Winter Solstice

Are you ready for the Winter Solstice?

Tuesday, December 21st will be the shortest day and longest night of the year – for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s as good a reason as any to celebrate – after all, it’s a universal thing for all of us here on Earth. And if you’d like to raise your glass at the precise moment – it’s 11:38 pm – Greenwich Mean Time – so that’s 6:38 in New York – 3:38 in L.A.

If you’re not sure how to celebrate the Solstice – there are thousands of years and cultures to choose from. You could throw together a ritual and feast – adorn your home with sacred herbs and colors – or turn off all the lights and belt out a few chants. And if you have an outdoor fire circle – don’t forget to burn an oak as your Yule log.

Please Pass the germs

There’s something in your kitchen that is COVERED in germs!

When is the last time you washed your salt and pepper shakers? They’re crawling with microorganisms – and we’re shaking them right onto our food. There is an easy way to get them clean though. Put a dab of alcohol based sanitizing gel on your hands and rub it over the shakers. Let them air dry – and any viruses on there will be destroyed in about 2 minutes.

Source: Michael Schmidt, Ph.D.

Picture Perfect

The next time someone whips out a camera – don’t just stand there – strike a pose!

If you’d like to look 10 pounds slimmer in your next photo – there’s a pose for that. Nigel Barker, author of “Nigel Barker’s Beauty Equation,” tells us how to stand.

• Put your left foot in front of your right – slightly pointed.

• Twist your upper body towards the camera – it narrows your midsection.

• Put the arm closest to the camera on your hip – it will look more toned.

The same trick works if you’re seated too. Just cross your legs and twist your torso towards the camera. If you’re the photographer – go ahead and direct your subjects – they’ll appreciate it later.

Don't Be Sorry

The next time you need to apologize – don’t say you’re sorry...

Need to apologize to someone? Consider saying “I apologize” instead of “I’m sorry.” The word “sorry” is so overused – it’s almost meaningless - according to relationship counselor Jason Fierstein. He says a lot of people say “I’m sorry” like a reflex – for insignificant things. When we use the word “apologize” instead, it shows that we take the matter seriously and have really thought about it.

Summer Vacation

If you’d like the best deal on your next summer vacation –  you might want to plan it now...

Most of us are caught up in holiday mode at the moment – which means it’s a GREAT time to book your summer vacation! That’s because as soon as the holidays are over – a lot of people start planning ahead. The best rentals and deals start to fill up fast after the first of the year – especially for really popular spots that have limited accommodations. TJ Mahoney, CEO of Flip Key, says the summer is short and demand is high. The early birds get the best dates and rooms or homes – so you want to start looking at least 6 months in advance.

Free Shipping Day!

It’s free shipping day! (12/17) If you plan to buy stuff online – just make sure to read the fine print...

Over 1,000 online retailers are offering free shipping today. It’s the 3rd annual Free Shipping Day – and the biggest one yet – with a lot of top merchants on board. Just make sure to read the fine print – about 40% of them require a minimum purchase amount. Delivery is guaranteed by Christmas Eve.

To find out which retailers are taking part in Free Shipping Day – you can check the list at FreeShippingDay.com.

Drive-By Gifts

If you’re stuck for gift ideas – We found some help...

Just because you’ve put off your shopping until the last minute – doesn’t mean you can’t still find a gift they’ll actually use. Here are a few suggestions:

• Pajamas – they can be an unexpected treat – and you don’t have to worry too much about size. If you’re not sure – bigger is usually better.

 

• Car wash – most people will need one soon in the winter – and a certificate for an inside-out wash might be really appreciated.

• Movie tickets – some theaters offer vouchers for popcorn, snacks and drinks too.

And if that gift card is lacking warmth – consider wrapping it up with something related – an extra pair of ear buds with that i-tunes card – or an ice scraper with that gas or car wash card.

Dear Santa...

If you haven’t sent your letter to Santa Claus yet – that’s ok! I’ll tell you how to write a good one – and where to send it...

You’ve still got time to write a letter to Santa Claus. Sure he's busy – but your letter might just end up near the top of the pile. There are some dos and don’ts. Instead of launching right in to what you want – it’s a good idea to ask Santa how he’s doing – or what kind of cookies he likes. Once you’ve thanked him and signed the letter – address the envelope to Santa Claus – The North Pole – and put a stamp on there. That’s it.

Kids – if you’d like a response from Santa – ask your parents to check with the post office or look it up online. For Mom and Dad – if there’s something really special on your list – you might want to leave it lying around for a few days before mailing it.

Source: S. Claus

Beauty Sleep

Can lack of sleep make you ugly? Yes!

There’s a lot to be said for getting our beauty sleep. It turns out that LACK of sleep can actually make us ugly. First – there’s the weight gain associated with not getting enough sleep. When we’re sleep deprived – we feel hungrier and eat more. Then there’s our skin – it’s our body’s biggest organ – and it rejuvenates itself while we sleep. Lack of sleep can cause our skin to look older, drier and more wrinkled. Finally – there’s our mood. When we’re running on empty – we don’t feel so great – and that can be reflected all day long in facial expressions and body language.

Holiday Pet Hazards

As we enter the final holiday stretch – there are some things your dog would like you to consider...

This can be a stressful time of year – especially for your pet! First, there’s all that barking at the extra visits from UPS or the mailman – and then there are some real holiday hazards:

• Oh no! The tree! Your dog or cat might love it at first – but you’ll all be traumatized if it comes down. Make sure it’s secured. Also, make sure any tree preserver you add to the water is pet friendly. And finally, skip the tinsel – it’s really dangerous for animals.

• Don’t leave any chocolate gifts lying around – your dog WILL find them. If he does - don’t panic if it’s a small amount – but if he gets his paws on a lot of it – call the vet.

• When you’re carving that festive turkey, ham or roast – that salivating pooch will just be waiting for a morsel to drop. Don’t give those fatty trimmings to the dog – or you’ll probably be cleaning up a mess later. Stick to the lean pieces.

Source: Jessical Melman, Veterinarian

How's Your Credibility?

How is your credibility? Sandy Allgeier, author of “The Personal Credibility Factor,” has four things that can RUIN it:

• Cancelling or arriving late. Some people don’t think it’s a big deal – but some people do. It can translate into lack of consideration on your behalf.

• Being messy or disorganized – some people just are. Unfortunately, people who are neat and organized often assume messiness is a sign of unreliability.

• Not following through on promises – ESPECIALLY the little ones – they’re easier to forget. If it happens a lot – people won’t take you at your word for the big stuff.

• Thinking out loud. Even if you’re just talking yourself through some options – others could perceive what you’re saying as a commitment. It’s important to make it clear that it’s just an idea - and that you will need to confirm it later.

Ace That Performance Review

If you dread that performance review at work – there are some things you can do to improve your score.

Sharon Armstrong, author of “The Essential Performance Review Handbook,” has this advice:

• Get a copy of your employer’s performance appraisal form BEFORE the appraisal. Check the company website or the human resources department.

• Keep a positive feedback file. If a client, boss or coworker praises you – write down the compliment along with the date and keep it in a file with any other positive notes or emails.

• Self-evaluate. Put yourself in your boss’s shoes and fill out an evaluation on yourself.

It’s important to have a reaction plan during your review. If you’re being unfairly criticized – stay calm. There’s a good chance you’ll have the option of filing a written rebuttal – and that will look a lot better than getting defensive or argumentative – especially if you’ve been blindsided and aren’t prepared.

Wrap-a-thon

If wrapping presents isn’t your strong point – here's some advice:

That late night wrap-a-thon is right around the corner – and I’ve got some basic tips for the wrapping impaired:

• Measure the paper first! It’s a no-brainer – but eyeballing it usually backfires.

• Give your elbows a rest and invest in a pop-up tape dispenser – it’s SO much easier.

• Go for the ribbon instead of those stick-on bows. The gift will look nicer – and you won’t have all of those peel-off pieces lying around.

• If you’re using gift bags – splurge on the tissue paper AND some ribbon. A naked gift bag looks lame. The same rule applies for boxes – that item looks MUCH better with some tissue in there.

• If it’s a really odd shaped gift – consider tying it up in some pretty fabric with a nice bow – or even JUST the bow. That will look more polished than crumpled and crooked paper.

Waiting in Line

The next time you need to wait in line – go ahead and time it...

If waiting in line seems like a waste of time – we might as well make the most of it. Go ahead and time it – that waiting usually feels longer than it actually is. Take a look around – retailers go to great lengths to keep us in line - and prevent us from walking out - and there’s a good chance you’ll find some reading material, an interesting sign or product to look at. If all else fails, strike up a conversation with someone next to you – waiting solo feels a LOT longer – so you might be better off choosing your line by who’s in it.

Source: Tarah Knaresboro, Popular Mechanics

Got a Problem? Get Two Women!

If you’ve got a problem to solve – you'll need two women...

The next time you need to make an important decision – phone a friend – preferably a woman friend. A study in the journal Science explains that most women have a knack for being in tune with other’s emotions – and will be better at determining what your best options are. Women also have a great reputation for cooperation and problem solving skills.

If you’re a guy – consider having two women find a solution to your problem for you – that’s the power problem solving combo.