I have not written about blogging must haves in a while so I felt it was fitting to do so now. I have a WordPress.org blog so my blog is self-hosted. I changed over to WordPress.org about two years ago and I really enjoy it because I have more control over what I want on my blog and how I want it to look.
Protect Your Computer
I think the number one must have is to make sure that your computers have antivirus software, especially if you have a PC. Having a computer without antivirus protection is like walking out the house and leaving the front door open. Your computer is susceptible to all kinds of hacking, spyware, worms and all if it is not protected. Please for your peace of mind make sure your computer is safe. Anti-virus software is a simple wayto keep your computer. An MSNBC article discussed how we must keep software on our computers up to date and that all software should be checked often.
Back up your blog
If you have a self-hosted blog make sure you back it up. Why you ask? Because you want to make sure you have the most up to date information from your blog is saved. Just like hopefully you back up files that are on your computer your blog is the same way. I back up my blog at least once a week, I do it manually because I remember reading somewhere that you should never trust automatic back-ups. Manually backing up for me has worked pretty well over the years. I am not downing automatic downloads, whether you have an automatic download or you manually download that’s great just make sure you back-up for added security. If it’s hard to remember to update or back up date add dates to your calendar or set a reminder on your phone.
Check plug-ins
Plug-ins should always be checked because you never know that one may not be working. For example, I had a anti-spam plug-in that I had for a long time that was very successful but for whatever reason I wasn’t getting any comments. Didn’t think anything of it until one of my lovely readers sent me an email that they could not comment because there was an error. I had no idea, so please check those plug-ins.
Take the time to make sure your blog is protected.
My wife and I recently had an opportunity to see our first Broadway musical when Disney’s The Lion King came to the Fabulous Fox Theater. We had heard great things about the show so we decided to get tickets. I had never been to a live musical performance and I had never been to the Fox, so my wife said that this would be an early birthday treat for me.
J and T at the Fabulous Fox Theater
Musicals are probably my least favorite type of play and movie. I have never been a big fan of all that singing and dancing. I usually find them too hard to follow and the dancing just does not seem to be necessary. Because of these thoughts, I often turned down chances to see other musicals at the Fox or at the MUNY, an outdoor theater also in our city.
At first, I was not sure about going to see the Lion King. I enjoyed the movie when it first came out. However, I was not sure how it would translate from animation to the stage; but I kept an open mind and decided to go ahead and get the tickets. And I am sure glad I did.
First of all, the Fabulous Fox Theater is indeed that, fabulous. The ornate theater built in the 1920s is over the top with its painted ceilings, plush carpeting and carved gargoyles. I hope to go on a behind the scenes tour in the near future to get a chance to see up close all that the theater has to offer.
Ceiling in the Lobby of The Fabulous Fox Theater
The Lion King featured an amazing cast of life-size animals, costumes and prop people. From the moment that the curtain opened to the final curtain call, I was in awe of my first Broadway performance. My unfair misconception of musicals was instantly deflated.
The life-size and life-like animals brought an added dimension to the performance, transporting me from the theater to the Pride Lands. The actors maneuvered throughout the stage with ease and they brought the animals to life with an amazing skill of hand and leg movements. I wondered prior to the show how the animals would be life-like; but they greatly succeeded in this task. I am sure that a team of talented and dedicated choreographers worked countless hours to make it look effortless and graceful.
Having seen the animated movie several times, I had in my mind how I thought the performance would flow. And without fail, the actors portrayed Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Zazu and the rest of the crew were a mirror image of the movie; which is not a bad thing. With the popularity of the movie and its sequels, I think people would be disappointed if they came to see the musical and the characters were not the same. Even though the actors in the musical were different than the actors in the movie, they capture the mannerisms and personality of the characters from the movie without fail. The costume designers produced the life-like costumes and match the movie exactly.
The actors, along with the costume designers, prop designers and choreographers, succeeded in bringing a two-deminsional animated cartoon to a three-dimensional, real-life Broadway stage. I truly enjoyed the performance and would recommend it to anyone. If The Lion King is coming to your city and you have a chance to go, go. You will not be disappointed.
When I saw this Badgley Mischka tunic with self-tie on HSN.com I was star-struck with the diamond print. It really caught my eye. The beadwork down the front of the blouse is so glam.
I was a little self concious putting the tunic on because I was wondering if it was going to look large on me. I ordered it in an extra-small but it was still quite big. I felt that if I wore flats with it I might look somewhat pudgy. Instead I put on my Vince Camuto platform heels and I feel I look more balanced out. I am so use to wearing princess-cut, fit to the body, clothing that it took a bit for me to get use to this blouse.
I paired the tunic with black trousers and I felt slim. I really exercise consistently to keep in shape but I still find myself really being picky about how clothing looks on me. I don’t know if everyone is the same way about certain pieces of clothing but I am. I paired this with a couple of different pants and skirts before I went out the door for work with this ensemble. Yes, I wear beads to work and why not. Beads go day or night. I am undecided about this top, will let you know if I decide to keep it. Give me your honest opinions? Do you like it?
My doggies always have to be in the photo with me. You see a collie and the tail of a beagle. What a joy!
Remnants of hurricane Isaac recently brought heavy rains into our area over the course of three days. The total rainfall was over three inches; but we needed it.
After it rains, it seems like the house gets really dirty. Having two dogs that regularly shed is even more of a need to clean the house. The vacuum cleaner I have now sucks up the dog hair; but after a while, it gets clogged and my hubby or I have to clean it out. I have been looking at different vacuum cleaners. I came across a vax vacuum cleaner on the vax website that offered different variations of machines. Their mascot Gatsby is too cute.
My ideal vacuum cleaner
1. Picks up dog hair
2. Not heavy to lift
3. Cleans hardwood floors
4. Good price for good quality
I just vacuumed my carpet when this picture was taken.
I have carpet on my platform where my baby grand piano is located. To keep the carpet clean I vacuum at least once a week. The color of the carpet is a blush rosy pink so dirt and pet hair is noticeable. I have a beagle and a collie. Even though they have short and long hair the shedding is quite substantial. To keep the hair from overtaking the house, my hubby and I have to comb them at least twice a week. After we comb them, it looks like we could almost knit a small sweater. But by grooming them we keep the house looking in tip top shape. We love are doggies so combing them is also a good time to play with them too.
I was looking at an article from Better Homes and Gardens, How to Clean Carpet. It gives great tips on how often you should clean your carpets and what to look for in finding a vacuum or steam cleaner. Carpets are in investment so I want to make sure that I am doing my best to keep them clean so they will last for years.
Next Cleaning the House episode I will discuss dusting.
The Missouri Botanical Garden recently brought an amazing display of art to its grounds. Described as “Art by Day; Magic by Night”, the Chinese Lantern Festival highlighted Chinese culture and history with more than twenty ornately designed structures. Since the Garden already hosts an annual Chinese Culture Days and has a Chinese Garden, having the Lantern Festival seemed to be a perfect fit.
Missouri Botanical Garden Chinese Lantern Festival
Art By Day; Magic By Night
When I read about the Festival, JT and I knew that we wanted to go. However, with summer temperatures topping out at almost 110 degrees for most of July, we decided that we would wait until the temps were a bit more bearable. But with the festival ending in mid-August, we knew we had to go soon, or miss out. We were down to the last week of the festival before the weather broke. On the night that we went, temps were only in the mid-seventies. For August and in Missouri, you could not ask for a better night.
Tickets for the night-time portion of the festival topped out at $22 for adults. In a city where most cultural institutions have free admission or low admission for special events, this one had a much higher price tag. But we both really wanted to go, so the price did not matter to us. We arrived to the Garden at 6:30, about an hour and a half before the lights would be turned on. This gave us an opportunity to go through the Garden and view the structures without being lit up. In order to truly see the magnificence of all structures, you had to see them both ways.
Having seen the structures during the day and at night, we were not disappointed. The $22 was well worth it.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is close to our home. If you are not planning to take a big, out-of-town vacation, look at museums and other cultural institutions in your own city. There may be something worth seeing; without the expense of finding a hotel room or paying for gasoline for the car. It may be a once in a lifetime event like the Chinese Lantern Festival.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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