By Laura Jayne McDonald
According to MarthaStewartCrafts.com, "Beautiful gift wrapping sends a message of thoughtfulness that is as important as the gift itself." Have you ever attended a nice affair and found yourself sneaking your shoddily wrapped present behind the other exquisitely wrapped packages? Well, now you no longer have to go to the Bloomingdale's counter for beautiful, professional gift wrap. Jayne McDonald, a young mompreneur and co-CEO of Two Blondes & a Brunette Gift Co., has had many years of experience with elegant, affordable gift wrapping at home. Read on to learn her tips of the sophisticated gift trade!
Above image: Wrapping Boxes from MarthaStewartCrafts.com
DO use clear, clean cellophane when wrapping gift baskets or a grouping of smaller gifts.
DON’T use reindeer-adorned cellophane or any of its tasteless cousins. It’s the equivalent of your grade one teacher’s red cable-knit sweater with snowman appliqué.
DO use lavish, beautiful wired ribbon. It can turn a simple bar of elegant soap or even just a tin of hard candies into a memorable token gift or hostess gift.
DON’T use that tacky thin ribbon that you curl with scissors. You want to elevate, not cheapen your already cheap gift.
DO use gold and silver accents, in moderation, for holiday season gifts.
DON’T assume more gold and silver equals better. It equals tacky. If you were trying to compete with drug store gift baskets, you would have just bought one there.
DO use bold color. Think hot pink, lime green, turquoise. Paired with chocolate brown, it’s very of the moment.
DON’T think bold color means heather green and navy with maroon trim. That’s like realtor speak for ‘designer upgrades’ on 1970’s homes updated in the 80’s and on the market today.
DO pair black and white, i.e., crisp black paper with white ribbon. It is clean and classic.
DON’T use black and white newspaper to wrap your gifts. I tried that during a particularly thrifty Christmas season, and my mother wouldn’t even put my gifts under the tree.
DO use variations of the same shade. Say, pale green tissue, a lime green bag, and a darker green accent. Alternatively, pair beautiful products with packaging elements that echo one another (i.e. a tin of loose leaf tea with olive green label paired with a milled soap in lime green box.) This balanced pairing is seamless and adds a touch of controlled luxury.
DON’T compile an assortment of mismatched, cheap products with similar packaging in an attempt to duplicate this idea. Quality always wins. Better to have two select items, than twenty toss-away ones.
DO put some love into your creation. That’s truly what makes it special!
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By Stacie Refeld
Decorating with scrapbook paper is a quick and easy way to dress up a table setting for those last minute "get-togethers," or to add pretty, whimsical accents around the house. It is inexpensive and a perfect decorating tool for the budgetnista! Read on to learn more about the fun versatility of this one-of-a-kind household art from my close friend, Wedding and Event Planner Stacie Refeld, of Sealed With A Kiss!
Scrapbook paper can be used as placemats, table runners, napkin rings and to cover vases. Jennifer Sbranti, of Hostess With The Mostess, uses scrapbooking paper in a lot of her party theme designs.
In the above picture, Jenn uses a 12" sheet of scrapbook paper as a placemat.
Here she uses 1"-2" strips of scrapbook paper as napkin rings. Jenn also uses it to cover cylinder shaped vases for floral centerpieces. You can also use rhinestone stickers and other embellishments to decorate your scrapbook paper designs.
Scrapbook paper can be found at American Crafts and Luxe Designs as well as any craft store (i.e., Michael's).
Scrapbook paper can also be used to decorate around the house.
The above wall art can easily be created by using 12x12 inch Styrofoam Brand Foam Squares and covering it with scrapbook paper of your choice. At less than $5/sq, this is a really inexpensive way to transform a room in your house. They can be found at any craft store.
The Styrofoam Brand Foam also comes in 3" cubes that can be also be wrapped in scrapbook paper and used as vases.
As you can see, scrapbook paper can be used in a variety of ways. So head on over to your nearest craft store and stock up on loads of scrapbook paper. This way, when you have to entertain guests at the last minute, you will already have something at home to work with. The good thing about scrapbook paper is that it comes in hundreds of colors and designs. You can even use a particular scrapbook paper design as inspiration for a color scheme. Use it to decorate your entire event around.
Stacie Refeld is an up-and-coming Wedding and Event Planner who absolutely loves anything having to do with weddings and party planning. Check out Sealed With A Kiss to pick up additional wedding and event planning tips and themes. Stacie has gathered together unique ideas, decorating tips, and creations from some of her favorite wedding and event planners, in an effort to inspire readers to plan one-of-a-kind events that stand out from the rest! Aside from planning weddings and events, Stacie enjoys shopping, fine dining, traveling, and being surrounded by positive people.
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By Dale Reynolds
Does Halloween signal the start of a whole season of unhealthy eating for you? The Halloween candy is out and we buy early for the best selection. Then it's in the house calling our name, and we eat some of it (or all of it?) before the day arrives! After the trick-or-treating, we have leftover candy in the house. And the next thing you know, it's Thanksgiving and that starts the whole holiday feeding frenzy until New Year's!
Don't tear your hair out! Here are ten tips to survive Halloween in a healthy way and head into the holiday season on a better note!
1.) If you'll be handing out candy to trick-or-treat visitors, consider buying candy that you don't even like. That way you'll be less likely to eat it.
2.) Get candy that isn't too high in fat and calories, such as lollipops or peppermint patties or hard candy.
3.) Buy your candy at the last minute. This serves three purposes: you won't eat a bunch of it ahead of time, you'll probably get a better price because it will be marked down, and you might not find the kind you really like to tempt you because they might be out of it already!
4.) Wear a costume while handing out candy. It will be more fun, so maybe you won't think about the candy as much. Try to come up with a costume that discourages eating, like something with a mask or long fake fingernails.
5.) Rent a movie and pop some popcorn. Hit pause when the doorbell rings. The movie and healthy snacks will keep your mind off the candy.
6.) Keep the kids home (or invite your adult friends) and throw a costume party. Have a contest with several categories of winners (scariest, funniest, most original) and serve healthier treats like caramel apples or popcorn balls. Order pizza, or make your own using turkey sausage and reduced fat pepperoni, reduced fat cheese and lots of veggies.
7.) Take any leftovers from the candy or party to the office, or (heaven forbid!) throw them out!
8.) If your kids do go out to collect treats, have them hide those treats where you won't find them. And suggest they ration the treats out over several days so the candy doesn't fill them up and prevent them from eating healthier fare.
9.) If you don't have children, consider leaving your lights off (the signal in most communities that you're not inviting trick-or-treaters) and go out for the evening. Go see a movie, or wear a costume to a zany restaurant where it would be appreciated!
10.) Rake leaves by hand to burn calories (be sure to wear work gloves to avoid blisters!) It will help undo some candy munching. You might also chop and stack firewood, trim back the shrubs, or do other yard work in the crisp autumn air.
When Halloween is over, start planning your healthy Thanksgiving meal. Look at cookbooks, magazines, newspapers and web sites for lower fat, lower sugar versions of some of your holiday favorites and get ready to enjoy a day of relaxation, or at least a day with family and friends even if you're working hard in the kitchen (at least you're not working at the office!) Focus on the warmth of relationships and the fireside, and stuff the turkey only!
Dale Reynolds is an author, speaker, and weight loss counselor from upstate New York. She has written a book entitled "A Slim Book On Weighty Matters", and has a website with ordering information for the book as well as a free email newsletter and daily tips for weight management.
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By Rose Smith
What's October without corn mazes, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and harvest celebrations? When it comes to Halloween there's no lack of variety in finding neat things do. From trick or treating (with the kids) to baking Halloween goodies for your sweetie, finding something NOT to do would be more of a challenge. So, where can you go and what can you do on All Hallow's Eve? Here are some intriguing, exciting, relaxing and, in some cases, just plain creepy ideas about what's available!
- Take the kids out Trick or Treating - This is a great way to be a kid again yourself. Follow along and enjoy the scenery. Check out the yards and decorations as you pass. You may even get some candy yourself!
- Dress up your yard and yourself - Get into the spirit of the occasion and decorate your yard or entranceway. Dress up in a costume and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters and enjoy some of the inventive and adorable outfits that show up at your front door.
- Attend a costume party or host one yourself - Halloween is a growing business where adults are concerned. Get creative and put together a unique costume and attend a Halloween party. Better yet, plan to have one yourself.
- Take a Haunted House tour - Many larger cities have several areas that are set up specifically as Haunted House tours. Designed to truly frighten and creep you out, you'd be amazed at the effort put into the whole setup and atmosphere of these places. It may become a yearly event that you won't want to miss out on.
- Boo at the Zoo - If your city has a zoo and features this special evening event, gather up the kids and go check it out. Fun decorations, special activities and more are usually planned by the zoo personnel. It's a spooctacular place to visit for both adults and kids, although certainly on the mild side.
- All night horror flicks - Many theatres set up a special, all-nighter of horror and mystery films. Usually they start at midnight and run through to morning, usually featuring three movies. A cult classic often shown is the Rocky Horror Picture Show, although this varies with the theatres. If you're prepared to stay awake, this is a great way to spend the evening with some friends.
- Visit old cemeteries - What says "spooky" more than a dimly lit, creepy cemetery at night? Who knows what you'll see as you stroll past the various tombstones.
- Pick a few neighborhoods and do a walking or driving tour - Take a look at how some people have spruced up their yard for Halloween night. This is a great way to get ideas on what you could do next year in your own yard. Just be sure to watch out for the children crossing the road as your drive.
- Take a haunted hayride - Some farms provide haunted hayride tours on Halloween night. Driving past eerie, leafless trees, hearing the screech of an owl and rolling through moonlit fields, you may just see the unexpected. Often these are followed up by snacks and drinks at a bonfire back at the farm. What a cool way to spend the evening.
- Bake homeade Halloween goodies. Create ghastly goodies and spooky treats with the kids, and surprise your honey with a few homemade Halloween goodies during your scary movie fest. Another idea is to host a Halloween bake-off with friends. Have all the girls coming to the bake-off bring their yummiest, most creative Halloween or fall-themed baked goods.
- Have your own dusk to dawn movie fest - Get some friends together and rent three or four horror movies. Pop some corn, order a few pizzas, put out some cold drinks, get comfy, and you're all set for a night of terror and suspense.
- Get acquainted with some real ghosts - Almost every town or city has some local places that are haunted. Visit the library or buy a book that tells you where they are located. Then go check them out yourself. If you really want to get the bee-jeebers scared out of you, try to hook up with a paranormal investigative team for an evening. There's a lot of supernatural activity that happens on Halloween.
- Curl up with a great horror or mystery novel - All by yourself this year? Rather than being scared stiff with a movie rental, how about curling up with a good mystery novel or suspense/horror book?
These are just a few ideas that will keep you occupied this Halloween. Use your imagination, plus talk with friends, family, and co-workers and I'm sure you'll be able to come up with even more exciting activities to do. Enjoy!
(c) 2005. Rose Smith is the owner of HalloweenHowl.com a website filled with Halloween party ideas, costumes, decorations, games, graphics, crafts and more. It's Halloween fun for all ages! Come visit us at: http://www.halloweenhowl.com/
By Barbara Myers
While many of us take advantage of personal laundry services or employ outside help around the house, there are others of us who enjoy the laundry process and experience a real desire to nest, fold, and sort. "I get up from my work when I'm dealing with something difficult and I fold clothes, changing a tangled mess into neat ordered piles," says Gallagher, author of House Thinking: A Room-by-Room Look at How We Live. "It's a symbol of how you can restore order." For those ladies who do find laundry relaxing or self-soothing, read on for 12 creative, homemaking tips that will help keep you organized and get your family more involved on laundry day.
 1. Develop a system and follow it consistently. Allow your family one month to adjust to it before you alter it.
2. Enlist your family's help. Make each person responsible for transporting their clothing to and from the laundry room. Even a five-year-old can handle that task.
3. Let children help you with the laundry. It's the best way for them to learn.
4. Do all your laundry in one day OR do a couple of loads each evening -- whichever works better for you.
5. Take the lids off your hampers. Make it easy to put dirty clothes where they belong.
6. Have a hamper in each room. However, if you have enough space, place all hampers in the laundry room. Label them according to wash loads (i.e., whites, towels, jeans, dark colors). Have each person sort their clothes into the hampers each night. Wash a load whenever a hamper is full enough.
7. Teach everyone in the family to make a decision about each piece of clothing as they take it off. There are three options: clean (return to closet), hang to air (designated
place) or dirty (hamper).
8. Keep a backup supply of detergent, softener and stain remover. When you open the last one, add it to the grocery list. Laundry items are so expensive it pays to stock up whenever there is a sale.
9. Pick up a good stain remover chart and POST it in the laundry room.
10. Have a designated place for items which need mending. Every week or month, mend them or drop them off at the seamstress.
11. Hang a bag in your closet or in the laundry room for dry clean only items. Set up a routine to drop off and pick up on certain days each month. Some dry cleaners will even deliver.
12. Keep a small basket in the laundry room for "found" items such as money and buttons. Use another one for mate-less socks since they will probably show up next time.
Barbara Myers is a professional organizer and author of "Manage Your Wardrobe System." Receive free tips to help you take control of your time by organizing your life. Visit http://ineedmoretime.com
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By Dr. Yakini
If stylish handbags are an important element of your everyday life then, undoubtedly, owning a fabulous luggage set is also high on your list of priorities. From the garment bag you take on a business trip to the overnight bag for a romantic weekend tête-à-tête, you'll find that many of your favorite purse designers also make functional luggage set combos. Read on to learn about the only type of "personal baggage" to bring into your relationships: the kind that matches!
 Just because luggage is practical doesn't mean that it can't also make a statement about your tastes and personal style, or even about your favorite designers and labels. If you travel often, or carry a lot of items with you, you'll be pleased to discover some of the fabuluxe luggage sets and travel totes on the market! Those who travel a lot may want to invest more into a top of the line luggage set. Those who travel less frequently may prefer an off brand suitcase or messenger bag rather than investing in a pricier set. In any case, you'll surely find selections on the market to meet both your budget and fashion needs.
Luggage sets can include a wide range of styles in various sizes, including but not limited to:
- Cosmetics bag
- Duffel bag
- Garment bag
- Hat box
- Messenger bag
- Rolling upright
- Satchel
- Suitcase
- Tote
- Overnight bag
Susan Breslow Sardone, Honeymoons/Romantic Travel Guide writer for About.com, notes that there is no better time than the present to begin acquiring a set of matching luggage. That way you have every piece you could need when it's time to travel. She names her Top 10 Matching Luggage Set recommendations for 2008.
1. Tumi T-Tech Matching Luggage Collection
Want to really go in style? There's nothing as design-savvy as a set of Tumi's T-Tech collections, which consist of a few dozen matching pieces ranging from a backpack to garment bags. I've seen top models and executives carrying Tumi. Distinctive features like the ergonomic handles and well-organized interiors in a contrasting color make this expensive luggage collection very desirable.
2. Diane Von Furstenberg Sexy Metal 3-Piece Luggage Set
Leave it to Diane to design luggage that's actually sexy. In gleaming bronze or subdued pewter, her three-piece matching set includes a carry-on and 21" and 25" expandable rolling suitcases. They're the perfect gift to say, "We're going places together, baby!"
High style and low price combine to earn this set of matching luggage a "Best of the Best" rating from eBags customers. Set consists of three rolling suitcases (28 inches, 25 inches, 20.5" plus a tote with a shoulder strap and soft-sided zippered case for cosmetics and toiletries.
This highly rated, versatile matching luggage set is sturdy and well-organized. Its construction strikes a balance between being lightweight enough to carry and durable to last. The selection of 27" upright, 23" upright, 19" upright, travel tote, and duffel means you'll always have a suitable piece to use, regardless of the length of your trip. Sensible and subtle (i.e. neither solid black nor flashy) color choices — plum, navy — help this nesting luggage set stand out at the carousel.
I've been using Claiborne luggage most recently, and it's held up well. The pieces seem to have a larger capacity than comparative ones; they expand generously. I don't use every piece when I travel every time, but there's always at least one perfect for a trip.
If you've got a lot to carry but not a lot of cash, this matching set provides a lot of pieces for a little bit of money. The pieces in this set are likely to work perfectly well on your first few trips as long as you don't overload them. Just don't expect it to last as long as a quality set of luggage.
A stand-out thanks to complementary stripes down the side, this matching luggage set has a sporty look. The versatile set includes four uprights with a matching tote and a rolling duffel bag, which means there's a suitable piece for any trip. A good choice for a trip of a week or less, this sturdy 3-piece matching luggage set offers more than meets the eye. It's guaranteed for ten years, significantly longer than comparative luggage. Well-organized interiors on the three expandable uprights help keep shoes and dirty clothing separate from items you haven't yet worn. Order the set in red, to stand out from all the black luggage on the carousel.
Whether you're heading for Florence, Italy... Florence, South Carolina... your Aunt Florence's house... or anywhere else, you'll definitely go in style if you pack your belongings inside this rich-looking set of matched luggage. Durable red and gold paisley fabric features extra support in corners. Set includes wheeled 28", 24", and 20" uprights a and train case. If you're already wearing your heart on your sleeve, consider showing it on your luggage as well. This four-piece set of matching luggage features a stylish polished nickel heart emblem The set includes three stylish rolling uprights and a boarding bag, all available in fuschia or olive. The price for this luggage set on eBags is significantly lower than if you were to buy it in a department store. Segments of this article courtesy of About.com.
By Carrie Lauth
Having a new baby is a precious and wonderful season in your life. But if you find yourself knee deep in laundry and scared to walk around the house without your shoes on, read on for some tips on keeping up with the housework with a new baby.
First things first
You must take good care of yourself so you can care for your baby. Experts say it takes an entire year for your body to return to normal after having a baby. Even though you've recuperated from childbirth, you're probably not getting as much sleep as you did before and you're working new sets of muscles as you lift and carry baby around.
Housework is simply is not urgent in the grand scheme of things. Many midwives have the following advice for new Moms: spend the first few days in bed even if you feel great. If you feel good enough to putz around a little after the first week, go ahead and try some light housework, but don't do anything strenuous or anything that involves a lot of twisting or that might injure your back. Remember that your muscles are still stretched out (especially your tummy muscles) and your joints loose, and your hormones are still making you a little accident prone, just as when you were pregnant. You don't need to risk hurting your back so forget cleaning the shower or mopping floors for several more weeks.
Practical tips
If you didn't do so before, do a thorough de-cluttering now. Enlist the help of your husband or a friend. It's more fun and your friend will help you let go of your attachment to things. Cleaning experts say that around 50% of the total time spent in housework involves dealing with too much stuff: moving it around, picking it up off the floor, rearranging it, dusting it. You simply can't organize clutter!
You may find that a baby sling or other baby carrier is absolutely essential if you want to get things done around the house. Using a baby sling means that your hands can be free to take care of tasks but baby is safe and happy next to his favorite person in the world. Vacuuming is especially easy while wearing a baby. If the dishes pile up at least you can have really clean floors.
Some Moms even learn the knack of breastfeeding hands free in the sling. Talk about multitasking!
While your baby is a very young she will be sleeping a lot, so take advantage of this to finish a quick chore or two. Just don't use all of baby's sleep time to get work done. It's very important for you to nap with baby if you can manage it. At the very least, spend some time resting on the couch with a refreshing drink and maybe a book. Or call a friend and have an adult conversation. You need to recharge your batteries as much as you need a clean home... maybe more.
This too shall pass...
Remember these oft repeated words because you'll need to say them a lot during your mothering years! The newborn period is so precious. And to be perfectly honest, when it comes to housework, you ain't seen nothing yet. A new baby may generate a lot of laundry, but she is hardly responsible for dirtying up the house. Wait until she's toddling around with peanut butter-y hands. The housework can take a backseat while you ooh and aah over your baby's tiny toes and fingers. Enjoy your baby!
By Dr. Yakini
I was recently invited to make the cake at a friend's wedding. Imagine my surprise when she asked for cupcakes in lieu of a traditional, tiered cake! I gladly agreed and, upon researching for this special project, was delighted to learn about this fabulous and unique way that couples are celebrating the sugary side of weddings. I knew right away that I would write an article about this experience to share with my readers!
Above image: Martha Stewart Weddings, Winter 2003
Homespun white cupcakes, topped with swirls of buttercream icing and crowned with fondant hearts imprinted with the bride's and groom's first initials. Cake stand made of Styrofoam and boards, with three" wide lace-doily trim.
In recent years wedding cupcakes have become increasingly more fashionable amongst the avant garde bride. In lieu of the traditional, multi-tiered wedding cake, couples are opting for a “cake” made of of mini cakes, or cupcakes. After all, they are a neat way to save money on your wedding while also adding a touch of whimsy to the reception. Indeed, individual tiers of cupcakes make an interesting and trendy wedding cake statement. They are traditionally light and are ideal with tea or coffee at the end of the meal. I have also found that they are wonderful conversation pieces, as guests really appreciate the originality.
The most popular way to display your beautiful little cupcakes is on a tiered cake stand, or cupcake tree. This enables you to create the image of a tiered wedding cake and displays these cakes off to their full beauty. Further, you may use the top of the tier to display a cake topper and/or traditional, 6" round cake for the couple's one year anniversary.
Still not sold? Ruby Carter, wedding/bridal consultant, offers the following reasons why brides, grooms, and guests have fallen in love with this trend:
Retro - These little cakes have become popular with a generation of people who can remember them from their childhood. Just like those memories of our favorite sweets, wedding cupcakes bring back nostalgic calls of, "Oh, I remember those."
Cute - These adorable little cakes are just so cute when decorated and boy do you have a choice of decorations. These cakes can be topped with butter cream whirls, fresh strawberries, or cute daisies to name just a few options.
Colors - Because the choice of topping or decoration is so vast, it is easy to coordinate these little cakes into your color scheme. You could opt for the beautiful pastel range, plain and elegant white, or a more vivid color palette such as hot reds or chocolate browns. Whatever your color theme there is bound to be a cupcake topping to complement.
Flavor - Due to the unique nature of having individual wedding cakes it enables you to have a cake of many flavors. There is no rulebook out there on cupcake wedding cakes. You might decide to have all the same flavor of cakes, might opt for two flavors, or you might be unable to decide and have a cake of many flavors, The choice is yours. Some of the sponge flavors available for wedding cupcakes are: carrot, lemon, banana, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon and many more.
Versatility - Because of their individual nature these cakes are very easy to transport, display and serve. They also enable guests to choose their favorite cake flavor if yours is made up of different flavors.
Size - Cupcakes mainly come in two sizes: small which is a traditional cupcake size and large which is more of a muffin size. Couples may choose to have all the same size or both!
Cost - Choosing to have a cupcake wedding cake is an inexpensive wedding cake option, so if budget is an issue these cakes will offer you a perfect budget solution.
The Downside of Wedding Cupcakes:
Even though they add a unique touch, Debbie Ridpath Ohi of www.weddings.lovetoknow.com reminds us that wedding cupcake cakes can take away some of the wedding reception tradition. She notes, "For instance, there will be no photographs of the bride and groom cutting the cake together and no singing a few rounds of “The Bride Cuts the Cake.” Traditional wedding items such as keepsake, silver cake knives and slicers are deemed unnecessary as there’s no need." However, the bride and groom can still feed one another cake, if they are so inclined.
You’ll also need to be sure to have a cupcake for each guest in attendance. If you fall short, you can’t start cutting thinner slices. When making plans for wedding cupcakes, it’s best to over-estimate.
The Reception:
Here are a few photographs of the cupcakes that I made for my friends' reception. The wedding colors were ice blue and ivory, and I displayed each cupcake in an adorable, handcrafted Cupcake Cuddler, specially customized by renowned cake designer, Carol Pawlak. Carol's Cupcake Cuddlers, as featured in In Style Magazine and ABC's "In Style Celebrity Weddings," were the perfect way to set off these sweet, dainty treats. The bride was thrilled with how her wedding cupcakes vision had come alive!
Above images by Keith Cephus Photography Traditional wedding cakes are still the norm and, in their glory, are gorgeous and dramatic confectionary creations. However, if you are looking for a way to simplify, scale down, or just be different, consider a wedding cake of cupcakes. Whatever you choose, a beautiful cake can make a huge impact on the overall elegance of the reception, so take your time and research what option is best for YOU on your very special day!
Dr. Yakini is a clinical psychologist and freelance lifestyle writer living in Brooklyn, NY. She owns and edits Girly Home Webzine®, the online magazine for ladies living siddity in the city. CLICK HERE to return to view Dr. Yakini's other cake designs. CLICK HERE to return to the Home Page.
By Rachel Skerritt
With summer in full swing many of us are making travel plans to beautiful and faraway locations. A total turn-off to an otherwise fabulous trip is committing the #1 traveling faux pas: overpacking! In this article you'll learn the art and science of traveling pretty much anywhere--for an indefinite period of time--with nothing more than your favorite carry-on! You'll soon discover that packing light doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything but the bare necessities. Before your next trip, add a dash of organization to the process by arming yourselves with these simple but very savvy packing tips from author and renowned jetsetter Rachel Skerritt!
 I don't like to consider myself a braggart, but I freely tell anyone who listens that I am an amazing packer. Disgusted by the notion of waiting for that ridiculous baggage claim carousel, I pride myself on carrying on any and everything needed for my vacation. Tomorrow I'm headed to Antigua for a full week, and I plan to bring a duffel bag and an oversized purse. Seriously. Ladies, I see you shaking your head at the impossibility of the feat. But with a few simple tips, you too can be an efficient, on-the-go, master globe trotter:
1.) Pack by outfit: Do not stuff a bunch of shirts, tanks, shorts, skirts, jeans, and capris into your suitcase without arranging them in sets. You will end up with a bunch of items of no use. Decide which top you will wear with each bottom before you leave, and roll them together into your bag.
2.) Choose a central shoe: If you stick to a similar color scheme throughout your trip, you won't have to go overboard on shoes. One nighttime heel, a daytime walk-about sandal, and a beach flip flop should do you okay in the summer. If you plan to work out during your trip, I will allow you a pair of sneakers, but be sure to wear them to the airport so they don't take up any space in your bag. (Note: the same "central shoe" rule applies to purses.)
3.) Invest in trial sized products: This whole carry-on thing has admittedly become more complicated since the whole "no liquid more than 3 ounces" rule. However, if you use that as your excuse for checking bags, you're just being lazy. They sell small containers of just about everything, and if they don't, pour your precious lotion into a tiny, empty bottle. Problem solved.
 Pictured above are my girl Dzifa and I posing with the oversized gold purse that I like to bring onboard as my "second, smaller carry-on." Yes, I know. It's huge. But you just have to walk down the aisle of that plane like you know you're correct, and nobody messes with you. I have tons more tips to give, but I'm thinking about charging to give live workshops, so that's all you get for now.
Please share your personal travel tips in the comments section!
Rachel Skerritt is a novelist and high school principal living in Boston. She enjoys leaving town as often as possible, which is how she has learned to become an expert packer. Be sure to visit www.rachelskerritt.com for more information on her books and short stories. You can also click on "blog" and comment on her provocative posts.
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Courtesy of The Black Socialite
Both of these adorable dolls will make the Centennial Celebration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. even more special this year!
Mattel will debut the limited edition 'AKA Barbie' - created in honor of the Centennial Celebration of the sorority next week. The doll will be reportedly available for sale on the Barbie Collector's site and Walmart stores nationally towards the middle of July. She's a cutie and will probably sell out quickly!
Currently available is 'Ivy Rose' - an elegant doll dressed in pink and green gown with a sweeping up-do (top picture). This beautiful doll was presented as a gift to Grammy Award attendees this year according to The Chicago Sun-Times.
Several years ago I purchased the first Byron Lars Barbie designer doll from my sister as a birthday present. I also have a few friends who are serious collectors of Black dolls. If you are looking for a fun hobby (personally or to share with young girls in your family), collecting dolls may be for you! Read more at The Black Socialite: Covering the Lifestyles of Black Socialites.
This website was founded by a Super Socialite insider who enjoys having fun and making the world a better place! She lives a fabulous life and encourages others to do the same. This blog includes some of her junkets and musings about Black socialite life. If you are a member of the tribe or aspire to become one, this rich, dishy recipe should delight, entertain, and educate you!
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