Q: These are Styrofoam heads that your hat can sit on when you aren't wearing it. This is the best way to regain the hat’s shape because it’s literally a fake head.  These aren’t as tough to find as you might think. You actually can buy them from many beauty supply stores because they are often used for people to store wigs. Just ask for a Styrofoam wig head. After you wet or steam the hat, put the hat on the Styrofoam head block. Position it so that it’s sitting firmly on the block. Or just regularly store your hat on such a head block when you aren't wearing it. You could insert pins through the brim into the Styrofoam to maintain the shape. Shape the brim with your hands. You want the object to sit on top of the hat’s brim in order to keep it flat and from curling up.  For example, you could take a small wastepaper basket or an ice bucket and put it on top of the hat, leaving it to sit against the brim for a few hours. The item needs to fit on top of the entire crown of the hat. The weight of the basket or bucket should press the brim back into flattened shape. You want to make sure the basket or bucket large enough not to squish the rest of the hat, though. This method is designed to flatten out a squashed straw hat brim, not to fix the dents in the crown of the hat. It’s a good idea to make sure that your hat doesn’t get too squished in the first place. There are ways you can keep your hat’s shape protected.  When traveling, carry your hat in a hat box or simply wear it on your head. Jamming a straw hat into a suitcase is a recipe for disaster.  Avoid flexing the hat repeatedly, or it could become misshapen and some of the straw could even crack. You don’t want to weaken the hat’s crown or brim too much. To clean light straw hats, you could use ½ teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide mixed with ½ teaspoon of warm water. To clean dark straw hats, mix ½ teaspoon of ammonia with 1/3 cup of water. You could also rub the hat with a piece of velvet that you’ve held in steam for a little bit.
A: Buy a head block. Place a heavy object over the hat. Keep the hat protected.

Q: Some dogs like food, others like a quick scratch or stroke off the head.  Know, ahead of time, at least the first few things that you will be teaching your dog. 'Yes', 'Come', 'Stay', 'Sit', 'Leave it', are a few that you can start off with. This can be done by tapping the area near your eye or pointing at your eye so it catches his attention. Once the dog has made eye contact, signal 'yes' and reward.  You might need to 'grab' their attention by waving a treat in front of them and then bringing it to your face. Whatever you do...be consistent. Another idea for grabbing your pet's attention is to thump your foot or hand so that they can feel the vibrations. For example, when your pet sits, give the 'yes' signal and reward. The signal and reward let your animal know that they did something good.
A: Using your 'yes' signal, (thumb up, or whatever you choose), make the signal and give the dog a treat. Do this repeatedly, until you feel that your dog recognizes the connection. Have a plan. Once the connection has been made, teach your dog to watch you or focus on you. Another way to train a particular behavior is to 'catch them in the act', and reward them.

Q: When you're being photographed, or just when you're having fun showing off, flaunt your curves by standing with a jutting hip. Instead of planting your weight evenly on both feet, try putting your weight on one foot. This will tilt your pelvis upward on the side of the weight bearing foot. Exaggerate the pose by jutting your hip out a little further. Place a hand on your waist or hip. The space between your inner elbow and your waistline will draw attention to your hips and make your waist look smaller.  Try dropping one arm behind your jutting hip instead, for a sultry look. Another option is to raise an elbow and put your hand behind your head. If you’re standing and posing for a photo, try an exaggerated curvy pose. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, then drop one knee so your hip is at an angle. Place your hands below your hips on your upper thighs. Then, hinge forward at the hips and lean forward slightly. Tilt your head to one side and jut out your elbows to ensure that your waist is visible. Sitting or standing with your legs crossed will narrow the line of your knees and make your hips look curvier. Only do this if it is comfortable for you, and take breaks!
A: Stand contrapposto for photos or anytime you want to look curvier. Pose with your arms akimbo to make your waist seem smaller. Tilt your head and angle your body to accentuate your curves. Cross your legs to seem curvier while sitting or standing.

Q: Sometimes self-isolation can be a sign of a bigger problem. They may be trying to cope with abuse or trauma, alcohol and drug abuse, or mental health issues, such as depression. Your friend may not even realize that their problems are causing them to isolate themselves. Recognize when your friend’s isolation isn’t just them being shy or introverted so that you can support them in getting the help they need.  Look for other signs that there may be a problem. For example, mood swings, changes in appetite or sleep habits, nervousness, and agitation may all be signs of a mental health or substance abuse problem. Consider whether you have noticed these changes over time or if they happened suddenly. The onset of your friend’s symptoms can help you to understand it better. Ask other people close to your friend if they have any concerns. You might say, for instance, “Have you noticed anything that worries you about Daniel?” In some cases, your friend might not be self-isolating. You may not want to accept it, but your friendship might be fading. Your friend might also be voluntarily separating from society. One direct way to determine if your friend wants or needs help with their self-isolation is to ask them.  You might, for example, ask your friend if they feel lonely. You might say, “Do you feel lonely or isolated very often?” Or, you could say, “Sometimes it seems like you're isolating yourself. Is this on purpose or is there something I can help with?” Some people aren’t as social as other people by choice. They may prefer, and even thrive off of time alone. If your friend is an introvert, you may not need to help them at all. Unless they show other signs of a problem, respect that they enjoy time alone and appreciate and make the most of the time you spend together. Make an effort to spend time with your friend, but if they make it clear that they want or need some alone time, then respect that.
A:
Recognize when they need help. Ask if they want help. Respect introversion.