came crashing down. There is a difference between sky blue and baby blue, and hey, it may be useless to know in the long run, but there will be a moment you’ll need that bit of knowledge, and you’ll wish you had listened to me. 

    White Noise Machine: A little background noise never hurt, am I right? People are always skeptical when it comes to white noise. Does it really work? According to a study conducted by Science Direct, they found that hospital patients fell asleep more soundly with white noise than others that didn’t. At the end of the day, you’re positively exhausted, and if science says it works, who are we to question it?

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    Blackout Curtains: “Blackout curtains have three main functions: Block light, block noise, reduce energy costs.” After reading this one line off of How Stuff Works, I was hooked. If you or your partner work during the day, then trust that these are a fantastic investment. Astonishingly, more people don’t own these since they’ve been proven to help you sleep, and twenty-five percent of Americans have insomnia (Science Daily). 

     

  • Best Workout Channels to Keep You Fit (At Home)

    Best Workout Channels to Keep You Fit (At Home)

    With summer rapidly approaching, many of us are beginning to change our habits to achieve that front cover of a magazine “summer bod.” Maybe it’s due to temperatures quickly rising, everyone posting their weight loss journey in quarantine, or perhaps you decided it’s time to take out that bikini you repurchased a few years back. 

    You admit you’ve put on a few extra pounds, and that’s ok. To become physically fit is a perpetual desire, and I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve thought of snapping a pic of your abs, drinking a celery shot or something, post it on Instagram with the caption “abs are made in the kitchen.” 

    Barf, I know. It’s easier said than done, my fellow foodies. 

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    With several countries still on lockdown due to the widespread pandemic, gyms are temporarily shut down, as well. So you’re stuck at home, making whipped coffee for the second (maybe third…) time that day, even though you were one hundred percent positive that 2020 was your year. 

    It still can be. With the vast array of fitness channels online, becoming fit has never been easier. All you have to do is click play and get moving. Here are our favorites to help you get started!

    Fitness Blender

    When I first discovered this channel, I fell in love with the creators.  The lovely couple has now surpassed six million subscribers on YouTube. They offer over 500 videos, all ranging from low impact, high impact, HIIT, and even yoga. The couple started the channel to make fitness accessible to anyone regardless of their income. Their home workouts are the “go-to” for millions around the world. Unlike many influencers in the fitness industry, Kelli and Daniel never advertise for companies that promote misleading information in the fitness world. 

    Their website also features a calendar to customize your workouts and meal plans. Don’t be fooled by their short twenty-minute videos! Just like the title states, they are absolutely brutal. 

    Natacha Océane

    Residing in London, this YouTube and Instagram star is a fitness enthusiast. She has over 850 thousand Instagram followers, and her intense HIIT workouts have crowned her the “queen of workouts.” 

    Her youtube channel provides not only some of the best workouts you’ll perform in your life, but vlogs, recipes, challenges, and the science behind fitness. She also offers several guides that will help you in starting your fitness journey from home and changing your lifestyle for the better. 

    Yoga with Adriene 

    If you’ve been putting off learning yoga, it’s time to step up your game and quit making excuses. Adriene Mishler is here to offer guidance and hundreds of yoga videos for beginners like you. 

    In 2015, she was recognized by Google as “the most searched workout and received a Streamy in Health and Wellness in 2016. Her focus is to help you feel good about your body and learn to love your authentic self. Join her community of over six million subscribers and learn from the very beginning how to be connected with your body and bring out your creative side. 

    Mr and Mrs Muscle

    Upper body, lower body, HIIT, core, Tabata, you name it, and this couple will leave you breathless every time. 

    According to their website, their community is over ten million strong, and it’s clear to see why. Deb and Mike provide over 1500 videos on their Youtube channel, and the majority of them are short, sweet, and will leave you drenched in sweat. 

    Their highly effective cardio and HIIT workouts have attracted the praise of athletes and fitness devotees from all over the world. While they do provide gym workouts, the vast majority is based at home. They provide content that most fitness influencers require you so pay for, so believe me when I say that this channel is well worth the time and effort. 

    MadFit

    You know it’s serious when you’re reading someone’s bio on Instagram, and it states a bunch of acronyms you don’t know. 

    Madison Murray is a certified personal trainer, certified functional strength coach, and certified Sports and Exercise Nutrition coach. When people see that the person they’re following knows what they’re preaching, they are more likely to support them. 

    What I love about her channel is she makes working out extremely fun. She has several playlists created for all types of workouts, including apartment-friendly, knee-friendly/low impact, beginners, yoga, and stretching. Don’t be fooled by the short duration of some videos! Get ready to feel the burn. 

    Pamela Reif 

    Being relatively new to YouTube, Pamela Reif has a low amount of videos, but they are worth viewing. Several of her workouts are mainly for beginners, so don’t expect too much jumping around here. 

    Despite the short duration, her workouts have shown effectiveness as she racked up millions of views in the past year. As someone who started with a small following on Instagram, she has certainly proven herself a worthy entrepreneur in the fitness industry. 

    You can find her cookbook and other information on her website

    All images are copyright to their respective owners. 

     

  • Color Me Green!  St. Patrick’s Day Activities

    Color Me Green! St. Patrick’s Day Activities

    Saint Patrick’s Day. A day where everyone is seen wearing a green shirt with the quote “Kiss Me I’m Irish.” Unless you’re a six-year-old, then you’ve just been coloring in leprechauns and making pots of gold out of construction paper.

    Do you think those people actually know the history behind St. Paddy’s Day or is it just an excuse to get totally sh*t faced? I mean, it was the rage in my early twenties, but once you’ve tied the knot and pushed a couple of humans heads out of you, you’re lucky to squeeze in a glass of wine.

    Getting off topic, I know.

    So I doubt many people know the story of Saint Patrick so to honor the Saint, here’s a quick summary of the infamous holiday.

    First, he was born in Scotland, and his actual name was Maewyn Succat, and he took the name Patrick after becoming a priest. When he was a young boy, the Roman empire was weak and under attack. By the time he was a young man, he was captured by raiders and sold as a slave. He was taken to Ireland where in his confessions, he mentions spending time with the sheep and finding solace in prayers and God. He mentions seeing God in his dreams and believing he had a mission for him.

    Long story short, he brought Christianity to Ireland and drove out paganism which was the dominant religion at the time.

    The Irish celebrate this conversion on the 17th of March every year. Here are a few activities that are adult and kid friendly to get you in the spirits of this Irish holiday.

    1. Teach Your Kids About The Holiday

    March marks Irish American Heritage Month. The Irish know why they’re celebrating this day, but many American households celebrate it because of the fun and sake of the kids. While it’s always great to take part in a foreign holiday, both children and adults should know the history behind it.

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    Printing out coloring pages with leprechauns, pots of gold, rainbows, and even the flag of Ireland is a great way to hype kids up and get them learning about the holiday. You can also hit them up with some trivia! There are many myths that surround the story of St. Patrick and kids love those! Who knows? You might learn something yourself.

    2. Green Desserts

    I’m talking rainbow cupcakes, shamrock gummies, lucky charms rice krispies, Bailey’s Irish Coffee Caramel Brownies, shamrock pretzels, St. Patrick’s Day cake, and a little something called drunken grasshopper fudge. Good Housekeeping has a ton more recipes but I only picked the ones I’ve personally tried and have fallen drunk in love with, haha.

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    So a majority of these desserts can be done with the help of a pair (or two) of little helping hands. It’s a great way to bond with children because well, it’s a lot of sugar and kids love helping out in the kitchen. There will be a lot of green frosting, and rainbow sprinkles so have them administrate the final touch.\

    3. Gold Hunt

    You create two teams, and each team gets a “leprechaun” bucket (just a tin bucket I got from The Dollar Store). I painted a four-leafed clover on one and a rainbow on the other to make it more fun, but you can paint anything else that’s related to the holiday.

    Both teams have to scour the area and find as many gold chocolate coins as they can before a certain amount of time. Of course, those gold coins would have been hidden by you the night before. If you want the competition to heat up, you can conceal dollar bills and whichever team wins, gets a payday. The other side gets chocolate gold coins! It’s a win-win!

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    4. Leprechaun Relay

    For this activity, you do need a leprechaun costume. You can choose to make it at home or take the easy road and purchase it from your nearest Party City. I love the idea of this activity because it encourages kids to get moving!

    You split your players into two teams and have them form two lines. You offer the costume to the first player in front. Then, they must run an obstacle course conducted by an adult, return to the line, take off the outfit, and pass it on to the next player. The process continues until one team uses up all its players and win.

    5. Celebrate With Irish Music

    Finally, some dancing.

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    I love watching kids dance because they get so creative with those dance moves! You can play Irish music and even hire a dancer to teach the children (and yourself) some new moves. If you want to make it a game, you can play Freeze Jig. It’s the Irish version of Red Light, Green Light. You play music, and when the music stops, the children stop dancing and freeze. The last person to freeze is the winner.

    There are so many activities to choose from! I promised myself I would never get sucked into the Pinterest Vortex, but Pinterest has a ton of great ideas for activities, food, and fun! It’s a day full of luck so you should be just fine! Good luck!

  • New Year’s Resolution?

    New Year’s Resolution?

    Forget It.

    Can you guys believe the year is finally over? I say finally because while 2018 was overall a great year, I’m officially ready for a fresh start. I bought a gym membership a month early, and I did order a self-reflection journal off of Amazon that if I’m being honest, will probably never use.

    The thing about New Year’s is that when the clock strikes midnight, most people think it releases some magical fairy dust that makes us more committed to any future goals. If only it could release some magic that reverses all the money I spent during gluttony season (AKA the holidays).

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    So what’s it going to be this year? Are you going to finally join a gym? Buy a two hundred dollar juicer and go on a juice cleanse? Maybe you’re thinking of something more radical like starting your own band, stepping out of your comfort zone, and saying “I quit” to your asshole boss.

    Been there, buddy.

    New Year resolutions are a great idea, but if you’re not careful, they could damage your self-esteem as you move forward in the year. Like everything in life, creating goals comes with rules and a dozen questions.

    Are you ready to achieve this goal or are you merely doing it for the sake of others? Is it something you’re passionate about? Are you 100% sure it’s what you want to do? Are you prepared to wake up every morning with this goal in mind? Is it going to make you happy in the long run? If Plan A fails, what’s Plan B? C? D? You need to know what your backup plan is going to be if things don’t assemble how you originally planned.

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    If not, your confidence will derail as you fail to achieve your goal. Setting goals are not only necessary for a successful life but overall mental health. There’s plenty of science to back that up, but that’s an entirely different article. To avoid any future disappointment in yourself, here’s the one resolution that you need to make this year: promise yourself you won’t make any resolutions at all!

    Yeah, I know it’s a new year, new start, new me, yadda yadda yadda.

    See, here’s the thing. Research conducted by the University of Scranton found that only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals. Talk about a colossal fail.

    But why is that?

    Think of it this way. A year has 365 days. If your new year resolution is to lose weight or eat healthily, then your obliged to be motivated and eat healthy all 365 days of the year. Sounds worse when I put it that way, huh? I mean, We are only human after all. When we focus on one thing and always keep going back to it, it will eventually drain us.

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    The best thing about being human is we lack perfection. For example, an In-N-Out opened near the gym I go to, so you know what I do after every workout? Yeah, order a number one with a chocolate shake and animal style fries.

    I’m weak. It’s in our DNA. Being motivated every day is not an actual thing! In what world is that possible? There are so many alternatives that can motivate you and don’t require you to tire yourself out.  

    Here’s what to try instead.

    • Instead of waking up every morning thinking I need to lose weight, wake up every morning being mindful of your surroundings, being present.
    • Make a bucket list (I have ten, don’t ask)
    • Follow monthly challenges that improve your physical and mental health.
    • Try a new recipe every month if you want to be a better cook (Be the next Gordon Ramsay)
    • Isolate yourself from society and technology three days of the month (camping, retreats, spa weekend)
    • Commit to people, not things! Find who uplifts and supports you and make plans with them (coffee, dinner, hiking)
    • Say out loud what you’re grateful for every night before going to bed  (my job, my spouse, my perseverance)
    • Practice self-acceptance (I am worthy, I am loved, I am enough)

    Small goals lead to bigger goals! You need to accept everything as is in the present moment. Each day is a new start in which you can begin again and better yourself.

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    No pressure to reach a goal weight, no pressure to make more money, no pressure to do anything. When you relieve yourself of all that pressure you piled on yourself, you give yourself a chance to relax, to breathe, and to make changes.

    Here’s to a blissful, successful, and marvelous New Year! Cheers!