Crafting In A Day: Five Simple But Cool Crafts

Whether you need a last minute gift or an activity for yourself or the kids, these quick and easy crafts will produce great results in just a couple of hours:

1. Cut and sew small fabric scraps and stuff to make a simple pincushion. Mix some catnip into the stuffing and you’ll have an irresistible cat toy, or stuff with lavender or potpourri for a fragrant sachet.
2. Place colorful paper in a picture frame and let it serve as a backdrop for a favorite photo or a photo collage. Just a little time and effort will net you a keepsake photo you will treasure.
3. Pick up some decoupage medium and cover a vase with any kind of paper you have – origami paper, wrapping paper, even the comics page.
4. Make a cool custom t-shirt by cutting out a cardboard stencil, putting it on a dark-colored t-shirt, and spraying the shirt with a 50/50 bleach/water mix. Be sure to have a tub of water ready to dunk the shirt into as soon as the color is where you want it, and always wear safety goggles and gloves when using bleach.
5. Make a sweet stand for cakes and snacks by using a dishwasher-safe glue to stick a saucer or small plate on top of a teacup.

Trip Idea: Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a great American city. Set on Lake Michigan, it boasts a great mixture of natural wonder and urban vigor, sprinkled with an open-hearted Wisconsin welcom. Here are some highlights:

Miller Park – Catch a ballgame at Miller Park, one of the most beloved ballparks in the country and the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium combines an aura of baseball’s romantic past with a state-of-the-art modern flair. Visit the website: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/ballpark/index.jsp

Harley-Davidson Museum – This popular attraction makes Harley enthusiasts buzz but its appeal extends well beyond the motorcycle world. People of every stripe find it fascinating to learn about American history and culture through the lens of America’s most iconic motorcycle company. Click here for more: http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/Museum.jsp

Pabst Mansion – Visit the castle-like mansion built by Milwaukee sea captain and beer baron Frederick Pabst in 1892. You’ll love learning about Pabst’s adventurous history while taking in the mansion’s beautifully designed interiors, original 1890’s furnishings, rare art, and stunning ironwork features. Visit the website: http://pabstmansion.com/

Segway of Wisconsin – Segway offers memorable tours of Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront. You’ll enjoy gliding on a single-person-operated segway vehicle as you embark on a tour that spans a wide range of Milwauke attractions, including Pier Wisconsin, the historic Veteran’s Park, the War Memorial, and the Summerfest grounds. Click here for more information: http://www.segwayofwisconsin.com/what-we-do

Kettle Moraine State Forest – This is an ideal place in which to relish Milwaukee’s famed fall foliage, enjoy a picnic, have a camping getaway, go on a hike while enjoying lake views, take a scenic drive, and much more. Visit here to learn more: http://www.stateparks.com/kettle_moraine.html

New Jersey Nets: Ready to Surprise

The New Jersey Nets have one more year to make a splash in Newark before heading to Brooklyn. There's still plenty of time to say goodbye in style, though, and head coach Avery Johnson intends to put some excitement into the Prudential Center. Last season may have had its disappointments, but Johnson is more than capable of helping his team win, as his time with the Dallas Mavericks made abundantly clear. With the start of his sophomore season with the Nets, he's got talent to make that happen. Deron Williams is a two time all-star, and the recent acquisitions of veterans Shelden Williams and Mehmet Okur will add some serious and needed depth to the Nets' frontcourt game. This adds, of course, to a roster already featuring the skills of players like Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and Sundiata Gaines. A number of people will tell you that this is a year of rebuilding to get ready for the team's move into the Barclays Center for the 2012-13 season. Those folks, though, are ignoring a lot of talent already on the roster, and a coach well acquainted with success. With all of the strength in Jersey this season, the Nets may just surprise the naysayers who think that the team is only building for Brooklyn. Stick around, because these guys aren't done with Jersey just yet.

For all of your Nets needs, including schedules, merchandise, and tickets, visit http://www.nba.com/nets

Dress To Impress: Five Classic Wardrobe Pieces for Men

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good. Stars and normal folks agree that having a selection of essential wardrobe classics to base an outfit around gives you a lot more options. Whether you’re dressing for a business lunch or a night out on the town, these essentials should be the core of your closet.

• Every man should own a great, well-fitting suit. You can have one custom tailored, but a less expensive option is to buy a suit off the rack and have it altered to fit perfectly. This is not as costly as you might think, and a well-fitting suit is always a winner.
• A white button-down shirt is an essential part of any wardrobe. You need it for your suit, but you can also wear it over jeans for a more casual look. Opt for cotton over synthetic fibers, and make sure to iron it before you wear it.
• Fitted jeans are key. Avoid baggy jeans – they don’t do anybody any favors. A pair of well-fitted jeans will help smooth and straighten your silhouette, and they’re remarkably versatile.
• Sunglasses are essential for a number of purposes. Protecting your eyes from UV rays will help preserve your vision, and they’re also a great fashion accessory. Opt for classic styles like Ray-Ban Wayfarers over trendy looks.
• A pair of casual sneakers is essential. Avoid puffy running shoes or sports shoes and go with something with a classic profile, such as the timeless Converse All-Star or a pair of Vans low-tops.

Save On: Making And Keeping A Personal Budget

In this economy, more people have realized the benefits of becoming more careful with their finances. It’s vitally important to understand your income and spending, both so you can plan for the future and so you can set up saving and investments for retirement. If you have been putting off assembling a personal budget, here are some tips for making one and sticking to it.

-          Be honest about your income. The first step to any budget is to collect all of the money that is coming into your house. If you receive a regular paycheck where taxes are deducted, make sure to use the net, or take-home pay. This is money that you have control over.

-          Understand your expenditures. This is one of the biggest problems many people have when it comes time to create a budget. Every single penny you spend needs to be accounted for – housing, utilities, gas, food, and more. The best way to get a clear picture of this is by using bank statements from the last 6 months and creating a monthly average.

-          Find your wiggle room. Once you have compared those two numbers, you will have the disposable income that your household has access to. The idea now is to increase that number by cutting costs and investing or saving as much of it as possible.

-          Don’t sweat the unexpected. Medical crises, family emergencies, or other events can cause even the most tightly-structured budgets to fall apart. If that happens, take a day to rework your plans and make a schedule to get back on track for saving when you’ve dealt with the unexpected expenditures.

Not Your Typical Turkey Dinner: Unorthodox Holiday Meals

As the season of celebratory feasting approaches, why not spread your table this Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with some creative alternatives to the usual holiday fare? Sure, everyone loves a traditional turkey, ham, roast, or goose with all the trimmings, but you can doubly wow your guests by serving up a meal unlike any holiday feast they’ve had before. Here are some innovating ideas to make this your most original and mouth-watering season of festivities yet:

‘Tis The Season For Salmon
One way to dazzle your guests’ palates with novelty this season is to replace the typical meat-centered entrée with a succulent salmon dish. Not only will your friends and family reap the Omega-3 health benefits of this fish, they’ll also relish the richness of a truly unique holiday meal experience. To view some exciting ideas for how to prepare a holiday salmon feast with well-matched side dishes, click here.

Make a Festive Jumbalaya
Serving your guests a jazzy jumbalaya entrée is a sure way to excite their taste buds this season. They’ll love the layers of flavor and spice so much that they won’t miss digging into a familiar holiday turkey or ham dish. If you opt for a crockpot preparation method, you’ll enjoy an easy cooking process that results in jumbalaya bursting with a blend of festive flavors. For ideas about how to plan a mutli-course jumbalaya holiday feast, with great suggestions for appetizers, side dishes, and dessert, click here.

Beef Up Your Holiday Table
Why not serve a deliciously tender and unexpected beef stroganoff dish with rich, buttery noodles this season? Like the jumbalaya dish described above, this meal can be made with simplicity and style using a crockpot cooking method. Your guests will love the down-home hardiness of a beef-centered holiday meal, and you can make their experience even more delectably fulsome by following the recipe and side-dish suggestions available here.

Celebrate With Cornish Hens
Forget about turkey – give your guests a chance to relish a bird of a different feather this season. Cornish hens make an elegant main dish for an innovative holiday dinner menu. Your guests will enjoy the individuality of sitting down to a plate that features a perfect-for-one-person Cornish hen. For ideas about how to prepare your hens with festive seasonal flavors, including cranberry sauce and earthy herbs like rosemary, click here to watch a cooking demonstration video.

As the holidays approach, you’ll love stepping out of the turkey-with-trimmings box this year. You’ll have fun getting creative in the kitchen and your guests will take home the memory of a truly unique holiday celebration. So put on your chef’s hat and see what your imagination can stir-up this season!

Five Can’t-Miss Shows From Across The Pond

Television shows from the UK have recently experienced an explosion of popularity in the United States. Here are five UK-based shows you should make a point of watching:

Downtown Abbey – Set during the Edwardian era, Downtown Abbey centers on an aristocratic family and its team of servants in a Yorkshire estate. Season two will begin on PBS on January 8, 2012.

Luther - Devastated by the loss of his wife and trying to find steady ground after his unit has been dissolved, detective Luther must form a new team and forge ahead with the task of hunting down vile criminal minds. The show airs on BBC America on Wednesday nights at 10/9 central.

Dr. Who - A popular science fiction drama series that explores the life of a humanoid alien named Dr. Who who travels through time and space in a sentient time machine known as TARDIS. The show will return soon with all-new episodes to BBC America on Saturdays at 9/8 central.

The Hour – A drama set in a 1950’s newsroom. The show follows a group of broadcast journalists as they navigate office politics, romantic passions, and mysterious events. The show is part of BBC America’s Wednesday night Dramaville segment.

The Tudors – A passionate period drama set during the stormy years of King Henry VIII’s reign. Steamy affairs, turbulent marriages, challenged loyalties, political corruption, and court intrigues abound. The show airs on Thursdays at 1 a.m. EST on BBC America.

Autumn Day Trip Destinations in New Jersey!

If you’re looking for some fun this fall then you’ll find it in New Jersey. Here’s a list of just some of the sights and sounds you can experience:

Sea Isle Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival – Celebrate Columbus Day in Sea Isle with the 4th annual parade and Italian Festival. October 8th will feature variety of great food, an Italian Vendors Market with collectibles and other “must have” items, and numerous displays from local non-profit organizations.

Fall Spectaculars – Stop by Egg Harbor for the South Jersey Pumpkin Show. Head to Chatsworth for their annual Cranberry Festival.  Hike the Appalachian Trail. Or just take a scenic driving tour of some of the best places to see fall foliage.

Last Fling Pumpkin Sling – Enjoy a unique fall event on October 22nd and 23rd as teams gather to sling pumpkins as far into the sky as possible. The event will also feature a hot air balloon rally, baking contests, craft vendors, and more.

Halloween Haunts – Get your thrills and chills this Halloween season at Brighton Asylum, Bane, Macabre Manor, Night of Terror, and the Haunted Mill. You can also take part in things like the New Jersey Zombie Walk, and Ghost Tours of Ocean City.

2nd Annual Grape Adventure Wine Festival – On November 5th and 6th, head to Six Flags Great Adventure and sample Sample award-winning New Jersey wines, enjoy live entertainment, and stroll through a craft village. Younger Guests will enjoy activities at the Animal Adventure Camp area. The event will also feature live music.

New Fall TV: The Cream of the Crop

Wondering what’s going to be hitting the airwaves this autumn? Every year, the fall season brings with it a variety of new television options, and this year’s roster of shows is particularly eclectic and exciting. Here are some highlights:

1. Pan Am, Sunday nights, ABC, 9 p.m.

If you love Mad Men, you’ll relish this new 1960’s drama. The show focuses on the lives of Pan Am pilots and flight attendants during an era when flying still had an aura of glamour, romance, and adventure. Christina Ricci stars.

2. A Gifted Man, Friday, CBS, 7 p.m.

Love the supernatural? Patrick Wilson stars as a workaholic neurosurgeon whose life transforms when his ex-wife dies and starts communicating with him from the hereafter.

3. 2 Broke Girls, Monday, CBS, 7:30 p.m.

This fall comedy series, starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs, centers on two waitresses trying to get by in Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. The show has been co-created by Whitney Cummings (writer and star of NBC's Whitney) and Michael Patrick King (a creator of Sex and the City). Expect witty, cutting-edge humor about contemporary urban life.

4. Prime Suspect, Thursday, NBC, 9 p.m.

Adapted from the classic British series of the same name, Prime Suspect stars Maria Bello as NYPD detective Jane Timoney, a tough woman playing a male-dominated game.

Whether you’re looking for laughs, drama, period nostalgia, or suspense, the this fall's TV lineup has something for you. So kick back  on the couch, reach for the remote and get ready to settle in for a season of top-notch television.

Visit Virginia’s Capital: Things To Do In Richmond

A trip to Richmond (the River City!) can be a fantastic experience. Virginia’s capital is a bustling metropolis with tons of things to do. Here’s a quick rundown of some must-sees in Richmond.

Richmond was at one time the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and the town still holds a good number of monuments to the war, including Jefferson Davis’s White House. Next door is the Museum of the Confederacy, which boasts the largest collection of Confederate artifacts on Earth!

One of the defining geographical features of Richmond is the mighty James River, which runs through downtown. Unlike many other urban rivers, the James is pretty wild, and during peak months it offers up to Class IV rapids. It's the only place in the country that has them that close to a city. You can rent rafts and floats along the shore.

For a totally unique shopping experience, head down to the neighborhood known as Carytown. This stretch of street is one of the funkiest in the state, boasting vintage stores, odd boutiques, and antique shops. Stop in at the Byrd Theater, a classic Art Deco moviehouse, and catch a flick.

For another look at Virginia’s unique history, head to the Henricus Historical Park, which replicates the second settlement of English settlers in the New World. Awesome exhibits and historical reenactments make it a must-visit.

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