Tag Archives: friends

Apr12

Celebrating Special Occasions In Self-Isolation

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Celebrating Special Occasions In Self-Isolation

Hello! Ohio has a stay at home order in place until the beginning of May – as for right now. Unfortunately, special occasions don’t just stop because we are practicing self isolation. So, if a loved one has a birthday coming up, it can certainly feel like a bit of a bust. Thankfully, there are still ways to keep communication alive from the comfort of your own home. Use some of the following tips if anyone you know is celebrating their big day:

Order Them Takeout:

If a friend or family member is celebrating a birthday, you could do the social distancing equivalent of a birthday dinner by sending them over some takeout. Pick out a delicious meal from their favorite restaurant and Door Dash it on over for a birthday surprise. And, how surprised and thankful your giftee will be when he or she finds out that they don’t have to cook dinner!

Special Delivery:

Online deliveries are, for the most part, still a thing. How about sending your giftee a quarantine kit to help keep them entertained? Assemble a care package filled with adult coloring books, board games, books, or movies with the promise of a game night/late celebration once the stay at home order has been lifted.

Have A Virtual Drink:

Virtual drinks and happy hours over video chat has become a new trend as of late and my boyfriend and I are so there for it. We have participated in a few rounds of virtual drinks with our friends and it is always a blast. Call up your friend or family member on FaceTime or Skype who is celebrating a big day and toast to them. And, of course, real life drinks at a later time goes without saying!

Plan Ahead:

If all of the virtual mumbo jumbo isn’t your style, send your loved one an email or some snail mail inviting them to a celebration hang out at a later time. Your giftee will be 1) tickled that you remembered and 2) excited to have a fun event to look forward to. Plan an itinerary for an afternoon or evening on the town with the person celebrating and don’t forget to mark it in the calendar!

Don’t let your loved one’s special day go uncelebrated with the tips above and happy happy days to those celebrating during a stay at home order! ❤

How have you celebrated a special occasion during self-isolation? Will your birthday take place during the stay at home order? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr6

Fun & Fresh Gift Ideas For Men

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Fun & Fresh Gift Ideas For Men

It’s not always easy to buy gifts for men. In fact, it can be really difficult and even more so now that we are unable to go shopping for gifts. So if you want to buy some unique and interesting gifts this year, take a little look at this mini guide to see what could work for your next birthday purchase for a special guy in your life:

Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets:

Most men love gadgets and at any time of the year too! A lot of companies launch new products at this time of year and there are usually special offers at certain times of the year. There are so many different types of gadget on offer, and this can make it tough to decide what to buy. You can buy everything from virtual reality gaming headsets to self-stirring mugs. Think about what your partner or your brother has already got and what kinds of gadgets would entertain them or make their life easier. You could go for something practical if they like specific things to do with DIY or art for example or if they just love playing with toy cars and helicopters!

Clothing and accessories:

Buying clothing isn’t a necessity at the moment but it will be again at some point and although this doesn’t sound like the most original idea, it can have a twist put on it. Why not add a personal touch to one of their fashion accessories? Nowadays, you can customize everything from trainers and football boots to caps and this may really impress some of the men in your family. If this idea sounds appealing, do some research online. You could add their name or a special date, for example to remember their anniversary or other occasion.

Sporting gifts:

If you live with a sports fan, the options are endless. Indulge their passion with a stadium tour, match tickets, or a private lesson. Buy books, DVDs, or novelty golf balls as stocking fillers. Research signed shirts or retro football online. If you’re married to a gym bunny, read up on the best wearable gadgets or order a personalized gym bag. There are gifts out there to suit every budget and for lovers of every sport – you could certainly look at tested paddles too so when the time comes to enjoy some Pickleball, they’re prepared!

Manly hampers? Sounds fun enough!

If you’re searching for unique presents for him, look no further than a bespoke manly hamper. You can order a hamper online or buy your basket and fill it with ingredients yourself, depending on what they like. Maybe they love Thai food, so you could make a Thai themed hamper! This is a great idea for friends and relatives who love to eat and drink.

Popular items include alcohol miniatures, chocolates, cheese, nuts, and more. If you make your own, you can put all of your loved one’s favorite things inside which will impress them and show that you know them too. You can add shower and shave gel, candles, soap, and beard oil if you don’t want to go down the food route. The options are really endless and it’s time to start thinking outside the box!

Use the ideas above to help get you inspired for gifting the guy in your life with the best present ever!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr5

Having A Virtual Drink

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Having A Virtual Drink

Hi! It’s so crazy to think that just a few weeks ago, Johnny and I were participating in game nights with our friends over the weekend. Now, we are safely tucked away in my apartment after work and on the weekends due to Ohio’s stay at home order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

We have a pretty close knit group of friends and we miss them. So, over the weekend we had a virtual drink over FaceTime with a couple we are friends with named Kevin and Christine. It was so nice to chat with and “see” someone other than ourselves and I just had to tell all of you about it in case you are missing the homies, too.

Try scheduling a virtual drink with your besties while hunkering down is the name of the game. You will seriously feel so much better after you have a conversation with a friend that isn’t over text message and it can create a pleasant evening or afternoon if you are having difficulties figuring out ways to occupy yourself. Pour a glass of wine, sit back, and enjoy. *Virtual cheers to you* 🙂

How have you been keeping in touch with friends in self-isolation? What is the coronavirus status where you live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr2

Be My Friend!

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Be My Friend!

Hello! With the stay in order in Ohio still going strong, I definitely have been spending more than the average amount of time on social media. So, I figured it was a great time to remind all of you that you are more than welcome to friend me on Facebook at: Sarah Mushenheim. Just send me a message so I know who you are and I’ll accept your friend request so you can see all of the dope memes I’ve been sharing. 😉

And, in case you don’t know what I look like, this is my profile picture:

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Catch ya on The Book! 💃

Mar23

Passing Time In Self-Isolation

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Passing Time In Self-Isolation

Hi everyone! I hope that all of you are managing to stay healthy and safe during this crazy time. I also hope that you’re staying sane after hearing coronavirus related news all day every day because that can be a bit much, too. As more businesses, schools, and gathering places close and events are cancelled, it’s easy to feel trapped. And, if you are practicing self-isolation you might be running out of things to do to keep occupied which just adds to the panic. So, allow me to come in with a few suggestions:

Read A Book:

This is such an obvious idea but you’d be amazed at all of the posts I see on Facebook asking for binge worthy show suggestions as opposed to an un-put-downable book. Crack open that novel you’ve been holding off on reading for ages, sit back, relax, and read. And I mean really read, which means more than just one chapter! A few weeks back, I borrowed Doctor Sleep by Stephen King from the library and am hoping to finish that during my free time.

Work On A Puzzle:

I happen to really enjoy a good jigsaw puzzle and, while everything is so up in the air, it is a great way to kill an afternoon. Although I still have to go to work, I plan on limiting seeing my clients just in their home instead of in the community so I definitely see a lot of puzzles in my future. You are not limited to jigsaw puzzles, though! Try a word search, crossword, jumbles, Sudoku, or Mahjong to fill up some free time.

Binge Watch A Little:

Lol, it would be cruel and unusual to not put this suggestion on the list but try not to go overboard with it. Limit yourself to one to two episodes a day so your brain doesn’t turn into complete mush. That’s not to say you can’t treat yourself to an America’s Next Top Model bingeathon (God knows I have!), but don’t make that the norm while outside activities are so limited.

Spring Clean:

If now isn’t the perfect time to spring clean, then I genuinely don’t know when it would be. Set aside some time during the day to tackle at least one room or area of your home or apartment. Disinfect, dust, sweep, and Swiffer until your place is sparkling. Don’t forget to really clean things like light switches, door knobs, handles, and the toilet flusher!

Games Galore:

While in self-isolation, my boyfriend and I have grown very partial to video games, particularly Rock Band. We have such a blast playing the different songs, talking about music, and honing in on our skill. We both play on hard on the guitar… But I don’t mean to brag. 😉 My beau and I have also been playing Little Big Planet, Unraveled, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. to help pass the time. We both highly recommend Unraveled and, although it has long since been beaten, we always enjoy playing it again from time to time.

If video games aren’t your thing, then board or card and computer games work just as well. There are an insane amount of online games to choose from like Galactic Wins Casino (if gambling is something you enjoy), WOW, and Bubble Pop; the list just goes on. I just wish that Rollercoaster Tycoon was still a thing on the computer! Classic computer games like pinball, checkers, and solitaire are also great ways to kill time and are perfect for a less intense gaming experience. I love playing solitaire and it’s so easy to keep playing once you’re on a winning streak!

Indeed, computer games are always being added and improved and it can be hard to keep up – especially if you enjoy playing a lot of different ones! If you are looking for a leg up in a new game or one you are struggling with, you can buy accounts to immediately get you into the swing of the game. For example, you could enter a search for “Clash Royale Account for sale” or whatever game you are interested in to browse your options. This could also be a lucrative side hustle if you have several excellent gaming accounts that you are willing to part with.

I, myself, really enjoy Scrabble and Sequence and I never say no to a good game of Monopoly. One of my clients enjoys playing Poker and I have gotten pretty into that, too. Games are such a fun way to pass the time and reconnect since going out to dinner is not an option right now.

From the ideas above to cooking an amazing meal or even starting a blog, I hope these suggestions come in handy when you feel the boredom of self-isolation sinking in. Enjoy!

How have you been spending your free time amid the coronavirus panic? What is a book, movie, show, or game suggestion that you recommend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Five Rules For The Perfect Game Night

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Five Rules For The Perfect Game Night

If there is one thing that you should be doing at least once a month, it’s hosting a game night. You can switch off with your friends so that you all take turns, but you have to host at least once every single month so that you can enjoy an evening with your friends on your terms. Some people like to make game night an evening thing, with a game of cards and takeout. Others like to make games night one of board game and chips ‘n’ dip.

No matter how you do it, game night needs to be something you’re all going to enjoy and you need to plan it to perfection for that to happen. Game night is all about your friendships, laughter, camaraderie, and total enjoyment of each other’s company. If it’s your turn to host game night, try adhering to the following rules:

Enough Space:

The first thing that you need for game night to go smoothly is the right space. You need enough room for all of you to sit down and if you want to have Pictionary, you need room to be able to get up and draw! Charades requires some moving space, so clear the floor of a room and throw around some beanbags for seating.

Games:

Games night requires games. Break out the board games, pens, and paper for writing things down and a good Word Unscrambler. You need to be able to choose five or six games to play with friends to make your night a successful one.

Snacks & Drinks:

Whether you decide to have your game night outside or inside, you need food and drinks to keep the night flowing. You can choose to make a meal for people to pick at, like a vat of chili and a basket of hot dogs to add, or you can go with the chips ‘n’ dip route. It’s entirely up to you which way you do it. Add drinks – cold and hot, soft and alcoholic – it’s good to have options!

Music:

You need a good playlist for music in the background. You should consider a karaoke machine for when things get a little silly later in the night. You need to think about ensuring that the playlist is a palatable one for all, and keep it low for background music and not blasting through the night.

Prizes:

Not many people do this for game night, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t! You need to think about offering a prize pot for your winners, and you can make it cheap. You can put together prizes from the local dollar stores or you can have a prize pot of cash for the overall winner of the night. If everyone puts in ten dollars, you could have a great prize pot at the end of the night.

Games night: It comes with rules and it’s going to be great!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar10

Giving Gifts To Be Cherished

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Giving Gifts To Be Cherished

Almost anything could constitute as a ‘gift’. That being said, we all know that gifting is a complex and often nuanced art. For instance, purchasing someone a new car, while amazing, does not necessarily make it better via expensive than something perfectly tailored to the person in question, thought of carefully, used as a means to illustrate a beautiful point. The gift’s worth is defined in presence of the particular giftee and gifter,  no matter the particulars.

Yet sometimes it can be that you hope to give a gift that will leave an excellent and positive mark upon the recipient, ensuring that they not only appreciate your generosity, but that they can return to the memory of said item as a truly beautiful thing to appreciate. To help you achieve that, we have some of the following advice:

Experiences:

It’s hard to shed the impression a wonderful experience can leave someone. Each of us only has a set amount of time on this Earth, and so spending that time within an experience that helps us learn, grow, and feel grateful can be truly fantastic. It might be that you bring a family member along for a cruise or that you head on a road trip with your friend to explore the best of what your coastline has to offer. What matters is spending time with those you most love and appreciate, as this generates memories all by itself.

Indulgences & Treats:

A small indulgence can make for a phenomenal gift, because not only are you giving them a wonderfully handcrafted treat from Eastern Standard Provisions, but you are granting them the chance to indulge in a treat they most enjoy. This also serves as the best approach to gifting, because it matters, and it provides them with that sense of comfort they may have been missing thus far. Small indulgences are not small, they are an example of the little things that make life worth living and plenty enjoyable.

A Particular Craft:

Crafting something yourself is perhaps one of the most interesting and satisfying measures you can enjoy. However, gifting said craft to someone you love or appreciate is a cherry on the cake. Don’t think this needs to be some otherwordly example of the craft makers art in order to be assured in this. Giving someone a small clay pot from a pottery course you took, a bouquet of flowers you have arranged yourself, a small knitted jumper for a nephew or niece, or even just a painting you have applied yourself to can all be wonderful. Don’t think that because you may not have spent hundreds acquiring said item that it’s worthless. Quite the contrary, it will have soul.

With this advice, you can leave your signature mark on what you gift your loved ones with in the future.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar8

Brunch Warriors ASSEMBLE!

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Brunch Warriors ASSEMBLE!

Hi! If you’re anything like me, then you never say no to a good brunch. Despite almost always being slightly hungover, I revel in a boozy Sunday brunch complete with hearty breakfast food and fifteen mimosas. Well… more like two mimosas but I definitely think I could polish off fifteen of the most delicious mimosa mash up I’ve ever heard of…

Allow me to introduce you to the Lemonade Mimosa. Yes, you heard it correctly. A mouthwatering sweet/tart combination that I just had to read on about when someone posted the recipe on Facebook. And, let me be the first to tell you, the following recipe that can be found on Delish.com sounds… Delish! Take a look and be sure to visit Delish for more food and drink inspiration to spice up your meals!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus a wedge for rimming
  • 1 bottle champagne
  • 2 c. lemonade or pink lemonade

Directions:

  1. In a shallow dish, mix lemon zest and sugar.
  2. Rim champagne flutes with a lemon wedge and dip in sugar mixture.
  3. Place one slice of lemon inside each champagne flute, bending if needed.
  4. Fill flute halfway with champagne and top with lemonade. Serve.

 

When the weather begins warming up, I need a drink that is crisp and refreshing which is why I usually favor the Moscow Mule. So, what could possibly be better than ice cold lemonade and champagne during a muggy summer morning? The answer is nothing, of course!

Treat your friends to a Sunday morning summer brunch, follow more simple and tasty recipes by Lena Abraham, and you’ll be the hostess with the mostess by the time the second round of Lemonade Mimosas starts being poured!

What is your favorite mimosa flavor? (I love mango!) How do you do Sunday brunch? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar3

7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

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7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Keeping your guests entertained on your wedding day can help to make it an enjoyable and memorable day for them too. While many couples stick to classic entertainment options such as a DJ or a live band, there are many alternative options that you can try if you want to make your wedding day truly unique.

In fact, you could include these entertainment options alongside traditional entertainment choices, resulting in a wedding party that is certain to appeal to everyone. It is important to remember to always check with your chosen wedding venue first, however, to see if they are okay with your chosen entertainment. If you are having your wedding somewhere such as The Orchard Event Venue & Retreat, you should get in touch with a wedding venue azle tx company to see what their terms and conditions are first, and whether they provide anything that you can work with instead. Regardless of how you do it, here are just a few different wedding entertainment options:

Singing waiters:

Singing waiters could be a fun and comical touch to throw in during the wedding meal. As the food is being served up, you could surprise all your guests by having the waiting staff break out into song. There are catering companies that specialize in this novel form of entertainment. Such a fun spectacle will need to be captured on camera so be sure to look into personalized wedding photography options to catch all of those special moments and let you focus on having the best time ever.

Caricature artist:

At the beginning of the reception party, you could arrange for a caricature artist to be present alongside the photographer. You could then pay them to draw caricatures of any guests that want a personal cartoon. It could result in some unique memories for guests to take away.

A corn hole board:

You could also encourage guests to get competitive by supplying a corn hole board. This is a fun and classic sport that your guests can still play while dressed up. Sites such as https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/ can even supply custom-made corn hole boards. This could a fun way of personalizing this entertainment. Games like corn hole, croquet, and giant chess will provide a great time and it’s perfect if you are hosting an outdoor wedding. Have the games set up in stations around your sailcloth marquee reception space. Then, the guests can make their way through all of them without getting clustered.

A roulette table:

For a taste of Vegas, you could turn your reception hall into a casino! This could be operated by a professional croupier who will be able to take people’s bets and ensure that all gambling is done fairly and sensibly. You can read up on the rules of Roulette at https://www.mastersofgames.com.

Fire performers:

Fire performers could bring some thrills to your wedding. Obviously, this is an entertainment option best suited for an outdoor wedding – and even then you’ll probably need to double-check that the venue is happy to host these entertainers. You could even hire performers to perform alongside a firework display if you want your wedding to be truly explosive.

Something as dynamic as fire performers or fireworks requires a skilled photographer so be sure to consider all options seriously for the perfect lasting memories. Photographers like Jules Bower, for example, are well versed in editorial shots that revolve around emotion, story telling, and excellent lighting. An editorial photographer knows how to pull out all of the stops which is just what you need for a wedding with unique entertainment.

Petting zoo:

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, a petting zoo could be a cute option for kids and adults alike. There are many mobile petting zoos that are available for hire which may include animals such as goats, donkeys, or sheep. Make sure to hire a reputable company so that you know the animals are well looked after.

A carousel:

You could also add some fairground magic to your wedding day by hiring out a carousel. Kids will love this and adults are likely to also give it a go. It could also make for some unique wedding photographs. You can read some tips on hiring a carousel ride for your wedding here https://www.candyflosscrazy.com/Tips-For-Hiring-Funfair-Rides.html.

Use the ideas above to create the ultimate experience for your wedding guests!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb25

Thoughtful Ways To Honor A Friend Who Passed Away

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Thoughtful Ways To Honor A Friend Who Passed Away

When a friend passes away, it can take a massive toll on your mental health and well being. You go through various stages of grief and loss that last for months. Honoring friends who pass away is a great way to cherish the memories that you have and somehow “give back,” even if you didn’t get the chance in life. You can do so with the following ideas:

Visit Their Favorite Vacation Spot Annually:

If your friend had a favorite place that they liked to go, then it can be an excellent idea to visit that spot with your other friends in honor of their memory. It could be a relaxing trip to the beach or a tour of a city destination – it depends on what they enjoyed. Here, you’ll have a chance to reminisce about the times that you shared and continue to enjoy the things that they liked before they passed away.

Get A Tattoo:

When somebody passes away, a lot of people like to create some sort of permanent reminder that reminds them of the time that they spent with them. Getting a tattoo related to that person can be a gesture that ensures that they remain a permanent fixture on your body. You have a lot of freedom over the type of tattoo that you get. Some people ask the tattoo artist to recreate their likeness on their skin. Others will enshrine the date of their death or the time that they first met them. Or it could be something as simple as a line from a poem that they liked.

Of course, getting a tattoo isn’t for everyone. However, there are many ways to permanently express your sentiments for your loved one. You could host an annual gathering for remembrance or even design a special marker at their resting place. You could custom design one with Tegeler Monument (or a similar company in your local area) and include a favorite quote, animal, or a picture of the two of you together and it will always be there.

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Pixabay Image

Plant A Tree:

The beautiful thing about life is that no matter how many people pass away, new life will always emerge. Many people grieving because of the death of a friend, therefore, plant trees.

Trees are a fantastic way to cherish a memory. If you plant an oak, it could stand tall for a thousand years or more, paying permanent homage to your loved one. What’s more, you can visit the tree regularly, and it’ll always be there to pay respects to the person you lost.

Buy A Special Necklace:

A lot of people now wear an urn cremation necklace in memory of a person who has passed away. The idea is simple. You collect some of their ashes and then use them to fill a pendant that you wear around your neck. It’s a way of ensuring that a part of their spirit remains close to you at all times. Urn necklaces last forever and ensure that you never forget the person you lost. For this reason, they can provide comfort.

Donate To Charity In Their Honor:

If you had a friend who had a passion for a particular cause, you might want to donate to a related charity in their honor. Part of paying respects to the passing of a dear friend is continuing to do things that they would have done to make the world a better place. Had they lived, they may have donated to animal shelters or water aid charities. You can help maintain their legacy by making donations of your own.

Create A Memory Journal:

If you have a load of photos of your friend lying around, why not create a memory journal? The concept is pretty simple. You just create a set of themes – like your friend being silly or enjoying a holiday – and then glue photos to the pages of a notebook. Everyone can then refer to the journal whenever they want to think more about the person they’ve lost, creating a permanent homage to their life.

Learn A New Skill:

If your friend was a whizz on computers or loved to play the piano, then you might want to learn that skill and continue it in their stead. Learning a new skill is a great way to deal with the grieving process. It allows you to direct your energy into something positive. The last thing you want is to wallow in misery. You want to be able to move on with your life. That’s what your friend would have wanted too.

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Try learning the piano!

Create A Memorial In Your Home:

For some people, creating a memorial in their home can help a lot with the grieving process. A permanent memorial is a way to allow their memory to live on, even if the person isn’t here anymore. When creating a memorial, you don’t have to do anything complicated. Something as simple as a picture on the wall or a bunch of flowers in a vase can be all you need. You can be more extravagant if you want, but there’s usually no need.

Keep the memory of your friend alive with the tips above. ❤

Featured Image By: Pixabay