So I kind of stink at doing my own hair but I did come up with a few hairstyles for the summer that are super easy. These are great for when the weather is sticky and gross and you want to look cute but still keep your hair out of your face!

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The Ultimate Guide to Rave Outfits for Women

 

Raves are about letting your imagination run wild and exploring your true self. That's why rave outfits are great for showing off your creativity.

Rave clothing is colorful, bold, and comfortable. It also usually features a bodycon style that's sleek, polished, cheeky, and sometimes even provocative to a certain degree.

Strapless Dresses

Rave outfits allow you to express your personality and highlight your unique style. Whether you are a drum and bass fan or a 90s rave lover, there is something for everyone.

Choose a style that fits your vibe and showcases your body when it comes to rave dresses. Try a strapless dress in a bright color or a fun pattern. Pair your look with some platform sandals or boots for a perfect rave look.

Try a strapless bra with sturdy padded cups for a comfortable and secure fit. This style lifts and centers the breasts to create irresistible cleavage. It also looks great under backless and strapless dresses. 

Camisole Dresses

Rave outfits women should be able to dance in, which means they must be comfortable. You'll be dancing for hours, so don't risk blisters from shoes that are too tight or hard.

Style your rave looks with a metallic bum bag and chunky trainers to stand out on the dance floor.

For raves, popular options include neon-colored camisole dresses, iridescent crop tops, baggy hoodies with patterns, and holographic print bodysuits. To finish your look, you can add funky rave accessories like bandanas, glow body paint, and more. If you're not into bright colors, try dark rave shades instead.

Sheer Shirts

Sheer shirts are another rave outfit trend for girls who love to keep their looks feminine and sexy. Pairing a sheer shirt with high-waisted jean shorts will make you look glamorous and stylish. Sheer shirts are also great for bringing out your inner rebellious girl.

Another great thing about this style is that it shows off a lot of skin and makes you look sexy and confident. Rave clothes nowadays have evolved from baggy clothing to bikini tops, fishnet bodysuits, booty shorts, and other sexy outfits. They are perfect for showing off your wild moves on the dance floor. 

Jean Shorts

Raves are dance-oriented events, and you want to dress in something that will allow you to move quickly. That's why it's common for ravers to wear outfits that are a mix of baggy and skimpy. These pieces are comfortable because they're made of fabric that stretches.

One of the most common rave outfit ideas for women is to pair a tee with denim shorts or a skirt. This look is a great way to add color to your rave outfit and looks stylish and cool. You can even wear it with sneakers or other casual shoes.

Pair a metallic tank crop top with a mini or maxi skirt for a more glamorous and chic look. You can also match it with strappy heels to elevate your look.

Metallic Crop Top

Raves are usually held at night, so it's no surprise that rave outfit styles incorporate a reflective or glow-in-the-dark aspect. This can be done in various ways, including wearing glow-in-the-dark body paint, thigh-high boots, or even a rave harness,

A metallic crop top is the perfect option for those who want to stand out and show off their figure. This rave top is simple, sexy, and will look amazing under any lights.

Rave clothing is constantly changing and evolving, so staying up to date with the latest trends and styles is essential. In neon hues and new-season prints, you can find rave dresses, rompers, and unitards. Pair these with chunky boots and a metallic bum bag for the ultimate rave outfit!

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Money-Saving Plumbing Tips - Reduce Your Water Bill Today

 

Using these plumbing tips can save you money and prevent costly repairs. For example, knowing where your water shut-off valve is located and checking it regularly saves on future plumbing emergencies.

A dripping faucet can waste gallons of water daily and cost you money. Similarly, regular toilet "check-ups" by plumber Tacoma can stop clogs from occurring and save you money.

Install Water-Efficient Fixtures

Choosing the right plumbing fixtures is one of the easiest ways to reduce water usage in your home. Look for products with the EPA's WaterSense label to ensure you get high-efficiency showerheads, faucet aerators, toilets, and other equipment.

These upgrades are not only undemanding on your wallet but also help the environment by cutting down on the energy it takes to process and heat your household water. Plus, less water consumption around the house means fewer wasteful leaks!

Replace Old Faucets

Leaky faucets can waste gallons of water every day. The same is true for showerheads, toilets, and even pipes. A single dripping faucet might seem harmless, but it can add up to a huge bill over time.

Installing new, WaterSense-certified faucets can reduce water consumption by 20% or more. You can also save water by adding an aerator to existing faucets. These devices screw onto the faucet head and infuse air into the water stream, which makes the water flow more compact but still delivers a strong stream of water.

Aim to replace old, leaky faucets with new, energy-efficient models, and be sure to connect them to the shut-off valves underneath your sink. Ensure the new faucet doesn't have old aerator hoses attached, and make sure the plastic locknuts holding the faucet to the sink apron are tightly screwed in place (this may require a basin wrench).

Check for Leaks

Many households have water leaks that need to be visible. These leaks waste gallons of water per day and can add up quickly. Fortunately, regular plumbing maintenance prevents these leaks and saves money.

If you notice a sudden increase in your water bill, check the numbers on your water meter before and after a time when your household uses little to no water. If the meter reading is higher, you leak.

If you've noticed damp spots in the garden or ceiling, a hissing sound in your bathroom, or a large puddle of water, call a professional to investigate and repair the issue as soon as possible. These plumbing problems will only worsen if not addressed right away. This will also prevent further damage and costly repairs in the future.

Install Drain Strainers

Drain strainers help prevent clogs that can slow water flow and cause overflow. These simple devices are easy to install and can help reduce plumbing maintenance costs by keeping debris out of your drain lines.

Sink strainers typically fit over the drain opening and feature a perforated or mesh-like design that allows water to pass through while trapping debris. These filters are often made from durable materials like stainless steel.

Commercial kitchens often have drains that can get clogged with straws, plastic gloves, and other debris. Installing drain filters can help prevent these items from entering the drain lines and causing costly issues for your business.

Turn Off Your Taps

Besides being environmentally friendly, this simple action saves gallons of water. It also helps prevent water bills from getting so out of hand that someone loses their service. Millions of people have their water shut off every year after falling behind on what they owe.

Leaks can cost you gallons of water daily, especially when not immediately fixed. Check your toilets, faucets, and outside taps for leaks.

Learn how to turn off your water for emergencies and routine maintenance. You can find the main valve that serves your house, usually in the basement or the meter box. To shut off your water, turn the valve clockwise. To turn it back on, rotate the valve counter-clockwise.

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How THCA Differs From THC and CBD

 

THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that converts into THC through heating (via smoking, vaping, dabbing, or cooking for edibles). Once heated, THCA’s extra carboxyl ring transforms into the psychoactive THC. THCA has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits and is effective for pain relief, appetite stimulation, and nausea reduction. It also has anti-proliferative properties and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

THCA is the Non-Psychoactive Precursor to THC

The main difference between THCA and THC is that THCA is non-psychoactive in its raw form, while THC is psychoactive. THCA has an extra molecular carboxyl group that keeps it from binding to the brain’s receptors and causing the high associated with THC. Despite not getting you high, THCA still provides numerous therapeutic benefits. It can reduce pain (possibly more effectively than CBD), promote sleep, and act as an appetite stimulant. THCA has neuroprotective qualities that may help slow the progression of degenerative diseases.

Heat causes the conversion of THCA into THC. This process is called decarboxylation. Decarboxylation is also the process of making edibles from cannabis plants. It is important to remember that THCA will also convert into THC-COOH, a cannabinoid that can appear on drug tests. Because of this, it is crucial to follow the dosage recommendations on your products carefully. Generally, you will want to start low and work up to a dose that feels comfortable for you. Also, it is important to know that consuming THC-COOH can cause you to fail a drug test at work or school. It is because most workplaces have cut-off levels for THC in the bloodstream.

THCA Has a Carboxylic Acid Group

THCA can’t get you high because it has an extra molecular carboxyl group that prevents the cannabinoid from binding to CB1 receptors in your brain. The carboxyl group can be removed by decarboxylation, done through heat exposure such as smoking, vaping, dabbing and cooking for edibles. While THCA doesn’t produce any psychoactive effects, it does have many therapeutic qualities. For example, a high-THCA flower can increase appetite and improve nausea. It can also reduce pain perception and inflammation. THCA’s anti-inflammatory properties may help treat conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. THCA also has neuroprotective properties, according to various studies. The cannabinoid activates the PPARg receptor, which slows down or even stops the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. THCA can be consumed in raw cannabis, such as juices and tinctures. However, the cannabinoid is most commonly decarboxylated through heating to produce THC. 

THCA Is More Active than CBD

As a non-psychoactive precursor to THC, THCA has unique therapeutic properties that are being explored. It may have anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, and neuroprotective qualities. THCA has also been found to help relieve nausea and suppress tumors in lab tests. Some studies have even shown that THCA when consumed with CBD, can provide a greater therapeutic effect than either compound alone. It is called the entourage effect and is believed to be due to the interaction between different cannabinoids. In addition to boosting the effectiveness of CBD, THCA can reduce or eliminate the psychoactive effects of THC. THCA can be smoked or vaporized in cannabis products like a bud bowl or joint, but it is most commonly extracted and incorporated into tinctures and other capsules. THCA capsules are typically taken sublingually or under the tongue, where they can quickly and accurately be dosed. When THCA is heated, it loses its carboxyl group and converts it into THC through decarboxylation. It can occur when you smoke a fat blunt or juice your raw cannabis, but it can also happen naturally over time as the plant ages. While THCA is not psychoactive and does not cause any high, it can trigger a positive drug test result because it will be converted to THC in the urine. As a result, it is recommended that you do not consume any form of THCA if you are scheduled for a workplace drug test.

THCA Is More Bioavailable than CBD

THCA is the most psychoactive precursor to THC but offers unique therapeutic benefits. The molecule is being studied for its ability to reduce anxiety and depression by triggering serotonin receptors directly. It can also act as an appetite stimulant and can alleviate pain. Interestingly, THCA does not produce a high when consumed raw. Its molecular structure prevents it from binding with CB receptors in our endocannabinoid system to cause an intoxicating effect. The only way to experience THCA at its full potential is by smoking or vaping cannabis that has undergone decarboxylation. This process involves heating the cannabis to remove its extra carboxyl ring. You can also consume THCA via juiced raw cannabis or a THCA-based supplement, like a tincture. However, even if you smoke or vape a cannabis product that has undergone decarboxylation, the compound won’t remain THCA for long. Once THCA is exposed to heat, it will immediately convert into THC. That is why using a high-quality product lab-tested for potency with either liquid chromatography or gas chromatography is important. Both methods require the sample to be heated. THCA can also be converted into Delta 10 (mildly psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol) and the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol CBD, which both have a similar structure to THC but lack its carboxylic acid group. THCA and delta 10 are metabolites of THC, meaning they can appear on a drug test for marijuana.

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How to Save Money on Summer Entertaining

Summer is the best time to host a get together mostly because you can hang around outside so you don't need to clean your home from top to bottom inside.  The problem is, if you don't plan even the smallest of get togethers correctly, you may end up spending more money than you needed to.  Here are 8 simple tips to save money on summer entertaining when you're the host.

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The Role of Glioblastoma Foundations in Research and Treatment

 

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly form of brain tumor in adults. Presently, it is incurable. We must understand why and how this tumor forms and develop newer, more effective therapies.

Immune responses to Glioblastoma may be impaired by several mechanisms, including the BBB, lack of lymphatic channels, low basal expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules, and immunosuppressive cytokines.

Development of Drug Therapies for Glioblastoma

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). But treatment can help manage symptoms and prolong life. The first step is surgery, which aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible. If the surgeon can't remove it, radiation therapy kills the remaining cancer cells and prevents new ones from growing. It is often given with chemotherapy, mainly the oral drug temozolomide (Temodar).

Other therapies might be helpful for some patients. These include antiseizure drugs, which can reduce the risk of seizures, and corticosteroids, which can decrease brain swelling and ease headaches.

Getting a full workup by a team of Glioblastoma Foundation professionals—including neurologists and neuro-oncologists- is important for a patient. They may recommend a clinical trial that could improve your odds of survival. 

Targeted Therapies for Glioblastoma

The five-year survival rate for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) patients is below 10%. The primary treatments for brain tumors are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Researchers are focusing on developing targeted therapies that can improve patient outcomes. These drugs can target specific dysregulated pathways in a cancer cell and block the growth of new tumor cells.

These targets include receptor tyrosine kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway, DNA damage response and TP53. Small molecule inhibitors of these specific pathways are showing promising results in Glioblastoma.

One example is vorasidenib, which targets IDH mutations in Glioblastoma. It prevents the formation of an onco-metabolite called 2-Hydroxyglutarate, produced by mutant IDH1/2. Vorasidenib can double the time patients with IDH-mutated Glioblastoma go without their tumors worsening, which can delay the start of radiation and chemotherapy.

Another example is bevacizumab, which is given with lomustine and inhibits a protein that helps tumor cells grow. It can treat Glioblastoma and other brain and spinal cord tumors, including subependymal giant cell astrocytomas that surgery can't completely remove.

Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a high-grade brain tumor that arises from the brain's glial cells. These cells normally support and nourish neurons and form scar tissue that helps the brain heal after injury. GBMs are aggressive and can spread to healthy brain tissue. They are also often associated with genetic diseases such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Immunotherapy, a cancer treatment that boosts the patient's natural immune system response, has shown promising results in other cancers and may help improve survival for glioblastoma patients. This therapy involves giving the patient antibodies that target specific tumor cells and vaccines to amplify the body's natural response.

Many glioblastomas recur, and new treatments are needed to extend survival. Researchers are testing a variety of experimental therapies, including immunotherapy. They study combinations of medicines and other strategies, such as gene therapy, to deliver anti-cancer genes to tumor cells. Patients interested in participating in clinical trials should speak with their doctor to learn more about available options.

Clinical Trials for Glioblastoma

Currently, most glioblastoma patients are treated with standard therapy, which only postpones tumor recurrence. With no cure in sight, the need for new treatments is urgent.

Glioblastoma Foundation-funded research is making a difference, but much more needs to be done. We are committed to breaking down barriers that prevent effective treatments from reaching the patients who need them.

One of these barriers is overly restrictive eligibility criteria, which reduces the number of patients who can participate in clinical trials. Another is the difficulty of turning promising Phase II results into a randomized Phase III trial.

One exciting new opportunity is to utilize a patient's immune system to fight cancer, and a Penn Medicine team is leading the way in this area. This new Translational Center of Excellence (TCE) will investigate innovative immune therapies, particularly design and test new CAR T cell therapies alone or in combination. The TCE will leverage cores at the Abramson Cancer Center, including a human brain tumor tissue bank.

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