Entries Tagged 'Tips' ↓

1. Start by watching the news, reading the news online or subscribing to a newspaper. If you don’t have time to read the paper every day try just scanning the headlines or arranging to just receive the paper on Sunday.

2. Subscribe to ‘The Week’ it’s a great magazine that condenses all of the week’s international news. The various editions (U.K., U.S.A and Australia) provide a digest of the week’s news and editorial commentary from global media to provide readers with multiple political viewpoints. In addition to news and opinion, the magazine also covers science, business and the arts. You can also consider subscribing to Time Magazine or Newsweek.

3. Understand what the BRIC countries are (Brazil, Russia, India and China) or also referred to as “The Big Four”. These countries encompass over 25% of the world’s land coverage and 40% of the world’s population and hold a combined GDP (PPP) of 18.486 trillion dollars. On almost every scale, they would be the largest entity on the global stage. These four countries are among the biggest and fastest growing emerging markets offering great opportunities for the western world’s investments.

4. Read up on which countries have or are believed to have nuclear weapons (USA, Russia, U.K. France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel). Research which 5 countries (U.S.A., Russia, U.K., France and China) have signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty also called ‘NPT’ or ‘NNPT’ and why other countries have not. Consisting of a preamble and eleven articles, the NPT treaty is sometimes interpreted as a three-pillar system: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peacefully use nuclear technology.

5. Keep up to speed on which on going wars are still current, who’s involved and why. For example: Libyan Civil War, Yemen and Syria.

6. Understand the difference between Democracy and Communism. Know which countries that are still ruled by the Communist Party, for example: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam. Also Make it a priority to become familiar with Heads of State, Prime Ministers and or Presidents of the leading countries.

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A few weeks ago, Mina, from the website MiniPiccolini asked me to share with her readers my top 10 favorite things for wives. Below are my favorite things every wife should have in her life.

1. William Sonoma –  A wondrous playground for any wife who loves to cook in her kitchen. This charming store provides tools to make preparation easier, cooking classes for those who want to learn, and inspiration around every corner for those looking for creativity. www.williamsonoma.com

2. Mrs. Meyers – Every wife should have an eco friendly conscious when shopping for her household.  Enter Mrs. Meyers… A collection of household products with essential oils from flowers and herbs that pack a real punch against daily dirt and grim. From dish soap to laundry detergent to window cleaners Mrs. Meyers brings a powerful clean and a garden fresh scent to your home. All their products are earth friendly, bio degradable, non toxic and never tested on animals. www.mrsmeyers.com

3. Emily Post Etiquette Book –  Every wife should always carry herself like a true lady. Emily Post’s discourses on etiquette is said to be one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus and a world atlas. The new edition has discussions on perennially necessary topics, such as where to place a soup spoon when setting a formal table and whether one may wear white after Labor Day (the answer is yes). This integration of new material with old, showing respect and consideration for others while placing a premium on honesty, graciousness and deference. It also serves as a reminder of how individual choices may affect others and how easy it is to choose—words, wardrobes, gifts and actions—more wisely. $27.00 on Amazon.Com

4. Stationer –  Every wife can benefit from a very creative and talented stationer. While I take my services to Jonathan Wright and Sugar Paper in Los Angeles, They are always there to help with last minute gifts and an abundance of greeting cards for every occasion.  Your stationer can also aid you in the designing all of life’s celebrations from wedding invitations to birth announcements to personal stationary for thank you notes.  Jonathan Wright  7404 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036 323 931 1710; Sugar Paper 253 26^th Street, Brentwood, California 310 451 7870

5. La Perla – Just like the age old saying “A lamb in the kitchen and a tiger in the bedroom.” What better way to inspire a healthy and consistent sex life with your husband than with luxurious lingerie from La Perla. Every man can appreciate his wife coming to bed in a flirtatious silk night gown or something else a little more provocative. www.laperla.com

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With Summer in full swing I’m sure your car can get quite smelly with sweaty kids, trips to the dog beach or Summer road trips. Enter my little secret weapon ….Dryer Sheets! Tuck a few dryer sheets into a back seat side door open compartment or if you have an SUV use the side trunk consoles. All Summer long your car will be smelling like fresh laundry. *Note – This does not work with eco- friendly dryer sheets. – Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

1. Clean as a Whistle. The morning of or the night before be sure to give the house a good scrubbing, make sure everything is put away and organized. If your feeling extra thoughtful consider taking his car to get washed and or detailed. Better yet, have the kids wash his car during the day to show dad how much they want to go the extra mile for Dad!

2. Be The Peacemaker. Take the time before your Husband wakes up to explain to the kids why it’s important they should be on their best behavior today (no tantrums or fighting among siblings). Remind them how special their Father is and how this is they day to honor him for all he does.

3. Starting The Day Off Right. What Husband wouldn’t want to wake up to the delicious smell of coffee brewing and his family making a lovely gourmet breakfast in the kitchen… better yet breakfast in bed! So be sure to whip up your husbands favorites for breakfast. Here’s a wonderful suggestion Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. Another special touch, Have his favorite music playing through out the house and consider ironing your husbands favorite section of the Sunday paper. (How to Iron a Newspaper) Be sure to place it perfectly next to his plate of scrumptious pancakes!

4. Walking Down Memory Lane. In the most frequented area of your home (generally the kitchen/nook area) arrange a dozen or so of your favorite framed photos of your husband with you and your kids. A great way to remind him of the wonderful memories he’s had as a Father and Husband through out the years.

5. Be Creative. Father’s seem to always keep and cherish homemade gifts the most. So take time a few days before Father’s Day when your husband is out of the house and set up an arts and crafts station for the kids. Have them get creative (Poems, Cards, Posters and Paintings) and make something meaningful for Dad. Here are some Crafty Ideas.

6. Make it Personal. I hate recommending gifts because they are so specific to each person. I always suggest really listening to your husband a couple weeks before Father’s Day. Listen for things he mentioned he wants, would like to try, or places he wants to go. This way he’ll be thrilled to open the iPad he’s been hinting at all month, or you made reservations at the restaurant he’s been dying to try or tickets to see his favorite team.

7. All About Dad. Since Father’s Day is all about Dad, carve out some time in the day and arrange for him to do his favorite activity. Weather is be a round of golf, a game of tennis, watching the game on TV or catching his favorite waves at his favorite surf spot, you’ll certainly earn brownie points!

8. A Few of His Favorite Things. Have his favorite things around the house. Take the time to go out and buy his favorite imported beer, 18 year whiskey, Cuban cigar, or candy. He’ll be delighted when he opens the fridge to find his favorite drink or favorite candy in a dish in the living room.

9. The Way to a Man’s Heart it Through His Stomach. Make reservations at your husband’s favorite restaurant for dinner. I always suggest making dinner reservations at least a month in advance before restaurants book up, especially for holidays.

10. Go Out with a Bang! Arrange to put the kids to bed early. Take the time to tell your man what an amazing Husband and Father he is and how much you love him. Then you can put on a little something sexy and enjoy the evening just the two of you. – Taryn Cox for THE WIFE

The one women you should trust with cleaning tips for your precious jewels is Amber Berger. She began her career at Michael C. Fina, before learning and excelling as a luxury goods buyer at Gucci, Cartier, and Henri Bendel and HauteLook.com. Then Launching AStarr, As a full service personal jeweler, Amber exceeds her customer’s expectations while simplifying their lives, With unique style, invaluable experience and an impeccable reputation.

You’d be shocked at how dirty your jewelry gets if you looked through the lense of a microscope. Soap scum, grease, dirt, skin cells, and little hairs will collect in crevasses and beneath gemstones unless you carry out a routine cleaning program. The least bit of film from skin oil, soap or hand lotion will change the sparkle of stone, especially a diamonds, and most of the brilliance will be lost so make sure jewelry cleaning is a priority on your list so you can show off your sparkly gems. We suggest weekly cleaning followed by professional cleaning twice a year. – Amber Berger for Astarr

1. Separate out your jewelry Divide your jewelry to be cleaned into 3 groups: Delicate, Medium and Strong. Each category will have to be cleaned differently so it is best to separate first in order to avid confusion.

2. Do not clean Some items that you just should not attempt to clean at all include hair jewelry (popular in the Victorian era); jewelry set with real scarabs, butterflies and other delicate materials; jewelry with foil-backed stones; and jewelry whose materials are in doubt. In addition, there may be a natural patina (as opposed to dirt) on antique jewelry that should not be removed, and some modern jewelry may have applied finishes that could be damaged if not handled with care. When in doubt, ask a jeweler.

3. Create a safe environment You want to ensure that you do not lose any stones during cleaning, especially for jewelry that has been worn a lot or pieces with lightweight settings. It is gross to think about but the build-up of dirt may actually be all that is keeping a stone in its setting!

Have your supplies handy:

• Soft flannel cloth
• Soft brush: child’s soft-bristled toothbrush, Eye shadow brush
• Ivory liquid or similar mild dishwashing liquid
• Carry out the cleaning in a small bowl, and check carefully for missing stones before pouring out the solution.

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