by | Aug 21, 2017 | Travels |
Hello Wonderful People!
I hope you are having an awesome day and that you had an opportunity to view today’s solar eclipse.
Having not experienced any solar eclipse, I wanted to make sure that I experience this one. When I found out that my wife and I live and work so close to the area of totality, I knew it was going to be an awesome experience. When viewing a solar eclipse, it is all about the totality – how much of the sun would be covered by the shadow of the moon. Living in the Gateway City meant that we would just on the edge of totality, like 99.5 percent totality. But 99.5 percent totality is like zero percent totality. It is all or nothing. If it is not 100 percent totality, you don’t get the full effect of the eclipse. You miss out on the seeing the corona and seeing the full effects of the total darkness.
My wife and I decided to take the day off from work and drive to Augusta, Missouri. Being just a little further south and west of Saint Louis meant that we would be in the band of total totality for two minutes and 19 seconds – an incredibly long amount of time compared to other places. Augusta is only forty-five minutes outside of Saint Louis, but it seems like it is a world away. Settled by the Germans in 1836, Augusta boasts wineries, antique shops, and a includes a stop on the KATY Trail. The streets are line with quaint little homes and charming bed and breakfasts; and is home to only 256 people.
Augusta definitely offers that small-town charm and it was evident at today’s eclipse party. It seemed everyone knew everyone; but we fit right in the crowd just like everyone else. We met two men who wondered into town to view the eclipse, just like us. Nick, a Virginia native and recent transplant to Saint Charles; and Gordon, a cross-country bike rider from Georgia. Nick previously worked in journalism and had some extensive experience in photography. But unfortunately, he had left his memory card for his camera at home. We decided to let him use our card to take the photographs with the his camera. He was able to get the amazing photograph shown above. It worked out great because he was still able to get the photographs he wanted; and we got much better photographs than we could have imaged to get. (More about this in a later post.) We also met Gordon who travelled from Georgia to Pennsylvania and then to Illinois on a hunt for his ancestors in a genealogical challenge, as he described it. After finishing up the search in Illinois, he continued his journey to Augusta to view the eclipse.
J and T taking a look at the solar eclipse.
The eclipse proved to be a great opportunity to bring people together and witness such a rare event. For a moment today, we stood together in unity and we all looked up at the sky and forgot about the evils of this world. We need to have an eclipse everyday.
In the coming days, we will share more photos that Nic captured with our memory card and our thoughts about the day.
by | Aug 20, 2017 | Travels |
Hello Wonderful People,
If you are like most people, you are probably aware of solar eclipse set to occur tomorrow. Depending on where you are in the United States, you have the chance to be seeing a partial eclipse or be able to view the complete, total eclipse. My hubby and I are fortunate to be living near the path of totality, meaning we will be able to see the total eclipse. Since we live in the Gateway City, we only have to travel a few miles south to be in that path. The Gateway City will actually have a 99% eclipse. You are probably wondering, what difference does it make? For most people, it doesn’t make much difference. But for us, we wanted to be in the totality path because a full total eclipse has not happened in our part of the country for over 500 years.
If you are planning to view the eclipse here as some last minute tips to make it a memorable day.
Having the right eyewear is essential!
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PROPER EYEWEAR
There has been a lot of talk about wearing the proper eyewear to view the eclipse. Without any protective eyewear, looking into the sun can damage your eyes and even cause blindness. You do not want to take that chance. Having the right eyewear is essential. We attended a program on eclipses at the Saint Louis Science Center. By attending the program, we received a pair of glasses to use during the eclipse.
It seems like finding the glasses has become harder and harder to find as we get closer to Monday. My hubby had ordered some online a couple weeks back. It said the expected delivery would be two weeks; but they did not arrive within that time frame. Thankfully we received our pair at the Science Center.
TAKE OFF YOUR EYEWEAR DURING TOTALITY
If you are fortunate to be able to view the total eclipse, you will want to take off your protective eyewear during this time. Depending on wear you are during this time, the length of totality will vary from about 30 seconds to two minutes and 42 seconds. But during this time it is okay take off the eyewear and view the sun and your surroundings. You will notice that the temperature will drop about fifteen to twenty degrees will the sun is completely blocked out. Birds will be singing their night songs. But if you are not in that path of totality, it is important to keep your eyewear on during the entire time you are viewing the partial eclipse.
MAKE SURE YOUR CAMERAS ALSO HAVE THE PROPER EYEWEAR
After reading more about the eclipse, I learned that you also need to be concerned about your cameras. Taking a photograph of the sun without the proper filter can destroy your camera’s lens. The glasses that you bought so you can see the eclipse can also work for your camera. The eyewear will make it possible for your camera to capture a good quality photo of the sun. We photographed the sun using our cellphone and the eyewear yesterday afternoon. The photo below shows how well it came out. I know if we had not used that eyewear as a filter, we would have not been able to get that good of photo.
Photo of the Sun using eclipse glasses as a filter.
MAKE IT A PARTY!
With the proper eyewear, you can view the eclipse where ever you want. We decided to head to Augusta for a viewing along the KATY Trail, not far from the Missouri River. My hubby and I enjoy going to Augusta for walking the trail and eating in the local restaurants. It is a charming small town that is offering a party, with food, music and T-shirts. And it is on the path of totality, so it should be fun time. I know some folks who have decided not to take off from work and may go outside. For something that does not happen but every few hundred years, we definitely didn’t want to miss it.
We wil be back here Monday evening after the eclipse to share with you are experiences of the day. If you are planning to view the eclipse, let us know where you will be and if you are in the path of totality.
by | Aug 17, 2017 | Fashion |
Shopping – you either love it or you hate it! We all need to buy groceries at some point each week. Of course, there are lots of different ways to shop, and lots of different things to buy. Whether you love it or loathe it, there are a few healthy habits you could adopt to make shopping more cost effective, time efficient, and physically beneficial. Try some of these next time you need to pop to the store:
Walk
Most of us live within a couple of miles of a store that sells many of the things we need to buy each month. Walking there and back each time can be a very healthy approach. You’ll get the fresh air and exercise you need to stay fit and sleep better at night. If you walk, you won’t want to carry much back, so it will also prevent you buying more than you need! This could be one of the most cost effective and healthy approaches to shopping you might find.
Do A Deal
Those that love living frugally will do their best to never pay full price for anything. This might be quite challenging outside of the sales season. Fortunately, there are several approaches you might take. The first is discount coupons. Sign up with your favorite stores and pick up customer loyalty cards wherever you go. You can also find vouchers for discounts online at websites like DontPayFull.com for some of the biggest brands you know. Market stalls, dealerships, and independent traders might be more willing to haggle than you think. Can you do a deal?
Image: Pexels
When You Need It
Fashion is a big weakness for lots of people. You might see a blouse in the store window and just have to have it. Unfortunately, this can easily get out of hand. If you’re regularly buying items that weren’t on your shopping list or in your budget, it’s time to change your habits. Instead, regularly clear out your closet. If you replace old for new, you’ll know you’re only buying what you need. It’s a great way to avoid clutter and excess clothing! If tech is your weakness, try the same approach. Buy when it’s broken, or sell the old one before investing in the latest model.
Food – Friend or Foe?
Food waste can be heartbreaking. Nobody likes to throw food in the trash, but most of us are guilty of it every month. Produce that has reached its sell-by date or wasn’t stored correctly can be wasted. Instead, plan your meal menus ahead of your shopping. Weigh out correct portions, so you know how much you have and how much you need. If you think it might spoil, cook in big batches and freeze for later. This can also help to encourage you to eat more fresh foods and fewer processed items.
Choosing healthier approaches to your shopping habits might save you money, time, and even help you improve your fitness. All of this can add up to a healthier lifestyle as well. You might spend less, waste less, and eat better than ever before. What will you try first?
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Aug 17, 2017 | Fashion |
Hello Beautiful People,
The leaves are starting to fall. Before long, the temperatures will be falling too. I can’t wait. I enjoy the cooler days and the changing of the colors.
It is about the skirt for me. When it is warm and muggy, all I want to wear is skirts with natural fibers. A skirt can be made causal, or dressy; depending what you pair it with. In the outfit below, I dressed it up a bit. The Romantic puff sleeve blouse by Ralph Lauren is a classic style that has always been a favorite of my mine. I recently found an updated version of it at Macy’s. The skirt is from B.The Collection, a local company that offered preppy, boutique styles. Unfortunately, the company went out of business earlier in the year. My wedge sandals are from Fly London. This is my first time trying this brand and I like its fun, updated style. My super fun backpack by Renwick is an unexpected accessory that finishes off the outfit.
You see Gio in background; sniffing away looking for that squirrel.
This picture is inside because it was too hot and humid for a long photo shoot.
Gio had enough of the looking for the squirrel and wanted to be in this photo.
Skirts are cool in natural fibers and make a carefree statement on those hot and muggy days.
by | Aug 16, 2017 | Haircare |
When people think of bangs, they usually picture a woman with straight hair. But the reality is that even though you have curly hair, you can still have perfect bangs. Yes, styling bangs can be difficult, and when you have curly hair, it gets even more challenging.
Photo courtesy of ritely.com
But with bangs and curls becoming more and more popular thanks to fashion shows, it is now imperative that you find a way to have curly bangs.Curls are sexy, and there are so many women that wear them in so many different ways. Think of celebrities like Beyonce, Zendaya, Shakira, Tori Kelly and so on. They all have naturally curly hair, and they find a way to utilize it. So, here are some ways you can get curly bangs.
Find a good stylist
There are so many stylists out there. And it is challenging to find a good one. But if you want to have curly bangs, you must find one that understands how to cut and style curly hair. Many stylists make the mistake of leaving no room for the curls to move or form. The result is hanging curls, which eventually ends up in frizzy hair.
One important aspect is your face shape. Each shape demands a different cutting technique. Now, your stylist will probably know this, but it doesn’t hurt to be informed.
For example, you can get heavy bangs for a square-shaped face. The bangs will soften the face, and help you create a dramatic look. This way, you put more focus on your eyes and less on your face shape. Make sure to ask your stylist to make the bangs longer on the sides. The length, however, should stay just below the eyebrows.
If you have a round-shaped face, go for more graphic and thick bangs that fall just above the eyebrows. The trick here is to allow your bangs to create the illusion of a longer face.
Women with an oval face can play with the feminine features of their face. Especially with curly bangs, you need to allow them to fall right below the brow bone. Women with an oval-shaped face can experiment more with the shape of their bangs.
If you have a heart-shaped face, the goal is to avoid super heavy look. You want a side-swept fringe which looks more natural.
Take care of your curly hair
Your hair needs moisture and hydration, same as your body. Some hair experts recommend to think of your hair as a sponge. That means it can hold a certain amount of water. But if you take care of your hair with hydrating products, you will satisfy its thirst for moisture.
As for what type of products to use? Focus on sulfate-free and water-based styling products that will moisturize your curls. In the same time, these products enhance the curls while eliminating frizz. That is 2 in 1 solution right there. Most importantly, avoid sulfates, as they will strip you from the hair’s natural oil.
Invest in a quality diffuser
A simple, round diffuser will allow you to enhance your natural waves and curls. Even though your hair is curly, you still need a diffuser to enhance it. A quality diffuser will make sure of that, without making your hair look frizzy.
When you want to style your hair, go for a no-heat option. Wait for your hair to be approximately 80% dried, and then apply styling gel. When applying hair product, make sure to pin the curl to the top of your hair with a clip. Allow your hair to dry naturally.
** This is a guest post from ritely.com
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