Love is Getting Back in the Air!

happy valentines day; love is back in the air

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching! Two days in fact! Snuck up on me! And I’m pretty sure it’s snuck up on a lot of you as well. Whether you saw it coming or not, it’s almost here! Love is getting back in the air. Now…how are you going to spend Valentines Day???

Plans???

Like I said, Valentine’s Day kinda snuck up on me this year. Which is why I’m kinda late making this post. I’ve been extremely busy with teaching and getting ready for a spring concert along with jazz and show choir competitions. But really, there’s no excuse for the biggest day of the year to show your love for your loved ones (well maybe besides birthdays and anniversaries).

My wife and I have kinda discussed how we’re going to celebrate. After my two hour show choir rehearsal, we’re going out to dinner and then giving each other our Valentines Day gifts. Nice and simple.

But that’s not the only way to celebrate. You can do ANYTHING you want for Valentine’s Day! Maybe instead of going out to dinner, why not have dinner at home. A nice steak, chicken, or fish dinner. A delicious dessert like a cake or a tart. And a nice glass of Fine Wine to complete that perfect dinner.

Maybe you wanna make your Valentine’s Day a two-day (or more) celebration. Take some time off from work and go away for a few days. Travel To A Special Place and have the best couple or few days of your life!

Love certainly is back in the air! Spend Valentines Day the way you and your loved one want. After all, the only thing that truly matters is that you have each other!


2023: New Year, New You!

3D Gold New Year 2023 on white background; new year, new you

It’s 2023, y’all! We made it to another year! Last year was a year of ups and downs (at least for me personally). I’m somebody who loves to look at the positive. Though the negative things in life have made me stronger, I just HAVE to look at the positive things and celebrate. Things such as beginning my first year as an assistant band director, my first year in five years as a show choir band director, and purchasing a new car. And those are only a few great things that came out of 2022. Hopefully you all have some positives to celebrate! But now, 2023; a new year, which mean it’s time for a new and better you!

Financial new you

Economically, we are still in trying times. Inflation is steadily increasing, debts are piling up, and many are struggling to make ends meet. For you, or ANYBODY, 2023 could be your year to Put An End To That! Becoming a part of Something Special that will not only build relationships, but skills that you’d never thought you’d gain. No, I’m not necessarily talking about getting or changing your job. This Thing Goes Further that just getting a job! Not only will you change your life financially for the better, but you’ll change others as well! Let 2023 be the year!

The physical new you

Besides financial stability, what is another major New Year’s resolution that so many people make? Lose Weight Or Become Physically Healthier. They normally buy gym memberships and go on all of these special diets. And I definitely applaud them for that. Health and Fitness is something that is important to me as well. But let’s be honest, for many, that resolution only lasts about a couple of month (not shaming; just being real). And I get it. Balancing that and work and personal lives can be difficult. Though it is indeed possible, there’s always Something Else!

This Something Else can give you the Power to Lose Weight. It gives you the ease to Sleep Better At Night. It gives you the Contol You Need Over Your Appetite. You can do all of these things. And all it takes is a “Snap!”

The emotional new you

Just like your physical health, your emotional health is just as important! You always want to be in a good head space with anything you do. And believe it or not, the things I mentioned under “The physical new you” also work for your emotional health.

Improve Your State of Mind and Brain Function. Your emotional health also indeed depends on a Good Night’s Rest. For many, 2022 was emotionally draining. Let 2023 be that Emotional Pickup you need!

New year new you

New you means a better you!

This new year means a new you. And that most importantly means a better you! I’m not necessarily saying you HAVE to change. That should be completely up to you.

If you believe you don’t need to change, great. I personally am always looking to better myself. And this should come to no surprise considering I have a career in music. Us music types are constantly never 100% satisfied with how we perform and constantly want to get better and better.

Again, no one HAS to change for the new year. But think about this: How did 2022 go and how do you want 2023 to go? What went wrong last year and how do I make that for this year? Just food for thought!

That being said, have an amazing new year! Let’s make it ours!!!


It’s The Holiday Season! Time To Gift Shop!!

Woman holding gift bags; time to gift shop

It’s the holiday season! So hoop-de-doo and dickory dock! And don’t forget to watch the clock…on these amazing holiday deals. Christmas may be approaching very soon, but it’s certainly not too late to shop. Take it from someone who is somewhat of a procrastinating shopper himself. It’s not too late, but these deals won’t last forever. Time to gift shop!

Holiday Deals Galore!!

Holiday deals are pretty much everywhere! Especially in the stores. Just the other day, I was shopping with my wife and we shopped at three or four different stores. We were at Walgreens because she wanted to look for Squishmallows (she’s literally OBSESSED with them) and wound up finding some nice gifts for our nieces and uncle for a pretty nice discount. We’re talking about 30-40% off!! Even got

We then went to Wal-Mart and they pretty much always have low prices. Got more gifts for a lot of people on our list.

Then we went to the mall. Stopped at the Hallmark store and took advantage of their 20% off holiday sale for my mother-in-law. And we can’t forget the single wick candle sale at Bath and Bodyworks. Got some nice candles each for around $6 (well over half the original price)!

Like I said, great deals are everywhere! But not just at in-person stores. They’re also online! Get some pretty nifty Stocking Stuffers for all those that Love Their Hair!

Need some more gift ideas?? No prob!!

Still in need of some more ideas for some great gifts?? No worries! Check This Out for even more great ideas for gifts during the holidays. It’s time to gift shop! But keep in mind, time is ticking!!


Black Friday…Online!!

Black Friday Sale; black friday online

Hey everyone! Can you believe we’re already about halfway through November?? We’re just a little over a week away from two major things that happen in November: Thanksgiving and Black Friday! Next Thursday is the day we’ll all give thanks for the many great things in our lives. From family and friends to a warm home-cooked meal of turkey, ham, and tons of fixings (and nothing goes great with a nice meal like a Nice Glass of Fine Wine). We even may give thanks for materialistic things; luxuries such as television, computers, jewelry, and nice clothing. And the next day, people go out to stores to get more of those luxuries for amazing deals! But keep in mind, you can definitely have your Black Friday online too! Online shopping has been on a sharp incline since the pandemic (and even long before that)! And you can guarantee that you’ll be bound to find some incredible deals!

Nice clothing at nicer prices!

What’s a big reason why people go Black Friday shopping? For Christmas gifts, right? Get this! You can Steal Christmas Early With These Amazing Deals! From now until November 23rd, you can have 30% Off Of The Entire Site!!! Time to look your best for even less!!

Hair care for a steal!

Yet another way to look your best for even less! You can get a whopping 70% off Of These Hair Care Products! We’re talking wash day kits priced at $110 being sold for just over $30! Another for $45 being sold for $13.50!! If you think I’m making this up, Go See For Yourself!! If hair care is high on your list, I’d act now!!

Get Curst with this amazing deal!

Halloween may be over, but it’s never a bad time to Get That Spell-Bounding Look! Take advantage of 30% Off Of These Cosmetics. Lip Potions (lipsticks), Spell Books (eyeshadow), Spell Liner (eyeliner), and more! After your done shopping, at checkout, be sure to use the promo code POTIONS to get 30% Off Your Merchandise!

Shop now! Time’s a ticking!

These deals aren’t going to last forever! No Black Friday deal ever does! Shop now from the comfort of your home. “Celebrate” your Black Friday online. Whether it’s on your computer or your phone, Black Friday could get a whole lot easier for you! You can do a little, some, or all online. But time’s a ticking! Act now!! And if you shop in person, PLEASE be safe!!


Halloween is Coming! Don’t Get “Curst” With Procrastination!

Hey everyone! We’re in the final homestretch of the summer season. And right after comes…that’s right. Autumn! Everyone is getting ready already; even my wife is already done decorating our house for the season! Stores are bringing out their sweaters and restaurants are busting out their pumpkin spice EVERYTHING! And it’s not even cool outside yet! Despite it feeling like it’s too early to get ready, in reality, it’s never too early. That being said, with the season of autumn comes the Holidays of Autumn. And the first major holiday is Halloween!

Halloween is coming! How are you getting ready?

Black lipstick from Curst Kosmetics; Halloween is coming

So if you’re like my wife and I (well…mainly my wife), you probably have your Halloween costume planned out by now (we planned on going as Cosmo and Wanda from “The Fairly Odd Parents.” Now it’s all about finding the right look for it. Do you plan on going as a witch? How about a vampire? Maybe Frankenstein or his bride?

Finding the right costume is one thing, but how about the Makeup? Maybe instead of going the typical “face paint” route, try mixing things up a bit. If you’re going as somebody haunting, you may wanna “Get Curst” with a haunting appearance. I’m talking Makeup that will Cast a Spell on anyone at any Halloween party. Or costume contest judge. Or simply just neighbors will lots of candy and goodies to give out!

Speaking of neighbors and their candy and goodies, be sure you’re stocking up on plenty of it! Walmart and Target will pretty much be your best friends. And so will all the trick or treating kids when they realize that you have the best candy!

Now remember, Halloween doesn’t have to be all about the kids. For those planning on doing a “trunk-or-treat,” you can have candy for the kiddos, and maybe a Glass of Wine for the adults. Maybe parties are your thing. Do it up with some exciting things such as games, costume contests, and spooky music. And maybe even Class Things Up with Some Nice Fine Wine.

Now’s the time! Get yourself ready, before it’s too late!

“Procrastination Station” has been something I’ve been familiar with since high school (not proud of it haha). I think others are in the same boat. But here’s a time to act now. Be prepared! Halloween will be here before you know it; and you’ll be shopping for candy, a costume, and party favors, all on the day before Halloween! Don’t be THAT person!! Prepare now while you have the chance. And thank me later!


Summer Vacation: Start Planning That Vacay!

Hey everyone! Summer is just weeks away! Schools are out almost completely nation-wide (as a teacher, this really excites me)! It’s time to celebrate! Enjoy the gorgeous warm weather outside. There are a ton of things to do (but be mindful of safety during the pandemic). You can go to the beach or the pool. Or maybe an awesome Amusement Park. If possible, maybe you might wanna visit another country. Again, a ton of things you could do. Summer vacation time has arrived and it’s time to start planning it!

Visit an awesome amusement park!

One thing that I love to do for summer vacation with the family is go to an amusement park. Amusement parks are a lot of fun (hence the name) and there is always something for everyone.

CLICK HERE for some great amusement parks to check out!!

I can confidently say the first thing people think of when someone mentions amusement parks are the rides. Especially the roller coasters. As a roller coaster enthusiast, I can honestly tell you that those are the first thing I typically go for when visiting an amusement park. And in my opinion, the bigger they are, the better! We can’t forget about some cool carnival-style rides like the “pirate ship”, the “claw”, and other pendulum and spinning rides.

Not a fan of the rides? A lot of parks have some great shows. As someone who has a strong background in music, I love watching all the shows that involve singing, dancing, and playing instruments. But all in all, if the show is entertaining, like a 4-D movie or an exciting animal show, I’m all for it!

Not really into shows either? Ok cool. Everyone’s gotta eat, right? And I can’t think of a single amusement park that doesn’t have places where you can get something to eat. That’s just wrong! When you’re at a park for so long, you definitely need to fuel that body. At just about any park, you can find typical restaurants that serve burgers, fries, pizza, and ice cream (4 favorite comfort foods). You’ll also find a variety of other restaurants and food stands that serve other cuisines. There’s an awesome barbecue restaurant that my family and I always go to at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Learn more RIGHT HERE!

Hit up the beach!

Within the past couple of months, I’ve been noticing a growing trend of people going to the beach. Which can definitely be expected with the rising temperatures as summer approaches. It’s definitely a great way to spend time with loved ones and just get away from all the stress from work and everyday life.

What I like about the beach is that you don’t just have to do the typical thing and jump into the ocean. You can make fun of me all you want, but I’d much rather swim in a pool, than the ocean. Less chance of getting stung by a jellyfish or stepping on an urchin. Not trying to scare anyone, just letting you know what goes through my mind.

So besides swimming in the ocean, what other things can you do. Well, there’s the other typical activity in basking in the bright sun. Get that nice even tan you get every year. And of course, don’t forget the sunblock. There are enough crabs and lobsters there. No need to try to be one! Lol!

Some other great activities you can also do are beach volleyball, browse the boardwalk, go shopping, and yes, check out the restaurants. If you don’t bring your own food, definitely check out what your beach has to offer. Especially the seafood restaurants (that is if you’re not allergic). Crab cakes, crab legs, shrimp, and fried clams/oysters. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Traveling to another country

Normally, I wouldn’t recommend leaving the country during a global pandemic, but thankfully times are changing. Vaccines for COVID-19 are available world-wide and reported cases have been going down. So if you’re in a country not burdened by harsh travel restrictions, use your precious summer vacation time to travel to another country.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting another country 5 years ago when I went to Spain. I spent 10 days in the country with my university’s chamber choir. We began in Grenada and ended in Madrid (I like to call it “The Spanish NYC”). Some of the best 10 days of my life. Surrounded by great food, architecture, and culture. Loved it!

With these summer vacation plans, you’re gonna need a place to stay!

All three of these awesome plans for summer vacation all involve one particular thing: you’re gonna need a place to stay. Odds are you’re not gonna be near a family or friends place where you can “crash.” I mean, if you plan it that way, then yeah it’s possible. But let’s get in the mindset that you’re visiting a place that you’ve never been. Time to hit up those hotels! And I know a place to get some pretty great deals!

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So again, summer is just around the corner! What are YOU gonna do for your vacation? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be a blast!


The Ultimate Sacrifice for You and YOUR Sacrifice for You!

A belated Happy Easter to all of you! As many of us know, this is one of the most (if not THE most) important holidays out of the whole entire year. And it’s not because of the Easter Bunny. It’s because of the Holy One that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. Dying on The Cross and arising from The Dead three days later. The season of Lent reminds us of that sacrifice by forcing us to sacrifice something important to us for 40 days. Mine was chocolate and let me tell you; it wasn’t easy. It’s never easy.

Now there’s a reason why I brought up The Ultimate Sacrifice. Sometimes, we need to realize that making a sacrifice doesn’t always have to be associated with something negative. We all get attached to things that mean so much to us. But have you ever stopped to realize that sacrificing can be for your benefit (whether it be short-term or long-term)?

Sacrificing for YOUR benefit.

There are many ways you can sacrifice for your benefit. A really good example is giving up cigarettes. Though they’re bad for your health to begin with, the nicotine in cigarettes is addictive; to the point where they become near and dear to the people that smoke them. It won’t be an easy process, but making the sacrifice by giving them up would benefit anybody in the long run. You’ll breathe better, have less stains on your teeth and skin, and that smokey smell will no longer be in your clothes and hair.

Another good example is donating. People donate many things from clothes to hair. It can be easy to get attached to those types of things. But are they something that we all need. “But J, I love my hair.” “I need these clothes. What would I wear if I didn’t have them?” Totally get that! No one is telling you to shave your head. Just cut off about half (if not more). It’ll grow back. No one is telling you to give up ALL of your clothes. Just the ones you haven’t worn in five years. Plus, think about those that NEED those things. And think of it this way: Less hair to manage and more space in your closet. And you’ll get that warm feeling inside of knowing that you’ll be helping people in need. Benefits all around!

Sacrifice for financial freedom!

So I listed a couple sacrifices that can be common to so many of us in the world. There’s one main one that just about ANYBODY can identify with: sacrificing money.

We all have bills. A lot of us have kids. We all have to eat and survive, right? All of those things cost money. Now what if I told you that your sacrifice money can get you even more money? Would you be willing to make the sacrifice?

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How bad do you want it? What are you willing to do?

But it all comes down to these questions about financial freedom: How bad do you want it? What are you willing to do to get it? Ask yourself those questions…and then act on them. Make it your definite future! And remember: sacrifice is not always a bad thing!


St. Patty’s Day: Test your Luck…With THIS!

It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Or a some like to say “St. Patty’s Day.” Time to get out your green and avoid those pesky leprechauns. Don’t wanna get pinched! I’m not Irish, but it’s a pretty cool holiday. There’s really only one reason why I like it: My favorite color is green. Has been for the longest time.

I don’t really take part in any St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Don’t really go to parades and I’m not that much of a drinker. Some might be asking, “J, what the heck are you talking about? Drinking?” Yes indeed. Some people tend to get very inebriated (drunk) or just drink a lot of beer. No judgement at all. All I ask is that you all be careful if you’r going to partake in such festivities. And especially be mindful that we are still in a global pandemic.

If you’re not a big partier or drinker or partake in all of the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day, there’s still ways you can have a good time. One of them is going to an amusement park. Where there is fun for EVERYBODY!

Test your luck on these thrilling rides!

It’s a day to celebrate the luck of the Irish, right? Well, some of these amusement parks have some pretty cool rides (some new and some old) that you can easily “test your luck” on. In other words, you’ll basically see if you can handle the rides.

Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) is the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. Home to some of the worlds tallest, fastest, and greatest roller coasters. Two that immediately come to mind are Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force. The first is a 420-foot launch coaster going at speeds up to 120 mph. The other is a 305-foot giga coster (coaster that exceeds 300 ft.) with an amazing layout that riders travel at speeds exceeding 90 mph! Wanna test your luck with those?

CLICK HERE to see more roller coasters worth checking out!!

Maybe coasters aren’t really your thing and you’re more into carnival-style rides. I know of a new one that just opened recently in Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX). Dare Devil Flying Machines will have you flipping and flopping all about while you’re over five stories in the air. Those brave enough and with strong enough stomachs: Think you can handle it??

Check out more new attractions from parks around the world RIGHT HERE!!

No matter what you do on this day, just have fun!

Have fun on this day everyone. Even though we’re still in a pandemic, rejoice in what you have; whether it be your health, family, the necessities of life, or whatever it may be. Enjoy this day, everyone. Whether you’re Irish or not. And don’t forget to test that luck on those rides. That is…if you think you can handle it!


Valentine’s Day- Get Them Something Special!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re like my wife, you pretty much have your gift already picked out for your lover. If you’re like me, you probably did a little procrastinating. Which is fine! A lot of people put gift shopping off til the last minute. And Valentine’s Day is definitely no exception.

Struggling with what to get for that special someone in your life. There are so many ideas for gifts. If you’re like me and have simple tastes, you might not want anything specific. I’ve got quite the sweet tooth, so anything chocolatey or candy-related will put a smile on my face. My wife loves getting flowers from me and sometimes won’t let me get over the fact that I don’t give her enough of them (haha).

Maybe flowers and candy are a little bit too simple for you. You can always take things further with jewelry. They always do say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, right? Or if you’re a little strapped, maybe more like sterling silver or cubic zirconia. And let’s not forget the good old dinner and a movie. I would suggest going out, but with a pandemic, I can’t exactly do that. There are places open, but it’s not really safe. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you decide to stay in, cook up a nice steak, chicken, or fish dinner and finish it with a good movie.

Still a little bit too simple? Need something out of the ordinary? Not a problem. I think this next thing is what you may be looking for.

Give your Valentine the Gift of Wine!

Wine makes just about anything better. Pair it with that special steak, chicken, or fish dinner. Red or white? You can’t go wrong with either. Pour a nice glass to celebrate that special someone in your life. Or maybe you just need to unwind and relax in the company of your spouse. Whatever the scenario, wine can be the perfect way to spice up any situation. And can even serve as a great present.

But let’s not just talk about one bottle. Not two bottles. Not even three. But let’s talk about a membership that get you Free Wine EVERY SINGLE MONTH! That’s right. You just read that correctly. With this Incredible Wine Club, you can have the opportunity to have free wine delivered to your door every month. Now, I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an amazing gift! Especially for Valentine’s Day!

There Are Just Days Left! Act Now!

Like I said before. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Stores are going to be crazy busy; even in this crazy pandemic. I’d be getting my gifts now while I have the chance. And remember: FREE WINE! Too amazing to pass up!

Whatever you decide for a gift, I’m sure it’ll be the right one for your Valentine. Enjoy your day with your ones and I’ll check back soon!

Need to learn a little more about this Incredible Wine Club! CLICK HERE to get the “deets” (details for those unfamiliar with that term)!!


It’s A New Year! What Are You Gonna Do?

Good day everybody! Happy New Year! We have officially made it through 2020. That alone is something to scream and shout about. Needless to day, 2020 was a rough year for many. Global pandemic, hatred, and other things that just bring an overall negative. While I believe these things should definitely not be brushed under a rug, I want this to be a safe haven for positivity. And I wanna take time to talk about this brand new year and New Year’s resolutions.

Resolution 1: Becoming a healthier you!

What is one common New Year’s resolution that a lot of people commit themselves to? Health; more specifically, weight loss. I’m somebody who dedicates himself to working out at least 4-5 days. I typically go for a walk/run for about 20-30 minutes and do a strength-training workout for at least the same amount of time. With there being a global pandemic, I’m not really comfortable with going to a public gym (and I do recommend you avoid them as well), so I just work out at home. I do simple workouts such as push ups and squats. What I normally do is alternate between upper body and lower body workouts every day.

I get it. Working out isn’t exactly the most fun thing in the world. So why not make it fun. Go to You Tube and find a fun Zumba workout to burn some calories. If you’re looking to build some muscle, a cool idea would be to take a deck of cards and assign each number (or suit) a specific workout. For example, aces could be push ups, twos could be squats, threes could be burpees (I HATE doing those haha). This is a type of workout I do when I can’t make it to the gym. Stay tuned for one of my ‘deck of cards’ workouts.

Along with exercise, a necessary part of living a healthy lifestyle is the diet. I’m not gonna lie to you and say that I eat healthy 100 percent of the time. I eat a lot of healthy things such as enough protein, fruits, and vegetables. But I also snack on cookies and chips every now and then. You can have those guilty pleasures in moderation. And to help with those health-related resolutions (especially weight loss), try this Amazing Coffee and watch the fat melt away from your bodies. Not a coffee fan? This Special Hot Cocoa will give you the same results and also deliver in taste. Put yourself on the right path of achieving great health in 2021!

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Resolution 2: Financial security

new year

Financial freedom is something that everybody wants. Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about paying bills? Not having to worry about having money for things such as groceries and gas? Or even having enough money to pamper yourself with a mini-shopping spree or vacation? I’ll tell you that it’s possible. And here’s a solution I have.

On the side of being an educator full time, I also work everyday on this blog. I know what some of you are thinking: “Blogging? Been there, done that. Doesn’t work!” Honestly, anybody can blog. But this goes a little bit further than just blogging. We’re talking about the opportunity to tap into multiple streams of income. Who wouldn’t want that? Go and see how YOU can get into the art of Performance Blogging. Get one step closer to financial freedom. And help others achieve the same thing too!

Ready to take on 2021?

The new year is among us. Are you ready for it? Ready to achieve your goals and improve your way of life? I think we all are. And if we put our minds to it, we can definitely achieve it. 2020 is behind us and all we should do is look to the future. Let’s find ways to make this year ours!