All That Shimmers

Courtesy of Cristina Bird

Hi Friends,

A touch of gold adds luxury and helps elevate the ensemble of more casual pieces on display. The hint of shimmer is carried through the tableware, flatware and napkin rings, which were made by wrapping gold crepe paper and pink satin ribbon around a crisp white linen napkin.

The perfect touch of class...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Courtesy of History.com

Hi Friends,

Cinco de Mayo gives us the perfect opportunity to share some information on the history of Cinco de Mayo, which we've shared with you below. Enjoy the read...

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla
In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez (1806-1872) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III (1808-1873), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat.

Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez (1814-1892) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men-many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry-and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.

Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza's success at Puebla represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. Six years later-thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War-France withdrew. The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico by Napoleon in 1864, was captured and executed by Juárez's forces. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there.

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico
Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza's unlikely triumph occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.

Cinco de Mayo in the United States
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations. Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano. Some of the largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

Confusion with Mexican Independence Day
Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. That event is commemorated on September 16, the anniversary of the revolutionary priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's famous "Grito de Dolores" ("Cry of Dolores"), a call to arms that amounted to a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Save the Dates (With a Surprise!)

Courtesy of Cristina Bird

Hi Friends,

For a clever twist on the floral theme, turn seed packets into your Save the Dates. Simply print these seed packet templates, cut out and fill with your favorite flower seed variety. The best part is that long after the wedding, your guests will have beautiful blooms as a memory of your big day.

Click HERE for the seed packet templates.

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Live well,
Yvonne

15 Sweet Mother's Day Gifts for $30 or Less

By: Bridget Mallon

Hi Friends,

These gifts prove $30 is all you need to treat your favorite ladies to a gift that will leave them feeling pampered and appreciated.

No matter what your Mother's Day plans are — brunch, a matinee, even a Skype session if you live far away from your family — treating the most important women in your life to a special present is a must. Our moms, aunts, grandmas and other mother figures have treated us to so much throughout our lives, and Mother's Day is the perfect time to show them how much we care. Luckily, you don't have to break the bank to find a gift that will make them feel the love. Read on for 15 great gifts you can buy that cost $30 or less.

Our featured gift is the Jonathan Adler Candy Bento Box for $30.00 at sugarfina.com.

2: Take Note Candle

$24; anthropologie.com

3: Cookie Cutter Set

$25; katespade.com

4: Rose Gold French Press

$12.99; T.J.Maxx Stores

5: Medallion Throw Pillow

$24.99; target.com

6: MacKenzie-Childs Travel Cup

$25; mackenzie-childs.com

7: Pineapple Candle Holder

$16.50; asos.com

8: Chandon Limited Edition Rosé

$24; chandon.com

9: Dessert and Baking Salt

$19; uncommongoods.com

10: Relief-Patterned Glass Jug

$24.99; hm.com

11: Striped Towel

$24; furbishstudio.com

12: REED Medium Pouch

$25; kohls.com

13: Floral Plate Set

$24.99; crateandbarrel.com

14: Gold Decorative Bowl

Robert Tardio
$19.99; Marshalls Stores

15: L'Occitane Hand Cream Set

$28; sephora.com

Happy gifting!

Please feel free to share some of your Mother's Day ideas us too; look forward to hearing from you...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Teacher Appreciation Day 2016

Compliments of IBT
By Rebecka Schumann
Photo By: Getty Images

Hi Friends,

Today is your day, teachers! In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Day, May 3, 2016, more than a dozen retailers and restaurants nationwide are giving away free items or are offering big discounts on their products. To make sure you don't miss any of the deals, follow the list below. Keep in mind, most businesses require a valid teacher ID to redeem these offers.

RESTAURANTS

World of Beer
Teachers can end their special day with a cold brew. World of Beer taverns nationwide will be giving away free Angry Orchard cider or Sam Adams beer on Tuesday. Patrons in Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and New York can expect five dollars off their checks in lieu of free beer. Offers may vary based on state laws.

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
If you happen to be an educator in Durham, North Carolina, pay a visit to the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club on Tuesday for a free meal. The award-winning establishment will be giving away one free entree with an entree purchase in its Fairview Dining Room. Dishes available include scallops, Angus steak, paella and more. Guests will also be given an apple, an ode to the classic teacher gift.

Chick-fil-A
Deal and offers vary by location. Check with your local establishment.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
The chain is offering a buy one, get one free deal on burritos, bowls, salads and tacos. This offer is valid at participating locations on Tuesday from 3 p.m. until closing time for in-restaurant customers only. Educators may only get one free item.

PDQ
Treat yourself to a free combo meal for lunch or dinner with valid ID. This offer is valid from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday. PDQ is also accepting nominations through Friday for their People Dedicated To Quality Teacher Award. (Nominate your favorite teacher here!) Each nominee will receive a “special gift” from PDQ.

McDonald’s
Teacher Appreciation Day deals appears to vary by location, if any. Check with your local restaurant for more details.

RETAILERS

New York & Co.
Now is the time to get some new work clothes. New York & Co. is giving teachers 30 percent off their online and in-store purchases of $50 or more. Use the code “6223” for online orders.

Madewell
While it is not a Teacher Appreciation Day offer, the retailer does give a generous discount to teachers and students year round. Show a valid ID at checkout and get 15 percent off your purchase. This offer cannot be used for online orders.

Anne Taylor Loft
Teachers get perks all year round with this retailer. Sign up for their Loft Loves Teachers program and get 15 percent off your full-price purchases.

J. Crew
Show your teacher ID at checkout and get 15 percent off your purchase. This offer is not valid for online shoppers or phone orders.

Aerosoles
Get some new footwear for a fraction of the price. Aerosoles is giving any teacher with ID (or a pay stub proof) 15 percent off any item priced $39.99 or higher. Orders can be placed in store or by phone.

Jo-Ann Fabrics
Save big on your classroom supplies. Sign up for the craft store’s rewards discount card and get 15 percent off every purchase, every day. While reward cards can take up to four weeks for delivery, those who sign up will also get a 20 percent off total bonus coupon via email.

West Elm
Did you know you can get 15 percent off every purchase you make just by presenting your valid ID? Sign up using your .edu mail address here.

Happy Shopping and Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Dainty DIY Stationery

Courtesy of Cristina Bird

Hi Friends,

These printable wedding invitations, RSVP cards, envelope seal tags and patterned scrapbook paper will help you create a bespoke wedding stationery suite at the click of a button. Download the templates, add your own text with the help of word processing software, and embellish to your heart's content to make it your own. For the matching envelope liners, measure your open envelope flap and cut an inch-smaller shape out of scrapbook paper. Then affix to the inside of each envelope using double-sided tape. Get the printable templates below:

Click HERE for the Wedding Invitations
Click HERE for the RSVP Cards
Click HERE for the Envelope Seal Tags
Click HERE for the Patterned Scrapbook Paper

An elegant wedding doesn't have to break the bank...

Congratulation!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Love in Bloom

Courtesy of Cristina Bird

Hi Friends,

Getting married? Get crafty! You can save money and add personal touches to your celebration with romantic DIY wedding ideas. We've got you covered over the next several weeks with recipes, craft tutorials and free printables.

Add a personal touch to your special day with simple DIY wedding ideas. Your romantic occasion will bloom with seasonal style and beautiful handmade details.

Check back for more great wedding ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne