Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

'Tis the season of Starbuck's PSLs! While PSLs are yummy in the tummy, they're no fun on your wallet. Check out this copy cat recipe to stay in budget this fall!



What You'll Need:

2 cups of 2% or whole milk
2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree
1 to 3 tablespoon of sugar (depends on how sweet you like it)
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup of strong, hot cofee
whipped cream (for garnish)
cinnamon stick (for garnish)

What You'll Need to Do:

Ad milk, pumpkin, puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
Heath until hot, but not not boil.
Remove the sauce pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin spice, and coffee.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick
ENJOY!


The Truth About Workplace Bullying

'Bullying' has become a buzz word and hot top in our schools and in relation to our children in recent years. What we fail to recognize is that adults can also be targets of bullying, most often in the workplace.




WHAT IS WORKPLACE BULLYING?

Workplace bulling can be defined as a persistent pattern of mistreatment from others in the workplace that causes physical or emotional harm. It can include such tactics as verbal, nonverbal, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and humiliation.



HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM CHILDHOOD BULLYING?

Workplace aggression is particularly difficult because, unlike the typical school bully, workplace bullies often operate within the established rules and policies of their organization.

HOW CAN I SPOT  WORKPLACE BULLYING?

Because workplace bullying can occur in a variety of context and form, it is important to look for the key features that bullying behavior posses. Bullying can be characterized by:

  • Repetition (occurs regularly)
  • Duration (in enduring)
  • Escalation (increasing aggression)
  • Power disparity
  • Attributed intent
The bullying can be covert or overt, and is often missed by superiors.

ABOUT THE VICTIM

The common misconception is that, like schoolyard bullying, the targets of workplace bullying are loners or "weird" or people who don't fit in. In fact, the reverse is true. People become targets because something about them is threatening to the bully. Often the targets of workplace bullying are the more skilled workers, workplace veterans, or employees that are just liked better by their co-workers. 

ABOUT THE BULLY

Two traits found is workplace bullies is that they are skilled at manipulating and controlling. They tend to see everything as a competition and don't feel adequate enough to compete on their own merits. Therefore, they bully as an attempt to feel more powerful.



HOW WORKPLACES ARE FAILING

The workplace bully works hard to create the perception that they are strong by putting down and blaming others. Often the boss of the bully knows the bully is disliked, but thinks that the organization cannot do without them and makes allowances. The bullying, instead of being categorized as what it is, is often framed as a 'personality conflict.'

CONSEQUENCES 

The victim often ends up with no other choice but to leave. Research as show that the vast majority of targets eventually leave. It is almost a certain guarantee that the cycle will repeat itself.


The consequence the company faces is possible litigation, high employee turnover rates, the costs of hiring and training a new employee, and increased absences (to name a few).  



STATISTICS

Nearly half of American workers (49%) report that they have been affected by workplace bullying, either having been a target themselves or having witnessed abusive behavior against a co-workers. Men are more likely to participate in aggressive bullying behavior (60%); however, when the bully is a woman her target is more likely to be a woman as well (71%).



No state has an anti-bullying law for the workplace and at this time, there is no plan to create a federal law to address workplace bullying. Only 20% of workplace bullying suits or claims fall under the anti-discrimination law. In order to claim a hostile work environment, the victim or target of the mistreatment must be a member of a protected status group - race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, or disability. For example, if you are a white female being bullied by a white female you are not protected under the law. 




Workplace bullying is mostly psychological and verbal. Most laws protect against acts and threats of physical violence. Therefore, bullying that is only verbal and not physical is completely legal.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Co-workers who witness bullying  help make a change. Check out 6 Steps to Take If You See Workplace Bullying. You can also help get the Workplace Wellness Bill passed. Speak up! The bullying not only affects the victim, but the victim's co-workers as well.


If you are being bullied at work start by naming it- bullying, physiological harassment, psychological violence, emotional abuse. Naming the problem offsets the effect of being told that since your problem is not illegal, you cannot possibly have a problem. The Workplace Bullying Institute offers additional steps as to what to do if you find yourself a victim of workplace bullying.








Five on Friday 10.13.17

//1// The Disappearance of Maura Murray.

I found this show on the Oxygen network a couple of weeks ago and it is SO.GOOD.



Maura Murray disappeared at the age of 21 on the evening of February 9, 2004 after a single car crash on Route 112 in Haverhill, New Hampshire. Murray was a nursing student at U Mass Amherst. On the afternoon of February 9, before she left campus, she e-mailed her professors and work supervisor saying that she was taking a week off  due to a death in her family. No one in her family has been able to confirm a family death. Police initially treated her case as a missing-persons investigation because they felt she wanted to disappear. This was due to her travel prep and no obvious evidence of foul play. Others believe she was abducted. Maura has been missing for 13 years and has never been found.


Journalist and public radio producer Maggie Frelend was able to secure interviews with Maura's family members and other key players in the disappearance which podcasters and armchair detectives have been trying to do for years.


Speaking of podcasts, there's one out there called 'Missing Maura Murray'. It's terrible, skip it, and watch the show instead.


//2// Fit.Fab.Fun. My sister has been trying to get me on the Fit, Fab, Fun subscription box train for awhile. So, when I got an offer for a mini box for $2 I figured, why not? I acutally got some really cute stuff!




//3//  “Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” 
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf




//4// Battle of the Sexes is a must see. It's amazing how in 2017 we're fighting for the same things we fighting for back in the 1970s. Hmmm. #foodforthought





//5// Kate Middleton made her first public appearance on October 10 after announcing she is pregnant with Royal Baby #3 and was yet again suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. An aide did tell the press she is still suffering from the condition, but is improving. Kate stepped out in honor World Mental Health Day at a special Buckingham Palace reception to honor those working in the mental health field. Check out her tiny baby bump!











Wedding Wednesday: Nikki Gets Married!

My friend Nikki married her beau Kenton on September 30. It was great to celebrate the couple, hang out with friends, and have a reason to get dressed up!














It was a beautiful sunny day in the upper 60s! 




Everything was so elegant. 


My forever date!


My dress is Cynthia Rowley (from Rent the Runway!)





I love how Nikki and Kenton complement each other. Having been married for nearly 10 years, it's exciting to see someone starting at the beginning. It reminds me and Nick of when we first got married, and all the excitement that went with being newlyweds!




I'm so blessed to have these friends here in Michigan. They make it feel a little bit more like home.


Eye Shadow 101: Choosing the Right Shade

Picking the right shade of eye shadow can be hard, but the secret lies in the color of your eyes...

IF YOU HAVE BLUE EYES

Warm, golden tones offset blue eyes so they look more vibrant. Rose gold gives a sexy pop when dressing up, and a light sandy color is the most neutral option. 


A Cute Angle's Product Pick:






IF YOU HAVE HAZEL EYES

A gold or bronze shade will enhance the green in hazel eyes. A mint green or grassy green will make hazel eyes seem more golden. Pick which color you want to bring out.


A Cute Angle's Product Pick: 
MAC Dazzle Shadow in I Like to Watch



IF YOU HAVE BROWN EYES

Brown eyed girls can pull of any color shadow. A cool icy, silver or a blue will accent the warmth of brown eyes.

A Cute Angle's Product Pick:




IF YOU HAVE GREEN EYES

Red based colors such a pink and purple make already sparkling green eyes even brighter! Bold pinks can look harsh, so stick with pale pinks. Violet flatters all skin tones.

A Cute Angle's Product Pick: