July 2022 - Fabricare Center

July Newsletter 2022

Summer is here!

Ben Feingold | Fabricare Center Owner

Every year it seems like school starts earlier and earlier. It’s hard to believe school in Atlanta now begins in early August. Shockingly we have only a few weeks of summer. Time to pack in those last-minute vacations and favorite summertime traditions. Soon we’ll trade in summer days at the pool and camp for new teachers, new classmates, and a new routine for the school year ahead.

By now, you’ve probably spent the better part of the summer sifting through your kid’s dirty laundry. Families with children returning from sleepaway camp often have duffel bags full of stinky clothes to tend to. Between tie-dye, popsicles, “bug juice”, grass stains, sunscreen stains, and just general dirt, your kids are coming home having had the time of their lives, but let’s face it also exhausted and with a very dirty wardrobe to boot. Let us help you get those sheets, towels, and clothes looking and smelling like new, so the kids can start the new school year off on a high note.

One of the most fun highlights leading up to a new school year is purchasing new clothes and picking out what you’ll wear on the first day of school. And, for those with kids in pre-school, you’ve likely been busy labeling your kids’ clothes, blankets, and other items in anticipation of their first day!

With the impending start of the school year, many after school activities, such as football, soccer, baseball, dance, and gymnastics will soon begin. This means another whole set of clothes to add to the seemingly endless laundry rotation.

Maybe this summer you’ve had a steady rotation of house guests and have lots of extra sheets and towels you’re washing on repeat. I know we’ve had a lot of visitors at our house this summer.

While technically summer will soon be coming to a close with the start of school, it’s still mid-July…in Atlanta, and the weather is hotter than hot. Let us make sure your kids’ new wardrobe, uniform, jerseys, leotards and more are looking and smelling fresh for the year ahead. Let us get your home looking and smelling like new, with freshly washed linens. We are big believers in the “look good, feel good” mentality, where that applies to your wardrobe or to the look of your home. Take advantage of Fabricare Center’s wash & fold service today. Spend time doing what you enjoy with those you love and leave the overflowing piles of laundry to us! Let us help you get out of that laundry rut and enjoy those last precious days of summer.

Warm regards,

4 Summertime Skin Care Tips

Summer brings sunshine and plenty of exciting opportunities to head outdoors for fun with family and friends. While those joyous moments make the season special, all that sun exposure can wreak havoc on the skin without the proper precautions.

Whether you’re dining outdoors, going for a swim, sweating out a bike ride or just spending a few moments soaking up some sun, it’s important to ensure you’re taking care of your body so you can enjoy those rays all season long.

Stay Hydrated

As an important aspect of overall health, staying hydrated also helps maintain your skin’s water content. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially as temperatures rise and you spend more time outdoors. Another delicious way to avoid dehydration – leading to energy drain, in mild cases – is to eat fruits and vegetables with high water content. One example is watermelon, which is 92% water and can help restore fluids.

Prioritize Skin Protection

Whether you’ll be in the sun for a few minutes or a few hours, it’s paramount to protect skin by applying sunscreen. On days when the UV index is 3 or higher, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends applying a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 15 or higher. Another option is to wear light, loose clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible while staying comfortable in the heat.

Refresh Your Face

As one of the parts of the body that sees the most sun exposure, your face is perhaps the most important area to care for during the sunnier months. An at-home, all-natural DIY facial offers a brightening, hydrating way to treat yourself.

For a true glow-up from the comfort of your own home, try this quick and easy solution: Mix 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt (to help exfoliate and purify) with 1 tablespoon of watermelon juice (for hydration). Apply the mask to your face and neck for 10 minutes then rinse off and pat your skin dry.

Keep Your Whole Body in Mind

While your face is likely to see a lot of sun, that shouldn’t mean neglecting the rest of your body. This gentle body scrub can give you that glow you’re looking for with a sweet, fruity scent.

Here’s how to exfoliate and polish your skin: Combine 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of watermelon juice. If you’d like, add 1 teaspoon of microplaned watermelon rind zest and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Store the scrub in an airtight container up to 1 week and, when you shower, gently rub a handful of scrub on your skin then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

Subtle Care for Sensitive Skin

For many, summer skin care can be as simple as following a basic routine. However, those with more sensitive skin may require additional attention. Try this calming, cleansing at-home remedy to moisturize and tone sensitive skin.

Chilled Lobster with Orange and Basil Vinaigrette

Recipe courtesy of Erin Lynch on behalf of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative

Servings: 4

Dressing:

1 tablespoon minced shallots
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
pepper, to taste
1 pound cooked Maine Lobster meat, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 head butter lettuce, torn
1 ripe avocado, peeled and diced
3 radishes, thinly sliced
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

To make dressing: In medium bowl, whisk shallots, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, basil, parsley, salt and Dijon mustard. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Add lobster to bowl; toss to coat. Chill at least 1 hour, or up to one day.
To serve: Arrange lettuce on serving plate and place lobster on top. Sprinkle with avocado, radishes, kosher salt and ground black pepper.

4 tips to Overcome Warm Weather Hazards

Summer means extra time outdoors. Sunny months provide a perfect opportunity for bonding with pets, but higher temperatures, seasonal plants and pests and additional travel can pose higher risks for complications.

To help keep dogs, cats and other pets safe during summer adventures, consider these tips from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, which has more than 1,000 locations across North America that cared for more than 4.5 million pets last year.

Beat the Heat

Dogs and cats cannot control their body temperature by sweating as humans do. They have a small number of sweat glands located in their footpads and primarily regulate their temperature by panting. Vigorous exercise, leaving a pet in a vehicle with poor ventilation – even if the windows are down – or being left outside without shade and water on hot days can lead to heatstroke, or hyperthermia.

Keep Ticks at Bay

As pets spend more time outdoors in the summer, they’re often exposed to pests like ticks. Ticks can transmit serious diseases to both dogs and cats. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, as many as 1 in 20 dogs tested positive for tick-borne diseases in 2021. Ticks climb onto pets from blades of grass or fall from overhanging trees and foliage. If a tick finds its way onto your pet, use tweezers or disposable gloves to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible then pull straight out with steady, even pressure until the tick releases.

Travel Safely

If you plan to travel with your pet, pack the necessities for your animal. Your pet’s luggage should include food, water bowls, treats, a leash and collar, toys, medications and printed copies of medical records, including vaccination history. Check with your veterinarian to determine if a health certificate is needed for travel. Also ensure your pet is comfortable with his or her crate or carrier before flying or embarking on a long road trip. Knowing where to take your pet in case of an emergency while away from home is also essential.

Manage Allergies

Many of the same allergens that affect humans impact pets. Atopy, also known as inhalant allergy, is a common cause of skin problems in dogs and cats. Affected animals often have a history of chronic or recurrent itching and tend to have a history of repeated skin or ear infections. Itchy pets tend to scratch themselves, lick their feet and rub on furniture or carpet. Atopy can also cause cats to groom excessively and develop bald or crusty spots on their skin.

5 Dreamy Honeymoon Destinations

Wedding season is in full swing as many lovebirds resume their wedding and honeymoon plans coming out of two years of pandemic restrictions. With an estimated 4.7 million weddings expected to take place in 2022 and 2023, according to The Wedding Report, newlyweds are eager to celebrate their special nuptials with once-in-a-lifetime trips.

Dubai

Straddling the line of beach and big city, Dubai, which is situated along the Persian Gulf within the Arabian Desert, offers a luxurious recipe for romance. As the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, there is much to see and do, including spending days on the beach, shopping, going on a camel safari in the Red Dune Desert or exploring nearby Abu Dhabi and must-sees like Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Emirates Palace.

Paris

Located on the River Seine, Paris is one of the most romantic places in the world to honeymoon. If food is part of your love language, head to where the locals eat like Du Pain et des Idees for bread and pastries or Chez Imogene for crepes. Plus, no honeymoon is complete without a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower – or views of the iconic landmark from Le Meurice, a hotel located in the heart of historic Paris.

St. Lucia

Dramatic volcanoes, lush jungles, pristine beaches and a wide assortment of boutique-style luxury hotels come together on one of the easiest islands in the Caribbean to reach. A nature-lover’s paradise, days can be spent basking on Sugar Beach or on the water. Aboard the Tout Bagay catamaran cruise and tour, you can explore the coast and historical town of Soufriere, take a mud bath in the only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean, snorkel, swim and see Margot Bay and the twin peaks of the Petit and Gros Pitons.

Iceland

With otherworldly, dramatic landscapes full of glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and fjords as well as city action, outdoor activities and spa experiences, the “Land of Fire and Ice” offers a perfect honeymoon smorgasbord. Celebrate your nuptials Icelandic-style with the seven-step ritual for two at Sky Lagoon, located just south of the capital city of Reykjavik. Or maximize your time with a drive around the Golden Circle, a 186-mile route with views of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and the Gullfoss waterfall, three of southwest Iceland’s top natural wonders.

Maldives

Boasting more than 1,200 islands, the Maldives features a plethora of luxurious all-inclusive properties, most of which are on their own private islands. All the resorts offer aquatic experiences ranging from beginner snorkeling and sea turtle searching to world-class diving with hammerhead sharks as well as spas with everything from over-the-water treatment rooms with glass-bottom floors to private couples’ pavilions and romantic rose petal-filled soaking tubs.