There are some things that are better experienced in person than watched on TV. Part of the thrill of the game is the shared enthusiasm with the crowd. Nothing can come close to replicating that feeling at home. The TV never accurately represents how the athletes perform because it has a limited view. The camera can only capture one thing at a time, instead of soaking it all in while you’re there. The Chicago Tribune ranked the top sports to see live, and here they are.

1. NHL: Hockey is an underrated sport to watch, but it is so much fun to see live. The electricity in the air and the fans make the event fun. Being next to the ice, you’ll be able to see the entire rink and how the players interact with each other. TV doesn’t quite capture the speed that these players move at. Plus, you’re better able to keep an eye on the puck, rather than it getting lost in the different angles on TV. Did I mention the fights? Definitely one of the most entertaining sports to see live!
2. MLB: Baseball can seem to move slow on TV, but once you’re out in the field, you get a completely different feel. You can see the entire field, and recognize why the pitcher is making the choices that he does. When the batter makes any sort of contact with the ball, that loud crack is exciting. You can wait to see where the ball might land. The organ playing familiar tunes, the crowd chanting, and the mascots dancing all make the game come alive.
3. College Football: College football always leaves you on the edge of your seat. Kids of different skill levels are competing against one another, and you never know what to expect. The few years between 18 to 23 make a huge difference in the game. Those few years change the way the athlete makes decisions on the field, the skills he’s gained, and the strategies he’s implemented. The other factor that makes college football so interesting is that the team is constantly rotating. As seniors graduate, new freshmen come on board. The team is never the same from year to year.

The team spirit in the crowd far surpases anything you’ve ever experienced. Their fellow classmates love to support and cheer on their team. Young kids are creative and funny in the way that they express their love for the team. You can see everything from signs to body paint and everything in between.

1. NBA: To truly appreciate the skill and athleticism that goes into basketball, you have to see it in person. On TV, it seems like the court is miniature sized because the team moves up and down the court in one or two steps. Then, when you are in person, you realize the amazing size of these athletes and how they use their height to swiftly move back and forth. Instead of lanky and cumbersome, these huge humans look like they are doing an elegant dance to get the ball in the hoop. Plus, it’s always fun to see which celebrities are down front at the court too.

No matter what sport is your favorite, it’s always better to see it live. Nothing can replace the memories shared with friends, or the taste of a hotdog at the park. By being at the game, you become more emotionally invested and grow closer to the team. Pick a sport, save your money, and take a friend out to the ballgame!

Making a few more foods and ingredients in the kitchen can save you money and be better for you.

Things to consider

1. How often do you eat it? If you only eat bread every now and then, then it won’t be worthwhile for you to bake a fresh loaf that won’t get eaten.
2. Is it a healthier option? Are you concerned about unhealthy ingredients from store bought products? There are hidden sugars and preservatives in many products in stores. When you make your own, you control exactly what goes in it and how much.
3. How much money will you save? Are you interested in saving money by making your own? Weigh the amount of time that it will take verses how much money you will save. If you have more time and don’t mind spending it in the kitchen, then making it yourself is a great option.

 

1. Bread: There is nothing better than a hot, fresh loaf of bread that just came out of the oven. You’ll look like a master chef, but making your own bread is actually fairly easy. There are tons of different kinds of bread to make. You can experiment and find out which one you and your family like the best. We started with a basic recipe that is perfect for sandwiches. You start with a large mixing bowl, add some yeast and warm water. You don’t want the water to be too hot, or else the yeast won’t rise right. Generally, somewhere between 105-115 degrees is ideal. Warm water out of the tap will do the trick. After the yeast rises, add it to a mix of sugar, flour, salt, and oil. Put it in a pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until the top is golden brown. After it cools, remove it from the pan and cut with a bread knife. Extra delicious!  
2. Salad Dressing: These are so simple, yet so tasty. You can make dressings with a few ingredients and keep them in the fridge for up to 30-60 days depending on what kind you make. Buy sealed containers, and wash them thoroughly before making your dressing. Most dressings are part oil and part acidic. Whether that be vingears, citrus fruits, or other juices, that classic combo will always be a winner. Jazz it up with some dried spices to flavor. Add them to meats as a marinade for extra flavor!
3. Chicken Stock: Your family just devoured a rotisserie chicken. Before you clean up, keep the carcass, skin, and leftover pieces to throw into a pot to make stock. Cover the bones with water and let it slowly simmer for several hours. The marrow and oils from the chicken are excellent for you and taste great too. For added flavor, throw in carrot tops, celery tops, onion halves, garlic cloves, and parsley. Let those simmer along with bones for a rich stock. With a slotted spoon, scoop out the large pieces, and strain the rest into a container to keep in the fridge or freezer until you want to use it.
4. Popsicles: These are excellent anytime of year as a healthy snack that both adults and kids will love. First, you’ll need to get some popsicle molds and sticks. You can find these at most grocery stores, or look online for more unique designs. Then, get fresh fruit and chop it up. Blend it with other fruit juices or have a creamy version and mix the fruit with greek or regular yogurt. Fill the mold a ¼ inch below the rim. Place the wooden stick in the center and set it in the freezer until frozen. These will keep for up to 30-60 days depending on which kind you make.
5. Pickles: You’ll need some canning jars, vinegar, and pickles to get started. Clean your jars thoroughly and keep them sanitary throughout the process. Cut the pickles to your desired shape. If you like spears, then cut them long ways, but if you want to put them on hamburgers, then cut them into disks. Put your cut pickles into the jars. Toss in your spices. You can use dill weed or dill seed, crushed garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for an added kick to your pickles. To make the brine, use 1 part water, 1 part white vinegar, and 1 ½ tablespoon of Kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Pour over the cucumbers, leaving about ¼ inch below the rim. Tap on the jar to loosen any bubbles and add more brine if needed. Then seal the jar tight. You can use a 5-minute water bath to keep them for a year, or keep them in the fridge to eat immediately.

Anyone can be an expert chef with these simple tips. When you make your own foods, you’ll notice a change in the richness of taste and the quality of the foods that you eat. It doesn’t take much time, and it adds so much to your plate.

The Makeup and Beauty trends are constantly changing and evolving with every new year. As science gets more advanced, we are able to infuse healthy ingredients into the products that we wear everyday to give our skin a healthier glow. No matter where you go, or what your age, healthy looking skin will always be in.

Skin Care

1. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV: After 5 long years of research, La Roche has developed a new kind of reparative daily moisturizer. It’s one that contains prebiotics to support your skin’s natural defense system. Everyone has a layer of bacteria and microorganisms that live on the surface of the skin. The prebiotics in this moisturizer promotes a healthy microbiome for these organisms and bacteria to grow and thrive, which is like a forcefield around your skin. It also has the added benefit of protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, as well as, providing the needed moisture without leaving you feeling oily.
2. Dermatologica Daily Superfoliant: It’s not just an exfoliant for dead skin cells; it also has the added power to cleanse your skin of the pollution that surrounds us.  Exposure to pollution causes early aging, wrinkles, dry and oily skin, and spots. This superfoliant contains enzymes and mild acids to extract harmful pollution from the skin, and calming extracts to protect and revitalize your skin. There’s nothing artificial in this bottle. Everything is all-natural and 100% great for your skin!
3. Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer: This purple hue primer is perfect for evening out any skin tone and sets up your skin for a flawless finish. Get ready to see a brighter complexion with just a pea-sized drop. As with any primer, it also extends the life of the products that you put on top of the primer.
4. Differin Gel: For those of you out there who are battling with acne, I have great news for you. Differin now offers a Retinoid that is now over-the-counter. Skip the dermatologist and head straight to the local drug store to pick up the entire acne regimen to fight breakouts like never before.  

Makeup

1. Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lip Oil: Want to have healthy, and perfectly pouty lips? Then Butter London’s lip oil treatment is your new favorite product. It has a combination of coconut and cloudberry oils as well as amino acids and green tea extracts to soften and moisturize your lips. It comes in 6 different shades of sheer blushes to leave you with a hint of natural color to make your lips look extra lucious.
2. Milk Makeup Blur Stick: Swipe on this cubby stick on areas that are prone to large pores, or you can apply it all over for an airbrush-finish look. It is proven to reduce the appearance of pores up to 68%, all without clogging pores. It’ll leave you with a natural matte finish that you can wear out, or use as a primer for your foundation.
3. Kat von D Alchemist Holographic Prism: This ultra highlighting palette will take your glam look to the next level. Don’t feel limited to just the eyes with these colors; hit the tops of the cheekbones, brow bone, and anywhere else you want to see a dramatic highlight. You can use these shades as stand-alone colors, or you can pop them over as a top coat to add an extra layer of dimension to your look.

Whether you are a natural beauty, or a colorful bombshell, love the skin that you’re in by keeping a good skin care regimen. Having a healthy canvas to work with will always leave you with the best looking results.

As you’re decorating your house for the holidays, there are some obvious ones that you have to have, like the tree. But, what about the rest of the house? Here are some excellent holiday ideas to put your whole living space in the Christmas spirit that won’t break the bank.

Holiday Candles: Nothing makes the whole house feel more like the holidays than a wintery scent that permeates throughout the rooms. Try out a few different fragrances to see which ones you like the most. There’s anything from food-inspired smells, such as warm vanilla, gingerbread cookies, and cinnamon spice, to crisp woodsy scents like pine, juniper berry, and cedar musk. Each has a unique feel and association with it. See which one sparks your memories and makes you feel the most Christmas-y.

Hand soaps: Similar to the candles, holiday hand soaps can remind you all day of the warm fuzzy feelings of Christmas. When you wash your hands, the scent stays with you in a subtle way that can bring back great memories as you decorate the rest of the house. Wash with scents like warm red apple or blackberry mint and you’ll catch yourself smelling your hands all day.

Bathroom/kitchen supplies: All of the little knickknacks around the house can be switched out for festive ones. Change out hand towels for a cost effective way to bring holiday cheer to even the smallest rooms. Cook with a Christmas inspired apron and oven mitts as you sing along to your favorite holiday songs.

Table settings: Change out your place settings with festive holiday dinnerware. You can go with a simple red and white print for the plates, or you can make it fancy with gold leaf china and gold stitched placemats or napkins. It all depends on the style of your home and what kind of parties you’ll be throwing. The kids will love to see Santa’s rosy cheeks as they clear their plates, or you can impress your parents with the classy china set.

Centerpieces: Place a little something extra in the center of every surface. You can bring the Christmas spirit to the dinner table, coffee table, nightstands, and counter space all with a centerpiece. You can use a flower vase or wooden box to craft a holiday focal point that brings the whole room together. You can put your favorite decorations in the container to liven up the space. Place different sized round ornaments together in a glass vase and tie a ribbon around the outside. Or, you can arrange some greenery and holly to go in the boxes. You can mix and match styles throughout the house to keep things interesting.

By adding a holiday touch to all of the little things that you use every day will bring your whole house to life. You can create a Christmas home without going overboard on decorations by switching out the little things. Saving money here will give you more for gifts under the tree. Fill your home with warm scents, great laughter around the table, and snuggle up on the couch to your favorite Christmas classic movie.

Gifts can be tricky, especially when you’re on a budget! If you’ve ever been a part of a secret Santa party, then you know how hard it is to think of things that are useful, and something that a secret Santa receiver will actually enjoy. Not to mention, keeping your budget in mind. We’ve put together a unique list of gift ideas to get your secret Santa gift inspiration rolling.

1.    Iridescent Terrarium Planter: The hottest horticulture trend right now is succulents. Everyone wants little planters of succulents to decorate any little nook. They’re the perfect plants because they require little attention, always look fabulous, and add that bright touch of green to liven up any space.
2.    Taco Holder: Taco Tuesday just got a little better. Keep your sleeves clean while stuffing your face with a taco holder shaped like a dinosaur. Kids and adults will love it. It’s hilarious and functional, which will make it the envy of the Secret Santa Game.
3.    8-in-1 Kitchen Tool: This amazing product will save you space and money in the kitchen. This little gadget juices, strains, grates, mashes, and more. Perfect for the chef in your life.
4.    Bicycle Coffee Cup Holder: The Bar-ista was designed for the cyclist commuter in mind. We know you want to be environmentally conscious, but it can be hard to enjoy your favorite hot beverage with 2 hands on the steering bar. Now, you can have it all with hot coffee and saving the planet, one bike ride at a time.
5.    Bacon Press: Who wouldn’t love a bacon press? This gift spans across gender and age because bacon unites us all. This handy little press will make sure that your favorite breakfast meat cooks evenly every time. It’s a definite must in every kitchen.
6.    Beard Kit: The rugged look is here to stay, and we like it. Keep the bearded fellow in your life looking extra dapper with a full beard kit. His flowing locks of facial hair will be trimmed and conditioned to perfection.
7.    Golfball Stamp: Take his golf game to the next level with the golfball stamp. It’s a small handheld stamper that you can customize with initials, a logo, or any image. He’ll be the envy of the green with his officially printed golfballs.
8.    Prima Coffee Dripper: For the highly caffeinated coffee lover in your life. The office coffee is typically more like high-octane mud. Leave that sludge behind with your own coffee dripper that fits at your desk. It’s low tech, with high flavor.
9.    Cellfie Cross Stitch: There’s always that one person that you never know quite what to get. They’re nerdy (but in a good way), funny, and a little crafty. So what do you get? The “Let’s Take a Cellfie” cross-stitch. It’ll hit their nerdy funny bone, and give them something to be proud to make and hang on the wall. Oh, and it’s only $3, so it’s a definite must.

From kid-friendly, to the environmentally-friendly, there’s a little something for anyone on this list. Start with one of these ideas, and click through to similar items to find that perfect gift for that special someone this year. They’ll be pleasantly surprised at your unique and thoughtful gift!

 

Early mornings are a major rush for most families. Everything is go, go, go and we need our meals to match. There’s no reason to sacrifice nutrition for ease; you can still have grab-and-go breakfast meals that everyone will love–even when you’re in a time crunch. Here are some quick and easy breakfast ideas that the whole family will love.

1.    Yogurt parfait: It’s a classic combination, and so delicious. Put some fresh fruit in a cup, add a few dollops of Greek yogurt, and pour on some crumbled granola with oats and nuts. Toss in a spoon, and there you have it: a breakfast that has protein, healthy fats, and satisfies the sweet tooth all in one cup that you can eat on the way to work. Yum!
2.    Oatmeal + Fruit: Add some fiber to your mornings with a warm bowl of oatmeal. It doesn’t matter if it’s instant or steel cut oats that are cooked over night. Oats are simple and easy to make, and most require almost no effort at all. Jazz up a regular bowl of oatmeal with your favorite fruits and spices. Throw it all in a cup, just like the parfait, and you’re ready for a morning on the go! It’s more nutritious than any fast food sandwich, and it will keep you full for hours.
3.    Mini Quiche: This one will take a little bit of prep time, but your taste buds will thank you. You can choose to make these with or without pie crust. Brown some breakfast sausage or cook some bacon. Sautee a few veggies, and throw these into muffin pans. Crack and whisk several eggs together. Then pour the egg over each one, and put it in the oven until the egg is cooked through. You can store these little mini quiches in the fridge and grab them in the morning for a tasty way to start your morning.
4.    Muffins: I’m not talking about your regular sugar-filled muffins. I’m talking about protein packed, fiber filled, and incredibly yummy muffins! These also will take a little bit of prep, but it’s definitely worth it. Our favorite is the cinnamon pumpkin muffins! Some are these are vegan, and some are gluten-free. Check out each one, and see which is your favorite.
5.    Breakfast bars: Simple, savory, and sweet. By putting a few ingredients together, you can have a tasty breakfast bar that can fit into any morning routine. The best part about this recipe is that it’s no-bake! Add in some nuts, oats, dried fruits, and some peanut butter to hold it all together. You can drizzle on some Nutella or sprinkle in some chocolate chips to make it more appetizing to kids (or just because).
6.    Smoothies: If you’re anything like me, then you’re not a fan of eating in the morning. It’s not that I don’t love breakfast foods—I do—it’s more about not wanting to eat something heavy. Having a drink, on the other hand, sounds perfect. By making your own power-packed smoothie drink, you can get the boost you need without the feeling of a heavy meal. Take a few simple ingredients, blend them together in a blender or food processor, and pour it in a tumbler to take to work. For added energy or antioxidants, you can toss in pieces of ginger root, honey, or turmeric.

With a little bit of prep work, you and your family can have a healthier start to the day. You’ll notice that you have more energy through the day, are able to focus more, and possibility have less sugar cravings as the day goes on. A good start sets you up for a great day, and these quick and easy breakfast ideas are the perfect way to start your day!

Public speaking is one of the greatest fears of many people, but it is still a necessary part of life. We give business presentations to new clients, lectures to classrooms, and testimonials to religious groups. We all must speak to a group of people at some point in our lives. The question is, how can we most effectively get our point across, or communicate our thoughts so that others clearly understand us? It’s not as difficult as it seems – use these simple tips to help you develop stronger speaking habits and make you a better public speaker:

1.     Don’t talk right away: Nerves can get the best of you. The feeling of complete silence when you are suppose to command the room can be unbelievably painful, which is why people start talking as they are walking up to the podium. They can’t stand to have silence. By speaking right away and rapidly, you appear nervous and awkward. When you walk to the podium, take a deep breath, and find you place, you’ll settle in and appear cool, calm, and collected. By allowing a second to clear your mind, you’ll be much more confident and in charge of the room.
2.     Give valuable information: There are those out there who are speaking to take from their audience. They want to sell something, gain new followers, or promote something. People don’t trust those who have an agenda. The audience will disengage and tune you out. Instead, try giving your audience useful information to their life. For example, talk about a personal struggle that others can relate to, and how you overcame that problem. Be vulnerable and honest in how you approach the material; it’ll make powerful connections with your audience and they will retain it much more.
3.     Eye contact: We’ve all heard that you need to make eye contact during speeches. Don’t look above people’s heads and scan through the audience – this can be awkward in smaller audiences and be distracting to people up front. Instead, make intentional eye contact with several members and speak to them. You will create a deeper connection with your audience by joining them into the conversation instead of speaking at them.
4.     Slow down: Speak slower than usual. Nerves can make our hearts race, our mind a blur, and our words barrel out of our mouths. If you are speaking too quickly, your audience may not be able to follow your thoughts. Slow everything down. It’ll feel strange at first, but once you get used to saying each word deliberately, you’ll see nodding faces and acknowledging looks from your audience.
5.     Even if you start out in a rush and jumble through a few sentences, it’s ok. If you catch yourself speaking too quickly, take a pause for a quick breath. Pick up again with your new calm and collected self and begin speaking slower. Your audience wants to hear what you have to say. They want you succeed up on stage. They will be patient and forgiving if you do make a few small mistakes. No matter how slow you speak, they will hang on your every word.
6.     Embrace pauses. It’s a natural tendency to fill the space between our words with things like “umm” or “uhh.” Whatever repetitive verbal pause you have adapted, throw it out. It’s ok to have that silence in between the words. It’ll take some practice to completely eradicate this from your speech pattern, but it will be well worth it.
7.     Be excited: Change the way you perceive your pounding heart and clammy hands. Tell yourself that you aren’t nervous, but rather, that you are excited! By rethinking your nerves, you will wipe out any negative thoughts of fear and worry. You are now excited to jump up on stage and get this party started!

Public speaking doesn’t have to be a fear. It helps to think of it like you’re speaking to a group of friends who want to understand you. They will be patient with you as you speak. Remember, your audience has given you one of the most precious gifts: their time. Tell them “thank you” at the end of your speech, and receive their clapping praise with grace.

Fill up your entire October with spooky movies to get you in the Halloween spirit! Not all Halloween movies are filled with blood and guts – most classics are fun for the whole family to watch! Pop one in and laugh along with the kids, or wait until the kids go to bed and put on a scarier one. You’ll be counting down the days to Halloween in no time!

For Kids

1.     The Nightmare Before Christmas: This movie is rated PG and stars Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, and Catherine O’Hara. It’s one of Tim Burton’s classics, and is based off of a story by Michael McDowell. Jack Skellington is king of Halloween Town, and he accidently finds Christmas Town. Jack tries to bring Christmas to his home, but it causes great confusion.
2.     The Addams Family: This PG-13 family classic stars Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, and Christopher Lloyd. This hilarious film was adapted from the classic TV show. The new friends to the eccentric family are trying to con them by claiming to be a long-lost uncle. It becomes apparent that he doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the family.
3.     It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Another classic starring Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, and Sally Dryer, this G-rated movie is perfect for the whole family. The Peanuts gang is having a great time celebrating Halloween, and Linus is out in a pumpkin patch waiting for The Great Pumpkin to appear.
4.     Casper: Casper stars Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci and is rated PG. A father and a daughter are staying in an old home, when they realize 3 mischievous ghosts and one friendly one inhabit it.
5.     Hocus Pocus: PG, 1993. Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler. Three witch sisters are resurrected from Salem, Massachusetts. It’s up to 3 kids and a talking cat to save their town.
6.     Beetlejuice: PG, 1988. Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton. Tim Burton and Michael McDowell teamed up to create this classic film. A young ghost couple has had their home invaded by humans. They hire an obnoxious ghost to get rid of the humans.

For Adults

1.     The Evil Dead: NC-17, 1981. Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, and Directed by Sam Raimi. A group of young friends travel to a cabin for a weekend getaway, where they stumble upon an ancient Book of the Dead. They play a recording from the book, and the ancient demons come to possess them one by one.
2.     Halloween: R, 1978. Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence. The original Michael Myers. After murdering his sister on Halloween night, Michael escapes from the mental hospital to go on another killing spree.
3.     Rocky Horror Picture Show: R, 1975. Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick. Get ready to sing and laugh. This classic film is about a young couple who breakdown in the middle of nowhere, and take refuge in the bizarre home of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
4.     The Poltergeist: PG, 1982. JoBeth Williams, Heather O’Rourke, Craig T. Nelson. Written and Directed by Steven Spielberg. Even though it is PG, this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. An ordinary family’s home becomes haunted by ghosts who will not leave them alone.
5.     The Exorcist: R, 1973. Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair. Demonic spirits savagely possesses a young girl. Her mother tried doctors to no avail, and turns to the Catholic priests to save her daughter. During the exorcism, the priest struggles with his own faith.
6.     Psycho: Not Rated, 1960. Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This is one of Hitchcock’s most famous films. A young secretary steals $40,000 from a client, and decided to run away with the money. She stops in the middle of the night at a motel run by Norman Bates, who is under the control of his mother.

You know you won’t be disappointed with these classics because they’ve withstood the test of time. Even if you’ve seen them before, you’ll want to watch them over and over again. Happy Halloween!

Why volunteer? Simple – because it’s one of the easiest ways to give back to the community that you love. Find what you are most passionate about and see how you can make a difference in the world around you.

Why You Should:

Self-esteem: Volunteering can help you build your self-esteem by giving you the opportunity to see real change in the community. You’ll get a sense of achievement and you’ll be proud of the work that you’ve done for others. Volunteering not only boosts your self-esteem, but the self-esteem of those you are helping. It’s a powerful thing when someone else shows you love and compassion.

Meet people: Whether you are cleaning up the side of the road, or you are working with kids at an after school program, you will meet all sorts of new people. You’ll make new friends of all ages, and learn and grow from each of them.

Be a part of a community: You can make a difference right where you are, doing the things that you are best at. By reaching out and coming together, you’ll better understand what it means to live in a community. It helps break down the neighborhood walls and open your eyes to the other beautiful parts of your city.

Learn new skills: Maybe you’ve never planted a thing in your life, but when you volunteered to beautify the city, you were placed on the landscaping team. You’ll have an opportunity to learn how to do things you never imagined you could do, all with the help of those around you.

Have Fun: Volunteering creates a positive atmosphere, and everyone brings their A-game! It’s hard not to have a fun time while you’re working with friends.

Where to Volunteer:

Be on a Board: Ocean Township is looking for locals with many different talents and qualifications to help out with needs around the city. Fill out a simple form to learn more about different committees and boards that you can be a part of.

Meals on Wheels: We need local people to take hot meals to homebound seniors. All you need is a dependable vehicle and a smile to deliver the meals. If you’re unable to drive, then a donation is a wonderful way to support those in need. Call Bob at Human Resources for more information: (732) 531-2600.

Monmouth County SPCA: How can you say no to a loving puppy or a purring kitten! The shelters need your help to keep the animals fed, loved, and clean. Do you have a love and a passion for our furry friends? Then contact the SPCA to see how you can help animals in need. All of the volunteers must be 18 years or older to work directly with the animals, but younger volunteers are still needed! Here are other ways to get involved with our Junior Volunteer Program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Monmouth County has so many wonderful children who are in need of a mentor. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking your Little out for ice cream, or spending a some extra time with them to finish their homework. There are kids of all ages who would love to make you their new best friend.

Research other opportunities in your area to get involved with. Find your passion, and share it with others to make the world a happier place.

 

Everyone wants to look their best, but it can be difficult to keep up with the ever-changing beauty trends of today. YouTube is the perfect spot to watch quick tutorials to add a little sparkle to your daily routine. The only thing you’ll struggle with is figuring out whom to trust! Anyone with Internet access and a camera can post videos. So, how to do you know that you’re getting good information and learning the best techniques to boost your beauty routine? We’ve created a list of some of the best YouTube Beauty vloggers for you to follow, so you’ll never have to wonder.

1. Pixiwoo

Samantha and Nic Chapman are the sister team bringing you all the modern celebrity makeup looks. They are both professional makeup artists who love to create tutorials that are perfect for beginners and makeup veterans alike. Learn how to recreate Hollywood looks from Angelina Jolie to Rihanna and everyone in between!

2. Lisa Eldridge

This English beauty talks you through specific application tips to full wedding day makeup looks. You’ll learn how to apply simple, everyday looks that give you a flawless finish. Lisa works personally with celebrities like Kate Winslet, Katy Perry, Emma Watson, and Keira Knightly. She’s also the creative director for the British cosmetic brand No. 7.

3. Kandee Johnson

She’s quirky, loud, and lots of fun! If you love color, Kandee is your gal. She has the brightest looks from her hair to her lips. She also loves to do Disney princess look-a-likes, and other hilarious celebrity impressions (men included). She also has a big announcement: Kandee just launched her own makeup line called I Want Kandee. Look for it at Ulta and Too Faced!

4. Michelle Phan

She’s back! After a year hiatus, Michelle is back to creating more fun videos for everyone to drool over. She was one of the first YouTubers to launch beauty videos over 10 years ago, and she’s still going strong with a massive following. She also has her own makeup line called EM Cosmetics. It has urban, edgy influences, while still maintaining a professional look.

5. Wayne Goss

Wayne is a makeup guru who found his niche after struggling with his own skin issues as a young adult. He’s a British makeup artist who talks you through his makeup application process so you can see techniques from contouring to eyelash curling. His videos are spot on to help anyone figure out how to cover blemishes and the best BB creams on the market.

6. Lynnette Hernandez

Lynnette is party glam, without being too over the top. Her looks lean toward bold statements, which make her videos the perfect inspiration for special occasions. She also goes into makeup organizational tips, and even has a few hair videos on cutting and curling.

7. Patricia Bright

She goes by BritPopPrincess and it’s evident why! She’s super fabulous and isn’t just about makeup. She has hairstyles, skincare, and even fashion tips. She’s fun and plenty of energy to keep you captivated.

No matter what your beauty skill level is, you can always learn a new trick from one of these top beauty experts. Walk out the door in confidence knowing that you look your absolute best.