Apartment 413 - Small Cast But Very Interesting

 

The 411:

I loved this limited cast movie. Is Marco’s pregnant girlfriend keeping a secret from him or is Marco losing his mind? The cryptic messages he gets through post it’s and messages on a found phone will tell him the former.

The movie opens with a man packing. A woman calls from another room and the man silently walks in a bludgeons her before walking out with a blood soaked hammer. We fast forward a few years and Marco and Dana live here now and we never hear or see anything about the last couple. 

There were times I thought Dana was real, the a figment of his imagination. She’s pregnant, not pregnant, the damn crib, the red scarfs, the landlord, mechanic and then that damn air conditioner. What the heck? I have so many questions. If you see this movie look me up. I want to talk to you about what I think. If you love the thriller, psychological genre, you will love this movie.

5 Ways to Finish a Stylish Outfit

A stylish outfit can transform your self-esteem. Despite many cool clothes hanging in your closet, you might feel they never appear complete. A few finishing touches might be all that’s needed to take your style to the next level.

If you are unsure how to perfect the little details to turn an average outfit into a jaw-dropping style, a few small adjustments are all that’s needed. Check out these five ways to finish a stylish outfit.

1. Invest in a Designer Handbag

A designer handbag is a big fashion investment. Yet, a timeless, neutral bag from a respected designer will grab people’s attention and tie various garments together. While the expensive price might not feel justifiable, it is one item you will use season after season, and the high-quality materials can help the handbag stand the test of time. If you have the money to spare, it’s an ideal way to finish off a beautiful outfit.

2. Wear Pretty Drop Earrings

Drop earrings can help you develop a standout style, as they will make you look well put together. A feminine design can draw attention to your beautiful features and glam up the simplest of outfits. 

Plus, you can choose from various designs to match your taste and clothing, such as pearl hoop earrings or miniature champagne huggies. Check out drop earrings from Katie Waltman to find a style that suits your image and budget.

3. Paint Your Nails

Painted nails can add a pop of color, texture, fun, and glamor to any outfit. It’s one finishing touch that proves you have great attention to detail and that you care about your appearance. Also, you can choose different shades and designs to match your mood or the styles hanging in your closet. 

For example, you can’t go wrong with classic red, but a neutral color will complement every item you wear. Treat yourself to some high-quality nail varnishes, or take a trip to a nail salon for a professional manicure and pedicure.

4. Add a Pop of Lipstick

A pop of lipstick can turn any look from drab to fab. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone, personality, and even your freshly painted nails. It is the perfect way to finish off an outfit as you step outside your door, and it could help you burst with confidence when socializing with friends, shopping for groceries, or attending a party. The right lipstick shade can add a splash of color into your style and make your lips appear full and feminine.

5. Incorporate a Third Layer into an Outfit

Most fashionistas will finish an outfit with a third layer, as it can take a look to the next level. Finish it with a scarf, jacket, or cardigan to add an extra layer of texture and color. Also, it’s a functional item, as it will allow you to cool down or warm up with ease. If in doubt, add a third layer. You won’t regret it. Plus, it will look fabulous with the rest of your outfit.

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Why You Need to Manage Your Blood Pressure

 

 

Your body is a powerhouse that is constantly churning away to keep you alive and content as best as possible. It does so much that sometimes it is impossible to comprehend until you have an existential crisis. 

Blood—this thin, colored liquid—is one of our life forces, flowing through our veins and being led to all of the organs in our body to keep them working and in top condition. So, what happens when the pressure of our blood is altered? Quite simply—it is not good news.

This piece will take a look at why you need to manage your blood pressure to keep a healthy body and mind. 

 

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure, put simply, is the pressure at which the blood is circulating around the body. The blood vessels that take the blood, which is pumped by the heart to the organs, constrict and/or expand in order to maintain a healthy blood pressure at all times. When blood vessels are put in a position where they cannot do that as effectively, it can affect the body in serious ways. The heart has to work much harder in order to get the blood to the vital organs, which creates an unnecessary and sometimes deadly strain. 

 

To Protect Your Kidneys from Damage 

Many areas of the body are affected by high blood pressure—not just the heart! Your kidneys can suffer when your blood pressure is too high, as it can put stress on the their filtering system—which is vital for our overall health. Kidneys are consistently removing waste and toxins from our blood, help control our blood pressure, and also produces urine so we can expel what the body does not want. 

 

This is essential to our overall health, and when high blood pressure interferes with how efficient the kidneys can work, there is the chance of developing chronic kidney disease. 

Always consult a professional for high blood pressure management, which can be crucial in retaining your health. 

 

To Avoid Fatigue 

Fatigue is an extremely unpleasant condition to experience. It can affect all areas of life, and causes the body to run on the ‘lowest power mode’ possible to conserve energy. Those who have low blood pressure may experience this debilitating fatigue, along with dizziness, light-headedness, and fainting. It is also important to note that for those who experience significant low blood pressure, the body may be struggling to get blood to reach the vital organs—which can cause these symptoms at first, but also has the potential to make the body seriously ill. 

The simplest of factors can cause low blood pressure, such as pregnancy, current heart issues, and also issues such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

Managing your blood pressure is essential to your health and quality of life, so be sure to do further research and consult a professional if you are having symptoms or experience diseases and disorders linked to the problem, such as heart issues. 

 

 

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3 Reasons to Read with Your Children

Parents want to do everything they can to give their children all of the opportunities possible in life, though many overlook the simple act of reading with their children to encourage independent thinking. Helping your child develop a love of learning and reading early on can provide them with many lifelong benefits, including:

1. Developing Empathy

When children read or hear stories about characters facing challenges, it strengthens their capacity for empathy. Empathy is an important skill to have, as it can help a child relate to other people and imagine what it would be like to be in another person's shoes. Empathy also plays a part in helping children become more kind and caring about others. 

2. Improving Concentration

Children tend to get easily distracted and struggle to stay focused during certain tasks, but reading can improve their ability to concentrate over time. Improved concentration skills can help kids perform better and be more engagemed at school, and you may even notice an improvement in their ability to follow directions at home. 

3. Learning About Other People and Cultures 

Selecting books that highlight how other people live, work, and play can help your child learn more about different cultures all over the world. This can make them an overall more well-rounded individual, and it can open their minds to other possibilities in their own lives. Getting exposed to new ideas and ways of life from an early age can set your child up to have an open mind and willingness to engage with people who may not look like themselves. 

These are just a few of the dozens of benefits of reading to or with your child, and spending quality time with your child to share a story is something they will take with them for the rest of their lives. 

 Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels

My Best Worst Adventure - A Movie Review

 

 

The 411:

This was an interesting coming of age story about a girl whose step father sends her to Thailand after her mother passes away to spend some time with her grandma.

Thailand is a far cry from her wealthy upbringing but since her mother’s death Jenny is mute (this was me after my mom died and I totally get it) preferring to talk through writing. 

At school she meets another mute, a boy who is bullied. Together they find their voice and the respect of others.

I enjoyed this movie and found it very sweet. With very little dialogue it is easy to follow along, and young people will easily be able to figure out who the protagonist and antagonists are. 

Lily Petra makes an stunning movie debut playing the vulnerability and strong girl at the same time. She is wonderful.

Great family movie to discuss cultural differences. There are moments of violence. An alcoholic father hits a boy, bullying, a fight, and an animal gets injured, all of which can be warned and discussed with your child. I thoroughly enjoyed this quiet movie.

When I’m A Moth Movie Review

The 411:

Maybe I live in a cave but I had no idea this was loosely about Hilary Clinton. Even though the main character’s name was friggin Hilary. I was intrigued immediately by the super dry, non-feeling, could care less delivery of lines by Addison Timlin. She was awesome. 

I kept wondering why some young woman wanted to be a fish monger in Alaska one summer and why she would walk up to two strange men and then go to their home. I was like WTF and what is going to happen. Nothing happened. They drank, talked and Hilary told them of her aspirations. 

While it wasn’t an omg you must see this kinda movie my friends. I did appreciate the cinematography. I loved the shots of of the storm thrown fishing village, the ocean, the sky. It was beautifully shot. I also loved Addison Timlin. It is worth seeing for these reasons. Other than that I think it was just eh. 

However, if you are into indie films see this. It is a bit pretentious but isn’t Hilary?

I

My Current Must Have Item Is Lumicharge II

AVAILABLE: www.thelumicharge.com 

The 411:

OK Guys...this is it; my current favorite product. I absolutely love it. It has made my life easier and saves me space too.

The Lumicharge II has allowed me to clear up my bedside table. I've removed my lamp, as well as a multicharger for my devices. Now I just use the Lumicharge. It  features a lamp with 3 different hues (see above) as well as a charger for my iPhone and iWatch. It has a Bluetooth Speaker and supposedly can also be paired with Alexa although I haven't mastered that yet.  I love that I can charge my iWatch and iPhone as well as use a light bright enough for me to journal or read as well as use as a nightlight.  

The iWatch charger fits right into the attachment, there is also a pencil and a headphone holder but I am using the pencil holder for my pretty galaxy rose. 

I highly recommend this and think it makes a great gift for college students or really anyone. It is a wonderful product.

Zodiac Signs Board Books For Toddlers Are Out Of This World!

The 411:

I cannot wait my class to see these news board books on our book rack tomorrow! Clever Publishing put out an interactive book for each zodiac sign. They are so cute. The illustrations are adorable. They are going to love the spinning wheel in each book. I love the inclusion of each signs lucky colors, gemstone, flower and more! They are so cute that my daughter made sure to bring her and my signs home for our own bookshelf.

Forest School Wild Play Is Just What Your Kids Need To Unplug

Are your kids glued to a screen? And fed up with the same old walks you’ve been dragging them on for the last year? Make getting outside more fun for everyone - the Forest School way. 

After the huge success of their two previous Forest School books, Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton are back with Forest School Wild Play, jam-packed with new activities for kids - this time focusing on interacting with the four elements of Air, Fire, Earth and Water. 

You guys know this  past year has really brought home the importance of getting outside when you can and reconnecting with nature, particularly for those of us who interact with kids. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, teacher or Forest School leader, this book is the ideal guide to help children discover, explore and have fun while learning new skills in nature. 

With activities ranging from making kites and whistles for Air, to building a Dakota fire pit and a bug-repellant torch for Fire, to making a mudslide and a bogolan mud cloth painting for Earth, building watertight dens and playing splash! for Water, there is something to excite every child. It also includes a story linked to each element to tell the children, to deepen their connection to the natural world. 

Let’s go! Mix up your time spent outdoors and try something new with these fun activities, improving your mental and physical health, all while gaining a deeper understanding of the amazing web of life that we are all a part of.

Check out their You Tube Videos like the one about dying clothes with Ivy Leaves 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton are qualified Level 3 Forest School leaders, running their own London-based Forest School (The Forest School Way) as well as The Crafting Shed, a multi-medium STEAM and creative art club. 

JANE WORROLL is a former Countryside Ranger, gardener and tree surgeon, with a degree in ecology and an MSc in environmental conservation. 

PETER HOUGHTON is an artist, experienced in green woodwork and a master woodcarver. Peter previously worked for many years in a children's charity as an art workshop facilitator and key worker supporting vulnerable inner-city children and young people.

Places to Find Scrap Metal for Your New Side Hustle

Are you trying to find a great side hustle and aren't sure where to start? You might want to consider looking into a scrap metal business. Metal prices remain pretty consistent, and you should find many places where you can buy these items. Here are just a few excellent options that make work the best for your needs. Consider each of these choices carefully to ensure that you end up satisfied.

Places to Find Metal 

If you're interested in a scrap metal side hustle to make a surprising amount of money, you may want to consider the following business options. Often, many facilities have an incredible amount of metal just lying around and not being used. However, if you're smart about where you visit, you can find an excellent range of options that will keep you scraping for a long time, including:

• Local Auto Shops – Often, you may find that many auto shops (notably smaller local options) have a lot of scrap metal left over from various repairs and upgrades. They are usually willing to sell these metals to others, though you may find that they have other dealers to sell their metal. Try to give them better prices to thrive and make better deals for your scrap metal side hustle. 
• Retail Stores – Larger retail stores (especially outlets) often have an excess amount of various items that they just can't sell. Some of these items may include different types of scrap metal items, such as shelves. Talk to your local retail shops about these items and set up a deal. You can buy and move these items for them, as long as they set them aside for you and don't throw them away. 
• Plumbing Teams – What do plumbers do with old metal pipes that they remove from homes? Usually, they either recycle them or throw them away. Some might even sell them for cash. If you find a team willing to sell to you, it is a good idea to buy these pipes and repurpose them for sale. Doing so can give you a surprising amount of money at a more than reasonable price. 
• Computer Repair Firms – A surprising number of computers have a reasonable amount of gold throughout their design. If you collect old computer repairs from repair stores or even thrift shops (where old and unusable parts are often available), you can sell them to scrap metal companies collecting gold. In this way, you can make a surprisingly good amount of money. 
• Antique Shops – Go to a high-quality antique shop to look for jewelry and other metal items. Often, you can buy these products for a surprisingly good deal and make a decent amount of money simultaneously. However, you might need to haggle a little at such shops because some may overprice jewelry items, believing that they are worth more money than they are in reality. 

Other options to consider include shooting ranges (which may have brass gun shells), hospitals and other medical clinics (which may have scrap wheelchairs and other devices), and farms (likely to have an excess of metal items throughout their property). Finding a good and steady supply of scrap metal will give you the best chance of meeting the needs of your many customers with ease.

Making Good Money on Scrap 

If you're interested in this side hustle, there are many places where you can sell the metal. Shops like Monte de Piedad and many others will carefully inspect the items you bring and give you a fair amount of money for the metal's value.

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Yardhouse Was Amazing

Yesterday I headed over to the Yardhouse for a birthday brunch with an important friend in my life. Susan is the reason I got started in blogging, the reason I started the Twilight series and my first horn’s Godmother. She is also one of the funniest people I know, smart, motivated, rational and balanced. Not sure if she would say these things about herself but she is all that and more. She also makes time for her friends which in this day and age is a true gift. I adore her!!!

When she suggested we meet over at a place called Yardhouse I was just happy to get out for a few hours to meet up with a friend. 

This restaurant was probably one of my favorites to date. The food was incredible. 

I will be back for sure!

My Life In Pictures - Aug 1 - Aug 14

August 1 - This is my big boy Jinxy. He is not a lap cat but will stay close by. Just don't touch him. He will accept a quick pet but will eventually get up and leave. Weirdo

August 2

My daughter and I headed to one of the farms in the area. It was nice to just hang out and see the animals. She is such a good girl to want to hang out with her old mom. I think we have fun together or at least that is how it feels to me. She loved seeing all the animals and spotting a few cats lounging in the sun. She is so beautiful in her hat!

August 3

Today was letter L and I chose Lemon. My class got to smell, touch and taste it. It was a great day. They love doing things like this.

August 4

My class found a bee on the play house. We took a ton of photos of his little bee butt.

August 5

This ugly thing came in with my daughter. She had no problem getting it out but I have a real problem with cicadas. They are nasty looking. 

August 6

My kids and I headed to the pool today. It was hot out and I am happy we get to do this. It costs hella money but worth it.

August 7

My daughter and I headed out to check out some couches. We went to 4 different furniture stores and found nothing. We have a certain space so the dimensions are very specific and with cats we have to think about that too. PLUS OMG the prices. Shopping with a mask was annoying but welcome to life. 

August 8

My girl loves garlic bread and loves using fresh basil. Apparently, she loves taking photos of said meal too!

August 9 NADA

August 10

I made my class a sensory bin and homemade playdoh. It was so much fun for me and for them.

August 11 NADA

August 12

My daughter helped me make these adorable birthday handprints in honor of my birthday tomorrow. They came out so cute!

August 13 

My daughter made this beautiful card for me. I love it! She created all of it even binding it together with needle and thread. The sweetest. 

August 14

Lunch with my friend Susan. We had Mimosas. They were delicious! The perfect date. Lunch and Book Shopping.

How An Independent Assessor Helps You

Over the years, you've probably made a few insurance claims on various items. But have you yet to work with an independent assessment professional? These experts can provide you with many unique benefits.

Assess Your Claim's Reality

When you make a claim, an independent insurance expert can inspect the situation and decide if it has any value. This situation typically requires a professional who fully understands the nature of your case type and who has experience working on cases of this type – they'll help to ensure your success.

They'll sit down with you, talk about the circumstances around your case, examine the various bits of evidence, and do what they can to make sure that your case feels strong. After they do these steps, they will also take time to help you understand the nature of your case and your chances of winning.

Figure Out What Your Coverage Can Do

Your assessor will work with you to help you understand the different elements that make up your coverage, examining the various traits that help to make it successful for your needs. For instance, they may talk with you about the limitations of your policy and how you can minimize them.

Just as importantly, your assessor will work with your insurance company to attempt to minimize these concerns. Doing so will help give you the best chance of success and minimize the potential financial loss that you may otherwise experience trying to balance your coverage in this way.

Tweak Your Policy

If you've been burned policy limitations in the past and you want to make sure that you don't experience them again, it might be a good idea to reach out to your insurance assessor to learn more. This professional can help to make your policy make more sense to you.

In this way, it may be possible to improve your chances of success when making claims of various types. Just as importantly, you can understand more about your policy and prepare for the potential complications that may occur if your claim ends up getting denied, and you need an appeal.

Help With Denials and Appeals

In some cases, it may be possible that your claim will be denied. Don't worry – this situation is not at all rare or unlikely. Typically, it occurs for fairly minor reasons and is easy to turn around. However, there is also a real chance that you might end up having to go through a lengthy appeals process.

This situation requires the help of a high-quality professional who fully understands the nature of your case. An independent adjuster can work with you to discuss your claims with lawyers and to make it easier to prove your case. In this way, you can enhance your chances of winning a lengthy suit.

Get Help Today

As you can see, a great independent insurance adjuster can do a lot to help you thrive with your insurance. If you're willing to work directly with this type of adjuster, you should find it relatively easy to get the high-quality help needed.

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