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

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

It’s almost Halloween and you know what that means; creepy monsters and dark, scary nights. Here are a few chilling ghost pictures that might give you a fright!

Here's a ghost looking at a grave stone.

Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

Here's a group of ghosts that can be seen through this doorway.

Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

Below, a ghastly image is standing in front of some trees.

 Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

  Are these real or fake? You tell us!

Are you scared? Turn on a light from The Lite Source. The warm glow of an OttLite bulb can be very calming after a frightening scenario!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

~Charlene Marie

Halloween Fun in Central Florida

Are you in the Florida area searching for a Halloween adventure? We have the latest breakdown for you.

Fun filled days or spooky nights; will it be too daunting or just right? With all of the different theme parks and events in the Central Florida area, choosing the right one can be a task. Since our online retailer, AcroBoo Commerce is from Tampa, we decided to feature a special edition Halloween blog about four big events happening close by. So before you leave, shut off that light from The Lite Source and join us for a Halloween quest!

We will now pass you over to Scary Char, your cackling tour guide.

Your hostess, Scary Char

Howl-O-Scream, Tampa, FL

Heh, heh, ha, ha, Scary Char here! Do I smell a chrill seeker?  That’s my word for thrill and chill at the same time, ha-ha! Oooh, I do! Then you should take a ride over to Busch Gardens for Howl-O-Scream.  This is the last weekend for a bloodcurdling and heart -pounding adventure! With scary rollercoasters, numerous haunted houses, creepy shows and zombies, this is something to you’d want to leave the kiddos at home for. Just make sure they’re not afraid of witches like me! Ah, ha-ha! Tickets range from $32.99 – $77.99 plus tax and the hours are from Thursday, 7:30 p.m. – 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. You might just see me there! Heh, ha! Visit Bush Gardens online at: http://bit.ly/rQaabt  for more information.

Mickey’s Not –So-Scary Halloween Party, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Ha, ha! Here’s one for the kiddos. Take your family on this adventure. Children of all ages can join Mickey and his friends in costume for this event. Come trick-or-treat, watch fireworks and see characters from the Haunted Mansion attraction parade throughout the park. You don’t have to worry about being frightened in the Magic Kingdom. Heh, ha!  This event is from 7:00 p.m. – 12 a.m. and the remaining days are October 25, 27, 30, 31 and November 1. Ticket prices range from $ 51.95 - $67.95 plus tax  for Florida residents. Visit Disney online at: http://bit.ly/XEGM3 for more information.

Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando, FL

Ahhh, ha-ha! Looking for another scare-fest? Check out the Halloween Horror Nights 21 event at Universal Studios. You might not want to get to close to one of the many haunted houses or scare zones if you don’t want to scream in fear! Heh, ha, ha!  There are shows and plenty of scary monster-like things roaming the streets for a bone-chilling experience! This event is not recommended for youngsters under 13. This event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. On October, 27 the event is open until 1 a.m. and on the 28-29, it is open until 2 a.m. The last night to go is on Halloween, so get there while you can! Ha, haa! Florida resident tickets range from $ 41.99 - $66.99 plus tax. For more information, visit Universal’s site at: http://bit.ly/nvjWPK.

Guavaween, Ybor City, FL

Heh, ha-ha! This event is for adults that love to party! Bring along a designated driver for this one! Filled with live music, food, drinks, costume contests and entertainment, this occasion is one giant celebration! Catch some beads at the Mama Guava Stumble Parade at 8 p.m. in the heart of Tampa’s party town. You don’t want to miss these entertaining floats and costumes!  Ahh, ha, ha! This festival is October 29 from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. and the parade starts at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $12 online at the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Get there early, if you want to park! For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/oF43sj.

Whatever you choose to do, have a spooktacular time! Ahh, ha-ha!

Have questions or comments about this blog? Let us know!

Happy Halloween!

~Charlene Marie

Useful Tip Friday: Proper Lighting for Guests

When there is company, there are a lot of bases to cover to ensure that your guest is comfortable during their stay.  Having a house guest typically requires providing clean linens, extra towels, enough dishes and additional snacks and dinner items in order to be a hospitable host. Although there may be a lot to ponder already when it comes to being welcoming; have you thought about your lighting? Today we will give you a few tips on lighting up your home the proper way for visitors. 

 

Have you ever stumbled down the hall in the middle of the night to find the bathroom?  If it’s that hard for you to get to the restroom, it will be twice as bad for your guest. Add a little glow to your lavatory with a nightlight. You can also place a few extra nightlights in the hallways or in the kitchen. You never know when a visitor may need a midnight snack!

Want to have a memorable dinner experience with your guest? Garnish your table with a few candles. Candle lighting is relaxing and enhances the atmosphere with a warm glow during any occasion. Dinners by candle light aren’t just for romantics. Add a few tea lights or fragrance candles around your home for a more comforting feeling throughout.

Do you have a guest that likes to read? Make sure there is a desk or nightstand lamp so your visitor will have control over the lighting in the comfort of their own room. Have a guest with bad vision? Enrich the room’s lighting with an OttLite lamp or bulb.

                                                               Key Largo Table Lamp

Now that we have the inside of your home covered, don’t forget about the outside! Always leave a porch or floodlight on for that guest who is expected later than usual. If you think you might forget to shut it off, add a timer to the mix and have the light shut off automatically.

Have any comments or suggestions about today’s blog? We’d love to hear them!

~Charlene Marie

Inspired by Movies: High Definition Lighting

Image source: roughwriter.yc.edu

Have you ever seen a movie in which the colors were so vivid that it practically made you feel like it was a part of real life? The image projection that emerges from high definition lighting can be amazing concept when it comes to movies. High definition lighting can also be just as good when it is dispersed in your home. For your entertainment, here are a few great movies that bring color to life!

When I heard Avatar was a three-hour movie, I almost did a 180-degree turn in the middle of the road, on the way to the theater. I can barely sit still when a movie is an hour, never mind three! When the previews were finally over with and Avatar popped on, I was blown away! The brilliant colors and quality of the movie was entrancing! The hues became even more electrifying when the night scenes in the forest illuminated the big screen. I loved it! After the movie was over, I was still in disbelief that such a long movie could go by that fast!

Image source: commicbookmovie.com

I remember when cartoons were made with just a handful of colors. When I was a kid, I was definitely drawn in more by the entertainment of the flick versus the hues on the setting. Thanks to computer graphics, today’s animated movies are two times the fun! For instance, one move that displays great color is the movie UP. Although the story may be a little sad, the brilliant colors of the balloons and of Kevin, the tropical bird, certainly brought a smile to my face.

Image source: thecia.com.au

There have been studies that have shown that certain colors and lighting can give your mood a boost. Why not embrace the brilliant colors of Hollywood and bring them into your own home? Cheer up your dwelling with natural HD lighting from The Lite Source and let your true colors shine!

OttLite 508 Edison Swirl Bulb

Have any questions or comments about today’s blog? Feel free to share!

~ Charlene Marie