The style of the wedding invitation you send to your guests sets the tone for the wedding day. As such, you don't want to make invitations with something that doesn't represent your style. Finding something unique can be an intimidating affair, especially if your creative juices are not flowing. Luckily, this write-up serves to guide you in the right direction. 

If you’re open to surprising your guests with something extraordinary, there are endless ways to do so. The idea here is to come up with an invitation that is more personal than traditional. It’s possible to customize every detail of the invitation package. There’s a lot more than just choosing the printing paper and decorating the envelopes.

 Here are some ideas to get you rolling.

CREATIVE EDGING WITH PUNCHES

You can make your invitation cards more appealing by enhancing their design. Consider making fancy corners or edges using a stamp cutter or an impressive punch. These tools come in various sizes and designs, and you can get them from online or local craft stores.

 The stamps are easy to use, and if you give yourself enough time, a good table, and steady hands, you'll be on a roll. Avoid carrying out the project when you’re tired of occupied with other things.

USE CALLIGRAPHY 

Calligraphy may seem outdated, but since history repeats itself, why not give it a try? However, if you want to impact the quality of your invitations, approach the art with some perfection. You can check out some of the DIY tutorials online to up your game. Use your newly acquired skills to write the invites or the addresses on the envelope.

ADD WATERCOLOR

An easy way to come up with beautiful invitation cards is to recreate those you see on Pinterest. The idea is to create simple wedding invites using watercolor paper to print them. Finish them with a beautiful watercolor for a luxurious and high-end artistic effect. For the best results, avoid overdoing the watercolor lest you spoil the paper.

CONSIDER COLOR BLOCKING 

Forget about the traditional white and black invitations. Why not go for a style with a color block? A sunny disposition is a sure way to warm the heart regardless of the wedding theme. Work with a warm color palette with sunshine hues to enhance the block style.

MIX LINEN WITH LEATHER 

There's a great desire for every couple to match their wedding invitations with the wedding party's theme. Linen and letter-pressed invitations can bring out the elegance in a unique way. Tearing the edges subtly can also bring out some vintage romance.

ACRYLIC ART

 Has the thought of acrylic art ever crossed your mind? If not, this is the perfect chance to experiment with it. Here, you print your wedding invitation details on a clear piece of acrylic. This is a unique piece of art that your guests won't forget in a long time to come. They can even display the invitation on their walls before the wedding day comes.

ILLUSTRATED MINIBOOK

Another creative idea is to send a fully illustrated mini-book. Here, you capture as many details as possible or include graphics to make it more attractive. The idea of the front of the mini-book should be such that it grabs the attention of the recipient and the contents get them excited.

MAGNETIC INVITES

What if you put your invitations on save the date magnets by MagnetStreet? You can have the invitation message printed on paper and enclosed in magnetic cases. Alternatively, if your budget allows, the details can be imprinted directly on the magnetic case. There are so many ways you can experiment with the designs. They can come as standard postcards, rounded cards, bracket cards, or as envelop cases.

Personalization ideas are in plenty. However, if you feel stuck and can't seem to pick something suitable, use professional wedding invitation designers' help.

SEAL IT WITH WAX

Nothing spells sophistication more than a wax seal on the wedding invitation envelope. You can pick waxing envelopes from online craft stores like Etsy. Before you pick them, though, ensure it's what you want. It would help if you also practiced enough before you embark on waxing them. Too much wax will create a mess, and you won't like the outcome.

TIE WITH TWINE AND TAGS

If you intend to have a rustic wedding theme, this is the perfect idea for your wedding invitation cards. Adding some twine to your invitations will give it some personalized touch. Just like a ribbon, it serves the purpose of holding all the elements in the envelope together.

GET A PERSONALIZED STAMP 

Personalized stamps are the in-thing right now. They’re not only ideal for wedding invitation cards but can be used in a variety of other projects. In this case, however, you want to find creative ways to use the stamps on the wedding invite. Alternatively, you can use them to add a returning address at the back of the envelopes.

COMEDIC CHECKLIST 

If you’re a laid back couple, your invitation cards should reflect that. The days of formal wedding cards are long gone, and people can experiment with whatever makes them happy. Consider having a card with a list of the day’s activities, comically listed. 

CHINOISERIE INSPIRATION

A chinoiserie wedding invitation theme is a European interpretation of Chinese motifs. It comes with a teal and aqua color combination, and soft hints of pink. It illustrates bas relief birds and cherry blossoms. You can toy around with this idea regardless of the colors of your wedding theme. 

ILLUSTRATED INVITATIONS 

A fun alternative to the traditional wedding invitation suite is the illustrated fold-out. The fanciful design of this invitation features the couple alongside the beautiful backdrop of the wedding venue. The invitation has four panels that have the wedding's details, with the fourth one being perforated. Guests can tear off this part and send their RSVP.

USE A RUSTIC PALETTE 

For an elegant look of your wedding invites, consider using a violet and copper palette. The combination is rustic and elegant, especially if you combine it with silk ribbons and seals. You can further enhance the outlook and appearance using calligraphy art and decking the edges for an attractive finish. This will make the envelopes stand out from what's on the market.

CARVE ON WOOD 

Are you having a bohemian wedding? You can do better than most people with your wedding invites. Consider going the wooden way and have your details crafted on wood. A simple idea is to have an envelope stamped with a fern print to seal the deal.

Another Boho idea is wedding invites with some desert glam. Here, you’ll incorporate a feather motif, a dream catcher, and a desert landscape for a free-spirited invitation suite. There’s a lot you can do with a combination of some little inspiration and a creative mind.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING WEDDING INVITATIONS 

You now have a list of ideas to work with while designing your wedding invitations. One downside is that they can't all make it to your wedding. You have to settle for one that best suits your situation and style. What factors should you consider when making this essential decision? 

START EARLY

Don’t wait until the last minute to pick a unique idea for our wedding invites. The earlier you pick one, the better for you as you'll have ample to work around it. You can tweak it in many styles until it gives you the desired outcome. 

DEFINE YOUR WEDDING STYLE 

It’ll be easier to create your wedding invites based on a wedding theme than the other way round. Alongside the guest list, date, and location, you need to be specific about the wedding style. The style of your wedding ranges from classic and elegant to glam and modern and casual and relaxed. 

EXPERIMENT WITH SHAPE AND SIZE 

The standard size for a wedding card paper is 4.5" by 6.25," and the shape is rectangular.  You don’t have to stick to this if you’re open to trying out more playful vibes. Square, scalloped, and circular invitations are becoming common, and this means that you can also veer away from the standard envelopes. 

LEGIBILITY 

This is the most crucial part while choosing unique designs. Your invitations will serve no purpose if they're decorated with all the calligraphy in the world but aren't legible. The information on the card is the whole point of sending it, not the pomp and color. As a tip, avoid light ink on light backgrounds or dark on dark.

Yellow and pastels, for example, are tough-to-read colors. You, therefore, must carefully contrast the background to ensure the text pops out.

Take away

A lot is involved in preparing a wedding, much of which takes up your time. However, if you forget to invite guests, you might as well not have a wedding. They form an essential component of your day, and it’s only fair that the invitation reflects this. Instead of settling for the traditional wedding cards, go out there and experiment with designs, themes, colors, shapes, and styles.  

You've had some concerns about your child's development, and the pediatrician agrees that a comprehensive developmental evaluation is in order. You may have blocked off several hours for a developmental pediatrics visit, and you're wondering what to expect. That's only natural. When you know what the day will look like, you'll be in a better position to help put your child's mind at ease. You should ask your child's healthcare provider exactly what’s in store, but most autism assessment appointments have certain things in common.

PRE-APPOINTMENT SCREENINGS AND INTERVIEWS

Not all autism assessments are done in a single sitting. Often, the process begins with developmental screening tools and interviews with parents, caregivers, and teachers. The screening tools can be completed by a pediatrician or parent and are designed to present a picture of the child's overall development. For example, depending on the child's age, the screener may request that a short sentence be repeated or that the child string beads or cereal onto a shoelace.

Interviewing the adults in the child's life is an important step toward getting a sense of the child's strengths and challenges. These questionnaires may give insight into where the child is struggling and which behaviors contribute to difficulties at school or within the family. When you complete the pre-appointment items ahead of time, it gives the clinician a chance to get to know something about your child before conducting the in-person assessment.

CLINICIAN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CHILD

Although an autism assessment tool, such as ADOS^TM-2, is a standardized evaluation tool, you won't see your child filling out bubbles on a multiple-choice form. Instead, the clinician will be observing your child's responses to various stimuli. It may look to you like a friendly conversation and play session.

To prevent the child from getting distracted or looking to you for coaching, you may be able to observe the interaction from an observation room with a one-way mirror so your child can't see you. This part of the assessment usually takes about an hour, and your child should have a chance to take a break during the session.

COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT GAMES

If your child's care team orders a cognitive assessment, such as an IQ test, it could be scheduled for the same day as the autism assessment or on a different day. This type of test can take one to three hours, with the child taking breaks as needed.

Many children enjoy this type of evaluation because of all the games and puzzles that it includes. Again, it may look like playtime, but the clinician is making precise observations about the inner workings of your child's brain.

FOLLOW-UP, RESULTS, AND THE NEXT STEPS

A week or two after the assessment is complete, you should receive test results. They will explain the interactions as well as what the clinician learned from each interaction. You may have another appointment to review the results with the clinician and learn what further testing or therapy options may be on the horizon. For more details about autism screening and diagnostic tools, please visit our resources page

If you find difficulty in sleeping while traveling, you are not alone. Almost 60% of people go through the same problem. Jet lags and sleep deprivation are quite common in ruining your tours but don’t worry. Here’s a list of a few tips that will surely help you sleep peacefully when you’re traveling.

1. CARRY YOUR PILLOW

You need to make sure that whenever you are traveling, you should always keep your pillow with you. At times, a sudden change in your bedding can create a huge effect on your sleeping pattern. You might be used to sleeping on a soft pillow and when given a hard pillow at your hotel, you’re in big trouble.

If your pillow is too huge to carry, you can opt for a Pillow Cube which is actually meant to be used for quick travel naps. There is a Pro version too that you can use at home but the small cube is perfect for travel. It is a small-sized cube shape pillow that can easily fit inside your bag.

So think of your pillow as your best friend whenever you plan to travel. Some people like to sleep without a pillow, which has its own health benefits. But if you are one of those lucky ones that like to sleep without a pillow, you have one less thing to worry about.

2. KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED

Keeping yourself well hydrated is very important not only when you are traveling but also in your daily routine. But when it comes to traveling especially when you are on a plane, keeping yourself hydrated becomes essential or it can be very critical. 

According to certified sleep specialists, dehydration can be fatal too. The reason is that when a plane goes to a higher altitude, the air becomes very dry so to avoid any health-related issue, make sure you drink a lot of water before you start your journey.

Staying hydrated will not only let you have a nice sleep but also it will keep your body fresh so that you can have a nice day and your trip doesn’t get ruined.

3. AVOID ALCOHOL

The most important tip that one can use in order to have comfortable sleep while traveling is staying away from alcohol. Alcohol affects your body in a very brutal manner, especially when you're trying to have a peaceful sleep while traveling. One must make sure that they don’t consume alcohol at any cost.

You might have seen that people sleep quickly after drinking. It is partially true but it disrupts your entire melatonin production mechanism in your body that helps you in sleep and you end up waking up in a very stupefied condition after a while. It is also the reason for low quality sleep that directly affects your REM sleep and also makes you go to the bathroom again and again.

4. EAT HEALTHY FOOD

It is advised by many doctors and specialists and also recommended for a healthy lifestyle that you eat moderately and do not fill your stomach. Some foods can also cause problems while you are traveling and it will affect your sleep and make you stay up during the entire journey. Doctors also advise not to consume caffeine or wine when you are traveling. 

Chemicals like amino acids and enzymes help in a peaceful sleep so one must keep eating things like almonds, warm milk, kiwifruit, walnut, chamomile tea, fatty fish, barley grass powder, lettuce or other natural remedies like kawa. These things are surely going to help you a lot in sleeping peacefully because they will fulfill your carbohydrates and vitamin needs.

5. ADJUST YOUR SLEEP AS A LOCAL

It has been observed very commonly that people who travel suffer difficulties in sleeping at a new place due to which they stay up all night and find themselves exhausted the next day. They basically end up disturbing their plans for the day and ruin the whole trip. So to avoid such a situation, one needs to start preparing themselves for the journey. 

One thing that you must do is plan strategically. All you need to do is start your bedtime routine one hour later or earlier than the usual time and then keep doing it for the consecutive three days by adding one more hour respectively in your sleeping routine. 

This will make your body adapt to the transition in your sleeping routine so that you don't have to deal with insomnia when you are on your vacation. 

Also when you are arriving at your destination in the day time, make sure to get some sleep on the plane so that you enjoy to the fullest in the wide daylight. And if you are traveling at night, then don’t fall asleep on your flight. In fact, try sleeping once you reach your hotel room to complete your sleep cycle without any disruptions.

Basically, the bottom line is that your sleep is as important as anything else in your life. So make sure that you get plenty of sleep while traveling so that you can be fresh throughout the trip and enjoy your stay to the fullest.

While car accidents are unavoidable in some cases, you can prevent them with the use of good equipment. Car avoidance technology is gaining widespread recognition, and different governments make it mandatory for vehicles to have these new safety systems. These systems can make a difference, though their capabilities depend on the type of car involved. That said, here are six types of car accident avoidance technology that you can consider to keep you safe on the road. 

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL 

Electronic stability control (ESC) is one of the best accident avoidance technologies available in new vehicles produced after  September 2011 in other countries. The main advantage of this technology is that it helps prevent cars from sliding out of control under poor weather conditions such as snow. The system helps reduce engine power, and it also facilitates the momentary application of brakes to reduce speed. ESC helps prevent crashes that can lead to severe injuries or death.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)

The ABS has been in existence for more than three decades now and it has been fine-tuned to provide safety to cars. Initially implemented on planes to prevent issues like skidding on the runway when landing, the ABS technology is now applied to cars. It offers standard safety measures that can prevent collisions. With this technology, you can brake hard and you can also steer clear of an obstacle that can cause imminent danger. In most cases, many people take this for granted, but it is the major cause of crashes when they fail to negotiate the barrier. The new ABS technology boasts of computer algorithms and sensors that can adjust to suit different conditions of the road. 

The other issue is that rear-end crashes are common and they are responsible for causing about 50% of the road traffic accidents. Therefore, collision avoidance systems can significantly help prevent different crashes. If the system fails to prevent a collision, then it can reduce the severity of the accident and injuries. The system consists of cameras and radar to look for pedestrians, vehicles, and animals on the road. The car automatically stops if the driver fails to take heed of the warning to avoid a collision. Other systems can steer the car away from the barrier while maintaining it in its lane if there is sufficient space. 

ADAPTIVE LIGHTING

Poor lighting is another major contributor to car accidents. It is difficult to avoid crashing if you cannot see an obstacle in front of the car at night. Therefore, adaptive front lighting technology is designed to prevent crashes since the vehicle uses sensors to measure speed and steering angles. The LED headlamps can adjust accordingly so that you can have a better vision of the road ahead of you at night. The lights quickly turn on around the curves to allow you to meander without issues. 

LANE DEPARTURE WARNING

Lane departure warning is designed to alert the driver when they wander from their lane. The system uses dashboard lights, beeps, or it can vibrate the steering wheel to warn the driver that they are drifting out of their lane. The technology will also try to steer back the vehicle in its lane to prevent unprecedented crashes with oncoming traffic. You need to turn the system on so that it can function properly; however, the quality and effectiveness of these systems significantly vary from car to car. A test drive is required to ascertain the effectiveness of the lane departure warning system in your car. 

BLIND SPOT WARNING

Checking blind spots when changing lanes is often challenging as many people tend to forget or just ignore it. At times using mirrors alone may not be effective since you may not be able to detect vehicles moving closer to yours. However, blind-spot detection can go a long way in helping you see something hidden from the mirrors. 

Blindspot detection works by giving you a warning light on your side mirrors if there is a vehicle closer when you try to change lanes. Other systems will vibrate the steering wheel if there is a car in your blind spot so that you can halt the action that can cause an accident. When you get the warning sign from the system, you are forced to look over your shoulder and check the road. Blindspot detection helps reduce crashes by about 14%. While this is an optional feature, it is important to have since it is not expensive like other systems.

FRONT AND REAR TRAFFIC ALERT

This system alerts the driver if there is a vehicle approaching from the rear or side of the car when they are pulling out of a parking space. When approaching an intersection, the system warns the driver of any impending danger. Other systems are designed to automatically brake the vehicle if a crash is imminent. All the same, the effectiveness of these systems varies and you need to test them. 

WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR CRASH?

Car avoidance technology can help prevent vehicle crashes, but it cannot change the situation in some cases. Whether or not your car is installed with technology to prevent accidents, you can find yourself in an accident. The experience of an accident is horrifying, and this is the reason why you need to enlist the services of a professional accident attorney to help you claim compensation for injuries and damage to property. Houston-based injury attorneys explain that there are different steps that you must take when you are injured in your accident. You need to work with an experienced attorney so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Accident lawyers know how to handle different cases involving car crashes so that the victims recover something from the insurance companies.  

Car crashes are common and they cause serious damage to property and injuries. Many accidents are caused by human errors that can be avoided if due care is taken. However, new technology is also playing a key role in reducing the chances of accidents. As you can see, there are different car avoidance technologies that are designed to keep you safe on the road. The performance of these systems varies depending on the type of car. If used properly, car avoidance technologies can make a huge difference in preventing car crashes that are often caused by human error.

When you’re crossing off an item on your bucket list to go to secret places in the world to visit, you’re going to end up in very isolated areas. Conveniences you’re used to won’t be as accessible, especially if you want to see gorgeous natural sights.

One of the things you’re not going to access would be convenient places to get food. If you don’t prepare food beforehand, you’re going to go hungry before you’re able to get to your destination. On that note, preparing travel snacks is crucial.

However, if you’re a frequent traveler, you might want to invest in healthier travel snacks so that the constant snacking won’t make you gain weight. On that note, here are nine healthy travel snacks that can help you lose weight:

ALMONDS

There’s a reason why nuts are a common component in trail mix for people on the go. That’s because they’re a great source of protein and healthy fats.

One particular type of nut that you should have with you to snack on would be almonds. They’re a delicious snack and are quite portable too.

With one serving of almonds (around 23 almonds), you’re going to get a healthy filling of protein, healthy fats, as well as fiber.

When eating almonds, make sure that you chew it slowly so that you’ll feel full for a longer time. That way, you won’t be craving more food than you should be eating.

PROTEIN SHAKE

Many fitness people who plan the weight loss food in their meal plans have to include a protein shake with them.

A protein shake can help make you full enough not to crave junk food while you’re traveling. Plus, protein shake also enables you to increase your metabolism, so you’re burning more calories.

Protein shake also helps you get the nutrients your body needs all in one convenient drink. When you’re hiking, you can sip your protein shake so you can have one nutrition-dense drink.

POPCORN

Another snack that can help you lose weight while you travel would be popcorn. Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber, but it’s also able to give you some protein.

It also helps that popcorn is so light. It’s a portable snack, so it’s great for travel.

There is plenty of bagged popcorn that you can buy in the market to pack one with you quickly. Check your local market, and try to avoid the ones with artificial flavoring.

PISTACHIOS 

Another great type of nut that you should have for your travel snacks would be pistachios.

When you’re buying pistachios, you should get them with the shells. The shells let you take your time more when eating pistachios. That way, you don’t end up gobbling them down faster than you intended.

If you’re eating pistachios while hiking in the middle of the wilderness, make sure that you keep the shells with you. Even if it is from a nut, you still need to be responsible for the trash you generate and keep those shells with you.

VEGGIES AND HUMMUS

One way to get you to eat more veggies that is effective for children and adults alike would be to get a dip’s assistance. If you’re packing slices of veggies with you to snack on, you can make it a more pleasant experience by packing some hummus to go along with it.

Since it has a dip, this isn’t the type of food you should eat while on the go. You can, however, eat while lounging around. It can be quite delicious and filling but still be healthy for you.

KALE CHIPS 

Instead of going for your usual potato chips, you should instead swap that for a healthier alternative such as some kale chips.

They still have the crunch that you crave when you’re looking for chips, but they’re much more nutritious. It will help you lose weight while traveling and are an excellent alternative for your usually high-calorie potato chips.

OATMEAL COOKIES 

Everybody loves cookies. However, if you’re planning to lose weight, you have to make a few tweaks and adjustments.

For example, you can have oatmeal cookies when you are craving your usual cookies.

Oats will help you with your blood sugar levels, and they’re also great for losing weight. Even if they are oatmeal cookies, they can still be quite delicious.

CRISPY SPINACH 

Spinach is a versatile vegetable that you can modify to make it seem more like a snack.

One way to do that is by frying the spinach leaves until they’re crunchy. If you need some more crunchy snacks with you, you can use crispy spinach as an alternative.

Besides that, you can make that yourself and put them in a container and bring it with you.

YOGURT

Yogurt is another healthy snack that can still be quite delicious. It’s a great source of calcium. You can buy a big tub of it from the supermarket and repack it into smaller tubs if you want to, which is great if you’re traveling with family.

If you’re looking for a healthy dessert while you’re on the go, yogurt is an excellent choice.

Conclusion

Traveling often makes us want to let loose and be free. However, even if you’re traveling, you should still stick to your personal goals.

If you’re currently on a path to lose weight, you should support that goal by bringing these nine healthy travel snacks with you.

Next time you travel and what to be healthy, pack these snacks to stick to your healthy diet with no regrets.