This weekend is full of local fun - keep scrolling to see what's happening!

Trash Tournament

Saturday, August 21st, 6:30 AM - 2 PM

Come out to Bing's Landing for the Flagler Sport Fishing Club 2021 Trash Tournament! You can sign up for the tournament online by clicking here, where you can also find more information about the event, including rules, prizes, and more!

Flagler Strong Family Fun Day

Saturday, August 21st, 9:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Come out to Flagler Strong Family Day at Veteran's Park, in Flagler Beach, on Saturday, August 21st, from 9 AM to 1 PM.Flagler Strong Family Day will include the Flagler Strong booth with hurricane preparedness packets, information on becoming a volunteer, Flagler Strong shirt sales, distribution of Flagler Strong hurricane supply wish list, a meet and greet with Flagler Beach's First responders and City Officials, a live DJ, Kona Ice Truck, family friendly games, and so much more!

Time to Bowl

Saturday, August 21st, 6 - 8 PM

Come to Palm Coast Lanes on August 21st from 6-8 PM to bowl! It's $10, which includes your shoes. Please RSVP to Carol (386-341-9298) by August 18th!

Back to School Fundraiser

Sunday, August 22nd, 9 AM - 12 PM

A back-to-school event is a time to bring staff, and perhaps students, parents and community members, together to reconnect after the summer break at an upbeat and enthusiastic gathering. A back-to-school event is a great time to thank employees for their dedication to their jobs and remind them of the importance of the role each plays in student success. This back to school fundraising Dance-A-Thon is taking place at Fitness One at 250 Old Kings Road South.

Have a great weekend!

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |   @REOceanside

Getting better sleep. We all know that we need it, but do you know exactly why? Sleep is an altered state of consciousness in which we have minimal interactions with our surroundings and environmental stimuli. It might seem counter-intuitive, but our brains are quite active during sleep, carrying out a wide range of crucial functions.

These functions are essential to every single process that occurs in your body. This is why sleep has the power to enhance your mental and physical functions, your ability to fight pathogens and disease, and even boost your metabolism. Sleep governs every aspect of human health, and without it, we leave our bodies at risk of developing a host of ailments and chronic diseases.

It is common knowledge that things like caffeine affect our sleep patterns, while healthy foods—especially those containing protein and slow-release carbohydrates—can promote restful sleep at night. Lesser known is the fact that the lighting in your home and your bedroom can significantly affect your ability to get a good night’s rest too.

But how much light is too much light? How dark should our bedrooms be to promote optimal sleep every night? When should we be turning our lights off and settling in for the evening? This blog will help to answer these questions and more.

1. The Importance of Darkness in Getting Better Sleep

There is simply no way around it. Exposure to light at night disrupts your circadian rhythms and thus, your sleep patterns as well. When your circadian rhythm gets disrupted, you can experience symptoms ranging from fatigue and forgetfulness to anxiety and even depression.

Specialized light therapy can encourage a circadian rhythm reset, which may help improve your sleep and symptoms related to sleeplessness. Many studies have shown the benefits of light therapy for people with depression and sleep disorders. But light therapy should be conducted with the guidance of a professional for best results.

When it comes to optimizing your own sleep environment, your bedroom should be completely dark at night. And ideally, you should not expose yourself to any light even if you do wake during the night. If external light filters in through your windows, you can address this by using blackout curtains and room darkening blinds. These window dressings have the added benefit of keeping your room cool in summer, and insulating it in winter.

If you wake up in the early hours to use your restroom, it is alright to have a small, relatively dim night light in your bedroom to guide you to the door.

2. The Low-Down on Reading Before Bed

Thousands of people nestle into bed each night with a good book in hand. Reading in bed is a relaxing and highly enjoyable activity that can settle your mind after a rushed workday, but there are rules you need to know.

If you suffer from insomnia, reading at night can worsen the condition. If you spend your time in bed reading, watching television, playing mobile games, or browsing social media, you could be creating a psychological association between being in bed and being active. These activities also expose you to large amounts of light, which signals your brain that it is daytime and time to be alert.

You can help to address your insomnia by temporarily postponing your reading in bed. Think of your bedroom as an oasis of calm and keep it just for sleeping until you have corrected your sleeping patterns.

3. Light Levels and Wavelengths

Light levels and wavelengths are also crucial for proper sleep, and there are several aspects of adequate lighting that you should know about.

Higher light levels, measured in lux, or light intensity, suppress your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleeping patterns. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid bright light exposure before bed to maintain your natural sleep cycle.

The wavelengths of light you are exposed to are important too. Shorter wavelengths, also known as ‘blue light’, can suppress melatonin and make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Our primary sources of blue light today are the lights emitted by LED lights, our smartphones, tablets, and TVs.

Longer wavelengths of light, or ‘red light’, does not affect melatonin. This means that installing red lights or dim lights in your bedroom and using them at night before you go to bed may promote more restful, high-quality sleep.

4. When to Turn Off the Lights

Everyone has a uniquely individual preference for when they like to go to bed. We all have our own circadian rhythms, and these play a huge role in our night-time routines and preferences.

The simplest way to gauge when you should turn off your lights is to do so when you feel naturally ready to fall asleep. That is the best and simplest signal that it is time for bed.

5. Using a Light Box for Light Therapy

Depending on how severe your sleep issues and circadian rhythm disruptions are, light therapy can take place either in the morning, just after waking, or in the early evening before you begin to feel fatigued.

Light therapy demands the use of a specialized light box that should be placed 16-24 inches away from your face. The light should reach your eyes, but you should not be looking directly at or into the box. The good news is that you are welcome to read, browse the internet, or even watch TV during the therapy sessions.

The most important aspect of light therapy is to expose yourself to the light box for a specific and set amount of time. Your sessions could range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the intensity of the light and what your physician recommends. It is important to be consistent, as you may only begin to see improvements within a few days or even weeks.

Get Those Zzzz’s

The quality and intensity of the lighting in your bedroom can make or break your quality of sleep each night.

Following the above tips will ensure that you create the ideal environment for a good night’s rest. Ensure that you have the correct type of mattress for your needs, bedding that keeps you at a comfortable temperature, and pillows that offer adequate support.

With these things in place, a better night’s sleep is almost guaranteed!

 Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Then you came to the right place!

Sheperd Fest

Friday, August 13th - Sunday, August 15th

Shepard Fest is the 1st annual festival where everyone can come together to celebrate and explore the life and works of the great American playwright and actor, Sam Shepard. Held Friday-Sunday, August 13-15, 2021. Shepard’s career spanned half a century. He won ten Obie Award for writing and directing; the most won by any writer or director. He wrote 44 plays as well as several books of short stories, essays, and memoirs. Shepard received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Buried Child in 1979. And, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of pilot Chuck Yeager in the 1983 film The Right Stuff. The three-day festival includes a full production, screenings, staged readings and academic panel discussions. The Late Henry Moss will be performed at 8:00pm on August 13 & 14, 2021. Academic Panels and Staged Readings, as well as screenings will be on August 14 & 15, 2021.

Second Saturday Plant Sale

Saturday, August 14th, 10 AM - 2 PM

On the Second Saturday of every month, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park hosts a Plant Sale from 10 AM. to 2 PM. The park offers a variety of rare and beautiful plants for sale, as well as an activity at 11:00 AM. Guests can view the beauty of the state park while also enjoying the sale. The event is hosted by the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, a community-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect, promote, and provide interpretation at Washington Oaks Gardens and Faver-Dykes State Park. Admission to this event is free. However, regular park entrance fees apply $5 per vehicle with up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians/bicyclists.

8th Annual Back to School Bash

Saturday, August 14th, 11 AM - 2 PM

FREE fun, food and games for the entire family. Come grab some needed school supplies.

Around the World Gala

Saturday, August 14th, 6:00 PM

Around the World Gala - an exciting evening with dinner and dancing. Come and let us take you around the world as our students will be dancing through different parts of the world. Enjoy elegant atmosphere, delicious dinner, champagne reception and of course lots of social dancing to your favorite tunes. Great idea for a dress up date night. $95 pp all included. Limited seating.
To RSVP, please text or call 516-658-5972.

Have a great weekend!

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |   @REOceanside

The start of the new school year can be a busy and hectic time in your home, rushing to get the kids ready for school and yourself for the workday. Wouldn’t it be nice if your weekdays didn’t feel like such a rush? Fortunately, they don’t have to be. With your schedule filling up with work, school, and extracurricular activities, having a neat, organized home will help take away the stress of your busy weekdays. Here are few areas of your home that can be organized in easy, cost-effective way to keep the house in order during the school year.

Home entryway

Your front door will open and close numerous times throughout the day with your family members hustling to get to their next destination which can quickly create a cluttered entryway. You can bring order to this area with some simple – and inexpensive – solutions.  The easiest option is the addition of hooks for hanging coats, bags and purses. But you can take your entry decor to the next level by adding pieces like cubes and shelves.

There are a lot of different entryway ideas out there, but we love these Ikea hacks – which keeps the project affordable while making it look like a top-of-the-line job. But regardless how you decide to design it, creating order out of this household “dumping ground” will save your time – and bring some sanity back to your home.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and where your family often kicks off their days. With everyone in a rush to get out the door to get their day started, it’s important to keep the family’s central meeting area in-order for an efficient beginning of the day.

One thing that can keep things orderly is to delegate counter or table space to lay out everyone’s lunch – that way it’s not strewn all over the kitchen. You can also purchase mini chalk or dry erase boards to label each lunch by name for a quick grab-n-go lunch area. You may also want to consider organizing your fridge shelves and cabinets by type of food and portioning those items into the sizes for lunches. This way, everyone can just “grab and go” rather than having to assemble everything each morning.

Study Area

After a long day of learning, the kids will need a neat, quiet place where they can sit and do their homework. A study area can be set up in any room of the house that has available space. While the kitchen table is always a go-to for doing homework, there are a lot of creative ways to give the kids their own space. Leaning desks are narrow enough to fit in tight spaces, often providing both a desk space as well as shelving for supplies. There are also creative ways of converting small spaces (and even closets) into home office space – which can be used by the entire family. Check out Remodelholic’s clever closet offices!

Laundry Room

The laundry room can often be the messiest, and smelliest, room in the house. With everyone constantly on the move, your laundry room can become cluttered with dirty clothes, sports equipment and cleaning supplies. There are a few simple things to bring order to the chaos:

1. Assign a different laundry basket for each family member so you can tell who is in the most need for a clean batch of laundry
2. If you have cabinets or counter space in your laundry room, consider sectioning them off with dividers to separate the variety of items that fill the room (i.e. laundry detergent and softeners, sports equipment, house cleaning supplies, etc.).
3. If you don’t have counter space available, purchase a wooden slab to place on top of your washer and dryer – instant counter space!  
4. Hanging racks provide additional storage space and organization.

Keeping your home organized can help you take a little stress out of your day and have a happy Back-to-School season!

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Realty Executives International.

Have you ever thought about tying the knot in your own backyard, or offering it up to someone in need of a wedding venue? Saying “I do” in a place close to your heart certainly has its advantages. Still, pulling it off without a hitch requires some special planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning or hosting a backyard wedding.

Define Roles

There are many reasons to opt for a backyard wedding over a traditional venue, including a more informal vibe. While hosting one may appeal to the DIYer in you, be realistic about your to-do list. How long would it take to make centerpieces, place cards, and gift bags for everyone invited? Do you know who to call for rentals, catering, and entertainment? Planning a wedding is serious business so don’t hesitate to call in the pros.

Choose a Theme

When it comes to backyard weddings, choosing a theme should be one of your first priorities. Why not play off your beautiful outdoor space? Think of adding floral accents or greenery to your backyard décor for a botanical touch. If you’ve set the date for an autumn wedding, opt for rustic details like twine and seasonal gourds for good measure. This is your moment to go all in on inspiration for a truly memorable event.

Dazzle Your Guests

Outdoor events make the most of natural lighting, especially for daytime events at the height of summer. If your big day is scheduled toward evening, do not forget to create a dazzling display of glowing lights for continued festivities! If your backyard consists of several wide-open spaces, consider arranging string lights en masse for a phantom structural effect. Other options like floating candles, lanterns or luminous strands add the final touch to a perfect evening.

Perfect the Landscaping

When was the last time you put your backyard under a microscope? It may be fine for an impromptu barbeque, but a wedding is a category all its own. You may have guessed that lawn care requires maintenance and possibly improvements before the big shebang. Start looking at your grass and gravel so you can fill in bare or thin spaces ahead of the event. Your yard may need patch repair or long-term treatment for picture-perfect results, so start early. Finally, make a note to turn off the sprinklers during the event!

Get Permission

People are used to entertaining at home though they rarely invite the whole neighborhood. For that reason, it’s easy to forget about permits when hosting at home. Check with your local county or municipality to see what’s required before going ahead with any plans. As for potential incidents with guests, vendors, or other mishaps, understanding the legalities ahead of time is never a bad idea.

Expect the Unexpected

In a perfect world, we would all get married under sunny skies with a gentle breeze. Although weather is often a gamble that cannot be controlled, you can always have a backup plan if mother nature chooses not to cooperate. If your heart is set on hosting the event completely outdoors, consider opting for tent or canopy solutions. These can provide shade during the warmer times of the day and protection from rain or cool breezes in the evenings. Not to mention, this dedicated space can be decorated to create the ultimate romantic setting for any backyard wedding.

Back to Basics

Sometimes, event planning is about more than just beauty. For example, is your backyard as flat as a Kansas cornfield? As silly as it sounds, both dancefloor setup and guest seating depend on level ground. Companies specializing in outdoor events can help you with logistics as well as related rentals so be sure to ask plenty of questions early on.

Extra Accommodations

Hosting an event at home may seem like an idyllic plan (and indeed, it is!), but what might not cross your mind is all the services that go along with it. For example, have you thought about bathroom accommodations for all your guests? How about a generator for the extra electricity needed? Is there ample parking in your neighborhood, and do you need to consider valet or shuttle services? Your caterer may also need to make special arrangements for prep, cooking, and timely serving. For as many upsides as there are to hosting your own backyard bonanza, it does have its challenges.

Safety Considerations

There are a few safety issues to consider when hosting an event on your own property. For one thing, added insurance may not be a bad idea. Think of it this way: dozens of people passing through for a backyard wedding is not business as usual. Review your existing policies and talk to your insurance broker about what protections you will want to have in place. It may also be wise to cover your pool and limit your home’s entry. While accidents are unlikely, you’re better off covering all your bases.

Spread the Word

Another way to prepare for your big event is by politely letting the neighbors know ahead of time. That way, they’ll be able to make their own plans with ample notice or avoid scheduling home repairs on the same day. Obviously, there is no way to block out all ambient noise or mute your neighbors- that is part of the package when it comes to at-home weddings. However, it is still smart and considerate to communicate regularly for minimal intrusion.

Final Thoughts

Hosting a backyard wedding can be the chance of a lifetime. Make sure you are in the know about what needs to happen to pull off a memorable day. From permits to perennials and everything in between, careful planning is key. Best of luck with your backyard bash!