Summer Fashion Must Haves

• The Dress - the must-have of the season look for bare styles plus wrap & shirtdresses that go from work to weekend
• Item Jacket - shorter length long on style with retro detailing, big buttons & trapeze silhouettes
• Prints - new abstracts, florals and 60’s look new on tunic & babydoll tops plus dresses
• Wear It in White - the must-have color in cropped pants plus shoes & handbags
• The Right Accessories - fresh and new Wedge shoes, oversized shades & straw handbags

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Swing Set!
Mother’s Day is a reminder of how golf can be the perfect sport to enjoy with your children at almost any age!

These tips will get you and your family started feeling comfortable and confident out on the course: (more…)

With these impressive gift ideas
By: Amie Berger, Alternative Shopping

For Mother’s Day this year, skip the usual dozen roses and give her a gift that she’ll be sure to remember.

Garden statuary
available at The Bird Garden
West Chester
513.755.7706 (more…)

Not Your Momma’s Water Garden
by: Stacey N. Dunaway

Drive through any neighborhood and you will inevitably see a water garden in someone’s yard. It could be anything from a small bubbling container to a full-scale pond. The question begs, why are they so popular? (more…)

Planning Your Perfect Patio
By: Kelly Clark

Take one look at the vast retail selection of outdoor furniture and it’s obvious that patio entertaining is all the rage. Whether it is a quiet sanctuary you desire or an outdoor family dining room, a bit of knowledge will help in the creation of your perfect patio. (more…)

Create an herb garden in no Thyme flat!
By: Stacey N. Dunaway

Now is a time of fresh vegetables and fruit, so why not add even more kick to your summer foods with fresh herbs? Creating an herb garden is quick, easy and inexpensive. In just a few steps you can grow your own herbs that will last all summer long. (more…)

Get In Gear for a Garage Makeover
By: Kelly Clark

For many of us the idea of actually parking our car in the garage is a novel concept. That’s because our garage, which is one of the largest rooms in our home, has become the family’s collective dumping ground. But there’s a new concept in makeovers sweeping the nation and this time it’s focused on the garage. Whether you hire a professional garage organization company or implement a system yourself, spring is the time to pull it together so you can finally get your car in from the rain! (more…)

Home improvements for the older adult
By: Gary Sullivan

If your parents are starting to get up in their years, more than likely they need your help now more than ever. Tasks that were once simple and routine now require more time and effort. Here are some simple home improvement projects that can help your aging loved ones function better in their own homes. (more…)

Time to get healthy at the core
By: Trena Shanks, Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor

It’s about that time when all the new swimsuit displays hit the store that we start to contemplate getting in better shape. Unfortunately, the one part of our body we hardly think about when it comes to being fit is also the most important - our back. Strengthening the back muscles provides stabilization for your entire body and the greatest benefit to anyone regardless of their training experience. (more…)

Send your taste buds on an exotic trip
By: Leigh Russo

Intimidated by artichokes? Puzzled by rhubarb? And why is that banana red? With the USDA recommending two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables a day, why not mix it up and try something new? (more…)

How to make your picnic a pleasure
By: Leigh Russo

Picnics are for relaxing and getting away from everyday stress. It should be fun! Don’t worry about a meal that requires a lot of setup and preparation. Keep it simple. An entire basket of homemade goods is not necessary. Make a few things, then buy some good bread, cheese and fruit and you’re ready to go. (more…)

Balancing family and financial responsibilities
By: Patty K. Scott, Senior VP and Managing Director First Financial Bank Wealth Resource Group

At a time when you may be looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time managing the needs of your aging parents. Squeezed in the middle, you’ve joined the ranks of the “sandwich generation.” (more…)

Are you a part of the sandwich generation?
By: Melissa Davis Haller

At first glance, the phrase “the sandwich generation” is deceptive, as if it refers to people who often linger over lunch with friends. In reality, members of this growing crowd from their 30s to their 60s actually spend the bulk of their time getting other people lunch – as well as dinner, baths, dealing with their finances and health issues, and, sometimes, weighing end-of-life decisions. These are among the countless responsibilities that come with being in the sandwich generation – people who are caring for both children and aging parents while trying to juggle the responsibilities of their own jobs, lives, and marriages. (more…)

What to look for in a college as an adult student
By: Maggie Davis, Director of the Career and Experiential Education Center at the College of Mount St. Joseph

What do you think of when you hear the words, “college student”? Most times, the image of an 18-year-old living in a dorm comes to mind. But that picture does not completely reflect reality. A college degree is becoming increasingly necessary in the marketplace for adults seeking upward mobility or change in their careers. (more…)