DIY: Tutu's

I had fun making them and they took about an hour to make, the longest part was cutting the tulle. I found that you can make them short and super puffy, or long and sort of puffy.
Here are directions so you can make your own no-sew tutu.
First measure the waist of the tutu wearer. Subtract 3 inches. Cut your elastic to that measurement and sew ends together. (I used a zig zag stitch, but this can be hand sewn as well) I recommend sewing back and forth several times to make sure your waistband is very secure.
Decide how long you want your tutu to be,  double it and add one inch. That is the length you want to cut your tulle.
My tulle was already six inches wide so I only had to cut the length. I used two 6 in by 75 ft rolls of tulle for each tutu, which I purchased on ebay.
Here is the hard part to explain in writing. I slid the elastic waist band up my leg and on my thigh. I then proceeded to tie the tulle in double knots on the elastic waistband. I made sure all the knots were at the same level on the elastic. Putting the elastic on your leg just makes it easier to work with.
After I tied all the tulle around the elastic I added satin bows on each side. I burn the ends of my satin ribbon to keep from fraying.
This project is very easy and even a non crafty person can make these adorable tutus. Pair with a leotard and you have a great gift for that special little girl.

Clutter Control With 5 Minute Pick-Ups

Are you overwhelmed by the end of the day when your house looks like a tornado went through it? It is no fun to sit and relax, read a book, watch a movie, or check your email, when you know that there is a big mess waiting for you. Well, it isn’t fun for me…. some people can probably live with it! We try to manage our daily clutter with 5 minute pick-ups. If you do 7 to 10 of these a day your house will stay pretty organized.

Even if your children are young they can participate in the pick-ups. It is a great way to teach them how to clean up after themselves and doing it frequently throughout the day keeps messes to a minimum. I have always believed that young children get overwhelmed with huge messes. It is much easier for them to pick up a few things, than an entire room filled with toys, shoes, bedding, and clothes. Short frequent pick-ups eliminate giant messes (for the most part) and kids learn to maintain their space.
In our house, one or two people are assigned an area to clean up and they work quickly for a few minutes putting things away. If there is a larger mess we will often all work together, but it works well to send the kids off in pairs (if you have enough kids). If you have young children work with them to pick up their area. Make it fun, put on some music, and work together. They might have so much fun they won’t even know they are cleaning!
How do you control clutter throughout the day?

Get Organized

 Over the years I have tried many ways to control my paper clutter. I discovered that the binder system works best for organizing important files and documents in my home.
I like binders for several reasons:

• Portable: If you have ever moved file folders don’t pack them correctly (meaning right side up) you have a big mess when you unpack them at your next location.
• Flexible: I have stored binders on shelves, in cabinets, and in drawers.
• Cheap: Binders are a dime a dozen at yard sales, and even if you buy them new they aren’t very expensive.
• Easy to use: For me, binders make it easy to file and keep track of papers. I can’t stand “flipping” through file folders with my head bent down over the file cabinet trying to locate an important paper.

Items needed for a using binders to organize your paperwork:

• 3 Ring Binder
• Three hole punch

Extra items:

Page dividers

Page Protectors

 

Pencil Pouch

Currently my binders are stored in a drawer in the office. I have a To Do folder that is kept in a convenient place for immediate filing.  Once a week (or sometimes once a month) I take the papers out of the folder and organize them in the binders.

I use the page protectors to hold documents are more important and can’t have holes. I use the pencil bags to store small items like envelopes, used checkbooks, store cards, and receipts.
I printed labels on white paper for the spine of each binder, so I can easily see which one I need. I have binders for:

• Investments
• Banking
• Insurance
• Homeschool Records
• Medical Records
• Car Records
• Household Records

About every six months I go through my binder and shred unneeded documents.
I love my binder system. For me it is so much easier than digging through file folders to find paperwork.
What filing system works for you?

Ebat Groupon $7 for $15

Don’t miss this hot Ebay Groupon! For only $7 you can purchase a $15 Groupon for Ebay. I love Ebay, I use to make a little grocery money years ago selling things on Ebay and you can find great deals on anything from clothes to electronics. This Ebay Groupon can be used towards shipping and there is a limit of one per person.
If you have Groupon credits you can use them for the Ebay Groupon, but you have to enter your credit card information during check out. Your credit card will not be charged if you have Groupon credits in your account.
Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Good Deal for Birthday Party

Set of 4 Blinky Balloon Party Lights

Add some bright fun flair to your next party with Blinky Balloon Party Lights! These blinking balloon lights are safer than candles for creating ambiance and can be reused over and over again for all your parties. Blinky Balloons are easy to use - just turn one on, drop it in a balloon, then fill it with helium or blow it up as usual. The Set Of 4 Blinky Balloons Party Lights includes 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1 blue. Each requires 3 replaceable button-cell batteries (included). This set also includes four 12" balloons to get you started. Burst the bubble on boring balloons and bring home the Blinky Balloon Party Lights!
  View more

	Set of 4 Blinky Balloon Party Lights Details: 4 Blinky Lights (red, yellow, blue, green) Safe and reusable Requires 3 button-cell batteries (included) Four 12" balloons

Retail Price: $12.99

$1.99+$5 shipping

http://www.froobi.com/general-1.html

Free Neti Pot

Free NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot or Sinus Rinse

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Hurry, available again!!
Free NeilMed Sinus NasaFlo Neti Pot with TWO packets. NeilMed is giving away free full size samples of their NetiPots. Like NeilMed’s Facebook page, and then click the “Free Neti Pot” tab in the left sidebar to get your Free NeilMed sample.
You can also score a Free NeilMed Sinus Rinse –  here

Product Review- Monkey Brains

Well let me introduce you to the new brand of haircare catered toward "tweens", Monkey Brains! Monkey Brains is a new collection of hair care that allows kids to be kids. To be fun, be cool and be themselves. Kids begin to express themselves at a very young age and their hairstyle is one way of showing the world who they are. Look around... how many 8-14 year olds have spikes, fauxhawks, and controlled messiness? Almost every one you see. And then there's Justin Beiber...with the ultimate flow. With 2 Gels, 2 Glues, 1 Pomade, a Hair Refresher and a Shampoo and Conditioner offered in the new line, tweens will be able to rock whatever hairstyle they are feelin' at that moment with Monkey Brains!

As a parent you will be excited to know that every product in the Monkey Brains collection contains premium ingredients, are alcohol-free and retail for around $3.99 each at stores you regularly shop at like Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger and more! And at only $3.99 a piece they are very affordable for you and even affordable on your tweens allowance (yay)!

The Products: Crazy Sticky Hair Gel, Super Sticky Hair Gel, Psycho Sticky Hair Glue, Twisted Sticky Hair Glue, Grease Monkey Hair Pomade, Gone Bananas Hair Refresher, Goop Out Shampoo and Super Softy Conditioner.

My Review:  I have used this for myself.  I love the shampoo, it really does get the oil and build up out of your hair.  The conditioner works really well too, you need to use minimal amount for smooth hair.  The gel is great for men to style as well.  I like to put it in my hair after a shower and let it dry.  After it is dry I crunch it all up so it is not so stiff and I get the beach wave look.  As a hair stylist I do not usually recommend brands that are not salon quality, but this one really blew me away.

Freebie with Kodak

Just sign up to be a new member to get this freebie. Then you get a FREE credit to use towards making a photo magnet.

Easter is coming up, could be a great gift to add to someones card.

All you pay is $1 for the shipping.