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How to Improve Your Penmanship at Any Age

October 10, 2014 by

Having good penmanship is an invaluable life skill, and even if it’s been decades since you first learned to write in cursive, it’s something that you can always try to improve. Here are a few helpful tips to help you improve you handwriting or teach your children the proper way to write.

  1. Point out the flaws. Write a few sentences and evaluate them to see where you’re going wrong. Is the slant uneven, or are the letters spaced too far apart? Do you write with straight, bold lines or are they shaky and fine? Deciphering where your handwriting needs improvement will help you to make it better.
  2. Use the right muscles. Most people with less-than-perfect handwriting draw the letters on the page with only their fingers instead of using their full arms to write properly. Try writing with your entire arm and shoulder in order to put the right amount of force behind each letter.
  3. Go back to the basics. Many bad habits begin when people start writing letters in a way that is different than the proper formation. Using a kindergarten-style alphabet worksheet, re-train yourself to write each letter the way it should look. This will help you to make your writing more consistent and, in turn, more legible for those who have to read it.

How to Improve Your Handwriting [wikiHow]
8 Easy Tips to Improve Your Handwriting [Matador]
Improve Your Handwriting by Writing With Your Shoulders, Not Your Fingers [Lifehacker]

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Make Your Own Jewelry With These Easy Tutorials

September 5, 2014 by

Making jewelry is a stylish, creative craft beloved by people of all ages. Crafters love that they can customize each piece to their exact preferences, and it also saves you money if you’re a bit of a jewelry addict. Here are three helpful tutorials that will show you how to start making your own jewelry right in your own home.

Suede and Chain Woven Bracelet [yesmissy.com]
This DIY jewelry project is worlds away from the braided friendship bracelets from your youth. With a bit of glitz from the metal chain and a touch of neutral color from the suede rope, these bracelets rival the ones that you would buy at a pricey jewelry boutique.

Bobby Pin Earrings [themetricchild.blogspot.com]
You may not have ever considered using bobby pins as jewelry, but once you see this adorably edgy jewelry DIY you’ll wish that you had thought of it sooner. Painting the pins with nail polish also enables you to add a bit of color to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe.

Polymer Clay Bead Necklace [delightedmomma.com]
Polymer clay necklaces have been floating around the blogs for quite some time now, but this completely customizable version is one of the best. You can mold the clay beads into exactly the sizes that you want, and you can also choose paint colors to create your favorite palette.

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Facing a Deadline? Here’s How to Break the Procrastination Habit

August 1, 2014 by

It seems like every time you’re faced with a big deadline for work or school, your brain instantly goes into procrastination mode. Suddenly the house needs to be cleaned, that new television show looks a whole lot more interesting than it did before, and even just staring at the wall seems more appealing than doing your work. If this sounds all too familiar, these three tips will help you to stop procrastinating for good.

  1. Break things up. A huge project may seem daunting, but once you break it down into smaller steps, it'll seem much easier to manage. Create an outline of the project with each part broken down into its own step, and the tackle each step one at a time. Crossing off those items will feel so good that you’ll look forward to moving on to the next one.
  2. Get a change of scenery. If you work from home, the amount of distractions in your living space can start to feel overwhelming. Set up a home office area that’s completely separate from your bedroom, living room, or other recreational areas, or even take your work to a coffee shop when you feel the dreaded procrastination bug coming on.
  3. Hold yourself accountable. Whether this means telling a friend or colleague about your goals or marking them down on a calendar, many people work more efficiently if they’re held accountable for their actions. Over time, this may even translate into better work habits altogether.

11 Practical Ways to Stop Procrastination [Lifehack]
How to Stop Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps Even if You’re Lazy [Digital Bloggers]
15 Ways to Stop Procrastinating Right Now [Business Insider]
8 Ways to Not Procrastinate [Relevant Magazine]

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Speed Through Laundry Day With These 4 Organization Tips

July 25, 2014 by

You love the fresh, clean feeling of having all of your laundry done, but getting there is a whole different story. Laundry day may be time-consuming, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are a few tips to help you organize your laundry and get it done in half the time.

  1. Sort laundry without even trying. It takes a lot of time to sort through your mountain of dirty clothes and separate the lights from the darks. Invest in a three-compartment hamper to do the sorting for you.
  2. Bleach more effectively. Bleaching seems like a fool-proof way to remove stains from white clothing, but it doesn’t always work as effectively as you’d like. The proper way to bleach clothes is by first letting the clothing soak in a pool of water. Add one cup of bleach and one cup of dishwashing detergent and let it soak for about half an hour. Finally, dump the whole thing into the washing machine and wash as you normally would.
  3. Prevent damage. To reduce fading, turn dark colored items inside out before washing. Use the cold water setting to prevent clothes from shrinking, and then hang them to dry instead of using the dryer. Also, only wash delicates, like bras and underwear, in a lingerie bag on the delicate cycle.
  4. Invest in a drying rack. Rather than tossing delicate items over the shower curtain rod or rigging some other kind of makeshift drying rack, invest in the real deal. They're usually inexpensive, and they fold into a flat shape to tuck away when not in use.

10 Tips and Tricks for Easier Laundry Days [Yahoo!]
Easy Laundry Tips [The Nest]
How to Do Laundry More Effectively [Babble]
13 Ways to Make Laundry Day Easier [BHG]

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3 Ways to Make a Great First Impression

May 9, 2014 by

The old adage is true: You only have one chance to make a good first impression. Because the saying rings true in both social and professional situations, it's helpful to remember a few key pieces of advice when meeting new people. Here are three handy tips:

1) Dress to impress.
Wear clothing that's appropriate for the occasion. Doing so will help bolster your confidence, which will, in turn, be relayed to the other party. If you're headed for a job interview, accessorize minimally, and be sure that your hair and nails appear well-groomed.

2) Be aware of your body language.
Whether you're at a cocktail party or interviewing for a job, crossed arms tell the other people in the room that you're unavailable for conversation. Similarly, excessive fidgeting, slouching, and avoiding eye contact signal that you're anxious and lacking confidence. Sit up tall (just like Mom used to advise!) and smile warmly when warranted by conversation.

3) Don't talk too much.
This might seem counterintuitive when meeting new people, but steamrolling conversation can make you seem self-absorbed. If you find that you tend to ramble when nervous, remind yourself to ask plenty of questions about the other person. This will show that you're truly interested in getting to know them. Offer information about yourself when asked.

5 Ways To Make a Killer First Impression [Forbes]
How to Make a Good First Impression [Real Simple]
Making a Great First Impression [Mind Tools]
It Takes Just 3 Seconds To Make A Brilliant First Impression [Business Insider]

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Organize Your Kitchen in 5 Simple Steps

March 28, 2014 by

Is your kitchen overrun with dirty dishes, loose pot lids, boxes of cereal, and unused utensils? Here are five simple tips to achieve an organized kitchen that looks straight out of a magazine.

  1. Make the most of your cabinets. Cabinets are an important part of any kitchen, as they store all of your loose items and keep dry groceries out of sight. Add removable shelving and storage to make your cabinets work for you.
  2. Keep the most-used items within reach. Clear the unnecessary items from your countertops and keep only the items you use most, such as a few bowls and plates, basic cooking tools, and maybe a coffee station.
  3. Divide drawers. Stop overflowing your kitchen drawers and divide them instead. Simply place drawer organizers inside.
  4. Don’t forget about under the sink. Though many of us simply shove cleaning supplies under there, the underside of the sink is actually great storage space. Add a few storage containers or plastic drawers to keep things separated.
  5. Maximize odd-shaped spaces. If you have a skinny cabinet or a cabinet in a corner, don’t write it off. Add a lazy Susan to a corner cabinet to keep things within reach, and store flat objects like cutting boards in those ultra-thin spots.

23 Kitchen Organization & Storage Tips [BHG]
26 Kitchen-Organizing Tips from Real Cooks [Simple Bites]

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How to Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting

February 20, 2014 by

Celebrate your love of wine with a fun wine tasting party with some of your closest friends. Putting together a wine tasting event doesn’t have to be a big deal. Ask your pals to bring a bottle while you take care of the set up. Here are a few tips to hosting a successful wine tasting.

1. Be prepared.
Make sure to have the proper tools and supplies. Prepare a table with a white cloth, decanters, spittoons, glasses, and coffee grounds in small bowls to neutralize the odors of the many aromas of the wines.

2. Choose up to five wines.
Stick to a selection of five wines so as not to overwhelm the tasting options. Choose wines with some sort of unifying factor, for example, wines from the same region, color, or type.

3. Serve light bites.
Offer your guests small snacks or cheese plate. Doing so will add a new element to the wine, which may taste different paired with food.

4. Discuss.
Once the wine has been tasted, go around and compare notes on which wines made biggest impact. Reveal the labels after the wines have been tasted.

How to Have the Perfect Wine Tasting at Home [Huffington Post]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

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Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Packed Suitcase

February 14, 2014 by

More often than not, you have to limit the amount of things you pack in your suitcase on a vacation or work trip. This often involves packing and unpacking items, and maybe even sitting on top of your suitcase to force it to zip! These helpful tips will help you pack a perfect suitcase and even save room for that last minute item.

  • Try a roll up. Instead of a normal fold, which can waste space and often result in messy wrinkles, roll your clothing into tight tube shapes.
  • Utilize shrink-wrap. If the rolled fold still doesn’t give you enough space, vacuum-sealed plastic bags will surely do the trick. This is especially good for winter coats, towels, or other bulky items.
  • Check the weather. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we’ve all forgotten a bathing suit, umbrella, or a warm jacket for chilly nights out when traveling in different climates.
  • Properly pack toiletries. Avoid leaks by only filling soap and shampoo bottles halfway, then squeeze the excess air out and cap them tightly.
  • Protect your shoes. If you have to pack expensive heels or leather loafers, stuff them with tissue paper and then place them in a cloth bag to prevent scuffing or crushing.
  • Check your list. After you finish packing, cross-reference your suitcase with your checklist. You’ll thank yourself later if you realize you forgot deodorant on your beach vacation!

How to Pack a Suitcase [Travel + Leisure]
How to Pack a Suitcase Efficiently and Perfectly [LifeHack]
Packing a Suitcase [Martha Stewart]
How to Pack a Suitcase for Airline Travel [USA Today]
How to Pack a Suitcase [Instructables]

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The Big Clean: What To Tackle To Get Your Home Spick-And-Span

April 12, 2013 by

If your home's in need of a "big clean", and you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, check out the list below that breaks down the major tasks that need handling to leave your home wonderfully spick-and-span. Like any big project, breaking it down into manageable tasks can make it far easier to tackle. Apartment Therapy's "Stress Free Plan" to pre-party cleaning offers a guide to stuff that you'd probably should be cleaning about once a month, regardless of how often you have company. You can accomplish everything on their "Big Clean" list in just about five hours, including such tasks as:

  • Cleaning kitchen stuff like your cabinets, sink, stovetop, and refrigerator.
  • Scouring nooks and crannies like windowsills, doorjambs, and the spots behind and beneath furniture.
  • Scrubbing the tub and toilet, and cleaning your shower curtain.
  • Discarding built-up clutter, like recycling or stuff for donation.

Want to learn more? Click here to visit Apartment Therapy.

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