Even though this isn't your typical Holiday season, it's still a good idea to keep with certain traditions. We stayed home for Christmas, and spent it together, just us and the kiddos. Normally, we celebrate by attending a XXMas concert in Cleveland, followed by a trip to an indoor waterpark resort for Christmas Eve and Day.  Obviously, this is 2020. None of that happened. Our traditions were not in the realm of possibility, so we made the most of spending the Holidays at home. 

How is everyone this Christmas Eve? Doing alright? Stressed out? Are you still running around getting shopping done, or are you already in relaxation mode, waiting for Christmas to get here? 

We avoided crowds as best as possible, and ordered most of our gifts online. The only place I have been going lately is to the grocery store, and even then, we're being cautious and trying to maintain social distancing, etc the best that we possibly can. We've also made sure to sanitize our hands thoroughly once we unload the car, since handwashing isn't possible much of the time while running errands. 

Hand Sanitizer can be harsh, though. It can dry the skin out, causing painful cracking and itching. I found the perfect solution to this issue, though.  I've been absolutely loving my Ultra Defense Sani+Smart Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E.

Yes, I just said MOISTURIZING hand sanitizer, and I did not stutter.

Sounds crazy, right?

​This is a game changer, because it doesn't dry the skin or cause irritation the way a lot of alcohol based sanitizers can. It also smells super nice rather than like some bottom shelf Tequila...Blech....Yes. I have actually encountered some truly vile sanitizer that smells like a bar. I don't drink, so obviously I am not a fan of smelling like a distillery. Thankfully, Ultra Defense Sani+Smart smells pleasant, like your favorite soap or lotion might. No harsh odor, and no one will think you've had too much to drink after using it. 

In a world where every. single. person. uses a hand sanitizer multiple times a day, it causes a global shortage – as we all witnessed. Companies from other industries had to step in to fill the void and follow a recipe from the CDC in order to fulfill the tremendous amount of requests – alcohol distilleries, perfumeries, color cosmetic brands, and contract manufacturers are now producing sanitizing products. When the FDA continues to issue recalls for the inclusion of potentially toxic ingredients, we all need a hand sanitizer that is safe, effective and pleasant to use.
​
Introducing Ultra Defense Sani + Smart... a completely safe line of sanitizing solutions that feature best in class formulas to kill 99.99% of germs and leave hands feeling soft. When the pandemic hit, the team at Ultra Defense answered the call and immediately ramped up production on their top-of-the-line sanitizing solutions. With so many toxic sanitizers being pulled from retail shelves, you can safely trust Ultra Defense to get the job done. 

We've been loving this product line, and I consider it to be a must have for outings, trips to the store, or any time you don't have easy access to soap and water for handwashing. It leaves my hands clean, soft, and there's no residue or irritation to be found. This is definitely a quality product, and one I feel good about using for my family. 

You can learn more about Ultra Defense Sani+Smart Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer on their website. 

You can also follow on Facebook, on twitter, and on Instagram to stay on top of their latest news, products, and promotions. ​

This Christmas is obviously....Well....It's different. 

Instead of huge gatherings and celebrations, people are (hopefully) altering their plans to help do their part to stop the spread of this nasty virus that's turned life upside-down for the past year. 

We're kind of the Black Sheep, so to speak, so we don't really get invited to family gatherings. Not traditional ones, anyway. We have, over the past few years, adopted a HUGE "chosen family", and one of our family reunions happens in Cleveland, right before Christmas. We're part of a community called EST (Everyone Stands Together), and we attend Machine Gun Kelly's XXMas concert as if we were going to church for Midnight Mass. For many, my family included, that IS our Christmas. This IS where we get to see our "family" and celebrate the season. People fly in for the weekend from all over, and it's kind of a huge deal. 

This year, understandably, it's not happening. I have to admit, this made us all very sad. This year, the fancy Holiday depression has hit hard, and we've been trying to find ways to still experience some kind of magic, even though we're missing our loved ones so much. 

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 Give the Gift of Health—December is a festive month to exchange gifts and to enjoy family and friends.  (Even if it IS virtually and/or socially distanced.) Give the Gift of Health with Microlingual® tablets from Superior Source—they make great stocking stuffers!

Now, perhaps more than ever, taking the right supplements to support the body's immune system is a truly smart idea. Combined with things like using proper PPE, washing hands often and thoroughly, having a healthy diet and sleep cycle, immune supplements can make all the difference in the world when it comes to overall wellness for the whole family. 

Thankfully, one brand of Vitamins, Superior Source, has exactly what I need for my whole family.....Even the ones who hate taking their supplements and have a hard time swallowing pills. 

Now it’s FUN to take vitamins with NO PILLS to SWALLOW! With over 180 vitamins,there are vitamins for everyone, young old and every need. Best of all, Superior Source Vitamins are MicroLingual® with “Under the Tongue Technology”that works fast,and are quickly absorbed into the body, dissolving in seconds. Did you know that... by swallowing supplements, as much as 50% of the potency is lost in the high acid environment of the stomach? With Superior Source, this is never an issue. 

As a homeowner, you're probably all too familiar with finding ways to improve the look and style of your property. But did you know that one of the biggest changes you can make to your home, is with a simple change to your window dressings?
It's true! Shutters are proving to be incredibly popular in Australian homes with more people than ever before having them installed on their properties. This timeless style has been around for centuries, and it seems to be enjoying a little bit of a renaissance – and it's easy to see why!

If you've been toying with the idea of installing shutters on your windows, then read on to discover why you should go ahead with your investment, with the top benefits of plantation shutters, revealed!

They're probably cheaper than you think
If it's the cost of plantation shutters available online that concerns you the most, then you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. When you choose The Shutters Dept to create your dream window dressings, you'll get the benefit of functionality, style and amazing prices straight from the manufacturer. No hard sales pitches, no pressure, just the stunning, plantation shutters you want at a price you can afford. With no compromises on quality – you even get a ten-year warranty for total peace of mind.
If cost is something you're concerned about then you may be surprised at how budget-friendly these window dressings can be!

They add value to your home
Stunning plantation shutters turn heads for all the right reasons, and if you're planning on selling your home either now, or in the future then you can expect plenty of interest and value-added to your home. You can expect instant kerb appeal when you install plantation shutters.

Ideal for allergy sufferers
Is there someone in your home who struggles with allergies? Traditional window dressings such as fabric curtains and blinds attract dust, pet hair and even pollen, creating a toxic atmosphere for people who struggle with allergens. With a quick swipe, you can instantly remove any allergens and help everyone in your home to breathe a little easier.

Temperature regulation
In Australia, being able to get some relief from the blistering sun is crucial. Plantation shutters make keeping your home a little cooler in the summer months a little more realistic. They're also great at blocking all those cold draughts in the winter months.

Privacy
Privacy in your own home is important to everyone and unlike curtains that can blow open, or blinds that don't close properly when you install plantation shutters you can get complete privacy from the world outside. You can adjust the position of your shutters so you can view as much or as little as you wish.

And finally, they're safer
Traditional curtains can pose a fire risk to unsuspecting homeowners, while traditional blinds come with dangerously long cords that children can easily become tangled in, causing injury or even death. Curtains can also be heavy and blinds are difficult to manoeuvre especially for the elderly. With plantation shutters, you get safety, functionality and style in one installation.

So this year has been a doozy, and I've turned to a heavy focus on self care to get me through the tail end of what might go down in History as being the Weirdest Year Ever. Sometimes we need a little comfort and pampering to cope with things stranger than fiction and stress levels that far exceed that of normal times. 

What does self care look like to me? Well, for me, it's things like a hot bath. A nice, steaming cup of coffee in my 27 Club coffee mug. Snuggling with my youngest son to read or watch a movie together. There's nothing better than curling up with a soft, comfy blanket and my favorite 9 year old on the planet. 

Are you bored with your living room? Do your walls look tired and dated? Are you desperate to add a touch of your own personality into your living space but worry that you don't have the budget? If this sounds familiar, then you're not alone. Throughout 2020 we've all spent more time at home than ever before, which means the same four walls can feel a little dull…

Updating your living space can sound like a gargantuan task, where the entire living room is out of action for a few days and everyone has to cram into other areas of the home. Not forgetting the cost of bringing your design vision to life. The truth is, that's not always the case!

Whether you're lacking in time or your budget is on the modest side, you can still achieve a fresh living room look within a few hours. Read on to discover beautiful ways you can transform your living space within a weekend.

Photo walls
It's all too easy to forget about those wonderful family moments that are trapped inside your smartphone, or stuck within the depths of social media. Instead of scrolling through your favourite memories, why not pick the best ones and order a photo wall instead? Photo walls are a simple yet eye-catching way to completely transform any room in an instant. Using custom shapes, you don't even have to drill or hammer nails into your walls to put all your photos on display, they simply stick
with ease – and can be easily removed and re-arranged whenever you please.
This little project is mess-free and will only take as long as you need it to. The most difficult thing is deciding which photos to include on your photo wall!

Rearrange your furniture
As humans, we're creatures of habit and we quickly get used to things being a certain way. This is probably why you've had your furniture in the same position it was when you first moved in. It's amazing how cheaply and instantly you can transform your living room simply by moving your furniture around. You could create a new reading nook, or switch your seating around so everyone gets a better view of the TV. Playing around with furniture positioning can also help create more
room in your home and allows more natural light to filter in.

Add a rug
When looking for a quick update, never underestimate the power of a new rug. It can be whatever size you like, and it's the perfect way to bring those tired old carpets back to life. Introduce a bit of your personality into your living space with something bright and colourful, or keep it cosy and comfortable with something thick and indulgent. There's a bit of science behind placing a rug in your living space, so check it out online to make the most of your new flooring solution.

And finally, clean
Dust, grime, clutter, the kid's toys, pet hair…all these things quickly accumulate in the busiest room of the house. Making it appear tired and stressful. A quick speed clean will have any living space looking completely refreshed and new in no time.

​When it comes to branding, consistency is key. You'll struggle to build relationships and maintain trust with your chosen target audience if there are discrepancies between your logos or your marketing materials. Even the simplest of slip-ups can have devastating consequences on your brand reputation and seriously harm your brand recognition growth.

One of the biggest problems facing marketing teams is the demand for consistency in a system that is littered with duplicate files, thousands of digital assets and a lack of control over who has access to them. Thankfully, the solution is simple – Bynder's DAM software.
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DAM software places all your digital assets in one easy to manage library and allows your teams to find the files they need within seconds, helping your company maintain its brand identity across all channels. Here we'll explore 3 other ways DAM can improve your brand's consistency.

Controlled user access
While it's easy to believe that open user access to all your digital assets will simplify your workflow, it can, in fact, create all kinds of other issues. When access isn't controlled, it means that anyone can access, change and edit your files, leaving a trail of confusion and inconsistency throughout your marketing and branded content. This can spell disaster for your brand recognition, which is why DAM software is imperative in controlling user access. From approving uploaded content to only permitting access to files to those who need them, you instantly improve the validity and uniformity of your digital assets.

Communication between departments
When people have the right access to the files they need and they can find the digital assets they need quickly and without issues, it creates a chain reaction of efficiency throughout your workflow. Sharing documentation with other users becomes much easier, whether one team is putting together the marketing graphics and the other is writing the copy, DAM software helps to build on the communication between departments, promoting collaboration and ensuring everyone is on the same branded content page.

Organization is key to consistency
As your business begins to grow, so will your digital assets. A handful of files can quickly evolve into hundreds if not thousands of digital resources, which aren't always easy to manage without a software system in place. This can cause all kinds of issues with continuity within your brand. When logos and branded content are edited without permission or old versions become mixed up with the older ones, it means a vast amount of time wasted on finding the right files or correcting the ones
that have been altered.

With DAM software all your digital assets are stored in a centralized filing system that uses metadata tags to help employees find the files they need within seconds. Organized categories and the elimination of duplicates ensure that continuity within your brand is constant and brand recognition is strong amongst your target market.

Final thoughts…
As you can see, DAM software is essential for keeping your brand image consistent and trustworthy. Reach out to bynder.com for the latest software options.

The Holidays are upon us, and even though this isn't a typical season for anyone, there's still time to find awesome gifts for those we love the most. Even if circumstances don't really allow for huge family gatherings, having gifts shipped or dropped off and celebrating socially distanced or via apps like Zoom are all the rage this year. All we can really do is make the most of what is an incredibly atypical year and hope that someday, some normalcy will be restored. 

Anyway, I'd love to talk about one of my absolute favorite gifting finds this season: Potager Soap Co. natural soaps! Potager Soap Company was founded in 1999 and specializes in crafting skin-nourishing soap with certified organic ingredients. Potager natural soap is handmade with organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, sustainable organic palm oil, organic shea butter, organic essential oils, and organic botanicals.

Here in my little Ohio town, the vibe lately has been pretty weird. Yes, downtown is decorated beautifully. There are lights and decorated trees and parking meters, and it looks like a Winter Wonderland, straight out of one of those cheesy Hallmark movies. 

But the feeling....The energy.....Well, 2020 is just different. 

As everyone knows, this is a holiday season that has been like no other, thanks to a global pandemic. Christmas isn't quite the same, and people are having to find new ways to be festive, and new ways to have fun.....Socially distanced, of course. 

One way we've been having quality family time while breaking up the monotony of the current situation is by getting out and playing laser tag together. We got these awesome Laser X Revolution Laser Tag Blasters, and we can take them anywhere for an impromptu match of laser tag.