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The time for spring cleaning has clearly passed, but it may be time for an end of summer declutter. Although sorting through piles of stuff doesn't compare to a blissful day at the beach, take on the task a little at a time by following these 5 tips—come the fall, you'll be happy you did.
Get organized. You know those stacks of junk mail, piles of magazines, scattered post-its, and shopping bags that have been sitting around for months, collecting dust? Spend 20 minutes a day, go pile by pile, and make this your mantra: sort, recycle, trash.
Take on one room at a time. Not only will the job be much more thorough, but after seeing the results of decluttering the first room, you'll be much more motivated to start on the next.
Donate, donate, donate. Bring all of the clothing, shoes, and more that you KNOW you'll never wear again to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Not only will there be more room in your closet for the shiny and new, but your unwanted items will go to those who can really use it. The same goes for books, board games, and anything else that you don't need, but someone else might.
Clean up after yourself. The chaotic messes in your home usually don't form all at once, but bit by bit. The juice glass on the coffee table, the dog toys strewn all over the floor, the towel you meant to throw in the hamper. After you've cleaned it all up, make a conscious effort to put things away as you use them—to prevent the mess from happening in the first place.
Friends are the best weapon for clutter. Everyone has an attachment to certain tchotchkes and tokens. But when you haven't acknowledged the existence of the Mickey Mouse piggy bank your mother's uncle (or was it your father's uncle?) gave you on your eighth birthday, it might mean sayonara to Mr. Mouse. Friends are the ones who will not only explain why Mickey has no place in your life anymore, but who will pry him from your clenched fingers and place him in the garbage pile.
Contrary to what that obnoxious wine snob in your social circle would have you believe, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to sample some of the world’s tastiest wines. Indeed, in recent years, many newer entrants into the market have made a splash by offering great-tasting wines that don’t cost a pretty penny.
So if you’re looking for good wine values, you’re in luck. With an open mind and less than $20 in your wallet, you can enliven the conversation at your next dinner party with one of these tasty wines.
Ravenswood Zinfandel, $10. This bold red packs a lot of flavor. Don’t be afraid to pair it with marinated beef dishes, barbecue, or spicy Thai.
Smoking Loon Viognier, $10. This sweet and fruity white wine is perfect as a palate-cleanser or as an accompaniment to a spicy Mexican meal.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, $9. This dry but fruity red is a great counterpoint to rich winter casseroles.
King Estate Signature Collection Pinot Gris, $14. Great for your springtime gatherings, this Oregon white is a perfect accompaniment to chicken dishes and other warmer-weather fare.
Cune Rioja Crianza, $14. This Spanish red leaves enticing hints of cherry and plum on the tongue.
It seems like every time you open a newspaper or turn on the TV, researchers are announcing the results of a new study about the optimum amount of sleep we need each night. The only problem is, much of the research on this subject can be contradictory and confusing. One study insists that anything under nine hours is enough to cause chronic sleep deprivation, while the next contends that as little as six hours a night might be sufficient. Which one is right?
The problem with many sleep studies is that they tend to over-generalize what is a deeply personal and individual number. One point that most researchers agree on is that everyone’s sleep needs are different; the amount of sleep that may be non-negotiable in order for one person to function may be way too much for her neighbor, or vice versa.
The best way to determine how much sleep you need is to spend some time investigating the issue. Whenever you have a stretch of a few days at your disposal, make an effort to sleep as late as possible without using an alarm clock to wake up. After a few days, you should be able to see a pattern emerge. Generally speaking, the average amount of sleep that you get under these conditions will be close to the number that is right for you.
Want to find out what your sleeping habits are doing to your body? Do you know which ethnic group reportedly gets the best sleep? Click here to check out the National Sleep Foundation website for answers to these questions and more!
Planning a Getaway at the Eleventh Hour? Save Between 20-80% On a Last Minute Vacation Rental at PackLate.com!
So why can PackLate.com offer such huge discounts? When there are too many vacant apartment rentals in the market, property owners offer discount rates in hopes of getting revenue for the rental rather than see it remain vacant (and get nothing). The closer to the date you want to book, the further the prices will fall. Watch prices drop to hugely discounted levels while playing wit, and against others trying to book last minute vacation rentals. You also have the ability to “haggle” on the site, and try to make a deal that's below the current market price.
PackLate has great last minute deals on vacation rentals in Florida (Orlando/Disney, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City), California (Lake Tahoe), Alabama (Gulf Shores), Colorado (Aspen, Breckenridge, Dillon, Keystone, Mountain Village, Silverthorne, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Vail, Winter Park), and Utah (Park City, Deer Valley). Destinations coming June 2010 include San Diego, Santa Fe, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Check it out here!
Tags: Alabama, California, Colorado, Costa Rica, discounts, Florida, Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, Packlate, travel, Utah
Looking to travel this summer and catch up on some new music in the process? A diverse array of entertaining music festivals are scheduled this summer—so mark your calendars!
Head to Chicago July 16-18 for Pitchfork 2010, and a weekend of Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, and many other big name musicians.
Coney Island delivers its 10th annual Siren Festival on Saturday, July 17, 2010 (rain or shine!), complete with the sounds of Matt and Kim, Surfer Blood, and others.
This year’s huge Lollapalooza, taking place August 6-8 in Chicago's Grant Park is sure to be a memorable one, featuring popular artists like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Hot Chip, and a list of other musical talents you won't want to miss.
And finally, spend your Labor Day weekend at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival 2010! Held at the Seattle Center September 4-6, the 40th anniversary of this super cool arts and music extravaganza could be the best one yet, with a fantastic line up of artists like Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Hole, and more!
Get tickets fast, these festivals and concerts will be here before you know it! For more information about fabulous summer festivals click here.
June 20th is Father's Day, which like it or not, is just around the corner. If you stil haven’t picked out a gift for Dad, it’s time to get moving! Here are a few Father's Day suggestions when a tie won't cut it and you’re blanking on the perfect gift.
Try the top ten from AskMen.Com. This great website about all things male has created a helpful list of gifts that may remind you of your #1 man. Click here to check it out.
Give him a reason to relax. You may not be able to afford that new 60 inch plasma TV Dad wants, but you can get him a season or two of his favorite television series on DVD. Whether he's laughing the day away while watching his favorite sitcom, or intently glued to a can't-miss drama, he'll thank you for giving him a reason to relax. Search sites like DVD Price Search or Amazon.com, and you may be able to get multiple sets for less.
Dad + Sports = A match made in heaven. Nothing says thank you better than a Father's Day filled with sportsmania. Treat Dad to play a round on the golf course, hit the batting cages, or tickets for two to a baseball game, for a father-child bonding experience like none other.
Join the club. If you know your dad's favorites, from beverages, to food, to hobbies; check out AmazingClubs.com and enroll him in a year-long gift of the month club. There are clubs for just about anything you can think of: beer, wine, chocolate, salsa, movies, even peanut butter! Not only can he try several varieties of his favorite things, when he gets his gift every month it will feel like Father's Day all over again!
There are so many ways to make your father feel special on Father’s Day—just keep it personal and your dad will surely know how much he’s appreciated.
Tags: Amazing Clubs, Amazon, Ask Men, baseball, clubs, DVD Price Search, Fathers Day, gifts, hobbies, sitcom, sports, TV series
These days, many budget-conscious shoppers are counting every penny. The good new is, your personal sense of style doesn’t have to suffer just because a slow economy has forced you to downsize your clothing budget. With online sample sale sites, you can get a lot of bang for your fashion buck. Check out these favorites for top labels at bargain-basement prices.
Ideeli.com: This members-only site offers limited-edition samples from many of the most prestigious décor and design brands for up to 80% off. A free membership is required to access the site.
Editorscloset.com: There is a definite air of mystery surrounding this exclusive site. Enter your email for a membership and find out whether you’re invited to their next 70%-off blowout sale.
Hautelook.com: One of the most universally beloved sample-sale sites, Haute Look offers top designers’ castoffs at 50% to 75% off retail.
Gilt.com: When it comes to the secretive world of online sample sales, it doesn’t get any better than the Gilt Groupe. This site’s drastically reduced designer duds and home décor items have won it a fanatically loyal following.
Although the offerings on sample-sale sites can be hit or miss, checking them out can be a fun way to wile away an afternoon on the Internet. Happy shopping!
Today's Philadelphia Groupon is worth a look! Click here to check out today's deal at Rick's Steaks:
For $7, you'll get $14 worth of cheesesteaks, breakfast, and more at the eatery's newest location just around the corner from 1500 Locust (downstairs at the Bellevue)! Rick's Steaks is known for delicious food at great prices—so check out the eatery's website here, to find out more about the delicious dishes you can get for a great price!
Even the most dedicated exerciser finds themselves running out of steam from time to time. If you’ve fallen out of love with your current routine, here are a few ways to snap out of your rut and reinvigorate your love affair with exercise.
Get into the groove. If you love to listen to music when you exercise, stoking your motivational fires might be as simple as downloading some new-to-you tunes. Check new releases and exercise recommendations in the iTunes store for anything that strikes your fancy: the less familiar to you, the better!
Dress to impress. Shop around your favorite sports store and buy yourself some new workout gear. You might be surprised how eager you are to get in the gym to show off your new pair of colorful kicks, dri fit shirt, or cute pair of cropped gym pants.
Kick it up a notch. Sometimes, boredom can creep into our workout routines when we slack off and let ourselves get lazy. Try a more challenging DVD, a new gym class, or work out routine and see what happens.
Read all about it. Scoot down to your local library and check out a few books about the “rock stars” at the top of your favorite sport, or seek out an autobiography penned by any athlete who inspires you.
Give it away now. If your workout routine has grown stale because worrying about burning calories seems like such a trivial concern, why not work charitable giving into your routine? Sign up for a 5K race or a relay event that will help you raise money for a cause you care about.
Are you facing the 3 p.m. doldrums with dread in your heart and an angry growl emanating from your stomach? Don’t starve yourself—instead, make a smart snack selection. Choose from one of these healthy favorites and you’ll find yourself reenergized in no time.
Raw nuts. Just a handful of almonds is chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and protein, all for less than 100-200 calories.
Greek yogurt. This creamy, delicious treat is a great source of protein, healthy fats, and gut-health-enhancing probiotics. Add 10-12 berries for a well-rounded mini-meal.
Natural popcorn. Popcorn is a tasty, delicious, low-calorie snack choice, but try to steer clear of the icky chemicals that are rife in many microwaveable varieties.
Lightly sweetened cereal. If you’re wrestling with a serious sweet tooth, skip the candy bar and opt for a small bowl of lightly sweetened cereal instead. Hey, it’s not an ideal snack, but at least it’s fortified with vitamins and minerals.
With a few smart snack ideas up your sleeve, you’ll be well-equipped to win out over the mid-day munchies.
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