Create a Grand Entrance

The first impression comes from the entrance, and drapery has the power to make it a showstopper. Flowing fabric can frame the entryway, creating a striking visual that welcomes guests with style. By choosing colors that complement the wedding theme, couples can set the tone for the rest of the event. Sheer fabrics, paired with floral accents or personalized signage, add a touch of sophistication that transforms a simple pathway into an elegant start to the celebration.

Define the Ceremony Space

Outdoor settings are undeniably beautiful, but they can feel too open without thoughtful design. Drapery helps carve out a specific area dedicated to the ceremony, enhancing the sense of intimacy for the couple and their guests. A beautifully draped arch or a canopy creates a stunning focal point where the couple exchanges vows. With careful fabric selection, couples can tie the space back to their color palette, creating a cohesive and warm environment for this special moment.

Add Elegance to Reception Areas

Reception areas often need more than just tables and chairs to feel complete. Drapery instantly elevates dining and dancing spaces, creating a more refined atmosphere. Swags of fabric overhead or along tent poles create visual interest and make everything feel more connected. A covered ceiling effect can soften the look of seating areas, while draped backdrops behind the head table or photo booth add a sense of occasion. Simple touches like this take a reception space from ordinary to extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression.

Combine Drapery and Lighting

While drapery can transform spaces on its own, combining lighting and drapery creates a dreamy wedding atmosphere. Incorporating string lights, chandeliers, or uplighting within the drapery creates a magical glow, especially as the sun sets. Warm lighting enhances the depth and texture of the fabric, adding another layer of charm. This pairing not only elevates the aesthetic but also ensures the space maintains a cozy vibe, even after dark.

The Impact of Drapery on Outdoor Weddings

The role of drapery in transforming outdoor wedding venues cannot be understated. The right drapery does more than decorate an outdoor wedding venue; it defines it. From entrances to ceremony spaces and receptions, drapery helps create experiences that resonate with style and emotion. When combined thoughtfully with other elements, it transforms any outdoor setting into a stunning backdrop for the couple’s big day. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, don’t overlook the incredible versatility of drapery to bring your vision to life.

Recommended Reading: The Comfy Bride: Ways To Stay Comfortable During the Wedding

The post The Role of Drapery in Transforming Outdoor Wedding Venues appeared first on Global Good Group.

But when life throws questions at you like, “How do I create a budget?” or “Why is my car making that weird noise?” it’s hard not to feel underprepared. These practical skills—your personal Life Skills 101—are essential for daily life, yet most schools never cover them.

So here’s a crash course on the basics, from budgeting and car maintenance to cooking skills, that’ll help you thrive and feel confident as you navigate adulting.

Budgeting: The Real Math of Life

One of the most essential life skills that rarely makes it into the classroom is budgeting. Managing money effectively isn’t just about balancing expenses; it’s about aligning spending with your personal goals and creating financial stability. Research even suggests that people with budgeting know-how feel more in control and experience less stress.

A simple and popular budgeting method is the 50/30/20 rule, which U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a former Harvard professor, has advocated. In this system, 50% of your income goes to essentials (like rent and groceries), 30% to wants (like dining out or entertainment), and the last 20% to savings or paying off debt.

Set a monthly check-in to track your spending using apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need a Budget), making budgeting a habit that helps you reach financial goals while allowing room for fun.

Basic Car Maintenance: Saving Money and Avoiding Stress

Car trouble usually strikes at the worst time, often with strange sounds that signal costly repairs. Yet, basic car maintenance is a life skill that can save both your wallet and your nerves. According to AAA, the average person spends about $500 per year on car repairs, but with just a few preventative steps, you can reduce those costs.

Start by learning essentials like changing a tire and checking your oil. These simple tasks can prevent bigger (and more expensive) issues. Regularly checking tire pressure (often found on a sticker inside the driver’s door) and oil levels about once a month helps ensure your car runs smoothly.

If you’re new to car maintenance, start small—YouTube is a goldmine of tutorials on basic upkeep, from fluid checks to decoding dashboard warning lights.

Cooking Basics: Eat Well Without Spending a Fortune

Cooking is another essential life skill that often goes untaught, but it’s both a healthier and more affordable option than relying on takeout. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that cooking at home can save you around $5 to $15 per meal, depending on ingredients and choices.

Start with simple recipes that are hard to mess up. Eggs, pasta, and a basic stir-fry are beginner-friendly options that’ll build your confidence in the kitchen.

Studies also show that cooking at home tends to improve overall eating habits, so not only will you save money, but you’ll also make healthier choices.

Plus, cooking can be a fun way to get creative and end the day with a rewarding (and tasty) result.

Wrapping Up the Essentials

Though schools might prioritize algebra over oil changes or Shakespeare over budgeting, Life Skills 101 is always available for self-study. Embrace these practical skills one at a time: set up a budget, get hands-on with basic car maintenance, and learn a few go-to recipes.

You’ll feel more empowered and prepared, equipped not just with academic knowledge but with the real-life skills that make adulting a little easier.

Recommended – The Mental Health Benefits of Nature: Why You Should Get Outside

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Host a Community Event

Hosting a community event is an excellent way to bring people together to honor veterans. Consider organizing a parade or a memorial service to pay tribute to those who have served. A parade can be a festive celebration filled with music, speeches, and floats dedicated to different branches of the military. Memorial services, on the other hand, provide a solemn and reflective atmosphere where community members can come together to remember and honor fallen heroes. Both of these events show appreciation and educate the community about the sacrifices made by veterans.

Volunteer

Another great way to honor veterans is by volunteering with local organizations that support them. Many communities have veteran hospitals, homes, and support groups that could use an extra pair of hands. Volunteering could involve spending time with veterans, providing assistance with daily activities, or helping organize events and programs. By dedicating your time, you offer valuable support, build relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges veterans face. Your efforts can significantly improve their quality of life.

Raise Funds

Financial support can make a significant difference in the lives of veterans, especially those facing challenges such as a lack of housing, unemployment, or health issues. Fundraising events that honor veterans are an excellent way to gather resources that you can direct toward veteran support services. Ideas for fundraising events include charity runs, bake sales, benefit concerts, and silent auctions; encouraging local businesses to participate or sponsor these events can amplify their success. You can donate the funds from the event to reputable veteran organizations that provide housing, employment assistance, mental health services, and other critical support.

Reach Out

Sometimes, the simplest gestures can have the most profound impact. Reaching out to veterans in your community to personally thank them for their service is a heartfelt way to show appreciation. You can write letters, create care packages, or even visit them to express your gratitude. Schools can even get involved by having students create handmade cards or artwork for veterans. These small acts of kindness can make veterans feel valued and remembered, especially those who may not have a strong support system. Personal connections foster a sense of community and belonging.

These ways to honor veterans in your community contribute to a larger effort of recognizing and valuing their sacrifices. Take a moment to consider how you can get involved and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who have given so much for our freedom.

Donation drives can help any cause or organization, such as giving back to our veterans, or a drive for a local homeless shelter. Simply choose a cause or organization you want to support, and then get started. For some tips, we recommend this post: How To Start a Donation Drive in Your Community

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Notify Relevant Parties

Notifying people about your move isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a crucial step in keeping your life running smoothly. By informing friends, family, and important institutions of your new address, you’re ensuring that your mail follows you without interruption, and you’ll also avoid potential issues like missed bills or important notifications. Remember to update your details with the post office, utility providers, banks, and any subscription services you use.

Reach Out to Moving Companies

For the best selection of dates, contact moving companies six to eight weeks before your relocation. Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the best days of the week to move for lower rates. Reach out to several moving companies to request quotes and determine their availability. By starting early, you can more easily compare services, pricing, and reviews.

Discuss your specific needs and requirements with the moving company. This includes conveying details about the items to be moved, the distance of the move, and any special handling needs. In addition, you should inquire about any additional services they might offer, such as packing or storage options, which could potentially simplify the moving process for you.

Start Sorting and Packing

The longer you wait to sort through your belongings, the more stressful packing will become. You can start deciding on what to keep, sell, or donate months before you relocate. You can also begin packing non-essentials, such as decorative items, books, and seasonal clothes.

While packing non-essentials, label each box with a list of contents and the room it’s destined for. This will make unpacking much easier. Be sure to store the packed boxes in a place that’s out of the way, perhaps a spare room or a section of your garage.

Plan Your Travel Arrangements

Two months before your move, you should plan your travel arrangements. Start by booking transportation, which can mean reserving a moving truck if you’re doing a self-move or scheduling flights if the move is long-distance. If you’re traveling a long distance, consider booking accommodations for overnight stays during the transition. These preparations not only alleviate the stress of last-minute planning but also allow you to budget accordingly, secure preferred dates and times, and provide a clear timeline for your relocation.

From finding a moving company to updating your address, planning your travel, and getting started on sorting your belongings, these are the key steps to take two months before moving. Embrace the process, stay organized, and remember that while moving can be daunting, it’s also an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. Good luck with the preparations, and here’s to a smooth and happy move!

Moving is a time to let go of some of your old stuff. Donating to charity is a great way to let go of things and pass them on to benefit others. There are many reasons why you should donate your stuff to charity. Check out this post to learn more! Reasons Why You Should Donate Your Stuff to Charity

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Recycling doesn’t have to just mean separating your paper and glass from your other waste, it can go a good deal deeper than that. Turning something old and otherwise unwanted or unusable into something functional and beautiful can be an excellent way to recycle. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this list and see where you can dig in and get greener.

Video Overview

Reduce, Reuse, Refurbish

The craftier among us may be able to find this tip an exceptional task. Transforming old into new and well-lived furniture can transform the life of an object and save it from the trash heap. Many people have even made upcycling items into a profitable business. The only limitation is how creative you can be.

You also don’t want to take on a project that’s far outside your capability or the tools that you have available to you. Start small on projects that require more labor and fewer tools — converting a drawer into a cushioned bench or a shutter into a headboard. Once you’ve gotten a few projects under your belt, you can work on something more substantial. Either sell them or keep them for yourself but know that you created a beautiful item that would otherwise be considered trash.

Get Out and Grow

When it comes to being self-sustaining, you can always grow your own food. This can do double duty for the environment because you can always grow your plants in containers that you’ve recycled as well! Even if you have a limited space to grow things, you can cobble together a space that can be utilized in all directions. It doesn’t take much to be an option for growing, it just needs to be able to hold dirt and properly drain.

Growing a garden can become one of the most liberating things that you can accomplish in a modern, bustling society. Once you’ve started delving into the growing, it isn’t a large leap to something like composting. Not only will this help you to create food for your plant darlings, it will help decrease your overall waste. You’ll find shortcuts to using all those scraps that you’d otherwise throw out. The possibilities out in your garden are endless.

Repurpose and Restyle

The recycling need not stop at furniture. You can definitely recycle clothes too! With all the thrift stores everywhere, there’s no shortage of used clothes to get your hands on. These upcycling projects can be as simple as a t-shirt rug, where you only need a pile of old shirts, a pair of scissors and an afternoon. A larger project would look something like a large quilt made from old jeans or sweaters. You’d need some practice on how to make a quilt, but the outcome will be a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that you’ll want to show off to everyone.

When it comes to getting your hands dirty, it’s well worth it to know that you’re also helping to save the earth. Recycling isn’t a wasted venture, no matter what you hear. Even though it’s a small thing, you can work wonders if you let your creativity bring a little light into the world.

The post Making the World a Little Greener by Getting Your Hands Dirty appeared first on Global Good Group.

It’s that time of year again, “New Year, New Me!”. You have two choices, you can laugh New Year’s Resolutions off as another cliche or you can embrace the beauty of a new beginning and actually harvest the positive energy of the new year to create a better and healthier you. While there are so many categories of New Year’s Resolutions, my January goals tend to fall into the bucket of Healthy New Year’s Resolutions. I have come up with my top three non-negotiable 2019 New Year’s Resolutions to make 2019 my healthiest year yet!

Floss Daily

The first of my Healthy New Year’s Resolutions is to floss daily. Gum health is often overlooked and can have a huge impact on your overall well-being. In order to jump-start this habit, I asked Santa for a water-pick which is a fun high-tech gadget to make flossing less of a chore and more of a desirable new habit. My dentist will be proud.

Journal Gratitude Daily

The second of my 2019 New Year’s Resolutions involve increasing happiness and mental well-being. So many of us are overworked and overstressed. This leads us to overlook many joyful moments due to burn-out. One goal I have for 2019 is to increase joy and gratitude. My first step toward achieving this goal is to keep a daily gratitude journal. Even on the longest, hardest, most stressful day, there is always something to be grateful for. My plan is to record these little moments to ensure that joy is a bigger focus of my life in 2019.

Be More Active

My last Healthy New Year’s Resolution involves getting up and moving. My smartphone has the ability to record how many steps I take in a day. I want to utilize this step-tracking function to ensure that I am getting at least 10,000 steps a day. Getting in 10,000 or more steps a day leads to lower risk for a variety of diseases and may aid in weight loss.

You can find more motivating articles on HappyHealthyHub by clicking here! Read more about becoming a better you here!

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When you think about setting a New Year’s resolution, you think about losing weight or volunteering more. You should also practice compassion, perseverance, and self-control in the New Year. As part of your New Year’s resolution, make a commitment to improving yourself. That doesn’t mean achieving a particular lifestyle and being a better person doesn’t go hand in hand. Here are some steps you can make to become a better person in the New Year.

Create Small Goals

Don’t try to create a big 2019 New Year’s resolution that’s impossible to achieve. Start small with short-term 2019 New Year’s resolution ideas that you can achieve in a matter of weeks or months. Pick one to start and focus on it. You can expand on that goal by creating a bunch of small goals.

For example, your goal might be to lose weight in the New Year. One smart goal you can create from that is to take the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Another small goal you can set is to walk 30 minutes each morning. It could be a goal that’s a struggle for you.

Find Some Role Models

Look to your inner network to find some role models. Maybe it’s role models from history. Or, it could be someone in Hollywood that has made a positive impact on you.

Do your research and learn more about this public figure. Find out what makes them so inspiring. A parent, teacher, mentor, friend, neighbor, political figure, religious leader, or community leader can also make great role models.

Set Moral Reminders

It’s easy not to pay attention to the present moment. A Post-It note on your bathroom mirror or a reminder on your smartphone can help you stay on track of your 2019 New Year’s Resolution. You can even send an automatic text message to remind yourself of what others are going through.

Think of the things in your life can help you become a better person. Is it reading personal growth, self-improvement, or spiritual books? Is it writing in a personal planner or journal?

Practice on Your Goals

Your New Year Resolution isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s something that takes a lot of time and work. It may even take the entire year to master. Not everyone can become a better person in 24 hours. You’re a human being after all. Just do one thing per day, even if it’s small. That’s how you create a habit.

Of course, this list of 2019 New Year’s Resolution ideas is just as easy to break just as it’s easy to make. It’s about sticking to that goal. Whether you plan to keep it or not has a lot to do with your character.

Read more articles here!

For more to be healthy in the New Year, we found a great site: Happy Healthy Hub!

The post 4 Ways to Become a Better Person in the New Year appeared first on Global Good Group.

A Waukesha, Wis. 12-year-old stabbing victim has shown an inspirational and unshakeable spirit and strength since the May 31 incident. People around the world have shown their support of this brave, unidentified-middle-school student by sending her mailbags full of one of her favorite things in the world: purple hearts. Even though she was not wounded as a member of our nation’s heroic military, she has been found deserving by an anonymous veteran to be recognized with the real Purple Heart.

The girl was attacked by two of her “friends” who felt the act would help them gain favor in the eyes of a completely-fictitious character known in urban legend circles as “Slender Man.” Created for a contest only a few years ago, “Slender Man” stories and art have gained in popularity since, and it prompted some mainstream attention with its inclusion in story lines for various television series and literary publications.

Want to know what has always been popular? Doing good on behalf of someone in need of support and community. That is why the power of one veteran’s act will transcend fiction any day.

Purple Heart for a Girl Who is All Heart

The Purple Heart, which is given to men and women who are injured or killed in action, was sent with a greeting card that included the handwritten note, “The only heart I could find; be strong!”

In an interview with the Daily News, John Scocos, the Wisconsin Secretary of Veterans Affairs, said veterans have the full right to do with their medals as they choose once they are awarded.

“American service men and women are also moms and dads, uncles and aunts – brothers and sisters,” Scocos said. “It does not surprise me that a decorated veteran unselfishly gave this amazingly brave and courageous little girl something from his or her heart.”

The Purple Heart gains added significance when you realize that a wound was a mere millimeter away from puncturing one of the girl’s major heart arteries. Regular hospital visits, rehabilitation and additional medical procedures have become an everyday occurrence for her, but encouragement like the Purple Heart keeps her pressing forward. She is now home and working daily to gain physical and mental strength.

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier allegedly convinced the unidentified victim to enter the woods with them after a slumber party with the intention of murdering the girl. The victim found the strength to crawl away from the spot she was stabbed and called out, “Help me, I’ve been stabbed,” to a bicyclist. The two “friends” have been charged with first-degree attempted murder as adults. Geyser and Weier are being held in a juvenile detention center on a $500,000 bond.

We offer a HUGE thank you to the man or woman who sacrificed so much to receive the Purple Heart. But we are in awe and doubly grateful for the veteran’s willingness to do good in the face of such an unspeakable act.

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Sony’s New PlayStation® 4 – Something To Get Excited About

Whether your an avid gamer or love to control your home media from a single system then the PlayStation® 4  (PS4™) is basically everything you could ever dream of. Recently Sony launched the Official PlayStation® Greatness Awaits campaign which celebrates the fun adventurous world that you can enter into on any PlayStation®. The trailer has been distributed all over the place and you are likely to see it somewhere while watching some TV or online. It starts off similar to the Mayhem campaign from our other GGN sponsor, Allstate, with a guy looking like he is causing some trouble… but quickly leads into an action-packed adventure world where there is fun around every bend and some sort of craziness to deal with. 
Sony wants the world to see that the gaming world should be celebrated and that it is a legitimate activity you can enjoy with a group or even by yourself. Whether for fun or as an escape, the immersive world that these games take you into is adrenaline filled and exciting. They are so realistic that you forget where you are and become a part of something bigger than just yourself. Even if you do not have the PS4 and are sticking with the current PlayStation® 3 (PS3™), or even an earlier model like the 2 or the original you can have a blast entering into the right game. With online game-play now, you are able to battle against your friends in groups or against random other players competitively from all over the world. We recommend stopping by your local entertainment store such as Best Buy or Game Stop to find a game that suits exactly what your looking for.
With tons of options for the PlayStation® these days there is almost something for everybody. Software and games like Active 2 from Electronic Arts ( AKA EA ), and EA Sports in particular, you can actually get a workout. There are sensors on the current system you can get which can tell when and where you are moving in relation to the system and the screen. This is so that you can monitor how well you are in sync with physical actions being shown on screen and adjust. Basically it is like having a personal trainer, except it is virtual and makes it a little bit more fun than doing it by yourself and it is a more cost-effective option then paying for weekly classes at the gym. Is it too hot or too cold outside? Fear not… your PlayStation® always has your back. Perhaps the true value add of these systems is that they also double as media centers where you can stream your music, video, and other entertainment such as Netflix through to your TV so that you do not need redundant equipment and remotes. 

Greatness is truly awaiting you on the PlayStation®, so what are you going to do?

Check out the official campaign here:
 us.playstation.com/greatnessawaits 
What Greatness Awaits You? Check out the official video trailer below. 

See some behind the scenes clips and some hot game screen samples to get an idea of what is coming up with the new PS4!

If you enjoy following some of the progress of the upcoming console then you will want to watch some of the shots from the Recent E3 2013 Sony Conference where they revealed the Sony PS4. Enjoy clips below from the IGN channel whose video about the PS4 has over 180,000 video views already even though it has only been out since June 10, 2013!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sony via Glam Media. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of
the opinions or positions of Sony
ARTICLE BY: Josh Bois, Co-Founder Global Good Networks™

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 Your Favorite Food Brand Just Got Better With Pizza Crust

When we first heard about Pillsbury’s pizza crust offering we were super excited. The same brand that always ensures a smile on Easter with their delicious Pillsbury Crescents and Cinnamon rolls. When you are looking for something fun to do, don’t forget Pissbury and your kitchen! There are some amazing recipes we had to go through when choosing out what to make during this post. While looking online we were able to find some really creative ideas such as mini-pizza’s and personal pizzas not to mention mini pizza squares. At the end of the day a pizza can be as simple as dough and cheese or as complex as you want it to be with multiple toppings and baking styles.
Pillsbury is really forward thinking along with health conscious and even has a gluten free dough out there for those who need to watch their health or have certain problems, yet want to eat what they want. For everybody else there is still a classic pizza crust container you can get at your local store that looks similar to other Pillsbury products. If you want to go all out you can also get the Artisan Pizza Crust for a super nice pizza crust that is on whole-wheat dough. If you go online to the Pillsbury website you can actually get free shipping on orders of $25 or more to truly make your pizza as awesome as it can be. 
Some of the amazing recipes we saw online that made our mouth water included the Garlic Butter Crusted Margherita Pizza and the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Alfredo Pizza. As long as you can string together a small budget for some cheese, perhaps tomatoes, garlic, some form of meat such as steak or chicken, you can have yourself a deluxe pizza in no time!
 There are many ways to Grill a pizza which can also include your oven itself. Once you have rolled out your dough onto something that is oven safe you can put some toppings on it such as our recommendations earlier like cheese, tomato, garlic, perhaps pineapple, and some meat and then put it in your oven once it has heated up. We recommend a temperature around 350-400 depending on your preference and what types of toppings you put on it, how you like your pizza. Keep checking on it throughout a 10-20 minute period to see when it is ready and then take it out and enjoy! You can have a very fun family night with the Pillsbury Pizza Crust and also have some fun placing all of your custom toppings on it as well! 

 We love Pillsbury here at Global Good Networks and appreciated the opportunity to review their pizza crust, thank you!

With summer here, Pillsbury knows you and your family want to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. So at your next BBQ, why not grill pizza for a family fun night. Go to http://www.pillsbury.com/Cooking-Occasions/Occasions/Outdoor-Eating/How-to-Grill-Pizza
Check out Pillsbury on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pillsbury
Connect on Instagram: http://instagram.com/Pillsburyideas
Follow On Twitter: https://twitter.com/pillsbury
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by General Mills via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of General Mills.

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