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Graduation - A Magnificent Accomplishment

Graduation from high school is exciting, it is a magnificent accomplishment, but it can also be a bit terrifying. Terrifying you say, how is that possible?  I’ve looked forward to this moment for years; to finally be out on my own, making my own choices, running my own show. 

That’s the terrifying part, the time has come.  You’re going to be deciding about what to do next.  You have lots of options.

Certainly, college as an option has come up, but college isn’t for everyone right?  Wrong.  College is education past high school and includes various kinds of certificates, apprentice programs, technical training, an associate, or bachelor’s degree.   College is for everyone if that is what you want.  If money is an issue, there are federal grants, state scholarships and special programs for certain skilled areas.  Check out Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and other ideas at https://www.arkansasnext.com/

If you need some ideas about high paying skilled professions that don’t require a four-year degree, arkansasnext.com can also hook you up with jobs that are hot right now at https://www.arkansasnext.com/

For the last few years, the top in demand jobs for high, moderate, and basic skill levels have remained consistent in Arkansas.  Jobs range all the way from financial managers to personal care aides.  In demand means that there are openings now and expected in the future, which increases your chance to land one.  Keep up with the Hot 45, In Demand Jobs, Top 10 Jobs According to Education Level at http://www.discover.arkansas.gov/Career-Watch

If more school is not what you are looking for, the military is a good option that trains you and gives you money for more education later.  Entering the work force immediately works for people who just aren’t sure right now.

Whatever you choose, there are some things that you will not miss about high school.

• All the drama…enough said.
• Trying to fit in. Be yourself and have fun.
• Cliques aren’t a thing anymore. You pick who you hang out with.
• You never have to see your classmates again. Unless you want to😊 

You don’t have to have the rest of your life planned out right now, but you do need a place to start.  Pick one and get started.  Good Luck!!!

Activities That Are Fun And FREE!

You have some time on your hands.  Whether it is for spring break or the weekend, what are you going to do?  What’s out there that is free and fun?  In and around Conway, the answer is lots!

For the Outdoor Adventure Types:

Lucky for us, we live in what’s called the Natural State.  That means that there is so much free living outside of our car or our home that we may not be aware of.  Don’t under-estimate the value of sunshine, fresh air, or creation.  These outdoor spaces are within 30 minutes of Conway.  You may enjoy walking, biking, swimming, sunbathing, frisbee golf, volleyball, hiking, mountain biking and more.   

• Tucker Creek Walking/Bike trail
• Beaverfork Lake
• Lake Conway
• Cadron Settlement Park
• Bell Slough State Wildlife Refuge
• Woolly Hollow State Park 

You can Google each site to see what’s available at each area or https://www.alltrails.com/ is a website or free app that you can download for your phone with information about trails close by.  It gives details about the length and difficulty for each trail.

For the History Buffs:

• Faulkner County Museum

Located on the Historic Faulkner County Courthouse Grounds, the museum showcases items from Faulkner County prehistory and history as well as maintains six major types of collections, including archival and documentary materials, art by Faulkner County artists, a teaching collection, an image collection, a research and reference collection, and a collection of historic and prehistoric objects. 

• Pickles Gap Village

An interesting little stop along Highway 65 North of Conway. It has a petting zoo, a fudge shop, an antique store, a gun/knife store, and stocks supplies for all your quilting/crafting needs.

• Cadron Settlement Park

Located on AR-319 W off Highway 64; facilities include the Blockhouse restoration, the Cherokee Trail of Tears, a historical mural of this pioneer settlement, markers, and interpretive signs. Cadron Settlement Park is a National Historic site because of its French trading post roots.

For the Art Lovers:

• Baum Art Gallery at UCA is an educational art museum that features national and international touring exhibitions, sponsor juried student shows, and cooperates across disciplines to curate original exhibits distinctly suited to an academic environment. Check online for a list of current and upcoming exhibits.

For the Science Minded:

• The Dr. Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium, located on the UCA Campus, serves as an astronomy and science education resource center for central Arkansas. The planetarium is part of the outreach component of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It supports astronomy teaching on campus and offers planetarium shows to school groups and the public.  Check online for public showing dates and times.

Miscellaneous Activities:

• The Faulkner County Library offers our teens and tweens opportunities through literacy and education that will encourage the use of imagination, creativity, and intellectual freedom. Check our online calendar for upcoming activities.

Use https://conwayscene.com/ to stay informed about events happening in and around Conway with this online calendar.

Have fun checking out all the fun free things to do!  Remember that some activities may be suspended due to COVID-19 so be sure to check with each.

Accessories 101

Although accessories are not the main affair, they sure can be a lot of fun and add just the right amount of zest to your outfit.  2021 brings a few new twists and resurrects some old favorites.  Enjoy!

Slipper shoes - a comfortable, anti-fashion shoe is spring’s most unusual proposition

Exotic wraps – a new way to layer without losing comfort or elegance

Market Totes and Straw Bags - humble and handmade in everything from recycled t-shirts to macramé

Hi-top Sandals - equally provocative and walkable, demure or vampish, depending on how you style them

Phone Lanyards – a necessity for the forgetful ones, phones never to be left at home again

Face Masks - not going anywhere anytime soon, designers are adding flair like filters, chains, and bows.

Simple, Medium-Size Bags - in basic colors—black, white, red—and classic silhouettes, these are anti-trend bags

Water Bottles and Holders - one of the easiest ways for us to reduce our environmental impact is to give up single-use plastics, made easier by the snappy bottles and holders

Organza Scrunchies – soft and feminine flair for the hair

Ultra-wide Headbands – not just for athletics anymore and the colors add a special kind of pop

Head Scarves – Thelma and Louise would be proud, but scarves are not just for riding with the top down anymore

Beaded Headbands – fun animal prints and other themes like the cosmos and rainbow hues.

Braided Headbands – elegance for your hair, pulling together your outfit

Western Hats – bring out your inner cowgirl and top off the look with western boots

Mini Jaw Clips – they’re back and just as cute as ever, arrange anywhere throughout the hair with reckless abandon

Claw Clips – with dainty, delicate details and in pretty golden finishes

Colorful Beads - like the ones you made at summer camp, but way more chic

Mismatched Earrings – a great way to keep wearing the earrings you lost the match for and your looking fly

Charms – for your bracelets and necklaces, a great way to express yourself

Pendants – big chains are here to stay, but make sure yours stands out even more with a large pendant

Pearls – seriously updated and with some interesting new looks

Double Ball Earrings - stylish from the front or back

Super Long Necklaces and Pendants – if chokers aren’t your thing, you’ll love these, wear over everything

How To Be A True Friend

To have good friends, you need to be a good friend.  Sounds simple enough, right, but what does that look like?  Read on to find out about the top traits of a true friend.

Be Reliable — Being reliable builds trust – your friends should know that they can count on you to keep your word, be there when you’ll say you’ll be, and do what you say you’ll do.   Reliability shows respect.

Listen & Be Nonjudgmental — Non–judgmental listening means listening for understanding, putting your own views aside. Be careful not to criticize or judge the person who you are listening to.  Accept them for who they are and accept the things that they are struggling with.

Be Authentic — Authenticity is about staying true to yourself.  Showing your ‘colors’ no matter what.  An authentic person puts their friends around them at ease, in a comforting way and makes them feel as if they are at home.

Be Trustworthy — Be someone who is honest.  Be someone that can be entrusted with a friend’s personal knowledge and can be counted on not to share it with anyone else.   Trustworthiness is considered one of the most important traits of true friendship.   Others don’t need someone who is going to agree with them all the time.  They want and need that special friend who can be trusted to be upfront and to tell them what they are really thinking.

If you have friends, make sure that they know how much they mean to you. 

Check out all the benefits of having friends.

Friends…

• Makes Us Happy
• Keep us sharp
• Relieve Stress
• Improve Our Health
• Help Us Live Longer
• Help Us Be Optimistic
• Increase our sense of belonging and purpose
• Improve our self-worth
• Help us cope with traumas
• Encourage us

Make more friends; you can never have too many.  The more the merrier! 

2021 Fashion Trends By 3T's Boutique | Teens, Tweens & Things

Attending school from home and working from home had a big impact on design trends for 2021.  The comfy, no nonsense look we’ve embraced sticks around but with a sharp upgrade.  Sweatpants are outed for baggy jeans and wide legged bottoms.  Slippers are reinvented with a lot of snappy styles you’ll love. 

For those of you with a desire for fire in your style, whether your staying home or not, 2021 brings some surprises!  Read on to find out more about the top trends.

Cut Outs – Showing some skin after months of loungewear is a relief.  Look for cut outs in sleeves, at the midriff, down the side or sides, the back, breast, and legs.

Second Skin Tops – As described, second skin tops are the new closet staple available in a variety of eye-popping prints.

Bralettes – Not an undergarment anymore, bralettes are now a statement piece showing up in leather, plaids, satin, and sequins.  Wear them as a matching ensemble or layered with business casual.

Baggy, Loose, Wide – Perfect to pair with bralettes and second skin tops are baggy jeans and wide legs. The looser and wider the better, baggy is showing its elegant side this season.

White – No longer held back by convention, the little black dress has been trumped by white in 2021.  Look for sleek dresses, maxi’s, separates of all kinds and (no kidding) knee high boots!

Anytime Slippers – These are not your Grandma’s house shoes.  Slides, moccasins, and sandals are trimmed in everything from faux fur, bows and shearling ready to go out on the town. Look for stripes and patterns too.

Feathers Everywhere – Find them on tops, skirts, cuffs, and sleeves in colors that flatter their bird inspiration. 

Living Room Disco – Sparkly meets relaxed glamour this season. Wear gowns with sneakers and a baseball cap or pair separates with T-shirts.   Anything goes. 

Other Trends - Fringe is still in,  Maxi’s are out there, Yellow bags, Pop Blue accessories, Padded Leather, Head Scarves, Classic Jewelry and Capes are some of the trends you’ll see.  Have fun checking them all out.

New Year, New You 2021 By 3T's Boutique

Those resolutions you rang in the new year with are already showing up in the rear-view mirror.  How can you make sure that they last?  The secret is to create new habits.

A new behavior doesn’t become automatic overnight, but you can enjoy some of its benefits quickly.  For instance, as you start to take walks regularly, you'll find that you won't feel quite right if you stop. That's a great incentive to continue. So, keep nudging yourself in the direction you'd like to go and try the following tips to help you create long-lasting change.

1. Don’t try to change fifty things at once. The more things you try to change in a short time frame, the less likely you are to change anything over the long term. Choose no more than your top two things. You can add others later after you tackle the top two.
2. Break down big goals into smaller steps. Small steps move you forward to your goal. Just getting to first base can build your confidence to tackle more difficult tasks. If your goal is to exercise more, start with parking farther away in the parking lot every day. Next add a daily walk of 10 minutes. Then add a twice a week workout with a friend. You get the idea.  Each step builds your confidence and motivates you to keep going.
3. Create an accountability system. Once the excitement, the motivation and the initial momentum subside, what will keep you doing what you need to do? Commit yourself. Make yourself accountable through a written or verbal promise to people you don't want to let down. That will encourage you to plow through tough times. You can make a private promise to a friend, a family member, or a teacher. Want more support? Post your promise on Facebook, tweet it to your followers, or seek out folks with like-minded goals online.
4. Work in four-week blocks. The four-week time frame is long enough to produce significant practical change but also short enough for us to stay focused, motivated and in the game emotionally. A series of twenty-eight-day game plans seems to work for most people.
5. Give thanks for what you do. Forget perfection. Set your sights on finishing that marathon, not on running it. If you compete to complete, you'll be a winner even if you wind up walking more than you run. With exercise, you'll benefit even when doing less than you'd like to do. Any activity is always better than none.
6. Give yourself a medal. Don't wait to call yourself a winner until you've pounded through the last mile of your big dream marathon or lost every unwanted ounce. Change is incremental. Encourage yourself to keep at it by pausing to acknowledge your success as you tick off small and big steps. Blast your favorite tune each time you reach 5,000 steps. Treat yourself to a new pair of earrings or a healthy smoothie.

Now that you have a plan for making your resolutions last, here’s hoping that 2021 will be a year of great success for you!

Holiday Movie Marathon Ideas

Turn on the Christmas lights, snuggle up and don’t forget to pass the popcorn. Not many things are better than movie night with your family or your BFF’s.  Get ready to laugh, cry or both with these holiday favorites.

Unaccompanied Minors

Thanks to a blizzard, a group of kids get stuck at the airport without their parents on Christmas Eve. The cast, who are wildly different from one another, end up creating hilarious chaos for an uptight airport official and his assistant.

Let It Snow

When a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, the friendships and lives of several high school students become intertwined. Let It Snow is a rom-com that'll make you laugh and say "awww."

The Holiday Calendar

When Abby, a struggling photographer, inherits an Advent calendar, she didn't know that her life was about to change. The calendar can magically predict her future, and it's predicting a new romance.

A Cinderella Story: A Christmas Wish

The movie follows an inspiring singer named Kat, whose evil stepmother and two stepsisters make her life more than difficult. To follow her dreams, Kat picks up a job dressing up as an elf, but everything changes when she starts falling for Santa.

Elf

The humor of the classic movie, Elf, makes it a perfect Christmas movie for teens. It follows a child-like man named Buddy who was mistakenly sent to the North Pole and raised among Santa's elves. Now, he's on a mission to find his real dad and build a relationship with him, no matter how awkward the process might be.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Jake hasn't been home since his mother died and dad remarried, but his father offered him a deal. If he made it to Christmas dinner, he'd offer him his Porsche. Jake accepts the deal, but he soon learns that getting to New York isn't as easy as it seems when everything that can go wrong, does.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This classic is the perfect holiday movie for the whole family, but the Grinch's jokes will have teens rolling on the floor. The Grinch is a rude, bitter creature who hates Christmas and wants to ruin it for everyone else. But little does he know the sweet Cindy Lou Who is about to derail all his plans.

Home Alone

This one is on the list simply because it's one of the best Christmas movies of all time. When Kevin's parents mistakenly leave him at home as they head out to the airport, Kevin's wish that he had no family kind of comes true. But being home alone isn't as fun when two con men are trying to rob your house. Now, Kevin's determined to (hilariously) defend his home.

Christmas With the Kranks

Facing their first Christmas without their daughter, Blair, the Kranks decide to go on a Caribbean cruise instead. Their lack of Christmas spirit really upsets their neighbors. Then, Blair announces that she is coming home for Christmas after all, forcing the Kranks to get into the holiday mood quickly.

Scrooged

Based on the popular tale, A Christmas Carol. This movie is a reminder of what's important during the holidays. Frank is a successful, but cold TV executive who's about to learn some important lessons. After firing a staff member, he's visited by a couple of ghosts who will make him reevaluate his life and his actions.

Fred Claus

Fred is Santa's troublemaking, criminal brother. Fred ends up in big trouble and Santa, aka St. Nick, tries to help him out by giving him a job at the North Pole making toys. But Fred ends up being more of a headache than St. Nick ever imagined.

The Knight Before Christmas

Brooke is a high school science teacher who isn't really into the idea of love, but a knight named Sir Cole who's really from the 14th century is about to show her that she doesn't really know herself as well as she thinks she does.

Happy Holidays from 3T’s Boutique!

Holiday Gift Giving Pandemic Style

If 2020 has taught us anything, it has pushed us to become savvy online shoppers, buying everything from groceries to gifts.  Read on to find unique picks for the teens and tweens in your life and knock that shopping list out in no time.

All gifts are available from amazon.com

Cable Bites

These adorable little critters bite the end of their cords to keep them from breaking and fraying. They're just $6 a pop so you can stock up for every one of your teen's chargers.

Moon Lamp

Even on nights when the full moon isn't in clear sight, this nightstand-friendly lamp lets them fall asleep to the moon's glow. With a click of a button, they can switch between 16 different moon colors, instantly changing the vibe of their space.

Tiny Gold Initial Heart Necklace

This dainty gold choker is a heartfelt way to remind your special young woman that she's always in your heart.

Cinematic Light Box

With 105 interchangeable letters and symbols to choose from, this light box makes it easy and fun for your teen to share a new message each day. 

Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

Great for a night in with family and friends, this microphone will have your teen belting out her favorite songs. They can pick from thousands of songs using an app or their own Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora account.

Stick-On Phone Pocket

The teen in your life may forget their wallet, but they'll never leave their phone at home. This phone pocket sticks right onto any phone or phone case and can stash cash, cards, and keys.

Smile Instant Print Digital Camera

Of course, they have their phone to take photos with, but this Kodak camera will print out any snap instantly, and on sticky paper so they can hang it anywhere.

Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat

This silicone mat makes it super easy to clean makeup brushes.  Clean brushes help to keep skin clear.

Bluetooth Speaker

Perfect for summer pool parties or after-school hangs, this easy-to-carry speaker can be moved from one room to the next. It uses Bluetooth to connect to a phone or laptop.

Rain Boots

These floral boots keep feet extra dry without sacrificing style.

Holographic Fanny Pack

Fanny packs are back!  Up your teen’s style with a snappy holographic one.

100% Chilled Eau de Parfum

In addition to looking cute on their vanity, this 1.7-ounce perfume promises to be as chill as your teen. The unique blend of bergamot, cashmere wood, and sandalwood will make her feel relaxed and well, as cool as a cucumber.

Make Your Own Lip Balm Set

With this easy-to-follow kit, she can customize the scent, color, and shimmer of five lip balms at a fraction of the price.

Original Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are said to do wonders for teens who toss and turn at night.

Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette

With 12 new shades ranging from rose gold to black cherry, your teen will by psyched to try Urban Decay's latest, fiery flavors.

Flower Monogram Journal

You can never go wrong with a monogrammed pick. It'll be her favorite notebook to draw, journal, doodle and more. 

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

For minimalist teens, this gloss comes in classic nude and has just the right amount of shimmer.

Avril Round Metal Sunglasses

Available in brown, black, and millennial pink, these stylish sunglasses are affordable enough for you to snag a pair for yourself!

Enjoy your holiday shopping!  3T’s wishes you a safe and merry holiday with your family and friends.

The Benefits of Thankfulness

November rolls around each year and everyone starts to reflect on what they have to be thankful about.  We take thankfulness out along with the other holiday décor and as soon as the holidays are over, we pack it back up until the next November.  What if we chose to be thankful all year?  What if we chose to focus on one thing, we were thankful for each day, each week, each month? 

The benefits of thankfulness have been extensively researched. 

Thankfulness improves relationships.

Everyone has a need and desire to be appreciated—spouses, children, parents, friends, coworkers, even the strangers we meet in passing. When we express gratitude for people, we make them feel validated and that improves the quality of our relationships with them.

Thankfulness creates contentment.

The media is constantly telling us to buy more, do more, look like this, or act like that. By choosing to be thankful, you can ignore these messages and embrace contentment.

Thankfulness feels good.

You know how happy you feel around the holidays? When you chose to count your blessings and turn your heart and thoughts toward gratitude, the warm and fuzzy feelings follow.

Thankfulness keeps us healthy.

Reflecting on what we’re thankful for reduces stress. Feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily problems.  Thankfulness and optimism boosts our immune system.

Thankfulness cultivates humility.

When we choose to be thankful for the big and small things in our lives, we foster a heart of humility and a spirit of graciousness.

Thankfulness is contagious.

When we’re inspired by others’ gratefulness, it prompts our own grateful thoughts and actions as well.

Thankfulness produces positivity.

When we’re intentionally thankful, it naturally redirects our thoughts to see the good in other people and in our everyday lives.

Thankfulness promotes generosity.

When we are thankful for what we have, we can hold our abundance with an open hand and freely give to others. become a blessing to others.

Thankfulness increases likability.

When you are grateful, people see you in a positive light and they naturally like you and want to be around you.

Every day we get to choose to be thankful and to experience the benefits.  Sometimes, it’s easier to focus on what we don’t have, rather than what we do have. Take time out to make a list for yourself.  See how many things you can come up with.  It can be anything from a few good friends to a raise at work.

Here a few ideas

• Good Health
• Weekends
• Pets
• Fresh Air
• A Bed to Sleep In
• Laughter
• Cars
• Sunshine
• Clean Water
• Cell Phones
• Love
• Books
• Kindness of Strangers
• Art
• Holidays
• Rainbows
• Waking up Today
• Indoor Plumbing
• Eyesight
• Grocery Stores
• Sunsets
• Your Mind
• Employment
• Diversity
• Moon and Stars
• Electricity
• Air Conditioning
• Hearing
• Oceans
• Modern Medicine
• Music
• Warm Clothing
• An Internet Connection

How many things can you add to the list?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall & Winter Fashion Trends

If 2020 was summed up fashion wise, “all dressed up with no where to go” would say it all.  There is no reason to neglect your inner fashion diva, dressing up for dinner with the fam or movie night on the couch can still be an event and we all know that dressing up lifts our spirits.  Just because is always enough of a reason to look fly.

With that in mind, some trends to look out for:

• Fluffy knitted sweaters - chunky models are particularly popular. Preferably made of fluffy wool-like mohair
• Oversized trench coats – paired with a t-shirt, this look is perfect for transition weather days, you’ll be surprised how quickly they add a little polish to your jeans-and-a-sweater combo
• Beige is the color of the season – not too dark, not too light, beige will take you through the fall into spring in style
• Leather in all shapes and colors – pair with jeans or put together colored leather separates for a snappy outfit
• Patterned maxi dresses - the trick here is to pair patterns with solid pieces so you don’t look cluttered
• Lace-up boots - a must have staple and they look great with almost everything
• Puffy statement sleeves - puff, puff, more puff on coats, dresses, tops, the bigger the better
• Belt bags to accent any outfit – try a variety of shapes and patterns
• Camo - makes a comeback and its not just for the outdoor types
• Leopard print - still the rage
• Cowboy boots – snakeskin is a popular pick
• Boxy blazers - kick up your layered look
• Scarves - at your waist, over your shoulder or on your head
• Gold is the standard - shine bright in glitzy fabrics from head to toe
• Checks - pick from tights, skirts, coats, and headscarves, there are multiple ways to wear your squares
• Fringe - from ’20s flapper-style tassels to wild chunky trails on coats, bags and dresses
• Red Alert - fiery, unapologetic, it’s worth investing in this season.
• Back to Black – all black is a popular look that is easy to put together because you can find everything in black, have fun with it

 Remember to have fun express yourself.