by JTwisdom | Aug 28, 2022 | Italy, Travels |
Ciao! Buongiorno!
It’s been a few months since we returned from our 13-day trip to Italy. We look back with gratitude on a planned trip and waited for almost ten years. We shared our memories and experiences with our family, friends, and colleagues. They asked many questions about the places we visited and the things we did. Most people shared our enthusiasm. Probably the most frequent question we had was, “Why Italy?” My immediate answer was, “Why Not?” I wanted to share with you should consider going to Italy.![]()
The History / Art and Architecture
Italy’s origins date back almost 3,000 years. History abounds with every step. Art and Architecture are on every corner. No matter what city you explore or region you travel through, you will be amazed by the many opportunities at your fingertips. You can spend days learning about the early Roman civilizations and how you can still see the remnants of these cultures in modern-day Rome. You can spend hours gazing at the artwork and sculptures of Renaissance artists in the Academia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and then step outside the gallery and see the same buildings where these artists lived over 500 years ago. Italy would be a dream come true for history geeks and museum nerds.
The Colosseum in Rome
The Food
One cannot think of Italy and not think of food. Pasta, Pizza, Olive Oil, and Gelato immediately come to mind when most people think of Italy. Italian food is known worldwide and is probably the favorite of many people. I have experienced many fine Italian restaurants here in America, and I knew the authentic Italian food would not disappoint. To my amazement, the true Italian food was even better than I could have imagined. Each region of the country had its specialties and its takes on classic dishes. The pizza in Rome is entirely different from that of Bellagio. The fish prepared in Como is not the same as in Burano. We ate pork in Assisi and Venice and had spelt soup in Tuscany. Italy would be a dream come true for Foodies and Food Lovers.
Dinner at the 4 Fiumi Restaurant on the Piazza Navona
A Multitude of Opportunities
Italy comprises twenty regions, similar to the states that make up the United States. Each region offers visitors different opportunities with food, culture, and experiences. Milan, in the north, offers a more cosmopolitan experience with its high couture shopping districts as the country’s financial capital. While Sorrento, in the south, is an agricultural city and offers a more laid-back atmosphere with shops that most people could shop at. Venice focuses on canals and gondolas, while Pompeii focuses on volcanic ruins and excavations. Assisi talks about St. Francis, while Como speaks highly of George Clooney, even though I’ve been told he doesn’t visit as much as he used to. Italy would be a dream come true for adventure seekers and travel enthusiasts.
Gondolas of Venice
The People
My wife and I like to joke that Italy is the land of beautiful people. We often hear people say that Italian people are more sophisticated and have more style than their American counterparts. In many respects, we found that to be true. It was not uncommon to see a woman wearing a fur coat and combat boots while walking her dog in the park, or a couple having lunch in a local cafe while wearing a formal gown and a suit. Italy would be a dream come true for people watchers.
I often tell people they don’t need any specific reason to experience the magnificence of Italy. If you desire to go, just do what you need to make it happen. Pick your cities, design an itinerary and do it. You will not be disappointed. Italy is just that special.
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by | Aug 27, 2022 | Giveaway |
Greetings, Elegant and Graceful Ones
I sit here recuperating from COVID. I know some friends say they can’t wait until their kids start school; I have had some colleagues who have moved their kids into university and were surprised how they didn’t know how emotional it would be. In whatever stage you are in with your kid(s), I remember it was all in the schedule and what was needed for the semester. I remember my mother and grandmother taking me to the store to get school supplies on sale and that Trapperkeeper. Oh, and I couldn’t forget picking out a cool new backpack and going to JCPenney or Sears to pick up a few new outfits. I’m an only child, so it doesn’t take much for me to get excited. I was a nerd then, and I’m a nerd now, so I didn’t have many friends, and I also grew up in a strict household. Anticipating new books, I would learn new subjects, and writing in my new bright-colored notebooks was so neat. Going shopping with my mother, dad, and grandmother are memories I will never forget because I know they were looking out for me and wanting me to have everything I needed when I started school.
So it’s a Back To School Giveaway that you have a chance to enter!
What’s your favorite memory?
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by | Aug 22, 2022 | Lifestyle |
During a time of rising costs, increasing political turmoil, and difficulties seemingly everywhere we turn, learning to disconnect and care for ourselves is more important than ever. Learning to relax may not just be advisable; then, it may be your solemn duty to keep up with to ensure your mental and physical health are well taken care of.
Many people don’t see relaxing as a suitable means of self-care, but it is, and it doesn’t mean you’re lazy. After a hard day of work (yes, being a stay-at-home parent is included in this), learning to unwind not only helps you reduce your levels of stress but helps you get better sleep each night, as well as encourages you to focus on what matters.
Of course, it can be worth focusing on a few tips, such as turning off your work phone in the evenings. From there, you might consider some of the following vital habits:
Set Up A Reading Corner
It’s a great idea to set up a reading corner you can relax in. This can also help you avoid constantly reaching for the streaming service of your choice and sitting on the sofa for hours – there’s nothing wrong with this, of course. Still, it may not be as deeply relaxing as the calm focus placed on reading, which can be pleasant, meditative, separate from screens or overly excitable content. With some lovely incense or a candle, a comforting chair, and a book that helps you escape, such a worthwhile experience will make itself known.
Indulge In Your Teas & Calming Drinks
Investing in some lovely calming drinks as soon as you get home is worthwhile. It will at least help you avoid the temptation of pouring a glass of wine after a particularly stressful day, which against there’s nothing wrong with, but can be a habit you may wish to avoid. Some beautiful matcha, cinnamon, or chamomile tea can calm you down, enable your relaxation, and help you feel hydrated no matter the weather. Some people prefer edibles like Delta 8 Gummies; some prefer relaxing aromatherapy. Whatever you choose is valid.
Apply Some Ambient Music
There’s nothing like calming music to relax us. It might be that you set up your voice assistant to play calming meditative music as soon as you sit down, or perhaps you can craft your playlist through a service like Spotify so that you always have shuffling music wherever you sit. There’s nothing like sitting down for an evening cup of tea while listening to calming chants used in a spa massage environment or meditating to the sound of Tibetan bowls. If this all sounds too serious for your taste, then some calming soul music is known to help anyone relax and feel nurtured.
With this advice, you’re sure to relax after work and enjoy your free time with a little more clarity. It’s the least you deserve.
by | Aug 3, 2022 | Lifestyle |
Aging is a natural part of life, and it brings with it wisdom and experience. But who wouldn’t want to slow down the clock a little? Most life activities and decisions either slow down or accelerate the process. If you are among the many people who took to the FaceApp craze to see how old they look in a few years, then you are probably wondering how to prevent it from becoming a reality too quickly. Here are a few things you can do to avoid the early signs of aging.
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Protect your skin
Indoor and outdoor air pollution both affect how rapidly skin ages. Particulate matter and gaseous chemicals such as nitrous oxide float in the air and induce skin hyperpigmentation. Some activities such as cooking with or using dirty fuel can cause wrinkles on your face and the back of your hands. Exposure to the sun can be good for increasing your vitamin D levels. However, it is vital to limit your exposure due to the delicate relationship between the sun and the skin. Too much sun exposure can harm your skin and cause premature aging. It can be helpful to take practical steps to protect your skin.
Pay attention to your diet
A healthy diet is vital for various reasons. When you’re younger, you might not be concerned about what you eat as much, but as you get older, your nutritional demands vary. Health professionals have established a link between your nutrition and your skin. Poor dietary habits can cause acne and accelerated skin aging. However, this doesn’t suggest following strict nutritional restrictions or denying yourself your favorite foods. You can adjust your eating habits and consume a more balanced diet that includes nutrients to improve your skin.
Prioritize your dental health
Several conditions have been associated with aging, including dry mouth, periodontitis, and root and coronal caries. Poor oral health can affect your ability to eat and chew some foods. Additionally, discomfort from poor oral health has been shown to disrupt sleep. It is advisable to brush twice daily, floss, and use mouthwash to remove any leftovers after these two oral care routines. Also, missing tooth gaps can trap food and bacteria, leading to gum diseases that may cause tooth loss. Fortunately, procedures such as dental implants can stop this to prevent facial sagging and premature aging.
Get more night’s sleep
Sleep is critical for general health, and a lack of it can impact your appearance. According to research on the impact of sleep deprivation on facial appearance, sleep-deprived participants had more drooping eyelids, swollen eyes, dark circles under their eyes, red eyes, paler skin, and more wrinkles. Unfortunately, these are signs in aging people, so it is best to prioritize getting more night’s sleep. You want to follow CDC-recommended sleep suggestions and see a sleep specialist if you are clinically sleep deprived.
While the above are a few ways to age gracefully, the list can be endless, so you want to consider which works best for you and make the needed changes.
by | Aug 2, 2022 | Fashion |
Building your confidence is one of the most crucial things you can do to set yourself up for success. It does not matter if the world’s most influential people genuinely believe they have a great deal of confidence or are just very good at seeming to do so; what matters is that they give off the impression they do. However, we are also aware that this is simpler to state than it is to put into practice; if you lack self-assurance, even acting as though you have it may feel impossible. However, to do so, you must resist the need to give up and yield to pressure, instead choosing to confront head-on the circumstances that cause you to feel uneasy.
In this article, we look at a few ideas that will help you boost your confidence so that you can approach the rest of the year feeling like you can manage just about everything that comes your way. This will allow you to feel like you can handle just about anything that comes your way.
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Take good care of yourself physically.
If you do not feel good about yourself, it will be difficult to feel good about yourself in other people’s eyes. You will have feelings of sluggishness and lethargy if you skip meals or consume items that are not good for you. Therefore, you must maintain a diet that is both nutritious and balanced. To ensure that your body receives all the nutrients it requires, make sure that the foods you pack for your meals include fruits and vegetables, protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
However, nutrition is not the only factor. Exercising your muscles regularly is required. Even if you are already at a healthy weight, it is important to pack as much physical activity as possible into each day. Many individuals only think about exercise in terms of its ability to help them lose weight. Make it entertaining, and you will be far more likely to continue with it.
Do not forget to keep up with basic health checks, such as going to the dentist every six months, getting your vision and hearing checked once a year, and getting any other screenings, such as PAP smears and the like, that you may be eligible for.
You can be confident that your body is in the best form and condition possible if you do these things, and knowing that almost always makes you feel fairly good about yourself.
Put an end to comparing yourself to other people.
The expression “comparison is the thief of joy” is one we use fairly frequently, and in all honesty, it is rather accurate. What constitutes a triumph for one individual could not be regarded as such by another. A clear connection exists between comparison and an individual’s view of themselves. According to research, those who engaged in self-comparison, presumably via social media, were more likely to experience feelings of jealousy. Those individuals who experienced jealousy also had a significantly more negative perspective of who they were, which resulted in a vicious cycle that was extremely difficult to break free from.
Kindness toward oneself is a must.
Have some compassion and kindness for yourself if and when you find yourself in a situation where you have made a mistake. Rather than berating yourself and labeling yourself a loser right away, give yourself some grace. Being cruel to yourself will not serve to encourage you anymore; in fact, it is likely to have the opposite effect and leave you feeling more dejected. Being cruel to yourself will no longer work as a motivational tool. Give yourself some leeway, and remember that none of us are flawless.
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