One of the most requested posts I receive is for outings. During the Pandemic it has been extremely hard to bring anything new to you in regards to outings or things you must see or do.. Most outings are not possible. However, I received a great email the other day. There is a really cool drive through Winter Wonderland Light Show Experience right here in Westchester. It will take place at the Kensico Dam Plaza.
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a festive 1.2-mile drive through Kensico Dam Plaza, filled with dazzling exclusive light displays that will thrill youngsters of all ages.
See your favorite holiday characters. Jovial music right on your car radio, wave to Santa and other surprises all seen from the safe and controlled environment of your car.
The event will be opened every night from November 27th through January 3rd. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Following are some highlights from the show:
- DAZZLING ANIMATED LIGHT
DISPLAYS WHEREVER YOU LOOK! - FESTIVE HOLIDAY MUSIC STRAIGHT TO YOUR VEHICLE’S RADIO!
- YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE SPECTACULAR 50FT FLYING DOVE RISING OUT OF TAKE FLIGHT LAKE! MAGICAL WOODS TAKES YOU RIGHT THROUGH DANCING TREES AND LIGHTS.
- NEXT, YOU PASS THROUGH TWIRLING TUNNEL IMMERSED IN A SEA OF SPARKLING AND FLASHING LIGHTS THAT BRINGS YOU TO FA LA LA LANE!
- YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE 75 GLOWING SNOWBALLS OF SNOWSTORM CENTRAL, EVEN PASSING THROUGH A DUSTING OF SEASONAL SNOW AND WALLS OF LIGHT!
- THEN WAVE TO SOME OF YOUR ALL-TIME POPULAR CHARACTERS! DIFFERENT ONES WILL BE THERE EACH NIGHT!
- MAKE THE TURN-UP CANDY CANE LANE TO SEE TOWERING CANDY CANES ALONG THE ROAD THAT LEADS YOU TO THE BIG MAN IN A RED SUIT!!
- FINALLY, DRIVE THROUGH PEEKERS PLAYGROUND ON YOUR WAY OUT!
THERE IS NOTHING
ELSE LIKE IT!
One of my favorite sites is Etsy. Etsy started out as a site to buy crafty/homemade items but it has developed into so much more. It is my go-to for so many things. I love all the vintage tabletop items, the personalized items, party favors, vintage jewelry, and clothing…I could go on and on. I keep a running favorites list on my Etsy page all the time. And I am always going back to it when I need a special gift or am looking for a little pick me up. I cannot tell you how many amazing unique things I have found on Etsy over the years. I decided to share some of the treasures from my favorites with you. I hope you love them as much as I do!!
I am dying for this vintage coral bracelet…Its is just so fabulous!
Etsy is full of beautiful embroidered dresses and caftans..keep it in mind for the next time you go away (whenever that will be!!!!!!)
I love all of the unique new and vintage bags…this feather one is one of my favorites. I carried a similar one in Miami last winter when we celebrated our 50th bdays with all of my high school friends..I cannot tell you how many people stopped me to touch the bag..Who can resist pink feathers????
I have a few of these vintage unique Japanese porcelain pieces. but I just love this pattern…
Who can resist Pucci either??? and I love that handle…
Malachite jewelry is all the rage…
I am dying over these vintage Thistle glasses and ice bucket….Please someone buy them…they are just too gorgeous for words!!!
Another LOVE…and soo well priced..these would make fabulous Xmas gifts and they come in a bunch of colors!!!
These knives are perfect for the Holiday’s. The horn handles are so great!!!
This company Shine Design is in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami and their handmade earrings are incredible…
Etsy also has the best selection of decorative pillows!!!
Look at this cool ring…..the jewelry is so unique…
There are also great items for entertaining…
These ice buckets are beautiful..keep them in mind for special Christmas gifts…
This self stick wallpaper is magical…
How gorgeous are these monogrammed napkins..you can get a bunch of different fonts and colors…
Speaking of monogram..this is one of my favorite Etsy shops..their monogram cups and other items are sooo unique..More great gifts!!!
My amazing designer friend Sue Sartor, introduced me to the faire isle sweaters on Etsy. I love this blue one…
It’s nice to have so many options for facial hair removal, but the truth is that each of the top methods has its advantages and drawbacks.
1. Shaving and Dermaplaning
Years ago, when one of the original New Jersey Real Housewives confessed to shaving her face with a razor, it caused some viewers to react with shock and surprise. But these days, the practice is more widespread. While some still may attempt this at home with a conventional razor, others are making appointments for professional dermaplaning with a tool that resembles a surgical scalpel.
Dermaplaning (also called microplaning or blading) is not something you’d want to attempt on your own since the tool is very sharp. Women who swear by this method say it not only removes hair but helps to exfoliate their skin as well. It’s not an inexpensive treatment, however, and the results do not last very long. Aside from the skin treatment, dermaplaning only acts to shave off the outer growth of hair– similar to how guys shave every morning.
Shaving with a conventional razor is a much less costly way to remove facial hair and exfoliate, but even with a multi-blade razor, you can still experience irritation and dryness, especially if you have to shave frequently.
2. Tweezing
Tweezing pulls the hair out from the root, is not too painful, and is a very inexpensive method. However, it’s not a permanent solution, since results only last from three to either weeks, at best. Plus, tweezing is most often used to remove stray eyebrow or chin hairs, but it’s not practical for areas of the face with more hair growth.
3. Depilation
Depilation using creams or gels is an inexpensive way to remove facial hair. These products are widely available at any drugstore, and the results last longer than shaving.
But depilatories carry a risk for skin irritation, which is why manufacturers recommend you first do a patch test to see how your skin reacts. Depilatories work by using chemicals like calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which weaken the hairs by breaking down disulfide bonds in keratin. Stubble will likely reappear after only a week, and frequent use can cause redness and irritation.
4. Waxing or Sugaring
Waxing – in which soft or hard wax is applied to the skin and hair is pulled off in patches – is a popular hair removal option for many women, but it’s considered one of the more painful methods. Sugaring is similar to waxing in that it also rips hair from the root, but the technique is slightly different and some say it hurts less than waxing.
If you’re sensitive to the ingredients in the wax, it could cause skin irritation. Since only sugar, water, and lemon juice is used to make sugar for hair removal, there’s less chance of a reaction.
Ingredients aside, a poor application and removal of the wax or sugar could mean the hair follicles aren’t removed entirely, which would lead to ingrown hairs. To avoid bumps from ingrown hairs, it’s best not to use an in-home kit for waxing or sugaring, especially if you’re inexperienced.
5. Threading
Threading originated centuries ago in far eastern cultures. The process involves moving a thread in a circular motion over an area of hair growth until the thread is very taut and the hairs can then be lifted from their follicles.
The benefits of this technique are that it lasts longer than shaving or tweezing, it won’t cause ingrown hairs, and it doesn’t use any ingredients that might cause a skin reaction. It is considered to be mildly to moderately painful, however, and is typically only used for brows. Since it’s a complicated technique, you won’t want to attempt this on your own.
6. Epilation
Epilation is like tweezing, but relies on an epilation device that can remove many hairs at one time. It’s considered to be more painful than tweezing, but less than waxing.
This method is best used for removing the stray hairs that appear between hair removal appointments, and it’s suggested that you don’t use this method for areas that require precision, like your eyebrows. Epilation is typically a DIY method, but the epilation device is far more expensive than a tweezer. Like many of these hair removal methods, epilation can also cause skin irritation and redness, especially when done by someone inexperienced.
7. Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses a beam of concentrated light to target hair follicles. When the follicles absorb the light, it’s converted to heat, which then alters the follicles so that hair either cannot grow back or will reappear much finer. Laser treatment is one of the only methods that can lead to a permanent reduction in hair growth.
Laser hair removal is safe and FDA-approved (when it’s done by a trained professional). It can take about six sessions to achieve permanent hair growth reduction, and the sessions are not inexpensive. But given that this method can achieve permanent hair reduction, it’s an upfront investment that will pay off in the future, as you will not need to spend money on other hair removal approaches that require you to keep coming back.
Most people say laser hair removal feels like a rubber band is snapping at your skin, and although there may be some redness or irritation immediately after the procedure, it typically goes away quickly.
8. Electrolysis
Electrolysis is similar to laser hair removal in that it also uses heat to destroy hair follicles, and can likely lead to permanent hair removal. Rather than a beam of light, electrolysis uses a needle to penetrate the follicle.
Electrolysis is time-consuming since the needle can target only one follicle at a time (laser beams cover a broader area), and you’ll require more sessions to remove hair compared to the laser technique. Unfortunately, electrolysis cannot guarantee permanent hair removal, no matter how many sessions you go through.
9. Topical Prescriptions
Topical prescriptions block an enzyme that’s required for hair growth, but it’s prescribed to slow growth rather than remove hair or make it fall out. These prescriptions can possibly cause skin irritation, and they’re typically prescribed for medical skin or hair conditions over errant chin or lip hair. These prescriptions also work only as long as you continue to use them, which can become very costly as time goes on.
The Winner: Facial Laser Hair Removal in NYC
If you’ve decided you’re tired of waging the war against unwanted facial hair and are looking for a permanent reduction in hair growth, consider the many benefits of facial laser hair removal. It’s the best option to get rid of unwanted hair, and the upfront cost is well worth it in the long run.
Winter is right on the horizon but there’s still time to make those all important changes to the home to ensure that you and your family have the most comfortable time possible. It’s a little more pertinent this year too because a lot of people will be spending far more time at home than usual due to coronavirus. Changes to the home can completely range and each person might want to do something slightly different. After all, everyone is unique and will each hold a different meaning of a beautiful home. The tips below can help change your perspective and help you start thinking about some of the best ways to make your home better. Whether that’s one of the larger projects, or something small and snappy. Just be sure to apply advice to your own personal situation before acting on any of them, and make sure your budget is in the right place to do so.
Change Up The Living Room
The living room is one of the most important places in the home, likely for everyone in your family. It’s where you can relax, watch some TV, read a book, or do whatever you want to wind down like watching the Giants vs 49ers. It’s why the room becomes quite easily worn or tired or people just get bored of it so change it up to make a difference. You can start by doing something really simple like simply changing the layout of the room. Change the focal point. Move the TV from one area to another. Remember, you can put it on the wall if that makes things any easier. Changing the focal point will give the room a different feel and when combined with some of the other tips below could leave you feeling like you’re in a different home altogether. For some, a simple move like this is all it takes to have that winter change up needed.
A Fresh Coat Of Paint Goes A Long Way
Another fairly simple thing to do is giving the home that fresh coat of paint. It can really lend a different look to your home. You can go for a wintry colour to suit the mood, but you can also keep the colour the same and simply go for a refresh. Having the walls redone might be like a new colour all in itself, especially if it hasn’t been done for a long time. You can focus on a room or instead, attempt to do the whole house if you wanted one big change. This is fairly easy and can be done yourself for a relatively cheap price, depending on what paint you want to use. You can also paint the outside of your house, though you’ll probably need someone to do this for you. If this is the case, make sure you get a few quotes and use a quality paint that’s resilient to adverse weather conditions. Remember, the closer to winter you get the harder it will be to get people to carry out this work due to danger working in high spaces along with the weather putting people off.
Think About Energy Consumption
You might want to approach this from another angle. It might not just be the appearance you’re thinking about, but the money too. You can bring down the costs of your energy consumption by looking into things like insulation. Cavity wall insulation stops heat escaping and stops the cold penetrating the walls. Also, you do the same with loft insulation to stop the heat escaping upwards. You might also want to think about switching energy tariffs. If you can cut the price and use the money to have a better winter then surely it’s worth it. One of the best ways to ensure heat stays in the house, thus saving you energy, is by getting new windows. Think about triple glazing, or just a better quality double glazing. The new windows will not only keep you warmer, but the likelihood is that your home will look a bit nicer from outside too.
Safety Should Come First
Safety of the home is important and there are some things to think about in winter. If you’re not sure the home is safe during winter then it’s surely time for a change up. Think about carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your carbon monoxide is working and installed right, give it the test and check your smoke alarms when you’re at it. You might even need to get your boiler serviced. Make sure it’s someone with the proper accreditations. If your boiler has never been serviced then it’s important to do it. It doesn’t just ensure that it’s safe but that it is running properly, meaning you’re getting the most for your money. A faulty boiler can be a nightmare. Remember, you should have a carbon monoxide alarm in every room where there is a fossil fuel boiling appliance. No excuse not to as they’re relatively cheap and last a fair few years.
Clear The Gutters
If you suffer from a lot of rainfall during winter you need to prepare for it accordingly. One of the ways you can do this is by looking into getting your gutters cleaned out to ensure the water is properly sluiced away. Check your drains too. If you have a lot of leaves you might find them blocked up. Check for puddles, if they pool in the wrong place they can cause you trouble. Clearing the gutters is fairly easy but people don’t like to do it because they may lack the right equipment, or not like to be so high up in the air. Always have someone holding the ladder underneath you to make sure that it doesn’t slip, even if you’re pretty sure that it is in a solid location. Also, it means you’ll have to dispose of the refuse yourself, and if there is a lot of it that can become quite troubling. Instead, consider hiring someone who knows what they’re doing and will be able to do it quickly.
One of my best-received recipes was for a one-pot garlic Parmesan pasta. Since the weather is turning and I am starting to cook more..I have been looking for some easy family weeknight recipes. I came across this cheesy, Tomato pasta, and decided to give it a try. The recipe itself is rather simple but it is really tasty. I added some cheese and parley sausage that I ordered from Vincent’s Meat Market on Arthur Ave and the dish was perfection!!! I think it is going to be a weekly go-to for the next year!! Bon Appetit!
adapted from Rasa Malaysia
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz. fresh tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian basil
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2-1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon butter
Heat oil in a wide skillet, pan or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, saute 3 minutes or until they start to brown. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian basil and spaghetti.
Press the spaghetti with a spatula to submerge the pasta in the liquid. If your skillet, pan or pot is not wide enough, break the spaghetti into halves before cooking. Cover with the lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. If the pasta is not cooked after 8 minutes, add a little bit more chicken broth, cover the lid and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Uncover the lid and add salt and the butter. Turn off the heat and top the pasta with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.
There’s nothing like making your home cozy and special for the end of fall and winter. Everyone has their own vision for how to go about this, but there are some really quick and easy ways to make your home feel a bit special in the winter months. It seems to be the main goal is to create a different feel to suit the season. A lot of people are spending more time than usual in their homes too. Coronavirus seems to be settling in again. Unfortunately, it means a lot of places, depending on where you live, might be limited right now and you and your family will be spending more time at home. Let’s try to make it the coziest it can be….
A Fresh Coat Makes All The Difference
Sometimes a home can look a little tired and dreary when all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. This can be a refresh of the same color that’s already there, or it can be a different color entirely, to match the winter mood in the house. Of course, for bigger projects speak to a professional like Barker-Whittle painters, but if it’s only one room or so you can do it yourself. Make sure you get a sample first to ensure you get the right color. It’s such a simple thing to do and will make the room look completely different even if you keep everything else exactly the same. Make sure you invest in some decent tarps to cover your furniture, especially if you’re using heavy-duty and dark color paints. You need to cover the floor too, especially if it’s carpet. One simple mistake can end up costing a lot of money.
Change Things Around
One easy way to help the home feel a bit different is by simply switching around some of the furniture. Change the focal point in the room from one wall to the other. It really does make a difference. This coupled with some new paint or decorative objects and you’re onto a winner look. All this might just mean is putting the sofa against another wall, and the TV somewhere else. A lot of people get hung up on TV placement and think they can’t move it…but consider putting the TV up high on the wall instead to give a new dynamic to the room.
Curb Appeal Makes A Difference
If you’re planning a fall./halloween display or a winter/Christmas decorations it’s a good idea to clean up the front porch. Consider using some varnish on the wood, or even sanding it down to help it look fresher. Cut the grass and clean the garden out one last time before winter sets in. It is best to do it now before it gets freezing. If you have a porch or any kind of external awning, consider repainting or repairing warped or damaged wood. Knowing your home looks great on the outside helps you to feel good on the inside.