ALTERING OUR DAILY LIVES
Ben Feingold | Fabricare Center Owner
Over the last year we have all made many alterations to our lives, whether it has been attending virtual school over zoom, streaming a favorite workout class online, doing curbside pickup for anything from groceries to dinner, to even library books. We have all made slight adjustments to our routines to accommodate the changing world that we live in.
For many of us, through all of these changes, our style and wardrobe has been altered too. Maybe it has stemmed from a new diet or new exercise routine. Maybe as priorities and habits have changed, your sense of fashion has shifted too. Spring is the perfect time to take a look through your closet to see what items need a refresh.
At Fabricare Center our alterations team is ready to tailor your wardrobe to fit your new daily needs and to elevate your look. The secret to fashion isn’t in how much you spend, it’s in how well the clothes you have look and fit.
Whether you are looking to hem a pair of pants, let the waist in or out on a garment,need the elbows patched up on your favorite blazer, or want a zipper or buttons replaced on your go-to pair of jeans, our skilled seamstresses have got you covered.
Let us handle all of your major and minor alterations needs to have you looking and feeling like the best version of yourself. Step into the season with a new spring in your step!
Kind regards,
Lucky Mint Brownie Perfection
How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year.
Mint Brownies
Servings: 9-12
Nonstick cooking spray
1 box supreme brownie mix with chocolate syrup pouch
3 tablespoons water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
Filling:
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup whipping cream
5 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
5 drops green food color
Topping:
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 bag (12 ounces) chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
Heat oven to 350 F.
1. Spray 8-by-8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, mix brownie mix, water, oil and egg until combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 35 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. To make filling: In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, cream cheese, peppermint extract and food coloring. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate 1 hour, or until set.
4. To make topping: In saucepan, melt whipping cream, chocolate chips and butter until smooth. Cool until lukewarm, about 10 minutes. Pour over filling; spread to cover. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until set.Before serving, let brownies set 10 minutes at room temperature.
SAFE DISTANCES
A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, finding safe ways to celebrate special events like birthdays can provide a boost for mental health. Whether you’re celebrating a kid or a kid at heart, planning a socially distant birthday party is a way to enjoy some camaraderie and honor life’s important milestones.
For Kids
Younger party-goers may be more difficult to corral than adults who have a better understanding of social distancing guidelines. That’s why it’s a good idea to host kids’ parties outdoors.
Art Far Apart – Use the sidewalk or driveway as a canvas and have each kid (and parent) spread out. Provide trays of supplies like chalk or washable paint and encourage kids to interact with sing-a-long songs and games.
Driveway Performance – Many kid-friendly entertainers who made a living with special appearances at schools, libraries and other family events have modified their performances to accommodate small, private crowds. Look into local musicians, magicians and other kid-friendly performers who might set up in your yard or driveway while guests lounge on blankets and chairs from a comfortable distance.
Birthday Parade – If getting together isn’t practical, you can still make a little one’s day special by hosting a drive-by parade. Allow the birthday boy or girl to dress up in his or her birthday best and create a throne to sit on while watching friends and family drive by and wave from cars decorated with streamers and balloons. (If you live in a smaller community, check with the local police or fire station to see if they’re willing to get in on the fun with a guest drive-by appearance.)
For Adults
Like kids, many adults are simply craving personal interaction, so even the simplest of gatherings can make a birthday feel special.
Wine Tasting – Set up a series of seating areas around the backyard where same household groups can gather. Use disposable shot glasses to serve flights of wine samples to each group or ask guests to bring their own and use flowerpots filled with ice to keep bottles chilled.
Pool Party – While kids young and old are likely to enjoy a party set poolside, an older crowd is more likely to keep some distance in the water. Scatter some shade umbrellas around so each group has its own home base and plan on single-serve refreshments or ask guests to bring their own coolers.
Driveway Dinner – Simply hanging out feels like a treat these days, so set up lawn chairs and let everyone place a delivery order. Add some background music and individual desserts then let the good times roll.
VACATION PLANS
After a long year stuck at home, many people are dreaming about when they can travel once again. While counting down the days may feel like torture, planning and booking a vacation for later this year can give you something to look forward to. Now may be the perfect time to start thinking about your next adventure. Consider these tips for planning a future trip – even if you’re not certain exactly when you’ll take it.
Research Travel Restrictions
For any kind of travel, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date on any restrictions your potential destinations may have in place. Though the vaccine may help lessen restrictions in some places, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain updated guidance and travel warnings based on the risk level of certain areas, which can help you make decisions. Once you’ve booked travel plans, it is prudent to check in frequently as your trip approaches and prepare a backup plan.
Account for High Demand
Many hotels, vacation rentals and resorts may already be booked for summer in popular locations due to optimism around the vaccine, increased demand for domestic travel and families planning multiple trips this year. In fact, travelers are locking in private Vrbo vacation homes at top summer destinations earlier in 2021. Less than half of vacation homes in some locations are still available for July, which is a more than 25% increase in demand year-over-year. To better your odds of securing your desired travel dates, accommodations and activities, booking earlier can help off-set the increased demand.
“In years past, we’ve recommended families book their summer vacations by late April to stay ahead of the curve, but this year there are several reasons why families are eager and ready to book,” Vrbo President Jeff Hurst said. “These signs are telling us families should start looking for the perfect vacation home now before options become more limited.”
Take Advantage of Deals with Longer Stays
Many sectors of the travel industry offer special deals for reserving trips in advance, and some of the best deals can be found by bundling airfare and lodging or booking extended week- or month-long stays. These longer vacations can lead to fewer available dates to choose from, but some travel companies offer search filters that help travelers find discounts for staying longer periods of time.
Opt for Flexible Booking
If you’re eager to plan a vacation right away, be sure to review and understand cancellation policies for your preferred accommodations, airline and activities. Many have changed their policies due to the pandemic, so be sure to know how long you have to cancel or change dates without incurring additional fees or penalties. For example, when booking a vacation rental through Vrbo, where hosts set their cancella-tion terms, you can use the “free cancellation” filter to search for properties with flexible policies, some of which allow cancellations up to 14 days before check-in for a full refund.
Start Saving Now
While it may not be practical for everyone to save money amid uncertain times, setting even a small amount aside for your vacation can be worthwhile. Consider setting up a dedicated travel savings account or directing the change from each transaction made with your debit card to a separate account. Being able to periodically check the balance of the account can also help increase excitement for your upcoming adventure.
Improve Wellness with Bathroom Upgrades
Wellness is at the forefront of nearly everyone’s mind, including keeping germs at bay and creating surroundings that promote mental and physical health. Even small, but important, spaces like the bathroom can benefit from changes with wellness in mind. A bathroom can be one of the easiest rooms in your home to give a little extra TLC toward creating a healthier lifestyle. These cost-effective measures can turn your bathroom into a more practical, functional space that promotes your well-being.
Switch Up Surfaces
The countertops in your bathroom, much like the flooring, must be able to withstand a lot of water. Nonporous vanity tops, such as those made from quartz, hold up to being wet constantly and can help keep germs from breeding. In addition to being easy to clean, a solid-surface option like quartz never needs to be sealed or polished, making it an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting option.
Clean Green
Bathrooms are often hot and steamy places, and water vapors in the air can carry potentially harmful chemicals from cleaning products. Green cleaning products are made to control the spread of bacteria and viruses using safe and effective means. Not only are they helpful in preventing asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, but they are a low-cost way to improve overall indoor air quality.
What you use to clean yourself is just as important. Using green or organic personal care items can help reduce toxin exposure and lessen the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
Reduce Humidity
All that steam can affect your health in other ways, too, since it creates a humid environment that encourages mold and mildew. A heated towel rack is an inexpensive way to add a touch of luxury to your space while generating heat that helps reduce humidity and the growth of mold and mildew, therefore benefiting indoor air quality.
Heated towel racks like those from Amba Products come in a variety of finishes and styles to coordinate with your decor. For smaller spaces, the Radiant Small is a space-saving choice, and freestanding models are available if wall space is at a premium. Another advantage: Since the racks dry towels, they’ll stay mildew-free longer and don’t need to be washed as often, which helps save valuable natural resources.
Enhance Air Quality
Creating a green, spa-like oasis with plants can bring wellness benefits that don’t break the bank. Indoor plants help rid the environment of pollutants, and the energy and ambiance they add may have mental health benefits, too. Plants like mother-in-law’s tongue or peace lily are popular options to incorporate as natural air purifiers.
Explore Color
A bathroom’s color palette can also play a role in your wellness goals. Warmer shades like red and orange enhance energy while cooler colors like green and blue can be calming.
Service Spotlight – Alterations
This is a true story. A client washed a load of delicate items with a coat hanger and her favorite sweater ended up with a dozen holes in it. That sweater is this client’s reach-for piece when shes trying to look her best.
From a small tear to refitting or an untraceable reweave, we have your mending and tailoring needs covered. We’re pros with military patches, hems and tapering, and we have in-depth tailoring knowledge for weight loss and gain.
With Fabricare Center, you won’t throw out beloved pieces because of a rip or hole. And you won’t need to purchase a brand new wardrobe to fit or adapt to your new lifestyle. Try us. Call or schedule a pickup today!