Archives for January 2014

Products that Make Great Baby Shower Gifts

January 9, 2014 by 1 Comment

There is no need to stress over finding ideas for baby shower gifts and keepsakes. Thinking out of the box, we have some ideas for great baby shower guest gifts and keepsakes that come from the world of promotional products. Promotional products can make great gifts because they are personalized, meaningful, and affordable. If you have been wondering what gifts to giveaway to your baby shower attendees, look no further than our top 10 list of ideas here:

pic 1Photo Frames: Close friends and family are always taking pictures of the mom-to-be. Make sure to take a special photo of each guest or a group photo so that each person at the shower will have a lovely photo to go in a personalized photo frame. The frame can have the baby’s name, the family’s name, a thank you message, or any other personal message your friends and family would love.

Mints: Any confection or candy can really make a great gift to giveaway at a baby shower. You can choose pink, blue, or from a variety of different colors and have it personalized with baby’s name or a thank you message.

Key Rings: Customized key rings are a great baby shower keepsake. You can find ones that photos go in, or just ones that can have the baby’s name and a baby symbol of your choosing.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: baby Tagged With: , ,

Yellow Split Pea Fritters

January 9, 2014 by 1 Comment

 

MAKES ABOUT 24

225g/8oz yellow split peas, soaked overnight

2 medium onions, very finely chopped

2 red chillies, finely chopped

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon paprika

A good handful of chopped coriander

½ teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste, oil for frying

pic 1

To garnish

Thinly sliced shallots or red onion, mixed with a little chopped coriander and red chilli

Lemon, cut into wedges

Drain and rinse the soaked yellow split peas. Blend until a smooth paste forms and roughly chop the remaining half so that they still retain some bite.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, recipes Tagged With: , , ,

Muppets Most Twitter trailer

January 8, 2014 by 1 Comment

Check out the new trailer for Muppets Most Wanted, try not to Squee to loudly.  You don’t want to wake the neighbors.

 

Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” is directed by James Bobin and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, who is also executive producer with John G. Scotti. Featuring music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, “Muppets Most Wanted” hits the big screen March 21, 2014.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: disney Tagged With: ,

4 Healthy Valentine’s Day Cocktails

January 8, 2014 by 1 Comment

It’s Valentine’s Day again, which means it’s the perfect time to sit back and relax with a cocktail or two with your mate. Worried that the alcohol might not be the healthiest thing for you given those pesky New Year’s Resolutions? Well, here are a few cocktails that are totally easy to make and really pack a nutritional punch.

valentines drinks

  1. Poinsettia Cocktail

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vodka, chilled
Crushed ice
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup Champagne
2 strips of orange zest

Servings: 1

Directions:

Combine the cranberry juice, champagne, and vodka in a tall-stemmed red wine glass. Add crushed ice. Twist orange zest over rim of glass, add on top of drink.

Who knew that champagne was healthy? (Show of hands, please.) Recent studies have shown that champagne’s phenolic compounds can improve our spatial memory. Doctors conducting these studies with rats have concluded that a moderate amount of champagne is associated with an improvement in memory. Cranberries are also incredible for you. This superfood outranks practically all other fruits and vegetables in antioxidant capacity (second only to blueberries).

  1. The New Yeller

Ingredients:

3 cups frozen pineapple (more if needed)

Orange slices, for garnish

3/4 cup spiced rum
1/2 cup orange juice (more if needed)
1/4 cup banana liqueur

Servings: 4

Directions:

Combine banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple, and rum in a blender and mix until smooth. Add pineapple to thicken and orange juice to thin, if necessary. Garnish with orange slices.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: recipes Tagged With: ,

Budget Saving Tips for Your Wedding Day

January 8, 2014 by 1 Comment

With the average cost of a wedding that runs more than $25,000, it is no wonder why many couples-to-be are getting stressed out when it comes to planning their big day. But does it have to be this way?

Definitely, not.

There’s no need to spend a fortune and empty your savings in the bank just to make your wedding is extra special. Remember that your wedding can still be the best even if you only have a small budget. The key is to know a few budget-saving strategies that will make your day memorable.

pic 1

Check out these 10 tips that will help you cut corners, and still have a perfect dream wedding:

  1. Plan your budget.

The most important thing that you should do is to plan your budget before you make any purchase. Sit with your fiancé and talk about the things that you think are “must-haves” in your wedding. Then, allocate how much money you want to spend on those things. It’s very crucial to consider your savings, so you won’t end up empty-handed after the wedding day. Make sure that you stick to your budget to avoid overspending.

  1. Limit your guest list.

We know that it’s tough, especially if you and your fiancé are both friendly or you both come from big families, but one way to reduce your wedding cost is to only invite a limited number of people. Most restaurants and wedding receptions charge per person, so trimming down 10 guests from your list will definitely make a huge savings. Tip: Only invite the most important people to you and your fiancé.

  1. Consider cheap invitations.

Don’t spend too much on designs and engraves – simple cards with nice prints work just as well. Today, there are many varieties of cheap invitations offered online. If you want to cut your wedding budget, you can take advantage of these offers. And if you’re planning for a casual wedding, you can make your own invitation – just buy printed papers for wedding cards and use your home computer to print the invites.

  1. Simplify your menu.

    2. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Grapevine Texas Festivals and Events

January 7, 2014 by 1 Comment

Make your plans now to visit Grapevine, the number one festivals and events destination in Texas, in 2014. With annual festivals and events happening nearly every month, this is the perfect year to visit Grapevine and experience events that celebrate wine, family-fun, chocolate, history, a vintage railroad and more! Officially recognized as a World Festival & Events City by the International Festival & Events Association, Grapevine welcomed more than one and a half million visitors to the city’s festivals and special events in 2013. So, mark your calendars now and find out why everyone’s coming to Grapevine in 2014.

12 08 13 206

  • Sweetheart Wine Trail, February 8 and 9: Love is in the air on the Sweetheart Wine Trail in Grapevine. This romantic escape features three tastings and food samplings at each participating Grapevine winery tasting room, a large souvenir wine glass and a bottle of premium Grapevine wine.
  • Jazz Wine Trains, March 21 and 22:  Jazz up your weekend on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Jazz Wine Trains! The one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience features live Jazz entertainment, a delicious boxed dinner and samplings of Grapevine wines.  
  • 11th Annual Day Out with Thomas™, March 28, 29 and 30 and April 4, 5, and 6: Hop on board the rails with Thomas the Tank Engine™ at the 11th Annual Day Out With Thomas on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Activities include a train ride, storytelling and video viewing, temporary tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with arts, crafts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. The train ride is 25 minutes.
  • 10th Annual ChocolateFest, April 4 and 5: This annual fundraiser benefits Travelers Aid D/FW, an organization committed to assisting individuals and families facing a travel related crisis. On Friday, April 4, delicious delights await at An Evening of Chocolate and Wine featuring chocolates, wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and live music at Delaney Vineyards, 2000 Champagne Boulevard from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Advance purchase is required.  On Saturday, April 5, enjoy a plethora of sweet treats at A Day of Chocolate & Art with chocolates, cooking demonstrations, art exhibits and sales at the Palace Art Center in Historic Downtown Grapevine from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Grapevine Farmers Market and Grapevine Market, April 10 – October 18: Experience the festive open-air European-style Grapevine market and show for an eclectic array of items including handmade jewelry, distinctive home décor, quality antiques and more. Open in Liberty Park, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live a healthy lifestyle with delicious locally-grown produce and other products from North Texas vendors at The Grapevine Farmers Market. Open behind the Town Square Gazebo, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • 22nd Annual Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail, April 12:   Celebrate this annual European tradition dating back hundreds of years in Grapevine, the headquarters of the Texas wine industry.  On Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m., experience Blessing of the Vines at Delaney Vineyards. This 400-year old custom is performed to ensure robust vines and savory grapes. Admission is free. After Blessing of the Vines, enjoy the New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail throughout Grapevine from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit each of Grapevine’s wineries and sample the new vintage releases as well as enjoy live entertainment and food at each winery.

    • [Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: ,

Surprising Reasons Why You Gain Weight

January 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment

It is very common that if your diet is composed of fried foods, big servings, desserts, sodas and alcohol could lead to weight gain. It remains a question why people lose a little a weight even if they are doing some physical activities. However, the big question is why do people gain weight even if they are living a healthy lifestyle such as having a healthy diet and regular exercise? Truly, weight gain is a nightmare for most especially when the weighing scale keeps increasing.

want to lose weightThere are several things that must be considered why you are gaining weight even if you are strict with the diet and remains physically active. More likely, there are so many factors for this problem, the major ones are the following:

 Lack of Sleep

In reality, the body functions at its best when you are well rested. When you do not have a good sleeping habit, the body is experiencing physiological stress and you get to store more fat. When the person is tired, he cannot handle stress effectively and for most, the coping mechanism is to eat more. Also, sleeping late will have a greater chance that you will take a late-night snack, as a result, your calorie intake will be more than the appropriate daily value. Instead, when you have a hard time to sleep and want to eat, you can try drinking green coffee bean or green tea than those high calorie drinks. Also, you can have a white kidney bean for late-night snacks.Some of the symptoms that you are not getting enough sleep are fatigue, feeling of irritability and low energy level. With this, make sure you get 8 hours of sleep every night and if this is a tall order for you, adjust your sleeping habits gradually by adding 15 minutes each night and you will experience the effects of a good night’s sleep.

Stress

The society we live in demands that we must do more, achieve more and do more. Stress keeps people moving forward and helps in coping with the demands of life but it can affect ones emotions and moods. Stress is the result of too many responsibilities, coping with pressures and financial stability and could trigger a biochemical process that you can survive. In effect, the body stores fuel, slows down metabolism and dumps out chemicals like leptin, cortisol and other hormones which could be the leading cause of obesity.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: health, lifestyle Tagged With: , ,

Big Wedding, Little Wedding: Which is Better?

January 7, 2014 by 1 Comment

One of the largest questions facing anyone planning a wedding is whether to have a large and elaborate event or a small and intimate ceremony. Both options can create unforgettable memories and the experience of a lifetime. Both options also have complications and drawbacks that need to be overcome. It is important to weight the differences before making a decision or starting to plan. Several points should be considered when choosing between a big wedding and a little wedding.

small wedding

Guest Lists

The size of the guest list can be a benefit or a problem depending on the circumstances. Small weddings with limited guest lists can leave the people who were not invited feeling hurt or left out. Small lists are easier to manage. Large weddings can include both sides of the family, extended relatives and many friends. The larger guest list removes the risk of alienating friends and family.

Available Venues

An advantage of small weddings is that there will be many different venues available at all times of the year. The drawback is that the venues might not feel impressive to guests. Large weddings can be very memorable when held in expansive venues with distinctive interiors and architecture. The issue with large venues is that they are sometimes hard to book especially during the busiest wedding and tourist seasons.

Time with Guests

Guests often enjoy smaller weddings because it allows more time for each person. The bride and groom can spend quality time with every guest attending the wedding. Additionally, the wedding is more tightly focused on the couple getting married. Large weddings can become impersonal. The focus can be lost or spread across many people. Personal issues between guests can make the wedding uncomfortable. Large weddings with a hundred or more guests will also make it difficult for the bride and groom to spend any meaningful amount of time with most of the people attending.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,