We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Christmas Morning
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:17 AM
Christmas Morning comes with excitement and happiness for the whole family. However, each year there is always the chance of a meltdown by a child. Here are some great tips on how to avoid melt downs and have a Merry Christmas Morning!As parents, we want Christmas morning to be a time full of smiles and excitement for both our children and ourselves. We hope that our kids will remember our holidays together as a family when they are adults and that we can talk about the day for years to come.
However, Christmas can easily become overwhelming to children and not live up to our expectations as parents. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can reduce stress on Christmas morning and enjoy your holiday together.
Set Expectations for Christmas Morning
Decide ahead of time if your children can look under the Christmas tree when they get up, if they must stay in their room until a certain time or if they can wake you up when they awake. If your children will be waiting before opening presents, Dr. Jacqui Lewis- Lyons, clinical psychologist who specializes in children and women’s issues suggests hanging your child’s filled stocking on their door for them to open while they wait.
Talk to your children about what to expect when it is time to open presents. Is your family going to take turns opening presents or will everyone open presents at once? Is someone going to pass out presents or will everyone get their own presents from under the tree? Can they play with their presents right away or are their certain presents due to assembly requirements that will need to wait until later. It is also good to make sure that you and your spouse are on the same page regarding the plan for Christmas morning and address any issues ahead of time.
Jennifer Pariseu, a licensed mental health counselor and president of The Nurtured Parent, encourages parents not get attached to a specific outcome on Christmas morning. “We often have wonderful dreams of what Christmas should look like and when it doesn’t we become disappointed or stress ourselves out trying to make it better.”
Consider Spreading Out Gifts
If you children are going to receive a lot of gifts or are very young, consider having them open only a portion of the gifts on Christmas morning. When kids open too many presents, they may become overwhelmed or uninterested in opening any more gifts. One strategy is to open gifts from your immediate family on Christmas Eve and open presents from other family members (and Santa) on Christmas morning. If you will be visiting grandparents later in the day or after the holiday, you could also have your children open presents from them at that time.
Gather Supplies and Set up an Organization System
Make sure that you have all supplies that you will need on Christmas morning within easy reach. Since not having the right batteries for a special toy can cause disappointment, make sure that you have common battery sizes (AA, AAA and C) on hand. Find a Phillips and flathead screwdriver in case you need to remove any battery covers. You should also have a pair of scissors on hand to remove any packaging. Put the batteries and tools in a small basket so that you can easily find them when needed.
To help keep the opened presents from getting lost, give each person a basket or laundry basket to put their present in after they open them. This is especially helpful if you are opening presents at someone else’s house and will need to bring them home. If your children will be writing thank you notes, you should also come up with a system to keep track of who gave them each present, such as keeping the tag with the present or keeping a list.
Create Traditions that Don’t Involve Presents
By creating family traditions that do not involve gift giving, you can help keep the focus of the day on your religious beliefs and on spending time together. Have a special food that your family eats every Christmas morning, such as a coffee cake from a local bakery or a homemade casserole that you make together on Christmas Eve. Some families buy matching pajamas and wear them to open presents on Christmas morning.
Pariseu encourages families to also have a family activity after the presents are opened, such as a snack, singing songs or going outside together.
“Expect a ‘let down’ after present opening. The anticipation is gone and there is a transition to going back and playing with the new toys,” says Pariseu.
Encourage Gratitude
By teaching and modeling gratitude on Christmas morning, you can also help reduce the stress and keep the spirit of the holiday in your day.
Dr. Lewis Lyons suggests having each child open one gift at a time. “Taking turns and really looking at the gift and who it is from will help them appreciate the gift.”
Coach your child to thank the recipient even if they do not like the gift or received a duplicate. Be sure to also have your children write thank you cards for each gift after Christmas. Model this behavior yourself by thanking your child for the present that they gave you and any other gifts that you received from other people.
If your child (or you) begins to get overwhelmed or cranky on Christmas morning, take a break. Go outside, have a snack or take a nap. The presents will still be there when you are ready to open them, even it is on December 26th.
For more information see Family.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Make Your Own Christmas Wreath!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:57 AM
Do you need a great holiday gift that is different and creative? You can make your friends and family their very own wreath! Here are some steps to make this great gift!
Supplies:• An assortment of evergreen clippings (ask for scraps at a tree lot or use clippings from the bottom of your own tree)
• Staple gun
• Garden clippers
• Wire
• Round or octagonal wood frame
• Berry branches, pinecones, ribbon, ornaments or other decorations
Prep Work:
You can purchase basic round frames or build your own. To create your own, miter wood slats to form on octagon. The wood frame is relatively light, yet sturdy enough to hold staples and be reused each year. At the end of the season, simply remove the staples and save the frame for next year.
Cut evergreen branches that are 8"-18" in length. Depending on the size and fullness you're looking for, gather larger or smaller pieces.
Making Your Wreath:
Use the staple gun to attach each branch to the wood frame. For some of the thicker branches, staple from an offshoot instead of the main branch. One staple per branch is usually sufficient.
Overlap the branches as you add them and take a step back to look at your progress every few staples. The wreath will look a little wild and full at first, but that's okay, you will trim it later. As you near the starting point you'll have to slide the branches beneath those you already stapled in order to create a full circle of greenery all the way around.
Manicuring Your Wreath:
For the trimming it's best to hang your wreath first. Wrap a thick piece of wire around the frame and form a loop at the top.
Trim around the edges. Don't trim a perfect edge, but rather trim within an inch or two of the adjacent branch. You want the wreath to appear circular, yet natural. Trim the center so that you can see a hole, but not so much that you reveal the frame. Step back every so often to check your work and adjust.
Decorating Your Wreath:
Use found objects to keep costs down and create a natural looking wreath. Borrow ornaments from your tree or get creative with gift wrapping supplies.
For more information see Apartment Therapy.
Supplies:• An assortment of evergreen clippings (ask for scraps at a tree lot or use clippings from the bottom of your own tree)• Staple gun
• Garden clippers
• Wire
• Round or octagonal wood frame
• Berry branches, pinecones, ribbon, ornaments or other decorations
Prep Work:
You can purchase basic round frames or build your own. To create your own, miter wood slats to form on octagon. The wood frame is relatively light, yet sturdy enough to hold staples and be reused each year. At the end of the season, simply remove the staples and save the frame for next year.
Cut evergreen branches that are 8"-18" in length. Depending on the size and fullness you're looking for, gather larger or smaller pieces.
Making Your Wreath:
Use the staple gun to attach each branch to the wood frame. For some of the thicker branches, staple from an offshoot instead of the main branch. One staple per branch is usually sufficient.
Overlap the branches as you add them and take a step back to look at your progress every few staples. The wreath will look a little wild and full at first, but that's okay, you will trim it later. As you near the starting point you'll have to slide the branches beneath those you already stapled in order to create a full circle of greenery all the way around.
Manicuring Your Wreath:
For the trimming it's best to hang your wreath first. Wrap a thick piece of wire around the frame and form a loop at the top.
Trim around the edges. Don't trim a perfect edge, but rather trim within an inch or two of the adjacent branch. You want the wreath to appear circular, yet natural. Trim the center so that you can see a hole, but not so much that you reveal the frame. Step back every so often to check your work and adjust.
Decorating Your Wreath:
Use found objects to keep costs down and create a natural looking wreath. Borrow ornaments from your tree or get creative with gift wrapping supplies.
For more information see Apartment Therapy.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tips for Holiday Light Installation
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:28 AM
Lights around the holidays are something that everyone has around the
house. However, they can cause headaches for any person trying to
install them. Make sure to check out these Do's and Dont's of Holiday
Light installation.
DON'T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need. If you have floorplans or blueprints of your home, use those measurements as a guide for how many feet of light string you will need outside. Inside on the tree, a good rule of thumb is 100 to 150 lights per vertical foot.
DO be a good neighbor. This guide to holiday light etiquette includes a few tips on keeping peace with your Christmas lights in a lit-up neighborhood this holiday season.
DON'T have an unpacking accident. When you're getting the old outdoor lights out of storage, watch out for broken bulbs with sharp edges and replace them right away.
DO get creative with DIY. Want to jazz up your boring light string? Get crafty! Use ping pong balls to get a globular glow, or use cupcake liners to turn your light string into a flowering vine.
DON'T overwork your extension cord. Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords (Gizmodo reccomends a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet or less, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet) that are listed for outdoor use (they usually have a "W" on the package). To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord.
DON'T get caught off guard by high bills. Lighting up your home like Las Vegas doesn't come cheap. Use an energy cost calculator to estimate the extra cash you'll be shelling out in utility bills to fund your festive display.
DO go for energy-efficient lights. LED lights last longer, shine brighter and use less energy than traditional bulb strings. Solar-powered Christmas lights cost a bit more, but they have no wires to attach and they automatically turn on at night and off at dawn.
DON'T leave your lights on around the clock. You can cut your holiday power use even further with light timers. Have lights come on at dusk, and shut off in the early morning hours, after your family and any light-gazers have settled for the night.
DON'T leave your lights out too long after the holidays. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. The longer you leave them up after Christmas, the sooner you'll have to replace them.
DO store your light strings in a dark place when the holidays are over. Red, green, blue and purple lights, especially, will lose their color due to fading.
DO keep light strings untangled when not in use. The coffee can trick from Danny Seo is great for this, and will save your future self from headaches dealing with tangles when the holiday season rolls around again next year.
For more information see Apartment Therapy.
DON'T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need. If you have floorplans or blueprints of your home, use those measurements as a guide for how many feet of light string you will need outside. Inside on the tree, a good rule of thumb is 100 to 150 lights per vertical foot.
DO be a good neighbor. This guide to holiday light etiquette includes a few tips on keeping peace with your Christmas lights in a lit-up neighborhood this holiday season.
DON'T have an unpacking accident. When you're getting the old outdoor lights out of storage, watch out for broken bulbs with sharp edges and replace them right away.
DO get creative with DIY. Want to jazz up your boring light string? Get crafty! Use ping pong balls to get a globular glow, or use cupcake liners to turn your light string into a flowering vine.
DON'T overwork your extension cord. Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords (Gizmodo reccomends a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet or less, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet) that are listed for outdoor use (they usually have a "W" on the package). To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord.
DON'T get caught off guard by high bills. Lighting up your home like Las Vegas doesn't come cheap. Use an energy cost calculator to estimate the extra cash you'll be shelling out in utility bills to fund your festive display.
DO go for energy-efficient lights. LED lights last longer, shine brighter and use less energy than traditional bulb strings. Solar-powered Christmas lights cost a bit more, but they have no wires to attach and they automatically turn on at night and off at dawn.
DON'T leave your lights on around the clock. You can cut your holiday power use even further with light timers. Have lights come on at dusk, and shut off in the early morning hours, after your family and any light-gazers have settled for the night.
DON'T leave your lights out too long after the holidays. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. The longer you leave them up after Christmas, the sooner you'll have to replace them.
DO store your light strings in a dark place when the holidays are over. Red, green, blue and purple lights, especially, will lose their color due to fading.
DO keep light strings untangled when not in use. The coffee can trick from Danny Seo is great for this, and will save your future self from headaches dealing with tangles when the holiday season rolls around again next year.
For more information see Apartment Therapy.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
DIY Christmas Ideas
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:45 AM
Apartment Therapy
has some great suggestions for do it yourself holiday decorations.
Everyone from felt snow balls to a fur wreath with instructions on how
to add these pieces to your house. Do you have any homemade decoration
tips that you use at your apartment?
After buying presents, food for the holiday meal, and a tree, there
isn't always much left over for extras. This year we're trying to save
money in my household - and have some fun - by making a lot of our own
ornaments and decorations, but still want a modern look. Here are
fifteen DIY ornaments that fit the bill:
1. Winter Wonderland Ornament: Craftberry Bush
2. Felt Ball Garland: My Sparkle
3. DIY 'Confetti System' Ornaments: A Lovely Lark
4. Felt Snow Ball Ornaments: The Purl Bee
5. Pom Pom Ornaments: Design Love Fest
6. Patterned Paint Marker Ornaments: Aesthetic Outburst
7. Faux Bois Vases: Centsational Girl
8. Felt Ogee Ornament: Betz White
9. Twine Snowflake: Fellow Fellow
10. Brass Tack Baubles: Fellow Fellow
11. Doily Star Tree-Topper: Martha Stewart
12. Accordion Paper Trees: Julep
13. Geometric Straw Ornament: Elsie Marley
14. Fur Wreath: Nesting Place
15. Flapper Trees: The House that Lars Built
After buying presents, food for the holiday meal, and a tree, there
isn't always much left over for extras. This year we're trying to save
money in my household - and have some fun - by making a lot of our own
ornaments and decorations, but still want a modern look. Here are
fifteen DIY ornaments that fit the bill:1. Winter Wonderland Ornament: Craftberry Bush
2. Felt Ball Garland: My Sparkle
3. DIY 'Confetti System' Ornaments: A Lovely Lark
4. Felt Snow Ball Ornaments: The Purl Bee
5. Pom Pom Ornaments: Design Love Fest
6. Patterned Paint Marker Ornaments: Aesthetic Outburst
7. Faux Bois Vases: Centsational Girl
8. Felt Ogee Ornament: Betz White
9. Twine Snowflake: Fellow Fellow
10. Brass Tack Baubles: Fellow Fellow
11. Doily Star Tree-Topper: Martha Stewart
12. Accordion Paper Trees: Julep
13. Geometric Straw Ornament: Elsie Marley
14. Fur Wreath: Nesting Place
15. Flapper Trees: The House that Lars Built
Monday, November 19, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:42 AM
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time
with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you
are thankful for.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Alternative Thanksgiving Plans
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:52 AM
Do you have a child or friend that does not get to leave college for Thanksgiving break? Here are some great tips on different ways to enjoy the holiday. There are still some great ways to enjoy the holiday, and get a break
from the daily grind of classes. Keep reading to learn some tips and
tricks to enjoy your holiday away from home.
Many college campuses look like deserted ghost towns around Thanksgiving. The vast majority of students usually head home for some good food, R & R, and family time. But for those students who can't -- or don't want to -- go home, there are still some great options for how to have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.
Many college campuses look like deserted ghost towns around Thanksgiving. The vast majority of students usually head home for some good food, R & R, and family time. But for those students who can't -- or don't want to -- go home, there are still some great options for how to have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.
- Volunteer. No matter where you live, there are undoubtedly places nearby that could use volunteers on Thanksgiving Day. Check out women's shelters, homeless shelters, places that serve veterans, hospitals, and even local foster homes. Giving back can make you feel great while providing you with some great companionship -- and grub, of course!
- Go home with a friend. If you live too far away to head home, try heading home with a friend or roommate. You can see an entirely new part of that person's life, have fun, and still get that fantastic feeling that comes from being "home."
- Organize something on campus. Chances are, you aren't the only student on your campus not planning on heading home for Thanksgiving. Organize an event that includes a nice dinner, volunteering, or even a movie-watching marathon. It can be a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy yourself while still feeling relaxed and like you're on vacation.
- Offer to housesit for friends or others. Know someone -- a friend, a faculty member, an administrator -- who is going to have an empty house? Offer to housesit over Thanksgiving. You can enjoy the comforts of being out of the residence hall without having to deal with the inevitable drama that comes from having family running around. Additionally, you can always cook a nice Thanksgiving dinner in a great kitchen and have a few friends over for a nice, relaxing meal.
- Take the day for yourself. There are some of us out there who
enjoy being alone from time to time -- which is nearly impossible as a
college student. Spend the day sleeping in, catching up on homework,
watching movies, and doing whatever it is you wish you had time for when
your schedule is crazier. Just make sure to treat yourself to some
slow-cooked turkey and cranberry sauce in there somewhere!
Learn more at About.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Get Rid of That Junk!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:17 AM
Do you need to
get organized and unclutter your life?
Here are three great sources that will help you get rid of your
junk. Have you ever used any of
the sources below?
Junk: It comes in the mail. It balloons to
fill every inch of space in your garage. It multiplies like Gremlins in your
inbox.
It's estimated that each American household receives some 800 pieces of
junk mail annually.
Then, of course, there's also the spam, the
newsletters you never signed up for, and the stuff crammed into your closet
(that you do remember buying, but wish you could forget).
Junk-busting start ups and online
communities have been popping up recently, claiming to banish all different
flavors of junk, virtual and physical, with just a few clicks. Here are a few
that might prove helpful:
PaperKarma
Use this iPhone app to snap a picture of your junk mail (showing your address), press send, and the junk mail will supposedly stop.
Use this iPhone app to snap a picture of your junk mail (showing your address), press send, and the junk mail will supposedly stop.
Unroll.me
After being granting access to your inbox, Unroll.me will manage your newsletters in one central spot. You can opt out of any email newsletters with one click.
After being granting access to your inbox, Unroll.me will manage your newsletters in one central spot. You can opt out of any email newsletters with one click.
Freecycle
This free platform is a place where users can connect to give away (and take!) old stuff. It is made up of grassroots members (over 9 million worldwide) who coordinate an effort to give (and get) things for free.
This free platform is a place where users can connect to give away (and take!) old stuff. It is made up of grassroots members (over 9 million worldwide) who coordinate an effort to give (and get) things for free.
For
more information see Apartment
Therapy.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:19 AM
Happy Halloween to all of our residents! Stay safe and have a great time Trick or Treating!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Halloween Budget Decorating
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:29 AM
Are you having a Halloween Party for your friends this
year? If you do not have a lot of money to decorate, you can still have a
spooky apartment for the party. Here are six cheap do it yourself
Halloween decorating ideas.
This Halloween,
get creative and use supplies found in your home for green-friendly Halloween
decor.
Planning ahead for Halloween will allow you to budget, as well as reduce the environmental impact of the festivities. Rather than purchasing every Halloween décor piece from the store, consider making your own by reusing supplies found right in your home. To go green this Halloween, read on for our suggestions of taking old things in your house and turning them into new, spooky decorations.
Mason Jar Pumpkin
If you have canning jar lids laying around, this project will give them a new purpose. Gather together lids of the same size. String the lids together, tying the string tightly. Evenly spread the lids around. Next, stick cinnamon sticks in the center. To create leaves, cut some out of burlap. This goes perfectly as a centerpiece on your dining room table or coffee table. It can also be placed on a shelf on top of books.
Head in a Jar
If you’re looking for creepier decorations, this one is perfect for you. Use a wide mouth jar for this project. You’ll also need a great picture that goes in the jar. It needs to be a flattened image of a head. Run a quick search on a search engine, and you should find some great examples. Print this image on thick and slick paper, making sure it will fit into the jar. Roll the picture and place it in the jar, making sure it fills up about ¾ of the circumference of the jar. Fill the jar with colored water. This can be placed in the fridge to creep out the midnight snackers. On Halloween night, drop a few glow sticks in the jar for added ambiance.
Tin Can Luminaries
To upcycle old soup cans, use them for luminaries. If you have several cans, create a design in the cans, from ghosts to spelling out “BOO.” To start the project, fill the cans up with water and stick them in the freezer. This allows you to hammer a design into the cans without denting the cans. Use a nail and hammer to create the design. Once the ice melts, dump the water and place tea lights into each can.
Mummy Cereal Boxes
Old bed sheets in your linen closet that don’t fit any beds in your home are perfect for this DIY Halloween craft. Cut the fabric into thin sheets. Then, take empty cereal or cracker boxes and cover with the white sheets. Once the box is covered, tuck the end in. Optional: attach googly eyes.
Halloween Garland
Take old cardboard paper towel rolls and paint them pumpkin orange. Then, slice them into thin strips and create pumpkin shapes. Use twine to string the pumpkins together and hang on your wall.
Bat Mobile Head out to your backyard and pick up one or two sticks from the yard. You’ll also need clear thread, or fishing line. For the bats, you use thin cardboard, such as cereal or cracker boxes. Cut several bats from the cardboard, and hang the bats to a branch. Hang in various lengths.
For more information see Apartment Guide.
This Halloween,
get creative and use supplies found in your home for green-friendly Halloween
decor. Planning ahead for Halloween will allow you to budget, as well as reduce the environmental impact of the festivities. Rather than purchasing every Halloween décor piece from the store, consider making your own by reusing supplies found right in your home. To go green this Halloween, read on for our suggestions of taking old things in your house and turning them into new, spooky decorations.
Mason Jar Pumpkin
If you have canning jar lids laying around, this project will give them a new purpose. Gather together lids of the same size. String the lids together, tying the string tightly. Evenly spread the lids around. Next, stick cinnamon sticks in the center. To create leaves, cut some out of burlap. This goes perfectly as a centerpiece on your dining room table or coffee table. It can also be placed on a shelf on top of books.
Head in a Jar
If you’re looking for creepier decorations, this one is perfect for you. Use a wide mouth jar for this project. You’ll also need a great picture that goes in the jar. It needs to be a flattened image of a head. Run a quick search on a search engine, and you should find some great examples. Print this image on thick and slick paper, making sure it will fit into the jar. Roll the picture and place it in the jar, making sure it fills up about ¾ of the circumference of the jar. Fill the jar with colored water. This can be placed in the fridge to creep out the midnight snackers. On Halloween night, drop a few glow sticks in the jar for added ambiance.
Tin Can Luminaries
To upcycle old soup cans, use them for luminaries. If you have several cans, create a design in the cans, from ghosts to spelling out “BOO.” To start the project, fill the cans up with water and stick them in the freezer. This allows you to hammer a design into the cans without denting the cans. Use a nail and hammer to create the design. Once the ice melts, dump the water and place tea lights into each can.
Mummy Cereal Boxes
Old bed sheets in your linen closet that don’t fit any beds in your home are perfect for this DIY Halloween craft. Cut the fabric into thin sheets. Then, take empty cereal or cracker boxes and cover with the white sheets. Once the box is covered, tuck the end in. Optional: attach googly eyes.
Halloween Garland
Take old cardboard paper towel rolls and paint them pumpkin orange. Then, slice them into thin strips and create pumpkin shapes. Use twine to string the pumpkins together and hang on your wall.
Bat Mobile Head out to your backyard and pick up one or two sticks from the yard. You’ll also need clear thread, or fishing line. For the bats, you use thin cardboard, such as cereal or cracker boxes. Cut several bats from the cardboard, and hang the bats to a branch. Hang in various lengths.
For more information see Apartment Guide.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tips for College Graduates
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:00 AM
College graduates are having more trouble finding jobs than ever
before. As they are forced to move home, they end up working part time
retail jobs until they may land a job a few years later. Here are ten
great tips on how to improve your chances at landing a job post
graduation.
Many companies are biased against hiring recent grads. Diana Zimmerman of the marketing communications agency CMS Communications, Intl., says she doesn't interview recent college grads anymore: "I have found, overall, they have, (right or wrong) a very different work ethic, and are just too self-absorbed. A job interview is not about them. It's about what value they can bring to the company. Many of them haven't even researched the company they are interviewing for."
But all hope isn't lost. Here's a list of 10 steps you can take to
increase your chances of snagging a great job once you graduate.
1. Find hands-on learning opportunities. According to Sabrina Ali, career counselor and writer, participating in cooperative education or practicum opportunities gives college students "paid work experience, industry mentoring, and [they] become a known entity in their industry of choice prior to needing or wanting full-time work, and have a chance to figure out better what they want for themselves in terms of a career after they graduate."
See if your university or department offers opportunities that would allow you to try out working in the field you're studying in.
2. Socialize online (beyond Facebook). Maria Stephens, PR manager at the pattern-based analytics company Emcien Corporation, says it's important to manage your online reputation. According to her, employers will Google you, so it's best to be prepared by knowing what they'll find. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished and up-to-date. Either don't post anything embarrassing that might prevent you from being hired on Facebook or Twitter, or change your privacy settings so your updates don't appear in search results.
3. Become more than just a resume. Stephens also suggests managing a blog to give you a leg up in the competitive job market. "[Find] something professional that relates in a way to something that could strengthen your chances of getting an interview because you'll instantly become more than just a resume," she says. "Whether it's your interests with running or cooking, show that you're an interesting person with talents and a personality."
4. Never waste a summer. Sure, you know that interning is one way to get some job experience while still in college, but don't be afraid to take on more than one over the years of your entire college education. "In this tough job climate, it is important that college students prove that they are worth the risk of being hired," says Christie Haynes, president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau in Dawsonville, Ga. "They can do this by never wasting a summer in college ... Find an internship that allows you to gain valuable experience in the field you hope to enter upon graduation."
5. Take classes outside of your major. You can assume that if you take all the sociology classes your major requires that you'll be hireable when you finish your degree, but the truth is: that's not always the case. Other classes, especially those in business, can give you real-world knowledge that employers will appreciate. Consider taking classes in communications, public speaking, finance, and general business.
6. Get a part-time job in the field you're interested in. Scooping ice cream to pay for your college courses won't do you any good when you graduate. Robert Sollars of Today's Training LLC says if you take an entry-level position in the industry you want to work in (such as working a private security position if you're working toward a degree in criminal justice), you can get a sense of what the work requires to see if you're truly interested in making a career out of it. "This will allow them to get their 'feet wet' and learn more about a different side of the law enforcement community," he says.
7. Meet people. Most college students aren't thinking about networking, but that's exactly what you should be doing before you graduate. Many colleges have strong alumni networks that students can tap into, and many college departments offer opportunities to meet professionals in the community who are working in that field. Get out and shake hands. Get advice on the profession you're interested in and ask questions to get tips on how to best position yourself.
Ali says you should ask questions you can't find the answers to online: "What do you wish you'd known about the job before you started? What skills and traits make someone ideally suited for this kind of work in the long-term?"
8. Know how to talk about yourself. Early in your career, you may find it hard to toot your own horn, but Ali says it's important to be able to do so: "This element is so important and so often overlooked, yet it's a crucial step in determining your success in finding work," she says. "What are you going to say when someone asks: 'Who are you and what are you looking for (in relation to work)?'"
Be confident in your response, and don't be afraid to say what you want. Knowing what you want out of a career proves you're a go-getter, which appeals to employers.
9. Nail the interview process. Even before you apply for your first job, find out what a professional job interview will look like. Talk to professionals that you network with to see what questions you should expect to be asked, and practice your answers. Have a friend mock interview you so you can get your nervous tics out and learn to smoothly answer questions.
10. Be open. If you zero in on one single job that you want, you might miss out on other great opportunities. Spend your college time exploring different industries you could work in, as well as different roles you might be eligible for once you graduate. Your ideal job may come from left field, so be open to possibilities.
For more information see US News.
Many companies are biased against hiring recent grads. Diana Zimmerman of the marketing communications agency CMS Communications, Intl., says she doesn't interview recent college grads anymore: "I have found, overall, they have, (right or wrong) a very different work ethic, and are just too self-absorbed. A job interview is not about them. It's about what value they can bring to the company. Many of them haven't even researched the company they are interviewing for."
But all hope isn't lost. Here's a list of 10 steps you can take to
increase your chances of snagging a great job once you graduate.1. Find hands-on learning opportunities. According to Sabrina Ali, career counselor and writer, participating in cooperative education or practicum opportunities gives college students "paid work experience, industry mentoring, and [they] become a known entity in their industry of choice prior to needing or wanting full-time work, and have a chance to figure out better what they want for themselves in terms of a career after they graduate."
See if your university or department offers opportunities that would allow you to try out working in the field you're studying in.
2. Socialize online (beyond Facebook). Maria Stephens, PR manager at the pattern-based analytics company Emcien Corporation, says it's important to manage your online reputation. According to her, employers will Google you, so it's best to be prepared by knowing what they'll find. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished and up-to-date. Either don't post anything embarrassing that might prevent you from being hired on Facebook or Twitter, or change your privacy settings so your updates don't appear in search results.
3. Become more than just a resume. Stephens also suggests managing a blog to give you a leg up in the competitive job market. "[Find] something professional that relates in a way to something that could strengthen your chances of getting an interview because you'll instantly become more than just a resume," she says. "Whether it's your interests with running or cooking, show that you're an interesting person with talents and a personality."
4. Never waste a summer. Sure, you know that interning is one way to get some job experience while still in college, but don't be afraid to take on more than one over the years of your entire college education. "In this tough job climate, it is important that college students prove that they are worth the risk of being hired," says Christie Haynes, president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau in Dawsonville, Ga. "They can do this by never wasting a summer in college ... Find an internship that allows you to gain valuable experience in the field you hope to enter upon graduation."
5. Take classes outside of your major. You can assume that if you take all the sociology classes your major requires that you'll be hireable when you finish your degree, but the truth is: that's not always the case. Other classes, especially those in business, can give you real-world knowledge that employers will appreciate. Consider taking classes in communications, public speaking, finance, and general business.
6. Get a part-time job in the field you're interested in. Scooping ice cream to pay for your college courses won't do you any good when you graduate. Robert Sollars of Today's Training LLC says if you take an entry-level position in the industry you want to work in (such as working a private security position if you're working toward a degree in criminal justice), you can get a sense of what the work requires to see if you're truly interested in making a career out of it. "This will allow them to get their 'feet wet' and learn more about a different side of the law enforcement community," he says.
7. Meet people. Most college students aren't thinking about networking, but that's exactly what you should be doing before you graduate. Many colleges have strong alumni networks that students can tap into, and many college departments offer opportunities to meet professionals in the community who are working in that field. Get out and shake hands. Get advice on the profession you're interested in and ask questions to get tips on how to best position yourself.
Ali says you should ask questions you can't find the answers to online: "What do you wish you'd known about the job before you started? What skills and traits make someone ideally suited for this kind of work in the long-term?"
8. Know how to talk about yourself. Early in your career, you may find it hard to toot your own horn, but Ali says it's important to be able to do so: "This element is so important and so often overlooked, yet it's a crucial step in determining your success in finding work," she says. "What are you going to say when someone asks: 'Who are you and what are you looking for (in relation to work)?'"
Be confident in your response, and don't be afraid to say what you want. Knowing what you want out of a career proves you're a go-getter, which appeals to employers.
9. Nail the interview process. Even before you apply for your first job, find out what a professional job interview will look like. Talk to professionals that you network with to see what questions you should expect to be asked, and practice your answers. Have a friend mock interview you so you can get your nervous tics out and learn to smoothly answer questions.
10. Be open. If you zero in on one single job that you want, you might miss out on other great opportunities. Spend your college time exploring different industries you could work in, as well as different roles you might be eligible for once you graduate. Your ideal job may come from left field, so be open to possibilities.
For more information see US News.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Organizing Your Computer and Desk
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:08 PM
Is your desk and computer full of clutter? Here are three free
ways to organize your office supplies. Organizing your desk can help
reduce your stress, and it can make it a little more enjoyable to do
some work.
Here are three things you can do today to organize your desk for maximum efficiency. And they're totally free!
Here are three things you can do today to organize your desk for maximum efficiency. And they're totally free!
- Edit your supplies: It's easy to acquire an absurd number of pens, pencils and highlighters. They're given away everywhere and seem totally practical — so they're never thrown away. Grab every single writing utensil in your desk and select 10 that you actually like and use regularly. Give the rest away.
- Create a digital file cabinet: One of the biggest areas of stress for me was my file drawer. It was full of documents I hadn't looked at for 10 years. It can be intimidating, but the first step is to open the file and shred anything you don't absolutely need. Anything you do need, scan and put it in a folder on your computer called "File Cabinet." Within that file, you can create subfolders for your financial information, vehicles, and insurance, for example. Don't forget to back up this file to an external hard drive or to a cloud service like Google Drive.
- Put a stop to unsolicited mail: Junk mail
was one of my biggest problems. I would throw it into my desk until one
day I'd open the drawer and coupons for kebabs and life insurance offers
would explode all over my floor. If this sounds familiar, the Federal Trade Commission
has put together a list of ways you can stop most unsolicited mail.
Some of the most frustrating mail for me was the endless credit card
offers. By calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visiting optoutprescreen.com, you can stop all credit card and insurance offers for five years.
For more information go to Apartment Therapy.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Ten Quick and Easy Meals
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:37 AM
Running from school to soccer practice to piano lessons can make it very
hard to cook a meal fast. However, there are ways for your family to
eat healthy in as little as ten minutes. Here are ten great recipes
that you can make in ten minutes or less.
1. Quick and Easy Fried Rice: Fried rice can come together even faster than 10 minutes if you happen to have a good selection of leftovers floating around. It's the end-all recipe to using up leftover rice and is tasty enough to eat for any meal of the day — yes even breakfast.
2. Apple-Arugula Salad Wraps:
Although wraps seem more like a lunch food, for a quick dinner they can
contain actual food groups and even do away with dishes if needs be.
Perfect, no clean up!
3. Thai Crab Salad with Chili, Ginger, and Coconut: Since this meal merely needs to be chopped and tossed, it's quick to throw together and has big bold flavors that will satisfy without a laundry list of ingredients.
4. Miso Soup: Miso soup is perfect for those worried about over cooking tofu as it simply warms in this rich broth and suddenly, dinner is served! Check out this version with a poached egg — extra tasty!
5.The BEST Pancakes Ever: Pancakes might traditionally be breakfast food, but they're perfect for any meal in fact... we want some right now!
6. Egyptian Tomato Soup: This recipe just barely passes the 10 minute mark, but it can be made entirely from your pantry so there's minimal chopping or prep — making it a winner in our book!
7. Friday Night Slow-Cooked Brisket and Onions: So technically speaking this meal takes 5-8 hours to make, but there's really only 10 minutes of prep work involved. Make it before you head out the door to work and when you return dinner is already done for you!
8. Spicy Grilled Shrimp: These shrimp get a quick brine before hitting the grill, but since they cook up so quick, we're willing to overlook the extra brining time (only 30 minutes). Just make sure to drop them in the brine the second you come home from work or possibly lessen the salt and brine them while you're away (so they don't get too salty) to make things extra easy.
9. Thai-Style Omelet (Kai Jeow): This recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes which might even leave you time to walk the dog or check your email before dinner!
10. Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Corn, Goat Cheese, and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes: This meal is labeled as a 10 minute dish and mixes up with many things that you probably already have on hand.
For more recipe ideas see theKitchn.com
1. Quick and Easy Fried Rice: Fried rice can come together even faster than 10 minutes if you happen to have a good selection of leftovers floating around. It's the end-all recipe to using up leftover rice and is tasty enough to eat for any meal of the day — yes even breakfast.
2. Apple-Arugula Salad Wraps:
Although wraps seem more like a lunch food, for a quick dinner they can
contain actual food groups and even do away with dishes if needs be.
Perfect, no clean up!3. Thai Crab Salad with Chili, Ginger, and Coconut: Since this meal merely needs to be chopped and tossed, it's quick to throw together and has big bold flavors that will satisfy without a laundry list of ingredients.
4. Miso Soup: Miso soup is perfect for those worried about over cooking tofu as it simply warms in this rich broth and suddenly, dinner is served! Check out this version with a poached egg — extra tasty!
5.The BEST Pancakes Ever: Pancakes might traditionally be breakfast food, but they're perfect for any meal in fact... we want some right now!
6. Egyptian Tomato Soup: This recipe just barely passes the 10 minute mark, but it can be made entirely from your pantry so there's minimal chopping or prep — making it a winner in our book!
7. Friday Night Slow-Cooked Brisket and Onions: So technically speaking this meal takes 5-8 hours to make, but there's really only 10 minutes of prep work involved. Make it before you head out the door to work and when you return dinner is already done for you!
8. Spicy Grilled Shrimp: These shrimp get a quick brine before hitting the grill, but since they cook up so quick, we're willing to overlook the extra brining time (only 30 minutes). Just make sure to drop them in the brine the second you come home from work or possibly lessen the salt and brine them while you're away (so they don't get too salty) to make things extra easy.
9. Thai-Style Omelet (Kai Jeow): This recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes which might even leave you time to walk the dog or check your email before dinner!
10. Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Corn, Goat Cheese, and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes: This meal is labeled as a 10 minute dish and mixes up with many things that you probably already have on hand.
For more recipe ideas see theKitchn.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:41 AM
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will start next week, and it is one of the most popular events in Albuquerque for the year. The event starts on October 6th and 500 balloons will be launched for 9 days in New Mexico.
The 2012 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is right around the corner, but hotel rooms are still available. Hot air balloonists and spectators alike will come together as more than 500 balloons launch for nine days in New Mexico's largest city. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® takes place in the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World each October, this year from October 6-14, 2012. Act now to take advantage of hotel deals and travel packages during the festival, especially mid-week.
Albuquerque has recently been touted by Fox News as one of "11 spectacular vacations you should book right now," a Hotwire.com Top U.S. Value Destination for 2012 and one of 15 Destinations on the Rise by TripAdvisor. In addition, National Geographic recently called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta one of the Best Fall Trips for 2012.
For nine days Albuquerque skies will be filled with colorful shapes as 500+ balloons float over the city's high desert landscape. Pilots from around the world thrive in Albuquerque's unique fall weather and take advantage of the "Albuquerque Box" – a combination of upper and lower level winds which enables balloonists to sometimes backtrack their flight path and land close to their launch site.
Evening events at the fiesta delight as spectators gather around inflated balloons on the field for choreographed Balloon Glows to walk amongst gigantic character balloons of all shapes and sizes.
Event tickets start at just $8 per event.
The Balloon Fiesta not only provides sensory overload, but offers opportunities for visitors to experience the local cuisine, art, and culture. In addition to the Fiesta, events take place throughout the city after ballooning events are over allowing visitors to experience more of the Central New Mexico region including a brew fest, chocolate festival, museum exhibits, harvest festivals and much more. Learn more about accompanying events here.
For more information see SacBee.
The 2012 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is right around the corner, but hotel rooms are still available. Hot air balloonists and spectators alike will come together as more than 500 balloons launch for nine days in New Mexico's largest city. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® takes place in the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World each October, this year from October 6-14, 2012. Act now to take advantage of hotel deals and travel packages during the festival, especially mid-week.
Albuquerque has recently been touted by Fox News as one of "11 spectacular vacations you should book right now," a Hotwire.com Top U.S. Value Destination for 2012 and one of 15 Destinations on the Rise by TripAdvisor. In addition, National Geographic recently called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta one of the Best Fall Trips for 2012.
For nine days Albuquerque skies will be filled with colorful shapes as 500+ balloons float over the city's high desert landscape. Pilots from around the world thrive in Albuquerque's unique fall weather and take advantage of the "Albuquerque Box" – a combination of upper and lower level winds which enables balloonists to sometimes backtrack their flight path and land close to their launch site.
Evening events at the fiesta delight as spectators gather around inflated balloons on the field for choreographed Balloon Glows to walk amongst gigantic character balloons of all shapes and sizes.
Event tickets start at just $8 per event.
The Balloon Fiesta not only provides sensory overload, but offers opportunities for visitors to experience the local cuisine, art, and culture. In addition to the Fiesta, events take place throughout the city after ballooning events are over allowing visitors to experience more of the Central New Mexico region including a brew fest, chocolate festival, museum exhibits, harvest festivals and much more. Learn more about accompanying events here.
For more information see SacBee.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Today Only! Free Admission to the State Fair!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:13 AM
Everyone should be able to go the State Fair. That is why today only, you can get free admission to the State Fair. Parking is also always free.
The New Mexico state fair is offering free gate admission all day Wednesday, Sept. 19.
The New Mexico state fair is offering free gate admission all day Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
New Mexico State Fair
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:38 AM
At 2pm today, the New Mexico State Fair is open to the public. There have been a lot of changes this year including food and entertainment so make sure to take a day for the fair. Admission is $10 dollars for adults and $7 dollars for seniors and kids.
The New Mexico State Fair will open at 2 p.m. Wednesday - and there are some big changes this year.
The fair will be open 12 straight days instead of 13 days over a 17-day period like last year.
The reason for the change?
Attendance and revenue was down last year.. so organizers re-grouped and shot for a later start and fewer days.
Another big change is the price.
Expect to pay more to get in - admission is $10 dollars for adults and $7 for seniors and kids 11 and under. Kids five and under get in free.
However, this year, parking is free.
New rides and attractions this year include a zip line open daily at 10 a.m. and a smaller carnival just for younger children, located off the Midway.
New food items include a donut burger, fried frog legs, fried beer and deep-fried lemonade cake.
For more information see KOB.
The New Mexico State Fair will open at 2 p.m. Wednesday - and there are some big changes this year.
The fair will be open 12 straight days instead of 13 days over a 17-day period like last year.
The reason for the change?
Attendance and revenue was down last year.. so organizers re-grouped and shot for a later start and fewer days.
Another big change is the price.
Expect to pay more to get in - admission is $10 dollars for adults and $7 for seniors and kids 11 and under. Kids five and under get in free.
However, this year, parking is free.
New rides and attractions this year include a zip line open daily at 10 a.m. and a smaller carnival just for younger children, located off the Midway.
New food items include a donut burger, fried frog legs, fried beer and deep-fried lemonade cake.
For more information see KOB.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Apartment Organizational Tips
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:56 AM
Does your apartment need some sprucing up after a crazy summer? Here are some great organizational tips that will get your apartment ready for fall!
Tip #1 Since the floor plan may seem small, the best way to add storage as well as décor to your apartment is through wall shelving. By adding shelves, you're able to make use of wall space by storing CD's, books, videos or any other collections on the shelves and off the floor. Wall shelves are also a great way to display framed photographs or other knick-knacks.
Tip #2 As an avid shoe collector, I
know that small closet space can be a problem in most apartments. A
great way to get shoes off the floor and allow space for other items is
to purchase a shoe organizer. They can be found just about anywhere, and
are a great low cost alternative to closet clutter. The best ones hang
right over your closet door, allowing easy access to your favorite pair
of shoes. By organizing your shoes, it also cuts down on time spent
looking for them, especially when you're in a hurry!
Tip #3 Another great way to make the most of limited closet space is to buy adding an additional closet rod. This apparatus is simply hung from both sides of your original rod by 'hangers', allowing for a second row of clothing to be added below the first. A great space-saver, this item can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a low price.
Tip #4 Depending on available floor space, a common storage unit can come from the form of a trunk, or chest. These are good for putting away seasonal items or even extra towels for the guests. They're also a great additive to room décor, and can also provide additional seating in a bedroom or be used as a table for pictures or flowers.
Tip #5 In the living room, store books or games in storage furniture like Ottomans or coffee tables with drawers and shelves. Ottomans are essential for living rooms in that they provide a leg rest instead of the coffee table, and they can store things away from sight. You can also use them to store everyday items like the remote controls, or a TV Guide to reduce clutter in the living space.
Tip #6 Another good space for storing items is under the bed. While most people do hide things under the bed, most often they're not stored properly and items can get dusty and sometimes damaged. Plastic bins are an easy way to store winter sweaters, extra bedding or items you just don't know what to do with. There are specially sized plastic bins that are made thin enough to fit right under the bed, allowing for easy accessibility and freshness when particular items are needed.
Tip #7 If you have extra space on your closet floor, adding plastic drawers can organize and reduce clutter from other areas of the house. Organize belts, scarves, ties or anything else in the plastic drawers to make room in your regular drawers for clothing or undergarments. You can also use these drawers to hold gym clothing, extra shoes or slippers, or laundry supplies to keep with the laundry pile. These drawers, as with any size or type of plastic bin, can be found at discount retailers like Target or Wal-Mart for a low price.
Tip #8 Cut down on clutter by adding hanging hooks to the living room, kitchen or bathrooms. These inexpensive items allow for usable wall space to be turned into a storage area for day-to-day items like your cell phone, keys or hats. Use hooks in the bathroom to hang bathrobes or wet towels, or even decorative towels can be used for both display and practicality. In the kitchen, hang dishtowels or spare keys for easy accessibility or organization.
Tip #9 An easy way to store a lot of items is to have a TV entertainment center with lots of drawers and shelves. Since they are usually large, make the most of the space it takes up by storing DVDs, CDs, books or video games. Try to find enough shelves to fit the electronics, and when you're all finished setting everything up, clip together the electrical cords to make it look more neat and clean. By clipping all the cords together, it's also easier to vacuum and reduce the amount of dust buildup behind the furniture.
Tip #10 The last tip is to shop around for furniture that has multiple uses. You have a limited amount of space to work with, so make the most of it. Most bedroom sets offer beds with drawers, so this is a great way to attain additional storage. Ikea is a great store to shop for storage solutions for affordable apartment settings. Coffee tables, end tables, and even miniature bars all have shelves or storage space, so use it wisely!
For more information see yahoo.
Tip #1 Since the floor plan may seem small, the best way to add storage as well as décor to your apartment is through wall shelving. By adding shelves, you're able to make use of wall space by storing CD's, books, videos or any other collections on the shelves and off the floor. Wall shelves are also a great way to display framed photographs or other knick-knacks.
Tip #2 As an avid shoe collector, I
know that small closet space can be a problem in most apartments. A
great way to get shoes off the floor and allow space for other items is
to purchase a shoe organizer. They can be found just about anywhere, and
are a great low cost alternative to closet clutter. The best ones hang
right over your closet door, allowing easy access to your favorite pair
of shoes. By organizing your shoes, it also cuts down on time spent
looking for them, especially when you're in a hurry!Tip #3 Another great way to make the most of limited closet space is to buy adding an additional closet rod. This apparatus is simply hung from both sides of your original rod by 'hangers', allowing for a second row of clothing to be added below the first. A great space-saver, this item can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a low price.
Tip #4 Depending on available floor space, a common storage unit can come from the form of a trunk, or chest. These are good for putting away seasonal items or even extra towels for the guests. They're also a great additive to room décor, and can also provide additional seating in a bedroom or be used as a table for pictures or flowers.
Tip #5 In the living room, store books or games in storage furniture like Ottomans or coffee tables with drawers and shelves. Ottomans are essential for living rooms in that they provide a leg rest instead of the coffee table, and they can store things away from sight. You can also use them to store everyday items like the remote controls, or a TV Guide to reduce clutter in the living space.
Tip #6 Another good space for storing items is under the bed. While most people do hide things under the bed, most often they're not stored properly and items can get dusty and sometimes damaged. Plastic bins are an easy way to store winter sweaters, extra bedding or items you just don't know what to do with. There are specially sized plastic bins that are made thin enough to fit right under the bed, allowing for easy accessibility and freshness when particular items are needed.
Tip #7 If you have extra space on your closet floor, adding plastic drawers can organize and reduce clutter from other areas of the house. Organize belts, scarves, ties or anything else in the plastic drawers to make room in your regular drawers for clothing or undergarments. You can also use these drawers to hold gym clothing, extra shoes or slippers, or laundry supplies to keep with the laundry pile. These drawers, as with any size or type of plastic bin, can be found at discount retailers like Target or Wal-Mart for a low price.
Tip #8 Cut down on clutter by adding hanging hooks to the living room, kitchen or bathrooms. These inexpensive items allow for usable wall space to be turned into a storage area for day-to-day items like your cell phone, keys or hats. Use hooks in the bathroom to hang bathrobes or wet towels, or even decorative towels can be used for both display and practicality. In the kitchen, hang dishtowels or spare keys for easy accessibility or organization.
Tip #9 An easy way to store a lot of items is to have a TV entertainment center with lots of drawers and shelves. Since they are usually large, make the most of the space it takes up by storing DVDs, CDs, books or video games. Try to find enough shelves to fit the electronics, and when you're all finished setting everything up, clip together the electrical cords to make it look more neat and clean. By clipping all the cords together, it's also easier to vacuum and reduce the amount of dust buildup behind the furniture.
Tip #10 The last tip is to shop around for furniture that has multiple uses. You have a limited amount of space to work with, so make the most of it. Most bedroom sets offer beds with drawers, so this is a great way to attain additional storage. Ikea is a great store to shop for storage solutions for affordable apartment settings. Coffee tables, end tables, and even miniature bars all have shelves or storage space, so use it wisely!
For more information see yahoo.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Leaping Lemurs Everywhere
Posted by Larimer Associates on 1:22 PM
Lemurs, Lemurs Everywhere! Lemurs have moved into the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Come see the lemurs during the cool morning hours, and learn about this endangered species.
Lemurs have moved into the ABQ BioPark Zoo. A pair of black and white ruffed lemurs and a pair of blue-eyed black lemurs
are now on exhibit near Nightwatch across from Koala Creek. The lemurs
are most active in the cooler morning hours. Join us to welcome the
lemurs and discover why these mammals are famous world-wide.
The lemurs arrived from the Bronx Zoo in New York in late July and have had several weeks in quarantine, getting to know their keepers and exhibit. These popular primates lived at the Zoo in the past, and animal care staff knew they would be a great fit for the exhibit that opened up when the tree kangaroos moved into Koala Creek earlier this year. The lemurs eat fruits, veggies, greens and a primate biscuit that is specially-formulated to keep them healthy and active.
"The Zoo staff is very excited to work with lemurs again and tell their unique stories to our guests," said Lynn Tupa, Zoo Manager. "Both of these species are endangered in the wild, and we can all do our part to conserve resources and protect their habitat in Madagascar."
Lemurs exist only on the island of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa. They are vulnerable to deforestation, poaching, and killing for the bush meat trade. Seventeen lemur species are endangered; several others have declining populations.
Although lemurs can walk on four limbs, they prefer to leap, hopping on long hind legs over great distances. Lemurs are an ancient family of primates, with evidence of ancestors dating back 40 million years ago. Long separated from Africa's mainland, the lemurs developed the unique structures and characteristics seen today.
For more information see ABQ Bio Park Zoo.
Lemurs have moved into the ABQ BioPark Zoo. A pair of black and white ruffed lemurs and a pair of blue-eyed black lemurs
are now on exhibit near Nightwatch across from Koala Creek. The lemurs
are most active in the cooler morning hours. Join us to welcome the
lemurs and discover why these mammals are famous world-wide.The lemurs arrived from the Bronx Zoo in New York in late July and have had several weeks in quarantine, getting to know their keepers and exhibit. These popular primates lived at the Zoo in the past, and animal care staff knew they would be a great fit for the exhibit that opened up when the tree kangaroos moved into Koala Creek earlier this year. The lemurs eat fruits, veggies, greens and a primate biscuit that is specially-formulated to keep them healthy and active.
"The Zoo staff is very excited to work with lemurs again and tell their unique stories to our guests," said Lynn Tupa, Zoo Manager. "Both of these species are endangered in the wild, and we can all do our part to conserve resources and protect their habitat in Madagascar."
Lemurs exist only on the island of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa. They are vulnerable to deforestation, poaching, and killing for the bush meat trade. Seventeen lemur species are endangered; several others have declining populations.
Although lemurs can walk on four limbs, they prefer to leap, hopping on long hind legs over great distances. Lemurs are an ancient family of primates, with evidence of ancestors dating back 40 million years ago. Long separated from Africa's mainland, the lemurs developed the unique structures and characteristics seen today.
For more information see ABQ Bio Park Zoo.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:50 AM
Dance, music and culture are displayed at the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival. The main event starts on August 25th with dancing, music, and food at the Plaza Mayor at the National Hispanic Culture Center. There will also be dance workshops and dance parties so you can participate in the dancing.
This event showcases performances, social dancing to live salsa bands, weekend dance workshops and films and lectures on the subject of Latin music, dance and culture.
ABQ LDF 2012 has something for everyone! This 3rd annual Latin dance festival is bigger and better than ever & offers every subset of salsa and Latin dance style for the absolute beginner to advanced dancer during the four night/ three day festival last week in August.
The not-to-miss dance party is the Main Event Saturday night August 25! It is the pinnacle of outdoor events with dancing under the stars on the biggest outdoor dance floor in town. The National Hispanic Cultural Center is host to ABQ LDF 2012 during this Saturday night dance and concert with performances along with food and beverages on their Plaza Mayor at the NHCC. They are host to all three days of workshops and the final two evening dance parties among the many beautiful buildings and plazas on their gorgeous campus.
Timbalive is the featured live music group for Saturday August 25th at NHCC. Full of energy, life and musical brilliance this band and its musicians represent the best of the best. What sets Timbalive apart is not just that this group is one of the most popular Timba/Cuban Salsa bands anywhere in the world... but also the caliber of the music they play. Based in Miami, the group is made up of Cuban musicians who received unsurpassed training in the national Cuban music schools. Timbalive's recent album was nominated for CubaDisco, (the Cuban Grammy Awards) representing the first time a group based outside of Cuba has ever been nominated for such an award!
In order to appreciate Timbalive fully you must see them perform. Their two CDs, “From Miami A La Habana,” and “La Timba pa’to el Mundo” are great in their own right. Indeed tracks from these two recordings can be heard regularly in top salsa clubs from Chicago to Paris and Rome. But while some groups might not sound as good as their recordings, Timbalive outplays their CDs anytime they perform. There is something about the energy of the singers, the flash of the horn line, the syncopation of the percussion, the groove of the bass that is impossible to fully capture until you have seen and heard it for yourself.
The third annual ABQ Latin Dance Festival offers over forty Latin dance workshops such as Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia , Cha Cha, Folklorico, Flamenco, Rueda de Casino, Tango, Samba, and Afro-Cuban dance classes. Classes run from Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. These are generally one hour classes geared toward the casual dancer on up through the most challenging curriculum for advanced dancers. There Is something for everyone. Again this year we are offering a three-hour Salsa Boot Camps for ultra beginners who want to learn and get dancing same day.
This event showcases performances, social dancing to live salsa bands, weekend dance workshops and films and lectures on the subject of Latin music, dance and culture.
ABQ LDF 2012 has something for everyone! This 3rd annual Latin dance festival is bigger and better than ever & offers every subset of salsa and Latin dance style for the absolute beginner to advanced dancer during the four night/ three day festival last week in August.
The not-to-miss dance party is the Main Event Saturday night August 25! It is the pinnacle of outdoor events with dancing under the stars on the biggest outdoor dance floor in town. The National Hispanic Cultural Center is host to ABQ LDF 2012 during this Saturday night dance and concert with performances along with food and beverages on their Plaza Mayor at the NHCC. They are host to all three days of workshops and the final two evening dance parties among the many beautiful buildings and plazas on their gorgeous campus.
Timbalive is the featured live music group for Saturday August 25th at NHCC. Full of energy, life and musical brilliance this band and its musicians represent the best of the best. What sets Timbalive apart is not just that this group is one of the most popular Timba/Cuban Salsa bands anywhere in the world... but also the caliber of the music they play. Based in Miami, the group is made up of Cuban musicians who received unsurpassed training in the national Cuban music schools. Timbalive's recent album was nominated for CubaDisco, (the Cuban Grammy Awards) representing the first time a group based outside of Cuba has ever been nominated for such an award!
In order to appreciate Timbalive fully you must see them perform. Their two CDs, “From Miami A La Habana,” and “La Timba pa’to el Mundo” are great in their own right. Indeed tracks from these two recordings can be heard regularly in top salsa clubs from Chicago to Paris and Rome. But while some groups might not sound as good as their recordings, Timbalive outplays their CDs anytime they perform. There is something about the energy of the singers, the flash of the horn line, the syncopation of the percussion, the groove of the bass that is impossible to fully capture until you have seen and heard it for yourself.
The third annual ABQ Latin Dance Festival offers over forty Latin dance workshops such as Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia , Cha Cha, Folklorico, Flamenco, Rueda de Casino, Tango, Samba, and Afro-Cuban dance classes. Classes run from Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. These are generally one hour classes geared toward the casual dancer on up through the most challenging curriculum for advanced dancers. There Is something for everyone. Again this year we are offering a three-hour Salsa Boot Camps for ultra beginners who want to learn and get dancing same day.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Four Corners Metal Fest
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:34 AM
This weekend make sure to check out the Four Corners Metal Fest. Different bands will be playing on two different stages all night long for the low admission price of seven dollars. The performances start at 5pm at Farmington's Top Deck Nightclub.
On August 19, Farmington’s Top Deck Nightclub presents the Four Corners Metal Fest! The event consists of 12 bands playing on two stages. Bands will play back-to-back, meaning that while one band is on stage performing the other will be getting ready to take the other stage. Each band will play for 30 minutes. Doors for all-ages show open at 4:00 p.m., with the first band taking the stage at 5:00 p.m. Admission is only $7!
Check out this killer roster: Paranormal Slaughter, Haddonfield, Butcher the Sheep, Fatally Dying Within, Cheap Times, Lights on for Safety, Tribus, In My Distress, Creeping Puppets, Until Chaos, Ethnic De Generation, and Crepitus.
Formed in 2008, Farmington’s Paranormal Slaughter play blackened death metal. The band is currently working on its debut CD, titled Shadows of Darkness. They also happen to run Studio 18, an underground venue based in Farmington that has attracted local, national, and even international talent.
New Mexico’s Butcher the Sheep play a blistering combination of brutal deathcore and grindcore, so bust out the mouth guards when listening to these dudes. Butcher the Sheep are working on securing more and more shows and plan to work on a demo soon.
Shiprock’s Lights on for Safety play a combination of melodic hardcore and pop punk.
Formed in 2001, Tribus play a blistering combination of thrash and death metal. Band influences include Sepultura, Paradise Lost, and Iron Maiden.
Farmington’s In My Distress are inspired by various genres, including metal, djent, progressive, and even hardcore. .
Hailing from Arizona, The Creeping Puppets play metal “that delivers speed, precision, and style influenced by the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Lamb of God, DevilDriver, and much much more!” The band’s Dead Dog Demo II is out now.
Albuquerque’s Until Chaos play heavy metal laced with Southern-styled rock. play heavy metal laced with Southern-styled rock. They have released an EP titled Together We Rise. The band is currently in the studio recording new music.
Hailing from the Navajo Nation in Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico, Ethnic De Generation play metalcore.
Farmington’s Crepitus play a combination of thrash and death metal. As the band says, “Sickening sounds and morbid fixations play the soundtracks to our lives.”
Farmington’s Top Deck Nightclub is located at 515 East Main Street. Get more info by calling 505-327-7385.
For more information please go to TheExaminer.
On August 19, Farmington’s Top Deck Nightclub presents the Four Corners Metal Fest! The event consists of 12 bands playing on two stages. Bands will play back-to-back, meaning that while one band is on stage performing the other will be getting ready to take the other stage. Each band will play for 30 minutes. Doors for all-ages show open at 4:00 p.m., with the first band taking the stage at 5:00 p.m. Admission is only $7!
Check out this killer roster: Paranormal Slaughter, Haddonfield, Butcher the Sheep, Fatally Dying Within, Cheap Times, Lights on for Safety, Tribus, In My Distress, Creeping Puppets, Until Chaos, Ethnic De Generation, and Crepitus.
New Mexico’s Butcher the Sheep play a blistering combination of brutal deathcore and grindcore, so bust out the mouth guards when listening to these dudes. Butcher the Sheep are working on securing more and more shows and plan to work on a demo soon.
Shiprock’s Lights on for Safety play a combination of melodic hardcore and pop punk.
Formed in 2001, Tribus play a blistering combination of thrash and death metal. Band influences include Sepultura, Paradise Lost, and Iron Maiden.
Farmington’s In My Distress are inspired by various genres, including metal, djent, progressive, and even hardcore. .
Hailing from Arizona, The Creeping Puppets play metal “that delivers speed, precision, and style influenced by the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Lamb of God, DevilDriver, and much much more!” The band’s Dead Dog Demo II is out now.
Albuquerque’s Until Chaos play heavy metal laced with Southern-styled rock. play heavy metal laced with Southern-styled rock. They have released an EP titled Together We Rise. The band is currently in the studio recording new music.
Hailing from the Navajo Nation in Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico, Ethnic De Generation play metalcore.
Farmington’s Crepitus play a combination of thrash and death metal. As the band says, “Sickening sounds and morbid fixations play the soundtracks to our lives.”
Farmington’s Top Deck Nightclub is located at 515 East Main Street. Get more info by calling 505-327-7385.
For more information please go to TheExaminer.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Extreme Trampolining Coming to Albuquerque
Posted by Larimer Associates on 1:48 PM
Everyone looks for a new way to work out. Trampoline is a new extreme sport
that is coming to Albuquerque this November. A new park is coming to our city with tons of trampolines
for anyone to work out on and try new tricks. A old business building will be converted into the park with
the world class trampolines for everyone to try.
Albuquerque will soon be home to an
extreme sports park made up of 10,000 square feet of trampoline.
Gravity Park will be built inside a
now-empty office building off of Eagle Rock Road NE. It will soon be bustling
with New Mexicans diving, jumping and flying off trampolines.
"These
are definitely world-class trampolines," said Zane Hansen of Gravity Park.
"They can take a lot, and the bounce on them is quite strong."
The
Duke City was selected because there are so many extreme sportsmen and women.
The
park will open in November, and each person must sign a liability waiver.
Read more at KOAT.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Lobos to Get A New Field
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:43 AM
The University of New Mexico Lobo Football Team will be lucky enough to have a brand new football field when their season starts in a month. The new field will be artificial turf and it will be named Branch Field. This is in thanks to the generous donation of Margaret and Turner Branch. This is the second largest donation in the University's history and counts towards the various campaigns that are going on for the school right now.
The University of New Mexico Lobo football team will be playing on a new artificial turf surface this season that will now be named “Branch Field.”
Margaret and Turner Branch, owners of Albuquerque’s Branch Law Firm, have contributed $1.5 million to UNM athletics for the naming rights to the football field at University Stadium.
UNM officials said the donation is the second-largest gift ever made to UNM athletics by living individuals and counts toward the $75 million goal of the “Lobo Leap to Excellence” capital campaign for athletics, as well as the university-wide comprehensive campaign, “Changing Worlds: The Campaign for UNM.”
UNM will recognize the Branches during halftime of the season opening football game on Sept. 1, when the Lobos play host to Southern University.
Turner Branch is a 1960 graduate of UNM, where he served as president of the student body. Margaret Branch earned her law degree in 1978 from the UNM School of Law.
The University of New Mexico Lobo football team will be playing on a new artificial turf surface this season that will now be named “Branch Field.”Margaret and Turner Branch, owners of Albuquerque’s Branch Law Firm, have contributed $1.5 million to UNM athletics for the naming rights to the football field at University Stadium.
UNM officials said the donation is the second-largest gift ever made to UNM athletics by living individuals and counts toward the $75 million goal of the “Lobo Leap to Excellence” capital campaign for athletics, as well as the university-wide comprehensive campaign, “Changing Worlds: The Campaign for UNM.”
UNM will recognize the Branches during halftime of the season opening football game on Sept. 1, when the Lobos play host to Southern University.
Turner Branch is a 1960 graduate of UNM, where he served as president of the student body. Margaret Branch earned her law degree in 1978 from the UNM School of Law.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Albuquerque Coming Together to Help A Little Girl
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:20 AM
Having any child with a disability is hard on a family financially and emotionally. However, Albuquerque is coming together to help this little girl with a rare disorder called Rhett Syndrome. This little girls house has to be completely redone to help her live with her disorder and stores, neighbors, and friends are pitching it give make family the best home possible.
A local father and veteran is fighting for his little girl as she battles a rare disorder. Now, the Albuquerque community is stepping up to help build her a better future.
“She was born a healthy baby. She came out healthy, crying and everything like that," remembers Josh Poulsen.
It’s not easy for Poulsen to watch home video of his rambunctious baby girl, Alexandria.
"She used to be able to crawl, to be able to move and kind of grab things," he said.
But one day, seemingly out of nowhere, things changed.
"About six months old, we realized something was wrong with Alex. She wasn't meeting her milestones like she should be," he said.
Countless tests later, the heartbreaking news, a diagnosis that’s changed the Albuquerque family’s life.
Alex has Rhett Syndrome. It’s a neurological disorder, a severe form of autism that almost exclusively affects girls.
The four-year-old has a rare mutation of the disorder and has scoliosis as well.
"She can't feed herself, she can't bathe herself, she can't walk, she can't get up," said Poulsen.
Poulsen, a disabled Kuwait and Iraq War veteran is now on the most important mission of his life.
"Everything we can do I'm going to go out and get it," he said.
Determined to make Alex’s life better, Josh is turning his attention to their home.
After putting it on the market for eight months without luck, he wants to make it bigger and more accessible for her.
But it’s not cheap. Just replacing sewer lines costs $8,000.
It is money Josh won’t have to pay.
Many local home building and improvement companies have stepped forward to help.
"It's about a four-day process 12 about 120 feet," describes Steven Jaramillo of Roto Rooter.
“Roto Rooter is glad to donate time and money and labor to get this job done for them."
Josh estimated transforming the house will cost more than $250,000.
"There's no words for how grateful I am for everyone of those who're helping," he said.
The hope is to have the house on Albuquerque’s Southwest side completed in about five months.
But there are still some things the house needs including a general contractor, landscaping materials and lumber.
For more information go to KOB.
A local father and veteran is fighting for his little girl as she battles a rare disorder. Now, the Albuquerque community is stepping up to help build her a better future.
“She was born a healthy baby. She came out healthy, crying and everything like that," remembers Josh Poulsen.
It’s not easy for Poulsen to watch home video of his rambunctious baby girl, Alexandria.
"She used to be able to crawl, to be able to move and kind of grab things," he said.
But one day, seemingly out of nowhere, things changed.
"About six months old, we realized something was wrong with Alex. She wasn't meeting her milestones like she should be," he said.
Countless tests later, the heartbreaking news, a diagnosis that’s changed the Albuquerque family’s life.
Alex has Rhett Syndrome. It’s a neurological disorder, a severe form of autism that almost exclusively affects girls.
The four-year-old has a rare mutation of the disorder and has scoliosis as well.
"She can't feed herself, she can't bathe herself, she can't walk, she can't get up," said Poulsen.
Poulsen, a disabled Kuwait and Iraq War veteran is now on the most important mission of his life.
"Everything we can do I'm going to go out and get it," he said.
Determined to make Alex’s life better, Josh is turning his attention to their home.
After putting it on the market for eight months without luck, he wants to make it bigger and more accessible for her.
But it’s not cheap. Just replacing sewer lines costs $8,000.
It is money Josh won’t have to pay.
Many local home building and improvement companies have stepped forward to help.
"It's about a four-day process 12 about 120 feet," describes Steven Jaramillo of Roto Rooter.
“Roto Rooter is glad to donate time and money and labor to get this job done for them."
Josh estimated transforming the house will cost more than $250,000.
"There's no words for how grateful I am for everyone of those who're helping," he said.
The hope is to have the house on Albuquerque’s Southwest side completed in about five months.
But there are still some things the house needs including a general contractor, landscaping materials and lumber.
For more information go to KOB.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Zoo Music Concert Series
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:09 AM
Every Friday the Albuquerque Zoo turns into a concert venue for families to come enjoy music. This event goes on all throughout the summer with the gates opening at 6pm. Bringing food into the Zoo is allowed for this special event, and you may also buy food from the Zoo vendors.For nearly two decades, the Zoo has entertained visitors during the summer months with the Zoo Music Concert Series. Zoo Music showcases regional, national and international talent playing a variety of music, including country Latin rock, Afro-Cuban, Celtic, bluegrass, Cajun and pop-rock.
2012 Zoo Music Performers
- July 20 - Houston Jones - High Octane Americana
- July 27 - Kim Richey - Singer/Songwriter
- August 3 - Mindi Abair - Smooth Jazz
- August 10 - The Steel Wheels - Bluegrass/Americana
Animal exhibits are open until 8 p.m.
Seating
General lawn seating. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. The lawn has a capacity of about 4,500 people.Food and Drinks
You may purchase food from vendors at the Zoo, or you may bring your own picnic.Beer and wine are available for purchase. You may not bring your own.
For more information on the Albuquerque Zoo or Zoo events click here.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Decorate Your Apartment for Less
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:44 PM
Decorating on a budget can be difficult for anyone. However, there are many ways to not break the bank and still have a beautiful apartment. The following are some tips and tricks to successfully make your apartment into your home.
Small
spaces require that furniture doubles both in comfort and function.
Think in terms of getting a coffee table that also serves as storage
with built-in bins. A couch can serve as a bed for an overnight guest if
it is a convertible, a futon or modular piece. When you purchase a tall
buffet server with drawers and doors, you are able to combine storage
space for office supplies, books, photo albums and other miscellaneous
while using the top portion as a chic and solidly built TV stand. Pieces
that do double- or triple-duty are a budget stretcher that is often
overlooked.
Click HERE for more ideas on home decorating.
Bargain shop or free?
Obviously
getting it for free is better than having to pay for it, so it is
highly recommended that you spend time thinking of what you really need
for your place and employ some easy do-it-yourself techniques to update
the look of what some generous soul is willing to discard. Craigslist is a great resource for inexpensive furniture in their sales section or for free in their free section. Freecycle.com is another option for your area, items go fast and you must respond quickly. The Penney's outlet
has several brick and mortar stores in addition to their website, but
if you have a brick and mortar store near you, you will find that many
of those same items are priced for a quick sale at over 80% off. A six
foot bookshelf could be had for under $15.00. "Dumpster Diving"
is not as gross as it sounds, most people take their old furnishing out
the night before trash day and anything that appeals to you before it
gets picked up is yours to keep.
Shop off season
Do
shop for tablecloths after the seasons are over and purchase the
longest tablecloths they have, the amount of material in these
tablecloths is a bargain waiting to be repurposed into pillow cases,
curtains, duvet covers, potholders, etc. A little imagination and less
than $5.00 can dress up your windows and throw pillows in a couple of
hours.
Multitask
Small
spaces require that furniture doubles both in comfort and function.
Think in terms of getting a coffee table that also serves as storage
with built-in bins. A couch can serve as a bed for an overnight guest if
it is a convertible, a futon or modular piece. When you purchase a tall
buffet server with drawers and doors, you are able to combine storage
space for office supplies, books, photo albums and other miscellaneous
while using the top portion as a chic and solidly built TV stand. Pieces
that do double- or triple-duty are a budget stretcher that is often
overlooked.
Home Improvement Warehouses
Places like Lowe's
discontinue furniture pieces, such as bookshelves, credenzas, unusual
lighting and area rugs constantly. Keep your eyes open and check their
clearance sections, purchasing a $100 rug for $25 is more common than
most people realize. Home Depot owns HomeDecoratorsoutlet.com
and their pieces range from classic to modern in a variety of colors
that won't break the budget. Their brick and mortar stores offer
clearance items at the end of the season as well as Homedepot.com, for example, an electric fireplace will add warmth and style to any room at a fraction of the original price.
Big and small and almost free
The
biggest item in any room is the walls that encase it. Picking up a
gallon of paint is an inexpensive way to lay the foundation of what is
yet to come. Mis-tinted gallons can be obtained at home improvement
warehouses for less than five dollars and can be re-tinted for free if
you are flexible enough not to demand an exact shade. Small touches are
pictures that have meaning to you and picture frames that can be
purchased at the dollar store or garage sales. Cut flowers and
inexpensive vases add freshness. A grouping of small houseplants in
colorful containers will make a windowsill a bright spot in your home.
Place candles on colorful plates found at yard sales or thrift store and
surround them with fragrant herbs, small rocks, decorative fruits or
sea shells.
Thinking outside the box
The
ability to stitch in a straight line to hem a tablecloth can yield
inexpensive and unique window coverings. If a sewing machine is too
complex, curtain clips and hooks work quite well and they come in a
variety of finishes and styles at a low price. Stores such as Wal-Mart
and Target often discount these items throughout the year.Click HERE for more ideas on home decorating.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Great Bowling Deal for Families!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:59 AM
Check out this great deal for families for bowling in Albuquerque. Kids can play two free games everyday, and there is also a great family package too.
Kids can play two free games every day, plus a family pass for $24.95 for up to four adults to play two games each a day. Or use the promo code to get $4 off the family pass on July 6.
Kids Bowl Free is a fun summer program with bowling centers around the country, giving kids the chance to play two free games every day throughout the promotion. We mentioned this deal when the Kids Bowl Free 2012 promotion started, but here’s a reminder if you haven’t signed up for your free coupons yet!
Once you’ve registered a child for the free bowling, you also have the option to buy a family bowling pass for $24.95, which allows up to 4 adults to each play 2 free games a day too. The price is usually $24.95, but I received an email from the Kids Bowl Free folk, offering a $4 discount on the family pass through July 6, using the promo code at checkout: Fireworks4
The promo code is valid until midnight Eastern Time (that’s 10 pm Mountain Time) on Friday, July 6. Albuquerque bowling centers participating in the program are Leisure Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Silva Lanes, and Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho.
For more information on free bowling check out Abq on the Cheap!
Kids can play two free games every day, plus a family pass for $24.95 for up to four adults to play two games each a day. Or use the promo code to get $4 off the family pass on July 6.
Kids Bowl Free is a fun summer program with bowling centers around the country, giving kids the chance to play two free games every day throughout the promotion. We mentioned this deal when the Kids Bowl Free 2012 promotion started, but here’s a reminder if you haven’t signed up for your free coupons yet! Once you’ve registered a child for the free bowling, you also have the option to buy a family bowling pass for $24.95, which allows up to 4 adults to each play 2 free games a day too. The price is usually $24.95, but I received an email from the Kids Bowl Free folk, offering a $4 discount on the family pass through July 6, using the promo code at checkout: Fireworks4
The promo code is valid until midnight Eastern Time (that’s 10 pm Mountain Time) on Friday, July 6. Albuquerque bowling centers participating in the program are Leisure Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Silva Lanes, and Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho.
For more information on free bowling check out Abq on the Cheap!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Fourth of July Safety
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:08 AM
Indepndence Day is coming up, which means plenty of fireworks will be shot off around the United States. It is important to remember Fireworks safety whenever handling these explosives.
Before
- Choose an open area away from spectators, homes, buildings and dry vegetation.
- Use a garden hose to wet down the area before firing.
During
- As each device burns out, soak it using a hose or a bucket of water.
After
- Place all used items in a covered, fireproof container and leave it outside away from homes and buildings.
For sparklers
- Children under age 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
- Always remain standing while using sparklers.
- Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
- Never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time.
- Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
- Sparkler wires and sticks remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparkler directly in a bucket of water.
- Never hand a lit sparkler to another person.
- Treat fireworks with respect, read all of the cautions and warnings and use common sense.
- Lighting fireworks indoors, throwing them from automobiles and lighting multiple devices at the same time can lead to accidents and are not how fireworks are intended to be used.
- Always obey all local laws pertaining to the use of fireworks.
Bottom line
If you see someone misusing fireworks, stop them. Show them the correct way to use consumer fireworks and do not ever use professional fireworks or illegal explosives.
For more safety information please see Kirtland Air Force Base.
Before- Choose an open area away from spectators, homes, buildings and dry vegetation.
- Use a garden hose to wet down the area before firing.
During
- As each device burns out, soak it using a hose or a bucket of water.
After
- Place all used items in a covered, fireproof container and leave it outside away from homes and buildings.
For sparklers
- Children under age 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
- Always remain standing while using sparklers.
- Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
- Never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time.
- Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
- Sparkler wires and sticks remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparkler directly in a bucket of water.
- Never hand a lit sparkler to another person.
- Treat fireworks with respect, read all of the cautions and warnings and use common sense.
- Lighting fireworks indoors, throwing them from automobiles and lighting multiple devices at the same time can lead to accidents and are not how fireworks are intended to be used.
- Always obey all local laws pertaining to the use of fireworks.
Bottom line
If you see someone misusing fireworks, stop them. Show them the correct way to use consumer fireworks and do not ever use professional fireworks or illegal explosives.
For more safety information please see Kirtland Air Force Base.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Two University Jumpers Contend for Spot on Olympic Team
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:53 AM
For a few athletes their dreams are on the line, as they contend for a spot on their countries Olympic team. These athletes are all from the University of New Mexico, and have competed with the school's team while studying at the University. They are now competing for an even bigger contest.
For two UNM jumpers, the road to London goes through Eugene, Ore.
Junior long jumper Kendall Spencer and senior triple jumper Floyd Ross are going to the Olympic trials in Eugene from June 22 to July 1 to try to qualify for the U.S. team in the upcoming summer games.
The jumpers are not the only UNM athletes
hoping to compete in the Olympics; junior high jumper Django Lovett is
trying to represent Canada, while senior middle-distance runners Ross
Millington and Sam Evans, senior steeplechaser Imogen Ainsworth and
recent graduate Sarah Waldron are trying to represent their native
England.
Ross, who sleeps in his uniform the night before a competition, said he is not changing his strategy or intensifying his training to make the team.
“I don’t want to change up what I’ve been doing to get me here right now,” Ross said. “I want to keep it the same.”
He did, however, change his diet from fast food to salads.
“I’m a Mickey D’s kind of guy, but lately I’ve noticed that eating well has helped me out a lot,” Ross said.
Spencer, who is last year’s NCAA Division I Indoor long jump champion, said getting mentally prepared for the Olympic trials is the hardest part about training.
“Mental game is a huge part of trying to make the Olympic team,” Spencer said. “I pray a lot. My church family really keeps me grounded, and I try to keep a lot of positive people around me.”
In order for Spencer to make the U.S. Olympic team, he has to jump about 27 feet, which is a bit farther than his personal best of 26 feet, 8.25 inches*.
“As long as he comes out and does what he’s supposed to do, he has a very good shot of making the team,” said UNM horizontal jumps coach Austin Brobst, who is working with Ross and Spencer. “He still has to jump about seven centimeters further for the U.S. to take him, but I believe he has it in him.”
UNM is paying for the athletes to travel to Eugene. Spencer said the support of the University and community means a lot.
“Having a support system is a huge part of being successful,” Spencer said. “We get letters, phone calls and text messages from people that are really supportive.”
After he won the indoor long jump championship last year, Spencer received a slew of supportive text messages from family and friends and said he will use those as motivation at the Olympic trials.
“I saved all those text messages so when I go to the trials and I’m trying to get focused, I’ll just go back and read them all,” he said.
Off the track, both men are successful scholars. Ross aspires to be a sports reporter and said all the hard work he put on the track will help him be successful in a professional career.
“Being an athlete, I’ve noticed that you can’t slack off,” Ross said. “You can’t slack off in anything you do. Just go hard or go home.”
Spencer, on the other hand, plans to get a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. He works with children who have autism and strives to make the dean’s list every semester. He said he works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the track.
“A lot of people just see me as the track athlete, but people who have been around me know that there’s a lot more to me than that,” Spencer said. “Everything that I do on the track is complemented by things that I do in the classroom.”
Spencer said he does not want to be the kind of athlete who only cares about himself.
“One of the things I promised myself was that I was going to be one of those athletes that was always approachable, kept a good head on his shoulders and had an all-around good character,” Spencer said.
“I want to leave a positive mark on the world.”
For more information on these athletes head to the UNM Daily Lobo Website.
For two UNM jumpers, the road to London goes through Eugene, Ore.
Junior long jumper Kendall Spencer and senior triple jumper Floyd Ross are going to the Olympic trials in Eugene from June 22 to July 1 to try to qualify for the U.S. team in the upcoming summer games.
The jumpers are not the only UNM athletes
hoping to compete in the Olympics; junior high jumper Django Lovett is
trying to represent Canada, while senior middle-distance runners Ross
Millington and Sam Evans, senior steeplechaser Imogen Ainsworth and
recent graduate Sarah Waldron are trying to represent their native
England. Ross, who sleeps in his uniform the night before a competition, said he is not changing his strategy or intensifying his training to make the team.
“I don’t want to change up what I’ve been doing to get me here right now,” Ross said. “I want to keep it the same.”
He did, however, change his diet from fast food to salads.
“I’m a Mickey D’s kind of guy, but lately I’ve noticed that eating well has helped me out a lot,” Ross said.
Spencer, who is last year’s NCAA Division I Indoor long jump champion, said getting mentally prepared for the Olympic trials is the hardest part about training.
“Mental game is a huge part of trying to make the Olympic team,” Spencer said. “I pray a lot. My church family really keeps me grounded, and I try to keep a lot of positive people around me.”
In order for Spencer to make the U.S. Olympic team, he has to jump about 27 feet, which is a bit farther than his personal best of 26 feet, 8.25 inches*.
“As long as he comes out and does what he’s supposed to do, he has a very good shot of making the team,” said UNM horizontal jumps coach Austin Brobst, who is working with Ross and Spencer. “He still has to jump about seven centimeters further for the U.S. to take him, but I believe he has it in him.”
UNM is paying for the athletes to travel to Eugene. Spencer said the support of the University and community means a lot.
“Having a support system is a huge part of being successful,” Spencer said. “We get letters, phone calls and text messages from people that are really supportive.”
After he won the indoor long jump championship last year, Spencer received a slew of supportive text messages from family and friends and said he will use those as motivation at the Olympic trials.
“I saved all those text messages so when I go to the trials and I’m trying to get focused, I’ll just go back and read them all,” he said.
Off the track, both men are successful scholars. Ross aspires to be a sports reporter and said all the hard work he put on the track will help him be successful in a professional career.
“Being an athlete, I’ve noticed that you can’t slack off,” Ross said. “You can’t slack off in anything you do. Just go hard or go home.”
Spencer, on the other hand, plans to get a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. He works with children who have autism and strives to make the dean’s list every semester. He said he works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the track.
“A lot of people just see me as the track athlete, but people who have been around me know that there’s a lot more to me than that,” Spencer said. “Everything that I do on the track is complemented by things that I do in the classroom.”
Spencer said he does not want to be the kind of athlete who only cares about himself.
“One of the things I promised myself was that I was going to be one of those athletes that was always approachable, kept a good head on his shoulders and had an all-around good character,” Spencer said.
“I want to leave a positive mark on the world.”
For more information on these athletes head to the UNM Daily Lobo Website.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Sign up for Albuquerque's Emergency Text Alert System
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:40 AM
Getting emergency information as fast as possible is the most important step in keeping your family safe. The county is now offering emergency alerts through txt messages to all residents. Make sure to sign up today to make sure you are in the know for developing situations.
Bernalillo County and the Emergency Communications Center have
created a system to notify residents via phone if there is an emergency
situation in their neighborhood. If you have a landline and live in
Bernalillo County, you’re already prepared for the notifications to
reach. Those with cell phones have to opt-in to get them sent to their
devices.
Registering for the emergency notifications is very simple. Go to this website and fill in the required fields to make sure your number is on the emergency list. It’s a good idea for anyone who has a cell phone as their main telephone line. Also consider registering work phones should anything occur while you are on the job during the day.
Typical notifications may include anything from evacuations due to fire or flood or advisements of a dangerous situation in your area. Sometimes if there is a SWAT team working nearby or an environmental hazard, it’s in the best interest for everyone to take shelter and let the professionals do their work. It’s completely based on the address you input with your phone number, so make sure you give the correct, most recent address.
For more information go to Prudential.com
Bernalillo County and the Emergency Communications Center have
created a system to notify residents via phone if there is an emergency
situation in their neighborhood. If you have a landline and live in
Bernalillo County, you’re already prepared for the notifications to
reach. Those with cell phones have to opt-in to get them sent to their
devices.Registering for the emergency notifications is very simple. Go to this website and fill in the required fields to make sure your number is on the emergency list. It’s a good idea for anyone who has a cell phone as their main telephone line. Also consider registering work phones should anything occur while you are on the job during the day.
Typical notifications may include anything from evacuations due to fire or flood or advisements of a dangerous situation in your area. Sometimes if there is a SWAT team working nearby or an environmental hazard, it’s in the best interest for everyone to take shelter and let the professionals do their work. It’s completely based on the address you input with your phone number, so make sure you give the correct, most recent address.
For more information go to Prudential.com
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
7 Ideas to Help Decorate Your Apartment
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:10 PM
Are you having trouble decorating your brand new apartment? Check out these beautiful and inexpensive ideas to decorate your apartment on a budget. Everything from color to furniture make your apartment look like it came out of a magazine with these ideas!
Your apartment can have the appearance and feel of a well lived in home. The mindset that your apartment has to be cold and uninviting should be the farthest idea from your head. Apartment living is a great way to save money and you have the freedom of moving around as you please. Decorating your apartment cheaply will make you feel good when you entertain, and when enjoying your place on your own. Here are ideas to cheaply decorate and furnish your apartment and to make it the best it can be.
SALES: Yard, garage, and discount stores are the best place to find décor items for cheap! Furniture, wall décor, and storage items don’t need to be bought brand new. You can find beds and couches and spruce them up with mattress covers and slip covers.
ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS: Websites like Craigslist,
Backpages, and other free online classifieds are great resource for
finding décor. Often time’s people are moving out of their homes and
need to get rid of items fast and cheaply. Estate sales are also
published in online classifieds as well. Estate sales are trying to sell
the belongings of a deceased person. They can also be from individuals
who can’t financially afford their belongings. Take advantage of these
because the items may be hard to find bargains!
DO IT YOURSELF: Believe it or not, you and some friends may be able to assemble anything you put your mind to. Do it yourself tables, chairs, and entertainment centers can save you money. Stores like Ikea have made their entire business centered around merchandise that you can assemble yourself. Ikea has décor and storage ideas for every budget, and every assembly skill level.
LOFT BEDS: Loft beds are a cheap way to accommodate several people in a small space. Loft beds are reminiscent of bunk beds, which take advantage of vertical space. Loft beds can be bought at furniture stores, garage sales, or check college dorm and apartment bulletin boards for quick sales. Even if you don’t have a lot of people in your apartment, loft beds can house a bed on top and a desk area beneath to save valuable space in your bedroom.
DOLLAR STORES: These stores have come a long way from when they only sold car fresheners and cheap soap! Try to find dollar stores that offer home décor, cleaning products, storage items, kitchen utensils, etc… You may be pleasantly surprised to see that you can decorate and have all your essentials for your apartment for a small amount of money.
ADD COLOR: Bring color into your apartment with bed and bath accessories that can change the atmosphere instantly! Coordinating bed linen, curtains, and an area rug can make your drab space look pulled together with minimum effort and cost. Matching shower curtain, towels, and bath rugs will make you feel and look good in your bathroom.
COLLECTIBLES: Do you collect movie posters or have a collection of vintage Coke bottles? Why not use them as décor in your apartment? Décor doesn’t have to be purchased. Use your collections to display them on walls, in shadow boxes, or on a shelf to bring instant personalized décor to your apartment. You will be surprised how collections can be a clever focal point for a room.
The amount of money you spend in your apartment can be minimal when armed with resources to find quality items. Remember, there is always someone moving in and out of apartments and homes. Take advantage of these resources, and do the same when you move out of your apartment.
Want some more ideas or information check out freshome.com.
Your apartment can have the appearance and feel of a well lived in home. The mindset that your apartment has to be cold and uninviting should be the farthest idea from your head. Apartment living is a great way to save money and you have the freedom of moving around as you please. Decorating your apartment cheaply will make you feel good when you entertain, and when enjoying your place on your own. Here are ideas to cheaply decorate and furnish your apartment and to make it the best it can be.
SALES: Yard, garage, and discount stores are the best place to find décor items for cheap! Furniture, wall décor, and storage items don’t need to be bought brand new. You can find beds and couches and spruce them up with mattress covers and slip covers.
ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS: Websites like Craigslist,
Backpages, and other free online classifieds are great resource for
finding décor. Often time’s people are moving out of their homes and
need to get rid of items fast and cheaply. Estate sales are also
published in online classifieds as well. Estate sales are trying to sell
the belongings of a deceased person. They can also be from individuals
who can’t financially afford their belongings. Take advantage of these
because the items may be hard to find bargains!
DO IT YOURSELF: Believe it or not, you and some friends may be able to assemble anything you put your mind to. Do it yourself tables, chairs, and entertainment centers can save you money. Stores like Ikea have made their entire business centered around merchandise that you can assemble yourself. Ikea has décor and storage ideas for every budget, and every assembly skill level.
LOFT BEDS: Loft beds are a cheap way to accommodate several people in a small space. Loft beds are reminiscent of bunk beds, which take advantage of vertical space. Loft beds can be bought at furniture stores, garage sales, or check college dorm and apartment bulletin boards for quick sales. Even if you don’t have a lot of people in your apartment, loft beds can house a bed on top and a desk area beneath to save valuable space in your bedroom.
DOLLAR STORES: These stores have come a long way from when they only sold car fresheners and cheap soap! Try to find dollar stores that offer home décor, cleaning products, storage items, kitchen utensils, etc… You may be pleasantly surprised to see that you can decorate and have all your essentials for your apartment for a small amount of money.
ADD COLOR: Bring color into your apartment with bed and bath accessories that can change the atmosphere instantly! Coordinating bed linen, curtains, and an area rug can make your drab space look pulled together with minimum effort and cost. Matching shower curtain, towels, and bath rugs will make you feel and look good in your bathroom.
COLLECTIBLES: Do you collect movie posters or have a collection of vintage Coke bottles? Why not use them as décor in your apartment? Décor doesn’t have to be purchased. Use your collections to display them on walls, in shadow boxes, or on a shelf to bring instant personalized décor to your apartment. You will be surprised how collections can be a clever focal point for a room.
The amount of money you spend in your apartment can be minimal when armed with resources to find quality items. Remember, there is always someone moving in and out of apartments and homes. Take advantage of these resources, and do the same when you move out of your apartment.
Want some more ideas or information check out freshome.com.
