A creative painted bag for my friend

Guest post written by Kelsey Simmons

My friend Beth has such a particular style that sometimes it can be really tough to find something that will exactly fit her tastes. She's always been that way, so it's a little tougher to find something that I know she'll actually like. This year I decided that it would be fun to just go ahead and try to make something that I knew that she would love.

I spent a while browsing all kinds of different DIY things that I could make for her and after all of that I decided to go with a bag. When I was looking online for DIY bag ideas I saw something on how to Get debt help and had to click on it. I have debt and would love to be rid of it, so I knew that would be perfect for this.

There was this really awesome DIY painted bag tutorial that I found and I knew that I had to absolutely make for her. So I'm working on that and hoping that it turns out looking half as cool as it did in the tutorial.

Fun Easter Decorations!

I don't have a lot of Easter decor in my house! I really need to change that. I actually don't have many decorations for holiday's other than for Christmas & Halloween.

On my favorite website Pinching Your Pennies I found a couple of Easter decorations that look like things that would be fun with my kiddos!

Yarn Easter Eggs -- You basically wrap yarn that you have dipped in glue around balloons. When the yarn dries you pop the balloon.

These Twine Wrapped Eggs are cute too! I think I like these the best.

Do you have any fun Easter traditions that you remember from your childhood? I remember my mom helping me make little bunnies with Hostess Snowballs. You use those as the bunny's head and make ears out of construction paper and then you can decorate the faces with candy. Black liquorice works great for whiskers.

Now -- Spring Break is underway! I must get going on these!!!

So close!!

I haven't checked in lately to share how my weight loss is going... Yesterday I went to Weight Watchers and found out I have lost 39.6 lbs! So close to 40!! I still have a long way to go.....

Keep your fingers crossed for me for next week -- tonight is Girl's Night!!

Preparing for a New Baby: Needs vs. Wants (A Guest Post by Alan Cassidy)

Preparing for a New Baby: Needs vs. Wants

Many expecting mothers get nervous about the many aspects involved in preparing for a new baby. Fortunately, there are very few things that the baby truly needs, although there are many things that are nice to have. Here are a few simple ways to help prepare yourself and your home for your baby.

Baby's Needs

Definite baby necessities include nutrition, a place to sleep, and a safe car seat. Mothers can get vital nutrients to the baby through breastfeeding or formula. Breastfeeding may encourage mother and baby bonding and can reduce the risk of some illnesses. Mothers who choose breastfeeding may wish to attend a breastfeeding class in preparation to learn the process and tips for success. Formula feeding mothers should have formula and bottles ready for their children's arrival, but don’t stock up on too much of one brand of formula; some babies may not eat certain kinds so find what your baby likes to eat first.

Babies will spend just as much time sleeping as eating; it is recommended that babies be placed in their own crib or bassinet for sleep because sharing a bed with parents or other adults can be unsafe sleeping conditions. And remember for babies, ‘back is best’

There are a wide range of infant car seats available to choose from. Although it’s tempting to save money, it’s not a good idea to purchase one without first doing your research on what the safety requirements are for infant car seats. With a used car seat, there is no guarantee that it was not in a car accident, which may comprise the seat's integrity. Safe car seat installation can be checked by a trained technician at any police station.

Convenience Items

While the above-mentioned are necessities for a new baby, there are other items that can help make life easier for mom. Lots of loose, comfortable sleeper pajamas are important, as these are an easy item to slip on and off the baby – something mom will want with all the diaper changes! A baby swing or seat is a great accessory to keep babies entertained while showering, cooking, or completing another task.

Preparations for the actual Delivery Day

A birth plan that outlines pain management preferences and other issues that may come up during labor is good to have. Women should also discuss the benefits of things such as blood testing for illnesses and cord blood banking with their doctor, and include such decisions in the birth plan. Blood testing can reveal inherited diseases that may benefit from early intervention treatments, and cord blood banking collects and stores the umbilical cord blood for potential future use.

Although all of these preparative steps may seem intimidating, they also exciting, and sometimes ease anxiety for mom-to-be.

This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22

What's new? And a Giveaway!

So I haven't posted much lately. I thought I would catch you all up on some things that have been going on.

• I started a new business as an Independent Designer of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry
• Went to an amazing photography convention in Vegas! I learned so much and came home with a wish list AND a to-do list a mile long!
• I have been redoing my photography website (it's still a work in progress).
• I have lost 36.4 lbs!
• I am organizing a boutique/expo in Kaysville in April...

Yeah, I guess I am pretty busy!

What you been doing?

I know something you should do..... Go over to Trying to Stay Calm and enter this giveaway for $50 worth of Origami Owl Jewerly!

$50 Origami Owl Custom Jewelry Giveaway!

I am super excited that Shauna at Trying to Stay Calm is hosting a giveaway on her blog for me!

Head over to visit her ASAP and enter to win $50 worth of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry from ME!

My newest adventure! Origami Owl!

Here is a link to my website!

I am so excited about a new adventure! I am excited to announce that I am a new Independent Designer with Origami Owl! I can help you design Living Lockets - they are customized, personalized lockets that can help you tell your life story! This company is pretty new to Utah and the country for that matter!

You can easily order online and I need some of my friends to help me out by hosting parties to help me get going! Also if you know someone who might be interested in this company and this amazing opportunity to join a company that has not saturated the market let me know!

What's your story? Let me help you design it.

Have you ever looked at Jewelry and said, "that's not me at all"? With Origami Owl's Living Lockets your jewelry can tell the story of you!

Here is a link to my website!

Celtic Woman Winners!!!

I have randomly selected the winners of the Celtic Woman Giveaway!

Thank you all so much for entering!

The DVD Winner is Shelly and the CD Winner is Shabby Frills!

I will be sending you an email to get your information!

Celtic Woman!! GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love Celtic Woman! My husband actually introduced me to their music (and Celtic music altogether) several years ago! We watch their specials on PBS and really enjoy them! (My husband is a bagpiper)

If you're not familiar with them, Celtic Woman is an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt. They perform classic Irish songs (“Green Grow the Rushes"), timeless pop anthems (“Bridge Over Troubled Water"), and inspirational songs (“Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

They have a new album that just came out TODAY! Called "Believe" I am so excited to listen to it! Here is a link to one of the songs on the album called "Teir Abhaile Riu" I LOVE IT!! They are also starting a new tour and have a DVD available of their concert - watch the trailer HERE! This concert features a 20 piece orchestra, 7 piece Celtic Woman Band, 16 piece Atlanta Bag Pipe Band; lush vocal harmonies from a 10 piece Aontas Choir, 30 member children’s choir and featuring a world champion Irish dancer formerly a lead performer in Riverdance! Hopefully we will be able to go to the concert when it comes to Utah in April! Here are their tour dates.

Okay here's the good stuff!! I get to giveaway 2 great prizes to 2 great readers!!

Hold on to your seat.... are you ready?

I am giving away a signed copy of the CD of the new album "Believe"!!!

AND

A signed copy of the DVD!!!

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Here is what you have to do to win!

1- entry for following this blog! (Leave me a comment)
1- entry for leaving me a comment telling me how freakin awesome you think this giveaway is!-
1- entry for leaving me a comment telling me that you have listened to the amazing song "Teir Abhaile Riu"
1- entry for leaving me a comment telling me that you watched the DVD trailer
2-entries for "Liking" Celtic Woman on Facebook (Leave me 2 comments)
2- entries for linking to this blog post on your own Facebook Page (Leave me 2 comments with the link)
2- entries for following Celtic Woman on Twitter (Leave me 2 comments)
2- entries for Tweeting about this giveaway linking back to here (Leave me 2 comments with the link)
3- entries for pinning this blog post on Pinterest! (Leave me 3 comments with the link)
3- entries for blogging about this giveaway on your blog (Leave me 3 comments with the link)

I am going to randomly select a winner for the CD and a winner for the DVD on January 31st at 11:59pm - in celebration of my grandpa's birthday (He would have been 98 this year)!

Note: Valid in the US and Cananda

Renovating a Home

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

My husband and I just bought our first home, and we are so excited about everything. It took us a really long time to save up for the down payment, and we can’t wait to start with the renovations we want to do. We are going to gut the kitchen and put in all new appliances first. The next thing we want to do is re-do all of the bathrooms because they are all pretty old. Good thing my husband is very handy. We’re going to save t on because we’re doing everything ourselves. A neighbor suggested we go to www.totalalarmsystems.com and get set up with a home alarm. We hadn’t even thought about doing something like that, but it’s a great idea. We want to feel safe in our new home, and getting an alarm is definitely one way we could try to protect our home and assets. I can’t wait until we finally have all of our ducks in a row so our life can get back on a routine. This whole process of buying a homereally takes up a lot of your time and energy.