Gardening at its Best
Let’s face it: We all want lush green lawns with lively plants and flowers blooming 365 days a year. It sounds simple,
Goldfish Pair Garden Fountain
but realistically, it is not easy for everyone. However, there is a trick to the trade that many people overlook – the use of fountains.
Not only do fountains spruce up the life around it, they add a sensational look and feel to existing gardens or areas in the lawn that are not quite up to par. The use of fountain landscaping is not a new craze; in fact, it is quite a traditional practice that has gained a renewed sense of popularity in the past few years. Talented manufacturers are also making it hard to resist the designs.
A simple search online will provide a variety of results for water, outdoor, indoor, wall, and garden fountains combined with unique, custom made statues as well. The recommended site is PlazaFountains.com, though. This online distributor features designs from well-known manufacturers, such as Henri Studios, Campania, Hunter Kenroy, and Adagio.
If you’re not familiar with the names, don’t worry – the designs speak for themselves. From resin fountains to brass creations sculptured in tiers or as a stand alone, these constructions will surely highlight the lawn.
So, if you’re concerned about producing the type of garden found at established garden museums, consider cheating a little with a fountain or statue that will catch the eye and shadow over the wilting buds that have plagued wanna-be green thumbs for years.
For more information about Plaza Fountains, browse PlazaFountains.com or contact a fountain consultant at 1-800-609-1650. As a premier distributor of fountain and statue products, Plaza Fountains is committed to providing quality, creative, and durable pieces of art to residential and commercial customers.
Keyword Article for PlazaFountains.com, July 2008
– Shannon Philpott
SEO: To Be A Kid Again
Keyword Article for PlazaFountains.com: October 2008
The truth hurts. I found this out first hand this week. After four hours chasing three eight-year olds through the City
Fairy Bronze Garden Statue
Museum, I realized that I’m not a kid anymore. Even though I kept up and climbed through the tunnels, slid down countless slides, and navigated through mazes, the truth is that I was exhausted, cynical, and feeling like the elder I never wanted to be.
So, I began to wonder if age downplays the simple joys of life. It is perfectly normal to change priorities and expectations, but does our sense of adventure have to die down as we get closer to the grave?
This beautiful museum decorated with fairy statues, wall art, and handmade climbing apparatuses that put me in awe as a child, only left me feeling old, worn out, and crabby. Did I appreciate the beauty of each fairy statue? No. I was too worried about my left knee giving out and planning a trip later in the day to the chiropractor. Did I look forward to the 10-story winding slides? No. I kept wondering if my bottom would recover quickly when I finally landed on a secure structure.
What is it in society that conditions us to dread the kid-like adventures that we used to live for? Is it the constant news reports of disease, ailments, and obesity that have made us too cautious? Is it the cynical view of childhood wonderlands, fairy statues, and magic wands that have forced us to grow up too fast and furious?
In a health conscious world, our attempts to regain youth are too far and few between and I’m beginning to understand why. There is a constant force to age us. For instance, in an attempt to increase my energy and enjoy an activity with my kids, we powered up the Wii console the day after the field trip that left me in grueling emotional and physical pain. One step on the Wii fitness scale and a short balance test later resulted that physically, I’m 15 years older than the age on my birth certificate. This reality check was a confirmation that maybe I can’t be a kid anymore. The days of visiting my grandparent’s garden fairy statues and pretending to be a part of the magic are long gone. The innocent youthful hopes are slowly crushed and put to rest.
How in the world can we, as a society, feel young again when every attempt to be a kid is crushed or discouraged? Our fairy statues are simply grown up statues with “expected” norms and protocols to follow. Family responsibilities, bills, jobs, money woes, and “normal” adult activities await us, leading us to middle age and worse yet.
Even though I may tire easily and age unnecessarily according to Wii Fit’s criteria, if getting old means I have to follow the straight and narrow, cautious trail of those that are leading the race to the grave, then count me out. I want to be a kid again.
About PlazaFountains.com:
Plaza Fountains is an independently owned commercial fountain consulting firm and distributor of residential and commercial garden fountains.
– Shannon Philpott
Don’t be a Visual Showroom Only: Showcase the Text, Too
Ever think about what attracts consumers to a website? More often than not, it is photos, multimedia elements such as video, audio, and flash effects, and colorful graphics. But, after the glory of these components wear off in a mere 30 seconds, most consumers move on if the copy doesn’t measure up.
Graphics and multimedia elements grab attention, but the text is what holds the consumer. This is a common mistake that website builders make. They put more emphasis on the visuals and then slap a few paragraphs of poorly written copy around it. Big Mistake! The text is the core of the site – it guides the reader, it offers explanations, descriptions, and most importantly, informs the site visitor. A web site must be a resource first and a sales showroom second which means that web site builders must invest the time and money into powerful copy. Continue reading
All Consumers Want is Colorful Love this Valentine’s Day
PRESS RELEASE: (PRWEB) February 6, 2007
In a world where commercialized expressions of love surround the month of February, consumers now have 
a natural way to express random acts of kindness. Ideas for gifts have included chocolate and jewelry in the past, but now lovebirds are looking for colorful keepsakes to present messages of joy, hope and faith for a peaceful future.
(PRWEB) February 6, 2007 – As Valentine’s Day approaches and red, beaming hearts adorn the windows of retailers nationwide, the question remains: “Why is red associated with the holiday of cupid?” Red and pink decorations have been deemed appropriate because these colors produce loving emotional responses, even known to increase heart rates in earnest of newfound happiness. The psychology of color has been known to have an influencing effect on moods, even appetites. What better way to promote happiness than to splash colors with tranquilizing energies everywhere on the most romantic day of the year?
In a society consumed with war, violence and crime, a little bit of mood-altering happiness may be just what cupid ordered. In observance of the upcoming holiday for lovers, one web-based retailer has devoted an entire product line inspired by the psychology of color to promote hope, joy and love, launching appropriately on Valentine’s Day. According to founder Kevin Vidal, “Everyone wants love. Love Electra will remind the purchaser and those who see our products and website that there is a loving way to view life and the world that we live in.”
The online store offers message t-shirts for any happy occasion equipped with clearing energy for healing. After carefully selecting colorful combinations that radiate and trigger positive energies, Vidal’s staff performs energy clearing to remove any negative energies lurking within the material. The practice of energy clearing rids space clearing destructive energies, a key ingredient of Feng Shui.
Products produced by utilizing the psychology of color with energy clearing techniques have become popular among individuals who seek change from the harmful agents looming in society. Vidal said the website strives to promote an atmosphere of love and tranquility with hopes that members will benefit from inspiring articles, daily quotes, blogs, horoscopes, and connections made with love-minded individuals who appreciate American diversity artwork spreading messages of peace and hope. “We believe that there is a market for promoting love and will seize the opportunity to promote that concept as assertively as Ford promotes the F150 truck,” Vidal said.
The psychology of how color effects mood may be subjective, however the romantic quest for happiness is clearly objective in the eyes of consumers rushing out to find the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day.
For more information on love-inspired products, please visit http://www.loveelectra.com on its Valentine’s Day debut.
About Loveelectra.com:
Founder Kevin M. Vidal worked in systems consulting for more than 10 years before leaving his lucrative career behind to address the lack of love, faith and hope in a world filled with violence, conflict, war and division. He was inspired to launch Loveelectra.com and love-inspired products with forums for consumers seeking inspirations guided by love.
– Shannon Philpott
About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and professor, freelance writer, author and mom. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, this site, focused on writing, reflecting and teaching, offers a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration, as well as my published stories on just about every possible topic.
Feel free to browse my sample works including feature news, magazine, and web copywriting pieces from the past and present. You can also pick up my new book “Screen-Free Fun: 400 Activities for the Whole Family” now available. Check back often for daily updates, blog entries, and additional stories. Feel free to contact me directly at shphilpott@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter, or grab tips for Screen-Free Fun on our Facebook page. Comments are welcome!
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 