What is Luck?

How do you define luck?  Is it winning the lottery after buying only one ticket?  Is it narrowly missing something dangerous?  What can you do to be more lucky?

Luck is defined as “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions” or “a force that brings good fortune or adversity” (Merriam Webster).

Around the world and throughout most cultures, luck comes in many forms.  We see it in various symbols across countries, like the four-leaf clover in Ireland represents a good luck charm, or in China the Mystic Knot with its six infinity knots to represent never-ending luck.

lucky-clover

Similarly, there are lucky actions or superstitions, most of which have long histories which people don’t even know.  For example, crossing your fingers to bring luck dates back to early Christianity, where people crossed their fingers to have the protection of the cross.  We also see the action of knocking on wood to protect us from bad luck, which was once done to chase away evil spirits.  Also, in Spain at midnight on New Year’s Eve they eat 12 grapes to symbolize good luck for each of the coming 12 months.

Furthermore, there are lucky phrases across the world that people say to one another to bring good luck.  People say “Buena Suerte” in Spanish, “Bonne Chance” in French, “Buona Fortuna” in Italian, or “Kila la kheri” in Swahili.

There are also lucky numbers, either specific to an entire culture or to a person.  People have a lucky number that means something to them based on a significant event, or maybe something good happened to them regarding that number and now that number represents good luck.  Cultures also have lucky numbers.  In China, for example, the number 8 is lucky and has meanings of prosperity, success and status, so people frequently use the number 8 when they can.  In Judaism, the number 18 is lucky because it means “life”, so people often wear a necklace with this word and number.

So, whether you have a lucky number or phrase, don’t worry because luck is on your side! And today might just be your lucky day! 

The Power of the Gift Card

It’s that time of year again—a friend or family member’s birthday, or the holidays where you have to get everyone and their mother a gift.  It can be difficult to figure out what to get everyone, and you shouldn’t just give the same gift to each person.

Sometimes, as we get older, it can be challenging to figure out what to give people as a gift.  We’ve even given our close family members all the usual gifts.  You’ve given your mom the usual nice jewelry and pictures, or your dad the beautiful ties and wallet.  Furthermore, you’ve given—and received—sweaters, clothing, jewelry and items that never get worn or used, even though you thought they would like it.  But after a while, it becomes difficult to figure out what to get someone as a gift, whether it’s for their birthday or a holiday.

nike gift card

 

That’s why a gift card is perfect!  It shows that you know the person you are giving it to—you can personalize the gift by choosing a store that you know they love.  If your friend loves shopping at a certain store, maybe it’s Walmart, Nike, Amazon, Kohl’s or others, you’ll show that you know that person well by giving them a gift card to a store they love.  Similarly, it’s also great when other people give you a gift card to a store you love, instead of a gift that you might not like or use.  Now you can go shop at your favorite place and buy your own items that you know you will use.

So, when the holidays or birthdays roll around, get your mom, dad, siblings or friends a gift card to a store they love.  It takes all the stress away from picking out the perfect gift.  And you know they’ll actually use the gift card on products they’ll enjoy, and they’ll love that they can shop at their favorite places.

Kohl's gift card

People Love Shopping at Night!

You spend your day at work, running around with your kids, cooking dinner for yourself and family—it’s exhausting.  When do you have time for just yourself?  When you go shopping, it’s usually for something for your kids: back to school items, new clothes, sports outfits, birthday presents; you hardly have time to go shopping for just yourself.  There just isn’t that much time anymore to spend a few hours wandering around the mall trying on clothes and shoes at multiple stores.

Imagine: you’ve just put your kids down for bed, you can finally relax, and you hop on your computer and can easily shop for yourself right from there!  And after such a long, exhausting or stressful day, you deserve a new pair of shoes or a new outfit.  You can easily order anything you want online or from your phone, on sites like Walmart or Amazon.  Spend your evening relaxing and looking at your wish-lists or items that you want to buy right now.  

online shopping

And one of the best things about shopping online in the evenings is that it frees up your time during the day for more activities for you and your family.  Instead of having to run around to go shopping, or stop at the store to pick something up, you can order it online and have it delivered right to your house.  So, if you know that your kid has a birthday party to go to next weekend, go online to Walmart and buy a gift so that you don’t have to spend time at the store picking one out!

It’s also a great way to wind down and relax in the evenings.  Browse on Amazon through your favorite clothes, shoes, music, wish-list items and more, and you can easily order anything.  You can shop online at Walmart for products and items for yourself or kids.  Order groceries or home service products, get your back-to-school items or your kid’s clothes shipped right to your door.

Spend your evenings being productive and relaxing, shopping for essential items for yourself and family right from your home.  You’ll have more time during the day to spend doing fun activities, and evenings spent browsing through your favorite items on your wish list.   

Why Starbucks is the #1 Coffee Brand

For most people, coffee is an essential item of their morning, and sometimes, their entire day.  People routinely stop by their favorite nearby coffee shop for their usual morning coffee, and perhaps a sandwich or a bagel.  And there are so many coffee shops to choose from…  Yet, one particular coffee shop brand has become the go-to option for millions of people around the globe.  And that brand is no other than Starbucks.  But what made Starbucks so popular to become the global brand that it is today?

Well, usually when people order their coffee, they’re not just ordering a cup of coffee.  It’s the experience; the ambiance of the store; the consistent product quality; and the customer service, which in many cases is an essential element of choosing a coffee shop over others.  Being greeted by a friendly, smiling face can unquestionably make someone’s day.

Starbucks has always focused on their stores’ atmosphere, knowing that customers come to relax, meet up with friends, or look for a place to work or study.  They were one of the first coffee shops to provide free WiFi, and plenty of outlets for customers to charge their electronic devices.  Its calming atmosphere, its selection of soothing contemporary music, its quality of products, its flexibility to adhere to customers’ needs, and its friendly staff, are all the right ingredients that make Starbucks’ recipe so successful.

man reading with starbucks coffee

Starbucks is also famous for their delicious hot and cold drinks for both kids and adults. Their seasonal items get people waiting all year to have them again.  For example, the “Pumpkin Spice Latte” is one of customers’ favorite coffee drinks, one they eagerly wait to drink during the fall season.  The company always creates new flavors to its menu, keeping it fresh and allowing people to discover their favorite drink every season. 

Another fact that distinguishes Starbucks is its delicious pastries, breakfast sandwiches and to-go items.  Customers who have a sweet-tooth craving can satisfy their appetite with a warm double chocolate brownie, or a blueberry muffin, or an amazing Madeline cookies! The variety of pastry and breakfast items is not great, but it covers most people’s needs.

Keeping their recipe of success consistent throughout the entire world, is perhaps the secret of why Starbucks  is undoubtedly the most well-know coffee brand in the world, and why it continues to grow.  If you are one of the millions of happy customers, or a Starbucks aficionado, you can try a variety of different drinks from Starbucks with this limited free samples offer.

starbucks coffee

The Amazing World of Amazon

The world is at your fingertips, literally—anything you could want is just a touch of a button away on Amazon.  As the largest internet retailer in the world they offer a wide variety of products, and ship all over the world.  You can browse new or used products, return or exchange products, and even rent books, movies, and music.  With an easy-to-use website and app, Amazon makes your shopping easy and fast with the click of a button.

Whatever you need to buy—for yourself, your kids, your family, your loved ones—you can find it on Amazon.  With over 40 different departments to shop from, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.  Browse departments like appliances, games, car parts, baby products, books, beauty products, cell phones, clothing for your whole family, groceries, health products, house products, business products, music, movies and so much more!

Try the amazing new Amazon Fresh service where you can shop and buy your groceries and have them delivered right to your door.  Choose from organic and all-natural products, fresh fruits and vegetables, health and beauty products and more.

You can even browse through their Home Services department with handpicked professionals with guaranteed satisfactory services for home improvements and repairs, cleaning, plumbing and more.

Additionally, you can also create and share wish lists, save items for later, and create grocery lists and registries.  Browse through recommended items and similar products that are frequently bought together.

Sign up for Amazon Prime or their free trial and you can get fast free shipping on over 50 million items. Choose free two-hour delivery, same day delivery or two-day delivery, and stream movies TV shows and music from any device.

Amazon makes shopping fast and easy for you online and from their app. Whether you need something that day, need to browse products for another day or make a list, Amazon offers millions of items for everything you could want.

The Thrill of Going on a Disney Cruise

Imagine being able to sail away to any location, and multiple destinations of your choosing, and both you and your kids are having a fantastic vacation with endless activities for your whole family.  Sounds a little too good to be true?  Not with a Disney Cruise vacation!

A normal cruise has its perks and fun activities, and can go to many locations as well.  They have good dining experiences, maybe some dancing or games at night, pools, and maybe some fun sports games during the day.  But you want more—and you deserve more!

So, sail with Disney Cruise Lines and choose from various destinations like Alaska, the Bahamas, Europe, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and more!  There are huge, beautiful sparkling pools and fun water slides for the kids.  They have amazing onboard activities like Live Disney shows and musicals every night, including “Beauty and the Beast”, “Frozen”, “Tangled: the Musical”, “Aladdin”, the “Cinderella Story” and so much more!

They also have meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters, as well as music and concerts out on the deck, fun nightclubs and lounges, and great youth clubs for kids to learn and play with their favorite Disney characters.  And during the day you can relax with their amazing spa and salon services, or go to the gym for all your fitness needs.

Furthermore, they have special event days like “Star Wars Day” or “Marvel Day”, where you can meet your favorite characters and watch spectacular action-packed shows!  And if you go during the fall, they have a Halloween Day filled with fun haunted tricks for the whole family.

So, take your family vacation this year and sail away to a destination of your choice!  Relax by the pool while your kids spend the day with their favorite characters or playing at the water slides.  With all of the spectacular activities both during the day and at night, it’ll be a magical and unforgettable vacation for your entire family!