Cheap Halloween Costumes

With Halloween only a few days away, you probably fall within one of two categories. You planned your costume for weeks and can’t wait to show it off. Or else, you have waited till the last minute and have no idea for a costume. Luckily, you came to the right place. Read onto find out about cheap costume ideas that you can pull off in a manner of hours.
Before we begin, I need to give credit to the following website for the great costume ideas that I will use in this blog: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. First there is the traditional white ghost costume. All you need to do is to get a white sheet and cut holes it in for the eyes and nose. Add a little bit of lipstick and even an accessory around your neck. A trendy ghost has been born!
If you don’t like the ghost costume, then how about a clown. All you need is some oversize clothing and an inexpensive wig. Don’t forget to decorate the clothing using markers or fabric paint. You can use tissues to stuff any extra space in the clothing. The old clothing idea also can be perfect for a scarecrow costume. A pair of old jeans and a large flannel shirt are all you need. Let some straw hang out of your clothing, get a big hat and you are all set.
An American tourist is also a great idea. Women can wear a cute floral dress with lots of color and guys can wear a bright Hawaiian shirt in a bold print. Don’t forget to carry around lots of maps and a camera. You will definitely get lots of attention in this costume.
The last two ideas are a hippy or Miss America. For the hippie costume, you just need some clothing with fringes or tie dye and a pair of light colored sun glasses. For the Miss America costume, all you need is an old formal dress and homemade glittery sash. Put it all together with a $.99 crown and you are all ready to be the life of the party.
Well those are just a sample of some cheap costume ideas that you can create at home. Find more at the website listed above. Until next time, Happy Halloween!!

Safe Alternatives to Trick or Treating

Previously in blog land, we gave you advice on how to decorate your home for Halloween on a budget and pick out a cool homemade costume. But where can you go to trick or treat. You might live in a neighborhood where you feel uncomfortable walking around at night. Well there a lot of safe alternatives to traditional trick or treating. Read on to find out more information.
Gainesville is full of great places for young kids and kids at heart. All you need is a costume and a smile. Get ready to have a good time at these events.
1. Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks- This event is on Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s organized by the Panhellenic council and allows kids and college students to have fun trick or treating at the sorority and fraternity houses. Lots of candy and games will be available. There will also be a costume contest for children and adults.
2. Trunk or Treat and Halloween Celebration - Thursday, October 28th 6-8PM – This is another free event. Kids can wear a costume and get candy from cool decorated trunks. Don’t forget about the costume contest. This will take place at UMC 9501 SW Archer Road.
3. Historic Halloween Haunt- Friday, October 29 The children’s tour begins at 6 p.m. and adult tour begins at 7. Matheson Museum will host a reception of food, drink, and Halloween-themed fun with the Halloween Haunted Homes Tour through historic Gainesville to discover the murky and mired past of our quaint southern town. Two tours, one for children and one for young adults and adults, will include costumed docents to enlighten our guests with scary stories from the past of north central Florida.
4. Publix Supermarkets will hold trick or treating events from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Kids under 12 will have the opportunity to get in costume and get free candy from all of the different departments.
5. Boo at the Zoo- 3:30- 7:00 p.m. on Halloween Day- This is a great annual event for kids of all ages. Admission is free with the donation of one canned good. The whole zoo is decorated with spooky themes and lots of lights. Student zookeepers will hand out about 92,000 pieces of candy at 12 different candy stations located throughout the zoo. The only modification is that the event will be moved outside because of a newborn baby gibbon.
Well that is just a sample of the safe Halloween events taking place in Gainesville. For more information check out the following Websites:
http://events.gainesville.com/gainesville-fl/events/trick+or+treating+in+gainesville
http://www.examiner.com/family-entertainment-in-gainesville/trick-or-treating-around-gainesville?render=print
Happy Halloween!!

Cheap Halloween Decorating Ideas

Halloween is just around the corner. You have probably been bombarded by your friends with questions about your costume idea or invitations to Halloween parties. But if you are like most college students, you are on a budget and can’t afford to spend of ton of money on Halloween. That is ok because this two part series will provide you advice on how to enjoy Halloween on a budget. Don’t be scared! Read on!
The first piece of advice is to keep it simple. Next use your creativity to make simple into your own unique creations. Then sit back and allow people to admire your work. Let’s start with the traditional Halloween pumpkin. A good sized pumpkin costs under $20 and there are hundreds of ways to make it into your own design. Websites such as pumpkin carving.com teach you about carving tools and basically have lots of designs for your pumpkin which is now a Jack O’ Lantern. This will most likely be the centerpiece of your Halloween set up.
Now let’s make your Jack O Lantern even more elaborate by adding some lights. Try buying some inexpensive dark colored candles with some Halloween themed candle holders. They make great table decorations as well.
Crepe paper is a great investment to make lots of spooky designs. Fake blood is also inexpensive and easy to obtain at local discount stores. You also might want to purchase some spider webs and scary music CD’s to create a scary atmosphere. For those who want to go the extra mile, you can use wood to build your own coffin and buy a dummy to put inside there. Don’t forget to make your own tombstones and use black for all table decorations to create a scary effect.
Well now that you are ready to create a scary Halloween house or party, you might be still searching for the perfect costume. Come back next week and find out how to choose and design the perfect Halloween outfit. For more information on today’s topic, visit www.halloween-website.com/decorating.htm. Until next time, happy costume hunting!

Volunteer Series Part 1: Shands at UF

Previously in blog land, we took an in depth look at volunteering, its benefits and opportunities in Gainesville. This week we will expand on that by taking an in depth look at some of the opportunities available. Our first stop will be Shands at UF. Read on to find out how easy it is to get involved and some great departments that need help.
First you need to visit Shands website and fill out an online application. Next, take the online quiz. After that, make sure you have a copy of your immunization records and TB test. Lastly, just fill out the form with a date and time that works for your placement interview. College students are placed at the beginning of each semester or three times a year. Adults are placed at anytime throughout the year.
Opportunities
There are a wide range of opportunities in the Children’s hospital ranging from a playroom volunteer to a childbirth lactation class helper. One of the volunteer opportunities that stood out in my mind is the NICU cuddlers. NICU cuddlers hold premature babies and help with other nursery duties. Being a new mom, I understand how important close contact is for newborns so this is a very special and important volunteer opportunity.
If kids are not your thing, then you might find your calling helping adult patients. You can devote your time to the brain tumor team, cardiovascular unit and liver transplant unit. These opportunities give you a behind the scenes look at different medical specialties. Most of the volunteers perform administrative functions and get an inside view of the ongoing research and clinical trials in these fields.
Other opportunities include lab work, direct patient care, nursing, pharmacy and radiology. You can test drive a career as a nurse or work as a Heart mender providing emotional support to patients and their families with heart disease. Another volunteer position that stood out in my mind was the No one dies alone program. Volunteers can provide emotional support while sitting with a dying patient.
Last but not least, you can volunteer in other areas at Shands like the gift shop. There are also separate opportunities at the Shands cancer hospital.
Well, that was a lot of information. If you are interested in medicine, I am sure that you will be filling out the Shands volunteer application today. But if medicine does not interest you, wait till next week and we will look at educational volunteer opportunities. Stay tuned!!

Holiday Gift Cards: One Size Really Does Fit All

Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner. The holidays bring lots of parties, delicious food, family gatherings and of course presents. But the worst part of the holidays is figuring out the best presents to give. It can be a big challenge because people don’t want to receive a tie or a toaster. You might be surprised to find out that there is a very simple solution to the holiday dilemma: the gift card! Read onto find out more about the power of the gift card and universal happiness among recipients.
Gift cards are perfect because it allows your recipient to get what they want. There are many different options for gift cards. Let’s look at a few of them.
1. Traditional Store Bought Gift Card-
For any of us who are not tech savvy or just don’t want to bother with the internet, you can purchase gift cards at virtually any store out there. Some good options are Wal-Mart, Walgreens, JC Penny and Target. Gift cards for restaurants like Applebee’s and the Olive Garden are perfect for students who can’t afford to take their significant other out to dinner. Don’t forget movie gift cards as well! Locations such as Wal-Mart and Publix make it super easy to purchase them for a wide variety of locations like Macys and Chills.
2. Online Gift Cards- For those of you, who love the internet, check out www.giftcertificates.com. You can purchase wide range of gift cards with a simple mouse click. You can even get a person an e-gift card so they never have to leave the house. One of my favorite e gift cards is amazon.com which comes right to your inbox and can even have a personalized message.
Well now you know all about gift cards, I am happy to have alleviated some of your holiday stress. Now it’s time to figure out what you want. Let me think, how about a gift card!

Make a Difference in Your Community and Get a New Lease on Life: Volunteer-

If you are like the majority of college students, then when you have some free time, you probably feel bored. With the responsibilities of marriage, children and a career far off in the future, you might be wondering what I can do to pass this free time which will benefit me in the future. Well it’s called volunteerism. It helps you make a difference in your community and your own life. Want to get started? Read on to find out more.
Before we talk about the wide range of different volunteer opportunities in Gainesville, let’s take a brief look at the reasons why people volunteer. The most common reason is to give back to your community. Other reasons include developing new skills, obtain career experience, building self esteem or just expanding your horizons. Volunteering puts you in contact with lots of different people from all walks of life which can help you to develop a new set of friends.
Now let’s look at some local opportunities where you can get involved today.
1. Shands at UF- Are you interested in a career in medicine or would you just like to spend some time helping sick children or adults? Then volunteering at Shands might be the perfect opportunity for you. Shands has a wide range of volunteer opportunities available depending on your area of interest. Some of the current opportunities include being a cuddler in the NICU, assisting with childbirth classes and working with cancer patients.
2. Alachua County Public Schools- If education is your thing, then you might want to volunteer at an Alachua county public school. There are opportunities for classroom assistants, tutors and preschool readers.
3. Alachua County Library- Calling all bookworms out there! If you love reading, then volunteering at the library might be a good idea for you. There are opportunities to help reshelf books, be a homework helper and assist with special event planning/services.
4. Gainesville Pet Rescue- Animal lovers might enjoy working with this organization. Opportunities include cat cuddling, dog walking and adoption counseling.
5. Harn Museum of Art- If you have an appreciation for art or just like hanging out at a museum, check out these opportunities. Volunteers are needed to be docents or tour guides, translators, customer service, event hosting, family services and much more.
Well we have only scratched the surface when it comes to volunteer opportunities in Gainesville. Be sure to visit http://gainesvillevolunteer.com for a more comprehensive list. Stay tuned because next time we will take a more in depth look at the volunteer application process and specific opportunities that are available. Our volunteer journey will continue at Shands. Until next time, get out and make a difference in your community, volunteer today!

The Generation Gap:Different Times Different Trends

Recently on the smokinggun.com, a Memphis man shot a teenager because he refused to pull his pants up. The man was irritated that the teen and his friend insisted on walking around dressed in an inappropriate manner. But is this improper dress just a trend that is followed by today’s teenagers? What if it were the other way around and this 45 year old were dressed in a denim jacket and acid washed jeans. These items are not popular articles of clothing in today’s society so a young teenager could have attacked him for the same reason. Now let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the trends of the decades.
We will begin our journey in the 1950’s. During the 50’s, rock and roll music was popular. Elvis Presley was one of the leading rocking and roll stars. Jazz music was also part of the 1950’s music trends. Girls wore poodle and pencil skirts. The leather jacket was the most have fashion trend of this decade for guys. Fast forward ahead to the 1960’s and we have the mini skirt. Other fashion trends included bell bottom pants and platform shoes. Many women abandoned pantyhose in order to make their miniskirts look more attractive. Music during the 1960’s was part of the psychedelic era. Bands such as the Byrds and Bob Dylan believed in the “freedom to create”. They used drugs to empower them to write better songs.
The 1970’s was a time that soft and pop rock became popular. Bands such as The Carpenters and The Eagles. There was also progressive rock, punk rock, hard rock and heavy metal. Fashion trends of the 70’s were the bell bottom pants, turtleneck shirts and sideburns for men. In the 1980’s, heavy metal continued to be popular. There was also the beginning of music videos on MTV. Famous artists including Michael Jackson and Madonna. Leggings, pastel colors and jean jackets were some of the fashion trends.
Moving right along, the 90s was dominated by teen pop. Popular artists included Britney Spears, NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. Bleached blonde hair, the wonder bra and hair styles from the set of Friends were in vogue. The new Millennium brought the rise of VHI and more teen pop stars from American Idol. Fashion trends included baggy jeans, flannel tops and stonewashed jeans. Let’s not forget the cell phone which has also become a major fashion accessory.
So what lies ahead for this decade? Will guys return to the days of sideburns or leather or jackets or will pants falling down still be popular among teens? Only time will tell, but history usually repeats itself so hang onto that leather coat for now!

Going Organic: What you need to know

Walk into any supermarket and you are sure to find an all natural or organic section. Mother Earth is the ultimate all natural and organic supermarket. It’s located within walking distance of the University of Florida. There are also some great organic and all natural options on campus and in the Reitz Union. But what does organic mean? Is it necessary to go totally organic or do just certain foods and products need to be organic? Read on to find out more.
Organic means free from pesticides. Pesticides can not only harm you but they also do damage to the environment. It also supports local farmers who are growing organic produce and is healthier for you. Unfortunately, organic food is more expensive. For a college student on a budget, it would not always be your first choice. But if you want to be healthier, you can buy organic varieties of the following twelve fruits and vegetables: celery, pears, nectarines, apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries, potatoes, imported grapes, bell peppers and red raspberries. Over 65% of the non organic varieties that were tested contain pesticides.
On the other hand, it’s perfectly fine to purchases non organic asparagus, broccoli, calflour, bananas, avocado, corn, kiwi, mangos, sweet peas, pineapple and papaya. These fruits and vegetables tend to have a thicker skin and do not absorb pesticides as well as the others on the other list. If you want to be extra careful about pesticides, you can purchase organic dairy products like milk.
Well now that you have all of the information about organic products, your homework assignment is to come visit me at Mother Earth! Happy pesticide free shopping! See you there! For more information on organic foods, visit about.com/gourmet foods and the dailygreen.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What you need to know

According to the CDC, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the number one killer in Hispanic women. It’s usually more common in older women but can affect women of any age. Men can get breast cancer as well. So you might be wondering why we are covering this topic. Well October happens to be breast cancer awareness month and there is a lot you need to know about preventing breast cancer and helping others.
Every year in October the American Cancer Society holds a walk called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. This event helps to raise money for cancer research to help find a cure for breast cancer and educate others about prevention. This year’s walk will take place at the Hippodrome on Saturday October 23, 2010. There are many opportunities for individuals to get involved in fundraising activities. On October 1st, there was a campaign started in Gainesville called paint the town pink which kicked off the series events leading up to the breast cancer walk. Some other upcoming fundraising events are a Ben and Jerry’s fundraiser, Bank Day at Sun Trust and a fashion show at the Salon Academy.
The best way to get involved is just by making a simple donation to the American cancer society. By donating as little as five dollars, you are helping to fund breast cancer research and support a walker. There is also a cool contest for a 64 gallon pink trash can from the city which you can enter simply by donating $5.
Now onto another topic, prevention. The best way to prevent breast or any other cancer is through early detection. It is important that women perform monthly self exams and visit their doctors for a yearly breast exam. Mammograms are recommended for a women over age 40 but earlier for those with a history of breast cancer.
Another informative day in blogland. Until next time, keep helping the fight against breast cancer! Every little bit helps toward the cure!

Behind the Success: The History of Facebook

According to Facebook statistics, there were 500 million active users in July of 2010. A recent study by Compete.com, ranked Facebook as the most used social network beating out MySpace. Whether you are a college student, business owner or just a stay at home mom, chances are you are part of the Facebook phenomenon. But you might be wondering, how Facebook get started and what are all of the available features. Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions.
Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg as a sophomore at Harvard University. Mark created a social networking site which enabled users to rate the attractiveness of fellow students. But in order to get this information, he needed to hack into the University’s computer system to get private dorm images. Mark got in trouble with the University for hacking into their computer system. But the charges were dropped and he was able to finish up the creation of this social networking site which happened to be part of a class project.
Soon, the Facebook phenomenon was born. Originally, only Harvard University students were allowed to join. In the first month, more than half of the undergraduate students were members. Soon Facebook expanded to all Ivy League schools like New York University. In September 2005, a version was created for high school students and in 2006 membership on Facebook was open to anyone 13 years of age or older who had a valid email address. The success of Facebook became blatant when Microsoft purchased shares for $240 million making it worth $15 billion dollars.
Now that our history lesson is over, let’s talk about some of Facebook features. Facebook provides users with the opportunity to make friends. You can share photos, personal information, and communicate through private and public messages. Public messages are written on a person’s wall while private messages can go directly to the person or take place through the chat features. You can also share certain likes which can be anything from a person’s photo album to a favorite retail store.
Wow! That was a lot of information that I jammed into this short blog. More information on this topic can be found on Wikipedia.com. Its time for me to take a break and change my own Facebook status. Until next time, see you on Facebook!