Retro Fashion Week 2010!

Time Warp Wives along with our parent company Retrotimes Productions are thrilled to announce our very first online Retro Fashion Week event! Here is a special sneak peek of our event:

Retrotimes Productions and Time Warp Wives present:

Retro Fashion Week 2010!

The dates for Retro Fashion Week 2010 are:

May 17, 2010 - May 23, 2010.

What to expect in Retro Fashion Week?

Retro Fashion Week is a week long international online interactive event featuring the latest in Retro Fashion, Beauty, & Designs!

Unlike the regular Fashion Week, our Retro Fashion Week is all about our passion for vintage and retro fashion!

In making this event possible we are looking for retro fashionistas from all over the world who would like to participate in the event. We are especially looking for:

1- Retro Fashion Designers

2- Retro Beauty Companies

3- Vintage & Retro Shop Owners

4- Retro Star Artist, Models, Photographers, & Fashion Consultants

5- Beauty Salon Owners, Hair Stylist, & Makeup Artist

6- Retro Performers, Singers, and Dancers

7- Talented Retro Fashionistas that love making hair and makeup tutorial videos

8- Retro Fashion Artist & Illustrators

9- Fashion Book Authors & Retro Magazine Publishers & Editors

10- Sponsors that would love to promote with us

If you are interested in participating or promoting with us sign up today to be part of the fun!

Retro Fashion Week 2010!

If you have any questions you are welcome to email us at timewarpwives@yahoo.com.

Your Hostess,

Carmen Johnson

How To Have Courage!

In ordinary life, we tend to live in our own little area of comfort. Often referred to as our "comfort zone", this is the safety barrier that we build around ourselves to protect us from feelings of hurt, upset and a desire to react defensively. Every day, it helps to take a step outside this comfort zone to extend our limits and explore more life. Healthy challenges help us to build courage and strength!

1- Do one little thing outside your comfort zone every day. It doesn't have to be a big step, just something different from what you normally do or say. Even changing your thoughts about someone or something that has been bothering you can have a big impact on opening yourself up to new perspectives about the world and ways of coping with difficult situations.

2- Believe in yourself. Surround yourself with people who believe in you also, will help. Your sense of self-value will be enhanced if you give yourself the opportunity to "think that you can be someone or do something". Believing in your skills and abilities is key to using them well and this is bolstered by the love and compliments from those who care about you.

3- Create some goals for each day. Start off with small goals to make changes to your lifestyle that will help you to grow more courageous and forthright in your approach to the world. Start small and be more open and trusting of your acquaintances, then your community, then your region and finally, your world. Over time, your goals can grow bigger and bigger, as you grow more and more courageous about interacting with others and sharing your skills and knowledge.

4- Have a good attitude. When faced with something frightening, think of it as a challenge that can be changed into an opportunity. Turn the challenge into a duty that you have to do, and do not question it, just deal with it. It's much easier to be scared when you don't have to do that frightening task - when you must face it, you suddenly find yourself reaching on reserves inside yourself that you probably didn't realize were there. Trust your instincts, skills and judgment and face the challenge head on.

5- Don't hesitate. If, say, you're doing something that requires a "sudden plunge", for example, picking up a spider if you hate spiders, or jumping from a ledge if you hate heights, do not do a countdown. That only makes it worse. Instead, simply hold your breath, quickly assess the situation for the safest option and go for it.

Photo: Creative Commons.

The New Retrochic Series!

I am so excited to announce my new fictional story The Retrochic Series! This new adventure will bring creative writing and acting to a different level. I will be playing Victoria Lee Jones who after years of waiting for her big break, she finds herself stuck in an old elevator and ... Well you just have to find out the rest!

See you there!

The Retrochic Series


by Carmen Johnson

How to Practice Good Elevator Etiquette

Good elevator etiquette is one of many important things to know. Whether you're at work, college, or living in a high-rise apartment, it never hurts to be courteous on an elevator. Here's how:

1. While waiting to board the elevator, stand away from the doors. Someone may be exiting at this floor, and you should always let them exit before you attempt to board. It could also save your life one day.

2. Take the stairs if you are going less than two floors up or down, unless you are carrying heavy packages, or are injured or disabled.

3. Hold the door if someone is coming in, within reason of course. If someone is coming from outside of the elevator and may want to get on, it’s good elevator etiquette to hold the elevator for them and ask them if they want a ride.

4. Don't hold the door for minutes for a friend or colleague who has taken a quick "side-trip" such as to get coffee, go to the restroom, etc. Never hold the door more than one round (15-20 seconds) on a crowded elevator.

5. Break the ice politely if you wish. It never hurts to say "Good Morning" or "Hello" to people. This will help break the ice and chances are no one else is going to do it. However, this is not a necessary step, and don't say things that might freak people out.

6. Give people their space, if possible. There is nothing more annoying than having someone stand six inches from you on an un-crowded elevator. If the elevator is crowded, give as much space as you can without crowding others or yourself.

7. If at all possible, refrain from using your cell phone on the elevator.

8. If you are standing near the buttons, be willing to push a button for someone who asks if you can.

9. Exit quickly when you reach your floor. Get out quickly so that those waiting to board can do so. Don't worry about letting other people off first, because that might be a cue for "door hoverer s" (people who are boarding, who crowd you when trying to exit). Simply exit in a quick and orderly fashion.

10. Stay farthest from the door if you will be the last person to step out. If you are traveling to the ground or top most floor, its better to stand farthest from the elevator doors after you board the lift. This way you will avoid inconveniencing others.



Photo: Creative Commons Flickr

Movie Time: Julie & Julia

This month of August there is a new movie release Julie & Julia ! This film depicts events in the life of famed chef Julia Child, contrasting her life with Julie Powell, a woman who aspires to cook all 524 recipes from Child's autobiography. Julie chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd.

Time Warp Wives can't recommend a movie that we haven't seen. Though we would still love for are readers to take a movie break this Summer. Just go and enjoy a girls night out and watch this movie. And after you watched it, let us know what you think. Please leave a comment here below.

We would love to hear from you!

10 Steps In How to Enjoy Life

With all the things of life that might be stressing to us, sometimes we forget how to enjoy life. The following list will help you to make small changes in your life, so that you can again enjoy it!

1. Learn to be positive! If you keep moaning about your life, other people will only notice the bad aspects of your character and categorize you as a person who is 'Boring' - or worse! Who wants to spend time with a wet blanket! Go to places where people are positive and support you with positive thoughts.

2. Be generous. A little generosity goes a long way. Give and people return the favor to you and you will be known as a generous person.

3. Make a list of all the things you want to do and do them! If you've always wanted to audition for theater, then go ahead and do it! This will help to reduce 'hanging around' and wishing. This even applies if you want to be an astronaut : you might not effectively become one, but becoming savvy in astrophysics and space will make you realize that you're capable of it.

4. Keep trying. One of the key things that you need to remember is to never be discouraged; failure is a part of life, and it happens naturally. If you are so disillusioned that you never want to try again, at least be comforted by the fact that you made an attempt.

5. Stop doing things that you do not enjoy. Make a list of the things that you are doing that you don't enjoy, and try to stop doing them. Naturally, this shouldn't mean that you should drop out of school if you don't like studying, but you might consider working for a new company if you are constantly stressed and pressured by your job. If it's not possible to stop, try to see the positive side of those things and find ways to make them entertaining. Nobody enjoys cleaning the kitchen fan or the toilet, but if you do these chores with full awareness and make them into a meditation, you will be surprised how quiet your mind will become and how much happiness these chores will give you.

6. Find a hobby. You might take up collecting stamps or coins, or you might learn more about photography or art. You don't have to spend your entire life doing it; the whole purpose of the hobby is to vary your routine and do something worthwhile.

7. Stop watching TV or at least limit the amount of time you spend on it. Watching TV is passive entertainment and enjoyment in life comes from trying and doing things yourself instead of watching other people do things. Watching people swim is not the same as swimming. Watching other people hike or climb a mountain is not the same as hiking or climbing mountains. This is pretty obvious but still many people prefer second hand experiences to living life to the full. The same goes for playing TV or computer games for hours on end. Go out and do something. You will feel healthier too.

8. Enjoy feeling proud. If you're proud of something be it: an essay, a new deck you built, a promotion, or a song you composed. Hold on to it for dear life, because there's nothing more important than maintaining your self-esteem. Improving your self esteem increases your confidence and is a first step towards finding happiness and a better life.

9. Stay healthy. Make part of your life eating right and exercising, because it helps keep the body running at the top of its game.

10. Be open to change. Changes in your job, friends, a move, or anything else that may come your way. With practice you will be able to anticipate it.

17 Ways in How to Be Confident

We are all human and have flaws. Even if your physical appearance, unique personality, or social skills aren't what you wish they were, that doesn't have to stop you from being confident. You are beautiful inside and out so you should love yourself unconditionally. Here's how to believe in yourself.

1- Make a list of special talents you have, or things you do that are good; morally or otherwise. Focusing on your attributes helps distract you from those parts of yourself that you think are flawed. It doesn't have to be a specific skill or activity either; it can be an approach or an attitude that you champion through life. Do you always stay calm, cool and collected, even in hurried situations? Are you very patient with people? Do you always see the humorous side of things? Are you always there for your friends?

2- Find your passion. Whether it's baton twirling, dancing, classic cars, musician, or basket weaving, you will feel confident pursuing that endeavor by recognizing what you enjoy doing the most. More importantly, you'll be enjoying your progress.

3- Choose a role model, whether someone close to you, or someone famous. Think of the qualities that the role model displays, whether physical, emotional, moral, and/or spiritual. Work towards acquiring those.

4- Don't think about yourself too much. Try not to focus negatively on how you come across or how others may perceive you. Instead, focus more on making other people happy, and that will build your confidence as other people start enjoying your company.

5- Accept compliments gracefully. Don't roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, right," or shrug it off. Take it to heart and respond positively ("Thank you" and a smile works well).

6- Know that you have important things to say and do. When you feel strongly about something, speak loudly and clearly and make eye contact with people. Be yourself.

7- Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet. Don't abuse your body, don't overload it, and don't deny it any of the things it needs. At the same time, don't obsess. Buying all the moisturizers, creams and conditioners will not bring you closer to who you want to be. Those things are only band-aids and make up. Confidence comes from within. Take the time to reflect on your life and do some emotional maintenance. In order to be confident, you must value yourself and understand that your well-being is important.

8- Work out. Getting enough exercise can boost your confidence amazingly. Not only will it give you more energy throughout the day, but being in good physical shape will make you feel more "worthy" you could say, to talk to others be yourself.

9- Stick up for yourself. If people put you down (and not in a good-natured, joking way), then let them know that their opinion of you is not held by everyone, most of all yourself. This may, at first, be hard to do. But once you stick up for yourself a few times, your confidence builds and you get more adept at it.

10- Celebrate your individuality. If you know you've got something special or different, then embrace it; don't hide it! That's diversity! You may wish that you were taller, or shorter, skinnier, stronger, whatever the case may be. But you need to realize that, if you were like everyone else, then you wouldn't be who you are. "What am I?" you ask; the answer's easy: You're a unique individual who is capable of growing and learning.

11- Take action. It is surprising how powerful the simple step of taking an action can be. And the action you take need not be something extravagant or grand. It could be something as simple as tackling a task that you have been procrastinating, such as writing a letter or tidying up that corner of the garage that has been out of control for the last several months. It could also be something as interesting as taking a class in art, interior design, cooking, anything that interests you that you haven't done yet. Whether large or small, action brings with it exhilaration, enthusiasm, and the confidence that other things can be done as well.

12- You'll need to work on your posture. Don't slouch or slump your shoulders, nothing says "I lack confidence" more than a person who appears like they're trying to hide from the world. Make sure that your back is straight, your shoulders are square, and your chest is puffed out slightly (but stay loose, otherwise you'll appear stiff and uptight). Keep your chin up and your eyes forward rather than looking at the ground.

13- Make a conscious effort to smile often. A smile makes you appear warm, honest, friendly, and confident. You can also just relax your facial muscles entirely, which will make you appear calm and relaxed. Observe yourself in a mirror to make sure that you don't have a tense or nervous facial expression, because if you do others will believe you to be sad, angry, or uncomfortable.

14- When engaging in conversation with others, make eye contact. Gaze into the other person's eyes as you talk to make yourself seem interested, calm, and confident. Avoiding eye contact makes you appear shy and submissive, while directly staring for too long may make you appear angry or scared. So the best advice is to gaze into a person's eyes as you converse with them while occasionally shifting your gaze or looking around.

15- Shaking hands can increase your confidence . When it comes to gesturing with your hands, keeping your hands far apart and your palms open makes you appear open and honest. Pointing with your fingers and bringing your hands closer together can draw emphasis to what you are saying. Don't overuse hand gestures or you'll look nervous and unstable. Avoid wringing your hands or touching your sleeves, as these things can make you appear nervous, tense, or even dishonest. If you're a man, have a firm handshake when shaking another man's hand. If you're shaking a woman's hand, don't grasp her hand any harder than she grasps yours.

16- Put a little strut or swagger into your walk. Move like you have a purpose, and keep your knees slightly bent to avoid appearing stiff and rigid.

17- Act confident, even if you don't truly feel it. After a while, it will come naturally, and you will feel confident in yourself! Also, learn to not care what other's think of you. If you let what people say to you bring you down, you will never be happy. Only care about how you feel about yourself, and don't always take what people say at face value, because they may be jealous of you and are intending to put you down. Don't let them stop your progress, but stand up for yourself while acting calmly!


Photo:Creative Commons Flickr

The Retrochic Corner

I am so thrilled to announce my new and improved "The Retrochic Corner" blog! I am so happy with this new adventure and I can't wait to share with you my many passions, goals, and dreams along with inspirations and challenges that makes life colorful, interesting and unexpected!

See you there!

20 Ways to Achieving Your Goals!

Everyone has dreams. Whether they are big or small, they have vast importance in our lives. But, the procrastinator in all of us doesn't have to win. With just a little bit of planning, accomplishing a goal is a simple task.

1. Set a realistic but challenging/inspiring goal. Take a big dream, like "I want to be famous", and break it down into smaller, more manageable steps, like "I want to star in a science fiction movie", "I want to go to three auditions a week", "I want to move to another city" and "I want to save $5000 so I can move." Make the goal big enough to challenge and excite you, but not so big that you hesitate to take the first steps.

2. Plan ahead. Once you've broken down your goal into pieces, write down the steps on a piece of paper to make sure you have everything thought out. One of the worst things that can happen is you're almost to the point of your goal, but you're not sure what to do next. Also, give yourself deadlines for each step. Otherwise, you'll end up procrastinating and never achieving your dream.

3. Brainstorm ideas. Are there different ways to reach your goal? Write everything down that you can think of in three minutes, no matter how silly or impossible it may seem. For example, you could go to acting school, or maybe you could land a spot in a reality show that would get you started.

4. Ask questions. No one can tell you exactly what you should do to achieve your goal, but one of the best sources for guidelines is to ask those who have done what you hope to achieve. Learn from the experience of others without trying to imitate them.

5. Define and describe your goal. Write down when you want to achieve it. Write down the reasons why you want it. Write down what it would feel like after you have achieved it. Figure out exactly what it will take to get it. Be realistic about the time things will take. Many people don't allow themselves enough time, and give up too soon.

6. Be positive. Your goal should be written and have positive intent about what you want to bring into your life. This is very important, since the focus of your goal should not be centered around describing a problem you want to eliminate.

7. Make contingency plans. Never forget about the problems that might come up on the way, and prepare for them. Positive thinking is important, but preparedness is better than being shocked or devastated when obstacles appear.

8. Learn from mistakes. Making mistakes should be a subject at school to teach all children how to learn from them, instead of trying to avoid them. In the pursuit of a goal, you are likely to make some mistakes. Don't see them as bad or get angry. They are important to correct you and to lead you to success.

9. Draw on all your past achievements that are relevant to your goal. No matter how small you perceive your achievements, list them anyway. It could be something small, such as joining a healthy eating mailing list, to coming home from work late, yet preparing a tasty nutritious meal for your family in under 30 minutes. Once you review your list, you will be amazed at how all those small achievements soon add up, and how much you are really capable of doing.

10. Visualize. Close your eyes and imagine yourself accomplishing your goals. Where are you? How did you get there? How do you feel? Do this often. Don’t get swayed easily with the noise and happenings going on outside. Put your attention on what you are trying to achieve. Remember the goal, and you will have control over the discomforts and difficulties.

11. Listen to your internal dialogue. What you are saying inside affects you physically, emotionally and mentally. Is your defense system inside trying to make you stick to your past, limiting beliefs and perceptions? Take over and challenge your inner critics. Monitor any excuses you might be making in relation to your goal. For example, saying "I don't finish work until late and won't have time to cook!" You must recognize that if you are truly passionate about your goal, it is up to you to make time.

12. Make a list of your personal strengths in relation to your goal. For instance, if you have a healthy eating goal you might want to consider strengths such as your level of commitment to eating healthily, or the fact that you enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes or even that you are an excellent cook. The list of personal strengths you can draw up is endless.

13. Seek help. Find the information, skills and knowledge that you need from other people, books, and audio or video programs. Speed up your learning process by emulating what other successful people have done. You save time and get results faster.

14. Create benchmarks or milestones. A benchmark is something you can use to measure your progress and know you're on track. For example, you can write "The first stage of reaching my goal will be done when I'm in the Entertainment section of the newspaper!" or "I'll know I've reached my goal of being famous when I'm a guest on Oprah."

15. Make a time line. Draw a horizontal time line with a dot at each end. The left end represents now, and the right end represents a point in the future. Specify what you want to happen and when, from now until then.

16. Be passionate. Striving towards a goal without passion is like a fire which slowly runs out of fuel to burn. Get excited; this will mean that you will love what you are doing. Methodically check your behaviors against impassioned dreams developed as a child. Always share the child within amongst your potential peers. This empowers the Law of Attraction that shapes the dreams of the child into the creative force of the adult.

17. Revisit, evaluate, and if necessary, adjust your goals. Keep a written record of your goals in a place where you'll remember to read them every day. They'll change and adjust over time as your life does, so keep them up-to-date.

18. Consider new opportunities and options that come your way. Sometimes things have a way of unintentionally leading you exactly where you want to go.

19. Start working towards your goals today. Ask yourself, "What can I do today to get one step, however small, closer to achieving my goals?"

20. Persevere. Now that you've got the momentum going, don't let it stop! Some steps may seem less exciting than others, but make sure to stick to your plan until the end!

Research:Wikihow. Photo: Flickr

How to Deal with Rude People

Etiquette was once the expected way of social behavior. People showed respect, politeness and good manners as they interacted with each other. Nowadays these ethical code has been slowly disappearing.

Today instead of people showing the basics code of politeness like saying; excuse me, please and thank you. They curse, shove and are plain rude. People who behave such ways don't realize that they are not only hurting others but they are hurting themselves. Those of us though that that have a sense of etiquette and show kindness have to deal with such people on a daily basis. So what are we to do?

How to Deal with Rude People:

Don’t take it personally. Perhaps the offender is having a bad day.

Size up your annoyances. Is it worth it to make a fuss over something small, or is it a waste of your emotional time?

Set a good example. Rudeness begets rudeness. If you speak sharply to the bank teller, don’t be surprised if you get the same treatment in return.

Count to ten. When someone’s behavior makes you angry, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself, “Is it really worth blowing my stack over this?”

Laugh it off. If you can’t come up with a friendly joke, just chuckle and change the subject.

Let’s say someone cuts in front of you while you’re in line. Say something like "Excuse me, I was here before you." Some people just like to see how much they can get away with, so if you call them on their behavior, they're likely to retreat. You can also politely ask “Why are you cutting in line?” The person may be embarrassed enough to step away.

You want to ask a question at the doctor’s office, but the nurse keeps giving you the brush-off. We all know how hard nurses work. So sometimes they’re just swamped. You also deserve to have your questions answered. So try this: Figure out the nurse’s name. Then say, “Excuse me Joan – or Bill, or whatever their name is. I know you’re busy, but when you have a moment, I could really use some help.” People are more likely to go the extra mile for folks who call them by name because it creates a bond and makes the person feel closer to you – like you’re friends. Acknowledging the fact that they’re busy shows that you sympathize with their situation – which makes you seem friendly.

A salesclerk won’t help you. If you’ve made several attempts to flag them down, and they STILL won’t talk to you, politely say “If you can’t help me, I would like to speak to a manager.” This’ll usually motivate the clerk, because they don’t want to get the boss involved. Remember to SMILE while you’re talking to them – that lets the salesclerk know that you’re not aggressive or looking for a fight.

by Emily Post & Good Housekeeping


Want to develop your Etiquette and Self- Confidence?

You can visit the Emily Post Institute website:

http://www.emilypost.com/index.htm

9 Steps to Forming Good Habits

Scientist says that it takes 21 days to form a habit. So if you want to form a good habit it will take some time and consistency. Follow these great tips and don't give up:

1. Know what you want. If you can perfectly visualize the habit in your head, the work will be easier.

2. Make a list of the benefits of your new habit. For example, if I quit smoking, I am likely to become healthier. Make a seperate list of the costs, i.e., people not view me as "cool." Try to debunk the costs, i.e. if people really like me, they will find it as a benefit.

3. Commit to the habit. If you want to change, you have to work at it. Do not quit if you have one failure. And don't blame yourself for the failure either. It's usually not your fault.

4. Set your own goals, and reward yourself. Write the goals down, and post them all around. In your kitchen, bedroom, office, even the bathroom if necessary. Once you've met those goals, treat yourself to a movie or a pizza. As long as the treat isn't anything you're trying to quit.

5. Start slowly. If you want to become stronger or faster, choose short exercises at first. Then, make them larger, in order to adapt to the habit.

6. Go for consistency rather than performance. For example, if your goal is to do daily push ups, it's better to start by doing one push up EVERY DAY for a month than by doing 20 push ups for two days and then giving up. After you have done one pushup consistently for a number of days, you have formed the habit. Now increase the number of push ups gradually from there, all the while striving to do some number of push ups EVERY day.

7. Consult a friend. It's what they're there for. To comfort and help you in times of need. Ask them to keep track of your accomplishments, or act as a therapist if something goes wrong. It's alright to do this. They should be happy to.

8. Even after your goals are set, don't continue to smoke, take drugs, or stop exercising. You need to make this a lifetime thing if you're serious about it, and you can't stop after just 3 weeks.

9. It can be tough to muster up the motivation you need to change your lifestyle. Pick up a good habit like exercising or drop an unhealthy one like quitting smoking. Using each Monday to recommit if you fall off track; that way, you have 52 chances to get motivated to make a change in your life. Healthy Monday is a non-profit national public health campaign that encourages people to use Monday as the day for all things healthy.


Research: Wikihow

Come and visit our website: Time Warp Wives!

How to Be a Good Friend

We all need a friend. How can we though be a good friend to our friends? Here are some steps to becoming a good friend:

* Be a friend. Once you've started spending time with potential friends, remember to do your part (initiating activities, asking how the other person is feeling) or else the friendship will become unbalanced and resentment is likely to arise.

* Be reliable. If you and your friend agree to meet somewhere, don't be late, and do not stand them up. If you're not going to make it on time or make it at all, call them as soon as you realize it. Apologize and ask to reschedule. Don't make them wait for you; it's rude, and not a good way to launch a friendship. When you say you'll do something, do it. Be someone that people know that they can count on.

* Be a good listener. Many people think that in order to be seen as "friend material" they have to appear very interesting. Far more important than this, however, is the ability to show that you're interested in others. Listen carefully to what people say, remember important details about them (their names, their likes and dislikes), ask questions about their interests, and just take the time to learn more about them. You don't want to be the guy or girl that always has a better story than anyone else or that changes the subject abruptly instead of continuing the flow of conversation. These people appear too wrapped up in themselves to be good friends.

* Be trustworthy. One of the best things about having a friend is that you have someone to whom you can talk about anything, even secrets that you hide from the rest of the world. The key to being a good confidante is the ability to keep secrets, so it's no secret that you shouldn't tell other people things that were told to you in confidence. Before people even feel comfortable opening up to you, however, you need to build trust. Be honest about yourself and your beliefs, and don't gossip about others or spread rumors.

* Be there. You've probably heard of fair-weather friends. They're the ones who are happy to be around you when things are going well, but are nowhere to be found when you really need them. Part of being a friend is being prepared to make sacrifices of your time and energy in order to help out your friends. If a friend needs help with an unpleasant chore, or if he or she just needs a shoulder to cry on, be there.



Argyle Fashion: I found this cute Argyle knit with a front bow at J.Crew. com: http://www.jcrew.com


The argyle (occasionally argyll) pattern is made of diamonds in a diagonal checkerboard arrangement. The word is sometimes used to refer to an individual diamond in the design but more commonly refers to the overall pattern.The argyle pattern is said to have been derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland.

It has seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years, due to its adoption by Stuart Stockdale in collections produced by luxury clothing manufacturer, Pringle of Scotland.


Information:Wikihow
Photo: Florida State Library

Time Warp Project: Do an Act of Kindness Today!

People with the best intentions sometimes get overwhelmed by the idea of charity. They think they need a great deal of time or money or courage to make a real difference in the world.

Anne Herbert said, "Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty;” by doing this, you can help every day with small but important acts of encouragement and generosity.

Share with us about your goals and experience in doing acts of kindness toward others. We would love to hear from you!

Ways that you can show acts of kindness:

1- Write a letter to a stranger.It only takes a few minutes to write, but a letter can make someone else's day, or even their week. Think of all the people who are lonely, isolated or just in need of cheering up: soldiers fighting overseas, kids in juvenile detention centers or elderly people in nursing homes. Do a simple search online and you'll find services that will provide you with list of people who'd love to hear from you.

2- Put someone else first. If you get to the grocery store check-out line at the same time as someone else, you can decide to smile and wave them through first. Or, when you're stuck in traffic and the last thing you want to do is let a car get in front of you, just remember that somebody else had to let you in, and repay the favor to the next person!

3- Say thank you. Think of all the people in your life whose faces and names you'll never know but who serve and protect you day after day. Send some prepackaged treats to your local police or fire department with a card letting them know how much you appreciate their service to the community. (Since homemade desserts could be contaminated, they will probably not be eaten.)

4- Compliment someone. There's usually an awkward silence when you're stuck in an elevator with a stranger. Instead of staring at the floor, find something you like about the other person and compliment him/her on it. Not only will it make him/her feel good, it just might kick off a conversation with a new friend.

5- Offer helping hands. Do you ever see homeless people and feel overwhelmed by your inability to make a difference? Even if you can't save them all, you can do a lot with one small act. Buy a pair of gloves or dig up an old blanket, and give them to someone who's living in the cold streets or to any organization that serves the homeless.

6- Clean up. The next time you see someone littering, don't just shake your head and look the other way. Pick up the litter and throw it away, and while you're at it, look around the street for any other trash that needs to be removed. If you take a walk, take a plastic grocery bag so you can collect the trash that would otherwise just make you unhappy, and know that you're doing a random act of kindness for the people who will come through after you!

7- Cheer someone up. Maybe you know someone who's had a horrible day. Send them some flowers or give them a warm hug to make them feel better. Everyone needs just a little extra love sometimes.

8- Send a message. Write down your favorite poem on happiness or jot down some thoughts on hope, then leave it somewhere for a stranger to find. Or try the most random method of all: Put a message in a bottle and toss it into the ocean. You never know who will receive it - or how much they might need it.

9- Forgive somebody. You'd be amazed at the ripple effect an ounce of forgiveness can have in your life and in the lives of others.

10- Share a smile. When meeting a new person, or even chatting with an old one, express joy. Show that you're happy to be with them, and that they make you happy.

11- Pay it Forward. The world can seem like an unfriendly, threatening place, yet we all want safety, health, and happiness for ourselves and our loved ones. How can one ordinary person -- you or me -- make a positive difference in this world? One way is the practice "paying it forward." While the steps might be simple, the outcome could change the world.

* Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone. Perhaps you have an elderly or disabled neighbor who is too proud to ask for help with their yardwork or maybe you're in a restaurant and see someone who looks like they could use some kind stranger to pay for their meal. You can change people's attitudes about the world through your unobtrusive acts of kindness.

* Spread the word. If the person thanks you and wants to "repay" you (that is, pay it "back"), let them know that what you'd really like is for them to pay it "forward" -- you'd like them to do something nice for three people they don't know, and ask those three people to do something nice for three more people. The idea is to consciously increase the goodness of the world.

* Pay it forward. When you notice that somebody has done something nice for you, make a note in your mind to practice three acts of kindness towards other people, as described in Step 2.

Do you want to participate in the "Pay It Forward" movement? You may visit the Pay it Forward Foundation for more information: Pay It Forward Foundation

Research Wikihow

Time Warp Living Network!

We just launched our brand new Time Warp Living Network! Our new network will replace our current Time Warp Wives Forum. In addition to being able to use the forum, you will have your own member's page and even customize it as you wish, with a blog, photos and videos!

As your your Retro Reporter & Hostess Guide I will make sure that our family friendly network will be a pleasant experience for you. Come and join us!

Step into the past: Time Warp Living

How To Be Positive

In order to think positively, you have to change your emotional and mental approach toward yourself, other people and situations.

1- Make a decision to do your own thinking and have control over your attitude. That means deciding to conquer the negativity that is going on around you. Think of what you can do today and how you will react that will make a difference to your life instead of allowing people and situations to dictate.

2- Associate or mix around with people who can provide something of value. Avoid those who sap your energy and motivation. If you can't avoid them, or don't want to, learn how not to let them get you down.

3- Start saying positive things especially about yourself. How you communicate to yourself affects your thinking and your emotions, as well as your self-esteem.

4- Try new things. Experiencing a wide variety of life in a positive light will do wonders. Something as simple as trying the mussels in a restaurant can lead to new tastes and different sensations.

5- Read more. Read about how those people who fought fear with courage and succeeded in life. Through reading, you will gain new knowledge and understanding and it will help you clear whatever is blocking your thinking and create more ideas.

6- Set goals no matter how impossible it may seem at the moment. Keep yourself busy working on them. Once you reach one, you will get inspired. With each goals achieved no matter how small, you will gain confidence and your self-esteem will increase.

7- Change your mental pictures. What and how you see yourself and your surroundings make a difference to your thinking. You are visualizing or imagining something at every waking hour. Start to change your old internal dis-empowering pictures with images of something that you wish to experience.

8- Start questioning yourself on your behavior and attitude. Ask yourself why you are resisting or producing the habits or attitudes that you dislike. Stop each time you catch yourself in a circumstance that bring about negativity and doubts.

9- Create your life from within. If you want more success, focus on all the ways that you are already successful. If you want more love, focus on all the people that already care about you and the abundance of love you have to give to others. If you want to create greater health, focus on all the ways that you are healthy, and so on and so forth.

10- Replace negative thoughts with something positive. Look for the good in every situation. There are pros and cons to most situations and you get to choose which you will focus on. If you're thinking something that isn't pleasant, think the opposite. If you do this long enough, it will make a huge difference. Say "I can!" more than "I can't!"

11- Volunteer or help others. Helping others leads to a happier outlook on your own life. You'll feel great at the end and make you feel like a good person.

12- Find an optimistic quote or saying and keep it in your wallet or pocket at all times for a quick reference.

13- Listen to positive music. It's a great way to remain positive.


Reference:Wikihow

How to Be a Good Neighbor

Being on bad terms with your neighbor can make your life frustrating, day after day. But taking the time to establish good terms with your neighbors has numerous benefits. The community will be friendlier, the neighborhood safer, and the area a nicer and more comfortable place to live.

1-Introduce yourself. Whether you're new in the neighborhood or new residents have just moved in on your block, introduce yourself. Say hello, offer a welcoming gift (the classic homemade pie never fails) and share or ask about the local area: "Where's the nearest pizzeria?" or "The garbage truck comes by on Tuesdays and Fridays, usually around 10 in the morning, but sometimes he sneaks in at 8."

2-Consider your neighbors' lifestyle. Get to know your neighbors--what they do for a living, what their schedules might be like, and so on. Sometimes, you can remedy problems before they even start, for example, if they work nights, quiet mornings will be important for them. If they have young children, quiet evenings will be very important to them. Similarly, give them information that'll help them be more considerate of your lifestyle. If you do a lot of yard work, or if your teenage son plays the drums, let them know in advance and mention that if it's getting too loud, they shouldn't hesitate to let you know.

3-Be aware of shared walls. If you're in a terrace, condominium, semi-detached house or any structure where you and your neighbors share adjacent living spaces, position noisy household appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers - even TVs and speakers - away from partition walls. If you live above someone, consider putting linoleum or rubber matting underneath your appliances to deaden or muffle the noise, and remember that someone downstairs can hear you walking around (so minimize how often you wear high heels indoors, for example).

4-Control your dog. Keep your dog on a leash if it has a habit of running rampant on your neighbors' lawns, especially if they have a cat or a dog of their own, and make sure to clean up after it. If you have a particularly noisy dog, this may also become a source of contention for your neighbor. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how upset you'd be if you or perhaps your newborn was woken from a much-needed nap by the sudden yapping of a nearby dog. If you have problems controlling your dog's barking or whining, consider seeking advice from your local vet or a local animal organization.

5-Practice parking etiquette. When you park your vehicle, be sure not to block anyone's access, or make them have to pull out of a very tight spot. Don't over-rev the engine of your car or motorcycle early in the morning or late at night. Park in front of your home, not theirs. Avoid slamming your doors or shining your headlights into your neighbor's windows late at night.

6-Alert your neighbor to parties. If you're planning a party, be sure to give your neighbors plenty of warning, letting them know when it's going to start and how long you expect it to go on. Leave them a telephone number to contact if they need to ask you to turn it down. If you get on well with your neighbors, why not invite them too? When it comes to the party itself, stick to your agreed arrangements and ask your guests to be considerate when leaving.

7-Keep your garden tidy. Weed your garden regularly, because the presence of weeds in your yard is not only unsightly but can also spread to your neighbor's yard. Mow your lawn regularly and keep your flowers, trees and bushes trimmed appropriately. Put equipment away as soon as you're finished with it. Ask if your neighbor has chemical sensitivities, small children or pets before applying pesticides.

8-Control your bonfire, barbecue or backyard fire. Position it where the smoke and smell will least likely blow onto your neighbor's property. As with parties, notify them in advance of your intentions, since they might have been planning to dry their clothes outside on that very same day!

9-Put rubbish/garbage out on the right day. Only put your rubbish/garbage out on the day it's due for collection. If you accidentally miss the collection, bring it back onto your property immediately and try to contain it well. Garbage can attract vermin, insects, and other pests, and is also unsightly.

10-Communicate with your neighbor. Above all, touch base with your neighbors regularly and keep them in the loop. Remember the golden rule and if anything you are planning to do may affect them, minimize it and let them know in advance. Keep the channels of communication open by reminding them that if you're doing anything which disturbs them, they should feel comfortable approaching you about it.

11-Be aware of your surroundings, as well as theirs. Even if you're not in a "neighborhood watch" community, keep your eye on anyone you don't know acting suspiciously around your neighbor's property. When in doubt, call the police so they can quickly curtail any criminal activity.

12-Invite them to contribute to your garage sales, have them over for tea, or offer to babysit their kids/pets while they're away. They'll do the same for you.

13-If you hear of any neighborhood news (events, crimes, special garbage pickups, special event parking restrictions, etc.) give them a heads-up by e-mail.

14-If you have a snow blower and they don't, spend that extra 60 seconds to clear their walkway. It will save them 60 minutes of hard work and they'll be grateful!


Research:Wikihow

New Film Company Retrotimes Productions!

We are so thrilled to announce the launch of our RetroTimes Productions film company! Our film company will be focused on bringing a little bit of the past to the 21 century through movies and documentaries about retro living, retro design, and retro style.

For this month RetroTimes Productions presents our first film comedy "A Date In Celebration". We are sure that you are going to love this comedy! So come join me as I bring to you the best retro things of the Town of Celebration.

Click to enter to RetroTimes Productions:
RetroTimes Productions

How to Develop a Friendly Tone of Voice

A friendly tone of voice will make you seem more approachable and kind and might even win you some friends. You can easily attain this quality with just a little experimentation and practice.

1-Record yourself speaking as normally as you possibly can. Find a paragraph in a book or newspaper you are reading, and speak as naturally as possible into some recording device. You can often find these in cell phones and computers, or you can buy a tape recorder at your local electronics store.

2-Watch yourself speak by standing in front of a mirror while reading the same paragraph. Watch your face carefully, paying special attention to how your mouth moves and your facial expressions.

3-Identify where you need to improve by listening as objectively as you can to your recording and observing yourself in the mirror. What were your first impressions of your speaking voice?

4-Pay attention to common problems. Most people have a similar idea as to what the ideal speaking voice is. These qualities vary only slightly.

*Varying pitch. Avoid the dreaded monotone by raising and lowering your voice to emphasize or de-emphasize certain points of what you are saying. This often varies by region, so pay attention to your friends and neighbors as they speak.

*Soft volume. Nobody wants to be yelled at, so speak just a little softer that you normally would, especially when talking to someone who is physically close to you.

*Relaxed tone. If there is tension in your throat or chest, your voice will sound hoarse and forced, almost as if you have laryngitis. Relax your upper body, including your shoulders, neck and abdominal muscles, and your voice will sound more gentle and pleasant.

5-Practice your new speaking voice. Record and watch yourself again, and decide whether you did an adequate job at correcting the problems you identified earlier. Be careful not to overdo it; your voice will sound obviously fake. Once you have struck a balance that you like to listen to, practice reading out loud or even talking on the phone with close friends.


Research: Wikihow

How to Control Perfectionism

The desire to excel is usually a good thing, but when it spills over into perfectionism it can also cause a lot of trouble, burn you out, and waste a lot of time. The key is finding the balance.

1-Forgive yourself for your shortcomings. Nobody's perfect, and everybody has strengths and weaknesses. That's not to say you should not try to grow. You can always learn something new or try to improve, but there are times when you'll have to go with what you already know and do what you can based on that. Don't waste time worrying about what you can't (yet) do.

2-Ask what's really needed. Is the real purpose to be perfect or produce a perfect result, or is it to get something done? What really matters? Perfectionism can often be the opposite of a timely result, because the uncertainty that comes with it leads to procrastination.

3-Define a goal. Knowing what you want to achieve not only helps you go in the right direction, but also helps you know when you are finished.

4-Get started. Even if you're not sure yet what you're doing, give it a try. You may be better at it than you think, or your task may be easier than you imagined it. Even if your first attempt doesn't get you anywhere, perhaps you'll know what or who to ask to get going. Or, you may just discover what not to do. Most of the time, you'll find that you imagined the barriers as larger than they really are.

5-Set a time limit:

*Some things, such as housekeeping, are never really finished. No matter how well you clean the floor today, it'll get just as muddy tomorrow when somebody forgets to wipe his/her feet. Instead of spending hours scrubbing, set a timer for a reasonable amount of time, and clean for just that long. The place will still get cleaner and you'll work faster and without obsessing over details. Make this sort of upkeep work a regular, brief part of the routine and things will stay at an acceptable, pretty good level.

*On a longer or more detailed project, a deadline, even a self-imposed one, can get you started and keep you moving instead of worrying over details. Break things up into smaller parts or intermediate goals if they're too big.

6-Rehearsal: not just for artists. Create a sheltered environment for learning, one where you have permission to make mistakes. Rehearse. Practice. Experiment. Quiz yourself before the real test. Write a rough draft. During all these processes, tell your inner critic to take some time off, leaving you free to learn and experiment without worrying that you might mess up.

7-Try new things. The accepted method isn't always the best and doesn't always work. Whether you're inventing something or learning a new language, you will have some false starts. In fact, the newer and more unusual an activity you undertake, the more you will have to learn by trial and error. Then, be sure to learn from your mistakes.

8-Recognize that for many activities, especially anything with an element of creativity, there is no one 'right' way, no one 'right' answer. If you're evaluated at all, it is subjectively. You cannot possibly please everybody who reads your writing or gazes at your painting, for instance. While keeping an audience in mind can help give your work direction, you should also allow for a large element of personal expression and style.

9-Recognize the beauty and benefits in imperfection. Dissonant harmonies in music can create tension and drama. Leaves left on the ground insulate plants' roots and decompose to nourish the soil.

10-Reflect on your failures. Failure is relative. Perhaps you thought your cookies were a bit overdone, but everybody else gobbled them up. As the doer, you probably know more about what went in than anybody. Whoever benefited from your work cares more about the result and may never even notice the process. In addition, consider what you learned from your failures, and how that will help you do a better job next time.

11-Reflect on your successes. Think back to something you have done or made that was successful. It may not have been perfect, but it still achieved a goal or objective. Probably you experienced some uncertainty along the way to creating that success. Your reservations and concerns may keep you out of trouble, but don't let them drag you into inaction. Rather than do a few things perfectly, accomplish many things successfully.


Research: Wikihow

How to Be a Good Customer

Just as good customer service is the store's responsibility, good customer behavior is yours. Follow these steps to make life easier for employees, and possibly make your own experience more pleasant as well.

1-Call ahead to check availability of popular items. It's far better than driving to the store, parking half a mile away, walking deep into the aisles, and wasting the time of a clerk who can't find it.

2-When chasing after an item on sale, bring the printed ad with you (or at least write down the item number) to speed things up and avoid confusion about the price.

3-Put things back where you found them. When you knock something down from a rack or shelf, pick it up and put it back!

4-Be patient when in line. Sighing, groaning, and inappropriate language won't make it move any faster.

5-If you find that an item is priced 15 cents lower at the other end of the store, let it go. Having someone run a price check over insignificant amounts isn't worth your time, the clerk's, or that of the people behind you.

6-Don't be hasty to return items (especially electronics) you can't figure out how to use. When in doubt, either ask and/or study the owner's manual, and allow a few days' learning curve.

7-Leave the store with a smile and wish the clerk a nice day.

8-Always be kind to store clerks, no matter how incompetent or rude you think they are. Odds are, they are neither - they are either having a bad day, or don't know the answer to your question.

9-Don't take 20 items into a 10-item express checkout lane. If you do, don't be mad when you are redirected, or sneered at by other customers.

10-Don't try to check out at closed lanes. If the light is on, it's open - even if there is no cashier there. If it's off, it's closed, even if there are three cashiers there. Period. Entering a closed checkout is like telling the cashier you don't respect him/her to his/her face. Don't do it, no matter what. Even if there is only one light on with 20 people waiting to check out, don't do it.

Research: Wikihow