The Origins Of Mothers Day
July 23, 2007
Today Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over the world. For florists and card shops the event is one of the highlights of the year, but the roots of Mother’s Day are not commercial.
Motherhood has been celebrated since ancient times. The ancient Greeks paid homage to Rhea, the Mother of Gods; and there are records of the ancient Romans worshiping a mother Goddess known as Cybele as early as 260 BC. Festivals took place in the spring which was the most fertile time of the year.
The more modern way of honouring mothers began in England in the 1600s where Mothering Sunday was observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This day is also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’, the only day when you are allowed to eat or do whatever you have given up for Lent. Not surprisingly, families came together and took the opportunity to party with a big meal at which mother was treated as the guest of honour. Traditionally, mothers were given posies of flowers and a cake.
The term ‘Mothering Sunday’ is now falling into disuse and has mostly been replaced by ‘Mother’s Day’, which is used the world over.
What Not To Wear
July 22, 2007
What makes certain styles of pants so popular? One reason is fashion and the other comfort. Two examples of pants bought for comfort are tapered leg jeans or pants and Capri pants. Younger women flock low-rise jeans because they are fashionable. Both Capri pants and low-rise jeans look best on tall, slim silhouettes - how many ‘real’ women are tall and slim? The truth is that the majority of the female population does not have ‘Barbie’ figures so those styles instead of looking great actually accentuate flaws.
To look your best take your body type into consideration before choosing to wear the latest fashion. You will appear slimmer and more fashionable if you wear clothing that suits your body type. Lets look at cropped pants, low-rise jeans and high-rise tapered jeans and decide what to wear and what not to wear.
Cropped pants (pedal pushers, Capri, clam diggers) end usually somewhere in-between the knee and the ankle, What they do:
* Make you look shorter
* Make you hips look larger
* Your legs look shorter
* Your ankles thicker
However, some of these problems can be avoided depending on the style of Capri pant. Capris that are the best choice:
A Valentines Day Story
July 21, 2007
Valentine’s Day…the day of love right? Many years ago, 22 to be exact, I was a senior in high school. Just prior to Valentine’s Day our student council representative got on the intercom during morning announcements and told us about an upcoming fundraiser. Student council was going to sell carnations for an entire week.
It was further explained that there would be three colors available: red, pink, and white. Red was to signify love, pink said, “I really like you” and white was for friendship. The carnations could be ordered ahead of time but wouldn’t be delivered until Valentine’s Day during homeroom.
The whole school buzzed with excitement over the prospect of it. Everyone discussed it but the girls couldn’t contain themselves as they wondered which lucky girl would get the most red ones. Little snippets of conversations could be heard floating through the hallways:
“I bet she will send some to him!”
“I am going to send her six red ones!”
“Do you think he will send one to me?”
“I am going to get a white one for each of my friends.”
“Do you think he will send her a pink one or a red one?”
The History And Origin Of Valentines Day
July 20, 2007
The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by Charles Duke of Orleans, at the time a prisoner in the Tower of London, to his wife. The Duke’s Valentine’s card is now preserved and displayed in the British Museum.
However, the origins of Valentine’s Day lie in ancient Rome. Over the years the ever expanding Roman empire became more difficult to police and there was an increasing shortage of soldiers. Believing that married men were too attached to their families and unlikely to sign up for active service, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage, thinking this would increase the number of quality recruits.
The story goes that a Christian priest by the name of Valentine, seeing the unhappiness and trauma that resulted, secretly married couples in defiance of the new law.
It wasn’t long before Emperor Claudius found out about Valentine’s actions and the priest was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14, 270.
Desiya ? Smart Travel Engine Making Indian Sojourn Memorable
July 19, 2007
India has always been an irresistible tourist destination for people from around the world. The diversity of India and the element of mystery associated with some of the most exotic locales in India makes it an ideal getaway. In a vast country with a number of language and a variety of culture, a stranger can find himself in difficult situation unless there is somebody to help him out. A potential tourist always finds it extremely helpful if he can get some Indian hotel information before he steps in the country. Online hotel booking in India is a trend that has picked up in recent times. At Desiya you will have the opportunity to compare the rates of different hotels and the facilities that they provide before you book your hotel online. Built to become the finest travel site, Desiya works closely with some of the best hotels in the country and helps you to get the best available service at the lowest possible rate.
Nine Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Head To The Office Party
July 19, 2007
One thing you can count on during the holiday season is the obligatory office party. No matter what the size of the organization, there is always an effort to bring coworkers together for one more moment of merriment. Some people look forward to the chance to mix and mingle outside the confines of business and others would rather give up the annual bonus than have to spend precious personal time with the gang from work.
No matter which side of the issue you fall on, there are certain rules of behavior to follow at the office party if you want to have an office to go to when the party is over. When the invitation arrives for the holiday happening, make sure that you know the answers to these key questions:
1. Do I have to go? Don’t even consider NOT going unless you have a justifiable conflict. The office party is part of your job. Its purpose is to bring together coworkers and colleagues for a bit of camaraderie and some well-deserved recognition. If this is not your idea of a great time, then consider it work, put on your best attitude and go.
Romance on a Budget
July 18, 2007
Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red roses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. You’re blinded by advertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. You can sometimes feel pressure from this single day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.
You may not do anything at all because you feel that you can’t afford it. Don’t skip the holiday completely. The following are some traditional ideas and then some frugal alternative tips for inexpensive and thoughtful ways to express that you care without completely emptying your wallet.
Romantic movies
Movies are popular on Valentine’s Day. There isn’t any doubt that this idea rates highly on the snuggle meter.
The following are some movie suggestions:
Sleepless in Seattle Message in a Bottle Bridges of Madison County City of Angels Bridget Jones’s Diary Somehere in Time As Good As IT Gets Jerry Maquire Something’s Gotta Give Amelie
Traditional: Big night out at the theater with the works. Cha-ching
Timeshares Vs. Condo Hotels For Vacation Home Ownership
July 17, 2007
Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new concept in vacation home ownership. They allow individuals to own condos in luxury hotels and have access to all the amenities of that hotel. When not using their condo unit themselves, owners have the option of placing it in the hotel’s rental program and receiving a percentage of the revenue it generates.
Because the condo hotel concept is so new, it’s often confused with timeshares, a popular vacation home option that has been around since the 1970s. In reality, condo hotels have many qualities that set them apart from timeshares and make them appealing to a unique segment of the second home market. Here’s a comparison between these two types of real estate investment.
FLEXIBILITY IN USE
Timeshares - When you purchase a timeshare, you choose not only a set location but also a specific week or two that you will use your vacation home every year.
Condo Hotels - With a condo hotel, you have flexibility to use your unit whenever you want. Keep in mind, however, that some condo hotels do have living restrictions that prevent you from making your condo a permanent residence.
Greeting Card Tango: How To Impress, Not Stress, During The Holidays
July 16, 2007
When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or not to send is often the question. Once you have decided in the affirmative, you then have to determine who to include on your list, what kind of card to choose and how to address the envelope.
There are lots of reasons for sending those holiday cards. You might want to enhance your current business relationships, attract new customers, remind old clients that you exist or show appreciation to those who have faithfully supported you during the year. What is obviously a well-meaning gesture can actually offend the people you want to impress when it is not done properly.
The first place to start is with a good quality card to show that you value your clients and colleagues. Skimping on your selection can be interpreted in a number of ways. Your recipients might take it as a sign that business has not been good or that they aren’t worth a little extra investment on your part.
Get Organised for Christmas… NOW!
July 15, 2007
Hasn’t time flown? Only six weeks to Christmas!
Now you may think that you’re too busy to even contemplate that far ahead, however if you don’t get your act together and prepare well in advance, instead of enjoying that time you could end up being totally stressed and miss valuable opportunities.
Your Business Checklist
Have you planned and booked the venue for your team break-up?
Do you know who will be having holidays and who will be working?
Do clients, suppliers, colleagues etc. need to be informed of your opening hours over Christmas? If so, when and how will you notify them?
Do you need to find out the availability of clients and suppliers over Christmas?
Have you organised personal and professional development for the New Year? How are you going to motivate the team after the holiday break?
Have you arranged a planning day to set your goals for 2005?
Who will you give gifts to this year?
What marketing activities need to be organised in the lead up to the end of the year?
What else do you need to do to ensure you are as prepared as possible?
