Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fireworks Alternatives for the Fourth

Safety is one of the most important things to observe on the Fourth of July. Fireworks are fun, but they are not great for all occasions. Check out these great alternatives for fireworks. These are great alternatives for all ages.   You can find more information at The Examiner.




Purchase large bubble wand kits from any St. Louis Dollar Tree, Nagle’s in Florissant, or other retail outlets such as Target. These wands are typically a large circle, made up of smaller circles, and can be dipped in a bowl of bubbles and then twirled around to make tons of bubbles in various sizes. If you need extra bubble solution dishes, an upside down Frisbee works well. To add a little 4th of July spirit, put a few drops of red or blue food coloring into the bubble solution. You may also consider purchasing a bubble machine for large groups of kids.


Make your own streamers. Visit Michael’s Crafts or Hobby Lobby and pick up a few rolls of red, white and blue ribbon. Tie several ribbons to a dowel rod or empty paper towel tube and let the kids run through the yard or put on a parade for the adults. Turn on some patriotic music for more holiday spirit! You can also use patriotic colored pom poms.


Fill a small wading pool or swimming pool with red, white and blue confetti. Rather than buying small bags of confetti, cut costs by purchasing packages of tissue paper or metallic wrapping paper and run it through a shredder. Then, cut your shredded strands into smaller pieces. The children can throw the confetti up in the air and contain the mess inside the pool. Simply vacuum it out when they're done.


Instead of lighting fireworks, give children glo-sticks, fiber optic party wands, flashlights with red cellophane over the end or even a Star Wars light saber to play with in the dark.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

How to Survive (and Enjoy) Summer Session

Are you currently enrolled in summer session? Taking classes during the summer can be hard because of distractions. Check out these great tips on how to ace your summer classes and enjoy your summer.



How to Survive (and Enjoy) Summer Session
  1. Make sure the course is right for you. If you are enrolled in a course that you absolutely dread attending, your grades will reflect that. Since summer courses run at quicker paces, it is important that you are interested in the course.
  2. Don’t be distracted by the season. Although you may be tempted to stay out late and party hard, know that summer courses are a commitment. It is crucial to recognize this so that you can buckle down and overcome the temptations of summer.
     
  3. Keep track of your attendance. Attendance must be a top priority. Since courses are run at intensive paces, missing one class could be detrimental to your success.
     
  4. Respect your professor’s time. Keep in mind that it is summer for your instructor as much as it is for you, so it is important to hand in your work on time and keep to a schedule.
     
  5. Know your goals. Remember what it is you want to accomplish during the summer, and remind yourself of it as the days pass to keep yourself motivated.
     
  6. Try to get your work done early. Finishing your reading and other assignments as early as possible allows you more time to enjoy your summer without the worries associated with summer school.
     
  7. Buy the textbook. Even if you only need it for two weeks, buying all the necessary textbooks for a course is most obviously a crucial aspect to your success in a course.
     
  8. Use your on-campus resources. Using resources like the library when you are on campus will allow you to relax when you leave, instead of bringing your work and worries home with you. This helps you keep a healthy balance of school and summertime leisure.
     
  9. Get your paperwork in. When taking any courses at a college, it is important to submit all the necessary paperwork, like parking forms and/or registration papers, so you don’t have to worry about it when you should be focusing on your studies.
     
  10. Don’t let your friends be a distraction. If you have friends who are not enrolled in summer courses, it is important to understand that their free time doesn’t influence what you should be focusing on. You are in summer courses for a reason, and you need to remember this if your friends tempt you to do otherwise.

Original Article Here: 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

DIY Spice Rack

Do you like to cook?  Storing all your ingredients can be a tough project in a small apartment. However, here is a great way to save space and to store all your spices.  Check out this DIY Spice Rack from the blog DIY College Apartment Ideas.

If you have a tiny kitchen and you're into spicy-food you'll find that you'll need a LOT of space for the ingredients.
 

Here's an idea that will help you cover the coffee stains on the wall and keep your spices organized.
You'll need:




  • Sheet of stainless steel
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Tiny Jars with metal Lid
  • Magnets (The one in the geomag are perfect)
  • Spicies (duh...)
With the Hot Glue attach the magnet on the Lid: if you do that on the outside the jar will be easier to detach from the rack but it's easy to cover the magnet with the Hog Glue, decreasing the adhesion.



I found that if you manage to cover the magnet on the inside of the Jar with the hot Glue you'll save the spicies flavour and it's still easy to use the jars!
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