29 December 2012

How SHE (Sustainable Health Enterprises) Is Working To Help Women



In developing countries around the world, women and girls are missing crucial days of school and work because they lack the access to affordable maxi pads.  The current options for these women are both pricey and some ineffective.  Imported pads cost more than a day's wage, and their other alternatives are ineffective such as cloth rags, mud, and tree bark.  SHE has developed both a cost effective and eco-friendly menstrual pad that works.  These pads are a much more affordable option priced at 5 cents/pad.





SHE wants to break the taboo associated with menstruation and bring their menstrual pads to the women who need them most so they can avoid missing days of school and work.  You can help SHE with their goal of making this possible by sharing the video below, by following SHE on Twitter, by tweeting about SHE to your followers, and of course by helping make a donation to SHE to get more pads out to the girls and women who need them.





*Disclosure:  This post was written in partnership with my membership with Global Team of 200 and Mom Bloggers for Social Good.  No compensation was provided for this post.  It's all for social good!  :)





27 December 2012

3 Easy Ways To Save On College Textbooks




If you're a college student or a parent of a student, you know just how pricey textbooks are!  The good news is there are ways you can cut that expense down by at least half of what you would normally pay for brand new textbooks.  Finding cheap textbooks is easy when you know where to look.  The following are three easy ways to save money on your books!



 Buy Used:  Always look around for a better deal on a good as new "used" textbook.  Some colleges offer used books for sale, but if your college only carries new then try searching online through auction websites or other online or local bookstores.  I have found by buying used I save at least half off the retail price!


Rent Your Books:  This is another option that is becoming popular through college bookstores.  I found that my college actually charges more to rent than if I go online and rent from an online textbook rental website.   Just Google textbook rentals and you will get a great list of quality websites where you can price compare for the best deals!


Choose E-Book Format:  Many textbooks are now available in e-book format to either view from your computer, iPad, Nook, other other tech powered device.  You can choose to either buy or rent your textbooks in this type of format.  If you don't mind a digital copy of your textbooks then this can also be a great option for saving money!



*Bonus Tip:  Use an online price comparison tool when shopping for your textbooks to save you time and money when hunting down the best deals on your textbooks.

23 December 2012

Old Navy Gift Card Flash Giveaway



Welcome to the Old Navy Flash Giveaway! We’re giving away a $30 Old Navy Gift Card just in time for some post-holiday shopping! 


So what are you waiting for? Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end promptly at 11:59 PM EST on December 25th. Good luck! 


Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event!

19 December 2012

Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics Review And Giveaway



If you've never heard of Mia Mariu they are a wonderful company that offers skincare products and mineral cosmetics that not only help bring out the best in your skin, they also make you look and feel fantastic!  Their mineral makeup contains skin nourishing vitamins and antioxidants such as green tea.  Mia Mariu's mineral makeup gives you both the coverage you are looking for with less breakouts.  Their lightweight mineral makeup doesn't clog your pores, which means bonus - less breakouts to worry about!

For those who have pigmentation issues or rosacea, Mia Mariu can not only help you find the perfect shade for your skin, their makeup also provides the perfect amount of coverage that you are looking for.  Depending on what type of foundation you prefer, Mia Mariu offers liquid, cream, or loose concealer options.  You can also purchase a concealer and/or primer through their website as well.





Thanks to the wonderful folks at Mia Mariu I was able to try out some of their wonderful mineral cosmetic products!  I chose to review their Perfecting Finish Mineral Cream Foundation in Vanilla, the Perfecting Finish Mineral Loose Powder Foundation in Marfil, and their Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara in Black.  I have an olive skin tone so I wasn't sure if the foundation colors for the loose and cream products would work, but surprisingly they do and blend in very nicely with my skin tone!  My favorite thing about the cream foundation would have to be that you don't need to use a lot to get great coverage.  A little goes a long way with this one!  The loose powder gives a nice finish to my foundation with a lightweight formula which I also appreciate.  Their mascara also does a knock out job with volumizing and lengthening my lashes.  

As a nice added bonus the company also sent me a makeup wedge and samples of their RestauraCel-C Microdermabrasion Refinisher Cream, RestauraCel-C Microdermabrasion Thermal Activator, and their SPF moisturizer.  I haven't tried the included samples yet but I am going to do that very soon.  If their samples are anything like the makeup products I reviewed, then I know I am going to love them!  Overall, great mineral makeup that I would not mind continuing to use in the future.  Two thumbs up!



Connect With Mia Mariu:



Want To Win The Same Products I Reviewed?

(1) Lucky reader of Textbook Mommy is going to receive Mia Mariu's Perfecting Finish Mineral Cream Foundation, Perfecting Finish Mineral Loose Powder Foundation, and their Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara!
Details:  Giveaway open to U.S. Residents ages 18 and older.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!

Giveaway Ends:  December 26, 2012 at Midnight EST


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


How To Keep Your Party Guests Safe

Party Hosting Tips: How to Keep Your Guests Safe




When hosting a party, it’s easy to get caught up in the organization of refreshments, guest lists, invitations and other details. But it’s important to also consider how to keep your guests safe during and after the party. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) put together an excellent guide to planning a safeparty, which can be applied to gatherings of all ages. Here are a few tips that can help keep your party guests safe.


Create a guest list and stick to it. Putting together an exclusive list of guests can help ensure that unexpected partiers don’t stop by. Whether you send out paper or electronic invitations, be clear about whether guests can invite other people to keep the attendance at a manageable number.


Make sure your guests can comfortably fit in the party space. Another thing to keep in mind when creating your guest list is the size of the space where the party will be hosted. Don’t invite more people than can fit in the party area, because overcrowding can create an unsafe environment and potentially a fire hazard. 


Arrange a safe place for your guests to park. If you expect a large turnout, make sure you plan ahead for parking. Whether it’s street parking, a parking lot or a yard, you should make sure the parking is close to the party and well-lit. If one of your guests gets stuck or breaks down in the parking area, try using roadside assistance insurance coverage to remedy the situation. Roadside assistance can be easily added to an existing policy by requesting an insurance quote


Designate “off-limits” areas. Whether you’re at home, in an apartment or a rented party location, there will be places you don’t want your guests to go. Simply closing the door to bedrooms can send a signal that the area is out-of-bounds. You can take further precautions by putting up signs or locking doors to make sure that guests don’t stray into dangerous or poorly lit parts of your party location. 


Have a first aid kit on hand. You hope you never have to use it, but keeping a stocked first aid kit is helpful for minor and serious injuries. Check out the Red Cross website for more information on whatto keep in a first aid kit.


Make sure all guests have a designated driver. Take the initiative to ensure that your guests have designated drivers if they plan to drink alcohol. And if a guest doesn’t feel comfortable driving home after the party, offer to let them stay the night. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place to accommodate more than one guest in the event that they can’t safely drive home.


Using these party hosting tips, as well as the guide outlined by MADD, you’ll be prepared to throw a safe and entertaining event for your friends or family. 


Note: Sponsored content was created and provided by Nationwide Insurance.





5 Tips On How To Write A Quality Essay



Do you get nervous or frustrated when presented with an essay assignment for class?  Getting all your ideas out into a well written and well formed essay can be a challenge for some students.  The following tips can help you on how to write coursework that will encompass quality writing with well formed ideas.


Tip #1: Take note of the essay guidelines:  


Before even attempting to write your essay be sure that you understand what your teacher expects out of you.  Teachers can differ on how they want the layout of the essay formed such as the spacing of your essay, font size, headers/footers, inclusion of page number or title page, and reference style.  Make sure to use correct in cite references and correct style in your reference list. Depending on what reference style such as APA or any other style requested, you can easily do an interent search for proper formation of your references.  Make sure you are clear on these guidelines so that you don't lose points right off the bat!

Tip #2: Create a strong introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph:  


To make your essay fluid and enjoyable for the reader, be sure to start off you essay with an introductory paragraph that states your main argument or your main idea.  Include in your introductory paragraph how the following ideas will support or elaborate on the topic.  Be sure to also include a strong closing paragraph.  Use this paragraph to sum up the ideas presented throughout your essay.

Tip #3:  Map out your paragraphs ahead of time:  


Before writing out your essay it helps to have a written layout of how your essay will be formed.  Limit each paragraph to one particular idea or thought to keep the essay itself organized and easy to read.

Tip #4:  Include questions:  


A good essay engages the reader with relevant questions relating to the essay's topic.  Using questions involving the how's and why's will not only make your writing stand out, it will also challenge the reader to think about your essay's topic on a deeper scale.

Tip #5:  Never underestimate the power of your word processor's spell check:  


One thing I never do is submit a written assignment without first running it through spell check on my word processor.  No teacher likes to see misspelled words, especially in an essay.  To ensure you don't lose points run a spell check on your essay.  The spell check will also help with ensuring proper sentence structure and will give you proper sentence structure alternatives if it catches anything not formed correctly.





Do you have any additional tips on how to write a quality essay?  Comment below!

18 December 2012

10 Tips For Healthy Skin This Winter



No one likes to deal with the effects that the wind and cold weather can have on our skin.  As the seasons change, so should our skincare routine!  Prevent dry and irritated skin this winter with the following 10 tips that will keep your skin healthy and radiant. 



1.  Moisturize - 


Moving into winter moisturizing becomes a must do for our face.  It's best to go with a heavier moisturizer during winter months, but be careful to choose one that is heavier but not clogging.  Look for moisturizers that are heavier but do not clog pores such as avocado oil or almond oil.

2.  Don't forget the sunscreen - 


Just because the sun isn't shining at it's usual peak doesn't mean that you are protected from it's harmful rays.  Keep up the routine of wearing sunscreen during the winter to keep you protected.

3.  Wear appropriate coverings/layers - 


Protecting your skin also involves wearing the appropriate layers and/or coverings.  To keep hands from getting dry and cracked be sure to wear gloves when out during the winter.  Be sure to also wear long sleeves and a scarf while you're at it to protect your skin from getting dry.

4.  Use a humidifier - 


Humidifiers work great in the home to retain moisture in the air that is vital for our skin to stay nourished.

5.  Keep the wet away - 


Getting wet from the rain or snow can mean wet socks and clothes.  Be sure to remove these as soon as you have the opportunity and switch out for dry replacements to prevent irritated skin that may also become cracked.

6.  Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate - 


Keep up your water intake as the weather transitions to colder months.  While hot teas and cocoa are great to enjoy this time of year, water is still important and key to skin health.  Make sure to get the recommended glasses per day to keep skin nourished and radiant.

7.  Take your vitamins - 


Our levels of Vitamin D go down as we head into winter and the sun isn't out nearly as much.  Usually we get a good dose of natural Vitamin D levels from the sun, so moving into winter make sure you are taking a good daily multivitamin or a Vitamin D supplement that will also keep skin looking it's best.

8.  Eat for your skin - 


Eating your daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables are key to keeping skin healthy from the inside out.  Choose those that are high in antioxidants for the best results such as avocado, pineapple, spinach, and broccoli.

9.  Don't forget your lips - 


Always carry a good lip balm or Chapstick with you to keep lips hydrated to prevent cracking and dryness.  Apply throughout the day everyday!

10.  Limit hot baths and showers - 


While it feels great to take a nice hot bath or shower during the colder months, hot water breaks down lipids in our skin causing moisture loss.  Remember this when washing your face as well.  Warm water, not hot is the way to go.  If you're like me and can't part with a nice hot shower or bath, make sure you limit them!




Do you have any great tips for healthy winter skin?  Comment below and share!

17 December 2012

Guest Post: Getting Investment and Finance Education in Real Estate Schools




Real estate management is an art which requires the right expertise and guidance if one wants to master it. There are lots of universities in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom which teaches one about real estate management. It allows one to have a thorough understanding of finance and investment. Scholars get the chance to specialize in key areas like insurance, investment and financial risk management. Whether you are seeking undergraduate courses or postgraduate ones, real estate schools can help you out.


While the undergraduate real estate management courses offered by schools teach the student about modern property markets in a wider context, a postgraduate real estate course is more specific. The postgraduate real estate course is going to concentrate specifically on certain topics and go in-depth in case of those topics. With a Master's degree or a postgraduate degree in real estate management, one can have a rigorous analysis of investment in properties or real estate. Such a course prepares the student to enter into the world of real estate and to take it up as a career.


The best place on Earth to find schools offering real estate courses would be London, this city has some of the best and most exclusive business schools that provide some of the biggest programs on real estate. When in enroll in one such school in London, you will be enjoying a lot of advantages like being in the financial heartbeat of Europe, getting an opportunity to maintain strong connections and industry links with leading real estate companies and industries. Thus, if you choose a good real estate business school to enroll in, then half the battle is won already!


If you want to become a licensed real estate sales associate or salesperson then you need to hold some sort of degree. In such a scenario a real estate school would act as the savior. Once you complete your course in the school and you pass the test then you would be able to obtain the license. If you do not have the time to enroll in school and attend classes then there is also the alternative of online real estate school. These schools offer online classes and round the clock support through email or phone.


There is no doubt that a career in the real estate industry can really be very advantageous for one. However, one should be willing to put in a lot of effort and hard work because the training isn't easy. After you have complete the online course and you become a licensed real estate agent, you would still be required to continue your education. Depending on the state that you live in, you may need to study for two more years. Nevertheless, all this studying and investment of time is going to pay off because it would prepare you by developing the skills required to excel in the real estate industry. Thus, the training prior to entering the professional world of real estate is definitely worth it and it pays off.

 
For more information about real estate continuing education, visit www.mckissock.com

How To Throw The Best Birthday Party Ever!


How to Throw the Best Birthday Party, Ever


As a parent, you want your child to have a memorable and fun-filled party when it comes to his or her birthday. Unfortunately, birthday parties are expensive. Between buying gifts and feeding guests, making personalised invitations, and finding decorations, the costs can start to add up. However, there's no need to deprive your child of a great party because of money. With these following ideas, you can create the ultimate birthday experience for your child without breaking your budget.



·         Plan it together. Your child's birthday should be all about him or her; don’t force your ideas. Instead, listen to what he or she wants and work with them to plan the special day. For example, if your child loves superheroes, go with a comic book theme. Work to compromise on a simple theme that will not go overboard. Together, brainstorm ideas for games and other activities for the party, such as crafts. 


·         Decorate. Save money by making your own decorations. The Internet is full of DIY party ideas using everyday household items to transform your home and take your party to the next level. Get your child involved and have him lend a hand in the process. If you need pictures, print them at home. If you need costumes, browse your local thrift shop.


·         Send out invitations. You and your child can work together to assemble invitations to send to guests. Let your child express herself by creating her own themed invitations. The Internet can be a helpful resource. 


·         Include goody bags. Goodie bags filled with cheap plastic toys are not only all too common, but they can be forgettable. Instead of an ordinary goodie bag, find a single gift that fits in with the party’s theme. If you do feel the need to make a more traditional goody bag, consider shopping for bulk items that will fit into your theme. Include a handful of candy for good measure.


·         Schedule the right way. If you have a sleepover, odds are you will be paying for pizzas to fill several little rumbling stomachs. However, if you plan ahead, you can avoid possibly accumulating extra food costs. Aim for a time in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner, when you can provide snacks but can avoid having to provide a full meal. Also, keep the party short; two hours is more than enough time for the full birthday experience.


·         Keep things simple. The games and activities that you and your little one come up with should be simple, fun and require few instructions. Stick to party favourites, such as charades or face painting. Don’t try to do anything too complex, as you could risk losing attention spans.


·         Don’t forget the food. Provide a party tray with assorted fruits, crackers and vegetables. Focus on presentation. Use biscuit cutters to give food fun shapes, and if you don't have the skill to decorate, present the blank canvas to the kids and provide them with tubes of frosting to decorate their own. Choose smaller items over bigger snacks; these are easier to make as well as for kids to manage. 


·         Let them eat cake, or not! Your child's birthday may be an unconventional one; ask him what kind of birthday dessert he wants. Maybe it’s ice cream sundaes or cupcakes. Maybe your child wants to bake the cake; whatever he chooses, make it an entertaining experience. If your child wants sundaes, provide sprinkles and syrups so that the kids can create their own. 


·         Thank your guests. Have your child sign personalised thank-you cards and send them to all the guests about a week later. Your child can thank each one of her friends individually and can use it as yet another creative outlet.  





About the Author: Dawn Tvedt is a mother of two as well an avid blogger. She recently threw a successful birthday party for her twin sons.

Back to Basics: Making a Quality Quilt



Back to Basics: Making a Quality Quilt




Making a quilt can be fun, particularly if you enjoy sewing. There is a difference, however, to making a quilt with a sewing machine versus making one with your own two hands. Believe it or not, this is entirely possible. In order to make a quality quilt from scratch, you can use scraps of old material left over from other sewing projects, or you can always purchase fabric. Either way, you can make a beautiful block-style quality quilt all by yourself easily. It just takes time, patience, and effort.
You can even get your kids involved by teaching them how to sew with this tutorial
on using a sewing machine.

 

Follow these simple steps:

1.    Choose Your Quilting Pattern: You can think of your own, or even go on the internet for some interesting ideas. Make sure that if you do end up picking fabric up from the store, you don't end up purchasing a type that will end up fading or shrinking. 

2.    Purchase the Batting: The batting is basically the filler in the quilt. The thicker it is, the thicker and thus the warmer your quilt will end up being. You'll also need to pick up some backing material. This will be used for the underside of the quilt. Keep in mind that depending on the actual pattern, it's always possible to use a sheet as your backing. 

·         Note: Make sure that the back material is about 3 or 4 inches larger than your quilt size. 


3.    Cut Out Your Blocks: You can usually follow the directions of the pattern as you cut out the blocks for the quilt. Make sure that you cut out the appropriate number of blocks for each type and color of your fabric.

4.    Sew Blocks: Now you'll want to sew the blocks together in order to form strips. Simply use about a ¼ inch seam allowance. Once you've completed the strips, sew together the strips in order to form your quilt's body.

5.    Lay 3 Layers of Quilt on Top: Take 3 layers of your quilt and lie one on top of the other. From there, place your backing material on the bottom, and follow the top of the quilt (or your blocks that are sewn together) face down on the top of the backing. Then put your backing material on top.

6.    Sew the Layers Together: Now you'll need to sew your layers together. If you use a sewing machine, be sure to sew around three of the sides of the quilt. Now, on the fourth side, you will want to leave a 2 foot opening.

7.    Flip the Quilt and Finish: You should now flip over your quilt and finish sewing the edge of it by hand. You'll need to turn your quilt inside out now, as this will bring the top to the outside, and put the batting material in the center where it belongs. After you’ve flipped it (so that the layers of the quilt are in the appropriate order), baste the opening by hand in order to close the seam shut.

8.    Sew Layers: Now you sew your layers together. This is basically considered the quilting process. Use a contrasting or matching thread (whichever you prefer), and then begin from the quilt’s middle and work your way outward. You can use a sewing machine or do it by hand. Go from one end of the quilt to the other in either curved or straight lines (again, that depends on your preference).

9.    Now, take a gander at your quality quilt – it's finished.





By: Kole for Upholstery Fabric

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