Dix Hills February 2023
Commack February 2023
5 Personalized Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day
Are you ready to celebrate Galentine’s Day on February 13? Originating from a 2010 episode of the popular TV show, “Parks and Recreation,” Galentine’s Day celebrates some of the most important relationships in our lives: our girlfriends. Over a decade later, the now-official holiday has skyrocketed in popularity. Here are tips on celebrating your gal pals with personalized touches.
1. Batch of Baked Goods. Food is the way to most anyone’s heart, especially when its homemade. Test a new recipe of your gal pal’s favorite dessert; or decorate cakes, cookies or cupcakes with icing in her favorite colors. No matter what you make, the extra effort will show just how much you care.
2. Creative Customized Cards. Everyone knows that gals love a sappy, pull-on-your-heartstrings letter or card. And you can up your card-sending game with a more personalized approach that resonates with the recipient. With the continued evolution of digital greetings, SmashUps and Creatacard from American Greetings have made it easier than ever to create a card just as special and unique as your individual friendships.
Specific friendship-themed ecards include creative options like talking animals or tacos, messages from celebrities, animated folded digital greetings celebrating your “girl gang” and more! They’re sure to entertain, surprise and delight your friends.
SmashUps are smile-inducing, shareable videos that can be highly personalized in a variety of ways, including adding their name or a message into the audio and graphics. With Creatacard, users can replicate the best parts of the offline card-sending experience without the hassle of printing, addressing and postage. In a few easy steps, you can create, personalize and sign your favorite digital cards, then send them to your girlfriends in their preferred way of receiving messages, such as email, text, through a messaging app or social post. Or, print your card from home if the moment calls for that. For that little extra something special, you can even add a gift card.
3. BYOB – Build Your Own Brunch. Brunch is all about spending time together, catching up on life, laughing until your stomach hurts…and of course the plentiful food and drinks. Hosting your Galentine’s Day brunch at home can make for a more cost-effective and customized experience—no reservations required! Make it interesting (and easier for the host) by asking each gal to bring her favorite brunch dish or drink to share, or by prepping and cooking dishes together, all while toasting with a festive mimosa, Bloody Mary or unique mocktail.
4. Mixology with a Twist. If your group of gals is more of an evening crowd, request that each friend brings her own batch of cocktails or mocktails and a snack that follow a given theme. Whether it’s an era (Roaring 20s), a hit movie, a popular show, or one that draws from personal experience, like the “represent your ex” trend on TikTok, the more festive the theme, the more fun the party. You can even tie it all together with an activity, like spa treatments or game night, or dress the part as well.
5. Get Posh with Polaroids. Whatever you choose for you Galentine’s get-together, be sure to capture the moment. And while we love selfies and Insta pics, Polaroids can make cute and creative keepsakes. Whether you’re at home or out on the town, the charming aesthetic and instant gratification of seeing your photo masterpiece is bound to make everyone smile.
While Galentine’s Day started with fictional characters eating waffles at brunch, there are so many personal, intimate ways to celebrate the very real friendships in your life and create long-lasting memories.
(StatePoint)
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Kar-Tr / iStock / Big Stock Photos
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
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Perfect for the couple who measures love in destinations and memories rather than years. The Adventure Challenge Scrapbook includes a retro reel viewer to recap all your trips, conversation pint glasses, and a scratch map. This will keep the date nights fun and exciting…what’s a better gift than that? (uncommongoods.com $130)
Comfort is key, and The Comfy will prove that point. Throw on The Comfy whether you are working from home or just lounging around, and you will never want to take it off. The perfect item to add to your wardrobe these winter months. (amazon.com $54.99)
This is the perfect addition to your skin care routine and daily practice of self-love. Throw on the 24k Gold Eye Masks, sit back and relax after a long day of work. They will leave your skin glowing and looking youthful. (amazon.com $24.99)
Hug Around The Neck Double Sided Pillow is the perfect décor piece, as well as a display of your love for one another. These will make your bedroom or den feel even more cozy. Made of burlap, cotton, and polyester blend and measures 16’’x16’’. (redbarnboutiqueny.com $39)
This beautiful custom necklace is the perfect sentimental gift for Valentines day. Customize the date and location to where and when you and your significant other fell in love as the background behind this Love Knot Necklace by OpalAndSilver. It is made with 14k white gold over stainless steel with an adjustable cable chain. You can choose between the standard box or a mahogany style box. (etsy.com/shop/OpalAndSilver $60-$80)
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume will have you smelling like a fresh summer day with the floral and fruity blend. Available on Dolce & Gabbana, Amazon, Kohls, Sephora. ($31-150)
♥♥ for HIM ♥♥
For the traveler, whether for fun or business, we have the perfect gift. This Water-Resistant Embroidered Garment Bag will be an essential luggage piece from now on. (personalizationamall.com $94.99)
This personalized dartboard will for sure hit the bullseye and be the perfect addition to any man cave. Includes six steel-tipped darts, chalkboard and chalk, mounting hardware and hanging instructions. (mancrates.com $150)
Everyone needs a good cologne and Bleu de chanel Eau de Toilette ($90) is the perfect choice. The scent of dry cedar and grapefruit gives off a mix of strength and elegance. Available in 1.7oz, 3.4oz, and 5oz.
For the outdoorsy guy whether it is hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, etc., the Veitorld Survival Gear and Equipment kit will come in handy. It includes a wire saw, water bottle clip, emergency blanket, flint stone scraper, flashlight, credit card, a multi-use spoon/fork and a waterproof box. (amazon.com $36.99)
For the athletic one who always has sore muscles. A massage gun will be very useful and beneficial. Each massage gun has different levels of intensity and multiple attachments for each body part, such as your neck, legs, arms, etc. They can be found at Walmart, amazon, target, etc.
Who doesn’t love a box of chocolates? Share the love this valentine’s day with a decadent box of Max Brenners 18-piece Chocolate Love Story Pralines. (simplychocolate.com $34.99)
Big Game EATS
The Big Game is just around the corner and the local sports bars are ready for you! No matter what team you are rooting for, these local spots will welcome you with some of the best food and drinks, surrounded by great company.
Changing Times American Sports Bar & Grille
East Northport, Bayshore, Farmingdale
Not only are there over 48 TVs to assure you can watch the game wherever you are seated, but great drink specials and delicious apps, including their famous wings that you must try!
The Rust & Gold
70 Gerard St., Huntington
The Rust & Gold is not your typical bar scene. They have arcade games and table games like Jenga and shuffleboard to play while you hang out. Their drink specials and large variety of local and craft beers, makes it a fun spot to watch the big game with a group of friends.
Aroogas Grille House & Sports Bar
1 West Main St., Patchogue
Be sure to hit up Aroogas on Sundays. During every game, they offer food and drink specials to fill you up without breaking the bank. While watching the game on one of their 100+ TV’s, don’t forget to try their world-famous wings – offered in flavors like sudden death, ghost face killa, smoked chipotle, general tso’s and many more!
The Nutty Irishman
323 Main St., Farmingdale
Thursday and Sunday Football nights at the Nutty Irishman is the place to be. They will be offering $25 buckets, which includes: 4 domestic beers and a bucket of wings. Take advantage and indulge while watching the game on one of their many TV’s scattered throughout the bar.
Napper Tandy’s
Northport, Smithtown, Bay Shore
Napper Tandy’s is a cozy and inviting atmosphere with all kinds of specials for the big game. To name a few, there are $9 Jack Daniels pints, $20 Bud Light buckets, and even food specials too. The Giants Steak Sandwich and the Jets Buffalo Chicken Flatbread are a must try.
Love Your Look This Valentine’s Day
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With the arrival of the new year, the next fun holiday to celebrate is Valentine’s Day! A fluffy, romantic festival, Valentine’s Day is enjoyed through playful outings with loved ones. You can do an expensive meal or quaint walk with a scenic view; whatever best fits your desires. Either way, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to put together an outfit that will dazzle your partner. Consider some of the suggestions below when picking out your perfect ensemble this year.
Red and pink are the major colors of this holiday. Accents of white, black, and gold are great alternative options that still match the overall color scheme. Finding a way to incorporate one of these colors into your outfit might give you a more festive feel!
Heart details are another great way to incorporate a holiday element into your outfit. If you are having a quiet night, there are plenty of sweaters with heart patterns or embroideries to consider wearing. Heart necklaces or earrings are another option! A heart-shaped locket for example, or a simple ribbon choker with a heart pendant would be two chic options. On a similar note, the Georgian Lover’s Eye is a unique, vintage option. This 18th century, English jewelry trend features wearing a ring or pendant with your lover’s eye painted onto the surface. A romantic gesture to dazzle your loved one on Valentine’s Day and you get to keep the item!
Needing a new outfit this Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to shop the post-winter holiday sales! You can find a beautiful new item heavily discounted. Keep an eye out for eyelet lace and satin, as they are both particularly festive fabrics! If you are thinking of wearing a dress but do not want to go shopping, dig through your closet to see if you have a bubble-hemmed dress from the early 2010s. This trend is set to come back in full force this year. If you were more into bohemian back in the day, handkerchief hems are also back in fashion! Wearing these old hits are a great way to recycle an old dress while still looking trendy.
For jewelry, something delicate like pearl earrings or something flashy like a cuff bracelet will round off your outfit nicely. Pearl or mother of pearl jewelry will add a flirty shimmer, whereas a cuff bracelet in a bright color or gold will offer a more playful note. If you are attending a fancy event, try long, dangly earrings for easy elegance.
Whatever you wear this Valentine’s Day, make sure it makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. Dress up for the occasion or dress in festive garb. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed!
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Tips to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh
- There’s no need to spend money on expensive “flower food”; a bit of regular white sugar will do the same trick. If you have a bouquet that came with packets of food from the florist, you can feel comfortable putting half a packet into the vase every 3-4 days.
- Just before placing the bouquet in water, freshly cut each stem on an angle, approximately 1” up from the bottom. This ensures whatever sealing occurred in the stem naturally is removed, and water uptake can begin anew.
- Remove some or all of the leaves that’ll be below the water line. This will keep the water fresher and longer.
- Keeping the vase water fresh is key to extending the life of your bouquet. Change the water every 3-4 days and be sure to rinse the stems to remove any organic matter that may have started to break down.
- When harvesting blooms from the garden, ensure the stem is long enough so that you have enough length for 3-4 trimmings. To arrange the flowers in a vase, keep in mind how it’ll look from all sides. The tallest stems should be placed towards the center, with shorter stems on the outer edges. Try mixing and matching flower types, sizes, and colors. There are combinations to suit every home aesthetic, space size, and color scheme. A few blooms can truly brighten up your home!
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