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Photo by  Growlerfills Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia sits The Floyd Country General Store . People who pay a visit feel like they have stepped back in time. A real country store serving a rural community, its shelves are stocked with a bounty of quirky and practical goods, including penny candy, books on farming, local arts and crafts, eco-friendly cleaning products, kitchen tools, casual clothing, and old fashioned toys and games. The store has an inviting cafe. All the food on the menu is fresh, locally-grown and homemade. You will find country favorites like barbequed pulled pork, Chicken Brunswick stew and pinto beans with onions and cast-iron-skillet baked cornbread. Be sure to save room for the hand-dipped ice cream. All year-around, the general store hosts a popular Friday Night Jamboree of Appalachian music and dance, where some of the most esteemed, old-time musicians take the stage. The evening starts at 6:30, features three bands, and by all accounts, l...

Nordstrom , the swanky retailer, is running an anniversary sale. The promotion ends August 5th. It's where to shop for upscale clothing, shoes, handbags or jewlery that you want to have in your wardrobe for years to come. It's not where I, personally, turn for articles, which will quickly go out of style, since you can find lots of fun, trendy pieces elsewhere (at H&M, Forever 21 and Target) for much less. But, what if you don't have a Nordstrom in your town? I hear you! Don't be afraid to buy items from this store online. Since they sell high-end merchandise, you can count on quality arriving in your mailbox, plus Nordstrom offers free shipping and returns. So if you make a mistake, you can exchange, or return the goods at no charge. That's the only way to shop for outfits and boots online! It just might be the perfect time to pick up a few expensive wardrobe pieces you need at 30% - 60% reductions. Worth a browse. You may also enjoy: Kate Middleton Has Somethi...

Photo by Tilia If you find yourself in New York City sometime, there are three breakfast foods you absolutely must try. I have a savory palate and am a big fan of the Scotch egg. It's an egg, wrapped in ground pork or duck sausage, breaded and fried. (I love all things breaded and fried, though I don't let myself eat everything breaded and fried. This is worth it.) The yolk of a perfectly cooked Scotch egg is often a little runny. The egg is served with a grainy brown mustard. I try to limit myself to eating two, but I can devour more. Visit Fat Radish  on the Lower East Side (17 Orchard Street), a breezy London themed restaurant to taste them. A cronut is described as part croissant and part doughnut. The hybrid pastry was invented by Chef Dominique Ansel, who says it's "a fremented dough that's rolled, fried, topped with lemon cream and finished off with maple sugar." Only 300 are baked per day, and they sell out within an hour of the bakery 's opening. ...

Pulling into the dock at the North Cove Marina in front of the World Financial Center down in Battery Park City The best way to see New York City's skyline, as well as, the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island is taking a boat ride on the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan. The Circle Line offers a number of sightseeing cruises around Manhattan Island, or take the "Admiral's Launch" to the Willy Wall for a glass of wine. Go  here for details . It's a lovely way to spend a Saturday night. Finally, the  Staten Island Ferry  is free. It serves 60,000 commuters traveling between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan daily. H op aboard for a prime view of  New York's habor and The Statue of Liberty.  You may also enjoy: Booking Cheap Airfare Like A Pro     A Well-Stocked Bar Great Find, Greek Wine Panorama Views: Take A Look At The World

We all know how important it is to apply sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, premature aging and sunburns. But sometimes we skip it because it's greasy and inconvenient. I am guilty of not reapplying sun protection as often as I should. When I'm out, I'm busy , forget and like to travel light, sans SPF lotion. Thank goodness, there are new products on the market to make protecting your skin easier.  Sunscreen powders  block harmful UV rays without adding a shine to your complexion. Ultra fine mineral powder delievers flawless airbrushed coverage. You will find them at all price points. Luxury brands (like Colorscience, Peter Thomas Roth and La Roche-Posay) are $30 and up. You can also find excellent brands at your corner drugstore for less. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear offers the same broad-spectrum protection and has the same ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) as traditional SPF lotions. You can buy it as a loose power, or a compact (i.e. pressed power) to c...

When decorating a home, the usual advice is to surround yourself with the things you love. A photo collage clock of family (and look closely, man's best friend) is a clever way to add warmth and a personal touch to a room. Your pictures don't need to be exactly the same size, but if you have a colorful wall, you might want to select neutral frames, or if you have a neutral wall, you might think about contrasting it with colorful frames. I like the idea of arranging familiar faces around a big ticking clock. Not only is it cozy, it's a reminder that our time in history is right  now . Life is change. We have a past and future. Pictures capture a moment in time, while time, itself, assuredly marches on. You might also enjoy: At The Red Brick Cottage Time To Tidy Up Buying Flowers For Less The Ambiance Of A Brasa Fire

I have fine hair, but lots of it. Although cut uniform in length, it's slippery, or something. Bobby pins and barrettes will slide out of my hair even before I step away from the mirror, but these spin pins  will secure an updo. I have no idea how they work, but they do. Hair stays in place. Each of the spin pins claim to do the job of 20 bobby pins. You simply twirl you hair up, twist it into a bun and literally screw the pins in.   When you want to take your bun out and let your hair down, you unscrew the spin pins by turning them in the opposite direction, as you would with regular screws. They have round edges and don't seem to harm the hair. The only mistake you can make is twisting your bun too tight. A tight bun is too dense, and you won't be able to spin the pins through your hair with ease. Using them,  you  can create a polished or messy bun. Available in two colors: light (for blonds) or dark (for everybody else). Costs: $6. Photo: BabesInHairland , their ...

Photo: Watson Ashe This is a peach one layer cake with a coconut and nut topping. Moist and simple to make, it is a delicious dessert to bring to a party. In my opinion, 2/3 of a cup of sugar is sweet enough. I can't imagine using the 2 cups suggested. What a sugar overload! Here is how to make it: Peach Cake For the cake - Ingredients : 2 cups sugar ( I cut this down to 2/3 of a cup .) 2 eggs 2 ¼  cups flour ( I use one and  ¼   cups all purspose and one cup whole wheat. ) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup buttermilk 4 tablespoons butter, ice cold and diced 1 teaspoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large can peaches (drained), or 2 cups fresh peaches (Save the juice and add to the batter if needed to get a not too dry, or runny consistency.) Directions :  1. Throw the ingredients into a mixing bowl, in order, and beat with an electric mixer. 2. Mash the peaches, separately, and by hand, fold into the ...