Research shows homebuilders are now incorporating two- and three-sided outdoor rooms into home plans. Manufacturers too are addressing the trend by providing a wide array of products designed for outdoor living, giving homeowners nearly as many choices to decorate their outdoor living rooms as those inside their homes – including furniture, textiles, lighting, grills and even WiFi-enabled outdoor entertainment systems.

“Homeowners are spending as much time and effort on outdoor living projects as they do indoor decorating endeavors,” notes Denise Patterson, product manager for Krylon, the nation’s leader in spray paint.  “With the summer season just around the corner, now’s the time to freshen up your outdoor living space and make it ‘relaxation ready’ for the warm months of fun ahead.”

Pep it up with paint
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to spruce up an outdoor area is by refurbishing existing furniture and other pieces with spray paint.  While you want furniture to look stylish, you also want something that is easy to clean and maintain, and holds up against rain, heat and sunlight. No one wants freshly painted furniture to fade, chip or rust before the season ends.

From wicker furniture and patio tables to pottery and planters, Krylon’s Outdoor Spaces line of spray finishes offers a wide range of durable, yet contemporary colors that can easily help you achieve sophisticated looks with the convenience of spray paint. Because homeowners are looking for more than just basic colors, they’re available in several new, vibrant and exciting hues, including Poppy, Ivy, Ocean and Sunlight.

Lighten up with fabric and lighting
Once your painting projects are complete, accent your bold color choices with unique and interesting cushions and throw pillows made from stain- and mildew-resistant fabrics.  Keep in mind that your new furniture colors and coordinating cushions will “pop” and look brighter with the right kind of outdoor lighting. Depending on how you configure your outdoor living space, you can install lighted ceiling fans, place environmentally-friendly solar accent lighting in surrounding flowerbeds, and use portable lamps designed expressly for exterior use.

Add nature … with a twist
Living in the great outdoors wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t weave in natural elements such as fire and water. A grill, fire pit and water features, such as a container pond, bird bath or waterfall planter further tie together the perfect combination of inside meets outside.

Additionally, portable patio heaters are a great way to let you enjoy your outdoor haven even when nights get chilly, allowing you to make the most of your space all season long.

Include enticing entertainment
And don’t forget the entertainment. Outdoor-friendly systems exist for any budget – ranging from WiFi- or satellite-radio-enabled speaker systems for a little mood music, to high-end comprehensive systems that include plasma TVs and surround sound. All are designed to withstand any weather.

With all of the stylish and unique design options available to help you create your own backyard oasis this summer, why even consider spending your free time indoors? The season lasts only a few months in many climates, so make the most of it by designing an ultimate outdoor living room that’s ideal for gathering, cooking, entertaining and relaxing with friends and family.

For the snacking dad
Keeping dad’s stomach happy long before the dinner bell rings has never been easier. Naturally high in protein, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is the perfect way to leave dad feeling satisfied between meals. Whether he’s watching a game, hitting the gym, in the car or anywhere in between, nothing cures snack cravings like a bag of  beef jerky.

Using only the finest cuts of 100 percent meat and seasonings that dads – men, for that matter – can’t seem to get enough of, there are more than 100 great meat snacks to choose from. Here are a few snack favorites that will fill your dad up … not out:
* The Original: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
* The Classic: Jack Link’s Steakhouse Recipe Beef Jerky
* The Spicy: Jack Link’s Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets

Jack Link’s is available in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience and drug stores nationwide. With this gift, satisfaction is in the bag. (Suggested retail price: $5.99)

For the dad hooked on angling
Does dad come home with fish stories and a smile on his face? If so, let him enjoy the new Flat Rap lure from Rapala. The Flat Rap is ideal for nearly all styles of fishing. It resembles the tried-and-true Rapala Original Floater, but features flat sides and a scooping triangular lip that generates a hard flashing side-to-side action that fish go crazy over. Put this fishing lure in dad’s tackle box and he’ll be smiling long after Father’s Day. (Suggested retail price $8.99)

For the beer connoisseur
Make your dad the envy of his friends with a beer brewing kit. Easy to set up and loads of fun, a home brewing kit allows your dad to create his own flavor of beer that will be all the rage. Brewing kits are sold with all the components that dad needs to get started. For even more fun, your dad can pair his best homemade brew with his favorite jerky flavor. (Home brewing kits are available online or at a local brewing supplies store.)

For the original chef
What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with a mouthwatering grilled meal outdoors? If the dad in your life considers himself a grill-master, a charcoal or gas grill is the perfect gift. With a new grill, dad can bring the flavor back to the patio by preparing your favorite grillable foods.  (Check your local hardware store or other retail locations.)

You may have a close friend or relative graduating this spring, and are looking for truly personal gift ideas that celebrate the graduate and the achievement in reaching this milestone.

One suggestion is to create a custom photo book that reflects the graduate’s own unique story and personality. You don’t need to have scrapbooking talents to create a beautiful book, because there are online tools like Jostens Photo Books that offer a myriad of page designs, countless hard cover choices and real help from real people just a phone call or e-mail away. Once your book is just the way you want it, Jostens will print it on archival quality paper with a stitched binding – built to last a lifetime – and ship it to your door.

Ideas for a fantastic graduation photo book include:

* Graduate’s life story: From baby pics to senior year, share your favorite memories of the grad – even a few they might not remember. Include photos of friends, special gatherings and activities the graduate was involved in, and add any phrases or quotes that hold special meaning.

* Friends and memories: Create a “friends” photo book with pictures of the graduate and friends through the years – from kindergarten classmates to high school pals. Putting these photos together will bring back memories and stories to share.

* Make a guest book for the party: Jostens offers two new guest books designed for your graduation event – Graduation Signatures and Graduation Stories. Graduation Signatures provides the traditional lined pages with space for the name and address of each guest. Graduation Stories is designed for guests to write a personal note to the graduate, share a story, or an encouraging message as the graduate starts a new stage in their life. Unveil the book at the party for everyone to enjoy and sign.

Providing a graduate with memories to rediscover and treasure now and in the future is a great way to honor their accomplishments. Plus, now through June 30, you can enjoy $10 off your own Jostens Photo Book when you use promo code: GRADBOOK. For more information, go to www.jostens.com/photobooks.

“Always dress one notch higher than you think is needed. It’s better to err on the side of dressing more conservative,” says Nancy Cerny, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – Quad Cities located in Moline, Ill. Cerny, who works closely with graduating students, even recommends putting in a call to the receptionist at the company you are interviewing with to ask about appropriate office attire. “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed in any professional situation,” adds Cerny.

Organizing your business and interview wardrobe begins well before graduation. Also, dressing for success can be a little expensive. Trips to Goodwill Industries, consignment shops, and second-hand stores are always wise moves when personal cash is limited. “You really don’t have to spend a lot of money to look professional, but you do need to spend a good amount of time planning for it, “says Cerny.

The toughest lesson for Generation Y is to encourage them to keep their professional image separate from their personal image, according to “Managing Generation Y,” co-authored by Bruce Tulgan and Carolyn Martin. What you wear on weekends is not always appropriate for the office. “During a trip to the shopping mall you often see women dressed in tank tops with their bra straps showing and it seems to be socially acceptable attire, but in a business setting – it’s not OK,” Cerny says. “The same goes for men who wear baggy jeans with their underwear showing. You need to know where to draw the line between your professional and social image.”

Put yourself in the place of the potential employer. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “If I were a person meeting me for the first time would I hire myself?” Sometimes when you step into the shoes of another person, you may just send yourself a rejection letter.

Always lean toward solid, conservative colors for women, such as black, blue or dark gray. For men, a dark blue, gray or brown suit with a plain white shirt is appropriate. A $4 can of shoe polish makes a man look more appropriate for an office job, but starting your day with clean shoes is a must for any job, whether it be in the office or in the field, according to Cerny.

Both men and women should pay attention to grooming. Nails should always be clean and neatly trimmed. “It’s best to have a basic nail color – no stripes or polka dots,” says Cerny. “For men, you don’t want to look like you’ve just changed the oil in your car. Dirty nails are a turn-off.”

While your clothing should be conservative, your hair should also be businesslike. “Women should avoid putting different colors in their hair, like orange, red and blue. When preparing for interviews, leave the colored hair pieces behind,” Cerny says.

“Fifty percent of interviews will be judged within the first 30 seconds of the interview – based on your appearance,” says Joanne Pobiner, certified image consultant and professional member of the Association of Image Consultants International. “First impressions can determine whether you get a job offer. With such a tough job market, you must be on board with these tips,” Cerny adds.

Don’t wear a lot of perfume or aftershave. “You don’t want to smell like a perfume or cologne counter salesperson. Smell is a strong sense. If you walk into a building and they can smell you in the back of the office, that’s not good.”

For your success, the way you dress and the first impression you make during an interview could get you a job offer or a rejection letter. So, be prepared when you leave for that interview, knowing that you will make a lasting impression on the interviewer.

“The idea is navigate yourself into positions that play to your strengths,” says Chuck Martin, CEO of the management research firm NFI Research. “It’s about matching what you have to what others need.”

Consider your assets: experience, connections and strengths.

Experience: Pump up your resume with internship positions, volunteer work and honors. While it may seem trivial to you, a future employer sees responsibility and commitment.

Connections: No doubt mom and dad are already trying to get your foot in the door somewhere, but don’t forget about your own connections. Tap into your alumni network, spread the word among friends, attend networking events, and simply get out there and meet people – online and off.

Strengths: Everyone has unique skill set with both learned and innate skills. But what employers really want to know is how your skills apply to their job, so start figuring out what you have to offer.

“If you’re not in a position where your strongest skills are vital, you’re not likely to excel,” explains Martin. “You may be a smart person but still feel you’re in the wrong position at work or even the wrong career – and you may be right. Your brain is hard-wired to function a specific way.”

Martin, along with co-authors neuropsychologist Richard Guare and education psychologist Peg Dawson, argue that certain “executive skills” can actually help you determine the right career direction in their new book “Work Your Strengths.” Executive skills are the cognitive skills that determine how well you perform a task. High-performers in different fields are endowed with different strengths in their executive skill sets. So if you know your strengths, you can learn to work them too.

Here are five quick examples of executive skills and how different strengths can play into a future career:

Good memory: Can you remember what everyone ordered for dinner last night and what they wore? A good working memory is an essential skill for salespeople, who must recall vital details about their clients in order to build lasting relationships with them.

Organization: Do you know where everything in your house is because you have a system for keeping things in the right place? High-performers in the customer service industry are defined by their excellent organization because they often have simple procedures in place to help customers get what they need and fast.

Flexibility: If you’re able to juggle many tasks at the same time and can change plans instantly, you must be an excellent problem solver. People in creative fields such as marketing and advertising need this skill in order to change quickly as markets – and clients’ minds – change.

Planning/prioritization: Do you often find yourself thinking ahead to what’s next? Think about going into information technology (IT), where they need excellent planners who can roadmap a project through every stage.

Task initiation: A lot of people have a hard time getting the ball rolling, but if you’re one of those exceptional people who can start things up on your own, maybe you should look into the medical field. People who are quick on their feet are terrific in an emergency.

To further identify your skills, a customized profile and career match is offered free online with a purchase of “Work Your Strengths,” which is available now at bookstores and online at amacombooks.org.

Vegetable gardening might sound intimidating, but new technologies can make your thumb greener than ever. Combined with good old-fashioned growing techniques, your garden can be healthy and yield a good crop with less effort than you’d imagine – all while being good for the earth. Here are some tips for a garden that is doubly green.

Water, water everywhere, but not too much
* A fine balance needs to be struck when it comes to watering your vegetable garden, especially during drought conditions. You want your plants to get adequate moisture, but overwatering can be bad for plants and a wasteful use of a precious natural resource. Because it’s better for both your crops and the environment, careful water usage is essential to being a truly green gardener.

Installing an irrigation system is a good way to keep water usage at the ideal levels. Plus, you don’t have to plan a schedule around when you need to water. There are user-friendly, affordable solutions like Mister Landscaper’s new Drip Irrigation Vegetable Kit, which connects to your outdoor spigot. It’s a great way to ensure that your plants get the water they need, without wasting or over watering. The kit is drought approved in most areas and available at Lowe’s in the plumbing department. Watering timers can also make the job of watering even easier. Keep in mind that it’s best to water in the early morning, when the sun is lower in the sky, for 30 to 60 minutes, every other day. For more information about watering vegetable gardens, go to www.misterlandscaper.com.

One man’s garbage is another’s fertilizer
* Ever feel guilty about throwing out vegetable and fruit peelings, rinds or scraps? Your intuition might just be telling you that there’s a better way to handle those leftovers. Composting is a great way to make use of organic matter that might otherwise just get thrown away.

Building a compost heap is relatively easy, and it will keep on giving back to your garden and the environment. The four necessary ingredients for composting, according to California’s “CalRecycle” program, are nitrogen (from sources like grass clippings or those throwaway veggie scraps), carbon (from sources like sawdust or twigs), water and air. Once your compost is at the ideal level of decomposition (it will be uniformly dark brown and crumbly), spread it on your garden to give plants a nutrient boost.

Get growing – organically
* From the moment you start planning a garden, think organic. The most basic – and fun – choice of all is deciding which plants you’ll grow. Choose organic seeds and starters so that you know you’re buying into an earth-friendly business venture. There’s the added bonus of knowing that your plants won’t be tainted with harmful chemicals.

When it comes to maintaining your garden, you’ll probably need things other than just compost. Look for products that are recognized as organic by respected organizations like the USDA or the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) – you’ll be able to find an ever-growing supply of products like pest repellent or soil amendments.

Growing your own vegetables at home has many benefits: it saves money, allows you to control what your food is exposed to and provides a fun and easy activity that the whole family can participate in. And when you follow these green gardening principles, you’ll be doing something good for the earth, too.

“It’s important to pay attention to your eye health and keep your eyes feeling comfortable,” says Dr. Hilary L. Hawthorne, a Los Angeles based optometrist. “Proper care, cleaning and storage of your contact lenses can help you protect the health of your eyes.”

There are many misconceptions about eye care. Specifically for contact lens wearers, there are several steps that can help keep eyes healthy, clean and comfortable. Did you know that you’re supposed to:

* Replace your contact lens case monthly.

* Fill your lens case with fresh solution like renu multipurpose solution every time you store your lenses.

* Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup, in order to avoid potentially contaminating your contact lens.

* Discard solution remaining in the bottle 90 days after opening, when using solutions like renu.

* Use approximately one 12-ounce bottle of solution per month when used as directed to properly clean, disinfect and store your lenses.

* See your eye care professional annually to check your eye health and your contact lens prescription.

Renu fresh helps your eyes feel clean and fresh now comes in a clear bottle that allows you to see how much solution is left. The new clear bottle is easier to recycle as well, making it more environmentally friendly.

Now is a good time to reassess your eye care, especially if you wear contact lenses. For more information and tips on proper care and cleaning of your contact lenses, visit www.renu.com.

“Technology has revolutionized our lives and made them so much better and easier on so many levels,” says Sean Moss-Pultz a technology expert and CEO of Openmoko. “But when increasingly complex technology makes it difficult to use a tool quickly and easily, people can feel frustrated.”

That backlash might explain the rise in popularity of simple tech tools that do just one thing – but do it very well. Such simple tools can appeal to very diverse groups – from baby boomers and seniors who are more comfortable with basic tools that function well, to savvy tech-users who seek to streamline certain applications of technology in their lives.

If you have a place in your life for uncomplicated technology, here are five tech tools that are both easy to use and elegantly useful:

1. Digital encyclopedia

The WikiReader, a hand-held digital encyclopedia, does just one thing – allows you to access Wikipedia, the online, user-generated encyclopedia. Text and hyperlinks of more than 3 million Wikipedia articles reside on the device, meaning you don’t need a wireless connection to access the information.

It’s small, hand-held size makes the WikiReader as portable as a cell phone. And its ability to access Wikipedia even without a wireless signal means you always have the information at your fingertips – even if you’re traveling in an area where there are no wireless signals. “The device is especially useful when used as a reference while reading or doing school projects, or when traveling outdoors or abroad,” says Moss-Pultz. “You certainly wouldn’t carry around a set of encyclopedias and you may find yourself needing information when you’re somewhere that a wireless signal isn’t available.” Visit www.thewikireader.com to learn more.

2. Touch-free soap dispenser

A soap dispenser may seem mundanely low-tech, but what raises it to the level of smart technology is a touch-free sensor. Because of the number of times it gets touched in a day, a traditional soap dispenser can be a haven for germs. With the addition of the same touch-free technology used in public bathrooms around the world, a basic soap dispenser becomes an example of cutting-edge technology that doesn’t complicate life.

3. No-blade fans

The same company that markets bag- and filter-free, high-end vacuum cleaners has introduced a fan that has no blades. Eliminating the blades allows the fan to produce an uninterrupted stream of air, free of buffeting, the company says. Plus, because it has no blades or grill, it may be a safer choice for families with children or pets.

4. Hand-held GPS

While hand-held GPS devices can be very versatile, they still basically do just one thing – tell you where you are. Some new smart phones boast GPS capabilities, but using your phone to find out where you are means wherever you are had better have an available cellular signal. Since GPS devices get their info from a satellite – and satellite coverage is pretty much worldwide these days – using a handheld GPS as opposed to a GPS-enabled phone means less limitation in where you can use the device.

5. Electronic dictionary

Sure, you can look up the definition of any word – in any language – online and you can access the Internet from a variety of devices these days. But a hand-held electronic dictionary gives you instant access to definitions anywhere, even if you’re not able to get a wireless connection. Allow your youngster to use this single-purpose technology for schoolwork or projects, and you never have to wonder if Junior is really playing a video game or texting friends instead of working.

Competition for employment is fiercer today than ever before. To prepare for life after graduation, there are steps college students can take to bolster their appeal in the job market. Martha Schottelkotte, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – Cincinnati, works with college students daily to help them strengthen employment prospects. “There are definite steps students can take to pave the way toward employment well before they graduate,” Schottelkotte says. “We encourage students to adopt a professional mindset the moment they enroll.”

Schottelkotte goes on to outline five steps students can take to prepare for the eventual job search.

Join student clubs for major area of study.
“Student clubs provide a venue in which students operate as a team to set and reach goals, much like a small business,” Schottelkotte says. “Most employers indicate that teamwork is the fundamental mode of operation. Participating in a club and holding a position of leadership indicate to potential employers that the student is willing to show initiative and work beyond the parameters of simply being a student.” Participation demonstrates the skills necessary to be successful in any workplace.

Join professional organizations.
Professional organizations provide opportunities for students to attend industry events, including workshops, annual meetings and networking sessions. “Networking is vital to creating employment options,” Schottelkotte says. “Membership shows a commitment to the industry and a desire to increase expertise. It also provides the opportunity for a student to identify a mentor in their chosen field.” According to Careerbuilder.com, networking is the No. 1 way to obtain a professional position.

Focus on academic excellence.
“Achieving a grade point average (GPA) that earns a student a dean’s or president’s listing is a very strong accomplishment that can be highlighted on a pending graduate’s resume, and will quickly help the potential employer decide if they will read that resume further or discard it,” says Schottelkotte. “The immediate impression is that this person sets the bar high for themselves. Think about it for a moment, would you prefer a medical assistant who earned an ‘A’ in the Anatomy & Physiology course, or a ‘C’?”

Secure an internship or externship.
Both internships and externships give students on-the-job working experience at a company in their chosen field. Internships usually offer financial compensation, while externships are unpaid positions which often garner college credits instead. According to the Brown Mackie College 2009 Annual Employer Survey, 65 percent of employers prefer candidates with externship experience. “This is an opportunity to apply knowledge from the classroom in a real workplace setting,” says Schottelkotte. “Upon graduation, students can add this experience to their resume to augment skills to make them more marketable.” These experiences also provide the opportunity for the pending graduate to network with professionals in the field to increase employment opportunities.

Do volunteer work.
“The willingness to give to your community in an uncompensated fashion is an indication of character, generosity and sense of humanity,” Schottelkotte says. “Most corporations feel so strongly about volunteerism that they create opportunities for employees to participate in volunteer work during operating hours, or as a work-related event. If a potential employer is reviewing two resumes that are comparable item by item, but only one of the candidates has participated in ongoing volunteer work, the candidate who volunteers will get the interview.”

Paramedics arrived and took the man to a local hospital where he was stabilized.

“I couldn’t believe that no one stepped in – that it took a 17-year-old kid to be the one to take action,” says Rossi, who had been trained in CPR just six months earlier at her high school.

Rossi’s story illustrates a huge obstacle to overcoming the dismal survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest: lack of bystander action. Less than 8 percent of victims who suffer cardiac arrest at home, at work or in other public places survive. And fewer than one-third of cardiac arrest victims gets CPR from a bystander.

“Getting people to act when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest is critical to the victim’s survival,” says Michael Sayre, M.D., chairman of the American Heart Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee. “Time is not on the victim’s side. Four to six minutes is the window of opportunity for someone to act before it is too late.”

The American Heart Association wants more people to take action and help cardiac arrest victims. The association is helping create the next generation of lifesavers at Bethebeat.heart.org, where teens can learn the basic skills of CPR and how to use an AED.

“Teens can learn how to save lives and play an important role by setting an example for their friends, families and neighbors about the need for CPR and AED training,” Sayre says. “They can also encourage the adults in their lives to learn learn CPR.”

Be the Beat features games, educational videos and interactive quizzes. Songs with 100 beats per minute (the correct rate for chest compressions when administering CPR) are also available on the website.

And the association recently simplified the steps of CPR with Hands-Only CPR. When a teen or an adult suddenly collapses, there are two easy steps: (1) Call 9-1-1; and (2) Push hard and fast on the center of the chest until professional help or an AED arrives.

Getting formal CPR training is also easier than ever. Visit americanheart.org/CPR to find a class in your neck of the woods, or order a self-directed CPR training kit at cpranytime.org to learn at your own pace.

The American Heart Association wants 1 million people, including teens, to learn about CPR during CPR Week June 1-7. Learn more at www.cprweek.org.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at anytime,” Rossi says. “It happens all the time. You never know when you’ll need to use CPR.”