Archive for September, 2010

How To Organize A Distinctive Wedding Party

Want to know an easy way to jazz up your garden? Forget about garden lights, stringed lights or even wrought iron lanterns! Try paper lanterns! It is both chic and classy. This article is a guide to lighting up your garden for a dinner part or get-togethers.Imagine a lovely summer evening, imagine soothing music playing in the background, a lively party with food and flowers and lovely decorations of stringed paper lanterns hanging like little globes of fancy lights. All too perfect, just like the party you’ve always wanted to throw right? Well stop imagining and go get yourself some paper lanterns! It is quite surprising how a humble paper lantern can transform the ambience of your garden parties. It serves two purposes – one, it lights up the place and secondly, it also acts as a decorative item. A well crafted paper lantern can change the look of your garden party!First off, you will need a string, an arbor or anything from which you can hang your paper lantern since these lanterns requires hanging. If you don’t have a natural hanging place then you can try tying a piece of fishing wire between two trees or their branches and hang the lanterns on the wires.Don’t be limited to one single cooler! Choose from an array of attractive and vivid coolers and transform your outdoor space. Try picking the paper lanterns that would go with the theme of your party. For instance, if you are throwing a Valentine’s Day party in the garden then goes for red and stark white paper lanterns. For summer parties, bright, vivid, neon colored paper lanterns are recommended. It gives the party a fresh, new feel.You might also want to try playing around with the size of the lanterns. Try layering the lanterns. Layering and lanterns? Sounds queer but it actually works! You will be quite surprised when you see the final results. Use different size lanterns, some small, some big, and different shapes as well, circles, cylindrical, etc. It imparts a nice touch to the garden area.Now, what about the light source of the paper lanterns? You can use the lights that are battery operated or use electrical bulbs. The latter would be a tad more troublesome because of the wires that connect them to the power source, so make sure that the cables and wires don’t get in the way of the guests.Hence, proper use of paper lanterns for decoration and lighting purpose can add a touch of elegance to your outdoor area. Go ahead and experiment with different paper lanterns and create an outdoor masterpiece that would astonish your guests! Showering of compliments guaranteed!Incase of a kid’s birthday party, you can also include a photo-session corner and have the kids take photos of themselves along with their friends holding parasols or hand fans! They are sure to be intrigued by that! You might also want to include a face-painting counter and a costume counter where they can paint their faces like geishas and wear kimonos and hold parasols and click photos. However, this idea is strictly for the girls! So implement it on birthday parties of girls who want princess-themed parties.

Posted on September 20th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Elements of a Contemporary Wedding Invitation

It is important to remember that the wedding invitation is essentially the key to your event as it is the first interaction your guests have with your wedding. In fact, the wedding invitation is a representation of the bride, groom, and should convey your personality. The modern wedding invitation is not only an extension of the happy couple, but also provides invaluable bit of information for the wedding guests.

 

Most of the basic elements of a modern wedding invitation are exactly the same as those of a classic wedding invitation. The invitation must include who is getting married, the date, the time of the wedding, the place, and who is hosting the event. In many cases, the modern wedding invitation, unlike the classic version, should state whether formal or casual attire is required.

 

Aside from the well-known informative elements of the wedding invitation, the modern elements all have to do with the format, materials, wording, and overall aesthetic of the invitation. First and foremost, the paper chosen is one of the most important elements of a modern wedding invitation. Beautiful papers, often hand-pressed, are ideal for modern wedding invitations. Such high quality papers add a touch of refined class to your invitation. While some papers are extremely expensive, they are well worth the extra cost.

 

Modern wedding invitations allow couples to plan their wedding in an up-to-date fashion. There are many styles to the modern wedding invitation, and one of the fastest growing trends is the handmade appearance that so many these days seem to have. Gone are the days of finely printed, embossed, and engraved wedding invitations and here are the days of one-of-a-kind hand-stitched, sewn, and hand-tied ribbons. The embellishments of the modern wedding invitation are exactly what make it so modern.

 

Handmade wedding invitations can end up costing you a lot more than traditional or classical invites, but to many couples, the touch of whimsy and uniqueness are well worth the extra money. However, it is possible to make handmade wedding invitations for a completely modern look but at a fraction of the cost with a little time, effort, and creativity. Today, many couples have access to good quality printers which makes it easier to design wedding invitations that speak truly to the nature of the couple.

 

In addition to certain embellishments added to modern wedding invitations, today many couples are using unusual shaped invitations rather than the traditional rectangular or square invitations we have seen of generations past. Oversized, tri-fold, and circular invitations are part of a growing trend of unusual shapes. Such shapes catch the eye of the invited guest and make a unique and interesting statement.

 

The shape is not the only way wedding invitations are becoming more modern. Classic wedding invitations are white or ivory, usually with black print. There may be hints of gold or silver for a touch of color. Today, many modern invitations are colorful and bright, which could not be more fashion forward. Many brides choose colored card stock, hand-pressed paper (with flowers), and vellum to add an extra layer of fun and excitement to their wedding (in many cases, the color scheme of the wedding invitations correlate to the color scheme of the wedding itself).

 

Modern wedding invitations provide an interesting design style. The modern style usually has two colors; one as a solid background color and a secondary color for the design. The writing may consist of a standard black or the same as the secondary color. While traditional wedding invitations provide all the basic information as we mentioned above, modern invitations include a little something extra. Most modern wedding invitations have an inner envelope that holds a selection of information cards outlining different topics. For example, there would be one card for each of the following topics – the wedding registry, hotel information, directions, things to do in the area, wedding website information, and the list can go on and on.

 

As society and culture changes, so does the wedding invitation, as weddings are integral parts of both facets of the world. For example, today many people find themselves “going green”which is another way of saying that they are becoming more and more environmentally conscious. Modern wedding invitations may reflect this aspect of the couple’s life by implementing recycled papers or even sending out electronic invitations through email.

 

More and more weddings today are destination weddings; this means not only the couple, but also the guests travel to a specific destination for the ceremony and reception. Usually, these weddings take place somewhere tropical, but there are destination weddings all over the world. Many modern invitations take on the destination theme, where the invitations themselves reflect the location. For example, a beach wedding may have sea foam green paper with shell embellishments.

Posted on September 19th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Increase Your Metabolism by 12% With the Celsius Soft Drink

There are those that promise not to add more calories in your body. And there are those that are touted for their weight-loss properties. Seriously. That sounds a bit odd, but there is actually a drink that promises to shoot up your metabolism while regulating your energy levels. And this is not just the claim from the manufacturers, it was actually proven by researchers from the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

A negative calorie drink is a rare kind in the weight loss market, especially if it appears like soda. For the most parts, drinks are either zero-calorie or they contain lots of calories to consider them as sinful drinks. But with the advent of Celsius Soft Drink, a sparkling beverage that claims to burn calories, soft drinks will never be seen in the same way again.

According to the study mentioned above, a 12 oz bottle of Celsius Soft Drink can raise the metabolic rate by 12% which can be translated as 100 calories. On top of that, it also improves mental alertness as well as energy levels. The manufacturers claim that with a bottle a day consumption of this drink, one will be able to expend 17 lbs in just one year without substituting high-calorie foods with healthier alternatives and without undergoing changes in the levels of physical activity. Not a bad substitute for our ordinary colas.

Not bad at all. In fact, the product was designed to give overweight people an alternative without sacrificing the taste of sodas. This drink works mainly by encouraging the uptake of thermogenesis in the body. This is not surprising as it contains coffee and green tea (good sources of caffeine) along with ginger, guarana seed, calcium and vitamins B and C.

Posted on September 18th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Organize some of the best garden parties ever, with the help of the most effective outdoor fireplaces

Considering the sale of fireplaces and its accessories in the countries which have cold weather, it would not be wrong to say that the Fire Pits and Patio Fireplaces are becoming more and more popular these days. And their popularity has truly generated an influx of new styles, designs and materials. This rapid increase in the demand of these heating agents has led to the emergence of a wide variety of such type of fireplace and its accessories. There are many online and offline retailers, who provide comprehensive detail of such appliances, much before you make the deal so that you have a fair idea of what you are buying and is it worth your use. They offer catalogue and brochures which also provide the instruction for the safety measures and accessories which can make it more functional and attractive.

So this winter if you’re planning to install a patio heater in your house, then it is indeed a good idea which will enable you to enjoy your winters. But there are certain factors that you need to keep into consideration before purchasing and while purchasing these heating agents. Thus before you purchase your outdoor fireplace be sure and consult your local fire Marshall about the area in which you want to install your hearth, as the patio fire pits are for outdoor use only and should never be burned indoors.

Keep in mind that there is a huge choice for the fire pits and the ingles in the market and each of them has its own pros and cons. Some of the important factors, which you should consider while selecting your outdoor ingle are:

And then if you buy a fireplace after checking with all these factors, then it is pretty much sure and certain that you will make a good choice and also be successful in getting the right one according to your need.

Posted on September 17th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Differences Between Modern and Classic Wedding Invitations

Are you trying to decide between classic wedding invitations and a more modern style? These days, the lines have blurred, but there are still some distinct differences between the traditional classic style wedding invitations and modern wedding invitations. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide whether your wedding invitation tastes run to the traditional, or whether your wedding invitation choices are setting the tone for a thoroughly modern wedding.

Paper Choices



The classic wedding invitation is printed on heavy ecru or white paper. That paper is used for all parts of the classic wedding invitation with the exception of a tissue paper liner that is placed over the invitation itself.

Modern wedding invitations may be printed on any high-quality paper, and the colors vary widely. As late as the 1980s, even such simple and subtle color choices as a touch of gold leaf in the invitation border lifted an invitation from the traditional into the modern – and somehow irreverent – category. While traditional wedding invitations are still very popular, modern wedding invitations sparked with color and patterns are quite acceptable.

One very classic invitation style that still has a modern feel is the Pearl Border on Ecru Wedding Invitations from Rytex Weddings’ The Wedding Collection. The ecru card panel is bordered with a pearlized ecru border that is understated and elegant. Make it modern by choosing ink in the color of your choice.

The Inviting Company’s Wedding Collection also adds whimsy to a very traditional ecru panel wedding invitation. The collection of modern wedding invitations that nod to the past include the Chapel Vellum Panel wedding invitation, printed on a heavy white vellum panel and bordered in soft silver. The charming line drawing of a little chapel makes this wedding invitation simple, sweet and romantic.

Color Choices in Classic and Modern Wedding Invitations



Traditional classic wedding invitations are white or ecru, with touches of silver, pearl or gold on the borders or to accent embossed elements of the card. Despite the limited colors, there are still many choices of classic wedding invitations that will appeal to both the traditional and the modern bride.

While the most traditional wedding invitations feature no decoration other than the wording of the invitation itself, which is invariably engraved in black on ecru or white – many modern invitations capture the classic, traditional feel with embossed borders. To retain a truly classic feel, choose a wedding invitation that has even borders on all four sides with a wedding-inspired pattern.

You will also find many modern wedding invitations styles that have a very classic feel to them. One of the most innovative and unusual wedding invitations styles is a 5 x 7 V-Flap Folio Pocket wedding invitation. The clean lines and presentation are essentially classic, but the folio envelope and the wide range of colors pack a thoroughly modern punch. The modern bride can dare to be different without being cutesy, with mix and match color choices that include chocolate, turquoise, pink and apple green.

Embellishments in Modern Wedding Invitations



Traditional wedding invitations carried very few embellishments. The formal presentation of classic wedding invitations is part of their appeal and charm. Modern wedding invitations recognize very few limitations in decoration and embellishments. Designers like Vera Wang and Anna Griffin bring their unmistakable styles to wedding invitations, adding flourishes and bold, splashy prints to both the wedding invitation itself and to the other elements of the invitations package.

Anna Griffin’s line of Platinum Swirls wedding invitations invokes the classic and traditional with heavy ecru backing paper and slim, stylish silver borders. The use of white and silver is a clear nod to the traditional, and a platinum ribbon layered between the backing and the wording panel is the ultimate in modern elegance. This Anna Griffin design and others make it clear that modern and elegant are definitely not mutually exclusive.

The Vera Wang Wedding Invitation Collection features bold, modern graphics in striking styles and colors. There’s nothing shrinking violet about these stunning invitations. The Empress Jewel wedding invitation from the Vera Wang Letterpress line of wedding invitations is an example of Wang’s bold style. The horizontal orientation is a departure from the classic vertical card, and the colored top and bottom beaded borders are beautifully asymmetrical. Asymmetry is a mark of Wang’s modern wedding invitations, elegantly handled to create a striking border for the most important words of your life.

The Text



The wording on invitations is yet another place where the classic differs from the modern wedding invitation. Wedding etiquette decrees specific phrases and tenor for the wedding invitation, but many modern couples are eschewing the traditional to make their wedding invitations a statement of their personal feelings and beliefs.

The wording differs in another way between modern and classic wedding invitations. Tradition calls for black, raised engraving in a formal font. Modern invitations are much freer and more open. Most invitations today are thermal printed rather than engraved, and the thermal printing process produces the same raised lettering that engraving does. Modern invitations may also be printed in any color chosen by the wedding couple without raising eyebrows. The Mix ‘n’ Match Custom Wedding Invitation Collection allows couples to choose colors that mix, match, coordinate and contrast for bold, modern invitations that make a clear, memorable statement about your wedding.

Posted on September 16th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Carbonated and other soft -drink beverages on bone density and other deleterious effects, replacing milk drinks

Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that is added as an ingredient to various carbonated soft drinks.  Due to its stimulatory and other physiological effects, individuals desire to know the exact amount of caffeine consumed from these beverages

Coca Cola, the world’s favorite soft drink  is currently sold in more than 200 countries and in early 2000, the company sold its 10 billionth unit case of Coca-Cola branded products.

Some of the more common national-brand carbonated beverages analyzed in this study with their caffeine contents were Coca-Cola (33.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Coke (46.3 mg/12 oz), Pepsi (38.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Pepsi (36.7 mg/12 oz), Dr Pepper (42.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Pepper (44.1 mg/12 oz), Mountain Dew (54.8 mg/12 oz), and Diet Mountain Dew (55.2 mg/12 oz).  The Wal-Mart store-brand beverages with their caffeine contents were Sam’s Cola (12.7 mg/12 oz), Sam’s Diet Cola (13.3 mg/12 oz), Dr Thunder (30.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Thunder (29.9 mg/12 oz), and Mountain Lightning (46.5 mg/12 oz

The soft carbonated drinks caused surface softening of enamel (erosion).  In respect to the chemical variables tested, despite not statistically significant, the pH seems to have a moderate value

Enamel demineralization was related to normal use of an orange juice, an apple juice, Pepsi Cola and Diet Pepsi Cola. The amount of calcium released from the enamel into solution was determined ; t he results showed the following degree of enamel demineralization: Pepsi Cola is equivalent to orange juice, greater than apple juice and  greater than Diet Pepsi cola…

Again, It has been found that, materials immersed in 100% carbonated beverages released the highest amount of fluoride, which could be attributable to the erosive effect of the medium.

In the Western world, increased consumption of carbonated soft drinks combined with a decreasing intake of milk may increase the risk of osteoporosis. The trend of replacing milk with carbonated beverages in a group of young men on a low-calcium diet and studies the effects of this replacement on calcium homeostasis and bone turnover had more influence on the erosive potential of these drinks.

Indeed, the high intake of cola with a low-calcium diet induces increased bone turnover compared to a high intake of milk with a low-calcium diet.  Thus, the trend towards a replacement of milk with cola and other soft drinks, results in a low calcium intake and may affect negatively on bone health .   

 Also, Caffeine and caffeine-containing beverages (Pepsi-Cola, Coca Cola, Spur) stimulate gastric secretion in man and provoke a prolonged increase in total acid output by the stomach of patients with “peptic” ulcer.  It is thought that caffeine may contribute to the pathogenesis of “ulcers” in susceptible persons and also interfere with therapeutic management of the conditions.  Even asymptomatic persons responded to a caffeine test like an ulcer patient, developing characteristic signs of distress.   

Posted on September 15th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Baby Shower Theme Ideas: Peas in the Pod Garden Party

Ooh! Your friend is having a baby! Whether it is her first baby or her fifth baby, it’s a good cause for celebration! Baby showers are such joyous occasions! Whether you are the guest of honor or the one planning and putting this even together, it is a real joy to celebrate the arrival of a new life. The amazing few months to come are a true gift for both mother and baby. The baby shower is just another way to bring all loved ones together and celebrate the new bundle of joy. For the new mom to be, preparing to have a baby is a time-consuming task. From frequent doctor visits to learning about labor and delivery and breathing right to deciding what color to paint the nursery, new parent-to-be can get worn out! Not is a great time for a party! Usually hosted by a best girlfriend or the grandma-to-be, the baby shower is a chance for everyone to wish the new Mommy well, and buy all those cute little baby things.

Many people choose to put a twist on the ole boring baby shower. The Peas in the Pod theme is very popular especially during the summer months. This garden baby shower theme idea is guaranteed to yield a crop of new compliments to you and your baby shower planning skills. This is also a great idea for an expectant mother-to-be of twins as Peas in the Pod lends itself to representing baby twins.

There are so many different ways to incorporate the Peas in the Pad baby shower theme. From the baby shower invitations, to the decorations, centerpieces, different activities your guests can play, the baby gifts you received, the baby shower favors, the food you serve your guests, and so on.

Anther great benefit to having this kind of party is the fact that you can easily turn this theme into a garden party theme. You can incorporate green and white mini-lanterns, green and white candles all over your yard to brighten up your decor. If you have house plants, bring them outside to add on to your green theme. Another great idea is to buy some fresh peas from your local supermarket or farmer’s market and either place them all over your place settings or use them in your other decorations.

However you choose to celebrate the arrival of the new bundle of joy, make sure you have a great time and let the new mom relax and appreciate all the love and attention from all her friends and family.

Posted on September 14th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

How to Find the Best Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are often the first indication of the style or theme of the event. Your friends and family should be able to get an idea about how formal the wedding will be, or, in the case of a destination wedding, where the event will be held. Often overlooked, wedding invitations are a crucial part of the wedding planning process and finding the best ones available should be a top priority.

Choosing the best wedding invitations means more than just picking top of the line cards and papers. It means choosing wedding invitations that reflect your style and the style of your wedding, as well as choosing wedding invitations that give your guests all the information they need in order to attend your wedding.

It is important to remember that the purpose of your wedding invitations is to give your prospective guests important information. That is why wedding invitations often contain so many parts. A full wedding invitation suite would include everything from Save the Date cards to Thank You cards, preferably all in the same style. One of the things you should consider when deciding on the best invitations for your wedding is whether there are coordinating pieces of stationery for all of your wedding stationery needs.

Of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing wedding invitations for your special event. Here’s how to pick the best wedding invitations to reflect the special style of your wedding day.

Choose wedding invitations that reflect the formality of your wedding



How formal is your wedding? If you are planning a formal wedding, you might want to choose wedding invitations that follow the “rules” of etiquette for wedding invitations. That means engraved wedding invitations in white or cream with black text, but it does not mean that you are confined to invitations that look like every other wedding invitation.

Even if you are choosing formal invitations, there is a surprising variety of styles in embossing, fonts and designs from which to choose. Whether you choose a timeless classic like Ivory Elegance or the more subtle beauty of Refined Grace, your wedding invitations will be a unique reflection of your formal, traditional wedding.

Semiformal and casual weddings open up an entire range of wedding invitations styles from which you can choose, or even design your own wedding invitations entirely. The invitations that you choose can use color, images and even photographs of the bride and groom. You may choose gatefold invitations with a photo of the bride and groom on the cover that open to reveal the printed text of the invitation itself, or pick a brightly accented invitation with matching foil liners for the invitation envelope.

Reflect your chosen colors in your wedding invitations

No matter what colors you have chosen for your wedding, you can find wedding invitations that reflect those colors. You have your choice of standard wedding invitations in cream or white with just a touch of your wedding colors in the form of ribbons or borders, or pick wedding invitations that make fuller use of your chosen colors in background papers, print or overall design. You can find colorful invitations that reflect your wedding colors when you choose a line of wedding invitations designed in house by the same designers that created your wedding dresses and other wedding stationery.

Find wedding invitations that suit the theme of your wedding



Theme weddings have never been more popular than they are now. Many couples choose to be married in a beach or island setting, in a medieval castle or in a garden that pays homage to Mother Nature. If you have decided to build your wedding around a theme, the best wedding invitations for you may be those that fit right into theme. For a beach wedding, you may choose invitations embossed with delicate shells and fronds, while the best wedding invitations for your fabulous Great Gatsby Roaring 20s wedding may feature art deco styling and bright colors.

Pick wedding invitations created by your favorite designers



Many designers of fabulous wedding dresses have opened their design lines to include a full line of bridal designs – not only wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, but wedding stationery, invitations and table décor. Let designers help you coordinate your wedding invitations with your wedding style by choosing a line of invitations inspired by your favorite designer.

Pick wedding invitations that are part of the season



If you are having a summer wedding, choose invitations that are light and breezy with lots of floral accents. The winter bride might choose a snowflake theme for her wedding invitations. You can find plenty of wedding invitations that are seasonal, reflecting the mood for both the time of year and traditional holidays when you shop online bridal shops.

Of course, the most important part of finding the best wedding invitations is to find wedding invitations that you love, and that reflect your style as a couple. The very best way to ensure that your wedding invitations are a perfect match for your wedding is to design them yourself. Many wedding designers now offer you the option to create your own wedding invitations right online.

Posted on September 13th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

How to Create Amazing Casual Wedding Invitations

When choosing to use casual invitations for your wedding, you are given an endless amount of amazing ways to incorporate personalization into your theme. From color choices, to wording, photos, and fonts, you can customize casual wedding invitations to an extent that formal invitations simply do not allow. Below are ten surefire ways to create beautiful, casual wedding invitations that reflect your wedding and the undeniable love that you and your significant other share.

Begin by exploring the hundreds of wedding invitation designs available both online and in stores. If you choose an online wedding site that is able to help you with multiple aspects of planning your wedding, then you can color coordinate your invitations with the rest of your wedding theme. You can also refine your choices according to your motif whether they are floral, hearts, contemporary, romantic or anything else you desire. If you are having trouble picking your theme, browse the available templates to get inspired.

The use of color is one of the most eye-catching ways to set your invitations apart from any others. For a more contemporary approach you can opt for using a subtle color theme such as a plain lined border on a white card. If you are choosing to have a more eccentric wedding theme, try splashing the invitation canvas with a vibrant floral print such as the eco-friendly American Dream theme, in your choice of poppy orange or delphinium blue. The use of color in a wedding invitation can really bring them to life while tying in with your overall theme.

While you are choosing your colors, it is important to also consider the font style and color. You can choose from a wide variety of colors for your invitation text from black to red and everything in between. It is wise to choose a color that will really pop and stand out on your invitation. Certain styles, such as the striking Rose style, will allow you to choose two ink colors including one for the invitation text and another for the names of the bride and groom.

When choosing your invitation it is important to ask yourself if you would prefer a traditional flat card invitation or a folded invitation. Perhaps you would be interested in a double-fold gatefold with die-cut edges enclosing your invitation, or maybe a postcard style invitation printed with your favorite photo of you and your significant other. You can narrow your choices by style until you find an invitation that reflects the wedding ceremony that you are planning. There are endless options from which to choose, the most popular invitation styles including vertical and horizontal bordered cards, and cards that fold into the center.

Try to check out wedding invitations that are designed to match your overall wedding theme. If you are having a beach wedding, or a wedding in a tropical location, try to pick out invitations with a destination theme in mind. For example, you can easily find romantic wedding invitations embellished with embossed seashells or colorful Riviera Stripes for the more contemporary bride. If you are getting married in a castle you can choose a wedding invitation embossed with a castle and knight in shining armor in subtle pearl. Doing a little shopping around can inform you on everything available from country style invitations with gingham check borders to stylish ultra-contemporary wedding invitations splashed with a single bright calla lily in your choice of color.

It is important to choose the right words for your wedding invitation. If you are unsure as to how to word everything you want to say to your potential guests, you can get help from a wedding invitation wording template. Whether you are requesting the honor of your guest’s presence, or asking for the pleasure of their company, there are many ways to word your wedding invitation to achieve a more personal and casual tone. You might, for instance, invite your wedding guests to “Come share our joy as we start our lives together” or “Celebrate with us, we’re getting hitched!” Options are endless.

When putting together your casual wedding invitation, you can also choose tiny flourishes or embellishments to serve as borders or separators within your invitation text. Those little flourishes can work to add some casual flavor to your wedding invitations or to give them a hint of formality. Top your wedding invitation text with stylized wedding bells, or perhaps a little cartoon bride and groom, for a more casual approach. Add calligraphic swirls for a hint of formality to an otherwise casual invitation. Keep in mind that very little touches can make a huge impression in the overall appeal of your wedding invitation.

One of the most popular wedding invitation trends of the last few years is the ribbon tie wrap. Satin ribbon wraps with flat bows are a nod to romance, but you can give it a decidedly casual flair by changing the ribbon material. Instead of the more common satin or organza option, choose raffia for a country style invitation or a thin polka dot grosgrain ribbon for a fresh, contemporary casual look.

Vellum jackets are not just for formal invitations anymore. They can beautifully add a delicate touch to any casual or contemporary invitation style. Choose a plain folded jacket and seal it with a gold foil seal stamped with the word love. Jackets and wraps can add a special touch to casual and contemporary invitations. Foil seals or ribbons can be used to tie the jacket closed.

The more you do yourself, the more you can personalize your invitations. By choosing to print your invitations at home you can choose your favorite font, rearrange the lines and wording, or even add your own clipart or personal artwork.

Posted on September 12th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »

Arthritis, Pain Relief And Soft Drinks

Because arthritis is so widespread now, it gets a lot of attention from all of us – from the average person to the health professional. Some experts believe that arthritis was first introduced by a strain of virus some two centuries ago. But then, other experts have found conclusive evidence of arthritis in ancient Egyptian mummies. But whether it’s two centuries or four millennia, arthritis does seem to be age-related. We are clearly more prone to have it the older we get. And we have therefore come to regard arthritis as a degenerative disease.
But that should by no means mean that arthritis is inevitable. “But why should we have to take natural hormone creams and supplements?” my clients often ask. “Our ancestors didn’t take them, and arthritis wasn’t nearly as prevalent in times past.” The simple fact is, most of our ancestors didn’t live to the ripe, old, healthy ages we do nowadays. They died younger and were worn out earlier – while we go on playing golf and tennis into our 70s and beyond. We live longer now, and want to enjoy ourselves more. So why suffer – unnecessarily – the aching joints and low energy of arthritis?
Sure arthritis is a fact, but we needn’t resign ourselves to it. By being smart we can stay healthy. From my clientele and personal experience I’ve learned four easy ways to diminish or get rid of arthritis:
1. Soothex: It’s a base of olive oil that’s infused with anti-inflammatory herbs. Rub Soothex topically wherever you have pain and it takes the pain away, reduces swelling, and directly introduces healing oxygen to the joints and tissues. Soothex has no side effects… and you can use it as often as you wish.
2. Oil of Oregano: This herbal healer works on the same principles as Soothex, but more mildly. But it also is a completely natural antibiotic, and is antiviral and antifungal, and gives a great boost to the immune system. With such intense healing properties, both Soothex and Oil of Oregano are a far cry from commercial products that often offer mere numbing and heating effects.
3. Natural progesterone creams – These creams – such as Prosperin for women and Prosperon for men – naturally balance the hormones whose imbalance is the origin of so many stresses and bad sensations that can plague us in our middle age and senior years.
4. A natural healthy diet with lots of veggies and not too much animal protein. If you like red meats then go organic – you’ll be cutting out a lot of artificial animal hormones that can play havoc with your health and well-being.
Did you happen to read that soft drinks can diminish arthritis? And did you wonder, as I did: Could this possibly be true?
The answer, it turns out, is both yes and no. If you have a bad case of arthritis and do not improve your diet and lifestyle, a six-pack of soft drinks might give you some relief from arthritis – but just temporarily. This can happen because the phosphate in the soda can dissolve some of the calcium deposits in your joints, which are the source of your arthritis pain and swelling. Indeed, what we call “arthritis” is actually an internal internal infection and inflammation.
But if you then take up drinking soft drinks as a regimen to keep your arthritis at bay, it will dissolve the calcium in your bones and put you on the fast track to osteoporosis. A losing proposition. Some recommend trying a six-pack over the course of a few hours, to see if your pain is reduced. If you try this, afterwards please stop with the soft drinks and take up with healthy, natural foods. This way the vitamins and minerals in your food will be well absorbed, and won’t form deposits that congest your joints with the blockage and pain we call arthritis. For improved intestinal absorption of nutrients you should also drink kefir and / or take acidophilus.
Sure – arthritis is a degenerative disease, but it can be cured or dramatically reduced if you have the knowledge, persistence, and willingness to change your lifestyle. I’ve never quite understood why many of us seem unwilling to give up our suffering. It seems some just aren’t ready for it yet. Are you?
Let Soothex jump-start the hope that arises when pain actually decreases, movement comes easily again, and your energy starts to flow. If you follow through with a natural diet, you can definitely enjoy your long life more. What else could we wish for?
“Health is our greatest wealth”. – Benjamin Franklin
Warmly, Pieternel van Giersbergen.

Posted on September 11th, 2010 by  |  No Comments »