Many days you want to enter your Zen-inspired living and dining area to plop on the sofa with your kids, eat dinner from a pristine plate, and forget the rest of the world. On some days, especially when sunshine comes in from the window, you’d want to spice up the mood the home with some bright color.

In fixing up the living and dining area of your home, try achieving a more lived-in feel to an otherwise too bare area with comforting accents like throw and floor pillows, throws, scented candles, and indoor plants. Don’t be afraid to turn your living area into a more stimulating space by adding color. Keep the shades of your accent pieces as close to each other as possible to make sure the area won’t look cluttered and you’ll be sure to enjoy a living area that brims with joy and energy. (more…)

The top 10 questions to prepare for before a job interview:

1. Tell me about yourself. People tend to ramble and act flustered when asked this question — save yourself from the embarrassment of unwarranted blabber and plan out your answer to this question days (or even weeks!) in advance.
2. What do you know about this company? Do not wing your answer to this question. Most companies have websites, so do the research before your interview and surf away. If you have friends in that company, ask them for tips, and try to squeeze out some information about the company’s structure and vision.
3. What are your strengths? If you’ve already handed in your resume, you should have a good grasp of what you’re good at. Familiarize yourself with your strong points, and don’t give the interviewer a long list of adjectives. Focus on what’s applicable to the job that you’re applying for. For example, tell them what a good leader you are, or how you work well under pressure — not about your amazing cramming skills.
4. What are your weaknesses? Keep your answers on the down low. Remember, what you say can be used against you!
5. Why do you want to work here? Be careful of brownnosing — you don’t want them to think you’re sucking up just to get the job. Be honest. And if you’re under pressure and have nothing left to say, tell them you’re in it for the experience. You can’t go wrong with that.
6. What have you accomplished thus far? Don’t brag, but don’t underplay your cum laude award or merit scholarship either. Highlight that position you held in your org, or tell them about that summer internship you took last year.

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Let’s go spa-ing! You read it right — spa-ing has become the newest buzzword among today’s up and about crowd. If I were to define spa-ing, I would call it the art of inviting health and a sense of harmony into your life. SPA for me stands for Self-love, Pampering and Age management.

I became a spa-holic years ago. I discovered that the real meaning of going to a spa was having time for yourself, relinquishing control and surrendering to the healing elements of your surrounds, and taking in that antidote for rejuvenation.

I have witnessed the boom and burgeoning of spas everywhere. My addiction to spas has practically taken me to the four corners of the world.

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Here are the French tips on losing weight:

• Practice some routine physical exertion all your life, and you’ll be in better shape to continue. But if you haven’t, it truly is never too late to start.
• Revisit your food selection, and revise again in favor of more fruits and vegetables. Try to keep meat to once a week and fish to twice a week; eggs are fine, but no more than one a day; have lentils, green vegetables and salads, potatoes (avoid mashed and fries), brown rice, and ‘bien sur,’ a glass or two of wine a day. Keep eating your yogurt religiously.
• Meals and portions tend to get smaller automatically as the older body reaches satiety faster.
• Rich desserts may no longer like you as much as you like them. Reserve them for special occasions and have little portions.
• Water, water, water!

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Many cosmetic surgery procedures can be combined and performed at the same time to save on money and recovery times. If you’re ready to reclaim the body you had before children, schedule an appointment with the Toronto cosmetic surgeons today and find out which procedures or “mommy makeovers” may be right for you.

• Breast Surgery and Augmentation / Lift. During pregnancy the breast tissue expands as estrogen increases readying the body for feeding the baby. Many women find that after pregnancy and breast-feeding, breast tissue diminishes and sagging occurs. Sometimes a breast lift is all that is needed to restore youthful-looking breasts but oftentimes a lift with augmentation is necessary to achieve the desired results.
• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty). Not to be mistaken with abdominal liposuction, a tummy tuck removes loose and excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles. Depending on your needs, your cosmetic surgeon may suggest a mini-tummy tuck. Good candidates should be close to their ideal weight and not planning further pregnancies or dramatic weight loss. This procedure is considered a major surgery leaving significant scarring and requiring weeks before full recovery is complete. However the results are quite remarkable and lost lasting.

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