Strange & Charmed Issue 6: Fun in the Sun

Strange & Charmed

Fun in the Sun Strange & Charmed

JULY/AUGUST 2013

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IN THIS ISSUE

8: Letter From the Editor

26: Beat the Heat: Maxi

9: Staff Movie Night

28: Beat the Heat: Sungl

12: Staff Picks: Travel Apps

30: Beat the Heat: Drink

14: Foodie: Shrimp and Grits

32: Blogcademy

18: How to Cure a Sunburn

36: Camp NaNoWriMo

24: How to Beat the Heat

38: Summer Movie Nigh

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42: Digital vs Analog 48: Horoscope Survival Guide 50: Mantra: Find Your Inner Peace 52: Quirky Girl Spotlight

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Letter from the Editor By: Alexis Giostra

Hello Everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic start to your summer! So far, I have already had a few adventures and it looks like I may have a few more before the summer is through! The summer months really are the best time for adventures and excursions, invoking a real sense of wanderlust in many of us. Whether your hitting the road or not this summer, this issue will be filled with tips and tricks to beating the heat, some great movie suggestions, an easy and delicious summer recipe and a how to guide on curing that summer sunburn! Will you be hitting the road this summer on a roadtrip or perhaps taking a backpacking adventure through Europe? If so, make sure to let us know!

Tweet @StrangeNCharmed with the hashtag #scwanderlust so we can follow along on your summer adventures!

On a more personal note, I just came back from The Blogcademy in NYC. If you are not familiar, The Blogcademy is a two day blogger workshop hosted by Gala Darling, Shauna Haider of Nubby Twiglet, and Kat Williams of Rock N Roll Bride. The workshop is geared towards helping female bloggers establish 8

themselves on the internet through exciting content, beautiful websites and top notch networking! I will be including a short synapsis of my adventures at The Blogcademy for you to read, however, the reason I am mentioning it in my letter to you is because I learned a lot during the event, including the fact that I am working myself too thin running the Strange & Charmed Blog and this magazine.

So, I think I am going to put the magazine on hiatus for a bit until I can figure out where this magazine fits in the scope of my life and its relationship to the blog.

I have undergone a lot of personal and professional changes since we launched S&C Magazine a year ago and I do not want to compromise the quality of my content just to keep multiple balls in the air. In the meantime, I am putting a lot more energy into the Strange & Charmed Blog, so make sure to stop by www.StrangeCharmed.com and follow along with some awesome new content and features that will be arriving shortly!

Xoxo Alexis

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Alexis Giostra

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Editor in Chief

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(left)

The Devil Wears Prada (right)

Stardust

(left)

Lord of the Rings Trilogy (right)

The Dark Crystal

Charmed Summer MovieStrange Night: W& hat we’re watching

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Kate Marshall (left)

Scream (right)

Up in the Air

(left)

Father of the Bride (right)

Star Wars: Original trilogy

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& Charmed Summer MStrange ovie Night : What we’re watching

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Executive Editor

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Michael Cousineau

{ } Layout Editor

(left)

Apollo 13 (right)

Galaxy Quest

(left)

Moonrise Kingdom (right)

The Iron Giant

Summer MovieStrange Night: &WCharmed hat we’re watching

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Staff Travel Apps

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Going on a trip this Summer? Make your planning easier with these six handy apps!

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By: Michael Cousineau

(left)

Concur / Keep track of your expenses and stay productive on the go / Free

(right) Weather+ / Beautiful real time weather for the city you are in / Free 12

Staff Picks

(left)

Learn Spanish - Phrasebook / Translate common words and phrases from English to Spanish (available in other languages) / Free

(left)

GPS by Telenav / Personalized GPS with free voice guidance / Free

(right) Travel List / Plan a trip with your itinerary or create a packing list / $1.99

(right) Flight Tracker Free / Get real-time flight status worldwide / Free Strange & Charmed

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Foodie

Foodie: Shrimp and Grits By: Alexis Giostra

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In the heat of summer, there is nothing I enjoy more than southern comfort food and my absolute favorite dish is Shrimp & Grits!

It can be quick and easy to make, which means less time by the heat of the stove and more time relaxing in the shade, and I am sharing my own simple recipe that is simple enough for anyone to follow!

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Ingredients - 11 Shrimp Per Serving of Medium/ Large Cooked Shrimp with tail on - 2 tbsp Butter - I cup Bobs Red Mill Corn Grits also known as Polenta - 1/4 cup Mascarpone Cheese - 1/4 cup Lemon Juice - 3 cups of Water - 2-3 Cloves of Garlic - 1-2 tbsp of Olive Oil - Seasonings to taste: Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Parsley, Old Bay

Grits/Polenta. Stir and allow the grits to bubble on low heat for 5 minutes. In the meantime, rise your shrimp under luke warm water to allow them to thaw.

Chop your garlic cloves. Place a large sauce pan on medium/high heat and add the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up for a few moments and then add the garlic. Lightly brown the garlic in the oil but not burn, Add 2 tbsp of butter and allow that to melt. Once the butter has melted add your lemon juice and then your shrimp. Add Old Bay seasoning to your shrimp to taste. Mix the shrimp in with your liquid and then cover the pot, allowing them to steam for about 3 minutes.

Directions Fill a medium sized sauce pot with 3 cups of water and a bit of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add 1 cup of Corn 16

Foodie

Once the 5 minutes have elapsed on your grits, you can turn off the heat and add in the mascarpone cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and parsley to taste. Begin to plate large spoonfuls of the grits onto plates or bowls, leaving a well in the center for your shrimp. Once your shrimp are heated through, give them one last stir in the cooking liquid and plate them out. Viola! Your done!

All in all, this recipe takes only about 10 minutes to prepare from start to end and since you are only using your stovetop it means your not filling your home with the heat of a stove. I prefer frozen pre cooked shrimp so you don’t have to worry about under or overcooking the shrimp which can totally ruin them. All you need to do

is make sure they are heated through for a few minutes and allow them to baste in the flavorful liquid. I have often thought that the shrimp could be made in a large batch alone and served as an appetizer at a party or gathering as they are so simple to make but pack a good deal of flavor and then are something different than the usual shrimp and cocktail sauce. The grits/polenta as well could be used as a side in a variety of other meals, and depending on the flavors of the meal, the seasonings can be adjusted to taste.

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o t w o H n r u b n u S a e r Cu By: Alexis Giostra

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{ } Right at the start of this summer, I made the epic mistake of laying out in the sun with an insufficient amount of sun protection. Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but after only an hour and a half at the pool I was as red as a lobster and in excruciating pain. I had not been this badly burned in a long time and really had no clue how to deal with it. So, I called friends and family members that have had their fair share of close calls with sun poisoning and researched some different treatments on the internet and in a few days I was feeling much more comfortable.

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First things first The problem with many sunburn treatments is that many of them cannot be used until after the heat has been removed from your skin. Using an aftersun lotion can be very soothing but if your skin is still hot to the touch all the lotion is going to do is create a barrier on top of your skin that will make it hard for the heat to escape and in turn continue cooking your skin.

So, the first thing you need to do is remove the heat from your skin. You can do this a number of ways and I actually used all these methods for about two days until my skin was no longer hot.

1. Use cold compresses: I ran washcloths under cold water and placed them on top of my burn spots. It was uncomfortable at first putting something so cold directly on top of skin that was so hot, but I quickly acclimated as I could feel instant

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relief with this method. I would suggest doing this immediately after noticing your sunburn and use this method for a an hour or so at a time. Just prep your washcloths and sit in front of the tv for a while!

2. Use pure aloe vera: Aloe has excellent cooling and moisturizing properties.

When your not using the cold compresses, I suggest using copious amounts of aloe very to continue to cool your skin and also keep it from drying out. Its very important that you use a product that is as close to 100% pure aloe as possible.

Many after sun lotions boast aloe as an ingredient, but unless its pure aloe, its not going to truly cool your skin and may in fact continue the burning.

3. Take cool baths: Water is really the best method for cooling your skin while also retaining moisture. You know how sun burns can result in that leather skin look? Thats because the sunburn has dried the skin of moisture and that is incredibly unhealthy for your skin!

Sitting in a cool bath for 20-30 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day is a great way to cool down your burns and keep your skin plump and refreshed. Just make sure you don’t use your usual bath products!

I used oatmeal and almond soap from Yardley London and created a foamy lather that I would apply directly to the skin. Natural products like oatmeal are great for calming and cooling hot skin!

A&E: Books

Taking the edge off sunburn pain One of the worst parts of a bad sunburn is the pain associated with it. In my case, I was so badly burned my skin actually started reacting as though the burn was an allergen. My feet and ankles swelled up, making it hard for me to walk as my skin felt stretched beyond capacity. So, I needed to take multiple different meds to help relieve the pain, especially in the first few days after incurring the burn.

Over the counter pain medication: I made sure to take a steady stream of Advil to block my pain and help bring down the inflammation in my skin.

Allergy medication: I also took a dose or two of Benedryl a day which helped to greatly reduce the swelling in my legs and feet. It also helped me sleep at night which was incredible uncomfortable.

If you are having a hard time sleeping, make sure to also keep a fan on you at night and use comfortable bedding. I had to remove my comforter from the bed while I was experiencing burn paid as my comforter has a rough woven texture that would scratch my skin and cause more pain!

spray that helps relieve pain associated with burns. I suggest using the aerosol spray versions of Lidocaine as you do not need to rub it in the way you would a gel or cream.

The Heat is Gone!

Once the heat is gone from your skin, you can now start using a variety of different products to help prevent peeling and retain moisture in your skin. Although it is never desirable to peel, in some cases, burns are so bad you will not be able to prevent peeling from occurring, but there are some things you can do to make sure your peeling the right way.

Aftersun lotions: I used the Hawaiian Tropic Aftersun Lotion all over my burns as soon as the heat was out of my skin. I liked the Hawaiian Tropic lotion because it smelled like body lotion as opposed to sunscreen and it had aloe in the formulation.

Lidocaine Spray: For instant, on the spot burn relief, I used a Solarcaine, a Lidocaine based Strange & Charmed

Sunscreens: Obviously, once you have burned an area of your skin, you are going to need to make sure you keep it covered and out of the direct light of the sun. I made sure to wear loose fitting clothes like maxi dresses to protect my legs and also wore a 70 SPF sunscreen to make sure I didn’t burn my already sensitive skin!

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor have I been trained in how to treat sunburns. This guide is merely a record of the steps that I took to help relieve my sunburn that I hope can help educate others.

Gentle exfoliants: When your skin begins to peel it is never a good idea to help it along by peeling off your loose skin, and there is a good reason for that!

You could peel off an area that is not yet fully healed and ready to have that layer of skin removed! That being said, I will admit it is gross to look at loose peeling skin all day, so the best way to remove the excess peeling skin without damaging areas that are not ready to peel off is with a gentle exfoliator. I used a facial exfoliator with little micro beads to gentle rub off areas of peeled skin that were still hanging on. This helped to minimize the look of peeling while keeping the new skin safe. Of course, after I exfoliated I made sure to apply a light moisturizer to keep the area cool and refreshed. If you notice pain while exfoliating, stop immediately as your skin is not yet strong enough to handle it!

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So, that is my guide on treating a sunburn!

I hope none of you have to experience what I went through with my burn. It really put a damper on the start of summer for me, but I am glad I was able to heal up and learn my lesson. When it comes to spending time in the sun, the more sun protection you can use the better and you should be using a minimum of 45 SPF when you are out at the beach or pool!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor have I been trained in how to treat sunburns. This guide is merely a record of the steps that I took to help relieve my sunburn that I hope can help educate others. If you are sunburned and in pain, always consult a doctor or medical professional as your sunburn may actually be sun poisoning and only a doctor can accurately diagnose sun poisoning!

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Credit: NeilsPhotography

Happy (safe) tanning!

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o t w o H t a e H e h t t a Be 24

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Now that we are in the heat of the summer, here are some stylish and delicious ways to beat the heat this summer. Pick up a fancy new Maxi Dress, a pair of designer sunglasses and order your signature cocktail because this is going to be one hot summer to remember!

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Smocked Animal Maxi Dress

Keyhole back cheveron maxi dress

$19.90 @ wet seal

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$28.99 @ charlotte russe

Beat the Heat

{ Maxi Dresses }

High-Low Georgette Dress $29.80 @ Forever 21

MeronaŽ Women’s Crochet Neck Maxi Dress - Assorted Colors $29.99 @ Target

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Cool Cat Sunglasses

$16.00 @ Urban Outfitters

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Whistles Briggite Round Heavy Frame Sunglasses $76.36 @ ASOS

Beat the Heat

{ Sunglasses }

Ladies Lip Service Sunglasses $12.99 @ Target

Sunglasses

$9.95 @ H&M

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Strawberry-Basil Mojito

White Sangria

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2 chopped basil leaves 3 sliced strawberries 1.5 oz light colored rum 1 oz simple syrup 1/2 oz lime juice club soda ice

Mix basil leaves and strawberries with syrup in a glass. Add liquid ingredients, stir and add ice.

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1/2 cup sugar 2 bottles white wine - dry 2 peaches and/or nectarines, pitted and sliced 1/2 cup raspberries 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced 1/2 cup peach juice 1/2 cup apple juice 1/3 cup plum brandy club soda for topping

About a day in advance, combine all ingredients except club soda. Allow mixture to chill in the refrigerator. Serve over ice - top with club soda.

Beat the Heat

{ Drinks }

Classic Margarita

Pina Colada

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• • • • • •

ice 3/4 can limeaid concentrate 1/3 bottle of beer 1/2 cup tequila 1/2 cup triplesec course salt

Combine ingredients in a blender until smooth. Use a wedge of lime to dampen rim of the glass and then dip glass into salt. Garnish with a wedge or twist of lime.

ice 8-10 oz Coconut milk 3/4 cup pineapple juice 10-12 ice cubes 1/2 cup rum 2 tablespoons agave nectar (more or less to taste)

Combine ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve with a garnish of a cherry, or pineapple wedge.

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y m e d a c g o l B By: Alexis Giostra

I recently returned from New York City where I took part in The Blogcademy, a two day workshop hosted by three of the internets most notable blogging personalities, Gala Darling, Shauna Haider of Nubby Twiglet, and Kat Williams of Rock N Roll Bride. It was an eye opening two days where the participants learned the ins and outs of good content creation, social networking for your blog and the how to’s of monetization. The workshop was particularly mind-blowing for me, as it actually forced me to think about my

blog for two straight days, something I don’t think I have ever done before, but desperately needed!

You can find out more about the Blogcademy at their website which is linked at the end of this article, so I don’t want to do an in depth review of what it is and what you learn, however, I do want to discuss the Pro’s and Con’s of the workshop for those of you interested in starting a blog or expanding your current one!

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Pro’s I definitely liked the fact that I spent two days dedicate to thinking about and planning out my blog. Like I said in the intro, that is something I have never done, and it was truely the most valuable part of the experience for me. It is hard enough for me to carve out time in my day to write posts, let alone time to just think about my blog, its direction, purpose and future!

The second most valuable part of my experience at Blogcademy were the other bloggers that I met during the weekend and also, the bloggers I met through the community forums for the Blogcademy online. Personally, I have only ever met a handful of other bloggers and online creative types, so the fact that I have access to a multitude of other bloggers is a nearly infinite source of knowledge wealth for me and my blog. I made a few friends at the event that I plan to keep in touch with, do some collaborations with and hopefully keep as lifelong blogging buddies! I have also traded emails with a few previous Blogcademy graduates that have similar interests as me and I hope to keep in touch with them as well!

One of the final things I found incredible valuable during my two days were the lessons on monetization. I always knew there were ways for bloggers to make money from their content, but the information was never readily available.

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I learned a few different tips to help me actually turn my blogging hobby into a little income for me without compromising my integrity or selling my blogging soul!

Con’s Although I did enjoy my experience at the Blogcademy overall, there were a few things I thought were missing from the experience that I think others should know before they sign up for the event as well. The first of these is that we did not cover SEO. If you are not familiar with the term, it stands for search engine optimization, and it is basically a process for helping your site stand out in online searches. In the opinion of the Blogcademy Headmistresses, SEO wasn’t something they saw value in, however, many online marketing strategists suggest that it is an important way for small blogs and sites to gain a readership and visibility. I was under the impression that SEO was going to be a topic during the weekend, however, it was mentioned only to clarify that it would not be covered.

The second disappointing part of my experience was the generic nature of the social networking topics. When we got to the social networking lessons, we basically covered topics that could be easily found with a quick google search.

Things like the best days and time to post to Facebook, or the optimal size of your Twitter picture are things should have

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been covered in the handbook alone and simply referenced to during the presentation. I was hoping to get some meatier content when it comes to working social media, but it ended up boiling down to the best twitter apps and using your digital camera to take your Instagram pictures.

The final point that I will make as a con for my Blogcademy experience is the cost value analysis. The two day event cost me $750 plus travel, hotel accommodations and meals because I was coming from outside of the city. Now, even if you stick to the $750 alone, I would say that the event was very pricey for the amount of valuable information we received. For me, the money wasn’t an issue because I could afford to take the risk, but for some people, I know $750 is a lot of money to invest! I would say overall the powerpoint presentation was a little dull, they did not provide case study analysis of popular blogs beyond a generic “here is this blog we like that executes a minimalist layout effectively,” and most of all I was disappointed to find out that only one of the three headmistresses reviews your blog for the report cards.

from the dedicated time I spent planning and evaluating my blog during the weekend and from the discussions I had with my classmates. If I could give the Blogcademy Headmistresses feedback on how to improve the experience for future classes, I would suggest polishing up the powerpoint presentation and try brainstorming some out of the box tips and tricks that would add value to some of the more generic lessons.

The Blogcademy Website www.TheBlogcademy.com Gala Darling’s Blog galadarling.com Shauna Haider’s Blog NubbyTwiglet.com Kat William’s Blog www.RocknRollBride.com

In Conclusion Overall, I am on the fence about whether the Blogcademy workshop was valuable to me in terms of the information we received from the lessons, but I am certain that my blog is going to benefit Strange & Charmed

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Camp NaNoWriMo By: Kathryn Marshall It’s that time of year again! No, not junebug-spraying. That’s a losing battle there. It’s Camp NaNoWriMo! “Wait, isn’t NaNoWriMo in November? That’s where the ‘No’ in ‘NaNoWriMo’ comes from! We’re in July now. Did you hit your head on the counter again?”

It’s still NaNoWriMo, Mr. Nosy-Pants.

Camp NaNoWriMo differs from NaNoWriMo Original Flavor in a few ways:

• It takes place in April and July (2013) instead of November.

• It’s a separate website from regular NaNoWriMo but you can use the same user ID.

• Instead of joining regions or genre forums like on NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo members can sign 36

up for online “cabins.” The entire website is based on a camping theme - cabin mates, “letters to home,” etc. Here’s where I admit how much of a dork I am that I never went to a proper summer camp as a child so if you’re looking for clarity on the “camp” aspects of Camp NaNoWriMo, I got nothing. Summer camps were for the children who came from rich families and didn’t have crippling social anxiety disorders.

I’m on the fence about doing Camp NaNoWriMo this summer. Unlike NaNoWriMo, you can set your own word count goals, branch out into screenplays (to replace the shuttered Script Frenzy program), or be a rebel and continue working on an existing piece. Unlike regular camp, at least you won’t get accosted by mosquitoes (or so I’ve heard).

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Summer Movie Night

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What is it about summer and blockbuster movies that go together like chocolate and peanut butter, or chocolate and vanilla, or chocolate and chocolate? Mmm, chocolate. Oh, right, summer movies. There are quite a few big-name blockbusters out right now (and I even managed to see one of them!) Which ones are worth the ticket admission and roving gangs of teenagers, and which ones are better meant for a lazy Saturday afternoon flipping through free cable? Let’s find out! I said, let’s find out.

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Credit: EvelynGiggles

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Iron Man 3

The Wolverine

Okay, this one I actually saw— and it was awesome. Way better than Iron Man 2. There were some clever twists and a post-credits scene that was hilarious. Robert Downey, Jr. is terrific as Tony Stark/Iron Man— the genius, millionaire playboy who battles demons both internal and external while rocking a kick-ass red and gold suit. Fans of the comic books will recognize longtime Iron Man villain The Mandarin but like most things about this movie, even he’s not all that he seems. Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ben Kingsley round out the cast with fun performances. Guy Pearce and Rebecca Hall show up too and do stuff.

Sequel to X-Man Wolverine’s origin story. Logan digs into his past some more and also loses his super-special mutant powers for some reason. I was always kind of “meh” on the Wolverine origin movies for some reason but I’m actually keen to see this one. I think it’s because movie theaters have air conditioning.

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Summer Movie Night

Man of Steel

Star Trek Into Darkness

Yes, the Superman movie directed by Zach Snyder (Watchmen, 300) and starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Kevin Costner. Initial reviews are…. mixed. Well, Christopher Nolan, of the Batman reboots had his hand in this too so…there’s probably a lot of angst and grimly-determined superheros who are always moping about, in Man of Steel.

But you know, Superman…there are worse ways to spend a Friday night at the movies, especially on a blind date.

How have I not seen this yet?! Yeah, I don’t know either. And yeah, some reviews have blasted J.J. Abrams’ second installment of his original-flavor Star Trek reboot as having too much flash and not enough substance. But it’s got Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock) as the bad guy! And he’s probably Kahn! He definitely shows up and does bad stuff, according to the trailers. I am so going to see this when I go on vacation this summer.

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Digital vs Analog Listen to music and cancel out noise around you

Back light to read in any light condition

Easy to bookmark and keep your place saved If you get bored of reading you can switch to another app!

Revenge Wears Prada - Digital Book $12.99 on the App Store 42

Digital vs Analog

{ On a Plane } Turn off electric devices?

Nope, keep reading!

No worrying about a battery running out

Easier to read in case of glare.

Less likely to make you a target for thieves

Revenge Wears Prada - Hardcover $25.99 on Amazon Strange & Charmed

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No stress about planning ahead of time

Estimate your time of arrival so you can plan your day

Shows you nearby gas stations, restaurants, etc.

Miss a turn? No need to worry, just listen to next instruction

Garmin 4.3� GPS $109.99 at BestBuy 44

Digital vs Analog

{ In the Car }

Plug in your phone to charge instead of your GPS

Feel like an adventurer crossing the country!

Plan your trip together as a family activity.

Go off the beaten path and choose your own adventure

Paper Road Map Few bucks at any gas station Strange & Charmed

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Get your friends involved in a family game

Play at night with the backlit screen

If anyone else has a DSi, you can play multiplayer

You (hopefully) won’t drop it because of rocky waves.

Nintendo DSi Console - Matte Red (Nintendo DSi) $99.99 at Target 46

Digital vs Analog

{ On a Boat }

Play a variety of games with everyone or yourself.

No need to drain any batteries or boat resources.

Relatively waterproof. Sea air will not damage the paper

Won’t break if the boat sways and they drop.

Bicycle Poker Size Standard Index Playing Cards $9.99 on Amazon Strange & Charmed

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Horoscope Survival Guide By: Alexis Giostra

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a

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f

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Aries: Aries, gather up a few of your best girlfriends, pack up the car and hit the road on a real true road trip this summer. It doesn’t matter which direction you head, you will find adventures and some new friends along the way!

Taurus: This summer, Taurus, you should carve out some time to hit the gym and get yourself fit. You know you have some bad habits you would like to break so get to breaking the bad and establishing some healthy ones before fall hits!

Gemini: Hit the beach this summer, Gemini, with the hopes of finding some summer love and excitement. Whether its by a lake or an ocean, let your impulses guide you to a great summer of romance and escape!

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Cancer: The best bet for a cancer this summer would be to join a yoga studio and get your mind, body and spirit in sync. Learn to control your mood swings and emotions by introducing this quieting activity into your life.

Leo: Leo, you should find yourself a new summer enterprise! Pick up a side job or find yourself a new profession if you are not happy with your current situation. The summer is ripe with opportunity for a Leo on the hunt for some new money!

Virgo: This summer would be the perfect time for a Virgo to hit the road to a foreign city. Try something touristy like a river cruise or a visit to Paris where you can get lost wandering a city with so much to explore and take in.

Horoscope Survival Guide

{

}

Make the most of your Summer with these star guided to do’s!

Libra: This summer, Libra, you should get yourself involved in a new hobby like ballet dancing or horseback riding. Your constantly looking for ways to improve yourself, so a new feminine yet physical hobby is just what you’re looking for.

Scorpio: Summer would be the perfect time for a Scorpio to enroll in a class or college course purely out of interest and enjoyment.

You are always interested in learning new things, so find a class you’re interested in and commit to it!

Sagittarius: A Sagittarius may find that this summer is the perfect time to take a solo sight seeing tour of their favorite city. You could invite a friend, but I suggest going it alone on this one so you can focus on the things that interest you and spend some quality alone time!

Capricorn: Capricorn, this summer would be a perfect time for you to try a new and exciting activity like salsa dancing or rock climbing.

Your definitely someone who throws themselves into their activities and something a little more complicated is exactly the challenge your brain needs!

Aquarius: This summer, Aquarius, would be a perfect time for you to do some traveling to catch up with friends and family. You can plan a short weekend getaway with your friends, or travel some weekends to see relatives you have been missing, but either way, this summer is a great time for you to connect with others!

Pisces: As a Pisces, you are always thinking in multiple different directions. So, this summer, I suggest focusing on one activity, lets say, writing your ever obsessed about novel? It will be good for you to take a break from juggling ideas and focus for a while.

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Mantra

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By: Alexis Giostra Its no understatement that people these days or overworked and overstressed out in their day to day lives. We live such fast paced lives that often it is hard for us to “stop and smell the roses” as they say. You can blame technology for keeping us too connected to our friends, our families and our jobs, but the truth of the matter is that technology can help create shortcuts for our day to day lives if we choose to use it that way. It can also distract us with never ending streams of entertainment and enjoyment if we let it!

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of day it is, which will in term determine the type of brainwave stimulation a person would need. For example in the morning you would want a stimulation that would help you wake up and feel refreshed, and in the evening you would want something to help you unwind and relax before bed. The brainwave stimulation is basically an oscillating frequency that helps put your mind in a meditative state.

The user can also customize their experience with a variety of looping sounds like rain falling, thunder, and ocean waves.

Together the earth sounds blend with the brainwave stimuli to give the user an instant relaxing ambience in which to sit back and relax. I prefer to use this app with a headset on so that I get an immersive experience, but theoretically you could also play the sounds through your iPhone or iPad speakers or connect your idevice to your vehicle and listen to the sounds while you are driving. Just don’t use the evening mediation or else you may find yourself getting drowsy behind the wheel!

For the past few years I have been using an iOS app called Zen Meditation to help distract me from my never ending cycle of work and emails, and help me to relax and de-stress at the drop of a hat.

Zen Meditation is actually an “advanced binaural brainwave entertainment program” that creates a relaxing ambience for its user based on the time of day and the users personal triggers. I know that sounds incredible convoluted, but in basic terms, the app acts as a customizable sound machine with built in brainwave stimuli. The user can choose what time 50

Find inner peace on the go with Zen Meditation for iOS

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For $.99 the app is a good deal in my opinion. After a few years of regular use it is still one of my favorite apps and it

always manages to do the trick when I am stressed out at work or at home and just need a break to get away from it all!

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Quirky Girl Spotlight 1) Name: Sarah Sloboda

6) W hat is your must have gadget? iPhone + Olloclip

2) Internet Residence (where you can be found on the web): http://sarahsloboda.com/blog/ Instagram & Twitter: @sarahsloboda

7) W hat is your current obsession?

British television. :) No, but seriously, I am obsessed with the creative process and the potential for creative thinking to change our businesses and communities.

3) Favorite Blogs & Websites: GOOP (Gwyneth Paltrow’s Blog) Farmette: http://farmette.ie/tag/modern-farmette/ 8) How do you take your coffee?

BlogCademy Rising Star Cold Brew Coffee Medium (Cleveland-based), which has replaced my cappuccino fixation for the time 4) W hat traits about you would you being. describe as “quirky”?

My desire and simultaneous inability 9) Close your eyes and grab three items to be funny. I flail my arms a lot when out of your bag. What did you grab?

I speak. And, I refer to most creatures Mini Holga 110 camera I meet as “friends,” including dogs, Cleveland Indians sharpie cats, birds, rabbits, and houseplants.

Mirenesse glossy kiss pencil

5) W hat are your must have beauty items?

Ponds facial cleansing wipes - genius for travel Miss Jessie’s curl cremes Hermes perfume 52

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{ 54

The Strange & Charmed M

to thank each and everyone

support over the last year! W

Strange & Charmed

far without you and we ha

published for you, o

xoxo Alexis, K

Magazine Staff would like

one of you for your love and

We wouldn’t have made it this

ave enjoyed every issue we

our lovely readers!

Kate & Mike

}

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