With summer drawing to a close, now is the best time to plan your autumn vegetable and flower gardens! You can set out cool-weather annuals and vegetables, buy bulbs, and plant trees and shrubs. Try these easy ideas for making your late-summer garden the best that it can be.

Vegetables
Tip No. 1: If you planted tomatoes and other vegetables during the past few months, harvest them often for an ongoing supply.

Pick tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos early in the morning on the day you plan to eat them. Select okra, eggplants, squash, and cucumbers when they are small and tender. Sow turnips, mustard greens, beets, radishes, collards, and spinach now in the Middle and Lower South. If you have extras from your garden, share the bounty with family, neighbors, and friends.

Tip No. 2: Prepare your lawn for the cooler days and nights ahead.

Now is an excellent time to establish fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bluegrass. If you are sowing the seeds for a new lawn, use a lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus fertilizer, such as 18-24-10. If you have an established lawn, go with a higher nitrogen formula like 31-2-4.

Flower Bulbs
Tip No. 3: Refrigerate flower bulbs for a more beautiful display after planting.

Did your tulips and hyacinths come up short last year? They needed more chill time. Purchase bulbs now, and place them in the vegetable bins of your refrigerator for at least six to eight weeks before planting. Plant autumn crocus (Colchicum sp.) bulbs and you will be rewarded with a multitude of pink blooms.

Roses
Tip No. 4: Prune and fertilize your everblooming roses now for a big show of fall flowers.

Remove dead stems and shorten healthy canes by about one-third. Feed with rose fertilizer and add clean mulch to conserve moisture and reduce disease. Water well once each week if it doesn't rain. To avoid black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, don't use an overhead sprinkler.

Autumn Perennials
Tip No. 5: Plant autumn perennials for breathtaking fall color.

Plant old-fashioned mums, such as 'Sheffield Pink' and 'Single Apricot Korean' along the front of your flowerbed; their blooms will mound and spill over the edges. Use asters like 'Purple Dome', 'September Ruby', and 'Harrington's Pink', along with Japanese anemones, such as 'Honorine Jobert' (shown here), 'Queen Charlotte', and 'September Charm' for the middle and back of the border.

Pinch off loose or unkempt growth with your fingers. This will help maintain the plants' compact habits and produce more flowers for a great fall show.

Planting Seeds
Tip No. 6: If you want to grow plants from seeds, plan your fall garden now.

Review mail-order catalogs to select flower and vegetable seeds for autumn planting. Also, dry the flower heads of zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, and Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia), and store the seeds in a cool, dry place. Sow them in the spring for next year's cutting garden.

Shrubs
Tip No. 7: Now is an excellent time to add shrubs to your yard.

Cool weather will allow plants to establish roots and transition into your landscape before next year's growing season. Water well after planting, and mulch with pine straw or chopped leaves. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), at left, is a particularly captivating choice. Later in the fall, the leaves will turn yellow; after the foliage has dropped, use the fruit-laden stems for bright autumn arrangements.

Bringing Plants Indoors
Tip No. 8: If you gave your plants a summer vacation outside, get ready to bring them back indoors as the first frost approaches.

Reduce watering, and allow the containers to dry out a bit. Examine plants carefully to remove any hitchhikers (such as lizards and bugs), and then bring them inside. If you are looking for some easy houseplants for areas with low to medium light, there are lots of choices. Chinese evergreens, pothos, dracaenas, arrowhead vines, sansevierias, and philodendrons need minimal light. Plus, all of these carefree plants offer attractive foliage.

Reducing Mosquitoes
Tip No. 9: Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your garden.

Empty all sources of standing water, such as plant saucers, buckets, or old tires. Keep gutters clear so that debris does not cause water to collect. Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.

Mosquito Dunks are another way to get rid of this bug. When placed in ponds, birdbaths, or other standing water, these donut-shaped objects release a bacteria that kills mosquito larvae. Insect repellents, such as Cutter Skinsations, Off! Skintastic, Cutter Bug Free Backyard, and Cutter or Off! mosquito coils also control these bugs.

By Myhomeideas.com

Here are a few summertime ideas using your favorite Reynolds products that are sure to be crowd-pleasers:

Cooking foods wrapped in Reynolds Heavy Duty Foil or Parchment Paper is a quick, low-fat method for sealing in moisture and flavor in delicate foods. Little or no added fat is necessary.  It's also great for gently steaming vegetables.

Use Reynolds Release Non Stick Foil to make a pan for vegetables or small foods like shrimp or scallops when you want to cook on the grill.  The food will be easy to turn and it won’t fall through the grill grate.  Save your good pans from grill smudges and your grill stays clean all while locking in the delicious flavor.

The kids will love it when you bake brownies, cookies or bars. Wrap each individually in Reynolds Heavy Duty Foil and freeze. Pop a frozen treat into the lunch box in the morning and it will be defrosted by lunch time.

Packet cooking is a great way to use Reynolds Heavy Duty Foil to make delicious meals on the grill. Simply create a foil envelope, or packet, to cook your favorite veggies or meats. Vegetables come out crisp and meats stay moist and tender with no clean-up.

For more great summertime grill tips or for quick, easy meal prep and clean-up, click here  

1. Scrub Your Skin

2. Enhance Your Base
If your body is crypt-keeper pale, use a gradual self-tanner. “Ingredients in the cream react with the skin’s amino acids to produce natural-looking brown pigments,” says NYC dermatologist Jeannette Graf. Your tone should peak in five to seven days. At that point, start applying the lotion every other day to maintain your gleam.

3. Get Instant Results
If you want a tanned look this second, your best bet is a bronzing oil that you can swipe on before going out. The effects only stick around until your next shower though. For something with more staying power, try a tinted mousse or a towelette with sunless tanner (which are less streaky than lotions and creams). Both stain your skin a golden hue, and the color lasts about a week.

4. Put on the Gloves
Before applying any tanner, pull on Latex (if you’re not allergic) gloves. “That way, your palms won’t soak up any color meant for your body,” says spa owner Cindy Barshop. If you don’t have gloves, wash your hands with soap when you’re done. Put a dab of tanner on the top of each hand and rub them together so they’re not completely pale.

5. Use Broad Strokes
Make sure your body isn’t greasy from any residual body cream, which can block the tanner from absorbing fully. Then spread the product on with uniform swipes in all directions. For knees and elbows, dilute the tanner with moisturizer. These dry spots absorb more color and can turn darker than the rest of your body. Also, skip spots where the sun don’t shine, like your heels and soles, says Susie Hatton of Chocolate Sun tanning salon in Santa Monica, California.

6. Tone Down Any Streaks
If you end up with a few orange smudges, don’t panic. A quick shower should fade them away. “If not, add a cup of milk to a bath,” says Hatton. “The lactic acids help take down the color.” If ankles, knees, or elbows are your only problem, buff away mess-ups with the fine side of a well-worn emery board or lighten them up with a bit of cream facial bleach left on for two to three minutes, says Dr. Graf.

By Cosmpolitan.com

Whether your tastes lean toward the contemporary or the traditional, Maryland Pool, Inc combines the latest technologies with quality design to make owning a pool the easiest it has ever been.

Most pool cleaners roll randomly along the floor of the pool, collecting the debris in its path. These cumbersome units need to be removed and stored whenever you want to swim, then placed back in the water when the next cleaning is needed. Maryland Pools eliminates the hassle by exclusively offering a system that features series of cleaning heads that are built into the floor of the pool to constantly clean.

The PCC 2000 Infloor Cleaning and circulation System pushes out a high velocity stream of water that sweeps the walls and floors and pushes the debris towards the bottom drain,” said partner and vice-president Bob Spero. “This system also distributes the water more efficiently throughout the entire pool, which will dramatically cut down on heating costs.”

Some homeowners think that they would have to be chemists to sustain a pool’s chlorine levels. Too little, and its disinfecting properties are ineffective. Too much, and you have burning eyes, irritated skin, and discolored hair. Again, Maryland Pools has the solution: Mineral Springs. This sanitation system automatically converts minerals into a water sanitizer. “A constant and minimal amount of chlorine is used to keep your pool safe and sparkling. The days of spending hours working on your pool are over,” Spero said.

Another growing trend is incorporating dramatic fountains and waterfalls into a pool’s design. “We build many different types of stone waterfalls. They can vary in size from just one foot high to over 12 feet high”, Spero said, “and the refreshing sound of water can vary from a trickle to a loud roar.”

Maryland Pools enthusiastically adds design elements that make a pool uniquely yours. “Other pool builders do not want to offer these high tech creative visual features because it falls outside of the parameters of building a simple swimming pool. Our philosophy is different. We take each family and their backyard and design what they would like to achieve individually.”

Even with this strong focus on aesthetics, Maryland Pools would never compromise safety, integrity, or durability. “By building a pool with more steel and a thicker richer mix of concrete, Maryland Pools can offer better warranties,” Spero said. A warranty is only as good as long as the company is in business. By building a stronger more durable pool, we know that we will continue to stay in business. Our clients realize that the best quality of a Maryland Pool is that it will last for a log time. That’s why we have been in business for 53 years.”

Maryland Pools
9515 Gerwig Lane Suite 119
Columbia, MD 21046
1-800-252- SWIM
www.mdpools.com

Prepare to be pampered at Maryland's premiere luxurious spa -- the Spa at Turf Valley. Soothe away tension with a relaxing Swedish massage, rejuvenate your spirit with a stimulating body wrap, treat your skin with a nourishing, deep cleansing facial, or enjoy a couple’s hot stone massage in one of our couple's suites, perfect for the two of you.

Turf Valley Resort boasts two championship golf courses, suited for players of any ability and ideal for corporate outings or private competitions. Turf Valley offers a full range of amenities and services to meet every golfer's needs, including a fully stocked Pro Shop, P.G.A. Professionals on staff, and Model Golf, our computer-aided golf swing analysis and training.

Turf Valley offers you 36 holes of championship golf, 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space, delectable dining, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a fitness room, a luxurious spa, complimentary Wayport High-speed Wireless Internet access in every guest room and extended-stay villa, and more!

http://www.turfvalleyresort.com/

The Mentality

Yoga
This discipline has an Eastern-based philosophy. “Yoga is a journey of self-discovery,” says Leigh Crews, a registered yoga teacher (RYT) and spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The mind, not the body, is the main target. Yoga teaches relaxation and meditation, and not just in the studio. “[What students learn in class] transfers into the rest of their lives as well,” Crews explains. “Instead of laying on the horn when they get cut off on the freeway, they practice yoga breathing and remain calm.”

And during the yoga session itself? Students fall into a meditative, peaceful state of mind.

But if you’re not into meditation, should you try yoga anyway? Absolutely, Crews says. “There are eight [parts] of yoga, and spirituality is only one of them. Many Western classes tend to focus more on breathing and movement.” (See related article: Inner Peace and a Great Butt)

Pilates
Pilates is more concerned with strengthening the body than the mind. But it still requires the mind to be engaged – no auto-pilot here. Movements are deliberate and focused. “Pilates is also called ‘contrology,’” says June Kahn, owner of June Kahn’s Bodyworks, LLC, and director of Pilates for Lakeshore Athletic Clubs in Boulder, CO. “It’s using the mind to control the muscle.”

Verdict
“Both exercises have a mind-body connection,” says Edward Jackowski, Ph.D., founder of the New York City-based fitness company Exude and author of Escape Your Shape: How to Work Out Smarter, Not Harder (Fireside, 2001).

The difference? “Yoga focuses more on meditation, whereas in Pilates the goal is to get your mind into the spot where it can control the motions.”
 
The Movements

Yoga
Most poses are static, meaning that they’re held for a long period. They’re not counted in seconds, but rather, in breaths. Often, you move deeper into the pose with each breath you take.

Pilates
There are two types of Pilates. Floor-based Pilates takes place on a mat on the ground, using elastic bands and the Pilates magic circle (exercise ring) to build strength and add resistance. In machine-based Pilates, you use two machines, called the Cadillac and Reformer, which are a system of springs and pulleys that add weight and resistance.

In both types, exercises are performed in sets and repetitions. While you do hold some moves for a certain number of breaths, as with yoga, in Pilates you remain in regular motion for the majority of the class.

Verdict
“People gravitate to things they are already good at,” Jackowski says. “Those with flexibility are more apt to choose yoga, while those who are stronger gravitate toward Pilates.” However, he recommends people not simply opt for the easiest workout, but rather the type of exercise that will most benefit your body.

The Physical Benefits

Yoga
Yoga keeps the body supple, pliable and flexible, which helps you perform daily movements better. “Yoga is functional training,” Crews explains. “It requires lots of different muscles to work together, training them to perform in the way we use them in everyday life.” (Compare this to isolation exercises such as biceps curls, which work only one muscle at a time.)

Athletes can also benefit from yoga. “With any sport, you tend to overwork one muscle group over another,” Crews says. “Yoga will pinpoint this imbalance, forcing the weak muscle to work harder and forcing the tighter muscle to stretch.”

Pilates
“Every Pilates exercise combines flexibility and strength,” Kahn says. Pilates emphasizes your core, or “powerhouse” muscles, which run in a circle around your lower back and abdomen. Whether you’re doing abdominal work, leg lifts or upper body exercises, all movement originates from the core in Pilates.

“[A strong core] allows you to have more power and improved performance in sports,” Khan explains. “You’re better able to power and propel yourself through movements.”

Dancers have known this for years. “Ballerinas flow beautifully through their movements. They look like they’re floating,” Kahn says. Watch an experienced Pilates practitioner, and you’ll notice the apparent ease of her movements, as well. But don’t be fooled – it only looks effortless. Moving through the progressions is challenging and requires a lot of strength.

Verdict
In general, yoga is the best choice if you want to increase range of motion and overall flexibility, Jackowski says. “If you have a weak back or core section, pick Pilates.”

The Ultimate Goal

Yoga
Yoga encourages practitioners to turn inward for self-evaluation, to be introspective. The end result is a calmer demeanor and mindset. “Stress reduction  is a documented benefit of yoga,” Crews says. (See related article: Baxter Bell’s Secrets to Stress-Free Living)

Pilates
“Pilates is corrective in nature,” Kahn says. In fact, Joseph Pilates founded this exercise in the early 1900s to help wounded World War l soldiers recuperate.

Many physical therapy centers offer Pilates sessions for those who have been injured in sports or car accidents, or are suffering from chronic neck or back pain. Often, these sessions can be covered by insurance.

“The movements help realign the natural curves to your spine and fix imbalances caused by poor posture,” Kahn says.

Verdict
“Stress relief is really the core of yoga,” Jackowski says. “Pilates was developed more for rehabilitation purposes.”

The Bottom Line
Try yoga and Pilates at least three to five times each before you make up your mind. And if you want to lose weight, don’t forget your running shoes: You won’t lose fat without cardiovascular exercise.

Can’t choose between yoga and Pilates? No worries. The two disciplines complement each other. If you strengthen your abs in Pilates, it will be easier for you to hold certain poses in yoga. Becoming more flexible in yoga will allow you to move through Pilates progressions with more ease. “There is no one exercise that by itself is pure fitness,” Jackowski says.

So why limit yourself? Do them both. Just make sure you’re being guided by a trained professional.

For yoga: A yoga teacher (RYT) registered with the Yoga Alliance, a non-profit organization that sets standards for yoga training, will have at least 200 hours of training; there is also a 500-hour level.

For Pilates: Look for an instructor certified by STOTT Pilates or the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).

By Carly Young, LifeScript.com

Oval-Shaped Faces
Just about any style of sunglasses works on an oval-shaped face, especially aviators and wraparounds. "Beyonce's oversize Wayfarers-style shades also work great as the geometric shape is a nice counter to the soft curves of her face," says celebrity stylist and ILORI Style Ambassador Jennifer Rade.

Oblong-Shaped Faces
If you have a long, oblong-shaped face like Liv Tyler's, it's best to choose oversize glasses that cover more of the face, breaking up its length. "These sunglasses really work on Liv because the wider square frame is a good counterpoint to her face shape," says Rade. Adding that, "the extra thickness on the sides of the frame helps give the illusion of more facial width."

Round-Shaped Faces
"Isla Fisher is a perfect example of great round face, and these sunglasses really suit her," says Rade. "The angles on these frames are a nice contrast to her rounded jawline and they help to add definition to her face." It's important to look for frames with straight or angular lines that will lengthen and slim the face, and avoid rounded styles that accentuate full cheeks.

Square-Shaped Faces
Those with square-shaped faces like Vanessa Hudgens's should look for rounded frames or circular lenses, both of which will soften the face's angularity. "The classic Ray-Ban aviator is a great choice for an angular face like Vanessa's," says Rade. "This style looks best on a person with a strong jawline as that helps to balance the bottom of the frame."

By Instyle

The Boardwalk - In Ocean City Maryland the place to stroll is the three mile long boardwalk. The first wooden walkway went up in 1902 and it could be rolled up in the event of a storm. Today's boardwalk has been newly renovated and it's been named one of the Best Boardwalks in America by the Travel Channel. Check out the carousel, circa 1912, the arcades and some of the best fries around. Oh, and while you're out walking visit the Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum at the inlet.

Fishing - Ocean City is the "White Marlin Capital of the World." It boasts some of the best game fish on the East Coast, White Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, and sharks including Mako, Tiger and Thresher. The inshore waters abound with bluefish and sea bass or fish for flounder in the bay. The O.C. Fishing center offers everything for novice to experienced anglers and it's located near the inlet.

Golfing - Ocean City, MD is becoming one of the hottest destinations on the East Coast for golfers. There are numerous championship golf courses for every skill level. Many first rate hotels have great golf packages.

Boat Rides - Take a ride on a speedboat, the OC Rocket, and watch the dolphins. Explore the Natural Beauty of Sinepuxent Bay on The Explorer Nature Cruise. Or take a ride aboard the Assateague Adventure. Land on the island and explore, look for the ponies and see the birds in their natural habitat. For more information on these and more go to: http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/boatrides/

Shopping - The Ocean City Outlets are located one mile from the beach and boardwalk at Rt. 50 & Golf Course Rd. Take the free shuttle and save up to 70% off everyday. For a list of stores, shuttle locations and more go to: http://ocfactoryoutlets.com/

And don't forget the spectacular sunsets over the bay or wake up early and watch the sunrise - it's fabulous. Above all, relax and enjoy!

By Gail Pruszkowski, Ezinearticles.com