Laina Turner's Blog, page 71
October 13, 2014
A Trip to Martinsville, Indiana
All too often it is easy to overlook the wonders in your backyard in lieu of wanting to head to a warm Caribbean island or jet off to Europe. Since those destinations are both hard to come by for a weekend jaunt and on a budget. I came up with the idea of checking out places close to home to see what they might have to offer that I maybe didn’t know about.
This weekend it was the city of Martinsville, Indiana. Founded in 1822 it has one of the only pre-Civil War courthouses still around in Indiana and is called the goldfish capital of the world because of its many fisheries. A fact I did not know and wouldn’t have dreamed of since Indiana isn’t exactly known for its waterways.
As you can see by a couple of the pictures there are some beautiful old buildings in downtown Martinsville. Some in pristine condition and some that have seen better days.
My favorite part of our trip was visiting the Candy Kitchen where they have not only that down home country store feel but the most delicious chocolates (yes I sampled way too many). They also make candy canes year round and during November and December on Saturdays you can watch. I will be heading down there for that. Oh, and to buy the chocolate covered Twinkie that I passed up this trip.
Is there a hidden gem in your area?
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October 10, 2014
Fab 5 Friday
Apartment Therapy – A Brief History of Toilet paper. I like interesting.
Whitney Nic James – Thrifty Friend #17. I love finding deals.
Tatertots & Jello – 22 Slowcooker recipes. A great way to make easy meals.
Bows & Pearls – Rings and Tings Jewelry. I love pretty, shiny objects.
Perspective – I’m not a Blogger She made some good point about what is important.
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October 9, 2014
Choosing the Right Winter Shoes for Your Kids
It’s October and that means it’s time to start thinking about putting away those sandals and flip flops and breaking out the sneakers and boots! I, for one, LOVE wearing boots in the Fall– my favorite season! Kids grow so fast and their shoes from last winter most definitely won’t fit this year. But winter shoes can be expensive, so it’s important to follow a few guidelines when picking out the right pair of shoes or boots, so you can maximize their use and get the most out of your money. Here’s a few tips to help with the selection process:
Consider the Proper Socks
All parents know that kids grow up fast and what fit last week may not fit this week. Everyday shoes such as sandals and sneakers can be bought one size too large, but winter shoes and boots require special consideration. In winter, your child may wear more than one pair of socks. This can cause their toes to scrunch up. Put into a boot that way, you may think they have far more room than they actually do. Have your child wear thick socks while shopping and make sure they are loose in the toes before your child slips into the boots. The last thing you need is for your kids’ UGG boots to be too small right after Christmas!
Make Sure the Material Breathes
Plenty of kids’ boots and winter shoes are made of the same materials as adult shoes, including Goretex, leather and suede, which is what you should look for in a quality shoe. Be careful about buying your child shoes or boots that are completely encased in rubber. While this may be fine for a pair of rain boots in the spring when the temperature rises, it’s a terrible idea for winter. All-rubber winter boots are cold when your child is outside and can become unbearably hot during the school day. Rubber boots do not breathe. Avoid these issues and steer clear of full-rubber winter shoes.
Ensure Good Height
If you live in a climate where it’s common to have snow on the ground for much of the winter, make sure any prospective boots come up high enough to keep the snow from falling into the shoe. Knee-high boots are good for little ones, while older kids can likely get away with boots that only cover half of the shin or so. Use your own judgement, but be aware of how cold and wet feet get when snow intrudes into the top of the boot.
Hopefully these recommendations will help you make the right shoe choice and keep your child’s feet dry and warm all season long!
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October 8, 2014
Wedding Wednesday
Thanks for stopping by as I continue my searching for the perfect dress. If you missed last weeks post where you could enter the Pinterest contest to help me find the perfect dress read it here. There is still one week to enter to win the $25 gift card!
If you’re ready for some new and exciting fun then link up your favorite wedding related post, or what the heck, any of your favorite posts from the week.
Just a few basic rules, so simple anyone can follow them.
1. Follow your host (that’s me) in any way you choose.
2. Visit 2-3 other blogs. See what others are up to.
3. You can link up to THREE recent post.
4. Help spread the word about this link up by displaying the image on your post or sidebar (see code below).
<img src=”http://i59.tinypic.com/6roy75.jpg” alt=”Image and video hosting by TinyPic” border=”0″ />
5. If you are up for it, spread some social media love and use the hash tag #weddingwednesday
Link up here!
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Have a great Wednesday!
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October 7, 2014
First Attempt (at Fashion Blogging)
I love fashion. Am I the most fashionable 40 something on the planet? Nope. Which is why (along with not loving my picture taken) I have resisted doing the whole clothes thing on my blog. Until now. Why now you ask? Go back to the first sentence. I LOVE FASHION.
For years, I worked in retail. I was a district manager for The Limited (boy was it hard to give up that discount). And a regional manager for Pier 1 Imports before I finished my Ph.D. and on a fluke went into academics. Ok, not so much a fluke but the birth of my 2nd child. After having her, I realized the travel involved in climbing the corporate ladder in retail wasn’t what I wanted as a mom.
In recent years, as a blogger and author, where I spend much of my time behind a computer I don’t have as much reason to dress up, or even dress period. I could stay in my pajamas or yoga pants all day, and no one would know or care.
When we moved a few months ago, I packed all my fall/winter clothes up and just started to unpack them. I know what you’re thinking, but I didn’t need them when it was 80 degrees out.
As I was unpacking, and thinking about how everything needed ironing, I realized that I don’t read fashion blogs simply because they are amazing fashion (though many are). But because I like to see the different ways people wear things, and I look for inspiration from others. So why NOT me? I have a lot of great outfits. Why not share them?
Last weekend we had an appointment with our realtor, so I put together a casual, but yet tailored look that said – yeah I can afford a house. You can’t ever go wrong pairing a crisp button down (thanks, Banana Republic) with a sage green blazer and distressed boyfriend jeans (Ann Taylor Loft).
And a pair of my favorite light brown leather shoes not in the picture – oops.
Now I just need to get my photographer (fiancé) better at doing fashion shoots so you can see the entire outfit. Baby steps.
The post First Attempt (at Fashion Blogging) appeared first on Laina Turner.
First Attempt at Fashion Blogging)
I love fashion. Am I the most fashionable 40 something on the planet? Nope. Which is why (along with not loving my picture taken) I have resisted doing the whole clothes thing on my blog. Until now. Why now you ask? Go back to the first sentence. I LOVE FASHION.
For years, I worked in retail. I was a district manager for The Limited (boy was it hard to give up that discount). And a regional manager for Pier 1 Imports before I finished my Ph.D. and on a fluke went into academics. Ok, not so much a fluke but the birth of my 2nd child. After having her, I realized the travel involved in climbing the corporate ladder in retail wasn’t what I wanted as a mom.
In recent years, as a blogger and author, where I spend much of my time behind a computer I don’t have as much reason to dress up, or even dress period. I could stay in my pajamas or yoga pants all day, and no one would know or care.
When we moved a few months ago, I packed all my fall/winter clothes up and just started to unpack them. I know what you’re thinking, but I didn’t need them when it was 80 degrees out.
As I was unpacking, and thinking about how everything needed ironing, I realized that I don’t read fashion blogs simply because they are amazing fashion (though many are). But because I like to see the different ways people wear things, and I look for inspiration from others. So why NOT me? I have a lot of great outfits. Why not share them?
Last weekend we had an appointment with our realtor, so I put together a casual, but yet tailored look that said – yeah I can afford a house. You can’t ever go wrong pairing a crisp button down (thanks, Banana Republic) with a sage green blazer and distressed boyfriend jeans (Ann Taylor Loft).
And a pair of my favorite light brown leather shoes not in the picture – oops.
Now I just need to get my photographer (fiancé) better at doing fashion shoots so you can see the entire outfit. Baby steps.
The post First Attempt at Fashion Blogging) appeared first on Laina Turner.
October 6, 2014
Carving Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving after a trip to the pumpkin patch is a given. The other fun aspect of pumpkins are the delicious pumpkin seeds. Well, after you cook them up anyways.
I love baked pumpkin seeds. I mean really, almost anything soaked in butter, Worchester sauce, and salted is going to taste good but I think it’s also one f those things when you don’t have it available all of the time it makes it yummier when you get the chance to eat it.
My seeds came out amazing this year if I do say so myself. The recipe I used is as follows:
Approximately 2 cups pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup butter
tbsp garlic
tbsp of salt
Put all in a large ziploc baggie and shake until all seeds are thoroughly covered. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
Heat over to 450.
Pour seeds into a baking pan put in oven.
Cook for 45 minutes taking out and stirring every 10-15 to get all sides of the seeds.
Then enjoy eating!
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October 3, 2014
Friend Friday with Crystal White
This week’s Friend Friday features mental health counselor and author, Crystal White. Crystal has recently released a women’s fiction novel titled Yours, Truly. Enjoy the book feature below and be sure to check out the book’s trailer, as well! You can read more about the book and purchase it here.
Book Synopsis:
With a mother constantly holding her at a distance, a sister who treats her more as a nuisance than a sibling, and a father who may be the only link to true familial emotion, Truly is stuck in a family she doesn’t belong in, a rut of dance-less days, and a barista job she cannot escape. Truly must navigate her way through daily life and find a way to become bigger than she seems, knowing there is more meant for her than this. Stretching her heart, her inner strength, and her courage, she starts dancing again. The passion, movement, and reason she was born seem to revitalize some of her God-given purpose, but nothing in life is as easy as it seems. Truly is soon thrown into the chaos of her family’s dark secret, a hidden life she never knew existed, and the emotional turmoil of more broken hearts than she was prepared to handle.
A bout the Author:
Crystal White is pursuing a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University, and she received a B.A. in Interpersonal and Public Communication from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Crystal is a member of the American Counseling Center and focuses on faith-based counseling.
Book Trailer:
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Interested in being featured on the next Friend Friday? Send me a note at claire@lainaturner.com
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October 2, 2014
The How-To Guide to Buying Pearls
Pearls. What’s not to love? They are beautiful, elegant and alluring. Worn throughout history by royalty, fashion moguls and women around the world, they will never go out of style. Pearls seem to be a staple in most women’s jewelry collection and they are always a solid investment. However, you should be well-informed about the qualities of pearls and know what to look for before making a purchase. Here are the most important features to look for when shopping for pearls:
Size – Typically, the larger the pearl (measured in millimeters), the more rare and expensive it is, but you’ll find small, fine quality pearls as well as large, low quality pearls.
Shape – Round is the most popular shape for pearl lovers, but they come in a variety of other shapes like semi-round, oval, drop, button, semi-baroque and baroque. Perfect symmetrical pearls are more valuable than irregular shapes.
Color – The color of a pearl depends on its origin and its natural, inherent tones created by the pearl. Subtle hues include oyster white, yellow, pink, orange, blue, violet, green, copper, gray and black, depending on where and how the pearl is harvested.
Luster – A pearl’s luster (light reflection) creates a distinct inner glow from the surface of the pearl. Excellent luster that’s bright and shiny contributes to the value and cost of the pearl. Akoya pearls have a shiny mirror-like gloss, while other types have a softer, satin luster.
Surface – A perfect pearl without any surface abrasions, cracks, chips and bumps is rare and certainly affects value. Surface irregularities can affect the strength and durability of a pearl, especially with jeweler drill holes needed to create beautiful jewelry.
Uniformity – If you’re buying a strand of pearls and various matching pieces like earrings, bracelets and tear-drop pendants, the uniform appearance of pearls in the entire collection of matching pieces is important to the value.
Nacre – Nacre, the natural substance secreted by the mollusk for protection, is inherent in all saltwater pearls. This iridescent material found in mollusk shells creates the beautiful, unmistakable luster found in saltwater pearls.
Pearls are unique, organic gemstones created by living creatures, so no two pearls are ever exactly alike. Each pearl comes with its own natural beauty that varies in all the characteristics mentioned above. When you’re buying pearls, protect your investment and look for direct importers or wholesalers like The Pearl Source who only deal in quality pearls that will last a lifetime.
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October 1, 2014
Wedding Wednesday
Even more so than the ring, I’m excited about the dress. Yes, I realize the dress is purchased to be worn a few hours while the ring is purchased to be worn for a lifetime I can’t help it. I love fashion and dresses, and a wedding dress…..totally stoked. When else can you go over the top with a dress up this much when you’re over 40?
I’ve been looking through bridal magazines and online, and I have a huge problem. I like them all. Some more than others but there are very few I dislike. I know I could search for months and still not see everything, and it makes it hard to make a decision.
Our wedding theme, if you will (and I kind of feel weird talking about a theme for a 2nd wedding but who cares, right) would fall under Art Deco but in dresses I really like tulle and beading. How’s that for contrast? So here is where I need your help.
I would like you all to weigh in over the next 2 weeks on what dresses you like. You will need to follow my Wedding Board on Pinterest and then submit your email so we may add you to the board, and you can Pin your choices to your heart’s content. On October 15th, a winner will be chosen to receive a $25 visa gift card. Just to add some excitement.
I will also post soon after that my top picks and let you know how you all helped my dress shopping appointment, which will happen on October 25th.
I look forward to seeing your selection and appreciate all your help and ideas!
Click here to look at the board and see what awesome dresses have already been posted!
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