Traveling north out of Las Vegas, Nevada, it won’t take you long…

Traveling north out of Las Vegas, Nevada, it won’t take you long to escape into a colorful desert landscape. The scenery varies from dramatic geological formations to sedate desert dry washes. The views go on for miles, begging to be explored. If you get lucky, you might even see a rare desert rainbow. Photo by Glenn Appell (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

7 Killer Tips For Planning A Las Vegas Wedding

Planning a wedding is a wonderful and memorable thing but, beyond the emotions, it is also rather stressful. From finding a perfect wedding dress to booking a reception venue, it can be a real challenge for everyone involved. However, if you are getting married in Las Vegas, this process may become even more complicated.

The good news is that planning a Las Vegas wedding means having no limits at all. Want to tie the knot underwater or get married during a rock concert? The Entertainment Capital of the World can easily provide you with such an opportunity! With so many options, it is always better to have a Las Vegas wedding checklist at hand.

Whether your big day is an intimate one or you want to celebrate in style, here are 7 killer tips that can make the process of planning a Las Vegas wedding much easier:

Vegas wedding dress ideas

You can certainly travel to Las Vegas with your carefully chosen elegant wedding dress. But, actually, there’s no need for that. Since Las Vegas is home to spur-of-the-moment weddings, you can find lots of stores where you can buy or rent any bridal gown, tiara, veil, jewelry, shawl, gloves and crinoline you like.

Most of them are open late so that even those who are planning to have night weddings can have plenty of Vegas wedding dress ideas. If you still don’t have a perfect gown for your special day, you are sure to find it in Las Vegas.

Choosing a date

One of the first tasks that should be in your Las Vegas wedding checklist is choosing a date. There are two important things you should pay your attention to.

The first one is the weather. Don’t forget that Las Vegas is in the desert, so if you want to have an outdoor ceremony or reception, consider getting married in the spring or autumn time. Traditional wedding months (June – October) may turn your big day into a nightmare.

Besides that, keep in mind that Vegas is a popular destination for conferences, meeting, concerts and vacations. Thereby, to check a convention calendar beforehand is never superfluous.

Marriage application

If you are planning a Las Vegas wedding, you don’t need to wait long to receive a marriage license. You can apply for it no more than sixty days before your set date. Besides, you can speed up the process by filling out a marriage application form online.

Please note, however, that both people getting married in Las Vegas should appear in person at the county clerk’s office to receive the license. It will cost you about $60.

Hotel chapel

las vegas wedding chapel

If you want to save some money, a hotel chapel can be a good option for you. The fact is that almost every hotel in Vegas has its own wedding chapel, which gives you and your guests the opportunity to stay in the same place for your ceremony and reception.

Furthermore, any hotel chapel can provide you with a variety of wedding services, including live broadcasting of your ceremony online, limousine transportation, professional photo and video shoots. Most of them offer fresh floral decoration and even a honeymoon helicopter flight. If you book your chosen wedding package beforehand, you are guaranteed to get a good deal.

Venue location

Las Vegas offers plenty of themed, fun and casual wedding venue options for a wide range of tastes and budgets. From sky high weddings and cocktail parties to the ultra-chic nightclub buyouts and wedding venues for animal lovers, everyone can find something to their liking.

However, if you are planning a unique Las Vegas wedding, keep in mind that most popular and unusual venues and vendors get booked up early, so it is better to do everything in advance.

Hair and makeup

Finding hair salons and makeup artists doesn’t have to be a hassle in Las Vegas. Lots of hotels, casinos and spa centers offer these services to those who want their makeup and hair done professionally for the wedding day.

The only problem is that these services usually come at a rather high price. If you are on a budget, you can save some money if you go to a local salon located somewhere off the Strip.

Day-after photo session

las vegas photo session

One more thing to include in your Las Vegas wedding checklist is a day-after photo session. Talk to your photographer beforehand about organizing a creative and funny shoot somewhere in Downtown Vegas or in the desert. Thus, in addition to your beautiful wedding photos, you will also get plenty of awesome Vegas pics to enjoy for years to come.

As you can see, getting married in Las Vegas may require a bit more preparation compared to a local wedding. However, who said you cannot elope without proper preparation and planning? if that’s the case, just make your way towards Las Vegas Boulevard. You will find there everything you need for your perfect Vegas wedding! After all, this city is not called the Marriage Capital of the World for nothing!

The post 7 Killer Tips For Planning A Las Vegas Wedding appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Adam Kane Architects Complete a Renovation in Trentham, Australia

This renovation of a house that dates to the 1890s and that is located in the region of Trentham, in Australia, was undertaken by the Melbourne-based studio Adam Kane Architects. The original building bore small windows that impeded the entrance of natural light into the house’s interior, thus making these spaces dark and somewhat depressing. This was one of the most important points that were addressed during its renovation. They..

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FGMF Arquitetos Design a Concrete Home in São Paulo, Brazil

This imposing home of concrete walls, a material which, far from making it cold, give its interior an interesting touch, was completed by the architectural firm FGMF Arquitetos in 2015. The home covers an area of almost 359 square meters and is located in São Paulo, Brazil. Its exterior is populated by perfectly manicured gardens, where we’ll find a fabulous pool which brings its residents spaces apt for their enjoyment..

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Top Places To Visit In Canada: 4 Canadian Cities Filled With Hidden Gems

Just because Americans are smitten with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t mean they’re flocking to his country for vacation. Many people skip over Canada and opt to visit Europe or a beach instead.

That’s a mistake. Canada offers a veritable treasure trove of sights. Whether you’re a cultural connoisseur or an outdoor adventure junkie, Canada offers a dizzying array of options. Start your exploration with these best places to visit in Canada.

Vancouver

Deadpool, Supernatural and Twilight are just a few of the blockbuster hits that bring $1 billion into the city annually. Its booming film industry has earned Vancouver the nickname “Hollywood North.”

It’s no wonder, considering the city’s combination of urban attractions and natural scenery. Here you’ll find art galleries, high-end boutiques, spacious parks, and outdoor venues.

While you’re there, be sure to visit the following sites:

• Stanley Park

Stanley Park Vancouver

This 1,000-acre park is home to some of the city’s top attractions. The most notable is the Seaside Greenway, the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling, the path includes the Stanley Park Seawall and extends 17 miles between the Vancouver Convention Centre and Spanish Banks Beach Park.

• Granville Island

granville island

Granville Island’s old factories have been replaced with popular restaurants, galleries, and theaters. Fill up on snacks at the Granville Island Public Market, one of the top open-air marketplaces in North America. Kiddos will adore the indoor play area at Kids Only Market, while adults can unwind with cold drinks at the Granville Island Brewing, Canada’s first microbrewery.

• Queen Elizabeth Park

elizabeth park

Perched at the city’s highest point, the 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park features stunning rose and quarry gardens, plus an arboretum with 1,500 native and exotic trees. Nearby, guests can take in views of more than 200 exotic birds, colorful koi fishes and hundreds of tropical plants in a trio of climates at the Bloedel Floral Conservatory.

Toronto

Canada’s largest and best-known city is also its most culturally diverse. More than half of Toronto’s 6 million residents were born outside the city. Because of this, visiting Toronto is like getting a mini tour of the world. More than 140 languages are spoken here and Greektown, Little Italy, Koreatown and Chinatown sit within 5 square miles.

The densely populated Ontario metropolis is big in other ways, too. The city is home to CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest freestanding towers. You can also find PATH, the world’s largest underground shopping mall, and Yonge Street, the longest street on the planet.

No itinerary would be complete without these attractions:

• Toronto Islands

toronto islands

Ride a ferry to the Toronto Islands, each of which provides a unique experience. Centre Island, known for its expansive picnic spots and beaches, is also home to Centreville Amusement Park. The low-key Ward Island features English gardens and 1920s-style cottages. Algonquin Island offers a similarly laid-back setting that includes Hanlan’s Point, the area’s only clothing-optional beach.

• Distillery District

distillery district

Once home to Gooderham and Worts, Canada’s largest distillery, this pedestrian-only neighborhood stuns visitors with Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets lined with art galleries, performance spaces, and even a brewery.

• St. Lawrence Market

st lawrence market

Although it has evolved many times since its 17th-century conception, St. Lawrence Market has remained a culinary focal point. Divided into three buildings — the South Market, the North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall — it features exhibits on the city’s art, culture, and history. Plus, it has hundreds of food vendors during its Saturday farmers markets. On Sundays, antique-hunters flock to the impressive flea market.

Banff

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Banff’s resort-town lifestyle is reminiscent of a Swiss skiing village. With Banff National Park as a picturesque backdrop, explorers can spend their days skiing down Mount Norquay, biking along Healy Creek or hiking the Vermilion Range’s Stoney Squaw Mountain and the Hoodoos’ enormous limestone pillars. With these activities, Banff is surely one of the best places to visit in Canada.

After conquering the great outdoors, adventurers can retreat to luxury resorts for cozy, relaxing evenings filled with spa treatments and hearty gourmet meals.

If you go, don’t miss these top spots:

• Sunshine Village

sunshine village

Located on the Continental Divide, Sunshine Village sees more snow than its neighbors. As a result, the area enjoys an extra-long skiing season of nearly seven months — plenty of time to take in the area’s 3,500 skiable acres.

• Banff Gondola

banff gondola

Hop aboard the Banff Gondola to get the best of the area’s natural beauty. The eight-minute ride sweeps guests to Sulphur Mountain’s 7,500-foot summit, which offers stunning looks at Glacier Peak, Sulphur Lake, and Lookout Lake. After taking in the views at the 360-degree rooftop observation deck, visitors can stroll the boardwalk or grab a bite to eat.

• Moraine Lake

moraine lake

Although Banff National Park’s more than 2,500 square miles are filled with remarkable sites, Moraine Lake is arguably the most beautiful. Tucked away in the Valley of the Ten Peaks amid a collection of hiking trails, the lake appears a brilliant shade of bluish green, the result of light refracting off the nearby glacier runoff.

Québec City

Strolling through Québec City’s cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old buildings can feel like walking into a French painting. The scents of freshly baked bread, pungent cheese and bitter espresso only add to the ambiance. These Parisian flairs and the city’s remaining fortified walls serve as reminders of Québec City’s rich heritage and status as the birthplace of New France.

The top attractions include:

• Old Québec (Vieux-Québec)

old québec

Filled with artisan shops and cafes, Old Québec embodies the European vibe of the city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is home to winding roads and quaint buildings as well as many of the city’s most notable attractions. It includes the Citadel, the Quartier Petit-Champlain, and the Notre-Dame Basilica.

• Battlefields Park (Parc des Champs-de-Bataille)

battlefields park

History buffs especially love visits to Battlefields Park, the site of the Battle of Québec. The park features manicured gardens, including the popular Joan of Arc garden that displays stunning annuals, bulbs and perennials.

• Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency)

montmorency falls park

Ever heard of Niagara Falls? Yeah, well, these falls are bigger. Here, water tumbles down 272 gorgeous feet, offering prime photo opportunities. Guests can also hike around the area which features several playgrounds, too.

Whichever Canadian city you visit, you’re certain to uncover history and natural beauty that equals and even surpasses other vacation destinations. Before booking a ticket halfway around the world to get your fix of culture or adventure, take a second look due north. You won’t regret it.

The post Top Places To Visit In Canada: 4 Canadian Cities Filled With Hidden Gems appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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May 12th

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat…

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Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process

You’re reading Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you begin your day by yelling at yourself because you don’t think you accomplished anything yesterday, so you BETTER double down today?

Verbally assaulting yourself before the day’s already begun isn’t much fun, is it?

In fact, if you’re like me, if you hear that inner voice coming to get you, self-fulfilling prophecy is the likely result.

I wish I had a nickel for every piece of the comfort food du jour that I pop in my mouth while watching some mindless tv show as my way of saying, “Nyah, nyah.” to my impatient self.

It’s a great way to tune out that voice.

It’s not a great way to be more productive.

What’s Missing from this Picture?

Unfortunately, several key elements.

Here’s the good news.

1) We’ve all been there.
2) Mental and emotional aids can stop this destructive pattern.

What are those factors?

Let me count the ways. Count them, acknowledge them, and use them, and together, we can make compassion toward self, concentration, and consistency the keys to your feel-good castle, a castle you can construct right now.

Compassion

You wouldn’t treat anyone else with such impatience and intolerance, would you?

Of course not.

Imagine starting the day of your spouse, kid, or employee with the words, “You didn’t accomplish anything yesterday, so you better today!”

Okay, you get it. Not the best idea.

What do you do about it?

First, do no harm.

This is a new day. If you didn’t get everything done yesterday that you intended to, simply let that go.

Since it’s a new day, why not imagine a positive one?

Concentration

Up above, I mentioned concentration.

Here’s how you get some.

Going Hunting? Arm Your Reticular Brain

Your reticular brain is that part of your mind that focuses on something because it is preprogramed or “primed” to do so.

For example, let’s say you just bought a bright blue Toyota Prius. All of a sudden, you are going to notice every single bright blue Toyota Prius you see, simply because your mind is “armed” to “hunt” for one.

Imagine you have four things you want to do on this particular day.

You send yourself an email congratulating yourself for completing those things before you start them, being as specific as possible about how you did it.

Now, you’ve armed yourself:

You’ve actually told yourself you’ve already finished them, and, as a result, you’ve heightened your focus and concentration around completing those specific tasks.
If you’ve never experienced that kind of “priming”, it’s a very exciting feeling, a confident rush that allows nothing to get in the way of completion of “primed” tasks.

Consistency

The Ultimate Satisfaction: Retrospective that Sets up a Terrific Tomorrow

1-Okay, you’ve allowed yourself a clean slate.
2-You’ve “primed” your mind for maximum focus and creativity.

Now, as this productive day winds down, it’s time for a look back to “close” the experience, to “own” the first of what should be a string of extremely productive days.

Before you enjoy your well-earned relaxation, sit down and write down EVERYthing you accomplished, not just the four tasks you primed for, but all the little things that made the day so great, including staying hydrated, eating well, exercising, being kind to all you come in contact with, doing the things you need to as a loyal family member or friend, all of it.

Make sure you keep this as a productivity diary, put the date at the top of the page.

Now, some days despite all the compassion and priming, you won’t get everything done that you intend.

Could be because stuff happens.

Could be because you get greedy, and you expect too much of yourself because you are feeling increasingly confident, and that little critical voice in you finds a new game to play, heaping unrealistic expectations on you.

Could be, that the negative voice, in addition to heaping unrealistic expectations on you also begins to resume helping you disqualify things that you do, taking yourself and your actions for granted.

Don’t let that happen.

While not every day will go as planned, you can still do the diary step.

GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY LIST, NO MATTER HOW SMALL.

That’s the way to shut out the negativity and unrealistic expectations that got you in trouble in the first place.

But here’s the most important thing.

You have to be grateful as you look back. You have to thank yourself, and the divine, the universe, whatever power greater than yourself you wish to acknowledge and thank for what you’ve accomplished.

Because that gratitude is signaling that you appreciate your day and whatever came with it.

Gratitude is the most significant part of the process, because it is the most important ingredient to finding and maintaining the compassion toward self that this post started you out on.

As an example of practicing what I preach, I have a choice right now as this day draws toward a close. I could be thankful and content, for, if nothing else, writing this blog post which I am happy about and am grateful for, a post that could possibly help a lot of people.

Or I could reproach myself for not doing a number of other things.

But I won’t.

Don’t you do it, either.

Make each day a virtuous circle, from doing no harm, to productivity, to the gratitude that makes the next day’s self-compassion possible.

Repeat. 

Go forth, do good work, be grateful for it, and, as a result, be the generous person you wish to be, to yourself and everyone else. (bold)

Good luck. 


Lars Nielsen writes full-spectrum communication, and now’s your chance to sign up for his newsletter for his website, Make Message Matter. Go to http://ift.tt/2lJ3kCR and, download his free guide to messaging, “How to Make YOUR Message Matter Cheat Sheet”.

You’ve read Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process

You’re reading Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you begin your day by yelling at yourself because you don’t think you accomplished anything yesterday, so you BETTER double down today?

Verbally assaulting yourself before the day’s already begun isn’t much fun, is it?

In fact, if you’re like me, if you hear that inner voice coming to get you, self-fulfilling prophecy is the likely result.

I wish I had a nickel for every piece of the comfort food du jour that I pop in my mouth while watching some mindless tv show as my way of saying, “Nyah, nyah.” to my impatient self.

It’s a great way to tune out that voice.

It’s not a great way to be more productive.

What’s Missing from this Picture?

Unfortunately, several key elements.

Here’s the good news.

1) We’ve all been there.
2) Mental and emotional aids can stop this destructive pattern.

What are those factors?

Let me count the ways. Count them, acknowledge them, and use them, and together, we can make compassion toward self, concentration, and consistency the keys to your feel-good castle, a castle you can construct right now.

Compassion

You wouldn’t treat anyone else with such impatience and intolerance, would you?

Of course not.

Imagine starting the day of your spouse, kid, or employee with the words, “You didn’t accomplish anything yesterday, so you better today!”

Okay, you get it. Not the best idea.

What do you do about it?

First, do no harm.

This is a new day. If you didn’t get everything done yesterday that you intended to, simply let that go.

Since it’s a new day, why not imagine a positive one?

Concentration

Up above, I mentioned concentration.

Here’s how you get some.

Going Hunting? Arm Your Reticular Brain

Your reticular brain is that part of your mind that focuses on something because it is preprogramed or “primed” to do so.

For example, let’s say you just bought a bright blue Toyota Prius. All of a sudden, you are going to notice every single bright blue Toyota Prius you see, simply because your mind is “armed” to “hunt” for one.

Imagine you have four things you want to do on this particular day.

You send yourself an email congratulating yourself for completing those things before you start them, being as specific as possible about how you did it.

Now, you’ve armed yourself:

You’ve actually told yourself you’ve already finished them, and, as a result, you’ve heightened your focus and concentration around completing those specific tasks.
If you’ve never experienced that kind of “priming”, it’s a very exciting feeling, a confident rush that allows nothing to get in the way of completion of “primed” tasks.

Consistency

The Ultimate Satisfaction: Retrospective that Sets up a Terrific Tomorrow

1-Okay, you’ve allowed yourself a clean slate.
2-You’ve “primed” your mind for maximum focus and creativity.

Now, as this productive day winds down, it’s time for a look back to “close” the experience, to “own” the first of what should be a string of extremely productive days.

Before you enjoy your well-earned relaxation, sit down and write down EVERYthing you accomplished, not just the four tasks you primed for, but all the little things that made the day so great, including staying hydrated, eating well, exercising, being kind to all you come in contact with, doing the things you need to as a loyal family member or friend, all of it.

Make sure you keep this as a productivity diary, put the date at the top of the page.

Now, some days despite all the compassion and priming, you won’t get everything done that you intend.

Could be because stuff happens.

Could be because you get greedy, and you expect too much of yourself because you are feeling increasingly confident, and that little critical voice in you finds a new game to play, heaping unrealistic expectations on you.

Could be, that the negative voice, in addition to heaping unrealistic expectations on you also begins to resume helping you disqualify things that you do, taking yourself and your actions for granted.

Don’t let that happen.

While not every day will go as planned, you can still do the diary step.

GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY LIST, NO MATTER HOW SMALL.

That’s the way to shut out the negativity and unrealistic expectations that got you in trouble in the first place.

But here’s the most important thing.

You have to be grateful as you look back. You have to thank yourself, and the divine, the universe, whatever power greater than yourself you wish to acknowledge and thank for what you’ve accomplished.

Because that gratitude is signaling that you appreciate your day and whatever came with it.

Gratitude is the most significant part of the process, because it is the most important ingredient to finding and maintaining the compassion toward self that this post started you out on.

As an example of practicing what I preach, I have a choice right now as this day draws toward a close. I could be thankful and content, for, if nothing else, writing this blog post which I am happy about and am grateful for, a post that could possibly help a lot of people.

Or I could reproach myself for not doing a number of other things.

But I won’t.

Don’t you do it, either.

Make each day a virtuous circle, from doing no harm, to productivity, to the gratitude that makes the next day’s self-compassion possible.

Repeat. 

Go forth, do good work, be grateful for it, and, as a result, be the generous person you wish to be, to yourself and everyone else. (bold)

Good luck. 


Lars Nielsen writes full-spectrum communication, and now’s your chance to sign up for his newsletter for his website, Make Message Matter. Go to http://ift.tt/2lJ3kCR and, download his free guide to messaging, “How to Make YOUR Message Matter Cheat Sheet”.

You’ve read Max Your Productivity With This Simple Process, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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“A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what is erroneous is a…

philosophy drops http://ift.tt/2qy5RT5

The Body and Us

Parks: It seems to me you’re still avoiding my main question. If I am the world I experience, what is this sense I have of being a subject separate from the world? How can I be both subject and object?

Manzotti: What you call a subject is nothing but a particular combination of objects that are relative to another object, your body. Being a subject means no more than being experience, i.e. a collection of objects, relative to your body. You ask how, if this is the case, the feeling of “subjectivity” can arise. My answer is: thanks to two misconceptions.

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