28 October 2020

Imagine Yourself an Exotic Belly Dancer (For Halloween or Whenever!)

Suggested for "intimate" Halloween celebrations. Imagine Yourself as an Egyptian belly dancer.

Just for Halloween? 
Or … maybe all year long. Why not??



Shopping for a belly dancer outfit? 

More designs and colors available, but these are my personal preferences.


Egyptian Bellydancer Set
Egyptian Bellydancer Set


A complete set comprising of an egyptian bra & matching harem pants. Both the top & pants are decorated with coins,beads & crocheted threads.The pants have a typical bellydancer side slit with a triangular coin design in center.   Oooh-la-la!

Turkish Chiffon 3 Parallel Row Hip Scarf


Beautiful chiffon hip scarf with 3 lines of coins.With crocheted thread & beadwork adding to the beauty, the scarf would go well with any bellydancer outfit.


♥ ♥ ♥





Best of Halloween Costume Ideas - Queen for a Day and More!

Saw a picture of Beyoncé dressed up looking like a queen holding a scepter (below) and got inspired for a Halloween costume idea.  Be a queen!

This is a Marie Antoinette-style gown. Eh!  We know her history.  Try not to think about the fact that she lost her head.  Just think of all the pretty gowns she wore.








* * * Other costume ideas?


  • Arabian costumes.  Why not be a genie?  Remember the old comedy TV show "I Dream of Jeanie".

  • Mother and Daughter Matching Witches from the Wizard of Oz.










Find Free Music for Halloween to Enjoy the Holiday

Looking for something you can use as background music (in addition to Michael Jackson's Thriller) that will create the spooky scary horror-full mood of the Halloween holiday? 

Royalty Free Horror Soundtracks for Download


DJ playing music at a Halloween party
© Photographer: Texelart | Agency: Dreamstime.com






glitter-graphics.com


Celebrate National Black Cat Day AND Halloween!

A Halloween celebration would be incomplete without a black cat.  

Do you think black cats are bad luck or good luck?  

Did you know that in a certain part of the world "giving a bride the gift of a black cat is thought to bring her good luck"?  

In my world, I believe a cat is just a cat, no matter what color the feline may be.  But during the Halloween season, it could be fun to dress up as a black cat!  Buy the cat mask and the rest of the outfit is left up to your imagination!  This is my way of celebrating the black cat.  😉

Venetian Masquerade Mask Luxury Sexy Black Cat Lace Mask For Fancy Dress Halloween Costume Party Girls/Women

Guide to Halloween Superstitions

















Black Cats are not just for Halloween!
But black cats are perfect for Halloween! 
Agree? :)












10 Hackers Who Drastically Changed the World (Reblog)

#1 is Julian Assange ... #10 is Anonymous

"Yes, literally. While hacking is as amoral as science or mathematics, and therefore couldn't possibly be morally wrong, it is indeed literally wrong. Hacking, in the broadest sense of the word, is to attempt to interact with a system (any system) in a clever, innovative, and challenging way that the system was not intended to be interacted with, or the wrong way."

10 "Hackers" who Drastically Changed the World: for Better or Worse?


10 Hackers who Drastically Changed the World: for Better or Worse?


16 October 2020

Parenting Tips: Your 7th Grader Will Survive Adolescence and Beyond!

Enjoy your childhood.
It sure doesn’t last very long.


(Dear Parent:  As you read this, pretend you're the adolescent.  If you put yourself in you're pre-teen's 'shoes' you can understand them better.)

Is it Diary or DIE-ary?  Surviving adolescence takes determination to get through it and it helps if you have something wholesome and productive to keep yourself occupied while the time passes. Also, having a great community library with computers nearby where you live is a definite plus.



Surviving adulthood? Hmmmm?
Guess that’s why there are so many reality TV shows.


This story (or journal entry) is a blend of fiction and non-fiction and was actually inspired by two people: one known and one unknown. The gifted singer, songwriter, and musician, Sinead O’Connor is "the known". Her biography is very touching. The unknown person (the adolescent who keeps a DIE-ary) will come to be known if they’re determined enough to continue on their path to success, as an artist/illustrator.

It used to be my DIE-ary. But that was in 7th grade.

7th grade was the worst year of my life, in terms of emotions; my best year in terms of grades. I didn’t smile very much that year. Even my younger sister’s stupid antics couldn’t make me laugh.

In fact, one would describe me as overly quiet and shy. If one were asked, that is. But one was never asked. Because if one had been asked, one would have also noticed that not only was I overly quiet and shy, but I was also extremely irritable. Of course, I didn’t blow up at anybody or anything. No outward display of emotion of rage or hysteria. Just that internalized keep-it-to-yourself type of irritation. No point hurting someone’s feelings if they’re not the source of your irritation. Right?

stickerAt school, I was somewhat known; known as that recluse who sat in the back, in the corner, always drawing during the lesson, never paying attention, but still managing to get A+. My Math teacher tried to get me to talk for a whole year. My English teacher became obsessed with my artwork. My History teacher wondered how I could be drawing during the lessons and still get A+ on the tests. I didn’t cheat. I couldn’t! As I said: I sat in the back, in a corner and no one was around me. Had my teacher never heard of multitasking? My Science teacher wasn’t curious about me because I did have one friend in that class. Guess that meant I wasn’t weird or maladjusted and in need of counseling.

I really enjoy art. Anime art. That’s my specialty. I draw all kinds of characters and give them complex names and personalities. I have lots and lots of sketches in my bedroom. My art went downhill for a while. At least, I thought I did. People would say the drawings were good. But they weren’t the way I wanted them to be. Most of my drawings during my 7th-grade year looked like kids my age who were about to burst into tears. Nevertheless, at the age of 14, I set up an email address, created a business card, a website, and started trying to sell some of my art. My mom and dad had no idea. Hey! My report card had As; and they never heard any major complaints from me or my teachers. Very seldom did I go to parties or other social events. The library was my place to hang out. Besides, my parents were sort of dealing with “the others”. 5 sisters, 5 brothers, plus me equal 11. Yeah. There were 10 “others”. Go figure how I could have possibly gotten overlooked.

Eh! I made it through 7th grade. My remaining school years went by in a flash. Now I’m pursuing my career in art full-time. Man! The competition out there is fierce! Sure seems like it was a lot easier to sell my art to my friends when I was in 7th grade.

Oh well. Can’t turn back the clock!!



The Best Self-Help Tool Ever Invented

I am older now and though life is still filled with unnecessary drama, it can be turned on and off like a water faucet. For me, most of the time, it’s turned off. The best self-help tool God ever invented was an ON/OFF switch in the human brain.



* * * NOTE: Content previously appeared on BlogJob.com







08 October 2020

Idiot’s Guide to Power Tools (Great Gift Idea!)

Thinking of buying a power tool as a gift?  Only … can’t tell a jigsaw from a drill, can you?  If you picked up a grinder you’d probably saw your own arm off.  Right?  But you know a “Bob Vila wanna be” and want to get the perfect gift for them.  This guide for the absolute beginner outlines the various tools available, their capabilities and what to buy.

 

An Idiot’s Guide to Buying Power Tools






29 September 2020

Quotes and Notes : Philosophy : Confucius Wisdom and Quotes

According to the famous Roman orator and lawyer Cicero:

"There is nothing so absurd that it has not been said by some philosopher." (Yawn.)

The yawn may or may not have been included when he made that comment. But Rome was loaded with philosophers and they had a habit of congregating on Mars Hill daily and just ... babbling. Meanwhile, on another part of planet earth ...

To contrast with a teacher from the Far East:

"3 methods to learn wisdom: by reflection, which is noblest; by imitation, which is easiest; and by experience, which is the bitterest."

Words of wisdom from one who probably lived his life as a simple common ordinary man, but who is today acknowledged by many around the world as one the world's most sensible common sense philosophers. When it comes to Confucianism, many would insist that Cicero's quote does not apply.


A brief bio-snapshot:

- Life span: About 70 years (c. 551 B.C - c. 479 B.C.)

- Born and buried in Chu-foo (or Qufu or Lu).

- Served as Public Administrator for 15 years (532 B.C. - 517 B.C.); afterward, he studied and taught the Chinese classics, and spread his philosophy.

- His sayings were published posthumously as the "Analects of Confucius".

- The Prince of Lu consecrated his home as a temple, two years after he died.

Do You Admire the Wisdom of Confucius?

I do.


To practice 5 things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue: gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.  ~ Confucius

Image credit: Confucius Statue in Bejing, China (Wikimedia Commons)



***




14 September 2020

Claudia's List of 200 + Things to Do When You Can't Leave Your House

Since the coronavirus pandemic has most people ~ all around the world ~ AT HOME, television and the Internet has been flooded with all kinds of helpful tips, advice, and suggestions about HOW NOT TO GO CRAZY!!!

No doubt you have probably already seen tons of lists about all the wonderful things that you can do to maintain your sanity. Well! Guess what I've got for you? Another list! You could stay busy just reading this list and trying to decide what to do first! LOL. Gotta keep in times of crisis.
I have been a HubPages Contributor since 2013. HubPages is a fabulous online community for writers and readers. Not only do I enjoy contributing content to this site but also reading and sharing the articles contributed by fellow HUBBERs. Like this fun read by HP Contributor Claudia Mitchell.

200 + Things to Do When You Can't Leave Your House



This is a fantastic list IF you:
  • are a crafter (or it's time for you to learn a craft),
  • have a family that's climbing the walls right about now (or anxious pets),
  • have no more excuses for not following through with your New Year Resolution to get in shape,
  • needed to do some house spring cleaning anyway!
  • want to plan for the upcoming holidays (in the hope you will be able to celebrate)
  • have always wanted to take time to indulge in some self-care and pamper yourself!
Me? I'm giving some thought to enjoying virtual tours. But I have not decided yet if I'll start with a tour of a city or a museum. I have always wanted to go to India. Decisions! Decisions!



05 September 2020

Zen Pencils - Inspirational Quotes Adapted Into Cartoons

Cartoon quotes from famous folks who inspire us - Presented to you by ZenPencils.com.

Discovered this site because it showed up in the post stream via Tumblr.com. Someone has taken one of Maya Angelou's well-known poems - “Phenomenal Woman” - and presented it in comic strip format. Their artistic endeavor was … in a word … phenomenal!

The image supplied with this post is a partial view of his work. To view the entire comic strip, click here .


Gavin Aung Than is the talented cartoonist who creates these “essential” moments in time.

You can submit a quote and he will create a cartoon or comic for it. He has done quotes by Kahlil Gibran, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lao Tzu, Winston Churchill and many more.

If you have a few hours, a slow day, nothing much going on … spend some time perusing this site. You'll leave inspired.

♥ In Memory of: - Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)



Official Website: zenpencils.com 
♦ Tumblr Blog: zenpencils.tumblr.com

* * *
Content first appeared Feb 2015 at:  Persona Paper

24 August 2020

Books For Children Written By Children

Did you know that there are several authors of children’s books who were children themselves when they published their works? In 1641, Francis Hawkins wrote a book about manners and etiquette for kids entitled “Youth Behavior”. He was eight years old. This is a part of literary history which is very inspiring.

After all, if you’re encouraging kids to read, why not tell them it’s OK to get started on pursuing a writing career? These days with self-publishing and eBooks, etc. there’s no stopping anybody who wants to try to be a writer; not even a child! Don't you agree?


There are many celebrated authors of children's literature. But most of those writers are or were adults when they published their works. Below is a list of recommended links to articles that not only discuss the topic of content written for children but rather content written by children for children (along with other related or relevant information links). 

“Many children have written books that have been published. One of the first we know about is Francis Hawkins. In 1641, when he was 8 years old, he wrote a book of manners for children called Youth Behavior.”
"As Hollywood scours the literary world for the next big screen adaptation with franchise potential, studios may want to start paying attention to another pool of authors to borrow from.”
“Dorothy Straight was an adorable 4-year-old when she decided to write How the World Began as a present for her grandmother back in 1962. However, her parents loved it and smelled success, deciding to seek out a publisher for the book.”
“You may have heard of Christopher Paolini, who started his bestselling fantasy series, Inheritance, when he was 15. But when we went looking for the youngest authors ever, we found some astonishing younger examples.”
“This is a list of notable books by young authors and of books written by notable writers in their early years. These books were written, or substantially completed, before the author's twentieth birthday.”




♦  Related Links:

31 July 2020

Looking for the Perfect Cookbook?

Looking for the perfect reference cookbook for your home library?


Have kids with special dietary restrictions?

Just need to learn how to cook?

Exploring global cuisine?



Click link below to peruse a list of recommended cookbooks. There has to be one that suits your criteria.




EES shares recipes, cooking tips
and all things foodie!

 


Have you visited our partner foodie blog?



29 July 2020

Fashion and Style: The Little Black Dress is a Wardrobe Essential

Everybody knows – or at least every woman knows – that her wardrobe is incomplete without the little black dress. Everybody knows – male or female – that people look to the current First Lady in the United States White House as a fashion icon, symbol, or somebody everybody else wants to dress like. Whenever she steps onto the scene, the women all want to see what she is wearing. Click! Click! Click! The sound of all the cameras flashing. It was that way with Michelle Obama and it was the same way with the late Jackie Kennedy. Being honest, those are the only two first ladies that had a fashion sense or a fashion flair (according to me). The other nice ladies, although very supportive of their spouses, were just not as noticeable. Feel free to disagree. But do not expect to change my opinion. The two first ladies who get A++ for being super stylish? Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama. Moving on to the next topic.


© Photographer: Martinap | Agency: Dreamstime.com


The next topic is eShakti. Ever heard of them? A clothing line; apparel for women. Best little black dresses ever!!! Shades of Mrs. O and Mrs. K. Also very affordable. They have dresses in other colors too and you will instantly fall in love with all of them! Skirts and blouses as well. Classy. Elegant. Cotton. Retro. Easy care. Liz Taylor glamorous. Most importantly, they flatter your figure. They customize apparel to your height, size, and style and deliver in 14 business days. Try one of them on and there is no doubt in my mind that when you look in the mirror, you will be thinking: “Oh yeah! Looking good!”


See here is the thing. The style is like vintage 40s and 50s. Or maybe 20s and 30s. I do not go back that far. But if you go back far enough, and can remember “when the lion roared” just before a great movie came on – you knew that you would probably see some glamorous women wearing gorgeous clothing made by a top fashion designer, and you would sigh with envy because you know you could not afford whatever they were wearing. Unless you had a mother who was a dressmaker. My mom would watch movies with me and go: “Oh I can make that dress easy. Cost me just $5.” Seriously. She would and she could!


Maybe you did or do not have a mother who was/is a skilled seamstress. These days it is very convenient to shop online for all of your fashion needs. So check out the affordable custom clothing available at eShakti. The retro-style conjured all kinds of wonderful memories and made me think that if I were the First Lady, it would be one of my favorite places to shop.


Anyway, enough with my jibber jabber. Take a look at the selection below. If you are not looking for a black dress, no problems, as these styles come in several different colors. Of course, once you decide on the dress, you know what comes next. Shoes and accessories!


The Little Black Dress

The basic black dress comes in many styles.



Source: Webnuggetz.com

24 July 2020

White Elephant Gift Shopping : Pomander, Potpourri, and Paperweights

Holiday gift shopping?  Looking for white elephant gift ideas that don't come across as cheap and tacky?

Pomander comes from the French word "pomamber" and from Old French, "pomme d'embre" (apple of amber). Pomanders started out as small cloth bags that people either wore to hide body odor, or hung in a room to mask unpleasant smells. ...

The cloth bags are still around, though people generally don’t wear them any more. ( – Too obvious?) ...



Paperweights used to be kept in kings’ treasure vaults. They are hardly ever returned or re-gifted. Some are even valuable collectibles. They make the perfect gift for a loyal employee or favorite teacher, etc.



Link to the original blog post:  



Fun Fact:
white elephant is a possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost, particularly that of maintenance, is out of proportion to its usefulness. The term derives from the story that the kings of Siam, now Thailand, were accustomed to make a present of one of these animals to courtiers who had rendered themselves obnoxious, in order to ruin the recipient by the cost of its maintenance. In modern usage, it is an object, building project, scheme, business venture, facility, etc., considered expensive but without use or value.[Wikipedia Note 1]


Here's a thought. Why not buy a white elephant as a white elephant gift Nobody has ever given me a white elephant. :)


23 July 2020

Book Review: The Signature of God (and Other Book Reviews)

Wrote some book reviews a few years back. 

Sharing the links.  The first is actually my favorite; published 2013.  

How do we know that God wrote the Bible? Simple! He signed it!

Book Review: The Signature of God by Grant R. Jeffrey


The Handwriting on the Wall - St Benedicts Catholic Church | Source: Wikimedia Commons


● ● ● ● Other Book Reviews:

  • A wonderful book for children written by Miska Miles, which was published in 1971: Annie and the Old One.




  • If you like true stories, mysteries that are finally solved, and ever wondered about ships that set sale and then disappeared - here are four books about Ships Lost at Sea that tell the tales.





The Seven Kings of Rome

The Seven Kings of Rome

There was once a group of villages on seven hills which grew into an empire. But how did it happen?
If your curiosity is peaked by this brief presentation of the history of ancient Rome and wants to learn more, you will find two book recommendations at the end of the article.




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