Archive for April, 2010

A Fun Summer Workshop For the Kids

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Let’s help save the trees! And that’s one of the best plans we can do with the kids. For a fact, they have the most curious minds on the planet and teaching them something new nourishes their knowledge tank, which retains even when they grow.

In every kid’s drawing, we can see some trees in the backdrop. Whether they’re lush, withered, small, or big, they still play a big part of the kids’ imagination. In this case, it’s also appropriate to let them understand that the thing they’re drawing on is actually a part of tree. So, saving the trees through paper recycling will not only excite their curious minds but also let them appreciate the call for nature conservation first-hand. More to that, paper making is definitely a fun way to spend their free time at home. Here are the basic steps you can teach to your kids:

What you need:

Scrap papers or old newspaper

Blender

Bucket

Fly screen

A deep basin

A long wire

Stapler

White glue

Dyes

Dry cloth

Electric Iron


Procedure:

1. Make a square or rectangular frame from the wire, at least 12” x 12” in measure. Cut a piece of fly screen that fits the frame with a little allowance to seal the ends tightly by using a stapler.

2. Tear the paper into tiny pieces and soak them into a hot water for at least 30 minutes. Then scoop a handful of paper into the blender. Blend the mixture until thick and mushy. Add more paper or water, whenever necessary, or until you already come up with a smooth, gray blob. Add a few tablespoons of glue and mix it very well. You can add some dyes to make fun paper colors.

3. Add water in the basin. Put the screen under the water and pour the paper mixture into the basin. Spread the mixture on the screen using your fingers and once you’re done make a lift the screen with a scooping action and let the water drain from it.

4. Spread the cloth on a table then lay the pulp-covered screen on it facing down. Lift the screen away leaving the paper mixture on the cloth. Leave it under the sun until it’s dry without any dampness. You can also add some scent Carefully peel the paper out of the cloth.

5. Use the iron with a hot setting to steam out the paper and flatten it. You can now use the paper anyway you want it.

The paper product from this recycling method can also be a good gift wrapper or greeting cards with some designing, scenting, and coloring to add. Children can also make great scrap book materials from this recycled paper.

Going to the Extreme With Wakeboarding

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Any kind of sport is a cool thing and they’re pretty much getting everybody to be preoccupied, more goal-oriented, and happy. At this time that winter’s finally over, water sports are getting more into the mainstream. There’s scuba diving, surfing, para sailing, rafting, and other fun activities people can actually do about water. Although water sports are a bit expensive to sustain because one has to provide some specialized water-resistant gears, but these sports are really making a big name especially among the young ones.

One particular water sport that may get everybody interested because the extreme nature that’s with it plus the rush and excitement one can surely experience upon mastering it is wakeboarding, which is actually the combined dynamics of water-skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. Hitting three birds with one stone, eh?

Today, through the development of the sport, enthusiast may choose between open or closed water circuits. In the open water, the rider is usually towed by a motorboat, which can be more variable as speed may change depending on the water condition and the area, while the closed course is somewhat limited because the location is more like an artificial lake and commonly uses an energy-powered cable system to drag the riders around the course. All the same, they can both deliver you the precise art of wakeboarding.

Anyone may consider trying it as long as you don’t fear the possibility of getting tangled in the cable, being dragged along the water course inevitably, and worse tearing some skin and breaking some bones upon landing after the ramp. After all, fun and risks are two things that go hand in hand even with all the other sports. But there’s always the safe way as everyone would contest about it.

It can look a bit tricky, but it’s quite easy and very addictive according to those who have experienced it. Riding the wakeboard is rather simple at least in theory by just hitting the wake and waiting for yourself to be launched into the air or hitting a special ramp also called as a kicker. Now if you’re serious about knowing much about the sport and experiencing it, try some amateur courses first before you consider purchasing the basic gears such as the board, bindings, helmet, gloves, life vest, and goggles or sunglasses. After that, you can start all the practicing to master a host of manoeuvres like the switch, the raley, or the butter slide.

Here Comes the June Bride II: Marching On

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Here’s the second part of our rendezvous in planning about the perfect bash for our dearly beloved gal pal. And we hope that these add-ons fulfil the joy of her last days being the maiden that she still is. Here are crazy and fun stuffs you can do as games or activities to complete the wild party for that night:

Highlight the Night with Rubbers

Condoms can serve as good decorating tool. Although these might seem taboo in public but there’s no way that they’re forbidden in this moment of her life. You can blow ‘em up and tie their ends to make a bouquet or even a multi-colored streamer. For a crazier idea, you can glue some blown-up condoms to a head band and make everyone or only the soon-to-be-bride wear one. There’s nothing more candid and funny with kinky stuffs all over the place, which we can make fun of less maliciously.

She Made Me Wear This

Ever had a bridesmaid in a really tacky dress? You can relieve those memories by making that the party’s attire. Have a blast in teasing each other and recalling funny prom or grad night stories during your high school and college days. Let the bride pick out winning outfits such as Cheesiest Prom-style Dress or Most Unflattering Colors.

Take Your Best Shot

Reserve one small part of the room to set up a photo booth by placing a digital camera on a tripod and hanging a funky piece of cloth to create a backdrop in it. Prepare some funny or stylish hats, costumes, accessories for some serious fun in front of the camera. Complete the work by adding a printer nearby for Polaroid-perfect shots.

Learn to Strip

Accompany your martinis, vodkas, and your other fancy alcohols by having an all-out moment with a sexy music on to complete the wildness of the night. Perhaps you can start the striptease along with your game girlfriends to heat up the atmosphere. The last thing you’ll know everyone will be joining and already stripped away. This is a perfect chance of letting go of your inhibitions together with the closest gals you have. And admit it, a little striptease lesson will go a long way at wedding night.

Holes vs. Rods

If it’s in the plan that male friends can come then let the men join in for some wicked fun, too! Prepare broomsticks and tissue rolls, then pair off the guests and blindfold them. Put a broomstick between the guy’s legs, while a roll of tissue between the girls then let each pair go a distance away with each other. Each pair must guide the stick through the paper hole sans the use of hands. The fastest pair wins!

The Best Time is Always Macho-Dancing Time

It might be that one night in the bride’s life when she can see another man in his full glory—without the guild. You can pay for a professional but you can always improvise without spending too much. Get her guy friends to pretend to be male dancers. There’s nothing funnier than seeing men getting jiggy with it.

This article is based on a Cosmopolitan Magazine issue in 2009.

A great site to learn about weddings is www.bride.com

Here Comes the June Bride…to Her Fun and Wild Bachelorette Party!

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Ah forget about the exclusivity of the topic. This is actually for every bridesmaid of any month who’s planning for a great and fun bridal shower because your dearest best friend is getting married. This is a perfect chance to make her the most memorable moment of her single life, in case that this is keeping up with the wedding date. But anyway, we’re here to share the first part of Cosmo Magazine’s version of how to jump start your party planning.

Bond and Brainstorm

Just because there’s only one maid of honor doesn’t mean you have to go solo when planning for a shower party. There are your other girlfriends who you can call and have a blast planning! But then make sure to get assurance from your friend bride that they’re invited to the wedding. Anyway, a bridal shower will surely come out great if it’s started from sound ideas with fun females around than doing it all by yourself.

Cover All Grounds

It’s not just about the party details that you should be prioritizing but also the safety of the guests as well. It’s better to have things going smoothly and it’s easier to relax and enjoy the party if you know there are no ugly surprises because you planned it well. For instance, if you’re considering about alcohols in the party, then it’s appropriate to make arrangements for bringing the bride and the inebriated party goers home, secured and safe.

Theme Night

Make a theme out of the bride’s favorite obsession. Just imagine how your Mean Girls fanatic bride friend would react in surprise and excitement to get all the girlfriends coming in pink shirts, skimpy skirts, and high heels. You can do whatever theme the bride’s up to as long as it refreshes wonderful memories of single hood or ignite her fun and wild side that’s necessary for the party.

Dare to be Daring

As part of the exciting program, prepare a list of dares each of your guests must be able to do during a night out. Come up with the wackiest things like, “wear a string of candy round your neck and ask a stranger to eat off a piece.” It doesn’t hurt to be this daring—if only for a night.

Wait for the next part with crazy ideas from the best feminine minds from our Cosmo Magazine collection.