Protecting your Assets on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Beyond

It’s never too late to protect yourself while battle for the bargains is on.

If it’s deals you’re seeking to kick off the holiday season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the days to shop; however, along with the great bargains, comes a not-so-super twist. On days where major sales are to be expected, random acts of violence can occur. In order to protect yourself and your wallet while the bargains are at their best, keep reading for a few beneficial tips.   

During an early Black Friday event on November 24, 2011, the following incident occurred: at a Walmart in Porter Ranch, Calif., one woman allegedly pepper-sprayed bystanders, in order to gain a better access to the electronic section. On November 25, 2011, a family was confronted for their belongings in the parking lot of a Walmart in San Leandro, Calif., and one family member is in critical condition after being shot.

Why bring these sullen incidents to light? The goal is to increase safety and awareness while shopping. So the next time you decide to go on a bargain hunting spree, here are a few things to keep in mind:

·         Park in a well-lit, non-isolated area

·         Keep all shopping bags or valuables such as GPS devices out of view or in your trunk

·         Don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing while shopping in sketchy locations

·         Try not to shop in sketchy locations

·         Avoid caring an abundance of cash or credit cards

·         Beware of suspicious-looking or shady-acting individuals

·         Steer clear of loiterers

·         While making purchases, hide your credit card digits as much as possible. People can snap photos and use your information.

·         Shop with a friend

·         Ask a security guard or store clerk to escort you to your vehicle

According to a news blog on the fbi.gov, today, US federal agents seized control of 150 websites due to selling counterfeit items.

Now that these sites selling fabricated items have been discovered, should an online shopper still be concerned? Personally, I would be. Here are a few tips to keep stay safe while shopping online:

·         Look for a VeriSign logo when considering a purchase

·         Become pals with PayPal. Making purchases with a PayPal account enables users to shop without entering their credit card information on a website.

·         Verify questionable sites or companies at bbb.org

·         Look for “https” at the beginning of a web address. The “s” stands for secure.

·         Check for online customer reviews about a company

·         Use a pre-paid credit card for purchases

·         Do not give checking or credit card information when asked via email. These emails are considered phishing scams.

·         Look for misspellings or shoddy-looking websites

·         Keep an eye open for the word “replica”

·         Make sure your web browser is up-to-date and online security is enabled

In any situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry and in this day and age, one can never be too careful. While keeping these precautionary measures in mind, try to enjoy your holiday shopping experience.

Do you have any other safe-shopping tips? If so, let us know!

~Charlene Marie

 

  

What Type of Dinner is on Your Thanksgiving Menu?

A Thanksgiving feast doesn’t have to be the same flavor every year.

 

When I was growing up, our Thanksgiving dinner would always be the same every year: turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad, bread roles, potatoes, stuffing, asparagus and carrots. It never failed; it was as if my parents had the menu carved in stone. Not that having the same yearly food-ritual was a bad thing; to me, it was just a bit monotonous. If you are looking to add an extra flair to the menu, check out these fabulous holiday dishes from other cultures!

Take a look at what may be on a French menu for Thanksgiving:

·         Sage-Brined Roast Turkey with Oyster Dressing

·         Céleri-Rave Rémoulade (Celery Root Rémoulade)

·         Galette de Pomme de Terre (Potato Galette)

·      Herbed Haricots Verts

·         French Pumpkin Pie

French Pumpkin Pie photo courtesy of saveur.com

Do you desire an Italian flair? Cleanse your palate with some gelato and try some of these fabulous creations:  

·         Pumpkin Pasta With Cream Sauce

·         Risotto alla Zucca (pumpkin risotto)

·         Creamy Porcini Chestnut Soup

·      Chocolate Panna Cotta With Espresso Cream

·         Spinach And Prosciutto Stuffed Turkey Breast

Spinach And Prosciutto Stuffed Turkey Breast photo curtosey of italianfoodforever.com

Add a little spice to your holiday cooking with these scrumptious Spanish-themed dishes:

·         Mofongo Stuffing (plantain stuffing)

·         Mojo-Soaked Yuca

·        Queso Fresco y Chocolate Abuelita (fresh cheese and Abuelita chocolate)

·         Guava and Port Glazed Roasted Turkey

·         Pumpkin Flan

 Pumpkin Flan photo courtesy of vegetariantimes.com

For that Creole-inspired Thanksgiving theme, tempt your taste buds with:

·         Roasted Turkey with Oyster Stuffing

·         Oysters in a Half Shell

·         Plum Pudding

·         Cauliflower au Vinaigrette

·         Baked Red Snapper a la Creole

Creole Red Snapper photo courtesy of myrecipies.com

Are you hungry yet? However you decide, bon appetit, buon appetito, buen provecho or simply enjoy your meal this Thanksgiving holiday!

Have any other recipe ideas or suggestions, send them this way!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

~Charlene Marie

Holiday Stress Tips

The holidays are almost here; how is your stress level?

Just when you thought you have everything figured out, you realized that you forgot the gravy for your holiday feast. After spending three exhausting hours at the grocery store last night, you were certain you had everything for tomorrow’s big day; yet, gravy is on your mind as you speed toward the airport to pick up your in-laws. “Arrrgh,” you yell, as you feel your blood pressure start to rise. When are you going to have time to get an important aspect of your meal when it’s almost 9 p.m. and the stores are about to close?

Here at The Lite Source, we have gathered a few tips to keep your stress levels at a minimum.  After trying our suggestions below, hopefully you’ll feel stress start to melt away!

·         Do what Santa does: make a list and check it twice!

I don’t know about you, but I probably would be at the store every night if I didn’t make one! Don’t like wasting paper? Download a note application on your cell phone. I downloaded the ColorNote app on mine and it works like a charm! 

·         Take time out for yourself

Although it’s the season to do a lot for others, just think about how much more you’ll enjoy your company or holiday events when you are relaxed. Take some time to do something that you take pleasure in. Enjoyment is typically a great remedy for stress.   

·         Buy yourself extra time with a pre-made holiday dinner.

This suggestion my sound unappealing, but it works out really well and no one will know but you!  Many grocery stores have this option in their deli department. You can get a turkey, ham stuffing, vegetable casseroles, cranberry sauce and much more in these packaged bundles. You can mix and match the options and all you have to do is heat them up when you get home. I’ve taken this route many years and have gotten plenty of compliments on a great meal! Just don’t forget to order your meal-bundle ahead of time!  

·         Exercise

You hear this suggestion time and time again; however it’s healthy and is great advice. Even if you do a few squats or leg lifts while watching TV, it can help eliminate stress. Try yoga or take a walk with a friend. Even the funky dance class you were considering taking counts! Exercise releases endorphins which causes the body to relax.   

·         Spend some time with furry friends

Did you know that pets relieve stress? They do! In fact, in Japan, people even rent pets! Pets can help improve your mood, provide unconditional love, encourage exercise and according to known studies, have shown to reduce blood pressure. Even on the worst of days, who can’t resist looking into the eyes of a puppy or kitten and smile?    

·         Don’t hold it in

Let out your stress by talking, writing or even tweeting about it! Even the littlest ways of letting your woes out in a verbal or written form can help stress.

Did you know that proper lighting can help reduce stress too? If your lighting is to dull or bright, it can cause tension. Certain lighting, such as OttLite’s natural illumination can actually improve your mood and your vision within an OttLite enhanced room. Just check out some of our articles on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.)

Light up the room naturally with the Sydney Desk lamp by OttLite. 

Hope our advice helps and all the best to you and your family for happy and stress-free holidays!

Have any other tips for reducing stress? Let us know!           

~Charlene Marie

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

The holidays are coming fast. Are you prepared?

Last year, did you find yourself frantically searching for the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday list? Did you try your hardest not to get things that would not be re-gifted or set aside in a closet to collect dust, but still felt uncertain about your shopping-choice outcome?  No need to worry, since this year, we took the liberty of finding some fun and useful gift choices that just about anyone can enjoy! So kick back, relax and let us help you discover that hard-to-find present by checking out our gift selections below!

·         Bring photos, memos and pens into the light, literally. Check out the Pic and Memo lamp and help your recipient stay well-organized from The Lite Source!

Pic and Memo Lamp

·         Have someone on your list that likes eyewear? Get them a designer pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses from Sunglasses Avant Garde! Purchase a pair under the TAG Heuer Speedway category and get another pair 50% off!

TAG Heuer Speedway 0231 402

·         Do you know a car enthusiast? Get them a light-up Camaro, Corvette, Mustang GT, Charger or Viper mouse from Mechanics Discount! Some models even come in a police version! 

 Mustang GT Wired Mouse

·         Have a hunter in the family? Get them a DAC Cleaning Kit complete with a collectable wooden box from Survivalist Outfitters!

DAC Cleaning Kit

·         Here’s a must-have for coffee lovers! Check out the Nespresso Essenza C100 Black with Aeroccino Bundle from Espresso Kitchen.

Nespresso Essenza C100

·         Want to be non-traditional? Surprise someone with the gift of décor! Purchase any rug from Décor the Floor and have it shipped for free! These rugs are gorgeous!

Adana Circles Brown Runner

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

Stay tuned; there will be more ideas in the next few weeks to come!

Until then, happy shopping!

~Charlene Marie

The History Behind Daylight Saving Time

Does one hour make that much of a difference?

The rays of sun are getting weaker and colder air is slowly trickling in. You notice the days are shortening and the once sunny drive on your way home is becoming dimmer and darker. Then, every year on that one faithful day, the clocks turn back and your ride home now pitch black. As you grumble to yourself in the dark the whole way home, you think to yourself, what is the point of this Daylight Saving Time ordeal?  Since we just experienced “fall back,” The Lite Source is here to give you a little history behind the clock-changing madness.

The idea of Day Light Saving Time was first brought forward by Benjamin Franklin in an essay form called “An Economical Project.” Franklin wrote the essay while in Paris in 1784 and it wasn’t until over a century later that his idea was taken seriously.

In 1907, William Willett of London wrote a pamphlet called “Waste of Daylight” proposing to advance the clocks 20 minutes during each of the four Sundays in April and to retract the minutes during the four Sundays in September. Willett’s persistence led to a bill that was drafted and presented to Parliament in 1909. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until after Willett’s death that the bill was approved.

In 1916, Britain passed a daylight saving act that was put into play on May 21, 1916. Although there was some public confusion and concern about the process, the time change went as planned and the United States followed suit not long after.  

During World War I, the U.S. government established Daylight Saving Time in order to save energy for war production. Up until 1966, individual states and communities could choose to take part of Daylight Savings Time at their own discretion. After Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, the majority of U.S. citizens no longer had a choice about changing their clocks.

Not long ago in 2007, Daylight Saving Time was extended by four weeks. This was based on the possibility of saving 10,000 barrels of oil per day due to the reduction of energy used by companies during daylight hours.  

Believe it or not, there are a few U.S. territories that are exempt from this rule. Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the parts of Arizona do not follow the time change.

Do you live in a time-change exempt area?

Finding it darker than you like during this Day Light Savings transition? Turn on some natural lighting from an OttLite bulb and brighten up your night!

Have any questions or comments about this blog? Let us know by the box below!

~Charlene Marie

A SAD Story Turned Glad: Here’s How a Contest Can Brighten Your Day!

Is there really something to be glad about when you have Seasonal Associative Disorder (SAD)? There is now.

The days are getting shorter and the air is becoming cooler. The rays of the sun just doesn’t seem to warm your skin as they once used to. The trees are shedding their leaves, flowers are dying and the majority of wildlife is getting ready for a long winter’s nap. All of these depressing elements, due to nature’s demise add even more of a damper to your mood. Just when you feel the urge to curl up in a cozy blanket and sleep the season away, you discover something on your computer screen that completely changes your mood…

“Win a free light from The Lite Source!”  

You know that The Lite Source carries OttLite bulbs and you’ve heard plenty of stories about how OttLite bulbs can help with SAD.

You scroll a little further down the page and read the details out loud to yourself.

“Write a short story 500 words or less about your dealings with SAD and you could win one of 3 lamps!”

You think to yourself about when you snapped at your dog, Ralph for stepping in his food bowl and how all you want to do is sleep lately and then say, “I can do that!”

Yes you can!

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When the seasons change, so can your mood. Depression, low energy levels, weight gain and social isolation are just some of the symptoms that come along with seasonal variations. If some of these signs point to you, you could be experiencing SAD, but The Lite Source wants you to be glad!

There are many people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and The Lite Source wants to help!

We want to hear your stories about living with SAD Write your experience with this disorder using 500 words or less and you could win one of three lamps from The Lite Source!

Submit your story and required information to: www.thelitesource.com/event/page/pageCode/sadcontest and you could win one of these 3 lights.

Phototherapy, often referred to as light therapy is one method of aiding SAD. During a light therapy session, one will sit near a light box for at least a half of an hour. According to studies, most patients show improvement within 2-4 days!

OttLite illumination mimics the sunlight and sufficient evidence suggests that the full spectrum lighting an OttLite bulb emits has similar benefits to a light box.

Instead of living with SAD, why not light up your life with the natural, healthy benefits of an OttLite lamp and bulb?

Send us your submission and possibly win yours!

The contest starts 11/03/11 and runs through 12/03/11. The winner will be notified within a week after the contest end date and the prize will be shipped promptly. 

For more complete contest rules and regulations, visit our website at: www.thelitesource.com/event/page/pageCode/sadcontestrules.

Here’s to a brighter tomorrow and may the best entry win!

Good luck!

~Charlene Marie