DIY Relaxing spa basket: Top gift idea
Posted by: Admin on: October 11, 2011
Handmade lavender eye pillow
You can make your gift recipient a wonderful scented eye pillow that applies a just hint of pressure to the sinus region of the face and can be chilled in the fridge or warmed in the microwave. You simply need to select a soft cotton fabric for the body of the pillow and cut out 2 matching rectangles of fabric that are approximately ten inches long and 5 inches wide. Use a sewing machine or hand stitch the two fabric squares together, leaving one end open, just like a pillowcase. Flip the “pillowcase” inside out.
In a bowl, combine 2 cups of plain uncooked rice with ten to twelve drops of lavender essential oil. Essential oils can be purchased at many health food stores and vitamin shops. Be careful not to touch the oil directly, just drop it from the bottle into the rice and stir with a wooden spoon. If you are especially creative, you may also want to purchase an envelope of dried lavender flowers (or dry your own) and add a handful to the rice mixture.
To finish the pillow. simply fill the fabric “pillowcase” with the lavender scented rice and sew the open end shut. Cut a square of decorative paper and create a handwritten decription of the eye pillow, telling the recipient that a minute or so in the microwave will create a warm compress while ten minutes in the fridge or freezer will turn the eye pillow into a cool and refreshing stress reliever.
DIY bath salts and salt scrubs
Bath salts and salt scrubs are easy and inexpensive to make even though spas and many upscale gift shops charge outrageous amounts of money for them. You simply need to find two mason jars with lids and purchase a large bag of plain Epsom salts from your local grocery store or drug store. Bring the mason jars and the Epsom salts into the kitchen and pull out a mixing bowl, wooden spoon, and the olive oil. Also, find the lavender essential oil that you used to create the relaxing eye pillow.
Bath salts- Blend 3 to 4 cups of Epsom salt with ten to twelve drops of lavender essential oil in your mixing bowl.
If you purchased dried lavender flowers for the relaxing eye pillow, add a handful to the bath salt mixture as well. Then, simply fill one of the mason jars with the scented Epsom salt and attach a tag that reads “Relaxing Bath Salts” with a piece of raffia or ribbon.
Salt scrub- Pour 3 to 4 cups of Epsom salt into your mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix them together until you see damp clumps begin to form. If your mixture is not clumping, add tiny amounts of olive oil until it does. If your mixture is too oily and the Epsom salt seems to be dissolving, add tiny amounts of salt until the mixture clumps. Add ten to twelve drops of the lavender essential oil and then spoon the mixture into one of the mason jars. Attach a tag that reads ‘Relaxing Salt Scrub’ with a piece of raffia or ribbon.
Creating the spa gift basket
Beautiful and unique wicker, reed or wire baskets can be found for a few dollars at any local thrift store. Fill the bottom of the basket with raffia, straw or shredded paper before placing the eye pillow, bath salts, and salt scrub inside. You can personalize the basket by adding additional inexpensive items that you think would be appropriate for your gift recipient such as earplugs, fluffy slippers, a copy of their favorite magazine, a used book by one of their favorite authors, a ceramic mug filled with gourmet coffee beans or teabags or a beautiful journal. By creating this unique gift with love, and your own hands, you will send a message of true appreciation to the recipient of this beautiful relaxing spa basket.
Mid-Summer Gift Ideas
Posted by: Admin on: August 5, 2011
Summer is not quite over, but the August sun is certainly here, so what do you bring as a gift to a Mid-Summer birthday bash or pool party? The trick is to be creative and give something that the host, or special guest can use throughout the summer. Here are some different but thoughtful gifts that will be certain to start a trend…
Bag available at http://www.giftsforyounow.com/Embroidered-Three-Initials-Monogrammed-Tote-Bag-E313639.aspx
1. A personalized/monogramed beach tote–whether the party is at the beach or in a back yard, these bags are great for loading all your party essentials, towels, sunblock, beach attire, snacks, and drinks. The best part is that no one else will have the bag because it is personalized. It will show that you took some extra time and wanted to make the gift special.
http://www.giftsforyounow.com/Embroidered-Three-Initials-Monogrammed-Tote-Bag-E313639.aspx
2. Color Flip–this one is strictly for makeup wearers. Most people like to go natural at the beach and let the sun work its magic., but for those surprise dinners, or parties after the sun goes down it would be nice to have a little compact to “touch-up”. This compact has all you will need, and will slide in the bottom of your purse/bag/etc. AND it has a mirror so you’re good to go!
Makeup on-the-go kit available at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P291425&categoryId=S11505&shouldPaginate=true
3. Fun Nail Polish Kit– A great summer gift is a few different nail polishes. This is super affordable and you don’t have to worry about picking out an outfit that your friend will want to wear. If you choose bright and vibrant colors it will be like a mini makeover with out the salon price!
Nail Polish Kit available at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P281420
child-care-s day-care-s pre-school-s examination
Posted by: Admin on: March 24, 2011
This is a test post…. This will be deleted momentarily…
our own little family party to celebrate the Fueled with healthy snacks like fruit, popcorn and turkey roll-ups – we hit the dance floor (aka our living room) and let loose! I taught Jackson and Annie how to do the and The They showed me some “more current” moves like . It was a lot of fun to be silly…a great stress-reliever and an inexpensive way to have fun together as a family!
Gift Shopping for Families, Spreading Holiday Cheer & Making a Difference
Posted by: Admin on: December 8, 2010
The holiday season always puts gift giving on everyone’s mind. Finding the perfect gift can be a very difficult task, especially if the person you are buying for is picky. This year, finding the perfect gift might not only be difficult but also more expensive than your accustomed to. An article was actually published on msn.com which analyzes the cost of holiday shopping this year. In summary, the article compares the hypothetical cost of buying all of the items from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in 2010 with 2009 according to the annual Christmas Price Index determined by PNC Wealth Management. The result, a 10.8% (approx $9,000) increase in cost this year as compared to last year (grand total for all items approximately $97k). The shocking part was that the consumer price index only increased about 1.1% and normally the two figures parallel each other. So what gives?
The article determined that the Christmas Price Index factors in a much smaller group of products that may have increased in price much more than the average cost increase for all products overall. Specifically, the cost of gold, entertainment and feed have skyrocketed this year. I guess this means that the holiday gift shopper should cross of gold jewelry, live bands and food as gifts this year. The good news is that this probably only effects a very small pool of all of the gifts that you planning on purchasing this year. While you may have one or two loved ones you may be buying a gift for that would include a gold item, it is likely that most of us were not planning on purchasing a lot of food items or hiring entertainers to serenade our loved ones. Nonetheless, the consensus that holiday shopping is getting more expensive year after year provides some valuable food for thought.
Whether you are shopping for large or small items this year, budget is always a factor and the Christmas Price Index is suggesting that this year we may find ourselves coming up short on cash for items typically in our price range. Therefore, we may have to be a little more creative and a little more reserved picking out gifts this year. While the tangible items each of you have to purchase this year are going to vary, you may very well need to send out a couple “family” gifts to extended relatives or friends that you wish to spread some holiday cheer to this year.
Typical gifts in the past have always been those tri-segmented tin cans of different types of popcorn, an assorted arrangement of chocolates, or a family pack of cashews that can easily be added to any dinner/dessert table, passed around Christmas morning while gifts are being opened, and easily split amongst members of a household. These items are often affordable but unfortunately everyone knows that and sends them as gifts. If you choose to do so you’ll likely be sending a duplicate gift that will have lost its pizazz. Undoubtedly, it’s the thought that counts and sending a gift is still a nice gesture regardless of what it happens to be, however, there are a couple other items that are of the same price range that are not nearly as played out as popcorn, peanuts and chocolates.
For any of you that are unaware, let me introduce you to the new best edible arrangement.
Family Gift - Edible Arrangements
The assorted fruit arrangement along with a few pieces that are chocolate covered are becoming a hot commodity but still relatively low on the radar in terms of family gift options. There are a lot of families that would love to receive this as a gift due to it’s gorgeous nature and the easy to please selection of fruits that are sure to give everyone an option to choose from. Where some might be allergic to peanuts, or simply steering clear of chocolates, popcorn or other snack items this holiday season, fruit is a perfectly healthy gift option that is aesthetically pleasing as well as appetizing. There’s always room for fruit and the option shown above will allow everyone to have a try at a cost as little as $30 or $40 while arrangements around $100 or $200 are fit to handle a family reunion. Regardless of what your intent is, these arrangements come as little or as big as you need to be the perfect family gift deliverable.
Moving away from food items, one item in particular that I’ve always loved being part of the holiday season are holiday wreaths. I think they fit perfectly with the very essence of what the holidays are all about. Decorating is generally a multi-person event thus bringing family and friends together. Nowadays, every time I drive by a house with a wreath on the front door I instantly crack a smile thinking about what that wreath ultimately means to the person that put it there. Whether they debated with others on the style they wanted, the color or the particular placement is all things they probably did but ultimately did together. I definitely remember the chaos involved just to place one decoration in my house because everyone in my family had their own idea of style. While my parents were practical and thinking about their utility bill, the youngest of us kids just wanted to blanket the house in lights. No outlet could go unused. Thinking about how big a deal we made the holiday season out to be reminds me just how big of a deal the holiday season really is. It’s the one time where if you have family you try your hardest to be with them. If you have best friends it’s the time of year where you usually reunite with them. For these reasons and many others, decorating the house to dress it in the holiday spirit is one of my favorite times of the year. The holiday wreath has become the staple centerpiece to holiday decorating. Therefore, I think every house should have one.
Holiday Wreath
Aside from being decorative, they are easily customizable, favorably scented and spread holiday cheer to any area they are placed in. In the past I never thought to give one as a gift, but there happen to be quite a lot of households that have room for an additional wreath. While most put one on their front door or near the stockings hanging on the fireplace, there are a seemingly endless supply of walls within a household that can accommodate a wreath. This ensures that your gift can be used, hung on display, and ultimately appreciated by the family that receives it (and the guests they entertain). It’s a conversational piece that will put you in the center of a discussion that you might not even be in attendance of. If you get an artificial wreath, you are giving a gift that is likely to be used repeatedly each holiday season giving the family a constant reminder of you and your thoughtfulness each time they see it. (Just don’t pick out an ugly one because it will get buried in the basement for the next several years along with the rest of holidays misfit toys and decorations.) If you see your wreath made its way onto the front door of the house you sent it to, you know you’ve done well. Holiday wreaths can range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive. You shouldn’t have a problem finding one that is suitable for a reasonable price.
Ultimately, if you want to get someone special a gift this year but don’t really have the financial means to get the gift you want, you can make a charitable donation in their name for whatever you can afford and it is sure to be well received. You will show that special someone that you truly understand the real meaning of the holidays. The charity that receives the donation will make good use of it and find a way to stretch each dollar the most efficient way possible. Everyone involved will have made a difference in the life of someone in need and there is no price tag on that.
There are only a couple options above, but there are a ton of more options that are creative and unique that can be really appreciated. Ultimately, it really is the thought that counts. So don’t stress out shopping for the perfect gift. In the end, if you can spend time with your loved ones that is what they truly care about. Whatever you decide, may you, your friends, and your family be safe this holiday season.
Electric Fireplace – Warmth and Elegance
Posted by: Admin on: September 30, 2010
An electric fireplace may be the perfect gift for someone who lives in predominantly colder climate. Electric fireplaces vary in size, style, heat output and price. However, some great options are available that offer a decent amount of style and performance for a relatively reasonable price.
Basic Electric Fireplace Framed in Mantle
Choosing what design to purchase will be your toughest decision. However, it is pretty easy to decide if you should go with something basic or something a litlte more over the top. For the intent of a gift, it’s probably smarter to stick with the basic models unless you are willing to splurge on the recipient who is receiving one as a gift. The model shown above would fit within most budgets rather nicely while having the ability to adapt to common decor. If the recipient has a much more modern space and more expensive taste then perhaps something a little more unique that becomes the centerpiece of the room would be okay. The model shown below is something that would fit specifically with that style.
Modern Electric Fireplace
Aside from style, performance is extremely important as a low output fireplace will not be able to heat a large room and will likely just become a decoration. Speak with a professional at the store which you are purchasing the unit to ask for their advice. They’ll be able to match a unit with suitable heat output to the room you are looking to dress up. If you are an advocate of clean energy, owning an electric fireplace should satisfy you as they are cleaner than conventional fireplaces. However, running them all day can put your electric bill through the roof. So, you want to be conscious of the energy consumption of the unit you purchase an opt for one that has relatively better energy efficiency. Additionally, perhaps a gift certificate towards some ENERGY STAR windows would go perfectly with a new electric fireplace? 
Stay warm.
Bocce Ball And Bag Sets Make Your Front Lawn Party Headquarters
Posted by: Admin on: August 23, 2010
Summertime is a great time to be outside with friends, but it can get pretty boring just sitting around having conversations all day. This is why it’s important to have some recreational lawn games and activities to make sure that the day keeps moving. Now, I’m not saying get the basketball or soccer ball out or anything like that. Sometimes being too active can be too much, especially for an older crowd, but that doesn’t mean there are not games that can be fun and not be such a hassle.
Bocce Lawn Game
For example, Bocce is a great, competitive game for all ages. You can easily pick up a set at any sporting good store, find a patch of grass (or if you’re really good, concrete) and just start playing. All you have to do is get your team’s colored balls near “The Jack” or a smaller white ball and if you do that you get a point or double point if you get two. The team that makes it to 7 first wins! It’s that simple and it’s a great game to play with anyone at anytime out in the great weather of the summer.
If lawn bowling isn’t something for you then another great game that anyone can play outside is “Bags.” Like Bocce, Bags concept is basic: you throw bags into a round hole in a board some distance away and by doing this you are trying to gain points. For every time you hit the board, you get a point and if you go through the hole then you get double. It’s also fun to hit your opponents off the board and score a point for your team by knocking a point off for theirs.
By giving these two games as gifts you’re not just giving a friend a fun time, but you’re giving them two great lawn games that keep the summer moving!
The New Droid X Stands As A Competitor To The iPhone 4
Posted by: Admin on: July 27, 2010
For many who don’t have AT&T, the smart phone options can be somewhat limited. Blackberrys are useful but can seem outdated and other smart phones just don’t keep up to the power and capabilities of the iPhone 4 and the ones that do are few and far between. Without a true competitor, Apple’s smart phone may just be the end-all-be-all of smart phones, but this is where Motorola’s Droid X steps in.
Debuting on July 15th, the Droid X set the tone for the power of smart phones and what smart phones can really do in contrast to the iPhone 4. Much like Apple’s smart phone, the Droid X has a great screen. At almost 4 and a half inches, the screen is the biggest you’ll find on any smart phone. As for resolution, it may not be as clear as the iPhone 4′s retina display (which many argue is the clearest screen in the industry), but its size makes up for its display shortcomings if it has any shortcomings at all.
Now, the Droid X isn’t completely different than it’s predecessors (unlike the iPhone 4 which was like up converting to DVD from your old VHS’s), but some quality improvements help make it state of the art and ahead of the game in comparison to other smart phones on the market. For example, the virtual keyboard is a step up from the interface of the old Android phones. The biggest innovation to the keyboard is the Swype interface where you don’t even have to lift your fingers to type, just swipe your fingers across and text. This helps to make texting faster, but some argue that it’s not really all that much faster.
The greatest advantage that the Droid X has over its iPhone 4 competitor doesn’t even have to do with the phone per say but rather the network. Droid X is a Verizon phone and Verizon arguably has the best cell phone network of them all. Apple is going through some tough times as of late with their reception being spotty and the dropping of calls because of the death grip on the phone’s design. So if you get the new Droid X there will be plenty of new fun things on the phone (including applications from the market like RoboDefense and TiKL Touch to Talk!) but it’s greatest achievement is that it’ll actually be able to make clear and connected calls.
Apple Plans On Changing The Way People Use The Phone (…Again) With The iPhone 4
Posted by: Admin on: June 24, 2010
Apple started a revolution when it first introduced the iPhone. Before that, smart phones were usually reserved for people who focused on business rather than pleasure and needed a phone that had everything all in one. Never before was there a phone that had email, calendars, and internet all in one that also came with other options that made it stand out as a fun first phone rather than a business orientated one. This all changed when Apple introduced the original iPhone and now after three years, Apple is changing everything again.
If the 600,000 pre-orders for the phone isn’t enough to stir your interest then the new features of the iPhone 4 are bound to make you wait in line for hours to get your hands on the new phone. The first (and most impressive feature) of the new iPhone is called “FaceTime.” FaceTime allows people to have video conferencing on their phones which can allow you to come face to face with the ones you love from anywhere at anytime (granted that they have a wireless network and also an iPhone 4). The front facing camera also allows you to take pictures of yourself and friends that before was difficult to do without being able to see what was going on. The new camera on the phone also now comes with a flash that illuminates any picture.
Other features include retina display for the clearest picture that’s ever been on a phone, HD video recording, multitasking which allows you to get the dozens of applications in the proper order, iBooks which allows you to read your favorite books, a new processing chip and battery that creates the fastest and longest lasting phone on the market, and much more.
The iPhone 4 bounds to be the biggest gift on the market this summer so make sure you get your hands on one fast so that you can enjoy the revolution.
Give The Gift Of A Grill For Summertime Fun BBQ’s!
Posted by: Admin on: June 3, 2010
One of the best parts of summer is grilling in your backyard, cooking up some hamburgers and hot dogs for your family and friends. There’s something special about standing outside on a beautiful day over a nice warm grill that is giving off the great smell of some nice cooked food. BBQ’s help bring everybody together and can be a great party. Yet, all of this is for naught if you don’t have the right grill. This is why it’s best to look over your options (do you want charcoal, electric, or gas?) and get a grill that not only cooks up a mean burger but also says a lot about the cook.
If you’re looking to buy a grill for yourself or for a friend there’s plenty of great and affordable grills out there. For example, the Weber Genesis E-320 is a great gas grill at a great price. With stainless steel burners, it helps to cook whatever you like and makes the clean up quick and easy. When taking into account the type of grill to buy, remember to ask yourself what will this grill be primarily cooking? If it’s hot dogs and hamburgers then you probably don’t have to worry because most grills (even older standard ones) can do that. However, if you plan on cooking corn or a rotisserie chicken it’s best to have a big grill that comes with a rotisserie to cook on.
Summertime is a great time to be outdoors, be with friends, and there’s no better way to do that than with a great BBQ. If you’re thinking of getting someone a fun gift idea, get them a great grill. That way, they will at least invite you to the cookout.
Robot Power In The Palm Of Your Hand
Posted by: Admin on: May 11, 2010
Robots have captured people’s imaginations since the old days of science fiction movies when they were seen as friends and servants to human kind. Everyone loves the idea of having a metallic friend that will help and serve you to whatever your heart desires. Unfortunately, even though robot technology has made leaps and bounds in the last decades, the idea of clunky machines that act like personal maids and friends continues to be science fiction rather than science fact. However, with the Zbit Mini R/C Robots you can have all the fun and look of all those 1960′s style robots but with none of the price or fear that they’ll become self aware and take over. Also, they fit in the palm of your hand.
These cute little Zbit Mini R/C Robots work via control much like R/C cars but are smaller, faster, and generally more fun. Each robot can make robot noises, move, spin in circles, and can even be pitted against other robots for mini robot battle royales! The designs of the robots throw back to the vintage style that everyone has come to know and love but also stay up to date with urban style designs. Each robot has their own name and their own personalities. Robots Tank, Go-B, Sproc, and Dex all sport different looks but all share the common bond of being tiny enough to put in your pocket. Some have different assignments like rule enforcer or scientists but they all serve their purposes of being fun!
These little bots are a fun gift for both kids and adults and great stocking stuffers when the Christmas season rolls around. It’s true that the Zbit Mini R/C Robots may not look all that big and bad when it comes to robots, but you never know what these little guys could be thinking or be up to when you’re not playing with them. I hope you guys are ready for the mini-robot revolution!
