Have you heard of Stoney Clover Lane? It is the cutest line of lifestyle and travel accessories to help you stay organized on the go…The company was started by two sisters, Kendall and Libby, who love to “keep things lighthearted and labeled” and offer an assortment of decorative patches, inspired by their love of travel, sports, and beauty, to personalize your own Stoney Clover item for yourself, or for creating gifts to celebrate friendships and milestones. They have also recently collaborated with Love Shake Fancy and are selling fabulous floral, totes, travel bags, and cosmetic bags. The newest Stoney Clover store just opened in East Hampton where my friend’s uber-stylish daughter, Claudia just started working. She sent me some photos of the store and all the great items they are carrying…I cannot wait to go visit. If you are in the EH area stop by and tell Claudia that I sent you..In the meanwhile, check out the Stoney Clover website…it is so hard to choose!! Everything is perfection!!
This awesome recipe was in my inbox today from Aerin Lauder’s mailing list…it is her favorite Sangria recipe. I have been asking friends over for a social distance outdoor dinner during the past few summer Friday nights. It is a nice way to catch up on the many weeks missed, spend some quality time together al fresco, and try dishes and drinks that have been on our list. I just love the idea of this easy refreshing Sangria and I think I am going to make it this weekend. Bottom’s Up!!
Aerin’s Sangria
Add 2 types of fresh fruit to a bottle of light, fruity white wine
Whatever fresh fruit you have on hand will do…sliced strawberries, cut melon, orange slices, blackberries, raspberries
A splash of Cognac and throw in a clove or 2
Add a teaspoon or 2 of sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer)
Refrigerate for at least an hour and serve over ice in really pretty GLASS.
It’s no understatement to say that there are very few occurrences that have resulted in such a worldwide paradigm shift in our lifetimes as that of COVID-19. We are still in the thick of it and already we can see how people are clamoring for change after we’re out. How we live, how the state handles welfare, the importance of scientific literacy and the rise of conspiracy-mindedness are all big questions brought up by the virus still taking its toll. Travel is another part of our lives that might change a lot, and here are some ideas of what the new “normal” might looking like.
People are likely to stay much closer to home
While there may be a lot of people who are more than happy to get far away from home and to find somewhere to relax once COVID-19 is over and done with, there is likely to be an increased sense of caution amongst travelers for some time once travel restrictions start easing off. As such, many people anticipate that we are going to see a great rise in staycations and city breaks and fewer people traveling overseas or too far from home in general. Given the number of people who got stranded from home by being overseas when the borders and airports shut, this is no surprise. People who worry about the potential of a second wave are likely to fear that happening to them, too.
Road travel is going to become a lot more popular
A lot of people are also going to have concerns about using any kind of transport that is shared or the public in general. As such, it’s likely that cruises and air travel might see something of a reduction for a while. Air travel demand might decrease, but that doesn’t mean that travel as a whole will decrease. Instead, many anticipate that road trips and RV purchases and hire are likely to expand. People are going to want more control over their own environment and have peace of mind that they’re not sharing their modes of transportation with people that might be carrying the virus. This might also translate to more people taking the time to go camping rather than entrusting their safety to hotels.
Different countries will re-open at different times
One of the factors worth remembering about the virus is that its impacts are not being felt equally around the world. There are some countries that are still experiencing their first swell of cases and there are others that seem to be at the tail end of things, with no new cases found in some time. As such, they are also likely to have different COVID-19 travel restrictions. We might expect that some countries might restrict travel for tourists for some time while keeping them open for essential travelers or for citizens. Similarly, the countries with the highest infection rates are likely to be treated with more scrutiny, with travel from the countries blocked by other major countries. As such, it will be crucial for travelers to do their research on travel restrictions on a country-by-country basis. You need to see if the country you want to travel from accepts visitors from the country that you are leaving, especially if you live in a place that still has a relatively high rate of transmission.
Airports are going to become a much different experience
Even if the rates of transmission continue to decrease across the globe, it is very likely that airports will take the risk of COVID-19 very seriously for a long time in the future. Already, a lot of airports are installing heat-detecting cameras and implementing longer and stricter checks to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. If there is a COVID-19 vaccine developed at some point in future, it is likely that airports will demand travelers provide proof that they have been vaccinated. Already, some airports are requesting that even essential travelers offer proof that they have tested negative for the virus. As such, we can all expect to have to do more prep work if we want to fly, and to spend more time in the check-in. It may also mean that we have to visit the doctor ahead of time to collect any proof that we might need to present before boarding any aircraft.
Costs are going to change across the board
At the moment, it is very difficult for even industry experts to guess whether or not the costs of travel will go higher or lower in general. Many anticipate that both flights and accommodation will experience a drop in price. Customer confidence will be low, meaning fewer people will travel, meaning these costs can go down. However, most also agree that insurance prices are going to skyrocket. Insurance prices are always affected by risk. If there’s a greater risk of you becoming sick, then insurance costs are going to go up. With that mind, everyone is likely to be at more risk, so everyone’s insurance prices are likely to go up. However, costs may be decreased in some other ways. For instance, many have been predicting that travelers will rely less and less on third-party travel agents and will instead be booking with airlines directly. This is due to the fact that airlines and hotels are going to have their own measures that third-party agencies can’t keep up with.
Hotels and tourist spots are going to become stricter
Just as airports are likely to undergo some changes to ensure that travel is safer, we expect the same to come from the tourist and hospitality industries, as well. For instance, hotels and BNBs are likely to start implementing new measures such as stricter hygiene practices and new employee training, as well as new rules for guests, such as social distancing and the mandatory use of gloves and masks. Tourist spots are also likely to start having stricter rules, such as restrictions on how many people can be at a certain spot at any one time throughout the day. To that end, it’s going to be important that tourists check ahead with any spots they want to visit, find out what restrictions might apply, and prepare accordingly. This could include longer wait times to see some of the most popular spots of any tourist destination as well as rules for mandatory maks wearing.
Everyone should still stay on guard
Aside from the trends mentioned above, we’re going to see most travelers remain very mindful of the risks of going overseas and traveling in general. As such, we should all be sure to stay vigilant, to keep our distance from others, to stay out of crowds, to wash our hands regularly, and to wear our masks. When it comes to traveling in airports, staying in hotels, or otherwise using shared or public resources, it’s important to be wary and to clean one’s environment, too. As such, it will be recommended to travel with your own supply of things like hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and masks, as well. Even if a country has no reported cases of COVID-19 in the past weeks, travelers are expected to present a risk of transmission from place to place. As such, the responsibility will be on us to make sure we’re being responsible for the added risk that we represent.
We still can’t entirely predict what travel might look like once COVID-19 has fully eased off. However, we can expect a long transition back to normal given how slowly some countries are recovering.
There is a uber talented girl in my town who started the company Candleholic. She upcycles, wine, champagne, and other fancy alcohol bottles into scented candles by carefully cutting each bottle by hand and sanding them to perfection. The glam container is filled with American soy wax laced with a blend of perfume and essential oils. Candleholic candles are so beautiful and look amazing displayed around your home and make the most perfect gifts. I use the containers when the candle runs out as a vase, changing up the flowers all year long. Each candle is beautifully crafted and the entire collection runs from $20-$40. To see the complete assortment click HERE.
I bought this red, white and blue Tito’s candle (it was citronella too). It was so perfect for a 4th of July BBQ….
How great did my friend Susie style her candle?
Here is my empty Veuve Cliquot candle. I love to cut my hydrangea and move it around the house…..Here is it to brighten the Monday coffee station!!!!
Tips to Manage Anxiety In These Difficult Times:
Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling which many of us have experienced during these difficult times of 2020. Fears and catastrophic thoughts that put the body in an alarm state are often the consequences of common anxiety. However, just because it is happening, it doesn’t mean we should let it control our lives. That said, you want to manage your anxiety, the following tips will help.
- Start understanding your anxiety better
Sure, your anxiety sometimes feels uncomfortable, and you want to get rid of things that feel uncomfortable. However, if you throw it overboard without taking a look at it, you will lose a lot of important information. Dare to look at what actually scares you? If so, question yourself first. Which situations trigger anxiety for you? What exactly was it that made you restless or anxious? For me, I usually get anxiety over things that I cannot control. So that is what I personally try to work on….
How realistic is it that your fears are true? Alternatively, what could happen – and how likely would that be? As far as possible, these considerations should be tested in reality or checked in conversation with others. The constant weighing of probabilities helps to deal with inappropriate and exaggerated fears.
Also, check critically against reality, whether you consider your anxiety to be justified afterward. With such questions, you can take a step back out of the situation. You gain distance from the feeling of fear by looking at it from the outside.
- Get moving
Regular sporting activities and relaxation exercises not only make you feel more youthful, but can also help reduce anxiety reactions in the long term. With some disorders, they also help in acute cases, among other things because physical relaxation and exhaustion are difficult to reconcile physiologically with an anxiety reaction. However, the effect can be reversed during a panic attack!
If there is panic-related hyperventilation (strong breathing due to shortness of breath), breathing in a bag is recommended so that the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the blood returns to normal.
- Stop your thoughts
It can also be about stopping thoughts that scare you. You are the master of your thoughts. You can also choose to put thoughts back in their place. Make a clear “stop”. Think about helpful and appropriate thoughts. Thoughts that satisfy your need for security and calm you down.
If that doesn’t help, distraction is allowed. What would you do now? Watch a film? Read a newspaper or a book? Or phone a good friend. Focus consciously on something else instead of the fear-triggering thoughts.
- Take natural calming herbs
Calming herbs such as valerian are commonly used can be used as a tea, tincture, or powder for all conditions of nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
In the case of insomnia, a tea made from valerian tea is recommended before going to bed, which is slowly drunk in small sips. To do this, pour one or two teaspoons of valerian root with a cup of water. The tea is left to steep for about twelve hours. Then you filter off and heat the tea to drinking temperature.
Additionally, CBD oil also offers a calming effect and is commonly used to reduce anxiety-related symptoms. For more information, you can find the nearest Harvest House of Cannabis.
There is no place like home…..
Many of us have found ourselves spending more and more time at home over the past few months. Sure, this may largely be at the hands of the pandemic and restrictions may well be loosening now, meaning we can now spend more time out of the house doing things that we used to do. But for many of us, staying in will be a large part of our lifestyles going forwards as things are still relatively uncertain. Chances are, over the past few months, you’ve been making some changes and investments to make your home life more comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re looking for some more, here are a few suggestions that you might like to take into consideration!
TV
Nowadays, fewer and fewer of us have actual television sets in our homes. Instead, many of us are simply using our laptops instead. But when it comes down to it, if you’re going to sit back and watch a film or a series, it’s much more enjoyable on a large screen, rather than your small laptop screen. You may also want to consider what kind of services you have on your television, or, if you’re not going to invest in one, the services that you use on your laptop. You might want to take a look at this IPTV tutorial from Troypoint. You could also consider streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and more.
Cushions and Throws
Sure, we may be in the midst of summer. But during the colder evenings, or on the occasional rainy day, it really is nice to get cuddled up on the sofa. Whether that’s to watch TV, read a book, or have a chat with whoever is with you. Make sure to have plenty of cushions and throws to make yourself as cosy as possible! There are so many different options out there that there’s bound to be something that will not only provide you with comfort, but that will also perfectly fit in with your interior design too!
Lighting
You’re not going to want bright lights blaring at all times when you’re trying to relax. Why not invest in some nice lamps or lampshades that will give your room a softer and more comfortable glow instead? Lighting really can make all the difference to the atmosphere of any space. So, make sure to take your time choosing it out and to invest in it. Again, there are plenty of options out there that will complement your living space aesthetically – so it’s not simply a practical investment either!
These are just a few small changes that you could make to your living space to make it a nice area to spend time in at the moment. Hopefully, at least one can be added to your home to make everything more enjoyable for now!