Volume 109Host and Hostess Gifts Everyone Will Love

Every season is party season, but when the latter half of the year rolls in so do the party invitations. If you'll be attending one or more parties this year, chances are you'll not arrive empty handed.

It's polite to thank your host or hostess with a token of your appreciation, and you want your gift to be something useful, delightful and memorable. At the same time, you don't have to spend a bundle to impress your host or hostess.

Here are ideas for host or hostess gifts that are sure to show party-throwers you consider them the "host (or hostess) with the most," while convincing them you're the best guest ever:

If your host is a wine lover and you're not confident about choosing a bottle, one option is to put together a bag of accessories. Present your host with a quality wine bottle opener, personalized stopper or even a set of lovely wine glasses.

Chocolate is a common host/hostess gift, and one that is sure to please. M&M'S are a great party treat and in honor of the candy's 75th anniversary, Danish fashion designer Camilla Staerk collaborated with the brand to present specially designed packages of plain and peanut M&M'S. M&M'S by Staerk Designer Collection are exclusively available in Target stores. Packages come in shareable

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Inside This Issue1. Host and Hostess

Gifts Everyone Will Love

2. Parent Snack Hacks to Fight After-School Hunger

3. 5 Ways Tech Can Help You Score Home Entertaining Gold

4. How to Use Color Psychology When Painting Your Home

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”-Maya Angelou

What Makes a Home a Home?Some may say a house, some may

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and personal sizes featuring elegant animal print designs that will look great displayed in any home. However, they're only available for a limited time, so be sure to stock up so you'll have enough for every party until the end of the year.

Know a host who always whips up the most dazzling menus? You can celebrate your host's culinary skills by giving artfully packaged gourmet sea salts, organic seasonings or ethnic spices. It's easy to find a variety of unusual salts and seasonings online or at your local gourmet store.

Anyone who lives in a busy household can find themselves hunting for something to write with - and unable to find a pen or notepad. Put together a selection of pretty pens, paired with magnet-backed notepads, and present in a pretty tote. The next time your hostess is planning a get-together, she'll remember who gave her the pen and paper she's using to draft her guest list!

Scented soaps and candles can be a great option when you're not sure of your host or hostess' personal tastes. These items not only make a home smell wonderful throughout the season, they can add a decorative touch. Choose aromas that are widely loved, like vanilla, cinnamon or citrus.

With a little creativity, you can show your appreciation and give hosts and hostesses gifts that will help ensure your name is at the top of their guest lists next year!

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Parent Snack Hacks to Fight After-School Hunger

"How was your day," you ask your child after school. Rather than hearing a funny recess anecdote or story about a tough test, she murmurs back, "I'm hungry."

School days are long, and if your child participates in after-school activities, they're even longer. Busy kids need plenty of fuel to keep their bodies and minds going.

"Considering most kids get just 20 minutes to eat lunch, and some as early as 10:30 in the morning, after-school hunger becomes a big problem," says Laura Fuentes, cookbook author, food blogger and founder of MOMables.

Fuentes developed five simple tips to help fight after-school hunger and keep kids going until dinnertime.

Tip 1. Plan Ahead

Adding extras to lunch keeps things interesting for kids, plus helps them feel full for longer. Plan ahead to keep hunger pangs at bay all day.

"By adding premade frozen smoothies inside my kids' lunchboxes, I'm able to keep their lunch cool, plus they quench thirst and satisfy hunger at the same time," says Fuentes.

Kubo and the Two Strings Movie Trivia

Where did Kubo grow up?a. Austrailiab. Africac. Americad. Japan

What is Kubo’s weapon of choice?

a. Gunb. Samurai Swordc. Rockd. Guitar

Who is Kubo’s best friend?a. Peteb. Nancyc. Elliotd. Joe

Kubo and the Two Strings is ____________ first ever feature in an animated film?

a. Art Parkinson’sb. Charlize Theron’sc. Ralph Fiennes’sd. Matthew McConaughey’s

Who plays as the voice actor for The Sisters?

a. Mariel Sheetsb. Aaron Aokic. Luke Donaldson

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Tip 2. Have Portable Snacks Ready

A balanced snack that can be eaten on-the-go is a life saver. Pack the pantry with wholesome options that both parents and kids love. Additionally, don't overlook fresh fruit that is both healthy and portable.

"I love pairing Lance Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers with apple slices," says Fuentes. "They offer up to 5 grams of protein, plus are made with real peanut butter and cheddar cheese - a combination kids just love."

A snack like Lance Sandwich Crackers, which also offers gluten-free and whole-grain options, is conveniently wrapped in individual packs, making on-the-go snacking easy between activities. Learn more at www.lance.com.

Tip 3. Pack a Balanced Lunch

Balancing the lunchbox can help ensure kids stay satiated longer. Make sure to include protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables in every lunch you pack.

"School lunch breaks are shorter than ever, so cutting up foods into smaller pieces can make it easier and quicker to eat," Fuentes says. "Additionally, dividing the foods sent to school in multiple containers distributes the food for different break periods."

Tip 4. Make a Wholesome Breakfast

Many kids come home starving because they haven't eaten enough to fuel their day. Making breakfast part of your morning routine is essential for setting kids up for success.

"Two of my favorite easy and portable breakfast ideas that can be made ahead of time are quick breakfast burritos and overnight oats," says Fuentes. "They provide just the right amount of fuel and protein to help kids focus in school."

Tip 5. Rule Out Thirst

"Since thirst can often masquerade as hunger, it's important to have water available at all times," Fuentes says.

Try tucking an extra water bottle in your kid's backpack and offer a cup immediately when they get home. To encourage kids to drink more water, add a touch of flavor and color by placing fresh orange slices or berries inside their cup.

After-school hunger doesn't stand a chance with these smart tips. Try them out today and watch kids come home happier and feeling healthier than ever.

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d. Rooney Mara

Who wrote the story Kubo and the Two Strings?

a. Marc Haimesb. Chris Buttlerc. Shannon Tindled. Travis Knight

Quick and Easy Apple Tart

Recipe Courtesy of foodnetwork.com

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5 Ways Tech Can Help You Score Home Entertaining Gold

Many Americans are avid sports fans, and technology has made it easier than ever for them to enjoy their favorite sporting events in the comfort of their own home. From annual events like January's Big Game and month-long college basketball tournaments, to international competitions that draw athletes and audiences from around the world, Americans love to gather together to celebrate their favorite sporting events.

If you are hosting the ultimate game-viewing party for the 2016 summer games, here are five technology devices to outfit your home that can help you score entertaining gold with family and friends:

Sports apps. Leagues and sporting events of virtually every kind have free apps you can use to keep up on what's happening with your favorite teams and athletes. You can even download an app with news and schedules for the 2016 summer games, a searchable database of medalists, records and more. Use it to host a party under a theme tied to a specific game and help everyone keep track of the latest.

Portable projector. You can take advantage of good weather by taking the viewing party outdoors with a portable projector. The lightweight "Minibeam" LED projector from LG, for example, is easily transportable, weighing only 1.43 pounds with an embedded battery that provides up to 2.5 hours of run time, eliminating the need to plug in every time you use the device. Bluetooth connectivity means it can connect and share content between Bluetooth-enabled devices while delivering high-definition picture quality that's clear and bright with sharp contrast and rich blacks. It can also stream content directly from premium content providers like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu, among others.

Wireless speakers. Pick up on every cheer and capture the emotion in every winner's voice when you use wireless speakers arranged to optimize sound.

Ingredients1 whole sheet puffed pastry, cut in halfNonstick cooking spray1 cup brown sugar1/4 teaspoon saltJuice of 1/2 a lemon3 whole apples, cored, halved and sliced, but not peeledStore-bought caramel sauce, for serving1/4 cup chopped pecans

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 425 degrees F.Place the puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that's been sprayed with nonstick spray or lined with parchment paper. Add the sugar, salt and lemon juice to the apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange the apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Remove from the pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve with caramel sauce and chopped pecans.

Recipe courtesy of Ree DrummondRead more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/quick-and-easy-apple-

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Wireless speakers like Music Flow can connect to your TV, surround sound system and even your mobile devices to ensure no one misses a moment of their favorite sporting events.

Fan Fridge. Let your guests help themselves! Many LG refrigerators feature a "door-in-door" compartment, which makes it easier for your fellow fans to quickly and easily access must-have snacks stored in the interior door compartment. Just stock the compartment with their favorites, and they can access the food and drink they want with a touch of a button - and without ever having to open the entire refrigerator. Not only is this convenient, but opening just this section of the fridge will keep cold air in to help food stay fresher for longer - most useful during those hot summer days to prevent cold air escaping from where it matters most.

A smart cooler. If you've decided to move your sports celebration outdoors, you'll need a way to keep beverages and snacks cool and fresh. A smart cooler can do the trick, and some of them will even charge your cell phone. From smart coolers that are equipped with a solar panel that can charge small mobile devices, to ones that have removable blenders and built-in Bluetooth speakers, or interior lights that make night-game snacking a cinch, today's smart coolers are a far cry from the Styrofoam boxes of your childhood!

To learn more about electronics and appliances that can help you score a win during game-day entertaining, visit www.LG.com.

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How to Use Color Psychology When Painting Your Home

Color psychology: Using different hues to create emotion with paint

Do you ever wonder why you feel immediately relaxed when you enter a spa, yet when you enter a gym, you feel alert and energized? The answer can be found in the colors selected to decorate the space.

"Interior designers use color psychology to evoke an emotional response," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "Homeowners can use this strategy to connect colors with emotions and memories to create one-of-a-kind spaces."

Color psychology starts by exploring warm and cool hues and then using these different tones to manipulate mood throughout your home. It's easy to do with the tips below.

Warm Color Families

Red, orange and yellow are considered warm colors since they are associated with images of heat, like fire or sunshine. Warm families of color are bold and powerful when incorporated into home design.

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Yellows

Because yellow reflects light, it's an excellent choice for foyers and dark hallways. Its cheery nature has the ability to create an uplifting mood in homes. Rich yellows are great accent colors because they catch the eye. A great color to consider is Wadden's favorite: Butterscotch SW 6377.

"This color isn't for the faint of heart," she says. "The color features an acidy, deep mustard feel but is a great accent color paired with neutrals. I find its pop can really spark up a room."

Reds

Reds evoke feelings of passion, energy and intimacy, so it's an excellent color for workout rooms and master bedrooms. Red also inspires the appetite, so is a logical choice for dining rooms or kitchens.

Michael Plank, director of color marketing and design services for Sherwin-Williams, enjoys Chinese Red SW0057.

"Chinese Red is one of my perennial favorites to play off dark stains with its saturated and sophisticated nature," he says. "Rich in hue as it is in Chinese culture; the harbinger of joy and fortune."

Oranges

Orange has a friendly attitude that awakens and welcomes. Never understated, orange works well in family rooms and is a playful choice for children's bedrooms or bonus rooms. Orange tones can also integrate into other colors, such as Coral Reef SW6606.

"Ever since I was little I had a love affair with orange," says Wadden. "I painted my daughter's room Coral Reef. I love the rich complexity of the color."

Cool Color Families

Blue, green and violet are considered cool colors because the inherent tones of each shade. Reminiscent of water and the outdoors, cool colors stimulate feelings of peace and tranquility, and are great options for bedrooms, bathrooms and patio spaces.

Blues

Blue is soothing and elicits feelings of relaxation, which is perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Alternatively, blues should be kept out of the kitchen because it's a color that's associated with appetite suppression.

"I love cool greenish blues," says Plank. "Blue Sky 0063 is from our historic palette and is a calming hue that works in virtually every room."

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Greens

Green tones provide a feeling of familiarity because they are found throughout nature. Light greens are ideal for living rooms and offices; dark greens are wonderfully rich as accent colors.

Vivid greens add unexpected pop, notes Sherwin-Williams Senior designer Karrie Hodge, who likes Marea Baja SW 9185.

"I really like dark colors and this color reminds me of the deep turquoise part of the ocean," she says. "This would make a great front door color on a white or gray colored house. This color would pair well with some natural stone or brick or wood."

Violets

Purple tones are immediately attractive to children, making them a great paint option in playrooms or bonus rooms. Additionally, violet is also a stunning accent color in bathrooms.

When it comes to the violet family of colors, Hodge likes the versatility of Veri Berri SW 9069.

"It’s a rich berry tone that is playful," she says. "This would make a really dramatic accent wall color in any room; I could even see this as a really fresh front door color."

For more color inspiration and to learn more about warm and cool colors, visit www.sherwin-williams.com.

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