1800flowers for Mother's Day

It seems like Mother’s Day always sneaks up on us. This is probably because we are so busy enjoying Spring that we forget about the upcoming holiday. That’s not really the case for me this year. Appropriately coinciding with Mother’s Day this year, will be the birth of my second child. So, needless to say, the approaching Mother’s Day has not escaped my notice.


My mother deserves a HUGE “Thank You” this year for all of the help she’s given me while I’ve been pregnant. It is a lot different the second time around when you have a child that needs your attention, but all you want to do is sit and take the weight off your aching back. Making dinner, doing dishes, mopping the floor… Mom—you are just the best! Take a break on Mothers Day and have a cup of tea with the Spring to a Tea gift from 1800flowers.com.

Next on my list, I’d like to congratulate my little sister on becoming a new mother….of an adorable miniature pinscher puppy named Penny. She’s already a Mama’s girl, so it is only fitting that I present my sis with this lovely Paw Prints and Sweet Treats Tote from 1800flowers.com. It includes Cookies and Cream “Bark”. That is just too cute!

Entertainers for Adults

Do you remember how amazed you were the first time you saw a magician pull a quarter out of your ear? Just because you know the secret now, it doesn’t mean you can’t recapture some of your youth with the help of a professional. While clowns have long been thought of as a staple at birthday parties, entertainers are not just for children’s events anymore.

Some professionals are an obvious fit. A DJ is a necessity at a large picnic as they can not only provide music, but can act as an emcee and keep all activities on schedule. Comedy acts go over well at all types of adult parties.

When planning your event, ask yourself how an entertainer could also help add drama to your party. Consider hiring a hypnotist or a fortune teller for a Halloween party. A face painter could add extra spirit to a tail gate party by decorating guests with mascots and team slogans. A clown could liven up an over-the-hill or retirement party by playing jokes on the guest of honor. Hire a lounge singer to croon at your casino night. A magician could catch the attention of potential clients at your next grand opening. A balloon artist could add a fun twist at a New Year’s Eve bash. Use a juggler to help illustrate your point at a team-building event. Or, treat your employees by hiring a massage therapist at the next corporate retreat.

The next time you plan an adult event, show your guests that you still have tricks up your sleeve and don’t forget the entertainment.

Birthdays on a Budget

Gone are the days of the small family birthday with Grandma taking photos while little Jimmy blew out his candles and opened a couple of presents. Today’s parents want their children’s parties to be exciting, different and special. Those who can afford it, often turn to high-paid event planners to make their party stand out. MTV’s reality show, My Super Sweet 16, chronicles the planning of such events where elite teen’s parents might spend tens of thousands of dollars on a single party.

Of course, the average citizen can’t afford to spend that much on a child’s party and the event planning industry has certainly been hit hard by the recession. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan a unique party for your child on a budget.

Start with a theme. Does your 8 year-old enjoy carnivals? Rent some inexpensive games like Milk Bottle Toss and Skee Ball from a party company and throw an old-fashioned carnival in your back yard. Set up a popcorn machine and hire a clown to entertain the children.

Or perhaps you have a “101 Dalmatians” fan. Let the kids eat their bone-shaped cookies and “puppy chow” mix out of dog bowls and hire a face painter to make them look like little canines. Allow them to decorate their own “collars” and set up a rousing game of Red Rover.

Once you’ve settled on a theme, look around the house for things that inspire you. Many ordinary house-hold objects can be repurposed to entertain children. Try to think like your child. That tub of mismatched beads and buttons can be used with pipe cleaners and curling ribbon to make fairy headbands. Get creative and your child’s next birthday could be the talk of the neighborhood.

The History of Moonwalks

Moonwalks have come a long way since their birth over 50 years ago. Creator John Scurlock of Shreveport, Louisiana could hardly have imagined the popularity his simple air cushion would have half a century later. Scurlock was a mechanical engineer and inventor of the inflatable rescue pad used by fire fighters to catch victims jumping from tall buildings. In 1959, Scurlock’s employees found his inflatable tennis court cover to be more fun when bounced on. This inspired Scurlock to create an inflatable floor specifically for recreational purposes, and birthday parties haven’t been the same since. Scurlock was a former NASA employee and there is no doubt that the world’s obsession with walking on the moon at that time helped launch the “Space Walk” in its initial introduction into the marketplace. However, it is the simplistic joy these inflatables inspire that has kept the world’s interest and earned the moonwalk a place in popular culture history.

Today, the industry has grown to include inflatable marketing, obstacle courses, interactive games, water slides, and hundreds of variations on the “moonwalk” or “bounce house.” These popular rentals are staples not only at children’s birthday parties, but city fairs, company picnics, school events and corporate team-building workshops. Designs range from simple colors on a square bounce house for five children to elaborate inflatable obstacle courses featuring a forty foot tall Tyrannosaurus Rex. So, the next time you find yourself whizzing down a 36 foot tall inflatable space shuttle slide, remember this attraction’s humble beginnings five decades ago and marvel at how far it has come.

Parco San Marco

It’s the start of a new year and I already feel like I need a vacation. Some place with water, massage, good food…ahhh….I’m already feeling better. How about a Lake Lagano Vacation! I remember reading that George Clooney has a home in Italy and I wondered what the draw was to that particular region. Hello! Gorgeous!

Could it get any better than a Spa Hotel in Italy…I think not! Relaxing on the shore of the lake, getting a massage and a facial in a serene setting…. Sign me up! Just thinking about sleeping in a clean, comfortable room that I don’t have to clean is almost enough for me, but throw in a hot tub and fabulous restaurants…ok, you twisted my arm.

Check out Lake Como Golf. You might just run into Mr. Clooney there. I personally don’t golf, but I could walk around and get some exercise. A beautiful setting and the chance to glimpse one of the hottest celebrities on the planet….I could handle that. Now, if only I could talk my sister into having her wedding there and paying for it all!

Sak Narwal

Sak Narwal has loved fishing all of his life. He is interested in the feeding habits and environments of the fish, as well as gathering pleasure from his “connection with nature.” He is also fascinated with the technology used in fishing, besides enjoying a relaxing time in a beautiful setting. “Fishing has taken me to some of the wildest and most beautiful natural settings,” Sak Narwal says.

While he travels around the globe looking for his next fishing experience, he says he is strictly a “catch and release” fisherman. I certainly hope so, since several sharks are on his list of favorite catches. Sak Narwal fishes nearly every week in places like the Florida Keys, the Delaware River, Long Island, and the marshes of Louisiana.

Mohammed Babangida

Mohammed Babangida loves polo. I would love to see a polo match. It looks like such an elegant sport. Perhaps that is because it is played on horses. They are such graceful and powerful creatures that they make anything look sophisticated.

Mohammed Babangida lives in Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa. An interesting fact is that it is believed to contain the world’s largest diversity of butterflies. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest exporters of cocoa, palm oil and coconuts, so I would be all set on my diet.

Mohammed Babangida is committed to his family and philanthropic activities. It is always nice to hear that about busy executives. It is comforting to know that people still make time for the truly important things in life like family and giving back to the community that has given them so much.