Easy Ways to Get In Halloween Spirit

Halloween is a spooky, eerie, and magnificent holiday for many. For some it is all about the candy, for others it is a time to let the creative dark side come out and play. Throughout the months before October and often the month of, people will begin preparing for their favorite ‘holiday’ Halloween. This is a day that many look forward to, but for those homes which get over a thousand kids, it might be a day of dread. Whichever side of the scale you may be, there are plenty of ways to decorate for Halloween without spending a ton of money.  Saving money is something, let’s be real, we can all agree on. Who doesn’t love saving money? 

PUMPKINS

Carving pumpkins isn’t the only way to make a fun impression on guests and trick or treaters this year. Of course the traditional carved pumpkin is a classic and will show guests your home is ready for Halloween, you might want to try some new suggestions this year. Have some fun with three things you probably already have around the house. Create a line of ghosts for around the house, (or driveway) to line a path of spooky ghosts. These ghosts are not anything hard to make, even the kids can make these guys. With three around the house items as simple as black paint, milk jugs, and Christmas string lights (white or colored) these little guys can be a blast to create. Simply create the face you want on the outside of milk jug, allow to dry. Cut a small hole in back of jug to allow a few lights to be gathered inside. Place ghosts as close or far apart as desired.

FOOD

There are many different foods that could be made during this time of the year. Some simple was are by creating festive foods. These food examples could be as simple as a bunch of decorative cookies. There are a ton of recipes via Pinterest for Halloween cookies too that can be made.   

One fun way to use a pumpkin is by hollowing it out and using it for hot mulled cider, or a dip bowl. 

Decorations

So you want to put up decorations but don't want to spend a lot of money? No problem, check out your local Dollar Tree or dollar store for some fun and cheap Halloween decorations. If you still want to be more on the creative side, you can also follow some easy DIY project ideas. These can be fun because they are for any part of the house.

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. I love it because it's full of fright, terror, and all things that go bump in the night. Not only that but it's got the best color combination anyone could ask for. Orange and black.

I'm really hoping this year I can get some trick or treaters. I think I am going to since I have a porch light and there are a lot of kids in my neighborhood. If I'm not working that day I'm going to be passing out candy as much as I can and as long as I can. I love seeing the kids in their costumes and how creative some of them are. My favorite are the home made ones or the odd character ones.

What is your favorite part about Halloween? How do you like to decorate?

How to Save Money for Home Office Costs

With the rise in start-up companies or an already at home worker, it is a well known fact that sometimes working from home can become rather costly to our pocketbooks. In order to avoid having too high of any bills or expenses for any business a few things can be done. The items below are examples of how to save money for your home office.

Turn off your unused electronics at night like you would for any other part of the house. An easy way to make sure that all of the electronic devices are off is by using a power cord with multiple plugs in spaces. This will not only help keep your cords more organized, but will allow you to easily shut off all items with a flip off the switch. These can be found from various stores that sell office electronics. Wal-Mart often has these items for a low cost.

Buying and using recycled paper to print on both sides for the majority of things is a great idea. If you find that you are often printing out quite a bit of reference material, start printing on front and back of pages. Some printers have the ability to print on reverse sides with the click of an option in the print options. If you’re unsure of your printer’s capabilities, refer to its manual. If you aren’t for some reason able to print on both sides, use the paper again by recycling it as note paper.

Often while working at home something else might wander into the thought train. Putting this down on a piece of recycled printed scrap paper makes it easy to reuse paper and still have somewhere for those important notes. Cut into small squares or leave as full sheets.

Another way to save costs is to start using Skype for your business calls rather than your cellular or land line. Skype is a way to use the phone over the internet without having to have a land line or cell phone number. Signing up for Skype is quite easy and many can use it with ease. All that is needed for Skype is a headset which is available in different types and styles from any electronic store.

Lastly the best way to avoid costs of replacing items, or needing to have a professional clean your electronics for you is by keeping a clean workspace. If you are like most people who work at home you would like to keep your workspace as clean as possible without having to clean it every day. Do you have a shelf or a file cabinet that is close to your desk? Start putting your files back in the file cabinet once you are finished with them rather than leaving them on the desk to put away later.

Another way to keep your area clean is by not eating at your desk. When you work outside of the home you often take lunch away from your workplace. Give your mind and your body a break by going to the kitchen table or outside to enjoy some sunshine and be sure to put your dishes away. A clean workplace is a happy workplace.

Aside from keeping the top of the desk clutter free, be sure to keep the top and sides of computer tower or laptop clean as well. Purchase a can of air for your computer to blow it free of dust and debris, which will in turn help it run better. Constantly run a virus scan and run updates on computer software and Windows as well. By keeping these items up to date you are helping avoid having to purchase a new computer.

With these steps it should be soon that you notice a change in the bills and your pocket book when it comes to an at home work expenses. This will not only provide you with more money for other things in your budget, but give you an achievement to feel proud of. Be sure to pass these great tips to your friends and family that also work from home. They may come in handy for them as well.

Womens Birthday Party Theme Ideas

Women everywhere want to have a great party for their birthdays as well as have a blast while doing them. Whether you are planning a party for yourself or for a friend, it is important to have a theme and make a plan. In this article not only will you receive some fun ideas for a woman birthday party theme but you too will get a quick look at how to begin your planning for them. The nice thing about planning a birthday party is you can always make changes to make it perfect for your friend or yourself.

Chocolate Party

By Serge Bertasius Photography

A chocolate party can be something that many women will enjoy, as long as they like chocolate. Now this theme can be easily done using simple decorations that can be anything. A fun idea could be to use streamers in the birthday woman's favorite colors, as well as have plates and napkins in those same colors.

For snacks and food you may serve things like chocolate candies, cupcakes, cakes, chocolate desserts, and chocolate cocktails. If you are looking for something sweet and chocolate covered you may also want to try a chocolate fountain that guests can dip strawberries, or other fruit into to eat.
While a chocolate party may seem like a simple idea, a woman who loves chocolate will surely enjoy this treat. To give a takeaway from the party try giving each guest a small bag of chocolate candies such as Hershey kisses, chocolate bars, or even chocolate truffles.

Purse theme Party

By sattva

Each person should bring their purse as they would normally bring it on a daily basis to the party. These purses will be used for games, so be sure to let the guests know that they will be returned before the end of the night and when games have been completed. Games that can be played during the evening can be anything from guessing the weight of each person's purse and then having the winner get a prize for it. Another option can be to have a scavenger hunt type of game where each women must find a specific item in their purse called from a list. Whomever has the most items on that list will win a prize.

As far as decorations go for the room, purse shaped items, or lipstick shapes would be great for the walls and tables. If you have access to a local party shop it should be easy to find these items in shapes, or even some goodie bags that are in the shape of purses. These goodie bags could be filled with new colored lipsticks, nail polishes or other items a woman would keep in her purse. These bags may be given at the end of the party as a take home gift.

Antoinette Theme
A Marie Antoinette themed party is much like a Victorian style party mixed in with a tea party. The party color scheme will include colors such as robin blue, pastel yellows and pinks as well as a tad of white. These colors can be used by using colored shoes, plates and napkins, or even clothing around the room. If you are throwing a costume type party along side this theme give the option that the ladies may dress up in a Victorian style dress, or in pastel colors that match the color scheme. The joy of this theme is to be colorful, bold, beautiful, as well as lady like.

By Mister GC

For the beverages and drinks, things such as tea, small cocktails and tea cakes may be served. Anything that you would expect to see at a tea party. Think back to when you and your friend were little girls and played tea party with your friends or dolls. In order to keep the tea party theme, you can also serve the tea using a china tea set. This may be purchased, or perhaps you may see if your friends or other invites have some tea pieces they can bring.

The idea behind the theme is to feel lady like and have a great time. Lounge back, and have a ladies night with good company and great fun.

Chick Flick
What woman doesn't like a good chick flick? In order to throw this themed party for women it can be easily done using few items, and can be done at anyone's home or space. The best way to throw this party is to find a location or home you can have it at and make sure that there are no men around, unless they too enjoy a good chick flick movie.

Bring lots of movie snacks and have them ready. Whether it be pounds of buttered popcorn, gummy worms, sour candies, or chocolate candies, have plenty around. These movie snacks will give the feel of a good old fashioned movie night.

By marin

Think of your favorite as well as your guest and birthday girl's favorite chick flick movies. Make a movie night of it. Have plenty of movies to watch, and make sure you all have baby sitters for the kids. If you are looking to make it more adult like, add some cocktails such as margaritas or pina coladas and have a good time. One way to do this would be to make a sleepover out of it. Just because we women grow up doesn't mean we can't have a good old fashioned slumber party with the girls.


Home Spa
This theme is one of the easiest and most personal birthday party themes for women that a person can plan. This can be as simple as mani/pedis or giving each other a simple makeover using make up. We all can enjoy having someone else pamper us. If it is possible to do, you may also consider inviting over an Avon or Mary Kay product specialist to help with this home spa day.

By marin

This party idea is also another good way to give out some fun goodie bags. The goodie bags can include a nice smelling lotion, some bath salts, nail polish, a manicure and pedicure set or something as simple as a day spa gift certificate.

A game that could be played during this evening could involve the makeover. Whoever looks or gives the best makeover can be voted on, and then whoever wins can win a day trip to a spa, or a gift certificate for a free manicure. Make it fun, and take lots of pictures. It's all about the birthday girl and giving her a good time.


As you have read there are many fun and nontraditional party theme ideas for a woman's birthday party. Whatever party theme you have decided on be sure that you plan ahead and remember to plan for unexpected guests as well as for the children just in case they cannot find a sitter. Whatever the plan is, be sure you take lots of pictures and give them and yourself a way to recall this great birthday extravaganza. A fun way to do this is by taking pictures and creating a scrapbook for them as well as a belated birthday gift. Happy birthday party planning.

Have Fun with the Family this Winter Season

Winter weather have your family feeling down? No problem! With the following family activities the entire family can play together and avoid those winter blues. Each of these activities requires a family of at least two or more and a few around the home items. From an indoor sandbox to a cookie contest, members of the family at any age can enjoy the time spent with each other as well as have some fun without the sun.

Build an indoor sand box for the little ones in the family to enjoy. This is a fun activity that can be done inside the home with ease and only a few sensitivities. Fill an inflatable pool or plastic storage bin with oatmeal or rice and place plastic shovels and buckets inside. This is great for smaller children who really enjoy sand play. This will give them the idea of being at the beach and with the help of a older sibling or parents they can imagine they are at the beach.

Credit: stockimages

Have an indoor movie night that involves family movie favorites such as Toy Story and Mary Poppins. Make your favorite movie snacks for everyone, or try making some healthy movie snacks instead. No matter what the movie is gather the family together in the living room and have a great time. If the weather permits going out for a movie is also an option while there are many family choices that come out during the holiday season.

Another great option on how to enjoy the winter weather together and have a family activity is by hosting a cookie baking contest. Each member of the family or groups of two can make their favorite cookies, and they can be judged by an outside party. A trip to the store may be necessary to pick up essential baking needs for each set of cookies. If there are smaller children pair them with the older children so they have help mixing dough, and putting cookies in and out of the oven.

As it can be seen from the above activities, the sun is not a requirement to have fun with the family and enjoy each others company. Staying inside and playing with items that have been around the home since summer and warmer seasons makes it easy to bring the family together for bonding and give everyone their own special treats. Stay warm this winter inside and out and have fun with your family.

Retro Date Ideas Made Easy

Fancy dresses, nice attire, the perfect car, the best location, the perfect date. This is something that every person desires when it comes to taking their crush, a new person in their life or the significant other out on a date, however sometimes dates can get stale and boring and people get stuck in old traditional dates of going to dinner. Instead of sticking to the normal date, throwback and go on a retro style date and have more fun then you have had in years.

Roller skating
One of the best ways to have fun, be close and get exercise all during a date night is by roller skating. If there is a local skating rink that is in the neighborhood, find out how much it costs for an evening to rent skates and come to a session. Often roller skating rinks offer a couple’s night as well as other themed nights like black light night, and throwback sock hop nights. Whatever the night is, you and your date will be able to sit back and watch others skate, go on the skate rink yourself and couples skate, or sit back and enjoy the snacks that the snack shop has to offer.

If there is no skating rink in your neighborhood take a trip to one that is close to town, or find a local walking park that you can skate around and laugh, talk and play together while having a great date night under the sun or by the beach. Skating is a great way to hold hands and glide together getting to know one another for the first time, or all over again.

Picnic at the park
A nice romantic dinner inside can be great, but a meal outside watching the sun set together is even better. Pack your date’s favorite sandwich, or order some side salads and chicken breasts from your favorite restaurant in to go boxes to pack. No matter what the snacks and meal is, add some romance to it. Bring a blanket to lie down below the two of you and eat underneath the sky. If you are in an area that has a lookout peak to look over the city or town, take your picnic there and enjoy the scenery. If this is not an option, try having your picnic on a rooftop with battery operated lanterns and candles, and set the mood.

Your date will appreciate the time and effort you put in to the picnic giving a bit of romance and adventure all together. If you are planning a romantic evening to propose, this is a wonderful idea and will get you two alone and in a wonderful romantic setting to pop the question.

Vintage soda shop
Some towns and areas have a modernized building that is designed to have a classic soda shop design. For example restaurants such as Johnny Rockets or Joe’s have a vintage 50s soda shop feel and are the perfect setting to have your retro styled date. The soda shop will bring couples back to that feeling of great easy and fun times. Filled with songs from the 50s, 60s, and occasionally 70s playing on the jukebox radio, couples can listen to good music, and feel the soda shop vibe across the scene.

Ordering a burger and a favorite malt to share with two straws, a couple can have a great meal, sit in a over sized booth with their best partner at their side or across the table. A perfect hamburger and fries can make the best date ever. The soda shop is something that anyone of any age can enjoy, younger couples or older couples wanting to get back to their younger years. Share a shake, and boogie down on the dance floor at your nearest soda shop for a perfect retro style date.

Using these various retro style date ideas, make the next night out a fun and adventurous one that both you and yours will enjoy. Dating is meant to be enjoyable and something that will be remembered in the future for the time to come. If you are stuck for any dating ideas or how to plan the perfect date it never hurts to check out women’s magazines such as Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan.

Family Date Night Ideas

When living the family life it can be hard to find time to go out on a romantic date with your significant other, well that doesn't have to happen any longer with fun and romantic date nights that both the kids and adults can enjoy. Take in to account things that your children and you two as a couple will enjoy. These dates can be a variety of things, but included below are four top notch family date night ideas that will get you out on the romantic night of your dreams, and satisfy your children's fun and crazy side, so everybody wins.

Movie night

When it comes to having a date together with your significant other sometimes it can be hard to think of something romantic to do while the two of you are at home with the kids. Well, this is where a movie night is a wonderful choice. The two of you can pick out a family appropriate romantic comedy, or a family film that everyone can enjoy. By getting favorite snacks and giving the kids the option to lay on the floor on their favorite blankets, and pillows to watch a movie while the adults are on the couch, you two can snuggle close together and the kids can eat their snacks, talk among each other and watch the movie. 

Arcade

The arcade isn't only for the children anymore but for the adults too.  By going to the arcade for a date night, you and your significant other can have fun and play games like air hockey together. The arcade may offer games that the children can win tickets for prizes, and the adults can even do so to. Maybe your significant other might want to be romantic and win you the biggest teddy bear that night. The arcade depending on where it is, might even offer live entertainment or a circus act like The Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.

Make a Pizza night 

Pizza night is a great family date for the whole family, but rather then ordering in or baking a frozen pizza this time make your own pizza from scratch. With a raw dough from the grocery store that needs to be rolled out, or flour tortillas for mini pizzas, this is an easy thing to do and provide fun for the whole family. Get everyone's favorite ingredients for pizza, pepperoni,

shredded mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, etc etc, and make it a team effort. You and the significant others, and the kids can make their own together. Follow a recipe on how to make pizza from scratch, and you will be set to have this fun and adventurous night.

These are examples of how to have a date night that the entire family can enjoy and have a good time together.