Author: scatty

Top 5 Celebrity Romances

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

Celebrities seem to have it all. But, is fame and fortune enough? For many, lasting love seems to elude them? Some, however, have managed to keep that love light burning. Let’s look at five such couples.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Although his first marriage to college sweetheart Samantha Lewes failed, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson appear to have struck relationship gold. Cupid’s arrow found its target while they worked together on the set of Volunteers. Tom reveals, “Rita and I just looked at each other and – kaboing – that was that.” They married in 1988. Tom shares of his wife, “I got lucky, she could have done better.” Rita reveals what she believes to be the secret of their long-term relationship, “We support each other in so many different ways, and want to be married to each other.” Tom sums up their relationship, “… we have a bond that goes beyond words…”

Denzel and Pauletta Washington

Denzel and Pauletta also met on a movie set, Wilma, in 1977. It wasn’t until several years later and three marriage proposals, however, that they finally tied the knot. Since their marriage in 1983, Denzel has often expressed great appreciation for his wife. At one point when talking about Pauletta, he said that he had gotten lucky and married up! The two actors have had their ups and downs; however, both understand that a successful relationship requires work. Denzel shares, “I just think you have to work at it. Not give up on each other. It’s a commitment.” That and being able to laugh together. Denzel and Pauletta love to tease each other. Their humor and commitment to each other have kept their marriage strong.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Although you won’t see them in the movies, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are truly a celebrity couple. News of the college sweethearts spread in 2004. Although they had a brief breakup in 2007, they announced their engagement in 2010. Prince William shared, “We just spent more time with each other, had a good giggle, had lots of fun, and realized we share the same interests.” In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot. Today, the love they share for each other and their three children is evident for all to see. On that subject, Prince William has this to say, “It is fantastic having a lovely little family, and I am so thrilled. Catherine has been doing an amazing job as a mother, and I’m very proud of her.”

Matt and Luciana Damon

Matt Damon and his Argentine wife met in a bar where Luciana worked as a bartender. She shared in a Vogue interview, “He had started getting recognized … it got kind of aggressive because people are drinking and stuff. So, he came and hid behind my bar.” Rather than allowing him to just hang out there, she put him to work. Realizing they shared a magical vibe, their relationship grew. They were married in 2005. Matt credits his wife with keeping their life private life, private and out of the line of the paparazzi. Luciana shares about their life and love, “We both feel really lucky to have met each other, so we don’t take that for granted. It’s life and marriage. Overall, it’s easy, and it’s fun.”

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith

Three years after his first wife, Cassandra Harris, passed away from cancer, Pierce Brosnan met journalist Keely Smith. Since that time, the man famous for playing the notorious ladies’ man, James Bond, is a one-woman man. After their initial meeting, Keely found him handsome and captivating. “Tall, dark and handsome,” she said. “Everything that everybody would immediately be attracted to. He had this mischievous sparkle in his eyes. I thought, ‘Wow! Wow!’” Love blossomed almost instantaneously for both of them. At her father’s wedding, Pierce’s late daughter with his first wife, shared, “Just seeing the ultimate love that these two people have for each other is unbelievable.” Pierce shared this about Keely, “I love her vitality, her passion. When Keely looks at me, I go weak at the knees.” What woman wouldn’t want to hear that?

5 Products to Help Save You Money

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

With inflation on the rise and wages stagnant in many parts of the country, families everywhere are searching for ways to save money. While generally buying less can work well, certain products can also save you money.

Making an investment now can save you money in the long run. Let’s talk about five products that will help save you money over time.

1. Hydro Flask Water Bottles

A reusable water bottle keeps plastic water bottles out of the landfill and saves you from buying water while you are out and about. Having the right water bottle to fit your needs can save you time and money—and it is also better for the planet.

Hydro Flask water bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel, which is not only BPA and phthalates free, but it also keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and keeps hot beverages warm for up to 12 hours. These bottles are practically indestructible and come with a lifetime guarantee.

2. Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer balls are an eco-friendly replacement to purchasing liquid fabric softener and using dryer sheets. They also help dry your clothes up to 40% faster compared to not using them.

SimplrSpaces Wool Dryer Balls are made completely from organic wool. They are safe around babies, pets, and those who have sensitive skin. They will last up to four years or 1000 loads. While they might be a little bit of an investment upfront, they are totally worth it in the long run.

3. Smart Thermostat

The energy you use every day can end up costing you a ton of money. However, having a way to automatically turn down your furnace or air conditioner while you are away from the house can be a great way to save money.

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is programable, but it also learns from the programming to create a plan that works for your needs. You can control it from your phone, even while you are out of the house. It also supports saving money by showing temperature settings that are the most energy-saving options.

4. Food Vacuum Sealer

The NutriChef PKVS Sealer automatically seals food so that it stays fresh longer. Once sealed, they are freezer safe and can stay fresh up to five times longer than using a zipper bag or container. You can save money on food and decrease food waste by simply using what you have.

5. Multi-Cooker

Cooking from home can save lots of money over time. A multi-cooker can help you make low-effort, delicious meals to feed the whole family. The Magic Chef MCPSMCSC10S7 6 Qt All-in-One Multi-Cooker can pressure cook, slow cook, cook rice, steam, sear, and even make yogurt. With all of these cooking options, your family will want to stay home to eat!

The 5 Items You Need to Liven Up Your Home Office

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

If you’re working from a home office, staying mentally and physically healthy is important.

It’s important for your overall sanity, but it’s also important for your work engagement and level of productivity.

To help set you up for success, we want to highlight five amazing items that will make a huge difference health-wise and work-wise for your home office:

Our first item is a Wall Mounted Folding Laptop Desk Hideaway Storage with Drawer – phew! While it’s a mouthful, this compact little piece of furniture is from Wayfair, and we are obsessed. The days of a traditional desk are over, and this wall-mounted desk allows you to open everything up when you’re working and then fold everything up and away when you’re not. Plus, it looks really cute on your wall, it does not take up a lot of space, it’s sturdy, and you can decorate it with all your fun office trinkets. You can install it at any height you want, so it’s perfect for sitting or standing. It’s currently on sale for $123.99, and the biggest thing to note is that it needs to be installed on a wall correctly so it can handle some weight.

Our second item is an Adjustable Laptop Computer Stand from OMOTON on Amazon. There are a ton of health benefits to using a standing desk, and this adjustable stand can make any surface a standing desk. Standing desks are better for your back, improve blood circulation, and studies have shown that people who use standing desks are actually more focused. This laptop stand is only $39.99 and is compatible with laptops up to 17” wide.

Our third item is a compliment to items one and two. If you are interested in adding a standing desk to your home office, investing in a high-quality anti-fatigue mat is critical. The Topo Anti-Fatigue mat by Fully is only $99 and will be a game changer for your home office experience. It will keep your body aligned and comfortable while standing all day and is even designed with a little massaging foot ball in the center of the mat.

Our fourth item is from Bose, and we honestly suggest this item for a home- or office-based work environment, it is so amazing. Bose’s QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are fantastic for allowing you to get in the zone and cancel out all the distractions. At $299.99 they are stylish, come with a nice traveling case, are wireless, and connect via Bluetooth to a variety of devices.

Our fifth item is the Ember Mug2 and it’s going to make you rethink your entire hot beverage experience. This is a smart mug. Yes, you heard that correctly. The Ember Mug2 maintains the temperature of your coffee or tea throughout the day, so you can say goodbye to cold coffee that’s been sitting at your desk for hours. It’s sleek, comes in a variety of colors, and you just need to hand wash it. The Ember Mug2 is $129.95 and is worth every penny.

Top 5 Celebrity Bromances

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

It’s fun to watch inseparable best buds grow and support each other throughout their Hollywood careers. Here, we’ll take a look at the top five celebrity bromances.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been Boston-based best buds since they were ten years old. The two wrote the screenplay for Good Will Hunting together in the late 90’s, and have watched each other’s careers skyrocket ever since. Both Matt and Ben cite one another’s support as the reason they’ve been able to keep moving forward in Hollywood, despite difficulties and setbacks.

Lenny Kravitz and Jason Momoa are an unlikely bromance, as Momoa was married to Kravitz’s ex-wife, Lisa Bonet. From riding motorcycles together to supporting one another at family movie premieres, Kravitz and Momoa have said that they feel like brothers. Jason and Lenny got along right away, bonding over shared interests. Jason publicly praises Lenny’s parenting skills, saying that Lenny is able to keep his cool over difficult teenage issues better than he can. Lenny and Jason both say that a deep feeling of family and love for their kids keeps them focused on putting love first.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire became friends when they used to run into one another at auditions in the 80’s, before anyone knew that they’d both grow into the Hollywood giants that they are today. Leonardo acts as “Uncle Leo” to Toby’s two kids. Both Leonardo and Toby consider themselves to be competitive people, and part of the reason they believe their friendship works so well is their different paths in the acting world. Leonardo sees himself as the next Jack Nicholson, while Toby tends to see himself as the next Tom Hanks, according to sources.

Zach Braff and Donald Faison are known for their BFF-chemistry on Scrubs, and it turns out their brotherly love extends into their real-life relationship. After starring on the show for nearly a decade together, the two have an unbreakable bond. Zach is the godfather to Donald’s son, and Donald was at Braff’s wedding to celebrate alongside his long-time pal. The two host a podcast entitled “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald” where they unpack a Scrubs episode each week.

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are known for their killer banter and brilliance in the lab on Breaking Bad, and it turns out their friendship has long outlasted their hit show. The two currently run a liquor company together–Dos Hombres Mezcal. While their friendship has grown over the years, the two state that Bryan served as Aaron’s mentor in the Breaking Bad days, similar to the way their characters Walter and Jesse related to one another. The two are thrilled to be able to work together once again.

Top 5 Celebrity Feuds

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

You might think that being rich and having it all means that everyone wants to be your friend. But after hearing about the top five celebrity feuds, you’ll see that anyone can have an enemy.

1. Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow

It pains us to see these two powerful women going at each other. Since 2014, these lifestyle experts have been at it. Gwyneth Paltrow was criticized by Martha Stewart for creating her own lifestyle company, Goop.

“She is a well-known actress. She wouldn’t be attempting to be Martha Stewart if she was secure in her acting abilities,” Stewart said in an interview.

When Stewart uploaded a pie recipe dubbed “conscious coupling,” shortly after Paltrow filed for divorce from Chris Martin, calling the split a “conscious uncoupling.” the drama didn’t seem to settle down. Paltrow then shared a similar recipe for “jailbird cake” a month later, mimicking Stewart’s prison stint in 2004.

2. Heidi Montag and Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag’s breakup, which was portrayed on MTV’s “The Hills,” has lasted over a decade. The cause was because Spencer Pratt spread a story around that Conrad recorded a sex tape with ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler. Conrad broke connections with Montag after season two of the reality show. The two haven’t spoken since.

3. Megan Markle and Duchess Kate of Cambridge

Megan Markle was welcomed in the UK with open arms when she became engaged to Prince Harry. But things turned sour after rumors came out about Megan’s imperious demeanor toward the Royal staffers. Even Harry was quoted as saying, “What Megan wants, Megan gets.” But Megan’s jealousy of Duchess Kate of Cambridge revealed a new low. Megan apparently made Kate cry on Megan’s wedding day. These two may remain polite if they’re ever in the same room again. But behind closed doors, the feud lingers.

4. Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan has had it rough. Even back in the early 2000’s things started going wrong for Lindsay. After Hilary met Aaron Carter, she began dating him. The affair lasted a year and a half. But Lindsay reportedly horned in, stealing Carter away. Carter then went back to Duff. Then Lindsay claimed that Hilary stole him away. Everyone denies everything, yet no one is speaking to anyone anymore.

5. Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow

Back when Gwyneth was trying to make a go of living in London, she befriended fellow ex-pat Madonna. Gwyneth’s husband was Chris Martin at the time. Paltrow and Madonna shared the same personal trainer, Tracy Anderson. Gwyneth’s appointment with Tracy was always after Madonna’s. Paltrow remarked that Madonna was rude, saying, that “she makes people wait.” Long story short, no tears were shed after the breakup of Madonna and Paltrow.

Don’t let the flashing lightbulbs and smiles fool you. Whenever these celebrities get into a room together, they’ll be moving to separate corners.

The Science of Language Learning

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

Ever wonder what takes place in the brain when you learn a new language? The capacity of the human brain for learning a new language makes us unique—no other animal on the planet can do so.

Around half of the world is bilingual, and many people want to adopt a new language. The neuroscience behind how the brain changes when you learn a new language proves how possible the feat is. Plus, learning a new tongue yields impressive benefits for the person and for the brain itself.

The bilingual brain allows the new potential for communication and social connections. You gain access to a new community of people to connect with. This new ability to communicate may even offer new employment opportunities. Beyond the social aspects, however, learning a second language physically changes the brain. Look at how the brain changes when you learn a new language.

1. The size of your brain increases

Language learning increases the size of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In a Swedish study, neuroscientists at the Swedish Armed Forces Academy examined the brain as recruits learned a new, completely unfamiliar language. Using magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiology to examine the changing brains of the recruits, researchers found that key brain areas responsible for memory processing and learning grew substantially.

2. The density of gray and white matter changes

Grey matter in the brain is packed with nerve fibers that process information. The more gray matter in the brain, the healthier the organ is considered to be because it is densely packed with neural cells. Scans of bilingual people show that the gray matter in the left hemisphere—where language information is processed—is denser. Further, the brain’s white matter has more integrity among older adults that speak more than one tongue. White matter connects neural cells to other neural cells for rapid information processing,

3. Memory improves

Learning a new language may even help support your short-term and working memory. Bilingual children have better short-term memory than those that only speak one language. And, the more proficient a person is in two languages, the better their working memory altogether.

4. Enhanced focus and attention

Picking up a second language may even improve executive functions of the brain, which help you focus. Bilingual individuals seem to have more control over executive functions, possibly due to the increased hippocampus size and more grey matter.

5. You have lower risks of developing a neurological condition

The parts of the brain that decline with age are challenged when learning a new language. Therefore, some research has proposed that speaking more than one language may negate some risks of developing neurological illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In one small study, adults over 65 were taught a new language to measure benefits for the brain. The participants had noteworthy improvement in cognitive function.

Adopting a new language is plausible because the brain is plastic. It changes to accommodate new information. Your neurons and synapses don’t just fossilize when you reach a certain age, either—you can learn new skills, including language, throughout your life. The brain builds new connections, stores new memories, and essentially reshapes itself over the years.

Another interesting fact: age is not necessarily a factor in determining how well or how quickly you can learn a new language. Instead, other factors are better predictors of whether a person achieves a second language. For example, duration of instruction and interacting with native speakers may lead to better language retention.

Thanks to scientific and technological advancements, we understand more about the science of language learning. Without question, picking up a new language is beneficial, whether you simply want to build new connections with the world around you or want to do something good for your brain.

5 Fitness Products to Boost Your Health

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

Being “fit” means different things to different people. In general, though, increasing your fitness means increasing your ability to do daily activities.

For someone who exercises regularly, being fit might mean doing their typical three-mile run in the morning. But, for someone who doesn’t vigorously exercise, being fit might mean taking the stairs without feeling winded. Ultimately, only you can define what being fit means to you.

Regardless of your version of fitness, there are a few products that can help individuals boost their health across the board, no matter where you are on the “fitness spectrum.”

1. Adjustable Kettlebell

Kettlebells have a variety of benefits for health and fitness. They improve core strength and stability, and they can increase your body awareness and coordination. They also help build the muscles necessary to maintain balance.

With all the benefits, having a kettlebell at home can be cumbersome. They take up a lot of space, and it is hard to find the right weight for your needs.

An adjustable kettlebell allows you to adjust the weight to meet your needs without having more than one kettlebell lying around. The Shanchar Adjustable Kettlebell Weight provides a good alternative to several kettlebells of different weights.

2. Withings Body+ Digital Wi-Fi Smart Scale

Tracking your body’s stats can be very helpful to help with weight and body fat goals—and a smart scale can be a great way to do that.

The Withings Body+ Digital Wi-Fir Smart Scale is one of the bestselling health products on Amazon, in part because it provides easy-to-read body information on a smartphone app.

3. Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle

Drinking water has a ton of benefits to your health, including clearer skin, increased energy, helping with digestion, and normalizing blood pressure. Even with all of these benefits, getting the right amount of water can be tough.

The HidrateSpark 3 is a smart water bottle. It not only keeps your water cool, but it also glows to remind you when it’s time to drink and tracks your drinking in the HidrateSpark App. A simple reminder to drink water can go a long way toward a healthier you!

4. Gainwell 21 Day Portion Control Container Kit

One of the many reasons that people are overweight is that they overeat. Having limitations on your eating can be one of the best ways to lose weight if that is your goal.

Gainwell 21-Day Portion Control Container Kit provides 21 days of containers to help you get the right amount of food for each type of food based on your unique needs. It also comes with a full description of suggested portions and tracking information.

5. Vyper 3 – High-Intensity Vibrating Foam Roller

Sore and tight muscles can be both painful and debilitating. A massage is often the best way to address these problems, but getting a professional massage isn’t always possible. Instead, the Vyper 3 is a high-intensity vibrating foam roller that can be used to massage away tension and loosen up muscles. It’s a great option before or after a workout.

5 Thought Leaders Who Are Helping To Make A Better Planet

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

Today, rising temperatures are causing chaos on our planet. Yet, despite it all, some people are standing up to encourage change that could save us on a global scale. Consider five thought leaders who are making a difference.

1. Catherine Mckenna

Canadian lawyer and politician Catherine Mckenna once served as the Canadian government’s minister of environment and climate change. Now she chairs a group appointed by the UN Secretary-General tasked with raising awareness about the climate emergency and developing plans to resolve it.

“We can tackle climate change; we just have to change how we look at things. We have to stop looking at it as a 2050 problem.”

2. Elizabeth Mrema

Ms. Mrema was born in Tanzania but today lives in Canada. She is also the executive secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. She is approaching the challenge of climate change differently than Mckenna. She is looking for a biological solution to the problem.

“I grew up seeing our villages full of trees. But as I continued to grow… the outlook began changing. The bush, the forest I was seeing, you see more holes and spaces, [and] the weather kept changing. And as I speak, even those rivers – when you hear the water flowing in the streams at the backyard – have completely dried up.”

3. Inger Andersen

Inger Andersen is a Danish economist who serves as the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Andersen has spent most of her career working towards a better world. She spent many of her early years working in Sudan and focusing on famine and drought relief.

Today, her focus is on the devastation extreme weather is causing people all over the globe. She believes there is an inequity in the suffering and states that justice must be part of the climate change solution.

“When we know that one in three African citizens have faced water scarcity, then we understand climate inequality, then we understand that those folks who are my neighbors here in Nairobi are producing very, very low CO2 emissions.”

4. Osprey Orielle Lake

Osprey Orielle Lake is the founder of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network or WECAN. This organization works on the frontlines to create change to help sustain the planet. They aim to engage women disproportionately impacted by the climate emergency to take direct action and fight back. They do everything from holding seminars to working on the ground to save the forests.

“The climate crisis emerged from interlocking systems of capitalism, resource extraction, racism, patriarchy, and colonization. It’s beyond past time to end the tragic cycle of endless economic growth based on sacrificed peoples and sacrificed lands.”

5. Greta Thunberg

This young woman has become a household name thanks to her fight for the planet. Born in 2003, Thunberg gained notoriety for her school climate strikes and bold public speeches. She gave a fiery speech during the 2018 plenary session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference that made headlines.

“We can no longer let the people in power decide what is politically possible. We can no longer let the people in power decide what hope is. Hope is not passive.”

Together, these thought leaders and many others are working to create a more sustainable planet.

5 Paintball Tactics To Win Your Next Team Building Session

Posted on August 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by scatty

Paintball’s fun, but it’s a lot more fun when you win—especially if you’re playing for bragging rights against your coworkers.

The good news? There are some things you can do to set yourself up for success.

Read on for a roundup of 5 tactics that will help you be victorious in your next team building paintball session.

1. Get to know your equipment

Different levels of play require different paintball guns. Knowing which gun you need and how to use it can help you hit the ground running—literally and figuratively.

While operating a paintball gun isn’t “hard,” practice makes perfect. Varying both pressure and speed directly impacts firing rates.

Plus, the more you practice, the more muscle memory you’ll build up.

Not to mention that proficiency with your gun will help you avoid issues like jamming and fumbling around on the field while attempting to reload.

2. Have a plan

No great military general ever won a battle by winging it. The same applies on the paintball field.

Study the game zones in advance to understand the field and identify spots to potentially use as cover, and be sure to do a walk through with your teammates before the game begins.

This is also an opportunity to ensure that you’re on the same page regarding your expectations for each other for everything from positions to strategy.

Establishing these things in advance will help improve your team’s confidence and efficiency.

3. Use your teammates

Your teammates can be an asset or a liability. Proactive communication is often the differentiating factor between the two.

Stopping to reload, or getting ready to make a big move? Signal your teammates to cover you. (Just avoid tipping off your opponents by yelling.)

4. Keep moving

From eliminating your opponents to capturing the flag, different paintball games can have different objectives. However, securing as much of the field as possible gives you a major advantage in every scenario.

While it can be tempting to spend your time hiding to try to “wait it out,” this gives the other team the advantage over the field. The longer you stand still or stay in the same places, the greater the odds that your opponents will spot you and either maneuver around you or eliminate you.

The takeaway? Hanging back will only get you so far and does nothing to advance your team.

In addition to moving your body, keep moving your eyes. It’s easy to get stuck in tunnel vision, especially if you think you might see someone hiding in a particular place. However, keeping your attention there can make you blind to other threats, such as being flanked by the enemy while you’re distracted.

Speaking of moving, paintball is an extremely physical game. Practicing loading and firing your gun while sitting in your living room won’t prepare you for how it feels while you’re maneuvering around the field. Spend some time replicating these tasks while running in your backyard. (It may feel silly, but it works!)

5. Learn how to “snap shoot.”

Once you get the hang of the basics of handling your paintball gun, you can move onto more advanced skills, like snap shooting. While this technique takes some time to master, it makes a huge difference during a paintball game.

Instead of repeatedly popping up like a prairie dog from behind a bunker (which makes you a target), snap shooting involves “snapping” out, shooting off some rounds, then quickly “snapping” back behind your bunker.

You don’t even bother to confirm your hits with snap shooting. It’s all about speed and the element of surprise. On that note, be sure to vary things like number of shots fired, shooting position, and time between snapshots. Predictable patterns will turn you into the target of an experienced, attentive player.

One last thing to keep in mind? Just like in the workplace, your paintball team is only as good as its weakest player. Once you’ve got these tips and tricks down, be sure to share them with your teammates to reign supreme at your next team building paintball event.