September 2009 Blog Posts (100)

Ten Rules for Selling Your Home

With many people currently attempting to sell their homes, I thought this list would be helpful and interesting. I hope it is informative to many.

1. Hire a good realtor! A professional who knows your neighborhood.

2. Clean out the clutter. Open spaces look best. Clean and then clean some more to make a good first impression.

3. Spiff up the property. Maky any improvements that will improve the show of your home. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less… Continue

Added by Esther Bird on September 27, 2009 at 12:03pm — No Comments

PUTTING ON MY APRON AT APRON'S: Intermediate Techniques, Week 3

Executive Chef Jim Hendry lost his voice and was unable to teach the Intermediate Techniques class at Apron’s Cooking School this week, but his usual sidekick, Mike McClure did a bang-up job of covering the whole class by himself. Mike led us in preparing Lobster and Shrimp Ceviche with Plantain Chips, Porcini Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Haricot Verts, Risotto Caprese and Orange Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Vanilla Chiffon Cake. Now, do we eat good or… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 27, 2009 at 11:36am — No Comments

Hong Kong Chewy!

Hong Kong Phooey Pictures, Images and Photos

How many of your dog's toys come from China? A quick count through Zoe, Shakespeare, and the gang's toy box shows more than 10 - a mixture of plush and plastic dog chew toys.

Until I read an article at ConsumerAffairs.com, I hadn't given too much thought as to whether or not these were safe toys for… Continue

Added by Michelle Sampson on September 26, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Networking Events with WQ Mag

Hello Fellow WQ Members;

Have you heard WQ Mag is going to have weekly networking events on Tuesdays. We are having our Meet & Eat Luncheons on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of each month at local venues from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Besides having a great time, you will meet new people and new business contacts. We also will be doing 5 Biz Spot lights that you will be able to promote your business in front of everyone, there will be door prizes. If that was not enough on the 4th… Continue

Added by Vicki Viccora on September 25, 2009 at 10:11pm — 3 Comments

How do we know what skin care lines are the best for us??

As a skincare specialist I have the oportunity to further my education and understanding of ingredients and efficiency. Believe me, it is a maze, but after 11 years I feel I have found one of the greatest lines available today. Let Dr Johnson the founder of Osmosis explain. Please post or call me 941 924 2464 with your questions.

Osmosis has a different focus than most skincare lines; we believe in creating a partnership with the skin. This partnership includes utilizing ingredients… Continue

Added by Kim Hill on September 25, 2009 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

About to tie The Knot???

Are you getting married soon?

Do you know someone who is?

Join the Wedding Belles on Thursday October 8th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Simply Spoiled Boutique and receive some great advice, ideas, makeovers and all while you sip tantalizing wine!

Lotus featuring Knickers will be presenting a beautiful lingerie fashion… Continue

Added by Vanessa Opstal/ Simply Spoiled Boutique on September 25, 2009 at 1:41pm — 1 Comment

Second Pink Party for The Cure hosted by Simply Spoiled Boutique

Get ready to help us raise some more money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation on Sunday October 4th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Thank you very much to all of you who came out and supported my previous Pink Party in August. You helped me raise over $1400.00 in just one night. I was humbled by all of your generosity!!!

Added by Vanessa Opstal/ Simply Spoiled Boutique on September 25, 2009 at 12:36pm — No Comments

Going for the Gold - Raising Awareness

I am constantly humbled by the stories and life experiences that women share with me. I am also grateful for what you all teach me. I recently received an email from a woman who wore my scarves during her treatment, sharing some very important information with me. She said, “September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The ribbon color is gold. Did you know that?” I’m ashamed to say I did not know that. September and October have always been busy advocating months for me as September is… Continue

Added by Susan Beausang on September 25, 2009 at 11:06am — No Comments

Cardio Boot Camp!

First Class is FREE!!!

Boot Camp- Energize your body with a dynamic focus on cardio exercises, toning, plyometrics, resistance training, and core strengthening! This boot camp style class will whip you into shape! *Combo of weights, bands and mat exercises*

Just $10/ class, no membership or sign-up fees! First Class is FREE!!!

Classes are taught by Molly, BS, CHES, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Health Education Specialist through the… Continue

Added by Molly Bernas on September 25, 2009 at 10:55am — No Comments

Is Your Income Protected?

Given today’s economy, it’s fair to say that we are all more concerned about our financial situation than we have been in the past. Even if we are among the lucky few who have not been directly impacted by the downturn, our awareness of the need to save and plan ahead has been heightened, and everyone, it seems, is looking for ways to economize.

As someone who works in the financial services realm, few things could give me more pleasure than this collective impulse toward saving,… Continue

Added by Wendy B Namack, CFP® on September 25, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Social Etiquette Tip of the Week - Restaurant Etiquette 101

We all love to go out to dinner but sometimes we encounter a problem and wonder how to handle it. Here are some strategies for dining out, from scoring a table to sending back food.

The Restaurant is completely booked!

Put yourself on a waiting list while emphasizing how much you want a table. Your eagerness may help convince the maître d' to fit you in, even when they're booked.

You may also get lucky by calling the restaurant for cancellations late afternoon.… Continue

Added by Maria Brady on September 24, 2009 at 9:20pm — No Comments

Everyone’s my prospect…

You can’t imagine how many times I have heard that. And it saddens me to tell you this, but that just isn’t true. It doesn’t matter how great your product or service is, or how much it is needed. People don’t buy based on need. There is someone who needs it, that won’t use it, even if you gave it away.

However this is one of the most liberating and profitable epiphanies of the business world! Understanding this, I can make more money in less time. I can arrive home at the end of day… Continue

Added by Sara Hand on September 24, 2009 at 7:26pm — 1 Comment

Seared Sea Scallops With Crispy Pancetta and Truffle Emulsion

The reviews of this dish prepared in the Intermediate Techniques class at Apron's Cooking School were rave. The Truffle emulsion is what made this dish exotic and phenomenal.

Ingredients:

18 sea scallops, 10/20 counts

1 Tbl. Olive oil

3 cups Butter lettuce, cleaned and chiffonade

1 cup rendered pancetta*

Method:

Pick all of the abductor mussels off of the scallops and rinse well in cold water.… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 24, 2009 at 4:25pm — No Comments

Scarf It Up For Women's Cancer: Fashion With Compassion

KELIETZA and 4Women.com invite you to join us in celebrating women! Scarf It Up is just around the corner! Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 4th 5-9 pm at TPC Prestancia for a event to celebrate women living with cancer and hair loss. All proceeds will be donated to a scarf bank that has been created at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for women who cannot fund one of the most basic needs when going through a traumatic new experience of medical hair loss.

Aside from fabulous… Continue

Added by Kelly on September 24, 2009 at 4:07pm — No Comments

In Bloom Special Introductory Offer

Tempting, intoxicating and seducing are only a few of the words that describe Avon's latest fragrance, In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon. It's tempting because of a mixture of Georgia Peach and fragrant tea leaves; intoxicating because of the combination of Midnight Star Gardenia, Magical Moonlit Magnolia and Night-Blooming Jasmine blossom; and seducing because of the scent of Cashmere Woods, Hypnotic Florals and Amber Wood Crystals, which… Continue

Added by Karen Whiteley on September 24, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Stay in YES!

If you could only do one thing it would be so easy. It would be so easy to know what to do, which direction to go. But there are so many choices and so many of the choices are good…or so it seems initially. And actually there is very little inherently bad in the choices. However I have learned that, just because I can…doesn’t mean I should.

In fact just recently I was presented with an awesome looking project: something that could prove to be… Continue

Added by Sara Hand on September 23, 2009 at 5:16pm — 1 Comment

All Efforts Make a Positive Impact in "Going Green"

I understand the whole "Going Green" thing can seem a bit overwhelming, but all our efforts "big or small" make an impact. Here are a few things you can do that are simple, inexpensive and worth the effort:

1) For some of us, the act of not using the garden hose to sweep the driveway may not appear to be an effort in "going green" but it definitely does help conserve water.

2) Each time we utilize re-usable grocery bags in… Continue

Added by LillyF on September 23, 2009 at 4:25pm — No Comments

Eat More Fiber

We all know the benefits of the OsoLeanTM powder: besides having 2 specific mechanisms to target fat cell metabolism, it also causes the body to produce a specific hormone, cholecystikinin, to create a feeling of satiation. This is just another reason the product is so powerful because if taken 20 minutes before a standard meal so it shuts down your appetite. Fiber can also reduce our consumption by causing us to feel full sooner and stays in… Continue

Added by Bonita on September 23, 2009 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

Headshots and Portraits by Cliff Roles

Call me at (941) 685-9017 or mail me at cliffroles@aol.com!

Added by Cliff Roles on September 23, 2009 at 7:05am — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Nuking Is For the Microwave

Often when people get hurt or angry, the tendency is to try to get back at the other person with hurtful words or actions. In the Relational Life Therapy I practice, we refer to retaliation as one of the losing relationship strategies. It’s based on the belief that if the other person feels the same pain you are feeling, then he will learn from it. Not!! The other person is only going to become infuriated, and the situation will escalate. This whole… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 22, 2009 at 2:30pm — 3 Comments