Confession 38 - Fist Bumps are OK and Emily Post

I'm finally getting back to writing. I know, it's been forever! What was I thinking when I thought summer would allow me to think deeply and write more ... NOT! It's been a constant struggle with finding things for the Little B's to do, attending social events and taking the liberties to stay out late and have fun during these long summer nights.

Today I'm confessing about my obsession with Emily Post and striving to have good manners, something we all struggle with young and old.  Many of you youngins may not even know who she is. My obsession started way back when I was younger. Living in a household where my parents were immigrants, it was always hard for me to judge whether I was doing something appropriate or insanely tacky. I had a good friend that I spent countless hours with who lived in a household of "prim and proper" and I always looked at them to set the bar and inadvertently learned the dos and don'ts. Things like, how to set a proper table, when to use please and thank you and when you have overstayed your welcome and should go home (sometimes I still get that wrong). As I got older and discovered Emily Post, I would read about what to do and research the heck out a of a topic.  Like, do you always send a thank you card after a dinner? Even if you said thank you while leaving and called and said thank you the next day.  Ya, I'm a little insane like that.  If you come to my house, you will see Etiquette by Emily Post prominently displayed on my book shelf, not because I'm the "manner queen" or crack that baby open all the time, but it's a reminder to me, to try to instill the best manners and etiquette within my family. Nowadays, that book rarely gets cracked and is merely dusted, I find it easier to Google the subject or go to the Emily Post website.

If you don't know much about Emily Post, you can read a brief biography here.

And from the Emily Post website, I love how they have changed the tune of etiquette and formalities. I find our world and definitely the newer generations, are becoming more and more casual. But, the basics of etiquette and manners still hold true, check it out below:

About The Institute

The Emily Post Institute, Inc., is one of America's most unique family businesses. From social networking to social graces, the name Emily Post has been the definitive source on etiquette for generations of Americans. Spanning five generations, this family business maintains and evolves the standards of etiquette that Emily Post established with her seminal book Etiquette in 1922. According the the Posts, though times have changed, the principles of good manners remain constant. Above all, manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. Being considerate, respectful, and honest is more important than knowing which fork to use. Whether it's a handshake or a fist bump, it's the underlying sincerity and good intentions of the action that matter most.

I'm so glad to know that the fist bump suffices as a welcoming and acknowledging gesture! I really like how the company has taken Emily's vision and made things current over the years.  You can go to the site to read up on etiquette in the digital world and  even everyday manners. Two sections I frequent often.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and I'm sure I'm lacking in many of these areas (especially probably in the technology manners area), but I'm always intrigued to find out the thought process behind certain gestures and a reassurance I'm doing the right thing.

I know many of you may think this is a weird confession and most wouldn't care what others think, but remember, etiquette and manners are not defined by that. It just shows that you are a caring thoughtful individual. What's so wrong with that? So next time you are wondering whether or not you should regift that Christmas gift, manners for Facebook or if it's okay to wear white after Labor Day, peruse the Emily Post site and get your manners and etiquette in check!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession #37 - Playlist #4

Today's confession is my "start of summer" playlist. If you haven't heard these songs before you're probably living under a rock and are totally missing out.

You'll find me signing or cutting a rug to all of them! Check em out!

And don't forget to use my favorite music app, Spotify, to listen to them! It's free to listen on your laptop or desktop and only $9.99 a month for unlimited access to 1,000s of songs.  Besides Shazam, it's the only music app I use!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 36 - Invisalign, Clear Braces!

Hi Everyone! Today I'm confessing about a recent event I went to where I learned all about Invisalign: those cool looking "plasticy braces" or aligners.  Are you like me and ever wonder if they really work? And because they look so cool, they are probably pretty expensive right?

Well, it was a flood of really cool information I got at my event about them. Invisalign is a treatment that is an alternative to metal braces and their purpose is to straighten your teeth!  Whenever I think of metal braces a very distinct image comes to mind. I was lucky, I did not need braces when I was a teenager. But, I watched the ever so famous movie, Sixteen Candles, that portrays metal braces, let's just say, in a less then desirable way.  Joan Cusak's character, remember her and all these funny scenes! 

OMG, can you imagine having to deal with that type of criticism in this day in age, with SnapChat, Instagram and Facebook? Tada! Now you don't need to! Invisalign is "the Clear Alternative!"

I know many of you readers with Teens are thinking, "no way, how do I know if my teenager is wearing their aligners?" Well, Invisalign has this great teen program called Invisalign Teen. The aligners are made with a blue dot that dissolves and goes away with use. So if your teen is punking you and not wearing their aligners, you will know!  Plus, approximately every 2 weeks, you get a new set aligners to achieve your goal of straighter teeth! And with less discomfort, pain and shame! What a new concept!

Because there are no wires or brackets, they are completely safe to wear for a teen that is in sports. Teens consistently talk about how comfortable Invisalign is and the fact that no one needs to know you are even wearing them. How cool is that!  And gone are the days where you can't eat certain foods because you have braces, like popcorn, jolly ranchers and licorice. No way! Eat away, any type of food since you remove your aligners before you eat! 

I bet you had no idea that.... 

There have been revolutionary breakthroughs in orthodontia with the use of digital imaging to take dental impressions for teeth straightening with Invisalign. Some orthodontists even offer alternatives to the goopy molds now, with digital scanners like iTero, patients are comfortable while taking dental impressions and the orthodontist is able to receive precise 3D imagery through the use of an iTero wand to create a teeth straightening treatment plan with Invisalign.

That there are over 1.3 Million patients that are smiling with confidence thanks to Invisalign! That's a lot of people! And there is a 96% Patient Satisfaction rate *US Survey Data 2009

Many people think that Invisalign can only be effective at treating minor orthodontic issues.  But the fact is that the 96% patient satisfaction rate is a result of successfully treating a broad range of cases, from overly crowded teeth and underbites to jaw problems and tooth misalignment.

And believe it or not, in terms of cost, for most cases, Invisalign is comparable in price to traditional metal braces. Wow, I had no idea! I just assumed, they looked cooler and more cutting edge, and were probably more expensive.  The Invisalign treatment, usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments, and less emergency visits for broken wires or brackets.

I'm on the rampage now, to finally get the hubbs in and fitted for Invisalign. He's had this "Letterman" space between his teeth forever. He never got braces when he was younger since he played the trumpet for years, into his late 20's.  I wish there was Invisalign for him back then, *sigh*.

A couple links you might want to check out and peruse: the Smile Assessment section for Invisalign and also a link to Doctors that can treat you with Invisalign. 

So what are your thoughts about Invisalign now? Are you more comfortable checking them out and asking your orthodontist about them? I sure am and can't wait to get the hubbs in!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.