Hostess with the Mostess®

DIY Tutorial: Gummy Candy Skewers ()
Stephanie from the fabulous Couture Parties created these oh-so-clever Gummy Candy Skewer favors for a “Preppy Beach Party” she recently designed, and she was kind enough to share a step-by-step tutorial with us here! One of the best things about this favor idea is that it can easily be tailored to other themes too… For example: [...]
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Down The Aisle...Stories and Tips From The Wedding Front Lines

Downpour ()
Some of the time you just shake your head when you remember an event that could have been so beautiful, but was such a fiasco.  Earlier this Spring I had front row seats for what could only be described as a train wreck.  I had met the couple several months before and explained the process [...]
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My Life, Quite Ordinary.

Put down those eggs and drop that bacon! (Sat, 21 Aug 2010)
Since I'd only just gotten settled into my "suite" two hours earlier at 1:30am, you can imagine my surprise just a mere three hours later when I hear a cheery, "Good Morning". The "morning" part was drawn out, like the person who said it knew damn well it was not going to be a good morning. As I slowly came to, I became aware of a lot of “white" noise in the background, some hissing and the realization that my right arm felt like someone had stuck a needle in it and had forgotten to take it out. My first thought was, "What kind joint are they running here.” That was quickly followed by a deep sigh of regret; I shoulda stayed at a Holiday Inn. "We gotta get your weight" Nurse Cheerful smirked rolling in what seriously looked to be a live-stock scale. Squinting up at the clock, I groaned, "Are you serious, you don't need my weight, I will just tell you a number and you can divide that number by four and then multiple the results by two and you will come close enough. Who the hell wants to know how much I weight at 4:00am anyhow?" Evidently, there were plenty of people that wanted to know and they all the initials D.R. before their names. Pretentious lot. Just because they have like 20 years of schooling under their belts, they think they can ask ME personal questions. Here's what I'd like to know Mr.-Lady Doctor Sir, "just how much do you weight?" Geez, these people don't take any time to get to know you, they just come barging into your room demanding answers to questions best left unanswered. For instance, "Do you drink alcohol?" Now, I was not just born yesterday (another problem) so I was completely prepared for that one. I knew; answer the question, and only the question. Do not give away any other valuable pieces of information that could later be held against you. So, in keeping with the spirit of my Irish-Catholic roots, I solemnly answered, "a bit". Nurse Cheerful looked at me and smiled encouragingly, as if to say she completely understood the, "a bit” part and wanted me to tell her more. So I went on to better explain lest she gets the wrong idea, (and God forbid, think I'm a lush). "Well, you know, drinking just a bit...perhaps if there is a funeral or wake, a party or it's Wednesday. But truly, just a bit and I do try to limit it just to wine and I am working on only drinking on days of the week that end in Y". Humph, Nurse Cheerful was now wildly scribbling notes on a piece of paper and I could tell right away that they were about me. If you wanna know the truth, I think she was just a tad jealous of me, lying there all splayed out in that well worn, "easy in, easy out,” it’s got nothing on Fredrick's of Hollywood of a dressing gown. Ha, I had on a gown! Imagine that! Right then, I knew that as soon as Nurse Cheerful left my room I was gonna find my yoga pants and my true first love, Zippy and hi-tail it outta there. But as Nurse Cheerful turned to leave she mentioned something about my breakfast being on its way, so I figured, I paid for it, may as well enjoy a meal before I go. Sure enough, I'd only closed my eyes for a second and before I knew it, enter Breakfast-Man. My Knight in Shining Armor, or actually, white lab coat, but same thing. He rolled the cart over, raised the head of my bed up, propped my pillows. I couldn't help but think to myself, "I think he likes me, he thinks my gown is sexy". I smiled and batted my Latise sodden eyelashes at him as he pulled the lovely silver dome off my meal and rolled the tray in front of me. Glancing down at the food, so as not to appear too eager, I feigned interest like when on an airplane and the stewardess delivers a tasty treat, I always try to appear uninterested, waiting until the last moment to lower my tray table. Remember; never let them know you are too happy. My eyes swept over the waiting meal and suddenly I squeaked, Ah, excuse me, Mr. Breakfast-Man, I think there has been some mistake, I smiled sweetly and said, It’s no biggie and I am certain that you will be able to work this out with the Consigliore, but umm… Hun, this can’t be my breakfast, this must be what the guy next door didn’t eat! One egg scrambled (Who eats one egg?); One turkey sausage link measuring a total of 2” (Yes, I checked); One small, bite size little muffin that appeared to have already had a bite taken out; One cup of decaf coffee-water: 4oz of orange juice. So, one scrambled egg people? I get more eggs eating raw chocolate chip cookie dough standing up then what was on that plate. And certain that the other two turkey sausage links had rolled under my bed; I buzzed Nurse Cheerful in to take a gander. Turns out, it really was my breakfast and Nurse Cheerful really was a bit more like Nurse Jackie. Moral of the story: Check your blood pressure regularly, lose the excess baggage, exercise more, eat bacon less and limit your wine to a “bit” less! http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/entertainment/humor
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The D-Tales

Check it out- Page 103 in #Weddings Unveiled @wueditor (Thu, 01 Jul 2010)
Nothing like seeing an ad in print :-)
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Critical Thinking in the Real World

Creating Empathy for Elderly is Smart Business ()
With the baby boomers now rapidly joining AARP, there are 35 million adults over the age of 65 in the United States today and that number will increase to 70 million in the next 20 years. Clearly, elder care is big business. Quality of that care is a major concern, however. State of the art [...]
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www.iluvmariah.com Blog Feed

Teen Depression Intervention! Please don't let suicide be next! (Fri, 03 Sep 2010)
A 14-year old girl killed herself last week and her step-mother and my mother are friends. It shocked us all to know that a kid that young would feel so depressed that she would take her own life. Well as a mother and a mentor this hurt my heart and made me realize that we have to pay more attention to our youth. Specifically those who may have social issues and problems with stress and depression. After doing a bit of research I learned that Depression amoung kids is not far fetched.   One in 33 kids is depressed. Depression is the second most common childhood mental health problem, according to the World Health Organization. The number of kids diagnosed with depression could double by the year 2020. 5 Signs of Teen Depression, from Dr. Miriam Kaufman, author of "Overcoming Teen Depression" Lack of attention to personal hygiene A change in social behavior, such as not hanging out with friends as much (if at all) Decreasing grades at school Poor concentration Talking about death or suicide Less than a quarter of the 12 million kids in the United States who suffer from mental disorders receive treatment, which makes them more prone to lower grades, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal behavior. Kids with untreated depression are also 12 times more likely to commit suicide.   What Moms Can Do about Teens and Depression It may be difficult at first to tell whether a teen is experiencing normal moodiness or is clinically depressed. Dr. Miriam Kaufman, the mother of two teenagers and the author of the book "Overcoming Teen Depression," advises moms to pay close attention to noticeable changes in their teen's behavior. Dr. Kaufman says the signs of teen depression can be particularly confusing for parents, because depressed teens can display opposite symptoms. For instance, both increased and decreased appetites are signs of depression, as are not sleeping enough and sleeping too much. "Some depressed teens display signs of psychomotor retardation, and appear as if they're moving through molasses, while other kids seem jumpy and agitated," Dr. Kaufman continues. "Some depressed teens cry all the time, while many never cry at all." "Parents should be on the lookout for a real constellation of these symptoms -- a lot of things going on at once -- that's lasted for a while" (at least a few weeks), Dr. Kaufman advises. If you notice your teenager slams doors and seems very upset around you, but then hear him laughing and being his usual self with his friends on the phone, he's probably okay, Dr. Kaufman says. "What you're looking for is overall behavioral changes at home, at school, and with friends, across the board," she adds. If you suspect your teen is depressed, Dr. Kaufman says it's important to see your child's pediatrician or primary care physician. "A lot of other things could be causing the symptoms -- such as hyperthyroidism and substance abuse -- so you don't want to take him straight to a psychiatrist without looking at the whole picture and ruling those things out first," she concludes. If your child is suffering from depression, your primary care doctor will likely refer him to a psychologist, family counselor, or psychiatrist to provide him with the help he needs //
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www.pixies-world.com Blog Feed

Bargain Skin Care Tips...that actually work! (Thu, 26 Aug 2010)
Some quick beauty tips to share with my peeps. When I worked in cosmetics, my focus and specialty was skincare. So, whether it was from working in the cosmetic department, working with other makeup artists, being on photo shoots, or being the one worked on in photo shoots, I have learned a few tricks of the trade. I have sold skin creams in the hundreds of dollars but still believe you can have great skin without spending a crap load of money.   Here is my all time favorite trick I have used for years. Ready…it’s a doozy…sea salt and lemon. Yep, that’s it. One of the best healing exfoliating scrub on the planet. Mix in some warm water, add lemon juice and voila! Splash your face with the mix, add a little sea salt in your palm, gently, GENTLY, rub your face and rinse. It heals blemishes, scratches, redness, etc. Think about it…when you go to the beach, you heal so much faster. If you’re skin is in really bad shape with acne, use daily for a week and then drop down to twice a week. Make sure you are using your daily moisturizer.   Next cheap trick (tee hee hee) is for around the eyes. Take a vitamin E capsule, poke it with a needle, and put it around your eyes. You’re eyes will look amazing the next day. I even do it in the morning every once in a while under my makeup. I put a little concealer on top and I'm good to go…keeps the area from looking dry. That’s it, that’s all you got to do…loveyyyyyyyy.   While I believe there is a time and place for technology (my living room), I also believe that old school herbs and flowers do more for you sometimes. In this case, I have found some fab facial masks from the company Mountain Rose Herbs. I use the Fuller’s Earth Clay once a week. Peeps, believe me when I say, it WILL suck every impurity out of your skin!  It's awesome, but def a once a week item! I also love the French Green Clay,...amazing. These products are soooo cost effective and come in such huge quantities, I share with my mum. I will say though, my ALL TIME favorite love from this company is the Facial Scrub. It’s gentle, effective, leaves my skin insanely soft and the essential oils in it are to die for! (I could be considered a "huffer" with this stuff!) Now don’t get scared by that last statement…I have oily skin and am wicked prone to breakouts…I struggled with acne until I got it under control a few years ago (dude, trust me when I say if I look at the wrong product, my skin freaks out). This stuff does not break you out. It controls oil without drying your skin out…love love love.   One last trick: It’s not for your daily skin care, but is amazing. The mosquitoes and biting flying critters are out there…There is no need to spend a ton of money on anti itch stuff…hydro cortisone cream does little against many of these bites…The answer; white vinegar. That’s it. Just pour it on the bite and the itch will go away. I keep a little cylinder of After Bite in my purse that contains Ammonia for when I’m not home around the vinegar…it is very effective as well. Trust me peeps, I learned this trick the hard way and have little scars from itching some horse fly bites. It works, and it’s cheap, and it’s probably already in your house!   Ok, so that’s enough of my secrets for now…I wouldn’t write this if it weren’t true. These aren’t urban legends and they do work!   xoxo, Pix // Share | //
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Dining In DC

Café Atlántico celebrates the 3rd Annual Rum Weekend with a rum tasting. ()
It’s time again to celebrate the Caribbean’s most famous spirit with José Andrés and his team at Café Atlántico during the 3rd Annual Rum Weekend from September 2 through September 5. This year’s Rum Weekend has a Haitian accent and provides the chance for Washingtonians to sample rum flights, specialty cocktails and menu items inspired [...]
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