Lilac City Momma

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The Best Places to Visit in Georgia

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Whether you want to enjoy the busy city life or rest in the serenity of nature, Georgia can offer you both. While the majestic mountains and the sandy coastline set the beautiful outline of the country, the urban nature of the country will bring all the facilities to you. Besides natural beauty and modern amenities, the historic importance of the country is something that attracts tourists throughout the year. Try to book the Georgia tour package to get amazing deals. So, if you are planning for a vacation in Georgia, here are the places which must be on the top of your bucket list. Read on to know more

1. Tallulah Gorge

This amazing gorge is 1000 feet deep and it is also 2 miles long. Visiting Tallulah Gorge can be an exciting experience as there is 2700 acre Georgia State Park is located near the gorge. The breathtaking beauty of the place is remarkable as there are six waterfalls to visit. If you want to hike, here you can get the best experience. For the bikers, this is the best ground to roam around. For hiking and biking, you will need special permission.

2. Kazbegi

Don’t you have much time to explore the scenic beauty and the city of Georgia? Then, you can go to Kazbegi which is a famous high altitude retreat for the tourists and not very far from the city. Once you are here, you will be mesmerized by the snow-capped Great Caucasus Range that surrounds Kazbegi. Don’t forget to visit the Gergeti Trinity Church here that is 2000 m above sea level. You can also go hiking to experience the beauty of the mountains and glaciers at the Russian border.

3. Tbilisi

This is the town of Georgia where the traditional and old Georgia has beautifully amalgamated with the modern one. Located on the bank of Mtkvari River, this town has its historical importance. In the heart, there is old Tbilisi where you can visit the age-old Byzantine churches, traditional architecture of houses, timber balconies and so on.

4. Lullwater Park

Though the park is located in the middle of the city, you can enjoy complete serenity over there. The sound you can hear is only the rustling of trees and the blowing of the wind through the leaves. This nature park has everything in it. From the hiking trails to the hills, the open fields and the running water, the fish ponds and the bright sun have made the place perfect for spending a day and having a picnic.

5. Vardzia

If you are a history buff, Georgia won’t disappoint you at all. Being located at the gateway between Asia and Europe, Georgia has seen lots of invasions. To protect the country from the Mongols, Vardzia was built. It was a ‘cave village’ with 6000 separate grotto apartments, a church, irrigation system and special room for the queen. The stone structure has been destroyed by an earthquake. Still, visitors can see the ruins and several stone architectures and praise it.

So, these are only a few places in Georgia that will appeal to your traveler’s mind. Pack your bag now and have a great holiday in Georgia.

Prom Look Inspiration from the Most Iconic TV Shows and Movies in History

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For decades, television and film have been inspiring prom looks in young women around the world. Whether your style is classic or alternative, whether you’re looking for petite ensembles or plus size prom dresses, there’s no inspiration greater than the TV shows and movies that are known for some of the best and most unique looks in history.

I’m JJ’s House designer, Jessica, and my specialty is special occasion wear. If you’re in need of some prom dress inspiration, I’ve got you covered. I’m here to walk you through some of the greatest prom moments in television and film history so you can find a dress that makes you feel like a superstar.

80’s and 90’s Inspiration

Maybe you’re an old soul who’s really into 80’s and 90’s pop culture, or maybe your prom has a throwback theme. Whatever the case, there are some really unique prom looks from the TV shows and movies of yesteryear.

One of the most iconic dresses in 80’s film history comes from Pretty in Pink. The main character in the movie goes to prom in a pink polka dot and lace dress with a very unique cut. Off-the-shoulder puffy sleeves are paired with a lace halter-style neck and the whole thing is fitted but loose at the same time. It’s definitely a show-stopper.

The 1984 movie, Footloose, is full of inspiration, but one of the best in the prom scene is a loosely-fitted white dress with off-the-shoulder ruffles.

The prom episode of the hit 90’s TV show, Beverly Hills 90210, features a sexy off-the-shoulder black lace mermaid dress that will never go out of style.

Alternately, if you’re looking for a more casual, country-style dress, grab the look from Saved by the Bell and wear a fitted denim dress with black fringe.

The Current Trends

Some of today’s most popular shows and films have handed us glamorous, elegant and unique prom dresses to draw inspiration from. Whether you’re looking for something classic and chic or bold and adventurous, there’s a look for you on the big screen.

If you’re looking for a bold number that will keep all eyes on you, check out the prom look from Gossip Girl. The bold black gown with large gold print can’t be missed. Another elegant and bold number comes from Vampire Diaries. The red sleeveless ball gown is a timeless hit.

The OC featured two unique floral-inspired prom dresses that were a bit simpler than the gowns from Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries. One dress was fitted with floral print, while another was loose and ruffly with large flowers. She’s the Man featured another excellent chic piece with a fitted mint green satin gown with thin straps.

Whether you draw inspiration from the pink polka dots and lace in Pretty in Pink or the simple mint green gown from She’s the Man, you can make a grand entrance and be the belle of the ball in one of these head-turning TV- and movie-inspired pieces.

Why More Mom’s Should Consider Becoming Consultants

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Mothers today wear many hats; a chef, doctor, maid, negotiator, custodian, and many more. As a working mom, many hate the idea of leaving their little one in the care of someone else, but it has to be done at times. This is one of the many great reasons why moms should consider becoming consultants. Finding meaningful work that helps pay the bills, provides family, and lets you set your own hours is worth the leap. Years ago a mom had the choice of being at home with the kids or going to work. This is no longer the case. A mom can stay at home and still work. Plus, she can do what she loves doing while at home and enjoying her family. Why be a consultant?

Becoming a consultant has several branches under its umbrella. Reading over a general consultant job description can help you determine where to go. Do you love knitting? Become a knitting consultant. Cross-stitch? Become a cross-stitch consultant. Creating fancy table placements? You guessed it; become a consultant. The expertise that moms learn daily can be placed on paper to create a consulting business. Let’s explore why more moms should consider being a consultant and what consultants do.

Choose Who You Work with and When.

To start the list off, choosing when and whom to work with is important. If there is ever a conflict within your schedule, you are able to let your clients know that a particular day, time, or week will be limited in communication and consulting progress. The freedom to work remoting is a dream. Traveling to another country doesn’t hinder your business, and you can choose if you want to take the time off or continue to do business. Remote businesses work for today’s economy because business is being conducted online more and more each day.

Before landing your target clients, write down your goals for these clients. What are you wanting to accomplish with this business when it pertains to them? Ideas should be flooring the gates in your mind. There are literally thousands of ideas but choosing what you are most passionate about will fuel your drive for becoming a consultant. Once this step is down, another reason to become a consultant kicks in. It’s called income.

Increase Your Income.

This is a no-brainer for single or coupled moms. Single mothers will enjoy this work because it does put money in the bank and food on the table which is the biggest concern when it comes to working. Coupled mothers will enjoy the freedom and can keep themselves occupied if they no longer have young kids in the household or want to contribute to the household. Generating an income from your passion is a win-win situation for many. This is the opportunity to strategize and plan for others to help them excel in the industry you are knowledgeable about. The income and working when you want aspect brings us to another reason; work and home balance.

Have a Work and Home Balance.

A way to start stress-free when working and happy is to have great work and home balance. You know when you are going to work and everyone in the home respects that time. You have made it clear when you are not going to work and your clients respect that. Sometimes the latter can be iffy but not impossible.

This is a wonderful reason as well for why more moms should consider this profession. Moms can be there for all children activities instead of just one and can shout from the stands while working. There are no standard rules you need to follow when you start your own consulting business. You are the rule and have to hold yourself accounting for following your own rules. Sounds like a dream come true. Instead of fueling someone else’s business goals, fuel your own.

Conclusion

Regardless if you are a working mom or stay at home mom becoming a consultant is simple, will not empty your pockets, and will give you freedom when it comes to working. You can start a great profitable career today with a little research. You can start earning income within 30 days and it can be done on the side if you are working a full-time job. As mentioned before, search the internet for a consultant job description and what consultants do to give you insight if you have several ideas and need help narrowing your choice down.

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a climate change advocate and freelance writer.

Making Your Home Cozy

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If your dream is to turn your house into a warm, inviting haven for your loved ones, continue reading to discover a few invaluable tips on making your home feel safe and cozy.


Tips on making your home feel safe and cozy:

1. Place a candle in each room in your home

One way to instantly make your room seem cozier is to select a fragrant, decorative candle to place in each room in your home. As an example, if you love the idea of relaxing with a good book in bed, whilst it’s raining outside, it’s well worth displaying a chic candle in your bedroom. The ambiance and smell of the candle will help make your bedroom feel a little cozier.

Alternatively, if you enjoy hosting friends and family members in your family lounge, you’ll also be able to make your lounge a little cozier by lighting a candle, which you can display in your choice of decorative candleholder. As an added idea, if your family members or friends have favorite scents, it’s well worth getting into the habit of lighting their favorite scents, when they visit your home.

2. Invest in a high-quality throw blanket to drape over your sofa or chaise’s armrest

As cozy rooms and homes feature warm fabrics, it’s well worth draping a high-quality, cozy throw blanket over either your primary sofa’s armrest or the art rest of your stylish chaise. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong opting for a faux fur or mink blanket, which will provide you and your family will plenty of warmth, during the long cold winter months.

If you have kids, you can even surprise each child with their very own throw which they can use in your family lounge or media room.

3. Invest in an L shaped sofa so that you can sit closer to your loved ones

Another way to make a lounge feel much cozier and social is to invest in purchasing an L shaped sofa which will allow you to sit much closer to your loved ones. Which will also make your room feel much more inviting and cozy.

4. Consider purchasing velvet decor and furniture items

As velvet decor items are incredibly soft to touch and provide added warmth, it’s well worth using carefully selected velvet decor and furniture items, in order to transform your house into a cozy home. As examples, items which you may want to consider placing around your home include velvet throw pillows, velvet blankets, velvet ottomans, and velvet chaises.

If you’re on a budget, the simplest way to add a few velvet touches to your home is to purchase a few inexpensive throw pillows, which you can use to adorn your sofas and chaises.

5. Paint your walls warm colors

White walls can often make rooms look colder than they are, so if you want to create the illusion of warmth, it’s well worth considering painting your home’s walls yellow, beige or orange, instead of white.

So what are you waiting for? There’s no better time than the present to work on turning your house into a safe and cozy place. It is your place to kick back and relax after a long day of work. Remember to also protect your home with home insurance as this will add to the feeling of comfort and protection.

Top Tips To Help You Cope With A Fussy Eater

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It is normal to be very frustrated when you have spent time preparing a meal and your toddler simply refuses to eat it. Approximately 90% of children go through at least one lengthy phase of fussy eating. Eating habits and tastes are formed at an early stage therefore it is important to offer a variety of foods from the start. Learning to eat is like any other learning process, it takes time. While it can be very annoying when your child rejects the food we prepare for them, their eating habits are hugely influenced by our reaction to the situation.

Don’t get emotional

This sounds easy in theory, but actually the practice of it is very hard.  Usually by the time parents look for help about their child’s “fussy feeding” the patterns of conflict are well established and parents’ stress levels about food have usually soared to serious heights. If arguing with your child about eating or not eating has become a battle of wills, then you are probably finding that it’s one of the few areas where your child’s will is prevailing. Children realise very soon that there are few things they can control, one is what goes into their mouth and the other is what comes out. Children if left alone will regulate their own food intake to ensure that they are not left hungry and they will in general get enough energy to live, grow and move.

It is understandable that eating habits are worrying for parents, however it is important to park up emotions at mealtime. All parents become anxious when their children do not eat properly. Don’t pander to a restricted diet, instead offer a variety of balanced meals.

Try and develop a daily routine of three meals and two snacks around your toddlers sleeping pattern. Your child will then know when to expect food. This will also encourage your child to eat, depending on the age of your child, you might want to explain to your child  that you are no longer going to feed them, allow 15 -20 min for each meal and take the plate away  even if the plate is not empty. Praise your child when he eats well or tries something new and try hiding your frustrations. This may mean that you have to ignore some behaviour.

There is no magic solution to fixing a fussy feeder, especially if the pattern has been going on for some time. It takes a lot of patience and consistency to ensure parents turn the situation around.  Once you decide to take control stick with it.

Knowledge of child growth and development will allay anxieties for parents. Young children vary in what and how much they are willing to eat. This unpredictability is due in part to their inconsistency about independence, and eating is an area where they can act out this confusion. So don’t be surprised if your child eats a large plate of food one day and practically nothing the next, loves parsnip on Monday and refuses it on Friday, will self-feed at one meal and wishes to be feed in the evening. Try to simply “go with the flow” and don’t take your fussy feeders habits too personally.

Relax

Children sometime between their second and third birthday become set in their ideas on just about everything, including the way food is prepared. Expect food fixations i.e. cheese first and then a slice of ham in a sandwich. Don’t see this as being stubborn. Toddlers have a fixation about the order of things in their world.

Food refusal is a normal phase that most toddlers pass through. Fear of new foods in the second year may be a survival mechanism to prevent increasingly mobile toddlers from poisoning themselves through eating anything and everything. Toddlers may limit the variety of foods they eat. This phase will normally pass without too much fuss but it may last for a few years and be more visible in some toddlers than in others. Your child may refuse food if it is new. Remember they need to taste it a few times to learn to like (up to 10 times) so offer it the next time you are eating it. Some children eat less than other children of a similar age. If your child is growing and developing normally then it is most likely that he or she is taking the right quantity of food for his or her own needs. Don’t just look at the daily intake but look on previous week. It may be helpful to keep a food diary, you may be surprised at the amount of food your child actually takes.

Stay positive and focus on enjoying healthier options, and don’t dwell too much about the unhealthier choices.  The important thing to remember with any changes is to try and persist with them; it can take up to 10 times before you succeed.  The more frequently children can try healthier foods, the more likely they will eat them – but discuss and compromise a little as this is also part of role modelling a healthy approach.

Explore the Laya Healthcare site for more information on family health insurance cover options or to get a health insurance quote online today.