10 tips for a sensational baby shower

It's Baby Shower Time! Here Are Ten Fun Questions And Answers To Help You Make It The Best Party Ever.

1) Who should be the hostess of the shower?
Anyone can plan the shower -- family members, friends and/or co-workers. A mom-to- be can have many showers but it is wise to consult her or her mother (if it is a surprise) so that the themes can all be different -- this also avoids duplication of gift items.

2) Who pays for the shower?
The person that plans and invites the guests pays and it is usually considered her gift. Oftentimes, several people will get together and share the expenses. Potlucks are not only fun but budget-friendly as well.

3) Before the baby or after the baby is born?
For first-time mothers, showers before the baby arrives are great fun for her to look forward to in the last month of her pregnancy -- and she and the daddy can play and dream with all the gifts while awaiting their bundle of joy.

Mothers having their second or more children, "sprinkles" can be held before or after the baby is born. The up side of holding the shower after the baby's birth is that gifts can be chosen by the gender of the baby. In general, the shower should be held four to eight weeks before the baby is due, or four to six weeks after birth.
4) Who should be invited?
Traditionally, anyone who was invited to the wedding can be invited to baby showers. The best idea is to consult with the new mom and dad. Avoid inviting the same people to more than one shower, although some people want to attend several.

Best to invite by groups, for example, co-workers, church, etc. The mothers and grandmothers of the mom and daddy should be invited to all of the showers, but it is up to them to decide which ones they will attend.
Traditionally, the dad did not attend showers but does arrive at the end of the shower to say hello to everyone, help load the gifts into the car and to take his wife home. Nowadays, the dad can be invited to a baby shower and couples showers (men and women) are becoming more and more popular.

5) Surprise or not?
Surprise showers are fun to plan but are not necessarily fun for the mom who normally is tired of being pregnant! Besides, it appears to be more enjoyable for her when she knows people who love her are planning a special party. She'll be more prepared to relax and enjoy all the festivities, and if she already has children, she can make arrangements ahead of time for babysitting.

6) What if the guests don't know each other?
Provide easy-to-read name tags. These can be computer-generated in a pretty and baby-wish font. Hot glue some dried flowers, mini rattles, baby diaper pins (found in the party favor section of a craft store) or ribbons. Remember to have straight pins, too, so people can attach the tags.

7) Can the hostess provide gift suggestions?
Guests appreciate knowing what the baby needs or store where she is registered, so think about including a sheet with each invitation that lists this information.

If the mom is registered, the store ensures that there are no duplicates by keeping their computer lists updated as gifts are purchased. If the mom is not registered, then include a note in the invitation that if gift ideas are wanted, (name of person and telephone number) is coordinating a list and can be contacted.

8) Does the shower have to be held on a weekend?
The shower can be held any day of the week and at any time of the day that is convenient for the mom and the invited guests. It can be a brunch, lunch, dinner or just cake and punch. It can be casual, formal or better yet -- a fun baby shower theme.

9) Is it acceptable to serve cake and punch instead of a meal?
Cake and punch is very appropriate and makes for a shorter shower. Serving any meal is strictly up to the hostess. If food is served, plan on buffet-style and remember to provide either real dishes or sturdy papergoods because food does get heavy. If it is not a sit-down meal (restaurant or hall), remember that guests have to balance their plate, beverage and napkin on their lap.

10) What happens when?
There is no right way or wrong way -- just your way. An easy-flowing shower can be something like this:

• Upon arrival, guests are greeted, gifts put on the gift table, take their coats, pin on their name tag and offer them a beverage. (Provide a gift table near where the mom-to-be seated to open them. As guests arrive, ensure their envelope or gift tag is securely attached to their gift before putting it on the table.)
• Introduce them to other guests.
• When everyone has arrived, start with an ice breaker game (a simple, no frills, easy game to encourage mingling)
• If serving a meal, let the guests know when to help themselves.
• When the meal is over, serve dessert.
• While guests are enjoying their desserts, the mom can open her gifts.
• Play one last game and pass out any gifts for the guests to gently bring the shower to a close.

With a little planning, your shower will be a fantastically fun and memorable event for the guest of honor, the hostess and all of the guests!

 

Using our senses to be sensational

Everyday can be sensational. But what exactly are we referring to? A sensational day is full of different experiences that make us feel good, inside and outside. Furthermore, we ourselves can be sensational, it all depends on what we receive through our senses, how we perceive our surroundings, and how we interpret that information in our brains. As a standard definition, the Merriam-Webster dictionary states that sensational means "of or relating to sensation or the senses; arousing a strong and usually shallow interest or emotional reaction; exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great."

We all learned about our senses, from a very early age. Kids are taught in preschool how things feel, how they smell, how they taste, what sound they make. And when they enter kindergarten, they start learning about our five senses. Really? Just five? We all have heard about the sixth sense, but the truth is that we have eight senses.

Getting to know our senses

Taste(gustatory):We use this sense in our mouths and it helps us distinguish flavors and qualities of food, as well its textures. We can differentiate if a food is sweet, salty or sour. It gives us the ability to determine if it is mushy, chewy or crunchy.

Touch(tactile): This is the sense that allows us to feel when something comes in contact with our body surface (skin). We use it to determine is a fabric is soft or rough, how we feel when someone or something presses against our skin, even feeling when you are having your hair washed, combed or cut.
 
Smell(olfactory): It allows us to recognize the scent of the things around us and discriminate which fragrances are pleasant to us and which are not.

Sight(visual):Refers to how we see things and distinguish one thing from another. We use it to recognize facial expressions, to differentiate everything around us, and gives us the ability to focus on only one thing if we want to.

Hearing(auditory): This sense determines how we perceive sounds, so that we can listen correctly when someone speaks to us, or when there are alarms going off, and being able ti discern the noises around us.

Interoception: This is how we perceive and process the stimuli from inside our body, such as hunger, having to go to the bathroom, feeling pain or feeling tired.

Proprioception: We use this sense to determine the position of our body parts and what we need to do to move them using our joints and muscles. This sense is responsible for the pressure we need to make in and out, like when we jump, throw a ball, or grabbing a pencil to write or even hugging someone.

Vestibular: This is the sense responsible for your spatial orientation and your balance. This is done through our inner ear. It is related to our body movements and our postures. We use this sense when we go on a swing, when we are lying down, or doing cartwheels.

Sensory processing refers to how our brain understands what we experience through our senses. Nereida Ritz, OTR/L from Essential Therapy here in South Florida compared it to when we use a computer. "You type what you want in the keyboard, and then the computer has to interpret the information through a program, and then you see it in the monitor." However, if this information is not processed correctly, then we might not get the desired outcome. This is what happens if you have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). It can affect one of the senses, or more than one at the same time. In the book Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorderby Lucy J. Miller, SPD is explained in more detail.

We all have sensory needs. The problem arises when those needs are not met properly and affect our daily life. If we can interpret and integrate our senses properly, then we can function effectively and feel sensational.

How to Be a Sensational Speaker Every Time

In today's "information age" good presentation skills are essential if you want to succeed. Building rapport with your audience and keeping their interest is the key. Here are some tips to help you be a sensational speaker, every time: 

1. FORGET ABOUT YOU

There is a tendency when preparing a speech to focus on what you want to tell the audience, rather than what they want to hear. Do your research. Find out who is in the group, what level of experience they have and what they are interested to hear. A good technique is to arrive early and talk to a number of the group. Check if what you plan to say is of interest. Find out what their concerns are.

2. USE LIMITED OR NO NOTES

What are you thinking when you see a speaker approaching the lectern adjusting pages of notes? "Oh no, this is going to be boring!" And they usually are! Use simple overheads, slides or computer-generated images as your prompt. You know your material - you don't need to read it. Instead, build rapport by making eye contact with your audience and speaking to them, rather than at them.

3. REMEMBER THE THREE P'S OF GREAT PRESENTATIONS

It is reported that Winston Churchill, one of the world's greatest speech makers, spent on average seven hours writing and preparing every 40 minute speech. The only way to be great is to "Practice, practice, practice."

4. BE FLEXIBLE

There's a cable missing, or the slide projector is jammed, or the overhead projector has blown a lamp. A true professional just carries on, using humor to build rapport with the audience. I promise you they will sympathize as technical problems are everyone else's worst nightmare too.

5. USE A VARIETY OF VISUAL AIDES

Even a first rate presentation can become boring if the same format is used over and over again. Add variety. Is there a prop you can use? How about a video clip? What about handing something around the audience or giving a demonstration?

6. USE STORIES AND EXAMPLES

Everyone loves stories. I'm sure you have examples or real life stories that can illustrate your point far more effectively than just facts and figures. Develop a number of stories and use them for impact. A key to using stories is to be sure that they have a point! They should illustrate, explain or reinforce what you are saying.
And finally, have fun! We all take ourselves far too seriously. If you are having fun, so will your audience - and they will remember you.

How To Be A Sexy, Scintillating, Sensational Date

Would you like to know how to be sexy, sensational, and the date that no one ever forgets? Believe it or not, you do not have to compromise your values or standards today to be a sexy, attractive date. You have three qualities to learn and absorb in this new age and you will be on your way to the social life of your dreams.

In a new century, in what seems like a new world, a new dating consciousness has emerged. It is true that some things never change. People today, as in yesterday, still have a longing to find their love, and still are vulnerable to having an aching broken heart. But who could have imagined relationships that empower to the degree that they can today, and a multitude of choices based on love rather than lack and fear?

What does it mean to be a sexy, sensational date? Here are three qualities that will bring you not only more dates, but the chance to create a relationship that endures throughout all of time--no matter what the century.
You will be sensational AND sexy if you:

*Take responsibility.

The successful single of today knows that if you don't have what you want, you have to take the actions to get it. It isn't enough to sit at home alone and moan about how there isn't anyone out there to meet. There are actually more singles to meet today than ever before in our history, and if you want to find one of them, you have to go out...over and over and over. If you are serious about meeting someone special, you have to raise the volume of the number of people you meet so you can increase your chances of finding The One for you.

*Choose a positive life.

Dating gets a lot easier with the discovery of the power of being a positive person. In the new world of dating, singles don't have to be victims of negative thoughts or negative lives. They can find the help that will assist them in changing their thoughts, actions, and circumstances and they can learn to redirect their focus. They can change habits, friends, and behaviors that will help them achieve what they say they want. With this insight, they will know how to avoid toxic pools that sap their possibilities for happiness.

*Tap into talent.

In this new age of dating, nothing is more attractive than someone who has found and uses his or her talent. Men and women today are drawn to accomplishment and the electric energy that comes from doing what you are good at. Talented people are very sexy.
What does your dating world look like? If you think you are not as sexy and sensational as you want to be, there is hope. Take responsibility, be positive, and find and utilize your talent. Right around the corner from these three qualities is the person who is waiting for you.

 

In high school, it's hard to always look sensational on a date, especially if you only had 30 minutes between soccer practice and tutoring to get ready for it. But wouldn't it be great if you could? Trust me, it is...

1. It's a date so you've got some work to do. Because he already likes you for who you usually are, so why not show him who you can be? Don't change your personality, but alter your appearance to give him a little spice! 

• Start with a shower. Wash your hair from root to tip, rinse and then repeat. Condition well, starting at the tops of your ears while working your way down. Leave conditioner in for 3 minutes, while using a loofah and scrumptious-smelling body wash, shaving and/or washing your face with anti-acne wash. Rinse well, in cold water. Dry off.
• Once you're dry, use a body butter/lotion that matches the scent of your shampoo/conditioner/body wash/face wash, or at least one that compliments the smells. Apply a liberal amount to your legs, elbows, chest and feet.
• Pick a deodorant that smells fresh and girly, but still works really well. Apply 5-7 even strokes to each armpit, and then let it dry.
• Brush your teeth with a whitening toothpaste for 2 minutes. Rinse with hot water. Floss, and then use tasty mouthwash for a minute. Rinse with hot water, splashing it around your teeth for 30 seconds.

2. Now that you've groomed yourself and you feel sexy and beautiful, pick out an outfit that makes you glow! Some ideas are:

• Dark wash skinny jeans, paired with wedge heels, a pastel tank top and a flirty shrug/cropped cardigan. Accessorize with sterling stud earrings and a charm bracelet.
• A short, strapless, bright colored dress. Not the fabric-y ones, but the ones made of cotton or terry cloth. Wear it with either matching gladiator sandals, or soft ballet flats, and a pretty necklace. If it's cold, cozy up with a Hollister sweatshirt, the thin ones?
• Shorts, a summer halter, and sandals. A cute anklet and a tribal bracelet pair well. If it's winter, then skinny jeans, moccasins/ballet flats, a halter and an over-sized cardigan look fantastic!

3. Play up the natural look but don't keep it too simple. Try a thin line of charcoal-colored liner on your bottom lash line, champagne-colored eyeshadow and sparkly lip gloss. Or black mascara on your lashes, light-rose lipstick, and a thin layer of dark peach blush. If you usually wear dark eye makeup and cherry lipstick, then tone it down. Lavender-colored eyeshadow, clear mascara, and tinted and shiny lip stain.

4. Your hair is clean and shiny, so if you must straighten it, apply a heat-shield to it, and make sure it's DRY before you set the iron to it. Straighten slowly, from root to tip, running it smoothly down the section of hair you're straightening. Repeat until your full head is straightened. If you prefer a different look then usual, curl it. Don't go for the Hugh, bouncy ringlets, but instead soft, twirling waves. If you like your hair out of your face, don't slap it in the everyday ponytail: pin it up!

• Take the top half of your hair and swirl it up to the peak of your hair, and Bobbie-pin it down in a small, loose bun. Take the bottom half and twirl it into a roll, then neatly pull that roll up to just under the top roll. Bobbie it down. Spray it with hairspray, and make sure the bobbies remain hidden.
• Take two sections form each side of your head, and twirl them into twists, meeting at the back of your head. Bobbie them down. Take the hair that is still down, and pull it into a low pony just under your left ear. Part the hair just above the elastic so that there's a gap. Pull the pony through. Decorate with a sparkly clip somewhere in the hairstyle. It takes practice, though!

5.  If you're still insecure, take a look in the mirror and realize, "Dang! I look amazing!" Because odds are, you do! If there's something out of place, fix it quickly, grab your purse and head out for a fantastic date!

Tips

• Finish the look off with a tasty perfume, at both wrists, one side of your neck.
• If you have a strong perfume, spritz two puffs of perfume in the air in front of, close your eyes, wait 5 seconds, and then walk through the puffs of perfume.
• Take a breath mint, or minty gum with you in your purse or pocket. It'll help if you pop one in after dinner or something, and prepare yourself for the kiss! Listerine mouthwash strips are good, too.

Warnings:

• Don't use harmful bleaching mixtures or makeup that you might be allergic to! You'll have to cancel the date, and that will be such a shame!
• Never eye other cuties while on your date. It's rude and your man WILL notice!
• Don't say nasty or rude things on your date unless you know your date doesn't mind.
• If you know you only have limited time to get ready, DON'T rush. Take your time and just omit a few things that are more for the pampering than the cleanliness.

 Things You'll Need:

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Lotion/Perfume/Deodorant
• Makeup
• Cute clothes
• Straightener/Curler
• Bobbies (pins)
• Hairspray
• Toothpaste/Toothbrush/Mouthwash/Floss
• Comb/brush
• Heat-shield
• Mint/Gum