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Friday, January 6, 2017

Love by Design Movie Review

Love by Design starring Giulia Nahmany, David Oakes and Jane Seymour, is a wonderful romantic comedy that leaves us feeling hopeful and happy when the underdog succeeds in business, plus finds real love.

Since we have all experienced injustice to some degree, we enjoy movies where the maltreated prospers. Love by Design is the perfect romantic movie for a much needed break from intense reality and drama. Plus, the less glamorous yet highly creative, hardworking, kindhearted girl finds love and success in a highly competitive world of fashion.

As a Jane Seymour fan, I was instantly drawn to the movie while searching for a romantic movie I have never seen before. Even though Seymour does not have the leading role, she does play a very important part in the movie. She is the fashion magazine editor that frowns on Danielle's appearance and ultimately fires her. As always, Seymour is a joy to watch even when she is playing the part of a snobbish, egotistical and ruthless fashion magazine editor-in-chief.

Synopsis of Love By Design

Love By Design
Own on DVDWhen Danielle doesn't fit the image of a Beguile magazine designer, Vivian (Jane Seymour) replaces her with a "more appealing" spokesperson. Danielle is rightfully distressed when she sees that this "better choice" is not presenting her own presentation to the clients, but the one Danielle, herself, designed and wrote. Danielle erupts in anger and is fired from her high prestige fashion job in New York City. She needs to get far away and decides to return to her home in Romania.

By returning to her childhood home, she also returns to her love for sewing and designing clothes that fit the real women around her. She loves making clothes that truly flatter the individual wearing them and those women love her designs.

While finding herself again, she also finds true love when she meets Adrian (David Oakes). The relationship is not without stress, but it is easy to be confident that the two will end up together.

Sometimes we just need a great romantic movie, even if it is transparent and predictable. We simply need to let our minds and bodies rest and be entertained for a brief spell.

Giulia Nahmany

I had never heard of the lead actress, Giulia Nahmany. While watching the credits at the end of the movie, I noticed that she also wrote the story and was one of the executive producers of the movie. I wanted to know more about her, so I did a bit of research and found that she started her career as a soloist. Pretty cool! So, not only can she write, act, and produce a movie, she can sing. Impressive!!! Somehow, I think we will be seeing her again in the future and the next time, I will know her name.

Conclusion

Of course, I love the romantic plot of Love by Design. I also enjoyed the way the movie embraced multiple body types in fashion. Danielle's creations flatter several different shapes and sizes.

Many of us can relate to the women in the movie. We want fashion that will compliment our bodies. We should not have to fit our bodies to the current fashions. As a curvy female, I can relate to Danielle who is constantly dieting in order to try to meet an unrealistic body size expectation. I also know exactly how frustrating it is to try to buy clothes in a fashion world that designs for a smaller, straight or flat body type.

Some would say that both expectations in this movie are unrealistic. Perhaps they are, but we still desire to be loved. And, to have fashion designers who create fabulous fashions for all of us.

Love by Design
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Love by Design Movie Review Written by:

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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

5 Entertaining & Playful Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy

There is an old saying that goes like this " If you don't use it, you'll loose it!" Brain power is like that too! Today we will review 5 Entertaining and Playful ways to keep those brain cells healthy and in good working order, especially once you have retired.

My kids have always told me that I have lost my mind and there are days when I have to agree with them. It seems that children are the first things that impair your mind's ability to function at it's best. Ask any parent and they will most certainly agree. Before children, they could remember all manner of facts, without needing any help. After kids, they are lucky if they remember which order those kids come in. They call for one but have to run through the list of children's' names before coming to the right one. It happens to all parents at some time or another.

What can we do to keep our Brains Healthy and Working Well?

That may be easier to answer than you think. Activity for the body keeps the body from aging too quickly. Activity for the mind does the same thing. We need to give our brains something to think about that is enjoyable and still keeps the brain working. While we are in our 20's, 30's and 40's that is not hard to do. We have a hundred things going on at all times. Between work and play, sometimes in these years, we need to find something to make our brains stop thinking. A good book or a movie to settle us down could be the answer. Our brains need a good amount of activity and they also need some rest as well. A healthy balance of work and play is good for the body and good for the brain as well.

Retirement and Brain Activity

As we move into our 50's and 60's we hopefully will start to think about the time when we can stop working so hard and enjoy life a little bit more. The problem here is that sometimes people look forward to their retirements without making proper provisions for that time. Work no longer drives us as it did in earlier years. Hopefully, we have had the time to make a good living and our minds are now racing towards the day when we can do what we want to do without having to worry about how to pay for our lifestyles.

Golfing every day sounds like fun, but you need more than golf to keep the brain cells functioning well. It's great to have time to play the games we love, but we also need to get some routine into our lives as well. Sometimes the hardest thing to remember is what day it is. Without any schedule or plan, every day can just meld into another day. At the end of the week, you wonder what you did, or if you accomplished anything. Retirement can be the source of depression if we no longer feel useful or wanted. To combat that demon, it's good to have some other interests to keep you active and living a purposeful life. Now is a great time to volunteer your abilities to some group that means something to you. There are many very worthy volunteer groups that are always looking for people that are willing to help. If you don't have a group near you, then maybe volunteer at a school or nursing home, an animal shelter or your local faith community. Don't wait for people to ask you, go out and search for those who need help. It could even be a neighbor who is older, looking for some friendship.

Learning to spend some time alone is good too! Go for walks and enjoy the sights and sounds. Read that book that you never had time to read before. Learn a new hobby, something like knitting or crocheting or taking pictures or even Pottery. Learn a new sport like lawn bowling or curling. All of these things will keep your mind and body active and have you interacting with new people and making new friends.

Keeping your mind and body active will be easy with all the interactions that you will have throughout the day. Broadening your friendship base is always a good thing, the more the merrier. You will have many opportunities to express ideas and plans with like minded individuals. It's a great feeling to be validated by your peers and make good contributions.

If you need some alone time, grab a newspaper, scan the headlines, read what interests you and then do the crossword or Sudoku, for the day. Even these little diversions will work to keep your mind active and searching out new words or numbers.

Our Amazing List of 5 Entertaining Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy!

Play a sport, golf, curling, dancing, yoga or hula hooping (your choice)
Volunteer your time to teach others to work a computer, read with children, help with senior seniors etc. again there are hundreds of ways to help others pick one that makes sense to you.
Help a neighbor who is in need, or meet up with friends on a regular basis at a local coffee shop.
Read that book that has been sitting on your shelf, waiting for when you had the time to read.
Grab the newspaper and scan the news (read what interests you) do the crossword or Sudoku and then later go out for a walk.

These ideas will not only keep your mind active, they will also help your body remain active as well. That is truly a Win-Win Situation.

Share this list with friends and I'm sure that they would be able to add at least another hundred ways in which to keep your mind and body healthy for the home stretch. Cheers, for now, my drama class is starting in a half hour...... I've Got to Go!

All pictures used in this blog were from Pixabay.com with no attribution required.

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Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Flannel Sheet Set Reviewed

Cozy Winter Sleeping With A Flannel Sheet Set

Cotton Used To Make A Flannel Sheet from Pixabay.com

As I write this review it is winter in my part of the hemisphere. My husband and I love to use a flannel sheet set on our beds when the weather gets cold. We have a variety of colorful sets to choose from for our bed but I'm always looking for another set to replace any that become worn out. They do not wear out often, in fact, in the 20 some years that we have used them; I think I have only had to replace two.

We love that extra warmth that the flannel sheet offers and they feel so wonderful on your skin as you sleep. I don't know about you but I have found that as I age I seem to feel colder than I used to.

So, I discovered that one of our sheet sets is starting to show some thinness in a couple of areas and I want to get another set to have on hand. My husband is partial to plaid and I try to keep a set or two in a plaid to keep him happy. Don't get me wrong, I like plaids too so I don't mind having a plaid set on our bed from time to time. I found a pretty set that will go with our bedroom decor and plan to order it in the next couple of days.

Printed Flannel Sheet Set

I just love that sage green, blue and brown combination in this particular sheet set! Another feature with this set is that it is brushed on both sides. That makes the sheets softer on your skin at night. When I first started buying flannel for our bed, I did not pay attention to whether it was brushed on each side or not. It does make a difference in both comfort and wear of the sheets. If the underside is not brushed it feels coarser and in my opinion wears out sooner. I don't know that it is a scientific fact or not but an observation that I have made over the years of using them.

If plaid isn't something that you care for this sheet set is available in five additional patterns. It also comes in the standard sizes of twin, full, queen, and king along with an option for twin extra long and California king size beds.

How about you? Do you use flannel sheets on your bed in the winter? If not, you might want to give them a try. I really do not think that you will be disappointed with them. They are so comfy and warm!

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Monday, January 2, 2017

Reviewing Free Country Women's Jackets

My Free Country soft shell jacket

I dread buying jackets and I am often disappointed after purchasing one. Winter jackets are too bulky or they aren't bulky but then they are not warm enough. Water-resistant jackets often feel too stiff and too much like plastic and are overly noisy when I walk. Or my favorite jackets do not remain dry in wet snow conditions. Last week, I found the solution to my jacket problems when I purchased a women's jacket by Free Country. I immediately put it to the test in severe weather. This review will explain why I have a new favorite brand of women's outerwear.

Free Country Soft Shell Women's Hooded Jacket

A week ago, I went shopping for a jacket. I needed a warm, wind-resistant, rain-resistant but light-weight jacket. I dread cold and wet weather. Not so much because of the weather. In fact, I enjoy being outside in inclement weather at many times. What I dread is finding outerwear that fits, is comfortable, and does what it claims to do. I chose a Free Country Soft Shell Hooded Jacket and immediately put it to the test.

This soft shell jacket was advertised as water resistant, wind resistant, and breathable. It was so thin that I expected it to be not warm enough. But the "soft butterpile lining" and the wind resistant material kept me plenty warm as I went camping during severe weather that included 20F degree nights, severe wind gusts, and horizontally blowing snow crystals. I was camping in a cabin but had to walk the dogs, gathered wood, and I also planted my little Christmas tree in the inclement weather. I remained warm and dry during all of these activities.

The things I especially liked about this jacket:

this little jacket kept me warm and kept the wind off me.
my movement was not constricted
I bought slightly large so I could layer underneath as needed but the fit was still very good
the hood fit well (not so snug as to be binding and not so loose as to blow off)
shorter cut (no sitting on the tail of my jacket)
multiple pockets (the pockets were large and roomy enough for a large pair of gloves)
the velco-adjustable cuffs of the jacket are perfect for wind-proofing your wrists - no matter how thick or thin your gloves (or wrists) are

I was surprised at how well this jacket performed. I should have purchased two of them - one for my "roughing it" activities and one for work.

Free Country Women's Anorak Rain Jacket

After I purchased the jacket I described above, I thought something seemed familiar about it. So I checked the rain jacket that I purchased last year that I like. Briefly, this women's rain jacket is advertised as being made with a "unique coating" that is soft, durable, and lightweight. The "radiant" coating feels slightly "nylon-ish" to me and does make some of that distracting rain coat noise that I despise. But only slightly. The interior mesh keeps me cool (which is a huge plus) and none of the material gives my hair static (an even bigger plus).

If you are looking for a lightweight rain jacket, I recommend the Free Country jackets.

About Free Country

On the Free Country site you will find that there are many different styles of jackets for a variety of weather conditions. You'll also find a long list of stores that carry this brand. Some of these retail partners include:

Amazon

Bass Pro Shops

JC Penney

Kohls

I purchased this jacket via Kohls because I had some generous gift cards to spend. I have several wish list items that I will purchase in the near future. Whether you purchase through one of the retail partners or through Free Country's site, I think you will find what you need.

I would like to mention that if purchasing from Amazon, please comparison shop. Amazon is my favorite shopping experience and I've never had difficulty with an order. All of the coats fulfilled by Free Country were competitively priced. However, I noticed that my specific jacket advertised on Amazon, fulfilled by another merchant, was marked up considerably. Be careful to watch those prices.