How can you save money on road trips when gas prices skyrocket?

The price of gas seemed to be going to achieve escape velocity and go into orbit recently... For those of you not into NASA jargon, that's gas at more than $5 a gallon. Even now, when the upward pressure seems to have eased, it can still be a shock to the credit card every time you fill up the tank. Which does force us to wonder whether we should abandon the idea of a driving vacation. Just think back to the time when we were young, we could jump in the car and drive off on a whim. It only cost a few dollars to drive several thousand miles. Now it can cost one-hundred dollars to fill up one tank. That's a big change but one we have to keep in perspective. In the 1990s, a gallon of regular gas would cost you $1.36. Today you would expect to pay about $4.30. In 1990, the average worker earned about $20,000. In 2012, the same worker would be earning about $40,000. So although gas price has gone up three-fold, average incomes have doubled. It's still more expensive to put gas in your tank, but not quite as bad, particularly when you consider modern vehicles are far more fuel efficient than they were twenty years ago. So where does this get us?

If you are going on a road trip, you should look carefully at the make and model of the vehicle you propose to rent. Ask for vehicles with good storage space for all the additional "stuff" you need to carry, but with the best mileage you can find. Instead of renting an SUV that goes through a tank of gas like it's not having to pay the bills, you could take less "stuff" and rent a hybrid. For those of you who have never driven a hybrid, this can be an educational introduction. Within minutes you learn how difficult it is not to watch the real-time mileage reports. That really encourages the driver to learn how to make driving the most economical activity in the world. Then there's how you buy the gas. Look around the credit card offers for the best cash-back for fuel. In this, be alert. Some only show the headline percentage in big print but double the reward for use in buying gas and groceries. If you shop wisely, you can usually find cash-back offers of 5% so, if you were looking at gas prices of about $4.30 per gallon, the actual cost comes down to $4.03.

Talk to a number of car rental companies to find the most fuel-efficient vehicles available. Plus, while looking around for the best cash-back offers, also look for credit card providers offering the best insurance deals on rental vehicles. Beacuse the car rental companies are usually trying to sell you their own insurance... So pay by the credit card you've picked and refuse their insurance offers.

Viagra Can Be Used To Treat Different Conditions such as Crohn's Disease

Viagra is a very popular drug. It has been on the market since 1998, and since then millions of men around the world have used it to treat erectile dysfunction. It has become a widely used reference in popular culture, and even if you have no experience with erectile dysfunction, you likely know what Viagra is. Although its main purpose is the treatment of erectile dysfunction, there are other uses. Most recently, it has been proposed as a treatment for Crohn's disease.
Viagra falls under the class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. After taking Viagra, the muscles in the base of your penis relax, allowing for increased blood flow. There are many similar drugs out there, but Viagra has the widest reputation since it has been around the longest.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that creates ulcers in your large and small intestines. It occurs when your immune system attacks your body tissues. It has recently been discovered that Viagra can help with this weak immune system response.
Recently, a new cause for the inflammation found in Crohn's disease has been discovered. Injecting Escherichia Coli under the skin tested the inflammatory response to bacteria. Local inflammatory and blood flow changes were measured, and it was found that Crohn's patients had a lower blood flow, which produced fewer quantities of neutrophils and inflammatory mediators. This issue of low blood flow can be treated with Sildenafil Citrate, the main ingredient in Viagra.
Viagra treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. It has also been used to treat heart conditions, such as an enlarged heart, using similar mechanisms. It was actually first used for this purpose, and was discovered as an erectile dysfunction treatment on accident. This increased blood flow can help your immune system by increasing its responsiveness. Viagra has also been looked at as a treatment for women with diabetes, and even increasing brain function. Viagra seems to be a very special drug, and it will be exciting to see what disorders it can help with in the future.
If you have any of the above conditions, ask your doctor about using Viagra as a treatment. If other medications don't fit with your lifestyle, this one might be a suitable treatment. As with any drug, Viagra has its risks and side effects. Therefore you should never use Viagra without a prescription and doctor's supervision. Some of the most common side effects include stuffy nose, memory problems, redness or warmth in your chest, neck, or face, headache, back pain, or upset stomach. More serious side effects include ringing in your ears, sudden vision or hearing loss, shortness of breath, erection lasting 4 or more hours, irregular heartbeat, feeling light-headed, fainting, chest pain, or swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands. Contact your doctor for any side effects, and seek emergency medical attention if you experience serious side effects. An erection lasting 4 or more hours can cause permanent damage so it is important to seek help.

The Smell of Warm Pumpkin Bread

Hope you are having a beautiful fall! I thought I would share a few pictures of what I have been up to today... baking pumpkin bread!

The house smells heavenly of pumpkin and spice.

It tastes even better set up Vintage style....

I set it on top my very old footed cutting/butcher block along with an Old English bread knife for slicing.

Of course, we like to add a little butter (looking delicious in a antique English wooden "Butter" dish)...

TV Holiday Segment

The holidays are here upon us! I'm feeling WAY behind this year, but as I've gotten older and added a a few more children, activities, and blissful chaos, I've come to realize it's really just about 'being in the moment'.  Making memories.  That's what the holidays are about, right?  This year, inspiration for my table scape came from that motto.  'Slow Down'.  'Stick close to home'.  Create a warm and inviting wonderland that's simple, yet memorable.

Christmas Party Day

Oh wow!! We went off to Christmas break with a whole lotta fun!! Today was our last day at school and we were super duper busy!

Here is a cute little ornament/window hanger we made. I printed a Christmas light bulb template on transparency paper ( you know the clear paper). Then, I wrote the kids' names and the year on them.  The kids used colorful permanent markers to color the light bulb! We finished them off with the glittery chenille sticks as hangers. They look just like stained glass when you hang them in the window!

NO-FUSS BUN | MARNI S/S 2013

ph: Vogue UK

When it comes to my hair, the easier, the better! This no-fuss low bun from Marni's S/S 2013 show is perfect hair inspiration for my hair laziness- a lil messy, but très chic.

COMME UN GARÇON

ph: ELLE France + Vogue UK

Love a good mens-inspired look, especially with a touch of Parisian cool. Just throw on a crisp white blazer, easy blouse, simple clutch, high waisted denim + chic heels or loafers, + you're set!

Get the look...

DIY Nail Art Ideas for Fall 2012

Fabulous looking nails rarely come cheap, but if you possess a bit of skill, the knowledge and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a fab mani without digging deep into your wallet. If you're ready for a DIY nail-over, check out the following fall 2012 nail art designs and start styling your digits to perfection!

Regular nail salon trips can add up to quite the sum in a year if you do the math, so if you're thinking of getting budget smart without having to deny yourself this particular 'guilty pleasure', you can turn towards DIY nail art designs as with a little bit of skill, practice, a bit of patience and the right technique, you can easily give your nails a salon-look without the costs.

A fabulous looking manicure is a must for the modern woman as perfectly polished digits can complete the look of any outfit, taking it from simple to chic, so if you're ready to explore the vast and exciting world of nail art, take a peek at the following DIY fall 2012 nail art ideas and draw inspiration for your next mani.

Obviously, a little bit of investment is required as you'll need the right nail polishes, tools and nail art accessories to work with, but depending on your preferred brand, you'll be able to put together your own nail polish kit with the same sum you would spend on a couple of mani sessions.

One of the easiest ways to get your nails looking gorgeous without barely putting in the effort is by getting all polka dotty! Polka dots are super easy to create using a dotting tool, but if you don't want to invest in it, you can get similar results using a toothpick dipped in nail polish. The bigger the end of the dotting tool, the bigger the dots, so apply the stylish dots randomly on bare nails or over your fave nail lacquer and your nails will instantly look so much more stylish.

You can also achieve stylish dots using spherical glitter flakes, which you'll apply over wet nail polish one at a time. This technique takes a bit longer, but the glitter will make your nail art designs look super glam.

If polka dots are not really your thing, opt for stylish paisley prints which you can create using a detailing brush dipped in acrylic paint or using a nail stamping tool featuring this particular pattern that happens to be super popular this fall. 

If you're crazy about color, you should definitely give marbled or any other color clashing nail art effect a try. Achieving these stylish patterns might seem like a challenge but they are incredibly easy to achieve using the right technique. Achieve a cool marbled effect by applying tiny random dots of your fave contrasting color nail polishes and using a nail art needle. Swish the needle creating 8 shapes as this will help mix the shades to reveal the cool marbled effect mani. Another cool nail art can be created by applying contrasting color nail polish lines and using the needle to drag one color over the other using one precise stroke. Continue along the line keeping the distance that you desire while the nail polish is still wet and enjoy your lovely mani without barely any effort. Checkered designs achieved using tape are also perfect for fall, so get creative and achieve numerous nail art styles using your favorite fall nail polishes.

If you're thinking glam, opt to play with glitter and rhinestones and other luxurious looking nail art accessories as there are plenty out there to choose from. Opt for a monochrome nail polish hue and give it a sophisticated allure by adding cool rhinestones over the nail lacquer. If you want a more edgy mani, create a stylish asymmetric nail art and use glitter nail polish mixed with a creamy finish nail lacquer to add even a higher visual kick to your nails. Add nail art stickers such as butterflies and tiny gold/silver tone pearls to make your digits a delight to watch.

Seal your mani with a top coat every time to protect your nail art and give the nail a more intense, long lasting shine!

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Disco Hairstyles

Disco hairstyles continue to be a big influence in the hair world. In today's trends the hairstyle combines lush, amped-up volume and healthy sheen that is so mane-stream! Make a style statement and adapt glam disco hairstyles to work for you for the ultimate tress-envy!

The disco hairstyles of the '70s have a major influence on today's hairstyle trends and are great sources of inspiration for the visionaries of the hair and beauty world. Big, voluminous hair bursting with oversized curls defined the iconic disco hairstyles. The modern version of disco curls are worn by tons of celebrities and remain one of the sexiest styles around as they give any long haircut instant femininity.

Back in the '70s, disco hairstyles were mainly based on the good old blow dryer that has become a reliable tool for any hairdo. Once women discovered they can style voluminous curls using their blow dryers, they've pushed the limits of big hairdos and started a new trend

Glamorous disco hairstyles are perfect for hair that reaches the shoulders and longer, layered or one length. When styling the look, flat hair isn't an option. If your locks are lacking in the volume department, encourage root lift by working volumizing mousse throughout damp hair. This will give your hair the boost it needs as well as a solid hold once it's dry.

 Another tip for cheating volume – especially if you have fine hair – are salt sprays. These are also amazing for creating big hair as they make the hair stiff and will support the curl and hold shape well. First rough-dry hair on medium heat, then use a large round brush to build volume concentrating on the root area. Blow-dry lengths with the nozzle pointing downwards to encourage shine!

To get a Farrah Fawcett inspired hairstyle, create thick curls around the face, using a large barrel curling iron and separate hair into larger sections as opposed to small sections. Hold the iron vertically and wrap hair back and away from the face. Finish up with a generous mist of good hairspray.

Go wild with a halo of fluffed-up curls sported by '70s icon Jerry Hall by wrapping thin sections of hair onto flexi rods/ bendy rollers. Unravel the curls and run though with fingers to break them up gently.

Always remember not to overload your hair with product, especially if you're after bouncy disco hairstyles. Try to add little product at a time as the real trick to creating big hair is to ensure hair is light enough to stay up, and too much product can weigh your style down.

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Zara October 2012 Lookbook

Have you dolls seen the latest Zara October 2012 lookbook? Well, have a nosey at the retailer's offer and get ready to discover an array of statement-making goodies!

What's hot right now? Well, there are loads of seriously cool pieces hitting the web lately and Zara is definitely one great source. The Spanish brand's newest collection is packed full with fashion-forward goodies that can see us through the cold-weather season in style. So, what about you pretty dolls? Have you already managed to stock up on the perfect autumnal essentials? If you're still hunting, you should check out Zara's October 2012 lookbook and you'll discover some pretty voguish ideas!

It's time to seriously start thinking about your wardrobe for when unfriendly temperatures arrive. This season, make the most of your styling and turn heads daring unique combinations! Trust us, you're going to be completely hooked by all the fab offerings coming from the famous retailer. Zara is in fact a constant provider of all-things-trendy, versatile and wearable! Take a peek and see it for yourself!

When it comes to to-die-for yet practical and budget-friendly pieces, Zara is undoubtedly one of fashionistas' top choices. The worldwide renowned retailer seems to be an endless source of statement-making goods for every girl eager to shun all sartorial stereotypes and win the spotlight.

So, if you're searching for some wow-worthy ideas for your cold season combos, check out the latest Zara October 2012 lookbook! Satisfy all your fashion cravings snapping up some hot picks from the brand's fall/winter collection! Think waistcoats, asymmetric t-shirts, crisp white shirts, pants with studded waistband, jacquard pants, embroidered sweatshirts, peplum lace tops, jumpsuits, sexy dresses, military-inspired coats, and covetable accessories to complete your outfits! Regardless your style, Zara has you covered! Have a nosey at their stunners, choose your favs and get ready to stand out!

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PLAID PERFECT | DRIES VAN NOTEN S/S 2013

ph: Vogue UK

Dries Van Noten is forever a favorite + the S/S 2013 collection did not disappoint.
The plaids, the florals, the white sunnies, the slouchy fits-- Get in my closet!
Shop their latest collection here + click below to see more of my top picks from the show...