How to Throw a Chill Party

Hi lovelies,

Hostess anxiety symptoms are obvious: fear that no one will show up, worry that those who do will stand around and blink at one another in silence, utter certainty that your guests will go home hungry. When you're the hostess, your perfectionism spikes but meeting your own high expectations is not impossible. 

The best kind of chill party has cool outdoor décor and fun outdoor activities, but it also has plenty of food, abundant drink, and a slew of functional furnishings, including plenty of seating and dependable outdoor lighting. To ensure your guests can’t stop talking about your sensational event even weeks after the festivities, here are a few ways to throw the best chill party!

Food
Don't go overboard on the appetizers. Just a couple of simple nibbles, like spicy and sweet nut mix and a dish of Mediterranean olives. Fresh fruit and vegetables are tastiest—and cheapest—at the peak of their seasons. Try picking up a bunch at the farmer’s market, then having a make-your-own pizza bar or best-decorated-salad competition. To save yourself time and anxiety on party day, pick recipes that can be made a day or two ahead. Some dishes (lasagna, cheesecake, cocktail meatballs) actually taste even better when you make them a day or two before serving. 

Drinks
What is a party without a beverage? Take your party to the next level by shaking up cocktails with fresh juices, unexpected splashes of color, and seasonal flavors—pumpkin spice, anyone? Whip up a big batch cocktail beforehand so a refreshing cocktail is available all day long. With no hassle and no mess, it is the ultimate solution for an easy, stress-free party beverage. 

Music
Find and book the perfect ska bands for your event. Some things to consider when hiring a ska band are to make sure you listen to audio and watch video clips. This will ensure that you truly do book the best for your next party. Next, you want to get references. Talk to people in the area about the band and get feedback. Finally, get a contract. Many professional bands require a deposit to secure them at your next event. Make sure to read through the contract carefully before contracting the band for your party.

Games
Party games are a great way to bring people together, break the ice or just provide old friends with new tricks. Try these outdoor game ideas for your next party: Lawn twister (Use circular stencils and spray paint to turn your lawn into a game board). Giant beer pong (Traditional beer pong, only with trash cans (or buckets) replacing the cups and volley balls (or cheap rubber balls from the dollar store) replacing the ping pong balls. Giant Jenga (Use 2x4 pieces to make a super-sized version of the famous stacking game).

3 Ways To Create A Relaxing Garden Area

Hi lovelies,

For those of you blessed with a garden space, consider what you might need to do to enhance your relaxation time outdoors. 

By taking a few (reasonably) easy steps, you will be able to refresh your mind, soothe your soul, and de-stress your body during your time at home. What greater incentive do you need?

#1: Create your own private nook
If you live alone and your garden is already secluded, then that's perfect; you will have all of the privacy that you need. If that isn't the case, then you might want to add certain features to create your own enclosure. You can do this with bamboo fencing, pre-grown shrubs and bushes, or a privacy screen. Be sure to include comfortable outdoor seating too, as you will then have somewhere to sit and relax as you wile away your day. And place fragrant plants around your seated area to soothe yourself with aromatherapy, such as lavender, clematis, and the sweet smell of gardenia. Add a table for your books, magazines, and refreshments, and your relaxation zone will be almost complete. 

#2: Block out any nuisance sounds
Should you be living somewhere remote, then you might have all of the peace and quiet you could ever need when trying to relax in your garden. But if you're living within a busy neighborhood, then noise might be a problem for you. From the sound of traffic to the loud conversations of your neighbors, it might be difficult to get much peace at all. Therefore, find ways to block out these nuisance sounds.

One way to do this is to add bamboo or metal wind chimes around your enclosed area. They're easy to incorporate into your garden, as they can hang from any raised point, so you don't have to do a lot of maintenance to achieve a sense of tranquility. 

Another way to block out sounds is to add a water feature. You can do this by purchasing something at your local garden center, such as an ornamental feature that provides a waterfall or a fountain. Alternatively, consider installing a pond in your garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can add waterfalls and other features as suits your desires. Visit your local garden center, and check out ePumps for the Tsurumi 50PN2.4S and other pumps your pond will need. 

#3: Attract wildlife to your garden

Snow White attracted birds and butterflies to her windows through song, but as she is only a fairy tale character, you will need to do more than sing a tuneful melody if you want to benefit from the relaxing sights and sounds of nature's wildlife.

You can do this by planting bird feeders in your garden, as you will then have regular winged visitors to your garden when they know there is food waiting for them. And to attract butterflies and bees, and other insect wildlife, plant a few herbaceous plants around your garden area. You will benefit from the colors and fragrances of these plants as much as your insect friends do, so your opportunities for relaxation will be multiplied.

We all need to de-stress, and if you have managed to create a garden that will allow you to do so, you will have many opportunities to relax and unwind. So, follow our suggestions, and leave a comment if you have any other ideas for a relaxing garden area.

Photo credit for this collaborative post: (Pixabay CC0)

5 Home Improvements You Didn't Know You Needed

Hi lovelies,

We spend a lot of time in our home’s so it’s natural that they evolve into spaces we enjoy spending time in. Have you ever visited somewhere, looked around and thought, “why didn’t I think of that?”, the inspiration for new home improvements can come at any time so here are 5 home improvements you didn’t know you needed, until now. 

1. A skylight
   Natural light is such an important feature in the home, not only for practical purposes such as helping us to use less electricity but also for making spaces feel bright and airy. Natural light also has an important role to play in mental health and increasing the number of hours you spend in natural light can help to heighten the brain’s production of the mood-enhancing chemical serotonin. Skylights are also great for staring up at the stars and listening to the pitter-patter of rain, making them a great addition to your home. If you want more light to flood into your home, consider swapping your blinds for curtains. You can find curtain rods distributors for Kirsch online.
   

2. A ceiling fan
   Cleaning fans do so much more than just keeping you cool in the summer months. Hot air rises and so most of the hot air in your home ends up near the ceiling, having your ceiling fan circulates the air when your heating is on can help to distribute the warmth more evenly, if you’re worried about wind chill then reverse the direction of your fan so it sucks the air up rather than pushes it down. Ceiling fans come in so many shapes and sizes and many also come with light attachments, find out more  by exploring www.modernfanoutlet.com.
   

3. Decorative light switch covers
   Decorative light switch covers are definitely something you probably wouldn’t have thought you needed until you see how much they can improve the finished look of a room. They can be used to hide switches or highlight switches, from vintage brass to vibrant patterns, intricate shapes and fun figures, there’s a cover for every room and every kind of interior design. They also make great additions to kids bedrooms and make remembering to turn off the lights fun.
   

4. A hanging chair
   There’s something so magical about sitting in a hanging chair as it gently sways back and forth from the ceiling. A hanging chair can help to create the perfect reading nook or simply add intrigue to any living space. Whether you want a modern space-age egg design or prefer a simple bohemian macrame a hanging chair is the room accessory you didn’t know you needed. Hanging chairs are also great for smaller spaces, allowing more light to circulate the room and maintaining an airy feel.

A boiling water tap
When people first hear about boiling water taps their first reaction is often ‘danger!’ but a boiling water tap is in fact no more dangerous than a kettle. It just takes less time for the water to boil, in fact, it’s instant. Once you’ve had the chance to use a boiling water tap you won't go back, the convenience of instant boiling water revolutionises the kitchen, making cooking easier and serving tea or coffee, instant.

*Photo credit for collaborative post: Image Credit: Pexels, Free to Use Licence.

Things You Do Everyday That Could Be Harming You

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Hi lovelies,

There are many things that you do each day that you don’t even think about. They become routine, normal and you wouldn’t even notice if they’re making you feel rubbish. There are things that can harm your health without you even realising it, so if you’re not feeling your best right now, but you’re guilty of some of the following, then perhaps it’s time you made some changes to see what a difference it could make:

Hitting The Snooze Button
Most people are guilty of this; in fact, many people purposefully set their alarm early so that they can enjoy a good snooze before they have to get up. However, that ‘good snooze’ you think you’re getting is very poor quality sleep and which confuses your body and means that your body doesn’t get into the habit of a proper wake-up at a consistent time.

It’s important to get yourself into a solid morning routine, which will keep your body’s natural circadian rhythm strong and may even help you to feel more well-rested and vibrant throughout the day.

Drinking That Morning Coffee
According to All The Stuff, caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world and while there are many benefits to caffeine too, have you looked at what it actually is you’re drinking in the morning? Having a coffee filled with sugar, flavours, syrups, cream, and who knows what else, is not just having a morning coffee. There’s no nutritional value in drinks like these, and the sugar will send your blood sugar crashing because of the absence of protein. To wean yourself off, try having a “skinny” version of your favourite drink with sugar-free syrup. You can also order plain coffee or espresso and add a warming seasoning like cinnamon. 

Skipping Breakfast
Even if you don’t feel like it or don’t have time, skipping your breakfast may lead to increased challenges with focus and concentration, as well as anxiety. Your brain has the highest need for fuel in the morning, and after fasting all night, so it’s important to plan a daily breakfast, or at least a morning snack. 

Drinking Fruit Juice
Orange juice might sound healthy, but it’s actually not all that great as it’s pretty much all sugar and can shoot your energy up but then drops it right back down again and really messes with your blood sugar. Instead eat some whole fruits instead as they contain fibre that slows down your absorption of sugar or a handful of nuts, peanut butter on toast, a couple of eggs, or Greek yoghurt as these are all easy ways to pump up your protein intake at breakfast. 

Constantly Chewing Gum 
Do you ever feel gassy and burpy throughout the day? This could be because you’re chewing gum. The sweeteners in sugar-free gum such as xylitol and sorbitol can cause gas and bloating because they’re not fully absorbed by the digestive system. Plus, the act of chewing gum itself can also contribute to gassiness because you’re taking in a lot of excess air. If you need to have something in your mouth, suck on a peppermint instead.

Making A "Bolt" For The Door: Ways To Secure Your Home

Hi lovelies,

If you've recently purchased your first home, it's that big adventure with a new life in a new neighborhood that feels incredibly exciting. But with these new and exciting journeys, we have to remember that we need to look after our home. When we live in a neighborhood that we don't really know much about, or we had to make some sacrifices to get a good quality property in a rundown area, you might want to think about adding a bit more security to your property. What are the best ways to do this?

Don't Advertise Yourself!
As tempting as it is to really show off the grandiosity of our property, if we live in an area that is prone to burglaries, we have got to tone it down a bit. A good example is the driveway gate. We all know that when we see a driveway gate, that if it looks pretty shiny, and incredibly sophisticated, that the person that lives just up the driveway has quite a bit of money, and is more than prime opportunity for a burglary. It's important to choose the right sort of driveway gate. Suppliers like Tulsa Home Guard can help you with this, so you don't over advertise yourself and show yourself to be incredibly posh.

Pexels - CC0 Licence

Removing Hiding Places From Plain Sight
The exterior of the property, especially if you've got a big garden, needs to be as plain as possible. Burglars and the like hide in shrubbery and concealed areas. What you need to do is trim down the plants and trees that could be used for cover on and replace them with bushes or smaller flowers. As well as this, ensure to lock things like outdoor buildings, as well as gates.

Install A Security System
Sometimes we spend too much money on renovating the property we don't think there's any point in purchasing a security system, because they are so expensive. In fact, you don't have to spend above and beyond. You can choose a sophisticated security system, especially those that link to your phone but it's important to choose one that you are comfortable with. Before you said up the security system, it's worth getting some statistics for the crime in your area, as well as evaluating the overall weaknesses of your home. When finding the right security system, think about the cost, but also consider the brand, the installation methods, and even the customer service.

Get A Bunch Of Locks
From deadlocks to window bars, locks work wonders. You'll be surprised as to how many people don't have a good quality front door lock. You can upgrade to smart locks, to ensure that your burglar doesn't come in through the front door. And when it comes to securing things like the doors and windows, you have to remember that if they aren't strong enough in the first place, the lock won't work anyway. Installing strong doors, windows with reinforced glass, as well as having some due diligence in terms of the overall sturdiness of the property, work wonders.

Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Running Perfectly

Hi lovelies,

Being a homeowner brings with it a lot of benefits. Having the freedom to unleash your inner interior designer and decorate your rooms in your own style has to be one of the biggest benefits! However, there are also a lot of responsibilities that come with owning your home. Taking care of every aspect of your property is essential to keep it running smoothly. Regularly maintaining your home will help save you from the hassle of lots of bigger problems and expense in the future.

Here are some of the ways that you can make sure that your home stays looking great and in perfect working order:

Clear Out Your Clutter
Clutter is something that seems to creep into your home over time slowly. Everything can be neat and tidy, then one day you will look around to find that you are surrounded by mounds of ‘stuff.’ Clutter is a problem for many reasons, but some of the main issues are that it attracts dust and can be a major trip hazard too! 

Having lots of clutter littering your house can make it feel like an unorganized place to live, and in turn, can make life feel more stressful. To be able to relax in your home you will want it to feel like a homely sanctuary. Unfortunately, lots of clutter can have the opposite effect, and instead, create a stressful living environment.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. You can make decluttering manageable by taking time to tidy things away little and often. This is the key to keeping your home clutter-free and fabulous.

Don’t Skip Services
As a homeowner, sometimes you will inevitably need to call in the professionals. Calling in a technician is not something that only needs to happen when something breaks; it is something that you should do to keep your home well-maintained. Getting items such as your HVAC serviced regularly by a company such as mes-ac.com is crucial to keeping it working at its best. Not getting your heating and air conditioning means that potential issues won’t be picked up. If your HVAC unit then breaks you could find yourself uncomfortably hot in the scorching summer, and freezing in the winter months.

Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
The best way to handle potential problems in your home before they become a significant issue is to get them sorted out as soon as you notice them. If you think that you may have a leak, or you have seen a crack, it is far better to get it checked out when it first appears. Ignoring potential issues allows them to become a bigger problem at a later date. By taking action early, you will help to prevent the problem from escalating further.

Spring Clean
Spring cleaning is the ultimate way of showing your home some love. A good top to toe clean will help you identify any issues such as mold or mildew, and will help your home look at its very best.

*Photo credit for this collaborative post: Image credit - Pexels CC0 License

3 Ways to Turn Your Home into a De-Stressing Centre

Hi lovelies,

Stress will kill you. That’s something we’ve all been told growing up, and it’s also one of those bits of folksy wisdom that also turns out to be backed up by scientific evidence.

When our stress levels are elevated, it’s not just a matter of us “feeling” one way or another. The sensation of stress is connected to “stress hormones,” particularly cortisol and adrenaline. In short-term situations, elevated levels of these hormones may save our lives. But when they are heightened over a prolonged period of time, they contribute to systematic damage to the various organs of the body – not to mention premature ageing.

Our homes should be naturally relaxing paradises – but often they just add to the stress we are already experiencing.

Here are some tips on how to turn your home into a de-stressing centre, instead.

Fill it with furniture and features that up the comfort level dramatically

It would be difficult to relax and de-stress your home, if you had no comfortable furniture, and the overall ornamentation and style of the home naturally worked against you.

The first step in helping to turn your home into a de-stressing paradise, is to get some furniture that you find both comfortable and visually appealing. For some, that may mean classic shell chairs, for others, the kind of plush sofas you can melt into.

It’s generally pretty easy to figure out when your furniture is making it more difficult for you to relax. Just ask yourself the question, “is there anywhere in this house other than the bed where I’d feel comfortable curling up with a good book?”

If not, you’ve got some work to do.

Be sparing with the gadgets – and don’t have too many things going at one time

It’s difficult to de-stress when you are constantly being bombarded with information from all sides at once. And yet, that is the situation that most of us find ourselves in, in the modern world.

Not only do we have to deal with the demands of our bosses, take care of those ominous-looking letters from Inland Revenue, and deal with everything that goes along with maintaining family and social connections – but we also have to deal with dozens of daily news reports that convince us that we’re facing the end times. Then, there’s the latest entertainment gossip, and more.

If you want your home to be a de-stress paradise, consider going easy on the gadgets. Specifically, spend less time online, and less time watching TV.

Also, try to do only one thing at a time if you can, rather than overloading your attention and stressing yourself out by “multitasking.”

Always have the fridge stocked with nutritious, home-cooked meals

It’s hardly a secret that home-cooked meals, from whole food ingredients, are better for us than processed snacks.

But it’s not only a matter of how long you might live, or how free you might be from some kind of illness years down the line. Eating nutritious food – and the right amount of it – helps to regulate your hormones and keep everything behaving as it should.

When you don’t have enough nutritious food in the house, you’ll likely tend to either starve yourself (which contributes to significantly elevated stress hormone levels), or you will order takeaway, and experience mood and energy instability as a result.

Cook your food in big batches, and always keep the fridge stocked with nutritious meals.

*Photo credit for collaborative post: Pixabay - CC0 License

4 Things To Remember When Buying Your First Home

Hi lovelies,

Buying your first home is a big step and it’s the most expensive purchase you’re ever going to make, so you need to make sure that you don’t rush into things. It’s harder than ever for young people to get their foot on the property ladder and people spend a long time saving up the deposit that they need. When they finally get there and it’s time to start looking at houses, a lot of people find that they don’t really know what they’re looking for. If you’re about to start looking for your first home, here are a few simple tips that you should follow. 

Photo From Pexels CCO License

Always Budget First 
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re looking at houses, but if you want to avoid disappointment, you should always budget first. If you start looking without a clear budget in mind, you might fall in love with a house, only to realize that you can’t afford it. You need to look at how much you have for a deposit and what you can realistically afford to spend each month. It’s also a good idea to look into home loan pre-approval so you can work out what kind of mortgage you’re likely to get before you start viewing houses. If you go in with a clear budget in mind, you can manage your expectations and you won’t waste time looking at places that you will never be able to afford. 

List Your Priorities 
When you are trying to narrow down your options, you need to make a list of your priorities for the house and for the area that you live. Do you want somewhere with a nice outdoor space? Do you want a big kitchen? Are you willing to live in a rural area where there isn’t much going on or would you rather be nearer to the centre of a city? If you list your priorities and then rank them in order of importance, it will be a lot easier to choose which houses you want to view. 

Imagine Yourself Living There 
When you start viewing houses, you need to think about the practical stuff and check for any damage or signs of damp etc. but you also need to really think about whether you could imagine yourself living there. It’s important that your house feels like a home, and even a house that is perfect on paper might not necessarily be right for you. Keep that in mind when looking around and try to imagine where you would put all of your things and how you would use the different rooms. 

Always Get A Survey Done 
No matter how many times you look around a house, there are always things that you will miss. You don’t want to buy a house that has lots of hidden problems that are expensive to fix, which is why you need to have an independent survey done before you buy. A surveyor will be able to spot things like roof damage, damp problems, faulty plumbing, and dangerous wiring. You won’t notice these things yourself, so always get a professional opinion as well. 

If you follow these tips when you are viewing houses, you can make sure that your first home is perfect.

4 Great Ways To Make Your Wedding Day More Personal

Hi lovelies,

Weddings are filled with tradition, which is great, but sometimes it feels like you’re just doing things because that’s how they’ve always been done. Some people love tradition and they want to have the typical wedding, but a lot of people are moving away from that these days. Instead of following all of the traditions, they’re finding ways to put their own stamp on the wedding day and make it more personal to them. A wedding is about celebrating your relationship, after all, so making it more personal is the best way to make it special. If you want to make your wedding more personal, here are a few simple ways to do it.

Pixabay CCO License

Write Your Own Vows 
The wedding vows haven’t changed for a long time and although there are variations on them, they’re all basically the same thing. A lot of people find that they don’t really connect with the vows that much and they don’t feel very personal, so they decide to write their own instead. It gives you more of an opportunity to tell your partner how you feel about them. Some people want them to be soppy and romantic but if that’s not what your relationship is like, you could write some funny ones instead. If you don’t know where to start, visit https://www.theknot.com/content/tips-for-writing-your-own-wedding-vows for a good guide on writing your own vows. 

Choose Your Own Playlist 
If you book a wedding DJ and get them to choose a playlist, you’ll get the same songs that you always get at weddings. If that’s the kind of music that you like, you might be happy with that. But if you and your guests would rather have something different, why not choose your own playlist instead? You could even book a wedding band (check out https://www.alivenetwork.com/hirelivemusic/wedding_bands_in.asp?area=Hertfordshire for a registry of the best ones) and get them to play covers of all of your favourite songs. Picking your own playlist makes the reception more fun and personal for you and it gives your guests something a bit different. 

Ignore Wedding Dress Trends 
One of the most important parts of the wedding planning process is picking your dream dress. If you love the idea of a traditional dress, that’s great, but you don’t have to do that. It’s your wedding and you can do whatever you like, so think outside the box when it comes to picking a dress. 

Create Your Own Wedding Rings 
Wedding bands are another thing that you can easily personalize. You could just buy some rings from a jeweller, but there are some great places where you can get custom made rings from. A ring with the wedding date or an inscription on is a lot more personal than a ready made wedding band. You don’t have to go for a traditional gold or silver either if you don’t want to, you have complete freedom over the material and design so you can pick something that is ideal for you. 

You don’t have to follow wedding traditions if you don’t want to. If you want to make your day more personal to you, these are the best ways to do it. 

5th Annual Freeze HD To Host Star-Studded Benefit for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America

Hi lovelies,

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Freeze HD event last year and I wanted to share with you all of you the inspiring story behind this year’s event. Please read and watch and read below to learn about how you can join the HDSA “family” in the fight against HD purchase tickets or sponsor the 5th Annual Freeze HD on September 28th.

Go to http://www.HDSA.org/FREEZEHD today to purchase tickets and make a difference!

The Lion's Mouth Opens (2014) - Official Trailer from Lucy Walker lucywalkerfilm on Vimeo.

“The 5th Annual Freeze HD event, honoring Kelsey and Scott Porter (Hart of Dixie, Friday Night Lights) will be held at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Saturday September 28, 2019, benefitting the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). Among the many volunteers lending their time and efforts to raise $250,00 for HDSDA, the Freeze HD host committee includes stars Rachel McAdams, Scott Porter, Jason Ritter, Jaime King, Bryce Dallas Howard, Simon Helberg, Marianna Palka and many more! Musical performances by Brian Logan Dales and The Dales Hotel, Katie Lowes & Adam Shapiro (Waitress) and Scott Porter.

Our first Freeze event was created by the talented Jason Ritter (Gravity Falls/Kevin (Probably) Saves the World) and Marianna Palka (GLOW) which featured a documentary that followed Marianna as she received genetic testing results for Huntington Disease. “

5th Annual Freeze HD To Host Star-Studded 

Benefit for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America

Host Committee members Rachel McAdams, Scott Porter, Jason Ritter, Jaime King, Bryce Dallas Howard, Simon Helberg, Marianna Palka and many more volunteer to raise much-needed funds and awareness for Huntington’s disease

Los Angeles, CA (July 26, 2019)- The 5th Annual Freeze HD event, honoring Kelsey and Scott Porter (Hart of Dixie, Friday Night Lights) will be held at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Saturday September 28, 2019, benefitting the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). Among the many volunteers lending their time and efforts to raise $250,00 for HDSDA, the Freeze HD host committee includes stars Rachel McAdams, Scott Porter, Jason Ritter, Jaime King, Bryce Dallas Howard, Simon Helberg, Marianna Palka and many more! Musical performances by Brian Logan Dales and The Dales Hotel, Katie Lowes & Adam Shapiro (Waitress) and Scott Porter. 

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes HD. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease.

“Our involvement with Huntington’s is incredibly personal as it effects both Kelsey and her mother. After receiving the news that Kelsey's mother, Diane, was diagnosed with Huntington's, we also found out that Kelsey is gene positive and will develop it as well,” says Scott and Kelsey Porter, “We are determined to bring awareness to this disease and offer support to anyone who is affected by Huntington's. We are incredibly grateful to accept this honor from Freeze HD and cannot thank our friends and family enough for lending their voices and their support to this important and personal cause.”

Guests of the 5th annual event are invited to enjoy an evening of drinks, dancing, great music, celebrity guests, a fantastic silent & live auction and a few surprises! Our goal is to raise $250,000 for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. HDSA is the world’s premiere non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease. 

ABOUT KELSEY AND SCOTT PORTER

A few days after Christmas in 2013, Kelsey and Scott Porter’s life changed forever.  Kelsey’s parents, Ken and Diane Mayfield, sat the family down and shared with them that Diane had been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. After coming to grips with what that meant for Kelsey’s mom, they realized that Kelsey had a 50% chance of having it as well. In an instant, a disease they had never heard of before became a permanent part of their lives.  

Kelsey and Scott had been married just 8 months at this point. They had always planned to start a family and knew this news would not change their minds. The first step was for Kelsey to get tested. In early 2014 they received word of her diagnosis. Gene positive. Huntington’s is in her DNA. At some point in Kelsey’s life, if there is no medical help, she will experience the effects of Huntington’s disease. 

 Undaunted, as Kelsey always is, she threw herself into figuring out how to have children that would be free of HD. She discovered PGD-IVF (Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis - In Vitro Fertilization), a process in which embryos are fertilized outside the human body and tested for specific genetic diseases before being implanted. Although an arduous process, the Porter’s children would not only be free of Huntington’s but this also meant HD could no longer be passed down by their children either. After the extensive testing, Huntington’s disease was eradicated from their family line going forward. The Porters now have two beautiful, healthy little ones, McCoy Lee and his little sister Clover Ash. 

Despite the positive of having children free of HD, Huntington’s is still a force in the Porter’s family. Kelsey’s mother is currently living with the symptoms of Huntington’s, as Kelsey will eventually too. It has been discovered that Kelsey’s grandmother also had HD meaning many other aunts, uncles and cousins have a fifty percent chance of having inherited the gene themselves. Since her mother’s diagnosis there have been four other confirmed cases in her family and the “at risk” numbers are staggering. When we say that, “Huntington’s disease is a family disease”, it should not be taken lightly. 

On Saturday, September 28, 2019 we will gather at Avalon Hollywood for drinks, dancing, great music, celebrity guests, a fantastic silent & live auction and a few surprises! Our goal is to raise $250,000 for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. HDSA is the world’s premiere non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease. 

ABOUT HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE

Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes HD. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease.

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD.  From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families.

HDSA was founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, the wife of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. Woody died from HD complications when he was only 55 years old, but the Guthrie family legacy lives on at HDSA to this day.

To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.hdsa.org or call (800)345-HDSA.

Food Network Star Debuts 'The Real Milk & Honey Café' in ATL

Hi lovelies,

Just because I spend most of my time in L.A., that doesn’t mean that I still can share the Hotlanta Tea with you all!

Check out the scoop below on the new and fabulous, The Real Milk & Honey Cafe,’ that just launched in Atlanta, GA with a house full of celebs, influencers, tastemakers, and more!

FOOD NETWORK STAR OPENS THE REAL MILK & HONEY CAFE IN ATLANTA, GA

This past Saturday, July 20th, in Atlanta, GA, Food Network star and winner of the Chopped Redemption series, Chef Sammy Davis, Jr. alongside co-owner Monique Rose celebrated the Grand Opening of The Real Milk & Honey, an all-day brunch cafe that boasts an extensive menu that celebrates all things brunch!

To mark the power couple’s latest venture (they already have four thriving Milk & Honey Café locations in the Washington,DC area), The Real Milk & Honey opened its doors to a bevy of industry tastemakers, influencers and local Atlanta personalities this past weekend!

The event kicked off with a surprise, live, outdoor, cooking demo by Chef Sammy, the creative genius behind the restaurant’s decadent menu, and continued inside where guests, including Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law Pat Houston, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield, Atlanta personality and hairstylist Derek J., Saints & Sinners actress Jasmine Burke, Hollywood stylist and personality Phillip Bloch, and model and actor Darian Barnes sipped a signature “Adult Koolaid” cocktail and noshed on a tasting menu that included Chef Sammy’s signature Shrimp & Grits, Salmon / Sweet Potato & Kale Hash, and Fried Chicken with Honey Biscuits!

Surrounded by friends and family, the event was co-sponsored by premium hair company Miss Jessie’s, and feted by Atlanta’s best!

The Real Milk & Honey Cafe is located at 3719 Main Street in College Park, GA, and is already a celebrity favorite, as high-profile clientele and fans include Killer Mike and actress Adrienne C. Moore, who plays Cindy on Orange Is the New Black!

Photos by: Freddy O & John Sands

Are Your Hobbies Harming Your Health?

Hi lovelies,

There are so many hobbies out there that people enjoy. Reading. Writing. Running. Skipping. You can list around a hundred hobbies, and there will be avid and excited followers of all of them. Some hobbies are healthy to have, and there are others that are just as fun, but perhaps not as healthy. It's very easy to follow and embrace hobbies that aren't so great for your health, but not always as easy to enjoy a hobby that is fantastic for your wellbeing. You should be able to enjoy whatever it is that's making you happy, but can you really appreciate it if it's affecting your health?

There are a lot of things that you can spend time doing, but the one thing that you need to know is whether you are doing something that is good for you or not. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few hobbies that you could be engaging in that are truly detrimental to your health.

Netflix and what?
Those binge-watched TV shows on your Netflix account make you feel happy. You've caught right up to the latest and greatest TV shows in your life, and that makes you feel fantastic. Here's the thing: spending time sitting on the couch and catching up on those shows could be having a toll on your health without you even realising. Sedentary life is not the life we humans were meant to lead: we are not slugs. You can still binge-watch those shows, but why not use a step like this while you do it? Or try weighted hula hoops while you watch; getting your heart going while you enjoy your show is a good way around it.

Gigging Away

Whether you are in a band or you are watching concerts live as much as possible, you need to pay attention to the way that your hearing is working. Exposure to loud music is not great on the ears, and if you're a musician yourself, you need to learn more about your hearing and the impact of the music on it. It doesn't mean that you have to give up something you love: it just means you have to get smart about it.

Excessive exercise
Running is supposed to be a healthy hobby, but it's not always the best thing for your body when it's in excess - much like anything else. You wouldn't mind the odd cheeseburger but probably wouldn't eat ten in a row. The same goes for running. Pushing yourself past your limits, running harder than your body is truly ready for and causing injury to your legs is one of the worst ways to spend your time. Talking to your doctor about what's safe for you can help you to find a healthy balance in your favourite hobby and allow you to enjoy it.

Hobbies should complement your life, not harm your health. Review what works for you and what you enjoy, and you'll start to feel great about yourself.

*Photo credit for this guest post: Image Source

Simple Ways To Make Your Home Feel Like a Home

Hi lovelies,

Moving into a new house can be stressful. Even once the boxes are put away and you’ve put up your gallery wall, there can still be a feeling of newness that can stop you from feeling 100% comfortable. Sometimes it can take until your moving in party, or once your decorating is completely finished to allow you to settle into the feeling of being truly home. 

Many renters and house-sharers know that there is a huge difference between simply living in a place where you go to eat, sleep and wash and a home that really feels like home and you feel comfortable in. There's often the difficulty of not being able to decorate, knowing that your tenancy is only for a year and also living with people who you may not know.  But a sense of home is all about how you see things, and regardless of the external factors it is possible to curate true warmth, joy and personality no matter where you’re living.

Figuring out how to make your house feel like a real home is about finding out what makes you feel safe and cosy at home. Only you know what truly makes you feel at peace and warm, safe, and happy, but by sitting down and brainstorming on what those things are and then coming up with creative ways on how  to incorporate them into your house or apartment is the first step toward creating a sense of home. Here are some ideas to get you started.

First Impressions 
The hallway is a great starting place and goes a long way in creating the initial impression people have when entering your home.  Make sure your passage is clear of shoes, bags and other clutter. Keeping the colours light and airy to help the space feel less claustrophobic. Keep a door mat on both sides of the door to stop dirt and mud from the outside creating a mess on your carpets. 

Keep Your Clutter Away and Clean Up 
No-one likes mess and unnecessary clutter. A messy or unclean home can invite a whole host of health problems not to mention invite yucky vermin into you home. Think you’ve got a rat or mice problem? Sort it out quickly by hiring a Pest Control service, get your home feeling safe and clean again as soon as possible. 

Let Your Nose Do The Talking
Nothing is nicer than entering a home that smells great. Smell plays a huge role in creating a pleasing environment. Fill your home with air diffusers, incense, scented candles or even fresh flowers, for a home that smells clean and lovely. 

Let The Sun Shine!
It’s a well-known fact that colours can affect our moods. Cool colours like sky blue or lilac are known for being fresh while yellows are known for being invigorating. Warm and autumnal colours are known for making a room feel relaxing. Warms also work really well with neutrals and allow you to keep your space from looking too bland. 

Your home should reflect your personality.
Most importantly, being authentic to your own personal tastes and interior style will instantly add character and atmosphere in your home. If you create an environment that you love to be in, the rest should naturally follow. 

4 Ways to Make Your Space More Comfy

Hi lovelies,

Right before the holidays, I redesigned my apartment, and I can’t lie, I love it. I created my space to mirror fashion showrooms and spas by honing in on all of the senses from scented candles, jewelry displays, to knitted blankets.

I wanted to share with you a few ways to make your own space, whether it’s your home, office, apartment, or dorm, into your own personal oasis and place to decompress and express yourself. Plus, another way to elevate the ambiance of your home is with super stylish white flameless LED taper candles.

It’s also helpful to have a maid service come to your home as well to keep everything tidy and clean.

4 Ways to Make Your Space More Comfy

#1: Add scented candles

I’m obsessed with making sure that my space smells yummy and that the moment someone walks into my place, they notice the lovely and inviting scents. Depending on your mood, likes, and seasons, scented candles are an easy way to elevate your space. Try spices and richer scents in the winter and opt for citrus and fruity scents in warmer weather.

---

#2: Add some texture with a throw

I love snuggling up on my comfy couch with a soft throw. It adds a bit of warmth and depth to your place by placing a throw over your armchair, sofa, couch, or chair. It can just be decorative or you can use it to keep and your bae warm. Step up your style game by picking throws with different textures from cotton, faux-fur, knitted, and more and opt for different colors and patterns.

---

#3: Change up your sofa

The sofa is often times the centerpiece of your living room, so updating where you place your tushies can totally change the vibe of your place. Opt for an updated fabric like velvet or leather. Don’t be afraid to think out-of-box with a modern and sleek style and go for a funky print.

---

#4: Toss in some pillows

Nothing updates a room like new pillows! Whether they are just decorative or you actually lay your head on them for a little R&R, jazzing up your space with a few new pillows can make all of the difference. Go for some pillows with some sequins for added sparkle or a faux-fur pillow for added softness.

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer Loves Katana West Hollywood

Hi lovelies,

I had an amazing girls night this past Friday night with one of my lovely BFFs who’s also a lifestyle influencer.

The first thing that we noticed about Katana, a hotspot in West Hollywood with an enviable menu and super yummy drinks, was the friendly staff and sleek ambiance located on the heart of Sunset Blvd with an amazing view of LA’s coveted skyline.

The next thing that we noticed was the new Vegan Omakase menu that we were dying to try. My favorite dishes were the Roasted Cauliflower, Miso Eggplant, and Grilled Corn along with the Organic Kale Salad, and the Assorted Vegan Nigri.

But it wouldn’t be a complete girls night without delicious cocktails. We sipped on Lychee Cocktails and the Roxberry cocktail was also one of our favorites.

We danced in our seats to the beats by the DJ and enjoyed the warm rooftop breeze of a summer night in L.A., while catching up and laughing the night away.

I’m officially obsessed with the Kobe Pepper skewers and we ordered two extra rolls of the Kani Maki creamy baked crab wrapped in soy paper!

We can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

KATANA :: WEST HOLLYWOOD :: VEGAN OMAKASE

Must-Have Favorites From My Amazon Shop

Hi lovelies,

I’ve been working on curating my Amazon Shop just for you guys of all of my favorite things that I love and use on a daily basis!

Check them out here and let me know what you think!

SHOP MY AMAZON SHOP HERE

How Every Lifestyle Influencer Elevates Their At-Home Experience With Dr. Vranjes Room Diffusers

Hi lovelies,

One of my favorite ways to make my place feel like a home, is to make sure that it always smells yummy and sweet.

When scented candles just won’t cut it, I turn to Dr. Vranjes Scented Room Diffusers, plus by using the room diffuser, I never have to worry if I left my candles burning when I leave or go to sleep, so it’s a safe way to create an inviting, pleasant, and warm home environment, without the worry.

My favorite scent is the Rosso Nobile, which makes my home blossom with the sweet scent of bouquets of the finest Tuscan wines. It’s the ideal way to enhance my mood and the mood of my guests along with creating a stress-free ambiance while enhancing an overall sense of happiness and wellbeing.

DR. VRANJES FIRENZE ROSSO NOBILE ROOM DIFFUSER

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer Is Drinking Fleurs de Prairie Rosé

Hi lovelies,

The sun to shining, the wildflowers are blooming, and the rosé is flowing. But more importantly, women are coming together to flourish. That’s why celebrating the official launch for the Fleurs de Prairie Rosé Seeds of Beauty campaign was such an honor.

We sipped on the chilled rosé, nibbled on yummy bites, created colorful flower crowns, and learned more how they are empowering inspirational women to unite for a common cause of spreading their creativity, businesses, and passions.

Get the insider scoop below and don’t forget to check out more on Fleurs de Prairie Rosé, here, and join them on Instagram, here.

SEEDS OF BEAUTY

The 2019 Seeds of Beauty Campaign recognizes and supports women who are dedicated to creating beauty in their community; those who are powered by kindness, strengthened by generosity and always in celebration of the hustle. Fleurs de Prairie champions those who inspire each other to #FleurishTogether.

WHY WE LOVE THE WINE

BACKGROUND

“Fleurs de Prairie” translates as “wildflowers,” celebrating the beautiful fields of wisteria, lavender, poppy, and sunflowers carpeting Provence. The wine is sourced from select Provençal vineyards that dot the coastal wind-swept hillsides of the region. The Mediterranean combination of sun, wind, mild water stress, and ocean influence provide ideal conditions for grapes to ripen to the perfect balance of flavor and freshness.

APPELLATION

Côtes de Provence

VARIETAL COMPOSITION

60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% other varietals (Mourvedre, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rolle

VINTAGE NOTES

Provence produced beautiful 2018 rosés due to the year’s generally mild spring and sunny, dry summer. The continuing drought impacted yields across the board, but quality remained high.

TASTING NOTES

Crafted in the traditional Provençal style, Fleurs de Prairie is a pale salmon color with delicate flavors of strawberry, rose petals, and herbs. Its bright, refreshing acidity makes it a perfect companion with a meal or as an aperitif.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were picked at the peak of ripeness during the early morning hours to preserve maximum fruit expression. The fruit was then immediately crushed and sent to tank to chill prior to yeast inoculation. The wines were fermented slowly over 2 weeks at around 55˚F. Throughout the winemaking process the wines were kept in a near zero oxygen environment to preserve the color and intense fruit aromas.

TECHNICAL DATA

pH 3.4    •    RS ‹3.0 g/L    •    Alc. 13.0%

WINEMAKER

Vincent Euzet

PRODUCER

Les Grands Chais de France

*via fleursdeprairie.com

Kinda Dating Podcast: Loving the Single Life Episode with Candy Washington

Hi lovelies,

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I sat down with Natasha Chandel and Aisha Renee Holden to talk about embrace your single life and why dating yourself is the most important relationship you’ll ever have.

Listen and subscribe here:  https://apple.co/2wrKpmc 

Also available on Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Castbox, and Tunein.

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer is Flocking to BOA Steakhouse

Hi lovelies,

There was no better way to celebrate Grammy’s weekend than with my best friend who happened to be in town from San Francisco and with the delicious food and amazing drinks at BOA Steakhouse West Hollywood.

That’s why I wanted to share with you three reasons why BOA Steakhouse is my new go-to restaurants for special events, cozy intimate dinners, and just catching up on cocktails with friends.

Ready for a decadent night of dining and drinks? Then head over to BOA Steakhouse and let me know how your night goes!

Don’t forget to join them on Instagram, here.

3 Reasons to Visit BOA Steakhouse

THE AMBIANCE
The moment you walk into BOA Steakhouse you’re automatically transformed into the mood for luxury dining experience. The music is perfect with great lighting, a friendly staff, and an aroma of decadent food in the air.

THE FOOD
The menu is endless from premium steak, oysters, crab legs, ribs, and perfect sides from mashed potatoes, asparagus, veggies, scallops, and more. Everything was seasoned to perfection. Plus, the surf and turf options are to die for and I can’t wait to go back and try everything else on the menu, especially the desserts.

THE DRINKS
My favorite was the BOA Infusion Signature Cocktail that literally tastes like a delicious watermelon jolly rancher in a glass. My other go-to cocktail was the Clean Cocktail, which is a smoother version of a mojito with mint and cucumber. My bestie loved the Old Fashioned and also got the dirty martini, extra dry with blue cheese olives - and of course, I tasted on his cocktails too. I’m looking forward to trying the Blackberry Smash the next time I swing by.