DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for June, 2016

Summer Style Sneakers

You Choose the Shoes – Summer Style Sneakers

Hey guys, I know it’s not a new month but  it is close enough so I wanted to throw in this extra edition of “You Choose the Shoes” Summer Style Sneakers.

Summer is here and I am now a bit more casual in my attire, however, I do still wear dresses and skirts to work.  To be honest I really don’t like shorts but find capri pants are a bit more flattering on me.

This was what I wore on one of my free Saturdays when I needed to hit the streets and run a few errands.

 

Summer Styles

 

I chose to wear sneakers instead of sandals but couldn’t decide which pair looked best.   Do you like the floral prints or the stripes with these comfy, casual capri pants? You Choose the Shoes Summer Style   sneakers in the summer

There’s not much to say about the outfit other than it was perfect for the weekend and it was my favorite color – black!

 

summer shoes

 

The Tablet carrier is from Avon but purchased a few years ago, therefore, am not sure if it’s still available.

 

casual summer footwear

 

How about you, do you prefer lace up sneakers, slide-on sneakers or no sneakers in the summer?  

hope you and the family have a wonderful 4th of July Holiday weekend!  

4th of July

Eat – Drink and Be Merry – but most of all be safe!


Tourist in Town at Battery Park

As most of you know, I teach Basic Blogging and Social Media Savvy Workshops for The Money School of Delaware.  These workshops are usually held at the Bear Library, close to home in Middletown.

However, last week I taught a workshop at the New Castle Library in Old New Castle which is a beautiful, quaint little town about 30 minutes from my home.

Basic Blogging Workshop at New Castle Library

The class was very interactive and I was glad that all of these “future Delaware bloggers” came out on such a beautiful day.  Because it was such a beautiful Saturday, after the workshop, Beverly Powers, an attendee, author and friend of mine decided to have lunch, stroll through the town and then take a walk through Battery Park.

New Castle ibrary gardens at NCC Library

 

We decided to have lunch at Jessop’s Tavern a small Colonial Style restaurant where I ordered a delicious salad topped with shrimp and Beverly ordered the same but with salmon.

The salads were both large enough to satisfy our hunger as well as filling enough to justify the walk down to Battery Park.

lunch at Jessops Tavern

We stopped along to way to take pictures as I had never been to Old New Castle during the day and after living in Delaware for over 30 years it was fun being a tourist in my own state.

Old New Castle is a beautiful place so the next time I visit, I will ask hubby if he would care to join me.

As a matter of fact, starting in July there will be free summer concerts in Battery Park on Wednesdays, so we will definitely come back for one of them.  tourist in Old New Castle Garden at NCC ibrary tourist in Old New Castle tourist in Old New Castle

It was a bit windy once we got to Battery Park but there were a lot of people out and about either walking, having a family picnic, reading, or just relaxing on a park bench enjoying the beautiful sunshine.  We took the opportunity to take more pictures and to broadcast few Facebook Livestream videos.

tourist in Old New Castle Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE Old New Castle, DE

 

As we returned to our vehicles we peeked into the windows of several stores that were closed due to the lateness of the day.

shoppes in Old New Castle shoppes in Old New Castle shopping in Old New Castle stores in Old New Castle

We picked up a tourist brochure which were available outside of the Mayor’s office and read about the Historic New Castle Heritage Trail with tours on Wednesday through Sunday.  These audio self-guided tours are also available online at newcastlehistory.org  shoppes in Old New Castle Battery Park 9 shoppes in Old New Castle

It was fun being a tourist in my state of Delaware and I will definitely make plans to come back when the shoppes are open.

shoppes in Old New Castle

How about you, have you ever been a tourist in your own town?

Delaware Street


Paris in Pink and a very busy week!

Wow, this week just flew by and yesterday was our son’s 24th birthday.  All I could think about was the day that he was actually born which was 3 month’s prematurely, and just how far he had come in those 24 years.

I am so proud to be his mother!

He also started his first day at Home Depot in Middletown, so he will be wearing his Home Depot orange apron and cap proudly.

  Tayair's Birthday Pic This week also flew by because it was filled with so many client activities. If you are following Sozo Signature Mobile Salon on Facebook you would have seen some awesome photos and videos of their #SozoSummer Ribbon Cutting and Kickoff held on Tuesday.

However, if you are not following Sozo Signature Mobile Salon on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, may I recommend that you do so, as there are going to be some amazing things happening soon.

Sozo FB Page

  Blake and the Bentley

Check out the following trailer video which was created just a few hours after the Ribbon Cutting held at the Courtyard Marriott UDel.  This makes me proud to be part of the #Sozo team.

Stay tuned for a blog post next week, but in the meantime, head over to my Facebook page to see the replay of the live stream vlogging.

 

 

Now on to the outfit which inspired the title of this post – Paris in Pink.

On casual Friday a few weeks ago I decided to break out this Paris in Pink top which was purchased from Ross and pair it with black jeggings from Walmart.

fashion after fifty

The purse is from Avon and the shoes were purchased several years ago from UrbanOg.

accessories from Urbanog.com

I also switched up the shoes for this next shot, which are sandals from Avon, however, I decided to wear the pink ones.  What do you think, which pair would you have worn?

Shoes from Avon

For our son’s birthday, hubby ordered sugar free cupcakes which he ordered from Half Baked Patisserie and they were delicious!  Malik wasn’t too fond of the lack of sugar, but Tayair liked them as he is not overly fond of sweets.

birthday cupcakes

This is going to be a busy weekend, however, I am not going to complain because I prayed for the success of A.Blake Enterprises and God always answers prayers when asked in his name!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

casual Friday outfit

 


This week’s deals!

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Sears Coupons: $10 Off $50

Finding the perfect pair of shoes for yourself can be a challenge, let alone finding a fantastic pair for every single member of your family! But thanks to Sears and their fabulous selection of footwear for sale at amazing prices, you can rest assured that you’ll find exactly what you need and more for everyone in your family without breaking the bank! Shop now online at Sears.com to save $10 off of your purchase of $50 or more on shoes for the whole family with our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid 6/12/16 – 6/25/26.

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Shoebuy Coupon Code: 20% Off

Are you on the hunt for the perfect pair of shoes to amp up your already fashionable wardrobe? Look no further. Thanks to the shoe experts at Shoebuy.com, you can find everything you need to keep your feet stylish and comfortable all summer long with a fabulous selection of modern and classic sandals, flats, heels, wedges, and more all in one place. Shop their amazing selection now to save an additional 20% off of your entire purchase of any gorgeous pair of shoes and get free shipping with our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid through 11/1/19.

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Sierra Trading Post Coupon: 15% Off

Whether you’re a lifelong outdoors enthusiast or simply have taken a recent shine to spending your free time out in the fresh air, having the right equipment and apparel can really help make a difference in your experience. From camping gear and accessories to outdoors sports clothing and shoes, Sierra Trading Post has everything you need to fuel your next great outdoors adventure all in one convenient place. And if you shop today at SierraTradingPost.com, you can save an amazing extra 15% off of your entire order by using our exclusive I’m in promo code. Offer valid through 7/7/16.

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Allposters Promo Code: 25% Off

No matter what your personal taste or sense of style, adding a touch of art to your home or office can really help boost your mood and make your space more inviting and enjoyable. But where can you find the exquisite works of art that you’ve been dying to have without spending a fortune in the process? At AllPosters, of course! Shop their unbeatable selection of posters, art, and photography prints online today to save 25% off of your entire order with our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid through 6/30/16.

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WorldMarket Promo: 10% Off

Searching for the perfect unique piece to add to your home? Look no further! World Market has everything you’ve been searching for and more all in one place, from playful decorations and eye-catching art to trendy furniture and accessories to delicious foods and snacks, you can find it all here and more! Whether you’re shopping for the perfect present for someone special or just a little something for yourself, World Market will have it. And now you can save 10% off of your entire purchase at World Market with our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid through 12/31/16.

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Fossil Promos: UP to 30% Off

We’ll admit it – trying to find the latest in high-end accessories that are both trendy and affordable can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know where to look. But you can rest assured that you’ll find everything you need for an amazing price at Fossil! From fashionable handbags to modern and classic wallets to playful accessories, Fossil has everything a woman needs to stay on trend yet classically beautiful without even trying! Shop at Fossil.com today to save up to 30% off of all women’s accessories with our exclusive promotion code! Offer ends 8/24/35.

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Steve Madden Coupon: 15% OR 20% Off

Looking for the perfect pair of shoes to add to your wardrobe for the upcoming summer season? Head on over to Steve Madden to find exactly what you need and more! With their unbeatable selection of fashion-forward women’s footwear, you can easily get your hands on all of the styles you’ve been dying to have at a fantastic price, too! From wedges to sandals, flats to heels, pumps to clogs, they have everything you’ve been dreaming of and more! Shop at SteveMadden.com to save an additional 15% off of your entire purchase of $75 or 20% off of your purchase of $100 or more and get free shipping with our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid 6/1 through 6/30.

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Alloy Coupons: 20% Off

The summer season is officially here, and you know what that means – time to build up your summer wardrobe with trendy new pieces and classic favorites! But how can you get yourself ready for the summer without spending a fortune? Shop at Alloy clothing, of course! With inexpensive pieces that are perfect for any woman’s sense of style and unique shape, you are bound to find everything you need and more in their fabulous selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories. Shop online at Alloy.com any time from 5/19 to 7/19 to save 20% off of your entire order with our exclusive coupon code!

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Cookies By Design Coupon Code: 15% Off $50

Finding a fantastic present for someone special can be a difficult process, especially if you have no idea what to get them! But thanks to Cookies by Design, you can finally get your hands on a great gift for anyone on your list without the hassle spending a fortune. From playful gift baskets to themed cookie boxes to tasty gourmet treats and more, you can find everything you need for everyone on your list. And if you shop online at their website today, you can save an amazing 15% off of your entire order of $50 or more with our exclusive promo code! Offer valid through 7/18.

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1800 Flowers Promo Code: 15% Off

No matter who you’re shopping for on your gift-giving list, you know that they’ll absolutely love and truly appreciate a gorgeous gift basket or eye-catching floral arrangement from 1-800 Flowers. From a stunning spring bouquet to a thoughtful get-well basket of candies and treats to a simple everyday surprise, you can rest assured that you’ll find everything you need and more in their fantastic selection. Head on over to 1-800 Flowers today to save 15% on any order of same-day flowers or gifts delivery services with our exclusive promo code, now through 7/3/16.

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Dr Scholls Promo: 10% Off

No matter what you do during the day, from running errands to walking around the office to chasing after your children, having uncomfortable feet is a truly painful experience. But thanks to Dr. Scholls, you can rest assured that you’ll always travel in comfort! With their unbeatable selection of super soft insoles, cushiony shoes, and more, you can finally find the perfect pair to keep you up and running all day long. If you shop online at drshollsshoes.com today, you can save 10% off of your entire purchase sitewide with our exclusive coupon code! Ends 1/17/17.

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Coffee For Less Promos: 5% Off

Any coffee addict can tell you, having the perfect cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon can really put them in a great mood. From rich roasty dark coffees to sweet and light blonde roasts to creamy medium roasts, each coffee lover has their favorite flavor and brand. But coffee can quickly get very expensive – where can you find the great varieties you love without spending a fortune? Coffee for Less, of course! For a limited time, you can take 5% off of your entire order sitewide of coffees with our exclusive coupon code! Offer ends 6/30/16.

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Mikasa Coupon Code: 20% Off

No matter what your personal taste, having a great set of high-end cutlery and dishes is an absolute necessity in any household. And with the seemingly endless varieties of exquisite dishes, silverware, glassware, and more for sale at Mikasa, you can find the perfect set to add to your collection. From the simple sets to the more elaborately crafted collections, Mikasa is bound to have exactly what you’ve been dreaming of and more. And thanks to our exculsive coupon code, you can save 20% off of one fabulous item from Mikasa.com, now through 6/30! Some exclusions apply.

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Sur La Table Promo: 20% Off

Whether you’re just setting out on starting your own family or already have a big one of your own, having a great kitchen and dining room to keep everyone happy and fed is a necessity. And with Sur la Table you can rest assured that you’ll find everything you need and more in their fabulous selection of home décor and accessories, kitchen accessories and appliances, tools and more for sale all in one place. And the best part? You can save 20% off of one item in your next purchase thanks to our exclusive coupon code! Offer valid through 6/26.

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Hayneedle Coupon: Free Shipping

Are you desperately searching for the perfect piece to add to your home or to pass along as a great gift for someone special? Look no further – Hayneedle has your back with an amazing selection of home goods, tools, and accessories for sale all in one convenient place. From gorgeous décor to innovative appliances to tabletop tools and more, you can finally rest assured that you’ll find everything you need. Shop at Hayneedle.com with our exclusive coupon code to get free shipping on any purchase of $50 or more! Offer valid through 12/31/16.

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Lamps Plus Coupons: UP to 70% Off

Even if it’s hiding in the corner somewhere, the perfect lamp can illuminate a room and add a touch of beauty and elegance. With each room in your home comes the perfect opportunity to add a great lamp or two that will both light up the room and delight those who inhabit it! And with Lamps Plus, you can find all of the lamps you’ve been searching for and more, from standing floor lamp to eye-catching chandeliers to chic wall sconces and more. Shop the Lamps Plus Clearance Sale to save up to 70% off and get free shipping on select clearance items! Offer ends 12/31/16.

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Life is Good Coupon Code: UP to 40% Off

No matter what way you put it – life is good! And with the amazing high quality shirts, sweatshirts, and bottoms for sale at Life is Good, you and your entire family can truly celebrate each and every day in style. With an amazing selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and accessories for sale, you are bound to find everything you need for you and your entire family (and maybe even your pets, too). Shop today to save even more in the Life is Good Sale Collection, with amazing items up to 40% off! Offer valid through 8/24/35.

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Peapod Promo Code: $15 Off

With our busy lifestyles and active families, finding time to go to the grocery store and shop for everything we need can be a challenge. From making a list to getting to the store to walking around and waiting in line, it can be a time-consuming and seemingly impossible task. But thanks to Peapod, you can skip the hassle and get everything you need sent right to your door! Sign up for their convenient delivery service and save $15 off of your first order with our exclusive coupon code! Some exclusions apply. See site for details. Offer ends 12/31/16.

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Petco Coupon: UP to 20% Off

For many of us, our pets are beloved members of the family whom we love and enjoy taking care of. But finding and buying the right foods, toys, treats, and accessories for our dogs, cats, birds, and more can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Never fear – thanks to Petco you can get everything that you need to keep your pet healthy and happy delivered right to your door! Sign up for repeat delivery at petco.com today and save up to 20% off and receive a $30 eGiftCard! Offer valid through 1/31/17.

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Gift Tree Promo: 20% Off

Any day is the perfect day to celebrate if the occasions call for it! And what better to ring in a promotion, birthday, wedding, and more than a delicious glass of high-end champagne? Sharing a bottle of champagne with friends and family, of course! Head on over to GiftTree.com to find the perfect champagne gift basket or present for yourself or someone special to really bring out the celebration spirit! Shop now to save up to 15% off of the perfect champagne gift for anyone on your list thanks to our exclusive promo code! Offer ends 7/31/16.

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Business Casual Cute

Business Casual Cute 

Oftentimes I have client meetings after work, so I try to wear something comfortable and cool because I usually won’t get home before 8 at night.  I love pencil skirts and sleeveless shirts, black being my favorite color because of its slimming affects.

  red and animal print

With this outfit, I decided to break up the black with red accessories, and jazzed it up a bit with an animal print.  Do you remember this Cascading Vest which was provided to me from Covered Perfectly to review?  Well believe it or not it has been hanging in my closet unworn ever since.

  product review

These Jessica Simpson peep toe animal print shoes are one of my favorite consigned finds.  I literally wear them all year round, well at least if there’s no snow on the ground.

shoes purchased on consignment  

The red tote is a Walmart purchase and the red bracelet and ring are both from Old Navy.

  what to wear to work

What do you like to wear when you have a long day and want to keep it business casual cute?


Baked Ziti

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubCloth #CollectiveBias

 

My hubby has one favorite meal that he loves to make and that’s Baked Ziti. So when I asked him if he would show me how so that I could make it for him for Father’s Day, he reluctantly kindly agreed.  However, I must admit that his version turned out to be much better than mine and it definitely was a lot less messy!

how to make baked ziti

 

After work I stopped at Walmart to pick up the following ingredients but had to make a second trip because I had forgotten the shredded cheese.  This should have been the first indication that I wasn’t ready to take over his recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Box Penne Pasta or Ziti Noodles – cooked according to package directions

2 Jars of Marinara Sauce

3 lbs Ground Turkey (chicken or beef) – browned

Shredded Cheese (3 cheese mixture)

 

However, while there I also picked up a 2-pack of Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths which definitely came in handy as you can see why! 

These Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloths are textured fiber dish cloths featuring two sides with scrubbing dots on one side so you don’t need to use a scrub brush.

 

baked on mess

 

 

Once home, I tried to keep hubby out of the kitchen while I prepared the Ziti but he couldn’t help from popping in and out checking to ensure that I was following his directions.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Boil water and cook pasta according to box directions, drain but do not rinse noodles

drain but do not rinse noodles

 

Brown ground turkey in skillet with a little olive oil for approximately 25 minutes

cook ground turkey for 25 minutes

 

Drain Ground Turkey then put a layer of noodles at the bottom of the pan, top with Marinara Sauce, ground turkey and cheese, stir to mix all ingredients. Repeat with a second layer and top with a more cheese.

Hubby said it’s the cheese that makes the Ziti thick and tasty but there is no need to measure it, just add what you want!

marinara sauce

 

baked ziti recipe

 

marinara sauce and ground turkey

The pasta and ground turkey was already cooked so I put the pan in the pre-heated oven just long enough to warm and melt the cheese which was about 30 minutes. 

Obviously, if using a glass pan you should coat with cooking spray otherwise, you will have a baked on mess which is exactly what I had.

I poured 1/2 cup of pure baking soda into the pan and then added 1/2 cup of white vinegar.  The foaming action began to dissolve some of the baked on mess and the scrubbing cloth took care of the rest.

 

I let the pan soak with the baking soda and vinegar so by the time I had finished eating simply using the non-scratch side of the scrubbing dish cloth had this pan sparkling again. 

I was ecstatic because the last thing I wanted to do was spend the next hour scrubbing the pan while hubby sat on the sofa watching the game!

Clean-Up-with-Scotch-Brite-173

 

Needless to say, I will leave the Baked Ziti recipe to hubby so the next time he will have the pleasure of using a Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth to clean up the baked on mess. 

These new Scotch-Brite dish cloths are available at Walmart in 2 packs in tan, coral, and navy for $4.98 and there is a $1 off instant redeemable coupon available on the product.

shopping at Walmart

 

The Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth combines the best of a high quality dish cloth with the power of Scotch-Brite® scrubbing dots so it definitely made for a quicker and easier clean so I was able to join hubby on the sofa before the game ended!

where to find Scotch Brite in Walmart

 

Nest weekend I will try another recipe and if you too are looking to try something new, check out these great recipes and cleaning tutorials here .


Fire Up The Grill for Corn and Kabobs

Celebrating Father’s Day is a lot different than celebrating Mother’s Day and personally I think the food is better.  Instead of standing in long lines waiting to be seated at a restaurant with mom in tow – on Father’s Day all you have to do is fire up the grill! 


Father's Day dinner

One of our favorite grilled meals is definitely corn and kabobs, the kabobs can be either chicken or beef and sometimes I’ll use devained shrimp.  It is such an easy recipe to make and the most time spent is in marinating the meats.  A few hours or the night before put the beef strips in a ziploc bag with 1/2 cup of Worcestershire Sauce and in another ziploc baggie pour in 1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar with the chicken tenderloins.

kabobs on the grill

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken tenderloins and 3 lbs of beef strips or cubes 

Worcestershire Sauce or Marinade of your choice

Apple Cider Vinegar

10 to 15 wooden skewers

Cherry Tomatoes

Mushroom Buttons

Red Pepper

Medium Sweet Onion

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or Olive Oil Cooking Spray

Seasoning salt

Dipping Sauce – I chose Frank’s RedHot Sweet Ginger Rajili Sauce

soak skewers in water

Preparation

1. Dice onions, mushrooms and red peppers into bite size pieces, keep cherry tomatoes whole

2. Soak wooden skewers in water 30 minutes. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Thread chicken strips alternating with veggies in a loose accordion style onto each skewer repeat the same with the beef strips. Brush with vegetable oil, and sprinkle with seasoning salt.

3. Grill kabobs, covered with grill lid and turning occasionally, 11 to 14 minutes or until meat is done.

beef kabobs grilled kabobs

4. Mini *frozen corn cobs were coated with a little butter, wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on the top rack of the grill to cook the same time as the kabobs.  Turn them over after 10 about minutes.

I also prefer to place the kabobs on aluminum foil coated with cooking spray – that way the pieces don’t fall through the grates.  

*Feel free to use fresh corn, just don’t let it cook too long or it will burn!

father's day meal

What is your favorite grilled foods?

 


Social Media Savvy for Students

Social Media Savvy for Students

Thanks to a referral by my “partner in crime” Mike Fox from Splash DesignWorks, I had the privilege of presenting a Social Media Savvy for Students workshop at Dover High School.  The workshop was part of Youth Leadership Day which was created by Dr. Lane Carter.  The program was geared toward the DHS rising Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors.

 Youth Leadership Day was a fun filled day of education and training which also included a mid-day lunch buffet and the presentation of Certificates of Accomplishment.  There were actually 3 workshops so in addition to mine, the students also attended “Leadership without Apology” presented by Pastor Mark Harmon, and Trust Your Team”, presented by Mr. Maurice Tooles.   

Youth Leadership Day at DHS   Dr. Lane Carter presenting at Youth Leadership Day

Each session was approximately 45 minutes in length and there were about 17 students in each group.  Most of you know that I have been conducting workshops for The Money School of Delaware since 2013, however, this was the first time presenting social media to high school students.  our future leaders at Dover High School

In meeting with Dr. Carter and then having subsequent conversations with her, I decided to create a Social Media Savvy for Students presentation with emphasis on the “10-Do Be’s” or what they should be doing online.  We all know that most students are well aware of what they should not be doing on social media.

social media do be's  

We talked about branding and their digital footprint.  I had them go online and Google themselves so that they could see what others saw.  Posts, Pics, Snaps and Tweets which are positive, creative and honest are the types that they need to promote and share online.  

digital footprints of students

what does your digital footprint look like

They needed to understand that future employers and college administrators will be checking them out, and most likely will have already seen their social media profiles even before they walk through the door.  

“Think Before You Tweet”

“If you tweet it – you own it”  

“Stop before you Snap”  

“Pause before you Post”

Youth Leadership Day at DHS

Needless to say, I was very excited and do believe the students were receptive to my presentation and to be honest I had a great time!  Here are just a few pictures from the day and I wished I had videotaped at least one of the sessions.

Youth Leadership Day at DHS Social Media Savvy for Students Youth Leadership Day  

Having a BS Degree from Delaware State College in Elementary Education was definitely a plus even though I hadn’t been in a classroom since 1983! 

I felt quite a home at the high school and hopefully there will be other opportunities in which to do so again.

teaching social media savvy to students Social Media Savvy for Students presenting at DHS

presenting at DHS


Growing a Vegetable Garden at Home

Spring was cold and damp in Delaware and now it seems as though we are heading into a hot and dry summer.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to start a garden and now the Mint has taken over.  If you are thinking about starting a vegetable garden at home, here is a great article with tips from my guest blogger, Ella Andrews.

Making your own vegetable garden at home can be an excellent way to save money and to make your extra space useful. You can easily grow about ten pounds worth of fruit over each season if not even more even with a small amount of space. In almost all of your cases the variety and texture of your plants will be something that could even exceed grocery stores if you handle it right. In the end growing vegetables can be fun, as you will spend plenty of time outdoors and you can make use of your gardening efforts in many ways. The following examples will explain how that can be done:

choose the right veggies

Choosing the right plants for your vegetable garden

The first thing you need to consider is working on the job by starting small. Many gardening chances will open up each season, giving you a chance to plant many of them. A lot of gardeners will end up planting plenty but they may end up overwhelmed by the amount of work necessary. The first thing you should consider is figuring out a good gardening plan with your family, as certain vegetables in general, such as peppers, squash and tomatoes will provide you with what you need. Carrots, radishes and more will be a good addition to your home, so once you figure out the optimal solution for your needs. Keep in mind that not all the space you have will be useful of course, so you may need to work on containers on a balcony for examples or a different solution that would make use of limited options. The following tips will give you the information you may need to make it work:

Choosing the right spot

No matter the size of your gardening space, you will need to carefully consider what you want to plant in there, as not all plants have the same preferences when it comes to soil, sunlight levels and more.

growing veggies in full sunlight

Full sunlight

Most of the vegetables out there will need a good six to eight hours of full sunlight if you want them to thrive. If you don’t do this there won’t be much they can do to survive insects and diseases, so you should look for a chance to make use of the full amount of sunlight each day if possible, especially for leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. If your climate is hot, then you may need to look for better cool season varieties such as peas that would work better in partial shade.

Proper irrigation

Since most vegetables are not exactly tolerant to drought, you will have to give them plenty of water to thrive. A clean and ready source of water should be readily available at any time, especially during summers so make sure you keep your gardening organized and ready at all times.

choose the right soil for your garden

Choosing the right soil

The choice of proper soil could make or break your efforts to keep things afloat, so you should choose wisely, supplementing the nutrients in the soil with organic matter such as mulch, compost and manure if need be.

Bio: Ella Andrews is dedicated writer and blogger, who has great flair for home improving and home maintenance projects. She is constantly searching for new sources of inspiration. Presently she contributes articles mainly on gardening and landscaping related themes. For more helpful tips visit: Gardeners Elmstead Ltd.

Home8 Smart Protection


Painting with a Twist Ribbon Cutting

As a member of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce I had an opportunity to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Painting with a Twist located in the Dove Run Shopping Center. 

Dove Run Shopping Center

Having never heard ofPainting with a Twist nor having had a paint brush in my hand since elementary school – well not counting the paint brushes that I use for the house, I thought I would just go to hang out and take some pics for my blog. 

However, when I say that I had a blast, I mean I had a blast and I even painted something decent enough to hang in my home office!  

(Nothing compared to The Rising Phoenix featured in Monday’s post!)

It was a fun and entertaining evening and why wouldn’t it be…wine paired with step-by-step painting instructions, music, food and dancing.  This was definitely a great way to work off some stress after a long work week and to head into the weekend.

Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE

Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE

The next day after telling a few people about how much fun I had, most of them knew about the franchise and some even said, “that their parents loved it”.  I guess since I’m a boomer, they naturally assumed that I should have at least heard about it – but sadly I didn’t!  Now that I know about it and had such a great time, it definitely won’t be the last time that I attend a session.

Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE

For those of you who don’t know about the Painting with a Twist franchise, here’s what their website states,

“Painting with a Twist® painting sessions are the answer! Invite your friends, sip your favorite beverage* and enjoy step-by-step instruction with our experienced and enthusiastic local artists. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation and a new found talent you’ll want to explore. Book a private party and choose from over 5,000 paintings. From birthday and bachelorette parties to date nights and team buildings, we can help you celebrate anything!

* Please check with your local studio regarding options for bringing or purchasing alcohol.”

Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE

I tried to keep up with the painting instructor but was taking time away to video and take pictures that several of the instructors had to assist in keeping me on track, “thank you Christian”.  I did however, do a pretty good job and that was with only 3 beers and 1 glass of Moscato! 

Check out my Instagram page for more pics and I’ll upload a mini video to my YouTube channel this weekend.

get Twisted with Moscato

 

Our themed painting was “Eternal Daze” and it was amazing to see the variations of each finished painting.  The wine, music and dancing definitely brings out the creativity in all of us!!

 

Painting with a Twist Painting with a Twist partners painting with a twist Painting with a Twist in Middletown, DE Getting twisted and painting was so much fun, and with plenty of food and beverages this is definitely a great place to go for a “Girl’s Night Out” “Bridal Party”, “Guy’s Night Out” or just to have fun with the family. 

snacks for the painting attendees food was plentiful

They will travel to off-site locations for church groups, senior centers and homecoming affairs.  Gift Cards are also available so it would be a perfect stocking stuffer, graduation or birthday gift. 

Middletown Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

Check out their website and if there is a Painting with a Twist near you, I recommend you sign up and go have an awesome time.  

If you have already attended an event tell me how much you loved it because I know you did!

Painting with a Twist attendees painting masterpiece