The Cincinnati 2016 Flower Show

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Krissyar

Visit this year’s Cincinnati Flower Show and experience an international adventure of fine foods and fabulous florals. In partnership with the Cincinnati USA Sister City Association, the Flower Show takes place April 13-17 at Yeatman’s Cove. The banks of the Ohio River will blossom with unique floral displays and design demonstrations, celebrity lectures, international flavors, culinary events, and live entertainment for all ages and interest.

New to this year’s event offerings will be An Evening In Munich dinner, an international wine tasting event featuring the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, an international Sister Cities cocktail and dinner soiree, Brides and Blooms, and a Battle of the Chefs cook-off featuring some of Cincinnati’s favorite chefs.

Many of last year’s events will also be returning, including the popular Bourbon Tasting with local mixologist Molly Wellmann, Spring Fling featuring the Naked Karate Girls Band, and the always-popular English Afternoon Tea.

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Brides & Blooms – Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – This special day includes a lovely Bridal Brunch and a spectacular Bridal Fashion Show. See exquisite gowns from Fabulous Bridal and stylish menswear from Folichi’s Formal Wear. From florists to caterers to bakeries and so much more, they will bring together the best of all elements to create a wedding day that the bride and groom will remember forever! (Look for me there – I can’t wait!!) Ticket price is $25/Individual and includes all-day admission to the Flower Show.

A full event calendar with details as well as information on presenters, exhibitors, vendors and sponsors, can be found at www.cincyflowershow.com. You may also purchase tickets directly from the website or at your local Kroger.

 

Want to win tickets for you & a friend to attend?? Share this post on any of your social media networks, then message me the link to be entered to win! (5 winners will be chosen!)

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Best Auto Insurance Quotes for the Seasoned Motorist

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Krissyar

You’ve been driving for years, and know that you’re a safe, low-risk driver. As such, you’re entitled to a good rate on your auto insurance premium. So, what aspects of you and your driving history should net you a lower price?

 

 

A Good Credit Score

Having a good credit score is highly beneficial in general, as it lowers the price, or opens up opportunities to acquire things you need. Money Crashers reports that’s there’s no hard and fast rate on credit ratings versus premium costs, but the rule is that the lower your credit score is, the lower your auto insurance premiums are.

 

A Low Number of Previous Claims

If you’re a safe and careful driver, you’re much more likely to have made little to no claims on your auto insurance policy. As a company, your auto insurance provider should value your business as you have proven yourself a conscientious motorist. Because you’re a low-risk driver, your insurance premium should be low cost.

 

A Good Quality Car

The quality of the vehicle you’re insuring has a huge impact on your policy. The safety rating of your car is an important part of your policy, and the safer your vehicle the lower your monthly premium expenses.

 

Shop Around

It’s tempting to stick with the same insurance provider. After all, it can feel like a pain to shop around, and surely your current provider must be offering you preferential rates for being a loyal customer, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Plans change, and the fine print of your insurance contract can either reduce your premium, or increase it.

 

Companies like CoverHound find the best auto insurance quotes through their online comparison service, so all you have to do is type in a few details and you’ll get a customized list from reputable insurers in a matter of minutes. This will help you to learn what other companies offer, and allow you to adjust your own plan should you decide to stay with your current provider.

 

Low Mileage

The more often you’re on the road, the likelier you are to end up in an accident while driving. If you can keep your mileage down, it’s a fairly easy way of keeping your premium costs down too.

 

Being a Considerate Driver

Being a safe driver, you never receive traffic citations, and you’d never dream of doing anything on the road that’d lead to you hurting another driver or yourself. Any traffic violation will drive up the costs of your premiums by a huge margin, so be sure to drive responsibly.

 

 

Knowing What Discounts You’re Eligible For

As a safe and experienced driver, you’re probably eligible for at least one discount that you’re not currently aware of. Some insurance providers will give you a multi-policy discount if you or another member of your household already has a policy with them. You could also be offered discounts if you’ve taken safe driving courses, have anti-theft devices in your car, or have been a reliable customer with your insurer over a period of years. The only way to find out is to ask, so get on the phone and check.

 

Being a Responsible Car Owner

Being a safe driver isn’t all about how you drive, it also relies on keeping your car in tip top shape. Responsible drivers keep their cars locked in garages overnight, maintain them regularly, and overall just take care of their vehicles. Keeping them locked up overnight is especially good for your premium, as it means it’s much less likely to be stolen or vandalized when parked on the street.

 

Knowing the good habits that affect your auto insurance premium is highly valuable, but its only half the battle. Once you have that knowledge, come renewal time you’ll know exactly what should be knocked off of your monthly statement – all you have to do is ask

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Calorie Counting and Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Krissyar

I have read article after article, spoken with Doctor after Doctor, personal trainers, nutritionist, and even people who have successfully lost (a lot) of weight asking them about counting calories, and how to successfully lose weight doing it. I can tell you that every single one of these people have given me a different answer on the amount of calories they think I should be eating  – and quite a few different opinions on how to do it. They all touched on each of the following subjects, and after collecting data (and learning for myself) I’ve learned a few things I wanted to share on calorie counting and losing weight.

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Ideal Body Weight. First any article or book you may read, or even person you may talk to will tell you to determine what your ideal body weight is. Every time I read the number they suggest for me I literally laugh out loud because I haven’t been 130 pounds since I was in 6th grade. I do not have a stick figure. I have thick legs and thighs and even at my skinniest when I was starving myself and working out twice a day – I never got to my ‘ideal body weight’. So please, throw this number out the window. There are different body types, and I have seen ‘skinny’ girls be more unhealthy than ‘bigger girls’. So please don’t think this number is something you have to meet (and this goes for the skinny people too! If your Doctor or friends tell you, you need to ‘gain weight’ but you feel good about yourself and you are healthy – tell them to get lost!)
When I share my weight with my friends or family, honestly they are shocked. I do not look what I weigh (thank you baby Jesus). I wear smaller sizes than other people who ‘weigh’ the same as me, and I look smaller than some people who weigh up to 50 or 60 lbs less than me (seems impossible hu?) So instead of going by someone elses standard of an ‘ideal body weight’ – I came up with my own ideal body weight. I remembered back to when I felt the best, was the fittest, and was happy (overall) with my size. It was in high school when I was playing sports and still enjoying food (not starving myself!) So that is my ideal weight. Now 20 some years later will I be able to get there? Maybe – maybe not. I may lose 50 lbs and decide that is right for me. If I am active, (and I don’t get winded running up the stairs) and I feel good about myself – so be it. I am not buying into this ‘ideal weight’ thing, and either should you.

How many calories to Eat. I have been told to eat as low as 1,200 calories, and as many as 2,500 (and everything in between). Here’s what I’ve learned – you need to get to know your body. You need to see what works for you and your metabolism. For the most part no one should be eating 1200 calories unless you are super skinny. Your body can go into ‘survival mode’ and refuse to burn fat. I suggest using this calorie calculator and start off with the amount they suggest and go from there. You may need to adjust up or down depending on how your body is responding (I would give it at least 3 or 4 weeks). I may be able to eat 1,600 calories where someone else with my same weight needs to eat 1,300 or even 2,000. No ‘body’ is the same – learn what works for you. Listen to your body and watch how it reacts to what you are doing; you’ll be more successful this way.

Eat only this or that. Dear God please help us all!! There are more diets out there than people, and I can honestly say I’ve tried a good chunk of them. With ‘fad’ diets you have to realize again – what works for someone else, might not work for you. I have low carb diet friends, keto diet friends, low calorie diet friends, no gluten diet friends, vegetarian diet friends. It may work wonders for them, but you may end up gaining. Like I said about the calories, listen to your body! With me, I can’t just eat all of this, or all of that. I need balance in my life. I want to enjoy an occasional roll or pasta dish – and I want to enjoy some sweet treats once in awhile too. I love chicken and steak, and I can’t just give all of it up! I have noticed that people that go to the extreme on their diets – cutting out a food altogether – (especially when first starting out) that they tend to binge eat, or even just fall off the wagon altogether which can actually lead to weight gain. Now if you are more of a carnivore and you are fine with just eating meats and veggies -and your body reacts right to it – more power to you. But it’s not necessarily for everyone. Learn what works for you!

Cheat Days. Again I have heard all kinds of opinions (and even some facts) on cheat days. I’ve heard of people taking an entire day – usually on the weekend – and enjoying all the foods they’ve been craving all week. I’ve also heard that you should really never have a cheat day, or even a cheat meal, except on a rare occasion. Again I think it depends on you and your body. But here’s my opinion: enjoy one ‘cheat’ meal a week. Savor it, enjoy it, and then go back to your regularly scheduled program. Personally I have tried an entire ‘cheat day’ usually on Sundays, and I feel like H E double hockey sticks the next day. I craved sugar and carbs, I couldn’t seem to get full, and I was tired and sluggish. It can also throw off all the hard work that you’ve done the week before. I definitely do not recommend an entire day of cheat food. Sometimes even a cheat meal can throw ya’ off a bit. Honestly – if you are really craving something, eat it – but in moderation. One cookie instead of a half a dozen – a small bowl of fettuccine Alfredo and a half a bread stick instead of an entire plate full. Eating in moderation can help curb your cravings, yet still keep you on track for your weight loss goals.

 

Obviously the moral of this story is – listen to your body. Track your food, your exercise, even your feelings and refer back. You will learn your body (and emotional) patterns, and you will learn to adapt so you can be successful in your weight loss journey.

 

If you are interested in learning more about weight loss and getting healthy, check out my Pinterest page

Follow Krissy’s board Weight Loss Tips, Tricks & Recipes for Success on Pinterest.

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Saving Money with Groupon Coupons!

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Groupon.

As you know 2016 is the year I plan to do and be better – from working out, to keeping my house in order, simplifying life – and of course, saving money. I’ve saved quite a bit out of my monthly budget by cancelling auto monthly subscriptions, and cutting back on my fancy coffees, but another way I have learned to save is by utilizing coupons.

Now the couponing I am talking about won’t get me a T.V. show – but it will save me enough to put some money back into savings, or pick up something extra that we’ve been needing. A dollar is a dollar right?

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We all know how to get coupons from the paper, or print them out online from a coupon site – but did you know Groupon now offers coupons as well? Groupon now offers more than just discounts to restaurants and vacations – they offer coupons to a wide variety of stores that you probably shop at every week!

I was thrilled to find out they offered more than just fun stuff – they offered me a way to save on everyday shopping as well. Best of all – its FREE!

Here are just a few of my favorite stores that offer coupons through Groupon Coupons

  • Target
  • Kohl’s
  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Old Navy
  • Macy’s
  • Fandango
  • The Children’s Place
  • Sephora
  • Half Price Books
  • Nike
  • Cabela’s

I love that Groupon Coupons can be a ‘one stop shop’ for all my coupon needs – from groceries, to make-up, clothing, shoes and more!

You can also search local coupons to get deals in your area – (just make sure you are signed in, or enter your zip). I found some great deals for local pet daycare to photo shoots and more!

Be sure to follow Groupon on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news!

 

 

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Getting That Mid-Century Modern Style on a Tight Budget

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Krissyar

Probably the most exciting part of moving into a new home is getting to decorate its interiors as we please. We can house our record collection in the living room instead of piling them up in crates on the bedroom floor. We can grow vertical succulents in a frame we’ve built ourselves from reclaimed barn wood and display it like a work of art in the house—the design possibilities are endless. Or so it seemed until we made our first mortgage payment, ouch.

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It’s a bit of a conundrum just how much of what we work for gets tied up in bills. We’re finally able to own our own home, yet we’re having a hard time getting it to look the way we had always imagined it, with lack of funds our number one foe. Just when it seemed we could finally fill our home with some Mid Century Modern style we learn we can’t. But we can! With these tips and tricks, you’ll have your home looking like the Eames House in no time!

Shop for Sales
You can find anything online these days, all you have to do is a little digging. Peak times of the year to scour the internet for some good Mid Century Modern furniture sales are on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and during Presidents Day Weekend. Of course, a majority of savvy shoppers are already aware of these shopping holidays. But did you know the entire month of February is the crowing jewel of furniture discounts? Real Simple has learned that the best time of year to buy furniture, appliances and other odds and ends is in the second month of the new year. Design firms and furniture retailers slash their prices to get rid of last year’s designs in order to make way for the new Spring collection. Another suggestion is to shop in-store during these sales. The showroom furniture models will then be on sale at this point, and if they’re in good condition, you’ll be able to get them for a steal.

On the Thrifting Store Front
You’d be amazed at how many original Mid Century Modern pieces you can find at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Despite the furniture maybe needing to be reupholstered or painted, you can find Mid Century furniture marked incredibly low at thrift stores. Deemed old-fashioned or out of date to the untrained eye, a lot of thrift stores don’t recognize the furniture as the testaments to the design canon they are. Nor is it known that the furniture is highly valuable in today’s market. There’s a fairly decent chance you’ll get an original Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair or George Nelson Storage Unit for hundreds of dollars less than if you were to buy it in regular furniture store.

The Estate Sale Treasure Trove
If people want to get rid of something, they’re willing to let the prices fall where they may. You’ll often find this to be the case at garage and estate sales. To the people selling the items it’s all just a bunch of junk, but not to you. With your eagle vision you’re able to scout out the priceless designer chair amid the non-consequential debris. To play it safe, (you don’t want the seller knowing what a prize they are letting go) it’s ideal to purchase a couple of other things along with your designer find, maybe a picture frame or book. You’ll want to be sure that you won’t raise any suspicions. It’s also recommended that you don’t haggle on the price of the object because again, you don’t want to draw too much attention to it. There could always be another estate-goer set on finding the same designer furniture, and if they’ve spotted it in your hands, you can bet they’re going to do everything they can to get their own hands on it. When you’re at an estate or garage sale, get in and get out.

Whether you’re looking for brand new Mid Century Modern furniture pieces or are happy with having them broken in, use these tips to get the better deal.

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