Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Color your World with Pantone

        Do you dream in black and white? Do you dream in color? What a dull place our world would be if it was only in black and white! Colors bring about so much joy and emotion. Remember when you were a child with a big box of crayons? We could be entertained for hours coloring and drawing!
      When the seasons change so do the colors in our wardrobe. Darker colors for winter and fall, brighter colors for spring and summer. Makes sense we traditionally mimic nature and our surroundings. But what about colors we have for our man made surroundings like our homes and cars? Have you ever noticed that color choices change over time?  In the 1970's everyone had an avocado green or harvest yellow kitchen. In the 1950's it was hip to have a pep-to pink bathroom. How are these color trends are decided?
      Pantone is a company dedicated to color.  They choose what the "it" color of the year will be. Maybe you heard for 2013 the color is Emerald Green. Don't be surprised when you see this color in the stores. It's cousin, a lighter mint green is all the rage for summer. Amazing this company understands the relationship we have with color. It's not by accident we associate colors with products like "Barbie Pink" and "Home Depot Orange". By the looks of Pantone's website http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx they have it down to a science.
     If you are in the art or fashion world you go by Pantone. But what about the rest of us? I say go with what you like. If green is not your favorite color don't despair next year's color might be more up your alley. I just can not imagine a world without color. In the 1998 movie Pleasantville people lived in a world that was only black and white. But they did not know any better. When color was introduced to their lives some did not respond well to change, others liked it, others shunned it. Embrace change, live life to the fullest, and live a happy and colorful life.


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Out With The Old In With The New...

Like many of us who receive new electronics as holiday gifts we need find a new home for our old devices. This poses a problem. We might already have a perfectly working item but it could be out of date or just not usable anymore. Technology is moving fast and  it is next to impossible to keep up. The question is what do we do with this old unwanted stuff?

It's not easy being green. It's understandable why many electronics end up in a dumpster. 
However, this is not the best place for them even tough it might seem the easiest. Many electronics contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium in circuit boards and mercury in batteries.  Older computer screens and televisions contain cathode ray tubes (CRT's).  CRT's contain leaded glass to protect the user from the x-rays inside the tubes.  Lead is a hazardous material that can cause environmental and health damage if not managed safely.

An alternative to throwing away your electronics is to give them to someone who can turn it into something good. Non-profit groups such as Goodwill Industries will take your old computer for free. Make sure to wipe out any personal information you may have on your system before donating. Goodwill will responsibly refurbish, reuse or recycle the equipment, benefiting communities and putting people to work. And you can use your donation as a tax write off. Talk about a win-win situation! Visit Goodwill's website for drop off locations and more information on what is accepted. http://www.goodwill.org/get-involved/donate/donation-acceptance-guidelines/

Trade in and Save. Another solution is to take your electronics to Best Buy. Your item might have a trade in value. Now through 1/19/13 Best Buy will give you a minimum $5 gift card when you trade in any small device, working or not. If your item has no trade in value they will recycle it for free. Visit bestbuy.com/TradeIn for details.

There are many ways to properly dispose of things you do not need anymore. Please keep in mind if you can not use something yourself there is someone else out there who can. You might make some money in the process!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Hot Chocolate on a Cold Night

As a self described chocoholic I really can not live without some form of chocolate at least once a day. On cold winter nights what I love is a warm cup of sweet hot coco. Oh what a delight it is to come out of the cold and sip a wonderful mug of that lusciousness! I desire a gourmet style concoction. Marshmallows are optional.
Growing up on powdered packets of Swiss Miss mixed with hot water was a treat as a child. As I have matured and have broadened my palate and I prefer brands like Godiva and Ghirardelli. My family holds Godiva in the highest regard. My Aunt purposely pronounces the name GOD-i-VA with the emphasis on the first syllable.
I am also a fan of Carnation Instant Breakfast due to the nutritional element included in their product. I am a devoted user of this confection made by Nestle. Every morning since I can remember I have consumed the rich milk chocolate drink cold for my morning kick start. However, recently I have been experimenting with other flavors and found a hot chocolate drink recipe made with the dark chocolate powder available in the variety pack. This is good any time of day. Give it a try!

Here is the recipe.

 Dark Chocolate Caramel Spice Drink

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Dark Chocolate Flavor CARNATION® BREAKFAST ESSENTIALS™ Complete Nutritional Drink
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup hot or steamed fat free milk
  • 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

COMBINE CARNATION® BREAKFAST ESSENTIALS™ Drink and cinnamon in large mug. Stir in milk, caramel syrup and vanilla extract.

http://www.carnationbreakfastessentials.com/Recipes/Recipe-Detail.aspx?RecipeID=138783



Sunday, December 30, 2012

Avon Advance Technique Hair Care

I have many favorite Avon products. Even though I sell Avon I have to admit I have not tried every product offered at this time but it is a goal of mine. For those of you who know me I have extremely long hair. At this time my hair reaches past my waist!
I have grown my hair long in the past and have donated it to a very worthwhile organization called "Locks of Love" more than once. At this time my hair is longer than it have ever been in my life. I am not able to go anywhere without someone commenting on its length. Alas, I have debated on and off again if I should just break down and cut it. After all, I have not had a haircut since the last time I donated my hair in October 2009.
For now I try to keep my hair styling at a minimum. I shampoo and condition my hair daily with Avon's Advance Technique's 360 nourish Moroccan Argan oil. This leaves my hair soft, shiny, strong, and manageable. I towel dry my hair and apply the a leave in treatment. The oil is not greasy. Then I either air dry or blow dry my hair depending on the weather.

Feeling beautiful does not have to be complicated or time consuming. Using Avon products is an affordable way to feel dazzling.
Visit my store www.youravon.com/enefzger