Show Mom You Care Without Breaking the Bank!
Find yourself gifting Mom with flowers year after year? Break the routine and shake things up this year. We’ve got some fun, creative ideas for Mother’s Day to make Mom happy and prevent you from breaking the bank!
Show off your culinary skills. There’s nothing like a homemade meal and a simple gesture like this that really shows you care. Have Mom start the day with this yummy batch of chocolate chip pancakes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-pancakes/
Spend the day powered off. Take a break from Facebook and your iPhone and spend some time with mom. Enjoy some nice fresh air; go on a local hike or take her to a nice place with a picnic basket full of her favorite foods! Trust us, time spent with you will be her favorite gift!
Movie Night! Line up a few rom-com movies in your Netflix queue for a girls’ movie night! Mom will love having a cozy night in watching movies that were chosen with her in mind! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/08/the-best-mothers-day-movi_n_568160.html#s88877&title=Terms_of_Endearment
Girl’s Trip! Plan a fun evening or daytime activity that Mom could spend with her friends! Try gifting Mom with a trip to the movies, museum tickets or nice lunch at her favorite restaurant.
Play Cinderella for a night and finish all of the house chores that usually fall onto Mom’s plate before she wakes up. She’ll be thrilled to start her day with this “to-do” item checked off her list!
Wishing all the Moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day!
Earth Day: Upcycle Your Clothes!
We all know recycling, but are you into upcycling? It’s the latest in eco-friendly fashion – making your old clothes new again through creative styling. In honor of Earth Day, try out a few of these trendy spring looks created by upcycling your winter clothes!
Turn your slouchy winter sweater into a fun knit beach bag! http://frugalliving.about.com/od/craftsgifts/ss/Sweater_Bag.htm
The scarf that kept you warm all winter can be used as a sarong with your bikini, a mini for day, an evening wrap and more! http://i.americanapparel.net/storefront/images/altimages/rsa2502.html
Turn your jeans into a skirt by following these easy instructions! http://fun.kyti.me/index.php/2011/08/back-to-school-jeans-skirt/
Repurpose your old tee shirt into a super-cute cropped jacket! http://wobisobi.blogspot.com/2011/03/project-re-style-12.html
Happy Styling and Happy Earth Day everyone!!
Show us how you are upcycling your clothes by posting pictures of your creations on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/mycleanscene
Prepping for Your Dream Job!
What’s your dream job? An actor? A doctor? A journalist? No matter what career path you’re looking to head down, it’s never too early to hop on the road toward that goal. This summer make a plan to try out a couple of your dream career choices. Here are some suggestions to help you get experience in the career that you know you love!
For the Science Fanatic:
Summer Programs
Lab research assistant
Volunteer at a hospital (children’s hospitals are great!)
University summer programs for high school students
Honors summer programs
College Majors
Pre-Med
Biology/Chemistry
Psychology
Careers
Doctor
Professor
Researcher
For the Tech Wiz:
Summer Programs
University summer programs for high school students
Tutor children in computer science or math
Intern at a science museum
College Majors
Computer Science
Engineering
Applied Math
Careers
Engineer
Product Manager at a technology company
Web/Application Developer
For the History Buff:
Summer Programs
Intern at a museum
Volunteer at your local newspaper
Model U.N.
College Majors
History
Art History
Political Science
Careers
Professor
Museum Director
Journalist
For the English Enthusiast:
Summer Programs
Volunteer at literacy programs
Intern at a newspaper
Intern at a PR firm
College Majors
English
Communications
Public Relations
Careers
Copywriter
Professor
Public Relations Specialist
For the Inspired Artist:
Summer Programs
Internship at gallery
Volunteer at non-profit art foundation
Volunteer with an art therapy program
College Majors
Art Therapy
Visual Arts
Advertising
Careers
Art therapist
Graphic Designer
Art Director
For the Music Aficionado:
Summer Programs
Internship at a recording studio
Volunteer at a music therapy program
Tutor music students
College Majors
Music Production
Music Theory
Music Performance
Careers
Audio Engineer
Composer
Performer
We’d love to hear about your dream job and what steps you’re taking to get there! Let us know by commenting on this blog or posting it on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/mycleanscene
Up Up And Away for Spring Break!
Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Stress When Dealing with Airport Security
Yay, Spring Break is upon us! Time for sun, relaxation, a week away from school. Only downside? Airport security of course! But we’re here to help! Let’s get you set for a fun and relaxing vacation from the minute you arrive at the airport to the minute you get back home!
1) Suitcase Size! Although we all want to pack a different pair of shoes for every possible situation (What if I go hiking?!), let’s keep it simple people. If you are headed to a warm climate, bring a pair of wedges that can be dressed up or down and bring a pair of tennis shoes for tours and hikes. That should cover everything from dressy dinners, hanging out on the beach and long tours. For cooler vacations, like a ski trip, pack one pair of boots and a pair of nice flats. Make sure to wear the boots on the plane, because they take up a too much room in your suitcase. Remember the less you pack, the more you save in checked bag fees – mom and dad will love that!
2) If it’s over 3.4 leave it at the store! We’ve all had this drilled into our brains by now, but it’s worth a mention. For toiletries, make sure that all of your containers are travel-sized (3.4 ounce or 100ml). Travel-sized empty bottles are available at any local drug store to squirt some of your favorite products in if unavailable in a small size. Don’t forget to pack your bottles in individual sandwich bags, required by airport security. Less obvious but important toiletries for travel are face cleansing wipes, sunscreen, dry shampoo and waterproof mascara.
3) Accessorize to maximize! Pack efficiently by using the three to one ratio – three tops to every one bottom. Mix up your looks by going heavy on the accessories – earrings, bracelets, necklaces, sunglasses, etc. You’ll get a million different looks with minimum usage of valuable suitcase space.
4) Don’t forget the details! It’s the little things you forget that can really be a buzz kill for your trip. Remember your sunglasses, sunscreen, hair ties, glasses, jacket, bathing suit – and our most forgotten item – the phone charger!
5) Sail through security by wearing slip on shoes that can easily be removed. Have your laptop out and make sure any laptop cords are in a separate bin. Keep your metal jewelry to a minimum. And wear your socks – you don’t want to be walking on that icky floor in bare feet!
Now that we’ve got you through the airport, enjoy your Spring Break! Let us know what you are doing this year by commenting below.
Turn your Oscar Viewing Party into a Fun, Glamorous Affair!
The Oscars are like the Superbowl for fans of all things Hollywood, celebrity and glamour! Why not celebrate it like you would the Big Game – with a fun themed party! Clean Scene is here to give you all the tips and tricks to make your Oscar party the next best thing to being at the actual event!
The Guest List:
1) Invite people that love the Oscars – and will love a theme party – as much as you! There’s no bigger downer than having your BF’s boyfriend in the corner all night looking at his watch. So tell her to leave him at home and bring her Celebrity A-Game instead!
2) Make it a costume party and have guests dress up as their favorite nominee. Not feeling the people nominated this year? Have people dress up like movie starts past or present. Everyone loves a good Marilyn Monroe costume opportunity!
3) Outfit inspiration: http://www.teenvogue.com/style/2011/02/best-dressed-at-oscars#slide=1
The Ambiance:
1) Get guests into the mood before they enter your door.
-Have a red carpet in lined up in your entrance way, or stanchions with fake paparazzi behind them. It’s a great photo op that will be an even better keepsake after the last award has been announced!
2) Gold is the theme of the night, so cover your place in golden balloons! Blow them up with helium, tie them with gold ribbon and let them float on the ceiling for a festive atmosphere.
3) After the Oscars are finished, make sure to have your own after party, with video interviews of your guests talking about how happy or disappointed they were with the Oscar winners.
The Food:
1) What better way to honor the year in movies than with movie theater treats! Think boxes of candy, popcorn and even hot dogs! Everyone loves to have movie snacks – without paying the concession stand prices!
2) Or Get fancy with your food, a la the Governor’s Ball. Drizzle chocolate on strawberries, serve yummy appetizers and don’t forget a signature mock-tail!
3) Toast the winners! Serve sparkling apple cider with a squeeze of lemon and a halved strawberry in plastic fluted glasses each time a winner is called. Yum!
The Games:
1) Download Oscar voting ballots—or create them yourself!—and have all the guests fill them out before the show starts.
-Making a ballot: http://www.ehow.com/how_10019459_make-ballot-sheet.html
-Personalized ballots: http://www.ehow.com/how_2026124_personalize-oscar-ballot.html
2) Test your guests knowledge of movie trivia before the actual festivities get under way. Find some great games to print out here: http://martieknows.squarespace.com/blog/2011/2/21/academy-awards-party-movie-quote-trivia-game.html
3) Provide prizes to winners of each game. Prizes can include chocolate awards statues or replica mini Academy Awards.
However you throw your Oscar party, remember to have fun! It’s all about the glitz, glamour and celebration. Who knows, someday maybe we’ll be watching you on that Oscar stage accepting your award!