Applauze Eventz & Partiez

It’s Those Fun Little Traditions That Really Count!

2010-01-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

by Dana Hilmer of "Lifestyle Mom"

Every family has their traditions and it’s those little rituals that create a lifetime worth of inside jokes and ultimately become the thread that binds the family together. It is the way you “do” what you do that becomes your family tradition. It doesn’t matter if your family likes to play scrabble, go hiking, eat cookies before dinner or sing out loud. What matters is that your family establishes a regular time to have fun, enjoy one another’s company and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Around our house, a game of UNO has become our post-dinner time favorite and Friday night isn’t complete without Star Wars The Clone Wars and a pack of Oreo Cookies. The two are so intertwined that I have, on more than one occasion, hopped out on Friday evening to make a special Oreo run. It’s a silly little tradition but Friday night has become a special time because of it.

It’s the daily stuff we do, the small rituals that may not seem like much, that create the biggest bond. In fact there are some very interesting facts when it comes to the family dinner. And note, these stats have nothing to do with elaborate cooking and fine dining, it is just the simple act of sitting down on a regular basis to share a meal together. According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University:

•Children who have frequent family dinners (defined as 5 or more times a week) are less likely to use marijuana, tobacco and drink alcohol
•Girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are less likely to develop unhealthy eating habits
•By eating with your family it is more likely that meals will be healthier and well-balanced

For some families dinner time may be a challenge with schedules flying in every direction. That is indeed true for us during soccer season. Fortunately, it doesn’t always have to be dinner. It just needs to be a little slice of time that you carve out on a very regular basis to spend time together and really listen to your kids.

Moms and families today are busy and stressed. In fact there are a number of recent books populating bookshelves that reject the concept of an “ideal mother” and the “slow parenting” movement has become a new backlash to all the craziness. Its premise is simple: slow down, unload the calendar, have more time to hang out together and live more in the moment. Now doesn’t that sound like a good recipe for life? I recently read a little fact you too may find surprising… Apparently Americans have quite a bit more leisure time than we did 40 years ago. In fact, about 45 minutes a day of extra leisure time. As Po Bronson said in the Time article How We Spend Our Leisure Time, “Then why does it feel like we have so much less? It might be because we waste half of all our leisure time watching television. The average American adult devotes 2.5 hours a day to this hobby. And for every additional hour we get free, another 30 minutes goes into that boob tube.” That is sad, pathetically sad, but I’ll save that rant for another day.

So if you want more memorable family time, create fun little daily and weekly traditions and (with the exception of Star Wars the Clone Wars) turn off the TV. You’ll enjoy the moment more and thank yourself in years to come.

Dana Hilmer is the founder of LifestyleMom, the host of the upcoming internet radio show The LifestyleMom Radio Café (premiering Jan. 10, 2010 on LA Talk Radio) and the author of Blindsided by a Diaper: Over 30 Parents Reveal How Parenthood Changes a Relationship.

How to Get Through the Night by Being a Good Tipper

2010-01-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, so recently I was in Las Vegas visiting my daughter...she happens to be a concierge at Paris. She works her tail off for her clients finding anything they need and want with a happy face and an incredible attitude. I understand this is her JOB and she loves it, but anyone in the Las Vegas Service industry will tell you that throwing a little extra cash around for their help can go a long way in the end.

So use this 'Las Vegas' Tipping Guide put together by one 'Jack Colton' to learn how to get extra perks...and avoid looking like a "cheap bastard"!

Your Skydive Instructor.
If you have the chance to make it out to Boulder City, and aren’t afraid of potential death, you should definitely pay the $160 dollars for the thrill of a lifetime. If you are skydiving for the first time, you will more than likely be going “tandem” (attached to your instructor). It is customary to tip your Sky Dive instructor about 20% of your total body weight since they actually have to work harder the heavier you are.

Your Maid.
Most people forget to tip the cleaning lady. After all...you never actually see her right? If you are feeling generous, leave your maid some cash on the dresser when you are ready to checkout. Usually $5 per night that you had the room is fair. If you partied like a rockstar, threw chairs, left used condoms in the bed, and puked all of the room; you might go ahead and be "just a bit" more generous.

Your Masseuse/Hair Stylist.
We have a lot of pampering available in Las Vegas, and you would be a FOOL not to take advantage of some of the most relaxing services in the world while you are on vacation. Regardless of whether you are getting a massage, a pedicure, your make up done, or your hair styled; throw your caretaker a solid 20% when they are finished making you feel like $1,000,000.

All this help for you stemmed from my daughter working and living in the service industry. I hope this helps you and if you have any questions on tipping your service providers in the wedding or event industry, please ask, I would love to blog about that as well...Hmmmm, perhaps my next round!

Happy tipping.

2009-10-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Applauze Eventz & Partiez
&
Premier Designs Jewlery
COLLIDE

to bring
YOU
A Holiday Party Extravaganza

Saturday
November 7, 2009

5:00-7:00
Premier Designs Jewelry
Shop for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries
or shop for YOU.

7:30-9:00
Pol-Lattiez
The hot new body makeover system
that takes the worlds fabulous dance moves from
music videos, clubs, even exotic dancing
and turns them into
fast, fun, fat-burning routines that everyone can enjoy.

This is a NO charge event and we hope that you all can be there for some fun!

2009-09-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ask Applauze Eventz Divas

PARTY IDEAS

As any parent knows, parties are more than just fun and games. They are one of a child's first introductions to social situations and, as such, raise delicate etiquette issues for kids and parents alike. Here, we've gathered some of parents' most vexing party questions, and asked Applauze Events & Partiez Divaz the world-famous party-thrower and arbiter of all things mannerly, to share their battle-tested wisdom. As you'll see, Applauze offers answers that are humorous, opinionated (even sometimes controversial) and always rivetingly honest. We may not agree with them on every last point, but then they assure us we'll come around eventually.

Should I expect parents to just drop off their child at my five-year-old's party? If they stay, must I feed them?

You will need to be flexible in throwing parties for kids this age; many of them automatically bring a date, namely, their moms. Here's what to do. Call your two best friends and ask them to stay, for you'll need them, or call Applauze Eventz & Partiez to throw the party for you. They will make coffee and talk to parents who come uninvited. When adults do stay, take it as a sign of goodwill toward your child. Give them jobs and offer to feed them whatever the guests are having. The most polite adults will decline food if it's scarce but will accept cake, sing loudly and help clean up.

Should a child's birthday party be a total surprise?

A child should only be given a surprise party when she really isn't expecting anything for her birthday--which is never. A child who is anticipating at least small gifts or good wishes from her friends at school will have an awful day until the moment the door is thrown open for her surprise. People will be whispering behind her back all day long. They will revel in this ruse, while she slowly withers. Surprise parties really are much better suited to anyone who truly doesn't expect much to be made of the occasion.

Should I invite the entire class to my 11-year-old daughters party?

I can't think of a whole-class party that did not feel like a three-ring circus. Birthday parties that include 20 guests somehow seem to require high-wire performances, live rock bands, and wild animals leaping out of a cake. While the novelty would be fascinating (we might try it someday), most guests will not even remember why they are there. If you must, one all-class extravaganza in a lifetime would be more than enough. The rest of the time, a small party of five to 12 kids is the perfect way to say "We love you, dear."

What about competitive games at parties? Some kids get so upset when they lose.

Competitive games are enjoyable only for the people who win. If your child really wants to play them, though, try to orchestrate it so that every child wins convincingly at least once. Better yet, plan a few cooperative games, in which the whole gang faces a challenge, such as following a treasure map, then splits the loot evenly.

Should I serve a meal at my 12-year-old daughter Martha's party? If so, what can I feed her friends that's semi-nutritious and will please a crowd?
Older kids actually do eat food, so go ahead. This is a great chance--in fact, possibly your last for years as she enters adolescence. A successful rule in feeding children of any age is to make everything into crudités, finger sandwiches and other miniature versions of the actual size. Hors d'oeuvre is a French word that means "way more likely to get eaten than a ham-and-bean casserole."

Gina's friends' parents have been calling to ask what she wants for her birthday. I don't want to suggest something that's too big for their budget. What should I say?
This is one of the many times to be glad that Gina's is a bug collector--or whatever her hobby really is. Name the supplies for which Gina is hoping. If bug supplies come in units of $3 each, perfect. Then the giver can buy multiples up to her total dollar figure. Be sure to say how long Gina's been at her hobby. You don't want anyone buying a 10x magnifying glass for a certified entomologist.

My boys, Billy, seven, and Dwayne, eight, are invited to the same party. Should they each bring a gift?

Does my child, Mary, have to write thank-you notes? She thanked everybody while they were at the party.

I have two reactions to this question. The first is that only a piece of cheese would fail to write a thank-you note for a gift. The second is that it is true that thank-you notes have fallen by the wayside in some social circles and now just make everyone feel uncomfortable. For example, your friends don't usually send them out, and now that you have, they feel they must. With a full social calendar, big parties and more than one child, one could be writing thank-you notes half the year. Here is where good judgment comes in: Do what will make the giver feel best while also training Mary that thank-you notes are the rule.

Should I have extra little gifts for the child who ends up in tears?

Do you mean the birthday child? If so, yes. Let him fall into your arms after dinner and tell you all he had hoped would happen but didn't, and then produce a small jar of bubble bath or a delicious new book for bedtime.

If you mean for the guests, then no. Other than party favors, guests must be cheered simply by a hug and kind words from the mother of the birthday child. For a gift in private to a guest falls under the category of bribe, and you will soon be required to bribe everyone to be good.

Happy Partying

2009-07-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Calling All Ladiez

Attend our next Ladiez Only Pol-Lattiez Party/Class

September 25, 2009

6:30-8:00

2004 10th Street

Los Osos

441-8807 or 431-0905

Hostess Incentive

Host a Pol-Lattiez Party during the month of September
and the hostess is free.
Also, receive a special hostess gift as our appreciation.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Five Tips for Dressing Like a Jet-Setter on a Showstring Budget

2009-07-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

By Ava Pierce, Guest Blogger

I saw a quote once that fit my life perfectly. It read: “I’m a rich woman trapped in a working woman’s body.” If you’re like me and you have five-star dreams on a three-star budget, here are five tips that can help you dress like an international jet-setter without breaking the bank:

Luxury brand outlet stores are great sources for finding expensive clothing and accessories at discounted prices (sometimes up to 75% off). To find outlets in your area, go to Outlet Locator Outlet Bound. You can also search the websites of your favorite designer brands – Gucci, Prada, Tory Burch, D&G, etc. – as well as up-and-coming local designers to find their outlet locations.

Mix and match. Fast-fashion coupled with some lux items can create a really nice look. No one will ever know that you’re wearing H&M, Celine, Zara and Giuseppe Zanotti in the same outfit unless you tell them.

Accessory rental. There are quite a few websites and stores where you can rent designer handbags, sunglasses, jewelry and watches. Here are a few resources to get you started: Bag, Borrow or Steal; From Bags to Riches; Kiss My Bag; and Rent Me A Handbag.

One of my favorite ways to find designer fashions at affordable prices is sample sales. These events, held in stores and showrooms, offer clothing, accessories and housewares at 50% to 75% below retail prices. Some sample sales are held regularly; others are held only a few times each year. Not all stores and showrooms are open to the public every day so you should call ahead. Websites like Shop It To Me, as well as members-only shopping communities such as Ideeli, TheTopSecret, Beyond the Rack and Gilt Groupe, offer sale announcements as well as links to online sample sales. (If you’re not yet a member, add your name to their waiting list for an invitation.)

Trade designer clothes and accessories with friends. Make it festive by having a monthly “exchange party” with some of your close friends. Naturally, you will all agree to take good care of each other’s belongings. What’s most important is to remember that being a jet-setter is not just about wearing designer clothing and accessories. Your style should be coupled with confidence and civility. In other words, always be fabulous, inside and out!Ava Pierce is a 30-something jet-setter-in-training who shares her shopping, traveling and socializing resources at Ava Pierce: The Blog. Whether you’re a jet-setting dreamer or an experienced globetrotter, you can enjoy her Jet Set Tips of the Day as well as her rants and raves about everything from traveling around the globe to learning how to sashay in her stilettos without breaking an ankle.

Pol-Lattiez Party/Class

2009-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, you all asked for it we're back another month...

Staurday
July 11, 2009
6:30-8:00pm

Central Coast Dance Studio
2004 10th Street
Los Osos

Wear comfortable clothes,
get ready for a great workout
& a pole lot of fun!

Another Ladiez Only Party and YOU are invited

2009-05-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday,
June 6, 2009

Ladiez Only Party

2004 10th Street
Los Osos

First 20 Ladiez Only...See web site for details...

Tips for Teaching Character - Manners for Kids

2009-04-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

Tips for Teaching Character: Manners for Kids

When we teach our kids manners, we are teaching them essential social skills for life - skills they'll use to impress a date's parents, get their first job and work with colleagues in the future. Don't sell your children short. Start teaching them the social graces they'll need to be successful.

Teaching character: Be Polite, Expect Politeness
When our children see us being polite to others, they are given the best role model. If we expect this of our children, we should also say “please” and “thank you” when asking them to do something. Too often I’ve found myself ordering or demanding my daughter do something, then turning around and complaining when she does the same to me.
Point out when another child has done something nice and say, “Wasn’t that a polite thing to do?” Always recognize your child’s polite moments. Praise her for her good manners. When a child, any child, is polite to you, remember to acknowledge them. By doing so, you’re reinforcing polite behavior.

Use a toy telephone to teach your child phone manners.
It’s best if they do not answer your phone until they understand proper phone etiquette. It may sound cute to you, but not to the person calling, when a child yells into the phone: “Who is this?” or “What do you want?” Once you begin allowing him to answer the phone, make up a small list to set beside the phone giving him instructions.
“Hello, Clark residence?”
If the caller asks for someone else in the house, say, “Just a minute please” and take the phone to the right person.
If not available, ask to take the caller's name and number and write it down. Or, ask the caller to please call back.
Remember, NEVER tell anyone that a parent isn’t home. Tell caller the parent is “not available.”

Kindness Counts in Toddler Parenting
Kindness to animals can be taught at an early age by showing babies and toddlers how to pet and be gentle with stuffed animals. The same technique can show them how you are kind to your animals. Model kind and gentle behavior with pets. Then watch how your child reacts to other people’s pets. If your child seems afraid or unnecessarily rough, perhaps he is not ready for a pet in the home.

No one likes to be teased or mistreated.
Never make fun of or ridicule another person in your child’s presence. Talk to your child about feelings and how everyone has them. Refrain from telling or laughing at ethnic jokes. If your own child is teased by another, encourage him not to respond similarly, but to think of all those who are kind to him.
Chldren often show their anger by hitting or screaming at other children. Teach them how to properly handle anger toward others. Encourage your child to clasp her hands together and count to ten in a silly way whenever she is mad: “One elephant toe, two elephant toes…”

Manners for Kids: Honesty--More than the Best Policy
Encourage honesty in your children. Tell them how sad someone must be to have lost what your child has found, whether it’s money or a toy. A lost dollar bill may not seem like much, but honesty in the little things instills a desire to be honest in bigger ways. I’m amazed and humbled at how my daughter will go out of her way to give a dropped penny or quarter to a customer ahead of us in line. As with other issues, I always try to let her see me return the incorrect excess change, stamps, or other items I may be given.
If you know your child is lying, don’t accuse. Instead, tell him how special the truth is and how proud you are when he is truthful. Then wait for his conscience to go to work.

Happy Teaching

Discipline...Why a Bad Word

2009-04-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

Discipline...Why a Bad Word?

Those, like our parents and aunts and uncles, who raised kids over the past couple of decades, are sad to see what a "bum rap" the word
discipline is getting these days. They think back nostalgically to people complimenting them because their children "were disciplined".

In the dictionary the definition for this much maligned word is...

Discipline (dis e-plin) noun: Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, esp. training that produces moral or mental improvement.

But what has changed? When did discipline become a bad word? There is certainly nothing in the definition of discipline that suggests abusive
treatment, spanking, shaming, yelling, screaming or generally losing one's marbles.

So why are we afraid of disciplining our children?
And why do we resort to bribing them instead?

Don't children need and want to be reigned-in? Isn't it a loving parent who sets limits on inappropriate behavior? Don't children become anxious when they are allowed to lose control, to hit, to scream, to throw the items out of the grocery basket, to use bad manners, to act out in school? Is it shaming a child to point out and correct bad behavior? No!

But it is a shame when our children approach adulthood without the necessary tools to be a welcome and productive member of society. It is a shame when our children don't have the skills needed to function appropriately in social settings, in school, and out in public. When parents establish behavioral standards, make
their expectations clear, and respond consistently when standards are violated, they are introducing the basic tenets of a civilized culture. Our children deserve no less.

Believe in starting early to shape our children. Support a loving, gentle, supportive, non-aggressive and calm approach to parenting and teaching good habits, respect for others, and manners.

So, discipline your kids, they will thank you for it...and so will their kids. And most important, love your kids up one side and down the other!

Happy Discipling...

Thanks Elena

2009-03-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

My Friend Morgan Black has been in social networks for a long time, and one thing comes to mind..how many people whine and cry they can't make any money.
Why do you think they can't make money? Ok, lets get down and be real here. She will tell you why you can't make money online.
Simple truth: YOU DON'T WORK THE BUSINESS.

There is money to be had and these are a few steps to help you work that business and make some money.
1) Show up on the job:
So what if you do it in your pj's. Show up, answer all emails, make phone calls, put in the time doing the advertising, don't be shy this is your business and no one is going to work it like you do
2) Make a commitment to work a full 8 hour day:
How many times have we seen this, we work from home, the phone rings its our girl friends, parents etc..they stop us from working, what would you do if you worked outside of the home? You would hang up with a simple, sorry I am working. Set those office hours and work them!
3) Follow up:
This is a no brain-er right? WRONG! How many times have I contacted someone for them to never get back to me, they were so sorry they said when I contacted them again, but did that make me happy, NO! Did I want to do business with them HECK NO, because they didn't have time for me and I have to say most of the time, they didn't call back at all. I guess they were to busy, hmm, don't whine and cry folks!
4)Advertise yourself!
Get any kind of Advertising you can. Do not miss any opportunity to get your name out there and business out there. Free or otherwise. One way is to join many social networks, but don't do the normal same old thing on them, really work them. Make friends, be active and stay alive.

Go Make the Money!

Tips from My New Friend Morgan Black, Thanks Morgan!

First Pol-Lattiez Party

2009-03-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Web-Alottiez,

Applauze Had it's first Ladiez Only Party and what a success! The Ladiez had fun as they frollicked to Pol-Lattiez.

Check us out at http://www.ApplauzeEventz.com and see our pics, then book your own fun filled and action packed Ladiez Only Pol-Lattiez Party!!!

Until next time...

Ladiez Only Party

2009-03-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ladiez on the Central Coast you won't want to miss our April 18, 2009 Ladiez Only Party. 6:30 at Central Coast Dance & Performing Arts in Los Osos. Please RSVP 441.8807 or 431.0905. Visit our web site at http://www.applauzeeventz.com/ and please leave us some thoughts. See you soon!

Partiez, Partiez, Partiez

2009-03-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Two fabulous partiez at Central Coast Dance & Performing Arts. At our Princess Party there were 8 princess' and at our Diva party there were 14 Divaz. Two very successful eventz. What a fabulous day for all!

Exciting News

2009-02-20T17:59:00.001-08:00

Today, Julie and I met with Tina Porter of SLO County Sitters to discuss what we could do to assist each other in our businesses. We came up with some fabulous ideas. Follow our blog for updates...

2009-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

We are so excited about having partiez, watch for our new photos, coming soon.

Pass This On

2008-11-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

Applauze Eventz & Partiez

is looking to have Partiez. If you refer a friend and they book with Applauze Eventz & Partiez you will receive $100.00 off your booking of a party.

Remember the Divas are here for you and your loved ones...

The Girly Girl Way

NEWS FLASH

2008-11-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Brenda Boorman with A Heart to Heart
Wedding Consultant
&
Julie Downey with Central Coast Dance

introduce the combining of forces...

Applauze Eventz & Partiez
For the Girly Girl

Our Partiez are COOL because they're fully inclusive...
MOM DOESN'T DO A THING!!!

Grand Opening Promotion
1st two people to book partiez with Applauze Eventz will get their party for $50.00.

see our website for details
http://www.applauzeeventz.com/