Don’t Turn off the Light; it’s Friday the 13th

What’s your superstition?

On today’s date, many wake up and dread looking at the calendar. Some are riddled by fear while others look at it as another day. Just how did this hullabaloo start over this legendary day? As The Lite Source unraveled the history of this mystery, we have discovered some fun and entertaining facts to about this freaky Friday date!

How did it all begin?

Although there are a few different theories about how the fear of Friday the 13^th came about, one of the more popular beliefs is that it derived from The Last Supper with Jesus and the apostles. There were 12 apostles at dinner and Judas ended up being number 13, after he showed up. Later, Jesus ended up dying on a Friday.

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

Just what is that jumbled mess of letters above? Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the actual name for the fear of Friday the 13^th! According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this phobia. Source: glo.msn.com

More fun Friday facts:

· Airplanes often lack a 13^th row

· Many buildings do not have a 13^th floor

· A lot of hotels will not have a room #13

· Estimates have suggested that on Friday the 13^th, the U.S. economy loses up to 900 million dollars. (Source: glo.msn.com)

· Many Americans will not drive on Friday the 13^th

· In the 1880s, The Thirteen Club was formed to expose the superstition that 13 was not unlucky

· On Friday the 13^th, Henry Ford did not do business and Franklin Delano Roosevelt eluded travel.

· In 2012, there are three Fridays that fall on the 13th

· Hurricane Charley hit Florida on Friday the 13^th

Here are some other top superstitions besides this famous Friday’s date:

· Crossing paths with black cats

· Walking under ladders

· Opening an umbrella indoors

· Breaking a mirror

· Stepping on a crack

Do you know of any more freaky-Friday fears or facts or superstitions? Let us know!

So take along your trusty rabbit’s foot, four-leaf-clover or lucky horseshoe and keep your fingers crossed that this Friday ends up being fantastic!

~Charlene Marie

Saving Energy with the Latest Home Technology

What in the world is AIGT2012?

If you are looking to be better to the environment or save money on your electric bill for 2012, the latest gadgets have just emerged. Straight from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), these devices are economically feasible and smart. In honor of today’s finding, I have dubbed an acronym for these ingenious innovations: (AIGT2012) for affordable, intelligent, green technology for 2012. For your enjoyment, check out these fabulous finds below!

Bracketron Stone GreenZero Charger

Leave your USB compatible devices plugged in and only pay for the electricity needed to charge them, period. This green-charger will stop stand-by power from being drawn from an outlet when a device is fully charged.

Image courtesy of secondact.com

GE Green Mobile Power Station

Here’s another all-in-one, smart gadget that will shut down socket power after devices are charged! It functions as a power strip, surge protector and USB hub. For added convenience, it also houses a lithium-ion battery.

Image courtesy of secondact.com

Solar Kindle Lighted Cover

What a great item for the avid electronic reader! Charge a Kindle without the use of electric power and flip open the attached mini LED reading lamp when the lights are low!

Image courtesy of secondact.com

Speaking of light, OttLite bulbs are always a great way to save money and be green too! Check out our stock at thelitesource.com for more smart and stylish lamps and light bulbs!

Know of any other AIGT2012 products that will help improve the quality of life this year? Pass it on; we’d love to hear it!

Until next time, stay green!

~Charlene Marie

New Year, New Design: Lighting

Out with the old and in with the new

Are you seeking a fresh new look this year? Why not start with your home décor? There are a lot of fabulous room designs out there for 2012 and believe it or not, besides painting, one of least expensive ways to upgrade is to change your lighting. Whether it’s replacing an outdated light fixture or adding a decorative lamp updating your lighting can have a big impact on the way your home looks and feels.

Take a look at some of these before and after pictures and see what you think.

Check out the new vanity lighting in these pictures! It makes a huge difference in the look!

Photos courtesey of casasugar.com

In this living room, the outdated floor lamp was exchanged for two cute table lamps.

Photo courtesy of gillaninteriors.com

Here’s another idea on how to handle an old light fixture!

 Photos courtesy of diyhomedecoratingideas.com

Need a place to hunt for perky new lamps? Check out thelightsource.com for a great selection! Not only are the lamps are stylish and contemporary, the natural lighting from OttLite is good for your health!

Have any other home décor ideas? We’d love to hear them!

~Charlene Marie

Lamps of the ‘80s

Take a step back in time and remember when...

 Photo courtesy of wardrobeadvice.com

Being a product of the ‘80s, I can recall many of the bizarre styles, big hair and flamboyant fashions produced from that decade. Don’t ask me why, but another thing that stuck in my head was the interesting light fixtures that illuminated that funky era as well. From seashell shaped bases to touch lamps, I remember these lamps like it were yesterday. So throw on your jean jacket and bring on the Aqua-Net hairspray; for it’s time to take a trip down memory lane with these vintage lighting finds!  

Touch lamps

When my parents first brought a touch lamp home, I thought technology was at its prime. I marveled at the lamp’s brass base and shiny, smoked-glass shade and was floored that the human touch could have so much power! We placed the lamp in the TV room, so we could see our cassette-operated answering machine better. It also worked well to view the buttons on the remote better in order to get to the one and only channel of HBO faster!

This lamp is pretty close to the one I remember!

Halo-shaped light bulb

On the ceiling in the kitchen, we had a halo-shaped light bulb. It was attached to a shiny round, silver fixture and I always thought it was quite interesting. I’m not so sure if it was the in-thing back then, but it lit up our hideous green refrigerator and stove quite well!

Seashell-shaped lamp base

As a little girl, I was an avid shell collector. At the beach, I’d walk around the shoreline for hours and pick up the old residences of random mollusks and crustaceans. When I first caught sight of scallop-fashioned glass lamps in the store window, I begged my parents for one! Eventually, I ended up getting a small tan, seashell lamp with a white shade to match my room.

Photo courtesy of sealifegifts.net

Curved floor lamps

I had a trendy uncle that had an eye for home décor. Whenever my parents and I would stop over for a visit, he always seemed to have something new and stylish that garnished his pad. One day, I remember seeing a really unique brass, curved, floor lamp that extended over his couch. It had one base and four lights that branched out from the top. Each light was topped off with a frosted bell-shaped glass shade. I pointed it out to my parents on numerous occasions and hoped they would get one too!

Do you recall any lamps or fun lights from previous eras?

Although the lamps of the ’80 may have been ‘like totally rad’ at the time, I’m just glad that my taste in décor has changed since!

Until next time, embrace your memories!

~Charlene Marie

Three Cheers for the New Year!

Here are some practical things to do to make it a smooth-sailing 2012

Now that a brand new year just about here, it is time to get your resolutions in gear! If you haven’t thought about your resolution, here are a few good suggestions to make life a little better in 2012!

1. Take care of your wheels

Your mode of transportation is extremely important. Make sure you have your oil changed regularly and schedule preventative maintenance on your automobile. Need tools for the job? www.mechanicsdiscount.com has a ton!

2. Improve your lighting

Save money and your eyes with natural lighting. As of Jan, 2012, the new energy efficiency law goes into effect and older light bulbs will start to be phased out. Get yourself into the ‘green’ spirit and visit www.thelitesource.com for some great energy-saving bulbs!

25 Watt HD Compact Fluorescent Bulb

3. Be a fashionista

Get your glamour on and let you style shine through! Add a little extra zing to your wardrobe with a fabulous pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses! Check out some of the sleek and chic styles at www.sunglassesavantgarde.com!

Lady TAG Heuer 9100-204

4. Enjoy the great outdoors

Need a break from the same old rigmarole? Take in a breath of fresh air and enjoy the serenity of an outdoor adventure. Being one with nature can definitely be therapeutic. If you need supplies, www.survivalistsoutfitter.com has a ton of gear!

5. Embrace your inner geek

Do you love electronics? Update your gadgets for optimum enjoyment. Technology is booming and new toys can be a boatload of fun! Get some new gear this year at www.imagineshopping.com!

IIC-ME100 Imagine Portable Multimedia Player

Have any other suggestions for a New Year’s Resolution? We’d love to hear it!

Best wishes for a fabulous 2012!

~Charlene Marie

Classic Holiday Movies

Light up the room with a perfect form of holiday entertainment

 

Are you looking for something to get you in the holiday spirit? Look no further than your trusty television! The big networks are playing plenty of great flicks that can turn a frown into a happy holiday smile. Check out what movies made this year’s top ten list courtesy of myfoxny.com! These movies are in no particular order:

                                       1.       Elf 

                                       2.       National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 

                                       3.       A Christmas Story

 Photo courtesy of stefannholm.com

                                        4.       Home Alone 

                                        5.       The Holiday 

                                        6.       White Christmas

                                        7.       It’s a Wonderful Life 

                                        8.       Miracle on 34^th Street 

 Photo courtesy of setsailmotivation.com

                                         9.    White Christmas

                                        10.   Bad Santa

What’s your favorite?

If you don’t see what you’re looking for on your local TV guide, check out your provider’s On Demand list. Most cable and satellite will have a special category for holiday films for you to view for free. Some providers even offer holiday music and a channel with a burning yule log for your enjoyment!

Relax, have fun and enjoy a great classic film this holiday season!

~Charlene Marie

   

Pair This with That: Lights

There are some gift ideas out there that can complement each other; let us show you how.

Ever wonder what to get for the person who has everything? You’re not the only one! Just when you feel that there is nothing more that you could possibly get, think about what you can do to enhance or make use of what that special someone already has. For instance, if your recipient has a swanky, new coffee maker, why not get them some gourmet coffee to brighten their morning?  Below are some great ideas that can make more use of what may be taken for granted: lighting!

Here are a few gifts that can be paired with OttLite bulbs or lamps:

Do you know someone with a green thumb? An indoor herb garden can flourish under natural lighting such as an OttLite! Pair an herb garden with an OttLite 20W Edison Swirl Bulb.

Photo courtesy of tastefulgarden.com

Avid readers need the aid of a light to see at night. Couple an OttLite bulb or lamp along with a bookstore gift card!

Key Largo Table Lamp

For the crafty crafter, try an OttLite bulb or lamp with a new craft design book!

Craft book photo courtesy of crafterschoice.com

Delve into your recipient’s interests and see what he or she enjoys.  A practical, yet personalized gift can go a long way!

Have any questions or comments on today’s blog? Let us know!

Happy shopping!

~Charlene Marie