Scarves, scarves, scarves!

LogoFall is a beautiful season, but bittersweet because it means that our long, cold winter is just around the corner. At this time of year, I’m always reluctant to put my summer clothes away because I keep hoping that there will be a few more truly warm days and that I’ll still need them. Realistically, however, the days are getting shorter and cooler and I’m wearing mostly transitional pieces. While I haven’t switched my closet from spring/summer to fall/winter yet, I have started making some small moves in that direction. A few summer clothes that weren’t used at all this year have already been dropped off at the thrift store and this week, in preparation for fall, I decided to take a serious look at my scarf collection. 

IMG_1449I have a few warm, wooly scarves for outdoor wear in the depths of winter, but for this exercise, I was addressing only what I’d call my fashion scarves. I started by gathering them all together in one place. There were infinity scarves, rectangular scarves, square scarves, and even a few very tiny scarves. There were animal prints, polka dots, stripes, and a variety of other patterns. As you can see, there were lots of earth tones, some blues, greens, and greys, and a few pops of other colours. For a woman who doesn’t wear scarves very often, I seem to have a lot of them! A couple were gifts and a couple belonged to my mother-in-law before she passed away, but I picked up the vast majority of them at the local thrift stores over the past few years. Some I’ve never actually worn! It was time to decide which ones to keep and which ones to move along. A scarf doesn’t take up much space, but getting dressed is so much easier when your wardrobe is pared down to only those items that will actually be worn.  

I decided to start by separating my scarf collection into three piles… ones I’ve worn regularly in the past, ones I don’t wear and probably never will, and ones I’d like to wear but haven’t figured out how yet. This method can actually work well for everything in your closet, but for now I was focusing only on scarves. The don’t wear pile was set aside for my next trip to the thrift store. Hopefully someone else will enjoy those ones. Next, I went through the favourites pile and took a closer look at each of them. One of them was badly worn with lots of little catches in the fabric. It was time to let that one go too. The rest of that group went into my closet on handy scarf hangers purchased at the dollar store. 

Over the next while as I do the rest of my seasonal closet switch, I’ll play around with the final few; the scarves that I like but haven’t quite figured out how to wear with my existing wardrobe. Hopefully they’ll result in some new looks for fall. 

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And finally, here’s my newest scarf. Infinity scarves are so easy to wear and when I saw this one in the thrift store last week, I knew immediately that it would look great with a jean jacket, in this case a basic one from Gap that’s been in my closet for several years. Perfect for an early fall day! 

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50 characteristics of an elegant woman

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Pamela Lutrell, writer of the blog Over 50, Feeling 40, has been writing a series recently on cultivating elegance. Before she started, she asked her readers how they would define elegance. That led to a very interesting discussion and started me thinking a lot about what it means to be an elegant woman. 

What is elegance? Is it an old-fashioned concept gone the way of the dodo bird or is it something that today’s busy woman should aspire to?  

The dictionary defines elegance as the “quality of being graceful and attractive in appearance or manner.” It’s the “or manner” part that caught my attention. Elegance is much more than what we look like or how we dress. It’s the whole package, inside and out. 

With that in mind, I think an elegant woman…

  1. Dresses appropriately for the occasion.
  2. Doesn’t dress to impress.
  3. Knows her style and dresses accordingly. 
  4. Practices modesty and moderation in all things.
  5. Chooses quality over quantity. 
  6. Feels free to be herself. Is authentic, not contrived.
  7. Uses makeup subtly to enhance her natural beauty, not hide it. 
  8. Maintains good posture and moves gracefully.
  9. Doesn’t compare herself with others.
  10. Exhibits self-confidence. 
  11. Looks to other women for inspiration, not competition. 
  12. Practices good manners. 
  13. Accepts compliments gracefully.
  14. Has a heart of gratitude.
  15. Isn’t a complainer. 
  16. Engages in intelligent conversation and appreciates an intellectual debate.
  17. Is present in every conversation giving everyone her full attention. 
  18. Isn’t judgemental.
  19. Doesn’t gossip. 
  20. Practices discretion. Doesn’t share everything with everyone. 
  21. Is kind with her words about others. 
  22. Speaks eloquently and thoughtfully.
  23. Is never loud or obnoxious.
  24. Doesn’t always have to be right. 
  25. Doesn’t always have to have the last word. 
  26. Is comfortable with silence.  
  27. Stands up for what she believes in, but does it graciously. 
  28. Doesn’t lose her cool in public, but gracefully and calmly stands up to people who are disrespectful. 
  29. Thinks of others and puts their feelings ahead of her own. 
  30. Doesn’t try to control other people. 
  31. Doesn’t take other people for granted.
  32. Practices patience with everyone and everything in her life. 
  33. Admits when she is wrong and seeks to make amends.
  34. Apologizes sincerely. 
  35. Doesn’t speak down to children, but engages with them at an appropriate level. 
  36. Respects other people’s time and avoids being late. 
  37. Enjoys learning new things. 
  38. Recognizes her own areas of weakness. 
  39. Isn’t wasteful.
  40. Appreciates all that she’s been blessed with. 
  41. Takes pride in what she does, but isn’t a perfectionist.
  42. Isn’t boastful. 
  43. Appreciates hard work. 
  44. Lives passionately. 
  45. Isn’t afraid of getting dirty working in the garden, making mud pies with her grandchildren, or hiking a rugged trail. 
  46. Knows that life is about small and simple pleasures. 
  47. Persists when life gets tough, which it inevitably will. 
  48. Doesn’t obsess over the “what ifs” and “if onlys” in life. 
  49. Knows that the grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence and when it looks as if it is, she waters her own yard. 
  50. Radiates inner peace. 

LogoDoes this list make elegance sound impossible? I hope not. Remember, no one is perfect. None of us gets it right all the time, but I think these are qualities that we can all aspire to and that they’re just as appropriate today as they were in our grandmother’s day. What do you think? Can you add any others to the list? 

HOOFED IT!

Over a three day period while camping at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park this past week, Richard and I hiked a total of 23.9 km, pushing me to within just 2 km of my final HOOFING IT Across Canada goal. This evening, under dark cloudy skies that look like they were about to let go and pour rain, I crossed my self-imposed finish line! Since July 1st, I’ve HOOFED IT 179.5 kilometres (111.5 miles). That’s 2.5 km more than the distance from our front door to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton where I receive all my neuroendocrine (NET) cancer care.

If you’ve been reading my blog or following me on Facebook this summer, you know that I’ve been taking part in the CNETS Canada campaign to raise funds for NET cancer research. The goal was for participants to rack up 5514 km, the distance from Newfoundland and Labrador to the Yukon, by walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, cycling, roller-blading, or any other forward moving activity that they could think of. We did that in spades, criss-crossing Canada almost five times!

Fundraising has been a bigger and vastly more important challenge. This evening, we’re sitting at just over $73,000, but approximately $20,000 of that has come in over the past ten days! For that reason, the deadline for making donations has been extended to September 25. With an extra two and a half weeks, we’re hopeful that we can bring in the final $27,000 necessary to continue funding critically needed neuroendocrine cancer research.

The need for research and awareness was brought home to me again this afternoon when I spent some time chatting online with a NET patient in another Canadian province who was diagnosed in May of this year. She’s been seen by an oncologist and has had surgery, but she hasn’t been referred to a NET specialist. She hadn’t even heard of Sandostatin, the injection that I’ve been receiving every 28 days since diagnosis. It’s been the workhorse medication for neuroendocrine cancer patients for the past 30 years, but her oncologist may never have encountered a NET patient before and may have little or no idea how to treat it. Sadly, this is a common occurrence for NET cancer patients!

Today, with so much attention being directed toward COVID related research (and rightly so) a relatively unknown cancer like ours can easily get overlooked. With many people facing financial difficulties, it’s not easy to keep asking for donations, but let me do it one more time. If you haven’t already and you’re able to give even a small donation, please visit my fundraising page and help us reach our goal. Every dollar counts!

12 Trends for Fall 2020

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As we enter a new season and continue to find ourselves caught in this strange Covid-19 conundrum, I wonder how many of us are thinking about fashion trends or even considering adding to our existing wardrobes. I think, more than anything, fashion this fall is going to be all about comfort and some of the trends definitely reflect that.

Before we look at specific styles, let’s talk about colour. Though black and grey will continue to be popular neutrals, bold jewel tones lead the way this fall. Marigold, orange, wine, and rust are very popular and even chartreuse is on trend. Rich, bold blues and deep olive are also highly favoured. Head to toe outfits in warm creamy tones are a new look for fall this year.

ISABEL MARANT Fall Winter 2020 Runway Images Courtesy of ISABEL MARANT

Now for 12 of the most popular trends for fall:

1.  Textured coats  –   Shearling and faux fur are both very popular for outerwear this season.  

2.  Oversized coats  –  We definitely want to wrap ourselves in something comfy as we move into winter! 

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3.  Capes  –  Capes as coats continue the theme of wrapping ourselves in comfort. 

4.  Quilted fashions  –  Puffer coats and vests have been popular for awhile, but this season we’re also seeing quilted skirts! 

5.  Plaids and checks  –  Look for argyle patterns, tartans, gingham, houndstooth, checks of every kind this season. You may not have to look any further than your own closet to incorporate this look into your fall outfits. Vintage shops would be another great source. 

6.  Shoulder reveals  –  Not just the cold shoulder look that’s been around for the past couple of years, but asymmetrical shoulder cutouts, one shoulder, and off the shoulder looks are all on trend this season. 

7.  Puff sleeves  –  Anne of Green Gables anyone? Dramatic, voluminous sleeves are big (pun intended) this fall. 

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8.  Ruffles and tiers  –  Ruffled skirts and tiered dresses are popular. Look for Victorian-era details, particularly ruffled Victorian necklines. 

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9.  Skirt suits  –  Summer’s short suits have transitioned into skirt suits for fall. This trend might appeal to many women who’ve been able to return to the workplace and who are looking to amp up their fall and winter wardrobes. Some have pleated skirts, many are seen in bright colours, and some are even all leather. 

10.  Fringe  –  Fringes, sometimes very long fringes, are being seen on hemlines, sleeves, handbags, pretty much anywhere you can put a fringe. 

11.  Metallics and sequins  –  The majority of us probably won’t be going anywhere in the near future that requires anything very fancy, but if you do, metallic fabric (especially silver) or sequins is the way to go. 

12.  Lingerie looks  –  Lastly, for the more adventurous amongst us and perhaps those who live in a warmer climate than I do, is the intimate apparel as daywear look. If you can’t decide which shirt to wear, don’t panic. Just go without one! Bra tops and bustiers under jackets are a trend, though not one that I”m likely to adopt! 

Bra top under jacket

As you can see from the photos, it’s very easy to mix and match this fall’s trends. Think plaid overcoat, cape, or skirt suit, for example. 

As I’ve mentioned in previous seasonal trend posts, some of these may appeal to you and others probably won’t. Don’t ever feel compelled to wear something simply because it’s on trend. Instead, pick and choose those colours that suit your skin tone and looks that fit your personal style. And, before you start shopping for this season’s trends, remember to shop your own closet. Perhaps you’ll find something there that fits right in with the current trends. 

Wearable milk?

LogoI learn so much from my readers! The idea for today’s post came from one of my most recent followers, new blogger, Dhwani Ghandi, of Style Green With Dee

The fashion industry is known to be one of the world’s worst polluters. According to the United Nations, it is responsible for producing 20% of global waste-water and 10% of carbon emissions, more than that of international flights and maritime shipping combined. Clearly, there is an urgent need for more sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives. Could milk protein (casein) be one of them? 

The idea isn’t a new one. In fact, fabric made from sour milk was developed as a substitute for wool in resource-starved Italy in the 1930s and was used in many clothing and household items in America and Europe during the ’30s and ’40s. It was far from perfect, however. Chemicals such as formaldehyde were used to strength the fabric and it wasn’t as soft or durable as wool. As a result, it fell into obscurity when less expensive, more resistant synthetic options such as nylon became available. 

Today, milk fibre is once again gaining interest as manufacturers and consumers look for alternatives to synthetic fabrics. Most milk fibres today are blended with the chemical binder acrylonitrile, which is also used to make acrylic, but there are some small producers in Europe who claim that their fabrics are 100% chemical-free. At this point, they have a limited market due to cost. Milk fibre is much more expensive than polyester to produce, but cheaper than other luxury fibres like silk. 

So what is casein or milk fibre fabric like? Apparently, it is glossy and luxurious in appearance, feels much like silk, absorbs moisture well, and is antibacterial and antifungal. It blends well with other fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, and modal. What’s not to like? 

I have to wonder though, if solving one problem would cause or contribute to another. Apparently, the dairy industry worldwide dumps millions of tons of milk every year. It would be wonderful to see that go to good use in fabric production. Would it be enough, however, or would dairy herds have to be increased in order to meet the demand? It takes approximately 15 kg (33 lb) of milk to produce 1 kg (2.2 lb) of milk fibre. The amount of land and water required to raise additional cows, the unethical treatment of factory-farmed animals, and pollution caused by manure entering waterways are all factors that would have to be taken into consideration. And then there are those cow farts putting methane gas into the atmosphere! 

Who knows though? It may be a novel idea now, but maybe someday we’ll all be wearing sour milk! 

 

My final goal

Just a quick HOOFING IT Across Canada post today as I have grandchildren here and don’t intend to spend much time sitting at the computer! With just two weeks left in the fundraising campaign for neuroendocrine (NET) cancer research, I have walked 136.56 km and raised $1595 in donations. If you’ve been following my progress, you know that I originally set 100 km as my walking/hiking goal. When I accomplished that before the middle of this month, I decided to add another 50 km to my distance. Now, with that goal in sight, I’ve decided to push myself a little bit further.

The distance by road from my front door to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta is 177 km. That’s where I receive all my NET cancer care, so 177 km seems like a very meaningful goal to pursue. It might be a bit of a stretch, but I CAN DO IT!

I also passed my fundraising goal of $1500 in early August. It hasn’t grown a lot since then, but I would dearly love to see a few more donations come in. I’m still in the top ten fundraisers and would love to hold onto that position, but much more important is the need for funds to continue research into this unusual cancer. It will be 7 years tomorrow since I started this journey and while there’s been progress made, we still know nothing about what causes NET cancer and have a very long way to go to find better treatments and ultimately a cure.

The overall goal for the HOOFING IT Across Canada campaign is $100,000. This afternoon we’re sitting at just under $54,000, so we still have a long way to go! You can help by visiting my fundraising page and adding to my total. Thank you so much for being with me on this journey!

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Busting the LBD myth

LogoEvery woman needs a little black dress or so we’re told, but is it true? What about those of us who look completely washed out in black?  

The idea behind this so-called “essential”depositphotos_79714730-stock-illustration-fashion-little-black-dress-template is excellent. The LBD should be simple and elegant, something that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It can be worn to work, to dinner, on a date, to a professional event, to a funeral, to church, to a party – the list is endless. It’s a classic piece that can be quickly and easily accessorized making it a simple choice when something unexpected comes up. It stands the test of time and never goes out of fashion.

But, does it have to be black? Absolutely not!  

For those of us with warm skin tones who don’t look good in black, navy is an excellent alternative, but your LBD that isn’t black could be another neutral colour or even bright red.

So, whether your LBD is black, navy blue, chocolate brown, charcoal, camel, or red, how do you choose the right one? First of all, make sure that the fit is perfect and choose a simple style that flatters your body shape. When you slip into it, you should feel glamorous. Length is optional. You can go as short as above the knee, choose a longer maxi style, or go for something in between. Avoid trendy hemlines as you want to wear it for many, many seasons.  Though the LBD is most often sleeveless, this is also a matter of choice. If you aren’t keen on your upper arms being seen, you can certainly opt for one with sleeves. If you travel a lot, choose a fabric that doesn’t come out of the suitcase looking like a wrinkled mess, ideally one that you can wash in a hotel sink and hang to dry.  

The power and versatility of the LBD of any colour is in the accessories. You can wear it with shiny jewelry and heels for a fancy party or pair it with ballet flats and a cardigan for a casual night out. Play around with scarves, wraps, necklaces, belts, and other accessories. Wear it with a blazer, a jean jacket, or a sparkly sweater. With one simple dress and the things you already have in your closet, you’ll create a multitude of different looks. 

So ladies, if you don’t already have a dress like this in your wardrobe, what are you waiting for? Just remember, it doesn’t have to be black!  

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HOOFED IT 100 km!

dancing-netty-zebra-net-cancer-dayThere’s no doubt that the HOOFING IT Across Canada fundraising campaign has helped give purpose to my summer; this very weird summer when a family reunion, special birthday celebration, travel, and even scattering my father’s ashes in his beloved mountains all went out the window with Covid-19.

Prior to the campaign, I set two goals for myself. Between July 1st and September 7th, I would walk or hike 100 km and raise a minimum of $1500 in donations for neuroendocrine cancer (NETS) research. I knew that I’d have no problem HOOFING IT 100 km, but I originally thought that $1000 was perhaps a more reasonable fundraising goal. My husband had other ideas. “Go big!” he urged me, so $1500 it was. This week, I accomplished both these goals! In fact, the $1500 was in the bag before I HOOFED my final kilometres today!

With a little over three weeks left in the campaign, I’m not going to quit now. Instead, I’m going to push myself to walk another 50 km and increase my fundraising goal to $2000. My total presently sits at $1570, so I’m going to need some help!

Perhaps this is a good time to explain a bit about this cancer that killed Steve Jobs, Aretha Franklin, and more recently, actor Irrfan Khan, and why research funds are so badly needed. NETS is currently being diagnosed more frequently than ever before, but no one knows why or what causes it. Despite vast improvements in diagnostic techniques, it continues to be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often vague and are also typical of hundreds of other more common diseases. As with any cancer, early diagnosis is the first step toward successful treatment and better outcomes, but patients commonly make many visits to the doctor over several years before an actual diagnosis is made. I probably had NETS for 7 to 10 years before it was detected and, of course, by that time it had spread. This is pretty typical. Thankfully neuroendocrine tumours tend to grow slowly and a person can live a long time even with advanced disease. Time equals hope; hope that new and better treatments will be found. That requires research and research requires dollars!

That’s why the Canadian neuroendocrine cancer community has collectively walked, run, hiked, biked, kayaked, canoed, and even stand-up paddleboarded over 17,000 km this summer and raised over $45,000. That falls a long way short of our $100,000 goal though.

I greatly appreciate those who have already made donations. If you haven’t and you’re able to, please visit my fundraising page here. No amount is too small!

How to stay cool while wearing a mask

LogoWhether we think they’re necessary, absolute foolishness, or an infringement on our rights and freedoms, it appears that face masks are here to stay at least for the foreseeable future. More and more municipalities and establishments are making them mandatory. Since that’s the case, the next question to ask might be how can we wear them most comfortably, especially in the heat of summer. Here are a few tips that might help.

  1. Choose the right mask. Tightly woven, but breathable fabrics such as cotton or bamboo are the best choice for comfort in hot weather. The thin, usually blue, disposable masks that many people wear aren’t as breathable so they tend to be hotter. The downside to cotton masks is that they absorb more moisture and may become damp, so it’s a good idea to have more than one with you on a hot day. A damp mask isn’t only uncomfortable, it’s less effective at blocking the virus. If you’re going to be wearing a mask outdoors, also consider colour. A lighter colour will be cooler than a dark one.
  2. Make sure it fits properly. A mask should fit securely, but be roomy enough that it doesn’t interfere with breathing.  
  3. Avoid the hottest part of the day. When possible, run errands first thing in the morning or in the evening.
  4. Go makeup free. Dermatologists recommend wearing masks over clean, lightly moisturized skin. Sweat won’t evaporate under a mask. Mixed with makeup or oily skin care products, it collects and clogs pores leading to what has been dubbed “maskne” (mask + acne). If you’re going to be wearing a mask outdoors for an extended period of time, do use a lightweight sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF.
  5. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is always important in hot weather, but even more so when wearing a mask. It’s fine to remove your mask to take a drink, but do it when you’re a safe distance from other people and only handle it by the elastic loops or ties.

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If you have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills, making your own masks is simple and a great way to use up fabric scraps. There are many excellent tutorials online. I made these two this week using this one.

 

Facebook, not Factbook!

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In my opinion, Facebook is a perfect example of a good thing gone very wrong. Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zukerberg and his three college roommates as a social media platform meant to connect Harvard University students with one another. By the next day, over 1000 students had registered and by the end of that year, membership was open to nearly every university in the US and Canada. In September 2006, Facebook became available to anyone over the age of 13 with an email address and it rapidly ballooned into one of the most significant social media companies in history. By July 2015 half the world’s internet users were using Facebook.

On the surface, a social networking service open to everyone sounds like a wonderful idea, but people being people, it quickly morphed into something much uglier. ‘Everyone’ includes a lot of awful people who like nothing more than using the internet to be awful to as large an audience as possible. Online abuse and hate speech quickly became major issues that Facebook was ill-equipped to deal with. In no time, what was meant as a way for people to share their lives and photos with friends and family became flooded with fake news, propaganda, and false information on any and all subjects. This is particularly concerning considering the mind boggling fact that a study from the Pew Research Centre, also conducted in July 2015, found that 63% of Americans on the site were getting their news from Facebook!

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Facebook now works with third-party fact-checkers to try to identify and limit false news and I’m beginning to see more of these notifications, but so far, they’re only managing to catch the tip of the iceberg. It would help a great deal if people would do their own fact checking, but it’s a lot easier to just hit the share button than it is to do the work involved in making sure that something is accurate. The teacher in me always wants to point people toward the truth, but sadly, this sometimes gets me in trouble with those who don’t actually care if what they’re sharing is true as long as it fits their particular bias.

While there are many who are simply naive or gullible and who unintentionally share false information, there are others who are very purposeful about it. They are deliberate, sophisticated in their methods, and very devious. Take this recent post, for example.

117086856_10158958329000016_7096568034737799281_o It looks legit, but it’s not. Notice that it gives sources below the graphs. They’re blurry which makes them difficult to read and they don’t actually link to the sources given, but more grievous is the fact that if a person actually checks those sites, they discover that the numbers on the graphs don’t line up with the figures that they give! Someone has gone to a great deal of effort to create a false graphic that serves their agenda, but doesn’t provide facts.

So, in light of all this, why do I still use Facebook? I use it for the purpose that it was originally created. As frustrating as it can be, it’s still a useful communication tool. The chat feature was absolutely invaluable during the many years that we dealt with the needs and care of my very elderly parents from a distance. It allowed family members scattered across North America to participate in an ongoing discussion about life and death issues and to come to some very important decisions. It also allows me to participate in the day to day lives of my grown children and grandchildren who all live some distance away. I’ve used Facebook to reconnect with some important people from my past and to keep in touch with friends in faraway places like Japan, Mexico, China, and Saipan. As a neuroendocrine cancer patient living in a rural location where I don’t have access to an in-person support group, the Facebook patient groups that I belong to have been excellent sources of information and encouragement. Linking my blog to Facebook also allows it to reach a wider audience than it would otherwise.

So what can we, who still want to use Facebook, but who care about truth, do to ensure that we don’t contribute to the spread of false information? The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) came up with a simple four step acronym that I think is worth sharing. SCEP: Source, Confirm, Evidence, Pause.

  1. Consider the Source. Is it from an independent news source that is likely to use fact-checkers and editors to verify a writer’s claims or is it from a website with a stated political aim?
  2. Google to Confirm. Is the story being reported by more than one site or author? If you can find it in other credible sources, it has a better chance of being legit.
  3. Assess the Evidence. A solid news story will be supported by strong evidence: verified documents, peer-reviewed research and sound studies, and direct quotes from named, not anonymous, sources.
  4. Pause. Instead of instantly liking or sharing a post that hits home, pause and consider. Is the article likely real? What do I hope will happen if I share it?

Be SCEPtical! It’s Facebook, not Factbook.