Explore the world of buttons with Liz Hoppman and Kae Watson of 183 Trading Company, Minot, on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1024-2nd St SE, Minot.
A whole world of buttons will be explored. Presenters will share their first adventure into the world of buttons a trip to Prague in the Czech Republic to search for glass buttons. Find out which member of the Prairie Quilt Guild went on their first button adventure. Experience the world of the insignificant, magnificent button.
This program is sponsored by the Minot Prairie Quilt Guild and is open to the public. Come early to view buttons before the program. For more information, contact Becky at 838-0270.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo - - Liz Hoppmann and Kae Watson will present a program on buttons.
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Lecture highlights program
Travelers from the Minot State University study-abroad program will open fall semester of the Northwest Art Center Lecture Series with "A Tale of Two Adventures: MSU Faculty and Students in Europe and Central America," Tuesday at 7 p.m. in MSU's Aleshire Theater.
This summer MSU faculty member Andrea Donovan led a group of students to England, France and Italy, and John Girard accompanied students on a cruise to ports in the Caribbean and Central America. Travelers Erik Berland, Jessika Cooper and Micheal Ough will join Donovan and Girard to recap the two trips in pictures and anecdotes. Information also will be provi- ded on MSU study-abroad trips planned for 2012.
The lecture is free and open to the public. An informal reception will follow the presentation. For more information about Northwest Art Center activities, call 858-3264.
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Choose to be happy
Although life's hard knocks may have convinced you otherwise, author Todd Patkin insists that happiness really is a choice. If you choose to act or react in a more positive way instead of giving in to your urges to grumble and complain, he promises, you truly can influence how content you feel.
Patkin said people's day-to-day happiness is more firmly in their own control than they ever dreamed possible ... and it all comes down to choosing the "healthier" reaction.
"Happiness is not something that just happens," Patkin said. "Instead, happiness is learning how to live your best life by among other things figuring out a more positive way to react to the negative things that happen to you.
"It's the culmination of all of the seemingly small choices that you make throughout your day."
Patkin based his philosophy on his own experiences.
"I was truly surprised to discover how radically different my life could be as I started to react and respond in new ways to various things, such as choosing not to participate in water-cooler gripe-fests," Patkin said. "I realized that becoming happier is a lot like losing weight: 'Little' things like choosing to eat whole wheat pasta instead of regular noodles might not seem like much at the time, but they make a tremendous difference to your overall health in the long run."
While people will never be able to entirely avoid stressors, dilemmas and other obstacles life throws in their path, you can influence how deeply they affect their happiness if they learn to choose the "healthy" reaction.
Scenario: You're having a terrible morning. You wake up late, throw on the first frumpy outfit you can get your hands on, and run out the door without breakfast. When you crank your car, it doesn't start because the battery is dead. Fortunately, your neighbor is able to jumpstart your car, and after a quick "thank you," you speed toward the office. After hitting what seems like every red light along the way, you finally arrive at your desk, frustrated and late. You go to the breakroom to get a cup of coffee and immediately start to rehash the events of your morning to your coworkers.
You can choose to react like this: After relating this series of unfortunate events to your officemates, you can make a joke about your terrible luck: "I've never been this happy to be at work before!" Then try to put the events of the morning out of your mind and carry on. Vow to live in the present moment as your day unfolds. Once you arrive home, make plans to ensure that tomorrow morning goes more smoothly: lay out your outfit for the next day, set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier than normal, and decide ahead of time what you will eat for breakfast.
"Being grateful for what you have can turn your whole outlook around,"?Patkin said. "When you gain a sense of perspective and recognize the blessings in your life, whatever you are lacking will not seem nearly as important."
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Color yourself gorgeous with these makeup tips
Paula Begoun, skin care expert and author shares her secrets for finding your best shades.
"Makeup can be a powerful tool," Begoun said. "That's probably because makeup delivers such instant gratification."
+ Expensive doesn't mean better. There are good and bad products in all price categories.
+ Shop with a clean slate. Visit the store or salon with a clean, bare face.
+ The right light is key. Check foundation, concealer and powder colors in natural light.
+ Tone down the shine. For daytime makeup, a blush with a matte finish or just a hint of sheen works best.
+ It's all in the tools. Whenever possible, test powder-based products with the appropriate brushes.
+ Protect those peepers and lips. Never test mascara or liquid eyeliner in the store.
+ Smack on lipstick, not germs. Before you test a lipstick, have a salesperson sanitize it for you with an alcohol-based spray.
+ Take cues from the pros. See a cosmetics salesperson whose makeup you admire? Ask them for application tips.
+ When in doubt, take it back and try again.
+ Bye, bye blues. Lastly, Begoun said, avoid blue eyeshadow, unless it's a deep navy.