7 Pet Supplies We Can’t Live Without

  In our house we have three sweet pets that we love dearly. I don't know what we would do without them. They are such a part of our family and they definitely know it. I'm talking birthday parties, special dog dental chews for our Boston/Pit mix, treats galore for the cats and pup, toys, blankets, matching outfits, birthday accessories. We might have a problem. Does it bring us all joy? Absolutely. Do people make fun of us? Sometimes. Do we care? Not a bit. Baking my dog a bone-shaped cake and watching her eat it makes us happy and brings unexpected joy to an average day. I've compiled a list of some of our favorite, can't live without pet items that we have found and used for both our two cats and dog. Daily Dog Dental Chews for our black and white terrier mix. She loves … [Read more...]

Feel Good Summer Sandals

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com @purejulia   Sometime in June I realized that it had been way too long since I had purchased any new summer sandals. So long ago that most were very flat and had zero support. My feet were feeling it too in those first few weeks of warm weather. Was I really ready for orthotic sandals for women? Thoughts of ugly sandals from my grandmother's days filled my head. And yes, I had managed to not jump on the Birkenstock bandwagon despite being a 90s teen. My size ten feet do not love any shoe that makes them look even larger than life. Surely I wasn't here yet? I thought about it and realized I only needed one or two pairs of sandals to counteract any of the other shoes I was wearing throughout the week. Whether at home or at work I have a tendency to … [Read more...]

Fall Fitness Trends

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love to hike, walk, run, and spend a lot of time outdoors during this crisp season. However, fall weather in Virginia can be unpredictable. Foggy mornings with drizzle can turn into gorgeously sunny afternoons.  But when you have to get out the door and you want to get a quick workout in going outside isn't always the best case scenario. Say goodbye to that morning run crunching through the autumn leaves.  Say hello to these fall fitness trends that I can do all year long.   Under the Desk exercise equipment: I don't care what anyone says about under the desk exercise equipment. I watched my fourteen year old use our under the desk elliptical in her room while she does her homework, bring the lightweight machine downstairs and watch a … [Read more...]

Fall in Love with 2023 Fall Trends

Disclaimer: Please know this partnership is between Responsival, and The Mummy Chronicles, not AURATE. My opinions are 100% my own.   Fall begins this week and with it comes all the gorgeous fall trends. In the warm summer months, I definitely gravitate towards colorful, bright pieces and as a standard my gold hoop earrings. However, with fall and its crisp, cool days, I play up the warmer tones and still stick to the classics with a simple gold necklace. There are also antique diamond earrings that can help maximize the potential of any fall outfit. But why stop there? Layering gold necklaces is another way to add depth and dimension to your look. Whether you are wearing a sold black turtleneck or cozy cardigan, a gold necklace from Wholesale Gold Jewelry … [Read more...]

Finding Natural Pain Relief for Inflammation & Soreness

Image courtesy of unsplash.com: Sasun Bughdaryan   What is your favorite remedy for fighting joint pain and muscle soreness? Do you use a natural pain relief cream? Do you prefer doctor alternative options like integrative medicine in Evanston, IL? Do you prefer holistic health options supervised by a holistic health practitioner? What about the use of a cbd hemp oil topical? What's your favorite one? One of the biggest obstacles I encountered each time I battled Lyme disease (four times and counting) with its myriad of co-infections was finding relief from pain. Whether it was incorporating yoga into my workout routine, regular Epsom salt baths or finding a pain relief cream that took away the very distinct and sometimes all encompassing pain that Lyme created I felt I was on … [Read more...]

Understanding Changes in the Automotive Industry

Like most industries, the automotive industry is constantly changing. Fueled by changing consumer behaviors, technological advances and global disruption, these changes are shaping the future of road transport. This article will explore some of the changes in the automotive industry to provide some clarity on their impact. 1. Use of Robots and Automation in Production Most industries in today's business environment must contend with pressures to cut costs and increase product customization. The complexity and variability of products in the automotive sector are increasing, limiting the number of items that can be mass-produced. At auto assembly facilities, labor costs account for up to 20% of total costs. However, the cumulative labor costs of the entire automotive value chain may exceed … [Read more...]

New Year, New Choices in a Compact Elliptical Machines

Courtesy of Unsplash by bruno_nascimento   During the Pandemic, we had lots of time to explore new and various types of fitness. One day you could go for a morning run or yoga session by the fireplace. The next day might consist of an evening stroll and a session with weights.  It was up to you to create your own fitness plan because the gym was suddenly not open.  Throughout it, especially as time went on and online school became a reality, my oldest daughter kept asking for a portable treadmill or elliptical machine under her desk. Enter the low-impact fitness brand, Cubii.  With three types of compact elliptical machines that are portable and whisper-quiet, we knew we had a solution.  Cubii has loads of accessories and works on all body types and ages.  I like to use it in … [Read more...]

The Gift You Can Give Yourself Now and in the Future

It’s basic knowledge that you should have term life insurance. But did you know there are actual benefits to having it? What about cheap term life insurance? Is there an even better benefit to it beyond saving money?  Let’s look at the benefits of having cheap term life insurance and why it is important to think about your future whether you are single, married, or like me, in between. You may hire an estate planning attorney to help you find a life insurance policy and prepare all the necessary documents for your estate plan. An estate planning attorney or wills attorney can take the time to listen to your concerns and recommend the best option for your estate. Life insurance, when fully understood, is not merely a mechanism for death benefits but also a potential source of cash during … [Read more...]

Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe in the Wintertime

Home safety is essential year-round. However, the different seasons require different safety measures. These tips will help to improve home safety for you and your family this winter. Follow these five tips. 1. Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors Winter means using heat in your home. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors must be in good working condition. Test all the detectors in your home to ensure proper function. It is also a good time to replace batteries. These detectors are an important safety feature in your home and should be checked when preparing your home for winter. Most detectors have an easy test button on the face of the device. All you do is press the button to see if the alarm is working properly. 2. If You Use Your Fireplace, Get Your Chimney Inspected If you … [Read more...]

Hoop Earrings: A Versatile Classic

My love for iconic earring styles especially hoop earrings began when I was a preteen. My grandmother gave me my Christmas present that year, probably a sweater, and then she presented me with a smaller box. She said, "This is from your grandfather." I had never received a gift from just him before. I had a feeling it was really her but I opened up the tiny gift-wrapped box with its miniature bow and found a delicate pair of gold hoop earrings. I gasped.  Then I immediately put the beautiful hoops on and never looked back. I wore them almost daily for the next 6-7 years until I became obsessed with wearing pearl studs. Courtesy @unsplash.com @gabrieldizzi Fast forward a few decades and I still own the original pair of hoop earrings but now I have an array of styles, widths, designs, … [Read more...]