How to Accessorize a Plain T Shirt

Go through your closet, and decide what you are doing with this. Are you going to work, school? Pick a white t-shirt and skinny jeans and see it transform! 

 

 

Add Accessories. Black and white? You will catch nobodies attention. Add some color splash to it. Try a colored necklace, not too big, don't make it overwhelming. Some small bracelets or a watch that match. 

 

 

Consider the weather. Cold Outside? Add a blazer that will match your progress or a cardigan that will contrast the white, so consider black. Add tall boots. If it is warm. consider bright flats, striped heels, or decorative flip-flops or sandals would be great! 

 

 

Decide what to do with your hair. Your hair doesn't need to be perfect but it needs to be interesting. Try a braid the night before so your hair is curly. Just brush it through, a sloppy bun is even good. 

 

 

If you are going more dressy but not too dressy, consider a skirt with tights. Always keep in mind, what matches. You could be putting together what you think is a great outfit but it's tacky.

 

 

Makeup. Don't wear makeup? That's okay! You're beautiful anyway, your only makeup is your smile. If you do wear makeup, consider how neutral colors can change your outfit and others can, it could look good or bad. You decide. 

 

 

Put your outfit together, and go! You made a great outfit out of a plain white t-shirt! 

 

 

How to Make a Patty Melt

The patty melt is a classic diner food that combines elements of the burger, the Reuben and the grilled cheese. You can create authentic patty melts at home with good ingredients and plenty of butter.

Ingredients

• Onion
• Ground beef
• Butter/olive oil
• Swiss cheese
• Rye bread
• Worcestershire sauce
    Set two heavy skillets on your stovetop. Seasoned cast iron skillets are best, because they impart flavors similar to those in a dinner grill. Turn one burner to medium heat
  
  

  Cut an onion in half. Slice it into rings. A quarter of an onion per sandwich is required. 
  
  

  Melt two tbsp. of butter in the first skillet. You can also use olive oil or canola oil in place of butter. 

  
  

  Place your onion rings in the skillet. Stir them around until they are covered in oil or butter. Then, allow them to cook without stirring for 10 minutes. 

  
  

  Flip the onions onto the opposite side with a spatula. Let them cook without stirring on this side for 10 minutes. 

  
  

  Turn the onions again. Adjust the temperature to a low setting. Stir them occasionally until they appear caramelized, approximately 15 minutes. 

How to Be a Fashion Icon

1

Knowing how to dress is key. Buy magazines like Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. Look at the pictures. Read the articles. Choose a few key looks that will suit your lifestyle and body type, and implement them into your current wardrobe. Make sure to put your own spin on a look. You can't be an icon if you're just copying Elle. 

 

 Write down a list of words you want to describe your look or vibe. Then, compare that list with the items from  that you like, and that will suit you well. 

 

 

Mix 'n' Match. Try mixing fashions like goth and geek, emo and jock, prep and punk. 

 

 

Look in your closet, and donate anything you never used and will never use. 

 

 

  that mix well with what you have.

 

 

Get a few new shoes and  at a reasonably-priced store, like Payless (it's  and no one has to know). Steer clear of stores that turn out low-quality items. You want to be , not cheap. is about quality clothing that fit well, not cheap, flashy items. 

 

 

Wear make-up! Think you don't need it? Well, even if you think you look pretty without make up you will be ten times prettier with it. Go to a makeup counter at a department store for a . Some charge, but others don't. Listen closely to the tips they offer for your coloring and facial structure. If you can't afford to buy quality cosmetics, you will be able to find similar items at a drugstore or discount superstore. Items to splurge on: moisturizer, foundation,and mascara. Then, pick up cheaper eyeshadow, lip gloss/lipstick, blush, etc. on your next drugstore run. 

 

 

Do your hair. Make sure to invest in quality haircare products. While paying $20 for shampoo may seem outlandish, if you have difficult hair it will make all the difference. Quality shampoo and conditioner can help compensate for hard water or previous poor treatment of hair. (If you haven't cut your hair in the past two months, it's time to visit the salon!) Depending on your facial structure, you will require a different hairstyle. A few things to keep in mind: poor color can ruin the greatest cut, and make sure to wash you hair regularly, but not every day (as this can damage your hair). Different hair types call for different washing routines. Audrey Hepburn only washed her hair once a week! 

 

 

Make sure to compliment other stylish people, they will start noticing what you wear, and you will be more noticed. You don't have to Get rid of your friends, just try to make friends with some stylish people you like(only if they seem nice). 

 

 

Here are some outfit suggestions.

• a flowy skirt with a Camisole
• a (preferably a color) colored shirt with white shorts or jeans and statement shoes
• a crop top with high waist short shorts
• a cute blouse with jeans or black pants is Always pretty

How to Hold an Olympics Closing Ceremony Party

The feast of sports, emotional moments, country love and excitement that make up the Olympics culminate in the closing ceremony, the last opportunity to see your favorites in their country formations and to see whatever spectacular surprises the organizers have in store. While you could sink back into the couch alone or with family, it can be a nice gesture to use the closing ceremony as an excuse to throw a party and invite over friends and more family, so that you can all share your various excitement and disappointment over various sporting achievements over drinks and nibbles.

Steps

1. 1
   Invite everyone you'd like to come. It's best to keep a party like this informal, and perhaps even a drop-in occasion to let people come and go as they please. Send out email and text invitations or simply call people and ask them over.

   • Encourage everyone to wear their favorite sporting gear, to add to the sporty theme of the party. If anyone is coming back from playing sport that day, ask them to stay in that mode!
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2. 2
   Decorate the room where the party is held. Look for Olympic themed decorations and use the five Olympic colors (blue, yellow, black, green and red) for color themes. Print out the Olympic mascot to pin up here and there, add some balloons and streamers and perhaps add a few print-outs of a few fun Olympics achievements statistics for people to read as they're seated. If any Olympic athlete that you have been following devotedly has achieved something amazing in the Olympics, why not print out his or her photo and display it proudly as well.
3. 3
   Make the largest screen in your home the focal point for the party. Everyone will want to watch the ceremony at various points during the party, if not the entire time, so have plenty of room for all guests in front of the screen. Set out extra chairs, cushions, and other seats to make it comfortable for everyone.

   • Does the TV's sound travel well? If not, you might need to get some additional speakers to make sure the sound can reach everyone.
   • Include small areas to rest drinks and snacks, such as coffee tables, small tables, boxes, etc. It can be awkward if guests can't set down drinks and plates.
   • If you have too many guests and not enough space in one area, consider using other areas that have TVs or borrow a friend's extra TV to set up another room. This might be a good way to keep noisier kids happy in one room while the adults watch more peacefully in another.
4. 4
   Serve a buffet. The easiest style for a sports party is usually buffet style, with occasional snacks being handed around as well. While you could go to the trouble of making food with a theme, such as your country's national colors, the shapes of various sporting gear, etc., you don't have to. Party food of all sorts will work well. Suggestions include:

   • Dips and chips, finger food, cheese and crackers, bowls of nibbles, spiced nuts, etc. If you don't have any of the other food suggestions below, at least have snack foods available.
   • Sliced meats, savory pies, buffalo wings, pizza, curries, etc. for savory foods. Include plates and cutlery for serving and eating with.
   • Cupcakes, doughnuts/churros, whoopie pies, dessert pies, cookies, cheesecake, candies, etc. for sweet foods.
   • Healthy foods like salads, fruit kebabs, sugar- or gluten-free options, etc.
   • If you want to make Olympic themed food, try such approaches as using the Olympic colors, turning items like bagels, pizzas or cookies into the Olympic rings, decorating cakes and pies with sporting themes, etc.
5. 5
   Include drinks. The usual drinks from lemonade and sodas to beer and wine are good choices. If you want something fancier, consider making Jell-O shots, cocktails/mocktails, mixed drinks and alcohol-pops.
6. 6
   Consider having a mini Olympic Games in the backyard to keep the kids entertained. Hold small races (running, sack races, egg and spoon races, etc.), set up a mini obstacle course or hurdles, have target throwing practice for prizes, play ball games, throw paper planes or other paper objects over distances, and if you have a pool, perhaps include supervised swimming races or even synchronized swimming! If adults get involved, simply make the games harder or challenge them to a tug of war, which was once an actual Olympic event.

   • Encourage teams if there are lots of kids, or if the adults would like to join in. Have each team develop its own mascot (give them paper, stuffed toys, markers, etc. to do this with).
   • Set out an area with soft mats for anyone who is good at gymnastics or who simply wants to try out some cartwheels and handstands.
   • Award the children with medals for their wins. These could be made from cardboard, paper, etc. attached to ribbon, or you could use chocolate coins attached to a ribbon.
7. 7
   Hold an Olympics trivia quiz. Some of the party guests might enjoy testing their wits about all things Olympic. There are several possible approaches to this:

   • Run a pub-style quiz that only uses the Olympics for the subject-matter.
   • Play Trivial Pursuit but replace the cards with your own Olympic themed ones. This would be a lot of effort though!
   • Make a pass-the-parcel that can only have each layer opened upon answering an Olympic-related question.
   • Simply ask Olympic-related questions for on-the-spot prizes throughout the party.

How to Be a Fashion Expert

First and foremost learn about the history of fashion! There is no point not knowing why your clothes look like what they do and how fashion changed throughout time. Coco Chanel changed how women dress, so it's worth renting the Lifetime movie about her. 

 

 

Keep up on some of the cutes and latest trends. If you're not keeping up on at least some trends, to fellow fashion experts you'll seem, well, clueless. Read Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle to hear what's in. It's important to know which trends work and which don't though; for example, skinny jeans might flatter you whereas harem pants are just plain ugly. It is important to be a trendsetter, but Anna Wintour's words are worth respecting. 

 

 

Learn 'fashion lingo'. This is worth researching, as after all, you want to know what you're talking about. Don't go overboard using words no one's ever heard of. Find a fashion vocabulary online, or from another expert. Make sure you're using the words right though. 

 

 

Create a totally cool outfit that looks and feels great. Use matching colors and patterns. When you buy your clothes make sure they fit. You don't want them too tight or too baggy. Also make sure they feel good. Don't buy them if they make you itchy or very uncomfortable. Make sure that you feel confident in the clothes. If all the requirements are good then buy it! 

 

 

Create your own fashion journal. Cut out clothes or styles that you like

1. 6
   Add accessories. From beads to earrings or rings to bracelets. You can add color and spunk to any outfit with accessories. Make sure that they match and they don't feel uncomfortable.
2. 7
   Search through your own closet first. A person never knows what they truly have until they take a good look into their own closet. You may have outfits that can be totally revamped for the sake of fashion. A good tailor would be key in this situation to have things refitted for the new style you are trying to achieve. What you are looking for could be right under your nose!
3. 8
   Invest in classics. It's important to splurge on basics, because if you're going to wear something all the time, it better be high-quality and fit well. A cashmere cardigan, trench coat, string of pearls, pant suit, and little black dress will take you from season to season year to year. You could always find something very similar to it for less money, but it might tear or be itchy and uncomfortable.
4. 9
   Wear an outfit totally different then anybody else would. Mix match patterns and colors or maybe try leggings and a long shirt. Whatever it is make sure people would want to follow that trend. But don't make them.
5. 10
   Make yourself a reputation as a trendsetter. Shop at the local designer stores; even if you're not that rich, there must be something in there you afford (example: a pair of gloves, sunglasses). Be a devoted client to these boutiques and you will get noticed for your style.

and paste them into your fashion journal. Write down a couple of your favorite outfits and say how you feel in them. Draw outfits on people, for different body sizes and shapes. What suits people. 

 

How to Reduce Entertainment Expenses

1. Take a good look at your food budget. Restaurant eating accounted for the largest portion of America's discretionary spending in 2009, eating up $392 billion. ^[1] Often, a large part of what is spent on food is more about entertainment than to provide appropriate nutrition. Instead of making “going out to dinner” a family activity, make cooking dinner together at home the evening's entertainment. Home cooked food is much less expensive and can be a lot more fun! Some entertaining ways to cook at home include:

   • Baking and decorating cookies or a cake with younger children. Kids love to ice and decorate cookies and cakes. Buy plenty of sprinkles, colored icings, and small candies and let them go to work.
   • Teaching older children a family recipe by preparing it together. Many older children are interested in learning how to prepare family favorites, and what better way to learn than by preparing them together?
   • Making individual or personal pizzas. Using bagels, flour tortillas, French bread, or pizza dough, make a personal size pizza for each family member and allow everyone to top their own pies from a selection of vegetables, cheeses, meats, etc.
   • Experimenting with new things. For example, if you have always been interested in Indian cuisine, use curry in your cooking. Find new ways to prepare favorite vegetables or test out new recipes. Whatever your passion, explore it with your family by preparing a meal or a snack. You could have each night of the week follow a theme such as Italian night or picnic at home night.
   •  

   If you do plan to go out to a restaurant, do some research first. Look for inexpensive options in your area such as happy hour or weekly specials. Search online for coupons or special deals such as early-in, early-out specials.

   • When eating out, one budget conscious approach is to share meals and to have a variety of side dishes rather than more expensive main meals.
2. 3
   Evaluate your cable or satellite service. Many cable and satellite subscribers are paying for hundreds of channels they will never watch. Reduce your bill by ensuring that your services are based on how you actually watch television rather than on what you think you'd like to watch (but then don't). You may want to:

   • Determine what channels you actually watch and switch to the least expensive package your cable or satellite company offers that contains those channels.
   • Consider a TV antenna, either a roof type or an indoor one that includes an amplifier. Most areas in the country can get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS and most of these networks will offer more than one channel. For example, PBS has 3 different channels. Pay TV only carries one.
   • Shop around. You may be able to find the channels you want for a lower price with another provider. Make some phone calls or check other providers' websites for packages and pricing.
   • Consider subscribing to a streaming and/or DVD delivery service. Services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and Blockbuster allow you to stream movies and television shows right to your computer or television and/or receive DVD rentals by mail. If most of the movies and/or the television shows you watch are available, one of these services may be much less expensive than cable or satellite.
   • Look into watching all of your television online, free of charge. Many networks and cable stations offer free streaming of their most popular shows. Check your favorite station’s websites to determine if the shows you watch are available for streaming.
3. 4
   Analyze your phone bills. Are you paying for a home phone you never use, spending too much on your cell phone bill, or paying for long distance calls? Perhaps it is time for a change. Consider these options:

   • Disconnecting your home phone. If everyone now has your cell number, you have plenty of minutes to spare each month, and you have not heard your home phone ring in months except from a telephone solicitor, it may be time to cut off the landline and cut out that monthly bill.
   • Getting rid of your data plan. If you have email and internet service on your phone, you may be paying anywhere from 10 to 50 extra dollars per month for your cell phone service. If you already have Internet and email service at home and/or at work, consider dropping the data plan and saving a chunk of change.
   • Switching your home phone service to an unlimited long distance plan. Almost all phone companies now offer unlimited long distance plans for a flat monthly rate. Do some comparison shopping and stop paying for your long distance.
   • Using free internet phone services. Internet phone software such as Skype has made long distance charges and the need for a home phone a thing of the past. These software services allow users to place phone calls to other software users and landlines around the world at little to no cost.
4. 5
   Assess your internet service. Consider how you use the internet and determine if there is a less expensive way of meeting your needs. You may be able to shut off your service and use the free WiFi offered by many businesses, do your web browsing at the library, shop around for a better deal, or bundle your service with phone and cable to save money.
5. 6
   Stop watching movies at the theater. A trip for two to the movies can easily cost upwards of $30. Instead of watching movies in the theater, consider:

   • Borrowing movies from the library. Many libraries now have VHS and DVD movies available for free––you just need to get a library card. If the library doesn't have a movie you want, you can usually request it.
   • Using movie rental boxes such as Redbox or Blockbuster. Movie rental boxes are now located in many pharmacies, groceries, and large chain stores and restaurants such as Walmart and McDonalds, and allow you to rent DVDs for just $1 per night. Just make sure you return them on time, since you pay a dollar for each night you keep the movie.
   • Watching movies on Pay-Per-View. Many cable and satellite companies offer Pay-Per-View channels where you can ‘rent’ movies for 24 - 48 hours for even less than the local video store would charge.
   • Subscribing to a streaming and/or DVD delivery service such as Netflix or Blockbuster. These services allow you to maintain a list of the DVDs you would like to view, and receive them one or two at a time by mail. The movies have no due date, and you may keep them as long as you like. When you are done viewing them, simply drop them in a pre-paid envelope and mail them back. Services start at as low as $8 a month.
   • Checking out the specials bin for ex-rentals at your favorite DVD rental store. Many toss out excess DVDs for very low prices within a few months of the DVD title's release––surely you can wait!
6. 7
   Stop purchasing new video games. Often a brand new $50 video game is left on the shelf to collect dust within a few weeks after the owner has tired of it. So instead of purchasing video games as soon as they come out, consider only purchasing older, less expensive games, buying your games used at a local video store or website such as eBay, or renting them from a local store or online mail service. Consider using app games instead––these are plentiful, cheaper, and allow for switching allegiances constantly without too much loss of money (and definitely no dust).
7. 8
   Watch the big game from home. Whether it is college or professional sports, basketball, or football, the big game can almost certainly be viewed from home, a friend’s home, or a local bar or restaurant. Save the money you would drop on tickets and high priced snacks, and watch the game on television. It is probably a good idea though to save your pennies for one special game of the season, so that you're not feeling completely deprived.
8. 9
   Stay out of bars. If you drink alcohol, you can save hundreds of dollars by drinking at home instead of at the bar. Even better, if you still love the socializing (and who doesn't), cut down on how much you drink and intersperse all drinks with water, a wake-up latte, and good conversation.
9. 10
   Cancel your subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Most newspapers, news stations, and magazines maintain websites, which contain all of the same content they publish or broadcast. If not, you can read magazines and newspapers at your local library or through your library's online database. Check to see if you can get the information for free online, and cancel the costly subscription if you can.
10. 11
    Go easy on children’s entertainment expenses. There are many ways to entertain your kids for less. Keep in mind that your presence and engagement with your kids is the best gift they could ever have. Expensive toys can never make up for you always being too busy to play with them. Some ideas for cheap or free entertainment include:

    • Take a trip to the park. Parks and playgrounds are an endless source of free entertainment for young children. Bring a picnic and make it an afternoon.
    • Visit the library. Not only can you check out great books and videos, but the kids can also all play online at the same time, participate in story time and crafts, and get help with their homework. Libraries offer many programs and activities for children to learn and play. Check with your local library for information on programs it offers.
    • Bake together. Children, young and old, love to bake and decorate cookies, cakes, and pies. So spend the afternoon or evening in the kitchen snacking!
    • Make a craft project. Children love to draw, color, paint, cut, and glue. Look online for children’s craft ideas and spend a low cost afternoon making crafts.
    • Play a board or card game. Children of all ages enjoy board and card games, and many modern games are made so that both children and adults can have fun playing them. Or get out the tablet and play a game on it together.
11. 12
    Think local. You can find quite a bit of low cost entertainment locally, if you know where to look. Check local websites for Information on children's activities in your area. Some things to consider in the way of local entertainment:

    • Local musicians, comedians, and performers can be seen in parks, concert halls, outdoor theaters, community centers, and bars on almost any night of the week, and they cost less than half of what a concert or Broadway show does.
    • County fairs and city carnivals offer inexpensive, close-to-home entertainment throughout the summer.
    • City and community activities such as ice cream socials, free concerts or shows in the park, and covered bridge festivals are offered by many small and large towns. Check your city’s website, or check with City Hall for information on activities offered by your community.
    • High school college games and events. Many high schools offer admission to games, band concerts, talent shows, and dance performances at little to no cost. Colleges and universities also offer plays, music concerts, and ball game tickets at inexpensive prices.
12. 13
    Travel frugally. Staying with friends, vacationing during the off-season, and visiting low cost locations like developing countries, are all easy ways to save on vacation expenses.

How to Write a Feature Article

Feature articles are windows into the human experience, giving more detail and description than a hard news story, which typically relies on the style of writing. Features focus on an event or individual, giving the reader a chance to more fully understand some interesting dimension of that subject. Writing a feature article can be a highly creative and fun activity, but it does take hard work and planning to write an effective and engaging article.

Find a compelling story. Read the news and talk to people to find interesting stories. Think about what phenomena are happening and how you can talk about them in a new and innovative way.

 Do research on your topic. Finding out background information can help you figure out an angle and identify subjects to interview. Doing online research is good, but it may only get you so far. You may also need to consult books to make sure you are fully aware of the issues surrounding a topic. A historical article may require a visit to an archive.

Decide on the type of feature you want to write. There are a number of ways to write a feature, depending on what you want to focus on.^[1] Some of these include:

• Human Interest: Many feature stories focus on an issue as it impacts people. They often focus on one person or a group of people.
• Profile: This feature type focuses on a specific individual’s character or lifestyle. This type is intended to help the reader feel like they’ve gotten a window into someone’s life. Often, these features are written about celebrities or other public figures.
• Instructional: How-to feature articles teach readers how to do something. Oftentimes, the writer will write about their own journey to learn a task, such as how to make a wedding cake.
• Historical: Features that honor historical events or developments are quite common. They are also useful in juxtaposing the past and the present, helping to root the reader in a shared history.
• Seasonal: Some features are perfect for writing about in certain times of year, such as the beginning of summer vacation or at the winter holidays.
• Behind the Scenes: These features give readers insight into an unusual process, issue or event. It can introduce them to something that is typically not open to the public or publicized.

  Consider the audience you’d like to talk to. As you brainstorm story ideas, think about who will read these stories. Ask yourself questions such as Who will be my readers? and What kinds of angles appeal to these readers? For example, you might write a profile about a pastry chef, but you’ll write differently depending on if your readers are aspiring chefs or if they are wedding planners looking to buy a wedding cake.[
 Consider the type of publication you’re writing for. If you are writing for a magazine or blog with a very specific topic, such as gardening, then you will likely need to tailor your feature article to reflect that interest in some way. A newspaper, on the other hand, is meant for a more general audience and may be more open to varied content.

Interviewing Subjects

1. 1
   Schedule an interview at a time and place convenient for the interviewee. Ask your interviewee to tell you when and where the best place is for them to meet. If they give you a choice, ask for a quiet place where you will be relatively undisturbed for the duration of the interview.
   

   • Schedule about 30-45 minutes with this person. Be respectful of their time and don’t take up their whole day. Be sure to confirm the date and time a couple of days ahead of the scheduled interview to make sure the time still works for the interviewee.
   • If your interviewee needs to reschedule, be flexible. Remember, they are being generous with their time and allowing you to talk with them, so be generous with your responses as well. Never make an interviewee feel guilty about needing to reschedule.
   • If you want to observe them doing a job, ask if they can bring you to their workplace. Asking if your interviewee will teach you a short lesson about what they do can also be excellent, as it will give you some knowledge of the experience to use when you write.
2. 2
   Prepare for your interview. Do research ahead of time to ensure that you are asking the most compelling answers. Have a long list of questions to keep the conversation flowing. Know your interview subject’s background and experience, as well as their views on the subject that you’re interviewing them about.
3. 3
   Give a list of questions to your interviewee ahead of time. The direction of the interview should not be a surprise to the interviewee. Giving them the questions before the interview will help them be able to give more thoughtful answers.
4. 4
   Arrive early for the interview. Your interviewee’s time is valuable, so you don’t want to waste the appointment rushing in and catching your breath. Get to the interview site early. Set up your audio recording equipment and test it out. Make sure you have extra pens and paper.
5. 5
   Audio-record the interview. Use an audio recorder for the interview, but take notes throughout as well. There is always the possibility that your recorder will run out of batteries or memory.
   

   • Be sure to ask your interviewee if it’s okay to audio-record the interview. If you plan to use the audio for any purpose other than for your own purposes writing up the article (such as a podcast that might accompany the feature article), you must tell them and get their consent.
   • Don't pressure the interviewee if they decline audio recording.

1. 6
   Confirm details about your interviewee. You don’t want to write a lengthy feature about a person only to find out that you’ve spelled their name wrong. Make sure you double-check the spelling of their name, as well as other details that are important to the story.
2. 7
   Ask open-ended questions. Questions that rely on yes or no answers will not give you very rich information. Instead, ask questions that start with “how” or “why.” These types of questions give the interviewee a chance to tell a story, relate details or give their opinion.
   

   • Another good option is a question that begins Tell me about a time when.... This allows the interviewee to tell you the story that's important to them, and can often produce rich information for your article.
3. 8
   Actively listen. Listening is a key component of a good interview. Don’t give too many of your own observations, but do react to what they are telling you by smiling or nodding. People are more likely to continue talking when their audience is receptive.
4. 9
   Ask follow up questions. Part of being a good interviewer is determining when someone is finished talking about a particular subject and when it will be helpful to prompt them for further discussion. You can also use your follow up questions to make connections between ideas.
5. 10
   Make notes immediately after the interview. Make observations and notes immediately when you’re finished with the interview when it is fresh in your mind. These might be observations about the location, what the person looked like, what they were doing or how they were carrying themselves.
6. 11
   Transcribe the interview. Transcribing, or typing out the entire interview, can be a tedious task. It is essential for getting quotes correct, however, and it can be very helpful to be able to read what your interviewee said. Do this yourself or pay someone to transcribe for you.
7. 12
   Send a thank you note to your interviewee. Thank them for their time, and give them an idea of when to expect the article about them. This is also a chance when you can ask a few follow-up questions if you find you need more information.
   
   

   Preparing to Write the Article

   1. Choose a format for your article. Feature articles do not have a particular formula the way hard news articles do. You don’t need to follow the “inverted pyramid” style of writing that conveys the “who, what, where, when and why” of a news story. Instead, choose a more inventive way to write a story. Some possible formats may include:
      

      • Start by describing a dramatic moment and then uncover the history that led up to that moment.
      • Use a story-within-a-story format, which relies on a narrator to tell the story of someone else.
      • Start the story with an ordinary moment and trace how the story became unusual.
   2. 2
      Decide on approximate length for the article. Newspaper feature stories run between 500 and 2,500 words, while magazine features run from 500 to 5,000 words. Blog features run from 250 to 2,500 words.
      

      • Check with your editor to see how long they would like your article to be.
   3. 3
      Outline your article. Start piecing together your article by reviewing your notes, selecting quotes, and drafting a structure for the article. Start with your introduction and decide how you want to build the article. What information do you want to reveal first? As you get to the conclusion, think of the overall theme or lasting impression you want to leave with the reader.
      

      • Consider what you absolutely must have in the story and what can be cut. If you are writing a 500-word article, for example, you will likely need to be very selective about what you include, whereas you have a lot more space to write in a 2,500 word article.

      
      
      

      Writing the Article

       

       

      1. 1
         Write a hook to open your story. Your first paragraph is your chance to hook your reader and draw them into your story. If the opening paragraph is dry or difficult to follow, you will lose your reader and they won’t continue on to the rest of your story.^[6]
         

         • Start with an interesting fact, a quote, or an anecdote for a good hook.
         • Your opening paragraph should only be about 2-3 sentences.
      2. 2
         Expand on your lead in the second paragraph. While your lead might draw people in, your second paragraph (and subsequent paragraphs) need to start explaining the reason for the story. Why are we reading this story? What is important about it?
      3. 3
         Follow your outline. You’ve drafted your article in outline form, which can help you stay on track to building a good feature article. The outline can also help you remember how details connect to each other and how quotes support certain points that you’re making.
         

         • Be flexible, however. Sometimes when you write, the flow makes sense in a way that is different from your outline. Be ready to change the direction of your piece if it seems to read better that way.
      4. 4
         Show, don’t tell. By writing a feature article, you have the chance to describe people and scenes to the reader.Describe a setting or person so that the reader can clearly envision it in their mind.
      5. 5
         Don’t use too many quotes. While it can be tempting to include the interviewee’s own words in the story, don’t rely too much on quoting them. Otherwise, this becomes more of a straightforward interview. Write around their quotes to give them context, build the story and help the reader interpret what the interviewee is saying.
      6. 6
         Choose language that is appropriate to your readers. Consider the target audience of the publication for which you are writing and write to their level and interest. Do not assume they are familiar with what you’re talking about, so you may need to explain certain things. Be sure to spell out acronyms and explain jargon or slang. Write in a style that is more conversational, rather than stiff and academic.
      7. 7
         Keep your opinion out of the article. A feature article is a piece that conveys information and detail about a person or phenomenon. It is not an opportunity for you to give your opinion on a topic. Rather, your personality is conveyed through your writing style.
      8. 8
         Revise your article. Once you finish writing, put the article away for a day to get some distance from it. Come back to it when you are fresh and read through it all the way. Think of ways to sharpen descriptions, clarify points and streamline explanations. What areas do you need to cut out? What areas need additional information?
         
         

         Finalizing the Article

         1. 1
            Check for accuracy, and check again. The last thing you want to do is write an article that does not have accurate details or information. Double-check how names are spelled, the order of events, and other pertinent details.
         2. 2
            Have your subject read your article. Not all feature writers do this, and in fact, some may argue that this can detract from the journalistic quality of a piece. But many subjects often want to see their article before it is printed in order to make sure they feel they are represented properly and fairly.
            

            • You can choose to incorporate or not incorporate their suggestions.
         3. 3
            Check spelling and grammar. Do not detract from your feature article with misspelled words and poor grammar. Consult "The Elements of Style," which is the standard for proper grammar usage
            

            • Consult "The Associated Press Stylebook" for style guidelines, such as how to format numbers, dates, street names, and so on.
         4. 4
            Get feedback on the article. Ask a friend or colleague to read through the article. Your editor will also give you feedback. Be open to this feedback and don’t take it personally. They want you to write a good, solid article, and will give you advice on how to change, clarify or expand on what you’ve already written in order to make the best article possible.
         5. 5
            Write a headline. Your publication might write headlines for you, but if you want the initial entry into the article to be reflective of your content, write a headline that does so. The headline is short and to the point, using no more than about 10-15 words, if that. A headline should be action-oriented and should convey why the story is important. It should grab the reader and draw them into the article.
            

            • If you want to convey slightly more information, write a sub-headline, which is a secondary sentence that builds on the headline.
         6. 6
            Submit your article by the deadline. Make sure your article is submitted to your editor or to the publication on or before the deadline. Late articles usually do not get printed, and then all of your hard work will either be delayed until the next issue or not published at all

How to Start a Catering Business

If you host dinner parties for your family and friends every chance you get, you're up on food trends and you have an entrepreneurial spirit, consider starting a catering business. You have the advantage of starting small with relatively low overhead and building your business as you gain more clients. Read on for information on how to find your niche, launch your business and spread the word.

first method

Finding Your Catering Niche

 should be rooted in a genuine interest and passion. Consider the following types of food you could focus on as you develop your catering business:

• Lunch or brunch-style food. If you enjoy making sandwiches, quiches, tarts, salads, and other food that is generally served during the day, you might want to model your business around lunchtime service. You could cater business luncheons, daytime awards ceremonies, school functions, and so on.
• Wedding reception or special event meals. Wedding caterers typica
  Test your dishes. Once you've settled on a menu, have a party to test out your dishes on family and friends. Ask them for honest feedback about the entire experience - both the food and the service.
  

  • Tweak your dishes until you're convinced they're delicious and crowd friendly.
  • Practice makes perfect. Make sure you've got the techniques, cooking times, and presentation down before you launch your business.
  lly offer a variety of appetizers and finger foods along with several hearty entrees and a few desserts.
• Desserts only. If you love baking and have a flair for making cookies and cakes, consider desserts-only catering. This may limit the types of clients who hire you, but you'll also have less equipment to buy.
• Appetizers and cocktails. Clients are increasingly hiring caterers to create a trendy, festive atmosphere by serving only appetizers, sometimes accompanied by caterer-prepared specialty cocktails.
•  
  Create a menu. By doing this first, you can figure out how much kitchen space you'll need, what appliances you should install and how much you can expect to bring in financially.
  

  • Try to have a variety of items to suit different tastes. Even if you specialize in one cuisine or type of meal, make sure your menu appeals to a lot of tastes. For example, if you want to offer a lot of spicy food, have non-spicy options as well.
  • Consider offering vegetarian and vegan options for clients who don't eat meat and other animal products.
  • Keep your menu to a manageable size, with food you're comfortable cooking made with ingredients you know you can source.
  • second method
  •  

  Securing Your Space and Supplies

  1. 1
     Find a space to rent. Even if your starting small, most local laws prohibit people from operating catering businesses from a home kitchen. Look into your jurisdiction's health codes to find out what type of space you'll need to rent.
     

     • Consider operating from a commercial kitchen. Some kitchens allow people to rent the space for a day or a few hours at a time. This situation could be the right one for you if you cater only on the weekends or a few times a month.
     • If catering is going to be your full-time business, you'll probably need a more permanent storage and cooking facility. Find a place with adequate plumbing so you'll be able to set up your cooking and catering equipment. Check with your landlord and your local zoning office to make sure you can install the proper equipment like ventilation hoods and grease traps.
     • If you plan to host tastings or sell food directly from your kitchen, look for a place with a storefront that's separate from the kitchen, and provide tables and seating for customers.
  2. 2
     Set up your kitchen. Catering work requires industrial equipment that is usually more expensive than equipment you would use in your home kitchen. Create a budget and figure out exactly what you'll need to run your business efficiently.
     

     • Base your equipment purchases on your menu. For example, if many of your items are baked, install at least two ovens. If you have a lot of fried foods, opting for more than one fryer might be a good idea.
     • You may want to install multiple sinks to make your prep work more efficient, especially if you plan on hiring people.
     • Plan ahead for food storage, too. Multiple refrigerators and a walk-in freezer might be necessary to store dishes you prepare ahead of time. Heated and non-heated holding areas are important for holding temperature and storing prepared items.
     • Obtain all the pots, pans, and other kitchen equipment you need to make the items on your menu.
  3. 3
     Purchase the catering equipment that you will use on-site. The equipment you choose will depend on the type of service you want to provide, but at minimum you will need serving platters and serving utensils.
     

     • Many catering businesses provide plates, silverware, glassware, or disposable plates and utensils.
     • You may want to offer special display trays and tiered food pl atters to help make the catered event more festive.
     • Make sure you have the proper equipment to keep the food either cold or hot, such as chafing dishes with liquid fuel burners.
     • Consider buying linens, napkins, table decorations and centerpieces. Some catering businesses also offer tent canopies for outdoor events.

   

  •  third method

  
  

  Setting Up Your Business

   Get applicable permits and licenses. Research the laws in your area regarding distribution of food or alcohol at catering sites. Make sure you have the permits and licenses you need before you get started.

   Set your prices. Make sure you have paperwork in order for when you do consultations, tastings, and cater events. Either hire an accountant or do your own bookkeeping to keep track of your expenses, invoices and income. Buy a van and other equipment for transporting food. Make sure the van has plenty of space for storage of food, linens, tableware, and any other equipment you might need to bring to your clients' sites. One vehicle should be sufficient to start. You may decide to buy more if your business expands. 

  
  

  
  

  Hire staff. Decide what staff you will need to help you with food preparation, delivery, and service.
  

  • Instead of hiring staff right off the bat, you could also use a temp agency for your cooks and servers, at least until you build up your business.
  • Consider what type of uniforms you want your serving staff to wear.
  • Train your employees to provide the type of service you want to offer your clients.

  
  

  Apply for an account with food suppliers. When you're just starting out you may be able to use a local wholesale club to buy your food, but if you get busy enough, you will find it easier to do business with a larger supply company.
  

  • Produce can be acquired locally from farmers.
  • The makers of alcohol will sometimes give you a special deal on their brand if you display their logo at events.

  
  

  Market your business. Pass out fliers and menus, post on Facebook, and take out ads in local newspapers a few weeks before you plan to open. You can start taking orders ahead of time and do mobile tasting events to get the word out.
  

  • Submit your business information to wedding sites and ask for banquet halls and popular local wedding venues to refer potential clients to you.
  • Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get new catering business. Do your best to make the first few events go smoothly, and soon you'll have your hands full with new clients.